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Hearts Strengthened by Cyanide

The Afton Adders, Book 3

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Hearts Strengthened by Cyanide

By: Deanne Dietz
Narrated by: Allie Rose, James Joseph, Sean Masters
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About this listen

Kenneth Afton hates everyone.

Though, he hates ‘krauts’ more than anything and unfortunately, Kenneth is forced to marry within the German mob, Immer Treu. This deal is to strengthen their alliance before the business is snuffed out by the Nazi soldiers moving in. He must come to terms with his newfound transaction and aid his new wife as she rises within the ranks of her gang. In time he questions his hatred for krauts and comes to find that he adores how his wife provokes every reaction from him.

He learns that there is no stronger bond than when enemies become lovers and decides to lay his prejudice from the Great War aside, to accept his new life.

But his life will be ripped from him.

A Nazi concentration camp has formed near the town, Alice tries to expose their heinous crimes. As she tries to save innocent children from the Nazi soldiers, she is made prisoner for her actions.

Evoking Kenneth’s rage.

Will he save her in time?

Or will she die by cyanide?

Tropes:
- Hearts Strengthened by Cyanide.
- Enemies to Lovers
- Shibari
- Touch Her and Die
- Peaky Blinders and Draco inspired MMC
- Morally Grey
- Mafia/ Gangster Romance
- PTSD Healing
- Gangsters effing up Nazis
- Unhinged FMC to the point you don't know if you should crush on her or him.
- Domming
- Forced Marriage/ Forced Proximity
- The witty banter = gut splitting laughter
- Meet Rhino, your new bestie

Trigger Warnings:
- PTSD
- Nazis
- Violence
- Explicit Sexual Interactions
- Sexual Assault
- Torture by Bison
- Mention of sexual assault by a priest

©2025 Deanne Dietz (P)2025 Blue Nose Audio and Deanne Dietz
20th Century Action & Adventure Historical Fiction Marriage Mafia War
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Listener received this title free

Kenneth has flown under my radar but is now a close second to Bobby as my favourite Afton brother. I liked possessive Kenneth but petty Kenneth may have been my favourite (Automobile made me laugh every time it came up). Alice was really great too as despite her awful parents she still had a backbone and was entirely capable in her own right. Allie Rose & James Joseph have great chemistry in this duet and are perfect for the push and pull between the characters. Although there is instant attraction, they are both as stubborn as each other but when those walls came down and they were vulnerable with each other everything just clicked.

There are some very dark moments which made for a pretty harrowing listen towards the end once its clear what is happening. I had a visceral reaction to a certain chapter and it has stuck with me since I finished the book. This does end with an HEA but the repercussions aren't glossed over which I appreciated. The performances were stellar during this section in particular.

There were some lighter moments though in the form of Baba and Bobby neither of whom ever disappoint. They both leap off the page and that bonus chapter at the very end is getting my hopes up for a future book! I'm also adding Gunter along with Biscuit from book two to the list of favourite side characters as he was so sweet.

An emotional Listen

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Listener received this title free

I loved Alice and Kenneth story so much.

I have being curious about Kenneth since book one and I just couldn’t guess the secrets he held close and I was so glad we got to un cover these and learn why he is the way he is. I also loved how much he was obsessed with Alice and nothing was going to stop him from saving her.

Alice was such a strong FMC from the start with her sassy attitude and her quick responses she pushed Kenneth to this limits and it was just what he needed and i really loved them both together.

We also got to hear from Bobby and Everett which was emotional I really all the characters in this world.

This audio was narrated by Allie Rose and James Joseph just as the rest of the series and it was just so spectacular the difference in voice was outstanding each character had their own distinct voice.

Allie Rose always amazes me with her performance but the emotional depth she brought to Alice was amazing especially in the hard scenes in the camp it really was so so powerful.

James Joseph is so good as Kenneth he performs in a way that you know that Kenneth is reserved and so guarded it was so good! JJ is a master of delivering accents and the way he delivers in the series is really outstanding. I always love JJ performance he really knows how to deliver!!

So excited for what D E Dietz has in store next!!

Alice & Kenneth 🖤

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Listener received this title free

I enjoyed this title because title because it was something I probably wouldn’t have chosen to listen to although it’s a mafia romance but set in a different time era of history when political tension was at an all time high.

This is a story of a forced/arranged marriage between Kenneth and Alice who is German and who Kenneth happens to have a great dislike for due to his experiences in the war.

Both these characters are totally depraved and fight the pull of their emotions as they slowly start to change, their chemistry between burns fiercely as their romance grows.

Their journey is a tentative one filled with danger, heartbreak and intrigue and takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions that I was totally there for.

The narration by James Joseph and Allie Rose brought all the feeling of this precarious time to life and the writing of D.E. Dietz is amazing and I thought,y enjoyed this audiobook and would totally recommend.

Good

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