Kiki has done it again with The Mark. I loved it so much that I had to get my own signed copy. Such true to life situation and real talk.

Sometimes you get something you don't expect and this is one. This is the story of a bank robber trying to go clean, however her ex from whom she stole more than her fare share has caught up with her. Not surprisingly he wants his money back. Okay this appears like your normal crime novel but it is written from the perspective of the girlfriend who like all the characters are black and criminals. The author has chosen for authenticity to use the totally alien language of a black gangsta. With every sentence peppered with profanity and double negatives it is not that easy or pleasant to read. The storyline itself is okay but the style chosen takes all the limelight and unfortunately tends to portray violence, criminality and drugs as acceptable behaviour.

So, I wanted to like this book, but I couldn’t quite make it there. It felt like a runaway rollercoaster, because the pace was so fast, constant and repetitive. Lauren, a few days after giving birth, has a tragic event happen to her family. She goes on a mission to save her family and bring down her ex, Matt, who is responsible for the crime against her. I’m not usually sensitive to a lot of violence, but this book made me cringe a few times (i.e. the rape scenes). I do have to say that I did not read the first book in the series.

'The Mark' is the second book in The Score Series. Unfortunately, I didn't care for this book as much as I enjoyed 'The Score'. 'The Score' was an action packed concise read that kept me on my toes. Maybe, this book lacks from "the second book syndrome" and book three will get better. I sure hope so.

It's a strange book, trying too hard to keep the pace on a constant high level. Kiki Swinson doesn't give the reader a chance to calm down.
Lauren's need for revenge and her constant fear that this time it'll be her death get a bit repetitive.
The strangest thing is that the adventure starts only two days after the birth of Lauren's baby.
Lauren is often praying to God, but she does not act like someone who believes in God.
With the slang she uses I sometimes wasn't sure if what I saw was a typo or not.
All in all I've got mixed feelings about this book.

Immediately after delivering her newborn baby boy Lauren's world is turned upside down when her baby (and her husband Derek) is kidnapped by her revenge-seeking ex-lover Matt. Not long ago, Lauren, Matt and his then lover pulled off the score of a lifetime. Matt and his lover went to jail and Lauren ran off with the loot. Living for revenge Matt buys his escape from jail and the warden doesn't seem to know that the prisoner count is off. Matt wants "all" the money returned to him in exchange for the safe return of her husband and child.

Lauren has problem -- she no longer has the millions of dollars -- she used it to finance her new life. This is where the story is supposed to get interesting and it does until the moment she leaves the city looking for her family. The rest of the story falls flat where Lauren shamelessly uses good samaritans to help her in her quest to get her family back. Lauren displays moments of bravado but there is a disconnect between what she wants to do and what she's able to do. I desperately wanted her to live up to her internal bravery.

If she wants her family back she'll have to think like Matt in order to find him and her family before it's too late. This is a good read, but not a riveting, on the edge of your seat revenge tale that I anticipated and desired. My Grade: C

Another face paced thriller from the author of The Score. Full of street savvy characters and gritty, true to life dialogue. Recommended.

“Karma has no menu. You get served what you deserve.”
The Mark is a well-constructed novel filled with revenge, jealousy, betrayal and treachery. It picks up right where The Score left off. Matt finds Lauren and seeks revenge for the money from the last heist they did. Once lovers, she has moved on with her life and living happily as a wife and new mother. Can Matt deal with the choices Lauren has made? The saying goes, dig one ditch better dig two. After Matt takes his anger out on Lauren’s family, she is out for blood and will stop at nothing to bring Matt down. Will she succeed or die trying?
The Mark is a fast-paced, page turner. Each page keeps you wanting to know what is going to happen on the next. The book has a couple twists and turns along with some head shaking moments. This was an enjoyable and entertaining read.

The Mark by Kiki Swinson
The Score #2

Not my cup of tea – nope – not at all.

Why? Let me count the ways…

*I don’t like the use of the “N” word…nope…not at all
*I did not find the style of writing easy to read
*I felt that death was too easy – boom boom – everywhere
*I found the book unbelievable – in more ways than one
*I found it unrealistic – in many ways
*I did not like any of the characters – except perhaps the murdered husband and just born baby.

I had high hopes for the book from the blurb but was disappointed. I believe that this book will appeal to some but it did not appeal to me.

What was positive about the book?
*It was fast-paced
*The main female character was strong
*The plot flowed
*I was happy to finish the book and put it away.

Would I read another book by this author? Probably not.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC. This is my honest review.

1 Star – I did not like it