Mine to Protect

Blood and Bourbon: A Mafia Romance Series, Book 1

De: Emily A. Myers

Narrado por: Elisabeth Knight, Finnley Cole

"I'm going to have my hands full with you, aren't I?"

"Did you expect anything less?"

The Blood and Bourbon series is a mafia romance series of three interconnected standalones, all featuring happily ever afters. Mine to Protect, the first book in the series, introduces the King of New Orleans in this dual POV, forbidden love romance.

Alister Amato is rich, powerful, and feared by all who know the truth. He’s the Blood King, a mafia boss with a lust for blood and an infinite reach. Everything in me screams I should stay away. But when my Organized Crime Task Force is called to investigate the slaughter of a rival criminal syndicate, I know that isn’t an option. The way the men were killed is something I’ve only seen once before—eighteen years ago when my mother was murdered and I was orphaned. I don’t know how my mother wound up in the clutches of the mafia. But, after all this time, I will stop at nothing to discover the truth. Even if it means aligning myself with the dangerous, mysterious, and undeniably handsome, Blood King.

They call me King, but I am nothing but a prisoner. The world of darkness I belong to has stolen everything from me—my mother, my sister, my happiness, my freedom. Most of all, it has stolen my ability to love. If it weren’t for my sister, Sophia, I would walk away from the throne I never wanted and let New Orleans burn. But even that would not set me free. My name and my blood have placed a target on my back and cursed anyone who stands beside me to the same fate. Which is why when FBI agent Ariana Valentine weasels her way into my life and heart, I do everything I can not to fall for her. My love is a death sentence. And, after everything this world has taken from me, I won’t let it take her too. Even if it means I have to walk away from the only woman I’ve ever allowed myself to love.

©2022 Emily A. Myers (P)2025 Emily A. Myers

Mmm Mafia

I love a good mafia romance series. This book has longing, forbidden love, and great narrators that bring out the best in the story.

The story was okay.

The story was okay, but seemed like it was missing something. The MCs had little to no chemistry and I didn’t understand how/why they were able to develop feelings for each other so quickly. Especially since they had only spent seven days around one another(or at least that’s how it seemed).

The audiobook is partial duet narration. The narration was okay.

Intrigue Action and Romance

Sometimes I just want to escape in a world with intrigue and action, and so unlike my own. This one for the bill. Alister is feared by most as New Orleans Mafia boss, and he is seeking revenge for his late sister. FBI agent Ariana has her own agenda when she is tasked with the investigation. Together, they work towards the seeking the truth and ultimately towards a slow-burn, sensual, forbidden romantic relationship. I enjoyed the pacing of the plot, the secrets revealed, the intimate and spicy moments, and the main characters’ barriers that crumbled.
The duet narration of Elisabeth Knight and Finnley Cole created a compelling listening experience with their engaging voices and emotions—I was entrapped in the their world and didn’t want to leave.
I had the opportunity to read in preparation for the third book in the series, thoughts are my own.