Enchant

Eagle Elite #4.7

by Rachel Van Dyken

(Alternate cover edition of ASIN B00SNS2TGO.)

Stand Alone Prequel to the Eagle Elite Series

In the mafia...only the strong survive.
Joyce loves Luca.
Luca loves Joyce.
Frank loves his family and will do anything to protect it, even if it means taking away his brothers reason for existing.
Falling, only takes one step, one movement of the chess piece, and in Joyce's fall she took more than just one heart with her. Go back to the beginning where the drama of the Elect all starts.
Go back to the first part of the story.
Where true love tried to conquer all.
Where true love...failed.

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Novella, Contemporary, Dark, Mafia Romance, Contemporary Romance

38 pages, ebook

First published January 22, 2015

About the author

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of mafia and contemporary romances.

Hey guys I'm rarely on Goodreads, if you need to reach me feel free to email!
EMAIL ME: rachelvandykenauthor@gmail.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-...

Reviews

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short novella is a must read for all you Eagle Elite fans out there!

This doesn't happen very often but this story left me in tears and reminded me that life isn't always fair.



This is the story of two brothers, Franck and Luca, and the woman they both love but only one of them gets to keep forever.



She wants one of them but life has another plan for him. The other one wants her but knows her heart is going to be hard to get.

In the end which one will get to keep her forever and save her life?

Luca?



Or Frank?



You can read this story FREE on Wattpad.

http://www.wattpad.com/story/26066060...

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short. A true story of lies, deceit, love and betrayal.

So it’s onto Elite for me now.

[Bj · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 "Star-Crossed Patriarchs" Stars for the story and narration!

This title is presently available for free on Audible's Romance Channel! Having fallen in love with books 1 and 2 last year (which were published by Hachette Audio), I had been hoping that the rest of this series would be recorded on audio. Thankfully Blackstone Audio has answered my call with this prequel series novella and books 3, 4 and 7. Hopefully the rest will be shortly forthcoming!

For lovers of the Elite Eagle Series, a fantastic new-adult mafia romance series, this short (just a little over an hour long novella) provides an interesting perspective about the patriarchs of two of the present day mafia families. As history is doomed to repeat itself, understanding this little gem helps put books 1 & 2 in context (and helped refresh my mind about the suspense series arc, as it has been about a year since those were released) and now I'm ready to dive right in to book 3, Entice, containing Chase's story. Best of all, if you already listened to the first two books and already own the Kindle version (like I do), Entice is just $2.99 on Audible!

Source: Romance Channel Audible listen.

[Lauren ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure why I skipped this book when I originally read the series but I am glad I finally picked it up as I do love reading about Grandma Alfero.

Enchant is the prequel for Eagle Elite and follows the turbulent love relationship of Luca and Joyce. Basically their story is a love and lost story and Frank Alfero was the one to break them apart in order to protect the family... all for blood.

STORY PLOT

Joyce has always been infatuated with Luca Alfero and the feeling has always been mutual, it is just Luca never acted on it. Finally, Luca shows his emotions for Joyce and claims for as his own and promises to always love her and be hers. The thing, there is always a time clock hanging over someone's head in the mafia and Luca's number is about to be called. Frank used Joyce as a pawn to get Luca to take the position as boss in the Nicolasi family. Frank's plan is successful but at a great cost. Both Luca and Joyce are lost souls that don't have space in their hearts to love another. There are many regrets and hatred Joyce has in her life but having her son, Trace (her granddaughter), and loving Luca was not one of them. Even though Joyce's story will shake Trace's world and how she perceived her grandparents relationship, it is an important story for her to tell that will ultimately save her life as well as her true love, Nixon Abandonato.

OVERALL

⤏ This 9 chapter + epilogue prequel is relatively short being ~40 pages. It gives readers an understanding on the dynamic between Joyce/Frank/Luca which I did like! Side note, if you are intrigued by their story, Hurt shows more about Luca/Joyce relationship. That story is also entries from Joyce's journal!

⤏ The telling of the story is unique as it is intended to read like a journal entry. This was Joyce's diary that she left Tracey with when she passed away. Joyce wanted her love story with Luca (who is Trace's great uncle) to be known to Trace in order to teach her about the rarity of true love and losing that as well as to know that no matter what happens Luca would be there for her.

⤏ It is told from MULTIPLE CHARACTER POVs (Luca, Joyce, Frank + Nixon's in the epilogue)

✨ Why did I rate it only 3 stars? ✨

This is the relationship development: infatuation/jealousy (chapter 1) ➵ i love you (chapter 3-7) ➵ lost love/ broken hearts (chapter 8-9). I feel that it could of been a little longer to develop the relationship instead of showing this great love go from infatuation to true soul crushing love, real quick.

Eagle Elite series
*Many of my ratings are old and I am due for a re-read for many of these books. Which hopefully I get to soon!

⊶✞⊷ Main Character Books ⊶✞⊷
#0.5 Enchant ⤑ 3 stars
#1 Elite ⤑ 5 stars
#1.5 Enforce ⤑ 5 stars
↳ (same story as Elite but told from the four boys POV)
#2 Elect ⤑ 5 stars
#3 Entice ⤑ 4 stars
#4 Elicit ⤑ 4 stars
#5 Ember ⤑ 5 stars
#6 Elude ⤑ DNF
#7 Empire ⤑ 3 stars
#8 Enrage ⤑ 5 stars
#9 Eulogy ⤑ 5 stars

⊶✞⊷ Characters set in EE World ⊶✞⊷
Bang Bang: Eagle Elite ⤑ 4 stars
Exposed ⤑ 4 stars
#9.5 Envy ⤑ 3 stars

⊶✞⊷ Novellas ⊶✞⊷
#1.6 Evoke ⤑ 3 stars
A Very Mafia Christmas ⤑ 5 stars
↳ It is for FREE via Prolific Works & I recommend reading before Enrage
#4.5 Enamor ⤑ 5 stars
Hurt ⤑ 5 stars
↳ This story is included in an anthology, it is called Enrapture. I recommend reading this after Elect

[Aleja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lo odio pero lo amo a la vez.

Este tipo de situaciones, que ocurren en este libro, me hacen sentir una desesperanza gigante. Se me hace un hueco en el pecho del dolor e impotencia.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally starting this series! And I'm still sobbing over my mp3 after reading this!

[Valentina "TinchyB" · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love mobsters. Amen!

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ehm. I didn't understand the point of it? I probably should've read the other books in the series before reading this? Doesn't really matter though I guess, it's a one-star rating or me.

[bookmarkbelles · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[♡ Jeri's Book Attic ♡ Jeri the Romance Bibiliophile ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Cami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This seems like it will be an exciting series from this prequel but I don't think it will be a series I like.

I'm not a huge fan of love triangles. I also don't like a lot of violence and gore and this seems like a series that will be full of it.

If that is your thing then you might want to look into this series. Seems like an exciting nail biter array of books.

[Kim Brewing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really sure how to rate this...it said #0.5 but I think I should have read book 1 first. I think I'm going to go with 3 (which means I liked it) but I feel like I missed something.

[Gina *loves sunshine* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another little Novella to add to the Eagle Elite series. GR has this marked as book .05, the prequel to this series - but was obviously written after the author started the series - so really it's backstory. It's not really a book setting up the series in my opinion.

I am reading this about half way through the series, I think at the authors recommended reading spot, maybe at 4.5?? Which I don't think was the most beneficial. It would have been nice to have this backstory earlier on, before Luca and Frank became such major figures in the series. But really it's too short and not detailed enough to make it the prequel - you won't get the full effect. So I would probably recommend reading it after you read Elite and Elect.

[Elle Golden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really intriguing.

This was a short story, a prequel in the Eagle Elite series, and also my first book by this author.
I can say it won't be my last one.

In its few pages, the book had intrigue, betrayal, sexiness, love and it all made me even more curious about the whole story. This series sounds promising.

[Jackie Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a hard time remembering who the case of characters was and I wish I could have read the books in the current order, but I started the series well before the novellas were added in.

For such a short novella, this one certainly packed a punch.

I was upset at how things played out, but as I looked back, I remembered how much I love Frank in future book and can see how this jaded Luca for future books.

4 stars

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was a short story but it really packed a punch. I'm sitting here with tears running down my face. I loved getting a peek into Luca, Joyce and Frank's past and reading about where it all began.

Then again, hate only breeds more hate, more anger, and in the end, I was gifted with a beautiful family, a beautiful life, would I take it all back?
Some days yes.
Some days no.

[Kim BookJunkie ~ Editor & Proofreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** Review of audiobook ***

Holy wow! So much happens in this super quick introduction to what appears to be an exciting organized crime series! Because this audiobook was only 65 minutes long, it did feel rushed to me. A TON is jam-packed, so I was actually confused on several occasions, not knowing whether events were happening on the same day or whether time has sprung ahead. Regardless, everything I did understand was exciting, sexy, suspenseful and unpredictable. Also, unlike most romances, there weren’t just 2 main characters but 3! And best of all, each had their own narrator which I absolutely loved, especially since all the narrators were phenomenal! I most definitely will be reading on to see what happens next!!!

[Quinn's Quippy Quotes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daaaaaaaaang!!!!!

That was really good! While reading this I never really put too much thought about how Joyce played into the Eagle Elite crew, but once finally putting the pieces together, was very eye opening. But then for it to finish with Nixon, damn you Rachel! You are good, girl. You are good.

[Robin Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I would have enjoyed this story more if I had read it after I read Elite. But it's interesting background to what I'm currently reading. I can tell already that I'm going to love this series. Mafia, mean rich kids and spunky farm girl...oh my!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but sweet. Provided a great insight to this series, and I really enjoyed getting to know Luca and Frank. Poor Joyce :(

A sad ending but these things happen.

A great way to open up a surely brilliant series.

[Selipperydickdip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some how I think that I'm gonna regret reading this series ... but how could I not ...so far I'm too far gone not to read it.

[Courtenay Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Luca 💔 still another awesome piece of the puzzle!!

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars - Enchant is a quick novella that serves as a prequel to the Eagle Elite series. This story was all consuming, making reading the series an absolute must. Rachel Van Dyken has me so intrigued by her thrilling mafia world that I didn’t hesitate to dive into the story and connect with the characters. While short, Enchant is straight to the point, examining the beginning of the mafia war to follow. The names Alfero, Nicolasi, and Abandantos are thrown around for the first time, as we learn about the birth of rivalry and revenge amongst the families. Rachel Van Dyken gives just enough insight into the inner workings of the mafia to leave me wanting to be swallowed into this world of hers.

If there is one thing Rachel Van Dyken excels at, it’s infusing emotion into her stories. It doesn’t matter the nature of the scene, if there is an emotional undercurrent driving the characters’ actions, Rachel will expose it and deliver it to the reader to experience. I felt the passion and heartache of Joyce and Luca’s connection right alongside the gut-wrenching guilt of Frank’s lies. Joyce’s eternal sadness and Luca’s thirst for revenge filled me with a sense of foreboding as to the nature of this series. With Enchant, Rachel Van Dyken provides just the smallest hint of the tangled web of lies, surprising relationships, unimaginable betrayal, and absolute loyalty awaiting readers in the Eagle Elite Series.

[Angela Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

So when I started this novella I was all in. I love a good mob story. Luca and Frank are two brothers who love the same woman. I do not normally love a love triangle story but I forgave it because MOB Story.

I loved the way this novella was written. I love when an author has the story as a diary. When it is written that way it makes me feel as though I am living the life of the one writing the diary. This entire was heartbreaking not only for Joyce, the MC, but also for both Frank and Luca. Both brothers lost something they care about. For Frank it was his brother and for Luca it was Joyce.

Even though this was a quick listen I got a lot of information. What threw me off was the fact the series is about a college. I have never listened or read anything from Rachel Van Dyken so I did not know this series was about a college. I was expecting some more mob life but I was wrong. I think I am going to listen to the first book just to see what this series is about because I loved the prequel.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those of you that want to know more of the love between Joyce and Luca, then grab this novella. You will see how Luca and Joyce's love effected her marriage to Frank and what Frank did knowing that his wife was in love with his brother. Sometimes LOVE makes us do crazy things... It always allows us to look the other way sometimes. This is a great novella to show us a different side of Frank that we never see. Could he have a heart after all???

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one, but I had a hard time remembering who was who. I felt sorry for Janet and Luca, both were played. I was a bit surprised that Janet was able to forgive Frank and make a life with him. I'm not sure that I could have.

[Jodie Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

How it began with Traces grandparents Joyce and frank. Joyce loved franks brother Luca but was told he was killed, to be safe she reluctantly agreed to marry Frank.

But secrets come out and frank was not as innocent as he seemed. Even if he thought he was doing it for the right reasons

Xx

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read previously forgot to rate...smh

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eeeee! I know this was a short teaser into the series but I'm so glad I read it. I really think the info will be good to have as I get deeper into it. Loved it!

[valeria · Rating 3 out of 5]

no puedo creer que Frank traicionara de esa forma a Luca y Joyce