When Zoya Zhvania is shipped off to New York and forced into a marriage with powerful Russian mob boss Pavel Petruskenkov, she expects to be treated cruelly. But as she lies naked and helpless before the man who now owns her, still sore from a stern lesson in obedience over his knee, it is not fear that leaves Zoya quivering in her bonds. It is desperate, shameful need...
Need for him.
He will make her beg, scream, and climax until she is sure she can't possibly handle any more, then whisper in her ear that he is just getting started and she will take everything he gives her.
He is not just going to make her his wife.
He is going to make her his completely.
Publisher's Note:Sold to the Russian is the second book of the Bratva Masters series. It is a stand-alone prequel to The Russian, the first book in the series. Sold to the Russian includes spankings and sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don't buy this book.
Welcome to the world of Isabella Laase, USA Today and #1 Bestselling author across several genres and International best seller on four continents!
Cursed by a sarcastic sense of humor, Isabella works to blend her history loving, feminist side with the fantasy world of hot romance defined by the firm hand of a strong alpha male. Given choice within the confines of history and genre, strong women find balance in their lives while fulfilling their deepest sexual desires.
Isabella lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her very patient husband. Two tiny dogs complete the family and have learned to sleep under a laptop to gain any comfort from her side while she balances a job, political activism, and steamy spanking novels in the course of a single day.
"Writing is like playing in a virtual reality dollhouse. You can create any character you want within any world, time period, lifestyle, and personality plus have them wear any clothes you can fantasize. You are only limited by your personal imagination."
This is a prequel to The Russian: A Dark Mafia Romance. While it's a standalone in terms of the couple, some of the lines of action continue in the first book -- so they aren't resolved here -- and the three little boys we see here are adults in that one. Confused? Well, you're not alone: I've read the first book and I was, too.
That said, if you're looking for a well-written and -edited greyish BDSM/Bratva book (and who isn't these days? not since the Cold War has Russia been so popular in the American imagination) with likable characters who experience growth; well-described kink scenes; and a solid storyline underpinning all the sex, you will probably enjoy this. It focuses on the abused Zoya, who has been sent to the US to "marry" high-ranking Bratva Pavel (one of the many unexplained aspects of this book is that it's never clear why), but he's a widower not looking for commitment. Despite their initial lack of trust, the two begin a relationship that's soon threatened by a rival gang.
There's a lot to unpack in this book (a valuable necklace, a gang war, intra-familial fighting, Georgian Zoya's adjustment to the United States, the three young children) and at times it's hard to keep all plot points straight. However, I appreciated Zoya's strength and that Pavel appreciated it; that she became important enough for him to make necessary compromises; and that with one big exception, he didn't harm her.
The scene I took exception to was when he first spanked her. It came amidst a physical fight; his actions triggered her (given all that she had been through and considering that he knew his brother had beat her, I don't know what he expected); and he did it without her consent. The whole scene -- which involved other acts of violence -- was too close to actual domestic violence for me, both too much (given her past abuse) and not enough (given that she had stab him), and was out of place in a kink book. And Zoya owed him no apologies: she was defending herself and had every right to.
4 stars. I do want to provide trigger warnings for the abuse that Zoya suffers while in Russia. We may get more books since there are several more unattached young people in this family. Note: Uhm, the Ukraine and Russia really aren't chummy.
Zoya is given to a horrible man by her father. Damir is abusive and cruel to Zoya and when he is finished with her, he puts her on a plane with is nephew and sends them off to Pavel. She expects Pavel to be the same as his brother but he isn’t. Soon sparks are flying between them. Fast-paced read with lots of drama, and emotion. Great characters with lots of depth and intense chemistry. I really liked this intense mafia read.
Sold to the Russian is the second book in Isabella Laase’s Bratva Masters series. In this book, readers get acquainted with Zoya Zhvania and Pavel Petruskenkov. Zoya was bought by Damir Petruskenkov, the head of their crime family as his sex toy. Living under those conditions were horrendous. He beat her, starved her, drugged her, and abused her sexually and emotionally. Pavel moved to America years ago to set up a New York cell for the crime family. He married, had two sons, and then lost his wife, Maria, to cancer. Damir manipulates a marriage by proxy between Zoya and Pavel sending her to America with his nephew, Anton. What will happen once she gets to America? Will there be any hope of a “happy-ever-after” life? Will she find some one to love her? What will Damir do? What will Pavel do? You must read this book to discover their path. I liked this romantic suspense plot. I appreciated how Ms. Laase strengthens it by adding suspense by using feelings of betrayal, loyalty, and revenge that exist within the boundaries of a crime family. Using Damir as an antagonist is logical, but it is the interactions of the family matters that move this story along. I appreciate how Ms. Laase uses her secondary characters like Liam and Galena and the three young boys, to soften the intensity of the suspense.
Dialog is outstanding. The banter between Zoya and Pavel makes readers chuckle, but at times is heart wrenching. Ms. Laase outdid herself with the pacing of her plot as she takes readers on an emotional roller coaster ride. Her skill in using a dual point of view allowed readers to be engrossed in this story. Additionally, this strategy provides readers with insight into Zoya and Pavel's true character. Her descriptive scenes are another way she heightens the tension of the rise and fall of her plot line. Readers are transported into each scene and along with her characters feel a range of emotions. Some of the BDSM scenes involving Damir were a bit too much for me. Nevertheless, I did enjoy this book. Nice job, Ms. Laase!
This was simply a wonderful read from start to finish This was a wonderful read with a great cast of characters and a storyline that simply leaves you unable to put the book down until you reach the very last page. When Zoya’s father is tricked into a fake marriage for a substantial amount of money without realising he had actually sold her to Damir. After she had been in his household being abused and raped by this monster whilst she also cared for his three-year-old nephew he had decided that he no longer wanted the pair and simply put them on a plane with a wedding certificate naming Pavel as her husband. As the two of them finally land in America and Pavel collects them, he is instantly able to see that Zoya has obviously been beaten by his brother, his nephew is also traumatised and cares only for his stuffed bunny and Zoya. As the couple live together under the same roof and begin to experience the responsibilities of being married to a man with Pavel’s family connections and reputation, she constantly surprises him with her ability to adapt, her loyalty and care for Anton as well as his two sons is also evident. This is a wonderful read and I do not want to give away too many surprises but this deals with the younger years of the three boys when they all become a family. This truly is a story based around a family that has been built around terrible adversity and heartbreak and loss and yet these two strong and determined adults had pulled them all together, they had created a safe and loving home where anything was possible. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. 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.
Zoya is a young woman who has been betrayed by her father, sold, drugged, sexually assaulted and abused for months by a mob boss and his cronies. When she is suddenly sent from St. Petersburg, Russia to New York jn the United States, she is given s 3-year-old, traumatized child she must escort there. Zoya is given all the documents needed, but no money. She also is unable to speak English.
Pavel is the brother of her former captor, and a Russian mob leader in the United States. According to the documentation she has been given, Pavel is also now her husband. He is a handsome but domineering widower. There is a good amount of dramatic action in this story. I did think the ending of the story moved pretty fast as far as Pavel’s feelings suddenly being revealed.
There are a few interesting secondary characters, such as Galena and Liam, who I would enjoy seeing in their own story. There is some domestic discipline and several BDSM scenes woven into the story. I very much liked the epilogue, and the detail it gives us about their HEA. This story is connected to The Russian, also by Isabella Laase, but it is definitely a stand-alone. I hope there will be more in this series, especially about Pavel’s nephew, who he and Zoya raise as lovingly as if he were their biological son.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
To say that this book was excellent is an understatement. From the start to the end this story will indeed capture your attention. I felt for one of the main characters Zoya, who is only 20 years old, when her father sold her to Damir Petruskenkov a truely not nice man who used and abused her for his own pleasure. Till she is told to take his young nephew Anton and fly to America and that she will be wife to his brother. Pavel Petuskenkov lives in America and is highly regarded in his own right, but still has to follow his brothers rules. At first seeing Zora he thought her a whore, but when he sends Anton off with his sister he soon finds out more about what she was to his brother. But now she is his and she will learn her lesson not to lie to him and to listen to what he says . But someone is trying to kill him, powerplay, she must be protected at all costs. There is so much more i wanted to write in this review, but then it will spoil it im sure. So go and one click now, you surely wont be disappointed.
This author always knows how to capture an audience, i loved this story... 5 plus stars worth while reading!!
Damir turns out to be Zoya’s worst nightmare as he and his friends use her before he ships her and his nephew, Anton, off to his brother, Pavel, in America. Pavel’s brisque attitude does little to quell Zoya’s fears as she makes plans to escape. When Zoya loses control after she pushes Pavel too far he’ll learn he’s not the only one who fights dirty but Pavel is nothing like his brother and Zoya is soon over his knee as he gives her the spanking she so desperately needs for punishment. Pavel awakens dark desires in Zoya & as they explore the passion blazing between them, Zoya is fighting the emotional connection Pavel makes her feel. Danger is never far and as much as they fight the feelings growing between them, they can’t outrun either as the battle erupts. Zoya is determined to show Pavel she’s more than just a pretty face as they fight back against Damir. But Pavel and Zoya’s stubbornness leave them constantly butting heads, can Pavel and Zoya work through their anger to build a family together or will their stubborn pride leave them drifting apart?
I received an ARC of this book via Book Sprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Zoya is sold by her father to Damir, a Russian bratva boss, thinking that she is marrying him. The truth is that she is drugged and used for sex for months until Damir believes that she will obey him. When Damir's three year old nephew is left an orphan, he concocts the plan to 'marry' Zoya to his brother Pavel in New York and she will take Anton with her. Pavel is not happy about the situation, but he obeys his brother. He thinks that Zoya is his brother's whore and he does not plan to make a life with her, but set her up in her own house and live separately. But circumstances work against that plan as he falls in love with Zoya and tries to straighten out the mess from his brother. Zoya and Pavel have a HEA.
I enjoyed the story. The descriptions of her abuse and then her time in New York are wonderful. The BDSM scenes are well written. I do think that Pavel should have figured out that Zoya was not a whore but an abused woman a lot sooner. I was glued to the book until I finished it.
I received an advance copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. Zoya has had a horrible experience of all manors of abuse. She has been sold Damir who is an evil man. Once he and his cronies have no use for her any more, he sends her and his nephew to America. She is now the bride of his brother who is a Russian mafia boss also. She does not want to be a wife or be owned by Pavel. She is a survivor and tries to stand strong. Pavel shows her just who is in charge but has more compassion than she has ever dealt with. He did not want the complications of another wife. Shy works her way under his skin and he develops feelings for her. For as much as she wants him, she also wants to push him away. These two have to get past the obstacles in their way. Once they do, they have a chance at a happy family together. The storyline was well done with everything you want in a good Russian Bratva story. I thought the characters were perfect for each other.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sold to the Russian is a dark, intense, page turner of a Russian mafia romance, very well written with an extremely well executed plot, packed with action, suspense and hot power exchange. Though this book is the second to come out in the series, it is the prequel to ‘The Russian’, telling the story of Zoya and Pavel. And what a story! I liked the first book very much, but I love this one even better. Following Zoya on her journey from St. Petersburg to New York, from misery to happiness was both heartbreaking and exciting. All the characters are solid and fantastic in their own right, but I especially fell for Zoya because I really felt her, and the dynamic between her and Pavel was amazing. I very much recommend you read this story of love, family and loyalty. I very much doubt you’ll regret it! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was such a multi-faceted read. I really enjoyed the world and characters created here. We got a glimpse into a different culture and world - much more in-depth than other books that touch on the Russian Bratva and I loved that. The only thing that kept this from being a 5 star read for me were some inconsistencies in the characters and that it was third person. For the beginning, it was a little hard at first to really connect because of the third person, and everything that Zoya had gone through, it seemed like when she met Pavel she stood up to him more than someone who had been through what she had been through. But the depth to the characters and storyline definitely made up for those things and I’ll definitely be looking into more books by this author!
Thank you to Booksprout and Stormy Night Publications for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily
This is the second book in the Bratva Masters series and is a prequel to The Russian providing the backstory on the Luka, Yuri and Anton and their parents Zoya and Pavel. The story of how Zoya and Pavel's relationship develops is very interesting and well told. Isabella Lasse is one of my favorite authors and I enjoyed this book. It has been a while since I read The Russian and do not remember the whole story. I believe this detracted from my thorough enjoyment and complete understanding of how Sold to the Russian adds to the story told in The Russian. I'm sure it will all come together as I go back and reread The Russian (not exactly a hardship at it was an excellent book). I am looking forward to more of the family saga in the next book of the series!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow what a ride. Zoya is sold by her father and she is in a terrible situation. After tiring of her she is sent to America and her new husband is Pavel. Zoya and a traumatized little boy head to a new life. Pavel at first is not the happiest and when he sees Zoya and what she has endured he is more accepting. Pavel is a widower and has his own children. There is a whole range of action and emotions in this story. There is also some BDSM and spanking scenes which were well written. I loved how the story progressed and the feelings developed and how there was danger and he was protective. Great story with wonderful characters, I was very sad that Zoya endured what she had but it brought her to the place she is in now. Very entertaining and engrossing book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Zoyas father unintentionally sells her to Damir who has abused her for months whilst she looks after his 3 year old nephew. When Damir gets bored of her, he ships jer and his 3 year old nephew Anton off to his brother Pavel in America, with documentation for Zoya to become Pavels wife. Pavel finds out the abuse Zoya had been subjected too at that hads of his brother, and vows to protect her but she has to obey him. But Pavel has his own troubles with someone wanting him dead. Thisbis a well written read with descriptions of violence and abuse. The story grabs your attention and draws you in, ypubfeel every raw emotion possible when it comes to Zoya and Pavel story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this book, it has such a mixture from BDSM, family dynamics, mystery, Bratva, lovely little boys and a love story. Zoya is such a strong person who is sent, with a three year old, from St. Petersburg’s to New York with no money and unable to speak any English. I cannot imagine what that would be like, especially given how badly she had been treated. There is a lot of action and some fun moments especially after she met Galena who led her on some adventures. As Pavel falls in love with her there are some really intense moments and some really sweet moments. The story moves quickly and there are so many great characters that it is hard to put down.
Zoya has been stolen and sold and sent to another country by the Russians. Now she's Mrs. Pavel Petruskenkov. Maybe not for long but for now this is her lot. Pavel is a Russian mobster just like the one who sold her in Russia. She has a mind of her own. She's not some tame pliable little slave who will follow without having a say in her life. For Pavel, that might be a little hard to take. Even his belt on her bottom doesn't tame her spirit. This woman was not meant to be his wife forever, but something about her drawers him in. This was a really sexy hot read and a really good romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sold To The Russian is the second book in the Bratva Masters Series and focuses on Zoya, sold by her father to Damir (a Russian mob boss) who sexually abuses her, and Pavel, a New York mob boss and brother to Damir who receives Zoya in an arranged marriage. Their relationship is rocky at the start but eventually becomes true love. This book is well written, has fantastic characters, and has a passionate relationship which includes BDSM scenes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
These two made the best of a bad situation. Pavel, member of the Russian Bratava and living in America has a bride and young nephew thrust upon him from his brother Damel. Well Zoya has experienced nothing but hardship from Damel. She’s had some difficult times. So to be packed up and sent away all of a sudden is a glass half full, well at least in my expert reading opinion. These two learned how to be together and to depend on one another. Definitely worth the read.
When Zoyas father unintentionally sells her to Damir who has abused her for months during that time she looks after his 3 year old nephew. Damir gets bored of her; he ships her and his 3 year old nephew Anton off to his brother Pavel in America, with documents for Zoya to become Pavels wife. Pavels and Zoya fall in love with each other get married legally.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved the book it was great, the story was written well and the characters were interesting. The story of Zoya and Pavel. This was a fantastic read, when you open the book from the first page you are sucked in. Sold to the Russian mafia is a dark, intense, action, suspense and hot power exchange. The journey one will take you also feel the misery, happiness, love, family and loyalty.
I Received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I don't think there is a book by this author that I haven't loved. So good with just a bit of danger. The story is delightful and warm. And the characters are amazing and loving. I never really thought about the language barrier than a person has when they move from another country but the author does a great job describing how hard it would be. Good job.
Wow I loved it. This is the first book I have read from Isabella Laase but it won’t be the last one. Hated the beginning but Pavel I was hooked. It’s one one those books all you want to do is read it and nothing else.
I wasn't sure at first as I really didn't like what I thought was going to be the male lead. But this turned into a great book, a roller coaster emotional ride. I loved both Pavel and Zoya.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Who exactly is the story about? Zoya? The family? Anton? The necklace? Why was Anton’s parents killed? What was the result of the DNA test Zoya did on Yuri? Who was the man who found Anton the night he ran away? Too many unanswered questions.
I always enjoy reading a book by this author.and this one was no exception. Great characters, a strong story line, and a little kink combined into a great story.
I barely made it to chapter 12!! This book makes no sense 👎👎👎. How do you go from being rape Schiff by one brother to standing up to the other brother demanding he earns the right to beat you???? Like WTF!!!! Just don't!!!
When Pavel gets a bride he didn't ask for he's understanding. Zoya comes with Anton his sisters son. Everyone has there secrets and motivation. This book flowed along with the story plot and sub plots.