After witnessing a mob hit, surgeon Jack Francisco is put into protective custody to keep him safe until he can testify. A hitman known only as D is blackmailed into killing Jack, but when he tracks him down, his weary conscience won’t allow him to murder an innocent man. Finding in each other an unlikely ally, Jack and D are soon on the run from shadowy enemies.
Forced to work together to survive, the two men forge a bond that ripens into unexpected passion. Jack sees the wounded soul beneath D’s cold, detached exterior, and D finds in Jack the person who can help him reclaim the man he once was. As the day of Jack’s testimony approaches, he and D find themselves not only fighting for their lives… but also fighting for their future. A future together.
Why I bought it:
How could I, a self-confessed lover of anti-heroes, not buy a book that featured a hitman as one of the main protags??
Dislike/like (ending on a high note):
But first~ Jen reviewed this at her blog and at Wave’s blog. I recommend you also read these reviews and the subsequent discussion if you are interested in this book. The below are my main dislikes and likes and don’t take into account the comments there. This is entirely Kris unplugged. 🙂
Dislike~ To epilogue or not to epilogue. That is the question. This is one of those books where I could have happily done away with the epilogue. I didn’t love it and I didn’t hate it. It didn’t wreck the HFN for me, but it did make me scratch my head and say ‘hmmm’. Once I came to the end of the epilogue I assumed it must be associated with the lead up to a sequel; thinking about it now makes me wonder whether I felt like it was more of a prologue or a first chapter of a new book. Something to ponder. Being totally honest, however, I still would have preferred that it was not included because I was more than happy with the HFN ending.
Like~ This is a thriller/mystery with plenty of action and twists to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Some may think this will mean that the ‘busy-ness’ of the story hides crap writing, a superficial plot and wooden characters. Well, my virtual friends, you couldn’t be more wrong! Everything about this book is well developed. A veritable feast, in fact. 😉
Dislike~ The lead up to the HFN seemed to drag a bit too much for me, which I think was a lot to do with my impatience as much as anything else. LOL. What I do think the time lag successfully achieved was the settling back into a ‘normal’ life for Jack in which he could assess his feelings and commitment to D without the intensity of the ‘on the run’ situation. It made the HFN, when it did come, all the more convincing and poignant. I also think this was one of the reasons why I could have easily done without the epilogue; that is, because the lead up to the end seemed so drawn out.
Like~ D is a truly awesome anti-hero and everyone who loves this type of character should read this book! That is all.
So, what I think:
This is a terrific read with a great story and fabulous characters. I was VERY pleased to find out that a sequel is planned.
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Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 
On my TBR list. 🙂 I like a good mystery/thriller.
Tis very good, Tam. I reckon you’ll really like this one. Terrific characters and D… *sigh*
It’s on its way from the BD. 🙂 Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the taster Kris.
Welcome! Let me know what you think once you’ve finished it, Lesley. I’ll be interested to know. 🙂
I think I’ve said all there is to day about this book (and the effing epilogue) ;).It’s great to get your views on it too, Kris.
Ya think, Jen. LOL.I knew you were just dying to know what I thought of it. 😉
I finished Zero at the bone yesterday… and I loved it. :)After having read Jenre’s review I decided to skip the epilogue, which I will probably read some time in the future thinking of it as a prelude to the next book. I’m extremely satisfied with the end of chapter 30. 🙂 I agree that the end is dragged, but it was necessary IMO. As you said it was a way to let us see that Jack’s commitment to D was real and not a psychological response to an ecceptional situation. Now I believe that they as a couple will last, even if they will face more troubles in the future (I mean, if there’s a sequel planned something has to happen ;).
Terrific characters and D… *sigh*Kris, you are sooo not helping my TBR list. it is growing exponetially!
Exactly, Jitterbug! Ending it that way with Jack going on with his life succeeded in making the ending very convincing.I have to say I’m in awe of your willpower. When I saw Jen’s recommendation I thought to myself that there is no way I could not read the epilogue. Kudos to you. 🙂
Gee, Orannia. I’m, umm, sorry???MWAHAHAHA!
I’m debating when I read this whether I will read the epilogue. I’m kind of like Kris in that when Jen said “don’t read this” I just wanted to open the book JUST to read that. Its human nature to look at what we’ve just been told not to. LOL So we’ll see how I feel when I get to the HFN/HEA. If it seems like the beginning of a sequel though I don’t mind that. I’ve read books where the first chapter of the next book is in the back and it doesn’t bother me to read it. So we’ll have to see how strong my willpower is.
Go you! Should the willpower fail however, I think your approach of thinking of it as an excerpt for the next book is a good one, Tam.