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Checkmate #1
Broken Pawn
He is the riptide to my calmness, but I will ride his waves…
When I saw Ethan Levine, I knew he would cause chaos in my life.
Dangerously handsome, dark, and mysterious. The definition of beautiful destruction was found in his mafia cold blood.
What I didn’t know was that my uncle, the only family I had left, had backstabbed him.
So, Ethan promised to destroy me, and now he’s doing a great job at it.
He’s using and humiliating me until I can take no more. And I hate myself for still craving his possessive hands on my body.
But I always remember the truth: Ethan is my tormentor, and I’m his broken pawn.
He is the beautiful destruction I can never escape…
*If you are a good girl dreaming of a knight in shining armor, then step away from this novel! If you fantasize about hot, wildly sexy alpha males, then this one's for you! My heroes are dangerous, dark, and demanding—an HEA guaranteed with no cheating but lots of pain and pleasure. You have been warned! Proceed at your own risk…
When I saw Ethan Levine, I knew he would cause chaos in my life.
Dangerously handsome, dark, and mysterious. The definition of beautiful destruction was found in his mafia cold blood.
What I didn’t know was that my uncle, the only family I had left, had backstabbed him.
So, Ethan promised to destroy me, and now he’s doing a great job at it.
He’s using and humiliating me until I can take no more. And I hate myself for still craving his possessive hands on my body.
But I always remember the truth: Ethan is my tormentor, and I’m his broken pawn.
He is the beautiful destruction I can never escape…
*If you are a good girl dreaming of a knight in shining armor, then step away from this novel! If you fantasize about hot, wildly sexy alpha males, then this one's for you! My heroes are dangerous, dark, and demanding—an HEA guaranteed with no cheating but lots of pain and pleasure. You have been warned! Proceed at your own risk…
428 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2022
210 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Faye Pierce
38 books366 followersAs a teenager, Faye used to read at night with a flashlight underneath her bed covers. She fantasized of bad boys who stopped at nothing to capture the hearts and bodies of their women, and of equally strong heroines. Make no mistake, there are no damsels in distress in her world.
Her addiction is the “enemies to lovers” trope, and maybe that’s why when she first met her husband, their chemistry was just as sizzling as their disapproval of each other. But as in her novels, passion won, and now they live through their happily ever after.
By day, she is taking care of her household. By night, her shadow self emerges to satisfy her undisclosed desires. Literary and not.
Her addiction is the “enemies to lovers” trope, and maybe that’s why when she first met her husband, their chemistry was just as sizzling as their disapproval of each other. But as in her novels, passion won, and now they live through their happily ever after.
By day, she is taking care of her household. By night, her shadow self emerges to satisfy her undisclosed desires. Literary and not.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 4, 2022
4⭐️ I received an arc of the story in exchange for an honest review.
Broken pawn is a dark mafia romance that took me on a gauntlet of emotions throughout this fast paced story! Well I could guess some of the events and motives, there were plenty of surprises that kept my attention.
⚠️ Always check for trigger warnings!
Vanessa is a good girl with a quiet life who was raised by her uncle after her parents were killed when she was 13. As soon as she meets Ethan, she knows he is bad news but that her life will not be the same. Since becoming the head of his mafia family, Ethan has been out for vengeance against everyone who has ever wronged the family. His quest is questioned by some members of the family, but he knows what he must do in order to uphold the honor of his family, and that includes using Vanessa for his own form of twisted punishment.
Broken pawn is a dark mafia romance that took me on a gauntlet of emotions throughout this fast paced story! Well I could guess some of the events and motives, there were plenty of surprises that kept my attention.
⚠️ Always check for trigger warnings!
Vanessa is a good girl with a quiet life who was raised by her uncle after her parents were killed when she was 13. As soon as she meets Ethan, she knows he is bad news but that her life will not be the same. Since becoming the head of his mafia family, Ethan has been out for vengeance against everyone who has ever wronged the family. His quest is questioned by some members of the family, but he knows what he must do in order to uphold the honor of his family, and that includes using Vanessa for his own form of twisted punishment.
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December 9, 2025🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/20/2022)! 🎁
June 26, 2022
Faye Pierce does it again - she can certainly write a great mafia romance.
Two friends, Vanessa and Anna, waitress in a club. When Vanessa draws the short straw to take drinks into a VIP room where Ethan, local Mafia Don, is striking a deal with the local police, Ethan is instantly drawn to a shy Vanessa. When her shift is over, Ethan is waiting for her outside and tries to get Vanessa to agree to a date. When she refuses, Ethan warns her that 'she should run' then states 'I want you now, and I will not stop until I have you'.
Fast forward a few days and the girls go and visit Vanessa's uncle to celebrate his birthday. Little do they know that said uncle is on Ethan's hit/revenge list and today's the day that Ethan has planned the hit. Vanessa's presence gets under Ethan's skin and he ends up kidnapping all three, Vanessa being the woman that Ethan desires and the other two being held hostage.
What follows is an intense, page turning mafia book full of lies, deceit, passion, family betrayal, murder, confessions and in the middle is the red hot heat between Ethan and Vanessa. The author was excellent at drawing me in with lots of twists and turns and just as I thought I had worked out what was going to happen, she took me on a completely different route. Oh the suspense at the end, what an ending! You really will have to read this book for yourself, you will not be disappointed.
I received an arc of this book directly from the author, and this is my voluntary, honest review.
Two friends, Vanessa and Anna, waitress in a club. When Vanessa draws the short straw to take drinks into a VIP room where Ethan, local Mafia Don, is striking a deal with the local police, Ethan is instantly drawn to a shy Vanessa. When her shift is over, Ethan is waiting for her outside and tries to get Vanessa to agree to a date. When she refuses, Ethan warns her that 'she should run' then states 'I want you now, and I will not stop until I have you'.
Fast forward a few days and the girls go and visit Vanessa's uncle to celebrate his birthday. Little do they know that said uncle is on Ethan's hit/revenge list and today's the day that Ethan has planned the hit. Vanessa's presence gets under Ethan's skin and he ends up kidnapping all three, Vanessa being the woman that Ethan desires and the other two being held hostage.
What follows is an intense, page turning mafia book full of lies, deceit, passion, family betrayal, murder, confessions and in the middle is the red hot heat between Ethan and Vanessa. The author was excellent at drawing me in with lots of twists and turns and just as I thought I had worked out what was going to happen, she took me on a completely different route. Oh the suspense at the end, what an ending! You really will have to read this book for yourself, you will not be disappointed.
I received an arc of this book directly from the author, and this is my voluntary, honest review.
June 26, 2022
I must admit that I have read books with a similar theme to this but this one had been really well executed by Faye Pierce.
Ethan Levine was a mafia don and mafia traditions and laws run deep in his soul, he has no qualms carrying out executions when the need arose and he would take revenge on the person who tried to kill his beloved uncle and mentor, little did he know that he was about to kidnap the niece of the perpetrator.
Vanessa wasn't supposed to serve the tall, handsome but broody, forbidding man that night but her friend Anna had begged her to take her place, unbeknown to Vanessa this meeting was to change her life.
This story unfolds to reveal the fierce fight for supremacy in the mafia families, the loyalty demanded, the consequences of breaking the rules, the subterfuge between the waring mafia families, of betrayal, but first and foremost, the sheer magnetism between beautiful, feisty Vanessa and her kidnapper, of Ethan's determination to keep her safe and give in to her wishes even if it meant going against the code that he had lived by, the passion that Vanessa didn't want but couldn't resist.
This book is action packed, will keep you in suspense but lead you to an exciting HEA
I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary.
Ethan Levine was a mafia don and mafia traditions and laws run deep in his soul, he has no qualms carrying out executions when the need arose and he would take revenge on the person who tried to kill his beloved uncle and mentor, little did he know that he was about to kidnap the niece of the perpetrator.
Vanessa wasn't supposed to serve the tall, handsome but broody, forbidding man that night but her friend Anna had begged her to take her place, unbeknown to Vanessa this meeting was to change her life.
This story unfolds to reveal the fierce fight for supremacy in the mafia families, the loyalty demanded, the consequences of breaking the rules, the subterfuge between the waring mafia families, of betrayal, but first and foremost, the sheer magnetism between beautiful, feisty Vanessa and her kidnapper, of Ethan's determination to keep her safe and give in to her wishes even if it meant going against the code that he had lived by, the passion that Vanessa didn't want but couldn't resist.
This book is action packed, will keep you in suspense but lead you to an exciting HEA
I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary.
June 30, 2022
This novel opens up to Vanessa’s easy but complicated day. A day after classes, then the start to her work day at The Rose, New York’s most desirable gouache eatery at the moment. Both her and her friend Anna work as waitresses there for a varied clientele. From the rich to mobsters. Tonight is Vanessa’s night to meet the more dangerous variety of their clientele. As the order comes up for the private room thirteen, Vanessa takes it with a little bit of fear.
In room thirteen are three men. Luke Levine, Ethan Levine, and Carlos Maine, a cop paid by the mob. Only the devastating handsome Ethan captures Vanessa’s eye. And only Vanessa’s lithe beauty and enticing eyes capture the mob boss’s heart. From that point he vows to have her.
The next day Vanessa and Anna proceed to her Uncle Fred Westbrook for a surprise birthday party. Not knowing that Ethan and his goons are to arrive shortly. They only expect a simple family gathering. Instead of killing Fred like Ethan intended he takes Vanessa prisoner as an alternative. And so starts her turn as Ethan’s pawn. Whether he can break her spirit or not is still to come. One game Ethan loves to play.
In room thirteen are three men. Luke Levine, Ethan Levine, and Carlos Maine, a cop paid by the mob. Only the devastating handsome Ethan captures Vanessa’s eye. And only Vanessa’s lithe beauty and enticing eyes capture the mob boss’s heart. From that point he vows to have her.
The next day Vanessa and Anna proceed to her Uncle Fred Westbrook for a surprise birthday party. Not knowing that Ethan and his goons are to arrive shortly. They only expect a simple family gathering. Instead of killing Fred like Ethan intended he takes Vanessa prisoner as an alternative. And so starts her turn as Ethan’s pawn. Whether he can break her spirit or not is still to come. One game Ethan loves to play.
June 25, 2022
Mafia, enemies to lovers and oh so graphic- quite the story. Vanessa has a part time job at a high end restaurant. She takes over her friends station and comes face to face with Ethan. He is the head of his family and family is so very important to the Mafia. When he sees Vanessa, he knows he has to have her. His thoughts are consumed at times by her which is very dangerous for him. So I start out thinking he's creepy and a very bad man but find he can be gentle and loving and still very bad. Vanessa is an innocent but so very attracted to Ethan, yet she wants to hate him. So much turmoil, intrigue, plot twists, betrayal, graphic violence and sex scenes, punishment, and love; please read the author's trigger warning. When you read this book, you will find our author has done an amazing job creating her characters, locations and a great story. Plus a HEA. Don't miss this one.
June 23, 2022
OMG, this book was everything, the passion, the need to protect, the lies and deceit, everything you need for a compelling, page turning book, once you start it you cant put it down till the end.
Vanessa and Anna were in the wrong place at the wrong time and were kidnapped, where as Anna was more of a hostage, Vanessa was the woman that Ethan wanted and desired.
How could you fall in love with a mafia don? Quite easily if he was Ethan Levine, he might be a ruthless killer, but a passionate lover.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this book, some I had worked out but not to the full extent of them, you think you know then you don't. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, wanting more, brilliant book and well worth reading as are all of Faye's books.
Vanessa and Anna were in the wrong place at the wrong time and were kidnapped, where as Anna was more of a hostage, Vanessa was the woman that Ethan wanted and desired.
How could you fall in love with a mafia don? Quite easily if he was Ethan Levine, he might be a ruthless killer, but a passionate lover.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this book, some I had worked out but not to the full extent of them, you think you know then you don't. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, wanting more, brilliant book and well worth reading as are all of Faye's books.
July 11, 2022
This book had me on the edge of my seat. I seriously couldn't put it down.
Vanessa a college student who works at Rose unexpectedly meets Ethan. Right away she gets this feeling about him. Though she doesn't know who he is or what he does for a living..she soon finds out exactly who he is.
Ethan a mafia don who took over after his brother. Ethan is this strong aloha make that I feel you love to hate him but when you see his gentle side you fall in love with him.
Ethan and Vanessa go through a lot of twists and turns in this book. I found their relationship evolved over the course of the book in ways I wasn't expecting it to. But was happy with the outcome.
Vanessa a college student who works at Rose unexpectedly meets Ethan. Right away she gets this feeling about him. Though she doesn't know who he is or what he does for a living..she soon finds out exactly who he is.
Ethan a mafia don who took over after his brother. Ethan is this strong aloha make that I feel you love to hate him but when you see his gentle side you fall in love with him.
Ethan and Vanessa go through a lot of twists and turns in this book. I found their relationship evolved over the course of the book in ways I wasn't expecting it to. But was happy with the outcome.
June 23, 2022
good ❤️
just start Vanessa then made the mafia like Ethan unable to take his eyes off her. Even if he came to take revenge be tough But he had a gentle side and didn't dare to hurt her. He eventually fell in love with her. I love when Ethan thinks He never cared about making anyone happy or not. But as Vanessa if she is happy He felt better too.
No matter how much Vanessa tried to hate Ethan, But she couldn't restrain her feelings for him. And I was so excited when Ethan was at a disadvantage. But the plot twists are unpredictable.
just start Vanessa then made the mafia like Ethan unable to take his eyes off her. Even if he came to take revenge be tough But he had a gentle side and didn't dare to hurt her. He eventually fell in love with her. I love when Ethan thinks He never cared about making anyone happy or not. But as Vanessa if she is happy He felt better too.
No matter how much Vanessa tried to hate Ethan, But she couldn't restrain her feelings for him. And I was so excited when Ethan was at a disadvantage. But the plot twists are unpredictable.
June 30, 2022
This book was amazing!!! It had me captivated from the first chapter all the way to the end. I hated that it was over so soon lol. If you haven't ever read Faye Pierce you really will enjoy her books. If you do have any triggers please read this book at your own risk.
Both Ethan and Vanessa were wonderfully written main characters. Ethan was very broody and got what he wanted and Vanessa was a great fmc. She loves her family and will do anything for them. I enjoyed the push and pull of both characters.
Broken Pawn was definitely a great read and can't wait to see what comes next!!!
Both Ethan and Vanessa were wonderfully written main characters. Ethan was very broody and got what he wanted and Vanessa was a great fmc. She loves her family and will do anything for them. I enjoyed the push and pull of both characters.
Broken Pawn was definitely a great read and can't wait to see what comes next!!!
June 21, 2022
Be ready to be sucked into a twisted adventure of love and betrayal!
Once I started, I couldn't put it down. The ups and downs of these characters, the deceit and deception grabs you and there is no walking away. Just an all around great read!
Family is the center and as with all mafia troupes this one hit all the marks!
Faye Pierce did well in wrapping it all up with an HEA that was perfect. You WON'T be disappointed!
Now onto her next adventure!
Once I started, I couldn't put it down. The ups and downs of these characters, the deceit and deception grabs you and there is no walking away. Just an all around great read!
Family is the center and as with all mafia troupes this one hit all the marks!
Faye Pierce did well in wrapping it all up with an HEA that was perfect. You WON'T be disappointed!
Now onto her next adventure!
June 24, 2022
When I first read about Ethan I understand his mindset. Then Vanessa enters and he turn to be someone so different. ( Good way). Vanessa to me is a women who knows what she wants but is to shy to do it. This is Mafia throw and throw. I live the way the characters aren’t really POV. They are more story telling.
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
Trope: Grumpy/ Shy sunshine
Triggers: It’s a mafia Story so yes
Smut/ Smexy: 9.5/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
Trope: Grumpy/ Shy sunshine
Triggers: It’s a mafia Story so yes
Smut/ Smexy: 9.5/10
June 21, 2022
Great Mafia story
This is one of the first books that I have read being part of an ARC group but I definitely was not disappointed. I absolutely love how the story flowed and it kept you wanting to know what happens next. I will definitely be reading many more of her books in the future. This is a dark romance so check the trigger warnings.
This is one of the first books that I have read being part of an ARC group but I definitely was not disappointed. I absolutely love how the story flowed and it kept you wanting to know what happens next. I will definitely be reading many more of her books in the future. This is a dark romance so check the trigger warnings.
June 21, 2022
no end to action!!
Enjoyed characters of Vanessa & Ethan as they progressed thru their unconventional relationship. Book will appeal to those liking graphic descriptions to warfare & bedroom.
I could not get book to download properly to my kindle but was successful downloading into my kindle app on iPhone.
Enjoyed characters of Vanessa & Ethan as they progressed thru their unconventional relationship. Book will appeal to those liking graphic descriptions to warfare & bedroom.
I could not get book to download properly to my kindle but was successful downloading into my kindle app on iPhone.
June 22, 2022
You have got to love Ethan and Vanessa!
This book took so serious turns and does have a lot of graphic violence and TONS of spice.
It is a dark mafia romance so that is to be expected.
The story here is very interesting and I couldn't put it down! I finished the book in less than a 24 hour span.
Highly recommend and as always, Faye Pierce has done it again!
This book took so serious turns and does have a lot of graphic violence and TONS of spice.
It is a dark mafia romance so that is to be expected.
The story here is very interesting and I couldn't put it down! I finished the book in less than a 24 hour span.
Highly recommend and as always, Faye Pierce has done it again!
June 26, 2022
This book was great! I always love and appreciate the twists that Faye Pierce puts into her books, and this twist did not disappoint. There were sometimes during the book that I didn't feel the chemistry between the main characters as strongly as I did in other parts, but that's probably just me. Overall, a really good book.
June 23, 2022
Great
This book was great with the first few chapters, I couldn't put it down. We have Vannesa who gets kippnapped by the mafia boss. And the story goes from there and boy what a story. Need to read
This book was great with the first few chapters, I couldn't put it down. We have Vannesa who gets kippnapped by the mafia boss. And the story goes from there and boy what a story. Need to read
June 23, 2022
Broken Pawn
He is out for revenge and swore to get even for the murders in his family He kidnapped her and she had secrets but they fell in love and the secrets are uncovered A good story and extended epilogue
He is out for revenge and swore to get even for the murders in his family He kidnapped her and she had secrets but they fell in love and the secrets are uncovered A good story and extended epilogue
July 6, 2022
Ethan
This one really surprised me. Vanessa is a very strong and smart woman. And men think us women weak? Ya'll read this and recognize. One of the best mafia books I have read. The intrigue pulls at you but the passion keeps you reading.
This one really surprised me. Vanessa is a very strong and smart woman. And men think us women weak? Ya'll read this and recognize. One of the best mafia books I have read. The intrigue pulls at you but the passion keeps you reading.
July 7, 2022
good story
Mafia betrayal within the family. Vanessa’s a pawn used by several people. She tries to protect her family from the mafia that wants to kill them. An eye for an eye philosophy. Secrets are exposed and everything changes. Except their love for each other.
Mafia betrayal within the family. Vanessa’s a pawn used by several people. She tries to protect her family from the mafia that wants to kill them. An eye for an eye philosophy. Secrets are exposed and everything changes. Except their love for each other.
July 10, 2022
Totally sucked in
I could not put this down. I'm a sucker for mafia dark romance and most are short. This book was much more enticing and had a good story line with PLENTY of steamy moments.
I could not put this down. I'm a sucker for mafia dark romance and most are short. This book was much more enticing and had a good story line with PLENTY of steamy moments.
June 23, 2022
hot
Great read, if you like bad boys and all that goes with that. 😁 lots of plot twists and hot scenes.
Great read, if you like bad boys and all that goes with that. 😁 lots of plot twists and hot scenes.
June 23, 2022
I liked the dark twists and turns that the story took. Great characters and flow to the story.
June 24, 2022
Fay’s mafia world doesn’t disappoint.
Spice
Secrets
Cocky male who gets what he wants
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Spice
Secrets
Cocky male who gets what he wants
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
July 12, 2022
Broken Pawn
Broken Pawn is Vanessa and Ethan's story of trying a relationship when knee deep in Mafia killing and brutality Exciting, moved a good pace and HOT
Broken Pawn is Vanessa and Ethan's story of trying a relationship when knee deep in Mafia killing and brutality Exciting, moved a good pace and HOT
August 15, 2022
I enjoyed this book...at first I thought Vanessa was going to be a whinny female but it turned out she was smarter and she had her man back. Lots of twist and turns. Love it.
Want to read
April 22, 2023Purch Amz June 20, 2022
September 1, 2023
Awesome book. Kept you wondering what would come next. Loved this book. Great way to find a new author
April 9, 2023
Faye Pierce does it again! I have a not-so-secret love for dark mafia/mafia romance and every time I pick up one of Faye’s books I am instantly obsessed and so completely drawn in by the characters and the drama that I can’t put it down!
Ethan and Vanessa are perfect and there’s little you could say to change my mind. The push and pull of enemies to lovers is always excellent and that punishment scene was 🥵🔥🔥🌶
Absolutely recommend Broken Pawn to anyone looking for a high stakes mafia romance with some extra spice and a touch of betrayal (in more ways than one!)
Ethan and Vanessa are perfect and there’s little you could say to change my mind. The push and pull of enemies to lovers is always excellent and that punishment scene was 🥵🔥🔥🌶
Absolutely recommend Broken Pawn to anyone looking for a high stakes mafia romance with some extra spice and a touch of betrayal (in more ways than one!)
March 13, 2025
Awesome 👍 riveting read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews