Review: The Assassin and the Billionaire
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 15, 2013
Move over Bond, there's a sexy new assassin in town and she's armed with a bejeweled poison-filled afro-pick! Welcome to the hyperfast world of supermodel and assassin Vries St. John, lethal member of the Pussycat Death Squad.I have been fiending for this book since the author unveiled the cover in the forum The Sweetest Taboo. It has such a comic book/graphic novel feel which matches the hot, nonstop action of the story. Best of all, Vries has NATURAL HAIR. She's got a crowning glory afro and she rocks it for all it's worth. It is so nice to read about a black heroine who doesn't possess "silky flowing locks" usually courtesy of some poor woman from a Third World country.I bought this book last night, finished it at three in the morning and all I can say is, what a rush, just wish it were longer because I really enjoyed the back and forth between these two alpha characters. Speeaking of which, Ms. Holcomb knows how to write a well-rounded alpha male who doesn't make me want to kick him in the balls. Yes Leo Azkhikelyamov is fabulously wealthy, extremely virile, and rugged Russian male all the way, but he's also not overbearing and obnoxious. Leo doesn't think he's entitled to women because he's got lots of moolah and mad sex skills. And, unlike a lot of so-called alpha males, he's got a sense of humor and respects Vries' strength. Unfortunately, he's also a walking target since he's planning to testify against corruption in the Russian government. Hence, Vries is given the assignment to protect him, without him knowing it of course. Just one problem: Leo has been lusting after Vries for a long time. Oh and she works for his ex-wife Pasha's fashion house.Vries is awesome. Just superbad superheroine sexy awesome with a cherry on top. This is a woman who can kiss you then kill you without batting an eyelash or messing up her lipstick. In short, she's one bad chick who does her job and does it well. She has been lusting over the hunky Russian for just as long, but duty and desire make for strange bedfellows. While saving his life, desire wins out big time. Can I say scorching? Can I say have a fan ready?Ms. Holcomb doesn't shrift on the peripheral characters either, amazing given how short the novel is. I loved Vries' compadre Deringer (aka Dare) and Pasha, Leo's glamorous ex-wife. Even though they appeared in a few scenes, they were fully rendered. I also love how evenly matched Vries and Leo were. I love characters in which the hero and heroine are equally powerful. Makes for an explosive dynamic.If I have one complaint, 106 pages was not long enough. I was so into this book and hated for it to end. I hope Ms. Holcomb brings Vries and Leo back soon.