Kidnapped as a child and raised within an Ohio-based Russian mafia post, Erik Pavel has been honed to a razor’s edge—ruthless and deadly. Yet, at age fifteen, the head of his brigade deems Erik weak and murders his surrogate mother, fueling him to live for only one thing—revenge. Now closer than ever to the vengeance he seeks, Erik will allow no one to stand in his way. Nicki Nobles fought her way out of a life where survival was key. Now strong and independent, she refuses to let her past dictate her future. After Nicki helps him gather information on his nemesis, Erik is forced to work with her again. Fearing for her safety while fighting an attraction to her, Erik would prefer to keep Nicki out of his life. Seeing so much of herself in the broken man, Nicki agrees to Erik’s plan only to discover she’s falling for someone who will never believe she can be more than her past. As Erik’s plan unfolds, he must learn to rely on Nicki and realize that families aren’t always bound by blood and that trusting another doesn’t make you weak.
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
OHHHH Erik and Nicki!! You two!! The chemistry and banter between these two people was amazing!! I loved how they were both so in love with the other but so afraid of what love can do to you or those around you. Mafia life is not for the faint at heart!!
Both characters have suffered at the hands of the same man. Erik’s whole life has been to get revenge, so he can’t see what he has in front of him in Nicki. Nicki lived and survived abuses that no one should know about but moved past it. She is trying to get Erik to understand that revenge is not the way to live our life. Love not hate will win.
We see a lot of plotting and characters that we are not even sure if they are a friend or foe. We see the bad guys get so much worse for our couple but we see them finally opening up and realizing they need each other OF COURSE Erik gets in his head and OF COURSE Nicki is a scorned woman…..the wax scene…ouch.
I loved the story and cracked up at the way they communicated with one another! Yelling and finger pointing followed by kissing and then more shouting!! LOL
Author Bio: In the spring of 2013, Jillian Jacobs changed her career path and became a romance writer. After reading for years, she figured writing a romance would be quick and easy. Nope! With the guidance of the Indiana Romance Writers of America (IRWA) chapter, she’s learned many “rules” to writing a proper romance. Being re-schooled was an interesting journey, and she hopes the best trails are yet to be traveled.
She is the co-founder of Healing with Words—a not for profit agency established for healing survivors of abuse, addiction, trafficking, and prostitution. The mission is to bring together readers, authors, and survivors in a positive manner that affects change and relief from negative influences. Writers on The River, an author event in Peoria, Illinois is hosted by Healing With Words.
Her genres are Paranormal and Contemporary with suspenseful elements.