An innocent coffee. A dazzling stranger. What can go wrong?Anna Raymond focuses only on her work at a little custom printing company in LA. She’s become a recluse after a traumatic experience that tore her life apart. Then Eric happens, barging into her life one morning at a Starbucks. By the time night falls, she has witnessed a murder, fought for her life, and revealed secrets she meant to keep … revealed secrets she meant to keep buried forever.
Eric Reed is a hired killer, well aware of his effect on women and how to use it to his advantage. He’s in LA for one thing only: Finish the contract he’s been assigned. Anna was nothing but a means to an end, but he finds himself reluctantly drawn to the enigmatic woman, a mistake that can cost him everything.
That long, cold night trapped together changes something fundamental between them. Anna must make a choice: will it be her path to happiness, or will the fervent Eric burn her to ashes?
This is book two in the Russo Saga but can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Publisher’s Note: This extremely dark romance is intended for adults only and may contain triggers. It contains elements of danger, suspense, action, adventure, sensual scenes, power exchange and a guaranteed HEA.
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Eric is a killer about to fulfill his contract when he practically crashes into
Anna. Poor Anna just wants to get out of work and keep herself safe and
alone in her self imposed isolation. Eric must now kill Anna, he can’t leave
any witnesses. Anna did her best to fight off Eric but when they are trapped
in an elevator, he realizes he can’t be found with a dead body once he gets
out. I hated Eric, but then, I loved him, but the hate returned as he flips from
hot to cold with Anna. Eric pushed all my buttons but Anna does gets some
sweetness out of him as they survive their time trapped elevator together.
I had so many conflicting emotions as I read, prepare for an exciting, hot and
at times sweet trip with the equally conflicting emotions of Eric and Anna.
If you enjoy reading organized crime thrillers then this one is one you don’t want to miss reading. Full of action, suspense, and mayhem, this gripping story will keep you turning the pages and become totally immersed in the story. Great ending.
I LOVED Ruin! It was quick, it was snappy; I loved the banter between the two main characters. I had a few tears, lots of chuckles, and much nodding of my head when the two of them shared their feelings. Now I need to go back and read the first book, and anxiously await for, hopefully, book 3.
absolutely loved the beginning and middle. the innocent meeting to the adrenaline of the fight. the elevator scenario is so realistic considering their situation and even the things they were both thinking. at the very end though, it just seemed he went way too loving and soft spoken suddently but doesn’t harm the story at all. all the side characters from the mob were amazing and you get enough of their presence or personality that you cant help but wonder what their story is. great delivery for a mafia romance!
I voluntairly reviewed an advance copy of this book. OMG!! Ruin is the first book I have read by Nicolina Martin and it will not be my last. This dark mafia romance was filled with drama, danger, murder and steamy moments. The characters of Eric and Anna are two opposites that are drawn together from their first meeting. Things are not what they seem and Anna is now in danger and her life changes forever after witnessing a crime, she finds herself trapped with Eric for the night as well as fighting the sexual tension between them. Eric is now faced with a problem, will he be able to save the one woman he shouldn’t because she knows too much and won his heart? This story had moments of sadness, violence and forgiveness and plenty of steamy scenes. This chilling story will have you on edge from beginning until the end wondering what the outcome will be for these two amazing people who have been hurt in the past and find they just want to be loved. This is a must read and I highly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed. Well done Nicolina Martin!!!
The second book in the Russo Saga, and just as amazing as the first one. An accidental meeting between two strangers, an instant attraction and what a rollercoaster ride! Eric and Anna, trapped in an elevator, forced to communicate, how will this change their lives? This story has violence, is intense, action packed, and amazingly intense chemistry. I found this to be an entertaining read and a great second book to the series, can’t wait for the next!
Action Packed Suspense!
WOW, what a roller coaster ride! This story kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end – biting my nails throughout! I absolutely loved these characters. Eric is one crazy hot hitman. I would love to be stuck in an elevator with him! Anna changes throughout the story and shows she is one strong woman. I would love to have their story continue to learn more about these two.
This author really knows how to write strong characters in an action packed, intense story with very suspenseful situations. It was awesome.
Highly recommended this amazing book!
Anna is the epitome of wrong place, wrong time in this book. Eric is a hired killer and he’s the “wrong” that keeps happening to Anna. This is a story of two severely damaged souls looking for comfort in each other. They do get that and so much more.
It’s a hit again by Nicolina. This is the second book in the series and i love this one more than the first. I’m hopping there will be a third because there are so many great character s in this book and different directions it could go. Congratulations.
this book was amazing! he kills for a living . she lives in fear. trapped together feelings start and secrets are reveled. read to find out what happens.
I love this book. Eric and Anna’s story pulled me right in. The author did such a wonderful job bringing Eric & Anna’s story to life. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
This book was so full of action I felt like I was watching a movie! There was so much going on in the beginning and the way Eric and Anna met and ended up together was so not expected! I loved the fast pace and just had to keep reading, I couldn’t stop. The story is well written, the characters are well developed and there’s enough love, sex, lust. Reading this book I went through so many emotions, happiness, sadness, anger, despair, lust… I don’t know, it was a rollercoaster, it had everything! I loved it!
Solid 4.5 star
After meeting Eric in Heat I wanted to know more about him and oh my what a complex beast he is! It was great how at times I hated him and others thought he was great and Anna gosh I just wanted to wrap her in hug as that girl has the worst luck. I love how there is a mix of so many emotions through out the book, knowing you shouldn’t but lurving the bad guys and seeing how both Eric and Anna’s real personalities get the chance to come out….you are left feeling a bit spent but needing to read the next book to see who is up next!
This is the first work of Nicolina Martin I’ve read and have to admit to being pleasantly surprised. Since I hadn’t read book one of the ‘Russo Saga,’ I was a bit apprehensive about what I would miss in the details. That proved to be a non-issue really. It just made me realize I need to backtrack and get book one to be caught up on any backstory I’ve missed.
Eric works for Luciano Salvatore, his right-hand man. Capo of the mightiest network of organized crime on the West Coast. In Eric’s mind, he’s his boss, his mentor, his savior. He absolutely loathes the man while at the same time, he’d die for him.
Anna had worked in a law office before the incident. After that she couldn’t handle the stress so she quit her job and went to work for an innocuous printing company as a Customer Service Rep. Wasn’t as challenging as her previous position but the work was so mundane for the most part she didn’t need to put to much thought into it. Besides, she has also built a shield around herself keeping everyone else at arms length.
When these two broken people come into contact with each other, it’s not what you would call a Cupid’s calling.
There are several things about this book I want to mention. As I said previously, I read it as a standalone without any lost information pertinent to the story. The characters with their personality flaws and quirks are so relatable it’s easy to be sucked into the story. When their feelings and emotions become involved I felt myself leaning forward like I was afraid I would miss something. The last and probably most poignant thing I want to point out is the fact this wasn’t a fluff happily ever after, they rode into the sunset ending. I won’t give anything away, but I was rather impressed with where the characters remained. That made it more relatable to me than anything. Congratulations Nicolina on not only a great read but what looks like a terrific series. You’ve also picked up a new follower.
One hot cup of coffee.
One tall drink of water.
One long night stranded in a elevator.
Reveals a story of recovery and finding forever love.
Eric’s a criminal.
Anna’s a innocent.
He’s one smooth talker.
She’s willing to listen.
“But is life with him…life? Will this fervent human being next to me ignite me?
Or will he eventually burn me to ashes?”
Eric’s speaks with more conviction. “You’ll always be my equal. Except when I take you to bed, then you’re mine. Fully and completely.”
I love Eric’s character. He’s edgy yet protective and devoted to Anna. This story is a perfect mix of good and evil.
This is the second installment in the Russo Series and believe me you don’t want to miss it as we get ERIC and he is one sizziling HOT dangerous hitman who will have your full attention as you fall in love with him because I know I did and he’s on the job when Abby is the wrong place at the most awful time and oh boy she is a fighter and protects herself in every way it had me biting my nails giving myself anxiety haha and mix in the banter between the two when they find themselves in a very very bad situation it pours out the heart and emotion and secrets are revealed they couldn’t be any different from each other as they try to make the horrible situation better.
This is exceptionally written and descriptive and you will not be sorry going into this story the characters will capture your heart and attention on every page trying to figure out how this will end
Emotional and Compelling Read!!
Eric works for the mafia capo Luciano Salvatore; his boss, mentor and savior. Anna is living a half-life. She survived an attack that she never admitted was more than a ‘mugging”. When she works late, she runs into Eric “enforcing” to her bosses that they cannot steal from Mr. Salvatore. From here we are off to the races….
Exciting, poignant account of the interactions between Eric and Anna. Anna had vowed never to become a victim again and fights Eric as no man would even dare; while Eric admittedly is trying to kill Anna. When they get stuck in an elevator a truce must occur. Eric cannot be found with a dead body after all. Suddenly the man who tried to kill her loans her his jacket because she is cold. Stuck in the dark together certain truths, and desperate feelings are revealed.
A complex and unusual relationship is built, and the reader is treated to an amazing journey.
This is a tremendously intimate book. For a large part of it, we have a very limited number of characters, so we necessarily learn a lot about those characters.
Anna and Eric develop something so intense and something so amazing. It burrows into both of them and changes them in unimaginable ways. It’s more than heart deep, it is soul deep.
This story is told mostly through Anna’s POV, but we get enough into Eric’s head that we know him and see him too, in all the ways that we need to. But, we need to have the bulk of the story in Anna’s POV. It is more than just the journey of Eric and Anna, it is Anna’s journey that powers the story, in my opinion.
I can’t give this story enough stars or enough words to express how I feel about it.
I freaking love this book. I love Anna and Eric story. I love the way the h fault the H all the way. Even though he was a Alpha man through and through. It had enough drama…enough action…and enough sex that made you want more. Excellent job!!!
This was great! Mafia hitman Eric is all business and always gets the job done no matter what. Attracted to an innocent bystander that gets in the way, he has to decide if her life is worth saving to explore her for himself. Poor Anna is haunted and broken but still carries on with a shell facade. When she meets Eric sparks fly but she knows better than to trust anyone. They both have to fight really hard to make a way for themselves in a world where they collide. It was a great read and a wonderful story. It was rough, very rough at times but now im also so soooo intrigued to get to know the rest of the familia! Cant wait for the next installment! Nicolina never disappoints with her Mafia tales!