ABOUT THE BOOK

Dangerous and feared.

Those words describe my future husband. Who just so happens to also be my ex-boyfriend.

It’s complicated. Two years ago, he broke my heart when he left me to do his father’s bidding. After months of crying, I finally accepted he was gone and wasn’t going to look back. That maybe he’d never loved me at all. I never wanted to see Luca again.

Now a cruel twist of fate has signed me over to him in a heartless deal. I’m his. He thinks he did me a favor, but I feel like I’ve been given a death sentence. He doesn’t want to get married because he still loves me. No, he did it for money. More power.

I’m going to be a mafia wife. And there’s only one way out of it. Death.

But as it turns out, someone else doesn’t want me to marry the ruthless Luca Bianchi. And if he has his way, I’ll see that early grave.

Due to mature content and themes this book is recommended for readers aged eighteen and over. Code of Silence is an arranged marriage and a complete standalone. This novel may contain triggers.

MY REVIEW

I am scheduled for a blog tour in August for a book that is part of the Dark King series, so I’m starting from this standalone prequel that introduces me to The Dark Kings, and boy, I can’t wait to devour them all.

Haven Knowles is in love with Luca Bianchi. His dad is the Don—the ringleader of the Italian-American Mafia, so family and business always come first. In fact, Luca lied to her and ghosted her two years ago leaving her alone and destroyed as she picked up the pieces of her life. She once dreamed of being married to Luca and having a family and now her piss ant of an adopted father is selling her to the highest bidder. Namely, Luca, who claims he loves her, but she knows it’s just business. “Careful what you wish for. Your dream can quickly become your worst nightmare.”

Luca has loved Haven most of his life and he would lie, cheat and steal to protect her. He was raised on violence and he didn’t have a choice about leaving her two years ago. He has a plan and though she hates him now, he hopes she will forgive him and if she doesn’t, too bad. It’s business and his family needs him. She is his until death do us part.

Luca can be an arrogant possessive prick to Haven sometimes, but he is part of a dangerous and deadly business where feelings can get you killed. So he had to find an airtight way to make her his despite what his powerful father wanted. Haven rubbed me the wrong way at times acting like a spoiled gullible princess instead of someone who needed to be smart in a volatile situation. Her life is in danger for Pete’s sake. I do feel bad for her when she learns of the betrayals of the people she loves. But she does come around as Luca proves his devotion and shares his secrets with her as they live as happily ever after as they can with the type of life they lead.

In addition to the romance, there is also danger lurking around the corner and enemies to be taken care of as Luca and his friends, The Dark Kings, track down the man who is out to destroy them.

I loved the supporting characters including Luca’s right-hand man Nite, and Haven’s girlfriends, Jasmine and Emilee. And the reason I started this book was to meet the Dark Kings, Titan, Grave, Cross, and Bones, and their Kingdom who I know will all be intriguing reads in their own right so stay tuned.

Overall, I enjoyed this gripping and complex story where loyalties are tested, blood is spilled, and the alphas are in their element.

Thank you to Ms. Tessier for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shantel is a USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author. She lives in Oklahoma with her high school sweetheart, who is a wonderful, supportive husband and their two daughters. She loves to spend time cuddled up on the couch with a good book and considers herself extremely lucky to get to do what she loves while wearing pajamas. Going to concerts and the movies are just a few of her favorite things to do. She hates coffee, but lives off energy drinks. Although she has a passion to write, her family is most important to her.

Follow Shantel on her website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub.