She was never supposed to walk into my club. But she did. I shouldn’t have looked twice at her. But I did. The criminal underworld is no place for a girl like her. One night with Katerina isn’t enough, but men like me can’t afford to be weak. So, I tell her to leave me behind. She does, but not before she sees something she shouldn’t. When she goes into hiding, it’s my duty to hunt her down. I … she goes into hiding, it’s my duty to hunt her down.
I have a job to do, and she needs to disappear for good.
But four years later, Kat isn’t alone anymore.
And the little boy right beside her looks just like me.
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Mine by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli is book 1 in the Ties that Bind duet. This is
Lev and Kat’s story. Lev is in the mafia and he’s deep in the criminal underworld. Kat comes into his club. He shouldn’t have given her the time of day but he did and that led to a night and then something happens next that led to Kat being in the wrong place, wrong time. Now she’s on the run from Lev…this story had me on the edge of an emotional rollercoaster. There was twists and turns that took place and the cliffhanger…OMG!!! The chemistry between Lev and Kat was off the hook Hot !!! What a ride and now I can’t wait for book 2.
My Rating: 4.5 stars ********
First book in the Ties That Bind duet, Mine is the result of the collaborative work of two authors I’ve been following for a few years now: Natasha Knight and Ashleigh Zavarelli. Their dark mafia romance series never fail to enthrall me.
In Mine, we follow the storie of Kat and Lev. She is a collateral in Lev’s work in the Russian Bratva.
Strong young woman, she is loyal to those she loves. That is the reason why she found herself in that intense predicament. Now bound to the dangerous, possessive and protective Lev, her life is going to be changed forever.
“The dichotomy of Lev. Violence and tenderness, they’re interchangeable. He is capable of both to an extreme.”
Mine is a intense read with turns and twists. It’s not as dark as I expected it to be, considering the previous works of the authors, I can’t wait to see if the next opus will deliver the thrill I am so addicted to! *winks*
I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED AN ARC COPY OF THIS BOOK. THANK YOU!!!
This was a highly anticipated book for me because it takes to very talented authors and combines their strengths to create a new dark and delicious world to get lost in. This story didn’t disappoint. I was lost in the pages and this world from the first sentence and devoted to the darkness. The story is not a light and fluffy read but it isn’t pitch dark either. These authors create the perfect balance of love and hate, dark and light, forgiveness and revenge. I loved the characters and I loved to hate a few of them. The plot was wonderful and well thought out. I do hope these authors continue this series and writing together because they are freaking fantastic on their own but together they skyrocket to amazing heights. I received an ARC and am leaving an honest review. 4.75 stars.
Mine is Book #1 in the Ties That Bind Duet. It is a dark mafia/second chance/secret baby romance that had me hot and bothered one minute and on the edge of my seat the next! I was hooked from beginning to end with the sizzling heat and chemistry as well as the heart-stopping action scenes. My only complaint is that it ended too soon.
Levka Antonov is not a good man. He helps his uncle run the mafia and has done and seen some bad things. When he meets Katerina Blake, it is not the typical way to meet a girl but he knew there was something about her that could not be denied. She wasn’t like the other women who came into his club. Katerina knew from the moment Levka rescued her that she wanted him. She was naive and not experienced in love and relationships but something about Levka called to her. He tried to leave her alone. He knew that he wasn’t good for her but sometimes the best-laid plans go awry. Something awful happens and Katerina goes on the run. Levka searches but cannot find her. He is not one to give up that easily. What he doesn’t know is that Katarina has a secret. Will he find her and discover what she’s been hiding?
This was such a gripping, dark, sexy, and gritty love story! I loved every minute of it. There is a myriad of emotions. The plot was addicting and well-paced. I loved the action and even the darkness. At times I felt like my heart was in my throat. The characters are wonderful. Lev is sexy, dark, and dangerous but most of all protective. I loved seeing the changes in Katerina. She is strong, fierce and protective of what is hers. Their chemistry together is explosive.
Natasha Knight and Zavarelli did an amazing job! “Mine” does end in a cliffhanger. I am anxiously waiting to see what happens next in “His” and highly recommend reading this book.
****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.****
OMG!!!! I basically devoured this story in one sitting. It’s that amazing. A solid page turner.
Kat is an 19yo who’s trying to survive in this world. She meets Lev in an unconventional way. Lev is part of the Russian mob. After seeing something that she can’t unsee, she goes into hiding. Now more then 4 years later, he finds her.
This is part one of two. So it ends with a jaw dropping cliffhanger. I devoured this story in one sitting. It’s highly addicting and entertaining. There was never a dull moment. I was intrigued all throughout the reading of this amazingly written masterpiece. It’s a dark romance, but just the right amount for my liking. The storyline was beautifully mastered to perfection with incredible characters. Bottomline this is a must read.
WOW!!! Every single page was devoured the anticipation from one page to the next keeps you on your toes, we get all the dark, intense hot steamy and such dangerous and delicious scenes from Kat and Lev it was mind blowing.
This is written so well and in great detail you can feel all the emotion and what their going through and with their pasts and now guarded dangerous future. I’m cheering for them and I am so excited to get book two, aw I need it.
Russian Mafia- Dirty Dark and Dangerous this storyline has strong stubborn characters that you want to hate but find yourself drawn to.
Katerina who goes by many names at 19 years old has secrets to hide, and hide them she does. Leveka Russian mafia cold distant and dangerous can not understand why he is taken with a underage obviously high young wowan who is currently being trapped by three men in the club, however he can’t stand by and has an overwhelming pressure to protect her.
What unfolds next is scary sexy dangerous and captivating.
However being a duet it ends on a cliffhanger…… I need the next book asap.
As a huge fan of both these talented writers I was delighted to find out about their collaboration in this duet! And what a success this first book is! Exciting, tense, hot as all that, definite jeopardy lurking around corners, and a fantastic leading couple in Katya and Lev. Love them! Add in the Bratva setting to the story and we are treading on ground in which both these authors excel! I have powered through the book, bitten a couple of nails and now, with that ending, off to make myself a stiff gin and tonic!
MINE is the first instalment in the contemporary, adult TIES THAT BIND dark, Russian mafia romance series co authored by Natasha Knight and A. Zavarelli. MINE follows the acrimonious relationship between mobster Levka ‘Lev’ Antonov, and teacher’s aid Katerina ‘Kat’ Blake.
WARNING: Due to the graphic violence and nature of the story line premise, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Kat and Lev) using two different time lines MINE follows Katerina Blake on her nineteenth birthday where she will meet Lev Antonov, a man who is about to destroy her world. On the run, following the murder of her friend, Katerina will leave everything behind when her world collides with the Russian mob. Four years will pass before Kat must face the past, a past that will quickly divide into two intersecting paths. Trying to protect the son he never knew, Lev Antonov forces Kat back into his life, only to discover that he has brought the mob back to Kat’s front door. What ensues is the rebuilding but contemptuous relationship between Kat and Lev, and the ongoing fall-out as Lev’s lifestyle threatens to destroy them all.
The relationship between Lev and Kat begins as a one night stand following a night of drinking and drugs that leave Kat questioning her choices in life. Lev is determined to protect Kat from the life he has always lived, a life that is about to force Kat on the run. The $ex scenes are aggressive, intense, and not without some questionable consent.
We are introduced to Lev’s psychotic cousin Andrei, and his uncle Vasily; and Kat’s best friend Nina.
MINE is a story of power and control; of murder, bloodshed, assault and abuse. No one is safe when they do business with the Russian mob, and our heroine has quite literally stumbled into a world she knows nothing about. The premise is dark and gritty; the characters are broken, dangerous, struggling and lost; the romance is fraught with issues of trust, anger, secrets and lies. MINE ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.
Kat or Katerina Blake and Lev or Levka Antonov meet one night at a club run by the Russian mob. Things lead to other things and then serious things happen which means Kat has to run to save her life.
I was hooked by this story from the very beginning and my focus didn’t sway at all, so much so I need the next book now! This fast-paced story is very easy to read due to its solid storyline. There is plenty of drama and action which certainly raises your heart rate a tad. There is a bevy of emotions throughout the story including some lighter ones too, even though this is predominately a darker story.
Kat and Lev are both likable characters who do make a terrific couple. Their chemistry is red hot and the steamy scenes are full of passionate intimacy that could raise your heart rate again.
Clear, detailed descriptions of the characters and the settings make it easy to visually see the story in your mind as it unfolds. I have always wanted to go to Colorado and Kat’s short stay there made me want to even more.
Bring on the next book, I need to know what happens to Kat and Lev!
Reviewer: Robyn
Kat or Katerina Blake and Lev or Levka Antonov meet one night at a club run by the Russian mob. Things lead to other things and then serious things happen which mean Kat has to run to save her life.
I was hooked by this story from the very beginning and my focus didn’t sway at all, so much so I need the next book now! This fast-paced story is very easy to read due to its solid storyline. There is plenty of drama and action which certainly raises your heart rate a tad. There is a bevy of emotions throughout the story including some lighter ones too, even though this is predominately a darker story.
Kat and Lev are both likeable characters who do make a terrific couple. Their chemistry is red hot and the steamy scenes are full of passionate intimacy that could raise your heart rate again.
Clear, detailed descriptions of the characters and the settings make it easy to visually see the story in your mind as it unfolds. I have always wanted to go to Colorado and Kat’s short stay there made me want to even more.
Bring on the next book, I need to know what happens to Kat and Lev!
Lev and Kat’s story was fantastic, I love the dark mafia romance the author’s have, combined they are explosive and I am in love with this new story, Ties that Bind is a the start of the series and I can’t wait for find out more, the characters are amazing, the plotline is perfect, it has everything I like in this trope, can’t wait to find out what’s coming next, please don’t let me wait that long!
I was very excited to hear two of my favourite authors were writing a book together. They both do dark mafia so well, how could I not love this I thought? The reality was……I did love it, I couldn’t put it down, it was delicious
Secrets, lies, intrigue and betrayal. The heat levels between Lev and Kat were sky high.
Despite their obvious connection, Russian mafia mobster, Lev, does his best to push Kat away after their steamy, passionate but fractious night together. After she sees something she shouldn’t and the wrong people learn of it, her life is under threat and all bets are off. Then she disappears.
Kat has had a tough life and doesnt trust easily, so when Lev finds her again, she certainly doesnt let him have it easy! She’s strong but vulnerable, a fighter who needs protection. Can Lev be the one to provide it or will his decisions kill them both?
Lies, intrigue, danger, violence and super hot chemistry between a possessive alpha and his runaway, who has kept a not so little secret from him, kept me turning the pages, desperately wanting to find out what was going to happen. Then bam……..a massive cliffhanger, how could you leave us hanging like that!! It certainly makes me need book two asap. Please write quickly!! Cant wait for the conclusion.
A collaboration between natascha Knight and A. Zavarelli and is features the Mafia which is a subject both authors love to write about.
The story flows very well and is full of action and sexy scenes. I really enjoyed the interactions between Kat and Lev. They definitely have chemistry.
Kat was a great characters. Smart, strong, spunky, but also very lobing and full of innocence and live. lev was a bit of a enigma. he has lots of different sides to him.
It is part of a duet, so that is a big cliffhanger at the end of the book.
My Rating: ***3/4
Type: Series – Book1
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mafia Romance
Narration: Dual POV
Primary Characters: Levka & Katerina (Lev & Kat)
Source: Courtesy of Author/ Publisher – ARC
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book in exchange for honest review.
Levka Antonov is the manager of Delirium- the club which is centre of nefarious illegal deeds. Drugs and booze flow freely, washing the morals out of the door. He’s a cold & elusive man, focused and lethal. Kat was brought by her best friend Nina to celebrate her nineteenth birthday at the club. A little extra chemical fun leads to a bad situation that forces Lev to step in. He took one look at the innocent beauty and he knew he could not leave her alone.
Kat’s young but she knows what she wants. Kat expects to have her fun and then walk away. However, her whole life is about to be irrevocably changed for 2 reasons. One being in wrong place at wrong time and two for not taking enough precaution on her fun night with Levka.
You can’t run fast enough or far enough from the Russian mafia. It may take time, but they will find you. Fast forward 4 years and the story of Kat and Lev gets complicated even more.
Lev is fearless. Protecting his family is ingrained in who he is. Kat is a strong, protective character who will do whatever is necessary to stay alive and protect what’s hers, but Lev is the hardcore mobster who wants to make her his and protect her even when Kat thinks he’s there for other reasons.
This book looked like a perfect blend of Natasha and Ashleigh. I rated this low because I didn’t understand why Kat has to trust Lev. He hasn’t done anything to prove that he cares about Kat and his son. Only thing he did from the time he shows up after 4 years is f*** her. Josh went on an entire lower priority. No relationship building with Josh at all. Kid getting adjusted to the man just after seeing them 1 day was too much accept. No intriguing secondary charters. Book moves in a study pace.
With Kat having her own secrets and Lev trying to protect his family will they be able to survive the warmth of Russian mafia? The connection between Kat and Lev was intense and passionate. This book is the first book in a duet and does end in a cliff-hanger. If you are into mafia romance with betrayal, revenge and nice couple this is for you. Enjoy reading.
meander23.wordpress.com/2020/03/11/review-mineties-that-bind-1-by-natasha-knight-and-a-zavarelli/
Wow! I don’t even know where to start. This book consumed me. From the first page to the last, I totally devoured this book.
Hot Alpha, Russian Mafia, betrayal, suspense, angst, misconception, understanding and an ending that leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat, good thing we don’t have to wait too long before we get our hands on His.
This story had me on edge the entire time!!!!! Whether it was from the static sexual tension, sexual energy, or sexual happenings, or the crazy happenings, about to be happenings, or could be happenings, it was a cardio workout. Kat and Lev are more alike then they realize, even though they are at very different places in life. They made me feel for them, good and bad, and they made me want for them, happy and justice. I’ll admit, at the start of the second to last chapter, I had to stop because I got the foreboding and knew that this could not go well, and it didn’t, and that ending – GAAAHHHH, I need more now……
What happens when two phenomenal authors write a perfect duet. Especially if this is a mafia book – Russian Bratva.
The first book mine we meeting of Levka Antonov – Lev and Katerina Blake – Kat
Only from their first meeting, I know that the story was going to be juicy and sexy. And when everything gets complicated and secrets are revealed, the book becomes perfect. Written perfectly, I couldn’t leave the book. The addictive story, two writers who pull you to the edge and then knock you down. Then get to the end and grab your head. What’s just happened?
I remained open-mouthed. I’m so waiting for the second book.
The ties that bind them together
When I saw two of my favourite authors had co-written a book I knew it would be phenomenal and I immediately put my hand up for an advanced copy. I love how I got to meet up with some old favourites as well in this story and was absolutely enthralled with the characters of Lev and Kat
Lev and Kat meet each other at a club on her 19th birthday What starts as a simple meeting soon turns into something more. Each have secrets that they are unwilling to reveal but when some are exposed, Kat disappears. Lev spends four years searching for Kat and when he finds her, nothing is as he expected
Loved this story of Kat and Lev and that cliffhanger left me with heart palpitations I need the next book sooner rather than later as I NEED to know what happens next Thank you for my advanced copy which I voluntarily leave my honest review for
It’s always a nice surprise when authors I enjoy join forces to bring their readers books they’ve written together. Mine is book one in the Ties That Bind Duet, and introduces two new characters I instantly adored.
Katerina and Levka are both good characters. Lev is this sexy, broody mafia guy and Kat’s this beautiful, innocent woman who was at the wrong place at the wrong time. However by being there, she met Lev so it couldn’t have been that wrong. And honestly, he’s not really a bad guy, although he is sometimes forced to be.
Both Lev and Kat have suffered loss in the past. They’ve both felt alone and believed they had no one to count on but themselves. When they’re together Kat is able to finally feel safe and Lev feels settled and maybe even happy. The odds are against them, but Lev is determined to keep his new family safe and will do whatever is necessary to see that happen.
This book ends in one of those dreaded cliffhangers, so I am anxiously awaiting the release of the second book. Thank goodness His comes out shortly so we don’t have to wait long to find out what happens, who dies and whether or not Lev and Kat get a happy ending.
I was kindly provided an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.