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Mars Cannon #1
Deadly Dancing
When Mars Cannon meets a male exotic dancer at a bachelorette party, all decent thoughts fly out the window . . . until reality hits. And it hits hard! He has a secret and a long list of aliases. He’s not what he seems and Mars is dragged into a killer’s path.
Mars needs to outsmart an irresistible man and outrun a killer, all while pulling off her friend’s wedding without a hitch. Unfortunately, when it comes to the exotic dancer, she just can’t say no.
Mars needs to outsmart an irresistible man and outrun a killer, all while pulling off her friend’s wedding without a hitch. Unfortunately, when it comes to the exotic dancer, she just can’t say no.
467 pages, Nook
First published December 11, 2011
762 people are currently reading
976 people want to read
About the author
Nicolette Pierce
50 books120 followersIf you want to know more, visit my website at www.NicolettePierce.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
April 3, 2014
The good: I finished it. Most of the words were spelled correctly. With an editor and several revisions, it could be a pretty decent novel. It was free.
The bad: Even suspending all concepts of reality, the author expects us to believe that Mars shrugged off assault, threats, breaking and entering, vandalism, and burglary with no desire whatsoever to contact the police. Why have a natural response to crime when one can trust a male stripper met 2 days prior? I mean, why would we NOT trust him? Surely a refusal to give his name isn't a sign of deception, right? Nah, he's cool because he sets the loins a-flame. Let's wait until a drive-by shooting in the workplace to contact the police...then have a brief exam by paramedics before leaving the scene without so much as a word to the police. Has this author bothered to research even the most basic actions taken in a police investigation?
The final straw was when Mars realizes her stalker is a serial killer, but she ca't be bothered with that right now because she has a wedding to plan. If your characters aren't concerned about their lives, why should the reader?
To the author: Please, please, please hire an editor. If you can't, then find new friends because the ones that read this and said "YES! Perfect! Publish it!" are dirty liars. You had a good start with interesting characters, but you lost it with the grammar, spelling (she's supposed to shudder, not shutter), and continuity errors.
The bad: Even suspending all concepts of reality, the author expects us to believe that Mars shrugged off assault, threats, breaking and entering, vandalism, and burglary with no desire whatsoever to contact the police. Why have a natural response to crime when one can trust a male stripper met 2 days prior? I mean, why would we NOT trust him? Surely a refusal to give his name isn't a sign of deception, right? Nah, he's cool because he sets the loins a-flame. Let's wait until a drive-by shooting in the workplace to contact the police...then have a brief exam by paramedics before leaving the scene without so much as a word to the police. Has this author bothered to research even the most basic actions taken in a police investigation?
The final straw was when Mars realizes her stalker is a serial killer, but she ca't be bothered with that right now because she has a wedding to plan. If your characters aren't concerned about their lives, why should the reader?
To the author: Please, please, please hire an editor. If you can't, then find new friends because the ones that read this and said "YES! Perfect! Publish it!" are dirty liars. You had a good start with interesting characters, but you lost it with the grammar, spelling (she's supposed to shudder, not shutter), and continuity errors.
February 28, 2014
Okay so going into this I didn't know how bad the grammar was going to be. It was horrendous.
I also didn't know how annoying and weak Mars was going to be.
There was so many details to the scenery and it didn't fit well with the book.
The romance was too fast that it was just eye rolling.
I was surprised this was a closed door book.
Brett was cool and all, but it made no sense as to how he was so into her from far away and decided "oh you know what? I'm going to ask around about her" and he picks a guy that was in an intimate hug with her. Good choice. Like Wtf?
The Hammer was so obvious it was pretty sad.
The climax of the book was very middle school read. It was trying so very hard to be suspenseful and the Hammer to be menacing.
I also didn't like how it portrayed women. Weak, crazy, clingy, gullible, and so much more pathetic adjectives.
However, all in all I was still pretty much entertained. Not going to read the second book though.
I also didn't know how annoying and weak Mars was going to be.
There was so many details to the scenery and it didn't fit well with the book.
The romance was too fast that it was just eye rolling.
I was surprised this was a closed door book.
Brett was cool and all, but it made no sense as to how he was so into her from far away and decided "oh you know what? I'm going to ask around about her" and he picks a guy that was in an intimate hug with her. Good choice. Like Wtf?
The Hammer was so obvious it was pretty sad.
The climax of the book was very middle school read. It was trying so very hard to be suspenseful and the Hammer to be menacing.
I also didn't like how it portrayed women. Weak, crazy, clingy, gullible, and so much more pathetic adjectives.
However, all in all I was still pretty much entertained. Not going to read the second book though.
January 27, 2021
Believable? No.
Good grammar? No.
Character likability? No.
Enjoyed it? Not so much.
Good grammar? No.
Character likability? No.
Enjoyed it? Not so much.
March 17, 2022
Lots of drama and humour. Makes a good read.
August 23, 2019
I don’t know what Ms. Pierce’s occupation was before she took up writing, but whatever it was; she should go back to it.
It’s Town Car, not town car. And the past tense of bear is bore, not beared.
Mars, like many female MCs in this genre, is almost always short on cash (at one point she doesn’t have the money to buy food.) and her credit cards are maxed out, yet she ‘finds’ the money to pay for a pedicure. Readers like their MCs to have something on the ball. But behavior like this just makes the MC look stupid and has been so overused that it’s a cliché.
The whacky mother/grandmother/neighbor lady is another character that’s been done to death in the genre.
And, of course, the cute MC has two gorgeous hunks chasing her.
In toto, this book was a waste of my time. The only good thing about it was it was free. I can't even say I hated this book. If I could give it ½ star (did nothing for me), I would.
It’s Town Car, not town car. And the past tense of bear is bore, not beared.
Mars, like many female MCs in this genre, is almost always short on cash (at one point she doesn’t have the money to buy food.) and her credit cards are maxed out, yet she ‘finds’ the money to pay for a pedicure. Readers like their MCs to have something on the ball. But behavior like this just makes the MC look stupid and has been so overused that it’s a cliché.
The whacky mother/grandmother/neighbor lady is another character that’s been done to death in the genre.
And, of course, the cute MC has two gorgeous hunks chasing her.
In toto, this book was a waste of my time. The only good thing about it was it was free. I can't even say I hated this book. If I could give it ½ star (did nothing for me), I would.
August 12, 2016
The plot was interesting enough to keep me reading, but some of the errors just about drove me nuts. Below, the first word should have been the second spelling:
Bare/bear
brut/brute
lay/lei
laid/lay
Also, the continuous swinging between past and present tense was extremely distracting. Still, again, the story line and the characters kept me reading to the end. Not sure I'll be looking further into the series. A good editor would help make this story far more pleasurable to read.
Bare/bear
brut/brute
lay/lei
laid/lay
Also, the continuous swinging between past and present tense was extremely distracting. Still, again, the story line and the characters kept me reading to the end. Not sure I'll be looking further into the series. A good editor would help make this story far more pleasurable to read.
January 26, 2021
"Glad that's over"
I convince myself to try something different to my usual genre and what do I get? A major disappointment. Shallow characters and a paper-thin plot. Not for me.
I convince myself to try something different to my usual genre and what do I get? A major disappointment. Shallow characters and a paper-thin plot. Not for me.
October 5, 2013
What to say about this book? After reading the Nadia Wolf series, and LOVING it, I decided to give this one a try as well. Maybe it's not fair to compare the two series, but it's so hard not too. I was expecting to see the same humor the author used in her Nadia Wolf series. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. I don't recall finding this book funny at all. Which I guess, could make sense. Nadia and Mars are two totally different characters. Anyway enough about that.
I did give this book 4 stars, simple because the writing is done well. I did enjoy the book, but there was something about the story that didn't make sense. Like how Brett became so infatuated with Mars just by seeing her with Evan. Also, there wasn't much mystery to the mystery. I figured it out before the end. Although, I also figured it out in her book The Big Blind, but it didn't detract from the story. It was still great.
All in all, the story is not bad. It does deserve the 4 stars. I just think I'll stick with my Nadia Wolf series. Which Rocks! I have to say Thank you to the Author for that series! I think it has become one of my new favorites! :)
I did give this book 4 stars, simple because the writing is done well. I did enjoy the book, but there was something about the story that didn't make sense. Like how Brett became so infatuated with Mars just by seeing her with Evan. Also, there wasn't much mystery to the mystery. I figured it out before the end. Although, I also figured it out in her book The Big Blind, but it didn't detract from the story. It was still great.
All in all, the story is not bad. It does deserve the 4 stars. I just think I'll stick with my Nadia Wolf series. Which Rocks! I have to say Thank you to the Author for that series! I think it has become one of my new favorites! :)
June 13, 2021
I had a whole diatribe written about the blatant disrespect shown towards the main character by her romantic interest but I woke this morning and found that while I still feel the same way it's pointless to put into my review. Those of you who are nodding your heads know what I mean and the rest will never get it. So a quick attempt: writers, please do not put your characters in a position where women are treated like chattel. (Also, a slap to the derriere is degrading, be it from a man or a woman.)
I couldn't believe it when I started reading this story that there were so many low starred reviews. The writing is solid and was enjoyable up until *that scene* From there on out, my opinion dropped drastically. I really liked the Mars Cannon from the first half of the book; in the second half, she becomes an embarrassment.
I couldn't believe it when I started reading this story that there were so many low starred reviews. The writing is solid and was enjoyable up until *that scene* From there on out, my opinion dropped drastically. I really liked the Mars Cannon from the first half of the book; in the second half, she becomes an embarrassment.
July 17, 2013
After Reading Nicolette Pierce's The Big Blind and High Stakes I had to buy this book to try it. This book is about Mars Cannon (great name) who is an event coordinator. Poor Mars goes from no dates to a love trinagle with EMT Evan and a male stripper named Levi (is that his real name??) throw in a crazy stalker who is mad that Mars is seeing "the guy" but which guy? Throw in a dead male stripper, a drive by shooting, and what an exciting ride the readers are on. I think this is a great read for anyone who enjoys laugh out loud moments and a lot of high jinx.
Totally have recommend this book to everyone :)
Totally have recommend this book to everyone :)
April 26, 2014
A real deal killer for me is always poor writing - bad grammar, incorrect use of homonyms, improper punctuation, misspelled words, and so on. Use instead of used, suppose instead of supposed. Even when the story is passable, I find myself wondering if the writer ever took an English class. Or are editors passé for e-books? I can't bring myself to get subsequent books because I know I will be distracted by the poor writing.
November 14, 2019
Lots of guessing
I thoroughly enjoyed this book,it was a fun read, loved Mars, Evan and Brett and of course her strange boss, fun co workers and the old ladies...can't wait to read all of the adventures
I thoroughly enjoyed this book,it was a fun read, loved Mars, Evan and Brett and of course her strange boss, fun co workers and the old ladies...can't wait to read all of the adventures
July 5, 2020
I was enthralled from start to finish. The caracters are vibrant and engaging with drama all around them. Intreage, murder, lust and insanity abound. Cat and mouse games of all types lieveing you wandering who's going to survive through it and who will end up with who,laced with a comic relief to keep smiling in between the fast paced drama.Nicolette Pierce is a writer that knows how to spin a tail that can satisfy your thirst for high impact entertainment. Aquier a copy of "Deadly Dancing "now, so you yourself can enjoy reading it as much as I have. 😉😮🤔🙄😀😏Kat
July 16, 2020
Murder, Action, and Romance
Mars Cannon is a hard working event planner who stumbles into a murder and pairs up with Brett, an ex-cop and exotic dancer, to find the killer while staying alive. There’s plenty of time to add a growing chemistry between them while getting to know her friends, coworkers, and other suitors.
This is light and has a great bit of comedy. The main characters are well developed and we learn enough about the other characters to keep this from being two dimensional.
Fun to read. Go for it.
Mars Cannon is a hard working event planner who stumbles into a murder and pairs up with Brett, an ex-cop and exotic dancer, to find the killer while staying alive. There’s plenty of time to add a growing chemistry between them while getting to know her friends, coworkers, and other suitors.
This is light and has a great bit of comedy. The main characters are well developed and we learn enough about the other characters to keep this from being two dimensional.
Fun to read. Go for it.
June 17, 2021
Like itself
Many books are promoted with the statement, "Perfect for fans of Janet Evonovich". I have read some of them, and they were not even close to perfect. This book came the closest I have read to Ms. Evonovich's books. I loved the quirky elderly neighbor and the personality of Mars. The storyline moved well. I did not identify the killer before the reveal. It is such fun, you may not want the story to end! With that said, it is not like anything else, it is its own story.
Many books are promoted with the statement, "Perfect for fans of Janet Evonovich". I have read some of them, and they were not even close to perfect. This book came the closest I have read to Ms. Evonovich's books. I loved the quirky elderly neighbor and the personality of Mars. The storyline moved well. I did not identify the killer before the reveal. It is such fun, you may not want the story to end! With that said, it is not like anything else, it is its own story.
July 17, 2022
free ebook
shes putting together the wedding for her friend
she meets a male dancer at the bachelor party, he likes her
hes a x cop undercover trying to find his sisters killer
the hot ems driver is after her too
she plans parties and has several going at once
she was drugged and attacked but managed to get away
she has sex with the dancer , he leaves to take the person responsible for his sisters death to jail in tx and the ems driver says hes going to pick up the party planner for a motorcycle ride
shes putting together the wedding for her friend
she meets a male dancer at the bachelor party, he likes her
hes a x cop undercover trying to find his sisters killer
the hot ems driver is after her too
she plans parties and has several going at once
she was drugged and attacked but managed to get away
she has sex with the dancer , he leaves to take the person responsible for his sisters death to jail in tx and the ems driver says hes going to pick up the party planner for a motorcycle ride
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2021
Serial murderer, sexy dancer, and more
Although I seldom read this type of book, it was rather fun. Mars, an event planner, and 2 hot men, an exotic dancer and an EMT, are interesting characters who play the relationship tango while dealing with a death and threats.
The plot was good, the finale unexpected and the tango, fun to "watch".
All in all, a fun read with goid characters and plot. Kudos to Nicolette Pierce for keeping me interested.
Although I seldom read this type of book, it was rather fun. Mars, an event planner, and 2 hot men, an exotic dancer and an EMT, are interesting characters who play the relationship tango while dealing with a death and threats.
The plot was good, the finale unexpected and the tango, fun to "watch".
All in all, a fun read with goid characters and plot. Kudos to Nicolette Pierce for keeping me interested.
March 28, 2023
What a piece of trash
The main character is a slut who lets any hot guy shove her up against a wall and stick his tongue down her throat. Her hormones are running so wild I'm surprised she can function at all. The men are no better; overconfident machistas who can't think of anything but sex, and believe that their power over women is irresistible. The mystery story line was secondary to getting the characters into bed. Sexy and humorous this book was not.
The main character is a slut who lets any hot guy shove her up against a wall and stick his tongue down her throat. Her hormones are running so wild I'm surprised she can function at all. The men are no better; overconfident machistas who can't think of anything but sex, and believe that their power over women is irresistible. The mystery story line was secondary to getting the characters into bed. Sexy and humorous this book was not.
April 30, 2025
Sexy and humorous!
The MFC, Mars, is strong-willed, intelligent, and bubbling with personality. The MMC, who goes by many names, is gorgeous, sexy, and very mysterious. He makes it plain that he’s in to her, and still refuses to tell her anything about who he is or why he’s here. But when she becomes the target of multiple attacks he steps up to protect her. The banter and teasing between them lightens the increasingly tense and scary story. Truly a satisfying read!
The MFC, Mars, is strong-willed, intelligent, and bubbling with personality. The MMC, who goes by many names, is gorgeous, sexy, and very mysterious. He makes it plain that he’s in to her, and still refuses to tell her anything about who he is or why he’s here. But when she becomes the target of multiple attacks he steps up to protect her. The banter and teasing between them lightens the increasingly tense and scary story. Truly a satisfying read!
June 15, 2025
I found this book rather enjoyable, but I honestly had a huge problem with Brett and his aggressive way of telling what she can and cannot do. For instant the dinner party and her best friend's wedding, yes she was in danger but all he had to do was go with her instead of telling her no she couldn't. That was rather boldfaced in my opinion. If his controlling behavior is what I have to look forward to with this series I'll stop at this first novel. Thanks but no thanks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2019
Action mystrry and sexual tension
Great read, nicely paced always something happening. The leads are well over rhe top if you dont mind uber heros it adds to the charm.
It has a nice mix of action sexual tension and sex.
Though first in a series this is a fill story the hook for us to buy the following books are the strong characters.
Great read, nicely paced always something happening. The leads are well over rhe top if you dont mind uber heros it adds to the charm.
It has a nice mix of action sexual tension and sex.
Though first in a series this is a fill story the hook for us to buy the following books are the strong characters.
October 24, 2019
Planning ahead
You can plan everything down to the color of the underwear, but something is sure to go wrong. Who would have thought that it would include a deranged serial killer and a bitter boss.
You do have to wonder just how much money the stripper actually has,'cause all those repairs weren't going to be cheap.
Lots of sex potential will keep you turning pages.
You can plan everything down to the color of the underwear, but something is sure to go wrong. Who would have thought that it would include a deranged serial killer and a bitter boss.
You do have to wonder just how much money the stripper actually has,'cause all those repairs weren't going to be cheap.
Lots of sex potential will keep you turning pages.
May 25, 2020
Mars is delightful
I choose this book because I like Stephanie Plum. Blurb said Mars was like Stephanie. Mars is smart and funny. Has two hot guys. She stumbled into the mystery but she is better than the pros at solving the case. I enjoyed her wit and her ability to think fast will be reading more of her series.
I choose this book because I like Stephanie Plum. Blurb said Mars was like Stephanie. Mars is smart and funny. Has two hot guys. She stumbled into the mystery but she is better than the pros at solving the case. I enjoyed her wit and her ability to think fast will be reading more of her series.
June 5, 2021
Mars Cannon Event Planner is how her card reads. She is the best!
Mars is one of the worker bees at the event shop she works at and then there is their boss lady ,totally into botox and male strippers.
Mars gets mixed up in murder, men, and weddings. Not always in areasonable order. For a delightful wacky story that you can’t put down because you might miss something.
Mars is one of the worker bees at the event shop she works at and then there is their boss lady ,totally into botox and male strippers.
Mars gets mixed up in murder, men, and weddings. Not always in areasonable order. For a delightful wacky story that you can’t put down because you might miss something.
August 18, 2020
Deadly Dancing...
Fantastic read!! Really got into the book from the first. An ex-cop turned male dancer tries to catch his sisters murderer. A planner get interested in the dancer, and becomes a target. Definitely a must read, to find out all the good and humorous parts!
Fantastic read!! Really got into the book from the first. An ex-cop turned male dancer tries to catch his sisters murderer. A planner get interested in the dancer, and becomes a target. Definitely a must read, to find out all the good and humorous parts!
January 2, 2021
This was a free copy.
Although there was some grammar errors it wasn't as bad as some of the reviews would have you believe. I liked the story overall, and because I'm a degen there could have been more sex (that would have been 4 stars for sure). Despite there being a ton of sexual tension between Brett and Mars, I found the circumstances in the way they met was enough to be just a little bit creepy. Brett had way more details about Mars than I would have been comfortable with. Mars however was too wrapped up in her personal life to raise any red flags.
Although there was some grammar errors it wasn't as bad as some of the reviews would have you believe. I liked the story overall, and because I'm a degen there could have been more sex (that would have been 4 stars for sure). Despite there being a ton of sexual tension between Brett and Mars, I found the circumstances in the way they met was enough to be just a little bit creepy. Brett had way more details about Mars than I would have been comfortable with. Mars however was too wrapped up in her personal life to raise any red flags.
June 12, 2021
Deadly dancing
This book was very exciting , very, very funny, and with some sexy scenes thrown in! A good mystery which kept me reading and wondering who was behind all the happenings.
This book was very exciting , very, very funny, and with some sexy scenes thrown in! A good mystery which kept me reading and wondering who was behind all the happenings.
June 28, 2022
A hot sizzling murder mystery which kept me flicking the pages!!
Nicolette Pierce is one of my new faves for a quick fun read. Her characters are always brilliant and the book opening with Mrs Janowski was a treat!!
Mars is a fun heroine and the love triangle between Evan and Brett was smoking!!
Nicolette Pierce is one of my new faves for a quick fun read. Her characters are always brilliant and the book opening with Mrs Janowski was a treat!!
Mars is a fun heroine and the love triangle between Evan and Brett was smoking!!
July 29, 2024
Good Story
This is my first time with this author. I enjoyed the write g and even though I usually do not like humorous books particularly mystery books, I will read this author again!
This is my first time with this author. I enjoyed the write g and even though I usually do not like humorous books particularly mystery books, I will read this author again!
August 13, 2024
Mars life is a wreck and she can’t seem to turn it around. Doesn’t help at all when a murder happens and disrupts her plans.
Then her hormones go into overdrive clouding her thinking beyond anything she has imagined. With pure luck she pulls through but the reader is left wondering.
Then her hormones go into overdrive clouding her thinking beyond anything she has imagined. With pure luck she pulls through but the reader is left wondering.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews