There are three reasons that will get you killed by the hands of your own family.Three rules.They are simple.Don’t disobey an order.Don’t betray your family.And don’t touch a made man’s girl.For her, I’ll break them all.Mario Leoni had left his home in New York with no plans to ever look back. Taking a job on the opposite side of the country to escape the life he’d been born into was for the … escape the life he’d been born into was for the best. It also meant giving up the only woman he ever loved.
He never expected to see Lena Moretti again, the daughter of the most feared mafia boss in New York. But after a near death experience on the job, he realizes life is too short to not be with the one you love…even if she was promised to another.
From the author of the Blackwood Series, a new romantic suspense spin-off.
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“Why did you come back”
“For you. I always come back for you.”
Mario has stayed out of the family, and the business. He was away from it all, even walked away from the love of his life, because she was going to be promised to another, and he couldn’t stick around for that. But getting shot while on the job put everything back into perspective, and he decided he no longer could live without her. Lena was the daughter of a Mafia boss. Her life was not her own, promised to a man she despised, missing the man she truly loved, but who left and broke her heart even though she knew they couldn’t be together. But when he shows back up in her life, she can’t stay away. They’re love is combustible, their relationship is fierce but tender. They’ve known each other since they were children, been in love for so long, even if they never admitted it until just a short time ago. There are little touches that show their connection, the pinkie holds are oh so sweet, and squeeze at your heart. But as Mario goes deeper and deeper in his quest to get Lena away from this life she is being forced into, you almost wonder how they will both come out of this and get their HEA.
This story didn’t unfurl in the way I thought it would. You seem to know where it’s going, the road may be somewhat different, but the end has been spelled out. Mario wants to get Lena away from the family and that life. When the FBI are involved, it points to a certain path, and you know it’s not going to be pretty, but it’s what needs to be done. But as everything hits its climax, we’re given an unexpected twist, and yes, the outcome is obviously as expected, but with such a twist that it makes it even sweeter.
The audiobook was great, narration adding to the depth of emotion Mario and Lena have for each other, and their desperation and frustration when they aren’t able to truly be together. Definitely make an enjoyable book that much better.
Being a mafia princess Lena has always known what her future would hold and that is a marriage arranged by her father to a man she doesn’t love. She may appear meek and submissive, but she has an inner strength that only increases when Mario, her first and only love, comes home.
Mario’s father and uncle were employed by the family and after seeing the effect it had on their lives it isn’t what he wants for him or his family. He has returned home with a plan that will either save everyone he loves or destroy them all.
Forbidden love, great characters, suspense and hot chemistry all add up to an enduring love that was always meant to be. I listed to an audio copy of the book and thought that the narrators brought out the strength and vulnerability of Lena and the swoony side of Mario as he fought for the woman he loved. The Flock
{fanning face} Connor Crais is perfect as Mario. His voice is gruff and commanding full of no BS. I love Allyson as Lena. She is a total boss babe with just enough vulnerability.
Honor is my first Melissa book & I am here for the others!! Mario is such a cunning alpha & they never saw it coming
I have to admit that the first half of the book felt a little slow. Mario is an undercover informant who has know Lena since they were children. They are both from mafia families and Mario has to not just infiltrate his family to start the process of unraveling the mafia family but also he has to save Lena, who is being forced to marry someone she doesn’t want to. It was a compelling story idea and the end of the story was really exciting, full of twists. There were points of views from multiple people and as I listened to the audiobook, there were moments when I got a little confused. That said, the narration by Connor Crais and Allyson Voller was great- Connor with his gruff voice and Allyson with her sweet voice played the characters perfectly. Overall, I was happy to have had the opportunity for an early listen to the audiobook.
PinkFlamingo, TheFlock, AudiobookObsession
Mario and Lena
This is a good Mafia/ Forbidden romance story. Where there is mafia there is always something or someone who is forbidden and that keeps you on the edge. Undercover in Mafia is a very dangerous place to be but Mario must do this he has no choice. It is hard to put your life on the line everyday for someone you love who is engaged to someone else. This is a great start to the series and I recommend this book. Narration was good too!
Sisters Spotlight
This is the first book in the Made Series, an amazing Mafia Romance. This is a Series of standalone stories. Mario and Lena’s story is breathtaking, suspenseful, action packed, and intriguing, filled with unpredictable twists and turns. The world building is intricate, and enthralling. Connor Crais and Allyson Voller did a fantastic job with the narration. This story captivated me, and I enjoyed it! If you like Mafia Romance and Romantic Suspense, this Series is definitely for you! #ALC #ComingSoon #PinkFlamingoProductions #AudiobookObsession
Honor
Made Book 1
By Melissa Ellen
Narrated by Connor Crais and Allyson Voller
If you love romantic suspense, look no further. Melissa Ellen’s Honor takes you deep into the Moretti family. Mario Leoni is back, and he is ready to be part of the family. Always in love with Lena, he is hoping to pick up where he left off several years ago. Lena is promised to another, not by her choice, but by family obligation. After all, her father is in charge, so what he says goes. She needs to be the dutiful daughter. When Mario comes back into the picture though, all bets are off, and all backs are watched! This is a fabulous second chance romance with thrilling suspense and excitement. I love how Ellen weaves her story of childhood love, family honor and revenge. It’s high action, steamy and gripping excitement. The twists and turns are unpredictable and the ending will leave you speechless! This is the best kind of listen!
Connor Crais and Allyson Voller give voices to the story with their talents. Crais is impressive as Mario. Protective, smart, and swoony, Crais fits the bill with every scene. Voller is Lena and she brings out all her personality. From the starstruck girl, to the frustrated and incredibly brave woman, each inflection creates her strength and love. This casting is perfect for these characters and truly enhanced the story.
There were three rules and he wanted to break them all so he could be with her, his first true love. He left everything behind to start a whole new life when she reappeared into his life. She is promised to another but he will do anything to have her. What will he do? Will her father have him killed? What about her? See just how he gets on
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
** spoiler alert ** She has loved him as long as she can remember, he is determined to save her. Will they make it out alive?
Have to say I liked these two. This was the way I like my mafia romance reads: blood, steam and love. I loved the fact that while she kept her mouth shut most of the time, she didn’t just follow along with her dad and be the good little mafia princess. I loved the fact that he was willing to do anything it took to keep her safe and get her out of her situation. Great read!
This fast paced mafia story had suspense, twists and turns and characters that were so well detailed that I was hooked from the very beginning! The chemistry between Mario and Lena kept me totally captivated until the turn of the very last page!
Mario and Lena are scorching in this story. It’s suspenseful and exciting and sexy and passionate. I couldn’t put this down.
I just listened to the audio and it made the story even better. The narrators really were the characters and brought the story to life. I couldn’t stop listening as I was taken in by their voices and the way they took on the characters and transported me into the story.
3.5 Stars
The story line and character work were good. The book had a fairly smooth flow to it. The book started out a little slow, but did get better as the book went on.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love it when I find a brand new author. This is my first read from her and I loved it. The twist and turns kept me glued to my kindle all night. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
I won a copy of this book in a random draw. This is my honest review. I like a good Mafia story and the blurb I read for this book was intriguing, so I entered a random draw contest for a copy of this book and won. I was excited to read it, but after starting, I found myself struggling to turn the pages. The story just wasn’t “grabbing” me. I found it hard to keep my interest. The characters seemed a bit cookie-cutter to me. I just couldn’t empathize or identify with any of them. The story seemed a bit choppy to me. I put it down and picked it up…alot. I pushed on and felt a bit rewarded once I got 50% or so in. The story picked up a bit and held my interest more. There were a number of twists and turns before I got to a rather surprising ending which definitely held my attention. The book seemed to be very well-written and edited, so I’m thinking it was just me. Sometimes books grab me, sometimes not. This was just one of those times I wasn’t grabbed. I liked this book. I’ve read Mafia stories before and loved them. This just wasn’t one of those times.
This is the first book that I have read by Melissa Ellen and it definitely will not be my last. Honor has a lot of elements involved which made this book such a great read. Intense and compelling for a genre that can get overly bloody and raw. This book had just the right amount of violence, intrigue and thrilling suspense interspersed with overtones of passionate romance.
This is a mafia/mob romance that is brimming with betrayal, secrets, lies and family loyalty. The cast of characters were exceptional and the storyline hooked me in from the prologue and I read it all in one sitting.
I loved the drama of this story, the suspense and the twisted ending which I never saw coming. There were hidden twists to this story that added intrigue and a powerful love story that consumed me whole. I can’t wait to read more from this series. Fantastic stuff!
Mario and Lena have loved each other since they were children, but her Mafia Don father wouldn’t let them be together so Mario left. He comes back when he finds out that Lena is being made to marry another man that she doesn’t love! Can they find their happily ever after?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was my first read by this author and it was a pleasant surprise.
There were some twists and turns, chemistry and connection.
It was a good read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow. I have no idea where this series is going to go next, but if this book is an example, I want to be there to see it. There ae so many cleverly plotted twists, turns, and miss-directions that I was starting to doubt my own loyalty by the end. Mario and Lena were positively adorable together. The only issue I had was my own fault. There are some mentions in the story to previous events that left me scratching my head, wondering what I’d missed. Well, what I’d missed was just about the whole Blackwood series and that’s why I was missing those couple of references. You don’t have to have read the series to enjoy this book, but I wonder how different it would look if I had…?
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
Surprisingly intense and compelling for this genre that can overly bloody and raw. This one seemed to have just the right amount of violence, intrigue, mixed with passionate romantic overtones.
The heavy presence of evil, twisted in with the ideals of warped mafia family loyalty lay like an oppressive canvas over this whole story.
Mario knew he faced death and destruction of his family for the love of his life Lena. An impossible star crossed lovers scenario that seemed destined for failure.
I loved the way the author wove this passionate tale of Mario and Lena. Well written, fast paced, full of action, drama and suspense.
A thrilling ride from start to finish!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mafia Romance,,,YES please!
Honor (Made) by Melissa Ellen. What a great start to a new mafia romance! This story is a fast paced & filled with dark drama, sexy scenes, suspense and strong characters. I would recommend this book to others. Looking forward to next installment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.