Respect by Aleatha Romig Blog Tour

“The making of a man”

From New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Aleatha Romig comes a stand-alone novel, a spin-off from her beloved Infidelity series. With classic Aleatha Romig twists, turns, deceptions, and devotions, this new epic mafia love story/ thriller will delve into a world where family takes on new meaning, and even the inhabitants are suspicious of the next chapter.

"Standing at what I believe is the precipice of my life, I, Oren Demetri, was too young to understand that it wasn’t and too old to imagine that it couldn’t be.

The already hefty accumulation of my successes and failures, bravery and fears, and rewards and suffering, had brought me to this point. It was hard to contemplate the things I’d done, and yet in reality, I’d only begun to learn the possibilities.

I suppose that’s how it was for me at twenty-nine years of age on the brink of all I’d ever wanted without fully realizing the price I would pay. Yet in that moment, I knew there would be no cost too great or sacrifice I wouldn’t make. I had no idea how far-reaching that moment of self-discovery would be because as the congregation’s murmurs quieted, bleeding into silence and allowing the thump of my heart to be the only sound I heard, I was a man filled with love and adoration, emotions in stark contrast to those I needed in the world I’d built or the one I was about to enter.

Angelina Costello was my dream and now my reality. I’d worked diligently to move beyond the actuality of being a dockworker’s son to becoming a self-made, successful entrepreneur, all in an effort to earn the right to call her my own. I’d overcome servitude to others, collecting their paychecks and lowly praises, to become the one who signed the paychecks and offered the accolades when they were rightfully earned.

The world was my oyster and walking toward me on the arm of her uncle was my pearl. I’d found her amongst the empty shells life had offered. There was no need to pry open another possibility. Angelina was all I wanted. Yet my path was uncharted. There was more for me to earn, lose, and willingly give.

The top of that list was respect."

This stand-alone novel may be read before or after reading the Infidelity series or on its own.

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Angelina Costello was the only woman to ever take my breath away. I couldn’t not speak to her. “I haven’t seen you since NYU.”

“I’ve been living overseas, studying history and architecture in Italy.”

“Italy! Molto bene. And now you’re back?” I asked.

“I am.”

“To stay?”

“I believe so.”

“Perhaps we could see one another,” I proposed, all the while hoping that she would say yes and saying a prayer that she would say no.

Her lips curved upward. “I see you now.”

“Si, and I would like to see more.”

With a glint to her gaze, she said, “I never forgot you. I thought at one time...” Her head tilted innocently as her lip momentarily hid behind her teeth. “Are you sure you aren’t still scared of me?”

“Angelina, I’m quite certain that I’m terrified of you.”

Her smile grew. “Bene. Then let me give you my number.”

Copyright owned by Romig Works LLC

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
This story is filled with love, heartache, pain, heartbreak, and death. You will laugh, cry, and in the end, you will be left in awe.

This is Oren Demetri’s story; there were small glimpses of him in the Infidelity series, but here we learn what Oren went through and gave up for family and love. From seeing Angelina in a college class to marrying her and raising a family with her. But he was always building his empire and doing what The Costello family needed him to do. The Costellos are Angelina’s family and being part of the mafia in the New York area, when the family called, Oren had to go. But at what cost does he leave his wife and son at home?

Angelina knows what her uncle and cousin are and what they do. She doesn’t want to know, but she knows. She doesn’t want Oren to be a part of it, but he can’t say no to the family, even if it is her family that he married in to. When Lennox comes along, both Oren and Angelina want him to have a choice in his life, not to have him pushed into the family business.

Oren must pay the dues from his company to keep Lennox away, but he knows it will cost him his family at home to some extent.

How far will Oren go before it becomes too much? Will Angelina accept that Oren will always go when her uncle and cousin call him? How will his absences affect Lennox as he grows older?

I knew once I started reading this one it was going to rip me to pieces. It has taken me most of the day to get my mind right to write this review. Aleatha Romig has a way of pulling you into a story and not letting you go until you have been wrung out completely. But in the best way possible, her stories are full of twist and turns that will keep you on the edge until you reach the end and think, “How did she do that?”

So if you are looking for a fantastic story with all of the feels and then some, read this one and then read the Infidelity series (not about cheating), I promise, you will not be disappointed. I loved everything about this story.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

So, this is a standalone story that is both deeply and morally suspect, and a love story through the years. Oren Demetri’s life is one of honor, love, and above all else, respect. He lives and breathes that – it’s all he knows.

You are faced with a story about a man who only lives by one code and even when that code is somewhat in conflict with what he wants or who he loves, respect always wins.

This was not your typical love story that you get from Romig. In fact, I would say that this is very different from her usual story. Oren is one who is struggling with fulfilling all of his obligations. He has obligations to his business, his wife, his child, and his wife’s family.

I found, at times, this story to be drawn out and frustrating. I wanted him to stand up and be the man I’ve come to expect from Romig books. But, as you read further, you realize he is – it just presents in a very different way.

While I didn’t love this book as much as I’ve loved her other stories, it definitely makes you ponder the life that Oren lives and what, if anything, he could have done differently.

Overall, while I didn’t love this story, it was well developed, well thought out, and makes the reader think as well, and that I can respect.


Shelby – ☆☆☆☆☆
I love the Infidelity series and was very excited to read Oren's story. I will just say that I thought I knew Oren – man was I wrong!
This is not a love story, it has romantic elements, but it's not a romance book.
This is the story of respect, ambition, loyalty, and betrayal.
This is the tale of Oren Demetri's rise and fall in the Costello family.

I really don't know how to review this. It's a beautiful, but heartbreaking story about a young man and the choices he made in his life. The choice to fall in love with a mafia princess. The choice to be more than his father.
We see the young, naive man start his life – full of hope. We see the husband struggle to maintain a balance between home and family. We learn the consequences of every single choice Oren makes.

I loved this story, and then I hated it. I was elated, then devastated. So many emotions, I was just all over the place with this book. It touched me deeply, and I haven't been able to get it out of my head.

Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams and bring your imagination to life!

Aleatha released her first novel, Consequences, in August of 2011. Consequences became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series Tales from the Dark Side, Insidious, in the fall of 2014. These standalone thrillers continue Aleatha's twisted style with an increase in heat.

In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romance with the release of Betrayal, the first of her five novel Infidelity series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books Into the Light and Away from the Dark were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.

In the spring of 2017, Aleatha released her first stand-alone, fun, and sexy romantic comedy with Plus One, followed by the sweet stand-alone, One Night.

Aleatha is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America.  She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Respect by Aleatha Romig to read and review for this tour.