Encrypting My Heart

The Lucinio Family #3

by Melony Ann

My entire life, I knew I was gay. The problem was, I didn’t want to admit it to myself. So, I didn’t. I dated women. A lot of them. I was even in a long term relationship with one. But I could never get off unless I was thinking about a guy. Well, let’s be honest here.

One guy. One. My best friend, Lance.

We’ve worked together in the Lucinio Mafia for years. We’re close. He’s out, and he’s proud of it. It’s something I’ve always admired and secretly loved about him.

Just when I start to feel comfortable with myself and we’re ready to reveal our relationship, though, chaos in the form of a sixteen-year-old girl whirls into our life, turning it upside down and backwards. She needs our help. We need her light.

But with her comes a Texas sized tornado of mayhem and a lot of questions that beg to be answered. I’m just not convinced we’ll get those answers before the twister licking at our heels swallows us all whole…
Content
- Mafia Romance
- Dark Themes
- MM Romance
- Physical Violence
- Graphic Violence
- Mentions of Child Illness

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2023

About the author

Melony Ann began writing short stories and poetry as a child. She continued honing her craft over the years until she took the plunge and began publishing her work, despite having severe anxiety.

Melony is an award winning author, winning a coveted Firebird Award, and writes contemporary romance stories that are full of suspense and a lot of steam.

When she isn’t writing, she is loving her family and working to make her life something she deserves.

Melony believes that if her writing can inspire just one person, then all of her hard work is worth it.

Her hope is that her writing allows each and every one of her readers to escape for a little while. To dive into a different world one book at a time.

Reviews

[D.L. Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This is by far my favorite of the series!

I love these boys and how affectionate they are. I adore that they pined for each other while Damon figured himself out. I only wish I could’ve had the story from the beginning, at least been there that fateful night in Vegas.

Then two became three when they met Rosie and fell in love with her. They did everything in their power to both protect her and then make her the daughter of their hearts.

And then let me tell you how much I loved to hate that b, Rosie’s mother. This woman wins the worst mother award and then some. But the revenge was sweet, even if I would’ve preferred Rosie getting in on the action.

Speaking of action, bravo Mel! I’m obsessed with all the brutality and violence you’ve added to this one. If I had one critique about her mafia books, it would’ve been more violence and you gave me exactly what I was hoping for. 🔥🙌

And as always the steam was absolutely chef’s kiss! 💋

[E.L. Ough · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this is my first book in the series even though it’s book 3 as the others are MF and I only read MM. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to follow the book as I didn’t know all side characters back story’s. But I really enjoyed this book! There was enough info on the characters that I felt like I had enough basic back ground and could understand their roles within the family dynamic.

This is a book about two men late 30’s who married in vegas (thinks this may have happened in book 2) but one was still struggling with coming out to his family, so they pretended to be friends. They are both part of the lucinios mafia and they belong to a big family, they help each other out and support each other to keep the bad guys off the streets.

I loved the violence and brutality on the mafia side of business but on the family side they share all the love.

Lance had me going for a hot minute when he become sick and all the emotions come out, but the connection him and Damon had was amazing, I loved the caring side of both of them and the pining when one was not around and the spice was great!!

We’re not just knights we are lucinios!!! Love that line!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Book content-

❣️Husbands pretending to be friends
❣️Mafia
❣️Adopted daughter
❣️Found family
❣️Violence
❣️Coming out
❣️In sickness and In health

[AddictedToReadingRomance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally Lance and Damon are here!!!

Finally Lance and Damon are here. I’ve been waiting for their story since forever (I’m being dramatic I know lol). I love them so much, the passion, the fire and all the love between then is so good and amazing. I love their parental instincts with Rosie is amazing to witness. She’s the perfect daughter for them. The darkness, the mystery, all the suspense is so yummy to read. And obviously all both mafias, The Crane and The Lucinio’s they are absolutely perfection! Josh Alex Ryan, they are my favorites. Can’t wait for Josh story, my heart is still broken for him.

[Mariam]

i really dont think i can get enough of melonys books this one i no exception. the lucinios are just as amazing as the crane and i am falling in love with them the same way i did with the cranes always is amazing. this story is heartbreaking one but the way they instantly accepted rosie into their family melts my heart. she fits perfectly into their family amazing story by an amazing author.

[Crystal Kaiser, PA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Melony Ann has got me from the jump start!!! I'm so glad that Lance and Damon are finally getting their happy ever after!!! I love how this family rallies around each other no matter the circumstances. I love the fact that Lance has always been confident in his sexuality and that he allowed Damon to come to his own conclusion in his own time!!! This makes it all the more special. I got a kick out of everyone already semi-knowing they had a thing for one another when they thought they played it cool. Just shows that their love couldn't not shine through for one a other.

I hate the fact Rosie has been through so much at such a young age BUT love that she is now with Lance and Damon and that these big bad mafia family welcomed her with open arms and into the family easily!!!

I hate the fact Lance thought he had to keep his medical issues a secret from the family, but so glad it came out and how they showed him nothing can break this family!!! The way they supported him even with just "flu" shows the love this family possesses.

Damon and Lance I absolutely adore and love the trials they seem to face even though they aren't "major" they are still trials all the same and make their love grow even more and stronger!

Kudos Melony Ann again for a phenomenal read and I absolutely adore you and your stories😘

[Danielle Van Den Heever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly Melony is my go to author for Mafia romance books!

With this third instalment in the Lucinio Family series she has done it again and I am in love with it!
we briefly get introduced to the main characters, Damon and Lance, in her previous books and I will say I am not disappointed getting to dive into their side of the story.

Listen Damon has to be my favourite as it feeds into my dark side just as much as Gavin did and it gives me chills because I loved every cold hearted torture moment, bad to say but hey!

The love that Damon and Lance have is so sweet it may give you a toothache and most definitely want what they have and its beautiful to see them both finally accept themselves fully and their relationship and come out to there family, officially, who are always so supportive and happy for them and called it from the get go.
It is beautiful to see them build a family with Rosie, and of course I always love seeing the WHOLE family rally together once again to protect their own and face the oncoming threats!

I cannot wait for the next book in this series, who ever it may be about. I have my fingers crossed that is is Josh, and can't wait to see how that feeds more into my dark side!

[Laureys · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a new book from the Lucinio Family series. ENCRYPTING MY HEART written by Melony Ann. First you should read the whole series because it's just a fantastic family with a lot of romance, danger, humor and a lot of loyalty just great for a mafia family. But now about the new book finally Lance our cute IT man for everything he who always had an eye on Damon and is now also married to him. Am Happy for him he really deserves that!! And then Damon who sometimes dated women at first but still felt inside him that it doesn't feel right. And actually had one eye on Lance but was afraid to be free with his feelings than Lance. But that all changes in 1 night when they wake up with a ring on their finger and are married. Now it's only up to Damon to be as free as Lance with his feelings and after coming out will he do it? Together they will be able to show their love to the outside world and also say that they are married. And then of course they have an important job "Rosie" 16 year old girl that they have to protect, but this job will be a whole life's work for these two darlings of men. Definitely read you will enjoy it!!!!

[SusieQ_Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Encrypting My Heart, the third installment in The Lucinio Family Series by author Melony Ann is an MM Mafia romance. While I enjoyed the overall story arch and unexpected plot twists, this one didn’t push my emotional buttons like most of Melony’s books usually do. Part of this is because I am not a fan of overly graphic violence. It will color a story for me because I usually cannot get gory scenes out of my head. Hey, I’m sensitive that way. Some of the smexy scenes read as repetitive to me. Maybe that’s because I am heterosexual, and others may view them differently. I would have liked more of a window into the same sex couple adoption process. As well as more scenes with Damon, Lance and Rosie interacting that did not involve drama.

I received an E-ARC from the author and this is my honest review.

[S Balderas · Rating 5 out of 5]

So there are spoilers so if you don't want to know then skip.


So this just like all the others where just as amazing as the pervious. Who could go wrong with Lance and Damon. We saw the upside and downs they had to go through in all of the books to be together. But when Damon decided to just suck it up and let everyone know when he was so afraid of rejection had my heart. Then when they said about time and that was it for me. Damon and Lance's friends had their back through everything. I laughed and cried through this one. 💯 recommend this book. But read the first 2 before or you will not understand the dynamic of this group.

[Jess | dapper.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good mafia romance series. This spin off from the Crane Family never disappoints.

This installment we have Lance and Damon starting out as married couple but they’ve kept it from the family until Rosie ends up back in their lives in a rather dramatic fashion.

The case that the families are working on has the usual air of dramatics for a mafia romance but our boys find plenty of time to show each other how important they are to each other. The spice is on point and doesn’t interfere with the plot and I am here for it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jodi Langan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can’t get enough of this series!! Another great book by Melony. It was filled with romance and action; I loved the balance between the two. The action kept you on the edge of your seat and the romance was spicy! I loved it!

I seriously want more books in this series. I had such a great time reading this book and the others in the series. I can’t wait to read more from Melony! If you love romance and action, you will definitely love this book/series. I highly recommend checking out her books!

[Kayla Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes!!!

I have been waiting for this book and let me just say, it didn’t disappoint.

The description of every scene takes you into the story. I could see everything that was happening as I was reading it. I could feel their love as it was being described.

Throughout this book you feel many different emotions. Especially with Lance. He is the one that will bring you close to tears. Damon really surprised me. In the previous books I didn’t see him as such a twisted character. I loved the change though.

Melony Ann has done it yet again. I can’t wait to see what her next book brings.

[Alyssa Skaggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has some triggers so make sure you are aware before reading this book. I loved it and the love between Damon and Lance is hot, heavy, and steamy! They are an amazing couple who fight for their adoptive daughter when she is kidnapped, they are just amazing and really made this book what it was.

[Anneke Boshoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book in this mafia series. I have loved Lance and Damon from the start. The love they share and the protectiveness they have to each other and the people they love is swoon worthy. This is a book that I would recommend if you want an edge of your seat mafia romance. It makes you fall in love with the characters.

[Linda MARIE Pankow · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

But here's why...

I have loved getting to know all these characters over the years. I look forward to getting to know even more of them as this series grows. There is always so much adventure and love in every book. 🥰

[Sanri Du · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am sorry to say but I did not enjoy this one in the series.

I had to stop halfway and could not bring myself to finish it.

I did, however, enjoy getting to know the characters better & the developing story line.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh My Goodness! Melony Ann has written a Masterpiece.  Encrypting My Heart is Exceptionally written and developed Wonderfully. Damon and Lance's story has somany twists and turns it's crazy. The love they have for each other is Exciting to read about. This Mafia Series is by far my favorite.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is just simply amazing... Love is love... No matter what. Some twists and turns but it had me entertained and turning the pages quickly to see what happened next. Can't wait to read the next book in this series..

[Lauren L. Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great five star read from Melony. This story is so addicting in all the best ways. The romance and love and steamy, I loved every page of this story. It's just making the whole series so much better. Go on, pick up this series, you won't regret it

[Nicole Scarborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the others I couldn't put this down. Lance and Damon deserved this and deserve each other.

[Alyssa Skaggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the characters and how this book was written. You can never go wrong reading a book by this author.