Wow, that’s a pretty big statement to make, isn’t it? But if it’s true, it’s true. Ms. Castle took her characte~ ~ ~
THE BEST BOOK I’VE READ ALL YEAR!
Wow, that’s a pretty big statement to make, isn’t it? But if it’s true, it’s true. Ms. Castle took her characters and her storyline from Chance AssassinMy Review Here, made them more damaged, more fragmented, more cracked, and then she doused them with even more of the peculiar and hilarious depravity that she alone can dispense. Every page, every line, was pure entertainment.
Frank � Poor, beautiful, guilty and sometimes clueless Frank. It’s all on his back. Everything. Maybe if he’d get V on his back everything would be better already.
Because the guilt he felt was never over killing. It was the lack of it, the remorselessness, which spoke of true evil.
Vincent (V) � The most spoiled, conceited, outrageous brat in M/M fiction, and he deserves every damned spanking he asks for.
That was what made Vincent so perfect. His raison d’être. He was feminine to the point of being non-threatening, and masculine enough to prove Frank was homosexual after all. Not to mention obscenely beautiful.
Casey � Innocence incarnate. Beautiful, sweet, gifted. Throughout the book I wanted to protect him from anything dangerous or obscene, but he’s surrounded by it constantly. In book 1 I may have thought Casey simple. Here he’s alive, bright and fantastic!
He was a mere boy with a crush. Hardly even handsome, with his silly long hair. He was androgynous the way models had become, with an interesting more than attractive face, and a thin sexless body. And he was an artist for fuck’s sakes. He probably didn’t even have a criminal record.
Bella � Barely five feet tall, bitchy, deadly and so damned funny I couldn’t help but fall in love with her. It takes a lot for me to fall for a female character these days, but I’d be Bella’s bitch any day. She’d cut me though. But who cares, ‘cus she’d wrap me in mink, kiss my head and then kick me.
She applied lipstick as she walked, her Manolo Blahnik stiletto boots leaving holes in the snow like stab wounds.
THE STORY
“Vincent thinks we should kill all five of them. He’s bored.� Frank was also bored, but unlike Vincent, he had chosen retirement. And that decision, along with the reasons behind it, continued to put a strain on their relationship.
Full of snappy, self-aware immorality.
Frank and Vincent have retired to the French countryside to live out their days as normal citizens. Aww, can you hear the birds singing in the trees and the dogs wagging their tales? Well, you could if it weren’t for Vincent shooting at raw meat nailed to the trees to stay in shape. Fortunately for us they aren’t normal, at all, and retired life won’t suit them for long.
Casey, Frank’s brother, his mother and stepdad have come to visit and�.well never mind because that doesn’t matter at all. What does matter is that Casey meets the most debauched and coutur'd female in existence. Enter Bella, Frank’s sister, dripping from head to toe in Versace and weapons, she is the rudest, foulest, meanest, most wonderful character I’ve had the pleasure of falling for. Yep, you heard me, I fell for the female lead. Even more impossible is the dubious and unique pairing of Casey and Bella. For one minute I thought this het-couple might steal the show and I was worried because this is MY gay romance dammit.
OH Yeah. There is a huge, twisted mystery packed with murder, assassins, blood, death, sex and intrigue. In fact there’s so much going on in this story from every angle that it’s going to work your head. Most of this book reads like the exciting ending of other books. The energy and wit run throughout. Bring your thinking cap, ‘cus Ms. Castle is going to throw a lot your way.
THE WRITING
First off you need to know that this book is written with alternating POV’S which differs from Chance Assassin’s first person, present tense writing. This matters because it isn’t just Vincent’s thoughts that we need to see in this book. For me, it didn’t matter whether we were in V’s, Frank’s, Casey’s or Bella’s head, it was all great and I just wanted more of each one, unlike when an author slips you into a POV that you just don’t care about.
Secondly, and maybe more importantly, is how much this author has improved her writing. It’s miles beyond her work in the first book. Her already colorful characters are not only instantly memorable, but they’re also more endearing. Endearing assassins you say? Yes. I do say.
Lastly, I’m putting Nicole Castle on my quirky authors pedestal with my favorites, Douglas Adams and Jasper Fforde. Her creation of outlandish assassins tearing at your heartstrings deserves no less.
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I would like to thank Nicole Castle for providing me with an ARC/Review Copy in exchange for my honest review.
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Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog: ...more
A Sexy, Fully Developed Romance with Angst, Wealth and Spanking Good Writing!
I love Tibby Armstrong, her writing, her characters and her. I was c~ ~ ~
A Sexy, Fully Developed Romance with Angst, Wealth and Spanking Good Writing!
I love Tibby Armstrong, her writing, her characters and her. I was challenged to a buddy read by Deirdre, who knows damn good and well that I rarely read hetero-romance these days. But, since we have both highly enjoyed Tibby's MM Hollywood Series No Apologies how could I say no? Was it a mistake to veer off into het-landia? Absolutely not.
From the lightening quick beginning I was immersed into New York's elite and dazzling high finance fundraising scene. Enter Peter Wells the Billionaire Bachelor who wants no commitments, but all the control. I found him to be the perfect scoundrel, even to the degree of honestly hating him...for a while.
At the same soiree journalist Georgia Whitcomb glimpses Peter in a very compromising position (well, actually his paid escort is in "the" position). Georgia dedicates her next column to Peter and all hell breaks loose. And the fun ensues.
Peter is running an empire to gain control over his life and Georgia is just running away. However, she finds herself under Peter's control and in his lap and we get to live in the lap of luxury.
Across the room, all eyes were on them. Sounds of work had stopped entirely. [...]Peter shifted his attention over his shoulder to his employees, and everyone scattered like he'd pulled a pin on a grenade and thrown it into their midst. As they went back to their foxholes, he returned his focus to Georgia. "That's two." He held up two fingers. "Three's my limit."
Georgia is no dwindling wall-flower though. She's strong willed, mouthy and an able adversary to Peter's swift, decisive actions. It's really the threat of a spanking that does her in though. I mean what nice, aristocratic girl could argue against that, right? And boy, oh boy, does this playboy know how to deliver.
From high rise elegance to working class warmth this story wound it's way into my heart. And from kitchen, to shower, to boathouse to palace the sex-fest that these two enjoy wound it's way into my...uh... Well, let me put it this way, Tibby Armstrong can write one hell of an erotic scene.
Honestly though, there are two sides to this book. The fun escapades and the deep rooted issues that both MC's have to work through to find their happiness. Tibby makes them work for it and when they reach their "ah ha" moments you do too.
As a bonus: I absolutely adored Sid and hope to see more of him and his new boyfriend. I think they need a nice short to let me know they're alright. ...more
Lisa Arbitrary - AttentionIsArbitrary M/M Blog
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