“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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Gio oh Gio how I love you… haha. Omg, I loved this story. We have seen Gio in a few of the other books and had some idea of who he is. But dang what a character he is. Gio is a complicated mafia man that deep down is soft and considerate. He just needed the right woman to have in his life to bring it out.
Marissa is that woman. She is a strong character that brings every emotion that Gio hides out. Marissa has taken care of everyone in her family to the point that she has no life and doesn’t even take care of herself most times. When Gio tries to do just that, Marissa doesn’t know how to let go and fights him at every chance- which brings out some fun back and forth. Gio and Marissa are a great couple, and this will be a book I reread multiple times.
Dead Man’s Hand is a story that is sexy, intriguing, and at times funny. The perfect combination.
Dead Man’s Hand is the seventh book in the Vegas Underground Mafia Romance series, and while it can definitely be read as a stand alone, I think it’s richer knowing what happened previously. Geo has been having nightmares ever since he’s been shot, but not about something happening to him, but to Marissa. As he spends more time with her, was he given a second chance at life to be with her, or will he be destined to be a dead man walking?
Oh my, I really enjoyed this addition to the series, loved getting Gio’s romance, and was completely captivated by the inner turmoil of both Gio and Marissa. Gio wants so hard to be a good man, especially for Marissa, but he keeps getting burned for his family’s name. I loved that even when he was dominant and frustrated, he was still extremely caring and loving. Marissa drove me crazy at times, but she had a good reason to be hot and cold. She wanted so badly to listen to her heart, but her mind kept playing tricks on her, based on her past and her family’s history with the Tacones. I loved their scenes together, the way they healed and learned together, and the passion that they shared. I loved how quickly they wanted to fall in love! While this wasn’t my favorite book in the series, I still absolutely loved Gio and Marissa and thought this was a great addition to the series!
This is the seventh book of this awesome series about the romances of the Tacone family. The family businesses are almost all legal these days but the Tacone name is still carries a lot of fear and negativity. Gio Tacone’s life is off kilter and he is just a little lost since his brush with death (see book six, His Queen of Clubs for the full back story) but Marissa makes him feel alive and colors his world. Even though her experiences with the family have been terrifying, Marissa is – and always has been – drawn to Gio, and the more time she spends with him, the more she comes to see the real man inside, the caring man who would do anything for her, if only she would let him.
I loved everything about this wonderful romance! The characters, the emotions, the story, the simply awesome writing, and of course the steamy love scenes. Marissa and Gio’s love story is funny, sweet, full of passion and hot as hell. I loved it.
I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reader copy of this book.
Family is everything, but still not enough
—>>> After his recovery from being gunned down right outside Caffe Milano, Gio does not realize what is missing from his life until he is confronted with a woman determined to blackmail him and the infamous Tacone family in order to help her niece, with no other options possible at the time. Marissa has a lot in common with Gio and finds herself drawn to the man he is but remains understandably leery of his reputation with the mafia family who runs Chicago. Throughout their story, Gio struggles with the meaning of why his life was spared and is restless with everything around him, but seeing Marissa put aside her fears to ask for what she needs give him courage to reach for his own goals and dreams, as long as Marissa remains in his life. A white-hot romance between two equally matched and well-defined characters! Looking forward to Paolo’s story next!
This doesn’t quite take over the top spot as my favorite in the series, but it’s a close race. We’re back to learn more of the fallout from the skirmish between the Russians and the Tacones. Now, as anyone who’s read many of my reviews probably already knows, I adore a wounded warrior hero. A description Gio fits to a ‘T’. His body may be mostly recovered from the events of that day, but his mind and emotions haven’t quite caught up yet. He’s haunted by the memories of what happened and, even more frightening, what could have been. I loved seeing the vulnerability that Gio hid from his family. Marissa brought out a softer side to him along with his alpha-protector nature. I liked Marissa, but I didn’t love her the way I did Gio. I could feel how high her guard was up and, just as she kept Gio out, I wasn’t getting through her walls either. The ending is completely adorable and it’s thoroughly hooked me for the next book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.
I plowed through this Mafia romance. Gio is one of the Tacone brothers. He has a huge, scary reputation but can’t find his purpose & meaning in the world. What is there to live for? There is a profound sadness in Gio that I found appealing. Marissa helps look after her aging grandparents’ diner, and is underemployed in a fine dining restaurant. Living in a close knit Italian family, she is used to looking after her people but she has her limits. There is a tension to her, like she is going to snap from all the pressure she is under. When she needs help, she knows Gio can help her. The chemistry between Marissa and Gio is sizzling. Both are attracted to each other-there’s a bit of an age gap, Gio is known as a player, and there’s family issues. Gio is soft with Marissa when he needs to be, and Marissa doesn’t want to let him in, no matter how often he proves himself worthy. It’s a lot of work for the two of them to be together, with relatable issues, and I enjoyed every page of it.
I received a copy of this book. My honest review is voluntarily provided.
This series is just so great! I love the Tacone’s and I want one for my own! They are so possessive and protective and giving to their women. And their women are no push overs either. Well except in the bedroom maybe.
Gio and Marissa totally fit into the family. At first Marissa is super leery of Gio and the Tacone’s. But as she gets to know Gio and gets first hand how he treats her as his girlfriend. She starts letting her walls down. But of course she doesn’t fully let them down til the end.
I loved how you still see how these men are a bit dangerous and yet they have such big hearts when it comes to their family. And my favorite thing was how Gio just wanted to protect Marissa and yet also give her her dreams.
Definitely a great addition to the series! Can’t wait for the next one!
I really loved this story. The plot was interesting as the author takes us through the start of Marissa and Gio’s relationship. The chemistry between these two main characters is off the charts, neither one wants to really accept that the chemistry between them is there. There is quite a bit of steam in this story, it’s written very well and suits the timeline in the story. It’s a nicely paced story that makes you want to read it in one sitting. Although this is part of a series you could easily read this as a standalone novel and easily follow along with what’s happening. A wonderful book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gio and Marissa’s
Was such a hot intense read.
Gia is a alpha male in all the right ways.
He been through a lot and he trying to make since of his life.
I can relate to him.
Marissa’s is a great woman
I’m glad that she puts up fight and not weak.
When these two come together it electric I thought this book was well written. And I was glad to read this book.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy my opinion are my own.
Not only do I now need a cold shower, but now I’m also hungry. Lol! Well done Renee, well done. So as I collect myself, all I gotta say is WOW! Gio and Marissa were full of crazy hot chemistry. Gio and all his dominating yumminess turned up the heat in Dead Man’s Hand. Marissa not far behind with all her amazing cooking. Wherever she has her restaurant, sign me up! Loved this new addition to the Vegas Underground series and cant wait for more! I’m so looking forward to Paolo’s book. So hurry Renee, and give me all the words!! I’m feigning my next hit of these Tacone brothers already. Must read book, like the rest of the series. You do not want to miss this bad boy!
Loved this Mafia storyline. Beautiful Italian Marissa needs thirty thousand dollars for her young cousins hip surgery. She has no way to get the money except through Gio, the Italian Mobster who just happened to get shot in her café. It’s a great love story with ups and downs. I love Mafia books and this one had everything, especially that Gio is older than Marissa and he wants to take care of her. I didn’t put it down once I started it. Can’t wait to read another one of her books, hopefully about Gio’s brother, Paolo.
Another superbly written story!
It has everything you expect from Ms Roses writting, action , angst and steamy scenes!
Loved Gio and Marissa!
Highly recommended.
I love the world that Renee Rose has created. The men of the Tacone family are honorable, by their own code, and good men, again, by their own code. That makes them really interesting to read about.
Gio was shot some time ago, and wwhile he is physically better, he feels like he’s just going through the motions. He has bad dreams every night. Dreams where the beautiful Marissa is featured, and sometimes she’s the one who gets shot. Meanwhile, Marissa is working herself to the bones because she’s so determined to help her family.
The two of them are both broken, but the interesting thing is that sometimes it’s possible to be broken and still be perfect. I think that Gio and Marissa meet a really deep need in each other, on a level they didn’t even think about before.
I really liked the story, and I’m looking forward to more from this world.
Gio and Marissa’s story continues in Dead Man’s Hand and it is explosive and very hot!
A Tacone is not who Luigi wants Marrisa saying and so she sees Gio without her family knowing.
Marissa struggles with being good enough for Gio.
I love these Mafia stories!
Gio has a life altering experience that Marissa is a part of. Though they have known each other for years their “relatiinship” enters new territory. Strong, passionate, dangerous Gio know his future is tied to her.
When Marissa needs money a bargain is struck, one that will feed many appetites.
Torn between Gio and family, blackmail, danger and choices affect their relationship. But love is the strongest emotion of all and new beginnings and lives are in their futures.
Hot, sexy, dangerous, sweet and savory this is a fantastic additon to the series!
This book, this one right here, is a perfect example of why I read romance! I loved the only other one I have read in this series, the first one. It was amazing and Dead Man’s Hand is phenomenal! Gio is the best kind of hero, he doesn’t see himself that way. He wants to do good, has done it in his own way while being trapped in the expectations of his family. Marissa is also trapped, caught in the web of her need to be kept after being abandoned by her mother when she was a kid. Two people who should have never met, much less fall in love. The desire and passion between these two could burn down a forest in 10 minutes. The love and affection that she tries to deny giving and wanting, that he is desperate to give and longing to have got me right in heart. Dead Man’s Hand deserves all the stars and the talented Renee Rose now has a fan for life!
OMG! I absolutely loved this story! This series of books about the Tacone family has made me look forward to each and every single one! The action, the push and pull between these characters and the steam is hotter than ever! Renee Rose has a great hit on her hands! This has so many of the feels that make for a great story! And HEA is always worth reading!! I’d give it 10 stars if I could!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dead Man’s Hand was a great read. I really liked it. I loved Gio and Marissa. I loved how protective he was of her. They were perfect and just scorching together! Can’t wait to read more in this series!
This one is about Gio Tacone and Marissa Milano. Gio was shot at her family’s cafe, and Marissa was there when it happened. Marissa has been terrified of the Tacone family since that day, and Gio has been having nightmares since surviving the near fatal bullet. When those dreams start including Marissa and her demise, he goes to see her. That’s when it all starts. That’s when the inevitability that is Gio & Marissa begins. After that it’s just the perfect quick mafia romance. Family gets in the way. Fear gets in the way. Just the general mafia stuff and things. So good.
I don’t care what happens next. I will never stop being obsessed with this series. It’s just quick and steamy mafia romance that absolutely hits the spot. A little violence. A dominant anti-hero. Some hot naughty bits. A quick story. There’s just nothing I can really complain about.
Although this is a stand alone, you will WANT to read the previous books. Gio, one of the brothers from the Tacone mafia family, had a near death experience. Since his recovery, he has been feeling directionless. Marissa, who was closely involved with Gio’s near death experience, is herself trying to recover from the violence. Despite her family’s aversion with dealing the Tacone family, fate keeps tightening the connection between these two. What results is a fiery hot romance between an older, bossy alpha male and a submissive, but not a push over, h. I loved how Gio and Marissa interacted together and with their family members. What was especially poignant was how they juggled the “old ways” with choices they needed to make to live their own lives together. Swoon!
I received a free copy from Booksprout. This is my unbiased review.