She wasn’t the job, but she became my business.My orders were clear. Get in, get the job done, and get the hell out. No loose ends, no witnesses.It’s what I do. And I don’t fail. Until now. She shouldn’t have been there.And now I have a new job.Find and deal with Cherise Styles
Valor (Cavalieri Della Morte Book 11)
By meashastone
Cherise had witnessed something she shouldn’t and now she became a loose end and loose ends in mafia world get one ending. Not a new idea but the execution of it has the author’s signature style. Not too dark, Measha Stone has written darker so it might not be what is expected. However, it is a steamy love story that doesn’t disappoint. Don’t get discouraged that it is the eleventh book in a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Recommended!
What a fabulous read. Sweet innocence corrupted by a deliciously dark antihero. This story will make your toes curl and your breath catch.
Dustan is an assassin and when on one of his jobs somebody witnesses what he did, he has to eliminate the threat. Cherisse is a young, naive small town girl who decides to have a fun night in town when she witnesses something she shouldn’t have and her story unravels. Is she as innocent has Dustan may think? A great story with amazing characters.
Valor was intense right from the first page and didn’t let up until the very end. Poor Cherise has been through so much and is finally getting her life together and ventures out to meet someone. Unfortunately she witnesses something and this sets her on a very different course, one that she will never come back from.
This story was so well written and the characters were very clear cut so you either love them or hate them.
The plot was well written and well planned with plenty of action and twists and turns that had me hooked from the very beginning! The chemistry between Dustin and Cherise was off the charts HOT which kept me turning the pages until the very end!
STORY:
Dustan, an assassin for the Cavalieri Della Morte, is out on a job when he meets Cherise at a bar. Intrigued by him, Cherise follows Dustan outside where she witnesses something she wasn’t supposed to. The Cavalieri Della Morte don’t leave any loose ends which is what Cherise is, so she’s under Dustan’s watch until they decide what to do with her.
If the story ended there, it would be boilerplate, but fortunately, things do become a bit more complicated, requiring Cherise and Dustan to go in to hiding until they are prepared to attack.
Although I personally didn’t feel the connection between Cherise and Dustan, there are a lot of sex scenes that I’m sure others will enjoy! And I loved seeing Arthur again!!!
*** If you are not Measha or curious about my critical eye, this is where my review ends! ***
REVIEW OF EDITING/PROOFREADING:
This book is in desperate need of a thorough proofreading. There were typos such as using I instead of HE (for example when Cherise thinks, “I uncocked the gun but didn’t put it away” which should’ve been “He uncocked”), WONDERING instead of WANDERING (“Cherise was wondering around again”), and using INTO for IN TO and INTO for ONTO. Stone used em dashes and regular dashes interchangeably, not using them as instructed by the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS). Similarly, she did not comply with CMOS rules for spacing ellipses which states that there should be a space on either side of an elipses, (“He looked…concerned”, for example). Semicolons were also not used correctly, seemingly used in place of commas.
There were sentences with words in the wrong place (for example, “I’m not sure really how it all happened.”), sentences with missing words (such as, “And the Merde family isn’t going like me walking away from that.”), and a few sentences with extra words (for example, “I pulled slid back the rack on the gun”).
Although the story is told in past tense, some sentences were not (for example, “He’d suspect I was on to him.”), some words weren’t capitalized that should have been (for example
“’kay,” should have been “‘Kay,”). A few times, words were capitalized and the wrong punctuation used in some of the dialogue. For example, [“That’s right.” I smiled.”] should have been, [“That’s right, “I smiled.”]
Regarding commas, coordinating conjunctions at the start of sentences were followed by commas even when they shouldn’t (for example, “So, I can check for any cuts or bruises.”), were occasionally inserted after coordinating conjunctions between 2 complete sentences rather than in front of them (for example, “I noticed it and, once I did”), were sometimes omitted from lists of adjectives (for example, “thick black leather belt”), and were not correctly used when THOUGH was in the middle of a sentence or with OH (for example, “Oh yeah?” should have been, “Oh, yeah?”).
Dark twisted and brilliant. Two souls who obviously were meant to be together.
Highly recommended!
Dustin and Cherish are polar opposites when they meet in a bar. Chemise has to read a book to learn how to be more outgoing, Dustan is an assassin. Their chemistry is immediate and while Dustan is constant throughout the story and makes no apologies for who he is, Cherish is very different. From a shy, timid girl to a confident, strong and sassy woman Cherish, under Dustan’s care transforms into everything she always wanted to be but didn’t know how to get there. There is some violence, after all Dustan is an assassin, and there are some very steamy scenes all of which make for an interesting story that is hard to put down.
First time reader of this author and I was captivated from the first pages. I was intrigued by the actions of the brazen woman who walked into a bar flirting with danger. Dunstan was cool, calm and collected, just biding his time. After taking down his mark, he turns to find Cherry has witnessed it. He has never left a loose end behind and he’s not about to now. Dunstan finds this scared little mouse with her defensive walls up and a firecracker attitude. Cherise likes pushing his buttons and testing boundaries. Unfortunately she finds out that Dunstan likes nothing more than punishing bad girls while he waits for an order from Arthur.
The Cavalieri della Morte has introduced me to some sinfully sexy assassins and in Valor it’s Dustan’s turn. He proved to be just as lethal and enigmatic as his brothers. When Dustan set out to complete his newest job he didn’t plan on meeting an intriguing distraction named Cherry. From the start the chemistry between them was palpable. I enjoyed their flirtatious and witty banter and how quickly things got rather interesting between them. With lots of twists, some action, suspense and deciously steamy times Valor was an entertaining read.
Valor by Measha Stone is book 11 in the Cavalieri Della Morte series. Each book is its own story (standalone). In this book, we get Dustan and Cherise.
Dustin is an assassin who always accomplished his missions. On his current job, he is interrupted by Cherise who distracts him from his final goal. She was a total surprise so now what’s he supposed to do? There’s a motto- No witnesses….Ever! So now when this innocent woman needs protection from not only the Cavalieri but another threat what will Dustin do? The plot is full of action, twists, drama, passion and heat. I’m totally loving the alpha Male Dustin and his alpha ways!!! Cherise is beautifully sweet and shy. I liked how she went on her own journey to find out who she was and not what she was supposed to be. I enjoyed the characters and the chemistry between the main characters. I enjoyed the plot, the suspense and just the overall story. Great read!
My Rating: 4.5 stars *******
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.
My orders were clear. Get in, get the job done, and get out. No loose ends, no witnesses. It’s what I do. And I don’t fail. Until now. She shouldn’t have been there. And now I have a new job. Find and deal with Cherise Styles.
These books are absolutley amazing. I have yet to read a bad one and I have read them all. This is the story of Dustin and Cherise. He works with the Cavalieri Della Morte and has a job to do. To make it look like hes not after the guy he is after he talks to a girl in the bar and then excuses himself. He never expectets Cherise to walk out in to the alley and see what she sees. Now he has not choice but to take her with him. She too ends up wanted by the police and the family of the man that Dustin killed. There is a huge price on her head and she goes from witness to someone that Dustin has to protect. This book is fast paced and you will not be able to put it down. I loved every second and can not wait to see what the next book has in store for us.
I can’t get enough of della morte. Every book is better than the last. Valor is the perfect title for this story and the best description. Damn is it hot as hell too. Strong silent alpha wielding his belt to prove his point and to leave panting for more.
I have to start by saying Dustan is a bit of an arse! If you knocked me out then proceed to “reprimand” my arse for a slight you perceived, I would plot your demise till my dying breath. Yes, you are sexy and sweet, but only when it suits you. Let us be honest here you would have done the same thing!
That being said and my rant over…
This was another engaging and entertaining episode of the Cavaleri Della Morte. Stone did a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life. I do wish it had been longer. I think I have said that about most of the episodes, what can I say I want more.
Dustan has an easy assignment. After careful planning and what he thought would be the perfect execution of his plan; one curvy bombshell decides it was her night to test new waters, to reinvent herself. Right into the middle of his deed. Not sure what his orders will be he proceeds to “acquire” said curvy bombshell until her can figure it out. Let the chaos commence.
Cherise is a bit of an ostrich. She seems to prefer the whole “can’t see it, it’s not real” approach to life. Despite her perceived lack of courage, she was quite the little hellion.
Maybe Dustan didn’t overreact but then again..
When the past became the present, there was no hesitation she was all in.
If this is your first time delving into the men of the Della Morte be prepared. These stories contain violence and bloodshed.
Let us not forget a bit of “target acquisition” and a whole lot of chaos and steamy romance.
This can be read as a standalone.
Valor by Measha Stone is book #11 in the Cavalieri Della Morte series, although each book is a standalone. Measha is a new to me author but she wrote a wonderful addition to this series. I know I’ve said it but it’s still just as true, this series keeps getting better and better! Told in dual POV, we now have Dustan and Cherise’s story.
Dustan is an ex-navy seal who’s been one of Arthur’s loyal assassins for 10 years. As Dustin sits in a bar waiting for his mark, Antonio Merde, a beautiful woman catches his eye from across the bar. Not wanting to be bothered he puts on his most “I’m unapproachable” face but that doesn’t deter the woman and soon they are chatting it up.
“I have never, not once second guessed his orders, and I’ve never considered if I would follow them or not…. Until now.”
But when his mark makes for the back door Dustan excuses himself to take care of business. Only things don’t go exactly as planned.
Cherise Styles grew up in a small town in Minnesota and now that she’s living in the big city of Chicago, she’s determined to break out of her shell. Taking the advice of a self-help book, Cherise heads out for a night at the bar. But when the man that she’s been chatting with excuses himself, Cherise decides to follow him into the back ally… what she finds there, she wishes she had stayed safe back in her shell.
“Her palpable fear fed me, filled the evil pit inside me, and I wanted more. But, first, I had work.”
Dustan knows that he can’t leave any witnesses behind and now that Cherise has seen him kill Antonio he has to find her, no loose ends. But what he doesn’t expect is that when he does, he’ll learn that someone has put a million dollar bounty on her head. Dustan learns that Cherise’s family may just be more connected to the Merde family than he ever could have thought, and now he’s is determined to keep her safe.
I really liked this story, it wasn’t my favorite but it wasn’t bad for sure and it was really well written but it just didn’t feel developed completely and I was looking for DARK in this one after finding out that’s one of the genres the author writes in and although there is still some violence, I just don’t feel like it was very dark at all.
Dustan is a sexy dominant man who has no problem with teaching bad girls lesson’s and Cherise has been very bad. Gahh there is nothing better than a sexy, strong alpha who knows how to take control.
“Bad things happen to bad girls.”
Cherise starts out as a quiet wallflower trying to come out of her shell but with Dustan’s guidance and firm hand she doesn’t just crawl out of her shell, she jumps.
“Someone like me didn’t get to keep gifts like her. I knew it, but I wasn’t letting it stop me from climbing beneath the covers and pulling her body against mine. Where she belonged. Right or not. She belonged to me.”
As per usual, I loved seeing a strong man be brought to his knees by the woman who steals his heart. There is plenty of mystery, twist, and a whole lot of steam.
You aren’t going to want to miss this one!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.
I know I keep saying this but this series.. I swear it just keeps getting better and better… Valor is no different.
These sinfully, sexy yet deadly assassins have crawled their way to my top Dark series for 2019 to date.
Most of the time being in the wrong place at the wrong time can land you in a dangerous situation, but in this case it brings Dustan and Cherise together…
Their story isn’t as dark as the rest, but hot damn.. its sure to make you all hot and bothered
This starts out as a “Wrong Place – Wrong Time” story but it quickly turns into a much more complicated tale.
The heroine, almost a recluse, trying to change her disposition following the suggestion of a self help book ends up witnessing a goal oriented contract killer efficiently executing his latest target.
Watching both of them, during only a couple of weeks, changing and developing a relationship that is far from ordinary is an exciting and sensual treat. The twists of both their stories and where they finally take them kept me glued to my reader from beginning to end.
A definite must – read!
If you love alpha males, dark romance, and females that don’t have to be saved, you will love this book. It has EVERYTHING you expect with this series. An amazing, attention-keeping, and epic book!!
I can’t say enough about this series. It has been a rollercoaster of alpha males and strong females. This author hit a home run with the plot, characters, and overall theme. These alphas make me hot and sweaty and these females make me jump for joy. The author does an amazing job of descriptions, emotions and situations. It is a masterpiece that you will be sad is over. The emotion, angst, feelings will consume you. This book was devoured in about a day (forget eating, sleeping, taking care of kids!!). I highly recommend this book, along with the rest of this series.
Cherry and Dustan find each other in a situation they don’t expect. What happens will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. Together, they are everything. It is a romance you will love to read because it takes you on twists and turns, but brings you right back to your ending you wanted.
Read this book. You won’t regret it. Go buy it NOW!!
Valor is Measha Stone contribution to to the Cavalieri Della Morte Series. Each book is a stand alone.
I enjoyed this book a lot. Once I started reading I couldn’t stop until I finished.
Dustan and Cherise are interesting characters. They were layered and complexed and there was something in Cherise that a lot of us could relate too. I enjoyed seeing her grow during the book and starting to stand up for herself and get rid of the shadows of her past.
Dustan was one sexy hitmen and I loved seeing him react to Cherise. Their banter made me laugh.
This book has it all. Action, laughter and steamy scenes.
Every book I’ve read by Measha has been amazing and every book I’ve read by the different authors in this series keeps getting better and better. Dustin and Cherise’s chemistry was of the charts. Loved this book.