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Ice #4
Ice Storm
Behind her mask is a deadly secret?
The powerful head of the covert mercenary organization The Committee, Isobel Lambert is a sleek, sophisticated professional who comes into contact with some of the most dangerous people in the world. But beneath Isobel's cool exterior a ghost exists, haunting her with memories of another life?a life that ended long ago.
But Isobel's past and present are about to collide when Serafin, mercenary, assassin and the most dangerous man in the world, makes a deal with The Committee. Seventeen years ago Isobel shot him and left him for dead. Now it looks as if he's tracked her down for revenge. But Isobel knows all too well that looks can be deceiving?and that's what she's counting on to keep her cover in this international masquerade of murder.
The powerful head of the covert mercenary organization The Committee, Isobel Lambert is a sleek, sophisticated professional who comes into contact with some of the most dangerous people in the world. But beneath Isobel's cool exterior a ghost exists, haunting her with memories of another life?a life that ended long ago.
But Isobel's past and present are about to collide when Serafin, mercenary, assassin and the most dangerous man in the world, makes a deal with The Committee. Seventeen years ago Isobel shot him and left him for dead. Now it looks as if he's tracked her down for revenge. But Isobel knows all too well that looks can be deceiving?and that's what she's counting on to keep her cover in this international masquerade of murder.
347 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2007
75 people are currently reading
1859 people want to read
About the author
Anne Stuart
204 books2,063 followersAnne Stuart is a grandmaster of the genre, winner of Romance Writers of America's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, survivor of more than thirty-five years in the romance business, and still just keeps getting better.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
April 4, 2015
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Characters in Anne Stuart books:
November 19, 2015
If you’ve been following my reviews of Anne Stuart’s Ice series, you know I’ve been saying basically the same thing throughout. Well, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for more ranting and raving.
From the book:This story is awesome. Fast paced, edgy, intriguing, sexy... it's a great romantic suspense novel.
Behind her mask is a deadly secret.
The powerful head of the covert mercenary organization The Committee, Isobel Lambert is a sleek, sophisticated professional who comes into contact with some of the most dangerous people in the world. But beneath Isobel's cool exterior a ghost exists, haunting her with memories of another life?a life that ended long ago.
But Isobel's past and present are about to collide when Serafin, mercenary, assassin and the most dangerous man in the world, makes a deal with The Committee. Seventeen years ago Isobel shot him and left him for dead. Now it looks as if he's tracked her down for revenge. But Isobel knows all too well that looks can be deceiving - and that's what she's counting on to keep her cover in this international masquerade of murder.
Killian, AKA Serafin - he’s a user, a player, an asshat and a cold blooded killer. He does whatever he has to do to get the job done, including killing women and ‘children’ if necessary. And he makes no apologies, whatsoever. He’s all of these things as well as heartless and without conscious, and he’s also amazing!
Yep, I can hear you now… “Dhes,” you’re saying, “what the hell is wrong with you? Have you completely lost it?” And my answer is yes. Yes, I have. Just trust me on this, because I have lost my heart to the men of this series, time and time again. I’d read one book and think it can’t get any better than this, until I read the next and I fall even harder for that hero. Bastien, Peter, Taka… I adore them all, but no one holds a candle to Killian.
And Madame Lambert… Isobel. What a fantastic heroine! I went into this book totally skeptical about being able to care for her. She’s cold. Frigid. Unfeeling. Uncaring. Just get in, get out, get the job done, take no prisoners. But in this story, it all comes together making her a heroine I can cheer for. A true force to be reckoned with. She's the perfect woman for an imperfect man and together they are phenomenal.
I can say, without a doubt, that Ice Storm is my favorite of the series so far, but Reno’s story is next and ho-ly hell, It’s going to be something else. I just know it!
May 30, 2013
Review of 1st Reread completed May 18th, 2013 on Kindle Version
I have finally gotten the time to start my reread of Ice Storm. It’s taking me forever to get through this Ice series reread, but I am enjoying it immensely. It’s nice to be able to savor the writing of my favorite author this way. I usually read books faster than I would like the first time, and you miss the nuances when you do that.
I loved how I was kept guessing on Killian. Is he really the cold-hearted murderer his reputation suggests? Then why the acts of unselfish chivalry when he thinks no one is paying attention?
Once again, it struck me how much Killian truly loved Isobel. He was a man on a mission and he had to complete it, and his love for her was inconvenient and unadvised, but he couldn’t make that go away. Even though he did leave her life, she never left his heart, and for someone who apparently could care less about Isobel, he sure did keep track of her over the following eighteen years.
There is something about a hero who is so lethal and capable like Killian. Gives me happy shivers. I liked that Isobel knew her stuff as well. She was realistic for a woman who had been an intelligence operative for many of her adult years. Yet I also liked that it troubled her, what she had to do in her job as a Committee operative. While Killian seems to wear his heart on his sleeve less, he too is an honorable man in an elemental way. Not afraid to get his hands dirty to do his part to make the world a better place. I think that out of the Ice series so far, they are the most perfect match. Two soulmates, even if they don’t believe in the concept. For a dark concept, this book is rather blissfully romantic. Although don't expect the overt heart and flowers. That ain't Stuart's style and I'm glad she doesn't write that way and does it so well. I know when I read one of her books, she will surprise me with a romance that challenges the norm but truly gives me what I want in a romance novel.
I enjoyed catching up with the other Committee operatives: Bastien, Peter (who has an extended POV), and of course, my darling Reno. Happy to see these lethal men blissfully conquered by love, and waiting to see Reno get his own Cupid's Arrow to the heart, although there are signs already. The excitement level is rising to finally reread Reno’s book after something like four years. And of course, Mahmoud was both hilarious and a source of organic pathos, a child who is the symptom of a flawed, war and turmoil damaged world. How fitting that his surrogate parents would be two world-weary, dangerous spies. I cherish this book and this series.
Suggested Casting
Killian is a Saber. A sharp, deadly weapon made for efficient use.
Guy Pearce as Killian
Ruth Wilson as Isobel Lambert
***Original Review Below****
Anne Stuart does not disappoint. This book has all the things I love about Anne's books. And it has more. The characters are heroes on the edge, both the hero and the heroine. They live in the black heart of night, but fight for good the best way they know how. As much as I love Anne's heroes, Killian really sunk into me. His battle to do what must be done, and the fact that he never really got over Isobel in eighteen years. Isobel is convincing as a cool, competent leader for a covert organization. She suffers when she sends men out to their death, but she does it because it's the right thing to do. You want these two people to find peace. You want them to be together. In the hands of a master like Anne Stuart, you get what you want and more.
I have finally gotten the time to start my reread of Ice Storm. It’s taking me forever to get through this Ice series reread, but I am enjoying it immensely. It’s nice to be able to savor the writing of my favorite author this way. I usually read books faster than I would like the first time, and you miss the nuances when you do that.
I loved how I was kept guessing on Killian. Is he really the cold-hearted murderer his reputation suggests? Then why the acts of unselfish chivalry when he thinks no one is paying attention?
Once again, it struck me how much Killian truly loved Isobel. He was a man on a mission and he had to complete it, and his love for her was inconvenient and unadvised, but he couldn’t make that go away. Even though he did leave her life, she never left his heart, and for someone who apparently could care less about Isobel, he sure did keep track of her over the following eighteen years.
There is something about a hero who is so lethal and capable like Killian. Gives me happy shivers. I liked that Isobel knew her stuff as well. She was realistic for a woman who had been an intelligence operative for many of her adult years. Yet I also liked that it troubled her, what she had to do in her job as a Committee operative. While Killian seems to wear his heart on his sleeve less, he too is an honorable man in an elemental way. Not afraid to get his hands dirty to do his part to make the world a better place. I think that out of the Ice series so far, they are the most perfect match. Two soulmates, even if they don’t believe in the concept. For a dark concept, this book is rather blissfully romantic. Although don't expect the overt heart and flowers. That ain't Stuart's style and I'm glad she doesn't write that way and does it so well. I know when I read one of her books, she will surprise me with a romance that challenges the norm but truly gives me what I want in a romance novel.
I enjoyed catching up with the other Committee operatives: Bastien, Peter (who has an extended POV), and of course, my darling Reno. Happy to see these lethal men blissfully conquered by love, and waiting to see Reno get his own Cupid's Arrow to the heart, although there are signs already. The excitement level is rising to finally reread Reno’s book after something like four years. And of course, Mahmoud was both hilarious and a source of organic pathos, a child who is the symptom of a flawed, war and turmoil damaged world. How fitting that his surrogate parents would be two world-weary, dangerous spies. I cherish this book and this series.
Suggested Casting
Killian is a Saber. A sharp, deadly weapon made for efficient use.
Guy Pearce as Killian
Ruth Wilson as Isobel Lambert
***Original Review Below****
Anne Stuart does not disappoint. This book has all the things I love about Anne's books. And it has more. The characters are heroes on the edge, both the hero and the heroine. They live in the black heart of night, but fight for good the best way they know how. As much as I love Anne's heroes, Killian really sunk into me. His battle to do what must be done, and the fact that he never really got over Isobel in eighteen years. Isobel is convincing as a cool, competent leader for a covert organization. She suffers when she sends men out to their death, but she does it because it's the right thing to do. You want these two people to find peace. You want them to be together. In the hands of a master like Anne Stuart, you get what you want and more.
March 1, 2022
5 Delicious Anit-Hero Stars!!!
Isobel meets Killian for the first time when he saves her from a brutal rape, she’s eighteen years old and touring Europe before heading to school at the Cordon Blúe in Paris. Killian is not the Knight in Shining Armor he portrays himself as. He is a professional killer and needs a cover so he uses young Isobel. She’s very innocent and somewhat naïve so this young American girl is the perfect cover. He callously uses her and breaks her young vulnerable heart which turns her into the cold ruthless women she is today.
I loved Madame Isobel “Ice Madame” Lambert and her backstory with Killian. I’ve been fascinated with her since her introduction into the series. This one was definitely one of my favorites in the 'Ice' series right after Black Ice. Killian was basically the person that lead her into the life that she now lives....which seems to be slowly destroying her emotionally.
Isobel Lambert, is head of "The Committee" and has been tasked with escorting Josef “The Butcher” Seraphin, a mercenary and assassin who is dubbed “the most dangerous man in the world” it’s up to her to safely get him to England so that he can turn over valuable intel and possibly stop further terror attacks. Upon seeing a photograph of him, Isobel is stunned to realize that he is Killian, the young man she met, fell in love with, and killed 17 years earlier.
However; there is mole within the Committee who seems bent on destroying Isobel before she arrives back in England with Killian/Seraphin, which brings her and Killian closer together while trying to stay alive. Plenty of action and excitement!!!
We get glimpses into the lives of the couples from previous books but the real highlight is Bastian (love him!!!!!) and Peter (along with their wives) who both have major roles as the story plays out, I love getting cameo’s!! We also get Taka's cousin Reno who has a pretty prominent role, he defiantly adds some color and character to the group!
* Lastly, I have to say the narration by Lauren Fortgang was fantastic!! I will definitely be listening to it again.
*Originally read: September 2011
Isobel meets Killian for the first time when he saves her from a brutal rape, she’s eighteen years old and touring Europe before heading to school at the Cordon Blúe in Paris. Killian is not the Knight in Shining Armor he portrays himself as. He is a professional killer and needs a cover so he uses young Isobel. She’s very innocent and somewhat naïve so this young American girl is the perfect cover. He callously uses her and breaks her young vulnerable heart which turns her into the cold ruthless women she is today.
I loved Madame Isobel “Ice Madame” Lambert and her backstory with Killian. I’ve been fascinated with her since her introduction into the series. This one was definitely one of my favorites in the 'Ice' series right after Black Ice. Killian was basically the person that lead her into the life that she now lives....which seems to be slowly destroying her emotionally.
"He might lie to everyone else, but he never lied to himself. He had every intention of getting her into bed; after eighteen years he was still thinking about her."
Isobel Lambert, is head of "The Committee" and has been tasked with escorting Josef “The Butcher” Seraphin, a mercenary and assassin who is dubbed “the most dangerous man in the world” it’s up to her to safely get him to England so that he can turn over valuable intel and possibly stop further terror attacks. Upon seeing a photograph of him, Isobel is stunned to realize that he is Killian, the young man she met, fell in love with, and killed 17 years earlier.
However; there is mole within the Committee who seems bent on destroying Isobel before she arrives back in England with Killian/Seraphin, which brings her and Killian closer together while trying to stay alive. Plenty of action and excitement!!!
“She froze. He reached up and took her hand in his, pulling the knife away, making her drop it on the floor. "Show me how much you hate me," he whispered against her mouth. "Prove it to me.”
We get glimpses into the lives of the couples from previous books but the real highlight is Bastian (love him!!!!!) and Peter (along with their wives) who both have major roles as the story plays out, I love getting cameo’s!! We also get Taka's cousin Reno who has a pretty prominent role, he defiantly adds some color and character to the group!
* Lastly, I have to say the narration by Lauren Fortgang was fantastic!! I will definitely be listening to it again.
*Originally read: September 2011
February 13, 2016
The first thing that came to my mind when I finished this book was that ‘I LOVED IT!’ It surpassed all my expectations. Once I got started, I couldn’t stop. Anne Stuart’s writing style has always been captivating and this one was no exception. Ice Storm had me completely hooked from the very start. It was a perfect combination of romance and suspense with a touch of humor and drama thrown in for good measure. Despite the fact that there was not much romance in the story, who cares about that?! As long as it was filled with passion, that was more than enough for me.
Ice Storm is the fourth installment in Ice series. In this book, you meet two very intriguing and strong characters, Killian and Isobel.
Head of the covert mercenary organization, the Committee, Madame Isobel Lambert has always been known as the Ice Queen, a cold-blooded professional. But beneath her coldly sophisticated exterior, she was haunted by her past.
Killian or Serafin is the most dangerous man in the world. He is a mercenary, a warlord, and a man responsible for thousands of deaths. He made a lot of enemies and they wanted him dead. He has many secrets and the question is, how can you be certain that this is the real him?
Love. Lie. Rage. Revenge. Sorrow.
Both Killian and Isobel had a long history together. When Isobel was nineteen, so young and naïve, she fell in love with Killian, a man who had used her and betrayed her, and a man who didn’t care if she died. So she killed him before he could kill her. She’d thought he was dead but he wasn’t. Eighteen years later, they met again. Her mission was to rescue him, while his was to shut down the Committee. As they tried to get out of Morocco and back to London, there were several attempts to assassinate both of them. The more time they had spent together, the harder it was to resist their feelings toward each other. The sexual tension between them was off the chart. I loved that the sex scenes were hot, wild, and emotional, like they couldn’t fight the urge to make up for all those missing years.
She was tasting him, and the knowledge almost made him lose it again. He loved her mouth, the cold things it could say, the hot things it could do. He arched back, looking down at her, deep inside her.
I loved Killian! *Screams and swoons* What a man! I wasn't that into him at first, but as the story went on, he gradually revealed himself bit by bit, until I could see his sweet side, his thoughts, and his true feelings. When I found out that he was totally in love with Isobel, I felt like my heart was going to explode with emotion for him. Oh, I really loved this man!
He wanted to turn and wrap his arms around her, pull her close. She was asleep—he could tell by her breathing—and she wouldn’t fight him, at least not for long. And he could put his head in the crook of her neck, tasted her skin, and erase all the deadly years that had come between them.
But he wasn’t going to. He was going to spend the rest of his goddamned life with a hard-on, but he wasn’t going to touch her again. She was bad for him, and always had been. Crazy and bad, making him think things he couldn’t afford to think, making him a little crazy, too. He’d watched her from afar the last eighteen years, always knowing where she was, waiting, listening.
He’d moved deep inside her body, his eyes looking into hers, his hands cradling her face with devastating gentleness, and he’d been motionless as he came inside her. And then he’d said, “I love you.”
And even more horrifying was the undeniable fact that she loved him, and always had. Even when she’d thought she’d killed him. Even if she had to kill him again, she loved him.
All in all, this is by far one of the best romantic suspense stories I’ve ever read. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of it. I wish I could give it more than five stars. Highly recommended!
Absolutely loved this book!
Ice Storm is the fourth installment in Ice series. In this book, you meet two very intriguing and strong characters, Killian and Isobel.
Head of the covert mercenary organization, the Committee, Madame Isobel Lambert has always been known as the Ice Queen, a cold-blooded professional. But beneath her coldly sophisticated exterior, she was haunted by her past.
Killian or Serafin is the most dangerous man in the world. He is a mercenary, a warlord, and a man responsible for thousands of deaths. He made a lot of enemies and they wanted him dead. He has many secrets and the question is, how can you be certain that this is the real him?
Love. Lie. Rage. Revenge. Sorrow.
Both Killian and Isobel had a long history together. When Isobel was nineteen, so young and naïve, she fell in love with Killian, a man who had used her and betrayed her, and a man who didn’t care if she died. So she killed him before he could kill her. She’d thought he was dead but he wasn’t. Eighteen years later, they met again. Her mission was to rescue him, while his was to shut down the Committee. As they tried to get out of Morocco and back to London, there were several attempts to assassinate both of them. The more time they had spent together, the harder it was to resist their feelings toward each other. The sexual tension between them was off the chart. I loved that the sex scenes were hot, wild, and emotional, like they couldn’t fight the urge to make up for all those missing years.
She was tasting him, and the knowledge almost made him lose it again. He loved her mouth, the cold things it could say, the hot things it could do. He arched back, looking down at her, deep inside her.
I loved Killian! *Screams and swoons* What a man! I wasn't that into him at first, but as the story went on, he gradually revealed himself bit by bit, until I could see his sweet side, his thoughts, and his true feelings. When I found out that he was totally in love with Isobel, I felt like my heart was going to explode with emotion for him. Oh, I really loved this man!
He wanted to turn and wrap his arms around her, pull her close. She was asleep—he could tell by her breathing—and she wouldn’t fight him, at least not for long. And he could put his head in the crook of her neck, tasted her skin, and erase all the deadly years that had come between them.
But he wasn’t going to. He was going to spend the rest of his goddamned life with a hard-on, but he wasn’t going to touch her again. She was bad for him, and always had been. Crazy and bad, making him think things he couldn’t afford to think, making him a little crazy, too. He’d watched her from afar the last eighteen years, always knowing where she was, waiting, listening.
He’d moved deep inside her body, his eyes looking into hers, his hands cradling her face with devastating gentleness, and he’d been motionless as he came inside her. And then he’d said, “I love you.”
And even more horrifying was the undeniable fact that she loved him, and always had. Even when she’d thought she’d killed him. Even if she had to kill him again, she loved him.
All in all, this is by far one of the best romantic suspense stories I’ve ever read. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of it. I wish I could give it more than five stars. Highly recommended!
Absolutely loved this book!
January 5, 2015
5 stars – Romantic Suspense
Wow...Another dynamic read in Anne Stuart’s hypnotic ‘Ice’ series! The books seem to get inconceivably better each time, and “Ice Storm” was perhaps the most gripping story yet. The use of flashback to reveal Madame Isobel Lambert’s history and transformation into her role as head of The Committee and reigning 'Ice Queen' was intriguing, and only Stuart could convincingly make a sexy romantic hero out of a coldblooded, calculating, and enigmatic killer like Killian/Serafin. The palpable chemistry and acerbic sexual tension between Isobel and Killian was stimulating and keeps you guessing as to whether they’re going to kill or bed each other, or maybe both. I also liked that characters from the previous ‘Ice’ books were featured strongly in this one, providing nice updates on their lives and loves. Charismatic and commanding Reno makes another strong appearance in this, but he gets his very own story next...I can’t wait for that! Another exciting thrill-ride in the ‘Ice’ series...5 stars!
Wow...Another dynamic read in Anne Stuart’s hypnotic ‘Ice’ series! The books seem to get inconceivably better each time, and “Ice Storm” was perhaps the most gripping story yet. The use of flashback to reveal Madame Isobel Lambert’s history and transformation into her role as head of The Committee and reigning 'Ice Queen' was intriguing, and only Stuart could convincingly make a sexy romantic hero out of a coldblooded, calculating, and enigmatic killer like Killian/Serafin. The palpable chemistry and acerbic sexual tension between Isobel and Killian was stimulating and keeps you guessing as to whether they’re going to kill or bed each other, or maybe both. I also liked that characters from the previous ‘Ice’ books were featured strongly in this one, providing nice updates on their lives and loves. Charismatic and commanding Reno makes another strong appearance in this, but he gets his very own story next...I can’t wait for that! Another exciting thrill-ride in the ‘Ice’ series...5 stars!
March 4, 2017
No one writes suspense romance like Anne Stuart. I love reading her books and after reading one of my GR friends reviews on this series - had me getting my books out and reading them all again.
And I love them just as much as the first time I met the incredible The Committee members. But still Isobel Lambert remains my favourite female character in the series. A strong and intelligent woman, who beneath the cold and icy facade lies a compassionate and caring person. I was so happy that she finally found true happiness.
And Killian - what an incredible hero. I felt so much for him. The darkness in his life and yet there he was caring for Mahoum, the little kid, whose life he had saved.
The intensity and feelings between Isobel and Killian still touch my heart.
An amazing and fabulous series that just never dates or bores and I will probably read it again and again and still feel the same emotions as I did the first time I read it years and years ago.
FIRST REVIEW
Ice Storm, the next installment in the Ice Series is about Isobel Lambert, the cold as ice, beautiful and dangerous head of the Committee, the organization working at saving the world from evil and corruption. She has never let anything stand in her mission even killing the man she loved .
She has been sent on a mission to bring in Serafin known as the butcher who has traded his life for inside information he has .
There are a lot of twists and turns in this story which keep you turning page after page…..I couldn’t put it down until I read the last page.
Serafin, Isobel discovers is actually Killian, a man she had an affair seventeen years ago and had left for dead. She discovers she still has intense feelings for him even though she knows he is evil and a traitor and can betray her at any time without any thought for her. Their sexual chemistry is still as hot as it was years ago.
Both realize that there is someone in the agency that could be a double agent…but who???? Their journey to discover the betrayer leads them through a lot of obstacles and the climax is pretty awesome.
There’s lots of action, spies, murder and much much more.
I loved Isobel…strong but at same time showing compassion and love. I was so happy that they both find each other.
Liked reading about the previous characters…and how far they have come….
Great book in the series….Isobel is one of my favorite heroines so far!!!!!
The Book Description:
Behind her mask is a deadly secret?
The powerful head of the covert mercenary organization The Committee, Isobel Lambert is a sleek, sophisticated professional who comes into contact with some of the most dangerous people in the world. But beneath Isobel's cool exterior a ghost exists, haunting her with memories of another life? a life that ended long ago.
But Isobel's past and present are about to collide when Serafin, mercenary, assassin and the most dangerous man in the world, makes a deal with The Committee. Seventeen years ago Isobel shot him and left him for dead. Now it looks as if he's tracked her down for revenge. But Isobel knows all too well that looks can be deceiving? And that's what she's counting on to keep her cover in this international masquerade of murder.
And I love them just as much as the first time I met the incredible The Committee members. But still Isobel Lambert remains my favourite female character in the series. A strong and intelligent woman, who beneath the cold and icy facade lies a compassionate and caring person. I was so happy that she finally found true happiness.
And Killian - what an incredible hero. I felt so much for him. The darkness in his life and yet there he was caring for Mahoum, the little kid, whose life he had saved.
The intensity and feelings between Isobel and Killian still touch my heart.
An amazing and fabulous series that just never dates or bores and I will probably read it again and again and still feel the same emotions as I did the first time I read it years and years ago.
FIRST REVIEW
Ice Storm, the next installment in the Ice Series is about Isobel Lambert, the cold as ice, beautiful and dangerous head of the Committee, the organization working at saving the world from evil and corruption. She has never let anything stand in her mission even killing the man she loved .
She has been sent on a mission to bring in Serafin known as the butcher who has traded his life for inside information he has .
There are a lot of twists and turns in this story which keep you turning page after page…..I couldn’t put it down until I read the last page.
Serafin, Isobel discovers is actually Killian, a man she had an affair seventeen years ago and had left for dead. She discovers she still has intense feelings for him even though she knows he is evil and a traitor and can betray her at any time without any thought for her. Their sexual chemistry is still as hot as it was years ago.
Both realize that there is someone in the agency that could be a double agent…but who???? Their journey to discover the betrayer leads them through a lot of obstacles and the climax is pretty awesome.
There’s lots of action, spies, murder and much much more.
I loved Isobel…strong but at same time showing compassion and love. I was so happy that they both find each other.
Liked reading about the previous characters…and how far they have come….
Great book in the series….Isobel is one of my favorite heroines so far!!!!!
The Book Description:
Behind her mask is a deadly secret?
The powerful head of the covert mercenary organization The Committee, Isobel Lambert is a sleek, sophisticated professional who comes into contact with some of the most dangerous people in the world. But beneath Isobel's cool exterior a ghost exists, haunting her with memories of another life? a life that ended long ago.
But Isobel's past and present are about to collide when Serafin, mercenary, assassin and the most dangerous man in the world, makes a deal with The Committee. Seventeen years ago Isobel shot him and left him for dead. Now it looks as if he's tracked her down for revenge. But Isobel knows all too well that looks can be deceiving? And that's what she's counting on to keep her cover in this international masquerade of murder.
February 8, 2019
Δεύτερη ανάγνωση και το λάτρεψα πιο πολύ!
(Η παρακάτω κριτική είναι από την πρώτη φορά που το διάβασα και δεν πρόκειται να την αλλάξω)
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This book is my favorite in this series so far! I really liked all the books but this one will always have a special place in my heart! Because it tells us that love can be in the most unusual places and it doesn’t matter who you are or what you do… you just don’t have a chance against love!
Almost twenty years ago, a young woman met a handsome stranger. She believed everything he was telling her and he had his own agenda and love definitely wasn’t on this agenda. Then she shot him and her life changed. Now, he’s back and they have to cooperate. But the truth is that for the last twenty years they both live a half life without each other.
Madame Isobel Lambert is far from the ice queen that everyone believes. I liked her since her first appearance in this series and this books proves me right. If I have to be honest, I will say that I felt sorry for her. She was a lonely young woman and her life changed and not for the best, if I may add. She had dreams but at the end she became someone else working in a gray organization, giving orders of killing people. But she’s strong, brave and determined not to let her humanity leave her.
Killian is as gray as they get. It’s not easy to see what it’s true and what is a lie with him. There are some shocking revelations for him and I have to be honest and say that I wasn’t expecting that! But I want to say this: He was a man deeply in love, because only a man who loves beyond reason keeps tabs on a woman for almost twenty years.
It was a pleasure to see the previous couples in this book! And more than pleasure to see them have an almost normal life making families and all.
It was a great read and I want to recommend the whole series for all the fans of the genre!
(Η παρακάτω κριτική είναι από την πρώτη φορά που το διάβασα και δεν πρόκειται να την αλλάξω)
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This book is my favorite in this series so far! I really liked all the books but this one will always have a special place in my heart! Because it tells us that love can be in the most unusual places and it doesn’t matter who you are or what you do… you just don’t have a chance against love!
Almost twenty years ago, a young woman met a handsome stranger. She believed everything he was telling her and he had his own agenda and love definitely wasn’t on this agenda. Then she shot him and her life changed. Now, he’s back and they have to cooperate. But the truth is that for the last twenty years they both live a half life without each other.
Madame Isobel Lambert is far from the ice queen that everyone believes. I liked her since her first appearance in this series and this books proves me right. If I have to be honest, I will say that I felt sorry for her. She was a lonely young woman and her life changed and not for the best, if I may add. She had dreams but at the end she became someone else working in a gray organization, giving orders of killing people. But she’s strong, brave and determined not to let her humanity leave her.
Killian is as gray as they get. It’s not easy to see what it’s true and what is a lie with him. There are some shocking revelations for him and I have to be honest and say that I wasn’t expecting that! But I want to say this: He was a man deeply in love, because only a man who loves beyond reason keeps tabs on a woman for almost twenty years.
It was a pleasure to see the previous couples in this book! And more than pleasure to see them have an almost normal life making families and all.
It was a great read and I want to recommend the whole series for all the fans of the genre!
March 28, 2008
This one was definitely the best of the 'Ice' bunch for me so far. I just loved Madame Isobel (the ice maiden) Lambert's backstory! How she came to be the powerful, icy woman that (she thinks) she is just fascinated me. And her repartee with the hero of this book, Killian, was priceless. I just knew that Killian was not all that he was pretending to be! And even though I hated how Killian betrayed a young Isobel 18 years earlier, I was rooting for them to have a HEA. I also liked how characters from the previous 'Ice' books reappeared, and I really enjoyed the colorful character of 'Reno', who will have his own book next. If you liked the previous 'Ice' books, you'll definitely enjoy this one!
October 15, 2008
Another great addition to Anne Stuart's Ice series! Now that I've read this book, I can't beliveve that I let it sit on my TBR mountain for so long. While I loved the other books in the series, the impressions I was given in them of Isobel Lambert did not captivate me and make me anxious to read her story. I didn't particularly like her in the other books, so I kept passing this one over when I selected the next one to read. I am glad that I finally decided to start this one - I was engrossed from the beginning and very quickly came to like Isabel Lambert. I also found Killian to be entirely too appealing to be "the butcher" and a monster, and was certain that there was more to him than what met the eye. As with most other Anne Stuart books, this is no sweet, tender love story, but an edgy, intense book with characters who seem on the surface to be unlikely as a hero and heroine. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and will definitely not wait to read the next one.
Isobel Lambert, head of "The Committee" has been tasked with escorting terrorist Seraphin to England and assuring his safety. Upon seeing a photograph of him, Isobel is stunned to realize that he is Killian, a young man she met, fell in love with, and killed eighteen years ago. Isobel's hatred of the murderous terrorist Seraphin increases when she realizes his identify, and she hopes for the opportunity to kill him as she thought she did years ago. When Isobel meets with Killian nothing goes as planned and it soon beomes apparent that someone has sold the terrorist out. Isobel and Killian must change their plans and find an alternative route to England. At the same time, operatives of "The Committee" are targeted by someone unknown. Isobel believes that their association with Killian is to blame, but nothing can be taken for granted. As Isobel tries to complete her mission, she is dismayed by the attraction and feelings she has for Killian. She is determined not to let those stand in the way of an opportunity to kill him. Killian has many secrets, but he cannot share all of them with Isobel until he finishes this mission and makes it his last. Killian and members of "The Committee" must stop whoever is hunting down operatives. Only then will Killian be able to find out what choice Isobel will make - to kill him or to have a relationship with him.
This was a very fast paced book, and it was hard to put down. Both the improbable hero and heroine quickly captured my interest and my compassion. I felt sympathetic to them and wanted them both to find a loving relationship in the midst of their harsh world. I wasn't at all disappointed in this book, and what I have read about operative Reno makes me eager to read his story.
Isobel Lambert, head of "The Committee" has been tasked with escorting terrorist Seraphin to England and assuring his safety. Upon seeing a photograph of him, Isobel is stunned to realize that he is Killian, a young man she met, fell in love with, and killed eighteen years ago. Isobel's hatred of the murderous terrorist Seraphin increases when she realizes his identify, and she hopes for the opportunity to kill him as she thought she did years ago. When Isobel meets with Killian nothing goes as planned and it soon beomes apparent that someone has sold the terrorist out. Isobel and Killian must change their plans and find an alternative route to England. At the same time, operatives of "The Committee" are targeted by someone unknown. Isobel believes that their association with Killian is to blame, but nothing can be taken for granted. As Isobel tries to complete her mission, she is dismayed by the attraction and feelings she has for Killian. She is determined not to let those stand in the way of an opportunity to kill him. Killian has many secrets, but he cannot share all of them with Isobel until he finishes this mission and makes it his last. Killian and members of "The Committee" must stop whoever is hunting down operatives. Only then will Killian be able to find out what choice Isobel will make - to kill him or to have a relationship with him.
This was a very fast paced book, and it was hard to put down. Both the improbable hero and heroine quickly captured my interest and my compassion. I felt sympathetic to them and wanted them both to find a loving relationship in the midst of their harsh world. I wasn't at all disappointed in this book, and what I have read about operative Reno makes me eager to read his story.
February 20, 2013
5+++ stars
This series is blowing me away! Each book just keeps getting better and better and Anne Stuart really upped the ante with 'Ice Storm'.
Every 'Ice' book features a ruthlessly cold anti-hero who is way past borderline cruel and comes within a hair's breadth of actually killing the heroine - for the greater good of course. These are tough secret-agent guys, who make and follow through with tough decisions and Killian/Serafin is exactly that. But what makes this story stand out IMO is that in an odd sort of way this is the most romantic of the books yet. Sure, it's dark romance (as were its predecessors), but it was also unexpectedly sweet and I loved that.
Our heroine this time is the indomitable Madame Lambert, the head of the Committee, and she's beginning to feel the strain from all the hard decisions she's been forced to make. Everything in her life is carefully constructed and planned to the letter - right down to her ambiguous appearance. But appearances are definitely deceiving. It turns out Madame Lambert has a tragic past and when a man she thought long dead turns up in the form of the world's most reviled terrorist her Ice Lady exterior is in serious danger of cracking.
On the surface, Killian/Serafin is the most anti of the anti-heroes yet, but he was also the most complex and it was a heck of ride learning about all his hidden facets. Just when I thought I had him figured out, he would throw me for a loop and I'd have to reevaluate him all over again. In the end though, there was no doubt that his actions were always motivated by his feelings for the woman who haunted his dreams for 20 years (*le sigh*). All I have left to say is: Madame Lambert is one lucky lady!
This series is blowing me away! Each book just keeps getting better and better and Anne Stuart really upped the ante with 'Ice Storm'.
Every 'Ice' book features a ruthlessly cold anti-hero who is way past borderline cruel and comes within a hair's breadth of actually killing the heroine - for the greater good of course. These are tough secret-agent guys, who make and follow through with tough decisions and Killian/Serafin is exactly that. But what makes this story stand out IMO is that in an odd sort of way this is the most romantic of the books yet. Sure, it's dark romance (as were its predecessors), but it was also unexpectedly sweet and I loved that.
Our heroine this time is the indomitable Madame Lambert, the head of the Committee, and she's beginning to feel the strain from all the hard decisions she's been forced to make. Everything in her life is carefully constructed and planned to the letter - right down to her ambiguous appearance. But appearances are definitely deceiving. It turns out Madame Lambert has a tragic past and when a man she thought long dead turns up in the form of the world's most reviled terrorist her Ice Lady exterior is in serious danger of cracking.
On the surface, Killian/Serafin is the most anti of the anti-heroes yet, but he was also the most complex and it was a heck of ride learning about all his hidden facets. Just when I thought I had him figured out, he would throw me for a loop and I'd have to reevaluate him all over again. In the end though, there was no doubt that his actions were always motivated by his feelings for the woman who haunted his dreams for 20 years (*le sigh*). All I have left to say is: Madame Lambert is one lucky lady!
February 26, 2013
"He might lie to everyone else, but he never lied to himself. He had every intention of getting her into bed; after eighteen years he was still thinking about her."3.5 stars. I loved book 3, Ice Blue, and I liked book 1, Black Ice. This one -- not as much, because I didn't get to know the hero as well as I wanted and the suspense was a total no-brainer. Also, the pace plodded for a while.
Head Hopping: The POV shifts a lot, from the hero to the heroine to the villain, and to various other secondary characters (Peter, Bastien, Reno, Mahmoud). The POV shifts right in the middle of the chapters (too much for me).
Time Hopping: Madame Isobel Lambert is 37 years old and blond during the NOW chapters, and 19 during the THEN chapters. In the THEN chapters, she has wild red hair and is named Mary Isobel Curwen.
PLOT: The villain was obvious and Killian's identity was absurdly transparent. I had his story figured out early and felt impatient with Isobel, the hot-shot Committee chief, for not reading the tea leaves. Stuart gave us abundant clues about Killian -- I suppose so we wouldn't despise him -- but in doing so, she compromised her ability to portray Isobel as shrewd and discerning. Dropping so many clues also weakened the sense of suspense.
★ Best Bits and Pieces ★
Despite her (contrived) stupidity, I liked Isobel far more than I thought I would, given her Ice Queen persona in prior books. I am glad she got back in touch with her soul. Taking care of Mahmoud the orphan helped with that.
LOVED some of the scenes with Killian and Isobel, especially how he would call her "Princess" ♥ and naming his three wives Maria. Haha! As if!! Some of Killian's thoughts were really sweet, like when he realized that she was still his red-haired Mary under the frosty blond facade:
"She still had pale freckles, spots of gold, dancing across her stomach. She still had red hair, and he stopped thinking about his cock and put his mouth there, kissing her, so damn grateful that something was still the same." (Awwww! ♥ He loved her all these years.)BUT the HEA was sliced MUCH too thin. This ending is abrupt, folks! I felt cheated and wanted more loving times with Killian and Isobel.
Loved the little rug-rat, Mahmoud. And I liked the role Reno played.
We got to see Bastien and Chloe again! Loved the scene in North Carolina, where Bastien reverts to cold-blooded killer:
"No one was going to touch his wife and children....He was almost insulted there were only three of them." (Haha! Go Bastien!!)I also enjoyed seeing Peter and Genevieve (trying to make a baby).
Alas, my darling Taka made no appearance in this one. :(
I will read book 5, Fire And Ice.
September 12, 2012
Anne Stuart never fails to surprise me.
Once again, I was on the verge of despising Killian (Serafin). But I never quite make it to that point. She always manages to eek by and SMACK ME IN THE FACE with her emotionally unavailable but somehow endearing heroes. I don't even understand it myself. For 90% of this book, Killian is unemotional to the point that I truly thought that he would be irredeemable for me. Not so, turns out. I loved him, I LOVED HIM by the end. I do believe that I love him as much as Sebastian, and that is saying a lot.
I have become attached to Isobel during the first three books in this amazing series. She is the ice queen, the leader of this group of the soulless. She does what needs to be done, sacrificing few to save many. I've watched her go from an obscure background player in Black Ice to the head honcho of the Committee late in Bastien's story. And during Peter and Takashi's books, she has been on a downward spiral. At the beginning of this book, she's close to the breaking point. The years of making these hard life or death decisions have finally become too much.
The relationship between these two is tough to watch. Killian got a hold of Isobel when she was still young and innocent. He was basically her awful intro into this life that she now lives...and it broke her. Such a hateful, emotionless void he was. It just broke my heart. He's an easy guy to hate. But they say hate and love are similar emotions. This is true of my feelings for Killian. I think I got whiplash when I changed my mind, it was so fast.
Taka's cousin Reno plays a prominent role in this book. I love him! He adds color and life to this group of stoic people. I'm definitely looking forward to his story now!
Bastien (my love) and Peter also have major parts to how this story plays out, and their wives show up too. I love getting a little cameo from earlier characters. Sadly, Take isn't present but I'm hoping he comes out to play during Reno's book.
This is my second fave in the series. I feel like a broken record, but I just adore this author. Her writing grabs me in a way that I can't even describe. It's raw and gut-clenching. She pulls no punches and therefore I feel every emotion that she is trying to convey. These are not fluffy romance, but they are powerful!!!
Once again, I was on the verge of despising Killian (Serafin). But I never quite make it to that point. She always manages to eek by and SMACK ME IN THE FACE with her emotionally unavailable but somehow endearing heroes. I don't even understand it myself. For 90% of this book, Killian is unemotional to the point that I truly thought that he would be irredeemable for me. Not so, turns out. I loved him, I LOVED HIM by the end. I do believe that I love him as much as Sebastian, and that is saying a lot.
I have become attached to Isobel during the first three books in this amazing series. She is the ice queen, the leader of this group of the soulless. She does what needs to be done, sacrificing few to save many. I've watched her go from an obscure background player in Black Ice to the head honcho of the Committee late in Bastien's story. And during Peter and Takashi's books, she has been on a downward spiral. At the beginning of this book, she's close to the breaking point. The years of making these hard life or death decisions have finally become too much.
The relationship between these two is tough to watch. Killian got a hold of Isobel when she was still young and innocent. He was basically her awful intro into this life that she now lives...and it broke her. Such a hateful, emotionless void he was. It just broke my heart. He's an easy guy to hate. But they say hate and love are similar emotions. This is true of my feelings for Killian. I think I got whiplash when I changed my mind, it was so fast.
Taka's cousin Reno plays a prominent role in this book. I love him! He adds color and life to this group of stoic people. I'm definitely looking forward to his story now!
Bastien (my love) and Peter also have major parts to how this story plays out, and their wives show up too. I love getting a little cameo from earlier characters. Sadly, Take isn't present but I'm hoping he comes out to play during Reno's book.
This is my second fave in the series. I feel like a broken record, but I just adore this author. Her writing grabs me in a way that I can't even describe. It's raw and gut-clenching. She pulls no punches and therefore I feel every emotion that she is trying to convey. These are not fluffy romance, but they are powerful!!!
July 31, 2008
This is not a feel good romance; the entire series is not the "typical romance" and should be read in order because the characters from earlier books appear in later books with updates on their lives. This one had a lot of updates on previous characters: Bastien and his family, Peter and his wife, Taka and his wife. This book focused on the leader of The Committee, Isobel or Mary Isobel or Madame Lambert--she used all those names.
I was impressed with how this story unraveled. Goes back 18 years ago to a young Mary Isobel and a young Killian or Serafin or The Butcher--he used all those names--until it catches up with the present time period. Nicely done. What a story of suspense, action, spies, terrorists and murder.
Most of the story had This Reader not liking the main characters--much, but I'm familiar with this author's style and it all worked out--with reasons for everything. Nice. Nice book. Very well written with redeemable characters.
I was impressed with how this story unraveled. Goes back 18 years ago to a young Mary Isobel and a young Killian or Serafin or The Butcher--he used all those names--until it catches up with the present time period. Nicely done. What a story of suspense, action, spies, terrorists and murder.
Most of the story had This Reader not liking the main characters--much, but I'm familiar with this author's style and it all worked out--with reasons for everything. Nice. Nice book. Very well written with redeemable characters.
January 15, 2016
Rating~ 4 stars.
I really enjoyed it, I just wish that we had more romantic scenes b/w grown up Killian and Isobel after the events in the last chapter or maybe I'm just greedy.
I loved the fact that even after so many years they still loved each other even though that love that bought nothing but pain and betrayal and was unexpected in Killian's case and in Isobel's case a ghost because she thought he was dead. I also loved the relationship between Killian and Mahmoud and Isobel and Mahmoud, their reluctance to show or even accept that they cared for the grown up child.
Also doesnt hurt that the hero's name is Killian, which just happens to be the name of the leads love interest in Once upon a time a show I have recently become obsessed with. :P
I really enjoyed it, I just wish that we had more romantic scenes b/w grown up Killian and Isobel after the events in the last chapter or maybe I'm just greedy.
I loved the fact that even after so many years they still loved each other even though that love that bought nothing but pain and betrayal and was unexpected in Killian's case and in Isobel's case a ghost because she thought he was dead. I also loved the relationship between Killian and Mahmoud and Isobel and Mahmoud, their reluctance to show or even accept that they cared for the grown up child.
Also doesnt hurt that the hero's name is Killian, which just happens to be the name of the leads love interest in Once upon a time a show I have recently become obsessed with. :P
October 20, 2007
Read 10/19/07
Ice Storm is the latest in a loosely related set of romantic thrillers about amoral spies for a nebulous international organization called The Committee. This one is the tale of Isobel Lambert, the Ice Queen leader
of the group. When Isobel is sent to round up the dreaded terrorist Josef Serafin, she is shocked to recognize a man she thought she'd killed years ago. But Serafin is not who he appears to be....(imagine that).
Stuart excells at creating bad boy anti-heroes and then giving the reader a reason (or twenty) to fall in love with them. This book is no exception BUT
Stuart's heroines are also generally idiots and again, no exception. Which is a major drawback if the book is from the heroine's point of view. I would
recommend this one only to die hard Stuart fanatics like myself.
Genre : Romantic Suspense
Rating : 7.5
Where From : my shelves
Reason : Stuart's books are one of my guilty pleasures.
Ice Storm is the latest in a loosely related set of romantic thrillers about amoral spies for a nebulous international organization called The Committee. This one is the tale of Isobel Lambert, the Ice Queen leader
of the group. When Isobel is sent to round up the dreaded terrorist Josef Serafin, she is shocked to recognize a man she thought she'd killed years ago. But Serafin is not who he appears to be....(imagine that).
Stuart excells at creating bad boy anti-heroes and then giving the reader a reason (or twenty) to fall in love with them. This book is no exception BUT
Stuart's heroines are also generally idiots and again, no exception. Which is a major drawback if the book is from the heroine's point of view. I would
recommend this one only to die hard Stuart fanatics like myself.
Genre : Romantic Suspense
Rating : 7.5
Where From : my shelves
Reason : Stuart's books are one of my guilty pleasures.
February 26, 2008
Excellent story. Action packed! One of the best endings in romantic suspense.
January 31, 2016
ปฎิเสธไม่ได้ว่ามันสนุกจริงๆ แล้วก็ชอบนางเอกมากด้วย ราชินีน้ำแข็งใช่เลยยยย แม้กระทั่งตอนจบนางยังเย็นเป็นน้ำแข็งได้อี๊ก ฮ่าาา
August 24, 2011
Hero: Killian/Serafin
Heroine: Isobel Lambert/Madame Lambert/Mary Isobel Curwen
Love Scenes: Intense
Theme: Best Friends/Nemesis turn lovers
Ice Storm is my favorite book from this series. It’s the third book that I have read from this series. Fire and Ice, Reno’s book was my first. I like Reno, but Killian has him beat.
Anne Stuart has taken me on a tension filled roller coaster ride in this book and I love it. I’m a tension fan and Mrs. Stuart has fed me a delicious tension meal. There’s plenty of love filled tension between Killian and Isobel in this book.
What would you do if you’ve found out that the man you are in love has been trying to kill you? You kill him!
Madame Lambert is the head of The Committee. She’s the only woman in the organization. At least to my knowledge, she is. She’s a dangerous bad girl that’s on the good side. She lives to take down bad guys.
Madame Lambert wasn’t always in The Committee or even known as Isobel Lambert.
Prior to joining The Committee 18 years ago, Madame Lambert was known as Mary Isobel Curwen. At 19 years old, she left the states to go to England, to start a new life. Her mother was dead and her father had a new family and she didn’t feel that she belonged with them.
One night, while wandering the streets late at night, Mary was attacked by 7 guys, who planned on taking turns raping her and eventually kill her, but their plan didn’t have time to developed, because she was saved by a hero named Killian. Due to what had happened to her and he was a man, Killian softly worked his way up her trust ladder that night, gaining her trust and basically from there, they became friends and didn’t depart from one another, until the night that Mary killed Killian.
Mary fell in love with Killian and he fell in love with her. He was the first to admit that he has fallen in love with her. He did it twice. The first time he admitted he was in love with her, was when they were discussing his fake girlfriend and he told her that he has fallen in love with someone else. This reference can be found of page 91. The second time that he has told her that he was in love with her, was when he told her that she was in love with him and he was in love with her in his car. Yes, he told her this, prior to having sex with her in his car. But why tell her that? The confession could have been omitted. Killian didn’t have to proclaim that he was in love with Mary, to have sex with her. He knew that she was in love with him and that she would have freely had sex with him, without him telling her that he was in love with him. I know people may disagree with me, but I believe the confessions were real. Killian didn’t plan on falling in love with the naïve young woman he sought to use for his cover, but he did. That’s the reason why I believe he drugged her as well. That was his way of protecting her from the danger he was mixed up in.
If Killian weren’t in love with Mary, he wouldn’t have saved her life again from dangerous men. Love made Killian go after Mary the night she shot him and kill those men that hurt her and take her to Dr. Stephan to repair her damage and leave her with Stephan. Killian could have easily got Isobel back, after her recovery from surgery. Better yet, he could have had the Stephan tell him everything that he needed to know about carrying for a person that had plastic surgery and instead of leaving Mary with Stephan, he could have taken her with him. He could have taken her to a hide away place and let her wake up to finding out that she didn’t kill him after all. But, instead of doing that, he let her go. He knew that one day they were going to reunite. He probably has been so close to her on many occasions and she didn’t even know.
Killian was the only man that Mary was in love with. That’s why he haunted her for 18 years. That’s why it was so easy for her to recognize a disguised man bka Serafin, as being the man that she killed 18 years ago.
I loved the denial tension between the two of them. Mary knew Serafin was Killian - disguised or not. And Killian knew the woman that came to get him was no other than Mary. Yes, he had the upper hand, because he knew about her plastic surgery, but, I believe even if Killian blacked out from Mary’s shot and didn’t get to her in time and somehow she managed to get away and had plastic surgery – he still would have recognized her after 18 years. He was her first love and she was his. They weren’t going to forget one another.
Killian believed that sex made a woman possessive. Well, Mary’s shot made him obsessive. The man’s feeling for Mary was strong. She had captured his heart. He kept tabs on this woman. He knew her every move for 18 years.
The boat’s love scene was hot and intense. The hybrid best friends/nemesis turn lovers told each other, “I’m in love with you”, without saying the words. The silence words were loud. There was a reason for the following actions:
1. Killian locking the door
2. Killian wanted to see if Isobel liked violence
3. The lights going off
The locked door = Killian telling Isobel, “You’re mine and I’m not letting you go.”
Violence = Killian asking Isobel to forgive him for hurting her.
Lights out = Burying the past
Killian and Isobel had to face the reality that they were in love with one another. They knew for a very long time that they were in love with one another, but they had to face it head on. The huge question mark above their head constantly asked them, Why did I do this (??????) and the answer was always because I’m in love with you.
Killian could have killed Isobel 18 years ago. But, he didn’t. Why? Because he was in love with her. Isobel could have killed Killian, when she had that knife to his throat, but she didn’t. Why? Because she’s in love with him. When she shot him 18 years ago and gone over to his body, she could have shot him again, to make sure that he was dead. But, she didn’t. Why? Because she was in love with him.
Killian is good at getting what he wants and that’s Isobel. It was no accident that Isobel was the one that had gone to get him to bring him back to The Committee. In my opinion, Killian knew that she was coming to get him. How can he not know, when he knew so much about the so-called secret Committee? He wanted that reunion. He lived for that reunion. That’s why I also believe he freely let Isobel and Peter capture him to bring him to the safe house - a house that he knew well too, after all he’d escape from it. He just wanted to spend time with Isobel again in closed quarters.
What a body Killian had. Not only was he tortured inside he has been tortured outside as well and his body is a living proof of that. I see his scarred body as telling a story and that story is love hurts. I believe that Isobel has given Killian his first scar. Why? Because, she wasn’t always drugged, when they had sex. Surely, she would have seen him fully naked more than once. Plus, she was surprised to see all the scars on his body. She even wanted to see the one that her shot had made on him.
Although Killian is scarred, he’s still sexy. Love hurts are the right words to say in Killian’s case. Killian is one of the good guys and I know that he has put himself on the line for a lot of people, but one person he had in mind as well and that’s Isobel. He was determined to reunite with her. He was determined to live for her.
Isobel may have been a robot, but she couldn’t hide from Killian. He knew her like a book. She kept trying to make herself believe that she wanted to kill Killian. What she really wanted was him and alive. Her heart almost jumped out of her chest, when she thought he was dead.
Their ending was sweet, but it left me wanting more. I could be wrong, but I don’t recall reading about them in Reno’s book, Fire and Ice. I know that they have gotten married. I wonder how many children they have.
I know I have said a lot. I want to end my review by saying that Mahmoud was Killian and Isobel’s roller coaster relationship. He didn’t have to be in the story. He was there for a reason, to show just what Killian and Isobel were going through. He was their trial. Their test they had to past.
I recommend this book to Anne Stuart fans. Not only her fans, but to people like myself, who loves to read good tension.
Heroine: Isobel Lambert/Madame Lambert/Mary Isobel Curwen
Love Scenes: Intense
Theme: Best Friends/Nemesis turn lovers
Ice Storm is my favorite book from this series. It’s the third book that I have read from this series. Fire and Ice, Reno’s book was my first. I like Reno, but Killian has him beat.
Anne Stuart has taken me on a tension filled roller coaster ride in this book and I love it. I’m a tension fan and Mrs. Stuart has fed me a delicious tension meal. There’s plenty of love filled tension between Killian and Isobel in this book.
What would you do if you’ve found out that the man you are in love has been trying to kill you? You kill him!
Madame Lambert is the head of The Committee. She’s the only woman in the organization. At least to my knowledge, she is. She’s a dangerous bad girl that’s on the good side. She lives to take down bad guys.
Madame Lambert wasn’t always in The Committee or even known as Isobel Lambert.
Prior to joining The Committee 18 years ago, Madame Lambert was known as Mary Isobel Curwen. At 19 years old, she left the states to go to England, to start a new life. Her mother was dead and her father had a new family and she didn’t feel that she belonged with them.
One night, while wandering the streets late at night, Mary was attacked by 7 guys, who planned on taking turns raping her and eventually kill her, but their plan didn’t have time to developed, because she was saved by a hero named Killian. Due to what had happened to her and he was a man, Killian softly worked his way up her trust ladder that night, gaining her trust and basically from there, they became friends and didn’t depart from one another, until the night that Mary killed Killian.
Mary fell in love with Killian and he fell in love with her. He was the first to admit that he has fallen in love with her. He did it twice. The first time he admitted he was in love with her, was when they were discussing his fake girlfriend and he told her that he has fallen in love with someone else. This reference can be found of page 91. The second time that he has told her that he was in love with her, was when he told her that she was in love with him and he was in love with her in his car. Yes, he told her this, prior to having sex with her in his car. But why tell her that? The confession could have been omitted. Killian didn’t have to proclaim that he was in love with Mary, to have sex with her. He knew that she was in love with him and that she would have freely had sex with him, without him telling her that he was in love with him. I know people may disagree with me, but I believe the confessions were real. Killian didn’t plan on falling in love with the naïve young woman he sought to use for his cover, but he did. That’s the reason why I believe he drugged her as well. That was his way of protecting her from the danger he was mixed up in.
If Killian weren’t in love with Mary, he wouldn’t have saved her life again from dangerous men. Love made Killian go after Mary the night she shot him and kill those men that hurt her and take her to Dr. Stephan to repair her damage and leave her with Stephan. Killian could have easily got Isobel back, after her recovery from surgery. Better yet, he could have had the Stephan tell him everything that he needed to know about carrying for a person that had plastic surgery and instead of leaving Mary with Stephan, he could have taken her with him. He could have taken her to a hide away place and let her wake up to finding out that she didn’t kill him after all. But, instead of doing that, he let her go. He knew that one day they were going to reunite. He probably has been so close to her on many occasions and she didn’t even know.
Killian was the only man that Mary was in love with. That’s why he haunted her for 18 years. That’s why it was so easy for her to recognize a disguised man bka Serafin, as being the man that she killed 18 years ago.
I loved the denial tension between the two of them. Mary knew Serafin was Killian - disguised or not. And Killian knew the woman that came to get him was no other than Mary. Yes, he had the upper hand, because he knew about her plastic surgery, but, I believe even if Killian blacked out from Mary’s shot and didn’t get to her in time and somehow she managed to get away and had plastic surgery – he still would have recognized her after 18 years. He was her first love and she was his. They weren’t going to forget one another.
Killian believed that sex made a woman possessive. Well, Mary’s shot made him obsessive. The man’s feeling for Mary was strong. She had captured his heart. He kept tabs on this woman. He knew her every move for 18 years.
The boat’s love scene was hot and intense. The hybrid best friends/nemesis turn lovers told each other, “I’m in love with you”, without saying the words. The silence words were loud. There was a reason for the following actions:
1. Killian locking the door
2. Killian wanted to see if Isobel liked violence
3. The lights going off
The locked door = Killian telling Isobel, “You’re mine and I’m not letting you go.”
Violence = Killian asking Isobel to forgive him for hurting her.
Lights out = Burying the past
Killian and Isobel had to face the reality that they were in love with one another. They knew for a very long time that they were in love with one another, but they had to face it head on. The huge question mark above their head constantly asked them, Why did I do this (??????) and the answer was always because I’m in love with you.
Killian could have killed Isobel 18 years ago. But, he didn’t. Why? Because he was in love with her. Isobel could have killed Killian, when she had that knife to his throat, but she didn’t. Why? Because she’s in love with him. When she shot him 18 years ago and gone over to his body, she could have shot him again, to make sure that he was dead. But, she didn’t. Why? Because she was in love with him.
Killian is good at getting what he wants and that’s Isobel. It was no accident that Isobel was the one that had gone to get him to bring him back to The Committee. In my opinion, Killian knew that she was coming to get him. How can he not know, when he knew so much about the so-called secret Committee? He wanted that reunion. He lived for that reunion. That’s why I also believe he freely let Isobel and Peter capture him to bring him to the safe house - a house that he knew well too, after all he’d escape from it. He just wanted to spend time with Isobel again in closed quarters.
What a body Killian had. Not only was he tortured inside he has been tortured outside as well and his body is a living proof of that. I see his scarred body as telling a story and that story is love hurts. I believe that Isobel has given Killian his first scar. Why? Because, she wasn’t always drugged, when they had sex. Surely, she would have seen him fully naked more than once. Plus, she was surprised to see all the scars on his body. She even wanted to see the one that her shot had made on him.
Although Killian is scarred, he’s still sexy. Love hurts are the right words to say in Killian’s case. Killian is one of the good guys and I know that he has put himself on the line for a lot of people, but one person he had in mind as well and that’s Isobel. He was determined to reunite with her. He was determined to live for her.
Isobel may have been a robot, but she couldn’t hide from Killian. He knew her like a book. She kept trying to make herself believe that she wanted to kill Killian. What she really wanted was him and alive. Her heart almost jumped out of her chest, when she thought he was dead.
Their ending was sweet, but it left me wanting more. I could be wrong, but I don’t recall reading about them in Reno’s book, Fire and Ice. I know that they have gotten married. I wonder how many children they have.
I know I have said a lot. I want to end my review by saying that Mahmoud was Killian and Isobel’s roller coaster relationship. He didn’t have to be in the story. He was there for a reason, to show just what Killian and Isobel were going through. He was their trial. Their test they had to past.
I recommend this book to Anne Stuart fans. Not only her fans, but to people like myself, who loves to read good tension.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2010
Likes:
1- I absolutely loved the fact that this story was different from the other stories in the series such that there is prior history between the hero and heroine that makes their love so much more delicious and heady to read about. Their passion is explosive and ruthless at times and when it does finally break through the impeccable fortress around each of their hearts, these moments were the best parts in the story. I loved the fact that both Killian and Isobel are equals such that they both have lives that revolve around situations of life and death each and every day.
2- Killian. Though there is not much of a history on his character, I flat out adored him right from the very beginning. Though he aims to be ruthless and puts his mission first above everything else, his humane nature comes into light with little Mahmoud he rescues from the throes of a suicide bomber, a little boy who is determined he would kill Killian one day, a mission that Killian is willing to see gets fulfilled by giving the little boy a fighting chance to make something of himself.
3- I absolutely reveled in revisiting characters of the past books in the Ice series. Scratch the need for an epilogue and give me Bastien served on a silver platter with each new story in the Ice series and I would go to sleep a happy woman every night! LOL! Did you all just get the fact that I love Bastien. Yes, I do!
4- It was interesting to see how Ms. Stuart lays down the foundation for the next and last story in the Ice series, starring the cousin of Takashi O’Brien who undeniably has a fiery and rather unwanted attraction towards Takashi’s wife’s sister-in-law. This story was begging to be told from the end of the last book. And I am so looking forward to how Reno’s highly unusual character would fare as a recruit for the Committee.
Memorable quotes/scenes :
Her body hurt. He hadn’t meant to hurt her – in fact, she was probably to blame for it. She’d pushed him. He’d pushed her. They’d done everything she could think of and then things she’d never imagined, as the long, endless hours stretched into the night and beyond, and she’d taken him every way she could. And now she was lying in his arms, entwined with him, her body aching, her soul hurting, her heart ready to explode. They’d had rough sex, kinky sex, silly sex, deliciously nasty sex. And then, God help her, they’d made love. He’d moved deep inside her body, his eyes looking into hers, his hands cradling her face with devastating gentleness, and he’d been motionless as he came inside her. And then he’d said, “I love you.”
Sigh!!
Full in depth review can be found up on my blog: http://bit.ly/b5YiRk
1- I absolutely loved the fact that this story was different from the other stories in the series such that there is prior history between the hero and heroine that makes their love so much more delicious and heady to read about. Their passion is explosive and ruthless at times and when it does finally break through the impeccable fortress around each of their hearts, these moments were the best parts in the story. I loved the fact that both Killian and Isobel are equals such that they both have lives that revolve around situations of life and death each and every day.
2- Killian. Though there is not much of a history on his character, I flat out adored him right from the very beginning. Though he aims to be ruthless and puts his mission first above everything else, his humane nature comes into light with little Mahmoud he rescues from the throes of a suicide bomber, a little boy who is determined he would kill Killian one day, a mission that Killian is willing to see gets fulfilled by giving the little boy a fighting chance to make something of himself.
3- I absolutely reveled in revisiting characters of the past books in the Ice series. Scratch the need for an epilogue and give me Bastien served on a silver platter with each new story in the Ice series and I would go to sleep a happy woman every night! LOL! Did you all just get the fact that I love Bastien. Yes, I do!
4- It was interesting to see how Ms. Stuart lays down the foundation for the next and last story in the Ice series, starring the cousin of Takashi O’Brien who undeniably has a fiery and rather unwanted attraction towards Takashi’s wife’s sister-in-law. This story was begging to be told from the end of the last book. And I am so looking forward to how Reno’s highly unusual character would fare as a recruit for the Committee.
Memorable quotes/scenes :
Her body hurt. He hadn’t meant to hurt her – in fact, she was probably to blame for it. She’d pushed him. He’d pushed her. They’d done everything she could think of and then things she’d never imagined, as the long, endless hours stretched into the night and beyond, and she’d taken him every way she could. And now she was lying in his arms, entwined with him, her body aching, her soul hurting, her heart ready to explode. They’d had rough sex, kinky sex, silly sex, deliciously nasty sex. And then, God help her, they’d made love. He’d moved deep inside her body, his eyes looking into hers, his hands cradling her face with devastating gentleness, and he’d been motionless as he came inside her. And then he’d said, “I love you.”
Sigh!!
Full in depth review can be found up on my blog: http://bit.ly/b5YiRk
January 6, 2012
It is so rare to find a series that just keeps getting better and better with each installment. Usually I like the first couple books of a series and then start to loose interest. Not so with Anne Stuart's ICE series. Each book is fast-paced, unique, and contains delicious dangerous men that you can't help but fall in love with. These books have set a new standard for romantic suspense and this book especially packs a big punch. What an incredible adrenaline rush this book delivers!
I think what I loved so much about this story in particular was the fact that Isobel and Killian have a past. Anne Stuart brilliantly flashes back and forth between past and present until their entire back story has been told. There is just something about getting a second chance at love that speaks to me, and it added so much depth to this relationship.
The characters in Ice Storm are particularly mysterious. Killian has lived such a dangerous and undercover life that we are given very little back story on him. This only adds to his allure. Despite his cold demeanor, it is clear through his actions how he feels about Isobel. I love that in reading this series, one must look between the lines to understand feelings and motives. It's brilliant.
Although Isobel has not been my favorite character in this series, I ended up loving her in this book. The cracks in her carefully constructed emotional walls are starting to crumble and I came to care for her character more and more as the pages flew by.
This is fabulous romantic suspense, but it really is so much more. Anne Stuart brings such depth to her characters. They are not fully good or fully evil.....just a beautiful mix of grey that I have become extremely addicted to.
I think what I loved so much about this story in particular was the fact that Isobel and Killian have a past. Anne Stuart brilliantly flashes back and forth between past and present until their entire back story has been told. There is just something about getting a second chance at love that speaks to me, and it added so much depth to this relationship.
The characters in Ice Storm are particularly mysterious. Killian has lived such a dangerous and undercover life that we are given very little back story on him. This only adds to his allure. Despite his cold demeanor, it is clear through his actions how he feels about Isobel. I love that in reading this series, one must look between the lines to understand feelings and motives. It's brilliant.
Although Isobel has not been my favorite character in this series, I ended up loving her in this book. The cracks in her carefully constructed emotional walls are starting to crumble and I came to care for her character more and more as the pages flew by.
This is fabulous romantic suspense, but it really is so much more. Anne Stuart brings such depth to her characters. They are not fully good or fully evil.....just a beautiful mix of grey that I have become extremely addicted to.
June 10, 2017
Ice Storm
3.5 Stars
The suspense plot is exciting but the romance falls flat.
Isobel never appealed to me as a character in the previous books mainly due to the fact that she comes across as cold, aloof and unemotional. While this works well for the strong willed and independent leader of a covert organization, it does not make for an approachable romance heroine. Unfortunately, Stuart attempts to remedy this by highlighting Isobel's vulnerability and her past history with Killian but merely succeeds in turning her into an idiotic airhead who allows her libido to override her common sense. She isn't even an effective agent - what kind of covert operative can't speak any other languages, especially Arabic?
Killian is initially depicted as a lethal and cold-hearted killer with no scruples whatsoever. Nevertheless, given the nature of the other heroes in the series, it is obvious that there is more to him than meets the eye and it is, therefore, no surprise when he truth is revealed about this enigmatic mercenary.
In terms of the romance, the emotional connection between Killian and Isobel fails to materialize and their love/hate relationship never moves beyond the hate into the love. It remains unclear at the end if either of them actually cares whether or not the other lives or dies.
The rest of the storyline involving a mole within the Committee who seems bent on destroying Isobel and her operatives is exciting and action packed. The glimpses into the lives of the couples from previous installments is a real highlight and make this a worthwhile addition to the series. Reno's book is next and it will be interesting to see what type of operative he turns into.
3.5 Stars
The suspense plot is exciting but the romance falls flat.
Isobel never appealed to me as a character in the previous books mainly due to the fact that she comes across as cold, aloof and unemotional. While this works well for the strong willed and independent leader of a covert organization, it does not make for an approachable romance heroine. Unfortunately, Stuart attempts to remedy this by highlighting Isobel's vulnerability and her past history with Killian but merely succeeds in turning her into an idiotic airhead who allows her libido to override her common sense. She isn't even an effective agent - what kind of covert operative can't speak any other languages, especially Arabic?
Killian is initially depicted as a lethal and cold-hearted killer with no scruples whatsoever. Nevertheless, given the nature of the other heroes in the series, it is obvious that there is more to him than meets the eye and it is, therefore, no surprise when he truth is revealed about this enigmatic mercenary.
In terms of the romance, the emotional connection between Killian and Isobel fails to materialize and their love/hate relationship never moves beyond the hate into the love. It remains unclear at the end if either of them actually cares whether or not the other lives or dies.
The rest of the storyline involving a mole within the Committee who seems bent on destroying Isobel and her operatives is exciting and action packed. The glimpses into the lives of the couples from previous installments is a real highlight and make this a worthwhile addition to the series. Reno's book is next and it will be interesting to see what type of operative he turns into.
April 29, 2010
This book was great fun!! I loved to see the "The Ice Queen" get taken down and to see what made her the way she was. Often times flashbacks aren't all that great for me, but this time around I loved to see the difference in the before and after Isobel, it makes you wonder what her life would have been if she hadn't gone looking for Killian.
Right away Killian was the guy you loved to hate. He seemed very cold and heartless. But with the flashbacks you learned he wasn't. It was amazing how much each of them was affected by the other even all these years later.
I also loved the little boy that Killian dragged around, not quite willing to leave him behind, his actions contrary to what his words were.
I also love it when in a series we get to see the others and what is going on in their life.
But the best was the final scene, shoot him or tell him to come to bed, what a choice!!
Right away Killian was the guy you loved to hate. He seemed very cold and heartless. But with the flashbacks you learned he wasn't. It was amazing how much each of them was affected by the other even all these years later.
I also loved the little boy that Killian dragged around, not quite willing to leave him behind, his actions contrary to what his words were.
I also love it when in a series we get to see the others and what is going on in their life.
But the best was the final scene, shoot him or tell him to come to bed, what a choice!!
June 11, 2010
This one in the Ice series really changes the pace with Isobel's story and, after Bastien's story, is probably my favorite (although I'm still to read Fire & Ice), and with totally unsympathetic lead characters too. I'm glad that the author waited until #4 to explain why the heroine is such an enigma. The timing just seems right and with such a fantastic plot as well. I actually had questions bouncing round my head whilst reading this one. Why is the heroine ageless? What's with the references to plastic surgery? Why is she so tortured? Who is really the villain in this one? Great stuff!!
July 10, 2022
Una historia de segundas oportunidades entre dos asesinos profesionales… Y te tienes que creer que son «los buenos» porque te lo dicen. Isobel Lambert está al frente de una organización misteriosa, el Comité. Un mercenario profesional se les ofrece a cambio de información y una nueva vida. Le recuerda a Killian, un tipo con el que ella tuvo un intenso enamoramiento hace bastantes años. Lo que pasa es que se supone que aquel tipo está muerto… Ella tuvo que matarlo. Son cosas que pasan cuando te ligas al tipo inadecuado. No se sabe bien cómo, pero acabas pegándole un tiro. Así es la vida.
Una novela de acción en el que van pasando cosas, alteran sus planes, se encuentran con traiciones inesperadas, explosiones, muertos,... una historia aliñada con mucho gore... Muy entretenida, con ese héroe frío y una heroína que se desmorona compartiendo momentos de peligro y pasión.
Crítica más extensa, en mi blog.
Una novela de acción en el que van pasando cosas, alteran sus planes, se encuentran con traiciones inesperadas, explosiones, muertos,... una historia aliñada con mucho gore... Muy entretenida, con ese héroe frío y una heroína que se desmorona compartiendo momentos de peligro y pasión.
Crítica más extensa, en mi blog.
October 5, 2025
2017 = 3 stars
2022 = 3 stars / review written
My least favorite book in the series, so far.
The plot is pretty good, but I didn't enjoy the reread because the h often acts foolishly to move the story forward. If she had just used her brain, much wouldn't have happened. So frustrating! 😡
Isobel Lambert is the powerful head of The Committee. At age 19, she went to England where she met Killian, and traveled with him for 2 weeks. Everything he told her was a lie, but she still somehow fell deeply, hopelessly in love with him. 🙄 As a result of her one true love breaking her heart, she became frigid with an ice-cold heart. 🧊
We're told:
▪️Her practicality had become just a cold shell.
▪️An elegant, ageless automaton, with no desires or emotions.
▪️She couldn't feel weakness or emotion—she was made of ice.
▪️She's now known as the Ice Queen, cool, emotionless and untouchable.
(We're "told" but not shown. After meeting Killian again, she quickly thaws, becoming very emotional. It's unbelievable.)
18 Years Later...
Isobel has to go to Morocco. There she is to extract Serafin, and bring him back to London where they can debrief him. He's trading info. for money and a new life, safe from all his enemies.
Serafin turns out to be Killian (learned early on and no surprise). Allegedly, Serafin is an international war criminal. He's considered to be the most dangerous man in the world. He's spent many years working for dictators, warlords and terrorist groups.
🙄 Yet, it's said that he made many "mistakes." Mistakes that saved lives and brought down ruthless dictators. Raising no red flags from an organization with first-rate intel.
Killian is really .
I was surprised, however, to learn that Killian is also supposed to Turns out, he didn't need to do much as it's already imploding on its own from within.
A Subplot: Someone is trying to take down The Committee, killing its operatives one by one. There's no mystery here as it's revealed early on.
Error: Three agents weren't killed. Only one was killed and one is missing.
Once again, like all the books in this series, the bad guys are inept and are brought down easily. They look like bungling fools. None of these books have villains that are truly villainous.
The romance is okay. The MCs' relationship shifts from love to hate (though their actions show they still care). In the end, 'I-love-you's are said. The brief, low-steam sex scenes are low on passion. No love was felt.
𝗜𝘀𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗹'𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀:
➊ Drinking laced coffee, despite suspecting it's drugged. She really needed it!
➋ Being oblivious. Despite Killian warning her about a mole sabotaging their plans, she still calls the office, leading to being killed in a car bomb.
➌ Underestimating Harry. She fails to see that he's corrupt. She thinks - It was a possibility, but a remote one. He was just a useless old man with nothing to do... (Famous last words.)
➍ Being stupid. In Isobel's own words: ...worst of all was how damn stupid she'd been. Why hadn't she seen the signs? Now that she knew the truth, it was painfully obvious.
In Sum,
What I Liked:
🔸Former MCs appear to show how they and their families are doing.
🔸The action scenes held my attention with no skimming.
🔸Reno, a very colorful guy. He's a MC in book 5.
🔸Mahmoud (12) is a cute kid who added to my enjoyment.
Favorite Quote:
You ready?"
"Ready for what?"
"For your first assignment. To meet Serafin the Butcher, the most dangerous man in the world."
"Sounds like he's got a good PR firm," Reno said.
🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣
2022 = 3 stars / review written
My least favorite book in the series, so far.
The plot is pretty good, but I didn't enjoy the reread because the h often acts foolishly to move the story forward. If she had just used her brain, much wouldn't have happened. So frustrating! 😡
Isobel Lambert is the powerful head of The Committee. At age 19, she went to England where she met Killian, and traveled with him for 2 weeks. Everything he told her was a lie, but she still somehow fell deeply, hopelessly in love with him. 🙄 As a result of her one true love breaking her heart, she became frigid with an ice-cold heart. 🧊
We're told:
▪️Her practicality had become just a cold shell.
▪️An elegant, ageless automaton, with no desires or emotions.
▪️She couldn't feel weakness or emotion—she was made of ice.
▪️She's now known as the Ice Queen, cool, emotionless and untouchable.
(We're "told" but not shown. After meeting Killian again, she quickly thaws, becoming very emotional. It's unbelievable.)
18 Years Later...
Isobel has to go to Morocco. There she is to extract Serafin, and bring him back to London where they can debrief him. He's trading info. for money and a new life, safe from all his enemies.
Serafin turns out to be Killian (learned early on and no surprise). Allegedly, Serafin is an international war criminal. He's considered to be the most dangerous man in the world. He's spent many years working for dictators, warlords and terrorist groups.
🙄 Yet, it's said that he made many "mistakes." Mistakes that saved lives and brought down ruthless dictators. Raising no red flags from an organization with first-rate intel.
Killian is really .
I was surprised, however, to learn that Killian is also supposed to Turns out, he didn't need to do much as it's already imploding on its own from within.
A Subplot: Someone is trying to take down The Committee, killing its operatives one by one. There's no mystery here as it's revealed early on.
Error: Three agents weren't killed. Only one was killed and one is missing.
Once again, like all the books in this series, the bad guys are inept and are brought down easily. They look like bungling fools. None of these books have villains that are truly villainous.
The romance is okay. The MCs' relationship shifts from love to hate (though their actions show they still care). In the end, 'I-love-you's are said. The brief, low-steam sex scenes are low on passion. No love was felt.
𝗜𝘀𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗹'𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀:
➊ Drinking laced coffee, despite suspecting it's drugged. She really needed it!
➋ Being oblivious. Despite Killian warning her about a mole sabotaging their plans, she still calls the office, leading to being killed in a car bomb.
➌ Underestimating Harry. She fails to see that he's corrupt. She thinks - It was a possibility, but a remote one. He was just a useless old man with nothing to do... (Famous last words.)
➍ Being stupid. In Isobel's own words: ...worst of all was how damn stupid she'd been. Why hadn't she seen the signs? Now that she knew the truth, it was painfully obvious.
In Sum,
What I Liked:
🔸Former MCs appear to show how they and their families are doing.
🔸The action scenes held my attention with no skimming.
🔸Reno, a very colorful guy. He's a MC in book 5.
🔸Mahmoud (12) is a cute kid who added to my enjoyment.
Favorite Quote:
You ready?"
"Ready for what?"
"For your first assignment. To meet Serafin the Butcher, the most dangerous man in the world."
"Sounds like he's got a good PR firm," Reno said.
🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣
September 28, 2010
Wonderful! Exciting! I enjoyed every minute.
The characters did crazy and wild things to my brain with thoughts like "I love you but I'm going to kill you." I loved the relationship between Reno and Mahmoud. What a cool surprise. The entire book was well done. I had a great feeling at the end. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: five. Setting: current day Middle East and England. Genre: romantic suspense thriller.
The characters did crazy and wild things to my brain with thoughts like "I love you but I'm going to kill you." I loved the relationship between Reno and Mahmoud. What a cool surprise. The entire book was well done. I had a great feeling at the end. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: five. Setting: current day Middle East and England. Genre: romantic suspense thriller.
June 9, 2025
4.5/5. Disclaimer that this was published in 2007* and is about an international group of secret agents (.... kinda) fighting just like, generally evil terrorism, so SOME THINGS ARE 2007*
BUT.
That love story.... legendary. Some of the best big swing romance writing calls I've read in a while.
*Why did I think it was 2005? Who's to say.
BUT.
That love story.... legendary. Some of the best big swing romance writing calls I've read in a while.
*Why did I think it was 2005? Who's to say.
August 18, 2010
Love it. Suspense and romance at it's best.
June 15, 2021
Ice Storm tells the story of Isobel Lambert, Ice Queen extraordinaire who is also the head of the Committee. A mission brings Isobel face to face with Killian, the first man she fell in love with...and whom she thought she had killed 18 years ago.
We have a second chance romance between two assassins whose lives are once again entangled after 18 years of separation. Isobel and Killian have great chemistry together: it is intense and passionate, as expected from an Anne Stuart couple. However, the plot didn't leave enough room for the kind of romance I was looking for. It also didn't help that Isobel and Killian had been separated for 18 years, during which Isobel thought Killian was dead.
We get extended POVs from Peter, Bastien, and Reno in this book, which I throughly enjoyed. I loved catching up with Peter and Genevieve and Bastien and Chloe. At the same time, the chapters from their POVs also meant that less time was spent fleshing out the romance between Isobel and Killian. Furthermore, Isobel felt a bit out of character. A supposedly cold and smart heroine like Isobel should have eventually figured out Killian's secret by herself.
My favourite new character is Mahmoud, the Arab child who made a vow to kill Killian. I loved Mahmoud and his tumultuous relationship with Killian and Isobel. Most of all, I ADORED his brotherhood and friendship with Reno 🥺😭❤️ I am really hoping Mahmoud makes an appearance in Reno's book.
The Muslim and Arab representation in this book is deeply problematic in many ways. As much as I love Mahmoud and as much as I love the way Anne Stuart characterized him, there were still a lot of negative stereotypes associated with Mahmoud's past. Traditional Muslim attire is also depicted with negative undertones. To be honest, I considered lowering my rating for these reasons. But at the end of the day, I thought Mahmoud was a fleshed out supporting character with a lot of potential. Mahmoud is such a compelling character that he steals the spotlight from Isobel and Killian. The white saviour trope is undermined by Mahmoud's strong presence even though Killian and Isobel saved his life when they brought him with them to England. It's not really surprising that Mahmood has such a strong presence in this book because that's just how Anne Stuart writes her characters.
Aside from the questionable Arab and Muslim representation, I will also note that Killian had drugged Isobel in the past. He also had sex with her while she was drugged. It's implied that Isobel remembered their time together and was more or less aware despite her drugged state. Still extremely problematic. I'm biased when it comes to Anne Stuart though. I just love her writing, no matter how problematic it is. She always ensnares me despite the problematic themes in her books.
Lastly, Ice Storm kind of feels like the final book in the series because it not only wraps up the HEA of Isobel and Killian, but it also wraps up the HEA of the previous couples in the series. That being said, an epilogue is definitely needed here.
We have a second chance romance between two assassins whose lives are once again entangled after 18 years of separation. Isobel and Killian have great chemistry together: it is intense and passionate, as expected from an Anne Stuart couple. However, the plot didn't leave enough room for the kind of romance I was looking for. It also didn't help that Isobel and Killian had been separated for 18 years, during which Isobel thought Killian was dead.
We get extended POVs from Peter, Bastien, and Reno in this book, which I throughly enjoyed. I loved catching up with Peter and Genevieve and Bastien and Chloe. At the same time, the chapters from their POVs also meant that less time was spent fleshing out the romance between Isobel and Killian. Furthermore, Isobel felt a bit out of character. A supposedly cold and smart heroine like Isobel should have eventually figured out Killian's secret by herself.
My favourite new character is Mahmoud, the Arab child who made a vow to kill Killian. I loved Mahmoud and his tumultuous relationship with Killian and Isobel. Most of all, I ADORED his brotherhood and friendship with Reno 🥺😭❤️ I am really hoping Mahmoud makes an appearance in Reno's book.
The Muslim and Arab representation in this book is deeply problematic in many ways. As much as I love Mahmoud and as much as I love the way Anne Stuart characterized him, there were still a lot of negative stereotypes associated with Mahmoud's past. Traditional Muslim attire is also depicted with negative undertones. To be honest, I considered lowering my rating for these reasons. But at the end of the day, I thought Mahmoud was a fleshed out supporting character with a lot of potential. Mahmoud is such a compelling character that he steals the spotlight from Isobel and Killian. The white saviour trope is undermined by Mahmoud's strong presence even though Killian and Isobel saved his life when they brought him with them to England. It's not really surprising that Mahmood has such a strong presence in this book because that's just how Anne Stuart writes her characters.
Aside from the questionable Arab and Muslim representation, I will also note that Killian had drugged Isobel in the past. He also had sex with her while she was drugged. It's implied that Isobel remembered their time together and was more or less aware despite her drugged state. Still extremely problematic. I'm biased when it comes to Anne Stuart though. I just love her writing, no matter how problematic it is. She always ensnares me despite the problematic themes in her books.
Lastly, Ice Storm kind of feels like the final book in the series because it not only wraps up the HEA of Isobel and Killian, but it also wraps up the HEA of the previous couples in the series. That being said, an epilogue is definitely needed here.
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