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Mafia Bride #2
Stolen Bride
My husband isn’t a man to steal from. But someone has decided to anyway.
Someone wanted Viktor to pay. Enough to take his wife from his own home. Enough to risk his wrath.
When I wake up in a cabin in the Russian forest, broken and traumatized, Viktor is there, a different man from the one I married.
Caring. Nurturing. Even, dare I say, loving. He brings me back to life, one kindness at a time, and for a few brief days, I think that maybe I’ve gotten him all wrong.
But just as I begin to let down my guard, a secret threatens to rock the fragile truce between us, and turn my husband back into the brutal man that I feared. Trapped in a fortress of a safe house with him and the only people left in the world that I love, I no longer know which is the real danger.
The man who is threatening everything I care about, or the one holding me captive, body and soul.
The one who says he’ll never let me go.
His stolen bride.
This is book 2 in the Mafia Bride series. Book one is Captive Bride.
Someone wanted Viktor to pay. Enough to take his wife from his own home. Enough to risk his wrath.
When I wake up in a cabin in the Russian forest, broken and traumatized, Viktor is there, a different man from the one I married.
Caring. Nurturing. Even, dare I say, loving. He brings me back to life, one kindness at a time, and for a few brief days, I think that maybe I’ve gotten him all wrong.
But just as I begin to let down my guard, a secret threatens to rock the fragile truce between us, and turn my husband back into the brutal man that I feared. Trapped in a fortress of a safe house with him and the only people left in the world that I love, I no longer know which is the real danger.
The man who is threatening everything I care about, or the one holding me captive, body and soul.
The one who says he’ll never let me go.
His stolen bride.
This is book 2 in the Mafia Bride series. Book one is Captive Bride.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 23, 2021
597 people are currently reading
478 people want to read
About the author
M. James
65 books408 followersPrepare to be captivated by the sensational world of M. James, the mastermind behind a genre-defying realm of romance and intrigue. With a pen dipped in passion and a heart that beats to the rhythm of forbidden desires, M. James weaves tantalizing tales that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.
Follow her to the dark side where strong heroines fearlessly navigate treacherous paths and damaged heroes find solace in their darkest corners. Her words will wrap around your senses like a seductive embrace, transporting you to a world where love and danger dance a wicked tango.
M. James resides in the suburbs of Chicago but lives for the big moments that make life interesting. Although writing brings her passion and darkest fantasies alive, watching suspenseful thrillers with her two dogs and loving husband brings her excitement in the most exhilarating way. Nonetheless, getting lost in a dark mafia romance along with a tall glass of wine makes any day a bit juicier.
From enemies to lovers to forbidden romances, M. James' stories of passion, intrigue, and betrayal will keep you hooked until the very end. If your appetite craves the intoxicating prose of Rina Kent or the allure of Sophie Lark, prepare to be entangled in M. James' captivating new series. But be warned, dear reader, for her world is not for the faint of heart. It is a world where inhibitions are shed, and inhibitions are tested. It is a world where passion reigns supreme, and where the pursuit of love can ignite a blaze that consumes all in its path.
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Follow her to the dark side where strong heroines fearlessly navigate treacherous paths and damaged heroes find solace in their darkest corners. Her words will wrap around your senses like a seductive embrace, transporting you to a world where love and danger dance a wicked tango.
M. James resides in the suburbs of Chicago but lives for the big moments that make life interesting. Although writing brings her passion and darkest fantasies alive, watching suspenseful thrillers with her two dogs and loving husband brings her excitement in the most exhilarating way. Nonetheless, getting lost in a dark mafia romance along with a tall glass of wine makes any day a bit juicier.
From enemies to lovers to forbidden romances, M. James' stories of passion, intrigue, and betrayal will keep you hooked until the very end. If your appetite craves the intoxicating prose of Rina Kent or the allure of Sophie Lark, prepare to be entangled in M. James' captivating new series. But be warned, dear reader, for her world is not for the faint of heart. It is a world where inhibitions are shed, and inhibitions are tested. It is a world where passion reigns supreme, and where the pursuit of love can ignite a blaze that consumes all in its path.
FOLLOW ME ON MY SOCIALS
BUNDLES & MORE
EXCLUSIVE FACEBOOK GROUP
TIKTOK
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
December 27, 2021
2.5 Stars
I didn't enjoy this as much as I enjoyed book one, sadly. This just felt more...sloppy.
There were continuity issues that irked me.
For example: In one scene, something is said about this being the first time the H had kissed the h since Moscow (or something along those lines), but in a scene practically right before that - and since Moscow - they, you guessed it, had quite the smooch fest.
It felt like the author went back and added a scene but forgot that new scene created some necessary edits in surrounding scenes. I noticed this a couple times throughout the book.
Something that also made me go hmmmm, was some of the injuries sustained by the h...and the author's seeming lack of understanding of how such injuries present in the real world.
***Spoiler alert: broken ribs and knife wounds hurt. Like seriously. I've broken a rib before and it hurts just breathing. And a weakened chick fresh from days of abuse and captivity would not be roughly knocking da sex boots or engaging in self-defense training within mere days of sustaining said wounds.
I mean, in one scene the h gasps in pain from a doctor barely palpating her ribs (verbally declaring she probably has broken ribs) and stitching multiple knife wounds "that will probably scar," and yet, she and the H engage in a veritable bdsm sex-a-thon involving a belt mere days later with nary a whimper or mention of said injuries.
I mean, I get that this is mafia smut for mafia smut's sake and all, but...Nah.
But hey, at least I'm not as pissed at myself for not realizing the final book isn't out. I may or not read it. Depends on if I care or even remember this series by time it's released.
I didn't enjoy this as much as I enjoyed book one, sadly. This just felt more...sloppy.
There were continuity issues that irked me.
For example: In one scene, something is said about this being the first time the H had kissed the h since Moscow (or something along those lines), but in a scene practically right before that - and since Moscow - they, you guessed it, had quite the smooch fest.
It felt like the author went back and added a scene but forgot that new scene created some necessary edits in surrounding scenes. I noticed this a couple times throughout the book.
Something that also made me go hmmmm, was some of the injuries sustained by the h...and the author's seeming lack of understanding of how such injuries present in the real world.
***Spoiler alert: broken ribs and knife wounds hurt. Like seriously. I've broken a rib before and it hurts just breathing. And a weakened chick fresh from days of abuse and captivity would not be roughly knocking da sex boots or engaging in self-defense training within mere days of sustaining said wounds.
I mean, in one scene the h gasps in pain from a doctor barely palpating her ribs (verbally declaring she probably has broken ribs) and stitching multiple knife wounds "that will probably scar," and yet, she and the H engage in a veritable bdsm sex-a-thon involving a belt mere days later with nary a whimper or mention of said injuries.
I mean, I get that this is mafia smut for mafia smut's sake and all, but...Nah.
But hey, at least I'm not as pissed at myself for not realizing the final book isn't out. I may or not read it. Depends on if I care or even remember this series by time it's released.
January 6, 2022
A borderline 2.00. The actual writing is good but doesn't include content or storyline, character development or plot. There are far too many triggers in this series to even include all of them. If rape and heinous physical torture, just to name a few, as well as mental torture is an issue for you; do not proceed.
I've read many well done stories of dark characters in this genre that at some point in the story start to get some breaks in the armor that protects their sadistic nature. Viktor isn't one of those characters.
Viktor is a Jekyll and Hyde whose character traffics innocent young women and praises himself for giving them a better life. He has no respect for women, let alone a wife in his obvious manic treatment of Catarina, but Ohhhhh, his daughters are so important to him. Right...just wait until they get old enough to be sold off to some Oligarch in an arranged marriage. The biggest red flag for me was when Catarina finally accuses him of setting up her kidnapping and torture in Russia and his remark is: "I would never do that to my wife or any woman". This statement comes from the man that is up to his throat in the sex/slave trade of young women.
Examples from book two: He questions as to whether he should continue to look for Catarina when they can't find her or the kidnappers...."perhaps he should just return to New York w/o her." The as.....hole brings her to Russia, neglects to protect her while there; just so he can parade her around all his enemies to show them his Italian bride and his alliance with Luca. She almost dies from her injuries while Viktor takes his sweet time in getting any real medical treatment for her. He decides to put her into an intense self-defense training program before she is even close to healing from her injuries while at the cabin in Russia. He forces her to kill one of her kidnappers to help her recover from the trauma.....really? Then to top it all off he goes into punishment overload w/o any discussion as to why she ran after hearing his phone call, and threatens her with having each of his men f.....k her as a lesson for making him look like a fool in front of his men. Poor poor Viktor and his battered ego. His all consuming need to completely control Catarina at any cost borders on a sadist nature that is undeniable. I seldom dislike a main character this far into a series as much as I dislike Viktor. He has no redeemable qualities because he is too fixated on complete control and submission of Catarina and women in general. They have no role in his life other than to make him look good and to submit to him. Me, Me, Me defines Viktor. I hated to see anything happen to his daughter, but you almost wonder if it is "karma" biting him in his most vulnerable place.
Sofia and Luca....well they get the prize for being "lying traitors" to Catarina. The saying "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" clearly define this couple so far in this series. After everything that happened to Sofia in her series, her character has certainly lost it's appeal. Sofia believes that Catarina should turn a blind eye to Viktor's trafficking of young women and yet she is due to have a baby in a few months. How would she feel if her daughter was trafficked? Stockholm syndrome anyone? She and Luca are hypocrites. Luca used Catarina to get what he wanted and Sophia merely wants her to overlook how her husband treats her and what he does to make money for his Bratva. When you have friends like that who needs enemies.
I want to see Catarina ride off into the sunset with her middle finger directed at Viktor, Luca and Sophia. His dick isn't that amazing. Catarina has survived some heinous acts and has remained diligent and rebellious but I see her slowly submitting to Viktor, like all women in this series ends up doing. She deserves so much more than the card she has been dealt starting with her father, her dead husband, Luca, Sophia and now Viktor. I can't decide if I like this author who seems to subject all of her heroines to a level of torture and drama that straddles the fence when it comes to a sadistic nature.
I've read many well done stories of dark characters in this genre that at some point in the story start to get some breaks in the armor that protects their sadistic nature. Viktor isn't one of those characters.
Viktor is a Jekyll and Hyde whose character traffics innocent young women and praises himself for giving them a better life. He has no respect for women, let alone a wife in his obvious manic treatment of Catarina, but Ohhhhh, his daughters are so important to him. Right...just wait until they get old enough to be sold off to some Oligarch in an arranged marriage. The biggest red flag for me was when Catarina finally accuses him of setting up her kidnapping and torture in Russia and his remark is: "I would never do that to my wife or any woman". This statement comes from the man that is up to his throat in the sex/slave trade of young women.
Examples from book two: He questions as to whether he should continue to look for Catarina when they can't find her or the kidnappers...."perhaps he should just return to New York w/o her." The as.....hole brings her to Russia, neglects to protect her while there; just so he can parade her around all his enemies to show them his Italian bride and his alliance with Luca. She almost dies from her injuries while Viktor takes his sweet time in getting any real medical treatment for her. He decides to put her into an intense self-defense training program before she is even close to healing from her injuries while at the cabin in Russia. He forces her to kill one of her kidnappers to help her recover from the trauma.....really? Then to top it all off he goes into punishment overload w/o any discussion as to why she ran after hearing his phone call, and threatens her with having each of his men f.....k her as a lesson for making him look like a fool in front of his men. Poor poor Viktor and his battered ego. His all consuming need to completely control Catarina at any cost borders on a sadist nature that is undeniable. I seldom dislike a main character this far into a series as much as I dislike Viktor. He has no redeemable qualities because he is too fixated on complete control and submission of Catarina and women in general. They have no role in his life other than to make him look good and to submit to him. Me, Me, Me defines Viktor. I hated to see anything happen to his daughter, but you almost wonder if it is "karma" biting him in his most vulnerable place.
Sofia and Luca....well they get the prize for being "lying traitors" to Catarina. The saying "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" clearly define this couple so far in this series. After everything that happened to Sofia in her series, her character has certainly lost it's appeal. Sofia believes that Catarina should turn a blind eye to Viktor's trafficking of young women and yet she is due to have a baby in a few months. How would she feel if her daughter was trafficked? Stockholm syndrome anyone? She and Luca are hypocrites. Luca used Catarina to get what he wanted and Sophia merely wants her to overlook how her husband treats her and what he does to make money for his Bratva. When you have friends like that who needs enemies.
I want to see Catarina ride off into the sunset with her middle finger directed at Viktor, Luca and Sophia. His dick isn't that amazing. Catarina has survived some heinous acts and has remained diligent and rebellious but I see her slowly submitting to Viktor, like all women in this series ends up doing. She deserves so much more than the card she has been dealt starting with her father, her dead husband, Luca, Sophia and now Viktor. I can't decide if I like this author who seems to subject all of her heroines to a level of torture and drama that straddles the fence when it comes to a sadistic nature.
November 3, 2023
Toxic, toxic and once again toxic.
But at least it’s not disgusting.
It's fast, immoral, strange, but yes, I still continue to read it, because the plot is still interesting.
p.s:if Luca were such a bunny in his trilogy, then I would even be able to love him.he and Sofia are very cute
But at least it’s not disgusting.
It's fast, immoral, strange, but yes, I still continue to read it, because the plot is still interesting.
p.s:if Luca were such a bunny in his trilogy, then I would even be able to love him.he and Sofia are very cute
January 26, 2022
Still going with 3 uncertain stars. Again, I enjoy the writing, even though the author gets hung up documenting the passage of time. It’s kind of slow paced but soothing, if that makes sense.
I think my uncertainty comes from really loving the parts of the book I like but really hating the parts I don’t like. The H is still irredeemable and I haven’t seen the author put forth any effort to do so this far. Any slight headway she makes she manages to lose with his punishments. This is exactly the stuff I love but I find the H so egregiously disgusting I can’t get into the spicy punishments, I just want to punch him in the balls. He traffics women and tries to justify it.
Medium burn, 56%. The author couldn’t make her mind up about how injured h was from the days of abuse and torture after her kidnapping. So in one breath she’s an invalid and can barely walk and then she’s physically sparring with one of his dudes, he then bangs her but she’s too injured to hold her in his arms. Seriously.
No condoms, no virgins, manwhore, human trafficker, spanking, belting, edging, blah blah blah, no OW/OM drama, push away from h, she’s missing for an unknown length of time, definitely days maybe weeks. No cheating. Book 2 of 3.
Safety - he’s a human trafficker, lots of violence and torture etc.
I think my uncertainty comes from really loving the parts of the book I like but really hating the parts I don’t like. The H is still irredeemable and I haven’t seen the author put forth any effort to do so this far. Any slight headway she makes she manages to lose with his punishments. This is exactly the stuff I love but I find the H so egregiously disgusting I can’t get into the spicy punishments, I just want to punch him in the balls. He traffics women and tries to justify it.
Medium burn, 56%. The author couldn’t make her mind up about how injured h was from the days of abuse and torture after her kidnapping. So in one breath she’s an invalid and can barely walk and then she’s physically sparring with one of his dudes, he then bangs her but she’s too injured to hold her in his arms. Seriously.
No condoms, no virgins, manwhore, human trafficker, spanking, belting, edging, blah blah blah, no OW/OM drama, push away from h, she’s missing for an unknown length of time, definitely days maybe weeks. No cheating. Book 2 of 3.
Safety - he’s a human trafficker, lots of violence and torture etc.
December 28, 2021
Worst H ever who tried to continually justify human trafficking and no other characters even some of the female ones besides the h seem to care because as Sophia said something along the lines of separating the man from the job. Like ok lol you’re literally pregnant with a possible daughter tell me how you feel if she was trafficked by a trafficker like the H who justifies it as “a better life in a harem living in lavish palaces if you’re a virgin who can fetch a higher price ”, no you mean a sex slave with a literal master. Sophia seems so Stockholmed I literally cant lol, I could not bring myself to finish her and Luca’s story it was awful. The miscommunication trope in this story was mind boggling I almost DNFed and I HATE doing so. Catarina was stronger with a will you don’t see in most female mafia characters, she kept me entertained with her banter and blatant refusal to cave for another mafia male, since every man in the mafia world has seriously mentally and physically abused her. I really wish she ran away from Viktor. I’m sorry but his dick is not that strong enough that you forget he literally kidnaps innocent girls and sells them for money. Those scenes where she’s debating internally about how good he makes her feel and treats her decently once in a while made me want to chug a brick at her head. Yes it’s a dark mafia romance and I read A LOT of dark dark romance with extreme triggers and I still enjoy the book but man I cant get over him justifying human trafficking when he has 2 daughters, even though he is SUPPOSED to be a very DARK morally grey character/anti hero.🤮🤮🤮
Just give me an Anna and Liam book please!
Just give me an Anna and Liam book please!
February 18, 2022
Good sequel
Picking up right where we stopped in book 1, Caterina goes through a lot. In this book we get to see a different side from Viktor and how it affects his relationship with Cat. We also learn a bit more about the upheaval happening in the bratva world.
To be honest I’m having a bit of a love/hate relationship with this series. I like the plot but don’t care much for the main characters. Viktor is so stuck in his ways (I’m really not a fan of the whole obeying thing) and Cat despite trying is quite powerless. They both make rash decisions and can’t seem to actually communicate.
I need some closure so I’ll read the last book.
Picking up right where we stopped in book 1, Caterina goes through a lot. In this book we get to see a different side from Viktor and how it affects his relationship with Cat. We also learn a bit more about the upheaval happening in the bratva world.
To be honest I’m having a bit of a love/hate relationship with this series. I like the plot but don’t care much for the main characters. Viktor is so stuck in his ways (I’m really not a fan of the whole obeying thing) and Cat despite trying is quite powerless. They both make rash decisions and can’t seem to actually communicate.
I need some closure so I’ll read the last book.
December 27, 2021
I found this book entertaining and the ending shocking!!
Caterina is captured and tortured and Viktor coaxes her back to life.
I found Viktor to be a great H here.
The cliffhanger is so painful and I'm on the edge about poor Anika.
Caterina is captured and tortured and Viktor coaxes her back to life.
I found Viktor to be a great H here.
The cliffhanger is so painful and I'm on the edge about poor Anika.
January 25, 2023
Great ending plot twist. Definitely moving on to book 3
January 1, 2022
One star for glamorizing graphic rape, torture and domestic abuse. To each his own but the Trigger Warnings are not close to enough.
December 24, 2021
I love the darkness in this trilogy! Very well written, I would have liked to see more resistance with the heroine, thought she was a little too meek. She needs to be a little more aggressive with the hero
October 10, 2023
Can't believe I read the second one
October 23, 2022
I skipped books 2 and 3 because I couldn't face reading them with the serious amount of repetition of the same two or three thoughts from the characters. So I jumped to this because I thought Viktor might have been interesting. But it was to find the same awful repeating of just a couple of thoughts from both characters in this over and over and over and over!
Using the book search tool it showed Caterina thought that "this life wasn't what she wanted" over 80 times! Another thought was repeated over 205 times, another repeated over 170 times. It makes for terrible reading. These books are literally just the pathetic heroine thinking on repeat, several times on every single page, how she shouldn't want the hero but being so pathetic that her lust overrules her morals because "hes so handsome".
Yes, this author's writing and story creating are so bad that heroine believes he had her kidnapped, beaten uncoincioness, with broken ribs and cut with a knife all over her body, leaving permanent scars, causing her to almost die from the infection of her wounds, and is still aroused by him?!
She even overhears him make a phone call seemingly admitting that he set up her kidnapping and for her to be horrifically tortured that sges left with permanent scaring, and yet she still becomes aroused by him capturing her again and ordering her to obey him?! Are you kidding me?! It's awful writing.
This is the worst writing and the worst story I've ever read. I love dark romance, it's my favourite genre but this was pathetic. So badly written its embarrassing. It starts from the very outset of the book, the heroine thinking of how she doesn't want the hero, that she doesn't want any man after her forst husband beat and raped her, and also because Viktor traffics in women, kidnapping and selling them, but all it takes is just one look at Viktor to discover how 'handsome he is' and she's overcome by lust for him. It's so bad!
It goes on like this throughout the book, every single page is her thinking about how she shouldn't want him for a list of serious reasons but constantly lusting afrer him and opens her legs for him every time he wants. And he constantly thinks the same couple of thoughts about her. It's awful reading so much repetition and pathetic characters.
The sex scenes were tedious, there's far too many of them, even a 20 page sex scene copied and pasted from the previous book into this as a dream in italics. And most happen at ridiculously stupid and unbelievable times. Like her even being able to have sex days after she nearly died from torture, and the one agter this scene, that I said above, when she overhears him and truly believes he is responsible for her horrific torture but she still gets aroused by him. It's pathetic.
The writing fails on all other levels, poor vocabulary, terrible grammar, wrong character names used. There are no scenes of this supposed smart, powerful Bratva man and loving father checking in with the man he tasked with protecting his young daughters. No. Not one. He keeps thinking of giving up on her, leaving her in the wilderness with the men who took her. He's not a male I want to read about.
The author has shown no skill in the writing ability, It fails to build a story and characters. She's shown no ability or skill to build a story so it's believeable, or at least understandable, why the characters would do and feel what they do. Instead this is ridiculously stupid.
Not to mention the author uses both these books (4&5) to argue strongly for sex trafficking, having the hero saying often that the women he traffics are "better off that he stole them, sold them and shipped them off to a foreign country to be raped, because they are able to live as sex slaves in gilded prisons with their rapist, which is a better life than the poverty they would have lived in if he hadn't sex trafficked them" the author's words in this book, not mine. It's disgusting and appalling.
These books are just a mess of terrible writing ability, the same thoughts repeated to an anger inducing amount, literally several times on every single page, for the entirety of the book, if a mindless, pathetic heroine who can't control her lust, even at the most ridiculously stupid of times. Not to mention an unappealing male.
I really don't know how anyone could enjoy these books with the stupidity of the story written here, and such a pathetic heroine, made mindless and moral-less by her lust, just because "oh, he's handsome ", and the serious level of repetition on every single page. One of the worst books and worst writing ability I've ever read! Gave up unfinished.
Using the book search tool it showed Caterina thought that "this life wasn't what she wanted" over 80 times! Another thought was repeated over 205 times, another repeated over 170 times. It makes for terrible reading. These books are literally just the pathetic heroine thinking on repeat, several times on every single page, how she shouldn't want the hero but being so pathetic that her lust overrules her morals because "hes so handsome".
Yes, this author's writing and story creating are so bad that heroine believes he had her kidnapped, beaten uncoincioness, with broken ribs and cut with a knife all over her body, leaving permanent scars, causing her to almost die from the infection of her wounds, and is still aroused by him?!
She even overhears him make a phone call seemingly admitting that he set up her kidnapping and for her to be horrifically tortured that sges left with permanent scaring, and yet she still becomes aroused by him capturing her again and ordering her to obey him?! Are you kidding me?! It's awful writing.
This is the worst writing and the worst story I've ever read. I love dark romance, it's my favourite genre but this was pathetic. So badly written its embarrassing. It starts from the very outset of the book, the heroine thinking of how she doesn't want the hero, that she doesn't want any man after her forst husband beat and raped her, and also because Viktor traffics in women, kidnapping and selling them, but all it takes is just one look at Viktor to discover how 'handsome he is' and she's overcome by lust for him. It's so bad!
It goes on like this throughout the book, every single page is her thinking about how she shouldn't want him for a list of serious reasons but constantly lusting afrer him and opens her legs for him every time he wants. And he constantly thinks the same couple of thoughts about her. It's awful reading so much repetition and pathetic characters.
The sex scenes were tedious, there's far too many of them, even a 20 page sex scene copied and pasted from the previous book into this as a dream in italics. And most happen at ridiculously stupid and unbelievable times. Like her even being able to have sex days after she nearly died from torture, and the one agter this scene, that I said above, when she overhears him and truly believes he is responsible for her horrific torture but she still gets aroused by him. It's pathetic.
The writing fails on all other levels, poor vocabulary, terrible grammar, wrong character names used. There are no scenes of this supposed smart, powerful Bratva man and loving father checking in with the man he tasked with protecting his young daughters. No. Not one. He keeps thinking of giving up on her, leaving her in the wilderness with the men who took her. He's not a male I want to read about.
The author has shown no skill in the writing ability, It fails to build a story and characters. She's shown no ability or skill to build a story so it's believeable, or at least understandable, why the characters would do and feel what they do. Instead this is ridiculously stupid.
Not to mention the author uses both these books (4&5) to argue strongly for sex trafficking, having the hero saying often that the women he traffics are "better off that he stole them, sold them and shipped them off to a foreign country to be raped, because they are able to live as sex slaves in gilded prisons with their rapist, which is a better life than the poverty they would have lived in if he hadn't sex trafficked them" the author's words in this book, not mine. It's disgusting and appalling.
These books are just a mess of terrible writing ability, the same thoughts repeated to an anger inducing amount, literally several times on every single page, for the entirety of the book, if a mindless, pathetic heroine who can't control her lust, even at the most ridiculously stupid of times. Not to mention an unappealing male.
I really don't know how anyone could enjoy these books with the stupidity of the story written here, and such a pathetic heroine, made mindless and moral-less by her lust, just because "oh, he's handsome ", and the serious level of repetition on every single page. One of the worst books and worst writing ability I've ever read! Gave up unfinished.
June 3, 2022
OK the chemistry between Viktor and Cat is very hot yet at the same time very aggravating .......Her internal dialogue is TOO Much... to the point it became aggravating for this reader.....The actual conversation between them could have probably been done in 50-60 pages. I cannot help but think that the majority of this book was just filled with fluff or stuff written to create pages....... Just to put out another book............ Some authors need to realize.. as a reader what they are doing by stretching out books to this length is .... well for this reader anyway it is very unnecessary ........really frustrating for me as a reader. .........I sadly have gone this far so i have to see it to the end and That is aggravating for me.... Maybe Authors don’t realize that we readers can forget what happens in book one by the time we get to book three..........
Caterina's character drives me NUTS! One minute she is sweet then we have to read her diatribe of feelings ...ugh I realize the author shares what all she has endured in the mafia family. She lost both her parents and before she even really gets a chance to mourn her abusive monster of a husband after he is killed ........she finds out he was actually a traitor to the family.......... Then LUCA tells her she's to marry the Russian mafia boss who she was raised to fear and hate. Viktor is hell bent on bringing her to heel............. when he punishes her....... it's not a punishment to her at all, it's foreplay. ......... but then due to her attitude and her back and forth mental fighting with inherself...Cat gets taken .......we get to see a different side of Viktor ... a more considerate side, but even that is screwed up because looking at Cat's naked body cover in bruises and cuts he still gets turned on???? really ?? The suspense at times was kind of intense. I loved when Cat and Sofia and Ana were reunited but I wish Cat had admitted more of her concerns with her friends.... poor Ana, but what was that look between her and Liam? I just wanted her to pick a feeling ...... One minute she wants him and is ready to climb him.......then the next she wants to kill him................ Then there's the freakin cliffhanger ending. AAAARRRRGGGGHHH! so off we go for book 3 UGGG
Caterina's character drives me NUTS! One minute she is sweet then we have to read her diatribe of feelings ...ugh I realize the author shares what all she has endured in the mafia family. She lost both her parents and before she even really gets a chance to mourn her abusive monster of a husband after he is killed ........she finds out he was actually a traitor to the family.......... Then LUCA tells her she's to marry the Russian mafia boss who she was raised to fear and hate. Viktor is hell bent on bringing her to heel............. when he punishes her....... it's not a punishment to her at all, it's foreplay. ......... but then due to her attitude and her back and forth mental fighting with inherself...Cat gets taken .......we get to see a different side of Viktor ... a more considerate side, but even that is screwed up because looking at Cat's naked body cover in bruises and cuts he still gets turned on???? really ?? The suspense at times was kind of intense. I loved when Cat and Sofia and Ana were reunited but I wish Cat had admitted more of her concerns with her friends.... poor Ana, but what was that look between her and Liam? I just wanted her to pick a feeling ...... One minute she wants him and is ready to climb him.......then the next she wants to kill him................ Then there's the freakin cliffhanger ending. AAAARRRRGGGGHHH! so off we go for book 3 UGGG
January 5, 2022
I FREAKIN LOVED IT!
I loved this book but I need more. Caterina's character makes me crazy! She sweet but has claws. I realize she's been through alot in the mafia family. She lost both her parents and before she even really gets a chance to mourn them and then her abusive monster of a husband is killed and she finds out he was actually a traitor to the family. Then she's told/asked to marry the Russian mafia boss who she was raised to fear and hate. So I can understand why she's so guarded and scared and defiant. Viktor is hell bent on bringing her to heel. I hate when he punishes her but it's not a punishment to her at all, it's foreplay. And the first time he punishes her by spanking her then taking her in the *ss and then when he got off all over her face and just walked away I was screaming in my head. WHAT THE HELL CAT!! SCREAM, CRY, THROUGH A FIT! DO SOMETHING!! But no she just lays there and submits and gets turned on. WTF?!! When Cat gets taken I had tears in my eyes for the torture she endures. Then we get to see a different side of Viktor, not really softer but maybe more considerate but still even after looking at her naked bruised and cut up body he still gets turned on. WTF?! The suspense at times was kind of intense. I loved when Cat and Sofia and Ana were reunited but I wish Cat had admitted more of her concerns to her friends. My heart broke for poor Ana but what was that look between her and Liam? 🤔 I hated how Cat was so weak whenever Viktor touched her. I just wanted her to pick a feeling either bring out the claws and fight or just lay there and love him. One minute she wants him and is ready to climb him like a monkey up a banana tree then the next she want to Lizzy Borden him. I really don't know what I want from Viktor. I hope these two can come to terms with their situation. Then there's the freakin cliffhanger ending. AAAAHHH! I can't wait for book 3! I have a feeling that Cat may already be pregnant but we'll see. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TRILOGY TO EVERYONE!
March 14, 2022
Triggers: kidnapping, drugging, skin trade, violence, rape,
FMC: Cat
MMC: VikTor
Plot:
VikTor finds cat who is almost dead. She’s got cuts scars and bruising all over. He has his family (daughters, nanny, ppl who live with him and workers) brought to Russia to protect them. One of his men has rebelled against him and started killing anyone loyal to VikTor. VikTor sallies from the Italian and Irish mafia join him at his Russian fortress. In the mean time cat and VikTor try to overcome the kidnapping. They immediately screw each other which to me seems highly improbable and ridiculous. Seriously who thinks about sex when someone is that brutalized. Cat was stated to hardly be able to move but then things get from bad to worse when another attack at their Russian fortress happens. This one injures one of VikTor s daughters and she needs surgery. Again it’s very improbable and way OTT. But regardless VikTor rival ends up taking down all of the mafia bosses and kidnaps their women and children to potentially sell. Cat is raped multiple times again after she’s kidnapped yet again. This after her initial kidnapping where she was stabbed multiple times with a knife wound. He lets the men live and eventually they come save their women folk.
This series had a lot of potential but was very rushed and OTT. My review for book 2 & 3 is blended.
FMC: Cat
MMC: VikTor
Plot:
VikTor finds cat who is almost dead. She’s got cuts scars and bruising all over. He has his family (daughters, nanny, ppl who live with him and workers) brought to Russia to protect them. One of his men has rebelled against him and started killing anyone loyal to VikTor. VikTor sallies from the Italian and Irish mafia join him at his Russian fortress. In the mean time cat and VikTor try to overcome the kidnapping. They immediately screw each other which to me seems highly improbable and ridiculous. Seriously who thinks about sex when someone is that brutalized. Cat was stated to hardly be able to move but then things get from bad to worse when another attack at their Russian fortress happens. This one injures one of VikTor s daughters and she needs surgery. Again it’s very improbable and way OTT. But regardless VikTor rival ends up taking down all of the mafia bosses and kidnaps their women and children to potentially sell. Cat is raped multiple times again after she’s kidnapped yet again. This after her initial kidnapping where she was stabbed multiple times with a knife wound. He lets the men live and eventually they come save their women folk.
This series had a lot of potential but was very rushed and OTT. My review for book 2 & 3 is blended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2022
If you can be “not critical”, you can read this book
The second book is actually better at story development than the first one. This is a very escapism book for those who love dark romance, illogical story developments, and double standards morality.
I’m an avid reader of dark romance, but this one is not my cup of tea. The book has too many inconsistencies, double standards on moral values, double standards and inconsistencies on psychological aspects.
What I mean is how can you have a main character who understands love and morality for his wife and children, but also does the complete opposite to others. He loves but also does human trafficking. He loves and sensitive about certain issues but also killing others and trade humans. He said he won’t even punish his wife with cruelty but he does cruelty to others.
This is just insane. I think I’m not suitable for this kind of book when insanity and psychopathy are clearly within the main character.
The only thing that’s amazing about this book is the narrative and description of the sex scenes. I suggest author to just completely write eroticism without any masking of the story of dark romance. Don’t go into debating values and morality when you are not capable of exhibiting that in the book very well.
The second book is actually better at story development than the first one. This is a very escapism book for those who love dark romance, illogical story developments, and double standards morality.
I’m an avid reader of dark romance, but this one is not my cup of tea. The book has too many inconsistencies, double standards on moral values, double standards and inconsistencies on psychological aspects.
What I mean is how can you have a main character who understands love and morality for his wife and children, but also does the complete opposite to others. He loves but also does human trafficking. He loves and sensitive about certain issues but also killing others and trade humans. He said he won’t even punish his wife with cruelty but he does cruelty to others.
This is just insane. I think I’m not suitable for this kind of book when insanity and psychopathy are clearly within the main character.
The only thing that’s amazing about this book is the narrative and description of the sex scenes. I suggest author to just completely write eroticism without any masking of the story of dark romance. Don’t go into debating values and morality when you are not capable of exhibiting that in the book very well.
January 31, 2022
3.75 stars for this one, I enjoyed it a lot more than the first. But the editing 😔👀 where was it.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved the progress Viktor and Catarina were making. But really…. Didn’t we just get past all their communication issues to throw in the last 40% of the book or so. It felt like they were really coming together to be a strong couple (and I was so excited). And then one misheard phone call and she’s running.. again?
Don’t even get me started on how unrealistic the self defense, shooting, and all the hot and heavy scenes are when she almost just DIED? covered in deep stab wounds? Bruised or broken ribs? it’s like borderline abuse some of the things he did to her to “put her in her place” in the condition she was so in.
Plot and character consistency continues to be an issue but not the writing per say, proof of maybe a new editor for the next series? More rounds of editing?
Cause too many contradictions.
-she’s too hurt to be awake let alone walk to the bathroom
But then the same day she’s walking downstairs, fighting actively for an hour, and then practicing shooting a gun? And then having ROUGH sex so much?
Is she fragile, is she fine?
And my final issue lol is what’s the deal with her fertility after the kidnapping. Because at first it was a baby was probably lost, and it’s possible damage could stop her from conceiving for a while, but then all of a sudden she’s thinking and acting like she’s never ever able to get pregnant again?
Don’t get me wrong, I loved the progress Viktor and Catarina were making. But really…. Didn’t we just get past all their communication issues to throw in the last 40% of the book or so. It felt like they were really coming together to be a strong couple (and I was so excited). And then one misheard phone call and she’s running.. again?
Don’t even get me started on how unrealistic the self defense, shooting, and all the hot and heavy scenes are when she almost just DIED? covered in deep stab wounds? Bruised or broken ribs? it’s like borderline abuse some of the things he did to her to “put her in her place” in the condition she was so in.
Plot and character consistency continues to be an issue but not the writing per say, proof of maybe a new editor for the next series? More rounds of editing?
Cause too many contradictions.
-she’s too hurt to be awake let alone walk to the bathroom
But then the same day she’s walking downstairs, fighting actively for an hour, and then practicing shooting a gun? And then having ROUGH sex so much?
Is she fragile, is she fine?
And my final issue lol is what’s the deal with her fertility after the kidnapping. Because at first it was a baby was probably lost, and it’s possible damage could stop her from conceiving for a while, but then all of a sudden she’s thinking and acting like she’s never ever able to get pregnant again?
February 3, 2022
An excellent book. I don't say that lightly as I probably only love 10% of the mafia romance books I read and I read a LOT of them (because when they're good, they're perfect). I get that the human trafficking bit is quite hard to get over for a lot of readers, but this IS the mafia and unfortunately, that is the reality of mafia life. You are reading about a villain. The heroine is PERFECTION. I found Sofia from the previous book very annoying but Catarina is an extremely admirable woman. I loved the character development by M James for these books. I don't enjoy when authors rush to develop the chemistry between two characters. There was no rushing here - just slow burn which makes the relationship between the Catarina and Viktor actually feel real. Very well done - one of my favourites along with Danielle Lori's "Sweetest Oblivion". The writing is also improved from the last book with Sofia. Will read more from this author.
March 7, 2022
Sadly disappointing and uninteresting. Chapter after chapter the story is stagnant, most often filled with the same narrative repeated over...and over...and over - like it was cut and pasted.
Caterina was born and raised a mafia princess well aware of the mafia ways, crimes, and her duties. Yet she CONSTANTLY whines to herself about the same things (like a broken record), complains, and makes unreasonable demands including how she won't have sex with Viktor, her newly married Russian Mafia Boss husband, throughout all three books in this series.
Frustrated and growing angry, I finally started scanning past all those repetitive narrative paragraphs, sometimes whole chapters, looking for anything new developing in the story so I could pick up reading again.
My 3-star rating is generous. I read (and love) lots of mafia crime, dark/disturbed romance, adult erotic genres books. I found the story and character development lacking in this book and throughout the series.
Caterina was born and raised a mafia princess well aware of the mafia ways, crimes, and her duties. Yet she CONSTANTLY whines to herself about the same things (like a broken record), complains, and makes unreasonable demands including how she won't have sex with Viktor, her newly married Russian Mafia Boss husband, throughout all three books in this series.
Frustrated and growing angry, I finally started scanning past all those repetitive narrative paragraphs, sometimes whole chapters, looking for anything new developing in the story so I could pick up reading again.
My 3-star rating is generous. I read (and love) lots of mafia crime, dark/disturbed romance, adult erotic genres books. I found the story and character development lacking in this book and throughout the series.
April 24, 2022
i swear if i could i would give this 0 stars. it was so insanely bad i don't even know where to start. the writing was almost unbearable to read and the characters were so stupid, all of them. and the way all the women were just so blatantly disrespected ???? or caterina saying she would die anyway but still not confronting victor about what she thought he did ???? and the whole pity story about vera's death to make the reader sympathise w victor ???? or ana only being able to talk ab how ugly she is and no one taking her to therapy or talking to her ???? or sophia practically forcing caterina into submission 'bc it will be easier that way' ???? or luca just selling caterina as if she's his property and her still referring to him as her best friend ???? shit, shit, shit. all of it. the only redeeming feature ab this book was when victor said "his life isn't mine to take" ab caterina's abusers (and had her kill one of them herself).
Read
March 30, 20240.3 stars
77% DNF
Look i ***need*** to vent about this okay?
so our dear FMC gets kid- no adultnapped, tortured,broken and blah blah blah.
The MMC finds her *after* she is like this (during the search for her his thought are all like 'should i even search for her? but im a boss blah blah i have my duty' can you belive the nerve of this dude?!!!)
while she is recovering the FMC thinks that it was actually the MMC who ordered her kidnapping and tortue,
EVEN THEN! EVEN THEN her thought are like 'omg he is handsome, i cant stop myself from loving him uuh aaah'
DUDE WTF WHAT THE FREAKING DUCK!!!!!!
if a guy lies one finger at me, i would think of him as lesser than a freaking brain-less pig!!!!
This was soooo frustrating. her whole body was covered in brusies, she had broken bones
she thought he did that and she STILL was like 'ooohh he is so handsome'
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH i hated this.
bye .
13,march,2024
77% DNF
Look i ***need*** to vent about this okay?
so our dear FMC gets kid- no adultnapped, tortured,broken and blah blah blah.
The MMC finds her *after* she is like this (during the search for her his thought are all like 'should i even search for her? but im a boss blah blah i have my duty' can you belive the nerve of this dude?!!!)
while she is recovering the FMC thinks that it was actually the MMC who ordered her kidnapping and tortue,
EVEN THEN! EVEN THEN her thought are like 'omg he is handsome, i cant stop myself from loving him uuh aaah'
DUDE WTF WHAT THE FREAKING DUCK!!!!!!
if a guy lies one finger at me, i would think of him as lesser than a freaking brain-less pig!!!!
This was soooo frustrating. her whole body was covered in brusies, she had broken bones
she thought he did that and she STILL was like 'ooohh he is so handsome'
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH i hated this.
bye .
13,march,2024
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2021
Caterina and Viktor work on their marriage
Caterina is hurt from her kidnapping the happenings in the First Book 1 Captive Bride that ends on a cliffhanger. So Caterina think her husband had her kidnapped to control her as her husband Viktor help protect and shield his wife after he found her, and still he desire his wife Caterina. I am describing the emotional thinking with the characters what happened in the second book 2, He wanted his wife cat to train as she heal. Also she effect him to feel deeply for her, Caterina and Viktor work on protecting themselves from show what the both feeling foe one another. I have enjoyed Stolen Bride Book 2, now I am waiting on book 3 called Beloved Bride , coming January 23, 2021. I can't wait to read this third book. I enjoyed the second book that ended on a cliffhanger ending...
Caterina is hurt from her kidnapping the happenings in the First Book 1 Captive Bride that ends on a cliffhanger. So Caterina think her husband had her kidnapped to control her as her husband Viktor help protect and shield his wife after he found her, and still he desire his wife Caterina. I am describing the emotional thinking with the characters what happened in the second book 2, He wanted his wife cat to train as she heal. Also she effect him to feel deeply for her, Caterina and Viktor work on protecting themselves from show what the both feeling foe one another. I have enjoyed Stolen Bride Book 2, now I am waiting on book 3 called Beloved Bride , coming January 23, 2021. I can't wait to read this third book. I enjoyed the second book that ended on a cliffhanger ending...
January 28, 2022
Wow....what a rollercoaster
This is the second book in a series of three. I loved the first book and I couldn’t wait to read this. I like how the author describes details and you feel like you are there living the book yourself. The only disappointment I had with this one is that some areas were drawn out in lots of detail that was not necessary. I was also frustrated with the way Viktor treated Catarina and her letting him do whatever he wanted in punishment, that frustrated me and I found myself screaming at the book, I wouldn’t let any man do to me what he did to her, don’t want to spoil the story so will not go into detail but you will understand what I mean.
Although this book was not as good as the first I am hoping the final instalment is better. Still a great story and highly recommend you read.
This is the second book in a series of three. I loved the first book and I couldn’t wait to read this. I like how the author describes details and you feel like you are there living the book yourself. The only disappointment I had with this one is that some areas were drawn out in lots of detail that was not necessary. I was also frustrated with the way Viktor treated Catarina and her letting him do whatever he wanted in punishment, that frustrated me and I found myself screaming at the book, I wouldn’t let any man do to me what he did to her, don’t want to spoil the story so will not go into detail but you will understand what I mean.
Although this book was not as good as the first I am hoping the final instalment is better. Still a great story and highly recommend you read.
December 26, 2021
Ok!
I finished the first, and managed 40% of this book, but I found myself less and less interested in picking up the book and carrying on. It's not bad writing, and if you like mafia romances then it is typical fodder. I don't know whether it's the fact that the hero is involved in female trafficking, or not, but I just couldn't like him, and if you're reading a romance, then you have to at least find something attractive about the hero, besides looks. Loving your own children, is just not enough reason, if you lead a sex trade operation... sorry! Tbh, had it not been on KU, then I wouldn't have downloaded the second in this series. Take from that, what you will.
I finished the first, and managed 40% of this book, but I found myself less and less interested in picking up the book and carrying on. It's not bad writing, and if you like mafia romances then it is typical fodder. I don't know whether it's the fact that the hero is involved in female trafficking, or not, but I just couldn't like him, and if you're reading a romance, then you have to at least find something attractive about the hero, besides looks. Loving your own children, is just not enough reason, if you lead a sex trade operation... sorry! Tbh, had it not been on KU, then I wouldn't have downloaded the second in this series. Take from that, what you will.
January 24, 2022
This book was rough for me. I didn’t enjoy it at all. The constant confusion and hate and passion all puddled together messily. Normally I like some angst but this was just too much. I also couldn’t get over how after she was beaten and tortured by other men and Viktor seen her like that and hated it, he turned around and used beating as a punishment for her that he filed out himself. As if keeping the beatings and bruisings to erogenous zones makes it all okay… no.. this was not my cup of tea.
Would I read it again? No.
Would I recommend it? No.
Will I read the third book? Yes, only because I have crazy OCD apparently and can’t leave it unfinished.
Would I read it again? No.
Would I recommend it? No.
Will I read the third book? Yes, only because I have crazy OCD apparently and can’t leave it unfinished.
September 20, 2022
Wow,things are getting more intriguing!!
This is book two in Viktor and Caterina's story, you need to read the first book in their story Captive Bride before reading this book. After everything Caterina has been through she doesn't even know if she can trust her own husband. Viktor doesn't know what to do with Caterina, he clearly feels way more for her than he wants to admit but she is constantly defying him and he is only trying to protect her. Their story is captivating so far and I am looking forward to finding out what happens next in the next book in their story, Beloved Bride!
This is book two in Viktor and Caterina's story, you need to read the first book in their story Captive Bride before reading this book. After everything Caterina has been through she doesn't even know if she can trust her own husband. Viktor doesn't know what to do with Caterina, he clearly feels way more for her than he wants to admit but she is constantly defying him and he is only trying to protect her. Their story is captivating so far and I am looking forward to finding out what happens next in the next book in their story, Beloved Bride!
January 29, 2022
another nightmare
My cruel husband is dead. He should have suffered more. I am free and will never marry again. I am a mafia Princess and I have my own inheritance, so I can travel.
But a man called The Bear wants me. His name is Viktor Andreyev and he is older, 39 and I am 22. He has stated that this marriage will be for peace between the Irish Italians and Russians. But he is known for being violent, cruel, I was married to the same type of man and survived. The Bratva are worse than I could ever imagined!!!! Will I be able to escape if not what can I do?
My cruel husband is dead. He should have suffered more. I am free and will never marry again. I am a mafia Princess and I have my own inheritance, so I can travel.
But a man called The Bear wants me. His name is Viktor Andreyev and he is older, 39 and I am 22. He has stated that this marriage will be for peace between the Irish Italians and Russians. But he is known for being violent, cruel, I was married to the same type of man and survived. The Bratva are worse than I could ever imagined!!!! Will I be able to escape if not what can I do?
August 1, 2022
Me encantó Caterina en el primer libro pero en este, dios 😮💨. Ella me resultó tan exasperante, no me explico cómo siempre llegaba a pensamientos tan irracionales, no se paraba a pensar detenidamente la situation o simplemente comunicarle a Viktor sus inquietudes, pero no, siempre pensando lo peor. 🙄
Por otra parte, La historia fue demasiado lenta, yo quería que llegarán a lo importante o algo más interesante pero se detenían mucho a algunas situaciones que ya se estaban volviendo tediosas y aburridas.
Y Viktor ? 🤔 Me gusta Viktor ☺️🤭
Por otra parte, La historia fue demasiado lenta, yo quería que llegarán a lo importante o algo más interesante pero se detenían mucho a algunas situaciones que ya se estaban volviendo tediosas y aburridas.
Y Viktor ? 🤔 Me gusta Viktor ☺️🤭
June 3, 2022
Convoluted
Doesn't make sense. Couple getting closer then she gets upset about his sex trafficking. He is bratva so what did she expect ? Runs from him and gets abducted, beaten and cut up. Victor rescues her but later she overhears phone conversation and somehow thinks he is behind her abduction. Based on what? Runs again and he finds her again. Punishment is always sex oriented ? Spinning wheels reading this.
Doesn't make sense. Couple getting closer then she gets upset about his sex trafficking. He is bratva so what did she expect ? Runs from him and gets abducted, beaten and cut up. Victor rescues her but later she overhears phone conversation and somehow thinks he is behind her abduction. Based on what? Runs again and he finds her again. Punishment is always sex oriented ? Spinning wheels reading this.
November 1, 2022
Finally the pieces begin to come together in this middle portion of Caterina and Victor's story
So much pain, so many deep wounds. So much resistance to trust even if for good reasons. It's painful to read the harsh results of our strong H&h's choices along the way. But we may have finally arrived at the tipping point for both of them. Sufficient pain and frustration eventually gets the necessary words spoken...but how much more needs to be resolved?
So much pain, so many deep wounds. So much resistance to trust even if for good reasons. It's painful to read the harsh results of our strong H&h's choices along the way. But we may have finally arrived at the tipping point for both of them. Sufficient pain and frustration eventually gets the necessary words spoken...but how much more needs to be resolved?
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