Protective Vows

Valverde Mafia #1

by B.B. Hamel

I crave freedom and his marriage bed.
But I can’t have both.

I’m all that’s left of the powerful Greek Florakis mafia. My father and my older brothers were murdered in a yacht explosion off the coast of Crete, and now my family is in tatters.

That’s when Luca Valverde comes for me. He’s six-foot-four, covered in scars and muscles, a hardened killer, and my sworn enemy.

But instead of finishing the job, he takes me home and gives me a a bullet or his wedding ring.

I accept marriage and decide to bide my time until I can put a knife in his back.

When we return to New York, things get complicated. He needs to prove himself to his family after taking a Greek bride, and I’m stuck trying to help my hated husband while also waiting to escape.

Every second I spend in his marriage bed is another second I spend forgetting about my freedom.

His touch is a poison flower and his lips are like honey.

But I’m playing the long game, and in the end, I’m going to win.

Welcome to a brand new mafia family! You’ll love watching hardened Luca break all the rules to keep his new Greek bride Kacia. There’s plenty of steam, plenty of twists, and lots of dirty-talking mafia swagger. As always, it’s a standalone full-length novel with no cliffhanger and a happily-ever-after. Enjoy!

Genres: Mafia Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Dark Romance, Romance, Dark, Smut, Marriage Of Convenience

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2022

About the author

I'm a long time reader, writer, and lover of Romance! Writing is my dream and my passion, and I want to share my stories with you.

I live in the Philadelphia area with my husband and two dogs.

Website: http://www.bbhamel.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bbhamelwriter

Check out my mailing list for updates, giveaways, and more! http://bbhamel.com/signup

Reviews

[april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four "I want to ruin you" stars ☆☆☆☆

This is the first book in B.B. Hamel's new contemporary dark mafia series and man, it was a wild ride! It's chock full of twists and turns, betrayals, and lies.

Kacia Florakis is a fierce Greek mafia princess who lost her entire family to a bombing. She's been locked away from the world for three months while the mafia war is ongoing. She finally decides to wed just so she can be free again.

Luca Valverde is the son of the Don of the Sicilian mafia. Under his fathers orders, he's to kill Kacia. But he takes one look at her and knows she's his. He gives her a choice- marry him or she dies. He's controlling, obsessive, possessive- everything a mafia man should be.

"You’re a pretty little flower, Kacia. Maybe you’ll make a nice toy if you won’t be my wife. But I’ll warn you, I’m not kind to my toys. I don’t take good care of them. I play with them, abuse them, get my pleasure from them and throw them out when I’m finished.”

She eventually agrees to marry him. They both don't trust the other but they're determined to make the marriage work. That's when all the twists and turns start!

"I want to ruin you, little Kacia. I want to break you, spank you, make you hurt and fuck you rough until you come. I want to work you and make you sweat and make you scream. God damn, Kacia, my wife, I need this more than you know.”

I really enjoyed this novel. I didn't expect some of the twists in the story, some of them actually took me by surprise. The spice level in this book is off the charts. I really like how this book is also about acceptance and love- Luca killed the only father figure Kacia has ever known and she finds it hard to forgive him and move on from that. Kacia's family also killed Luca's brother in a horrible way. They both love the other but need to learn how to accept the past and move forward.

"Are you your family, Kacia?”
“No, I’m not.”
“I’m not my family either. I’m Luca, my own man. You’re Kacia, your own woman. That’s all.”
“I don’t know if it’s enough.”
“It’ll have to be.”

Four shining stars!

safety:
virgin heroine
dirty talk/praise/rough sex
no OM/OW
no cheating/sharing
HEA ♡

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars

Tropes : mafia romance, revenge driven, emenies to lovers, anti hero, lust at first sight, J/P H
Ending : HFN
Triggers : violence, d&aths, gore, torture, abuse, mention of kidnapping, murder
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Angst : 🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama : OM (H was the jealous type)
Intimacy details: virgin h, no condom, oral, rough sex, slight dub-con
Standalone/Series : book 1 of an interconnected series (can be read as a standalone)

Hero : Luca Valverde
Heroine: Kacia Florakis

I finished this yesterday but sadly I already forget most of it 🤓. It was good while I read it but nothing special nor memorable for me.

At times I found Luca a bit immature and not as powerful as I would love him to be. Since he’s not the don yet and his dad still pull the strings and the don of the mafia fam.

The plot was okay, revenge, enemies to lovers, hate to love kind of thing ya know. It could be better, then in the end Kacia wanted to be more active in the mafia world when at first she didn’t want to be involved. I get it, she’s already married to Luca which pretty much deep into the crime world and she just wanted to be a part of his world and refused to be seen as a trophy wife only but well… couldn’t she work outside the mafia and lived her dream? I guess nah.

At least they’re expecting according to the epilogue. Overall an okay book.

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Kacia, our heroine, a lot more than Luca. Since I couldn’t really connect with him or understand why he did all he did to marry Kacia… I’m putting this away.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

PRO: I felt it was great that Luca was more patient with Kacia than anyone I can think of. He was a man's man with all the compassion and empathy towards Kacia. CON: Unfortunately, Kacia never saw it that way. I do not know if it was out of pride or fear that she gave Luca such a hard time. She just would not admit to her growing attraction. Even after they had been intimate, Kacia still was on the fence. Sometimes I did not like her character one bit.

Luca never doubted how he felt about Kacia. He proved it over and over again. I felt it was that Kacia thought she knew everything about mafia life because of her family. The problem was she grew up away from mafia life and was in way over her head. This lead to a series of dangerous and idiotic decisions.

In the end Luca was always at her rescue. This is a good book. I would have given this a five star review but for Kacia's character. I feel she never redeemed herself in my eyes.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed
Easy to read
Parts felt realistic
Tragic
Scary
Suspenseful

[Bonny Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love BB Hamel stories - 4.5 stars

This is the first book in the Valverdi Mafia duet. (Not sure if there will be a 3rd). Book 1 tells the story of Luca Valverdi and Kacia Florakis. (Italian and Greek Mafias). Each is a stand-alone and can be read separatel. I didn't read them in order. However, you might get a little more insight into the main characters in book two if you read this one first, as they are introduced in this book and events occur that affect both.

Kacia, the daughter of the head of the Florakis family; the man responsible for stopping the wars between the various Greek mafia families in Crete and uniting them, under his rule, into a cohesive consortium leading them all to profitability. Unlike her brothers, Kacia's had nothing to do with the family business. Sent to school in the states, she choose to stay after graduating. During a short visit home, her father and brothers are murdered in a boat explosion. But who is responsible? The Italian's with whom they've been at war? The Russian's for a deal going sour? One of the Greek families in a bid to usurp control? The who doesn't matter. As the only living Florakis, her life is now in danger and she is in hiding ... from those who want to finish the job and kill the last remaining Florakis and those who want to use her as a pawn in their own bid for control.

Luca, eldest son and a capo in his father's Italian mafia famiglia. He is sent to kill her, the only living member of the Florakis family, to avenge the brutal death of his younger brother and to assure the demise of the Greek consortium. He has yet to be named his father's heir and to earn that right, obeys every order, every command, to show his loyalty, obedience and prove hs worth ... until her... the only living member of the Florakis family. The moment he has her in his sight, hebfinds he is unable to complete the task. He wants her for himself. He gives her a choice, marriage to him or death. She agrees to the marriage thinking to bide her time until she can kill him and/ or escape.

Thus begins their journey. Her's to plan her escape and live her own life free of the mafia men who want to control her for their own ends. His, to win her over and prove he is not like her father, or his; all while protecting her from those who oppose their union and would rather see her dead, including some close to him. Throw in the Russians who stand to loose if the Greeks and Italians make peace and you have for some hairy, dangerous situations.

I loved that it was Colpo di fulmine ... what Sicilans call love at first sight, thunderstruck ... (literally struck by lightening). Its obvious, throughout, how he feels even though he never said the words till the end. For her, the attraction is there and she wants to believe, but past experience makes it hard for her to trust. Great story, loved the characters. A few minor typo, easy to over look. Love BB Hamel stories! 4.5 stars.

[Charlene Gaskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

BB Hamel is an author that you can count on to get the entire story out in one book. Others stories with supporting characters may get their story, but overall those stories are considered their own standalone.

Kacia and Luca's story had a different twist to it and was well written. Both characters were well developed with a story that took several different twists and turns that both characters were forced to follow. I liked how this story wasn't the usual "revenge/forced marriage" trope. The originality surrounding Kacia's and Luca's story was very noteworthy and intriguing.

The author did an excellent job in developing Kacia's character. She wasn't the usual submissive, hook in her nose character who became so enamored with sex and Luca's good looks that she threw everything to the wind. She was tough and smart and everything I like in a female heroine. I am so over too much BDSM or insta-love female characters who lose their identity after they have been f.....ked the first time and are held hostage by the big d......k.

Luca was everything I like in a MMC, he was tough and deadly when he needed to be and soft and sweet; a character that possessed a heart. I like Mafia anti-hero's who are capable of being both men in a novel. Some authors try to turn their MMC into good guys by books' end but it's often a hard sell. Luca crossed so many lines to keep Kacia, even proving to his hard-nosed father that what he accomplished was commendable. I can't say that I would have liked to see daddy dearest get a bullet but by books' end, he became (barely) tolerable. Great story that was well done with an original storyline and characters I immediately connected with.

[Klaudija Lovković]

Dnf…insta love.

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Coming

[elara · Rating 4 out of 5]

need me a luca valverde

[Alishia Agati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. Some spelling mistakes but easy to look past.

[Tabatha Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author is typically a pretty solid read for me so I’m off kilter here. Most of the books I’ve read by BB Hamel have been reliably consistent 4-5 stars. I think this is first that hasn’t quite done it for me. This isn’t a bad read, it’s fine, it just felt like it was missing something.

You get a bit of instalust here. H decides immediately he doesn’t want to kill h. He wants to keeps her instead necessitating a marriage. Rival mafia families and she’s the last of her family. Literally none of H’s family is supportive of him marrying her. So she’s literally only safe with him.

H was big talk about them having sex but ultimately wasn’t particularly pushy. He goes down on her several times through the book but is content to wait. Ultimately this is more of a slow burn in the sex department. I usually note precise percentage but forgot. It’s closer to 70% I think. I was bored from waiting.

Ultimately H lets h go without a fight at the worst time and for nothing. TSTL h willingly prances into what is CLEARLY a trap with a big neon sign flashing above it and then is shocked it was a trap *shocked pikachu face*. So ridiculous.

Push away from h
No OW/OM drama
No cheating
No scenes with others
Brief separation when H lets h go and then has to rescue her idiotic ass
No cliffhanger
HEA

Safety - I’d call this safe. When gives herself to the enemy because she’s a complete moron they intend to force her to marry a sleaze bag who is threatening her with the joys of being his imprisoned wife within moments of meeting her. The air headed h is rescued before she paid any consequence for being TSTL.

[Dawn's Diary · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 🌟

[romancelibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

When Kacia's entire family is slaughtered by the Italian mafia, she's the only person left in the Greek Florakis mafia. Her enemy Luca Valverde gives her a choice: a bullet or his wedding ring.

I love the concept of having no choice but to marry the enemy. Kacia is feisty and she fights back. She immediately chooses the bullet, but Luca doesn't let her make that choice 🤣 Neither Kacia nor Luca is annoying. And their chemistry is 🔥

It's so interesting how Kacia is caught between the Greek world and the Italian world. The stakes are so high! And on top of that, she is married to the man who killed her family 🙈 It's messed up. But it works. The storytelling and the chemistry kept my attention. I would've given this book a solid 4 star rating, but the ending was too rushed for my liking.

I can't wait for the next book!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/30/2023)! 🎁

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

PROTECTIVE VOWS is the first instalment in BB Hamel’s contemporary, adult VALVERDE MAFIA dark, erotic, Mafia series. This is heir to the Valverde Mafia throne Luca Valverde, and twenty-three year old, Greek Mafia princess Kacia Florakis’ story line.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers

Told from dual first person perspectives (Kacia and Luca) PROTECTIVE VOWS follows in the aftermath of the murder of Kacia Florakis’ entire family. Three months earlier, Kacia’s father, and two brothers were murdered in a yacht explosion blamed on the Italian mob. Hiding in Greece, with her father’s one-time guardian, Kacia quickly discovers not all is at it appears to be when she becomes the prisoner of the heir to the Italian mob. Sentenced to death for the sins of her father, Kacia has a choice to make- a bullet or marriage- and our heroine is quickly leaning to one side more than the other. Marriage may protect her from immediate harm, but there are others waiting in the wings, to destroy what’s left of the Florakis family, in an effort to take control of everything left behind. What ensues is the building but forbidden romance and relationship between Kacia and Luca, and the fall-out as the fight for control leads to a potential war with the Russian Bratva.

Luca Valverde has his orders, and his order are to kill Kacia Florakis but something about Kacia begins to melt the ice around Luca’s heart, a heart that has been frozen since the murder of his younger brother. Wanting revenge against the Greeks for destroying his family, Luca takes aim at our story line heroine only to discover she is an innocent in a war between Mafia families. Kacia has no idea as to the extent of her family’s sins, and our heroine is about to pay the price for the darkness that has followed wherever she goes. Choosing to live, Kacia is forced into a marriage of convenience, a marriage that is seen as both good and evil within the families fighting for control.

The relationship between Kacia and Luca is predicated upon duty; a forced marriage that will hopefully save Kacia’s life but a marriage based on blood and death. Luca knows that to force Kacia could mean a life without love, without the support of his family, and the possibility of facing his own mortality at the hands of his father but Luca sees an opportunity to take back control, and gain the power the Valverde family needs. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and seductive.

We are introduced to Kacia’s guardian Perico, and her best friend Adrienne; the Valverde capos Tony, Nicolla and Fio,Mafia security forces; Luca’s father, Don Roberto Valverde; as well as head of the Greek Mafia in America Yiannis Calimeris: Russian Damir Novalov.

PROTECTIVE VOWS is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and retaliation, secrets and lies, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is gritty and intriguing; the romance is captivating; the characters are determined, desperate and dynamic.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part of the Valverde Mafia Series each book can be read as a standalone yet connect via the characters each with its own overprotective guy and the women who claims his heart so buckle up this is a wild ride, dangerous men, alpha’s personified, possessive, oh, so gorgeous, brooding all the makings of a story consisting with three D’s (dark, delicious, and dirty) 😊. There will be suspense, betrayal, death, darkness, secrets reveled, violence, hope, forgiveness, and maybe even love (ALL THINGS TO EXPECT FROM THE MAFIA WORLD). By the time you’ve figured out who is who and what is what, you’re already hooked, and you may as well give up the fight and prepare yourself for an all-nighter!
CAN’T SAY YOU WEREN’T WARNED!!!!!!
Kacia is intelligent, the daughter of head of Greek Mafia, has lived in a beautiful but cruel cage in Greece with her a cruel father, cruel brothers, finally able to get away going to the states for school, and after graduating she lives in her own apartment, works a job trying to find how to deal with her childhood and learn to be happy but by not knowing the crimes of her father, her brothers puts her at a disadvantage when they are killed in a bombing leaving her to deal or hide in that case. Luca sexy as all get out sent to kill Kacia, the moment he shows takes one look he knows he isn’t going, or he can’t kill her and to protect her or so he tells himself he kidnaps her with one choice marry him or die. She is having issues with him yes; she feels attraction to him, but he killed her family now she is forced to marry the man who killed her family no matter how cruel they were they were still her family. Luca father his Don steps in forcing the decision three months to decided or he makes the decision for them both basically killing her himself. After learning a little more about each other that attraction grown, the magnetic pull is too strong for either of the to ignore so they give in one night but when he wakes she is gone upon learning she went to help her friend and then being taken by someone who really do mean her harm forcing his hand despite the law his father laid he is going to get his wife but will the Don help, why was she taken, does he get her back if so can they find common ground of respect, and can they find happiness?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protective Vows is book one in Valverde Mafia. A dark mafia romance. This is Luca and Kacia story. A full-length standalone novel with no cliffhanger or cheating and guarantee happily-ever-after. It's an enemies-to-lovers romance, hate-to-love vibes, forced marriage, forced proximity, revenge, mayhem, attacks, emotions, mob war, enemies, drama, suspense, deception, secrets, lies, lust, losses steamy as F$# K, passion, dirty talking, suspense, tragedies, pain, danger, darkness, mystery, madness, surprises, survival, heartaches, revelations, mafia romance, anger, so damn angst, action, pack, murder, bloodshed, lots of twists and turns, violence, betrayals, hatred, resentment, rivalry, and love. It's gripping, dark, twisted and gut-wrenching. A smartly crafted story with well developed characters that captivate you from the start and was completely hooked. It was utterly addictive and unputdownable.
Kacia Florakis is a sheltered mafia princess of the Greek Florakis Mafia Famiglia. She doesn't want any part of the mafia life. She craves freedom but she's locked away inside a glided cage. After the brutal massacre of Kacia father and brothers by the Valverde Mafia family she was forced into hiding with the only person that she could trust, her father second in command Perico at the family house in Crete. Her father and brothers were murdered in a yacht explosion off the coast of Crete. Her family is now in tatters and now she's the only surviving member of the Florakis Family. Luca Valverde of the Valverde famiglia a harden killer came to finish the job. He kill Perico but instead of finishing the job. He take her home and gives her a choice: a bullet or his wedding ring, so she chose his ring instead.
The thing is she despise him their families are enemies. When they get back to New York things gets complicated. Luca had to prove himself to his family after he has taken a Greek bride. She stuck by his side trying to fight the enemies. Will they survive and get their HEA?

I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Protective Vows” is the first book in the new ‘Valverde Mafia’ series by author B.B. Hamel. It’s a dark Mafia romance.

Luca Valverde is the heir to his family’s Mafia Empire and is as brutal and ruthless as someone in that position must be. When he’s tasked with wiping out the last surviving member of a rival Greek Mafia family, he expects it to be as simple as eliminating any other enemy, if not easier because the target is a 23-year-old Mafia princess. Kacia Florakis lived in America most of her life. She grew up there from the time she was young, went to college, had a career, and a life. Her father and brothers were brutal men, but they were family. Back in Greece because they were murdered, she finds herself in situations she never imagined facing. When men break into her family home and obliterate everyone, it’s not long before a gun is put to her head. But he doesn’t pull the trigger. And neither of them quite understands why. As the story unfolds, Luca tries to figure out why he feels so compelled to protect her from everyone who has her in their crosshairs. Kacia tries to figure out her own feelings, and Luca’s motivations. In the meantime, they have to navigate complicated.

Luca and Kacia are intensely attracted to one another physically, although both of them are confounded by that. Their steamy connection lights up the pages. I admit that Kacia was irritating after certain point because no matter what Luca did, it never seemed to be enough to convince her of his feelings. I like the ending of the story, after she finally realized the truth. I was glad to see them get their happy conclusion and hope to see them appear again in the next book of the series.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily sharing my thoughts and opinions. I also purchased a copy.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first story in Valverde Mafia Series and we meet Kacia whose family runs the Greek Mafia in Greece but she’s been sent to the States for her education and after college gets a job and apartment living her life away from her cruel father and brothers who help run the business. Kacia has been sheltered from all the horrible things they’ve done so when her father and brothers end up dead from a bomb she’s in hiding with the only man whose shown her love, Perico. When Luca is sent to kill Kacia he finds her killing all the men including Perico. When Luca’s eye meet Kacia he knows he can not end her life and ends up taking her against her wishes giving her a choice to marry him or die. Kacia finds herself attracted to Luca but can not settle how he’s killed her family. When they arrive in NY their enemies come after them hoping to end her life and marriage. Luca’s father the Don is not happy and gives them 3 months to make a deal and if not he’ll end Kacia’s life. They discover truths both good and bad about one another and end up spending a wonderful night together only for Kacia to leave tthe next day to save her best friend, Adrienne, Kacia falls into the clutches of a cruel enemy and Luca makes a decision to go get his wife no matter the orders given by the Don. These two grow into a unstoppable couple with respect and love between them. I look forward to the next story in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brandi-Lynn Weiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always get so excited when I get another BB Hamel books to read! She’s never disappointed and always writes really good mafia books with possessive and controlling men! And her newest book- Protective Vows didn’t disappoint either!

Kacia is a sheltered 23 year old that’s been living in CA while her vicious family runs the Florakis Greek mafia in Greece. Her father is cruel, he blamed her for her mother dying in childbirth. So when they’re suddenly killed and Kacia is left with her fathers right hand man, Perico, to care for her, she’s not unhappy. He was always a father figure to her. But they’ve been in hiding for 3 months when Luca and his men storm her house, killing everyone including Perico. They’ve come to kill her too, except Luca can’t do it. So he takes her, and gives her the choice- marry him or die. Kacia thinks all she can do is marry him and bide her time. She’ll never love the man that’s killed the only father figure she ever had. But once they return to NY, the enemies come out and aren’t happy about them being married. Plus Kacia learns some things that has her questioning things. But when her best friend is kidnapped and the kidnapper tell her she needs to choose between her friend or her marriage to Luca. Kacia does the only thing she thinks is right. Only Luca isn’t quite ready to let his wife go. He’s fallen in love her.

[Jen ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is so good.

kacia is feisty, stubborn, and strong-willed. she doesn't backdown and stands up for herself like a real good mafia daughter/wife. protective and a good friend. an equal partner luca deserve. i'm glad that she's not a doormat heroine which is somehow common with mafia romance.

luca, luca, luca what can i say? he's stubborn like kacia. no wonder they clash most of the time. but he really is a good husband. protective and possessive. i like that he always stands up for her even when she's being difficult at times. the way how he argues with his father when the old man wouldn't stop insulting/threatening his wife. the way how he's patient and careful of her. it was love at first for him. i love that he falls first and that he never give up and fought to have her back.

the banter and relationship development was something portrayed beautifully in this book. this also falls to slow burn romance. i think the first time they slept was around 60% of the book. the way how they acknowledge their feelings and how they both realized it was a mistake letting go each other was something else. i love them both.

looking forward to the second book of this series.

[Nic D · Rating 5 out of 5]

his flower

I definitely recommend reading your trigger warnings If that kind of stuff bothers you. This book does get dark at times. However, what can you expect from a mafia romance.

From the start you see Kacia’s need for freedom only for her to be given the option of bu11et or his ring. And then she’s trapped again, but in a different way, this time with a bit more freedom. She doesn’t realize that his protection saves her life more than once. Instead, she rebels, biding her time until the day she decides she no longer wants that life.

Luca is very epitome of a good soldier he does what he’s told never diverts from orders until he sees her. That’s when he decides she might be worth more to him. Before long, he starts disobeying orders and doing things to protect her like using himself as a shield. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks as long as she is his.

The two of them a lot of ups and downs a lot of resentment, but a lot of chemistry. I wish there was more steam, but there was enough to satisfy. Honestly, it was a great book 1st one this year that I’ve rated five stars. Can’t wait to see more from these two in future books in this series.

5 out of 5
🌶️ 🌶️

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is entertaining. It was easy to enjoy the drama surrounding these families, and the dangers of Mafia life.

As is the norm with this author, this one contains everything we need and want in a Mafia read:
Bloody conflicts, family betrayals, shaky alliances and tests of loyalties. I'm not sure I actually buy into a Greek Mafia family idea but it's entertaining all the same.

Luka and Kacia have steamy chemistry and scenes that are easy to read. What begins pretty rough for her turns into exactly what she (and he) needs. I appreciated how their relationship changed over time, and the HEA for them.

There were a few things that bugged me throughout the read, but overall, this kept me flipping pages and happily wrapped up in their world until the end.

This is a stand-alone, but loosely tied to the Blackwoods school (it's referenced), and it would be beneficial to understand why this matters.
Not a have-to, just a suggestion.

I liked this one and recommend reading this, and her numerous other creative works.
I received my free ARC from Booksprout and I voluntarily leave my review.

[ljamison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe I have read every BB Hamel book, but Protective Vows is undeniably my favorite book of hers. This is saying a lot, since she has some great books.
In this book we have Kacia, who father was the head of the Greek Mafia who is killed along with her brothers. She is now alone with a few men to protect her. Luca is with the Italian mafia and he was given orders to kill her and all the men protecting her. However, when Luca see Kacia he is stunned, he is instantly attracted to her and can’t imagine killing her and not having her. Defying orders is a big problem for Luca and Kacia when they come back to the Valverde Famiglia in New York.
Luca is absolutely everything we want our male hero to be strong, loyal, confident and a total alpha. Kacia surprised me by being brave, strong and not a weak spineless heroine.
These two are so great together they compliment each other. The attraction sizzles off the pages. I especially enjoyed the dialogue between the two of them. As expected there are lots of sexy, steamy moments in this book. I truly enjoyed this book I read it in one day.

[CherylB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a start of a new mafia arc in B.B. Hamel’s ever expanding mafia world. It features Kacia Florakis. The only surviving member of her Greek clan. Her father held all the Greek warlords in an alliance with the Russian Bratva. But her father and two brothers are killed when their yacht is blown up in the Mediterranean Sea. Now she is almost killed by the scion of the Valaverde Famiglia, Luca. He is supposed to kill her. But one look and he can’t pull the trigger. Instead he shoots one of his own men for trying to complete their mission. So he takes her captive and gives her a choice. A bullet or a ring. He convinces her to take the ring. And this starts them off into an adventure with lots of danger. And enough plot twists and steamy encounters to keep you reading late into the night. Ms. Hamel always delivers an exciting and original tale. I did receive an advance copy for my honest review.

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Life Changing Vacation -
Kacia couldn’t believe her quiet life had turned into a shite show, after she found herself married to her assassin. Luca was ordered to find Kacia and kill her, but everything changed the moment he laid eyes on her. She may have married him under duress, but spending time with him started to build her affection towards him. Unfortunately, an enemy of her deceased father kidnapped her and she finally acknowledged her love for Luca when he rescued her.

This is a captivating romance story about a young woman finding love in the least expected way and gaining the strength to fight for what she didn’t know she wanted. If you are looking for a book that will have you hooked from the first page and take you on one heck of a wild ride, because you won't want to put it down, then this is the book you should get.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greek Mafia princess Kacia Florakis’ whole family was murdered by the Italian mafia three months ago. Ever since she’s been captive in her father’s house for her protection. Italian Luca Valverde is out for revenge his mission is to kill and destroy everything and everyone Florakis’, but he takes one look at Kacia and he decides he has another plan than to kill the beautiful young woman. His father the Don of the Italian mafia goes ballistic and needs convincing, or she’s dead! I love how Luca has one question for her she has two options a bullet or a ring. Now what girl can resist the romantic jester from the wicked handsome Luca? I love this captivating story and the interaction between them, it volatile, I love the witty banter between them, the chemistry is hot. There is a few twists and turns as the secrets and lies are revealed. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kacia never wanted in the family life and was happily living away, until her family was killed in an explosion, everyone but her. Kacia knew when her only father figure said she needed to marry to save the family she didn’t really have a choice, she was the only one left.
Kacia thought they were safe, they had been for a while, then Luca comes in and kills the only father figure she really knew, he was meant to kill her but gives her a choice marry him or she can die.
Luca doesn’t know what it is about Kacia, but he just can’t pull the trigger, he gives her a choice, a choice that he knows will cost him with his family, he’s going against his father the Don, but he can’t let Kacia go.
Kacia knows she can bide her time then leave; she even lets Luca know this. Somewhere between trying to make deals and standing by Luca for business Kacia can’t stop thinking about him, he’s done everything she asked and been so patient with her, but could it be real or is she just imagining it.

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Smokes - Loved This!!

In the midst of a mafia war. Greek Kasia Florakis has lost her father and brothers as their yacht blew up. She has been living in CA and not involved in the family business. When Italian Luca Valverde is sent to kill her; instead he gives her a choice. She can die as ordered, or marry him.

There is definite chemistry, but is that enough to base a marriage on. He suggests she marry him to “live another day”. Then bide her time and ultimately stick a knife in his back to escape. Luca is actually quite charming, and treats her well.

There are many upset at their marriage. Many mafia factions up in arms. Trouble with the relationship. Emotional, romantic, action-packed and all wonderful aspects that one usually finds in stories from this stellar author.

***** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book *****

[Susanh · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Italian/Greek mafia romance

As a female, Kacia has never been appreciated by her Greek mafia family. So much so that her father and brothers didn’t think to invite her to their fishing outing. Which is the thing that saved her life. Now they’re all dead and her guardian wants to make an alliance through marriage for her with another family. When their compound is attacked by the people claiming to have killed the rest of her family, instead of killing her, she’s taken captive to New York. Will she ever be free?

Luca hates Kacia’s family; her guardian killed his younger brother and sent him back piece by piece. When he finally catches up to Kacia, instead of killing her on the spot, he takes her for himself. He’s even surprised himself. Now he needs to convince everyone that this is a good idea. But is it?