Veiled Target by Robin Bielman
Series: Veilers #1
Published by Samhain Publishing
Published on: July 22, 2014
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Werewolves
Pages: 275
Format: eARC
Source: Author
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Never take Fate along on a date. The kiss goodnight could be deadly.
Tracking down Veilers—non humans—is only a sideline for Tess Damon. Vengeance for her fiancé’s murder is her reason for living. But with two botched jobs on her record, if she fails to eliminate her next mark, she’s dead.
She’s not afraid to die, but not before she gets even. Too bad fate has a really bad sense of humor.
Hugh Langston, a wolfen half shifter, lives to keep both humans and his pack safe. But when rogue humans kidnap his apprentice, his rescue mission is compromised by a hot-as-hell, kick-ass woman who makes him think only one thing: mine.
Tess tries to ignore her feelings, but temptation trips her up. Especially when Hugh figures out he’s her next target and forces her into an inconvenient alliance that tests all the laws against their attraction.
Now, with the line between good and evil getting blurrier by the minute, it becomes clear Tess’s only hope of living to see another day—and finding a murderer—lies with the one man she’s supposed to kill.
Warning: Contains one obscenely hot alpha and the woman who wants to love him before she kills him. Look out for a blind date, scorching sex, humor, lies, and untamable attraction.
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When starting a new book, I can usually tell pretty early on whether I’m going to like it or not, and after reading the opening scene of VEILED TARGET, I knew that Robin Bielman’s brand of action was for me. Chapter one begins with Tess in a face-off against a vampire on an airplane, and ends with her kicking butt and sky diving to safety—I mean, talk about an intro! The main heroine is an adrenaline junkie, and the alpha male is hotter than the fires of Hades, so right off the bat you have all the makings of an excellent Paranormal series. The only thing that slowed this story down was the relationship building, but other than that this novel is a thrill seekers’ dream.
The plot weaves a gripping tale of multi-layered double crosses which makes each character’s motivations difficult to pinpoint. Tess and Hugh both have their own agenda, but so do the supporting sidekicks who really helped transform this book into a complicated game of ‘he said, she said.’ And, just when you think that you’ve got it all figured out, the ending comes out of nowhere and catches you completely by surprise. I love a good guessing game, and VEILED TARGET delivered a whopper on that front. As for the paranormal mythology, it was straight forward and easy enough to grasp. I wish the author would have expanded a bit more on the different qualities of her various supes, and the reasons behind the Night Runners vs. Wolf Seekers war, but I think I got the gist of it.
My first impression of Tess was a good one, and sparks were definitely flying during her initial meeting with Hugh, but after that her personality began to take-on a stalker-ish quality that had me second guessing my original opinion. Langston had to bail on their date early after getting a lead on his kidnapped apprentice’s location, and Tess flat out refused to say goodbye. She offers to help and Hugh declines (multiple times), but instead of calling it a night she tails him. The girl’s got mad skills as an Eliminator, I’m not disputing that, and the events that ensue resulted in an off the wall first date, BUT she does come off as kind of batty in the earlier chapters.
Hugh was everything that I’ve come to expect from an alpha male; a loyal protector of his pack, unwaveringly brave, and as smexy as they come. I liked that no matter how hard Tess tried to find the evil in him to justify her kill orders; he constantly proved her wrong without even trying thanks to his inherent goodness. I was also happy that Langston didn’t try to coddle Damon and instead almost immediately accepted her as his equal; I loved their dialogue exchanges, and the bedroom scenes were extra steamy. Tess even saves his furry hide with a hot and heavy make-out session after an unfortunate encounter with a Banoth. She counteracts the beast’s toxic saliva with her own—now that must have been one heck of a first kiss!
VEILED TARGET is stunning in all of the right places; Robin Bielman’s writing is new to me, but not for long because I’m adding her to my ‘authors to stalk’ list!
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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
Looks good. Great review. Yet another werewolf book to add to my TBR list. 🙂
Melanie Simmons recently posted…Magic Breaks Audiobook by Ilona Andrews Review
You can always count on me to keep adding to your werewolf TBR pile. 😉
I always need new UF books 😉 Always
blodeuedd recently posted…Carole Reviews: A tangled Web – Sandra Schwab
Well, that makes two of us!
Tess and Hugh sounds like they had some spark and fun to read about
They sure did! I always enjoy discovering new authors. 🙂
Glad to hear that despite some stalkerish tendencies the main character does redeem herself!
Pili recently posted…Friday Reads: The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston!!
She definitely does. Besides, I have some stalkerish tendencies myself (i.e. authors!), so I couldn’t really hold it against her.
Despite Tess’s quick descent into stalkerville after a kickass beginning, I’m glad you still loved this one overall! I’ve seen this book around a lot lately, and every time I see it I become more convinced it’s a book for me. I do love my alpha males, so I’m very ready to meet Hugh!
Tess bounced back pretty quickly, and who doesn’t LOVE an alpha male!?
Fighting a vamp in an airplane AND skydiving to safety? Oh, wow! Tess certainly sounds like my kind of heroine. How come I only hear about Veiled Target now? And why do you always keep tempting me to add ever more books to my TBR?
Thanks for sharing, Carmel. Have a wonderful weekend!
Lexxie recently posted…Feature and Follow #85 – Landmark
That opening scene totally blew my mind! Haha It’s a double-edged sword Lexxie, because you are constantly adding to my TBR too. 😛
Even though it sounds like it needs a touch more worldbuilding, I love that it leaves you guessing! Kind of rare in a lot of UF.
Mary recently posted…Do it in 140: Tweet-short Book Reviews
Exactly! You can’t go wrong with a good twist ending!
Oh man!! Another to add to my ever growing list, but I might have to boot this one up. I love UFs they always have enough kick butt action and romance to keep my coming back. Great review!
Kristen recently posted…{Book Tour: Review + Giveaway} of Where You Are by Alla Kar
There’s a nice mix of both in this novel, but make no mistake… Robin Bielman is Team STOMP all the way!
Woha, I love how this one starts!!! It’s really unusual and it seems to me that it’s hard to stop reading after that. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. Great review, Carmel 🙂
Tanja recently posted…Get Branded by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki (Excerpt and Giveaway)
You would be right! I was hooked after that opening scene.
IF you are adding her to your “author’s to stalk” list then I just know I need to check her out. 😉
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Dark Sacrifice by Angie Sandro
She actually replies to my tweets on Twitter too. I love it when authors do that! Hehe
Vampire fights in an airplane? Now that is something you don’t read every day. I will be looking up this series for sure.
Heidi recently posted…Friday Forecast August 3rd-9th
Just when you think that you’ve seen it all before… Urban Fantasy never gets old!
this book really REALLY interests me but since it won’t be in print before next year i will have to be patient still it’s really a captivating one from teh summary and excerpt and the author is really accessible and kind so a must have^^
miki recently posted…Jill Kismet tome1 : Mission Nocturne par Lilith Saintcrow
Samhain Publishing takes a while to release their titles in paperback unfortunately. 🙁
I like the sound of the world building and the characters. Plus, this book made you stalk the author? Oh yea, this sounds like a book I need to read. Okay, and author I need to read! 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Blog Tour Review and Giveaway: Pieces of Love by P.J. Sharon
Look at me complaining about the heroine being a stalker when I do the same thing to authors. Now, isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black? 😉
Sounds like the world building was lacking, but otherwise seems very fun! I’ve got a weakness for those alpha werewolf types…but then, who doesn’t? 😉
Danya recently posted…Tough Travelling: Princesses
I’m a sucker for good world building, so I definitely wished there was more, but the werewolves helped make up for it. 🙂
Sounds great! I love adrenaline junkie heroines, they’re so much fun 🙂 I’m not at all familiar with this author/series, but I’m looking it up now! Great review Carmel.
Berls recently posted…Take Me Tomorrow | #COYER Book Review
It made for the most interesting first date EVER. LOL
This sounds so cool and action-packed! Although I have to wonder… “inherent goodness” and an “alpha male”?! Wow :O I never thought such a combination would ever exist! I’ve always associated alpha males as aggressive and fiercely protective who uphold the family above all ends, and “inherent goodness” as the kind who is very charitable, especially to the poor XD But in any case, awesome review, Carmel!!
Faye recently posted…Random Things in Motion #6: Would you hold important information from someone… if it’s for their own good?
Hugh is kind of a walking contradiction which is why I really enjoyed his character. Plus, he’s a werewolf, so what’s not to love??
Oh it’s nice! I didn’t know this one but I usually like the books I read by the publisher. I just really need more time it’s terrible lol, so many books that I want to read! thanks for the nice review!
Samhain Publishing releases the best UF / PNR combos. Whenever I review one of their titles I just know that it’s going to be good!
I’m currently reading Written In Red right now and Simon, even though he is so grumpy all the time, makes me want to find more alpha male.. This one looks intense. Will add it on my TBR 😀 Thanks, Carmel!
Paula M. recently posted…ARC REVIEW: Virgin by Radhika Sanghani a.k.a let’s talk about the V word
I don’t know if Hugh is quite on the same level as Simon, but he’s definitely up there!
Every time I come to Rabid Reads, I always have to add a book you’re featuring. What is up with you, guys? xD Damn, this good sounds so good, Carmel. I can’t believe I’m already fanning myself and I haven’t even read the story yet. I think I already like Tess (I like my heroine batty, ha ha) and Hugh seems to be a great guy. I’m so excited to get swept away by the action but really I just want to see/read firsthand that curative kiss. *winks*
Fantastic review, Carmel!
Sarah recently posted…I Confess!
I’m glad to hear it, because it means that we are doing a good job! Hehe And yes, that kiss was definitely something!!
Don’t you love when you just KNOW early on the book is for you? This sounds REALLY good, Carmel.
Christy recently posted…The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher
YES! It’s a way better feeling that having to push through the first 20% of a book.
Uoh, with that kind of a beginning, how could it go anyway but right? xDDD
Want!
Livia recently posted…A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison
My thoughts exactly which is why I couldn’t put this book down!
Skydiving into safety?? I don’t think I’ve ever read anything with an intro like THAT! Oy and the cover is stunning! *grabby hands* And now Carmel, I have yet to add ANOTHER book to my TBR. I know, I suffer so… *snickers*
It’s a two way street, Christina. You’ve added a few titles to my TBR pile as well. 😛
Wonderful review Carmel. Now I have another book to add to my ever growing TBR pile. The cover is stunning and the blurb makes this one sound appealing. ^_^
Thanks, Angela! I saw that you added this one to your shelves on GoodReads. YAY!!
First time I hear about this book, but it sounds really good. I’m adding it to my never ending TBR.
BookaholicCat recently posted…Top Off Tuesday: Riddle of the Sands by Geoffrey Knight
It’s by Samhain who also publish our favouritest series ever (Secret McQueen) so reading it was pretty much a given for me. I hope you enjoy it!
I knew I wanted to read this one after reading the excerpt for Stomp v Romp. Now I really want to read it, Carmel. I love a heroine who kicks ass! And a story with lots of action. Great review!
I’m thrilled that Robin’s excerpt, and my review were able to convince you to add VEILED TARGET to your wishlist!