Friday, August 15, 2014

Review: Queen of Hearts: Sin City Collectors Novella

Author Kristen Painter
Format e-Book
Print Length ?
Publisher self-published
Published July 1, 2014

Welcome to Las Vegas, home of the Sin City Collectors. The job description is easy: Bring the offending supernatural in to the Boss and don’t ask any questions.

Feline shifter Claudette Marchon traded life as a showgirl to become a Sin City Collector, giving up the glamour to earn some serious cash in order to buy her own business. Mission accomplished, she now runs a pawn shop specializing in gems and jewelry.

Life is good until a Collection job requiring her specific skill set lures her back in. The Queen of Hearts, a museum-worthy ruby and diamond necklace has been stolen from the Boss’s private collection and she’s his last hope to do what two other Collectors have already failed to do. Bring in the necklace. And the thief.

But gargoyle Jason Tennant isn’t quite the dangerous criminal Claudette expects. In fact, he’s not a thief at all. He’s former Special Ops and being set up by the real mastermind, forcing her to decide between the man she’s falling for and the man she works for. Proving Jason innocent may risk the Boss’s wrath, but Claudette’s heart says it’s a gamble worth taking.

My Opinion


Retired collector Claudette Marchon is being pulled from retirement. Her boss has a case that only she can solve. She must go undercover as a showgirl for Cristos the Incredible an illusionist to retrieve a rare necklace- The Queen of Hearts ruby. It was stolen by Cristos’ (Robert Sloan’s) own body guard a gargoyle named Jason Tennant. Upon meeting Jason Claudette knows something is up.

Jason is being blackmailed by Sloan, into doing horrible things because Sloan has his keystone. The one thing that makes gargoyles vulnerable. Once Claudette knows the truth she promises to help Jason. This ticks off her real boss though and there is a lot of tension. If she cannot prove that Jason is innocent both of them will die.

Claudette is a strong gal, who has a heart. She is likeable although the instant trust in Jason was a bit much considering paranormals are supposed to be weary by nature. Jason is a nice guy and it sucks to see him in the positions that Sloan puts him in. He has no choice but to do Sloan’s bidding.

I adored the first in the series, Aces Wild. This novella was written by a different author than the first. I loved how she stays within the world that Amanda Carson created for us in the first book. Although, I do wish there was a bit more action and a little more romance in this release. Hopefully, Ante Up which releases soon will literally ante up in those departments.

My Rating 3 out of 5 stars


Favorite Quote “You try to steal either of our souls and I will shred you like junk mail.”


Other People


Sloan- the evil mastermind
Romero- Claudette’s point of contact
Ares- Wraith sent to bring both Claudette and Jason in

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