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High Stakes: A Boss/Employee Mafia Romance (Vittorio Crime Family Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.2 out of 5 stars 1,067 ratings

“You work for me now.”

I just needed enough money to survive college. What I got was
a job in the city’s most exclusive, illegal poker room—and the attention of the man who runs it.

Vincent Costa is a capo in the Ricci crime family. He’s rich, ruthless, and way too interested in the girl who’s never even placed a bet. He says I work for him now.

But this isn’t just a job. It’s a game I never agreed to play. The deeper I fall into his world of velvet suits, bloodstained loyalty, and loaded glances, the more I realize I’m not the one holding the cards. He is.

Now I'm in too deep, and he’s made it clear:
I’m not leaving unless it’s with his last name.

Author’s Note:

This is a dark, steamy mafia romance with a boss/employee vibe, a huge power imbalance, and a morally gray hero who does not share. Expect plenty of “you work for me now” energy, “touch her and die” possessiveness, forbidden attraction, and a poor girl/rich guy dynamic.

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There are 4 books in this series.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00M9A6KIU
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 29 July 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.1 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 4 ‏ : ‎ Vittorio Crime Family
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 1,067 ratings

About the author

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Vanessa Waltz
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Vanessa Waltz is an author of Dark Bad Boy Romance and lives in Seattle with her two ill-behaved cats.

Before she settled in Seattle, she lived in Northern California where she studied English Literature at San Jose State University. She pursued a career in medicine before making an about-face to write full-time. She also pens psychological thrillers as Rachel Hargrove.

She enjoys beer tasting, live music venues, and singing her heart out at horrified bar patrons.


Vanessa is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Email: info@vanessawaltzbooks.com

Website: www.vanessawaltzbooks.com

Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/2JQ4PZ9

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JQ7i5R

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/signupwaltz

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
1,067 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be a great read with a good story.

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10 customers mention ‘Readability’10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a great read.

"...nieve but he is not but there love should keep them together Great book to read now I am going for book 2 double.blind ." Read more

"...Vince was one hot guy. Adriana was OK, but I agree with some of the other comments about her being a bit annoying...." Read more

"Pretty good read, lots of hot sex, decent price as well, only gave It 3 stars because Adriana (the female lead) started getting on my nerves...." Read more

"Loved this series so much defo worth buying" Read more

3 customers mention ‘Story quality’3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, with one customer noting it's not just about sex.

"...had twists and turns and romance....steamy also!!!!!but a good story not all about sex will definitely get the next book in the series" Read more

"Good story" Read more

"Good story but I guessed most of the storyline, but I did enjoy it and will probably purchase book two?" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 September 2014
    Ok my what a story Loved it . It is packed with everything .the things Adrianna goes through are amazing for a girl involved with a mobster but she loves him. He lines her . They are ment to be together .She is a little nieve but he is not but there love should keep them together Great book to read now I am going for book 2 double.blind .
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 February 2015
    I enjoyed this book, but only downloaded it after I had already Book 4! (Wished I'd read in the right order!)

    I don't know what it is about Mafia stories. You know you really shouldn't like the characters & what happens, but you really, really do despite everything!

    Vince was one hot guy. Adriana was OK, but I agree with some of the other comments about her being a bit annoying. However, it didn't detract from the book or story. Now off to read the next book in the series.

    I would recommend this one.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 October 2014
    Really enjoyed this book had twists and turns and romance....steamy also!!!!!but a good story not all about sex will definitely get the next book in the series
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 August 2014
    Pretty good read, lots of hot sex, decent price as well, only gave It 3 stars because Adriana (the female lead) started getting on my nerves. She became a bit to whinney and blubbery for my liking
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 October 2018
    Loved this series so much defo worth buying
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 July 2020
    Good story
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 September 2014
    Oh my what a roller coaster of a ride I devoured this book and now onto book2 it is really well written and I am hooked
    Buy this now I am an avid reader and this is well worth a read
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 December 2015
    First book I have read from this author, loved it downloaded Double Blind as soon as I finished it, loved the characters gritty hot storyline can't start the next book quick enough.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Abster
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced, well written and heartfelt
    Reviewed in the United States on 6 December 2014
    I read this book over my Thanksgiving vacation and thoroughly enjoyed it.

    Adriana's plight drew me into the story. Her family and personal struggles were deeply sympathetic and as somebody with some of the same problems I found them very well drawn and realistic. Vanessa Waltz has either "been there" or she's just that good at crafting a fleshed out, well rounded heroine.

    Then there's Vincent... wow, awesome. It's tough for me to empathize and feel drawn to a criminal hero but Vincent is a perfect balance of a good man who comes from a rough background and does bad things. His transformation as he falls for Adriana was very real, very believable.

    The plot was clever as heck. Very economical, nothing contrived, and there's a clever little detail towards the end that I love, and the way the villains reacted was realistic and hilarious. It's great to read a book where the antagonists aren't idiots who fall for a simple trick. The ending was a little intense and the way some of Adriana's family issues were resolved makes it a little bittersweet, but what's bitter without sweet?

    Oh, and the sexy parts... yeah. Mmm-hmm.

    Moving on to #2 now. I have a feeling it'll be even better. There are sequels but don't let that scare you, High Stakes is a complete, and very good, story.
  • Ayelbee
    5.0 out of 5 stars A true Mafiosa story
    Reviewed in Australia on 23 January 2019
    I absolutely loved this book. It has it all you would want and plenty more. Brilliant characters, lots of action and steamy interaction. I cant wait for the next installment.
  • Brad Montgomery
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book was amazing!! I loved every part of it
    Reviewed in Canada on 23 August 2015
    This book was amazing!! I loved every part of it!! I read the whole series in 4 days, and literally could not put it down. Every time I had a minute to spare I was reading this. I love the story behind Adriana and Vince!! It's a really romantic story but because of the action in it, it doesn't bore you at all! There's always something going on in this book and IT EARNED ITS 5 STARS! Props to the author
  • Monica
    5.0 out of 5 stars AFFASCINANTE
    Reviewed in Italy on 4 November 2014
    Un romanzo intrigante dove il protagonista maschile è un capò mafioso, che si innamora di una studentessa intrigata col gioco delle carte.
    Originale e diverso cela una sfumatura alla Soprano interessante.
    Mi ha colpito per l'intensità delle emozioni espresse nel romanzo e per la descrizione accurata dei personaggi.
    Report
  • v
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great, enjoyable read
    Reviewed in Canada on 10 February 2020
    Captured me right away. Adriana and Vince had hot chemistry. Love Mafia romance. Didn't leave with a cliff hanger, but unfinished story and I 'm still craving more. v

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