Captured and forced to marry Henrik, Megara vows never to forget his monstrous behavior… but her hatred for her husband doesn’t weaken her attraction to him. Henrik chases his legacy with the ferocity and strength worthy of a God. He will not be deterred, and he will not fail. Nothing will stand in his way. Not even a wife.But Henrik’s strength can not keep Megara’s beautiful soul from seeping … soul from seeping into his heart. A choice is coming, between everything he ever wanted and the one thing he didn’t know he needed.
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Finding his strength was intense from the first paragraph! What an opening! Those first words set the tone for the rest of the book.
These characters came together in the most bizarre and unusual way and adjusted and adapted from there.
I loved this story because of strength of Megara and the grace with which she survived whatever was thrown at her.
Wow! I can’t tell you how much I loved this book! While Henrik is perceived as a monster, I still fell in love with his character. He is a strong, alpha male who will do anything for his Father, but when something happens and he meets Megara, his life takes a turn. She is betrothed to him, but she wants no part of it. She had plans and dreams, and Henrik is not going to stop her, or will he? Can Megara change the “monster”? I truly enjoyed this story as it really has it all. There is anger, fear, lust and maybe possibly love? And don’t get me started on how sizzling their chemistry is! Megara may be young, but she is a strong female character and I loved how she embraced her new life and didn’t back down from anyone. I have to say this is one of my favorite stories by this author. I read it in one sitting, and really didn’t want it to end, it held me captive from beginning to end. This is a definite must read for everyone!
Ah, Ms Stone hits yet another home run with this entry in the ‘The Dirty Heroes Collection’.
Henrik Hercules is the illigitimate son & potential heir of a Mafia Lord. BUT, his potential inheritance is perpetually dangled in front of him due to the machinations & cruelty of his hated stepmother Hera. And her most recent plan (& requirement) is for Henrik to wed a rival’s daughter, Megara.
Megara’s family is also Mafia but her father allowed her to continue her culinary studies to completion & then advised her it was for naught: she WOULD marry Henrik Hercules. End of discussion.
Henrik isn’t concerned, he’ll wed & bed his wife & never look at her again.
Megara is internally crushed, all her dreams & plans crushed by the dictates of her father.
So, they marry.
But now Hera wants Henrik to produce a male heir . . . .
I genuinely loved this one. Megara is exactly (for me) the perfect blend of fiery, logical, adaptable & realistic. She fights Henrik but knows when to bide her time & use her mind to try & attain her goals. Especially after the 1st ‘punishment’ he doles out when she disobeys him.
For me, I found Henrik was somewhat harder to like. Although he’s gorgeous, outrageously but justifiably cocky & confident, lethal, cunning, smart & massively muscled, he is first & foremost focused on inheriting his father’s realm & not concerned in the least HOW he gets it or WHAT he has to do. Including murder. So imprisoning his beautiful new wife in his palatial home & ensuring she’s pregnant is nothing.
Ms Stone, as always, crafts characters with DEPTH, characters the reader CARES, about, WONDERS about, ROOTS for, RAILS against; characters that the reader HOPES SOMEHOW do find a HEA ending despite their twisted & turbulent beginning & middle. And a plot that intrigues & pulls the reader deep into, that piques their interest so you are compelled to keep reading to the end.
I found myself admiring Megara almost immediately & I slowly became enthralled by Henrik, he was fascinating how he could seem caring & thoughtful & then the ice & cruelty would sweep it away & leave the reader shocked or horrified at his words & deeds. A hard, hard man who was hard, hard to accept & yet Ms Stone manages to let small rays of light through exposing a childhood & life that molded him. And while this doesn’t excuse much he’s done but it does help Megara (& the reader) understand him & realize Henrik IS human. Flawed, damaged, deadly but human.
And, it wouldn’t be a Ms Stone book without dark bedroom desires being present: and Henrik has them in spades & is intent on starring Megara in every single one.
I loved how Ms Stone creates Henrik & Megara’s relationship & slowly adds layers in a tantilizing way that keeps a reader on tenterhooks.
On top of all this, there is danger, betrayal, suspense, mystery & secondary characters of murky intent that help rachet this one up.
I loved it & I think most readers will too.
BUT, be aware: This one IS dark & not for everyone.
Yes he is a monster! But he’s something else too.
To survive in the world he was born into he has to be the biggest, the baddest, the most feared of them all, to keep his place in the family. And he would do anything to do that.
Well, maybe not everything as it turns out.
But before he gets to that conclusion he has to follow another rule of the big “Families”. Get married, produce an heir, and provide continuity.
No matter the bride is unwilling and wants to live her life by her own rules.
Ms Stone lines up a series of unexpected bombshells in this book. Murder, betrayal, family feud, all kinds of illegal business, but then also friends and brothers that stick together and stand up for each other.
And not forgetting the consummation of wedded bliss. Again and again in various grades of hotness!
Implements included! Phew!!
Finding His Strength is yet another wonderful read by Measha Stone and, to be honest, I’m not at all surprised. I’ve read many of her books and I can’t think of one that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy.
This is the story of Henrik and Megara, both children of mafia lords, and both put together in an arranged marriage. This book is hard edged, dark in spots, and an exciting read. It kept me guessing as to who was loyal and worthy of trust and who wasn’t. And I have to say I was surprised at its revelatory conclusion. It was completely unexpected but equally satisfying.
Typical of Ms. Stone, the characters are well rendered and believable. Her mafia world is dark but there are shafts of light that break through, and the plot kept me engaged from the start, all the way until its conclusion. This is another win for this talented author. If mafia romance is your thing, then you need to read this book.