BLOG TOUR STOP: REVIEW, EXCERPT, TEASERS, AND GIVEAWAY: Elicit by Rachel Van Dyken

SYNOPSIS

Cursed, numb, rejected, scorned, wicked, sinister, dark, twisted…my name is Tex Campisi and this is my legacy. I killed my father in cold blood and lost my soul right along with him.
I crave war more than peace, and I’m about to take my place in history as the youngest Capo dei Capi in the Cosa Nostra…that is until someone stops me, saves me from myself.

But the only person able to do that…is my best friends sister, Mo Abandanato, and she just ripped my heart out and asked me to hold it in my hands while she put bullets through it.

Im cursed so I did it.
I’m numb so I held it.
I’m wicked so I liked it.
I used the pain Mo caused as a catalyst to turn into my biggest nightmare–the five families greatest enemy. It’s my turn to take a stand, knowing full well I’m going to lose my mind to the madness that is the American Mafia. I’ve always been told Blood is thicker than life. I wish I would have listened. Because regardless of who you love? You will betray. You will kill.
Blood Always Wins.
The only way out is death…yours.

Welcome to the Dark Side of the Family

BUY LINKS

AMAZON: http://amzn.com/B00L89C7EY

BARNES & NOBLE: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/elicit-rachel-van-dyken/1119590065?ean=2940045955775

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/elicit/id881056045?mt=11

REVIEW

Rachel Van Dyken’s Eagle Elite series is one of my favorite series of all time. The complexity of its storylines and the multifaceted nature of the characters make each and every book a violent and angst filled adventure into the volatile Mafia world that Rachel created. Book 4, Elicit, focuses on Tex and Mo who, when book three ends, are at a crossroads in their relationship. But this book is about so much more than Tex and Mo’s love/hate relationship. There’s a bigger story unraveling – one that is going to drastically change the dynamics of the Mafia families and force people to come out of hiding and fight for not only their family’s name but also their lives.

The biggest thing that readers need to be aware of heading into Elicit is that nothing is what it seems…when you think the storyline is headed one way and you have things figured out, secrets are divulged that change the entire scope of the plot, and once you regroup and attempt to figure out a new game plan for the characters, another twist is inserted that will have you backpedaling once again to figure out how everything is going to play out in the favor of the Mafia bosses and their friends who you have grown to love.

For Tex and Mo, the events that occur in Elicit are life changing. Tex has finally reached the point in his life where he needs to decide which sides he’s on…which family he belongs to in more than a blood sense, and as he struggles to make this life altering decision, readers will see 2 sides of him. Which one will win out is a complicated question to answer because Tex needs both parts to survive. He’s more than simply Tex, but there are also parts of him that make him so much better than Vito Campisi’s son. He’s a hero in Mo’s eyes, but he becomes a monster when necessary and that part of him is one that he doesn’t shy away from because he craves blood and death; in a way, it’s how he measures his worth…his usefulness to the family who adopted him when his blood family wished he was never born.

But when there’s a possible mafia war on the horizon, sacrifices will need to be made, and in doing so, lovers will become enemies…blood will need to be chosen over love…friendships will be put to the test, and the black sheep of families will have to rise above in order to protect the lives of those they deem worth the risk.

Elicit is a complicated game of cat and mouse, and the players involved will play both roles throughout the text. Each of the members of the Eagle Elite will have to step up in a variety of ways that will have readers questioning their sanity as well as their loyalty. But when everything is said and done and the smoke clears, readers will finally know where everyone stands and what the future holds for Nixon and Trace, Chase and Mil, Tex and Mo, and the rest of their families.

This is by far my favorite book in the series. I never thought anyone would usurp Nixon’s spot at the top for me, but Tex does so easily with his words and actions throughout Elicit. There’s a reason for every one of Tex’s actions and reactions, and while there are parts of the story that will make readers want to beat him up a bit, he’s always thinking ten steps ahead of everyone else, which is why at the end, he’s where he belongs.

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

5++ poison apples

EXCERPT

I had to believe that there was a light at the end of the tunnel and if there wasn’t, well I was screwed.
Whistling, I pulled open the door to the house and walked into the kitchen. Chase was standing there shirtless, sweat pouring down his chest as he devoured a cinnamon roll and cup of coffee. My stomach growled at the smell of fresh rolls.
“I made the rolls.” Chase’s eyes narrowed over his steaming cup of coffee. “After I punched a bag with your face on it.”
“How’d my face turn out?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“Wouldn’t know.” Chase shrugged. “I got tired of punching and eventually pulled out my gun. I’ll buy Nixon another punching bag tomorrow.”
“Hmm, got a little rage, Chase?”
“I don’t know Tex, care to sucker punch me again and find out?”
“Ladies.” Nixon stormed into the room. “Tuck those ovaries back into your pants and grow some balls—nobody’s punching anyone.”
“Says who?” I snorted bracing my hands on the counter top.
“Says the guy who’s going to put a bullet in your head if you as much as hint as disrespecting me in my own home.” Nixon yawned and reached for a cup, then offered me one. “Coffee?”
“Probably time to retire when threatening your friends over coffee seems normal, Nixon.” I took the cup. “Just saying.”
“Probably time to take Xanax if you’re punching your best friend in the face for breathing.” Chase lifted his cup mockingly into the air. “Just sayin’.

TRAILER

PLAYLIST

About Rachel Van Dyken

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com