In the mafia world, I’ve been underestimated my entire life.
Men are elite. The cream of the crop, and well, women simply aren’t.
That was until the boss gave me a chance, now I’m invaluable and as deadly as any man.
So why do I let a man I had a one-night stand with play with my emotions?
He keeps on sliding his way into my heart, even though I keep trying to kick him right back out.
He knows my world, and he also knows my body.
But what he doesn’t know…
Is me.
And I’m not sure how much longer I can keep fighting him until he wins.
USA Today Best Selling Author T.L. Smith loves to write her characters with flaws so beautiful and dark you can’t turn away. Her books have been translated into several languages. If you don’t catch up with her in her home state of Queensland, Australia you can usually find her travelling the world, either sitting on a beach in Bali or exploring Alcatraz in San Francisco or walking the streets of New York.
With all my best mates settled down, I'm the last single man standing. Of course, the one woman to spark my interest is the only one in Scotland who seems immune to my charm. Dr. Saoirse MacGregor is brilliant, beautiful, and decided she hated me at first sight.
When her friend goes missing on a research expedition, Saoirse turns to us at Out of Bound Scotland for help. With my military training, I'm the best tracker we've got, so she agrees to an uneasy alliance—as long as I take her along for the search.
But the Highlands hold dangerous secrets, and what starts as a search and rescue quickly becomes something far more treacherous. Forced to rely on each other to survive, the walls between us begin to crumble. Turns out the posh vet I've been clashing with for months has depths I never imagined.
I'll do whatever it takes to protect her. But the real surprise of this enemies-to-lovers journey? She might be the one saving me.
Beneath Highland Stars is a forced proximity, enemies to lovers, woman in trouble, small town Scottish contemporary romance, featuring a retired military dog who's gonna steal your heart.
Finn and Saoirse's story was heartfelt, emotional, and filled with suspense, as well as a beautiful romance. The characters were amazing, as always. In this final book of the series, a new character, Ajax, a retired service dog, arrives in town after his handler, Charlie, passes away. Ajax was part of Finn and the guys' company during the war.
While the focus of the story is on Saoirse and Finn, Ajax plays a significant role in the suspenseful narrative. The author skillfully portrays the challenges faced by service dogs in war, shedding light on their physical and emotional struggles, including PTSD, both during and after their service.
The plot is engaging, with a mix of suspense, romance, and character development. Saoirse and Finn's relationship evolves as they face life-threatening situations, leading them to discover their true selves beyond their initial perceptions of each other.
The story surprises and delights with its unique twists and turns, incorporating Ajax's training into the narrative seamlessly. The author masterfully concludes the series in the final plot, creating a satisfying and memorable ending.
Overall, the series is fantastic, with lovable characters and a captivating storyline that keeps readers engaged and invested in the characters' journeys. This story and the series as a whole are a delightful and enjoyable read, making it a definite win for fans of romance and suspense.
Kait Nolan is a USA Today best selling, RITA® Award-winning Mississippi author who calls everyone sugar, honey, or darlin', and can wield a 'Bless your heart' like a Snuggie or a saber, depending on requirements. She believes in love, laughter, and that tacos are the world's most perfect food. When she's not writing, reading, or wrangling family (both the two-legged and the four-), you can find her obsessively watching The Great British Bake Off.
Cover Design: Esther E. Schmidt of Shower of Schmidt Designs
Mo only son of Italian parents, thought he had his whole life planned out. He was taking a gap year to travel before going to college. He soon discovers that nothing goes according to plan, no matter how much one tries. He finds the love of his life, Francesca, and thinks everything will be forever. Life is full of surprises and heartache that you can never plan for. Mo learned the hard way. Now he must start life all over again without the person he loves the most. Maybe he did the wrong thing by leaving her behind, and will he regret it for the rest of his life?
Francesca fell for Mo on that first night. But he ruined her life, and she now hates him for the pain he caused her. She hates him with a passion and will do anything she can to cause him pain for ruining her life. She will keep the one thing that he holds tightly in his heart to destroy him and his life. Will Mo ever find happiness again?
Tropes: Forced Marriage; Enemies-to-Lovers; Second Chance; Age Gap; Touch Her and Perish; Morally Grey Hero; Angst-Filled
Release Date: June 17, 2025
A SVU meets The Sopranos dark mafia romance
One night at Club Velvet Petal was all it took to destroy everything I'd built. Now, I'm forced to marry the very man who ghosted me a year ago—a decision that could either save my life or end it.
As a SVU detective, I'm used to putting criminals behind bars, not sleeping with them. But Ezekiel King isn't just any criminal. He's a former mafia enforcer with a reputation that makes hardened men tremble. He claims this marriage will protect me from a local mafia lord who wants me dead, but I can't shake the feeling that I'm trading one form of danger for another.
The worst part? My body betrays me every time he's near. His commanding presence and dominant nature awaken desires I thought I'd buried long ago. Each heated glance, each possessive touch, reminds me of the passion we once shared—before he vanished without a trace.
But when the unthinkable happens, I'm forced to confront the brutal reality of Zeke's world. Now I must choose—maintain my integrity as a detective, or surrender to the darkness that surrounds him to save the only family I have left.
With rival mafia families closing in and threats lurking in every shadow, my heart and my badge are on opposite sides of a war I never wanted to fight.
In Zeke's world, love isn't just dangerous—it's deadly. And I'm beginning to fear it might be exactly what I need to survive.
In this game of shadows, will love be enough to save us, or will it cost me everything?
Author’s Note: This is Ezekiel and Evelyn’s story. A forced marriage, enemies to lovers, second chance, age gap, touch her and perish, emotional, angst-filled, dark mafia romance between a morally gray, possessive, former mafia enforcer turned vigilante and a strong-willed, independent SVU detective who’s struggling to regain her life after a failed, abusive marriage.
Trigger warnings can be found at the beginning of the book, before the start of chapter one. Please read before proceeding.
Trigger warnings: This is a dark mafia romance with references to or inclusion of domestic violence, death of loved ones, physical assault, murder, and violence. None of these references occur between the heroine and hero.
Dark gritty mafia romance
Aleia Kane writes gritty, emotionally charged mafia romance with lots of spice, humor, drama, and big feels. Readers love her work for her engaging storytelling, relatable characters, steamy romance, and emotional depth. She has a soft spot for angst-filled, forbidden romances, second chances, and dominant, grumpy bad boys with sweet centers that are impossible not to love.
She lives in Florida, with her two kids, her cat, and a large collection of houseplants.
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