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Corrupt Gods Duet #1
Bad Blood
From Cora Kenborn and Catherine Wiltcher comes Corrupt Gods, a brand new arranged marriage mafia duet.
A Santiago is a lesson in ruin.
A Carrera bleeds for revenge.
Thalia Santiago is the daughter of my enemy.
A beautiful rebel with a single cause.
Impulsive.
Fearless.
And ripe for her father’s undoing.
I recognized her the moment she stepped into my casino.
I watched her start the fires that burned her pretty fingers, and then I poured gasoline on the flames.
Now she’s in my debt, and her dues are a shiny gold ring and a vow of deception.
I’ll bend her.
I’ll break her.
I’ll turn our mockery of a marriage into a battlefield.
And that river of bad blood that flows between our two families?
I’ll make it an ocean of hate.
*This is book 1 of a new dark romance duet, releasing May 12th. Tainted Blood, book 2, releases June 9th.
**Bad Blood is set in the Santiago and Carrera worlds, but it is not necessary to have read either trilogy beforehand.
A Santiago is a lesson in ruin.
A Carrera bleeds for revenge.
Thalia Santiago is the daughter of my enemy.
A beautiful rebel with a single cause.
Impulsive.
Fearless.
And ripe for her father’s undoing.
I recognized her the moment she stepped into my casino.
I watched her start the fires that burned her pretty fingers, and then I poured gasoline on the flames.
Now she’s in my debt, and her dues are a shiny gold ring and a vow of deception.
I’ll bend her.
I’ll break her.
I’ll turn our mockery of a marriage into a battlefield.
And that river of bad blood that flows between our two families?
I’ll make it an ocean of hate.
*This is book 1 of a new dark romance duet, releasing May 12th. Tainted Blood, book 2, releases June 9th.
**Bad Blood is set in the Santiago and Carrera worlds, but it is not necessary to have read either trilogy beforehand.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2021
614 people are currently reading
4805 people want to read
About the author
Cora Kenborn
57 books2,076 followersCora Kenborn is a USA Today Bestselling and Top 50 Amazon Bestselling author whose readers have affectionately dubbed her the “queen of plot twists that’ll ruin your day in the best way.”
Best known for her dark mafia romances, Cora has an insatiable bad boy obsession, which she believes started in the third grade when she chose Bruce over Todd in the Sweet Valley High books. To this day, give her an unhinged antihero who falls hard for a feisty heroine, and you’ve won her heart.
As a native North Carolinian, Cora claims the domestic Southern Belle gene skipped right over her. Her villain origin story was the day she tried making her mother’s famous biscuits and gravy, only to turn them into paste-covered dough bricks. That’s when she decided fiction was better than reality, and microwaved mac and cheese counted as fine dining.
Stay up to date with Cora:
Newsletter: corakenborn.myflodesk.com/newsletter
Website: www.corakenborn.com
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CPrPrx
Facebook: http://bit.ly/CoraFB
Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/CoraTAA
TikTok: https://bit.ly/CKTikTok
Instagram: http://bit.ly/CoraInsta
BookBub: http://bit.ly/CoraBookBub
Best known for her dark mafia romances, Cora has an insatiable bad boy obsession, which she believes started in the third grade when she chose Bruce over Todd in the Sweet Valley High books. To this day, give her an unhinged antihero who falls hard for a feisty heroine, and you’ve won her heart.
As a native North Carolinian, Cora claims the domestic Southern Belle gene skipped right over her. Her villain origin story was the day she tried making her mother’s famous biscuits and gravy, only to turn them into paste-covered dough bricks. That’s when she decided fiction was better than reality, and microwaved mac and cheese counted as fine dining.
Stay up to date with Cora:
Newsletter: corakenborn.myflodesk.com/newsletter
Website: www.corakenborn.com
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CPrPrx
Facebook: http://bit.ly/CoraFB
Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/CoraTAA
TikTok: https://bit.ly/CKTikTok
Instagram: http://bit.ly/CoraInsta
BookBub: http://bit.ly/CoraBookBub
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 465 reviews
July 24, 2021
3.141 stars. Boring book ~boring review.
Whoa, a mafia romance with good writing? Color me surprised. Cora Reilly really made me grow unaccustomed to that particular combination. (the irony of me giving some Reilly's books 5 stars, though 💀)
This book had every mafia trope I love:
🦹👰🏻marriage of convenience
🤮🥵enemies to lovers
💀 revenge
☕family feudes
👩❤️💋👨no other people drama
Atypical elements:
📝decent plot
📝 absence of dumb chicks
📝noble anti-hero
I'd say it's Cora Reilly's book on steroids. Steroid overdosed.
Even though I liked the heroine, Talia, since she appears to be bolder, braver and more independent than your regular mafia heroines, I didn't sympathize with her that much. Probably that was warrantied by the authors' constant effort to emphasise her boldness and fearlessness. 🙄 Santi turned out a typical ruthless mafia guy but with a soft spot for Talia and his female relatives which is adorable. Love that for him.
I loved their first encounter, when Santi caught Talia red-handed, stealing his hard-earned, bloody casino money in that red pussy-flashing dress of hers. 💵🤑
That being said, eventually I grew bored. To be more exact, my yawning session began when the couple was on their full blown honeymoon. 💀
This is definitely a one-time read for me because despite liking the main couple and family/friendship dynamics, I pretty much didn't give a fuck about anything or anyone. I didn't feel much chemistry and sex scenes made me want to go grab a sandwich and watch a Gossip Girl reboot instead. 👁️👄👁️
A v e r a g e
T y p i c a l
At least Cora's books make me feel baffled. Outraged. Provoke eye-rolling.😞
I need to stop acting like a disrespectful bitch by sticking another author's name in every third line of the review of the book written by other authors, though. 💀
Now I'll go think about my behaviour. ☕
Whoa, a mafia romance with good writing? Color me surprised. Cora Reilly really made me grow unaccustomed to that particular combination. (the irony of me giving some Reilly's books 5 stars, though 💀)
This book had every mafia trope I love:
🦹👰🏻marriage of convenience
🤮🥵enemies to lovers
💀 revenge
☕family feudes
👩❤️💋👨no other people drama
Atypical elements:
📝decent plot
📝 absence of dumb chicks
📝noble anti-hero
I'd say it's Cora Reilly's book on steroids. Steroid overdosed.
Even though I liked the heroine, Talia, since she appears to be bolder, braver and more independent than your regular mafia heroines, I didn't sympathize with her that much. Probably that was warrantied by the authors' constant effort to emphasise her boldness and fearlessness. 🙄 Santi turned out a typical ruthless mafia guy but with a soft spot for Talia and his female relatives which is adorable. Love that for him.
I loved their first encounter, when Santi caught Talia red-handed, stealing his hard-earned, bloody casino money in that red pussy-flashing dress of hers. 💵🤑
That being said, eventually I grew bored. To be more exact, my yawning session began when the couple was on their full blown honeymoon. 💀
This is definitely a one-time read for me because despite liking the main couple and family/friendship dynamics, I pretty much didn't give a fuck about anything or anyone. I didn't feel much chemistry and sex scenes made me want to go grab a sandwich and watch a Gossip Girl reboot instead. 👁️👄👁️
A v e r a g e
T y p i c a l
At least Cora's books make me feel baffled. Outraged. Provoke eye-rolling.😞
I need to stop acting like a disrespectful bitch by sticking another author's name in every third line of the review of the book written by other authors, though. 💀
Now I'll go think about my behaviour. ☕
May 12, 2021
“To The next generation, their hate became a new hate, their pain became a new pain.”
Oh wow! I loved this! I am a huge fan of Catherine Wiltcher and I know all about the Santiago’s and family.
I don’t know the back story of the Carrera’s but reading what I just read I absolutely am going to go back and read about Valentin Carrera, Santi’s father, and his life in the Carrera Cartel trilogy.
So we have a new generation here where the younger generation has contributed to the cycle of enemy lines.
“You are a Carrera. A sin against one is a sin against all. We don’t rest until vengeance has been claimed and blood has been spilled. “
Thalia has a heart of gold when she tries to keep her sister out of the hands of evil. One video could shatter her sisters dreams and future, so Thalia is willing to use her “talent” of counting cards to win quick money to pay off someone who has that video, so it can be destroyed.
The problem is Thalia walked into the wrong casino and right into the arms of Santi Carrera.
Santi isn’t going to let the enemy just walk away without making her pay the price. He comes up with an interesting plan..
Here comes one of my favorite tropes.
Forced marriage.
“Blood and bullets are temporary, but betrayal...Well, that’s forever. And there’s no greater betrayal to a father than his daughter taking the name of his enemy. “
Oh, do we get a small scene with daddy Dante Santiago and oh my god. The man hasn’t changed.
Thalia and Santi are physically attracted to each other. It was inevitable that two extremely attractive people would end up in lust with each other. It’s a heat and lust filled relationship full of banter. Its rough and fast and sexual and dripping in desire.
“I won’t stop devouring this p*ssy until you do, and then I’m turning you over and tongue-f**king your as* until you forget you ever had the name before Carrera.”
But enemies are enemies. The enemies of your fathers are the enemies of yours as well. Lines are crossed and no one is allowed to step over them. Except for now. Temporarily.
Because the one thing that the Santiago’s and Carrera’s will never allow into their territory is sex trafficking. And someone is pushing dead women into shipping containers right onto their doorsteps.
Someone is hosting a sex trafficking event highlighting daughters of the mafia/cartel/etc.
And someone wants Thalia.
So, this book leaves off on a crazy cliffhanger.
I’ll be slowly dying till I get my greedy hands on book two.
Oh wow! I loved this! I am a huge fan of Catherine Wiltcher and I know all about the Santiago’s and family.
I don’t know the back story of the Carrera’s but reading what I just read I absolutely am going to go back and read about Valentin Carrera, Santi’s father, and his life in the Carrera Cartel trilogy.
So we have a new generation here where the younger generation has contributed to the cycle of enemy lines.
“You are a Carrera. A sin against one is a sin against all. We don’t rest until vengeance has been claimed and blood has been spilled. “
Thalia has a heart of gold when she tries to keep her sister out of the hands of evil. One video could shatter her sisters dreams and future, so Thalia is willing to use her “talent” of counting cards to win quick money to pay off someone who has that video, so it can be destroyed.
The problem is Thalia walked into the wrong casino and right into the arms of Santi Carrera.
Santi isn’t going to let the enemy just walk away without making her pay the price. He comes up with an interesting plan..
Here comes one of my favorite tropes.
Forced marriage.
“Blood and bullets are temporary, but betrayal...Well, that’s forever. And there’s no greater betrayal to a father than his daughter taking the name of his enemy. “
Oh, do we get a small scene with daddy Dante Santiago and oh my god. The man hasn’t changed.
Thalia and Santi are physically attracted to each other. It was inevitable that two extremely attractive people would end up in lust with each other. It’s a heat and lust filled relationship full of banter. Its rough and fast and sexual and dripping in desire.
“I won’t stop devouring this p*ssy until you do, and then I’m turning you over and tongue-f**king your as* until you forget you ever had the name before Carrera.”
But enemies are enemies. The enemies of your fathers are the enemies of yours as well. Lines are crossed and no one is allowed to step over them. Except for now. Temporarily.
Because the one thing that the Santiago’s and Carrera’s will never allow into their territory is sex trafficking. And someone is pushing dead women into shipping containers right onto their doorsteps.
Someone is hosting a sex trafficking event highlighting daughters of the mafia/cartel/etc.
And someone wants Thalia.
So, this book leaves off on a crazy cliffhanger.
I’ll be slowly dying till I get my greedy hands on book two.
May 10, 2021
Bad Blood by Cora Kenborn and Catherine Wiltcher is everything I expected and wanted and then multiplied hundred times! This is what happens when two of my all time favourite mafia series are united. NUCLEAR EXPLOSION. My heart and soul is shattered. My mind is still trying to find all the pieces after being ruthlessly assaulted with the dark characters, violent twists and angsty feels. This is pure dangerous beauty.
Since the authors have announced that Carrera and Santiago, two rival cartels will collide and mesh in the next generation books, I was over the moon. Because the possibilities are endless and phenomenal. Valentin Carrera's son Santi and Santiago's daughter Thalia are getting into a web of deceits, secrets and revenge. When Thalia is caught stealing money by couting cards in Santi's casino, everything come crashing down. Now Santi wants to use his enemy'e daughter as pawn in the never ending battle of powers but he needs to be careful.
Who can be better ( or worse, depends on the way you look at it) than Val Carrera? His son, of course. I cannot believe I am saying this but Santi is so so close to my Val obsession. This man gives me chills and shivers from a book's page! He is dark. Volatile. Dangerous. Ruthless. Merciless. Unhinged. Unapologetically cruel and calculating. Alpha ahole to the finest.He wields his power like a lethal weapon that cut through armies of his enemies. He is so wrong, so bad, so depraved and I am addicted. And of course we need a woman with crazy fearlessness to face him. Thalia is like that. She is compassionate and reckless and ready to do anything for family. That may inclide entering into an arrangement with the rivals. The hatred between them is a living breathing thing that transforms into brutal lust. The push and pull..I was losing my mind. It was like sitting on a pile of gunpowder ready to be lit and explode. Santi wants to possess Thalia and devour her while trying to remember that she is the enemy. Thalia resents him for trapping her and she wants an escape till her heart in entangled. Their chemisty is unimaginably intense and forbidden. But once the beast is unleashed, you can only see the debauchery and destruction. The story line is fast paced and complex that kept me glued to the pages. So many twists. So many dangerous turns. It was a battlefield of blood and revenge and power. And I was giddy with delight to meet all the players including the kings themselves. With secrets unfolding in every page and that mindblowing cliffhanger, this story has become a glorious mafia masterpiece.
If you decide to pick one mafia romance this year, Bad Blood by Cora Kenborn and Catherine Wiltcher should be your choice. Because it really doesn't get any better than this. Deliciously dark. Unashamedly depraved. Perfectly twisted and edgy.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
Since the authors have announced that Carrera and Santiago, two rival cartels will collide and mesh in the next generation books, I was over the moon. Because the possibilities are endless and phenomenal. Valentin Carrera's son Santi and Santiago's daughter Thalia are getting into a web of deceits, secrets and revenge. When Thalia is caught stealing money by couting cards in Santi's casino, everything come crashing down. Now Santi wants to use his enemy'e daughter as pawn in the never ending battle of powers but he needs to be careful.
Who can be better ( or worse, depends on the way you look at it) than Val Carrera? His son, of course. I cannot believe I am saying this but Santi is so so close to my Val obsession. This man gives me chills and shivers from a book's page! He is dark. Volatile. Dangerous. Ruthless. Merciless. Unhinged. Unapologetically cruel and calculating. Alpha ahole to the finest.He wields his power like a lethal weapon that cut through armies of his enemies. He is so wrong, so bad, so depraved and I am addicted. And of course we need a woman with crazy fearlessness to face him. Thalia is like that. She is compassionate and reckless and ready to do anything for family. That may inclide entering into an arrangement with the rivals. The hatred between them is a living breathing thing that transforms into brutal lust. The push and pull..I was losing my mind. It was like sitting on a pile of gunpowder ready to be lit and explode. Santi wants to possess Thalia and devour her while trying to remember that she is the enemy. Thalia resents him for trapping her and she wants an escape till her heart in entangled. Their chemisty is unimaginably intense and forbidden. But once the beast is unleashed, you can only see the debauchery and destruction. The story line is fast paced and complex that kept me glued to the pages. So many twists. So many dangerous turns. It was a battlefield of blood and revenge and power. And I was giddy with delight to meet all the players including the kings themselves. With secrets unfolding in every page and that mindblowing cliffhanger, this story has become a glorious mafia masterpiece.
If you decide to pick one mafia romance this year, Bad Blood by Cora Kenborn and Catherine Wiltcher should be your choice. Because it really doesn't get any better than this. Deliciously dark. Unashamedly depraved. Perfectly twisted and edgy.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
May 18, 2021
Wow what a read. 100% recommend. I stayed up all night reading bad blood. I was lucky enough to receive an arc and I’m so glad I did.
Thrilling, page Turner, addictive read.
Dark mafia book with a twist no one saw coming!
This is a two part book but you don’t have to read the Santiago trilogy or the carerra series but if you haven’t read the Santiago trilogy I think you should head that way to because Dante Santiago is Thalia’s dad if you haven’t read the carerra series I think you best pick that one up to because Valentin is sam’s dad
Santi was a hard man just like his dad but damnnn he was hot. Thalia made me laugh and I loved her fire she didn’t care to stand her ground. The scenes in this book were on fire. But that ending left me screaming!!!
All in all this book is worth so much more than 5 stars and I’ll be jumping back into rereading it after some sleep. Hands down my top read so far in 2021. I’ll be ripping my hair out and bitting my nails waiting for the next book
Also can’t wait to read ediers book
And Sam and lola’s
Alsooooo ;) RJ I need a piece of that beefcake
Thrilling, page Turner, addictive read.
Dark mafia book with a twist no one saw coming!
This is a two part book but you don’t have to read the Santiago trilogy or the carerra series but if you haven’t read the Santiago trilogy I think you should head that way to because Dante Santiago is Thalia’s dad if you haven’t read the carerra series I think you best pick that one up to because Valentin is sam’s dad
Santi was a hard man just like his dad but damnnn he was hot. Thalia made me laugh and I loved her fire she didn’t care to stand her ground. The scenes in this book were on fire. But that ending left me screaming!!!
All in all this book is worth so much more than 5 stars and I’ll be jumping back into rereading it after some sleep. Hands down my top read so far in 2021. I’ll be ripping my hair out and bitting my nails waiting for the next book
Also can’t wait to read ediers book
And Sam and lola’s
Alsooooo ;) RJ I need a piece of that beefcake
November 12, 2021
ღ Thalia Santiago and Santi Carrera’s story
So, I was in the mood for a good mafia read, and a friend of mine recommended this duet to me
Santiago Vs Carrera 🔪Enemies to lovers
I haven’t read any books by Cora Kenborn or by Catherine Wiltcher. But I’ll definitely be looking for more books from these two authors in the future
🔪This is a 2nd Generation war as far as I can tell, my main concern with that fact, was that I would be completely lost…. But no, I found my way without any issues
There just might be a possibility that after 20 years of feuding between Valentin Carrera and Dante Santiago that this next Generation might be able to end this war, if only the fathers can stop fueling the fire
💀She is the daughter of a Colombian cartel king
💀He is the son of the Mexican cartel king
Mexican folklore calls it La Boda Roja, the Red Wedding—a day meant for celebration, but one that ended in death and betrayal
Thalia Santiago is the daughter of my enemy. A beautiful rebel with a single cause. And he is going to use that against her
She is on a mission to save her older sister from the devil, and in the process, Thalia Santiago finds herself somehow becoming Thalia Carrera
There are so many moving parts to this story, and as I read the history of this war between Dante Santiago and Valentin Carrera, I realize that the old saying that there are two sides to every story, and somewhere in the middle lies the truth, is spot on
I am not huge fan of cliffhangers, but damn I can’t wait to start the next book
I believe later on in the future I’d like to read both Valentin Carrera and Dante Santiago’s stories… So by saying that you know I completely enjoyed this mafia romance
May 9, 2021
“You and I were born into a nightmare, and we’ll die in one too. This is the hand we’ve been dealt.“
Bad Blood is an edgy, fast-paced, thoroughly entertaining enemies-to-lovers mafia romance. Cora Kenborn and Catherine Wiltcher create pure magic together, giving readers two characters whose hate-fueled lust heats up the pages while war and dissent brews around them. This book is what happens when two insanely talented authors combine their efforts and bring together unforgettable characters whose pasts are seeped in blood and violence.
“Advance and retreat. Attack and surrender. We’re crossing two territories filled with hidden landmines, and eventually, one of them is going to explode.”
Both the Carerra Cartel and the Santiago Cartel series are individually unique and rich in character development and world building. Bad Blood brings together the children who were born to these worlds and inherited the vicious rivalry that started with their powerful fathers. Thalia and Santi were both well developed characters and were written authentically. Thalia was a perfect combination of strong and vulnerable, and as she found herself in an unexpected situation, her strength really shone through. I loved her unwavering loyalty to her family. The way she never let herself be cowed by anyone was fantastic. Santi was everything I love in a hero: hard, ruthless, and possessive, with a growing soft spot for the last woman in the world that he should want. I loved seeing him interact with Thalia, and the authors did such a great job creating tension between them that led to an undeniable attraction.
“‘You’re mine, Thalia Carrera,’ he growls. ‘That fucking ring on your finger proves it.’”
The authors gave readers a well-balanced storyline that flows perfectly. Their writing styles blend together so incredibly well, creating smooth continuity and an evenly paced story. The romance and mafia elements played really well against each other. There was humor and action and fantastically written dialogue. Fans of the previous series and new readers alike will be thoroughly impressed by Bad Blood. The shocking ending left me extremely anxious for the next book. I can't wait to see what is coming next with the conclusion to this duet.
Bad Blood is an edgy, fast-paced, thoroughly entertaining enemies-to-lovers mafia romance. Cora Kenborn and Catherine Wiltcher create pure magic together, giving readers two characters whose hate-fueled lust heats up the pages while war and dissent brews around them. This book is what happens when two insanely talented authors combine their efforts and bring together unforgettable characters whose pasts are seeped in blood and violence.
“Advance and retreat. Attack and surrender. We’re crossing two territories filled with hidden landmines, and eventually, one of them is going to explode.”
Both the Carerra Cartel and the Santiago Cartel series are individually unique and rich in character development and world building. Bad Blood brings together the children who were born to these worlds and inherited the vicious rivalry that started with their powerful fathers. Thalia and Santi were both well developed characters and were written authentically. Thalia was a perfect combination of strong and vulnerable, and as she found herself in an unexpected situation, her strength really shone through. I loved her unwavering loyalty to her family. The way she never let herself be cowed by anyone was fantastic. Santi was everything I love in a hero: hard, ruthless, and possessive, with a growing soft spot for the last woman in the world that he should want. I loved seeing him interact with Thalia, and the authors did such a great job creating tension between them that led to an undeniable attraction.
“‘You’re mine, Thalia Carrera,’ he growls. ‘That fucking ring on your finger proves it.’”
The authors gave readers a well-balanced storyline that flows perfectly. Their writing styles blend together so incredibly well, creating smooth continuity and an evenly paced story. The romance and mafia elements played really well against each other. There was humor and action and fantastically written dialogue. Fans of the previous series and new readers alike will be thoroughly impressed by Bad Blood. The shocking ending left me extremely anxious for the next book. I can't wait to see what is coming next with the conclusion to this duet.
July 11, 2021
5 ♥️⚡️♥️⚡️♥️⚡️💔⚡️♥️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟s❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️
I still don’t know what hit me…😱😱😱
Superb❗️
Breathtaking ❗️
I haven’t read any books by Cora Kenborn, but I have devoured all the ones by Catherine Wiltcher.
I was fully familiar with the Santiago Cartel characters but not with the Carrera Cartel.
However, both writers delivered an exceptional story, utterly captivating and engaging.
Dante Santiago and Valentin Carrera might have been enemies for the last 20 years, but their kids might be able to end this war…
This part ended with a huge cliffhanger and I can’t wait to start the next!!!
I still don’t know what hit me…😱😱😱
Superb❗️
Breathtaking ❗️
I haven’t read any books by Cora Kenborn, but I have devoured all the ones by Catherine Wiltcher.
I was fully familiar with the Santiago Cartel characters but not with the Carrera Cartel.
However, both writers delivered an exceptional story, utterly captivating and engaging.
Dante Santiago and Valentin Carrera might have been enemies for the last 20 years, but their kids might be able to end this war…
This part ended with a huge cliffhanger and I can’t wait to start the next!!!
May 9, 2021
An epic co-write by Queens of Mafia stories, Bad Blood by Cora Kenborn and Catherine Wiltcher is a deliciously dark must read! Santi Carrera, heir to the Carrera Cartel. He's ruthless, possessive and truly the epitome of his father, Valentin. Thalia Santiago, determined and strong yet also vulnerable. She's the daughter of Dante Santiago. These two inherited the vicious cartel rivalry from their fathers. The journey that Santi and Thalia takes the readers on is plagued with darkness and deception. Their hate-fueled lust singes the pages. It was intense and captivating. June can't get here quick enough. I need the conclusion now!
August 16, 2021
Typical mafia romance that doesn't feel too trashy🤔
🌟🌟🌟1/2
🌟🌟🌟1/2
May 12, 2021
Yet again these two powerhouse authors have literally blown my mind! This story is so incredible it deserves way more than 5 stars! If you want to go on a wild ride of darkness and deception, then this book is for you! So many times I held my breath and my heart stopped beating in anticipation of what would happen next.
I’m a lover of the Carrera and Santiago stories and when they are interwoven like this, their stories become even more epic. The fact that this is about the next generation makes me want more, more, more. Santi Carrera and Thalia Santiago are two forces to be reckoned with and when they come together, it is unreal. They shouldn’t ever be together, as there is so much bad blood between the families, but when Thalia steps into Santi’s world, he has a plan and nothing will stop him.
So much goes on in this story to make your head spin and I loved every turn it took me on. The characters are all unique and incredible and intense! If you are a lover of mafia style stories, then this is definitely for you. The ending leaves you on a cliffhanger where you will scream NO! You can’t leave me hanging like that! Now I am dying for the conclusion and will be impatiently waiting. Bravo to these authors, they just prove again why they are the Queens of Mafia stories!
I’m a lover of the Carrera and Santiago stories and when they are interwoven like this, their stories become even more epic. The fact that this is about the next generation makes me want more, more, more. Santi Carrera and Thalia Santiago are two forces to be reckoned with and when they come together, it is unreal. They shouldn’t ever be together, as there is so much bad blood between the families, but when Thalia steps into Santi’s world, he has a plan and nothing will stop him.
So much goes on in this story to make your head spin and I loved every turn it took me on. The characters are all unique and incredible and intense! If you are a lover of mafia style stories, then this is definitely for you. The ending leaves you on a cliffhanger where you will scream NO! You can’t leave me hanging like that! Now I am dying for the conclusion and will be impatiently waiting. Bravo to these authors, they just prove again why they are the Queens of Mafia stories!
May 11, 2021
Cora Kenborn and Catherine Wiltcher created a New Adult Mafia Romance masterpiece with this one!
I was feeling nostalgic reading this book (especially right after reading Stained White Lines) and finishing this first book gives me all the sappy feelings.
Both authors outdid themselves writing this book! The crossing over of The Santiago Trilogy and Carrera Cartel series on this one was perfectly built with several twists and turns that will make your head spin. But only in a good way.
You don't need to read Santiago Trilogy and Carrera Cartel to read this (although you will understand both sides of the family rivalry more if you do). The main characters, Santi Carrera (Val Carrera's eldest son) and Thalia Santiago (Dante Santiago's youngest daughter) are product of a huge bad blood that started years ago between their fathers. There's so much family feud going on over the years and when these two come crashing at each other, there's just no going back. You just tumble and fall down that hole called feelings.
But my God. The intense chemistry and sexual tension these two have for each other sizzles at every page turn.
Santi is over the top jealous and possessive kind of hero (yeah, for someone claiming he's using his enemy's daughter *ehem*) and very bossy and grumpy.
Thalia, however she may be very much like his dad, she was selfless and very protective of her own family. I love how the way she was portrayed in the story. Even as a cartel princess, she's not a spoiled brat and she still sees the good in people and even hope for something good for them. She's also very smart and our girl got some tricks on her!
There's so much happening in the book that is a product of the open war declared from years ago and it's up on these two how they will both survive it and each other.
This book is a true enemies to lovers, arranged-marriage, mafia style romance you wouldn't want to miss!
I was feeling nostalgic reading this book (especially right after reading Stained White Lines) and finishing this first book gives me all the sappy feelings.
Both authors outdid themselves writing this book! The crossing over of The Santiago Trilogy and Carrera Cartel series on this one was perfectly built with several twists and turns that will make your head spin. But only in a good way.
You don't need to read Santiago Trilogy and Carrera Cartel to read this (although you will understand both sides of the family rivalry more if you do). The main characters, Santi Carrera (Val Carrera's eldest son) and Thalia Santiago (Dante Santiago's youngest daughter) are product of a huge bad blood that started years ago between their fathers. There's so much family feud going on over the years and when these two come crashing at each other, there's just no going back. You just tumble and fall down that hole called feelings.
But my God. The intense chemistry and sexual tension these two have for each other sizzles at every page turn.
Santi is over the top jealous and possessive kind of hero (yeah, for someone claiming he's using his enemy's daughter *ehem*) and very bossy and grumpy.
Thalia, however she may be very much like his dad, she was selfless and very protective of her own family. I love how the way she was portrayed in the story. Even as a cartel princess, she's not a spoiled brat and she still sees the good in people and even hope for something good for them. She's also very smart and our girl got some tricks on her!
There's so much happening in the book that is a product of the open war declared from years ago and it's up on these two how they will both survive it and each other.
This book is a true enemies to lovers, arranged-marriage, mafia style romance you wouldn't want to miss!
July 14, 2021
4-4.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Two wedding vows of gut-churning deception.
One marriage, borne out of blood and thorns.
A deceptively romantic tale of the villain and the virgin.
How have I not heard of or read these authors beforee!!?!?? They are soo bloody gooooood!!!!! This boook was soooo bloody gooood! It definitely exceeded my expectations and quenched my insatiable thirst for reading a sinister enemies to lovers/mafia romance book.
Tropes:
🥀 Mafia romance
🥀Enemies to lovers
🥀Forced marriage (❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥)
🥀Forbidden love
This is a story of a marriage born out of hate, desperation, revenge and lies. Of a relationship tainted by betrayal, deception and darkened by lust and temptation. Of two sullied souls atoning for the sins of their fathers.
Thalia Santiago (19), is in desperate need of fifty grand to salvage the dignity and reputation of her sister. Too afraid to ask her filthy rich father for help, she ventures into a rival cartel territory to win the money and gets caught trying to steal fifty-thousand dollars from the casino owned by her father’s biggest rival’s son, Santi Carrera (22). To get revenge on Thalia’s father, Dante Santiago, Santi agrees to grant her fifty grand if only she marries him. Because what could be greater than the betrayal of your daughter marrying the son of the enemy, right?
I found it hard to connect with Thalia’s character at first, I felt like she was a bit banal and trying too hard to impress. Here is a prime example of that:
“What’s your name?”
“Mickey Mouse,” I blurt out. “But only on the weekends. What’s yours?”
This was supposed to be humorous? I’m sorry it only made me wince and cringe. Fortunately apart from this one silly exhibit she didn’t do or say something to embarrass herself more and so eventually I came to like the vixen. 🙄🧡
The thing with mafia romances is that the man HAS to be 27 or above for me to actually see him as a MAN capable of inflicting pain and murdering people and being the king of a city.
I found it hard to believe that Santi, a 22 yo boy-man, could rule over New Jersey, own the cocaine distribution and control all its other vices! Yeah, no, a bit unbelievable, not too mention too pretentious.
But I must concede that his character was really well written that I almost forgot his age. And it was hard not to like (love) him when he did heartbreakingly sweet things like kiss his sister’s forehead and called his wife doll and said and did things like THIS 👇🏻
And THIS👇🏻
So tantalizingly hot!
The authors did their due diligence with the mafia aspect of this book. It was well researched, in fact so well researched that I had to skim most of the mafia talk because it went over my head. Now it could be that the authors were totally bullshiting but there’s no way I could know because, you know, I know nothing about how the mafia works. But either way it totally charmed my pants off. 💅🏼
There was some insults and words spoken in Spanish and the only ones I understood were Puta (😌😌) and “¡Hijo de su puta madre!” so I can’t speak for the authenticity or correctness of the translation but I don’t care even if it was wrong, because the Spanish sounded like music to my ears. 😌❤️🔥
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. And all the supporting characters deserve a book of their own. I am already invested in all of their love stories! Ahem, Lola and Sam, ahem, I’m looking at you! 😶🌫️
Two wedding vows of gut-churning deception.
One marriage, borne out of blood and thorns.
A deceptively romantic tale of the villain and the virgin.
How have I not heard of or read these authors beforee!!?!?? They are soo bloody gooooood!!!!! This boook was soooo bloody gooood! It definitely exceeded my expectations and quenched my insatiable thirst for reading a sinister enemies to lovers/mafia romance book.
Tropes:
🥀 Mafia romance
🥀Enemies to lovers
🥀Forced marriage (❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥)
🥀Forbidden love
“The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children.”
—William Shakespeare”
This is a story of a marriage born out of hate, desperation, revenge and lies. Of a relationship tainted by betrayal, deception and darkened by lust and temptation. Of two sullied souls atoning for the sins of their fathers.
“You need the money, and I need revenge, señorita. Some might say that’s a match made in hell.”
Thalia Santiago (19), is in desperate need of fifty grand to salvage the dignity and reputation of her sister. Too afraid to ask her filthy rich father for help, she ventures into a rival cartel territory to win the money and gets caught trying to steal fifty-thousand dollars from the casino owned by her father’s biggest rival’s son, Santi Carrera (22). To get revenge on Thalia’s father, Dante Santiago, Santi agrees to grant her fifty grand if only she marries him. Because what could be greater than the betrayal of your daughter marrying the son of the enemy, right?
“I’ll keep my word. I’ll pay her debt. I’ll salvage her sister’s reputation. But my generosity comes with a price—a plant in the heart of New York.
Dante Santiago will suffer in a way he never imagined.
And his daughter will orchestrate it all.”
I found it hard to connect with Thalia’s character at first, I felt like she was a bit banal and trying too hard to impress. Here is a prime example of that:
“What’s your name?”
“Mickey Mouse,” I blurt out. “But only on the weekends. What’s yours?”
This was supposed to be humorous? I’m sorry it only made me wince and cringe. Fortunately apart from this one silly exhibit she didn’t do or say something to embarrass herself more and so eventually I came to like the vixen. 🙄🧡
The thing with mafia romances is that the man HAS to be 27 or above for me to actually see him as a MAN capable of inflicting pain and murdering people and being the king of a city.
I found it hard to believe that Santi, a 22 yo boy-man, could rule over New Jersey, own the cocaine distribution and control all its other vices! Yeah, no, a bit unbelievable, not too mention too pretentious.
But I must concede that his character was really well written that I almost forgot his age. And it was hard not to like (love) him when he did heartbreakingly sweet things like kiss his sister’s forehead and called his wife doll and said and did things like THIS 👇🏻
“My virginity seems to be a bigger deal to you than it is to me, Santi.”
The atmosphere in the room recharges with something other than liquor fumes.
“That’s because I’m going to be the one to break you. My wife. My pussy.”
And THIS👇🏻
“Because, despite what’s written on a piece of paper, you’re still a Santiago, Thalia,” I murmur, leaning in extra close to deliver my truth. “And if you won’t beg for it from a Carrera, then I’m not fucking interested.”
Running my tongue across the seam of her mouth, I taste her addictive sweetness before I’m pushing her away.
“Pleasant dreams,” I say, turning on my heel and swinging a goddamn hammer into her guilt machine.”
So tantalizingly hot!
The authors did their due diligence with the mafia aspect of this book. It was well researched, in fact so well researched that I had to skim most of the mafia talk because it went over my head. Now it could be that the authors were totally bullshiting but there’s no way I could know because, you know, I know nothing about how the mafia works. But either way it totally charmed my pants off. 💅🏼
There was some insults and words spoken in Spanish and the only ones I understood were Puta (😌😌) and “¡Hijo de su puta madre!” so I can’t speak for the authenticity or correctness of the translation but I don’t care even if it was wrong, because the Spanish sounded like music to my ears. 😌❤️🔥
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. And all the supporting characters deserve a book of their own. I am already invested in all of their love stories! Ahem, Lola and Sam, ahem, I’m looking at you! 😶🌫️
May 12, 2021
Thalia is a Santiago and Saint is Carrera.
Two families, two rival cartels and a bloodbath that taints two decades of rivalry.
Now it’s time the next generation start to take their place and begin to write their own history, but one thing they cannot forget is “The sins of the father are to be laid upon their children”.
Thalia has a rebel soul, wanting to spread her wings and fly, but by the overprotective vigilance Dante put around her and her sister, those wings are clipped. The resentment towards her father creates an edge between them, making her take the matters of the problem she is facing in her on hands. To secure her sister integrity she’s being blackmailed to pay half a million dollars.
Not wanting to ask her father and childhood friends for help, she starts to run through cassinos and counting cards until she makes a mistake and land in the enemies territory, Legado, Saints cassino.
After getting caught and being interrogated by Saint himself, an orchestrated attack against his Cassino makes him believe the Santiago’s are starting a war and to retaliate he cornered her in to marrying him as a plan to shame the Santiago’s name.
Being trap in this situation and drown by guilt Thalia has to pick her battles, accepting the deal to keep her sister image intact she becomes Thalia Carrera. Her acid mouth and the challenging attitude takes Saint to hole new level of edge an the lines between hate and lust start to blur. But the enemy isn’t always who they seams to be. In this lifestyle the rule it’s to never trust no one, keep your eyes open and never believe the obvious.
This book is a hole new level of fantastic!
I’m already imagining all the possibilities this is going end and how it’s going to end 😂 ... questions, questions and more questions!!!!!
Two families, two rival cartels and a bloodbath that taints two decades of rivalry.
Now it’s time the next generation start to take their place and begin to write their own history, but one thing they cannot forget is “The sins of the father are to be laid upon their children”.
Thalia has a rebel soul, wanting to spread her wings and fly, but by the overprotective vigilance Dante put around her and her sister, those wings are clipped. The resentment towards her father creates an edge between them, making her take the matters of the problem she is facing in her on hands. To secure her sister integrity she’s being blackmailed to pay half a million dollars.
Not wanting to ask her father and childhood friends for help, she starts to run through cassinos and counting cards until she makes a mistake and land in the enemies territory, Legado, Saints cassino.
After getting caught and being interrogated by Saint himself, an orchestrated attack against his Cassino makes him believe the Santiago’s are starting a war and to retaliate he cornered her in to marrying him as a plan to shame the Santiago’s name.
Being trap in this situation and drown by guilt Thalia has to pick her battles, accepting the deal to keep her sister image intact she becomes Thalia Carrera. Her acid mouth and the challenging attitude takes Saint to hole new level of edge an the lines between hate and lust start to blur. But the enemy isn’t always who they seams to be. In this lifestyle the rule it’s to never trust no one, keep your eyes open and never believe the obvious.
This book is a hole new level of fantastic!
I’m already imagining all the possibilities this is going end and how it’s going to end 😂 ... questions, questions and more questions!!!!!
February 14, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (reread)
''I'll fan the flame and toss us both into the fire''
Safety warnings:
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Violence/torture/d*ath
- Mention of human trafficking
- Blackmail
- Kidnapping
- Forced marriage
- Cliffhanger
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
I love next gen when it is done right and so far, both Catherine and Cora are doing it right. The kids are not a replica of their parents in a bad way but the way they should be after being born into this world.
Santi - We got a brief introduction to him back in ''Born Sinners'' and he seemed intense and overly protective of his sister Lola. He is the King of New Jersey, Valentine (his father) gave him the keys to NJ and Santi has built himself a kingdom. He owns this massive Casino and controls the entire state. Though because of the war between Carrera's and Santiago's he doesn't go to NY nor does NY members go to NJ. It's a rule that is held.
Until Thalia ends up in New Jersey and ends up at his casino. Why? Desperation. Her sister Ella had a fling with this guy who is part of the Italian mafia, and he recorded their encounter, and he is forcing Thalia to give him 500k in a week to get the tape back. Thalia is making sure NOBODY knows about it, Ella has no idea nor does her old friends and leaders of NY Edier/Sam know. She refuses to let her sister’s misjudgment haunt her, so she is doing what does best (counting cards) and making money from different Casino's to pay it off and all she has left is 50k.
She gets caught during her visit at the Casino and is taken upstairs to meet Santi who she realizes is a Carrera and obviously freaks out. Santi is not happy about cheated out of 50k and demands to know why she is here and believes she is here on the orders of Edier or her father. Soon it becomes knowledge via his torturing of the Italian guy that she is being blackmailed and so Santi decides to pretend to not know and becomes the blackmailer and forces Thalia to marry him, this way he can spit on every Santiago and destroy them where it hurts. He promised to give her the 50k in a week if she pretends to be happily married in order to really stick the knife.
These two are enemies to lovers and the thing are they were also still enemies while they were lovers. Santi grows fond of her and even protective. He doesn't want her to leave and is holding onto her.
The side plot in this is that there are attacks happening towards the Carrera's and Santiago's and both are blaming each other. Shipments of dead girl (even children) are found, and it's linked to sex traffickers. They finally come together and realize that it isn't them but someone else, someone bigger and worse is causing this war. Even they are the reason the red wedding occurred, and it was never neither of the families to shot at each other 20 years ago but the Italian (who are puppets for the real villains) who have been keeping the two families within the circle of hatred. The real villains are the main source of the plot in ‘’Black Skies Riviera’’ and if you have not read that then you should so you can see what happened two decades ago.
Once the truth comes out that Santi knew and he was holding her sister's tape for ransom, on her way out with Sam to leave NJ they are attacked, and Sam is shot twice, and Thalia is taken. We get to see her in a prison cell in Italy along with Lola and a girl name Rosalia. They are being auctioned off to the highest bidder in a sex trafficking ring created just for the daughter of powerful families to punish.
''I'll fan the flame and toss us both into the fire''
Safety warnings:
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Violence/torture/d*ath
- Mention of human trafficking
- Blackmail
- Kidnapping
- Forced marriage
- Cliffhanger
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
I love next gen when it is done right and so far, both Catherine and Cora are doing it right. The kids are not a replica of their parents in a bad way but the way they should be after being born into this world.
Santi - We got a brief introduction to him back in ''Born Sinners'' and he seemed intense and overly protective of his sister Lola. He is the King of New Jersey, Valentine (his father) gave him the keys to NJ and Santi has built himself a kingdom. He owns this massive Casino and controls the entire state. Though because of the war between Carrera's and Santiago's he doesn't go to NY nor does NY members go to NJ. It's a rule that is held.
Until Thalia ends up in New Jersey and ends up at his casino. Why? Desperation. Her sister Ella had a fling with this guy who is part of the Italian mafia, and he recorded their encounter, and he is forcing Thalia to give him 500k in a week to get the tape back. Thalia is making sure NOBODY knows about it, Ella has no idea nor does her old friends and leaders of NY Edier/Sam know. She refuses to let her sister’s misjudgment haunt her, so she is doing what does best (counting cards) and making money from different Casino's to pay it off and all she has left is 50k.
She gets caught during her visit at the Casino and is taken upstairs to meet Santi who she realizes is a Carrera and obviously freaks out. Santi is not happy about cheated out of 50k and demands to know why she is here and believes she is here on the orders of Edier or her father. Soon it becomes knowledge via his torturing of the Italian guy that she is being blackmailed and so Santi decides to pretend to not know and becomes the blackmailer and forces Thalia to marry him, this way he can spit on every Santiago and destroy them where it hurts. He promised to give her the 50k in a week if she pretends to be happily married in order to really stick the knife.
These two are enemies to lovers and the thing are they were also still enemies while they were lovers. Santi grows fond of her and even protective. He doesn't want her to leave and is holding onto her.
The side plot in this is that there are attacks happening towards the Carrera's and Santiago's and both are blaming each other. Shipments of dead girl (even children) are found, and it's linked to sex traffickers. They finally come together and realize that it isn't them but someone else, someone bigger and worse is causing this war. Even they are the reason the red wedding occurred, and it was never neither of the families to shot at each other 20 years ago but the Italian (who are puppets for the real villains) who have been keeping the two families within the circle of hatred. The real villains are the main source of the plot in ‘’Black Skies Riviera’’ and if you have not read that then you should so you can see what happened two decades ago.
Once the truth comes out that Santi knew and he was holding her sister's tape for ransom, on her way out with Sam to leave NJ they are attacked, and Sam is shot twice, and Thalia is taken. We get to see her in a prison cell in Italy along with Lola and a girl name Rosalia. They are being auctioned off to the highest bidder in a sex trafficking ring created just for the daughter of powerful families to punish.
May 9, 2021
Wow! As lover of dark cartel romance stories and a huge fan of Catherine Wiltcher & Cora Kenborn, having these two authors join forces to write a next generation Santiago/Carrera duet, Corrupt Gods, is like a dream!
Book 1, Bad Blood, is the intense story of Santi Carrera and Thalia Santiago, whose deep rooted hate for each other’s families, dates back 20 years. Beautiful Thalia is a determined young woman who has led a sheltered life but is determined to do what it takes to protect her sister. Sexy as sin Santi Carrera is as ruthless as his father and is building his own empire when Thalia crosses his path. Seeing an opportunity to finally get revenge for his family against the Santiago cartel, Santi hatches a plan. Backed into a corner, Thalia has to go along but neither of them expect the ingrained hate between them to turn to into so much more! Just as the sizzling chemistry between them boils over, secrets and truths surface that left me gasping and blew my mind. In short, this book has all of the sexy heat, chemistry, and plot twists these authors are known for but is in no way predictable. I can’t wait for the continuation of Santi’s and Thalia’s story in book 2, Tainted Blood, scheduled to be released in June!
Book 1, Bad Blood, is the intense story of Santi Carrera and Thalia Santiago, whose deep rooted hate for each other’s families, dates back 20 years. Beautiful Thalia is a determined young woman who has led a sheltered life but is determined to do what it takes to protect her sister. Sexy as sin Santi Carrera is as ruthless as his father and is building his own empire when Thalia crosses his path. Seeing an opportunity to finally get revenge for his family against the Santiago cartel, Santi hatches a plan. Backed into a corner, Thalia has to go along but neither of them expect the ingrained hate between them to turn to into so much more! Just as the sizzling chemistry between them boils over, secrets and truths surface that left me gasping and blew my mind. In short, this book has all of the sexy heat, chemistry, and plot twists these authors are known for but is in no way predictable. I can’t wait for the continuation of Santi’s and Thalia’s story in book 2, Tainted Blood, scheduled to be released in June!
August 11, 2022
Bad Blood is interesting. Interesting and peak my interest. I avoiding NA dark romance lately because I picked up a bad books in this category lately.
I have not read all the series from Carerra and Santiago. But Bad Blood can be easily follow without prior understanding of the mafia war between these 2 family.
Miss Kenborn does not spend too much on the push and pull between Santi and Thalia. She just put enough fire on her story and setting the pace fast moving on the plot. I like the chemistry between Santi and Thalia. With min push and pull, I can skip the skepticism and annoying of usually a heorine possesed on other dark romance books.
Overall a very enjoyable read.
4 stars
I have not read all the series from Carerra and Santiago. But Bad Blood can be easily follow without prior understanding of the mafia war between these 2 family.
Miss Kenborn does not spend too much on the push and pull between Santi and Thalia. She just put enough fire on her story and setting the pace fast moving on the plot. I like the chemistry between Santi and Thalia. With min push and pull, I can skip the skepticism and annoying of usually a heorine possesed on other dark romance books.
Overall a very enjoyable read.
4 stars
May 9, 2021
Once again Catherine and Cora join their forces and put us on a path where two forces Santiago and Carrera collide. It’s a second generation story, if you haven’t met Dante or Valentin before, you will definitely be reading their books now.
Thalia and Santi are both strong headed, opinionated and loyal to their respective families. And they are also enemies. At least that what they think they should be... you know where I am going with that... add to the mix Columbian and Mexican blood and yeah, you guessed it, hot blooded, passionate and explosive couple who find themselves in a lot more trouble than their bargained for.
It’s a fantastic book, fast paced, full of action, danger, steam and passion. 5 stars as always from Catherine Wiltcher and Cora Kenborn. You won’t be disappointed and I have a feeling you will struggle to put this book down.
Book one ends with cliffhanger so now I have to brace myself and wait patiently for book two!
Thalia and Santi are both strong headed, opinionated and loyal to their respective families. And they are also enemies. At least that what they think they should be... you know where I am going with that... add to the mix Columbian and Mexican blood and yeah, you guessed it, hot blooded, passionate and explosive couple who find themselves in a lot more trouble than their bargained for.
It’s a fantastic book, fast paced, full of action, danger, steam and passion. 5 stars as always from Catherine Wiltcher and Cora Kenborn. You won’t be disappointed and I have a feeling you will struggle to put this book down.
Book one ends with cliffhanger so now I have to brace myself and wait patiently for book two!
May 10, 2021
Considering I've adored every other co-write these two talented ladies have written together, I knew this duet was going to be one to remember, and book 1 is already proven me right.
Wow just wow. If you thought the parents blew you away, wait till you meet the kids...
This new generation thought they knew it all, but wow I'm actually speechless and struggling to come up with things to say that aren't a spoiler.
Be sure to tightly hold your kindle from cover to cover, as you'll be sent on a rollercoaster of emotions with no safety bar, leaving you shell shocked at the end of the ride and desperate for more.
Nothing is as it seems...
One click immediately to find out why I'm desperate for book 2.
Wow just wow. If you thought the parents blew you away, wait till you meet the kids...
This new generation thought they knew it all, but wow I'm actually speechless and struggling to come up with things to say that aren't a spoiler.
Be sure to tightly hold your kindle from cover to cover, as you'll be sent on a rollercoaster of emotions with no safety bar, leaving you shell shocked at the end of the ride and desperate for more.
Nothing is as it seems...
One click immediately to find out why I'm desperate for book 2.
May 10, 2021
What an amazing start to this duet, I was hooked straight away and loved every minute of this dark, gritty book.
Take one Thalia Santiago, add one Santi Carrera, mix together-you will end up with incredible tension between these two characters that’s so combustible nobody should go near with a naked flame. Although from rival families these two are inexplicably attracted to each other and fireworks go off verbally, as well as physically.
Amazing descriptions of both the characters and the scenes make it super easy to visualise the story in an ongoing mind reel as you read. Likewise, they also make you experience each emotion with and for the characters further cementing your interest in the story.
The whole war of families issue had an underlying element that was very cleverly incorporated making it even more exciting. Lots of drama and action with some interesting twists and turns to add some sparks as well. I can’t wait to read the second half of this duet and totally recommend this to every who enjoys escaping into the dark world of cartels and the mafia.
September 18, 2022
3.5 stars
This was a pretty good book! It was well written and I really liked the MCs. However, I like my romance books to be heavy on the romance, light on the plot or at least 60/40 and this book had a lot of plot and not enough romance for me.
I loved Thalia and Santi’s first interaction together. There was tension and wit and it was just great. But we only get like one more scene of them seriously interacting with each other and the rest are just crumbs. There was also a small time jump right in the middle of them developing their relationship and to me that the best part!
I think the ending would have had a greater impact if I felt more connected to their relationship but I still enjoyed the book and am very intrigued on where it’s going!
This was a pretty good book! It was well written and I really liked the MCs. However, I like my romance books to be heavy on the romance, light on the plot or at least 60/40 and this book had a lot of plot and not enough romance for me.
I loved Thalia and Santi’s first interaction together. There was tension and wit and it was just great. But we only get like one more scene of them seriously interacting with each other and the rest are just crumbs. There was also a small time jump right in the middle of them developing their relationship and to me that the best part!
I think the ending would have had a greater impact if I felt more connected to their relationship but I still enjoyed the book and am very intrigued on where it’s going!
May 11, 2021
FANTASTIC!!!
If you are a fan of books that grab you and take you on a ride that won’t let you go this is the book for you. It was full of twists and turns, mafias and cartels, lies and betrayals and love and hate. Santi and Thalia were the product of two opposing sides of a very bloody and long lasting war between two cartels, the Carerra's and the Santiago's, who stop at nothing to protect and put their families first.
I can’t recommend this book high enough. Now I just have to wait until the next installment of this series that has moved up to my #1 spot on my mafia/cartel books!
If you are a fan of books that grab you and take you on a ride that won’t let you go this is the book for you. It was full of twists and turns, mafias and cartels, lies and betrayals and love and hate. Santi and Thalia were the product of two opposing sides of a very bloody and long lasting war between two cartels, the Carerra's and the Santiago's, who stop at nothing to protect and put their families first.
I can’t recommend this book high enough. Now I just have to wait until the next installment of this series that has moved up to my #1 spot on my mafia/cartel books!
May 11, 2021
"I may have groomed you to be a king, Santi, but you coveted the crown all on your own."
As always this author duo delivers a mafia romance filled with angst, deceit, bloodshed and a type of love that can’t be denied. Cora Kenborn & Catherine Wiltcher slayed this book. I can’t explain how bloody excited I was for Bad Blood. These two authors are truly exceptional when it comes to world building, and creating ruthless and dangerous heroes. But Santi Carrera. . . he's cold, focused, unapologetically brash, intimidating physically and psychologically. The two rival families the Santiago Cartel & the Carerra Cartel are on the brink of yet another war. As a young boy he has seen so much death and destruction and vows that the Santiago Cartel will fall by his own hands. One night his wish is granted when not only a striking young woman comes waltzing into one of his casino’s, but it’s non-other than Thalia Santiago. The pawn has literally fallen right into his lap. The game has finally begun. But what he least expects is to fall for the spitfire.
"What we have is hate lust. Hate fascination. It's toxic and it's beautiful, but it only ends one way."
What I really enjoyed about Thalia’s character was how fierce she was. Never backed down without a fight and above all protecting the ones you love. The dynamic of their relationship really grows throughout the entire story and you get to see how they fall in love for each other and just how perfect their forced match was. The smut is to die for with steamy scenes that feed that imagination. Immerse yourself into the world of the mafia with this delicious, intense, action-packed book of Bad Blood. I cannot wait to see what is to come next with the conclusion in this duet.
As always this author duo delivers a mafia romance filled with angst, deceit, bloodshed and a type of love that can’t be denied. Cora Kenborn & Catherine Wiltcher slayed this book. I can’t explain how bloody excited I was for Bad Blood. These two authors are truly exceptional when it comes to world building, and creating ruthless and dangerous heroes. But Santi Carrera. . . he's cold, focused, unapologetically brash, intimidating physically and psychologically. The two rival families the Santiago Cartel & the Carerra Cartel are on the brink of yet another war. As a young boy he has seen so much death and destruction and vows that the Santiago Cartel will fall by his own hands. One night his wish is granted when not only a striking young woman comes waltzing into one of his casino’s, but it’s non-other than Thalia Santiago. The pawn has literally fallen right into his lap. The game has finally begun. But what he least expects is to fall for the spitfire.
"What we have is hate lust. Hate fascination. It's toxic and it's beautiful, but it only ends one way."
What I really enjoyed about Thalia’s character was how fierce she was. Never backed down without a fight and above all protecting the ones you love. The dynamic of their relationship really grows throughout the entire story and you get to see how they fall in love for each other and just how perfect their forced match was. The smut is to die for with steamy scenes that feed that imagination. Immerse yourself into the world of the mafia with this delicious, intense, action-packed book of Bad Blood. I cannot wait to see what is to come next with the conclusion in this duet.
May 9, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Excuse me for I have died and came back to life. This book.... I was thrown back into the amazing world of Santiago/ Carrera land and my body wasn’t ready.
The feeling of seeing Dante and that environment the authors created again..spectacular.
We’re introduced to Santi Carrera and Thalia (yes, Daddy Dante’s daughter!), to say these two are oil and vinegar would be putting it lightly. The amount of hate they have for one another was almost comical- all because their dads had issues (to say the least)
We start the story with a little incident with Ella (yes daddy Dante’s daughter) and Thalia is trying to make sure Ella is protected- I loved the Dynamic between those two, Thalia would do anything to keep her sister safe and protected, including ... going to Atlantic City New Jersey. Guess what? She gets caught and chaos happens.
We see some of Valentin and Dante, IFYKY, with a hint of RAGE from them both. We’re introduced to Rick Sanders son oh.. and a very nice Grayson son :)
I don’t want to spoil anything because this books you need to go in blind, you need to be taken back to the settings, embrace the writing, characters,etc. you’ll really enjoy this book! This book does end in a cliffhanger and holy Moses it’s one of those that I thought we were done with after a previous book.... oh no we back!
I was provided an ARC copy for an honest review.
May 11, 2021
…’The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children’...
Meet the second generation of Santiago and Carrera. Colombian Princesa and Prince of Darkness. Thalia Santiago and Santi Carrera, living worlds apart that should never meet. Until one day… From the very first moment, despite their own denial, despite how forbidden and dangerous it sounds, despite how everyone is against it, those two were made for each other. Slow burn as the intense chemistry between them builds up, filled with pure and raw emotions that surprise both, from hate to lust&desire, Thalia and Santi didn’t have a chance to stand against…
Ladies, individually you both created masterpieces series, but together once again you reach a new level of perfection. Bad Blood is everything and more that you could expect from cartel dark romance arranged marriage that will keep you in suspense, with angsty feelings, twisted plot, wanting to get more and wishing the book would be longer. Can’t wait for continuation in book 2 next month… Especially after the ending…
The moment I couldn't hold my grin? Thalia, freaking fearlessly stood out against Valentin… priceless...
Also Bad Blood gives us insight for the whole next generation of Santiago’s and Carrera’s, and honestly I can't wait to be able to read all their stories.
I've received an ARC copy from Catherine in exchange for honest and voluntary review.
Meet the second generation of Santiago and Carrera. Colombian Princesa and Prince of Darkness. Thalia Santiago and Santi Carrera, living worlds apart that should never meet. Until one day… From the very first moment, despite their own denial, despite how forbidden and dangerous it sounds, despite how everyone is against it, those two were made for each other. Slow burn as the intense chemistry between them builds up, filled with pure and raw emotions that surprise both, from hate to lust&desire, Thalia and Santi didn’t have a chance to stand against…
Ladies, individually you both created masterpieces series, but together once again you reach a new level of perfection. Bad Blood is everything and more that you could expect from cartel dark romance arranged marriage that will keep you in suspense, with angsty feelings, twisted plot, wanting to get more and wishing the book would be longer. Can’t wait for continuation in book 2 next month… Especially after the ending…
The moment I couldn't hold my grin? Thalia, freaking fearlessly stood out against Valentin… priceless...
Also Bad Blood gives us insight for the whole next generation of Santiago’s and Carrera’s, and honestly I can't wait to be able to read all their stories.
I've received an ARC copy from Catherine in exchange for honest and voluntary review.
October 14, 2021
We are a war within a war.
Absolutely gripping! Catherine and Cora have brought my world to a halt today. More! I want more!!
Bad Blood is the next generation of the Santiago and Carrera Cartels.
Thalia and Santi are fire together and the steam is heavy, hot and smothering. My goodness, what a connection! There's a deep understanding between them, children born into a war that wasn't theirs to begin with, they fight with barbed words and heated kisses.
But, there is an ominous feel to the air and anxiety will warp the words you read. Something is coming...and the cliff hanger we are dropped on only feeds so deeply into that anxiety.
Absolutely gripping! Catherine and Cora have brought my world to a halt today. More! I want more!!
Bad Blood is the next generation of the Santiago and Carrera Cartels.
Thalia and Santi are fire together and the steam is heavy, hot and smothering. My goodness, what a connection! There's a deep understanding between them, children born into a war that wasn't theirs to begin with, they fight with barbed words and heated kisses.
But, there is an ominous feel to the air and anxiety will warp the words you read. Something is coming...and the cliff hanger we are dropped on only feeds so deeply into that anxiety.
November 13, 2021
Originally read May 9 - May 10 2021
Reread Nov 12 - Nov 12 2021 😍 still as good, if not better the second time ‘round! 🥳
Oh wow...
It’s been a long while since I’ve read a mafia book that’s sucked me in that hard! I honestly couldn’t put it down. That cliffy though... 😩 I’m not sure I can wait another month for the conclusion 😭
It’s definitely not one of the darker mafia books I’ve read, but it certainly packs a punch! I hadn’t realised that Bad Blood is a spin off featuring the kids, but that didn’t matter too much. There were a few parts that I had to question what was going on, but it didn’t stop me from following the storyline.
100% recommend! 🙌🏻
Reread Nov 12 - Nov 12 2021 😍 still as good, if not better the second time ‘round! 🥳
Oh wow...
It’s been a long while since I’ve read a mafia book that’s sucked me in that hard! I honestly couldn’t put it down. That cliffy though... 😩 I’m not sure I can wait another month for the conclusion 😭
It’s definitely not one of the darker mafia books I’ve read, but it certainly packs a punch! I hadn’t realised that Bad Blood is a spin off featuring the kids, but that didn’t matter too much. There were a few parts that I had to question what was going on, but it didn’t stop me from following the storyline.
100% recommend! 🙌🏻
May 9, 2021
This dynamic duo of authors, Cora Kenborn and Catherine Wiltcher, has penned an amazing story that encompasses the two amazing families the Carreras and the Santiago's in an explosive and volatile tale.
These two families are still at war from past battles but the line is drawn when a counting cards Santiago enter a Carrera casino to bilk them of thousands of dollars. The reaction is a marriage and an enemy line crossed.
That ending should be illegal, how can you leave me hanging like that??
I can't wait for Tainted Blood!!
These two families are still at war from past battles but the line is drawn when a counting cards Santiago enter a Carrera casino to bilk them of thousands of dollars. The reaction is a marriage and an enemy line crossed.
That ending should be illegal, how can you leave me hanging like that??
I can't wait for Tainted Blood!!
May 11, 2021
Bad Blood is the first in the duet by cartel queens Cora Kenborn and Catherine Wiltcher. They've combined both of their best selling cartel families into this book, and it seriously gave me Romeo and Juliet vibes, only with Santi Carrera and Thalia Santiago kicking ass instead of dying in the end. It definitely enriches the reading experience if you've read their books, as I think it gives a lot of background to the characters and the feud that drives their hatred. Thalia does what she can to save her sister, but in doing so, she crosses into Carrera territory and has to pay the price.
"I may have groomed you to be a king, Santi, but you coveted the crown all on your own."
Santi is ruthless and ambitious, eager to take over the cartel from his father. He wants to establish his legacy his own way, and he doesn't care who he hurts along the way. Growing up, he resents the Santiago cartel for hurting his mother, effectively ripping apart his childhood. There's a ton of residual anger in him, and it spills over onto Thalia when he catches her in his newest casino. Thalia here is fiesty and gutsy, much more outspoken than her older sister. She takes accountability for her actions, and protects her family fiercely. Although she's young, I can definitely see her stepping up taking charge of the situation she's in.
"What we have is hate lust. Hate fascination. It's toxic and it's beautiful, but it only ends one way."
This book set the stage for an incendiary war between two rival families who love their children fiercely and destroy their enemies violently. This was a great first book to give you context as to why Santi and Thalia hate each other, and to further the plot of this feud and to add even more complications to the story. Both Santi and Thalia crave independence from their fathers and to leave their shadows, though it's hard for them to establish this individuality. However, I thought there were more than enough events and interactions with other characters to establish Santi and Thalia's personality, though I am left wanting more of them together as a couple and seeing how their relationship develops. The ending is a suspenseful cliffhanger that will leave you wondering just how far someone would go to bring both the Santiagos and the Carreras down.
"I may have groomed you to be a king, Santi, but you coveted the crown all on your own."
Santi is ruthless and ambitious, eager to take over the cartel from his father. He wants to establish his legacy his own way, and he doesn't care who he hurts along the way. Growing up, he resents the Santiago cartel for hurting his mother, effectively ripping apart his childhood. There's a ton of residual anger in him, and it spills over onto Thalia when he catches her in his newest casino. Thalia here is fiesty and gutsy, much more outspoken than her older sister. She takes accountability for her actions, and protects her family fiercely. Although she's young, I can definitely see her stepping up taking charge of the situation she's in.
"What we have is hate lust. Hate fascination. It's toxic and it's beautiful, but it only ends one way."
This book set the stage for an incendiary war between two rival families who love their children fiercely and destroy their enemies violently. This was a great first book to give you context as to why Santi and Thalia hate each other, and to further the plot of this feud and to add even more complications to the story. Both Santi and Thalia crave independence from their fathers and to leave their shadows, though it's hard for them to establish this individuality. However, I thought there were more than enough events and interactions with other characters to establish Santi and Thalia's personality, though I am left wanting more of them together as a couple and seeing how their relationship develops. The ending is a suspenseful cliffhanger that will leave you wondering just how far someone would go to bring both the Santiagos and the Carreras down.
April 5, 2021
Awesome!
January 7, 2022
I enjoyed this a whole lot it’s a dark mafia enemy to lovers forced marriage romance. The previous novella definitely left me wanting more and this didn’t disappoint. We get glimpses here of Lola And Sam which was great there story isn’t totally finished but here we actually focus on a different couple Lolas brother Santi and Thalia Santiago.
When Thalia wanders into Santi’s casino and not only counts cards but manages to get herself caught she finds herself at her enemies mercy something Santi usually has little of; Instead of her life Santi utilises Thalia for a totally different purpose one that will strike right at her father's heart with a daughter's apparent betrayal.
Two sworn enemies now joined together in matrimony both trying to guard themselves against falling any deeper and the war between the cartels seems to be worsening each strike only upping the stakes further. There are also outside forces working against both families fanning the flames of an age old feud and eventually culminating in a shocking end finale that will hit the hearts of both the Carrera’s and the Santiago’s
This was well written and very engaging. The pace here was good and the chemistry red hot. I liked both Thalia and Santi. Both of them were willing to go that extra mile for their families and though enemies through an accident of birth their core ideals were so very similar. They had more in common than they ever imagined. That finish then most definitely left me on edge and I’m left needing to know the outcome. I definitely recommend this duet if you like mafia romance it’s a good one.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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