Ruby

Rose and Thorns #3

by Kalli Dean

Some crowns are worth dying for. Some loves are worth risking everything to keep.

She's the ruthless queen of the Italian mafia. He's her fierce Irish bodyguard. When passion ignites between them, more than just their worlds collide.

Aria Conti wasn't born to love—she was born to rule. As the head of the Italian mafia, she's built her empire on cold calculation and iron control. The last thing she needs is the distraction in the form of Liam O'Rourke.
When a mysterious hacker threatens to dismantle her empire and old enemies emerge from the shadows, Aria finds herself fighting not just for her crown, but for a future she never thought she wanted, and she must choose between the power she's always craved and the love she never saw coming. Because in the mafia, even the strongest alliances can shatter with a single betrayal.

This is a Mafia queen, steamy short story.

142 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2024

About the author

Kalli Dean lives on coffee, chocolate and Baileys. Not necessarily in that order. She lives on the Mid North Coast of Australia and if she’s not eating, hiking or reading, she’s definitely plotting some scheme for her characters, based on her friend’s real life events (sorry, not sorry!).

Follow Kalli on Instagram or her Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/kallidean1/
https://www.instagram.com/kallidean1/

Reviews

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby is Book 3 of The Rose and Thorns Series. It's a short and steamy, opposites-attract, Italian Mafia queen gets her Irish bodyguard romance. Aria is the smart, fearless, and ruthless leader of the Italian mafia. Liam is her hunky Irish bodyguard who is no longer needed but is in love with her and not going anywhere. Aria is so used to being in control and not depending on anyone, but Liam loves her and is trying to show her that he can stand with her so she's not alone. She loves him too but is scared. Can she trust him? OMG... the chemistry between these two was pure fire. She was so feisty, and Liam was just so dreamy. They were perfect together. We end on a happy note, but this was a roller-coaster, and I'm dying to see what happens with Diamond and Viper next!! I love this series so much!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some crowns are worth dying for. Some loves are worth risking everything to keep.

She's the ruthless queen of the Italian mafia. He's her fierce Irish bodyguard. When passion ignites between them, more than just their worlds collide.

Aria Conti wasn't born to love—she was born to rule. As the head of the Italian mafia, she's built her empire on cold calculation and iron control. The last thing she needs is the distraction in the form of Liam O'Rourke.
When a mysterious hacker threatens to dismantle her empire and old enemies emerge from the shadows, Aria finds herself fighting not just for her crown, but for a future she never thought she wanted, and she must choose between the power she's always craved and the love she never saw coming. Because in the mafia, even the strongest alliances can shatter with a single betrayal.

This contemporary Italian mafia is page-turning with exceptional world-building that is engulfed by darkness, danger, violence and grit, and characters that are ruthless, alpha male who is a fierce Irish bodyguard, the ruthless Queen of the Italian mafia, captivating, dark, dangerous, violent, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with Ruby, the Queen of the Italian mafia, explicit romance that is consumed by steamy, sizzling passion, lust, desire, and spice with all the feelings to leave readers breathless and begging for more, danger, deception, suspense that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, betrayal, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wildly dangerous, lustful, and unforgettable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment Ruby begins, Kalli Dean delivers a high-stakes, pulse-pounding mafia romance that had me completely enthralled. Aria Conti isn’t just a mafia queen—she’s a force of nature, ruling with an iron fist and an even sharper mind. But when it comes to Liam O’Rourke, her dangerously loyal and infuriatingly tempting Irish bodyguard, even a queen isn’t immune to desire.

Aria is the kind of heroine I live for—strong, ruthless, and unshaken in a world dominated by men. She’s spent her life choosing power over passion, but Liam? He’s the storm she never saw coming. Their chemistry is off-the-charts—a slow burn that ignites into something fierce, raw, and forbidden. Liam is everything I love in a mafia hero—protective, lethal, and utterly devoted, even when it might cost him everything.

With a hacker threatening Aria’s empire and enemies closing in, the tension is relentless. I loved the blend of danger, intrigue, and passion, and how every decision Aria makes isn’t just about survival—it’s about the legacy she’s built. Will she sacrifice love for power, or can she have both?

Fast-paced, seductive, and packed with power plays, betrayal, and undeniable chemistry, Ruby is a must-read for mafia romance lovers who crave strong heroines and the men willing to risk it all for them. I devoured this in one sitting and loved every second of it!.

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby is the third book in The Roses and Thorns series. I absolutely enjoyed reading the first two books from this series and after reading Ruby I also LOVED it. Each book has been absolutely amazing and fascinating to read. Ruby is the story of Aria and Liam. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know both Aria and Liam as well as seeing the feelings they have for one another grow throughout the story. The characters are well developed and beautifully executed throughout the story. Ruby is beautifully written, well balanced and perfectly executed by Kalli Dean. Kalli Dean continues to show what a brilliant author she is with each book that I have read by her so far. I’m looking forward to reading more fantastic romances from this author in the future. I love that Aria and Liam have a happily ever after with them being happy together as a couple. The chemistry between Aria and Liam is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series to see what will happen next. I would most definitely give this book as a recommendation for anyone to checkout and give it a read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Morgan Schell · Rating 3 out of 5]

One pet peeve of mine is when the thoughts or conversations between characters happen over and over. It felt like Aria and Liam had the same argument, with the same sentiments said again, for more than a quarter of the story. This is something that prevents me from really enjoying a read. The rest was pretty mafia-lite and showed the ability of different mafia families to come together if needed. I did like that the three strongest rulers of these families were all females though. Girl power!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andra Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby is the third book in The Rose and Thorn series. Another one of the Queens gets their man. Unfortunately, the fight intensifies to keep and protect what each of them has worked hard to earn. With a few twists, drama, steamy romance, action, some humor, suspense, and a couple of surprises, this book was quite the page turner.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[G Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great follow on to the previous two books.
This time the plot centres around Liam who has been sent from the Irish Mafia to act as a bodyguard for Queen Aria of the Italian Mafia.
There is a lot going on in this book to keep you interested but ultimately the payoff is Liam and Aria getting their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic series, such strong stubborn women who are not willing to back down, these queens run empires and do not shy away from a fight. Great connection of Aria and Liam, loved his support, but also his level headed attitude in handling of tough situations. Enjoyed the drop in of previous characters as is adds in some friendly faces to help with their chaos.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Thee_reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soo soo good.😍

I love this stort story of Aria & Liam.
I've read other stories with Dante & the other mafia family and there were little bits of Aria and Liam but not a whole lot.
Anyways, I love the story and can't wait to read others in this mafia romance stories.

Total HEA

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[kristina_book_reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like another book kalli has written I’ve read. Not one book has even been unreadable. She draws you into her story and keep u hooked. Her words flow like nothing on a page. She is an amazingly talented author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[brenda hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series and It didn't disappoint at all. I can't wait to read more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cottage_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 3rd installment in this mafia romance series is a fast read of Aria and Liam's love story.

Such a unique series with 3 queens of the mafia world.

Thank you Booksprout for the ARC.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BusyM3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read in this series A Rose and Thorn. This is the story of Liam, the bodyguard sent to watch over Queen Aria. This is their journey to their happily ever after. The story will hold your attention all the way through. Their chemistry is sizzling. A enjoyable read.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.