High Stakes (Vittorio Crime Family Book 1)

This was a kindle unlimited selection.

There is a problem when the only way you feel when you finish reading a book is annoyed. I pushed through despite a dragging middle and two dimensional characters because I expected at the end I'd get the reward of a HEA. So I get to the end and the next thing I read - on the same page where the next paragraph would be -is the description for a sequel. It lays out the fact that the HEA I just spent 324 pages trying to get to was just a HFN because it explains that she is being extorted and has to leave him to save his life. So I didn't get a HEA which led to my epic case of annoyance. I have no intention of reading the sequel and while I like the author's voice and style, I am so annoyed I most likely wouldn't try another book by this author.

I received an ARC eBook in exchange for an honest review! This is a dark romance between a mob captain and a beautifully flawed struggling college student. They meet by accident but their chemistry is undeniably explosive! I won't deny that there are some parts that made me uncomfortable but the overall story was so fascinating, gritty and pure romance that I could easily overlook the uncomfortable violence and profanity that made me uncomfortable. I was swept away to a world I would never personally know (thank God) and immersed in a violent and often turbulent romance of intense passion! I loved Adranna and Vince's story and recommend it to romance readers who want to visit a different world from their own! This is the first novel I have read by Vanessa Waltz and it most certainly won't be my last!

I absolutely love Vanessa Waltz's writing. I have read 5+ of her works. I was first introduced to Vincent in one of her other books and he definitely left you wanting more. The story flowed well and honestly it was hard to put down. There is definitely chemistry with the characters. In the story Vincent is into some more kinky sexual needs and Ade fulfills them. My complaint is that I really didn't find it as believable on her part. She just seemed that she went with it. Overall it was good and I cant wait to read the sequel.

The writing is somewhat better than the usual run of this genre. At least there is a plot although slow to unfold. The heroine Adriana is not a sympathetic character. She is an emotional wreck throughout, has no backbone and makes one bad decision after another. It's hard to empathize with someone who drinks excessively and is a kleptomaniac. She is supposed to be twenty-three but is only a sophomore? There is no explanation for why she is 3-4 years behind. I wish authors would make their heroines stronger and more resourceful. What is the attraction in making women drunks?

Thirteen years ago, Adriana Baldino saw a masked man cut her dad's throat in their kitchen and had nightmares since. No one was ever brought to justice for the crime. Now ten years later she's at Columbia University in New York evading her greedy mom who's sucking every dime out of her with her wants. She was tired of seeing her wealthy roommate buying new clothes and makeup, for once she wanted what other girls had instead of a leech mother!! Maria and her were invited to a high stakes card game and she was anxious to see if she come learn new tricks, she had played with her dad and none one in collrge wanted to play as she always won. At the glitzy hotel they were short of a dealer and she was talked into dealing cards. The doors flew open and everyone greeted the drop dead gorgeous man striding in a black suit and she wanted him as she wanted no other man in her life, but at her dorm Maria told her to reject his offer of a job as he was with the mob! How could she returned the three thousand dollars in her purse and she wanted to take the job and really needed the money......

Ms. Waltz spins one terrific story about a young girl that never had her mother's love. Eventually Adriana is caught up in the sordid life of the mob family and falls in love with her boss Vince Cesare. When she learns too much, Vince offers her an out but does she take it and lose the only person that ever treated her nice and seems to love her?

Wow, this story was completely captivating and nothing like I've ever read. Adrianne is a college student who decides to deal cards for Vincent, a captain in the mob. But when she needs money to pay off her family's debts, she finds herself deeper in the mob than she could imagine. I was hooked from the beginning! The action that plays out had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I loved the characters. Adrianne was a feisty female who doesn't want to owe anyone money, while Vincent was a dark, powerful man who beats anyone who messes with her.

This is the first time I've read anything by this author, but it definitely won't be the last! If you like mafia romances, I would recommend this one to you. You won't be disappointed!

*I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*

She wasn't a bad author. Overall I understood why she wrote the novel the way she did, but my biggest gripe was the female lead. She personified weak characters. She had no growth. There were several scenes where I said to myself, "she is not that naive. It's not possible." It really bothered me. I thought it was terrible. My preference is novels with strong female leads who may be battling issues but you can see how they are working to grow, etc. This was not the book.

This is Adriana and Vincent's story.

I enjoyed the story however, I found Adriana annoying because she said she knows who Vincent is (Mafia Boss) and that she does not care she still wants to be with him. Then every time he protects her by hurting someone else she then starts to be fearful and looking for a way out. If you are going to be with a man in the Mafia then you better be prepared for some violence. Apart from this element of the story a good read!

I am completely torn regarding how to rate and review this book, so I'm going middle of the fence with 2.5. On the pros side, the writing is well done, the editing is good, and the characters are well developed. On the negative side, while I expected sex, I didn't expect so much or for it to be so violent. The blurb mentioned a bit of kink, but this was well beyond that. I get that a lot of readers are into dominant/submissive type relationships, and to each his or her own, but this came off as degrading violent at times. So, while I did like the characters, and I do have some interest in knowing what happens to them, I am really not sure I will read the next book. I am torn between reading it to see if the author uses it to redeem the relationship and avoiding it because I don't want to read more of the same. I chose to read this book based on all the positive recommendations, so obviously it floats somebody's boat, just not mine.

I love strong alpha males. Vincent is the very definition of the Alpha male. Loved Adriana who is intelligent and strong and loved to be controlled by an alpha male. Vincent is definitely a bad boy. Can't wait for part 2. I just gave this book a 4 star because of needs for editing.

Kindle Unlimited. Well it was an intense book. He's part of the mob....pretty high up. She's a college student who loves cards. A chance meeting has them involved in a relationship that is really dysfunctional but seems to work for them. A little harsh for my tastes but a good story.

You can tell the author is intelligent. Her characters are so smart and well crafted. In this day in age with all the indie authors out there its hard to stand out, and Vanessa Waltz is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. There's something about the flow of her writing, like it has a cadence, that lulls you into the story and keeps you there till you're finished. She's going to be one of those authors I buy purely because I know Ms. Waltz can tell a story!

What a story this was too! I love a story that is so different than what I would consider to be "real life". This is not some light hearted romance with a happily ever after. (it does have a "hea" though)

The characters stayed true throughout the novel. Vince is not a good man, never apologizes for it, never says he'll change, and he doesn't. I love that Adrianna overcame a tough childhood, is taking care of herself and her sorry excuse for a mother, goes to Columbia University. She's not some sweeter than life girl though. She's tough and has her own vices. That made her more likable as a character to me. More "human".

I really enjoyed "watching" these two come together. I felt like they truly had great chemistry. The sex scenes were hot and had me blushing. Seriously... some of the best I've read lately.

ready for more Ms. Waltz!

(I did receive an arc of this book, and this is my honest review and opinion)

Well, I'm going against the grain here - everyone else seems to have loved it. That's actually one of the reasons I purchased this one. I've been in a bit of a book slump lately - so many less-than-stellar reads out there - so, after reading the reviews and downloading the sample, I thought this was going to be the one that broke the drought. Unfortunately, the sample finishes at the crucial point when the heroine, Adriana, first meets the hero, Vincent. To that point, she was interesting - not perfect, a bit angsty, but also ballsy. Then she meets Vincent and I felt it all went south. She was besotted on sight. All she could think about was getting it on with him and it didn't matter what he said or did, she was going to get down and dirty as soon as possible. And believe me, Vincent did some pretty low things outside the bedroom to other people. In the bedroom, he was simply into treating Adriana in a demeaning way that didn't have any saving grace (such as mind-blowing, out-of-this-world sex - it was actually a bit ho-hum, really). About 2/3 in, I was done. I couldn't stomach the heroine's determination to adore a mafia thug, no matter what he did. Maybe there's redemption in the final pages, I couldn't be bothered to find out, particularly when page flicking also revealed it has a sequel. Not for me - probably better suited to those who like their men on the wrong side of the law and drifting around in motorcycle gangs.

Well, I'm going against the grain here - everyone else seems to have loved it. That's actually one of the reasons I purchased this one. I've been in a bit of a book slump lately - so many less-than-stellar reads out there - so, after reading the reviews and downloading the sample, I thought this was going to be the one that broke the drought. Unfortunately, the sample finishes at the crucial point when the heroine, Adriana, first meets the hero, Vincent. To that point, she was interesting - not perfect, a bit angsty, but also ballsy. Then she meets Vincent and I felt it all went south. She was besotted on sight. All she could think about was getting it on with him and it didn't matter what he said or did, she was going to get down and dirty as soon as possible. And believe me, Vincent did some pretty low things outside the bedroom to other people. In the bedroom, he was simply into treating Adriana in a demeaning way that didn't have any saving grace (such as mind-blowing, out-of-this-world sex - it was actually a bit ho-hum, really). About 2/3 in, I was done. I couldn't stomach the heroine's determination to adore a mafia thug, no matter what he did. Maybe there's redemption in the final pages, I couldn't be bothered to find out, particularly when page flicking also revealed it has a sequel. Not for me - probably better suited to those who like their men on the wrong side of the law and drifting around in motorcycle gangs.

Really a good Mafioso book. Loved the intrigue and suspense. Adriana character really grows in this Book. You feel so connected to her. I just love how the relationship between her and Vinny grow and blooms. Steamy and thrilling erotic scenes.

This book was made available to me, by the author, in return for an honest review. Thank you, Vanessa, for
being generous and allowing me to explore this world. Your an amazing storyteller.

This book completely blew me away. It's a well written dark romance with real flawed characters. I was hooked from page one and finished reading first day. Couldn't put it down. Adriana is by far my favorite character. Her emotions, inner turmoils and quirks made her so real, believable. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Highly recommend.

Double Blind (Vittorio Crime Family #2)

It's really know surprise that I liked this book. Because it reads so similarly to a book I had read several months before entitled "Monster In His Eyes" by J M Darhower. Both guys had ties to the mafia. Both guys became involved with a college aged girl whose life had been touched by some criminal activity. Both guys are able to seduce the heroine with their sophistication, wealth, and charm before the heroine realizes what a monster they are truly involved with. Then it's too late for them to escape. Even the heroines prshare similar background circumstances. Vincent in this story is hot and sexy. He is all alpha male, but he still can't hold a candle to Ignazcio "Naz" Vitals from Monster In His Eyes". Ignacio's character is the epitome of dark, brooding, alpha male(in a good way). He is without a doubt scary (all in a good way). I gave this book three stars because of it's blatant similarities to J M Darhower book. However I still recommend it. But after you read this one or even before reading this one; read "Monster In His Eyes".

This book was an amazing book. It is so different from most books in this genre that are what we read. It is not anything you expect, but SO much more. I loved it all. I only hope that there is another book to follow on to it to let you see what happens to them later in the future. It did have a wonderful ending, but I would like to see where this one goes in the next phase of their lives as well.

Wow! Hot, Hot, Hot. Vincent is the perfect Alpha male, so fierce and protective. Adriana, a college student begins dealing cards for some illegal card games and starts falling for Vincent. I could not put it down, fast paced and so sexy. As the warning notes it is on the darker side with violence and kink. This is a sexy, entertaining read that you won’t want to see end. Highly Recommend!

I loved this mob book and the characters. If you love an alpha male with a side of kink you will enjoy this thoroughly. Vincent makes my mouth water for more. This book doesn't leave with a cliffhanger but book 2 follows the same characters.

Liked the characters and the storyline. Bought book two when I was about 1/3 thru so I could immediately move on to it. Really like that it is only two books for Vince and Ade's story. Highly recommend