Assassin's Kiss

a good solid story. Intriguing plot.

Scorpio is a walking definition of never judging a book by his cover. He worked for an evil man as an assassin to protect his siblings. But everyone around him just see him as a Lash demon who kills without regret. It was on a mission that a witch casts him a curse. He will be able to know his mate as soon as he meets her but she will loath him. Honestly I dont feel like this a curse but a blessing in disguise for he knew who his mate was even if she didnt like him. It gave him a chance to pause and see what happens in an after effect from his assassinations. He comes to regret some of the stuff he has done to make people suffer but he also wouldnt change it since he protected his family doing it. He has changed his ways since he became a watcher but is still trying to get over his reputation.

His mate is a witch named Tessa that was affected by the assassination more then most since she is has a rare magical gift working with metal. She promised marriage to the enemy in exchange for some peace to her coven from their dark magic. She meets Scorpio while fixing spells on his cage and instantly hates him for starting the chain reaction that landed her in her current position. She has to spend time with him and come to learn he isnt the cold blooded monster people believed. She starts to become his advocate. Slowly she falls in love with him but doesnt think she could actually be with him since she gave her word to save her coven. She is too trusting when it comes to people in her life but when the ultimate betrayal happens she doesnt believe she is good enough to be with Scorpio even when he came to her help. We just need to see if true love really does concur all.

Pretty good story. I enjoyed it. The story felt rather incongruous with the paranormal elements and then completely mundane ones - jeans, phones, etc. Scorpio is working to overcome his past as an assassin. He is cursed by a witch after he kills a mage and his mate. A hundred years later, he's forgotten the curse until he is injured and captured by a group of witches. Tessa is a metal witch and deeply committed to her coven. 

Watching them work to overcome both his past and her feelings about this past made for a goods story.

Book 2 in the Watcher's Kiss series

In his previous life Scorpio was an assassin for an evil demon, in order to save his younger brother and sister from torture and worse he was forced to kill on command. He is sent to kill a mage, Pennar and the consequences lead to the Bronwy coven being run off their lands and under the thumb of Damien, leader of the Vespera coven.

Scorpio is now a Lash Watcher, on a mission with his team he is suddenly ported to Bronwy to answer for the consequences. Once there, he immediately scents his mate and is confused when she doesn't recognise him as her mate too, another consequence of his actions all those years ago.

It takes a while for Tessa and the rest of her village to realise that Scorpio was as much a victim of circumstance as them but they come to trust him and believe he wants to help put things to rights. Just in the nick of time, if his plans aren't successful Tessa will suffer.

I hadn't read the first book in this series but I don't think that mattered, it reads well as a standalone. I enjoyed the world building, loved the couple and thought the relationship was realistically played out. There was no insta-love from Tessa, Scorpio had to work to make her love and trust him.

“Assassin's Kiss” by Sharon Kay is the first book of the “Watcher's Kiss- series that I read. Actually it is the second one in the series but I missed reading “Tainted Kiss” – a mistake that I should correct when my TBR pile allows it.  It is not a big problem getting into the story even if you missed the first book – so it runs ok as a standalone – even if it would have been more clever to read them in the right order.  Ms. Kay has a capturing way of storytelling. Her writingstyle is good and the plot development is captivating. It will not take very long before you to get drawn into the story.  And once you are drawn inside the story you will find a lot of action, witty dialoges and a great plot.  With Scorpio the reader will find a great developed character that is a total walking and talking contradiction 
… the coldblooded killer when confronted with his “job” even if he knows it is wrong – he will do it to protect what is important to him  or
… the patient, lovable and sweet person that he lets Tessa see Those two sides could not be further away from each other.
If the author continues in this line of writing I see a lot of potential in this series

I loved this! The realm this author created is wonderful and I find that I like the Watchers series more than the Solsti series. Scorpio's story is all I had hoped for and more. Tessa was a female lead I really enjoyed and while it took a bit for her to warm up to the amazingly yummy Scorpio she did quicker than I actually anticipated. I can't wait for more from this series and I can't decide who I'd like to see a story on next, perhaps Brenin.  This was a complimentary e-copy provided by the author and publisher for a honest review via Netgalley.

When I started this book i had no idea it's part of a series and I didn't know what to expect - I have never read a witches PRN adult book and i had no idea how the author will make it work. But Sharon Kay did a wonderful job at capturing my interest from start to finish. 

Assassin's Kiss tells the story of Scorpio, a ruthless warrior with a dark past; that past included him working as a mercenary for the evil Dalamos. On one of his missions he encounters an elder witch who, because of his actions, curses him with a love spell - he shall find his mate, but she'll despise him.  Fast forward 110 years and Scorpio, now a Lash Watcher, finds himself prisoner in a witch village. Here, the villagers want him to pay for his previous actions, actions which led to the dire situation the village is in. Early on, Scorpio feels there's something different about this covenant, and that is only intensified when he finds his mate. Tessa, a powerful metal witch, despises him for everything he put her village through. But soon after getting to know him better she realizes that there's more to Scorpio than meets the eye. In order to make Tessa his true mate, Scorpio will do anything he can to protect the village and its people, to undo his past actions, to make Bronwy safe again. 

I loved how the author developed this story - it could've gotten corny and cliche, but it didn't. The chemistry between the characters is there from the beginning, but I adored seeing Scorpio having to work for Tessa - she didn't just succumb to his charms. The slow and steady pace their romance took was in contradiction with the fast paced evolution of the plot. The story was packed with action and incredibly vivid descriptions of battles, people and places. I had this feeling the author will lose me at one point, but she redeemed herself quickly (view spoiler)

The characters were well written. Scorpio is a man's man, he's burly and tough, he's ruthless in his fights, but has one soft spot - he loves his family more than anything and won't stop at nothing to defend them. He's not sorry for his actions, but he feels compelled to right his wrongs. A warrior with a conscience is always the way to go.  Tessa was probably my favorite character from the book. She's strong and capable and the daughter of the Bronwy leader, but that doesn't define her. She wants to be known and respected by her own actions and not her father's rank. I loved that she was fierce, yet had her weak moments. Escaping her past isn't easy and she isn't ashamed of feeling fragile at times. 

Another thing I enjoyed about the book were the secondary characters, characters I hope to read about in future installments in this series. They were well created and i was left wanting to know more about each and everyone of them.

I'm just in awe of this author and her incredible way of creating this wonderful fantasy world that could rival some of the biggest authors in the PRN/Fanstasy genre. She avoided cliches and went for originality and sometimes that's all it takes to distance yourself from the pack. I can only hope that she'll write more books in this series, because I couldn't get enough of these Lash Watchers.  I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy reads with amazing heroes and capable heroines, with smart and sensual dialogue and some greatly written action sequences.

5 T & S Stars.
„I curse you now, demon. One day you will meet your destined mate. The very instance that you are in her presence, you will recognize that she is your other half, your female, and you will be seized with the need to claim her. You will ache with your need to complete the bond. But she…” the witch’s voice grew low, “she will despise you for the monster you are. She will avoid you as if you are poison to her. You will be in agony, demon. Let it be done!”

After a botched operation in Tainted Kiss, Scorpio is teleported to Bronwy he is severely injured and is captured by the witch’s coven where he once assassinated the chief mage Pennar, he was being blackmailed by a Dalamos, his mercenary skills in exchange for not hurting his brother and sister. He is to be bought to judgement by the village. They call him a murderer which is true. Half the village wants him dead and the other half doesn’t know what to do with him. 

He is dangerous so they lock him up with dampening spells and gloves that let him from using his demonfire. He won’t leave as much as he wants to because he has smelt honeysuckle, the sign that he will have found his mate. As he is a lash demon he has the skills to run but doesn’t. 

With his job being completed he didn’t realize the consequences of his actions. The village had lost so much the former village sat on dark ley lines with magic and only Pennar was strong enough for the dark magic to stay contained that is until the Vespera took over and dark magic also spread into their village. 

Tessa is one of the most powerful witches in the coven. She has the affinity to metals. She wants to do right by her people. This means marrying the narcissistic bastard Damien from the Vespara coven. Scorpio isn’t happen about that but over time he proves himself to Tess and the village. She isn’t his biggest fan to begin with but that soon changes after he saves her life twice and Tessa gets to know him. 

I loved all the characters in this book, be it the main or secondary characters. I loved the plot and the humor of the book.

“Ah, yes. Well this demon isn’t leaving.” With that Winston shuffled to a leather chair and lowered his slight frame. “Nope, we need to keep him See how helpful he is?” Tessa gave Scorpio an apologetic shrug. “Keep him? He’s not a stray dog.” “You know what I mean”

After two weeks he contacts the Watcher’s HQ to tell him that he is still alive and about the current situation that he has found his mate. 

“Shit. I guess, congratulations are in order?” “Ehh, not yet. She’s not totally on board with the idea.”

To get Tess back. The Watcher’s pull out the big guns. Whysper the resident witch is kick ass and the ending was the best. Tessa was a bit naive when it came to the whole ending with Damien and her being kidnapped. 

Can a leopard change his spots?

As long as the core of the person is solid then there are really no spots that need to be changed by said leopard. 

I can’t wait for this series to continue. 

Review to follow. Book received by Victory Editing via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

Sharon Kay has created another fabulous world with this series, which sucks you in!

Scorpio, a Lash demon, has been taken by a  coven of witches who remember his past a little too well.  As a mercenary for a demonic overlord, Scorpio is trying to redeem himself as a Lash Watcher, and maintain the peace between realms. But now he's been captured by the coven he once had to destroy and any chances of survival are gone. 

But when a witch known as Tessa enters the frame, there may just be hope for Scorpio yet.  She is his mate but can she see past her hatred and anger of him and his kind?

Fabulous narrative, explosive passion and a great storyline!!!  Enjoyed this immensely.

***ARC given for honest review***

ASSASSIN’S KISS by Sharon Kay is the second book in her new series “Watcher’s Kiss”.  This is a worthy follow up to the first book ‘Tainted Kiss’. Although this series is a spinoff of an earlier series by the author, the stories and the setting stand quite well on their own.

I was quite enchanted by the relationship between Tessa and Scorpio, the witch and the warrior.  After spending years as a mercenary for a twisted demon overlord, Scorpio has finally found a chance to redeem himself as a Lash Watcher, helping his fellow warriors maintain the peace between realms. As the story begins, he is being held captive by a coven of witches. Tessa is the daughter of the coven’s leader, and from their first meeting the relationship between them is intense and emotionally charged.

ASSASSIN’S KISS is an intriguing, well written PNR read, and left me looking forward to what is to come next in Kays “Watcher’s Kiss” series. Recommend read.

I enjoyed this book.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the spinoff book from the Solsti Prophecy series, which I had previously enjoyed.  I did not read the first installment in this new Watcher series, but I thought the book read as a standalone.
Scorpio is a Lash demon who was forced to be an assassin before escaping and becoming a Watcher.  Along the way, he was cursed that if he found his mate, she would despise him.  Cue up about 100 years later and the impossible happens.  He finds his mate, a tough as nails witch named Tessa.  He has to earn her trust the hard way, but eventually she softens and falls in love.  They of course have to fight the bad guy, but it definitely had a HOA.  Great plot, great characters.  Will now have to go back and read the first book!

This is book two in the "Watcher's Kiss" series. I have not yet read book one 'Tainted Kiss' and I did not have a problem keep up with this book...so for me this was a standalone book. I did enjoy the writing and story so I will be looking into get that first book.  This is a paranormal romance too.  Scorpio is a Warrior who had to do some killing that were forced on him to protect his sister and brother.  They were threaten to be hurt if he did not do some of the 'hits'.  One being that of a clan leader and the clan leaders true love. For that he was cursed by a witch to know his true love but she would hate him on site. Not believing it..he forgot the curse until he return years later to the place were he had killed the couple.  There he finds the impact of his earlier acts.  The people have been held under the thumb of a neighboring enemy.  The people there remember him for his killing and take him hostage. There he does meet his true love,  Tessa.  Tessa does dislike him right of the bat.  Scorpio decided he needed to help these people and free them from their enemy and correct the wrong he had done them.  Also this would bring Tessa to fill different about him.  But getting them to start trusting him and getting Tessa to not hate him doesn't seem to be to easy at first.  I enjoy this book and hope that you will too!

Having a copy from netgalley was awesome, although I would gladly buy any of Sharon Kay's books. Just get better as the series evolves. Sometimes you need a little fantasy to keep things in perspective.

Quirky witches mating lash demons, evil mages wreaking havoc on the masses, unmatched elders equaling the odds and dark magic ley lines come together for an epic battle. Unique, fun, and entertaining.

I LOVED reading this story and immensely enjoyed learning about this author's world/realm(s). I would definitely recommend this book to others. I look forward to reading more from this author and this story-line. I would definitely buy this book and other works by this author.