Book picks similar to
Under the Influence by Nikki Belaire
second-chance
mafia
second-chances
contemporary-romance
Diamonds in the Dust
Charmaine Pauls - 2020
Then she came along like a pretty wildflower pushing through the cracks on a dirty pavement—fragile yet resilient, a breath of beauty among the filth. She was supposed to be just another job, a nameless person I was to pluck from her life and hand to my brother, nothing but a pawn in the gamble of our diamond business. There’s a psychological label for men like us.We lack empathy and guilt.We do things to have what we want, things that make flowers wilt.(This is Book 1 of the Diamonds are Forever Trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. Diamonds in the Rough (Book 2) will be released on 14 July 2020, and Diamonds are Forever (Book 3) on 15 September 2020.)
Red.
London Miller - 2016
Seven years ago, Niklaus "Red" Volkov was offered an opportunity, one that would give him the ability to even the score with the Albanian mobsters that had tortured him for days and took the life of the only girl he'd loved. But that gift came with strings... Molded into the perfect soldier, Niklaus joined an elite group of mercenaries, loyal to a mysterious man known only as The Kingmaker. He willingly paid the price for means to fulfill the vendetta that plagued him each day. Vengeance was all he knew... And death was all he lived for... Until it wasn't... Until her...
Darkest Deeds (Les Cavaliers de l'ombre)
Cora Kenborn - 2019
No mercy. No conscience.Until the enemy becomes my darkest obsession.I came to take her life but claimed it instead.Stolen in the night.Held against her will.Bound to a monster.Now, my vow of vengeance is a game of survival.I warn her not to trust men with sin on their lips and ice in their veins.She cautions me not to be deceived by my own eyes. Neither of us listens.I trusted Ava with my heart.She trusts me with her life.We all make mistakes.*Darkest Deeds is a very dark romance novel. You've been warned.
The Big Bad Wolf's Ex
Tonya Brooks - 2017
He had everything a wolf shifter could want. He even had the perfect mate. Jolie was the only woman he’d ever trusted. The only woman he’d ever loved. She had been his everything. Until the day she had betrayed his trust and eviscerated his soul. Reece had cut her out of his life with a ruthlessness that shocked even him. He had encased his broken heart in ice so thick and glacial that nothing could ever penetrate it again. And he’d been wrong. His mate had not betrayed him. He had betrayed her and destroyed them both in the process. Now he'll stop at nothing to get her and their cub back. But his ex-wife is not the same woman that he remembered. His sunshine girl had been a creature of sweetness and light, not this hissing, vitriol filled she-cat who wanted to claw his eyes out. Reece might be an unstoppable force, but Jolie had become an unmovable object. Is the big bad wolf strong enough to reclaim her heart?
Ruthless People
J.J. McAvoy - 2014
But behind closed doors is a constant battle for dominance between two Bosses, cultures, and hearts.Ruthless People is a romantic crime fiction set in modern day Chicago, following the life and marriage of Melody Nicci Giovanni and Liam Callahan—rivals by blood and leaders through fear. Their marriage was arranged by their fathers in hopes to end years of bloodshed between the Irish and the Italians.Liam, next in line to lead the Irish, believes he’s getting a simple-minded wife, one he can control, one who bends to his every need . . . the complete opposite of Melody. Bred to be a Boss, a world-class marksman, master of disguise, with no mercy and no fear. Twenty-four years later, she has achieved more than any man could even dream of, killing anyone who steps in her way. She knows exactly what type of man Liam is, and she would rather die than give up the power she has spent her whole life building. But with no other family left, she must not only learn to work with Liam, but the whole Callahan clan.The Mafia of the past is evolving, and with rival bosses gunning for them, Melody and Liam will have to figure out how to work as one to take down those who stand in their way, all while keeping up appearances.Power, Family, and Respect are everything.Warning: This book contains adult language and subject matter including graphic violence and explict sex that may be disturbing for some readers. This book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
Duke
C.J. Washington - 2014
It was a mess. It doesn't help that her Father uses her as a bargaining chip in his illegal deals. Now, she finds herself as collateral for the Fallen Motorcycle Club and in more danger than ever before. Will she ever catch a break and finally get the happy ever after she's always dreamed of?Duke is the VP for Fallen MC. His life is the club and he likes it that way. His brothers and his bike are all he will ever need. Women come to him easily and he likes variety. He's got no intention of changing anything until the new collateral, a dark haired beauty, takes up residence in the compound.Stand-alone read. For ages 18+ Contains violence and sexual content.
Traded
Rebecca Brooke - 2015
When you’re done with me, you can walk away with no regrets. That’s how my husband sees me. I try to be the best wife possible for him. After all, he took me on when no one else would. Now--he’s in debt and owes more money to the loan shark than we can possibly repay. But, don’t worry, he’s come up with a solution, it’s just not one I was expecting. ...I’ve been TRADED. **Content Warning: this book contains adult language, Sexual situations and situations of emotional abuse. Please use caution when reading. **THIS BOOK IS MEANT FOR ADULTS 18+ ONLY**
El Malo
K. Webster - 2018
Evil. Twisted. Psychopathic. A cruel madman with a killer smile. And he is my boss. My duty is to blend in, clean his home, and not make a peep. I’ve done my job well for years. Imbedded myself so deep in his world, he’s never going to get me out. But I am this king’s worst nightmare. Bad men like him took everything away from me. I will never forget. He will pay for the sins of many. I’ll just bide my time—watching, waiting, calculating—until the time is right. When I strike, he won’t know what hit him. The monster who rules Mexico with an iron fist may not bow to anyone… But I’m not just anyone. He will bow to me.
Wicked Knight
Tracy Lorraine - 2021
I want blood for those who wronged me and my family. And my so-called truth is ripping me apart, in a way lies never could.Everyone else has moved on, but I can’t. Not until someone pays.And it seems that fate is on my side this time, because the hellion girl from the graveyard is going to be my saving grace… and provide me with everything I crave.The pain.The vengeance.The blood.She has no idea what she’s been dragged into, but she’s going to regret every step she’s taken to get here.Stella Doukas isn’t like any other girl I’ve encountered before.She’s fierce, determined, and much stronger than I anticipated.I might have met my match.And that is not a good thing…Dear readers,Wicked Knight is the first to my new angst-filled new adult mafia series.This is my darkest bully romance yet. If the following doesn’t get your pulse racing in all the right ways, you might want to miss this one out…Dub/non-con, bullying, knife and blood play, mutilation, humiliation, somnophilia, sexual violence, exhibitionism/voyeurism. You have been warned. Enjoy!
In Enemy Territory
M.E. Clayton - 2018
She put herself through college and became the proud owner of Fiona's First Cup, a small café, but a big accomplishment. Life was great...at least until her father's gambling addiction became her mess to clean up. Damien Graystone had the world at his feet. Every whim money could buy, he could easily afford. He had everything except the one thing he's only ever wanted. Or rather, the someone, he's only ever wanted. His carefully crafted plan-ten years in the making-finally finds opportunity in the form of Fiona Eldstead's father's gambling problem. One way or another, Damien is finally going to get everything he's ever wanted. Ten years after Damien broke Fiona's spirit, he's back to claim her in a way that will bind her to him forever. Ten years later, Fiona isn't the same insecure, wallflower who let Damien torture her. He'll stop at nothing to have her and she'll stop at nothing to prevent him from reaching his goal.
Owned by the Badman
Hayley Faiman - 2016
Raised to be no more than the ballerina her mother could never be, she eats, sleeps, and breathes dance. Then, when she is blindsided by the news that her parents have arranged for her to be married, she does as she has always done—exactly as she is told. However, despite the fact that the man she is to call her husband is a complete stranger, Haleigh cannot help but hope that maybe, just maybe, she will finally get the chance to know love. Maxim is not a good man. His strength is foreboding and his handsome features are merely a distraction for the dangerous person that lies beneath. When he collects a debt by way of a beautiful, ballerina bride, he relishes in the fact that he owns something so pure, so innocent—so undeniably his. Yet, Haleigh is better than he ever expected, and it is not long before his ownership begins to turn into something much, much more. But when the darkness of Maxim’s past comes back to haunt him, the illusion of love’s safety is shattered. Maxim’s demons seek to destroy everything he holds dear. Suddenly, being owned by the badman is worse than Haleigh imagined. In order to protect her, Maxim has to decide just how bad he can be, and if letting go is the best choice. ** Recommended for readers 18+ due to graphic sexual content, violence, language and sexual abuse - possible triggers.
The Dominator
D.D. Prince - 2015
He has 3 rules for me. 1) Obey. 2) Tell no one ANYTHING about him. Rule 3 gives me a peek into just how depraved, alpha and possessive he really is. My life is about to be twisted up in knots. He will hurt me. Love me. Set my body on fire with passion. He will kill for me.Full & complete story - bit.ly/tommyandtia Free in Kindle Unlimited.Book 2 - Dario Ferrano - bit.ly/dareandangelBook 3 - More Tommy & More Dare - bit.ly/dominator3unboundOR box set - bit.ly/dominatorboxsetAnd then Saved, a spin-off that's even darker - bit.ly/lexandholly
Tap Left
A. Zavarelli - 2017
She’s soft in too many ways. A people pleaser who goes the extra mile. Some might call her an easy target. In short, she has all of the qualities that I despise. But when it comes to me, she doesn’t hesitate to fling her poison arrows my way. She has every right to her feelings. Over the years, I’ve given her plenty of ammo. Yeah, I hate Lola. But it doesn’t stop me from wanting her too. When she makes me a proposition I can’t refuse, there’s just one problem. She tastes so f*cking sweet. So f*cking good. So f*cking mine. This is a full length standalone.
Wrong For Me
Meagan Brandy - 2018
See, Alec was a thief.He stole my happy.My sanity.My first kiss. I told myself I was glad the day he went away, and I'm reminded of why not five minutes after his sudden and unexpected return.Now he stands before me with a heavy glare and hard body.But those greedy green eyes, they're darker than I remember, and brimming with a secret...A secret I didn't discover until it was far too late.Because this time, he didn't steal a simple kiss.This time... Alec Daniels stole my all.--Wrong For Me is a full-length, standalone novel with no cliffhanger and an HEA. Previously titled The Wrong Blaze, this is the same epic love story with a fresh look and brand new title!
Unraveled
Bethany-Kris - 2017
She blames the mafia, its ways, and the people within the caustic culture for a painful reality that turned her world on its side. In an attempt to momentarily pause her misery, a night out puts her on a path with a man she shouldn’t get involved with simply because of his last name—Gian Guzzi. He’s the kind of man that makes it hard to say no. Gian Guzzi’s problems are piling up fast. A murdered grandfather, an unpredictable mafia, and a new boss that threatens both his family’s legacy and his life. As a Cosa Nostra underboss, Gian has a duty. First to la famiglia, and only then to himself. In the midst of the violent uncertainty that has become unrelenting in his days, Cara Rossi should only be a distraction for him to enjoy. She’s a happiness that he was never allowed to choose before. His lies. This life. Their love. It all unravels eventually.