Talina Leandro

Hey there, beautiful souls! I'm Talina Leandro, and I write steamy mafia romance that'll make your mama blush and your kindle overheat. (Don't worry, I won't tell if you won't!)

Growing up in Germany with an overactive imagination and a not-so-secret obsession with bad boys, I always knew I'd end up writing stories that pushed boundaries. But mafia romance? That wasn't exactly in my career guidance counselor's handbook. Yet here I am, crafting tales about dangerous men who'd kill for love – literally.

My journey into writing started the way most good stories do: with a "what if?" What if two rival mafia heirs fell desperately in love? What if passion could bridge even the bloodiest of family feuds? Before I knew it, I was knee-deep in research about Italian crime families and spending way too much time thinking about creative ways to hide bodies. (I swear my browser history would make any FBI agent raise an eyebrow!)

In 2024, I finally took the plunge and published my first mafia romance duology, starting with "Verbotenes Spiel" (Forbidden Game). This enemies-to-lovers story follows Jade and Samira as they navigate the treacherous waters of rival crime families and forbidden attraction. The finale, "Dunkle Verführung" (Dark Seduction), cranks up the heat and danger even further – because who doesn't love a good dose of sexual tension mixed with mortal peril?

My writing style? Think dark chocolate with a chili kick – sweet enough to make you crave more, but with enough heat to leave you gasping. I don't shy away from the gritty reality of mafia life, but I believe even the darkest hearts deserve love. My heroes are unapologetically dangerous men who've never heard of political correctness (and wouldn't care if they had). My heroines? They're strong enough to stand toe-to-toe with these dangerous men and smart enough to know when to play with fire.

When I'm not writing about passionate encounters and dangerous liaisons, you'll find me curled up with my own stack of romance novels, probably drinking way too much coffee and dreaming up new ways to torture my characters (lovingly, of course!). I'm also slightly addicted to true crime documentaries – you know, for research purposes. *winks*

To my German readers: Danke für eure unglaubliche Unterstützung! Your messages and reviews make my day, and I love how you've embraced these dangerous, sexy stories. To my international readers: translations are in the works! (Because everyone deserves a taste of my dangerous Italian men, right?)

What can you expect from my books? Passion that burns hot enough to scorch pages. Family loyalties tested to breaking point. Violence that isn't sugar-coated. And love stories that prove even the most hardened mafia prince can fall head over heels – though he might kill anyone who dares to point that out.

Fair warning: my books aren't for the faint of heart. If you're looking for sweet, gentle romance where everyone plays nice... well, my mafia men would eat those heroes for breakfast. But if you like your romance with a side of danger, a heap of passion, and enough tension to keep you up all night? Welcome to my dark and twisted world, bella. You're going to fit right in.

I'm always cooking up new stories (when I'm not actually cooking – let's just say there's a reason my characters eat a lot of takeout), and I love connecting with readers. Find me on Instagram or TikTok where I post probably too many thirst traps of my book boyfriends and behind-the-scenes peeks at my writing process.

Remember: life's too short for boring books. Let's make it dangerous instead. 💋

Xoxo, Talina