Murder is my trade, and I’m as bad they come. Hitmen never settle.
New town, new job, and a girl to warm my bed. All part of the job, with one hitch that's got me in knots.
The new girl's name is Fawn, but she’s more like a minx. Every time she makes eyes at me, I want to rip her clothes off. I’m counting down the minutes 'til I get her alone—in my bed, on the counter, anywhere I damned well please.
She knows what I am and hates my guts, but she needs my protection.
There’s a man after her who makes me look like a saint, and I can’t leave her to the wolves after what I’ve done.
I killed to claim her. I'll make her my bride to save her, even if I have to drag her to the altar.
Vanessa Waltz is an author of Dark Bad Boy Romance and lives in Seattle with her two ill-behaved cats.
Before she settled in Seattle, she lived in Northern California where she studied English Literature at San Jose State University. She pursued a career in medicine before making an about-face to write full-time. She also pens psychological thrillers as Rachel Hargrove.
She enjoys beer tasting, live music venues, and singing her heart out at horrified bar patrons.
Vanessa is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
The Hitman's Bride was a quick fun read. The absolute highlight was the chemistry between Silas and Fawn. Vanessa Waltz does a fantastic job when it comes to graphic detail, wether it be the sexual heat between the pair or the violence depicted. I did find it a little disjointed, a book of two halves if you will. I was tempted to give a score of 3 but the fact I read it in one sitting is evidence enough I more than enjoyed it.
I received this for a honest review. WOW!!!! Vanessa Waltz always does such an amazing job. Silas is one sexy man. He is everything you would look for in a bad boy.
Fawn, I just loved her character. She was not this spoiled girl like you would think. She was feisty and flirty. She loved pushing her father to the limits, but she knew how far she could go. She did love playing with danger. Her father set on the council of the Black Dragons Syndicate. She had a thing for this hitman her dad use. She found Silas way to sexy. She knew she was flirty with danger.
Silas knew every time he looked Fawn’s way he was playing with danger. Her father had already threaten him. It is not long before Silas finds himself in between a rock and hard place. He could not help but want her. His body ached for her.
It is not long before Silas finds himself married to the feisty woman. Sorry you will have to read the book to find out how Silas ended up married to Fawn, but trust me you do want to know. It is a very interesting journey.
Silas and Fawn find themselves in a dangerous place. Both will have to decided how far they will go to protect the other. Silas finds himself being order to do things that goes against everything he stands for. Can Silas and Fawn survive everything they must go through?
This was an amazing book. It is a little on the dark side, but trust me it is well worth a read. If you have ever read anything of Vanessa Waltz then you already know you are in for a real treat.
Silas he knows how to calm his woman down, which is a nice term for placating her, “take me out? Like—on a date?” I smile into her hair as she fights to keep the glee out of her voice. Jackpot." There's a lot more to Silas then meets the eye and when Fawn and him get together they're insatiable: "You haven’t effed me in a while.” I watch as the smile turns feral. “Did you forget this morning?” “I want more.” He lets out a growl—part frustration and part burgeoning lust. I rip open his button-down shirt, sliding my hand over his incredible body. I really enjoyed this book, I loved Silas.
This is a strong start to a new world by Vanessa Waltz. Similar to her other books, this has a dark and gritty feel to it with a super alpha hero. At first I didn't really care for the heroine, Fawn (even he seems to not be real keen on her name), but by the end she puts aside the immaturity and whining and there's a really strong kick a$$ woman revealed. The two of them have great chemistry and I especially liked Silas/Michael's singular attraction and commitment (of sorts that progresses with the story). The book kicks off strongly and then somehow it went to a level of intensity, and at times gruesome, visual picture that all had me sitting on the edge of my seat. It played out like a movie and I couldn't put the book down. I'm looking forward to future books from this series of a weird cult-like mafia gang thingy thing (it's kind of dark and a unique world, we'll go with that).
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review (thank you!).
Life within the Syndicate isn´t easy, and as a woman? Your rights lie with the company you keep, or your man. When Fawn finds herself without means to survive in the Syndicate she´s facing a troublesome decision. Not willing to leave, she´ll have to find another way. Silas is an assassin for hire, but this last mission puts him face to face with a girl he can´t resist. When fate intervenes, will he take the challenge, or leave her behind? Dark romance, smut and action in a great combo. I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
When Silas gets called on a job by a mob leader his daughter tempts him like crazy but Silas never stays still long. When Viper the man he has been wanting to take revenge on asked him to kill the same mob leader he takes the job and then sleeps with his daughter Fawn. Viper set up Silas so that viper could take over and he banished Fawn to the whorehouse. Silas decides to keep Fawn for himself to save her but he may have sentenced her to die anyway. Lots of suspense mixed with terror and romance, Fawn is a pretty strong character even if she was a pampered princess.
I absolutely love Vanessa's work. I can pick up one of her books and I can't put it down until I'm finished. You won't regret reading this book, I can guarantee it!
This book wasn't bad but Silas was a little soft hearted for my taste. He had to much of a conscience to be a good hitman. Fawn was okay but I would have slapped that bitch multiple times. She was a bit of a baby.
Good read, Fawn and Micheal, the teasing, tension between them. It was entertaining to watch. I loved how fawn was fighter and how micheal was able to make peace. It was nice to see that
Wow just WOW lord have mercy! If you are looking for a bad boy who is a HOT alpha man in the syndicate, who likes to play rough and get his way long with having HOT sex and can push all your right buttons you have found it. There is no doubt this is a mafia romance at its finest. It is pretty easy to work out who did it which you will be party correct. However the twist in this book is mind blowing and will keep you guessing.
Men can be so blind as Thane shows us over and over again. He needs to learn to ask and not take. I do have to give it to him in the way he got her back was very classy and smart. Maybe classy is not the correct work but WOW oh WOW that was something else. I did not care for how he treated her when he got her back that was just uncalled for and again controlling. I do understand he was afraid she would leave again but dang….
I did not like Violet at all but you aren’t suppose to. I thought Thane was a little much and over powering it does work well with his character. He has control issues as well as being overly bossy. I have to say I didn’t see most of this coming and I would have most likely have killed Thane in his sleep if not face to face for the crap he put Christine through. I thought some of it was uncalled for and just his way to push her around getting control and what he wants. At times I really liked him and at other times I would have loved to put him in his place. The one I felt for the most was Christine from start to finish she deserves a metal for putting up with the entire BS.
I would have liked to have read about her leaving and all that went with that as well as something else which I can’t remember. I thought this was really well thought out with a great plot and A LOT of twist and turns that will blow your mind. There is no doubt this is a HOT read with some major sex scenes that will give you hot flashes. If you do not like hot, hot, hot scenes this is not the book for you. The author gives you and outstanding read filled with heartache, lies, murder, secrets, and betrayal on all sides. There are characters that will blow your mind, some you just want to pull right out of the book to keep them safe. There is no doubt this is one author that know how to keep her readers captivate giving them an exciting read that will keep them on the edge of their seat unable to put it down.
This is the kind of plot that makes me drool Let's say that metaphorically or I'll spook you ;o) Still...
Hitman. (My muscles were clenching)
A boss' daughter that has the hots for him, but is untouchable. (Me wants this right now)
Dangerous man, forbidden woman, bullets and sparks everywhere. (Oh, yeah, I'm sold, packed and on my way to dark romance heaven!)
The plot was hard and unforgiving. The relationship between Silas and Fawn seemed doomed. Yay. Even the characters were interesting as he has a damaging past and she understands mafia life from inside. I wanted to know more about them when I reached the end.
From the first chapter with a bloody introduction to Sila's job as an assassin to the first encounters with Fawn and their harsh, hot, heart-pounding chemistry, this story had me enthralled.
It's dark, it's violent, it's as sexy as sin, and every scene was full of injustice, horrid mobsters, dangerous secrets as sharp as a knife and carnal excitement that will heat your body no matter where you are or who you are.
Expect to have crazy fun with a criminal syndicate steeped in debauchery and carnage, and find yourself deep in a world of vendettas, murder and the steamiest relationship ever between a bold, helpless and brave woman and her perfectly mind-blowing hitman.
I've read several novels by this author and always enjoyed them, eagerly waiting for the next release. This one, wow. It's really intense. A blood-curdling nemesis, a dark hero, a relentless heroine. More desperate sensuality that I could dream of, a strong narrative that made me crave the outcome as much as the protagonists. Any drawbacks? Let me think... too much oral gratification for the male character? ;o) I'll let you decide.
The novel is fantastic with a brutal plot and abundant sexy times. This new Bad Boy Empire series is going to be such a temptation!
Silas has been a hitman for hire, a contract killer for years. He serves no loyalty to any family or organization. He has always worked for himself and himself alone, having no one to answer for and taking the clients he wanted instead of orders, never staying in one place too long. He’s only ever been able to depend on himself, ever since he was a child living on the streets. But he stayed in one place, longer than the others. Not only had he returned to his home city, but he stayed because of an enticing young woman, the daughter of board director for the crime organization.
Fawn lived an extremely sheltered life. Her father was one of the board directors for the Black Dragons crime syndicate. She wasn’t allowed out of their apartment, except to help out in the organization’s hospital and had very few other freedoms. She wasn’t allowed to date and men were not allowed to flirt with her, touch her, let alone date her. Men were barely allowed to look at her. She wanted more from her life and wanted to change the Black Dragons from within. They were the only home she had ever known and she couldn’t fathom leaving, even though she hated much about her life and her father.
But the Black Dragons organization is about to implode and drastic changes are on the horizon that cannot be foreseen. No one is safe and people will die, but some will be saved and will save others. Fawn needs Silas and Silas wants Fawn, and they are able to do better together than they ever would apart. But getting Fawn to the altar may be a challenge when truths come to light. Silas will have to do everything in his power to marry her in order to protect her.
If you like bad boys, you definitely want one that's willing to kill for you. If he's not, he really can't be considered a bad boy, can he? But, one that not only will kill for you, but does it for a living? I had to wonder if I'd love him, or see him more as a villain. I'm glad to say that Silas fell into the prior category. I LOVED him!! Yes, I want my very own Silas, please and thank you.
What makes the book even better is Fawn. I'm am NOT a fan of weepy, weak heroine. The ones that need the hero to rescue them, console them, be their backbone, cook every meal, carry them to the bathroom because they're just too weak to make it their on their own two legs without collapsing into a pile of tears, all while rejecting every advance the hero makes while secretly ogling his tight abs and fantasizing about his...... *sigh* I want to smack the sh*t out of those women. I didn't want to smack Fawn, I wanted to hug her. Thank you, Fawn, for having a back bone, having no qualms to admitting and accepting what you desire, and handling a hitman like a BOSS!!
I love Vanessa Waltz's stories, and I always fall in love with her characters. This book continues her winning streak! WOOOHOOO
I would have liked to see Viper receive some Tommy level retribution. But, maybe deep down I'm a sadist and don't realize it. *grin* I can't blame the author for that!
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. **
I have to say that Vanessa Waltz is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and an auto buy for me. When I read the blurb of this story I was intrigued. It's not the first time I read a book where the hero kills someone to marry the girl so I was like alright I'm on board I'll give it a chance. Then while I was reading and found out who our boy had killed I was what!? Okay how's the author going to handle it? Well, very well in my opinion. I can't go into too much detail of the story because then I would be giving it away.
But I will say that the characters are part of the Black Dragons Syndicate and have to deal with the politics and power plays that come with it. Silas, our hero, is a hitman and works for one of the men who sit on the council for BDS but Silas doesn't really want anything to do with the Syndicate. This man has a very pretty daughter, Fawn, who likes to flirt with all the men that come to see her dad.
Well this time she might have flirted with the wrong guy because he won't put up with her teasing and be left wanting, oh no not for our boy.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a bit dark but if you have an open mind it shouldn't be a problem. Give this book a try! :)
This was an immensely enthralling and gripping book to read, which I enjoyed very much. It was very well-written, extremely sensual - though tasteful, and there were plenty of twists and turns to keep the story interesting. Silas is a hitman, constantly moving and never staying in one place more than a few days, until he starts working for the Black Dragons Syndicate. Silas doesn’t want to get involved in their politics, but is drawn in when Viper, a psychotic from his past, forces his hand. Every man knew that Ryan had an unusual fixation on his daughter’s private life, but Fawn is infatuated with Silas, even when he does the unthinkable; nevertheless, their lives become inexplicable entwined. Silas and Viper have history from their childhood, that cannot be erased, and Silas has to do everything he can to protect Fawn. He cannot repeat the same mistakes he made as a child – but can he finally forgive himself and move on? This is certainly a book I would recommend; the story has many facets to keep the reader intrigued and flows effortlessly. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this story. this is the most descriptive book I have read in a long time, I felt like I was in the hallway watching the whole thing... this is Silas and Fawn's story. The Syndicate...what an awesome storyline. the lifestyle, the medieval traditions... Fawn is the daughter of a councilman in a crime world known as the Syndicate. she seems to be just a spoiled rich princess until we get a glimpse into her daily life; she is very sheltered. I think her dad had an unhealthy attachment to her Silas is a hitman hired by the Syndicate to carry out a contract. when a man, Viper, from his past comes back to give him another contract with perks that Silas is not interested in until Fawn is threatened, he then takes this second contract; he realizes he'll have to marry her to save her. this is their story. I will give it all away and I don't want to so I'll leave you there you have to read this book, trust me, you'll love it
Silas is a hitman that is currently working for the Black Dragon Syndicate. He wants it to be temporary but one of the council members has other ideas, and letting Silas go is not one of them. Then he meets the council member's daughter, Fawn. Fawn seems like a slutty and spoiled little rich mob girl, but that is just what others see. Fawn is smart, determined, and lives under the thumb of her father. He killed the only lover she ever had and threatens any and every man that looks at her. Silas being who he is doesn't care and decides he has to have Fawn.
The story picks up speed when the two have their intense night together. I don't want to give away anything because there is so much that happens, but let me just say, you will not be disappointed. The relationship between Silas and Fawn is intense and the story even more so. There is a lot of action in this book which I love, as long as several strong characters, not just the main two. It is a hot, suspenseful read and it did not disappoint!
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**
This one just wasn't my cup of tea. To be honest, I HATED the way that the heroine was introduced. That threw it off for me from the get go. (I was shocked to find out that indeed that woman was the one that I was supposed to be invested in for the rest of the book.) Their initial conflict was a big one, and I felt the resolution of it was wholly unsatisfying and quite a bit distasteful. I think I kept going because I thought it was going to get better, but eventually I found myself reading further just to get it done.
It has a lot of potentially rich story elements going for it: a mafia-esque shadow organization, a hitman who becomes our hero, the heroine who is tied tightly into the "family", a rogue threat to the whole operation that threatens the H/h. For me, it just wasn't executed well. One star for the promise of what could have been (which is what hooked me to begin with), and one star for some decent sex scenes- although I felt the distribution of of them throughout was uneven.
Silas is a hitman and a nomad. He never stays in one place for long, never works for one client for long. He currently works for the Black Dragons Syndicate. His nemesis, Viper, has recently joined the syndicate.
Fawn is a council member’s daughter. Her father is mean and hateful, and possessive of her.
She and Silas wanted one another from the moment they met. She teases him mercilessly in front of her father. He fights his attraction with everything he’s got.
Silas is biding his time in the syndicate. Until he receives a contract which sets in motion the collapse of the organisation, and throws him into a marriage with Fawn.
A tough man making a living in a tough world. A woman trapped in a harsh world but it’s all she’s ever known. Two souls coming together and finding something to really live for. I found this novel gritty, brutal and raw, with moments of beautiful emotion.
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the story and promise of a new series of Vanessa Waltz's characters.
This book was hot and...sweet? Can that be possible? Well Silas is dangerous, yes but he also has a conscience. Plus, he really wants Fawn, the woman who teases him from across the dinner table. It's forbidden the attraction and well something has to be done about it.
I like how Silas and Fawn come together. They have so much lust for each other but it blossoms into something more. They both have never experienced that before and it is the need they have for each other that saves themselves. Silas lives with a ton of guilt and uses that to protect Fawn from the dangers that lerk near them.
I'm glad Vanessa has started completely fresh with this story. I believe the last Mafia series was getting a little stale and this syndicate has potential to add some interesting good. Look forward to the next book!
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Hitman's Bride by Vanessa Waltz was a brilliant read; she just keeps on getting better with every book. Silas is exactly what the title describes - he's a hitman & is working for a member of "The Syndicate". The man's daughter has been flirting with Silas, right under her father's nose, but he seems not to notice. Silas, on the other hand, is very aware of the beautiful young Fawn & wants her, in his bed, on the counter, in fact, anywhere will do! He's not the only one who has his eye on Fawn, though... This book has it all, from mystery & suspense, to full-blown passion, crime, love and compassion. The chemistry between Silas & Fawn is off the charts & Vanessa Waltz excels in writing erotic scenes. This is a definite must read book. Do not wait - get it now!
The sex scenes were hot, but Silas killed Fawn's dad and then had sex with her. It was like Stockholm syndrome took effect because as much as she wanted to hate him she couldn't. I read it purely for the sex. The plot was ehhh. Silas wasn't as badass as I wanted/needed him to be. He kept letting people manipulate him into situations that weren't what he was used too or good for him. Instead of jamming your b@lls down her throat all the time, figure out how to do your job. It took forever for him to figure out what he needed to do and then it was anti climatic. I kept rooting for Viper to jump back up and teach Silas a lesson on how to be a man, but Viper wasn't a man either - SMH.
If you're searcing for hot sex, pick this book up. If you are looking for a solid plot, keep browsing my friend.
Vanessa Waltz is one of my favorite one-click authors. I don't even read the blurb because I know her books are good. I was given the honor of receiving this book in exchange of an honest review. This book introduces us to her new series and it was really good. Had me intrigued from the beginning. Silas is a hitman and has no remorse of what he does. He's been working for Fawn's father for 2 weeks and is ready to leave but not before he has had Fawn. When a task is given to him by Viper, someone evil from his past, and it involves Fawn he feels guilty but does his job. Fawn is left alone and he feels drawn to her and protects her. The sex scenes were hot. The chemistry between them was really good. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Fawn is bored with her life as the daughter of a syndicate council member. Her lack of a boyfriend, will cause her to play with fire. Silas is a hitman and is working for her father, but Fawn doesn't care, he's gorgeous and she makes it clear that she wants him. She will get her wish to be intimate with Silas, but the circumstances are not what she could have anticipated. When the syndicate is attacked and taken over by a crazy gang leader, Fawn and Silas will be lucky if they survive. This is a fantastic book that has a lot of violence. It is exciting and sexy, and I couldn't put it down!
I received this ARC free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
What a great story to start a new series for this author. This is a sexy thrilling story with a alpha man and a feisty woman. Both need each other at first in different ways but as the story goes on the attraction certainly grows. this story has lots of hot scenes in it, Vanessa Waltz has a knack for writing these i have to say. This book is a slightly new direction for the other author compared to her other books i have read, but i am liking it. It took some time to get accustomed to the new set up but i look forward to more from this series. As an ending note, Silas is totally bad ass alpha killer, and Fawn she is a match for any man but also more than just her attitude and looks.