I don’t dance with the Devil. I dance with his shadow instead.
Joseph Grayson is a cartel enforcer. A killer. A man who holds his secrets in his chilly gray-blue eyes, as if they’ve been frozen into place and nothing can defrost them.
I was just another job to him, but when he rescued me from a cage in Amsterdam something jolted between us. There was a touch. Words... A promise I can't recall, because I make it my business not to remember much of anything anymore.
I tried to run from his obsession, following a trail of the dead, from Miami all the way to Colombia. Now I've fallen into darkness again, and he's the only one I see.
Caught up in a cartel war. Trapped between love and hate. One night will change everything…
*The Grayson Duet is a heart-stopping, enemies to lovers mafia romance with NO cliff-hanger and a guaranteed HEA. For mature readers only.
**This collection features the complete duet PLUS bonus material.
Catherine Wiltcher is a USA Today and Amazon Top 15 bestselling romance author. Her books include The Santiago Series and the Cristo Sinners World.
In 2017, Catherine wrote her first book while undergoing cancer treatment. These days, she writes flawed and dangerous characters who always fall hard for their women, whatever the cost.
She lives in the U.K. with her husband, their two young daughters, and their crazy spaniel, Bella.
Santiago World: The Santiago Trilogy Collection: -Hearts of Darkness -Hearts Divine -Hearts on Fire The Grayson Duet Collection: -Shadow Man -Reckless Woman Devils & Dust Lovers & Liars (coming soon) Rush & Ruin, Parts 1 & 2
Cristo Sinners World: Black Skies Riviera A London Villain The Viper (coming soon) TBAT (coming soon)
The Castillo Empire: (coming soon)
Corrupt Gods World/Next Generation: Born Sinner Bad Blood Tainted Blood City of Thieves Rush & Ruin, Parts 1 & 2
Coming face-to-face with her ever-present demons, Anna panics and hops on the first plane taking off.
An unexpected camaraderie with a local smuggling drugs leads her straight into a fresh heII she could’ve never seen coming.
Joseph and Luna’s story is simultaneously heartbreaking and intense. It’s action-packed with an all-consuming plot.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Darkness: 🖤 Heat: 🌶️🌶️ Range of Emotions: 😩😬🤬🥵😳 Ending: 🧗🏻♀️ {Cliffy} POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Mafia Romance
✨ Tropes: Alphahole, Tracking, Touch-Her-and-💀
💋 Kinks: n/a
⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave you wanton.
🚩 Safety Squad: There are triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Shadow Man is part of the Grayson duet and ends on a cliffhanger. This series must be read in order.
🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔
Reckless Woman
Targeted as part of a revenge plot, Anna has found herself up to her eyeballs in cartel business she wants no part of.
Always her rock, Joseph continues to keep her safe, but emotionally, he’s drifting.
Each with layers of trauma, both Joseph and Anna have been broken by their pasts. Yet when their present threatens to destroy everything they’ve worked toward, they double down and learn how to lean on one another.
Catherine has, once again, created a story in which she weaves suspense and action with relatable characters. It’s an intensely emotional and satisfying conclusion for the Shadow and his Luna in which we witness secrets unravel, hatchets be buried, new beginnings forged, and hearts heal.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Darkness: 🖤 Heat: 🌶️ Range of Emotions: 😩 Ending: 💗 {HEA} POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Mafia Romance
✨ Tropes: Alphahole, Tracking, Touch-Her-and-💀
💋 Kinks: n/a
⚠️ Warning: This book may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care.
🚩 Safety Squad: There are triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Reckless Woman is the conclusion to the Grayson duet. This series must be read in order.
In the Santiago Trilogy, we come to know Anna as Eve’s best friend who ends up kidnapped and horribly abused. She gets rescued by Joseph but not without mental scaring.
Anna is feeling lost and alone in a world that she no longer feels is the carefree and safe place that she once lived, she feels like she lost her best friend to the devil (Dante Santiago) and ends up being in and out of rehab for her well-being. Joseph has always had an immediate attraction to her and promised himself that he would get her whole again and back to loving life. He’s made it a mission of his. Unfortunately for him, Anna doesn’t want help and ends up running away from Joseph. She lands her ass in Columbia. From there it’s a bit of a shit storm. She made a friend, Val, who gets her into trouble and full blown chaos that she was literally trying to run away from. “Tonight, we’re standing on the wrong side of a line that good girls don’t cross, but I’m guessing neither of us has been one of them for a while. It’s how far we venture into the dark, dark wood beyond that’s the defining question.” Anna and Val both end up on the run from Columbia Cartel and well.. let’s just say it’s full of suspense and chaotic drama. This book was amazing. The twist at the end of the book shook me. I didn’t expect it.
What I loved about this book as we see glimpses of Joseph’s life before he was a US Marine with Dante. And it is pretty dark and heavy and emotional. His childhood wasn’t easy. It wasn’t pretty.
“How can a man as damaged and dangerous as him spin lines like Shakespeare? I believed in every cadence. I rebuilt from them; I forgave him. He reached inside of my chest, took a firm hold of what was left of me, and then sculpted it in his image.” I cannot wait for a book two!
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Book Two: Reckless Woman
If I could give more than five stars I absolutely would. This is probably my favorite author that I’ve recently discovered. I plowed through her entire back list starting with the Santiago trilogy. I need to wait till my eyes dry before I write my full review but everyone needs to start reading this series ASAP! A few days later...
Review:
Where do I start with this one. This entire series is absolute cartel/mafia PERFECTION. I cannot stop thinking about every single character in this world.
Reckless Woman. So this is NOT a standalone. You must read at least Shadow Man but if you want the full picture, and I highly recommend that you read the entire Santiago Trilogy. Just go do it.
In Reckless Woman we are continuing following Anna and Joseph’s’ relationship and we are figuring out what the hell Viviana is playing at.
Joseph is at a dark place mentally. He’s seeing his dead brother speak to him. He’s closing himself up with Anna and putting distance between them both when he’s the one that put Anna back together again after her horrific past (in book one) “I’ve fallen so far so fast these last couple of years, but his sin is the only place I want to land.” One piece of this book is their love story. How dark it had to get for them to eventually find peace. I was bawling in moments in this book. It’s not a perfect journey or ending for them but it’s theirs.
We also have Viviana. I really liked her in book one of this duet. But, book one ended on a huge cliff hanger that she was a traitor and working for the enemy. She’s a huge f***ing b*tch in the book. She got me shaking with her actions. I got it. I understood her point of view. But I hated her.
Of course Dante and his wife Eve are in this book. (My favorite couple ever) His secret island is in every book. It’s the families sanctuary. It gets shaken up though. Dante and Joseph are besties.. although they’ed never use that term. Lol. But conflicts arise where they don’t agree on something very important and I swear I wanted to wring these men’s necks.
Everyone is being manipulated in some form and you don’t know who to trust. Even as a reader, I didn’t see quite a few twists at all. I was genuinely scared Catherine Wiltcher was going to kill off everyone. What she did was bring everything full circle and with a shocking twist that left a bitter sweet ping in my heart, I was bawling happy tears as I closed this book.
This entire series is full of brutal broken men who are on a revenge seeking warpath and along the way, find love. It’s unconventional love. It’s dark, and gritty, and so damn hot.
This series is pretty dark. Tons of carnage. Child sex trafficking. Murder. Mayhem. It’s the damn cartel mixed with mafia and dirty cops.
Trigger: Spoiler: * * * * Early pregnancy loss.
💔 This entire series was full of heartbreak but beautifully written. I’m in awe of Catherine Wiltcher’s way with words. I only recently discovered her and I’ve already shouted from my rooftops recommending her everywhere. I’m buying her books in paperback. I need it all. She’s a gem in the dark romance category.
“I think it’s okay to be broken.” I pull his hand up to my heart and hold it prisoner. “It’s okay to have jagged edges. That way, they can stick to someone else easier. It’s how you make two people whole again.”
“We spin for each other, Joseph. Right out of our respective hells and into each other’s lives.”
Shadow Man: This author sure knows how to mafia!! I have decided to binge a few of her books to make myself feel better, and boy is that kind of a mistake as all adulting has flown out the window for the day and I seem to be adding more books to my insane list rather than taking them away. Like Anna I won't have one single regret about it either. What a book!! I was transfixed from cover to cover, hence my almost involuntarily need for more. The characters and plot will hold you hostage, refusing to let you go. Definitely recommend. On to Devils & Dust I go before starting the second part of the duet.
Reckless Woman: This was AMAZING and completely blew my mind. What a fantastic conclusion to a duet. Every page dripped with blood and despair, making it impossible to look away from. With bombs literally and figuratively exploding, expect to be rocking in a corner by the end of the book. I'm keeping my review short and sweet as book certainly is not that in the very best way, do yourself a favour and one click immediately, you won't regret it. Can't wait to see what the author comes up with next.
The Grayson Duet is a dark, enemies to lovers mafia read set in the Santiago cartel world. Joseph is an assassin for the Santiago cartel and is cold, emotionless. He’s known as the Shadow Man. His allegiance is to Dante. He cares for nobody but Anna. Anna is Eve’s best friend and a strong woman who has been through horrible situations. The Grayson duet is an exciting and emotional ride, with so many plot twists that you don’t see coming. The characters are interesting and complex and their back stories are heart breaking. I was rooting for their HEA from the beginning. I was so happy to read more of Dante and Eve. This duet has everything I look for in a mafia read - danger, excitement, and hot alpha men. Catherine Wiltcher writes exciting, dark stories with interesting and deep characters, and with each book in the Santiago Cartel world we see more and more of her mafia magic! Can’t wait for more!
Book (1) Another amazing read from the amazing and talented Catherine. It’s been a long time since I’ve come across a book this well writing I’ve really enjoyed reading all these books and can’t wait for the next
Joseph Greyson is Hot and always wanting to save Anna after the trauma she went through in Santiago trilogy but she cant see the right path to follow and is leading down a dark path until she leaves. Will Joseph let her get away though Hell Noooo......
What can I say about Joseph and Anna PERFECTION. It’s everything I could of hoped for and more. Made me cry made me laugh and me get angry. The end of this book was a shocker was not expecting that major twist as always Catherine you leave me dying for the next book
Book (2)
The final book for Joseph and Anna in a twisted thrilling pantie dropping book
So where do I start! I received my arc copy today and couldn’t put the book down. I’ve read a lot of books over the years and loved all the Santiago series but this book was hands down best book I’ve ever read.
It was jaw dropping, it shocked me, it had me screaming and most of all it had me so in love with Joseph and Anna. Dante is his normal crazy self and lastly you all best hold on to your seats for the twist in this book!!
Joseph goes through a lot of darkness in this book and Anna something very traumatic but as always there chemistry is off the charts Hot.
I’m sad I’ve finished the book and am off to reread the whole series :) 100% worth all 5 stars. Im really hoping we get to see more of Edier in the furture
To say I loved this book would be an understatement! After reading The Santiago Trilogy, I became very intrigued by Joseph Grayson and this book (#1 in a duet) has definitely ticked all the boxes. I have endless love for Joseph and his Luna🌑💚 Joseph embodies the patient, silent predator that an alpha is. If you want adventure, mystery and piping hot scenes then Shadow Man is for you🔥🔥
Reckless Woman (bk2) Catherine Wiltcher has quiet simply shattered me. I've read every book to this story and Reckless Woman has surpassed any and all expectations I had. WOW. Just WOW!! I've ridden this tornado and lived. My heart broke, over and over again for Joseph and Anna. If it wasn't for the promise of a HEA I think I'd have cried myself into a stupor. As it is tears weren't far from my cheeks. Good lord what a story! I'm still reeling. If you want a story that is not only gripping and chilling but coated in love-then this is for you. But be warned, you will cry...and I mean full blown ugly cry! Hopefully, we can all dance beyond the flames one day.
Shadow Man: Is it possible to maybe like the secondary characters better than the original trilogy in which they appeared, because A&J are like a twister that'll tear through your heart with their pain and self hatred in their quest to find each other. This duet is interconnected with the Santiago trilogy, so reading that beforehand will give some context. In Dante Santiago's and his second in command Joseph Grayson's war to end a sex trafficking ring, Anna was collateral damage. Her suffering during her kidnapping is horrific, and when everyone she cares about is ripped from her, she turns to self destruction, medicating with cocaine to forget how broken and alone she is. Though she can't see past her trauma, her Shadow is always near to rescue her and show her the truth. The first half of this story shows her crushed and fractured spirit, but the second half shows Anna in her reawakening. When she encounters a dangerous situation again, rather than feeling impotent, Anna reaches for power and fires bullets, rage, and frustration at those who prey on the helpless and troubled. Anna's transformation from helpless victim to empowered warrior is complete in that moment, and Joseph, who's been trailing Anna and standing in the shadows to wait for this reemergence, is there to support her in this new role. I love how protective and strong he is; he has his own demons but wants to help Anna kill hers. Joseph feels guilt, worry, and heartache at what Anna went through, but even despite her trauma, he's still there to show her that there's humanity left in her and that she isn't entirely lost to the darkness. I'm waiting to see how Anna builds the next phase of her life now that there's a renewed purpose in her again.
TW for violence, mentions of sex trafficking and abuse, drug use, and all that. It's a dark romance, so know that if it's not your thing.
Reckless Woman: Reckless Woman is the second book in the Grayson Duet, and you're in for a thrilling, emotional, and bloody ride! Joseph and Anna are back, but while the dust may have settled around them and they've found a respite from the danger, there’s still their emotional healing and developing relationship to nurture. They both want to move forward, but Joseph‘s still buried in grief and sadness of his youth and early adult life, even though his Luna‘s trying to show him a path out the darkness. She yearns for the story of his past, for him to be as vulnerable as he’s seen her but Joseph’s been silenced and half dead for so long, he doesn’t know how. His emotional side is still underdeveloped, but what I do find interesting is how Joseph’s stepping out of Dante’s shadow. While he’s always been second to Dante, he’s now challenging him and asserting his dominance. Interspersed in all this is mystery and action as everyone comes together to bring down a sex trafficking ring. Old and new friendships (Rick, Roman, Vi!!!) are formed and tested, old enemies resurrected, and new families formed.
Anna & Joseph are the true main characters in this duet, and for that I wanted to see so much MORE of them. CW was not kidding when she said she put them through the ringer, and they suffered even more trauma here! But their quest to heal themselves and their relationship kinda took a backseat to the larger storyline towards the end, and I just kept wishing for MORE. Theirs is a love story that’s rough and tragic, and CW writes it in a way that’s unapologetically painful and honest, but so hard to tear your eyes away.
The writing is absolutely incredible; it's poetic and poignant and laid bare the visceral feelings of torment, betrayal, and fear. There are parts that are uncomfortable to read, and there are parts that show healing and love, and this is a true testament of the author’s story weaving abilities. This was a fabulous ending to the larger Santiago storyline, but I think I’ll always wait and want for more of Anna and Joseph.
This box set compiles both Shadow Man and Reckless Woman installments.
Shadow Man is the first installment in the Grayson Duet, Grayson and Anna's story set in the Santiago world. Let me start by saying that I absolutely ❤loved❤ this book: Grayson was always my favourite character and the one I was most curious about and his interest in Anna was the cherry on top of the cake. After the events in the Santiago Trilogy, we know that there will be a lot of demons to chase away and a sinuous healing process for Anna. This ia a raw, gritty and dangerous world and Anna was collateral and soul scarred. There is a difficult journey for Grayson and Anna, but they're definitively can heal each other and, as we can see, Anna evolved from a victim to a fierce survivor and is invested in revenge as are all the others. With some unexpected turns and a powerful twist, this is a superb narrative of survival, revenge, perseverance and a strong will to ovecome trauma. Exceptionally written, this story it's a great addiction to the Santiago Trilogy and to get to know Santiago's right-hand man.
Reckless Women it's the second installment in the Grayson Duet and must be read after Shadow Man (Grayson Duet #1) as well as The Santiago Trilogy that sets the plateau for the Santiago Cartel. I can't express in words how much I loved this book: it proceeds exactly where book #1 left and explains events and behaviors that we were aware of but couldn't get the clear gist of. The plot was pretty much set in Shadow Man and TST, here, we get a deep comprehension and connection, imo, of the after events and the will to initiate a healing process. It's an action-packed narrative, twists, turns and unexpected revelations, with the participation of the usual suspects: the whole crew, Dante & Eve and Rick & Roman at their best. This is a tale of tragedy, grief, deceit, a charged task to slay demons that puts Joseph and Anna in the same emotional mindset, but with different battles and ways to deal with their loss. A sinuous and tortuous journey is ahead and won't be easy to mitigate all that they went through. I loved how sensible the author was working the MCs and their intricate nature: a very emotional read, a roller-coaster of cries and laughs, deeply felt and executed with finesse and accuracy. There were times where even I doubted of their possibilities together. I loved the fact that even behind all those layers, Joseph and Anna could find their safe haven of happiness and were the ones that could heal each other. The challenged is real, grueling and demanding, but for the purest love everything is worth it! Another interesting note is Catherine Wiktcher's uncanny ability to punctuate this couple's account in the convoluted script of Dante Santiago's world, without losing focus or precision: everything fits in its place and time and the most sought answers are here to quench our thirst! A superb duet that I can't recommend enough!
I feel like there should be a little bit of a disclaimer on this review. I have edited my original reviews from when these books were first released so that they are a little smoother to read for the duet. This review is more of a compilation of the the two.
Let's start off with the basics: This is a Catherine Wiltcher production, so you there are certain elements that you can just depend on. It's going to be an emotional roller coaster with very extreme highs and lows, even in the same chapter. There are often going to be times where you're going to have to just stop reading so that your mind can slow down and process what you've just read. The plot is not just a twisty road to keep you interested. It's more of an avalanche, where you don't expect what's going to happen until you're in the middle of it.
Shadow Man: (Part 1)
Anna Williams never asked to be a victim. Never asked to be a pawn in the middle of a war. Never asked to be protected by the man in the shadows.
Bouncing from rehab to rehab, Anna is a broken soul who is trying to put the pieces back together on her own terms. Running from the shadows and searching for her moon, Anna will have to realize that there's only so far you can go before the past and present collide.
Reckless Woman: (Part 2)
I think for me, there were 4 key parts, with 4 very different emotions.
1/4 - The beginning opens up right where Shadow Man left off. I didn't reread it to prepare for this novel, and really, you don't have to. However, it did take me a few chapters to get into the vibe and remember things from the previous timeline. I wouldn't say that I was bored, but I wasn't engaged in the story at all. In fact, I thought this might be the first dud from this series that I had read.
2/4- Grayson's Losing it - I'll admit it. I was angry with a full-blown mental tantrum. Now is not the time to lose it Joseph, and if you're going to lose it, at least let someone in to listen. I really felt that it was unfair to Anna to know that her world was falling apart again but without any explanation why. Cue avalanche moments!
3/4- Resolutions - We're getting close to the end. Some new things are revealed while some old things are resolved. It's a good way to start wrapping up the Grayson's relationship so that we can move forward. It feels really satisfying but still leaves a hunger for more.
4/4- The End - The hunger that's left over from 3/4 is completely resolved in a matter of a few pages. It's the ending that I didn't know I needed until it was over. I am actually surprised I can formulate words so soon after finishing this. In fact, I could probably write more on just how magnamious the whole thing is.
The Bonus Material:
It could have easily been included in the original publishing, and in my opinion, it wasn't enough. Just makes me wish that more of this story would hurry up.
I love duets, and this one is no exception! Incredible!
As I started to write this review, I kept thinking to myself how would my words even do justice to this incredible book. I’ve been eagerly waiting for Joseph’s story and this author completely knocked it out of the park! OMG! So many descriptions come to mind like brilliant, phenomenal, unreal and so many more that I can’t even think of them all. I literally started this and refused to put it down until it was finished. You will be taken on so many dark and twisty turns, that your head will be swimming and your heart will be exploding.
Joseph is a hardened man who feels no remorse, unless it has to do with Anna. She is his Achilles heel. She is his light in the darkness. She is his salvation. But Anna has her own dark past to overcome and isn’t sure she can ever feel the same for Joseph. These two tortured souls are meant to be, I can feel it in my very heart and soul. The beginning, middle and end of their story will literally blow your mind. Especially the end! Now I can’t wait for the second part of this duet. I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold out!! Please, read this book, read this series and hold onto your emotions, as they will no doubt be affected! I cried, I held my breath and held onto hope for these two incredible characters. Absolutely phenomenal!
Reckless Woman
Where do I even start with how incredible this story is? It deserves so much more than five stars. I’m literally an emotional mess after reading this story of mystery, murder, darkness, light, lust and even possibly love. After reading Shadow Man that focused on Joseph Grayson, an assassin in the Santiago Cartel, I couldn’t wait to read about Anna, the one woman who can somewhat tame him. Anna has had a life no one should ever have had to live. It was full of tragedy, sadness and anger. Until the day Joseph comes into her life and changes her world.
Reckless Woman picks up where we were left in Shadow Man, and it has met all my expectations and more! So much comes to light it will make your head spin. So many times my heart stopped and I literally cried, but then as I read more, my heart became full and my tears were from happiness. Joseph and Anna have a connection like no other and no one will ever pull them apart. But when someone tries, Joseph will do anything to protect Anna. She is his world and he is hers.
I fell in love with Joseph and Anna in Shadow Man, and more in love in this book. Prepare yourself for a wild ride of which you will never want to get off. You will be hooked from the very first word to the final words “the end”. Please do yourself a favor and read this duet. You will love it as much as I do!
Shadow man This book.... oh this book... is fire on fire 🔥🔥🔥 I'm trying to wrap my head around what I just read, and.. It is Another masterpiece by Catherine Wiltcher. It's no secret I adore this author😍 and her work is just amazing.
This book tells the story of Joseph Grayson. We met him already in the Santiago trilogy as Dante's right hand man. In the book he is trying to save Anna, a broken young woman, from her demons and from getting in trouble with her self destruct path she chose in life. Along the way we find more and more details about his past, the things he went through which shaped him up to the fierce man he is today. If I loved him in the previous books, I love him even more so now (though my heart will always belong to Dante lol)
Anna, was taken by a Russian trafficking ring, and was brutalized. She is a broken soul. And she is trying to push past the ghosts and shadows that are haunting her but with out much luck. She finds herself in a foreign country in the middle of nowhere and just when you think she is drowning, she is learning to live again. The question is - the waves which threaten to drown her, can she ride them or let them down her to the bottom? This is no typical love story. Can the light of Grayson get through the cracks of her broken soul? Can she break the walls around his heart?
The book is remarkably written. The plot is vivid and keeps you edge. We get to meet again some of the characters from the Santiago trilogy, and even some Dante POV (yayyyy!!!) There are a lot of dark themes in the book, which makes it even more perfect! And the sex scenes are HOT!!!!🔥🔥🔥
Reckless woman I can’t believe it’s over!!! I want this book to last ... this is the last installment in the Santiago saga. And if you haven’t read it by now, you better start right away!!! Well, you’ll need it in order to understand the events in this book. We get to meet all the wonderful characters from previous books. This book provides closure to all of them. The story here is about the recovery of broken Anna, how she learns to embrace life after everything she has been through. Her journey is filled with sadness and disappointment, but she is strong. We get to have chapters from Josef’s POV which are fantastic, as they entwine their journey in life. The plot is perfectly crafted and designed in a way that sucks you right in. I was angry, happy, on edge, sad and relieved throughout the reading. The book is action packed, I love it! And the sex scenes and HOT🔥 And.... we have Dante 😍
Yo sum this book duo up, I would say it is Brilliancy in a duet!❤️ 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This year has been crazy for me personally and I am do behind on my love of reading. When I had a chance to read the ARC for this book another personal issue had just taken place and that slowed me down. All I can say now after finishing the duet is a double wow!! Catherine has such descriptive writing that the story just pulls you in for the start just like a twister would hence the analogy I think. You are caught in the whirlwind of two very broken people who are the missing part of each other. They both have to fight their own demons but can not be whole without the other. Other reviewers have left a bit more about the stories but I prefer not to give much away. How Catherine weaves their back stories along with the other characters, especially Dante and Eve, is amazing. I have some of her other books in my library and will have to delve into them ASAP and then maybe have to re-read this duet again. I have read co-authored books by Catherine and Cora Kenborn and would like to praise them both. They both put their hearts and souls in their books. If you have not read any other soul wrenching books this year grab this duet and get caught in the twister!! This is my honest review of the ARC I received.
This author has long been a favorite of mine since she created the character of Dante Santiago. He will always be one of my favorites but Grayson is his enforcer and gives him a run for his money as far as my heart is concerned . Joseph and Anna’s story is not easy but it will immerse you into the world that this author has built. I couldn’t put it down and fell in love with this heroine. Everything about their story sucked me in from the first page to the last! If you are a mafia romance fan this is a must read!
I didn't think it was possible for me to love Joseph Grayson anymore than I already did......now I stand corrected.
Catherine Wiltcher has managed to do just that. I've fallen even harder for the elusive Shadow Man.
When I first started the Santiago Trilogy Joseph stood out straight away. I'm a reader who's always drawn to secondary characters no matter how much I love the main one.
Now we've had glimpses of Joseph's personality from previous books. He's an utterly lethal stone cold killer, he is Dantes right hand man after all.
But he's always been an enigma throughout, stoic and impossible to get a read on. He fascinated me and with his dirty blonde buzz cut I was obsessed.
This story was everything I needed it was deeply emotional in a way I never expected, so it crushed me all the more.
It was necessary to show all the ugly that shaped not only Joseph but Anna too. Their story was harrowing, dark and brutal at times but it was also a beautiful journey of two damaged souls finding comfort together.
Anna and Joseph have this amazing connection I literally felt the pulse between them, they're a chaotic mess but they work.
I loved the possessive side of Joseph it was fucxing hottt, he's so masculine. I have a massive amount of love for Anna too.
RECKLESS WOMAN. 🖤💚🖤💚🖤
Joseph Grayson the mysterious Shadow Man finally gives us what we've all been dying for....his secrets. Stripped bare and raw the lethal assassin for The Santiago Cartel unleashes a powerful Tsunami of emotions, I wasn't prepared for.
We live through the Violence and Chaos, feel the utter devastation that made him the formidable force of nature he is today....the Shadow you never see coming.
Never have I wanted to understand a character as much as I have with Joseph, he truly fascinated me right from the very beginning, way back in the Santiago Trilogy. I knew then he was something special and as much as I loved Dante, Joseph stole my heart.
Joseph and Anna's story is a turbulent, brutal and painful read at times, yet every tragic ugly moment is poignant to their journey. It makes their love story all the more beautiful for it. Their history completely broke me but their future healed my soul and filled my heart with happiness.
The Grayson Duet, Shadow Man and Reckless Woman were both Phenomenal reads, and a duet I highly recommend. Catherine Wiltcher delivered more than I ever could've predicted or dreamt of. A heart pumping adrenalin ride, full of suspense, danger and violence, love, loss and forgiveness. 🖤
Catherine is the one author I can always depend on to write an incredible mafia romance… every single time she knocks it out of the park. I read the Santiago Trilogy, the story of Dante and Eve in May 2021 and when I found out about the Greyson Duet was in the same world, I immediately brought it. I do recommend reading the Santiago Trilogy first as it will all make much more sense if you know Dante and Eve’s story. To say I devoured this would be an understatement. This duet tore my heart to shreds, crushed my soul and destroyed my spirit but then put them all back together again. I knew when I started this story that it would turn my world upside down, it sucked me in and I didn’t want to come back out. The story of Joseph and Anna is one that will shock you to the core and make you cry uncontrollably. The constant twists and turns made me feel as if my heart was in my throat. It proper choked me up. Not only did this make me sob but it made me see that if you truly love someone you will do anything and everything to protect them, even if it means burning the world down for them as Joseph says. Their love for each other is deep and will go on for lifetimes. They both deserve all the love and happiness in the world after everything they’ve been through. they found their moon, their light, their joy, their home 🥹 I really didn’t want to put this down. The ending of book 1 quite literally sent shivers down my spine! I mean holy flipping hell I did not see that coming. It made me feel sick to my stomach. Even now I’m still in shock… From there it was a rollercoaster of emotions, one minute I was smiling, the next my jaw was on the floor, the next I was crying and the next I was swooning and blushing. I really felt every emotion while reading this. I felt the pain and heartache that Joseph and Anna felt, but then I also felt the happiness and joy, I truly felt it all. I know that this story is going to stay with me forever, I can’t find the words to explain how much I loved it. "I think it's okay to be broken. It's okay to have jagged edges. That way, they can stick to someone else easier. It's how you make two people whole again." 🥺😭
Wow. what can i say about this book. If i could give it more than 5 stars i would. I loved the Santiago trilogy and this book slides right into the thick of it and fills in so many blanks. Giving you a more complete tale of who and what joseph Grayson really is. Anna on the other is an incredible character. seeing her transform from the wreaked creature she was into a fierce entity was magnificent. I will admit I was close to tears near the end, when the final pieces of the puzzle locked into place. But the possibilities that left you wanting more, only have me begging this author to hurry up with book 2 of this duet. so I can see what's instore. An amazing read.
Reckless Woman bk 2 5 stars
Wow, what a completion to the Santiago story. This book concludes many of the loose ends that were hanging and fraying in the winds of your mind. The relationship between Anna and Joseph is a brutal affair. Both haunted by their pasts and too wounded to look forward to a future. When Anna returns to Miami, it cut me to the bone, even though she made the decision to follow her shadow man, life has a way of stealing if from you before you take a step down that road. The pain and suffering that is couple endure will have your heart clenching and tears burning your eyes. Viviana, I just wanted to get a hold of her and shake some sense into her. Her affection towards Anna was her undoing in some ways, but when she visits the island I could kill her at the threats she lays down at Dante's family. This book really draws you in, makes you feel like you're a part of it, witnessing the highs and lows and wanting to help them come out the victor. Amazing read. (less)
Where do I even begin? Reading Santiago trilogy I wanted to know more about Joseph, if you felt the same, well this is the place to start. Joseph and Anna’s story is build on heartache, tragedy and some dark, dark times. New characters are introduced and new truths are revealed. The speed of this storyline will keep you head spinning, so much action so much emotion ... I love that nothing is obvious and Catherine Wiltcher keeps us guessing. Well written and captivating story. I cried with Joseph, got angry and heartbroken with Anna and laughed with Rick Sanders (yeah he is back and at his best!). Vi definitely kept my head spinning, keeping up with her was nearly impossible. Dante made me once again question my own morals (yeah I felt for and agreed with head of the cartel!) and Eve was just strong intuitive self once again. I absolutely loved this duet. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, so I won’t go into the storyline, but believe me this is Catherine Wiltcher at her very best (as per usual I should add), you won’t regret single minute spend with her characters. Just grab a copy and enjoy the ride- beware there is hard landing (or two)included.
Shadow Man One word INCREDIBLE a true masterpiece these characters will have you heart pounding i know mine was filled with excitement I almost couldn't take it I was pacing the floors reading. Joesph Grayson is the man my god he is Everything and I am so happy we got him along with Anna who is one strong woman and unforgettable these two and the angst will nearly kill you it's that scorching. Oh oh and yay we get Dante as a bonus god I love these men, the dialogue and this Authors words are beyond brilliant and I don't think I will ever get enough.
Reckless Woman Wow wow and an OMG This was phenominal every single word written to perfection in a way that it will consume your every thought and not let go. I will never ever forget this world and these beautiful broken characters that have so much pain, darkness and passion for what they care about. This world is a dangerous place but I truly love these men and their woman who belong to them in everyway I don't want to say goodbye so I'll be reading them again very soon the whole Santiago series xx.
Wow what can i say about this book it was AMAZING i loved dante,eva and rick but oh my joseph definitely has my heart in this book the love he has for anna is fierce. Anna goes through a lot in this book and joseph is alway there in the shadows. The bit about his mum and brother cause of their dad made me cry a little i couldnt put this book down until i had finished it i didnt want it to end if you love mafia then this series is the one for you catherine wiltcher you should be so proud of yourself for writing this series it is everything and more OMG my heart was ripped out and put back together again Catherine you smashed it way out of the park. i didn't think i could love Joseph and anna any more than i already did boy how wrong was i. This was a book i really didnt want to end it was a brilliant end to the duet.i sobbed,got angry and sobbed some more.
When I saw that Catherine Wiltcher was releasing the Grayson Duet with some bonus content, I knew it was time for a reread.
I love the entire Santiago world and have devoured every book in the series. This duet features Joseph, the enforcer for Dante Santiago, and Anna, who was taken by s3x traffickers and then eventually rescued. Their amazing story is one that will break your heart many times, before it gets put back together. It's a journey filled with pain and sorrow, but also with hope, healing and plenty of heat.
"I think it's okay to be broken... It's okay to have jagged edges. That way, they can stick to someone else easier. It's how you make two people whole again."
Throughout the book we get appearances from several other fabulous characters in this world, and some new bonus content as well. I'm looking forward to all the future books still to come in this series!
I love the Santiago Cartel! Two people, each in their own private hell, one fighting to get to the light, the other seeking the emptiness of oblivion. In The Shadow Man, Joseph Grayson is Dante Santiago's right hand man, his enforcer. A tough badass, he was ironically just what Anna needed. It hurt to watch Anna's struggles. My heart squeezed tight for her as much as for Joseph. I felt their pain and their anguish so hard!
Reckless Woman was also phenomenal! Joseph and Anna were amazing!
"You and I, we own our bad."
They may not be all about hearts and flowers, but together, they have their own brand of love. I absolutely loved the story, the plot, the intensely intriguing action, and the deep, unapologetic love in this book! It was sexy and alluring in turn, with witty dialogue and scenes that really made this book come alive! Utterly fantastic!
SHADOW MAN - was my first book by this author and had me running to read more.
Joseph and Anna’s story held me captive till the very last page. Their story was dark, raw and emotional, with lots of action and suspense. So it was not for the faint hearted. I highly recommend if you love dark romance. It was so good!
RECKLESS WOMAN - follows straight on from SHADOW MAN, so you are straight back in the thick things. This story had so many twists and turns, I had whiplash. I didn’t even want to blink as everything unfolds. It was packed with action and suspense from start to finish.
I loved every minute of this of this duet. So pleased I found this author, and really looking forward to reading all the books connected to it.
Grayson Duet is a part of Santiago's world. It gives a closer look at Joseph and Anna's relationship. A deeper understanding of how past events shaped them on the people they are today. It is emotional, raw, filled with pain and sorrow. We get the chance to see better and more of Joseph and Anna, their suffering, misery, sadness, fight and not giving up. Unconditional love. Finding themselves and inner peace with the help of each other.
Ms Wiltcher has created a masterpiece that takes the reader into a world of love, desire, lust, betrayal and levels of depravity. Sets limits, which it then freely crosses, setting the reader in a state of wanting more and more intensely.
This series is everything!! Both books together with extras! I was not disappointed in the least. The action begins in the first pages and the plot twists keep you turning the pages! The shocking revelations have you wanting to throw your kindle. I experienced a gambit of emotions as events unfolded. This is the results of the most talented and extraordinary creativity of Catherine Wiltcher. The emotional turmoil that Joseph and Anna experienced is so vivid and heartbreaking for the reader. The connection we have for these characters keep us coming back for more. I have so enjoyed this series and the interlocking stories. Bravo Bravo! Catherine Wiltcher
wow this read was freaking aaaamazing and it’s been a while since a good book has gotten me in a good mood to enjoy.
Tbh I didn’t expect to love the plot of the story for each POV each character becomes addictive and you just flow along with their story. Joseph and Anna were both thriving on forgetting and healing themselves in ways they know how by drugs and alcohol. The first book was a quick read, it was how they battle their demons and learning each other but the second was so much more, more secrets and more lies that just kept twisting and I couldn’t tell whether she/he was a goodie, and that’s why I gave the Grayson Duet 5 ✨.
Something that Catherine does incredibly well is character development and pulling you in so you dare not put your kindle down.
Joseph and Anna’s story was the perfect mix of angst, spice, violence and tenderness.
I knew when Anna got kidnapped during the Santiago Trilogy and Jospeh got that alpha male protectiveness going that this was going to be the perfect sorry to accompany that start, and it sure was.
I went through a roller coaster of emotion yet again but it was totally worth it!
Shadow Man: Shadow Man is an all-consuming, flawlessly written dark romance with a captivating storyline and unforgettable characters. Catherine Wiltcher delivers a heart wrenching and emotional love story about two broken people who find unexpected solace amid chaos. This was a sexy and seductive cat-and-mouse chase set within a richly layered and unique storyline.
“You don't have a choice, sweetheart. You’ve been mine since the first day we met.“
This story is about more than two people finding love and healing. It's an exhilarating ride of survival, pain, and growth. It's a love story driven by raw emotion, one that is executed with flawless precision. Wiltcher's storytelling skills are top notch and with this story, she takes her readers on an unforgettable journey. We met Joseph and Anna in the Santiago Trilogy, and readers were given bits and pieces of their backgrounds, as well as their attraction to each other. This book delves into the events that molded them into who they are as people, and the inexplicable pull that exists between them. Wiltcher did such a fantastic job building the structure of their complicated relationship. The dialogue and inner monologues fully encompass the fear, lust, and unfiltered emotion that exists between them. I liked how the author did not rush the intimacy between them; rather, she stayed true to the characters and their experiences, giving readers a realistic portrayal of life after trauma. The energy between them was so raw and intense, and each and every encounter between them is filled to the brim with tension and explosive chemistry.
“When you scream and shatter and fall apart in my hands, it’ll be me who puts you back together again. You will mold only to me. You will see only me.”
The author writes with a dark edginess that completely sucks the reader into the story and doesn't let go. There were some moments in the story that were hard to read but I feel were handled so well. I especially appreciated the way Anna's healing was never glossed over. The pain that both she and Joseph experienced was instrumental to the development of their relationship. The push and pull was so well written. I absolutely loved the level of possessiveness we saw from Joseph and loved the way protecting her was more important to him than anything else.
“He’s a killer and a savior. A soldier to another, and a betrayer to all the evil I assumed he was.”
The pacing of the events in the story was perfect, as was the flow of the plot. The secondary characters from the previous books were as entertaining and fantastic as always, and the new characters were as well. Shadow Man was heartbreaking and full of angst. It was gritty and violent. It was an enthralling and powerful story that completely consumed me. And after that huge bombshell that was dropped in the Epilogue, I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on the second book in this duet.
Reckless Woman: Action packed and emotionally gripping, Reckless Woman is an adrenaline-fueled roller-coaster ride that concludes Joseph and Anna's intense story. Catherine Wiltcher brings it all to the table in this compelling story: angst, heartbreak, loss, betrayal, and heart stopping twists and turns that will leave readers hanging onto every word.
“He found me. He healed me. He consumed me”
Anna and Joseph are two incredibly complex characters and I loved the character development we saw for both of them in this book. They had huge hurdles that stood before them as they battled their past and present and tried to find some semblance of peace within the storm they were in. This author is so good and pulling you into her character's lives in a way that makes you feel their every emotion. The hurt, the anger, the uncertainty- every emotion that Joseph and Anna faced during this story came to life through the author's expressive writing.
“You’re mine, Anna Grayson. Mine forever.”
There were some serious layers of grit that Joseph and Anna had to dig through to find their happiness. There were moments in the story when it felt like all hope was lost, and those moments had my emotions raging. I loved the way the two of them managed to always find each other. While there was a lot going on within the storyline, the author still put their relationship front and center, and I loved the way their connection continued to grow.
“I take it all. The guns, the bullets, the scars, if it means I can have you.”
I really enjoyed the way this storyline was laid out, and the pacing of the plot was neither too fast nor too slow. Wiltcher has an uncanny ability to create controlled chaos, and then expertly bring things together in a way that works perfectly. The romance between these two main characters was authentic and compelling, and the suspense threaded through the book was top notch. The action scenes had a cinematic quality to them that left me on the edge of my seat. The journey that this author takes the reader through is a tumultuous one, but the payoff is spectacular. Lovers of dark romantic suspense will be blown away by this fantastic duet.
What a fantastic read. I really enjoyed reading this book by Catherine. It was suspenseful, a page turner, and was full of twists and turns. If you have read any of her books you know that she will have you hooked while reading about the mafias, they are always interesting to read.I loved it.
Love Grayson. I've been waiting to read about Eider's parents since reading about him in the first second generation book. I'm reading backwards but so worth reading their story. Now on to Eider and Ella's.