review || THE SALVATION IN VENGEANCE { blog tour }

 

The Salvation of Vengeance by Nancy Haviland 

Publisher:
Series: Wanted Men, book 2
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Organized Crime

Source: NetGalley

Purchase links || amazon | bn || add to goodreads

Rating: ★★★★★

Only something as important as her best friend’s wedding to mob boss Gabriel Moretti could allow Nika Paynne a reprieve from captivity. Her abusive husband has kept her under his thumb with footage of her beloved brother, Caleb, killing another man. But the respite from her violent life isn’t the only draw. Vincente Romani—Gabriel’s deadliest guardian—will be one of the best men at the wedding, and Nika has lingering thoughts about the fascinating mobster…covetous thoughts that may put her life in danger.

With the heartbreak he’s suffered and the brutality he effortlessly delivers, Vincente knows he’s the last person who can offer Nika a happily-ever-after. But his vow remains. He will do everything in his power to free his redhead from her violent prison—even if that means losing her forever.

In the second thrilling and passionate Wanted Men book, a dangerous line is drawn between loyalty to the mob and loyalty to one’s heart. 

about Nancy || Nancy Haviland writes about her alpha mobsters and their ladies from her home near Toronto, Ontario. She has three children, an arrogant but playful kitty named Talbot, and she adores her Tim Horton's coffee, as any self-respecting Canadian would. She writes contemporary romantic suspense but will happily read anything that involves two people smooching. 

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{ review } .

Just a quick word...

I've already reviewed this title. So this is kind of a reprieve of my March 24th post -- but no worries, I've changed it up just a little bit. When you have so many thoughts on a title, it's easy to write two separate reviews. In fact, it means you can share different thoughts.

Second word? The first review didn't have the glorious playlist above. 

I love playlists. Music is such an awesome thing, and I love that some songs make me think of scenes, and some songs are very much the theme song of particular scenes.

The first song above, The First Defeat? One, I love Noah's voice, but two, that song is so very Nika. When I hear the lyrics, I hear a little bit of Nika and Kevin, and I hear a little bit of Nika and Vincente. In fact, I hear a bit of Vincente and Nika (yes, there's a difference in Nika and Vincente, and Vincente and Nika.

But the best song on the playlist? Trying Not To Love You by Nickelback.

'Cause trying not to love you, only goes so far

And trying not to need you, is tearing me apart

Can't see the silver lining, from down here on the floor

And I just keep on trying, but I don't know what for

'Cause trying not to love you

Only makes me love you more

But then again, India.Arie's Ready To Love, and Marianas Trench's Beside You, are so very good for this book, too! They fit this story to a perfect T.

In the first book, you know and understand that Nika has been abused in some way or form from her husband. In this book, you learn the extent to which she is abused and the "reasons" why, as well as the reasons why she puts up with it.

Nika is one strong woman -- but with each beating, she slowly loses herself. She begins to lose that headstrong woman and becomes one with trust and intimacy issues. She doubts the power she has over men, as she's only been the victim.

Vincente has been entranced with Nika since the day in Seattle that he stole her lips with his. He has a hard time with it -- first, because she's Paynne's sister, but also because of all that she goes through. He hurts for her but knows she deserves so much better than him.

Watching these two battle their inner wars was quite the journey. The turmoil both felt could have been easily fixed if they simply stated what they were feeling -- such as when in the Astoria apartment. Both of their minds were reeling and going on and on about how the other was simply too good for them, how the other wouldn't want them... 

All Vincente wants is to see Nika smile. He wants to help her out of her terrible situation, and when he learns the true ins and outs of Nika's pain, he is in pain, and he has a need for vengeance.

Gotta love when drunken honesty makes it's appearance, though. Because while Nika's true thoughts come out, and repeating things again and again, Vincente's possessive thoughts take a lead role in his mind as well, even with thoughts as simple as

She launched herself at the handsome little shit... As she continued, babbling about how silly and adorable Eva's protective instincts were, Vincente stared. At her. In another man's arms. Her fingers absently playing with the hair at Alesio's nape. Her body pressed against his. Her beautiful lips--which had now tasted Gabriel's cousin!--mere inches from possibly doing so again. Her undivided attention on the handsome face that belonged to a guy closer to her own age than Vincente was.

I don't know about you, but I can feel Vincente's jealousy. Then again, he does sort of snap on her after that, jealousy rage and all that schnazz.

I loved how much Vincente wanted vengeance for Nika. Everyone could see the pain in her eyes, and when the pain in her eyes matched the marks on her body, Vincente knew better than to believe that Kevin had run and was forever out of the picture. However, Vincente has his own demons -- he failed his sister, and failing Nika is something he simply cannot fathom.

I knew right away when it was announced that Nika and Vincente's story was next, that I'd love every minute of it. Nancy was sure to warn me that Nika had a few more rock-bottoms to hit before her happily ever after occurred, but I knew without a doubt that Vincente was the man that would help her through.

...he’d lost two women that had held places in his heart. His mother and sister. Why would he volunteer to lose another—not that Nika thought she was dear to him—at the hands of a crazed husband out to kill his wife?

Or maybe it was all wishful thinking on her part. Regardless, she wanted to hold him, be held by him. She wanted to laugh with him, see him laugh, cry with him, be still and serious with him. She thought Kevin had destroyed her, but the truth was, her husband didn’t have anywhere near the power over her that Vincente did.

I also knew that Vincente needed something to help ease the guilt in his mind, and the feisty redhead with the pretty green eyes was going to be the one to do it. Everyone needs their salvation, and Nika is certainly his.

I loved Gabriel and Eva... I love Vincente and Nika. 

(Gah, I can't wait to see more of these two couples...!)

Which can only mean that the next book, Maks? Well, I already like the man. Know who else I love and can't wait to see more of? Lore (...and his old chemistry partner, maybe?!). I don't think he could ever be a dirty cop, but I have a feeling that he's going to keep being roped into this gang of men.

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