Aria Talvery is daughter to a powerful crime family. War is brewing amongst three criminal families in a fight for territory. It erupts when Aria is abducted by one enemy and given to another. He will be ruthless in his control and the longer he keeps her prisoner and the harder she fights him, the sweeter her submission will be. Some wars are worth the fight. Possession becomes Obsession, and there will be no Mercy! I don't just want her at my mercy. I want everything she has. To say I loved this would not do it justice enough. This is exactly the type of book I'd been craving.
I have recieved a lot of contemporary romance ARC's, so I have really been missing my Dark Romances with their brooding dominant alpha Male and strong defiant heroine. Merciless did not disappoint. Willow Winters has a way of making you get inside of her characters minds, feel their fear, lust and heartache. A master storyteller, she is unafraid to step outside the boundaries, test her readers, and leave a mark on you with her unabashed stories. To me that's what makes a good author great. I loved Aria's strength and strong will.
She fought with everything she had which made her submission in the end so much sweeter. Despite her cage this little song bird sang a loud tune. Carter Cross is the perfect dominant devil, he is bold in his actions, imperious, calculated and authoritative. This is a deliciously dark story that will have you suspended in time whilst you devour every page. I cannot wait to get stuck into Heartless Book 2 in the series. This book contains triggers and sensitive subject matter.
Jacob Morgan and Savannah Peachwood Length: At times my skin crawled with his venomous tone he used. He narrated his dominant and dirty words with such an edge it brought me chills. Savannah was brilliant, devastatingly brilliant. There was a desperation in her voice that captured me, you felt every emotion she portrayed. Her narration was spot on for her character. Together Jacob and Savannah's narration made the story come to life. When I read the blurb to Merciless I knew I needed to read it. I enjoyed Possessive by this author and was very curious about Carter's story.
While I am fanatically obsessed with dark mafia type stories I just could not really connect with Carter and his relationship with Aria. As a result, Merciless was sort of a mixed bag for me. When Carter Cross kidnaps Aria Talvery in a deal with an opposing family, no one could imagine the consequences or the war he would be causing. While I enjoyed this story, I couldn't really feel any other emotion from him other than possessiveness for Aria. Likewise, her fear of him was so deep that it was hard for me to see or feel any other type of emotion she might have had for him.
This was Stockholm Syndrome on another level. I'm still not sure how I feel about Carter to be honest as he was not very likeable. He was sexy and charismatic, yes. But I also found him to be without any redeeming qualities. I had hoped the author would delve into the meat of Carter's history with Aria but we never really got a glimpse into who he was inside but rather just his need to break Aria and ultimately own her submission. Here lies my problem with the story.
When you read dark romance, there is an inevitable turning point where the reader can actually feel the emotion or love from the respective hero and heroine. But in this case all I felt was a deep possessiveness and obsession from him and fear and obedience from her. At times I had tears in my eyes over how he would treat her more like a malleable doll instead of a person. She went from being her Father's princess kept in a gilded cage to Carter's songbird kept as a slave and told how to feel.
I feel distraught and disturbed after reading this book and feel like this was more of a psychological story versus a romance as fear and the need to possess kept them together. I am absolutely devastated that there was an end to this book, I could read about Carter and Aria all day, everyday! I swear I'm not doing this on purpose I don't plan on saying this after every Willow Winters book but it's the truth Carter Cross is not a man you'd want to cross, he's the text book definition of take charge.
He's a ruler, he's head of the "family business" he's the o WHAT. He's a ruler, he's head of the "family business" he's the oldest of 4 brothers, and he always gets what he wants. Now, at first I wasn't too sure how I felt about Carter. I wasn't quite sure what his intentions were, if he was cruel just to be so, if he was redeemable or if he was the devil himself.
Slowly, I began to see that every calculated move had a purpose and I was unwittingly drawn into his dark side, a place I never want to leave. I want her to live and breathe for me and my desires. And maybe this is the cost of it all. That I can have her during her days, but her nights will destroy her. All she knows is that she now belongs to Carter. Her mother is gone and because of her father's decisions she is in the middle of a war. Right now her goal is self preservation, and survival. He comes to her everyday.
Whatever he wants Aria isn't going to give. What is his end game? Not for anyone, and especially not for Carter Cross. This world that Willow has created, with these characters? It's honestly something I wasn't quite expecting but I'm so grateful I got to experience it. A top read this year for me and goes on my list of one of my favorite dark romances. She steadies her trembling lip between her teeth. And I can see the last bit of her walls crumble for me. Crashing down to the ground in small, insignificant piles of rubble. Merciless by Willow Winters. This is the story of Carter and Aria.
There is a fight brewing between three mafia members. Carter is the head of one and Aria father is the head of another one. Carter wants Aria for his own and another gang trying to make a deal with him takes Aria and give her to him. Carter is hard on Aria making her break but their attraction is one that takes over for them. Aria is learning to deal with being owned by Carter and the up and coming war that he will ensure kills he Merciless by Willow Winters. Aria is learning to deal with being owned by Carter and the up and coming war that he will ensure kills her father and friend.
Although Aria isn't close to her father she has mixed feelings dealing with what is to come. This was a really dark romance but one that I couldn't stop reading. I can't wait for the next installment in their story. She's the reason I lived and turned into this. I cannot wait to get stuck into Heartless Warning: Ever since meeting Carter, the sexy and intimidating eldest Cross in Possessive Daniel and Addison's story , I have been eagerly anticipating his story. Let me just say tell you all that this extraordinarily talented author certainly did not disappoint with this one!
Merciless was a phenomenally written story that intensely captivated me whole body and soul. I embraced this story wholeheartedly and I devoured it page after page until I reached the very end When Carter and Aria's story first began I never could have anticipated being left with so many unanswered questions, but that just means that we'll be getting more of this unlikely pair soon enough! Carter Cross was a character that I was instantly attracted to long before his story because he demands that kind of feeling from readers.
His demeanor intrigues me and I wanted to discover every single one of his demons. He is a lost soul that has always been the leader when it comes to his family. He will do anything to protect them Now let's direct our attention towards the young and beautiful Aria Talvery, the daughter of one of the most violent crime families in town. She has caught Carter's attention and she has no clue why. She should fear him with every fiber of her being, but the attraction is undeniable and as much as she tries to fight it, there is no stopping this love from happening. After that shock-worthy ending there is no way this story is leaving my mind ever and now I cannot wait to get my hands on Heartless , the second part of Carter and Aria's tale.
Although this book technically ends in a cliffhanger, I strongly urge you to pick up your copy of Merciless and discover their passion and love today! Every piece of her is mine and she knows it. Carter wants her, but he doesn't know for what exactly. He says he wants to own her, but he doesn't know if it's more than in a sexual way. He doesn't want to admit the depth of his feeling for her. As for Aria, the first time she saw Carter she thought he was going to save her. Didn' "All of her. Didn't take long for that perception to change, but it didn't stop her from wanting him.
She doesn't believe it to be right so she fights it, fights him. On one hand at times, she wants nothing more than to escape, then the other she wants to kneel at his feet and do as he asks, as he commands. While they have undeniable chemistry, and Aria can submit to Carter, and he can command her like she craves, it's hard for them to find a balance in between what they want and what has to be done. Carter for his family and his business, Aria for her sanity and safety.
Willow Winters knows how to write a dark, angsty book that keeps you flipping the pages to see how the story plays out, and this one is a twister. This book isn't the end of Aria and Carter's story, and I know I'm going to be waiting on the edge of my seat for the next part.
I'm glad I got to review this book for Willow and I hope you pick it up to read. It's one I highly recommend. Merciless by Willow Winters is yet another dark, and twisted tale of love and maybe redemption. Aria tries to fight the forb Merciless by Willow Winters is yet another dark, and twisted tale of love and maybe redemption. When lust and desire become love, will he have the strength to finally free her, and will Aria want to escape from his loving clutches? Told in dual POV this was a angsty, thrilling suspenseful story and I was thoroughly captivated myself.
I was sorry when the end came as Carter and Aria drew me in with this passion and chemistry. Grab your copy today. I received this as an ARC for an honest review. Just when you think Willow Winters couldn't get any better she releases a book that smacks you in the face and rips out your heart! You want to hate Carter for the things he puts Aria through, but you can't help but love the guy and silently cheer him on and hope Aria can see past the mind games. It wasn't left on a cliffhanger, but leaves you right at the point where you are screaming for more.
I am so happy that their story will continue in heart I received this as an ARC for an honest review. I am so happy that their story will continue in heartless because I couldn't put this book down and I can't get enough of Carter! Willow Winters has a gift for writing men that captivate us despite our best intentions. Men we root for even when we don't know why. We look for reasons to care for them, lost after them, love them. Carter is one of those men and Aria is the woman trying to answer those questions.
Carter is not a good man. The only thing he is loyal to is his family.
He will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. He had plans for her. The problem is what he's going to do with her now that he Willow Winters has a gift for writing men that captivate us despite our best intentions.
The problem is what he's going to do with her now that he has her. Aria will do whatever it takes to survive even though she has no idea what she is surviving for. This is by far the best book Willow has ever written. There is so much depth to these characters. You find yourself wanting to spend more time with them.
Gilded Cage This book by Willow Winters left me completely breathless. Carter is a man you love to hate. When he sets his mind on something he wants, he takes it on no holds barred. Carter has his sights on Aria. He knew she was his Achilles heel, but he could not stop himself from making her his and only his. Aria is the only chink in Carter's armor and he hates himself for it.
Aria is stronger than she appears as she holds the key to Carter's soul and his torment. This story is remarkable and st Gilded Cage This book by Willow Winters left me completely breathless. This story is remarkable and stunning on so many levels. I look forward to reading the next book to see how everything unfolds for Carter and Aria. This book was phenomenal. Carter is all alpha with dark needs. War is coming and he will get what is wants.
Aria knows what it is like to be in his fathers world.
She lives in fear. I cannot wait to read their continued story. The darkness, fear and trust will leave you wanting more. These two This book was phenomenal. These two characters are awesome. I absolutely love Willow Winters' books!!! And let me tell you she didn't disappoint with this one either. I could not put this book down! Omg Carter is to die for! I love how dominate he is and you can really tell he Aria so much! Now I only need part 2 cause I need to know what happens between Carter and Aria! This book is by far the most amazing book I have read!!!!
This is a must read yall!!!!
I would have liked this more if Matteo was actually a bad ass hitman like he was described to be. IE it treats readers like complete idiots The problem is what he's going to do with her now that he has her. She's also fascinated by vampires and has been waiting to meet one since they "came out of the coffin", so to speak, and became legal citizens. Not a long time for an eighteen-year-old girl.
Oct 22, Priya rated it it was amazing. I enjoyed this book really, the plot was good and the characters were well written. This was really and intriguing. Loved the characters and plot. Loved main MC, both were phenomenal at their places. Aria was so strong and determined and beautiful and tender and so loveable and not at all broken. Carter was as usual our Alpha male. I think this plot was bit different and that's a really good thing for me.
I need to finish this series, I want to reach the ending. May 15, Kathleen R. I have been waiting for this book ever since I got a glimpse of Carter in Possessive and it was worth the wait. Carter is so intense and Aria is so broken, but their attachment to each other defies everything and everyone else.
Great story, as per usual, Ms. Willow Winters has outdone herself, yet again. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and you do not want to put it down!! I was hooked right from the beginning! I cannot wait to find out what happens next!! This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I don't understand why I read that until the end View all 6 comments. Holy Mary, mother of God!
Willow I am hooked! To know that I can enjoy this twisted sadistic story is proof that you are a badass. Not everyone can pull off such darkness with Grace, but by God you never fail to amaze me. You wanted to know what I thought of that ending?? I absolutely loved it. Obviously I can't go into detail about what made it so great without spoiling it , but I will just say it was completely freeing.
I felt free and every emotion that Aria Holy Mary, mother of God! I felt free and every emotion that Aria was feeling. The vivid descriptions made me feel like I was a part of the story. I could clearly picture it all in my head as I was reading every word. Don't even get me started on Carter!! I loved everything about him. Hell, I'll be a prisoner to him if he wants me!
All I can say is I will be anxiously keeping my eyes open for more. With your talent, I can only imagine what greatness is still to come. Stay up to date! Want a text alert? Text "Willow" to ! All during her pregnancy with Evie she continued to read and she only wanted to read romance. She was reading a book a day — sometimes two. In January Willow was staying up late with Evie and just thinking of all these stories.
They came to her constantly so she finally sat down and just started writing. Their families hate each other and his family has killed all but her and her father. Matteo whisks an unconscious Bianca off to her inevitable death. Five seconds later, these two are like two dogs in heat dry humping each other.
pussy willow within the first 15%, look for an actual DARK book deserving of This first installment in Isabella Starling's Mafia Brides series is a Isabella Starling book Dark Blood was gifted to me in an ARC in exchanged for a honest review. . I think if the story had been darker, I would have enjoyed it more than I did. I highly recommend this book to lovers of a darker story! . I fell in love with the characters and the sex scenes were blood boiling! . Without giving away any spoilers, Helena is one of the four Willow daughters, "Willow Girl" and in .. Taken by Natasha Knight is the first book in a new series and it's not for the faint of heart.
I swear I've been transported from a mafia book to some HBO wanna be porno. She immediately trusts him despite knowing he just killed her brother a week ago. You couldn't kill her now. Not after seeing that looks of lust in her eyes. My father hesitates, possibly the only moment I've seen him indecisive in my entire life.
Why does it fucking hurt. I imagine her pretty face roughed up and bloodied, and it makes me want to vomit. So, he kidnaps her from his evil father whom he's never once disobeyed. It was hard sacrifice through all her begging to be taken. Chivalry from a trained monster. He leaves her alone, but she can't even fathom running away now.
Electricity in her blood for him. An actual evil villain appears to tear down Matteo's apartment door and kidnap her so he can pretend she's his dead sister. Why, yes, this does makes 3 times she's been kidnapped in 48 hours. Poor Matteo is beside himself with grief, guilt, and quickest voiced instalove in book history. No fear, Matteo's daddy who hates him so much that he forbids Matteo from even addressing him as dad is there to console him and make a plan to get her back. Silly me I thought the dude saying "she will die" meant he actually wanted her dead.
I guess I should've known that was mafia code for if she's kidnapped by you for me, by you for you, and then by someone else altogether Of course, the answer here is for Matteo and his dad to go to her dad for a reunion among enemies to save Bianca. Is there really a need to tell you that they storm in with the bad guy's dick mere centimeters from rape penetration and that they save the day and her virginity before they all sit together and all but sing a lullaby to her in her childhood bedroom?
Good, I'll spare us all the rest. The Writing If nonsense is your jive, then I should warn you that the writing itself is befitting for the plot and characters. IE it treats readers like complete idiots Rec on KU; Gee, thanks, Amazon. For The Author This appears to be the author's first book. So, I'd like to give precise reasons why this is a one star book. Same with the villain going from an unloving parent who's hell bent on revenge and genocide of a family to a caring father, hero, and all around peacefully swell guy with no explanation.
A vendetta spanning 20 years and that's murdered almost an entire family is resolved instantaneously? Three kidnappings in 48 hours? An yr-old girl never been kissed but makes an immediate and unafraid submissive to an unknown man who just killed her brother, killed her longtime guards, and kidnapped her? Mundane and common sense elements are given paragraph upon paragraph of explanation, but the actual plot points go from A to Z, skipping any and all letters between.
Too much fluff surrounded by zero substance. View all 63 comments. Matteo is thought to be the deadliest enforcer in the business. He is also the son of the head of the Abbate crime family, although his father doesn't acknowledge the kinship. Matteo's current task is to kidnap and kill the rival family's last living heiress, Bianca. This is a Mafia story. The storyline, the idea of the story is a great one. Captive to repay an old debt.
It's the life of the mob. This story missed the delivery component. Matteo had the reputation that incites fear in everyone nea Matteo is thought to be the deadliest enforcer in the business. Matteo had the reputation that incites fear in everyone near and far in Mafia circles, but he's portrayed in several scenes as a needy, wimpy, easy to manipulate, easy to abuse boy. He's beaten several times by those lesser in statue than him.
It's not an easy feat to reconcile the two personalities. The story makes Matteo character contradictory and unrealistic. There are several scenes that force the reader to question the research involved, question character development, and overall to believe and understand this story required huge effort.
I think with an effort to focus on creating believable characters with realistic personalities, extensive plot and scene development, and delivery of the overall story, this could definitely become a 5-star read! As always with my reviews under four stars, I advise you to consider other reviews if deciding to purchase.
This review is my opinion, my interpretation of this book and should be considered as such. This review is based solely on the book and no other components outside the pages of this book were taken into consideration while creating this review. This review does not and should not reflect badly on the author. This review is simply feedback, a tool that can be used for improvement of this story only. Oct 07, Aisling Zena marked it as maybe.
May 30, Jos rated it it was amazing. I loved it, I truly did: The story was fast paced, it was intriguing, it was quick and easy and I read sitting out by the pool all in one afternoon! Why not 5 Stars, well, I wanted "more" of the characters. I wanted to see their relationship develop even further. Yes, this was a quick read so i will give her that but 4. Yes, this was a quick read so i will give her that but because I LOVED the h and the H, I guess selfishly I wanted more together time with them and not just surrounded by the external "drama" if that makes sense!
All in all, I will definitely read more by her and look forward to see what she writes in the future: I think for a debut, it was fantastic and she only has room to grow leaps and bounds: Oct 23, texxie-PRUFreads. Probably closer to This, however, was NOT one of those times. What a pleasant surprise! Dark Blood is very dark and gritty and could easily be 'too much' for some readers. This book isn't perfect. Pretty damn far from it if I'm being honest. It could use a bit more editing and there were a couple of Probably closer to It could use a bit more editing and there were a couple of things that drove me insane.
The no shower thing, I couldn't look over that. Not to mention, a very crucial scene, while powerful, didn't make a whole hell of a lot of sense to me. Anywho, I still loved it. Despite the need for a more polishing, Dark Blood is an emotional, dark and gritty read with family at the center. Fantastic, even if flawed. I will be looking for more from this author and this series! Matteo and Bianca love story was more sweet than dark he quickly falls for his girl and we see a steamy relationship develop, with some darker aspects.
Matteo, aka the "Blood Hound": Illegitimate son of the head of the Abbate crime family. Illegitimate and only daughter of the head of the Da Costa crime family. Matteo's father sends him in to kidnap and kill Bianca right under her father's nose. Bianca is well aware of the feud between her family and the Abbate's all though she's not aware of the reasons. After losing her older brother to the hands of her captor, she should fear for her life but finds herself lusting him instead.
Soooo, I Matteo, aka the "Blood Hound": Soooo, I loved the plot of this story. The synopsis had me watching the calendar for its release date. I did not find Matteo to be the badass hitman described in the description. I actually found him to be wimpy and rather weak. He's supposed to be the family's best hitman yet he hit the wrong mark and weren't even aware of it until after it was said and done.
He also allows people to push him around and decide his future WEAK! I wouldn't call this is a dark read either. The sex was not rough or dirty but somewhat boring. I would have liked this more if Matteo was actually a bad ass hitman like he was described to be. He wasn't much of an alpha at all since he let a bunch other men push him around and decide his fate. Jul 06, Susan Burgess-Ryan rated it it was amazing. I have to say for a first book she captured the Mafia and their hitmen perfectly.
I definitely will be following her work. I loved the storyline and how the characters worked perfectly with it. The minor characters even played their parts perfectly. This book had me feeling all those feelings. They are both illegitimate children of their respective father. He even went so far as to make Matteo his killing monster. Their families happen to be at war with each other. ARC free book given in exchange for an honest review. Jan 19, TP rated it did not like it Shelves: I can't recommend this book.
Not in the least authentic. Limited word pool, relentless repetitions in one chapter, predictable storyline and shallow characters, if you can call this stereotypical behavior even owning a character. Shilling shocker or penny dreadful you may call it. Jul 09, Rochelle rated it it was amazing. Phenomenal new author who writes with passion.
Amazing book filled with pain and love. Dec 01, Shari Kay marked it as not-for-me. Jul 15, Arlene Adams rated it it was amazing Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Killed in cold blood by a hitman. If I ever find the man who did this to my family, I will claw his eyes out. No one messes with the Da Costas. He was my half-brother, really. We shared a dad, but not a mother. Now that Lorenzo is gone. His face makes another appearance in my mind, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief like they used to , and I feel a tear trickle down my cheeks.
Lorenzo and I had always been close, growing up together as if we were true siblings despite our mothers being sworn enemies. Lorenzo always treated me well, like a real sister. I will miss that man dearly. He was my big brother, my rock, my protector. Now, he is just gone. You will need to be surrounded by guards constantly. My life as I knew it is over. You will want for nothing, cara mia. I am only eighteen years old. I cannot marry a man who could easily be my father! He will take good care of you. He will protect you. He works in San Diego. It will be good for us.
Two months until my freedom is stripped from me. Not a long time for an eighteen-year-old girl. He is weary and tired. He is the shell of the man he used to be, not only in his broken mind, but his fragile body, too. Franco is looking around frantically, realizing he is surrounded. A silent scream has become permanently lodged in my throat.
Franco looks right at me, raises a finger to his lips and motions for me to stay quiet. I fight every instinct. I bite my tongue and I pray for my life to be spared. A masked face appears in the glass, looking right into the interior of the car.
The door to the car opens, and large, strong hands make a grab for me. Darkness and monsters, coming to get me. One of the monsters has taken off his mask and is staring right at me, a wicked grin painted on his face as I slowly plunge into total darkness. A beautiful fucking monster. But the girl has some fight in her and she struggles against me, trying to break free.
Finally, she goes under and stops screaming. Now, I wonder whether her daddy will be left to mourn her death before his. All I am is a killing machine. A rabid dog sent out to ravage the victims my father chooses. My eyes roam over her again. I look at the girl again. My papa is a mafia king, too. But unlike her father, mine has an abundance of sons, all ready to take his throne after he passes. I sit down in the far corner of the room, partially hidden by the shadows. I narrow my eyes at him, and then realize something is aching on my back.
Why did you do that? Jul 13, EpicRomanceReviews rated it really liked it. A Mafia Hitman Romance. This first installment in Isabella Starlings Mafia Brides series revolves around a pampered mafia princess who is kidnapped for revenge by the brutish son of a rival crime famiglia. The two warring clans have been feuding for the last fifteen years and Angelo "Some monsters are apparent to the eye, but others hide in the light. The two warring clans have been feuding for the last fifteen years and Angelo Abbate's bloodthirsty vendetta against Nicolas Da Costa has escalated to EPIC proportions.
Matteo Salini, Abbate's reviled bastard son, has been raised for the soul purpose of being a killing machine. They were making their way through the Da Costa family lineage, and fast. At his maniacal father's orders, he has already taken out his mark's beloved son Lorenzo. Now he has been tasked with the job of putting out a hit on the ailing Da Costa's precious daughter, Bianca, the last surviving sole heir to the vast mafia empire.
He is so desensitized from feeling that Matteo relishes scaring the living daylights out of Bianca when his sleeping princess awakens from her chloroform-induced slumber, chained mercilessly in a dark, dank cell.
His moniker is the Blood Hound. The virginal beauty stirs something primal in him But at the same time, the beast inside me wants to take her. Explain to her that she was made for me. I want him to do bad things to me.