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White Monarch #1
Violent Delights
I was born a princess among criminals. An untouchable among thieves. Heiress to a life others have killed for, and one I'd do anything to escape. I vowed not to leave without Diego, my first love and best friend, but if his ruthless brother has his way, I won’t leave at all.
Cristiano de la Rosa is a man as big and bold as his legend. Once upon a time, he was our cartel’s best soldier . . . until he became my family’s worst enemy. And a man like Cristiano will bend fate to his will to get what he wants—even if it means tearing me from another's arms.
Because in the de la Rosa family, old grudges run deeper than loyalty, and betrayal is a three-letter word: war. But this feud isn’t between enemies—it’s between brothers. And I’m the prize.
Cristiano de la Rosa is a man as big and bold as his legend. Once upon a time, he was our cartel’s best soldier . . . until he became my family’s worst enemy. And a man like Cristiano will bend fate to his will to get what he wants—even if it means tearing me from another's arms.
Because in the de la Rosa family, old grudges run deeper than loyalty, and betrayal is a three-letter word: war. But this feud isn’t between enemies—it’s between brothers. And I’m the prize.
310 pages, ebook
First published March 18, 2019
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December 31, 2019
A sweeping tale of tumultuous love, set against the backdrop of vicious world of Mexican cartels. They're bloodthirsty people low on tolerance of betrayals and treason.
A heady saga of power hungry men and what they won't sacrifice to grab it. Love...Life....Loyalty!!
“Once a man gets a taste of power, his need for it surpasses hunger. It’s a sickness that demands more.”
Dark grey clouds of murder and treachery hang low and growling over the entire cast of characters.
Each character suffers and I did with them.
I fell in love with tender kisses of Diego, was scared and thrilled with Cristiano, sympathized with Costa.
Trapped in this swirling thunderstorm I found a delicate butterfly, Mariposa- The White Monarch!
Natalie Lourdes King Cruz
“She is a heavenly creature cut from the finest cloth with which God had to work. A fabric so fine, that to be dressed in it is to be a king, and to forget anything that came before it.”
But right now She's a pawn!
The three men in her life are seemingly set to ruin her life
Costa King Cruz- her indulgent & grieving father
Diego De La Rosa- her childhood first love
And Christiano De La Rosa- her worst nightmare, her fierce protector and her heart slayer
It's a very intriguing & colourful story. Most of the time my heart was in my mouth. Double crosses and nefarious dealings crisscrossing its landscape. The narration was volatile & dangerous. The mood very dreadful and horrific. So many hints of gruesome violence in the background made my heart thud faster throughout the story, I was running full speed ahead without a pause button. It's an unputdownable read. I can't wait for next book to see what does freedom buy!!
5 stars for webs of deceptions
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A heady saga of power hungry men and what they won't sacrifice to grab it. Love...Life....Loyalty!!
“Once a man gets a taste of power, his need for it surpasses hunger. It’s a sickness that demands more.”
Dark grey clouds of murder and treachery hang low and growling over the entire cast of characters.
Each character suffers and I did with them.
I fell in love with tender kisses of Diego, was scared and thrilled with Cristiano, sympathized with Costa.
Trapped in this swirling thunderstorm I found a delicate butterfly, Mariposa- The White Monarch!
Natalie Lourdes King Cruz
“She is a heavenly creature cut from the finest cloth with which God had to work. A fabric so fine, that to be dressed in it is to be a king, and to forget anything that came before it.”
But right now She's a pawn!
The three men in her life are seemingly set to ruin her life
Costa King Cruz- her indulgent & grieving father
Diego De La Rosa- her childhood first love
And Christiano De La Rosa- her worst nightmare, her fierce protector and her heart slayer
It's a very intriguing & colourful story. Most of the time my heart was in my mouth. Double crosses and nefarious dealings crisscrossing its landscape. The narration was volatile & dangerous. The mood very dreadful and horrific. So many hints of gruesome violence in the background made my heart thud faster throughout the story, I was running full speed ahead without a pause button. It's an unputdownable read. I can't wait for next book to see what does freedom buy!!
5 stars for webs of deceptions
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Want to read
September 9, 2019LIVE! | AMZ US | AMZ UK | B&N | KOBO | iBOOKS |
ONE GIRL CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO BROTHERS!
Book 1
LIVE! | AMZ US | AMZ UK | B&N | KOBO | iBOOKS |
Blurb:
In the de la Rosa family, old grudges run deeper than loyalty, and betrayal is a three-letter word: war. But this feud isn’t between enemies. It’s between brothers. And I’m the prize.
I was born a princess among criminals. An untouchable among thieves. Heiress to a life others have killed for, and one I'd do anything to escape. I vowed not to leave without Diego, my first love and best friend, but if his ruthless brother has his way, I won’t leave at all. Cristiano de la Rosa is a man as big and bold as his legend. Once upon a time, he was our cartel’s best soldier . . . until he became my family’s worst enemy.
A man like Cristiano will bend fate to his will to get what he wants. Even if it means dragging me to hell—and tearing me from his brother's arms.
“She is mine.” Three words from two different men.
A life, a future, and a love I don’t get to choose.
Books in White Monarch series should be read in order:
Book 1: Violent Delights
Book 2: Violent Ends
Book 3: Violent Triumphs
ONE GIRL CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO BROTHERS!
Book 1
LIVE! | AMZ US | AMZ UK | B&N | KOBO | iBOOKS |
Blurb:
In the de la Rosa family, old grudges run deeper than loyalty, and betrayal is a three-letter word: war. But this feud isn’t between enemies. It’s between brothers. And I’m the prize.
I was born a princess among criminals. An untouchable among thieves. Heiress to a life others have killed for, and one I'd do anything to escape. I vowed not to leave without Diego, my first love and best friend, but if his ruthless brother has his way, I won’t leave at all. Cristiano de la Rosa is a man as big and bold as his legend. Once upon a time, he was our cartel’s best soldier . . . until he became my family’s worst enemy.
A man like Cristiano will bend fate to his will to get what he wants. Even if it means dragging me to hell—and tearing me from his brother's arms.
“She is mine.” Three words from two different men.
A life, a future, and a love I don’t get to choose.
Books in White Monarch series should be read in order:
Book 1: Violent Delights
Book 2: Violent Ends
Book 3: Violent Triumphs
March 18, 2019
I signed up for an early copy of this book for two reasons. One, Jessica Hawkins is a new "to me" author, and I have set a challenge for myself this year to read many more "new" or new "to me" authors. Two, I also thought this would be a good book for my "stepping out" challenge since I am not a fan of love triangles (nor trilogies if I am being honest). Two birds with one stone as they say. (lol)
Needless to say, I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into and I'd be lying if I didn't say I was a little nervous. (lol) However, luck was on my side because I LOVED every minute of this book. I will not get into too many details because there are still two more books to go and I'll save the longer more in-depth review for when the story has reached its' conclusion. What I will say is that this was a fantastically well-written book. It was well paced and a relatively short read (three hours). It is told mostly from Natalia's POV with one chapter each from Cristiano and Diego. The plot was super engaging and set the stage for an epic battle between two brothers. All three of the main characters are incredibly intriguing. However, I have a HUGE favorite and I will be one UNHAPPY camper if Natalia doesn't end up with him...my reaction may involve (but not limited to) swearing and tablet throwing...just saying. Last, we end on a WHOPPER of a cliffhanger that will make you want to get your grubby hands on book two ASAP.
So yea, not much left to say. I loved it. I recommend it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
March 19, 2019
I HAVE LOST MY MIND OVER THIS BOOK.
LOST.
MY.
FUCKING.
MIND.
I mean... HOLY SHIT! Holy freaking shit. This is the book of the year for me. THE #1! It barreled over all of my favorites. I'm declaring it the winner. It was OUT OF THIS WORLD. I can't believe how good it was. I can't wrap my head around it. I mean, WHERE DID THIS STORY LINE COME FROM? It rocked me to my core. Undeniably addictive. Every word forces you to pay attention. The characters are commanding and demanding, bold and cunning, smart and layered, and just woweeeeeeee! I fell in love with our anti-hero Cristiano, and his brother Diego... NO WORDS.
JUST NONE.
I can't even explain.
And this storyline... It's twisty. Lordy, is it twisty. I can't say much. I feel like that would be too spoilery! And I don't want to color your minds with my opinions. This is a book you need to throw yourself into. This story will devour you. It'll make you feel SO MUCH. It's unique and refreshing and angsty and intense and smart and twisted and so many other things. I can tell the author took the time to really write a detailed, smart, complex, and thoroughly thought-out tale. One with an intricate plot, a cast of characters who have boldly defined personalities, and writing that just LIVES and BREATHES. I am such a fan of this book. You need to read it. I swear, it's so good. Mafia romance done right.
LOST.
MY.
FUCKING.
MIND.
I mean... HOLY SHIT! Holy freaking shit. This is the book of the year for me. THE #1! It barreled over all of my favorites. I'm declaring it the winner. It was OUT OF THIS WORLD. I can't believe how good it was. I can't wrap my head around it. I mean, WHERE DID THIS STORY LINE COME FROM? It rocked me to my core. Undeniably addictive. Every word forces you to pay attention. The characters are commanding and demanding, bold and cunning, smart and layered, and just woweeeeeeee! I fell in love with our anti-hero Cristiano, and his brother Diego... NO WORDS.
JUST NONE.
I can't even explain.
And this storyline... It's twisty. Lordy, is it twisty. I can't say much. I feel like that would be too spoilery! And I don't want to color your minds with my opinions. This is a book you need to throw yourself into. This story will devour you. It'll make you feel SO MUCH. It's unique and refreshing and angsty and intense and smart and twisted and so many other things. I can tell the author took the time to really write a detailed, smart, complex, and thoroughly thought-out tale. One with an intricate plot, a cast of characters who have boldly defined personalities, and writing that just LIVES and BREATHES. I am such a fan of this book. You need to read it. I swear, it's so good. Mafia romance done right.
March 18, 2019
VIOLENT DELIGHTS: Is the first full length romance novel by new to me author J. Hawkin's in her 'White Monarch' series. Spoken mostly from Natalia's POV with one chapter each from Cristiano and Diego's POV's. As far as mafia reads go, for me this was a slow burn, but the plot was engaging enough that it kept me glued to my ipad throughout. Mafia reads are my go to kind of reads, they offer dark, gritty, intricate plots and even though this one was slowish at the start it did pick up and moved along perfectly once I'd reached the half way mark.
Natalia Cruz is a mafia princess, the daughter of one of the most powerful drug lords in Mexico, losing her mother under such terrifying circumstances at such a young age had her pointing the finger at one person, and one person only which made for an interesting read all round. It was like a game of chess, each piece strategically placed as we the reader tried to piece all of the pieces of the puzzle together as they were given to us.
“Trust no one.
Never draw a weapon unless you meant to kill.
Loyalty didn’t guarantee loyalty, even to your own blood.
Anyone, even the most loyal disciple, could turn.”
So many loose ends to a cold case murder which made me question everything.
'Diego and Cristiano' are connected to the 'De La Rosa Family' which were killed and were then taken in by Natalie's parents, when Diego was eight and Christiano was fifteen. So they were like brothers to her, who protected her with their lives. But one had to leave in a hurry before he was killed.
The death of her mother changed everything, deciding that the only place safe was away from everything she held dear was to go away to boarding school in the United States where no one could touch her.
Eleven years later and she's back on home soil again. Many things had changed but some things stayed the same, especially her love for Diego. But what happens when the other brother wants her too? I went into this loving Diego, young love and all it entailed but I came out of it in love with Christiano.
Just know that this ends on one wowza of a cliffy that left me reeling in its wake, it's brutal that we have to wait for three months for the next release.
November 20, 2019
**** 4.5 Stars!!!!****
What a fabulous read this first book was!!! This is the beginning of what promises to be an intense trilogy! There are so many secrets floating around in these characters lives, I was on edge for the whole time I was reading this first instalment!
As for Natalia, she was a heroine that kind of irritated me at times. I felt she was a bit reckless considering the potential danger that surrounds her life. Her Father is the head of a major cartel in Mexico... I felt like she should be more understanding of how she should be cautious in her actions.
The brothers; Diego and Cristiano have so many secrets it’s hard to figure out who the good guy is and who isn’t??!! All I know for sure is they both want Natalia for themselves. I have a favourite; but I’ll keep that to myself!!! I am quite positive the next two instalments will have me changing my mind more than once!😂 It’s just that kind of book!
Bottom line; I highly recommend this trilogy... it will keep you on the edge and trying to figure out what is going on and who is good or bad!!!! I am moving right on to the second book!
What a fabulous read this first book was!!! This is the beginning of what promises to be an intense trilogy! There are so many secrets floating around in these characters lives, I was on edge for the whole time I was reading this first instalment!
As for Natalia, she was a heroine that kind of irritated me at times. I felt she was a bit reckless considering the potential danger that surrounds her life. Her Father is the head of a major cartel in Mexico... I felt like she should be more understanding of how she should be cautious in her actions.
The brothers; Diego and Cristiano have so many secrets it’s hard to figure out who the good guy is and who isn’t??!! All I know for sure is they both want Natalia for themselves. I have a favourite; but I’ll keep that to myself!!! I am quite positive the next two instalments will have me changing my mind more than once!😂 It’s just that kind of book!
Bottom line; I highly recommend this trilogy... it will keep you on the edge and trying to figure out what is going on and who is good or bad!!!! I am moving right on to the second book!
March 24, 2019
5 "Look What Loyalty Got Me" Stars!
(ARC provided by author)
-The lessons I'd learned too early in life. Trust no one. Never draw a weapon unless you meant to kill. Loyalty didn't guarantee loyalty, even to your own blood. Anyone, even the most loyal disciple, could turn.
Natalia Cruz grew up in Mexico as the princess of the Cruz cartel. She lived a life full of wealth and status others would kill for. She was an heiress shielded from the dangers all around her. She'd been sheltered, and then as a young girl learned her gilded fortress wasn't as secure as she thought. In a world of chaos tomorrow is never guaranteed, and no betrayal goes unpunished. Soon she wanted no part of this life she was born into, and she'd do anything for her freedom and the chance to be with her first love and best friend Diego de la Rosa. She wanted a future with him, but worried his brother Cristiano would never let them be. Both men wanted her, and she was the prize.
Cristiano de la Rosa was the dark to his brothers light. He used to be the cartel's most ruthless soldier, but also her biggest protector when she was a child. Her memories were all tangled up between the glimpses of kindness she remembered, and the cold, distant feared man before her. He was unreadable, unpredictable, calculating, and lethal. He was now a very powerful man with a reputation for being a monster. He'd always been a constant presence in her life, and now he was considered the enemy.
Two brother's with old grudges and a feud between them. She feels one is her soulmate, and she fears the other is in control of her fate. They looked similar, but one had a darker, more demanding beauty that left her breathless. She hated how he affected her, and made her question everything. He made her feel vulnerable and exposed with one look, and one touch and he had all her attention. She didn't know who she could trust anymore. Surrounded by criminals and corruption she was beginning to think there was no escaping this life of danger.
-My body and mind betrayed me.
-My traitorous body came alive under his firm but deliberate examination.
-He was the danger my father had warned me of. This was a man who walked into a room and left with what he wanted- revenge, money, women... Me.
-My body drew toward his, as if he were the sun pulling me into its orbit.
-Somehow, the more I learned, the more mysterious he grew. A perverse side of me wanted to test that fear to see if I could glimpse what he never seemed to show anyone.
This book was absolutely fantastic! What a wild ride, and I loved every minute. I couldn't put this book down, and was hooked right away. It's full of mystery, secrets, lies, and betrayal. Nothing is what it seems, and it kept me guessing throughout. It's about loyalty, vengeance, power, family, love, survival and sin. It's freaking addicting, and I can't wait for the next book in the White Monarch series! I NEED MORE of these delicious brothers!!!
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/2TV6AvL
(ARC provided by author)
-The lessons I'd learned too early in life. Trust no one. Never draw a weapon unless you meant to kill. Loyalty didn't guarantee loyalty, even to your own blood. Anyone, even the most loyal disciple, could turn.
Natalia Cruz grew up in Mexico as the princess of the Cruz cartel. She lived a life full of wealth and status others would kill for. She was an heiress shielded from the dangers all around her. She'd been sheltered, and then as a young girl learned her gilded fortress wasn't as secure as she thought. In a world of chaos tomorrow is never guaranteed, and no betrayal goes unpunished. Soon she wanted no part of this life she was born into, and she'd do anything for her freedom and the chance to be with her first love and best friend Diego de la Rosa. She wanted a future with him, but worried his brother Cristiano would never let them be. Both men wanted her, and she was the prize.
Cristiano de la Rosa was the dark to his brothers light. He used to be the cartel's most ruthless soldier, but also her biggest protector when she was a child. Her memories were all tangled up between the glimpses of kindness she remembered, and the cold, distant feared man before her. He was unreadable, unpredictable, calculating, and lethal. He was now a very powerful man with a reputation for being a monster. He'd always been a constant presence in her life, and now he was considered the enemy.
Two brother's with old grudges and a feud between them. She feels one is her soulmate, and she fears the other is in control of her fate. They looked similar, but one had a darker, more demanding beauty that left her breathless. She hated how he affected her, and made her question everything. He made her feel vulnerable and exposed with one look, and one touch and he had all her attention. She didn't know who she could trust anymore. Surrounded by criminals and corruption she was beginning to think there was no escaping this life of danger.
-My body and mind betrayed me.
-My traitorous body came alive under his firm but deliberate examination.
-He was the danger my father had warned me of. This was a man who walked into a room and left with what he wanted- revenge, money, women... Me.
-My body drew toward his, as if he were the sun pulling me into its orbit.
-Somehow, the more I learned, the more mysterious he grew. A perverse side of me wanted to test that fear to see if I could glimpse what he never seemed to show anyone.
This book was absolutely fantastic! What a wild ride, and I loved every minute. I couldn't put this book down, and was hooked right away. It's full of mystery, secrets, lies, and betrayal. Nothing is what it seems, and it kept me guessing throughout. It's about loyalty, vengeance, power, family, love, survival and sin. It's freaking addicting, and I can't wait for the next book in the White Monarch series! I NEED MORE of these delicious brothers!!!
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/2TV6AvL
March 21, 2019
It started so good. The prologue totally hooked me in. But then I found out that this is not my kind of book. I have no respect for the heroine. I thought she was whiny, annoying and weak. And when she gives her virginity up to Diego but ends up marrying Cristiano a few chapters later??! Oy. No, thank you. Sorry, but I'm not going to pick up the next books in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2019
3.75 stars
Such an engaging book that had my complete attention. I couldn’t put it down. I think this might be one of the best mafia romances I’ve ever read. The writing was really good and captivating. The pacing was perfect for me. It was such an awesome slow-burn without being boring.
The only reason why I rated this lower than I intended to, is because of how the heroine annoyed the hell out of me. I just couldn’t get over how naive and stupid she was. Hopefully we will see a character development in the next book. I’m glad I waited till the whole series is out because I wouldn’t have survived without knowing what’s going to happen next after that ending.
Such an engaging book that had my complete attention. I couldn’t put it down. I think this might be one of the best mafia romances I’ve ever read. The writing was really good and captivating. The pacing was perfect for me. It was such an awesome slow-burn without being boring.
The only reason why I rated this lower than I intended to, is because of how the heroine annoyed the hell out of me. I just couldn’t get over how naive and stupid she was. Hopefully we will see a character development in the next book. I’m glad I waited till the whole series is out because I wouldn’t have survived without knowing what’s going to happen next after that ending.
March 19, 2019
"Just remember- No monster thinks of himself that way. He's just living by a different code than yours".
Talk about a delicious slow burn!! Violent delights will have you begging for more while trying to fan yourself of pure stripped down sexual tension. Add in the imminent danger, forbidden touches, and the question of who’s playing who, you’ve got yourself a heck of an introduction to a new series that is sure to make it a lasting impression.
Natalia Cruz grew up in a different world than most girls. Being the princess of one of the most feared drug Cartel families, she’s seen a lot and has suffered a tragedy that would shape the course of her adulthood. Returning home to Mexico to spend her school break with her Dad, life as Natalia knows it is about to get even more dangerous and complicated. After all, one brother wants to make her his permanently and the other, will become her downfall.
I really liked the flow of the story in this one. I’m one of those people that has no problem with a slow burn read if it’s done right and it’s no secret that this author is an excellent writer. Her ability to pull you in and make her storytelling seem lyrical in a sense, is the reason why I’m a life long fan.
The only issue I had was that early on in the book, I pretty much guessed the outcome of what was going to happen at the end and I was expecting this to be a bit more darker. But with that being said, this is the first book in a three part series so I think that this author is going to surprise us as we move forward.
With a cliffhanger that will leave you on edge and begging for your next hit, Violent Delights will leave you wanting more.
December 15, 2020
This really should have been a 5 star read for me, based on the angst and forbidden tension, but there's one thing that held me back. Review to come.
March 19, 2019
Title: Violent Delights
Series: White Monarch #1
Author: Jessica Hawkins
Genre:
Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 19, 2019
I'm telling you, Everything this woman touches turns to gold. I am obsessed with Jessica Hawkins books. I love every book she has ever written and Violent Delights is no different.
"I was hooked" would be me underplaying my excitement. I cannot believe how well written this book is. I felt like my brain was like a child in a candy store. I had moments where I was wondering which part I loved more.
Violent Delights is a slow burn with all it's angst filled glory. Since the storyline is about the Mexican cartel, expect a lot of suspense, mystery, intellectual warfare and action and adventure.
Have I mentioned that I love love loved Violent Delights? because I did. I think I dropped my mouth in shock after that cliffhanger because Oh Dios mío! That cliffhanger is going to keep you waiting with anticipated breath.
I am in love with the mystery, the palpitating lies and secrets in this book. I love the characters 😍
Violent Delights is Spectacular! I am dying to read Violent Ends coming June 18th, 2019.
PLAYLIST
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ODMfeMyuVlRikGt0lgmlS?si=FeSJYKn2T1WxXN8NMGCZCA
January 15, 2023
2nd read, August 2021
3.75 stars
two year ago me thinks (14 year) age gap is not sexy but *.*
the now me thinks everytime Christiano de la Rosa walks into a room, she has...
yes please, pillage me with all your Violent Delights. 🤪
anyway, audiobook wasnt all that great, but the story was still captivating. this had the dreaded love triangle but with a rather obvious twist as to who the endgame would be. Natalia was too naive and delicate for a cartel princess (or maybe thats how cartel princesses are/should be), but i think her disposition made for an enthralling and titillating dynamic against Christiano’s. i swear whenever they were in one frame, i was like—
or maybe thats all just the Christiano de la Rosa special effect. also, i think Diego’s duality was a job well done cause he almost had me fooled. we knew not to trust him, yet ngl it was hard to see him as being other than genuine/himself when he was with Natalia. i mean, i guess he loved her but not as much as she did or as much as he valued his own life. he was a class act manipulator. in any case, i hope he choke on his own spit and die.
i remember book 2 being the best one out of the three, so im thrilled im re-reading it next.
(read as an audiobook)
🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
1st read, June 2019
all this time ive been looking at the title and saw it read as “Violet Delights,” which was absurd and weird and ridiculous. more so bcs i dont like the color purple. now after i looked at it again and read it correctly, it actually says “Viole(n)t Delights,” which makes more sense and is very fitting. this book was indeed violent, but was also very much delightful.
Jessica Hawkins is slowly making it to my favorite authors list. her writing is bewitching. theres something about it that just makes you want to go deep into her stories. i had this experience with her “Something in the Way” series, and much to my great pleasure i had it again with this new series im starting to dive myself into. not only that, this time the feeling was more intense bcs i think this book was more mature. the fact that it was set in the high monarch world of the mafia/cartel, plus all the action, violence, and political intrigues, just really feeds into my obsession for this kind of dark read.
i didnt even mind all that love triangle business bcs the author being a genius that she is was able to make it work. she knows how to make us see the appeal of reading love triangle stories. the only thing that was concerning for me was the age gap between all these three main characters. it was a bit creepy, and i tried to ignore it most of the time. but when this particular subject came up in the book, i couldnt help but grimace and was honestly quite repulsed by it. i mean, seven years apart is okay, but fourteen?? that gives me a shudder.
i’d never have thought the author would go into details explaining all the cartel business, but wow the world building was impressive. at times it did feel a little boring bcs the plot was dragged unnecessarily, but the slow burn made up for it and was stronger on Natalia & Christiano than her with Diego. the ending had me so psyched for the sequel!
3.75 stars
two year ago me thinks (14 year) age gap is not sexy but *.*
the now me thinks everytime Christiano de la Rosa walks into a room, she has...
yes please, pillage me with all your Violent Delights. 🤪
anyway, audiobook wasnt all that great, but the story was still captivating. this had the dreaded love triangle but with a rather obvious twist as to who the endgame would be. Natalia was too naive and delicate for a cartel princess (or maybe thats how cartel princesses are/should be), but i think her disposition made for an enthralling and titillating dynamic against Christiano’s. i swear whenever they were in one frame, i was like—
or maybe thats all just the Christiano de la Rosa special effect. also, i think Diego’s duality was a job well done cause he almost had me fooled. we knew not to trust him, yet ngl it was hard to see him as being other than genuine/himself when he was with Natalia. i mean, i guess he loved her but not as much as she did or as much as he valued his own life. he was a class act manipulator. in any case, i hope he choke on his own spit and die.
i remember book 2 being the best one out of the three, so im thrilled im re-reading it next.
(read as an audiobook)
🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
1st read, June 2019
#1 Violent Delights — 4 stars
#2 Violent Ends — 4.5 stars
#3 Violent Triumphs — 4 stars
all this time ive been looking at the title and saw it read as “Violet Delights,” which was absurd and weird and ridiculous. more so bcs i dont like the color purple. now after i looked at it again and read it correctly, it actually says “Viole(n)t Delights,” which makes more sense and is very fitting. this book was indeed violent, but was also very much delightful.
Jessica Hawkins is slowly making it to my favorite authors list. her writing is bewitching. theres something about it that just makes you want to go deep into her stories. i had this experience with her “Something in the Way” series, and much to my great pleasure i had it again with this new series im starting to dive myself into. not only that, this time the feeling was more intense bcs i think this book was more mature. the fact that it was set in the high monarch world of the mafia/cartel, plus all the action, violence, and political intrigues, just really feeds into my obsession for this kind of dark read.
i didnt even mind all that love triangle business bcs the author being a genius that she is was able to make it work. she knows how to make us see the appeal of reading love triangle stories. the only thing that was concerning for me was the age gap between all these three main characters. it was a bit creepy, and i tried to ignore it most of the time. but when this particular subject came up in the book, i couldnt help but grimace and was honestly quite repulsed by it. i mean, seven years apart is okay, but fourteen?? that gives me a shudder.
i’d never have thought the author would go into details explaining all the cartel business, but wow the world building was impressive. at times it did feel a little boring bcs the plot was dragged unnecessarily, but the slow burn made up for it and was stronger on Natalia & Christiano than her with Diego. the ending had me so psyched for the sequel!
June 22, 2019
Sometimes I read a book because I like the cover and it works out and I like the book... this time... not so much...
I did not dislike this book actually the story was perfectly fine the biggest problem in the whole book was Natalia. I’ve never seen somebody so painfully naïve and ridiculous in my life. If you’re looking for a strong female character then keep looking cause it’s not her. It’s just baffling how someone who grew up in a CARTEL can be so naïve and recklessly stupid. Just makes no sense to me at all. No matter that her father sent her away no matter that he tried to shelter her nobody should be this naïve and stupid. She is the definition of too stupid to live. Had she died at the warehouse it would have been a fitting end for her stupidity. Sadly she doesn’t die and she doesn’t learn from her mistakes either.
Beware there are definitely spoilers all over this...
Ok shall we start at the beginning?
So it starts when Natalia is 9 and she happens upon the murder of her mother and finds one of guards standing over her mother looking very suspicious. This is where we meet Cristano once a trusted guard/cartel worker person/assassin... he is looking guilty so it makes sense that he’s the killer. His brother Diego who also works there or whatever is somehow Natalia’s bestie even though he’s like 15-16 at that point and it’s kinda weird but whatever they are friends. Diego immediately turns on his brother calls for more guards and gets shot for it then Cristano kinda kid apps Natalia and she shows him how to escape. It’s a tiny kidnapping since they don’t really go far. Anyway he gives her warms about life that might have been useful to her if she ever learned anything... but she doesn’t learn the lessons that are useful. So blah blah he gets away on the run for years she gets left in the dark but is unharmed. Then she goes off to boarding school for her own safety.
So it’s been 11 years I think and she’s home for a visit with a stupid plan to get her father to let her marry Diego. At this point he’s like her dad’s right hand man doing all the cartel crap. Diego is planning some big deal that he hopes will get him the respect he craves. Natalia is entertaining delusions that Diego is some sweet sensitive soul who doesn’t want to be in this life and blah blah insert cliché here. They are like sneaking around sorta but like she visits once a year so I can’t even guess how this relationship even happened. Anywho her father is having some secret party of debauchery that she isn’t allowed to attend naturally she sneaks in and comes in contact with a stranger and cue the gasp it’s Cristano the killer who is apparently not the killer now. I means a killer but didn’t kill her mom and not her dad has forgiven him despite hunting him for a decade but whatever. She’s all upset sees her dad kill a guy and then Diego takes her outside. Where he proceeded to be all up on her and stuff with is odd since their relationship is supposed to be a secret but his friend was right there and all. And it seems like people definitely know about them even if they aren’t saying anything.
So after the party Natalia finally talks to her dad he shuts her down with logic and sense two things she is unfamiliar with. Actually logic and sense seem to be her worse enemies. Because she is you know the ultimate cliché she’s all whiny and plans to run off and marry him no matter what. Her dad seems like a perfectly reasonable person it’s a shame she inherited none of that. And I get it when you are young you think you know everything and your parents can’t know anything cause you cliché... immediately she foolishly sneaks off to go see Diego. Who is having his own problems cause somebody is screwing with his deal to ship drugs for another cartel. His situation goes from bad to worse to wow and you know eventually explodes (literally) in his face.
Diego swears he wants to protect Natalia yet he basically manipulates her into thinking that she’s convincing him to let her help him. If nothing else he’s good at manipulation and p,saying the long game. So she sneaks off again and goes to a club where Cristano will be and she gets him attention and questions him. He is kinda casted as the bad guy while Diego seems like kinda the good guy but never trust Natalia’s perspective on anything. Like if she says it’s raining you should probably look out the window yourself cause who knows if it or not. That sums up everything about her. So blah blah talks to Cristano he helpfully warns her repeatedly about loyalty and trusting his brother and hits on topics her father already covered but you know she’s stupid.
Weird thing... I like Cristano the most in this book... sure he’s a bad guy but he’s not THE bad guy in this story. And at least he seems rather logical and she’s single. However... it’s rather off putting when a guy is clearly propositioning a girl and mentions how he held her when she was a baby. Yeah nope! He is 14 years older than her she almost half his age. Eww. And his sudden obsession with her comes out of nowhere and it’s kinda creepy and weird and mind you he’s the one I actually like.
Anywho... after the club Diego let’s Natalia talk him into going to the warehouse where he has his drugs stashed because they need him for something and it’s more convenient to go there than her house. Also she totally ditched her friend at the club. When she thinks there’s danger at the warehouse while she’s waiting in the car what does she do? Oh yeah run into the freaking warehouse cause like I’ve said recklessly stupid. Common sense and logic would tell you that your boyfriend and his friends with guys are more useful against an enemy that stupid useless you. Nothing actually happens though until later after her and Diego fall asleep on the roof and wake up to gunfire and actual fire. So what does Mr. Hero do? The man who loves her and cares about her safety above all else? Oh right... he leaves her locked and stranded on the freaking roof and the build was on fire. Naturally Cristano comes in the rescue her and he gallantly takes her home he’s her clean and bandage her injuries and feel her up.
Diego is not super screwed all the drugs are gone and apparently he’s dealing with people who think building a pyramid out of dead humans is an interesting hobby. At this point it’s pretty obvious that Diego is a snake but Incase you missed it he meets with his brother. Who admits to the sabotage as an act of vengeance for stuff and Diego wants revenge agAinst him for blah blah with their dead parents. I’m also fairly certain though it is never said that Diego is the one that killed Natalia’s mom or at the very least had something to do with it. Anyway what Diego admits to is his long game with Natalia. He’s been inserting himself into her life gaining her trust and love and affection and manipulating the literal hell out of her basically all of her life. He gets points for patience I guess and I mean I do think he cares about her but he’s also selfish and a terrible person. And I might have forgiven her naïveté just a little knowing he’s obviously been pulling her strings but.... she’s makes so hard.
To save his own life Diego makes a deal with his brother to give him Natalia. No joke... one minute he’s saying he loves her wants to marry her then he is like hmm when I said I would die for you what I really meant was you die and I’ll be over here... He tricks and uses Natalia one last time and she thinks they are going to be married and run away together instead he set her up to marry his brother. Yes MARRY HIS BROTHER. Traded her life for his own not even caring that if his brother’s reputation is true that she could end up worse than dead. I don’t actually think Cristano will hurt her though but yeah Diego don’t care not really. The truth of everything is right in front of her and still she lets him manipulate her into it. Thus is why I can’t forgive her even a tiny bit for her unbelievable stupidity.
And we end there on a cliffhanger in the church. I kinda wanna see what her father will say and see how it will play out. However I can’t see myself paying to be annoyed so much a second time cause I have no hope for this girl. Maybe I’ll read it if it comes to the library. Mind you I say this when I think the book was like $3.99.
So if you want to read about a strong willed female overcoming her criminal family situation to make an honest life for her... you will be disappointed but if you want a stupid naïve doormat girl who blindly follows what some guy tells her then yeah that’s what this is.
Sorry if this is more rant than review but honestly I can’t even fathom how so many people rated this highly. Maybe I’ve developed standards in books or something I don’t know but really Natalia is the WORST.
I did not dislike this book actually the story was perfectly fine the biggest problem in the whole book was Natalia. I’ve never seen somebody so painfully naïve and ridiculous in my life. If you’re looking for a strong female character then keep looking cause it’s not her. It’s just baffling how someone who grew up in a CARTEL can be so naïve and recklessly stupid. Just makes no sense to me at all. No matter that her father sent her away no matter that he tried to shelter her nobody should be this naïve and stupid. She is the definition of too stupid to live. Had she died at the warehouse it would have been a fitting end for her stupidity. Sadly she doesn’t die and she doesn’t learn from her mistakes either.
Beware there are definitely spoilers all over this...
Ok shall we start at the beginning?
So it starts when Natalia is 9 and she happens upon the murder of her mother and finds one of guards standing over her mother looking very suspicious. This is where we meet Cristano once a trusted guard/cartel worker person/assassin... he is looking guilty so it makes sense that he’s the killer. His brother Diego who also works there or whatever is somehow Natalia’s bestie even though he’s like 15-16 at that point and it’s kinda weird but whatever they are friends. Diego immediately turns on his brother calls for more guards and gets shot for it then Cristano kinda kid apps Natalia and she shows him how to escape. It’s a tiny kidnapping since they don’t really go far. Anyway he gives her warms about life that might have been useful to her if she ever learned anything... but she doesn’t learn the lessons that are useful. So blah blah he gets away on the run for years she gets left in the dark but is unharmed. Then she goes off to boarding school for her own safety.
So it’s been 11 years I think and she’s home for a visit with a stupid plan to get her father to let her marry Diego. At this point he’s like her dad’s right hand man doing all the cartel crap. Diego is planning some big deal that he hopes will get him the respect he craves. Natalia is entertaining delusions that Diego is some sweet sensitive soul who doesn’t want to be in this life and blah blah insert cliché here. They are like sneaking around sorta but like she visits once a year so I can’t even guess how this relationship even happened. Anywho her father is having some secret party of debauchery that she isn’t allowed to attend naturally she sneaks in and comes in contact with a stranger and cue the gasp it’s Cristano the killer who is apparently not the killer now. I means a killer but didn’t kill her mom and not her dad has forgiven him despite hunting him for a decade but whatever. She’s all upset sees her dad kill a guy and then Diego takes her outside. Where he proceeded to be all up on her and stuff with is odd since their relationship is supposed to be a secret but his friend was right there and all. And it seems like people definitely know about them even if they aren’t saying anything.
So after the party Natalia finally talks to her dad he shuts her down with logic and sense two things she is unfamiliar with. Actually logic and sense seem to be her worse enemies. Because she is you know the ultimate cliché she’s all whiny and plans to run off and marry him no matter what. Her dad seems like a perfectly reasonable person it’s a shame she inherited none of that. And I get it when you are young you think you know everything and your parents can’t know anything cause you cliché... immediately she foolishly sneaks off to go see Diego. Who is having his own problems cause somebody is screwing with his deal to ship drugs for another cartel. His situation goes from bad to worse to wow and you know eventually explodes (literally) in his face.
Diego swears he wants to protect Natalia yet he basically manipulates her into thinking that she’s convincing him to let her help him. If nothing else he’s good at manipulation and p,saying the long game. So she sneaks off again and goes to a club where Cristano will be and she gets him attention and questions him. He is kinda casted as the bad guy while Diego seems like kinda the good guy but never trust Natalia’s perspective on anything. Like if she says it’s raining you should probably look out the window yourself cause who knows if it or not. That sums up everything about her. So blah blah talks to Cristano he helpfully warns her repeatedly about loyalty and trusting his brother and hits on topics her father already covered but you know she’s stupid.
Weird thing... I like Cristano the most in this book... sure he’s a bad guy but he’s not THE bad guy in this story. And at least he seems rather logical and she’s single. However... it’s rather off putting when a guy is clearly propositioning a girl and mentions how he held her when she was a baby. Yeah nope! He is 14 years older than her she almost half his age. Eww. And his sudden obsession with her comes out of nowhere and it’s kinda creepy and weird and mind you he’s the one I actually like.
Anywho... after the club Diego let’s Natalia talk him into going to the warehouse where he has his drugs stashed because they need him for something and it’s more convenient to go there than her house. Also she totally ditched her friend at the club. When she thinks there’s danger at the warehouse while she’s waiting in the car what does she do? Oh yeah run into the freaking warehouse cause like I’ve said recklessly stupid. Common sense and logic would tell you that your boyfriend and his friends with guys are more useful against an enemy that stupid useless you. Nothing actually happens though until later after her and Diego fall asleep on the roof and wake up to gunfire and actual fire. So what does Mr. Hero do? The man who loves her and cares about her safety above all else? Oh right... he leaves her locked and stranded on the freaking roof and the build was on fire. Naturally Cristano comes in the rescue her and he gallantly takes her home he’s her clean and bandage her injuries and feel her up.
Diego is not super screwed all the drugs are gone and apparently he’s dealing with people who think building a pyramid out of dead humans is an interesting hobby. At this point it’s pretty obvious that Diego is a snake but Incase you missed it he meets with his brother. Who admits to the sabotage as an act of vengeance for stuff and Diego wants revenge agAinst him for blah blah with their dead parents. I’m also fairly certain though it is never said that Diego is the one that killed Natalia’s mom or at the very least had something to do with it. Anyway what Diego admits to is his long game with Natalia. He’s been inserting himself into her life gaining her trust and love and affection and manipulating the literal hell out of her basically all of her life. He gets points for patience I guess and I mean I do think he cares about her but he’s also selfish and a terrible person. And I might have forgiven her naïveté just a little knowing he’s obviously been pulling her strings but.... she’s makes so hard.
To save his own life Diego makes a deal with his brother to give him Natalia. No joke... one minute he’s saying he loves her wants to marry her then he is like hmm when I said I would die for you what I really meant was you die and I’ll be over here... He tricks and uses Natalia one last time and she thinks they are going to be married and run away together instead he set her up to marry his brother. Yes MARRY HIS BROTHER. Traded her life for his own not even caring that if his brother’s reputation is true that she could end up worse than dead. I don’t actually think Cristano will hurt her though but yeah Diego don’t care not really. The truth of everything is right in front of her and still she lets him manipulate her into it. Thus is why I can’t forgive her even a tiny bit for her unbelievable stupidity.
And we end there on a cliffhanger in the church. I kinda wanna see what her father will say and see how it will play out. However I can’t see myself paying to be annoyed so much a second time cause I have no hope for this girl. Maybe I’ll read it if it comes to the library. Mind you I say this when I think the book was like $3.99.
So if you want to read about a strong willed female overcoming her criminal family situation to make an honest life for her... you will be disappointed but if you want a stupid naïve doormat girl who blindly follows what some guy tells her then yeah that’s what this is.
Sorry if this is more rant than review but honestly I can’t even fathom how so many people rated this highly. Maybe I’ve developed standards in books or something I don’t know but really Natalia is the WORST.
March 19, 2019
REVIEW: 4+ STARS
"Some things can't be taken. Some things must be given."
Yet again, another winner. SO worthy! Jessica Hawkins' words can totally make me mad in one instance, yet she has the ability to immediately soothe me with her next words. Seeing all the intricacies that are weaved so deep within this story makes me excited for the possibilities for the next two books - my head is already spinning!! I have so many thoughts running through my mind, and so many questions to correlate with those thoughts. Great opener to this newest trilogy and I think it was a fantastic beginning. This was definitely the kind of book you need to go in blind, but also...the kind that you can't help but want to discuss in depth afterwards.
I can definitely appreciate that I was able to pick a team instantly because while one brother was cold and calculating behind a façade, the other one was just cold and calculating with a goal in mind. SO, the cold and calculating one got my vote. HAHA! I love how this story is taking shape already. I can only imagine the amount of discussions I can and will have in the SPOILER ROOM. I know that I've already spilled my guts in there on a few posts, and I see that the conspiracy theories are aplenty. There was so many layers to divide and dissect, and it makes for fun discussions. I won't lie, but it read too quickly for my wants. I was certainly NOT done enjoying this first part of their story....but it ended too quickly! You know a book has you wrapped up when you can discuss all the many different aspects of it and still come away with different thought processes. Some discussions will change my mind on what I think can/will/did happen, and some of it makes me shake my head at the ideas! That's Jessica's writing though. Completely turned my world upside down in one day and now I am left waiting until June, rummaging through my mind with possibilities and conspiracy theories. ABUNDANT, I may add. This wasn't very twisted like I thought it was going to be, so no mind-fuckery was happening, but I will tell you that the twistedness that are these two brothers is pretty crazy. I can feel the angst building up, but this one wasn't too terribly angsty to start, but when Cristiano touches her....ohmygosh. I can *feel* the sexual tension rolling off them and I can't wait to explore it!!!
Jessica provided me a story ripe with manipulations and lies, but scattered in between were some seriously heavy truths as well. I mean, to already be so invested in these characters and to question the meaning behind the most trivial of things, I am shaking my head. Pay attention to the scores!! I loved that I was able to be super angry at the way something was happening - like, seeing red angry, but other times I was under a spell and just knew I was in it for the long haul. Even understanding that there was a discussable meaning and reasoning behind all the happenings didn't make some of the hard parts easy to swallow, and that was a big deal for me. I want those twists and turns. I want that anger and emotional confusion - and Jessica does that soooo well. While it was somewhat predictable at times, the layered truths that Jessica gave us to look forward to unraveling in the next two books left me giddy! I always say I'm such a slow reader, but then I get Jessica's book in my hands and I can't help but fly right through it. Argh!!! I'm all sad now. Is it JUNE yet?? Because NOVEMBER is going to be a loooong wait!! I will need ALL the cookies to survive this wait. She got me good. Real good.
This book ended on a gasp and I was fuming but oh-so-intrigued, so I have NO doubt that the next two books will be heart-poundingly good! I'll admit, for a non-lover of cliffies, this was a great cliffhanger! I'm sure I'm going to be pulled out of my comfort zone here soon. As a matter of fact, I'm counting on it. This is most definitely a case for having to trust the author with the plot because with three books to get through, this first one was rather rough on the heart in a few spots. There is so much to think about and so much to ponder. I am so ready for more!!
"My brother's using you to light the fire, but don't forget - a match also burns."
~BEE
AMAZON AA LINK: https://amzn.to/2TSBSU9
ENTER HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN AN ECOPY: http://bit.ly/2TNDu2b
____________________________
BRING on THE TRILOGY!!!! We have titles and release dates for Jessica's entire trilogy!!!!
TITLES ✔️
RELEASE DATES ✔️
Jessica Hawkins just announced that The White Monarch Trilogy will all be released this year - in it's entirety! I love the sound of the titles and look forward to the angst that is sure to be included.
Series PREORDER: https://amzn.to/2GMMj5k
AA links
• VIOLENT DELIGHTS - March 19th
PREORDER: https://amzn.to/2UbdBFs
• VIOLENT ENDS - June 18th
PREORDER: https://amzn.to/2BVFFWj
• VIOLENT TRIUMPHS - November 12th
PREORDER: https://amzn.to/2VlxHgv
SERIES TBR: http://bit.ly/2tFboXy
"Some things can't be taken. Some things must be given."
Yet again, another winner. SO worthy! Jessica Hawkins' words can totally make me mad in one instance, yet she has the ability to immediately soothe me with her next words. Seeing all the intricacies that are weaved so deep within this story makes me excited for the possibilities for the next two books - my head is already spinning!! I have so many thoughts running through my mind, and so many questions to correlate with those thoughts. Great opener to this newest trilogy and I think it was a fantastic beginning. This was definitely the kind of book you need to go in blind, but also...the kind that you can't help but want to discuss in depth afterwards.
I can definitely appreciate that I was able to pick a team instantly because while one brother was cold and calculating behind a façade, the other one was just cold and calculating with a goal in mind. SO, the cold and calculating one got my vote. HAHA! I love how this story is taking shape already. I can only imagine the amount of discussions I can and will have in the SPOILER ROOM. I know that I've already spilled my guts in there on a few posts, and I see that the conspiracy theories are aplenty. There was so many layers to divide and dissect, and it makes for fun discussions. I won't lie, but it read too quickly for my wants. I was certainly NOT done enjoying this first part of their story....but it ended too quickly! You know a book has you wrapped up when you can discuss all the many different aspects of it and still come away with different thought processes. Some discussions will change my mind on what I think can/will/did happen, and some of it makes me shake my head at the ideas! That's Jessica's writing though. Completely turned my world upside down in one day and now I am left waiting until June, rummaging through my mind with possibilities and conspiracy theories. ABUNDANT, I may add. This wasn't very twisted like I thought it was going to be, so no mind-fuckery was happening, but I will tell you that the twistedness that are these two brothers is pretty crazy. I can feel the angst building up, but this one wasn't too terribly angsty to start, but when Cristiano touches her....ohmygosh. I can *feel* the sexual tension rolling off them and I can't wait to explore it!!!
Jessica provided me a story ripe with manipulations and lies, but scattered in between were some seriously heavy truths as well. I mean, to already be so invested in these characters and to question the meaning behind the most trivial of things, I am shaking my head. Pay attention to the scores!! I loved that I was able to be super angry at the way something was happening - like, seeing red angry, but other times I was under a spell and just knew I was in it for the long haul. Even understanding that there was a discussable meaning and reasoning behind all the happenings didn't make some of the hard parts easy to swallow, and that was a big deal for me. I want those twists and turns. I want that anger and emotional confusion - and Jessica does that soooo well. While it was somewhat predictable at times, the layered truths that Jessica gave us to look forward to unraveling in the next two books left me giddy! I always say I'm such a slow reader, but then I get Jessica's book in my hands and I can't help but fly right through it. Argh!!! I'm all sad now. Is it JUNE yet?? Because NOVEMBER is going to be a loooong wait!! I will need ALL the cookies to survive this wait. She got me good. Real good.
This book ended on a gasp and I was fuming but oh-so-intrigued, so I have NO doubt that the next two books will be heart-poundingly good! I'll admit, for a non-lover of cliffies, this was a great cliffhanger! I'm sure I'm going to be pulled out of my comfort zone here soon. As a matter of fact, I'm counting on it. This is most definitely a case for having to trust the author with the plot because with three books to get through, this first one was rather rough on the heart in a few spots. There is so much to think about and so much to ponder. I am so ready for more!!
"My brother's using you to light the fire, but don't forget - a match also burns."
~BEE
AMAZON AA LINK: https://amzn.to/2TSBSU9
ENTER HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN AN ECOPY: http://bit.ly/2TNDu2b
____________________________
BRING on THE TRILOGY!!!! We have titles and release dates for Jessica's entire trilogy!!!!
TITLES ✔️
RELEASE DATES ✔️
Jessica Hawkins just announced that The White Monarch Trilogy will all be released this year - in it's entirety! I love the sound of the titles and look forward to the angst that is sure to be included.
Series PREORDER: https://amzn.to/2GMMj5k
AA links
• VIOLENT DELIGHTS - March 19th
PREORDER: https://amzn.to/2UbdBFs
• VIOLENT ENDS - June 18th
PREORDER: https://amzn.to/2BVFFWj
• VIOLENT TRIUMPHS - November 12th
PREORDER: https://amzn.to/2VlxHgv
SERIES TBR: http://bit.ly/2tFboXy
September 1, 2020
2,5 🤔🤔⭐️s
This part was so lengthy, just filling most of the pages with a very irritating, clueless and tiring Natalia who was in love with Diego, a great manipulator and very sneaky ungrateful person.
It was really exhausting going round and round and never anyone asked straightforwardly, What Exactly Happened The Night of Natalia”s Mother Murder???
Of course I was happy with the appearance of Cristiano, but I had enough with that love triangle and the story’s predictability that I don’t think I will read the other two parts.
This part was so lengthy, just filling most of the pages with a very irritating, clueless and tiring Natalia who was in love with Diego, a great manipulator and very sneaky ungrateful person.
It was really exhausting going round and round and never anyone asked straightforwardly, What Exactly Happened The Night of Natalia”s Mother Murder???
Of course I was happy with the appearance of Cristiano, but I had enough with that love triangle and the story’s predictability that I don’t think I will read the other two parts.
January 31, 2021
“Just remember- No monster thinks of himself that way. He's just living by a different code than yours".”
― Jessica Hawkins, Violent Delights
My review:
I'm sorry author.
I almost did a DNF of your book. Yes, I was a silly girl. But the first chapter was a bit much for me.
OK..Gonna scream this from the roof tops....Turn away now if you don't like curse words:
THIS BOOK IS SO FUCKING GOOD!
So this is the story of a Mexican Drug Cartel. Just your average sweet whole some book! Not!
It is also the story Natalia, the pampered and very innocent daughter of the head of said cartel.
Natalia's life has been tragic. Her mom was murdered when she was a child and she has never got over it. Now she is in college and dreams of marrying Diego, who has been her best friend all her life and is also a cartel member.
Her dad does not approve of the match. He thinks this life is not for his daughter. (He is sure right about THAT one!)
Then there is Diego's brother Christiano. He is the one who was accused of murdering Natalia's mother. He escaped all these years ago but there are questions about whether he really did do it. He claims not to have. But this family's home was a fortress and both boys were raised in the household. Also Christiano was caught by Natalia in the room with her mom right after it happened. She believes he did it even if others like her dad may now have doubt.
And she is afraid of Christiano, even now. Especially now as he has returned to the family after clearing his name although Natalia does not believe he is innocent.
Even though she feels a deep almost primal pull toward him. Nothing like the sweet love she has for Diego.
And Diego has made a deal with the wrong cartel. He needs help.
So much going on....
So..I loved this. TRIGGERS: Lots of violence. Lots of sex. Rinse and repeat. But an actual plot with depth and so well written.
I am not the type who generally reads gory thrillers. . Nor do I usually read romance. To be honest neither gory thrillers nor romance are among my favorite genres and I do not read either one that much.
But I do like stories that pack a wallop. And Savages is among my top 50 books ever and that too is about a drug cartel.
This one doesn't make it into my favorites of all time but is indeed a favorite of the year so far. It's got so much to offer. Great characters, depth, sizzling dialogue, riveting plot, never a dull moment.
I also LOVED the stunning and lush descriptions of Mexico. I was there as a kid on vacation and I remember how vivid and alive it wad.
Unlike Donald Trump, I have nothing but respect for Mexico and the atmosphere here is so powerful. Mexico is just brought alive and you can see it before you, drenched in color and the homes, the nightclub (where a GREAT scene takes place!), the music but most of all the unforgettable Masquerade party at the home of Natalia. I'm telling you both that scene and the nightclub scene stand out. I love a sumptious atmosphere and you get that here. I wanted to go to the masquerade...before all the dark stuff happens though!!!!!!!
So no spoilers...I will say this is a three part series but this book does still have ending. Both brothers want Natalia. Who gets her? Can the family be saved? Who killed Natalia's mother? Why was one brother always kept at arm's length? You wont find all the answers in book one but it does have an interesting ending. However you do have to go on for all the answers.
That is my dilemma. I am not a series person. However I do think...no I KNOW..I am at least going on to part two, most likely by this weekend...which just shows how good the book is.
So to sum up...4.5 stars. Love it and can't wait to read more!
― Jessica Hawkins, Violent Delights
My review:
I'm sorry author.
I almost did a DNF of your book. Yes, I was a silly girl. But the first chapter was a bit much for me.
OK..Gonna scream this from the roof tops....Turn away now if you don't like curse words:
THIS BOOK IS SO FUCKING GOOD!
So this is the story of a Mexican Drug Cartel. Just your average sweet whole some book! Not!
It is also the story Natalia, the pampered and very innocent daughter of the head of said cartel.
Natalia's life has been tragic. Her mom was murdered when she was a child and she has never got over it. Now she is in college and dreams of marrying Diego, who has been her best friend all her life and is also a cartel member.
Her dad does not approve of the match. He thinks this life is not for his daughter. (He is sure right about THAT one!)
Then there is Diego's brother Christiano. He is the one who was accused of murdering Natalia's mother. He escaped all these years ago but there are questions about whether he really did do it. He claims not to have. But this family's home was a fortress and both boys were raised in the household. Also Christiano was caught by Natalia in the room with her mom right after it happened. She believes he did it even if others like her dad may now have doubt.
And she is afraid of Christiano, even now. Especially now as he has returned to the family after clearing his name although Natalia does not believe he is innocent.
Even though she feels a deep almost primal pull toward him. Nothing like the sweet love she has for Diego.
And Diego has made a deal with the wrong cartel. He needs help.
So much going on....
So..I loved this. TRIGGERS: Lots of violence. Lots of sex. Rinse and repeat. But an actual plot with depth and so well written.
I am not the type who generally reads gory thrillers. . Nor do I usually read romance. To be honest neither gory thrillers nor romance are among my favorite genres and I do not read either one that much.
But I do like stories that pack a wallop. And Savages is among my top 50 books ever and that too is about a drug cartel.
This one doesn't make it into my favorites of all time but is indeed a favorite of the year so far. It's got so much to offer. Great characters, depth, sizzling dialogue, riveting plot, never a dull moment.
I also LOVED the stunning and lush descriptions of Mexico. I was there as a kid on vacation and I remember how vivid and alive it wad.
Unlike Donald Trump, I have nothing but respect for Mexico and the atmosphere here is so powerful. Mexico is just brought alive and you can see it before you, drenched in color and the homes, the nightclub (where a GREAT scene takes place!), the music but most of all the unforgettable Masquerade party at the home of Natalia. I'm telling you both that scene and the nightclub scene stand out. I love a sumptious atmosphere and you get that here. I wanted to go to the masquerade...before all the dark stuff happens though!!!!!!!
So no spoilers...I will say this is a three part series but this book does still have ending. Both brothers want Natalia. Who gets her? Can the family be saved? Who killed Natalia's mother? Why was one brother always kept at arm's length? You wont find all the answers in book one but it does have an interesting ending. However you do have to go on for all the answers.
That is my dilemma. I am not a series person. However I do think...no I KNOW..I am at least going on to part two, most likely by this weekend...which just shows how good the book is.
So to sum up...4.5 stars. Love it and can't wait to read more!
March 29, 2019
***4,25 "Look what loyalty got me!!!" stars***
"Promise you'll never come back here," I said.
"I can't."
Honestly, i don't know how to start this review!!! Since last night, I'm thinking about what to say about this book!!! And I still don't know...
"Violent delights" is an antsy story... Wonderful, but dark... A story that is gonna make you question everything, especially where the loyalties of these persons are lying...
This was a book about organized crime, which genre i love fiercely!!!
It's a twisted love story... It's a story of lust...
It's about secrets, lies and loyalties... It's about revenge....
This story is about a princess being born in the wrong place...
"Trust no one.
Never draw a weapon unless you meant to kill.
Loyalty didn’t guarantee loyalty, even to your own blood.
Anyone, even the most loyal disciple, could turn."
They all started when Natalia was nine years old and she discovered her dying mother by a man who they were trusting with their lives...
Eleven years forward, Natalia is in love with her best friend and she is craving a life for her and her loved one away from the cartels that her father is the boss...
She just have to be patient for a little more time to achieve what she really wants...
So, now she is back home for a while and everything is about to change...
“This is a game, Natalia, and you have to play—or you’ll lose. Learn your lesson should someone care enough to teach you. And never doubt that you are a prize to hold tight.”
A man from the past is coming back and the nightmares are returning...
She doesn't want anything to do with him, but he is everywhere and her feelings are all over the place...
Now, she is standing between two men, two brother in odds, who are claiming her in their own way...
She loves the one, but she is bound to the other too by blood and nightmares...
What will happen after all when everything are tumbling around them???
“Once a man gets a taste of power, his need for it surpasses hunger. It’s a sickness that demands more.”
“The truth is in you like a heart. Like blood in your veins. Like bones...”
Well, i really don't know what else to say about this story!!!!
Natalia had stucked in the middle and even though that she wanted a different life, she was always a part of this life... and she will always be!!!
Her loyalty, faith and love for Diego was mesmerized... but Cristiano was something old and new together... It was the devil himself, but in a way, he was calming her...
I really felt sorry for her... For the situation that she had stuck on...
Especially, toward the end, i felt like her... The betrayal was too big to handle it!!!
But to be totally honest here, her blind trust to Diego was giving on my nerves from the first moment...
"Diego wasn't just the love of my life -he was my past and future. He anchored me."
"He was the danger my father had warned me of. This was a man who walked into a room and left with what he wanted- revenge, money, women... Me."
Cristiano and Diego DeLa Rosa are two brothers who are battling against each other...
Honestly, you didn't know who to believe in many points.... Who was telling the truth and who was deceitful...
For an unknown reason, since the first moment, even though the favors were against him, i had chosen Cristiano's side...
For the same unknown reason, i didn't like Diego, even though he was sweet and kind...
These two couldn't be more different, Diego was light and Cristiano dark, but still...
I just wish that I'll be in no wrong side at the end...
"I recognized his interest in Natalia because I shared it as well.
She was more than an interest to me, though. I loved her. She was my weakness.
Did we share that as well?"
“For those who are deserving, I ask before I take. I feed those who feed me. I can’t control how others interpret things, but I give honesty where I get it. You’ll find me dead before you find me a liar.”
Well, as you can understand i really enjoyed this story... And even though i have a prefferance to one of the men, i wouldn't change anything!!!
The truth is that this story was so much more than just a romance... And don't get confused, this is NOT a love triangle (at least for now!!!! Bahahaha...)
This story had too many background history and too many unfinished businesses...
It was a story about love, lust, family, friendship, loyalty, revenge... Secrets and lies that are coming to light and much more that there is to follow next...
God, i wish June wasn't so far away!!!
"You're looking for a monster, and you found one in me. But I'm not the one you should fear. Just remember- No monster thinks of himself that way. He's just living by a different code than yours".
"Are there monsters here, Cristiano?"
"Yes... But they'll never hurt Natalia."
"How do you know?" I'd asked him.
"Because I'm here to protect you... And I'm scarier than any monster."
"Promise you'll never come back here," I said.
"I can't."
Honestly, i don't know how to start this review!!! Since last night, I'm thinking about what to say about this book!!! And I still don't know...
"Violent delights" is an antsy story... Wonderful, but dark... A story that is gonna make you question everything, especially where the loyalties of these persons are lying...
This was a book about organized crime, which genre i love fiercely!!!
It's a twisted love story... It's a story of lust...
It's about secrets, lies and loyalties... It's about revenge....
This story is about a princess being born in the wrong place...
"Trust no one.
Never draw a weapon unless you meant to kill.
Loyalty didn’t guarantee loyalty, even to your own blood.
Anyone, even the most loyal disciple, could turn."
They all started when Natalia was nine years old and she discovered her dying mother by a man who they were trusting with their lives...
Eleven years forward, Natalia is in love with her best friend and she is craving a life for her and her loved one away from the cartels that her father is the boss...
She just have to be patient for a little more time to achieve what she really wants...
So, now she is back home for a while and everything is about to change...
“This is a game, Natalia, and you have to play—or you’ll lose. Learn your lesson should someone care enough to teach you. And never doubt that you are a prize to hold tight.”
A man from the past is coming back and the nightmares are returning...
She doesn't want anything to do with him, but he is everywhere and her feelings are all over the place...
Now, she is standing between two men, two brother in odds, who are claiming her in their own way...
She loves the one, but she is bound to the other too by blood and nightmares...
What will happen after all when everything are tumbling around them???
“Once a man gets a taste of power, his need for it surpasses hunger. It’s a sickness that demands more.”
“The truth is in you like a heart. Like blood in your veins. Like bones...”
Well, i really don't know what else to say about this story!!!!
Natalia had stucked in the middle and even though that she wanted a different life, she was always a part of this life... and she will always be!!!
Her loyalty, faith and love for Diego was mesmerized... but Cristiano was something old and new together... It was the devil himself, but in a way, he was calming her...
I really felt sorry for her... For the situation that she had stuck on...
Especially, toward the end, i felt like her... The betrayal was too big to handle it!!!
But to be totally honest here, her blind trust to Diego was giving on my nerves from the first moment...
"Diego wasn't just the love of my life -he was my past and future. He anchored me."
"He was the danger my father had warned me of. This was a man who walked into a room and left with what he wanted- revenge, money, women... Me."
Cristiano and Diego DeLa Rosa are two brothers who are battling against each other...
Honestly, you didn't know who to believe in many points.... Who was telling the truth and who was deceitful...
For an unknown reason, since the first moment, even though the favors were against him, i had chosen Cristiano's side...
For the same unknown reason, i didn't like Diego, even though he was sweet and kind...
These two couldn't be more different, Diego was light and Cristiano dark, but still...
I just wish that I'll be in no wrong side at the end...
"I recognized his interest in Natalia because I shared it as well.
She was more than an interest to me, though. I loved her. She was my weakness.
Did we share that as well?"
“For those who are deserving, I ask before I take. I feed those who feed me. I can’t control how others interpret things, but I give honesty where I get it. You’ll find me dead before you find me a liar.”
Well, as you can understand i really enjoyed this story... And even though i have a prefferance to one of the men, i wouldn't change anything!!!
The truth is that this story was so much more than just a romance... And don't get confused, this is NOT a love triangle (at least for now!!!! Bahahaha...)
This story had too many background history and too many unfinished businesses...
It was a story about love, lust, family, friendship, loyalty, revenge... Secrets and lies that are coming to light and much more that there is to follow next...
God, i wish June wasn't so far away!!!
"You're looking for a monster, and you found one in me. But I'm not the one you should fear. Just remember- No monster thinks of himself that way. He's just living by a different code than yours".
"Are there monsters here, Cristiano?"
"Yes... But they'll never hurt Natalia."
"How do you know?" I'd asked him.
"Because I'm here to protect you... And I'm scarier than any monster."
June 14, 2019
This is one of those books that made me have an instant crush on a character I know very little about. That crush might have bumped up my rating from 3 to 4 stars. That being said, here are some spoilers:
I think that sums up the things worth mentioning that maybe bothered me or made me roll my eyes a bit, but still, I had a lot of fun reading this and I put in a pre-order of book 2 and 3. The ending... It made things very interesting... :)
I think that sums up the things worth mentioning that maybe bothered me or made me roll my eyes a bit, but still, I had a lot of fun reading this and I put in a pre-order of book 2 and 3. The ending... It made things very interesting... :)
April 2, 2019
4.5 ⭐️ Stars!
Fantastic storyline !!
Fantastic storyline !!
March 22, 2019
you know those times where nothings really happening to antagonize you but you’re still annoyed, ok that’s me with this book
this is a very-long-prologue type book imo, nothing really happens and what does happen could’ve been summarized in a page
Natalia is a doormat type heroine which is unfortunate, you’ve got the “nice” brother (7 year age gap) and the “bad” brother (14 YEAR AGE GAP???) ,,,,, gee I wonder what happens
ehh
1.5/5
this is a very-long-prologue type book imo, nothing really happens and what does happen could’ve been summarized in a page
Natalia is a doormat type heroine which is unfortunate, you’ve got the “nice” brother (7 year age gap) and the “bad” brother (14 YEAR AGE GAP???) ,,,,, gee I wonder what happens
ehh
1.5/5
October 15, 2022
Mixed feelings is what I have about this book. I don't know if I should rate it 5 stars, 4, or 3.
5 stars goes to Cristiano, my man 🔥
Diego's sweet talking was a bad joke 👎
The foreshadowing was too heavy, I was hoping Jess could insert a twist that would surprise me like she did in Slip of the Tongue, but nope, not here
I want to rate this 5 stars for the author's portrayal of Mexican culture! Not perfect, by any means, but sooo much better than other cartel romances. Bonus stars for referencing Gotan Project (I know they're not Mexican, but they're good), I was listening to Ángela Aguilar while reading this, and La Llorona by Carmen Goett fits the vibe so well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwc1j... It makes me so so sad there aren't more Latina dark romance authors or anyone familiar with Latin America. Most romantic languages, most romantic music, the most vibrant cultures. I get depressed when I think about the lack of good representation in romance.
Later I want to come back and add what I think Jess did that made this cartel romance work for me and others not. I think we must've watched the same organized crime docs on Netflix. I thought she portrayed it more realistically than other authors.
I'm addicted to the suspense at this point, despite the melodrama bordering on ott ridiculous and I'm starting book 2 asap.
Edit: I just dnf book 2, I basically agree with all the critical reviews 😢 So I'm just going to pretend this is a standalone and be happy with that.
5 stars goes to Cristiano, my man 🔥
Diego's sweet talking was a bad joke 👎
The foreshadowing was too heavy, I was hoping Jess could insert a twist that would surprise me like she did in Slip of the Tongue, but nope, not here
I want to rate this 5 stars for the author's portrayal of Mexican culture! Not perfect, by any means, but sooo much better than other cartel romances. Bonus stars for referencing Gotan Project (I know they're not Mexican, but they're good), I was listening to Ángela Aguilar while reading this, and La Llorona by Carmen Goett fits the vibe so well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwc1j... It makes me so so sad there aren't more Latina dark romance authors or anyone familiar with Latin America. Most romantic languages, most romantic music, the most vibrant cultures. I get depressed when I think about the lack of good representation in romance.
Later I want to come back and add what I think Jess did that made this cartel romance work for me and others not. I think we must've watched the same organized crime docs on Netflix. I thought she portrayed it more realistically than other authors.
I'm addicted to the suspense at this point, despite the melodrama bordering on ott ridiculous and I'm starting book 2 asap.
Edit: I just dnf book 2, I basically agree with all the critical reviews 😢 So I'm just going to pretend this is a standalone and be happy with that.
March 25, 2019
Another day, another review deleted. I might stop reviewing on GR if this continues.
Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
I struggle to write this review after the fifth night of dreaming I am Natalia and I am in the difficult position of being stuck in the middle of a war. The conflicting emotions, the betrayal, the love, the lust, the fear, weigh heavily on me when I open my eyes each morning. I was not only caught up in the story, I am now living it in my sleep. Violent Delights is, and this is a number one fan's perspective, Jessica Hawkins' most ambitious and well written novel yet. She takes us into the mind of the beautiful and naive Natalia, daughter of a Mexican cartel boss, and takes us on a twisted journey. She gives Natalia a life of sadness and hope, a life once filled with promise now bound by obligation. She gives us two men, brothers by birth, divided by choice, and gives us countless reasons to both desire and hate them. Cristiano is a brutally handsome, ruthless man, the dark de la Rosa son, while Diego is the light. The feud between brothers is old, their feelings run deep, and as truths are revealed Natalia and the readers are left wondering who is really the right brother to trust one's life with.
"I had run away from all this, but the devil still tempted that stupid little girl."
I cannot get over how quickly I became wrapped up in this story. While the premise and the trope is common in the romance genre and organized crime sub-genre, it is the storytelling that is unique. Jessica Hawkins kicks off this action-packed romance with a scene that is emotional and memorable. We are immediately protective over the heroine and yet we are also aware that all may not be as it seems. With time comes answers, but those answers reveal secrets and truths that can and do change the course of Natalia's life. The bonds between family, friends, and lovers are tested as the business side of things, the side Natalia has tried to ignore and avoid, overflow into her life. I was so impressed with Jessica Hawkins' transition into organized crime with this novel, especially with her previous releases being contemporary romance. Violent Delights felt realistic, the family business and the competitive nature of crime was very accurate in my opinion.
"Then I'd like to change my order. Please tell the heavens it is my dying wish to hear you scream."
Violent Delights is the first novel in Jessica Hawkins' new White Monarch series. While it does end on a cliffhanger, it was the perfect sort of cliff to jump off of. The novel introduces the characters and their complexities and immediately readers are in the center of a fast paced battle for power and for the girl. Like all Jessica Hawkins novels, this book is incredibly well written and is an amazing start to a new series from the Queen of Slow Burn Romance.
ARC provided.
Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
I struggle to write this review after the fifth night of dreaming I am Natalia and I am in the difficult position of being stuck in the middle of a war. The conflicting emotions, the betrayal, the love, the lust, the fear, weigh heavily on me when I open my eyes each morning. I was not only caught up in the story, I am now living it in my sleep. Violent Delights is, and this is a number one fan's perspective, Jessica Hawkins' most ambitious and well written novel yet. She takes us into the mind of the beautiful and naive Natalia, daughter of a Mexican cartel boss, and takes us on a twisted journey. She gives Natalia a life of sadness and hope, a life once filled with promise now bound by obligation. She gives us two men, brothers by birth, divided by choice, and gives us countless reasons to both desire and hate them. Cristiano is a brutally handsome, ruthless man, the dark de la Rosa son, while Diego is the light. The feud between brothers is old, their feelings run deep, and as truths are revealed Natalia and the readers are left wondering who is really the right brother to trust one's life with.
"I had run away from all this, but the devil still tempted that stupid little girl."
I cannot get over how quickly I became wrapped up in this story. While the premise and the trope is common in the romance genre and organized crime sub-genre, it is the storytelling that is unique. Jessica Hawkins kicks off this action-packed romance with a scene that is emotional and memorable. We are immediately protective over the heroine and yet we are also aware that all may not be as it seems. With time comes answers, but those answers reveal secrets and truths that can and do change the course of Natalia's life. The bonds between family, friends, and lovers are tested as the business side of things, the side Natalia has tried to ignore and avoid, overflow into her life. I was so impressed with Jessica Hawkins' transition into organized crime with this novel, especially with her previous releases being contemporary romance. Violent Delights felt realistic, the family business and the competitive nature of crime was very accurate in my opinion.
"Then I'd like to change my order. Please tell the heavens it is my dying wish to hear you scream."
Violent Delights is the first novel in Jessica Hawkins' new White Monarch series. While it does end on a cliffhanger, it was the perfect sort of cliff to jump off of. The novel introduces the characters and their complexities and immediately readers are in the center of a fast paced battle for power and for the girl. Like all Jessica Hawkins novels, this book is incredibly well written and is an amazing start to a new series from the Queen of Slow Burn Romance.
ARC provided.
March 29, 2019
3.5 Stars!!
“This is a game, Natalia, and you have to play—or you’ll lose. Learn your lesson should someone care enough to teach you. And never doubt that you are a prize to hold tight.”
Natalia is a princess among criminals. In the De la Rosa family, old grudges run deeper than loyalty, and betrayal is a three-letter word: war. It just so happens to be a war between brothers, and she is the prize.
“She is mine.” Three words from two different men.
A life, future, and love I don’t get to choose.
As a princess of the Cruz Cartel, Natalia has always lived a life of wealth and status. She has also been sheltered and protected. But she hasn't always felt safe- she was 9 when her safety net revealed its cracks. She realizes she wants no part of this life she was born into, and she'd do ANYTHING for her freedom and the chance to be with her first love and best friend Diego de la Rosa. But what she doesn't know is ANYTHING - is a very BIG word.
First of all... The COVER OMG #COVERPORN- it is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!
Hawkins did her homework on Mafia and Cartels. This book was legit!! I really enjoyed the action plot and how there was always something happening. I thought it flowed nicely and the writing was fantastic.
What I didn't like- Natalia literally annoyed me to no end. She had no depth to her and she just whined way too much for me. The Brothers: I LOVED Cristiano and HATED Diego. I really did enjoy the plot though - it had some twists and it was exciting. I think the next book is going to be AMAZING- I really do- I think once we get over the cliffhanger hump and we get to see growth from the characters the next book will be epic! I totally recommend this if you are a fan of this authors books and books with action and are plot driven!
Read
March 19, 2019Available Now! Violent Delights is here, and it's: heart-stopping. Jaw-dropping. Lip-biting. Start this new series that's fast-paced...slow-burn...and the perfect amount of steam—plus all the angst you expect from me. Set against the dangerous backdrop of Mexican cartels, two alpha male brothers go head to head—but only one can dominate.
“Hands down the BEST book I have read this year…6 million stars!”—Angie’s Dreamy Reads
Read Now:
Amazon ♦ Apple Books ♦ Google Play ♦ Nook ♦ Kobo
“Hands down the BEST book I have read this year…6 million stars!”—Angie’s Dreamy Reads
Read Now:
Amazon ♦ Apple Books ♦ Google Play ♦ Nook ♦ Kobo
June 20, 2019
“This is a game, Natalia, and you have to play—or you’ll lose. Learn your lesson should someone care enough to teach you. And never doubt that you are a prize to hold tight.”
On a whim, I decided to sign up to read this because despite my savage hatred towards love triangles, I have an unhealthy obsession with dark cartel and mafia romances. Watching the intricacies weave together into an intriguing and captivating narrative leaves me undeniably ecstatic for all the sordid possibilities—my head is filled with multiple theories and assumptions! I have many thoughts running through my mind, with a myriad of questions accompanying them waiting to be answered.
“The truth is in you like a heart. Like blood in your veins. Like bones.”
I’m not quite certain what to mention, or where to begin really, other than this story is beautifully bitter and tragically sweet with an innocent Natalia caught within a feud between two disgruntled brothers, Diego and Cristiano, who couldn’t be anymore different. One’s kind, hiding behind a cleverly disguised facade; the other is darker, unapologetically ruthless and merciless with a cold, but brilliant persona. I knew where my heart would align itself before this even began.
Read this with an open mind as your allegiances will be challenged by certain enigmas and despite the disgusting albeit delightful love triangle moments, this is sinfully decadent and wonderfully enchanting. Violent Delights is quickly forming into a favourite delicious slow burn forbidden romance of mine, a perfect beginning to what will become an enthralling trilogy brimming with deceitful actions and manipulative words.
“With me, you always have a choice. You're not beholden to my wishes, but I hope you'll still carry them on your wings and deliver them for me.”
Without an ounce of doubt, I'm entranced by this suspense filled, all-consuming narrative that sends your heart beating tenfold and your emotions soaring as the cunning deception and shrewd scheming overflows across the pages. If you love cartel settings; two, competitive brothers irrevocably different, vying for the same woman's attention and affection; a romance darker and gritter than standard, pick this up. Hold onto your wits and emotions—Jessica Hawkins doesn't hold back!
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March 21, 2019
I hate when a good story is ruined by stupid people.
March 18, 2019
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
I absolutely love the cover of this book, and the blurb piqued my interest immensely. I have read a lot of romance books featuring organized crime groups, and some of them I ended up loving and others were a bit of a letdown. It started getting harder and harder to discover new gems in this subgenre. I am happy to announce that I really enjoyed Violent Delights. This was mainly because of the intriguing characters and plot, and especially Cristiano was my favorite in this book. He is just the type of anti-hero I can't get enough of. I thought Natalia to be a bit naive and sheltered, which annoyed me a couple of times. I also wasn't a big fan of her best-friend/first-love Diego. I couldn't really connect to their relationship. It felt like puppy love, like they were both teenagers, and just started figuring out the physical part of their relationship. Cristiano was much more interesting and I loved the dark and mysterious vibe he gave off, which was very attractive.
From the blurb I got the idea that it would be a love triangle, but in my opinion it didn't really feel like one. I already picked my favorite brother, and I can't wait to see which direction Jessica will take this story. I am looking forward to seeing Natalia grow stronger, and seeing her personality develop more. I didn't connect to her completely, because of her naive personality and sometimes stupid decisions. But I think the author laid down a good groundwork for the next two books in the White Monarch series. I do hope that we will see more of Cristiano's POV in the next book. I also have to say that I loved how the author ended this book, and I look forward to seeing what is going to happen next. I just wish this series was a duet instead of a trilogy. (I hate waiting!)
I absolutely love the cover of this book, and the blurb piqued my interest immensely. I have read a lot of romance books featuring organized crime groups, and some of them I ended up loving and others were a bit of a letdown. It started getting harder and harder to discover new gems in this subgenre. I am happy to announce that I really enjoyed Violent Delights. This was mainly because of the intriguing characters and plot, and especially Cristiano was my favorite in this book. He is just the type of anti-hero I can't get enough of. I thought Natalia to be a bit naive and sheltered, which annoyed me a couple of times. I also wasn't a big fan of her best-friend/first-love Diego. I couldn't really connect to their relationship. It felt like puppy love, like they were both teenagers, and just started figuring out the physical part of their relationship. Cristiano was much more interesting and I loved the dark and mysterious vibe he gave off, which was very attractive.
From the blurb I got the idea that it would be a love triangle, but in my opinion it didn't really feel like one. I already picked my favorite brother, and I can't wait to see which direction Jessica will take this story. I am looking forward to seeing Natalia grow stronger, and seeing her personality develop more. I didn't connect to her completely, because of her naive personality and sometimes stupid decisions. But I think the author laid down a good groundwork for the next two books in the White Monarch series. I do hope that we will see more of Cristiano's POV in the next book. I also have to say that I loved how the author ended this book, and I look forward to seeing what is going to happen next. I just wish this series was a duet instead of a trilogy. (I hate waiting!)
April 15, 2019
4 ⭐'s
I hesitated to read this story because I'm not a big mafia/cartel fan, however, I am a big fan of Jessica Hawkins so I decided to give it a go.
Luckily, it was quite interesting. A triangle that's not quite a triangle. A young woman who thinks she knows what she wants but does she? And two brothers who aren't what they seem or are they? Yes, it's all rather confusing.
Since this is the first story in the trilogy it has a lot of world building. We get to know about Natalia's family and how their cartel rose up in the ranks, about her parents meeting and falling in love and how she grew up and her relationships with Diego and Cristiano.
In the present, Cristiano is back out of hiding...accused of a crime which he says he didn't commit. He's playing nice but he has some payback to do.
Diego's trying to make a name for himself and make him worthy of Natalia...or is he? Seems like he's not the only one wanting to extract some payback. It's hard to tell.
Natalia wants the hell out of this life. She's over the killing, drugs and secrets...she just wants a normal life...or does she?
Unfortunately, things are taken out of her control at the end. We are left hanging but it's not hard to figure we would be. What's hard to figure is exactly what's going to happen next. The second book, Violent Ends, comes out June 18, 2019.
I hesitated to read this story because I'm not a big mafia/cartel fan, however, I am a big fan of Jessica Hawkins so I decided to give it a go.
Luckily, it was quite interesting. A triangle that's not quite a triangle. A young woman who thinks she knows what she wants but does she? And two brothers who aren't what they seem or are they? Yes, it's all rather confusing.
Since this is the first story in the trilogy it has a lot of world building. We get to know about Natalia's family and how their cartel rose up in the ranks, about her parents meeting and falling in love and how she grew up and her relationships with Diego and Cristiano.
In the present, Cristiano is back out of hiding...accused of a crime which he says he didn't commit. He's playing nice but he has some payback to do.
Diego's trying to make a name for himself and make him worthy of Natalia...or is he? Seems like he's not the only one wanting to extract some payback. It's hard to tell.
Natalia wants the hell out of this life. She's over the killing, drugs and secrets...she just wants a normal life...or does she?
Unfortunately, things are taken out of her control at the end. We are left hanging but it's not hard to figure we would be. What's hard to figure is exactly what's going to happen next. The second book, Violent Ends, comes out June 18, 2019.
March 26, 2019
Wtf?!
Why the heck was everyone raving about this book? Really!? Why? I am completely let down by this story. It was predictable and truthful a mess.
Why the heck was everyone raving about this book? Really!? Why? I am completely let down by this story. It was predictable and truthful a mess.
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