ZENKA
by Alison Brodie
My rating: 5 stars
Publication Date: November 6, 2017
Publisher: Alison Brodie
Genre: Dark Humor
Print Length: 305 pages
Available from: Amazon
Ruthless, devious, and loyal.
Zenka is a Hungarian pole-dancer with a dark past.
When cranky London mob boss, Jack Murray, saves her life she vows to become his guardian angel – whether he likes it or not. Happily, she now has easy access to pistols, knives and shotguns.
Jack discovers he has a son, Nicholas, a male nurse with a heart of gold. Problem is, Nicholas is a wimp.
Zenka takes charges. Using her feminine wiles and gangland contacts, she will turn Nicholas into the son any self-respecting crime boss would be proud of. And she succeeds!
Nicholas transforms from pussycat to mad dog, falls in love with Zenka, and finds out where the bodies are buried – because he buries them. He’s learning fast that sometimes you have to kill, or be killed.
As his life becomes more terrifying, questions have to be asked:
How do you tell a mob boss you don’t want to be his son?
And is Zenka really who she says she is?
Zenka is a Hungarian pole-dancer with a dark past.
When cranky London mob boss, Jack Murray, saves her life she vows to become his guardian angel – whether he likes it or not. Happily, she now has easy access to pistols, knives and shotguns.
Jack discovers he has a son, Nicholas, a male nurse with a heart of gold. Problem is, Nicholas is a wimp.
Zenka takes charges. Using her feminine wiles and gangland contacts, she will turn Nicholas into the son any self-respecting crime boss would be proud of. And she succeeds!
Nicholas transforms from pussycat to mad dog, falls in love with Zenka, and finds out where the bodies are buried – because he buries them. He’s learning fast that sometimes you have to kill, or be killed.
As his life becomes more terrifying, questions have to be asked:
How do you tell a mob boss you don’t want to be his son?
And is Zenka really who she says she is?
Zenka by Alison Brodie
Alison Brodie has outdone her creative self with ZENKA in a very good way! ZENKA is certainly something different for her and that is a plus for us readers always on the hunt for something off the beaten path. A mysterious letter, a London mobster, a shy and gentle young man and a feisty Hungarian pole dancer are at the heart of this comedic tale that will warm your heart, chill your bones and leave you asking, who IS Zenka? Is she something otherworldly, magical or is she just a woman with a calculating mind who has the clarity to see a situation and predict either what should be done next or to force a situation to her will, always in the best interest of those involved.
Jack Murray, mobster has just discovered he has a son, born of one magical night with the only woman he would ever love. Nicholas Jaffrey is that missing son, but he could never stomach knowing the life his father lives. Zenka Valentina Varga was once saved by Jack from certain doom and has appointed herself Jack’s “Guardian Angel,” and it is now up to her to bring father and son together. Her methods are anything but conventional and that just might be the only way to handle this delicate situation.
As Zenka inserts herself into Nicholas’ life, she stages events to bring out a tougher side of this young man, a side that will give him confidence and a sense of purpose and self-respect. Her ultimate goal? Bring these two divergent personalities together and watch the love grow! Will her plans work? Will father and son finally become family or will Nicholas run from the mobster? Things are not always as they seem and Zenka seems to be one step ahead of the game every step of the way!
Can you say, didn’t see that one coming? Will Zenka’s crazy plan really bring these two together? Fall in love with Zenka’s accent as Alison Brodie allows us to hear her words in our heads as we sit on a perch high above the action, laughing, sighing and staring in amazement at how this little tale plays out! Definitely a fun read with heart and quite possibly one of the most unique tales out there!
I received an ARC edition from the author.
To anyone who may be interested in reading Zenka, this review is the closest to the "heart" of the story than any other review I've had.
ReplyDeleteFrom the start, I aimed to tinge the tale with humor and horror but I didn't know if I would succeed. Reading Dianne's words: "Will warm your heart an chill your
bones" I realise I have succeeded.
Thank you Dianne for this superb, incisive review that outlines the story perfectly.