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Skin #2
Skin Tight
Uncovering the truth is her specialty
As a forensic accountant, Mia Sauter could usually tell when people had something to hide. She made her living exposing secrets while concealing her own. Then, in Vegas, she met a clever, ruthless man who called himself Addison Foster. One year later, she’s still haunted by his betrayal.
He’s a natural born liar
The truth of him had long ago been buried. Foster was only one name of many; he’d been so many men, he’d lost count. Reinvented as Thomas Strong and hell-bent on revenge, his mission is about to be compromised by the one woman capable of exposing him…
Reunited, they confront the explosive chemistry still crackling between them. But their chance meeting will have consequences, for a ruthless madman has his own deadly agenda. The question is—if they survive the fallout, will he choose love over vengeance?
As a forensic accountant, Mia Sauter could usually tell when people had something to hide. She made her living exposing secrets while concealing her own. Then, in Vegas, she met a clever, ruthless man who called himself Addison Foster. One year later, she’s still haunted by his betrayal.
He’s a natural born liar
The truth of him had long ago been buried. Foster was only one name of many; he’d been so many men, he’d lost count. Reinvented as Thomas Strong and hell-bent on revenge, his mission is about to be compromised by the one woman capable of exposing him…
Reunited, they confront the explosive chemistry still crackling between them. But their chance meeting will have consequences, for a ruthless madman has his own deadly agenda. The question is—if they survive the fallout, will he choose love over vengeance?
308 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2010
14 people are currently reading
718 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
August 22, 2016
FANTASTIC!
Since it was so good, how can I possibly give anything less than 5 stars to this book?! It was practically perfect in every way. The story was well-written and flowed nicely. Ava Gray created such engrossing characters, a sexy alpha hero and a smart, strong, and charming heroine.
The chemistry between Søren and Mia seemed so natural and so right. I loved the way their relationship gradually developed into something deeper and more special, and that totally melted my heart.
A beautiful ending and sweet HEA blew me away!
Loved it!
August 28, 2010
4 ½ stars – Paranormal Romance/Romantic Suspense
Skin Game was one of the most kick-ass surprises and awesome paranormal romantic suspense reads of 2009, so the second book in the Skin series had a lot to live up to. Although it didn’t completely blow me away like its predecessor, Skin Tight is still a gripping read with Ava Gray’s intelligent, unique writing, fascinating characters, an intriguing plot, and scorching hot love scenes.
It has an intricate plot that’s challenging to summarize, and it’s all revealed in such an interesting, unpredicted way that I wouldn’t want to give away any spoilers, anyway. But the basic premise of the story involves the hero, a man with many identities who’s cursed with an exceptional ability, seeking revenge against those responsible, and his unexpected, complicated reunion with the one woman he hasn’t been able to forget since he betrayed her in Skin Game, who poses a threat to his plans.
Skin Tight is a sexy, compelling read with a perfect combination of paranormal and suspense elements that should appeal to fans of both PNR and romantic suspense, especially readers who prefer romance books that are on the steamy side. 4 ½...almost 5 stars!
I think Ava Gray’s Skin series might appeal to fans of authors like Larissa Ione, Sydney Croft, and Jaime_Rush, and it also reminded me a little bit of Sins of the Flesh by Caridad Piñeiro.
Skin Game was one of the most kick-ass surprises and awesome paranormal romantic suspense reads of 2009, so the second book in the Skin series had a lot to live up to. Although it didn’t completely blow me away like its predecessor, Skin Tight is still a gripping read with Ava Gray’s intelligent, unique writing, fascinating characters, an intriguing plot, and scorching hot love scenes.
It has an intricate plot that’s challenging to summarize, and it’s all revealed in such an interesting, unpredicted way that I wouldn’t want to give away any spoilers, anyway. But the basic premise of the story involves the hero, a man with many identities who’s cursed with an exceptional ability, seeking revenge against those responsible, and his unexpected, complicated reunion with the one woman he hasn’t been able to forget since he betrayed her in Skin Game, who poses a threat to his plans.
Skin Tight is a sexy, compelling read with a perfect combination of paranormal and suspense elements that should appeal to fans of both PNR and romantic suspense, especially readers who prefer romance books that are on the steamy side. 4 ½...almost 5 stars!
I think Ava Gray’s Skin series might appeal to fans of authors like Larissa Ione, Sydney Croft, and Jaime_Rush, and it also reminded me a little bit of Sins of the Flesh by Caridad Piñeiro.
June 2, 2010
First, *FANGIRL SCREAM* to Ava Gray/Ann Aguirre for bringing me out of my post Lover Mine funk with Skin Tight! My expectations were high for this book after loving smokinhotmanmeat Reyes in Skin Games and Ms.Gray did not disappoint! I love it when an author can create a character that is both lethal and vulnerable at the same time. Foster is every bit of those qualities and more.
Foster aka Thomas aka Soren, is an extremely broken man. He has lost everyone important in his life and is hanging by a thread of vengeance. He is on a mission to destroy the people behind the vaccine (that altered his body as a child) and then when he is finished with them, he wants to destroy himself. Foster is all machine, focused, determined, extremely intelligent, driven by anger and revenge. He cannot remember the last time he truly felt emotion and doesn't want to.
"This man ached to be needed, ached to be a part of a whole. He wasn't a lone wolf, regardless of what life had made of him."
Enters, Mia Sauter back into Foster's life. Back because they initially met in Skin Games, and had a major falling out. Mia is on a mission as well and ends up being placed at Micor (the company where Foster works) to investigate embezzlement. From the time they run into each other again at Micor Technologies until the end of their adventure the sparks fly, full throttle! Foster and Mia's chemistry was impeccable. I loved seeing both highly intelligent characters play off of each other, draw emotional strength from each other and the sexual tension and raw need for each other was off the chain! Given the action, sexin, and emotional depth of the story, Skin Tight totally defunked me and I can't thank Ms. Gray enough!
...Favorite Quotes:
"He kissed his way down her stomach. Oh, God, he was going to kill her. But she'd die smiling."
"I'm not the sort of woman who inspires sexual obsession."
"And I'm not the sort of man who develops it, but you have me dreaming about the taste of your skin nonetheless."
"When I touch you I stop caring about anything else. There's only you, looking up at me. Don't dismiss that. Don't take it from me because.....it's never happened before."
Foster aka Thomas aka Soren, is an extremely broken man. He has lost everyone important in his life and is hanging by a thread of vengeance. He is on a mission to destroy the people behind the vaccine (that altered his body as a child) and then when he is finished with them, he wants to destroy himself. Foster is all machine, focused, determined, extremely intelligent, driven by anger and revenge. He cannot remember the last time he truly felt emotion and doesn't want to.
"This man ached to be needed, ached to be a part of a whole. He wasn't a lone wolf, regardless of what life had made of him."
Enters, Mia Sauter back into Foster's life. Back because they initially met in Skin Games, and had a major falling out. Mia is on a mission as well and ends up being placed at Micor (the company where Foster works) to investigate embezzlement. From the time they run into each other again at Micor Technologies until the end of their adventure the sparks fly, full throttle! Foster and Mia's chemistry was impeccable. I loved seeing both highly intelligent characters play off of each other, draw emotional strength from each other and the sexual tension and raw need for each other was off the chain! Given the action, sexin, and emotional depth of the story, Skin Tight totally defunked me and I can't thank Ms. Gray enough!
...Favorite Quotes:
"He kissed his way down her stomach. Oh, God, he was going to kill her. But she'd die smiling."
"I'm not the sort of woman who inspires sexual obsession."
"And I'm not the sort of man who develops it, but you have me dreaming about the taste of your skin nonetheless."
"When I touch you I stop caring about anything else. There's only you, looking up at me. Don't dismiss that. Don't take it from me because.....it's never happened before."
October 11, 2010
This book scared the buhjeezus out of me! And I loved every minute of it!!!
You know, we all have our fears, our worse nightmares. For some of us, it’s the Bogey Man, for others it’s Bloody Mary. What takes place in this book is one of my own fears. Now, it’s not a horror novel in the ghost, demon, vampire, or “I’m going to kill you and eat your parts” sense of the word, but this book made me cringe more than once, just the same. A cross between Christine Feehan’s Ghostwalkers and the TV series, Heroes, it’s a story about people with too much power and money, who will stop at nothing to gain more of both. And call me a crazed conspiracy theorist if you want to, but I believe the very things portrayed in this book are taking place, somewhere in the world – and it scares the hell out me that anyone can have such little regard for human life.
I read and loved Skin Game, but wow, I never saw the storyline take the turn that it did in Skin Tight. Addison Foster was one nasty piece of work in that book and I couldn’t imagine how I would ever come to see him as a hero, but I was wrong. Mia Sauter didn’t strike me as a woman I could accept as a strong heroine, either, but I was – one again – proven wrong. I found both to be very compelling, sympathetic characters and it didn’t take long for me to be cheering them on in their shared mission to find and “exterminate” the bad guys.
Seriously, I could go on and on and on, but if I do, I know I’ll end up giving away too much, so I’m going to force myself to stop now, other than to say that the Skin series by Ava Gray is one of my best discoveries of 2009/2010 and I anxiously awaiting the next book, Skin Heat, due to hit the stands on January 4th, 2011.
Reading order and book covers because they are just so sexy looking I can’t stop myself from posting them:
1.
2.
3.
June 2, 2010
Holy cow! There's a good reason that Ava Gray is firmly on my "auto-buy" list!
Ok, I loved Skin Game, and I do suggest reading that one first, just because it's an awesome book in its own right. However, I do think that Skin Tight could easily stand on its own. While you're only given vague references to Kyra's ability from the first book, she's not actually present enough that you need to know anything other than the fact that she's "different"..
So, slight spoiler for the first novel, the hero of Skin Tight does something to Mia (the heroine of this novel) towards the end of the book which leaves her spitting mad at him (and rightfully so). Thinking they'll never see each other again, they end up working together at the same office, and whooboy Mia is not one to live and let live.
I don't want to give too much away, because the masterful Ava Gray (who also writes as Ann Aguirre and Ellen Connor, btw) does such a delicious job of slowly unraveling details and I'd hate to ruin it for you.
That said, I LOVE THIS HERO!!! Good heavens he was just all sorts of delicious with his "curse" and his revenge plot and his attraction to Mia and all the delicious angst that comes with the combination of the three.
I'm dying to read Skin Heat (book 3 in the Skin series), and will be gnawing on my fingernails until January. Arg!
Final verdict? A very easy, VERY solid 5 Stars
Ok, I loved Skin Game, and I do suggest reading that one first, just because it's an awesome book in its own right. However, I do think that Skin Tight could easily stand on its own. While you're only given vague references to Kyra's ability from the first book, she's not actually present enough that you need to know anything other than the fact that she's "different"..
So, slight spoiler for the first novel, the hero of Skin Tight does something to Mia (the heroine of this novel) towards the end of the book which leaves her spitting mad at him (and rightfully so). Thinking they'll never see each other again, they end up working together at the same office, and whooboy Mia is not one to live and let live.
I don't want to give too much away, because the masterful Ava Gray (who also writes as Ann Aguirre and Ellen Connor, btw) does such a delicious job of slowly unraveling details and I'd hate to ruin it for you.
That said, I LOVE THIS HERO!!! Good heavens he was just all sorts of delicious with his "curse" and his revenge plot and his attraction to Mia and all the delicious angst that comes with the combination of the three.
I'm dying to read Skin Heat (book 3 in the Skin series), and will be gnawing on my fingernails until January. Arg!
Final verdict? A very easy, VERY solid 5 Stars
April 27, 2010
If you liked Skin Game, you'll LOVE Skin Tight. The intensity of Ava Gray (Ann Aguirre's) storytelling always leaves me in awe. Her writing is raw, intelligent, and you'll never EVER find a weak heroine in her books, and Mia is no exception.
If you haven't read Skin Game, I recommend reading it before you read Skin Tight, just so you get the full effect of the hero. Yum!
An easy five stars. :)
If you haven't read Skin Game, I recommend reading it before you read Skin Tight, just so you get the full effect of the hero. Yum!
An easy five stars. :)
July 24, 2010
From top to bottom, an awesome read. This book is a great example of how a story can be made ten times more tension-filled and intriguing with a multiple-perspective narrative. This time the story follows "Addison Foster" and Mia Sauter, both secondary characters from Skin Game. Because of the previous introduction, their tale gets off to a quick but different kind of start...both of them know each other from previous dealings, but are now working in their respective capacities under a new persona. So they know each other, but not really. Oooh! ^_^
What I was really very interested in was the secondary characters' plot lines. There was mad scientist Dr. Rowan and two of his test subjects, Gillie and Taye. These characters were twisted, man! ^_^ Brilliant and flawed in their own ways. And so unique. Again, it was fascinating seeing these three interact with such vastly varying views on each other. Their threads sort of cut off incredibly abruptly...not sure what that was about, but I'm hoping there is some follow-up in subsequent books, because there is a lot of potential there.
This book, while still fairly light on the paranormal aspect, does open up in this respect much more than in the first book. You can see much more of the "overall" story arcs than before. And that's all I'll say to that. ^_^ But it makes me very excited for future installments.
What I was really very interested in was the secondary characters' plot lines. There was mad scientist Dr. Rowan and two of his test subjects, Gillie and Taye. These characters were twisted, man! ^_^ Brilliant and flawed in their own ways. And so unique. Again, it was fascinating seeing these three interact with such vastly varying views on each other. Their threads sort of cut off incredibly abruptly...not sure what that was about, but I'm hoping there is some follow-up in subsequent books, because there is a lot of potential there.
This book, while still fairly light on the paranormal aspect, does open up in this respect much more than in the first book. You can see much more of the "overall" story arcs than before. And that's all I'll say to that. ^_^ But it makes me very excited for future installments.
February 16, 2011
5 Star Romantic Suspense
Those who have read Skin Game, Book 1 in the Skin series would know what I mean when I say that the hooker scene featuring the enigmatic Addison Foster totally reeled me in on his character and made me impatient to find more about him and what tragedy it was that was driving him to seek the destruction of whoever it is that he is seeking. And it is during the aforementioned book 1 that Mia and Addision come in contact with each other which made me totally itchy from the need to read Skin Tight. And thank God for the fact that this title had already been released by the time I decided to indulge in the Skin series or I would have been in deep trouble if not! Though Skin Tight can be read as a standalone, I would advise you to read book 1 first because you really need to see Addison in his element in book 1 to really appreciate and feel for his character in his own story.
Søren Frost or Addison Foster is a man who has lived by so many personalities and names in the past few years that he has almost forgotten who he really is. Originally from Denmark, Søren’s parents had arrived in America as immigrants when Søren had been 3 years old. It is two years later that Søren gets vaccinated by “free” vaccines passed out by The Foundation whose main agenda had been experimenting on humans to create a superior race which would profit them with millions and billions of dollars in the times to come. Søren’s ability lies in making those who come in contact with him live or believe him to be what their fantasies want him to be. Unable to bear with the loneliness of being single all his life Søren had taken the plunge and got married to a woman who had never seen him for who he really is but called him James all throughout their marriage. Piece by piece, shard by shard, Søren had crumbled and fallen apart so much that he had turned into a shell of the man he had once been until his daughter Lexie had been born who had been his single most priced “possession” in his otherwise bleak world. When Lexie had been taken away from him in a horrible car accident, leaving just a brainless body behind who requires a life support machine, Søren’s fury knows no bounds as he vows vengeance on The Foundation who has turned him into what he is, nearly driving him to take his own life at one time. It is when Mia accidentally stumbles into his life that color begins to seep into his otherwise gray world, thawing the blocks of ice that has surrounded his heart and locked away his emotions for far too long.
Mia Sauter is the daughter of a feminist American mother and an Iranian father who had tried and failed to convince the woman he had fallen in love with to marry him so that they could become a proper family. Mia had never known any happiness during her childhood, either at home or school where she is ridiculed for being geeky and nerdy and not being interested in the usual things that kids her age are forever losing themselves in. Mia’s carefree photojournalist mother resented Mia’s existence which had reined in her constant need to roam and travel around the world and later had turned to the bottle to cure all her woes. Mia, a woman who has a way with numbers and computers becomes a forensic accountant specializing in corporate embezzlement and it had been her ingenuity in stealing from others that had made her so successful in finding out those who were stealing from the big corporations who were willing to pay huge sums of money to sniff out those leeching money from them. Like Søren, Mia too has no place she would call home and constantly travels from one place to another as her career demands from her though she yearns for someone to love her and ride into the sunset with her as Reyes had done for Kyra.
It is when Mia rushes in to save Kyra that she meets the enigmatic Søren, then known as Addison and the attraction that flares between them is hard to ignore for Mia though Søren makes a convincing job of showing that attraction is the furthest thing he feels for her. When Søren feeds her to the wolf and leaves her alone in captivity till Kyra and Reyes comes along to rescue her, Mia is more shattered than she should be about a man with eerie glacier blue eyes ringed with silver, who seems to affect her in ways no other man has ever had.
When Mia stumbles across Søren once again a year later when she takes up a job at Micor Technologies she doesn’t know whether to consider him friend or foe; but neither is she immune to the strong feelings of the baser nature that Søren still seems to be able to invoke in her – feelings that he seems to feel for her in spades this time around. With secrecy surrounding Søren’s every move, Mia is hopelessly ensnared in Søren’s plans of revenge against The Foundation without having a clue into the kind of world that she has stepped into.
As the body count begins to rise, so does Mia’s need for answers from the man who is such a bundle of contradictions, who steals her heart regardless of the continuous pep talks that she subjects herself to. And Søren is not much better off when Mia steals the key to his heart and unlocks the steel fortress that has surrounded it for so long and it is then Søren has to decide whether his love for Mia should triumph over his need for revenge or whether he should walk the Earth as a lonesome shell for the rest of his life.
Head onto http://bit.ly/g819dj to find out what made this book a 5 star read for me.
Those who have read Skin Game, Book 1 in the Skin series would know what I mean when I say that the hooker scene featuring the enigmatic Addison Foster totally reeled me in on his character and made me impatient to find more about him and what tragedy it was that was driving him to seek the destruction of whoever it is that he is seeking. And it is during the aforementioned book 1 that Mia and Addision come in contact with each other which made me totally itchy from the need to read Skin Tight. And thank God for the fact that this title had already been released by the time I decided to indulge in the Skin series or I would have been in deep trouble if not! Though Skin Tight can be read as a standalone, I would advise you to read book 1 first because you really need to see Addison in his element in book 1 to really appreciate and feel for his character in his own story.
Søren Frost or Addison Foster is a man who has lived by so many personalities and names in the past few years that he has almost forgotten who he really is. Originally from Denmark, Søren’s parents had arrived in America as immigrants when Søren had been 3 years old. It is two years later that Søren gets vaccinated by “free” vaccines passed out by The Foundation whose main agenda had been experimenting on humans to create a superior race which would profit them with millions and billions of dollars in the times to come. Søren’s ability lies in making those who come in contact with him live or believe him to be what their fantasies want him to be. Unable to bear with the loneliness of being single all his life Søren had taken the plunge and got married to a woman who had never seen him for who he really is but called him James all throughout their marriage. Piece by piece, shard by shard, Søren had crumbled and fallen apart so much that he had turned into a shell of the man he had once been until his daughter Lexie had been born who had been his single most priced “possession” in his otherwise bleak world. When Lexie had been taken away from him in a horrible car accident, leaving just a brainless body behind who requires a life support machine, Søren’s fury knows no bounds as he vows vengeance on The Foundation who has turned him into what he is, nearly driving him to take his own life at one time. It is when Mia accidentally stumbles into his life that color begins to seep into his otherwise gray world, thawing the blocks of ice that has surrounded his heart and locked away his emotions for far too long.
Mia Sauter is the daughter of a feminist American mother and an Iranian father who had tried and failed to convince the woman he had fallen in love with to marry him so that they could become a proper family. Mia had never known any happiness during her childhood, either at home or school where she is ridiculed for being geeky and nerdy and not being interested in the usual things that kids her age are forever losing themselves in. Mia’s carefree photojournalist mother resented Mia’s existence which had reined in her constant need to roam and travel around the world and later had turned to the bottle to cure all her woes. Mia, a woman who has a way with numbers and computers becomes a forensic accountant specializing in corporate embezzlement and it had been her ingenuity in stealing from others that had made her so successful in finding out those who were stealing from the big corporations who were willing to pay huge sums of money to sniff out those leeching money from them. Like Søren, Mia too has no place she would call home and constantly travels from one place to another as her career demands from her though she yearns for someone to love her and ride into the sunset with her as Reyes had done for Kyra.
It is when Mia rushes in to save Kyra that she meets the enigmatic Søren, then known as Addison and the attraction that flares between them is hard to ignore for Mia though Søren makes a convincing job of showing that attraction is the furthest thing he feels for her. When Søren feeds her to the wolf and leaves her alone in captivity till Kyra and Reyes comes along to rescue her, Mia is more shattered than she should be about a man with eerie glacier blue eyes ringed with silver, who seems to affect her in ways no other man has ever had.
When Mia stumbles across Søren once again a year later when she takes up a job at Micor Technologies she doesn’t know whether to consider him friend or foe; but neither is she immune to the strong feelings of the baser nature that Søren still seems to be able to invoke in her – feelings that he seems to feel for her in spades this time around. With secrecy surrounding Søren’s every move, Mia is hopelessly ensnared in Søren’s plans of revenge against The Foundation without having a clue into the kind of world that she has stepped into.
As the body count begins to rise, so does Mia’s need for answers from the man who is such a bundle of contradictions, who steals her heart regardless of the continuous pep talks that she subjects herself to. And Søren is not much better off when Mia steals the key to his heart and unlocks the steel fortress that has surrounded it for so long and it is then Søren has to decide whether his love for Mia should triumph over his need for revenge or whether he should walk the Earth as a lonesome shell for the rest of his life.
Head onto http://bit.ly/g819dj to find out what made this book a 5 star read for me.
June 23, 2010
I probably would have liked this book a bit more if I had never read Skin Game.
We first met Foster in Skin Game. He was devious, ruthless, and cold. You never quite knew what side of the fence he was playing on. He was very contained, but you could practically see the plots running through his head. Every move, every word, seemed to be done with a purpose in mind. He was, quite simply, a fascinating character. I was dying to know more about him by the time I closed the book. Added to that, the glimpses into his sexuality were intriguing. Why doesn't he like to be touched? Is it his kink, is it about control, or is it something deeper? You can probably see why I got on Amazon right away and bought this book.
Unfortunately, everything I loved about Foster seemed to be turned on its head when we got to know him better. I know you lose a little mystery when you learn more about a person, but, jeez, we shouldn't lose a whole personality.
So, Mia gets a job to find an embezzler. This job's a little different, because she's not coming in as a consultant, she'll be playing the role of employee. While there she sees the man she knew as Addison Foster playing the role of Thomas Strong, head of HR. Mia is still deeply bitter over her short time in captivity by Foster's old boss. She would like nothing better than to find a way to make him pay for hand delivering her to them.
Now, I'm not going to outline this story too much, because I feel a lot of it would be spoilers. I'm just going to focus on what didn't work for me and keep it vague about the rest.
After having all these hints of Foster/Strong in Skin Game I expected him to live up to his character. I expected to be wowed, not sit there scratching my head and going What?
***SPOILERS***
So, Strong can't get close to anyone because of his ability. After he hit puberty no one really saw him anymore, they just saw whatever their expectations directed them to see. Therefore he doesn't have that much experience with relationships. He tried it once, but that just made him sad and lonelier. So, when he discovers his ability doesn't affect Mia he turns super needy. I didn't even get the sense that it was actually her he wanted, it seemed like he would have acted that way with anyone who could bypass his ability. That's where the book really failed for me. I have to believe that the protagonists actually love each other for who they are. Here it seems like anyone who saw Strong would do and anyone who made Mia feel needed would do. I also felt that a big part of Mia's love for Strong was tied directly into his ability to give her overwhelming orgasms.
Mia was a piece of work. On one hand she was so contained that she became uninteresting. On the other hand she was kind of clingy and judgmental and the term those in glass houses kept repeating through my head. We find out late in the book that Mia isn't really the good girl that everyone thought she was. She's a thief. Her reasons for stealing were pretty weak. I really found it hard to respect someone who does that yet turns around and judges people for their less than legal activities. She was so boring and the thief thing seemed like a sad attempt to make her more exciting. It didn't work for me, obviously. Also, this is just a personal pet peeve, but I hate when characters constantly spice their internal monologues with comments like, God how I love him.
***END SPOILERS***
One thing I noticed was the edge of superiority that both characters had to the rest of the human race. Mia was constantly talking about how smart she was and different she was from everyone else. She also made comments about the drones she was having to work with. Strong made throwaway comments about how odd the humdrum concerns the people at work had. He was amused by thinking about accepting a baby shower invite. They all just had a superior edge to it which I found off putting. I don't mind confidence, but cocky bothers me.
One other thing, after reading Skin Game I had a certain expectation about the sex in this book. Based on the scenes in the least book I expected it to be hot! Unfortunately, no. The first scene was kind of hot, but the rest really weren't. They seemed uninspired and boring, and truthfully I felt there were way too many of them with how repetitive they were.
So, if I wouldn't have read Skin Game first, I wouldn't have built up any expectations about Strong. Then I would have probably been meh instead of ticked off at the character inconsistency.
We first met Foster in Skin Game. He was devious, ruthless, and cold. You never quite knew what side of the fence he was playing on. He was very contained, but you could practically see the plots running through his head. Every move, every word, seemed to be done with a purpose in mind. He was, quite simply, a fascinating character. I was dying to know more about him by the time I closed the book. Added to that, the glimpses into his sexuality were intriguing. Why doesn't he like to be touched? Is it his kink, is it about control, or is it something deeper? You can probably see why I got on Amazon right away and bought this book.
Unfortunately, everything I loved about Foster seemed to be turned on its head when we got to know him better. I know you lose a little mystery when you learn more about a person, but, jeez, we shouldn't lose a whole personality.
So, Mia gets a job to find an embezzler. This job's a little different, because she's not coming in as a consultant, she'll be playing the role of employee. While there she sees the man she knew as Addison Foster playing the role of Thomas Strong, head of HR. Mia is still deeply bitter over her short time in captivity by Foster's old boss. She would like nothing better than to find a way to make him pay for hand delivering her to them.
Now, I'm not going to outline this story too much, because I feel a lot of it would be spoilers. I'm just going to focus on what didn't work for me and keep it vague about the rest.
After having all these hints of Foster/Strong in Skin Game I expected him to live up to his character. I expected to be wowed, not sit there scratching my head and going What?
***SPOILERS***
So, Strong can't get close to anyone because of his ability. After he hit puberty no one really saw him anymore, they just saw whatever their expectations directed them to see. Therefore he doesn't have that much experience with relationships. He tried it once, but that just made him sad and lonelier. So, when he discovers his ability doesn't affect Mia he turns super needy. I didn't even get the sense that it was actually her he wanted, it seemed like he would have acted that way with anyone who could bypass his ability. That's where the book really failed for me. I have to believe that the protagonists actually love each other for who they are. Here it seems like anyone who saw Strong would do and anyone who made Mia feel needed would do. I also felt that a big part of Mia's love for Strong was tied directly into his ability to give her overwhelming orgasms.
Mia was a piece of work. On one hand she was so contained that she became uninteresting. On the other hand she was kind of clingy and judgmental and the term those in glass houses kept repeating through my head. We find out late in the book that Mia isn't really the good girl that everyone thought she was. She's a thief. Her reasons for stealing were pretty weak. I really found it hard to respect someone who does that yet turns around and judges people for their less than legal activities. She was so boring and the thief thing seemed like a sad attempt to make her more exciting. It didn't work for me, obviously. Also, this is just a personal pet peeve, but I hate when characters constantly spice their internal monologues with comments like, God how I love him.
***END SPOILERS***
One thing I noticed was the edge of superiority that both characters had to the rest of the human race. Mia was constantly talking about how smart she was and different she was from everyone else. She also made comments about the drones she was having to work with. Strong made throwaway comments about how odd the humdrum concerns the people at work had. He was amused by thinking about accepting a baby shower invite. They all just had a superior edge to it which I found off putting. I don't mind confidence, but cocky bothers me.
One other thing, after reading Skin Game I had a certain expectation about the sex in this book. Based on the scenes in the least book I expected it to be hot! Unfortunately, no. The first scene was kind of hot, but the rest really weren't. They seemed uninspired and boring, and truthfully I felt there were way too many of them with how repetitive they were.
So, if I wouldn't have read Skin Game first, I wouldn't have built up any expectations about Strong. Then I would have probably been meh instead of ticked off at the character inconsistency.
June 18, 2011
Thomas Strong, the Human Resources Director at Micor Technologies, is not what he seems. He is hiding deep secrets, one being a special ability where he can pretend to be anybody that person desires with one touch or even a kiss. Thomas wants to bring Micor Technologies down because he knows they have ruined many lives, including his. What he doesn't count on is seeing a woman from his recent past who causes him to second guess everything. She is Mia Saunter, a forensic accountant, who's an undercover freelancer hired to investigate a Micor employee embezzling funds from the company. Thomas and Mia met in Las Vegas a year ago under interesting circumstances. She thought Thomas, known as Addison Foster at the time, was willing to help her. Instead he almost got her killed.
When Mia meets Thomas again, she is more than disgruntled. When he kisses her, she almost loses herself, but is able to break away from the spell Thomas usually casts around others. Thomas doesn’t know what to think because no one he has ever come in contact with has ever been immune to him. He wants to now team up with Mia to take down Micor. Mia is wary about this man, who she kiddingly thinks of a combination of Batman and The Punisher (There you get the BatPunisherMan label ) because of his hidden super powers. But, Thomas tries to downplay his ability the best he can because he hates what he can do. He is more like a faceless Phantom, a man with no true identity. He longs to be himself. Perhaps with Mia he finally can.
As Thomas and Mia begin to get closer to the truth, they are in danger from Dr. Rowen, a mad scientist in truth. He manipulates the DNA of those poor, unfortunate people who also have special abilities and treats them much as like animals in a zoo. He wants to create the ultimate super human and is closed to obsessed with one of his test subjects, Gillie, a young girl, who he thinks is naïve and has no idea what he wants from her. Gillie may have lived most of her life in a cage, but she is biding her time, waiting for the right moment to escape.
Thomas makes no excuses for the lengths he has to go to, even if that means killing. Mia can no longer ignore her desire for this man, who with one touch can make her body zing with pleasure. Theses two former adversaries become lovers and form a bond that enables them to reveal their inner demons. And as long as they can stay alive, they may just have a future together.
Skin Tight is heavy on the smoldering tension between Mia and Thomas. Ava Gray can sure write excellent love scenes, especially with the way Mia allows Thomas to do whatever he wants with her in the bedroom because of his issues with intimacy. He is all out of sorts because Mia is the only one who can see the true him. And he thanks her in ways that will having you grasping for breath. Both give and take and the outcome is very satisfying.
The action and suspense is much like an espionage spy novel with a great super hero comic book feel to it. Thomas, in a way, reminds me of Wolverine from X-Men, who can barely keep his emotions in check. What you see, is definitely not what you get with Thomas. But as for all the mention of Thomas' ability and the angst that surrounds him because of it, there wasn't enough show and mostly telling. I felt robbed because we only get a small glimmer of what Thomas can do. For all this build up, I felt in that aspect it didn’t deliver. But, Ava makes up for it in other ways. Mia is very much Thomas' equal in every way, and I think most readers won't be disappointed in their final outcome.
Skin Tight has definite appeal and Ava's writing really does grab you from beginning to end. There are many poignant scenes between Mia and Thomas, as well as an almost animal magnetism between them, especially on Thomas's end.
For those who enjoy paranormal thrillers with a nice hot romance, pick up Skin Tight.
Katiebabs
When Mia meets Thomas again, she is more than disgruntled. When he kisses her, she almost loses herself, but is able to break away from the spell Thomas usually casts around others. Thomas doesn’t know what to think because no one he has ever come in contact with has ever been immune to him. He wants to now team up with Mia to take down Micor. Mia is wary about this man, who she kiddingly thinks of a combination of Batman and The Punisher (There you get the BatPunisherMan label ) because of his hidden super powers. But, Thomas tries to downplay his ability the best he can because he hates what he can do. He is more like a faceless Phantom, a man with no true identity. He longs to be himself. Perhaps with Mia he finally can.
As Thomas and Mia begin to get closer to the truth, they are in danger from Dr. Rowen, a mad scientist in truth. He manipulates the DNA of those poor, unfortunate people who also have special abilities and treats them much as like animals in a zoo. He wants to create the ultimate super human and is closed to obsessed with one of his test subjects, Gillie, a young girl, who he thinks is naïve and has no idea what he wants from her. Gillie may have lived most of her life in a cage, but she is biding her time, waiting for the right moment to escape.
Thomas makes no excuses for the lengths he has to go to, even if that means killing. Mia can no longer ignore her desire for this man, who with one touch can make her body zing with pleasure. Theses two former adversaries become lovers and form a bond that enables them to reveal their inner demons. And as long as they can stay alive, they may just have a future together.
Skin Tight is heavy on the smoldering tension between Mia and Thomas. Ava Gray can sure write excellent love scenes, especially with the way Mia allows Thomas to do whatever he wants with her in the bedroom because of his issues with intimacy. He is all out of sorts because Mia is the only one who can see the true him. And he thanks her in ways that will having you grasping for breath. Both give and take and the outcome is very satisfying.
The action and suspense is much like an espionage spy novel with a great super hero comic book feel to it. Thomas, in a way, reminds me of Wolverine from X-Men, who can barely keep his emotions in check. What you see, is definitely not what you get with Thomas. But as for all the mention of Thomas' ability and the angst that surrounds him because of it, there wasn't enough show and mostly telling. I felt robbed because we only get a small glimmer of what Thomas can do. For all this build up, I felt in that aspect it didn’t deliver. But, Ava makes up for it in other ways. Mia is very much Thomas' equal in every way, and I think most readers won't be disappointed in their final outcome.
Skin Tight has definite appeal and Ava's writing really does grab you from beginning to end. There are many poignant scenes between Mia and Thomas, as well as an almost animal magnetism between them, especially on Thomas's end.
For those who enjoy paranormal thrillers with a nice hot romance, pick up Skin Tight.
Katiebabs
June 17, 2011
I love the feeling of being in the middle of a series I can count on to be entertaining, original, and well written. I liked this book just as much as book 1, though once again I was not feeling the bad guy too much. Outside of paranormal romance, I love the insight into the psychotic mind of a killer. Here, as in book 1, I could not read those insightful sections fast enough. I wanted to get to the storyline with the main characters. I feel bad, as though I am knocking the book slightly for the extra effort the author put it. I guess it comes down to my personal tastes because even the moments of being inside the bad guy's head were well written and unique.
In book 1, I much preferred the male lead to the female. My feelings have been flipped with this book. I think the characters were perfectly paired, I just was able to relate to Mia more so than to Foster.
I also love the storyline of human experimentation. It is a favorite of mine, something that will always snag my interest. Mad scientists make wonderful villians. I like that many questions from book 1 were answered and that the author has left everything open to continue the series for awhile. I hope there are currently no plans to end it any time soon.
If you enjoy darker PNR/UF but still want your HEA, then start this series. I am currently in the middle of book 3 and it keeps getting better.
In book 1, I much preferred the male lead to the female. My feelings have been flipped with this book. I think the characters were perfectly paired, I just was able to relate to Mia more so than to Foster.
I also love the storyline of human experimentation. It is a favorite of mine, something that will always snag my interest. Mad scientists make wonderful villians. I like that many questions from book 1 were answered and that the author has left everything open to continue the series for awhile. I hope there are currently no plans to end it any time soon.
If you enjoy darker PNR/UF but still want your HEA, then start this series. I am currently in the middle of book 3 and it keeps getting better.
August 13, 2016
The Office: The Romance is filled with titillating conversation like:
And:
A secret lab, complete with evil scientists, that experiments on superpowered humans, and there's little to no action. The characters were emotionless robots owing to personalities, baggage, etc., etc. I understand the purpose behind these authorial decisions, but if I wanted a contemporary romance, I would have picked one up. I can't even say I enjoyed the style- the prose and dialogue, while better than a lot of mediocrity I've read in the genre, was so formal, all of the time, and the checklist romance tropes were incongruous with the "edgy" hero, heroine, and story. Two things I liked: the secondary storyline with Gillie and Taye and yes, the sex scenes, which were more honest than anything else. Two generous stars.
PS. I don't even want to place this on my "racially-diverse" shelf because the author threw in needless random stereotypes disguised as observations, like "This is even worse than that summer I spent in a burqa in Iran, hyuk!" FYI, Ava Gray, Iranians don't wear burqa, they don't change their names when they marry, and the traditionalists don't come to Amreeka, the liberals do!
"The girls are throwing me a shower in the break room on Thursday. I was wondering if you'd like to come."
A baby shower. He regarded her with bemusement. "I appreciate the invitation. If I can't make it, I'll send along a gift with Glenna."
And:
"I need to send an email."
A secret lab, complete with evil scientists, that experiments on superpowered humans, and there's little to no action. The characters were emotionless robots owing to personalities, baggage, etc., etc. I understand the purpose behind these authorial decisions, but if I wanted a contemporary romance, I would have picked one up. I can't even say I enjoyed the style- the prose and dialogue, while better than a lot of mediocrity I've read in the genre, was so formal, all of the time, and the checklist romance tropes were incongruous with the "edgy" hero, heroine, and story. Two things I liked: the secondary storyline with Gillie and Taye and yes, the sex scenes, which were more honest than anything else. Two generous stars.
PS. I don't even want to place this on my "racially-diverse" shelf because the author threw in needless random stereotypes disguised as observations, like "This is even worse than that summer I spent in a burqa in Iran, hyuk!" FYI, Ava Gray, Iranians don't wear burqa, they don't change their names when they marry, and the traditionalists don't come to Amreeka, the liberals do!
May 24, 2010
Joint Review by Mandi and KC from Smokin' Hot Books.
Our Favorite Quote: “In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m a vegetarian.” Mia lifted her glass and took a sip.
“Hm. Does that mean no oral sex?”
Addison Foster, who we meet in Ava Gray’s first book, Skin Game is a man of many identities. He uses a new name every time he needs new information. He is currently employed as the Human Resource manager at Micor a research facility, as Thomas Strong. Micor may look like a normal research place where the effects of caffeine and sugar are tested on monkeys. But there are many deep, dark secrets in the works, and Strong desperately wants to uncover them.
Rowan is the scientist that holds all the key information Strong is searching for. Rowan is continuing in something his predecessors started – experimenting on humans. Trying to make the perfect human – a stronger, smarter race. Strong was vaccinated by this very organization when he was young, and wants revenge. He blames them for his daughter’s current vegetative state, and for the loss of his entire family. His plan is to infiltrate the company, find the secret labs and do what he does best – dispose of those in his own way.
Mia Sauter is a forensic accountant hired by Micor to track someone who is embezzling funds. She fronts as an IT employee, so no one in the company knows what she is up to. But there is one man in the company that already knows her. In Skin Game, Strong helped rescue Mia’s best friend Kyra – but he did it by turning Mia over to the bad guys where she ends up tied up. Although in the long run, everyone escaped, she has never forgiven Strong for what he did. When she sees him at Micor – she is shocked, furious, and can’t forget the passionate kiss they shared all that time ago. Strong, is also shocked but for different reasons. His entire life has been affected by the vaccination administered so long ago – and now he must confront what truly haunts him.
Mandi: We first meet Addison Foster/Thomas Strong in Skin Game and I have to admit, I was very surprised when I learned he was set up to be the hero in Skin Tight . In book one he is a violent and all around a bit creepy and I was so curious to see how Ava Gray would turn him into a hero that I wanted to root for and lust after. Strong is always so in control of his life, but in this book, we see deep inside him. We see his defenses down and that allows his more human side to shine. He is BatPunisherMan!!!
KC: I brought a little something with me today *pulls out Foster Batman Fan suit*. In honor of his sexiness I thought I’d review Skin Tight in my Batgirl suit.
P.S. Is it wrong that I was turned on by Foster's creepiness in Skin Game? That bedroom scene…oh lordee.
Mandi: Does that mean I get to dress up as Robin?
KC: You better! I don't want to be the only one in spandex and a cape.
Mandi: And in case people are thoroughly confused, in Skin Tight , Strong is referred to as the punisher and batman for his many deeds. Hence the nickname, BatPunisherMan.
KC: Mandi, Skin Tight was THE book I was looking forward to most since I finished Skin Game! Ava Gray writes the most unique and interesting characters especially with the cold, emotionless Foster.
I know he is referred to as Strong in this book but in my eyes he will always be Foster.
This book had so much going on, Mia and Strong’s relationship, revenge, creepy Dr. Rowan and glimpses of *maybe* future Skin characters. Skin Tight has some of the best dialogue between Mia and Strong.
What I liked: This book blew me away with action and sexiness. I liked how we slowly got to peel away Strong’s layers and see the man behind the emotionless mask. The side story with Gillie and creepy Dr. Rowan was a fascinating addition to the overall story. One of the most suspenseful scenes is Dr. Rowan's inner dialogue and how he feels about his all star pet, Gillie. Say it with me a-creepy!
What I didn’t like:
There were times I didn’t connect with Mia and Strong’s relationship. Part of this probably had to do with my former expectations of reading Skin Game. The relationship tension between Reyes and Kyra was so spectacularly explosive , while Mia and Strong’s was more of a slow burn. Without going into too much detail there was a scene towards the end where Strong’s reaction, even for a stoic man, was just odd when he thought Mia might have been hurt. I wish I could be less vague but Mandi will karate chop my ass if I spoil ANYTHING. So KC is going to be a good girl and keep her lips zipped.
Mandi: Rats – I really wanted to try out my karate chop on you!
I am a bit conflicted with the romance. I think I was expecting something more explosive like you said in Skin Game. Now, I realize these are two different characters and they are going to have different chemistry. One thing I really liked was that Ava Gray gives Strong a little problem in the bedroom. He still sexes Mia up, but he is not perfect at it. On the exterior he is so in control of every detail of his life that I LOVE he has issues when it comes to having sex. I think that is a very unique, and great twist Ava Gray creates. I do wish I felt a bit more connection between them. Like you mention KC, towards the end when there comes a point where Strong thinks he lost Mia, he acts too disconnected in my opinion. Overall though, Strong is such a different type of hero, I think we need to have different expectations when it comes to how he handles romance.
My favorite part of this book, and for this series as a whole is that the characters are so morally ambiguous! Mia embezzles from people, Strong is still chopping off people's fingers at the end of the book. There is no redemption for their criminal acts. Kyra from Skin Game can't even come back into the country because of the warrants out for her. I can't think of another book that gives the hero and heroine criminal attributes, yet you still root for them - and in my case I root for them to keep up the unethical practices. Ava Gray has thrown away the black and white world, and filled it with gray area - and that is what makes this series stand out.
One last thing I must mention are two supporting characters we are introduced to - Gillie and Taye. Both of them are under experimentation by Rowan, and they both really stole page time in this book. I'm so intrigued by Taye and so excited to see what Ava Gray has in store for him.
KC: Mandi do you think we are twins separated at birth...(think about it, m'kay)? I'm nodding my head at everything you mentioned above. I too liked how the author blurred the good guy/bad guy character lines - Ava Gray makes 'grey'.....sexy (pg 76 and that’s all I’m going to say).
For me, my favorite part of the book was discovering Strong's unique ability and how it shaped him to what he is now. I liked how Mia became a pivotal part in bringing Strong back to his humanity. God, some of the scenes between him and Mia where she could "see" the real him had me tingling from head to toe.
Mandi didn't you just melt when Reyes said he would do 'anything' for Mia because she brought him Kyra.
Skin Tight didn’t have me squeezing (as much) as the first book in this delicious series, but hot damn I liked it. Now remember make sure to wear your Batgirl/boy suits while reading ST and show your Foster fan girl love.
Rating: 4/5
Mandi: I loved that conversation with Reyes, and yes, there are some points in this book where Strong becomes so vulnerable, so stripped of everything he has been hiding behind where I got chills. Ava Gray (aka, Ann Aguirre) knows how to write such intense filled moments.
While Skin Tight can be read as a stand alone, to really appreciate the journey Foster/Strong takes, I recommend you start with Skin Game.
Rating: 4/5
Our Favorite Quote: “In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m a vegetarian.” Mia lifted her glass and took a sip.
“Hm. Does that mean no oral sex?”
Addison Foster, who we meet in Ava Gray’s first book, Skin Game is a man of many identities. He uses a new name every time he needs new information. He is currently employed as the Human Resource manager at Micor a research facility, as Thomas Strong. Micor may look like a normal research place where the effects of caffeine and sugar are tested on monkeys. But there are many deep, dark secrets in the works, and Strong desperately wants to uncover them.
Rowan is the scientist that holds all the key information Strong is searching for. Rowan is continuing in something his predecessors started – experimenting on humans. Trying to make the perfect human – a stronger, smarter race. Strong was vaccinated by this very organization when he was young, and wants revenge. He blames them for his daughter’s current vegetative state, and for the loss of his entire family. His plan is to infiltrate the company, find the secret labs and do what he does best – dispose of those in his own way.
Mia Sauter is a forensic accountant hired by Micor to track someone who is embezzling funds. She fronts as an IT employee, so no one in the company knows what she is up to. But there is one man in the company that already knows her. In Skin Game, Strong helped rescue Mia’s best friend Kyra – but he did it by turning Mia over to the bad guys where she ends up tied up. Although in the long run, everyone escaped, she has never forgiven Strong for what he did. When she sees him at Micor – she is shocked, furious, and can’t forget the passionate kiss they shared all that time ago. Strong, is also shocked but for different reasons. His entire life has been affected by the vaccination administered so long ago – and now he must confront what truly haunts him.
Mandi: We first meet Addison Foster/Thomas Strong in Skin Game and I have to admit, I was very surprised when I learned he was set up to be the hero in Skin Tight . In book one he is a violent and all around a bit creepy and I was so curious to see how Ava Gray would turn him into a hero that I wanted to root for and lust after. Strong is always so in control of his life, but in this book, we see deep inside him. We see his defenses down and that allows his more human side to shine. He is BatPunisherMan!!!
KC: I brought a little something with me today *pulls out Foster Batman Fan suit*. In honor of his sexiness I thought I’d review Skin Tight in my Batgirl suit.
P.S. Is it wrong that I was turned on by Foster's creepiness in Skin Game? That bedroom scene…oh lordee.
Mandi: Does that mean I get to dress up as Robin?
KC: You better! I don't want to be the only one in spandex and a cape.
Mandi: And in case people are thoroughly confused, in Skin Tight , Strong is referred to as the punisher and batman for his many deeds. Hence the nickname, BatPunisherMan.
KC: Mandi, Skin Tight was THE book I was looking forward to most since I finished Skin Game! Ava Gray writes the most unique and interesting characters especially with the cold, emotionless Foster.
I know he is referred to as Strong in this book but in my eyes he will always be Foster.
This book had so much going on, Mia and Strong’s relationship, revenge, creepy Dr. Rowan and glimpses of *maybe* future Skin characters. Skin Tight has some of the best dialogue between Mia and Strong.
“Don’t do that.” (Strong)
“What?” (Mia)
“Act as if you shouldn’t have told me something you love”
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I have something you want.”
“You have no idea.”
What I liked: This book blew me away with action and sexiness. I liked how we slowly got to peel away Strong’s layers and see the man behind the emotionless mask. The side story with Gillie and creepy Dr. Rowan was a fascinating addition to the overall story. One of the most suspenseful scenes is Dr. Rowan's inner dialogue and how he feels about his all star pet, Gillie. Say it with me a-creepy!
What I didn’t like:
There were times I didn’t connect with Mia and Strong’s relationship. Part of this probably had to do with my former expectations of reading Skin Game. The relationship tension between Reyes and Kyra was so spectacularly explosive , while Mia and Strong’s was more of a slow burn. Without going into too much detail there was a scene towards the end where Strong’s reaction, even for a stoic man, was just odd when he thought Mia might have been hurt. I wish I could be less vague but Mandi will karate chop my ass if I spoil ANYTHING. So KC is going to be a good girl and keep her lips zipped.
Mandi: Rats – I really wanted to try out my karate chop on you!
I am a bit conflicted with the romance. I think I was expecting something more explosive like you said in Skin Game. Now, I realize these are two different characters and they are going to have different chemistry. One thing I really liked was that Ava Gray gives Strong a little problem in the bedroom. He still sexes Mia up, but he is not perfect at it. On the exterior he is so in control of every detail of his life that I LOVE he has issues when it comes to having sex. I think that is a very unique, and great twist Ava Gray creates. I do wish I felt a bit more connection between them. Like you mention KC, towards the end when there comes a point where Strong thinks he lost Mia, he acts too disconnected in my opinion. Overall though, Strong is such a different type of hero, I think we need to have different expectations when it comes to how he handles romance.
My favorite part of this book, and for this series as a whole is that the characters are so morally ambiguous! Mia embezzles from people, Strong is still chopping off people's fingers at the end of the book. There is no redemption for their criminal acts. Kyra from Skin Game can't even come back into the country because of the warrants out for her. I can't think of another book that gives the hero and heroine criminal attributes, yet you still root for them - and in my case I root for them to keep up the unethical practices. Ava Gray has thrown away the black and white world, and filled it with gray area - and that is what makes this series stand out.
One last thing I must mention are two supporting characters we are introduced to - Gillie and Taye. Both of them are under experimentation by Rowan, and they both really stole page time in this book. I'm so intrigued by Taye and so excited to see what Ava Gray has in store for him.
KC: Mandi do you think we are twins separated at birth...(think about it, m'kay)? I'm nodding my head at everything you mentioned above. I too liked how the author blurred the good guy/bad guy character lines - Ava Gray makes 'grey'.....sexy (pg 76 and that’s all I’m going to say).
For me, my favorite part of the book was discovering Strong's unique ability and how it shaped him to what he is now. I liked how Mia became a pivotal part in bringing Strong back to his humanity. God, some of the scenes between him and Mia where she could "see" the real him had me tingling from head to toe.
Mandi didn't you just melt when Reyes said he would do 'anything' for Mia because she brought him Kyra.
Skin Tight didn’t have me squeezing (as much) as the first book in this delicious series, but hot damn I liked it. Now remember make sure to wear your Batgirl/boy suits while reading ST and show your Foster fan girl love.
Rating: 4/5
Mandi: I loved that conversation with Reyes, and yes, there are some points in this book where Strong becomes so vulnerable, so stripped of everything he has been hiding behind where I got chills. Ava Gray (aka, Ann Aguirre) knows how to write such intense filled moments.
While Skin Tight can be read as a stand alone, to really appreciate the journey Foster/Strong takes, I recommend you start with Skin Game.
Rating: 4/5
June 11, 2010
3 ½ stars. Above average. Some parts depressing. Smart heroine is good. I had several questions that were not answered.
STORY BRIEF:
Micor Technologies develops serums to create a stronger, smarter race of humans. They set up health clinics in low income areas and give free vaccinations to children. The problem is the vaccinations include test serums. Foster was given injections when he was 5. When other people are near him, they see what they want to see. They don’t see Foster. His daughter Lexie was in an accident several years ago that is somehow related to this. She has been in a coma ever since. Foster visits her every week. He wants revenge – to destroy the company, doctors, and labs. He uses the fake name Thomas Strong and gets a job at Micor in Human Relations.
Mia is a forensic accountant hired by Micor to track someone who is embezzling funds. Her cover is to be an employee in the IT department. For some reason Mia has weak or few dreams. When she’s around Foster, she can stop her imagination and see him clearly which no one has done before.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
Overall it was pretty good. I was sad at times for the human guinea pig prisoners, but that was needed to make the bad guys so bad. Sex scenes were ok, but I’ve read hotter. Foster had some nervousness which was different.
I especially liked a few scenes. (1) The steps Foster took to connect with Rowan and what he did with Rowan after that. (2) It’s hard for authors to come up with smart actions, but she had a couple of good ones for Mia. One of them was the way Mia followed Foster.
I wanted to know how Michael found Mia at one point in the story which was not told. I would have liked seeing more of Foster using his ability. I also wanted to know more about the embezzler, how he/she was stealing, and/or how Mia detected it. The reader is told Mia discovered the identity by crunching some numbers, but it felt empty with no details. There was no confrontation or risky interaction between Mia and the embezzler (which is ok for plot choices), but I just wanted something more.
I wish the author would have provided more story at the end about Gillie, Taye, and Silas. I kept hoping Gillie could be used to cure a specific person in the story, but that didn’t happen (which I accept as a plot choice). It just would have been fun to see. I understand the story of Gillie and Taye will be in a future book, but a little more story about what happened to them immediately after the denouement would have been nice.
DATA:
Story length: 308 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: 7. Total number of sex scene pages: 20. Setting: current day mostly Virginia and Tennessee. Copyright: 2010. Genre: paranormal romantic suspense.
OTHER BOOKS:
I reviewed one other book by Ava Gray. My 4 star review of “Skin Game” copyright 2009 was posted 2-22-10.
STORY BRIEF:
Micor Technologies develops serums to create a stronger, smarter race of humans. They set up health clinics in low income areas and give free vaccinations to children. The problem is the vaccinations include test serums. Foster was given injections when he was 5. When other people are near him, they see what they want to see. They don’t see Foster. His daughter Lexie was in an accident several years ago that is somehow related to this. She has been in a coma ever since. Foster visits her every week. He wants revenge – to destroy the company, doctors, and labs. He uses the fake name Thomas Strong and gets a job at Micor in Human Relations.
Mia is a forensic accountant hired by Micor to track someone who is embezzling funds. Her cover is to be an employee in the IT department. For some reason Mia has weak or few dreams. When she’s around Foster, she can stop her imagination and see him clearly which no one has done before.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
Overall it was pretty good. I was sad at times for the human guinea pig prisoners, but that was needed to make the bad guys so bad. Sex scenes were ok, but I’ve read hotter. Foster had some nervousness which was different.
I especially liked a few scenes. (1) The steps Foster took to connect with Rowan and what he did with Rowan after that. (2) It’s hard for authors to come up with smart actions, but she had a couple of good ones for Mia. One of them was the way Mia followed Foster.
I wanted to know how Michael found Mia at one point in the story which was not told. I would have liked seeing more of Foster using his ability. I also wanted to know more about the embezzler, how he/she was stealing, and/or how Mia detected it. The reader is told Mia discovered the identity by crunching some numbers, but it felt empty with no details. There was no confrontation or risky interaction between Mia and the embezzler (which is ok for plot choices), but I just wanted something more.
I wish the author would have provided more story at the end about Gillie, Taye, and Silas. I kept hoping Gillie could be used to cure a specific person in the story, but that didn’t happen (which I accept as a plot choice). It just would have been fun to see. I understand the story of Gillie and Taye will be in a future book, but a little more story about what happened to them immediately after the denouement would have been nice.
DATA:
Story length: 308 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: 7. Total number of sex scene pages: 20. Setting: current day mostly Virginia and Tennessee. Copyright: 2010. Genre: paranormal romantic suspense.
OTHER BOOKS:
I reviewed one other book by Ava Gray. My 4 star review of “Skin Game” copyright 2009 was posted 2-22-10.
June 12, 2010
Smart, raw and sexy. Three words that come to mind repeatedly while reading this book. The same three words can be used to describe the hero of book, Addison Foster. We meet him in Ava Gray’s first book, “Skin Game”. He is not a very likable man, but he is fascinating. He appears cold and calculating, yet you find yourself wanting to know his story. And you get that chance in “Skin Tight”. You don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this instalment, but I would recommend it. That way you’ll see the full spectrum of Addison Foster’s character. As you read the book, layers are peeled away and you not only feel for the guy, you want to reach out and give him a pat on the back (then maybe pat other things *wink*). We also meet Mia Sauter in the first book. She is a great match for Foster. She’s clever and can easily keep up with him. From their first meeting in “Skin Game”, you feel the electricity between Mia and Foster. And the chemistry between the two of them in this book…Wow! It’s even more intense. Ava Gray writes really steamy sex scenes and she writes them very well. Before you read the scene where Addison and Mia are together for the first time, get yourself a glass of cold water to splash yourself with and a piece of paper to fan yourself with – you’re going to need them! *is still fanning herself*
The story is gritty and strong. You are sucked in from the start and you don’t look back until you hit the end. There are even a couple of scenes that made my eyes misty. (But I had my paper fan to dry my tears so I was okay.) “Skin Tight” also introduces us to Gillie and Taye. They are slated to be the hero and heroine of Ava Gray’s fourth book in the series, “Skin Dive”. They are lovely characters and I am very anxious to read their story. But before they come along, “Skin Heat” will hit stores. This third book in the ‘Skin’ series is due out January 4th 2011. Sign me up for that one! I love this series! I knew I would enjoy reading Foster’s story, but I didn’t think I would enjoy it this much. Ava Gray’s (a.k.a. Ann Aguirre) writing is flawless. Don’t miss this one.
The story is gritty and strong. You are sucked in from the start and you don’t look back until you hit the end. There are even a couple of scenes that made my eyes misty. (But I had my paper fan to dry my tears so I was okay.) “Skin Tight” also introduces us to Gillie and Taye. They are slated to be the hero and heroine of Ava Gray’s fourth book in the series, “Skin Dive”. They are lovely characters and I am very anxious to read their story. But before they come along, “Skin Heat” will hit stores. This third book in the ‘Skin’ series is due out January 4th 2011. Sign me up for that one! I love this series! I knew I would enjoy reading Foster’s story, but I didn’t think I would enjoy it this much. Ava Gray’s (a.k.a. Ann Aguirre) writing is flawless. Don’t miss this one.
July 11, 2010
This review may contain some spoilers for those who have not read SKIN GAME (book 1) yet, so proceed at your own risk…and if you haven’t read SKIN GAME what ARE you waiting for?
Before I talk about SKIN TIGHT let’s go back to SKIN GAME. When I read it I immediately fell for Foster. Even before his true role was revealed, I knew he was not who he was made out to be in the beginning. That famous prostitute scene put Foster on my radar and he almost took over SKIN GAME for me. I say almost, because Kyra and Reyes took back the reigns and set me straight fairy quickly. After reading SKIN GAME I found out that Foster was dubbed BatPunisherMan. I did not get why but now having read SKIN TIGHT I do.
One more thing before I treat you all to my thoughts about SKIN TIGHT: Though Foster’s wonderful real name is revealed in a memorable scene that’s one of my favorites of the book, I will keep referring to him as Foster in my review because I want readers to experience that revelation first hand and not through my review. Also though I know his true name now, to me he’ll always be Foster.
A year after their first encounter Mia Sauter and Addison Foster meet again when Mia is hired to ferret out who is misappropriating company funds at Micor Technologies and Foster has taken on the persona of Micor’s HR director, Thomas Strong. Of course he is not there because he’s such a good HR director, he has a very strong motive to take on that position within the company. Because of Foster’s gift people see in him what they expect to see and that way he can take on any identity he wants without being recognized. Until Mia, the moment she spots him at Micor Technologies, she immediately sees the man who betrayed her one year ago.
Foster is not your typical romance hero. Yes he is dark and brooding and tortured but he’s also manipulative and will go to any length to get what he’s after. He has a goal and he lives for achieving it. Everything he’s done has been leading up to this one objective of destroying the ones responsible for destroying his happiness and therefore him.
The humor in Foster is subtle but it’s definitely there. He is something else. I thought I had him figured out after reading SKIN GAME but it was all blown out of the water very soon. Every page I turned provided me with more insight and more questions at the same time. Foster is definitely going on my favorite heroes list (and if you’re curious to know his real name, you’ll find it there). I knew from the moment he entered SKIN GAME that Foster was going to be an awesome hero. And he definitely was. Foster is the detached, distant iceman, but not with Mia, she breaks through his defenses. Ava Gray managed to make him vulnerable without losing the deadly focus, loosened him up a bit without losing the intensity he oozes, made him open up without losing the mystery and she made him sensitive and gentle without losing his edge.
Mia isn’t your typical romance heroine either. She’s a forensic accountant who normally has the best interest of her clients at heart but sometimes she goes vigilante on them. She needs to be in control and she’s scarily intelligent. She’s a strong woman who hates to be vulnerable or helpless and deep down, she’s a romantic at heart. Because of the way she grew up Mia doesn’t form friendships or bond with people easily, yet she yearns for that connection. Her friendship with Kyra and some of her actions in SKIN TIGHT, showcase that beautifully.
In the beginning of the book I wasn’t able to grasp the extent of Foster’s ability and it was as elusive an element as Kyra’s was in SKIN GAME. However, contrary to that first book in the series, Ava Gray offered much more background to where these abilities come from and the how and why of them. It was something I missed in the previous book and I was very happy to see in this one.
Both Mia and Foster want the same: acceptance of what and who they are, love and a family. I loved the chemistry between them. It was intense and subtle at the same time. Always there, simmering and sizzling. They’re both so cunningly smart they keep each other on their toes constantly, which created a great type of tension between them. With every chapter Foster and Mia got further under my skin and I must admit Foster stole the show, all the way (Surprise huh?) but I already suspected that he would and it still didn’t take away from Mia being an amazing heroine, but still…Foster…wow! His gentleness with Mia truly undid me. Little by little he is partially forced to drop his protective shell and the man behind it shows himself, taking pleasure in the littlest things.
As with SKIN GAME I had the honor of reading and reviewing SKIN TIGHT early as I received a digital review copy from Ann Aguirre (aka Ava Gray) and the day my request was granted I literally jumped up and down and danced around the room. People, who know me, know I am not that type of person so that said a lot about my expectations of this book.
Ava Gray immediately sucked me in with this book. Her writing is compelling and addictive. The way she sets up the stories is brilliant. Little by little and slowly you get the pieces to the puzzle. However, don’t confuse this excellent gradual build-up with slow pace. SKIN TIGHT is definitely a fast-paced book that kept me on the edge, waiting for every next development in the plot with abated breath. And let’s talk sex scenes for a bit. From SKIN GAME I knew Ava Gray could write some steamy scenes and the ones in this book were so unbelievably hot! Ava Gray proves that erotic and hot doesn’t need explicitness and two people with an intense connection can set the pages on fire.
This book, Mia, Foster, their story…it all broke my heart. There’s so much behind the characters and Ava Gray knows how to get to the bottom of them, letting the reader peel of layer after layer until they lay open and vulnerable on the pages. I honestly couldn’t stop reading this book and finished it in 24 hours. Awesome doesn’t even begin to describe it for me. Everything was right: the suspense plot, Foster, Mia, their romance, the secondary characters, everything!
Speaking of secondary characters, Ava Gray did it again! She has me pining for a future hero as much as I was for Foster! She introduced Taye to me. I cannot say too much about him but suffice to say that his attitude and defiance alone made me crave his story and I was over the moon when I heard his book (SKIN DIVE) is in the making. I look forward to it with the same anticipation as I did SKIN TIGHT!
You may have noticed that I haven’t spoken about the suspense plot of this book and I am not going to either except to say that it was excellently set up. As with the revelation Foster’s real name it is something I think readers should experience for themselves without knowing stuff in advance. I do want to say that Ava Gray writes the most sick, creepy and yet fascinating villains I’ve ever read. This man was truly delusional and yet his intelligence and ruthlessness fascinated me. I repeatedly wished the one in SKIN TIGHT a painful, slow and horrible end and suffice to say that even there Ava Gray did not disappoint me.
Every bit of information, no matter how small, is significant and ties up somewhere in the story. I love that doesn’t waste pages and time in extensive info-dumps and still gets everything across you need to grasp the world and plot. She just excels in giving you everything you need to sort out the plot and get to know the characters thoroughly without overwhelming back-story or storytelling. This makes her a top-notch favorite on my shelves.
Quote:
A smile built; he loved when seemingly disparate parts came together to form a diabolically clever whole.
This quote by Foster sums up exactly how I felt about SKIN TIGHT (and it made me think of the A-Team's Hannibal's expression: "I love it when a plan comes together!")
The end of SKIN TIGHT brought it all together. I couldn’t have wished for a more wonderful ending to this amazing book. There was one thing keeping me from giving this book the highest rating and that was that no matter how much I was impressed by the characters, the romance and the plot, it hadn’t touched me in the heartbreaking emotional way that my perfect reads all have done. And then came the end…and I bawled, I cried quietly and I smiled through the tears because of what Foster had to do and because of what Mia did for Foster. With this ending Ava Gray earned herself that extra point to make it a perfect 10 read because she outdid herself. SKIN GAME was great but SKIN TIGHT was mind-blowing. So far it’s number 1 on my 2010 favorite books list and I wonder if she can top it with any of the next books in the series and I honestly think she will because this series just keeps getting better and better.
SKIN TIGHT is all about deception, appearances, loneliness, alliances and secret agendas. Reading SKIN TIGHT is like opening a present wrapped in multiple layers of wrapping paper. Every time you peel away one layer another, prettier one, appears and when you’re done what remains is a heartfelt, endearing, intricate story laid bare for you to enjoy.
So if you like romantic suspense with paranormal elements, with amazing characters and an author that knows how to write it all, SKIN TIGHT is a book that can’t be missing in you TBR-pile or on your shelves!
10 out of 10!
Before I talk about SKIN TIGHT let’s go back to SKIN GAME. When I read it I immediately fell for Foster. Even before his true role was revealed, I knew he was not who he was made out to be in the beginning. That famous prostitute scene put Foster on my radar and he almost took over SKIN GAME for me. I say almost, because Kyra and Reyes took back the reigns and set me straight fairy quickly. After reading SKIN GAME I found out that Foster was dubbed BatPunisherMan. I did not get why but now having read SKIN TIGHT I do.
One more thing before I treat you all to my thoughts about SKIN TIGHT: Though Foster’s wonderful real name is revealed in a memorable scene that’s one of my favorites of the book, I will keep referring to him as Foster in my review because I want readers to experience that revelation first hand and not through my review. Also though I know his true name now, to me he’ll always be Foster.
A year after their first encounter Mia Sauter and Addison Foster meet again when Mia is hired to ferret out who is misappropriating company funds at Micor Technologies and Foster has taken on the persona of Micor’s HR director, Thomas Strong. Of course he is not there because he’s such a good HR director, he has a very strong motive to take on that position within the company. Because of Foster’s gift people see in him what they expect to see and that way he can take on any identity he wants without being recognized. Until Mia, the moment she spots him at Micor Technologies, she immediately sees the man who betrayed her one year ago.
Foster is not your typical romance hero. Yes he is dark and brooding and tortured but he’s also manipulative and will go to any length to get what he’s after. He has a goal and he lives for achieving it. Everything he’s done has been leading up to this one objective of destroying the ones responsible for destroying his happiness and therefore him.
The humor in Foster is subtle but it’s definitely there. He is something else. I thought I had him figured out after reading SKIN GAME but it was all blown out of the water very soon. Every page I turned provided me with more insight and more questions at the same time. Foster is definitely going on my favorite heroes list (and if you’re curious to know his real name, you’ll find it there). I knew from the moment he entered SKIN GAME that Foster was going to be an awesome hero. And he definitely was. Foster is the detached, distant iceman, but not with Mia, she breaks through his defenses. Ava Gray managed to make him vulnerable without losing the deadly focus, loosened him up a bit without losing the intensity he oozes, made him open up without losing the mystery and she made him sensitive and gentle without losing his edge.
Mia isn’t your typical romance heroine either. She’s a forensic accountant who normally has the best interest of her clients at heart but sometimes she goes vigilante on them. She needs to be in control and she’s scarily intelligent. She’s a strong woman who hates to be vulnerable or helpless and deep down, she’s a romantic at heart. Because of the way she grew up Mia doesn’t form friendships or bond with people easily, yet she yearns for that connection. Her friendship with Kyra and some of her actions in SKIN TIGHT, showcase that beautifully.
In the beginning of the book I wasn’t able to grasp the extent of Foster’s ability and it was as elusive an element as Kyra’s was in SKIN GAME. However, contrary to that first book in the series, Ava Gray offered much more background to where these abilities come from and the how and why of them. It was something I missed in the previous book and I was very happy to see in this one.
Both Mia and Foster want the same: acceptance of what and who they are, love and a family. I loved the chemistry between them. It was intense and subtle at the same time. Always there, simmering and sizzling. They’re both so cunningly smart they keep each other on their toes constantly, which created a great type of tension between them. With every chapter Foster and Mia got further under my skin and I must admit Foster stole the show, all the way (Surprise huh?) but I already suspected that he would and it still didn’t take away from Mia being an amazing heroine, but still…Foster…wow! His gentleness with Mia truly undid me. Little by little he is partially forced to drop his protective shell and the man behind it shows himself, taking pleasure in the littlest things.
As with SKIN GAME I had the honor of reading and reviewing SKIN TIGHT early as I received a digital review copy from Ann Aguirre (aka Ava Gray) and the day my request was granted I literally jumped up and down and danced around the room. People, who know me, know I am not that type of person so that said a lot about my expectations of this book.
Ava Gray immediately sucked me in with this book. Her writing is compelling and addictive. The way she sets up the stories is brilliant. Little by little and slowly you get the pieces to the puzzle. However, don’t confuse this excellent gradual build-up with slow pace. SKIN TIGHT is definitely a fast-paced book that kept me on the edge, waiting for every next development in the plot with abated breath. And let’s talk sex scenes for a bit. From SKIN GAME I knew Ava Gray could write some steamy scenes and the ones in this book were so unbelievably hot! Ava Gray proves that erotic and hot doesn’t need explicitness and two people with an intense connection can set the pages on fire.
This book, Mia, Foster, their story…it all broke my heart. There’s so much behind the characters and Ava Gray knows how to get to the bottom of them, letting the reader peel of layer after layer until they lay open and vulnerable on the pages. I honestly couldn’t stop reading this book and finished it in 24 hours. Awesome doesn’t even begin to describe it for me. Everything was right: the suspense plot, Foster, Mia, their romance, the secondary characters, everything!
Speaking of secondary characters, Ava Gray did it again! She has me pining for a future hero as much as I was for Foster! She introduced Taye to me. I cannot say too much about him but suffice to say that his attitude and defiance alone made me crave his story and I was over the moon when I heard his book (SKIN DIVE) is in the making. I look forward to it with the same anticipation as I did SKIN TIGHT!
You may have noticed that I haven’t spoken about the suspense plot of this book and I am not going to either except to say that it was excellently set up. As with the revelation Foster’s real name it is something I think readers should experience for themselves without knowing stuff in advance. I do want to say that Ava Gray writes the most sick, creepy and yet fascinating villains I’ve ever read. This man was truly delusional and yet his intelligence and ruthlessness fascinated me. I repeatedly wished the one in SKIN TIGHT a painful, slow and horrible end and suffice to say that even there Ava Gray did not disappoint me.
Every bit of information, no matter how small, is significant and ties up somewhere in the story. I love that doesn’t waste pages and time in extensive info-dumps and still gets everything across you need to grasp the world and plot. She just excels in giving you everything you need to sort out the plot and get to know the characters thoroughly without overwhelming back-story or storytelling. This makes her a top-notch favorite on my shelves.
Quote:
A smile built; he loved when seemingly disparate parts came together to form a diabolically clever whole.
This quote by Foster sums up exactly how I felt about SKIN TIGHT (and it made me think of the A-Team's Hannibal's expression: "I love it when a plan comes together!")
The end of SKIN TIGHT brought it all together. I couldn’t have wished for a more wonderful ending to this amazing book. There was one thing keeping me from giving this book the highest rating and that was that no matter how much I was impressed by the characters, the romance and the plot, it hadn’t touched me in the heartbreaking emotional way that my perfect reads all have done. And then came the end…and I bawled, I cried quietly and I smiled through the tears because of what Foster had to do and because of what Mia did for Foster. With this ending Ava Gray earned herself that extra point to make it a perfect 10 read because she outdid herself. SKIN GAME was great but SKIN TIGHT was mind-blowing. So far it’s number 1 on my 2010 favorite books list and I wonder if she can top it with any of the next books in the series and I honestly think she will because this series just keeps getting better and better.
SKIN TIGHT is all about deception, appearances, loneliness, alliances and secret agendas. Reading SKIN TIGHT is like opening a present wrapped in multiple layers of wrapping paper. Every time you peel away one layer another, prettier one, appears and when you’re done what remains is a heartfelt, endearing, intricate story laid bare for you to enjoy.
So if you like romantic suspense with paranormal elements, with amazing characters and an author that knows how to write it all, SKIN TIGHT is a book that can’t be missing in you TBR-pile or on your shelves!
10 out of 10!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2022
Mia and Foster (who now goes by Addison) first meet in book 1 when Mia went to Vegas to find her friend Kyra who was missing. Things happened and she connected with Foster, who then betrayed her. Fast forward a year later and they cross paths once again. Mia works as a forensic accountant and exposes corporate espionage. They both end up at Micro Technologies (also known as "The Foundation").
This sheds light on the research this organization has done on children and adults without consent. It seems they would hold "free" vaccination clinics in poor neighborhoods. The vaccine would contain something that would alter an individual and give them abilities. It wasn't said, but I assume Kyra was one of the children who got free vaccines. Anyway, Foster/Addison did and his ability is one that makes him difficult to "see" (people see what they want) and an ability to alter perception. Mia is able to see him as he is and she is the only one who has been able to do so. He also shares his real name (Soren). We also find out that Mia isn't exactly on the straight and narrow either (it takes a thief to catch one).
A "research" facility is taken down, but how many more are there? Additional characters are introduced- Gillie (she was taken as a child and her parents were told she was dead, she has the ability to heal with her blood), Taye (his has an electrical ability, he was taken as an adult), Silas (the handyman who did Dr Rowan's dirty work, considered a failed experiment and prisoner).
This sheds light on the research this organization has done on children and adults without consent. It seems they would hold "free" vaccination clinics in poor neighborhoods. The vaccine would contain something that would alter an individual and give them abilities. It wasn't said, but I assume Kyra was one of the children who got free vaccines. Anyway, Foster/Addison did and his ability is one that makes him difficult to "see" (people see what they want) and an ability to alter perception. Mia is able to see him as he is and she is the only one who has been able to do so. He also shares his real name (Soren). We also find out that Mia isn't exactly on the straight and narrow either (it takes a thief to catch one).
A "research" facility is taken down, but how many more are there? Additional characters are introduced- Gillie (she was taken as a child and her parents were told she was dead, she has the ability to heal with her blood), Taye (his has an electrical ability, he was taken as an adult), Silas (the handyman who did Dr Rowan's dirty work, considered a failed experiment and prisoner).
August 28, 2013
ถ้าหลายคนยังพอจำกันได้ เมื่อปีก่อนแม็กซ์เกิดอาการบ้าหนังสือเล่มนึงมาก ๆ ขนาดที่ถึงกับขอ ARC จากคนแต่งเลยทีเดียว และหนังสือเล่มนั้น (Skin Game) ก็กลายเป็นหนึ่งในหนังสือที่เราชอบมากที่สุดแห่งปีเลยล่ะ
ดังนั้นเมื่อมาถึงเล่มสอง มันมีความเป็นไปได้อย่างมากที่เราจะเกิดอาการ let down หรือความผิดหวัง เพราะเล่มก่อนหน้าดันสนุกมากเกินพิกัด ทำให้เล่มต่อมา เขียนยังไงก็ทำให้เกิดความสนุกได้ยากขึ้น เพราะเรามัวแต่เอาไปเปรียบเทียบกับเล่มแรก
แต่เมื่อได้อ่านเล่มนี้ แม้จะต้องยอมรับนะคะว่า สู้เล่มแรกไม่ได้ แต่แม็กซ์ไม่เกิดความรู้สึกผิดหวังเลย ส่วนหนึ่งเพราะคนแต่งให้ตัวตนที่ชัดเจนมาก ๆ กับพระเอกและนางเอก ชัดเจนจนเราไม่เกิดความรู้สึกเอาหนังสือสองเล่มมาปะปนกันเลย ทิศทางของเรื่องในเล่มนี้มีความชัดเจน แต่ให้กลิ่นอายที่แตกต่างไปจากเล่มแรกมาก เหตุผลเดียวที่แม็กซ์ชอบเล่มแรกมากกว่า เพราะความรู้สึกส่วนตัวที่เราไม่อาจปฏิเสธพระเอกที่เป็นนักฆ่าได้
Skin tight ของเอวา เกรย์
หนังสือเล่มนี้เป็นเล่มที่สองในชุด เรื่องราวของกลุ่มคนที่มีพลังความสามารถพิเศษ "เหนือมนุษย์" เพียงแต่กลุ่มคนเหล่านี้ไม่ได้ตั้งใจจะเป็น หรือกระทั่งรู้จักกันด้วยซ้ำ ทั้งหมดได้รับพลังพิเศษเหล่านั้นมาจาก "ความซวย" ส่วนบุคคล
เมื่อหนึ่งปีก่อน มีอา ซาวเตอร์ได้พบกับชายผู้น่าจดจำนามว่า แอดดิสัน ฟอสเตอร์ ครั้งแรกที่เธอเจอกัน เธอกำลังตามหาเพื่อนรักที่หายตัวไป และเขาคือคนที่ก้าวเข้ามาช่วยเธอในการตามหาเพื่อน มีอาคิดว่า ฟอสเตอร์คืออัศวินที่จะช่วยเธอจากการติดตามปองร้ายของชายผู้ที่ต้องการใช้เธอเป็นเครื่องมือในการทำร้ายเพื่อน มีอาหนีไปหาเขา และหวังให้ฟอสเตอร์ช่วย
แต่สิ่งที่เธอได้รับก็คือ ฟอสเตอร์พาตัวเธอไปส่งให้กับคนร้าย และทำให้มีอาเกือบจะไม่รอดในการเผชิญหน้ากัน
เหตุการณ์ทั้งหมดนั่นเกิดขึ้นในเรื่อง Skin Game ซึ่งเป็นหนังสือเล่มแรกในชุด และถูกเอ่ยถึงเล็กน้อยในบทนำของเล่มนี้ ดังนั้นถ้าคนอ่านอยากรู้เรื่องทั้งหมด ก็ขอแนะนำให้อ่านเล่มแรกก่อนนะคะ แต่กระนั้นเรากลับไม่รู้สึกว่า จำเป็นจะต้องอ่านเล่มแรกเพื่อทำความเข้าใจเล่มนี้หรอกนะคะ เพราะพล็อตในเล่มนี้ไม่ได้เกี่ยวข้องอะไรชัดเจนกับเล่มแรก นอกจากความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างมีอา และพระเอกของเธอที่กลับมาเจอกันอีกครั้งในเล่มนี้
หลังจากเหตุการณ์ที่มีอาต้องเสี่ยงตาย เธอก็ได้กลับมาพบกับฟอสเตอร์อีกครั้ง แต่คราวนี้เขาไม่ใช่แอดดิสัน ฟอสเตอร์อีกต่อไป เขากลายเป็นเป็นโธมัส สตรองค์ ผู้จัดการฝ่ายบุคคลในบริษัทที่มีอาได้รับว่าจ้างให้เข้าไปสืบหาตัวคนยักยอกเงินของบริษัท
ด้วยอาชีพที่เป็นนักบัญชีผู้ติดตามร่องรอยของเงิน มีอาคือทางเลือกของบริษัทที่พบว่า กำลังเป็นเหยื่อของพนักงานที่ยักยอกทรัพย์ แต่การเข้าไปทำงานในบริษัืทไมคอร์ ซึ่งเป็นบริษัทวิจัยลับสุดยอดไม่ใช่เรื่องง่าย มีอาต้องแสร้งทำเป็นพนักงานฝ่ายไอทีหน้าใหม่ และเริ่มต้นสืบสวนหาตัวผู้กระทำผิด
สิ่งที่เธอไม่ได้คาดคิดก็คือ จะได้พบกับฟอสเตอร์อีกครั้ง และแม้คนทั้งโลกจะมองเห็นเขาในฐานะของโธมัส สตรองค์ แต่มีอามองเห็นตัวตนที่แท้จริงของเขา และมันคือครั้งแรกในชีวิตที่คนอื่นมองเขา และเห็นเขาจริง ๆ
นั่นเพราะความสามารถ "พิเศษ" ของสตรองค์ก็คือ การสร้างภาพมายา เขาไม่อาจควบคุมความสามารถอันนี้ได้ ทำให้ทุกคนที่อยู่รอบกายของเขา หลงไปกับภาพมายาของแต่ละคน ดังนั้นสตรองค์สามารถเป็นใครก็ได้ ถ้ามีเหตุผลน่าเชื่อพอ กล่าวคือ ถ้าคนคนนั้นคิดว่า ชายที่อยู่ตรงหน้าคือ โธมัส สตรองค์ คนเหล่านั้นก็จะมองเห็นโธมัส สตรองค์ โดยไม่รู้เลยว่า คนตรงหน้าคือผู้ชายอีกคนที่ปลอมตัวมา
ความสามารถนี้ไม่อาจควบคุมได้ ดังนั้นตลอดชีวิตของชายที่สวมบทบาทเป็นโธมัส สตรองค์ ไม่เคยมีใครเห็นตัวตนที่แท้จริงของเขาเลย ดังนั้นการที่มีอาเห็น มันจึงเป็นบางสิ่งที่พิเศษสุด
แต่ความสัมพันธ์ที่ก่อตัวขึ้นกับมีอา ก็ไม่อาจหยุดเขาจากความพยายามแสวงหาความยุติธรรมได้ นั่นเพราะเขารู้ว่า แหล่งที่มาของความสามารถของตัวเอง ไม่ได้มาจากพระเจ้า แต่เป็นแผนการชั่วร้ายของคนกลุ่มนึง
การลักลอบทดลองในเมืองเล็ก ๆ เมื่อหลายปีก่อนเริ่มต้นด้วยการแฝงกายมาในรูปของวัคซีนฟรีให้กับกลุ่มเด็กด้อยโอกาส เพียงแต่สิ่งที่ถูกฉีดให้กับเด็กเหล่านั้นไม่ใช่วัคซีน มันเป็นอะไรบางอย่างที่เปลี่ยนแปลงพวกเขาจากมนุษย์ธรรมดาให้กลายเป็นสุดยอดมนุษย์
แต่ก็เหมือนกับการทดลองส่วนใหญ่ ที่ย่อมต้องมีความผิดพลาด ความสามารถพิเศษที่เกิดขึ้นในเด็กแต่ละคนล้วนแตกต่างกัน บางคนมีพรสวรรค์ที่น่ากลัว บางคนมีพรสวรรค์ที่ไม่อาจทำให้มีชีวิตอยู่ต่อไปได้ และขบวนการที่ทำการทดลองก็ไม่ได้หายไปไหน ในช่วงหลายปีที่ผ่านมา คนกลุ่มนี้ไล่ล่าและตามจับเหล่าเด็ก ๆ ที่บัดนี้โตขึ้นมาแล้ว เพื่อนำพวกเขากลับมาทดลองอีกครั้ง เด็กบางคนตกอยู่ในการคุมขังมาตลอดชีวิต ไ่ม่มีโอกาสได้รู้ว่า ชีวิตปกติเป็นอย่างไร
สตรองค์ หรือชื่อจริงว่า เซอร์เรน ฟรอสต์ อาจจะเรียกว่า เป็นคนที่โชคดี เขาเล็ดลอดการตามจับกลับไปได้ แต่เพราะพรสวรรค์ที่ได้รับการเติมแต่ง ทำให้เขาไม่อาจมีชีวิตปกติธรรมดาได้ เขาเคยมีภรรยาที่เข้าใจผิดคิดว่าเขาเป็นคนอื่น (เพราะเขาสร้างภาพมายาได้ ภรรยาของเขาจึงมองเห็นเขาเป็นชายคนที่เธอฝันใฝ่ถึง) และเสียลูกสาวไปเพราะมัน นั่นผลักดันทำให้เขาใช้ชีวิตอยู่เพื่อการแก้แค้น และการแก้แค้นของเขาก็เกือบจะมาสุดทางแล้ว
เบาะแสที่เขาติดตามมาตลอดพาเขามายังบริษัทไมคอร์ แต่การเจาะเข้าไปภายในไม่ใช่เรื่องง่าย แม้เขาจะเป็นผู้จัดการฝ่ายบุคคล แต่เขาก็มองเห็นโอกาสของมีอา ที่แฝงกายเข้ามาเป็นพนักงานฝ่ายไอทีว่าอาจจะมีโอกาสมากกว่า ปัญหาก็คือ มันทำให้มีอากลายเป็นเป้าหมายของคนร้าย และเซอร์เรนจะต้องเลือกว่า เขาจะมุ่งมั่นไปกับการแก้แค้นเพราะการกระทำในอดีต หรือช่วยเหลือมีอาซึ่งกำลังจะกลายเป็นอนาคตของเขา
หนังสือเรื่องนี้เป็นอีกเล่มนึงที่เราไม่ผิดหวังนะคะ แต่ในขณะเดียวกัน หลังจากอ่านเรื่อง Fade to Midnight ที่มีประเด็นคล้ายคลึงกัน (สปอยล์) เรื่องการเอามนุษย์มาเป็นหนูทดลองทางวิทยาศาสตร์ ก็ทำให้แม็กซ์รู้สึกเบื่อไปไม่น้อย แต่นั่นก็ไม่ใช่ความผิดของหนังสือ เราดันเลือกหยิบสองเล่มมาอ่านติดกันเอง
จุดแข็งที่เรารู้สึกว่าน่าจะกลายเป็นจุดเด่นในงานเขียนของเอวา เกรย์ไปแล้ว ก็คือพระเอกที่มีคาแร็คเตอร์ดิบ ๆ ทั้งเรเยส (พระเอกเล่มแรก) และเซอร์เรนไม่เหมือนกันนะคะ แต่ให้อารมณ์ในเวลาอ่านใกล้เคียงกันมาก นั่นคือผู้ชายที่ไม่แคร์อะไรมากนัก แต่เมื่อเขาได้พบกับผู้หญิงที่มอบหัวใจให้ พวกเขาก็จะมีชีวิตอยู่เพื่อพวกเธอ และไม่มีอะไรสำคัญมากกว่าเธออีกต่อไป
มันเป็นจินตนาการของผู้หญิงนะคะที่อยากได้พบกับผู้ชายแบบนั้น (แม้ว่าในชีวิตจริงจะเป็นอีกเรื่องนึง) และแม็กซ์ก็รักความทุ่มเทที่เซอร์เรนมีให้กับมีอา เขาอาจจะปฏิเสธความรู้สึก หรือการบอกรัก แต่การกระทำมันชัดเจนยิ่งนัก
ในเล่มนี้โฟกัสของเรื่องอยู่ที่ตัวเซอร์เรนและความมุ่งมั่นในการแก้แค้นของเขา และมันยิ่งทำให้น่าอ่านมากขึ้น เมื่อ (สปอยล์) เมื่อต้องเลือกระหว่างการแก้แค้นที่ใกล้สำเร็จ และมีอา เขาเลือกเธออย่างไม่ต้องคิดอะไรมาก
แม็กซ์พูดถึงพระเอกเยอะอีกเช่นเคยค่ะ แต่นางเอกในเล่มนี้ก็ไม่ได้เลวร้ายเลย แม็กซ์ชอบไครา นางเอกในเล่มแรกมากกว่า แต่อาจเพราะเราชอบความห้าว และเถื่อนของเธอ แต่มีอาในเล่มนี้ก็น่าสนใจในตัวเอง เธอเป็นลูกครึ่งอิหร่านอเมริกัน ทำให้หลายครั้งเธอถูกกีกกันทางเชื้อชาติ ทำให้มีอากลายเป็นนักวางแผนไปเสียทุกอย่างในชีวิต มีอาอยู่อย่างมีแบบแผน ทำให้หลายครั้งเธอรู้สึกอิจฉาชีวิตที่ไครา เพื่อนรักใช้ แต่กระนั้น (สปอยล์) เธอก็ยังมีชีวิตอีกด้าน ทำให้เรารู้สึกเธอ เหมาะสมกับเซอร์เรนมาก
โดยรวมเรื่องนี้เป็นเล่มแรกที่ไม่น่าผิดหวัง และเรื่องราวที่ทิ้งท้ายเอาไว้ ก็ยิ่งทำให้หนังสือชุดนี้น่าติดตามอ่านต่อยิ่งนัก คะแนนที่ 77
December 19, 2011
This book takes place a few months after Skin Game ends. So you already know the two main characters ,mysterious "Foster" and Kyra's friend Mia.
I'm not gonna recap the plot I'm just gonna say my jumbled up thoughts:
~ Soren is one of my favorite book characters. He's mysterious, but soft,so soft you want to protect him.
~ The chemistry between Mia & Soren sizzled.
~ It was easy to pick up Soren's anger and make it my own.
~ Ava Gray's made a series that makes me very eager to pick up book after book!
Ok here's what made me deduct some halves from the rating:
I'm so glad I've discovered Ava Gray, her books are not disappointing and her heroes are men with flaws, but you love them anyways!
I'm not gonna recap the plot I'm just gonna say my jumbled up thoughts:
~ Soren is one of my favorite book characters. He's mysterious, but soft,so soft you want to protect him.
~ The chemistry between Mia & Soren sizzled.
~ It was easy to pick up Soren's anger and make it my own.
~ Ava Gray's made a series that makes me very eager to pick up book after book!
Ok here's what made me deduct some halves from the rating:
I'm so glad I've discovered Ava Gray, her books are not disappointing and her heroes are men with flaws, but you love them anyways!
July 28, 2010
As a forensic accountant, Mia Sauter could usually tell when people had something to hide. She made her living exposing secrets while concealing her own. Then, in Vegas, she met a clever, ruthless man who called himself Addison Foster. One year later, she’s still haunted by his betrayal. The truth of him had long ago been buried. Foster was only one name of many; he’d been so many men, he’d lost count. Reinvented as Thomas Strong and hell bent on revenge, his mission is about to be compromised by the one woman capable of exposing him. Reunited, they confront the explosive chemistry still crackling between them. But their chance meeting will have consequences, for a ruthless madman has his own deadly agenda.
I didn't enjoy Skin Tight as much as I was expecting to. It was a great story and kept you gripped the whole way through. But I just wasn't keen on Foster/Strong. He annoyed me with his cool ice like attitude.
I really loved Mia. I thought she was one tough cookie. She managed to melt Foster/Strong's emotional barrier and make him much more likable.
I enjoyed the glimpses into Foster/Strong's life before everything seemed to have 'gone wrong' as it made him seem less cold and more interesting.
I really enjoyed the secondary couple Gillie and Taye who were locked in the lab and became test subjects because of there special gifts. I'm really looking forward to reading there book but sadly it's not due out until August 2011.
I didn't enjoy Skin Tight as much as I was expecting to. It was a great story and kept you gripped the whole way through. But I just wasn't keen on Foster/Strong. He annoyed me with his cool ice like attitude.
I really loved Mia. I thought she was one tough cookie. She managed to melt Foster/Strong's emotional barrier and make him much more likable.
I enjoyed the glimpses into Foster/Strong's life before everything seemed to have 'gone wrong' as it made him seem less cold and more interesting.
I really enjoyed the secondary couple Gillie and Taye who were locked in the lab and became test subjects because of there special gifts. I'm really looking forward to reading there book but sadly it's not due out until August 2011.
October 14, 2011
Wow, I'm so glad I picked up this series! Skin Tight is every bit as good, if not better than its predecessor - dark, edgy, and even hotter! This clever story focuses on the tortured and lonely Foster/Thomas/Søren (my favorite kind of 'hero') and forensic accountant Mia, both of whom we met in Skin Game.
About a year has passed since their time in Vegas... Still suffering from PSTD as a result of her last encounter with Foster, Mia has accepted a forensic accounting job with a research facility in Virginia where, by coincidence of course, she runs into the man whose memory has haunted her. A chameleon of sorts, Foster has now assumed a new identity and works as the HR manager for the same company as he continues his mysterious vendetta against perpetrators unknown. Turns out that Foster has a lot in common with Kyra from the previous novel, but his special ability manifests itself in a different manner. Unable to fight their attraction any longer, Foster and Mia team up to help each other uncover the truth about the research facility and put a stop to their sinister and heinous activities....
About a year has passed since their time in Vegas... Still suffering from PSTD as a result of her last encounter with Foster, Mia has accepted a forensic accounting job with a research facility in Virginia where, by coincidence of course, she runs into the man whose memory has haunted her. A chameleon of sorts, Foster has now assumed a new identity and works as the HR manager for the same company as he continues his mysterious vendetta against perpetrators unknown. Turns out that Foster has a lot in common with Kyra from the previous novel, but his special ability manifests itself in a different manner. Unable to fight their attraction any longer, Foster and Mia team up to help each other uncover the truth about the research facility and put a stop to their sinister and heinous activities....
November 1, 2010
WOW, EXCELLENT READ!!!!!
Ava gray has done a fantastic job with this series, and earned a new fan!! She has taken this series to another level with this book, which adds a new spin on the story that we did not get from the first book. At times this book made me feel a little reminiscent of the X-FILES. The Characters were wonderfully written, the plot was solid, and the storytelling was once again top notch!!
There are no cliffhangers, only open doors for the next book in the series!! I can't wait to see where the story takes Gillie and Taye, but that's book 4. Meanwhile I will impatiently await book 3 coming in January.
3 of my favorite reviews:
Girlies, I hope you don't mind that I've pimped your reviews!!
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Ava gray has done a fantastic job with this series, and earned a new fan!! She has taken this series to another level with this book, which adds a new spin on the story that we did not get from the first book. At times this book made me feel a little reminiscent of the X-FILES. The Characters were wonderfully written, the plot was solid, and the storytelling was once again top notch!!
There are no cliffhangers, only open doors for the next book in the series!! I can't wait to see where the story takes Gillie and Taye, but that's book 4. Meanwhile I will impatiently await book 3 coming in January.
3 of my favorite reviews:
Girlies, I hope you don't mind that I've pimped your reviews!!
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
June 22, 2010
We were introduced to Addison Foster in Skin Game. He was the head of security for Gerrano's Vegas casino. Foster is mysterious and dangerous. He has secrets and a past that he's bent on avenging. He's a man on a mission and he will not let anything or anyone get in his way.
Mia Sauter's encounter with Foster left a bad taste in her mouth. When she went to him for help, she trusted that he would help her. Instead he used her as a means to an end. Now the two are working at the same company, both with their own agenda.
I was hesitant to read Skin Tight because I wasn't bowled over by Skin Game. I thought Skin Game was good, don't get me wrong. I just wasn't sure if I wanted to invest in the series. But my twitter friends kept making references to the hot sex scenes and I knew then that I couldn't resist. I love hot sex scenes! The sex scenes did not disappointment. Even though Foster is detached - emotionally and physically - Mia breaks through those barriers. She manages to slowly chip away the wall he has built around his heart. Foster is a damaged man and has kept himself physically and emotionally away from people. A lot has to do with his "gift" and a tragedy from his past. Mia manages to break through the armour and makes Foster feel. She's unique in that she is the only person that can "see" him. For Foster, that makes her special and dangerous.
The best part about this book is Foster and Mia's relationship. The back story of Micor and the testing they were doing on humans was not that interesting to me. How Foster came into his "gift" is explained (even though I still don't quiet understand it). I finished Skin Tight with several questions that weren't answered. Many of the patients that Micor were using for experiments were people who grew up in poor households. Is it possible that this is how Kyra (from Skin Game) came into her powers? Judging from how Skin Tight ended, the series will follow the people who subjects of Dr. Rowen's experiments. Will we ever know how Kyra got her power?
The romance aspect of Skin Tight is fantastic. The relationship between Foster and Mia isn't easy and it's not pretty. Foster is always in control of his emotions and his actions. But once he drops his guard around Mia, the control slips away.
Final verdict: An enjoyable read with hot sex scenes and great characters. The mad scientist Dr. Rowen sub-plot was a bit much but it does explain a lot about Foster and it sets up the plot for the next book, Skin Heat.
Mia Sauter's encounter with Foster left a bad taste in her mouth. When she went to him for help, she trusted that he would help her. Instead he used her as a means to an end. Now the two are working at the same company, both with their own agenda.
I was hesitant to read Skin Tight because I wasn't bowled over by Skin Game. I thought Skin Game was good, don't get me wrong. I just wasn't sure if I wanted to invest in the series. But my twitter friends kept making references to the hot sex scenes and I knew then that I couldn't resist. I love hot sex scenes! The sex scenes did not disappointment. Even though Foster is detached - emotionally and physically - Mia breaks through those barriers. She manages to slowly chip away the wall he has built around his heart. Foster is a damaged man and has kept himself physically and emotionally away from people. A lot has to do with his "gift" and a tragedy from his past. Mia manages to break through the armour and makes Foster feel. She's unique in that she is the only person that can "see" him. For Foster, that makes her special and dangerous.
The best part about this book is Foster and Mia's relationship. The back story of Micor and the testing they were doing on humans was not that interesting to me. How Foster came into his "gift" is explained (even though I still don't quiet understand it). I finished Skin Tight with several questions that weren't answered. Many of the patients that Micor were using for experiments were people who grew up in poor households. Is it possible that this is how Kyra (from Skin Game) came into her powers? Judging from how Skin Tight ended, the series will follow the people who subjects of Dr. Rowen's experiments. Will we ever know how Kyra got her power?
The romance aspect of Skin Tight is fantastic. The relationship between Foster and Mia isn't easy and it's not pretty. Foster is always in control of his emotions and his actions. But once he drops his guard around Mia, the control slips away.
Final verdict: An enjoyable read with hot sex scenes and great characters. The mad scientist Dr. Rowen sub-plot was a bit much but it does explain a lot about Foster and it sets up the plot for the next book, Skin Heat.
March 29, 2014
It has been a couple of years *facepalm* since I read the first book in this series. So I had only a very, very vague memory of it. I did, however, remember these two characters, Mia and Addison, appearing at the beginning and end of the books.
When I saw that this was Addison's book I was excited. His character was very intriguing in the last book, from what I remember, so I was happy this was his story. Only now, he goes by another name. He is essentially a ghost, assuming the identities of dead men to help him on his personal mission. This time he is Thomas Strong. When Mia shows up in his life again, she is a complication he doesn't need or want. At least that's what he tells himself in the beginning. Until she reveals to him she can see "him", the real him that is Soren. Soren has been hiding himself for so long, an easy psychic ability for him to manipulate people's minds, that he is literally dumbfounded that it doesn't work on Mia.
I'm sorry I waited so long to get to this book. It was definitely a departure from my steady diet of regular PNR. There was a lot going on and it takes on a murder mystery-suspense feel with an added side of psychic ability. The cast of characters were varied and interesting, but none as much as Soren.
I really felt sorry for Soren, for his losses, what he went through and everything that was taken from him. He doesn't seem like a very nice person. But Mia somehow changes that.
I thought this was a great follow up from the last book and hopefully won't take as long to get to the next one, which I'm definitely reading.
When I saw that this was Addison's book I was excited. His character was very intriguing in the last book, from what I remember, so I was happy this was his story. Only now, he goes by another name. He is essentially a ghost, assuming the identities of dead men to help him on his personal mission. This time he is Thomas Strong. When Mia shows up in his life again, she is a complication he doesn't need or want. At least that's what he tells himself in the beginning. Until she reveals to him she can see "him", the real him that is Soren. Soren has been hiding himself for so long, an easy psychic ability for him to manipulate people's minds, that he is literally dumbfounded that it doesn't work on Mia.
I'm sorry I waited so long to get to this book. It was definitely a departure from my steady diet of regular PNR. There was a lot going on and it takes on a murder mystery-suspense feel with an added side of psychic ability. The cast of characters were varied and interesting, but none as much as Soren.
I really felt sorry for Soren, for his losses, what he went through and everything that was taken from him. He doesn't seem like a very nice person. But Mia somehow changes that.
I thought this was a great follow up from the last book and hopefully won't take as long to get to the next one, which I'm definitely reading.
September 23, 2010
I can't believe that I have to wait until January 2011 to read the next book in this series! So far I've really loved both of the books. In this one the hero is so tortured by his past that he lives on revenge alone. His plans are to kill everyone that is responsable for the evil doings, unplug his poor little girl from her life suport and then kill himself so they can be together in the after life. Ahh but that was before he ran into Mia again. She sees him just as he is and loves him anyway something he's just not used to. There are some really great love scenes with light bondage and I love the plot with evil scientist doing experiments on children under the guise of free vaccines. Now there are untold amounts of people with super powers running around and everyone one of them has a story to tell.=)
November 18, 2015
I had mixed feelings with this book.
The suspense and plot was just as well written as the first book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I really liked Mia, with her strength and vulnerability, and I especially liked the poems quoted between her and Foster/Strong.
I actually liked Addison Foster in the first book and found him very intriguing. However, in this book I found him cold and calculating, and I had trouble believing he had any feelings for Mia. It really was only at the end that he revealed his love for her, and although I knew he was the type of person that would be hard pressed to show any feelings after all his ordeals and because of his power, it just took too long for him to admit his love especially after all he and Mia has been through.
The sex scenes were very hot, I must say Ava Gray writes very sexy scenes.
The suspense and plot was just as well written as the first book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I really liked Mia, with her strength and vulnerability, and I especially liked the poems quoted between her and Foster/Strong.
I actually liked Addison Foster in the first book and found him very intriguing. However, in this book I found him cold and calculating, and I had trouble believing he had any feelings for Mia. It really was only at the end that he revealed his love for her, and although I knew he was the type of person that would be hard pressed to show any feelings after all his ordeals and because of his power, it just took too long for him to admit his love especially after all he and Mia has been through.
The sex scenes were very hot, I must say Ava Gray writes very sexy scenes.
July 26, 2013
I haven't expected anything from this series since I found Skin Game was very boring. This couple is perfect for each other. I like this 'Foster' guy and his magical power. Though some part of this book was quite strange, I enjoyed reading this book. The relationship between Gillie and Taye is the one of the most thing I'm looking forward for this 'SKIN' series.
July 26, 2010
I like the relationship in this book where the heroine has to make the hero understand that he is capable of emotion. Still, he isn't able to admit love until he believes she is gone from his life. Tortured hero, a strong woman who is highly intelligent. Excellent plot, well executed.
I look forward to the third in the trilogy.
I look forward to the third in the trilogy.
June 3, 2010
So far, this book is so hot, I think it is going to singe my fingerprints off. All I can say is....WOW! I would give it 6 stars if I could. I wasn't sure that AG could make me like the hero, but she did. I was in love with him as much as the heroine was by the time the book was over.
July 17, 2010
Loved it. Waiting for book 3 in the series.
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