Finished Fire and Ice by Anne Stuart. This is the fifth and last (for now) book in her Ice romantic suspense series.

This one’s about Reno, a former member of the yakuza (Japanese mob) who works for the Committee, a spy group that fights terrorists and more. Reno is dispatched to Japan to intercept Jilly Lovitz, the younger sister of Summer, who is married to Reno’s cousin Taka (who also works for the Committee).

Summer and Taka are in hiding from some Russian mercenaries, who turn their attention to Jilly when she shows up in Japan. Jilly and Reno met before and were immediately attracted to each other. All of which means they have a hard time keeping their hands off each other as they dodge the mercenaries and uncover a plot by another yakuza member to dethrone Reno’s grandfather as head of the organization.

This book follows the general formula Stuart has established in the Ice series. Tough guy meets innocent girl, saves her from bad guys, is supposed to kill/keep his distance from her, but can’t help himself and falls in love with her anyway. But Stuart’s writing is so smooth you hardly notice the formula. I just really like her writing style. She’s great at keeping the suspense part of the plot going while developing the romance.

I thought Reno was one of her better heroes for the simple fact he’s not quite as much of a jerk as the other guys. All of Stuart’s heroes in the Ice series are stone-cold killers who use sex as a weapon against women. They’re not very nice guys (certainly no one I’d want to know in real life), but they’re interesting to read about. Even if I do want the heroines to beat them with baseball bats for being such jerks.

But Jilly, well, like most of Stuart’s other heroines. she’s just no match for the hero and is completely overwhelmed by Reno. Jilly is supposed to be this freakishly smart woman, but she never shows it. I kept expecting her to bust out some MacGuyver moves and save the day, but it never happens. She’s just kind of there for much of the story.

I had high hopes for Reno and Jilly’s story, and I have to say I’m a little disappointed, especially with Jilly. There were parts of the story I liked (the Japanese setting especially), but I’m going to have to go thumbs down on this one.  

But overall, this is a solid romantic suspense series, especially the first two books, Black Ice and Cold as Ice. So if you’re looking to read some more RS, then I’d definitely recommend this series. Thumbs up to it.

Up next: Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.

Books in my TBR pile: About 12.

Finished Eye of Heaven by Marjorie M. Liu. This is the fifth book in her popular Dirk & Steele paranormal romance series about a detective agency run by folks with supernatural powers.

This one’s about Blue Perrineau, a D&S detective who can control electricity. Blue’s father, a very bad man, blackmails him into tracking down Daniel, the brother Blue never even knew he had. So Blue sets off for Vegas, where he finds Daniel working for a circus — along with lion tamer/shapeshifter Iris McGillis.

Iris has her own problems. Her shapeshifter mother abadoned her a couple of years ago without a word, and she’s being stalked by a strange man intent on adding her to his harem of women (seriously, the guy has a harem). But luckily, Blue is there to help, and the two of them find themselves caught up with a sinister organization that traffics in stolen organs and more.

Liu can be hit or miss for me sometimes, and I’m happy to say this was much more of a hit (although I didn’t love it like I did Shadow Touch, the second book in this series). I think Blue is one of her best heroes so far, torn between protecting his D&S friends and his desire to help his brother avoid his father’s evil clutches. I also enjoyed how the relationship between Blue and Iris developed. It felt natural and believable, despite the supernatural events in the book.

There’s also some cool information and behind-the-scenes looks at how a circus works and how the performers live. And, as always, Liu’s writing is very lush and descriptive.

I had a few little quibbles, my main one being that I thought the book started out kind of slow. The action doesn’t really kick into high gear until about page 150 or so. From then on though, it’s a nonstop ride of deceit, double crosses, narrow escapes, and more.

I also would have liked a little more information about the big bad guys. There were so many characters in this book with so many secrets it was a little hard to keep track of who was really on who’s side. But I’m hoping more will be revealed in the next D&S book, Soul Song, which I have in my TBR pile.

Overall, if you’re looking for a thoughtful paranormal romance, give this book or series a try. Thumbs up.

Up next: Fire and Ice by Anne Stuart

Books in my TBR pile: About 13.

What about you guys? Anyone reading anything good right now?