Never fall for a mark. Christopher Perri had only one goal: vengeance for his murdered partner.Playing Dante Perry to infiltrate the Madigan organization wasn’t easy.Trying not to fall for the assassin at the head of the table is impossible… and completely off-limits once Chris’s cover is blown. Mission fail. Exposure couldn’t come at a worse time.Chris suspects the person who killed his … fail.
Exposure couldn’t come at a worse time.
Chris suspects the person who killed his partner is behind the coup against Hawes.
Working with the king benefits them both, but his employer has other ideas. Dismantling criminal organizations is what Chris does best, and his boss expects the King Slayer to deliver.
Game over.
But Hawes is taking the Madigans in a new direction, one Chris can get behind.
The two men form a shaky alliance strengthened by the irresistible attraction between them… until Chris learns who killed his partner.
Once he knows the truth, the slayer is unleashed—and Chris will stop at nothing to destroy those who betrayed him, including the king who stole his heart.
Twists and turns–and cliffhangers–continue in book two of the Fog City Trilogy. Read at your own risk!
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I love this Fog City series. You can’t go wrong.
Okay, so I will freely admit that while I loved the first book in the series, Prince of Killers, there was something that prevented it from being a five-star read, but I couldn’t put my finger on what. After reading King Slayer, which is a five-star read, I figured it out: while Hawes and Dante had a connection in Prince of Killers, I wanted a little bit more emotional connection between them on top of all the lust.
And boy, did I get that here!
I LOVED King Slayer! Given how book one ended, and given how much I loved Hawes, I didn’t expect Dante/Chris to redeem himself here to the point where I fell in love with him. I loved getting to know Chris, and seeing his point of view of everything was hella interesting.
It was a hard read though, especially because you, as the reader, know more (from book one) than Chris does. So the entire time Chris is having feelings for Hawes, I’m cringing inside because I know the truth is going to come out sooner rather than later and everything’s going to go to hell in a hand basket. It’s like watching a Christmas parade expecting Santa Claus and getting a horde of zombies instead. WARNING: DANGER AWAITS. I wanted to wrap Chris in a blanket and sit him somewhere he couldn’t get hurt.
There are twists and turns I didn’t see coming, including some new characters and a new story angle, some super sexy times, and über romance that I simply swooned over. I loved everything about this book and I am dying for book three! I can’t wait to get these in paperback and add them to my keeper shelf.
Woww!! What a ride!!!
This book has action, mystery and suspense galore! Romantic Suspense is one of my favourite genres and this one is one of the top. It is not a standalone and picks up right where rhe first one ended. Loved this one so much I finished it one sitting.
This book is from Dante’s POV and we finally, finally, know what he’s thinking. He’s so conflicted and I really felt for him. There’s so many twists and turns and this book ends in such a big cliffhanger!!! I really want to read the next book so bad.
We meet Dante’s family and I loved them too. And Helena is such a badass. Such an amazing character. Holt is my favourite. And what’s the deal with Kane? I can guess something but I’m just gonna leave it at that.
I’m not saying much as I want everyone to read it with the same thrill that I read. So, what are you guys waiting for?? Pick this book up and make sure you don’t plan to anything else ’cause you will not put it down!
*ARC provided by the author via A Novel Take PR in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
King Slayer is the second book in the Fog City series, and it picks up right where the first book ends. This is a series has to be read in order. From the first page, the drama never stops and it just keeps going strong. This book definitely takes itself seriously, but it also made the decision to take reality and throw it in the trash. This makes an interesting combination, and reminded me instantly of a soap opera or typical dramatic Hollywood cop show. Regardless, it’s a fun book with an action-packed plot with romance mixed in.
This is my second book by Layla that I have finished I. Less than 24 hours. Omg!! First of all why did it have to end that way? I am not a fan of cliffhangers. Luckily book 3 is available on audio so I can continue. What can I say about book2? The suspense continues with Dante trying to figure out who killed his partner and Hawes trying to figure out who is trying to off him. More secrets are being unraveled and their trust is slowly dwindling. Yet that attraction between Dante and Hawes is still ever present. Hawes does not know who he can trust outside of his family. Once again I could not stop listening because I needed to know what was going to happen next. I am hoping that in book 3 we finally find out who is pulling the strings behind everything. I think I know who it is. I can’t wait to start the next book. If you are intrigued like I am just continue on with this series until the end. I don’t think you’ll regret it.
Finding Home
I’m really enjoying the book titles and meanings behind them. “It wasn’t all a lie.” What a statement! Betrayals and dangerous games are afoot and I don’t think there will be any winners. After the bomb that exploded at the end of Prince of Killers, we are left to pick up the pieces. Like I said don’t make enemies of the Madigans, but I still want to be part of the family. This time it’s Holt and Chris I want to hug. They both make want to cry and there’s so much pain in their lives.
Although the trust is broken and with a long road to rebuild it ahead, Hawes and Chris still have a very strong connection. It’s in the little things they do for each other and the names they continue to use. Also, the attraction hasn’t lessened and it makes for some excellent conflict. Chris is very smart, but so is Hawes. They both pay attention to all the details, and they’re very headstrong and brave.
When Hawes and Chris are near each other, I can taste the passion between them; it’s that fierce and bold. They belong to each other, but running counterpoint to that is the secret Hawes holds. It only adds to the tension that is expertly building in this series. So many times in this book, I gasped and held my breath, while wondering who’s behind it all. If I think it’s who it is, a battle is about to ensue. Layla Reyne, you sure know how to yank out my heart and and squeeze it. Another exceptional suspense read that kept me on edge from cover to cover.
What I Think: I want to hate Dante. If I do, he can’t hurt Hawes or me. But this Authoress takes that from me, starting this tale with Dante’s point of view. Getting to know him and seeing his motivation for the things he does makes it difficult to hate him. Makes it as impossible to turn away from as from a crash, fully aware that it’s going to hurt as bad. Watching him fight the fact that Hawes is becoming engraved in his skin and heart would have to satisfy my (petty) need for vengeance even as their first phone call makes me ache deep in my belly. Makes my eyes burn and only being on the bus staves off my tears. The games haven’t eased the connection between these two and it built the image of two dancers locked in a deadly dance of tango, as they circle each other, test each other, strain against their rules and bonds without even touching each other because to touch would be to surrender. Every time they are in a conversation together, it was this image that kept being enhanced and painted as each word becomes a brushstroke, each nuance of emotion adding a new hue of color.
The fight scenes are so exact and tight, whether fighting separately or together, it’s a continuation of their deadly dance while the Sword of Damocles constantly knocks on my temple, adding fear to the exhilaration and enjoyment of the tale. But it’s no wonder that Hawes is the king. His confidence, stubbornness and willingness to love, forgive and give chances even when hurt is nothing short of regal. As Dante continues to sink into the fog that holds onto Hawes as fiercely as a jealous lover, the dance is even more emphasized in the way they steady each other, filling in and anticipating the other without words. The attention to detail is simply amazing and I fell deeper in love with this king. But frustratingly, I’m more worried about how broken the King Slayer will be when the truth is known and if he is strong enough to stand by his wicked, wicked king. Oh, and just to cut through all that tension, see if you can find the mention of the most delicious redhead agent ever. Thank you, Mme. Layla!
The last chapter had my heart thumping like a gong was beating out a countdown. Even though I knew it was coming, the cliff hanger still managed to hurt more than the prequel!
Verdict? As your loyalties slip, slide and resettle, you will discover a valid truth: the best partner for every King is his own personal King Slayer! Hold your heart steady.
4.75 stars
Heat Level: 3.75
Oh, my word! Where do I begin!!! What an epic rollercoaster; full of twists and turns, trust and intrigue, and a cliffhanger to leave you reeling!! OMG!
I can’t even…
Okay, I love Layla’s writing and am totally loving this series. It did take me a chapter or two to get back into this world, the complexities of the characters and remember and then recover from book 1’s cliffhanger and the new style of this book from Chris/Dante’s POV. Once I was in, I couldn’t put the book down.
Dealing with revealing his identity to Hawes and the complex fallout from this, we are given more insight into Chris and what is driving him. As Layla loves to keep us guessing, on the edge of our seats, keep us on the verge of heart attacks; she added in a whole bunch of twists to Chris’s backstory I didn’t see coming and were totally heartbreaking and character re-affirming!! I could see Chris’s heart and his reasons he is the way he is and I could also feel his loss, confusion, and personal crises with his complex feelings for Hawes. I loved the journey Chris takes and the twists and turns Layla throws at these poor characters just made me love them more.
I loved the back and forth between Chris and Hawes, mainly revolving around trust. I liked how this was approached and made realistic and honest. The development between these two pivotal characters is complex, somewhat thrilling and endearing. Their journey is full of surprises and I love how their connection grows despite all that’s going on.
So much happens throughout this book, with SO many revelations and just as many questions and surprises. I have no idea what’s going to happen next and the last 3% of the book (cliffhanger included) had me questioning everything and hanging on the edge of my seat for book 3! This book is everything you’ve come to love about Layla’s writing, these fantastic characters and so much more, I can’t wait to see what happens next…
I loved it!!!!
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Woohoo! What a roller coaster this book was! I loved it! More intrigue, more secrets, more emotions – it was absolutely fantastic! One of the things that I found interesting with this series was that the author decided to tell each story from a single POV. First book allowed me to learn more about Hawes and the Madigans, but this book was completely devoted to Dante! I finally heard him! Wow! There were things I didn’t see coming.
The book starts right where the first finished. And right away Dante comes off as conflicted man – both as ATF agent and as a man since all that he knew about Madigans have been completely shattered within a week. He quickly scrambles to salvage his investigation and try to restore the broken trust between him and Hawes because there was something between them that needed a closer look at. From that point it’s a constant battle to get one step ahead instead of three steps back. With all the goings on, I got to see where Dante came from, and exactly what drove him hard to solve the murder of Isabella Costa, his partner in the ATF.
The Perri family is not without its bad apples as well as heart-warming moments. Dante is finally ready to come home but he needs to avenge Isabella, he needs to keep Hawes alive. Knowing more than Dante about the killer’s identity from the first book, every exchange is more tension filled, more charged and more delicious. Everything is ready to implode and collapse the fragile foundation of trust. But the heart wants what it wants, and despite the hate and anger both men can’t stay away.
The mystery of the Madigan Organization coup gets bigger and more complicated. Both sides keep their cards close to their vests. Traitors are on both sides, and no one knows who to trust. It’s one huge puzzle that needs to be solved, or everybody will die. The climax of the story is poignant in a sense that both Hawes and Dante have their suspicions, and if they are right, it will be a devastating blow to everyone. But while the bullets are flying, Dante and Hawes make a promise to find their way home to each other no matter what – despite the hurt, despite the fear and despite the distance. I read this nonstop. It was freaking awesome. Ms Reyne delivered stunningly suspenseful story with diverse characters that kept me on my toes till the very end! I highly recommend it. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review
King Slayer is the second book in the Fog City series by Layla Reyne and continues the story exactly where book one left us. This book is action and violence, drama and suspense, steam, emotion and romance. Secrets and revelations, lies and betrayals… I was at the edge of my seat reading this book. Dante/Chris… oh man, I love these characters together and really want them to get a HEA at the end of this series. This cliffhanger has me anxious…. I want that third book now, please!
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
This book starts up right where book 1 ended. Buckle in, you are in for quite the ride. There is action, intrigue, betrayal, redemption, pain, hope, passion and love. Everything you could ask for and more!
Hawes and Dante/Chris are combustible together. Their passion burns up the pages. With this second installment we also get a more emotional component added to the mix. My emotions jumped all over the place along with the main characters. There are so many ups and downs, twists and turns you don’t know who to trust or believe.
I am eagerly awaiting the final installment of this outstanding series!