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L.O.S.T #2
Enemy Mine
Lovers from opposite worlds reunite in Karin Harlow's explosive, erotic new L.O.S.T. adventure. . .
While tracking a hijacked cask of enriched uranium in Kyrgyzstan, L.O.S.T. operative Nikko Cruz is ambushed and left for dead. Which means he must be hallucinating when the only woman he ever loved—the woman he was sentenced to death for killing—comes to his rescue. Half-daemon Selena Guererro has secrets she'd kill for. The most important one, she's already died to protect. Now she'll do anything to keep her daughter safe. But she can't just leave her lost love to perish. She injects Nikko with immortal blood serum, putting herself in grave danger.
When Nikko comes to, he is superhuman and super pissed. The mother of his daughter—the one he thought killed their child—is alive. He wants answers. He wants blood. And despite his best intentions, he wants Selena. He traces her to a mysterious terrorist cell where the cask has surfaced. First, he must retrieve the deadly material. Then he'll take revenge on his beautiful ex. But when nothing goes as planned, Nikko and Selena find themselves burning with desire . . . and blowing the roof off their separate worlds, human and daemon alike.
While tracking a hijacked cask of enriched uranium in Kyrgyzstan, L.O.S.T. operative Nikko Cruz is ambushed and left for dead. Which means he must be hallucinating when the only woman he ever loved—the woman he was sentenced to death for killing—comes to his rescue. Half-daemon Selena Guererro has secrets she'd kill for. The most important one, she's already died to protect. Now she'll do anything to keep her daughter safe. But she can't just leave her lost love to perish. She injects Nikko with immortal blood serum, putting herself in grave danger.
When Nikko comes to, he is superhuman and super pissed. The mother of his daughter—the one he thought killed their child—is alive. He wants answers. He wants blood. And despite his best intentions, he wants Selena. He traces her to a mysterious terrorist cell where the cask has surfaced. First, he must retrieve the deadly material. Then he'll take revenge on his beautiful ex. But when nothing goes as planned, Nikko and Selena find themselves burning with desire . . . and blowing the roof off their separate worlds, human and daemon alike.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 30, 2011
6 people are currently reading
535 people want to read
About the author
Karin Tabke
38 books723 followersKarin is a multi-published, national bestselling, award-winning author.
Karin has sold more than a dozen stories to US publishers: Kensington, Simon & Schuster, and Penguin Random House. Her self-publishing debut, THE CHRONICLES of KATRINA, was met with resounding enthusiasm. Never one to disappoint her readers, Karin happily launched the spinoff series The Bad Boys of the Bay, featuring the heroes she knows so well–hot cops. Translation rights to Karin’s books have been licensed in Japan, Thailand, Germany, France, Spain, Brazil, Italy, Portugal and the UK.
In 2008, Karin’s novel JADED (Simon & Schuster) won the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Erotic Romance Suspense. In 2011, her paranormal romance BLOOD LAW (Berkley) won the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice award for Best Erotic Fiction and was the first book in her Blood Moon Rising series. In 2012, the second book in the trilogy, BLOODRIGHT, was nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Erotic Paranormal Romance. Karin’s other awards include a CAPA and the Holt Medallion, as well as a finalist nod for the Prism. Her debut single title, GOOD GIRL GONE BAD (Simon & Schuster), was featured in the October 2006 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.
Karin’s most rewarding award, however, was not bestowed for her storytelling skills but for her mentorship of unpublished writers. She was honored to receive RWA’s (Romance Writers of America) Pro Mentor of the Year award in 2008. She has served as president of her local RWA chapter in San Francisco and as Director-at-Large on the RWA National Board of Directors.
Karin has been married to her own hot cop–now licensed Private Investigator–for over thirty years and she writes what she knows. She has also started and sold several profitable businesses, but her true love is writing passionate love stories. When she isn’t writing, Karin loves to travel and does so extensively, meeting readers and sharing her knowledge via workshops at writer conventions and conferences.
Karin has sold more than a dozen stories to US publishers: Kensington, Simon & Schuster, and Penguin Random House. Her self-publishing debut, THE CHRONICLES of KATRINA, was met with resounding enthusiasm. Never one to disappoint her readers, Karin happily launched the spinoff series The Bad Boys of the Bay, featuring the heroes she knows so well–hot cops. Translation rights to Karin’s books have been licensed in Japan, Thailand, Germany, France, Spain, Brazil, Italy, Portugal and the UK.
In 2008, Karin’s novel JADED (Simon & Schuster) won the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Erotic Romance Suspense. In 2011, her paranormal romance BLOOD LAW (Berkley) won the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice award for Best Erotic Fiction and was the first book in her Blood Moon Rising series. In 2012, the second book in the trilogy, BLOODRIGHT, was nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Erotic Paranormal Romance. Karin’s other awards include a CAPA and the Holt Medallion, as well as a finalist nod for the Prism. Her debut single title, GOOD GIRL GONE BAD (Simon & Schuster), was featured in the October 2006 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.
Karin’s most rewarding award, however, was not bestowed for her storytelling skills but for her mentorship of unpublished writers. She was honored to receive RWA’s (Romance Writers of America) Pro Mentor of the Year award in 2008. She has served as president of her local RWA chapter in San Francisco and as Director-at-Large on the RWA National Board of Directors.
Karin has been married to her own hot cop–now licensed Private Investigator–for over thirty years and she writes what she knows. She has also started and sold several profitable businesses, but her true love is writing passionate love stories. When she isn’t writing, Karin loves to travel and does so extensively, meeting readers and sharing her knowledge via workshops at writer conventions and conferences.
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September 17, 2011
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For anyone who loved or disliked the previous novel "Enemy Lover" I guarantee you'll love this novel just the same or much more. There's a heavy plot set on paranormal alone and boy oh boy this novel is steamy!!!
Daemons, Hellkeepers of the underworld have a plan to remove one thing Vampires need to survive "Human Blood" Everyone is after the "Cask" it's basically an atomic bomb to kill the Human Race. The L.O.S.T team, the Order and the Hellkeepers all wanna stop each other from getting there hands on it.
Selena De La Roja, (I like that name it,suits the heroine.) She's kickass and refuses to underestimate "DaddyO" She knows his plans and it forces her to do what she should have done long ago, Kill the SOB for choosing to loose and lie to her beloved Johnny Cicone aka now Nikko Cruz purrr.... And also to take revenge on the dreadful relationship her father had with her mother. Through out the novel there's one person Selena has in mind and will kill any living thing that'll threaten her existence, the love of her life,her daughter Marisol.
This novel is extremely Action packed and full of surprises. Did i mention the steamy part already? Its so hot, it'll make the window your sitting next to fog up! I loved the past relationship between the H/H and their connections to one another. Thtough times made them stronger. They define the phrase "Happily Ever After" Love it!
For anyone who loved or disliked the previous novel "Enemy Lover" I guarantee you'll love this novel just the same or much more. There's a heavy plot set on paranormal alone and boy oh boy this novel is steamy!!!
Daemons, Hellkeepers of the underworld have a plan to remove one thing Vampires need to survive "Human Blood" Everyone is after the "Cask" it's basically an atomic bomb to kill the Human Race. The L.O.S.T team, the Order and the Hellkeepers all wanna stop each other from getting there hands on it.
Selena De La Roja, (I like that name it,suits the heroine.) She's kickass and refuses to underestimate "DaddyO" She knows his plans and it forces her to do what she should have done long ago, Kill the SOB for choosing to loose and lie to her beloved Johnny Cicone aka now Nikko Cruz purrr.... And also to take revenge on the dreadful relationship her father had with her mother. Through out the novel there's one person Selena has in mind and will kill any living thing that'll threaten her existence, the love of her life,her daughter Marisol.
This novel is extremely Action packed and full of surprises. Did i mention the steamy part already? Its so hot, it'll make the window your sitting next to fog up! I loved the past relationship between the H/H and their connections to one another. Thtough times made them stronger. They define the phrase "Happily Ever After" Love it!
August 19, 2011
I have absolutely no clue what so ever how Harlow squeezed so much action into this book. The action is non-stop from the very beginning. There are numerous evil doers in Enemy Mine. The plot twists were shocking. On one page I would think a character had nefarious intentions for a certain reason then a couple of pages later I find out the character I thought could not possibly have an evil bone in their body is an enormous evil, for reasons I would’ve never guessed. I loved the suspense of this book. The book was fast paced, never a dull moment, the pages kept turning, I couldn’t put the book down. The readers learn much more about the Otherworld and its ruling body the Order. The paranormal element is much higher in Enemy Mine.
L.O.S.T.’s newest assignment is to obtain a cask of materials that when it falls into the wrong hands will be used to create a dirty bomb. The team members are ambushed and the cask escapes their grasp. While Nikko is lying on the side of the road dying the female he was sent to jail for killing injects him with something that not only saves his life, it also changes him into a superhuman with super abilities. Now not only does he have to find the missing cask, but he has to find the dead lover that he was sentenced to jail time for killing. The clock is ticking and it is only a matter of time before the cask falls into the wrong hands and a dirty bomb is made…and used.
Selena has learned that an evil far deadlier than any terrorists wants the cask. She has also found out the majority of the plans that this evil has planned for the cask. Her plans, acquire the cask, turn it over to her employer for safe keeping, and continue ridding the world of the evil Hellkeepers. Her problem, Nikko, he wants answers, a lot of them. Nikko has just recently come into the knowledge that there are more than humans walking this Earth. Nikko is revved up (yes, pun intended) on the serum that Selena injected him with. He wants the cask, he wants her, he wants the information that she can provide him pertaining to the cask and who she works for. Nikko and Selena are electric together. Even though they are past lovers Enemy Mine did not have a rekindle feel to it. Nikko and Selena are very different people now than they were eight years ago. They both have new names, new lives, new careers and very different goals for their futures. I liked seeing the events that unfolded to get them where they needed to be for a functioning couple. They did not have an easy journey to their happily ever after and it makes for a great read.
My one and only complaint about Enemy Mine, I hated the heroine. There’s a crazy catch there though. Had Selena been written any other way the book would not have been as good as it was. Selena is a woman who has done a very necessary evil to protect something very dear to her. She took this action as a last resort option. Her decisions made for a great story. I still wanted to choke her all the same. She also has a very large ego. Her ego is annoying at times. This only gives the story more action. By the end of the book she will be the character that you love to hate!
Unlike most series that I read I think this book could be read as a stand-alone without having read Enemy Lover. Both books start with a problem that is tightly closed at the end of each book. The problems do not carry over from one book to the next. Marcus and Jax, the first book’s couple has a supporting role in Enemy Mine, but nothing that would leave one confused about if they did not read the first book. I do recommend reading both books, they are both highly entertaining.
L.O.S.T.’s newest assignment is to obtain a cask of materials that when it falls into the wrong hands will be used to create a dirty bomb. The team members are ambushed and the cask escapes their grasp. While Nikko is lying on the side of the road dying the female he was sent to jail for killing injects him with something that not only saves his life, it also changes him into a superhuman with super abilities. Now not only does he have to find the missing cask, but he has to find the dead lover that he was sentenced to jail time for killing. The clock is ticking and it is only a matter of time before the cask falls into the wrong hands and a dirty bomb is made…and used.
Selena has learned that an evil far deadlier than any terrorists wants the cask. She has also found out the majority of the plans that this evil has planned for the cask. Her plans, acquire the cask, turn it over to her employer for safe keeping, and continue ridding the world of the evil Hellkeepers. Her problem, Nikko, he wants answers, a lot of them. Nikko has just recently come into the knowledge that there are more than humans walking this Earth. Nikko is revved up (yes, pun intended) on the serum that Selena injected him with. He wants the cask, he wants her, he wants the information that she can provide him pertaining to the cask and who she works for. Nikko and Selena are electric together. Even though they are past lovers Enemy Mine did not have a rekindle feel to it. Nikko and Selena are very different people now than they were eight years ago. They both have new names, new lives, new careers and very different goals for their futures. I liked seeing the events that unfolded to get them where they needed to be for a functioning couple. They did not have an easy journey to their happily ever after and it makes for a great read.
My one and only complaint about Enemy Mine, I hated the heroine. There’s a crazy catch there though. Had Selena been written any other way the book would not have been as good as it was. Selena is a woman who has done a very necessary evil to protect something very dear to her. She took this action as a last resort option. Her decisions made for a great story. I still wanted to choke her all the same. She also has a very large ego. Her ego is annoying at times. This only gives the story more action. By the end of the book she will be the character that you love to hate!
Unlike most series that I read I think this book could be read as a stand-alone without having read Enemy Lover. Both books start with a problem that is tightly closed at the end of each book. The problems do not carry over from one book to the next. Marcus and Jax, the first book’s couple has a supporting role in Enemy Mine, but nothing that would leave one confused about if they did not read the first book. I do recommend reading both books, they are both highly entertaining.
August 31, 2011
Karin Harlow’s latest offering in the L.O.S.T. series will not disappoint!
Nikko Cruz murdered the woman he loved eight years ago, transforming him into a different man; a cold, calculating and emotionless man, the perfect L.O.S.T. agent. Now on mission in Kyrgyzstan to intercept a hijacked cast of enriched uranium Nikko is fighting for his life when a ghost from his past shows up, saving him, but at what price?
Selena Guererro is the keeper of many secrets, some she would kill for. But when she finds the man she once loved but had to give up dying on the side of a mountain she risks everything to save his life.
What follows is a turbulent rollercoaster of love, hate, deceit, suspense, action and excitement that I could not put down!
The first installment in this series, Enemy Lover, I liked. Didn’t love, but I liked. Harlow just didn’t develop those main characters enough for me. I can honestly say though that the characters in Enemy Mine were spot on and I loved every minute of it!
Expanding the world of Others in her L.O.S.T. series to include demons and delve deeper into the Order, Harlow ensnares you with the captivating world she has created here which is bursting with the paranormal, unlike the first book in the series.
The plot was fast moving and kept me guessing, leading to shocking twists. The action and suspense is non-stop, constantly keeping the reader on the very edge of your seat.
I loved the main characters of Selena and Nikko. They loved each other once but there are so many lies, secrets and distrust between them now you wonder if they even have a hope for a second chance. The emotions between the h/h are so up and down you feel like your heart is on a Six Flags ride! Harlow weaved their relationship together perfectly, keeping it well balanced with the main plot of the story. There were a collection of side characters including several villains, some unexpected and some downright nasty. Alongside engrossing side characters, including one ancient vamp I hope to see more of - Joran!!!
A fabulous paranormal romance that I recommend and it makes a great stand-alone as well because the mission in each of the two books are totally different and their stories do not intertwine in a considerable way. I’m looking forward to more from the L.O.S.T. series!
Nikko Cruz murdered the woman he loved eight years ago, transforming him into a different man; a cold, calculating and emotionless man, the perfect L.O.S.T. agent. Now on mission in Kyrgyzstan to intercept a hijacked cast of enriched uranium Nikko is fighting for his life when a ghost from his past shows up, saving him, but at what price?
Selena Guererro is the keeper of many secrets, some she would kill for. But when she finds the man she once loved but had to give up dying on the side of a mountain she risks everything to save his life.
What follows is a turbulent rollercoaster of love, hate, deceit, suspense, action and excitement that I could not put down!
The first installment in this series, Enemy Lover, I liked. Didn’t love, but I liked. Harlow just didn’t develop those main characters enough for me. I can honestly say though that the characters in Enemy Mine were spot on and I loved every minute of it!
Expanding the world of Others in her L.O.S.T. series to include demons and delve deeper into the Order, Harlow ensnares you with the captivating world she has created here which is bursting with the paranormal, unlike the first book in the series.
The plot was fast moving and kept me guessing, leading to shocking twists. The action and suspense is non-stop, constantly keeping the reader on the very edge of your seat.
I loved the main characters of Selena and Nikko. They loved each other once but there are so many lies, secrets and distrust between them now you wonder if they even have a hope for a second chance. The emotions between the h/h are so up and down you feel like your heart is on a Six Flags ride! Harlow weaved their relationship together perfectly, keeping it well balanced with the main plot of the story. There were a collection of side characters including several villains, some unexpected and some downright nasty. Alongside engrossing side characters, including one ancient vamp I hope to see more of - Joran!!!
A fabulous paranormal romance that I recommend and it makes a great stand-alone as well because the mission in each of the two books are totally different and their stories do not intertwine in a considerable way. I’m looking forward to more from the L.O.S.T. series!
September 2, 2011
How much engaging action and passionate sexiness can be put in one place you ask? Apparently a lot! In Karin Harlow's newest release of the L.O.S.T. series, readers are immediately thrust into the action as one Special-Ops member embarks on a dangerous journey of life and death, and of facing one of the most difficult realizations of his life: He didn't succeed in killing his ex.
Welcome to the L.O.S.T. {Last Option Special Team} world. Here you'll find a closed world where humans and supernatural creatures unknowingly -- well at least to most -- live amongst one another. Where The Order, a council made up of a representative from vampires, daemons, weres, fey, and the fallen, all weigh in on the governing of the supernatural creatures. A world were a human Special Ops team is made up of some fabulous -- and hot -- military men and one woman. This is also a world where blood lines are blurred, creating both internal and external conflicts -- a great example being heroine, Selena with her part human, part daemon DNA.
Enemy Mine has a highly engaging, action-driven, very complex plot. It's intricacies are leaving me little room for explanation of events for fear that I may accidentally give away some very important spoilers. But, what I will say is I was constantly on the edge of my seat during the high suspense moments, and completely captivated during the character interactions and very passionate scenes. I honestly hated having to put this book down because I always felt it was during a "good" spot!
Heroine, Selena, is a great female lead character. Strong, feisty, intelligent, and a bad-ass who's learned that the only way she can keep those she cares about and loves safe is by pushing them away. This is exactly what she did with the man whom she passionately loved and was to be the father of her child: Johnny, aka Nikko Cruz. With her daemon father threatening the lives of Nikko and her unborn child, Selena risked her own life to sever ties with her most precious loves. Selena is a sexy, tough as nails lead female character who's driving force is to rid herself of her daemon father, keep her vigilante position in an underground organization, keep her supply of 'rev' (a potent mixture or vampire blood and enhancements) plenty, keep her self-owned nightclub profitable, keep her most valuable secret safe, and now -- unknowingly -- keep her ex safe as well; despite her still wanting to kill him occasionally. Whew!! She's a busy girl! :)
The hero, Nikko Cruz, is nothing short of alpha sexiness! A pure male, in a very alpha male career, and with a very brooding, ice-cold disposition. Eight years prior, his ex, Selena, ripped his heart out of his chest. Now, his life and family is being a member of L.O.S.T.. And, despite him wanting to kill Selena -- again -- her sudden presence in his life brings back a flood of emotions, memories, and passion, he can't help but feel every time she's near him.
The characters, both primary and secondary, were very dynamic, almost life-like as I read them interacting with others and gathering an insight into to their thoughts through the third-person writing. Emotions could easily be felt between the heroine and hero. I laughed and even cried during some very heartfelt moments of one bad ass, heart-hardened hero meeting his daughter for the first time. The way the hero and heroine "dealt" with one another was spectacular!
This really was a get-to-know-you-all-over-again type of romance story; one that is heartfelt and poignant. After nearly eight years of not seeing one another, fate thrusts them onto the same dangerous path as they deal with stolen uranium, psychotic terrorists, and demon antagonists. Like I've mentioned, there is never a dull moment in Enemy Mine! :)
And speaking of action .. wow, is the heat and chemistry between Selena and Nikko hot!
Can you read the book without having to read the first? Yes, you can! While characters from the previous book are in book two, I didn't feel like there was a missing story arc.
I definitely recommend this book to urban fantasy romance lover who crave action and sexiness in there reads! Don't let all the character introductions and names being thrown at you at the beginning of the story turn you away. You'll quickly learn all those key player names and the importance of each as they help drive the action and plot lines and set up the next installment of the series, one of which I can't wait to get my hands on!! I'm seriously hoping it follows Joran --- one super hot and naughty vampire!! Yum! :)
Welcome to the L.O.S.T. {Last Option Special Team} world. Here you'll find a closed world where humans and supernatural creatures unknowingly -- well at least to most -- live amongst one another. Where The Order, a council made up of a representative from vampires, daemons, weres, fey, and the fallen, all weigh in on the governing of the supernatural creatures. A world were a human Special Ops team is made up of some fabulous -- and hot -- military men and one woman. This is also a world where blood lines are blurred, creating both internal and external conflicts -- a great example being heroine, Selena with her part human, part daemon DNA.
Enemy Mine has a highly engaging, action-driven, very complex plot. It's intricacies are leaving me little room for explanation of events for fear that I may accidentally give away some very important spoilers. But, what I will say is I was constantly on the edge of my seat during the high suspense moments, and completely captivated during the character interactions and very passionate scenes. I honestly hated having to put this book down because I always felt it was during a "good" spot!
Heroine, Selena, is a great female lead character. Strong, feisty, intelligent, and a bad-ass who's learned that the only way she can keep those she cares about and loves safe is by pushing them away. This is exactly what she did with the man whom she passionately loved and was to be the father of her child: Johnny, aka Nikko Cruz. With her daemon father threatening the lives of Nikko and her unborn child, Selena risked her own life to sever ties with her most precious loves. Selena is a sexy, tough as nails lead female character who's driving force is to rid herself of her daemon father, keep her vigilante position in an underground organization, keep her supply of 'rev' (a potent mixture or vampire blood and enhancements) plenty, keep her self-owned nightclub profitable, keep her most valuable secret safe, and now -- unknowingly -- keep her ex safe as well; despite her still wanting to kill him occasionally. Whew!! She's a busy girl! :)
The hero, Nikko Cruz, is nothing short of alpha sexiness! A pure male, in a very alpha male career, and with a very brooding, ice-cold disposition. Eight years prior, his ex, Selena, ripped his heart out of his chest. Now, his life and family is being a member of L.O.S.T.. And, despite him wanting to kill Selena -- again -- her sudden presence in his life brings back a flood of emotions, memories, and passion, he can't help but feel every time she's near him.
The characters, both primary and secondary, were very dynamic, almost life-like as I read them interacting with others and gathering an insight into to their thoughts through the third-person writing. Emotions could easily be felt between the heroine and hero. I laughed and even cried during some very heartfelt moments of one bad ass, heart-hardened hero meeting his daughter for the first time. The way the hero and heroine "dealt" with one another was spectacular!
This really was a get-to-know-you-all-over-again type of romance story; one that is heartfelt and poignant. After nearly eight years of not seeing one another, fate thrusts them onto the same dangerous path as they deal with stolen uranium, psychotic terrorists, and demon antagonists. Like I've mentioned, there is never a dull moment in Enemy Mine! :)
And speaking of action .. wow, is the heat and chemistry between Selena and Nikko hot!
Can you read the book without having to read the first? Yes, you can! While characters from the previous book are in book two, I didn't feel like there was a missing story arc.
I definitely recommend this book to urban fantasy romance lover who crave action and sexiness in there reads! Don't let all the character introductions and names being thrown at you at the beginning of the story turn you away. You'll quickly learn all those key player names and the importance of each as they help drive the action and plot lines and set up the next installment of the series, one of which I can't wait to get my hands on!! I'm seriously hoping it follows Joran --- one super hot and naughty vampire!! Yum! :)
October 6, 2011
Nikko, aka Johnny, had served his time..maybe not so much in a prison but in his own mind…going over and over again how he had killed his true love because she had killed their daughter. Years later he finds himself dying on a mountainside only to see her appear before him. Very much alive. Not sure what he saw, he only knows he awakens with what seem to be superhuman powers after the last thought of her sticking a needle in his chest comes to him.
Selena has had a hard time letting go of the past, but what is done is done. There is no going back to that small sliver of time that she was happy. Nikko thinks she is dead, her child is alive and safe but only if she has no contact. Things are as they should be. That doesn’t stop her from wanting that happiness back somewhere deep inside her. Seeing Johnny near death re-awakened something in her. He may not ever forgive her deception or understand her intention, but she can save him now.
With demons running loose, heriarchys that aren’t to be messed with and a job to do, Selena doesn’t have much choice. Nikko isn’t taking no for an answer though and he finally wants answers. Selena needs to start believing in them again…it may be the only way to save them all.
While I found the story line in Enemy Mine to be fairly unique…offering readers something that is a blend between suspense, paranormal and UF….I found it to be lacking in connection. Perhaps it’s because I had not read the first book in the series. Perhaps it was the way in which it was wrote. It had a romantic suspense feel, right down to terrorist activity, but was wrote as a paranormal. I think I prefer one or the other, not combined. Perhaps it was simply me. I found the characters of Nikko and Selena to be well wrote and individually good. I just never got on board with them being together. Karin has wrote them worlds apart, so far apart and with so much hatred on Nikko’s part that I never could see them together. Never could understand how he would forgive her of her deception, even if done for the best of reasons. I think a lot of my issues were in also the fact that it felt like so much was going on and there were a crap-ton of characters to remember. I just couldn’t keep them all straight.
Karin does a really good job with the action sequences throughout this one. Believe me when I say there are plenty to go around as well. Well thought out and detailed to bring you right into the action. Pulse pounding excitement laces many of these pages and gives you an intricate plot to unravel as you go along. I found those scenes to be highly engaging. Since I never got on board the relationship of Nikko and Selena, the heat level wasn’t there for me and the few sex scene we were given felt forced. It felt like they were only going through the motions.
While I had some issues with this one, I did enjoy the energy it provided. I would like, at some point, to go back and read the first in the series to see if that changes my experience with this one. Some series, you just have to read from the beginning. Perhaps this is one of them.
I give Enemy Mine by Karin Harlow 3 stars!
Selena has had a hard time letting go of the past, but what is done is done. There is no going back to that small sliver of time that she was happy. Nikko thinks she is dead, her child is alive and safe but only if she has no contact. Things are as they should be. That doesn’t stop her from wanting that happiness back somewhere deep inside her. Seeing Johnny near death re-awakened something in her. He may not ever forgive her deception or understand her intention, but she can save him now.
With demons running loose, heriarchys that aren’t to be messed with and a job to do, Selena doesn’t have much choice. Nikko isn’t taking no for an answer though and he finally wants answers. Selena needs to start believing in them again…it may be the only way to save them all.
While I found the story line in Enemy Mine to be fairly unique…offering readers something that is a blend between suspense, paranormal and UF….I found it to be lacking in connection. Perhaps it’s because I had not read the first book in the series. Perhaps it was the way in which it was wrote. It had a romantic suspense feel, right down to terrorist activity, but was wrote as a paranormal. I think I prefer one or the other, not combined. Perhaps it was simply me. I found the characters of Nikko and Selena to be well wrote and individually good. I just never got on board with them being together. Karin has wrote them worlds apart, so far apart and with so much hatred on Nikko’s part that I never could see them together. Never could understand how he would forgive her of her deception, even if done for the best of reasons. I think a lot of my issues were in also the fact that it felt like so much was going on and there were a crap-ton of characters to remember. I just couldn’t keep them all straight.
Karin does a really good job with the action sequences throughout this one. Believe me when I say there are plenty to go around as well. Well thought out and detailed to bring you right into the action. Pulse pounding excitement laces many of these pages and gives you an intricate plot to unravel as you go along. I found those scenes to be highly engaging. Since I never got on board the relationship of Nikko and Selena, the heat level wasn’t there for me and the few sex scene we were given felt forced. It felt like they were only going through the motions.
While I had some issues with this one, I did enjoy the energy it provided. I would like, at some point, to go back and read the first in the series to see if that changes my experience with this one. Some series, you just have to read from the beginning. Perhaps this is one of them.
I give Enemy Mine by Karin Harlow 3 stars!
August 28, 2011
While two characters at odds can be good for quality sexual tension, in Enemy Mine Harlow has created two such unlikeable and irrevocably damaged characters, their relationship makes me think of restraining orders more than happily ever afters. For pure sexual tension, it's definitely dark, violent, and red hot. At the thought of these two behind a white picket fence raising children, however, I break into a cold sweat.
This pair has a certain amount of charisma, but Harlow does too good of a job driving a wedge between Selena and Nikko for me to want to bridge that gap. Selena is the homicidal love child of Bruce Wayne and Hannibal Lector, lurking over her nightclub and harvesting daemon body parts (which she uses as both a power boost and a sex aid, "Ick" to say the least). Nikko is a hot beefcake who almost kills his significant other in a haze of rage, a combination of MMA and a bad episode of Cops. It is beyond uncomfortable and distasteful to read Selena and Nikko tearing each other's hearts out over the supposed late-term abortion of their child (even knowing that Marisol is alive and well), or Selena dismissing her attempted murder at Nikko's hands as little more than something that she's "pissed" about. This is one of many instances where Selena puts up with completely unacceptable behavior from both Nikko and her mentor, El patron, a level of naive trust that only a character with significant Daddy issues would display. Given that Selena's dad is a sadistic, rapist King of the Underworld, I guess she comes by those issues honestly.
My problems with this book are definitely content, not execution. I'm not a fan of high drama relationships on reality TV or movies, and that prejudice poisoned the book for me. Though I take issue with Selena and Nikko's interpersonal habits, the plot and world building of ENEMY MINE are well written. Anyone who doesn't mind high drama and a lot of violence mixed with a potent sexual chemistry will find a lot to enjoy in this book, and the plot of international intrigue gives a strong thriller/suspense element to the paranormal elements.
Sexual Content: References to rape, scenes of sexual violence and sex.
This pair has a certain amount of charisma, but Harlow does too good of a job driving a wedge between Selena and Nikko for me to want to bridge that gap. Selena is the homicidal love child of Bruce Wayne and Hannibal Lector, lurking over her nightclub and harvesting daemon body parts (which she uses as both a power boost and a sex aid, "Ick" to say the least). Nikko is a hot beefcake who almost kills his significant other in a haze of rage, a combination of MMA and a bad episode of Cops. It is beyond uncomfortable and distasteful to read Selena and Nikko tearing each other's hearts out over the supposed late-term abortion of their child (even knowing that Marisol is alive and well), or Selena dismissing her attempted murder at Nikko's hands as little more than something that she's "pissed" about. This is one of many instances where Selena puts up with completely unacceptable behavior from both Nikko and her mentor, El patron, a level of naive trust that only a character with significant Daddy issues would display. Given that Selena's dad is a sadistic, rapist King of the Underworld, I guess she comes by those issues honestly.
My problems with this book are definitely content, not execution. I'm not a fan of high drama relationships on reality TV or movies, and that prejudice poisoned the book for me. Though I take issue with Selena and Nikko's interpersonal habits, the plot and world building of ENEMY MINE are well written. Anyone who doesn't mind high drama and a lot of violence mixed with a potent sexual chemistry will find a lot to enjoy in this book, and the plot of international intrigue gives a strong thriller/suspense element to the paranormal elements.
Sexual Content: References to rape, scenes of sexual violence and sex.
August 25, 2011
This book has so many elements that I love which makes writing a review that much harder for me. I feel like the good book fairy has made a sneaky visit to my house in the last week or so because everything I've read, about 9 books in all, have been awesome. Seriously. And Enemy Mine kicked off the trend.
It all starts with the cover. I love the flash of fang combined with the full pouty lips. Delish. Oh, you wanted to know about the book? Kidding.
Paranormal Romantic Suspense is my new favorite. I just love the combination of wicked cool supernatural beings that save the world, or themselves, and still get the happily ever after. The HEA is the reason I continue reading paranormal romance instead of urban fantasy. I would, and will, read anything Karin Harlow writes about these L.O.S.T. operatives because everything about the book is solid, from the characters to the worldbuilding to the suspenseful plot.
I thought that the relationship between Nikko and Selena was complex and complicated, with so many obstacles to overcome. I mean, Nikko thinks he killed Selena long ago and has lived with the betrayal and guilt every single day. His entire life has been about shutting off the things that make him feel, as if ice runs through his veins. The very fact that he still mourns his supposed actions over the years attests to the depth of feeling that he is capable of. Enter Selena. She walks back into his life, saving him from certain death, and then they are forced to work together, preventing terrorists from selling a nuke to the highest bidder, including demons bent on destroying The Order, a council comprised of one leader from each immortal order (vamp, lycan, daemon, fallen and fey). Mix this with a combustible passion that is scorching hot and you get the beginnings of the relationship they share. Nikko and Selena singe the pages, although the rest, forgiveness and trust, don't come easy. We still have a daughter, a demonic father, illegal vamp serum, and the destruction of Hellkeepers to keep everything moving at a non-stop pace. I loved every minute!
Other books in the L.O.S.T. series:
Enemy Lover
It all starts with the cover. I love the flash of fang combined with the full pouty lips. Delish. Oh, you wanted to know about the book? Kidding.
Paranormal Romantic Suspense is my new favorite. I just love the combination of wicked cool supernatural beings that save the world, or themselves, and still get the happily ever after. The HEA is the reason I continue reading paranormal romance instead of urban fantasy. I would, and will, read anything Karin Harlow writes about these L.O.S.T. operatives because everything about the book is solid, from the characters to the worldbuilding to the suspenseful plot.
I thought that the relationship between Nikko and Selena was complex and complicated, with so many obstacles to overcome. I mean, Nikko thinks he killed Selena long ago and has lived with the betrayal and guilt every single day. His entire life has been about shutting off the things that make him feel, as if ice runs through his veins. The very fact that he still mourns his supposed actions over the years attests to the depth of feeling that he is capable of. Enter Selena. She walks back into his life, saving him from certain death, and then they are forced to work together, preventing terrorists from selling a nuke to the highest bidder, including demons bent on destroying The Order, a council comprised of one leader from each immortal order (vamp, lycan, daemon, fallen and fey). Mix this with a combustible passion that is scorching hot and you get the beginnings of the relationship they share. Nikko and Selena singe the pages, although the rest, forgiveness and trust, don't come easy. We still have a daughter, a demonic father, illegal vamp serum, and the destruction of Hellkeepers to keep everything moving at a non-stop pace. I loved every minute!
Other books in the L.O.S.T. series:
Enemy Lover
September 5, 2011
I loved the first book in this series, Enemy Lover and was thrilled to receive the ARC for this book in the mail. While this book is part of a series, if you have not read Enemy Lover you could still read Enemy Mine without a problem. Karin includes enough information and back story for a new reader to understand the world of the L.O.S.T. operatives. There are characters that we have met from the previous book that play roles in this one and it was nice to catch up with them and see how they were, but someone who did not read the first book would still be able to follow along with the story just fine. However, I would still highly recommend the first book because it is fantastic!
Alright, onto Enemy Mine. We rejoin the L.O.S.T operatives while they are on a mission to recover a weapon that will devastate both the human and immortal world. We follow L.O.S.T. operative Nikko as he and his team try and recover the weapon. Everything seems to be going well, until Nikko’s team is betrayed leaving him mortally wounded. He fears death until a face from his past comes to his rescue. It is the woman he thought was dead for eight years and the love of his life, Selena. In his weakened state he almost believes her to be a hallucination since he thought he had killed her himself, but when he wakes completely healed he begins to track Selena down. Nikko was burned by Selena in the past and as a result he has earned the nickname “Ice” because of the wall he has built around his heart. The second he sees Selena alive again, his wall starts to crack.
Selena is also taken aback to see Nikko while on a mission to recover the same weapon Nikko was after. She wants to leave him, but her heart breaks when she sees him dying. So, she stops long enough to revive him and disappear. Selena’s father and his constant attempts on her and her loved one’s lives has caused her to harden her heart and cultivate her fighting skills. Once someone who had her heart wide open for Nikko, she has now closed it off completely and adjusted to life on her own. Her new mission in life is to destroy her sadistic father and live life without fear of his rage. When Nikko comes back into the picture though, her world is turned upside down and her head and her heart are constantly at war with each other.
I loved that Karin painted Selena as a kick butt heroine. She did like having Nikko at her side at times, but did not need him there. She was a woman who could take care of herself and I admired her for that. I quickly tire of whiny heroines who rely solely on the men in their lives to protect them. The women in Karin’s novels are self-reliant and I appreciate her ability to write strong women as well as men. Through Selena, Karin also lets us see more of the daemon world. In book one, we learned about the immortal world, but focused mostly on the vampires. In Enemy Mine, we see how the daemons live and what threat they bring to the L.O.S.T operatives. As always, Karin’s mythology is fascinating and I soaked up every detail she gave us. She includes enough knowledge about the world to keep the reader interested and well informed, but does not bog down the story with irrelevant information that would slow down the plot.
The romance and the action have equal play time in Enemy Mine, which keeps the reader on their toes constantly. The fire that burns between Nikko and Selena is anything but a slow burn and when they let their walls down and give into their emotions, the result is explosive. They are both emotional wrecks trying to forgive one another for a past filled with heartache and betrayal. However, they still love each other with fierce passion, though neither is willing to get burned again. So they continue to guard their hearts with extreme caution. Watching the moments when they slowly open up to each other and let their hearts guide them was so precious. Nikko and Selena are learning to love again and Karin did a wonderful job of conveying those emotions to the reader.
As for the action, it is engaging and filled with suspense. You were never quite sure when an enemy was going to turn up and threaten all that Selena and Nikko are working towards. The fight scenes are intense and played through my head like a movie because the description was so precise. I longed for these scenes as much as the romantic ones and was hanging onto every word Karin wrote.
The secondary characters were also entertaining. My favorite among them was Joran. He has been a friend to Selena for a long time and also happens to be an extremely ancient vampire. We are not sure of his exact age, but we do know he was in love once and lost her to unknown circumstances. He is sarcastic, unforgiving to his enemies, but his loyalty to those he considers friends is unwavering. Karin kept me aching to learn more about him every time his name appeared on the page. Joran plays a pivotal role with many events throughout the book and left me hoping we get to see more of him in the future.
I could keep going on about everything I love about this book, but I am going to stop myself and just urge you to read Enemy Mine as well. Overall, Enemy Mine is a thrill ride filled with fast paced action, eccentric, lovable characters and a romance that has survived broken hearts, deception and come out of it stronger than ever. I cannot recommend this book and this series enough and am looking forward to future books from Karin.
Alright, onto Enemy Mine. We rejoin the L.O.S.T operatives while they are on a mission to recover a weapon that will devastate both the human and immortal world. We follow L.O.S.T. operative Nikko as he and his team try and recover the weapon. Everything seems to be going well, until Nikko’s team is betrayed leaving him mortally wounded. He fears death until a face from his past comes to his rescue. It is the woman he thought was dead for eight years and the love of his life, Selena. In his weakened state he almost believes her to be a hallucination since he thought he had killed her himself, but when he wakes completely healed he begins to track Selena down. Nikko was burned by Selena in the past and as a result he has earned the nickname “Ice” because of the wall he has built around his heart. The second he sees Selena alive again, his wall starts to crack.
Selena is also taken aback to see Nikko while on a mission to recover the same weapon Nikko was after. She wants to leave him, but her heart breaks when she sees him dying. So, she stops long enough to revive him and disappear. Selena’s father and his constant attempts on her and her loved one’s lives has caused her to harden her heart and cultivate her fighting skills. Once someone who had her heart wide open for Nikko, she has now closed it off completely and adjusted to life on her own. Her new mission in life is to destroy her sadistic father and live life without fear of his rage. When Nikko comes back into the picture though, her world is turned upside down and her head and her heart are constantly at war with each other.
I loved that Karin painted Selena as a kick butt heroine. She did like having Nikko at her side at times, but did not need him there. She was a woman who could take care of herself and I admired her for that. I quickly tire of whiny heroines who rely solely on the men in their lives to protect them. The women in Karin’s novels are self-reliant and I appreciate her ability to write strong women as well as men. Through Selena, Karin also lets us see more of the daemon world. In book one, we learned about the immortal world, but focused mostly on the vampires. In Enemy Mine, we see how the daemons live and what threat they bring to the L.O.S.T operatives. As always, Karin’s mythology is fascinating and I soaked up every detail she gave us. She includes enough knowledge about the world to keep the reader interested and well informed, but does not bog down the story with irrelevant information that would slow down the plot.
The romance and the action have equal play time in Enemy Mine, which keeps the reader on their toes constantly. The fire that burns between Nikko and Selena is anything but a slow burn and when they let their walls down and give into their emotions, the result is explosive. They are both emotional wrecks trying to forgive one another for a past filled with heartache and betrayal. However, they still love each other with fierce passion, though neither is willing to get burned again. So they continue to guard their hearts with extreme caution. Watching the moments when they slowly open up to each other and let their hearts guide them was so precious. Nikko and Selena are learning to love again and Karin did a wonderful job of conveying those emotions to the reader.
As for the action, it is engaging and filled with suspense. You were never quite sure when an enemy was going to turn up and threaten all that Selena and Nikko are working towards. The fight scenes are intense and played through my head like a movie because the description was so precise. I longed for these scenes as much as the romantic ones and was hanging onto every word Karin wrote.
The secondary characters were also entertaining. My favorite among them was Joran. He has been a friend to Selena for a long time and also happens to be an extremely ancient vampire. We are not sure of his exact age, but we do know he was in love once and lost her to unknown circumstances. He is sarcastic, unforgiving to his enemies, but his loyalty to those he considers friends is unwavering. Karin kept me aching to learn more about him every time his name appeared on the page. Joran plays a pivotal role with many events throughout the book and left me hoping we get to see more of him in the future.
I could keep going on about everything I love about this book, but I am going to stop myself and just urge you to read Enemy Mine as well. Overall, Enemy Mine is a thrill ride filled with fast paced action, eccentric, lovable characters and a romance that has survived broken hearts, deception and come out of it stronger than ever. I cannot recommend this book and this series enough and am looking forward to future books from Karin.
August 23, 2011
Enemy Mine by Karin Harlow
Paranormal Romance- Aug 30th, 2011
4 stars
Enemy Mine is a non-stop action romance in the L.O.S.T (Last Option Special Team) series. This series focuses on men and woman warriors who risk their lives to serve the president in dangerous and covert work.
Selena is a half-demon. She would do anything to protect the ones she loves, even betray them. On her latest mission, she meets a ghost from her past - a man that she loved and hurt. When she finds him near death, she uses a top secret serum to save him and then vanishes. But her actions have consequences.
The name she loved is now named Nikko. Nikko changed his name and became a new person and a killing machine. He wants vengeance. He believed he killed Selena for a past betrayal but now that she is alive, he feels driven to find her and ‘punish’ her again. While hunting her, he realizes how emotionally dead he has been since she ‘died.’ As he fights with his feelings to make her pay and at the same time hold her in his arms, their deadly dance disrupts plans for each of their missions. In this case, both search for a secret cask of untold power. As they seek to be the first to obtain this precious item, their struggles escalate and so does their undeniable passion!
This was a thrilling novel. The author writes books that I can easily image made into action movies. I liked Selena's drive and confidence. She won't stop until she finishes her job but Nikko’s presence serves as a big distraction. I enjoyed reading her deep emotions for those she cares for; although she is tough, you know her actions come from a pure heart. Nikko at first seems a bit cold but who wouldn't be when the woman you loved betrays you? But before discovering Selena is actually alive I had the sense that he was a walking zombie who goes through the motions and only lives for duty. I enjoyed reading how he came to life with Selena and it made me feel they were meant to be together. Even when Nikko feels she can't be trusted, he can't let himself hurt her and soon he finds himself working with her.
What make this novel special is that it is driven by the tough and intelligent main characters and the complex plots and counterplots. The author has the wonderful ability to create a dark and surreal atmosphere where you feel like you are experiencing the action with the main characters.
There are a lot of surprises in this story. Anyone who loves action, urban fantasy and strong characters will find this book an exciting adrenaline rush.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Paranormal Romance- Aug 30th, 2011
4 stars
Enemy Mine is a non-stop action romance in the L.O.S.T (Last Option Special Team) series. This series focuses on men and woman warriors who risk their lives to serve the president in dangerous and covert work.
Selena is a half-demon. She would do anything to protect the ones she loves, even betray them. On her latest mission, she meets a ghost from her past - a man that she loved and hurt. When she finds him near death, she uses a top secret serum to save him and then vanishes. But her actions have consequences.
The name she loved is now named Nikko. Nikko changed his name and became a new person and a killing machine. He wants vengeance. He believed he killed Selena for a past betrayal but now that she is alive, he feels driven to find her and ‘punish’ her again. While hunting her, he realizes how emotionally dead he has been since she ‘died.’ As he fights with his feelings to make her pay and at the same time hold her in his arms, their deadly dance disrupts plans for each of their missions. In this case, both search for a secret cask of untold power. As they seek to be the first to obtain this precious item, their struggles escalate and so does their undeniable passion!
This was a thrilling novel. The author writes books that I can easily image made into action movies. I liked Selena's drive and confidence. She won't stop until she finishes her job but Nikko’s presence serves as a big distraction. I enjoyed reading her deep emotions for those she cares for; although she is tough, you know her actions come from a pure heart. Nikko at first seems a bit cold but who wouldn't be when the woman you loved betrays you? But before discovering Selena is actually alive I had the sense that he was a walking zombie who goes through the motions and only lives for duty. I enjoyed reading how he came to life with Selena and it made me feel they were meant to be together. Even when Nikko feels she can't be trusted, he can't let himself hurt her and soon he finds himself working with her.
What make this novel special is that it is driven by the tough and intelligent main characters and the complex plots and counterplots. The author has the wonderful ability to create a dark and surreal atmosphere where you feel like you are experiencing the action with the main characters.
There are a lot of surprises in this story. Anyone who loves action, urban fantasy and strong characters will find this book an exciting adrenaline rush.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
June 5, 2012
I got a copy of Enemy Mine, the second in Karin Harlow's L.O.S.T. series when I was at AAD in Philadelphia last year, and yes... it has taken me this long to read it. Not because I didn't want to, just simply because I got so many books whilst I was there. Get to it I finally did and I was so pleased I did because I enjoyed it. It is a summer book, it's a sit by the pool with your drink and drink in the rays book, it is a cuddle up in the airport book... in other words it is a great summer read.
It is the second book in the series and I read it without having read the first, did it stand alone? Absolutely. Have I been and bought the first? Yip!
So what did I like? Mainly Selena, I am not saying Nikko is rubbish, he really isn't, he is a testosterone filled superhuman hottie who is totally pissed off (and with good reason) but it was Selena who held my interested throughout. What she had been through to protect those she loved. What she was prepared to do and how far she would go. The answer to that is pretty far!
Yes there is the reclamation of the romance between Selena and Nikko, the laying to rest of their former life and personas, (Nikko was originally called Johnny and served hard time for Selena's murder before being placed in LOST, yeah... now you know part of why he is pissed off!) but this story is so much more that that. At its heart it is an action adventure mystery, who is at the root of the terrorist cell, will they catch them and at what cost?
That said, the reclaiming of the romance is a large part of that and it is what gives the story heart and shows you their vulnerabilities, making them human. We meet a number of side characters, Cassidy and Marcus who I believe were the protagonists in the first story, the remainder of Nikko's LOST team and a couple of shady vampires! One of whom definitely caught my attention!! I hope we hear more from him. I am keeping him secret so no-one can claim him before me... (looks about shiftily for candy snatching bears) OK he is called Joran.
A fast paced and interesting read, a strong heroine who know what she wants and can kick ass and a testosterone filled hero who is struggling with his emotions and his job. Add to that vampires, demons terrorists and a dirty bomb and you have a book which will fill your sun and fun filled summer! I give Enemy Mine 3.5 frillies out of 5, a fun summer read. Add it to your TBR pile, I am definitely adding Enemy Lover to my list and looking forward to Enemy Sworn!
It is the second book in the series and I read it without having read the first, did it stand alone? Absolutely. Have I been and bought the first? Yip!
So what did I like? Mainly Selena, I am not saying Nikko is rubbish, he really isn't, he is a testosterone filled superhuman hottie who is totally pissed off (and with good reason) but it was Selena who held my interested throughout. What she had been through to protect those she loved. What she was prepared to do and how far she would go. The answer to that is pretty far!
Yes there is the reclamation of the romance between Selena and Nikko, the laying to rest of their former life and personas, (Nikko was originally called Johnny and served hard time for Selena's murder before being placed in LOST, yeah... now you know part of why he is pissed off!) but this story is so much more that that. At its heart it is an action adventure mystery, who is at the root of the terrorist cell, will they catch them and at what cost?
That said, the reclaiming of the romance is a large part of that and it is what gives the story heart and shows you their vulnerabilities, making them human. We meet a number of side characters, Cassidy and Marcus who I believe were the protagonists in the first story, the remainder of Nikko's LOST team and a couple of shady vampires! One of whom definitely caught my attention!! I hope we hear more from him. I am keeping him secret so no-one can claim him before me... (looks about shiftily for candy snatching bears) OK he is called Joran.
A fast paced and interesting read, a strong heroine who know what she wants and can kick ass and a testosterone filled hero who is struggling with his emotions and his job. Add to that vampires, demons terrorists and a dirty bomb and you have a book which will fill your sun and fun filled summer! I give Enemy Mine 3.5 frillies out of 5, a fun summer read. Add it to your TBR pile, I am definitely adding Enemy Lover to my list and looking forward to Enemy Sworn!
Read
September 19, 2011While two characters at odds can be good for “Will they, won’t they” tension, in ENEMY MINE Harlow has created two such unlikeable and irrevocably damaged characters, their relationship makes me think of restraining orders more than happily-ever-afters. For pure sexual chemistry, it's definitely dark, violent, and red hot. At the thought of these two behind a white picket fence raising children, however, I break into a cold sweat.
This pair has a certain amount of charisma, but Harlow does too good of a job driving a wedge between Selena and Nikko for me to want to bridge that gap. Selena is the homicidal love child of Bruce Wayne and Hannibal Lector, lurking over her nightclub and harvesting daemon body parts. Nikko is the hot beefcake combination of MMA and a bad episode of Cops, who almost kills Selena in a haze of rage. Harlow tries to write an act so heinous for Selena that the reader will be able to forgive Nikko’s attempted murder, but to be honest, she just succeeded in making me wash my hands of both of them. It is beyond uncomfortable and distasteful to read Selena and Nikko tearing each other's hearts out over the supposed late-term abortion of their child (even knowing that Marisol is alive and well), or Selena dismissing her attempted murder at Nikko's hands as little more than something that she's "still pissed" about.
The plot and world building of ENEMY MINE are well written, and anyone who doesn't mind high drama and a lot of violence mixed with a potent sexual chemistry will find a lot to enjoy in this book. The plot of international intrigue gives a unique thriller/suspense element to this paranormal romance, giving ENEMY MINE appeal across several genres. My problems with this book are definitely content, not execution, and readers who like a lot of drama and violence spicing up a romance may enjoy the risks Harlow takes with her characters.
Sexual Content: References to rape, scenes of sex and sexual violence.
This pair has a certain amount of charisma, but Harlow does too good of a job driving a wedge between Selena and Nikko for me to want to bridge that gap. Selena is the homicidal love child of Bruce Wayne and Hannibal Lector, lurking over her nightclub and harvesting daemon body parts. Nikko is the hot beefcake combination of MMA and a bad episode of Cops, who almost kills Selena in a haze of rage. Harlow tries to write an act so heinous for Selena that the reader will be able to forgive Nikko’s attempted murder, but to be honest, she just succeeded in making me wash my hands of both of them. It is beyond uncomfortable and distasteful to read Selena and Nikko tearing each other's hearts out over the supposed late-term abortion of their child (even knowing that Marisol is alive and well), or Selena dismissing her attempted murder at Nikko's hands as little more than something that she's "still pissed" about.
The plot and world building of ENEMY MINE are well written, and anyone who doesn't mind high drama and a lot of violence mixed with a potent sexual chemistry will find a lot to enjoy in this book. The plot of international intrigue gives a unique thriller/suspense element to this paranormal romance, giving ENEMY MINE appeal across several genres. My problems with this book are definitely content, not execution, and readers who like a lot of drama and violence spicing up a romance may enjoy the risks Harlow takes with her characters.
Sexual Content: References to rape, scenes of sex and sexual violence.
February 13, 2014
Well… it was better organized than the first one - no character mix-ups, no crazy punctuation. OTOH…
It reads like the most trainwrecky harlequin presents you've ever stumbled across - with vampires and other non-humans.
Many moons ago, our H met our h, they got together, they made mad whoopee for months, she got in the family way and then… dear old dad found her. Why is this a problem you ask? Daddy is a demon. Daddy wanted the unborn baby. Rather than confiding in the H and maybe making a joint decision on how to avoid daddy, she… quickly has a cesarian, hides the newborn in a chapel, and tells H that she aborted their baby - at 7 months. He lost his shit and strangled her - he thought. He refused a trial and accepted the death penalty. I'm not sure he ever told her this either…
L.O.S.T. organized his escape - that he didn't want.
8 years later, she runs across him after a mission goes to hell in a hand basket and he's dying on a hillside. She has an assortment of things on her person, including a concoction that saves dying vampires. She gives it to him, saving his life and making him a leedle special temporarily.
The stage is set.
The organization hunts her down and thereafter follows much chest beating (him) defiance (her), things like him stating clearly that he'll never trust her and she'll never be a part of his life (after he's whipped out the magic pen of course). Near the end he decides he can't live without her and suddenly everything is A-OK. Uhmmm… I don't think so. Sorry. Not happening. I'd never trust a guy who'd nearly killed me in a fit of rage any more than I'd ever have any use for a girlfriend who told me she killed my kid.
It reads like the most trainwrecky harlequin presents you've ever stumbled across - with vampires and other non-humans.
Many moons ago, our H met our h, they got together, they made mad whoopee for months, she got in the family way and then… dear old dad found her. Why is this a problem you ask? Daddy is a demon. Daddy wanted the unborn baby. Rather than confiding in the H and maybe making a joint decision on how to avoid daddy, she… quickly has a cesarian, hides the newborn in a chapel, and tells H that she aborted their baby - at 7 months. He lost his shit and strangled her - he thought. He refused a trial and accepted the death penalty. I'm not sure he ever told her this either…
L.O.S.T. organized his escape - that he didn't want.
8 years later, she runs across him after a mission goes to hell in a hand basket and he's dying on a hillside. She has an assortment of things on her person, including a concoction that saves dying vampires. She gives it to him, saving his life and making him a leedle special temporarily.
The stage is set.
The organization hunts her down and thereafter follows much chest beating (him) defiance (her), things like him stating clearly that he'll never trust her and she'll never be a part of his life (after he's whipped out the magic pen of course). Near the end he decides he can't live without her and suddenly everything is A-OK. Uhmmm… I don't think so. Sorry. Not happening. I'd never trust a guy who'd nearly killed me in a fit of rage any more than I'd ever have any use for a girlfriend who told me she killed my kid.
April 6, 2012
Enemy Mine by Karin HarlowMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Finished Enemy Mine and with the nice HEA I can probably stretch it to a 4 Star reading experience but the first book Enemy Lover seemed a bit more fun, when you need a change of pace and these are a cross between Black-Ops and paranormal with a central romance in each one (and yes plenty of sex for those hormonal challenged of you) I can recommend them, lot of action, the requisite angst (not a requirement for me but obviously PNR seems to require it). Something to add to your list of books when nothing else seems to fit :) I was a small bit let down on the last page but nothing that ruined it.
November 19, 2011
No tuvo el mismo sabor y encanto que el primer libro de la serie, Marcus era sexy-sexy y tenía una personalidad que cautivaba enseguida. Per Nikko... realmente sufrí leyendo Enemy Mine. Una pareja de lo más indecisa, te amo pero te odio, quiero estar contigo pero no quiero estar contigo, te perdono pero no te perdono... ni siquiera hubo un enamoramiento, puesto que estos dos ya se conocían de antes -estuvieron casados y tuvieron una hija-, era reenamorarse? tampoco porque nunca dejaron de sentir algo uno por el otro. Fue un reencuentro donde ninguno daba su brazo a torcer. Predecible además. Cerca del final bastante ridículo y el final totalmente esperado.
Ojalá que el siguiente libro en la serie tenga un mejor plot, porque este fue mucha acción pero poco romance y la pareja no tenía tanto carisma como Jax y Marcus (ven que tengo un algo por los Marcus? -ver Burning Skies by Caris Roane-) que sí que hacen aparición en este libro.
Lo mejor de todo fue la acción, el mundo de los demonios y eso. Pero no me sentí atraída por la parejita :/
Ojalá que el siguiente libro en la serie tenga un mejor plot, porque este fue mucha acción pero poco romance y la pareja no tenía tanto carisma como Jax y Marcus (ven que tengo un algo por los Marcus? -ver Burning Skies by Caris Roane-) que sí que hacen aparición en este libro.
Lo mejor de todo fue la acción, el mundo de los demonios y eso. Pero no me sentí atraída por la parejita :/
September 5, 2011
Reviewed by Jen
ARC provided by author for review
I love this series! Karin Harlow has created such an interesting organization when it comes to L.O.S.T. It's a mix of a group of renegades, thrown together into a special ops group and then to make things even more interesting, some paranormal elements are added in.
With Enemy Mine, we get a reunion story with a twist. In Nikko's mind, Selena is back from the grave (that he happened to put her in) and he's bent on making her life miserable for breaking his heart years before. But at the same time, they end up teaming together to try to keep a nuclear weapon out of human and paranormal (demon and vampire) terrorists' hands.
There are so many twists and turns to keep the reader on the edge of their seat... or turning the pages. I think my only complaint is that the cast of characters was quite large and at times I had to stop and figure out who was who... especially when it came to all the bad guys. But it was great to reunite with Jax & Cross as well as the other LOST operatives, and I can't wait for the next installment.
ARC provided by author for review
I love this series! Karin Harlow has created such an interesting organization when it comes to L.O.S.T. It's a mix of a group of renegades, thrown together into a special ops group and then to make things even more interesting, some paranormal elements are added in.
With Enemy Mine, we get a reunion story with a twist. In Nikko's mind, Selena is back from the grave (that he happened to put her in) and he's bent on making her life miserable for breaking his heart years before. But at the same time, they end up teaming together to try to keep a nuclear weapon out of human and paranormal (demon and vampire) terrorists' hands.
There are so many twists and turns to keep the reader on the edge of their seat... or turning the pages. I think my only complaint is that the cast of characters was quite large and at times I had to stop and figure out who was who... especially when it came to all the bad guys. But it was great to reunite with Jax & Cross as well as the other LOST operatives, and I can't wait for the next installment.
September 3, 2011
Although I didn't like this one as well as I liked its predecessor Enemy Mine is not a bad book - it is a solid 3star entry to the series.
The lower rating is because the characters weren't as likeable and more often than not I wanted to strangle the both. Partially because couples with a past tend to spend several chapters rehashing what went wrong and this was no different.
It started with with hijacked nuclear components destined to be part of a plot for world domination. As our star couple enters we get a closer look at Nikko Cruz/Ice of the LOST team whose snarkiness was introduced in the last entry and his lady love Selena de la Roja. Selena's been keeping many secrets which have contributed to making Nikko the man he is today. The revelation & unraveling of those secrets and the resolution of the fallout is what takes us through to the end of ths book.
Most of the story centered on them as expected, but I wanted more of the team. But we did get a glimpse of Cassidy & Cross from the earlier outing. I'm looking forward to another entry to series.
The lower rating is because the characters weren't as likeable and more often than not I wanted to strangle the both. Partially because couples with a past tend to spend several chapters rehashing what went wrong and this was no different.
It started with with hijacked nuclear components destined to be part of a plot for world domination. As our star couple enters we get a closer look at Nikko Cruz/Ice of the LOST team whose snarkiness was introduced in the last entry and his lady love Selena de la Roja. Selena's been keeping many secrets which have contributed to making Nikko the man he is today. The revelation & unraveling of those secrets and the resolution of the fallout is what takes us through to the end of ths book.
Most of the story centered on them as expected, but I wanted more of the team. But we did get a glimpse of Cassidy & Cross from the earlier outing. I'm looking forward to another entry to series.
April 28, 2016
((Read book 2, but not book 1 as got as part of a package of books.))
Sort of a soldier meets paranormal mixture. The world was interesting, the plot good enough, and I liked most of the characters. I really liked the Vamp stuff at the end and the bit with Joran. That has me curious enough where I might pick up another one.
My major problem? The relationship between the hero/heroine. I liked him, but I didn't care for her. I liked that she was kickass and did what she needed to do, but at times she greatly annoyed me. And their romantic encounters? Well one was like lust gone wild, another was like rape/sex to confuse -seriously she failed to convince him to give her the necklace, so she went through his body to do so...then later on made a reference to his lust gone wild as almost rape, when it was really her that did the almost deed- and the rest I skimmed past because of that one.
Sort of a soldier meets paranormal mixture. The world was interesting, the plot good enough, and I liked most of the characters. I really liked the Vamp stuff at the end and the bit with Joran. That has me curious enough where I might pick up another one.
My major problem? The relationship between the hero/heroine. I liked him, but I didn't care for her. I liked that she was kickass and did what she needed to do, but at times she greatly annoyed me. And their romantic encounters? Well one was like lust gone wild, another was like rape/sex to confuse -seriously she failed to convince him to give her the necklace, so she went through his body to do so...then later on made a reference to his lust gone wild as almost rape, when it was really her that did the almost deed- and the rest I skimmed past because of that one.
July 17, 2012
I find this book really hard to review. Karin Harlow has done a great job with her world-building, and this series has a wonderful group of characters, and they will probably keep me reading.
I wasn't so keen on the H/h of this story though. I found the inner monologue of both a bit repetitive. They still loved one another, but couldn't be together, and he would never be able to forgive her past. I got it. The first time. The whole book seemed to pass before this was resolved. It took some of my enjoyment away from the story. That could just be my own preferences showing, so I wouldn't let it stop you from reading this, especially if you enjoyed the first book in this series.
I will read more in this series, as I do think my problems with this one were just me, and not a flaw in the writing or pace of the story.
I wasn't so keen on the H/h of this story though. I found the inner monologue of both a bit repetitive. They still loved one another, but couldn't be together, and he would never be able to forgive her past. I got it. The first time. The whole book seemed to pass before this was resolved. It took some of my enjoyment away from the story. That could just be my own preferences showing, so I wouldn't let it stop you from reading this, especially if you enjoyed the first book in this series.
I will read more in this series, as I do think my problems with this one were just me, and not a flaw in the writing or pace of the story.
September 20, 2011
Started off great and went awesome, but then 2/3rds into the book it went downhill. It was all wishy washy and lame towards the end that I skimmed the last few pages. My problem was that the characters started off strong but then fizzled out. It surprised me b/c the world building was so great in the first book and the characters were strong throughout. However there was a cliffhanger towards the end of this book. We don't know what is happening in the background and so in that end I hope the next book is about because he was one of the most interesting characters in the book besides Marcus from the first book. Not sure if I'd continue with the series otherwise.
September 15, 2013
This is a well thought out story line. It was refreshing to see all this military intrigue be combined with paranormal. I liked seeing it from both perspectives, Nikko and Selena's. However, it was sometimes confusing when their true names were brought into the story. Nikko used to be Johnny, and I can't remember who Selena used to be. Both however were brought back together in a great story. I was entertained from page one to the end. Harlow set up a whole world and didn't bore me in the process - I wanted to read her book after I started it. The book blurb wasn't as exciting as the book and thus I'd put off reading it for a few months.
December 28, 2013
Johnny (aka Nikko) and Selena are very interesting characters, with a hurtful past and now with a same goal in mind. Selena does everything in order to protect her love ones, even if they will hate her in return. Nikko's transformation gives him an advantage because he can't really be much help if he is normal. The events that lead up to the final showdown is very chaotic, that I become confused with some of the scenes. It is also an emotional roller coaster that makes you mad at first then be happy at last. The ending is really sweet and is deserving of the couple. Overall I really like this book.
November 27, 2011
A great stand alone book from this series. Although I do reccomend you read the 1st book to this series. The Plot and pace really keep me turning pages, I got completely lost in the orginiality and worldsetting. the Character are very realistic and you do grow attached to them. The writting style was enjoyable. The cover... *Drool*. I loved this book and I think anyone who reads it will too.
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May 16, 2012
I liked the dynamic of this story.
there are daemons and vampires and hellkeepers and a cute kid
Daemons want to destroy vampires who hold the power in the 'Others' council by eliminating the vampires food supply.
Kick ass daemon slayer Selena has father issues..
Father of the cute kid thinks he has nothing to live for..
just remember... bribery always works!!! :p
Quite a surprise.
Nice to be reminded they are still out there.
there are daemons and vampires and hellkeepers and a cute kid
Daemons want to destroy vampires who hold the power in the 'Others' council by eliminating the vampires food supply.
Kick ass daemon slayer Selena has father issues..
Father of the cute kid thinks he has nothing to live for..
just remember... bribery always works!!! :p
Quite a surprise.
Nice to be reminded they are still out there.
January 19, 2016
I really wanted to like this book, but it didn't live up to the awesomeness of the first book in the L.O.S.T. series. The premise of the book was solid and the action was enjoyable, but some of the things done by both the heroine and hero prior to where the reader picks up the story, left me going ughh. Crossing my fingers that Book #3 (and I'm sure there will be another book given the appearance of an interesting new male vampire) will get this series back on track again.
October 19, 2014
I really liked the first book in this series, but this one just doesn't do it for me. I had a hard time connecting to the story or the characters. After 20 pages I wanted to quit, but I put it down. When I picked up the book again I had a hard time reading each page. After another 30 pages I am giving in. This one just isn't for me.
Read
February 18, 2012can't rate this book because the male lead is a dick (as in he sees his wife who he supposingly killed for killing their little daughter) and the first thing he does? Tries to have sex with her on the spot instead of asking what the hell is going on... Says tons about his intelligence and sensitivity, doesn't it? No, thank you. I'd rather stop reading now and save myself some grief.
DNF
DNF
January 31, 2012
Lots of turns and twist in this one. Anyone who likes action and romance will enjoy Enemy Mine. This book has a great mix of family, political, and romance issues. The herione wants to kill her daddy and her former lover tried to kill her. What a ride the characters are taken on to get back to each other.
September 3, 2012
The second book in Ms. Harlow's L.O.S.T. series, Enemy Mine pits L.O.S.T operative Nikko Cruz aganist the woman he loved, and thought he killed, half-daemon Selena Guererro. The two meet up and the old sparks ignite, but underneath this PNR/UF/Suspense blend of a story, lie secrets and mistrust and enough angst to satisfy most fans of the genre.
September 23, 2011
I was hooked on this book from the very first page! Nikko and Selena's story was exciting and totally hot! This book has it all, action, adventure, mystery, and sexiness! Karin Harlow has an amazing series going here. I can't wait to see what will be next!! :)
Want to read
May 13, 2012I won a copy of this through Goodreads! Looking forward to reading this when it gets here. I've requested the Enemy Lover from the library to get caught up on the series.
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