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31 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
When Life's not Quite Exciting Enough..., December 31, 2006
Along come mad scientists, secret sub-government agencies and...control over the four elements? In a non-stop thrill of a laughter-inducing ride, one simple gal just trying to make a buck finds out there's more to life than coffee and the next lame job. Only problem is, will her new talents consume her, or will she master the potentially volatile forces?
Belle Jamison needs a new job to support not only her needs, but those of her elderly father too. She's trying extra hard not to screw up the job she has currently as well as the interview she's got later the same day. Only problem is she's a bit of a smart alec and she's hanging by a thread because of it. When a man bursts into the coffee shop where she works, begging for help, it's Belle who catches his eye. Hours later, after being detained by some pretty convincing agents, Belle's not feeling so hot. All she had was a mocha latte, so why the sudden flu-like symptoms? In a haze, she stumbles through her interview and barely makes it home where she collapses. The next morning doesn't bring any relief and to make matters worse, there's a hot man at her side--only his hotness is not the issue--his wanting to kill her is. With new powers come all new problems and Belle has to find a way to get back to simple `ole her. Only, she might be starting to like the new her...
Belle's story is in first person, so anyone not fond of those need be aware of this. Belle is perhaps one of my most favorite female leads I've ever encountered in a romance. She's determined, loyal to the good side and she knows what she wants and goes after it. Plus, she's got some faults and she's not afraid to admit it. It's the combination of her pluses and minuses that make her so unique. The dialogue throughout, with whomever she interacts with, is riddled with laugh-out-loud wit and I was very impressed with how the secondary characters shown through. Rome's role as hero was no less emphasized than Belle's and he is hot, hot hot! The addition of his family lent the story a desperate feel at times as he and Belle strive to make the world a safer place for people like them. If you are a fan of first person comedy/paranormal romances, heroines that save the day make you smile, heroes that make you sigh and a great cast of secondary characters, then I can't recommend this one enough. The plot wraps up very nicely, but sounds as if it might continue with more? Either way, I was thrilled and would love to see more if Ms. Showalter chooses to do so.
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24 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Consistantly Showalter!, August 29, 2006
Gena Showalter kicks off a new paranormal series with "Playing with Fire." Like many of her other novels, this story is told in the first-person perspective. But, please don't let this tiny detail distract you! Showalter is Queen of the first-person narrative. Throughout the book, she balances the protagonist's voice (Belle) with the rest of the characters. So, even though Belle's character/personality is put in the fore-front, Showalter does not neglect to develop each of the (important) supporting characters - specifically, Rome Masters.
"Playing with Fire" starts normally enough - a typical work day for Belle: wake up (late), go to work (late), charm boss, and then, for God's sake, keep from getting fired. On this average day, the narrator's life is flipped up-side-down when a distressed scientist slips one of his latest concoctions into her drink. From just one sip of her mocha latte, Belle goes through a fantastical transformation from human to superhuman. And as if the physiological change wasn't enough to kill her, she soon discovers that her new abilities might.
Enter Rome Master:
His mission is to find Belle, and neutralize her if indeed she is exposed to the scientist's experiment. As it turns out, she is compromised - but Rome doesn't have the heart to bring her in for experimentation. Instead, he enlists her help - and for payment, Rome will in turn teach Belle how to control her newfound powers.
As per Showalter's style, the heroine is a feisty piece of work; she is comical, sarcastic, and sensitive. As for the hero, Rome is very much the alpha male, with a touch of vulnerability that makes him irresistible. I simply loved experiencing the connection between Belle and Rome; both characters have a strong sense of family loyalty and honor; but not only that, they also possessed a strong passion and undisclosed love for each other.
I've been a fan of Showalter's ever since reading "Enslave Me Sweetly" and "Awaken Me Darkly." And like those preceding novels, this book did not disappoint me. As far as I'm concerned, Showalter is a sure thing. Her name alone is enough for me to purchase all her books.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Playing With Fire, March 12, 2007
Belle Jamison leads an ordinary life, sort of. She can't keep a job and she has no love life. She's just about to lose her job at a coffee shop when a strange thing happens. During a melee, a scientist slips Belle a compound that gives her supernatural powers. Now she can start fires, freeze people and control the elements. Pretty cool, huh?
While Belle is suffering with what she thinks is the flu, or food poisoning, government agent Rome Masters enters her life. Rome knows he should turn Belle over to his employers, but he can't quite do that. He wants her to help him with a problem. While running from two different groups of people, the pair fight a powerful attraction that has built between them.
Playing with Fire is a fantastic blend of humor, warmth, sex, and adventure. Belle is an unlikely heroine, who struggles to control her new abilities. Rome is a sexy agent that I fell in love with the minute he entered the room. Together, Belle and Rome make a powerful pair. One of the things I loved the most about them was the care and concern they showed not only for each other, but for their family members.
Playing with Fire is a roller coaster ride that will take a reader through spills, chills and thrills. When it's over you'll be wondering what's next for the fascinating characters, and their unique supporting cast, which includes fun loving Tanner and a sexy agent who can plug himself into an electrical socket, literally. The tagline on this novel says "Tales of an Extra Ordinary Girl." This book definitely lives up to its boast.
Amelia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
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