I was born a princess among criminals. An untouchable among thieves. Heiress to a life others have killed for, and one I’d do anything to escape. I vowed not to leave without Diego, my first love and best friend, but if his ruthless brother has his way, I won’t leave at all.Cristiano de la Rosa is a man as big and bold as his legend. Once upon a time, he was our cartel’s best soldier . . . until … . . until he became my family’s worst enemy. And a man like Cristiano will bend fate to his will to get what he wants—even if it means tearing me from another’s arms.
Because in the de la Rosa family, old grudges run deeper than loyalty, and betrayal is a three-letter word: war. But this feud isn’t between enemies—it’s between brothers. And I’m the prize.
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***ARC Provided by the Author***
Well, that didn’t go as I was expecting. Not at all. Although, there was a part toward the end where I had a pretty good idea where it was going to go, and where we were going to be left at the cliffhanger. (Spoiler Alert: I was right.)
But, let me be clear…I wasn’t right because the story was predictable. Nope. I was right because of how incredibly well written it was…there were things that hadn’t happened, and then they did, and you just knew where things were going with Diego, Cristiano, and Natalia.
There are some conventions of a love triangle that this book is poised to break (YAY!!!) that I am not going to get into because, spoilers, but let me just say I love that this book is going to go there, that it’s not going to pull back from this.
I think, for me, this is why I read Jessica Hawkins. I know she is going to pull no punches, my heart is going to be in my throat, and I am going to like characters who maybe I really shouldn’t because, well, they are not always the best of people.
Oh, and one more thing…yes, this is set in the world of the cartels, but it’s really not a mafia title. Really. The body count is fairly low and it’s lacking the gruesomeness of the genre. This is a romance set in the world of the cartels, but it’s not the traditional mafia. Read it, you will see what I mean.
Oh, and the cliffhanger. THE. CLIFFHANGER. I saw it coming, I was SO positive I knew where it was going once I got close to it. I was right, but the actual point where it cut off was so riveting, and so perfect, I can’t lie…when I went to the next page and it was the “thanks for reading” page…well, I can’t lie…I was not happy I have to wait until June.
I loved and recommend this title.
Well, Hawkins brought everything to the table with this book. Heat, angst, suspense and twists. This story was the very definition of binge worthy. Get ready to loose sleep over this, because it is just that good.
Where do I even start with Natalia. Having been born into a dangerous life, she’s completely aware of her families involvement in organized crime. She’s not your typical damsel in distress in the story. She’s constantly digging for answers and putting herself on the line for her love interest. I really liked her, even though she seemed a tad naive about certain situations. I think that’s because she has dreams of a life outside of the cartel. She’s still hopeful even though her family history has taught her she shouldn’t be.
The men in this story are polar opposites. Diego is kinder and gentle. Where as Cristiano is rough and raw. I have so many theories about these two, but I’ll keep that to myself. All I can say is that anytime I think this author is going to go right, she goes left. And with two men in the story , there’s bound to be more nail biting twists and jaw dropping moments.
This was so different and yet so completely what I love and expect from Jessica. I can’t wait so see what wild ride she’s going to take us on. I’m ready lady, bring it on.
Violent Delights by newish-to-me author Jessica Hawkins is a standalone contemporary mafia romance. The beautiful cover and the blurb piqued my interest immediately and the book its self did NOT disappoint! I love some organized crime with my romance so this was right up my ally! The intricate plot that Jessica has created is what kept me turning pages until the very end!
Violent Delights is a really well-paced short read. It’s told mostly from Natalia’s POV except for one chapter from each of the brothers, Cristiano and Diego. I was blown away by this book! I finished in one sitting because I just was so enthralled I had to know what happened. Let me warn you now, it leaves off on a HUGE, I mean GIANT cliffhanger! This will be a short review because there is just wayyy too many twists and turns that if I tell too much it will give things away and trust me, you want to go into this one headfirst!
Natalia Cruz, mafia princess, daughter of one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico. Cristiano and Diego De La Rosa were taken in by the Cruz’s after Natalia’s father murdered the boys parents (the reason why is a whole other story in its self so I won’t get into that) Natalia was only a year old at the time, Cristiano was 15 and Diego was 8 so they all grew up together as siblings except these siblings were to protect her with their lives if need be. Both boys are being trained to be soldiers but Cristiano, he takes to his training flawlessly and soon he’s the cartels most lethal soldier.
Until 8 years later when one night changes everything and Natalia learns that the fortress she’s been kept sheltered in isn’t as safe as she thought it was.
Natalia’s mother is murdered and the person caught in the room standing above her as she takes her last breaths… is Cristiano.
“Trust no one. Never draw a weapon unless you meant to kill.
Loyalty didn’t guarantee loyalty, even to your own blood. Anyone, even the most loyal disciple, could turn.”
With her mother dead and Cristiano on the run, her father sends Natalia to the U.S where she’ll be safe and away from the life and dangers that the cartel brings.
Now it’s been 11 years since she’s been gone and Natalia is finally back home.
She’s always kept in touch with her first love and best friend, Diego. And during her visit, she plans on telling her father that they want to be together. Unfortunately, her father won’t hear of it, he doesn’t think Diego is good enough for her, much less that anyone else is.
The problem is Natalia isn’t the only one that’s come back home.
Cristiano is back and has proven to her father that he wasn’t the one who murdered his wife. Natalia’s father has always had a soft spot for Cristiano, he believes in him and welcomes him home with open arms.
Now that Cristiano is back he’s got a beef to settle with his younger brother. Diego didn’t believe in Cristiano when he needed him the most, he turned his back on him and now Cristiano wants to settle that score by taking everything away from the younger De La Rosa, including Natalia.
“Apparently, my discomfort amused him -but so did my fight. That didn’t surprise me. Cristiano would pinch a butterfly’s wings together just to watch her struggle.”
Cristiano has started a cartel of his own since he’s been gone and he’s much more calculating and lethal as a man than he ever was as a boy. He’s the dark to his brothers light but I think there is much more to these brothers then meets the eye.
Natalia can’t help but remember the boy that he was before he killed her mother (she doesn’t believe he’s innocent) he protected her as a child and now it’s hard to believe that he’s the ruthless man that stands before her today. She’s disgusted by him and the monster that he’s rumored to be but yet… when he’s near her body seems to have the opposite reaction to him then her head does… the way he affects her makes her question everything.
“And I had danced with him tonight, aroused by a possessive touch and menacing words that should’ve sent me running into Diego’s arms. I could’ve screamed like I’d threatened-but I hadn’t. What was wrong with me?”
Both brothers want the girl, but only one can have her, who will have her heart in the end.. I guess we will find out soon!
I can’t get enough of our anti-hero Cristiano, that man *sigh*
That powerful and dark side of him just draws me right in!
I already know who I want Natalia to choose but I can’t wait to see where Jessica takes this story!
I liked Natalia but I’m hoping to see some growth out of her character in the next two books. I know Natalia’s father kept her as sheltered as possible from all the goings on of his business BUT she admits several times to sneaking around and spying as a child so it was hard to believe that she was as naive and gullible as she comes off sometimes.
There are sooo many loose ends to her mother’s murder and if what I THINK is going on.., is what is happening then OMG!!! I feel nothing is at seems in this book.
This was a great beginning to what I think is going to be an amazing trilogy. It’s a slow burn with just enough angst and steam to keep you flipping pages until the very end. I love dual POV so I’m hoping that we get more from both brothers point of view in the books to come- especially Cristiano’s… but I may be a little biased. Ughhh these next 3 months can’t pass fast enough, needless to say, I’m HOOKED!
“Once a man gets a taste of power, his need for it surpasses hunger. It’s a sickness that demands more.”
If you like contemporary mafia romances full of lies, betrayal, and vengeance, then Violent Delights is the book for you!
*I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.
I always know when I pick up a Jessica Hawkins book I am not going to be able to put it down. Violent Delights is hands down one of my favorite books b y this author. I absolutely love the cover, it gorgeous!
This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I would think one thing was going to happen and be completely wrong. Violent Delights was full of secrets and lies, family and loyalty are very important to them. This book reminded me of some of my favorite movies. I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for the next one in the series.
Violent Delights is a suspenseful read that left my jaw on the ground. Two brothers vying for the same prize, the daughter of a Mexican cartel boss, is enough of a tease to get my attention. Then add in the intrigue, the questions, the deceit, the sexual tension, the blackmail, plus all the deliciousness you get from secrets and promises, and you’ve got a winner.
I’m fairly new to Jessica Hawkins but I knew enough about her to know I needed this book. I loved how she drew me into the characters and gave me reasons to love them all before she threw everything I thought I knew out the window. The characters you think you can trust have hidden agendas of their own and the characters you think you are supposed to hate have that suave personality that demands attention no matter how bad they are. I have a love/hate relationship with both the brothers. Diego and Cristiano and ready to battle and only time will tell who wins the war and wins the hand of Natalia.
The daughter of a Mexican cartel boss, Natalia has distanced herself from this life. She is a good little Catholic girl and tries so very hard to remain pure in the eyes of God. Although she has a love for one brother, something stirs inside her when faced with the other. Her love and loyalty may just be her greatest strength and her biggest weakness.
Violent Delights is a magnificent read but you must be warned . . . it’s a trilogy! It’ll get better and the wait will be worth it, but this wait is going to be very painful. That last chapter had me screaming at the pages, flipping through looking for more, only to find the names of two more books to come. If you can stand the wait, then grab this up now. Otherwise, just give it a little time and buy them all together.
Enchanting. Magnificent. And … holy hell! What a spectacular read!
Every word … every little detail was written in perfection. And everything I want to say can be considered a spoiler. Too many twists, so many facets and secrets and betrayals for it to be any other way. This is seriously a hard one to review, so my review will be relatively short … and noncommittal.
Let’s just say I loved every damn word in this story. The plot is insanely engaging and VIOLENT DELIGHTS, the first one in the trilogy, provides everything for an epic battle that is yet to come between two brothers.
Both of them are all but without faults, have both quite a few skeletons in their closets – quite literally – and they both want revenge – their weapon of choice: Natalia. A mafia princess caught in between them in a dangerous world she wants to have nothing to do with…
This book … It’s intense, full of emotion, full of romance and yet, again, it only set the stage for things to come. It’s just the beginning. And with THAT cliffhanger things are about to get explosive and messy – and fast. Ohhh, lordy…!
As for the brothers, I do have a favorite, but although one of them intrigued me to no end from the very beginning, it took a while for him to sway and convince me that he should be the one I root for. But, boy, did he convince me! Let’s just say I won’t accept any other outcome than Natalia ending up with him! Only before that happens, there’s so much yet discover, so many secrets, motives and actions wanting to be revealed … because, yes, the plot is intricate and detailed and clever, a well-woven web of lies, deceit and danger, all set in the mafia world.
I declare this one a must read!
DREAMY’S REVIEW
Age gap.
Childhood friends.
Protector.
Mafia. Mob. Drug Lord.
Love triangle.
Two brothers.
Devoted and protective hero.
Cunning, cold, and demanding hero.
One princess.
Strong, brave, and fierce heroine.
Where does her heart lie?
Lies. Deceit. Betrayal. Angst.
The sexual tension between the three was DELICIOUS and on another level.
I. AM. IN. DANGEROUS. LOVE. WITH. THIS. BOOK.
DANGEROUSLY.
IRREVOCABLY.
I NEED MORE.
*****
Jessica Hawkins is a ‘new to me’ author and let me tell you, SHE DID NOT DISAPPOINT! DID NOT. WOW! WOW! WOW! What a way to start off this series!
IM AT THE EDGE OF MY SEAT LOSING MY EVER LOVING MIND.
I flove mafia books and this one has to be at the TOP of my list! One of my favorite reads of 2019! I devoured EVERY. SINGLE. PAGE. in less than a day!
Violent Delights is full of betrayal, secrets, lies, deception, angst, drama, tension, and mystery! It’s so addicting, shook me to the core, and I cannot get enough! The characters and the plot are layered, well-developed, so in-depth, intense, and just WOW. WOW. WOW.
*****
What you think you know, YOU REALLY FUCKING DON’T.
Who you feel for. Who you are rooting for. Who you hate.
WHO YOU WANT TO WIN THE PRINCESS’S HEART.
YOU. DON’T. FUCKING. KNOW.
Natalie Cruz has to be one of my favorite heroines EVER. She’s fierce, she’s strong, she’s everything I love in a heroine.
I can’t lie, I love both Diego and Cristiano.
Diego is charming, the protector, the lover. He’s sweet, but maybe a little too sweet. A man with a way with words, a poet.
“Diego was my soul mate. He’d seen me through the dark months. . .”
Cristiano is out for revenge, for redemption, FOR WHAT IS HIS. He is cold, demanding, cunning, dominating, powerful, and MAKES MY HEART FLUTTER. I loved everything about him!
“He was the danger my father had warned me of. This was a man who walked into a room and left with what he wanted – revenge, money, women… Me.”
God would I love to be Talia and have to choose between these insanely hot, over-protective brothers.
And with an ending LIKE THAT, I need Violent Ends. NEED!
“Trust no one.
Never draw a weapon unless you meant to kill.
Loyalty didn’t guarantee loyalty, not even your own blood.
Anyone, even the most loyal disciple, could turn.”
Five White Monarch dreamy stars:
5 gripping stars!
Review by Nancy
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
Violent Delights by Jessica Hawkins is an angsty, slow-burn, page-turning, perfect beginning to a great series. The cover was what drew me to want to read the book, as she is a new to me author. The words are what kept me engaged and transfixed on this story.
Natalia is a princess born amongst the Mexican cartel. She is born to one of the most powerful drug lords in Mexico and lost her mother to the cartel. For this, she blames one of the De La Rosa brothers.
Strong willed, strong-minded, and determined, she falls in love with the younger of De La Rosa brothers, Diego. But this love story isn’t black and white. Natalia has been away from her home for too long and doesn’t plan on going back. Now a California native, she has big plans to bring Diego with her, take him away from the cartel, and start a life with him. That is until her visit back to Mexico has her encountering none other than the older De La Rosa brother, Cristiano.
This book had me going back and forth between Diego and Cristiano. Who is the real bad guy? Who really wants Natalia for personal reasons and who needs her to up their game in the cartel? This book was told in Natalia’s POV except for two chapters. I think I figured out who I was rooting for in those two chapters. Both brothers are strong, charming and intelligent. Diego has a soft side he shows and Cristiano is rough around the edges, but they both share a weakness, Natalia.
Diego is Natalia’s first love. She has always known he was it for her but her body betrays her every time Cristiano comes around. She is physically attracted to him and can’t help but have a reaction every time he is near her. A reaction she doesn’t seem to have when she is near Diego. But Cristiano is the worst kind of criminal, even more so than Diego and she can’t go there with him. Her heart already belongs to Diego. That is, until Diego decides to take matters into his own hand and save his life in exchange for hers. So who is the worst of the two?
This ends in a huge cliffhanger! I hate cliffhangers, but this is definitely worth reading. I was at the edge of my seat the entire last part of the book! I was in shock at some of the things that were clear as day to everyone except Natalia. I hope she realizes that her world is about to drastically change, and she chooses the right brother. But I guess just like everyone else, I will have to wait until book two.
I don’t even know how to start. I was not expecting this kind of story from Jessica. She writes angst like nobody’s business, but THIS, this is just on another level. I indulge myself a cartel story from time to time and this was perfectly done. Espionage at its finest. I must say I was drawn to Cristiano de la Rosa at the very first moment. I mean he just exudes this alphaholeness (lol it’s that even a word) that I loved so much. That cliff hanger was torture. And now the WAITING GAME.
This is the book that earned 10 stars for me this year!
I can’t even express how much I enjoyed this f*cked up roller coaster between Natalia, Diego and Cristiano.
Jessica Hawkins did such an amazing job writing this intricate story, a story of love, passion, possession, betrayal and god damn, so much more!!
The words, my god the words written in this book had me mesmerized. I was so in tune with this book that it was hard to put down at ALL.
I loved the fact that Ms. Hawkins did a thorough job in exploring and researching her history when it comes to books like this. The spanish was well written and went with the flow. I just can’t express how much I LOVED THIS BOOK!
I am so ready for more of Natalia, Cristiano and Diego (GAHHHHH JUNE CAN’T COME FAST ENOUGH)!!!
Taboo, suspense, violence, drug lords — need say more on the topic!!
10 STARS
OMG!!! Violent Delights is a wonderful, heartstopping book. It has angst, love, loyalty, betrayal, mafia violence, and passion.
I could not put this book down once I started. The second book of the White Monarch Series can’t come out soon enough. Do yourself a favor and read Violent Delights today!
Violent Delights is a the first book in the White Monarch Trilogy by Jessica Hawkins that I have been eagerly anticipating. She has never let me down and she exceeded my expectations with this book! It was so thrilling I read it in one sitting.
Natalie Cruz is the darling princess to the Cruz Cartel in Mexico. She has had some tragedy in her life but has had the last 11 years to figure out if what she remembers and thought happened could have been colored by her youth and clouded judgement. The de la Rosa brothers Christiano and Diego were like family to her, but after that day, Christiano was an outlaw and Diego because her father’s right hand and then her boyfriend. When Christiano returns as the Prodigal son, jealousy rears its ugly head between the two brothers. Natalie is the prize they both want.
This book is so thrilling, with the attraction that Natalie feels for both brothers and all the tension with the cartels. Someone is sabotaging their deals and putting the family’s safety at risk. There is a cliffhanger at the end leaving us chewing our nails waiting for Book 2 Violent Ends.
I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into when I started this book but o did enjoy it. It was told mainly from the heroines POV and while I understand that she was young, I also felt like Natalia was a little naïve. I wanted her to be stronger with the things she has went though and o really hope as this series continues she will grow and her character will flourish.
We have two main guys in this book but I wouldn’t classify it as a love triangle. It was a lot more complicated then that. Both guys had their own personality and I know who I like over the other. It’s up to each reader to pick a side, and that a fun part for me.
This was a fresh take on the Mexican cartel and there were some twists I didn’t see coming. It felt very planned out and while it ends with a cliffhanger, it wasn’t as bad as I felt that it could be. So for that I am grateful. I do look forward to what’s going to happen with these characters after how the author ended it. No spoilers coming from me but I really do look forward to reading more when the time comes. 4 stars #2OCCJD
*A monster didn’t always perceive himself that way.*
Mamma mia! This story! It has everything you could possibly want: intrigue, deception, betrayal and action. Two men and one woman. There’s going to be blood… Diego seems like the perfect guy: loyal and caring. Then there is Cristiano who is more puzzle than man. His words are poignant and Natalia keeps recalling them but does she heed what he really means? Can she trust him? Can anyone be trusted? I’m thinking that there are deep dark secrets here and not everyone is who they claim to be. Everything is not what it seems and Natalia is smack bang in the middle. I’m bursting to tell you more but I can’t without ruining it so I’ll say this: I devoured the story and wanted more and more and more.
This story is nothing like the other stories that Jessica Hawkins has written. It’s gritty and dirty and all I wanted to do was sink my teeth into this story again and again. And maybe sink them into Cristiano. But that’s another story 😉 And even though the story was so different to her usual tales, it was still quintessentially a Jessica Hawkins story. It had immense detail and richness with a little bit of magic that you associate with a Ms Hawkins tale. I am bursting at the seams and have no idea how I will cope with waiting for the next installment! I need it now!
Violent Delights is the first book in a brand new trilogy by the queen of angst, Jessica Hawkins. Although I found the angst to be extremely low in this first book, I think the next two are shaping up to be off the charts! Only time will tell though. Violent Delights kept me fully engaged and I could not put it down until the very last sentence. There is A LOT of backstory/set up of the cartel world and it feels like the plot really picks up at 80%. The last 20% of the book is amazing and that ending!!!!!!! It kept me on the edge of my seat!! Looking forward to book 2 that is set to release in June!
Oh. My.
I love every single thing Jessica Hawkins writes, her explicitly yours series is probably one of my all time favs, this ranks up there.
I cannot wait for book 2… June 2019
This is the story of a crime family that has has a daughter, Natalia, they also have some moral lines that other crime families shouldn’t cross.
What happened when they do? People die.
Enter Diego & Cristano.
Brothers by blood.
Enemies by choice.
Things may or may not be what they seem.
I devoured this book.
Intrigue.
Murder.
Mystery.
Smoking hot anticipation.
Love.
Hurt.
Possession.
Betrayal.
Seriously this book has it all!!!
I highly, highly recommend
I loved this so much!! Fans of Meghan March, Giana Darling, TM Frazier, Skye Warren will love this!!!
Jessica Hawkins
Ohhhh my beautiful darkness. This book is full angst, suspense, drama and so much more. I was literally sucked in from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down. I found myself holding my breath, biting my nails. There were so many times within the story that my jaw would drop at something said or done. This book was so amazing and one of my top 2019 reads.
HOLY FREAKING SH*T MY MIND HAS BEEN COMPLETELY BLOWN TO SMITHEREENS BY THIS PHENOMENAL STORYLINE AND THESE UNBELIEVABLY INTENSE CHARACTERS! YEP I TOTALLY JUST WENT THERE…ALL CAPS…BECAUSE JESSICA HAWKINS DESERVES ALL THE PRAISE!!!
Violent Delights is the first book in the White Monarch Trilogy by Jessica Hawkins and I am already insanely intrigued by these characters and this epic storyline that the author has set out to tell. Her storytelling ability is incredibly beautiful and breathtakingly real. This story wholeheartedly managed to captivate every part of my mind, body and soul within the first few chapters and when I reached the end of book one my jaw was legit on the ground from all those shock worthy twists and turns. Truth be told I was so deeply invested that I didn’t even realize I had actually reached the end until suddenly my kindle would no longer turn the page.
While I am sure a ton of readers are head over heels in love with Diego de la Rosa, my heart belongs solely to the psychotic Cristiano de la Rosa. Just putting that right out there because I definitely ain’t ashamed to tell you all that he completely took my breath away and stole my heart. He was an ideal imperfectly flawed character that I found myself craving. That slow burning angst between Cristiano and Natalia had my heart beating in overdrive. Each bittersweet moment that they shared together had the butterflies in the pit of my stomach fluttering. They were absolutely brilliant and I cannot wait to see what shall happen between them and Diego as the trilogy progresses. I have no doubt that I will spend the majority of my time sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation while devouring these stories!
After discovering that super scandalous cliffhanger I am demanding the next book because I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, but I shall impatiently wait until June even if it’s such a long freaking wait!!!
Ok, so this book kept me guessing the whole time. I think I know what’s going on and who should be trusted…but there are still two books left to tell the whole story, so I could totally be wrong. But by gosh, I’m gonna stick with my gut on this.
Violent Delights is the story of cartel princess, Natalia Cruz, and the De La Rosa brothers. She was raised with both being her protectors as soldiers for her father but ultimate betrayal splits apart her happy home with doubts of loyalty.
Now that she’s older, and no matter how much she wants to be away from the empire and life her father built, she finds herself trapped between the two of them. Her mind and heart tell her one thing and her body tells her another. This story will leave you wondering who should be trusted and who should be feared. I know that’s how I’m feeling.
This was my first experience with a Jessica Hawkins novel and I’m now a big fan. Her writing and storytelling was incredible with lively characters and a gripping story line. I’m on pins and needles as I wait patiently for the next two installments. I need to know if I’m right about which brother to trust.
WOW.
I’m speechless.
I want to cry, rage, and swoon all at the same time. My goodness!
This is a very different story – my very first cartel crime book – and I was so hooked it’s not even funny. It was so hard to put down.
It was fantastic.
Jessica Hawkins, you truly wrote an incredible, intriguing story. And that twist? Dios mio!!
I’m going to finish by saying two things:
1 – I cannot wait for book two,
and,
2 – WELCOME BACK 😉