Caught between a rock and a hard place leads to FORCED VOWS for Riosa Shauhnessy and Miceli De Luca. Riosa is a strong-willed woman who finds herself caught in an unwanted situation but to save her cousin – who is no where near as strong as she – from the same fate she agrees to a match with the enemy. Except when she sees one thing on her medical update she is determined that she isn’t going to give that to her future husband.
Miceli is the la famiglia’s God of War – the capo his brother, Severu, turns to, to make things rights. Of course, he will marry the Irish princess, but he isn’t against a bit of fun first. Turns out in a night club across the country he meets the most amazing woman ever and she becomes Aphrodite to his Ares. A one-night stand, no names, no future, is all either of them are looking for. But both are in for a surprise when they settle back home. Instead of having to forget this perfect woman he finds he is going to marry her. Except – she had been a virgin on that one-night stand, and he is possessive enough to be furious that she had planned to offer that to any stranger who came along.
FORCED VOWS continues author Lucy Monroe’s amazing Syndicate Rules series. Miceli and Roisa make an intriguing couple as both are strong, determined yet family-oriented people. He is all Italian Cosa Nostra – his brother’s right hand and Roisa wants only to be normal while clinging to the women in the family for support and advice. The tension between the families and between this couple was well done. The process of them getting to know and understand each other was also excellent and realistic considering the situation they find themselves in. The steam level is very high and only get hotter as they grow closer.
Ms. Monroe also adds in a bit of trouble within the mafia world itself as Severu and the Cosa Nostra families work on stabilizing their leadership. You have to read FORCED VOWS to find out what is happening there.
At first, I admit that I was disappointed in Miceli. You would think after seeing his brother and sister so happy in their marriages that he would not be so indifferent toward his future bride. But alas, he did not want to have his life changed, even if it might have been for the better. Luckily he got his act together and tried to become a more loving partner. For Roisa it is understandable that she would not want to give up her dreams for the mob and Cosa Nostra peace her uncle and his brother had brokered. It was nice touch when Miceli came up with a way for her to see some of those dreams and plans come to life.
FORCED VOWS will bring mafia book fans everything they could want and so much more.
In this electrifying tale by USA Today bestselling author Lucy Monroe, passions clash and loyalties are tested in the dangerous world of the New York Cosa Nostra.
RÓISE The last thing I want is to marry into the mafia, but I'll do anything to protect my vulnerable younger cousin. My one choice left is who I give my body to for the first time. Fate plays a cruel trick when my club hookup turns out the be the underboss I'm supposed to marry.
MICELI I will do anything for la famiglia, including marrying the niece of the Irish mob boss. Even after the most intensely passionate encounter of my life. I'll never forget the beautiful woman who gave me her virginity in a one-night stand, but when I meet her two months later, she's introduced as my future wife. I should be relieved. I'm not. I'm furious. How dare she risk her safety and offer what should have been mine to a stranger?
This is a stand alone enemies to lovers mafia romance with a guaranteed HEA. No cliffhangers. No Cheating.
CW: explicit intimacy including light knife play/no harm, a marriage contract signed in blood, graphic violence, foul language, parental death (in the past) and a cat in touch with her dog side.