K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge.
She is the internationally bestselling author of over thirty books, including Ten Tiny Breaths, The Simple Wild, and the Fate & Flame series, Until It Fades, Say You Still Love Me, and Keep Her Safe. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, Publisher's Weekly, Oprah Mag, and First for Women.
Ten Tiny Breaths, The Simple Wild, and A Queen of Thieves & Chaos were Goodreads Choice award nominees.
K.A. Tucker lives outside of Toronto. When she's not writing books, you can find her reading recipes she'll never make or chasing rabbits away from her hostas.
For those of you waiting for Fallen Empire (the last book in the Dirty Empire series) to release next Tuesday, I wanted to let you know that I've pushed the release date by about a week. My family and I were in a car accident over the weekend. We are all relatively okay, but instead of spending the last few days working on my post-edited manuscript, I've spent it dealing with the aftermath of the crash, resting, and being extremely thankful that we're all still here. I haven't even opened the book file. So, I've shifted the date and bought myself a few extra days to get my head clear. If things feel more normal next week, I might be able to release the book sooner than September 16th. I know you guys have been waiting a while for this one, and I appreciate your patience with waiting a little longer.
The following ratings are out of 5: Romance: 💙❤️💚💜🖤 Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔 World building: 🌏🌍🌏🌎 Character development: 😊😄😘😍 Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙 Narration Type: Dual Narration
The heroine:Mercy - her father is still in prison, she is in love with Gabriel from a mafia family, she now knows for sure he and his brother are killers, and the Feds are breathing down their necks. She recently found out her best friend has been lying to her. Nothing in her life seems to be going the way she wants, and she is right in the middle of a sh*tstorm of epic proportions.
The Hero:Gabriel - he has finally admitted to being in love with Mercy and he trusts her more than anyone else. He and his brother Caleb have been trying to get out of their father’s drug business, they have been working with the two youngest brothers in an enemy family. Everything blew up in their faces when they finally met with the entire family. Their uncle, who they think put a hit out on them and blew up their plane, is still on the run and claiming not to have done it. Also, their father Vlad is still trying to run their lives from jail.
The Story: The last book ended in a huge reveal as well as a massive cliffhanger, so this one started off with a bunch of suspense. The suspense didn’t end right away either. There is nothing I hate more than a cliffhanger that turns out to be nothing. Like when a gunshot is fired at one of the main characters and the next book starts out with it just turning out to be a graze that didn’t even land the character in the hospital.
One thing I really liked about this series was the fact that at the beginning of each book, there is a quick recap of what happened in previous books as Gabriel thinks about what is going on. I binged these, so didn’t really need the recap, but I like the fact that it was there. I hate it when I go to read a second or third book in a series, a while after reading the first and I can’t remember what is going on. This book was pretty great with a ton of action, suspense and romance. There was steam, but not too much, It ended perfectly.
This audiobook was told in dual points of view via dual narration and was narrated by Alex Kydd and Ada Sinclair. Alex Kydd is a good narrator; I like the voice he uses for Gabriel; it is kind of low and gravelly. He is great at using completely different sounding voices for other characters as well. Ada Sinclair has a soft, feminine voice which I find I really like. Though I have one pet peeve of something that has been said over and over in this series. Ada Sinclair keeps saying oogle instead of ogle when she talks about how men ogle her or when she ogles Gabriel. I don’t know if it was spelled wrong or if she just doesn’t know how to say ogle but it really started to bother me.
I’m an avid KA Tucker reader. The Wolf Hotel Series is in my top 5 and I have LOVED all the other Dirty Empire books. But this book seemed rushed, had literally zero smut, and paled tremendously by comparison. There was very little conflict and everything seemed wrapped up in a nice little bow. What happened to the mysterious, sex-driven playboy Gabriel we grew to love?! And the sassy, headstrong Mercy? Gabriel was far too soft and vulnerable in this book and Mercy was nearly absent. She was in the book physically, but her true personality was gone, replaced by a shell of the woman we once knew. I had such high expectations for Gabriel and Mercy. To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement😔
this series was a ride and im so happy i gave it a chance after having a few misses from this author.
with mercy’s dad in prison and in need of protection, gabriel propositions her for his protection. what starts off as a sort of enemies-adjacent to lovers story that I literally could not put down.
mercy was a bit annoying in the first book- and it was my lowest rated one (3.5), but she quickly grew on me. gabriel had the whole reformed playboy bad boy DOWN BAD thing going and that it literally my fav thing about a mmc.
there are twists and turns- one of them specifically in book 3- that I could not see coming.
this series is an easy binge if you want something dark-ish, enemies-ish to lovers, mafia-ish. it kinda felt like tate james lite without the bullying.
This is the fourth installment and I was so read to get to the finale of the series and I will admit that this one kept me up all night reading and I have no shame in that. I absolutely loved everything about this final installment for Gabriel and Mercy. The danger has increased and now both Gabriel and Mercy will do whatever it takes to find a way to their HEA and to have those they love safe from those that would destroy it for power's sake. They find some allies in the most unexpected places and find a strength in their relationship that only burns stronger than ever. The tenacity of Gabriel to keep his lady safe was so captivating and I really enjoyed the way that the plot unfolded in this one. There is definitely more plot focus than character driven or sex driven as we are seeing events unfold that the series has been slowly building up to. I absolutely couldn't put this one down and I adored the way we see Gabriel and Mercy reach their happy ever after. I wanted so much for them to find their own path and you really see it happen in this one. The more and more I read this author, the more I am stunned by her ability to captivate such focus and attention. If you are a fan of this author, then you can't go wrong with this one here. A definitely WINNER!!!
A decent ending to this empire nightclub series. Felt a little bit rushed, but all in all enjoyable and with a bit of action. A little less romance and a lot less spice, but whatever.
I wanted to review this when I finished all the books to be fair, this wasn't the most amazing story I read nor it was the best mafia romance, it just was book crack for me. I got super into it and couldn't put it down.
I loved Gabriel the most out of all the characters, he was what he was and he didnt pretend to be anything else. Plus his devotion to Mercy 🥴
Now Mercy I found to be pretty hypocrite . She hated drugs, hated violence and judged Gabe for his family and job, but when all of those things worked to her benefit she was reeeeal quiet about it 🤔 I still liked her tho, in the last book she owned up to everything and became a bad ass but in the first two she was annoying.
As for Caleb, he was my second favorite but there wasn't much to him so I can't say much. I don't think the author wrote a sequel about him but I would loooove that (specially with Merrick 👀)
This particular book was the worst of the four, it laked smut and the characters were so bland all of a sudden. Also everything worked out too perfectly to the point it was kinda boring and then we time jump and miss all the interesting things that came after.
All in all, I enjoyed this series so much cause it felt like those old ones I used to read. If you're really into romance I think you'll like it too!
Another solid and bingeable KA Tucker series crossed off!! If you like darker, mafia like romances then I’d def give this series a try! It had the perfect mix between spice and suspense, and the overarching story and character development was great. Gabriel totally won my heart over, and I was so thankful for the happy ending, especially after everything in book 3!! I don’t read a lot of dark/ mafia romances, but I totally got Sopranos vibes as that’s all I have to compare to!
To be completely honest, I skimmed most of this book. I found myself zoning out and just wanted to finish it😭 I loved the first book but it just didn’t feel like the same series anymore
Also, the ending was left too open for my liking. I have so many questions but no answers to them.
I think I just let out the longest sign… I don’t want it to be over but I’m so happy how it wrapped up neatly. Usually I’m upset with rushed endings but this one felt right. And I am loving the whole family aspect at the end with Gabriel and mercy.
Fallen Empire is the fourth and final book in the Dirty Empire series.
This series is a continuing story. So you must have read Sweet Mercy, Gabriel Fallen, and Dirty Empire first.
I would describe these books as dark romance, and sexy, mixed with some suspense.
As with the previous books this one has a dual male and female POV. The female POV is Mercy. The male POV is Gabriel. He is an alpha male and the son of an infamous crime boss
This book was much less sexy than the previous books. The mob aspect is darkish. However when bad things happen they are not very graphic (which I like).
This was a quick read. But mobsters are not really my thing. So this isn't my typical read. But I do adore K.A. Tucker. And this was a good conclusion to the series.
*I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
So disappointed in this ending! The first 3 books were excellent but this one fell flat. Where was the atmosphere, the tension and the smut?! It was all too obvious and all the big scenes werent even carried out properly! I mean, it's still K A Tucker so it's never going to be bad but I feel let down by this sadly.
Unfortunately, Fallen Empire pales in comparison to its predecessors. The novel wraps up too quickly and too efficiently and there is no smut.
Fallen Empire immediately picks up after the events of Dirty Empire. Mercy has been kidnapped and Gabriel and Caleb are at their father’s beck and call.
Fallen Empire is only 238 pages, so it’s no surprise that the story was wrapped up too quickly. A new character was introduced that solved all their problems in a couple chapters so that Mercy and Gabriel could walk blissfully into the sunset. All of Gabriel and Caleb’s plans and work from the previous novels essentially amounted to nothing as this new character conveniently fixed everything.
Tucker knows how to write smut and lust fueled characters. Unfortunately, the smut and our loveable lust driven Gabriel were missing from Fallen Empire. The chemistry between Mercy and Gabriel was non-existent. Mercy even commented numerous times how the lust filled looks she used to get from Gabriel weren’t there. There was a moment where Tucker could have redeemed the lack of chemistry between the two, but instead the moment faded to black. The scene was setting up to be reminiscent of a certain cave scene in The Wolf Hotel series, but Tucker chose to fade to black.
Overall, Fallen Empire was a disappointing conclusion that lacked the tension, lust, and chemistry of its predecessors.
*3.5* This last book was a bit of a letdown after really enjoying the rest of the series. The family problems wrapped themselves up quickly and felt somewhat unresolved. I really enjoyed watching this ott alpha mafia man fall for a drug-rehab counselor.
“Haven’t you figured it out yet? Everything I have is yours.” The muscle in his jaw ticks. “Including my heart. That’s yours. It’ll never be anyone else’s.”
Major chemistry, excellent plots moving and the side characters were enjoyable as well. Not to mention, the fmc has turned into quite a badass herself at the end of this one.
An exceptionally boring and unecessary end to what was a gripping and sexy trilogy. This was not the finale I'd expected at all; I would have given up if it wasn't such a short book. Do NOT recommend at all.
Linda and I finally finished this series that we've buddy read. It was a satisfying ending for me. So happy we got to add it to our queue's for COYER's Finish What You Started Read-a-thon.
Ada Sinclair & Alex Kydd did an exceptional job with this story, and I am looking forward to listening to a lot more from them in the future! Well done to them both!
STORY: 5 STARS
AGAIN … twist and turns are running amok, and we start this installment with a bang!! Sweet Jesus, these two cannot catch a break! Here’s where I tell you the absolute best aspect of Gabriel & Mercy’s complete journey (four books lol) … the surprises just never stop and it is utterly bewitching! I have to give props to the author for keeping the level of suspense very high throughout most of this story. I honestly couldn’t have told you Gabriel & Mercy would make it until it actually happened. *slow clap* Well done!
KA Tucker managed to keep me completely invested in every single word from the very beginning with the first book right to the end with this one. In my experience, there’s always this lull that happens in journeys that encompass several books, and it did not happen with Mercy & Gabriel. Again, well done! I am really looking forward to investing in this author in the future!
Fallen Empire (Empire Nightclub, #4) is now available in audiobook format!
Like a lot of the other reviews state it was very rushed — I would have been happy to see this one more book in this series to get more development on a few story lines BUT seeing Gabriel with all his passion and love for Mercy I ate this up 😛👏🏻
There was much less spice in this book but the suspense and action packed moments were v enjoyable!
All in all — easy series to listen to and super quick to read. Also it is hot as fuck.
My goodness! What a heart pounding, action packed, intense and exciting journey!! K.A. Tucker takes you on a wild and chaotic ride! Her words made for a page turner!!such an incredible read!!