They say that crime knows no bounds. Or does it? Doukas Tremes and his brothers, the Lords, are one of the most influential and dangerous crime families in Greece. In their world, everything revolves around crime, and they stop at nothing. Having inherited a failing business, Ria Vamou tries to make ends meet. On top of everything else, a gang is pressuring her to pay them protection for her taverna. Love is nowhere near her plans. All it takes is one night, one photograph, one kiss, and everything changes. Forever! Nothing will stop Doukas from making Ria his because he finally found a woman worth starting a war over.
Doukas is the first full-length standalone novel in the Greek Crime Lords Series. It describes scenes of violence and sexual content, so please read at your own discretion.
Demetra was born and raised in Thessaloniki, and after extensive studies abroad, she moved back to Athens, Greece where she now lives with her family. Ever the incurable romantic, she loves to put on the virtual paper what her vivid imagination conjures. Ever since she published her debut Give & Take in 2019, she never looked back. Everything is possible, and romance is like the sky: they both know no limits. When she’s not writing, she likes to read, explore, and take long walks to the sea. Her latest novel Doukas is the first in her Mafia Romance Series of the Greek Crime Lords and Royals.
ღ This new series just leapt right in with all the feels. I love the main character Rogue, she's fiesty and stubborn and so self-reliant and determined. What's not to love.
Ria Vamou - Is a proud owner of a failing business that her grandfather built over 60 years ago , and she can’t imagine her life without it. She knows no one expects her to keep a failing business when she inherited it, but she refuses to pay protection to local gang … her actions earn her unwanted visit from the higher ups
Doukas Tremes has a degree in Accounting and Business Administration & he is a financial adviser… but he is also one of the most influential and dangerous criminals in Greece. There is only one family higher than ‘The Lords’ well of course it is’ The Royals”
Doukas & his 5 brothers ( Alcaeus, ictoras, Giorgos, and Icarus) , plus his lovely younger sister will steal your heart , with their constant bickering & amazing loyalty
I have absolutely no idea where the rest of this series is going to go but from the little breadcrumbs scattered throughout the book it's going to be an emotional roller-coaster for the characters and readers.
I absolutely loved reading this one, it was a well written romance with some hot hot hot scenes. I can't wait to read more about this family…. And just maybe the author can give us spin off with the ’ The Royals”
⬇Always remember⬇
📚 💖 I Hope that you enjoy this read 💖& also always keep in mind this is just my opinion+ Also I wouldn’t never discourage anyone from reading this book.
Again, Happy Reading, and see you on the other side
The following ratings are out of 5: Romance: 💋💋💋💋 Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 Story/Plot: 📙📕📗📘 World building: 🌎🌏🌍🌏 Character development: ☺️🥸😎
Favorite Quote: “Now that I take a closer look, I see razor-like fragments hidden beneath the rhinestones in the sash. Also, the pin seems to have a switchblade accessory.” “That’s some killer couture!”
The heroine:Ria Vamou - she inherited a tavern with a great view of the acropolis in Greece. Though the business is struggling and she has some enforcers from a local gang bothering her to pay for protection despite the fact that her parents had an agreement with them which said they would never have to pay protection fees.
The Hero(es):Doukas Treme - a Member of the Lords, his family is one of the most powerful in Attica, which includes Athens. The Lords answer only to their bosses, the Royals, three brothers who control most everything in Greece. Doukas is second to his older brother Alcaeus, but if there is a threat, then all four Treme brothers stand together as the Lords.
The story: Doukas is eating at the Taverna that Ria owns when the enforcers from a local gang begin harassing Ria. He threatens them enough to get them to leave the premises and finds that he is extremely attracted to the beautiful owner of the place.
I have to admit I was a bit worried about this one from early on. I have read and enjoyed Demetra Georgiou’s books in the past. Though this one started out kind of slow for my tastes. We know that Doukas is a mobster, but he behaves like an ordinary wealthy gentleman and asks Ria out on a date, a walk in the moonlight and so on. Though he does kiss her a few times in the first 20-30% of the book, I just wasn’t interested in a nice, normal couple meeting at a restaurant then going on a normal date talking about inane things without really saying much.
I guess I like more action and danger, secrets and lies. Though there was a bit of that, it wasn’t enough to wet my appetite at the beginning. However the book does pick up speed about 30% in and starts to get steamy as well. I like the fact that the Hero is deferential to the heroine and treats her like she will break. He isn’t afraid to show his feelings and takes care of her.
I think after reading so many anti-heroes recently, it is nice to have a Hero who cherishes his woman. Don’t get me wrong, I do love an anti-Hero, but this was nice to see. And of course, Doukas isn’t all good. He is still a mobster and has no problem putting a beat down on someone who does something he doesn’t like.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
4 ⭐'s When I first saw this book, I didn't know what to think. This is my first book by this author. Doukas takes place in Greece which is new for me. I haven't read a mafia related book that takes place in another country yet. I loved the descriptions in the story. This story is about Doukas Treme and Ria Vamou. Doukas' family is the most powerful criminal family in Greece. Him plus his five brothers are known as the Lords who answer to the Royals. I loved the Treme family and I'm really looking forward to their stories. Ria has inherited a taverna that sits across from the Acropolis in Greece. It isn't a successful business anymore. Now a local gang is threatening her if she doesn't pay them protection money. One of her encounters with him happens when Doukas is in her establishment. He doesn’t waste time standing up for her. I loved the two of them together. For a mafia character, he is hard core but also knows how to be gentle and loving with her. I really enjoyed the whole world this author has created. I'm really looking forward to the next books.
Doukas and Ria live worlds apart but one night propells them into each others world. This is well written, with an engaging story line, chemistry sizzling characters and more!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
To start with I absolutely love the cover. Then to know it’s a mafia book is another plus. I was sucked in from the beginning and stayed up late into the night reading. It’s action filled and loved everything about it! It’s a great start to a new series I can’t wait to read. This is a new author for me but I’ll definitely be looking up more book from her.
From the start you are pulled into this story and the details that unfold really hook you. The characters, their drive and their personality really come alive in this story. You learn that honor and family will be protected at all costs. Can’t wait for book 2.
Ria is the owner of a failing business, she is just trying to keep her head above water while fending off a local thug trying to steal her business. Doukas is a bad man who one day sees a picture of Ria and becomes intrigued. Ria and Doukas' chemistry is off the charts. Ria is independent, proud, and strong-willed. Doukas is dark, dangerous, and sexy.
Overall I really enjoyed the story. It was easy to get sucked into the action. Harmonia was probably the best character in the book. Some of the dialogue read oddly to me, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book but I could see how others might.
This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Demetra Georgiou!
Doukas is the first book in the Greek Crime Lords series and tells the story of Ria and Doukas.
Doukas is the first book I’ve read by Demetra Georgiou and it won’t be the last one! I really enjoyed reading Doukas and getting to know Ria and Doukas. This book is so fast paced and well written, I finished it in two days even though I’ve been experiencing a reading slump/having a lot distractions. This book was just that good! I really wanted to know how the story was going to end and I’m so happy that I got the opportunity to read this book as an ARC!
"You make my heart stop, Doukas."
"But you make mine beat."
I really liked Ria and Doukas. They’re so different from each other, but they are such a perfect match. While reading this book it felt like their relationship was a bit rushed, but the characters realised it themselves too, so it didn’t bother me that much. I really loved seeing them grow towards each other and I’m so happy that they got their happy ending. I also really liked Doukas’ brothers and sister. I’m so excited to get to know them better!
Doukas was such an amazing Romance read and I really liked reading it. I’m such a big fan of Mafia Romance books because I cannot get enough of alpha men. I really liked Ria and Doukas’ story and I cannot wait to read about Doukas’ brothers and sister in the other books in the Greek Crime Lords series! I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series and I’m curious who it will be about!
This is the first book in what I am hoping is a series as awesome as the last one I read by the same author and of book one is any indication then I won’t be disappointed.
Ria has taken over her father’s small taverna after his death, but she is struggling to pay her bills and more importantly her staff and recently it appears that a long-held understanding between her family and a local mob related operation is null and void and his goons are making her life uncomfortable. It is on one such visit that a man that she doesn’t recognize steps in to defend her. The chemistry between her and Doukas is instant and it’s an attraction that neither can deny or ignore. Soon Ria is embroiled in a life that she had never known existed but with a family she had always wanted. But there are secrets that Ria doesn’t know about and when she discovers who her new family can she see past the truth or is this the end of the road for a once in a lifetime love?
Doukas is a name that should instill fear, as one of the Lords a mafia crime family feared by nearly all he has built a life that many envies. The only woman who so far has meant anything to him has been his sister whom he and his brothers would happily lay down for, he had never expected the day he was teaching one of his men a lesson that a photo would catch his eye and his heart, but one glimpse of Ria and he knew that he was looking at the one who was always meant to be his destiny. Once he meets her, he knows there is nothing that he won’t do to keep her but when she learns who he really is and has a taste of the life he leads will she walk away from him or stand by his side?
Loved loved and loved this book, one of the things that I adore about this author is that her heroines are no pushover in any areas of life and fights back when her man tries to rule her life rather simper after him. This was a book that hooked me from the beginning with the characters being real enough to believe and it’s a story of love, suspicion, danger and loyalty. Highly recommended read and I would love for Harmonia to become a queen in the future. 5 smashed it stars.
Demetra Geourgiou is a new to me author, so I wasn't sure what to expect with Doukas, but man did I LOVE LOVE LOVE this story. I'm a big fan of mafia romance, but I don't believe that I've come across any Greek crime families to date. Doukas & his brothers are one of the most dangerous crime families in Greece, but when they start having family time, they become very lovable with their interactions that did make me laugh more than once. Ria is doing her best to build her grandfather's business back up after he left it to her, but it's very tough to make ends meet. Things are even more complicated when the local gang comes to get money from her for protection but not only doesn't she have it, she's not about to give it up either which leads to a more dangerous situation or did it?! I don't want to say anymore because Doukas was a fantastic story that I couldn't put down for anything & going in blindly makes it even better, and I'm so very glad that there are more books to come so now I sit & wait impatiently for more. I seriously loved this story, and I believe you will as well after you hit those one click buttons because I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
This is the first book in the Greek Crime Lords Series which is the story of Doukas Tremes, a member of the Lords Crime family, and Ria Vamou, the owner of a struggling Taverna who is harassed by local gang members to pay for protection. Doukas intervenes in the situation and finds he is attracted to her. This book has great characters and a storyline with action, suspense, criminal violence, and steamy passion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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! Ria inherited a tavern with an amazing view, but the thugs don’t want her to keep it no matter how hard she works just to keep her head above water. The Thugs made a deal with her parents but of course they went against it and now hitting her up for protection fees. Doukas sexy as all get out Member of the Lords, his family is one of the most powerful and won’t hesitate to fight crime with crime only answering to their boss the Royal. Doukas is the second oldest however all four brothers fight to protect each other and those they love. Doukas is eating at the Taverna when the thugs arrive to harasses her more for payment and he threatens them, and they leave the premises, but he realizes he can’t just walk away from the beautiful owner of the Tavern. The chemistry is intense, and the magnetic pull can’t be ignored she is smart, independent, loves the Tavern her grandfather started and Doukas can be dangerous, sexy as all get out and deliciously dark but is it enough for them to find happiness?
When I saw this book and realised that the author was Greek and that the trope was mafia, I was so freaking excited and I wanted to support a fellow Greek. Go Greeks!
The plot was solid and it was on inst-love spectrum. It felt that them getting together happened to fast for what I prefer, but that wasn't an issue. I just would have liked a bit more exploration of their connection and a like my mafia stories with a bit more suspense and danger and secrecy. I loved that the backdrop was Greece, specifically Athens and all the characters were Greek.
I believe with a bit more experience, Demetra Georgiou could create true masterpieces and I will be here to cheer her on.
Demetra Georgiou has a very interesting writing-style and you can see it in Doukas. This story sounds simple but what actually happens will keep you on the edge of your seat. Compelling and intense, yet packed with detail and action, this book will captivate you. I look forward to the second book.
I absolutely loved this book, I was so mesmerised the story and characters pulls you in from the start. There is a lot of action, suspense, drama, pleasure, lust, desire. Doukas and Ria have hot chemistry, he is very protective of her and his family. Doukas is a Lord same as his brothers and their sister Harmonia, him and his brothers were born into the crime family all known as the Lords and they answer to the Royals. Ria owns a restaurant and fights to keep it going, Doukas keeps a close attention and does not let anything happen to her. This was hot and steamy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Doukas is a Lord, one of the brothers in his large crime family. He's not afraid to do what he needs to, and he's not know for his leniency.
Ria has always had to work for what she has. She's trying to keep the family taverna up and running all by herself, while a gang threatens to take it from her if she refuses to give it to them. Even though she is drawn to Doukas she still has her hot and cold moments where she acts kind of childish and tries walking away from him. Of course, he would never allow her to do that. He knows what he wants and he'll do anything within his power to make her happy and keep her safe.
"I don't love you because you're a criminal. I love you because you're a good, caring, honest, and loyal man. You make my heart stop, Doukas."
"But you make mine beat."
Doukas has two extremely strong lead characters, who find themselves instantly drawn to one another. Neither wanting to involve the other in the danger that plagues their every day lives. Though what neither expects is that their dangers overlap and if Doukas has to start a war to protect the woman he loves then so be it. He wouldn't do it alone. His family will have his back the entire way.
This is a quick read filled with passion, mafia style fighting, and one tight family who stands together no matter what. The main characters come together rather quickly and it doesn't seem plausible, yet I couldn't help but enjoy every page.
Great start to what this reader feels like is going to be an amazing mafia series. Ms. Georgiou has given us a well written storyline with wonderful characters. I was very surprised to see that this author was relatively new. From this book alone I can see her developing into an author whose books will be very sought after. The way she developed the characters, I felt like I knew what they were feeling and going through as I read through the pages.
This is Doukas and Ria’s story. Ria is struggling to keep the family restaurant she has inherited open and her life on track. She is being pressured from all sides: the restaurant needing repairs, business is declining and gangs want protection money, which she refuses to pay. As far as a personal life, she has none. Doukas, along with his brother head up one of the most respected and feared Greek mafia familias known as The Lords. He is a very domineering man that takes what he wants when and how he wants it. While handling “business” Doukas notices a woman in a photo in the mark’s home. A spark ignites and he seeks her out at her restaurant. From there the story takes the reader on a romantic, thrilling ride that you don’t want to miss out on.
I loved this book! Not only was I immediately drawn into this world, but I didn't want to leave! I love reading a good romance with plenty of twists and turns, a male MC who's strong and tough, but able to show his softer side to the right person, and a strong female MC who can handle all that's thrown at her, despite the challenges and unsavory moments. Ria may not be one for Doukas' world, but she learns to trust and handle what she must to be with him. Not to mention, the family bonds! I love a good close knit family and I love it even more when they accept outsiders into the family with no hesitation. Doukas's family accepts Ria as one of them and protects their own. It's beautiful, and inspiring, and gives you all the feels! I can't wait for the rest of this series to see the light of day. I have a feeling it's going to be absolutely phenomenal!
This is the 1st in a new series and is Doukas and Ria’s story. Doukas and his brothers are part of one of the most dangerous crime families I Greece, and Ria has inherited a failing business, and she is struggling to make ends meet. Ria is under pressure from a gang who want her to pay protection money for her business, which just adds to her problems. Doukas and Ria may be complete opposites, but the chemistry between them is combustible and undeniable. This is a well written story which is filled with intrigue, danger, suspense, action packed, and violence, which all leads to a steamy and addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I recommend.
This is my first time reading Georgiou, and I'm glad I gave this first book in the series a try! I will definitely be watching for the future books in the series!
I fell in love with Doukas and his family! It's sure to guarantee sexy reads ahead!
I'd love to see more suspense, and mafiosos!
For me, this was a slow-build romance which hit the spot!
I quite enjoyed this and loved it is set in Greece. If it included the dual POV of both Doukas and Ria it would have really rounded the story out. Also it is much more romance than crime/mafia
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She is trying to keep her restaurant floating, he is one of the Lords. One picture changes everything. Will she be able to look past what he does? Will he be able to protect her?
Have to say this was a good read! I honestly think that while she was naïve in some ways when it came to his way of life, she showed strength in what she wanted and wasn't willing to let others walk all over her. I loved how he was determined to do whatever necessary to protect her and was willing to admit he was wrong when he messed up. Loved it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.