"When good and evil collide what will happen?"
Reviewed by Laurie Simpson
Posted March 29, 2015
Romance Paranormal | Fantasy Urban
Katie is an ex-con. A thief....but like Robin Hood she only takes from the wolves in sheep's clothing to give back to those in need, those who need protection from the wolves. She will stop at nothing to protect those she loves. She did not count on being witness to the forced supernatural suicide of said wolf and certainly had no desire to be a witness since she couldn't exactly explain her reason for being there in the first place. The Bound Ones are her only option. Half angel assassin warriors banded together to protect the innocent from the dark, evil paranormal forces with no regard for human life. Cain's loyalty is to his family only. His protection is for his adopted brothers and fallen angel father. Enter Katie, a pain from the start, turning his world upside down. Katie reluctantly meets with the Nephilim and to her surprise sees the face of the man responsible for the death! Cain can only come to the realization that his twin brother Abel who died...is alive and out for revenge. The two must not only come together to battle Abel and his "Renegades" but for trust and ultimately their hearts. ANGEL KIN is a mythological journey where good and evil collide and an even greater evil is coming. Tricia Skinner creates an extraordinary urban fantasy world of where blood is not always thicker than water. Loyalty and love are always at the forefront even in a paranormal world. The Bound Ones have only started and I can't wait to see what Tricia Skinner has in store for the rest of our heroes.....and maybe a villain or two that I may or may not secretly be rooting for! SUMMARYWhile channeling Robin Hood's "steal from the rich and
give
to the poor" attitude at a local politician's house, ex-
con
Katie Logan witnesses a forced suicide. Dirty or not,
supernatural or not, he didn't deserve to die, especially
not by his own hand. But with her record, stepping
forward
as a witness isn't an option. On the run from the police
and
the murderer, she turns to The Bound Ones for help.
When a beautiful woman comes to The Bound Ones, half-
angel
assassin Cain is immediately drawn to her. But when she
fingers him as the killer, he can come to only one
conclusion. The twin he thought was dead is very much
alive...and trying to send him a message. Unfortunately,
that message is: "You're next."
It's a race against time as Cain fights to save the woman
he's falling in love with before his brother Abel
destroys
them both.
EXCERPTKatie gawked at the OPEN sign flashing above the motel
office. A light drizzle pelted her skin, but she was too
dumbstruck to care.
The parking lot was half-empty, which was probably why
Cain had chosen this hole-in-the-wall instead of a
respectable place. The Quick Stop Inn on Harper Avenue
exuded a grimy, smelly, no-tell vibe. The type of
establishment frequented by down-on-their-luck gamblers
and now, a Nephilim assassin and an ex-burglar on the
run.
โSeriously?โ She turned pleading eyes on her protector.
This was not the rescue sheโd imagined. Her idea had them
pulling a James Bond ร la Casino Royaleโor staying in
three-star accommodations at worst. The Quick Stop would
only earn a star if it stole one. โI wouldnโt let a stray
cat stay here.โ
โItโs only temporary,โ Cain said without a hint of humor.
One eyebrow rose and he stared at her. Thatโs all. Just
stared.
Damn his half-angel and half-human genes.
Cain had good looks to spare, which thousands, or maybe
millions, of TV viewers had probably seen by now. After
one last glare at her budget-conscious bodyguard, she
slammed the car door and stomped away from the side
street where heโd parked.
A bulletproof glass as thick as her thumb separated her
from the plump clerk on the other side. She cleared her
throat to draw his attention from his magazine, but the
guy didnโt look up.
โBy state law, I gotta tell ya no alcohol or drugs
allowed on the property.โ
A security camera in the corner caught her attention. She
bowed her head and flipped the collar of her jacket.
โForty for two hours,โ the bored clerk told her.
Embarrassment lit a trail of heat from her chest to her
hairline; the jackass probably thought she was a hooker,
or having an affair. Why else would any woman be in a
place like this? The money Cain had given her bulged her
pocket. She withdrew enough for several hours in Motel
Hell and shoved it into the drawer. A few seconds later,
a single key clanked on the bottom of the drawer before
he pushed it toward her.
โPhone calls are extra and gotta be paid when ya return
the key.โ The guy flipped a page, conversation over.
She marched away in search of Room 13. Tucked at the far
end of the lot, Katie didnโt turn to check if Cain had
followed. He would. She fumbled with the lock until the
door opened.
โThis is so uncool.โ
Posters of forest landscapes were thumbtacked to the walls of the motel room. The lone bed
had a folded, fuzzy, green blanket, but the white sheet
spread across the mattress had a bright bleached look.
The bed appeared better than expected, thank God.
Katie closed the door but kept it unlocked. The stench of
mold tickled her nose. Crossing the threadbare brown
carpet, she followed the smell to the bathroom where she
flipped on the light. The lime-green interior would be
right at home in a slasher flick. Chipped tiles along the
shower and sink, rust stains around the drains, and a
plunger next to the toilet.
โCharming.โ
โHere,โ Cain said from behind her.
She spun and caught the bundle heโd tossed. โWhat? HAZMAT
suits too expensive?โ
โThe sheets look clean. My blanketโs enough.โ
Katie warily eyed the bundle. โI should have updated my
shots, just in case.โ
Cain laughed, a sexy burr of amusement that tingled her
toes and completely caught her off guard. She took in his
masculine profile and reality sank inโthey were supposed
to share the room. Her previously calm breathing hitched
in her throat.
โWhatโs wrong?โ Cain crossed the short distance and
grasped her shoulder.
โSo, how long are we, uh, staying here?โ
Gleaming eyes fastened on her. โEager to be rid of me?โ
Her mouth plopped open. And damn her blood for choosing
that moment to rush to her face in a hot flash. Cain
moved closer, just enough that his scent wafted tendrils
around her. It would be easy to toss the blanket and
launch into his arms.
โGet some rest.โ He tugged the bundle from her and walked
to the bed. โYou look like you need it.โ
The moment theyโd shared poofed. She rubbed the shoulder
heโd touched. If he could act like this was another day
on the job, then she could drop a filter over her
hormones.
First, Cain checked the roomโs double window and the
flimsy front door, then threw the motel blanket on the
brown carpet. He smoothed his hands across the sheets and
lifted the mattress. He let it go and unrolled his
blanket, tucking the corners.
โShould be fine now.โ
Her mind felt miles away. โWill it be? Fine?โ
He removed his jacket and pulled one of his guns from the
holster. The magazine shot into his hand before he
slammed it back. โAs soon as I find Abel your life will
go back to normal.โ
Katie huffed a half laugh. Normal sounded like a dream.
โIโโ
Cain paused his movements. โYou what?โ
โI wish I knew how to help you.โ
โWell you canโt.โ
She snapped her gaze to his stony face. โWould it hurt to
pretend I just showed some compassion for you? You could
at least act like youโd considered my words.โ
โLetโs analyze your sweet wish, little burglar. Iโm an
assassin, which translates to I kill people.โ The half
angel folded his arms and left no doubt about the
arrogance on his face. โSorry if the facts sting, but you
canโt fight like I can. You canโt do what needs to be
done.โ
Infuriating, arrogant, and stubborn was not a good look
on him. Katie mimicked his posture and crossed her arms.
โTell me, Mr. Super Assassin, are you sure those
legendary fighting skills you claim to have will work
when youโre face-to-face with Abel?โ
โYou think Iโll run from the fight?โ A growl slipped
through his gritted teeth.
โThatโs not what I meant. I want to know if you canโโ she
raised her fingers in air quotesโ โdo what needs to be
done, when your opponent is your own brother?โ
Cain pressed his lips together, and she dove into the
void left by his hesitation.
โFamily is about love, but itโs also about a shitload of
pain.โ Katie expelled a slow breath. โWhen you face off
with your twin, the end result will stay with you.โ
โAbelโs my blood, but heโs done wrong. Iโll deal.โ
Katie tossed her hands up. โSay youโre standing near Abel
and heโs got a gun pointed at some poor schmuckโs head.
What are you going to do? Youโd have to decide whether or
not your brother is more important, or that innocent
life.โ
He clawed his fingers through his hair. โIโd never allow
him to harm a soul in my presence. I will stop my
brother, but donโt tell me my only option is to kill
him.โ
โI hope it doesnโt come to that.โ Exhausted, she sank
onto the edge of the mattress. โI truly do.โ
โRidiculous,โ he muttered under his breath.
She shot up from the bed, ready to tell him exactly where
he could shove his tough act, but Cainโs hand caught her
wrist. They stared into each otherโs eyes, but the
emotions passing over his face cranked her heartbeat.
โLet. Go.โ She jerked her arm, but his grip held.
โYou should thank me for my honesty. An angel, even an
impure abomination like me, could kill you before you
could react. No more wishing you could help me. I donโt
want to see you hurt.โ
โSo weโre clear, if I wasnโt dealing with mind-
controlling giants, I could hold my own in a fight,โ she
said.
Cainโs expression darkened. โCould you? I wonder.โ
The Nephilim brought her crashing down onto the mattress,
and Katie yelped. She thrashed under his heavy weight.
โOverpowered by a body, not mind control,โ he said as his
breath fanned her skin. โYour nonassassin skills are
sadly lacking.โ
He pinned her wrists above her head, leaving her body
flush against his. Katie wiggled and tugged, but Cain had
the advantage of position and strength. She stopped her
frantic movements. Only one option leftโsurprise.
She molded her lips over his, the pressure so heavy and
intense she could only moan breathlessly into his mouth.
The warmth of her tongue touched his, drawing her nerves
guitar-string tight.
The grip on her wrists loosened, and Katie raised her
hands until her fingers slid into the thickness of his
hair. She arched her body and his wide palm cupped her
back. Distracting Cain to throw him off took a back seat,
replaced by instinctual need pounding deep within her
belly and ricocheting between her legs.
Cainโs tongue continued a slow exploration of her mouth,
lapping the depths, erotic as hell. Her trembling fingers
brushed the expanse of his shoulders, his firm muscles
jolting the tips as they passed over. Filled with
untethered boldness, she ran light touches down the
ridges of his firm pectorals. When her thumb flicked a
pebble-hard nipple, her bodyguard growled.
BOOK SERIESAngel Assassins ANGEL BAIT
#0.5
โข November 2014
 ANGEL KIN
#1.0
โข May 2014
 ANGEL LOVER
#2.0
โข July 2015
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