Book picks similar to
The Cruel Guardian by Isabella Starling
romance
dark-romance
novella
arc
Underboss
Kristen Proby - 2021
But he doesn’t mind because his family means more to him than his life. Which is why he's determined to make those responsible for the death of his aunt and uncle pay—in inventive and gruesome ways. And what better way to do that than to infiltrate the Russian mafia from the inside? It’s a good thing the bratva’s princess is stunning and seemingly willing to do whatever he asks. This vengeance could be the perfect mix of business and pleasure.Nadia Tarenkov has several things stacked against her: she’s a woman, and she’s not the eldest child in her family. But it doesn’t matter. She has her sights set on ruling the syndicate, and she always gets what she wants. When the heir to one of the States’ most powerful crime families comes knocking, Nadia sees it for the gift it is. He thinks he has her fooled, but she’s smarter, more cunning, and always two steps ahead. She’ll beat the gorgeous mobster at his own game, and secure her place in the fold.What neither of them takes into consideration, however, is that they aren’t the only ones with deadly plans in motion. To survive, they’ll have to come clean and work together—and acknowledge that the growing love they’ve been pretending isn’t there, is very real.
Taking What He Wants
Jordan Silver - 2013
Filled with rage and the pent up sexual energy that seems to peak only when in the presence of his innocent soon to be ex sister in law, Chase sets his sights on a new mission. To destroy the wayward Celine, and enrapture her younger sister Delia in this tale of family intrigue and revenge where one man's thirst for vengeance just might lead him down the road to his salvation.
Tempt
Remy Blake - 2017
Lucas Rockwell isn’t just ten years younger than me, he’s my deceased husband's son.Tainted by secrets, everything about us is wrong and forbidden. Like fire and gasoline, we're an explosion waiting to happen.
We're tempting fate with every touch.
Dark Mafia Prince
Annika Martin - 2016
So trusting.
Like you think I’m not a monster.
Like I won’t wrap your hair in my fist and bend you to my will.
Like I won’t sacrifice you, piece by piece, to save my brother.I’m the most dangerous enemy you’ll ever have because every time you look at me, you see somebody good. That friend who died.And when you look at me like that, I die again.MiraI spent years making myself invisible.A good girl, apart from the noise.
Then you came back, beautiful and deadly in your Armani suit.
Don’t look at me like you still know me, you say.
But I remember your smile and those sunny days.Before they lowered your small casket into the ground.
Before they told us the prince was dead.
Chained Hands
T.L. Smith - 2021
me.KeirNot in the habit of buying women.I didn’t need to.I was a king of my realm, the devil you whispered about in your sleep.So when his debt fell due, he sold me his wife.And I was happy because I wanted to play with her like any fool would.And play with her, I did.Pity, in the end, I would have to kill her.
Until Tomorrow Comes
Adelaide Forrest - 2021
I left with an obsession.With one look, Isa captivated me. She consumed me, drawing me into her world without ever knowing the dangers of mine. I intend to make her mine, no matter what lies I need to tell to manipulate her into falling in love with El Diablo. It should be simple enough, but secrets lurk in the depths of her multicolored eyes, and I’ll do anything to understand what broke her before I had the chance.Because she’s mine to break.IsaRafael Ibarra tore through my life like a raging inferno.Consuming every part of me he touches, he promises to show me passion and the real Ibiza. Though our tryst can never be anything but temporary, I never want to leave the man who makes me wish things were different. But there’s a nightmare hiding within his multicolored gaze, a phantom rattling at the cages who wants to devour me, to take me and claim me as his. He’s temptation, pushing me toward sin with his wicked touch. But the sins of the flesh are different from the sins of the mind, and as much as I hate his secrets.I will never tell him my own.Until Tomorrow Comes is the first book in the Beauty in Lies trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. This is a DARK mafia romance and contains graphic violence, mature content, and elements that may be triggering. Please read at your own discretion.
Hook
Elisabeth Grace - 2016
Men coveted the very idea of me. Escort. Call girl. Prostitute. Hooker. Whore.I'd heard it all. Done it all. Over the years I'd felt a lot of things about my occupation...but not regret--never regret. I had my reasons for doing what I did and nothing and no one had ever made me question them.UNTIL MARCO VALENTI.He'd changed me and I'd naively fed into the fairy tale.But Marco wasn't my Prince Charming. He had secrets of his own. Secrets that would eventually rip away everything I held dear.
Held
Marlee Wray - 2020
It means he’s coming for me, and when a man like Connor decides to teach a girl like me a lesson it’s a long, hard, shameful one.CONNORSomeone stole from me. Zoe’s got answers, but doesn’t want to talk. Too bad.Little girls who play games with me end up sore and sorry. She’s going to tell me what I want to know, then she’ll scream my name as I remind her who owns this city… and her.
Merciless
Willow Winters - 2018
Women like her are made to destroy men like me. I couldn’t resist her though. Given to me to start a war; I was too eager to accept. But I didn’t know what she’d do to me. That she would change everything. She sees through me in a way no one else ever has. Her innocence and vulnerability make me weak for her and I hate it.I know better than to give in to temptation.A ruthless man doesn’t let a soul close to him.A cold-hearted man doesn’t risk anything for anyone.A powerful man with a beautiful woman at his mercy… he doesn’t fall for her.
Illicit Temptations
Janine Infante Bosco - 2015
That's all I was before New York's most notorious gangster recruited me.Now here I am, following in my father's footsteps and breaking my mother's heart. And I'm torn between the only life I've ever known and the possibility of something else. Because the only beacon of light in this dark world is the one woman I can't have. The Boss's daughter. The nightclub king's girl. Her irresistible spirit struggling to be respected for who she is, and not just who she belongs to. I see her. All of her.She's the sweetest temptation I've ever known.And the most illicit. Publisher's Note: Illicit Temptations is volume one in The Tempted Series but it may be read and enjoyed as a standalone mafia romance. This book has been revised and edited as of January 2021.
Love Scars: Bad Boy's Bride
Nicole Snow - 2014
Nobody explained why I've been dumped in this run down house, or who this hulk with the filthy mouth is. All I know is he wants me, he says I'm his, and I'm ignoring my instinct to run like hell.When he pulls me into his embrace, I want to push closer to his warmth, his strength, his vicious tattoos.Can I trust him? Can I trust myself? Or will obeying his wicked words confirm all my worst suspicions?DAVIDSo sweet, so pure, so confused...I almost feel bad about claiming her. Almost.Too bad she's a Rossini, and I don't regret making her old man sign her over to me for one second. I was born a Strelkov, a killer and an outlaw, and I second guess nothing.The instant my hands are on her, I know I've made the right choice. The crazy ache in my lips when they're not on hers doesn't lie. Revenge is a dish best served hot, sweaty, seething with passion, and Anna's tonight's special.Yeah, she's gonna flip when I shove the wedding contract in her face. But I'm gonna make her my wife in every nasty, beautiful, permanent way I can, even if it means adding a few more scars to my skin and Anna's heart...
Owned
M. Never - 2014
Please pay close attention to the use of the words dark, erotic, and romance. It has intense sexual situations, a Master/slave relationship, mild abuse, and some violence. Reader discretion is advised. "I like you collared, baby. I like you naked, I like you mine.” Ellie Stevens has lusted over Kayne Roberts since he first walked into the import/export company she works for a little over a year ago. As Expo’s most important client, Ellie has always kept a safe distance from the man with the majestic blue eyes — until temptation finally gets the better of her. Impulsively, Ellie invites Kayne to one of Expo's infamous company parties her flamboyant boss is notorious for throwing. Unbeknownst to Ellie, the god in the Armani suit isn’t just the suave entrepreneur he portrays himself to be. Underneath the professional exterior is a man with a secret life, dark desires, and nefarious contacts. In a hidden corner of a trendy New York City lounge, the spark kindling between the two of them ignites. Unable to resist the sinful attraction, Ellie agrees to leave with Kayne, believing she is finally bedding the man of her dreams. Little does she know when she walks out the door, she’s about to be Owned.
Brutal Prince
Sophie Lark - 2020
He’s ruthless, arrogant, and he wants to kill me.We got off on the wrong foot when I set a (very small) fire in his house.Our families believe a marriage pact is the only thing that will prevent all-out warfare.I think I might need to murder him while he sleeps.This would all be a lot easier if Callum wasn’t so damned good-looking.But I’ve got a lockbox around my heart. Because even if I’m forced to marry him…I could never love a brutal prince.“Brutal Prince” is the explosive first act in the epic “Brutal Birthright” series. It’s a stand-alone Dark Mafia Romance, complete with HEA and no cliffhangers. It contains blazing hot bedroom scenes for mature readers only!!!
Sweet Captivity
Julia Sykes
I’m the hacker-geek-goddess of the FBI. When I’m hiding behind my screen, I’m a safe distance from everyone; isolated, powerful. No man has ever touched me, but when I’m captured by Colombian drug lord Andrés Moreno, I no longer have the right to refuse. He’s scarred and scary, and his cruel brother Cristian has tasked him with breaking me. I try to fight, but I can’t escape his strong arms and harsh discipline. He demands that I accept his touch, and my virgin body can’t help but respond to his masterful manipulations.The longer I remain trapped with him, the more I come to suspect that I’m not the only captive in his brother’s home. Andrés’ scars go deeper than the wicked furrows carved into his flesh, his pain reflected in the dark demands he imposes upon me. His obsession is twisted and wrong, but maybe I’m twisted, too.Do I want to be rescued from him? Or is he the one who truly needs saving?
Daddy's Best Friend
London Hale - 2017
I never thought he'd see me as an adult, especially not after avoiding me for so long. But one hug, one moment feeling every inch of him against me, shattered that illusion. Consequences no longer mattered—I was eighteen, and I was willing to risk everything for my shot with him.He’s not going to resist anymoreI never should’ve seen Eve as more than my best friend’s daughter. As a cop, I knew it was wrong. It was my job to protect her from guys like me. Chasing her could cost me my career—not to mention the only family I'd ever known—but I couldn’t hold back another second. One taste, and I wanted her. To hell with the fallout.