Review: Behind The Hands That Kill by J.A. Redmerski

Behind The Hands That Kill by J.A. Redmerski

Series: In The Company Of Killers #6

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: J.A. Redmerski on May 6, 2016

Format: Kindle

Pages: 204

Source: Bought

Amazon / Goodreads

Even professional killers need vacations, but for Victor Faust, his vacation in Venezuela is about more than relaxation and time alone with Izabel Seyfried. It is a chance for him to come clean to Izabel: to tell her the truth about why he sent her to Italy with his brother, the truth behind his interest in Nora Kessler, and about his knowledge of Izabel’s child with her former captor. But before Victor can spill his soul, reality proves that for some killers, vacations are just pipe-dreams.

Attacked and kidnapped, Izabel finds herself stuffed in a suitcase, while Victor later wakes up imprisoned in a cage. In any other situation, Victor would find a way out and save himself and the woman he loves—but not this time. When the identities of their kidnappers are revealed, Victor loses all hope, and begins the mental process of accepting his and Izabel’s last moments together. And Izabel’s final moments of life.

As if his circumstances are not complicated enough, members of Vonnegut’s Order are finally closing in on Victor. And when they do, he comes face-to-face with someone else he once knew and loved, who could either help him, or make a grave situation much worse. Victor’s past has finally caught up with him: the women he has cared for, loved, and killed; the families he has destroyed; the unforgivable crimes he has committed. And now he must face the consequences, and pay the ultimate price for absolution.

But when it is all over, Victor may not have the strength to pick up what is left and move on. Because the event changes him. Because love changed him. And because, unlike before when he thought it is was for the best, he cannot imagine a life without Izabel in it.

Thoughts: I needed to know all about the man Behind The Hands That Kill. I got that and so much more with present to past through out that fit perfectly with the plot. I loved that I got to experience his past instead of being told.

Not only is Victor and Isabel love tested but also my love for his character as well. He has done many bad things I was able to look past but one particular scene I had a hard time with. As a huge fan of In The Company Of Killers I know J.A. Redmerski is not one to hold anything back with her characters. I should of known she could never be that cruel.  I also should of known that not everything is what it seems to be when it comes to Victor. He always has a reason for his doings. Thankfully the scene I had a hard time with was handled. Because right along with Izabel I would of not been able to look past that.

 

I had a serious girl crush on Izabel. She has come a long way since the beginning of this series. Her character shined and showed some growth that I understand why Victor loves her.

 

There are a some new characters introduce. I am not sure about one of them but the other did catch my attention. There was a lot going on in Behind The Hands That Kill. This does leave different directions this series can go in the future.  Best read in order.

Rating: 4 Stars - Loved It

Series Order / Rating
#1 - Killing Sarai - 4
#2 - Reviving Izabel - 4
#3 - The Swan & The Jackal - 5
#4 - Seeds Of Iniquity - 5
#5 - The Black Wolf - 3

Review: The Black Wolf by J.A. Redmerski

Rating: 3 Stars - Liked It

The Black Wolf by J.A. Redmerski

Series: In The Company Of Killers #5

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: J.A. Redmerski on August 29, 2015

Format: Kindle

Pages: 302

Source: Bought

Amazon / Goodreads

Since devastating secrets were uncovered by Nora Kessler, Niklas Fleischer and Victor Faust have been divided as business partners and brothers. But ultimately Niklas is persuaded to lead a mission to Italy, and he sees it as an opportunity to set in motion forgiveness—or retribution—for his brother’s betrayal.

The mission: play the role of a wealthy German investor and kidnap a beautiful, notorious madam named Francesca Moretti. No stranger to these types of roles, Niklas is the best man for the job, but this time the risks will be much greater as he will not be doing it alone. Izabel Seyfried, still fresh out of a life of imprisonment and sex slavery, could be negatively affected by the things she will see in Moretti’s mansion, and Niklas must keep her in line so she does not blow their cover and get them killed.

But Niklas isn’t the only one who must play a role—Nora takes on the humiliating task of playing Niklas’s slave, and Izabel must play the role of his lover.

On one hand, Niklas couldn’t be enjoying himself more. On the other hand, the emotions that continue to rage inside of him may be too much for him to control, and it may be Niklas—not Izabel—who needs to be kept in line. He cannot forget what Victor has done, and this mission may just be the beginning of his downward spiral.

Can the blood bond that Niklas and Victor share as brothers be stronger than resentment? Or will vengeance dig the blade so deep that their bond be eternally severed?

Thoughts: Love this series and  Niklas was a character that was slowly growing on me through out. He really caught my interest in Seeds Of Iniquity #3. I really want to get to know more about him than what I got with his book. The begining started out amazing learning how much he really has always looked up to his brother Victor since they were kids.

The mission started out good in the begining and enjoyed the rolls that they had to play. The plot did go down hill from there for me. For a bunch of bad ass assassins more so Niklas they were dumb. I knew right away who they were looking for it was obvious. I could not grasp how they could not of known. Knowing right away who they were after was a shock for me because J.A. Redmerski is so talented with never knowing what is happening. While on their mission the story just never moved foward. Loved that a few things happened that was not expecting with the characters and of course this is J.A. Redmerski. Who is known to not hold anything back when it fits the plot.

The story did pick up again the last 15%  and was back to being amazing. The Black Wolf was still a good read but it was for me the weakest in the series. As always you never know what kind of read you are going to get In The Company Of The Killers series. My dear Niklas what have you done.

Sweet Temptation: Spiders In The Grove by J.A. Redmerski

 

Sweet Temptation is a feature on Wickedly Delicious Book Blog. That centers around books that have caught my attention. Whether it be a quote, snippet, teaser, excerpt, synopsis or a review.

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers. This meme is hosted by TBQ @ TBQ'S Book Palace

Spiders In The Grove by J.A. Redmerski

Publisher: Author

Series: In The Company Of Killers #7

Genre: Suspense

Goodreads

Izabel and Naeva find themselves right where they wanted to be in Mexico: captured and held in the slave compounds owned by the Ruiz family. But the two are soon separated and forced into very different—but equally dangerous—situations. Izabel spends the next three weeks playing a role she never expected she would get the opportunity to play, but her luck runs out when Naeva’s life hangs in the balance, and only Izabel can save her. But at a terrible cost. If Izabel chooses to help Naeva, it will expose a lie she has been carrying on her shoulders since she met Victor Faust. A lie that will not only potentially make everyone in Victor’s Order distrust her going forward, but one that will also blow her carefully constructed cover In Mexico, and that could get her killed.

Fredrik, still looking for his serial killer, does not have to look long—the killer finds him. And Niklas’s past catches up to him when an old enemy comes back for revenge. But it will be Victor’s actions that shake up those left in his Order, and ultimately, be its downfall.

Thoughts: I am combining My Sweet Temptation Feature and Lusting For Covers Meme from  TBQ @ TBQ'S Book Palace.

I have loved all the covers for this series. They have all portrayed the characters with each of their books and the plot. I like the black and white with some red font.

I am a huge fan of this series and get excited with each new book. I am not one to read Suspense other than the sexy hero Roarke from In Death Series by J.D. Robb. I felt when In The Company Of Killers first came out with Killing Sarai it was more of a Romantic Suspense but by the third book Fredrik story I defiantly seen the turn in the series to more of suspense. I was happy with the way she went with the series.  As J.A. Redmerski states in Fredrik story, this series can be categorized as Crime, Suspense, Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Thriller and sometimes Romanic Suspense. It does have the elements of love and romance but not enough to actually fall into those categories.  That is the best part with each book I never know what I am going to get. J.A. Redmerski is not afraid to shock readers with any crazy twist, that for me have never been over the top, eye rolling ridiculous. She does not throw crazy things in there to just make it a shock factor. No, she is a brilliant writer that all of the  twist and turns have been true to plot. If anything  in some cases if she would of written them different it would of felt off in the plot. Now I am eager for book #7 because the plot has been leading up to this moment for a few books. Can not wait to see how everything plays out.

Review: Seeds Of Iniquity by J.A. Redmerski

Seeds Of Iniquity (In The Company Of Killers #4)

By J.A. Redmerski

 

Synposis

Victor Faust’s new Order is growing. Business is good as there is no rest for the wicked in an underground world of hardcore criminals and contract killing. Relationships among the operatives have changed little over the past year—but things are about to change now, and all six high-ranking members of the new Order will be blindsided by an unlikely enemy.

Loved ones whose only ties to Victor’s organization are their relationships with its members, are abducted. The price to get them back safely—the six must confess their deepest, darkest secret to this mysterious young woman named Nora, who is as deadly as she is beautiful, and who seems to know more about each of them than they know about each other. And although no one has any clue about who Nora really is, it becomes clear that she also isn’t who she appears to be.

So much more is at stake than secrets and the lives of innocent loved ones; with each member that Nora forces to confess, the truth about their dark pasts and their present objectives will cast suspicion, pit some against each other, and may tear others apart.

Before the game is over everyone will know who this woman is and why she is here, but the damage she will leave in her wake could be the beginning of the new Order’s destruction.

Whose dark secret will be the darkest of all? And can Victor’s Order survive any of them?

 

 

 

Rating: 5 Stars - Amazing

Genre: Suspense/Romantic Suspense

Source: Bought

 

J.A. Redmerski story telling is extraordinary.  Once again she wrote an amazing novel that  I was pulled in the beginning and could not put it down.  The twist and turns were once again edge of your seat and of course some  What The Fuck just happened moments. I never knew what direction the book was going. What has been so great about this series is not one book is the same.

Review: The Swan And The Jackal by J.A. Redmerski

The Swan & the Jackal (In the Company of Killers #3)

by J.A. Redmerski

 

Synopsis

This is not a romance in any sense of the word. If that's what you're looking for, don't read it.

Fredrik Gustavsson never considered the possibility of love, or that anyone could ever understand or accept his dark and bloody lifestyle—until he met Seraphina, a woman as vicious and blood-thirsty as Fredrik himself. They spent two short but unforgettable years together, full of lust and killing and the darkest kind of love that two people can share.

And then Seraphina was gone.

It’s been six years since Fredrik’s lover and sadistic partner in crime turned his world upside-down. Seraphina went into hiding and has eluded him ever since. Now, he’s getting closer to finding her, and an innocent woman named Cassia is the key to drawing Seraphina from the shadows. But Cassia—after sustaining injuries from a fire that Seraphina ignited—suffers from amnesia and can’t give Fredrik the information he desperately seeks. Having no other choice, Fredrik has been keeping Cassia locked in his basement as he not only tries to get her to recall her past—because she and Seraphina share it—but also to protect her from Seraphina, who clearly wants her dead.

But Cassia is a light in the darkness that Fredrik never believed existed. After a year subjected to her kindness and compassion, he finds himself struggling with his love for Seraphina, and his growing feelings for Cassia—because he knows that to love one, the other must die.

Will light win out over darkness, or will something more powerful than either further destroy an already tortured soul?

(Note: THE SWAN & THE JACKAL is NOT a New Adult title. It, and all other books in the series are categorized as Suspense/Crime/Thriller.)

Review: Reviving Izabel by J.A. Redmerski

 

Reviving Izabel (In The Company Of Killers #2)
by J.A. Redmerski

Synopsis
Determined to live a dark life in the company of the assassin who freed her from bondage, Sarai sets out on her own to settle a score with an evil sadist. Unskilled and untrained in the art of killing, the events that unfold leave her hanging precariously on the edge of death when nothing goes as planned.

Sarai’s reckless choices send her on a path she knows she can never turn back from and so she presents Victor with an ultimatum: help her become more like him and give her a fighting chance, or she’ll do it alone no matter the consequences. Knowing that Sarai cannot become what she wants to be overnight, Victor begins to train her and inevitably their complicated relationship heats up.

As Arthur Hamburg’s right-hand man, Willem Stephens, closes in on his crusade to destroy Sarai, she is left with the crushing realization that she may have bitten off more than she can chew. But Sarai, taking on the new and improved role of Izabel Seyfried, still has a set of deadly skills of her own that will prove to be all she needs to secure her place beside Victor.

But there is one test that Izabel must face that has the potential to destroy everything she is working so hard to achieve. One final test that will not only make her question her decision to want this dangerous life, but will make her question everything she has come to trust about Victor Faust.

(NA) Review: Killing Sarai by J.A. Redmerski

Killing Sarai (In the Company of Killers #1)

by J.A. Redmerski

Purchase Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble

 

Blurb by Goodreads

 

From the author of the New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling novel, THE EDGE OF NEVER, comes a story of passion and survival… Sarai was only fourteen when her mother uprooted her to live in Mexico with a notorious drug lord. Over time she forgot what it was like to live a normal life, but she never let go of her hope to escape the compound where she has been held for the past nine years.

Victor is a cold-blooded assassin who, like Sarai, has known only death and violence since he was a young boy. When Victor arrives at the compound to collect details and payment for a hit, Sarai sees him as her only opportunity for escape. But things don’t go as planned and instead of finding transport back to Tucson, she finds herself free from one dangerous man and caught in the clutches of another.

While on the run, Victor strays from his primal nature as he succumbs to his conscience and resolves to help Sarai. As they grow closer, he finds himself willing to risk everything to keep her alive; even his relationship with his devoted brother and liaison, Niklas, who now like everyone else wants Sarai dead.

As Victor and Sarai slowly build a trust, the differences between them seem to lessen, and an unlikely attraction intensifies. But Victor’s brutal skills and experience may not be enough in the end to save her, as the power she unknowingly holds over him may ultimately be what gets her killed.

This is their story…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Killing Sarai for me started off a bit slow. I love J.A. Redmerski writing voice but this is the second novel I have read by her that takes a bit for something to happen that "wows" me. In Killing Sarai  when the wow moment hit boy does it hit hard with an edge of your seat, nail biting moment readers do not know what is going to happen next or who to trust.  From there on out it is a hard novel to put down.

 

Sarai has seen and been through a lot in her life that has left her numb to danger.  She is unstable and is good at hiding it from everyone and herself. She is a ticking bomb ready to explode. She is not discipline and is more dangerous than Victor who is a killer.

 

I am crushing on Victor at this moment. I do love those dark heroes and Oh My he is on the darker side. With him you never know if he wants to kill her or fuck her. He has lived a dark lonely life with solitude and death. He is emotional unattached to anyone and anything. He just might have met his match with Sarai.

 

I loved both characters as individuals and adore them more together. They are perfect for each other and can relate to each other considering what have they have been through in their lives. I did fine the sexual tension not as steamy has I have read another novel by J.A. Redmerski but it did fit well with their situation and the plot line. Their intimate time together is hot fan your self and fit well with Victor's dark side.

 

Love the ending, it is not a HEA or jaw dropping cliffhanger but a good way to start the next novel in the series. I do look forward to see what J.A. Redmerski has in store for her fans,

 

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NA Review: The Edge Of Never by J.A. Redmerski

The Edge of Never (The Edge of Never #1)

by J. A. Redmerski

Purchase Links: Amazon  Barnes & Noble

Blurb by Goodreads

Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.

Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.

With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbors his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love.

But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she’d do. He shows her what it’s really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the center of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew’s dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart?

 OMG!!! I am still in shocked on how The Edge Of Never turned out. It starts out for me as a 3 star likable novel and then bang a huge surprise I never saw coming that had me crying like crazy and had me on the edge of my seat. For sure a 4 star - Loved it read.

The beginning is nice and flows smooth, enjoyed the characters but I did feel like it was really not going anywhere with the story. I needed that one moment where I did not see coming and Bam I was hooked til the end.

J.A. Redmerski knows how to write some steamy-cold-shower-needed scenes with a yummy tattoo-alpha male hero. Andrew knows how to bring out Camryn sexy side in and out of the bedroom with his delicious dirty-talking mouth. I look forward to their next journey in The Edge Of Always (The Edge Of Never #2).

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Fallen For Covers: #29 Killing Sarai by J.R. Redmerski (Revised)

 

Fallen For Covers is a Meme hosted on Mondays by Wickedly Delicious Book Blog. This Meme is to show off Young Adult and New Adult covers you have Fallen For. It can be new, old or not release yet. Please only post YA/NA covers. If have an adult cover you will love to show off head on over to TBQ's Book Palace on Sundays and partake in Lusting For Covers Meme. To join Fallen For Covers please follow the linky at bottom of post.

How to join:

• Make a separate post for the Fallen For Covers Meme on your blog.
• Copy the button above or place your own (as long as you link back to Wickedly Delicious Book Blog) on top of your post.
• Pick your Fallen For Covers candidate with a new, old, a reprint or not out yet book. Give a reason for your pick.
• Place your name and blog title in the linky below, as well as the URL for a direct link to the post.
• Visit other blogs on the list and make some new friends.

Killing Sarai (In the Company of Killers #1)

by J.A. Redmerski

 

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From the author of the New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling novel, THE EDGE OF NEVER, comes a story of passion and survival…
Sarai was only fourteen when her mother uprooted her to live in Mexico with a notorious drug lord. Over time she forgot what it was like to live a normal life, but she never let go of her hope to escape the compound where she has been held for the past nine years.

Victor is a cold-blooded assassin who, like Sarai, has known only death and violence since he was a young boy. When Victor arrives at the compound to collect details and payment for a hit, Sarai sees him as her only opportunity for escape. But things don’t go as planned and instead of finding transport back to Tucson, she finds herself free from one dangerous man and caught in the clutches of another.

While on the run, Victor strays from his primal nature as he succumbs to his conscience and resolves to help Sarai. As they grow closer, he finds himself willing to risk everything to keep her alive; even his relationship with his devoted brother and liaison, Niklas, who now like everyone else wants Sarai dead.

As Victor and Sarai slowly build a trust, the differences between them seem to lessen, and an unlikely attraction intensifies. But Victor’s brutal skills and experience may not be enough in the end to save her, as the power she unknowingly holds over him may ultimately be what gets her killed.

This is their story…

Thoughts:
In The Company Of Killers series has gotten a remake and loved the original version and also love the new version. Happy the blood was kept in the cover. The white really stands out. Had to post as my pick for Fallen For Covers as it is well put together and eye catching.

Fallen For Covers: #23 Reviving Izabel by J.A. Redmerski

Fallen For Covers is a Meme hosted on Mondays by Wickedly Delicious Book Blog. This Meme is to show off Young Adult and New Adult covers you have Fallen For. It can be new, old or not release yet. Please only post YA/NA covers. If have an adult cover you will love to show off head on over to TBQ's Book Palace on Sundays and partake in Lusting For Covers Meme. To join Fallen For Covers please follow the linky at bottom of post.

How to join:

• Make a separate post for the Fallen For Covers Meme on your blog.
• Copy the button above or place your own (as long as you link back to Wickedly Delicious Book Blog) on top of your post.
• Pick your Fallen For Covers candidate with a new, old, a reprint or not out yet book. Give a reason for your pick.
• Place your name and blog title in the linky below, as well as the URL for a direct link to the post.
• Visit other blogs on the list and make some new friends.

Reviving Izabel (In the Company of Killers #2)
by J.A. Redmerski

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Determined to live a dark life in the company of the assassin who freed her from bondage, Sarai sets out on her own to settle a score with an evil sadist. Unskilled and untrained in the art of killing, the events that unfold leave her hanging precariously on the edge of death when nothing goes as planned. Victor Faust finds her in time enough to help her, but not in time to save those who Sarai has grown to care about.

After what she has done, Sarai’s fear of leading killers to Mrs. Gregory’s doorstep sends her on a path she knows she can never turn back from. She presents Victor with an ultimatum: help her become more like him and give her a fighting chance, or she’ll do it alone no matter the consequences.

Victor, as cold-blooded and seemingly emotionless as always, still has a soft spot for Sarai and knows that he probably always will. He will not let her die if he can help it, so he inevitably agrees to train her. But what Sarai doesn’t know is that her ultimatum has little bearing on his decision. Victor wants to train her. He wants her in his life. And while he struggles with his feelings for her, their complicated relationship heats up and the walls of his caged emotions begin to chip away.

Knowing that Sarai cannot become what she wants to be overnight, Victor teaches her what he can in what little time they have. As Arthur Hamburg’s right-hand man, Willem Stephens, closes in on his crusade to kill Sarai, Sarai is left with the crushing realization that she may have bitten off more than she can chew. But Sarai, taking on the new and improved role of Izabel Seyfried, still has a set of deadly skills of her own that will prove to be all she needs to secure her place beside Victor.

But there is one test that Izabel must face that has the potential to destroy everything she is working so hard to achieve. One final test that will not only make her question her decision to want this dangerous life, but will make her question everything she has come to trust about Victor Faust.

(This book will be released before the end of 2013!)

Why:
I have yet to read book 1 but loving the covers for this series.

Swoon: The Edge Of Never by J.A. Redmerski

Swoon is a meme featured on Thursdays by YA Bound. From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Oh... my man Andrew sure knows how to tease. Sorry lovelies but I am trying to keep it a bit clean since it is a YA swoon. This scene is the beginning of what got my heart pounding, skin tingling and stomach fluttering. The teasing only gets better with the sexy dominate Andrew. If you have read The Edge Of Never then you know what I am talking about. If have not read it then you are missing out. J.A. Redmerski knows how to write good steamy New Adult scenes. I would love to see how she writes an Adult novel.

My Swoon

 

... kisses me along the jaw again. Every tiny hair along the back of my neck rises when his tongue traces the curvature of my ear. "Do you want me to touch it?" His breath is warm against  the side of my face.

 

"Yes," I gasp.

 

He pins my earlobe between his teeth and his hand starts to slide down my belly, but it stops near my bellybutton.

 

"Tell me that you want me to touch it," he breathes into my ear.

 

 Location 2853 - 49% Kindle

 

 

 

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Sexy Snippet: The Edge Of Never by J.A. Redmerski

Sexy Snippets is a weekly feature hosted by Reading Between The Wines for the 18+ crowd. To join in head on over to Reading Between The Wines just grab the button, Post a sexy paragraph or two from your current read and share the author & title so other participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like. Then add your post to the linky below at Reading Between The Wines so everyone can follow along. Have a sexy good time!

Sexy Snippet #1

 

He pauses, moistening his lips with his tongue and then says, "If you were to let me fuck you, you would have to let me own you."

 

 Sexy Snippet #2

  

He crawls his way on top of me, kissing and licking and biting my skin from my thighs all the way up to my throat and he holds my arms above my head so that I can't grasp him. His wolfish eyes study my mouth and then find my eyes and he says, "I'm going to fuck you so hard... God, you have no fucking idea." His words cut a path of pleasure from my ear all the way down into the throbbing wetness between my legs.  He bites my tongue and then kisses me violently...

 

 

 

Sorry lovelies that is all you get today. Do not want to spoil the outcome for you. I do not know about you, but OMG his words for sure had me throbbing with wetness between my legs.  J.A. Redmerski sure knows how to write  New Adult steamy scenes with a delicious dominant hero, Andrew.

 

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