Customer Reviews

Burn (Indigo)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book was a difficult read. In fact it took me weeks to get through it when I can usually ply through a novel of this size in a day.

First off the prologue although well written and suspensful really didn't fly for me. I just didn't get how the heroine could be attacked with so many people inside and outside the house, including a police officer. There is a struggle, so why didn't the heroine scream at least once? But of course, if she had the movers and police would have come running and the book would've have ended on page 5. We wouldn't be that lucky.

Unfortunately after the prologue this book just falls apart. Besides the fact that the book reminded me of Jennifer Lopez's Enough-woman flees abusive husband, wants to learn how to fight- in truth I didn't like the heroine or the hero. And that's what drew me out of the book time and time again.

Yes, I understand you were almost killed, but the heroine comes off as a true stick in the mud and still a victim of her circumstances. And I can almost buy this until she requests private lessons from a strange man she's just met and at night when no other classes are being held. Yeah right. From the way the heroine is written this didn't seem plausible.

The hero could've been the saving grace of this story, but he wasn't. Most books have a male who's either Alpha or even Beta, but the hero was more like Gamma. I have never taken martial arts lessons, but I've watched enough movies and read enough books to know that the hero was essentially a push over and I felt like no one respected him. I couldn't get over how his employees simply ran over him by not showing up for work or not wanting to teach and how insubordinate even some of his students were specifically the heroine's friend. Mr. Miyagi would've kicked this guy's employees and students' butts without question.

Furthermore because of my detachment from the characters, I didn't understand the hero's immediate attraction so soon after they met and with only a few monosyllabic exchanges.

This isn't the first book I've picked up by Ms. Hubbard. The first was Tempting Faith, but it was the first I actually got through...eventually.

This was a very good story. The beginning of the story was disturbing to say the least but, I felt that Ms. Hubbard was able to portray just how twisted a situation Cinder was in prior to meeting Gian. Cinder and Gian's romance felt to me like it blossomed pretty quickly but, under the circumstances with all that was going - it didn't feel rushed. I'd love to see what happened with some of the secondary characters specifically Lucia and Zae. I really liked this book and wasn't ready for it to end.

I have read quite a few of Crystal Hubbard's books and I thoroughly enjoyed them, but I must say, "Burn" was my favorite of all time. My hat off to Crystal. She is an excellent writer. The way she weaves and describes the details makes me feel as if I'm there with the characters. "Burn" had the right amount of everything. Suspense, action, romance, etc. I didn't want the story to end. I thought Gian and Cinder had great chemistry and Zae was hilarious. I just hope she finally gets on with her life, after mourning her husband for so many years. Crystal, You Rock!

Cinder wants to hide from her ex-husband. And end up living in Webster Groves, Missouri. Her friend Zae refers her to Gian Piassanti, a martial arts instructor and sparks does fly. He teaches her everything there is to know about certain techniques to defend herself. All goes well, until she let her guard down. And her past comes back and threatens her new beginning. I never read a book like this before. I would recommend to anyone. Loved it!

This book has easily surpassed Crush as my favorite Crystal Hubbard book.

The very first chapter of this book immediately hooks you. It is a prologue introduction to the the penultimate chapter in the heroine, Cinder's, life with her abusive husband. It is effective because the events unfold as told by a bystander who happens upon a horrific scene of domestic violence. It sets up the rest of the story very well because you are as sure as Cinder is that her psycho husband isn't quite done with her yet.

So when Cinder moves away to a small town and starts to rebuild her life, a life that includes making new friends, creating new family and meeting a new guy, you are always aware...waiting for the shoe to drop.

Hubbard does a great job of letting Cinder open up by inches, letting us watch her blossom, and letting herself breathe a little easier. In the meantime her relationship with Gian is wonderful. He is strong, disciplined and super sexy. The romance isn't drawn out. Once Cinder realizes she is ready to actually try being with a man again she is really ready. For his part, Gian is gone on her and makes no bones about it. He knows she is it for him and he is matter-of-fact about his pursuit and feelings.

Since Gian is an Alpha hero, both he and reader assume that he is the most protection Cinder will need when her ex shows up (as we know he eventually must). But Hubbard does a very gratifying thing, I won't spoil the ending, but I will say that she doesn't allow him to come riding to the rescue. As a matter of fact, the ending of the book is just as fraught, surprising and tense as the beginning.

Outside of the well executed plot and the romance between Cinder and Gian, I have to say my most favorite part of this book are the supporting characters. Oh my, each of them is memorable and add so much to the texture of the story. Gian runs a traditional Japanese dojo where he teaches the various types of martial arts. His teaching staff consists of a great cast of characters who interact with each other wonderfully. At one point Cinder looks around and thinks of them as family and it makes sense. Hubbard has crafted them as a cohesive group that work with, laugh with and squabble with each other like a family.

Hands down, though, the absolute best secondary character is Cinder's friend Zae. She needs her own book stat! She is a great construct who has the best lines and a fully formed personality that is fun to read. She steals every single scene she is in.

And finally, if you are looking for a true multicultural romance it is here. Cinder is Black and Gian is Italian. But the book is populated with characters from the entire spectrum. Chip, one of the instructors is a sunny blonde from the deep south, Sionne is Samoan, Aja the weapons master is Japanese, there is a Russian/Ethiopian/Japanese character and Cinder's ex husband is Thai/Irish. The novel has a very Eastern feel as much of it is infused with Gian's philosophy of martial arts. And there is even a great scene where they participate in a Brazilian capoeira session.

The book loses a star because while I loved Cinder's empowerment, I found a scene or two where I felt the level of her martial arts skills were a bit advanced given the amount of time she had been learning. And I needed an epilogue in the worst way!

Great book. Highly recommended!

It was a long wait to get another book from Crystal Hubbard - but Burn makes the wait worth it! This inter racial romance suspense novel is hot and exciting!

I love Cinder..she is a victorious victim after a brutal attack. Gian is the perfect man both protector and passion to give Cinder the new start she needs.

I LOVE the supporting characters in this story - Zae, Chip, Karl, Sionne & Lucia. I would LOVE for Ms. Hubbard to put Zae & Chip in a story as well as Lucia & Sionne...

Burn is a great story written by a talented author whom I have on my personal book shelf. Crystal Hubbard gives the perfect gift to wrap up 2010 - Great Job Crystal...Much success, health and prosperity to you!

Suddenly You (Indigo Love Stories)I am a big fan of Crystal Hubbard's books and have enjoyed every one of them. Burn is on a par above anything else by this talented author. With sensitivity, warmth, humor and suspense she tells the story of Cinder White, who narrowly escaped an abusive ex-husband with her life. The prologue of the book gave me chills! The story begins in earnest with Cinder going into a karate school run by an ex Marine named Giancarlo Piasanti. He is taken by her immediately but his past personal experiences show him that there's more to Cinder than she's willing to reveal. I love the way their friendship then romance unfolds. Cinder and Giancarlo are one of Hubbard's best couples. Cinder's best friend Zae Richardson is a great foil for Gian's best friend Chip. There's a Halloween scene that had me rolling on the floor laughing when the karate teachers are talking about their costumes. Hubbard tackled the death of a loved on in her first romance Suddenly You and she handles domestic abuse just as well in Burn. I can't wait for Ms. Hubbard's next book!

I have read several of Ms. Hubbard's novels, and I LOVED this one...I felt it went beyond the standard romance novel genre. I felt it was an even higher quality of fiction writing and had even more depth than her previous novels. Great growth as an author! I loved it that Cinder and Gian didn't waste pages over hiding their feelings for each other - they were both mature enough to claim their feelings, express them, and deal with the challenges of past issues with honesty, vulnerability, and the willingness to face the challenges all up front. What a love! Race was NEVER an issue, just a sidebar to the simple fact of that love. And I cracked up that Cinder's bookshelf held romance novels by Khela Halliday (Mr. Fix-it fans will know that!). I'm sure there were other reference in it to previous works that I probably missed, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. Zae had me ROFL!!! What a character!!! My only complaint? It ended too soon... I needed at least an epilogue to give more depth to recovery and live moving on. Oh well...that's the part I'll have to create in my own fantasy! Bravo, Ms. Hubbard! Look forward to enjoying your talent even more in days to come (Zae and Chip open romance - please!!!!)

I really wanted to love this book, especially after all the reviews it but it boiled down to just being ok. I loved the idea of serious issue such as domestic violence being discussed,however,I was not captivated by Gian and Cinder, and their chemistry was not doing it for me.Also Cinder caused Karl to get his ass kicked by Gian but although he was a douche especially to her, she didn't really apologize to him.She is like let's look to the future(lol). Now the ex, ok he's not a nice guy and she is so afraid of him that she moves to her best friend home town like he can't find or won't think to look for her there. The delivery was flat for me, I was enthused to see what was on the next page.

Once again, Crystal Hubbard's writing talents are in FULL bloom...she crafts an intelligent, emotional, HOT & spicy romance...with an INTRIGUING mixture of martial arts, sexy intimate encounters, a variety of YUMMY foods, and a BIT of suspense throughout...with Gian's private training lessons and his UNEXPECTED love, Cinder grows from a frightened, scarred, and helpless woman into an independent defender for others and herself...I also ENJOY watching Cinder's mental & physical growth throughout this novel...she's DEFINITELY a fighter...and I'd love a follow-up story with some of the secondary cast of characters...another well-written novel.