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Buchanan-Renard #7
Fire and Ice
Sophie Rose is a crime reporter at a major Chicago newspaper and the daughter of Bobby Rose, a charming gentleman and big-time thief. When asked to write an exposé about her notorious father, Sophie quits and goes to work at a small newspaper, covering local personalities such as William Harrington, the 5K runner whose trademark is red socks. Those socks—with Sophie's business card tucked inside—are practically all that's found after Harrington is killed near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, seemingly in a brutal polar bear attack.
Sophie heads north to investigate, but danger follows in her wake. After one attempt on her life, she's assigned brash but sexy Jack MacAlister as a bodyguard. But Sophie and Jack will soon be fighting more than their growing passion for each other. Powerful forces will stop at nothing to prevent the exposure of the sinister conspiracy Sophie and Jack are about to uncover.
Sophie heads north to investigate, but danger follows in her wake. After one attempt on her life, she's assigned brash but sexy Jack MacAlister as a bodyguard. But Sophie and Jack will soon be fighting more than their growing passion for each other. Powerful forces will stop at nothing to prevent the exposure of the sinister conspiracy Sophie and Jack are about to uncover.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published December 30, 2008
895 people are currently reading
3521 people want to read
About the author
Julie Garwood
151 books12.5k followersWith more than 35 million books in print and 26 NEW YORK TIMES bestsellers, Julie Garwood has earned a position among America's favorite fiction writers.
Born and raised in Kansas City, MO, Ms. Garwood attributes much of her success to growing up in a large family of Irish heritage. "The Irish are great storytellers who relish getting all of the details and nuances of every situation. Add in the fact that I was the sixth of seven children. Early in life, I learned that self expression had to be forceful, imaginative, and quick," says Ms. Garwood.
She began her writing career when the youngest of her three children entered school. After the publications of two young-adult books, she turned her talents to historical fiction. Her first novel, GENTLE WARRIOR, was published by Pocket Books in 1985. Since then, she has branched into other genres including contemporary romantic suspense. Today, her name appears regularly on the bestseller lists of every major publication in the country, and her books are translated into dozens of languages around the world. Her bestselling novel FOR THE ROSES was adapted for the HALLMARK HALL OF FAME television movie ROSE HILL.
Ms. Garwood lives in Leawood, KS and is currently working on her next novel.
Born and raised in Kansas City, MO, Ms. Garwood attributes much of her success to growing up in a large family of Irish heritage. "The Irish are great storytellers who relish getting all of the details and nuances of every situation. Add in the fact that I was the sixth of seven children. Early in life, I learned that self expression had to be forceful, imaginative, and quick," says Ms. Garwood.
She began her writing career when the youngest of her three children entered school. After the publications of two young-adult books, she turned her talents to historical fiction. Her first novel, GENTLE WARRIOR, was published by Pocket Books in 1985. Since then, she has branched into other genres including contemporary romantic suspense. Today, her name appears regularly on the bestseller lists of every major publication in the country, and her books are translated into dozens of languages around the world. Her bestselling novel FOR THE ROSES was adapted for the HALLMARK HALL OF FAME television movie ROSE HILL.
Ms. Garwood lives in Leawood, KS and is currently working on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 684 reviews
April 25, 2011
I don’t know if I’ve read a Garwood novel before but this one probably wasn’t the best place to start. I had heard she was a humorous writer which is probably what tempted me to borrow this audio copy from the library but either my sense of humor has gone on an extended vacation or I missed out on the funny because I didn’t smile once during the reading of this. And, as usual, I came into yet another book mid-series. According to Goodreads this book is #7 in the series. If I had it to do over again I probably would’ve skipped #7. Maybe the funny resides in the earlier books?
This is going to be a bit ranty and possibly spoilery so you may want to skip reading further if this in your to be read pile. The heroine is Sophie, a beautiful reporter who grew up with loads of money and the best of everything that cash could buy. She has decided to take the hard road to life by getting a job, giving up her car and refusing to accept daddy’s money because she’s been guilted into it by her friends. Her dad is on the run from the IRS, the FBI, and hoards of folks who claim he’s stolen their life savings (hey, wouldn’t the IRS have cut off the funds anyway? She ain’t fooling me!). Sophie is a confusing character, one I never could connect to on any level. She whines over not being able to buy “stuff”, weeps over the demise of a Dolce & Gabbana blouse and her “one of kind” Gucci bag but yet gives her money away to the homeless shelter because she says its something she has to do. Her materialism is supposedly an act but I don’t get it. Why would anyone purposely want people to think they’re so shallow? I found all of the whining about her “stuff” obnoxious. The only time she perks up in the entire story and shows emotion is when her designer things are damaged. Then she goes into a screechy rage but other than that she’s a generically flat character.
This book is supposed to be a romantic suspense but it was nearly halfway over before I figured out who the freaking hero was supposed to be. FBI agent Jack MacAlister loses a bet and is assigned to watch over her after the dimwit gets herself shot by answering an anonymous phone call. It goes something like this: ominous, unknown voice says, “Go stand in the window so I can see you better, move a little to the left, wait now move a bit to the right, now stand still” and . . . Powie! Have no fear, however, because the buckle on her Gucci purse saves her life! Now I see why so many women are obsessed with the brand. Sophie’s obviously a super tough chick because after nearly getting shot in the chest she goes about her life like nothing happened and doesn’t seem at all afraid of dying. Maybe I’m just whimpy but if some stranger called me, attempted to shoot me dead and was still on the loose I’d be hiding under my bed while peeing my pantaloons. But then again, I don’t own a Gucci anything.
Adding some mystery to this is a weird subplot about an insufferable man with a fetish for running and red socks who gets eaten by a polar bear in Alaska and another subplot about a bunch of money grubbing mad scientists experimenting on wolves and people. Sophie, of course, gets messed up in this but sadly does not get munched on by the polar bear. WTF does all this have to do with the romance, you ask? If you must know more, you’ll have to read the book because I’m not sure.
Overall it was just strange, boring and unfunny. The romance lacked chemistry and there was no emotion between them. She dubs him the “hubba hubba hunk” (honestly, I did not make that up), they have sex because they’re both so hot and all and can’t help themselves and it’s all so tepid that I’m asleep before they are. After they escape danger and solve the X-Files mystery they declare themselves in love. None of these storylines meshed well together. I may not have everything correct because I admittedly dozed off a time or two during the listening. If you pick this up, may your experience be a better one than mine.
This is going to be a bit ranty and possibly spoilery so you may want to skip reading further if this in your to be read pile. The heroine is Sophie, a beautiful reporter who grew up with loads of money and the best of everything that cash could buy. She has decided to take the hard road to life by getting a job, giving up her car and refusing to accept daddy’s money because she’s been guilted into it by her friends. Her dad is on the run from the IRS, the FBI, and hoards of folks who claim he’s stolen their life savings (hey, wouldn’t the IRS have cut off the funds anyway? She ain’t fooling me!). Sophie is a confusing character, one I never could connect to on any level. She whines over not being able to buy “stuff”, weeps over the demise of a Dolce & Gabbana blouse and her “one of kind” Gucci bag but yet gives her money away to the homeless shelter because she says its something she has to do. Her materialism is supposedly an act but I don’t get it. Why would anyone purposely want people to think they’re so shallow? I found all of the whining about her “stuff” obnoxious. The only time she perks up in the entire story and shows emotion is when her designer things are damaged. Then she goes into a screechy rage but other than that she’s a generically flat character.
This book is supposed to be a romantic suspense but it was nearly halfway over before I figured out who the freaking hero was supposed to be. FBI agent Jack MacAlister loses a bet and is assigned to watch over her after the dimwit gets herself shot by answering an anonymous phone call. It goes something like this: ominous, unknown voice says, “Go stand in the window so I can see you better, move a little to the left, wait now move a bit to the right, now stand still” and . . . Powie! Have no fear, however, because the buckle on her Gucci purse saves her life! Now I see why so many women are obsessed with the brand. Sophie’s obviously a super tough chick because after nearly getting shot in the chest she goes about her life like nothing happened and doesn’t seem at all afraid of dying. Maybe I’m just whimpy but if some stranger called me, attempted to shoot me dead and was still on the loose I’d be hiding under my bed while peeing my pantaloons. But then again, I don’t own a Gucci anything.
Adding some mystery to this is a weird subplot about an insufferable man with a fetish for running and red socks who gets eaten by a polar bear in Alaska and another subplot about a bunch of money grubbing mad scientists experimenting on wolves and people. Sophie, of course, gets messed up in this but sadly does not get munched on by the polar bear. WTF does all this have to do with the romance, you ask? If you must know more, you’ll have to read the book because I’m not sure.
Overall it was just strange, boring and unfunny. The romance lacked chemistry and there was no emotion between them. She dubs him the “hubba hubba hunk” (honestly, I did not make that up), they have sex because they’re both so hot and all and can’t help themselves and it’s all so tepid that I’m asleep before they are. After they escape danger and solve the X-Files mystery they declare themselves in love. None of these storylines meshed well together. I may not have everything correct because I admittedly dozed off a time or two during the listening. If you pick this up, may your experience be a better one than mine.
January 13, 2009
I see that most people have given this book 4 or 5 stars, but for me it was only about a 3, maybe 3.5. It was good to the point that I didn't mind reading it, and I'll read any other books to come in this "unofficial" series of connected characters, but I also thought it was a bit flat and bland.
Fire and Ice brings back one of Garwood's previous characters, Sophie Rose whose father is an infamous Chicago Robin Hood-type criminal. Though Sophie loves her dad, she does best to keep her life separate from that of her father, but when he's rumored to have been involved in the downfall of a popular Chicago company, she starts getting death threats. When her best friend Reagan's husband Alec - an FBI agent - gets involved, Sophia meets his partner Jack MacAlister. There's an instant chemistry, but Jack is an FBI agent. She doesn't trust lawnman. They've made her life hell because of her father.
Things get weird for Sophia when a man - a dreadfully boring, narcissistic man - she interviews for the paper she works for ends up dead after being attacked and eviscerated by a polar bear named Barry. Sophie thinks there's something more to what happened to him. Some of the things he'd told her made her curious. So she travels to Alaska to investigate. Jack, having lost a bet and ordered by his boss to accompany her, goes along and he and Sophie can no longer fight their attraction. But meanwhile, someone apparently wants Sophie dead, only they don't really know who and have to find out before it's too late.
The plot of this book kinda goes every which way. There are so many spokes on the wheel that your never quite sure which way the story is going. You've got the thing with her father and the Kelly's Root Beer company; the story with the guy who was polar bear lunch, a sleazy coworker doing nefarious things, a romance with Jack...
It just never feels like any of the threads picks up enough steam to drive the story. With the sort of lack of a definitive direction, I ended up a little bored. There was one point where I looked up to see what page I was on and saw I was on page 220. And I was just like, wow, 220? I'd read all that and it seemed like hardly anything interesting had happened in the book. A lot of build-up, but little zing.
To me, the story just had no intensity. I kept expecting it to kick into high gear, and it never exactly did. It just had a very lackadaisical pace that made it easy to put down the book for a while and not feel a dying need to get back to it.
Plus interspersed between every chapter were these journal entries by a scientist about studying wolves. And you know they have to have something to do with the story, but they're so obtuse and it's like, why do I have to read all this? They also take up a lot of space. I think there's about 33 of them in the book, each a page long...that means these random journal entries take up 33 pages of a 320 page book. That's a lot. I think Garwood could have conveyed what she needed to convey with maybe 10 of these journal entries.
The romance was okay. There was some good chemistry between Jack and Sophie, but I didn't feel any emotional bond between them. Near the end, there was a scene where Jack goes to Sophie and tells her he's there with her and to deal with it, and as she's falling asleep she's thinking all negatives. And then first thing in the morning when she wakes up, she says she loves him. I could only blink and think, what? It was so out of the blue. I didn't feel they were at that point at all. Then all you get was half a page of them together and they're getting married. I wasn't buying into it.
So yeah, for me, the book was okay, but I didn't find it all that engaging. I started it on I think Thursday, read some Friday, then didn't touch it for the whole weekend. It didn't draw me in and was easy to set aside. But at the same time, it wasn't bad. I guess I just prefer romantic suspense novels with a high level of intensity. Having said that, I'll most likely still read the next book in this "series" (that is, if there is one!).
Fire and Ice brings back one of Garwood's previous characters, Sophie Rose whose father is an infamous Chicago Robin Hood-type criminal. Though Sophie loves her dad, she does best to keep her life separate from that of her father, but when he's rumored to have been involved in the downfall of a popular Chicago company, she starts getting death threats. When her best friend Reagan's husband Alec - an FBI agent - gets involved, Sophia meets his partner Jack MacAlister. There's an instant chemistry, but Jack is an FBI agent. She doesn't trust lawnman. They've made her life hell because of her father.
Things get weird for Sophia when a man - a dreadfully boring, narcissistic man - she interviews for the paper she works for ends up dead after being attacked and eviscerated by a polar bear named Barry. Sophie thinks there's something more to what happened to him. Some of the things he'd told her made her curious. So she travels to Alaska to investigate. Jack, having lost a bet and ordered by his boss to accompany her, goes along and he and Sophie can no longer fight their attraction. But meanwhile, someone apparently wants Sophie dead, only they don't really know who and have to find out before it's too late.
The plot of this book kinda goes every which way. There are so many spokes on the wheel that your never quite sure which way the story is going. You've got the thing with her father and the Kelly's Root Beer company; the story with the guy who was polar bear lunch, a sleazy coworker doing nefarious things, a romance with Jack...
It just never feels like any of the threads picks up enough steam to drive the story. With the sort of lack of a definitive direction, I ended up a little bored. There was one point where I looked up to see what page I was on and saw I was on page 220. And I was just like, wow, 220? I'd read all that and it seemed like hardly anything interesting had happened in the book. A lot of build-up, but little zing.
To me, the story just had no intensity. I kept expecting it to kick into high gear, and it never exactly did. It just had a very lackadaisical pace that made it easy to put down the book for a while and not feel a dying need to get back to it.
Plus interspersed between every chapter were these journal entries by a scientist about studying wolves. And you know they have to have something to do with the story, but they're so obtuse and it's like, why do I have to read all this? They also take up a lot of space. I think there's about 33 of them in the book, each a page long...that means these random journal entries take up 33 pages of a 320 page book. That's a lot. I think Garwood could have conveyed what she needed to convey with maybe 10 of these journal entries.
The romance was okay. There was some good chemistry between Jack and Sophie, but I didn't feel any emotional bond between them. Near the end, there was a scene where Jack goes to Sophie and tells her he's there with her and to deal with it, and as she's falling asleep she's thinking all negatives. And then first thing in the morning when she wakes up, she says she loves him. I could only blink and think, what? It was so out of the blue. I didn't feel they were at that point at all. Then all you get was half a page of them together and they're getting married. I wasn't buying into it.
So yeah, for me, the book was okay, but I didn't find it all that engaging. I started it on I think Thursday, read some Friday, then didn't touch it for the whole weekend. It didn't draw me in and was easy to set aside. But at the same time, it wasn't bad. I guess I just prefer romantic suspense novels with a high level of intensity. Having said that, I'll most likely still read the next book in this "series" (that is, if there is one!).
July 24, 2023
There are so many things I love about this book. Sophie is a tenacious thing in the pursuit of a story. She loves her father, an attorney hell-bent on justice for the underdog. She loves even when the guy isn't the smartest choice for her. She is a loyal friend. In short, she is a fantastic heroine. The hero isn't to shabby either. Jack is mesmerized by Sophie, even following her to the frozen wilds of Alaska. He was toast and he didn't even know it. He is a great FBI Agent. And he fights the love he feels for Sophie to the bitter end.
As the daughter of the notorious Bobby Rose, Sophie Summerville Rose had few job offers in the chosen field of journalism. A small community paper gave her a job and she was happy there. When a human-interest story about a 5K runner whose trademark was his red socks came across the desk, Sophie took it determined to do the best piece she could. The subject, William Harrington was a self-entitled jerk and when he ditched her at the end of his race, she was more than miffed, until she discovered he had just vanished. When those socks and William's foot are discovered in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska with Sophie's business card, Sophie is shocked and more than intrigued as to what really happened to him. Sophie's determination to find the truth puts her in the crosshairs of some people who are determined to erase any connection to William Harrington and that starts and ends with Sophie.
Jack MacAlister is in deep trouble, not because he did anything wrong, but because he was caught on a You-Tube video that has gone viral. He and his partner Alec Buchanan have been told to take vacation till the whole thong blows over. Jack plans to take his va-ca on a sunny, warm beach far from Chicago, but losing a bet has him acting as Sophie's bodyguard after an attempt on her life and what an awesome body to guard. And she is headed to Alaska. So much for a warm, sunny beach.
As the daughter of the notorious Bobby Rose, Sophie Summerville Rose had few job offers in the chosen field of journalism. A small community paper gave her a job and she was happy there. When a human-interest story about a 5K runner whose trademark was his red socks came across the desk, Sophie took it determined to do the best piece she could. The subject, William Harrington was a self-entitled jerk and when he ditched her at the end of his race, she was more than miffed, until she discovered he had just vanished. When those socks and William's foot are discovered in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska with Sophie's business card, Sophie is shocked and more than intrigued as to what really happened to him. Sophie's determination to find the truth puts her in the crosshairs of some people who are determined to erase any connection to William Harrington and that starts and ends with Sophie.
Jack MacAlister is in deep trouble, not because he did anything wrong, but because he was caught on a You-Tube video that has gone viral. He and his partner Alec Buchanan have been told to take vacation till the whole thong blows over. Jack plans to take his va-ca on a sunny, warm beach far from Chicago, but losing a bet has him acting as Sophie's bodyguard after an attempt on her life and what an awesome body to guard. And she is headed to Alaska. So much for a warm, sunny beach.
February 17, 2020
October 2017 Series Reread and Review
Another great reread with the girls reunited for Sophie's book. We first meet Sophie Rose in Murder List as one of Regan's best friends (along with Cordie, who both have roles here). Sophie has basically been in the care of the Madison family since she was nine years old due to her father's business practices. Sophie loves and adores her father regardless of all the accusations and shady "business" practices.....he is continually wanted for questioning by the FBI, but, Bobby Rose is really not a bad guy, he's a sort of modern day Robin Hood.
Sophie is a newspaper reporter who works for a small newspaper, after quitting a more lucrative job when they insist she write an exposé on her father. Now she works for a smaller paper writing human interest stories, her current human interest story has taken on a whole new outlook when the man she was doing a story on is killed. Now she's caught up in a murder mystery and she's determined to find truth.
Jack McAllister is Alec Buchanan's partner, who is close to Sophie because of her bond with his wife Regan. Soon Sophie's murder mystery puts her in danger and after one attempt on her life, the FBI assigns Jack to protect her.
Needless to say, sparks fly, they half heartily resist, and eventually fall in love. As much as Sophie fights the attraction, she's a goner for him....which doesn't sit well with her Father to say the least. Now all Jack needs to do is find a killer before he gets to Sophie.
All in all, the back story on the "research facility" was kind of weak and a bit boring BUT I love Sophie, her BFF's, the protective and loyal support system Sophie has, and swoon worthy Jack, and of course her father!! So totally worth the read (to me anyway).
* Narrated by Rebecca Lowman who does a great job.
* Originally read: July 2011
Another great reread with the girls reunited for Sophie's book. We first meet Sophie Rose in Murder List as one of Regan's best friends (along with Cordie, who both have roles here). Sophie has basically been in the care of the Madison family since she was nine years old due to her father's business practices. Sophie loves and adores her father regardless of all the accusations and shady "business" practices.....he is continually wanted for questioning by the FBI, but, Bobby Rose is really not a bad guy, he's a sort of modern day Robin Hood.
Sophie is a newspaper reporter who works for a small newspaper, after quitting a more lucrative job when they insist she write an exposé on her father. Now she works for a smaller paper writing human interest stories, her current human interest story has taken on a whole new outlook when the man she was doing a story on is killed. Now she's caught up in a murder mystery and she's determined to find truth.
Jack McAllister is Alec Buchanan's partner, who is close to Sophie because of her bond with his wife Regan. Soon Sophie's murder mystery puts her in danger and after one attempt on her life, the FBI assigns Jack to protect her.
Needless to say, sparks fly, they half heartily resist, and eventually fall in love. As much as Sophie fights the attraction, she's a goner for him....which doesn't sit well with her Father to say the least. Now all Jack needs to do is find a killer before he gets to Sophie.
All in all, the back story on the "research facility" was kind of weak and a bit boring BUT I love Sophie, her BFF's, the protective and loyal support system Sophie has, and swoon worthy Jack, and of course her father!! So totally worth the read (to me anyway).
* Narrated by Rebecca Lowman who does a great job.
* Originally read: July 2011
December 2, 2024
2.5 stars—Since Julie Garwood wrote this, it’s readable. But barely.
The big mystery/suspense: if I hadn’t been angry over the animal research—and yay, Ricky got his revenge—I would have fallen asleep. The bad guys were research scientists, and toddlers with milk moustaches would make more exciting villains.
The main characters: she was hard, reckless, and willfully dense, but at least she was a character. He was nothing but a walking penis with a badge.
The romance: what romance? The MC’s went from noticing how hot the other was to bickering to bed to “I love you,” with absolutely nothing in between.
The side characters: annoying space fillers. And The Legend of Bobby Rose turned out to be a non-event in this book, though he seems like a character who’d be an interesting hero of another story.
Mildly—very mildly—interesting but totally pointless. Garwood phoned this one in.
The big mystery/suspense: if I hadn’t been angry over the animal research—and yay, Ricky got his revenge—I would have fallen asleep. The bad guys were research scientists, and toddlers with milk moustaches would make more exciting villains.
The main characters: she was hard, reckless, and willfully dense, but at least she was a character. He was nothing but a walking penis with a badge.
The romance: what romance? The MC’s went from noticing how hot the other was to bickering to bed to “I love you,” with absolutely nothing in between.
The side characters: annoying space fillers. And The Legend of Bobby Rose turned out to be a non-event in this book, though he seems like a character who’d be an interesting hero of another story.
Mildly—very mildly—interesting but totally pointless. Garwood phoned this one in.
April 19, 2012
I love Julie Garwood. Really, I do. She is a literary goddess, and I worship at her feet. However, as divine as she may be, "Fire and Ice" is anything but ambrosia.
Honestly, it kills me to say this. You must understand that I cut my teeth on Garwood's brilliant romantic historicals. I have spent a good portion of my life collecting each and every one---not to mention reading them again and again to the point of memorization. (Sad, I know, but the woman is, after all, a goddess.) There was a time that I would count down the days until a new Garwood was published like a crack addict awaiting her next fix.
Unfortunately, those days are now gone.
I have known it for a while, but, with each new book since the debut of "Heartbreaker," I have watched this author turn her back on every talent in her arsenal (witty, hilarious dialogue, fast-paced plots, fabulously interwoven and highly-entertaining sub-plots, sigh-worthy love stories, interesting historical facts, and side-splitting chaos) to reach out for the murder-mystery world where she simply doesn't shine. Ever since "Heartbreaker," (I am not even going to bring up "Shadow Music"--Don't get me started on that trainwreck) I have had to read the same basic plot over and over again, each time growing more and more disenchanted and disheartened. The smart-yet naive, sexy heroine is in danger from a psycho killer---but refuses to actually believe that---and it's only the big, bad loner lawman who is going to be able to save the day. P.S. They fall in love somehow along the way. Did I mention that?
Now, I will tell you that I am not a huge fan of the murder-mystery romance genre. This is why it has taken me this long to speak out (or type, as the case may be). I kept thinking it was me. Well, guess what? I just read this latest book, "Fire and Ice," and I can tell you one thing for certain:
The problem isn't me.
Not only are we dealing with the same plot as all the others, but we also have the incredibly quick development of Jack and Sophie's relationship. It's like someone injected them with steroids or something. One minute, they barely know each other, the next he's announcing that they'll be heading off to bed "by 10pm." Huh? I am all for quick romances and I have seen plenty of authors pull it off dozens of times. This one just isn't believable to me. These two just get to head off to Alaska, jump into bed, dodge a few bullets---as well as a crowbar (ouch)---and, BOOM, live happily ever after. Sophie herself even tries to figure out why she's so involved with someone she barely knows. Honey, if the characters are asking these questions, don't you think the readers will, too?
Then, there is the mystery plot. It was far-fetched for me to believe that someone like Sophie would really pursue this Harrington fellow as much as she did after he disappeared. He was irritating, boring, and colossal waste of brain power every time she was in his presence. He disappears before a race. So what? I was a journalist for many years. Believe me; reporters (especially those who work for smaller papers) have too much to do and too little time to do it in to worry about people like that---especially when the guy is a self-centered, egotistical creep. Even if you honestly want an apology, you wouldn't try to track him down because you would be too worried that he would suck you into his narcissitic vortex again. No, you'd put him in the "weirdoes to be avoided in the future" file and move on to the next story.
But, let's say Sophie is jonesing for an apology so bad she tracks him down. Why on earth would the bad guy actually call her? And, if he did only call her to find out what she knew, it was obvious she knew next to nothing about the whole thing---or at least not enough to piece anything realistic together. (We'll leave out the fact for a minute that Sophie is automatically suspicious of all lawmen and, nevertheless, answers every question fired at her by two strangers on the phone calling from Alaska). Harrington's death was ruled an accident. The bad guy is in the clear. Why would he keep calling her, trying to get her to come to Alaska? Does he want someone to connect him to the Harrington death? The bad guy is supposed to be this smart, educated scientist. I know rednecks who aren't that stupid.
I could go on and on about all the issues I have, but I won't. I could tell you the few things I liked in this book (and there were actually a few), but they're irrelevant. It comes down to this: If you love Julie, as I do, you would buy a copy of the phonebook if she put her name on it. But, in return for this devotion, it would be nice if she'd forget about all this foolishness of trying to be this "thrilling, Queen of Suspense" and write to her strengths. Julie: Just tell a good love story that has heart and rings true. If you still feel the need to toss in a body or two along the way, I'll survive.
Maybe she'll listen. Maybe she won't. Until then, I guess I'll just be doomed to disappointment.
Honestly, it kills me to say this. You must understand that I cut my teeth on Garwood's brilliant romantic historicals. I have spent a good portion of my life collecting each and every one---not to mention reading them again and again to the point of memorization. (Sad, I know, but the woman is, after all, a goddess.) There was a time that I would count down the days until a new Garwood was published like a crack addict awaiting her next fix.
Unfortunately, those days are now gone.
I have known it for a while, but, with each new book since the debut of "Heartbreaker," I have watched this author turn her back on every talent in her arsenal (witty, hilarious dialogue, fast-paced plots, fabulously interwoven and highly-entertaining sub-plots, sigh-worthy love stories, interesting historical facts, and side-splitting chaos) to reach out for the murder-mystery world where she simply doesn't shine. Ever since "Heartbreaker," (I am not even going to bring up "Shadow Music"--Don't get me started on that trainwreck) I have had to read the same basic plot over and over again, each time growing more and more disenchanted and disheartened. The smart-yet naive, sexy heroine is in danger from a psycho killer---but refuses to actually believe that---and it's only the big, bad loner lawman who is going to be able to save the day. P.S. They fall in love somehow along the way. Did I mention that?
Now, I will tell you that I am not a huge fan of the murder-mystery romance genre. This is why it has taken me this long to speak out (or type, as the case may be). I kept thinking it was me. Well, guess what? I just read this latest book, "Fire and Ice," and I can tell you one thing for certain:
The problem isn't me.
Not only are we dealing with the same plot as all the others, but we also have the incredibly quick development of Jack and Sophie's relationship. It's like someone injected them with steroids or something. One minute, they barely know each other, the next he's announcing that they'll be heading off to bed "by 10pm." Huh? I am all for quick romances and I have seen plenty of authors pull it off dozens of times. This one just isn't believable to me. These two just get to head off to Alaska, jump into bed, dodge a few bullets---as well as a crowbar (ouch)---and, BOOM, live happily ever after. Sophie herself even tries to figure out why she's so involved with someone she barely knows. Honey, if the characters are asking these questions, don't you think the readers will, too?
Then, there is the mystery plot. It was far-fetched for me to believe that someone like Sophie would really pursue this Harrington fellow as much as she did after he disappeared. He was irritating, boring, and colossal waste of brain power every time she was in his presence. He disappears before a race. So what? I was a journalist for many years. Believe me; reporters (especially those who work for smaller papers) have too much to do and too little time to do it in to worry about people like that---especially when the guy is a self-centered, egotistical creep. Even if you honestly want an apology, you wouldn't try to track him down because you would be too worried that he would suck you into his narcissitic vortex again. No, you'd put him in the "weirdoes to be avoided in the future" file and move on to the next story.
But, let's say Sophie is jonesing for an apology so bad she tracks him down. Why on earth would the bad guy actually call her? And, if he did only call her to find out what she knew, it was obvious she knew next to nothing about the whole thing---or at least not enough to piece anything realistic together. (We'll leave out the fact for a minute that Sophie is automatically suspicious of all lawmen and, nevertheless, answers every question fired at her by two strangers on the phone calling from Alaska). Harrington's death was ruled an accident. The bad guy is in the clear. Why would he keep calling her, trying to get her to come to Alaska? Does he want someone to connect him to the Harrington death? The bad guy is supposed to be this smart, educated scientist. I know rednecks who aren't that stupid.
I could go on and on about all the issues I have, but I won't. I could tell you the few things I liked in this book (and there were actually a few), but they're irrelevant. It comes down to this: If you love Julie, as I do, you would buy a copy of the phonebook if she put her name on it. But, in return for this devotion, it would be nice if she'd forget about all this foolishness of trying to be this "thrilling, Queen of Suspense" and write to her strengths. Julie: Just tell a good love story that has heart and rings true. If you still feel the need to toss in a body or two along the way, I'll survive.
Maybe she'll listen. Maybe she won't. Until then, I guess I'll just be doomed to disappointment.
June 25, 2023
If I’m ever kidnapped and tied up and had my skull fractured with a crowbar, when I’m finally rescued I definitely want the plastic surgeon’s first comment to be about my natural beauty not requiring Botox- yet. Barf.
The mystery part of this book was interesting enough to keep me going. The actual romance was meh, they both seem like the kind of people that’ll not stay happy together for long.
In this book we have the following characters:
Sophie- a perfect pretty girl who is only occasionally TSTL and has an actual tantrum when a medic cuts off her damaged designer blouse in the ER. yup. Because nurses and EMTs aren’t overworked and abused and underpaid enough but they have to somehow save your bullet-riddled shirt along with your perfect pretty princess life? Grow up.
Jack- an FBI dickhead who’s YouTube famous for some reason
Some other people who fawn over Sophie because she’s perfect
Sophie’s radiant beauty is a whole extra character because people ask her out and stalk her allll the time omg so perfect whatever
Jack’s supposed hotness tried to be a whole extra character as well but couldn’t find any footing on page, so had to settle for being a dick. And really good at shooting bad guys on snowmobiles.
The root beer hoarding boss who I kind of want to hang out with cause he’s nuts
Narcissistic rich marathon runner with red socks (was his red shirt part of the joke? cause that boy died fast)
Crazy scientists
Boring scientists
Alpha wolf with the munchies
Polar bear with the munchies
Greasy mullet stalker coworker who should have been named Literary Caricature
The FMC’s dad, an intriguing Robin-Hood-in-Hiding sort of dude. In fact, I think I’d rather read a whole book about him than the actual MCs.
The mystery part of this book was interesting enough to keep me going. The actual romance was meh, they both seem like the kind of people that’ll not stay happy together for long.
In this book we have the following characters:
Sophie- a perfect pretty girl who is only occasionally TSTL and has an actual tantrum when a medic cuts off her damaged designer blouse in the ER. yup. Because nurses and EMTs aren’t overworked and abused and underpaid enough but they have to somehow save your bullet-riddled shirt along with your perfect pretty princess life? Grow up.
Jack- an FBI dickhead who’s YouTube famous for some reason
Some other people who fawn over Sophie because she’s perfect
Sophie’s radiant beauty is a whole extra character because people ask her out and stalk her allll the time omg so perfect whatever
Jack’s supposed hotness tried to be a whole extra character as well but couldn’t find any footing on page, so had to settle for being a dick. And really good at shooting bad guys on snowmobiles.
The root beer hoarding boss who I kind of want to hang out with cause he’s nuts
Narcissistic rich marathon runner with red socks (was his red shirt part of the joke? cause that boy died fast)
Crazy scientists
Boring scientists
Alpha wolf with the munchies
Polar bear with the munchies
Greasy mullet stalker coworker who should have been named Literary Caricature
The FMC’s dad, an intriguing Robin-Hood-in-Hiding sort of dude. In fact, I think I’d rather read a whole book about him than the actual MCs.
April 16, 2010
My girlfriend just raved and raved about how good an author Sandra Brown is and how I should get over my biases about her. To prove the point, she gave me this book to read. Ummm.... this book is by Julie Garwood.
But I read it anyway. I did learn some facts about Alaska, like that in some places, it's illegal to lock your cars. Why? Bear attacks. If car doors can't be locked anyone can jump into the car when a bear attacks and maybe be safe. But I've gotta tell you. For once, I'd love to see a short, plump woman with pendulous breasts become the love of someone's life. Oh, wait. Maybe I need to write that one, since I'm living it.
But I read it anyway. I did learn some facts about Alaska, like that in some places, it's illegal to lock your cars. Why? Bear attacks. If car doors can't be locked anyone can jump into the car when a bear attacks and maybe be safe. But I've gotta tell you. For once, I'd love to see a short, plump woman with pendulous breasts become the love of someone's life. Oh, wait. Maybe I need to write that one, since I'm living it.
October 11, 2018
This story is a romantic suspense with two stories, happening over two time periods. One in the present and one in the past that slowly catches up the the events happening in the present.
Sophie is a journalist, who is pulled into a murder investigation when her business card ends up at the scene of a gruesome and fatal accident between her latest lead, William Harrington and a giant polar bear. What looks like a random animal attack stirs suspicion with Sophie. Following the few leads she has, Sophie and her reluctant FBI bodyguard, Jack head to Alaska to find out the truth behind William Harrington death.
In the wilds of Alaska, what started as a simple observation of wild wolves, quickly turns deadly when a small group of ambitious scientists turn to dangerous experiments. Their jump from animal experimentation to human testing – resulting in the mysterious death of William Harrington – leads Sophie right to their door.
This was my first audio book and I think I just wasn’t used to having another voice inside my head reading to me. Also it took me a while to figure out I can speed up the pace of the reading? I was kicking myself for not speeding things up early on! I think that would have helped a ton in the beginning. The story itself was good and I liked the mystery but it took a long while to warm up to the MCs.
It was a bit slow to start, the MCs don’t meet until almost 2 hours into the audio. And they didn’t have any one on one time until well after the 5 hour mark. Which is about 50% into the story and too long, IMO. I also found the voice of the reader to miss its mark when anything humorous or sarcastic was said. Instead of being funny or witty it just came off as awkward or mean. Sophie ended up sounding catty and whiny rather than endearing or sweet. (Her rants about her designer clothes/purses had me rolling my eyes!). The deeper tone used when reading any male character, but especially the Hero’s was so cut and dry. His tone never changed and that was jarring whenever something flirty. I couldn’t differentiate his emotions. Was he angry? Teasing? Concerned? I don’t know how to explain it, just that it her tone never changed and instead of being gripping most scenes felt monotone.
Would I recommend? Not sure audio is a good fit for me but overall the story was good. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I read it rather than just listening in.
SAFETY INFO:
Sophie is a journalist, who is pulled into a murder investigation when her business card ends up at the scene of a gruesome and fatal accident between her latest lead, William Harrington and a giant polar bear. What looks like a random animal attack stirs suspicion with Sophie. Following the few leads she has, Sophie and her reluctant FBI bodyguard, Jack head to Alaska to find out the truth behind William Harrington death.
In the wilds of Alaska, what started as a simple observation of wild wolves, quickly turns deadly when a small group of ambitious scientists turn to dangerous experiments. Their jump from animal experimentation to human testing – resulting in the mysterious death of William Harrington – leads Sophie right to their door.
This was my first audio book and I think I just wasn’t used to having another voice inside my head reading to me. Also it took me a while to figure out I can speed up the pace of the reading? I was kicking myself for not speeding things up early on! I think that would have helped a ton in the beginning. The story itself was good and I liked the mystery but it took a long while to warm up to the MCs.
It was a bit slow to start, the MCs don’t meet until almost 2 hours into the audio. And they didn’t have any one on one time until well after the 5 hour mark. Which is about 50% into the story and too long, IMO. I also found the voice of the reader to miss its mark when anything humorous or sarcastic was said. Instead of being funny or witty it just came off as awkward or mean. Sophie ended up sounding catty and whiny rather than endearing or sweet. (Her rants about her designer clothes/purses had me rolling my eyes!). The deeper tone used when reading any male character, but especially the Hero’s was so cut and dry. His tone never changed and that was jarring whenever something flirty. I couldn’t differentiate his emotions. Was he angry? Teasing? Concerned? I don’t know how to explain it, just that it her tone never changed and instead of being gripping most scenes felt monotone.
Would I recommend? Not sure audio is a good fit for me but overall the story was good. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I read it rather than just listening in.
SAFETY INFO:
January 1, 2009
Julie Garwood's newest contemporary "Fire and Ice" is a fast-moving, exhilarating read with an unlikely lead couple and a twisting mystery. The heroine was introduced in "Murder List", but now Sophie gets her own story, and her own FBI hero!
Sophie has left her big journalist job to work at a smaller paper outside Chicago. At least this editor agrees not to pump Sophie for information about her father! But when her father is implicated (again) in a possible crime, Sophie prepares herself for another round of questioning from various government agencies, not to mention threats from his enemies. Then one of Sophie's local intereste interviewee's turns up dead...in Alaska...eaten by a polar bear! Surely a trip to the frozen north will give Sophie a break, and it couldn't hurt for her to have a little distance from totally unsuitable Jack MacAlister.
Jack would have to be dead from the neck down not to notice how attractive Sophie is. But Bobby Rose's daughter? How inappropriate is that? Too bad that it seems Jack's libido isn't listening. And when Sophie is injured, Jack quickly realizes that she could use a little muscle on her trip to the frozen wastes of Alaska. And good thing Jack's handy with a gun when it appears Sophie's trip didn't deter someone who wants her dead!
Several different stories come together and require the reader to track carefully if they want to figure out who's trying to kill Sophie, and why. The banter and sizzling attraction between Sophie and Jack add just the right amount of humor and heat to Garwood's latest romantic suspense. Another hit for me and one I couldn't put down till the end.
Sophie has left her big journalist job to work at a smaller paper outside Chicago. At least this editor agrees not to pump Sophie for information about her father! But when her father is implicated (again) in a possible crime, Sophie prepares herself for another round of questioning from various government agencies, not to mention threats from his enemies. Then one of Sophie's local intereste interviewee's turns up dead...in Alaska...eaten by a polar bear! Surely a trip to the frozen north will give Sophie a break, and it couldn't hurt for her to have a little distance from totally unsuitable Jack MacAlister.
Jack would have to be dead from the neck down not to notice how attractive Sophie is. But Bobby Rose's daughter? How inappropriate is that? Too bad that it seems Jack's libido isn't listening. And when Sophie is injured, Jack quickly realizes that she could use a little muscle on her trip to the frozen wastes of Alaska. And good thing Jack's handy with a gun when it appears Sophie's trip didn't deter someone who wants her dead!
Several different stories come together and require the reader to track carefully if they want to figure out who's trying to kill Sophie, and why. The banter and sizzling attraction between Sophie and Jack add just the right amount of humor and heat to Garwood's latest romantic suspense. Another hit for me and one I couldn't put down till the end.
March 7, 2009
This is probably the lowest I've ever rated a Julie Garwood book but her writing style just keeps deteriorating. She sacrifices character study for a fun joke (which would be forgiveable if the joke was actually interesting) and she creates these twists and turns that are as twisty as a prairie road.
(No, I'm not sure where that came from.)
I'm probably going harp on this for an annoyingly long time but god. William Harrington, the man who dies and starts Sophie's quest to find out why, is a boring narcissist who, uncomprehendingly, is successful with women. I say "uncomprehendingly" because, if his interview with Sophie is an example of his so-called charm, I'm not sure how he's able to get laid at all. Isn't charm something that engages another person? An interest in another person that makes them feel connected with you?
How is this boring, long-winded narcissist able to stop talking about himself long enough to engage a woman in conversation which would convince her to have sex with him on a short acquaintance? How?! Are Julie Garwood's pretend women that dumb?! Is this her statement on women who would sleep with a man without being in a relationship? What is she trying to say?
Or is she just not able to portray a character fully without resorting to her written tics of bad people written as stupid, bad and ugly, while good people are beautiful, smart and engaging?
I don't know why I keep reading her novels except that there are times when she's absolutely brilliant, even if they are few and far between. I just keep hoping for more and I'm continually disappointed when it never reaches that "more" that I hope for.
Recommendation? I'm not going to stop you from reading the book. I just think expectations should be tempered. Don't go in expecting an amazing read; go in expecting a very quick read with bad characterization and a few laughs.
(No, I'm not sure where that came from.)
I'm probably going harp on this for an annoyingly long time but god. William Harrington, the man who dies and starts Sophie's quest to find out why, is a boring narcissist who, uncomprehendingly, is successful with women. I say "uncomprehendingly" because, if his interview with Sophie is an example of his so-called charm, I'm not sure how he's able to get laid at all. Isn't charm something that engages another person? An interest in another person that makes them feel connected with you?
How is this boring, long-winded narcissist able to stop talking about himself long enough to engage a woman in conversation which would convince her to have sex with him on a short acquaintance? How?! Are Julie Garwood's pretend women that dumb?! Is this her statement on women who would sleep with a man without being in a relationship? What is she trying to say?
Or is she just not able to portray a character fully without resorting to her written tics of bad people written as stupid, bad and ugly, while good people are beautiful, smart and engaging?
I don't know why I keep reading her novels except that there are times when she's absolutely brilliant, even if they are few and far between. I just keep hoping for more and I'm continually disappointed when it never reaches that "more" that I hope for.
Recommendation? I'm not going to stop you from reading the book. I just think expectations should be tempered. Don't go in expecting an amazing read; go in expecting a very quick read with bad characterization and a few laughs.
December 31, 2015
3. 5 Stars
July 10, 2020
3,5 / 5
September 18, 2019
3.5 stars
September 7, 2022
Sophie Rose lives in the shadow of her infamous father, Bobby Rose. He's a notorious modern-day Robin Hood, suspected of stealing from other nefarious groups and individuals. Sophie is trying to make it on her own without her father's financial assistance. Her best friends, Regan and Cordie, are supporting her independence.
Sophie is a struggling reporter, working for a small city paper, and inadvertently walks into a dangerous assignment. Enter FBI AgentJack MacAlister, Alec Buchanan's partner, who ends up having to provide her protection. Though Sophie is loathe to get involved with a lawman, both cannot avoid the attraction.
The dialogue in the story is snappy and fun. Sophie and Jack are a great pairing and the mystery, while not rip roaring, is interesting enough. The poker games hosted by Alec make for fun interludes, with characters from earlier books in the series making substantive appearances.
I highly recommend this 7th book in the series.
Sophie is a struggling reporter, working for a small city paper, and inadvertently walks into a dangerous assignment. Enter FBI AgentJack MacAlister, Alec Buchanan's partner, who ends up having to provide her protection. Though Sophie is loathe to get involved with a lawman, both cannot avoid the attraction.
The dialogue in the story is snappy and fun. Sophie and Jack are a great pairing and the mystery, while not rip roaring, is interesting enough. The poker games hosted by Alec make for fun interludes, with characters from earlier books in the series making substantive appearances.
I highly recommend this 7th book in the series.
July 27, 2011
This was a light romantic suspense novel. Julie Garwood is always good, either with contemporary or historical romance,suspense. Not much more I can say about it. The plot was a little silly, but the romance was nice. Still was fooled as to the bad guys were, so overall, a nice beach read.
April 22, 2017
3 ½ stars. A pleasant way to pass the time.
There were a couple things I could quibble about, but not a major problem.
Sophie has a clue about a murder. If the bad guys had just kept quiet and bided their time, she would never discover anything and they would get away with it. But because they tried to kill Sophie more than once, she and her FBI friends were able to learn things. That seemed too easy. I would have preferred some interesting clues along the way.
And then we have the formulaic separation which could have been done better. They are falling in lust/love and then Sophie breaks it off, which was not consistent with her feelings.
But, I still enjoyed the story.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Rebecca Lowman did a fine job.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: about 320 pages. Swearing language: I don’t recall any. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: about 3. Setting: current day Chicago, Illinois and Alaska. Book copyright: 2008. Genre: romantic suspense.
There were a couple things I could quibble about, but not a major problem.
Sophie has a clue about a murder. If the bad guys had just kept quiet and bided their time, she would never discover anything and they would get away with it. But because they tried to kill Sophie more than once, she and her FBI friends were able to learn things. That seemed too easy. I would have preferred some interesting clues along the way.
And then we have the formulaic separation which could have been done better. They are falling in lust/love and then Sophie breaks it off, which was not consistent with her feelings.
But, I still enjoyed the story.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Rebecca Lowman did a fine job.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: about 320 pages. Swearing language: I don’t recall any. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: about 3. Setting: current day Chicago, Illinois and Alaska. Book copyright: 2008. Genre: romantic suspense.
December 26, 2017
2 Disappointing Stars!
If I wanted only good Mystery and decent sex I would just watch a bond movie.
This series keeps deteriorating with each new book.
Ever heard of character development. I mean I would like to know something more about Sophie and Jack beyond their perfect bodies and awesome chemistry.
What's wierd is that there is more is more depth to Bobbie Rose than any other character in this book.
It's a crying shame that I'm giving 2 stars to a Julie Garwood book. But this book was really a disappointment.
If I wanted only good Mystery and decent sex I would just watch a bond movie.
This series keeps deteriorating with each new book.
Ever heard of character development. I mean I would like to know something more about Sophie and Jack beyond their perfect bodies and awesome chemistry.
What's wierd is that there is more is more depth to Bobbie Rose than any other character in this book.
It's a crying shame that I'm giving 2 stars to a Julie Garwood book. But this book was really a disappointment.
March 7, 2025
Why was everyone so dumb?!?!?!
I still don’t understand how the animal abuse story correlated with the main one (was there even a story there???).
I would have given it one star but i need to really hate the book for that. I couldn’t care less about this book.
I still don’t understand how the animal abuse story correlated with the main one (was there even a story there???).
I would have given it one star but i need to really hate the book for that. I couldn’t care less about this book.
September 4, 2017
Me encantó!
April 5, 2019
Updating it quite late I know! Somehow I missed to mark this as 'read', I was just checking for books in this genre and Julie Garwood has been a favorite for a long time, so was quite surprised when I read the blurb and realized that I have already finished reading this. Don't remember much of my thoughts about the book but on the whole was happy and liked the mystery part of it more. The heroine having a modern Robin Hood for a father and the study about arctic wolves were interesting to read.
August 21, 2024
Foi bem enjoyable. Senti alguma nostalgia, porque o "crime" deu-me vibes de Inspetor Max (não tem nada a ver, mas tem vibes de).
March 29, 2009
This is another hit by Ms. Garwood. I have enjoyed all of her romance mystery novels (Buchanan Brothers). And this is another great story.
Sophie Rose is the daughter of a so called theif and a news paper reporter for a small time paper in Chicago. She is assigned a story about a ego maniac 5K runner. After meeting with the runner and going to see him start the race he disappears and Sophie is left to wonder what happened to him. Upon returning to work she finds out that her father is in the news again and she receives several death threats. Alec Buchanan, married to one of her best friends, and his partner Jack McCallister come to watch over Sophie and see what they can do to help. Sophie is attracted to Jack, but isn't about to get involved with someone from the FBI.
Jack is a calm and competent FBI agent assigned to be partners with Alec Buchanan (Murder List). Upon meeting Sophie he is interested in this beautiful and intellegent woman, but when he finds out who her father is he is a little nervous about getting involved.
Throughout the story Sophie and Jack bicker and argue. their attraction is there, but they are fighting it. When the whereabouts of the runner are revealed, the two stories merge and the intrigue is notched a little higher.
You will love this book. I recomend it highly, along with JG's other Buchanan books.
Sophie Rose is the daughter of a so called theif and a news paper reporter for a small time paper in Chicago. She is assigned a story about a ego maniac 5K runner. After meeting with the runner and going to see him start the race he disappears and Sophie is left to wonder what happened to him. Upon returning to work she finds out that her father is in the news again and she receives several death threats. Alec Buchanan, married to one of her best friends, and his partner Jack McCallister come to watch over Sophie and see what they can do to help. Sophie is attracted to Jack, but isn't about to get involved with someone from the FBI.
Jack is a calm and competent FBI agent assigned to be partners with Alec Buchanan (Murder List). Upon meeting Sophie he is interested in this beautiful and intellegent woman, but when he finds out who her father is he is a little nervous about getting involved.
Throughout the story Sophie and Jack bicker and argue. their attraction is there, but they are fighting it. When the whereabouts of the runner are revealed, the two stories merge and the intrigue is notched a little higher.
You will love this book. I recomend it highly, along with JG's other Buchanan books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2017
The seventh book in Julie Garwood's Buchanan/Renard series. Sophie Rose, who we met previously in Murder List, is a reporter and the daughter of the notorious Bobby Rose. She is sent to do a story on William Harrington, runner and narcissist playboy, when he disappears at the race. Her father ends up in the news again and there are threats on her life. After an attempt on her life, she gets Jack MacAlister as her bodyguard.
I have enjoyed the Buchanan series and this is no exception. It wasn't my favorite of the series but I still say Julie Garwood writes some good romantic suspense. Not as good as her historical romances, though. But I try not to compare the two. They are two totally different romance genres.
I have enjoyed the Buchanan series and this is no exception. It wasn't my favorite of the series but I still say Julie Garwood writes some good romantic suspense. Not as good as her historical romances, though. But I try not to compare the two. They are two totally different romance genres.
June 15, 2016
3.5 stars rounded to 4. Mostly for the writing and the hero. I really liked the hero, he was all hot, sexy, smoldering and dominating. The alpha male, one could call him. The secondary characters, the heroine's father, the heroine's boss were well written and likable. The story was a fluff piece, but it was good enough. My only problem with the book was the heroine. I think she is the first heroine of Ms. Garwood's that I actively disliked. She didn't display a lick of common sense or an ounce of caution in the whole book. She was plain stupid and careless most of the time. Sometimes, I just wanted to shake some sense into her. Julie Garwood usually writes such good strong heroines, this book actually disappointed me in that aspect.
February 9, 2009
I liked her latest installment to her Buchanan brother’s books. It's linked to "Murder List", however, it's been about three years since I've read that one. I don't remember much about the heroine here, Sophie, and her role in that one. Anyhoo....
This one has a few stories going on that end up linking all together at the end. A lot of action, snappy bantering, and we even get some poor guy eaten by a polar bear.
I wish Ms. Garwood could crank out more than one book per year. I recommend for any romantic suspense fans.
This one has a few stories going on that end up linking all together at the end. A lot of action, snappy bantering, and we even get some poor guy eaten by a polar bear.
I wish Ms. Garwood could crank out more than one book per year. I recommend for any romantic suspense fans.
September 1, 2015
A very solid (and surprising) entry in Ms Garwood's contemporary romantic suspense series. The final of the three friends gets her story told. Well, final in the sense that it was the last one for me to read.
I wasn't sure about the whole wolf and Alaska element, but it works really well. Jack isn't my favorite of her heroes but Sophie is surely one of my favorite heroines.
There are some great comic elements in this one as well.
I wasn't sure about the whole wolf and Alaska element, but it works really well. Jack isn't my favorite of her heroes but Sophie is surely one of my favorite heroines.
There are some great comic elements in this one as well.
January 15, 2019
Muy entretenido, aunque no se profundiza mucho en el romance.
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