Maldives & Mistletoe (The Chicago War #5) by Bethany-Kris

Blurb:
When the Maldives meet the mistletoe, it's sure to be a beautiful Christmas ...

Business in the Maldives brings the Chicago Outfit's boss away for the holidays, but why not bring everyone else along for the ride, too? Wives, kids ... the whole bunch.

Nothing can go wrong, right?

Join the original crew from The Chicago War one more time as they celebrate Christmas in the Maldives, tinsel and mistletoe included. Meet the babies, and catch up with everything that's happened since the last time we were with them.

For once, no one is spilling blood.

The war has already been won.

Featuring all the original couples, Maldives & Mistletoe is a 20k Chicago War Christmas Novella meant for fans of the series, and is not intended to be read as a standalone novel.
My thoughts:
This was a cute short story. This story takes place over Christmas It was also a great way to introduce and wrap up a generation. We get to see the characters that we love from the Chicago series with families of their own. this will also introduce us to the upcoming series as well. I wish there was more but overall a great way to wrap up the series.

Captive (legacy novel) by Bethany Kris

Blurb:
A shadow meets the light …

When someone needs to disappear, the Chicago mob calls on Joe Rossi. A man who can move without a sound, and kill without a word, they don’t call him the Shadow for nothing.

This time, it’s a New York crime family in need of his skills, but it takes one glimpse of her to make him agree to the job.

Liliana Marcello is every inch a principessa della mafia. Her life has taught her to be wary of strangers, yet her ballet career contradicts everything by putting her on display.

It’s a man with a dark smile and a constantly changing demeanor that makes her feel safe again, but it’s the unknown that holds her back.

It takes one look …
One dance …
One word …
One smile to captivate a man.

And one second to kill a woman because of it, too.

Not all monsters hide in the shadows.
How are you supposed to see them coming?

*** 

Captivated is a full-length standalone romance.
My thoughts:
Loved it. Bethany did it again with another hit. Her books have you feeling like you are that fly on the wall.  I liked that even though the parents are in the mob the children are not forced to be apart of the mob. I think that it was cool to hear that the daughter is a professional ballerina. I will warn you that there is a heavy abuse screen. you will not be able to put this book down. I can't wait to read the next one.

Cross + Catherine: The Companion (legacy novel) by Bethany-Kris

Blurb:
The crime boss and the hustling queen are back for one last goodbye … 

Cross and Catherine watch as their kids grow up, and everything changes again. Life is still as busy as it ever was for these two, and their family. 

Cece and Nazio are trying to figure this life thing out. From toddling babies to wedding bells, everything they’ve ever wanted is already at their fingertips. 

Go behind the scenes and beyond the final chapter of the Cross + Catherine series in The Companion to find never-before-seen POVs, deleted scenes, future outtakes, and short stories—all requested by readers. 

Each snapshot is written in short-story form, and meant to be enjoyed as individual pieces by the readers of the Cross + Catherine series. It is not standalone, and is not intended to be read as one.

My thoughts:
This book was needed for the fans. the premise of this book helps to fill in the gaps in the story. The book is made up of a collection of short stories. the stories make you feel closer to the characters. we also get to read about the children. the children stories will make you feel like you have grown up with them. The layout of the book was done perfectly. With this story it makes you feel that their story got the right ending but also what the future holds for the children. I can't wait to read more from this author.