High Energy

Tyber and Zanita #1

by Dara Joy

From the bestselling author of "Tonight or Never" comes the tale of a reporter and the physicist she's sent to interview--and it's turn into the sizzling story of true love and passion.

Physics. Zanita Masterson knew nothing about the subject, and cared little to learn--until a reporting job led her to one Tyberius Augustus Evans. The rogue scientist was six feet of piercing blue eyes, rock-hard muscles and maverick ideas, and the notion that he was seriously interested in her seemed insane. But a night of monster movies, cookie-dough ice cream and wild love was almost enough to convince Zanita that the passion-minded professor was determined to woo her--with his own masterful equation for sizzling
ecstasy and ...HIGH ENERGY

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance, Fiction, Science Fiction, Paranormal

362 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

About the author

Blazing new trails in experimental fiction is a top priority for Dara Joy. Her novels break all the rules and have captured a huge audience. Her unique works have gone on to receive numerous awards.

Reviews

[Julie (jjmachshev) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want a Tyberius Augustus Evans for myself!! Who woulda thought you could have a majorly sexy physicist (my apologies to all physicists, but really...)? Zanita and Tyber meet when she accidentally winds up in his physics seminar (she thought it was a psychics' seminar). Tyber is intrigued by her, the only female in the seminar and one who is obviously WAY out of her element. Zanita has decided she is not going to have any more romantic relationships. She continues to insist on this, even as their 'friendship' grows! Reading about Tyber's antics as he outmaneuvers Zanita will have you in stitches. This book was both sexy and humorous and that's a winner for me!

[Angela James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd forgotten how fun I thought this book was. Who wouldn't want a guy like Tyber in their life?

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fully enjoyed High Energy by Dara Joy. It was so enjoyable and funny that sometimes I found myself happily laughing out loud. After I started, there was no stopping.

Tyberius Augustus Evans is a super-hot, famous physicist and an eccentric, but at the same time a delightful hero. Zanita Masterson is a bit confused and has decided to rule out relationships and focus on advancing her career. They meet by accident, she mistakes his seminar filled by all men, Physics, with a seminar in Psychic Healing.

Tyber can't get enough of Zanita and he knows she feels the same way, if only she wasn't so determined to keep him at arms-length. So he devises ways to keep them together. But Zanita is always challenging Tyber, and to further his courtship when making love he tries to convince her it's an experiment or lesson in physics.

Dara Joy goes on, presenting many interesting characters that only enrich the plot: as Booye, a burned out mathematician who thinks he's a cook on a pirate ship and treats Tyber as Captain.

I was already familiar with Dara Joy, but with her fantasy novels, and loved Knight of a Trillion Stars (Matrix of Destiny #1). As for High Energy, if you like books with passion and romance, a little mystery and plenty of comedy, then this book is for you!

[~Sara~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I managed to like this book as much as I did since the plot had some mighty big holes in it and the heroine was the dumbest character I've ever read about - and I read a fair bit so that's saying something! Actually, I do know why I liked it...Tyber! What a man!!! Not a lot of character development but he was to die for regardless. Maybe I should re-shelve this as fantasy instead of romance. :P

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 2nd favorite book of all time. Tyber and Zanita have to be the most hilarious couple to ever be in a book. Tyber is patient, intelligent, and (if the description is anything to go by) super hot. Can't you just get a picture in your head? Wow. . .

Anyway. . . Zanita has decided to not be in any more relationships. She meets Tyberius Augustus Evans (what a name!) by accident. Their "non-relationship" goes from there. I have never laughed out loud while reading a book as much as I did when I read this the first time years ago. I pick it up often and read it again for comic relief.

I have recommended this book more than any other book other than "Perfect" by Judith McNaught. I absolutely love it.

[Darbella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zanita and Tyber. A rom-com that had me laughing. I enjoy humor in romance stories and this one checks that box. A fun read especially when on is in the mood for a sweet and funny romance story.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book and I ADORED Hambone. The last 30% or so got a bit too absurd and silly for my tastes but I plan to read more from this author!

[WhiskeyintheJar · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

*This is a #TBRChallenge review, there will be spoilers, I don't spoil everything but enough, because I treat these reviews as a bookclub discussion.

Zanita scrunched her shoulders and warily glanced around the room. She had no idea what he had been talking about, and now she had no idea what she had been talking about. But he thought he knew what she was talking about.

I'm going to start by saying that 97% (admittedly not up to Tyber scientific standards) of this story is goofy fun, which makes the extremely dark moment at 90% whiplash the hell out of you. I'm going to try and recapture the light fun I had reading for most of the story but I can't help but feel that 90% moment as I look back at the story.
Buckle your seat-belts, because Mario Cart wishes it had banana peels to make you spin-out the way this book does.

Tyber stared at her, speechless. Again. When he did speak, his voice held a note of awe. "You are completely non-linear, Zanita."

Zanita is a reporter for her local paper, in which her grandfather is the editor. She's been regulated to soft stories as her grandpa doesn't want her in any danger. In an effort to break out and maybe get picked up by a bigger newspaper, she decides to go rogue and investigate Xavier LaLeche, a man claiming to be able to heal with psychic energy. However, Zanita is a bit left of center and she mistakes signing up for the psychic seminar with a physics one, taught by the world renowned Tyberius Augustus Evans (I will refrain from always typing out his full name, but know in my heart I am). Tyber is delightfully confounded attracted to her and he's pretty much instaloved from the moment they speak. Zanita's favorite saying at the moment is “Men, boil them in oil!” and wants nothing to do with a relationship, but Tyber is a Chris Hemsworth look-a-like with a PHD, she's only human, folks! Tyber creates situations to get her back in his orbit, a movie night, and a pool party, where she's the only guest!, you sly Dr., you, and when he learns that she's trying to investigate LaLeche, he comes up with a plan to help her, make sure she's safe, and work to lower her guard towards a relationship.

He was shameless. An unconventional, incredibly alluring, no-holds-barred kook! Zanita really liked him.

The plot of them investigating LaLeche is definitely there but, it's also kind of loosely strung together. Your enjoyment of this is going to hinge on if you want bananapants additives, Tyber lives in a reworked Victorian mansion that has a labyrinth of mythological topiary creatures and generally sounds like the Winchester mansion, Tyber's bed is a giant oyster, maple syrup is at one point drizzled down into her bush (seriously, this seems more logistically problematic than sexy??), and Zanita can't get any sleep in the beginning because of The Hogs (rogue pack of pigs) and goofy side-characters, Tyber lives with a former scientist that now thinks he's the cook on a pirate ship, talking/acting accordingly, a cat named Hambone, that well, this was Zanita meeting him: "And this is Hambone."
The cat raised a chubby paw.
Zanita knelt down to shake his paw. "Hi, Hambone, pleased to meet you." She swore the cat grinned at her, an aunt of Zanita's that might just put a Lady Danbury in her place, a little kid that when asked what his father does, he answers with: He replied innocently, "He does women.", and a My-Maggy, which frankly, I'm not totally sure where she came from but she's described as a “battleaxe” once, so welcome to the party.

For the first time in her life, she lost her inhibitions; she screamed and hollered and had one hell of a time.

These two had off-center byplay that I enjoyed and you're also going to get some steamy scenes. Can I just say, can we get back to the main female character getting to “screamed and hollered and having had one hell of a time”? I mean: He slid into her like a steel pylon through molten ore., we used to be a proper genre. I really enjoyed their brand of chemistry, sure it's goofy interactions with physics cross-talk at times but there was absolute sweetness in the way Tyber handled Zanita: Zanita never knew if it was Tyber's regular routine to sit on the porch swing at that hour, or if he stopped his work just to wait for her to come home so they could sit and unwind together after the day. All she knew for sure was that she began looking forward to their quiet hour before dinner. And tell me why this goofy little scene had my eyes watering out of nowhere: Courage. She sucked in a deep breath. "Tyber, we need to talk about this—"
"Hey, look," he interrupted her, "one of the tropical fish is staring straight at you with a strange glint in its eye."
"Where?" She peered over her shoulder at the tank.
He swooped across her. "Zanita, really, how could a fish affect a strange glint?"
His eyes danced with mirth. And something else. Something suspiciously close to the quarter deck. "If they're your fish, they could. Get off!"
"Know how fish kiss? Like this." His open mouth covered her own. He raised his head, strands of his hair brushing across the peaks of her breasts. "They look like this, don't they?" Pressing his lips together, he sucked in his cheeks, causing his lips to bow out like a fish's mouth. Leaving his mouth tightly closed, he moved his pursed lips up and down while crossing his eyes. It was the funniest thing she had ever seen. Peals of laughter caused her to clutch her stomach. Tyber untied the sash on her robe, bending over to nibble her midriff with his undulating fish lips. Zanita couldn't stop laughing. It tickled and every time he raised his head to stare at her with those crossed eyes and moving lips, she was gone.
Zanita is about to say that she thinks she should move out of Tyber's house, she feels herself getting too attached and is ready to run, Tyber feels her fear and with a little panic of his own and understanding of her, he distracts her and brings her back to him. You can read manipulation in his actions throughout the book, sure, but this is also romance fiction, so I inherently know (also add in some of those emotional nuances) that Zanita loves him, so you can also read his love and understanding of her. It could read corny but I've been reading some newer contemporary romance that could use a return to some of this sweet and “corny” fun between two people falling in love; fun can have depth, too!

"To remove the temptation from you; it's obvious to me, Tyber, you can't help yourself from acting like a boyfriend."
Think. Think. "You've got this all wrong, baby."
"I do?"
"Yes. I'm not acting like your boyfriend. I—" Think! "I'm conducting an experiment."
"An experiment?" Her brows furrowed as she mulled this over. "What kind of an experiment?"
What kind of an experiment! I'm testing my sanity. "It's… it's an experiment on… High Energy."

Now, on to that ending, it was a bit rushed in regards to how they find out the way to prove that LaLeche is a fraud and without much fanfare, Zanita writes her article. The article angers LaLeche in a way that has him acting out a villain that felt wildly too dark for this story. He traps Zanita in her apartment and physically acts to rape her until she fends him off by saying that the FBI is onto him. Oops, yeah, I forget to say that the FBI is sideline in this. The real fear felt by Zanita in this moment was heavy hitting, made even more so by how the previous 90% of the tone was goofy fun. This dark moment just didn't fit and honestly threw me enough that I lost a ton of the light fun I was having reading this and colored my experience. We get Tyber comforting her and dealing with LaLeche (he does literally dick punch him before the FBI arrests him, so slight return of good feelings) and then Zanita finally making a move, which I loved, Tyber deserved that after all the putting himself out there he did. I did see this has a sequel, with Tyber and Zanita back in action, and if I ever feel like goofy fun again, I'll probably read but I'm not sure I'll be able to fully relax as I'll be on guard for another really dark moment.

*I was in love with the Tyber tightie whitey book cover but my god, look at that Kindle cover. THE LIGHTENING

[ceecee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recall ever giving any book a five star mark, but I have to admit that this book was better than I ever expected. I loved this book from the first chapter and I found that I couldn't put this book down. Dara Joy wrote with a perfect blend of eccentric behavior by Tyberius, unintentional comedy from Zanita, a few added characters with such eccentric behavior that you just can't help loving them all.

From the moment Physics Tyberius Augustus Evans meet Zanita Masterson his live turned upside down. It was like being with someone from another world. First she mistakes his seminar full of Physics with a seminar she meant to take about Psychic Healing. I guess it's the spelling but hay she was already their. Still unable to understand anything this beautiful and passionate man was saying she couldn't help but make cross eyed faces. He's never meet a person who'd make silly faces at him during a lecture or anywhere else for that matter. She was a mystery.

From the moment he meet's her he knows he has to get to know her. In order to invite her out he make an outing into a class seminar. He invites everyone to eat at McDonald's and have a discussion after. She attends and he's amazed by her point of view.

Tyberius wants to see her again so he comes up with a way. He invites the class to a movie and after a discussion and makes sure she accepts. The movie appears more like a date and soon she finds herself in his arms.

She appeals to him in so many ways that he finds himself head over heals in love with her. Still she makes it clear that she wants nothing to do with him other than a temporary thing. He comes up with many plausible ways to get her to agree with him and soon she finds herself living with him. At first it seems like her idea, but soon after she realizes she has fallen into his arms and plans all along.

Tyberius can't get enough of her and he knows she feels the same way, if only she wasn't so determined to keep him at arms length. He knows she loves him, if only she'd drop the walls around her heart. Well at least he's up to the challenge.

This book had me laughing so much I couldn't help but give this book five stars. If your like me and you like books with a little mystery, some comedy, a few strange characters and some passion then this book is for you.

[Glory · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's been years since I read this book, and I read it in one afternoon, because that's now elementary and juvenile this book is--not because it's good. If I could give a book zero stars, this book would be my first candidate.

I read this book because of rave reviews, but instead, I found my intelligence insulted, and nearly stopped reading the book 3/4 of the way through. I only continued, because it doesn't require much thought or brains to read this poorly written book. High Energy read like a bad fanfiction. The characters are shallow and sex driven. Their relationship is even more doubtful. Almost immediately, the characters have sex--Tyber practically takes advantage of the main character, Zanita when she's asleep and instead of waking up to push him off, she's more than willing when she comes to. Zanita, is a ten year old girl in disguise. She's insultingly dumb--in fact, the two characters meet because she can't spell for her life, even though she is a newspaper reporter. I don't want to keep using the word juvenile, but it's truly the perfect word to describe everything about this book.

This book is considered by some to be humorous, but I found it to be ridiculous to the point that it was not realistic in the least. I found vampire books to be more realistic. The "jokes" are bland and honestly, stupid. The characters all seem to be part of an unfortunate cast of a terrible comedy show. Clearly, the author's intention was to be outrageously "humorous," and the plot took a backseat--both failing. The plot, is extremely cliche and predictable. I don't want to ruin it, in case someone decides to read this book (though I beg you not to), but the plot doesn't make sense at all, and leaves you wanting. It's just a farfetched, badly written, junior high school girl's fantasy.

[Thom Swennes · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the reader learns, in the first few pages, that Zanita Masterson had never experienced a sexual climax, they are caught. High Energy by Dara Joy is about sex, love and lust. Their quest to expose a charlatan is just vegetable garnish to the main course of meat. Tyberius Augustus Evans is, in every way, a man’s man and sure to arouse females, causing their juices to freely flow. A masterpiece in literature it isn’t as it is apt to be forgotten in time but it does inspire the young, as to what could possibly be, and the old, as to what once was but never again to be experienced outside of the printed word. I, unfortunately, fall in the second category but do applaud its steamy action and inspirational success. I can see why Tyber is a favorite with women but his dated use of “baby” when addressing Zanita got on my nerves. I wouldn’t order another Dara Joy book but wouldn’t hesitate to buy a used copy at a cheap price.

[Rita · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this a lot more when I first read it decades ago. Back then it seemed funny and charming. Now I find Zanita written to be a bit willfully stupid, and Tyber a bit patronizing as a result. I’m always sad when old favourites disappoint.

[Wild_irish_rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. The plot keeps moving, the humor is plentiful, and Tyber & Zani are perfect together. This stays firmly on my TBR Again pile!

[Hayley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Everyone seems to love this book but I'm sorry - I just can't get behind a journalist who doesn't know the difference between psychics and physicists . . . DNF

[Clauacevedo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5* me encantó, es divertida, ambos personajes me encantaron, algo fresco y divertido en mi lista

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

There in the playground, under the stars, with a gentle breeze in the night air, Tyber spoke of the mysteries of the universe from the top of a slide. Zanita thought him the most interesting and unconventional man she had ever seen.

Tyber calculated the odds of their being perfect together sexually as exponentially high.

This is one of my OG favorite books. I have it in paperback and I've probably read it 10+ times over the years. I was excited when I realized it was on Kindle Unlimited, I didn't even have to go dig out the book. I think it's been at least 6 or 7 years since I read this book again. It was nice to read again, old favorite books feel like coming home, very comforting. Who said you couldn't even go home again?

The man was a kook. She peeked at him. A gorgeous kook, but a kook. Time to leave.

I've loved loved loved Tyber for like ever. lol I love his personality, his brain, humor, his house has always sounded amazing. His kookiness. All of the hot pyschics sex. ha!

“In the absence of force, an object in motion will tend to stay in motion. What do you think about that?” He tossed her shirt away and unzipped his pants. “I can hardly wait,” she said breathlessly.

I remember back in the day I felt like I had more in common with Zanita, felt a connection to her, which always helps me fall in to the story better. Being a terrible speller, carrying around a huge gigantic purse with everything but the kitchen sink, packing boxes filled with crap instead of suitcases, her rambling and saying odd things, all of these are things that felt like me. Reading it again now that I'm older, her refusal to be in a "relationship" because of 1.5 relationships (I've totally talked about relationships before as a .5 haha so that always cracks me up) just seemed absolutely ridiculous. She didn't even have a past were someone broke her heart, just seemed like meh relationships that weren't exciting.

“You are completely non-linear, Zanita.” She waved her hand. “I have no idea what that means, but I suspect it has something to do with the mysterious face of Mars looks I get— see? Like that one you're wearing now.” “Fascinating,” he muttered.

It's also fun to see a male be the one going after a real relationship and wanting more out of something. The opposite of the popular stereotype in real life. The way he convinces her to start dating and later move in. Love it!

“Oof!” Tyber grinned wickedly, then tossed her over his shoulder. “What are you doing? Put me down this minute!” She tried to lever her way up his back. “Is it a call to arms, Captain? Are we under attack?” “Nay, Blooey, just a hot-blooded wench what needs to be taught a lesson in the Captain's cabin.” He heartily slapped her rear end. “Ow!” “What lesson might that be, Captain?” Blooey grinned. Tyber regarded the wiggling rump next to his face. “The Laws of Motion, I think. Especially oscillation.“ He leaned over and nipped her buttock.

Anyways, after a reread, I can't say it's as perfect for me as it used to be, there's things that don't fit me as well as they used to, but still one of my favorite books that will definitely read again in the future. Their bantering and just the general humor of the book is amazing. So many laughs and amusement. I love dark books as much as the next gothy hearted girl but sometimes it's refreshing to experience something light and amusing and airy.

“This is Blooey's famous Toll House Pie.” He handed her an enormous piece smothered in ice cream with a glass of milk. “Is this cookie-dough ice cream?” He nodded. “This is sinful.” She tasted a piece of the pie. “Oh, God, Tyber, this is better than sex.” The fork stopped halfway to his mouth. “Watch it. You've already given me one complex tonight.” She licked some fudge off the corner of her fork. “I didn't mean sex with you, of course.” “I hope that's not the chocolate speaking.” “No, really, sex with you is much more delicious,” she said impishly.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to have a copy of this book and I remember LOVING it. You've got a prototypical manic pixie dream girl matched up with a richer than rich physicist who can do no wrong. In the reread, that did bug me more that poor Zanita couldn't seem to do anything right but I still felt some of the joy that Joy's deft prose brought. It's really more of a three and a half star review but rounded up for Goodreads.
Zanita just wants her big break. She KNOWS she could be an amazing hard-hitting journalist (even if it's for her grandfather's small town paper) but she just needs the chance. So she'll find her own story. Even if that means hunting down a visiting psychic. Except... Tyberius Evans is a tall, incredibly handsome man and she feels like she knows his name from something else...
In a crowd of men (this was the 90s), Zanita stands out. Tyber is instantly entranced. He knows he'll do anything to keep this pretty lady around. Including some things that are a little shady in this day and age but were terribly romantic when I was younger and dumb.

[R · Rating 2 out of 5]

maybe it's because I'm reading this book several decades after it was published, but it doesn't feel as if it has aged well

Zanita is a bland reporter set on interviewing Tyber because she thinks it will help push her career forward. I hate this kind of reporter. Like - "Let me invade your life and ask a lot of deeply personal questions to share with the world so that I can be famous like you." not a likable character at all in my book.

Also she's an idiot, though at the time the book was written maybe this came off as "funny".
- Example, no one walks into a physics class and mistakes it for an actual psychic class
- Who hears someone talk like a pirate and then assumes they were a "Captain" in the military?

Tyber at the time that I stopped reading didn't have anything to do. He just fell into insta love with Zanita, and invited her to do rich people things.

[mangotango]

High Energy by Dara Joy

I really enjoyed the Matrix of Destiny series and while there are similarities between the characters I just failed to connect with Tyber and Zanita. I understand why people like them but for me the zany qualities of those books just don’t translate into a contemporary world. It fell flat for me.

The story had a very interesting premise about researching a psychic con artist who was defrauding someone ill of their savings with the goal of exposing them. That seemed great to me but when it came down to it I really lost interest. I got to chapter 11 and just couldn’t keep reading the paperback anymore so I decided to cut my losses.

DNF page 260/361
No rating

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think I bought this because it was in the paranormal romance section of the bookstore. It's not.

This is one of my least favorite types of romance. He's perfect: gorgeous, genius, multi-millionaire, builds his own cars, etc. He even has a cat! She's a cute ditz who's a good lay.

To add on to my peeves, she has violet eyes. Honestly! Violet eyes are extremely rare. I prefer normal colored eyes in my romances. After all, part of the fun is imagining myself in the romance. I just couldn't see that happening in this romance. There was no part of me to it.

[Vesperia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty boring. Not much of a plot and many zany characters. The whole thing hinges on a journalist not knowing the difference between psychics and physicists, when she's planning on writing an article on the former. Which is absolutely ridiculous. She's borderline retarded but her genius-millionaire-paramour finds this charming and surprising.

Despite all this it is still overall a nice bit of escapism.

[Sumn Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the adventures of Tyber and Zanita, it was just what I needed...steamy, silly and mostly lighthearted. I don't love how damsel in distressy Zanita appears in this book, nor how she seems to self-sabatage for the sake of push-pull in the relationship, but overall it was delightful and interesting to see what happened with their investigation for her article. I'd give it 3.5 stars.

[Fee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, light escapist read - a gutsy heroine, an uber-genius Hero - and darn it if their adventures weren't funny, dosed with action, a mystery to solve and an HEA to wallow in.
Contemporary romance, a little dated, but I thought it held up very well.

Tyber's pursuit of Zanita was amusing and heart-warming. I do love a man who knows what he wants and woos the heroine accordingly.

[Danni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth novel I've read by Joy, and I again I find myself laughing and saying aloud, What am I reading? This book is a mixture of humor, preposterousness, and sex. This is book was such a delight.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite!

This was the first book of Dara Joys that I read years ago. It has always stuck with me and I love the way the two main characters have such a great rapport. It was great to be able to reread it again!

[Milly Jane Maven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zany and fun, I really enjoyed this book. It's my kind of humor!

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite classic reads.

[Esmeralda · Rating 1 out of 5]

It shows one star, it should be like none, or -1 star.

Ughhh..

[Seantheaussie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Humour style not for me.

[Ae · Rating 5 out of 5]

favorite!!!! so cute. Tyber's antics to make Zanita stay, love it so much!!! this story is making awwww