London Miller's name may not have garnered my attention the first time I saw it, but her books have grabbed my attention in a very big way. As in I read all three books, back to back in one day. That's about 900 pages. To see why, read my reviews, make sure you check out these books, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!Book 1
In the Beginning
by London Miller
Volkov Bratva #1
Publication Date: October 14, 2013
Synopsis:
Twenty-year-old Lauren Thompson left her small town in Michigan to begin a new life in the Big Apple where no one knows her name or the tragedy that had rocked her family fifteen years prior. With new friends and an intriguing new love interest, starting over is easier than she expected...but Mishca Volkov isn't what he seems. As the son of a Russian Mob boss, he thrives in a world of chaos and fear, earning the title of Bratva Captain through blood and pain.
When the two cross paths, lines blur and passions ignite, bringing them closer than they could ever imagine. Until secrets from the past threaten to tear them apart. Can they fight past their demons...or were they doomed by fate before they ever met.
Review
★★★★★ stars
All it took to capture my interest was the prologue. Once I'd figured out what was going to happen, I cried. My heart broke and then I continued reading to see how events would play out in the future. I really liked Lauren, her mother Susan, and their family friend Detective Ross. I loved how Lauren was willing to brave the unknown and step out of the binds that limited her. I really liked her easy going nature.
I wasn't sure about Mishca in the beginning, but he slowly won me over. I was happy he made Lauren happy. I loved how he wooed her, nice and steady. But there were secrets threatening their happiness. And I was afraid they weren't going to survive them. All the while, I admired Lauren's tenacity to fight for something that had haunted her for her entire life.
There were lots of twists in this story, some I saw coming, and others I did not. I really liked how action packed this story was. It was gritty, intense, and emotional. It was a love story on a backdrop of chaos and ugliness, and I loved it. London Miller has really done a great job at setting up a believable world and capturing my attention.
Book 2
Until the End
by London Miller
Volkov Bratva #2
Publication Date: February 2014
Synopsis:
Lauren Thompson
After learning the truth behind her father's tragic murder, Lauren vowed never to go near another Volkov again, but sometimes matters of the heart are too strong to resist...
Mishca Volkov
As a Captain in the Volkov Bratva, Mishca has pledged his loyalty to the Vory v Zakone, but he soon finds himself at odds with the life he's always known...
Until the End
When Mishca and Lauren fight to salvage their relationship, new obstacles present themselves, forcing the pair to make drastic choices that either tear them apart or bring them closer together...Review
★★★★★ stars
I was very eager to read this book. I wanted to know how Lauren and Mishca would fare through the perils they faced. I wasn't happy to see them apart, but I knew it would take time for them if they were to ever find their ways to back to each other. I love how Lauren had a great family and friend support system, even if Amber, her room mate was suffering her own heart break.
Once it became clear staying apart was destroying the both of them, it was interesting to see how opposition to their relationship by those near and dear to them changed. I was also glad to see a change in the dynamic between Lauren and Mishca, with Lauren becoming more bold and confident. I wasn't very happy with some of Mishca's past coming to visit and bringing so much trouble, not only to his relationship with Lauren, but also the rest of his family the Bratva.
In this book, London did a great job of opening up more of the Russian Bratva to me. I was glad to see more Alex, Mishca's sister and the introduction of a special person, whose presence really took me by surprise. There was probably the same, if not more amount of action in this book as there was in the last. There were plenty of moments when I didn't realize I was holding my breath as I read, just because the scenes were so intense.
Book 3
The Final Hour
by London Miller
Volkov Bratva #3
Publication Date: July 2014
Synopsis:
Three months pass without incident, leading Mishca and Lauren to believe they can finally move on from the past and build a life together
...but enemies both old and new lurk in the shadows, waiting for the opportunity to strike.
When a dangerous threat presents itself, Lauren is forced to turn to the one person that would rather see Mishca dead than live happily ever after
...she now has to step into a role that demands payment in blood.
Alliances are formed, one side fighting for survival, and the other for retribution.
No one can be trusted.
No one is safe.
War is coming.
...and not everyone will live to see the end of it.Review
★★★★★ stars
Just when I thought this series couldn't get any crazier and better, it did. Lauren and Mishca just can't catch a break can they? If it's not something in their personal lives, it's something with the Bratva that has them on edge and both the defensive and offensive.
This book had the usual action and more with law enforcement coming down on Mishca in a very big way. I couldn't believe there was a mole in the organization until the identity of the mole was revealed and I was in SHOCK! There were many moments while reading this series where my heart broke, but this one was one of the most brutal moments. I'm still ruminating about it now as I write this.
When I first started reading this trilogy I had no idea how much I'd come to love characters I was going to read about and abhor others with almost every drop of my being. There is black, white, and gray, but this book, this series will keep you turning pages as fast as you can.I can attest to that fact. I feel like this book answered as many questions as it raised, and since I'm not ready to stop reading about Lauren, Mishca, Alex, Luka, and many others, I'm heartened to know this series will continue.
EXCERPT
In the Beginning (Volkov Bratva, #1)
Lauren walked around the barrier—feeling stupid for not having realized it at first—until she could see the entirety of the warehouse.
There was a large octagon ring in the center, rows of punching bags hanging from hooks in the ceiling, and a spot for weightlifting over against the West wall. Most of the floor was covered in green square mats where men, and some women, were grappling on the floor.
She tried to find Mishca amongst the sweaty bodies, but it was hard to see clear faces with the crowd
surrounding the octagon. In her brief look around, Lauren hadn’t noticed the two guys inside, circling one another, both wearing knee length shorts.
One had a buzzed head, tattoos covering the majority of his torso and back. His shorts were white with black flames, and the mouthguard protecting his teeth was also white with a word written across it that Lauren couldn’t make out from her distance.
His opponent, however, was the tiger to his bear. He was tall, his muscles cut and defined like he was specifically molded that way. Tape was wrapped around his ankles and the heels of his feet. Fingerless gloves protected his knuckles, but they hardly looked like they had any padding.
Mishca looked like a born fighter as he wiped the sweat from his brow, pushing the inky black strands of his hair out of his face. His gaze found Lauren’s, his pale eyes brightening as he smiled and winked at her.
She gave a slight wave, walking over to the edge of the cage so she would have a better view of the
fight. Up close, she could see the slight sheen of sweat on his chest, some droplets descending down his chest. It was hard not to stare at the perfection he hid beneath his clothes.
Two eight-pointed stars were inked on either side of his chest, just below his collarbone, another set on his knees. Across his forearm was a setting sun, and a line of script on his bicep. There were also two more tattoos on his shoulders, but Lauren couldn’t remember what they were called.
Mishca came over with his usual slow stroll, crouching down until they were eye level. He smiled,
revealing the fluorescent green mouthpiece before he removed it, wiping his mouth with the back of a gloved hand.
“I’m glad you could make it for my last fight.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” She glanced around, noticing they seemed to be the object of everyone’s attention. “You must be pretty popular around here,” she said jokingly, gesturing around at all the people with a wave of her hands.
Mishca’s eyes shifted from hers to just above her head. He barked something in Russian, his expression turning agitated for only a second before it cleared and he returned to her.“Ignore them. They’re not used to someone so pretty. ”
She rolled her eyes. “They see you everyday.”
He chuckled, touching a hand to his chest. “You flatter me.”
The sudden clamor of the audience clapping made them look to where the referee was climbing into the cage. He was a squat man, who seemed genuinely afraid, although Lauren was sure he was in no danger of the actual fighters.
“Time to defend my title.”
Before heading to the center of the ring though, Mishca removed one of his gloves, fitting his hands
through the fence to draw her forward.
When she was close enough, he pressed a quick kiss to her cheek, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear.
Lauren felt warm at his touch, wishing that she didn’t blush as much as she did where he was
concerned. “Good luck, Mish.”
He strapped on his glove. “Who needs luck when I have you, moya dorogoya?”
With a two finger salute, he stepped forward, his demeanor shifting from cool indifference, to a
predator.
Also in the Series...
Time Stood Still
by London Miller
Volkov Bratva #3.5
Publication Date: November 4, 2014
Synopsis:
Can a love born of violence stand the test of time?
Despite a less than ideal start to their marriage, Mishca and Lauren are finally in a place where they do not have to look over their shoulders at every turn. Now that they are in a secure place, it's time for them to have the one thing Mishca had promised her before they took their vows.
A honeymoon...
Traveling to the sandy beaches of Sardinia, Italy, the couple will explore what brought them together in the first place, instead of the life that constantly threatens to tear them apart.
But as the newly appointed Boss of the Volkov Bratva, is it too late for Mishca to have an even remotely normal life...and is Lauren ready to face another challenge that neither of them saw coming...
About the Author
With a degree in Creative Writing, London Miller has turned pen to paper, creating riveting fictional worlds where the bad guys are sometimes the good guys. Her debut novel, In the Beginning, is the first in the Volkov Bratva Series.
She currently resides in southern Georgia where she drinks far too much soda, and spends her nights writing.
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