Genre: Romance, Suspense
LGBTQ+ Category: MM Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
About The Book
Ricardo Torralba and August Morrison don’t agree on much besides the fact that they hate each other. According to Ricardo, August is a spoiled brat who really needs to knock off the sass once in a while. August insists that Ricardo needs a sense of humor, a good lay, or a well-placed bullet. Maybe all three.
Fortunately, the assassin’s profession is a solitary one, and they can go about their lives without getting in each other’s way.
Usually.
When a contracted hit turns out to be a setup for both of them, they narrowly escape with their lives. Now, even if they don’t like it (spoiler: they don’t), August and Ricardo have to work together if they want a shot at survival.
In between firefights and questionable interrogation methods as they hunt down their would-be killer, the cranky assassins discover that under all that mutual loathing is a spark of chemistry they can’t ignore. They want to ignore it, they probably should ignore it, but August can’t help flirting to annoy Ricardo, and Ricardo can think of at least one way to shut him up for a while.
But they need to focus, damn it, and figure out who’s gunning for them and why.
Assuming they don’t kill each other first.
The Review
A five million dollar pay-da,y and top on “rate your hit” list. Who could refuse?
Ricardo Torralba and August Morrison have no business being together, but when they both become the target, things get a little crazy and the competition is serious business. They have to team up and try and save anyone connected to them that could possibly be in danger. Both are opposed to collateral damage.
August is a dual personality, hitman and sophisticated clothes whore. He’s a billionaire and really doesn’t need the money. He’s high tech, especially in security, which is off the charts and blow up your own house rich! But underneath he seems to be insecure, and is hiding something about himself.
Ricardo is cool. He tries to stay calm and subtle, but August is definitely rubbing him the wrong way. He soon discovers that he doesn’t know everything about August.
Things get over-the-top dangerous at they come up against the Cavalcante family of La Cosa Nostra – Pedro Silva and Victor from Ricardo’s past.
This is a fun read, action packed with lots of suspense, danger and tense moments, and of course a little gore – they are hitmen after all! Being a hitman is no joking matter, but the banter between Ricardo (don’t call me Ricky) and Augustus ( don’t call me Auggie) is laugh-out-loud funny.
What I really appreciated from Cari Z and L.A. Witt was that they didn’t have Ricardo and August jumping into a physical relationship immediately. The authors stuck to the plot and had me wondering at every turn who had it out for Ricardo and August. It’s a gradual learning experience for the two MC’s, just managing to get along to work together and save those close to them.
I’ve read both Cari Z and L.A. Witt books and they make a great writing team. I especially like “Bad Behavior” and the “Double Trouble” series.
I was thoroughly entertained with this fast-paced, page-turner, “Hitman vs. Hitman,” but it left me wondering if Cari Z and L.A. Witt will give us more from Ricardo and August.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
