Review: Sempre by J. M. Darhower

Sempre

J. M. Darhower

Simon & Schuster Digital (Pocket Star)

Nov. 25, 2013

Forever series #1

Haven Antonelli and Carmine DeMarco had vastly different childhoods. Haven, a second-generation slave, grew up isolated in the middle of the desert, her days full of hard work and terrifying abuse. Carmine, born into a wealthy Mafia family, lived a life of privilege, never having to answer for anything he did.

Both now seventeen, a twist of fate causes their worlds to collide, making them question everything they ever believed. Entangled in a web of secrets and lies, they learn that while different on the surface, they have more in common than anyone would think.

Review

Carmine DeMarco first meets Haven Antonelli when his father, in trying to get her away from a sadistic master, makes a trade for her and brings her home to live with him and his two sons.

Haven and her mother are human slaves to a sadistic monster named Michael Antonelli and his wife, Haven dreams of an angel that one day rescue’s her and her mother from this horrible life, but it is only Haven that is rescued by a member of the alleged Chicago Mob.  Haven takes her master’s last name, Antonelli into her new life since she has no idea what her real last name is. Scared and confused, she doesn’t understand when her new master is nice to her and gives her her own bedroom and a soft bed in which to sleep on.  Meeting his two son’s puts her at a distinct disadvantage, and she tries to please them in every way possible, and no matter how annoyed they get with her subservient behavior, habits are hard to break.

The only one to break through Haven Antonelli’s scared exterior is rising Mob Boss and youngest son Carmine DeMarco. It is not long before a special friendship develops into a special love neither of them can prevent.  But forces stronger than either of them force them apart again and again, but a love as strong as theirs cannot be denied.

It is not long before terrible secrets come out and jealousies ignite into an inferno of a conclusion, but surprise surprise, there is a sequel!  Sempre: Redemption continues Haven and Carmine’s story which I cannot wait to read.