Now and Forever (Brutal Vows 1) by Aleatha Romig-review tour
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 13, 2024
Arranged marriage, age-gap, mafia/cartel romance
Capo to the Luciano Famiglia was my birthright.
The cruelty needed to succeed in this life has been beaten into me since I was a young boy. My father, Vincent Luciano, taught by example and with the slap of his hand. My independent streak took me down paths my father would never have gone. With our enemies gaining strength, it is my idea to attempt an alliance with an unlikely bedfellow.
The Roríguez Cartel and the Luciano Famiglia are improbable partners, yet even Vincent Luciano can’t deny the possible benefits. The only way to solidify the deal is for me to marry Catalina Ruiz, the eldest daughter of Andres Ruiz, a top lieutenant in the Roríguez Cartel.
Catalina is young, beautiful, and thinks she understands the path she is being forced to follow. There is no way for her to know the monster she is about to wed. A man doesn’t become a made man at thirteen if he is capable of love. That emotion is beyond my scope of expertise. Saving the famiglia is my goal. And once this alliance is made, ours will be but the first of the brutal vows exchanged.
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REVIEW:NOW AND FOREVER is the first instalment in Aleatha Romig’s contemporary, adult BRUTAL VOWS dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is soon to be capo of the Luciano Famiglia, thirty-five year old Dario Famiglia, and twenty-four year old, Cartel princess Catalina Ruiz’s story line.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Dario and Catalina) NOW AND FOREVER follows in the aftermath of the arranged marriage between our story line couple. In an effort to secure position, and shore up powers, Andres Ruiz, head of the Mexican Cartel, offered up his daughter to the Italian Mafia, wherein, she would marry soon to be capo Dario Luciano. All was not well with the Luciano Famiglia, of Kansas City, a power struggle for the seat at the top, was about to rain down, targeting our story line heroine, and all the women who came before. Dario Luciano has worked his way to the top of the food chain but a betrayal would threaten the peace, and the relationship with his young wife. What ensues is the building relationship between Dario and Catalina, and the potential fall-out as deception comes at a cost, and Dario must take action before more innocent lives are lost.
The world building reveals some of the back story and history between the members of the Luciano Famiglia: the fight for control, and the betrayal that forces Dario to destroy those who would destroy everyone else. Catalina’s never expected to be ‘sold’ to the highest bidder, and rumors about her intended threatened any sense of normality our heroine had hoped for the future.
The relationship between Dario and Catalina begins as an arranged marriage in which Catalina is a pawn used to bargain her father’s position of power.Raised to know her place in the Cartel society, Catalina was not surprised but expected never expected to find herself married to the Italian Mafia. Dario Luciano’s rise to the top meant choosing a suitable wife ; a woman who is completely aware of the lifestyle of a mobster; a woman whose duty is to stand by his side. From the outset, Dario warns he is a violent man but the women in his life never have to fear his temper or loss of control. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and powerful secondary and supporting characters including Catalina’s sister Camila, brother Em, and their father Andres Ruiz; Dario’s brother Dante, their sister Mia, and their father Vincent, as well as Dario’s brother in law Rocco Moretti, housekeeper Contessa, extended family members, friends, and security. The requisite evil has many faces.
NOW AND FOREVER is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, family and friendships, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic and impassioned but not as dark as some other Mafia story lines. The characters are strong and committed; the romance is seductive.
Copy supplied for review
Reviewed by Sandy
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Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams and bring your imagination to life!
Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha’s twisted style with an increase in heat.
In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romantic suspense with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.
In the spring of 2017, Aleatha released her first stand-alone, fun, and sexy romantic comedy with PLUS ONE, followed by the sweet stand-alone, ONE NIGHT.
Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
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