In a Fix by Linda Grimes
- Method of Obtaining: I received my copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
- Published by: Tor Books
- Release Date: 9/4/2012
Snagging a marriage proposal for her client while on an all-expenses-paid vacation should be a simple job for Ciel Halligan, aura adaptor extraordinaire. A kind of human chameleon, she’s able to take on her clients’ appearances and slip seamlessly into their lives, solving any sticky problems they don’t want to deal with themselves. No fuss, no muss. Big paycheck.
This particular assignment is pretty enjoyable… that is, until Ciel’s island resort bungalow is blown to smithereens and her client’s about-to-be-fiancé is snatched by modern-day Vikings. For some reason, Ciel begins to suspect that getting the ring is going to be a tad more difficult than originally anticipated.
Going from romance to rescue requires some serious gear-shifting, as well as a little backup. Her best friend, Billy, and Mark, the CIA agent she’s been crushing on for years—both skilled adaptors—step in to help, but their priority is, annoyingly, keeping her safe. Before long, Ciel is dedicating more energy to escaping their watchful eyes than she is to saving her client’s intended.
Suddenly, facing down a horde of Vikings feels like the least of her problems.
Reason for Reading:
- I was in the mood for a new urban fantasy, so I decided to give this one a shot.
I also recommend:
- Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin
- Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
It’s been a while since I’ve read a good, steamy urban-fantasy, and In a Fix by Linda Grimes was the perfect solution to that problem.
I’m fairly picky when it comes to urban-fantasies. I like spunky heroines, unique abilities, and men that make me want to swoon a little bit. While Ciel wasn’t quite as spunky as I wanted her to be (or maybe Billy and Mark were just a tad too overbearing), I thoroughly enjoyed her antics as she struggled to make her name in a very, very male-dominated business.
The unique abilities factor was definitely included here. Ciel belongs to a group of folks that are able to absorb information about people and take on their appearances. This allows them to become their clients and handle vacations/confrontations/spy jobs – whatever, as needed. So when Ciel takes on the task of being Mina to secure a proposal from Mina’s hunky boyfriend, Trey, she bites off a little more than she can chew. Why? Because there’s a spinter group of Vikings.. yes, Vikings, who have other things on their mind than Mina’s proposal.
I laughed my butt off several times while reading In a Fix. There’s a particular scene in a tree that had me going for a good, solid, two minutes. I laughed so hard I couldn’t breathe (it was late, okay?). For being her debute book, Linda Grimes hit all the right spots for me here and I’m thoroughly impressed. I have very few favorite urban-fantasy authors but this one is an author I’ll be watching. Just .. please Linda, tone down the macho-ness a tiny bit. I’d like to see Ciel actually learning how to be kick butt and independent.
Don’t just take my word for it! Check out what these bloggers say!
I am a fan of swooning and unique abilities AND laughing, so um, way to make me want to drop my other reads and get to In A Fix!
hhahaa Yeah I think you would enjoy this one quite a bit. I haven’t been as entertained in an urban fantasy in a while.