The sixth book in the internationally bestselling Eagle Elite Series.
*Interconnected Stand Alone*
Twenty-Four hours before we were to be married--I offered to shoot her.
Ten hours before our wedding--I made a mockery of her dying wish.
Five hours before we were going to say our vows--I promised I'd never love her.
One hour before I said I do--I vowed I'd never shed a tear over her death.
But the minute we were pronounced man and wife--I knew.
I'd only use my gun to protect her.
I'd give my life for hers.
I'd cry.
And I would, most definitely, lose my heart, to a dying girl---a girl who by all accounts should have never been mine in the first place.
I always believed the mafia would be my end game--where I'd lose my heart, while it claimed my soul. I could have never imagined. It would be my redemption.
Or the beginning of something beautiful.
The beginning of her.
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6 STARS
5 Stars
Nook: http://bit.ly/1FWBCpi
Review by: SAM
This book, well, it should come with a survival guide or something. If I could give you readers advice on what you need for your self-help pack it would be these items:
1: KLEENEX- At least 5 boxes
2: WINE- Red, White, Rosè or all, six bottles!
3: A PILLOW- To silence your howls!
4: Chocolate, Ice Cream, Pasta- Not all mixed together but if you choose to do this, that's on you! These are just comfort foods I ate to get me through!
5: A TUB/BATH- to fill up with the tears you do not manage to soak up so that RVD can bathe in them!!!!! (I swear, I salute her for getting through writing this book)
I wish.... I just wish this pain would go away. I am sitting here bawling like a newborn just writing this review because all of those emotions have come flooding back.
Every time I write a review for Rachel's books, I always state how amazing it is. But this book, it's in its own league entirely. The emotion, the heart and soul that Rachel poured into this book can be felt with each word you read, connecting you so personally to this story.
I saw the whole family of characters in an entirely different light. Their sincerity, loyalty, love and care for each other was such a pivotal point to the book and I didn't think it was possible to love them more than I already do, but I was so wrong.
Elude is the story of Sergio. We meet his character throughout the whole series and his character has always been so dark, so mysterious, bitter and I have wanted to know EVERYTHING about him and what it is that makes him this way. Diving into this story, Sergio is forced to marry Andi to protect her from her Russian Father. Andi is a beautiful strong young woman who lives her life to the fullest, whole heartedly, with no fear, and can seriously drop someone on their ass if needed....yep! Totally badass!
She is Sergio's enemy and he wants to kill her....no seriously, he does literally want to kill her. So with the marriage forced upon them, Sergio vows to protect Andi forever. But what he didn't expect was for her to own him, body, mind, and soul.
The chemistry between these two characters was absolutely INCREDIBLE! The humour made my sides ache, the way Andi continuously opened Sergio up giving us the REAL him, the person he has hidden away to protect himself was just FLAWLESS, the way Andi slips into her role as Sergio's wife and gives as good as she gets is EXCELLENT. I loved the banter between Andi and the rest of the family, the little firecracker had me snort laughing all the time! I also LOVED that Andi got to see and experience the GHOST side to Sergio, the side of him that is the punisher, the killer, the executioner, you can call me twisted, but when he is in that zone, he is so freaking sexy!
I declare I will never look at a knife in the same way EVER again, and that shower scene.....SWEET MOTHER OF ALL THAT IS HOLY!
I personally read for feels. I love the way words wrap around me and make me hurt, love, laugh and this story gave me everything and so much more than I could have asked for.
Rachel Van Dyken has delivered something so special with this story. I know my heart will never be the same again. Elude has more heart, love and HOPE than all of the other books in this series. I can honestly say that I did not expect to completely fall apart, but from 52% on I howled like a dog! It builds and builds and builds into something so DEVASTATINGLY PHENOMENAL and has moved straight into my top ten of all time.
Rachel Van Dyken, you have delivered something absolutely world changing. This book will not only touch people, it will give people the hope they need. I admire you for writing something so personal, so raw to you and as a reader, I couldn't have asked for anything more.
1: KLEENEX- At least 5 boxes
2: WINE- Red, White, Rosè or all, six bottles!
3: A PILLOW- To silence your howls!
4: Chocolate, Ice Cream, Pasta- Not all mixed together but if you choose to do this, that's on you! These are just comfort foods I ate to get me through!
5: A TUB/BATH- to fill up with the tears you do not manage to soak up so that RVD can bathe in them!!!!! (I swear, I salute her for getting through writing this book)
I wish.... I just wish this pain would go away. I am sitting here bawling like a newborn just writing this review because all of those emotions have come flooding back.
Every time I write a review for Rachel's books, I always state how amazing it is. But this book, it's in its own league entirely. The emotion, the heart and soul that Rachel poured into this book can be felt with each word you read, connecting you so personally to this story.
I saw the whole family of characters in an entirely different light. Their sincerity, loyalty, love and care for each other was such a pivotal point to the book and I didn't think it was possible to love them more than I already do, but I was so wrong.
Elude is the story of Sergio. We meet his character throughout the whole series and his character has always been so dark, so mysterious, bitter and I have wanted to know EVERYTHING about him and what it is that makes him this way. Diving into this story, Sergio is forced to marry Andi to protect her from her Russian Father. Andi is a beautiful strong young woman who lives her life to the fullest, whole heartedly, with no fear, and can seriously drop someone on their ass if needed....yep! Totally badass!
She is Sergio's enemy and he wants to kill her....no seriously, he does literally want to kill her. So with the marriage forced upon them, Sergio vows to protect Andi forever. But what he didn't expect was for her to own him, body, mind, and soul.
The chemistry between these two characters was absolutely INCREDIBLE! The humour made my sides ache, the way Andi continuously opened Sergio up giving us the REAL him, the person he has hidden away to protect himself was just FLAWLESS, the way Andi slips into her role as Sergio's wife and gives as good as she gets is EXCELLENT. I loved the banter between Andi and the rest of the family, the little firecracker had me snort laughing all the time! I also LOVED that Andi got to see and experience the GHOST side to Sergio, the side of him that is the punisher, the killer, the executioner, you can call me twisted, but when he is in that zone, he is so freaking sexy!
I declare I will never look at a knife in the same way EVER again, and that shower scene.....SWEET MOTHER OF ALL THAT IS HOLY!
I personally read for feels. I love the way words wrap around me and make me hurt, love, laugh and this story gave me everything and so much more than I could have asked for.
Rachel Van Dyken has delivered something so special with this story. I know my heart will never be the same again. Elude has more heart, love and HOPE than all of the other books in this series. I can honestly say that I did not expect to completely fall apart, but from 52% on I howled like a dog! It builds and builds and builds into something so DEVASTATINGLY PHENOMENAL and has moved straight into my top ten of all time.
Rachel Van Dyken, you have delivered something absolutely world changing. This book will not only touch people, it will give people the hope they need. I admire you for writing something so personal, so raw to you and as a reader, I couldn't have asked for anything more.
6 STARS
Review by: ASHLEY
I hope Rachel Van Dyken NEVER stops writing this series! I have so much love for these mafia men. The story line is new and different every time, and the pacing is perfect.
Before I started reading this one, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. I had a lot of HATE in my heart for Sergio. He had done so many things in the previous books that made me want to kill him that I was afraid I would be pissed if he got his happy ending. But Sergio and Andi together? Sergio is definitely working on redeeming himself to me. He is an amazing man, whether he realizes it or not. And I love Andi. Just plain love her. When I grow up, I want to be like her. She is SO good for Sergio. And there are SO MANY beautiful moments in this story.
I won’t lie…this story tore me into five million pieces. I laughed, I cried, I clapped and squealed, and I outright sobbed. I’m still crying, an hour later. But it was worth it. Worth every single tear. It might hurt for a while, but I promise, you won’t regret it.
5 Stars
Review by: CRISTINA
The Italian, Sergio Abandanto was forced to marry the enemy, the Russian beauty, Arabella Anderson Petrov a.k.a. “Andi” and with this arrangement he had vowed himself to just be that; husband and wife. He did not really care for her being other than a job of protecting her with his life from her family and to throw in the kicker that needs to be mentioned is that she is also already dying. A serious man who is all business and no play and a woman bracing for the inevitable but living and enjoying what she can until that time makes their story one hell of a roller coaster ride!
Because the truth was…I like her enough to mourn her – and when you like someone enough to mourn, you were in danger of love.
This novel deserves more than 5++++++ stars. The book absolutely gutted me from sunrise to sunset, the moon and back…it freaking went the distance! From the start of the book to the end I was a basket case of emotions! All the banter, the tingles, the frustrations, the hesitations were felt from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. I had books that had gotten me teary eyed but this one had me full out bawling like crazy by the end! This is the 2nd book I have read from the series and reading about Sergio and Andi’s story was definitely something I was not expecting! WOW! WOW! WOW! I totally was preparing myself to get immerse in the “mafia family” world and expecting to have to figure out more on the connection to the characters presented and getting to know who is who but it threw me for a loop when it was sooooo much more then that. It dealt with love, life, and death. It made you look and think deeper than what the eyes see. Book lovers need to experience this highly recommended beautiful read!
Because the truth was…I like her enough to mourn her – and when you like someone enough to mourn, you were in danger of love.
This novel deserves more than 5++++++ stars. The book absolutely gutted me from sunrise to sunset, the moon and back…it freaking went the distance! From the start of the book to the end I was a basket case of emotions! All the banter, the tingles, the frustrations, the hesitations were felt from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. I had books that had gotten me teary eyed but this one had me full out bawling like crazy by the end! This is the 2nd book I have read from the series and reading about Sergio and Andi’s story was definitely something I was not expecting! WOW! WOW! WOW! I totally was preparing myself to get immerse in the “mafia family” world and expecting to have to figure out more on the connection to the characters presented and getting to know who is who but it threw me for a loop when it was sooooo much more then that. It dealt with love, life, and death. It made you look and think deeper than what the eyes see. Book lovers need to experience this highly recommended beautiful read!
5++++++ stars
TRAILER:
Elude by Rachel Van Dyken from Becca the Bibliophile on Vimeo.
About Rachel Van Dyken:
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!
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EXCERPT
Loneliness tasted like hell. It also, lucky for me, tasted like a fifth of whiskey and what would most likely be a throbbing headache come tomorrow morning.
I brought the bottle to my lips and tilted it back, my eyes trained on the fire in front of me, the flames licking higher and higher, reminding me that I wasn't exactly in any position to ask God for any favors…it may as well have been hell waving back at me and confirming my suspicions.
I'd killed too much.
I'd lied even more.
And I was officially out of favor within my family — within my world.
I hissed as a drip of whiskey landed on my blood-caked knuckles. Beating the shit out of the wall hadn't even stopped the anger.
Ah anger, that was something I could talk about, something I could tangibly feel as it pulsed through my body. It had been my mistress for so long that I knew if I actually let it go — I'd be even more lonely than I already was.
I tried to take a deep breath, to calm myself down, but air wouldn't go into my lungs, I felt paralyzed and on an adrenaline high all at once.
Maybe that was another part of my punishment. I had exactly twenty-four hours before I had to marry a Russian.
And not just any Russian.
An enemy, a double agent who had worked for both the FBI and, apparently, the Nicolasi family. She had sold out her own crime family, the Petrovs, and now… she was under the protection of the Italians.
How messed up was that?
I took another swig of whiskey and eyed the clock. Make that twenty-three hours and fifty-eight minutes.
I wasn't drunk enough.
I wasn't even close.
Marrying someone for protection I could do. Marrying someone and even killing them afterwards? Piece of cake. After all, that was my MO. I was a killer, a ghost, whatever the family wanted me to be.
But marrying someone, keeping them safe, only to watch them die within six months?
No. Hell no.
She had leukemia.
So why keep her alive this long?
I snorted and took another sip of whiskey. "I'd be doing her a favor by killing her."
"Ouch," a light airy voice said from somewhere in the room, causing all my hair to stand on end. "So as far as pep talks go, yours officially needs work."
I carefully set down the whiskey, not trusting myself not to throw it in her direction in an anger-filled rage. "I was talking to myself."
"Another sign you need to get laid." She laughed.
I didn't.
"Go away, Arabella."
"My name's Andi."
"Your legal name is Arabella Anderson Petrov. Care to know your social security number and credit score as well?"
"Romance is lost on you." I felt her move around the room. The air seized with electricity; she'd always had a presence about her, and right now I was five seconds away from losing my shit and ramming my head into the fireplace just so I could escape it all.
"Don't I know it," I huffed and reached for the bottle again.
Small warm hands clasped around mine before I could get there. I jerked away, causing her to stumble in front of me.
White-blond hair covered her soft features. Big brown eyes blinked back at me. I hissed in a breath and cursed. "You should go."
"We need to talk."
"Oh goody. Is this the part where you tell me I have to give up my virginity on my wedding night?"
"What?" She blinked like a startled deer, then a weak smile pulled her lips upward.
I ignored the way my body reacted and rolled my eyes in irritation.
"Aw, he has jokes now. At least, I hope it's a joke. You're not, are you? A virgin, I mean."
I snorted and eyed the bottle, calculating my odds on reaching it before she stopped me, then gave up. "Fine." I huffed. "Hurry up and get to talking so I can get drunk."
Andi sat opposite me in the leather chair and tucked her feet under her body. She was small, around five-one, but she packed a punch, knew how to use every automatic weapon on the market, and I was pretty sure I had once overheard that she was well-versed in torture. Looking at her, you'd think she was just graduating high school and getting ready to go shopping for her favorite pair of shoes with Daddy's credit card.
"You're upset," she finally said.
"No." I licked my lips and leaned forward. "I'm enraged. There's a difference."
Her eyes narrowed. "You know you can talk to me — since you're stuck with me for the next… while. That is, unless you kill me first… like you did that FBI agent."
My blood ran cold. No one knew about what I'd done last week. When I'd gained intel from another agent. "Her cover was blown. I did her a favor."
"Did you?" Her eyebrows arched.
"Have you ever been shot, Andi?"
She sighed and leaned her head back against the lush cushion. "No, why? Are you going to educate me on what it feels like?"
I exhaled and popped my knuckles; the sound reverberated through the empty room. "It happens in three stages."
"What does?"
"Getting shot."
"You mean you don't just pull the trigger?" she joked.
Ignoring her, I continued. "Shock. It's always the first emotion because the human brain hasn't yet caught up with the fact that you've been wounded. So your body starts going into shock, and then the pain happens, but it's not the type of pain you'd think. It burns, but it's more of an empty, hollow pain, that starts to spread from the wound throughout the rest of your body until a slow chill starts to descend. When the chill descends, the shock wears off and confusion sets in. Why was I shot? Why me? What have I done? As humans, our brains aren't meant to understand violence, so we have to logically explain it away. I had to have done something wrong to get shot. Or maybe I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The minute your brain finds something that makes sense you move onto the last stage."
Andi barely moved a muscle. "Death?"
"Worse." I reached for the bottle and took a long swig. "Denial."
"Why is denial worse?"
"You tell me."
Her eyes closed briefly before she offered a shrug. "Because it means you aren't ready."
"Look who just earned an A in class," I mocked. "And you're right. Denial happens when you realize it shouldn't be you, that even if your brain connected the dots, it isn't yet your time. The lovely little memories of your life start to play on repeat in your head — the moments you should have done something but didn't, the things you'll never say, the things you'll never do. And then… you either get lucky or, if I'm the one who pulled the trigger, your memories will click off after about one minute, and you'll be no more."
The fire crackled.
Andi refused to look at me.
"I'd make it fast, Andi."
"Are we seriously doing this?"
"What?" I shrugged.
"Having a conversation in what should be a nice cozy room, about you killing me?"
"It would be a kindness."
"Go to hell!"
"Already there, Andi. Already there. Don't you know? I belong nowhere. My family's punishing me, the FBI's investigating me for the murder of my superior, and now I have to marry a Russian whore."
"So…" She stood. "…you'd rather kill me than marry me?"
"Was I not clear? I thought I was… Allow me to say it slower, perhaps in Russian? If that's all you people understand." I stood, meeting her chest to chest. "I'd rather kill you than see you suffer… I'd offer a dog the same kindness."
"I'm not a dog."
"You're Russian."
"Stop saying that."
"What?" I sneered. "The truth? Well, sweetheart, it doesn't get any truer than your reality. Allow me to kill you before your family or cancer does, and at least you can own your own death rather than fearing it."
She reached for me, touched my shoulders, and then cupped my face. I hated it because I liked it; my body leaned without me telling it to. She was so warm. "And what makes you think I fear my own death?"
"Everyone is afraid of dying. The hardest part is never admitting we're mortal, but coming to terms with the fact that we have no control over how long we're given. You do."
"No… I don't… You're trying to take that control."
"Say the word." My hand moved to the Glock strapped to my thigh.
"I'm not afraid." Her lips trembled. "At least not of death… but I am afraid of something."
"Oh yeah?" I hissed. "What's that?"
"Yours."
Confused, I stepped back, immediately looking for a weapon. "I don't understand."
"You wouldn't." She shrugged. "Because you, Sergio Abandonato, are already dead." She moved gracefully across the room. "You're dead inside… and you don't even know it. Forget cancer — and take a long hard look in the mirror — that's what death looks like."
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