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Ice #1
Black Ice
Living paycheck to paycheck in Paris, American book translator Chloe Underwood would give anything for some excitement and passion--even a little danger. So when she's offered a lucrative weekend gig translating at a business conference in a remote chateau, she jumps at the chance to shake things up.
Then by chance Chloe discovers her employers are anything but the entrepreneurs they appear, and suddenly she knows far too much. Her clients are illegal arms dealers, and one of them is ordered to kill her. But instead, Bastien Toussaint drags Chloe away, and the next thing she knows she's on the run with the most terrifying and seductive man she's ever met. What were his motives--and would she live long enough to find out?
Then by chance Chloe discovers her employers are anything but the entrepreneurs they appear, and suddenly she knows far too much. Her clients are illegal arms dealers, and one of them is ordered to kill her. But instead, Bastien Toussaint drags Chloe away, and the next thing she knows she's on the run with the most terrifying and seductive man she's ever met. What were his motives--and would she live long enough to find out?
377 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2005
About the author
Anne Stuart
204 books2,037 followersAnne Stuart is a grandmaster of the genre, winner of Romance Writers of America's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, survivor of more than thirty-five years in the romance business, and still just keeps getting better.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 860 reviews
August 4, 2020
2.5 Stars
This was my first book by Anne Stuart and I can say that I like her style. I think I'll be reading more of her books in the future.
I'm not sure I picked the right book to start with, though. You see, I’m kinda allergic to ridiculous plots. And boy did this one make my eyes hurt from rolling them too hard. But for some unbeknownst reason to me, I couldn’t stop reading it. It was strangely addictive in that ‘ridiculous but I'm loving it’ way.
I have to give it to the heroine. Not only was she trying really hard to ruin the book in every possible way, she also had a room temperature IQ.
Luckily, what the heroine lacked in brains, the hero made up for in good looks. Dark, deadly, dangerous. I love that type.
Sadly, good looks don’t mean jack if your attitude is shitty. Even more sadly, this hero had it in spades. It’s not a secret how much I love redeemable asshole heroes, especially cold, grumpy ones. But this hero was just a tad too cold, too violent, too heartless, too disrespectful, too crude and too rude for my liking.
Despite everything, I kind of enjoyed this book. It was fun in all its ridiculousness. Plus, I loved the writing.
This was my first book by Anne Stuart and I can say that I like her style. I think I'll be reading more of her books in the future.
I'm not sure I picked the right book to start with, though. You see, I’m kinda allergic to ridiculous plots. And boy did this one make my eyes hurt from rolling them too hard. But for some unbeknownst reason to me, I couldn’t stop reading it. It was strangely addictive in that ‘ridiculous but I'm loving it’ way.
I have to give it to the heroine. Not only was she trying really hard to ruin the book in every possible way, she also had a room temperature IQ.
Luckily, what the heroine lacked in brains, the hero made up for in good looks. Dark, deadly, dangerous. I love that type.
Sadly, good looks don’t mean jack if your attitude is shitty. Even more sadly, this hero had it in spades. It’s not a secret how much I love redeemable asshole heroes, especially cold, grumpy ones. But this hero was just a tad too cold, too violent, too heartless, too disrespectful, too crude and too rude for my liking.
Despite everything, I kind of enjoyed this book. It was fun in all its ridiculousness. Plus, I loved the writing.
September 29, 2010
There is something to be said for rereads. I read this one more slowly this time, savoring the language and the scenes. I love dessert. It's my favorite meal. And I always eat my dessert very slowly. Sadly, I read this so fast the first time, since Ms. Stuart hadn't put out a book a while before this one, too fast to truly take in and appreciate all the nuances. This time, I tried to treat Black Ice as if it was a dessert to be savored. And indeed, it was like the most seductive, decadent kind of desserts. And, I love it even more this time around.
Can you fall in love with a ruthless killer? A man who cares nothing for life and has absolutely no sense of right or wrong? A man who will use violence, sex, or lies, in whatever way is necessary to get the job done? In real life, I hope never to find that out. But, in this book, I could totally believe that Chloe would fall in love with the covert operative who goes by the name of Bastien, among many.
Can love change the bleakest, darkest heart? I do believe it can. As she often does, Ms. Stuart did a great job of showing me exactly that.
Black Ice won't be for everyone. Not every reader will fall in love with a hero who is as ruthless as Bastien. I couldn't help but fall for him. Ms. Stuart knows how to write this kind of hero--like no other author that I've read. There are so many layers to the man who goes by Bastien Toussaint. I love how each layer is peeled away to reveal the man that Chloe (and I could love). He's a physically beautiful man, one of sinuous grace. He's completely elegant, even when he's doing unspeakable things. He's absolute, complete seduction. And then there's the way he risks life and limb, and wreaks all sort of havoc to protect Chloe. Like the woman in his past, and Chloe, I could not resist him. Funny to think I felt he was a bit too hard the first time I read this. Silly me. Now I realize that he's just what this Doctor ordered. Maybe I've come to appreciate this kind of hero more as I've aged. I'm glad for that.
Dark romance it might be, but Anne Stuart writes luscious, sensual romance like no other author for me. The love scenes--fantastic. Worth rereading again and again. So much to savor here.
The suspense and action elements were awesome. Nothing like a little danger with my romance to get my heart pumping. I am a sucker for a sophisticated setting-something about European locales for spy/suspense stories for me. I felt as though I was there in Paris on a wintery night. Seeing the dark, twisted deeds that the Committee did to keep the world safe, even if they had to sacrifice a few innocents along the way, looking so stylish and elegant in their black designer wear all the while. Watching the shadowy games and the more shadowy players. I could see this as a movie, and a great one, in the right hands. Maybe Luc Besson?
At the beginning of this story, Bastien seemed like he could very well watch a defenseless woman like Chloe, in the wrong place at the wrong time, die, and not shed a tear. But, something changes in him after he meets Chloe. By the end of the story, it's clear that he'd do just about anything to keep her alive and safe, even if he can't be with her. How could I not see his love for her? I found I didn't need the words. He's not a man to wear his heart on his sleeve, and by his own words, he normally feels nothing for no one; so when he tells her he loves her, it is that much more poignant. I could feel the ice break, and my heart with it.
I could go on. I get like that about Anne Stuart. But I won't this time. I'll end by saying this:
I think this book is going to be like fine wine. It will get even better with age; it will go down so smooth and then hit you with the fiery reminder of its potency after the fact--better and better each time I read it.
The visuals:
In my later reviews of this series, I used edged weapons analogies. I think of Bastien as a Bowie Knife. Brutal, deadly, beautiful.
Bowie Knife
Keeley Hawes as Chloe Underwood
Guillaume Canet as Bastien Touissaint
Can you fall in love with a ruthless killer? A man who cares nothing for life and has absolutely no sense of right or wrong? A man who will use violence, sex, or lies, in whatever way is necessary to get the job done? In real life, I hope never to find that out. But, in this book, I could totally believe that Chloe would fall in love with the covert operative who goes by the name of Bastien, among many.
Can love change the bleakest, darkest heart? I do believe it can. As she often does, Ms. Stuart did a great job of showing me exactly that.
Black Ice won't be for everyone. Not every reader will fall in love with a hero who is as ruthless as Bastien. I couldn't help but fall for him. Ms. Stuart knows how to write this kind of hero--like no other author that I've read. There are so many layers to the man who goes by Bastien Toussaint. I love how each layer is peeled away to reveal the man that Chloe (and I could love). He's a physically beautiful man, one of sinuous grace. He's completely elegant, even when he's doing unspeakable things. He's absolute, complete seduction. And then there's the way he risks life and limb, and wreaks all sort of havoc to protect Chloe. Like the woman in his past, and Chloe, I could not resist him. Funny to think I felt he was a bit too hard the first time I read this. Silly me. Now I realize that he's just what this Doctor ordered. Maybe I've come to appreciate this kind of hero more as I've aged. I'm glad for that.
Dark romance it might be, but Anne Stuart writes luscious, sensual romance like no other author for me. The love scenes--fantastic. Worth rereading again and again. So much to savor here.
The suspense and action elements were awesome. Nothing like a little danger with my romance to get my heart pumping. I am a sucker for a sophisticated setting-something about European locales for spy/suspense stories for me. I felt as though I was there in Paris on a wintery night. Seeing the dark, twisted deeds that the Committee did to keep the world safe, even if they had to sacrifice a few innocents along the way, looking so stylish and elegant in their black designer wear all the while. Watching the shadowy games and the more shadowy players. I could see this as a movie, and a great one, in the right hands. Maybe Luc Besson?
At the beginning of this story, Bastien seemed like he could very well watch a defenseless woman like Chloe, in the wrong place at the wrong time, die, and not shed a tear. But, something changes in him after he meets Chloe. By the end of the story, it's clear that he'd do just about anything to keep her alive and safe, even if he can't be with her. How could I not see his love for her? I found I didn't need the words. He's not a man to wear his heart on his sleeve, and by his own words, he normally feels nothing for no one; so when he tells her he loves her, it is that much more poignant. I could feel the ice break, and my heart with it.
I could go on. I get like that about Anne Stuart. But I won't this time. I'll end by saying this:
I think this book is going to be like fine wine. It will get even better with age; it will go down so smooth and then hit you with the fiery reminder of its potency after the fact--better and better each time I read it.
The visuals:
In my later reviews of this series, I used edged weapons analogies. I think of Bastien as a Bowie Knife. Brutal, deadly, beautiful.
Bowie Knife
Keeley Hawes as Chloe Underwood
Guillaume Canet as Bastien Touissaint
December 20, 2017
After reread: I still think Bastien is the most gamma dude I've read so far. Absolutely love him.
I think this is the most gamma hero I've read, and I loved the hell out of him!! This book was really fast paced, intense, always something happening, I literally couldn't put it down until I finished it.
The heroine was annoying at a few times, and some stuff was repeated too much, but honestly I don't care, I enjoyed it anyway.
Bastien <3 I love you <3
Beware, if you don't enjoy antiheroes this may not be for you!
November 22, 2015
Black Ice is the first book in Anne Stuart's Ice series, and one edgy, fast paced, sexy story.
From the cover:
Living paycheck to paycheck in Paris, American book translator Chloe Underwood would give anything for some excitement and passion--even a little danger. So when she's offered a lucrative weekend gig translating at a business conference in a remote chateau, she jumps at the chance to shake things up.My first thoughts are, and I'm being honest, I'm not sure I've ever so thoroughly disliked a hero that I am so thoroughly in love with! Nor have I ever before thought to kill the hero and put the bad guy out of his misery, but I did a few times while reading this story! Bastien is an ass! I mean... SUCH an ass. But, Heaven help me, I love him! Chloe is a great heroine - strong, intelligent, passionate, full of life - a perfect match for Bastien's dark, bleak, nature. Without even trying, she shows him what his life is missing, and thankfully he sees it, grabs hold, and doesn't let go. Well... after he'd walked away from her a few times... then he doesn't let go.
Then by chance Chloe discovers her employers are anything but the entrepreneurs they appear, and suddenly she knows far too much. Her clients are illegal arms dealers, and one of them is ordered to kill her. But instead, Bastien Toussaint drags Chloe away, and the next thing she knows she's on the run with the most terrifying and seductive man she's ever met. What were his motives--and would she live long enough to find out?
This is actually my first Anne Stuart read, but it will most definitely not be my last. The story is very engaging. Arms dealers, terrorists, murderers, clandestine organizations, lots of blood and torture and... yeah, very engaging. I seriously couldn't stop reading once I started.
Another shout out to all my friends who've been
4.5/5 stars because the ending was a little abrupt.
March 21, 2017
Black Ice (Ice 01), by Anne Stuart: 4 “Meat Snack” Stars.
I’m not much of a snack reader. I prefer meaty stories. Ones I can sink my teeth into and chew on for a while. Occasionally, however, I stumble upon a book that’s both meaty and snack sized. Black Ice, by Anne Stuart, is one of those “Meat Snack” books.
Reminiscent of old school caper films like North by Northwest* and Charade*, the first book in Stuart’s Ice Series, is a hearty blend of clever plot, witty dialogue, and irresistible love story; with enough sex, violence, and intrigue to satisfy the most robust appetites.
But it’s the anti-hero that gives this book mouthwatering flavor. He’s so French! So saucy!
SO RUTHLESS, DEADLY, AND COLD HEARTED:
“Sebastien Toussaint, Jean-Marc Marceau, Carlos Santeria, Vladimir the Butcher, and a good half dozen other identities, was impervious to addictions, pain, torture or tenderness. He dispensed justice without blinking. He did what he had to do.”
~ Anne Stuart
But, when Bastien meets the ingenuous Chloe Underwood, he doesn’t want “to do” what he has “to do”. He wants “to do” what he’s never done before. What he’s never even considered doing before. Indeed, what he damn well knows he’s NOT supposed, “to do”: He wants to save Chloe’s life. And if he has to shoot, stab, and strangle everyone in and around "La Ville-Lumière" to do it, he will!
" 'I finally realized why you always wear black.'
'Because I'm stylish?' Bastien suggested lightly. 'Or because I'm evil?'
'Neither,' Chloe said. 'Because it doesn't show blood.' "
~ Chloe & Bastien
Will Bastien and Chloe have to wear black forever? Or, will they avoid immanent death, take down the bad guys, and add a little color to their wardrobe? More importantly, will Chloe fall for the lethal Bastien? And, will Bastien’s icy, black heart melt enough to love Chloe back?
" 'You're my knight in shining armor. My hero, my savior.'
His amusement vanished. 'No hero, no savior, no knight. I'm a killer with an agenda. And you're an inconvenience.'
'Then why am I here?'
'Because I can't get rid of you.'
'If you want to get rid of me, why do you keep saving me?'
'Because I'm desperately in love with you; a prisoner to your charm and -'
'Shut up!'
His mocking litany stopped.
'I'm not saying I matter to you; just that you're not the monster you think you are.'
'I'm not?' He wrapped his fingers around her neck. 'Maybe I feed on pain and terror. Maybe I’ll kill you after you begin to trust me.'
She swallowed. 'And maybe you're full of shit.'"
~ Chloe & Bastien
Well, that’s not entirely true. There are a couple things wrong with this book. The heroine is a little old school pathetic and the ending is a tad bit abrupt; so, an epilogue would have been nice. Other than that, ain’t nothin’ wrong with Anne Stuart’s meaty, snack-sized Black Ice.
In the words of the almighty Hepburn: “It’s good! Try it.”
For information about my rating system, see my profile page.
*North by Northwest. Cary Grant & Eva Marie Saint. Film. 1959.
*Charade. Cary Grant & Audrey Hepburn. Film. 1963.
I’m not much of a snack reader. I prefer meaty stories. Ones I can sink my teeth into and chew on for a while. Occasionally, however, I stumble upon a book that’s both meaty and snack sized. Black Ice, by Anne Stuart, is one of those “Meat Snack” books.
Reminiscent of old school caper films like North by Northwest* and Charade*, the first book in Stuart’s Ice Series, is a hearty blend of clever plot, witty dialogue, and irresistible love story; with enough sex, violence, and intrigue to satisfy the most robust appetites.
But it’s the anti-hero that gives this book mouthwatering flavor. He’s so French! So saucy!
SO RUTHLESS, DEADLY, AND COLD HEARTED:
“Sebastien Toussaint, Jean-Marc Marceau, Carlos Santeria, Vladimir the Butcher, and a good half dozen other identities, was impervious to addictions, pain, torture or tenderness. He dispensed justice without blinking. He did what he had to do.”
~ Anne Stuart
But, when Bastien meets the ingenuous Chloe Underwood, he doesn’t want “to do” what he has “to do”. He wants “to do” what he’s never done before. What he’s never even considered doing before. Indeed, what he damn well knows he’s NOT supposed, “to do”: He wants to save Chloe’s life. And if he has to shoot, stab, and strangle everyone in and around "La Ville-Lumière" to do it, he will!
" 'I finally realized why you always wear black.'
'Because I'm stylish?' Bastien suggested lightly. 'Or because I'm evil?'
'Neither,' Chloe said. 'Because it doesn't show blood.' "
~ Chloe & Bastien
Will Bastien and Chloe have to wear black forever? Or, will they avoid immanent death, take down the bad guys, and add a little color to their wardrobe? More importantly, will Chloe fall for the lethal Bastien? And, will Bastien’s icy, black heart melt enough to love Chloe back?
" 'You're my knight in shining armor. My hero, my savior.'
His amusement vanished. 'No hero, no savior, no knight. I'm a killer with an agenda. And you're an inconvenience.'
'Then why am I here?'
'Because I can't get rid of you.'
'If you want to get rid of me, why do you keep saving me?'
'Because I'm desperately in love with you; a prisoner to your charm and -'
'Shut up!'
His mocking litany stopped.
'I'm not saying I matter to you; just that you're not the monster you think you are.'
'I'm not?' He wrapped his fingers around her neck. 'Maybe I feed on pain and terror. Maybe I’ll kill you after you begin to trust me.'
She swallowed. 'And maybe you're full of shit.'"
~ Chloe & Bastien
Well, that’s not entirely true. There are a couple things wrong with this book. The heroine is a little old school pathetic and the ending is a tad bit abrupt; so, an epilogue would have been nice. Other than that, ain’t nothin’ wrong with Anne Stuart’s meaty, snack-sized Black Ice.
In the words of the almighty Hepburn: “It’s good! Try it.”
For information about my rating system, see my profile page.
*North by Northwest. Cary Grant & Eva Marie Saint. Film. 1959.
*Charade. Cary Grant & Audrey Hepburn. Film. 1963.
September 10, 2012
"She'd remember, and she'd start shaking, and there was no one there to remind her to breathe."
This is such a hard book to review. Totally easy to rate, though.
Five
Huge
Stars
I can understand why some people took Bastien to be just a little too cold-hearted. But I just can't bring myself to care. I LOVED him, so much! He is ruthless and soulless. For nearly the entire book, he just doesn't back down. But you also get a glimpse of the emptiness that he exists with, the nothingness that is in his head and in his heart. It sounds crazy, but I fell in love with him even before he (sort of) redeems himself.
Breathe, Chloe.
You know how in historical romances, they say that reformed rakes make the best husbands? It's because they need that ONE woman to show them what has been missing. Sebastian has no joy...nothing to look forward to, no light at the end of the tunnel. His days are filled with ruthless determination to get the job done, no matter the cost. His allies aren't friends, they are expendable helpers...as is Chloe. The fact that she is a complete innocent never even factors into the equation. He is just so unreachable. And it's crazy, the way that he slowly starts to thaw. I didn't realize how much I was rooting for him until I finally, finally started to see a little glimmer of light. These tiny flickers of tenderness...AH!!! They are so much more golden due to their rarity!!
I know that all I've done so far is defend Bastien. I put off this series for so long due to the negative reviews about the ultimate gamma hero who never redeems himself. So here is my defense of a misunderstood man. And they are right in the fact that Bastien doesn't redeem himself the way a normal romance hero usually does. There are no hearts and flowers for Bastien and Chloe. Just a knowledge of the deep affection and seriously passionate love that Bastien feels. I could just tell that it's a one time only thing for him. Chloe is IT. She is all he sees. What is more romantic than that?
This is such a hard book to review. Totally easy to rate, though.
Five
Huge
Stars
I can understand why some people took Bastien to be just a little too cold-hearted. But I just can't bring myself to care. I LOVED him, so much! He is ruthless and soulless. For nearly the entire book, he just doesn't back down. But you also get a glimpse of the emptiness that he exists with, the nothingness that is in his head and in his heart. It sounds crazy, but I fell in love with him even before he (sort of) redeems himself.
Breathe, Chloe.
You know how in historical romances, they say that reformed rakes make the best husbands? It's because they need that ONE woman to show them what has been missing. Sebastian has no joy...nothing to look forward to, no light at the end of the tunnel. His days are filled with ruthless determination to get the job done, no matter the cost. His allies aren't friends, they are expendable helpers...as is Chloe. The fact that she is a complete innocent never even factors into the equation. He is just so unreachable. And it's crazy, the way that he slowly starts to thaw. I didn't realize how much I was rooting for him until I finally, finally started to see a little glimmer of light. These tiny flickers of tenderness...AH!!! They are so much more golden due to their rarity!!
I know that all I've done so far is defend Bastien. I put off this series for so long due to the negative reviews about the ultimate gamma hero who never redeems himself. So here is my defense of a misunderstood man. And they are right in the fact that Bastien doesn't redeem himself the way a normal romance hero usually does. There are no hearts and flowers for Bastien and Chloe. Just a knowledge of the deep affection and seriously passionate love that Bastien feels. I could just tell that it's a one time only thing for him. Chloe is IT. She is all he sees. What is more romantic than that?
December 30, 2016
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If books were wine, BLACK ICE would be a sweet white; good at first, but man, does it not hold up well over time. I read BLACK ICE for the first time about three years ago. Several of my friends kept recommending the book to me, because they know I like dark/anti-heroes in my fiction, and I was really excited to hear that.
The antihero, Bastien Toussaint, is probably the book's saving grace. He's a compelling character, just as cold as the title would leave you to believe. His first sexual encounter with the heroine is a rape, and what's most chilling about it is how little emotion there is behind it. He doesn't care about anything, not even his own life (in fact, he's a little suicidal), and certainly not about some random woman.
When I first read the book, I didn't know what was going to happen, and I'd never encountered a romantic lead like Bastien before (this was before I started getting into bodice rippers, where pretty much all heroes are giant jerks). The hero and heroine were both on the run for their lives in France, chased by arms dealers, fighting the reluctant attraction between each other...it had the recipe for a brilliant story.
While my original rating of the book was a 4.5, I'm reducing it to 2 in this reread because there are some pretty big problems that I didn't notice in my initial read. Problem #1 is Chloe. She's annoying and wimpy and pretty much everything I do not like in a heroine. I tried to roll with it, because her life was in danger and she was pretty sheltered up to that point, but it's really hard to like a character who seems to have no spine and does nothing but stammer and cry and whine.
Problem #2 is the pacing. The beginning of this book is atmospheric and tense. Chloe ends up in a house with all these "grocers", working as a translator for the international and mixed group. But all of them appear to be hiding something and keep issuing sinister veiled threats, to the point where even Chloe begins to think something is wrong. Then she's tortured, and Bastien saves her because he feels sorry for her, and the two of them go on the run and argue about stupid things, like whether or not he finds her attractive and whether or not he's going to kill her. The pacing really sags in the middle and doesn't pick up again until the last 70 pages. When they do fall in love, it feels sudden, because up until that moment Chloe feared him & didn't trust him, and Bastien seemed intent on ending his own life. I don't think I noticed this the first time because I was so caught up in finding out how it would end, but during the reread it stuck out to me that this love comes out of nowhere.
It's weird that Anne Stuart authored both House of Rohan and the Ice series because the two stories could not be more different. I've read a few of her older historical works too, including a Gothic novel from the 70s and a Medieval romance she published in the 80s or 90s (I can't remember). She's incredibly versatile, which is to be lauded, but for some reason, her historical heroines tend to be much more likable, interesting, and strong than the heroines in her modern romances. I wonder why?
I'll probably give the Ice series a second try, because I heard books 2 and 3 were good, but I'd rather spend my money on House of Rohan right now, because House of Rohan is totally amazing.
If you want to give this book a go, though, it's only $2.99 on Kindle at the time of my posting this.
2 stars!
January 5, 2015
5 stars – Romantic Suspense
This book is hard to rate/review because it’s so different from the typical romantic suspense novel and much darker, which isn’t a bad thing at all, but makes it more challenging to describe. I had read a lot of the reviews describing Bastien as the ultimate gamma hero, and boy is he ever! I’m not sure what I was expecting, maybe a Jason Bourne type assassin, but Bastien makes Bourne look like the Easter bunny! He’s brutally cold, ruthless, calculating, manipulative, seductive, and feels no guilt or remorse over his actions, but yet he’s still surprisingly sexy as all get out.
“Black Ice” is a very distinctive and well-written action-packed suspense thriller with a dark gamma hero, a naive heroine, and some romance to boot. I’ll definitely read the rest of the series...5 stars!
This book is hard to rate/review because it’s so different from the typical romantic suspense novel and much darker, which isn’t a bad thing at all, but makes it more challenging to describe. I had read a lot of the reviews describing Bastien as the ultimate gamma hero, and boy is he ever! I’m not sure what I was expecting, maybe a Jason Bourne type assassin, but Bastien makes Bourne look like the Easter bunny! He’s brutally cold, ruthless, calculating, manipulative, seductive, and feels no guilt or remorse over his actions, but yet he’s still surprisingly sexy as all get out.
“Black Ice” is a very distinctive and well-written action-packed suspense thriller with a dark gamma hero, a naive heroine, and some romance to boot. I’ll definitely read the rest of the series...5 stars!
July 11, 2012
June 24, 2012: 6:30 AM. Mood:Sleep Deprived and Mind Blown
Real Review is written now :p
Oh. My. Gosh. What in the hell did I just read. I can't decide if this is the worst romance novel, if you can call it that, I have ever read or the Best. I mean, it should be called Black Crack. Easily, this is the most twisted sick excuse of a romance novel I have ever encountered. I can honestly say I'm blown, i had no fucking clue what was happening or what was going to happen. This novel goes against EVERY rule of romance i have ever set. I mean you call that a HEA? This isn't romance this is sickance, macabreance. All this bitching aside, This is one of the best novels I've ever read and I need to sleep and gather my wits so I can try to write a actual review!
basically this sums out how i feel right nowEdit: Junes 24, 2012: 4:30 PM. Mood: Rested and coherent:)
I'm going to leave this crass part of the review up just so anyone reading this can know exactly how this book is. My reviews are starting to sound more and more like memoirs than reviews but oh well haha. Basically, I have never read a romantic suspense book. It never really intrigued me and it always seemed like it was gonna be cheesy contemporary with a bit of James Bond espionage to it. Soooooo, I wasn't interested. Plus, I don't do Suspense. I'm the girl who makes people tell her what happens in movies, "Does he die? Does he Live, Tell me or we are breaking up!!", (Needless to say people don't really enjoy watching movies with me ha) After I Have "spoiled" the ending I happily continue to watch the movie in contentment with a gut free of butterflies and no suspense. I am a control freak and that includes with my novels. A bit of the unexpected is good, its fun, but i hate general suspense!
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However, I just on a whim decided to jump into some romantic suspense. So i started off with Anne Stuart, someone who garnered high accolades from some of my most trusted friend's reviews! Maybe I should have dipped my foot in and not just jumped full on into a freezing pool of romantic suspense. This book was sooo powerful, I lost track of time and my surroundings and just submerged myself into Anne Staurt's writing.
Okay, so let me try to get into this review. This book basically centers around a young american living in paris who is fluent in languages, Chloe. She helps her flighty gold digger friend out by taking her job, a translating job on a french chateau. When she gets there, she learns that she is actually translating for some arms dealers and gets herself in trouble. You see, she is too smart in the sense that she makes it so she needs to be killed and she is too ...well for lack of better words stupid/ignorant/way freaking out of her league to even have a chance in hell of living. Queue Bastian. The hero...can I even call him that? Anyway, he is 32 in the beginning of the novel 34 by the end. Bastian is a dick. period. In my honest opinion, Bastian is going to hell on a scholarship wearing Gasoline knickers! So this guy is he worlds most interesting man [image error] He can do all and he has no real emotions except for lethargy. He is tired. Tired of being manipulated for "good" when in actuality the good is just as bad as the bad. He is tired of killing and his only consolation is that pretty soon his higher ups are gonna kill him. So, he decided to "save" Chloe. I say save lightly because after what she went through I doubt her quality of life highly! This is basically the story, the rest is a high stakes fight for life.
This book is written perfectly. Anne Stuart has a way with words and she knows her shit. I mean she wrote my ass into a reading coma I was so freaking engrossed. I cannot express more the need for everyone to read her books. I read romance because it is happy and it makes me happy and laugh and cry and hot under the collar but mostly because it makes me happy. This book was so not happy. Once I got to know the hero and the heroine, I wondered if i would ever be happy from this book. I mean Bastian was a sick bastard and Chloe was life's punching bag! Then I realized, Anne Stuart was just keeping it real. How many times have you read a book that was so freaking unrealistic. To the point where you were just pissed! However, if we are being honest, the allure of romance lies within its unrealistic pages. Stuart just kept it real. She said the hero was an asshole beyond redemption its true. The heroine is useless and has no skills that will help her in the world of trained killers. I mean as much as we would all like to believe that like in the movies and books we could quickly learn how to shoot a gun, run for miles, and cover our tracks ...we can't. We are regular people and Chloe was oh so regular. However, after a while I just wrote their attraction off as Stockholm Syndrome. [image error] You see, I felt the need to compartmentalize this story, to control something to be able to predict something. However, Stuart nipped that in the bud realllll quick. The characters had two years away from each other, they see each other again and one of the first things that is said is "Stockholm Syndrome isn't real" because it wasn't stockholm syndrome. It was love. You know love isn't this super innocent pure emotion that everyone makes it out be. Love is what you need it to be. You need innocent , its innocent, you need fierce- it's fierce, you need it to be a sick, twisted, tough son-of-a bitch, well it can be that too. It is what you need it to be to get through or even to enjoy what ever it is you are doing. Love is a personal source of strength and therefore it itself is not uniform.
I couldn't resist one more...
After thoughts
There is soooo no hea. I mean, honestly I wouldn't be surprised if Bastian and her died. Moreso, I wouldn't be surprised if Chloe killed herself. How do you go through that much and come back ...okay? It seems impossible. I think that is why Stuart didn't write a epilogue or a HEA. It would have ruined the book because we all know that any type of happiness was eradicated within those pages. It would have been an injustice for them to be happy. It would have been a lie. Also, in my opinion, the book Fifty Shades of Grey bears resemblance to this book. Only this book is actually good and has a plot and way better characters and writing!
Character Look A likes
Bastian
Vincent Cassel, french actor. This is bastian, hands down. Designer suit, slim build, amazing presence, and its for YSL cologne which is french. Also, in the book the heroine kept waxing poetic about his cologne. So this is him, for sure!Chloe
Emily blunt. Pretty, but not beautiful. Large Doe eyes and brown hair. Innocent disposition....not for long on the latter though :/
January 12, 2014
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK & REREAD; JANUARY 2014
Narrator: Jennifer van Dyke
This did not work for me at all:(
The Narrator: van Dyke's voice for Chloe and the narrative portions was alright but - and it's a huge 'but'...I was pulled out of the story because it struck me I was getting agitated and breathless listening to the audiobook. I knew it was connected to the book but the story wasn't suspenseful or that exciting so I listened carefully and realized it was the narrator. Her breathing could be heard at intervals, audible enough so that her narrating comes off as if she's been jogging. It's not that loud, unlike the awful wheezing of Roy Wells who did the Victor Banis book, but it's throughout the book and made for very uncomfortable listening.
That, however, is nowhere as dreadful as the voice van Dyke gave Bastien. He sounded truly ghastly - all nasal and cartoonish with a French-accented English that made him sound more like Pepe Le Pew on a bad day. If there were a contest for worse audio characters, van Dyke's Bastien would win hands-down, IMO.
The Book: After five chapters, I remembered one of the reasons why this book didn't work the first time I read it - the dialogue was like something out of a British Mills & Boon romance, complete withvirginalvirgin-like heroine and arrogant full-of-myself hero. I actually don't mind those type of characters so what made this book horrible for me was that it all came across very dated, the dialogue being the main culprit. Read the way it was, every word Bastien uttered made me cringe because he sounded not only theatrical and eye-rolling lame, van Dyke seemed to do her best to make him sleazy. One reviewer said the narrator made Bastien sound like a bad Dracula! LOL!
So it was a double-barreled thumbs-down for me: terribly dated dialogue and ghastly narrator. I'm going to have to return this. The rest of the book are narrated by a different people. Haven't decided if I want to try another AS, though.
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REVIEW OF BOOK; JULY 2005
I have never read this author before and I'm still trying to figure out how Black Ice got such rave reviews. Some unrealistic scenarios are to be expected in this genre but Black Ice is so implausible that it prevented me from enjoying any part of it.
Stuart makes Chloe Underwood sound more like a heroine from an early Mills & Boons novels. Think virgin schoolmarm on her first trip abroad and totally clueless about everything. Everything about her is inconsistent and I couldn't help but wonder if Ms Stuart bothered with Chloe's character at all.
Chloe is from a rich, over-achieving family and is multi-lingual. Yet Ms Stuart's portrayal makes her naive and stupid. Nothing wrong with the heroine not wanting to follow the footsteps of her family and become a doctor; nothing wrong with her choosing to work in a publishing company. But I found everything wrong with the author making her heroine bored silly with her career and not doing anything but mope about it.
As for Bastien, his only redeeming quality was in knocking Chloe out to keep the twit from making too much noise and alerting the villains. The romance never develops. Bastien is too busy trying to figure out if Chole is out to kill him and when he realises she is too stupid to be an assassin he is too busy trying to get her back home to the U.S.
As for the oh-so-dangerous villains, why would this group of powerful, dangerous and wealthy arms dealers hire an outsider to translate their discussions for them? Isn't it more plausible that they would have their own resident translator, someone who's part of the group or works for them? Instead they bring in a stranger then worry about whether she's a spy or an assassin!
There is absolutely no chemistry between Bastien and Chloe whatsoever. But how could there be when Chloe spends most of the time in a state of shock? If there's supposed to be sexual chemistry, I didn't see it much less feel it.
I've read books given glowing reviews and agreed with them mostly but this was one of the few I'm scratching my head over. Which is a pity because it had all the right ingredients for an erotic suspense - dangerous situation, dangerous group, dark hero, multilingual heroine with full breasts, romantic setting. But it turned out like one of my pathetic attempts at baking - all the right ingredients but the result is something even my dog wouldn't eat.
Narrator: Jennifer van Dyke
This did not work for me at all:(
The Narrator: van Dyke's voice for Chloe and the narrative portions was alright but - and it's a huge 'but'...I was pulled out of the story because it struck me I was getting agitated and breathless listening to the audiobook. I knew it was connected to the book but the story wasn't suspenseful or that exciting so I listened carefully and realized it was the narrator. Her breathing could be heard at intervals, audible enough so that her narrating comes off as if she's been jogging. It's not that loud, unlike the awful wheezing of Roy Wells who did the Victor Banis book, but it's throughout the book and made for very uncomfortable listening.
That, however, is nowhere as dreadful as the voice van Dyke gave Bastien. He sounded truly ghastly - all nasal and cartoonish with a French-accented English that made him sound more like Pepe Le Pew on a bad day. If there were a contest for worse audio characters, van Dyke's Bastien would win hands-down, IMO.
The Book: After five chapters, I remembered one of the reasons why this book didn't work the first time I read it - the dialogue was like something out of a British Mills & Boon romance, complete with
So it was a double-barreled thumbs-down for me: terribly dated dialogue and ghastly narrator. I'm going to have to return this. The rest of the book are narrated by a different people. Haven't decided if I want to try another AS, though.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
REVIEW OF BOOK; JULY 2005
I have never read this author before and I'm still trying to figure out how Black Ice got such rave reviews. Some unrealistic scenarios are to be expected in this genre but Black Ice is so implausible that it prevented me from enjoying any part of it.
Stuart makes Chloe Underwood sound more like a heroine from an early Mills & Boons novels. Think virgin schoolmarm on her first trip abroad and totally clueless about everything. Everything about her is inconsistent and I couldn't help but wonder if Ms Stuart bothered with Chloe's character at all.
Chloe is from a rich, over-achieving family and is multi-lingual. Yet Ms Stuart's portrayal makes her naive and stupid. Nothing wrong with the heroine not wanting to follow the footsteps of her family and become a doctor; nothing wrong with her choosing to work in a publishing company. But I found everything wrong with the author making her heroine bored silly with her career and not doing anything but mope about it.
As for Bastien, his only redeeming quality was in knocking Chloe out to keep the twit from making too much noise and alerting the villains. The romance never develops. Bastien is too busy trying to figure out if Chole is out to kill him and when he realises she is too stupid to be an assassin he is too busy trying to get her back home to the U.S.
As for the oh-so-dangerous villains, why would this group of powerful, dangerous and wealthy arms dealers hire an outsider to translate their discussions for them? Isn't it more plausible that they would have their own resident translator, someone who's part of the group or works for them? Instead they bring in a stranger then worry about whether she's a spy or an assassin!
There is absolutely no chemistry between Bastien and Chloe whatsoever. But how could there be when Chloe spends most of the time in a state of shock? If there's supposed to be sexual chemistry, I didn't see it much less feel it.
I've read books given glowing reviews and agreed with them mostly but this was one of the few I'm scratching my head over. Which is a pity because it had all the right ingredients for an erotic suspense - dangerous situation, dangerous group, dark hero, multilingual heroine with full breasts, romantic setting. But it turned out like one of my pathetic attempts at baking - all the right ingredients but the result is something even my dog wouldn't eat.
March 29, 2015
I just couldn't make myself to finish it. DNF at 30%.
I was on a 5 star roll and it was bound to happen. I was hopping to continue this way, tried a new author and it didn't pay off.
Although the beginning was ok, everything else that fallowed was not.
The heroine, Chloe, gets thrown into the job, by her roommate/friend, at the last minute. Her friend has other plans, can't do the job and sort of begs/forces her friend to cover for her, because she has other plans.
She is asked to take a trip to some chateau and be a translator. It's a couple of days job and a good pay. Chloe is not prepared, but her friend comes with a packed suitcase and tells her that a limo will be waiting for her shortly, to take her to the place.
Even though the start was messy, I saw the potential and thought it will be a fun read.
Though I din't get why she kept saying she wanted sex and violence, that she felt like she might find it there. It felt out of character for her.
***WARNING SPOILERS***
I started raising my eyebrows the minute she got there. She arrives there, is greeted and introduced to people. Never met those people before, yet right away starts judging people based on their appearances. I found that annoying. In stead of author letting me form my own opinion of the characters, she hurries to do that for me. This guy looks like this, I know the type, this one acts like this, he must be this. I mean, by the time she finished the introductions, she had everyone figure out. She's assessing men like she's in a meat factory. This one is ugly, that one is pretty, "has a strong nose". Job forgotten.
Her inner monologues reveals how naive, insecure and a mess she is. She keeps yapping about sex and danger, but then she's not really into danger, or violence and not into one night stands. But later, again, ooh, sex and violence could be nice. What a stupid word combination, with absolutely no explanation to why she wants that. She's portrayed as young, shy and not very experienced, yet wishes to experience such absurd things. It made no sense.
To spice it all up, "oooh, this feels dangerous" is thrown in. Chloe doesn't know why, has no evidence to back it all up, but it just does. She hasn't unpacked yet, barely came through the door, but ooooh, so dangerous.
Then, the point of view shifts to the hero of the hours (don't remember his name, seriously). He goes on about what he is, what he does and what his plans are. So much for suspense. But hey:
You get a short summery of who he is and the paranoia fallows right after. He is convinced she is out to get him. Same as the heroine, who had no reason to feel that she was in danger, he things she after him. The poor girl haven't gotten up to her room yet.
She unpacks her things and gets ready for dinner. When she opens her door, the Don Juan is waiting for her. She barely manages to squeeze a sentence out, before he pushes her agains the wall and kisses her. It was the most boring and anticlimactic kiss in the history of all kisses. All you got was that he pushed her agains the wall and held her waist. This happens couple only hours after they meet.
Chloe's problem with this scenario is not the fact that a strange dude starts molesting her against the wall, but that he DOESN’T MEAN IT!
She senses that he is being fake, acting. Because who would ever want to kiss her. He so out of her league. But she doesn’t push him away, because you know, she wants sex and violence. Again, those words! WTF?
They go downstairs to have a dinner with the rest of the bunch. Paranoia runs high and no one seems to understand why she’ s there. Every time she has a conversation with one of the men, she gets a warning. «You be careful around me, I’m a dangerous man.» or «You watch yourself around him, he’s very dangerous man.» or «Watch where you’re going. I wouldn’t want anything happen to a pretty thing like you.» You only know that it’s dangerous, because those men keep yapping about it. Aren’t they suppose to be in business of keeping mouths shut, their own included?
Another issue I had with this story was the fact that a cartel hired an outsider to translate for them. I would assume the group had a lot of connections. You’re telling me that they couldn’t find someone in their own circle? They hire her and end up speaking in code for the rest of time, so she won’t know what they’re talking about. Then they get all paranoid and plan on zapping her, because she might know too much. This is beyond stupid.
Couple of hours into the dinner, she starts drinking herself silly, because he saw him with another woman.
At this point, Bastian… I remembered his name! He is so paranoid he can barely see straight.
He breaks into her room and goes through her things.
Yes, because that’s how undercover agent rolls - always packs a black ops clothing, in case shit goes down. God, this dude!
At some point he calls her a raccoon to her face. Thinks that she is not beautiful, but pretty enough.
Chloe goes to the library to google them. Yep. She finds out that he has been accused of murder and some other bad shit. You only find out about it when the pov shifts to his and he talks about checking her browsing history. Talk about missed opportunity to create at least a little bit of sense of danger and angst.
Now he’s on a mission to find out the truth and he’s going to do it by fucking out of her, because that’s how he rolls.
He comes into her room and starts «questioning» her with his cock! She is mortified, of course, but can’t resist him or his cock.
Sparks fly. He kind of likes her now a little.
I DNF the book right after.
I had a huge problem with author’s references to American and European women.
So, Americans are prudes and Europeans are sluts.
The story is incredibly poorly thought out. The background story is very weak. You never get a feel of what cartel is about, because they use most of their time being paranoid, speaking in code and insulting Americans and Europeans. Both the romance and the suspense parts left a lot to be desired.
I was on a 5 star roll and it was bound to happen. I was hopping to continue this way, tried a new author and it didn't pay off.
Although the beginning was ok, everything else that fallowed was not.
The heroine, Chloe, gets thrown into the job, by her roommate/friend, at the last minute. Her friend has other plans, can't do the job and sort of begs/forces her friend to cover for her, because she has other plans.
She is asked to take a trip to some chateau and be a translator. It's a couple of days job and a good pay. Chloe is not prepared, but her friend comes with a packed suitcase and tells her that a limo will be waiting for her shortly, to take her to the place.
Even though the start was messy, I saw the potential and thought it will be a fun read.
Though I din't get why she kept saying she wanted sex and violence, that she felt like she might find it there. It felt out of character for her.
***WARNING SPOILERS***
I started raising my eyebrows the minute she got there. She arrives there, is greeted and introduced to people. Never met those people before, yet right away starts judging people based on their appearances. I found that annoying. In stead of author letting me form my own opinion of the characters, she hurries to do that for me. This guy looks like this, I know the type, this one acts like this, he must be this. I mean, by the time she finished the introductions, she had everyone figure out. She's assessing men like she's in a meat factory. This one is ugly, that one is pretty, "has a strong nose". Job forgotten.
Her inner monologues reveals how naive, insecure and a mess she is. She keeps yapping about sex and danger, but then she's not really into danger, or violence and not into one night stands. But later, again, ooh, sex and violence could be nice. What a stupid word combination, with absolutely no explanation to why she wants that. She's portrayed as young, shy and not very experienced, yet wishes to experience such absurd things. It made no sense.
To spice it all up, "oooh, this feels dangerous" is thrown in. Chloe doesn't know why, has no evidence to back it all up, but it just does. She hasn't unpacked yet, barely came through the door, but ooooh, so dangerous.
Then, the point of view shifts to the hero of the hours (don't remember his name, seriously). He goes on about what he is, what he does and what his plans are. So much for suspense. But hey:
You get a short summery of who he is and the paranoia fallows right after. He is convinced she is out to get him. Same as the heroine, who had no reason to feel that she was in danger, he things she after him. The poor girl haven't gotten up to her room yet.
She unpacks her things and gets ready for dinner. When she opens her door, the Don Juan is waiting for her. She barely manages to squeeze a sentence out, before he pushes her agains the wall and kisses her. It was the most boring and anticlimactic kiss in the history of all kisses. All you got was that he pushed her agains the wall and held her waist. This happens couple only hours after they meet.
Chloe's problem with this scenario is not the fact that a strange dude starts molesting her against the wall, but that he DOESN’T MEAN IT!
"It was a performance that even she could see through.»How the fuck did he managed to keep his cover all these years, when even she sees that he’s full of shit.
She senses that he is being fake, acting. Because who would ever want to kiss her. He so out of her league. But she doesn’t push him away, because you know, she wants sex and violence. Again, those words! WTF?
They go downstairs to have a dinner with the rest of the bunch. Paranoia runs high and no one seems to understand why she’ s there. Every time she has a conversation with one of the men, she gets a warning. «You be careful around me, I’m a dangerous man.» or «You watch yourself around him, he’s very dangerous man.» or «Watch where you’re going. I wouldn’t want anything happen to a pretty thing like you.» You only know that it’s dangerous, because those men keep yapping about it. Aren’t they suppose to be in business of keeping mouths shut, their own included?
Another issue I had with this story was the fact that a cartel hired an outsider to translate for them. I would assume the group had a lot of connections. You’re telling me that they couldn’t find someone in their own circle? They hire her and end up speaking in code for the rest of time, so she won’t know what they’re talking about. Then they get all paranoid and plan on zapping her, because she might know too much. This is beyond stupid.
Couple of hours into the dinner, she starts drinking herself silly, because he saw him with another woman.
At this point, Bastian… I remembered his name! He is so paranoid he can barely see straight.
«Who was he kidding? She’d cut his throat in bed, if he happened to get distracted.»She gave him absolutely no reason to think she is here to kill him. It is explained to the reader, from her pov, that she is not an undercover anything, and that’s why his inner monologues and actions became more and more absurd.
He breaks into her room and goes through her things.
«There were no black ops clothing. Not in the room, at least.
«(…) Her pasport was an excellent fake.»
«(…) There were bunch of picture in her wallet - fakes…»
Yes, because that’s how undercover agent rolls - always packs a black ops clothing, in case shit goes down. God, this dude!
At some point he calls her a raccoon to her face. Thinks that she is not beautiful, but pretty enough.
Chloe goes to the library to google them. Yep. She finds out that he has been accused of murder and some other bad shit. You only find out about it when the pov shifts to his and he talks about checking her browsing history. Talk about missed opportunity to create at least a little bit of sense of danger and angst.
Now he’s on a mission to find out the truth and he’s going to do it by fucking out of her, because that’s how he rolls.
He comes into her room and starts «questioning» her with his cock! She is mortified, of course, but can’t resist him or his cock.
Sparks fly. He kind of likes her now a little.
I DNF the book right after.
I had a huge problem with author’s references to American and European women.
«After all, Americans tend to be squeamish about sexuality.»
«Too American to enjoy the pleasures of casual sex.»
«Which is probably what we should have been doing, if you weren’t so American.»
«You Americans are all absurdly prudish.»
So, Americans are prudes and Europeans are sluts.
The story is incredibly poorly thought out. The background story is very weak. You never get a feel of what cartel is about, because they use most of their time being paranoid, speaking in code and insulting Americans and Europeans. Both the romance and the suspense parts left a lot to be desired.
April 5, 2015
3.5 Why Do I Love Assholes Stars
Sometimes I enjoy reading about the asshole jerk that should be the last man that you want to care for. Indeed sometimes those are the best characters….case in point Captain Jack Sparrow is a fantastic anti-hero and you totally root for him.
Is Bastien as good as Captain Jack Sparrow? Well, no he is not quite that awesome…but who is. He is a good anti-hero and the best part is that even though he meets good girl Chloe and they fall in lust/love not a spoiler because seriously this is a romantic mystery he isn’t automatically saved and destined to become a good person. Nope not our Bastien, he will sleep with her to get answers, push her away to protect her and twist her up in knots because it is fun. But he will also kill to protect her for reasons he can’t even fathom.
Chloe while completely intelligent and amazing with languages is a little bit stupid when it comes to danger and men. But alas I let it go so that we can continue on with the come with me if you want to live portion for the story. She does some truly stupid things in the course of the story but ultimately she is pretty likeable and strong most of the time even when she is pretty sure she is suffering from Stockholm Syndrome and that explains the attraction she feels towards Bastien.
Chloe takes a job as a translator for a private business group and in the middle discovers that she is in way over her head and the people at the meeting are more dangerous than she first assumed. When it is discovered she knows too much it is decided that Chloe has to die. Bastien knowing she is truly an innocent in all this decides to make sure to get her out and home, even if that means he burns a lot of bridges along the way.
So if you want a story revolving around a pretty decent anti-hero than this might be right up your ally.
Sometimes I enjoy reading about the asshole jerk that should be the last man that you want to care for. Indeed sometimes those are the best characters….case in point Captain Jack Sparrow is a fantastic anti-hero and you totally root for him.
Is Bastien as good as Captain Jack Sparrow? Well, no he is not quite that awesome…but who is. He is a good anti-hero and the best part is that even though he meets good girl Chloe and they fall in lust/love not a spoiler because seriously this is a romantic mystery he isn’t automatically saved and destined to become a good person. Nope not our Bastien, he will sleep with her to get answers, push her away to protect her and twist her up in knots because it is fun. But he will also kill to protect her for reasons he can’t even fathom.
Chloe while completely intelligent and amazing with languages is a little bit stupid when it comes to danger and men. But alas I let it go so that we can continue on with the come with me if you want to live portion for the story. She does some truly stupid things in the course of the story but ultimately she is pretty likeable and strong most of the time even when she is pretty sure she is suffering from Stockholm Syndrome and that explains the attraction she feels towards Bastien.
“He was human, he was warm and strong and ready to kill to keep her safe. What more could a girl want in a man?”
Chloe takes a job as a translator for a private business group and in the middle discovers that she is in way over her head and the people at the meeting are more dangerous than she first assumed. When it is discovered she knows too much it is decided that Chloe has to die. Bastien knowing she is truly an innocent in all this decides to make sure to get her out and home, even if that means he burns a lot of bridges along the way.
So if you want a story revolving around a pretty decent anti-hero than this might be right up your ally.
January 25, 2013
I really really liked this book a lot but i was sooooo afraid to read it! I kept putting it off and here are the reasons why....
1. The hero in this book is too gamma.
This seemed to be a big issue with some readers. Now i'll admit, i didn't really have a clue what a gamma hero was so i went on the hunt for a definition and this is what i found...
-the gamma hero is one who is indifferent and is never possessive of the heroine.
-a gamma hero is a “combo of the alpha and beta. He’s got all the mad, bad alpha characteristics like being super strong and aggressive and being the guy you turn to if hell is at your door, but he’s not super arrogant.
My take on whether Bastian was a gamma hero or not?...
YEP!! He is TOTALLY a gamma hero! He was cold, ruthless, calculating, manipulative, seductive, and felt no guilt or remorse over his actions but i was actually ok with that! He was a spy/assassin...i would liken him to a character similar to James Bond or Jason Bourne, they often have to assume different identities and go deep under cover to infiltrate terrorist cells and take them down. They're supposed to be working for the "good guys" but because of some of the awful things they do and how they don't often care about innocent casualties, in the grand scheme of things, the lines are kind of blurred between them actually being good guys or not.
2. It was lacking in the romance department.
My take...
I am a HUGE romance lover!! It can be contemporary romance, paranormal romance or romantic suspense..i'm not really picky in that respect..as long as there's a good romance, i'm good! This was one of my biggest fears...that the romance was going to be lacking, but i was good with what was here! No, i would never categorize this as a romance novel, it certainly doesn't have a HUGE romantic plot line like the majority of romances we all read, but there's plenty of sexual tension, Bastian is sexy as hell and he's certainly well "skilled" -teehee. There WERE some sweet moments, i thought!...with how Bastian took care of and protected Chloe..how he CAME BACK for her on a couple of occasions! ~sigh~..even just knowing that this woman was slowly melting that frozen heart of his was very sweet! There were also a few sex scenes that were steamy and satisfying. It was definitely enough "romance" to keep this romance girl happy..and that's sayin' somethin'!
3. Lack of a HEA or it ending too abruptly.
My take...
Hhhhmmmm, well i will be the first to admit that i (we ALL actually) have been very spoiled by authors such as Pamela Clare or Kristen Ashley who write FANTASTIC epilogues!! I DO like a book to have them because it just gives you that "something extra" so that you know for fact that things are good and complete! Shockingly though, i was alright with the ending of this book...it may very well be because i DID know going into this that people had complained about things ending that way...i was prepared. SO, let me lay things to rest for all you people who might have put this book aside because of this reason. I'm a HEA kind of gal, anyone who knows me knows this! I like "happy happy joy joy"..i don't want to read an entire book, only to be disappointed in the end..or depressed! This book, because of the content and storyline, being somewhat darker, doesn't end with "happy happy joy joy"..but it DOES end with "happy!" ;) I was definitely satisfied!!
In the end, i'm sooo glad that i decided to take the plunge and give this book a shot! I WAS one of those people who was intrigued but put it off because of some of the negatives remarks made about it. If you are a lover of romantic suspense? Read it! The storyline is solid and exciting and there IS enough romance to satisfy! I will most definitely be reading the rest of the books in this series!
1. The hero in this book is too gamma.
This seemed to be a big issue with some readers. Now i'll admit, i didn't really have a clue what a gamma hero was so i went on the hunt for a definition and this is what i found...
-the gamma hero is one who is indifferent and is never possessive of the heroine.
-a gamma hero is a “combo of the alpha and beta. He’s got all the mad, bad alpha characteristics like being super strong and aggressive and being the guy you turn to if hell is at your door, but he’s not super arrogant.
My take on whether Bastian was a gamma hero or not?...
YEP!! He is TOTALLY a gamma hero! He was cold, ruthless, calculating, manipulative, seductive, and felt no guilt or remorse over his actions but i was actually ok with that! He was a spy/assassin...i would liken him to a character similar to James Bond or Jason Bourne, they often have to assume different identities and go deep under cover to infiltrate terrorist cells and take them down. They're supposed to be working for the "good guys" but because of some of the awful things they do and how they don't often care about innocent casualties, in the grand scheme of things, the lines are kind of blurred between them actually being good guys or not.
2. It was lacking in the romance department.
My take...
I am a HUGE romance lover!! It can be contemporary romance, paranormal romance or romantic suspense..i'm not really picky in that respect..as long as there's a good romance, i'm good! This was one of my biggest fears...that the romance was going to be lacking, but i was good with what was here! No, i would never categorize this as a romance novel, it certainly doesn't have a HUGE romantic plot line like the majority of romances we all read, but there's plenty of sexual tension, Bastian is sexy as hell and he's certainly well "skilled" -teehee. There WERE some sweet moments, i thought!...with how Bastian took care of and protected Chloe..how he CAME BACK for her on a couple of occasions! ~sigh~..even just knowing that this woman was slowly melting that frozen heart of his was very sweet! There were also a few sex scenes that were steamy and satisfying. It was definitely enough "romance" to keep this romance girl happy..and that's sayin' somethin'!
3. Lack of a HEA or it ending too abruptly.
My take...
Hhhhmmmm, well i will be the first to admit that i (we ALL actually) have been very spoiled by authors such as Pamela Clare or Kristen Ashley who write FANTASTIC epilogues!! I DO like a book to have them because it just gives you that "something extra" so that you know for fact that things are good and complete! Shockingly though, i was alright with the ending of this book...it may very well be because i DID know going into this that people had complained about things ending that way...i was prepared. SO, let me lay things to rest for all you people who might have put this book aside because of this reason. I'm a HEA kind of gal, anyone who knows me knows this! I like "happy happy joy joy"..i don't want to read an entire book, only to be disappointed in the end..or depressed! This book, because of the content and storyline, being somewhat darker, doesn't end with "happy happy joy joy"..but it DOES end with "happy!" ;) I was definitely satisfied!!
In the end, i'm sooo glad that i decided to take the plunge and give this book a shot! I WAS one of those people who was intrigued but put it off because of some of the negatives remarks made about it. If you are a lover of romantic suspense? Read it! The storyline is solid and exciting and there IS enough romance to satisfy! I will most definitely be reading the rest of the books in this series!
September 15, 2016
I eventually went back to this one. I am sure I read this years ago and I think I might have rated it higher but, honestly, it was only 3 stars for me. I liked it but it did not have the depth of the other books that I have read by Ms Stuart.
Sex scenes are quite hot. Felt the end was a bit rushed.
An enjoyable enough read, but sort of missed the mark for me!
“If this were a different time, a different place, I would take you to bed with me and make love to you for days.”
Sex scenes are quite hot. Felt the end was a bit rushed.
“And what if you don't come?"
"I will. No matter what happens."
"I’ll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way,'" she murmured.”
An enjoyable enough read, but sort of missed the mark for me!
November 23, 2013
3.5 "Who the hell knows?" stars.
Idiotic female + cold, unfeeling killer who shouldn't be let anywhere near polite society = bad book?
When it comes to how I see things, this would normally be how I'd feel. My patience for idiocy is practically non-existent these days.
I really shouldn't have liked Black Ice, but I did. The setting was different, the secret society/spy vibe was interesting, and Bastien amused me, in all of his twisted, detached glory.
Chloe should have been shot in the head multiple times, but oh well. I rarely get what I want.
I had lots of awesome quotes to put in this space, but it's the weekend, I have places to go, and I can't be bothered to make the time.
*epic review out*
Idiotic female + cold, unfeeling killer who shouldn't be let anywhere near polite society = bad book?
When it comes to how I see things, this would normally be how I'd feel. My patience for idiocy is practically non-existent these days.
I really shouldn't have liked Black Ice, but I did. The setting was different, the secret society/spy vibe was interesting, and Bastien amused me, in all of his twisted, detached glory.
Chloe should have been shot in the head multiple times, but oh well. I rarely get what I want.
I had lots of awesome quotes to put in this space, but it's the weekend, I have places to go, and I can't be bothered to make the time.
*epic review out*
March 16, 2017
Rate: 2.5/3 stars.
June 9, 2012
This book was AMAZING!! I thought I was reading a Robert Ludlum book... LOVE JASON BOURNE! (well done Ms. Stuart!)
The story is about an American women named Cloe who has been living in Paris for 2 years and is working as a translator at a Publishing House. Her roommate Sylvia (also a translator) asks her to take a private job translating for a prestigious group of business men that she was asked to do, but is unable to, because she wants to spend the weekend with her new boyfriend.
Cloe accepts the job and soon discovers that these or no ordinary business men, they are an select group of men and women who control the sale of black market weapons throughout the world.
Once Cloe discovers who they really are, she becomes a liability that must be eliminated.
.. now enters Bastien who is an undercover operative posing as an Arms Dealer, and also an renowned womanizer.
Bastien is supposed to let Cloe die because she is an casualty for the greater cause, but Bastien can't seem to let it go and steps in to save her thus jeopardizing his mission, and making himself a target.
Bastien now takes it upon himself to protect Cloe until he can get her safely back to America where she will no longer be in danger, and he can try and salvage what's left of his mission.
This is where the story gets really good!
Lots of action, suspense, and of course an great romance develops between our two lead characters.
If you like suspense, thriller, action, and romance.. you will like this book :)
The story is about an American women named Cloe who has been living in Paris for 2 years and is working as a translator at a Publishing House. Her roommate Sylvia (also a translator) asks her to take a private job translating for a prestigious group of business men that she was asked to do, but is unable to, because she wants to spend the weekend with her new boyfriend.
Cloe accepts the job and soon discovers that these or no ordinary business men, they are an select group of men and women who control the sale of black market weapons throughout the world.
Once Cloe discovers who they really are, she becomes a liability that must be eliminated.
.. now enters Bastien who is an undercover operative posing as an Arms Dealer, and also an renowned womanizer.
Bastien is supposed to let Cloe die because she is an casualty for the greater cause, but Bastien can't seem to let it go and steps in to save her thus jeopardizing his mission, and making himself a target.
Bastien now takes it upon himself to protect Cloe until he can get her safely back to America where she will no longer be in danger, and he can try and salvage what's left of his mission.
This is where the story gets really good!
Lots of action, suspense, and of course an great romance develops between our two lead characters.
If you like suspense, thriller, action, and romance.. you will like this book :)
Shelved as 'nevermind'
December 31, 2014DNF at page 140.
What the hell is this book? I can't finish it.
The hero's thoughts: Was she trying to kill him? No, she was too gauche. Or ... sneakily clever. She's wearing the wrong bra size. She must be trying to kill him! He will seduce/rape her to discover the truth ... Oh, shit, she's an innocent. But why was she wearing the wrong bra size?!?!?!?
The heroine's thoughts: La dee da! Oh, he's sexy. Must not show attraction. Must translate. Who are these weird ass grocers? Oh, well. Hmm, turns out I like being raped by hot men. Who knew?
The other characters: We're illegal arms dealers/giddy adolescents. All we can talk about is sex!!!! Who gives a crap about these illegal weapons? Sex!!! Weird sex games! I like to watch!!!! Ha ha ha, we're so bad. Hey, where's this guy we're expecting? Who's going to be our new leader? Hey, wait, let's talk some sex some more and pretend we're jaded. Oh, and let's kill the translator. Bastien, you do it.
Ugh. No. This is just too awful.
What the hell is this book? I can't finish it.
The hero's thoughts: Was she trying to kill him? No, she was too gauche. Or ... sneakily clever. She's wearing the wrong bra size. She must be trying to kill him! He will seduce/rape her to discover the truth ... Oh, shit, she's an innocent. But why was she wearing the wrong bra size?!?!?!?
The heroine's thoughts: La dee da! Oh, he's sexy. Must not show attraction. Must translate. Who are these weird ass grocers? Oh, well. Hmm, turns out I like being raped by hot men. Who knew?
The other characters: We're illegal arms dealers/giddy adolescents. All we can talk about is sex!!!! Who gives a crap about these illegal weapons? Sex!!! Weird sex games! I like to watch!!!! Ha ha ha, we're so bad. Hey, where's this guy we're expecting? Who's going to be our new leader? Hey, wait, let's talk some sex some more and pretend we're jaded. Oh, and let's kill the translator. Bastien, you do it.
Ugh. No. This is just too awful.
June 26, 2018
Hace muchos años leí el segundo de la serie y me gustó, aunque confieso que si me preguntáis algo del libro poco os podría decir, lo disfruté en su momento pero nada de él quedó en mí. Pues algo parecido ha ocurrido con el primero, con una variante, no me ha gustado tanto como en su momento me gustó el otro. En el mejor de los casos podríamos decir que lo he tolerado.
El protagonista es el sello de identidad de esta serie, frío, distante, rudo. Hace unos años le encontraba la gracia a este tipo de MC, ahora mismo la mayoría de las veces solo me dan ganas de darles una patada en el culo porque realmente es un auténtico capullo, maleducado y violento con una moral muy muy gris. Personalmente, si yo fuera la protagonista habría mandado al tío a buscar patatas al campo. Me encuentro ya muy mayor para que ciertas cosas me parezcan románticas, pero claro, la explicación a que no se le dé la patada puede ser que la heroína es boba.
Es un thriller de acción, con persecuciones, malos y buenos, donde el romance solo es un ingrediente más. La trama es entretenida, pero también ridícula, no esperéis encontrar nada remotamente creíble.
Sinceramente, hay mil libros mejores que este, yo no perdería el tiempo.
El protagonista es el sello de identidad de esta serie, frío, distante, rudo. Hace unos años le encontraba la gracia a este tipo de MC, ahora mismo la mayoría de las veces solo me dan ganas de darles una patada en el culo porque realmente es un auténtico capullo, maleducado y violento con una moral muy muy gris. Personalmente, si yo fuera la protagonista habría mandado al tío a buscar patatas al campo. Me encuentro ya muy mayor para que ciertas cosas me parezcan románticas, pero claro, la explicación a que no se le dé la patada puede ser que la heroína es boba.
Es un thriller de acción, con persecuciones, malos y buenos, donde el romance solo es un ingrediente más. La trama es entretenida, pero también ridícula, no esperéis encontrar nada remotamente creíble.
Sinceramente, hay mil libros mejores que este, yo no perdería el tiempo.
June 5, 2021
***First read: 21st June, 2017***
Rating: 3-stars
***Re-read: 4th June, 2021***
Rating: 4-stars
This book is a crime thriller with mystery aspect; short and quick with bountiful actions. It's a story of an assassin and a translator, their world is dark, once in there is no way out. And I was so thrilled with the input of my favourite poem The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes!
Chloe unknowingly falls into a trap of dangerous killers. She replaces as translator of her roommate. She was quite innocent and unknown. What could go wrong where she can visit new places and her only job was to translate?
She stopped short of him, still in camera range. “I don’t enjoy watching porn,” she said. She was clearly hoping for a cool voice, but it came out strained anyway.
“I didn’t think you would. After all, Americans tend to be squeamish about sexuality.”
“I’m perfectly healthy when it comes to sexuality,” she snapped, momentarily forgetting her fear, as he’d wanted her to. “I’m not some repressed little American virgin, no matter what you might think.”
“Then come here.”
Bastein is a mystery to me. Even though little by little he was introduced I still found him secretive. That has to be his speciality considering the dangerous man he is. He is an undercover assassin, very cold and ruthless and expertly efficient in his work. He plays the part of a womanizer - Chloe was a perfect bait.
“You’re my knight in shining armor,” she said lightly. “My hero, my savior, at least for the time being. I’ll get over it.”
The amusement had vanished from his face. “No, I’m not. No hero, no savior, no knight. I’m a killer, out for my own agenda and nothing else. You need to remember that. You’re nothing to me but an inconvenience.”
“Then why am I here?”
“Because I can’t get rid of you.”
Bastein and Chloe are explosive. I lived in this book for his rude exterior and Chloe's benevolence. If you're a reader of Anne Stuart's books you must know there is no softening in her stories. It's a mayhem thriller.
Rating: 3-stars
***Re-read: 4th June, 2021***
Rating: 4-stars
This book is a crime thriller with mystery aspect; short and quick with bountiful actions. It's a story of an assassin and a translator, their world is dark, once in there is no way out. And I was so thrilled with the input of my favourite poem The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes!
Chloe unknowingly falls into a trap of dangerous killers. She replaces as translator of her roommate. She was quite innocent and unknown. What could go wrong where she can visit new places and her only job was to translate?
She stopped short of him, still in camera range. “I don’t enjoy watching porn,” she said. She was clearly hoping for a cool voice, but it came out strained anyway.
“I didn’t think you would. After all, Americans tend to be squeamish about sexuality.”
“I’m perfectly healthy when it comes to sexuality,” she snapped, momentarily forgetting her fear, as he’d wanted her to. “I’m not some repressed little American virgin, no matter what you might think.”
“Then come here.”
Bastein is a mystery to me. Even though little by little he was introduced I still found him secretive. That has to be his speciality considering the dangerous man he is. He is an undercover assassin, very cold and ruthless and expertly efficient in his work. He plays the part of a womanizer - Chloe was a perfect bait.
“You’re my knight in shining armor,” she said lightly. “My hero, my savior, at least for the time being. I’ll get over it.”
The amusement had vanished from his face. “No, I’m not. No hero, no savior, no knight. I’m a killer, out for my own agenda and nothing else. You need to remember that. You’re nothing to me but an inconvenience.”
“Then why am I here?”
“Because I can’t get rid of you.”
Bastein and Chloe are explosive. I lived in this book for his rude exterior and Chloe's benevolence. If you're a reader of Anne Stuart's books you must know there is no softening in her stories. It's a mayhem thriller.
April 17, 2020
3.5
First time reading this author and I’ll admit it wasn’t my usual Regency romance, that’s for sure. Overall, I enjoyed this much more than I would have predicted.
Romantic adventure— I think you’ve got me hooked. This was an easy book to read with a very dark knight in shining armor who worked for a very shady global organization called “the Committee” and that’s the real reason I liked the story. Still not sure who were the good guys, if there were any... and lots of double and triple crossings. That was the really fun stuff!!
But, as is often the case, our heroine was about 5-7 years too young and ridiculously naive at times. I’m at a total loss why our killer hero was enamored with her. However, Stuart gave her a backbone in the second half (albeit a completely miraculous occurrence by the time it appeared!) which made the second half so much better.
PS— this series is pretty darn spicy— so while I know my mom would love the international assassin angle, I don’t want to think of her reading a few of those explicit chapters. Just no.
First time reading this author and I’ll admit it wasn’t my usual Regency romance, that’s for sure. Overall, I enjoyed this much more than I would have predicted.
Romantic adventure— I think you’ve got me hooked. This was an easy book to read with a very dark knight in shining armor who worked for a very shady global organization called “the Committee” and that’s the real reason I liked the story. Still not sure who were the good guys, if there were any... and lots of double and triple crossings. That was the really fun stuff!!
But, as is often the case, our heroine was about 5-7 years too young and ridiculously naive at times. I’m at a total loss why our killer hero was enamored with her. However, Stuart gave her a backbone in the second half (albeit a completely miraculous occurrence by the time it appeared!) which made the second half so much better.
PS— this series is pretty darn spicy— so while I know my mom would love the international assassin angle, I don’t want to think of her reading a few of those explicit chapters. Just no.
June 11, 2018
Primer libro que leo de esta autora, gracias al #RetoRita2 #RitaStuart
La trama de acción es bastante entretenida, pero el romance juega un papel muy secundario. La tensión sexual entre los protagonistas está muy conseguida, pero no acabo de creerme esa historia de amor entre la típica damisela en apuros que no para de cagarla y un HDP con todas las letras, un antihéroe en toda regla.
Aún no sé para qué narices necesitaban los servicios como traductora de la protagonista, Chloe, si entre ellos ya se entendían la mar de bien. Bueno si, porque sin eso no hay historia ;)
La trama de acción es bastante entretenida, pero el romance juega un papel muy secundario. La tensión sexual entre los protagonistas está muy conseguida, pero no acabo de creerme esa historia de amor entre la típica damisela en apuros que no para de cagarla y un HDP con todas las letras, un antihéroe en toda regla.
Aún no sé para qué narices necesitaban los servicios como traductora de la protagonista, Chloe, si entre ellos ya se entendían la mar de bien. Bueno si, porque sin eso no hay historia ;)
February 14, 2013
WOW!!!!!!!
Anne Stuart is the queen of the anti-hero! I knew going into 'Black Ice' that Stuart had a penchant for writing gamma guys, but Bastien Toussaint makes all other anti-heroes I've read look like pussies!
Honestly, it was shocking how cold and despicably cruel Bastien was, and I spent a good deal of the book appalled by him and his actions. But, for all my loathing of his character, especially in the beginning, I have to say I loved every minute of it. 'Black Ice' totally blew me away!
What I loved:
1. Bastien Toussaint: The number 1 reason I loved this book could also top the list of the things I hated. Which only makes me love Bastien all the more. When we first meet him, he's a ruthless spy for a super-secret international organization who will do anything to complete his mission and sacrifice anybody in his way. He's so entrenched in the world of espionage that he can no longer discern who's genuine - to him everybody has an ulterior motive. But when by chance he meets an innocent young woman whose only sin is being in the wrong place at the wrong time, he grudgingly tries to save her - even if that means killing her himself. Throughout much of the book, Bastien struggles with his confusing and conflicting emotions until he can no longer deny why he can't let her go.
2. Chloe: Honestly, I was surprised by how much I liked Chloe. Given her age, 23, I was expecting her to be too dependent and a bit TSTL, but instead she was strong and smart while still acting with the naiveté one would expect from a woman that young. Her world is turned upside down when she's unexpectedly thrust into a high-stakes game of espionage and her only hope of survival may also be her biggest threat.
What I didn't like :
1. My biggest and pretty much only complaint is how abruptly 'Black Ice' ended. At the time, I would have appreciated an epilogue or something a bit more to cement what seemed a fragile HEA. But this didn't deter me from immediately picking up the next in the series. All I can say is that the subsequent books leave you with no doubt that Bastien and Chloe are very happy together indeed.
'Black Ice' is only the first in an amazing series and to truly appreciate each book individually you need to read the series as a whole!
Anne Stuart is the queen of the anti-hero! I knew going into 'Black Ice' that Stuart had a penchant for writing gamma guys, but Bastien Toussaint makes all other anti-heroes I've read look like pussies!
Honestly, it was shocking how cold and despicably cruel Bastien was, and I spent a good deal of the book appalled by him and his actions. But, for all my loathing of his character, especially in the beginning, I have to say I loved every minute of it. 'Black Ice' totally blew me away!
What I loved:
1. Bastien Toussaint: The number 1 reason I loved this book could also top the list of the things I hated. Which only makes me love Bastien all the more. When we first meet him, he's a ruthless spy for a super-secret international organization who will do anything to complete his mission and sacrifice anybody in his way. He's so entrenched in the world of espionage that he can no longer discern who's genuine - to him everybody has an ulterior motive. But when by chance he meets an innocent young woman whose only sin is being in the wrong place at the wrong time, he grudgingly tries to save her - even if that means killing her himself. Throughout much of the book, Bastien struggles with his confusing and conflicting emotions until he can no longer deny why he can't let her go.
2. Chloe: Honestly, I was surprised by how much I liked Chloe. Given her age, 23, I was expecting her to be too dependent and a bit TSTL, but instead she was strong and smart while still acting with the naiveté one would expect from a woman that young. Her world is turned upside down when she's unexpectedly thrust into a high-stakes game of espionage and her only hope of survival may also be her biggest threat.
What I didn't like :
1. My biggest and pretty much only complaint is how abruptly 'Black Ice' ended. At the time, I would have appreciated an epilogue or something a bit more to cement what seemed a fragile HEA. But this didn't deter me from immediately picking up the next in the series. All I can say is that the subsequent books leave you with no doubt that Bastien and Chloe are very happy together indeed.
'Black Ice' is only the first in an amazing series and to truly appreciate each book individually you need to read the series as a whole!
July 21, 2008
Weird book. Not really bad, but not exactly good. Just...weird.
Why? Because the whole book is so cold-blooded. I think the only character that had any heart or soul was Chloe. And I'm not exactly sure how rational she was considering she fell for Sebastien. Not that I really disliked Sebastien. He was rather interesting, but he seems more the type for some really great sex than for love and family. He's also one you probably wouldn't want to turn your back on because he's a cold-blooded killer. Sure he softens up some throughout the book, but I could never bring myself to quite like him. Especially at the end when he's thinking about how he really didn't care if something happened to Chloe's family, but he knew it would upset Chloe so he would try to keep them safe. To me, that doesn't make him great HEA material. I'm not sure I'd want to have kids with him (which considering they never used protection, could have easily happened - and why wasn't that ever brought up?).
I was just put off a bit by the lack of conscientious throughout the book by just about everyone. Like how the cab driver was killed for no good reason at all. I hated that. I can't really get emotionally invested in a story that does things like that.
But the storyline was still interesting enough to keep me reading. I do agree with one of the other reviews here that it's not a very plausible plot. It did seem rather bizarre that these high-level gun-runners would bring in an outsider to translate. And I never quite got whey sending Chloe back to the states would make her safe. If they wanted her dead, they would find her wherever she was. I mean, they had her full name, it would be pretty easy to track her down. But despite the somewhat silliness of the plot, it kept me reading. And the chemistry between Chloe and Bastien was hot - even if I couldn't exactly buy into them having an HEA.
I liked the book enough to give the next one in the series a try and go from there. I picked it up at the library today.
Why? Because the whole book is so cold-blooded. I think the only character that had any heart or soul was Chloe. And I'm not exactly sure how rational she was considering she fell for Sebastien. Not that I really disliked Sebastien. He was rather interesting, but he seems more the type for some really great sex than for love and family. He's also one you probably wouldn't want to turn your back on because he's a cold-blooded killer. Sure he softens up some throughout the book, but I could never bring myself to quite like him. Especially at the end when he's thinking about how he really didn't care if something happened to Chloe's family, but he knew it would upset Chloe so he would try to keep them safe. To me, that doesn't make him great HEA material. I'm not sure I'd want to have kids with him (which considering they never used protection, could have easily happened - and why wasn't that ever brought up?).
I was just put off a bit by the lack of conscientious throughout the book by just about everyone. Like how the cab driver was killed for no good reason at all. I hated that. I can't really get emotionally invested in a story that does things like that.
But the storyline was still interesting enough to keep me reading. I do agree with one of the other reviews here that it's not a very plausible plot. It did seem rather bizarre that these high-level gun-runners would bring in an outsider to translate. And I never quite got whey sending Chloe back to the states would make her safe. If they wanted her dead, they would find her wherever she was. I mean, they had her full name, it would be pretty easy to track her down. But despite the somewhat silliness of the plot, it kept me reading. And the chemistry between Chloe and Bastien was hot - even if I couldn't exactly buy into them having an HEA.
I liked the book enough to give the next one in the series a try and go from there. I picked it up at the library today.
January 8, 2015
To be honest, I almost DNF'd this one in the first third. The heroine behaves stupidly in a way that only a romance heroine can accomplish. Get this: she's at a gathering where she's supposed to be the French/English interpreter and she's full of suspicions about everyone. She's sure there's a conspiracy afoot and danger lurks everywhere. She gets a hinky vibe off everyone. So she proceeds to drink like a fish. Um. Girl? No. She does a few more dumb things after that and I really wanted to bail.
BUT, the hero is very compelling. Reminding me of the first of Stuart's House of Rohan books, the hero seems to have zero redeemable qualities. But he's also going through some kind of psychic crisis where he does things that are inexplicable even to himself. It makes him very interesting apart from even being a romance hero. Frankly, I'd enjoy him as the lead in a thriller just as much. I love a man who kicks himself after showing mercy but still doesn't go back to right that "mistake". It's endearing.
So I did finish it and I enjoyed it. I'll read some more in the series, but I'm still pretty unhappy with this heroine. Why do the female leads in suspense romance (most romance for that matter) have to be so stupid? It is not necessary for one or the other to become a total moron as a catalyst for Bad Things that cause the action to move forward. If you're dealing with nasty villains, they'll do all the work on that score. It's their job.
Continuing with the rant: do authors really think that giving a heroine a big boy job is enough to convince me she's smart? That's like putting Barbie in a lab coat and calling her Barbie scientist. She's still freaking Barbie! I don't care if the female lead is a checker at a grocery store, if her actions show common sense then I'm going to like her. I don't even care whether or not she graduated from high school. See? Don't try to make me believe she's "smart" because she can speak many different languages and then show her behaving like a total nitwit. I am not fooled.
Rant over. Whew! Thanks for listening.
Anyway - it's a good book. You just have to get past the vapidity of the female and concentrate on the complexity of the male.
Unfortunately:
BUT, the hero is very compelling. Reminding me of the first of Stuart's House of Rohan books, the hero seems to have zero redeemable qualities. But he's also going through some kind of psychic crisis where he does things that are inexplicable even to himself. It makes him very interesting apart from even being a romance hero. Frankly, I'd enjoy him as the lead in a thriller just as much. I love a man who kicks himself after showing mercy but still doesn't go back to right that "mistake". It's endearing.
So I did finish it and I enjoyed it. I'll read some more in the series, but I'm still pretty unhappy with this heroine. Why do the female leads in suspense romance (most romance for that matter) have to be so stupid? It is not necessary for one or the other to become a total moron as a catalyst for Bad Things that cause the action to move forward. If you're dealing with nasty villains, they'll do all the work on that score. It's their job.
Continuing with the rant: do authors really think that giving a heroine a big boy job is enough to convince me she's smart? That's like putting Barbie in a lab coat and calling her Barbie scientist. She's still freaking Barbie! I don't care if the female lead is a checker at a grocery store, if her actions show common sense then I'm going to like her. I don't even care whether or not she graduated from high school. See? Don't try to make me believe she's "smart" because she can speak many different languages and then show her behaving like a total nitwit. I am not fooled.
Rant over. Whew! Thanks for listening.
Anyway - it's a good book. You just have to get past the vapidity of the female and concentrate on the complexity of the male.
Unfortunately:
March 4, 2017
I am a huge fan of Anne Stuart and have read all her books over and over again. And I love her Ice Series, Black Ice is the first book in the series and it’s a dark, non-stop action suspense story of Chloe Underwood, an American working in Paris as a children’s book translator, yearning for some excitement and sex in her rather boring life and Bastien Toussaint, a ruthless, sexy undercover spy for the mysterious Committee.
Chloe’s best friend and roommate, Sophie begs her to take her place as a translator for a group of businessmen. The pay is really good, she can spend the weekend in the countryside and it could bring some excitement into her life which finally persuades her in agreeing to the scheme.
But once she arrives at the amazing chateau in the countryside, Chloe meets all the participants, which include Bastien, who is feels very attracted to and being an observant and intelligent person she soon begins realizing that something is not quite right about the people and the place.
Plot is filled with twists and turns. Dangerous arm-dealers, ruthless killers, betrayal and we are propelled into the dark and dangerous world that Chloe has unknowably found herself in.
Bastien is not sure if Chloe is an innocent pawn in the game or part of the plan to break him down ….he is trying to infiltrate and destroy the cartel. She feels his interest in her which she cannot understand why and as the story progresses both are unable to stop the heat and lust and romance growing between them. The sex scenes are hot, sensual and so so sexy…..
Bastien is a loner, always lived alone and has no feelings for anyone. All that matters to him is to finish the assignment and move onto the next one. But for the first time in his life he begins to care for someone….he is unable to stop his feelings for the naïve Chloe.
I loved Bastien…hard, cold but with a heart beating under all the darkness in him. Putting his life on the line for someone he loves. And Chloe is really a cute heroine….loved that they got together finding love at last.
Just wished the ending had not been so….quick, abrupt….but I know their story will continue in the next book…which I am looking forward to so much.
I have read this series 4 times and each time I am drawn into Anne Stuart’s tautly written romantic suspense novels. Her heroes are always dark, gorgeous men that find redemption in the end.
Chloe’s best friend and roommate, Sophie begs her to take her place as a translator for a group of businessmen. The pay is really good, she can spend the weekend in the countryside and it could bring some excitement into her life which finally persuades her in agreeing to the scheme.
But once she arrives at the amazing chateau in the countryside, Chloe meets all the participants, which include Bastien, who is feels very attracted to and being an observant and intelligent person she soon begins realizing that something is not quite right about the people and the place.
Plot is filled with twists and turns. Dangerous arm-dealers, ruthless killers, betrayal and we are propelled into the dark and dangerous world that Chloe has unknowably found herself in.
Bastien is not sure if Chloe is an innocent pawn in the game or part of the plan to break him down ….he is trying to infiltrate and destroy the cartel. She feels his interest in her which she cannot understand why and as the story progresses both are unable to stop the heat and lust and romance growing between them. The sex scenes are hot, sensual and so so sexy…..
Bastien is a loner, always lived alone and has no feelings for anyone. All that matters to him is to finish the assignment and move onto the next one. But for the first time in his life he begins to care for someone….he is unable to stop his feelings for the naïve Chloe.
I loved Bastien…hard, cold but with a heart beating under all the darkness in him. Putting his life on the line for someone he loves. And Chloe is really a cute heroine….loved that they got together finding love at last.
Just wished the ending had not been so….quick, abrupt….but I know their story will continue in the next book…which I am looking forward to so much.
I have read this series 4 times and each time I am drawn into Anne Stuart’s tautly written romantic suspense novels. Her heroes are always dark, gorgeous men that find redemption in the end.
July 7, 2013
3 Stars! Some good, some bad, an average read/listen!
Okay I'm just going to spit it out...I was not a big fan of this book, it was just okay. I had two issues, one which might be the version of the book I read, or rather listened too, and the other is with one of the characters.
I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator exaggerated on the French accent to the point where it was annoying. A French accent is very distinct and quite lovely, but when the narrator sounds like Inspector Clouseau from The Pink Panther...not good. Don't get me wrong, it fits the movie, it's a comedy and that was part of the character and his comedic charm, but it didn't work here. I tried to listen past it, but it got in the way of the story. I had trouble focusing on the plot. I love my audio books, but in this case the written version would have been more enjoyable.
OMG...Chloe. She was dumber than a friggin' stone!! I get it, in the beginning she was confused about what was happening, she was young and naïve, but how c'mon, she was still clueless at the end of the book. I'm not a heroine basher, but this one took the cake for me and ruined the book.
Bastien, yeah he was a bad-ass alright, a gamma's gamma and I thought he was DELICIOUS!! How he ended up with a half-wit like Chloe is beyond me! In my opinion he should have just 'offed' her! Okay, maybe that's a little harsh...he should of tossed her to the wolves and let them do it!
I just didn't get the attraction that Bastien had for Chloe. Oh, and the ending, I felt like I was left hanging. This book needed an epilogue.
So, my first Anne Stuart, Risk the Night, was great, this one, not so much. However, I will continue with the series, and maybe someday do a re-read of Black Ice with my eyes, instead of my ears!
September 27, 2016
4.5 STARS Another winner from Anne Stuart!!! Looking forward to the next in the series.
May 2, 2022
5/02/22 Audiobook 🎧 Reread
It’s been awhile since I’ve read a AS book to I decided to revisit Chloe & ruthless bad boy Bastain. So gooooood!!!!!
5 Ruthless Stars!
How is it I fell in love with a ruthless killer? Bastain Toussaint. That’s how. Bastain is a man who has no value for life seemingly his or anyone else’s. He’s essentially a man who does and will use violence and sex to get what he wants, he does whatever is necessary to get the job done.
Chloe Underwood is an young American women living in Paris on a shoestring budget. She’s fluent in several languages and working for a publisher translating children’s books from English to French. When her roommate asks her to take her place for a private translating job at a opulent chateau for the weekend Chloe is initially reluctant until she learns how much she’ll be paid for the weekend. Soon Chloe realizes there is something much more sinister going on with the group of business men and women attending the meetings.
When Chloe is suspected of being a spy the hosts retaliation is brutal . Thankfully Bastain comes to her aid which puts them both in danger and wanted by some VERY ruthless individuals who will stop at nothing to see them eliminated. Black Ice won't be for everyone, it’s a bit dark, but, since this is an older book it’s not as dark as more recently published books....in my opinion anyway. I absolutely love Anne Stuart’s anti-Hero’s, she’s truly a master, no author writes them better!!
Originally read: Aug 2011
LOVED this book, Bastian, and Chloe....Looking forward to reading the rest of books in the series.
March 13, 2008
I'm so glad I finally read this one! Just excellent--I really enjoyed it! Bastien was such a bad boy hero (unlike any I've ever read). I was so glad that Chloe was able to melt that 'black ice' around his cold heart! This book was just non stop action--I can't wait to read the rest in the series! Thanks, Eastofoz, for the recommendation!
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