Christie's review: A Love of Vengeance by Nancy Haviland

Title:A Love of Vengeance

Series: Wanted Men #1

Author: Nancy Haviland

Release Date: November 11, 2014

Rating:4.5 stars

Cliffhanger: no

Once the most feared member of an Italian Mafia crime family, Gabriel Moretti returns to New York at the request of his mentor, Russian crime boss Vasily Tarasov. Vasily needs someone he can trust in Seattle to protect his estranged daughter, Eva Jacobs, while he avenges the murder of the young woman’s mother. Gabriel is unstoppable in a fight, whether he’s using fists, blades, or bullets; but innocent, onyx-haired Eva may just be the most dangerous—and beautiful—thing he’s come up against.

Intense sparks fly between the two, tempting Gabriel to mix business with pleasure while in the Emerald City. But once word gets around that Gabriel has shown up in New York, Stefano—his vengeful brother and the de facto head of the family—decides that Eva is the key to ending the feud between them…permanently.

In this pulse-pounding romantic thriller set against the backdrop of New York City’s storied underworld, loyalties will be tested, secrets will be told, and mob justice will be served.

[ No (hide spoiler)]

"The day I hear you've found the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with...I'll be there to take her away from you. The same way you took Adrianna from me."

Years ago, a vendetta started when Gabriel followed through on his father's orders and unknowingly caused the death of the woman his brother loved. He left the lifestyle of the family and decided to go "straight". But when the Pakhan (Russian Boss) calls him for a special request, you don't say no. There is no one Vasily will trust as much as Gabriel to guard his only daughter while he leaves the country. Eva's mother has just been killed by the mob after her connection to the boss was discovered. All these years, he thought he was protecting them by keeping them out of his life, but in the end, it was all in vain. Which leaves Eva all alone in the world. At least, that's what she believes.

From the moment he sets eyes on Eva's photograph, this woman who he must guard with his life, Gabe knows his life got a whole lot more complicated. And after weeks of him and his security trailing and watching her, his attraction to her has grown uncontrollably.

That hair. He wanted to wrap the silky onyx mass around his wrist and pull, tipping her head back, until he had easy access to those lips he craved. Mine.

His every instinct tells him that pursuing her personally would be nothing but dangerous. But when he secretly steers her in a position in his company in order to keep her in closer proximity....he can no longer ignore his need for this woman.



Seriously, Gabe was sinfully sexy, all wrapped up in one dangerous package. He was completely charming and supremely confident, (except when Eva was messing with his head) and as you would expect, feared and used to getting his way. Eva didn't stand a chance against his smooth moves and dominant personality. He pretty much makes it impossible to not fall for him.

With a completely straight face, he said, "Show me a man who could pass up the opportunity to stare at you all day and I'll introduce you to his boyfriend."

Of course, Eva isn't one to let anyone walk all over her and she has brains in her head (and uses them!) I loved this heroine. Loved. Finally! An intelligent heroine that's strong, but not so much that she becomes hard and unidentifiable. Because of her mother's less than perfect love life, she's shut herself off and inexperienced with men, but that doesn't mean that the author equates that with naive. Yes, she was fooled by Gabe in the beginning, but who wouldn't be? She keeps everyone on their toes and I loved that about her. Not only that, but she wasn't afraid of Gabe...even when he was whipping out his weapons in attack mode.

"Is the cannon strapped to your thigh coming out next? Or are we saving that for when we're alone?" She lifted her eyebrows as Alek and Quan roared with laughter.

Gabe's brother Stefano has caught on to Eva's importance to the family and most importantly, to Gabe. Now more than ever, her life is hanging in the balance. If anything were to happen to her, not only would her father be out to kill, but a full out war would be born from her blood.



Admittedly, it took me a while to acclimate myself around this detailed mafia landscape, I actually had to make notes. Highlighting just wasn't enough this time. Between the underbosses, bosses, security men and friends, various family members (there were lots) you really have a lot to take in. There was even a motorcycle club connected to Eva and Gabe as well. Caleb Paynne is Eva's best friend Nika's brother and VP of the Obsidian Devil's MC. She's literally surrounded by huge, scary dangerous, and deadly men. And yeah, I pretty much want to read each one of their own stories. The secondary characters weren't insignificant-each one played an integral part of the plot.

I really sank myself into this story so much, I didn't want to come up for air. The first half focused mostly on Gabe and Eva connecting and her realizing her own identity in his world. The last half is where the action came in full force. Everything centered around Eva and Gabe accepting their need for each other, and him accepting his true destiny all the while trying to stay one step ahead of their enemies.



This was such an exceptional read from author Nancy Haviland. And apparently, her debut book as well which really blows me away. This comes across as the work of a seasoned author with well thought out characters that really come to life and grab a hold of you. When the next book in the series comes out, I'll most likely be the first to one click the book after stalking Amazon. I'm so excited to see where she takes the series next with Vincente and Nika.



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