Secret Target

Ruthless Russian Mob #3

by Aria Ray

I've been saved by a killer.

My mother is dead and I'm next. I'd be lying beside her if it wasn't for Maxim.

He's cruel and cold and ruthlessly in control.
He was sent to kill me.
He saved me instead.

Maxim is everything I shouldn't want.
But my body craves him.
No matter how hard I try... I can't stay away.

A secret cost my mother her life, and if I can't uncover it I may pay the same price.
There is a monster-hunting me… Maxim may be the only one who can protect me.

How can I keep my soul after the devil saves my life?

An innocent woman saved by a Russian hitman. A mystery that leaves her mother dead. A deadly plot that could bring down a giant. Can Rose and Maxim survive together, or will their dark secrets tear them apart? "Secret Target" is a full length, standalone, bad boy mafia romance by author Aria Ray.

Genres: Romance

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2021

About the author

Aria Ray writes suspenseful, hot, and intense romance stories featuring powerful alpha-men and witty heroines, full of sacrifice, love, and happily-ever-afters. Like the heroines of her novels, Aria has always had a crush on sinfully sexy bad boys - dark, controlling, irresistible, but tender and loving.

When she is not writing or daydreaming about new stories, she loves to spend time with her own gang of alpha males -
a husband and twin boys. But the real mob boss of the family is Don Corleone - the cat.

If you'd like to be notified of updates, teasers, and promotions, subscribe to Aria's newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hqXjur

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The addition starts with the book cover….yeah…yeah…yeah don’t judge a book by its cover they say ….well we all do it and this one here it is the scratch to your itch or better yet the filling to your oreos! Speaking of filling…..wait, that’s for later. Within the first chapters you get the panoramic view of whom you’re dealing with!
Bad boy….check
Bod boy’s crazy brother/friend…check
Bad boy’s Kryptonie…check ….check and check
By the time you’ve figured out who is who and how deep hate can run, you’re already hooked, and you may as well give up the fight and prepare yourself for an all-nighter!
Can’t say I didn’t warn you.
(Believe me when I say you won’t put it down until the last page is read…you will find yourself getting upset cause someone called, texted or bothered you while reading this one, you will find yourself up at ungodly hours just to finish it knowing you have to be at work early (like 3am early) the very next day) YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!
Maxim is a sexy as all get out hitman for the Bratva, he is the best at his job, quiet, dangerous, deliciously dark but he has another side to him. Rose is studying journalism in college, strong, feisty, determined and yet very naïve to how the world she lives/work in. Maxim was hired to take out both her and her mom but for some reason someone got to her mom and it wasn’t him. So, when Rose showed up, he lied to her saying her mother wanted him to make sure she was safe and that she had to come with him. He had to lie to her to protect her but will Rose see it that way, why or what secrets did her mom die for/with, who can Rose trust and is she trusting the right people, can Maxim keep her safe or did he put a target on his back by protecting her and can they find some peace and happiness?

[Coastie Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read from Aria Ray. This is the story of Rose and Maxim. Maxim works for the Bratva as a hitman. He is very good at his job and is quiet, dark, dangerous, but also has another side! Rose is a journalism student at the college and is feisty, naïve, but also determined. Maxim is hired to kill Rose and her mom (Helena). Rose walks in after her mother had been killed only to be confronted by the killer. However, that killer wasn’t Maxim. Maxim ends up taking Rose form the house under the guise that her mother hired him to protect her. From here there is drama, action, betrayal, deception, chemistry, twists and turns and secrets. For Rose, it’s hard to figure out who to trust and then if you are trusting the right person? Great story with wonderful characters. I look forward to reading more from Aria Ray. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting, suspenseful and captivating read. Maxim is the assassin for the Bratva and he has been given orders to kill Helena Taylor and her daughter Rose. He turned down the hit because he has a code and that is to never kill women or children. Since the hit was paid for by a powerful US Senator, his boss ordered him to do it. Rose was coming home for the holidays but what she found was her mother bleeding out on the kitchen floor. and then attacked from behind by the killer. Maxim had been staking out the house and when he discovers someone else had taken the hit, he rescues Rose from the killer. Things didn’t add up and he was determined to find out who his competition was. A very entertaining and intriguing storyline with secrets, betrayals, suspense, passion and strong intense characters. A very good read that keeps you turning page after page.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read book 1 of this series, Surrogate Betrayal, but for whatever reason, missed book 2, Collateral Deceit. But since the themes are what connect this series, you can skip around with no problem. In this book, Maxim is a hitman fro the Bratva and he has been given a contract to eliminate Rose and her mother. Maxim may be a hitman, but he does have a "code" that he tries to live by and that "code" does not include killing women & children. When Rose finds her mother's body, Maxim saves her from the same fate, telling Rose her mother hired him to protect her. But who wants these 2 women dead and why?? The book has great pace, steam, twists, turns, and great action. It was a great read. Now, with my KU Subscription, I can go back and read book 2, Victoria and Andrei 's story for free.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. This book is about an instant attraction a hitman has for his mark. Rose went from being a student to wrapped up in deadly secrets she might not survive. Maxim was the hitman who was supposed to take her and her mother out. Things get complicated from the moment he sees her. Their story is full of drama, lies, danger, secrets, mystery, lust and love. Maxim has a lot to figure out along with protecting her and trying to keep her. Rose is strong and the perfect match for him. She will have to trust him and her heart to get thru everything. They have a complicated love story that draws you in.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

When your sent to kill you kill but Maxim couldnt Kill Rose. her mother was killed for her secrets and its only a matter of time before someone else is sent for Rose. Can Maxim keep her safe or will their secrets become to much? this is well written with an in-depth action packed story filled with suspense, drama, desires hot scenes and more!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Syd Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was an awesome book! Rose and Maxim were fantastic together. I loved the connection and the chemistry between these two. There is a lot of drama, suspense, steam, love, intrigue, betrayal, heartbreak, twists and turns and a really good HEA. I really enjoyed this book (and series) and I would recommend it and Ms. Aria Ray as a great author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Ruthless Russian Mob series which features Maxim, a hitman for the Bratva, and Rose, whose mother is killed for a secret reason unknown to her. When Rose is targeted as a kill, Maxim saves her and vows to keep her safe. Aria Ray has written an outstanding mafia story with intrigue, suspense, and passion.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hazel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but predictable.

This was enjoyable but I guessed most of the end before I'd read 50 pages, which was disappointing. Maksim is quite good but not sure how he managed his job in the Bratva in view of some of the mistakes he makes while trying to protect Rose.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great read from this author, bit different from what I was expecting but definitely on the plus side, the characters were very likeable and storyline was very addictive, and with a really lovely ending 😁

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book it was great, the story was written well and the characters were interesting.
I loved the chemistry between Maxim and Rose. Maxim a Russian hitman saves Rose after he finds Rose next to her dead mother. Can they survive if their secrets come out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is a real page turner and full of suspense. From the moment I started reading, I could not stop. Rose is a young woman who is surrounded by secrets and Maxim is a Bratva hitman. An exceptional read!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MyBook Journey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful written story full of drama, secrets, passion, betrayal, suspense and steamy scenes. Rose and Maxim have loads of character and chemistry which makes it a very enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sam Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - this is the first I have read from this author and I felt the book was well written, the story was pacey and the main characters were cracking.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alex Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! Great characters, well written. Just enough darkness and romance to keep me hooked. Would recommend, will read this author again

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[GrnEyed · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book! I couldn't put it down. I needed to know what was going to happen between Yuri and Vlad. Which one of the brothers would come out on top and in charge of their mafia family. I wasn't disappointed. Oh, and Cara was a great character too. LOL :) Excellent book! I Will read again.

[S I · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly cow what an action pact exciting read that will keep you turning the pages so it’s well worth your time. You’ll love the characters and the heat they bring on!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lorraine Anton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great

Rose and Maxim.

Wow, I loved ❤ reading this story.
I loved the characters, plot and storyline.

This story has so many twists. Ups and downs.
Killers.
Family?

I loved the hot🔥 chemistry between them.
The sex scenes are hot.

Read it

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this!

Loved this book. Happy ending and Rose was such a good main character. Maxim was good also but Rose stole this story for me. Highly recommend this book.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Max & Rose's book. Good characters. It was an entertaining read. I received a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maxim certainly has his hands full with Rose, who is certainly such a spitfire. She certainly was not thinking clearly at times.

There was surprise I suspected but a few I didn’t see coming.