A beautiful fugitive—wanted dead or alive.
Kyra is a con woman and a particular kind of thief. She steals with a touch, but she only takes one thing: her target’s strongest skill. Which means she can be a fighter, an athlete, a musician, an artist—anything she wants… for a limited time. Heartbroken, she turns her gift toward avenging her father’s murder; with deadly patience, Kyra works her way into casino owner Gerard Serrano’s inner circle. After pulling off the ultimate con, she flees with his money and his pride.
A hit man who never misses the mark.
Reyes has nothing but his work. Pity for Kyra, he’s the best and mercy never sways him once he takes a job. He’s been hired to find out where Kyra hid the cash—and bring her back to face Serrano’s “justice.” Dead will do, if he can’t locate the loot. He’s never failed to complete a contract, but Kyra tempts him with her fierce heat and her outlaw heart. So Reyes has a hell of a choice: forsake his word or kill the woman he might love.
Skin Game – Ava Gray
November 3, 2009
Paranormal Romance
320 pages, paperback
Berkley
I won the book in a contest sponsored by the author
Sexy.
This is the sexiest book I have read this year. From the first line, “Kyra held the guy’s balls in the palm of her hand. Literally.” I was hooked. Ava Gray, aka Ann Aguirre, has written a book that blends romance and action into the sexiest thing out there.
Kyra is a con artist that can steal people’s best abilities. Take the first quote from above for example. She is at a bar playing pool and not doing well, and that is not a lie, she truly sucks at pool. However, she walks by the man who is beating her with his excellent pool skills and flirtatiously fondles him. At contact, his best ability, which happens to be playing pool, transfers to her, leaving him sluggish and absolutely no good at pool whatsoever. Kyra never knows how long this boost of ability will last, so she finishes the job quickly, takes her money and leaves.
She is being watched though. Reyes is one of the best hit men around and it has taken him months to find her. Kyra lives a very quiet solitary life, not leaving much of a trail. He has been hired by Gerard Serrano, Kyra’s last con job. She not only took money but left Serrano humiliated. Serrano is no one to play around with though. He is a casino owner, powerful and brutal. When someone makes him angry, he kills to teach a lesson and he has taught many lessons His chief of security, Addison Foster is his go-to man. Foster hires Reyes to take out Kyra, but first he must learn where she stashed Serrano’s money.
Reyes worms his way into her car for a ride, and their attraction is immediate. Kyra is very used to being alone in this world because she doesn’t care to touch people. She never knows what kind of gift will be transferred to her. Sometimes it is fun – like the ability to sing. Sometimes it is horrifying, like the ability to rape someone. After the ability leaves her, she is left depleted with a migraine. She finds it easier, to keep everyone away, using her gift only for work, never for play.
But she soon discovers she can’t keep her hands off of Reyes. Their romance scenes are so hot. Kyra likes to have control and Reyes is a total alpha male. Put them together in bed and:
“Don’t make love,” she managed to say. “Just Fuck.”In answer, he licked a slow circle around her nipple.“You’re not in charge, Kyra. Try to tell me what to do again, and I’ll stop. If you want to be completely in control, you should do it yourself.”“Bastard. Maybe I will.” She reached between them, curled her fingers around his cock, and squeezed. “Who’s in charge now?”
And oh, it gets better…much better, but I had better stop before I need to break the fans out.
Reyes starts to feel conflicted – his job is to find the money and kill this girl, he has a reputation to uphold. Kyra does something to him – he finds himself caring a great deal for her. He has never once failed on a contract though, and the briefing he received on Kyra from Addison paints her as a viscous and cruel woman.
Kyra has one friend in life, Mia and that is who she is off to find. She knows Mia can help get the money she stole from Serrano to a safe location. Still oblivious to Reyes’ real reasons for hanging around, Kyra decides Reyes might be a good partner to have pulling off small cons until she can find Mia and figure out her future. Reyes finds he has more than just the motivation to finish the job from Foster. He cares for her, and Kyra starts to notice it to.
Kyra remembered how Rey had walked more than a mile, carrying heavy groceries, just to feed her. Nobody had ever done anything like that for her. Until he did it, she hadn’t even known she’d like it. And now, damn him, she found herself searching for hidden meanings in his small kindnesses.
So starts Reyes and Kyra’s journey. They both have secrets, they both have issues in the past which haunt them today, and they both have trouble remembering why they shouldn’t be together.
Skin Game gives you two very strong lead characters. Kyra and Reyes are both dominant, and both stubborn. Although they often clash, but it is the little times when one of them gives in that brings in the sweet romance.
Not only are Reyes and Kyra great characters but Addison Foster, Serrano’s head of security is very intriguing. Throughout the book you can’t quite categorize him. Obviously Serrano is crooked and evil and slimy. Foster though – he is tricky. He is one of those super intelligent people that gives you the willies – but in a good way. Everything he does has a slight creepy feel, but at the same time you know deep down he may have issues but you want to like him. He is complex – My first reaction was that he has an evil vibe to him, but now I think he is just confused and has some major things he needs to work out in his life. He is the kind of person if you spend five minutes with him, he would give you the chills but you can’t pinpoint why you feel that way. I can’t figure him out- and I like it.
The world in this book is not complex in the paranormal sense – at this point we really only see Kyra as the only one with a paranormal power although I am sure we will discover more as the series progresses. This book is really more geared towards romance than the paranormal aspect but I like that the supernatural world takes a backseat to the romance.
The only thing that I question is at one point, Kyra’s ability is neutralized and the question of why and how kind of hangs in the air. I was waiting for a big explanation and I don’t think there ever was one. Maybe the reader is just to assume this is a natural progression for Kyra?
I think Ava Gray, really puts this book out there. She doesn’t hold back on the sex or the violence. I will say it again – the sex scenes are there – in full detail, smoldering hot and fierce. Neither Reyes nor Kyra like to give up control and it really plays well in the bedroom. Ava Gray also doesn’t back down on the violence, and it works for this book. The romance is so intense, I think the action had to be on the same level – and she definitely delivers it.
Ok, here it comes – are you ready – you must read this book. For all lovers of paranormal romance – this is the book that makes it so much fun to read. I enjoyed it so much, I emailed Ann after I read it and asked if we could do a little interview. Come back a little later today for the interview and a chance to win this book!
Rating: Five stars
Other Reviews:
Leontine’s Book Realm 4 stars
Romance Novel TV 4.75 stars
This series includes:
Skin Game – Click HERE to read first chapter
Skin Tight – June 2010
Skin Privileges – January 2011
Skin Dive – June 2011
Ava Gray’s website
You've hooked me. I'm going to make a trip to the bookstore this weekend JUST for this book. Awesome review!!
It doesn't come out until 11/3 – so don't look for it yet! :) But this is a must read! :)
Well I'd already planned to get the book, but your take on it makes me really impatient now! Fabulous review :) I'm so looking forward to it!
Good thing Stacy – otherwise I would pimp this book to death to you! :)
Hi Mandy,
Oh, oh, those two in bed, I would have to read it to get it. Both sure wants control.
I will be back later today :)
What a great review! Thank you.
As for the explanation, well, I know the answer, but there was no way for Kyra to find out what I know without it being really meta: author breaks character to provide further information. Basically, you know how some people can build up tolerance to a snake bite if they´re exposed repeatedly to the venom and others never will? It´s basically that simple. Reyes is among those who could develop tolerance and eventually immunity to her gift. It´s genetic and he´s the only one she´s met so far, but not the only one in the world, of course. It´s just not common, like red hair, or webbed toes.
Hope you enjoy SKIN TIGHT when the time comes to read about Foster.
OMG… Okay… I have to get this book now!!! Looking for something to write this down with… Okay… scribbling on paper.. Whew… Okay. Now must go search for it! As soon as I find my debit card… Hope you are having a great day honey…!!!
Wow, this sounds SO different from Aguirre's usual writing. She can write anything!! The sex is something I am not used to seeing so much of in the space opera and UF from this author. It's there, but not like Skin Game I suspect. Foster sounds interesting. Does he get his own book after Skin Game?
I loved Reyes and Kyra together, verbally, physically and they really claim and own the story. Loved reading your review and take on Skin Game!!
This is the second great review(Leontine's the other) for this book. Must put on list.
Reyes and Kyra were so sexy together. And I believe they are both alphas who can give and take and won't put up with each other's crap.
Steam coming off the pavement is what Skin Game is.
Blodeuedd – Yes they are quite smexy in bed.
Ann – Aha..that makes sense:) And yes..soooo looking forward to Skin Tight!
Cecile – as you would say – this is hussy approved material :)
Janicu – This is definitely PNR! And yes, Foster's book is next…he is the best character!
Leontine – Reyes and Kyra were great together!!
elaing8 – Leontine definitely has a great review!
KB – Lots of sizzle ;)
Not available until 11/3?? Oh no, I missed the date listed. Now you got me worked up to read it and I have to wait almost 2 wks to get it. Talk about cruelty!
Tabitha – I'm so mean…I know! You have two weeks of anticipation. Gives you plenty of time to preorder…LOL.
Great review Mandi! This was an awesome book.
I wondered about the history Kyra's ability though. Why was her father so accepting of it? I don't think he had that ability but did someone else in her family have it? I would really like to know more info. Will we get the deets in Skin Tight? Or, is this the last we hear of Kyra and Reyes? I gotta know!
FV – Very good questions…I wish I had thought of them..LOL. My guess is that we have seen Kyra and Reyes…the way it ends just seems final. But since Mia is in the next book, maybe Kyra will make an appearance. It sounds like from what Ann said above, Reyes being immune is genetic, so maybe what Kyra has is too…Is it June yet? :)
Great review – I'll be at the bookstore 11/3 demanding to know where my copy is!
Great review!
Please count me in.
cindyc725 at gmail dot com
I love this review – Reyes sounds like someone I am destined to love..
Can't wait for the release..
E.H>
I'm so ready for a sizzling, sexy read right now, Skin Game looks perfect. Great review!
Skin Game is available at Borders bookstores now. I saw it at several different locations in PA.