Review: Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin

Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin
Jaz Parks series 
Publisher: Orbit  
Published: October 8th 2007 

Genre: urban fantasy 
paperback-320 pages

Summary:

I’m Jaz Parks. My boss is Vayl, born in Romania in 1744. Died there too, at the hand of his vampire wife, Liliana. But that’s ancient history. For the moment Vayl works for the C.I.A. doing what he does best–assassination. And I help. You could say I’m an Assistant Assassin. But then I’d have to kick your ass.

Our current assignment seemed easy. Get close to a Miami plastic surgeon named Assan, a charmer with ties to terrorism that run deeper than a buried body. Find out what he’s meeting with that can help him and his comrades bring America to her knees. And then close his beady little eyes forever. Why is it that nothing’s ever as easy as it seems?

My Review:

Once Bitten, Twice Shy is the first novel in the Jaz Parks series by Jennifer Rardin. This was a re-read of the book for me, but my first time writing a review for it. Jaz Parks is an assassin for the CIA and the book starts out with her being assigned as an assistant to 300 year-old vampire, assassin Vayl.

The two go to Miami for a pretty routine job involving Assan, a plastic surgeon. They are supposed to get information on a certain terrorist group, and his involvement with them, then do what they do best. Assassination. Or so they think. Turns out this plot has more bad guys than they imagined, and they aren’t sure who they can trust.

Thankfully, there are some interesting characters they meet along the way that can help them. Bergman, Cole, and Cassandra, all are fascinating and bring in their own dash of flavor to the mix. Vayl and Jaz can’t seem to figure out where they stand, ever, but that’s ok as long as Vayl’s around. *le sigh*

This book grabbed me from the first page and wouldn’t let me go (both times I read it)! The whole cast of characters, even the ones barely mentioned, have such strong and unique voices. And Jaz… Well, there just isn’t anyone quite like Jaz. She might be a bit crazy (shh don’t tell her I said that), silly, violent, and moody, but she’s an awesome heroine to read about and I look forward to the rest of the series!

 

*This book was won by me. It’s signed and I’ll always treasure it. RIP Jennifer*

 

Sites for Jennifer Rardin around the web:

Website I Goodreads

 

Don’t forget all month long is our Jennifer Rardin Tribute on Not-Really-Southern Vamp Chick & Strange Candy Reviews! Read posts, guest posts, reviews, and more! There are also chances to win your choice of book here and a signed copy of Bitten In Two.