Customer Reviews

Ultimate Weapon (The McCloud Brothers, Book 6)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

STORY BRIEF & REVIEWER'S OPINION:
Shannon McKenna does it again. I am amazed that she continues to come up with excellent stories with new and surprising ideas. This is one of her best and it's her eighth book (that I know of and not counting anthologies). For some reason I thought of James Bond when I read this book. The two main characters Val (hero) and Tam (heroine) are a romance writer's version of James-Bond-type characters. They are both super smart and talented at lying, spying and killing. They each have and use high tech gadgets, not as many as James Bond uses, but there is a similarity. Tam can outsmart anyone and has what it takes to never be found, but because she is taking care of Rachel, a 3-year old orphan, Tam is vulnerable. For example, when on the run she has to carry Rachel with child supplies. There is also the potential of kidnapping Rachel to get to Tam. I thought this was well done by the author. The bad guys can get to Tam, not due to stupidity on her part, but due to her caring for Rachel.

Tam has been one of my favorite characters in the prior books. She creates jewelry as weapons. She can taser, poison and stab people with her jewelry. Tam is a sharp, prickly and contentious hellcat who starts to soften due to Rachel. Val's weakness is Imre, the frail old man who befriended him when he was a scared, hungry kid abandoned on the streets of Budapest. A bad guy now holds Imre hostage to force Val to bring Tam to him.

MORE REVIEWER'S OPINION:
I laughed out loud several times, not due to comedy, but due to my surprise and delight at some of the great lines, great conversation and how strongly I was affected emotionally. The conversations are rich, twisting me around emotionally. Tam hits, slaps and fights Val physically and verbally. His reactions are unexpected. The conversations are heated, wild, angry, entertaining and amazing. They battle before, during and after sex. The sex scenes were wild, tremendous, powerful, sensual, and fabulous. I actually stopped reading a couple of times to do something else, catch my breath and calm down.

My only complaint is that the author occasionally used Italian phrases. I believe that most were terms of endearment, compliments or food. I just skipped over those words, but I wondered what they meant. I wish the author would put the translations immediately afterward in italics or parentheses. I don't want to miss a single thought when I read these books. My second choice would be to put a glossary in the back of the book, but flipping back and forth is inconvenient. Granted, Italian words sound beautiful but cause frustration when used without explanation.

DATA:
Story length: 426 pages. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: 12. Length of sex scenes: 2 short scenes (1 page or less) and 10 long scenes (1.2 to 12 pages). Total number of sex scene pages: 42. Setting: current day Seattle, Washington area, Hungary, and Italy. Copyright: 2008. Genre: romantic suspense.

OTHER BOOKS:
To date, I've read the following Shannon McKenna books.

McCloud Series Novels:
Although not necessary, I recommend reading the McCloud novels in order. For example, Tam played small but important roles in certain prior books. Ultimate Weapon is Tam's story but it starts where the other books left off.
5 stars. Behind Closed Doors. Copyrt 2002. Review Date 2/03/07.
5 stars. Standing in the Shadows. Copyrt 2003. Review Date 2/03/07.
5 stars. Out of Control. Copyrt 2005. Review Date 2/03/07.
5 stars. Edge of Midnight. Copyrt 2007. Review Date 1/04/08.
5 stars. Extreme Danger. Copyrt 2008. Review Date 2/02/08.
5 stars. Ultimate Weapon. Copyrt 2008. Review Date 11/15/08.

Other Novels:
5 stars. Return to Me. Copyrt 2004. Review Date 2/03/07.
5 stars. Hot Night. Copyrt 2006. Review Date 1/19/07.
4 stars. Tasting Fear. Copyrt 2009. Review Date 8/3/09.

Anthologies:
5 stars. Something Wild (in anthology All Through The Night). Copyrt 2001. Review Date 3/25/07.
3 stars. Touch Me (in anthology I Brake For Bad Boys). Copyrt 2002. Review Date 2/14/07.
5 stars. Meltdown (in anthology Bad Boys Next Exit). Copyrt 2004. Review Date 2/14/07.
3 stars. Anytime, Anywhere (in anthology Baddest Bad Boys) Copyrt 2008. My 4 star review for the anthology was posted 5/17/08.
5 stars. All About Men. Copyrt 2007. No review posted. This anthology includes 3 short stories previously published in other anthologies listed above. The stories are Something Wild, Touch Me, and Meltdown.

Right off the bat, I love Tamara. I love her prickly defensiveness and her outrageously over-the-top, witty personality. And I really liked Val Janos' deliciously sexy and dangerous persona. But together? Hmmm. I think they might have been better served paired with someone with a less heavily tortured past. But at the same time, I don't think these two seriously wounded and prickly people would have responded to someone who was light and fluffy and full of sunshine, so I guess this was just a no win situation.

Tamara was a little subdued in regards to her usual acerbic wit and I missed it, alot. Her relationship with her daughter, Rachel, was so sweet though. It was funny and poignant and so real. I especially liked how frazzled she was getting, having her life taken over by a little baby. Val was sexy and alluring and it was fun reading about how Tamara and Val were trying to one-up each other. Whenever Tamara got the better of him due to her secret wearable weaponry, I thought it was laugh out loud funny. There was definitely moments of humor sprinkled about this story, which was quite welcome seeing as how this was a dark and somewhat dreary read, but Ultimate Weapon was missing that spark that I found in the earlier McCloud books. But again, Tamara and Val were incredibly wounded souls so I doubt a more humorous story would have worked for them. Actually my favorite part was reading about Imre, after he had been captured, and my heart just broke for him and Val. It's a very sad scene, when he makes his sacrifice so that Val can go free, and I thought it was beautifully done.

Ultimate Weapon is pretty much a straightforward revenge tale. No info on the possible resurrection of Kevin--Or am I just wishful thinking?? The plot was rather simplistic, compared to Shannon McKenna's more crazy and out-there stories, but it worked. We get all the background info on Tamara and it was as sad and heartbreaking as I knew it would be. This story is fast paced and intense, and certainly interesting, but unfortunately I don't think I was very excited by it-- see missing "spark." There was also a very nasty scene involving a broken arm and a rope and all I have to say is that ten seconds never felt so long before.

Ultimate Weapon wasn't bad, but it wasn't a knock out of the park, either. I really wish it had been because Tamara deserved a much better send off. While I liked Val, I wish Tam could have been paired with someone like Sean McCloud because she could have used his funny, badboy antics to help loosen her up. Or Nick Ward, because I thought those two had great chemistry together. But since those two guys were usually half afraid of her, I guess only Val could do. Which is a shame to think that way because I really liked Val. And in all honesty, this is as much his story (if not more) than hers, so they both got cheated out of what-could-have-been. But I will still give it four stars because I liked it and I'm happy I read it and I can't wait for the next Shannon McKenna story. :)

I love the McCloud series. If you're bored with the typical action- adventure characters, the McCloud brothers and their friends might add some zip to your reading. When McKenna announced that she was working on Tamara's story, I thought that it would be a let-down because I couldn't imagine a man who would be a true mate for her. ...but I was wrong. These characters are a perfect match--two people who carry real scars on their souls but whose personalities are so vibrant and strong that they are still pushing forward.
McKenna's books are not for everyone. There's a lot of graphic violence and detailed depictions of sex. However, I always finish her books with a "wow".

For Val Janos remaining deadly, mysterious and unpredictable has proven to be the only thing that prevents him from becoming vulnerable to those who wish to control him. He has few weaknesses but his latest mission has brought them all to the forefront.

Tamara is as deadly - if not more so - than Val. Unfortunately she pissed off the wrong people and even all her attempts at hiding from her enemies have proved futile. They know she's alive and have hired Val to bring her to them.

Tamara doesn't trust any man and she's certainly not going to allow anyone to use or hurt her beloved little girl. She's been successfully making a living with a jewelry line called Deadly Beauty, wearable weaponry cleverly disguised in highly sought after jewelry. Unfortunately it's one of her pieces that bring her to the attention of Daddy Novak, the father of a man she killed. His protégée Georg lied about her death and Daddy Novak now knows that Georg's hired PSS (Prime Security Solutions) to find her. Val is the PSS operative charged with locating Tamara and bringing her to Georg but nobody knew about the little girl she's caring for and Val does not `do' children.

Daddy Novak is nobody's fool. He knows Val and is well aware of his past - after all he was very instrumental in making Val into the man he is today. He's also smart enough to know that Val's weakness is the one man who befriended him as a child, Imre, and Novak isn't above using the old man as leverage. Val's faced with a difficult situation and isn't quite sure how he's going to keep Imre, Tamara and little Rachel safe.

Tamara doesn't suffer betrayal easily and Val's implementing himself into her life under false circumstances is intolerable. She could kill him for doing so. In fact that thought is rather appealing especially if it means she could escape with Rachel and build a new life elsewhere. However that isn't going to happen. Passion, anger, fear and the promise of retribution against those who've hurt them in the past are a heady combination. Against Tamara's instincts she's faced with trusting Val with her life and heart - one which she thought she no longer possessed. Can their deadly instincts save them from the sinister plans against them? One things for certain, with two people this dangerous, passion is bound to be unbelievably intense and well worth any risk!

Shannon McKenna has won over many readers with her jaw dropping intensely passionate storylines. ULTIMATE WEAPON is by no means your typical happily ever after, hearts and flowers romance - it's better! Val and Tamara are kick butt heroines that really don't possess many likable characteristics at first but as you get to know them you begin to understand exactly why they are so standoffish. Tamara and Val are constantly at odds and as a reader I could feel the tension between them growing through each scene. I loved how the consistently keep `one upping' each other and how each of them reacts to being outwitted. Little Rachel's background and how she came to be with Tamara really touched me and shows a whole different side to her character than we could have hoped to see otherwise. This is a delightfully intense tale that holds readers attentions until the very last page. ULTIMATE WEAPON showcases Ms. McKenna's talent for in-depth characters and explosively passionate storylines that will leave your heart racing and pulse pounding.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

The book definitely had a different style and and darker tone to it than the previous books written about the McCloud clan. But I had been anxiously awaiting Tam's story and it was worth the wait!

Val Janos was the perfect man to get through Tam's defenses. I had trouble believing that she let him through her defenses at all, with her history. There were also a couple of scenes at the beginning of the book where I had trouble believing her character's actions, but I understand that it moved the plot forward.

I did not like the dynamics between Janos and Tam's physical relationship; specifically, him holding her down during almost every sexual encounter... but the author provided insight into why that dynamic existed, and why from Tam's point of view, she needed him to take charge.

It was a fine line for the author to travel, creating a believable connection between two such damaged souls with dark and painful histories. But McKenna made it work. Once the action scenes kicked in, I was holding my breath!

I can't wait for the next book!

This was my first Shannon McKenna. I LOVED IT! The plot involved two really tough and intelligent male and female lead characters. Both so perfectly matched. He's a hardcore street kid turned assassin for hire that no one controlled and she a woman with a tragic past that shapes her into a savvy business woman who deals in tools of death. An awesome read with lots of sizzle. I knew these two were going to be great together and wasn't disappointed. A real kick-butt thriller with a well done plot. Don't pass this one up.

Ok I first have to say Shannon is one of my favorite writers. I've loved all her books but I must say was really hesitant about Tam's story. The one thing that's always pulled me in to her books was that she had a knack for taking relatively unremarkable women and putting them in these crazy situations where their courage and inner strength could shine. It was easy to relate to these women. With Tam..ummm not so much. For most of us, it's hard to relate to a "super model" looking waif assasin with a past so incredibly awful, few could ever imagine. That being said, I thought McKenna did as good a job with her as could be done. I thought the story was fast paced and Val was a great match up for tam with a past that could rival her own. I found myself tearing up a time or two which came as a real surprise. I love all Mckenna's alpha men and thought Val was fantastic. I'm anxiously awaiting her next book but i'm hoping to feel a little more kinship with her heroine next time.

I was disappointed that Shannon's next book wasn't about Kevin (go to her website and you'll understand) and was about Tamara, but knowing her writing and how much I loved it, I of course got this book, just like I got the one about Nick too. I expected to like it and slog through it, but still be wanting the Kevin book. WOW! I was so surprised! I loved this book, and even though I wished this book not written until later, now I take that back :) This book was really great--I think Tam finally met her match! I also loved getting updated about the McClouds and their babies, and now I REALLY like Tam. Plus, now I'm hoping she won't be so awful to Nick! ;) Thanks Shannon for making what I thought would be a tolerable read into a great one! It made it be okay that I'm still having to wait for Kevin's story..... but not too much longer, ok?

I had hesitated starting this book, unsure how Tamara would get her hea. Once I started reading, I completed the book in one sitting. I was particularly impressed with the way the author dealt with the issues of trauma, no easy fixes especially with Rachel, and I found the relationship development between Val and Tamara beautifully realised.
There were the standard Shannon McKenna over the top evil bad guys, and it was great to see characters from previous books. This book still had moments of great humour, especially with Tamara dealing with a small child, but the beauty of this book was the hope, redemption and love.

I was really curious how Tam's book would be and I was not disappointed! Shannon McKenna is one of my favorite authors and I have been waiting anxiously for her next book. Yes, this book was a bit darker than the other books in the series but, I don't think you could tell Tam's story any other way. Tam was an unusual character from the start and this story was perfect for her. I loved seeing what made her tick and the reasons behind a lot of her actions. It was also nice to see the human side of her because I was a little unsure at times in the previous books. I absolutely loved Val! He was strong, sexy, and just as broken as her.......he was the perfect match for her! It was a very deep, riviting story and I was truely engrossed in it from begining til end. I can't say enough about this author and I can't wait for the next book!