DIMA rules the North of Paradise—a city for the darkest alphas. The only gangster heaven on Earth. Due to his unique talent for capturing brutal enemies, he also heads the Diamond Syndicate with other Paradise Mafia Kings.
However, a serial killer has come to Paradise. And this sicko is targeting top Syndicate members. And Dima is having a challenging time finding the killer due to a sexy reporter constantly getting in his damn way.
ROSE is a Pulitzer prize journalist. Last year, she created political earthquakes in New York from reporting on government corruption. Now that she’s moved to Paradise, her mission is to expose the Diamond Syndicate and all their wrong doings. Too bad Dima won’t let her. He blocks. She pushes. Sometimes she wins. But most of the time she submits. And a dark erotic attraction blazes between them, so hot they can’t ignore it. And she’s catapulted into Paradise’s criminal underworld where gangsters are heroes and the villains are the most unsuspected people. Meanwhile, a killer sits within the shadows, waiting to kill them both.
Kenya Wright wrote her first novel during her third year at UM Law school. She dropped out a month after the release and never looked back.
Words are power, and Kenya wants to be the greatest wizard that ever lived.
It's an audacity to inspire and teach the healing of love through arousal.
It's this crazy idea that love can not only help a reader escape, but the story can also teach the person about being human, while making them laugh, cry, and hot for more sex.
This story was so good! I loved how Dima had different and special characteristics that set him apart from most alphas, and he was perfect for Rose. I could not put the story down until it was done and I wished there were more details about the mayor takedown, but happy there was a takedown nonetheless. I am looking forward to the next two alphas' stories!
This was such an amazing story! It had everything I needed. More than 550 pages yet I still didn’t want it to finish. Why only 4 stars? Keep reading.
Dima had all the right ingredients. He was 100% alpha without being a manipulative a**hole. He was powerful, passionate, and completely bewitched by Rose from the moment they met. He was a sexy gangster with a good heart.
Rose was no pushover. She was strong and independent. She was wealthy, intelligent, and top in her field. I’m so happy the author didn’t make the heroine poor and uneducated, that’s a pet peeve of mine.
The story was also top notch. Not only were the characters well-developed, the settings were detailed, but the storyline also had the right amount of action, betrayal, murder, and shock value.
Why only 4 stars? Because there was no ending! It actually ends in a cliffhanger because you have to read the next books (plural) in the series to get the full story. The epilogue does very little to soothe you. I’m so pissed right now. I still recommend it but be prepared to get only 1/3 or 1/4 of a story.
I enjoyed both Tim Paige & Lacy Laurel narrating DIMA. They both did a good job with their characters and the secondary ones as well.
STORY REVIEW:
✔️ DIMA was my first read by Kenya Wright. Her style is not something I think will jibe well with me so I don’t see myself jumping hoops to read her work in the future but I can say definitively that her stories are not simple and most definitely unique. That’s neither a bad thing or good thing, it’s just a fact.
✔️ There is a TON of names along with their affiliations thrown into the prologue. So many that I might have rewound a couple times to make sure I had everything right. Because of this, I was skeptical about my endurance with this story but I made it all the way to the end so yay for that!
✔️ Dimitri’s character and his circumstance was very well portrayed and showed the author’s in-depth knowledge and commitment to the character’s realism. For that alone she gets mad props from me. Dimitri’s character isn’t an easy one to portray unless you have done serious homework or have personal knowledge and either way, this author took the time and care to make sure even the smallest of details came across correctly.
✔️ About the story … DIMA is not a contemporary romance, it’s more like a romantic suspense (heavy on the suspense) with a side of romance. That’s my interpretation and it took me till the end to even figure that out. I was overwhelmed while listening to DIMA and not in a good way. Honestly, I really didn’t know what exactly this story was about because there were so many plot points happening that I just got frustrated, AND THEN, we don’t actually get a conclusive ending. You don’t know this while you’re reading, but this entire story is like one giant set-up to future stories, and and and #twitchy WTAF! It took me a while to untangle my thoughts after I finished and as I mentioned earlier, I’m not sure this author’s style is something that will interest me in the future. We shall see. Never say never!
✔️ I’ll leave you with this … DIMA is a well thought out story with realistic characters and a captivating suspense arc that will keep you on your toes from beginning to end. Not every story appeals to every reader for one reason or another but you have to try before you know. I tried :)
All hail to the queen KW! Look, your reads are always 🔥, but this right here….. Whew! Never, ever, ever would I have thought that you could create a character that could rival the Lion! That is until Dima! Right from the beginning you captured me with rapt attention, and I couldn’t stop reading! I’m on the edge of my chair, thinking hard right along with Dima, trying to figure out who the hell is behind this craziness! Miss Rose! Gotta give her credit, she walked into a town full of deadly gangsters to try and expose them. She has no idea how difficult it was going to be getting past Dima. Upon meeting him, Rose is annoyed and angered, but also intrigued and extremely attracted to him. Dima, finds Rose to be beautiful upon first glance and decides that he wants her. But he has to get her to abide by his rules, the ONLY rules in his world! He is an alpha in every sense of the word, but he is truly unique from any other one you have ever seen! The back and forth between Dima and Rose was hysterical, while their chemistry was being kicked up tenfold! When it was revealed who was behind the murders, I had an idea it was that person, but why? The Diamond Syndicate and Paradise, had such interesting back stories, and I need more! That’s right little Marcelo, what happened? The mayoral race? Leo? What the hell is up with Lei? I hope his story is up next, as my heart is racing trying to figure out, if he took care of business as he promised! You never cease to amaze me ma’am! Great read! 👍👍👍
When reporter Rose arrives in Paradise City to expose the Diamond Syndicate, she didn’t see boss Dimitri coming. While dealing with opposing beliefs, a serial killer, and a new relationship these two learn about themselves as well.
I’m a fan of Ms. Wright’s work and was excited to see she had a new mafia book out. I liked each character quite a bit although sometimes Rose was a little much but I could respect that she realized there is gray area. The mystery was great, but we figured it out at 50% and I was confused as to what the other half of the book was about. While I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop and seeing how things were going in Paradise City, it seems the book really slowed down after that. Then it picked back up when things are uncovered but the book ends and we’re at the epilogue far in the future. I’m assuming we didn’t get a wrap up to Johnathan and the mayoral race and all that because it will play a part in the other books in the series but I felt like it made their story feel incomplete.
Still a good story but yeah I would’ve preferred a proper wrap up.
This book was the bomb!!!, I absolutely love KW as one of my favorite authors. I love her style of writing, the suspense and intrigue, how she brings her characters to life. Their chemistry, the eroticism, this book has it all. I can't wait to see what's next for Lei...
This was an amazing story and I loved the characters. Dima was the perfect manipulative a|pha a$$hole. He was passionate, powerful and in charge. Rose was the perfect match to Dima. She is strong, independent, and intelligent. The storyline and narration was *chef’s kiss* and I listened to this in one sitting! My only complaint was that there was no definitive ending. There was a cliffhanger and I’ll have to read/listen to the next books to get the whole story!
This book was was pure fire!!! I loved Dima but to be honest Rose got on my last nerve . Although is an intelligent woman, she often came off as naive to the ways of the world and how it works. I'm surprised that Dima was so patient with her at times because I found myself literally cussing her out. Which is why it took me so long to finish this story!!!
If you love Kenya Wright, this is her at her best! I just want to start off with the care she’s taken with writing the Alpha with Asperger's… Slow clapping. She really took the time to do the research and this characterization is all the better for it. I sincerely appreciate what was done here. Rose was just as richly developed a character as Dima and I loved her drive for Journalism. These 2 made for a dynamic union. Their chemistry jumped off the page for me. And then there’s the characterization of Paradise city. I loved all of the fullness of the backstory developed for this fictional place. The history of the gangs and ALL of the other characters. I was truly shocked by the twists and turns in this story. You will not be disappointed!
As an audiobook, this novel excels in no small part to the dual narration of Tim Paige and Lacy Laurel. They were wonderful. Aside from that, I did not enjoy this story at all. DIMA, regardless of the explanation for his awkwardness, is an absolutely deplorable character. Consent within this narrative is an abstract concept, conservations being decided upon simply intercourse rather than significantly meaningful conversation.
While far from a seasoned reader of romance or erotica, I'm also not a stranger to the genres. If this is for you, then more power to you, but I've read violent BDSM novels that handle consent and intelligent conversation with appreciative maturity.
Where is the ending? What happened? The ending was cute and all. But legit left a gapping hole in the book. All that build up for nothing… sure they survived. But what happened with everyone else? Who was the woman on the bike?! Etc etc….. This is technically a cliff hanger and with how amazing the book was until the end…. I’m feeling cheated. 😔
Kenya Wright has become one of my 1-click favorites. I know I am never disappointed with her characters, dialogue and storylines, therefore I never have to hesitate picking up her books! Dima and Rose were great together- passionate, equal intelligence, and best of all, crime solving partners. But I have to say Dima made the book for me. His sweet disposition toward Rose, quiet intelligence, bluntness, alpha ways, and protectiveness just won me over from chapter 1. I really didn’t guess the killer until the reveal actually happened in the book…once again great plot line! My one minor sad face was the epilogue and jump ahead. I wanted to know more about Rose and Dima’s growth together…did they have those 5 kids or what? I am wondering (HOPING!) if we see more of their relationship progress in the other planned books. I am assuming (ONCE AGAIN HOPING) we will get more of the backstory on the murders/murderer and uniting the Diamond Syndicate in the next books as well! Even with all those points, nothing could take away from the 5stars I gave this book! I just really enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone looking for a nice escape from reality.
Kenya Wright kills it again and again and again with Dima!!! There is suspense, lust, love and twists that'll give you all the feels with this great read. Diamond Syndicate's sparkling Paradise City is host to a bit of wealth and luxury , small town politics, underground crime and a dark history. Dima, the Syndicate boss meets and falls for Rose an investigative journalist. Rose quickly realizes Dima is the alpha she didn't know she craved. As they get to know each other, many challenges arise in the city and in their relationship. There's a serial killer taking out members of the Syndicate and Di-Rose struggle being on different sides of the crime world. There's so much more though...amazing supporting characters, fun bantar, edge of your seat suspense and the Di-Rose🔥🔥🔥🔥. I loved the illustrations so much and would love more Di-Rose!! Looking forward to more in this series.
Rose was the light to Dimi’s dark, although on the Asperger spectrum Dimi finds a connection with Rose. Add to the fact he lost his childhood friends who ran the Diamond Syndicate with him, the city as well as his emotions need grounding, Rose grounds his heart and mind. Now who is the serial killer? Are the rest of the syndicate safe? Who are the big players and what are their true motives? That is in the beauty of the writing, with some sexy illustrations between the pages.
Rose really had a struggle with good vs Dima…but love lead her true. I really had a hard time with most of the deaths in this story, but I understand why they happened. Seeing everything through Dima’s eyes gave this a very interesting twist. Rose’s ability to connect with Dima definitely supports ‘true mates’. Gotta say though, since I felt this story didn’t answer everything, I’m hoping the subsequent ones clarify. Great read💜
Dima is truly a 5 star read! Kenya Wright does her usual excellent job creating unique Mafia lead characters but this one truly breaks the mold, featuring a Mafia hero with Aspbergers Syndrome, a neurological disorder on the Autism spectrum. Wright provides a realistic portrayal of Aspbergers while still giving us the hot steamy romance we've come to expect from her. I love the transformation that Rose makes, as her time with Dima and the other Mafia families help her understand that the world is not all black and white - all while heating up the sheets with Dima. The book is also full of twists, turns and surprises including a serial killer and great backstories for each of the syndicate families. She definitely left me anxious to read all of their stories which are in the works. Dima and Rose have become two of my favorite characters and I truly hope that we hear more from them in coming books about the Diamond Syndicate.
I really liked this book about Dima and Rose! Their love lasted a long time according to the Epilogue! I never like reading about my couples when they are old and gray, and I was disappointed that Dima's mom was not mentioned at the end! She was so looking forward to grandkids and she was not mentioned, but Dima and Rose were mentioned as being grandparents. This part I did not care for! Also, Ms. Wright never told about what happened to the mayor and Rose's father! They were a big part of the book, and it would have been nice to know that they got theirs! Overall, though it was a good book!
Another good read by Ms. Wright. This is an introduction of a mafia series with each person being charged of a location. We meet Dima, Marcelo, and Lei, the other characters in this story. I must say that though the story was good in parts, towards the end felt rushed and unfinished. It may be that in the other books that the story comes together but I felt as if there were too many unanswered questions. As I stated the book is good and we get a wealth of information as far as some historical facts, which I always love about her books but while there was some good old fashioned murder and mystery I felt like Dima's and Rose could have been more fleshed out. All in all a good first read and I look forward to the next book in the series. 3.5 stars🌟🌟🌟
Dima is a gangster who rules the North in Paradise City. He's also one of the heads of the Diamond Syndicate. Rose is a journalist that doesn't care for corruption. She moves to Paradise City to expose the Diamond Syndicate. But there's a killer on the lose killing the Diamond Syndicate members. Kenya Wright did an amazing job with this story! I loved that Dima's character was on the spectrum, and how he interacted with all the other characters. But by the end of the book I was not liking Lei's character at all. Will he be able to redeem himself? And Viktor why? Why?😭 Anyway overall I thought Dima was an fantastic read, fast paced and entertaining. And the illustrations are AMAZING!! I loved the book and recommend that you read it!!
Kenya Wright has done it again! Another book that slow burns the pages and you. So much drama, mystery and violence within The Syndicate. What Dima wants, Dima gets and then some. All the twists, turns, revelations and downright toe curling seductive encounters. Trust me when I say, this book will be in your heavily reread section on your Kindle.
Every single time I pick up a book by Kenya wright my mind is blown away by her brilliant story telling. There is a lot of details and events that had me experiencing every kind of emotion a human being can have. From shock to angst to sadness to pity to anger to happiness. The complexities of the various characters in Dima made this book my new favorite Filthy Rich Alpha. Sorry Maceo. Even though the book is long, it makes up for it with substance storyline and some sexy illustrations. Thank you Kenya Wright! Dima is very much worth the 5⭐'s. You won't be disappointed one bit. And the drama continues...Bring on Lei!!
Great read. I feel like I would be Rose in this situation because she got on my nerves with all her logic lol. She had totally valid reasons for being hesitant to enter into a situationship with a gangster but I really wanted her to just look past all that and be with Dima. The book was intense but went by quickly. And it didn't go at all like I thought. I think you will be surprised by the entire book. Great read and I can't wait for more
Kenya Wright does it again!! I absolutely loved reading about Dima and Rose. This book is mysterious, sexy, eye opening and so much more. I highly recommend you adding this read to your collection.
Loved Dimitri and Rose's story. The whole Diamond Syndicate was intriguing and kept me wanting more. Some of the deaths were hurtful because I actually liked the characters. I can say though that I guessed right away who the killer was. I can't wait for the next book!