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A dark enemies-to-lovers Bratva standalone romance

If your name is on my list, your time is up.
No regrets. No mercy. No conscience.
Until the enemy becomes my darkest obsession.

I came to take her life but claimed it instead.

Stolen in the night.
Held against her will.
Bound to a monster.

Now, my vow of vengeance is a game of survival.
I warn her not to trust men with sin on their lips and ice in their veins.
She cautions me not to be deceived by my own eyes.

Neither of us listens.

I trusted Ava with my heart.
She trusts me with her life.
We all make mistakes.

*Darkest Deeds is a very dark romance novel. You've been warned.

First published May 16, 2019

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About the author

Cora Kenborn

56 books2,026 followers
Cora Kenborn is a USA Today Bestselling author of over thirty-two multi-genre novels, including the Carrera Cartel Trilogy.

While best known for her dark and gritty romances, Cora infuses sharp banter and a shocking blindside in every story she writes. She loves a brooding antihero who falls hard for a feisty heroine who stands beside him, not behind him.

Although she’s a native North Carolinian, Cora claims the domestic Southern Belle gene skipped a generation, so she spends any free time convincing her family that microwaved mac and cheese counts as fine dining.

Oh, and autocorrect thinks she's obsessed with ducks.

Stay up to date with Cora:
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Website: www.corakenborn.com
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Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/CoraTAA
TikTok: https://bit.ly/CKTikTok
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Twitter: http://bit.ly/CoraTwitter

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5 stars
320 (53%)
4 stars
150 (25%)
3 stars
82 (13%)
2 stars
29 (4%)
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12 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
Profile Image for The Sassy Bookworm.
3,825 reviews2,841 followers
May 16, 2019
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description 4.5 Stars

Every book I have read by this author has been been just fantastic, and this book was no different. Even the one small issue I had with it was because I am a grudge holding bitch and felt that Nico needed to do some serious grovelling after the second time he thought the worst about Ava. (lol)

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Apart from the above mentioned issue, this was was a complete hit with me. The writing was excellent. I loved that it was on the longer side so the story felt suitably fleshed out. It was well paced. The plot was engaging. There were twists and turns. Murder and mayhem. Secrets and lies. Hot sex. No OW or OM drama. It was fairly light on secondary characters, but there were a couple I wouldn't mind reading more about. Ava was an AWESOME heroine. Smart. Feisty. Strong. Nico I liked a lot, but I never 100% warmed up to him. I think he thought the worst of Ava WAY too easily at times. That said, I wasn't expecting Mr. Rogers, and he DID have his moments, so it was just a small niggle for me. Last, it was all wrapped up in a sweet ending that put a smile on my face.

So yea, not much left for me to say. I loved it. I recommend it. I also what to thank Miz Kenborn for gifting me a copy of this book after a rather unpleasant run-in saw me being removed from the reviewer list for this series. She is a class act and a total sweetheart. 

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Profile Image for Louise.
434 reviews16 followers
May 16, 2019
Darkest Deeds really fulfilled my darkest deeds, that’s for sure.

I’ve never read anything by this author but I’m happy to say that she has another secured reader in me. Her world building and character chemistry is amazing. I really believed everything that she wrote in this book. It was sadistic, it was depraved, it was hot, it had everything I didn’t even know i wanted.

Niko and Ava are a couple who works. They’re both damaged people but beneath that, they’re resilient and a force to be reckoned with.

This line is my favourite between them...

He shrugs. “It’s the Kansas City Shuffle.” “The what?” “You know, when they look right, you go left.”

I just loved the ingenuity of this line. I won’t spoil it for you and say what it is in reference too but you’ll understand when you read it. Throughout the whole book though this line kept me second guessing everything and I guess that is the authors brilliant mind, making you believe one thing, whilst using a distraction tactic. Bloody loved that!

I will happily devour more of this authors books, not only is her writing style fresh, it’s also current and believable. I bought into the whole underbelly of this world and its depravity. It had me on the edge of my seat smiling, thinking ‘bloody hell, now this is a story worth telling.’

She had a house of cards and wasn’t afraid to watch them all fall down. Absolutely brilliant!
Profile Image for ✨ tweety ✨.
396 reviews68 followers
May 9, 2019
4.5 stars

Darkest Deeds is part of the "Cavalieri della Morte" series by Cora Kenborn and other romance authors. When I delved into this I knew that I couldn't expect butterflies and rainbows, but that's ok. When it comes to dark romance, if it's done right, I'm all for it.

The story of Ava and Niko is complicated. He is a hitman who takes care of the people that the "bad guys" want to erase from this world. So, when he is tasked to kill Ava Chernova, who is the daughter of a Russian mafia boss, he's all for it. These two have history, and not everything they did share was precious. Niko wants to get revenge, and now he has his chance. He can finally destroy Ava. But Ava won't go down easily.

Since this book is dark, the reader gets catapulted in the story from the first page, where nothing good is happening to our main female protagonist. Not only she does a questionable "job", she's also intricated in a web of legacies that her father doesn't approve of. Ava is the kind of character who is treated like s*** by the people she thinks should love her, but she doesn't complain. She acts. She isn't the damsel in distress, she is the Deus Ex Machina, and this is her strenght. In the world where she lives anything can happen, so one should be prepared for everything.

The story between Ava and Niko is intense. Of course, they are ex lovers, but the reason why they don't trust each other anymore will be revealed in due time, and maybe they'll clear up the misunderstandings that drew them apart. But not before going through a series of twists and turns that won't make you catch your breath until the end. If there is one thing that I like from Cora Kenborn's books is that her stories are always full of "gasp!" moments and suspense... you can never take anything from granted, but you'll be satisfied with how things are taken care of.
Profile Image for Di Covey/TwistedBookReviews.
1,085 reviews217 followers
May 25, 2019
"We’re fucked up. We’re sadistic, and we do things most people would consider the darkest of deeds."

You know what I love about this series, I'm finding new authors, ones I probably wouldn't have read otherwise. Cora Kenborn included, I loved the plot, the characters, and the writing.
Darkest Deeds is part of The Cavalieri Della Morte, read as a standalone. I've read seven books in this series, and I'm being completely honest by saying you can read in any order. A brotherhood of dark, delicious assassins. It's been one helluva ride so far. This is Niko's story.

This story was written with pure grittiness. The characters were dark, depraved, and insanely twisted. Ava was a fierce heroine, I love that. With as many captive/dark romances I've read, I need that unique edge to keep me interested. And Ava was a spitfire, a fighter, and ultimately the real hero in this story. As far as I'm concerned. She didn't need someone to rescue her on a white horse. She burned the enemies to the ground. That's what made this story epic. I was throughly invested in Ava. No matter what she did or had to do to find her peace. The dynamic between Ava and Niko was off the charts dirty, sexy, a little dark. I think the author did an amazing job of taking us back to the past, most usually I get frustrated with past/present POV's, but not with this one, I actually wanted more past. Yet, I still felt a connection.

If you like Mafia/Bravta romances, you'll definitely love this one. It was action packed with suspense, mystery, lies, secrets, and most importantly twisted love. My favorite kind!
April 11, 2024
This book more than holds its own in what is proving to be one amazing series.

Darkest Deeds is yet another action packed, gripping instalment in the Cavalieri Della Morte series. It is the violent, heart wrenching and disturbed tale of Niko, Ava and second chances.

Oh my word this book is REALLY VERY GOOD, the plot had so many twists and turns I got dizzy! I can't believe how many bluffs, double bluffs, lies, secrets and slight of hands the author managed to fit into this story, yet it never felt over complicated and it was never too confusing to follow - though you did have to keep your wits about you!

I haven't read any work by Cora Kenborn before but I will certainly keep an eye out for her in future. Both her world building and character development were amazing, my attention was held throughout, I never once felt bored or meh nor was I tempted to skim whilst reading this. I absolutely adored both Ava and Niko, with their blackened and tattered souls. Both are prepared to do bad things but have good hearts at their core.

The lies and manipulations of others have kept them apart for 8 years, but a few minutes in each others company is enough to have passions running high. This pair have an explosive and savage chemistry, theirs is a passion born of violence, lust, hate, love and anger.

There were surprisingly (and pleasantly) only a few full on sex scenes. The focus was very much more on the romantic suspense/organised crime elements of the book. I wouldn't describe this as a dark romance, but it does have dark elements in it, including some several violent scenes and intimations of abuse.

I believe this book will really appeal to those who enjoy mafia romances, romantic suspense and darker, grittier reads. It's content makes it an 18+ read, as long as you are older than that then I do recommend this to you.
Profile Image for Lexi Foss.
Author 219 books2,716 followers
May 22, 2019
I loved Darkest Deeds by Cora Kenborn. It was fast paced, thrilling, sexy as hell, and engaging. I couldn't stop flipping the pages to find out what happens next, and all the verbal sparring had me panting for more.

Ava and Niko are dynamite together. I enjoyed all the twists and turns along the way, constantly wondering who to trust, and being shocked by some of the reveals. It was so much fun and exactly what romantic suspense should be-full of tension and surprises that leave your jaw on the floor.

I strongly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good thrill ride filled with sexy moments and witty banter. You will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Laura Lee.
958 reviews172 followers
April 26, 2020
Popped my Cora Kenborn cherry with this action packed story. One of my favorite genres to read-Mafia.
Ava and Niko are quite the combination for an explosion waiting to happen. Toss in FBI agents and you have a book that quickly becomes a page turner!
Will definitely seek out other books by this author to read.
Profile Image for Nicole Dykes.
Author 83 books2,335 followers
December 30, 2020
I absolutely loved it!!

Wow! I can't believe I've never read this author before! I loved this book so much that I devoured it!!!
Profile Image for Tami czenkus.
1,551 reviews23 followers
April 13, 2019
JUST BREATHE!!!!
If I could give this book 10 stars I TOTALLY would!! 5 stars doesn't seem to sum up the brilliance that is Darkest Deeds. I was on the edge of my seat from the very beginning, just when you think you have it all figured out.... BAM another twist in the turns of the pages to make you got back to square one with what you THINK is gonna happen!!
"I know freedom isn't free. I just wish I didn't crave the price"
Sighhhh THAT line right there had me feeling all of the feels when I read it and I had to take a moment to JUST BREATHE!!
Niko and Ava aren't strangers to the Bratva ways, They grew up knowing all of the evils that lurked in the dark! I can't say enough about the connection between these two enigmatic characters, The development was intense and you can't help but to fall in love with them both a thousand times over! I think my favorite part was the raw emotions that bleed from the pages when you learn of all the horrors Ava and Niko have been witness to. Cora Kenborn takes 2 broken characters and stitches them back together one chapter at a time!!

Profile Image for Julia Butterfield - Stevens.
885 reviews9 followers
May 9, 2019
Darkest Deeds is part of the Cavalieri Della Morte series, each written by a different author and if this is anything to go by, I cant wait to dive in to the rest!

Fast paced, action packed and explosive chemistry when assassin Niko Gaheris meets Bratva princess Ava Chernova in a story laced with intrigue, deception, suspense, revenge, heat and blood. Oh yes, a lot of blood! It's dark, it's brutal and not for the faint hearted or those who want a love story full of whispered sweet nothings and flowers. They know each other from the past, but can their secrets stay secret when Niko is hired to kill her? Or will the feelings and emotions resurfacing after all these years destroy them both? I couldn't put it down!

This is the first book I've read by Cora Kenborn, but it certainly won't be the last. She knows how to write a web of intrigue that kept me turning the pages. I loved it and highly recommend if you like your books dark and dirty!
Profile Image for Nerdy Dirty & Flirty.
3,985 reviews358 followers
May 21, 2019
4.5 stars ~ Jess
I really enjoyed this book and fit right in with the others in this series. While this can be read as a stand-alone I am completely in lust with the Cavalieri Della Morte.

This book is Niko's and this job is personal. Way more personal that he anticipated it would be. He had a plan, get in, make his mark sweat a bit and get the job done. Well, that was the plan anyway. And then he saw Ava again. Ava is bada$$ but she has spent her life the surviving one terrible thing after the next.

Darkest Deeds, has layer upon layer of deceit and years worth of baggage all rolled in a twisted and dark package. There were a few points where I couldn't even tell the truth from a lie. Not only twisted but this was sexy in a dirty and gritty type of way. I definitely enjoyed this addition and will certainly need to check out this author in the future.

Profile Image for Terri West.
2,023 reviews
July 28, 2019
Yet another great addition to this series by various authors about Arthur and his Dark Knights of the Cavalieri Della Morte. Well written and the world building and characters are fully developed and believable. We have a combination of Cavelieri Della Morte and the Russian Bratva here with Niko and I have to say he is a fabulous assassin with more than a few issues in his past. Ava is just a kick ass heroine and although they have history I was glad they didn't just fall the insta love catagory, in fact they would be more inclined to kill each other. We also get a glimpse of Dagger who has his story in the next book.

Great book and overall series, I would mention there could be triggers for some people in this book so if you are the sensitive type beware.
Profile Image for CoffeeMom H.
175 reviews12 followers
May 7, 2019
What can I say about Darkest Deeds by Cora Kenborn? First, this is a must read! This book kept me up way into the night! Darkest Deeds intriguing, suspenseful and romantic and I was unable to tear myself away from it. Niko and Ava...my the chemistry with these two. Two lovers, misunderstanding, mistakes, lies, death, letting go with so much more in between the pages that you just need to read it for yourself. This book will keep you on your toes with twists and turns as the plot thickens. Cora Kenborn is an outstanding author who makes her books come to life in your hands.
Profile Image for Doris.
3,079 reviews122 followers
May 16, 2019
Dark, Suspenseful, Hawt!!!

Leave it to Ms. Kenborn to give us yet another hit. Niko and Ava have both lived the life of the Bratva and they know of the darkness. This book is full of twists and turns which means that about the time you think you have it figured out you’ll be thrown in a whole new direction. The connection these two share is off the charts. Darkest Deeds will keep you up all night just to find out how this all ends. Definitely a book I couldn’t put down.
Profile Image for Gladys.
12.9k reviews150 followers
May 21, 2019
Wow!! This book was sinfully delicious. Dark, intense, twisted, dangerous and scorching hot, this is a book that quickly pulls you under and does not let up. Niko and Ava were pure perfection. These two wounded people were made for each other. Prepare yourself for an epic thrill ride that is filled with raw emotion, drama, suspense, brutality, twists, lies, secrets, betrayals and revenge. A simply amazing read!
Profile Image for Sophie Ruthven.
2,139 reviews138 followers
December 12, 2020
A page turner!!!!

Having met this couple in the Carrera boxset, I knew their story was going to be epic, but I certainly didn't expect that!!
Hope we see more of them in the future.
Profile Image for Nikki.
410 reviews19 followers
May 18, 2019
Uhm hello new to me author,
This book was great. Good action, angsty, sexy all that I want. I wish there was more relationship in it but it was still a hit for me.
Profile Image for Melissa Crump.
611 reviews71 followers
April 11, 2019
Unpredictable and unstoppable! This story is beyond twists and turns. You won’t see what’s coming, and when you think you know...you’re in for a shock. Thrilling, heart stopping and unbelievably woven. Terrific read.
Profile Image for MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog.
1,178 reviews238 followers
May 6, 2019
This is another winner from this dark series! Part of the Assassin Group Cavalieri Della Morte, Niko Garheris, is a highly trained killer. Once your name is on his list, that’s it and there will be no negotiating with him. His next assignment is to take out the Princess of the Miami Bratva, Ava Chernova. Sneak into Ava’s apartment in the dead of night to capture her. He knew her when she was a teenager but she is all grown up now and stripping at her father’s club. Can he take out the girl he vowed to protect eight years prior? Ava Chernova is part of the Russian syndicate, forced to spy on her own kind by the FBI but that has consequences you cannot come back from If you’re caught. When she is kidnapped by Nico will that be the end of her or her undoing? She just might end up capturing something of his as well....his heart. They have a history together but that might not be enough. I loved Nico and Ava’s story! So many bombshells so you never know what is really going to happen until the very end! Told in dual POV
Profile Image for Susan.
1,114 reviews21 followers
July 3, 2019
Dark and Delicious.

Loved this story. It was suspenseful, shrouded in secrets, lies, betrayal and danger. It's everything I've come to expect from these books but this is one of my favourites from the Cavalieri Della Morte series.

Niko and Ava are pure fuxking dynamite, one spark sets them off and you better stand back from the blast.
They're history is full of lies and broken promises. They're twisted and dangerous together but passionate and seductively hottt too.

I loved not knowing who to trust with this book, I was constantly on my toes. It was a dark thrilling and shocking web of deceit, cleverly constructed to keep your heart racing and your head spinning.
Fantastic addition to the series.
Profile Image for Sylvie Rochon.
2,280 reviews
May 16, 2021
Niko and Ava - a second chance/captor captive revenge story

Ava and Nico loved each other 8 years, ago. She was 16 he was 22. One faithful night something tragic happened that changed everything. Now Ava is a stripper and Nico is a hitman who's been hired to kill her. Nico wants revenge to Ava and her father. Not everything is as it seems there are secrets, betrayals and a very big game at play. A suspenseful, steamy and very interesting read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
May 19, 2019
“Fear is raw and distinctive, a siren for darkness and a source of nourishment for the wicked.”

Eight years of torment and Niko has received the green light to deliver vengeance to the one that broke the ultimate promise. A personal hit, Niko relishes the opportunity to unleash his demons and unfurl all the ugly he has swallowed down. Yet a whispered name changes the course of his actions and begins a cat and mouse game with a hidden predator stalking them all...

This was one of the best, kindle gripping, edge of your seat reads of this series so far. It is twisty and dark, depraved and violent yet has a spark of hope and true love dancing throughout. Manipulation and orchestration plays a large part to this plot and watching the house cards fall down magnificently at the end was captivating. A new to me author I’m a new fan! Loved the character building, plot and pace.

A five star”Be careful what you ask for in life. You just might get it” read.

~*~ Reviewed on the Behalf of Obsessed by Books ~*~
90 reviews
May 13, 2019
Wow! Darkest Deeds is freaking amazing! I was hooked from the beginning all the way to the end. I might also have been drawn up in knots while reading. Lol! If you love dark strong characters, a book full of unpredictable suspense and dark grim action then you need to read Darkest Deeds. I couldn't get enough of Niko and Ava. Their chemistry was explosive. That's what you get when you cross a highly trained assassin with a Bratva Princess. Hold on tight because it's about to get bumpy with a whole lot of twist and turns.
Profile Image for queen_of_the_books_18.
864 reviews232 followers
May 16, 2019
A new to me author, Cora Kenborn has just slayed it with this dark read.

Darkest deeds kept me on edge the whole way through the story, twists and turns you don’t see coming, lies and secrets galore, and full to the brim with action.

It’s extremely dark and twisted so if you are looking for a light fluffy read, this book and this series isn’t for you.

Mind blowing!

Profile Image for Julie.
2,003 reviews31 followers
May 9, 2019
This was definitely a whirlwind of a journey, full of unexpected twists and shocking turns that will have you gasping. The story line was excellent and will keep the reader guessing right to the end. It was full of action, the suspense was intense and extremely sexy. It was a thrilling book and one I found hard to put down. An excellent read, and one not to be missed. I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Elisha Nelson.
51 reviews
May 14, 2019
Deliciously dark and addictive from the first page to the last. Darkest Deeds by Cora Kenborn has given us an amazingly well crafted tale that will keep you guessing all the way to the very end. This was my first time reading something by this author and if this book is anything to go by I think I’m going to be adding many more of her books to my TBR list! If you enjoy dark, twisty, romances this book is definitely for you.
Profile Image for Esther.
300 reviews2 followers
May 14, 2019
I have been looking forward to a new book by Cora and Darkest Deeds hits the spot. Nick and Ava were tragically ripped apart at a young age by her scheming, controlling father. They find themselves thrown together many years later, Nick having an ulterior motive. With so much having happened in those years how do get past it all?
This book is dark. Twisted. And so enthralling. You won’t want to put it down.
Profile Image for Ola Adamska.
2,881 reviews25 followers
May 10, 2019
What a read Ms. Kenborn nailed her characters in a brilliant way. There. Will be lots of lies, secrets, and twists - that's what makes this story so disturbing but addictive as well!
Ava is one hell of a woman that survived a nightmare to arise like a phoenix in her full glory. I loved her! I hope more and more woman in books will be that strong they on their own would be a force to be reckoned with.
Niko... Here I had some problems, but due to Ava, I fell for him! He's strong, powerful and dominant for sure. But one woman with lava red hair can change it!
A great read in general and another great addition to Cavalieri Della Morte books.
Profile Image for Lucy wright .
431 reviews20 followers
July 26, 2021
Great read

I’m not sure why I waited so long to read this as it’s been on my TBR list a while but I’m so glad I decided to pick it up I devoured this book within a few hours. Niko is a hot scary assassin who gets a calls from a man he worked for to kill his own daughter only Niko loved his daughter but she betrayed him. The chemistry between Niko and Ava is off the charts but Ava is a bad@ss honestly defiantly recommend it’s a dark mafia book with some knife play
Profile Image for Katrina.
184 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2019
A dark past ties Ava and Niko together. As does betrayal. He's contracted to kill her. She's jaded by life and everything it has thrown to her, but also torn by guilt for what she was forced to do to him eight years ago.

As much as Niko would love to say he didn't still care for Ava, will the heart truly listen to the pain the mind hold onto? Can they find a way to save her life and get the FBI off her back? Is there really any hope of a future for a paid assassin and a "mob princess"?

This was definitely a darker book than I normally read, but Niko and Ava were both characters to draw me in and feel for each of their plights. Neither has had an easy life, both have been beaten, bruised, bled and betrayed by the bratva they call(ed) family. Even though you know there is danger and Niko gladly accepts the contract to kill her, you can't help but cheer for them the entire time.

I absolutely recommend this one!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews

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