Veiled Target (Veilers #1) by Robin Bielman-Blog Tour and Review
Veiled Target
Veilers #1
by Robin Bielman
Genre: paranormal, romance, shifters
Release Date: July 27, 2014
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /
ABOUT THE BOOK
Tracking down Veilers—non humans—is only a sideline for Tess Damon. Vengeance for her fiancé’s murder is her reason for living. But with two botched jobs on her record, if she fails to eliminate her next mark, she’s dead. She’s not afraid to die, but not before she gets even. Too bad fate has a really bad sense of humor.
Hugh Langston, a wolfen half shifter, lives to keep both humans and his pack safe. But when rogue humans kidnap his apprentice, his rescue mission is compromised by a hot-as-hell, kick-ass woman who makes him think only one thing: mine.
Tess tries to ignore her feelings, but temptation trips her up. Especially when Hugh figures out he’s her next target and forces her into an inconvenient alliance that tests all the laws against their attraction. Now, with the line between good and evil getting blurrier by the minute, it becomes clear Tess’s only hope of living to see another day—and finding a murderer—lies with the one man she’s supposed to kill.
••••••••••••••••••••••
As an eliminator for Private Investigations and Elimination, or P.I.E. – the clandestine government-sanctioned organization that investigated and removed dangerous non-humans, or Veilers – Tess always worked alone.
Tess thought she was damn good at her job. When her mentor/boss threatens to eliminate her services if she fails her assignment, she had no choice but to take it as was seriously intended. The fact that her target was a wolfen was enough to keep her focused – thank goodness for vendettas. Easy peasy, right? Not when Hugh Langston, the “mark”, upends her world, breaks down her prejudice, and makes her melt. Shi* just got real! You all know my absolute bias towards vampires, but Robin Bielman’s Veiled Target has managed…to make me swoon for a wolf(en)! Let’s take this one book at a time, though – baby steps, please. 😀
When Hugh reveals his identity and mission to find his second-in-command, his attraction to Tess aside, her knowledge of the veiled community and her fearlessness (general badassness) brings him to his knees; he knows he’s a goner. Of course that only makes him dig his heels and dismiss those feelings as fast as they stir him up! I found their banter sexy and charged; their sexual desires hard-fought against logic. When they finally kiss, it was almost comical (almost). Hugh is poisoned during an attack by a supernatural creature and the antidote is nowhere to be found. Tess learns her saliva contains life-saving properties. Talk about taking sexy out of a deep kiss! Quite the opposite, I’m happy to report.
Hugh parted his lips and hers immediately followed. His tongue swept into her mouth and swirled around in such a delicious way that she forgot about everything she hated. Forgot about what day it was, what year, what name she’d been given. Everything inside her turned pliant, soft, agreeable.
Now…wasn’t there elimination business…wasn’t Hugh supposed to be Tess’ target?! Awkward. The magnitude of Tess’ noble kiss, lol, takes on deep impact (which they’re both denying) and simultaneous conflict of interest. I voted for chucking the job and rendering more “first aid” services, but Tess decides to capitalize on Hugh’s abilities. As pack leader of the Night Runners, she’s asked Hugh for help to find out who killed her friend five years ago (you think Hugh’ll freak out when friend = fiancé?) Of course that will complicate matters, not to mention feelings, because you’re not supposed to bite the hand that feeds you, right? (Does that adage even apply here? Uncharted grounds with wolves, I tell you!)
Lots going on, right? Indeed, but it’s not convoluted – Ms. Bielman addresses each subplot with equal attention and passion. I loved them all! And if that wasn’t enough, she delights with secondary characters as well: Blanche was a doll, Dane is a puzzle, Trey and Gavin, charmers both. I was intrigued by everything she offered.
Hugh and Tess work so well together, lines blur (are obliterated, more accurately). Tess owes everything to P.I.E., the agency that raised her, straightened her out as a too young foster kid of 16. When information gleaned suggests subversive purposes are at hand, enlightenment is an understatement. The relationship she’s formed with Hugh gives Tess the courage to question the integrity of her role at P.I.E. Can Tess and Hugh be brave enough to fight for each in love instead of war?
I devoured this book voraciously, but savored it all the while. This book will make you postpone that new recipe you’ve been dying to try and opt for yummy take-out. Don’t forget a glass of your favorite drink…and your partner…whoooo wheeee!!! Soooo.freaking.good.
P.S. I’m not entirely backpedaling, buuuut: It’s the alpha qualities that made me love Hugh. Robin Bielman just made me dislike wolves…less. Ahahaha…but seriously, look at that book cover! Swoooon…
Copy supplied by the tour provider
Reviewed by Carmen
“Cut the crap, Tess. Why were you following me?”
“How do you know I was following you?” Oops. She meant to say, “What makes you think I was following you?”
He gave a knowing smile—that looked ridiculously sexy rather than irritating. “I know you don’t want to insult my intelligence so let’s just say for argument’s sake, if you were following me, why would that be?”
At least she’d gotten him to change his tone.
“Truthfully?” She leaned a little closer to him. She couldn’t help it.
“That would be nice.”
“I’m really not a very nice person,” she announced.
“Neither am I.” He reached out and moved a strand of hair behind her ear.
Was he trying to confuse her? Because it was working. She’d nearly fallen into his hand before he pulled it away. He was indeed a very bad man.
“That’s good. I hate nice guys. So where does that leave us?”
“I haven’t got all night, Tess.” He lowered his chin, indicating—she presumed—he was growing tired of their banter.
She lifted an eyebrow. “No? That’s too bad. I’m a night owl. I can—”
“Answer my question before I haul you to your car over my shoulder.” His tone sent a little zing of pleasure right to the tips of her breasts.
“As if you could—” She was over his shoulder in one second flat. He moved swiftly, quietly and with superhuman strength. Uh oh. “Hey, put me down!”
He started down the alley, seemingly unbothered by her spastic attempts to get him to let her go. “You ready to walk and talk now?”
“Fine,” she conceded, although the view of his backside was pretty damn good.
When both feet securely hit the ground, she tugged down her dress and shifted the V-neck into place. He watched her squirm to put the rest of the material back where it belonged and his roving eyes heated her from the inside out.
“I followed you because I wanted to help.”
He started walking. “Do I look like I need help?” A little gleam—and major interest?—flickered in his sideways glance.
“Well, no. But I’m very capable and I didn’t feel like going home, so I decided there was no harm in making myself available to you should you need me.” She took a deep breath. It was time to put the question out there. “Did you know Dane is a—”
“Wolfen? Yeah I know.”
“How do you—”
He stopped and turned toward her with confusion and passion in his deep blue eyes. For several seconds he stared at her, like he was trying to get inside her head. Guess what she was thinking. “I’m the leader of the Night Runners,” he finally said.
She imagined he’d told her something he’d never told another human being before.
What the hell was she going to do now?
USA Today Bestselling Author Robin Bielman lives in Southern California with her high school sweetheart husband, two sons, and crazy-cute mini Labradoodle, Harry. When not attached to her laptop, she can almost always be found with her nose in a book. She also likes to run, hike, and dip her toes in the ocean. Filled with wanderlust, she longs to visit many different places and fulfill her curiosity. She wouldn’t mind indulging her sweet tooth in every location either. She’s a lover of sticky notes, cable television shows and coffee drinks. Writing is a dream come true, and she still pinches herself to be sure it’s real.
She writes contemporary and paranormal romance and loves to connect with readers. Learn more and sign up for her newsletter on her website at http://robinbielman.com.
Site: http://robinbielman.com
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