Here are 100 books that Sempre fans have personally recommended if you like
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I’m completely obsessed with dark romance books! Seriously, after more than fifteen years of diving into these wild novels, I’ve uncovered so many gems that I can’t get enough of. I’m not here for stories about happy-go-lucky people; I want all the drama, all the angst, and all those swoon-worthy anti-heroes who make my heart race! These books are like a delicious escape, where every plot twist keeps me on my toes, and every character is delightfully flawed. It’s a rollercoaster ride of passion and drama. I love getting lost in the emotional chaos and gripping stories where anything can happen.
This is one of the most intense and gripping dark romances I've ever read. The story follows Caleb, a damaged man seeking revenge, and Livvie, the innocent girl he kidnaps. From the start, I was pulled into their twisted, complicated dynamic. It’s dark, raw, and pushes boundaries, but I couldn’t stop reading. Caleb is a character you both hate and feel for, while Livvie’s journey from fear to something more complex kept me glued to the pages.
He’s the morally greyest character, and I hated to love him, but that’s what made him unforgettable. This book will definitely leave a mark. Caleb will always be one of my favorite anti-heroes, making this an unforgettable dark romance that still stands as the best I’ve ever read.
Please heed all warnings. ****This is a series about captivity in a FICTIONAL and EROTICIZED setting. It contains very disturbing situations, dubious consent, strong language, and graphic violence.****
OVER 150,000 COPIES SOLD!
This edition of CAPTIVE IN THE DARK features a new cover that when combined with the other books in DARK DUET: Platinum Edition series makes a lovely addition to any bookshelf.
It is NO DIFFERENT in content from previous editions of the series.
CAPTIVE IN THE DARK (BOOK 1): Caleb is a man with a singular interest in revenge. Kidnapped as a young boy and sold into slavery…
I’m completely obsessed with dark romance books! Seriously, after more than fifteen years of diving into these wild novels, I’ve uncovered so many gems that I can’t get enough of. I’m not here for stories about happy-go-lucky people; I want all the drama, all the angst, and all those swoon-worthy anti-heroes who make my heart race! These books are like a delicious escape, where every plot twist keeps me on my toes, and every character is delightfully flawed. It’s a rollercoaster ride of passion and drama. I love getting lost in the emotional chaos and gripping stories where anything can happen.
This book is like a rollercoaster that you didn’t know you needed! From the first page, I was obsessed with Izabel’s fierce spirit and her journey of self-discovery. The way she navigates her tangled past is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
This author has a way of making you feel every emotion, from gut-wrenching sadness to the thrill of unexpected love. The characters are so real and relatable; I found myself rooting for Izabel and her villainous love interest (seriously, swoon-worthy!) as they faced obstacles that made my heart race. The chemistry? Off the charts! Plus, the witty banter kept me giggling through the tears.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "This series is Spectacular!" - SMI BOOK CLUB ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Mind-f*ck at its finest and I loved every single minute of it." - Amazon Customer ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Say goodbye to your nails..." - Amazon Customer on Killing Sarai ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Dark, compelling, deathly violent and just fan-bloody-tastic!" - Goodreads Reviewer on Reviving Izabel ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "5+ Crushing, Amazing & Shocking STARS" - The Book Enthusiast on The Swan & the Jackal ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "There is no going back for me,…
I’m completely obsessed with dark romance books! Seriously, after more than fifteen years of diving into these wild novels, I’ve uncovered so many gems that I can’t get enough of. I’m not here for stories about happy-go-lucky people; I want all the drama, all the angst, and all those swoon-worthy anti-heroes who make my heart race! These books are like a delicious escape, where every plot twist keeps me on my toes, and every character is delightfully flawed. It’s a rollercoaster ride of passion and drama. I love getting lost in the emotional chaos and gripping stories where anything can happen.
This book is a wickedly twisted ride! Picture this: a cold and ruthless anti-hero named Killian, who’s as dangerous as he is irresistible, and Glyndon, who finds herself irresistibly drawn into his dark and chaotic world. The chemistry between them? Let’s just say it’s intense enough to spark a fire—and then throw some gasoline on it! What really kept me glued to the pages was their electrifying, almost toxic connection.
The tension between them is off the charts, and you never quite know what to expect next. Killian is unapologetically brutal, playing psychological mind games that had me on the edge of my seat. It’s raw and definitely not for the faint of heart, but I couldn’t put it down!
NOTE: This is the special edition print of God of Malice. To find the ebook and audiobook, please look for the main edition.
From USA Today bestselling author Rina Kent comes a new STANDALONE dark romance about a villain and his new obsession.
I caught the attention of a monster. I didn’t ask for it. Didn’t even see it coming. But the moment I do, it’s too late. Killian Carson is a predator wrapped in sophisticated charm. He’s cold-blooded, manipulative, and savage. The worst part is that no one sees his devil side. I do. And that will cost me…
I’m completely obsessed with dark romance books! Seriously, after more than fifteen years of diving into these wild novels, I’ve uncovered so many gems that I can’t get enough of. I’m not here for stories about happy-go-lucky people; I want all the drama, all the angst, and all those swoon-worthy anti-heroes who make my heart race! These books are like a delicious escape, where every plot twist keeps me on my toes, and every character is delightfully flawed. It’s a rollercoaster ride of passion and drama. I love getting lost in the emotional chaos and gripping stories where anything can happen.
This mafia story pulled me right in with its intense mix of danger, passion, and vulnerability. The story follows Damiano, a feared mafia boss, and Gabriella, a resilient woman drawn into his deadly world.
What really got me were the characters—Damiano’s ruthless exterior hides a fiercely protective side, while Gabriella’s strength and courage make her so easy to root for. Their chemistry is electric, and watching their relationship grow from wary strangers to something deeper was both thrilling and emotional.
With just the right balance of suspense, action, and steamy romance, God of Vengeance kept me turning pages late into the night—and I loved every second of it!
From USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Michelle Heard comes a new STANDALONE, full-length MAFIA ROMANCE novel.
I was born into the Cosa Nostra, so I've always known an arranged marriage loomed in my future.
When the Capo dei Capi of the Cosa Nostra comes to Sicily to give his approval for his cousin, Stefano, to take me as his bride, I know my fate is all but sealed. Marrying Stefano is the last thing I want, but being a woman, I don't have a say in the matter.
Damiano Falco is merciless and rules the Cosa Nostra…
As a journalist and author of history books who's lived in Texas for most of my adult life, I've found myself unavoidably steeped in Texas Ranger lore. I didn't understand how such a small force could enter unfamiliar areas of Texas and get any results as law enforcement officers. This central question led to me the operations of Company F during 1886-1888. I found the showdowns were just one part of the story. Researching these topics meant learning about the Rangers' outlaw targets - following another journalistic impulse to give both sides of this story an equal hearing. What resulted is a nuanced, complex tale that hopefully will open eyes instead of pointing fingers.
Danny Greene is a bad role model but a great protagonist. A former US Marine and union boss convicted in federal court of embezzling, he transitioned into organized crime by doing enforcement work for the Cleveland Mafia. However, he soon branches out on his own in the most brazen ways possible, incurring the wrath of his former associates. Murders, an extended bombing campaign and Greene’s work supplying intel to federal agents all culminate in a conclusion that has real consequences – the downfall of La Cosa Nostra in Cleaveland in 1977. It’s hard not to empathize with the crazy-brave Greene, standing shirtless in plain sight in front of his headquarters as the Mafia plots his death. When a criminal is this kind of character, it’s easy for a reader to lay polite society aside and immerse inside that world, enough so to root for a bad guy.
Be sure to see Kill the Irishman-the major motion picture based on Rick Porrello's true-crime masterpiece!
A modern warrior known as Greene Was very quick and smart, and mean. He scrambled hard and fought like hell, And led a charmed existence. They shot him down and blew him up With most regular persistence. -From The Ballad of Danny Greene Clevelan d, the 1970s:
A fearless Irishman boldly muscles in on the Italian-American Mafia-intrepid, charismatic, shrewd, cunning, and armed with a master plan to take over the rackets under the auspices of the Irish banner of which he was so fiercely…
I wrote on the mob early in my career as a newspaper reporter, investigating organized crime’s infiltration of politics, unions, and the toxic-waste industry in New Jersey in the late 1970s and early ‘80s, then covering some of the major mob trials in New York during the 1980s (starting with the case depicted in the movie Donnie Brasco). In more recent years, I’ve returned to the subject in two books: The Italian Squad: The True Story of the Immigrant Cops Who Fought the Rise of the Mafia and An Unlikely Union: The Love-Hate Story of New York’s Irish and Italians. I like work that is careful, specific, and presented in a smoothly written narrative.
As a cub reporter covering Hudson County, New Jersey in the late 1970s, I had to learn quickly about how to investigate mob activity.
This book was invaluable because it detailed how the mob infiltrated legitimate businesses (meat, dairy, liquor, trucking) and unions (the Teamsters pension fund). The late Jonathan Kwitny, a former Wall Street Journal reporter, did a great service with this 1979 book.
This of it as a kind of tax. Every time you buy a pizza, or a hamburger, or new clothes, or use a product that has traveled in a truck, the odds are that you are paying a tribute to one of America's crime families. This book shows that the Mafia, and the larger crime syndicate that it dominates, has control over much of what the public regards as legitimate business. And when the Dons dominate the marketplace, they bring murder, arson, and violence with them.
I hate saying goodbye. Picking up a book and being introduced to an entire group of people—family, friends, teammates—and knowing you get to continue to watch these relationships bloom over a course of books is part of the reason I pick up a book in the first place. I want to see these characters pop in twenty books down the road. I absolutely love cameos of old characters! Because of this, I write in a singular world as well. My Prescotts may be the base of the world at the moment, but it’s also their friends at O’Gallaghers and their teammates with the Enforcers hockey team that keep the world growing—and it’s not ending anytime soon.
This book happens to be in the back half of a series, but it’s my favorite in this mafia “family.” Van Dyken does break the romance rules a little with this one, but the growth that Sergio goes through makes it (mostly) worth it in the end. While reading a series in order is usually the goal of a reader, I’m an emotional reader and have zero issue starting in the middle of a series. There isn’t a true overall series arc here, so picking up in the middle won’t hurt you. But seeing these mafia men come together for Sergio and Andi… You’ll fall in love with this group easily. Bring tissues.
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…
I wrote on the mob early in my career as a newspaper reporter, investigating organized crime’s infiltration of politics, unions, and the toxic-waste industry in New Jersey in the late 1970s and early ‘80s, then covering some of the major mob trials in New York during the 1980s (starting with the case depicted in the movie Donnie Brasco). In more recent years, I’ve returned to the subject in two books: The Italian Squad: The True Story of the Immigrant Cops Who Fought the Rise of the Mafia and An Unlikely Union: The Love-Hate Story of New York’s Irish and Italians. I like work that is careful, specific, and presented in a smoothly written narrative.
This is another book that cuts through the hype, helping to define the often sensationalized connections between mafiosi in Italy and the United States.
Historian Salvatore Lupo, a Sicilian, brings a perspective often missing in American books on the Mafia. His meticulous research knocks down the idea that the American Mafia was ever some giant “alien conspiracy” with Sicilian overlords, but it does examine whatever interconnections and parallels exist in real life between the two Mafias.
Much like the Critchley book, this is for those who want the facts, facts, facts. And Italian experts have a lot to contribute to the story of the American Mafia.
A realistic understanding of the mafia must avoid depictions both of a monolithic organization and of localized, isolated groups. Here, renowned historian Salvatore Lupo analyzes the mafia as a network of varied relationships and institutions, the result of a complex cultural and social encounter that was shaped by multiple, diverse environments.
I've always loved reading romance, and something about those jealous, possessive, alpha males just always got my heart racing. I love a hero who's all in from the get-go and will do anything for the woman he loves. He knows what he wants and goes after it. I also get how crazy busy we can be. I don't know about you, but I don't always have time to sit down and read a super long novel. Insta-love romances are short and spicy and don't take more than an hour or two to read. You can count on my insta-love stories to be filled with heat, passion, and happily ever afters.
This book is so deliciously over-the-top. Forced into a marriage she doesn't want, Sophie gets desperate and makes a crazy post online, begging someone to kidnap her. Phoenix actually does it, and it's just an insane level of possessive hotness from then on out. Phoenix is dark and gruff and growly and everything an obsessive alpha male should be.
At thirteen, I was promised to another man. At eighteen, I was married off to him by my parents. A day before we would consummate our union, as a last ditch effort to save myself, I put an online ad asking for a stranger to take me away. I never thought it would actually happen. Now, the man holding me has no intention of ever letting me go. In fact, his plans for me are much more dark and twisted than anything I ever could have imagined.
I've always loved reading romance, and something about those jealous, possessive, alpha males just always got my heart racing. I love a hero who's all in from the get-go and will do anything for the woman he loves. He knows what he wants and goes after it. I also get how crazy busy we can be. I don't know about you, but I don't always have time to sit down and read a super long novel. Insta-love romances are short and spicy and don't take more than an hour or two to read. You can count on my insta-love stories to be filled with heat, passion, and happily ever afters.
This was the first insta-love book I ever read, and I've been hooked on short read romances ever since. You're thrown into the action right away with Peyton fleeing her stepbrother. Granger is a stranger, but he immediately steps in to protect her. Their chemistry is off the charts from the moment they meet. From the moment Granger sees her, he's all in, capitated, obsessed. He starts stalking her because he just can't help himself. There's nothing I love more than a good stalker romance, and this book checked all my boxes.
I met him one night on a dark, empty road, while on the run from an unexpected enemy. He protected me without hesitation. Without question. From that moment forward, he made himself the center of my universe. I became the center of his, as well—to a degree that scared me as much as it excited me. Now, my best friend and roommate is close at all times. Even when I don't realize it. Even when I don't see him. But when I peer into the shadows and find him there, will I run away out of common sense? Or let…
