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The Chicago War #1
Deathless & Divided
Narrated by Roberto Scarlato
Lies and love. This is how a war starts.
A life for a life. That’s the mafia way. Damian Rossi owes his life to a man who is ready to collect. That payment comes in the form of an arranged marriage to the daughter of another leading family in the Chicago Outfit. He’s ready to follow through, even if that means making sure Lily knows she’s his.
Lily DeLuca isn’t being given a choice. Forced home to marry a man she doesn’t know and back into a life she’d rather forget, her world is full of half-truths, buried pain, and uncertainty. But Damian is nothing like she expects. His motives aren’t clear. Her beliefs are being tested.
When it comes to this world, no man can be trusted. Someone is ready to flip the Chicago Outfit on its side all for the promise of something better. But no one runs a clean game and these men play for keeps. When blood begins to paint Chicago red, four families will be divided by loyalty, hatred, and revenge. There is no hiding. There is no safety.
No one is deathless.
No one.
Lies and love. This is how a war starts.
A life for a life. That’s the mafia way. Damian Rossi owes his life to a man who is ready to collect. That payment comes in the form of an arranged marriage to the daughter of another leading family in the Chicago Outfit. He’s ready to follow through, even if that means making sure Lily knows she’s his.
Lily DeLuca isn’t being given a choice. Forced home to marry a man she doesn’t know and back into a life she’d rather forget, her world is full of half-truths, buried pain, and uncertainty. But Damian is nothing like she expects. His motives aren’t clear. Her beliefs are being tested.
When it comes to this world, no man can be trusted. Someone is ready to flip the Chicago Outfit on its side all for the promise of something better. But no one runs a clean game and these men play for keeps. When blood begins to paint Chicago red, four families will be divided by loyalty, hatred, and revenge. There is no hiding. There is no safety.
No one is deathless.
No one.
Audiobook
First published September 7, 2015
About the author
Bethany-Kris
104 books4,220 followersThe author of too many novels to count, Bethany-Kris is a Canadian, lover of much, and mother to four sons, a glaring of cats, and a pack of dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, a snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a spouse calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something ... when she can find the time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 465 reviews
August 4, 2020
This book is so much more than a romance. It’s a well-written and gripping story about the Mafia lifestyle and politics. It's a story about the war between the four Chicago crime families that are falling apart due to mistrust, deceit and betrayal. But most of all, it's a story about two lonely souls who are fighting to survive the madness. Both of them victims of circumstances. Both of them deprived of parental love and affection because of the Mafia way.
There is no insta-love in this book and I love that. I love that there is a slow development of a true connection between the characters. Another bonus is that there is absolutely no cheating or love triangle.
This book is a worthy read and I highly recommend it. It has everything that a good mafia book should have: drama, plot twists, characters with personality, suspense, action, and lots of hot scenes.
Overall rating: 4 stars
Writing style: 4 stars
Story: 4 stars
Flow of the story: 4 stars
Character development: 4 stars
Heroine: 4 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Secondary characters: 4 stars
Tone/mood of the book: 4 stars
Emotion evoking: 3 stars
Originality: 4 stars
Enjoyment: 4 stars
Effect on me: 4 stars
August 28, 2015
4,5 STARS
I enjoyed this story a lot!I was hooked from the beginning and I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know what would happen next!There is suspense,action,a sexy hero and hot moments!I loved the MAFIA concept and the love story!This story is about lies,hate,betrayal,revenge,trust and love.Generally it has everything you need in a story!
Damian works for "the outfit", he does what the boss asks him but apart from this he owes Dino.Now it's time to do something for him!He must marry his sister Lily and protect her.Lily was traveling until the moment Dino asked her to come back. .Both have been hurt after losing their parents...
.Now is she ready to marry a man that she doesn't know,or does she know him?
From the first moment I could relate with Lily and I could understand her concerns. Lily is strong,stubborn,sweet and the best of all is that even though she does not like what he does, she loves him.Damian is mysterious, and from the beginning I couldn't resist him!He is protective and so hot!Damian and Lily are two lovable characters!I liked how their romance developed slowly!Their connection is off the charts and there are some very hot moments between them!
I'm happy every time I find a new author to follow!I like the writing and I will check her other books!I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!
ARC PROVIDED FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
I enjoyed this story a lot!I was hooked from the beginning and I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know what would happen next!There is suspense,action,a sexy hero and hot moments!I loved the MAFIA concept and the love story!This story is about lies,hate,betrayal,revenge,trust and love.Generally it has everything you need in a story!
Damian works for "the outfit", he does what the boss asks him but apart from this he owes Dino.Now it's time to do something for him!He must marry his sister Lily and protect her.Lily was traveling until the moment Dino asked her to come back. .Both have been hurt after losing their parents...
.Now is she ready to marry a man that she doesn't know,or does she know him?
From the first moment I could relate with Lily and I could understand her concerns. Lily is strong,stubborn,sweet and the best of all is that even though she does not like what he does, she loves him.Damian is mysterious, and from the beginning I couldn't resist him!He is protective and so hot!Damian and Lily are two lovable characters!I liked how their romance developed slowly!Their connection is off the charts and there are some very hot moments between them!
I'm happy every time I find a new author to follow!I like the writing and I will check her other books!I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!
ARC PROVIDED FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
August 11, 2015
5 GHOST STARS
”No one was deathless in this world.”
This girl absolutely loves a great mafia story! To this day, The Godfather is still among my top three fave movies so, I'm discerning when it comes tales about La Cosa Nostra...Bethany-Kris, knows how to write kickin' mob tales!!
I discovered and became a fan with her Filthy Marcellos series and I must say, it just gets better and better. This story revolves around the Chicago Outfit run by four Italian families: Trentini, Rossi, Conti and DeLuca with Terrance Trentini as the head of the Outfit.
This tale is about Lily DeLuca. Her father was a rat and for that, when she was merely six, both her father and mother were murdered by the Outfit. Her two older brothers, Dino and Theo, have shielded her from the Outfit and try to give her some semblance of a free life. But now, she must face her fate as her oldest brother, Dino has ordered her back to Chicago.
Lily DeLuca “Coming back to Chicago felt like a death sentence to me.”
Little does she know that her brother has called in a marker and she must marry into the Outfit as part of a business arrangement. Damian Rossi owes Dino DeLuca his life and in the mafia way, a life for a life. As such, Damian is to marry Lily.
Damian Rossi “Debts never went away in the mafia.”
Damian is a Capo but unlike the others, he's also very close to the big boss and is a hit man. He's a Ghost and aptly named as he comes and goes without anyone knowing he was there.
While Lily and Damian are at the centre of this tale, there's a huge chess game underway,
which deliberately starts a war among the families in the name of retribution among other things, which leads to spilled blood and many lives in upheaval.
Of course, Lily and Damian are both very much apart of it although they may be more pawns than players. I really enjoyed these two and related to Lily so quickly. I really got her struggle with having her choice taken away although she soon discovers that Damian may have been her choice all along.
These two have a connection. It’s not immediately sexual although their mutual attraction is obvious. But what I liked was that there was also a kindred connection; a bond born of similar circumstance and outlooks that binds these two and builds a more meaningful connection.
“She was trying so desperately to keep from falling for him, but something about him that she couldn’t deny spoke to her.”
“Every sound, every goosebump and every inch of her was starting to imprint in Damian’s memory like a melody he couldn’t forget.”
Mixed in with the power struggles, family obligations, the diversity of the families and the complex and interesting characters was also freakin' HOT chemistry between Lily and Damian. Bethany sure knows how to turn up the heat and let me tell you, one of my fave sex scenes was these two - Lily and Damian and Lily's car...
My squee moments were the Marcello mentions - golden! And Dante's cameo ( my favourite Marcello) was priceless…Bethany, thank you for that delicious treat!!
I highly recommend this book to all you mafia lovers. If you want an amazing read with lots going on...my head is still reeling but I just can't give it all away...and two sexy, smart and likable MCs, you have to read this book!!
This was a buddy read with Mafluts although I never really caught up but damn, the chase (the read) was so worth it!! xoxo
***An advance reading copy was generously provided by Bethany-Kris in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews and blog posts.
”No one was deathless in this world.”
This girl absolutely loves a great mafia story! To this day, The Godfather is still among my top three fave movies so, I'm discerning when it comes tales about La Cosa Nostra...Bethany-Kris, knows how to write kickin' mob tales!!
I discovered and became a fan with her Filthy Marcellos series and I must say, it just gets better and better. This story revolves around the Chicago Outfit run by four Italian families: Trentini, Rossi, Conti and DeLuca with Terrance Trentini as the head of the Outfit.
This tale is about Lily DeLuca. Her father was a rat and for that, when she was merely six, both her father and mother were murdered by the Outfit. Her two older brothers, Dino and Theo, have shielded her from the Outfit and try to give her some semblance of a free life. But now, she must face her fate as her oldest brother, Dino has ordered her back to Chicago.
Lily DeLuca “Coming back to Chicago felt like a death sentence to me.”
Little does she know that her brother has called in a marker and she must marry into the Outfit as part of a business arrangement. Damian Rossi owes Dino DeLuca his life and in the mafia way, a life for a life. As such, Damian is to marry Lily.
Damian Rossi “Debts never went away in the mafia.”
Damian is a Capo but unlike the others, he's also very close to the big boss and is a hit man. He's a Ghost and aptly named as he comes and goes without anyone knowing he was there.
While Lily and Damian are at the centre of this tale, there's a huge chess game underway,
which deliberately starts a war among the families in the name of retribution among other things, which leads to spilled blood and many lives in upheaval.
Of course, Lily and Damian are both very much apart of it although they may be more pawns than players. I really enjoyed these two and related to Lily so quickly. I really got her struggle with having her choice taken away although she soon discovers that Damian may have been her choice all along.
These two have a connection. It’s not immediately sexual although their mutual attraction is obvious. But what I liked was that there was also a kindred connection; a bond born of similar circumstance and outlooks that binds these two and builds a more meaningful connection.
“She was trying so desperately to keep from falling for him, but something about him that she couldn’t deny spoke to her.”
“Every sound, every goosebump and every inch of her was starting to imprint in Damian’s memory like a melody he couldn’t forget.”
Mixed in with the power struggles, family obligations, the diversity of the families and the complex and interesting characters was also freakin' HOT chemistry between Lily and Damian. Bethany sure knows how to turn up the heat and let me tell you, one of my fave sex scenes was these two - Lily and Damian and Lily's car...
My squee moments were the Marcello mentions - golden! And Dante's cameo ( my favourite Marcello) was priceless…Bethany, thank you for that delicious treat!!
I highly recommend this book to all you mafia lovers. If you want an amazing read with lots going on...my head is still reeling but I just can't give it all away...and two sexy, smart and likable MCs, you have to read this book!!
This was a buddy read with Mafluts although I never really caught up but damn, the chase (the read) was so worth it!! xoxo
***An advance reading copy was generously provided by Bethany-Kris in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews and blog posts.
December 27, 2015
I know all my Mafia Sluts (You know who I'm talking about :P) really loved this book but it didn't blow me away...so please don't shun and/or throw rocks at me :P
I know this author writes good mafia books but unfortunately for me they aren't doing much. I liked the story and the characters but usually when I'm reading about my mob gods I can't seem to put the book down and that wasn't the case here...
I can't really put my finger on the facts I didn't like but bottom line is that I didn't feel the emotion from the characters and the story line felt a little flat even if it was anything but. And that was also the case for the main characters relationship development. Thank God for the Man Candy a.k.a Damian :D
Will I be reading the next book in this series?
But will I give up on this author?
I know this author writes good mafia books but unfortunately for me they aren't doing much. I liked the story and the characters but usually when I'm reading about my mob gods I can't seem to put the book down and that wasn't the case here...
I can't really put my finger on the facts I didn't like but bottom line is that I didn't feel the emotion from the characters and the story line felt a little flat even if it was anything but. And that was also the case for the main characters relationship development. Thank God for the Man Candy a.k.a Damian :D
Will I be reading the next book in this series?
But will I give up on this author?
October 25, 2015
4.5 Deathless Stars!
No one was deathless in their world.
Even the innocents couldn't be saved.
Yep. I'm pretty sure it's impossible for Bethany-Kris to write a book I won't enjoy! I'd probably read her grocery list at this point, she's right up there with JM Darhower when it comes to writing a good Mafia romance! Deathless & Divided is the first book in a spin-off of her Filthy Marcellos series, and let me just say this the Marcellos will forever be close to my heart and if I'm going to compare mafia romance series and books. They are BENCHMARK.
This book and series centres around the Chicago (correct me if I'm wrong) faction of the Mafia. The Rossi's, DeLuca's, Conti's and the Trentini's. Now let me just tell you about how I feel after having finished reading this book. I am very excited. A war has started and this book gives you the background into how it all began. It all comes down to putting the family first and never backing down no matter how bad the odds look.
The man who orders the gun is just as bloody as the one who pulls the trigger."
This is Damian Rossi and Lily Deluca's book, their relationship has a rocky start, but ultimately they just clicked and from then onward you're treated to the intense and passionate roller coaster they are together. Lily has been backpacking through Europe for a few years, until her brother Dino calls her back home. It's time she does her duty and takes her place as a woman in the Mafia. On her arrival back home she meets Damian a friend of her brother and the man she is betrothed to. I feel like I shouldn't tell you the reasons surrounding Damian and Dino's friendship because it makes up such a huge part of the story. Their story takes place in the mist of upheaval and the stirrings of war.
Bethany-Kris never fails to get me engrossed in her books, I seriously need to read her Russian Mafia series! She writes such well fleshed out characters and intricate relationships between her characters. I think the only thing missing in this story was Dino's POV, I don't know why but I so badly want inside his head lol!
No one was deathless in their world.
Even the innocents couldn't be saved.
Yep. I'm pretty sure it's impossible for Bethany-Kris to write a book I won't enjoy! I'd probably read her grocery list at this point, she's right up there with JM Darhower when it comes to writing a good Mafia romance! Deathless & Divided is the first book in a spin-off of her Filthy Marcellos series, and let me just say this the Marcellos will forever be close to my heart and if I'm going to compare mafia romance series and books. They are BENCHMARK.
This book and series centres around the Chicago (correct me if I'm wrong) faction of the Mafia. The Rossi's, DeLuca's, Conti's and the Trentini's. Now let me just tell you about how I feel after having finished reading this book. I am very excited. A war has started and this book gives you the background into how it all began. It all comes down to putting the family first and never backing down no matter how bad the odds look.
The man who orders the gun is just as bloody as the one who pulls the trigger."
This is Damian Rossi and Lily Deluca's book, their relationship has a rocky start, but ultimately they just clicked and from then onward you're treated to the intense and passionate roller coaster they are together. Lily has been backpacking through Europe for a few years, until her brother Dino calls her back home. It's time she does her duty and takes her place as a woman in the Mafia. On her arrival back home she meets Damian a friend of her brother and the man she is betrothed to. I feel like I shouldn't tell you the reasons surrounding Damian and Dino's friendship because it makes up such a huge part of the story. Their story takes place in the mist of upheaval and the stirrings of war.
Bethany-Kris never fails to get me engrossed in her books, I seriously need to read her Russian Mafia series! She writes such well fleshed out characters and intricate relationships between her characters. I think the only thing missing in this story was Dino's POV, I don't know why but I so badly want inside his head lol!
Read
October 6, 2018Amazon | http://geni.us/DandDAMZ
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August 19, 2015
5 'mafioso' stars
Thanks to Snow for recommending this awesome read to me. Damian Rossi is the closest mafia hero to Corrado Moretti that I've ever read. And you know how much I love Corrado. Lots! And Damian actually got one upper hand because this book has better sex scenes in it.
This book has
1. a low profile mafia hero
2. a reluctant principessa
3. arranged marriage
4. mafia politics
5. revenge plot
Damian Rossi is a made man of the Chicago Outfit. He is loyal, honorable, quiet, observant and deadly. He prefer to be in the shadow, keeping a low profile. He owned Dino DeLuca his life, so when he was asked to marry the Deluca's sister, he knew he will get the job done.
Lily DeLuca never plan to return to Chicago, a place she hates most. She wish she can detach herself from the Outfit forever. The last thing she wants is to have her brother force her to marry someone from the organization.
Deathless & Divided is a mafia romance that had a perfect balance for its romance and mafia plot. Often times these books with such theme are either heavily romance with little mafia biz or vise versa. But Bethany-Kris gave us the best of both worlds.
The romance is a strong one that had me rooting for them to embrace their nuptial. They are thrown together to deal with an arranged marriage for a political cause. Although they don't despise each other, Lily doesn't feel right about the whole situation. Damian being the endearing hero that he is, was able to turn the table around and make Lily fall for him.
Damian possess all the qualities of my favorite kind of hero. The silent, mature, responsible and protective type. He is a man of action and makes logical decisions and he knows how to handle a reluctant fiancee. And every time he called her sweatheart, I just swooned.
"I love my name in your mouth and wrapping my hands in your hair. I love fucking you because even when it's dirty, it's still beautiful too."
The mafia politic is a huge part of the story. There are multiple players in the Chicago Outfit formed by three different Italian families. This is the first time I read about an organization with such divide and estranged relationship. There are a few twist thrown in that keep me guessing about the meaning behind all these attacks. It seems like with how things are going, a war is imminent.
This book doesn't end in a cliffhanger per se, but left us with some unresolved problem within the Outfit. There is a minor crossover with the Marcellos' and make me want to check out that series as well. Damian and Lily's story is consider complete with the next installment featuring another made man, Adriano.
Thanks to Snow for recommending this awesome read to me. Damian Rossi is the closest mafia hero to Corrado Moretti that I've ever read. And you know how much I love Corrado. Lots! And Damian actually got one upper hand because this book has better sex scenes in it.
This book has
1. a low profile mafia hero
2. a reluctant principessa
3. arranged marriage
4. mafia politics
5. revenge plot
Damian Rossi is a made man of the Chicago Outfit. He is loyal, honorable, quiet, observant and deadly. He prefer to be in the shadow, keeping a low profile. He owned Dino DeLuca his life, so when he was asked to marry the Deluca's sister, he knew he will get the job done.
Lily DeLuca never plan to return to Chicago, a place she hates most. She wish she can detach herself from the Outfit forever. The last thing she wants is to have her brother force her to marry someone from the organization.
Deathless & Divided is a mafia romance that had a perfect balance for its romance and mafia plot. Often times these books with such theme are either heavily romance with little mafia biz or vise versa. But Bethany-Kris gave us the best of both worlds.
The romance is a strong one that had me rooting for them to embrace their nuptial. They are thrown together to deal with an arranged marriage for a political cause. Although they don't despise each other, Lily doesn't feel right about the whole situation. Damian being the endearing hero that he is, was able to turn the table around and make Lily fall for him.
Damian possess all the qualities of my favorite kind of hero. The silent, mature, responsible and protective type. He is a man of action and makes logical decisions and he knows how to handle a reluctant fiancee. And every time he called her sweatheart, I just swooned.
"I love my name in your mouth and wrapping my hands in your hair. I love fucking you because even when it's dirty, it's still beautiful too."
The mafia politic is a huge part of the story. There are multiple players in the Chicago Outfit formed by three different Italian families. This is the first time I read about an organization with such divide and estranged relationship. There are a few twist thrown in that keep me guessing about the meaning behind all these attacks. It seems like with how things are going, a war is imminent.
This book doesn't end in a cliffhanger per se, but left us with some unresolved problem within the Outfit. There is a minor crossover with the Marcellos' and make me want to check out that series as well. Damian and Lily's story is consider complete with the next installment featuring another made man, Adriano.
March 8, 2016
5 +++ STARS!!!
October 23, 2015
A Great Mafia Romance
I really enjoyed this Mafia love story. There was just enough action and suspense to keep me wondering what was coming around the corner. Meanwhile, there was a sweet and sexy love story that kept me engaged.
The heroine, Lily DeLuca, has no interest in returning to her Mafia roots. Since her parents were murdered years ago, she has sought to escape the lifestyle she was brought up in. Raised by her brother after the death of her parents, she's been granted the freedom to roam the globe, avoiding her past while finding herself.
When her brother calls her home, she doesn't expect to be told that she must marry a stranger. Lily is less than receptive to the idea of her arranged marriage right from the start. She wanted to escape this lifestyle, and instead, she found herself unwillingly immersed in it.
Damian Rossi had never had anyone to call his own. Spending most of his life going unnoticed in the shadows, he became the perfect Mafia hit man. Loyal to a fault, he agrees to marry Lily as a favor to her brother, who saved his life when he was young.
Of course, the more time these two spend together, the more they realize that this marriage may be the best thing to ever happen for either of them. Very quickly, they become inseparable.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Lily and Damian had a magnetic pull that left me constantly craving more. The teaser for the next book, included at the end of this one, looks promising as well. I'll definitely be continuing this series at some point in the near future.
I really enjoyed this Mafia love story. There was just enough action and suspense to keep me wondering what was coming around the corner. Meanwhile, there was a sweet and sexy love story that kept me engaged.
The heroine, Lily DeLuca, has no interest in returning to her Mafia roots. Since her parents were murdered years ago, she has sought to escape the lifestyle she was brought up in. Raised by her brother after the death of her parents, she's been granted the freedom to roam the globe, avoiding her past while finding herself.
When her brother calls her home, she doesn't expect to be told that she must marry a stranger. Lily is less than receptive to the idea of her arranged marriage right from the start. She wanted to escape this lifestyle, and instead, she found herself unwillingly immersed in it.
Damian Rossi had never had anyone to call his own. Spending most of his life going unnoticed in the shadows, he became the perfect Mafia hit man. Loyal to a fault, he agrees to marry Lily as a favor to her brother, who saved his life when he was young.
Of course, the more time these two spend together, the more they realize that this marriage may be the best thing to ever happen for either of them. Very quickly, they become inseparable.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Lily and Damian had a magnetic pull that left me constantly craving more. The teaser for the next book, included at the end of this one, looks promising as well. I'll definitely be continuing this series at some point in the near future.
January 21, 2019
Edited after re-read January 2019:
Deathless & Divided was even better the second time around so I'm upping my rating to 5 stars. I've decided that I will read this author's shopping list.
This was nothing at all like I was expecting. See, I adore BK's writing because the hero is always so totally in to his girl to the exclusion of all else. Damian got there eventually but it took a while for them both to get to the romance, but with very good reason .... can you say arranged marriage. In their shoes I would've kicked up even more of a fuss. And I didn't care one single bit because although this was slower/lighter on the romance than her other books I have read, it totally captivated me with all the twists and turns, and I loved seeing them both totally falling for each other slowly. No insta love here thank god.
This is the first book in a series of 4 and although not a cliffhanger this one must be read first, anyone trying to skip books would be so totally lost both character and plot wise. BK packs a helluva punch with all the machinations, wheeling and dealing, underhanded plotting and planning which carries through from book to book.
And 5 stars even with the Dino story 😭
Deathless & Divided was even better the second time around so I'm upping my rating to 5 stars. I've decided that I will read this author's shopping list.
This was nothing at all like I was expecting. See, I adore BK's writing because the hero is always so totally in to his girl to the exclusion of all else. Damian got there eventually but it took a while for them both to get to the romance, but with very good reason .... can you say arranged marriage. In their shoes I would've kicked up even more of a fuss. And I didn't care one single bit because although this was slower/lighter on the romance than her other books I have read, it totally captivated me with all the twists and turns, and I loved seeing them both totally falling for each other slowly. No insta love here thank god.
This is the first book in a series of 4 and although not a cliffhanger this one must be read first, anyone trying to skip books would be so totally lost both character and plot wise. BK packs a helluva punch with all the machinations, wheeling and dealing, underhanded plotting and planning which carries through from book to book.
And 5 stars even with the Dino story 😭
September 7, 2015
IT'S LIVE!!!
BR with the Mafia Ladies!!!
So people this book was FANTASTIC!!!
Yes I know I say that with nearly every mafia book I read but hear me out.
When you read a book there are certain things it needs to have for it to be a successful read. And "Deathless & Divided" had them!
- Sexy and mysterious hero ✔️
- A heroine who is not annoying ✔️✔️
- action ✔️
- suspense ✔️
- romance ✔️
- scorching hot scenes ✔️
" Your family is what you make it. the family is the people who protect and love you no matter what it costs them in the end. Family is who you keep coming back to even when all you want to do is run away."
The story had the right amount of action, violence, fierce protectiveness, and romance. When I started to read the book, I couldn't stop! And if RL hadn't got in the way of my reading time I would have finished it in one day!!!
I have to say what I love about Bethany Kris books is that all her books are different.
Yes, they all have mafia theme going on. But the story in each book is different so when you read her books it's never predictable!
So if you want to read a really good mafia book than I would recommend you pick this one up!
" It's a culture, a lifestyle. We don't choose this life because it's an easy on; we choose it because we believe in it."
ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 7, 2016
6 phenomenal DEATHLESS stars
HEY YOU!
YES YOU, i AM TALKING TO YOU!
YOUHAVE TO MUST READ THIS!!!
It is OBLIGATORY material for any mafia read lover
It's easy to say I LOVED the book. Period.
It's HARD for me to put the words out there to show just HOW MUCH!
BUT I' gonna try and DO my best...
Book 1 in Chicago wars series involves four families of the Chicago mafia outfit – Trentini, Rossi, Conti, DeLuca – surrounded by greed, passion, betrayal, vengeance = WAR
in the mixture of all that, two souls become pawns of much bigger plan to overpower and overthrown the highest bidder of the mafia world, by using the person whose position is regarded as Deathless as only to make them all Divided
Damian Rossi,
the 27 year old lost son of the mafia brought up to live and breathe the same mafia way as being a „made man“ who did what the outfit wanted, needed, desired.
„Most times, Damian didn't mind. He chose the life, and he was good at it. But he also didn't know anything different.“
He was ruthless, cold, determined and in total driven control - the perfect hitman - the GHOST
Damian had to pay up the debt he owed to Dino DeLuca. No argument, it had to be done in a manner to enter the arranged marriage to Lily, Dino's younger sister. Damian's job was to protect her and provide her with everything she needed.
A debt had to be payed in full.
But the stakes were never questioned, the emotions were never an issues, they were non existent...BUT Damian never counted on HER.
Lily DeLuca
is a 21 year old who is running from her family background, from pain and injustice that the Chicago Mafia Outfit set upon her and her two older brothers, Dino and Theo. She didn't know any different and she didn't wanted to know. She hates the mafia way of life, the way they lived and the way they died.
Dino calls her back from her travels. She needs to come home and needs to face the outcome, the future that involves the arrangement in marriage to the misterious, dangerous and dark Damian Rossi.
She's oppose to it, and she's angry cause she was deprived of the choice to choose. Of NOT having a choice. She dislikes Damian but his subtle and very persistent and clear ways are just the right moves she wasn't prepared for...
„Despite what my profession may say about me, I am upfront with my motives...
We don't have to be strangers. You don't have to hate me and I really don't want you to...
...he asked me to take care of you and keep you safe when he couldn't. Think about it, Lily.
Give me a little bit of time, and I'll give you back everything you need.“
Being in a whirpool of unexpected events that are bringing sorrow and death to the opposed four families, put Damian and Lily on the same path of exceptance, understanding, self-discovery, patience, guidance while they are learning to trust one another...
and getting to know each other while fighting the newly uncovered physical attraction and dealing with unknown emotions in the outburst of the upcoming mafia war – where everyone is at collateral risk and no one is safe from being DEATHLESS while DIVIDED.
“Nothing else matters...
...just this...
just us.“
The characters are excellently written, you can feel the growth and change of the newly discovered emotions and connection on a higher level through the most passionate, carnal expression I have ever read about.
YES, IT WAS HOT, SCORCHING HOT...
Damian was just the right guy to perform all that jazz...if you know what I mean...
It felt humanly up-close and personal, so real and vivid, and I made the connection I always search for while engaging the same journey the characters take...
Bethany-Kris is my go to author when concerning the mafia read...
I LOVED her Filthy Marcellos series BUT I am IN LOVE with this one...and will most definitely continue reading next instalments in the series!!!
This was an ARC kindely and graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE HONEST THAN THIS...LOL
Jesus, I just realized I was overwhelmed as crazy I forgot to mention that this was also a BR with my Mafluts - Shan, Irish, Suz and D
HEY YOU!
YES YOU, i AM TALKING TO YOU!
YOU
It is OBLIGATORY material for any mafia read lover
It's easy to say I LOVED the book. Period.
It's HARD for me to put the words out there to show just HOW MUCH!
BUT I' gonna try and DO my best...
Book 1 in Chicago wars series involves four families of the Chicago mafia outfit – Trentini, Rossi, Conti, DeLuca – surrounded by greed, passion, betrayal, vengeance = WAR
in the mixture of all that, two souls become pawns of much bigger plan to overpower and overthrown the highest bidder of the mafia world, by using the person whose position is regarded as Deathless as only to make them all Divided
Damian Rossi,
the 27 year old lost son of the mafia brought up to live and breathe the same mafia way as being a „made man“ who did what the outfit wanted, needed, desired.
„Most times, Damian didn't mind. He chose the life, and he was good at it. But he also didn't know anything different.“
He was ruthless, cold, determined and in total driven control - the perfect hitman - the GHOST
Damian had to pay up the debt he owed to Dino DeLuca. No argument, it had to be done in a manner to enter the arranged marriage to Lily, Dino's younger sister. Damian's job was to protect her and provide her with everything she needed.
A debt had to be payed in full.
But the stakes were never questioned, the emotions were never an issues, they were non existent...BUT Damian never counted on HER.
Lily DeLuca
is a 21 year old who is running from her family background, from pain and injustice that the Chicago Mafia Outfit set upon her and her two older brothers, Dino and Theo. She didn't know any different and she didn't wanted to know. She hates the mafia way of life, the way they lived and the way they died.
Dino calls her back from her travels. She needs to come home and needs to face the outcome, the future that involves the arrangement in marriage to the misterious, dangerous and dark Damian Rossi.
She's oppose to it, and she's angry cause she was deprived of the choice to choose. Of NOT having a choice. She dislikes Damian but his subtle and very persistent and clear ways are just the right moves she wasn't prepared for...
„Despite what my profession may say about me, I am upfront with my motives...
We don't have to be strangers. You don't have to hate me and I really don't want you to...
...he asked me to take care of you and keep you safe when he couldn't. Think about it, Lily.
Give me a little bit of time, and I'll give you back everything you need.“
Being in a whirpool of unexpected events that are bringing sorrow and death to the opposed four families, put Damian and Lily on the same path of exceptance, understanding, self-discovery, patience, guidance while they are learning to trust one another...
and getting to know each other while fighting the newly uncovered physical attraction and dealing with unknown emotions in the outburst of the upcoming mafia war – where everyone is at collateral risk and no one is safe from being DEATHLESS while DIVIDED.
“Nothing else matters...
...just this...
just us.“
The characters are excellently written, you can feel the growth and change of the newly discovered emotions and connection on a higher level through the most passionate, carnal expression I have ever read about.
YES, IT WAS HOT, SCORCHING HOT...
Damian was just the right guy to perform all that jazz...if you know what I mean...
It felt humanly up-close and personal, so real and vivid, and I made the connection I always search for while engaging the same journey the characters take...
Bethany-Kris is my go to author when concerning the mafia read...
I LOVED her Filthy Marcellos series BUT I am IN LOVE with this one...and will most definitely continue reading next instalments in the series!!!
This was an ARC kindely and graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE HONEST THAN THIS...LOL
Jesus, I just realized I was overwhelmed as crazy I forgot to mention that this was also a BR with my Mafluts - Shan, Irish, Suz and D
January 16, 2019
3.5
Bethany-Kris has been recommended to me many times (especially by my girl, Natalie), and I'm so glad I finally picked up one of her books! I'm excited to have found a new mafia romance author I like and to read more of this series! 😍
Bethany-Kris has been recommended to me many times (especially by my girl, Natalie), and I'm so glad I finally picked up one of her books! I'm excited to have found a new mafia romance author I like and to read more of this series! 😍
July 13, 2016
Deathless & Divided was not a bad book, however, it was a bad book for me. I really did try to like it. I saw that it was rated really well and a few people I follow rated it really well. So I came into this story expecting more, but I left feeling unfulfilled, and with no desire to continue reading the series despite the cliffhanger ending.
While reading, my predominant emotion was overwhelmed; I mean overwhelmed in the "oh my god there are so many characters I have no idea who these people are" sort of way. Because WOW there were so many characters. I understand that this has to do with backstories that'll come to the forefront in the next books in the series, but there was no subtle introduction, everyone was introduced in what was basically a very long list - I felt bombarded. You know what would’ve been super helpful? Something like a mafia family tree. The mafia hierarchy was broken down and explained: There’s a boss, a front boss, and an underboss, but when you add backstories of the families of these bosses, things get pretty complicated pretty quick. Or maybe I'm just incapable of keeping up. On that note, I'm not going to include a brief synopsis of the book because I just cannot.
My favourite parts were the bits about the DeLuca family history. Lily's father was part of the mafia, and the mafia is so tight-knit its members are all considered family. Lily's father joined forces with the FBI. When he was discovered snitching on the mafia, the mafia killed Lily's parents. With the deaths of her parents, Lily's loyalties are divided between the mafia and her father:
I also liked how the book addressed the detrimental effect of parental expectations on their children. Despite being set in the mafia, parents who expect their children
are all too common. Overbearing parents (regardless of their well-meaning intentions) can be suffocating.
In one scene, Lily hits Damien, to which he responds with:
Although there were extenuating circumstances that drove Lily to hit Damien, I think mentioning this is valuable. Bar self-defense, I don't think people should be hitting others. And this is where my list of things that I liked ends.
Lily and Damien were problematic. I still haven’t decided if I wanted to vomit or go play in traffic with a tall glass of bleach. This could be another instance of me being in a grumpy mood and taking it out on the characters, but even as I'm writing this, my feelings feel valid.
Let's start with Damien. First and foremost, he doesn’t believe “being pretty was the only thing a girl needed to make her something special”. He also says he doesn't think of women as property, but once he starts banging Lily (this isn't a spoiler, this is basically a contemporary romance, it was inevitable) she becomes HIS property - HELLO CONTRADICTORY MUCH? Also, in one instance he refers to Lily as a "beautiful creature", in another he refers to her as a beautiful thing to be admired. Oftentimes, he would actually tell her to "hush" because he really didn't care what she had to say. Damien was a prime example of a dude who thinks with his dick because: “all he could think about was being buried nine inches inside her” on a slightly unrelated note, does he not realize that's probably going to hurt her cervix?
OK I hate when a male character picks up the female character and then there’s some variation of the “he picked her up as though she weighed nothing” line. LIKE we get it, he’s a buff ting and she’s got a perfect lil body. Yeah, this book had that too.
Onto whiny Lily; I had no sympathy for her, she was a privileged, spoiled, petulant child - she's even described as stomping her heels when she doesn't get her way. Her parents were killed when she was young and that was tragic, but she was then coddled by her brothers who supported her gallivanting around the world for 3 years. She didn't pursue education after high school, she didn't even get a bloody job for heavens sake. She's 21 years old. She just wants to “travel” which seems to be code for running around spending money that she hasn’t earned. She's materialistic, she conveniently decides she's falling in love with Damien right after he gifts her a Maserati. Speaking of, she doesn't even LOCK the doors of her Maserati, because no one would dare touch it because it's known it belongs to a DeLuca? For someone who claims to hate being tied to the mafia, she's awfully quick to jump on the advantages the association offers her.
Additionally, a huge part of the narration comes across as an attempt to make Lily seem like a good person. There is a LOT of emphasis on Lily consoling her friend after this friend had someone close to them die. There's sentences that begin with "Lily didn’t want to seem ungrateful or unhappy” and then Lily goes on to complain that her friend won't be at her wedding because said friend had SOMEONE CLOSE TO THEM DIE. Just because you consoled your friend, it doesn't mean they've MIRACULOUSLY got over their loss. Lily didn't even WANT to get married, she hadn't communicated her change of heart to her friend, WHAT DOES SHE EXPECT?
Can you tell I'm frustrated? It is very close to my bedtime, I'm sorry if there are typos galore I just HAD to finish some sort of review, it's been a very unproductive few days.
While reading, my predominant emotion was overwhelmed; I mean overwhelmed in the "oh my god there are so many characters I have no idea who these people are" sort of way. Because WOW there were so many characters. I understand that this has to do with backstories that'll come to the forefront in the next books in the series, but there was no subtle introduction, everyone was introduced in what was basically a very long list - I felt bombarded. You know what would’ve been super helpful? Something like a mafia family tree. The mafia hierarchy was broken down and explained: There’s a boss, a front boss, and an underboss, but when you add backstories of the families of these bosses, things get pretty complicated pretty quick. Or maybe I'm just incapable of keeping up. On that note, I'm not going to include a brief synopsis of the book because I just cannot.
My favourite parts were the bits about the DeLuca family history. Lily's father was part of the mafia, and the mafia is so tight-knit its members are all considered family. Lily's father joined forces with the FBI. When he was discovered snitching on the mafia, the mafia killed Lily's parents. With the deaths of her parents, Lily's loyalties are divided between the mafia and her father:
“He was more than the [mafia]—he was my father ... it bothers me that he can’t be my dad, he has to be the man who betrayed them. He’s still my dad.”.
I also liked how the book addressed the detrimental effect of parental expectations on their children. Despite being set in the mafia, parents who expect their children
"to be above reproach at all times ... There couldn’t be a single reason for gossip to start spreading."
are all too common. Overbearing parents (regardless of their well-meaning intentions) can be suffocating.
In one scene, Lily hits Damien, to which he responds with:
"Don’t hit me again. I’ve never hit you. I would never hit you. Don’t hit me."
Although there were extenuating circumstances that drove Lily to hit Damien, I think mentioning this is valuable. Bar self-defense, I don't think people should be hitting others. And this is where my list of things that I liked ends.
Lily and Damien were problematic. I still haven’t decided if I wanted to vomit or go play in traffic with a tall glass of bleach. This could be another instance of me being in a grumpy mood and taking it out on the characters, but even as I'm writing this, my feelings feel valid.
Let's start with Damien. First and foremost, he doesn’t believe “being pretty was the only thing a girl needed to make her something special”. He also says he doesn't think of women as property, but once he starts banging Lily (this isn't a spoiler, this is basically a contemporary romance, it was inevitable) she becomes HIS property - HELLO CONTRADICTORY MUCH? Also, in one instance he refers to Lily as a "beautiful creature", in another he refers to her as a beautiful thing to be admired. Oftentimes, he would actually tell her to "hush" because he really didn't care what she had to say. Damien was a prime example of a dude who thinks with his dick because: “all he could think about was being buried nine inches inside her” on a slightly unrelated note, does he not realize that's probably going to hurt her cervix?
OK I hate when a male character picks up the female character and then there’s some variation of the “he picked her up as though she weighed nothing” line. LIKE we get it, he’s a buff ting and she’s got a perfect lil body. Yeah, this book had that too.
Onto whiny Lily; I had no sympathy for her, she was a privileged, spoiled, petulant child - she's even described as stomping her heels when she doesn't get her way. Her parents were killed when she was young and that was tragic, but she was then coddled by her brothers who supported her gallivanting around the world for 3 years. She didn't pursue education after high school, she didn't even get a bloody job for heavens sake. She's 21 years old. She just wants to “travel” which seems to be code for running around spending money that she hasn’t earned. She's materialistic, she conveniently decides she's falling in love with Damien right after he gifts her a Maserati. Speaking of, she doesn't even LOCK the doors of her Maserati, because no one would dare touch it because it's known it belongs to a DeLuca? For someone who claims to hate being tied to the mafia, she's awfully quick to jump on the advantages the association offers her.
Additionally, a huge part of the narration comes across as an attempt to make Lily seem like a good person. There is a LOT of emphasis on Lily consoling her friend after this friend had someone close to them die. There's sentences that begin with "Lily didn’t want to seem ungrateful or unhappy” and then Lily goes on to complain that her friend won't be at her wedding because said friend had SOMEONE CLOSE TO THEM DIE. Just because you consoled your friend, it doesn't mean they've MIRACULOUSLY got over their loss. Lily didn't even WANT to get married, she hadn't communicated her change of heart to her friend, WHAT DOES SHE EXPECT?
Can you tell I'm frustrated? It is very close to my bedtime, I'm sorry if there are typos galore I just HAD to finish some sort of review, it's been a very unproductive few days.
April 6, 2020
OMG
OMG
OMG
HOLLY SHIT!! Ese final…
Este libro me recordó porque disfrutaba tanto las historias de mafia, últimamente ya no me llamaban tanto la atención y eso que uno de mis libros favoritos de la vida es de mafia y mi autora favorita es la reina de la mafia.
Pero al fin me decidí a leer esta serie y me sorprendió bastante.
No es novedad que Bethany-Kriss sabe escribir libros de mafia y sus historias nunca son parecidas unas mejores que otras y pero siempre enganchan.
Este libro es bastante adictivo en cuanto lo empiezas no puedes parar de leer y creo que es el estilo de la autora porque la historia es muy confusa.
No se entiende bien el motivo de la guerra al menos en gran parte del libro, no hay un villano realmente, todos ven por sus intereses y muchas de las muertes fueron injustas, tengo sentimientos encontrados respecto a eso pero pues bienvenida al mundo de la mafia.
Una de las cosas por las que disfruté tanto este libro es por Damian es eficaz e implacable en su trabajo es el sicario del jefe del Outfit en Chicago, pasar desapercibido lo hace el mejor pero tiene otra parte de él fuera de su trabajo que es muy encantador y seductor. No es ese típico macho alfa que tú eres mía es más relajado y respetuoso por eso me gustó mucho.
Lily al principio era medio molesta pero ya después fue mejorando y el desarrollo de su relación con Damian también me gustó mucho.
Dino DeLuca es otro de mis personajes favoritos.
En general me gustó para ser el primer libro de la serie, faltaron escenas de acción sí pero por todo lo demás bien.
Además que te deja con ganas de saber que pasa después porque este es el principio de una guerra entre familias de parejas que van a estar en medio de este fuego cruzado tomando bandos para su familia y estar juntos sería imposible.
OMG
OMG
HOLLY SHIT!! Ese final…
Este libro me recordó porque disfrutaba tanto las historias de mafia, últimamente ya no me llamaban tanto la atención y eso que uno de mis libros favoritos de la vida es de mafia y mi autora favorita es la reina de la mafia.
Pero al fin me decidí a leer esta serie y me sorprendió bastante.
No es novedad que Bethany-Kriss sabe escribir libros de mafia y sus historias nunca son parecidas unas mejores que otras y pero siempre enganchan.
Este libro es bastante adictivo en cuanto lo empiezas no puedes parar de leer y creo que es el estilo de la autora porque la historia es muy confusa.
No se entiende bien el motivo de la guerra al menos en gran parte del libro, no hay un villano realmente, todos ven por sus intereses y muchas de las muertes fueron injustas, tengo sentimientos encontrados respecto a eso pero pues bienvenida al mundo de la mafia.
Una de las cosas por las que disfruté tanto este libro es por Damian es eficaz e implacable en su trabajo es el sicario del jefe del Outfit en Chicago, pasar desapercibido lo hace el mejor pero tiene otra parte de él fuera de su trabajo que es muy encantador y seductor. No es ese típico macho alfa que tú eres mía es más relajado y respetuoso por eso me gustó mucho.
Lily al principio era medio molesta pero ya después fue mejorando y el desarrollo de su relación con Damian también me gustó mucho.
Dino DeLuca es otro de mis personajes favoritos.
En general me gustó para ser el primer libro de la serie, faltaron escenas de acción sí pero por todo lo demás bien.
Además que te deja con ganas de saber que pasa después porque este es el principio de una guerra entre familias de parejas que van a estar en medio de este fuego cruzado tomando bandos para su familia y estar juntos sería imposible.
September 19, 2016
When it comes to mafia romance, Bethany-Kris brings it!
Lily was a little hard to like at first but Damian was easy to love. I loved how disciplined he was. He was a killer/hitman for the mob and had no qualms about his jobs. No conscience. No shame. No regrets. And yet he had so much heart, especially when it came to Lily. I loved the lengths he was willing to go to in order to protect her. I loved his stillness, his silence, his observations and his intellect. I loved how he loved Lily.
Now there's a war amidst the family (thanks Dino!) and I wonder if Damian and Lily will remain safe. I wish book 2 was also about them, but alas it was not meant to be. Who will come out on top in the end?
Lily was a little hard to like at first but Damian was easy to love. I loved how disciplined he was. He was a killer/hitman for the mob and had no qualms about his jobs. No conscience. No shame. No regrets. And yet he had so much heart, especially when it came to Lily. I loved the lengths he was willing to go to in order to protect her. I loved his stillness, his silence, his observations and his intellect. I loved how he loved Lily.
Now there's a war amidst the family (thanks Dino!) and I wonder if Damian and Lily will remain safe. I wish book 2 was also about them, but alas it was not meant to be. Who will come out on top in the end?
January 10, 2016
I loved so much of this. I think I am going to be hooked on this authors books. I couldn't help picturing Sonny Corinthos from General Hospital as Damian and the original Carly as Lily. I loved how loyal and possessive Damian was except for the whole ( I don't care who sees us.. I want them to..) that always bothers me. I want him to want absolutely nobody to see what's his. That's the ultimate perfect alpha. So to me that small bit and some really dragging parts kept me from 5 stars. I'm left wanting so much from so many characters.
Definitely glad I finally read this author.
Many more to come.
Definitely glad I finally read this author.
Many more to come.
December 4, 2015
2.5 Stars
This was pretty meh. I couldn't have cared less about the two MCs, especially Lily. I didn't think she was "stubborn". I thought she was whiny and annoying.
This was pretty meh. I couldn't have cared less about the two MCs, especially Lily. I didn't think she was "stubborn". I thought she was whiny and annoying.
September 25, 2019
Audiobook review. This story was refreshing because the lines between good and bad, right and wrong were blurred. I was absolutely hooked by the plot and the mechanics of this Chicago mafia world. The characters were fleshed out very well. Their personalities, motivations, and actions were carefully crafted to fit a bigger piece into a puzzle I’ve yet to figure out.
Damian was a man who thought he knew his place in the mafia world but soon found a different purpose. Lily couldn’t control her own destiny no matter how much she wished to, but once she opened herself up, she and Damian were able to form a connection. I liked their chemistry. Damian’s dirty talk was 🔥.
The narrator, Roberto Scarlato, was a great fit. He transitioned well between both voices and maintained a strong quality throughout his narration.
Complimentary copy received and voluntarily reviewed.
Damian was a man who thought he knew his place in the mafia world but soon found a different purpose. Lily couldn’t control her own destiny no matter how much she wished to, but once she opened herself up, she and Damian were able to form a connection. I liked their chemistry. Damian’s dirty talk was 🔥.
The narrator, Roberto Scarlato, was a great fit. He transitioned well between both voices and maintained a strong quality throughout his narration.
Complimentary copy received and voluntarily reviewed.
October 17, 2015
5 Chicago War Stars
Bethany-Kris has sealed her fate as one of my favourite authors. I totally enjoyed this book. I liked how the book wasn't all mafia or all romance but a good combination of the two. The writing was smooth and easy to follow along with a good plot. It was easy to keep track of all the characters and where they stood amongst the three families. I thought that the author added much to the story by delving into the childhood relationships of Lily, Damian, Dino and Theo. Best of all I loved Lily and Damien and was easily able to connect to each of them.
"A life for a life. That’s the mafia way. Damian Rossi owes his life to a man who is ready to collect. That payment comes in the form of an arranged marriage to the daughter of another leading family in the Chicago Outfit. He’s ready to follow through, even if that means making sure Lily knows she’s his."
Lily: Fearless, independent, strong and loyal. Although she objected and rebelled to her arranged marriage she quickly accepted it and her feelings blossomed for Damien.
Damien: Strong, handsome, loyal and protective towards Lily. He was so understanding of Lily's feelings. How do some authors make bad boys so enticing?
This book has it all, death, danger, lies, loyalty, betrayal and hot sex, however watch your back, you may be next!!
Bethany-Kris has sealed her fate as one of my favourite authors. I totally enjoyed this book. I liked how the book wasn't all mafia or all romance but a good combination of the two. The writing was smooth and easy to follow along with a good plot. It was easy to keep track of all the characters and where they stood amongst the three families. I thought that the author added much to the story by delving into the childhood relationships of Lily, Damian, Dino and Theo. Best of all I loved Lily and Damien and was easily able to connect to each of them.
"A life for a life. That’s the mafia way. Damian Rossi owes his life to a man who is ready to collect. That payment comes in the form of an arranged marriage to the daughter of another leading family in the Chicago Outfit. He’s ready to follow through, even if that means making sure Lily knows she’s his."
Lily: Fearless, independent, strong and loyal. Although she objected and rebelled to her arranged marriage she quickly accepted it and her feelings blossomed for Damien.
Damien: Strong, handsome, loyal and protective towards Lily. He was so understanding of Lily's feelings. How do some authors make bad boys so enticing?
This book has it all, death, danger, lies, loyalty, betrayal and hot sex, however watch your back, you may be next!!
October 7, 2015
Deathless & Divided: Debts never went away in the mafia. They could disappear for a short time but someone always came back to collect, eventually.) Daughters had their duties within the outfit to preserve their family names while the sons took their places in the organization, everyone has a role.
They always say, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." La famiglia has lost its meaning. Greed and power hungry men have taken hold, all that remains is the body count. Bethany-Kris you freakin rock, another hot off the press reads! Damn what an epic storyline that leaves you craving for more! The sequel can't come fast enough, a five star read!
They always say, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." La famiglia has lost its meaning. Greed and power hungry men have taken hold, all that remains is the body count. Bethany-Kris you freakin rock, another hot off the press reads! Damn what an epic storyline that leaves you craving for more! The sequel can't come fast enough, a five star read!
November 21, 2018
“Your family is what you make it."
Deathless and Divided is the first book in The Chicago War Series. Offering a perfect blend of action, suspense, and passion, Bethany-Kris has crafted a world where "the family" is everything. Damien Rossi is an enforcer for the mafia. Lily DeLuca is a free-spirited Mafia Princess who has done everything she can to escape her family obligations. When Lily and Damien are forced to agree to an arranged marriage, both feel conflicted and yet drawn to one another. Neither can deny the mysterious attraction they share and despite their best effort to keep the marriage professional, passion and romance explode. When tensions rise in the ranks, Lily and Damien find themselves in the middle of the line of fire.
“You can’t call something a family if we’re all enemies making nice at a dinner table.”Overall, Deathless and Divided would appeal to mafia romance fans. With passion and non-stop mobster action, Bethany-Kris has created a world full of intrigue and romance. With complex characters and a gripping plot, Deathless and Divided is a must read!
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
May 20, 2018
Deathless & Divided es el primer libro libro de la serie The Chicago War de Bethany-Kris y narra la historia de Damian y Lily.
Hace un par de dias lei mi primera lectura de la autora y aunque Lucian empezo siendo una historia muy interesante, no termino de convencerme al 100%, despues de eso queria quitarme la espinita e inicie esta novela.
La historia de Lily y Damian me atrapo desde el primer instante y lo mejor de todo es que mantuvo mi atencion hasta la ultima pagina, ademas la pareja protagonista me parecio mas realista y coherente ( dentro de lo que cabe en este tipo de libro ) que la de Lucain y Jordyn, la cual en algunos momentos me resulto un poco irreal.
Extrañe un epilogo que cerrara un poco mejor la historia y tambien algunas escenas de accion pero quitando esos detalles, considero que Deathless & Divided es una novela interesante, bien desarrollada y que puede volverse adictiva. Definitivamente continuare con esta saga.
En resumen, las tres estrellas son por el buen desarrollo de la trama, por lo bien narrado que esta el libro y porque me sorprendio gratamente, no esperaba que fuera a ser una novela tan asombrosa.
3.25 Estrellas!
December 4, 2019
I didn't think it was possible to love this book and these characters even more than I already do, but thanks to amazing narration it took this book and my love for it to a whole new level.
5 Superb all the stars for this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5 Superb all the stars for this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 6, 2018
***4,5 "For you, I see nothing!!!" stars***
******************************
No one was deathless in their world.
Even the innocents couldn't be saved.
******************************
Wow!!! Just wow!!!
Literally, i'm mentally kicking myself right now for not reading a book by Bethany-Kris sooner... even though the idiotic myself was flirting with many of her books the last years... since i love mafia books so damn much!!!
Why I didn't pick them up sooner??? Why??? I'm still wondering...
At least, i made a start, right??? And what a start!!!
Mmmmm... This was delicious in every aspect!!!! The plot, the characters (even though all those people and names were giving me hard time to remember them at the beginning), the action... Yummyyyyy!!!!
This was the Chicago Outfit whom was ruling by four main families...
The Trentinis, the Contis, the Rossis and the DeLucas...
This book was focused mostly to Damian Rossi and Lily DeLuca... but you will fool yourselves if you think that this book was only for them!!!
Nope, there were happening so many things in here...
But let me take the things in right order...
“Your family is what you make it. The family is the people who protect and love you no matter what it costs them in the end. Family is who you keep coming back to even when all you want to do is run away.”
Damian has a debt to Dino DeLuca from before and it's time to pay up... A life for a life, after all!!!
Dino's request is for Damian to get married with his little sister, Lily...
The rearranged marriages are so often to the famiglia!!!
Damian even though that he doesn't want to get married, he is agreeing to this plan...
"Lily wasn't the least bit afraid to show her emotions. In a world where everybody wore a mask, Damian liked genuine things."
Lily was free, until her brother forced her to return back home and to a life that she doesn't like at all, in order to get her married with someone that she doesn't know or want...
She is trying to fighting it, but the truth is that she can't do anything about it...
"I'm attracted to him because he's entirely different from what I thought he would be, at least he seems so. I'm bothered by the things he's involved in. I can't help but wonder what would happen if I just... let it all go."
And then, Damian and Lily are getting to know to each other and neither of them is what the other was expecting...
Lily is still fighting it, but it's impossible for her to not like Damian... But still... it wasn't her choice and that fact is driving her crazy...
Damian, from the other hand, is starting to care very much for Lily and this is possible to get him on trouble...
So, there is hope for those two to become something more than what was expecting of them???
“I'm not going to make it some kind of mission to seduce you, but I don't think I have to. You're young, beautiful - incredibly vibrant and sexy. I would be stupid and blind not to notice. So no, I won't force you into my bed now or ten years from now, but chances are, you'll make your way there all on your own. I want you to come to me willingly."
"Wow" Lily murmured. "I did not expect to hear that. You're either terribly arrogant or mighty cocky"
"Both actually. I'm also honest" Damian added chuckling.”
At the same time, a war is rising between the members of the Chicago Outfit...
The families are stressed and the measures that they are taking goes to extremes...
Everything is falling apart... People that used to be friends are now enemies...
People are losing their lives... Most of the time, innocent people...
So what will happen with this situation??? Well, I'm very curious about that!!!
“Bad things happen when angry people grieve.”
The truth is that i loved very much both Damian and Lily...
Even though this was an arrangement, it worked very well for those two... I liked the pace that the things were moving between them, even though there was a small rush...
They were just perfect together and they completed each other...
Dino had a great instict, i can say!!! Bahaha...
"She's easy to care about, Dino. She makes me want to keep her happy and all that crazy nonsense. I know that's what you wanted to begin with, and I planned on doing that to the best of my ability because I owe it to you, but it has nothing to do with you anymore."
If i want to be honest, i think that i will miss Damian and Lily since in the next installment they won't be the main protagonists, but that's fine, because there were so many interesting secondary characters in here and I'm dying to learn more about all of them....
Bethany-Kris, you're a genious!!!!
I have to say that in the end, i honestly didn't know who to trust or not...
...TRUST NO MAN...
******************************
No one was deathless in their world.
Even the innocents couldn't be saved.
******************************
Wow!!! Just wow!!!
Literally, i'm mentally kicking myself right now for not reading a book by Bethany-Kris sooner... even though the idiotic myself was flirting with many of her books the last years... since i love mafia books so damn much!!!
Why I didn't pick them up sooner??? Why??? I'm still wondering...
At least, i made a start, right??? And what a start!!!
Mmmmm... This was delicious in every aspect!!!! The plot, the characters (even though all those people and names were giving me hard time to remember them at the beginning), the action... Yummyyyyy!!!!
This was the Chicago Outfit whom was ruling by four main families...
The Trentinis, the Contis, the Rossis and the DeLucas...
This book was focused mostly to Damian Rossi and Lily DeLuca... but you will fool yourselves if you think that this book was only for them!!!
Nope, there were happening so many things in here...
But let me take the things in right order...
“Your family is what you make it. The family is the people who protect and love you no matter what it costs them in the end. Family is who you keep coming back to even when all you want to do is run away.”
Damian has a debt to Dino DeLuca from before and it's time to pay up... A life for a life, after all!!!
Dino's request is for Damian to get married with his little sister, Lily...
The rearranged marriages are so often to the famiglia!!!
Damian even though that he doesn't want to get married, he is agreeing to this plan...
"Lily wasn't the least bit afraid to show her emotions. In a world where everybody wore a mask, Damian liked genuine things."
Lily was free, until her brother forced her to return back home and to a life that she doesn't like at all, in order to get her married with someone that she doesn't know or want...
She is trying to fighting it, but the truth is that she can't do anything about it...
"I'm attracted to him because he's entirely different from what I thought he would be, at least he seems so. I'm bothered by the things he's involved in. I can't help but wonder what would happen if I just... let it all go."
And then, Damian and Lily are getting to know to each other and neither of them is what the other was expecting...
Lily is still fighting it, but it's impossible for her to not like Damian... But still... it wasn't her choice and that fact is driving her crazy...
Damian, from the other hand, is starting to care very much for Lily and this is possible to get him on trouble...
So, there is hope for those two to become something more than what was expecting of them???
“I'm not going to make it some kind of mission to seduce you, but I don't think I have to. You're young, beautiful - incredibly vibrant and sexy. I would be stupid and blind not to notice. So no, I won't force you into my bed now or ten years from now, but chances are, you'll make your way there all on your own. I want you to come to me willingly."
"Wow" Lily murmured. "I did not expect to hear that. You're either terribly arrogant or mighty cocky"
"Both actually. I'm also honest" Damian added chuckling.”
At the same time, a war is rising between the members of the Chicago Outfit...
The families are stressed and the measures that they are taking goes to extremes...
Everything is falling apart... People that used to be friends are now enemies...
People are losing their lives... Most of the time, innocent people...
So what will happen with this situation??? Well, I'm very curious about that!!!
“Bad things happen when angry people grieve.”
The truth is that i loved very much both Damian and Lily...
Even though this was an arrangement, it worked very well for those two... I liked the pace that the things were moving between them, even though there was a small rush...
They were just perfect together and they completed each other...
Dino had a great instict, i can say!!! Bahaha...
"She's easy to care about, Dino. She makes me want to keep her happy and all that crazy nonsense. I know that's what you wanted to begin with, and I planned on doing that to the best of my ability because I owe it to you, but it has nothing to do with you anymore."
If i want to be honest, i think that i will miss Damian and Lily since in the next installment they won't be the main protagonists, but that's fine, because there were so many interesting secondary characters in here and I'm dying to learn more about all of them....
Bethany-Kris, you're a genious!!!!
I have to say that in the end, i honestly didn't know who to trust or not...
...TRUST NO MAN...
September 12, 2015
I normally like this author's books better but it was hard to root for a hero who didn't seem to have any loyalty to his supposed "mafia family". I also found it hard to believe he never got caught killing someone because despite what we are told he doesn't seem to be all that subtle or sneaky when doing it. The romance was okay but not very exciting. Honestly I was kind of bored with the story then by the end wasn't impressed by the hero when he turned on so many people (including once where his own cousin died and he doesn't seem to care at all).
March 10, 2016
Ahhhh, I love mafia romance books!
This was awesome!
Next installment, here I come! :)
This was awesome!
Next installment, here I come! :)
May 20, 2018
4 Your family is what you make it STARS
Tengo sentimientos encontrados por esta escritora.
Ame Filthy Marcellos.
Pero The Russian Guns me decepciono.
Así que no esperaba mucho de esta nueva serie, pero sin duda la sinopsis, portada (que esta hermosa, bastante original para ser un libro de mafia) me subió las expectativas.
La historia de amor me recordó mucho a el libro Bound by Honor. Aunque no por eso no lo disfrute. Este tipo de historias son mi debilidad.
Lo que si me sorprendió y en algunos puntos confundió, fue toda la guerra entre familias. Era complicado irle siguiendo la pista a todos los personajes y recordar quien pertenece a que familia, o con quien tienen alianzas y problemas.
La imagen final que tiene el libro mostrando a todas las familias hubiera estado mejor si lo hubieran puesto en el frente.
Ame a Demian.
Ame a Dino
Fue feliz por Lily
En conclusión: me gusto mucho este libro y seguro continuare con la serie.
"No one was deathless in this world.
Tengo sentimientos encontrados por esta escritora.
Ame Filthy Marcellos.
Pero The Russian Guns me decepciono.
Así que no esperaba mucho de esta nueva serie, pero sin duda la sinopsis, portada (que esta hermosa, bastante original para ser un libro de mafia) me subió las expectativas.
La historia de amor me recordó mucho a el libro Bound by Honor. Aunque no por eso no lo disfrute. Este tipo de historias son mi debilidad.
Lo que si me sorprendió y en algunos puntos confundió, fue toda la guerra entre familias. Era complicado irle siguiendo la pista a todos los personajes y recordar quien pertenece a que familia, o con quien tienen alianzas y problemas.
La imagen final que tiene el libro mostrando a todas las familias hubiera estado mejor si lo hubieran puesto en el frente.
Ame a Demian.
Ame a Dino
Fue feliz por Lily
En conclusión: me gusto mucho este libro y seguro continuare con la serie.
March 16, 2017
*ARC received from author, in exchange for an honest review*
As sad as it was to say goodbye to my beloved Marcellos........ HELLO CHICAGO OUTFIT!! Unlike the Marcellos, they're not quite so family oriented and war breaks out between the families soon enough. But underneath all the death and betrayal is a romance that neither of the lovers expected. Damian and Lily were made for each other. She helped him feel again and was the drive behind many of his decisions (whether good or bad). He helped her begin to get over the pains of the past and except her lifestyle. The sex scenes were hot (especially the wedding night... oh la la). Can't wait for the next part.
As sad as it was to say goodbye to my beloved Marcellos........ HELLO CHICAGO OUTFIT!! Unlike the Marcellos, they're not quite so family oriented and war breaks out between the families soon enough. But underneath all the death and betrayal is a romance that neither of the lovers expected. Damian and Lily were made for each other. She helped him feel again and was the drive behind many of his decisions (whether good or bad). He helped her begin to get over the pains of the past and except her lifestyle. The sex scenes were hot (especially the wedding night... oh la la). Can't wait for the next part.
November 19, 2018
It’s been far too long since I read a book by this author. This is mainly due to the sheer amount of books and series available.
Anyway feeling a little overwhelmed and not sure where to start I visited the authors page. I discovered it doesn’t really matter which series I start with as long as I read the books within each series in order (obviously).
So this is the book I picked and it’s good, really good.
I have to say I didn’t love it from the get go. Lily irritated me early on and it took me a while to settle. However once I did I was hooked. The writing was fabulous and I can’t believe I’ve waited so long to read this.
I fell hopelessly in love with Damian and more than anything I really wanted him to find his HEA. He’s been alone for so long, a ghost amongst people. And he’s absolutely adorable with Lily.
Story wise I’m not quite sure why “the person” is doing what they are doing. It’s a very dangerous game they play but time will tell.
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