Ruin: A Mafia Romance (The Corruption Book 2)

4.5 stars Oh holy dangerous romance…this 2nd installment in the Songs of Corruption series was ramped up on every level. The soul baring love, the threats, the danger, the stakes…all of it was so much more intense.This story picks up right where book 1 left off, and while Theresa and Antonio decided they had to be together, it was not so black and white. And that’s what made it feel so real, how the two of them were constantly weighing the options of whether their love was worth it. Of course the answer was always yes, but I loved watching them work through the internal conflicts, how they each realized life without the other was just so bland.When Antonio said that Theresa smelled like home to him…it all just made sense to me, I swear I got chills. The clarity of how much it meant to have her in his life was overwhelming. They were made for each other even though they had come from totally different worlds. When Antonio said that, that right there was amazing. When Theresa said that she was never loved like that before, that it was so wildly life changing…it was fantastic that she knew with her soul that Antonio was right for her too. Their connection was undeniable.How was it possible that the sex was so hot every single time?? I have no idea, but man oh man it was always on fiyahhhhh. Trust.So…I will admit…I struggled with Antonio wanting to leave Theresa, it’s one storyline I never ever like. You know, that selfless act to save the other, that in the end they will be better off and find happiness with a new lover…it’s a pretty big pet peeve of mine. I know it’s a common one used, but I never love it. I just wished he had a different plan than that one.There were still quite a lot of secondary characters, but this time around I knew who they were. The enemy Paulie still made some appearances, as did Daniel. Some of those interactions surprised me. (Yes, I’m vague!) I also saw more of Margie and Jonathan as well and I really liked both of them. I can’t figure out exactly why, but I really don’t care for Katrina. Maybe I’d like her more if I knew her better, but she seemed very phony and only about her own (failing) agenda. However, I have a feeling her part in the story isn’t over so I’m curious to see if my mind can be changed about her.The ending in the epilogue…oh I didn’t expect *that*, but I think I’m seeing a set up. I’m hoping I’m wrong and it’s a twist, but I do think I can guess the plot twist. What? You’ll have to read for yourself to find out and please let me know because I want to talk about it with someone! Also, I can’t wait for Rule to come out. I am ready!Would I rec this? Oh hell yes! This is a fantastic, sexy, naughty, mafia romantic suspense that will have you on the edge of your seat as you fall even deeper in love.Happy reading!

“Antonio, the catalyst of my dissolution, the destroyer of my façade.”Songs of Corruption is the whirlwind saga of alleged mobster Antonio Spinelli and Theresa Drazen. It’s a sequel series to Songs of Submission and Songs of Perdition and thus most enjoyed if read after and in order:Book 1: SpinBook 2: RuinBook 3: UntitledIn SPIN (book 1) heiress, socialite, part-time script supervisor and former head of accountingTheresa Drazen, Tink aka Contessa met a man who rocked her world and gave her an excuse to break out of her good-girl-mold. Attorney, business owner and “alleged” mobster, money launderer and murderer Antonio Spinelli, Spin aka Capo wasn’t looking to complicate his life, but Theresa intrigued him.With little in common and much to lose they couldn’t seem to stay away. Story went on to follow Antonio and Theresa as they fought their attraction and managed to get themselves linked and entwined with the darker side of Hollywood’s organized crime, corruption and politics and making enemies all around…RUIN (book 2) opens up to the aftermath of decisions made in book 1. The intensity of their attraction and sexual chemistry is fierce. But they are worlds apart with everything stacked against them. It’s like two parallel universes; them in a cocoon of hot, steamy intense and angry sex and then the outside world filled with secrets, betrayal, jealousy, treachery, ambition, corruption and danger.Much of story focuses on events and developments that only underscore how hopeless their future is. But neither Antonio nor Theresa have gotten to their respective places in life by being easily deterred. Along the way they come to an understanding of what needs to be done.Follow them, in their against-all-odd’s love, as they attempt to take control of a high-stakes game while the worlds of cut-throat politics, competitive movie industry and ruthless organized crime collide for Songs of Corruption.“The only way out is through.”ANTONIO SPINELLI, SPIN aka CAPO: 35 years/Italian/$$$$/Attorney/Biz owner/Alleged mobser, money launderer & murder/Black hair/Black eyes/6’.Antonio Spinelli, Spin aka Capo opens up in this story, and getting his POV was beyond exhilarating. That said the complexity of this man and his emotions still made me feel like we only scratched the surface. Eight words to describe Antonio: Captivating, loyal, commanding, conflicted, enigmatic, elusive, possessive and ruthless.“God, that piece of meat between his legs was a beautiful sight.”THERESA DRAZEN, TINK aka CONTESSA: 34 years/American/$$$$/Heiress & socialite/Former head of client accounting/Part-time movie script supervisor/Red hair/Blue eyes/Petite & curvy/Jonathan’s sister.Theresa Drazen, Tink aka Contessa is breaking away from her good-girl image, but I suspect there is much more to come. Eight words to describe Theresa: Poised, compassionate, smart, ambitious, loyal, gutsy, restless and graceful.“She could rule the world. She already ruled me.”RUIN offers the very best of sex, danger, intrigue and suspense where only the villains seem to come out ahead. Be prepared to for some painful and heartbreaking sacrifices along the way.This roller-coaster of emotions ends with certainty amongst chaos and significant ties to Songs of Submission series. It is my recommendation to read that series before reading book 3 in this series. I am looking forward to much more complications in book 3 before the conclusion of their saga.Spellbinding storytelling! Brilliant plot! Intense, dirty and scorching sex scenes! Well developed and complex characters! Larger-than-life Antonio Spinelli!“More than wanting you for myself, I want you to have a good life.”***Hero rating: 5+ starsHeroine rating: 4 starsSexual tension rating: 5 starsSex scenes rating: 5 starsSex scenes frequency: 5 starsPlot rating: 5 starsDialogue rating: 5 starsStorytelling rating: 5 starsStory ending rating: N/ABook editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): N/A************************************************Overall rating: 5 starsWould I recommend this series: Yes.Would I re-read this series: Yes.Would I read future books by this author: Yes.A gifted copy was provided to me by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, this gritty, dirty, passionate, and combustible couple are full force in Ruin. I gobbled up their brand of crazy with fervor! I need my own Capo. It is a must that you read book one Spin prior to starting this. The saga continues with Theresa being held in a type of prison she can never walk away from: Antonio Spinelli.Their world isn’t pretty. Neither of their worlds are, really. Just because Theresa comes from wealth and has a pedigree of sorts means nothing. The darkness that slithers in her family shows in her. Her need to be hurt, only Antonio can give her countered with love. They will perfectly ruin each other.There is so much action and plotting. Families are at odds and old world ways are clamoring for light in the new. Simply put, it’s brilliant in a godfather kinda way.

Ruin (Songs of Corruption #2) by CD Reiss5 stars!!“She was going to be the death of me, and I was suicidal. I would kill for her, or I’d be killed by her, but no matter what, someone was getting anointed in oil and put in a pine box . God willing, it would be me and not her.”OMG!! What have I just read!! I have to say that Ruin has been the best CD Reiss book I have read. I was totally smitten after Spin but I am now totally RUINED after Ruin. Capo has taken over my heart and my head.Antonio “Capo” Spinelli…how can I describe him to do him justice…he is gorgeous, he is sexy as hell, he is fiercely protective, he is one hot alpha, he talks and f**ks dirty, he is one badass but he is my Capo. He oozes sex appeal, he leaves puddles where he walks and poor Theresa did not stand a chance with our Mafia man. But and this is a big BUT…he didn’t stand a chance either. These two were destined to be together and even He thought so too. The chemistry between these two is palpable, my kindle could have literally combusted with the words that I was reading, these two are unmistakably perfect for each other, and they say opposites attract but these two were fused, they were one. The intense sexual chemistry that these two exuded was inferno hot, but not only that, their emotional connection was intense, stunningly powerful and virtually indestructible.“He was erect in less than a minute, and when he carried me to the bedroom, I fell into a suit of armor.”Theresa… their back grounds could never have been more different. Coming from money and a super-rich family with connections, she would never have wanted for anything. She was as straight laced as they came until she met her Capo. There was no brain washing going on here, she went into this with her eyes wide open. She knew the risks and she was willing to shed her Miss Perfect title and do whatever was needed to keep her and her Capo together. This was one of those unconditional loves, it was pure, it was raw, it should have been toxic, but it wasn’t, it was just beautiful.The change in Theresa in Ruin is huge, long gone is our number crunching DA’s fiancée…in Ruin we have a woman fit to be Mafioso’s wife. She shows a cunning side, she is a planner, fiercely loyal, fiercely protective and fiercely devoted. She was willing to go to the dark side for her Capo, things that could have never been undone, but things that showed just how dedicated and trustworthy she was and this did not go unnoticed by Antonio.“She was my hope, that woman, standing so straight as she crossed the street. She could rule the world. She already ruled me.”Antonio was forever fighting inner demons and outside factions, he did not want his Contessa sullied, he wanted to keep her pure and clean, keep her on the periphery. Antonio was unprepared for what a fire cracker he had unleashed, with every turn she surprised him. Her determination, her grit and her faith in him and them as a couple was unwavering, she was in it for the long haul and no matter what he did or said, her Capo was her future and she was never going to stand in the shadows, she was going to stand by his side.“I love you. You are my only, my one and only. And if I have to turn my life upside down, or go to hell to be with you, so be it.” “That’s not to be undertaken lightly.” “It never was. Never,”I cannot convey into words how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the writing style is phenomenal. So beautifully and descriptively written you felt that you were there, I was living the life, and the pages swallowed me whole and transported me into the life of Capo and Contessa. CD Reiss’s words are so powerful that you cannot help but be swept away in her prose, the emotions, the suspense, the intrigue, the fear, living on the edge dreading the next word in case it is not what you want to hear. I felt like the characters were tangible, I just needed to put a hand in, I could almost smell and taste, so vivid and descriptive were her words. I lived and breathed this book and I didn’t want it to end. Totally and utterly consuming, but totally and utterly perfect.I cannot wait for the next book in this series; these two still have a long way to go and a lot to overcome. I have no fear when it comes to these two though, so strong are they as a unit that I feel in my heart of hearts that they can do it. These two are survivors as long as they have each other, apart they are targets, they are vulnerable; if separated these two cannot function, so strong is their connection and their constant need for each other.“My destiny is to destroy.” “Maybe I was destined to be destroyed.”CD Reiss, I take my hat off to you, I have loved every word and I cannot wait for more.

OMG...I have been waiting for the follow up to Spin and whooped when my pre-ordered book was delivered! I was not disappointed.Theresa and Antonio's story continues in this book with more drama, passion and intrigue than I could cope with in one go. I had to keep putting my kindle down for a breather!Antonio Spinelli has to be one of the sexiest men I have ever read in a book. He is so hard - a perfectly written mobster - but so passionately in love i was totally jealous of Theresa.Theresa is a great female character who is strong and determined, who sticks up for herself and voices her opinions. She expects to be listened to. I love how Antonio loves this about her but still manages to keep his own strength. They spark together...you can feel the intensity of their passion in the writing.CD...you have to write faster....I cant wait another 8 months!

Theresa and Antonio continue their love affair when his crew start to split up and he is in danger. He tries several times to leave her but in the end he chooses her over Paulie his partner and her ex is determined to see him in jail.

Very addictive reading. Insight into mob lifestyle, whilst gruesome & gory, opens you’re eyes. Definitely a read for the adventurous & open minded.

I loved the Monica and Jonathan story, couldn't get enough. I even loved Spin so was really looking forward to this. Sadly, I couldn't get into it, didn't understand what on earth was going on half the time. The bit with the rabbit was totally unnecessary. All that said, I do enjoy the CD Reiss books so I may well read it again (but skip the bit with the rabbit).