Dark Succession

By: Katee Robert

Narrated by: Charlotte North

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times bestselling author of Radiant Sin delivers a smoking hot series about the O'Malley family—wealthy, powerful, dangerous and seething with scandal.

Teague O'Malley hates everything associated with his family's name. And when his father orders him to marry Callista Sheridan to create a "business" alliance, Teague's ready to cut ties once and for all. But then Teague actually meets Callista, sees the bruises on her neck and the trauma in her eyes and vows he will do everything in his power to avenge her.

Everyone knows the O'Malleys are dangerous. But Callie wasn't prepared for his brand of lethal grace and coiled power. His slightest touch scorches through her. But the closer they get, the more trouble they're in. Because Callie's keeping a dark secret—and what Teague doesn't know could get him killed.

©2015 Katee Robert (P)2015 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Dark, dirty, and dead sexy."—Tiffany Reisz, bestselling author of the Original Sinners series

"Roberts easily pulls off the modern marriage-of-convenience trope...This is a compulsively readable book! It's more than just sexy times, too, though they are plentiful and hot! It's also the gangster politics, familial responsibility and just the right amount of suspense that makes this a yummy read and an excellent start to a new series."—Romantic Times

A good mix of action and romance

Good mix of action and romance. I thought the H/H went together well. Both were brave, smart and also, from a physical description, really meshed. This is the first book I have read, in what seems a long time, where the author really presented comparable characters. I am so glad the heroine was not portrayed as an emotional mess without coping skills, too hard to get along with or just down right dumb beyond belief. That seems to be the norm for too many authors these days! I have refused to finish books for that reason. I will be following this author- I hope all this author's books prove to be like this.

Entertaining for sure

This was a very great story. It was the first for me with this type of story line, kind of flipped. I would have liked more, kinda felt like the story was not finished.

My opinion of "The Marriage Contract"

The story was good. It was written mostly in a third person narrative. The erotica portions of the story were less than desirable. I would not consider this book as erotica. I think it's more of a Romance/Drama with limited adult situations & language. The narrator was fair.

A good listen

This is the first book I've listened to by this author. It was interesting but not exceptional. I will listen to another book by her.

Good starter to the series

The plot is set in Boston. The background mob families, there are three. The story revolves around the son's and daughters. The basic idea is that the sons are forced into the family business at some level and have no life. The daughters are treated like chattel and are married off to consolidate power among the families.

And so it is with Teague O'Malley and Callista Sheridan. One fly in the ointment is Teague and Callista, although only having just met, actually come to like each other. The plot is all about over coming family obstacles and outside forces. Callista pulled the trigger and the fun gets going. There is action from the first page -- so hold on to your headsets.

This is a suspenseful novel with some pretty racy scenes, so you have to up for it. The underworld is not exceptionally gritty but it is there. If you are okay with the mob backdrop, you will like this first novel.

I really like this book!

I love the modern-day italian mob families. Callie is so sweet and I love how she and Teague came together.. It was nice to see the behind the scenes of family drama. And the spicy was right on point!

Great Story

This was a great story...very different twist on the Romance/Suspense angle...Calli just beats herself up so bad for simply defending herself. Loved Teague. He jumped in and swept the girl off her feet. The only thing I don't like is the end of the felt rushed. The last 2 chapters are very good then you get to the end and you feel like there should be more or something was left out. Charlotte North's performance was awesome. She really brought the characters to life. I would recommend this bok to anyone.

Married to the Mob

Not much of a mob/romance fan simply because of all the drama,death and an impossible happily ever after.Great narration,Charlotte does a great Boston accent.Some really great steamy scenes.Unfortunately the rift between families causing death,loss and too much heart ache seems like an awful waste and not really my thing.

enjoyed it

I loved it was a good story. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series

AN ACTION PACKED ARRANGED MARRIAGE

Three Irish Crime Families - the O'Malley's, the Halloran's and the Sheridan's and, in order to make an alliance between the H. and the S. an arranged marriage has been made.... between the strong but fearful Callie, only heir to the S. Family and Brendan a brutal, ruthless and evil son in the H. Family. However, when Brendan was found murdered another alliance and another groom had to be found for Callie.... and this time it's the handsome Teague O'Malley that's been chosen but he's not happy - not with the business nor the fact that he has to marry at all..... until he sees his intended bride. Because the bruises around her slim neck and the haunted look in her beautiful blue eyes brought out his protective side..... well that and the whole instant lust/attraction/sizzling chemistry thing that was going on between them which put a smile on both their faces.

The S.'s and the O'.s might be happy but the volatile H.'s are out for blood and they don't care who they have to hurt to get the name of the person who killed Brendan.... and sometimes they just hurt for the fun of it. Teague and Callie's feelings grew as they got to know each other and they managed to spend some sexy times together too but this was in between beatings, threats, failed peace talks, wedding preparations, bullets, blood, murder, revenge, retribution, a kidnapping, a harrowing escape and a BIG secret that started it all.

Apart from it being a really good romance, this laid the foundation of the three Families and the many siblings within them and was a riveting story because, right from the start, it hooks you in as the dramatic first few Chapters then leads you into an action-packed story as someone unwittingly lit the fuse that would ignite Underworld chaos. Multiple POV's but mainly the Hero and Heroines, packed full of secondary characters whose books will hopefully follow and the narration was good. There are also lighter scenes too.

Worth a credit? It's a really enjoyable and drama packed start to the powerful O'Malley's, it's an introduction to the lifestyle and characters of three Crime Families and it's also a tender, sweet and romantic love story between two of those characters who just want peace..... and to be left to fall in love. Yes, there was insta-everything, so anyone who's not a fan of that shouldn't buy this.... but for everyone else this gets the green light from me.... YES creditworthy.