Obsession (The Cordova Empire Book 1) Kindle Edition

What does a cartel family do when one of their sons is betrayed by his wife in a devastating and heartbreaking way? Come up with a diabolical plan to make sure that the next woman brought in will not be capable of being disloyal.Leo chose the woman who seemed to randomly pop up on the worst days of his life. After watching her for a year he decided she is a sweet, kind, loyal girl with some self-esteem issues, and she is HIS. Then he goes about making sure she stays that way.Once he snags her he figures out she is exactly as he thought with a few added things. Extremely naive with absolutely no self-preservation instincts whatsoever and she’s a doormat. She’s also could be a poster child for showcasing those who aren’t the sharpest tools in the shed. I was horrified with myself when I wasn’t really all that upset with all the Leo did, because if anyone needed a “Daddy” in their life, this was the girl.I can’t believe I’m saying this but there was almost too much sex–so much I skimmed over parts. There was a reason why they were constantly boinking like bunnies and there were other things happening but not quite enough to offset all the sextivities. There were some BDSM elements but it wasn’t as kinky as it could have been with all the Daddy stuff.Some would call this a dark book, and it definitely had some murky elements, but not near what I was expecting. There was violence and the hero was a sociopath but it didn’t really bother me. The family, especially the parents were some serious pieces of work, but there was a reason for what they did. There were some little twists at the end that surprised me which is always a good thing.I can’t say this was my favorite Ann Mayburn book, certainly not up to her Iron Horse MC standards, but it was a decent book. I think my main issue was it didn’t grip me like I expected it to, which surprised me.

I seem to be in the minority but I did not like this book as much as I have many other Mayburn books. I also would not call this book dark, maybe off-white at best. The hero, Leo, works for a cartel and does violent things for them but we are not really exposed to his work. I did not mind that he is a criminal. I like books about criminals. Dimitri from Dimitri's Forbidden Submissive is one of my favorite all-time heros and the man is definitely a criminal. I found it annoying though that once Hannah finds out Leo works for a cartel and is upset, everyone reassures her that he only kills people that deserve to die. I found that idea not only annoying but ludicrous.Also, I did not really love the characterization of the heroine. We are told over and over that she has a problem being too clingy although that never seemed to be the case in this story. I did not enjoy hearing about all the times in the past she thought she was in love with someone. To me it cheapened her relationship with Leo. I also found myself annoyed with the secondary character, Mark, the bodyguard, when he told Hannah that she was lucky to have Leo because she was so needy no one else could tolerate her. Made me seriously dislike Mark. Hannah came off as insecure to me rather than needy. I kept feeling this disconnect between what was being said about Hannah and Hannah's actions that we saw.The hero likes to be called Daddy and he is somewhat controlling but that is really the extent of the kink in the book.This is definitely not a Daddy Dom/little story. In fact I thought both the kink level and the heat level were way lower than Mayburn's usual, certainly lower than the Submissive's Wish series and the Club Wicked series. I was disappointed.Finally, I found the whole hypnosis, love potion plot device annoying and unrealistic. It was too outlandish. I hate when Mayburn throws in this type of almost sci-if weirdness.Even though I have a number of complaints I still think this was worth reading. I am just sorry that the book was not as good as I know it could have been. I will probably read the next in the series. I wish the author would go back and finish the Exquisite series before heading off in a new direction though. She always seems to have several series going at once so that sometimes it feels like it takes forever to get back to what I am interested in reading. A few times the wait was so long my interest in the storyline waned and I forgot some details about the characters. If she decides to write more about the Cordova cartel I hope she does it soon because I doubt this book will be memorable for me.

Very good book by one of my very favorite authors about Leo Brass, owner of Obsession a night club and enforcer for the Cordova Cartel. Leo is very obsessed with a very pretty college student that he met over ten years ago at a hospital while they were awaiting news of his mother's death and her sister's. Hannah Barnes, student and part time waitress, has had a very tough go at life, her parents treated her terrible as they wished it would have been her that died instead of her sister. They could hardly wait for her to attain her eighteenth birthday and graduate high school so that they could have nothing further to do with her. Hannah is at college on a full scholarship and working at the restaurant so she can have money to live. Leo stops into the restaurant one night with his good friend and sees and recognizes Hanna from years ago and his obsession begins. Leo is a sociopath, very handsome, controlling, and has some unusual kinks that he is into in the bedroom and elsewhere. Both Leo and his family excuse their penchant to kill as they are generally killing murderers, rapists, drug pushers, and the general bottom slime of criminals that get away with their actions by corrupt judges so they feel vindicated. Hannah is very nice, quiet, controllable,needy, beautiful but totally unaware, and is unaware of her own needs for kink enjoyment but does like to read about different BDSM themed books especially the ones that are more taboo than others. Some of the controlling things that Leo does to attain Hannah definitely cross the line, however it is safe to say he definitely loves her with everything he is. I had trouble with this part of the story but as the story plays out I grew to have a better understanding of why he did it. Good book and would have an interest in reading about Leo's family as they also find their perfect mates as well Hannah's friend Joy. Thank you for this one Ann, as usual I feel you hit it out of the ball park again.

Had me hooked from the first page... But really what else can you expect from Ann Mayburn? Everything she writes is pure gold in my opinion. The book was well written, the scenes hot and dirty, and the story held my attention. Was an easy read for me, finished in under an hour - was so sinfully delightful I had to read it a second time. Enjoyed it so much I had to leave a review, my first ever!I loved Hanna and Leo's story, and I can't wait for the next book to come out. If you like your books hot, dirty, and kinky, this is a fabulous read. It's not all fairy tale happiness and sunshine though, there is an actual plot and some pretty serious subject matter, not to mention some violent situations which may not be for the faint of heart. I loved every minute of it though!

I devoured this book so much I literally trembled it was over. I'm very selective of my five star hi routs. I want to give it ten stars. It was that good.Oh Leo, the big alpha cartel executioner with only Hannah's name on his heart. He wanted her to smile and laugh knowing he put it there and went above and beyond for her. Obsession was definitely the name of the book but Leo also adored her. This book was multi dimensional, main characters with substance and an epic love and also secondary characters that you want to know about.Leo was a young boy when he started working for the Cardove Cartel and over time entrenched himself as family. Being the enforcer, his detachment from emotion made his job easy but as soon as Hannah is around he just falls hard and fast. The way he stalks her is endearing not creepy at all. The sex scenes, yeah they were HOT and plenty. I am not saying too much because there is lots of surprises in this story. Just go one click this book and prepare to be engrossed I really hate that I have to wait for the next book but honestly it will be worth it. I just don't know what I can read next that will be as good.

Ann is a favourite author of mine. She never disappoints her audience with her sexy stories. This is a new series started and I must say I would love love more. Mafia alpha heroes and there women are some of my favourite stories. Check this author out. She never disappoints. Five stars every time!!

Another book from Ann Mayburn that I completely enjoyed reading.I admit I was a bit hesitant about reading this book because of the call me 'Daddy' and if it was by any one else I am not sure I would have, but Ann's ability to write about her characters the way she does I forgot about it until after I finished Obsession.I have recommended Obsession to my friends so would absolutely recommend it you if you have read this

Ann you are incredible and your writing abilities are outstanding. Can’t wait to read more about the Cordova’s empire! Great read.