Announcing the 𝐵𝐿𝒪𝒪𝒟 & 𝐵𝒪𝒰𝑅𝐵𝒪𝒩 series: an expansion of my mafia world first begun in Mine to Protect!!! 🖤
Alright, y'all, so I normally wouldn't announce a new project this early but I'm super excited about this and I want to let all of my fiction readers know I haven't abandoned you. New fiction books--mafia romance books, specifically--are in the works!!!
I debated for a long time on which direction to take my writing but this is what I've settled on. I love writing books set in New Orleans. I love writing romance with elements of suspense, mystery, and action. I love Mine to Protect and want to continue to replicate that vibe while giving myself the freedom to explore new characters, tropes, and levels of steam while also building an interconnected world.
𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆...𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐖 ✨
So, beginning in early 2024, I will start writing the first of many standalone mafia romances as part of the 𝐵𝓁𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐵𝑜𝓊𝓇𝒷𝑜𝓃 series. Mine to Protect will be considered Book 1 of this series, followed by a first phase (4 books which can be read in any order) set during the one year that Alister is away from New Orleans (as seen at the end of Mine to Protect).
We know that during this time, Gio stayed behind to legitimize the Amato family businesses and facilitate a smooth transition of power in New Orleans between the Italian mafia and the Irish mob. This first phase of this series following Mine to Protect will focus on the men of B&B Private Security (those of Alister's men who refused to pledge allegiance to the Irish) as they are tasked with protecting various clients: mafia/mob princesses, wealthy New Orleans socialites, etc. But despite the intention for B&B to be a fully legit business, they won’t be able to escape their mafia ties--not that they want to. Unlike Alister, these men are proud to be Mafiosi. They are smart, handsome, dangerous men who honor tradition and value family.
All books will be dual-POV, have a mafia-centric plot, and will be stand-alone romances leading up to Alister’s return and a second phase of the series which will include a sequel to Mine to Protect and more books for the main players you’ve come to know and love: Gio, Sophia and Cassio and more.
𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭: The series is called 𝐵𝓁𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐵𝑜𝓊𝓇𝒷𝑜𝓃 as a tie-in to Mine to Protect and it's setting, New Orleans.
New Orleans is known for Bourbon Street and bourbon is also a favorite drink of these sophisticated yet rough-around-the-edges men. And, Alister Amato, the Mafia King in Mine to Protect, is known as the Blood King due to the legend of how the mafia was created in New Orleans.
Knowing my writing speed, this series will be years in the making, but that's okay. All the more time for you to fall in love with this world and these characters. 😊
Some tropes I can already see myself exploring are opposites attract, enemies to lovers, age gap, second chance, forbidden, and even an unexpected pregnancy.
The events of Mine to Protect introduce the world, the main players, and the primary conflict that will befall New Orleans during the first phase of Blood and Bourbon--the transition of power between the Italians and the Irish.
Will Alister's soldiers be able to leave their lives of crime behind? Will they want to?
How will Gio maintain peace between these sworn enemies turned allies?
And, perhaps, the biggest question of all--can Alister truly walk away from his crown and birthright?
Keep reading to get to know our new couple!
Meet Damon Dupont and Anastasia Cross ♡
As Alister departs New Orleans, Gio, his underboss, is tasked with legitimizing the family business and facilitating a smooth transition of power of Alister's widespread territories to Josephine Cullen, leader of the Irish mob based out of Boston. Historically, the Irish and the Italians are enemies and in this mafia world, it's no different. But, due to Josephine's love for Ariana and her connection to Ariana's mother, Valentina, Josephine agrees to Alister's proposition in order to give he and Ariana a chance at a normal life. But, Josephine must remain in Boston. So, she sends someone to rule in New Orleans as her proxy--Aidan Cross, henceforth known as the Proxy King.
Anastasia is Aidan's little sister and she wants nothing to do with the world of crime and its players who've always surrounded her. So, she views her brother's new assignment in New Orleans as her chance to escape. In Boston, she couldn't walk out her front door without being recognized or watched. But, in New Orleans, she's a nobody and she likes that. But, with tensions high among the most dangerous men in the Crescent City and a potential war looming as word spreads that Alister has abandoned his throne, Aidan knows his sister needs protection--whether she wants it or not.
Enter, Damon. Damon, cousin to Alister and Sophia, has been training to be a protector since he was thirteen. After Alister left for college, Domenico (he and Sophia's father) took advantage of the summers Damon spent at Laroux House and trained him himself. Aside from Alister and Gio, he's the best and only the best can protect a princess. Damon hates the Irish and will hate his new assignment even more.
Anastasia is the perfect sunshine and Damon the perfect grump in this opposites attract, enemies to lovers mafia romance. I can already tell you, this one is going to be STEAMY!
More things to know about Damon and Anastasia's story...
Damon will have a grungy tattoo shop in the French Quarter right next to Anastasia's super girly shop. Her apartment will also conveniently be located right next door to B&B Headquarters (inspired by The Compound in The Originals). It's giving forced proximity vibes.
Anastasia will have a white Pomeranian named Brinkley who will hate Damon and annoy the hell out of him. I've already imagined so many scenes with Brinkley.
Finally, unlike my other books in which our heroines have endured trauma and loss, Anastasia has always been sheltered and protected. She has been allowed to remain feminine, even a bit childish in the most beautiful and pure way. I'm excited to write her because I want to tap into that innocence and happy-go-lucky energy myself. But, as a writer, it's also a good place to start because it gives me room to break her for character development. I know that sounds terrible but hey, it's life, right?
Okay, that's it for now. Are you excited? Let me know what you think of my new mafia series. I hope you'll check it out next year! ♡