Chanta Rand reviewed a book.
Destino (Battaglia Mafia Series)
“I thoroughly enjoyed this book, HOWEVER, the ending was not satisfactory for me. To put it in more sensual terms, it was like experiencing a marathon of love-making and never being rewarded with a climax. I invested a lot of time in these characters. At 370 pages, this is not a quick read. I felt...”
“I thoroughly enjoyed this book, HOWEVER, the ending was not satisfactory for me. To put it in more sensual terms, it was like experiencing a marathon of love-making and never being rewarded with a climax. I invested a lot of time in these characters. At 370 pages, this is not a quick read. I felt like I was right there with Gio and Mira, living the surreal fantasy. I expected to have a happily ever after, or at least some closure at the end of the book. I didn't realize until afterward, that this was book 1 in a series. So, I suppose all of my questions will be answered in book 2. I'm not sure, but after the whirlwind of hot sex, jam-packed action, mafia murders, and sinister cover-ups, I decided not to invest my time in the second book.
I certainly can appreciate the author's hard work. Sienna Mynx is a superbly talented author. BUT you just don't leave readers hanging like that. Mira Ellison is a talented, beautiful, vivacious African American designer who is swept off her feet by the gorgeous and powerful Giovanni Battaglia. Once she finds out that he's a Don, she has reservations, but she also learns he's just a man, vulnerable and caring. Their time together is short (barely two weeks), but explosively intense. Their interracial relationship is frowned upon by many, but in Gio's world he is top dog, and his actions are not to be questioned.
****SPOILER - READ THIS PART ONLY IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE ENDING****The book ends with the once-vibrant characters becoming bitter shells of human beings. Mira is pregnant (with Giovanni's baby) and living in seclusion in Switzerland. After her best friend dies in a car bombing accident, and another woman (who is mistakenly believed to be Mira) is killed, Mira believes Giovanni has sent his men to assassinate her. In the meantime, a grief-stricken Giovanni believes Mira is dead (killed by a rival Mafia clan) and he's hell-bent on destroying everyone he feels betrayed him. Seriously, this is how the book ends with them thousands of miles apart and wondering about each other.
This was my first book by this author, but I loved her writing style. She took us inside each of the major characters' heads without making me feel confused by the different points of view. I particularly liked knowing the mindset of the secondary characters, Lorenzo and Fabriana. The sex scenes (described in graphic detail are HOT, yet tastefully done). The vivid imagery she used made me feel as though I was in Italy. She stimulated all of my senses - I could see, smell, hear, and taste Italia. I did think Mira was a little dumb for falling for a guy in two weeks. But let me tell you, I've seen this dynamic attraction occur in real life. When the lovin' is good and the man is powerful and ready to fufill your every desire, it can happen!
Kudos to Ms. Mynx. Like I said, my only issue is with the ending: I have so little time on my hands, when I sit down to read a book that's nearly 400 pages, I gotta have some gratification at the end. I think the author did a great job developing all the characters, and with the length of the book, there was certainly room for a great ending - without making readers feel compelled to buy book 2.”
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