Saturday, January 19, 2008

Recent Reads

Driven by Eve Kenin (aka Eve Silver)

Why this one: I received an ARC of this one. I’d kind of forgot I had it and when this book first came out, I bought a copy based on the excellent reviews it was receiving. Luckily I was able to exchange it for another one when I found my ARC. It kind of languished on the TBR pile until I saw a review on Renee’s blog and we have very similar tastes in books (and why I'm insisting she watch North and South whereas I'm not bugging other people at least I don't think I am - well maybe a couple more, but only cause I know they will love it) and saw it was also listed on a number of interim poll results at AAR. Wanting to get as many 2007 books in before voting, I picked this one up.

Level of Steam: Truly ice melting – and this is a good thing considering it takes place in the frozen north

Amazon Blurb: Raina Bowen knows she can handle herself just fine against anything the harsh Northern Waste throws at her. Until it throws her an enigmatic stranger called Wizard. First, she has to haul him out of a brawl he can't hope to win. And next, her libido is shooting into overdrive at the feel of his hard body pressed against hers on the back of her snowscooter. But there's something not quite right about this guy. Before she can strip bare Wizard's secrets, they're lured into a race for their lives, battling rival truckers, ice pirates...and a merciless maniac with a very personal vendetta.

My Thoughts: Wowzers. I was very impressed. This book is from Dorchesters Shomi line and to be honest, when I first heard about it, it didn’t really appeal to me. But again I say wowzers. This is the third book in a row that I’ve really enjoyed so far in 2008. I hope I keep up the pace.

It seemed kind of like a Mad Max movie only Max was a woman, it took place in the north instead of a dessert and there was a terrific love story to go along with it. The book takes place some time in the not-too-distant future after some kind of apocalyptic war. The northern hemisphere seems to be a frozen wasteland now and it it’s controlled by some Very Evil Dude named Bane. There is a truck race amongst independent truckers and a company owned by Bane. Raina Bowen is determined to win this race and for that she needs a special pass she has agreed to buy from Wizard, a mysterious stranger who is seemingly impervious to the cold or injury.

Raina was some kick-ass tough heroine who could stand up for herself and I loved her, loved her, loved her. It’s fascinating watching this loner slowly allow a group of rebels into her heart.

And Wizard - Mmm, mmm mmm, mmm, mmm!- what a terrific hero he makes! Earlier on this year I read Linnea Sinclair's Games of Command and loved her hero. Wizard is the same type of guy. Without saying too much, Wizard is a guy who is new to emotions - kind of like a hot and hunky Data from Star Trek. But at others he's not like Data At All. Thus the steam that heats this book up.

I haven't tried her books as Eve Silver but I'm on my way out shortly and a stop at Chapters is in order. I'll be buying her again!!

One reason I'm glad I haven't voted at AAR yet - I would have missed voting for this one!

Grade: 5 out of 5

10 comments:

Ana said...

This sounds exactly like something Thea would like. I am telling her about it!

Kristie (J) said...

Ana: It's the PERFECT book for someone teetering on the brink of becoming a romance reader!! And not only that - I should have mentioned it in the review - I had no problems reading it in public - in the mall food court of all places. Unlike many of the books I wouldn't pull out in public *g*

Kristie (J) said...

And I bet she'd love Linnea Sinclair too!!

Christine said...

Hi Kristie!
I read this book in 2007 and absolutely loved it as well (made my top list, too! ;) The premise and setting were very unique, the story arc was exciting and I loved the characters. Rain was a great heroine and Wizard was just so... *sigh.* The sequel is titled Hidden and comes out July 2008. I can't wait! :)

... and I just HAVE to move Linnea Sinclair up my TBB list!

KT Grant said...

Hidden is about Tatiana's story. I was hoping for more of Wizard and Raina but maybe they will show up :)
And don't even get me started on Linnea because the sequel to Gabriel's Ghosts comes out in July!!
The 3 books I am craving so badly is:
Jeaniene Frost's in April
JR Ward in June
Linnea Sinclair in July
and I lied, CL Wilson come the fall!!!

Bridget Locke said...

Oh, I didn't know there was a second book in this series. Cool!

This also made my top books of 2007. Moongazer by Marianne Mancusi was really good too. I like the whole tough heroine thing that Shomi's doing.

My hands are like ice today. It's really cold here and even though I've got on a gazillion layers, my hands are almost numb. It sucks.

CindyS said...

You and Renee like it so it's now on my list. I was at my pharmacy tonight and almost bought a few books. Then I remembered that I have Chapters GCs and should be buying my books there. I don't know what it is but my pharmacy has a way of having the best books out - the Bourne book was there also!

Cindys

Jace said...

Kristie, I'm glad that you finally read Driven and liked it so much. *grin*

Eve Kenin is also known as Eve Silver.

She writes futuristics as Kenin, and historical gothics and paranormals as Silver.

I've read all her historical gothics - 2 were fantastic; 1 was problematic. I commented on all of them on my blog, if you're interested. *wink*

Her only paranormal is Demon's Kiss, which I haven't read. Two of my reading buddies didn't like it so I will skip it.

I'm waiting for Hidden, and a historical gothic coming out mid-2008.

nath said...

Hmmm, I've been hearing a lot of good things about this book and I think i'm going to get it :) LOL, and I was trying to stay away from the Shomi line! LOL

Ciara said...

I finished this last night and loved it! It's so different from what I've been reading. I have to go out and pick up all the SHOMI books. :)