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Blood Empire #4
Flawed Bride
I was ordered to take Zoey as my bride.
But fact is, I wanted to bind her to me in all ways.
Now she’s slapped divorce papers in front of me and told me to get out.
Except she’s in trouble, and it’s a given that I’ll protect what’s mine.
Even if she doesn’t want me to.
What I discover is a depth to my wife that I never imagined, and now I can’t sign those papers or let her go.
Until I find out she’s betrayed me.
The blackest hearts still beat…and mine drums with revenge against the people trying to end my family’s reign.
And my disobedient wife will find out what my brand of punishment really is.
She’s about to learn another truth about me—I always get what I want, and right now, that’s her.
A bride in more trouble than she can handle...and the man who can show her just how far he is willing to go for her. Lord help her, she wants to give up all the control to him too.
If scorching dark romance is your thing, 1-CLICK FLAWED BRIDE NOW!
But fact is, I wanted to bind her to me in all ways.
Now she’s slapped divorce papers in front of me and told me to get out.
Except she’s in trouble, and it’s a given that I’ll protect what’s mine.
Even if she doesn’t want me to.
What I discover is a depth to my wife that I never imagined, and now I can’t sign those papers or let her go.
Until I find out she’s betrayed me.
The blackest hearts still beat…and mine drums with revenge against the people trying to end my family’s reign.
And my disobedient wife will find out what my brand of punishment really is.
She’s about to learn another truth about me—I always get what I want, and right now, that’s her.
A bride in more trouble than she can handle...and the man who can show her just how far he is willing to go for her. Lord help her, she wants to give up all the control to him too.
If scorching dark romance is your thing, 1-CLICK FLAWED BRIDE NOW!
- GenresDark Romance
118 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2021
49 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Blake York
27 books26 followersBlake York got started writing dark romance as a teen, when the horrors of her mind lived on the page. Now she invites readers into that shadowed chamber with darker, filthier romance. And what can be more soul-shaking than a forced marriage into a twisted mafia family that rules its empire with bloodshed?
START THE BLOOD EMPIRE SERIES TODAY WITH DAMAGED BRIDE BOOK 1
Find Blake York on Facebook as blakeyorkauthor.
START THE BLOOD EMPIRE SERIES TODAY WITH DAMAGED BRIDE BOOK 1
Find Blake York on Facebook as blakeyorkauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 17, 2021
This is a well written , action packed story with strong characters in Zoey and Ryker. They're thrown together in a marriage to join two Italian mafia families. The author brings violence as well as some steamy chemistry as she takes them on an adventurous journey that had me glued to the pages right to the end. The story is told in the dual POV ,has tons of emotion,twists and surprises along the way. I loved reading their story.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
November 18, 2021
“Flawed Bride” is the fourth book in the ‘Blood Empire’ series by Blake York. If you haven’t read any of the other books in the series, you’ll still be able to understand and enjoy this one. Each book focuses on a different member of the Rossi crime family. Ryker is the fourth of the five Rossi brothers. His father has arranged a marriage for him to Zoey, a woman who’s a stranger to him. Her father is the head of a criminal organization in New York, and the marriage is intended to formalize an alliance between the two powerful mafia families – the Romano Family in New York City and the Rossi Family in Chicago.
After a nightmare wedding night, Zoey and Ryker agree theirs will be a marriage in name only. They each did what family obligation forced them to do, but neither of them has any desire to be married. Both are furious at the situation, and after his behavior that night, they are even more furious at one another. While they are not speaking or seeing one another even though they live in the same home, Zoey works at the career she keeps a secret from Ryker. After a year of living in their strange circumstance, Zoey takes action to end it. It’s very helpful that this story is told in dual POV because that lets us understand what each character is actually thinking when they behave in the ways that they do. There’s plenty of dramatic tension, some suspense and several steamy scenes.
This book has nonstop action. It held my interest from the prologue right till the very end. After the way this story started, it was difficult to imagine how the author would make Ryker worthy of Zoey, but she managed to do it. I appreciated that there was character development for them both. There were a couple of little things in the plot that never got resolved completely, but didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the book. The youngest brother in the Rossi family still hasn’t been paired up with a woman so I’m expecting his story will be next. There is also a cousin who played an important part in this book and I’m wondering if the author might consider giving him his own story as well.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
After a nightmare wedding night, Zoey and Ryker agree theirs will be a marriage in name only. They each did what family obligation forced them to do, but neither of them has any desire to be married. Both are furious at the situation, and after his behavior that night, they are even more furious at one another. While they are not speaking or seeing one another even though they live in the same home, Zoey works at the career she keeps a secret from Ryker. After a year of living in their strange circumstance, Zoey takes action to end it. It’s very helpful that this story is told in dual POV because that lets us understand what each character is actually thinking when they behave in the ways that they do. There’s plenty of dramatic tension, some suspense and several steamy scenes.
This book has nonstop action. It held my interest from the prologue right till the very end. After the way this story started, it was difficult to imagine how the author would make Ryker worthy of Zoey, but she managed to do it. I appreciated that there was character development for them both. There were a couple of little things in the plot that never got resolved completely, but didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the book. The youngest brother in the Rossi family still hasn’t been paired up with a woman so I’m expecting his story will be next. There is also a cousin who played an important part in this book and I’m wondering if the author might consider giving him his own story as well.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 14, 2021
3.5 stars: Steamy, action-packed, violent, Mafia enemies-to-lovers
POV: dual
HUMOR: no
F BOMBS: yes
CLIFFHANGER: no
NEW AUTHOR FOR ME: yes
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS: rough, explicit sexy times, mafia violence, bloody, gory, torture, held captive, kidnapping
CHARACTERS: Ryker and Zoey married to merge two Italian mafia families of Chicago and New York.
This story has action, violence, emotions, a misunderstanding, mafia family loyalty, and steamy scenes.
PROS:
1. This author can definitely write and tell a story.
2. Even though I haven't read any of the other books in this series, this one can be read as a stand alone.
3. Some of the action scenes had me at the edge of my seat.
4. Just when you think the story is going to end, something else comes up - surprise!
5. There's an HEA epilogue
CONS:
1. Even though their wedding night obligations were done out of duty, she was a dry, cold fish and he still finished.
2. They went for at least a year of barely talking to each other and staying out of each other's way and Zoey's fear of him to the point she had hidden weapons, to an intense sexy time.
3. "I have a craving to rip and tear and bite and claw until my woman and I are nothing but shreds, bared to each other and covered in c** and blood."
4. ARC version had some typos/grammar/missing words and inconsistency of character names.
5. This one's a biggie - The way Ryker treated Zoey made it hard to redeem him as the story progressed. Just when you think he's being considerate and changed for the better, he does a few more things to ensure his character is unlikable.
6. And then, all it takes is a bone-crushing hug and a deep kiss for them to be okay again.
7. Not all the loose ends were tied up: who set up Zoey?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
POV: dual
HUMOR: no
F BOMBS: yes
CLIFFHANGER: no
NEW AUTHOR FOR ME: yes
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS: rough, explicit sexy times, mafia violence, bloody, gory, torture, held captive, kidnapping
CHARACTERS: Ryker and Zoey married to merge two Italian mafia families of Chicago and New York.
This story has action, violence, emotions, a misunderstanding, mafia family loyalty, and steamy scenes.
PROS:
1. This author can definitely write and tell a story.
2. Even though I haven't read any of the other books in this series, this one can be read as a stand alone.
3. Some of the action scenes had me at the edge of my seat.
4. Just when you think the story is going to end, something else comes up - surprise!
5. There's an HEA epilogue
CONS:
1. Even though their wedding night obligations were done out of duty, she was a dry, cold fish and he still finished.
2. They went for at least a year of barely talking to each other and staying out of each other's way and Zoey's fear of him to the point she had hidden weapons, to an intense sexy time.
3. "I have a craving to rip and tear and bite and claw until my woman and I are nothing but shreds, bared to each other and covered in c** and blood."
4. ARC version had some typos/grammar/missing words and inconsistency of character names.
5. This one's a biggie - The way Ryker treated Zoey made it hard to redeem him as the story progressed. Just when you think he's being considerate and changed for the better, he does a few more things to ensure his character is unlikable.
6. And then, all it takes is a bone-crushing hug and a deep kiss for them to be okay again.
7. Not all the loose ends were tied up: who set up Zoey?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 27, 2021
Verified ARC Reader
Forced to Wed!
by sewsummore
Ryker and Zoey had never wanted to be married to each other, but to cement a merger between their families, they were forced to wed. After consummating their marriage they agreed to forget it ever happened and go on with their lives. For twelve months they ignored each other while living in the same house, rarely seeing or speaking to each other until a armed home invasion by rival gang members to change the situation. Having to work together to survive made them see each other in a new light.This was an entertaining love story as Ryker and Zoey find common ground in a marriage that was close to ending in divorce. They say how you react in a crisis changes a person or in their case, both of them saw a different side to the person they married. I finished this book in one sitting, so absorbing was the story-line. After all the difficulties that the two of them suffered, I was happy to read their happy ending!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Forced to Wed!
by sewsummore
Ryker and Zoey had never wanted to be married to each other, but to cement a merger between their families, they were forced to wed. After consummating their marriage they agreed to forget it ever happened and go on with their lives. For twelve months they ignored each other while living in the same house, rarely seeing or speaking to each other until a armed home invasion by rival gang members to change the situation. Having to work together to survive made them see each other in a new light.This was an entertaining love story as Ryker and Zoey find common ground in a marriage that was close to ending in divorce. They say how you react in a crisis changes a person or in their case, both of them saw a different side to the person they married. I finished this book in one sitting, so absorbing was the story-line. After all the difficulties that the two of them suffered, I was happy to read their happy ending!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 13, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, It wasn't what I expected but its in the best way. I thought here we go again another mafia arranged married read, but it wasn't like that at all. Ryker and Zoey both didn't want to marry in the first place but did it for their families. They agreed after a very horrible wedding night that they would live separate lives and stay out of each other's way. That is what they do, until one day Ryker's brothers get under his skin about what she's been up to, where does she go. how much money has she spent of his etc. Making Ryker look into his wife. releasing she has touched any money of his. Just as he feels things should change. Zoey drops a bombshell making him rethink their living arrangements. Only the past makes things harder but they spend time together. It's a great book. Recommend
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 19, 2021
Taking matters into her own hands causes him to do the same...only with very different results
Flawed Bride is the fourth book in the Blood Empire series but the first book I have read by Blake York, so I was not sure what to expect. I was also not sure how much the books were tied together but I was able to read this as a standalone, although I may have been missing some understanding of things at times. The series is about the Rossi Mafia family and this book is about Ryker who is the fourth out of five brothers. Their story is a great weaving together of drama, suspense, emotions, darkness, family, secrets, hate/love and some good twists. This may be a novella in length but it is a very satisfying read. After reading this book I am thinking of grabbing the first three to see what happens with the other siblings.
I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
Flawed Bride is the fourth book in the Blood Empire series but the first book I have read by Blake York, so I was not sure what to expect. I was also not sure how much the books were tied together but I was able to read this as a standalone, although I may have been missing some understanding of things at times. The series is about the Rossi Mafia family and this book is about Ryker who is the fourth out of five brothers. Their story is a great weaving together of drama, suspense, emotions, darkness, family, secrets, hate/love and some good twists. This may be a novella in length but it is a very satisfying read. After reading this book I am thinking of grabbing the first three to see what happens with the other siblings.
I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
November 18, 2021
Ryker is order to marry Zoey Romano, a marriage between two mafia families. Neither want the marriage and the wedding night leaves little to be desired and the two agree to lead separate lives. A year later Zoey hands him divorce papers, shortly after men storm into their home. They are in closer quarters than ever in their marriage, while they try to figure their escape. Both realizing there is more to the other then they originally thought.
This is my first read by the author, this the fourth book in the series, this is a standalone. Once the two put aside their misconceptions of each other, they burn up the sheets.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is my first read by the author, this the fourth book in the series, this is a standalone. Once the two put aside their misconceptions of each other, they burn up the sheets.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 18, 2021
Hmm, I&;d rather say flawed groom, because he doesnt make much of it. Forced to marry, Zoey and Ryker have a painful wedding night, followed by an agreement to hate and not interfere with each other. And so it happens. Zoey has her own life, a job, and Ryker finds himself struggling with it. But when she asks for a divorce…. an enemy causes them to grow towards each other nonetheless, even in the face of misunderstanding, possible surprise and cruelty.
Well written, I already knew this series, brothers who have to marry to strengthen the mafia network. Steamy and dark scenes Despite their mistakes you still empathize with the main characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Well written, I already knew this series, brothers who have to marry to strengthen the mafia network. Steamy and dark scenes Despite their mistakes you still empathize with the main characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 3, 2021
Ryker and Zoey had an arranged marriage that neither wanted. After saying their vows they lived their lives completely separate in the same penthouse. After a year, it’s killing Zoey. She’s working in a job with troubled teens, completely oblivious to the threat it is bringing to her doorstep. When she serves him divorce papers he’s taken aback, but when he looks at his siblings marriages he realises that he’s been living a fabrication and he knows nothing about his wife. Especially when they find themselves tied up by masked men!
A thoroughly enjoyable, well written and entertaining read. Superb.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A thoroughly enjoyable, well written and entertaining read. Superb.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 9, 2021
This is actually my first time to read from this author and she didn't disappoint, but just a little shorten chapters but it was still time right, good pacing through the chapters and kept me on my toes till the end. All i would say is maybe lengthen the chapters since there were a few questions in the background and rushing the death of the villain i like a little drawn out and make it more twisty, darky, and smexy way but that is my opinion! Anyways thank you!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this arranged marriage book, it wasn't like others I have read. Ryker and Zoey have a unique arrangement. This book has action non stop from beginning to end and is quite steamy. Even though this is a part of a series, you do not have to read the first three books before Flawed Bride. They all stand alone. Each of the books focuses on one of the five Rossi brothers. Even though you do not need to read the books in order I recommend you do because it adds so much more depth to the universe.
November 22, 2021
This is the fourth book in the Blood Empire Series which focuses on Ryker, the fourth son in the Rossi Family, and Zoey, his unhappy bride who intends to divorce him from their arranged marriage formulated by their families. When a surprise occurs one night, Ryker realizes Zoey is in danger and he plans to protect her irregardless of the risks. This book has well described characters and a suspenseful plot with angst, strong emotions, unexpected twists, and mafia action.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2021
I wanted to like this book more than I did. Yes, this was a forced marraige, yes, a less than steamy wedding night, but the whole book was Ryker and Zoey hating and ignoring each other and living their seperate lives until they are foreced to work together. I just found the whole book sad and depressing. As much as I enjoyed the other books in the Blood Empire series, I really disliked this one. But see for yourself, you can read it for FREE with KU.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 7, 2021
Zoey and Ryker are forced to marry for an alliance thing soon heat up between the reluctant couple but things aren't all as they seem and Ryker wont let Zoey go so easily if she thinks divorce papers will stop him. Good story line and character development. well written with suspense, steamy scenes action and more!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 15, 2021
This is book four of the Blood Empire Series and is a great addition. Ryker’s father has five sons and has picked all of their wives. Ryker decides he’s not interested and ignores his wife for one year. It’s only when they are thrown together during a home invasion that they both reconsider alternatives. Strong memorable characters with a great continuing storyline. Good read!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 17, 2021
Flawed Bride (An Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance) by Blake York. I found this to be a captivatingly dark and twisted love story. If you are looking for hearts and flowers, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for dark drama, twisted storyline, and strong determined characters- then you will enjoy this story. I found it to be very intense and would recommend to others. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 19, 2021
Blake York wove an action-packed story of violence, revenge, love and hate. She's painted and intriguing picture with Ryker & Zoey's story! The strong characters were perfect for each other. The storyline was daring and suspenseful. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat! This is the fourth book in the series and the first I've read by this author... I will definitely be reading more! This book is an absolute MUST READ!
November 19, 2021
This is a great addition to the Blood Empire series and in this 4th book we get Ryker and Zoey's tale of an arranged marriage that neither wanted in the beginning but they did it for family. This story starts out with a kick and doesn't let up. There's a lot of action and the characters are terrific. You really need to read this well written twisted story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 19, 2021
This is the fourth book in the series and just hot and dark as the other books. Ryker and Zoey are married through an arrangement between two Italian mafia families. Neither are happy about the union. They will take you on a dangerous thrill ride with suspense and lots of heat. You will not be able to put the book down for a second.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 19, 2021
Wow, what an intense mafia read. An arranged marriage that leads to a year of two ships passing in the night". Neither wanted the marriage and agreed to live their own lives. When they are attacked by enemies of the Rossi family they are forced to work together to survive. Drama, suspense, and plenty of steam. Loved it
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 21, 2021
Zoey and Ryker have been ordered to marry each other. An arranged marriage of two Mafia families. They marry but have lived apart for the last year. While with Ryker Zoey hands him divorce papers but now there are men storming their house. This has lots of action with twists and turns, danger, suspense, drama, secrets, and plenty of steam. This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 13, 2021
This story starts off with a punch and doesn’t stop. It features Zoey and Ryder who, though married for a year, are more or less strangers. It’s not a long story but there’s a lot of action that would be worthy in any longer book. A good story that l enjoyed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 19, 2021
If you want a non stop read this book is for you. This is Ryker’s story, I have only read one other one in this series of the Rossi brothers. Ryker and Zoey are thrilled about their arranged marriage but like most mafia families they have a duty. All I can say is get ready for this entertaining read. So good.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 20, 2021
Flawed Bride: An Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance is Book 4 in the Blood Empire series and the first I read from this author. It’s dark, it may have triggers, can be read as an standalone. It’s Ryker and Zoey’s story, an arranged marriage neither of them wants, until they realize that they do.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 21, 2021
Ryker and Zoey are forced into marriage in order to unite their mafia families. The marriage starts off rocky and only gets worse so they live their lives separately. A year later Zoey ask Ryker for a divorce but before that happens they have a home invasion which forces them to spend time together where they learn more about each other. Can their marriage be saved?
November 21, 2021
This is the fourth book in the Blood Empire series. It's a fast-paced and standalone book that will keep you engaged from start to finish.
This is a story about the fourth brother (H) in the Rossi mafia family. His is an arranged marriage with the h that neither wanted to start with but both did it for the "family".
Read to find out what happens.
This is a story about the fourth brother (H) in the Rossi mafia family. His is an arranged marriage with the h that neither wanted to start with but both did it for the "family".
Read to find out what happens.
November 29, 2021
This is the 2nd book I've read written by Blake York; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
This is the 4th book in the Blood Empire Series; it can be read as a stand-alone short story; each book is about a different member of the Rossi Mafia family. The story is about Zoey & Ryker.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the 4th book in the Blood Empire Series; it can be read as a stand-alone short story; each book is about a different member of the Rossi Mafia family. The story is about Zoey & Ryker.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
November 30, 2021
This might have been my favourite book yet. I've loved every book of this series so far and they just keep getting better and better. Ryker and Zoey are perfection once they come together. There's drama, Mafia turf wars, and lots of scorching hot sex. What more could you ask for.
This book was another great one in addition to the other greats from this series!
This book was another great one in addition to the other greats from this series!
January 6, 2022
Ryker and Zoey married and living in the same house but never noticed each other until an event happened that made them see each other differently. This book is entertaining, amazing characters, chemistry between the characters, awesome. pick it up and read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 8, 2022
This may be an arranged marriage but fate would have brought them together otherwise because Ryker and Zoey are meant to be together. This is full of everything distrust, love and I loved reading all of it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews