I received this book via the author, M.A. Wilder. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
The Vampire Mafia by M.A. Wilder Published by Self Publish on 2017-01-01
Length: 483 pages
Reviewing eARC Rating:
Reading Challenges: 2017 New Release Challenge, COYER Blackout
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Five deadly love stories.
And one dark saga.This is August, New York, where the chaotic world of the supernatural will collide with unsuspecting, vulnerable humans.
Trouble
Notorious criminal Mickey McKennan is everything Nora Evers shouldn’t want. He’s power and sex in a suit with a rogue smile, and when they meet, her world tilts as she falls in lust—until that world halts when tragedy strikes. Nora’s life quickly goes from bad to worse, and she finds Mickey at every turn. Although his deadly secrets ensure that trouble follows him, she is drawn to him more and more. But, when her past haunts her present, Nora’s life is threatened, and she is unsure of who she can count on to help her survive.
Beautiful
Everyone has a price, and thanks to the captivating Simon Handover and his proposition, Penny Ames has discovered hers. She will just need to make it through one month with him before she can flee and never look back. But, with his Clark Kent good looks and Superman swagger, Simon is more of a threat to Penny than she realizes. While fighting not to lose her heart, she stumbles into a world filled with guns, gangs, and…vampires, and soon, she finds herself also fighting for her life.
Collateral
When Sosie Savage is taken hostage by the Vampire Mafia due to her father’s mistake, the only thing on her mind is survival—until her focus begins to shift as her captors, the D’Avignon brothers, vie for her attention. Powerful yet antagonistic, J.M. and Sebastien fascinate her. Where J.M. is destructive and dangerous, Sebastien acts as the savior with his kindness. With her feelings clouding her mind, Sosie struggles to set things right in the tangled web her father weaved. But, after the D’Avignon family receives threats from rival vampires while enduring run-ins with the authorities, she begins to question her allegiance to her own family and the life that she once knew.
Vengeful
Kidnapped and tortured with no end in sight, Beau D’Avignon is certain death is imminent. That is, until Francesca Slight intervenes. Sheltered daughter of the D’Avignon’s sworn enemy, she is now also the owner of Beau’s heart. With the animosity between the leading vampire families, their newfound love is not likely to survive, especially when the escalating war threatens all their lives.
Frustrated with her father’s lack of action in the search for her missing family, Bellamy D’Avignon is determined to take the reins, but along the way, she crosses paths with someone from the opposite side of the law. He’s literally tall, dark, and handsome, and their connection is immediate and undeniable. But, when a life-altering threat hits and emotions take over, Bellamy makes a decision that will change their lives forever.
WARNING: This book contains adult language, violence, and sexual content. Reader discretion is advised.
Y’all it’s been three years since I first read M.A. Wilder‘s The Té-Trad Tale. I have not-so-patiently been waiting for more from her. I loved her story-telling and writing style. So when I received an email from her just before Christmas asking if I’d read and review her new series, I was like
After I picked myself up off the floor, I immediately responded with a yes. I’ll be honest too, I didn’t even read what the book was about. I love Wilder’s other series that much! So I went into The Vampire Mafia blind. Y’all it’s amazing!
The Vampire Mafia is a collection of novellas that tell one large story from several different views. I became engrossed in each novella and read one a day until I finished. I loved how the author was able to make the cast of characters so unique. It’s hard to do this in novellas I think. I have found that a lot of times you get the main characters thoroughly fleshed out, but the side characters are usually flat. This isn’t the case here! All the characters are utilized and have their own unique identities which really makes for a great read.
As the name suggests, this book has an element of paranormal but also an element of mystery/thriller. Personally I enjoyed the mystery element to these novellas. Reading the first novella, I kept picturing those old, black and white detective movies despite the fact it’s set in the present. Then in the last novella, one of the characters reminded me of Humphrey Bogart, right down to the nickname of his girl.
My favorite of the four novellas is Collateral, which is the third in the series. It follows Sosie, a young woman who is being held by the vampires until her father can pay off his debt. I think the reason I like this one so well is the love interest. Rather than it being an insta-love/lust thing, it’s a slow build-up for Sosie. It’s interesting to read that slow build and how it plays out, especially in novella form. Plus I love J.M. He’s the ultimate bad-boy!
I loved the setting and world-building of these novellas. The story is set in the seedy underbelly of August, New York and focuses on the crime syndicate. I liked how the author built into the mafia-type world and gave it her own spin with the paranormal element of vampires. And friends, if you’ve read The Té-trad Tale trilogy, you’re in for some fun Easter eggs! I may or may not have squealed with excitement 😉
Overall, I really enjoyed this series. I liked each novella. There are some pretty graphic scenes of sex and gore which for me I can usually do without which is why it’s four instead of five stars, but that’s a personal preference and not a reflection on the story. The story itself is fantastic in my opinion! Oh and that ending!!!! Wilder has set it up for a sequel series and I’m crossing all my fingers and toes that it happens. If you enjoy mystery, horror, and urban paranormal romance, I highly recommend you grab a copy.
About M.A. Wilder
M. A. Wilder is a wife, mother, and native New Yorker who writes books in order to retain her title as a hipster. She is a stay-at-home mom by day and a crime fighter author by night. She is also rumored to be a full-time geek, a part-time fangirl, and an imaginary superhero.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the series, and thank you for all of your support! <3 …and I'm still giggling at that Humphrey Bogart reference LOL
I truly loved it! I can’t thing of anyone else that fits North better 😀 The whole series reminded me of some of his early crime/gangster movies despite being set in present time. I loved it!