Once Bitten, Twice Shy

by Jennifer Rardin

Book Overview

I'm Jaz Parks. My boss is Vayl, born in Romania in 1744. Died there too, at the hand of his vampire wife, Liliana. But that's ancient history. For the moment Vayl works for the C.I.A. doing what he does best--assassination. And I help. You could say I'm an Assistant Assassin. But then I'd have to kick your ass.

Our current assignment seemed easy. Get close to a Miami plastic surgeon named Assan, a charmer with ties to terrorism that run deeper...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 031602046X
• ISBN13: 9780316020466
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Orbit
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

This author gets way more than 5stars!

Treat yourself to the entire jazz parks series. Every one is truly superior to most of the other books out there in the same genre. Fresh and fast paced, hilarious and heartbreaking, but most of all very intelligently written.we lost this author way to soon, may she rest in peace.

Great Start to New Vampire Series

Jaz Parks works for the CIA as a partner to Vayl - CIA assassin and vampire. A supposedly simple assignment becomes complicated by the threatened release of a deadly virus. But it's even more complicated than straightforward terrorism, and with the end of the world looming, time is running out for Jaz and Vayl. This is not a romance, though there is a strong chemistry between Jaz and Vayl, and their partnership is the central relationship of the story. In some ways it is like a marriage, their lives depend on one another, and they each have to know how the other thinks. There is a trust between them, that they'll protect each others backs. Jaz is a female character who knows (relatively speaking) her own mind. She knows what her capabilities are and isn't afraid to stand up for herself, or for others. Written in first person point of view, this allows us to see that as well as a sarcastic outer voice, she has a sarcastic inner voice too. Vayl is written extremely well. Unlike a lot of modern vampires, you believe he's been alive for nearly three centuries. There's a wonderful contrast between them - Jaz, so modern and now, Vayl a product of his long life and the experiences he's lived through. He has a delightful tendency to take Jaz literally. "If he's going to put some poor kid's face back on straight tonight I'll do the hula." "Lovely dance, that. The story is all in the hands. I did not know you knew-" "Vayl, I was kidding." It's not all quips and banter though. There is an edge of darkness that runs through the story. Jennifer Rardin has written one of the most brutal, horrific and real vampire attacks I can remember reading for quite a while. It's clear that they are voracious predators, and it's only an individual's personal integrity that prevents them from becoming a monster. You're also aware whilst reading that something very bad and very significant has happened to Jaz in the not so distant past. She's missing parts of herself, she'll have flashes of memory or something will happen and she'll be remembering an incident from her childhood. This gives the first person point of view an added depth, taking us further into her experiences. Even when we initially find out what happened to her, it still isn't the whole story. We're left at the end with the battle won, but the war still being fought. Luckily book 2 is already available so I don't have to wait to find out what happens next. If you liked Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews, I think you'd like this. Also available Another One Bites the Dust - Bk 2 Coming Soon Biting the Bullet - Bk 3 - Feb 2008

Best Debut

Derivative???? Please forgive me as I step out and soundly thrash the writer from Publishers Weekly! I've read derivative, this doesn't even come close to some of the rip-offs I've seen lately. JR Ward and Lara Adrian come to mind. Well no matter what Publisher's weekly says about this book/series not standing out in this genre, I have to disagree...derivative???? I think not. I thought that this was a very FRESH new take on the genre, I couldn't put it down. I gobbled it up like the best of imported chocolates. It was complicated during parts, but don't forget that Jennifer is setting up the main characters for the future books. It had laughs, sadness and a lot of convoluted mystery. Yes some of it may have been a bit hokie(is there such a word?), OK let's try a tad over the top, but I really felt it was in a good way. You know that Jaz and Vayl will get together eventually.I for one am thankful that Ms Rardin is letting the sexual tension between them grow a bit. And I think, like me, you will root for them to get together. I did see some things in here that COULD (if you really use your imagination) be attributed to other authors, but nothing to really make me angry, cerrtainly not like that 'author' who ripped off JR Ward!!!! One of the best parts of the book is we really don't know what Jaz is anymore and I like that the question is left in the air. I also can't wait to find out who her savior is. The next book in this series seems to be out already so if you have the funds I suggest you buy both at the same time and save yourself an extra trip to the store!

Author Did Her Research in the Genre--can you spell...

derivitive? Take the best aspects of many of the urban paranormal novels out now--a fussy, picky but oddly supportive boss, unusual cases featuring a lot of ancient magic, a compelling, attractive but distant male partner, an affinity for wearing lots of weapons, using guns/knives extremely well, etc., etc. You got the picture. We have travelled in this territory before--but I don't really mind with this book because we like and care about the characters, setting, action and story are first rate. So bring on the rest of the series--I'm hooked again!

Not Some Ordinary Spy Novel

Jaz Parks is a government agent. Her partner Vayl is a 300-year-old vampire. Their latest assignment is to assassinate a plastic surgeon involved in terrorism. But after one night of investigating Assan, they discover he's into a lot more than just helping to fund terrorism. Assan and his conspirators begin talking about releasing a deadly plague. And a high-ranking senator seems to be pulling the strings. I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this novel. Rardin ads a perfect blend of humor and humility to an otherwise strong female lead character. The story and characters pull you in and don't let go. I'm simply amazed that this is her debut novel. I can't wait to see Rardin's skills develop further in future releases. If I don't receive review copies for the sequels, you can bet I'll be standing in line at the bookstore on the release dates. Once Bitten, Twice Shy is in now in my list of top favorites for the year. With a seemingly over-abundance of vampire novels, Once Bitten, Twice Shy stands out as a fun, light-hearted, supernatural, spy novel. Blending some of my favorite elements: fantasy, espionage, mystery, action, and just a touch of romance, makes a recipe for one extremely entertaining story.