Riot (Scared Souls, #4)
By Tillie Cole
SUMMARY
Stolen by the Arziani Georgian crime mob as a child, 152 was raised and conditioned to be a Mona—the most subservient of the Arziani Blood Pit slaves.
Gorgeous and kind, she has been and under the imprisoning influence of the Type B drug and under the command of the Blood Pit Master’s sister, Mistress Arziani, for most of her life, until the Master calls her back home to Georgia.
He wants her under his total control, and Master always gets what he wants.
But when 152 is gifted to the Blood Pit’s fearsome champion death match fighter as a prize, 152 suddenly finds out that the men who appear most brutal, may just own the kindest hearts. And love may be found, even when living in hell.
Freedom, family, love, 152 will have to fight for what she wants and ultimately make an impossible choice.
REVIEW
What a conclusion to the series! I am glad I went back and read the other installments because I would have been lost.
This whole series has been heartbreaking. Men and women that were so evil to make people their slaves for sport and sex. Evil just dripped from the pages. Then the heartbreaking results and the fit to be free. It is amazing how the author fits in a touching romantic love story admist the pain and evil. The woman are just as strong as the men, no of course they are stronger.
Great series sorry to see it end. It does have violence and rape so if you are uncomfortable with that you may want to skip it.
Received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Ravage (Scared Souls, #3)
Ravage (Scared Souls, #3)
By Tillie Cole
SUMMARY
Is finding one's true love worth committing the greatest sacrifice of all?
Taken as a teen, prisoner 194 was stripped of his name and freewill, meticulously honed to be a ruthless machine. Even as he tries to fight his captors hold on him he knows that obedience is the only way to save his sister, who is the one person that keeps him from turning into a monster.
As a young girl Zoya Kostava barely escaped the brutal attack that killed her entire family. Now twenty five she lives in secrecy. That is until she hears her brother also survived and is living with their greatest enemy.
Zoya risks her safety and anonymity to find the brother she thought dead and is captured by a beautiful, brutal man. A man who both captivates and scares her, in him she sees a soul as lost as her own.
They both have so much to lose will they be able to save each other…and survive.
REVIEW
3 1/2
Not my favorite so far. I just really couldn't relate to Zoya. I couldn't understand her reasoning. Stockholm syndrome out of control. I also got a tad upset with her when she could forgive Valentin, but get mad at Zaal and Talia. Very contradictory.
Well know I can read the next book since I put it on hold to read the rest.
By Tillie Cole
SUMMARY
Is finding one's true love worth committing the greatest sacrifice of all?
Taken as a teen, prisoner 194 was stripped of his name and freewill, meticulously honed to be a ruthless machine. Even as he tries to fight his captors hold on him he knows that obedience is the only way to save his sister, who is the one person that keeps him from turning into a monster.
As a young girl Zoya Kostava barely escaped the brutal attack that killed her entire family. Now twenty five she lives in secrecy. That is until she hears her brother also survived and is living with their greatest enemy.
Zoya risks her safety and anonymity to find the brother she thought dead and is captured by a beautiful, brutal man. A man who both captivates and scares her, in him she sees a soul as lost as her own.
They both have so much to lose will they be able to save each other…and survive.
REVIEW
3 1/2
Not my favorite so far. I just really couldn't relate to Zoya. I couldn't understand her reasoning. Stockholm syndrome out of control. I also got a tad upset with her when she could forgive Valentin, but get mad at Zaal and Talia. Very contradictory.
Well know I can read the next book since I put it on hold to read the rest.
Reap (Scared Souls, #2)
Reap (Scared Souls, #2)
By Tillie Cole
SUMMARY
Raised as a prototype for the Georgian Bratva's obedience drug, 221 fails to think, act, or live for himself; he's his master's perfectly-crafted killing puppet. Standing at six-foot-six, weighing two-hundred-and-fifty pounds, and unrivaled in to-the-death combat, 221 successfully secures business for the Georgian Mafiya Boss of NYC, who rules the dark world of the criminal underground. Until his enemies capture him.
Talia Tolstaia dreams to break from the heavy clutches of Bratva life. She dreams of another life--away from the stifling leash of her Russian Bratva Boss father and from the brutality of her work at The Dungeon, her criminal family's underground death-match enterprise. But when she stumbles upon her family's captive who is more monster than man, she starts to see the man underneath. A powerful, beautiful, damaged man whose heart calls to hers. But sacrifices must be made--blood for blood...life for life...souls for scarred souls...
REVIEW
This one made me cry
Ok I cried at the end. So heartbreaking again how evil people can be for power and money.
Zaal touched my heart. Talia just took all the risks. At limes I was like this is totally unrealistic, but because the story was just so good I could overlook it.
This has a ton more sex then the first book. Less violence but way more sex. It is hot there is chemistry between Zaal and Talia.
I hope the person at the end is who I think it is and I hope she gets her HEA.
On to the next!
By Tillie Cole
SUMMARY
Raised as a prototype for the Georgian Bratva's obedience drug, 221 fails to think, act, or live for himself; he's his master's perfectly-crafted killing puppet. Standing at six-foot-six, weighing two-hundred-and-fifty pounds, and unrivaled in to-the-death combat, 221 successfully secures business for the Georgian Mafiya Boss of NYC, who rules the dark world of the criminal underground. Until his enemies capture him.
Talia Tolstaia dreams to break from the heavy clutches of Bratva life. She dreams of another life--away from the stifling leash of her Russian Bratva Boss father and from the brutality of her work at The Dungeon, her criminal family's underground death-match enterprise. But when she stumbles upon her family's captive who is more monster than man, she starts to see the man underneath. A powerful, beautiful, damaged man whose heart calls to hers. But sacrifices must be made--blood for blood...life for life...souls for scarred souls...
REVIEW
This one made me cry
Ok I cried at the end. So heartbreaking again how evil people can be for power and money.
Zaal touched my heart. Talia just took all the risks. At limes I was like this is totally unrealistic, but because the story was just so good I could overlook it.
This has a ton more sex then the first book. Less violence but way more sex. It is hot there is chemistry between Zaal and Talia.
I hope the person at the end is who I think it is and I hope she gets her HEA.
On to the next!
Raze (Scared Souls, #1)
Raze (Scared Souls, #1)
By Tillie Cole
SUMMARY
TO TAKE BACK LIFE, ONE MUST FIRST FACE DEATH...
By Tillie Cole
SUMMARY
TO TAKE BACK LIFE, ONE MUST FIRST FACE DEATH...
Conditioned in captivity to maim, to kill and to slaughter, prisoner 818 becomes an unrivaled and unstoppable fighter in the ring. Violence is all he knows. After years of incarceration in an underground hell, only one thought occupies his mind: revenge... bloody, slow and violent revenge. Revenge on the man who wronged him.
Kisa Volkova is the only daughter of Kirill 'The Silencer' Volkov, head of the infamous 'Red' bosses of New York's Russian Bratva. Her life is protected. In reality, it's a virtual prison. Her father's savage treatment of his rivals and his lucrative and coveted underground gambling ring-The Dungeon-ensures too many enemies lurk at their door. She dreams to be set free. Kisa has known only cruelty and loss in her short life. While working for her church-the only reprieve in her constant surveillance-Kisa stumbles across a tattooed, scarred, but stunningly beautiful homeless man on the streets. Something about him stirs feelings deep within her; familiar yet impossibly forbidden desires. He doesn't talk. Doesn't communicate with anyone.
Kisa Volkova is the only daughter of Kirill 'The Silencer' Volkov, head of the infamous 'Red' bosses of New York's Russian Bratva. Her life is protected. In reality, it's a virtual prison. Her father's savage treatment of his rivals and his lucrative and coveted underground gambling ring-The Dungeon-ensures too many enemies lurk at their door. She dreams to be set free. Kisa has known only cruelty and loss in her short life. While working for her church-the only reprieve in her constant surveillance-Kisa stumbles across a tattooed, scarred, but stunningly beautiful homeless man on the streets. Something about him stirs feelings deep within her; familiar yet impossibly forbidden desires. He doesn't talk. Doesn't communicate with anyone.
He's a man beyond saving. But Kisa becomes obsessed with him. Yearns for him. Craves his touch. Needs to possess this mysterious man... ... this man they call Raze.
REVIEW
A gritty heartbreaking read
It amazes me how cruel people are to each other. This story is full of evil, but in the end good wins out.
This story is very predictable and you knew how it was going to play out. I can't believe that Kisa's father let his daughter be abused and didn't do anything about it. For heaven sake he is "the boss"
Raze went through so much and it was heartbreaking to read his story.
This story has a great deal of violence, rape, and just total evilness. So if you are not up for it pass on this.
It amazes me how cruel people are to each other. This story is full of evil, but in the end good wins out.
This story is very predictable and you knew how it was going to play out. I can't believe that Kisa's father let his daughter be abused and didn't do anything about it. For heaven sake he is "the boss"
Raze went through so much and it was heartbreaking to read his story.
This story has a great deal of violence, rape, and just total evilness. So if you are not up for it pass on this.
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Soul's Fire (Northwomen Sagas #3)
Soul's Fire (Northwomen Sagas #3)
By Susan Fanetti
SUMMARY
Astrid has been a warrior since the day she was old enough to make the choice to live and die with an axe in her hand. She is strong and stoic, powerful and brave, and she has the life she desires, free of complications and distractions.
She is a shieldmaiden, and that is all she wishes to be.
She has been the strong right hand of her jarl since the day they and their allies overthrew the cruel Jarl Åke. Jarl Leif is mighty and honorable, and with Astrid’s help, he has brought great prosperity to their people. Every summer, the raiders sail into new lands, traveling farther and farther, claiming treasure to enrich their people. They meet little resistance from the rulers or the people of these strange worlds.
Until they land in a country whose king has learned the lessons of his neighbors and meets the raiders with a cunning and brutality that matches their own. In that clash, and after it, Astrid’s shieldmaiden’s strength and will is put to the harshest tests.
Leofric is the second son of a king. Without the expectations or attention imposed on his older brother, he is free to live more or less as he chooses. But he is a seasoned warrior and not half so dissolute as his reputation suggests. When his father and brother seek to salve their rage by torturing a captive barbarian woman, Leofric sees their action for the evil it is and does all he can to save her, and then to heal her.
To love her had not been part of his plan.
The captive is strong and stoic, powerful and brave. She is a marvel unlike any woman he’s ever known. But if she is to live, she must learn the ways of his world. If she is to thrive, she must cast aside what she was and become something new. Leofric would give her all that he has and more, but there is one thing he cannot offer.
His world has no word for shieldmaiden.
Note: Explicit sex and violence. Dark themes.
REVIEW
Heart wrenching as always
Another bleed out of the soul book. The story is full of emotion and runs you the gambit of feelings.
Wow I never finish one of the northwomen books without being touched by the growth of each character in ways that I wish I could grow.
Forgiveness and acceptance are very hard thing to learn and at times to put into action. Perceiving something that is unforgivable to you in so many ways, yet putting it behind you offering up clear and honest forgiveness/regret and trying to make things right in spite of yourself. That is awe inspiring to me.
The characters put that into action throughout. They also learned that what the perceived as being weak is really being stronger then you have ever known. Also what is deemed bad or different doesn't mean evil or bad.
There are some dark things in this story and I think the author was so right when she offered at the beginning; that it isn't about the darkness that happened it is about what takes place after that needs the details.
By Susan Fanetti
SUMMARY
Astrid has been a warrior since the day she was old enough to make the choice to live and die with an axe in her hand. She is strong and stoic, powerful and brave, and she has the life she desires, free of complications and distractions.
She is a shieldmaiden, and that is all she wishes to be.
She has been the strong right hand of her jarl since the day they and their allies overthrew the cruel Jarl Åke. Jarl Leif is mighty and honorable, and with Astrid’s help, he has brought great prosperity to their people. Every summer, the raiders sail into new lands, traveling farther and farther, claiming treasure to enrich their people. They meet little resistance from the rulers or the people of these strange worlds.
Until they land in a country whose king has learned the lessons of his neighbors and meets the raiders with a cunning and brutality that matches their own. In that clash, and after it, Astrid’s shieldmaiden’s strength and will is put to the harshest tests.
Leofric is the second son of a king. Without the expectations or attention imposed on his older brother, he is free to live more or less as he chooses. But he is a seasoned warrior and not half so dissolute as his reputation suggests. When his father and brother seek to salve their rage by torturing a captive barbarian woman, Leofric sees their action for the evil it is and does all he can to save her, and then to heal her.
To love her had not been part of his plan.
The captive is strong and stoic, powerful and brave. She is a marvel unlike any woman he’s ever known. But if she is to live, she must learn the ways of his world. If she is to thrive, she must cast aside what she was and become something new. Leofric would give her all that he has and more, but there is one thing he cannot offer.
His world has no word for shieldmaiden.
Note: Explicit sex and violence. Dark themes.
REVIEW
Heart wrenching as always
Another bleed out of the soul book. The story is full of emotion and runs you the gambit of feelings.
Wow I never finish one of the northwomen books without being touched by the growth of each character in ways that I wish I could grow.
Forgiveness and acceptance are very hard thing to learn and at times to put into action. Perceiving something that is unforgivable to you in so many ways, yet putting it behind you offering up clear and honest forgiveness/regret and trying to make things right in spite of yourself. That is awe inspiring to me.
The characters put that into action throughout. They also learned that what the perceived as being weak is really being stronger then you have ever known. Also what is deemed bad or different doesn't mean evil or bad.
There are some dark things in this story and I think the author was so right when she offered at the beginning; that it isn't about the darkness that happened it is about what takes place after that needs the details.
Rough & Tumble (The Haven Brotherhood, #1)
Rough & Tumble (The Haven Brotherhood, #1)
By Rhenna Morgan
SUMMARY
A self-made man with his fingers in a variety of successful businesses, Jace Kennedy lives for the challenge and he always gets what he wants. From the start, he sees Vivienne Moore's hidden wild side and knows she's his perfect match, if only he can break it free. He will have her. One way or another.
Vivienne's determined to ditch the rough lifestyle she grew up in, even if that means hiding her true self behind a bland socialite veneer. Dragging her party-hound sister out of a club was not how she wanted to ring in the New Year, but Viv knows the drill. Get in, get her sister and get back to the safe, stable life she's built for herself as fast as humanly possible. But Viv's plans are derailed when she finds herself crashing into the club's clearly badass and dangerously sexy owner.
Jace is everything Vivienne swore she never wanted, but the more time she spends with him, the more she starts to see that he loves just as fiercely as he fights. He can walk society's walk and talk society's talk, but when he wants something, he finds a way to get it. He's proud of who he is and where he came from, and he'll be damned if he lets Vivienne go before showing her the safest place of all is in the arms of a dangerous man.
REVIEW
This is the first book I have read from this author.
I thought the story had an interesting plot. I wish the characters had some more background information intead of it just being told. I think the story could have been a great deal better with some flashbacks so we could live the history. There was insta-love. Wham one look and they were forever for him.
Viv, well I wasn't all thrilled with her. I never truly understood why she made herself so reserved. I mean if you explain that your dad got shot in a bar but you weren't really emotionally involved with him as your dad...kinda contradictory. I just didn't get her at all.
Jace was hot and I liked him. I still wished we had more background and less telling about his past. I really think that stopped me from really connecting with the characters. The sex was hot though.
It just needed more. It would have been really great with how Axel and Jace started Haven and even how all the boys met up. Arghhh it could have been spectacular!
Received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
By Rhenna Morgan
SUMMARY
A self-made man with his fingers in a variety of successful businesses, Jace Kennedy lives for the challenge and he always gets what he wants. From the start, he sees Vivienne Moore's hidden wild side and knows she's his perfect match, if only he can break it free. He will have her. One way or another.
Vivienne's determined to ditch the rough lifestyle she grew up in, even if that means hiding her true self behind a bland socialite veneer. Dragging her party-hound sister out of a club was not how she wanted to ring in the New Year, but Viv knows the drill. Get in, get her sister and get back to the safe, stable life she's built for herself as fast as humanly possible. But Viv's plans are derailed when she finds herself crashing into the club's clearly badass and dangerously sexy owner.
Jace is everything Vivienne swore she never wanted, but the more time she spends with him, the more she starts to see that he loves just as fiercely as he fights. He can walk society's walk and talk society's talk, but when he wants something, he finds a way to get it. He's proud of who he is and where he came from, and he'll be damned if he lets Vivienne go before showing her the safest place of all is in the arms of a dangerous man.
REVIEW
This is the first book I have read from this author.
I thought the story had an interesting plot. I wish the characters had some more background information intead of it just being told. I think the story could have been a great deal better with some flashbacks so we could live the history. There was insta-love. Wham one look and they were forever for him.
Viv, well I wasn't all thrilled with her. I never truly understood why she made herself so reserved. I mean if you explain that your dad got shot in a bar but you weren't really emotionally involved with him as your dad...kinda contradictory. I just didn't get her at all.
Jace was hot and I liked him. I still wished we had more background and less telling about his past. I really think that stopped me from really connecting with the characters. The sex was hot though.
It just needed more. It would have been really great with how Axel and Jace started Haven and even how all the boys met up. Arghhh it could have been spectacular!
Received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
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