Capo to the Luciano Famiglia was my birthright. The cruelty needed to succeed in this life has been beaten into me since I was a young boy. My father, Vincent Luciano, taught by example and with the slap of his hand. My independent streak took me down paths my father would never have gone. With our enemies gaining strength, it is my idea to attempt an alliance with an unlikely bedfellow. The Roríguez Cartel and the Luciano Famiglia are improbable partners, yet even Vincent Luciano can’t deny the possible benefits. The only way to solidify the deal is for me to marry Catalina Ruiz.

Cruelty is his middle name, and I'm at his mercy. My father has kept me locked away in an ivory tower. I thought he wanted to protect me, but he only wanted to protect his asset. An untouched, sheltered mob princess is worth a lot of money to the right buyer. My father's greed means Sicily is no longer big enough for him. I'm shipped across the Atlantic to Boston to marry a man I've never met, whose reputation for cruelty reaches as far as the shores of Sicily.

When my ex-boyfriend puts a hit out on me, there's only one man I can run to for protection. Cristian Marchetti. The head of the Marchetti Mafia family. My best friend's father. My last resort. But Cristian's protection doesn't come for free. What he wants might cost me my life. He's the Mafia king, and I'm his sacrifice. And now, I must become his wife.

When he invited me to join him for a drink, I thought Alessandro was an ordinary guest at my family's hotel. I didn't know I belonged to him until he told me right there in the restaurant. I thought I had a say in the matter. But when I stood up to leave, it just earned me a sore bottom for the plane ride to New York, where our wedding was already planned for the next day. But I was soaking wet for him before he even walked me down the aisle.

It's just another Tuesday with Mercury in retrograde. Cue Nikolai Volkov. A devil in Armani with a body built for sin. Protective. Ruthless. Magnetic. Oh, and did I mention he's hot enough to melt Siberia? I should despise him for stealing my freedom. Instead, I'm playing house with the beast and melting every time he growls 'mine’. But as it turns out, this good girl has a knack for taming monsters.

When Harlow is a witness to her best friend’s murder by the serial killer terrorizing June Harbor, she grows frustrated with the police’s lack of progress and decides to take matters in her own hands. She soon falls headfirst into an intricate plot of deception, dark family secrets, and one dangerous criminal who is dead set on making her his.

Roman Melnikov is a deadly man in an expensive suit. I know what lies beneath the façade—the scars and tattoos that hint at the man he really is. He came here to find his sister, and his search led him to my dad and his friends. We both want to take them down, and the only way to do that is together. I had no idea how dangerous it would be, or that by the end of it, we'd all be covered in blood. Loving Roman is dangerous, but I can't let him go. His path is leading him straight to hell, and it looks like I'm coming along for the ride.

Gorgeous, cocky, and incredibly dangerous, Viktor Sodorov is the perfect example of how the mafia twists beautiful men into vicious monsters. And I loathe him with every ounce of my body and soul. But hatred isn't cold. It's a burning passion that occupies the deepest corners of your mind, eating away at your will to resist. And that passion has led me right into his capable hands. I shouldn't catch feelings for the man ruining my life, but when he bends me over his knee, it's impossible not to feel something.

It's not a regular party, but instead, my wedding. To Angelo Rizzo. A coldhearted man who's feared by all. Including me. Turns out my stepbrother owes the Cosa Nostra money, and I'm being used to repay his debt to Angelo Rizzo. Do I have a choice? No. Not when it comes to matters concerning the Cosa Nostra. Three hours later, I have a new shiny wedding ring on my finger and a husband I'm terrified of standing by my side. Yep, my life just took a turn for the worse.

Once upon a time, a lion saved a girl. His little cinnamon girl. That lion grew up into a prince. Dark, bitter, and so beautiful that it hurt to look at him. But underneath it all, the girl saw the man. She saw his hunger for love and affection, and she had plenty to give. I was that girl. I fell in love, even though he told me not to. I gave him everything, because that was who I was.

When I tried to blackmail Ezekiel St. James, I thought it would be easy. Turns out I had no idea who I was dealing with. Turns out I had no idea who I was dealing with. The moment his steel-grey eyes locked on mine, I knew the game was over. He knew exactly who I was. What I’d done. And he wasn’t going to let me walk away. With his immense wealth and power, he had me kidnapped. He could make me disappear. I’m no easy prey, though, and it’s not just my life on the line. I have to protect my sister.

I was forced to marry a monster. Luca Vitale is the heir to his father’s empire. He has the reputation of being a dangerous monster who can bring even grown men to their knees. And he’s about to become my husband.

He's the most dangerous man in Chicago—and I'm his newest obsession. Dark emerald eyes. Black tattoos. A killer's smile… god, that smile… When I'm dragged to a secretive nightclub, the last thing I expect is to find myself in the owner's back office. But after he rescues me from a drunken creep, that's exactly where I end up.

A dangerous Bratva mobster walked in on me... As I was getting my Brazilian wax. And now, I'm pregnant. Okay, I know that's a lot for one day, but bear with me. It all started when I got kidnapped by "Mr. I Ooze Danger" I just told you about. There's a lot more to Timur Yakov than just oozing danger. Sure, he's a 6-foot-4 mass of broody arrogance. Sure, his gaze could pierce through ice, and his body deserves a standing ovulation. Excuse me… ovation! But Timur is haunted by demons. Demons that could easily crush me and tear my heart to shreds.

Seraphina Moretti is half in love with her best friend's brother. An arranged marriage is in her future, and the groom is not the object of her affection. But then the devil of Wall Street whispers in her ear. Telling her to follow her heart, that the unrequited love she's feeling is reciprocated. She just needs to use a ploy as old as time—jealousy.

Living in a year around Christmas town has its drawbacks. The caroling, the decorations, the insanely cheery spirit, it never disappears. It's why I like to hibernate away in my cave - I mean housekeeping a healthy distance from the holly jolly spirits. And all was going according to plan until my nemesis, Storee Taylor, moved in next door to care for her Aunt Cindy. Without blinking, she turned my simple world into a real nightmare-before-Christmas, especially when she decided to enter the town Christmas Kringle contest - which she was determined to win.

When mystery author D. B. Ziegler is late delivering her book, Abi Schore steps in to help. Surely she can give her favorite author moral support over the holiday break and get the manuscript to her boss at Tea & Sympathy Publishing in time for the new year. When Abi shows up on Ms. Ziegler’s doorstep bearing holiday treats, she’s met by the author’s handsome grandson Dov, who reveals a startling plot twist. His grandmother isn’t able to finish the book and Dov promised he’d complete it so fans won’t be disappointed—a task that’s harder than he ever imagined.

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of best-selling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read.

All newly minted pediatrician Jamie Malek wants is to borrow a roasting pan for Christmas dinner. Unfortunately, that requires her to interact with Marc—her best friend’s troublemaking brother, who’s now a tech billionaire. He’s the one who got away. She’s the one who broke his heart. Outside, a howling blizzard. Inside, a crackling fire. Suddenly, being snowbound with the man she never expected to see again might not be such a bad way to spend a winter’s night.

Five Years Earlier: Henry Dunne knows three things: that agreeing to host this raucous house party was a terrible idea, that he absolutely cannot show up to his nursing shift tomorrow with a hangover, and that the beautiful redhead in the corner will be sleeping in his bed tonight.

Evie Crowe is starting over in a strange town with her newborn, and men are the furthest thing from her mind. If only the quiet, hulking farmer, Luke Ward, would stop coming into the thrift shop and piquing her reluctant interest. Evie wants to stay single all the way—she can’t trust anything more than friends-with-holiday-benefits. But Luke is in it for the long haul. He’s fixed on making this a Christmas Evie will remember forever. If she gives him a chance.

Obituary writer Nadine Barbault doesn’t mind being called “Lady Death”. It suits the ice queen persona she’s cultivated to survive the fast-paced Toronto Herald. So when Nadine learns that famous (and reclusive) author Dot Voline has died, she doesn’t hesitate to run the obituary…only to discover that Dot is very much alive. Nadine’s screw-up has brought Wesley Chen of the rival Spear no end of joy—she’s been a thorn in his extremely ambitious side for years. But the renewed interest in Dot also surfaced chatter about a mysterious past scandal.

Tilly Farriday isn’t feeling very jolly this season. Recently divorced and broke, she’s squatting in one of her rental agency’s properties until her new home is ready. The sprinkles on top of the burnt Christmas cookie that is her life? The new owner shows up early, forcing Tilly to hide in the attic to save her job…and what remains of her dignity.

After watching my mother succumb to a mysterious illness, I promised myself two things. I'd find the cure for what ravaged her and leave the godforsaken city where she abandoned me. Four years later, I received an acceptance letter from Dracadia University, one of the oldest most prestigious schools in the country. Nestled on a secluded island off the coast of Maine, it's rumored to be haunted by the souls of the mental patients exiled there centuries before, those whose bones are said to make up the island's white sandy shores. And restless ghosts aren't even its most daunting peculiarity.

There's no place like home for the holidays ... especially for Lesley Carver. Life in the big city just wasn't her jam and now she's back in Hickory Falls, working at the family diner and helping her mom after she took a tumble. Lesley longs to build a life here, working at the cafe, selling her handmade ornaments and ... er, apparently reviving her high school crush on her best friend’s older brother. Only one problem, her mom wants her to leave Hickory Falls far behind.

When Harlow is a witness to her best friend’s murder by the serial killer terrorizing June Harbor, she grows frustrated with the police’s lack of progress and decides to take matters in her own hands. She soon falls headfirst into an intricate plot of deception, dark family secrets, and one dangerous criminal who is dead set on making her his.

The Hallow Ranch was left to me, the first-born son. Before I inherited the ranch, I left to serve my country. When I came back to embrace my destiny, I was tricked. One night of lies and betrayal led me here. Without a brother. With a son. The Hallow Ranch is my focus. I have to ensure my son's future, whatever it takes. That includes ignoring the beautiful woman trying to take what's mine.

I've spent years hidden away to protect my father from the shame of having a defective daughter. The head of the Bratva can't be associated with weakness—and to him, that's all I am. That is until a marriage alliance gives him the opportunity to finally be rid of me. As I head down the aisle towards my mysterious husband, I hope I'm moving towards love and freedom. But Matteo makes it clear he wants nothing to do with me. I wish I could return his coldness, but the dangerous Don sets my body ablaze whenever he's near.

Belles and Mobsters were never meant to be together. And I still fell in love with him, only to be torn apart. Lesson learned.

Basilio DiLustro. Charming. Deadly. A monster dressed in a three-piece-suit. Wynter Star. Realist with the most romantic of hearts, hiding it all under her ice princess fame. The two were never meant to cross paths. When they do, worlds collide and volcanoes erupt. Basilio makes her feel everything when she’s with him. Protected. Loved. Desired. Every monster has a weakness. She’s his. His obsession. His addiction. His only salvation.

Steal back a lost painting and risk the wrath of a powerful mafia boss? Yup, I did that. In the seductive and shadowy underworld of Venice, one man rules with an iron fist. Ruthless mafia boss. King of Venice. Antonio Moretti. I stole his priceless masterpiece, intent on returning it to the museum it was stolen from. And Antonio caught me.

I was too busy giving Renzo hell to notice we weren’t alone. That was my bad. But seriously, the domineering asshole was asking for it. What followed felt like a drug-induced hallucination— Captured at gunpoint, drugged, then taken hundreds of miles from home. Who could have imagined our escape would only make things worse? Stranded in an arctic wilderness, I’ve had no choice but to rely on him for survival. His body’s warmth and well-honed strength. His instincts and persistence.

Widower Alexander Cartwright has one thing on his mind—his kids. He plans on keeping it that way until his mother hires a sassy, free-spirited nanny to watch them during the holidays. Art teacher Phoebe Love needs a job and to take a secret time out from her long-term, not always nice boyfriend. She plans to focus on the two boys and figure her situation out, but their father isn’t making that easy on her.

Ten years ago, I broke the heart of the girl I loved, and she ran from me, never giving me a chance to explain, leaving me devastated. Now Lottie is back and working in my club. Which gives me the chance to put things right. I know she's hiding a secret, but I can't walk away. When she enters an auction to sell her body, I refuse to let another man touch what is mine. I offer her a way out, a marriage of convenience that will benefit us both. The contract says we'll stay married for a year. But she was mine then, she's mine now, and I'm never letting her go again.

I always knew darkness crept through this city; like a shadow, it never really goes away, always watching, always waiting. People sin and people kill; it's a way of life. I just never expected to be thrown into the middle of a war I had no hope of surviving. Alexander Silver is as brutal as he is beautiful. A devil in disguise. The man destined to end me. I didn't go looking for trouble, and yet it found me, nonetheless. I could either join it or let it crush me.

When my brother’s best friend proposes we get engaged, I’m a fool to say yes. It’s a fake engagement, because men like Jameson Vance don’t fall in love with women like me. He’s a gorgeous billionaire, a marketing genius and a playboy, and he’s only getting engaged to please his family. I’m an introverted writer, just trying to start my life over, and I’d rather mingle with the rose bushes in his garden than fall in love again.

Capo to the Luciano Famiglia was my birthright. The cruelty needed to succeed in this life has been beaten into me since I was a young boy. My father, Vincent Luciano, taught by example and with the slap of his hand. My independent streak took me down paths my father would never have gone. With our enemies gaining strength, it is my idea to attempt an alliance with an unlikely bedfellow. The Roríguez Cartel and the Luciano Famiglia are improbable partners, yet even Vincent Luciano can’t deny the possible benefits. The only way to solidify the deal is for me to marry Catalina Ruiz.

The ruthless mafia king is no stranger to violence, but when he lays his eyes on my bruised and battered face, he's furious. I thought my makeup was thick enough to cover the beating I suffered until my inappropriately flirtatious boss noticed. As a cocktail waitress in his casino, I've always been on Mr. Salvato's radar, but now he's obsessed, demanding to know who hurt me and why, intent on making them suffer.

Cold. Ruthless. Killer. I am respected and feared by all. I wasn’t put on this earth to love or be loved. I was put here to wipe out every last member of the damn Abandonato mafia, to pay them back for my mother’s death. When I find a strange girl hiding, beaten, under my bed, I don’t let her live out of compassion. She’s a trinket, my plaything.

Tearing off the gilded veneer of elite privilege exposes the sordid scandals, dark secrets, and taboo desires of New York's jaded high society in this dark romance series from best friends and USAT bestselling authors Zoe Blake and Alta Hensley, writing under their new pen name, Blake Hensley.