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Mafia Wars #8
Brutal Defender: The O'Malley Family
I choose Killian O’Malley out of desperation.
My papà gives me an ultimatum with one other option. I’ll do anything not to marry the Italian mafia boss who lives in Italy and is twice my age.
So I become Killian’s debt repayment.
When I’m forced to pick, I don’t know he’s a boxer, a decade older than me, or has a body better than Zeus.
He’s bossy.
Arrogant.
He calls me a mafia brat and creates rules like I’m his child, saying he’ll tame me.
Our angsty relationship is so hot between the sheets my head is constantly spinning.
At times, he becomes a raging psychopath destroying anyone who even looks at me, including my ex who won’t move on.
I thought Killian would be a playboy, but he takes our vows to the extreme.
Everything about him makes him my brutal defender.
”Brutal Defender” is the eighth jaw-dropping installment of the “Mafia Wars” series. It’s an arranged marriage Dark Mafia romance, interconnecting stand-alone, and guaranteed to have an HEA.
My papà gives me an ultimatum with one other option. I’ll do anything not to marry the Italian mafia boss who lives in Italy and is twice my age.
So I become Killian’s debt repayment.
When I’m forced to pick, I don’t know he’s a boxer, a decade older than me, or has a body better than Zeus.
He’s bossy.
Arrogant.
He calls me a mafia brat and creates rules like I’m his child, saying he’ll tame me.
Our angsty relationship is so hot between the sheets my head is constantly spinning.
At times, he becomes a raging psychopath destroying anyone who even looks at me, including my ex who won’t move on.
I thought Killian would be a playboy, but he takes our vows to the extreme.
Everything about him makes him my brutal defender.
”Brutal Defender” is the eighth jaw-dropping installment of the “Mafia Wars” series. It’s an arranged marriage Dark Mafia romance, interconnecting stand-alone, and guaranteed to have an HEA.
460 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2021
1094 people are currently reading
1705 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Cole
65 books2,311 followersJoin Maggie Cole's newsletter for exclusive updates and material: https://www.authormaggiecole.com
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Visit https://maggiecolebookstore.com/
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Maggie Cole is committed to bringing her readers alphalicious book boyfriends and fiercely strong heroines.
She’s been called the literary master of steamy romance. Her books are full of raw emotion, suspense, and will always keep you wanting more. She is a masterful storyteller of contemporary romance and loves writing about broken people who rise above the ashes. Her books can often be found hanging out in the top 100, even years after publication.
Maggie lives in Florida with her son. She loves tennis, yoga, paddleboarding, boating, other water activities, and everything naughty.
Her current series were written in the order below:
All In (Stand alones with entwined characters)
It's Complicated (Stand alones with entwined characters)
Together We Stand (Brooks Family Saga - read in order)
Behind Closed Doors (Read in order)
Mafia Wars
Mafia Wars New York
Club Indulgence Duet
Mafia Wars Ireland
Wilted Kingdom Duet
The Underworld
The Cartwright Family (Holiday Romance)
Grab e-books, paperbacks, special editions, and audio at discounted prices!
Visit https://maggiecolebookstore.com/
Hang out with Maggie in her reader group: https://bit.ly/3cGMxIw
Instagram: @maggiecoleauthor
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i5zmSk
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@maggiecole.au...
Maggie Cole is committed to bringing her readers alphalicious book boyfriends and fiercely strong heroines.
She’s been called the literary master of steamy romance. Her books are full of raw emotion, suspense, and will always keep you wanting more. She is a masterful storyteller of contemporary romance and loves writing about broken people who rise above the ashes. Her books can often be found hanging out in the top 100, even years after publication.
Maggie lives in Florida with her son. She loves tennis, yoga, paddleboarding, boating, other water activities, and everything naughty.
Her current series were written in the order below:
All In (Stand alones with entwined characters)
It's Complicated (Stand alones with entwined characters)
Together We Stand (Brooks Family Saga - read in order)
Behind Closed Doors (Read in order)
Mafia Wars
Mafia Wars New York
Club Indulgence Duet
Mafia Wars Ireland
Wilted Kingdom Duet
The Underworld
The Cartwright Family (Holiday Romance)
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
November 1, 2021
Paying Penance
4.5 stars - Arianna sets the tone for her forced marriage to Killian from the first "introduction" and it is one of rebellion and sass. Oh, Killian is really in for it with her! The tension between them is SKY HIGH. 🌪⚡ You know what that means. Yep! A lot of heat, a whole bunch of tempers flaring, and some making up - OK, A LOT of making up (typically my favorite part). 😍🔥🎉
These two battle each other at almost every turn but it does make for some engaging reading, even when I wasn't all that impressed with the direction Killian's comments and actions. He frequently made me want to scream louder than Arianna did. Saving grace? The penance is fantastic and, oh boy, how he loves to pay it! 🌋🔥💥 I loved it! 💜
In other news, I can only hope that Killian and Arianna have a long and loving marriage because I'm uncertain another priest could handle taking his confession or him surviving his physical reaction to getting married. LOL! 😂
This book, like the others in the series, is full of passion, revenge, betrayals, punishments, and plenty of action. I loved it and I'm looking forward to the next book.
You could probably get away with reading this as a standalone but I would strongly recommend starting at the beginning as the story builds and morphs throughout the series with characters crossing over and providing current updates on earlier couples.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
4.5 stars - Arianna sets the tone for her forced marriage to Killian from the first "introduction" and it is one of rebellion and sass. Oh, Killian is really in for it with her! The tension between them is SKY HIGH. 🌪⚡ You know what that means. Yep! A lot of heat, a whole bunch of tempers flaring, and some making up - OK, A LOT of making up (typically my favorite part). 😍🔥🎉
He had the opportunity to come clean and didn't. Even after I reminded him about rule number six. It only goes to show his true colors. But if he thinks I'm going to have a set of rules about trust and he doesn't have to stick to them, he's back on planet delusional. --Arianna Marino O'Malley
These two battle each other at almost every turn but it does make for some engaging reading, even when I wasn't all that impressed with the direction Killian's comments and actions. He frequently made me want to scream louder than Arianna did. Saving grace? The penance is fantastic and, oh boy, how he loves to pay it! 🌋🔥💥 I loved it! 💜
In other news, I can only hope that Killian and Arianna have a long and loving marriage because I'm uncertain another priest could handle taking his confession or him surviving his physical reaction to getting married. LOL! 😂
This book, like the others in the series, is full of passion, revenge, betrayals, punishments, and plenty of action. I loved it and I'm looking forward to the next book.
You could probably get away with reading this as a standalone but I would strongly recommend starting at the beginning as the story builds and morphs throughout the series with characters crossing over and providing current updates on earlier couples.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
November 1, 2021
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.*
This book was another smashing entry to the Mafia Wars and things are really heating up. As we get to know Killian O'Malley and Arianna Marino we really start to hone in on where we are heading for the finale of this series.
With this book we have our first arranged marriage in the series. Which is so amazing considering it is a staple in any Mafia Romance series. This situation is so perfect for these two and watching them spark off of each other was amazing. Arianna is a mafia princess and spoiled woman in the Italian Mafia in New York. Getting to know her brothers is something I am very excited to do in the near future... hint hint...
There was crazy antics between this couple and at times it could have been a bit over the top. I did get annoyed with the childish fighting at a few points, particularly from Killian, but like any good arranged marriage, there comes a time when the switch gets flipped and things get real. And that is so awesome to watch it happen.
I cannot wait for you all to meet this new couple and I hope you pay attention to what's happening in New York.. there is a reckoning coming and I can't wait!
4.5/5 stars
This book was another smashing entry to the Mafia Wars and things are really heating up. As we get to know Killian O'Malley and Arianna Marino we really start to hone in on where we are heading for the finale of this series.
With this book we have our first arranged marriage in the series. Which is so amazing considering it is a staple in any Mafia Romance series. This situation is so perfect for these two and watching them spark off of each other was amazing. Arianna is a mafia princess and spoiled woman in the Italian Mafia in New York. Getting to know her brothers is something I am very excited to do in the near future... hint hint...
There was crazy antics between this couple and at times it could have been a bit over the top. I did get annoyed with the childish fighting at a few points, particularly from Killian, but like any good arranged marriage, there comes a time when the switch gets flipped and things get real. And that is so awesome to watch it happen.
I cannot wait for you all to meet this new couple and I hope you pay attention to what's happening in New York.. there is a reckoning coming and I can't wait!
4.5/5 stars
December 5, 2021
5/12/2021 - Changed from 4⭐ to 3⭐ because I changed my mind and felt that it was an okayish read and the smut was basically erotica lmao. Not too bad but not great either.
October 10, 2021
”You’re mine, Arianna. Mine to have and to hold and do my penance with every goddam day.”
I love a good arranged marriage/hate to lovers.
November 13, 2021
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
💋💋💋
Very steamy, it’s Killian so it couldn’t be anything but, he’s a lover and a fighter in the broadest terms and he’s very good at both, time to use your imagination to the fullest.
Stunning book as usual from Ms Cole I’m coming to the end of the series time to look into more of her offerings.
💋💋💋
Very steamy, it’s Killian so it couldn’t be anything but, he’s a lover and a fighter in the broadest terms and he’s very good at both, time to use your imagination to the fullest.
Stunning book as usual from Ms Cole I’m coming to the end of the series time to look into more of her offerings.
October 29, 2021
This book conflicted me on how to rate because as much as both of the main characters irked me more times than not the plot kept me turning the pages, so I went by that. Also they did mostly redeem themselves once they started communicating properly.
The Irish part of this series is definitely showing the Russian's up but shhh don't tell them as I don't want to end up in their garage.
The Irish part of this series is definitely showing the Russian's up but shhh don't tell them as I don't want to end up in their garage.
October 11, 2024
My least favorite of the series.
It was a tad disappointing. They get married argue the whole time have sex and then argue some more for things that don’t make sense.
Their love is based on their physical chemistry and nothing more.
Plus I mean I was waiting for some badass fight between Donato and Killian, some hidden truth about him stalking Arianna, but nothing. Just a bad kidnapping and a quick death.
Sorry but this book did not have a real plot.
Still a cute book to read in ones spear time, but nothing more.
It was a tad disappointing. They get married argue the whole time have sex and then argue some more for things that don’t make sense.
Their love is based on their physical chemistry and nothing more.
Plus I mean I was waiting for some badass fight between Donato and Killian, some hidden truth about him stalking Arianna, but nothing. Just a bad kidnapping and a quick death.
Sorry but this book did not have a real plot.
Still a cute book to read in ones spear time, but nothing more.
November 1, 2021
Another fantastic read!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: enemies to lovers/arranged marriage
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: none
Another fantastic read by Maggie Cole! An arranged marriage neither of them wanted generated great banter and super hot chemistry between two people fighting hard to deny their attraction. Well written, super fast paced, and scorching hot smexy times that nearly lit my kindle on fire!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: enemies to lovers/arranged marriage
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: none
Another fantastic read by Maggie Cole! An arranged marriage neither of them wanted generated great banter and super hot chemistry between two people fighting hard to deny their attraction. Well written, super fast paced, and scorching hot smexy times that nearly lit my kindle on fire!
November 3, 2021
We are still in the Mafia world, and we are still aware of the Russian’s, but it’s definitely the Irish and their world we live in now!
We left Killian O’Malley reeling from a marriage proposal! It’s a marriage to form an alliance between two families, but not a good Irish family, Arianna is an Italian brat! And one that Killian will soon bring to heel!
Arianna is faced with a dilemma! Either marry a man old enough to be her father or an arrogant Irishman who has a penchant for fiery outbursts and using his fists!
This book is so full of brattish behaviour that i wanted to to send both of them to their rooms! Seriously! They behaved worse than kids, it was tit for tat, they constantly fought and tried to get one up on one another, it got tiresome in parts!
But when they weren’t fighting, it made for a great read.
A few twists in the book has me rapidly turning the pages to find out what went on next.
So can Killian and Arianna actually make this marriage work? Or will he go back to his one nightstands? And will Arianna want to be a good Irish wife? Or will be bad boy ex convince her to dump the thug and run off and be with him?
We still catch up with previous couples and have a story that’s running in the background (although it wasn’t mentioned as much in this book!)
🦋
We left Killian O’Malley reeling from a marriage proposal! It’s a marriage to form an alliance between two families, but not a good Irish family, Arianna is an Italian brat! And one that Killian will soon bring to heel!
Arianna is faced with a dilemma! Either marry a man old enough to be her father or an arrogant Irishman who has a penchant for fiery outbursts and using his fists!
This book is so full of brattish behaviour that i wanted to to send both of them to their rooms! Seriously! They behaved worse than kids, it was tit for tat, they constantly fought and tried to get one up on one another, it got tiresome in parts!
But when they weren’t fighting, it made for a great read.
A few twists in the book has me rapidly turning the pages to find out what went on next.
So can Killian and Arianna actually make this marriage work? Or will he go back to his one nightstands? And will Arianna want to be a good Irish wife? Or will be bad boy ex convince her to dump the thug and run off and be with him?
We still catch up with previous couples and have a story that’s running in the background (although it wasn’t mentioned as much in this book!)
🦋
December 13, 2022
3.5⭐️ 3🌶
I’m really into this series and can’t stop and I was really looking forward to Killian & Arianna because I love mafia arranged marriage but this one just didn’t work for me like the others. Killian just…I don’t know, he just bugged me at times and found myself like this list of the time…🙄. I love a good alpha, over the top possessive man but he was just an ass and immature at times and I couldn’t get past it. And he was either so hot or so cold with her. 🫣
But the mafia plot is so good and so twisty.
Can’t wait to see how this will all end!
I’m really into this series and can’t stop and I was really looking forward to Killian & Arianna because I love mafia arranged marriage but this one just didn’t work for me like the others. Killian just…I don’t know, he just bugged me at times and found myself like this list of the time…🙄. I love a good alpha, over the top possessive man but he was just an ass and immature at times and I couldn’t get past it. And he was either so hot or so cold with her. 🫣
But the mafia plot is so good and so twisty.
Can’t wait to see how this will all end!
November 2, 2021
Least favorite of the series
Disappointed. This was not a fun Maggie Cole book. I honestly did not like Killian for 95% of the book. And while Arianna is described as a mafia brat, she’s more human than Killian. He’s cruel. Arrogant in a nasty way.
Disappointed. This was not a fun Maggie Cole book. I honestly did not like Killian for 95% of the book. And while Arianna is described as a mafia brat, she’s more human than Killian. He’s cruel. Arrogant in a nasty way.
August 26, 2021
Brutal Defender is part of the Mafia Wars series by Maggie Cole. In this book we see the story of Killian O'Malley and Arianna Marino. Killian has been a constant person in these stories as he is Boris' best friend and brother to Nora. As part of the O'Malley family, he has responsibilities and expectations to protect and defend his family from other crime mobs. Arianna was not someone he expected to be in his life but in she came and now he is falling hard and will do anything to defend her.
As this series continues to go, we follow one big overall story but each book follows a different couple. I love seeing the reoccurring characters from other stories as well as new characters getting introduced. I will say this is by far one of the funnier stories in the series as there are several scenes which had me laughing out loud. Killian's personality comes through and I fell in love with him even more!
As this series continues to go, we follow one big overall story but each book follows a different couple. I love seeing the reoccurring characters from other stories as well as new characters getting introduced. I will say this is by far one of the funnier stories in the series as there are several scenes which had me laughing out loud. Killian's personality comes through and I fell in love with him even more!
October 26, 2021
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning. Killian kind of came out of nowhere for me. Arrogant, hypocritical and bossy, he gets knocked on his butt by a mafia princess. Arianna has been protected by everyone her whole life. Given to Killian to settle a debt, she has to figure out who she is. While the heat between these two was off the charts, his attitude was difficult to take at times. He always assumed the worst of her and it took him forever before he started to realize that she was the one who had sacrificed the most in their arrangement (I loved Nora having to explain this to him). They were amazing together and his respect for her is really what redeemed him for me as a character. I loved how this moved the story along (while setting up the new Mafia NY series) and I think Arianna is a great addition to the series. Maggie Cole writes the best female characters and she once again does a great job bringing two broken people together and making them stronger.
UPDATE - I increased the stars from 4 to 5 after reading it for the second time. Fantastic book!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
UPDATE - I increased the stars from 4 to 5 after reading it for the second time. Fantastic book!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 20, 2023
This book was just okay. I didn’t really like either of the main characters and I was hoping that there would be massive change on both of their parts which just didn’t happen.
Killian is forced to make a deal in the previous book. He owes someone a favor and the favor that is called in is for Killian to marry a mafia princess that he has never met before. Arianna is the mafia princess that he is supposed to marry. She has been getting into relationships that her family doesn’t agree with so they want to get her away from New York. Chicago with Killian is the perfect solution. Killian and Arianna do not get along at all but they must make their marriage work.
I really didn’t like either of the main characters. Killian was a misogynist and a playboy who just wanted to control every aspect of Arianna’s life. He kept making rules for her but he did not feel that he needed to follow any rules for himself or change in any way. He never listened to what Arianna had to say and there was never any conversation that happened without him ignoring Arianna’s needs, shutting her down when she expressed her opinions, and immediately reverting to sex to distract her or get his way. He kept going on and on about his “penance” which only seemed to apply to sex and never any emotional support or conversations with his wife.
For Arianna’s part, she was very immature to me. She is supposed to be in her late 30s (and so is Killian for that matter) but she is constantly throwing tantrums and acting before she thinks, similar to how Killian always puts his foot in his mouth. She just seemed like a child and I did not like her as a character. The two of them were ridiculous and immature and definitely not ready for a long-term relationship with anyone let alone each other. I would say that both characters were equally unlikeable and immature and I don’t feel that either of them made any meaningful change that made me feel like they would be happy in their relationship together.
It was really sad that I didn’t like these characters because I love a reformed playboy and an enemies to lovers plot. I also really love Maggie Cole’s use of older characters in her stories because of how mature they usually are. Sadly, these characters did not live up to the maturity that I enjoy reading about in romance novel. There was no effective communication between them and I never felt happy. I mostly felt frustrated by their relationships. There was also so much opportunity for humor in this book and it was never taken advantage of, each of these situations just led to an argument between the couple.
I don’t think I would read this book again. I don’t know if I will continue on with this series at all.
Killian is forced to make a deal in the previous book. He owes someone a favor and the favor that is called in is for Killian to marry a mafia princess that he has never met before. Arianna is the mafia princess that he is supposed to marry. She has been getting into relationships that her family doesn’t agree with so they want to get her away from New York. Chicago with Killian is the perfect solution. Killian and Arianna do not get along at all but they must make their marriage work.
I really didn’t like either of the main characters. Killian was a misogynist and a playboy who just wanted to control every aspect of Arianna’s life. He kept making rules for her but he did not feel that he needed to follow any rules for himself or change in any way. He never listened to what Arianna had to say and there was never any conversation that happened without him ignoring Arianna’s needs, shutting her down when she expressed her opinions, and immediately reverting to sex to distract her or get his way. He kept going on and on about his “penance” which only seemed to apply to sex and never any emotional support or conversations with his wife.
For Arianna’s part, she was very immature to me. She is supposed to be in her late 30s (and so is Killian for that matter) but she is constantly throwing tantrums and acting before she thinks, similar to how Killian always puts his foot in his mouth. She just seemed like a child and I did not like her as a character. The two of them were ridiculous and immature and definitely not ready for a long-term relationship with anyone let alone each other. I would say that both characters were equally unlikeable and immature and I don’t feel that either of them made any meaningful change that made me feel like they would be happy in their relationship together.
It was really sad that I didn’t like these characters because I love a reformed playboy and an enemies to lovers plot. I also really love Maggie Cole’s use of older characters in her stories because of how mature they usually are. Sadly, these characters did not live up to the maturity that I enjoy reading about in romance novel. There was no effective communication between them and I never felt happy. I mostly felt frustrated by their relationships. There was also so much opportunity for humor in this book and it was never taken advantage of, each of these situations just led to an argument between the couple.
I don’t think I would read this book again. I don’t know if I will continue on with this series at all.
October 24, 2021
You are not prepared. You think you are prepared but you aren't! Killian is the trustworthy, fun intense fighter. Loved by the ladies but too tough for love. I had no idea he would have such depth, commitment and intensity. Arianna has such a strong spirit with so much heart you will instantly identify with her. This story had me laughing while I was still crying. You are going to love this story of how two people fall in love. This book is all laughter and tears but most of all Love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.The Brutal Defender ARC just dropped on my Kindle! I am excited to see where Maggie
Cole is going to take this story! Book #8 in Mafia Wars will be LIVE on November 1st!
BLURB:
I choose Killian O’Malley out of desperation.
My papà gives me an ultimatum with one other option. I’ll do anything not to marry the Italian
mafia boss who lives in Italy and is twice my age.
So I become Killian’s debt repayment. When I’m forced to pick, I don’t know he’s a boxer, a
decade older than me, or has a body better than Zeus.
He’s bossy.
Arrogant.
He calls me a mafia brat and creates rules like I’m his child, saying he’ll tame me.
Our angsty relationship is so hot between the sheets my head is constantly spinning.
At times, he becomes a raging psychopath destroying anyone who even looks at me, including
my ex who won’t move on.
I thought Killian would be a playboy, but he takes our vows to the extreme.
Everything about him makes him my brutal defender.
”Brutal Defender” is the eighth jaw-dropping installment of the “Mafia Wars” series. It’s an
arranged marriage, age gap, Dark Mafia romance, interconnecting stand-alone, and guaranteed to
have an HEA.
Brutal Defender by Maggie Cole is LIVE October 1st on #amazon, #kindleunlimited
and #audible
Pre Order it here- readerlinks.com/l/1820491
Start The Mafia Wars Series from the beginning with Ruthless Stranger
⇨readerlinks.com/l/1723540
#bookstagram #mafiaromance #mafiareads #alphahero #mafiareaders #newseries
#bookaddict #bookhoarder #bookaddiction #bookstoread #whattoread
#fortheloveofbooks #epicreads #booklover #bibliophile #superheroines
#booksarelife #mafiabooks #romancereads #amreading #kindleunlimited
#booklovers #maggiecoleauthor
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.The Brutal Defender ARC just dropped on my Kindle! I am excited to see where Maggie
Cole is going to take this story! Book #8 in Mafia Wars will be LIVE on November 1st!
BLURB:
I choose Killian O’Malley out of desperation.
My papà gives me an ultimatum with one other option. I’ll do anything not to marry the Italian
mafia boss who lives in Italy and is twice my age.
So I become Killian’s debt repayment. When I’m forced to pick, I don’t know he’s a boxer, a
decade older than me, or has a body better than Zeus.
He’s bossy.
Arrogant.
He calls me a mafia brat and creates rules like I’m his child, saying he’ll tame me.
Our angsty relationship is so hot between the sheets my head is constantly spinning.
At times, he becomes a raging psychopath destroying anyone who even looks at me, including
my ex who won’t move on.
I thought Killian would be a playboy, but he takes our vows to the extreme.
Everything about him makes him my brutal defender.
”Brutal Defender” is the eighth jaw-dropping installment of the “Mafia Wars” series. It’s an
arranged marriage, age gap, Dark Mafia romance, interconnecting stand-alone, and guaranteed to
have an HEA.
Brutal Defender by Maggie Cole is LIVE October 1st on #amazon, #kindleunlimited
and #audible
Pre Order it here- readerlinks.com/l/1820491
Start The Mafia Wars Series from the beginning with Ruthless Stranger
⇨readerlinks.com/l/1723540
#bookstagram #mafiaromance #mafiareads #alphahero #mafiareaders #newseries
#bookaddict #bookhoarder #bookaddiction #bookstoread #whattoread
#fortheloveofbooks #epicreads #booklover #bibliophile #superheroines
#booksarelife #mafiabooks #romancereads #amreading #kindleunlimited
#booklovers #maggiecoleauthor
October 23, 2021
Can you say holy mackerel! I couldn’t get enough of Killian and Arianna. Such a page turner. Arianna is one heck of a spitfire. She doesn’t take no crud from anyone. Killian sure has his hands full. It’s time for Arianna to choose who she marries. Of course she puts up such a fight. Killian has a reason why he’s marrying Arianna, but can it turn into true love. She definitely gives him a run for his money. Killian and Arianna bring the steam from the very start of their marriage. Killian only wants to make sure Arianna is taken care of and protected. They start as oil and water with Arianna fighting every chance she gets with how Killian is. Their banter is hilarious and I loved Arianna’s attitude. Killian several times seemed like he was gonna tap out, but wait to you see what happens. We all have that one person who drives of crazy, but in the end we always hope for the best. Will the outcome be Killian and Arianna living happily ever after? Wait til you find out because you won’t be disappointed.
October 19, 2021
I binge read this book overnight and then re-read it a second time just because I didn't want the story to end. Although slightly different than the others in this series, this book worked so well for these characters. Killian and Arianna didn't know each and are forced to marry. Although strongly attracted to one another, they can't communicate at all and really struggle with misunderstandings, assumptions and down right lies (on both sides). What I loved is they both tried, gave up (a bit), came back and tried again. And they started to communicate and got to know each other and built that trust they didn't have initially. I loved these characters and the overall arc is coming to a head, so I'm already jonesing for the next story. Amazing job once again Maggie.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 3, 2021
Killian and Arizona's story is so well written you will not be able to put it down!
Killians story is so so hot and wild. He's such a playboy he's hit in the face with a debt he now owes. He's shocked at what he's asked to do.
Adrianna is the baby of her family. She has older brothers and a father that keeps tight reins on her. She always breaks away from them. She's involved with a bad man.
This is where Killian comes in. He has to marry her and they do not get along. They fight like cats and dog but Killian's protective side comes out and eventually things start mellowing out. But of course it doesn't last long.
Maggie has written such a fun story. Like all her books it's very well written. I'm so happy I've discovered Maggie Cole.
Killians story is so so hot and wild. He's such a playboy he's hit in the face with a debt he now owes. He's shocked at what he's asked to do.
Adrianna is the baby of her family. She has older brothers and a father that keeps tight reins on her. She always breaks away from them. She's involved with a bad man.
This is where Killian comes in. He has to marry her and they do not get along. They fight like cats and dog but Killian's protective side comes out and eventually things start mellowing out. But of course it doesn't last long.
Maggie has written such a fun story. Like all her books it's very well written. I'm so happy I've discovered Maggie Cole.
July 8, 2022
This book is hilarious and exasperating at the same time. An arranged marriage in every sense with a happy ending. Killian and Arianna’s story is a modern day love/hate romance with Killian’s rules which Arianna balks at has the couple at loggerheads more times than not. It’s a page turning read. I didn’t want to put it down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 5, 2021
Brutal Defender by Maggie Cole is an enemies to lovers dark mafia romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Kelsey Navarro and Lance Greenfield. This is the eighth book in the Mafia Wars series. The book can be read as a standalone but the stories are interconnected.
I absolutely love Maggie's books! She does an amazing job pulling me into the story. I loved the relationship that bloomed between Killian and Arianna. I really enjoyed getting both of their points of views throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.
I can't wait for the next book in the series Deviant Hacker to be released on December 1, 2021 so I can get Declan's story.
Kelsey and Lance did an amazing job on the narration. They both really know how to bring a story to life. I look forward to listening to more of their work in the future.
I would recommend this book you if you love arranged marriages, age gap romances, dark romances, mafia romances, or romantic suspense.
I absolutely love Maggie's books! She does an amazing job pulling me into the story. I loved the relationship that bloomed between Killian and Arianna. I really enjoyed getting both of their points of views throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.
I can't wait for the next book in the series Deviant Hacker to be released on December 1, 2021 so I can get Declan's story.
Kelsey and Lance did an amazing job on the narration. They both really know how to bring a story to life. I look forward to listening to more of their work in the future.
I would recommend this book you if you love arranged marriages, age gap romances, dark romances, mafia romances, or romantic suspense.
October 31, 2021
This is the eight book in this impressive series and is Killian and Arianna’s journey. When Arianna chooses to become a debt repayment rather than marry a mafia man who is more than twice her age, her choice leads her to Killian. Killian is a boxer who is bossy and arrogant, while Arianna is sassy and rebellious, and he becomes her brutal defender, who will destroy anyone who dares to ever look at her, and that includes an ex who will not give up. Killian and Arianna know how to push each other’s buttons, and they challenge each other at every turn, and they chemistry between them is combustible and undeniable. This is a beautifully written story which is filled with angst, humor, witty banter, intrigue, emotions, fun, family, action, suspense, and love, which leads to an entertaining and all-consuming page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
November 1, 2021
Another heart stopping thrill ride from this author!! Killian and Arianna have an arranged marriage but sparks fly from the very beginning. Killian is an alphahole and when he flies off at the mouth it gets him in trouble. I love the progression of their push and pull relationship and how he starts treating Arianna as an equal.
December 19, 2021
adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
August 11, 2023
Maggie Cole would have to change her writing style for one of these books to get less than 4.5 or 5 stars. The world is great. Now we have the Italian mob added to the mix of Irish and Russian mob families. The characters are great. Storylines are fun, a bit gruesome and sexy. I’m enjoying the Mafia Wars so much.
November 9, 2021
I like this book and would love to read the entire series.
October 27, 2021
Just when you think Maggie Cole can't top her already brilliant books, she does it again!
This next book in the Mafia Wars Series brings together Killian O'Malley, another slightly psychotic and controlling yet honourable and loving alpha mafia man with Arianna Marino, a spoilt and naive yet flirty and feisty mafia princess in an arranged marriage. Well with a backstory and characters like this you know you are in for an explosive and sexy ride!
Hold on to your hats folks because this is going to be a rollercoaster for your emotions. Another brilliant book from a brilliant author. Killian has been added to my ever-growing list of book boyfriends. Swoon! Bring on Declans story! I can't wait to read it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This next book in the Mafia Wars Series brings together Killian O'Malley, another slightly psychotic and controlling yet honourable and loving alpha mafia man with Arianna Marino, a spoilt and naive yet flirty and feisty mafia princess in an arranged marriage. Well with a backstory and characters like this you know you are in for an explosive and sexy ride!
Hold on to your hats folks because this is going to be a rollercoaster for your emotions. Another brilliant book from a brilliant author. Killian has been added to my ever-growing list of book boyfriends. Swoon! Bring on Declans story! I can't wait to read it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 31, 2021
I loved this. The direction the story line is going is awesome. The plot has developed so well over the last 8 books and I'm really excited to see where we go from here.
Killian and Arianna have a mixed, insta love with an enemies to lovers relationship. It was fun to read the progression and see how each character grew. The banter and steamy times were so well written I felt a little like a voyeur. I loved this book and this pairing of characters.
Books 1-5 in the mafia wars series are beneficial but not necessary but I'd absolutely recommend starting at book 6. These are interconnected, sort of cliffhangers. The prologue is typically the direction and opening for the next book.
Killian and Arianna have a mixed, insta love with an enemies to lovers relationship. It was fun to read the progression and see how each character grew. The banter and steamy times were so well written I felt a little like a voyeur. I loved this book and this pairing of characters.
Books 1-5 in the mafia wars series are beneficial but not necessary but I'd absolutely recommend starting at book 6. These are interconnected, sort of cliffhangers. The prologue is typically the direction and opening for the next book.
October 7, 2021
The mafia wars series keeps surprising me every step of the way! The O’Malleys are brining the heat and Killian is definitely on my book boyfriend list now! He and Arianna are passionate, electric and oh so steamy together! I keep wondering how these books just continue to get better and better but they do! I love the way the stories connect and keep me coming back for more!
November 6, 2021
More Mafia Wars Brilliance! Great Story & Listen🎧
Brutal Defender
The O'Malley Family (Mafia Wars, Book 8)
By: Maggie Cole
Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro, Lance Greenfield
Maggie Cole continues to wow me with another amazing novel set in her “Mafia Wars” series. I know I’ve said this for each book, but I can not recommend this series enough, each book features a member of a mafia family, first starting with the Ivanov family then moving on to the O’Malley family. These are interconnecting stand-alone novels, but I believe you will get more out of each book by reading and/or listening to them in order. Not only is the world building phenomenal, but it is continuous, also some characters reappear as secondary characters in other books and knowing them from the beginning gives you more insight of who they are and adds depth to the story. That said, no worries if you choose to read/listen to this on its own, the author provides all the details you need to know to never feel lost or like there was something missing. “Brutal Defender” is Killian O’Malley and Arianna Marino and it is a sizzling arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, romance and, by sizzling, I mean explosively hot, as is the chemistry between them. Killian owed Tully a debt, and he is cashing in that debt by having him marry Arianna Marino, the daughter of the head of the Marino crime family in New York. Killian knows this marriage is a life sentence, but he has no choice, if he backs out it will be Nolan will be the one paying the price. Arianna, the only daughter, mafia princess, gone wild and Daddy has had enough of her partying ways and running around with Donato, who is bad news. Her father gave her another choice, to marry an older mobster in Italy, which makes Chicago the better option. Killian and Arianna bonked heads even before they meet in person, going back and forth on social media, both are hot heads and give as good as they get. But Arianna has met her match and Killian is up to the challenge to tame her. OMG, their back-and-forth banter was like foreplay, some of it was hilarious too. They are in the getting to know each other phase, but he is already possessive, and she is constantly being misunderstood. I loved how the girls in Chicago accepted her with open arms, instant friendships were made. The ongoing and secondary storyline continues as they try to legitimize their business, someone is putting a damper in their plans and Declan is about to reveal who that someone is, I am excited to see what happens with that. I just loved how everything played out in this book, it is a brilliantly plotted story that has the perfect balance of drama, angst, some perfectly placed humor to lighten things up, some twists and turns, thrilling suspense, heartfelt emotions and smoking hot romance. Maggie Cole, thank you for another brilliant story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧 And for the amazing narration, Maggie Cole chose the perfect cast to bring her characters and story to life. Kelsey Navarro and Lance Greenfield are fabulously talented narrators and versatile voice artists. They had a complete understanding of the characters they portrayed, gave each a voice that fit their character’s persona to a tee, sounding believable in every role they played and just as I pictured the characters to sound. Lance Greenfield nailed it as Killian and Kelsey Navarro did the same for Arianna, both were great with performing the roles of the secondary character’s roles as well. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and projected them into their performance. Thank you for another wonderfully entertaining listen!
Brutal Defender
The O'Malley Family (Mafia Wars, Book 8)
By: Maggie Cole
Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro, Lance Greenfield
Maggie Cole continues to wow me with another amazing novel set in her “Mafia Wars” series. I know I’ve said this for each book, but I can not recommend this series enough, each book features a member of a mafia family, first starting with the Ivanov family then moving on to the O’Malley family. These are interconnecting stand-alone novels, but I believe you will get more out of each book by reading and/or listening to them in order. Not only is the world building phenomenal, but it is continuous, also some characters reappear as secondary characters in other books and knowing them from the beginning gives you more insight of who they are and adds depth to the story. That said, no worries if you choose to read/listen to this on its own, the author provides all the details you need to know to never feel lost or like there was something missing. “Brutal Defender” is Killian O’Malley and Arianna Marino and it is a sizzling arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, romance and, by sizzling, I mean explosively hot, as is the chemistry between them. Killian owed Tully a debt, and he is cashing in that debt by having him marry Arianna Marino, the daughter of the head of the Marino crime family in New York. Killian knows this marriage is a life sentence, but he has no choice, if he backs out it will be Nolan will be the one paying the price. Arianna, the only daughter, mafia princess, gone wild and Daddy has had enough of her partying ways and running around with Donato, who is bad news. Her father gave her another choice, to marry an older mobster in Italy, which makes Chicago the better option. Killian and Arianna bonked heads even before they meet in person, going back and forth on social media, both are hot heads and give as good as they get. But Arianna has met her match and Killian is up to the challenge to tame her. OMG, their back-and-forth banter was like foreplay, some of it was hilarious too. They are in the getting to know each other phase, but he is already possessive, and she is constantly being misunderstood. I loved how the girls in Chicago accepted her with open arms, instant friendships were made. The ongoing and secondary storyline continues as they try to legitimize their business, someone is putting a damper in their plans and Declan is about to reveal who that someone is, I am excited to see what happens with that. I just loved how everything played out in this book, it is a brilliantly plotted story that has the perfect balance of drama, angst, some perfectly placed humor to lighten things up, some twists and turns, thrilling suspense, heartfelt emotions and smoking hot romance. Maggie Cole, thank you for another brilliant story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧 And for the amazing narration, Maggie Cole chose the perfect cast to bring her characters and story to life. Kelsey Navarro and Lance Greenfield are fabulously talented narrators and versatile voice artists. They had a complete understanding of the characters they portrayed, gave each a voice that fit their character’s persona to a tee, sounding believable in every role they played and just as I pictured the characters to sound. Lance Greenfield nailed it as Killian and Kelsey Navarro did the same for Arianna, both were great with performing the roles of the secondary character’s roles as well. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and projected them into their performance. Thank you for another wonderfully entertaining listen!
January 11, 2022
I was so hopeful so this book was disappointing.
Written in dual first person POV. Lots of sexy times and some humor. There are a couple of intense torture scenes so beware of triggers. HFN but the epilogue only sets up the next book and doesn’t provide any closure to the ongoing storylines. I would suggest reading the books in order because the timelines mostly overlap and the author has (mostly) stopped repeating some details from previous books.
Longer review, no spoilers…
Most of the reviews that I read focus on Killian as the bad guy in the beginning and Arianna as the victim because her father won’t let her work and is forcing her to marry someone. I seriously don’t understand this. They are both immature for their ages (he’s almost 40 and she’s 28) but Arianna chose to spend her life partying and dating a “thug”. She could have volunteered or furthered her education or traveled or developed a constructive hobby. (You do find out later that she isn’t exclusively a partier but she stills seems frivolous. )Her father has presented her with multiple suitors but she deems them unacceptable and continues to date someone her father and brothers warn her against. While I agree with Arianna on the fact that telling her he’s a thug without giving her any proof as to why is annoying (and would most likely not dissuade me either), I don’t understand why she wouldn’t push back and say “okay, don’t give me specifics but is he involved in the mafia or is he a criminal or have you seen him do something illegal?” There’s a way to make them support their claim without giving details of the family business.
Killian is taking responsibility for his actions (or inaction, depending on how you look at it) and going through with the promise to Tully to marry a girl he doesn’t know in order to settle a debt that shouldn’t really be his. Their first interactions on social media set the tone for their relationship - he’s controlling and she’s attention-seeking. Then there’s a misunderstanding that Killian doesn’t immediately correct and he’s labeled the bad guy. Yes, he mislead her but she completely overreacted and threw an adult temper tantrum (harsher language and bigger threats than the toddler version). After their next misunderstanding (sensing a theme here), Killian is again blamed for Arianna’s reaction. His mouth gets him in trouble but she acts like a brat.
At about 45%, there’s an argument about social media posting and what is acceptable for men vs women. Killian becomes more of a jerk but his job includes his fitness where she just posts pictures and videos in skimpy outfits because she wants the attention. To me, social media is one of the worst inventions but I understand that it’s a necessary evil for someone trying to promote a business ( Killian is his own business).
The biggest issue between the couple is communication. They don’t talk about important things and Killian gives commands and makes unilateral decisions instead of giving the reasoning behind it. When you’re in his head, it makes sense, but from her point of view he’s just being controlling.
This book was ver anticlimactic for me. Once a major issue is resolved (which takes about two pages from the start of the conflict until its resolution), the book just ends. I’ll still continue with the next book but only because I need to read Declan’s book before I can read Finn’s book.
Written in dual first person POV. Lots of sexy times and some humor. There are a couple of intense torture scenes so beware of triggers. HFN but the epilogue only sets up the next book and doesn’t provide any closure to the ongoing storylines. I would suggest reading the books in order because the timelines mostly overlap and the author has (mostly) stopped repeating some details from previous books.
Longer review, no spoilers…
Most of the reviews that I read focus on Killian as the bad guy in the beginning and Arianna as the victim because her father won’t let her work and is forcing her to marry someone. I seriously don’t understand this. They are both immature for their ages (he’s almost 40 and she’s 28) but Arianna chose to spend her life partying and dating a “thug”. She could have volunteered or furthered her education or traveled or developed a constructive hobby. (You do find out later that she isn’t exclusively a partier but she stills seems frivolous. )Her father has presented her with multiple suitors but she deems them unacceptable and continues to date someone her father and brothers warn her against. While I agree with Arianna on the fact that telling her he’s a thug without giving her any proof as to why is annoying (and would most likely not dissuade me either), I don’t understand why she wouldn’t push back and say “okay, don’t give me specifics but is he involved in the mafia or is he a criminal or have you seen him do something illegal?” There’s a way to make them support their claim without giving details of the family business.
Killian is taking responsibility for his actions (or inaction, depending on how you look at it) and going through with the promise to Tully to marry a girl he doesn’t know in order to settle a debt that shouldn’t really be his. Their first interactions on social media set the tone for their relationship - he’s controlling and she’s attention-seeking. Then there’s a misunderstanding that Killian doesn’t immediately correct and he’s labeled the bad guy. Yes, he mislead her but she completely overreacted and threw an adult temper tantrum (harsher language and bigger threats than the toddler version). After their next misunderstanding (sensing a theme here), Killian is again blamed for Arianna’s reaction. His mouth gets him in trouble but she acts like a brat.
At about 45%, there’s an argument about social media posting and what is acceptable for men vs women. Killian becomes more of a jerk but his job includes his fitness where she just posts pictures and videos in skimpy outfits because she wants the attention. To me, social media is one of the worst inventions but I understand that it’s a necessary evil for someone trying to promote a business ( Killian is his own business).
The biggest issue between the couple is communication. They don’t talk about important things and Killian gives commands and makes unilateral decisions instead of giving the reasoning behind it. When you’re in his head, it makes sense, but from her point of view he’s just being controlling.
This book was ver anticlimactic for me. Once a major issue is resolved (which takes about two pages from the start of the conflict until its resolution), the book just ends. I’ll still continue with the next book but only because I need to read Declan’s book before I can read Finn’s book.
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