THE VIPER’S KISS by Shannon Curtis

Publisher: Carina Press
Date published: 25 July 2011
ISBN 9781426891922
Romantic Suspense
E-book
Reviewed by Helen
Obtained via author


Margaret Kincaid is a staid librarian who mostly works from home to care for her dying mother. She thinks her life is complicated enough when she’s mistaken for a nude model, but then she becomes embroiled in espionage. With the police, the FBI and a bunch of criminals all wanting her dead, she really is in trouble.

Enter Luke Fletcher who’s on his first job as lead agent with the McCormack Security Agency. One moment he’s convinced she’s sweet and innocent, the next that she’s a talented spy and brilliant liar. The fact that he’s incredibly attracted to her only complicates his feelings even further. Apart from all the guns, bombs, knives, escapes…

I asked to review this book because I enjoyed GUARDING JESS by this author, so much. This is actually the first book in the series, but they don’t have to be read in sequence. I enjoyed meeting some of the characters from GUARDING JESS though. This book did not disappoint. It’s just as good as the second one.

I loved the main characters, their habits, thoughts, and actions. Luke’s ambivalence and worry. The way Maggie acted way out of left field at times. There were some truly brilliant little twists. The forklift truck and the bomb were very clever indeed. As before, there are some excellent lines that made me laugh out loud. And this time, although I was correct about the villain, the intermediate step was totally unexpected and very nicely plotted by Ms. Curtis. The ending is endearing.

This book would have been a 5 except for a few tiny typos and since we don’t give .75 it has to be 4.5.

Note: this book is sensual, not erotic romance.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

GUARDING JESS by Shannon Curtis

Publisher: Carina Press
Date published: May 14th, 2012
ISBN 9781426893759
Romantic Suspense
E-book
Reviewed by Helen
Obtained via publisher


Jessica Pennington runs a business as an etiquette coach. She is always perfectly turned out and perfectly mannered in every situation. But for some months someone has been stalking her and the increasingly distressing emails, text messages and other attacks are making it hard for her to always obey her mantra to “ooze tranquility”.

Noah Samuels, from the McCormack Security Agency, is determined to get back into action even though his wounded arm still hurts him. Babysitting Miss Prissy isn’t quite the job he wanted but it’ll do until he gets something more demanding. As the stalker activity escalates, so does their relationship.

I really enjoyed this book. Ms. Curtis pulls the reader into the action right from the very start. Both the characters are very real and as we get to know them better it’s like the layer after layer of unpeeling an onion as we learn more and more about their attitudes and why they came into being. In the early section of the book, Noah’s thoughts about Jessica are pure male and very funny and endearing.

Some of the minor characters are extremely well drawn and multifaceted, adding depth and power to the story. There are some truly brilliant, laugh-out-loud one liners too. They’ll stay with me I’m sure.

I did guess the villain, but not until well into the book, and it wasn’t the person I thought at first it may be, so congratulations to the author for pulling off that challenge very well.

The ending was just the tiniest bit rushed. I’d have liked a slightly longer, and more drawn out wrap up, but the book is extremely well written with plot and characters all blending well to make a memorable story.

Note: this book is sensual, not erotic romance.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.