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Call Me Zhenya

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Short-term protective custody, they said. Just until people stopped trying to kill her. But two years later, Anna Slaten—and the data locked inside her enhanced brain—is still behind bars with no word on her status with the deep-cover agency she works for.

Evgeni Belyakov seeks atonement. Two years ago, the wolf shifter/assassin did what he was ordered to do. Since then, he’s learned the ugly truth about the Agency. And that Anna is next on their hit list. But saving her could mean risking everything. His heart. His secrets. And surrendering control to the most dangerous creature of all. His wolf.

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 27, 2016

12 people are currently reading
13 people want to read

About the author

Katriena Knights

42 books26 followers
Katriena Knights started writing before she learned to read. Some of her early efforts included poetry like "Ode to a Pancake" and an emotional epic (65 pages) novel about a blind horse who wins the Kentucky Derby.

She has since graduated to more realistic subjects like vampires and extraterrestrials, but somehow some kind of romance always sneaks in (even the blind horse had a sexy boyfriend). She has published a number of contemporary and paranormal romances, and continues to write regularly for a variety of venues.

Katriena currently lives in the mountains of Colorado with her kids, and a variety of pets.

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5 stars
20 (42%)
4 stars
18 (38%)
3 stars
5 (10%)
2 stars
3 (6%)
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1 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Angela Myers.
Author 9 books38 followers
February 24, 2017
Disclaimer:
This book was written by my daughter. This does not mean I judge her more leniently than I do other authors. In fact, I might be harder on her, because, after all, I was an early influence. :-)

That said, this is one of the few books I've read recently that engaged me to the point I had trouble putting it down. I have a very limited time to read (hence the lengthy time I take to finish a book), and this kept me up past my bedtime several nights.
That the main characters are so believable is to the author's credit, since, having been surgically enhanced, they are not normal human beings. They are likable because their abilities don't come without associated problems that are difficult to surmount. Their relationship develops at a believable rate given the circumstances, and its resolution is poignant and emotionally satisfying.
Even the minor characters have well-defined personalities.

Things some readers might not like:
Actually, I didn't even notice that some of the language is pretty rough until later. It seemed completely natural to the characters, and anyone who has worked in, say, a factory, has heard it all. The main sex scene is pretty detailed. I prefer more be left to the imagination, but if you've been reading modern romance, this won't be a surprise to you.

My (very subjective) rating system:
I don't give one- or two-star reviews. That's just mean. Unless the book is by a well-known writer who should know better. Then I might.
I give three stars to books I enjoy in spite of fairly big problems. I usually explain why.
I give four stars to books that are really quite good, but I can finish and never think about again.
Five stars are reserved for books that might not be technically as well-written as a book I give four stars, but I continue to think about long after I finish.
Profile Image for Suze.
1,884 reviews1,298 followers
February 18, 2017
Anna spent two years in prison, but not because she's done something wrong. She's there for her own protection. She works as a secret agent for the Agency and has an extraordinary enhanced brain. Her biggest strength is what's inside her head, but that also makes her a wanted woman and lying low has kept her safe for a while. When someone at the prison wants to harm her Anna knows she can't stay. Evgeni is there to pick her up. She doesn't know Evgeni, but he has the right papers and she's learned not to ask too many questions, so Anna goes with him.

Evgeni is a Volk, a wolf shifter. When he's in wolf form he's strong and the Agency uses Volks as assassins. When Evgeni started to look into the files of the people he had to kill he discovered that the Agency lied to both him and Anna and still they haven't been told the truth. Anna is another person they want to eliminate and Evgeni's goal is to prevent that from happening. Will he be able to save Anna's life and what would it mean for him if he'd sacrifice his career at the Agency and his cover for her? Will she be worth it?

Call Me Zhenya is a fantastic intriguing shifter story. Anna is tough. She's a skilled agent, with and without her enhancement, she's smart and she's able to conquer her fears. Evgeni is supposed to be a danger to her because of the wolf that's inside him, but to survive they have to trust each other. Anna needs Evgeni for her safety, but Evgeni needs Anna as well. They're equally capable and they both have good hearts. Evgeni is friendly despite his job. He's also protective and clever. Together they form a powerful duo, which is what I loved most about the story. There's chemistry and they have a deep and meaningful connection.

Katriena Knights writes about an intriguing world. The Agency employs several special agents with various types of enhanced skill sets, which is an interesting idea. I loved reading about Evgeni's wolf, it is both dangerous and endearing, and Anna's brain works in a fascinating organized way. Katriena Knights describes their abilities with a perfect eye for the right amount of detail and vibrancy, which made the story come to life in a terrific manner. Evgeni and Anna are on the run and their journey is a gripping adrenaline rush. Katriena Knights balances this with kindness and sweet romantic scenes. I loved that combination and think it works very well. Call Me Zhenya is a fantastic shifter story and I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
784 reviews38 followers
July 17, 2017
Adding the spy element made this a bit different from other shape-shifter stories. The pacing was good, without too much back story all lumped in together. At times, it felt like this was a sequel, but apparently it's the first book in what could be a series. The reference to the previous mission that is referred to does finally come to light, but I think it would make for a good novel itself. Overall, a good story that I enjoyed reading.
Profile Image for Shelley.
195 reviews2 followers
December 28, 2016
Good dog

I didn't know what to expect when I stated reading this book but I can tell you a enjoyed it very much. Though I didn't get emotional till closer to the end I did a lot of crying then. Didn't know what would happen but was very happy with the ending.
19 reviews1 follower
March 23, 2017
Review

Such a different plot. It is a beautiful love story. Had me right from the start. Couldn't out it down.
Profile Image for ToriLynn.
220 reviews
September 5, 2017
Wow

I'm not sure what to say. Higher on the language scale than I like, but a well written story. Couldn't put it down.
14 reviews
August 29, 2018
Pretty good

Nice read. Pretty good. Good love story and mystery. Some of it was a little weird but still I liked
Profile Image for Claire.
Author 8 books17 followers
April 13, 2017
I don't usually read romance of any kind, but I had nominated Call Me Zhenya in the Kindle Scout program, because the blurb and excerpt were so enticing. I just finished it, and I have to say, this was such a well written, well crafted, perfect ending story. It was awesome, and I loved every minute of it. The two main characters have such delicious dialogue and moments together. I was left craving more! I do hope, Ms. Knights brings Anna and Evgeni back for another story. Well done. You've made a paranormal romance reader out of me!
1,347 reviews6 followers
February 27, 2017
An amazing book!

A very well written action, spy thriller romance. Oh yes, definitely all this and more! Anna needs a protector, and Evgeni and his wolf are it! Great story intrigue.
Profile Image for Fran.
961 reviews10 followers
December 30, 2016
I discovered this book on the kindle scout. I read the blurb and thought this is going to be good. so i nominated it. then i received news that it was chosen for publication. I was beyond thrilled. the teaser they let you read to decide if you wish to nominate it was not enough. i was left wondering so much. so when it was published i instantly thought I have to read this and see how it goes. i sat down after breakfast and looked up after lunch....the lunch i had skipped because i was so engrossed in this reading.

characters. ok so I love Evgeni Belyakov. He is honorable, despite his profession of assassin. he really steps up and honestly goes above and beyond what even decent morale people would find needed to right a wrong he made so long ago. strong and protective and in charge but not in a way that makes him one of those demanding, always get your way alpha assholes that show up to often when a romantic interest is present.
Anna Slaten was interesting on the basis that her brain was literally a walking talking computer with almost infinite knowledge stored inside. it does not make her arrogant or uppity. she uses it when needed and learns to rely on herself without it when she has to. shes strong as well but also not domineering. i love how the two work together and later how they fit together as a couple. As for Zhenya well I love him so much I want one. You will have to read more to fin out what i mean.

Plot: that was amazing. fast paced but not lacking in development or details. things progressed naturally without feeling rushed or patchy. The end of the book left me wanting more hoping there will be a second story of the couple. A must read for anyone that likes spies, secrets, questions and answer and a touch of fantasy romance thrown in. a wonderful mesh of genres so there is something for everyone.
1,501 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2017
Good Read

Good story different take on a spy novel. Anna wasn't typical kick about heroine but could hold her own. The hero was great liked the way the author grew the romance.
Profile Image for WildAboutBones.
328 reviews29 followers
April 1, 2017
While not your typical shifter romantic suspense, this was a breathe of fresh air to the genre. Without spoilers it is hard to explain why I enjoyed the differences in this story so much. Suffice it to say it is not the same old-same old wolf shifter/werewolf-finds-a-mate story.

This is a SciFi story but only lightly so in that the characters are genetically and/or surgically enhanced. Readers who aren't into SciFi will still be able to enjoy the story.

Add in a lot of spies and not knowing who is on whose side in the wilds of Alaska and northern Canada, and you have interesting story.

Some romance junkies may scoff at the fact the hero and heroine stay together after the main motivation of the hero is revealed to the heroine, but I can totally see it happening.

It kept me engrossed from the first chapter and I read it in two sittings.

I obtained this book through the Kindle Scout program.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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