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Lone Star Mobster #1

Flesh and Blood

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Sometimes it takes a bad guy to catch a killer…
Belle Nunn is a desperate woman. Someone’s following her, watching her—to make even matters worse, she was fired six months ago and hasn’t been able to get a job since. Belle’s down to her last ten bucks has no idea how she’ll make the rent when she's abducted by Dixon Wolf’s henchman. Belle’s estranged father, Emmett, borrowed money from the mafia for his latest get rich quick scheme and—big surprise—Emmett skipped town, leaving her holding the proverbial bag.
Dix is a loan shark and launders dirty mafia money. Since his wife died, he’s devoted all his time and energy to the organization—and being bad pays damn good. Belle hasn’t seen Emmett in years, and she’d like to keep it that way.
The mob boss is taken with her and offers Belle a job, her empty wallet won’t allow her to refuse—mob mistress. When Belle’s life is in danger, Dix steps into the unlikely role of hero.
Can Dix save her? And can they have a relationship that isn’t based on sex and commerce?

Unknown Binding

First published August 29, 2016

302 people are currently reading
625 people want to read

About the author

Cynthia Rayne

58 books836 followers
Cynthia Rayne is a USA TODAY bestselling author of the Black Star Security, Kinky Security, Lone Star Mobster, and the Four Horsemen MC Series. While Cynthia was born and raised a damn Yankee in Ohio, her parents hail from Dixie, and she grew up on homemade buttermilk biscuits and southern wisdom. In her spare time, she enjoys shopping, reading way too many romance novels, and drinking a truly obscene amount of coffee.


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5 stars
260 (37%)
4 stars
252 (36%)
3 stars
136 (19%)
2 stars
31 (4%)
1 star
15 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
Profile Image for ♥ WishfulMiss ♥ .
1,433 reviews115 followers
November 27, 2018
Meet our H …
“I lived in Technicolor, and now my life is black and white. My passion’s gone, but you got a chance to find yours.”

Dix has a debt to settle with Belle’s father but when he brings her in to question about his whereabouts, he sees a woman he wants for more than information. He propositions Belle, knowing she’s desperate, having just lost her job, to be his mistress. Basically at his beck and call. Dix is a mobster who doesn’t believe in love. He MO is to contract females that he basically uses for sex but always keeps an emotional distance from. After meeting Belle, he decides he wants her to be his latest arm candy.

Dix has already found love with his deceased wife and he is still very much in love with her memory but that doesn’t stop him from seeking relief from his “manly” needs. The quote up top pretty much describes his whole mentality throughout the book. He isn’t looking for love or a relationship, not when he’s already had it and it’s too perfect to replicate. And he lays it out there that he isn’t willing to go there with any other woman, ever. He makes his feelings crystal clear regarding Belle and where her place is in his life, with both action and word, all the way through to the 95% mark.

The h, Belle had some backbone in the beginning of the story but that quickly evaporated once she became a victim of body over mind, letting lust cloud her judgement. Dix was a complete jerk and she sees this all the time but as soon as he touches her all sense leaves her and she because a panting mindless idiot. #TSTL

As for the sex, it wasn’t very sexy or sensual. The opposite actually, I found it cold and impersonal and did nothing to sell me on their failed romance.

In the heroine’s own words…
She deserved better than a criminal with a dried-out husk for a heart.

Although Belle wasn’t my favorite type of h in romance, I did think she deserved someone better than Dix. He was just such a mood killer. I didn’t like him at all and his character never evolves. The ending was too rushed for me to believe in his complete about face. Thank god this was a freebie!

SAFETY

Profile Image for BleuBelle.
665 reviews184 followers
December 13, 2016
Spoilers ahead.

I'm a little bit at war with my feelings for this book. Somehow I want to love it, but on the other hand there were a few things, that just didn't sit well with me. So I decided to give it 3 stars. Meaning, I liked the book, will possibly read the other in the series, but it could've been more.

My main issue was the "mistress" thing. I don't like my heroines to be mistresses. Even if they end in HEA with their men. They had to sign a contract. She received a lot of money for her time with him. I got the feeling that the hero really wanted the heroine, and not only for his bed. But somehow the whole thing felt cold and impersonal.

I got over this issue and read on. I enjoyed reading about Belle and Dix and how their "relationship" progressed. Sometimes it was sweet, sometimes sexy. Dix was a really nice and respectful man. The book only scratched the surface of their relationship, sometimes weeks would go by, without any information for the reader. I didn't like these time lapses. There could be so much more to the story of Belle and Dix.

The ending was too abrupt. I read on and on and saw that there were only few pages left. And I began to wonder if there would be a cliffhanger. But that wasn't the case. The end was wrapped up rather fast and for my taste to sloppy. And the epilogue... well I would've loved if we could have seen more insight of their new relationship. But that wasn't the case. Too bad.

I'm curious about the next book. So we'll see how it goes.
Profile Image for Emily.
5,865 reviews546 followers
April 22, 2017
Belle Nunn is down on her luck trying to find a job after being unjustly fired from hers. She doesn't know what to think when she is summoned to meet Dixon Wolf, she knows the rumors about him being part of the mafia and has no idea why their paths are crossing.

Dix wants information on Belle's father who jilted him for money. He is pleasantly surprised when he meets Belle and decides he wants to have her temporarily as his mistress. Belle doesn't want to repeat her mothers mistakes and rejects the offer but when Dix makes it clear he will do whatever he can to have her, she reluctantly agrees. Belle keeps telling herself not to get her heart involved but it is a lost cause and she knows it will break because Dix has made it very clear that he will never give his heart to someone again after losing his wife years ago.

I will say I struggled a bit with Dix's harshness when it came to Belle, he is so conflicted but when she isn't around he is all out gaga for her. Great story, found all the characters interesting look forward to their stories. Action packed fun.
Profile Image for Maria11.
2,000 reviews44 followers
June 9, 2017
Didn't like at first...but then I couldn't put it down!

I started the read and I really had issues with Dix and how he manipulated things to get his way. I felt sorry for Belle. I found it interesting how everyone told her to just go with it and move on. Then I got into the story and couldn't put it down. I read till 2:40 in the morning.

Their relationship was interesting, Dix is a total control freak with a caring side. His story is sad and I have to say he is a good man. Bella too has issues, but somehow they come together.

The supporting cast is really interesting and I can't wait to read their stories.

Hot sexy times are included.

I am on to the next!
Profile Image for Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile.
2,255 reviews516 followers
May 7, 2019
Spoilers ahead!



Belle is broke and desperate, she lost her job as a counselor due to her supervisor's attempt to rape her which her bosses didn't believe. She's determined to find a job when she's taken by the mob to be questioned about her estranged father's whereabouts. He's owing thousands of dollars to the mob, but Belle is very attracted to the very man who's questioning her. When he proposes to make her his mistress she refused and goes job hunting all over town. Unfortunately the mob owns the town and because Did spread the word no one is willing to hire Belle. She then accepts the 60 day mistress contract.

Dix is a 53 year old(😲) high ranking member of the mob, he's rich, ruthless and determined. He's attracted to Belle and sets out to get her by any means necessary. Dix still wears the wedding ring of his deceased wife Ellie who he loved very much. After her death he never engaged in another relationship, only mistresses. When Belle is kidnapped he realizes that she's very different to any woman before and his heart that was under lock becomes fully engaged

I'm a bit conflicted with this one, Dix basically blackmailed her into accepting his contract,then when they do have sex he refused to let her sleep with him. In the first part of the book they aren't even together all that regularly. Then up to about 70%-80% he was still pushing her away believing that she was better off without him and that after the death of his wife he had nothing to offer her. I found some issues glossed over and I didn't feel that I actually got to know either of my mcs especially their backstories. With all that being said I enjoyed this one ok enough. Dix never strayed or even thought of straying from Belle. We see his feelings start to change for her though up to the very end he's still saying he's falling in love with her and not actually in love, considering he loved his wife so much I'm not 100% convinced of his love for Belle. I liked Belle too, she'd been through some tough times as a child with an emotionally abusive father who eventually abandoned them. She made something of herself then lost it all to another heartless man but she was determined to persevere. When things with Dix came to a head, though she did try to get him to give them a chance she wasn't overly need or pathetic. She was a pragmatic, levelheaded young woman who once struggled with her weight and her self confidence but she's definitely grown into her own.

Two different sets of bad guys who get their just desserts with some meeting a gruesome end. Interesting secondary characters with the set up of future relationships already in place.

All in all though I'm suffering from a vague sense of dissatisfaction I'll count this one as a win and will try more by this author
Profile Image for Kylee.
2,990 reviews60 followers
September 15, 2018
Flesh and Blood is the first book in the Lone Star Mobster series and is action packed from start to finish. What happens when a down on her luck young woman crosses paths with an older made man in the Mob, sparks ignite. Both Belle and Dix suffer from abandonment issues, one refuses to love and the other cannot trust. With an arrangement in place both protect themselves from what they fear the most, but nothing can protect them from their own hearts. Their story is explosive, steamy, dark and dirty and will have you captured by the intensity that surrounds them.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews129 followers
Want to read
November 27, 2018
💝 FREE on Amazon today (11/27/2018)!💝

Blurb:
Things can't get any worse for Belle. She's down to her last ten bucks and can't make the rent. Belle needs a job, any job.

And that's when she's abducted by mafia henchmen.

Dix is a mob boss and being bad pays damn good. Since his wife died, he's thrown himself into work, until he meets Belle. He offers her a job, she can't afford to refuse...his mistress.

And Dix steps into the unlikely role of protector when someone tries to abduct Belle. But who's after her?
Profile Image for Charity.
1,359 reviews10 followers
April 25, 2017
The story started out really well, but about half way through something changed. It felt rushed and fell flat, lacking the emotion the beginning of the book had. The climatic situation lacked heat and the anticipated reunion was so anti-climatic that it was actually boring. Will I read more....probably!
Profile Image for Lorraine Anton.
2,982 reviews11 followers
March 15, 2021
Great

The Lone Star mafia. Dix and Belle. The chemistry was there from the start. He wants her to be his "Mistress". It is a job.
I loved the characters. The plot was great. The story has drama, suspense, kidnapping, bloodshed, lust, sex, sexual tension, lots of hurt, and love.
Read it for yourself!
Profile Image for ★Winter★.
669 reviews
August 31, 2016
I can’t believe it; the Dixie Mafia FINALLY has their own series. I’ve been waiting for this for some time. The reader was first introduced to these outstanding Texas citizens in the Four Horsemen MC series. Ha, who am I kidding, these men are cold blooded killers. But killers needed love too. And all it takes is the right person. In this book Belle is the one who sneaks into one of the mob bosses heart. Of course the road to get there wasn’t an easy one. This duo needs to overcome several obstacles including discovering who is after sweet innocent Belle before they can even begin to get their happily ever after. This was a fast paced, suspenseful exciting read. There were several twist and turns that I didn’t see coming. Flesh and Blood was a great series starter. It was wonderfully written and sets the stage for several (I hope) upcoming books.

In case you’re wondering: although this is a spin off series it is not necessary to read the Four Horsemen series first to fully enjoy the Dixie Mafia. The timeline is parallel to the other series and there is some character crossover but it doesn’t affect the story line in anyway. But I do recommend reading it.





**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
Profile Image for Brandi.
169 reviews2 followers
October 18, 2016
I really wanted to love this book. Belle' s story drew me in and I finished it in less than a day. It's a great story with fun secondary characters who I want to know more about but it was missing something. The climax was just Blah, nothing shocking actually, it just confirmed everything that I'd already figured out for myself.

Dix' s story is sad and you can understand why he's hesitant to love anyone but it also left me feeling detached from him. I didn't understand where the chemistry between the main characters was supposed to come from. They just didn't click in a warm, fuzzy, loving way.

Also the story was going well then it seemed like the author realized she was on a deadline and rushed the last 25-30% of the book. It felt different to me as a reader.

Overall, I feel like the story could have been fantastic but didn't quite make it. Will I read the next book? I enjoyed the secondary characters enough to want to know their stories so Yes. Here's hoping there's a bit more feeling in the next one!
Profile Image for Princess J. Antoinette.
999 reviews106 followers
August 21, 2017
Really enjoyed this book. It was actually better then what I expected. We have a alpha male in the pursuit of a female that had issues with men due to a very hateful and abusive, remorseless father. OMG what can I say about him? He's a straight up bastard! I'm going to let that point stand alone right there. Anyway I was very impress with the storyline and the writing. This author did keep my interest that I didn't want to put the book down. This book did introduced other strong characters that was left open for other books in this series that I think I would be interested in reading.

Job very well done. This was a very good read indeed.
Profile Image for Alyse.
298 reviews3 followers
August 29, 2016
I was given an ARC for an honest review.
Finally we get some insight into the Dixie Mafia! We have seen them pop up in the Four Horseman series.
Dix and Belle's story drew me right in. I fell in love with those mafia boys! I mean who doesn't love a bad boy?!
Without giving too much away..this story twisted and turned and kept me totally intrigued.
Looking forward to meeting the rest of the Dixie Mafia!
7 reviews
September 7, 2016
Another One Blowing Out Of The Park


At first, I wasn't too sure I would care for this book. But, the more I read the more it sucked me in. Rooting for Dix and Byron were foreign to me and lots of fun. Fantastic writing, awesome story, and can't wait Till the next one. HEA Steamy Sex, list, and love. If that is what you're looking for..... Grab this book and GI for it
Profile Image for Joanne Carr.
754 reviews3 followers
December 4, 2018
Belle just wanted to get home and she prayed her car would make it there. She stopped to put gas in her car. While at the station as she was pumping gas she spots a guy looking at her. When she finished putting the gas in she turned around to see if he was still there but he was gone.
She gets home to her little apartment to her cat. She has been looking for a job after getting fired. A loud banging at her door and she could not think of who it could be. She looked out to see two men standing at her door. They start banging on the door and she asked who they were. They said that they came for her and that their friend wanted a word with her.
They told her their friends name which sounded familiar they she realized that it was the man who was supposedly the Wolf of the Lone star Mafia.
One of the men was Byron Beauregard who was rumored to be a hitman for the Lone star Mafia and was there to escort her to a meeting. Belle knew there was not place to go and they had the police in their pockets.
Dix personal assistant was there to meet her and talk her to Dix’s office.
He started to ask her about her father which she had not seen in years.
Obviously her father owed this man money $50,000 and Dix was trying
to find out if she saw her father recently. Belle told him that she had not seen Emmett or that there was no love lost on him. Dix told Belle that he was going to dig deep to find out all of her secrets which she had none.
Next thing you know she is having dinner with him. He kissed her while waiting for his car to take her home. He knew he was done with her yet
and she knew she could not get away from him for too long. Belle went to a job interview. She gets a phone call and did not know the phone number but found out real quick that it was Dix and he wanted to talk to her about a job. She made up an excuse but he told her he would have a car pick her up at 7:00 and she knew she would not be able to get out of it. After dinner Dix told her that he had a job opening as his mistress. She Belle went to every place in town and no one would hire her all because of Dix. She knew he would eventually get her to work for him. Belle had notice this strange guy when she was going out of the cafe. She forgets about it until she got stranded on the side of the road and he showed up.
Luckily one of Dix friend showed up and he witness the whole thing. Just as David was pulling away. She gets to Dix house and he was in a meeting. Dix tells Belle that he has enemies and thinks this is one trying to get to him through Belle. Dix has Rebel watch her as a bodyguard Dix said he will take care of the situation. Dix surprised Belle when then got on a private plane to go somewhere for dinner and a show. Belle and Dix told her about his deceased wife and Bella told him about her father.
They go back to her house and found it ransacked and things were written on wall. Dix took Belle to his house where he wanted her to stay until she could get into her own apartment and since he owned a close by apartment building he will give her an apartment. Dix after taking care of her father. He was ready to move on to his to end. He told her he would give her an apartment in her favorite building he owned it and she got her old job back. Now she was going to start her whole life over again without Dix. He was so cold to her she could not believe that he could just throw her away like an old newspaper. He told her it was the end of her contract and he was ready to move on. Belle couldn’t believe Dix was just like her father who just moved on from her mom. Twists turns murder and mayhem.
Profile Image for Heather  Chaotic Creatives.
1,138 reviews51 followers
August 16, 2019
A new spin on a mafia series

I bought this book on a whim. You know when you are searching for something new and different to read. I am all about mafia reads and this one has a different spin on it. It's not based off of your usual Italian mafia or even Russian bratva. Nope this is all southern and based out of Texas. I found this storyline intriguing and am going to be continuing the series. Ok with this said in with my review....
Dixon is a man who knows what he wants and goes after it. Belle is a young lady who has had a run of bad luck. Dixon makes a proposal to Belle one she can't refuse. Well she can, but let's just say he makes it rather difficult to. Belle has issues with trusting men, and Dixon refuses to fall in love again. We all know what happens when people try to fight the inevitable.
Profile Image for Donna Parrott.
458 reviews6 followers
August 20, 2017
The Mob at its finest

Omg, Cynthia Rayne is a new author for me and I just happened to purchased her book. Needless to say I have been in a book funk and needed something new and fresh. You know when you get in those moods. Well this just happened to be on my booklets and in thought why not, the cover is amazing. So unsaturated to read it and fell in love with every character. It's perfect. Belle is a beautiful woman who didn't know what to do when she hit rock bottom. Dix just so happened to want a mistress and he set his sights on Belle. Can in just say wow, the cat and mouse she put up was futile but amazing non the less. I am a new fan for life.
Profile Image for Diane Yoz.
1,387 reviews54 followers
October 18, 2017
A good story looks to be a great series. Mafia romances are one of my favorite genre. Flesh and Blood was a good story about Dix and older Made Man and Belle the loner girl he hires to be his escort. I like the way they came together. Dix is older than Belle who has never had it easy in her life. I love the protector in Dix and I also love how no matter how much they tried to fight their chemistry, they couldn't help falling for one another. I was so engrossed in a lot of the characters that are introduced in this first book, so I am definitely starting the second book because Bryon is intense. Actually all the Lone Star Mobsters are INTENSE.
Profile Image for Jessica Buszkiewicz.
61 reviews3 followers
April 11, 2021
Dnf. Why the hell does this book have so many good reviews. The heroine has a masters degree, but is so down on her luck after getting fired she can't even get hired at a gas station. Then, thanks to a sleezy ganster twice her age, no one else in town will hire her because he wants her as his mistress. Not to mention, everyone acts like she should be grateful for the f****** opportunity. I don't care if the the heroine is attracted to the guy. I mean who wouldn't be attracted to a guy forcing you into prostitution--obviously several hundred other goodread reviewers find this situation sexy. Boy, this book pissed me off. Absolutely ridiculous.
109 reviews11 followers
June 24, 2017
Who could have guessed?!?!!?

I couldn't put it down and even when I was frustrated and angry with certain characters I pushed forward. Who would have guessed red and wolf would be a partnership to last beyond and ties built with the mafia and that even an alpha could get blindsided by an enemy at the gates.....maybe he's not so bad after all or is he? Read for yourself to find out the whole story.
Profile Image for the_bibliophagist.
744 reviews10 followers
August 16, 2017
Loved it

If you like romance but want something a little different, you should read this book. I love the way it dealt with mental illness and the action from the mobster side of it.
The only downfall is ,in my opinion, Cynthia got to wordy or explained things.
Overall I would recommend this book.☺
126 reviews1 follower
August 19, 2017
Expected better.

The story line is good and it starts off well but for me some parts of the characters personality seems lacking. I expected more from the characters to say it's a mafia man he doesn't seem hard enough.
Ok I read all of it but expected better I do want to read the next because I really like some of the other characters.
88 reviews
April 24, 2018
Wow

Let me just say, this was a Sexy and intense book. It was my first time reading a book from Ms. Rayne and I'm hooked on this series. The story is about the Lone Star Mafia. A down on her luck woman and a Mafia boss come together. The story was full of strife, sadness, hot chemistry and HEA.
Profile Image for Jo Phillips.
99 reviews2 followers
December 7, 2018
This book sounded really good from the blurb. It started off strong. I loved how Belle wared with her feelings on becoming Dix's mistress. The chemistry between them was good. Unfortunately the whole weeks passing without knowing what was going on , made me feel we were missing out on things. At times it felt rushed. Xx
185 reviews5 followers
August 18, 2017
redhat lady

This was a fantastic story. I enjoyed all the characters . They were all so interesting. I loved the two main characters Dix and Belle and the adventure they went through. Keep up the great writing.
Profile Image for Pearl.
1,981 reviews17 followers
September 18, 2019
Dix the Dick

This was just ok for me. The story was decent but lacked meat and substance to it. Dix was a total loser who conned Red from the beginning. The ending was rushed and i would've liked more after they got back together. I'm being generous in giving it 3 stars really.
2,511 reviews13 followers
April 27, 2020
Good book

I loved the way the author had the hero and heroine play cat and mouse with each other. Their interactions were so much fun. The story has a lot going for it. It's romantic, dangerous and loving all at the same time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews

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