Playing with Fire

By: Gena Showalter

Narrated by: Jessica Almasy

Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Twenty-four-year-old barista Belle Jamison dreams of a better job and a decent love life - until a crazy scientist spikes her mocha latte! Suddenly, Belle can wield the four elements - earth, wind, fire, and water - with only a thought. Coffee too hot? No problem. Hair in need of a blow-dry? Done.

Gorgeous government agent Rome Masters has been sent to neutralize Belle. But he's not the only one after her. Together they must outrun the rogue agents on their trail and find a way to control her powers. There's just one problem: the sparks Belle and Rome generate are even hotter than the ones flying from her eyes. And with her future on the line, now is the worst possible time to fall in love!

©2009 Gena Showalter (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The versatile Showalter takes the nail-biting elements of her exciting paranormals and blends them with the wit and humor of her contemporary romances to make a delicious offering spiced with the best ingredients of both." ( Booklist)

got used to it

My biggest challenge was the reader. The book started off a bit different than what I am accoustomed to with Ms Showalter's work. However, after I got use to the narrators style and rhythm, I was able to settle in and enjoy the characters. I'm actually looking forward to "Twice as Hot", which is the continuing story.

Can't get enough!

One of my favorite series (well its only two books so far). Never get tired of it no matter how many times I hear it. The narrator, Jessica Almasy, is freaking incredible. She brings Belle to life and makes you feel like you're actually listening to a friend's life story. Definitely some spicy romance, action/adventure mixed with supernatural fun.

I love it

I thought it was really funny. Couldn't stop listening to it. I love Belles personality, Rome is HOT, and Tanner is hilarious!!

amazing

A quirky, funny heroine, Belle starts out as a regular, hard-working gal who is trying to hold down two jobs while supporting her and her elderly dad with health problems. But then all of a sudden a man in a lab coat rushes into the coffee shop where she works, chased by dangerous-looking men. He cries for help, saying they are out to kill him. When Belle goes to call the police, she puts down her coffee cup. Later in the day, she is feeling very sick. To her surprise, a week later she wakes up a changed woman. Apparently the scientist slipped his secret formula into her cup and now she has elemental powers over wind, fire, water, and earth. All this is explained to her by sexy Roman, who at first appears to be out to get her. He works for a paranormal investigative government team (the good guys) who are fighting the bad guys (the dangerous guys from the coffee shop). They are now on the run from the bad guys and eventually must face them. Roman is helping her to control her powers. Meanwhile Belle and Roman are starting to have feelings for each other, but Belle is jealous over Roman's ex-wife. The story has many twists and turns and is very fast-paced.

This was an enjoyable, humorous read. I like to space fun, light books between some of the darker urban fantasy books, and this one definitely fits in that category. The only negative I'd share is that I would have liked a bit more relationship development between Belle and Roman. But all in all, it was a good paranormal romance. It reminded me in style to some of the other humorous PR's out there by L. Sands, K. MacAlister or E. McCarthy. The sequel just came out and I'm looking forward to reading it.

Listen to the Preview!

First Off *Listen to the Preview* ??? If you find it funny and entertaining, then you will likely enjoy this book. This book, unlike the Lords of the Underworld series is more... Clueless/Legally Blonde meets a tamer version of Lords of Underworld. Mostly...

Gena Showalter spins paranormal tale in which our Heroine (an unsophisticated, outspoken, no-nonsense and dedicated to her father???s care - coffee wench) finds herself dragged or should I say drugged into a larger world in which competing paranormal agencies are battling it out and now are after her and her new abilities to control Earth, Wind, Fire and Water.

We are treated to Belle???s wide range of internal dialog (The preview gives you a good example of some of it) in a first person narrative in which the narrator (Jessica Almasy) does wonderful job portraying a good hearted but sometimes clueless young woman who hasn???t really found any direction in her life beyond caring for her father.

The Plot ??? Like many other books that are more about the relationship between the two leads, it does have some mighty fine plot holes. Some of which Gena does a fair job of glossing over or explaining away with a couple sentences. This plot would be really interesting in a more ???grown-up???/in depth work of fiction with a slightly less valley girl star.

Narrator ??? Jessica Almasy, I was pleasantly surprised by her ability to create a few different voices ??? Given the type of person Belle Jamison is painted, she did an amazing job giving her life.

Over all, I enjoyed the book and will likely get the second one soon. But once again, listen to the preview ??? I was laughing so hard listening to the dates/Titles(subtitles) for her jobs that I knew I would enjoy the story. And I did.

Sassy Reluctant Superhero

I loved the narration. She captures the comedic hysteria of the protagonist perfectly. I bought the next book immediately for the great storyline and performance.

This Book is so Fun!

I thought this book was very light, fun and interesting. I am a huge Gena Showalter fan, and this book is very different than the Lords of the Underworld series. It was a great surprise, and I'm pleased to see that Gena has a different side to her writing. The story is written in first person from Belle's perspective, and I was not sure if I would like that, but the narrator is excellent. The conversations between the characters are great - its very well written. You will really enjoy this book. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

Oh heck yeah!!!

If you could sum up Playing with Fire in three words, what would they be?

Give me more.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Playing with Fire?

The first meeting of Belle and Tanner. Could not stop laughing!

What does Jessica Almasy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her Belle is feisty. Her Tanner is goofy. Her Rome is smoldering. Her Lexis is exotic. These are all very different characters and she articulated that beautifully with her voicing. I was very pleased!

Any additional comments?

This reminded me so much of the Paranormalcy series! I loved that series too! Looking forward to book 2!

i loved it

I actually loved it. I loved it enough where I felt completed at the end. I like all of the main characters and supporting characters. I also loved the way the MC talked. narration was nice! the ONLY thing I almost couldn't stand was every time someone said something, it was followed by either said or guffawed. and I get it, some things need to be simple. but I feel like a mix up would have everything so much better!

Entertaining & Silly

This is probably the best story I could have read right now. It wasn't life changing or the best written story but it was very entertaining. Jessica Almasy definitely added to my enjoyment of the story.