Compact with the Devil: A Novel

Nikki Lanier #2

by Bethany Maines

What do you get when you cross Avon Ladies with Charlie's Angels? A world-class intelligence organization run by women who really know their foundation. When Nikki Lanier signs up as a cosmetics rep at Carrie Mae, it's hardly her idea of a dream job. With a degree in linguistics and a hard-core workout regimen, the twenty-six-year-old redhead once had hopes for a real career. But unemployed and desperate to escape life at home with her nagging mother, she'll try anything; even selling makeup to housewives. Soon, Nikki learns that the powder and lipstick are simply cover-up for the Carrie Mae Foundation, a secret organization of international espionage and high-tech mascara founded for the purpose of helping women everywhere. Whisked off to Thailand with the legendary Carrie Mae agent Val Robinson, Nikki is soon in over her head. Between investigating the abduction of a human rights activist, tracking down a murderous arms dealer, keeping up with her wildly dangerous new partner, and occasionally trying to date a hunk who may or may not be CIA, Nikki has to use all the courage and cosmetic technology she's got to bring down the bad guys and get out alive. With the support of the colorful Carrie Mae crew, Nikki will overcome even the most harrowing obstacles;including incessant phone calls from her mother;or die trying.

Genres: Mystery, Chick Lit, Fiction

386 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 26, 2011

About the author

Bethany Maines, a native of Tacoma WA, is the award-winning author of action adventure tales that focus on women who know when to apply lipstick and when to apply a foot to someone’s hind end. When she’s not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some serious butt with her black belt in karate, she can be found chasing after her daughter, or glued to the computer working on her next novel.

FB: www.facebook.com/AuthorBethanyMaines
INSTA: @AuthorBethanyMaines
TWIT: @BethanyMaines
WEB: www.bethanymaines.com

Reviews

[Deena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really glad that I got a chance to read this through FirstReads - it was fun!

That being said (and I am glad I read it - it really was fun!), it also has a few problems...

Someone should beware of hype... Ms. Maines has apparently been compared to Janet Evanovich, and while Ms. Maines is certainly as good a writer as Evanovich, this is definitely not a Stephanie Plum novel. Comparisons to on-going, successful series are not going to serve Ms. Maines well yet.

A bigger problem was that I spent the first third of the story fighting frustration at not knowing the back story from the first book - but at the same time not feeling any real urge to run out and get it because Ms. Maines blew the ending of it in this book. There's no explanation of the structure of Carrie Mae, no explanation of the relationships - working or otherwise - and this feeling that the reader has been left out continues well in to the book. When Nikki is talking to Angelique in Paris, she is sufficiently concerned about the possibility of Angelique having known her father that "holds her breath" and chokes on some food - but we never get an explanation of any kind. Is that from the first book? I don't know - and I don't want to have to read the whole first book because I already know how it ends. For a fan of series', that's a very frustrating feeling!
(ETA: the blurb about the book here on GoodReads actually has more back info in it than the book itself does!!)

Perhaps I'm too cynical, but the whole thing seemed very self-consciously cinematic to me - as though Ms. Maines is hoping someone will buy the concept for an HBO series. Of course, I feel that was with several other series I can think (including Evanovich's Plum series), so it's not a problem that is exclusive to Ms. Maines' work.

I did enjoy this - I might even consider reading another (but I'm not going to go buy the first one!) at some point.

[Once · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like to read about espionage, the 2nd installment of the Nikkie Lanier Series should be on your list. Nikkie works for an espionage agency that combines Agent 007 with Charlie’s Angels into one, under the cover of a cosmetics company. After a failed mission, the company sends the team to cover separate jobs and Nikkie ends up in a tail spin adventure thru Europe. She is to capture an escaped assassin that has history with one of the other agents, which happens to be her superior that is in a constant tug of power with her. This assassin goes after the family of the agent and Nikkie ends up playing the role of guardian angel, disguise as a make-up artist for the rock star son’s tour. Needless to say that trouble and lots of complications follow the group, a lot of secrets come out and the team finally comes together to end with an explosive finish. This book is light, refreshing and funny with a side of action and mystery to make it a good read. Can’t wait for the next installment to see in what new adventures Nikkie falls into.

review link: http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2011...

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compact with the Devil is book two in a new series about Nikki, a girl who thought she was trying a new career to get her mom off her back. But Carrie Mae is so much more than selling makeup; it’s a super secret agency of female international spies. In book one, Bulletproof Mascara, Nikki was just getting her heels wet in the business. Now in Compact with the Devil she is seasoned and ready for anything, um, or almost anything. Hopping from country to country in Europe to protect Kit Masters, international rock star, while recovering from an unexpected break up with Z’ev, her hunky CIA boyfriend, was not what Nikki had in mind. And she missed Christmas. And lost her luggage.

I loved this book. I mean, come on! International spies covering as your local Carrie Mae distributors? Genius and original. Nikki is Stephanie Plum crossed with Charlie’s Angels. She is not afraid to bust in, kick your butt, and then help you find the right shade of blush. A combination of humor, suspense, romance, and intrigue make Compact with the Devil a perfect summer read. Light but certainly not fluffy, it’s what you need when you want to relax and be entertained.

Conclusion:
This series is my new favorite mystery/chick lit since Janet Evonovich’s Stephanie Plum. I cannot wait for more. I highly recommend both Bulletproof Mascara and Compact with the Devil, although you do not need to read them in order to appreciate these books!

Note: I received a copy for review from Atria Books.

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVED the first book in this series, Bulletproof Mascara. See Review here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2010/.... So I was thrilled when I was offered an ARC of the sequel. And even though, it's not as good as the first one, I do plan on reading the third..


In the first one, there was more about training and Nikki Lanier took on her first case with Carrie Mae's secret women agents. There was a rogue agent and her friends, Jenny and Ellen were always in tow. And Val... is a character that I greatly miss. Nevermind that she was one of the bad chicks. She needs to be resurrected. Some of the new characters, such as monkey man, though he's obviously a one book thing, didn't work for me....

To read full review, please click on the link:
http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2011/...

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely worth reading!
This novel jumps straight into the action, which is fitting with a main character like Nikki.

I am really glad that she and Z'ev are together in this novel, although I must say she and Kit also make an interesting pair...
Not to mention it seems as though Nikki almost becomes Kit's muse, like she is his cure for writer's block. Even if they are not going to become an item they really should stay in touch, they are good for each other.

Kit helps her to loosen up and not worry about what other people think of her and gets her to enjoy life more. While Nikki inspires Kit to write his music and keep working hard to stay sober and to reach for his goals. They make a really great team.

If I were to get myself into major trouble I would want Nikki and her friends to be there to help me. Especially Jane.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nikki Lanier makes a contract with the devil in COMPACT WITH THE DEVIL when the rescue of the wife of a Colombian drug dealer goes bad, and she ends up the glorified babysitter to a rock star targeted by a Basque terrorist. If it sounds awfully serious, it isn't; because this second spy spoof by Bethany Maines (BULLETPROOF MASCARA) gives us plenty to chuckle about, poking fun at everything from pop stars with LSD (lead singer's disease--okay, I'm stealing that from Steven Tyler) to the James Bondian world of international intrigue. Like double-0 seven, the Carrie Mae ladies kick plenty of butt. So be prepared for a bumpy and amusing ride as Carrie Mae agent Nikki goes undercover on the trail of Cano the Terrorist in order to keep a devilish rock star warbling.

[Enjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a Goodreads First Look copy of this book.
This is Chick-lit, not paranormal or urban fantasy.
This is an enjoyable read that moved along at a healthy pace and kept my interest.
Those Carrie Mae ladies have sheballs. The makeup giant catering to women have their own specially-trained unit to help women in trouble. The ladies are trained in weapons, hand-to-hand, extraction and surveillance. There are many LOL moments "...she looked like a biter...". There are several gadgets ala Q developed just for the ladies, eg. Freesia-scented knockout gas disguised as a necklace. I will look for the first book and give it a read as well.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is original and fun to read. Who knew cosmetics could be so exciting. Carrie Mae seller, uh operative, Nikki Lanier has botched and operation and still reeling from that and her messy love life, or lack of, since her break up with CIA agent Z'ev Coralles she gets an assignment to protect fellow operative Camille Masters' son Kit. Kit is a bad-boy pop star on tour and he has threats against his life. Who knew it could get even messier when she gets fired from the mission, she has to duck people trying to kill not just her, but Kit and Camille, and she has to recruit people to help her be a rogue agent.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been quite a while since I read "bullet proof mascara" which was the first book in the series. I have to admit forgetting some of the details so getting into this second installment of the series was more difficult than I would have liked. Once I got into it and remembered all of what had happened in the first novel, it was much easier to read. I don't think I really got into the swing of things until about a third of the way through the book. But I'm very glad that I picked series back up. I really enjoyed Nikki and the humor in the stories as well as the adventure. I'm not sure if I will continue the series or not, but I'd like to think that I well.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As often happens, the second book of a series (or planned series) somehow doesn't quite measure up. I found that to be true in this instance as well.

However, it was still a fun, engrossing read. I nearly put it down somewhere about the middle, but persevered and ended up liking it better than I expected, based on what was in the middle. And I do love a happy ending.

It's nice to read something pretty clean without being trite or totally shallow.

I'm looking forward to the next installment.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continues Nikki Lanier's adventures as a Carrie Mae agent. This time she spends time in Columbia, Germany and France.
She breaks up with Z'ev in the beginning of the book - but is it really over.
She plays body guard to pop star Kit Masters. Kit's mom Camille is also a Carrie Mae agent.
There are some interesting twists and turns, some predictable events and some laugh out loud dialogue and descriptions.
Jane, Jenny and Ellen help Nikki overcome the bad guys.

[Alie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have not read the first book of this series but have no trouble catching up. Very simple to read, characters are a bit one dimensional but mabye Maines introduced them more in the first book.
Update: I'm pretty sure half the book could have been cut out and was not necessary to the plot. All her spy friends coming to help her was pointless as was the whole Camille sub plot. Not a horrible book in all but I wouldn't read a third one.

[Teotakuu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this in a care package from the ever delightful Deenbat and started it with anticipation. I enjoyed it although I may have enjoyed it more had I read the first book.

The premise of a women's protective service certainly allows scope for interesting shenanigans and, with branches in many countries, there are numerous characters who will be fleshed out in coming books, no doubt.

I look forward to more adventures for Nicki and co.

[Laurie Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and found it a delightfully complex look at human nature. I liked Nikki Lanier a lot in Bulletproof Mascara, but in Compact With The Devil, she’s come into her own. Struggling with a relationship teetering on the edge and a career about to explode into nothingness, she’s got a lot to handle. She does it with, well, maybe not as much charm and professionalism as a Carrie Mae representative should show. Instead, Nikki does it her way and I loved her for it.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read the first part of this series, and although the first book is better, this was still good! This was a fun, entertaining read! A must read? Definitely not, but I still thoroughly every page! It was an easy read for when you want something light and quick to get through and I really liked the characters in the story. I will read the 3rd installment when it comes out!

[Rebecca McKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm hooked! Nikki is the kind of character that makes me want to jump right into the book and BE the character. Doesn't hurt that I've loved spy stories since I was a kid watching 007 with my dad.

I was a little sad that we skipped over a year between books, but I get it.

There's something in this book for everyone. Read it. You'll laugh!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. I wasn't surprised that I liked it so much since I really enjoyed the first one as well. I have to confess though I was a tad disappointed about the ending... only because I was growing attached to another male character in the novel...

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author. I really enjoyed her writing. It was a good mix of humor and mystery. The international aspect brought a fun dimension to it also as several different languages were brought into the writing. I look forward to reading more from Bethany Maines.

[Mary Newcomb]

This series has a great premise, make up ladies (Carrie Mae, to be specific)who actually work as spies. Most of the action in this book takes place in Europe during a tour of an up and coming rock star. This is an amusing tale, not very complex but a great escape.

[Deyara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite liked it this time round. Funny and interesting characters.

[Lark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fluff, but entertaining.

[Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining read. Simple story but equally funny and done with a certain classic spy-writing flare... What would happen if you were a female "James Bond".

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as clean as the first, but not bad either. A fun and quick summer beach read.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good follow-up to bulletproof mascara, though the plot kind of tread water in the middle a bit. still entertaining. quick read.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another good Carrie Mae adventure. Good plot twist, but you can see it coming. I like the humor and adventure though. Definitely worth continuing with the series.

[Jenice Ahlberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Entertaining to the very end.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series. I'm a Mary Kay consultant and I'd love it if we had a branch like this.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and funny. I am enjoying Getting to know Nikki. Keep on writing!