Torched Spades

Marchesi Empire, Book 1

By: Cora Kenborn

Narrated by: Kai Kennicott, Alan Carlson

Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

From USA Today best-selling author Cora Kenborn comes the Marchesi Empire, a forbidden enemies-to-lovers dark mafia romance duet.

Never flirt with fire....

Eight weeks ago, Johnny Malone showed up at my office, flipping a playing card between his fingers like I was wasting his time. Me. The one with the PhD. The one a self-confessed arsonist came to for help in controlling his "urges". The one he visits every week and undresses with his eyes.

Lethal dark eyes that drown me in fiery lust and constant lies.

But the deeper I sink, the more those ethical lines blur, and his charm overshadows his inner demons.

Ones with no family, no friends, and no past.

Just a standing Tuesday appointment.

He's hiding from something.

Or someone....

And I intend to find out.

I've always had strict rules about men: No liars. No patients. No criminals. In one afternoon, I broke all three.

They say you should never play with fire....

Now I know why.

Torched Spades is book one in the Marchesi Empire Duet. The conclusion, Tortured Hearts, will release in late 2022.

Torched Spades contains dark subject matter. Please refer to the author's note at the front of the book for more details.

©2022 Cora Kenborn (P)2023 Pink Flamingo Productions

Torched Spades

Really you just had to end the book like that, just when things were about to get Really good. now we have to wait. ahhh 😮‍💨😠 Okay guys this is a really good start to this series, I couldn't stop listening to it. this book had me hooked from the beginning. talk about family drama. I'm still trying to figure out what the Dr dad is hiding and also Jonny. so many secrets and lies. man now I have to wait for the next book I hope it comes out soon. the narrators did a really good job .

So enjoyed this audiobook!

Having first picked this story up when it released I've been wanting to experience it again. As soon as I found out about this audiobook I knew I had to listen to it. I started it as soon as I could and got right back into the Marchesi Empire world! I so enjoyed this listen!

Having listened to both Kai Kennicott and Alan Carlson many times before I was so happy when I found out that these two narrators were joining forces for this audiobook! Kai as Becca and Alan as Johnny were both so great! I thoroughly enjoyed the way both Kai and Alan pulled me right back into this world and everything they made me feel through their narration.

Becca and Johnny's journey once again had my attention quickly! A person can walk into your life and truly shake up your world in more ways than one, something Becca knows all too well when it comes to Johnny. Will risking so much be everything for these two?

I really liked the different way Becca and Johnny were brought into each other's lives. These two and their story kept me on my toes and feeling so much from start to finish! From the electric heat of their chemistry to the darkness and everything in between, I was so into these two and their story.

With Torched Spades, Ms.Kenborn has created such a good and dark mafia read that I wanted to keep listening to! I so need more! Plus, Kai and Alan's narration was absolutely wonderful and I adored what their narration brought to the story!

Terrific Story & Narration🎧 Riveting & Twisted!

Cora Kenborn continues to blow me away with another amazing romantic suspense. The story is original with interesting storylines that are captivating from start to end. The world building and character development is fantastic, and I loved the mystery behind the lead character, Johnny Malone, a pyrophilia, is mandated by the court to see a psychiatrist and that is not sitting well with him, so he keeps intimidating them and they no longer want to see him. His probation officer assigns him to his third psychiatrist, Dr. Rebecca “Becca” Brennan, and he has finally met his match, she is up for the challenge and does not allow him to intimidate her. Johnny goes above and beyond in his interest of her, looks in to her private life and her past, and he is not liking what he finds, not for himself but for her. Her father is the police chief, and he knows he is not on the straight and narrow, but she doesn’t, well not that we know of yet. Johnny is not the only mysterious one in this book, there are others who are hiding things and information. Kenborn does a great job keeping you thinking and on your toes. The chemistry between Becca and Johnny was sizzling hot and the push and pull, give and take, was amazing. A lot goes on in this book and there is never a dull moment. It is a cleverly plotted the story with perfect balance of of drama, angst, mystery, twists and turns, action, thrilling suspense and some steamy romance. And the next book can not come out soon enough because that ending leaves you wanting more and needing to know what happens next. Cora Kenborn, thank you for another amazing story and the wild ride. 

🎧📚🎧 And for the fantastic narration, Kai Kennicott and Alan Carlson were the perfect cast to bring these characters to life and did so with a complete understanding of who they were portraying, giving each a voice that fit that character’s persona making them believable in every role they played. Kennicott nailed it as Becca grasped all sides of her personality, her strength and confidence. Carlson’s Johnny was spot on, grasped his demeanor completely. Both were great performing the roles of the secondary characters too. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and projected them into their performance and had you feeling every single one. These are versatile voice artists are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another amazing listen.

Torched Spades

This is book 1 in the Marchesi Empire series. This is an amazing book. Johnny is such an interesting character. Becca becomes his court appointed therapist. Johnny is who he claims to be. I need book 2 immediately!! Kai Kennicott and Alan Carlson did a phenomenal job narrating this book.

WOW

I'd actually give this book like a 4.5, but we can round that up. I really enjoyed listening to this one. Both narrators did an excellent job. As a Jersey girl who married an Italian who has an extremally deep voice, Alan Carlson kind of reminded me of the way he sounds. But still, If I had to bet money, I'd say that he is NOT a natural New Jerseyian. Its just slightly off, IMO.
The story itself was really good. My only problem with it is that I felt that some of it was a little on the predictable side. But that could just be me. I've been listening to a lot of similar books lately, for some reason. I can't wait for book 2 to hit audible. They left us in a KILLER cliff hanger! Please don't leave us hanging too long!

#PinkFlamingo
#TheFlockViPReview

Forbidden “Fire” in Torched Spades

Johnny and Becca’s relationship starts off complicated and begins to intensify as it progresses. He is highly encouraged to be her next therapy patient by his probation officer. She must maintain a professional relationship while he pushes the boundaries.
Alan Carlson does a superb job portraying Johnny and multiple other characters Kai Kennicott brings Becca off the pages. I enjoyed listening to Cora’s words become the tantalizing story I read.
I highly recommend listening to this audiobook
I’m anticipating the next book in the duet, Tortured Hearts

Twisted Mystery

So many questions! Danger, lies, twists and turns. This story is a twisted web of mayhem and obsession. Kai Kennicott and Alan Carlson brought this story to life!

Dark and steamy

🔥♠️ Torched Spades 🔥♠️

Marchese Empire #1

“.. even in darkness, he brought color to my muted world.”

When it comes to audiobooks, there’s a certain role that has to be filled when imagining the characters of the current book you’re reading. I am relatively new to the work of Kai Kennicott and Alan Carlson, and these two did an impeccable job at filling each character’s role. Their collaborative energy made this book so much more enjoyable.

Dr. Becca Brennan has her work cut out for her when she accepts a new transfer patient, Johnny “Torch” Malone. Providence’s bad boy is back in town serving his term of probation, but his weekly visits with Dr. Brennan have him thirsting for more than a Dr/patient relationship. Their chemistry is sizzling hot! So if you’re up for a dark and steamy romance that is filled with tons of action and danger, then have a go at this duet. Can’t wait to continue their story in Tortured Hearts.

hero or villian

why are you ending with a cliffhanger. I need the next book asap.
oh the plot twists and turns. Who is the hero and who is the villain.
as a child who witness a brutal crime to growing up and analyzing criminals. to falling in love with the exact thing you stand agaisnt.

Book 1 - and I need more!

This is book 1 in Kenborn's Marchesi Empire series. A dark and twisted start to a new series that will captivate from start to finish and leave you begging for more! Dual narration by Kennicott and Carlson is perfection. These two vocals complement each other so well and the accent given to our main character Johnny is amazing. So - our main characters are Johnny and Becca. Both have mysteries swarming around them and just when you think you have something figured out our fabulous author throws yet another twist in the mix. I am obsessed with these characters and storyline. I so want a HEA but at this point I just don't know how that could ever happen. I think my favorite scene is when these two met in the courthouse but there are so many moments that are full of prominent wisdom and sayings that had me mentally gasping at the truth and relativeness it provided while at the same time causing more confusion in the mystic of the overall storyline. A wonderful mix of dark mystery and sizzling chemistry all while your questioning who can be trusted...until we get access to book 2, Tortured Hearts, I guess we'll have to keep guessing...

This book was given to me for free at my request and I voluntarily provided this review.