Review: The Professional (Part 1) – Kresley Cole

He makes the rules . . .
Mafiya enforcer Aleksandr “The Siberian” Sevastyan’s loyalty to his boss is unwavering, until he meets the boss’s long-lost daughter, a curvy, tantalizing redhead who haunts his mind and heats his blood like no other. Ordered to protect her, Sevastyan will do anything to possess her as well—on his own wicked terms.

Rules are made to be broken . . .
PhD student Natalie Porter had barely recovered from her first sight of the breathtakingly gorgeous Sevastyan before the professional hit man whisks her away to Russia, thrusting her into a world of extreme wealth and wanton pleasures. With every day she spends under his protection, she falls deeper under his masterful spell.

Are you ready to play?
Yet all is not as it seems. To remove Natalie from an enemy’s reach, Sevastyan spirits her into hiding. From an opulent palace in Russia to the decadent playgrounds of the mega-wealthy in Paris, the two lovers will discover that even their darkest—and most forbidden—fantasies can come true…

Series: The Game Maker 0.1
Release Date: December 16, 2013
Publisher: Pocket Star
Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Shannon and Candace
Rating:

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Shannon’s Thoughts

For a story that was only 120 pages, Kresley Cole sure did know how to make perfect use of those pages.  Part one of the Game Maker Series introduces us to American Natalie Porter and Aleksandr Sevastyan.  Natalie, adopted as an infant, has been searching for information about her birth parents.  She’s used all of her savings in hopes that her latest investigator has the information she craves.  What it gets her is hot Russian Sevastyan.  He’s been sent to protect and collect Natalie and bring her to the father that didn’t know she existed.

I loved Natalie and Sevastyan (I hope as we get further along in the story she’ll call him Alek or Aleksander.  His last name it too much for my mind to process).  There was immediate chemistry between the two of them…whether it’s arguing with each other or fighting their attraction.   They are hot, hot, hot.

This installment is all about world building, so while there is a hint to what’s to come with Natalie and Sevastyan, we’re going to have to wait to see what’s in store for them.  We do get to meet Natalie’s father, who seems very sweet (given his a Russian Mob Boss).  Her distant cousin is slimy and I’m sure there are more people out there we can’t really trust.  I can’t wait to see what comes next.

If you’ve followed my reviews, you’ll know I’m not really a novella type of person, but Kresley Cole has me hooked with this first novella.  This is definitely one that I will anxiously follow and you should too.

Candace’s Thoughts

The Professional is the first in a three part series and if I am completely honest, I didn’t really read any reviews or the synopsis for this book.  I just dove right in.  For 120 pages, Kresley Cole sure gives you a good story and lots of steam. I was surprised to say the least since I have not read any of her other books.

Natalie/Natalya has been looking for her birth parents from Russia for quite some time now; little does she know that she put herself in danger just by searching. Sent to protect and watch over her Sevastyan is left wanting, when he found Natalie, she is more than what he expected and his reaction to her is unacceptable in his world. Natatlie is forced to flee her home in Nebraska to Russia, where she is taken for safety to her father a very powerful influential man who has a lot of enemies that wish to bring him down.

It was a quick satisfying read that leaves you wanting more. Do I regret reading it now and not waiting for all three parts? No, but am I dying for Part 3 (I read Part 2 right after Part 1)? Yes! Sevastyan was a tortured hero, wanting to do the right thing, but scarred by his past. Natalya went for what she wanted, she was strong and funny especially when she was tauting Sevastyan. I can’t wait for more!