Friday, August 12, 2016

Review: The Gun Runner - Scott Hildreth

The Gun Runner 
(Mafia Made Book One)
by Scott Hildreth
Carina Press, Harlequin
Published: August 8, 2016
Genre: Adult, Mafia, Contemporary Romance

Tripp

Once, I took down terrorists on the front lines as a marine.
Now I'm in the business of bad.
I've sold guns to people others might not approve of.
I've eliminated the criminals, the lowlifes and the thugs who've tread on my turf.
And I looked the Sicilian Mafia boss in the eye and told him to f*** off.
No one tells me no, unless it's their last word.
I didn't just act the part of bad—I lived it. Then she stumbled into my life.
I tried to stay away from her. Tried focusing on moving my merchandise. But one smile from Terra was like a shot to the heart.
She's mine now. And no one threatens what's mine.

Terra 

I've seen a lot of terrible things in my life.
I grew up around lies and deception, and I ran away from all of them.
Until I met him.
I knew he was corrupt. I knew he was dangerous.
I should have stayed away, but my attraction to him, my need for him, overrode my logic.
Now I love him.
If he finds out who I am, we're done and I'll be nothing.
I never wanted to be the Mafia princess they tried to make me, but mia familia had other plans. And what mia familia wants…it gets.
Only Michael Tripp can save me.

Tripp and Terra's story continues in Book Two of Mafia Made, The Game Changer. 



Review
5 Stars
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

“My father would kill me if he found out what I was doing, but Michael was so much more than a novelty to me. He was everything I wanted in a man, but he wasn’t Italian and I didn’t think he was catholic…”

Terra is frustrated with always being judged by her family name and tired of the expectations being a mafia heiress comes with. When Michael Tripp in his expensive suit saves her and her louboutins from a bad situation she finds she can't get the handsome man out of her mind. He's a bad man, he's not looking for something more and she's a good girl, she doesn't want the bad anymore. The sparks fly though and the two find themselves giving in to their feelings, all while covering up the secrets they know could break them apart. When the truths are revealed will they still be able to stand together as one?

"Does he know you're a mafia princess?" I shook my head emphatically. "No."

Terra is much more than a mafia princess, in fact she's got a lot of spunk, but she's lacking trust and direction in her life. Michael is handsome, well-dressed, and...wait for it...a good guy. Yep, throw all your bad assumptions out the window, because Michael is going to woo you with his loyalty, his friendship, his sexual expertise, and his good looks and maybe a hint of his bad boy capabilities with his marine background and gun runner technicques. Michael brings a spark to Terra's life andmakes her want for something more. I really enjoyed both these characters, particularly what they brought out in eachother. They had a lot of secrets, things from their past that shaped them, and as they opened up to one another we got to see a different side to them than just the heiress and the gun runner. While Terra's life is just floating by and Michael's is non-stop action, together they find passion, adventure, and an emotional bond they cannot deny. This is one of the most realistic relationships that I've read from Scott and I gotta hand it to him, they might be my new favorite.

"No half-ass nothing. You are fucking fun runner, Tripp. The Gun Runner."

The Gun Runner is an action-packed book, both in terms of guns and mafia activity, but also smut and emotional dialogue. The book is told in dual POV from both main characters, allowing the reader an in depth look at their life when separated and together. There's also an incredible cast of secondary characters that you won't be able to shake, from the hilarious best friends to the secretive family members. The plot definitely winds deep and is perfectly set up for more books in the series. I know I am sitting on pins and needles waiting on the next book, because some of the twists Scott Hildreth ended the book with made me desperate for more. If you enjoy Scott's special brand of romance and storytelling, you won't want to miss the engaging and suspenseful The Gun Runner, book one in the Mafia Made series.



Post a Comment

© Carlene Inspired. Made with love by The Dutch Lady Designs.