Customer Reviews

On Thin Ice

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3 star:		(2)
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Susan Andersen wrote "dark" books, at one time. This is one of those "darker" books.

Sasha's and Mick's story takes place on a professional ice skating tour. Sasha's partner was part of a drug deal. Mick is the cop who infiltrates her skating troupe, while trying to find the base of the drug dealers. During his investigation, he romances Sasha. She, of course, has no idea who he really is. Their relationship is volatile, sexy and very believable. When murder occurs, the action and suspense begin.

Sasha and Mick are very appealing characters. The troupe is filled with interesting people. And even if you think you know all that's going on, you'll probably still be surprized by some of the things that happen.

I've enjoyed this book more than once. I like the unusual setting; Mick and Sasha are great leads. And while this is a "darker" read; it certainly has it's light moments!

Olympic silver medallist, Sasha Miller, is the darling of the figure skating world. Even the drug scandal associated with her former partner, Lon Morrison, hasn't diluted her popularity or prevented her star from rising to fabled, glorious heights. Oh, her professional reputation has been tarnished by the whispers and innuendos, but Sasha has managed to rise above it all to embrace her childhood dream. Her provocative routines heat up the ice, and defy the conventional expectations of a figure skater: Sasha has a passion for skating, and it shows -- in every shimmy, shake and gracefully executed jump.

No one would suspect the saintly Sasha of trafficking in drugs, however. No one, that is, except Special Agent Mick Vinicor of the DEA. Someone in "Follies on Ice," the touring show Sasha is a star attraction of, is selling high grade cocaine to junkies (and killing them with the drug's potency), and it's Mick's job to find out who's doin' the selling and then bust their sorry hump. This isn't his idea of an ideal undercover operation, though. Infiltrating the namby-pamby world of figure skaters is giving him the chills, in fact, and thoroughly testing his patience. Miller has gotta be as guilty as sin, but Mick is beginning to question his own judgment.

Sure, lusting after his number one suspect is stone-cold stupid, but his gut is trying to tell him that Sasha is innocent...and the intended target of a would-be killer on the prowl.

Conflicting loyalties and misplaced trust put Sasha and Mick on the warpath (once Mick's not-so-tiny white lies are exposed for what they are). On Thin Ice has reams and reams of thick, sexual tension to entertain a reader, however, and to compensate for this frustrating failure to communicate. Susan Andersen's Avon romances are by and large lighter, fluffier fare than this dark, somewhat plodding plot of romantic suspense. Night and day style wise, there are still certain commonalities to be found in this middling-to-high octane story: mainly, the spectacular chemistry percolating between Ms. Andersen's hero and heroine.

Why, the sensuality level is pea soup thick, and steamy enough to fog melted glass! There's no questioning Mick and Sasha's compatibility as a couple, but there are a few lamentations to be uttered regarding the lack of honesty in their relationship (and the high-handed, alpha male posturing of a vulnerable hero striking out in a knee-jerk reactionary manner). I really can't deny my infatuation with Mick, however, or the appeal of his politically incorrect take-charge attitude. Sasha has plenty of spunk and spirit to combat Mick's free-roaming egotism -- or should that be despotism? -- at any rate. Strain will test the strength of her emotional reserves, however, and create an illusion of fragility, further inciting Mick's protective instincts.

On Thin Ice has a thinly stretched suspense subplot that will easily crack under pressure, though, so it's best not to test or tamper with Ms. Andersen's premise. Nimble pacing of the storyline, spectacular sexual sparks, and complex, likeable characterizations make this novel a showstopper, if not an out and out heart stopper.

Reviewed by C.L. Jeffries

Yesterday I enjoyed the first snowstorm to hit NY in two years! After shoveling my long driveway and walk and feeding the kids (who had arrived home from an early school closing), I settled down to read 'On Thin Ice'. It is the perfect escape on a cold and snowy day. Sasha Miller is a professional ice skater who has finally put behind her a difficult childhood and a drug scandal early in her olympic career. Then once again addicts begin dying from tainted drugs like those distributed by her ex partner and best friend who is now finishing a five year jail term for his illegal actions. Mick Vinicor, a DEA agent is sent undercover to investigate the primary suspect, Sasha. He is immediately attracted to the beautiful and talented skater and ultimately finds it hard to believe that she is guilty. The attraction is mutual, but Sasha is less trusting. She must also sort out her feelings for Lon Morrison, her ex partner who is now out of jail and back in the Ice Follies with her. When the follies are beset by strange accidents that seem to be directed at Sasha, Mick realizes that he must find the real culprit before its too late.

The premise is simple and there are few surprises but the characters are so likeable (as is the romance) that its fine for a cold winter day.

The re-issue of Susan Andersen's romantic suspense On Thin Ice remains every bit as hauntingly chilling as it was almost seven years ago. DEA Undercover cop Mick Vinicor's latest assignment takes him to investigate on Olympics ice-skating medalist Sasha Miller to recover the lost heroin that was unaccounted for during a drug-syndicate bust that sent her bosom confidante Lon Morrison to prison. Mick's cynical mind leads him to believe that Sasha is involved in drug trafficking.

However that is before a deranged and cold-blooded killer is scheming to threaten Sasha's life as she warns the now-released Lon off drug-trafficking. Mick's protective streak stems from an irresistible attraction towards Sasha and finds himself steeped in agony over his lies and betrayal when love strikes.

On Thin Ice offers razor-sharp thrills and a dimensional villain who is capable of terrifying malevolence as she is of garnering our sympathy. Susan Andersen masterfully sweeps in a passionate romance between a cop and suspect with erotic tension and emotional turmoil with detailed research on ice-skating. The hot passion between the chivalrous Mick and traumatized Sasha glides smoothly into the hearts of readers, dispelling the chills that linger with some terrific moments of evil and sabotage.

This is a re-issue as stated by previous reviewers but still worth picking up. This story was not as good as some of her other suspense novels and at times I had a hard time focusing on the storyline. The chemistry between the two main characters is good and more then makes up for the lack of suspense found between the pages of this story as well as the secondary characters that have direct links with the main characters Sasha, and Mick.

If you like Ms. Andersen then this will be a good novel for you to pick up. Just don't expect it to be like her current books. She was working up to the great storyteller that she has become.

I was very pleased with the service I received. The books were great quality and received on time. I would definitely place another order from them!

This was a light suspense story that kept my interest throughout. Sometimes Mick was a little too cave man aloha male and Sasha a little too perfect but it worked in the end. It wasn't tough to figure out whodunit but it didn't spoil my level of enjoyment. The story moved at a good pace with good dialogue and the right level of character development. Overall, it's a good story but not at the level of suspense that keeps me on the edge of my seat and speeds up my pulse rate.

I would rate this a 3.5 star book but cannot round it to 4 stars because the suspense meter is a little low.

I have not yet read this book, but I have read most of her books. I'm collecting them. I just love the way she writes. At times she is funny. I just can't stop reading her books when I start reading one.

This is an excellent read. I've read it countless times over the years, and will continue, worlds without end, amen!

This is the story of Sasha Miller and Mick Vinicor.

Sasha is a silver medalist ice skater. She works in a traveling ice skating review. She became a skater because she was born to be one. It took a hard toll on her to make it out from under, but she did it.

Mick is a DEA agent assigned to Sasha's troop due to the OD deaths that seem to follow the troop from city to city. Mick became a DEA agent due to his beloved older brother's drug addiction that started in the Viet Nam war (yes, this book was written in the early 90s) and resulting death.

The DEA suspects Sasha, as her old partner, Lon Morrison, had been arrested for drug dealing a few years prior to the start of the story.

The story follows Mick's investigation, and the relationship that develops between him and Sasha.

Lon Morrison and Connie Nakamura are great supporting characters.

It's not an intense thriller, but the mystery is good, the relationships and dialogue are solid/fun/realistic/intriguing, and story ends just the way I like - happy!

Ice queen Sasha feels a responsibility for her ex-pairs partner Lon, who has spent the last five years in prison for trafficking heroin while on tour. While he was in prison, she went on to single glory, winning an Olympic silver medal. She vouches for him and gets him a slot on her latest ice tour when he is paroled.

Mick is an undercover DEA agent assigned to be the tour manager. Several drug-related deaths have coincided with the ice tour and the 17 kilos of heroin that Lon was supposed to have in his possession never materialized. All suspicion points to Sasha, as he puts her under close surveillance, while trying to resist falling for her, while investigating the rest of the folks on the ice tour, and all the recent mishaps and accidents that have befallen Sasha. Sasha is not the most trusting; an unhappy childhood, then betrayal from Lon have been hard to forget. Will she be able to forgive Mick when she finds out about his deception?

The true pusher is identified early in the story, and attempts to bring Lon back into the fold. Andersen does a great job of keeping you glued to the story to find out the conclusion, as well as to see justice served. The two lead characters have immense chemistry and some pretty steamy encounters.