Title: Skin Game (Skin, Book 1)
Author: Ava Gray
Release: December 1st, 2009
Buy Kindle version: here
Goodreads Entry: here
Rating: 4.5 Stars

*Warning* I am totally going to quote a super smexy scene below.

Kyra is a woman on the run. Ever since she conned a wealthy dangerous man from Las Vegas she has been going from city to city conning locals with big egos, trying to stay ahead of the hit man she is sure that is on her tail. Kyra is unique, somehow she has the ability to steal a person’s talent with simply a touch of their skin. The talent or length it will last is never a sure thing, so she has to move fast and make a quick getaway.

Reyes is a hitman, with a sense of morality. He takes the job of tracking down Kyra and finding out where she put the mobster’s money, by whatever means necessary. He plans for everything job related, but the one thing he didn’t plan for was the instant attraction between him and his mark. The more he works to earn Kyra’s trust and find the mobster’s money, the closer he gets to her and the more complicated his job becomes.

One sentence could sum this entire book up…. Kyra and Reyes are HOT. My favorite scene is without a doubt the first time the two get to the smexing on page 23. Reyes is a man who likes to be in control and Kyra is a girl who likes to fight it. The chemistry between them is instant and we get a book filled with smoldering sexual tension!

“You’re not in charge, Kyra. try to tell me what to do again and I’ll stop. If you want to be completely in control, you should do it yourself.”

“Bastard. Maybe I will.” She reached between them, curled her fingers around his cock, and squeezed. “Who’s in charge now?”

His hips bucked. “You make me come like this, and you don’t get a hard cock inside you tonight. Let go.”

She levered up on an elbow, working her fingers along his length in an irresistible rhythm. “Make me.”

For as quickly as the two first do the “deed” and as much sensual tensions as there is in the book, I was worried the book would be all erotica with little plot. No need to worry tho, Ava Gray balanced a great romance with an equally great plot. Kyra and Reyes spend days/weeks on the run yet it is never boring because the interactions between them are so well done.

Skin Game is well paced thoroughly captivating to read. Not only are the main characters interesting, but the side characters do a great job supporting the story and creating interest. I can’t wait to find out more about Foster and what his story is. I am predicting he has something supernatural about him, but we won’t know for sure until book 2, Skin Tight, comes out.

Only one thing kept this book from being a 5 star read for me. I would have liked more knowledge or setting up of Kyra and her supernatural gift. Her ability is the only thing paranormal in this story and is just thrown out there as fact. There is no supernatural world building or background to base it off of at this point. I am hoping we get more in future books. On top of that Reyes accepted her ability easier than I would have thought. Yes, he had some reason to, but in a world that appears to be completely normal I expected a bit more disbelief.

All said in done, Skin Game is a hot, sexy, fun read. I will definitely be picking up Skin Tight when it releases in June, 2010. If you haven’t read Skin Game yet and would like…. stay tuned! I happen to have an extra copy and will be offering it up shortly!

FTC Disclaimer: This book was purchased by me.

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