~ Mila ~Killer. Monster. Thief.That’s what he is. The one who stole me. The man who ripped me from a life I thought was mine. There was no negotiating. No choice to be made. And no. Way. Out.He says my whole life has been a lie. I believe him.He says he’s addicted to my tears. I believe him.He says once I give him what he wants, he’ll let me go… don’t believe him.
~ Saint ~
Orphan. Fighter. Secret.
That’s what she is. The woman I took. The woman they tried to hide from me but failed. Now she’s exactly where she’s meant to be. At my side. And at my mercy.
The blood that runs through her veins makes me her king. But to me she’s nothing but a means to an end. A way for me to feed my vengeance.
Once she gives me what I want I’ll let her go back to her miserable, mundane life. But for now, she’s mine to play with…
until she breaks.
more
Rating:
Dark Captive Romance set in Italy!
This was definitely dark. The Hero is a murderer, kidnapper and a jerk. His name is Saint and he definitely doesn’t take after his name. He has a dark, depraved side which he brings out in full force right from the start of this story. The heroine is a young woman named Mila who grew up in the New York foster care system. Saint has plans for her so he pays some young guy to become her friend, gain her trust and bring her to him when the time is right.
Mila has been hanging out with her friend Brad for a while and having a good time. Though when Brad brings her to a fancy hotel because he has to drop off a package with some rich guy, she has no problem tagging along. Mila wanted to see the inside of the hotel. However when they get to the penthouse to meet the guy, he makes her nervous. It isn’t long before Saint kidnaps her and takes her to Italy.
Mila finds out that she is the daughter of an important family in Italy and that Saint is also from an important family. Their families made a pact years ago that the firstborn daughter of Mila’s family would marry the firstborn son of Saint’s. That was over 80 years ago and Mila was the first daughter born since then. However, her family didn’t want the marriage to take place so she was declared dead as an infant and sent to America and put in the foster care system. Now Saint wants revenge and wants what is his.
The relationship between Saint and Mila is contentious and steamy. Saint is very dark and that includes what he likes in the bedroom. Mila fights him on everything and he doesn’t like her filthy mouth, he doesn’t like be disrespected, and he wants obedience. Mila is not the type to give in and fights Saint at every turn. Though she is afraid of him and has every right to be after what he has done.
This book ends in a big cliffhanger and I can’t wait to find out what happens next. I really disliked Saint through most of this book, but he has a way of getting what he wants. It bothers me when guys who are in a power position demand things of the girl that they themselves don’t have to go by. For example he doesn’t like her cursing but he curses and talks filthy to her. He doesn’t like her to disrespect him but he disrespects her by kidnapping her and humiliating her.
Though I can’t say I don’t like the book, I just don’t like the Hero. I loved the fact that for these things I mentioned, Mila keeps doing them and when Saint tells her not to, she brings up the hypocrisy. Though he doesn’t agree with her and still does what he pleases, I like a girl that keeps fighting back. I think a guy like that has to lose his control in order to change and I can’t wait to see Saint get beat by Mila.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
MY REVIEW of The Rise of Saint by author Bella J
by Judy Robichaud/Dare to Love Romance Reviews
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THE RISE OF SAINT IS A DELICIOUSLY DARK, DANGEROUSLY DECADENT & DOWNRIGHT DELECTABLE 5 STAR READ!
HOLY SHIT! THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING!!! E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G!!!
This review is spoiler free. The Rise of Saint by author Bella J is one hell of a thrill ride. A ride I didn’t want to get off of. Its intensity had me gripping my kindle so hard I’m surprised it didn’t shatter into pieces. This book immediately starts off with a BANG and ends with an explosive cliffhanger that left me a wicked cliffy hangover.
It’s packed with all my favorite things, my must have’s in a dark romance if you will. This story needs to be experienced. One sinful word at a time. Simply put, to miss out on Marcello Saint Russo would be a travesty to all dark romance alpha male lovers. This titillating, sexy, scary and suspenseful read will take you on the ride of your life. It’s fast paced, gripping, raw, violent and so entertaining. SO ENTERTAINING!
I’ll admit that Saint is a guilty pleasure of mine. One I don’t want to stop indulging in. I could feast on him forever. Devour him. What can I say about Saint? He’s a hard man to like & hard to love. He’s an acquired taste, a scary alphahole force to be reckoned with. You’ll love to hate him and ultimately hate to love him. Then you’ll fall head over heels for him and question your own sanity at that revelation. Even his name is killer sexy. He is growly, gruff and oh so dangerous. A mafia made man on a mission. That mission is vengeance. He is scary sexy, cruel and obsessed with completing his mission. A mission that includes a kidnapping, an arranged marriage, a decades old deal gone wrong and a vendetta that destroyed the life of one woman. A woman who holds the key to everything.
That vendetta involves Mila Torres, who’s backstory was brilliantly written and woven into the story. I fell in love with this heroine too. What an incredible story she has. Her relationship with Saint is a very complicated one. There is most definitely and undeniable attraction between Saint & Mila. Saint will test your limits. He sure tested mine. I mean, OMG!!!! That’s all I’m saying.
Saint will do anything, hurt anyone who gets in his way without guilt or remorse. All in the name of vengeance. Believe you me, you do NOT want to cross him. EVER!!!!
Sometimes, a kiss can change everything.
I really liked the supporting characters, James & Elena. Especially Elena.
Don’t get too comfortable, you won’t sit still for long. There are so many twist and turns, secrets and lies, love and hate and a hero and heroine that will leave you breathless. So, grab your copy of The Rise of Saint, hang on tight & buckle up because it’s going to be a very exciting and bumpy ride.
I can’t wait to read how this story turns out in the next book, The Fall of Sin. Bella J can spin an exciting mafia tale like nobody’s business. I’m completely obsessed with the hero’s she writes. I highly recommend this book. The Rise of Saint is a deliciously dark, dangerously decadent & downright delectable 5 star must read. A top read for 2020.
Definitely 5+Stars! Sinful and Scorching!
This was the best book I have read of Bella J so far. It was Epic! The good-looking Saint (as he goes by) arranges to have Mila (the orphan) brought to him. From then on it is addicting and page-turning. I loved all the characters, the money, suspense and mystery. Not to mention the steamy sex waiting to happen. It was brilliantly written. You will love this book from page 1.
The Rise of Saint by Bella J is fantastical! Amazing! Dark and Sexy! He is a man who knows WHAT he wants and he WILL get it, no matter the consequences. Saint and Mila burn up the pages in this thriller!
Wow!! Not what I expected at all when I started readng. I loved every word. It is fast paced with intriguing characters that draw you in and keep your interest.
Saint is every bit the cruel sadist he promises he is. He is domineering and unapologetic. He is someone you love to hate. Or is it hate to love? I’m not sure, lol.
Mila I liked from the get go. She is just a pawn, a means to an end but god I love that she challenges him at every turn. She proves that she does have a spine and will not be used.
I’m probably one of the very few people that don’t mind cliffhangers and that’s because I love the anticipation but in this case I’m so glad that I didn’t have to wait, this cliffhanger was torture. On to the next book…
BOOK REVIEW
Title: The Rise of Saint
Series: The Sins of Saint #1
Author: Bella J.
Genre: Dark Romance, Arranged Marriage
Rating: /5
“There’s only one way an angel can lose her wings and that’s by trusting the devil. This man was the devil in an Armani suit and Italian leather shoes.”
OMG SAINT “The way he looked at me, the way he moved, spoke. The way he breathed was like he had been born to seduce. The darkness that surrounded him had a certain allure–a toxic mix of sex and hate. Dangerous. Wicked. Lethal.”
I love Saint… he’s dark, he’s sexy, he’s scary, he knows exactly what he wants and what he needs to do to get it.
“He held my face in his palms, those malevolent eyes deceptively peaceful. Like the eye of a hurricane. No wind. No rain. No storm. But surrounded by chaos and followed by mayhem. Destruction was the only thing it left behind, leaving nothing it touched unruined. That was Saint. A deadly hurricane, and there was not a chance in hell I’d survive the storm.”
I really wanted to like Mila, and at times I did, but then she would make some decision or react a certain way and I just couldn’t keep it up… When she is being the strong, stubborn girl that stands up for herself, I love her. But when she just backs down and rolls over, she loses me… Some of this is due to her being thrust into this relationship with Saint against her will, and it is extremely difficult for her to deal with but I really just wanted more from her.
I absolutely love Bella J.’s writing style, though! Her descriptions of Saint are so perfect
Happy reading!!
This review is for book three fo the series but I read all three at one go so if I backtrack some, forgive me. I LOVED this dark and twisted mafia read. A series filled with Revenge and hidden agendas, you never see the twists coming.
Each book in this trilogy had a BAM ending. I was left on my toes with excitement for the next read. Mila and Saint were dark and sultry and Yes. I love a twisted read and this series delivered.
Dark romance done right is an ART and Bella J rocks it.
The author hooks you on the characters and then slowly stitches this dark world around you until you are dying to take part.
I wasn’t sure I would love this series as much as I did, the start had me on edge, but after that first chapter I was excited and hooked to see where it went Just enough twists Mohave you in love with every charter you meet until some huge twists at the end that have you yelling at your kindle.
The Rise of Saint is the first book I have read by Bella. It was intriguing and captivating. Saint and Mila are one heck of a match together. Mila finally grows a pair of balls but it may have put her in more danger. I can’t wait to read book two.
The Rise of Saint is the first in The Sins of Saint duet by Bella J. Being a fan of this author, I knew what to expect as far as dark romance but this story doesn’t really connect for me. Mila and Saint have a toxic relationship, and there’s really not been any redemption even a little bit to make Saint likeable. I’m hoping his character will develop more in The Fall of Sin. Be prepared for a cliffhanger.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book by Bella J and let me tell you, it will not be the last. She pulled me in from the first page. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. Saint is such an a****** that you just want hate, except you don’t. Mila has had to be a strong person to grow up how she did. Mila tries to hate Saint, but it is impossible. You can tell these two were born for each other, no matter how hard they fight it. This book is filled with action, deception, a decades old deal, enemies, secrets, revelations and twists and turns. My mouth was dropped at the end and I cannot wait to read the next part of Mila and Saint’s story. I am enjoying this story and all the characters in it.
* I received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review *
Bella J. has just been added to my list of authors to watch. I have never read any of her books and I am not sure how I missed her. This is only book one of the trilogy, but I am already hooked!
f I were a superstitious bastard, I’d see it as the universe’s way of telling me bad shit was about to happen. But I didn’t need the universe’s warning, I already knew bad things were to come, because I was the one bringing them.
I always question my sanity when I read books like this where the hero treats the heroine as Saint does and I manage to be turned on by it. When he is not talking down and degrading her that mouth can talk the panties of any woman! I was unsure how I would feel about him being the moment it begins we see him taking her against her will. Not only that he treats her horribly and is not gentle with her. As I read more of the book you can see that Mila is wedging her way into his heart but he is too scared to let her in plus I doubt he even knows how to have an actual loving relationship.
“You think I have a filthy mouth now? Wait until you feel it between your legs. I give a whole new meaning to the word filthy, my little segreto.”
I felt bad for Mila. Obviously because of the way Saint was treating her but also because he dropped this major bomb on her. I could not imagine going through life as she did because she had already suffered from abuse growing up. I can only imagine the turmoil she felt being afraid of Saint but falling for him at the same time.
As quickly as the day turned into night, my life changed from a reality I had always known to a nightmare, and I had no clue what it held in store for me.
These two have the most amazing chemistry. I loved everything about this book but the cliffhanger. Luckily, I do not have to wait for book two so I am anxious to get started and see what will happen next. Run and start reading this book now and you will not be sorry. Amazing job Bella J!
This is the 1st in a new series and what a fascinating beginning this story is. Mila has grown up in the foster system, and Saint is a dark and depraved murderer and kidnapper. Saint pays someone to befriend Mila and gain her trust, and when the time is right to bring her to him, where he kidnaps her and takes her to Italy. Mila does not make things easy for Saint as she challenges him at every turn. In Italy she learns that she is the daughter from an important family, as is Saint, and their families had an agreement that they would marry. This is a well written story which has me totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. I highly recommend for all.
All I can say is – wow! This first in the series just fills you with all the questions of what is actually happening and how can we get all the answers right now!
Saint is a d*ck but I actually like him and want to hug him through whatever got him to this point in his life! You know it’s something big and you know instinctively that Mila will be the one to bring him to his knees but the trip to that point is so messed up!
Mila is a lot stronger then she is giving herself credit for and feels things strongly but without answers she can’t fight her instincts to run or fight!
Amazingly written!
This book is dark and sordid and a fabulous start to Saint and Mila’s story!
Saint waited years to have her in order to achieve what he wants most…revenge. Mila was suppose to be just a piece of the puzzle, an orphan and best kept secret for him to use to get what he wanted most. Not everything goes as planned for them and Saint isn’t the only one with goals.
This book ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to start book 2, The Fall of Sin.
I went in blind, didn’t know what kind of a journey this book would take me on. So imagine my suprise for the major cliffhanger!
Not an original plot, but the author made it interesting with it’s twist and the allure of darkness.
“If I broke, if I lost the fight, my eyes would be the first place he’d see it happen. Eyes were windows to the soul, a reflection of the peace or chaos on the inside.”
I liked that Mila had strength and a backbone. And didn’t easily give up, but kept on defying Saint.
I liked that Saint was thoroughly emotionless and gives in to his dark needs.
No wonder why she does what she does at the end…
“Like a thief in the night, he stole my heart from my chest.”
However, there were too many inconsistencies in this story, which kept pulling me out of the story.
I love dark romances and the darker the better so this fit the bill perfectly. Saint is insane, diabolical, mean and a whole slew of other things lol. Mila oh poor Mila has no idea that here life was fated at the moment her parents found out they were having a girl and did what they thought would protect. Spoiler Alert it didn’t work lol!! This book ends on a epic cliffhanger and about to dive into book 2 now!
Wow what a fantastic read! This book has it all well thought out characters that pull you in to a brilliantly written storyline twists and turns at every page to keep you enthralled. I’d definitely recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Bella J did a great job on The Rise of Saint, the plot and characters were strong, it was packed with many feelings. Saint and Mila had their differences but they were made for each other, there was a strong pull between them, their attraction and chemistry was off the charts, they were great together.
I enjoyed this story, it was great. Thank you, Bella J. Great work 🙂
ONE ELECTRIFYING, SIZZLING TREAT!!!
Dark decadence! Bella cranked my tractor, dialed my number and blew my mind with this thrillingly delicious, deep dark and delectable whirlwind, hotter than a flaming inferno and more explosive than dynamite, blasting this baby to life spectacularly. Cognizant of the instant realization and charged atmosphere, showcasing the intimidating trials and challenging tribulations, noting the shocking twists and wicked turns, drawing our characters closer than they could have ever envisioned. Braided, coiled and tightly woven, displaying the rocketing ups and agonizing downs, grounding in it’s simplicity and awe inspiring in it’s depth. Anarchy runs rampant and havoc is rife, rousting the drama, abduction, intrigue, spiraling suspense and intense situations, along with a double dose of danger while dodging devilry, you have one mind-blowing masterpiece. Lines blur and boundaries crossed, limitations are stretched and bent, booting this bad boy forward, kicking it into overdrive, slamming it into a tailspin with an astounding culmination. The raw magnetism, undeniable attraction and sizzling chemistry collides with such intensity, drawing you deeper until you feel the electrifying hum running rampant through your veins. The characters are authentic and original with qualities and traits that blend into amazing personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions creating a colorful backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Remarkable job Bella, thanks for sharing this little treasure with us.
Being the first book in a new series this ends with a doozy of a cliffhanger. There are some possible triggers in this book but for those who can read it, you are in for an edge of your seat, unputdownable read. The plot is brilliant as are the characters, both main and sub-characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.