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MERCILESS KING- Echoes from the Underworld #
Luca
I am Luca Valsetti, the chosen family enforcer, bringing all those who betray us to their knees. They all beg for their lives, pray for forgiveness, but I show no mercy when I make them pay for their sins and take their souls.
Except for one. Scarlet Reed.
The fiery redhead looked me straight in the eye as I held my gun to her head. Her piercing hazel eyes threatened to steal my soul in return. Something about them begged me to take her. Everything about them screamed for me to end her.
Now she is my captive locked in my glass cage. I will learn all of her secrets. Every single one. She will pay for her betrayal, even if it kills me in the process.
Scarlet
My stupid need for the truth and for justice left me at the mercy of a cold-blooded killer. But deep down, I’m not certain that Luca Valsetti wants to kill me. I know he believes he has no choice but to follow his brother’s orders and the rules of his syndicate. But I see the hint of doubt that surfaces whenever he’s around me. I don’t miss the skip of his heartbeat, the pause in his breath, and the undeniable lust in his eyes. I see that he is a broken man underneath his hard exterior, just as vulnerable as any other.
I will break his walls down, piece by piece, and expose him for who he really is.
By the time Luca Valsetti is finished with me, he will wish he’d never even whispered my name.
Merciless King is a gripping Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance part of the Echoes from the Underworld Series - Can be read as a Standalone
I am Luca Valsetti, the chosen family enforcer, bringing all those who betray us to their knees. They all beg for their lives, pray for forgiveness, but I show no mercy when I make them pay for their sins and take their souls.
Except for one. Scarlet Reed.
The fiery redhead looked me straight in the eye as I held my gun to her head. Her piercing hazel eyes threatened to steal my soul in return. Something about them begged me to take her. Everything about them screamed for me to end her.
Now she is my captive locked in my glass cage. I will learn all of her secrets. Every single one. She will pay for her betrayal, even if it kills me in the process.
Scarlet
My stupid need for the truth and for justice left me at the mercy of a cold-blooded killer. But deep down, I’m not certain that Luca Valsetti wants to kill me. I know he believes he has no choice but to follow his brother’s orders and the rules of his syndicate. But I see the hint of doubt that surfaces whenever he’s around me. I don’t miss the skip of his heartbeat, the pause in his breath, and the undeniable lust in his eyes. I see that he is a broken man underneath his hard exterior, just as vulnerable as any other.
I will break his walls down, piece by piece, and expose him for who he really is.
By the time Luca Valsetti is finished with me, he will wish he’d never even whispered my name.
Merciless King is a gripping Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance part of the Echoes from the Underworld Series - Can be read as a Standalone
250 pages, Paperback
Published August 18, 2021
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 12, 2021
ღ I am Luca Valsetti. Chosen to be my family's enforcer. Responsible for their security, reaper of their revenge. I take the souls of the men that betray our syndicate and deliver their end with duty and pride. Vengeance runs through my veins. I give no leniency. I make no exceptions. I am the Merciless King…. Until she walked into my life
Scarlet Reed has followed the Valsetti family closely over the last twelve months. She has worked as a new grad assistant for one of the top journalists for the New York Times. While she was researching her brother’s murder, she stumbled upon something that she shouldn’t have … before you know it Scarlet was on the run from the syndicate – or more like a cold-blooded killer, who the syndicate nickname the ‘ Butcher”… To make matters worse Scarlet sneaks into Eden Valette’s wedding and posted pictures of the wedding online
Excellent story Maggie Kay!
Make no mistake, this story will grab you and pull you in from the first line to the last, and leave you craving more with a book hangover that’s already begging for the next book in this series
I love how slow burn Kay's stories are, the pinning, the banter, the actions were the characters show us how much they love each other without the need to say "I love you" every 5 sentences.
August 19, 2021
Merciless King Release Date 18th August 2021
Love is not merciless. Love is forgiving, and it’s forever.
A few highlights from the book
I am Luca Valsetti. Chosen as my family's keeper. Responsible for their security, reaper of their revenge. I take the souls of the men that betray our syndicate and deliver their end with duty and pride. Vengeance runs through my veins.
When I am given the order to kill, there is no way out for them. They can run, they can hide, they can fall to their knees and beg for forgiveness, but in the end, they all suffer for their sins.
I give no leniency.
I make no exceptions.
I am the merciless King.
I was only fifteen when my father handed me his gun and ordered me to make my first kill. Unlike the vivid recollection of the first time I saw him kill a man, this memory is faded and blurred. I no longer see his face nor the blood that I spilled. It has mingled and merged with too many other faces, too much blood, that I can’t decipher it. I filled my mind with the blackness that consumed me the moment my finger pulled the trigger. The only way to survive it was to erase it. That day marked a new beginning for me, leaving behind any doubts that I could have a life beyond that. Shame and regret held no place. Pride, protection, and power became the law to obey. Bitterness, resentment, and anger wiped away the remains of the boy in me, turning me into the merciless monster I am today.
Get your copy today:
US: https://amzn.to/3xWS5HW
CA: https://amzn.to/3slAyHX
UK: https://amzn.to/2W1fBpy
AU: https://amzn.to/3sknouV
Love is not merciless. Love is forgiving, and it’s forever.
A few highlights from the book
I am Luca Valsetti. Chosen as my family's keeper. Responsible for their security, reaper of their revenge. I take the souls of the men that betray our syndicate and deliver their end with duty and pride. Vengeance runs through my veins.
When I am given the order to kill, there is no way out for them. They can run, they can hide, they can fall to their knees and beg for forgiveness, but in the end, they all suffer for their sins.
I give no leniency.
I make no exceptions.
I am the merciless King.
I was only fifteen when my father handed me his gun and ordered me to make my first kill. Unlike the vivid recollection of the first time I saw him kill a man, this memory is faded and blurred. I no longer see his face nor the blood that I spilled. It has mingled and merged with too many other faces, too much blood, that I can’t decipher it. I filled my mind with the blackness that consumed me the moment my finger pulled the trigger. The only way to survive it was to erase it. That day marked a new beginning for me, leaving behind any doubts that I could have a life beyond that. Shame and regret held no place. Pride, protection, and power became the law to obey. Bitterness, resentment, and anger wiped away the remains of the boy in me, turning me into the merciless monster I am today.
Get your copy today:
US: https://amzn.to/3xWS5HW
CA: https://amzn.to/3slAyHX
UK: https://amzn.to/2W1fBpy
AU: https://amzn.to/3sknouV
September 9, 2021
Once again this was a great story with this one about Luca the family enforcer. If you mess with the family or the ones he loves he will come or you and that is what Scarlet did. She is an investigative reporter and posted an article. Luca came for her and she is a spicy mouthy little one. I absolutely loved her attitude and the back and forth they have. There wasn't as much suspense in this book as the other ones but it was still a great story about a alpha strong man who let a little amazing red head into his heart. Thank you Maggie for letting me take this journey with you!!
September 6, 2021
As an investigative journalist, Scarlet should know better than to dig around in Mafia related business. But she's full of grief of losing her brother that is somehow linked to the murder of a mob boss.
Undettered by refusal to print her story by her bosses on the paper, she has it uploaded on the net by a hacker friend. It was up for a mere 25mins and that was enough to ruin her life.
She's spent the last year under a different name, in a different city, doing a different job. She's too scared to make friends, constantly looking over her shoulder and now just wants it to end.
Luca Valsetti is the family enforcer, twice foiled by Scarlet and determined to catch the nightmare journalist and finally get rid of her. But when he finally finds her, Scarlet claims to have more damning evidence that will come out if something happens to her.
Taking her back home is more testing to the hard hearted enforcer than anything he's ever done. Frustrated that the red headed mouthy minx doesn't seem afraid of him, he's at a loss at what to do.
They are pushed to live together until his brother, the boss, Nic returns home to give his final decision on what to do with her. This is two weeks!!
In these two weeks tho, Luca starts to see Scarlet in a different light. He starts to get feelings he has never felt before. And for the first time ever, he's questioning the fact he has to kill her....
But he has to do as ordered..... And the boss says she's gotta go.....
Luca is torn. Family comes first. But how can he kill this firecracker that's jolted his heart back to life.....?
This Mafia book was very much a romance story rather than a story about the Mafia in itself! It was easy to read and Luca and Scarlet bounced off each other easily!
Looking forward to the other books in this series!
I received a copy of the ebook in return for an honest review
Undettered by refusal to print her story by her bosses on the paper, she has it uploaded on the net by a hacker friend. It was up for a mere 25mins and that was enough to ruin her life.
She's spent the last year under a different name, in a different city, doing a different job. She's too scared to make friends, constantly looking over her shoulder and now just wants it to end.
Luca Valsetti is the family enforcer, twice foiled by Scarlet and determined to catch the nightmare journalist and finally get rid of her. But when he finally finds her, Scarlet claims to have more damning evidence that will come out if something happens to her.
Taking her back home is more testing to the hard hearted enforcer than anything he's ever done. Frustrated that the red headed mouthy minx doesn't seem afraid of him, he's at a loss at what to do.
They are pushed to live together until his brother, the boss, Nic returns home to give his final decision on what to do with her. This is two weeks!!
In these two weeks tho, Luca starts to see Scarlet in a different light. He starts to get feelings he has never felt before. And for the first time ever, he's questioning the fact he has to kill her....
But he has to do as ordered..... And the boss says she's gotta go.....
Luca is torn. Family comes first. But how can he kill this firecracker that's jolted his heart back to life.....?
This Mafia book was very much a romance story rather than a story about the Mafia in itself! It was easy to read and Luca and Scarlet bounced off each other easily!
Looking forward to the other books in this series!
I received a copy of the ebook in return for an honest review
August 18, 2021
Holy crap! This book is amazing! I finished reading it last week and I’m still thinking about it. I devoured this in a couple of hours, which for a paperback is something I do regularly, but reading on my phone gives me headaches so it’s not something I do in long bursts – however headaches could be damned because there was no way in hell that I was putting this book down until the very end! Do I wish I’d taken longer to read it and prolong the enjoyment of reading it for the first time? Yes. Do I also still have a book hangover? Also yes but that just means I’ll have to read it again and see if I notice different things the second time around.
I absolutely adore Scarlett and Luca and their enemies to lover’s relationship. Scarlett such a completely kick arse, take no prisoners, give no fucks kinda girl and makes you wish that you had that kind of bravery yourself. Her quest to find answers to her brothers’ death even when faced with potential death herself is not something I imagine many people would have the guts to do. Her fight and drive and stubbornness is so endearing and of course there is some fantastic banter between her and Luca.
Luca is tough on the outside but deep (very deep down) down he’s a giant pussy cat… or Pumpkin… You really feel for him with his conflicting feelings about what is right and what is wrong, and what could have been if his family wasn’t who they are. As he struggles with making decisions even if it means betraying those closest to him you just want to give him a hug and tell him it will all work out.
I cannot recommend this book enough and I can’t wait to read more from Maggie Kay!
I absolutely adore Scarlett and Luca and their enemies to lover’s relationship. Scarlett such a completely kick arse, take no prisoners, give no fucks kinda girl and makes you wish that you had that kind of bravery yourself. Her quest to find answers to her brothers’ death even when faced with potential death herself is not something I imagine many people would have the guts to do. Her fight and drive and stubbornness is so endearing and of course there is some fantastic banter between her and Luca.
Luca is tough on the outside but deep (very deep down) down he’s a giant pussy cat… or Pumpkin… You really feel for him with his conflicting feelings about what is right and what is wrong, and what could have been if his family wasn’t who they are. As he struggles with making decisions even if it means betraying those closest to him you just want to give him a hug and tell him it will all work out.
I cannot recommend this book enough and I can’t wait to read more from Maggie Kay!
August 18, 2021
This book blew me away. It is my favourite book in Maggie Kays' Echoes from the Underworld Series. Once I started reading Merciless King, I couldn't put it down. It grabbed my attention from the very first sentence. That first chapter. Wow!!! Maggie Kay's writing just keeps getting better and better. She has such a talent for showing the vulnerabilities in her characters. Be prepared to go on a rollercoaster ride of emotions with Luca and Scarlet's story. Just when you think you know where this story is going their comes a twist. It is a story that will have you guessing what is going to happen to the very end.
August 19, 2021
I have not been reading a lot lately I have been in a bit of a book slump but when I got the chance for an ARC of Maggie Kay's I couldn't wait to sink into it and let me tell you, I was not disappointed and it has given me back my love for reading.
Maggie has a talent for really drawing you in, giving her character's vulnerabilities that you can feel every emotion with. The usual angst and Maggie Kay signature banter can be found in this installment of the series as was in the last books which lightens up and balances out the darker aspects of the story.
I can't imagine it would be easy to write about such a dark character as Luca, yet somehow she mastered it. Luca Valsetti is a cold-blooded killer yet I wanted to see him get his happy ending. Weird I know but I felt all his struggles and pain and as in Maggie's words the true man underneath all that badness.
Scarlet is such a strong, dominant character. She is full of sass and courage that I immediately l admired. She accepted her fate yet chose to not go down easily.
Luca and Scarlet's story I think is my favorite to date. I enjoyed every minute of this book and cannot wait to read the next one in the series. So get writing, Maggie Kay.... I am waiting......
Maggie has a talent for really drawing you in, giving her character's vulnerabilities that you can feel every emotion with. The usual angst and Maggie Kay signature banter can be found in this installment of the series as was in the last books which lightens up and balances out the darker aspects of the story.
I can't imagine it would be easy to write about such a dark character as Luca, yet somehow she mastered it. Luca Valsetti is a cold-blooded killer yet I wanted to see him get his happy ending. Weird I know but I felt all his struggles and pain and as in Maggie's words the true man underneath all that badness.
Scarlet is such a strong, dominant character. She is full of sass and courage that I immediately l admired. She accepted her fate yet chose to not go down easily.
Luca and Scarlet's story I think is my favorite to date. I enjoyed every minute of this book and cannot wait to read the next one in the series. So get writing, Maggie Kay.... I am waiting......
August 22, 2021
Luca Valsetti is out for blood. Scarlet Reed, a rookie reporter who has made things incredibly difficult for his family, must be hunted down and disposed of. And as the Valsetti family enforcer, it’s up to Luca to do it. But as soon as he lays eyes on the fiery redhead, he knows that something about her is different. Maybe it’s her defiance, her utter disregard for her own life. Luca is determined to wear her down… but may lose his own heart in the process.
Maggie Kay has done it again! Luca and Scarlet’s story is the darkest of the series so far, and I absolutely loved it. Luca Valsetti is something else. He may be a demon, but he still has a heart. It’s just buried under a lot of masks. And Scarlet! I loved how she never gave up, even when Luca held her as his prisoner. Her kindness and compassion were amazing to behold, and I could see her as she unknowingly broke Luca’s walls down, one by one. Luca and Scarlet are two people from opposite worlds, and yet the chemistry between them is absolutely scorching. This is an enemies-to-lovers romance at its finest. I completely recommend!
Maggie Kay has done it again! Luca and Scarlet’s story is the darkest of the series so far, and I absolutely loved it. Luca Valsetti is something else. He may be a demon, but he still has a heart. It’s just buried under a lot of masks. And Scarlet! I loved how she never gave up, even when Luca held her as his prisoner. Her kindness and compassion were amazing to behold, and I could see her as she unknowingly broke Luca’s walls down, one by one. Luca and Scarlet are two people from opposite worlds, and yet the chemistry between them is absolutely scorching. This is an enemies-to-lovers romance at its finest. I completely recommend!
August 18, 2021
This is the 3rd book in this awesome series and is Luca and Scarlet’s journey. Luca is the ruthless, cold bloodied, enforcer for the family, and when Scarlet comes under his radar, he is conflicted. Scarlet is feisty and is on a quest for justice for her brothers’ murder, which has her in the firing line, and when she shows no fear of Luca and what he is about to do, he is swayed and keeps her as a captive, to uncover all her secrets. Scarlet sees through Luca’s façade to the broken man underneath. Scarlet is the perfect match for Luca, and they complement each other perfectly, and they chemistry between them is undeniable. This is a well written story which is a riveting page turner, and is filled with secrets, betrayal, emotions, suspense, danger, and live, which leads to a thrilling and all-consuming read, I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
August 20, 2021
I've read Black Heart. And now this amazing read too!
Where Ms. Kay has been hiding, not sure, but she'll hide from me no more! I will definitely be stalking her.
Once I picked the book up, I did not put it down until the very last word, and even then it was difficult.
I am definitely checking out her other stories!
I love Scarlet! Such strength, and the perfect ying to Luca's yang! At least in my opinion.
Twists, steam, emotional. All the things that draw me to this trope!
Excited to have another Kay story rise to the top of my TBR!
Where Ms. Kay has been hiding, not sure, but she'll hide from me no more! I will definitely be stalking her.
Once I picked the book up, I did not put it down until the very last word, and even then it was difficult.
I am definitely checking out her other stories!
I love Scarlet! Such strength, and the perfect ying to Luca's yang! At least in my opinion.
Twists, steam, emotional. All the things that draw me to this trope!
Excited to have another Kay story rise to the top of my TBR!
September 14, 2021
Five stars for this page turning book.
First time read from the author. Oh my heart. It was such an intriguing storyline. Love, love the heroine. She was so strong and of course emotional when she knows her death is near. This book pulled me in and did not let go.
However, I am not sure if I want to read the book about his brother. Still upset with him. So merciless.
First time read from the author. Oh my heart. It was such an intriguing storyline. Love, love the heroine. She was so strong and of course emotional when she knows her death is near. This book pulled me in and did not let go.
However, I am not sure if I want to read the book about his brother. Still upset with him. So merciless.
September 30, 2021
Another great dark romance read. I enjoyed this book from start to finish, it was full of drama and suspense and a lot of steam.
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July 22, 2022Dnf
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews