Expect the unexpected, they say.I didn’t.That was a mistake.“The silent fixer”That’s what they whisper“Turo DeMarco can slice you with that smile”It’s been known to happenBut the one truth they don’t know could get me killed. It’s already gotten me thrown into the fire. I may be the rising dark star of Chicago’s criminal underworld, but I’ve been warned. I have one chance to make things right, … I’ve been warned.
I have one chance to make things right, flying halfway around the world to do it.
In Athens I collide with Adriana, one hot AF billionaire heiress who gets in my way with an unforgettable kiss and a blast of gunfire, hurling us both into the center of a lavish, decadent playground in the Greek islands.
Tangled together in the ultimate high stakes games, our impulsive escape to an island exposes cruel lies, sour truths, explosive passion…and bares our bitter souls.
And everything changes. For both of us.
In Chicago, I learned that one thing speaks louder than words—blood
So much blood on my hands.
But now in Greece, the blood in my heart is loudest of all.
Blood never lies, blood never plays games.
And neither do I.
This is a tale of my seduction
by ambition
by power
my ego
a country
the wine
that sea
gods and myths
and one
incredible
woman.
Expect the unexpected, they say.
I didn’t.
This Greek island billionaire romantic suspense action adventure novel with bodyguard romance, mafia romance, and organized crime elements is intended for mature readers only. It contains adult language, violence, and graphic sex
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What do I even say about this book that I haven’t written in every one of my reviews of Cat Porter’s books?! This book was AMAZING! Turo and Adri were phenomenal. I loved everything about it. I also loved all the little tidbits about Greece and the food and the island of Andros. I’ve been telling my husband for years I want to go to Greece. I want to go even more now. I want to experience Andros like they did. I want to feel them in the breeze while lying on the beach or drinking Ouzo. I want to experience the culture. I just love Cat Porter’s books!
Adriana and Turo’s story felt like an epic saga as I was reading it. So much intensity in their love and in the situations they experience, including the resolutions to some of those situations. I loved this book.
This book is longer than average reads today, but it is an epic romance, full of beautiful, poetic imagery. Written to transport you to the glorious wonders of the Greek islands, it was indeed a vacation for the senses and the imagination. Enjoy!
“—that high octane fuel that was Turo lit every particle of my being on fire.”
Cat Porter is a favorite author for me, so anything she writes is something I want to read. But I must confess that all the others I’ve read have been in the motorcycle club world. Dagger in the Sea is totally different from those, but there were a few character crossovers. I actually met Turo while reading Fury, though I honestly didn’t realize it until a familiar scene was revisited through his eyes.
Dagger in the Sea is a long story. It takes a while to get to the good stuff because the author has to lay the groundwork in order for everything else to make sense later on. And she’s kind of sneaky by putting her readers in the head of her characters and allowing us to know their thoughts. But what I always tend to forget is though we know what they are thinking, that doesn’t mean it’s right. They can take us down a wrong road and we might not know it until they do, and that might be too late. Are you intrigued yet?
If you’ve read a Cat Porter book before, you know that she loves to mess with our minds. She makes us feel what her characters are feeling, whether it be love or hate, trust or betrayal. We will react with them to whatever the situation calls for. Her words are so powerful that I spent 90% of this damn book hungry and craving the food she described so temptingly. I could feel the sand between my toes, the heat of the sun on my skin and the coolness of the water. And yes, I felt the other kind of heat too. I advise you to keep a cool drink and a fan nearby to get through those scorching sex scenes.
Adriana calls Turo a ‘indecent gentleman’ because he looks so polished in his expensive suits, but he can be ruthless or filthy when the occasion calls for it. He’s educated and can discuss Greek mythology and poetry, but he can also slay an enemy without blinking an eye.
I really enjoyed my visit to Greece through the pages of this book. I feel like I’ve been on vacation as I remember the events that I’ve read about. They were described so beautifully that I can see them in my head like pages in a photo album. I also enjoyed the action and suspense that delivered a few surprises and cranked up the excitement as secrets and scandals were uncovered. I wanted to throw my Kindle on several occasions, but I refrained because I did not want to be deprived of the answers I sought. The closer I got to the end the more excited I became as all the pieces started fitting together. I wish I could tell you about it, but that would be a disservice, it must be experienced with all the senses. I’m looking forward to whatever the author has for us next. The line forms here…
Dagger in the Sea is simply beautiful. Cat Porter takes the reader on a sweeping adventure through the Greek Isles and you can’t help but fall in love, one page at a time. As we get caught up in the slow burn romance that starts when Turo DeMarco quite literally bumps into one Adriana Lavrentiou in a nightclub, the immense beauty that only Greece can deliver is our backdrop. The sights and sounds of this magnificent country are wonderfully described and I found myself happily lost in its allure.
Although their worlds are vastly different, there is a strong pull, a calling that both Turo and Adri did not anticipate. There is plenty of mystery that surrounds both of them. As their stories, their past hurts find their way to the surface, it becomes as crystal clear as the azure waters of the Aegean Sea, that perhaps they are more perfect together than either one wants to admit. Their banter is sharp and keeps both of them on their toes, and I loved the way they could both entice the other with just a look and become a better version of themselves just by being near.
The underlying reasons for Turo being in Athens is the dreaded thread throughout this book. As much as we all want the love story both he and Adri want as well, there is a definite expiration date to their time together. His stint as her new bodyguard was not planned and everything he had wanted to resolve while in Greece becomes wildly complicated very quickly. The Author certainly kept me guessing to how this would all unfold and I found myself as blissfully lost as Turo and Adri were as they find a few days respite from all the madness that surrounds them on the remote island of Andros. Danger lurks at every turn, whether it is by the hand of his family or by her past relationships. There is so much that transpires, so many characters to keep track of, I had to savor each page slowly just to keep up!
But as everything comes to a head later on in the book, I too craved the serenity of those stolen moments on Andros since neither Turo’s nor Adri’s lives would ever be the same. Secrets are revealed. Unexpected alliances are formed. Confessions are there for the taking. I’m telling you, this book has it all and you had better pay close attention. It is more than worth it in the end.
The indecent gentleman and his guileless vixen make for one helluva pair. Their chemistry is undeniable and their passion all consuming. I couldn’t look away if I tried. I will admit, however, that there were times when I felt as if the journey of their presumed love was overly long, even a bit too wordy. But I’m here to say that every word has it’s rightful place and this story could not have been told any other way.
Cat Porter once again delivers an experience like no other. A romantic escapade full of emotion, intrigue and a ton of heart. Dagger in the Sea deserves no less than 5 solid stars!
Dagger In The Sea is the lightest book I’ve read by this author which by no means is a complaint since I found it quite enjoyable.
I loved the way the author wove myths into the story and the impact it had on Adri and Turo’s story and relationship.
My fave part was watching them fall under each other’s spell in the same way I was bespelled by Greece. The vivid way in which the author brought it to life had me adding it to my list of places I simply must visit. I want to walk where these characters walked, experience the sights, sounds, scents and tastes.
I definitely recommend this book without a doubt.
ARC provided by author in exchange for a honest review
When looking at the cover of this book you think you might be getting a paranormal book. When reading the blurb you know it couldn’t be further from the truth.
Turo wasn’t looking for love. In fact he purposely steered clear of anything resembling love. But when he meets Adri something pulls him to her. He can’t help but to feel something for her.
Adri has been through an ordeal growing up. When she meets Turo she figures letting go for one night might not do any harm.
When tragedy strikes Turo and Adri are bound for more than one night. Their feelings for each other grow with time. But when danger lurks in the shadows will their feelings be enough?
I was so engrossed in this novel I couldn’t wait to turn the page to find out more of Turo and Adri’s story. This book was well written, the sex scenes were hot and the characters were well developed. Only complaint I really had about this book was that it seemed to go on forever. I felt there were certain points where the book could have ended earlier. – By Vanessa
This book is my #1 read of 2018. Seriously.
The Characters are developed beautifully. The story is woven so descriptively you can feel the sand between your toes, the warmth of the sun on your skin, the aroma of the wine as the olive oil drips from your lips. The cover is GORGEOUS. The chemistry between the characters has you racing from page to page. I would stop intermittently to google the places and soak up all the history – this is NOT how I normally read, but I was consumed with this romance and wanted to be a part of their journey.
Absolutely loved it!!
Finally read my first Cat Porter book!!!
Loved the way everything in this book was described as if I were sitting there enjoying the scene in person. I truly feel like I have experienced Greece in all its beauty.
Arturo is truly a lost man.
Never having a mother or father who truly claimed him in public as their child. Living with his mother, yet being introduced as a godchild. Never meeting his father until that day…
When his father sends him to Greece to take care of a lost business deal, Turo met the one who would change his life forever.
This is a long book! It seemed to move at a very slow pace. I enjoyed reading it but at times I felt that I wanted to shout and say ok move on already.
If you like the extra-long slow burn book, this book is for you! Its beautifully written and an enjoyable read.
#BookBistroBlogApproved
Wow! This is my first read by Cat Porter and I am stunned. Brilliant, descriptive writing takes center stage in this beautiful gripping tale of love and lust and blood and, yes, food with lush beautiful characters at the core. The mafia part of the story was interesting and brought several factors to play but the true story was one of romance. Turo was so perfect in his sexy, controlled and commanding “business” persona and his lust and love for Adriana. What a beauty Adri was as the eurotrash princess with a painful past. So complex. They made a lovely couple with an intense connection and smoking chemistry. The blood of family came into play on so many levels in this story, some wonderful and some turned bloody. I loved the twist near the end and the explosive outcome to the treachery. I loved ruthless calculating Turo! The ending looks like a set up for a new series that will be debauched and sexy. Hope to see more of the Italian brothers. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
“Dagger in the Sea” was so completely different to what I was expecting.
I was prepared for the usual gritty mafia type romance and what I got was something else entirely.
This was such an in-depth deep glimpse into a different world and culture.
One steeped in history and mythology; which in turn then filled me with an almost gripping inner excitement.
Forget the Mafia connection; that is not really what this book is about; I mean its there in the background with partial exposure throughout; but that is not what “Dagger Of The Sea” ultimately concentrates on.
At the centre of this fascinating tale, we have Adrianna and Turo and this is their journey and also their destination.
It’s this we ultimately focus on; the simplistic connection developing between these two very similar but also so different individuals; exploring further the fresh feelings this new pair of lovers have for each other and as an added bonus this is all set against the stunning backdrop of simple greek island life.
This simple lifestyle also contrasts beautifully the differences in Adri’s usual existence.
exposed to so much money and privilege I’m amazed at her unspoilt persona.
There is so much going on to hold the reader’s attention here.
which is a really good thing as this really is quite a lengthy read.
One with very well developed characters and fantastic supporting side cast.
This is a really jam-packed ride; one that managed to keep my attention throughout without showering me with unwanted angst.
The love story at the centre here is beautiful and believable and it made such a nice change to just experience two people falling hook line and sinker without planting unnecessary obstacles in their path for shock value.
I liked both Adri and Turo equally and it was only certain little niggles that pulled this down slightly for me; they were mainly just personal preferences.
This was so well written and had a fantastic style of narration.
My first introduction to this author and I am pleased to impart that it won’t be my last.
This one was definitely a great read that I am happy to recommend.
Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC of “Dagger In The Sea” of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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Cat Porter’s new release is not to be missed! My book reviews generally consist of my feelings and observations while reading, so for your consideration: this feels like a Scorsese film, so cinematic. Suspense/pot boiler, betrayal, such a balance of dark and light, family destruction and reconnection. Chicago to Greece to London, dream itinerary! Yachts, why don’t I know someone with a yacht? Swanky parties with celebs and hotshots. Beaches, mythology and legends. Such lush details, sometimes feels like a slow, sensual stroll down a cobbled street at twilight. Revenge and twisty reveals. Food, I need Greek food right now! Oh, delicious slow-burn seduction! Turo’s kisses, is there anyone who kisses better than Turo? Unexpected love, rising from two rocky pasts.
To say I enjoyed this is an understatement. Indulge, be captivated!
There is nothing this book doesn’t contain and leave you wanting/needing more and left me gasping at points. The author did such an amazing job with details not only with the characters but the various environments they were in. Left me longing for a trip to Greece. This book is packed with everything between mafia, historical romance, discussion of gods and current romance/heat.
Simply put there nothing not to love about Dagger in the Sea. This book is phenomenal. I am not one to spoil the story for others. What I will say is if you pass this up you are missing one hell of a fantastic read.
Meet Turo and Adriana, he a rising star in the Mafia underworld, she a beautiful Greek heiress. So much happens in this story, but never does the author make you feel like you are missing anything. Turo and Adriana meet at in a party-like atmospheric setting, you can feel the magnetic pull leap out from the pages. But the story really takes off from page one. I love that the author’s setting is in Greece and how she weaves in the culture, lifestyle and the beauty of the country. It sounds almost decadent in some ways but in actuality is really a very simple lifestyle. Made me feel like I was a tourist without ever getting on a plane. The background is so picturesque.
The characters each have their own distinctive and unique roll yet none detract from the other. And I loved that she carried over characters from the Lock and Key series. The story is filled with suspenseful nail biting moments and moments of peaceful tranquility, history and romantic bliss.
I loved everything about Dagger in the Sea.
Dagger in the Sea by Cat Porter was amazing! The journey through Greece is simply beautiful and it made me want to visit there immediately!! Turo and Adriana’s chemistry was off the charts and the sexual tension was scorching! Their story was a slow burn, emotional and just beautiful. I loved Turo and Adriana alot! They are one of my favorite couples this year!! This is definitely a must read! You will not be disappointed!
This one too!! A great read, not related to the L&K series.
I was transported to an exotic locale and lived (vicariously) and loved this book! You will want to go to Greece!
I love Cat’s writing. Her books are not your typical Mafia or MC Romance were all is blood and sex. Dagger in the Sea has so much more to just be call a simple mafia book. This is also a Greek lesson, History lesson, a journey and an adventure. You get suck into this book from the very first chapter and let yourself be transported all around the Mediterranean Lands through Cat’s eyes. It’s a full on journey where every details is exceptional and a sure way to provide the reader a sensory overload. You will be able to travel to every scenery, taste the wine in your lips, savor every dish consumed, feel the sun and salty water of the Mediterranean Ocean on your skin and the touch of a powerful man all over your body. This will be like having your personal travel guide. Don’t worry guys you still getting all the gun blazing, car chasing, blood, burning passions and the forbidden as any amazing Mafia Romance should be.
Let’s talk a bit about our passionate couple. I’ll try my best to not give away too much because this book need to be an individual experience. I would hate to damage any readers journey.
Adriana fell into the arms of Turo and was an instant magnetism. Two sensual souls brought together by chance. They were what each other wanted at that moment. A simple heated encounter. One night of indulgence and pleasure but one that was never to be completely fulfilled because the Greek Gods had other plans in mind for this two. They are both worth more than just a casual encounter.
Turo DeMarco my oh my. Talk about dark, dangerous, sexy and brooding. He is the epitome of MAFIA POWER AND GLAMOUR. I would completely let myself be corrupted and consume by him. At thirty three years, he is every women fantasy of a POWERFUL BAD BOY or in his case BAD MAN because they’re nothing boyish about TURO DEMARCO. He is intriguing, sensual, predatory, knowledgeable and dangerous. But behind all that is a man thirsty for more. To have power, more control, acknowledgement of his value and even if he doesn’t want to admit LOVE. He has been proving his worth time and time again to Mauro Guardino ( The Boss) and his mother Erin Cavanaugh just to get what in reality belong to him. After some trouble and disaster in Chicago he is sent to Athens to smooth some trouble not knowing that this trip will turn his perfect control and organize life up side down.
Adriana Lavrentious at 23 years old is not your typical empire heiress. She may look like a Mediterranean super model but she is so much more than that. She has a heart of gold, educated, refine, sensual, knowledgeable of many topics that would drive any man crazy. I’m not talking about sexual knowledge. For that Turo is here to bring out her inner Greek Goddess. She may look sweet and delicate but she has a burning yearning passion inside that only Turo can bring back out. I admire her and her power witch she doesn’t know she has. She may not think and see her confidence and control but looking at her through Turo’s eyes has me wanting to be her.
This story is about family, blood, loyalties, power, revenge, life simple pleasures, passion and love. I’m already missing My Conjurer, My Conqueror, My Indecent Gentleman. Let yourself be consume by Turo and Adriana’s love. It was such an amazing ROMANCE.
This book was amazing and fed my passion to visit Greece. Turo is an obviously flawed man with a heart of gold, at least when it matters most. I really enjoyed this book and so so look forward to more stories with these characters.