Naomi's Reading Palace: Dirty Empire Series by Nina West ~ Review (@kathleenatucker)

Nina West / KA Tucker is a favourite author of mine, and I have put off reading this series for a long time. I am kicking myself that I have waited this long, it was so good! This series was supposed to be a trilogy, but there is a forth book coming...

Title: Sweet Mercy

Author: Nina West

Series: Dirty Empire #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: April 2020 (first published March 27th 2019)

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One visit to my father in prison—convicted for a murder he didn’t commit—and I’ve attracted the attention of the last man I’d ever want knowing that I exist.
Gabriel Easton.
Son of an infamous crime boss. Deplorable womanizer. Scoundrel to the core.
Worse, he has figured out how desperate I am to protect my father from brutality behind bars. He has the power to grant that protection, and he has offered it … for a price.
Me.
I am to become a “guest” in his mansion, to live with him until he tires of having me around.
I'll do anything for my father, including agree to Gabriel's cruel game. But I won't comply with his every whim and wish.
Not when he taunts me with that ruthless spark in his cold blue eyes.
Not when he requires that I share his bedroom at night.
Unfortunately for me, I think my loathing for him is what he’s enjoying most.
That's fine. By the time I’m through with him, he’ll be crying my name.
Mercy.

This was a great introduction to the series! I was hooked immediately and I loved the fire between the characters. The storyline was strong and I enjoyed the world building and the characters that were introduced.

I loved that there was a connection between Gabriel and Mercy from the beginning, and the way Gabriel was able to influence events was amusing! He wanted Mercy and was able to slow things up to suit himself.

I did like that Mercy had such a strong personality and tried hard not to give into Gabriel so easily. Over time I could see her walls crumble and was willing to put her fathers welfare before her own.

I finished this book with an ache for more, so you can bet I jumped into the next one immediately. I cannot wait to see what happens next!

Title: Gabriel Fallen

Author: Nina West

Series: Dirty Empire #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: April 2020 (first published May 23rd 2019)

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Mercy Wheeler and Gabriel Easton’s sordid tale continues in Gabriel Fallen as Mercy finds herself heading down a dangerous path.
Gabriel has made an art of dangling what I’m most desperate for in front of me, what he knows I can’t refuse, no matter the cost. In this case, that cost continues to be me.
He is still a scoundrel, but I’m starting to see something more.
And while our bargain is proving advantageous in ways I never anticipated, the risks that come with being associated with a man like him are becoming painfully clear.
But how much longer before this arrangement with Gabriel costs me everything I am?

This is the second book in the Dirty Empire series and should be read after Sweet Mercy.

I was excited to continue Gabriel and Mercy's story and I was not disappointed with Gabriel Fallen. The chemistry between them was off the charts and I could see the real feelings that were burying under their skin.

It was amusing to see Gabriel and Mercy come to an agreement in the beginning of this book, as Mercy was still focused on freeing her father. They both liked to be in control and they were both becoming possessive of each other. Gabriel was so sweet and considerate, not really pushing Mercy to bend to his will. Mercy was protecting her heart, but boy were they sizzling together!!

I liked seeing more of the secondary characters, some were good friends, others were manipulative. There were some interesting moments woven throughout, and some business dealings were shifting. I was eagerly flicking the pages and was not prepared for that cliff hanger of an ending!!

Title: Dirty Empire

Author: Nina West

Series: Dirty Empire #3

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: September 15th 2020

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Mercy Wheeler and Gabriel Easton’s sordid tale continues in Dirty Empire as Mercy finds her loyalties tested and Gabriel’s attempt to break free of his family’s legacy comes with unexpected consequences. Dirty Empire is the third book in the Dirty Empire series and should be read after Sweet Mercy and Gabriel Fallen.

Dirty Empire was so exciting, and I read this book so quickly! I could feel the tension building for Gabriel and knew something big was going to happen. There was fighting within the families, and aliances were forming.

Mercy had to work out her feelings and decide on who she trusted. She was falling hard for Gabriel but outside influences were putting pressure on her.

There was so much chemistry between Gabriel and Mercy, I could see them both falling deeper even though Gabriel’s world was coming between them. He was working hard to change how his family worked things and was trying to cut strings.

The last 25% of this book had me in suspense! There was so much going on and I devoured it quickly! What I wasn’t ready for was that ending and finding out that there going to be a fourth book, dammit! Bring on September now!

K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge. She is the internationally bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series, He Will Be My Ruin, Until It Fades, Keep Her Safe, The Simple Wild, Be the Girl, and Say You Still Love Me. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, Publisher's Weekly, Oprah Mag, and First for Women. K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto.