Twist of Fate: Syndicate Masters: Midwest

What do a disgraced journalist and the head of the New Orleans mob have in common? Nothing… except fate.

Good wrap to the series, lots of great stuff happening. However, it felt off to have a clan of Tigers in New Orleans and not make any mention of the wolf pack led by Jean-Michael Gautier. I really expected to see something happen between the two.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
The Reluctant Retiree

After being fired as a reporter in New York City, Quinn took advantage of a bequest from a relative and moved to New Orleans, trying to figure out what to do next. When one of the local papers gives her a chance, she makes the best of it, quickly becoming the Gazette’s rising star. Working with an informant, she sets her sights on a notorious Cartel.

Bodie is the head of the syndicate that controls the Crescent City. He wants to stop the Cartel from using the Port of New Orleans to import its new, deadly designer drug and using the Mississippi River to disburse it to the rest of the country.

Once he realized she was his fated mate, nothing would stop him from claiming her. After a not-so-chance encounter during Mardi Gras, Quinn finds herself bonded to the notorious gangster.

Excerpt

“Turning to a more positive thought—any ideas about where you might find your fated mate?”

“She is within the boundaries of our territory; she will not escape me.”

“If you are correct—and you usually are—then she is not a tigress. I have had people searching high and low, offering a substantial reward for information leading to her, but so far, we’ve got nothing. How long have you known about her, and what do you know?”

“I have known since my first breath that she existed, but it is only recently I have known she was near.”

“So, we’re looking for someone new to New Orleans.”

“Not necessarily. She could have been here for years, maybe even been born here. The knowledge of who she is only comes when you are ready, but the knowledge that she exists is given from the moment we are sentient.”

The Reviews

Redrabbitt
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars STRENGTH AND HONOR
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2023
The story is the third and final story of a new Syndicate Masters--Midwest series which will bring Quinn Forrester, and Bodie Lambeau together. Quinn is an investigative reporter, originally from New York, who is now working for the New Orleans Gazette. It is Mardi Gras time in New Orleans and she is attending a party on a steamboat where she will have an encounter with Bodie Lambeau.

The story is like a Cinderella tale, where Quinn will be pampered and taken to the party, meet Bodie, and is seduced by him, they leave and return to his home for a night of passion. But Quinn only wanted a night—and Bodie knows she is his fated mate. Let the fireworks begin!

“I predict you will steal the heart and soul of a man at the party tonight. Take care that you cherish them. Now, let’s get you out of her so you can get home and have your hair and make-up done.”—Celeste

Quinn: This was a mistake.
Bodie: No chère, it was not.
Quinn: Look, Lambeau, I’m a crime reporter and you’re, well, you. You’re a gangster.
Bodie: I am who I am, and you are my perfect and fated mate.
Quinn: That’s BS. I mean the sex was great, but seriously this can’t happen again.
Bodie: It will happen again—two or three times a day minimum. There will even be days I keep you in our bed to enjoy you over and over again.
Quinn: That’s not happening. I am not becoming some kind of sex toy for El Tigre.
Bodie: Why ever not? I fully intend to be your sex toy as well. I mean for us to thoroughly enjoy each other. There will be very few times you initiate sex that I will turn you down.

Bodie: You are my mate, and you will be treated with respect and bask in my loving care.
Quinn: You are seriously delusional.
Bodie: I am not.
Quinn: Listen up, Lambeau, you can’t just walk into my life and steamroll me like this.
Bodie: As much as you aren’t going to like my answer. I just did.

“When we were on the steamboat, I knew my life was about to change irrevocably, but I couldn’t have imagined the enormity of that change.”

I really like Bodie and Quinn together. I like that he doesn’t dismiss her passion as an investigative reporter, but instead, takes her seriously, with the information she shares with him. But, as an alpha male, he is determined to keep his mate safe or let’s say, at least he tries to. The chemistry between them is explosive. I enjoyed the ingenuity of Quinn to do some of the things she does. Best of all, the epilogue gives closure, not only on them, but the previous two stories in this series.

JigsawGirl
4.0 out of 5 stars Was Quinn Set Up in NYC?
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2023
Bodie and Quinn's book can easily be read as a stand-alone. This story seemed to speed by for me. There were so many things I wish had been more detailed in the book, but I have always admitted to being a greedy reader.

The demise of Quinn's New York career didn't seem above board. It felt like there was more to it. I wanted someone to pay for what happened to her, lol.

I did enjoy the Cinderella aspect to the Mardi Grad ball. I wish there had been more detail or interaction in that scenario.

I wanted to know what happened to obnoxious Dave. It would have been great to see his reaction to Quinn's news.

Was Gutierrez ever made aware of what was going on? I enjoyed the book but I have to be honest. It did nothing to slake my need for vengeance, lol. I wanted Gutierrez to have ALL of the details and see his reaction.

Bodie's pursuit of Quinn took much less time than I anticipated. The attraction was fast. The romantic gesture surprising and sweet. The outcome intense and steamy. The relationship fiery and explosive. With all of that said, Bodie and Quinn did end up with their HEA.

I am sorry to see this series end. I would have loved to see more interaction between the syndicate masters together along with their fated mates.

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

#BookReview Stroke of Fortune: Syndicate Masters: Midwest

The present and future are always in motion and you can’t hide from either of them.

Mafia romances can be a bit tricky to write. Paranormal romance can also be a bit difficult to write. Delta has done a great job of combining the two tropes together. Bryony and Nolan are great together. The situation that they find themselves in is completely believable and enjoyable. Throw in a completely new set of shifters and you have a very different perspective!
The Reluctant Retiree

Bryony
Five years ago I drove away from my birthday party, my father, and his mafia organization. I’ve been living off the grid in Moab, Utah. When my father is brutally killed, I am suddenly a wanted woman by various entities, the Feds, the Cartel, my father’s odious second-in-command, and the head of the Gateway Syndicate, Nolan Hamilton, none of them good.

First, I decide to trade what I know to the Feds for protection. Until it turns out the agent in charge is on the Cartel’s payroll. Before he can deliver me to them, I get away and run to the only man powerful enough to keep me and my people safe… Nolan.

Nolan
The head of the Rust Belt Syndicate, has been murdered. His only heir is missing. Everyone, including myself, wants to find her. All of us want to take control of the once prosperous territory.

Then the sexy, curvy Bryony shows up on my doorstep asking for sanctuary. There are many reasons to force her to become my mate—her father’s organization, thwarting the Feds, taking on the Cartel, but the most compelling reason is she is my fated mate.

The Reviews

Redrabbitt
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars I’LL MAKE HER AN OFFER SHE CAN’T REFUSE
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2023
The story is the second story of a new Syndicate Masters series and will be a new beginning for Bryony and Nolan. Bryony Gates is an otter shifter that has left the Bevy, not pleased with her father, and rather than being a mafia princess, plans to make her own way in the world. Nolan Hamilton knows of Bryony and has even been looking out for her for years.

The Rust Belt Syndicate, run by Bryony’s father, Bryan, is weak compared to when his father ran it. With Jared Pettigrew as his Beta, things are even more unstable. Bryony will come home, but leaves and goes into hiding where she creates her own happiness until Pettigrew shows up with his thugs, informs her that her father was murdered, and drags her back to their bevy.

Nolan Hamilton is over the Gateway Syndicate and his pride. He is concerned about the Gutierrez cartel moving into the area with drugs and when Gates is murdered, he learns that Bryony has been taken by Pettigrew. Let the game of Lion and Otter begin.

I liked the characters, their interactions, and for Nolan to learn that his fated mate is none other than Bryony Gates. When she falls into the hands of Pettigrew, that also places her at a greater risk of being bartered to the cartel. I love how smart and clever Bryony is, and even Nolan is impressed with his future lioness. He is willing to follow her around the world, just as long as he can keep her safe.

Rolf: Sounds to me like she is more in tune with being a lioness than an otter-shifter.
Nolan: True. It would seem she has the heart and soul of the lioness, but still, we shouldn’t underestimate what we are asking her to give up.

“Bryony had proven herself to be elusive, clever, and fearless—not bad traits to have in a mate once she had been claimed. Until then, they could prove to be formidable. But that was fine with Nolan. He’d always loved a good challenge.”

Nolan: Is it those who run criminal organizations, lion-shifters, or me in particular that you don’t care for?
Bryony: All of the above.
Nolan: You belong to me, mate—now and forever.
Bryony: No
Nolan: Yes. Surrender to me. Let me make you mine and together we will rule a dynasty second to none. I believe we are fated mates and we were destined to be together and keep our people and out futures safe. I wish I could give you time enough to court you and persuade you to see that I am right.
Bryony: How much time do I have to decide if I want to do this?
Nolan: None. Search your heart, Bryony. Listen to your soul.
Bryony: I choose you. Live or die, rise or fall I choose you.

“I get it, I do. I know for you and the pride, I have a role to play. It’s just not a role I ever saw myself playing or even aspiring to. There’s a small part of me that resents that I was just living in Utah, minding my own business and this whole thing just blew up and suddenly I’m everybody’s pawn in a deadly game I never wanted any part of.”

I loved the angst, mystery, danger, action, and adventure that takes place as Bryony submits to Nolan and accepts his claim. She isn’t meek, but he doesn’t want that. She has the heart of a lioness and good or bad, they will work together for both her people and his. The story does not end on a cliffhanger, but as a segue to the next book, Twist of Fate.

	Desn2004
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable shifter, fated mates, and mafia read!!
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2023
Enjoyable shifter, fated mates, and mafia read!!

This was a good read in an interesting world. This is the first read from this series that I have read and is a stand alone. I enjoyed the FMC, she was strong, independent, and bad a**. The way she was able to take care of herself and get put of tight situations was amazing. I enjoyed the MMC as well, he was the perfect counterpart. Thus read was full of action and steam. You could tell there was chemistry, even though I felt the love scenes fell a little short for my tastes. Good read and I would read more from this series!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Debbie A. Orazi
5.0 out of 5 stars Stroke of Fortune
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2023
This was a fated mates mafia paranormal romance.

Loved this story and the strong female lead. Highly recommend!

Bryony Gates was raised as a mafia princess of the Rust Belt Syndicate until she found out what her father did for a living. She refused to have anything to do with his syndicate, went away to school and later lived halfway across the country. She agrees to come home for a few days for her birthday, but had no intention is staying or going along with her father's plan to marry her off. She is an otter shifter and works in graphic design.

Nolan Hamilton is the alpha of the Gateway Syndicate across the river from her father's territory. He is a lion shifter. He has always kept an eye on Bryony's whereabouts because he knew her father would use her as a pawn especially if anything happened to her father. When her father is unalived by the Cartel he moved to have her brought to his estate for her safety.

Bryony is kidnapped by her father's beta Jared. He plans to force her to marry him and bear him a son. She escaped and goes to the St. Louis airport, booking a flight to Germany she is kidnapped by members of the Cartel. She manages to escape, make her flight and travel to Paris. Nolan brings her to his estate and talks her into mating with him (he realized she is his fated mate when he saw her at the airport). After spending the night together where he gives her the claiming bite to transition her to a lion shifter, she runs away to get time to deal with her confusion. Jared finds her and takes her to the Cartel safe house. Between Bryony, Nolan and his men they take out all the bad guys. She realizes she loves him and they get their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

#BookReview Kiss of Luck: Syndicate Masters: Midwest

She got away once. It won’t happen again

Do you have any idea how hard it is not to laugh out loud in the middle of this book? There was more than one spot when I struggled not to laugh. The couple were great together. I truly enjoyed it from start to finish!
The Reluctant Retiree

Saylor
My unique relationship with Beck ten years ago made me the perfect choice for an undercover operation. My job… bring down Randall Beckett and his Phoenix Syndicate. In all these years I have never shared his secrets, what makes me think I can now?

Beck
A decade ago my uncle sent Saylor away. Now she’s back to attend his funeral. What she doesn’t know is that I’m aware that the real reason she’s here is to infiltrate my organization. The Organized Crime Bureau is in for a shock. I mean to claim her as my mate and they can do nothing to stop me.

The Reviews

JigsawGirl
4.0 out of 5 stars The OCB Was Immediately Sus
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 4, 2023
Saylor was a pleasant surprise. She used her strength as an analyst to protect herself, take out her adversaries, and think her way through determining their end game. I resented the OCB's plans for Saylor to infiltrate the Phoenix Syndicate. They really had no idea about Beck's possible reaction.

I did like Saylor and Beck together. As much as he wanted to protect her, he seemed to respect her talents. Beck was the Alpha and he seemed to mellow out just a touch after he connected with Saylor.

I also appreciated the touches of action, suspense, and mystery. I liked the witty banter Saylor had with not only Beck, but Joe and Mrs. C. as well.

One thing I didn't expect was the information Beck's uncle provided to Saylor. On top of that, the response and acknowledgment or lack thereof later in the book was unexpected. There were some other things I would have liked to have seen in Beck and Saylor's story, but it was an enjoyable read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Kiss of Luck, Midwest Syndicate
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 6, 2023
Kiss of Luck is a worthy entry into the Syndicate Masters series. I love Beck (Randall Beckett) and Saylor Keaton. For those of you who, like me, have read all the other Syndicate Masters series, the first thing you will notice is that there is absolutely no tie to any of the previous Syndicate Masters. I have become so accustomed to the intermingling and references to other Syndicates and their people that, I will admit, it rather jarred me throughout the book. But that did not stop me from thoroughly enjoying Kiss of Luck and look forward to the second book in the Midwest Syndicates series.

Beck and Saylor had been parted for ten years. Saylor caused the separation, instigated by Beck’s uncle. Saylor went to work for the FBI’s Organized Crime Bureau (OCB), which arranged for her to have a fake identity. Beck had searched for her all the time they were separated, but didn’t find her until about six months before their “reunion.” And, in typical Syndicate Master style, that “reunion” was, well, what can I say, Beck is a true Syndicate Master. ‘Nough said.

One thing I am left wondering about is the following exchange Beck had with one of Gutierrez’s goons. (Gutierrez is a man with whom Beck had had business dealings, until Beck learned that Gutierrez intended to turn over the arms to terrorists intent on targeting US cities. Gutierrez was not happy that Beck would no longer supply him with arms and, indeed, had stopped the shipment already on the way to Gutierrez. Thus, the attack on Beck’s compound.)

“You planned your attack better than I thought,” said Beck.
“We had help.”
“Who.”
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” the man with the oily hair and even greasier smile sneered.

Is this a set-up for an overarching mystery in the Midwest Syndicates series? Only time will tell, and I certainly hope that Ms. James solves that mystery in the books to come.

Highly recommend and an undisputed 5+ stars!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Donna L
5.0 out of 5 stars A SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 5, 2023
What a treat we are in for with this new series by Ms. James. A second chance romance
that she belted out of the park. She has the ability to instill passion and integrity into
her characters even when they live outside of the law.

Saylor and Beck made a perfect couple, or should I say purr- fect. If they could go back
in time and have an honest conversation than the last ten years apart would never have
happened. Even though Saylor did not believe Beck’s uncle’s story about his heritage she
ran. The OCB used Saylor to infiltrate and set Beck up with the intention of bringing down
his organization. What they did was throw her into the Leopard Den where their plan
failed. One kiss was all it took for her to forget her goal. One touch and the walls started
to crumble around her heart. I admired Sayor’s strength. Her commitment. She was sassy,
feisty and always quick with a retort, but she was a bundle of goo in Beck’s arms.

Beck may have been a gangster but one with morals who cared for his people. Oh he was
dangerous and deadly but I loved how he cherished Saylor. He had been actively seeking
her for six months and was ready when she attended his uncle's funeral. It didn't take him long to inform Saylor of his plans. Plans that would see them marry and mate. His enemies tried to burn him down, but they soon found out that the Phoenix would always rise again.

Beck and Saylor’s relationship was complex. They broke the rules meant to keep them apart. Who knew there was honor based in the criminal world? This book was steamy, dark, and delicious in so many ways. I loved it.