Even Villains Have Interns by Liana Brooks #superhero #romance

Title: Even Villains Have Interns (Heroes & Villains 3)
Author: Liana Brooks
Genre: Superhero romance/Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Formerly Breathless Press/now Inkprint Press
Available: Amazon $2.99 (Kindle) 160 pages
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa





Blurb:
It's Chicago's favorite city son vs Delilah, daughter of Dr. Charm. America's second city will never know what hit it.
Bootleggers, drug dealers, crooked cops, and dirty politicians... Chicago has always had a reputation for indulging in the finer vices of life. That’s why Doctor Charm’s favorite daughter found America’s Second City so appealing; criminals are never boring. As second in command for the powerful Subrosa Security group, Delilah Samson finds opportunities to use her superpowers at every turn. Whether it’s stealing a priceless French painting from a mobster or stopping a drug deal, she’s game.
In fact, the only thing she doesn’t care for is Chicago’s favorite native son, Deputy Mayor Alan Adale, the man who made Lucifer jealous. Sinfully handsome, or possibly just sinful, Adale has been pursuing Delilah since she first arrived, and she’s been dodging.

When she finds ties between the new kingpin in town and a drug The Company wants to buy so they can create more superheroes, Delilah takes the gloves off. Teaming up with the spooky Spirit of Chicago, she aims to take down the dealers, the mobsters, the kingpin, and The Company. All without falling in love with the one man capable of capturing her heart.
*Originally published by Breathless Press


What I liked:
I've loved all three books in this series so far, but this one broke my heart the most. The 'will they/won't they end up together' romance really teetered on the edge right up to the very end, and I really wasn't sure which way it might go. The other great thing about these books is you can read them as stand-alones, although the underlying plot continues to build with each book. It's also great to read books set in the POV of...well, maybe not quite the supervillain, but certainly not the more conventional superheroes featured in them.


What I didn't like:
A couple of the location/settings had me confused - I struggled to imagine the lay out or where people were standing/what they were doing in a couple of places.

In conclusion:
Anyone who loves superheroes, and likes their romance on the sweet and sensual side rather than explicit will adore this. There's plenty of action, a hint of comedy, snarky repartee, and intrigue, all packed into this delightful novella. Buy the series!

Even Villains Fall In Love by Liana Brooks

Title: Even Villains Fall in Love
Author: Liana Brooks
Genre: Science Fiction Romance/Superhero/Romance
Publisher: Breathless Press
Available: $2.99 Breathless Press (also available at Amazon $3.09)
Rating: 5 stars
Rater: Pippa

Plot Summary:

A super villain at the top of his game must choose between the world he wants and the woman he loves.

If you believe the rumors you know that Doctor Charm, the wickedly sexy super villain, retired in shame seven years ago after his last fight with the super hero Zephyr Girl. The fact that the charming Evan Smith—father of four and husband of the too-beautiful-to-be-real Tabitha—bears a resemblance to the defeated Doctor is pure coincidence. And, please, ignore the minions.

Everything is perfect in the Smith household, until Tabitha announces her return to work as a super hero. Evan was hoping to keep her distracted until after he rigged the 2012 presidential election, but—genius that he is—Evan has a backup plan. In his basement lab, Evan has a machine whose sole purpose is keeping Tabitha hungry for him.

But children and labs don’t mix. The machine is broken, and Tabitha storms out, claiming she no longer knows him. World domination takes a back seat to meeting his daughters’ demands to get Mommy back right now. This time his genius isn’t going to be enough—he’s going to need both his evil alter-ego, and the blooming super abilities of his children to save his wife. But even his most charming self might not be enough to save their marriage.

The Good:

I LOVED this book! I've been waiting on it since I read the blurb back in January, and it didn't disappoint. The premise of a supervillain marrying the superhero really intrigued me, even if his methods for maintaining his perfect marriage seems morally questionable. What else would you really expect from the villain? So, the idea was novel and the blurb compelling. The story is very well written. Each chapter starts with a little snippet of internal though by the main character, each of which gives you a bit more insight into his mind and helps you empathize with him. Normally that kind of break up in a story can irritate me by pulling me out, but not in this case. The romance is sweet and sexy without the need for graphic bedroom scenes. The classical elements of the villain are all here - minions, dastardly plans and diabolical machines - but at the centre of it is a man who loves his wife and family enough to give up the world for them. There were great touches of humour too, as much as lines to tug on your heartstrings.

The Bad:

A sudden shift in location and identities left me a little confused in the middle of the book and it took me a few pages to get back up to speed. However, I felt this was probably in keeping with Evan's own confusion over the turmoil that had taken over his life.

In Sum:

It made me laugh, it made me cry, and I defy anyone not to go 'awww' by the end of the book. You'll be in no doubt about who is the real villain of the piece. Thoroughly enjoyable and a new twist on the old 'good vs. evil' in the greatest comic book tradition - but all grown up.

Buy this book. There is no alternative. :)