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Kings of the East #3
Pretender
Alessandro wouldn’t say meeting Ender was love at first sight. It was definitely love by second glance, though. Too bad Ender is a liar.
While Alessandro is currently serving his second mafia boss, he plans to stop here. Back when he had been a bodyguard for Xiv’s father, Vlad, Alessandro had hated everything about this life, but people don’t quit crime lords. They wait until their bosses are dead or kill them themselves. Xiv is a different kind of crime boss, though. He’s a good man. Alessandro will do anything to keep Xiv in power. But Alessandro never expected Ender.
Ender is only loyal to one entity above himself: the Kapra. While the west coast mafia has no intentions of taking over the east, Xiv has caused problems for Ender’s boss in the past. That’s the only reason Ender is staying in the same town as Alessandro and ending up in the same places. He needs to keep an eye on Alessandro’s employer. At least, that’s what Ender keeps telling himself. That doesn’t explain the longing in his gut or why he keeps making excuses to stay.
When a young assassin meets a seasoned killer, sparks fly. But it’s only a matter of time before everything explodes around them. It’s possible no one will be left standing at the end. Pretender is the third book in Charity Parkerson’s Kings of the East. These books are best when read in order.
While Alessandro is currently serving his second mafia boss, he plans to stop here. Back when he had been a bodyguard for Xiv’s father, Vlad, Alessandro had hated everything about this life, but people don’t quit crime lords. They wait until their bosses are dead or kill them themselves. Xiv is a different kind of crime boss, though. He’s a good man. Alessandro will do anything to keep Xiv in power. But Alessandro never expected Ender.
Ender is only loyal to one entity above himself: the Kapra. While the west coast mafia has no intentions of taking over the east, Xiv has caused problems for Ender’s boss in the past. That’s the only reason Ender is staying in the same town as Alessandro and ending up in the same places. He needs to keep an eye on Alessandro’s employer. At least, that’s what Ender keeps telling himself. That doesn’t explain the longing in his gut or why he keeps making excuses to stay.
When a young assassin meets a seasoned killer, sparks fly. But it’s only a matter of time before everything explodes around them. It’s possible no one will be left standing at the end. Pretender is the third book in Charity Parkerson’s Kings of the East. These books are best when read in order.
117 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2022
59 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Charity Parkerson
318 books1,427 followersCharity Parkerson is an award winning and multi-published author with several companies. Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth, she decided to take this odd quirk and insert it in her characters.
*Eight-time winner of Readers' Favorite Awards
*2014 Golden Ankh nominee
*2013 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath
**Connect with her online:
Website: charityparkerson.com
Facebook: facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson
facebook.com/TheMenofSin
Twitter: twitter.com/CharityParkerso
*Eight-time winner of Readers' Favorite Awards
*2014 Golden Ankh nominee
*2013 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath
**Connect with her online:
Website: charityparkerson.com
Facebook: facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson
facebook.com/TheMenofSin
Twitter: twitter.com/CharityParkerso
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 27, 2025
All the drama, all the devastation, all the feels. All this and more in this small package. Charity Parkerson packs an emotional punch while telling a horrid story of survival and overcoming.
Check your triggers, this is a dark one.
But so good.
*favorites of its kind.
Check your triggers, this is a dark one.
But so good.
*favorites of its kind.
July 19, 2022
This was book 3 in the
"Kings Of The East"
series. This was a really good read that I wished was longer. We met both of these characters in book two and they met at the end of the book. Alessandro is currently serving his second mafia boss; he plans to stop here. Back when he had been a bodyguard for Xiv’s father, Vlad, Alessandro had hated everything about this life, but people don’t quit crime lords. While at a club he meets Ender and although they kiss nothing happens. Ender is only loyal to one entity above himself: the Kapra. While the west coast mafia has no intentions of taking over the east, Xiv has caused problems for Ender’s boss in the past. That’s the only reason Ender is staying in the same town as Alessandro and ending up in the same places. We learn a little of Ender's stories and it is sad of course Alessandro found out about it from Bear who was mean to Ender and said some hateful things to him. Ender is an assassin and a good one he is taking out the men who abused him he was born to be used and abused. When Alessandro broke up with him, he doesn't handle it well and he shoots himself not realizing that he is loved by the men who rescued and raised him and by Alessandro and Mink. This was a good read this book was well written with no errors in grammar pr spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
July 3, 2022
3.5/5 rounded up.
While previous entries in this series have been intense, this one was very heavy thematically. Ender spent his childhood trapped in a child trafficking ring, so his story as it comes out is just devastating. He's still dealing with the trauma of that in here, so I felt quite sad at times while reading this, especially with an action Ender takes in the last 3rd of the book. Luckily he has so many people who love him, and seeing him learn to accept that was heartwarming. Alessandro comes into Ender's life at the right time and offers him all the love and comfort he deserves.
While previous entries in this series have been intense, this one was very heavy thematically. Ender spent his childhood trapped in a child trafficking ring, so his story as it comes out is just devastating. He's still dealing with the trauma of that in here, so I felt quite sad at times while reading this, especially with an action Ender takes in the last 3rd of the book. Luckily he has so many people who love him, and seeing him learn to accept that was heartwarming. Alessandro comes into Ender's life at the right time and offers him all the love and comfort he deserves.
April 11, 2022
Termination Specialist
A solid edition to this series. I liked this one more than the first. Ender always came across as so vulnerable to me and I can see why that is after reading Pretender. Alessandro seemed to be a good match for him.
These books are short and a great lunch read when you want something interesting and snappy. I’ve been enjoying the series overall and am looking forward to Bear’s story.
A solid edition to this series. I liked this one more than the first. Ender always came across as so vulnerable to me and I can see why that is after reading Pretender. Alessandro seemed to be a good match for him.
These books are short and a great lunch read when you want something interesting and snappy. I’ve been enjoying the series overall and am looking forward to Bear’s story.
August 23, 2025
DNF@ 70%. The way I rolled my eyes!! I was already ready to abandon this book at 16% when it was revealed that Ender . Huh? I mean I guess. I totally respect that the fact that there are all kinds of relationship dynamics, but I know what works for me in books, and this ain't it. So he's a (Later on, we understand why a little better but it doesn't make it any sexier). Either way, I forced myself to continue, really only because I didn't want to miss anything for the next book, and I find Bear really interesting. At 34%, I was actually more ready to read his book than finish this one. As much as I think I was supposed to, I never really warmed up to Ender. Then Bear reveals the truth about Ender, and that whole conversation was just weird. Beard saying what he said the way he said it was strange, and seemed to be really just to get the story to a certain point. Then came Ender's whole extreme reaction and I was beyond done. And then his Daddies tried to blame Alessandro, who was then blaming himself. What A said was harsh, especially given what he knew of Ender's history, but hello Ender LIED about two pretty big things. Plus, those age differences would be a huge shock to anyone. The whole thing was just annoying and overly dramatic for no daggone reason. Next!
1.5 only because the beginning held so much promise.
----Ok, I went back and skimmed to the end and yeah, I still didn't love it. I added 1/2 a star to bring it up to 2.
On to Bear's book, yay!
1.5 only because the beginning held so much promise.
----Ok, I went back and skimmed to the end and yeah, I still didn't love it. I added 1/2 a star to bring it up to 2.
On to Bear's book, yay!
August 13, 2023
Alessandro is currently serving his second mafia boss Xiv which is far more enjoyable than when he served his father Vlad which meant he did things that he hated. Ender is loyal to the Kapra and so Alessandro needs to keep an eye on him especially as he is a liar. When a young assassin meets a seasoned killer, sparks fly. But it’s only a matter of time before everything explodes around them. It’s possible no one will be left standing at the end.
I loved this story with the description of the kind of horror that Ender went through and trying to understand the dynamics between him and his family. I loved the passion and the fire between Alessandro and Ender which started as just something physical but it really didn't stay that way for long. I was shocked at the events on Ender's birthday and what he did which I guess is understandable given the situation he had been in and the level of passion within him. Reading this it was just sizzling with the passion between the two men. Easy to read, feel and understand (just wear over gloves due to the passion level). This is an MM story with mature content.
I loved this story with the description of the kind of horror that Ender went through and trying to understand the dynamics between him and his family. I loved the passion and the fire between Alessandro and Ender which started as just something physical but it really didn't stay that way for long. I was shocked at the events on Ender's birthday and what he did which I guess is understandable given the situation he had been in and the level of passion within him. Reading this it was just sizzling with the passion between the two men. Easy to read, feel and understand (just wear over gloves due to the passion level). This is an MM story with mature content.
April 14, 2022
This author is really hitting their stride with each book. Their writing style is interesting with the short sentences and the quick narrative style in a third person POV.
It moves the story along and this was a good story. Young and extremely conflicted Ender found the refuge that he needed in older and settled Alessandro. These were attractive characters and I enjoyed the physical scenes in this well written book. I loved the marriage proposal scene. It was imaginative and surprising.
I liked Xiv and Mink and Zander in this book.
It moves the story along and this was a good story. Young and extremely conflicted Ender found the refuge that he needed in older and settled Alessandro. These were attractive characters and I enjoyed the physical scenes in this well written book. I loved the marriage proposal scene. It was imaginative and surprising.
I liked Xiv and Mink and Zander in this book.
April 18, 2024
Another enjoyable read. Though again without kink (even if kitten play is teased in the previous installments), and the conflicts are a bit repetitive. Mainly secrets, miscommunication.
I admit that these two were fresh. We have unexpected bed roles (should be used often!), some hurt and comfort, emotions, and finally happiness. Both characters are not perfect, make mistakes and pay for them.
Will definitely keep on reading the series. It is short, entertaining, and the new characters always pique my interest.
I admit that these two were fresh. We have unexpected bed roles (should be used often!), some hurt and comfort, emotions, and finally happiness. Both characters are not perfect, make mistakes and pay for them.
Will definitely keep on reading the series. It is short, entertaining, and the new characters always pique my interest.
April 15, 2022
Might be favorite one yet
These books are a bit dark but there is also so much love, passion, and healing in them that it makes up for it. Everytime I'm the in mood for a quicker read that I know I'll enjoy, I pick up a Charity Parkerson book.
These 2 are probably my favorite in this series so far!
These books are a bit dark but there is also so much love, passion, and healing in them that it makes up for it. Everytime I'm the in mood for a quicker read that I know I'll enjoy, I pick up a Charity Parkerson book.
These 2 are probably my favorite in this series so far!
April 17, 2022
Love it..... ❤💝💖
Simply loving this kings of the east series it's darker but so sexy. Alessandro & Ender together wow.......Love them they are made for each other an assassin and killer together the chemistry is hard to ignore and unable to stay away from each other, cant wait for next in as series.💖💞💖
Simply loving this kings of the east series it's darker but so sexy. Alessandro & Ender together wow.......Love them they are made for each other an assassin and killer together the chemistry is hard to ignore and unable to stay away from each other, cant wait for next in as series.💖💞💖
June 11, 2022
Ender and Alessandro’s story
This book has a trigger of not only wanting to be loved but an attempted suicide of a main MC, Ender and child slavery. Alessandro was a bodyguard to Ender an assassin how they make being together and finding they are loveable work. Ender story will bring tears to your eyes but happy because he does get his HEA.
This book has a trigger of not only wanting to be loved but an attempted suicide of a main MC, Ender and child slavery. Alessandro was a bodyguard to Ender an assassin how they make being together and finding they are loveable work. Ender story will bring tears to your eyes but happy because he does get his HEA.
April 14, 2022
I Loved This Story
What a good story, I loved the Main Characters. The story was well written, and had a great story line.
What a good story, I loved the Main Characters. The story was well written, and had a great story line.
June 5, 2022
As always, in charity parker books, The characters are crazy yet vulnerable. They feel and they love tough.
Just magical
Just magical
September 15, 2022
Just brilliant reading the series 👏
November 24, 2022
❤️❤️❤️
December 20, 2022
Fantastic! I’m binge reading this series.
Great characters and storylines.
Drama, heat, feelings.
Flawed and scarred characters that find amazing and true love.
Great characters and storylines.
Drama, heat, feelings.
Flawed and scarred characters that find amazing and true love.
February 27, 2023
I have enjoyed each book so far. It makes me smile with every HEA I read. 😊
August 22, 2024
3.7. S(?). ST/BB.
K!ll myself if you leave type beat(actual, just didn’t die)
K!ll myself if you leave type beat(actual, just didn’t die)
September 5, 2022
You never go wrong with a Charity Parkerson read!
August 13, 2023
I really loved this, it gave me all the feels 💙💙💙 Ender just about broke my heart, I just want to give him all the love ❤️
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews