Tainted Blood

Corrupt Gods Duet #2

by Cora Kenborn, Catherine Wiltcher

From Cora Kenborn and Catherine Wiltcher comes Corrupt Gods, a brand new arranged marriage mafia duet.

A Carrera is a master of deception.
A Santiago never forgets.

Santi Carrera is the war I never saw coming.
A beautiful liar.
Ruthless.
Captivating…
The architect of my own undoing.

He twisted my loyalty into an ultimatum.
He chained me to his side with a vow of deceit.
I should despise him for all he’s done to me...
But behind those dark eyes, I see his pain.
I recognize his conflict because it’s ours to share.

Now, I’m a pawn in a new war.
Stolen by a stranger, I’ve been taken to a foreign land.
My fate rests in the fragile truce between our families.
They will tear this world apart to find me.
But he's the only man who can save me.

*This is book 2 of a new dark romance duet. Bad Blood, book 1, is live.
**Tainted Blood is set in the Santiago and Carrera worlds, but it is not necessary to have read either trilogy beforehand.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Dark, Suspense, Adult

329 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 10, 2021

About the author

Cora 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

Reviews

[➦Paulette & Her Sexy Alphas · Rating 4 out of 5]

ღ With that insane cliffhanger, I realize how fully invested into these characters I am. Thankfully Thalia Santiago and Santi Carrera’s story picks up right where we left off in Bad Blood








If the family loyalty weren’t twisted enough for you in the previous installment, this installment will have you saying WTF







What happens with two rival enemies (Santiago and Carrera cartels) care about the same woman? They will burn the world down to save her and that's exactly what Santi and Sam 's cartels were willing to do.

Thalia did something super amazing, something no one else has been able to do…she brought Santi to his knees and made him willing to work with the Santiago's to save two women that are very important to them both.











I just love when a book, can give you bit of everything in the right amount, one moment you feel your heart pounding, at another times, you are gripping your kindle intensely that you feel that you might just break the poor thing , than at other moments you feel that urge to claw somebody’s eyes out…….. or that moment when you realize how much you want to to draw blood from some heartless animal and think nothing of it

Yeah, this might be the CONCLUSION to Thalia and Santi Carrera story, but I doubt we will not see more of this world



I just loved the bonus chapter in this CONCLUSION

[Dora Koutsoukou · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ♥️🔥♥️🔥🖤🔥♥️🔥♥️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟s❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️

🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️
That’s me bowing!!!!

High and sincere praise to both writers for this fabulous duet❗️
I devoured every page and I was dreading to reach the end… 😢

I felt everything, I lost a few breaths, I neglected what and who ever was near me, the only thing that mattered was this fabulous story. 🤩

My respectful congratulations❣️

[Romance Recs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tainted Blood. by Cora Kenborn and Catherine Wiltcher is the second novel in the Corrupt Gods Duet Series. which must be read together. You must read Bad Blood. first where we are introduced to the children of rival Cartel families at war for 20 years. This series is amazing. I love the children of the cartel coming into their own creating the next generation.



Santi Carrera and Thalia Santiago came together despite the odds. Kenborn and Wiltcher tell a beautiful and unique mafia/cartel story that has both romance and action-packed suspense. Our hero Santi is cold and ruthless. He owns New Jersey and his rivals own New York. What started out as a bid to win a war against an old rival soon turns into an unexpected truce.

I am so impressed and awed by how exciting and unpredictable this second novel was. We start off right where Bad Blood left with that huge cliffhanger. I won’t giveaway any spoilers in case someone hasn’t read this yet. This action packed second novel shows how far Santi will go to protect his love. This second novel answers all of our questions that are still unanswered from Bad Blood.

The writing flows seamlessly. I loved seeing the side of Santi that we see in this book. The emotions of all of the characters were written with perfection. The way Santi was in the first novel as opposed to now, shows his growth. Although Santi didn’t start with the best intentions, his character grows so much that by the end, I loved this couple, especially Santi so much. He is swoon worthy. I loved seeing his protective, powerful, and dominant side yet also his fierce and passionate feelings throughout.

We also see Lola and Sam with the continuation of their story. We see Santiago, Edier and all of the amazing secondary characters that each have their own distinct voice. Born to hate each other, everyone puts their differences aside and form an alliance. I loved seeing the Santiago’s and Carrera’s come together. I’m a sucker for enemies turned lovers, even if it’s rival Cartel families.

I truly enjoyed this mafia romance. I literally could not put my kindle down. This kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was happy with the ending. I definitely recommend this for mafia romance lovers and romance lovers alike.

I look forward to the other interconnected novels that will feature the secondary characters 😊 I love an interconnected family novel, so I am all over this entire world the authors have created.

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the conclusion to Santi and Thalia’s story it starts where we left off with that shocking cliffhanger. Thalia along with Lola is now dealing with a darkness they could never have imagined. Sam’s life is also hanging on by a thread and it’s the unlikeliest of individuals that ends up coming to his rescue.

As pieces are being put together a picture starts to form and it’s clear that outside forces and ghosts from the past are bent on revenge and two families will now have to put aside old hatreds and work as a team if they want any chance of saving Thalia and Lola from there dire fate. Both girls will need to stand strong and fight their own corner until the cavalry finally arrives in the form of two irate cartels out for blood. The aftermath meaning Thalia is now questioning everything with a whole new mindset. One thing is clear though Santi is not willing to give up on his wife he’s giving her the time to find herself setting her free but also ensuring she has what she needs to return back home to him.

This was fast-paced from start to finish and it was edge of your seat stuff you could feel the pure emotion and underlying tension from all involved and I was totally rooting for Santi and Thalia all the way through. We also have secrets being revealed bridges being built and some healing from an age-old feud. This definitely had it all going on.

The icing for me was then that extended epilogue I really appreciated that a whole lot. This really was a fantastic duet that was well written and easily managed to keep my attention throughout I enjoyed it massively and can easily recommend.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com

[Samantha (bookgramsaga reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (reread)

''Corrupted by a corrupt god''

Safety warnings:
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Attempted r*pe/assault
- Human/s*x trafficking
- Violence/torture/d*ath
- Kidnapping
- HEA

Get the Corrupt Gods Collection to get a bonus short story about the events AFTER the ending of the duet. It's worth it and you see a clearer glimpse into the future for many of our characters.

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

We are back where we left the first book off. Thalia and Lola were both kidnapped by the sex traffickers and placed into the hillside mansion where they will be forced to enter a maze and be chased by the sick men.

Thalia soon realizes though that she is the key player in the maze, and it was always going to go that way. Spader? (Who in book 1 was just the NJ casino guy Santi was bringing in to get his way). Well, it turns out he has been working for the secret society all along and planned to get Thalia or Ella for himself for months. He set up a lot of the events prior to book 1 that lead to Ella being videotaped and Ella being forced to go into Santi' casino to get the money.

The chase starts and he shoots Thalia with an arrow which she gets out and uses against him and stabs him in the eye first before stabbing him 23 more times to really get him to be dead. She is thankfully not raped in the process but is beaten by the guards and Lola has also been punished by being attacked by dogs.

They are finally rescued and taken away, but the Zacaria (the true villain) has escaped. They spend months chasing him, but he is elusive, and they can't catch a break.

Thalia however is dealing with the result of her kidnapping and ordeal and asks Santi for time apart, she needs to be alone and find herself again, he hesitantly agrees but allows it to happen. I have to say, the scene where we find out he has been picking he up on the dot every day and taking her home, where they only talk about mundane everyday things in the car was sweet. They both love each other, and this is not about whether or they do or whether they should be together but more along the lines of Thalia finding herself and dealing with everything on her own.

They finally get some info about Zacaria but it's a trap and we find out in the worst way possible that the Reece, Thalia's bodyguard who has been working for Dante Santiago for 25 years, who we knew from the original trilogy, grew an unhealthy and sick obsession with Thalia when she turned 16 years old and he paid and went over to Zacaria's side in order to Thalia for himself. She ends up killing him when he chases her around the Hotel/Casino after she finds one of Santi's guns in his drawer and shoots him multiple times.

Zacaria shows up right after and there is a shoot-out with him and Santi. Obviously, the fucker dies.

I would have loved to see Dante's reaction to his most trusted bodyguard being the traitor, but I am pretty sure it didn't go down well.

I’m glad the two families are now united and are more powerful than ever. The feud/war is over, and I would hope nobody is stupid enough to go against them.

We get glimpses of the future couples in this book as well as Lola/Sam who are going to be parents which was adorable, and I was glad to see their relationship no longer being a secret and they could happily be together.

---------------------------------------------
Original review: Sept 2021

Let me just say I did not see Reece's betrayal coming....

I loved this duet (plus the novella).

I honestly have become huge fans of both Cora and Catherine - they have become instant buys for me!

[Rayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book! The first half dragged a bit so at first I didn’t think I would enjoy it but the second half really turned around. In the first book I wasn’t really feeling Thalia and Santi’s relationship and couldn’t connect with them but I loved them in this book! They gave me all the feels and had the chemistry I thought they were lacking in the previous book. The first half was like 3.25 stars and the second was 4.25 starts so rounding to a solid 4 stars.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe i could take this duet more seriously if the MC's weren't that young. In this case i could even go for an age gap where the H wasn't 22🙄 yeah i'm judgemental like that.

I mean some of the dialogue felt really funny to me coming from teenagers who act like they are in their 30ties. Why don't you make them older then if you are writing them as they were?

things i'll never understand in romance books.

Also falling madly in love after they were together for 5 days - unbelivable.
I didn't feel any connection or chemistry. They were both so bland.

[Shaikha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Tainted Blood is book 2 of Corrupt Gods. While I didn’t love it as much as I did Bad Blood. It was still good but nothing too memorable.

The only thing I LOVED was the bracelet that Sam gave to Lola with these words engraved on it:

“My only love sprung from my only hate…”
—William Shakespeare”

Why was this series not about Sam and Lola again?

[Ashleyjo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite my glowing review for book one, I felt like the story fell apart at the halfway mark in book two.

Book one ends on a cliffhanger of the FMC being kidnapped. If you’re familiar with the first generation of books, you just know who is behind this. The Illuminati bastard children are like Stefano was from Days… fuckers just have 3,567 lives and counting. Anyhoo, that’s fine…

I think the authors pulled a brilliant plot move in not making this just another sex trafficking kidnapping. Not to belittle that in any way, but there are only so many times that the same story remains readable, even if it is sadly poignant. The Hunger Game’esc sick twisty labyrinth was something that burned off the pages, and it’s the ONLY reason this is 2 stars verses 1.

The truce was played well.

The rescue was okay.

And, then, it goes to 💩 without the cheesy grin.

Truce and rescue took up 50% of the book for a few days worth of storyline, and the truce and rescue read slowly. So, readers are amped and ready for the MCs to FINALLY be on screen together when they reunite at 50%.

But, no. Instead of shifting this story into third gear, we hit neutral.

Little is happening, and what little is happening isn’t very interesting. What is happening is much ado, belittling to all that preceded it, or just plain irritating.

We have this FMC who has been a brave, badass, HG-worthy mofo. Her blood leaves little room to be anything other than a bloody survivor. Yet, the second she is rescued, she turns into some lost puppy having an identity crisis? I didn’t get it, her, that mindset.

^ Plus, it’s not very conducive to have a “love” bloom when book one took place over the course of 7 days and this book keeps the FMC and MMC separated for over 50% before they’re reunited… only to have yet another separation that lasted until the final 10%.

The ‘transition’ from lost to found sense of self was told, not shown. Weeks are fast forwarded, and we are basically told they’re getting to know each other as she gets a job and allows him pick her up from work each day to deposit her back at the apartment she shares with her sister. One of these “dates” is on-page before she’s just suddenly over whatever was holding her back, and she’s ready to resume being married. Uhm, okay, slowest f’ing whiplash EVER. The kicker… there’s not even some big epiphany or shit she works through. It’s just.. oh, okay, I’m good now.

It’s little details like the job that irk me in all the wrong ways. She makes a big deal over her connections getting her in the door, not getting her the job itself. As if she, a teenager with one semester of college… somehow earned being a project coordinator for a company with international projects lol. 🙄 🦄 ❄️ .

The card counting date scene was a technical nightmare. Sloppy writing. Card counters don’t just plop down and know the deck count from the first hand. They watch the deck progress, memorizing the running count to know futures/true count and predict the fall.

The cameos felt very scripted, planted, and never watered. Mama Santiago emerges from the island… not immediately after her daughter is rescued, has surgery, or is drowning in some depression/zombie state for a week…. No, mama S just appears weeks later for a hug, coffee, and errand run before heading back. 🤷‍♀️ mmkay.

Another detail that’s off is the dialogue between alphas and their offspring. Respect for the heads of these houses was simply not up to par with what’s known about them. Dante sitting back on the sidelines? *blinks* I get that the second gen is supposed to be grooming for power, but that doesn’t negate the men their fathers remain to be, and demoting them to passive flies on the wall just seemed so inauthentic.

Believability is way off center. She’s rescued from this powerful, all-seeing network that can just waltz around their territories planting bombs and kidnapping folks… betrayal was close business associate… and the head mofo evades capture, but the FMC and her sister just return to living as normal as if the threat to them isn’t still at DEFCON FUCKING GAZILLION.

This storyline meanders aimlessly in Stallville from 50% to 90%. This meeting. That meeting. A glance here. A fuck there. Here a sick twat. There a cameo slot. Finally, the climax occurs in the final 10%.

Twist is shocking, but it’s left field. 25 years is a long ass time to show zero signs of anarchy, but okay. Four years of laying around in the grass in wait for something already in your grasp, though? Uhm, no. <—-In other words, having this be the big betrayer moots how the story began because all the theatrics to lure the FMC out was fucking unnecessary from the beginning. Dude could have taken her at any time without all the circle dancing.

“Who {Why} would anyone try to run from power?”

A few typos were missed in editing.

OVERALL

I loved book one, but nothing about this worked for me. The first half of this book was tedious, but I expected some epic guns-blazing Bonny and Clyde shit for the second half. Didn’t happen. We meander about until the climax from nowhere goes nowhere. The plot outline for this is good, but the execution, development, and finer details were scattered, smothered, and chunked.

Love Wiltcher, and I’d highly recommend her Santiago, Grayson, London, and Riviera books, but this one missed its mark by an ocean’s-length for me.

[Sammy ❤️Just Let Me Read Blog ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tainted Blood is dark mafia romance perfection. This book was a medly of gripping, tense moments that were tied together with flawless writing and unforgettable characters. Cora Kenborn and Catherine Wiltcher conclude Santi and Thalia's story in an unbelievably epic way, with the battles of the heart as explosive as the battles they fought against their enemies.

"It's time to jump into nothing. To see if he catches me. To see if we're strong enough to catch each other."

Kenborn and Wiltcher both have such uniquely authentic writing styles and this book is so far from the typical mafia romance. I have no idea how they managed to fit so much into this story without making it messy, but they pulled it off flawlessly. The story is written in a way that keeps the reader hooked and the combination of hot sex, intense action, and nail-biting suspense creates a stellar reading experience. I love the way we are taken from emotion to emotion as the story goes on, with each scene crafted in a way that completely immerses you into the character's world. Thalia and Santi were put to the test in this installment, both individually and as a couple. Things were already so precarious when book one ended, and the events that took place in this book had me equal parts anxious and excited.

"Somewhere along the way, our deception turned to truth. It's time you accepted it."

The plot of Tainted Blood was smoothly paced and included every element that mafia romance readers live for. There was action and suspense, sizzling hot sex, heartbreaking angst, and a tumultuous relationship between two people who were undeniably made for each other. These two authors have proven to be absolute queens in this genre and I sincerely hope that they have more collaborations coming soon.

[TheBookPlatypus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thalia and Lola despite the horrific circumstances of getting kidnapped, they brought two enemy families together. The Santiago’s and the Carrera’s.
Shaking hands and doing a temporary time of peace to bring these girls home.
To bring Santi’s wife home. And his sister.

“As if the sun and the moon have flipped inside out and upside down. Even if I lived a hundred lifetimes, I never thought I’d see Valentin Carrera and Dante Santiago make peace.”

It’s a race against time to figure out who the hell got a hold of these two very loved mafia/cartel princesses. The emotions that run through all these men not knowing if these girls are even alive still, this entire book will have your heart racing. It’s nonstop drama and action trying to figure out who is behind the kidnapping.
Blood gets spilled. Unbelievable torture. Humiliation and sacrifice.

When you think someone is safe, the book gives you a nice plot twist and gives you a near heart attack.
This book is also about another chance at love. Thalia and Santi obviously did not meet on the best circumstances and fall in love in a traditional manner. Despite everything that they have gone through in their short marriage, there’s redemption. And forgiveness. And a second chance at falling in love properly.

“Bad girl,” he says eventually, his dark eyes gleaming.
“See how I’ve corrupted you?“
“Corrupted by a corrupt God.”


❌❌❌❌❌❌
I don’t think this is a spoiler but in the small chance that it is - stop right here if you don’t want to know about future books
❌❌❌❌❌❌

The Corrupt Gods World will continue with Thalia’s sisters love story with Edier Grayson!!!
Coming in May 2022

And we will also be getting RJ Harcourt and Rosalia Marchesi’s story in June 2022!

[Ola Adamska · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will start with only one word, but I will elaborate - WOW! And this is where I could end my review, as this duo literally blew my mind. It will be a wild ride so be ready to get pulled into this story with a maelstrom power!
I suggest reading this duet with remembering everything from book one, as this one will start where Bad Blood had ended. In the beginning, I was a little confused (as I had a little break), but after few pages, my reading was in a full swing with this plot.
Do you remember how Thalia and Santi were in book one? In this one -there will be more of what we know, but it will be in the best manner. They will go thru A LOT, and they will have to make some decisions that will break their hearts, yet sometimes these events are needed in shaping ourselves future self! Be ready for twists and turns that will make your head spin, but in a way that I can call only by "masterfully". You can expect darkness, but it's something natural for the Ms. Kenborn books so trust me you will love it!
With this duo, those both authors got a fan! And I will make sure to read their books! Can't wait for more!

[Yai Min (semi i.a.) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 (18/07/21)
The ENDING for Santi and Thalia, was... unexpected but in a VERY GOOD way! I liked very much, the character which surprised me more in this book was Thalia, her strength is not one to be belittle.
Santi and Thalia's romance story develops more in this books, it's clear how much Santi cares for her and how much he's willing to do for her. They get to know each other and have a normal relationship after all the shit that goes on with the asshole Lorenzo and company.

Thalia steps a little into darkness (like her father and Santi) in this book, but she had to do what she needed to survive so I didn't consider her any darker or worse/bad person, she went through hell in Italy with Lorenzo, the Ghost City and Il Laberinth, I really wanted all of them to suffer a cruel and bloody death.
Santi spirals a bit into drinking and numbness in this book, but he never loses himself or his goals, we get a little view into Santi's childhood too and get to comprehend him a little more, his over protective instincts are still intact and he would and in deeds does kill whoever touched Lola (the sassy and great little sister) and Thalia.

The end is beautiful and everything we were waiting for, a classic and well deserved HEA. This book does not end on cliffhangers at least for the main the couple (some of the secondary couples does end on cliffhangers 😜😉).
This book is SAFE, NO CHEATING, NO OW DRAMA and no other third parties involved , only 3 psychopaths trying to harm Thalia.
I loved this duet so much, I couldn’t stop reading for a second and had to know what was going to happen to them till the end so I wish you would give this amazing books an opportunity and enjoy yourself while you read Santi and Thalias's story.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IT!!

[Tiffany (Bibliophile Babes Book Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is EV-ERY-THING

This book is everything, and I mean EV-ERY-THING!! I thought Thalia was tough in Bad Blood but in this book she's a bad bi+@!, I mean I swear she just became my spirit animal. And Santi, BAYBEE, he is the epitome of hot, he just oozes sexiness. Cora and Catherine pulled out all the stops but didn't pull any punches with this book. This book is the best movie I've read all year,if you understand what I'm saying. This book is an action packed thrill right for the ages. It doesn't need five stars it needs ten!! I know these two authors could write but I was blown away and left gasping at the sheer magnitude of their story telling. Words cannot express just how mesmerizing this book is.

I can't wait until next year to get 2 more standalone from the Corrupt Gods world. This Duet is definitely going in my top 10 series/duets of all time

[Sophie Ruthven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am speechless!!
I can never get enough of this co writing duo, and this book proves why, earning itself a place on my top reads of 21 list.
This was a fantastic conclusion to a page turning duet.
My head is spinning and thank god it's wine-o-clock here.
Yet again the book was written seamlessly that you never would guess it's written by two authors.
With double the normal character list of gun slinging alphas, things were always going to get messy, especially after the ending we were left on in book one.
Book two is everything hoped for and a hell of a lot more.
I'm going to stop rambling and continue rocking in a corner, but cannot finish this review without urging you to one click this duet immediately, trust me you won't regret it.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Amazing Stars

This is the conclusion to Santi & Thaila’s story and it was everything I hoped it to be. These two women put their talent together to give me an amazing mafia romance that had me up till all hours of the night because I couldn’t put it down.

It had darkness with plenty of steam and had shocked me at times with the twists and turns. You must read Bad Blood first in the Corrupt Gods series. I can only hope that there is more for us in this series. This definitely is a must read.

[Kelly_Reads_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This book was spectacular!
Cora and Catherine have written a wonderful story encompassing many of the different avenues of the Mafia but focusing on the Mexican and Colombian cartel.
Santi and Thalia's story finishes in epic style, this couple enduring and working through the most difficult and heinous scenarios.
One of the top books for me this year!

[Andrea Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't get enough of Carrera & Santiago's!! LOVE IT,
LOVE THIS,
LOVE THEM ♥️

[Audri-Monique | monique.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tainted Blood is book two in the Corrupt Gods Duet by Cora Kenborn and Catherine Wiltcher. My goodness, this is honestly their best work that I've read. I couldn't put the book down. The book had twists and turns that you didn't see coming and had me sitting at the edge of my seat. Tainted Blood is the conclusion to Santi and Thaila’s story, and boy was it epic, especially how to book one ended. In book one, we see the push and pull of Santi and Thaila’s story.

“That’s what fearless firebirds do. They shed their burning feathers and rise from the ashes. They’re reborn from their tragedy… I’ll find my true strength in the flames. I’ll fight. I’ll claw. I’ll sting.”

If you thought Thaila was tough, he strength was brought to the forefront in the story. The resilience and strength that she shows throughout the book are incredible.

“Eleven years ago, I sacrificed my loyalty for her innocence. A year ago, she sacrificed her innocence for my loyalty. Today, we sacrifice the past for the promise of our future.”

Santi may be the boss, but he will fight for love, his love, his fearless firebird, even if that means putting his ego aside and teaming up with an unlikely family, the Santiago’s. But for Thaila and Lola, he will do whatever to get them back.

I love Santi and Thaila’s story, and I can't wait for the other books in the Corrupt Gods World.

I received an ARC copy for a review

[Kathyjacks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Santiago Trilogy has been one of my favorite stories that I've read EVER! Dante will forever hold my heart but Santi has forever found his way into my heart as well. This story completely blew me away!

What happens with two rival enemies care about the same woman? They will burn the world down to save her and that's exactly what Santi and Dante's cartels were willing to do. Thalia brought Santi to his knees and made him willing to work with the Santiago's to save women important to them both. To come together to fight a common enemy and it was AMAZING!

Thalia became a complete badass and learned to stand on her own two feet! There has been a constant battle between Thalia and Daddy Dante but she finds that darkness lives within her and it helps her understand her father better.

I just can't put into words how much I loved this book. Santi and Dante had an intense scene that made my ovaries explode! The relationship between Thalia and how much Santi loved her set my panties on fire.

Don't miss out on one of the greatest stories of this year ! Get this duet now!

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dream team should never stop writing together as their mafia romance is top notch. Tainted Blood is the conclusion in Santi & Thalia's story so you can't read ahead, YOU MUST READ Bad Blood (Book 1) FIRST! It all picks right back up where the first book left off as things blew up like crazy. Santi & Thalia's families are mortal enemies but they're going to have to band together in a truce to take care of business. I'm not willing to say anymore about that since any detail from this book would probably be spoilers for the first book, and I know how some of y'all like to see what happens before experiencing it blindly LOL! There are so many moving parts that the twists & turns are leveled up while my f-bombs are loud since it's more than just a war between two power house families in the crime world so trust me, you don't want to miss out on this duet! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Majan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the next generation children of the rival Santiago and Carerra cartels! Santi and Thalia are such forces to be reckoned with. The power of their characters jumps off the page - such a great match, what a great love story! My pulse was racing, I was tense reading this.

The continuation with the next gen's stories and tying in all the bad blood history between the families is epic. This is so well executed. I loved seeing the clash of these two rival worlds forced to come together for love and family. It was a perfect storm, but in the end it wasn't such a catastrophe and the rivalry is far from resolved, but we got to the ending that this couple deserved. I just love the imagination of this dangerous world. If you haven't read the fathers' stories those are must reads too. I'm rereading this duet all over again.

4.5

I received an ARC and I am leaving a review voluntarily.

[We Like them Dark Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the very best duets of the year!!! This writing duo was just amazing-I really couldn’t tell it was two authors. I’m very familiar with how addicting Catherine Wiltcher’s stories are, and bring in Cora Kenborn and this was just a wildly extraordinary story.
Book one is an insane cliffhanger. I’m fully invested into the characters so when I go into book 2, I know my heart is going to have quite a few palpitations. I couldn’t put this book down-I had to know what happened, had to know if this story was going to end up like Romeo and Juliet, or possibly even more messy. We’re gifted with so much action, adventure, and my gosh the chemistry! I’ve not read a forced marriAge I’ve liked more. Deserves so many more than 5 stars!

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bad Blood is book one of the Corrupt Gods Duet and must be read first.

After that previous ending I was so looking forward to reading this.. let me tell you I wasn’t disappointed as this was a brilliant read.

Santi and Thalia’s story continues. You know when you read a story cos you NEED to know what’s gonna happen next.. well this is the one for me. I HAD TO KNOW what was gonna happen next.

Alongside these twos story we get so much more and the twists and turns kept on coming.

I seriously can’t wait to read more from this fabulous duo.

[Kim Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tainted Blood was an exciting and heart pounding at one point I thought I needed a defibrillator to jump start my heart!! Cora Kenborn and Catherine Wiltcher team up to bring gripping and intense moments in an incredible duet! Five phenomenal stars!!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75-5 stars

WOW! WHAT AN ENDING! SANTI CARRERA HAS MY HEART AND IM HAPPY TO GIVE IT TO HIM 😭😭😭🥺🥺🥺 LOVED THALIA SANTIAGO TOO. SUCH A QUEEN ❤❤❤ I can't wait for my baby EDIER 🥺🥺🥺THANKS CATH FOR MY COPY💗💗💗

[Kelly G (Now Accepting Book Boyfriend Applications) · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧AUDIO REVIEW🎧

Narrated by: Vivienne LaRue & Aaron Shedlock

Santi and Talia are back!!! I love them! That cliffy from the first book had me reeling.... so I was super glad to finally! I can not even articulate how swoony Santi became is this story! GAH! Before he even knew that his sister was also taken, just for information on Talia he went above and beyond to save the one man he hated most in the rival cartel! And then he would stop at nothing to get them back. These 2 give me all the feels. This book wasn't too spicy, but it was totally action packed and there was some fantastic sexual tension!
And the narration was fantastic! Pulled me right in and wouldn't let me go! Love this duet of books! Hoping for more from some of the other characters in the books.... Like for Ella! And get more about Lola and Sam! Definitely want more from this combined world!


Story 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice 🔥🔥
Swoon 😍😍😍😍😍
Angst 💔💔💔💔
Narration 👏👏👏👏👏

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non è un segreto ormai che Catherine Wiltcher sia una delle mie autrici preferiti degli ultimi anni. Ha creato un mondo basato su mafia e cartelli che mi ha appassionata sin dall'inizio, con Dante e Eve.
Il primo libro di questo duet non mi aveva entusiasmata molto, non mi sono appassionata alla famiglia rivale dei Santiago, i Carrera. Ma qui devo dire che Santi mi ha leggermente conquistata. Thalia è degna figlia di suo padre e sua madre invece, e anche la storia di contorno mi ha presa molto di più - e la storia si collega un pochino anche a Black Skies Riviera (altro gioiello della Wiltcher, da leggere assolutamente se ancora non l'avete fatto).
Io ora non so cosa fare della mia vita fino a quando non avró fra le mani il libro con la storia di Edier (figlio di Grayson e Anna) e Ella (sorella di Thalia, figlia di Dante e Eve). Non mi sono peró appassionata così tanto ai Carrera da leggere i libri di Cora Kenborn per ora.

[Jola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dużo emocji, dużo akcji. Połączenie Carrery i Santiago powoduje, że iskry latają wielokrotnie.

[Qiana Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT A CONCLUSION!!!!! Mind is officially blown in the best way... I mean...my God. Tainted Blood picks up exactly where Bad Blood leaves us. And let me tell you!!!!

If you have not read Bad Blood or Born Sinner...STOP READING THIS REVIEW. Go back and read them, then read Tainted before you continue. WARNING: ** MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD**

Goodness gracious...where to start. At the end of Bad Blood, we were left with a few cliffhangers. 1) Santi and Edier come face to face. 2) Sam is shot. 3) Thalia and Lola were kidnapped. 4) Santi realizes that he has always saved Thalia...and refuses to let her go.

Catherine and Cora have done it yet again ya'll!!!!

Let's start with the amazing Thalia Santiago Carrera. Her and Lola are kidnapped and she instantly snaps into what I like to call, "A Dante State of Mind with Eve's Determination". Not only does she keep Lola leveled through the ordeal, but she gets her first real taste of blood to sustain her own survival. Thalia went full on Dante everybody!!! She FINALLY comes to understand her father's darkness and how her mother became vital to his survival in every way. She respects it. And may I add...Dante also comes to terms with his daughter's darkness and respects her in turn. Thalia accepts her love and devotion to Santi, while forgiving his deception. She gives Santi EVERY PART OF HER. The kicker....VAL RESPECTS HER by the end of the book.

Santi!! Santi finally realizes that it was Thalia in the snow that fateful night. He understands that she has always made him choose her, unbeknownst to her of course. However, it makes him accept his love and devotion to her. He has vowed to find her, and scorch the Earth until he does. They are racing against the clock. When his men find Sam, he makes a choice that saves them all. Not to mention, he and Edier come together to find both Thalia and Lola! They bring Dante and Val together again and tell them how it's going to go down! That sit down gave me goosebumps! The Santiago Carrera Cartel is not a thing officially....but I see a brand new world order. All together, the men of the Santiago Cartel and Carrera Cartel go on a death defying mission to rescue the 2 Princesses of the families. There is a newfound respect between Val and Dante/Edier and Santi.

For those of you (like me) who NEEDED more of Lola and Sam's story....buckle up! Tainted gives us so much more of the love they share and their future! YOU ARE NOT READY AT ALL!! AT ALL! Lola is stronger than any of them gave her credit for. She is the pinnacle of strength in this epic conclusion and has openly accepted Thalia as her sister. What a ride!

Finally, we get Eve back in this one ya'll!! Eve sees her daughter and understands her all too well. Though short, she makes an impact that helps Thalia accept her fate with love. We get introduced to a new female character, not to mention Dante and Val shake hands and are now in-laws (LMAO). The feud has ended. A new regime has come to fruition and the future is going to be INCREDIBLE.

Okay you guys, I have to go because I will sit here and tell the whole book. I will not give you the biggest twist of the story. To find out who the true culprit was in Thalia and Lola's kidnapping is CRAZY, DIABOLICAL AND SHOCKING AS F@*K!!!!

Please check out my review for Bad Blood to get my suggestion on how to enjoy this book as well. Also, here are a couple of songs on my playlist that I used for Bad Blood and Tainted Blood.
- Gil Scott-Heron : Me and The Devil
- Jacob Banks: Unholy War
- Banks: Waiting Game
- Elle Varner: F@*k it All
- Alex Clare: Whispering
- Nina Simone: Feeling Good
- Nina Simone: I Put A Spell On You
- Elias : No Deeper We Can Fall
- Jones: Indulge
- Bishop Briggs: River and Dead Man's Arms
- Sam Tinnesz: When the Truth Hunts You Down

ENJOY!!

- Qiana