Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Book one in a sizzling new mafia series by bestselling romance author Michelle St. James

They call him the Lion.

The son of a high-ranking bratva leader, Lyonya Antonov has been waiting patiently to avenge his father’s imprisonment and take his rightful place at the top of the mafia food chain.

He’s just missing one piece of the puzzle - and her name is Kira Baranov.

Kira Baranov is a mafia princess with no power.

It might be the 21st century in the rest of the world, but in the bratva, Kira might as well be a 50s housewife. This despite the fact that her father, Viktor Baranov, has taught her everything he knows.

Lyon knows Viktor is a king without an heir

Kira knows she can’t keep the Baranovs in power without a partner of the male persuasion.

The wolves are at the gates, vying for power in a world where one mistake can be deadly. But when an arranged marriage becomes sizzling desire, the line blurs dangerously between business and pleasure — and it may cost Lyon and Kira their lives.

It's a Savage Empire - and it's not your mother’s mob.

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2021

503 people are currently reading
1206 people want to read

About the author

Michelle St. James

117 books587 followers
Michelle St. James is a Southern California expat now living in New York's Hudson Valley.

She is the critically acclaimed author of over fifty published novels and seven novellas. Her first series (under her not-so-secret real name) received starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist and was one of Booklist's Top Ten Debut novels. Her work has also been an Indie Next selection and has appeared on prestigious lists such as the Lonestar List, New York Public Library's Stuff for the Teen Age, and Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best. Her books have been published in over thirty countries and translated into over twenty languages.

Michelle lives in a converted barn with a leaking roof, a 70-pound puppy, and three perpetually annoyed cats. She spends her free time doing yoga, watching Love Island UK, and anxiously awaiting the next season of Ozark and the Great British Baking Show.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
252 (37%)
4 stars
210 (31%)
3 stars
154 (22%)
2 stars
37 (5%)
1 star
17 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
26 reviews
October 27, 2021
Omg! Holy hotness. If arranged marriages, alpha males, strong aggressive females, and the dangers of life in the Russian Mafia are you thing, then you will love this book. I literally read in one day cause I didn’t want to put it down. Conquer is now my favorite Michelle St James book!
Profile Image for Samantha (Millennial Life Crisis Bookshelf).
1,429 reviews23 followers
November 14, 2021
Loving the combining of series from Michelle! We got to know Lyon a little bit in the last book Michelle released, as he was the one who helped Logan and Gabriella in Devil You Know, and now we get his story. Picking up where the last book left off, we see Lyon start to establish his takeover of the mafia and making the decision that he wants to take Kira, the current head’s daughter, as his wife in order to make the rest of the mafia accept him as the new head. Kira, while significantly younger than Lyon, is skeptical of this she is interested because he approaches it more as a partnership than a marriage. Things go the other way when one person in the mafia doesn’t agree with Lyon and his takeover and goes after Kira to make a statement. This book had many layers that made it an interesting read, it was a lot more spicy than the other than the other books from her, and I am very interested to see where the relationship and storyline go in the next installment!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Sheila.
1,173 reviews11 followers
October 30, 2021
5 off the chart stars ! Advanced reader copy received from author in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Just so that you are aware this book ends on a cliffhanger and Conquer is Book one in this two book series. If you were like me you devoured every page and it is no problem to patiently wait for the end of Kira and Lyon’s story.

This book is an absolute favorite ! If you are a fan of Russian mafia , age gap romance about 10 yrs for the characters and an arranged marriage that turns into love then I am highly recommending this book. There are so many scenes I would just love to be immersed in the story just to physically see the detail that is so often described by this author. The smallest detail is always spot on whether its two adorable pet parakeets , a gift of an heirloom bracelet or the various penthouses , mansions or safe houses we get to visit!

Kira and Lyon are not easy characters to love initially but as the storyline progresses you are rooting for them a hundred percent. Kira gives up everything in an arranged marriage to Lyon so trust is definitely an issue for them both!

This is a very well written story can’t wait to see how this story ends !

I highly recommend this book , series and author !
Profile Image for Nicole Mcclain.
796 reviews10 followers
November 2, 2021
I’m here for this!! Yep, definitely loving the direction of this story. Lyon and Kira sure know how to make the pages burn. It’s quite a delicious concoction of power and lust. This hate/love tug of war. And, do you trust or betray?
Grrr…I love all the suspense and angst! This beginning of a new series promises all that! I mean I’m a sucker for all things mafia related…I was a mafia maiden in another life, but this is so much more detailed into the inner workings of the Bratva. And, totally biased here, Chicago. What more can be said from a south side native. I definitely appreciate when the research is done right for the city…the church, the neighborhoods, and the Trib (tribune).
Oh do I look forward to the next book! Nice work Michelle!

*I voluntarily accepted an advance reader copy for my honest review*
Profile Image for Jenifer.
1,085 reviews13 followers
November 2, 2021
Fiesty, fierce, and fabulous!
Of all the mafia/bratva books I've read (& that is a lot!) this one is a definite standout and at the top of my list. It is also one of my favorite tropes - arranged or contract marriages - and this is everything and more of what I love.
Kira and Lyon are actually the perfect pair but neither one would admit it. They are always thinking a few moves ahead and ready for anything. Kira isn't just the little mafia princess married off as a token. She has been quietly learning the ropes from her father and has her own aspirations for power and leadership. Lyon has been plotting his rise to power under the guise of being a foot soldier for twenty years. Nothing is going to stop either one of them ... but they quickly learn that they'll only be able to truly succeed if they work together.

Love it! Love it!! Love it!!!

The ending left me breathless and book 2 can't come soon enough! I cannot wait!
157 reviews
November 2, 2021
New Mafia Series 

This book felt like a slight step off the usual path for Michelle, and I loved it!  I think Lyonya (or Lion as he is aptly called) felt much more Alpha than Michelles’ previous heroes (just my opinion) 

Russian Mafia princess, and an arranged marriage of convenience between two families. Lyonya and Kira are both headstrong and determined. They must unite to continue the family power and leadership. 

Their push/pull – love me/hate me – “beg for me” steamy scenes were hot! Give me more!!  

I am really looking forward to the next book. 
183 reviews1 follower
November 2, 2021
A book that grabs you from the start. It has all the elements for the makings of a great mafia romance…a spoilt mafia princess, a hero that wants to rule, a marriage of convenience, a male dominant world and enemies that want you dead. The characters are brilliantly developed and draws the reader into their world that is dark, twisted, full of suspense, manipulation, and sizzling romance. Ends in a cliff-hanger.
2 reviews
November 3, 2021
I just knew when Michelle introduced the characters of this story in 'Devil You Know' that this series was going to be another triumph.
These are the storylines that the talented Michelle writes so skilfully, drawing the reader into a world that is so very different from our own.
Roll on February when the story continues with 'Captivate'….
616 reviews11 followers
October 28, 2021
An Intense and Riveting Story from the first page!!!
Absolutely loved this book! The Lion needs a mate and Kira Baranov is part of his plan to become the next boss of the Chicago mob. Victor Baranov is the boss and Lyonya Antonov has a plan that includes Kira becoming his wife and him taking over and becoming the Boss. There are lots of sentiments going on as Kira has her own plans. Danger is a constant from so many, as well as behind the scenes plotting from both the Lion and Kira. The story is thrilling and consuming, plus throw in some carnal desires from the two of them and it becomes scorching. A page-turner that you will not put down. Conspiring behind the scenes from all over. Michelle St James has written a stormy and passionate story. Cannot wait for book 2 in this series.

Profile Image for Sharon Noble.
2,203 reviews6 followers
November 3, 2021
Never realised how much I loved reading about the mob, till I read this book. Will have to go back & re-read the syndicate & can't wait for the next book to find out what Lyon will do to Keira!
Profile Image for Andrea Gugliotta.
126 reviews1 follower
October 31, 2021
Conquer is a new Mafia Romance 1st book in the 2 book series. This book is awesome and a page turner that you won’t want to put down. Kira needs a partner to keep power for her family. Lyon knows there is a king with no Heir. Can they figure out how to balance their feeling & deadly empire in the Mafia world……
10 reviews
November 1, 2021
Lyon and Kira

Michelle has not disappointed me with any of her characters and these 2 are no exceptions.
Kira and Lyon are 2 head strong people who must work together to accomplish power. There's certainly ups and downs (and amazing sex) and will leave you with a book hangover.
15 reviews3 followers
October 31, 2021
Russian Mafia Romance

This is a new Russian Mafia Series by Michelle. In true form she sucked me in from the beginning. I read it in one night. The love hate relationship between Lion and Kira is everything.
Profile Image for Kelly.
480 reviews1 follower
October 31, 2021
Oh my this book had me hooked from the start and I smashed it in a day. I can tell the whole series is going to be epic. Kira and Lyon have a business partnership in terms of their marriage, but Lyon makes a snap decision that sends his plans into a spiral. Can’t wait for the next book
Profile Image for Geneva Perilla.
80 reviews
October 31, 2021
Omg! Hot, feisty and dramatic! But man do I love it! The drama of the Bravata. The passion between Lyon and Kira. It’ll have you on edge till the very end. Then Michelle just pushes you right over with that ending! Must, must read!
Profile Image for LORRIE.
3,546 reviews63 followers
October 27, 2021
This was exciting, mysterious and action packed.
Profile Image for Olivia.
404 reviews
January 20, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I’ve been a fan of this author and I like how she writes strong women and men who can acknowledge their feelings, and work through them. I’m usually not a huge “mafia” themed reader, as I feel like many have men who degrade their woman to control them instead of embracing a woman who is strong but can be submissive in bed. Perhaps I’ve just not found the right authors. As I said I typically like this authors characters. This book was no different, and I liked that both go into their marriage scheming to have power. However, I had to take away a star as this book ends on a cliffhanger. No where in the summary does it indicate this is not a full novel, and I really hate books that don’t give you a full HEA and make you buy another book or two.
Profile Image for Shaunette.
140 reviews4 followers
January 21, 2022
Lyonya the lone bratva soldier and Kira the bratva princess, unite them and what do you get? Defiance, secrets and mistrust, such is the arranged marriage of Lyon an Kira…until things change but is it for better or worse? A marriage of convenience or an alliance formed with these two headstrong individuals with their own agenda makes for quite an interesting duo and they find out quite unexpectedly that the sexual tension is maddening. Once the barriers are broken down the chemistry is off the charts, creating pure fireworks between them. Behind the scenes, their union has created more enemies with a target on their backs, after all it’s the Russian mafia. Things escalate much quicker than expected and the turf war begins and turns deadly. Kira suffers a great loss and Lyon is left with more questions than answers. Who can he he really trust and who is playing both sides. This is quite a suspenseful, intriguing thrill ride, hot and steamy with off the charts chemistry. Everything you would expect and more from a well written mob story. An awesome start to this hot intense action packed story…waiting patiently for the continuation.
87 reviews
February 7, 2023
Powerful, heartbreaking, intense love

Kira and Lyon enter into an agreement - a marriage to put the strength of her family name and her father’s position behind his name and ambition to take control of the Chicago Bratva. Love was never part of the deal. But the visceral attraction between them was far too strong to ignore.
However, his drive to lead is met with strong resistance, leading to a battle which not only endangers his ambition, it puts her life, and the lives of everyone she cares about, in danger.
Can he convince the powers controlling the various factions struggling for control that he is the only one strong enough to prevail? Can she maintain enough control over her own life to survive and thrive in the new world order? Can their growing love even survive?
Warning - not all your questions will be answered in this book, but it’s a deeply engaging storyline, satisfying on its own, but it draws you in enough that you will want to continue to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Sarah.
85 reviews1 follower
March 25, 2023
I went into this book with high hopes since it was an arranged marriage in the bratva. It was a decent read, Lion is a guy with big dreams and generally seems like an okay guy who was dealt with a bad hand in life. Kira is also driven, even though the bratva would not see her as a person of power on her own. They both go into their marriage with plans that neither know, though it is clear that Kira has more to hide than Lion does. However, he also has an enemy who doesn't hide his intentions and that leaves Lion concerned to a point he doesn't make the best decisions. Thus is leaked down to Kira and ruins both of their plans.

It was entertaining and I loved seeing both of their sides of the story. I will say that I do not like how it ended for Kira and Lion, I think the writer could have picked a different cliffhanger. However, I do appreciate how Lion is shown to have 2 different sides that are conflicting, it certainly enriched the story.

I will likely read the second book to see where it takes Lion and Kira next.
3,137 reviews
December 11, 2022
good

Lyonya/Lyon, the lion, has been waiting years to avenge his father who was put in prison. They are part of the Russian mob or bratva. He wants to be the leader and goes to Viktor, current leader, and offers a deal. Viktor steps down, puts his backing behind Lyon, and agrees for his daughter Kira to marry him and the Baranov name stay in leadership.
Kira has been by her fathers side since her mother died when she was a little girl. She knows all her father’s businesses and the only reason she can’t be the leader is she is a female. She agrees to the marriage but has plans of her own.
Together they have a common enemy one who wants the leadership of the bratva for himself. They have disliked each other since they were children but once they are together, they are on fire. Will it last or will something tear them apart?

**** CLIFFHANGER **** Enemies to lovers. Sex. Violence. Several spelling and grammatical errors. But a suspenseful story.
630 reviews2 followers
December 26, 2022
Trite

Another book about gaining power and the pakhan position. Lyon a soldier considered to be low on the list to avhieve power, sets out to prove he deserves the position due to his father's former rank and partnership with the present pakhan. He convinces the ruler to accept him if he marries the daughter and shares power with her. The daughter agrees to the arranged marriege. They have a history, don't trust each other and deny their feelings until Kira gives in. The couple run into problems with Musa who also wants the throne. Lyon and Musa attack each other until Kira's father is killed by Musa. A grieving Kira decides to leave Lyon so runs away in the middle of the night. Story is not dark and no one is conquered. The pakhan position is still open so neither group conquers the other. Title is misleading.
151 reviews1 follower
February 11, 2024
Slow burn, mafia

A man striving for king pin power, a woman refusing to bow down for anyone, joined by marriage to achieve both goals. An intriguing story sure, but a very very slow burn with pretty much nothing happening the first half of the book. It wasn't until the end that things got really interesting and excited enough for me to want to read the second book.

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars because it was just plain mafia business with discussion for about half the book, and it was a really slow burn one at that. No real action or excitement until after half the book was read.

I would recommend this book for people who are more into the business of mafia stuff, and not so much romance. But don't get me wrong, there is romance, just not as much as i would have wanted it to be.
Profile Image for Courtney.
133 reviews31 followers
May 9, 2024
I really like the premise of this book, but it just felt like it drug on and on and there was no real resolution to any of the issues or the problems we were introduced to. I get authors wanting to make the main characters have a slow burn for one another versus the instant attraction or instalove other authors go for, but this got to be stale and boring.
I feel for Lyon and want to see him happy, but I highly doubt I am going to spend the time to read another 300+ pages to find out what happens.
As for Kira, I could care less what happens to her. She was a b$&xh the majority of the book and has put Lyon in an even worse position than he was in prior to their marriage and it doesn't feel like it's fair to him. But she has always only cared about herself and the last chapter proved that.
5 ⭐️ for Alek. At least 1 person in this book gave a darn about Lyon.
Profile Image for Katie.
69 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2024
CLIFFHANGER ENDING!!

This book doesn't state in the description that it ends with a cliffhanger. The story was slow moving enough as it written and now I've discovered it's drug out into 3 more books??? I really enjoyed this book until the last chapter when it got predictable and corny. Of course the girl makes the dumbest decision possible at exactly the time the guy is off doing something and neither of them realize it. And of course she forgot her phone. Gimmie a break. I'll give it 3 stars because the writing was decent and the story was good until the last chapter.
Profile Image for Maureen.
1,045 reviews
August 20, 2023
The first book in the trilogy of the Chicago Bravta Russian mafia. The H is Kira Baronov,26 daughter of Viktor Baronov the Bravta Paskkin(boss)and the H is Lyonya Antonov ,40 who marries Kira and wants to be the new Pashkin leader of the Chicago Bravta. Lyon has one man Musa a Chechen who wants to be the leader too. They go to war. Viktor ends up assassinated by Musa and Kira blames herself leaving a cold break up letter to Lyon and disappears. In a few days he will know if the Spies accept him or not.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.