Review: Killing Sarai (In the Company of Killers #1) by J.A. Redmerski

Killing Sarai by J.A. Redmerski
Publisher: Self-published
Publication Date: June 19th 2013.
My rating: 4 stars

Sarai was only fourteen when her mother uprooted her to live in Mexico with a notorious drug lord. Over time she forgot what it was like to live a normal life, but she never let go of her hope to escape the compound where she has been held for the past nine years.

Victor is a cold-blooded assassin who, like Sarai, has known only death and violence since he was a young boy. When Victor arrives at the compound to collect details and payment for a hit, Sarai sees him as her only opportunity for escape. But things don’t go as planned and instead of finding transport back to Tucson, she finds herself free from one dangerous man and caught in the clutches of another.

While on the run, Victor strays from his primal nature as he succumbs to his conscience and resolves to help Sarai. As they grow closer, he finds himself willing to risk everything to keep her alive; even his relationship with his devoted brother and liaison, Niklas, who now like everyone else wants Sarai dead.

As Victor and Sarai slowly build a trust, the differences between them seem to lessen, and an unlikely attraction intensifies. But Victor’s brutal skills and experience may not be enough in the end to save her, as the power she unknowingly holds over him may ultimately be what gets her killed.

This is their story…

I have to say, I was a little nervous picking up Killing Sarai because I’ve read dark stories and I didn’t know if my heart could take it.  It was dark, but thankfully not on the level I was worried over. Sarai was a heroine that took an opportunity and ran, and I was rooting for her the whole way!

Sarai was taken from the US by her mother at age fourteen to go live with a drug lord, Javier, in Mexico. Unfortunately for Sarai, Javier always had his eye out for her:

“I call it a sickening obsession, he calls it love.” -Sarai

For the last nine years she’s been his captive, but when an American assassin, Victor, shows up, Sarai sees this as her ticket out of the compound and stows away, thinking he will help her escape back to the US.  What she doesn’t realize is that Victor has a cold heart, and helping her is not at the top of his list. Victor is calculating and dangerous!!  What Victor doesn’t realize is how much this girl will get under his skin, because it’s a slow undoing for him.  Let’s just say, resistance is futile.  He sees a fearless, kindred spirit in her.  Sarai has been molded by her dark past, just as Victor has by his.  This is the best kind of romance, built slowly, but surely! It was a thrill to read the slow progression and growing attraction.

We are one in the same and I don’t want to imagine being on my own without him. Ever.

Oh, I was on the edge of my seat for most of this story! If I could’ve, I would’ve read this straight through in one sitting.  I was so invested in Sarai and her story of escape and survival! Javier is not about to let her go so easily, and I was biting my nails wondering what would happen next! I was impressed with Sarai and her ability to stay strong and unbroken in the face of so much.

Victor is an intense, complicated, and determined man, so I couldn't wait to discover the chinks in his armor.  We discover that Sarai isn’t his only undoing, but recent events have caused him to question his path in life, as well.

J.A. Redmerski managed to write a thrilling mix of suspense, danger with a forbidden romance thrown in. In other words, everything I love in a story!  This doesn’t leave off on a cliffhanger, but I’m still desperate for book two!