“I OWN YOU NOW”She made a big mistake. You don’t blackmail a Tacone.Coming to me with a threat? Unacceptable.If she needs money, she’ll have to ask nicely. But once I give it to her, we both know what it means:She belongs to me. I do my best to hold back. Give her respect.Trouble is, I can’t keep my hands off her.And now that she’s under my thumb,I don’t plan to let her go… now that she’s under my thumb,
I don’t plan to let her go…
Note: This steamy stand-alone romance is the seventh in USA Today bestselling author Renee Rose’s Vegas Underground series. No cheating, no cliffhangers
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A fantastic way to spend a lazy Sunday! I loved reading Gio and Marissa’s story. They were both sympathetic characters who loved their families completely. The two of them compliment each other, challenge each other and are generally just made for each other, if only he can convince her of it. The dramatic thing that they have in common pulls them together, and the thing between them just grows. I loved the tension of the whole Romeo and Juliet vibe but hated the way it wore on them. I just wanted them to be happy together and screw the rest of the world. But then the book would have ended by chapter five, wouldn’t it have? The story itself is cute, emotionally poignant and easy to get lost in. I loved this part of the series and I’m looking forward to reading however many more stories Renee Rose can come up with!
Of the Tacone brothers, Gio has always been my favorite, so I was thrilled this was his story. I was even more surprised it had Marissa in it. Coming from an old Italian family, I could relate with so much of the dynamics and personality traits Renee Rose has brought to life in these characters. The storyline flowed, the characters were point on, and the grandfather? Yeah, there has to be at least one in every family. I truly loved this book and just because I think he’s such a bag of wind sometimes, I can hardly wait to see what happens with Paolo. Now I’m on pins and needles again.
The secret to life
I am so in love with the Tacones! Really! What’s not to love? Each one is a gorgeous alpha male, possessive of his woman, who is hiding this soft center, especially from themselves. Gio has to be one of my favorites though. The author gave him a second chance at life and eventually he finds someone worth living for. Like any great love story, they have their ups and downs, especially when family gets in the way, but the author is blessed with this ability to turn even the direst situations around and create HEAs that make you swoon. I can still see the emotional story playing out in my head, good thing too as I’m already anxiously waiting to see what happens with Paolo and his little hacker.
I absolutely loved Gio and Marissa’s story!
Gio was nearly killed outside Marissa’s family’s restaurant, and though he survived they both remain haunted by that day’s events. Gio feels he needs to protect Marissa, and she can’t help but be drawn to him even though her family has tried desperately to get out from under the Tacone family influence.
A family emergency has Marissa turning to Gio for help, and that one simple act launches a steamy, revelatory romance that quickly explodes into far more than either of them expected. The hurdles they must conquer are both internal and external, and the effects are far-reaching.
I was immediately sucked into this book, mostly because both MCs are familiar from the earlier book in this series, Joker’s Wild. Like that book, this one is set in Chicago but connected through the Tacone family to the rest of the series that are set in Las Vegas. If you’ve read any of the Vegas Underground books, you definitely don’t want to miss this one.
These characters are superbly written to be the exact match for the other. Gio is deliciously dominant when he needs to be, bringing out Marissa’s submissive qualities and giving her the safety and security she craves. But he also has a soft teddy bear center, while she has a tough inner strength that Gio can’t help but admire her for. There’s a bit of an age gap (he’s 40 to her 25), but it works perfectly for these characters.
The character development is quite deep with these two as they confront their pasts, their history, and what they really need to be happy. It’s exquisitely done, and I couldn’t have loved it more. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Dead Man’s Hand (Vegas Underground book 7)
Renee Rose, Burning Desire
After Giovanni Tacone was gunned down (Jokers Wild book 5) he’s not felt like the man he used to be. Somethings changed, he’s lost, everything he used to live for is numb, besides the nightmares that plague him nightly. They’re always the same, the cafe, the Russians, the shooting & her, Marissa Milano.
Gio just can’t figure out why his dreams are always of her. Giving in and visiting the cafe, Marissa instantly sees the ghosts in his eyes, & when she admits to nightmares herself he instantly feels a connection with her, even if he doesn’t know why.
When a desperate need for $30,000 see Marissa seek Gio out for a loan. She knows her attraction to Gio is going to make the payback hard, cooking for him once a week is the easy part, denying her feelings to the dominant but sweet & affectionate alpha is another.
I really liked I Gio’s internal struggle with the man he has become since the shooting and his ability to let Marissa see the insecurities he’s now experiencing, something he could never share with his brothers.
Marissa’s vulnerability, both what she faced as her cafe was shot up and a gun pointed to her head, and as a child with her abandonment issues, yet she has fierceness to be independent and not give into Gio.
I know we have to have a dark spot in romance before the HEA, but this book got me right in the heart, and I have to admit I burst into tears when reading Marissa’s chapter after Gio felt forced to let her go.
This is my favourite Vegas Underground book of the series so far, and even though I only read the ARC today, I want to read it again. Can’t wait for Paolo’s story.
This book is Gio’s story and how he’s been doing since he was shot. Nothing like almost dying to make you question your life and what your purpose is. I loved how Gio was able to show his vulnerable side to Marissa. And also what his secret desire was from the age of 6.
Marissa has to walk a fine line as she becomes more and more attracted to Gio since his grandfather is very much against the Tacones – although he is respectful to them in person. And we get more of a look at the family dynamics at a couple of their dinners.
The best recipe to turn the big, bad, sinister Mafia man into the most delicious dessert in the world:
take two pinches of different past,
a pistol bullet well placed,
a little hearty cook with a great hunger for life and love and the courage to just do it.
Mix well, enrich it a little bit with contradictions and educated rules of behaviour for the bite and season it with the most complementary spices.
All of this, let it ripen and carefully arrange for the drama and ready is the most delicious, juicy dessert “Sweet Gio” with a touch of forbidden and the perfect HEA.
Impossible not to eat it or rather to devour it. Irresistible!
Wow! This book is the story of Gio & Marissa. Those that have read Book 5 in this series (Joker’s Wild) will know what has happened that has brought Gio & Marissa together when they never thought that they would have a place in each other’s life. This book is high on emotion, both positive & negative, that shows how difficult it can be to break out of the mold of other people’s expectations. Wonderful
Gio Tacone was shot outside Marissa’s family restaurant. He has recovered and realized there is more to life. Marissa works in her family’s restaurant and at a cafe. Gio is there watching her at the cafe. Both are haunted by the shooting. Marissa ends up going to Gio when a family crisis occurs and she needs help. Gio is a dirty talking, alpha male that is smoking hot. Loved this book and series.
I have loved every book in this series. I think I have even said that each book in the series is my favorite…So, while it may seem redundant, I’m going to say that this is my favorite book in this series! At least until I go back and re-read each one. Then whichever one I’m reading will become my favorite one again. It can be read as a stand-alone, but there are elements in each story that reference back to the previous books. It’s also a quick read that is full of action, danger, tenderness, hot sexiness, and a HEA that will please any romance lover. The characters are complex and engaging, the story line is exciting, and I love all the moments of humor that are thrown in. This is one series that I know I’m going to read over and over again!
Wonderful, wonderful book. Gio is the man we dream about. In this love story, the two main characters save each other. Truly a great love story.
Great story.
I loved this booked it had me hooked from the start. Its a great storyline, loved the amazing characters Maria & Gino. At times gets quite emotional both dealing with their own personal demons but also hot sexual chemistry, I couldn’t put it down desperate for them to find a way together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Emotionally thrilling, sexy, exciting and engaging adventure filled with complex intriguing charters, witty banter and undeniable passion…… was a great read from beginning to end. Really enjoyed this heart racing adventure!
Gio and Marissa have a great story and I enjoyed it. I felt like the story had great chemistry and this kept my interest.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dead Man’s Hand is the seventh book in Renee Rose’s Vegas Underground series which focuses on Gio, one of the Tacone brothers, and Marissa, the daughter of an Italian family and culinary chef. When Marissa needs money for a family surgery, she threatens Gio who agrees to give her the money if she becomes his private chef. Their relationship is turbulent with many ups and downs.
This well written mafia book has an intriguing plot, wonderful characters, humor, drama, twists and turns, passion, and a great romance with steamy chemistry. I strongly recommend this addictive mafia read by Renee Rose.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this book. I have waited a long time for Gio’s story. It was so worth the wait. I was captivated from the start. I loved Marissa as well. The stength of family. The pull of the heart. Could not put it down! A must have read! I am voluntarily leaving my review after reading an advance copy of the book from the author.
Is Gio’s nightmare really a premonition
Renee quickly pulls you into the story of Gio, a mafia boss who was shot outside of Marissa’s café even though she tried to warn him. When Marissa needs money for her cousin’s surgery, she heads to Gio who makes a deal with her. As Gio and Marissa spend time together in secret, Gio starts to realize his own dreams. But will Marissa’s grandfather put a kabash on their blooming romance? You have to read to find out and won’t want to put the book down until you turned the last page!
I loved this book the author does an amazing job of keeping the characters engaging while making the storyline one that keeps us entertained.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved Gio and Marissa’s story. This was a great addition to the Vegas Underground series. Gio and Marissa’s chemistry is off the charts. You will root for them to get their HEA. This is a must read book with lots of action, heat, and tender moments.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Excellent mafia romance!
Marissa Milano saw Gio Tacone get shot in front of the cafe her grandparents own and she had a gun put to her head that same day. Now they both have nightmares and neither knows what to make of them. Marissa has always been told the Tacones are bad guys and to stay away, but she can’t help her attraction to Gio. This is a wonderful mafia romance and I highly recommend it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.