REVIEW: Cruel Vows – Cruel Command #1 – Kira Cole

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As my family’s enemies rise from the ashes, an arranged marriage to the man I hate is my only option.

Sean may be my brother’s best friend, but he’s anything but that to me. In fact, some might say we’re enemies. Myself included.

Now that we’re married, we constantly have targets on our backs. We’re in the middle of bloodshed and betrayal, and I know a war is brewing.

And when my brother is taken, I’m forced to choose between saving the family who put me in this situation . . . and saving the man I didn’t expect to fall in love with.

Elle Lynde has grown up in the Mafia which her brother Aiden now runs. She is a nurse and wants to concentrate on her career, but Aiden has other ideas, he wants her to become more involved. One night leaving the clinic she is assaulted with a message for her brother that this is just the beginning.

Noah Rinaldo is waging war against the Lynde’s and lacking enough manpower to fight Aiden comes up with an idea, Elle will marry Sean Andino to assure a joining of the two.

Sixteen years ago, Sean killed their father and for sixteen years she has hated Sean despite Aiden and Sean’s friendship. Knowing that she can’t refuse and any hope of continuing her career are over.

Sean is not happy about the marriage and sees his life in turmoil but like Elle he has no say in the matter. Making things worse, Sean’s father insists that the marriage be consummated and one person from each family will be witness to their first joining. Now Elle is married to her father’s killer.

Sean and Elle’s marriage is anything but happy, he gives orders, and she refuses them. If he says he will have sex with anyone he wants she says that she will do the same so there is constant conflict between them.

Things with Noah Rinaldo go from bad to worse, attacks, kidnappings and torture are his game and everyone is retaliated against. All the danger is aimed at Elle who now can no longer go to her job. Things should be safe in Sean and Elle’s home but that proves to be untrue, and Elle suffers greatly from another invasion against her body.

This was such a mesmerizing book that it kept me glued to the very last page. Torture, kidnapping, beheading, murder, betrayal and all the things that the Mafia is known for. Rinaldo seems to be ahead, but Sean is determined to see him dead.

Being a girl who grew up in the Mafia, Elle fights in every way she can and refuses to show any fear. If cornered she threatens despite those threats being useless. Sean and Elle have a lot of hate for each other and for the Rinaldo’s but hopefully they can find a way to live together and fight their common enemy.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat, and I know that there is more coming which I anxiously await. The torture is explicit and may not be for everyone. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good Mafia story, this one has everything you could expect and more.