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The Moretti Crime Family #1
Savage Beginnings
It started with a single look, my obsession, my desire and need to possess the sweet, and incredibly naïve Elena Romero.
Like a thief I came in the dead of night and stole her away from her protected castle and placed her in a gilded cage made of gold.
The arrangement had been made. Her father knew I was coming, knew I had intended to make him pay.
His empire was crumbling. He had no money, nothing of value to me, nothing except... her.
Which is why he agreed.
His precious, virgin daughter in return for a debt paid.
He thought I would break her, kill her, he had no idea what I had really planned.
She would become my wife.
She would bear my children.
She would bend to my will.
And I would go to any lengths to keep her by my side.
*This is a dark mafia romance that contains mature themes, graphic violence, and sexual content. This is a standalone with a HEA.*
Like a thief I came in the dead of night and stole her away from her protected castle and placed her in a gilded cage made of gold.
The arrangement had been made. Her father knew I was coming, knew I had intended to make him pay.
His empire was crumbling. He had no money, nothing of value to me, nothing except... her.
Which is why he agreed.
His precious, virgin daughter in return for a debt paid.
He thought I would break her, kill her, he had no idea what I had really planned.
She would become my wife.
She would bear my children.
She would bend to my will.
And I would go to any lengths to keep her by my side.
*This is a dark mafia romance that contains mature themes, graphic violence, and sexual content. This is a standalone with a HEA.*
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2020
About the author
J.L. Beck
207 books6,097 followersJ.L. Beck is the USA Today Best Selling author of unapologetic romance. She lives in WI with her husband, two kids, and four dogs. She enjoys writing and recently starting a literary agency to help represent authors in the industry.
To learn more about her books or interact with her go here: https://linktr.ee/jlbeckbooks
J.L. Beck xoxoxo
To learn more about her books or interact with her go here: https://linktr.ee/jlbeckbooks
J.L. Beck xoxoxo
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 722 reviews
Shelved as 'dnf'
September 11, 2020DNF @ 24%
Because...
Nothing is happening outside of the H waxing poetic in his own head about how "badass" he is (whilst doing NOTHING badass) and watching the h wander aimlessly around his bedroom via surveillance camera.
Yawn.
Next.
Because...
Nothing is happening outside of the H waxing poetic in his own head about how "badass" he is (whilst doing NOTHING badass) and watching the h wander aimlessly around his bedroom via surveillance camera.
Yawn.
Next.
September 4, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
Amazing concept, but, unfortunately, a sub par execution. It was much too long. It was a pretty good book, but maybe not the best mafia book.
Elena was a pretty great and realistic heroine. She was super sweet and very compassionate. I really liked that she was a math genius, it was quite unique. Usually, heroines don’t even have a hobby, but if they do, it is likely reading or something. I love reading, but I also like math so it was entertaining.
Julian was a bit of a confusing hero. It felt like maybe the authors had different views of him and each wrote him a bit differently. He was violent than sweet, almost bipolar. Maybe he was.
Overall, a pretty good book and a nice new release.
Amazing concept, but, unfortunately, a sub par execution. It was much too long. It was a pretty good book, but maybe not the best mafia book.
Elena was a pretty great and realistic heroine. She was super sweet and very compassionate. I really liked that she was a math genius, it was quite unique. Usually, heroines don’t even have a hobby, but if they do, it is likely reading or something. I love reading, but I also like math so it was entertaining.
Julian was a bit of a confusing hero. It felt like maybe the authors had different views of him and each wrote him a bit differently. He was violent than sweet, almost bipolar. Maybe he was.
Overall, a pretty good book and a nice new release.
July 25, 2020
(4.5 Stars)
Lies! Secrets! Betrayal! Desire! J.L. Beck & C. Hallman’s Savage Beginnings is an alluring read! Elena, bought and held captive by the heartless mafia boss Julian. She should hold nothing, but contempt for such a man, instead she is infatuated. He seeks revenge, vows to break and possess her, however, plans change and now his heart beats only for her. Will he relinquish his desire for revenge, or will love prevail ? An absolutely dark and intoxicating love story!
www.marvelusreads.com
Lies! Secrets! Betrayal! Desire! J.L. Beck & C. Hallman’s Savage Beginnings is an alluring read! Elena, bought and held captive by the heartless mafia boss Julian. She should hold nothing, but contempt for such a man, instead she is infatuated. He seeks revenge, vows to break and possess her, however, plans change and now his heart beats only for her. Will he relinquish his desire for revenge, or will love prevail ? An absolutely dark and intoxicating love story!
www.marvelusreads.com
March 19, 2021
I enjoyed this one a lot genre-wise it’s a dark mafia romance with some dubious consent involved.
Julian Moretti wants revenge on the man he holds responsible for his mother’s death and he’s willing to use anyone even his enemy’s daughter to accomplish his goals.
Purchasing Elena Romero from her father for the sum of ten million dollars he needs to pay off his gambling debts Julian holds in his hands the crucial key to his long-awaited vengeance.
He plans to use Elena to further his own agenda taking something precious from his enemy and then sullying it in the process.
Elena is basically collateral damage and even know he wants her for himself nothing not even his own personal desires will stand in the way of his eventual goal.
Elena, though she may hate him will accept her place at his side as his wife and she isn’t something he’s ever considering setting free.
He will use Elena’s own feelings against her making her totally rely upon, depend and even love him while he still holds himself apart from this until it’s too late for her to even see what his end game actually is.
Just one problem Julian just didn’t plan on falling under Elena’s spell in return and his own conflicting emotions and unexpected guilt definitely throws an unintentional spanner in the works.
So originally Elena seemed actually quite naive and passive, she has spent her whole life in her father's cage and now being under Julian's command is only more of the same but with a different jailer.
Her background understandably plays a part in how she perceives and accepts her new lot as Julian's property and potential future wife.
But despite this she does at times have bursts of defiance and fire I think being with Julian does give her much more freedom to express herself than she’s ever had with her father and though she’s initially afraid she fights against her nurtured nature and does grow throughout the course of this.
One thing that did bug me though was her inability to accept just what a monster her father actually was, even when it was staring her straight in the face she refused to accept all the evidence that proved he definitely didn’t love her or even respect her role as his child.
In fact, the complete opposite was glaringly obvious to all but Elena.
She did get there in the end but it took drastic measures with nearly fatal consequences to actually get her to wake up to this harsh reality.
I’m also still slightly confused over who tried to initially kill Elena it was never explained fully to my satisfaction was it the father? did I miss a crucial piece of the puzzle where the culprit was actually revealed, I don’t like being left with unanswered questions.
So, Julian was your typical possessive obsessed dominant alpha male, but despite his perchance for murder and violence and his skewed moral compass, he did have standards and as bad as he was there were definitely others much worse than him.
On top of this, he did care for Elena and was actually mostly kind towards her, he made threats and of course, she believed them but he never intentionally harmed her, was harsh, yes, but he was also incredibly protective of her.
With all else, he was ruthlessness personified but Elena definitely got much more of a free pass from him.
This is told in dual POV so you get both sides and was also well written and managed to keep my attention easily.
It was also extremely hot and I thought Julian and Elena had such great chemistry together.
It was an easy fast-paced read and I do have a soft spot for mafia arranged marriage romances and this one definitely hit the spot for me, I definitely recommend this is you like arranged marriage mafia-type fiction.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Savage Beginnings (The Moretti Crime Family #1).
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
November 15, 2020
This book was way toooooooooo predictable.
I knew what was going to happen from the very first chapter. There was no element of surprise in there but I kept hoping and wishing that something would happen and I'd be like,' I didn't see that coming.' But I was disappointed.
This didn't even feel like a mafia romance. I love mafia romances because they keep the reader on your toes. Like you never know on which side the coin will flip. I like the volatility of them. But this book lacked it in spades.
I was so excited to try this new to me author but I just didn't love this book even though I really tried.
I knew what was going to happen from the very first chapter. There was no element of surprise in there but I kept hoping and wishing that something would happen and I'd be like,' I didn't see that coming.' But I was disappointed.
This didn't even feel like a mafia romance. I love mafia romances because they keep the reader on your toes. Like you never know on which side the coin will flip. I like the volatility of them. But this book lacked it in spades.
I was so excited to try this new to me author but I just didn't love this book even though I really tried.
August 8, 2020
Eyeroll
Hands down one of the worst mafia reads I’ve ever forced myself to finish.
The book immediately starts out with Elena being bought by Julian who’s been planning his revenge against her father for years. She’s basically held hostage by the man who bought her, his plan being to isolate her until she snaps and develops Stockholm syndrome basically so he can rub it in her fathers face.
Nothing special, I’m not new to dark romance.
Julian goes on and on about how lucky Elena is that he’s not raping her every second and he can’t wait to do the most disgusting things to her and how evil he is. Elena very quickly goes from a captive virgin to begging for sex even after he takes advantage of her and assaults her MULTIPLE TIMES.
I rolled my eyes at least 15 times over the course of the book.
In the end, it turns out that maybe Elena just doesn’t know better since her father is apparently an even bigger POS than her new husband. And she’s apparently supposed to live happily ever after while the two demented mobsters that just want to lock her up want to kill each other???
The entire dialogue was so repetitive and annoying. Most of the sexual situations made me uncomfortable because I did not see any redeeming qualities in Julian. Even in the most depraved dark romances I’ve read, the anti-hero isn’t a complete d o u c h e.
Hands down one of the worst mafia reads I’ve ever forced myself to finish.
The book immediately starts out with Elena being bought by Julian who’s been planning his revenge against her father for years. She’s basically held hostage by the man who bought her, his plan being to isolate her until she snaps and develops Stockholm syndrome basically so he can rub it in her fathers face.
Nothing special, I’m not new to dark romance.
Julian goes on and on about how lucky Elena is that he’s not raping her every second and he can’t wait to do the most disgusting things to her and how evil he is. Elena very quickly goes from a captive virgin to begging for sex even after he takes advantage of her and assaults her MULTIPLE TIMES.
I rolled my eyes at least 15 times over the course of the book.
In the end, it turns out that maybe Elena just doesn’t know better since her father is apparently an even bigger POS than her new husband. And she’s apparently supposed to live happily ever after while the two demented mobsters that just want to lock her up want to kill each other???
The entire dialogue was so repetitive and annoying. Most of the sexual situations made me uncomfortable because I did not see any redeeming qualities in Julian. Even in the most depraved dark romances I’ve read, the anti-hero isn’t a complete d o u c h e.
July 18, 2020
FOUR MAFIA STARS for Elena and Julian 💛💛💛!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟
"Savage Beginnings" is a dark mafia romance with arranged marriage trope.
This book was absolutely page-turner and I'm looking forward to the next book to find out what will happen next!
If you're looking for a mafia romance, then this is the book you should read next!
🌟🌟🌟🌟
"Savage Beginnings" is a dark mafia romance with arranged marriage trope.
This book was absolutely page-turner and I'm looking forward to the next book to find out what will happen next!
If you're looking for a mafia romance, then this is the book you should read next!
July 16, 2020
Mafia romance (especially age gap mafia) is my catnip- I love this trope so hard, and when it is done right? I’m like a fat cat rolling around in my ‘nip. And Beck and Hallman have brought out my fattest cat- because this book was DELICIOUS. I’ve long loved this dynamic duo, and I’m so glad they’ve brought their Beck and Hallman flair to the mafia world. We have their amazing characters , including a dreamy alpha, and their characteristic romantic sizzle and agnst, all infused through the gritty, dark, insanely sexy, and suspenseful arranged marriage mafia captive lens. I couldn’t fly through this story fast enough- they brought all the push-pull chemistry, the STEAM, the danger! Beck and Hallman aren’t just dipping their toes into mafia darkness with Savage Beginnings- oh no, they’ve jumped straight into the deep- and the result is addictive.
Sweet, innocent Elena’s world is ubended when her formerly loving father suddenly sells her for a cool 10 mil to mafia boss Julian Moretti- a dark, violent man a decade her senior and a relative stranger to her. Literally ripped from her bed at night, she’s whisked away to her life- moving from one gilded cage to another, and now her handler is a bad man. She’s not sure what she wants with her, how this all came about- and when her attempts to escape and fight back don’t work, she’s left trying to reconcile the impossible truth- that no matter what she was destined for a pretty cage. Perhaps this cage with Julian is better? But Julian is driven by revenge- his goal is to use Elena to torture and destroy the father- getting a sweet and innocent wife is just the perk, an arrangement, nothing more. What unfolds is a captivating battle of hearts and minds- as these two push against each other and also against themselves- how can Elena start to fall for her captor? Is it possible for Julian to care for another- especially his enemy’s daughter?
Julian is everything I want in a mafia anti-hero- the total package. Make no mistake- this man is not a good man- heck, in our first meeting he buys Elena and then kills a man 10 minutes later. He’s a total alpha- possessive, demonstrative, irrationally jealous, and he’s a manipulative mastermind, moving every piece in this giant mental game of chess He knows just how to work Elena’s mind and body to make her crave and need him- take away her freedom, trap her, and then convince her she’s lucky when you give it back. Beck and Hallman give him real dimension, brilliantly giving the reader the same experience as Elena as we start to fall for Julian’s darkness and vulnerability- his savage kindness. He’s expressive and dynamic and SO dreamy. AND LORD- his bedroom talk. Can’t get enough of him.
And I loved Elena- I love a heroine that is innocent, more passive but also not spineless. She’s fragile but not weak. She’s smart and pragmatic- she recognizes what her power and options are and chooses the path of least resistance, and that is actually far more interesting for me to witness in a character- watching a character adapt and react instead of rebel and resist. But she’s not a doormat, she’s sassy and at times a fighter, but at her core she just wants someone to love and trust her enough to set her free- to let her LIVE on her own terms. And Beck and Hallman give her the perfect liberator- turns out, he’s also her captor.
Their chemistry is simply EXPLOSIVE- that enrapturing love-hate tension, the power dynamics, and the sweet and intimate ways they start to connect. B/H so smartly have these characters consistently surprise each other- layer by layer they start interlock. Elena gives trust and compassion, and Julian gives affection and controlled freedom.
The chemistry and relationship are the true star of this story, but B and H keep things moving with secrets and all the twisting mafia dangers- as these two navigate the emotional dangers of their own vulnerability with each other, they also confront enemies and violence that keep the plot moving and the emotions urgent. And, as always, secrets loom and revenge is marinating. What is the greater obstacle- the nature of their relationship or the threats around them? Ah, what a steamy ride- I’m loving the darker Beck and Hallman worlds.
Sweet, innocent Elena’s world is ubended when her formerly loving father suddenly sells her for a cool 10 mil to mafia boss Julian Moretti- a dark, violent man a decade her senior and a relative stranger to her. Literally ripped from her bed at night, she’s whisked away to her life- moving from one gilded cage to another, and now her handler is a bad man. She’s not sure what she wants with her, how this all came about- and when her attempts to escape and fight back don’t work, she’s left trying to reconcile the impossible truth- that no matter what she was destined for a pretty cage. Perhaps this cage with Julian is better? But Julian is driven by revenge- his goal is to use Elena to torture and destroy the father- getting a sweet and innocent wife is just the perk, an arrangement, nothing more. What unfolds is a captivating battle of hearts and minds- as these two push against each other and also against themselves- how can Elena start to fall for her captor? Is it possible for Julian to care for another- especially his enemy’s daughter?
Julian is everything I want in a mafia anti-hero- the total package. Make no mistake- this man is not a good man- heck, in our first meeting he buys Elena and then kills a man 10 minutes later. He’s a total alpha- possessive, demonstrative, irrationally jealous, and he’s a manipulative mastermind, moving every piece in this giant mental game of chess He knows just how to work Elena’s mind and body to make her crave and need him- take away her freedom, trap her, and then convince her she’s lucky when you give it back. Beck and Hallman give him real dimension, brilliantly giving the reader the same experience as Elena as we start to fall for Julian’s darkness and vulnerability- his savage kindness. He’s expressive and dynamic and SO dreamy. AND LORD- his bedroom talk. Can’t get enough of him.
And I loved Elena- I love a heroine that is innocent, more passive but also not spineless. She’s fragile but not weak. She’s smart and pragmatic- she recognizes what her power and options are and chooses the path of least resistance, and that is actually far more interesting for me to witness in a character- watching a character adapt and react instead of rebel and resist. But she’s not a doormat, she’s sassy and at times a fighter, but at her core she just wants someone to love and trust her enough to set her free- to let her LIVE on her own terms. And Beck and Hallman give her the perfect liberator- turns out, he’s also her captor.
Their chemistry is simply EXPLOSIVE- that enrapturing love-hate tension, the power dynamics, and the sweet and intimate ways they start to connect. B/H so smartly have these characters consistently surprise each other- layer by layer they start interlock. Elena gives trust and compassion, and Julian gives affection and controlled freedom.
The chemistry and relationship are the true star of this story, but B and H keep things moving with secrets and all the twisting mafia dangers- as these two navigate the emotional dangers of their own vulnerability with each other, they also confront enemies and violence that keep the plot moving and the emotions urgent. And, as always, secrets loom and revenge is marinating. What is the greater obstacle- the nature of their relationship or the threats around them? Ah, what a steamy ride- I’m loving the darker Beck and Hallman worlds.
July 16, 2020
This duo is not for me. I’ve tried before and nothing. I can’t seem to find a good mafia book.
July 8, 2020
image: 
(𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.)
Ill try not to spoil much 🤭🤫
Growing up as the daughter of dangerous man, Elena was sheltered all her life. She was a bird trapped in a gilded cage. A bird who longed for freedom. Her world was turned upside down when her father reveals that she has to marry a man she doesn't even know. And now she is condemned to be trapped for the rest of her life.
"𝑰'𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒕. 𝑨 𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒚. "
Julian Moretti is a bad man. A man set on revenge, and he will stop at nothing to have it not even using Elena as a pawn in his great scheme.
"𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝑰'𝒎 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰'𝒎 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇."
Nothing is set is stone, and when feelings are involved even the best laid plans can go awry.
This was yet another book by J.L Beck and C. Hallman that i really enjoyed. And i was really intrigued but some secondary characters hopefully they'll have their own book soon.
(𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.)
Ill try not to spoil much 🤭🤫
Growing up as the daughter of dangerous man, Elena was sheltered all her life. She was a bird trapped in a gilded cage. A bird who longed for freedom. Her world was turned upside down when her father reveals that she has to marry a man she doesn't even know. And now she is condemned to be trapped for the rest of her life.
"𝑰'𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒕. 𝑨 𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒚. "
Julian Moretti is a bad man. A man set on revenge, and he will stop at nothing to have it not even using Elena as a pawn in his great scheme.
"𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝑰'𝒎 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰'𝒎 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇."
Nothing is set is stone, and when feelings are involved even the best laid plans can go awry.
This was yet another book by J.L Beck and C. Hallman that i really enjoyed. And i was really intrigued but some secondary characters hopefully they'll have their own book soon.
July 13, 2020
ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS
Savage beginnings is the first book of the Moretti Crime Family Duet , written by JL Beck and Cassandra Hallman. This book is not a standalone. Told in dual perspectives , this book was amazing on every possible level!!
Savage Beginnings is the First book of the Moretti Crime Family series. This series has been one of my most anticipated series of all time! In this book , we get to meet Elena and Julian.
Elena is the Caged bird of her family. She never really knew much about freedom . Her father was one dangerous man , so she had been sheltered throughout her life. Her whole life is turned upside down , when her father informs her that she will be marrying a man she has never met in her life. She is devastated. For her , she was trading one prison to the other.
Julian Moretti is a bad man. All he knows is revenge , and he is not above using Elena to achieve that. He has plans to ultimately destroy her. What he didn''t expect was his attraction to the naive beauty. Both of them hate each other , bit still can't stay away. And we all know when feelings get into the mix , the best of the plans can be ruined.
This book was everything a Mafia Romance should be. It had those cold , cruel moments and the swooning moments. Both the authors have done a marvelous job of delivering this dark romance. I just can't wait for the next book!!
This book is recommended to all the dark erotic romance lovers , who are addicted to tropes like arranged marriage.
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April 14, 2020
A dark forced mafia marriage. ;) count me in.
Release date: June 5th
Read the teaser below to see what it's all about...
“You already paid for it didn’t you? You paid for me to be your own personal whore. So why go and spend more money on other women when I’m right here?”
For a tiny instant, I see surprise flash across his face, then the moment is gone. His pale blue eyes turn dark and before I know it he is on me. One hand wraps around my throat as he shoves me against the mattress, while his other snakes beneath my nightgown cupping my pussy...
My eyes bulge out of my head and I struggle, gasping for air, panicking that he’s going to take me right now. I shouldn’t have pushed him. I should’ve kept my mouth shut. Tears blur my vision. Feral, that’s how he looks right now, and I’m trapped in his burning rage.
Leaning into my face he growls, “Do you think you could handle my dark, sinister needs? Could you handle my cock owning every hole on your body? Chocking on me as I fill your throat with my cum? Is that how you want me to treat you? Like a whore?”
Shaking my head a whimper of fear escapes my lips when I feel his fingers probing against my entrance. I want his touch. I want him to want me, to see me, but not like this. I don’t want his hate, and I don’t want this to hurt.
“Please,” I barely get the word past my lips.
Preorder link: https://amzn.to/2VsbMpD
Release date: June 5th
Read the teaser below to see what it's all about...
“You already paid for it didn’t you? You paid for me to be your own personal whore. So why go and spend more money on other women when I’m right here?”
For a tiny instant, I see surprise flash across his face, then the moment is gone. His pale blue eyes turn dark and before I know it he is on me. One hand wraps around my throat as he shoves me against the mattress, while his other snakes beneath my nightgown cupping my pussy...
My eyes bulge out of my head and I struggle, gasping for air, panicking that he’s going to take me right now. I shouldn’t have pushed him. I should’ve kept my mouth shut. Tears blur my vision. Feral, that’s how he looks right now, and I’m trapped in his burning rage.
Leaning into my face he growls, “Do you think you could handle my dark, sinister needs? Could you handle my cock owning every hole on your body? Chocking on me as I fill your throat with my cum? Is that how you want me to treat you? Like a whore?”
Shaking my head a whimper of fear escapes my lips when I feel his fingers probing against my entrance. I want his touch. I want him to want me, to see me, but not like this. I don’t want his hate, and I don’t want this to hurt.
“Please,” I barely get the word past my lips.
Preorder link: https://amzn.to/2VsbMpD
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July 31, 2020Had to dnf this one, so no rating here. Authors, please stop having H fuck out his frustrations on OW while the h waits for him in his home. It cheapens the romance between the MCs. Even if he didn’t end up going through with it, the intent was there.
July 13, 2020
✨Review Savage Beginnings (The Moretti Crime Family, #1) by J.L. Beck & C. Hallman✨
•
“𝙄’𝙙 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚, 𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙛 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙝, 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝘿𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙡 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙙?”
•
I DEVOURED this book word for word I could not get enough. I am so happy these two talented authors decided to write a Mafia Romance because they absolutely killed it. This book was steamy, passionate, explosive chemistry, angsty, and so much more.
•
Elena has been kept in a gilded cage all her life never once having the chance for freedom, she knows once her father finds her a suitable man she will be moved from one gilded cage to the next, but what she didn’t expect was her father handing her over to the devil himself. “𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙡, 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮, 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙖𝙣 𝙪𝙣𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩.“ Elena is terrified and has no idea why this man even wants her, she’s determined to not be held a prisoner and will fight back even if the way she fights back is through compassion and submission. Only.. what started as fighting back has quickly transformed into wanting more.. and what she’s wants is Julian. She’s fallen right into his trap and there is no getting out.
•
Julian.. dear god this man is EVERYTHING. He’s possessive, jealous, controlling, sexy and so much more. There is a reason for everything he does and what he wants right now is Elena as his. “𝙀𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙖 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙖 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙪𝙨.“ Now with Elena in his clutches Julian is off to finish a task that should have been dealt with long ago, he has all the chips in place, but is his heart falling for Elena the one thing he never saw coming?
•
5⭐️
Steam🔥5/5
*𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄*
•
“𝙄’𝙙 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚, 𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙛 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙝, 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝘿𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙡 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙙?”
•
I DEVOURED this book word for word I could not get enough. I am so happy these two talented authors decided to write a Mafia Romance because they absolutely killed it. This book was steamy, passionate, explosive chemistry, angsty, and so much more.
•
Elena has been kept in a gilded cage all her life never once having the chance for freedom, she knows once her father finds her a suitable man she will be moved from one gilded cage to the next, but what she didn’t expect was her father handing her over to the devil himself. “𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙡, 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮, 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙖𝙣 𝙪𝙣𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩.“ Elena is terrified and has no idea why this man even wants her, she’s determined to not be held a prisoner and will fight back even if the way she fights back is through compassion and submission. Only.. what started as fighting back has quickly transformed into wanting more.. and what she’s wants is Julian. She’s fallen right into his trap and there is no getting out.
•
Julian.. dear god this man is EVERYTHING. He’s possessive, jealous, controlling, sexy and so much more. There is a reason for everything he does and what he wants right now is Elena as his. “𝙀𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙖 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙖 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙪𝙨.“ Now with Elena in his clutches Julian is off to finish a task that should have been dealt with long ago, he has all the chips in place, but is his heart falling for Elena the one thing he never saw coming?
•
5⭐️
Steam🔥5/5
*𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄*
July 29, 2020
I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.
Elena Romero is the daughter of a mob boss, she has been forced to live a sheltered existence with no friends or family visits ever since her mother’s death she has lived in her gilded cage dreaming of a life where she can be free to make her own choices. Only when she learns of her father’s plans to rid himself of his debt does she discover her fate and she has been sold to Julian Moretti. So when she is forced to leave with him and she arrives at his home she is yet again locked up like a prisoner, she is fearful of the new life she is facing and what will be expected of her. Could this be her chance of freedom and finding a real love or is she just his possession?
Julian Moretti has dreamed of and planned his revenge on the man responsible for his mother’s death for the past five years he has watched the Romero’s, he first saw Elena at her mother’s funeral and found that she was the one way that he could really make him pay. She is everything sweet and naive, and he is determined to own her in every way. But it soon becomes clear that there is more than revenge on his mind when it comes to Elena, he is starting to need her, want her, crave her and could he love her? Just when he had everything lined up for the revenge he had meticulously planned he begins to realise it may not be the most important thing but losing Elena may destroy him, can Julian let go of his plans and embrace the love waiting for him?
Wow that was one intense read and I adored the chemistry that these two has that the way that Elena changed was well written and kept me reading from the start to finish. HIGHLY recommended read 4.8* Read.
Elena Romero is the daughter of a mob boss, she has been forced to live a sheltered existence with no friends or family visits ever since her mother’s death she has lived in her gilded cage dreaming of a life where she can be free to make her own choices. Only when she learns of her father’s plans to rid himself of his debt does she discover her fate and she has been sold to Julian Moretti. So when she is forced to leave with him and she arrives at his home she is yet again locked up like a prisoner, she is fearful of the new life she is facing and what will be expected of her. Could this be her chance of freedom and finding a real love or is she just his possession?
Julian Moretti has dreamed of and planned his revenge on the man responsible for his mother’s death for the past five years he has watched the Romero’s, he first saw Elena at her mother’s funeral and found that she was the one way that he could really make him pay. She is everything sweet and naive, and he is determined to own her in every way. But it soon becomes clear that there is more than revenge on his mind when it comes to Elena, he is starting to need her, want her, crave her and could he love her? Just when he had everything lined up for the revenge he had meticulously planned he begins to realise it may not be the most important thing but losing Elena may destroy him, can Julian let go of his plans and embrace the love waiting for him?
Wow that was one intense read and I adored the chemistry that these two has that the way that Elena changed was well written and kept me reading from the start to finish. HIGHLY recommended read 4.8* Read.
July 5, 2020
-Jenna, ☆☆☆☆
This was a really terrific page turner! I will say that if you read the prequel Stolen Bride like I did, then you'll probably skip the first 6 chapters. It was a repeat of that. But after that it's just as riveting as the prequel was. We continued the story of mafia man Julian who definitely went back and forth on my line/dislike scale lol. But of course he turns things around and I couldn't love him more. Elena is a terrific heroine who is the perfect match for Julian and really comes into her own woman. The story was full of action, drama, and a roller coaster of emotions for the characters. The story ends in a happily ever after but it definitely leaves you wanting more.
This was a really terrific page turner! I will say that if you read the prequel Stolen Bride like I did, then you'll probably skip the first 6 chapters. It was a repeat of that. But after that it's just as riveting as the prequel was. We continued the story of mafia man Julian who definitely went back and forth on my line/dislike scale lol. But of course he turns things around and I couldn't love him more. Elena is a terrific heroine who is the perfect match for Julian and really comes into her own woman. The story was full of action, drama, and a roller coaster of emotions for the characters. The story ends in a happily ever after but it definitely leaves you wanting more.
October 20, 2020
there are no words
Shelved as 'dnf'
February 12, 2022I tried okay? read it for two days but I couldn't go past 50%
July 14, 2020
4⭐️
I love the JL Beck and C. Hallman tandem! Their books are always gripping, gritty, swoony and sexy.
This book kinda reminded me of The Kiss Thief by LJ Shen and some books by Cora Reilly.
The storyline was something I haven't read before, but it was exciting... I enjoyed reading this book!
A mafia boss falling in love with the enemy's innocent daughter... What more can you ask for?
I love the JL Beck and C. Hallman tandem! Their books are always gripping, gritty, swoony and sexy.
This book kinda reminded me of The Kiss Thief by LJ Shen and some books by Cora Reilly.
The storyline was something I haven't read before, but it was exciting... I enjoyed reading this book!
A mafia boss falling in love with the enemy's innocent daughter... What more can you ask for?
December 2, 2020
Savage Beginnings (The Moretti Crime Family #1)
by J.L. Beck & C. Hallman
5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Savage Beginnings by authors JL Beck & Cassandra Hallman is the first book in the Moretti Crime Family series, it is a dark mafia romance with arranged marriage trope, written in dual POV, and tells tge story of Julian & Elena.
Elena was the daughter of a dangerous man. A mobster. All her life she was caged, trapped in her own house by her own father. When you are born in the mafia, as a woman, you only have two choices, marry, or die. That's the only way out.
Julian wanted Elena from the very first moment that he set his eyes on her. But he waited, he panned his moves patiently. Now he has her, and she will be his.
There were some moments in the book, were the action, just went to easy for my taste, but the steam, the heat, the attraction, the chemistry between Elena & Julian was 🔥🔥🔥
Me personally I wouldn't put it in the dark category, because for my own tastes, it wasn't dark at all.
So, if you are a lover of dark, mafia romance and love some forced marriage, this book is perfect for yoy
I highly recommend this book
by J.L. Beck & C. Hallman
5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Savage Beginnings by authors JL Beck & Cassandra Hallman is the first book in the Moretti Crime Family series, it is a dark mafia romance with arranged marriage trope, written in dual POV, and tells tge story of Julian & Elena.
Elena was the daughter of a dangerous man. A mobster. All her life she was caged, trapped in her own house by her own father. When you are born in the mafia, as a woman, you only have two choices, marry, or die. That's the only way out.
Julian wanted Elena from the very first moment that he set his eyes on her. But he waited, he panned his moves patiently. Now he has her, and she will be his.
There were some moments in the book, were the action, just went to easy for my taste, but the steam, the heat, the attraction, the chemistry between Elena & Julian was 🔥🔥🔥
Me personally I wouldn't put it in the dark category, because for my own tastes, it wasn't dark at all.
So, if you are a lover of dark, mafia romance and love some forced marriage, this book is perfect for yoy
I highly recommend this book
Shelved as 'dnf'
July 24, 2020DNF@ Chapter 11. Sorry my patience and focus is very limited these days and if my interest isn't sparked early in the story I'm done. For me so far this book is boring. The h is locked in a bedroom, she's so naive and immature, her father sold her and she's mad at the H. Who btw is no thrill either.
September 6, 2020
DNF @ 57%
April 12, 2020
This a dark and gritty story and we can't wait to share it with you!
August 29, 2020
misogyny, gaslighting, AND “don’t make me hurt you”??? this dumpster fire has it all!!!
March 1, 2022
4 stars
besties. BESTIESSSSSS. This had me hooked from page 1. This is a dark romance lovers DREAM. I no joke devoured this in one sitting. I read this at lunch and now I am immediately going to dive into book 2.
Revenge plot. Semi marriage of convenience. Touch her and I’ll kill you. Girl who ends up melting the cold killers heart.
I needed a new mafia romance series to get into and I found it.
besties. BESTIESSSSSS. This had me hooked from page 1. This is a dark romance lovers DREAM. I no joke devoured this in one sitting. I read this at lunch and now I am immediately going to dive into book 2.
Revenge plot. Semi marriage of convenience. Touch her and I’ll kill you. Girl who ends up melting the cold killers heart.
I needed a new mafia romance series to get into and I found it.
July 5, 2020
Savage Beginnings is a phenomenal mafia story by J.L. Beck and C. Hallman. The story is fast paced and doesn’t fill the pages with every single day of the characters lives. I liked that I didn’t have to read the same inner monologue through the whole book. I loved the spirit of Elena even through all her trials and the slow burn that was between her and Julian. It was fantastic story and I couldn’t wait to finish it because I needed to see how it ended but then I was sad once it was over. It ended with a request that I’m sure Julian won’t refuse, so I look forward to the next story. 5-stars for Savage Beginnings by J.L. Beck and C. Hallman
Mafia 101 take out your enemy and leave nothing behind. Julian Moretti is hell bent on revenge but killing Romero quickly is too merciful. Julian instead is going to take his daughter Elena and make her his own, then kill Romero after making him suffer. Elena never thought her father would sell her, let alone to a man she didn’t even know, but that is where she finds herself as she is lead away from the gilded cage inside her father’s house to one inside of Julian’s. Julian scares her, but she can’t help but feel the pull of attraction to him. Could she fall in love with the man that bought her and have a life with him after such Savage Beginnings?
Mafia 101 take out your enemy and leave nothing behind. Julian Moretti is hell bent on revenge but killing Romero quickly is too merciful. Julian instead is going to take his daughter Elena and make her his own, then kill Romero after making him suffer. Elena never thought her father would sell her, let alone to a man she didn’t even know, but that is where she finds herself as she is lead away from the gilded cage inside her father’s house to one inside of Julian’s. Julian scares her, but she can’t help but feel the pull of attraction to him. Could she fall in love with the man that bought her and have a life with him after such Savage Beginnings?
July 13, 2020
I read a lot of Beck & Hallman books, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every one of them thus far. This newest addition, Savage Beginnings, is a mafia arranged marriage story, connected through certain characters to the Rossi Crime Family series. I loved every page.
I greatly appreciate how these authors portray their crime families — realistically. The men are hard core, true criminals in every sense of the word, but they vigorously protect those they care for. They don’t “see the light” and stop being involved in the mafia life. They are what they are and make no excuses regarding their behavior. To me, this is believable.
This is the story of Elena Romero and Julian Moretti, both born into the mafia world through family. Julian has had his sights set on Elena for quite some time, but not out of admiration or love, no. He wants revenge on her father and wants to use Elena to accomplish this goal. The two of them are placed together through a marriage contract and the story unfolds from there. And it’s quite a story. I think I went through almost the entire gambit of emotions reading it. It’s so well told and completely engaging.
If you enjoy mafia stories, then pick up this book. It fits the genre beautifully. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
I greatly appreciate how these authors portray their crime families — realistically. The men are hard core, true criminals in every sense of the word, but they vigorously protect those they care for. They don’t “see the light” and stop being involved in the mafia life. They are what they are and make no excuses regarding their behavior. To me, this is believable.
This is the story of Elena Romero and Julian Moretti, both born into the mafia world through family. Julian has had his sights set on Elena for quite some time, but not out of admiration or love, no. He wants revenge on her father and wants to use Elena to accomplish this goal. The two of them are placed together through a marriage contract and the story unfolds from there. And it’s quite a story. I think I went through almost the entire gambit of emotions reading it. It’s so well told and completely engaging.
If you enjoy mafia stories, then pick up this book. It fits the genre beautifully. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
July 19, 2020
Julian is a man with vengeance on his mind against a man who has wronged his family and he knows the perfect way to hit him where it hurts and that is with Elena, his daughter. By keeping her captive not only would her father suffer but she would as well but he is about to find out that the best laid plans don’t always work out like you plan.
Elena has been groomed since she was a child to understand the mafia lifestyle and she knows her only worth to her father is through whatever marriage he decides to arrange. Finding out that her father has sold her to save himself has her trying to gain control of the situation and chart her own path by whatever means she can.
Julian is protective yet demanding and Elena involves into the perfect woman to stand by his side. Hot chemistry, surprises and two compelling characters who draw you in and have you invested in their happy ever after.
Elena has been groomed since she was a child to understand the mafia lifestyle and she knows her only worth to her father is through whatever marriage he decides to arrange. Finding out that her father has sold her to save himself has her trying to gain control of the situation and chart her own path by whatever means she can.
Julian is protective yet demanding and Elena involves into the perfect woman to stand by his side. Hot chemistry, surprises and two compelling characters who draw you in and have you invested in their happy ever after.
July 4, 2020
This book is all the things. Dark and gritty. Forced arranged marriage/ Captive. It’s a brilliant balance of everything dark romance lovers need and just enough to tempt those on the fence. It’s sexy to boot. I loved it. There were times when I wanted to throw my computer across the room. I was so mad. It as a full experience and great! A must read.
July 14, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 STARS
Elena and Julian truly do have a savage beginning. How their relationship came about is dark and captivating. I can't wait for more from this series! Savage Beginnings by J.L. Beck and C. Hallman is a MUST read and will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ELITE!!!
Elena and Julian truly do have a savage beginning. How their relationship came about is dark and captivating. I can't wait for more from this series! Savage Beginnings by J.L. Beck and C. Hallman is a MUST read and will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ELITE!!!
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