Tag: bw/wm Russian

The Creator of the Russian Mafia Romance Genre – Latrivia Welch (Latrivia S. Nelson)

Leave a comment

My names is Latrivia Welch, and I am the godmother of the Russian Mafia Romance genre.

Latrivia Welch – Dmitry’s Closet – Russian Mafia Romance Genre Founder

 

In 2010, I released Dmitry’s Closet, the first book of the Medlov Crime Family Series.

This book was a dark romance/ action-adventure set around an African-American virgin who had recently graduated from college, Royal Stone, and the Czar of the Russian Mafia underworld, Dmitry Medlov. He was a seven-foot blonde billionaire mobster from the ghettos of Kopotnya, a district in Moscow, Russia who had been accidently released from prison and after a planned assassination fled to London England and eventually to Memphis, TN.
Along the way of his awesome journey through young adulthood, I introduce his sociopathic brother, Ivan Medlov, his devoted friend and second in charge, Davyd, and a host of clever men and women from Angola, Africa to the halls of Oxford, who truly articulate the migration of organized crime from the Eastern bloc to Western Europe and finally to the US during the fall of the USSR and the rise of the Vory v Zakone and other factions like it, internationally.
Dmitry is very unique. He is multi-dimensional character who realizes his shortcomings, but truly maximizes on his potential and his strength – hence the anti-hero that everyone loves. He’s the ultimate alpha male and all it takes is one chapter for you to see that about him. His ambition and his compassion are what propelled him from being a poor, struggling soldier in the mafia to a billionaire Czar with international reach and fame.

Russian Mafia Romance Genre Founder

Russian Mafia Romance Genre Founder, Dmitry’s Royal Flush: Rise of the Queen, Latrivia Welch

But his love for his younger lover, Royal Stone, and the growth of their union by marriage and children, including an awesome set of twins, is what makes him the type of man that women like to read about.

When I first wrote this book, there was nothing like it out there, and I was told by quite a few major book reviewers and literary agents that the idea was too far fetched and far too unorthodoxies. Just check out some of my reviews on Amazon back in 2010. WOW!

Eight years later, I have written over 20 books around the Medlov Crime Family and hundreds of authors have written hundreds of books since I introduced the concept. This includes other African-American women authors who expanded the bwwm Russian mafia craze and the main stream white heroine/white hero stories that are out there produced by white female authors who took the concept across the aisle.
Now, Russian Mafia Romance is wildly popular.

Back then, it wasn’t widely popular to romanticize this particular lifestyle and to marry it with strong, African American, was even more farfetched. It was nothing that the major publishing houses had considered or dared touch.
However, the fans supported the work. We went from 50 readers to over 50,000 to many more for the Medlov Crime Family, who had dubbed themselves Medlovians.  Our collective success has been because of each of these women.  The women who bought the book, read the book, reviewed the book, suggested the book, posted the book online, gave us all an opportunity to connect with them and create something special. THANK YOU!! SPASIBA!

Latrivia Welch, Founder of the Russian Mafia Romance Genre and creator of The Medlov Crime Family Series

I’m very proud of the genre, very proud of how it has grown, but it’s important to me for people to know where it began. With an author who couldn’t get traditional backing or attention and decided to become an indie author with a very bold statement.

What was that statement?

Believe in yourself and your work and you can make it happen.

Anatoly’s Retribution: Book Two is LIVE

Leave a comment

Anatoly’s Retribution: Book Two

There is nothing more important than family. Billionaire crime boss, Anatoly Medlov, discovers this when a pimp in Miami Beach comes into the possession of his half-sister, Anastaysia. The clock is ticking. He knows he has to find her before she’s sold off or even worse, killed.

The Medlov Russian Crime family comes to the underworld prince’s aid, bringing a Bloody Sunday to the vacation destination in true mafia style. But the lessons that are learned and retribution exacted teach Anatoly and the people he loves about more than just vengeance, it teaches them about purpose.

Read the action-packed second part of the bestselling Russian mafia romance sensation, Anatoly’s Retribution: Book Two, by the founder of the genre, USA TODAY bestselling author, Latrivia Welch.

Are You Reading Anatoly’s Retribution: Book One This Weekend?

Leave a comment


The book is finally out. After a few months of haggling with myself to get it done, I finally released Anatoly from my clutches. I have to admit that it’s hard. You grow so close to the characters until the manuscript is never really complete in the author’s mind. I could re-edit, rewrite for the rest of my life on the Medlov Men and never find a stopping point, because I enjoy it so much.

Alas, I have worked through my desire to keep this project close to my bosom and given my baby to you – for your personal entertainment.

So, now my question is, what are you doing this weekend. Outside of all the other things we have to do – soccer games, homework, dinner, weddings, hitting the gym, grocery shopping, laundry, quality time with the family and loved ones, etc. – I truly hope that you’ll be reading my book as well.

So far, I’ve received nearly 100 emails from our Quill Pen readers who have already read the book. They want to know when the second part of the book is coming out, because in the past I have been notorious for disappearing for months after a book drop. Well, not now. I’m back, ladies and gents. And Book Two will be released on November 1st. It will also be $3.15.

The second question that seems to be very popular is will all the questions be answered in the second book that arise from the first book. The answer is ABSOLUTELY! I love giving you a firm foundation and understanding of the characters and their state of mind before we get to the action and adventure of it all.

This book, in paperback format, which will come out on Amazon in one week, is 400 pages long. However, on the Kindle, they say it’s 246. If you’re hoping to get the paperback for your collection. We’ll send a separate update on that.

For Amazon Readers:

 

For Barnes and Noble Readers:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/anatolys-retribution-latrivia-welch/1127154983?ean=2940158882258

 

I really hope you buy the book today. We’re on the Amazon bestseller’s list in both Romantic Suspense and Multicultural/Interracial Romance. This is because you all have been so very wonderful with your support over the years.

I cannot express my gratitude for each of you. This new book is a celebration of life for me. LIAM is here, and he’s beautiful and precious and wonderful. The love I have for him is immeasurable. Y’all he is so perfect. God has been good. So, I’m on cloud nine. Thank you for being patient with me.

Also, I still have to put my collaboration with nine other amazing authors in our New Orleans project, Creole Nights. This was my first paranormal romance. Warlocks: The Creole Coven is the last book in the box set. I plan to re-release it in December with more meat. Make it bigger, better and more exciting. However, I can say it was an honor to watch the women on this project work. They are true professionals and talented their crafts.

https://www.amazon.com/Creole-Nights-Paranormal-Stories-Bring-ebook/dp/B074DZ3F3Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

So now back to my question. Are you going to read Anatoly’s Retribution: Book One this weekend? I truly hope that you will. And don’t forget to leave a review on Amazon, especially if it’s a good one. LOL.

Sending all my love to you. May you have a wonderful weekend.

Latrivia Welch
http://www.latriviawelchbooks.com

Dmitry’s Closet is still on Amazon’s Bestseller List and Mae Reads Reviewed the Book

Leave a comment

Hi Everyone,

Mae Reads reviewed Dmitry’s Closet on YouTube. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to hear from my fans. Take a look and check it out. Shout out to Mae.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mLf8BR70JY

Also, speaking of Dmitry’s Closet, it’s still on the Amazon’s Bestseller’s List. I’m so honored and so proud of your support.  You know, when I first published this book back in January of 2010, no one was writing bwwm mafia books.  So, people took it with mixed emotions.  I got my butt handed to me on a few of the reviews, LOL, but the overwhelming consensus was that readers wanted more and encouraged me to continue on this road, developing the Medlov Crime Family.  Here we are six almost seven years later, still doing what we do.  I’m in the process of working on two new Medlov books: Anatoly’s Retribution and Dmitry’s Redemption.  (I have the “R” thing going there).  Anyway, the reason that we are here is because of YOU.  You paid the money, spread the word, suggested the book to friends and in your book clubs, sent me emails of encouragement and most of all you believed in me.   I love you all. I thank you and I’m so humble and grateful for your blessings on my life.

Here’s to seven more years of The Medlov Crime Family!

Your biggest fan,

Latrivia

 

 

Gabriel’s Regret: Book Two is NOW Live and Working on AMAZON

Leave a comment

 

holding gun gangster sitting in chair

holding gun gangster sitting in chair

It has been a long twelve hours.  But after many phone calls to Amazon by myself and fans, the book has finally been released and the block has been removed from US readers.  Other readers in other countries were able to access the book, but those in the states could not.  They told us that the KDP office was closed Monday-Friday, but we spoke with mangers and asked them to send urgent emails.  For those managers, I am grateful.  For every fan, I am thankful.  Your support and patience is what keeps me going.  I want you to know how much you mean to me.  It’s funny. Adversity comes at you from every angle.  They didn’t want to release the book.  Three readers gave me bad reviews because they could not download the book even though they had not read one word, but GOD was there and he made all those crooked places straight.  I’m smiling with you as you read this and I’m grateful for being so blessed to have you.

So here it is.  Click the link and purchase today from Amazon.  Gabriel’s Regret: Book Two LIVE.

Sincerely your biggest fan,

Latrivia Welch

 

Save

Introducing Latrivia’s Quill Pen

3 Comments

12366311_553962648087316_8170049113319383978_n

Instead of checking in on Facebook, Twitter and Blogs, Latrivia Welch has developed one communication tool to keep you in touch with her and the books that you’ve grown to love.  Introducing Latrivia’s Quill Pen.  This weekly email goes out to readers and informs them of the following:

  1. Update on what she’s working on
  2. Update on what chapter she’s on
  3. Music soundtracks & muses for characters (photos)
  4. Trips & research on characters & plot lines
  5. Ways you can give valid feedback on her writing process
  6. So much more…

If you want a closer look at the work from conception to the day it hits stores, sign up today. Only takes 60 seconds.  Don’t worry if you’ve recently signed up to LatriviaWelch.com, then we already have you marked to receive your weekly update.  The first e-blast will be sent out this Friday, February 19th .  Sign up here.

P.S.  For those who like to engage through social media, Latrivia will still post updates on social media platforms.

Happy reading,
The Latrivia Welch Book Team

 

Honored to be recognized for Dmitry’s Closet by GoodReads as one of the best Romance Suspense books of all time

1 Comment

https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/487-top-100-romance-novels-on-goodreads

Dmitrys Closet

I love every book that I write, specifically, because I write them for my readers.  I want to give my fans something to think on, whether good or bad.

 

Dmitry’s Closet was my first book under RiverHouse Publishing, the company that I own.  I was so nervous when I posted the book on Amazon in  2010 until I literally had a panic attack.  It wasn’t that I thought the book was good; it was me hoping that the book was good enough for my readers.

 

This morning, I received over 100 texts and emails telling me that Goodreads had selected my first work (1 out of 19 from RiverHouse) to be selected for their 100 Romantic Reads.  When I read the copy, it literally brought tears to my eyes. I was happy, and for me that is a really monumental word.  Happy.  I was actually happy!

 

I want to take the time to thank all of those fans who encouraged me, despite my lack of resources, to follow my dreams and who also supported me by purchasing and reading my work.  I want to thank all of those fans who loved the book but had critical critiques that I then used to help make the book better, and I want to thank all of those fans who after reading the book and know my handicaps, still gave me a 4.0 in stars or above.

 

When people take the time out of their lives to compliment you, don’t take it for granted.  This is coming from experience – not a high horse.  Relish in the compliments.  Learn from the critiques and grow to be a better person and a better author.

 

I look back at my first work, at the pain I put Laura Sitterson through by making her read it in its infancy stages, and it brings tears to my eyes, because we ushered in a new sub-genre.
Thank you for this recognition, Goodreads.  Thank you to all my fans and to all the writers who followed up with amazing stories of their own.

 

Sincerely,

 

Latrivia S. Nelson

Interracial Romance Author

 

 

 

The Chronicles of Young Dmitry Medlov: Volume 7 will be released on Saturday, October 25th

5 Comments

V7 Cover

I know to so many this project is just a short story. It’s one of 12 short stories in the series about Dmitry Medlov before he met Royal.  But my Medlovian women (oh that rowdy group of gals) are expecting excellence in each and every chapter.

In reading over my work on last night, I just wasn’t satisfied with the story yet. 100 pages of a short story that is supposed to leave you cursing me for more.  Don’t get me wrong. It’s fire, but it’s not ON fire.  So then, the debate happened.  I questioned if meeting a deadline was better than meeting YOUR expectations with my work.  And the answer came up, unequivocally NO.

This is why I’m pushing the book back one week. The 100 pages that we present to you need to knock your socks off, or at least make you want to take off your shoes and curl up to your e-reader.  Speaking of which, do people name theirs?  My e-book reader is named LUCY.  Anyway…

This series means so much to me. It’s the exploration of the mind behind the mature Russian billionaire who grew to be a worldwide leader of underworld munitions and the many relationships that he had to foster and forget.  In Dmitry’s Closet, we have a new understanding of the thick tension between Dmitry and Ivan in their first meeting when he arrived to Memphis from New York many years after the Chronicles has taken place.  We understand why Dmitry did not want Royal anywhere near Ivan, and after V7, we’ll understand why Ivan swore revenge for Arie.

The backstory makes everything fun. And this backstory is dedicated to all of you.  But I can’t dedicate something to you that I know is half done.  I’m asking for your forgiveness and understanding that we’re we a week off the mark, but somehow, I think you’re going to be entertained when it’s finally in your hands.