Monday, October 19, 2015

Excerpt Tour and Review: RIP by Rachel Van Dyken



RIP Release Day – October 20, 2015





Pretty things aren't meant to be broken. 

But I broke her, and now we both have to pay the price.

I'm her nightmare.

I'm her savior.

And now that I have her signature on an ironclad contract, I own her body and soul.

She doesn't remember me.

She will.

It's inevitable.

Because as much as I know I need to stay away, for fear of unlocking the memories I helped her father bury--I can't.

She was the apple in the Garden, dangled in front of me, her core so tempting and sweet. A voice whispered. Just. One. Bite.

I bit.

I tasted.

I fell.

Welcome to the world of the Russian mafia, where death, is your only future.














“You are your father’s daughter.” His lips curved into a delicious smile, “You resemble each other, not in looks, but definitely in attitude.” His gaze was unapologetic as he tilted his head and started raking his eyes from my feet up my legs until finally settling on my face. I clenched my legs together tightly and forced a smile.

“If you don’t mind, Mr. Blazik, I’d really like to get on with the interview, I know your time is precious.”

As was mine, I wanted to stress, but didn’t, just barely restraining myself and clenching my teeth to keep from giving him a much-needed verbal lashing.

“I blocked out my entire day.”

Did he want applause? “Right, well, I assure you I can be fast.”

His dark laugh had me shivering and wanting to lean forward all at once. Men that good looking shouldn’t be blessed with chuckles like that—a freaking sirens call that’s what it was.

“Amazing… You truly don’t know why you’re here, do you?”

How many times did I need to repeat myself and why was I getting the sudden impression that the guy was on some seriously hard drugs? I looked closer; didn’t pinpoint pupils mean he was high or something?

“I assure you I’m not drunk, nor high, if that’s what you’re thinking.” He chuckled again and rubbed his hands together. “Though the idea does have merit, all things considering.” A muscle clenched in his jaw.

Oh good, so he was a doctor who liked drugs and had more money than God. That should go over well for addiction problems.

I scooted back against the leather and clicked my pen for, oh, I don’t know, the tenth time. “If you aren’t going to answer my questions, I should probably go.”

“You won’t be going anywhere,” he said in a quiet voice. “And for that I’m truly sorry.” His eyes met mine, and they seemed… apologetic.

“Pardon?” Was he threatening me? Warning bells went off in my head as adrenaline shot through my system.

“Your father…” He tilted his head. “He owes me a debt… of gratitude… I asked for something irreplaceable, something that’s been owed to me for a very long time.”

My stomach sank as my heart started hammering against my chest.

“What exactly did my father give you?” I choked out, hating that I probably knew the answer, because my father was ruthless, he was a business man after all, and he never backed out of a deal. It was business over family and our business was darkness itself, horrible, something I blocked out because it made me feel better when I woke up in the morning and fell asleep at night.

“Well…” Mr. Blazik stood. “I thought that would be obvious.” He turned his back to me and walked over to his desk then pressed a button causing blinds to creep down all the windows. When he turned, the room was already starting to blanket in darkness, making it so that his teeth practically glowed. “He gave me you.”




WOW! There are not words to describe the intensity that embraced every word in RIP by Rachel Van Dyken. A story with strong ties to both the Italian and Russian mob, memories struggling to pop to the surface, contracts and a fear for your life. The story of Nikolai and Maya captured my attention from the very first action packed page until the very last, with me not wanting it to end. This book was a 4.5 star read for me and I HIGHLY suggest that you get yourself a copy!

Maya Petrov is the daughter of a Russian mob boss, who has done everything in her power to steer clear of his business. Calling in a favor from him is the last thing that she wants, but in order to complete her thesis in sexually transmitted diseases, she needs to interview the world renowned doctor Nikolai Blazik, a man whose work she has idolized for years. After arriving in his office for what she believes is an interview, she is blind sided when she discovers it is anything but. Her life as she knows it is put on hold, for the foreseeable future, and with more questions then answers, Maya begins her work with the smoldering sexy Mr. Blazik.

Nikolai Blazik has known Maya Petrov since she was sixteen years old, he was drawn in by her beauty then and the pull is even more intense now that she is a woman. Although Maya has no idea the past the Nikolai and her have, or how they are tied together, he has one mission; to keep her safe from her father and ensure that she stays alive. However the secrets that he holds about his work and his family history make any relationship, although forbidden between the two of them, destined for tragedy.

With every situation that Nikolai and Maya face, the reader becomes more entranced by this story in ways that I hadn't even expected. Rachel Van Dyken definitely hit this one out of the park and I know you will agree.








I literally read this in one day. It was that good; I could not put it down. From the very first page to the last I was hooked.

Maya, daughter of the Russian Mafia leader, finally calls in a favor to meet with Nikolai. Nikolai is a genius physician who is leading the way in STD research. And that's the bit of information Maya needs for her thesis. Nikolai is as gorgeous as he is dark and dangerous. It conflicts Maya greatly.

But things are not as they seem. The rug gets pulled out from under Maya.

"All our lives we're told that ugly, deformed, is bad - but it's a lie. Sometimes the most terrifying things you will ever encounter are also the most beautiful."

There is so much I want to say but do not want to give away. Maya is strong even when faced with the most dire of situations. And Maya may well be the light in Nikolai's darkness. This book had me turning the pages faster and faster as the pieces were finally put back together.

You seriously need to go one click this!




Wow just amazing! RIP was a story like no other I have read and something I seriously needed to get me out of a book funk I was in. This book will be considered a little dark by some but I was blown away at how much it captivated my attention from the first page all the way through to the very last line. This story will have you guessing all the way to the end and boy this book has some crazy twists involved. 

I absolutely love Rachel's writing style, she can write the steamiest sexy scenes and turn around and write the most hilarious comments that have me rolling. The dynamic of this book was outstanding and I would give it a huge 5 stars! Maya and Nikolai have the quite the adventure in this story and believe me when I say you don't wanna miss it! 

I will not bore you with telling you a tidbit about this story or spoiling it for you either so read the blurb and get to reading! SO get to one clicking ASAP! Thanks for a fantastic ride and I look forward to much more in the future.. maybe even for Nikolai and Maya?? This can't be there ending just yet right?! One can only hope!





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, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!

You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken or join her fan group Rachel's New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com .