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Russo Royals #1
Dark Crown
A fully standalone Arranged Marriage Dark Romance novel
I dreamed of my wedding day. Only this isn't a dream. It's a nightmare.
He's the king of the mafia.
I've been given to him as payment.
The most dangerous man in Italy.
But he's no fairy-tale king.
He's a Beast.
Powerful. Fierce. Deadly.
He demands my obedience.
Takes all of me.
His harsh love leaves a trail of fire on my skin.
I loathe him.
And yet...
When he puts his hands on my body,
My secrets reveal themselves.
I lose control...
Craving the man I hate...
My husband.
I dreamed of my wedding day. Only this isn't a dream. It's a nightmare.
He's the king of the mafia.
I've been given to him as payment.
The most dangerous man in Italy.
But he's no fairy-tale king.
He's a Beast.
Powerful. Fierce. Deadly.
He demands my obedience.
Takes all of me.
His harsh love leaves a trail of fire on my skin.
I loathe him.
And yet...
When he puts his hands on my body,
My secrets reveal themselves.
I lose control...
Craving the man I hate...
My husband.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 2021
1175 people are currently reading
1113 people want to read
About the author
Shanna Handel
81 books847 followersShanna Handel is an Internationally Bestselling author of high-heat romantic suspense. If you like plot-heavy page turners with lots of heat and an HEA with found family, this author is for you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
January 11, 2021
3 🖤🔥❤️🌟s❣️
If you are looking for a story with a dark dominant mafia king, arranged marriage, a heroine who hates her husband but is extremely turned on by his touch and has secret dirty desires, sexually detailed scenes, where the walls they both had built started falling and emotions were blossoming, a strong plot with twists, then this book is for you!
If you are looking for a story with a dark dominant mafia king, arranged marriage, a heroine who hates her husband but is extremely turned on by his touch and has secret dirty desires, sexually detailed scenes, where the walls they both had built started falling and emotions were blossoming, a strong plot with twists, then this book is for you!
April 22, 2021
Okay I'm sorry. I really thought I'd like this book but no.
I'm not sure if this book is a romance, a rom-com, a comedy or just a tragedy. Maybe ya'll can help me decide.
Exhibit A (rom-com?)
Just as I find the toilet paper, stacked neatly in a basket by the tub, the door bursts open.
Vincent stands there, staring at me with wild eyes.
“Where’d you go?” What the hell! “Isn’t it obvious? I had to pee. Now get the hell out of here.”
His dark eyes flash, angry and dangerous. “I told you not to leave my sight.” I have to hold in an eye roll.
“Excuse me for assuming that didn’t include me going to the bathroom.”
Exhibit B (romance?):
“Ow! That is not what being a husband means, telling your wife what she can wear. Not at all!”
“To me it does and in this marriage, that’s the only interpretation we need.” I give her ass another smack.
"What I wear, what I say, how I respond to him—these are all things up for his correction. His hand, his belt, they find my ass."
Yeah I still don't get it.
Exhibit C (tragic):
"Not without my father.”
His voice is tight. “You know I won’t allow it. I can’t have men outside my circle in the castle.”
Here lies the comedy:
Vincent is before me, on top of a majestic black horse. A great wood club in his hand. A sick laugh rises in my throat. Can this be real? Am I saved?
What happened to his car? Is this 1895? oh boy...
Not to mention, it was difficult to get into them as a couple because I think their relationship is purely sexual. I felt that the author was trying to convey that their love grew every time they had sex but it just ended up seeming unrealistic. That's why I gave it one star.
I'm not sure if this book is a romance, a rom-com, a comedy or just a tragedy. Maybe ya'll can help me decide.
Exhibit A (rom-com?)
Just as I find the toilet paper, stacked neatly in a basket by the tub, the door bursts open.
Vincent stands there, staring at me with wild eyes.
“Where’d you go?” What the hell! “Isn’t it obvious? I had to pee. Now get the hell out of here.”
His dark eyes flash, angry and dangerous. “I told you not to leave my sight.” I have to hold in an eye roll.
“Excuse me for assuming that didn’t include me going to the bathroom.”
Exhibit B (romance?):
“Ow! That is not what being a husband means, telling your wife what she can wear. Not at all!”
“To me it does and in this marriage, that’s the only interpretation we need.” I give her ass another smack.
"What I wear, what I say, how I respond to him—these are all things up for his correction. His hand, his belt, they find my ass."
Yeah I still don't get it.
Exhibit C (tragic):
"Not without my father.”
His voice is tight. “You know I won’t allow it. I can’t have men outside my circle in the castle.”
Here lies the comedy:
Vincent is before me, on top of a majestic black horse. A great wood club in his hand. A sick laugh rises in my throat. Can this be real? Am I saved?
What happened to his car? Is this 1895? oh boy...
Not to mention, it was difficult to get into them as a couple because I think their relationship is purely sexual. I felt that the author was trying to convey that their love grew every time they had sex but it just ended up seeming unrealistic. That's why I gave it one star.
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February 19, 2021
Shanna Handel does it again with Dark Crown, the first book in the new Russo Royals Series.
Shanna Handel brings it with this Arranged Marriage Dark Romance novel. Every word was perfection. Handel knows how to write a book that is written to feed our deepest erotic desires.
Vincent Russo demands respect from everyone he encounters, even his newly purchased wife. Felicity is by no other words, exchanged in order to pay her father’s debt. Felicity is forced to marry a man she barley knows and doesn’t want any part of this agreement however reluctantly agrees in order to save her father.
Vincent is alpha, dominant and doesn’t take no for an answer! I loved every twisted dark word. Vincent didn’t care about Felicity’s feelings… only what he wanted. How delicious! Yes, this book is as hot as it sounds. I am impressed by Handel’s erotic writing here.
Vincent’s cold treatment of Felicity was sexy in the beginning. Who doesn’t love a cold hero who doesn’t show affection towards the heroine? Ahh… that is my actual book perfection. Give me an enemies to lovers book with an a-hole hero and I’m in. Now give me excellent writing and a perfect plot as well? It’s golden and it is in this book.
Handel’s prior Bachman Series characters also make an appearance. We see past favorites here. I love the Bachman Series as well. I hope Shanna Handel continues to write more Bachman books as well as now Russo books! I love her writing. Her books are both emotional and erotic which is SO hard for authors to achieve! She manages to achieve this in Dark Crown.
I would highly reconned this book to anyone who loves an Erotic Arranged Marriage trope with spanking scenes. Those who love a dominant hero who overpowers the heroine will also love this. There are lots of good scenes here to enjoy with pure male dominance pouring out of Vincent’s Italian pores.
The story is set in Idyllic Italy making for a beautiful background to a story of falling in love and constant arousal.
This is definitely NFSW lol don’t read this book in a public place 😊 you will definitely need alone time to enjoy it.
Shanna Handel brings it with this Arranged Marriage Dark Romance novel. Every word was perfection. Handel knows how to write a book that is written to feed our deepest erotic desires.
Vincent Russo demands respect from everyone he encounters, even his newly purchased wife. Felicity is by no other words, exchanged in order to pay her father’s debt. Felicity is forced to marry a man she barley knows and doesn’t want any part of this agreement however reluctantly agrees in order to save her father.
Vincent is alpha, dominant and doesn’t take no for an answer! I loved every twisted dark word. Vincent didn’t care about Felicity’s feelings… only what he wanted. How delicious! Yes, this book is as hot as it sounds. I am impressed by Handel’s erotic writing here.
Vincent’s cold treatment of Felicity was sexy in the beginning. Who doesn’t love a cold hero who doesn’t show affection towards the heroine? Ahh… that is my actual book perfection. Give me an enemies to lovers book with an a-hole hero and I’m in. Now give me excellent writing and a perfect plot as well? It’s golden and it is in this book.
Handel’s prior Bachman Series characters also make an appearance. We see past favorites here. I love the Bachman Series as well. I hope Shanna Handel continues to write more Bachman books as well as now Russo books! I love her writing. Her books are both emotional and erotic which is SO hard for authors to achieve! She manages to achieve this in Dark Crown.
I would highly reconned this book to anyone who loves an Erotic Arranged Marriage trope with spanking scenes. Those who love a dominant hero who overpowers the heroine will also love this. There are lots of good scenes here to enjoy with pure male dominance pouring out of Vincent’s Italian pores.
The story is set in Idyllic Italy making for a beautiful background to a story of falling in love and constant arousal.
This is definitely NFSW lol don’t read this book in a public place 😊 you will definitely need alone time to enjoy it.
May 16, 2021
The book is ok. This is supposed to be a standalone book and the first in a series so I am not sure why the author insisted on bringing the Bachman family from another series into it. They unnecessarily took many pages of the book and it negatively reflects on it . I can not imagine two powerful leaders in the mafia meet together and all they talk about is who marry whom or how to deal with someone's wife or the matchmaking job of the wife of the other!
It is time for the author to depart herself from that series and its unrealistic utopian mafia world for good. It is so unbelievable!
This book has potential and I like a well written arranged marriage book but the final product could have been better.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It is time for the author to depart herself from that series and its unrealistic utopian mafia world for good. It is so unbelievable!
This book has potential and I like a well written arranged marriage book but the final product could have been better.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2021
Biasa aja ceritanya, mkn kr ude mulai biasa baca mafia yg super duper kejam ahahhahaha
Buku 2 nya Esme & Luca macam romeo & juliet kr keluarga mereka musuhan (Russo vs Romano), mkn gw akan baca ntar ^^
Buku 2 nya Esme & Luca macam romeo & juliet kr keluarga mereka musuhan (Russo vs Romano), mkn gw akan baca ntar ^^
September 10, 2023
If you're familiar with, and love Shanna Handel's Bachman books, then you'll love Dark Crown.
Dark Crown isn't technically a Bachman book as it's about an Italian mafia family (the Russo's) in Italy. However, the Bachman's, Rockland in particular, do appear in this book and there is a trip to the Parrish in Greece. Additionally, the MMC is very similar to the Bachman men in how he interacts with his wife. For those of you not familiar with the Bachmans, they are a criminal family (Robinhood style). The men are all alpha and dominant. They rule their homes and believe in domestic discipline. They don't hesitate to discipline their women for disobedience (particularly went it's a safety issue), disrespect or just being bratty. But they also treat their wives like queens. The don't hesitate to show affection or give them anything they want. The women agree to this lifestyle when they marry a Bachman.
The Main Characters - Felicity Bianchi is a sweet girl who's helped her father in his store since her mother passed. She's kind to all and had dreams of marrying a nice, unassuming, young man who would someday run her father's store with her. She's also strong and determined. Vincenzo (Vincent) Russo, is head of the Russo crime family. He is a man used to being obeyed and getting what he wants. He believes he must be hard to maintain control and that emotions, feelings make you weak. But there is so much more to Vincent than you initially believe, including the reason he took Felicity and forced the marriage.
The Story - Felicity is forced to marry Vincent as payment for a gambling debt her father owes the Russo's. Though she finds Vincent attractive, she hates him for forcing her to marry him. She doesn't hesitate to tell or show him how she feels (which sometimes earns her punishment). Their relationship begins to change during a trip to the Bachman's private island in Greece (The Parrish). It's where he begins to admit he has feelings, a least to himself; where he witnesses the Bachman's with their wives and realizes it doesn't diminish their strength or power. It's where she begins to realize that maybe he does care for her in some way. We also begin to learn all the reasons for the forced marriage and it's so much more than just a gambling debt or a promise to his dying father. We learn how his involvement in her father's debts to him were altruistic and far from the self serving actions we first believe. In short, he's not the ahole you initially believe him to be. Ultimately, a great story with lots of emotions and sufficient dangers to add excitement. 5 stars
Note: Like all Bachman wives, Felicity is a little turned on by the punishments. (Yeah, I know, "hard to believe" you might think; but there are women who enjoy being $panked. It's also scientifically proven that pain causes endorphins, just like $ex or extreme exercise, so the turn on is not so far fetched. Further, endorphins affect the nervous system and have been known to relieve pain better than some drugs. So, the concept is not as unbelievable as you might think.) Handel has a way of writing these scenes that are believable and convey all the conflicting emotions. While I admit there have been a couple of stories with scenes I thought were extreme (won't go into reasons here, I do that in the individual book reviews), that wasn't the case in this book. If you love well written stories with $panking kinks, you will love this one.
Dark Crown isn't technically a Bachman book as it's about an Italian mafia family (the Russo's) in Italy. However, the Bachman's, Rockland in particular, do appear in this book and there is a trip to the Parrish in Greece. Additionally, the MMC is very similar to the Bachman men in how he interacts with his wife. For those of you not familiar with the Bachmans, they are a criminal family (Robinhood style). The men are all alpha and dominant. They rule their homes and believe in domestic discipline. They don't hesitate to discipline their women for disobedience (particularly went it's a safety issue), disrespect or just being bratty. But they also treat their wives like queens. The don't hesitate to show affection or give them anything they want. The women agree to this lifestyle when they marry a Bachman.
The Main Characters - Felicity Bianchi is a sweet girl who's helped her father in his store since her mother passed. She's kind to all and had dreams of marrying a nice, unassuming, young man who would someday run her father's store with her. She's also strong and determined. Vincenzo (Vincent) Russo, is head of the Russo crime family. He is a man used to being obeyed and getting what he wants. He believes he must be hard to maintain control and that emotions, feelings make you weak. But there is so much more to Vincent than you initially believe, including the reason he took Felicity and forced the marriage.
The Story - Felicity is forced to marry Vincent as payment for a gambling debt her father owes the Russo's. Though she finds Vincent attractive, she hates him for forcing her to marry him. She doesn't hesitate to tell or show him how she feels (which sometimes earns her punishment). Their relationship begins to change during a trip to the Bachman's private island in Greece (The Parrish). It's where he begins to admit he has feelings, a least to himself; where he witnesses the Bachman's with their wives and realizes it doesn't diminish their strength or power. It's where she begins to realize that maybe he does care for her in some way. We also begin to learn all the reasons for the forced marriage and it's so much more than just a gambling debt or a promise to his dying father. We learn how his involvement in her father's debts to him were altruistic and far from the self serving actions we first believe. In short, he's not the ahole you initially believe him to be. Ultimately, a great story with lots of emotions and sufficient dangers to add excitement. 5 stars
Note: Like all Bachman wives, Felicity is a little turned on by the punishments. (Yeah, I know, "hard to believe" you might think; but there are women who enjoy being $panked. It's also scientifically proven that pain causes endorphins, just like $ex or extreme exercise, so the turn on is not so far fetched. Further, endorphins affect the nervous system and have been known to relieve pain better than some drugs. So, the concept is not as unbelievable as you might think.) Handel has a way of writing these scenes that are believable and convey all the conflicting emotions. While I admit there have been a couple of stories with scenes I thought were extreme (won't go into reasons here, I do that in the individual book reviews), that wasn't the case in this book. If you love well written stories with $panking kinks, you will love this one.
April 14, 2021
Abandonado, qué fastidio...
March 6, 2021
This book was epically boring. Absolutely no conflict at all that wasn't totally forced. Certainly none that made any sense. The contrived drama made Felicity look like an ungrateful bitch which in the end, made Vincent seem reasonable; something only a terrible h could really do.
I skimmed a lot of this looking for anything that would engage me in this story and simply found nothing.
I skimmed a lot of this looking for anything that would engage me in this story and simply found nothing.
March 1, 2022
2.5 stars
Almost immediately, I felt the love for this book. Perhaps it was because I was coming off a DNF, or it could have been the writing. But whatever it was, I was into it! The anger and hate-smex that went on was amazing. Unfortunately, something went wrong with the writing about half-way through. It felt like there was a different author or something, it changed so drastically. Things started moving super fast, they weren't explained, it felt like bits of info were dropped in solely for the purpose of adding the next plot change (as opposed to letting things naturally develop within the storyline) and there were a ton of editing issues. I ended up skimming the last quarter or so of the book because it was so disjointed. Also, this book was only 200 pages and it took me over a week to read. For someone who does at least a book a day, that is just crazy, and I feel like it was all due to the second half's writing.
Almost immediately, I felt the love for this book. Perhaps it was because I was coming off a DNF, or it could have been the writing. But whatever it was, I was into it! The anger and hate-smex that went on was amazing. Unfortunately, something went wrong with the writing about half-way through. It felt like there was a different author or something, it changed so drastically. Things started moving super fast, they weren't explained, it felt like bits of info were dropped in solely for the purpose of adding the next plot change (as opposed to letting things naturally develop within the storyline) and there were a ton of editing issues. I ended up skimming the last quarter or so of the book because it was so disjointed. Also, this book was only 200 pages and it took me over a week to read. For someone who does at least a book a day, that is just crazy, and I feel like it was all due to the second half's writing.
January 18, 2021
I just love Shanna Handel's books and even with this new Mafia family, the Russo's, she's found a way for us to visit the Parrish and get a glimpse of Rockland and Hannah. The storyline is really about Vincent Rosso and Felicity, the shop girl. There are so many layers with this story I can't give you any more than what the blurb gives without giving things away. It's a powerful story that spans several generations. It's filled with all the heat, emotion, and chemistry I've come to know and expect from Shanna Handel with a few twists and turns I didn't see coming. I'm hoping we get to have Esme's story next.
February 24, 2021
DNF at 30%. The hero is not my brand of alpha male.
September 26, 2024
A soft mafia romance
Sweet mafia romance with plenty of spice in the b/r, a dominant alpha who learns to love ❤️.
Storyline ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Sweet mafia romance with plenty of spice in the b/r, a dominant alpha who learns to love ❤️.
Storyline ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
January 9, 2021
I’M IN CONTROL—I WIN—ALWAYS
Once again, Ms. Shanna Handel has spun an intriguing tale, a mafia ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ with an interesting cast of characters. If you have read her Bachman Brotherhood series, it will have a cameo appearance of several Bachman and the Beauties. The story will have a past, one that the two main characters have family ties that bring them together. Vincent Russo is a harsh man who takes what he wants, and in this case, it is Felicity Alfano.
“You don’t get to be the head of the Italian mafia without being good at strategy. After all, life is nothing more than a game of chess.”
The story will have Vincent promise his dying grandfather that he will take Felicity as his wife. It seems that Felicity’s father has a gambling problem, his livelihood—his very life, is in jeopardy. When Vincent calls in his marker, Felicity pays the debt as his wife, queen, and property.
“The last wish of my grandfather was for me to take her for my wife. I’ll steal her body. Demand her loyalty. She’s nothing more to me than a toy, something to play with. Something to break.”
The relationship is volatile between Vincent and Felicity, she is bold and tells him, no, but that won’t save her---she belongs to him, bought and paid for, and now she will learn what it means to be owned. Felicity has her own secret desires, and it isn’t sweet; it is rough and claiming, and that is exactly what she gets with her dominant and controlling husband.
“We can do this one of two ways. I’m your husband. I bought you from your father. You’re my wife. Your body belongs to me. Bad girls get what bad girls earn. And you, my Bella, are a very, very bad girl.
The story has the good, the bad, the ugly, and throw in two people who try to fight and deny that there is a chemistry between them—but they are both losing that battle. Vincent doesn’t want to appear weak, especially to his enemies. He needs to maintain control and respect. Felicity is a firecracker who isn’t afraid to stand up to Vincent, say no, and accept his punishment and dominant sex. But some secrets are starting to work their way into their marriage—things that have her asking questions—things she needs an answer to. Will sneaking away from the Castle bring danger to their door? When her father takes seriously ill, will Vincent be able to maintain control over her?
“Should I tell her of my grandfather? Does she have a right to know she’s a revenge bride, meant to pay a debt deeper than money, to the Russo family?”
I’m hooked on this new series and look forward to the next book, Dark Throne. These stories have minor violence, explicit sex scenes, power exchange, dominance, and submission.
“I am the beast, and finally, I have my Beauty. Under lock and key, for life.”
Once again, Ms. Shanna Handel has spun an intriguing tale, a mafia ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ with an interesting cast of characters. If you have read her Bachman Brotherhood series, it will have a cameo appearance of several Bachman and the Beauties. The story will have a past, one that the two main characters have family ties that bring them together. Vincent Russo is a harsh man who takes what he wants, and in this case, it is Felicity Alfano.
“You don’t get to be the head of the Italian mafia without being good at strategy. After all, life is nothing more than a game of chess.”
The story will have Vincent promise his dying grandfather that he will take Felicity as his wife. It seems that Felicity’s father has a gambling problem, his livelihood—his very life, is in jeopardy. When Vincent calls in his marker, Felicity pays the debt as his wife, queen, and property.
“The last wish of my grandfather was for me to take her for my wife. I’ll steal her body. Demand her loyalty. She’s nothing more to me than a toy, something to play with. Something to break.”
The relationship is volatile between Vincent and Felicity, she is bold and tells him, no, but that won’t save her---she belongs to him, bought and paid for, and now she will learn what it means to be owned. Felicity has her own secret desires, and it isn’t sweet; it is rough and claiming, and that is exactly what she gets with her dominant and controlling husband.
“We can do this one of two ways. I’m your husband. I bought you from your father. You’re my wife. Your body belongs to me. Bad girls get what bad girls earn. And you, my Bella, are a very, very bad girl.
The story has the good, the bad, the ugly, and throw in two people who try to fight and deny that there is a chemistry between them—but they are both losing that battle. Vincent doesn’t want to appear weak, especially to his enemies. He needs to maintain control and respect. Felicity is a firecracker who isn’t afraid to stand up to Vincent, say no, and accept his punishment and dominant sex. But some secrets are starting to work their way into their marriage—things that have her asking questions—things she needs an answer to. Will sneaking away from the Castle bring danger to their door? When her father takes seriously ill, will Vincent be able to maintain control over her?
“Should I tell her of my grandfather? Does she have a right to know she’s a revenge bride, meant to pay a debt deeper than money, to the Russo family?”
I’m hooked on this new series and look forward to the next book, Dark Throne. These stories have minor violence, explicit sex scenes, power exchange, dominance, and submission.
“I am the beast, and finally, I have my Beauty. Under lock and key, for life.”
June 3, 2021
Dark Crown is the first book in Shanna Handel’s Russo Royals series. In this book, we meet Felicity Alfano Russo and Vincenzo “Vincent” Russo. She is the loving daughter of a shopkeeper with a gambling addiction. She is a beauty, feisty, shy, and a book nerd. He is the leader of the Russo mafia family. He is perceived as the King of the Russo family. They are attracted to each other. He is an alpha male, and she has no intention of being dominated. They have a chemistry. Will he be able to tame her? Will they find happiness? You must read this book to discover their journey.
Ms. Handel penned a delightful, fast-paced, character-driven plot. As the first book in this series, Ms. Handel introduces readers to a cast of supporting characters. She introduces readers to the lifestyle and culture of the Russo Crime Family. I appreciated how she used the concept of a mafia crime family as her setting for this story providing readers with an in-depth look into this crime family. Ms. Handle masterfully uses literary devices, like dialog, dual POV, backstory, and flashbacks, to tell Paige and Bronson’s story. Her use of conversational and internal dialog helps readers understand Felicity and Vincent. Having a dual person POV and the use of flashbacks provide readers with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Felicity and Vincent. Ms. Handel builds suspense and tension through many rising action events leading to a climactic scene of Felicity’s abduction. Overall, this was a captivating read. Well done, Ms. Handel!
Ms. Handel penned a delightful, fast-paced, character-driven plot. As the first book in this series, Ms. Handel introduces readers to a cast of supporting characters. She introduces readers to the lifestyle and culture of the Russo Crime Family. I appreciated how she used the concept of a mafia crime family as her setting for this story providing readers with an in-depth look into this crime family. Ms. Handle masterfully uses literary devices, like dialog, dual POV, backstory, and flashbacks, to tell Paige and Bronson’s story. Her use of conversational and internal dialog helps readers understand Felicity and Vincent. Having a dual person POV and the use of flashbacks provide readers with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Felicity and Vincent. Ms. Handel builds suspense and tension through many rising action events leading to a climactic scene of Felicity’s abduction. Overall, this was a captivating read. Well done, Ms. Handel!
May 16, 2021
This will always be one of my favorite tropes. This one is a shining example of a great mafia arranged marriage trope.
With all the care Vincent had taken for his bride I was a bit surprised at how callous he was in the beginning. The heroine definitely had her strong moments but she tended to give in very quickly. I like a softer heroine so I mostly didn’t mind that.
Vincent was your typical mafia boss, determined not to fall in love, must win every confrontation but soft for the heroine ultimately.
It was so refreshing to see him finally let go of macho mafia boss and treat his wife with the respect she deserved and eventually managed to apologize. I think much of the time authors shy away from having the hero apologize fearing it will emasculate them or something but it takes a strong man to admit he was wrong for hurting the woman he loves so I was very happy that he manned up and apologized to her.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
With all the care Vincent had taken for his bride I was a bit surprised at how callous he was in the beginning. The heroine definitely had her strong moments but she tended to give in very quickly. I like a softer heroine so I mostly didn’t mind that.
Vincent was your typical mafia boss, determined not to fall in love, must win every confrontation but soft for the heroine ultimately.
It was so refreshing to see him finally let go of macho mafia boss and treat his wife with the respect she deserved and eventually managed to apologize. I think much of the time authors shy away from having the hero apologize fearing it will emasculate them or something but it takes a strong man to admit he was wrong for hurting the woman he loves so I was very happy that he manned up and apologized to her.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 12, 2021
The story of Vincent and Felicity is a dark erotic tale of a bartered bride by a dominant no holds bard heartless anti-hero. Vincent is not a good guy and Felicity is not a woman that is afraid to say no. The two characters are explosive in and out of bed. If you like an overly dominant anti-hero and a feisty heroine who hates her husband but is physically attracted to the monster that lives inside of him, then you will enjoy this dark brooding book. The story follows the usual scenario whereas she is the sacrificial lamb to save her father's life who owes money to the mafia. She reluctantly becomes Vincent's wife only to find out just how cold and heartless he is as a man and as her husband.
The writing, story and editing are good. This author writes well with captivating characters you love to hate as well as characters you are silently encouraging to overcome the circumstances they have been thrust into through no fault of their own. Enjoy.
The writing, story and editing are good. This author writes well with captivating characters you love to hate as well as characters you are silently encouraging to overcome the circumstances they have been thrust into through no fault of their own. Enjoy.
April 14, 2021
♟DARK ROMANCE
♟MAFIA
♟SERIES BUT STANDALONE
♟HEA
♟MATURE CONTENT
♟FORCED MARRIAGE
January 2, 2025
0 stars
Ew.
Previous thoughts:
It's too soon for another "possessive low-key abusive but v v rich asshole does kinky shit in bed" book after that billionaire series I just read (The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy) so I'll come back to this later when I have the patience/asshole tolerance.
Updated thoughts:
I don't think I'll ever have the patience for this shit.
Ew.
Previous thoughts:
It's too soon for another "possessive low-key abusive but v v rich asshole does kinky shit in bed" book after that billionaire series I just read (The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy) so I'll come back to this later when I have the patience/asshole tolerance.
Updated thoughts:
I don't think I'll ever have the patience for this shit.
January 3, 2021
This is a wonderful read; I cannot wait for the next book in this series
This is another simply wonderful read and once again I cannot stress how compelling a read this wonderful book is. Just totally absorbing I found myself drawn in and on completing this terrific read I have to say that I cannot wait for the next book in this series, I know that it is going to be a simply intolerant amount of time.
To be honest even a week would seem as though it was a month, I just love the unexpected turns and characters she writes about they are always thrilling and the plots so convoluted that I am never able to put the book down until I reach the end of the book.
Felicity had moved back to her father’s home town when she had been a young girl and the town people had called her the Black Pearl, something she had never understood at all. She had continued to help her father run his little store that had been busy with the locals that had shopped there on a regular basis.
Her life had dramatically changed when she discovered that her father was in debt and the money lender had demanded the hand of his daughter in marriage? Vincenzo Russo was an important man and he always got what he wanted, no matter what!!
The wedding and their married life had not been what he expected and she was such an uncomplicated sort with such a good heart, all of his staff and family were falling in love with her, she was already their Queen and he found himself to be jealous.
Then the couple along with Sophia and young Esme were invited to honeymoon on their beautiful Greek island with Rockland and Tess Bachman on their Greek island. It had been a very eventful holiday and had reintroduced the Bachman’s along the family connections and all that this entails.
This this unfortunately after much more action and adventure that I do not want to go into too much detail about this as I like to let the reader have as much enjoyment as myself as you read this wonderful book, although if you are like me and start reading late you will find yourself like me having a very late night with your nose in this book.
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.
This is another simply wonderful read and once again I cannot stress how compelling a read this wonderful book is. Just totally absorbing I found myself drawn in and on completing this terrific read I have to say that I cannot wait for the next book in this series, I know that it is going to be a simply intolerant amount of time.
To be honest even a week would seem as though it was a month, I just love the unexpected turns and characters she writes about they are always thrilling and the plots so convoluted that I am never able to put the book down until I reach the end of the book.
Felicity had moved back to her father’s home town when she had been a young girl and the town people had called her the Black Pearl, something she had never understood at all. She had continued to help her father run his little store that had been busy with the locals that had shopped there on a regular basis.
Her life had dramatically changed when she discovered that her father was in debt and the money lender had demanded the hand of his daughter in marriage? Vincenzo Russo was an important man and he always got what he wanted, no matter what!!
The wedding and their married life had not been what he expected and she was such an uncomplicated sort with such a good heart, all of his staff and family were falling in love with her, she was already their Queen and he found himself to be jealous.
Then the couple along with Sophia and young Esme were invited to honeymoon on their beautiful Greek island with Rockland and Tess Bachman on their Greek island. It had been a very eventful holiday and had reintroduced the Bachman’s along the family connections and all that this entails.
This this unfortunately after much more action and adventure that I do not want to go into too much detail about this as I like to let the reader have as much enjoyment as myself as you read this wonderful book, although if you are like me and start reading late you will find yourself like me having a very late night with your nose in this book.
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.
January 17, 2021
Dark Crown is the first book in the Russo Royals series. Felicity’s wedding day should be a dream, but this is not at all what she imagined. Being wed to a man she’s barely met, a man who her father sold her to for his debts, and into a life she knows nothing about, Felicity is worried about what her future holds. But while she hates Vincent for the way he treats her, she can’t help but be drawn to him. As their relationship develops, secrets are revealed. Will Felicity ever choose to be with her Beast?
Wow! I adored this take mafia take on Beauty and the Beast, and I loved the connection Vincent and Felicity had for each other. There’s so much passion, anger, drama, a shy yearning for romance, and I was hooked right from the very first page! Felicity was a strong character, sweet and kind, bold when needed, and it was thrilling to watch how her mind battled her body and to see if her heart would be involved in the mix of everything. Vincent is all alpha, commanding, dominant, protective, and while he refuses to apologize, he’s willing to try harder for Felicity. Their passion just about lit my reader on fire and while there’s a little bit of a push and pull between them in the beginning, I adored their connection that grows as the book develops. It was super fun to see some of the Bachman’s in this book, but the main focus remained on the Russo’s. I really enjoyed this book. I could barely put it down once I started, and I am already looking forward to what might develop as this series continues!
Wow! I adored this take mafia take on Beauty and the Beast, and I loved the connection Vincent and Felicity had for each other. There’s so much passion, anger, drama, a shy yearning for romance, and I was hooked right from the very first page! Felicity was a strong character, sweet and kind, bold when needed, and it was thrilling to watch how her mind battled her body and to see if her heart would be involved in the mix of everything. Vincent is all alpha, commanding, dominant, protective, and while he refuses to apologize, he’s willing to try harder for Felicity. Their passion just about lit my reader on fire and while there’s a little bit of a push and pull between them in the beginning, I adored their connection that grows as the book develops. It was super fun to see some of the Bachman’s in this book, but the main focus remained on the Russo’s. I really enjoyed this book. I could barely put it down once I started, and I am already looking forward to what might develop as this series continues!
January 2, 2021
Donna L
5.0 out of 5 stars JUST WOW!!!
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2021
I enjoyed this book in this new series by Shanna Handel. It was fast-paced,
easy to follow, emotionally gripping, and clearly defined. If this is what we
can expect from this series, than we are in for a treat.
I found the level of angst between Vincent and Felicity highly entertaining
to say the least. Vincent was a man who was used to getting what ever he
wanted, and he wanted Felicity. Felicity fights Vincent, but her body betrays
her. The shy bookworm develops a strong backbone as she defies Vincent.
Despite her efforts, her feelings for him grow.Now she wants him body,
mind and soul.
I enjoyed the dynamics of both characters and the complexity of their
relationship as they struggled with their emotions.Their connection reflected
so much than what was on the surface. Vincent surprised me as he was not
the harsh, uncaring mafia boss I expected. He held back his feelings for Felicity
as it put them both into danger. He was an anti-hero but a hero never the less.
He was was conflicted as he never expected to grow to love Felicity.
This story has the right blend of heart, emotion, danger, discipline, and a good
amount of heat. The Bachman family are also featured in this book. A Mafia theme runs strongly through this book as I have come to expect
February 15, 2021
Felt like there were two authors
This book was just... Strange. I couldn't put my finger on it until about 3/4 of the way through, and then I realized it's because it felt like there were two different people writing it. There was the smut, and then all the weird filler in between (and that's definitely what it was). The filler seemed like something written by a teenager: unrealistic, full of holes and discontinuities, and very rough around the edges. The smut scenes had a completely different vibe, like they were all written first and then forced into some poor attempt at a beauty and the beast riff. Overall, the plot needs some serious work. The writing itself was ok; the sentence structure was choppy and repetitive in places, and some of the phrases/word choices made it feel like an odd mix of Shakespeare and my grandma's knitting circle, but it wasn't so bad that I couldn't get through it.
This book was just... Strange. I couldn't put my finger on it until about 3/4 of the way through, and then I realized it's because it felt like there were two different people writing it. There was the smut, and then all the weird filler in between (and that's definitely what it was). The filler seemed like something written by a teenager: unrealistic, full of holes and discontinuities, and very rough around the edges. The smut scenes had a completely different vibe, like they were all written first and then forced into some poor attempt at a beauty and the beast riff. Overall, the plot needs some serious work. The writing itself was ok; the sentence structure was choppy and repetitive in places, and some of the phrases/word choices made it feel like an odd mix of Shakespeare and my grandma's knitting circle, but it wasn't so bad that I couldn't get through it.
January 8, 2021
This is set in the same world as the Bachman family. Felicity has been promised to Vincent Russo in exchange for paying off her father’s debts and giving him a monthly stipend. Felicity is not happy about this, but her body craves what Vincent can give her. Vincent thinks that he is marrying Felicity to right an ancient wrong, but he comes to realize that he wants Felicity for himself.
We visit the Bachmans at the Parrish in this book. Vincent is the head of the Italian mafia family and, once he marries Felicity, he starts a business deal with Rockland Bachman. Rockland gives Vincent advice that he ignores at first, but gradually Vincent comes to realize that he is falling in love. Does Felicity love him? There is a HEA and the teaser for the next story.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
We visit the Bachmans at the Parrish in this book. Vincent is the head of the Italian mafia family and, once he marries Felicity, he starts a business deal with Rockland Bachman. Rockland gives Vincent advice that he ignores at first, but gradually Vincent comes to realize that he is falling in love. Does Felicity love him? There is a HEA and the teaser for the next story.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 10, 2021
This book was amazing. I loved this story! I couldn't put it down. Be prepare to finish it in one sitting. I couldn't wait to see what happened next in Felicity and Vincent's relationship. I can't wait for the next one in the series to come out.
Vincent Russo is the head of the Russo family and is ready to claim his queen. Felicity's father has a huge gambling problem that she is unaware of. So she was surprised when she is told that in order to pay his debt, she will become Vincent's bride. They struggle at first. Felicity doesn't give in to his orders at first. They come to an understanding but she wants more from her marriage. Vincent believes that he must be a certain way as the king of the Russo family. Will he discover in time that he needs to change so they could be more?
I received an ARC from the author/publisher for an honest review.
Vincent Russo is the head of the Russo family and is ready to claim his queen. Felicity's father has a huge gambling problem that she is unaware of. So she was surprised when she is told that in order to pay his debt, she will become Vincent's bride. They struggle at first. Felicity doesn't give in to his orders at first. They come to an understanding but she wants more from her marriage. Vincent believes that he must be a certain way as the king of the Russo family. Will he discover in time that he needs to change so they could be more?
I received an ARC from the author/publisher for an honest review.
February 20, 2021
I was just not feeling this one. The plot was epically generic and it offered no new twists or turns. The conflicts that the characters faced were just not it. I just finished reading this book just for the sake of finishing it, I don’t like leaving books off in the middle if I know I’m not gonna come back to them once I stop. It was meh. If you’re looking for a generic plot with no originality for a quick read, this is your book.
January 8, 2021
Beautifully broken
Shanna knocked this one out of the castle walls! Just when I think it can’t get better than this, I’m blown away. It’s hot, it’s dark,it’s everything your mafia fantasies could dream of.
Vincent is the dark king of the Russo family. Felicity is the light of his life, but he won’t admit it. He’s admired her from afar for many years before he takes her for his own. He promises to break her when she refused to bend to his will. Little does he know, the heat, the passion, the fire, and dominance between them will cause a break. Just not in the way he thinks. She breaks his armor so beautifully, craves his dominance, and teaches him the true meaning of love. Cannot wait for the next arranged adventure with Esme and Luca!!
Shanna knocked this one out of the castle walls! Just when I think it can’t get better than this, I’m blown away. It’s hot, it’s dark,it’s everything your mafia fantasies could dream of.
Vincent is the dark king of the Russo family. Felicity is the light of his life, but he won’t admit it. He’s admired her from afar for many years before he takes her for his own. He promises to break her when she refused to bend to his will. Little does he know, the heat, the passion, the fire, and dominance between them will cause a break. Just not in the way he thinks. She breaks his armor so beautifully, craves his dominance, and teaches him the true meaning of love. Cannot wait for the next arranged adventure with Esme and Luca!!
February 8, 2021
This is the first book in the spin-off from the Bachman series of books and as such is a great start. After reading a number of books by this author I felt rather confident that it wasn't going to be a super heavy mafia book, however, I did start to think maybe I got it wrong after reading the start of this story. It's a rather harsh start full of punishments, but this tapers off as you read more of the story. If you love the harshness of a lot of mafia books, full of bad guys with almost no redeeming characteristics, perhaps this story isn't for you. Yes, Vincent is mafia, but the book is more about the relationship between Vincent and Felicity. I enjoyed this story although the transition from hate to love did seem to come a little too quickly and easily.
March 20, 2021
Wishy Washy Love
Prologue opens with Vincenzo Russo (Vincent), contemplating power and wealth. His, as the king of the Italian mafia. Having everything except for one final conquest... A marriage, to Felicity Alfano. Which was the last wish of his grandfather, to take her for his wife.
It's a book and opens up to Felicity being prepared for her wedding day, surrounded by strangers and nothing at all as the dream wedding she once envisioned.
This has a slight Beauty and the Beast tendency, and pulls in characters from other book series as well. Definitely an insta-love romance, not truly an enemies to lovers style though. A bit wishy-washy with all the sweet gestures I guess you could say, a few tendencies for a BDSM also, but nothing dark. Quick, enjoyable, sxxy read.
Prologue opens with Vincenzo Russo (Vincent), contemplating power and wealth. His, as the king of the Italian mafia. Having everything except for one final conquest... A marriage, to Felicity Alfano. Which was the last wish of his grandfather, to take her for his wife.
It's a book and opens up to Felicity being prepared for her wedding day, surrounded by strangers and nothing at all as the dream wedding she once envisioned.
This has a slight Beauty and the Beast tendency, and pulls in characters from other book series as well. Definitely an insta-love romance, not truly an enemies to lovers style though. A bit wishy-washy with all the sweet gestures I guess you could say, a few tendencies for a BDSM also, but nothing dark. Quick, enjoyable, sxxy read.
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