Reaper

Boston Underworld, Book 2

De: Ashleigh Zavarelli

Narrado por: Tracy Marks

Sasha.

He's dark and mysterious. Quiet and lethal.

An Irish mobster.

Pure sin wrapped up in a beautiful package.

But there's also something off about him.

He doesn't feel anything. He shows no emotions.

Sometimes, I question his humanity.

He hasn't spoken to me in two years. Not a single word.

But we share a secret, he and I.

And if it ever comes out, I have no doubt in my mind....

He won't have a problem killing me, too.

Ronan.

I've slain for her. I'll do it again.

When it comes to Sasha, there isn't a line I won't cross.

I watch her. She doesn't know it.

She thinks I hate her. Sometimes, I think I might, too.

But I'm always there, lurking in the shadows.

Craving her. Trying to keep the beast within at bay.

I'll keep her safe. I'll slaughter anyone who tries to hurt her.

The only thing I can't do...is protect her from myself.

This is a full-length standalone novel full of hot Irish guys with accents. Dark mafia themes throughout. HEA included.

©2016 A. Zavarelli (P)2016 A. Zavarelli

The Irish Mob are a wee bit scary

Wow!! Well, that was an interesting experience. The Irish Mob sure do look a wee bit different to the Irish mob of blokes I’ve met up till now. My encounters with anyone from Ireland so far includes the “to be sure, to be sure” variety, not the “I’ll blow your bleedin brains” type. I’ve even been to Ireland and stayed in a relative’s rundown castle (which was bloody cold) and managed to avoid any scary types. The scariest things I experienced in Ireland was their driving and maybe overdosing on potatoes. Fried potatoes for breakfast, chips for lunch and roast potatoes for dinner. I like potatoes, but not to eat them at breakfast lunch and dinner. So, to meet the mob and see this side of Ireland was a real eye-opener.

The audio of Reaper was everything I thought it would be and more. I was sitting on the train listening to some pretty horrific scenes practically hunched up in a ball. I was seriously freaked out to the extent that I was looking around waiting for a knife or gun to be pulled out by someone around me. The narrator, Tracy Marks, does an awesome job of grabbing your attention and making you feel like you’re part of the scene. I think I was mostly affected by the violence more than anything. The sexy times were frequent but to be honest, listening to them on audio is way different to reading them. For one, I don’t normally have an audience when I start to get twitchy. Secondly, I’m still convinced everyone around me can overhear it, so I’m forever turning the volume up and down depending on the level of profanity. When it comes to the accents, I felt that the narrator did a really good job. It’s hard enough to do accents let alone change from a male to a female character. I’m adding Tracy Marks to my favourite narrator's list. Not necessarily for her voice but because she brings emotion and feeling to the characters that other narrators just can’t do as well.

Storyline…I knew after reading Crow that this book was going to be very, very interesting. Poor bloody Ronan. That man…I just wanted…I just needed to give him a hug. The horrors he faced and lived through were unbelievable. No child should have seen let alone lived through that. It bloody scares me that children are used in this way, but then again we know, not just in Ireland but worldwide there are children being used and abused. I’m glad that Ronan and his Mum were there for him in the end.

I really want to think that this is all from the author’s imagination, but to some extent, I could imagine it to be real. Even though I mentioned I’ve only met the “to be sure, to be sure” Irish, I know there are the “I’ll blow your bleedin brains” too. I remember the news reports of bombings and violent protests. We heard U2 sing about Sunday, bloody Sunday and saw movies like In The Name of the Father. Innocent people die and there’s always the wrongly accused fighting to be heard. So, I knew that Ireland isn’t just four leaf clovers and leprechauns, but it still shocked me to see this side of Ireland.

Sasha has had a hard life. Her mother is dying of cancer and she’s the only one available to financially support her. Sasha’s dad is dead and her sister is in another state studying. Sasha doesn’t want this life for her sister so tries to shield her as much as possible. Look, I felt sorry for Sasha, but I definitely felt that she brought some of her problems on herself. Yes, I’m quick to judge, but she seemed to just keep falling into the same traps over and over again.

The relationship between Ronan and Sasha is a little strange. Ronan is obsessed with her and even though Sasha knows it, she doesn’t know the extent he has gone to and will go to, to protect her. It’s a little…no, probably more accurate to say a lot unhealthy the way the relationship starts, but you always know there’s something different about Ronan. Ronan’s past has made him unable to have normal relationships. He doesn’t recognise love, is uncomfortable being touched and generally only knows violence. Sasha knows all of this but refuses to see just this. She wants what’s underneath. She wants to push past his vulnerable shell and bring him out just for her. Ronan does eventually come out of his shell…just because it’s what Sasha wants.

I really enjoyed the audio of Reaper. The author drags you into the seedier, violent side of the Boston Underworld and takes you for a ride. This series is awesome and I can’t wait to meet more of these crazy Irish Mobsters.

This book was intense and raw.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have recommended this book to my friends who love a good dark story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Reaper?

Flashbacks to Ronan's childhood were so sad, the time flash backed to when he turned 8 made me want to hug my kids.

What does Tracy Marks bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The accents are so real and really make the story.

Any additional comments?

This book is gritty, raw and real. I think this book will stick in my head for a while. It's not a beautiful romantic love story between Ronan and Sasha, it's a dirty story of love, hurt and plenty of ups and downs.

Another great addition to the Boston Underworld Series!

If you have not read the first book you should. It was outstanding! This one is another great addition to the amazing series!

Sasha and Ronan is an emotional love story with ups and downs. Ronan did not have a traditional upbringing. He was abused and trained to be a killer.

Sasha cares for her sick mother and has a very judgmental sister. She is broken from all the abuse she has endured from Blaine & Donavan.

It's an emotional rollercoaster with them but you get to understand why Ronan is the way he is.

The narrator does an outstanding job bringing the story to life. The story is told on multiple points of view. The story wraps up perfectly with an Epilogue. I love HEA! No Cliffhangers!

**This audiobook was provided free of charge in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion**

Phenomenal combo of Ashleigh Zavarelli & Tracy Marks!

From start to finish...just a great story, awesome writing, and the narration is the best!!
Unloveable, untouchable, unreachable "Reaper" and the girl who breaks down his walls is the main story, but so much more going on to hold your interest. I love that he really doesn't know what he can and can't feel, not it's not yet another love story where he is trying to be an arrogant jerk that just doesn't want to get involved. You can't help but love this complicated man.
Seriously you won't regret this story!! Go!

OMG OMG!!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Reaper to be better than the print version?

I think its comparable!

What did you like best about this story?

The diaper scene in audio was even more epic!

What about Tracy Marks’s performance did you like?

She did an outstanding performance!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

“Damaged souls have their own beauty. A dark, terrifying beauty. The same type of beauty I recognize in Ronan.”