Title: The Beautiful Years Part II
Author: Annie Rose Welch
Genre:Contemporary/ Mafia Romance
Release Date: November 15, 2018
Cover Designer: Buoni Amici Press
Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.
Rating: 4 Stars
Rating: 4 Stars
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for review from Buoni Amici Press and the author. I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".
Life never felt dangerous to me. She did.
The moment Scarlett Rose appeared in the window of her parents’ dance studio, twirling like a beautiful figurine in a music box, she became mine. Irrevocably. I claimed her, per sempre.
She became the day to my night, illuminating secrets better left to the impenetrable darkness that surrounded me. She knew me better than I knew the lines of my own hands, though I had never confessed to her whose blood ran through my veins, the famiglia that I belonged to.
She was as delicate as a butterfly in the hands of a monster.
My legacy created a savage beast that lurked beneath my skin, ready to battle for family and honor, but he only went to war for one—her.
There was one catch, an arrangement she didn’t know about. I had agreed to send her away so that she could follow her stars. She had to do the one thing she was always destined to do. Dance. Though I had never truly let her go. She had become as vital as my heart.
And now, I was back to retrieve what had always belonged to me—my ballerina girl.
Book II in a seven-part Mafia Romance saga.
The moment Scarlett Rose appeared in the window of her parents’ dance studio, twirling like a beautiful figurine in a music box, she became mine. Irrevocably. I claimed her, per sempre.
She became the day to my night, illuminating secrets better left to the impenetrable darkness that surrounded me. She knew me better than I knew the lines of my own hands, though I had never confessed to her whose blood ran through my veins, the famiglia that I belonged to.
She was as delicate as a butterfly in the hands of a monster.
My legacy created a savage beast that lurked beneath my skin, ready to battle for family and honor, but he only went to war for one—her.
There was one catch, an arrangement she didn’t know about. I had agreed to send her away so that she could follow her stars. She had to do the one thing she was always destined to do. Dance. Though I had never truly let her go. She had become as vital as my heart.
And now, I was back to retrieve what had always belonged to me—my ballerina girl.
Book II in a seven-part Mafia Romance saga.
My Thoughts:
Brando Fausti has a heavy heart. Scarlett Rose Poesy is having a case of what ifs. Scarlett has an interesting “friendship” with Maggie Beautiful that I became very curious about. But what’s more curious is the adventure she seems to be taking us on.
In this second book in the Beautiful Years series Scarlett seems to be living the dream. How many of us can say we’ve spent some extended time in a foreign country – especially one that is synonymous with love? I really suck at learning/speaking a foreign language but I love to listen when someone speaks one. This was such a visual and aural story that I felt that I should be sitting at an outdoor café while the people of Paris pass me by.
The story itself is a haunting one, one you cannot look away from. If you do you might miss something important. One moment is where I say “soap opera” to myself. That was my hook the reader moment – not sure where this author was going to take me and by the end I still felt the same. It seems the author is taking Scarlett to a forbidden place. Is it a place where she can spread her wings? Not sure if Brando is happy with the transformation or not – that’s just part of the hook.
Our two main characters seem to have a connection that goes beyond what we can see. Not sure if it’s the location, or not, but at times the story had an old fashioned feel to it. Either that or I’ve watched one too many old movies. The ending seemed to fit right in with that feeling leaving me with a mystery and having to sign up for the newsletter so I’ll know when the next release will arrive. I have the need to know where our author is taking this series.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Annie has a habit of shortening her words and telling long stories. She speaks with a southern flair and cooks with it too. At the tender age of twenty- one, she hitched up her wagons (took her first plane ride) and moved out west to the big shake (California). Her passion for writing began one sleepless night when she imagined a gorgeous woman and a man with maniacal hair floating above her like lightning bugs falling from the sky. Curious about them, their story, and why they were floating around in her head, she sat down and penned (typed) her first novel, Marigny Street. A dream come true for her, she hasn’t stopped writing since. She loves a damn good love story, always has, no matter what the genre. She is particularly moved by imperfect love that in its own unique way is perfect, the notion of love at first sight, soul mates, and things that are generally out of the norm.
When she’s not writing she enjoys dabbling in photography and finding new, inspirational music to add to her collection. She currently resides in Texas (where everything really is bigger) with her husband, daughter, and their three peculiar dogs, Boudreaux, Tabasco, and Vanna Loo (who, call her crazy, bark with an accent).
For lagniappe (a little extra), a virtual cup of café au lait and beignets, please visit Annie’s website:
Hosted By:
