Title: Dark Hearts AflameAuthor: Amber Daulton
Series: Lozano Cartel #1
Pages: 325
Publication Date: April 8, 2025
Publisher: Daulton Publishing
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Contemporary / Romantic Suspense
Synopsis:
A drug lord on the run. A cartel princess in hiding. All it takes is a spark to set their world ablaze.
Bristol Rieger, better known as Thorn, left his criminal life behind for a fresh start in Mexico. Flying under the radar of the government and the cartels alike, his best-laid plans go awry when a woman from his narco days discovers his whereabouts. Carmen Lozano, however, is no longer the innocent girl he remembers.
Carmen escaped the chains of her tiara and her abusive marriage to join a group of resistance fighters. The last thing she expected was the now-retired capo setting out to seduce her with his wicked touch. Embracing the blood on his hands is easy, but his secrets wear on her patience.
When their enemies close in, Bristol will have to summon his inner monster to protect her. But can that monster be tamed again?
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This is the first book in the Lozano Cartel series, and it’s such a good read! The story follows Bristol Rieger, a man who walked away from his life as a cartel enforcer and now lives in hiding, and Carmen Lozano, an ex-cartel princess turned resistance fighter. When they accidentally cross paths, neither can ignore the chemistry between them, but being together is more dangerous than being apart, and with enemies closing in, Bristol must decide whether to fight for the woman he loves or flee into hiding again. It’s an action-packed and intense ride with unforgettable characters, sizzling tension, and a plot that never lets up.
One of the strengths of the book is its character development, particularly with the protagonists. Bristol, once a feared member of a drug cartel, is now a man trying to live under the radar, but his past refuses to stay buried. Daulton does a fantastic job of showing both his hardened exterior and the vulnerable man underneath, making him a compelling and layered character. I didn’t always agree with him, but I could see how much his past affected him and why he acted the way he did.
Carmen Lozano is equally well-written, and I absolutely loved her character. She’s a survivor who fights hard for the people she loves, and she refuses to be a damsel in distress. Passionate, selfless, and a little impulsive, Carmen doesn’t always make the best decisions, but everything she does, she does from the heart. She has a great arc, and I loved seeing her gain back her power and autonomy.
And their romance! My word!!! The love story between Carmen and Bristol- their push and pull, the way they challenge each other, and the undeniable passion between them- is absolutely swoon-worthy. At the start of the story, years have passed since the pair last saw each other, and they aren’t the same people they used to be. Life has taken them both on a long and bumpy ride, and I think that’s what makes their connection and their feelings for each other so special. They’ve both had such hard times, and the safety and happiness they find with each other feels so deserved. They have so much chemistry from the very beginning, and for me, what really stands out is how their relationship balances heat and passion with some lovely and touching moments of vulnerability. There are raw, emotional scenes that make their connection feel deeper than just physical attraction, and I loved how their trust in each other developed over time.
The side characters also add a ton to the story. From Carmen’s loyal friends to the unexpected allies and enemies they meet along the way, every character feels distinct and fully realized. They help flesh out the setting and plot and make the stakes feel even higher, especially when the ones Carmen holds dear are threatened. I’m curious about several characters and am hoping we’ll see them more as the series progresses.
I really enjoyed Dark Hearts Aflame and thought it was an excellent start to Daulton’s new series. The plot is fast-paced and full of action, with plenty of suspense to keep the tension high. It’s dark, intense, and filled with high stakes and increasingly dangerous situations, making it impossible to put down. The cartel world is deadly and unpredictable, and there’s a constant threat of violence and a few twists that kept me invested in the story. I would definitely recommend the book to readers who like mafia romance or dark romantic suspense!
A decent man wouldn’t consider himself judge, jury, and executioner, but Bristol would never claim to be decent.
- age gap
- mafia romance
- forced proximity
- only one room/bed
- touch her and die
- who did this to you?
Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through Daulton Publishing, The Wild Rose Press, and Books to Go Now, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats.
She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats.
Thank you for the amazing review. I’m so happy you enjoyed the book, Julie!