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The Good Daughter: A Mafia Thriller (Vista Security Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Diana Layne (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,201 ratings
See all formats and editions
Mafia. Murder. And a deadly vendetta.

Raised in a crime family.
She wants out. When the mob kills her cop boyfriend and ruins her chances for a new life, mafia princess Marisa Peruzzo vows to bring them down--at the risk of destroying her family and the only life she's known.
A dedicated crime fighter.
For FBI Agent Dave Armstrong justice means choosing between right and wrong, black and white, and nothing in between. There is no place in his city for criminals, and he is determined to put mob boss Carlo Peruzzo out of business. But Carlo is powerful, dangerous, and cunning, and so far has eluded Dave's efforts to arrest him. Until Carlo's daughter surprises Dave with an offer of help.
But things aren't always black and white.
Marisa is a woman who operates outside the neat little box Dave has always lived in, and while he understands her need for justice, he doesn't approve of her methods. Yet in the course of his quest, Dave falls in love with Marisa, and his feelings make him question whether the world around him might actually be colored in shades of gray.

*** FBI meets Mafia Princess: Dave sat up straighter when she entered the bar. Sandro had promised the contact would have useful information and be immediately recognizable, but he never specified male or female. Was this his informant? Carlo Peruzzo's daughter. The Mafia princess herself. Her gaze scanned the room until she saw him. Though her lips were pressed in a straight line, a sparkle flashed in her eyes as if she knew just how she had shocked him.Dave realized his heart rate had kicked up a few notches when their eyes had locked. His jaw would have dropped if he hadn't been the kind of guy trained not to show his emotions. She walked purposefully toward him, making her way through the crowded tables. Black designer jeans hugged nice curvy hips, and her full breasts were covered with a pink plaid, pearl-button western shirt. Interesting color choice. A leather belt wrapped around her waist, and his focus narrowed. Best he could tell the belt was pink, too. And there were some kind of pink jewels inlaid in the buckle. He hid a smile. The only thing that would complete the color coordination was if she had on-he looked down, yep, pink cowboy boots. Pretty-in-pink cowgirl-Mafia princess. That certainly wasn't an image he expected to see. With her head high, and her gaze fixed on him she seemed unaware-or unaffected-by the attention she garnered. And she certainly got a fair share of stares. He saw more than one man pause with a drink halfway to his mouth, head swiveling to keep track as she walked past. Dave had never seen the high-and-mighty Mafia daughter in anything other than expensive business suits, with her hair pulled back and her makeup understated, but tonight she wore this chic knock-off cowgirl look well. With her dark wavy hair swinging free around her shoulders, her smooth olive skin glowing, and lips a luscious color of pink to match as well, she could raise the lust level in a saint. Dave was no saint.
94,000 words, 376 pages ***

Note: Each book in the Vista Security Series is stand alone but if you'd like to read in order: The Good Daughter (Vista Security Origins Book 1) Trust No One (Vista Security Book 2) Edge Of Trust (Vista Security Book 3) Forced To Trust (Coming Soon) and for fans of The Good Daughter: Nia, Be Mine (a prequel)
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 4
    Vista Security Series
  2. Print length
    390 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    January 4, 2012
  6. File size
    2519 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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From the Publisher

City View

FBI vs. Mafia Princess

Things aren't always black and white . . .

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Good Daughter: A Romantic Times Indie Press/Self-Published Contemporary Romance nominee.

Praise for Diana Layne, a Golden Heart® Finalist:

4 1/2 Stars TOP PICK!! : Calling this book "old-school Jackie Collins with a Gotti twist and enough heat to melt Alaska" still doesn't begin to describe how explosive it is. This is a turn-off-all-electronic-devices, one-sit read, with impressive characters, a transfixing plot and enough breathtaking action to knock your socks off! Layne has star power in spades.
~DIANE MORASCO, RT Book Reviews

There are two love stories in this book -- the budding one between Dave and Marisa, and the established relationship between Nia and Sandro. Both romantic story lines are well developed and engaging. But what really caught my attention in this book was the masterful depiction of the two female characters, Marisa and Nia. Both are strong, smart, and sympathetic, using their wits and whatever skills they have to survive in dangerous circumstances.
~VANESSA KELLY, Love Rocks Column


"With THE GOOD DAUGHTER, Diana Layne delivers all the elements of a classic romantic suspense--fast pace, a layered and twisty plot, memorable characters and the perfect balance of sensuality. An exceptionally well-executed element of Mafia culture combined with a high level of danger make the book fresh and impossible to put down."
~LINDA CASTILLO, New York Times bestselling author of BREAKING SILENCE

From the Author

Author Q&A:

Q. Which order should I read the Vista Security Series?
A. Each Vista Security Series book is stand alone, although there is an overarching suspense story that unites the Vista Security team a little more in each book as they come together to save the world and sometimes fall in love along the way. The Good Daughter: A Mafia Thriller introduces characters that have a huge role all through most of the series. Trust No One: A Spy Thriller introduces more characters that are important to the team, whereas Edge of Trust: A Spy Thriller has all the characters working together for the first time. As for Nia, Be Mine? I'll explain about that when answering the next question.

Q. Why does the cover of Nia, Be Mine look different than the other Vista Security Series books?
A. Nia, Be Mine, shown here as book 4 because of series numbering limitations, can be read at any time as well,  although this story takes place years before the Vista Security Series officially begins. I wrote it in response to readers wanting to know more about the characters in The Good Daughter: A Mafia Thriller. Nia, Be Mine is mainly a love story, telling the romance of two of the main characters, as well as introducing other characters who later appear in The Good Daughter: A Mafia Thriller and then throughout the Vista Security Series. As a romance, with only a touch of suspense, I opted for a different cover. But if you're like me, you'll love knowing more about the lives of these characters and you'll get a hint of how it all started.

Q. Do you have anything else to add?
A. Want to read more stories about the Vista Security team that gives a lot more background information on the characters? Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free book of exclusive bonus stories that adds depth and background to many of the characters that appear in the series, as well as deepens the suspense. (And as a *bonus* bonus, I have included a story with characters that appear in Pirate's Proposal.) This is a book of over 100 pages of exclusive stories. Go to dianalayne.com to sign up for my mailing list and receive your free copy.

Q. In addition to the free stories, what else will I get on your mailing list?
A.  You'll get:
*    Work in Progress updates
*    Sneak previews
*    Cover reveals
*    Tidbits about a writer's life
*    News of sales (my books and other writers' books I think you might like)
*    And an occasional survey so I will know what it is that you are most interested in.

Q. How can I follow you on social media?
A. I am everywhere!
If you are absolutely not interested in the free book of exclusive bonus stories or being on my mailing list, you can also get news of my new releases by following me on:
Amazon:  amazon.com/author/dianalayne
or
Bookbub: bookbub.com/authors/diana-layne
(click the follow buttons)

And I'm on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/dianalaynebooks
Twitter: twitter.com/dianalaynebooks
Instagram: instagram.com/dianalaynebooks

I love to hear from readers, you can contact me through my website or at dianalayne@yahoo.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B006U1DTHO
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Black Gold Books (January 4, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 4, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2519 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 390 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,201 ratings

About the author

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Diana Layne

Diana Layne

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Diana Layne writes the Vista Security thriller series with strong women and stronger men who work together as an elite team, fighting danger, saving lives, and sometimes falling in love along the way.

She also writes historical romantic suspense. Pirate’s Proposal is her first published historical romance with more pirate stories to follow. And stay tuned for her upcoming Texas historical romantic suspense series. As an author, she loves the ability to create murder and mayhem with a touch of romance in her fictional worlds.

***Want to sample my writing? To get a free book of Bonus Stories sign up for my mailing list: www.dianalayne.com ***

Praise for RWA Golden Heart® Finalist Diana Layne's books:

"PIRATE'S PROPOSAL is a swashbuckling page-turner with not one but two dashing pirates, a search for treasure, and a doll imbued with a Gypsy curse. Hold on tight as the story begins, because you're in for the ride of your life."

~SHARON SALA, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author

"With THE GOOD DAUGHTER, Diana Layne delivers all the elements of a classic romantic suspense--fast pace, a layered and twisty plot, memorable characters and the perfect balance of sensuality. An exceptionally well-executed element of Mafia culture combined with a high level of danger make the book fresh and impossible to put down."

~LINDA CASTILLO, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of BREAKING SILENCE

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
1,201 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Joan A. Adamak
5.0 out of 5 stars Action packed, romance, mob violence
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is a great Mafia story packed with action, romance and mob rule. Whereas in most Mafia stories, the women are kept at home subject to the demands of their husband, in this story you have two strong women in Marissa Peruzzo, daughter of the Mafia boss, Carlo Peruzzo, and Nia Crocetti, an American soccer player and wife of Sandro, who was champion soccer player of Italy. Carlo had threatened Sandro in Italy and forced him to lose the Italian soccer championship, which he did, having no choice. Then having met Nia, marrying her and living in Italy, they then moved to the U.S. to begin a new life and get away from Carlo. But in the following five years, Carlo Peruzzo moved to the U.S. and viciously cleaned out all mobs who stood in his way. In Italy Sandro and his Uncle Guiseppe Zambrotta owned a restaurant, and although Sandro had expected to be free of Carlo, he learned quickly that one never was and Carlo used that Italian restaurant to launder U.S. funds.

Sandro reached the point where he had enough of Carlo and believed the only way he could be free of him was to go to the FBI and tell all he knew in return for witness protection. He became aware that Marissa would also help him to destroy her father as he had made her life unbelievably bad. They worked with Dave Armstrong, head of the FBI Organized Crime Task Force, but Carlo had an informer in the FBI and he learned of this. He put a contract out on Sandro, but when he couldn't find him, he had his men kidnap Nia and eventually their two year old son, Danielle. Several times Nia injured one of Carlo's men badly because she was an athlete and knowledgeable as to body contact issues because of her soccer training. After Marissa met Dave and worked with him, there was a strong sexual draw between them. Marissa could not use her body like Nia, but she could handle a gun.

This is a complicated story that is a page turner, believable, very well written and totally enjoyable for its genre. I recommend it.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Fine start to a promising series
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2012
Verified Purchase
Good mafia story, with some romance woven in. Diana Layne has a gift for dialogue and drawing characters with a few words; I could picture her characters quite clearly and "hear" them perfectly. She also writes vivid, punchy, action scenes. The story has a number twists and turns, along with surprises, both good and bad. I very much liked the characters of Nia, Sandro, and Angelo (one of the mobsters). Their parts of the story were very absorbing and I loved Nia and Sandro's love story.

Marisa and Dave's story is secondary to Nia and Sandro's, apparently because Marisa and Dave are going to show up in the upcoming Vista Security series. Marisa is an intriguing character; perhaps a bit hard to warm up to at times, but understandable. She'd had very difficult life, and consequently enveloped herself in a hard shell. I was fascinated by her story and wanted to know more about her. This story only scratched the surface of her character.

Dave was a fairly standard character, but with a flaw that frankly made me dislike him for a big chunk of the book; he did something horrible to Nia when they were younger, and I felt he never owned up to it or apologized for it, and I couldn't see why Nia would want him in her life, or why he still felt that she should want him in it! He seemed to have a big blind spot in his character. I wanted to like him and at times, I really did, but then what he did to Nia just stuck in my craw and I couldn't get over it. If I felt he'd truly understood, acknowledged, and atoned for what he'd done, then maybe I could have. As it is, I'm willing to read more about this character in the hope that he will "get" it. I'd also like to learn more about Marisa and see her happy. The finale of the book was open-ended regarding Marisa and Dave's relationship, so I assume they both will appear in at least one more book and will get their due.

I also was surprised that although we spend a lot of time getting know quite a few characters in this story, we spend hardly any time with Carlo, the main villain. His obsession with Sandro never quite gelled for me; I didn't understand it. Carlo goes to quite some lengths in his pursuit of Sandro, but why him? It just wasn't clear. Carlo's actions didn't make sense on the face of them, so there had to be some emotional (or other) reason driving him, but we don't get to learn what. We get more insight into Carlos's son, Massimo, and his right hand, Luigi, than we do into Carlo himself. I think the story would have been stronger if more time had been spent exploring his character and his motivations.

Despite the issues I had with Dave and with Carlo's development, the book worked for me overall. Diana Layne has real talent, and I look forward to reading more from her. 4.5 stars
21 people found this helpful
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Cheril Vernon
5.0 out of 5 stars Action-packed mafia story
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2013
Verified Purchase
Sometimes it's nice (at least on TV and in books) to see justice served the way it should be, especially when you have a mafia boss who is so bad, he has literally thrown his wife and daughter under the bus over the years.

In "The Good Daughter," you definitely get that. You get a Mafia "princess" named Marisa who is ready to serve up a big plate of revenge to her father, mob boss Carlo, for killing the man she loved, giving her mother a lobotomy and selling her virginity to the highest bidder. I mean, what's there to love about this man?

This book was fast paced, action-packed with kick-butt heroines who know how to lay it on the line. This was a great story with very strong characters -- characters who stick with you. While the book was suspenseful, there also was some romance in Sandro and Nia's backstory and between Marisa and FBI agent Dave. I can't wait to read the next book in the Vista Security series and more from Diana Layne. Great, eye-catching cover, too!
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

D Urquhart
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on September 1, 2017
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A great read
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Amazing Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 25, 2013
Verified Purchase
I had never read any of Diana Layne's Books untill i read the good daughter and i just did not want to put it down. She is in my oppinion a great writer, equal in my mind with the likes of jack higgans, lee child, and clive cussler, who are my favourit authors. I cannot wait to read her next book.

Take it from me read the good daughter and you wont be dissapointed

Gregor Macmillan
Glasgow
Scotland UK
3 people found this helpful
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judith
3.0 out of 5 stars OK
Reviewed in Canada on September 8, 2013
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A new author to me. It was alright , an easy read, ok for lazy summer days. Just not for me.
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lisa
4.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 10, 2013
Verified Purchase
If you are tired and want to read to lull you to sleep, do not read this book. It's a page turner.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and would have paid. As it is, I got it free.. worth your time to download and read
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karen
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
Fabulous read found it hard to put down would highly recommend it well written and back ground knowledge investigated.
Highly recommend
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