Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: The Art of Possession
AUTHOR: Cari Z.
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 195 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 5, 2019
BLURB:
When a treasure-hunting black ops soldier and a disgraced, reckless archeologist team up in search of a priceless artifact, they might get more than they bargained for.
Ever since leaving the Green Berets to work in private security, Alex Tucker has longed for some excitement—and he’s about to get his wish.
Archeologist Malcolm Armstrong needs the chance to prove he isn’t a fraud. Along with Alex, he’s hired to track down and authenticate a valuable scepter, in a hunt that turns deadlier than either of them imagined as they search dangerous locations across three continents and try to stay ahead of the factions who want the treasure for themselves—and Malcolm and Alex dead.
Just as they realize the feelings between them transcend convenience and the thrill of the chase, a rival reemerges, threatening everything.
REVIEW:
You know, this is one book I really would like to see a series out of. Really. It was action filled, the characters were on point, there was mystery, underhanded activities and all sorts of fun rolled into this book. And I really appreciate the history in this as well. And the fact the author took the time to get things correct. Yes, this is a fictional book, but still. You don’t mess with history. But I would really like to see Mal and Alex have more adventures, especially if they are now bringing in a “bad guy” into the fold to work with.
Mal is dreading this invite to this party at the museum. Ever since he got thrown under the bus over an artifact, his rep has been tainted. Little did he know at the time, he was right about the artifact and persons were trying to swap real for fake. But he got caught in the middle and was used as the scape goat. Now he’s back in this museum and is apparently being asked to recover an artifact that was stolen. With a guy, that moments before, had held a gun on him. But Mal discovers quick, Alex is a quick thinker and is as incredulous about this operation as he is. Everything about this screams ‘wrong’ to Mal and Alex suspects some shady stuff going on in the background. They’re both right. And soon they are caught up in the middle of an illegal auction, being shot at, almost set on fire and much more. Alex is still a bit miffed he got his ass handed to him by a woman. But no matter what happens, they are going to get this artifact back. And hopefully still be in one piece when all is said and done. Because Alex really wants to see if the fire in Mal is as hot in the bedroom.
You know, you just get those characters in a book you just want to throat punch the minute they come on to the page. And I was all for Mal and Alex both following their guts and punching Mal’s ex. The guy is a douche and a half. And they don’t even know the half of it yet. And Alex gets madder every time Gerard insults and puts down Mal. It takes all he has to walk away before he does serious bodily harm.
The only problem I think I have with the whole book, is when it’s time for them to get the artifact back again, Mal has to, more or less, ‘fight’ for it. And it just ends a little too easy. I was expecting more from that angle, especially since another operative had taken it personal and was looking hard into this lady. It just seemed way too easy. Mal isn’t a fighter, by any means, and a threat with a gun he has no clue how to use stopped someone who is a well known fighter in martial arts, not counting what she can do with weapons. So yeah, that was my only disappointment.
Other than that, it’s a great book. It’s an action book in trying to recover a piece before everyone ends up dead or something else happens. You never know who is going to show up at the next turn and whether or not they are going to take off your head or what.
I really, really would like to see more from this.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS: