A standalone dark mafia romance novel written by International Bestselling Author, Nikita Slater.Loving the man is easy, loving the mob boss is the most terrifying thing Maria has ever done.Five years ago, Maria was happy until the unexpected and violent death of her fiancé shattered her world. Now she’s on the run and afraid for her life. Just as she starts to believe she’s safe, she meets … she’s safe, she meets Niccolo DeLuca and finds herself caught up in a dangerous game of blackmail.
Through a legacy of brutality and blood, Nic carved a place for himself among the fiercest mobsters in Italy. Now, in America, unhindered by the old Sicilian code, his unique brand of terror makes him the brutal king of his criminal underworld.
His enemies make a very big mistake when they decide to use the beautiful Latina against him. Nic will take the woman and wreak bloody vengeance on everything in his path.
Book eight of the Fire & Vice series. All books are standalone and can be read in any order. Guaranteed HEA with NO cliffhanger. Just hot alpha male who knows what he wants! Sizzling dark romance. Read at your own risk!more
I first found Nikita Slater a little over a year ago through her book Scarred Queen. I was hooked after that, and I’ve read all of her books she’s published thus far. She is part of a rather short list of authors that I will buy without reading the blurb because I know that she always delivers an interesting and engaging story.
Nic and Maria are interesting characters. He is the rather overbearing alpha, at first cold as stone, and she is the rather brave, kinda mouthy, spitfire that I came to admire through the course of the book. The two of them together created an intense and engaging read. Nikita Slater knows how to write and write well. She proved that here.
So there you have it: great characters, a clearly defined world, and an intense plot. What more can I say? If you like mafia fiction, you’ll love this latest addition to the Fire and Vice series (all the books in this series are very good). Loved this book and heartily recommend it.
I have love every book this author has written. What I love are the heroes that she writes about I don’t know how she does it in making them be so dark, so obsessive, but at the same time make them be so in love with the women they set their eyes on. Nic this man was so possessive, I don’t know what words to come with to describe this alpha of a male he was just perfect for the kind of stories I love reading
Nic and Maria (main characters) have this sizzling chemistry from their first meeting, which was intense, by the way.
Nic is your usual Nikita Slater alpha male hero. Intense, scary, calm but deadly as an opponent. Over-the-top jealous and possessive. He, however, has a, I would say, soft spot for Maria. He may be hard and punishing to everyone else but her. In this book though, the author may have incorporated her usual brand for her heroes but there’s something different about Nic compare to others. But it’s a good difference, in fact. I love that the author is blending/adding and creating a different character type for her heroes as they’re one of the reasons she’s the go-to author of many readers who love underground romances.
Maria, just like her other heroines (which why I love reading her books) is tough and smart. She’s brimming with passion and full of fight despite having a troubled past. Her personality clashes with Nic and it adds an intense and fiery sexual chemistry in the story. They may clash but they blend perfectly as well.
Maria’s unfortunate life events brings them together and of course, Nic seized that oppurtunity fast. I love witnessing how their relationship together unravels and grows. Nic is one true alpha – a perfect addition to the Fire and Vice series heroes and Maria is as admiring as the other heroines in the series.
*Although this book is part of a series, all books can be read as a standalone though I recommend reading the firsts in this series too.
*Read via Kindle Unlimited Program
I really enjoyed this. I had mixed emotions at first, because I really disliked Nic at first. He grew on me though, with all his dominant, bad guy mafia ways. Maria was the perfect match for him, not allowing herself to back down to him. I loved her feisty attitude! It was a really good book, if you like mafia romance or romance with a really questionable anti-hero, you’ll love this!
Nic and Maria have by far the best interactions and chemistry. Love this series and the male dominance is great. Maria definitely comes into her own but under the watchful and lustful eye of Nic. Excellent dynamics between characters and I loved it so much I started the entire series again!!!
I absolutely loved it.
Nic and Maria’s love story was definitely a page turner for me. His obsession and possessiveness is OTT perfection with her fearlessness and sass made them perfect combination. The steam was wayyy off the charts.
As a mafia fan I’m always excited for a nikita slater release and this was just the perfect blend of everything romance and bas ass mafia read I needed.
Nic and Maria are sizzling hot. This fulfilled all my alpha, mafia needs and also offered a strong female who although was in a predicament still kept up her feisty spirit and strong nature! Nikita did it again and proves the Fire and Vice series is one of the best alpha, possessive, crime mafia series out there!
I was up until the wee hours this morning because I couldn’t put Burning Beauty down. It has the signature NS elements: super alpha mobster H, beautiful homes and creepy villains. The standout is Maria. She is irrepressible, and keeps a sense of humor in the direst of circumstances. With a strong supporting cast and cameos from old favorites this was a fun, swoony read. I love that H’s from other books in the series are only soft for their h’s; they stay true to their giant alpha male selves with everyone else.
This book was phenomenal! I loved everything about it! I am always amazed by Nikita’s men and Nic did not disappoint! He definitely has a place in my harem!
Nic and Maria’s story is like a fairy tale meets the mafia with a whole bunch of chaos!
This couple is passionate and fiery, both demanding and taking, and giving and pleading for more. It is a beautiful story of love in it’s rawest form. A true love that happens when the fates and circumstances arise and bring them together.
Maria is a strong heroine and has a lot of opinions. She loves and hates Nic, for different reasons, but she still needs to have him.
Nic is a mafia boss that most fear because of his ruthlessness. But not Maria, she stands toe to toe with him and he loves that about her.
Nikita I love this Fire & Vice books! And I am looking forward to Luke and Cassandra’s story. Such a tease that ending was!!
“You’re young, you have your whole life ahead of you. This tragedy doesn’t need to define you. Go and do something incredible with your life.”
You just can’t go wrong with Nikita Slater’s words…one of the few authors that when I hear she has a new release I just one-click without reading a book blurb. I know I’ll want it in my library.
“She was scared of him, scared of what he could do to her, physically, mentally and emotionally. She knew deep down to her bones that this man could cause a lot of damage.”
You need to learn to make the most of the circumstances you find yourself in. No matter how hopeless you may think it is you can always find something to help bring you to the light. An unexpected joy.
““This continent will whisper my name with terror.” His cold gaze flickered around the room. “The message does not need to be a subtle one.””
This book will have your emotions running high. I was on the edge of my seat, heart racing, teary eyed, pissed, hopeful, wanting revenge, wanting forgiveness, fanning myself and wanting more… I love this series and just can’t get enough of the words.
“You may eventually wish you were dead instead of mine.”
Five stars!! Nic is a mafia boss, in an arranged marriage to his childhood friend.
He’s instantly obsessed with Maria, the one who’s been blackmailed into seducing Nic, and he finds a way to have her.
There’s lots of chemistry, heat and misunderstanding for this Latina bombshell as she struggles to come to grips with her new life.
If you are familiar with Nikita Slater and her books, you can be rest assured that it ends in a happy ending, and there’s no cheating despite the marriage thing between Nic and his wife.
I have been waiting for Nick’s story and it did not disappoint. This book was an amazing addition to the series. I was eager to read Niccolo and Maria’s story. Niccolo is dominant, dark and dangerous. I was left wanting more of this duo. Can’t wait for book 9. As always, thank you for the great read Nikita.
This book features an unconventional relationship with a mafia boss and a girl who gets caught in his crosshairs after being set up in order to trap him.
Niccolo DeLuca never imagined that he would let someone like Maria Sanchez into his inner circle. She is able to tempt him like no other and he is a man who is used to getting what he wants. He will possess Maria and never let her go.
Maria has been deeply hurt in relationships before and naturally, she is wary of Nic at first. But Nic’s magnetic aura is impossible to ignore and before she knows it, she finds herself falling in love.
Nikita Slater creates a heart-touching relationship between two characters who are able to find solace in each other in a harsh and unkind world. This book is a must read for anyone who loves dark romance featuring a dominant and possessive hero.
Great addition to the Fire & Vice series! Ms Slater is now an automatic must buy for me. Loved the character development and the storyline!
Burning Beauty is the 8th book in the Fire & Vice series.This book was absolutely amazing! I didn’t go to sleep since I couldn’t put the book down. I was stuck to the pages, wanting to know more. I really enjoyed learning about Maria’s life before she met Nic. Nic’s life is a bit difficult to understand: he has an agreement with his wife that only people close to him know about. Maria and Nic are made for each other and I would love to hear more about their future together. I highly recommend this book; it’s a great read and the author is amazing at writing the stories!
Fantastic!
This is another phenomenal story by an amazing author. Nic and Maria’s story is action packed, full of suspense and very sexy!! The passion between these two characters is intense and powerful. There is so much push and pull. Their love story is gritty, raw and full of so much emotion. Their story will have you utterly captivated and highly entertained.
Phenomenal writing and storytelling as always. You can’t go wrong with any of Nikita Slater’s books. Highly recommend.
OMG!!!! This book was everything. Ms. Slater never disappoint. Nic and Maria story nothing short of Amazing!!!. I absolutely positivity loved it. Nic with his old mobster ways and Maria love for people and life was explosive. Great story!!! A must read as always. If I can give more stars it will be a 10!!!!
The Fire & Vice series (King’s Command) was my first introduction to Nikita Slater. Stayed up all night and called in sick (cough cough) the next day- not to sleep, but to read more. It was glorious. I say this because due to this experience, I have an extra soft spot for this series. And lawdy, did my soft spot become an obsession.
Okay okay, enough fawning. Now for the Burning Beauty.
The chemistry between Nic and Maria was sizzling. I felt I shouldn’t like Nic as much as I did. He was over the top, controlling, cold at times and an Alpha at the level you get from Nikita. I loved every minute. And Maria was perfect for him with her strength, fire and sass. They matched (balanced?) each other wonderfully. Drama and heat drive the well written story and I was so there for it.
Once again Nikita delivers wonderfully exactly what you want. All the beautiful things I’d hoped for -HEAT, danger, drama, violence, action, perfect characters and a satisfying ending and read. Bravo.
Damn, I love this author! She’s been a 1-clicker based on her name listed as the author alone, for awhile now and this book has solidified this even more.
I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.
this author just never disappoints with this series. another 5 star rating and even though this is the 8th book, holy freaking crap the plot and characters just keep on going strong!
maria and niccolo <3
of course theres character development from beginning to end but at the same time, i absolutely love how they stay consistent with who they are as it really makes everything so believable. mafia boss, as deadly as the others that even though hes absolutely in love with her, he stays consistent with his predator ways and watching him struggle with his emotions and maria's strong stubborn ways was just awesome.
and maria's fire.. burning beauty is a great title for her as its very well shown and a true description of her and everything that she does.
also a nice long read and well worth the price if youre a mafia romance lover