Fire, Ice, and Polar Bears

Fire and Ice by Julie Garwood


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Something is wrong here. I'm not enjoying Garwood's last three books the way I have every other book she has written. I'm not giving up on her, not by a long shot. Something is just off here.

I think maybe the books are getting more caught up in the mystery/suspense portion of the genre and less involved in the romance department. Sophie and Jack seem to wash around in a flood of other characters. The romance appears and it just isn't quite fleshed out.

I suspect character development was neglected a bit. Character development was rich in her other novels. Other than his interest in the Food Channel, we don't find out a whole lot about the "real" Jack. Information is given, it just doesn't stick. Sophie's interactions with her girlfriends are real. Her interaction with her co-workers and others is not heart-felt. They seem to be almost by wrote.

I do give points for Garwood's interwoven story about the mad scientists. Totally cool. Suspense and then an adrenaline rush. The mystery surrounding their actions and the full account of their transgressions is revealed very satisfactorily at the end.

I'll soldier on with Ms. Garwood. I suspect this slump, too, will pass. I think she is still appealing to many readers and look forward to seeing where she goes next with her stories.

Would I recommend this book to a Mad Scientist? Possibly. He may like a feeling of unity with the scientists in this book.

Would I recommend this book to Michele Obama? Naw. She has less time to read than the average person and I'm sure she'd like to spend it on things that are just a bit better. Unless she's really a Mad Scientist in disguise.

Would I recommend this book to a man in a bear suit? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Bears do not fare well in this book.

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