Against his better judgement, slick, pansexual hitman Frank Mancini falls for the sultry sister of his latest client. He is hiding a dark secret, and intends to seduce her before his past is revealed.
Tony Freemantle intends to seek vengeance on the half-brother he blames for his misfortunes. He's never met him. He doesn't even know what he looks like. All he knows is that he wants him dead.
Pagan Freemantle is the innocent woman unwillingly caught up in her sibling's deadly plan. When she discovers she has to pay for the hit, her attempts to make a deal throws her headlong into a dangerous attraction with a man who is patently bad news. And can she trust Richard Mason, the elusive millionaire half-brother who is just a seductive voice at the end of a telephone? When a road trip to California ends with shocking revelations, it seems she can trust no-one but herself.
Jayne Lockwood, AKA Lady Jaguar, is an English writer of deliciously dark romance featuring queer and straight protagonists. She’s a firm believer in happy endings. To find out more, visit https://www.jaynelockwood.com
There are no rules to her writing, apart from needing an HEA. She cannot write a story without one. Her characters are a diverse mix of gender and sexuality. Basically, she writes what she enjoys and hope people like it!
Now, anyone who knows me, knows I rarely swear and never in a review, but this book really calls for it. I've been following Jayne Lockwood on Facebook for a while, simply enjoying her vibrant character, but not having had the time to pick up any of her books. Then an opportunity arose when she was offering advance review copies of the Closer than Blood series, so I thought, "why not?"
I went in blind. I didn't even read the blurb, and I was totally blindsided by the brilliant insanity of this book. It's as if Quentin Tarantino did a Mafia movie in a Film Noire style. Sheer genius.
I was only going to "test the waters" a few hours ago, see if the first few chapters were of any interest. Well, I got sucked in good and solid and even when I saw the twist coming, I thought, "no, no one can be that twisted" but in phenomenal Tarantino-style, Lockwood actually went ahead and did it! There's no cheese in this. Only pure grit.
A wonderfully dark, twisted, gritty and unconventional read. If you're tired of all the "same old, same old" contemporary romance out there, then you HAVE to read this book! Can't wait to fall into the next part of this story!
Wow, I have already asked when part two is available! I purchased this to use as a leisurely read now and then when time allowed between working full time and caring for a small monster, said monster may have been slightly neglected for two days as i have struggled to put the book down. i found Pagan's character very relatable, her need to escape the tumultuous relationship with her brother, and how she managed to fall for someone she knew was trouble. i am hoping that she acquires the happiness she is longing for soon
So, I saw this book on my feed and it caught my eye because it's the same cover models as I use for The Beneath (nice choice 🥰). Then I read the blurb and was interested, and then I saw the author is a fellow Brit and jumped right in. 🤣
I really enjoyed this story and I've got to say, I usually spot a twist a mile away but I didn't see this one until it was there. I was enjoying the mystery of Richard and wanted to see where it would go in all its taboo glory, so I didn't suspect what was actually happening. 👏
Definitely interested in seeing where the rest of this series goes.
Closer than Blood, book three gets five 🧨🧨🧨🧨🧨 explosive stars for an explosive finale 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 . 📘Book three “Surrender” starts right where book two ends. Things are still in shambles, and the danger is getting closer. The mafia is on Richard’s tail, while he has been fired as CEO, greatly diminishing his influence. The only one able to fix this is Frank Mancini. But, is the elusive hitman willing to return to save Pagan, Richard and Gino? . Pagan explained the situation quite correctly: 👀 ~~‘I’m looking for someone,’ she replied, watching him closely. ‘Who?’ ‘Franco Giancarlo Mancini, the man I fell in love with.’ ‘Why?’ ‘Because there is only one way to deal with people like Carlotti. The Mancini way.’~~ 🔪🚬 . I won’t spoil what will happen, just know one thing. While Richard does his utmost to keep Pagan and Gino safe, Pagan tries everything to help and gets herself in big trouble on the way. Add an ex-husband, two turncoat muscles, an illegitimate daughter and a transgender lady to the mix, and you get a crate full of explosives, ready to blow at the smallest spark ⚡️💥💣🧨 . The question is, will Pagan and her family blow up together with the rest, or will they survive and be victorious in the end? . I’m not gonna tell 🤣. Read the books. All three. I dare you to find out yourself 🧐😉
Brilliant, addicting, and written to entice. This second installment of the love-hate relationship between half-brother Richard, the powerful CEO and millionaire, and Pagan, the now-married mother, is a storm of passion and unanswered questions. I LOVED every second of this book and fell even harder for Richard cheering him on as he chased after the woman he loves. The wording and descriptions are powerful, keeping the reader turning the pages and needing to know more. Pagan is smart and strong-willed, a beautiful character who asks hard questions. And Richard is slick, elegant, jaw-dropping with his flawless, lust/love-driven tactics, and always a step ahead of the competition. However, I still need to know more and am immersed in the vivid and beautiful Beauty meets Beast type of story, so onto book three, I shall tread. Another easy five stars for this stunning work of art by Jayne Lockwood.
Mobster + Hard Core Romance = Oh My! This was a delightful, thoroughly engaging read from start to finish, with so many intricate plot turns. A woman would have to be dead not to be turned on by the rough edged, complicated Frank Mancini. Pagan Freemantle is more than a perfect match, as she is mouthy and determined to stand her ground beneath the cool exterior. She's my kind of female character! This is not your sort of book if you're looking for a sweet romance. This book is gritty, violent, and wonderfully realistic in every way. Ms. Lockwood nailed every single beat and plot point in a way that flows and is not painting by the numbers. I've greatly enjoyed her work in the past and am simply excited to see what this fantastic author writes in the future. She puts a lot of love and careful planning into her reads. Yes, this book was that good!
My jaw is on the floor!!! I didn't even see the plot twist coming, and wow, was this a great story! Frank is deliciously dirty, a real piece of work too. He is a hitman and a seriously stubborn, mouthy, and taunting flirt. Pagan is a fierce, beautiful woman determined to save her older brother from Frank, the hitman her drug-addicted younger brother hired for reasons of greed and jealousy. This story was packed with edge-of-your-seat suspense and angst. Frank and Pagan had a heat fuelled chemistry that kept me turning the pages until the end. If you are looking for a read that will leave your mind spinning and craving more from the characters, this is one not to miss. Now I must read the next installment because, hot damn, I think I'm addicted.
Closer Than Blood book two was as sexy as the first book and ,frankly, more intriguing.
Reading the book, I loved the fact that I could feel Pagan's fears,anger and share her doubts. My favorite character was her totally supportive friend,Moira ( she's the best! ).
While Pagan came across to me as more matured, I thought that Richard Mason's character didn't develop much.
Other than that, I loved the characters and the advancement of the plot, which is why I did not hesitate reaching for book three.
Closer Than Blood book three was a blast! I enjoyed every word of it. The thrill of danger waiting at every corner was just perfect.
I especially loved that Richard Mason's character developed a lot more in this instalment. I also loved the commitment of the characters to each other. And of course, it was a very sexy read.
The last book of the Closer Than Blood series left me satisfied and I thank the author for doing the characters justice.
Closer Than Blood is a dark, tension-filled romance between the snarky, strong female lead Pagan Freemantle, and the elusive, alpha male hitman Frank Mancini. The man in question is hired to kill Pagan's half-brother Richard, and things take a turn for the worse as events unfold in a manner she could never have predicted.
This is a fast-paced, smoking-hot read that won't let go for even a moment! The characters are well fleshed-out and defined, with their own quirks and flaws. They definitely stir emotion as their interactions unfold over the course of the book. Even supporting characters are beautifully portrayed. I especially loved Moira, despite her foul mouth - lol!
There is only one part of this story - the major twist, so I can't tell without spoiling - that threw me slightly, and could have lessened my overall experience, had it not been for the ending (which I can't spoil either, for obvious reasons.) So, for anyone with my type of qualms - stick it out until the end!
To sum up: I thoroughly enjoyed this first part of Closer Than Blood, and I'm looking forward to part 2!
Closer than Blood, book one gets five burning hearts ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 from me. . 📕Book one “Obsession” drops us right into intrigue, family feud and attempted murder. Greed as motive to hire a Mafia killer isn’t new. What followed next took me totally by surprise! Pagan tries to stop her brother Tony’s deceit and contacts the assassin. At that point, the story picks up speed and won’t let you go. You get pulled into the world of shadows right along with Pagan and Frank Mancini, the hired killer. Will she manage to convince him to spare the victim? Will she pay the price required to pacify Frank’s lust for blood, and other things, or is what he requests beyond her ability to give? Her try to warn her elusive half-brother Richard of the danger ends in a shocking revelation I (almost) didn’t see coming. Look closely for the hidden hint 😉 . ❤️🔥I couldn’t help but root for Frank. It just happened. This guy isn’t just a dumb, hired assassin. There’s so much more hidden beneath the surface. Cold blooded and in control, but also a man full of emotions, desires, hurt and pain, desperately longing for love that was denied him. . 😇I liked Pagan the “honorable”, her sense of justice, trying to save an innocent life even if it might send her stumbling onto the road to darkness in the end. . 👿I hated Tony from the moment of appearance. The perfect product and mirror of today’s rotten, selfish society. . Definitely a captivating read that didn’t let me go, but made me continue with part two right away 😍
Closer than Blood, book two gets five aching hearts ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹 from me. . 📗Book two “Possession” starts several years after book one. Protagonist Pagan is married, and son Tino is three already. After getting her heart crushed, she had returned to England and met Greg. Being the complete opposite of Frank Mancini, she felt safe with him… But is safe really what Pagan desires? After Greg gets a job offer in the US at her half-brother’s business, things rapidly begin to deteriorate. 😮The strained relationship to her half brother Richard gets even more erratic. 😮Gino is troubled, wetting his bed, suddenly afraid of monsters. 😮And Greg? Is there another, ulterior motive for marrying Pagan, that has nothing to do with love? ❤️🩹This book is packed with deceit, double plays, politics, murder and shocking revelations. . 😢 I really felt sorry for Pagan. Again, her utmost wish for family, safety and love seems to get crushed by forces out of her control. Will Pagan drown in the waves crashing down over her head, or will she be able to leave her - once more - crumbling world behind and come up victorious? . 😱 Richard is used to pull the strings in big business, but the events he sets in motion soon get too much for him to handle this time. Has he summoned the danger that will be his, and his whole family’s downfall? Find out in this page-turning read, but beware of the cliffhanger. There’s more to come 😉😉😉
Closer Than Blood, Possession, is the second installment of the series, following the events of Obsession. A few years have passed, and certain events from the first book has had life changing effects on Pagan's life.
Mother of one, married, and settled down away from the bustling city of New York, Pagan leads a very different life. But it is not without its downsides. The marriage is not as happy as it could have been, and she questions whether there is a connection between her and her husband Greg.
Finding herself in the path of Richard Mason - yet again - she is forced to make some hard decisions, fighting tooth and nail against an otherworldly attraction between the two of them.
As danger looms, shots are fired, and men show their true colours. Tension skyrocket, not only through the dark criminal underworld but also by the sexual atmosphere that surrounds Pagan and Richard.
Written to perfection with great detail, expertly fleshed-out characters, and a plot that will have you biting your nails, this fast-paced tale of romantic suspense is to die for. It is absolutely fabulous!
You root for some, despise others, and feel for the rest. There is never a dull moment, and the web of deception is intricately spun, unfolding into a fantastic and intriguing tale.
Through Surrender, the third part of Closer Than Blood, we are brought along on a roller-coaster ride of action, suspense, lust, and murder.
Pagan and Richard try to make a life together, having accepted their feelings for one another, despite their less than socially accepted relations. But they are soon at the mercy of Richard's criminal past, with mobsters and murderers right at their heels.
The plot is tight, the characters on point, and the sex is hot. At no point was I bored through this book, or indeed the entire trilogy. There are twists and turns you won't see coming, and an intricate web of lies and deception unfolds in a spectacular way.
Surrender was a fantastic final instalment, packed with intrigue and feeling from cover to cover. For anyone with a love for romantic suspense, New York mobster vibes, and hot smut, look no further. This one is for you!
A fair warning though: The main part of this story includes references to incest, which is never really resolved. I'm one of those who isn't quite comfortable with this subject, but as it is a personal opinion, I do not take this into account when rating the book.
Wow. This final installment in the Closer Than Blood series was absolute perfection. Richard, my God, he's so much man in all the right ways. I loved everything about this finale, the sex was delicious, the plot explosive, and the level of love between the MCs was deep. Everything you want in a dark romance is in this series. Guns, bloodshed, angst, seduction, and a highly addictive plot. All I can say is that Pagan is one lucky woman because Richard Mason is now one of my top rated book boyfriends. Richard Mason has it all, brains, money, looks, a filthy mind, mouth, and a downright dirty bedroom demanor. Now I'm going to get the alternate books with him in them because I need more. Another easy five stars for this incredible series, get it, you won't regret it.
Well, that was a fast-paced action-packed and completely insane ride. Thoroughly enjoyed it! This series simply is one of a kind.
For anyone who's a Quentin Tarantino fan, consider Book 1 as "Pulp Fiction", Book 2 as "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" and Book 3 as "Django Unchained" - absolutely brilliant!
I couldn't put it down and needed to know what happened next. The twists were mostly unpredictable, although in this last book there were a few points of plot twist that could have been developed a little more to make them just a little less surreal.
This is a well written book with a cast of strong characters and a thrilling story line. The author does a fantastic job pulling you in and had me glued to the pages right to the end and still left me with wanting more. She paints her scenes perfectly and brings tons of emotion to the story. I'm looking forward to the next book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I can't put these books down. Thankfully it's the weekend so I can get away with binge-reading this series.
If Book 1 was Film Noire, this one is the Billionaire Boyfriend Romance. Less grit and more sleaze, but still very Tarantino.
Lockwood has tied together the theads from the previous book, twisted them into something new and sets everything up for an epic showdown in the last book. Bring it on!
In one sentence, this book was all I expected it to be. The amazing plot ( and the characters! ) left me groping for more. I was a bit uncomfortable reading some scenes but that's what I expected, so I loved it. And the ending! It literally left me speechless. Needless to say, I rushed for book two. Ae is a must read for anyone who loves dark romance and the mafia types.
This is the 1st book I've read written by Jayne Lockwood; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
This is the 1st book in the Close than Blood Series; it is the beginning of a new series. The story catches your attention and keeps you wanting more. I can’t wait for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved reading this book, I cant believe how much love they share despite their... Umm.... Situation. The two of them are surely meant to be together. I cant wait til I read the next and final part of this trilogy..
Great beginning to a series. Intriguing plot and characters. Has suspense, twists, chemistry, and action. Great interactions between the characters. This one kept my interest throughout the whole series as it was a very well woven plot that I became totally immersed in the characters' lives.