Checkmate (Mates, Book 2)
Samhain Publishing - Samhain Publishing
Release date: 2007-08-01
Paperback
Author: Annmarie McKenna
Romance, Fiction, Fiction - Romance, Romance: Modern, Fiction / Romance / Adult, Fiction : Romance - Fantasy, Romance - Adult, Romance - Fantasy, Erotic fiction, Werewolves, Romance & Sagas
average reviews
0 vote
0 vote
React and review
Checkmate (Mates, Book 2)
Date undefinedI love this series so far.
I did feel bad for both main characters, I mean how many bad things can happen to one couple?
I did like how Bikki was able when it counted defend herself. In most of the story she was afraid, but can you blame her? Nikki was recovering from her ordeal in the first chapter, then she finds her friends dead. Despite being scared she finds that she is stronger when she has someone who belives in her.
Poor Eli, gone for eight months and comes home to claim the woman he loves, Nikki, to learn that he was not there to help her. He is going to make up for it now.
The only thing I did not like about this story is the bad guy was not well formed. I was unable to find out why he did what he did. But non the less he was an evil character that you wanted to suffer
Checkmate (Mates, Book 2)
Date undefinedCheckmate by Annmarie McKenna was was sexy, fast-paced, and heartfelt. While quite gory and at times a tad psychologically frightening (author taking us into the mind of a killer) The novel was a quick and un-put-down-able read. Nikki is the little sister of Eli Graham's best friend. Nikki has loved Eli for a long time, but thought Eli would never see her as anything more than his best friend's little sister. After Nikki narrowly escapes a brutal attack, becoming scarred physically as well as mentally, Eli, the said Shapeshifter, who had been away on an eight-month security job, comes back and is all ready to claim Nikki as his mate(who doesn't know she's his mate or that he's a shapeshifter). What he left- a stubborn, independent, carefree girl, is now a broken shell of what she once was. The feelings of the two characters expressed to each other makes your insides turn and your heart squeeze. Eli has to prove she can trust him while at the same time protect her fromt he danger lurking at every turn. The sex is hot, steamy, and sensual, a truly delectable read. It has the classic Shapeshifter tones of protectiveness and continual sexual stamina and need for their mate. Did I mention this book is hot? For a fan of this genre, READ THE BOOK!
Checkmate (Mates, Book 2)
Date undefinedThe last eight months for Nikki Raine have been hell on earth. One evening she is attacked and nearly raped by three men in a deserted parking lot. It's every woman's worst nightmare but she manages to get away. While driving away from her attackers, they follow her and drive her off the road. Eight months have passed and she's still fighting to stay in control of her life and is just beginning to emerge from her self imposed solitude. She joins her friends for what used to be their weekly girl's night out and ends up interrupting a killer who has just finished butchering her friends. He notices and chases after her, managing to shoot her in the shoulder. While in the hospital, the police are concerned that the killer will come afte her and they recommend protection. Luckily, her brother's friend Eli Graham has just returned from a security post overseas and he and his twin are on hand to protect her in case the killer attempts to silence her.
Eli Graham has been in love with Nikki Raine since she was a little girl. He's run away from her because he doesn't know how to tell the lovely, human Nikki that he's a werewolf and she's his predestined mate. He goes away for eight months for a security assignment and promises himself when he comes back, he's finally going to claim her. When he arrives, he has no idea of the horrors his mate has gone through during his absence. He is furious that he wasn't there for her and that no one told him. Nikki didn't want anyone to tell Eli because she's afraid that one, he won't want her now that's she's an attempted rape victim, and two, her face was scarred in the accident. He could care less about any of that and when he gets to her side, Nikki knew instinctively that she'd been waiting for him all this time and that only her mate could make her feel safe and protected again.
Eli and Nikki Raine have loved each other from afar for a very long time and when they finally get together it's very sweet and passionate. Annmarie McKenna always writes such take charge, yet tender lovers and intelligent, slightly wounded heroines. The way her heroes always bring their ladies back to life is so romantic and appealing. Nikki goes through so much trauma in such a short amount of time in the beginning part of the book that I honestly didn't know how she was going to recover. With Eli by her side she goes through a believable recovery and faces her attackers and the killer of her friends. The sex in Checkmates is graphic but not raunchy. The supporting characters are all from the first book in the Mates series, Seeing Eye Mate, but they are introduced in a way that doesn't detract from the main story. There are some definite references to the first book, but it's not essential that you read them in order. I thoroughly enjoyed and was able to follow along with Checkmate and highly recommend Annmarie McKenna as an excellent author. Enjoy!
