Family Ties

The Family Novak, Book 1

By: Susi Hawke, Crista Crown

Narrated by: Kirt Graves

Length: 4 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

In a world where the rules are gray, and the Don's word is a law unto itself, only one thing is sacred: family.

River Erikson is a man on the run. After scenting his true mate, he’s done everything in his power to escape. Just because he was born an omega doesn’t mean he needs to answer fate’s call and drop to his knees for some alpha. Especially not a smug mafioso who thinks way too much of himself.

Luckily, his job at STAHP - the vicious vigilante organization that works to police shifters when law enforcement can’t - keeps him busy enough that he can try to forget how his traitorous body reacts whenever a certain muscled Russian is around.

Vasily Novak is stunned when he scents his mate, but powerless to chase him when he flees. How can he? His focus is entirely centered on the precocious five-year-old he recently learned was his child. All he can do is trust the fates to bring his mate back when the time is right. Vasily is confident that River will be his eventually. He just needs to be patient.

When Vasily’s son is taken, River comes to help retrieve the boy who melted his heart the first time Petey called him “pretty kitty”. As the pair leave a bloody trail through the city on their search, will the fates give them a second chance at finding a forever in each other?

This is the first book in a new mpreg mafia series. Get ready for a world ruled by the Don’s iron fist, unique interrogation tactics, and a family that stands together, no matter what. At its heart, you’ll still find all the fluffy mpreg feels and crazy antics you’d look for from Susi Hawke and Crista Crown. This is a Team A.L.P.H.A. and Alphabits spin-off series.

Warning: You can expect to find naughty, knotty scenes of steamy passion, along with a lot of potty-mouth language and more violence than you’re used to from us.

©2019 Hawke & Crown LLC (P)2019 Hawke & Crown LLC

I love the new, "rougher" writing style!

I have been wanting to hear River's story, and this is it! This is the first book to the second spin-off series from Team Alpha, and I can't wait for more.

This is not your typical fated mates story, which is part of the reason why I really enjoyed it. River caught a whiff of Vasily, part of the Russian mob and his brother's new in-laws, and ran. He doesn't want a mate; he doesn't even seem to want to be an Omega. But, he sure does love little Petey, the young boy they saved and found out was Vasily's son; enough to let him get away with calling him "pretty kitty."

Vasily doesn't know about having a mate until an unexpected meeting when River is working for STAUP, and Vasily is at the party with Petey. River runs away, but Vasily will be patient for a while. When Petey is taken, River shows up to help with the search. That's when things get fun.

Vasily and River make an incredible team, and as neither are necessarily "the good guys," they use whatever means necessary to get the information they need to find Petey. Their interrogation methods are unique, but they flow so smoothy that it seems that they have been working together for years, not a day or so. I personally enjoyed the questioning of the "Butcher." I don't know exactly what that says about me. LOL.

After taking the crime world apart like a tornado, the Don and the family have to get involved to avoid a full-blown war. River is in a bit of a situation by this point, but he's still feisty as ever. But, everything works out in the end, and at least for now, River and his new family have their happily ever after.

I really enjoyed Kirt Graves' narration. I recently listened to a fluke, where I had a hard time getting into his voicing. But, he portrays a wonderful Russian accent and kept the story going at just the right pace. His character differentiation was perfect, even if characters from the other series didn't sound exactly the same. His performance was spot on!

Pretty kitty becomes daddy

OMG! A Team A.L.P.H.A and Alphabits spin-off! I am so excited! And an Mpreg mafia series at that! Oh yes! My fluffy prayers were answered by the rainbow god! Now onto reviewing! 😛

River and Vasily are two very different men. River refuses to submit to Vasily even though he’s an omega and they are fated. And he has run away to escape his fate. Vasily is resigned but believed that River will eventually becomes his since they are fated. But now he has to focus on his 5 years old kid that he just found out that his. However fate has different ideas about patient waiting games and River and Vasily were soon reunited. Will River becomes Vasily’s and completes this adorable family?

Exciting, thrilling and fast-paced. Loved everything about the story. And man .. Kier Graves is doing a stellar job with the range of Russian accents. So yummy! 😋 I also love River is independent and fierce and how Don Vasily appreciates him for who he is. An excellent story with an adorable kid and a romantic love story. Can’t wait for more books in the series.


4.5 Pretty kitty becomes daddy stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫




Audio rating

Story - 4.25 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Narration - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall - 4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Great Start to a New Series

What do we get when we have a member of a vigilante group and a member of a mob family realize they are true mates? A Team A.L.P.H.A. and Alphabits spin-off series that is entertaining, sometimes sweet, yet filled with a few scenes that make you happy you are on the right side of the law!
We are introduced to both River and Vasily in previous books (Alphabits Series) as River is Leaf's brother and Vasily is Cyrus's brother. We even get a look at Petey, Vasily's son, in a previous Alphabits book. When Petey is taken and Vasily and River come together to work to find him, giving them a second chance at fate!
The characters are fun and snarky, yet lovable and Petey is so adorable! We are also given a bigger look into the Novak family, and are given a chance to know more about the brothers (that will hopefully be in later books!)!
The narration by Kirk Graves is amazing. The accents that he is able to perform give the story something extra. He does such an amazing job at conveying every emotion with just his voice, bringing these characters to life! I can't wait for more in this series!

...a RIVER runs through it..

Wow Oh Wow!! This was my first Audible.com book and what an amazing book to start will. They story, the characterization, the ebb and flow all had me feeling like I was there. River would be the man of my dreams!! 😉

adorable

love strength family . amazing in breaking stero types bears oh my amazon i purchased both copies

Family Ties

Thank you for the ARC audio I voluntarily give this book an honest review. River didn't want a mate but the fates just wasn't on his side as his scent blocker didn't do the trick he was so hoping for. Thinking he could get around the pull until Petey gets taken, River not only has his own hormones to fight off but now his true mate Vasily as well. Can they find Petey before the pull is to much or will River give in. Is a mate worth the risk of his freedom or is he miss guided? An awesome time listen to River "Pretty Kitty" with lil Petey. Kirt Graves did a amazing job of with these characters, so recommend this for an over all great list.
 

Great start to the series

If you don’t mind a few corny cliche mafia saying, extra hot sexy times, the obligatory senseless killing and cussing plus a bad ass snarky omega you love this book as much as I did. To top the listen off the narration by Kirt Graves is superb. Bring on book 2.

River is excellent!!

If you read the Alphabits series by these authors then you already know the two MCs here but even if you haven't this series can be started without missing any of the story line. Originally I wasn't sure if I would like River but after getting to know him better in this story he is now one of my favorites. I love that he doesn't let his status as an Omega rule who he is as a person. More importantly I am so glad that Vasily never once tried to change River, instead he embraced his mate and fought by his side without hesitation. Vasily never tried to keep River out of the fray or keep him away from the danger, rather he did the opposite and warned their enemies not to make River mad because they would regret it. I really liked getting an inside look into the Novak family and finding that they aren't these horrifying people just because they are mafia, instead they love and protect those that they love and they look out for the people in their world that can't protect themselves. I'm definitely looking forward to getting more stories from the Novak family. Kirt Graves did an excellent job with the narration!

A united front

When a little boy who stole his heart goes missing, River has no choice but to stop running.
Vasily wants his mate, but he wants to let him be his own person as well.
This spinoff from the Alphabits series was a great introduction to the Novak family.
We get to see these men at their best and see them not hold back.

River and Vasily in action was entertaining. The lengths they go to for their family is heartwarming.
I loved how understanding of River, Vasily was and how he did not stifle him.
I'm eager for the rest of the family to get their stories told.

The narration was engaging and the characters were voiced well with discernible characteristics and clear pronouncements.

River and Vasily

This is a wonderful start to a new series. It continues on after the Alphabits series. This a River and Vasily's story and when Petey goes missing it's River and Vasily that rescue him. I love how Petey gets his "pretty kitty". River isn't your typical omega and he can't avoid fate forever, but in the end he and Vasily do work well together. I recommend this book and can't wait for more.
Narrator Kirt Graves does another fabulous job.