Typical Anne Stuart.

edit: thinking about this one overnight, I really liked Bastien. He's such an asshole and he doesn't turn into some kind of reformed rake. I kinda like that. ( )

Un bel romance, di certo non il migliore della Stuart, ma sicuramente intenso e coinvolgente, molto piacevole da leggere.
La storia narrata è quella di Chloe, finita per sbaglio a fare da interprete a dei trafficanti di armi, e di Bastien, un uomo alquanto misterioso, che le salverà più volte la vita.
Come negli altri suoi libri da me sinora letti, il finale è talmente secco e subitaneo da lasciare quasi un senso di incompiutezza.
Effettive quattro stelle e mezzo. ( )

I read this book because it was in the recommendations on Goodreads. I was 1/3rd of the way through it before I realized it wasn’t a paranormal romance. I kept thinking the lead male character was some kind of supernatural being but it turned out that he was just a well-trained operative. I was so immersed in the story by then that it didn’t matter and I finished the book. I have to say that it was excellent.

Chloe is the black sheep of her family. Her parents and siblings are all medical doctors or in the medical field but she can’t stand the sight of blood so she has lived in Paris for the last two years. She started cooking school but was kicked out for having too much imagination with her dishes. Now, she lives in a small flat with her nice but gold-digging friend.

When her friend begs Chloe to take her place for a weekend translating job out in the country for some rich business men, Chloe agrees but soon finds out that the business men are something other than regular business men and decides to get the hell out of there but she knows too much to get out of there alive.

Bastien Toussaint is just one of the names he has gone by in his life. He is an operative who works for the supposed good guys called The Committee but they believe in the bigger picture so sometimes innocents have to die to save the mission. Bastien has turned cold and could be considered more bad guy than good guy. He is attending a meeting to determine who will take over being the leader of the European weapon cartel after the recent bombing death of the previous leader. When the regular ditzy translator doesn’t show up and in her place a beautiful American shows up, everyone thinks she might be another operative trying to move in on their territory or worse, she could just be what she says she is which would make her a liability. When it is decided that she is a liability, Bastien decides to save her.

Chloe and Bastien go on the run. There is a lot of action along with steamy moments. I think Chloe was a bit innocent for the likes of Bastien but the romance was hot.

I would definitely recommend this book to regular romance readers. I won’t be reading any more of the series just because I would rather read paranormal romance or urban fantasies but it was an excellent book.

www.paranormalromanceslut.com ( )

A great beginning to the "Ice" series. The main character is very ambiguous in the beginning which makes the story even more interesting as we try to figure out his intentions. Also this book introduces a mystery that will carry forth throughout the series. ( )

Black Ice
3.5 Stars

Synopsis:
Chloe Underwood is an underpaid translator living in Paris who wishes for a little excitement in her life. When she is offered the opportunity of a lifetime to translate a business meeting, Chloe soon realizes that one should be careful of what they wish for as the businessmen turn out to be deadly arms dealers, and she is forced to go on the run with a dangerous yet seductive stranger who may or may not kill her at any moment.

Review:
A good premise that has a James Bond feel to it. The characters are interesting but the execution is poor.

Although Sebastian is a ruthless and sadistic anti-hero, you cannot stop yourself from falling in love with him in the same way that Chloe does. Chloe is exceedingly naïve, which may turn some readers off but for me her naiveté strikes just the right cord. Nevertheless, it is not clear why he falls in love with her and their relationship is far-fetched. Yes, they have great chemistry, but is that really true love?

The plot is good but is implausible and unrealistic at times. What self-respecting arms dealer would allow a complete stranger in on a deal? The story also focuses on some dark and sinister issues such as torture and so-called good guys crossing the line because the “ends justify the means”.

The main problem with this book is the writing, which is choppy and has sudden transitions that make it difficult to follow the sequence of events. Moreover, the ending is very abrupt and the reader is left with an unsatisfied feeling. As this is the first book in a series, perhaps we will learn more about Chloe and Sebastian’s relationship in the next installment.

Despite the improbable plot elements and the writing issues, I've heard such great things about the rest of the series and have decided to give it a chance. So I will be reading the next book.
( )