Assassin

by Sophie Slade

Mark. That’s what they call me. It’s not my real name. No one knows it. But I am no longer that person. He died when Mark came into existence. I am well versed in the best combat weaponry in the world. I am ruthless and I never miss my mark. Hence, the nickname.

I am an assassin. I do my job, get out, and get paid. It’s that simple. But everything changes when I meet Trisha, the daughter of a mark. The assassin credo is No Women, No Children. Now, they want her dead, along with her father, but I can’t let that happen. Before he died, her father asked me to keep her safe. Me, of all people.

Now we’re on the run. She hates me because she thinks I killed her father. But I just want to keep her safe and fulfill a last promise. Even though she hates me, I can live with that. After all, who would love an assassin?

*Note: All books in the Mercs for Hire series are standalones and end in a Happily Ever After, or a Happy for Now. Although they can be read in any order, it's better if they are read in order, but it's not necessary.

*Triggers: The Mercs for Hire Series is not for the faint of heart. All books are Mafia Assassin Dark Romance, and contain steamy sex, killings, Mafia assassins, gruesome torture, and strong language. If any of these things disturb you, please do not read this book. I trust you know your triggers. 18+

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary

115 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2022

About the author

Sophie Slade is the author of steamy Dark Romance featuring hot, powerful Alpha men and women strong enough to bring them to their knees. She has an amazing husband and three wonderful sons who collectively are the rock of her life. When Sophie's not writing, she loves horseback riding, traveling, swimming, and sitting by the pool, dreaming about killing off... er... shipping her latest characters. An American through and through and a former teacher, Sophie lives in Florida, dreaming of the day when she can write from exotic locales from around the world.

You can contact Sophie at contact@sophiesladebooks.com or join her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SophieSladeA....

Reviews

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about a hired gun going after a senator who was marked to be taken out to find the senator’s daughter to be what he has been looking for since his wife and son were murdered. Along the way a friend of the man helps him along as well as an uncle of his that is a don of a mafia family.
The two almost fall for each other immediately. He wants to protect the woman from any harm that would come to her. When their feeling got too strong the two had sex several times along their journey to find out why everything was happening.
After an arranged meeting he finds out his old boss was the one that ordered the hit on the senator, his friend was there also, he also learned that he and the woman weren't supposed to live. After the meeting they had to make their escape but later that night they went back to the penthouse where it happened and went to the senator’s safe to find if there were any clues to why his ex boss wanted the senator killed, while there she picked up a couple of things, including her parents engagement and wedding bands as well as some clothes.
They went through everything and found out the reason why the ex boss wanted the senator killed. Deciding to go to the ex boss’s house, they snuck in but the ex boss was up waiting for them, he had men with him. The ex-boss and his men took the two captive, they were placed in cages before she’s tied to a chair and he’s tied to a board next to a tub. Neither one of the two will tell the ex boss anything so he has his men lower in face first into the water. After a while they pull him out and the ex boss pulls out a knife. At first he was going to go for the woman but went after the man instead. The man’s friend comes in, shoots the ex boss, cuts the woman’s ties and the woman goes for the man who was knocked into the tub, the two women get him out in time for him to help shoot at the ex boss’s men. They make it to the door to find her brother and the female don and their men waiting for them. When they look, the ex-boss is at the door. The friend doesn’t want him killed, she wants him to face his charges. They all leave after saying their goodbyes.
The two go and bury her father and have the penthouse fixed up. The friend wants to meet them where they had the meeting at. They get there and the manager of the place is waiting for them, they talk and he shows them to the bar where the friend is at. They sit with their friend at the bar and order champagne. He gets on one knee and proposes to the woman. He brings out her mother’s engagement ring and she tells him ‘yes’. They tell each other that they love one another as they hug and kiss.
Superbly written with outstanding characters it was a great page turner. A wonderful action packed, intriguing, spicy steamy romantic happy ever after or at least for now story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

MMC/FMC- Mark and Tasha
POV- 1st person dual
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Sub Genre- Romantic Suspense (although it was neither romantic nor particularly suspenseful).
Other- includes Mafia elements
Heat- ☄️. Fizzled rather than sizzled. They do the thing twice, and it’s not very hot either time.
Series? Y
Safety: there are threats of s. violence, but they are not carried out. There’s no cheating or sharing, no OW/OM drama, no cliffhanger, and a HEA.
Triggers- Violence, Erotic Content, Language, Threats of S. Violence.
Tropes- Damsel in Distress, Hitman Romance, That Man Is Dead, Family Extermination, Love On The Run, Bad Guy Whack-A-Mole.
What I liked- the book had a lot of action and it wasn’t the worst book I’ve ever read.
What I didn’t- this book maintains an almost amateurish quality. The Hero is a Video Game Killer; when she calls him out about shooting a lot of bad guys at their first meeting, he replies that they “don’t count”. These bad guys pop up like a game of Whack-A-Mole and he mows them down as if he was at an arcade. The sex is almost incidental, especially the alley quickie, which came out of nowhere. It’s like the author thought, “this book is at 80% and there’s only one sex scene, so better add another.”
Verdict- While this is far from the worst thing I’ve ever read, it’s not good. I give it 2 and 1/2 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one in The Mercs For Hire series and it is Mark and Tasha's story and what a great start to a new series and it is definitely a must read. Mark used to be a CIA agent until his wife and son was murdered by someone that he was trying to take down and they wanted him dead but now he is a Mercs For Hire Assassin and only takes the jobs that he wants and when his latest hit turns into a bloodbath when someone else takes out the senator Mark ends up taking the senator's daughter with him to keep her safe. Now Mark and Tasha need to find out who set him up and put the hit on Tasha and her father he will take them out but first they need to find the information. Tasha is the first woman that Mark has felt any connection to o since his wife was murdered and there chemistry is really strong but will they both get out of this situation alive so that they can be together and get the happy ending that they deserve. I really enjoyed reading this book and it had great characters and a storyline that pulled you in and kept your attention and I can't wait to read the next book in this series. This is the first book that I have read by this author but definitely not the last as it was so well written, addictive and definitely worth reading.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new author for me. This is a decent mafia read. Fast paced and compelling. It would have been nice if the free prequel button offered worked and I was able to read it. The story revolves around Mark and Tasha. I found the characters believable to a certain extent but the story was just far too short for me. Maybe the free giveaway prequel would have helped fill in the backgrounds but without it it was too sparse. I’m giving the author the benefit of the doubt.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Mark, it was a quick job. That is until he saw his mark and he asked him for a favor. Trisha was with her dad when all went sideways. Watching her dad be killed and then being rushed out to "safety".

This is fast read that takes you on a path of danger and deceit. Mark finds out that he has been set up and all loose ends are meant to be taken care of. Mark and Trisha's story is a great read that keeps you on the edge of your seat as you are not sure who to trust.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark had lost everything that mattered so becoming an assassin was easy, and his marks went down just as so. But when his jest target ends in chaos he takes the senators daughter Tasha to keep her safe, whilst he works on finding out who set him up. But soon a connection grows between them but is it enough? Well written engaging fast paced steamy and more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A former CIA operative turned assassin, ends up on the run with a senator's daughter after a botched job. While on the run, they ended up developing a relationship. There are twists and the dramatics are kept to a reasonable level without taking away from the story. Although it is a stand alone, I look forward to the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leah]

This one fell short for me. The story line was ok I guess. But, the characters fell a bit undeveloped. They didn't have much personality and were a bit all over the place. And I didn't really care if they survived much less found romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Bolay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! Sophie Slade books end with HEA...for now! They are great books and you see characters from other books by Sophie Slade! They are not sweet love stories...they are rough and things don't go easy! These books are truly made to read and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lucy Chesna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cant wait for more on this series. This is all you need assassins, mafia dark romance, action, thriller and a crime story. Mark and Trisha had to go through so much especially when Trisha had to find the truth what her father had to be killed and why Mark is part of this. A great story!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tatenisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

He was sent on a job but did not know it would change his life. Before his victim was killed he made sure to ask him for one last promise. Now he must protect his daughter while trying to keep them both alive. This job leads him to so much that he did not know he wanted or needed.

[Alex Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic introduction to a new series. Deliciously dark and dangerous. Great characters, and a well written storyline. Would recommend. Cannot wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hanna Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a hot and dark romance book that I highly enjoyed. Full of spicy scenes in addition to interesting characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.