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Shadow of the Templar #1
Shadow of the Templar: The Morning Star
Simon Drake is an up-and-coming young FBI hotshot, an agent with a personal track record so outstanding that it borders on unbelievable. Not yet thirty, he's already the leader of his own special ops team; a ragtag bunch of talented but nigh-uncontrollable lunatics, it's true, but under Simon's inspired leadership they're a force to be reckoned with, a team with an unparalleled success rate, a team with an almost unblemished record--until now. Jeremy Archer is the brilliant and unpredictable scion of a long line of international art thieves, simultaneously a phenomenally wealthy English socialite and one of the most infamous criminals in the world. At twenty-seven years old he's already wanted on nearly every continent for thefts totalling more than ninety-one million dollars, and yet no one has ever come close to catching him--until now. Now May the best man win. The first book in the Shadow of the Templar series!
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
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About the author
M. Chandler
50 books217 followersM. Chandler is a lady of a certain age, currently wandering around the Seattle area. Whenever she manages to make her way home, she writes action-oriented fiction that tends to be heavy on the gay themes.
She has a website with lots of free fiction, a Facebook fan page, and, God help us, a Twitter.
She has a website with lots of free fiction, a Facebook fan page, and, God help us, a Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
September 6, 2017
“He was fucking with us pretty hard in the saferoom,” Sandra called from the front of the plane’s undercarriage.
“Aw, Sandy, that wasn’t fucking,” Simon said. “That was just, I don’t know, really obnoxious foreplay or something.”
When someone tells me they enjoyed a book as much as The Foxhole Court I pay attention. I've heard a lot of good things about this series through Twitter, and seen it compared to The Foxhole Court a few times, so I had to read it.
Picture this: Notorious art thief Jeremy Archer is after The Morning Star - a valuable diamond which will be on display in it's owners home for one night, during her party. Jeremy intends to steal it, even with all eyes on the precious jewel.
FBI agent Simon Drake knows Archer is after the jewel, and he's determined to catch Jemery first. He and his team set up shop, expecting to catch and arrest Jeremy should he show up to steal the precious Morning Star - they definitely get more then they anticipated when he does.
What happens next? An unlikely alliance between thieves and cops, a secret mission more dangerous then any of them expected, a deadly race against the clock, and an unlikely romance between an FBI agent and art thief who are supposed to be sworn enemies.
the best thing about this book is how fun it is. I mean the premise pretty much says enough about what kind of book it's gonna be. The tropes used with the enemies to lovers, cat/mouse dynamic made the relationship development really entertaining. There is a tonne of banter between both the love interests, but also between Simon and the other agents in his team. I flew through this book because it's fast paced and light and a tonne of fun.
I liked the relationship between Jeremy and Simon, I didn't feel like it was rushed, and I think it felt right. I love enemies to lovers, but it has to make sense and not seem thrown in for the sake of it. But I think the banter between Simon and Jeremy, as well as how their interactions slowly change from tense to flirty, made their romance much more believable. I liked the buildup for them a lot and I was really rooting for it to happen.
but now we get into some of the bad things
First off, on like the second page the R***** slur is used by the main character and goes unchallenged. This prompts me to make a warning about this series that was made to me: this series use continued and unchallenged use of slurs, including the R&F slur, throughout the series. While the F slur is not used in this book is it used extensively in the next three. So please be aware of this and go in with caution. Also, this is NOT an ownvoices book for m/m rep
I knew I wasn't going to like this aspect of these books going into it, but I still really hated it when it came up.
On a lesser note, I wasn't a massive fan of the side characters. I found their introduction VERY confusing - all the side characters have a name, and then a codename, and matching the character to the name and then to the codename was .. so confusing. None of the side characters, minus Sandra, really stood out to me and I kind of hated Nate. I've heard they have really good character development arcs so looking forward to that.
Simon eyed him narrowly. "And to think I was almost not hating you."
Jeremy blinked, feigning confusion. "Goodness. Did I say something wrong?”
Overall this book was really fun and addictive. It made me want to keep reading and I've been craving continuing because the dynamics and tropes were soo fun. I love the criminal/cop trope and this book does it so well.
It's unfortunate the author includes so much offensive material that she refuses to change, because without it these would be great
Either way, I've bought book two and plan on continuing with the series soon
December 8, 2018
***3.5 Stars***
Yeah, and that is -almost- all romance you will get in this book, which is really a shame because Simon and Jeremy have so much chemistry they could light a match. Their banter was bordering on stellar and provided great amusement. Umm, in other words... I was grinning like a fool when they fought their verbal battles.
Come on, a thief, in this case Jeremy Archer aka Shadow (yeah well, not his choice of a codename, but so apt) who is at the top of the shitlist of the FBI (and also a tool for Simon "Templar" Drake and his team to catch his employer) and who chooses due to some weird circumstances to work with them in order to catch the real bad guy and save the day, should make for some entertainment and be right up my alley. And in the end it was.
I'm still a bit torn about Simon. I alternated between cracking up and being annoyed at him, and the final verdict is still out, but I absolutely loved Jeremy. A 'criminal' smart enough to give the so-called good guys the runaround and deliciously enigmatic at the same time definitely deserves some bonus points, hence the added half star.
The beginning of the story reminded me of the entry scene of Mission Impossible in the American Embassy in Prague and of course I was hooked. Alas, after that it got a bit too slow for me. I'm all in for great team dynamics and witty banter, but the one between the team got sometimes a bit too juvenile -not to say immature- for me and caused some -here we go again- eye-roll moments. I was like 'Oh dear, if that's the best the FBI has got, then goodnight, America!'
Then came the second half, though, which made me round my 3.5 stars up... Yes, the whole story was a bit farfetched and OTT, (meaning: think of James Bond and you will get an idea of what I mean), but after roundabout 50% I buried my nose in the book and only surfaced when I reached the end. The added countdown in the story did not help much to catch my breath, either, and just when I thought Jeremy and Simon -and Simone as well- will get some well-deserved reprieve and maybe some hot smexy times... it was over. Dammit!
Well, eventually I got my smexy times, just not in this book. Make sure to check out the short stories which accompany this series on the author's website http://mchandler.org/ and you will find the missing sex scene here
... and then he grabbed Simon's face in both hands and kissed him fiercely.
Yeah, and that is -almost- all romance you will get in this book, which is really a shame because Simon and Jeremy have so much chemistry they could light a match. Their banter was bordering on stellar and provided great amusement. Umm, in other words... I was grinning like a fool when they fought their verbal battles.
Come on, a thief, in this case Jeremy Archer aka Shadow (yeah well, not his choice of a codename, but so apt) who is at the top of the shitlist of the FBI (and also a tool for Simon "Templar" Drake and his team to catch his employer) and who chooses due to some weird circumstances to work with them in order to catch the real bad guy and save the day, should make for some entertainment and be right up my alley. And in the end it was.
I'm still a bit torn about Simon. I alternated between cracking up and being annoyed at him, and the final verdict is still out, but I absolutely loved Jeremy. A 'criminal' smart enough to give the so-called good guys the runaround and deliciously enigmatic at the same time definitely deserves some bonus points, hence the added half star.
The beginning of the story reminded me of the entry scene of Mission Impossible in the American Embassy in Prague and of course I was hooked. Alas, after that it got a bit too slow for me. I'm all in for great team dynamics and witty banter, but the one between the team got sometimes a bit too juvenile -not to say immature- for me and caused some -here we go again- eye-roll moments. I was like 'Oh dear, if that's the best the FBI has got, then goodnight, America!'
Then came the second half, though, which made me round my 3.5 stars up... Yes, the whole story was a bit farfetched and OTT, (meaning: think of James Bond and you will get an idea of what I mean), but after roundabout 50% I buried my nose in the book and only surfaced when I reached the end. The added countdown in the story did not help much to catch my breath, either, and just when I thought Jeremy and Simon -and Simone as well- will get some well-deserved reprieve and maybe some hot smexy times... it was over. Dammit!
Well, eventually I got my smexy times, just not in this book. Make sure to check out the short stories which accompany this series on the author's website http://mchandler.org/ and you will find the missing sex scene here
February 26, 2014
Now that was fun! A high-tech cat burglar meets up with an FBI agent in a bad-guy-world-domination scenario, and the sparks fly. The banter is set on stun, the stunts are great, there is a snarky team of back-up agents and the sexual tension is hot. (Although any actual sex is off-page)
Simon Drake, inevitably codenamed "Templar" after The Saint, is a top FBI team leader. His eclectic group of experts normally wouldn't be bothered with a jewel thief like Jeremy Archer, but the theft ties into a more serious situation they are dealing with. So Simon confidently lets his team loose on the target location, anticipating an easy success over the thief who has stymied the Art Theft Division for so long. However he has underestimated Jeremy, and when the night is done, the burglar code-named Shadow has gotten away with the gem.
That would be the end of the story, but Archer has a moral code, and being made part of a terrorist scheme isn't part of it. His employer was using his theft skills in an unsavory way, and Jeremy is willing to approach the FBI to fix that. For a fee. And so Simon and Jeremy come into each other's orbit. Collision seems inevitable, but the outcome is much less certain.
This book is filled with team banter that ranges from puns to straight- and gay-innuendo to flying objects. The plot is OTT, but in a James Bond way that you can just roll with. There are hints of deeper matters, and a tough past for Jeremy, that I really hope we come to see as the series goes on. I bought the other three books to read straight through. Halfway into the second, I'm not regretting that one bit. *4.5 stars rounded up because the lightness was just what I needed.
Simon Drake, inevitably codenamed "Templar" after The Saint, is a top FBI team leader. His eclectic group of experts normally wouldn't be bothered with a jewel thief like Jeremy Archer, but the theft ties into a more serious situation they are dealing with. So Simon confidently lets his team loose on the target location, anticipating an easy success over the thief who has stymied the Art Theft Division for so long. However he has underestimated Jeremy, and when the night is done, the burglar code-named Shadow has gotten away with the gem.
That would be the end of the story, but Archer has a moral code, and being made part of a terrorist scheme isn't part of it. His employer was using his theft skills in an unsavory way, and Jeremy is willing to approach the FBI to fix that. For a fee. And so Simon and Jeremy come into each other's orbit. Collision seems inevitable, but the outcome is much less certain.
This book is filled with team banter that ranges from puns to straight- and gay-innuendo to flying objects. The plot is OTT, but in a James Bond way that you can just roll with. There are hints of deeper matters, and a tough past for Jeremy, that I really hope we come to see as the series goes on. I bought the other three books to read straight through. Halfway into the second, I'm not regretting that one bit. *4.5 stars rounded up because the lightness was just what I needed.
January 3, 2013
2.5 stars
I might be the minority in a number of good reviews around here. But fun/entertainment is a personal thing and on that note, I have to say that this book failed to entertain me. I didn't find it fun. The extra 0.5 stars was for the short-lived entertainment and the fade-to-black sex scene:
Confession #1
I put it down a couple of times before I finally able to finish it. That should be a sign already. All the code-names made my brain hurt. I noted it down this time, but after awhile it didn't help. I didn't want to keep checking my notes, darn it!
Confession #2
While at first, the banter felt fresh, but after about 40% of the book, it started to grate on my nerves. By half-way, I'm exhausted by their antics and wishing it would end, and I could get out from my misery.
Confession #3
I like stories FBI agents, or detectives, or police officers because they are usually moody, somber, gritty, edgy characters. These bunch?? Not so much. They acted like brats. I dislike brats on principle (except for really funny sarcastic brats that could charm me with their inner monologues).
Confession #4
A couple of reviewers mentioned the book felt like "The Saint" or "Ocean's Eleven". Well, at least those bunch are criminals. I give pass for criminals acting like kids. Plus the latter movie has George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Visual delight on that one. Guess what, Simon is no George Clooney and Jeremy is surely no Brad Pitt.
Confession #5
By half-way, I felt a distance growing bigger between me and the book. Words became simply that, WORDS. It didn't mean anything. I didn't care for the characters. I knew there was (supposedly) gripping action in Part 3 and Part 4 as climax, but by that time, my interest was already gone flirting with other titles on my to-read folder. Like Nate said, "Elvis (a.k.a. my interest) has left the building"
Confession #6
Yes, I appreciated the lack of smut but I also failed to see chemistry between Simon and Jeremy to begin with *shrugs*. Though the CODA part seemed nice (and it was enough for me)
Soooo, with my feeling for this one (and it's supposed to be the shortest and seems to gain the more positive reviews, other than book #4), I'm NOT going to continue with the series. This kind of detachment was the same kind I felt for Ty and Zane (from Cut & Run series, and I DNF-ed that one!)
And I'm bailing out for future buddy-read plan for other books as well....
I might be the minority in a number of good reviews around here. But fun/entertainment is a personal thing and on that note, I have to say that this book failed to entertain me. I didn't find it fun. The extra 0.5 stars was for the short-lived entertainment and the fade-to-black sex scene:
Confession #1
I put it down a couple of times before I finally able to finish it. That should be a sign already. All the code-names made my brain hurt. I noted it down this time, but after awhile it didn't help. I didn't want to keep checking my notes, darn it!
Confession #2
While at first, the banter felt fresh, but after about 40% of the book, it started to grate on my nerves. By half-way, I'm exhausted by their antics and wishing it would end, and I could get out from my misery.
Confession #3
I like stories FBI agents, or detectives, or police officers because they are usually moody, somber, gritty, edgy characters. These bunch?? Not so much. They acted like brats. I dislike brats on principle (except for really funny sarcastic brats that could charm me with their inner monologues).
Confession #4
A couple of reviewers mentioned the book felt like "The Saint" or "Ocean's Eleven". Well, at least those bunch are criminals. I give pass for criminals acting like kids. Plus the latter movie has George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Visual delight on that one. Guess what, Simon is no George Clooney and Jeremy is surely no Brad Pitt.
Confession #5
By half-way, I felt a distance growing bigger between me and the book. Words became simply that, WORDS. It didn't mean anything. I didn't care for the characters. I knew there was (supposedly) gripping action in Part 3 and Part 4 as climax, but by that time, my interest was already gone flirting with other titles on my to-read folder. Like Nate said, "Elvis (a.k.a. my interest) has left the building"
Confession #6
Yes, I appreciated the lack of smut but I also failed to see chemistry between Simon and Jeremy to begin with *shrugs*. Though the CODA part seemed nice (and it was enough for me)
Soooo, with my feeling for this one (and it's supposed to be the shortest and seems to gain the more positive reviews, other than book #4), I'm NOT going to continue with the series. This kind of detachment was the same kind I felt for Ty and Zane (from Cut & Run series, and I DNF-ed that one!)
And I'm bailing out for future buddy-read plan for other books as well....
September 10, 2016
This was a first time foray into the deviously funny mind of M. Chandler. It won't be my last. The action's high, the sexual tension high (unfortunately smut fans, it's not taken care of within the book - mere kisses, flirting and minor groping involved) but the story is reminiscent of Cut & Run, "Ocean's Eleven" and one of those really good spy movies. (take your pick) If those 3 things had a baby, it'd be The Morning Star with a smart aleck FBI agent and wickedly humorous British thief (picture the actor Matthew Goode, I am) leading the tension/flirting sessions.
It's a great start to a series that I will continue on through.
It's a great start to a series that I will continue on through.
February 3, 2013
3.5 stars
Ocean's Eleven meets The Saint. Or Jeffrey Archer (aka The Shadow), art thief extraordinaire, meets Simon Drake (aka Templar), FBI super-agent.
It reads like an adapted action movie script. High on the action, so-so on the UST, low on the smut. Well-done and entertaining nonetheless.
I'll definitely be reading the next installment.
Ocean's Eleven meets The Saint. Or Jeffrey Archer (aka The Shadow), art thief extraordinaire, meets Simon Drake (aka Templar), FBI super-agent.
It reads like an adapted action movie script. High on the action, so-so on the UST, low on the smut. Well-done and entertaining nonetheless.
I'll definitely be reading the next installment.
November 11, 2014
Fun!
Really fun! I liked this. I love enemies to lovers, so this fits the bill.
Also, I liked how the character's sexuality didn't play an obvious role. Sure, there's some steamy bits, but no one is blatantly obvious. It's an afterthought to the plot, which is great fun!
I can't wait to read the next one. It's already lined up on my iPad.
I would recommend this.
Really fun! I liked this. I love enemies to lovers, so this fits the bill.
Also, I liked how the character's sexuality didn't play an obvious role. Sure, there's some steamy bits, but no one is blatantly obvious. It's an afterthought to the plot, which is great fun!
I can't wait to read the next one. It's already lined up on my iPad.
I would recommend this.
May 24, 2017
I'm kinda speechless. This series is going to be my next obsession.
This book was incredibly fun to read. The humour is so good and the banter is just perfect.
Simon and Jeremy, man. I love them.
This book was incredibly fun to read. The humour is so good and the banter is just perfect.
Simon and Jeremy, man. I love them.
December 31, 2015
This is excellent and fun stuff. At times it reads like a 60’s era crime thriller with cool, urbane protagonists spouting sharp, witty dialogue, but the hi-tech gadgetry snaps you right back to present day.
Here, a crack team of FBI agents work to undermine a madman’s nefarious plan to launch a deadly, weaponed ‘Morning Star’ satellite. The plot also involves a notorious jewel thief...who may have his eye on more than the big shiny diamond that the evil bad guy hires him to steal in order to complete his dastardly plan.
The real star here is the team of covert agents lead by Simon Drake. Each one of the well-drawn operatives has their special skill set adding nicely to the action plot. Simon is wonderful as the snappy, brilliant commander, always cool under pressure. His nemesis, jewel thief, Jeremy Archer, code name, ‘the Shadow,’ looks just as fine whether outfitted in a tux, perfectly coifed and with a cigarette dangling from his fingers or kitted in a black cat suit ready to make the snatch. Their cat & mouse banter and subtle flirting leave you wondering just what’s going on between these two.
Here, is grown up attraction between men that doesn’t hit you over the head, doesn’t fall back on tired tropes of suck and fuck angstification. If you want your sex on the mild side, this is for you. Winding through a fun crime/espionage/action plot is a very different kind of underplayed UST -- and it all works together delivering a charmingly entertaining romp.
Here, a crack team of FBI agents work to undermine a madman’s nefarious plan to launch a deadly, weaponed ‘Morning Star’ satellite. The plot also involves a notorious jewel thief...who may have his eye on more than the big shiny diamond that the evil bad guy hires him to steal in order to complete his dastardly plan.
The real star here is the team of covert agents lead by Simon Drake. Each one of the well-drawn operatives has their special skill set adding nicely to the action plot. Simon is wonderful as the snappy, brilliant commander, always cool under pressure. His nemesis, jewel thief, Jeremy Archer, code name, ‘the Shadow,’ looks just as fine whether outfitted in a tux, perfectly coifed and with a cigarette dangling from his fingers or kitted in a black cat suit ready to make the snatch. Their cat & mouse banter and subtle flirting leave you wondering just what’s going on between these two.
Here, is grown up attraction between men that doesn’t hit you over the head, doesn’t fall back on tired tropes of suck and fuck angstification. If you want your sex on the mild side, this is for you. Winding through a fun crime/espionage/action plot is a very different kind of underplayed UST -- and it all works together delivering a charmingly entertaining romp.
September 6, 2017
3 Stars
Update
I found the missing scene after the ending…. http://mchandler.org/sott/stories/msc...
Reader alert! If you're expecting a romance be fair warned that you're not going to get it. If you're expecting an action/caper story then you're in the right place. This book plays out like one of those Mission Impossible movies - a group of agents (FBI in this case) must thwart a mad terrorist's plan with the help of an infamous thief. That part is entertaining and likable. Regarding the 2 MC's, there's not much that develops between them over the span of approximately 5 days; and realistically how can much develop in that amount of time?
So again, if you want something light and easy and fun then this book is a good choice - but if you're reading m/m in the first place then I'm assuming you're going to want more in the romance department (and I'm not necessarily talking just sex) than what this book has to offer - I sure did and that's why stars were taken off.
Update
I found the missing scene after the ending…. http://mchandler.org/sott/stories/msc...
Reader alert! If you're expecting a romance be fair warned that you're not going to get it. If you're expecting an action/caper story then you're in the right place. This book plays out like one of those Mission Impossible movies - a group of agents (FBI in this case) must thwart a mad terrorist's plan with the help of an infamous thief. That part is entertaining and likable. Regarding the 2 MC's, there's not much that develops between them over the span of approximately 5 days; and realistically how can much develop in that amount of time?
So again, if you want something light and easy and fun then this book is a good choice - but if you're reading m/m in the first place then I'm assuming you're going to want more in the romance department (and I'm not necessarily talking just sex) than what this book has to offer - I sure did and that's why stars were taken off.
January 13, 2013
This is a fun, light hearted spy caper, Chandler on her site states it's not up to publishing standard - personally I think it better than many published stories; the writting is good, plot imaginative, the characters interesting.
This is the first installment and the dynamic of the team comes across well although the side characters don't really stand out at this point, except for Sandra on account of being the lone female. I caught myself trying to distinguish between Mike and Johnny on occasion.
Sex scenes are fade-out and can be read seperately via 'The Lacunae' on the story website, the only sex scene in this first book occurs at the very end and keeping it seperate did mean the ending seemed a little sudden so it's worth reading the 'extras' immediately after, also the non-explicit ones help flesh out the characters.
I like the building attraction between Simon and Jeremy, with the reluctant awarding of 'points' and appreciation of style. The Bondesque plot has plenty of action while being suitably silly. The team are a fun if typical bunch of misfits.
I choose to ignore Jeremy 'Archer' being named in homage to a sleazy British politian and instead link the stories to 'The Saint' The Simon Templar that the series is named for, I'm old enough to recall the tv series!
This is the first installment and the dynamic of the team comes across well although the side characters don't really stand out at this point, except for Sandra on account of being the lone female. I caught myself trying to distinguish between Mike and Johnny on occasion.
Sex scenes are fade-out and can be read seperately via 'The Lacunae' on the story website, the only sex scene in this first book occurs at the very end and keeping it seperate did mean the ending seemed a little sudden so it's worth reading the 'extras' immediately after, also the non-explicit ones help flesh out the characters.
I like the building attraction between Simon and Jeremy, with the reluctant awarding of 'points' and appreciation of style. The Bondesque plot has plenty of action while being suitably silly. The team are a fun if typical bunch of misfits.
I choose to ignore Jeremy 'Archer' being named in homage to a sleazy British politian and instead link the stories to 'The Saint' The Simon Templar that the series is named for, I'm old enough to recall the tv series!
June 10, 2011
I loved this book. It was a fast read for me. There's funny banter and bickering throughout the whole story. If it's not Simon and his team shooting the shit, it's Jeremy and Simon going back and forth. To me, it was a non-stop funny read. Just their names were hilarious to me. Specs, Specs Two, Springheel, Honda, Texas and Templar and don't forget Shadow. I just couldn't help but smile and give a little chuckle. And I really enjoyed the fact that Jeremy was a thief while Simon is the agent, made the suspense and sexual tension that much more enjoyable. Definitely recommended and don't forget to read the HotShots, too!!
April 13, 2014
Wow…what a great book! It was smart and fun and sexy!! There were good guys and bad guys and guys that lay somewhere in between! Spys and jewel thieves and FBI! Gun fights and snarky comments and really, really good banter! And sexual tension…yes and let me warn you…you will have blue balls….as in no relief…Cliffhanger blue balls from hell!!
My only regret…Book 2 is NOT on my Gang Bang List WTF was I thinking!!!!!
My only regret…Book 2 is NOT on my Gang Bang List WTF was I thinking!!!!!
November 3, 2019
This is a very nice story that I truly enjoyed.
I have a great weakness for criminals of all kinds, and thieves in particular. And the thief combined with superagents … Eh, everything I love. Jeremy Archer reminds me a lot of Neal Caffrey of the White Collars TV series. In the best possible way. He is canny, intelligent and charming. And he has a whole arsenal of fantastic gadgets. I really liked him.
Simon Drake is a good pair for him. Their whole relationship reminds me a bit of Jack and Ethan from Where Death Meets the Devil. Again, definitely positive. I also like the whole team of Simon, they are an interesting background for the main characters.
The story is like a James Bond movie. An international plot, satellites used to destroy the earth, big diamonds. Lots of action and a not very reliable story. But this is not about the credibility of the plot, but about good entertainment. And this book provides it. You read it quickly and with pleasure. The dialogues are excellent, the banter between the crew is great.
There are many comparisons in this review, fortunately they all fall in favor of this book. I love books and movies about heist. I have to read the next books in this series pretty soon.
I have a great weakness for criminals of all kinds, and thieves in particular. And the thief combined with superagents … Eh, everything I love. Jeremy Archer reminds me a lot of Neal Caffrey of the White Collars TV series. In the best possible way. He is canny, intelligent and charming. And he has a whole arsenal of fantastic gadgets. I really liked him.
Simon Drake is a good pair for him. Their whole relationship reminds me a bit of Jack and Ethan from Where Death Meets the Devil. Again, definitely positive. I also like the whole team of Simon, they are an interesting background for the main characters.
The story is like a James Bond movie. An international plot, satellites used to destroy the earth, big diamonds. Lots of action and a not very reliable story. But this is not about the credibility of the plot, but about good entertainment. And this book provides it. You read it quickly and with pleasure. The dialogues are excellent, the banter between the crew is great.
There are many comparisons in this review, fortunately they all fall in favor of this book. I love books and movies about heist. I have to read the next books in this series pretty soon.
January 10, 2012
Spiderman mixed with James Bond makes Jeremy. Jeremy meets Indiana Jones gone funny FBI agent, also known as Simon. They decide to fight terrorism comedy-style. The result is highly entertaining.
August 31, 2015
Cute read with several LOL moments. I would have rated it higher if there was a little more to the "romance" aspect of the story.
March 19, 2025
B+ / 4.5 stars
Being an old fogie, I’ve never heard the term “Rizz” – which is this month’s TBR Challenge prompt - but fortunately, our hostess-with-the-mostest, Wendy the Superlibrarian, was kind enough to explain that it’s slang for “charisma”. So I went looking for a book featuring a charmer or a rogue or a roguish charmer, and settled on The Morning Star, a caper movie in book form featuring the cat-and-mouse games played by a charismatic thief and the FBI agent set on apprehending him.
The Morning Star is the first in the four-book Shadow of the Templar series, and it’s a fast-paced, action-packed story with plenty of wit, snarky banter, high-stakes drama and sexual tension. Hot-shot FBI agent Simon Drake (codenamed Templar in one of the novel’s many nods to the genre) has an outstanding track record and is already the leader of his own team of rag-taggle but talented operatives. Their methods may be unconventional and some of them may be loose cannons, but under Simon’s leadership, they’re a force to be reckoned with, their high solve-rate meaning that the higher-ups often turn a blind eye to their less-than-regulation antics.
When the story opens, we find the team preparing for their latest op – to prevent the theft of the fabulous Morning Star diamond from the high society party its owners have thrown to show it off. Babysitting a shiny rock is not something Simon’s team would normally be concerned with, but he has a very particular reason for wanting to keep this particular rock safe.
As Simon and his second-in-command, Sandra, are mingling with the guests and mounting surveillance, their hostess introduces them to a Mr. James Crown, a slender, good-looking Englishman Simon immediately recognises as Jeremy Archer, one of the world’s most infamous art thieves and most wanted criminals, who has clocked up an impressive ninety-one million dollars worth of thefts all over the world. He’s charming, brilliant, slick and unpredictable, and no-one has ever come close to catching him – until now. Simon and ‘James’ spend a few minutes sizing each other up – a little verbal sparring, a little almost-flirting – until ‘James’ slides back into the crowd and Simon loses sight of him, confident that Sandra had planted a tracker on him when they’d danced earlier in the evening.
A few boring hours later, Simon is still waiting for Archer to make his move on the diamond when he realises two of his team have gone silent – and discovers that all the security systems have been rigged. Racing to the basement (where the diamond is on display) he arrives just in time to find Jeremy Archer handing upside down suspended from the ceiling, one hand curled around the jewel. Archer is singularly unfazed by Simon’s sudden appearance and the gun trained on him, but he makes to obey Simon’s demand to throw him the diamond – and the next thing Simon knows, he’s being shaken roughly awake by Sandra, and Archer and the diamond are both gone.
Days later, Simon is still furious and trying to figure out their next move, when it falls into his lap. Astonishingly, he receives a message from Archer asking him to call, which leads to a meeting during which Archer explains that although he no longer has the Morning Star, he’s prepared to help Simon retrieve it. He learned that the man who employed him to steal it had lied to him about his intentions and had attempted to embroil him in some sort of terrorist plot – and while there are a lot of things Jeremy Archer will do for money, there are some lines he’s not willing to cross.
Simon and Jeremy form an unlikely alliance and embark on a secret mission to foil a plot which turns out to be more dangerous than either of them had imagined. The action set-pieces are well choreographed, culminating in an edge-of-your-seat race against time; the banter between Simon and Jeremy, and between Simon and the members of his team is excellent, and the cat/mouse dynamic between the couple works really well. I enjoy enemies-to-lovers when it makes sense, as it does here, and I liked the way the interactions between Simon and Jeremy slowly morph from tense to flirty, which makes their romance both entertaining and believable. There are no sex scenes in the book (although the author did write one, which can be found at their website – I have no idea why it’s not in the book), but their chemistry is sizzling and the sexual tension is delicious. And I really appreciated the lack of mental lusting here; the attraction between Simon and Jeremy is obvious but subtle and that works within the context of the story.
There are a couple of things that didn’t quite work for me, though. The story begins in media res and there’s a lot to take in all at once; Simon’s team all have actual names and codenames, which are thrown at the reader really fast and made for a bit of confusion, and while I really liked the team dynamic there were times when the banter was just a bit juvenile. But I really liked the two leads; Simon, the brilliant, cool-under-pressure leader and Jeremy, the deliciously enigmatic, quick-witted thief. There are hints that that there’s a lot more to him than meets the eye, and reviews indicate that there is more character development in store for the secondary cast members as the series progresses.
Sometimes, you read a book that delivers exactly what you need at exactly the right time, and that’s how I feel about The Morning Star. It’s a thoroughly entertaining, fast-paced romp, and I can’t wait to dive into the next instalment.
Being an old fogie, I’ve never heard the term “Rizz” – which is this month’s TBR Challenge prompt - but fortunately, our hostess-with-the-mostest, Wendy the Superlibrarian, was kind enough to explain that it’s slang for “charisma”. So I went looking for a book featuring a charmer or a rogue or a roguish charmer, and settled on The Morning Star, a caper movie in book form featuring the cat-and-mouse games played by a charismatic thief and the FBI agent set on apprehending him.
The Morning Star is the first in the four-book Shadow of the Templar series, and it’s a fast-paced, action-packed story with plenty of wit, snarky banter, high-stakes drama and sexual tension. Hot-shot FBI agent Simon Drake (codenamed Templar in one of the novel’s many nods to the genre) has an outstanding track record and is already the leader of his own team of rag-taggle but talented operatives. Their methods may be unconventional and some of them may be loose cannons, but under Simon’s leadership, they’re a force to be reckoned with, their high solve-rate meaning that the higher-ups often turn a blind eye to their less-than-regulation antics.
When the story opens, we find the team preparing for their latest op – to prevent the theft of the fabulous Morning Star diamond from the high society party its owners have thrown to show it off. Babysitting a shiny rock is not something Simon’s team would normally be concerned with, but he has a very particular reason for wanting to keep this particular rock safe.
As Simon and his second-in-command, Sandra, are mingling with the guests and mounting surveillance, their hostess introduces them to a Mr. James Crown, a slender, good-looking Englishman Simon immediately recognises as Jeremy Archer, one of the world’s most infamous art thieves and most wanted criminals, who has clocked up an impressive ninety-one million dollars worth of thefts all over the world. He’s charming, brilliant, slick and unpredictable, and no-one has ever come close to catching him – until now. Simon and ‘James’ spend a few minutes sizing each other up – a little verbal sparring, a little almost-flirting – until ‘James’ slides back into the crowd and Simon loses sight of him, confident that Sandra had planted a tracker on him when they’d danced earlier in the evening.
A few boring hours later, Simon is still waiting for Archer to make his move on the diamond when he realises two of his team have gone silent – and discovers that all the security systems have been rigged. Racing to the basement (where the diamond is on display) he arrives just in time to find Jeremy Archer handing upside down suspended from the ceiling, one hand curled around the jewel. Archer is singularly unfazed by Simon’s sudden appearance and the gun trained on him, but he makes to obey Simon’s demand to throw him the diamond – and the next thing Simon knows, he’s being shaken roughly awake by Sandra, and Archer and the diamond are both gone.
Days later, Simon is still furious and trying to figure out their next move, when it falls into his lap. Astonishingly, he receives a message from Archer asking him to call, which leads to a meeting during which Archer explains that although he no longer has the Morning Star, he’s prepared to help Simon retrieve it. He learned that the man who employed him to steal it had lied to him about his intentions and had attempted to embroil him in some sort of terrorist plot – and while there are a lot of things Jeremy Archer will do for money, there are some lines he’s not willing to cross.
Simon and Jeremy form an unlikely alliance and embark on a secret mission to foil a plot which turns out to be more dangerous than either of them had imagined. The action set-pieces are well choreographed, culminating in an edge-of-your-seat race against time; the banter between Simon and Jeremy, and between Simon and the members of his team is excellent, and the cat/mouse dynamic between the couple works really well. I enjoy enemies-to-lovers when it makes sense, as it does here, and I liked the way the interactions between Simon and Jeremy slowly morph from tense to flirty, which makes their romance both entertaining and believable. There are no sex scenes in the book (although the author did write one, which can be found at their website – I have no idea why it’s not in the book), but their chemistry is sizzling and the sexual tension is delicious. And I really appreciated the lack of mental lusting here; the attraction between Simon and Jeremy is obvious but subtle and that works within the context of the story.
There are a couple of things that didn’t quite work for me, though. The story begins in media res and there’s a lot to take in all at once; Simon’s team all have actual names and codenames, which are thrown at the reader really fast and made for a bit of confusion, and while I really liked the team dynamic there were times when the banter was just a bit juvenile. But I really liked the two leads; Simon, the brilliant, cool-under-pressure leader and Jeremy, the deliciously enigmatic, quick-witted thief. There are hints that that there’s a lot more to him than meets the eye, and reviews indicate that there is more character development in store for the secondary cast members as the series progresses.
Sometimes, you read a book that delivers exactly what you need at exactly the right time, and that’s how I feel about The Morning Star. It’s a thoroughly entertaining, fast-paced romp, and I can’t wait to dive into the next instalment.
March 7, 2018
4.5 stars
did-not-finish
September 2, 2024DNF @ 14%. No rating.
This one's my fault because I didn't read the reviews before diving in. I got really excited about the summary because it's an enemies to lovers romance between a talented art/jewel thief and the FBI agent tasked with catching him. Right up my alley and the writing was great but the execution wasn't what I wanted for the following reasons:
1. Simon is the head of his FBI team and the half a dozen team members are constantly bantering with each other and they're referred to by their real name and their code names interchangeably. It was a lot of noise that I wasn't enjoying.
2. The first plotline (Jeremy stealing The Morning Star diamond during a party where it's on display) moved way too slowly because all of the side characters had to be part of every conversation and they all had to get their chance to contribute to the non-stop immature bantering. I started skimming after just a few pages, searching for interactions between Simon and Jeremy and that's not something I enjoy doing.
3. Based on other reviews, this story is an action story first and a romance a very distant second. The setup reminded me strongly of a White Collar episode or something like a James Bond movie or Oceans Eleven. If my main interest had been the FBI's efforts to catch Jeremy and all the various hijinks involved, this would have been right up my alley but I was only interested in the romance aspect. Apparently, the MCs rarely interact throughout the story and the story ends right after they kiss for the second time with the smut scene being available separately.
All of these things combined means this isn't the story for me. But it's well written, the plot is apparently clever and the series is impressively long so if you're a fan of stories like this (I'm thinking of folks who enjoy Josh Lanyon's series) then you might want to check this out.
This one's my fault because I didn't read the reviews before diving in. I got really excited about the summary because it's an enemies to lovers romance between a talented art/jewel thief and the FBI agent tasked with catching him. Right up my alley and the writing was great but the execution wasn't what I wanted for the following reasons:
1. Simon is the head of his FBI team and the half a dozen team members are constantly bantering with each other and they're referred to by their real name and their code names interchangeably. It was a lot of noise that I wasn't enjoying.
2. The first plotline (Jeremy stealing The Morning Star diamond during a party where it's on display) moved way too slowly because all of the side characters had to be part of every conversation and they all had to get their chance to contribute to the non-stop immature bantering. I started skimming after just a few pages, searching for interactions between Simon and Jeremy and that's not something I enjoy doing.
3. Based on other reviews, this story is an action story first and a romance a very distant second. The setup reminded me strongly of a White Collar episode or something like a James Bond movie or Oceans Eleven. If my main interest had been the FBI's efforts to catch Jeremy and all the various hijinks involved, this would have been right up my alley but I was only interested in the romance aspect. Apparently, the MCs rarely interact throughout the story and the story ends right after they kiss for the second time with the smut scene being available separately.
All of these things combined means this isn't the story for me. But it's well written, the plot is apparently clever and the series is impressively long so if you're a fan of stories like this (I'm thinking of folks who enjoy Josh Lanyon's series) then you might want to check this out.
January 15, 2019
“He was fucking with us pretty hard in the saferoom,” Sandra called from the front of the plane’s undercarriage. “Aw, Sandy, that wasn’t fucking,” Simon said. “That was just, I don’t know, really obnoxious foreplay or something.”
Rep: gay mc, bi mc
OK, this is going to be a pretty short review because I read this long enough ago that I can only vaguely remember what went down.
I genuinely didn't expect to enjoy this one as much as I did. It was a free read on the author's website so I figured it wasn't going to be all that great. And it isn't really, but it's entertaining enough and amusing enough that I just kept reading it.
The Morning Star follows the story of an FBI agent who is tasked with tracking down a jewel thief, only to find that there's much more going on than just a simple robbery. While on the case, he manages to convince this thief to side with him (because the thief has morals apparently, and letting someone destroy the whole world violates them) and they work together to save the world (in short. I can't remember the specifics), while alternatively snarking and flirting with one another. Like you do.
Even though the plot (specifically, the bad guy's plan) reads a bit like a Marvel comic (I kid you not), it's pretty easy to read and enjoyable. Simon and Jeremy have some great (snarky) moments, and Simon's team ribbing him about said flirting is also high up there.
It was overall good enough that I'm planning on reading the rest of the series, but not so good that I want to do it urgently, so it's more like 3.5 stars rather than 4.
February 26, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It's not complicated or overwhelming, it's just a lot of fun.
Simon is an FBI agent, trying to prevent the theft of a diamond. Jeremy is a thief with second thoughts about his stealing. They are forced to become allies and retrieve the precious stone from the real bad guy.
The story is not very long, and it reads like the first episode of a TV series. It's not explicit, but Jeremy gets more and more blatant in his attempt in seducing Simon and he succeeds so unabashedly that I almost blushed. There's absolutely nothing, it's so mild the majority of people might not even react, but it was irresistible. Simon is not exactly reserved or shy, but he's all caught up in his mission. I like stories where the chase is so obvious without being angsty.
Simon's team provide a few secondary characters. The use of real names and nicknames was a bit confusing sometimes and it took me a little while to tell everyone apart. The characterization is maybe a bit clichéd, but it worked in this kind of story.
It was very entertaining.
Simon is an FBI agent, trying to prevent the theft of a diamond. Jeremy is a thief with second thoughts about his stealing. They are forced to become allies and retrieve the precious stone from the real bad guy.
The story is not very long, and it reads like the first episode of a TV series. It's not explicit, but Jeremy gets more and more blatant in his attempt in seducing Simon and he succeeds so unabashedly that I almost blushed. There's absolutely nothing, it's so mild the majority of people might not even react, but it was irresistible. Simon is not exactly reserved or shy, but he's all caught up in his mission. I like stories where the chase is so obvious without being angsty.
Simon's team provide a few secondary characters. The use of real names and nicknames was a bit confusing sometimes and it took me a little while to tell everyone apart. The characterization is maybe a bit clichéd, but it worked in this kind of story.
It was very entertaining.
June 5, 2017
This series was more or less what got me hooked on m/m. I loved all four books. They're all so over-the top it's just fantastic-
Simon Drake (aka Templar)leads a VERY special FBI investigations team. Currently they are protecting a multimillion dollar diamond, the Morning Star. When cat-burglar Jeremy steals the rock out from under their noses, Simon is fuming. What pleasant surprise that Jeremy gets robbed of the diamond too and now joins forces with Team Templar in order to stop the actual villain in the story, a veritable Bond baddie with a German accent who needed the Diamond in order to build a dangerous satellite laser device.
This book didn't contain any on- page sex (in fact, the entire series doesn't), but the eroticism is sizzling. One of the hottest kisses I've ever come across! Aside from this , Morning Star is a hilariously funny read, without the slightest trace of sentimentality and very well written. Highly recommended.
Simon Drake (aka Templar)leads a VERY special FBI investigations team. Currently they are protecting a multimillion dollar diamond, the Morning Star. When cat-burglar Jeremy steals the rock out from under their noses, Simon is fuming. What pleasant surprise that Jeremy gets robbed of the diamond too and now joins forces with Team Templar in order to stop the actual villain in the story, a veritable Bond baddie with a German accent who needed the Diamond in order to build a dangerous satellite laser device.
This book didn't contain any on- page sex (in fact, the entire series doesn't), but the eroticism is sizzling. One of the hottest kisses I've ever come across! Aside from this , Morning Star is a hilariously funny read, without the slightest trace of sentimentality and very well written. Highly recommended.
November 28, 2011
This was fun FBI/Jewel Heist/Criminal turned semi-good guy romp. It had a serious plot but didn't take itself to seriously. The whole book sort felt like it was flirting with the reader just as the two MCs were flirting with each other. I definitely look forward to seeing how these two move beyond flirtation (yes there was sex in the book but feel of their relationship is largely still in the flirting stage) in the next books in the series. The set up is such that I can see this being a rich series if the author allows her (his?) characters to evolve and go deeper. Overall, thoroughly enjoyable read and I will definitely be reading more by this author. 4 stars.
April 25, 2011
Very good m/m romantic suspense, heavier on the suspense than the romance, about an FBI agent and an elusive jewel thief. I've definitely read books that cost a lot more than this ($0.95) that weren't anywhere near as good! Also, make yourself a post-it to keep track of the team's names and codenames - thanks for the tip, Kassa!
November 3, 2013
Well that was pure unadulterated fantastic fun! I did not expect to like this book anywhere near as much as I did. In fact I had no clue what I was getting into when I started. But now I’m in love and I want the next book! I am immediately reminded of one of my fav tv shows...this is so "White Collar" with a hint of some James Bond action. :D
Simon “Templar” Drake is the hotshot leader of one balls to the wall tough as nails FBI special ops team. Team Templar is astoundingly good at what they do. Now they find themselves tasked with keeping one ginormous diamond safe from an international jewel thief when it’s owners want to display it.
Normally the target of Art Crimes, Jeremy “Shadow” Archer is one of the most successful international art thieves in the world. Quite the British sophisticate no one has even come close to catching him before. The millions of dollars he’s stolen in the past though are never quite enough and this time he’s got his sights set on the lovely $8million dollar diamond and oh so temptingly on display. But when his buyer rats him out to the FBI, well now he might just be willing to change sides. Normally he wouldn’t’ be bought, but a double cross deserves a double cross after all.
Ok, so despite my initial confusion of too many people introduced in five seconds flat and not only by their real names but their code names, I absolutely adored this book! It’s fast action, no holds barred, fantastic fun from beginning to end. The witty repartee between all of our FBI boys (and girl) made me giggle in a number of places. It really gave a personality to this team and each person had character. This wasn’t a blend off too much of the same voice by any means. Once I figured out who everyone was I was never in doubt as to who was doing/saying what.
You’re really thrown into the middle of everything since the team is in the middle of an op when the book opens. It’s sink or swim right off the bat. And of course as soon as Jeremy enters it’s swim all the way. There’s just such a “let’s get our flirt on” vibe between him and Simon from minute one. While no one’s sexual preference is ever outwardly stated you just knew things were going to heat up quite illicitly between these two. Which is why where this book ends is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO dang frustrating!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!
The action/adventure here was fan-freakin-tastic from minute one. Every little game Jeremy and Simon played with each other, each move in their arsenal was so much fun. Even though their on the same side for most of the book you just know they’re watching each other, learning what makes each other tick. Plus when you’ve got a team of 5 other FBI agents watching your every move, it’s probably a good idea to keep your cards close to your vest. I loved the confidence of this team! They worked together as a well oiled machine and the sibling type ribbing dynamic was vastly entertaining. I kept waiting for a few well timed slaps to the back of the head though. :D
One sexy jewel thief, a team of advanced diabolical FBI agents, and to top it all of a threat to international security and well you have quite the set up for a romp through the country trying to save the day. Of course sneaking around and gun battles are bound to ensue. I had a smile on my face throughout the entirety of this book! The only thing saving the abrupt ending is the fact that I know there’s more to come. I will be reading!
Simon “Templar” Drake is the hotshot leader of one balls to the wall tough as nails FBI special ops team. Team Templar is astoundingly good at what they do. Now they find themselves tasked with keeping one ginormous diamond safe from an international jewel thief when it’s owners want to display it.
Normally the target of Art Crimes, Jeremy “Shadow” Archer is one of the most successful international art thieves in the world. Quite the British sophisticate no one has even come close to catching him before. The millions of dollars he’s stolen in the past though are never quite enough and this time he’s got his sights set on the lovely $8million dollar diamond and oh so temptingly on display. But when his buyer rats him out to the FBI, well now he might just be willing to change sides. Normally he wouldn’t’ be bought, but a double cross deserves a double cross after all.
Ok, so despite my initial confusion of too many people introduced in five seconds flat and not only by their real names but their code names, I absolutely adored this book! It’s fast action, no holds barred, fantastic fun from beginning to end. The witty repartee between all of our FBI boys (and girl) made me giggle in a number of places. It really gave a personality to this team and each person had character. This wasn’t a blend off too much of the same voice by any means. Once I figured out who everyone was I was never in doubt as to who was doing/saying what.
You’re really thrown into the middle of everything since the team is in the middle of an op when the book opens. It’s sink or swim right off the bat. And of course as soon as Jeremy enters it’s swim all the way. There’s just such a “let’s get our flirt on” vibe between him and Simon from minute one. While no one’s sexual preference is ever outwardly stated you just knew things were going to heat up quite illicitly between these two. Which is why where this book ends is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO dang frustrating!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!
The action/adventure here was fan-freakin-tastic from minute one. Every little game Jeremy and Simon played with each other, each move in their arsenal was so much fun. Even though their on the same side for most of the book you just know they’re watching each other, learning what makes each other tick. Plus when you’ve got a team of 5 other FBI agents watching your every move, it’s probably a good idea to keep your cards close to your vest. I loved the confidence of this team! They worked together as a well oiled machine and the sibling type ribbing dynamic was vastly entertaining. I kept waiting for a few well timed slaps to the back of the head though. :D
One sexy jewel thief, a team of advanced diabolical FBI agents, and to top it all of a threat to international security and well you have quite the set up for a romp through the country trying to save the day. Of course sneaking around and gun battles are bound to ensue. I had a smile on my face throughout the entirety of this book! The only thing saving the abrupt ending is the fact that I know there’s more to come. I will be reading!
July 21, 2016
So uh. I accidentally read all of this in one evening. Not that it was particularly difficult... also, I'm nothing if not a pro at reading fic on the internet.
I'm sort of helplessly charmed by all of this. Not that it wasn't without its flaws, but none of them were so glaring as to be off-putting in the slightest.
I found the sheer number of characters thrown at me a bit overwhelming. And the lack of any real identification or description besides their names (and codenames, to make things more confusing) made it hard for me to differentiate them. I picked it up as we moved along though. But it was a struggle.
And yeah, things get ridiculous on occasion, but I'm willing to suspend my disbelief because it's fun and good.
Anyways, I'll definitely be reading the rest. I've been promised good things to come about characterization and again there's the bit where I'm helplessly charmed.
(Also thank god, this is the kind of fiction I want to read all the time. Where there are hijinx and plot and characters that are incidentally gay. Hallelujah!)
I'm sort of helplessly charmed by all of this. Not that it wasn't without its flaws, but none of them were so glaring as to be off-putting in the slightest.
I found the sheer number of characters thrown at me a bit overwhelming. And the lack of any real identification or description besides their names (and codenames, to make things more confusing) made it hard for me to differentiate them. I picked it up as we moved along though. But it was a struggle.
And yeah, things get ridiculous on occasion, but I'm willing to suspend my disbelief because it's fun and good.
Anyways, I'll definitely be reading the rest. I've been promised good things to come about characterization and again there's the bit where I'm helplessly charmed.
(Also thank god, this is the kind of fiction I want to read all the time. Where there are hijinx and plot and characters that are incidentally gay. Hallelujah!)
June 28, 2016
To cut a long story short, I was debating writing a Gentleman Thief series, and one of my Facebook friends pointed me in the direction of this book. I spent last night reading this into the wee hours when I should have been sleeping. What a glorious tale of one upmanship between an FBI agent and his team, and an art thief of the Gentleman variety. Think Raffles or the Saint, but in a modern setting. There are plenty of homages to the genre including the character's nickname, and I belly laughed through the book. There's humour, and fast paced action, and a bucketful of sexual tension. I loved this book and I'm itching for payday to buy the rest of the series.
February 27, 2016
Yes, it was just ok for me. And now I have to read part two as I chose both books for my February Challenge. Drat. Well, I'll try.
ETA: nope, I won't try. There was just nothing in this book that compels me to move on with this series. I'm done with it.
ETA: nope, I won't try. There was just nothing in this book that compels me to move on with this series. I'm done with it.
March 14, 2015
This book literally had me laughing out loud. The banter between Shadow and Templar was great as was the banter within Templar's team. I will be reading the rest of the series soon!
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September 14, 2016Fun!
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