My brother and I run the mob around here. I don’t mess with civilians. But when I see a beautiful girl in trouble I can’t stop myself from rescuing her.
She’s out cold, at the mercy of guys that have bad intentions. I take her home with me, tuck her into bed and get on with my business.
Easy, right?
Until she wakes up and sees something she shouldn’t have. Something that could get her killed. … that could get her killed. Something I should kill her for.
But I won’t. I can’t.
Instead, I keep her locked up. My own personal plaything. A beautiful captive I can’t set free, or resist.
I’ve spent my life avoiding relationships with women completely. But now? She belongs to me.
And I will never, ever let her go.
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What a great book! It’s a little dark, but not too dark. Evangeline is the sweet, Antonio is the vicious. But this also describes their relationship. Despite the horror was what Antonio does, despite how their relationship starts, Antonio tries to give Evangeline what she needs. And Evangeline comes to truly love her dark prince, and find a family with him. She’s innocent, and shy and the complete opposite of Antonio. He’s jaded, seeped in darkness, and in love with Evangelina from almost the first time he sees her. But she’s stronger than she knows, and he can bend more than he realizes. This is a great book for fans of mafia romances!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Joanna Blake never lets me down, her books just keep getting better!! This is book 1 in a new mafia series that takes place in the same world as her MC series Untouchables, so you may recognize a few names. It is just as HOT as those MC scenes too… Evangeline finds herself in an unfortunate situation in one of Tony’s bars. The moment he sees her, she turns his world on its head. Tony saves her life but things get dicey when she sees some things she shouldn’t have… Tony has to come up with a plan to make her his so she doesn’t tell anyone what she saw or keep her prisoner forever… Who knew some big scary mafioso could be brought to his knees by a tiny Evangeline and how far will he go to keep her safe??? LOVED Tony and Evie’s story… can’t wait for more!!!!
This was a really good book. At first I thought it was going to be a very dark romance because of the blurb mentioning of a captive and it involving the mafia but it was actually quite mild. So if you like some darkness to your books but not over the top dark than this one would be a perfect option to read. I like sweet books and I like extremely dark books so it doesn’t matter to me.
Antonio is a very obsessive, possessive alpha male personality. He’s confident and determined. He knows Evangeline is his the moment he sees her. The story is pretty much an insta love from his perspective but it took a little longer for Evangeline. She is an innocent and sweet woman. Caring and polite.
This is not a mafia heavy book. It is developed more around Evangeline and Antonio than it is with his place in the mafia itself. The only thing I thought to be a con with this story is how Evangeline reacted with the news of her captivity. It just didn’t feel like there was enough reaction or at least how I thought one would react to it anyway. But besides that I thought it was a really good read and will be looking for more books from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Well, Joanna Blake has absolutely done it again! I have been wanting to read about the Margarelli brothers since I first met them in Luck of the Devil. Tony did not disappoint! I’m looking forward to reading Vince’s story! Tony comes to Evie’s rescue and never lets her go! It’s a wonderful read. While I enjoyed the book and the tension, I had a hard time connecting to the female lead, Evie. She had great inner dialogue, but she wasn’t as strong as she needed to be. While she did not lack in character development or character traits, I would have enjoyed her character more if she had stood up to Tony more. As a mafia prince, Tony was going to have a strong, pushy personality. I loved Tony. While well-meaning, Evie did not quite stand up to him when she should have. She attempted to, but ultimately fell in line without much of a fight. With that being said, I love the way Joanna Blake writes and creates this world. I liked the characters in this spinoff, even though I didn’t connect to Evie. Without a doubt, she will connect with many readers. I hope you take the time to jump into this world and enjoy the fabulous writing of Joanna Blake!
I received an advanced copy of this manuscript and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is Antonio (Tony) and Evangeline’s (Evie) story.
Tony is part of a mafia family. He’s super protective and love’s Evie. Evie is sweet, innocent and caring. This is a really good story about how Tony saves Evie, but then she sees something she shouldn’t. Something that would get her killed if not for Antonio. To protect her he has to convince her to stay and marry him. Looking forward to Joanna’s next book.
I received a Advanced Readers Copy and I’m leaving a voluntary review.
If you love dark, sexy and very hot mobsters you will like Sweet and Vicious, THE MARGARELLI BROTHERS by Joanna Blake. Antonio is the younger brother and just a little bit of a manwhore and is from the very notorious and deadly crime family. When he spots a very pretty and innocent Evangeline in his bar she calls to his protective side. For him he wants her! Evangeline is just interested in attending her college classes. Drama happens in the bar and Antonio has decided she is his. We get crime family action and heads will roll! Antonio is very romantic but just as deadly! You get romance, crime drama, sexiness and a HEA. I am so excited to read Vincent’s book!
This was one seriously hot Mafia romance! Joanna Blake knows how to spin a seductive tale of a bad man who finds a good girl and makes her his own. Asking for a friend, is it really kidnapping if you want to stay? Tony spots Evangeline in his bar and he is hooked. He saves her from some unsavory types and brings her home with him. When she sees something she shouldn’t have, he can’t let her go. Secretly thrilled that he was able to keep her, he sets out to win her. Evie is so attracted to Tony but gets twisted up in the idea she shouldn’t be since he is keeping her prisoner. How can they ever have a happy ending living the Mafia life? This was absolutely enthralling! Tony is a big ole softie when it comes to Evie but his obsession isn’t going to wavier. She will stay with him, not only to protect his family but because he cannot live without her. Evie’s desire to stay with Tony was so awesome. She doesn’t keep fighting her feelings and pulling away which has gotten on my nerves in other stories. They were made for each other and it shows in every moment they are together. Simply put, Sweet and Vicious was a phenomenal read!
Oh my! I loved this book. The characters draw you in from the beginning. They are polar opposites in everyway. One in darkness and one in the light. There is plenty of action, steam, emotions and all the feels that will keep you turning pages to see what happens next. Tony knows Evie is his however he has his work cut out for him. Do they find love and a HEA? Check out this book to find the answer. It is well worth it! A definite must read. I can not wait to read the next book. I am all in with these brothers. I am voluntarily leaving my review after reading an advance reader copy from the author.
ONE FANTABULOUS EXPERIENCE!!!
Roll with it! Joanna brings it on home with this sensational spin, delivering one thrilling storyline and gripping plot, with such ingenuity, imagination, along with intellect and a unique insight for detail, melding this gem together sleek, shiny and tight. Sparks fly as drama, underlying currents, misgivings, intrigue, turmoil, secrets, danger, mounting suspense and chaotic situations, along with a boatload of trouble while dodging calamity, you have one prize winning masterpiece. A surging vortex chocked full of baffling circumstances and fervent events, blasts those swirling emotions into play front and center. Heating up the chemistry, elevating the attraction, witnessing the sizzle flowing through the pages, alluring and mesmerizing, binding them to one another beautifully. Anarchy, escapades and havoc run amuck, kicking this bad boy into a raging tempest, blasting it into a tailspin with a mind-blowing culmination. The dynamics and countenance in layer upon layer that you peel back with each page your drawn into this web so deep until everything else ceases to exist. The characters are complex and authentic with depth and traits that blend and flow, transforming into genuinely relatable personalities. The scenes are so graphically detailed and descriptive it’s like being transported to ground zero with them. Remarkable job Joanna, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.
Every gal needs a man like Antonio!
Antonio rescues Evie after her drink is drugged in his nightclub. Unfortunately, by the time she’s recovered and ready to leave, she witnesses something that can’t easily be explained in the Margarelli family mansion, requiring that they keep her inside until they know for certain that she won’t be making trouble for them. Antonio has no problem with this, because he’s already in love with her and his solution is to tie her to the family by marriage. Evie eventually realizes that she doesn’t really have a better option, and Antonio is exactly the kind of guy she’s always dreamed of. Except for his family’s illegal activities.
I remember Tony and his brother, Vince, from one of this author’s earlier books, and was thrilled to see her write his story. This is a fascinating tale of a mob family whose current generation is trying to take the business in a more legitimate direction, yet they’re still hampered by established alliances and the elder generation who doesn’t think anything needs to be changed.
It’s a nearly-perfect story; I was distracted by a couple continuity issues that begged for a good editor, but the romance is solid and not at all as forced as the situation would seem to present. Evie isn’t some wilting flower, and I loved that the author let her independence shine even while most of her choices were taken away. Their HEA is absolutely perfect, and Antonio is quite charming as a man wholly captivated by his bride. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
This is one of top favorite books written by Joanna Blake! This book is about the relationship of Antonio & Evangeline. Their relationship begins in an unconventional way but goes forward into a great relationship and marriage. I enjoyed reading this book, it completely held my attention throughout, the characters are very well developed, great storyline. I can’t wait to see what she does for Antonio ‘s brother Vincent in his book! Awesome job Joanna Blake!
This is a great mafia love story.
This is the story of Antonio & Evangeline. Antonio is in the mafia. His brother mainly rules the family, but Antonio helps him. They own legitimate businesses. One is a bar where Evangeline’s friend convinces her to go. Antonio definitely is mesmerized by her when their eyes meet in the mirror. She gets roofied in Antonio’s bar, which he doesn’t allow. He takes her home for her to recover. At one point, she sees something she shouldn’t have in his house. He cannot let her go now, for sure, although he wanted to keep her from the beginning. It all begins there. The feelings in this book are obsession and possession on Antonio’s part. Love is a feeling between them. Antonio would do anything for Evangeline. For the most part, he is gentle and kind to her. I really enjoyed this book. It’s a definite page-turner for sure. I’m looking forward to the next read of Joanna Blake.
This is such a super swoony read!! I don’t think that there is anything hotter than a tough guy that is brought to his knees by love and that is exactly what you get in this wonderful romance. If you have read this author’s The Devil’s Riders series and/or The Untouchable series, The Margarelli Brothers and its mafia family will be familiar to you and if not you have nothing to worry about because this book will stand very easily on its own. As I love both of those series, I have been wanting and waiting for these guys to get their own book and Tony’s sure didn’t disappoint!! Anthony was an incredible book boyfriend. He is a study in contrasts. A man that can be dangerous and violent but he can also be romantic, protective and incredibly sweet. I truly feel head over heels for this man. Evangeline was a character that I liked a lot but if I’m 100% honest I wish I could have liked her more. I now that their story wasn’t conventional but he treated her like a queen, would do anything to make her happy and constantly chose to put her needs first. This man was fully committed from the second he laid eyes on her and it was love not lust that was the driving force behind his actions. So I guess, what I’m saying is I wish I had got more of that intense love vibe from her too but it never really materialized. Still, I really liked them as a couple and I enjoyed every minute of their tale. Just so you know there is a bit of darkness here and a touch of BDSM elements (light bondage & spankings) but nothing too dark or over the top. I loved it and I can hardly wait to read Vincent’s book ASAP!
I was very excited to read Tony’s book but I didn’t realize how much I would absolutely love it!! I fell in love with Tony almost instantly. He was born and raised in the mafia but he is so much more than that. Family means everything to him and his brother is his best friend. He has such a heart of gold, which he hides behind his touch exterior, and absolutely worships Evie from the very beginning. Evie in the other hand is an innocent. She’s just a quiet college girl who keeps to herself and her books and ended up in a bad situation one night where Tony luckily saved her. From there on he knew she was the one even though they’re relationship didn’t exactly start off normal. Between the two of them though there was so much steam I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough. I only wish the book was long, as I do with all good books I don’t want to end. Now I’m not so patiently waiting for Vince’s book.
What a great book! I have been patiently waiting for this one! Tony comes from a Mafia family trying to go legit. Evie is a college student who is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Tony decides that he has to keep her instead of disposing of her. Their story is sweet and over the top gooeyness. I loved it! I am looking forward to reading his brother’s book. It was nice to see and hear from other books and series!
Thank you for the privilege of reading this book! Well done