Skin Game (Skin, #1) in Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group

Mar 16, 2010 Jess the Romanceaholic rated it it was amazing

Shelves: secret-identity, on-the-run, revenge-plot, kidnapped, 2010-read, assassin-mercenary-or-bounty-hunter, paranormal-romance, contemporary, favorite-heroines, favorite-heroes

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Seeing as how much I adored Grimspace, it really came as no surprise that I'd be head over heels for this book as well.

It had everything I desire in contemporary romantic-suspense novels:

A not so innocent heroine who is being pursued by...

An assassin (with standards) who has been hired to kill her by...

An evil (or is he really?) villain out for revenge on aforementioned not-so-innocent heroine because she publicly embarrassed him as part of her own revenge plot.

Throw in the agendas of other cha Seeing as how much I adored Grimspace, it really came as no surprise that I'd be head over heels for this book as well.

It had everything I desire in contemporary romantic-suspense novels:

A not so innocent heroine who is being pursued by...

An assassin (with standards) who has been hired to kill her by...

An evil (or is he really?) villain out for revenge on aforementioned not-so-innocent heroine because she publicly embarrassed him as part of her own revenge plot.

Throw in the agendas of other characters throughout the story, a pinch of hot, rough sex, and a dash of paranormal ability on the part of our heroine, and you've got the makings of a deliciously complex and compelling novel.

I was actually hesitant to mark this one as a PNR, simply because it didn't have the "whole world" of paranormality -- as far as Kyra and the reader know, she's the only one of her kind, rather than a part of an entire underground group of psychics or mages or shifters or any other group that typically goes hand in hand with the PNR genre.

While the paranormal aspects definitely added to the story and were key to moving the plot along, I think I would have enjoyed it even without them, which is saying something since I'm not typically one for straight up contemporary romances. The relationship between Reyes and Kyra was simply fantastic to follow. They were both working with trust issues (for good reason obviously!) and the pacing felt perfect for their relationship -- any faster and it wouldn't have been believable, but any slower and the readers would start getting impatient.

There were only a couple bits that kept it from getting a solid five stars, and that's due to my own hangups as a reader rather than any defect in the writing. Having Kyra actually kill people felt wrong to me. Sure, she's no angel, and that fact was established literally from page one onward... She's a con artist, and she was out for revenge, but it didn't seem to fit into her character, at least not the second time. The first time could be attributed to the "power" she'd stolen just prior, rather than an ingrained part of her personality. I suppose that the second time could just illustrate an evolution of her character, but tt just took me aback for a moment. Then again, that's part of what I like about Ann Aguirre/Ava Gray's writing -- she certainly manages to constantly keep me on my toes.

I'm really looking forward to Skin Tight, due out this summer.

4.75 Stars ...more

Like · see review

Jul 11, 2010 Zoe rated it it was amazing

Reyes is my boyfriend.

1 like · Like · see review

May 14, 2010 Yulia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paranormal-romance, fantasy, suspense

If I get a bad grade on the literature finals this is what I have to blame that on! A day before the exam and what do I do? Read 3/4 of this book and sleep. Good thing that the material was ingrained into my brain on brain wash level. ~I was still reading even a hour and a half before the exam -_-;; I true addict to book and drama series~

It was a nice book, the romance\ero parts well written, and I like the hero-assassin. Also it was nice that even though it paranormal it didn't go on about soul ...more

Like · see review

May 07, 2010 Mollie *scoutrmom* rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2010, suspense, romance

Great characters, fascinating premise, action fast-paced. The paranormal aspect is minor and does not overly influence the plot. I liked that at the end a decision they are making jointly is left unresolved.

1 like · Like · see review

May 09, 2010 Mrs. Badass rated it really liked it

This was a cool book. A bit dark and dirty. Just the way I like it. Neither the Hero or Heroine were goody goody, both were on the other side of the law, one being a con artist, the other an assasin. Easy to follow plot, nothing too crazy or intricate, but it was interesting enough to hold my attention. This was a short book, and a quick and easy read. More a romance thriller.

1 like · Like · see review