Book Tour for The Salvation of Vengeance by Nancy Haviland (Review & GIVEAWAY)

As a reader who loves complex heroes and steamy storytelling I was instantly drawn to this tale of emotional pain and sacrifice amidst a gritty world full of danger.  Keep reading to get a tantalizing taste of The Salvation of Vengeance by Nancy Haviland along with my impressions of it.  To celebrate its release fill out the form below for the chance to win print and digital copies of the first two books in the Wanted Men series too!

Only something as important as her best friend’s wedding to mob boss Gabriel Moretti could allow Nika Paynne a reprieve from captivity. Her abusive husband has kept her under his thumb with footage of her beloved brother, Caleb, killing another man. But the respite from her violent life isn’t the only draw. Vincente Romani—Gabriel’s deadliest guardian—will be one of the best men at the wedding, and Nika has lingering thoughts about the fascinating mobster…covetous thoughts that may put her life in danger.

With the heartbreak he’s suffered and the brutality he effortlessly delivers, Vincente knows he’s the last person who can offer Nika a happily-ever-after. But his vow remains. He will do everything in his power to free his redhead from her violent prison—even if that means losing her forever.

In the second thrilling and passionate Wanted Men book, a dangerous line is drawn between loyalty to the mob and loyalty to one’s heart.

EXCERPT:

Vincente didn’t pay much attention to the griping. The cops were always somewhere in the background. What was news about that? He was more concerned with reminding himself that this woman in front of him was married to some fucknut and Vincente led a shitty life and had nothing to offer her. She was Caleb’s little sister, for fuck’s sake, and the guy was standing right there!

And none of it fucking mattered at all. He still wanted to be wrapped around the redhead’s long, curvy body for a week straight. And given one sliver of a chance, he knew he’d take her. No. Matter. What.

The knowledge was . . . Well, he wouldn’t say shocking. Because he’d always pretty much lived by his own rules, taking what he wanted when he wanted it. But he’d never done so without first making sure any collateral damage was minimal. In this case, it wouldn’t be. And he didn’t care enough about that fact. That was unacceptable. He usually held himself to a higher standard than that. His mother and sister would be ashamed. He had to keep his distance from her.

He blinked when Nika stiffened. Noticed because she was all he was aware of. She took that step back that he should have taken a few minutes ago, blinking rapidly, her flawless skin paling.

Her voice came out just a whisper. “I’m going inside. You coming?”

I wish.

She turned without waiting to see if Caleb, to whom the question had been directed, followed and then disappeared back into the house.

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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

As a fan of the gritty and grey-hued world of Mafia-themed books I was immediately drawn to the promise of this story with its multiple storylines and large cast of characters.  From the first page to the last readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster that keeps you on the edge of your seat.  Throw in a lot of sexual tension and readers will find themselves torn in differing directions keeping up with all the action and ramifications.

To save her brother, Nika sold her soul to the devil and has the physical and emotional bruises to show for it.  Caught up in the web of her mafia husband's blackmail she's desperate to find a way out but stays out of loyalty.  The scenes of her abuse were vividly depicted with each pain palpable to the reader and I was left aching for all she suffered.  When she finally finds a way out though the drama and pain don't end as he becomes even more dangerously psychotic.  Her only hope for safety lies in Vincente, a man known as the Reaper and who she's been attracted to for quite some time.  I applauded Nika finally taking charge and her journey to putting her past behind her made for an intensely emotional evolution made harder by Vincente's emotional push and pull resulting from his own personal demons.

Vincente was a super sexy man with an air of mystery surrounding him.  He's said to be dangerous and deadly but I didn't completely get that impression of him.  He gave off a teenage vibe in the use of "fanboy", the name he gave himself when conversing in his head.  I so wanted him to live up to his reputation but am still waiting to some extent.  Early on he was drawn to Nika but it's not until she escapes, and he discovers what she's gone through, that he steps up to the plate swearing she'll never be anything but happy from then on.  They have a connection based on their loyalty to loved ones that has made for a mutually pained past.  I had hoped this would bring them together quicker but his issues of not being good enough for her kept them apart, and me frustrated, until almost the very end.  That's not to say that their burgeoning relationship wasn't full of sexual tension, as it was.  Their interactions crackled and kept me on edge as Nika was constantly in danger from her ex.

All in all this was a good story that might not have reached the level I'd hoped it would but still kept me engaged with its juggling of multiple storylines and POVs.  The heroine's strong-willed and admirable for her loyalty and dealing with the past.  Though the hero didn't quite live up to his hype I still found his dealing with his own issues a compelling struggle.  I enjoyed the remaining cast of characters and have great hope for the next installment as the pace of this story quickly immersed me from the first page to the last.

My rating for this is a B-

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Nancy Haviland writes about her alpha mobsters and their ladies from her home near Toronto, Ontario. She has three children, an arrogant but playful kitty named Talbot, and she adores her Tim Horton's coffee, as any self-respecting Canadian would. She writes contemporary romantic suspense but will happily read anything that involves two people smooching.

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