Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #136409 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 384 pages

Customer Reviews

Hmmm ... I have to disagree
Sadly, I can't agree with the extremely positive reviews of this book. I found the writing mediocre, the sex scenes hackneyed and overlong and the ideas derivative - think a combination of Laurel K. Hamilton, Patricia Briggs and Carrie Vaughn when none of these writers are at their best. Rome Masters is a walking, talking cliché of a dominant love-interest, and the reader is never given any credible indication of why an all-round perfect, strong-sexy-and-sensitive hero-figure would be so attracted to an irritating liability like Belle Jamison. The one saving grace of this book was Belle's snappy internal monologue, which was at least amusing. Overall, I think readers can find better examples of the same kind of writing from the authors I've mentioned above. Also try Tanya Huff and Kim Harrison for well-written, funny magical fantasy.

When Life's not Quite Exciting Enough...
Along come mad scientists, secret sub-government agencies and...control over the four elements? In a non-stop thrill of a laughter-inducing ride, one simple gal just trying to make a buck finds out there's more to life than coffee and the next lame job. Only problem is, will her new talents consume her, or will she master the potentially volatile forces?

Belle Jamison needs a new job to support not only her needs, but those of her elderly father too. She's trying extra hard not to screw up the job she has currently as well as the interview she's got later the same day. Only problem is she's a bit of a smart alec and she's hanging by a thread because of it. When a man bursts into the coffee shop where she works, begging for help, it's Belle who catches his eye. Hours later, after being detained by some pretty convincing agents, Belle's not feeling so hot. All she had was a mocha latte, so why the sudden flu-like symptoms? In a haze, she stumbles through her interview and barely makes it home where she collapses. The next morning doesn't bring any relief and to make matters worse, there's a hot man at her side--only his hotness is not the issue--his wanting to kill her is. With new powers come all new problems and Belle has to find a way to get back to simple `ole her. Only, she might be starting to like the new her...

Belle's story is in first person, so anyone not fond of those need be aware of this. Belle is perhaps one of my most favorite female leads I've ever encountered in a romance. She's determined, loyal to the good side and she knows what she wants and goes after it. Plus, she's got some faults and she's not afraid to admit it. It's the combination of her pluses and minuses that make her so unique. The dialogue throughout, with whomever she interacts with, is riddled with laugh-out-loud wit and I was very impressed with how the secondary characters shown through. Rome's role as hero was no less emphasized than Belle's and he is hot, hot hot! The addition of his family lent the story a desperate feel at times as he and Belle strive to make the world a safer place for people like them. If you are a fan of first person comedy/paranormal romances, heroines that save the day make you smile, heroes that make you sigh and a great cast of secondary characters, then I can't recommend this one enough. The plot wraps up very nicely, but sounds as if it might continue with more? Either way, I was thrilled and would love to see more if Ms. Showalter chooses to do so.

A Very Surprising WOW!!
This is the first of Gena Showalter's books that I have read and I was extremely surprised and WOWed by it!! It was fantastic. There was humour, action and, of course, love. It was great. There were some twists I didn't see coming which made it even better. I will definitely be buying some more books by Ms Showalter.