Rule #1: Keep your head down and your eyes up. It makes you invisible. But not stupid. AceI should’ve known I’d get caught counting cards. Sure, I have my rules that are meant to protect me from situations like this, but when you mess with the mob, you’re going to get caught. Now I’m screwed.Then Kingston Romano, the sexy boss of the Romano family, approaches me with a proposition to pay for my … me with a proposition to pay for my transgression, and I’m desperate enough to accept it.
What I’m not ready for, however, are the consequences that follow when I find myself in the crosshairs of a war between the Romanos and a rival family, the Allegrettis.
As the cards are played, I need to pick a side and decide if I’m all in, or if I’ll be taken for all I’m worth.
This story is intended for audiences 18 and older.
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Who is this author??? I’ve read Breezy by Kelsie Rae. Great writing, but a bit too tame for my tastes. However, when I was told she had a mafia book out… instant 1-click. I wasn’t sure what to expect considering her Signature Sweetheart series is… well… sweet, lol. And obviously mafia is darker. But right out of the gate she hooked me with Wild Card. She gave me the darkness I craved and turned up the steam! I’m thoroughly impressed at how she was able to convert from one type of series to another that is almost it’s opposite.
We follow Ace as she tries to get revenge on someone from her past. What she doesn’t know is that she’s digging herself deeper and deeper into the world of made men. When she catches the eye of the Romano family boss her fate is unknowingly sealed. But it isn’t a one-way street. Our heroine is just as attached to Kingston as he is to her.
I highly recommend this book. You get mafia, angst, danger, incredible sexual tension, and poker. What more could you ask for?
Wild Card
Advantage Play, Book 1
By: Kelsie Rae
Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro, Aaron Shedlock
Kelsie Rae and her Advantage Play series is off to a fantastic start! Mafia romantic suspense is on the top of my list for listening, and when I saw this, I was thrilled! Rae created a world of gambling, underground crime and human trafficking. Ace is caught up in all of it. As a child, she was exposed to horrific events, but has grown up with a mission. She is an incredible card player, but beside her talent for statistics, she can read expressions, which is what makes her so successful. When she is approached by Kingston , the head of the Romano family with a proposition, she takes it and finds herself in a situation that can help him and get her revenge. Though life is never that easy. Will she find her solace? Will Kingston protect her? Rae has fantastic characters sprinkled into this story. I love Ace. She is so confident and strong, extremely independent and knows how to survive. Kingston is ruthless, does what he needs to do except when it comes to Ace. I love the tender side of the man. Love Gigi and Jack, but wonder how they will fit in! Add in that card counting always fascinated me, along with the idea of being able to identify the tells, and I was hooked. The ending had me grabbing book two so I could see this story through!
Kesley Navarro and Aaron Shedlock are perfectly cast. Shedlock proves his talent with several different points of view, and flawlessly switches between them. Each voice distinct and fitting the personality of the character. Navarro shines as Ace. She has a quality that gives the strength to Ace with a hint of vulnerability and it’s suits her! I love this team and can’t wait to see what happens next!
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Terrific Story & Narration Captivating & Intense!
Wild Card Advantage Play, Book 1
By: Kelsie Rae
Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro, Aaron Shedlock
I loved everything about this book, from Kelsie Rae’s wonderful writing style to the story and characters she created to the perfectly casted narrators who did an awesome job bringing her story to life. There is great world building and character development too. Acely “Ace” Mezzarich has not had the easiest of lives, but she always focuses on accomplishing one goal in life to ruin the man who ruined her life. The only problem is that man, Burlone Allegretti, is a powerful mob boss, one involved in dirty business including human trafficking. But she has a plan and if she sticks to her rules she should be ok. But not everything goes to plan especially when she catches the attention of another mob boss, Kingston Romano. Kingston just took over the reins of his family’s empire after the recent passing of his father. He is up against some dirty dealings, Burlone for one and a mole some where in his organization. When Ace is removed from one of the card tables at his casino she is taken to him for questioning. He is a good reader of people and sees she is telling the truth, he also finds himself drawn to her. He comes up with a way for her to make things right. It does not take long to find out they are both on the same page when it comes to Burlone. Kingston met his match in Ace, these two were great together and for each other. There is never a dull moment in this book, it is brilliantly plotted with plenty of drama, angst, action, thrilling and suspenseful moments, heartfelt moments and the start of a terrific romance. Kelsie Rae, thank you for another fantastic story, it is great to see another side of your creative mind, I am looking forward to what comes next for Kingston and his Wild Card, with family first will he play his Ace?
I listened to the Audible edition, Kelsey Navarro and Aaron Shedlock are talented narrators and versatile voice artists. They do an amazing job portraying the characters, humanizing them, giving each their own voice and personality, as well as heart and attitude. Aaron truly captured Kingston’s bad ass persona, his bossy alpha-tude, Kelsey’s Ace was perfection too, she sounded as I pictured her to be, bad ass and fearless. Both were awesome performing the voices of the secondary characters too. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another awesome listen
This is my frist time reading a book from Kelsie. Wild Card what a story. Ace is on a mission , she has her rules and her game plan is ready to go. That is until Kingston… these two make you read faster on the edge of your chair while biting your fingernail!! What an introduction to the mafia world and to Kelsie!
Wild Card by Kelsie Rae is a wonderful story that I have read and loved. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new series writen by a brand new author for me to read. I highly recommend this wonderful story to everyone who loves reading about dark romances and romantic suspense.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An okay book. Fast paced storyline-wise, not so much on the sexy bits though. I wish I’d have paid more attention to the fact that this one ended on a cliffhanger, because while I will eventually finish the duet, I am not feeling committed to two books right now.
I loved Ace. She is strong and has taken on two mafia families for her revenge. Her chemistry with Kingston is undeniable and I found myself intrigued and sucked into this mafia family. The other characters introduced add to the tension and the excitement.
I am obsessed with this series and it just started!!! I haven’t read a mafia book in a really long time and it just brought back so many different emotions! I’m buzzing all over from the drama and angst!!!
Ace is a hellfire in the shadows! I absolutely love this woman and her sass! She’s made me laugh, feel bad for her, cry with her and be so dang proud!! NOTHING like I thought she would be and it’s intoxicating! I’m beyond curious about GiGi and Jack and so many others! Freaking Kingston is incredibly sexy and completely the opposite of what I thought he would be with Ace. He hides himself and I can see fireworks in the future.
I’m so excited I have several books to read through because the wait others had to endure when this one released until the next one would’ve made me go crazy! I LOVE the mafia, don’t touch my family or die, mindset. So much happens that you just need to read and get worked up like I am at this moment! Death, love, blood, smiling and even stalking; grab this one now!
Wild Card (Advantage Play Series #1) by Kelsie Rae
30th
4
At a young age Ace learned how to count cards. Now she’s using this talent to get revenge against Burlone, boss of the Allegretti mafia, who murdered her mother by bringing him down to his knees.
Burlone is Kingston’s nemisis. He’s trying to frame Kingston by using the Feds.
Ace is a strong, ballsy woman who goes up against two mafia bosses.
Kingston is caught on a no win situation. Will he choose his family over Ace?
It does end in somewhat of a liffy it so worth the wait.
What can be better than a mafia king? A sassy card counter that knows a thing or two about how to handle herself! I loved this book and every about it. The way each character was introduced was just perfect and the flow was amazing. With the way this book ended I will definitely be diving into the next soon.
Suspenseful mafia romance that will have you wondering what next
Wild Card is the first book in the Advantage Play series by Kelsie Rae. I had only read on novella by this author before and I had really liked that a lot so I was hoping that this full length book would be of the same quality in storytelling and writing. Well I was rewarded as this is a book which I really enjoyed. My only complaint is that it ends with a cliffhanger so you definitely have to read the next book………..but that really is not such an issue in the long run.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
The first book in this series and I really enjoyed it quite a bit. Ace has her sights set on destroying someone she despises. Then Kingston comes into play and convinces her to help him since hes the rival of the one shes out to get. Can’t wait to read the next book after the ending on this one.
The first of the Advantage Play series, and we meet all the major players. Ace a card counter that is determined to take down the man that ruined her childhood. Kingston, the new head of the Romano family and intent on making sure that he doesn’t fail his father. When Ace is caught up at Kingston’s casino, he decides that he is going to use her to get info, while at the same time keeping her safe. But Ace still gets caught up in the war between the two families, while trying to stay safe and also not get feelings for the intense Kingston. The deeper Ace gets the more in danger she is, will she decide revenge is worth all this, or walk away to stay safe?
This was a great first story to the series. It really pulls you in and actually makes poker seem not boring. Drama, danger, violence, some super hot chemistry; I give this 4 stars.
I am totally in love with this book. I love the chemistry between Ace and Kingston. Beware the book ends in a cliffhanger. I can’t wait to see what is next.
My first book by this author and it won’t be the last. This was a good with likeable characters and a suspenseful storyline. Looking forward to the next installment in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kelsie is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read and loved all her books, this one included. Wild Card is a mafia romantic suspense, I really enjoy suspense and this book did not disappoint. Ace, the female lead character, has not had an easy life. Despite all of the adversity, she hasn’t let it stop her from going after her goal. Too bad her main goal is to get revenge on one of the top mobsters in town. Kingston, the male lead, has recently taken over control of the Romano family when his father passed away. He has a reputation of being ruthless and everyone is afraid of him, everyone except for Ace.
Wild Card is a slow burn romance and it ends on a cliffhanger. Luckily, the next book comes out really soon.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A wonderfully written mafia romance. The characters were intriguing, the story suspenseful, the enjoyment factor high and the need to read the next book immediate. Great drama which engaged me from the beginning with the amazing storytelling. Recommend
Opposite sides of the law but with the same target.
New alliances
Inappropriate Behavior
Unexpected Passion
Terf War
Sacrifice
Power
Justice
Twisted Plot
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hot! Hot! Hot! You don’t want to miss this!
Wild Card: A Mafia Romance is the first book in the Advantage Play series. This is a great mafia romance story about Ace, a woman looking for revenge, and Kingston, the recently anointed head of a Mafia family. This story captured my interest and took me on a thrilling ride to a cliffhanger. The characters are well developed and the storyline is well written, with drama, danger, revenge, suspense, and a chance for romance.
I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.