Like Jason Bourne, James Bond and Jack Reacher?You’ll love Eva Lucia Santella.Back in Sicily, Eva Lucia Santella was a rare thing—a Mafia boss who was a woman.She was also n infamous assassin, leaving a trail of bodies behind her. The people loved her because she only killed those who preyed on the less fortunate.After a deep betrayal forced her to flee to America, she left that life behind and … America, she left that life behind and settled into a quiet life hiding in suburban Los Angeles.
But now her past has caught up with her and taken away everything worth living for. Vendetta is her destiny. Now, she is on a mission to exact a deadly revenge even if it means losing her life.
Buy Queen of Spades today to start the thrill ride!
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Having fallen in love with the Gia Santella series by Kristi Belcamino, I am thrilled that the author has extended the story backwards to Gia’s family roots in Sicily with Eva Lucia Santella’s, aka The Queen of Spades, story. Readers of the Gia books have already been introduced to Eva, who has come to Gia’s aid both in Italy and Gia’s home of San Franciso. In A Queen of Spades, the dark past of the Santella family is revealed, their Sicilian Mafia past, where Eva Lucia Santella learned in her teens how to be a powerful and much-feared assassin. When Eva’s father dies in prison, she takes over the running of the family and the position of Mafia boss, a decision of her father’s that leaves her two stepbrothers unhappy. In the brothers’ attempts to descredit and overthrow Eva, Eva kills one of her brothers. As in any men’s world organization, other bosses side with the remaining brother and decree a death sentence for Eva. Of course, they have to catch her first.
Twenty years from her Sicily days, Eva has found a place to hide in Los Angles, California and is living a “normal” life with a husband and two children. It’s been a wonderful decade since she married and became a member of the PTA and lived the good life of a Malibu Beach resident. But, she hasn’t been complacent. Eva has been careful to keep a low profile and make arrangements for herself and her family if the Sicilians catch up with her. Sitting in a PTA meeting, Eva receives a message on her phone that turns a fund-raiser meeting into a scramble for her family’s lives. The tables of vengeance soon turn, as Eva discovers too late that the worst has happened, but even the worst brings unexpected evil and betrayal. Now, vengeance is all that Eva lives for. Training her body, her mind, and her emotions to be a killing machine again is her focus. And, yet, the author brilliantly is able to show readers in Eva’s interactions with a young boy that Eva’s compassion and looking out for those unable to do so for themselves is a large part of who this tough survivalist woman is. Her concern for the less fortunate was ingrained into her as a child, and she has not lost touch with that core piece of herself even in the depths of tragedy. However, her quest for revenge must be fulfilled, and after she learns the name of her target, she is relentless in her pursuit.
I have yet to read a Kristi Belcamino book that doesn’t grab me up in its excitement. Her ability to engage the reader is masterful. And, who writing novels creates more kickass characters than Kristi–Gabriella Giovanni, Gia Santella, and now Eva Santella. Kristi Belcamino is truly the queen of kickass characters. Perhaps there should be an addendum to that title though, Queen of Kickass Characters with Heart. Each of these three strong women show their strength not only in how tough they can be, how they can fight, but also in how dedicated they are to righting a wrong. Eva, the Queen of Spades, could be a super-hero in any world of right versus evil. She is someone you will be invested in from the beginning of her tale. I’m so pleased that Kristi Belcamino made the move to bring us Eva’s story, but then this is an author who instinctively makes all the right moves.
I received an advanced copy of Queen of Spades from the author, and my enthusiasm at sharing its publication is a genuine expression of my delight as a reader and reviewer.
“Eva: Queen of Spades” is possibly the best book Ms. Belcamino has written so far. The glimpse into the Mafioso of Italy ~ the hierarchy, vendettas, rules ~ all incredibly intriguing. And Eva as a kick-ass protagonist is wickedly wonderful ~ you feel her pain; you share her frustrations (especially with the police); you want revenge for and with her. Can’t wait for the next installment!!
My first read for author, Kristi Belcamino, will not be my last. Her latest series Queen of Spades featured Eva White, a character with a past she wanted forgotten.
Must read ‘Eva’ the prequel for insight.
A texted photo from the past sent her reeling and into ready planned action. Her character drew me in and her compelling story was a page turner. The play by play scenes of action fueled by vengeance plus character twists made it an outstanding thriller. The end was one time I was glad to see continued, definitely want more of Eva, seems she has family she didn’t know. Intriguing.
The story deals with assassins and how she avenges her family. Quick paced and the story gets into the back story of the heroine’s dark past. The heroine comes off as very tough and willing to do anything to avenge her family and her characterization was impressive. The action and the thrill was maintained all through till the very end. Enjoyed it.
Great character! This book keeps you engaged from the first page. Can’t wait for the next in the series and it’s coming out soon. Belcamino knows how to keep you from putting down the book or tablet. Also has a great canvass if Paesanos so be sure to follow her on Facebook and Instagram!
I’ve already writteen a very favorable review on this book! An exceptional thriller from a very gifted writer! On of the best books I ‘ve read in a very long time!
I have enjoyed reading all of her books. Love the characters! waiting to see what happens in the next book!
Eva White receives a picture on her phone and knows her family is in trouble. Her early life in Sicily has found her. Queen of Spades is a well written thriller with strong and believable characters. A page turner that you will not be able to put down. Can’t wait for the next book.
A wonderful background story of Gia’s aunt. It was intense, suspenseful, and intriguing. Eva Lucia Santella is out for vengeance. She is a survivor through many painful times. A strongwilled woman who will stop at nothing to get her revenge. I loved the storyline. I highly recommend this book, along with the series.
Excellent storyline and strong female lead. Enough action for men or women to read. Story spans from the US to Italy and provides enough background without having to get I to too many details of the past. I’ll Read this one again and again. Follow this author and be sure to get her other books/series. She is engaged with her readers through email and Facebook.
If you enjoy books that are well written, well plotted, full of so many twists and turns it makes you dizzy, and feature a strong willed, never quit female protagonist you’ll love Kristi Belcamino. This first book of a new series is Kristi at her best. Meet the Queen of Spades, aka Eva Lucia Santella — leader of Sicilian mafia family and master assassin. When the other families put price on Eva’s head, she is forced to flee to the United States. She assumes a new identity and creates a new life for herself. But can Eva really escape her old life? Great read, and I look forward to Kristi’s next book.
I received an ARC of this book from the author. I started writing down my thoughts on the story and made a mistake in going back into one of the early chapters to verify an incident I was mentioning. I wound up re-reading the whole book again! It’s THAT good! If you’ve read any of Kristi Belcamino’s ‘Gia Santella’ books, you’ve probably wondered about her aunt that shows up in a few of those stories. Well, here it is: the phantom and phenomenal aunt!
Evangeline: Soccer mom, PTA food drive organizer, California wifey and mom. Who is this woman and what have you done with Eva, Queen of Spades, female mafia boss? During a boring food drive meeting, a text appears on her phone a picture of a severed, blood-dripping head, and that world, that last 10 years, just goes to heck! What follows is a rollicking badass thriller, as Eva is both the hunter and the hunted. She has a ‘hit’ on her head, put out 10 years ago by the mafia and now is wanted by the police! She’s hunting for the person who has destroyed her life while trying to avoid those who are hunting her! I like the ‘Robin Hood’ side of Eva, that good side that drives her to help other people (but in some pretty unconventional ways!) Highly recommended!
I was lucky enough to have gotten a ARC copy of this book from the author. I am volunteering to leave this review. This book has plenty of twist and turns and will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire book
A tragic event puts Eva in a position that she now has nothing to lose. She knows it is because she is hiding from the mafia from her homeland. She now will seek revenge. It turns out the one who killed her family was a childhood friend who is now the best assassin for the Sicilian mafia. Eve tracks him back to her homeland. This novel will keep you glued to your book to find out what happens.
I am screaming for more
Eva, a Malibu housewife, thought she had found a new life in America, until the day her past caught to her. As the story progresses her secrets are slowly revealed, she strives to seek the truth, and returning to her homeland could either end her search or her life. Kriisti Belcamino has provided a thrilling tale showcasing the temerity of a woman on the run from her past. I am screaming for more books to be written about Eva and seeing how this will lead up to Gia’s series.
I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Another amazing book by Kristi Belcamino, that is riveting and just plain awesome from the very first page. We are first introduced to Eva in a Gia novel, and like those books, this one will have you swiping your Kindle way past your bedtime, because, plain and simple you just don’t want to put it down! Never a spoiler in my reviews, suffice it to say, this is one badass heroine that doesn’t disappoint! Eva confronts some tough situations with challenges from the past resurfacing. Thrilling action, great plot and overall a wonderfully penned story of how this strong-willed woman faces huge tragedy and confronts it head on as she is on a quest for revenge plain and simple. I initially received this book as an ARC, but I loved it so much I purchased it! Get it now you won’t regret it!
Great story about Gia’s aunt Eva, aka the Queen of Spades. Lays a great background of her life and involvement in her Sicilian Mafia family and what happened to turn her into such a savvy, shrewd and feared woman. Forced to flee to America because a mob hit was put out on her, she starts a new life. Flying under the radar with her beautiful family for years, her past catches up with her in a horrific way. To exact revenge she becomes a vindictive hunter that will stop at nothing until she hunts down the people responsible for ruining her life. One you won’t be able to put down!
A really intense book! I love Eva! This book has so much action and Eva is one tough cookie! So much action, I felt Eva’s pain, both emotionally and phsically! A must read! You won’t be able to put this book down! There were times when I could not breathe! This book will capture you and keep you wanting more! Thank you Krisit Belcamino for writing!
I always wondered what made Gia Santellas aunt really tick. Now I know. Eva Lucia Santella is a force to be reckoned with, and not someone I would want to be on the wrong side of. Kristi Belcamino does an amazing job fleshing out this important character who appears regularly throughout the Gia Santella crime series. So good, in fact, that an entire series could be written about how the Queen of Spades operates her organization and who she helps. This novel continues the story of young Eva (a novel by that name), a Sicilian mobsters’ daughter who was trained up with the ‘family’ values and traditions.
Vengence is Mine, sayeth the Queen of Spades!
What an incredible read. I love Eva, loved reading about what make her tick. This is a must read, if you read Kristi’s Gia books. Can’t say enough about this book.