But Bryn's not done living yet, not if Pharmadene Pharmaceuticals Security Agent Patrick McCallister has his way. He needs to find a leak, and Bryn is his only link to it. He not only brings Bryn into a world that requires an addiction in order to survive or be faced with a slow and horrendous death, but possibly into his own heart. Will he be able to let her go?

I have avoided zombie stories for the simple fact that, well, they gross me out. I have seen rotting flesh, smelled the eye-watering decay, and held back the vomit in my throat, so why would I want to relive that in an urban fantasy with a possible romance? However, I have yet to find a Rachel Caine book that I did not like, and thus gave Working Stiff; A Revivalist Novel a chance. As always, I was pleasantly pleased with the results.

Rachel gives us another strong leading female character who has the right balance of emotion to kick ass to make her come off of the pages as real to the reader. Patrick is the strong silent type that will always hero through, but won't be offended if the woman saves the day. Supporting cast member Joe (he could almost be a lead) is strong but yet adorable (yes, I said adorable). You can connect to the characters. I like that in a story. Finally, Working Stiff has a steady pulse, pulling the reader from beginning to end to see how it all turns out.

As for the zombie issue, I didn't need to worry. I love Rachel's take on them. Scientifically sound yet with just the right amount of red mist or macabre if things go terrible wrong, you won't be falling apart over the idea of the person next to you possibly being one.

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