Retribution is a work of suspenseful crime fiction penned by author Stephanie Baldi and is the sequel to Redemption. Set six years after the events of the first book, Carmela Santiago hasn’t forgotten the fateful day when her father was assassinated by hitman Nick, whom she thought that she loved. Now, Nick will regret letting Carmela live as she pulls together every resource from her father’s long-standing drug empire, of which she is now the kingpin. As Carmela's and Nick’s paths threaten to cross again with bloody consequences, the tangled web of secrets around them confuses matters and enflames the grieving daughter’s desire for vengeance.

This complex and extensive criminal plot twists and turns around every corner to give maximum intrigue and reading satisfaction to its audience. Author Stephanie Baldi does a great job of recapping the events of Redemption without overdoing the details, placing gentle reminders in the narration with the reappearance of certain characters or places to ease the memory for readers. As such, the action flows out in a wild torrent when things really get going, with plenty of snappy dialogue and heartfelt moments to convey the reality of the lives of the criminals and hitmen caught up in the storm. Carmela makes for a compelling heroine: it was wonderful to read the emotional journey of a strong woman in charge, plagued by grief but also still culpable and compassionate despite her desire for revenge. Overall, Retribution is an excellent suspense novel that fans of criminal POV will adore.

Carmela Santiago was heartbroken when the man she loved killed her father right in front of her. That was the day when her world was changed forever. Granted, her life had never been sunshine and roses, considering that her father ran a drug smuggling empire, but with this responsibility on her shoulders, she knows that she is the one who must exact revenge. There is no limit to what she will do and what she is ready to expend to get her revenge on Nicholas D’Angelo. However, Nicholas is also ready to protect the people he loves and there is nothing that he won’t do to protect his family. Now it’s a tussle between the two people who once loved each other. Can he save his family from the clutches of Carmela? Can Carmela get her revenge even with the odds stacked against her?

Retribution: The Riveting Sequel to Redemption! by Stephanie Baldi is a story of revenge and saving the people you love. This is the perfect example of modern literature where you don’t have the perfect protagonists. They have faults, they both have flaws, but at the end of the day, they are human beings who make mistakes. Both Carmela and Nicholas are ready to risk it all, one for revenge and the other to protect important people in their family. The plot was intense, the suspense and action were palpable, and the flow was just amazing. There was never a dull moment in the novel or a moment where the story flagged. Reading it gave me an adrenaline rush and I loved every second of it. The character development, plot development, and themes were carried out wonderfully and the pace kept the momentum going until the very end. Needless to say, I will remember this book for a long time! Absolutely fantastic.

Looking for a summer read? Redemption and now Retribution is a must read! Truly a great thriller sequel. I couldn't put the book down. Stephanie is a brilliant writer with an amazing imagination. Each character is described so well in Redemption. They are easily brought into Retribution as the story continues . I was brought to the edge of my seat with each chapter.
I can't wait for the next book.