Skin Game

Ann Aguirre's first book as Ava Gray adds a tiny touch of the psychic to a riveting romantic suspense novel. Con woman Kyra Beckwith can absorb a person's special skills through touch, allowing her to beat them at their own game. She rips off and humiliates a casino owner who then orders a hit on her. Hired for the job by a strange intermediary with an agenda of his own is Reyes, who only kills those he finds deserving of death. Posing as a drifter, he offers Kyra his protection after her latest mark threatens her. Chemistry sizzles between them, and once Reyes realizes his contact lied to him about Kyra's history, the two team up to figure out what's really going on. Strong, nuanced character development adds depth to the danger, but over-the-top coincidence and drama occasionally interrupt the narrative flow. (Dec.)