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Forsaken
They tempted me with her. And I couldn’t resist.
I’m not a good man. I’m a hired killer, and damn good at what I do. Raised to be ruthless and forced into this life, I never had a choice.
Until she was thrown into my lap.
I didn’t want to take the hit. It’s too dangerous, and I can’t afford these kinds of risks. I turned my employers down, but they sweetened the deal.
Gifting her to me.
She’s scared, beautiful, and all mine.
She gazes at me with her gorgeous baby blues, and I can hardly resist taking her. She makes me want to break my rules… all because of the desire hidden in those stolen glances.
I’m addicted to her seductive curves and the soft moans that spill from her lips. She’s tempting in ways she doesn’t even realize. I’m practically obsessed.
They’re going to want her back, but I’ll kill them all to keep her.
*Forsaken is a full-length standalone DARK romance with an HEA, no cheating, and no cliffhanger. Includes expanded content and a deleted scene!
I’m not a good man. I’m a hired killer, and damn good at what I do. Raised to be ruthless and forced into this life, I never had a choice.
Until she was thrown into my lap.
I didn’t want to take the hit. It’s too dangerous, and I can’t afford these kinds of risks. I turned my employers down, but they sweetened the deal.
Gifting her to me.
She’s scared, beautiful, and all mine.
She gazes at me with her gorgeous baby blues, and I can hardly resist taking her. She makes me want to break my rules… all because of the desire hidden in those stolen glances.
I’m addicted to her seductive curves and the soft moans that spill from her lips. She’s tempting in ways she doesn’t even realize. I’m practically obsessed.
They’re going to want her back, but I’ll kill them all to keep her.
*Forsaken is a full-length standalone DARK romance with an HEA, no cheating, and no cliffhanger. Includes expanded content and a deleted scene!
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 22, 2016
About the author
B.B. Hamel
188 books2,292 followersI'm a long time reader, writer, and lover of Romance! Writing is my dream and my passion, and I want to share my stories with you.
I live in the Philadelphia area with my husband and two dogs.
Website: http://www.bbhamel.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bbhamelwriter
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I live in the Philadelphia area with my husband and two dogs.
Website: http://www.bbhamel.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bbhamelwriter
Check out my mailing list for updates, giveaways, and more! http://bbhamel.com/signup
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 295 reviews
December 1, 2016
Forsaken: A Dark Romance
by B.B. Hamel & Willow Winters
This book is listed under A Dark Romance but it’s also Mafia book with a lot of character development, build-up, tension and crazy plot twists.. So sit back & enjoy the ride
Gio & Grace they are both damaged & disturbed – Gio train to be Hitman before he even hit puberty – Grace has been abused from young age
Have you ever felt betrayed? Question here is which one of these two broken souls where betrayed more by the end of this book
Grace has lived her life in a cell & at the mercy of her father for as long as she can remember, for something her mother did. Surprised when her father ask for her help *- Grace went from one Cage to literally another.
Will Grace finds refuge in her captors embrace?
Gio father is desperate to get in good with the Romano family, agreeing to make hit on the Romano family enemy.. Possibly starting a war between the families.. To say he wasn't looking forward to it is an understatement. Second in command offer Gio to train Grace to be submissive slave, unable to resist the temptation Gio opens the dark side of him that he has try so hard to hide
In end will Gio get to keep his Mafia Princess?
I loved the story line & characters, I really enjoyed the twisted.. Just not sure For a A Dark Romance had enough steam in it for me
Highly recommended THIS BOOK & Authors
.**" "An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review"..**
by B.B. Hamel & Willow Winters
This book is listed under A Dark Romance but it’s also Mafia book with a lot of character development, build-up, tension and crazy plot twists.. So sit back & enjoy the ride
Gio & Grace they are both damaged & disturbed – Gio train to be Hitman before he even hit puberty – Grace has been abused from young age
Have you ever felt betrayed? Question here is which one of these two broken souls where betrayed more by the end of this book
Grace has lived her life in a cell & at the mercy of her father for as long as she can remember, for something her mother did. Surprised when her father ask for her help *- Grace went from one Cage to literally another.
Will Grace finds refuge in her captors embrace?
Gio father is desperate to get in good with the Romano family, agreeing to make hit on the Romano family enemy.. Possibly starting a war between the families.. To say he wasn't looking forward to it is an understatement. Second in command offer Gio to train Grace to be submissive slave, unable to resist the temptation Gio opens the dark side of him that he has try so hard to hide
In end will Gio get to keep his Mafia Princess?
I loved the story line & characters, I really enjoyed the twisted.. Just not sure For a A Dark Romance had enough steam in it for me
Highly recommended THIS BOOK & Authors
.**" "An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review"..**
April 27, 2017
Title: ➜ Forsaken
Author: ➜ B. B. Hamel, Willow Winters
I am a fan of both B.B Hamel & Willow Winters, but I just love when these two amazing authors collaboration.
This book is listed under A Dark Romance but it’s also Mafia book with a lot of character development, build-up, tension and crazy plot twists.. So sit back & enjoy the ride
I loved the story line & characters, I really enjoyed the twisted.. Just not sure For a A Dark Romance had enough steam in it for me
➦Highly recommended THIS BOOK & Authors
➦Hope you enjoy this read & also always keep in mind this is just my opinion
➦**"I voluntarily reviewed this ARC" ..** 💕
.**In exchange for an honest review.**
Author: ➜ B. B. Hamel, Willow Winters
I am a fan of both B.B Hamel & Willow Winters, but I just love when these two amazing authors collaboration.
This book is listed under A Dark Romance but it’s also Mafia book with a lot of character development, build-up, tension and crazy plot twists.. So sit back & enjoy the ride
I loved the story line & characters, I really enjoyed the twisted.. Just not sure For a A Dark Romance had enough steam in it for me
➦Highly recommended THIS BOOK & Authors
➦Hope you enjoy this read & also always keep in mind this is just my opinion
➦**"I voluntarily reviewed this ARC" ..** 💕
.**In exchange for an honest review.**
May 13, 2017
Grace is a mafia princess who has not lived a life any would envy. She has been raise by mean & abusive Mafia Don. Gio was raised to be an assassin for the mafia & lives with a darkness inside of himself that only killing can keep in check. When the mafia family Gio works for hires him to kill the rival mafia's Don they also want him to take his daughter & break her. He is tasked with turning into a sex slave for one of family members pleasure. But once Gio has Grace under his watchful eye, he has other plans for her. He will do what he has to to make Grace his. Gio works hard to keep his promises to Grace & earn her trust. When Grace finally submits & starts to undergo her eductation everything falls apart when someone Gio trusts betrays him.
This dark mafia romance is about two broken people who ultimately find solace with one another. The life each of them has lived has left them both cut off from any love or affection. It takes a lot of patience & determination for Gio to get Grace to trust him but he is in this fight until the end. What Grace gains is the self preservation to do what she must when it comes down to saving Gio. The co-authors did a wonderful job of writing these characters & telling a story that will leave you wanting more from them. This book is meant for mature readers.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
This dark mafia romance is about two broken people who ultimately find solace with one another. The life each of them has lived has left them both cut off from any love or affection. It takes a lot of patience & determination for Gio to get Grace to trust him but he is in this fight until the end. What Grace gains is the self preservation to do what she must when it comes down to saving Gio. The co-authors did a wonderful job of writing these characters & telling a story that will leave you wanting more from them. This book is meant for mature readers.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
December 4, 2016
No romantic relationship development beyond the Hero breaking the heroine when he held her prisoner. Expected to see the MCs grow together after the non con. Sex was mediocre. Revenge story was awesome.
July 11, 2018
It should be two or one stars, but yet again, I'm trying to be nice with my reviews. It's about a mafia chick kidnapped by some guys and gifted to the anti-hero who hates his dad who happens to be his partner in crime.
The first little bit of the story is just a setup and look into the lives of the main characters. Grace, the mafia chick is the stereotypical Italian daughter of the don. Because it would be annoying I guess to actually write a story where the daughter is a spoiled, rich brat like the anti-hero initially assumes, Grace is actually depressed who thinks about death and is not what her dad wanted.
Gio, the Irish, was trained by his dad to be a killer. But as usual, anything relating to hurting women is a no-no. And he has a dog for all you girls who like a bad boy with a sensitive side I suppose.
So anyway, Grace ends up with Gio and he puts her in a cage which the rest of the story revolves around. He makes a promise not to go near her if she remains in the cage, but she does sneak out at night to use the bathroom. He watches her from his high tech room and all she does is sit there and later draws. Blah, blah.
Nothing really happens during these chapters expect his dad coming over here and there to see how the training goes because Gio is supposed to train her to be a slave to this other family. And something about a hit on Grace's family, either her dad or her uncle, whoever is easier to get closer to kill.
But yeah, the story up to towards the end just takes place in Gio's house. They supposedly get closer during his visits to Grace and he tries to tempt her to come out of the cage. Then they finally screw and they love each other. Blah, blah. So boring!
I want my four dollars back.
The first little bit of the story is just a setup and look into the lives of the main characters. Grace, the mafia chick is the stereotypical Italian daughter of the don. Because it would be annoying I guess to actually write a story where the daughter is a spoiled, rich brat like the anti-hero initially assumes, Grace is actually depressed who thinks about death and is not what her dad wanted.
Gio, the Irish, was trained by his dad to be a killer. But as usual, anything relating to hurting women is a no-no. And he has a dog for all you girls who like a bad boy with a sensitive side I suppose.
So anyway, Grace ends up with Gio and he puts her in a cage which the rest of the story revolves around. He makes a promise not to go near her if she remains in the cage, but she does sneak out at night to use the bathroom. He watches her from his high tech room and all she does is sit there and later draws. Blah, blah.
Nothing really happens during these chapters expect his dad coming over here and there to see how the training goes because Gio is supposed to train her to be a slave to this other family. And something about a hit on Grace's family, either her dad or her uncle, whoever is easier to get closer to kill.
But yeah, the story up to towards the end just takes place in Gio's house. They supposedly get closer during his visits to Grace and he tries to tempt her to come out of the cage. Then they finally screw and they love each other. Blah, blah. So boring!
I want my four dollars back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2017
Title: Forsaken
Author: B.B. Hamel & Willow Winters
5+ smashing stars
Holy mother of pearls!! I couldn't get enough of this book and this duo was more than i could have hoped for. Although not my first novel by Willow Winters, it is my first by B.B. Hamel and wow. I don't think i could have ever imagined the type of novel this duo could have written together, and i'm more than glad that i took the time to read Forsaken. Unlike any other Mafia genre novel, this one tells the story of a father-son duo who are hell bent to be part of the familia , or at least, Gio's father is obsessed with the idea of being part of his family's mafia considering he and his son are the best hitmen available. Needing to get rid of the 'competition', the familia tries to convince Gio to do their dirty work by giving him the mafia princess, Grace.
4.5 sexy dreams
I don't think i was fully prepared for this book, and that only made it sweeter. I don't have all the right words to fully express how much i loved this book, but know that it was amazing. It was dark, it was suspenseful and it was dirty in all the right ways. I can't wait to read more from these two authors, whether individually or as a duo, but i know that i will be very soon as this is how dark suspense mafia romances should be!
*ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Kathleen, The Small Girl from A small girl, her man and her books
Author: B.B. Hamel & Willow Winters
5+ smashing stars
Holy mother of pearls!! I couldn't get enough of this book and this duo was more than i could have hoped for. Although not my first novel by Willow Winters, it is my first by B.B. Hamel and wow. I don't think i could have ever imagined the type of novel this duo could have written together, and i'm more than glad that i took the time to read Forsaken. Unlike any other Mafia genre novel, this one tells the story of a father-son duo who are hell bent to be part of the familia , or at least, Gio's father is obsessed with the idea of being part of his family's mafia considering he and his son are the best hitmen available. Needing to get rid of the 'competition', the familia tries to convince Gio to do their dirty work by giving him the mafia princess, Grace.
4.5 sexy dreams
I don't think i was fully prepared for this book, and that only made it sweeter. I don't have all the right words to fully express how much i loved this book, but know that it was amazing. It was dark, it was suspenseful and it was dirty in all the right ways. I can't wait to read more from these two authors, whether individually or as a duo, but i know that i will be very soon as this is how dark suspense mafia romances should be!
*ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Kathleen, The Small Girl from A small girl, her man and her books
May 30, 2018
Forsaken: A Dark Romance by B.B. Hamel & Willow Winters
“Forsaken” is Mafia dark romance with a lot of character development, tension and conflict upsurge, wild plot twists and sizzling hot scenes between characters.
Grace lived all her life in an emotional, psychological cage created by her father, the Don of the mafia cartel. Constantly abused by her father for something her mother did when she was just a kid, she plotted all her life escape this degrading life, even if it means killing herself. Damaged and broken this woman dreams about freedom, but her father has different plans for her. This might be opportunity she waited all her life. Escape. Freedom. The Father sends her into the enemies territory to spy straight into hands of opposing Mafia family. She is given to the Hitman Gio as a gift to be trained as a sex slave.
Gio was christened into this lifestyle by his father at the age of ten when he made him kill a man. Their toxic and deprived relationship created this darkness within him that was utilized in his line of work. The rage that could leave many bodies behind, even his infuriating fathers. The thrill from killing and plotting the kill is his and his father's consuming darkness. Gio is broken quite differently then, Grace. She never knew strength she possessed until she wakes up in the cage and has to play the psychological game Gio wound around her. She is his prisoner, captive, an object of lust. So long she was planning her escape from the monsters like him, but one cage was exchanged for another makes her desperate.
Gio game is entirely different from what he saw his father done to many women before. He instead wants to earn her trust and beg for him to give her what she secretly desires. The dark carnal desire is intense between Gio and Grace, makes their interactions intense, exciting and beyond hot.
The wrong decision and she won’t be able to come back from it. He gave her a choice stay in cage she is safe, but once she leaves she is his. Grace lived in this sick environment all her life, she learned those tricks Gio wants to implement to train her to submit to him, so she puts up a good fight. The thing is that this ache, thirst is not one-sided. She also wants him, wants the freedom he is offering submitting to his desires, the problem is she is thirsty to be out of the cage, explore the world, love and live free of people telling what to do, how to behave.
Gio got too close to his plaything, it turned into possessiveness, lust into love. She quietens down the darkness and needs for the thrill Gio was addicted to before he met Grace. Looming threat of two mafia families going to war also hit placed on her fathers head complicates things for Gio. He wants to keep Grace, but family pressuring him to give her back and finish his job.
This book was delightful and thrilling read, I just wish the author duo would have given more of that looming mafia war and conflict instead rushing to HEA so fast. Saying that I truly loved this dark tale and definitely recommend to read, I will look forward to the next installment.
“Forsaken” is Mafia dark romance with a lot of character development, tension and conflict upsurge, wild plot twists and sizzling hot scenes between characters.
Grace lived all her life in an emotional, psychological cage created by her father, the Don of the mafia cartel. Constantly abused by her father for something her mother did when she was just a kid, she plotted all her life escape this degrading life, even if it means killing herself. Damaged and broken this woman dreams about freedom, but her father has different plans for her. This might be opportunity she waited all her life. Escape. Freedom. The Father sends her into the enemies territory to spy straight into hands of opposing Mafia family. She is given to the Hitman Gio as a gift to be trained as a sex slave.
Gio was christened into this lifestyle by his father at the age of ten when he made him kill a man. Their toxic and deprived relationship created this darkness within him that was utilized in his line of work. The rage that could leave many bodies behind, even his infuriating fathers. The thrill from killing and plotting the kill is his and his father's consuming darkness. Gio is broken quite differently then, Grace. She never knew strength she possessed until she wakes up in the cage and has to play the psychological game Gio wound around her. She is his prisoner, captive, an object of lust. So long she was planning her escape from the monsters like him, but one cage was exchanged for another makes her desperate.
Gio game is entirely different from what he saw his father done to many women before. He instead wants to earn her trust and beg for him to give her what she secretly desires. The dark carnal desire is intense between Gio and Grace, makes their interactions intense, exciting and beyond hot.
The wrong decision and she won’t be able to come back from it. He gave her a choice stay in cage she is safe, but once she leaves she is his. Grace lived in this sick environment all her life, she learned those tricks Gio wants to implement to train her to submit to him, so she puts up a good fight. The thing is that this ache, thirst is not one-sided. She also wants him, wants the freedom he is offering submitting to his desires, the problem is she is thirsty to be out of the cage, explore the world, love and live free of people telling what to do, how to behave.
Gio got too close to his plaything, it turned into possessiveness, lust into love. She quietens down the darkness and needs for the thrill Gio was addicted to before he met Grace. Looming threat of two mafia families going to war also hit placed on her fathers head complicates things for Gio. He wants to keep Grace, but family pressuring him to give her back and finish his job.
This book was delightful and thrilling read, I just wish the author duo would have given more of that looming mafia war and conflict instead rushing to HEA so fast. Saying that I truly loved this dark tale and definitely recommend to read, I will look forward to the next installment.
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August 17, 2017Forsaken is LIVE!
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#1click here:
Amazon http://amzn.to/2v33c2Q
iBooks http://apple.co/2wplmvt
Kobo http://bit.ly/2hrLYsO
Nook http://bit.ly/2unDVyB
Google Play http://bit.ly/2v0RUhy
Goodreads TBR: http://bit.ly/2vFoCVS
March 21, 2020
3.5 stars
This was very different from what I usually read but I was in the mood for something different.
It was ok, the writing itself was really good and I'm glad it was just one book not like series. Some of the story was a little meh and the entire premise of a woman falling for someone who is keeping her captured despite him taking care of her and being nice it's all just a bit twisted.
This was very different from what I usually read but I was in the mood for something different.
It was ok, the writing itself was really good and I'm glad it was just one book not like series. Some of the story was a little meh and the entire premise of a woman falling for someone who is keeping her captured despite him taking care of her and being nice it's all just a bit twisted.
April 29, 2017
Arc review For honest review. Grace was given to gio to make her a sex slave to break but she was already broken so now what's he to do. Great story to read.
November 27, 2016
2.5 stars
December 6, 2022
This feels exactly like roe v wade being overturned
March 13, 2023
Ah yes, abuse and kidnapping leading to inevitable Stockholm syndrome. What is wrong with y’all
February 7, 2020
I am not really sure why I haven't read this book before now! Forsaken is a dark, mafia standalone romance told in Dual POV. Grace is the daughter of a Don to one of the main Mafia families the Rossi's. A girl raised firmly under her father's cruel hand, abused and despised throughout her life she is then used as a pawn in her father's rivalry with another family. Grace is told she is to be taken and used a bait to gain information on the rival family before her Father will come to take her back.
Grace is captured and handed over to a hit man for hire, Gio is a man who works for whoever pays him to get the job done, a man loyal only to himself and the job at hand, which for now is breaking Grace to serve as a slave to the family who hired him.
I loved the psychological play that this story depicted between Captur and Captive in Gio and Grace. The fight that Grace had because that's all she knows how to do to survive under the wrath of her abusive Father, made her a compelling heroine. Gio wasn't overtly cruel, he was clever and tactical, using kindness to tempt and I liked that element and how it played to the story. Another thing I loved was Gio's filthy mouth, boy that man can talk dirty, give me more of that please!
Gio and Grace can't help but be drawn to the strength they see in each other, they see survival and that holds true as the story plays out. The writing is compelling and easy to read, I thought it paced well and I liked how the plot played out. You often assume that characters in Gio's position are going to be cruel and unfeeling and Grace to be weak and fearful but neither is true here. For anyone looking for a psychological darker romance then this is the book for you.
Grace is captured and handed over to a hit man for hire, Gio is a man who works for whoever pays him to get the job done, a man loyal only to himself and the job at hand, which for now is breaking Grace to serve as a slave to the family who hired him.
I loved the psychological play that this story depicted between Captur and Captive in Gio and Grace. The fight that Grace had because that's all she knows how to do to survive under the wrath of her abusive Father, made her a compelling heroine. Gio wasn't overtly cruel, he was clever and tactical, using kindness to tempt and I liked that element and how it played to the story. Another thing I loved was Gio's filthy mouth, boy that man can talk dirty, give me more of that please!
Gio and Grace can't help but be drawn to the strength they see in each other, they see survival and that holds true as the story plays out. The writing is compelling and easy to read, I thought it paced well and I liked how the plot played out. You often assume that characters in Gio's position are going to be cruel and unfeeling and Grace to be weak and fearful but neither is true here. For anyone looking for a psychological darker romance then this is the book for you.
May 3, 2017
This review is from: Forsaken (Kindle Edition)
The combined efforts if B.B. & Willow is nothing short of stupendous in this book! Characters easily jump off the pages & drag you into their world. I couldn't put it down! Cover to cover was a definite treat experiencing the HOT, Dark, Steamy Naughtiness that ensues within these pages. I strongly recommend it! I voluntarily read this ARC & this is my honest review
The combined efforts if B.B. & Willow is nothing short of stupendous in this book! Characters easily jump off the pages & drag you into their world. I couldn't put it down! Cover to cover was a definite treat experiencing the HOT, Dark, Steamy Naughtiness that ensues within these pages. I strongly recommend it! I voluntarily read this ARC & this is my honest review
February 25, 2022
it was going well but it ended abruptly
December 10, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, such strong powerful characters and to see a woman character be so vulnerable yet so strong after everything they have been through is great to see.
Even though it has the falling for the capture storyline base the story and the plot twist I think really make it a great story.
Even though it has the falling for the capture storyline base the story and the plot twist I think really make it a great story.
July 29, 2020
Let's just say this again, I loved this story. I had a few things to do in between purchasing it and beginning to read it.
This is one great love story, but Willow aka W. Winters writes the best, she had help with this one because B.B. Hamel was the other writer on this story. Willow can take any situation and bring it to life and make you feel like you are there watching the events roll out in front of you.
First of all their is Grace Rossi daughter of Alec Rossi Don of the Rossi Mafia Family. He keeps her locked up in her room and beats on her just because he can. He makes her do his evil bidding. Grace saw her father kill her mother with his bare hands and she can not stand him. All her life she has wanted to be free. She went out with this one guy and she had sex with him just so she could feel alive and to upset her father but it was bad move on her part because her father had him killed or killed him. So she is left in the room most days until her father needs her to do something and this is how this begins because her father wants her to go down the street from the restaurant they own and which they live over the top of. He wants her to get information on the Romano family so he tells her to go down the street so they can kidnap her and then when he thinks she has the information they need they will come and take her back. But what happens is not exactly that.
Then their is Gio and his father Bruno who are related to the Romano's because they are half Romano blood and so his father Bruno has always wanted to be accepted into the Romano family, they are the hitmen for the Romano family. Marco the head of the family wants the Don, Alex, of the Rossi family taken out and want them to do it and they have taken his daughter as collateral. So the story begins. They give the girl to Gio because he said he wants her and so they tell him he is to train her to be a slave. Gio is a gentle soul unlike his dark soul father and he decides that he is going to make her be submissive for him and so he takes her to his home on the outskirts of the Chicago and so the story begins. This story is full of angst, drama, lies and deception but aren't most good stories, but the difference is, is that this story is written by Willow Winters and I have not read a book of hers or series that I have not loved, it started with the Merciless series for me and then everyone that makes up the Cross family. Okay, back to this story, I loved it you will too if you have ever read her stories and are a fan of Willow's like I am and B.B. Hamel who co wrote this one. It was "Marvelous".
This is one great love story, but Willow aka W. Winters writes the best, she had help with this one because B.B. Hamel was the other writer on this story. Willow can take any situation and bring it to life and make you feel like you are there watching the events roll out in front of you.
First of all their is Grace Rossi daughter of Alec Rossi Don of the Rossi Mafia Family. He keeps her locked up in her room and beats on her just because he can. He makes her do his evil bidding. Grace saw her father kill her mother with his bare hands and she can not stand him. All her life she has wanted to be free. She went out with this one guy and she had sex with him just so she could feel alive and to upset her father but it was bad move on her part because her father had him killed or killed him. So she is left in the room most days until her father needs her to do something and this is how this begins because her father wants her to go down the street from the restaurant they own and which they live over the top of. He wants her to get information on the Romano family so he tells her to go down the street so they can kidnap her and then when he thinks she has the information they need they will come and take her back. But what happens is not exactly that.
Then their is Gio and his father Bruno who are related to the Romano's because they are half Romano blood and so his father Bruno has always wanted to be accepted into the Romano family, they are the hitmen for the Romano family. Marco the head of the family wants the Don, Alex, of the Rossi family taken out and want them to do it and they have taken his daughter as collateral. So the story begins. They give the girl to Gio because he said he wants her and so they tell him he is to train her to be a slave. Gio is a gentle soul unlike his dark soul father and he decides that he is going to make her be submissive for him and so he takes her to his home on the outskirts of the Chicago and so the story begins. This story is full of angst, drama, lies and deception but aren't most good stories, but the difference is, is that this story is written by Willow Winters and I have not read a book of hers or series that I have not loved, it started with the Merciless series for me and then everyone that makes up the Cross family. Okay, back to this story, I loved it you will too if you have ever read her stories and are a fan of Willow's like I am and B.B. Hamel who co wrote this one. It was "Marvelous".
December 21, 2016
A POWERFULLY WRITTEN & DEEPLY EMOTIONAL READ! WHERE INNOCENCE MEETS DARKNESS & LIGHT FINDS A WAY TO SHINE THROUGH!
WOW!!! Forsaken leads you into darkness and into the underbelly of evil of the worst kind, family betrayal. It’s not a pretty story with a big bow on top. Instead, you will be taken on a journey filled with despair, agony, fear, joy, intense love and hope. Hope for a life of freedom, hope for a future and hope for righting the wrongs done by those closest to you.
Scum of the earth Martino Rossi is the epitome of evil. He’s the mafia Don of the Rossi familia. He sets up his only daughter, the beautiful Grace Rossi, to be kidnapped by members of the rival mob familia, the Romano crime family. Grace is instructed to listen and obtain information and report back on what she hears once she is rescued. Grace’s life has been filled with abuse by her father. Beatings after beatings. He’s never accepted her. She was a disappointment to him because he wanted a son. A son he could mold and shape into the hardened criminal he was himself. (I just want to shoot his a**!) Grace agrees and plans on escaping before the kidnapping takes place. She has plans to run as far away from her family as possible. She has made small bags of heroin and swallowed them. They will stay in her stomach until she vomits them up. Her plan was that if she wasn’t able to escape as planned, she would use the heroin to commit suicide. But that was the only way of hiding it.
Gio Luca (I just love that name) is a hit-man who lives with his dog Rigs. Gio is a dark, dominating, very hot, muscled, panty melting gorgeous hit-man with sniper skills that can’t be beat. He kills without guilt. It’s what he does and he’s very good at it. He’s no nonsense and says what he wants when he wants and has no filter. Gio also has a very yummy and dark sexual appetite.
When his father, Bruno, tells him they are going to meet with members of the Romano crime family to accept a contract hit on Toni Rossi, the second in command in the Rossi familia, Gio has serious reservations. If they take this job and complete the “mission”, it will most likely start a war between the Romano and Rossi families and that could prove disastrous…
Bruno Luca raised his son to be a killer. His first kill at 10 years old left me sad, shocked and disgusted with Bruno. Bruno also works with Gio on contract hits but Bruno hasn’t had work in a while. Bruno has a huge chip on his shoulder. He doesn’t accept that he will never be a “made” member of the familia because he is not 100% Italian. Instead, he believes if they can pull off this hit, it will help them get noticed and one step closer to being a made member. Unfortunately, Bruno’s eagerness and impatience to being a made member of the Romano crime family cloud his judgement and has him acting in haste and not thinking and planning hits with the care and caution needed to pull off the job without issue. (I wanted to biff him off the side of his head more than once, I’ll tell you that).
During the meeting with Marco Romano, the second in command, Bruno accepts the hit on behalf of himself and Gio as well as accepting the temporary “gift” given to Gio. What is that gift you ask? It’s Grace Rossi, mafia princess, daughter of the Don of the Rossi crime family, Niece of the target hit, Toni Rossi. It is expected that Gio train Grace to become the perfect submissive/sex slave that will, one day be sold into the slave trade. Gio is shocked his father did this but had no choice but to accept the gift and the challenge. Things are set in motion and Grace is taken by the Romano familia and turned over to Gio.
When Grace wakes up, she doesn’t know where she is. She discovers that not only has she been stripped of all clothing, she’s in a cage. A cage that’s not locked. Other than the cage, the room is empty. She’s terrified and has to accept that her dreams of escape and a better life have been ripped from her and now her future is uncertain. That’s where her journey with Gio begins. She is so fearful and does NOT trust him. She refuses to eat or drink and she’s becoming ill. She contemplating ending her life but doesn’t have the courage to follow through.
The relationship between Grace and Gio is extreme and intense. Both are instantly attracted and drawn to each other. Grace fights it and tries to hide her growing attraction, questioning her sanity, all the while trying to come up with a plan of escape. Gio is not fooled by her stubbornness and begins his training. It’s a psychological game of cat and mouse. He watches her on the video camera that’s installed above the cage. He learns so much by doing so.
Gio is so very gentle and kind to her. As trust is slowing built, feelings are forming between them. He slowly tries to build trust between the two but that does not come easy. Gio finds it challenging to get Grace out of the cage. He told her that she was safe in the cage and he would never enter it. But told her if she comes out of the cage and he gets to her, she will become his and he will do whatever he wants with her, that he owns her.
Despite her growing feelings for Gio, she’s still so afraid of leaving the cage for fear of her safety that she never left. She has her father’s abuse to thank for that. Since that wasn’t working, he gave her certain times where she was allowed to leave the cage and would never be approached by him. She would be safe. Easy peasy right? NOPE!!!
His training doesn’t go as planned. Obstacles keep getting in the way. What obstacles? I’m not telling, but it’s exciting. There is so much that happens and I don’t want to give it all away. The story up to this point covered approx. the first 10 or so chapters and the best has yet to come.
What happens when Grace finally gives in and leaves the cage and gives in to her attraction to Gio? All I’ll say is HOT DAMN!!!!!! You’ll be screaming for more more more!!!! Once Gio gets a taste of “His Princess” he vows never to give her up. She belongs to him.
When the pressure of honoring the contract hit gets to be too much, Gio comes up with a new plan of attack. Gio must also come up with a plan that will ensure safety to the one person he cares most for, Grace.
When the ultimate unforgivable betrayal becomes evident, Gio sets things in motion that will hopefully allow him to leave with Grace and have a future together. When Grace’s life is further threatened, it’s a race against time for Gio to bring down those responsible and save the woman he loves so much. Will Grace and Gio succumb to the violence brought upon them? What happens when Grace meets up with the one person who left her broken? I’ll never tell, but it’s explosive. You’ll find yourself cheering….. I know I did!
Do you have what it takes to take on this gritty and emotional read? I sure hope so or you will be missing out on one wonderfully written and fantastic story. Thank you Willow Winters & B.B. Hamel for writing this intense and super exciting romance!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book and I also purchased my own copy. What a great addition to my collection!
WOW!!! Forsaken leads you into darkness and into the underbelly of evil of the worst kind, family betrayal. It’s not a pretty story with a big bow on top. Instead, you will be taken on a journey filled with despair, agony, fear, joy, intense love and hope. Hope for a life of freedom, hope for a future and hope for righting the wrongs done by those closest to you.
Scum of the earth Martino Rossi is the epitome of evil. He’s the mafia Don of the Rossi familia. He sets up his only daughter, the beautiful Grace Rossi, to be kidnapped by members of the rival mob familia, the Romano crime family. Grace is instructed to listen and obtain information and report back on what she hears once she is rescued. Grace’s life has been filled with abuse by her father. Beatings after beatings. He’s never accepted her. She was a disappointment to him because he wanted a son. A son he could mold and shape into the hardened criminal he was himself. (I just want to shoot his a**!) Grace agrees and plans on escaping before the kidnapping takes place. She has plans to run as far away from her family as possible. She has made small bags of heroin and swallowed them. They will stay in her stomach until she vomits them up. Her plan was that if she wasn’t able to escape as planned, she would use the heroin to commit suicide. But that was the only way of hiding it.
Gio Luca (I just love that name) is a hit-man who lives with his dog Rigs. Gio is a dark, dominating, very hot, muscled, panty melting gorgeous hit-man with sniper skills that can’t be beat. He kills without guilt. It’s what he does and he’s very good at it. He’s no nonsense and says what he wants when he wants and has no filter. Gio also has a very yummy and dark sexual appetite.
When his father, Bruno, tells him they are going to meet with members of the Romano crime family to accept a contract hit on Toni Rossi, the second in command in the Rossi familia, Gio has serious reservations. If they take this job and complete the “mission”, it will most likely start a war between the Romano and Rossi families and that could prove disastrous…
Bruno Luca raised his son to be a killer. His first kill at 10 years old left me sad, shocked and disgusted with Bruno. Bruno also works with Gio on contract hits but Bruno hasn’t had work in a while. Bruno has a huge chip on his shoulder. He doesn’t accept that he will never be a “made” member of the familia because he is not 100% Italian. Instead, he believes if they can pull off this hit, it will help them get noticed and one step closer to being a made member. Unfortunately, Bruno’s eagerness and impatience to being a made member of the Romano crime family cloud his judgement and has him acting in haste and not thinking and planning hits with the care and caution needed to pull off the job without issue. (I wanted to biff him off the side of his head more than once, I’ll tell you that).
During the meeting with Marco Romano, the second in command, Bruno accepts the hit on behalf of himself and Gio as well as accepting the temporary “gift” given to Gio. What is that gift you ask? It’s Grace Rossi, mafia princess, daughter of the Don of the Rossi crime family, Niece of the target hit, Toni Rossi. It is expected that Gio train Grace to become the perfect submissive/sex slave that will, one day be sold into the slave trade. Gio is shocked his father did this but had no choice but to accept the gift and the challenge. Things are set in motion and Grace is taken by the Romano familia and turned over to Gio.
When Grace wakes up, she doesn’t know where she is. She discovers that not only has she been stripped of all clothing, she’s in a cage. A cage that’s not locked. Other than the cage, the room is empty. She’s terrified and has to accept that her dreams of escape and a better life have been ripped from her and now her future is uncertain. That’s where her journey with Gio begins. She is so fearful and does NOT trust him. She refuses to eat or drink and she’s becoming ill. She contemplating ending her life but doesn’t have the courage to follow through.
The relationship between Grace and Gio is extreme and intense. Both are instantly attracted and drawn to each other. Grace fights it and tries to hide her growing attraction, questioning her sanity, all the while trying to come up with a plan of escape. Gio is not fooled by her stubbornness and begins his training. It’s a psychological game of cat and mouse. He watches her on the video camera that’s installed above the cage. He learns so much by doing so.
Gio is so very gentle and kind to her. As trust is slowing built, feelings are forming between them. He slowly tries to build trust between the two but that does not come easy. Gio finds it challenging to get Grace out of the cage. He told her that she was safe in the cage and he would never enter it. But told her if she comes out of the cage and he gets to her, she will become his and he will do whatever he wants with her, that he owns her.
Despite her growing feelings for Gio, she’s still so afraid of leaving the cage for fear of her safety that she never left. She has her father’s abuse to thank for that. Since that wasn’t working, he gave her certain times where she was allowed to leave the cage and would never be approached by him. She would be safe. Easy peasy right? NOPE!!!
His training doesn’t go as planned. Obstacles keep getting in the way. What obstacles? I’m not telling, but it’s exciting. There is so much that happens and I don’t want to give it all away. The story up to this point covered approx. the first 10 or so chapters and the best has yet to come.
What happens when Grace finally gives in and leaves the cage and gives in to her attraction to Gio? All I’ll say is HOT DAMN!!!!!! You’ll be screaming for more more more!!!! Once Gio gets a taste of “His Princess” he vows never to give her up. She belongs to him.
When the pressure of honoring the contract hit gets to be too much, Gio comes up with a new plan of attack. Gio must also come up with a plan that will ensure safety to the one person he cares most for, Grace.
When the ultimate unforgivable betrayal becomes evident, Gio sets things in motion that will hopefully allow him to leave with Grace and have a future together. When Grace’s life is further threatened, it’s a race against time for Gio to bring down those responsible and save the woman he loves so much. Will Grace and Gio succumb to the violence brought upon them? What happens when Grace meets up with the one person who left her broken? I’ll never tell, but it’s explosive. You’ll find yourself cheering….. I know I did!
Do you have what it takes to take on this gritty and emotional read? I sure hope so or you will be missing out on one wonderfully written and fantastic story. Thank you Willow Winters & B.B. Hamel for writing this intense and super exciting romance!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book and I also purchased my own copy. What a great addition to my collection!
November 26, 2016
Book Given by the authors for an honest review.
http://thesecretworldofbooklovers.blo...
I'm really familiar with BB's books so I was expecting the super sexy and hardcore sex scenes which I loved! But this was my first book from Willow and I can say I'm now a fan!
I loved the darkness in the main characters relationship, that its not everyone's cup of tea, but it just worked perfectly for this two.
The story is not the regular love conquers all and happily ever after kind. It's rough, there's a lot of pain and death that ultimately leads them to their happiness, but it's definitely not a pretty path.
They built their love within a messed up situation and she finds refuge in her captors embrace. Lucky for her he is not as bad as he think he is, he still has some light buried beneath his darkness and she is just the person to help him regain it.
They are both damaged and disturbed by the way they were raised and they haven't had the chance to feel real love until now, which makes them perfect for each other.
Everyone deserves a second chance in life and these two have found their way back home within each other.
It's a really good story, with some scary violent moments that test t he characters as well as the readers, I truly enjoyed it.
http://thesecretworldofbooklovers.blo...
I'm really familiar with BB's books so I was expecting the super sexy and hardcore sex scenes which I loved! But this was my first book from Willow and I can say I'm now a fan!
I loved the darkness in the main characters relationship, that its not everyone's cup of tea, but it just worked perfectly for this two.
The story is not the regular love conquers all and happily ever after kind. It's rough, there's a lot of pain and death that ultimately leads them to their happiness, but it's definitely not a pretty path.
They built their love within a messed up situation and she finds refuge in her captors embrace. Lucky for her he is not as bad as he think he is, he still has some light buried beneath his darkness and she is just the person to help him regain it.
They are both damaged and disturbed by the way they were raised and they haven't had the chance to feel real love until now, which makes them perfect for each other.
Everyone deserves a second chance in life and these two have found their way back home within each other.
It's a really good story, with some scary violent moments that test t he characters as well as the readers, I truly enjoyed it.
May 4, 2018
3.5 Stars
Forsaken has a good story with elements I love in a dark romance. A tormented young heroine looking for an escape from her violent mob boss father, a dark and dangerous assassin who has been gifted said tormented girl to do with as he pleases and two feuding mob families that promises a lot of drama.
Forsaken is an exciting book but lacks the turmoil I love to feel in a setting where good things never happen to people like Grace and Gio. I love the storyline for Forsaken, but I wasn’t as emotionally invested in the two characters. Both characters seemed to talk/think about their experiences as opposed to feeling said experiences. This level of detachment made it a bit difficult to empathize with the characters. The theme was certainly dark but the story itself had light undertones that never made me feel truly worried or scared for our two leading characters. The promise of a HEA is a given. The destination was always the promise of freedom but it was the journey I was hoping to experience.
Forsaken has a good story with elements I love in a dark romance. A tormented young heroine looking for an escape from her violent mob boss father, a dark and dangerous assassin who has been gifted said tormented girl to do with as he pleases and two feuding mob families that promises a lot of drama.
Forsaken is an exciting book but lacks the turmoil I love to feel in a setting where good things never happen to people like Grace and Gio. I love the storyline for Forsaken, but I wasn’t as emotionally invested in the two characters. Both characters seemed to talk/think about their experiences as opposed to feeling said experiences. This level of detachment made it a bit difficult to empathize with the characters. The theme was certainly dark but the story itself had light undertones that never made me feel truly worried or scared for our two leading characters. The promise of a HEA is a given. The destination was always the promise of freedom but it was the journey I was hoping to experience.
May 9, 2017
The story begins when the Romanos family wants to assassinate the second in command of the Rossi family, unleashing a war between the 2 mafias. The curious thing about this story is that the hired assassin is not very interested in completing the mission, for which they give him an incentive: they give him the privilege of kidnapping Don Rossi's daughter and training her to become a sexual slave; Gio is not convinced yet but his father accepts the job.
The kidnapping occurs almost immediately, and most of the book focuses on the interaction between Gio and Grace, who apparently suffered a life of abuse at the hands of his father, and finds in Gio what he never found at home.
From the agreed coup, by which he received Grace, there is really little talk and the plot at the end feels a bit forced, but the reading is quite addictive.
I voluntarily read an Advance Review Copy of this book.
The kidnapping occurs almost immediately, and most of the book focuses on the interaction between Gio and Grace, who apparently suffered a life of abuse at the hands of his father, and finds in Gio what he never found at home.
From the agreed coup, by which he received Grace, there is really little talk and the plot at the end feels a bit forced, but the reading is quite addictive.
I voluntarily read an Advance Review Copy of this book.
January 18, 2017
Wow... This book was just so intriguing.... Gio is a hired hit man. He was trained by his father at a young age. Gio enjoys his job and loves his sotitute and his freedom of course. He was hires to do a big job that could give his father status which he craves for.
Grace is the mob princess. She hates her life and most of her family. She just obeys the rules and keeps her head down but deep down she craves her freedom.
Gio is given a gift which is the mob princess and he is given direct orders on what to do. But as time passes his job is getting extremely hard and he starts to fall into temptation.
This book is full of suspense and breath taking. I just could not put the book down. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone!!! I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion
Grace is the mob princess. She hates her life and most of her family. She just obeys the rules and keeps her head down but deep down she craves her freedom.
Gio is given a gift which is the mob princess and he is given direct orders on what to do. But as time passes his job is getting extremely hard and he starts to fall into temptation.
This book is full of suspense and breath taking. I just could not put the book down. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone!!! I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion
February 3, 2020
Great story
Great story. Loved Gio. He treated Grace so much better than the mob wanted him to and he stood up for what he wanted. Poor Grace, she had a rough life and at least she had Gio to help her leave it. Really enjoyed reading this story.
Great story. Loved Gio. He treated Grace so much better than the mob wanted him to and he stood up for what he wanted. Poor Grace, she had a rough life and at least she had Gio to help her leave it. Really enjoyed reading this story.
August 21, 2023
Grace (my princess) and Gio
Gios dad has lived his life on the outskirts of the Romano familia, always wishing he could be a part of them. The romanos are ringing a bell I’m trying to remember which book they’re in. Graces father is the don of the Rossi familia which I also believe has been mentioned. He wants to use her as a pawn for the romanos to pick her up and she can collect info from them. She agrees to whatever he father asks. But before she leaves she stuffs her bra with heroine she stole, enough to overdose. So she can have a way out. Gio is at dinner at the green parrot he mentions Marco Romano coming in followed by Alex and Angelo. These names sound so familiar. The romanos want Gio and his father to kill Graces uncle and then keep her as a prize and break her in. Gios father used to be a sex trafficker so he knows exactly what Marco means by break her in. His dad agrees before he can butt in. So now he needs to abduct Grace and kill her uncle. Graces dad has her leave the restaurant as bait. She is attacked by 3 men and tries to get away and they beat her until someone else steps in and it all goes black. Gio got her, drugged her. And beat the men who hurt her. He then set up her prison in his gun room. And put the bear cage in as her safe place. She wakes up in the cage but realizes the door is open. He tells her as long as she’s inside the cage he won’t harm her. She refused to eat the food he brings her. She fears leaving the cage to go to the bathroom. He brings her a peach and it’s the first thing she’s ate but she realizes it’s not enough. She shuts down again on him. But finally he gets her to come out. He holds her and feeds her and then tells her she needs a bath. He gives her set hours she can leave her cage and he won’t touch her. When he bathes her she realizes how bad she wants him so she decides to poison him. She dumps the heroine into the tea and asks him to try it to prove its not poisoned but she realizes what she’s doing and knocks the tea out of his hands and burns him and she darts to her cage and realizes what she just did. He rewinds the camera footage and sees she was actually saving him. But she’s scared of him again and won’t come out of her cage. He sees her take the chalkboard one day and she’s drawing. His dad shows up and flips out when he sees her drawing. They have a meeting with Marco and gio suggests killing the Don graces father instead of her uncle. Her uncle never leaves his house and he’ll have to leave to take over as don and then they can get him too. Marco likes the idea. Gio realizes he needs to get her to cave soon. He hardwires a tv to play porn for her. He realizes she’s fingering herself and storms in. She won’t come out so he jacks off and cums on her thigh and she comes up at the same time. She is getting so turned on by gio. He comes in her room and tells her to crawl to him and turn around. She does and he fingers her while she’s still in the cage and then he teases her with his tip and then he’s ducking her while she’s inside the cage. When he realizes she’s all the way out he Carrie’s her to the bed. They have sex and after he gives her after care. He finally breaks down her walls and has began training with her and she likes it. He knows he wants to keep her. He gets a call of someone saying they can cut off his fingers and he worries his dad ratted him out. It’s time for the night of the hit on the Don. His dad has made the plan. As he’s waiting on the roof and his dad should have set the fire by now he begins to question what’s wrong and then a helicopter comes in. His dad set him up. And then everything goes black. Grace is waiting for gio to come home but the footsteps she hears aren’t his. She waits prepared with wood and stabs the first shadow but it’s her uncle Toni. He tells her that the bad man is dead and she is crushed. Gio can’t be dead. She won’t make it. She is lead into the room she knows her dad takes people to and they don’t return. She thinks it’s for her but then she sees that Gio is still alive. He has been beaten and cut up badly but he’s alive. Her father attacks her and calls her a rat and she takes a knife and stabs it through his neck. She kills him. Gio begs toni to let her go and says he’ll do anything. Toni asks him why the Romanos wanted war with them and he tells him it’s over territory. He is let free and him and Grace go home. He takes her to a safe house while he disposed of his dad. He kills his dad and takes his head to Marco. He then gets Grace and Duke and they travel the world together until they get fake passports and travel the other countries. Got married in Spain and now they’re settled down in France. She’s pregnant and they’re gonna raise perfect little french babies. He’s done killing people and has plenty of money for them to survive off of for a while. I really liked Grace and Gio. Although I know I recognize their names but can’t remember what from. I think it was from the merciless world. I’m so happy they worked out. Willow is definitely big on the mafia keeping woman in a locked room trope 😂😂some of these seem very similar to the others but I like how gio was never cruel. He never harmed her.
Gios dad has lived his life on the outskirts of the Romano familia, always wishing he could be a part of them. The romanos are ringing a bell I’m trying to remember which book they’re in. Graces father is the don of the Rossi familia which I also believe has been mentioned. He wants to use her as a pawn for the romanos to pick her up and she can collect info from them. She agrees to whatever he father asks. But before she leaves she stuffs her bra with heroine she stole, enough to overdose. So she can have a way out. Gio is at dinner at the green parrot he mentions Marco Romano coming in followed by Alex and Angelo. These names sound so familiar. The romanos want Gio and his father to kill Graces uncle and then keep her as a prize and break her in. Gios father used to be a sex trafficker so he knows exactly what Marco means by break her in. His dad agrees before he can butt in. So now he needs to abduct Grace and kill her uncle. Graces dad has her leave the restaurant as bait. She is attacked by 3 men and tries to get away and they beat her until someone else steps in and it all goes black. Gio got her, drugged her. And beat the men who hurt her. He then set up her prison in his gun room. And put the bear cage in as her safe place. She wakes up in the cage but realizes the door is open. He tells her as long as she’s inside the cage he won’t harm her. She refused to eat the food he brings her. She fears leaving the cage to go to the bathroom. He brings her a peach and it’s the first thing she’s ate but she realizes it’s not enough. She shuts down again on him. But finally he gets her to come out. He holds her and feeds her and then tells her she needs a bath. He gives her set hours she can leave her cage and he won’t touch her. When he bathes her she realizes how bad she wants him so she decides to poison him. She dumps the heroine into the tea and asks him to try it to prove its not poisoned but she realizes what she’s doing and knocks the tea out of his hands and burns him and she darts to her cage and realizes what she just did. He rewinds the camera footage and sees she was actually saving him. But she’s scared of him again and won’t come out of her cage. He sees her take the chalkboard one day and she’s drawing. His dad shows up and flips out when he sees her drawing. They have a meeting with Marco and gio suggests killing the Don graces father instead of her uncle. Her uncle never leaves his house and he’ll have to leave to take over as don and then they can get him too. Marco likes the idea. Gio realizes he needs to get her to cave soon. He hardwires a tv to play porn for her. He realizes she’s fingering herself and storms in. She won’t come out so he jacks off and cums on her thigh and she comes up at the same time. She is getting so turned on by gio. He comes in her room and tells her to crawl to him and turn around. She does and he fingers her while she’s still in the cage and then he teases her with his tip and then he’s ducking her while she’s inside the cage. When he realizes she’s all the way out he Carrie’s her to the bed. They have sex and after he gives her after care. He finally breaks down her walls and has began training with her and she likes it. He knows he wants to keep her. He gets a call of someone saying they can cut off his fingers and he worries his dad ratted him out. It’s time for the night of the hit on the Don. His dad has made the plan. As he’s waiting on the roof and his dad should have set the fire by now he begins to question what’s wrong and then a helicopter comes in. His dad set him up. And then everything goes black. Grace is waiting for gio to come home but the footsteps she hears aren’t his. She waits prepared with wood and stabs the first shadow but it’s her uncle Toni. He tells her that the bad man is dead and she is crushed. Gio can’t be dead. She won’t make it. She is lead into the room she knows her dad takes people to and they don’t return. She thinks it’s for her but then she sees that Gio is still alive. He has been beaten and cut up badly but he’s alive. Her father attacks her and calls her a rat and she takes a knife and stabs it through his neck. She kills him. Gio begs toni to let her go and says he’ll do anything. Toni asks him why the Romanos wanted war with them and he tells him it’s over territory. He is let free and him and Grace go home. He takes her to a safe house while he disposed of his dad. He kills his dad and takes his head to Marco. He then gets Grace and Duke and they travel the world together until they get fake passports and travel the other countries. Got married in Spain and now they’re settled down in France. She’s pregnant and they’re gonna raise perfect little french babies. He’s done killing people and has plenty of money for them to survive off of for a while. I really liked Grace and Gio. Although I know I recognize their names but can’t remember what from. I think it was from the merciless world. I’m so happy they worked out. Willow is definitely big on the mafia keeping woman in a locked room trope 😂😂some of these seem very similar to the others but I like how gio was never cruel. He never harmed her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
December 14, 2016I have to say that I love me some dark erotica, but I just could not get into this one. I've decided to leave it here for this year and see if i can revisit it in future.
December 9, 2019
Martino Rossi is the Don of the Rossi mob family. He treats his only daughter, Grace Rossi, like complete garbage as he is bitter he never had a son. She is abused and neglected and he uses her as a set up to be kidnapped by their rival family, the Romanos. She is told to get information out of them and then the Rossis will come and rescue her. Grace agrees to this, as her plan is to run away from her life and escape from her father and the tortured and secluded life she lives. She grabs a small bag of heroin that she always kept in the event she wanted to commit suicide and hides it in her bra. Her plan to run away is foiled only a block away when she actually is kidnapped by the Romano family. She is immediately handed over into the custody of Gio, a hit man for the Romano family. Gio is a vicious and brutal killer, trained by his ruthless father Bruno. He is also completely gorgeous and fit, and honestly, who wouldn’t want to be kidnapped by that? Anyway, Grace is kept in an unlocked cage in an empty, locked room where she is constantly under Gio’s surveillance. She is his “possession” and belongs to him. She is frightened and battered from the men who kidnapped her. Gio explains that her cage is her safe space and he will not touch her as long as she is in there. However, once she leaves the cage, since she is his possession, he will do whatever he pleases with her. She is terrified and does not trust Gio, in turn running across the room to the bathroom when she thinks its the middle of the night and refusing to eat any food he brings her. She eventually becomes weak and ill and is barely hanging on in her cage. Gio’s father continually pressures him into breaking her and turning her into a slave, however he finds he has a soft spot for her and has no intent to hurt her in any way. As he begins to nurse her back to health, his kindness and gentleness towards her is enough to slowly make her trust him. Even though she is beginning to trust him, she still is holding onto a small bout of hope that she can escape and live in freedom. She takes the small bag of heroin and dumps it into a drink when Gio is not looking. She tricks him into drinking it, however, before the cup reaches his lips she realizes her feelings for him and knocks it out of his hand. Gio’s anger results in him watching the surveillance tapes and he realizes what he thought was an outburst was actually her saving him from drinking the poison.
The relationship between the two is confusing and intriguing at the same time. It is almost like psychological torture between the two, as they clearly have feelings for each other albeit the outrageous circumstances. The relationship between them does flourish, and soon Gio does whatever he can to make Grace happy within the confines of her space, including giving her an easel where she can paint. She looks forward to him visiting her and has grown happy with her new life. The two begin quite a steamy duo, and Gio only gets hotter by the moment. But when Gio’s father sets him up in the most ultimate betrayal, he is faced with death and Grace is forgotten about in her cage, wondering if her love is ever coming back for her.
This story certainly tugs at your heart strings. Both main characters are ones that never experienced true parental love in their lives. For the two of them, the love they share is the first time either has felt any sort of love or compassion. Gio seems to be such a hard as nails character, but seeing his tenderness for Grace shows that even the most dangerous of killers still can have a soft spot, especially when it comes to an abused mafia princess. Grace really takes her time learning to trust Gio, and it’s in the small moment where she knocks the poisoned drink from him that she realizes her true feelings for him. Even though she is bound to her cage and a locked room, she knows the tenderness she feels when she is with Gio is still 10 times better than the abuse she experiences with her father.
I felt this story had some slow parts but quickly picked up in the end. The twists and turns it takes will knock you off your chair, however I do have to say (without giving too much away) towards the end can be a little outrageous. There is a moment of complete bloodshed that really makes you wonder what kind of torture Grace really endured, but all in all you’ll be happy with the actual ending. It did surprise me a bit how easily Grace was able to bounce back to a normal life after being in captivity, but with Gio I think she eventually started to feel the captivity was more of an escape from her old life as opposed to the cruelty she first believed it to be.
The relationship between the two is confusing and intriguing at the same time. It is almost like psychological torture between the two, as they clearly have feelings for each other albeit the outrageous circumstances. The relationship between them does flourish, and soon Gio does whatever he can to make Grace happy within the confines of her space, including giving her an easel where she can paint. She looks forward to him visiting her and has grown happy with her new life. The two begin quite a steamy duo, and Gio only gets hotter by the moment. But when Gio’s father sets him up in the most ultimate betrayal, he is faced with death and Grace is forgotten about in her cage, wondering if her love is ever coming back for her.
This story certainly tugs at your heart strings. Both main characters are ones that never experienced true parental love in their lives. For the two of them, the love they share is the first time either has felt any sort of love or compassion. Gio seems to be such a hard as nails character, but seeing his tenderness for Grace shows that even the most dangerous of killers still can have a soft spot, especially when it comes to an abused mafia princess. Grace really takes her time learning to trust Gio, and it’s in the small moment where she knocks the poisoned drink from him that she realizes her true feelings for him. Even though she is bound to her cage and a locked room, she knows the tenderness she feels when she is with Gio is still 10 times better than the abuse she experiences with her father.
I felt this story had some slow parts but quickly picked up in the end. The twists and turns it takes will knock you off your chair, however I do have to say (without giving too much away) towards the end can be a little outrageous. There is a moment of complete bloodshed that really makes you wonder what kind of torture Grace really endured, but all in all you’ll be happy with the actual ending. It did surprise me a bit how easily Grace was able to bounce back to a normal life after being in captivity, but with Gio I think she eventually started to feel the captivity was more of an escape from her old life as opposed to the cruelty she first believed it to be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2017
Amazing story...dark, intense and captivating
Forsaken is an intensely dark romance, it’s suspenseful and intriguing.
Gio Luca works as hitman along with his father who has raised him from an early age in the criminal life of violence. Though not part of the family working on the fringes, they both work for the Romano Crime Family. Gio is one serious and professional hitman, but nothing like his cruel father. They are given a job to kidnap the daughter of their rival enemy, and she’s to be made as “gift” for enslavement.
Grace Rossie, mafia princess, knows no other life than the cruel and unforgiving one that has been handed to her. Her father, the don of the Rossie Crime Family, is the most hard-hearted and brutal man whose life is to make her the pawn in all his machinations. This time, Grace learns she is to be sacrificed in the guise of gaining information about the Romano Family. But Grace sees this as an opportunity to escape from her ruthless father and the never ending life of violence.
The story centers around Gio and Grace. They find solace with each other. Gio realizes they are both raised in cruel family situations, that both are broken, and they never chose the paths their lives have taken. Grace realizes she is to be made a sexual slave, she can’t deny the attraction she has for Gio, and craves the gentleness he shows her. She is conflicted over the rising emotions for Gio while he shows her caring human attention. The story unfolds slowly, but is very involved and emotional. I love that Gio sees Grace as the woman he wants and is determined to protect her.
There is a turn of events. When Gio’s father betrays him, what ensues is heart pounding action and suspense. At one point I was seriously thinking our hero wasn’t going to make it. Thank goodness, Grace came through finally, as a strong female towards the end. It was a perfect ending and I loved how Gio and Grace found each other and their HEA. Great story, very intense, suspenseful and engrossing. I really enjoyed this mafia romance, and the collaborative writing of Ms. Hamel and Ms. Winters is seamless and exhilarating.
I received and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Forsaken is an intensely dark romance, it’s suspenseful and intriguing.
Gio Luca works as hitman along with his father who has raised him from an early age in the criminal life of violence. Though not part of the family working on the fringes, they both work for the Romano Crime Family. Gio is one serious and professional hitman, but nothing like his cruel father. They are given a job to kidnap the daughter of their rival enemy, and she’s to be made as “gift” for enslavement.
Grace Rossie, mafia princess, knows no other life than the cruel and unforgiving one that has been handed to her. Her father, the don of the Rossie Crime Family, is the most hard-hearted and brutal man whose life is to make her the pawn in all his machinations. This time, Grace learns she is to be sacrificed in the guise of gaining information about the Romano Family. But Grace sees this as an opportunity to escape from her ruthless father and the never ending life of violence.
The story centers around Gio and Grace. They find solace with each other. Gio realizes they are both raised in cruel family situations, that both are broken, and they never chose the paths their lives have taken. Grace realizes she is to be made a sexual slave, she can’t deny the attraction she has for Gio, and craves the gentleness he shows her. She is conflicted over the rising emotions for Gio while he shows her caring human attention. The story unfolds slowly, but is very involved and emotional. I love that Gio sees Grace as the woman he wants and is determined to protect her.
There is a turn of events. When Gio’s father betrays him, what ensues is heart pounding action and suspense. At one point I was seriously thinking our hero wasn’t going to make it. Thank goodness, Grace came through finally, as a strong female towards the end. It was a perfect ending and I loved how Gio and Grace found each other and their HEA. Great story, very intense, suspenseful and engrossing. I really enjoyed this mafia romance, and the collaborative writing of Ms. Hamel and Ms. Winters is seamless and exhilarating.
I received and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
February 7, 2020
Emotionally gripping, dark and all-consuming.
This is my first book by BB Hamel, but not my first for Willow Winters. Willow is one of my all-time favorites so I knew I would love this. I'm intrigued to see what else BB writes because if it is anything like this I know I will love it.
This is a prime example of why I love dark romances. They grab at your emotions on a deeper level and have your mind ticking like a time bomb and this book did just that for me. It's a mafia romance. Both main characters are damaged beyond belief so it seems. One is a hitman and the other is about to become a sex slave, but her damage was done years ago. Gio is a train to be a hitman and never thought he would fall in love with the woman who became his sex slave. Gio wasn't really the type to fall in love. So I thought. Oh, I was wrong! He was obsessed with this woman and he wasn't giving her up for anything.
What unfolds between these pages took me on a ride of my life. Dark, twisted, all-consuming, emotional, and just completely mind f*cking. My head was spinning and my reeling with so many questions. I wasn't a fan of Gio at first. The way he was with Grace, but as the characters developed and their connection strengthened throughout the book. I couldn't help but fall in love with him and Grace together and well I was completely addicted to all things Gio by the end. Anti-hero type, broken and damaged? Yes, please!
If you like getting your feelings and mind f*cked then this book is perfect for you! I couldn't get enough!
5 Stars aren't enough for this emotionally gripping story!
This is my first book by BB Hamel, but not my first for Willow Winters. Willow is one of my all-time favorites so I knew I would love this. I'm intrigued to see what else BB writes because if it is anything like this I know I will love it.
This is a prime example of why I love dark romances. They grab at your emotions on a deeper level and have your mind ticking like a time bomb and this book did just that for me. It's a mafia romance. Both main characters are damaged beyond belief so it seems. One is a hitman and the other is about to become a sex slave, but her damage was done years ago. Gio is a train to be a hitman and never thought he would fall in love with the woman who became his sex slave. Gio wasn't really the type to fall in love. So I thought. Oh, I was wrong! He was obsessed with this woman and he wasn't giving her up for anything.
What unfolds between these pages took me on a ride of my life. Dark, twisted, all-consuming, emotional, and just completely mind f*cking. My head was spinning and my reeling with so many questions. I wasn't a fan of Gio at first. The way he was with Grace, but as the characters developed and their connection strengthened throughout the book. I couldn't help but fall in love with him and Grace together and well I was completely addicted to all things Gio by the end. Anti-hero type, broken and damaged? Yes, please!
If you like getting your feelings and mind f*cked then this book is perfect for you! I couldn't get enough!
5 Stars aren't enough for this emotionally gripping story!
June 7, 2023
There a fantastic spicy scenes in Willow Winters' book, "Forsaken." This is a mafia-themed romance with some trigger-warnings.
The story follows Grace and Gio. Grace is a mafia princess who is constantly mistreated and abused by her father. Gio is a skilled hitman for whoever will pay him. Gio is paid to kill Grace's uncle by teh Romano family and they try to sweeten the deal by gifting him Grace. Gio has no clue how Grace is going to affect him.
I acquired this book through a mystery book lover box on Willow Winters' website. I ordered a large box and it came with four books in it and this was one of the books.
Rating on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being exceptional), this is how I rank the following aspects of "Forsaken":
- Quality of writing: 9/10
- Pace: 7/10
- Plot development: 7/10
- Characters: 8/10
- Enjoyability: 7/10
- Ease of Reading: 9/10
- Spiciness: 7/10
In addition, I did enjoy reading this book. However, I did feel it was a little too stockholm syndrome for my liking. I've read mafia themed romances before but none of them included keeping their 'prey' in a literal cage. Gio is a good morally grey anti-hero but I wish Grace would have been more of her own herione. Like I said previously, I did enjoy reading this book but I know I won't be rereading it.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy mafia-themed romances. Overall, I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. ☆☆☆
The story follows Grace and Gio. Grace is a mafia princess who is constantly mistreated and abused by her father. Gio is a skilled hitman for whoever will pay him. Gio is paid to kill Grace's uncle by teh Romano family and they try to sweeten the deal by gifting him Grace. Gio has no clue how Grace is going to affect him.
I acquired this book through a mystery book lover box on Willow Winters' website. I ordered a large box and it came with four books in it and this was one of the books.
Rating on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being exceptional), this is how I rank the following aspects of "Forsaken":
- Quality of writing: 9/10
- Pace: 7/10
- Plot development: 7/10
- Characters: 8/10
- Enjoyability: 7/10
- Ease of Reading: 9/10
- Spiciness: 7/10
In addition, I did enjoy reading this book. However, I did feel it was a little too stockholm syndrome for my liking. I've read mafia themed romances before but none of them included keeping their 'prey' in a literal cage. Gio is a good morally grey anti-hero but I wish Grace would have been more of her own herione. Like I said previously, I did enjoy reading this book but I know I won't be rereading it.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy mafia-themed romances. Overall, I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. ☆☆☆
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