Bound By The Past (Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles Book 7) Kindle Edition

This author truly weaves an interesting, intricate world. Three crime families well four if you count 'the Russians', are all interwoven into this world you may forget isn't real.She vividly brings all of her characters to life. Her stories are engaging, interesting and very entertaining. You will be on the edge of your seatI didn't like the recap of the story at the beginning. It was tedious for me. I do wonder if she knew how to just have Dante speak in his book versus waiting here to get his side and perspective?The second half was fire! Then three fourths of way through I was just impressed by this author's abilities. I would definitely recommend. I am addicted and want more. Very interested in Seraphina and Ramos's story.Happy Reading fellow bookworms!

Dante and Val have now became my favorite couple. Val is an amazing wife and mom. Dante is the Capo with a fierce love for his family. This book, to me, was violent in places. I'm sorry but I had to skip those pages but the book was so good!!! There was quite a twist at the end. It fit though..... Please read this series! It is so good and I promise you won't be sorry!!!

So I have mixed emotions over this book. The book starts in the past when Dante is nineteen and heir to Chicago's Outfit and ends in the future when he's married to his second wife and having children with her. The plot, therefore, spreads over several years, building the set up for many conflicting situations that resulted in Dante's five betrayals to the Outfit and showing the aftermath of his actions. I loved how Cora masterfully crafted this story. It felt like with every betrayal another layer of Dante's character was revealed. It was a very interesting and refreshingly different approach to explain his character to her readers.I honestly wished this book was a bit longer in some scenes especially the beginning when he meets Valentina. I felt like that part just felt rushes as if Cora just wanted to get rid of the moment and get to the others. There were some scenes from BBD that I wanted to see but it was just summarized in one paragraph and we had to quickly move on.The relationship between Dante and his children was just adorable! You can definitely see how his actions are going to impact his children in the long run. I also noticed some teasers here and there between future couples and what's to come in the new upcoming series. I can see how the relationship between Anna and the senator's son is going to be plus a possible love triangle between Santino as well. Plus, Samuel and Emma were kind of foreshadowed and now I am excited by that! But the book I am definitely looking forward to is Fragile Longing. As the reader, you got to see Danilo change from Twisted Pride to such a different person. (Poor Sophie.)Overall, BBTP wrapped up the Born in Blood series with a trip to the past and set the players for the Sins of my Father series.

To be a good leader you must be feared yet respected. Dante has both. You must be ruthless and hard. Dante is both. They dont call him the Ice Man for nothing. He is the Capo of the Outfit. His name strikes fear into others. Just the mention of his name makes people shake. His cold demeanor in any situation is talked about throughout the nation. He has a reputation he has worked on since a young boy. However, this Capo has a weakness many aren’t aware of. That weakness? Almost every women in his family. As Capo one has many responsibilities but also many advantages. Betrayal is the worst thing anyone in the mafia can do. Punishable by death at the hands of the enforcers and put out by the Capo himself. But what do you do when the Capo is the one who does the betraying? The Outfits leader has many secrets. Secrets that would have all his men questioning his loyalty. But they find out. This Ice Man May have a heart but only a select few ever get a chance to experience it. The rest? Well they die.This book was everything I never knew I wanted or needed. THE MAFIA LIVES ON!!! My mafia obsession is out of control and I blame Cora. I love how this book was put together. This is the first book I actually got to see a lot of interaction between a man of danger/power have with his children in a good way. We got to see this cold man actually have a soft side. The struggle he had between saving his family and saving the Outfit truly gutted me. How does one choose? I don’t know how he didn’t end up in a straight jacket. The decisions and all the people he had relying on him would’ve put me on pills right away. I love how we got to see the other side of Remo and Serafinas story. The backlash that Dante got from that scene literally made me scared. How these three families are going to be able to survive with each other is a mystery. With each book in the series I fall more in love with them. I can’t pick sides. At first I was all for the Famiglia. Then my loyalties switched to the Outfit. It ended with the Camorra and it has lasted there for a while but now I’m more like can’t we all just be friends. As much as I love the mafia this is why I can never be in it. Except for the fact that Im missing a few other qualities, I am way too indecisive. either way this book was amazing. We get a better window into what’s to come and we get more Dante & Val. That should be reason enough to get it and read it. Plus those two children of theirs had me dying. If you’re looking for story full of edge of your seat moments, tears of laughter and sadness then get this book. This is one of the best mafia stories I have ever read and I’m so glad I found it.

Bound by the Past is the 7th book within the Born in Blood Chronicles and it predominantly narrates Dante Cavallaro’s POV of his life and the many betrayals that lie within it.We were first introduced to Dante in Bound by Duty, where he came across callous and calculated, being given the nickname “cold fish”, he certainly lived up to that title from what we were shown from his first book and the brief appearances of him from other books.Bound by the Past shows anything but a cold, emotionless Dante. He is compelling and enigmatic and passionate, this man feels like no other. His emotions and turmoil throughout the various chapters of his life are like a whirlwind, ready to leave chaos and destruction behind, regardless of the consequences. The side to Dante that has never been shown before is gripping because he loves like no other. Cora Reilly drops the curtain on Dante’s facade and shows a man who fights himself to retain control before his emotions erupt like a raging volcano.The book is broken down into five betrayals Dante has committed in order to protect those he holds dearest and loves the most, and with each another layer of Dante’s outer shell is peeled off and shows his inner anguish.Any and all rational thoughts are thrown out of the window when it comes to Dante’s dedication and commitment to love and protect his family, they hold priority over everything else for him and rightly so. His unbreakable bond with Valentina and his children was heartwarming, he constantly proved how worthy he is of their love. Valentina is an unbreakable, strong, independent woman who is full of love, she is undeniably the strongest woman within their world. Her strength has allowed Dante to lean on her for support and advice, she shines within this book because she never cowers away from the brutality, she is the epitome of a real woman. The question that has been on everyones’ lips since Bound by Duty is whether Dante loves Valentina, sometimes words alone can’t answer questions but in this sense, his actions, inner turmoil, emotions, everything show that his love for Val is fierce and burning, like an inferno of lava ready to explode. Val is Dantes’ best friend and partner like no one else has ever been, their bond is strengthened by their undying love and respect for each other that has always helped Dante to recover from whatever he has been faced with. Their power is unlike any other which is why it makes sense why they are dubbed the ‘Power couple’, they’ve truly earned it. If you hadn’t before, be prepared to fall in love with this couple.Those of you who have undermined Dante previously get ready to be blown away, although we know a lot of the events that have transpired, you aren’t ready for some of the twists and surprises that happened behind the scenes. The groundwork has already been set in motion and believe me when I say you will not see it coming, it will leave you anticipating for more.The Outfit has followed tradition for long enough, a transition is about to come and this will change everything.Readers have awaited this book for a very long time and for anyone who missed the Cavallaros, this one is for you. Reilly hits it out of the park, she has delivered it in a way that won’t allow you to recover or ever forget Dante Cavallaro.

I only discovered Cora Reilly the end of last year. For years I tried to read hard cure Mafia romance and I just didnt enjoy it, I love light hearted books with only a little darkness but that has now changed thanks to this woman and Amo Jones, my taste has changed so much.When I came across Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles Series and I couldn't believe there were 7 books (at the time) This never happens! From book 1 Luca Vitiello story I was hooked. The whole series is incredible. I never come across anyone who writes dark, twisted s**t so well.I actually didn't know there was going to be more to Dante and Val's story until my IG feed was full I mean every post was about Bound by the past LOL.Was Dante cavallaro Story needed to be told 100% YES!! We didn't get enough of him in book 2. As much as I love Val and reading her story I needed more, and I enjoy reading the males POV more than the womans. There is so much to know when a man who gone through what Dante has gone through I'm so happy we got to see him grow in every aspect of his life.SPOILER ALERTI am so excited to see what Cora Reilly writes next, who does Anna end up with? Will Leonas be capo, will we get to see Bibi have a happy ever after in her POV, does Danilo end up with Samuel sister, and does Samuel end up with Danilo sister? There's so much I want to know and I honestly can't wait to see what happens!.

Bound by the Past is the seventh and final book in the Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles, though there is also a companion series. The book follows Dante and Valentina, the couple from Bound by Duty, but this one uses both of their perspectives. As with Bound by Love, the first part retells some of Bound by Duty but from Dante's perspective, and just like that book it again makes the pacing feel very messy. Once we get to the new plot then the book improves, however, the book covers such a long period of time it can feel a little choppy. The most interesting part of this book, and what sets it apart from the others in the series is the lack of relationship drama. It is refreshing to read a romance about a happily married couple and I really enjoyed it. Dante and Valentina make such a great team and I loved getting to see them work together and grow together as a family. As a book it was enjoyable and I can see it as the end of the Chicago Outfit's story but things with the New York Famiglia and the Las Vegas Camorra are less settled so hopefully we'll get a resolution in the companion series, The Camorra Chronicles

Loved this book, as usual Cora has worked her magic and we get to see Dante’s point of view.I actually loved Dante in BBD but have gone off him in a big wAy in TTTP. I thought he was selfish and hypocritical about his decisions. He was never willing to sacrifice himself for the Outfit. He gave aria to Luca despite her innocence and Luca’s reputation, I was not happy about that. Then he threw Samuel and Sofia under the bus rather then sacrifice Anna. Lastly he is ok marrying his kids with outsiders but was ready to kill Orazio for the same thing. Having said that, still loved the book as Cora is an excellent story teller. I loved the Remo / Fina episode, it was good to see it through the families eyes. It was good see possible future pairings and look forward to Cora’s future works.

I liked the glimpse into the outfit we hadn't really gotten before. But I don't know if this book endeared my to Dante and Valentina. Then again maybe I'm just more team Famiglia/Camorra.I liked seeing the part from Twisted Pride and Bonds in this book.And I guess it was interesting that Samuel didn't sneak in. I am looking forward to his book though.Now the start was very MEH to me... I would have skipped most of it. Until the Serafina part TBH.I am huge Cora fan but this feels like a chinese take out, you feel full but also unsatisfied...It also makes me look forward to Fragile Longing even more now. Danilo and Sofia should be interesting.All in all not a bad read but also not a re-read for me.