Naughty by Nature

Meh. I finished this book but will not be continuing with the series.

I was pretty excited about a female protagonist, but my excitement was tempered pretty quickly. Tiny, bird-like, beautiful, damsel in distress needing protection from the big bad. I probably should have known better, but I am an optimist.

Kiara Zamir is a famous dancer and the daughter of her planet’s president. She and her mother were kidnapped when Kiara was very young, tortured and made to witness the murder of her mother. Now as a young adult, Kiara is still the constant target of assassins.

Nykyrian Quikiades, who goes by Nemesis, is the leader of a rogue band of assassins. He left The titular League, and started his own damn League.

The Rogue League finds Kiara after they intercept the smuggler spaceship she’s being held on. Syn (one of our merry band) refuses to leave her behind even though the ship is about to explode. They return her to her father’s planet. There is much exposition in this ride home, how mysterious he is, with his scars and brooding. How delicate and tiny she is, what a famous and beautiful dancer she is, blargh.

Hired by Kiara’s father to protect her, they of course fall in love.  There’s the typical back and forth, how can one so beautiful love me, a cold-blooded killer, yadda yadda miscommunication false modesty and sexual tension. She wants him and he wants her. You know they’re going to do it. Then he fakes his death and she is captured again and sigh.

I would ruin the ending for you, but you already know what to expect.

MCM