What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mandrake Company #3
The Assassin's Salvation
When Jamie Flipkens signed on as a pilot and engineer for a small medical research company, she never expected to end up on a mercenary ship full of hulking soldiers who want to make her their latest conquest. The captain has been good to her--it doesn't hurt that he's her boss's new beau--but she's on the verge of quitting when a strange man shows up at her shuttle door.
Sergei Zharkov claims to be an old friend of the captain's. He neglects to mention that he's also an assassin, a dangerous man who even the hardened mercenaries avoid. Jamie should avoid him, too, but she's drawn to the charm that sometimes escapes from beneath his grim facade. She finds herself wanting to give him a reason to smile--and maybe a little more than that.
The problem? There's a fresh bounty on the captain's head, and it's possible Sergei is there to collect it.
Sergei Zharkov claims to be an old friend of the captain's. He neglects to mention that he's also an assassin, a dangerous man who even the hardened mercenaries avoid. Jamie should avoid him, too, but she's drawn to the charm that sometimes escapes from beneath his grim facade. She finds herself wanting to give him a reason to smile--and maybe a little more than that.
The problem? There's a fresh bounty on the captain's head, and it's possible Sergei is there to collect it.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2014
109 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
April 17, 2015
If you've read the others, you know what you'll get. Read the others. Added bonus is that I've liked Jamie from the first and this romance didn't disappoint. Sergei is a good match for her in a lot of ways and I was relieved to find that the title was as metaphorical as it should have been.
A note about Steamy: two explicit sex scenes and it's on the upper mid range of my tolerance (the first goes on for chapters. I will say that virgin sex is problematic but that Lionsdrake handles it well—as far as I can tell and am allowed to have an opinion...
A note about Steamy: two explicit sex scenes and it's on the upper mid range of my tolerance (the first goes on for chapters. I will say that virgin sex is problematic but that Lionsdrake handles it well—as far as I can tell and am allowed to have an opinion...
November 6, 2025
And the blood thirsty assassin falls for the shy pilot...Of course there is a lot in between and boy was it fun watching it all play out.
Jamie is questioning her position on the research vessel for the Mandrake Company. She is constantly being harassed by the unattached men and she's had enough.
Along comes Sergie, the striking but aloof assassin and old friend of the captain. He comes bringing a grave message, a price has been placed on Viktor's head.
Jamie ends up helping Sergie uncover the plot that threatens the captain, but as they work in close quarters their attraction grows from appreciation to much more.
Although Sergie comes with the brains and the brawn, Jamie proves herself quite usefully and exceedingly adept as in sorting out the dangers against the captain. Jamie's character development was wonderful to watch.
Lionsdrake's talent for story creating explodes off the pages to create another masterful addition to the Mandrake Company series.
Jamie is questioning her position on the research vessel for the Mandrake Company. She is constantly being harassed by the unattached men and she's had enough.
Along comes Sergie, the striking but aloof assassin and old friend of the captain. He comes bringing a grave message, a price has been placed on Viktor's head.
Jamie ends up helping Sergie uncover the plot that threatens the captain, but as they work in close quarters their attraction grows from appreciation to much more.
Although Sergie comes with the brains and the brawn, Jamie proves herself quite usefully and exceedingly adept as in sorting out the dangers against the captain. Jamie's character development was wonderful to watch.
Lionsdrake's talent for story creating explodes off the pages to create another masterful addition to the Mandrake Company series.
May 19, 2015
In this book we have the naive and innocent Jamie, Ankari's pilot/engineer from the previous books, getting involved with the killer Sergei, friend of VWillow/Victor Mandreake! :)
I loved how young Jamie interacts with Sergei who is everything she's not! :)
It was also fun to read about Sergei's feelings and his care for Jamie! He came out like such a sweet and guy!
It is action packed, adventurous and hot like the other books! I loved it! :)
I loved how young Jamie interacts with Sergei who is everything she's not! :)
It was also fun to read about Sergei's feelings and his care for Jamie! He came out like such a sweet and guy!
It is action packed, adventurous and hot like the other books! I loved it! :)
Did Not Finish
November 28, 20202.75
DNF 72%
Honestly be warned because this review (more rant) is just me talking shit about what I didn't like about this book.
x-----------------------------------------x
So, yeah I was not feeling the couple or the romance.
Our H is an almost 30 yr old asssasin named Sergei, and our h-Jamie- is a 19 year old naive virgin mechanic. Ok, thats fine. But the constant talk about how alluring she is because she's so innocent was kind of off putting.
'She's innocent, inexperienced, so trusting, how refreshing'--yeah and all of the guys want her because of this, and can't seem to read that she's uncomfortable. But as the H suggests her "no's" just aren't firm enough I guess? Le sigh.
Okay- whatever. But what really confused me was the whole bounty plot Jamie came up with. It was a weird 180 for Jamie that kind of left me confused about her character. She goes from painfully shy around men, and terrified of danger to saying "oh yes maybe I’ll throw on something sexy for this man. Plus, fingers crossed🤞 he’s a letcher too so I can be suitably distracting--let’s infiltrate."
( ????)
Also- I’m sorry but a bikini meeting and lust inducing drugs scene was just kinda of a ham fisted way to get the couple together, and I found all of it kind of stupid really.
Plus Sergei was kind of creepy and delusional to me at a few points in the story.
Dude. No. She was just assaulted and almost raped and then your thinking this? Then you go and say you love her after knowing her for a week!! I know he was chagrined and embarrassed about his after but...I just...what??? My literal reaction when I was reading that was to lurch away from the book then cringe.
But let me tell you Jamie isn't exactly exempt from creep territory. I mean she was watching her friend get it on with her bf....perving out on them and liking it.
Ok gross. Non-consentually watching someone else’s private moments is fucked up. I don't care if she's a curious virgin that just wrong. But I had to give up after her and Sergei hooked up because the series of events left me giving the book a stank face.
How did she go from sobbing over her attempted rape, to spying and getting turned on her friend giving a blow job, to then desperately wanting to loose her virginity to the guy she’s known a week--all in like 20 mins?
Oh man, don't know why this peeved me off so bad, but it was like one thing after another. Plus this little gem to end the review.
Okay bye.
DNF 72%
Honestly be warned because this review (more rant) is just me talking shit about what I didn't like about this book.
x-----------------------------------------x
So, yeah I was not feeling the couple or the romance.
Our H is an almost 30 yr old asssasin named Sergei, and our h-Jamie- is a 19 year old naive virgin mechanic. Ok, thats fine. But the constant talk about how alluring she is because she's so innocent was kind of off putting.
'She's innocent, inexperienced, so trusting, how refreshing'--yeah and all of the guys want her because of this, and can't seem to read that she's uncomfortable. But as the H suggests her "no's" just aren't firm enough I guess? Le sigh.
"Probably because he was more drawn to innocence. And freckles."
"The sort of woman that reminded a man of the spring sun and grassy meadows and the innocent joys of youth? "
"Jamie was doubtlessly different from the jaded and hardened female mercenaries, soldiers, and pirates that the crew ran into on missions, not to mention the beleaguered prostitutes that most men had to settle for during shore leave. "
Okay- whatever. But what really confused me was the whole bounty plot Jamie came up with. It was a weird 180 for Jamie that kind of left me confused about her character. She goes from painfully shy around men, and terrified of danger to saying "oh yes maybe I’ll throw on something sexy for this man. Plus, fingers crossed🤞 he’s a letcher too so I can be suitably distracting--let’s infiltrate."
( ????)
"Maybe I could put on something sexy and give his assistant a sultry smile. I’m not very good at that, but I could probably manage it over the comm. What do you think? Does he look like the sort of man who would make time for a young woman?”
Also- I’m sorry but a bikini meeting and lust inducing drugs scene was just kinda of a ham fisted way to get the couple together, and I found all of it kind of stupid really.
Plus Sergei was kind of creepy and delusional to me at a few points in the story.
When he had run back to find Jamie, he had been full of the satisfaction of the kill, that feeling of triumph, and he’d had a distinct image in his mind of Jamie throwing her arms around him and proclaiming him her hero.
Dude. No. She was just assaulted and almost raped and then your thinking this? Then you go and say you love her after knowing her for a week!! I know he was chagrined and embarrassed about his after but...I just...what??? My literal reaction when I was reading that was to lurch away from the book then cringe.
But let me tell you Jamie isn't exactly exempt from creep territory. I mean she was watching her friend get it on with her bf....perving out on them and liking it.
"Sitting there, getting aroused while her friend and her friend’s lover were having sex wasn’t right."
"Another part of her, the part attached to the heat building in her groin, was too busy observing what she had always been too shy to watch in movies to think straight."
"..part of Jamie wanted to stay, to see what else they did, to maybe slip her hand down between her own legs and try to find some release from the moist heat building there, but she reminded herself that they would likely want to use that bed at some point."
Ok gross. Non-consentually watching someone else’s private moments is fucked up. I don't care if she's a curious virgin that just wrong. But I had to give up after her and Sergei hooked up because the series of events left me giving the book a stank face.
How did she go from sobbing over her attempted rape, to spying and getting turned on her friend giving a blow job, to then desperately wanting to loose her virginity to the guy she’s known a week--all in like 20 mins?
Oh man, don't know why this peeved me off so bad, but it was like one thing after another. Plus this little gem to end the review.
“None of those meatheads on board ever caught your heart?”
“No.” Hazel’s face hardened, and she faced forward again.
Maybe if she smiled at a man once in a while…
Okay bye.
September 21, 2019
.
Well Damn!
I give up on this series.
It's just full of uncomfortable sexual moments. Lots of voyeurism, which can be titillating, but was more sleazy here and added nothing to the story. Except make Sergie seem like an incompetent idiot...
Sergie was the worst part of the book though. He's an assassin whose inner thoughts sound like a highschool student with a hardon for the girl sitting in front of him.
But anyways, another day job for Mandrake Co that is made difficult by the bounty on Viktor Mandrake's head. His old buddy Sergie shows up to help but nobody seems to trust him except Mandrake, Ankari and Jamie.
It starts out promising and there's some good intrigue in the middle but other parts seemed more like an Austin Powers script.
Safety is good
Well Damn!
I give up on this series.
It's just full of uncomfortable sexual moments. Lots of voyeurism, which can be titillating, but was more sleazy here and added nothing to the story. Except make Sergie seem like an incompetent idiot...
Sergie was the worst part of the book though. He's an assassin whose inner thoughts sound like a highschool student with a hardon for the girl sitting in front of him.
But anyways, another day job for Mandrake Co that is made difficult by the bounty on Viktor Mandrake's head. His old buddy Sergie shows up to help but nobody seems to trust him except Mandrake, Ankari and Jamie.
It starts out promising and there's some good intrigue in the middle but other parts seemed more like an Austin Powers script.
Safety is good
July 14, 2015
Good and solid sequel. But I liked it a little less.
Probably because Jamie wasn't my kind of girl. But kudos to the author to try out new types of characters.
Jamie was shy and introverted - she progressed a bit in the second half, but was still a more subdued heroine.
Also not very mature and not experienced at all. It made for a bit of "awkward".
The hero was nicely done.
Also: Be aware there is attempted rape and some flashbacks to rape in this book.
Also what irked me a bit: The pacing of the romance felt very much like in the other two books, like a schematic structure to the love story.
But still a very enjoyable read.
Probably because Jamie wasn't my kind of girl. But kudos to the author to try out new types of characters.
Jamie was shy and introverted - she progressed a bit in the second half, but was still a more subdued heroine.
Also not very mature and not experienced at all. It made for a bit of "awkward".
The hero was nicely done.
Also: Be aware there is attempted rape and some flashbacks to rape in this book.
Also what irked me a bit: The pacing of the romance felt very much like in the other two books, like a schematic structure to the love story.
But still a very enjoyable read.
October 13, 2015
Just an ok read for me..........reminded me of quite a few other books I've read - nothing overly memorable. More detailed review to come.
August 19, 2020
Since we first met her in book 1, Jamie's been the one character who shrinks from confrontation instead of facing it head on. Well, her and Lauren, but that's more because Lauren is so wrapped in her research she'd oblivious to everything going on around her. Jamie, on the other hand, was aware, she simply sidestepped confrontation when she could or flat out ran from it when she had to.
Until she didn't.
Honestly, I like Jamie. She's brilliant, but unsure of herself all the same because of her lack of formal education in piloting and mechanics. Her quick thinking impresses Sergei, however, and he's hit with an immediate case of the smittens. Which is adorable coming from a dangerous assassin.
I liked seeing Jamie come out of her shell as she gained confidence. I liked how Sergei is willing to be her muscle until she has the skills to be her own. I just flat out liked how he wanted her, but was so careful to be gentle with her so he wouldn't scare her off.
What can I say? *I'm* still smitten with these mercs. From their grunts and growls straight on down to their propensity for blowing things up unnecessarily. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Until she didn't.
Honestly, I like Jamie. She's brilliant, but unsure of herself all the same because of her lack of formal education in piloting and mechanics. Her quick thinking impresses Sergei, however, and he's hit with an immediate case of the smittens. Which is adorable coming from a dangerous assassin.
I liked seeing Jamie come out of her shell as she gained confidence. I liked how Sergei is willing to be her muscle until she has the skills to be her own. I just flat out liked how he wanted her, but was so careful to be gentle with her so he wouldn't scare her off.
What can I say? *I'm* still smitten with these mercs. From their grunts and growls straight on down to their propensity for blowing things up unnecessarily. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
July 17, 2015
I was looking forward to Jamie getting her day. She was so innocent and the subject of so much unwanted and crude male attention in previous books. In this one she gets to go from feeling superfluous to able to pull her own weight and make a meaningful contribution.
Sergei, our sexy assassin, is an emotionally scarred man who has a history of friendship with Captain Mandrake. He's come back to the ship with a warning, and falls under the spell of the sweet Jamie. He is aware of his shortcomings as a person, and is much more of a gentleman with Jamie than other men.
I was enjoying their slow getting to know each each other dance as they were thrown together under various circumstances. Then two things happened that dampened my enjoyment. First, Sergei unloads some heavy stuff on Jamie out of the blue. Well, that was a bit extreme. Then, Jamie, who has no experience with any field work, starts coming up with schemes for how to get information. And he goes along with them. Really? Yes, she found out likely sources, but they didn't do very deep preparation and I can't imagine that Sergei did so little reconnaissance before going out on his jobs.
What kept those issues from ruing the story is that Jamie doesn't immediately fall for the damaged man who 'needs' her. Instead, she clearly is attracted to him because he helps her instead. Also, Jamie's schemes aren't foolproof and she isn't the one who miraculously saves the day. Instead, her role is much more realistic given her background and personality.
Overall, I ended up enjoying it, but those questionable sections dropped my rating. The book does improve. Though there are issues related to sexual violence against both men and women that could both people who are sensitive to those scenes.
Sergei, our sexy assassin, is an emotionally scarred man who has a history of friendship with Captain Mandrake. He's come back to the ship with a warning, and falls under the spell of the sweet Jamie. He is aware of his shortcomings as a person, and is much more of a gentleman with Jamie than other men.
I was enjoying their slow getting to know each each other dance as they were thrown together under various circumstances. Then two things happened that dampened my enjoyment. First, Sergei unloads some heavy stuff on Jamie out of the blue. Well, that was a bit extreme. Then, Jamie, who has no experience with any field work, starts coming up with schemes for how to get information. And he goes along with them. Really? Yes, she found out likely sources, but they didn't do very deep preparation and I can't imagine that Sergei did so little reconnaissance before going out on his jobs.
What kept those issues from ruing the story is that Jamie doesn't immediately fall for the damaged man who 'needs' her. Instead, she clearly is attracted to him because he helps her instead. Also, Jamie's schemes aren't foolproof and she isn't the one who miraculously saves the day. Instead, her role is much more realistic given her background and personality.
Overall, I ended up enjoying it, but those questionable sections dropped my rating. The book does improve. Though there are issues related to sexual violence against both men and women that could both people who are sensitive to those scenes.
April 23, 2020
There were some things that were totally out of my comfort zone, so I didn't enjoy this book as much as the one before.
Trigger Warning...Voyeurism, Orgies, mention of rape, and near rape...
Without these the story, would have been much better. I'm not sure if I try another book by this author, after this experience.
August 12, 2025
It is a lot of fun, packed with action, some harrowing times and some steamy times, and humour.
The Assassin's Salvation is the third book in the Mandrake Company Sci Fi series. A bunch of misfits with specialised talents form the mercenaries of this story. With women who find themselves amongst these men who will do anything to protect them, but the women aren't shy about getting their hands dirty.
A fun tale to escape daily life.
The Assassin's Salvation is the third book in the Mandrake Company Sci Fi series. A bunch of misfits with specialised talents form the mercenaries of this story. With women who find themselves amongst these men who will do anything to protect them, but the women aren't shy about getting their hands dirty.
A fun tale to escape daily life.
Read
December 9, 2017GOD DAMMIT.
I couldn't stop picturing Sergei as Adrian Pimento from Brooklyn nine nine.
No. Just no. I love him and think he's adorable but NOT in a romantic way and it just ruined the mood.
I was trying SO HARD to replace his face with the guy on the book cover but it wasn't working and you know what? I give up.
I got to around 70% and there's a sex scene but with Pimento in my head, I couldn't stop laughing
I'm sorry, book. I'm so sorry.
I couldn't stop picturing Sergei as Adrian Pimento from Brooklyn nine nine.
No. Just no. I love him and think he's adorable but NOT in a romantic way and it just ruined the mood.
I was trying SO HARD to replace his face with the guy on the book cover but it wasn't working and you know what? I give up.
I got to around 70% and there's a sex scene but with Pimento in my head, I couldn't stop laughing
I'm sorry, book. I'm so sorry.
March 16, 2015
After reading the first two Mandrake Company books, I wanted to leave a short review on this third book. It was right up there with my five-star reviews of the first book. Good action. Spicy romance. Great characters. Jamie Flipkens reminded me A LOT of Kaylee Frye in the Firefly TV series. The scene in the spa had me at first laughing and then fanning myself. This book, like all of the Mandrake series books, is a lot of fun 100% of the time. Humor with a side of sci-fi!
December 14, 2015
I really liked this one.
I was kind of worried how Jamie's book would go since she's supposed to be so innocent etc.
But it was really well done.
I liked Sergei a lot.
Jamie wasn't as ditzy/helpless as she normally is portrayed. And I rather enjoyed the scene in the shuttle.. (with the Captain and her boss)
The plot was good, if the a bit predictable. But ehh that's just me being a vast reader. Nothing really surprises me.
Can't wait for the next one!
I was kind of worried how Jamie's book would go since she's supposed to be so innocent etc.
But it was really well done.
I liked Sergei a lot.
Jamie wasn't as ditzy/helpless as she normally is portrayed. And I rather enjoyed the scene in the shuttle.. (with the Captain and her boss)
The plot was good, if the a bit predictable. But ehh that's just me being a vast reader. Nothing really surprises me.
Can't wait for the next one!
June 1, 2021
Sooo...sign me up for the next sneaky undercover mission with an assassin okay?
---
Note this is Book 3 of the series (MERCENARY INSTINCT was book 1, TRIAL AND TEMPTATION is Book 2, but I skipped it because assassin) so there's quite a bit of spoilerage involved. However if you're in it for the couple--Jamie and Sergei that is--then you don't have much to worry about as Sergei is new to this book and Jamie, while a separate character in the other two books, doesn't come into her own personality until this one.
Straight off I want to address the fact that Liondrake took Jamie's story into area I was less comfortable with. Jamie is quick to point out that the Captain has sheltered them and tolerated them because of his relationship with Ankari (and nominally the money of his investment). However that was at odds with the fact that Jamie felt very awkward around the other crew members. Their behavior towards her bordered on sexual harassment and it seemed odd to me that the Captain wouldn't say something since he did take a more protector role towards her.
Otherwise I enjoyed this a lot though the assassin angle wasn't quite what I expected (we can blame fantasy for that). Sergei comes on rather strong, but he's careful towards Jamie. He definitely wants her, tells her as much, but he wants Jamie on her terms, not his. He's willing to wait, or step aside, if that's what is better for her.
Jamie's a mixed up mess. She wants to leave the ship (because of discomfort) but she's enjoying learning from the ship's engineer and acknowledges she's learning more from him then from a classroom. She wants to go to school, but mainly its because she feels a fake and fraud since she's almost entirely self-taught from books. She wants a relationship with Sergei...actually no she's firm on this one.
This one felt more insular then INSTINCT, with a lot more time spent on the two of them running around solo, then as part of the group. I'm okay with that--I'm in these books first for the romance, second for the other stuff. And their romance was a joy to watch develop. Sergei is a man of few words, but Jamie learns to pick up on the actions to understand. I loved how Sergei wanted to protect Jamie, but saw that she was hella more resourceful then him at times and let her protect him. I loved how Jamie listened and really understood what making the choice to pursue him might mean. He shared a lot of personal details with her (in a somewhat comical moment as he silently urged himself to STOP but just kept talking), but she gave it all serious consideration.
I will say not knowing the second book sort of impeded my understanding of something Jamie apparently did. However it didn't impede the romance angle of this book so that's all I really cared about in the end.
---
Note this is Book 3 of the series (MERCENARY INSTINCT was book 1, TRIAL AND TEMPTATION is Book 2, but I skipped it because assassin) so there's quite a bit of spoilerage involved. However if you're in it for the couple--Jamie and Sergei that is--then you don't have much to worry about as Sergei is new to this book and Jamie, while a separate character in the other two books, doesn't come into her own personality until this one.
Straight off I want to address the fact that Liondrake took Jamie's story into area I was less comfortable with. Jamie is quick to point out that the Captain has sheltered them and tolerated them because of his relationship with Ankari (and nominally the money of his investment). However that was at odds with the fact that Jamie felt very awkward around the other crew members. Their behavior towards her bordered on sexual harassment and it seemed odd to me that the Captain wouldn't say something since he did take a more protector role towards her.
Otherwise I enjoyed this a lot though the assassin angle wasn't quite what I expected (we can blame fantasy for that). Sergei comes on rather strong, but he's careful towards Jamie. He definitely wants her, tells her as much, but he wants Jamie on her terms, not his. He's willing to wait, or step aside, if that's what is better for her.
Jamie's a mixed up mess. She wants to leave the ship (because of discomfort) but she's enjoying learning from the ship's engineer and acknowledges she's learning more from him then from a classroom. She wants to go to school, but mainly its because she feels a fake and fraud since she's almost entirely self-taught from books. She wants a relationship with Sergei...actually no she's firm on this one.
This one felt more insular then INSTINCT, with a lot more time spent on the two of them running around solo, then as part of the group. I'm okay with that--I'm in these books first for the romance, second for the other stuff. And their romance was a joy to watch develop. Sergei is a man of few words, but Jamie learns to pick up on the actions to understand. I loved how Sergei wanted to protect Jamie, but saw that she was hella more resourceful then him at times and let her protect him. I loved how Jamie listened and really understood what making the choice to pursue him might mean. He shared a lot of personal details with her (in a somewhat comical moment as he silently urged himself to STOP but just kept talking), but she gave it all serious consideration.
I will say not knowing the second book sort of impeded my understanding of something Jamie apparently did. However it didn't impede the romance angle of this book so that's all I really cared about in the end.
November 18, 2017
I don’t know what it is but this story really spoke to me and I can say, as of right now where I am in the series, that this is my favorite of the bunch.
Jamie, I was waiting to see what she would do with her, gets her story. Thankfully it wasn’t with Striker, as the series goes on I find him to be more and more a total butthead…. I loved the character of Sergei and really liked Jamie’s first impression of him as being someone in need of a hug…. One thing I liked was how he didn’t give her crap for being so smart. In fact that is one thing I hope those two worked on—him thinking he wasn’t so smart. Pretty sure he has skills in other places! I was meaning in combat and as an assassin….
I have a good idea of how Jamie was treated and I sympathize with Sergei’s story/background. I loved everything about their developing relationship … both of them having little, none, or really bad sexual experience. I thought it was handled in a sweet manner to tell the truth … it just bugs me when authors tend to treat losing virginity akin to receiving a grievous wound—no matter how quickly “they pain is gone.” I might be alone in this … but whatever it was the only thing that made me pause while I was inhaling the book.
I don’t know if I would feel the same way if I had read this at another time, but current events make certain things more poignant when read right now. It doesn’t matter what sex a predator is they’re still a predator.
Sergei’s story ticked me off and I hated that finance Lord/Lady of the story. Why is it that most people think it is worse when a woman is put in a position like that? Maybe it is just me? I’m not sure to be honest—it is probably because people think of women as nurturers so it is more of a betrayal? Err, that is a convo meant for another place not a book review for an awesome book.
One of my favorite things about this author is her ability to tell a good story that doesn’t bog itself down or end up being too serious. There is a way to tell a story and she is fabulous at telling any kind and giving it the right touch of dignity.
Jamie, I was waiting to see what she would do with her, gets her story. Thankfully it wasn’t with Striker, as the series goes on I find him to be more and more a total butthead…. I loved the character of Sergei and really liked Jamie’s first impression of him as being someone in need of a hug…. One thing I liked was how he didn’t give her crap for being so smart. In fact that is one thing I hope those two worked on—him thinking he wasn’t so smart. Pretty sure he has skills in other places! I was meaning in combat and as an assassin….
I have a good idea of how Jamie was treated and I sympathize with Sergei’s story/background. I loved everything about their developing relationship … both of them having little, none, or really bad sexual experience. I thought it was handled in a sweet manner to tell the truth … it just bugs me when authors tend to treat losing virginity akin to receiving a grievous wound—no matter how quickly “they pain is gone.” I might be alone in this … but whatever it was the only thing that made me pause while I was inhaling the book.
I don’t know if I would feel the same way if I had read this at another time, but current events make certain things more poignant when read right now. It doesn’t matter what sex a predator is they’re still a predator.
Sergei’s story ticked me off and I hated that finance Lord/Lady of the story. Why is it that most people think it is worse when a woman is put in a position like that? Maybe it is just me? I’m not sure to be honest—it is probably because people think of women as nurturers so it is more of a betrayal? Err, that is a convo meant for another place not a book review for an awesome book.
One of my favorite things about this author is her ability to tell a good story that doesn’t bog itself down or end up being too serious. There is a way to tell a story and she is fabulous at telling any kind and giving it the right touch of dignity.
December 25, 2014
Jamie Flipkens is one of the original characters featured in Mercenary Instincts. She is a great pilot and engineer but is uncomfortable around men and as part of the Mandrake Company there are a lot of men around.
I loved the beginning of The Assassin’s Salvation. Jamie is outside of the pink shuttle (yes, it is pink! Read Mercenary Instincts to see why.) when Sergei Zharkov shows up. The pink shuttle is not what he expected as his ride up to the ship. Neither is Jamie. What Jamie loves is how Sergei treats her from the beginning. There is none of the lust and suggestive behavior she has been getting from the other mercenaries on the ship. That is the beginning of their relationship.
Sergei has to prove that he is the Captains friend and that leads both he and Jamie into danger. The romance takes time to develop and is wrapped into the story line as the two work together.
Like the previous two books The Assassin’s Salvation is a well written SFR story with interesting world building and character development. The story line does build on things that happened in the two previous books but it can stand along. Again I recommend reading Mercenary Instincts and Trial and Temptation first for maximum enjoyment. The Assassin's Salvation is a great addition to the Mandrake Company series.
January 8, 2015
I received a free copy of this novel in return for a review on book 2 in the series.
This was somewhere between 2 and 3 stars for me (rounded up on the strength of my enjoyment of this author's earlier works) While I loved the first 2 book in this series I didn't enjoy this one as much. I still liked both the characters of Jamie and Sergei and I especially enjoyed Sergei's kind of awkward devotion to Jamie, I just wasn't comfortable with all the voyeuristic elements. There was the drugged orgy in the spa which is not my kind of thing but as nothing really happened with the hero and heroine that was ok I guess but what I found quite off putting was Jamie getting turned on watching her friends have sex then skipping off to do the same with Sergei even though the reason she was hiding where she saw Ankari & Viktor was because she was crying over nearly being raped a couple of hours earlier. Not only was I uncomfortable with her watching, it was very unrealistic that a virgin who had been traumatised by attempted rape (which came very close to being completed) earlier that same day would react that way. I also didn't like the sexual torture that Sergei undergoes when captured on their mission.
This was somewhere between 2 and 3 stars for me (rounded up on the strength of my enjoyment of this author's earlier works) While I loved the first 2 book in this series I didn't enjoy this one as much. I still liked both the characters of Jamie and Sergei and I especially enjoyed Sergei's kind of awkward devotion to Jamie, I just wasn't comfortable with all the voyeuristic elements. There was the drugged orgy in the spa which is not my kind of thing but as nothing really happened with the hero and heroine that was ok I guess but what I found quite off putting was Jamie getting turned on watching her friends have sex then skipping off to do the same with Sergei even though the reason she was hiding where she saw Ankari & Viktor was because she was crying over nearly being raped a couple of hours earlier. Not only was I uncomfortable with her watching, it was very unrealistic that a virgin who had been traumatised by attempted rape (which came very close to being completed) earlier that same day would react that way. I also didn't like the sexual torture that Sergei undergoes when captured on their mission.
November 7, 2015
Sci Fi LoveStyle
I have become a fan of Ruby Loinsdrake in the past couple of weeks, as I have been binge reading her books via the kindle unlimited program. I am delighted to report that these are books that held my interest. I didn't roll my eyes during the reading as her plots are plausible and her characters are real.
She has built a solid science fiction world for the Mandrake Series, with the division between the haves and the have nots clearly fleshed out. The universe is run by the Galactic Conglomeration/GalCon, think of it as corporate government which means people have little to know rights, power/money is might in the world Lionsdrake has built. Those who don't want to live under the yoke of Gal/Con try their hardest to be free and independent.
The love story that was intermixed with the adventure plot was hot and steamy, but also had loads of emotional depths that can be lacking in Sci Fi books.
Note for those who are sensitive to forced sex, there is past and attempted sexual assault depicted and flashbacks in this book.
I have become a fan of Ruby Loinsdrake in the past couple of weeks, as I have been binge reading her books via the kindle unlimited program. I am delighted to report that these are books that held my interest. I didn't roll my eyes during the reading as her plots are plausible and her characters are real.
She has built a solid science fiction world for the Mandrake Series, with the division between the haves and the have nots clearly fleshed out. The universe is run by the Galactic Conglomeration/GalCon, think of it as corporate government which means people have little to know rights, power/money is might in the world Lionsdrake has built. Those who don't want to live under the yoke of Gal/Con try their hardest to be free and independent.
The love story that was intermixed with the adventure plot was hot and steamy, but also had loads of emotional depths that can be lacking in Sci Fi books.
Note for those who are sensitive to forced sex, there is past and attempted sexual assault depicted and flashbacks in this book.
September 1, 2016
As much as Jamie Flipkens likes being a part of Microbacteriotherapy, Inc. and getting all kinds of on-the-job training in piloting and engineering, a spaceship full of gruff, lewd mercenaries is not where she ever intended to end up. She's made up her mind to leave and apply to university instead of putting up with all the unwanted male attention for the rest of her life when an intriguing visitor shows up at her shuttle. Sergei Zharkov is a trained assassin and old friend of Captain Mandrake, and he's here to warn the captain about the bounty someone has put out on his head. While many onboard view him with equal parts suspicion and fear, the captain seems to trust him and Jamie finds herself drawn to him in ways she never experienced before.
I've liked Jamie a lot ever since the first book, so I was very much looking forward to her story - and it didn't disappoint. Sergei's inner dialogue is hilarious and they make a lovely couple. The fact that I kinda have a thing for assassins certainly didn't hurt either... Looking forward to the next book!
I've liked Jamie a lot ever since the first book, so I was very much looking forward to her story - and it didn't disappoint. Sergei's inner dialogue is hilarious and they make a lovely couple. The fact that I kinda have a thing for assassins certainly didn't hurt either... Looking forward to the next book!
July 2, 2016
1.5 stars rounded to 2.
Out of the three books I've read of this series thus far, I liked this one the least. Maybe it's because I normally don't like stories with insta-love. And maybe it's also because this story could have been so much better since the H is so much more tortured the the previous two Hs, but it just wasn't. Instead, I felt really sad for him and stuck with images of near rape that I really didn't want to read about in the first place. I need to go check, but I didn't see any warnings about that. I need to be more careful next time.
Overall, I enjoyed the writing, the alternating dual third person povs, and how sweet the H was. I would recommend this to anyone who doesn't mind reading about rape and near rape, and who also likes a light sci-fi romance.
Out of the three books I've read of this series thus far, I liked this one the least. Maybe it's because I normally don't like stories with insta-love. And maybe it's also because this story could have been so much better since the H is so much more tortured the the previous two Hs, but it just wasn't. Instead, I felt really sad for him and stuck with images of near rape that I really didn't want to read about in the first place. I need to go check, but I didn't see any warnings about that. I need to be more careful next time.
Overall, I enjoyed the writing, the alternating dual third person povs, and how sweet the H was. I would recommend this to anyone who doesn't mind reading about rape and near rape, and who also likes a light sci-fi romance.
December 8, 2014
I have followed this series from the beginning and am very impressed with Ms. Lionsdrake's ability to create totally different characters with unique mannerisms and personalities. In The Assassin's Salvation we find Jamie, who is rather like a fish out of water when it comes to the mercenaries she is around, finding someone who complements her strengths and makes up her short comings.
I love this series and highly recommend it to anyone who like a good story. I think that each could possibly be read as a standalone, the experience is much more enjoyable if they are read in order.
I'm deffinately looking forward to more from this author. Well done!
I love this series and highly recommend it to anyone who like a good story. I think that each could possibly be read as a standalone, the experience is much more enjoyable if they are read in order.
I'm deffinately looking forward to more from this author. Well done!
October 2, 2016
Olvasás közben többször megfordult a fejemben, hogy abbahagyom, de valahogy megoldotta az író, hogy keresztülhúzzon a történeten. A szereplők személyiségével, a kapcsolat fejlődésével nem volt bajom, a cselekmény azonban hagyott kívánnivalót maga után. A főhős egy bérgyilkos, a hősnő egy ártatlan, kicsit naiv szerelő-pilóta lány. Aztán egyszer csak azt olvasom, hogy a lány az ész, az ő tervei alapján kezdenek akciókat, szörnyen bénákat, gáz kimenetellel. Értem én, hogy sci-fi romantikus, de egy kis erőfeszítéssel lehetne értelmes, valamennyire hihető történéseket kitalálni ebben a kategóriában is.
April 18, 2015
This is my favorite book in the Mandrake Company series so far. I always enjoy sheltered heroines entering the real world, and ethical assassins make for very good love interests. I've been making myself read a book by a different author between each of these Mandrake Company books because I don't want to burn through them too quickly (or to get sick of them, as I sometimes do when I read the same author back to back), but it's been a struggle to read anything else when Ruby Lionsdrake delivers an emotion-packed story so dependably! Reading book four now....
March 25, 2016
This is a sweet Science Fiction Romance with a lovely smart heroine and a tortured hero.
I love how brave and yet unsure Jamie is at the same time. The romance between her and Sergie the assassin is tender and awkward.
The rest of the crew are fun and the adventure is a good one.
A pleasurable read.
I love how brave and yet unsure Jamie is at the same time. The romance between her and Sergie the assassin is tender and awkward.
The rest of the crew are fun and the adventure is a good one.
A pleasurable read.
January 4, 2015
Ok I enjoyed the characters they were different and the heroine was determined. I like the hero he is unsure and there was a vulnerability we see that is rare. All in all I liked the story and I am interested in reading more.
Read
April 27, 20162/10: Managed half the book, tempted to read more but just couldn't get there.
Strangely, this one didn't do it for me. I lost interest part way through, and just couldn't continue to the end.
I enjoyed the first two, so I'll skip to the next, and hope for a better outcome.
Strangely, this one didn't do it for me. I lost interest part way through, and just couldn't continue to the end.
I enjoyed the first two, so I'll skip to the next, and hope for a better outcome.
November 16, 2015
You know, I didn't know that books about assassins could be adorable but still be believable. This one somehow pulls that off.
January 4, 2018
3.5 stars.
The couple ended up being a fun duo but Jaime was just a bit too innocent for me. Sergei seemed a bit too unjaded despite his rough background.
Still funny as usual and a fun adventure
The couple ended up being a fun duo but Jaime was just a bit too innocent for me. Sergei seemed a bit too unjaded despite his rough background.
Still funny as usual and a fun adventure
May 25, 2017
Absolutely my favorite (so far) in the series. I was a bit skeptical about this hero/heroine combination going in - Jamie has been a pretty minor character so far, and seemed pretty young and naive, so thinking of her paired up with a professional assassin who was much older wasn't sounding like my cup of tea. Happily there is a bit of plot finessing to make them closer in age (Jamie is about 20, and Sergei is around 28), and Jamie really came into her own in this book.
Throughout the book, Jamie is still her good-hearted and slightly naive self (her dad definitely should have taught her self-defense instead of just scaring all the boys away!), but she also displays maturity, quick-thinking, and an ability to handle herself well in dangerous situations. It's Jamie who is the brains behind the "adventures" she and Sergei get up to, starting before they even meet when she protects herself against some dockworkers, and leading right up
Sergei could have been a pretty cookie-cutter hero, but the author gave him so much heart and some painful secrets to make him more layered and real. To me, his young entry into the Fleet and his horrible experiences there seemed to have stunted his emotional maturity a bit, so he read like he was closer to age in Jamie than he is in reality. Not that he was crude and crass, but that he still had a surprising sense of humor, and an innate honor that a lot of people are forced to grow out of. Sergei was always respectful of Jamie and wanted her to be the best at whatever she was doing, even if that best took her away from him. I loved his train of thought when Jamie was asking him for fighting lessons:
The mystery/action plot is sufficiently twisty and involved as well, though it ends with a bit of a whimper rather than a bang. Still, it was well twined with the romance, rather than one serving as the backdrop to the other. The sci-fi world-building is also well done, and consistent with the other books in the series, and with the other book by Lionsdrake set in the same universe.
Random favorite bit: space hangar garage door openers!
Throughout the book, Jamie is still her good-hearted and slightly naive self (her dad definitely should have taught her self-defense instead of just scaring all the boys away!), but she also displays maturity, quick-thinking, and an ability to handle herself well in dangerous situations. It's Jamie who is the brains behind the "adventures" she and Sergei get up to, starting before they even meet when she protects herself against some dockworkers, and leading right up
Sergei could have been a pretty cookie-cutter hero, but the author gave him so much heart and some painful secrets to make him more layered and real. To me, his young entry into the Fleet and his horrible experiences there seemed to have stunted his emotional maturity a bit, so he read like he was closer to age in Jamie than he is in reality. Not that he was crude and crass, but that he still had a surprising sense of humor, and an innate honor that a lot of people are forced to grow out of. Sergei was always respectful of Jamie and wanted her to be the best at whatever she was doing, even if that best took her away from him. I loved his train of thought when Jamie was asking him for fighting lessons:
... for a moment, he allowed himself to wonder if her answer might be a request for him to show her the ways of love that she had only read about in books.
"Could you take me to fight?" Jamie asked.
His dreams of tender lovemaking shattered. "Er, what?"
The mystery/action plot is sufficiently twisty and involved as well, though it ends with a bit of a whimper rather than a bang. Still, it was well twined with the romance, rather than one serving as the backdrop to the other. The sci-fi world-building is also well done, and consistent with the other books in the series, and with the other book by Lionsdrake set in the same universe.
Random favorite bit: space hangar garage door openers!
Behind her, Sergei squatted, looked under the console, then stood up, reaching for an overhead control box that tinted the windshield when necessary. He plucked a small device off the side of it. A second later, the sliding door disappeared into the wall above it, revealing a hanger full of shuttles like theirs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews