From Amazon bestselling author Jessica Ruben comes a hot new Romance… Shqiptare.
Nico is now King of all underground trades.
Sexy. Aggressive. Brilliant.
After years of nothing but silence, he’s back in my life,
Ready to do whatever it takes to bring me into his universe.
He isn’t leaving until he takes me with him.
more
As soon as Light My Fire by Jessica Ruben hit my kindle, I was excited to get started on it. Vincent and Eve is one of my favorite series and this is a new mafia romance from Jessica. Nico once saved Elira and now he is back. Their connection is undeniable. But with danger that follows Nico, what is Elira to do? They spent years apart, but it’s as if no time has passed. Nico was sexy, charming, protective and dangerous. Elira never forgot Nico. She was strong and determined. Their journey was not an easy one, but it will captivate you from start to finish.
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
From Amazon bestselling author Jessica Ruben who gave us Vincent and Eve, she now gives us NICO.
He saved me from war.Fed me when I was in too much pain to eat.Smuggled me and my family into America when it became too dangerous to stay.
But, Nico didn’t flee with us.
While I began elementary school in the United States, he was building the greatest and toughest Mafia of the century.
The Mafia Shqiptare. Nico is now King of all underground trades.
Sexy. Aggressive. Brilliant.
After years of nothing but silence, he’s back in my life,
Ready to do whatever it takes to bring me into his universe.
He isn’t leaving until he takes me with him.
—————————————
This is the first book in Light my Fire ( Sex. Rock . Mafia ) it’s a slow burner but it builds and builds.
I wasn’t sure at the beginning whether or not I liked the adult Elira, I loved the child version of her, but she grew on me. I am a total MAFIA hoarder any thing and everything whether it be books TV shows or films, throw in hot sex and we have a winner sound the bell.
I have to say this is my first venture into the Albanian mafia world though.
The cover is fabulous dark and brooding and completely nails Nico’s personality. 10/10 for that alone.
The prologue alone had my heart racing and takes you back to 1998 and Kosovo and the war going on, I remember it well, it was reported daily on English TV, The heart ache the pain the terror was fabulously written about with out been over the top. You can tell that Jessica knew what she was writing about. People outside of Europe really didn’t get what was going on.
Nico has always been there for Elira he nursed her when she was sick, he saved her at a terrible terrible time, I won’t go too much into that you need to read the book. It’s not written is such a way to gain sympathy, it happened it was a terrible event like all wars. Jessica lovingly and with great understanding has recreated the environment, You can feel the hostility, the horrendous take of a country and its people ravaged by war, this was all seen through the eyes of a young girl.
Elira was an extremely complex character if I am honest, I loved her as a child but the adult version to me awhile to warm up to. The depth OF feelings this girl portrayed you could feel, Her love for her family was her overall feel, and at times heartbreaking especially her brother, that you wanted to step inside the book and just hug her.
So now to Nico…What can I say other than he is my book boyfriend of the moment, JUST MOUTH WATERING GOOD. HE IS MINE lol I read a lot of books and had numerous book boyfriends over the years he is up there in the top 10.
I will allow my dreams to be about him, and that the extremely handsome cover model is Nico and he’s all mine.
Just the thought of him, doesn’t have me drooling ( it totally does). He is most definitely dominant and power just oozes from his pores you can feel it. Like thick treacle you just want to coat yourself.
Elira and Nico was a lovers dream, My very unromantic heart actually twitched with this childhood connection they have, all though he was quite a few years older than her to me it didn’t matter, when fate steps in you just know. YOU JUST KNOW.
I love this book… How could you not this lady gave us Vincent and Eve and now she’s given us Nico and Elira
I want more so much more
WHAT IS NEXT JESSICA RUBEN
Loved this mafia romance!!! Jessica ruben is a fabulous writer and these characters were awesome. Elira and nico were soul mates from the beginning at first nico who was just a kid when elira was born cared for her as if she was a little sister always looking out for her,but when her father who is leader of the Kosovo liberation Army is killed by the serbs nico helps elira and her mother and brother escape to american. For years she doesn’t hear from nico,but when her brother gets in trouble with some very dangerous people nico knows this is his chance to bring elira back to him. He has always been in the background watching and waiting for elira to become a woman and now fate has stepped in and he is ready to make her his queen. When he has elira kidnapped and brought to him all hell breaks loose. He will help her brother but he wants her to pretend to be his wife so he can make better connections,but it’s just a cover because nico wants her not only in his life but I’m his bed as well. When I first saw this cover and read the teaser blurb I knew I wanted to read this book!!! Nico is a dark ruthlessly dangerous dude,but with elira he’s different and the chemistry between these two is kindle melting!! I loved their banter and their both very strong personalities neither backing down. The build up is slow but full of raw sensual moments that have you begging for more!!! I can’t wait to read more from this series!!! Jessica promised more from this mafia world and I’m all in!!! Until next time club’s
Light My Fire is the first book in this series and another first for me from the author. It is contemporary, mafia romance with a bit of age-gap/ forbidden romance in the mix. Although part of the series, this is an interconnecting one as I have realized after reading this book. I’m dying to know who will be the next couple will be!
“Bruising and pain are the cost of release. Nothing in the world is free.”
Even at a young age, Elira has a childhood crush with Nico, one of the young fighters her father had on their liberation army. Nico has a soft spot only for Elira. So, when her father was shot down, Nico stepped up to be the leader and decided to send her family to America to escape and start over. Over the years living in America, she didn’t get any word or visits from Nico. She then accepted the fact that what she felt was one sided and tried to forget him. During those times too, Nico grew the Albanian mafia and became a successful man in the underworld. Trying to make ends meet, Elira works part time to support her studies and her family. Drowning with money problems, she decided to attend a party to let loose where she met Jack, the lead singer of a rock band.
Mafia romance is one of my favorite go-to romances of all time, be it Italian or Russian mafias. This story is refreshing in a way that the author tried to focus on the Albanian underworld. This is a definite first for me. There was an immediate attraction between Elira and Jack. But after seeing Nico after a long time, you couldn’t deny that there is something going on between them too, aside sharing a history.
“Men like me don’t play silly games. What I want, I take. What I hate, I kill. And what’s mine, I protect.”
“In the ways we are alike, we are perfect matches. And the ways we are different, we complete each other’s lacks. You were made for me.”
Their chemistry and attraction is electric and sizzling with its intensity. Although it was a slow burn, you bet my face is burning with the heat of their encounters. I couldn’t breathe from the dynamic energy and charisma that Nico is putting off. I guess you could say made men do it for me because there is just something that pulls me to these kind of guys. Just, whew! With touch of drama (because what mafia romance wouldn’t have one?), lies, betrayals, deceits and plenty of swoon worthy moments, this is a must a read! Couldn’t wait for the next story in this series!
3rd degree burns can be expected from this fire!
Here’s my truth: I am a Mafiawhore. It’s my cross to bear. I am a complete and total addict. I do not discriminate. I am an equally opportunity mafia ho. This is my first Albanian mafia book though. I had legit first date jitters and squealed like a tween at a Shawn Mendes concert.
Jessica Ruben opened a new world for me. She started it with the intensely gorgeous cover that personifies Nico 110%. Next, she educated the reader without a “boring history lesson”. Nothing about this book is a forceful learning; I actually found myself wanting to learn more. The culture, the history, the devastation all add to the vibe of the book without being a lecture. I love that Ruben recreates the environment for the reader. The hostile, unease of a war ravaged country seen through the eyes of a young girl feels real! You experience glimpses of Elira’s world that highlight the differences between her and American kids. It is important to the story and her as a person. I really loved the depth of her character. Elira is complex. She’s real. She is loyal, loving, and feisty. She holds her family in esteem, her ideals, and her self worth are important to her. She is a Queen.
Okay, I know I’m fangirling over Elira. I know it sounds like I want in her pants…but maybe I just love that she owns herself. As a person she is vulnerable and real while also trying to hold her own in a difficult world. Plus…she gets NICO!!!!! What’s not to be jealous of!?!?!
So Nico…I will pretend that the gorgeous cover model is not in my fantasies. I can even pretend that his accent has nothing to do with the drool running down my chin. His dominance and power have nothing to do with the fact that I am practically panting typing this…NOTHING-right! (can you hear the sarcasm or should I turn it up?) No, my fangirling over the hotter than sin Albanian mafia boss is the soul connection they have. My hopeless romantic heart clung to that childhood connection like a baby calf to its mother after birth! I will never let go of that amazing connection. I will dream about it at night and be jealous of it (even though I am living my own HEA). Nico and Elira are their own brand of destiny.
I want to say that I wasn’t disappointed but I am. Don’t laugh! I want more. I wanted to be left hanging. I wanted Jessica Ruben to dangle the next book in the series like she did Vincent and Eve. I wanted to hate her and beg her at the same time. Light My Fire does not end on a cliffhanger. I suppose that’s a good thing but I’m needy. I want more. I want a tease of what’s to come. I want more dark foreboding…I want!!!!!!
So did I love this book…duh!
Do I want more…did you read the above!?!
Do I have any idea what’s happening next…not a clue!
Now I want to cry! (shakes fist at Jessica Ruben- give me a clue!!!!)
WOW! Jessica Ruben had me on the edge of my kindle while reading Light My Fire. This book was especially intense and rife with anticipation. The opening alone had me holding my breath and trying not to nibble off my nails.
I liked Elira. A lot. She had lived through a lot in her young life and was working her tail off to make a better future for herself. She knew what she would and wouldn’t stand for. And her kindness where her friends and family were what really endeared her to me. But it was that tender heart that found her face to face with her past.
Enter Nico. Her childhood crush. He was so much more than she remembered him to be. Intense. Powerful. Intimidating. Determined. He wanted her and he was going to move Heaven and Earth to make it happen. And while seeing him go all super alpha when she was threatened should’ve scared me a little, it actually made me give a fist pump of joy.
Dark. Sexy. Dangerous. Scandalous. Light My Fire was an epic romance that spanned time and distance and had me completely riveted. Jessica Ruben writes mafia romance like no one else and I am addicted to her words. Elira and Nico’s story was gritty and raw and completely captivating. Even in the dark moments but especially in the moments of vulnerability that they both showed.
Fan flippin tastic !!!
Light My Fire is an addictive ,fast paced page turner that will grip you from the start and never let go!! A story of true soul mates.
“In the ways we are alike,we are perfect matches. And the ways we are different, we complete each others lacks. You were made for me.”
Nico claims your heart from early in the book and refuses to give it back ,this is mafia like you’ve never read before and i need more!!!!
A brilliantly written book with fantastic characters jessica has fast become one of my favourite one click authors.
This is a story that proves sometimes a connection between two people can begin at first sight no matter when they meet. Nico and Elira have a complicated relationship as Nico is the kingpin of the most dangerous mafia worldwide and Elira is a senior in college who has escaped from war ridden Kosovo as an 11 year old with the help of Nico. They knew each other in a different time but now both as adults will they be able to put aside what they think about each other and find a way to keep their connection? This story will keep you glued to the book wondering what happens next. I am now hooked on these Albanians with how strong and loyal they are.
For Elira Berisha, resistance is futile when it comes to her feelings for Nico Shihu, partly because she has always seen him as her savior…her protector because he came through for her when she needed him the most and partly because the connection they shared when she was a child has now turned into something so much bigger…something neither of them are capable of fighting despite the dangerous world Nico resides in and the fact that she already fled one volatile environment and doesn’t want to be subjected to another one.
The Nico Elira knew in their shared past is most certainly not the same one she meets in New York. This version of Nico is dark, dangerous, and deadly. He commands respect from those around him and the power he wields as a Mafia boss is something that both frightens and excites her, leaving her overwhelmed with who Nico has become and trying to consolidate the new Nico with the one who meant everything to her.
The title of Jessica Ruben’s new series is Sex. Rock. Mafia. And while each one of those alone carries significant meaning and emotional reactions, tying all three tougher, especially the way Ruben does, illustrates the risks and the rewards that come with being a part of Nico’s life as well as the repercussions of Elira giving her heart to a young man all those years ago to place it right back into the hands of a demanding and dangerous alpha male who continues to be the one she wants but with him comes the darkness he rules, meaning that their lives will be anything but ordinary.
Light My Fire is quite a meaningful title for Elira and Nico’s story. Fire both destroys and restores, flushing out or igniting the light that can be both kept aflame or extinguished. Nico protected Elira’s fire all those years ago, helping her to stay alive and build a new life and now that they’re in each other’s lives ago, they both want to build something anew and together, but the power Nico wields comes with its problems and enemies, so trying to combat the darker side of his lifestyle with all the light that Elira can bring to it is a delicate balance and one that will be twisted up with danger and devastation, but these two will walk that line and find a way to stay into the light because they believe that fate has a lifetime together in store for them and that’s what keeps them moving forward even when everything around them goes to hell.
4.5 Poison Apples
4 Stars!
Elira Berisha is a 21 yr. old college student studying finance in her fourth year at Green University. She moved to Pennsylvania when her family fled to America to escape a war, and have a chance at survival and peace. Now she’s a townie in Tobeho working to make ends meet and have the future she wants. Her life is thrown into chaos when she collides with a man from her past that she hasn’t seen in years.
Nico Shihu is suddenly back in her life, and she’s thrust into his universe. He was once her rock, and her protector. He was everything to her, and as a young girl she’d idolized him. He was her hero who gave her comfort, warmth, and safety. They shared a special friendship, and she’d believed he was her destiny. She was a child when she knew him, but to this day there were still parts of her heart only he knew. He always had a soft spot for her, but he’s no longer the eighteen year old boy she was so attached to. Now he’s a dark, powerful, respected Mafia boss in New York. She doesn’t want to get wrapped up in his dangerous life, but she can’t resist the undeniable connection that’s still between them.
Light My Fire (A Sex Rock Mafia Novel) by Jessica Ruben is a captivating romance about love, loyalty, honor, family, and deep lasting bonds. I really enjoyed this story and couldn’t get enough of the intense, demanding, delicious Nico. I look forward to reading more by this fabulous author!
To start with, I ADORED Jessica Ruben’s Vincent & Eve series, she blew me away with her debut book, Rising and the other two in the trilogy! Now, we have another series starter with Light My Fire and I couldn’t be MORE excited….another SIZZLING, ANGSTY, completely ADDICTIVE read!
I loved how this book started with the back-story on both Nico and Elira’s journey to the present, from Albania to America…from war to peace, from death and terror to a life with hope. And then, Elira’s brother lands them in a situation, one that will reunite Nico and Elira in a very intriguing way! I was CONSUMED by this story, loving every single thing about it because it got me in the feels, had my gut twisting with the angst, my hands clenching in anger with the need to punch someone (or two), my heart beating out of my chest with both anticipation and excitement and swooning over all the ALPHANESS that is Nico!!! *sigh*
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All-in-all I would HIGHLY recommend Light My Fire to ANYONE! It’s a definite MUST READ and I can’t WAIT for the next book in this series, it can’t come soon enough!!!
Jessica Ruben did great with this book! I got hooked from the first page and I couldn’t put the book down until I got to the very end.I really love and enjoyed the chemistry between Elira and Nico.I highly recommend this book!!!
Elira knew Nico was different even at ten, he wasn’t like the other men. She knew one day she would marry him, after the death of her father he makes sure she gets to America to start a new life.
She knows Nico was the mafia boss of Shqiptare now, which was a dangerous as they come, he’s in America now.
Even though she knew helping her brother when he asked was wrong, never thinking that it would end with her being taken and finding out by Nico. He wants her to act as his wife and if she does what he asks her brother will have his protection. Elira knew her crush was one sided he never called he forgot about her, but now he won’t let her go.
Nico never forgot Elira, she was just too young before and now he’s going to take what’s his.
Holly hell
I need to know what happends next ASAP. I knew I need to read that book just by reading a blurb. WOW great story with great characters. Nico and Elira’s love is how you picture love to be, full of trust and freedom. The book is read with ease and I just couldn’t put it down. RECOMMEND.
4+ stars !!
Well as a mafia books addict, Jessica Ruben is a special author for me!
If you have read Vincent and Eve series (one of my favourites books!) you will understand why!
Her writing style is simply amazing and this one had hooked me from prologue!!
I loved the background story, between Nico and Elira! The love, the bond, the feelings that they shared was perfect!
But I wanted a little bit more, specially in the last chapters, that’s why I gave 4 and not 5 stars!!
If you like mafia romances then you must read this one certainly!!