Ruthless People Paperback – March 23, 2017

My curiosity and fascination with all-things-mafia got the best of me. After reading a tweet about Ruthless People, I immediately had to look it up, and after reading the synopsis, my 1-click finger took over! I actually dropped everything I was doing and just dove right into the book! And I was amply rewarded for this spur-of-the-moment decision...because I had an absolute blast while reading!--It had taken a lot of blood, sweat, and no tears to make sure that they, and everyone else, knew that I was the Boss. I may be pretty, I may be young, but I was a Giovanni. Giovannis were--and always would be--beautiful, but lethal when crossed.Melody. Nicci. Giovanni. There are few heroines that I get behind from page one, and Melody is one of my rare book girlfriends! I loved how Melody could switch between personas...innocent in front of the media and the public eye, witty and blunt behind closed doors, then there's the dark twisted queen that rules the Italian mafia. Melody was made up to rule an empire, and I crowned her after the first few pages alone. I bowed down. Like the red wine that this hot-blooded Italian loves to drink, she is layered, complex, and full-bodied. She's in your face, taking charge, putting her own two fists up...or pointing her own gun...--"She looks like a sweet little lamb from afar, but when you get close, you find out she skinned and ate the damn thing just to use it as a coat. She's a beast."Liam Alec Callahan is a little more rough around the edges, but just as smart, powerful and merciless. His pride and loyalty to his family make him an incredibly headstrong character, as well.--Family was everything. It was the one thing my father had drilled into our heads since we were children. Rule One: You kill for family. You die for family. Because you can't trust anyone else.The book begins with the meeting of these two heirs. They're both children of criminal royalty, bound by contract to marry, but Liam expects to meet a woman inferior to him. He doesn't expect the gorgeous power-house that is Melody Giovanni at all, or that such a woman even exists. It made a big part of me look forward to Melody showing up and putting Liam's ego in check! It was a collision of two strong forces, and it did not disappoint. ;) So often in crime-related novels, the man pulls the innocent woman into his dark world. It was refreshing to see a female main character who could hold her own in this kind of lifestyle, from the very beginning!--"You look beautiful. See you at the altar, and try not to flinch at the holy water."This couple was quite a matchup. Lion and lioness. Two beautiful beasts. I really loved their banter and the battle of wits! It's the kind of tension that amps you up! At times, it was hilarious, then a few pages later, it could give you chills! And thankfully, neither of them ever went "soft" or lost their touch. (One of my pet peeves...) From there, the relationship evolved into something more.--"If we do not kill them, they kill us. It is the way of the world...It is survival. If it were your life for theirs, they would kill you in a second to save themselves or their family...Everyone is ruthless. They just don't know it. You do. I do. And that is why we are on top and will remain so."Liam and Mel were a modern-day cross between Bonnie & Clyde and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. They had wicked sharp tongues, but their bite was as good as their bark. They didn't hesitate to fulfill every cruel threat they issued. They turned into an intimidating duo!--Mel pulled out a gun and placed it on the table with a single bullet before looking me in the eyes. She wanted blood, and so did I.Even the sex was as high-octane as the fights! There was one, in particular, that felt out of place for me. It could've been left out, and I wouldn't have minded. But...Everything else was hot, filthy, and passionate! *fans self*They also both suffered intriguing, tough childhoods, so they were hardened before they ever took their respective thrones as leaders. As the book progressed and Liam and Melody slowly opened up to each other, I liked getting to know that history, as well. It fleshed out their characters even more and made it easier to immerse myself in their gritty world.--"We aren't normal...I don't have time to waste going through the motions. Either I like it or I don't. Either I'm in or I'm out. I do not walk in the middle."--"Not everyone is like you."--"You're like me," he whispered.Aside from showing this unconventional pair fall for each other, the book also touches on themes of family, loyalty, respect, power...All of the things that attract me to mafia stories in the first place. I loved how the author incorporated different cultures. For example, there was a scene with Mel and her father, and it just felt more profound that they spoke in Italian. Even the use of the Catholic church added to the pageantry. These details built up the mafia atmosphere.--"You insult us more by pretending you're good Catholic folk. You don't care about God. I don't think you even believe in Him."--"I care about God, and I do believe in Him." I really did. "However, I know why I was created...What would happen if there weren't people like me? If the world were perfect, if everything was the way you wished it to be, then why would you pray? God needs me, because without us, you forget about Him."Considering all of the players in the game and all of the moving pieces that come in later, it truly is like watching a movie. It's violent, action-packed, and it moves along rapidly. Yes, some scenes get a little whoa-crazy...but I really enjoyed the storytelling in this one! I was highlighting everything! A few parts were definitely on an action-movie level of believability, but--in my opinion--this movie would at least grade as a Summer blockbuster! ;) It was fun to follow along! I was really captivated by J.J. McAvoy's writing.Other points of view were included, outside of Liam and Melody. I felt it gave depth to the story. Otherwise, this book would've just sounded like one continuous power trip and ego stroke for Liam and Melody. There had to be more than just their reign, and the secondary characters provided that. I liked the roles that the right-hand men played, the wise elderly advice from Liam's parents...The women in this world all have an edge to them. They each have their own backstory. Some are stronger than others, but they each stand out and are just as compelling as their male counterparts.--"Ms. Giovanni, I would ask that you not kill anyone in my house."--"Sedric, I like you. I really do," she said with no emotion in her voice. "But step out of the way or I will kill you before I kill your son."Then, suddenly, everything started to unravel. It was time for Liam and Melody to face their true enemies!...That pivotal point where my Kindle notes became caps-locked...One particular twist messed me up. All I'll say is...I loved Melody so much and was so invested in her character that this twist was a huge shocker.--"So this, son, is your defining hour, and how you react now will either break or make your future. Whatever pain and anger you are holding on to, let it go before you see her, or you may just lose her."However...Alliance. Unity. Between the Giovannis and the Callahans. It all falls into place afterwards. It makes "the twist" worth it, makes some sense of what happened. Was it easy to get through? Hell no! *cries* But did I get the big picture? Ugh. Yes. *whew*Gore isn't for everyone, so I will warn readers that things get pretty nasty. I commend the author for not holding back, though, and for being consistent. She didn't throw violence in your face, only to soften at the last minute and give you rainbows. If anything, she saved the worst for last. She was ruthless. To the end. And I'm really excited to find out what happens next in this series!--"You've driven me half mad...You've made me fall in love with you...You've made me into a monster."All the warning and recap that you need, to be honest, is written right there on the cover. Power. Sex. Drugs. Love. Murder. Family. Prepare yourself to laugh and smirk, all in the midst of chaos and a mob war. Remember that things are going to be vicious, vulgar, and disturbing. Afterall, don't ever forget the title: Ruthless People.

“She was mine. She was all mine….I was the king of the jungle, and the woman beside me was my queen.” LeamThis story takes place in the city of Chicago. Were three families stronger than all the rest in the mafia world are fighting to take control of their city. The Callahan, the Giovanni, and the Valero. Leam Alex Callahan was a gorgeous twenty seven year old man. His family had arranged his marriage when he was young with the Giovanni’s only daughter. The Callahan’s ruled Chicago and when they combined two of the most powerful families they were going to be unstoppable. Liam had green eyes, dark brown sex hair and a charming smile that melt every girl he meets. His family was Irish and they could drink every day from dusk until dawn and still walk a straight line . Many feared Leam because he made himself well known. He was ruthless and cold blooded killer and wanted to earn the title his father was giving him. He was going to take over his father’s position once he marries. He was known as the “boogeyman of the east” because he was heart less and didn't care what he had to do to get what he wanted. He had never met his “to be bride” before and he was not worried about it, just maybe a little bit but he just assumed she will be the shopping kind of girl that will stay at home.“Rule One: You kill for family. You die for family. Because you can’t trust anyone.”“Rule Two: Take no prisoners and have no regrets about it.”“Rule Three: Just because you sell drugs for a living isn’t an excuse not to dress well.”“Rule Four: No bloody divorce.”Melody Nicci Giovanni was the only daughter of the Giovanni’s family. They were the most powerful family in Italy in the mafia world. She was the unknown “wicked witch of the west” but her man nicked named her “Bloody Melody” they all feared her. The world didn’t know she had stepped up and taken over her father’s empire. Her father was Ill with cancer and was going to die soon. He wanted to make sure she was married before that happened so they rushed the wedding. She was ruthless and savage and had been training since early age. She knew how to play the game and no one even thought what she was until they were put in front of her. She was twenty four years old with wavy black hair, flawless olive skin, deep brown eyes, and with an amazing body to kill for. All the man drooled and lusted over her.“You, ma’am, are ruthless, and not a soul on this planet would dare cross you. You would put a bullet in our heads if we were ever disloyal to you or the family. You are the Boss,” Reply one of her manLeam and Melody met each other just few days before their wedding. It was awesome because they fought like savage animals. At first he thought she was an ugly duck and when he saw her he knew he wanted her. He thought he could rule and controlled her but he was so wrong. She fought him as he stopped her killing and they had a ruthless kissing scene but he ended up with a shot on his leg, and both ended up with bruises, it was awesome really haha. They had to go to battle before the wedding and they ended up hooking up, it was great. They got married and their physical chemistry was even better every single time. At first it was lust that they found on each other however the more time spent together the more they realized they are both lonely and they have been searching for someone like them the entire time. It was like they were both just meant to be because they both has no remorse of what they did for living and were ruthless that did not hesitate to kill whoever gets on their way. They both have found their perfect match. It was Leam who had to teach Mel how to love because she honestly had never felt love before so she was struggling, he handled her amazingly. Prompts to him to put up with her bossiness but again they were just both made perfectly for each other, I absolutely loved these two.There was so much action and suspense going on through this story. A lot of deaths, fights, and the entire city were in chaos. People were dying front and right because the police was trying to catch The Callahan’s family and lock them down on top of that the Valero’s family was after them too. So the war was real. This book kept me on the edge constantly not knowing what was coming up next. There were so many surprises and secrets and I was speechless by the time I was done. The author was able to get you to love the entire Callahan family.The story was told in Leam and Melody’s POVs however, we got multiple POVs from the family members, not much but I really enjoyed knowing a little bit more about them. After reading Declan (Leam’s cousin) and his wife Cora’s thoughts, I felt more understandable to what they were going thru. Also his brother Neal and wife Olivia, now they really touched me and I really wish they had their own book because I couldn't help hurting for them. Leam’s parents were awesome; I enjoyed learning about them a little more thru the father’s POV. We also get to know Mel’s private pro-filer Adriana; her story was crazy she was awesome. I really liked her a lot and after reading what she went through and how Mel helped her out I had so much more respect for them both. I felt so attached to all these characters at the end of the book that I just can’t get enough. I will most defiantly be continuing this series.

This is one of the best books I've ever readIn this book we diving into the true mafia family. We follow the steps of two ruthless and heartless people that are doing their worst to keep their empire.They are the Queen and the King of the caos, they are vicious on power and they don't have mercy.Mel and Liam of course are soul mates! They will seat fire on the world and every body will bound for them!

About the product itself: the spine came a bit damaged, but nothing major.Now, about the book: WOW, that’s the only word I can actually write about it. The book is great and unlike anything I’ve read before. The characters are greatly developed, each has its very own personality but that doesn’t make them predictable, you never know what’s coming next.There’s violence, mystery, crime, and of course, love.Honestly I think this book is amazing and if possible it should be turned into a movie/series.Thank you J.J. McAvoy for giving this experience to your readers.

Una maravilla. No podía dejarlo. La autora me ha conquistado, me he comprado todos sus libros. Una vez que conozcas a Melody Giovanni y a Liam Callahan también te pasará lo mismo.

This book was just a random pick for me and when I started it I just couldn't put it down. I finished the book by night. I've always believed living by the family, you defend it until your very last.When 2 power houses come together one can only imagine the havoc they would bring but some people are plain stupid to challenge power And what happens when you challenge power is written out so well by Ms. JJ McAvoy.Onto book 2 and 3 from here on even though they are on the pricy side but then again you do not undermine the worth of a Callahan.

Forget those sappy Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt act when you begin to read this book it's just giving you the great thrill, laugh and just love all the banters between Mel and Liam...