Review: A new favorite!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 9, 2014
Zachary is an anti-hero. He's a master art thief and forger; very precise, calculating and cold. He is the product of his upbringing, and unapologetic.Serenity was abducted into slavery, and had the extreme misfortune of belonging to Angelo…Zachary's cousin.The meeting that crosses Zachary's path with Serenity's, shows the slave girl to be anything but broken and tamed. Zachary is interested in the girl, and she presents an opportunity for Zachary to take Angelo out of power, so Zachary secures Serenity for himself.I didn't like Zachary much at first…his initial act of sex with Serenity is not very nice…although downright loving compared to Angelo. He devises a plan to keep Serenity, manipulating her into willing obeying him, until the time is right to toss her aside.Serenity is smart, determined, sassy, and just about unbreakable - despite a traumatic childhood, and recent months spent under Angelo's brutality. She doesn't trust Zachary, and she knows he's playing with her.I love how the characters overcome themselves, and each other, unite, and pretty much defeat everything against them. This is my ultimate "Love Conquers All" story, and one of my favorite dangerous criminal heroes. Serenity's intelligence surprised me, as did Zachary's observant deductions. I love that they are both creative, in different ways. There is an element of mystery that wasn't terribly mysterious, and a dose of suspense that was enjoyable.What I didn't like:When Zachary comes clean to Serenity, she instantly forgives him. No animosity, no resentment, just "We're all good."Zachary's plan and execution of the enemy family was totally out of character. The skill-set he exhibited for that attack was totally wrong for a forgery artist/thief.This was a delightful read. A strong, intelligent, yet victimized heroine slowly finds her place with a damaged, manipulative, cold, yet sweet professional criminal, and they beat ridiculous odds to find their HEA.*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*