Date published July 2005
ISBN 0-345-47642-5
Romantic Suspense
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Gina
Taylor Kincaid is perhaps the best jewel thief the world has ever seen. She’s in, she’s out and nary a clue as to who absconded with some of the most valuable gems and artworks in creation. Unique to Taylor is she is a bit like Robin Hood in that she takes from those who would be thieves themselves and returns the goods to the true owners. Her victims can’t do much about her pilfering their treasures simply because they themselves did not obtain them by legitimate means. She has slipped through the cracks of both law enforcement and her victims because of skill and the fact no one has, to date, realized she is a woman. With everyone looking for a man, she is able to stand beside her target with impunity. That is about to change when she meets T-FLAC operative Huntington St. John.
Hunt has long prided himself on being able to maintain a solid emotional distance. While he enjoys a good tumble in the hay, bed or other nearby venue, he’s never given his heart. Like other members of the T-FLAC team, he believes “love” is the curse that will be his undoing. When he meets Taylor, without design on her part, or even desire to do so, she works her way into his heart.
The problem is that Hunt is one of the good guys and she’s a thief and as soon as T-FLAC’s latest mission is completed, she’ll be on her way to a long stay in a “gray bar inn”, i.e., jail. Their mission: stop not one, but two groups of terrorists from unleashing their sick ideals on an unsuspecting Las Vegas. Jose Morales rules his group, Mano del Dios with the firm believe that God has sent him a mission to obliterate all that is wrong with the world. Slowly, painstakingly, for years he has amassed all manner of weapons and is now set to strike. Seeking to eliminate Mano del Dios and gain all his weapons for themselves is the Black Rose. As T-FLAC, Mano del Dios and Black Rose descend on the location of the weapons, only one group will prevail.
While this reviewer’s favorite T-FLAC book is still On Thin Ice, HOT ICE has quickly moved into second place, just about edging the prior book out of first. HOT ICE takes readers on a fast paced journey to San Cristobol, South America to Europe and ultimately Africa. As Hunt first tracks Taylor and then brings her along on the mission to eliminate Mano del Dios, readers feel and see what the characters see. From the dank and dirty jail in San Cristobol to the tony condo in Zurich to the wilds of Africa the reader knows what each climate feels like. Most enjoyable was Taylor’s enthusiasm as the team trekked through Africa and hoped for glimpses of the native animals. Her thrill at seeing a pride of lions was akin to being there with her.
Hunt is enigmatic and with his character Ms. Adair opens the door for readers to decide just what is going on with him when his British accent comes so solidly to the fore. Is it him feeling emotion? If so, which? Or is it frustration that he is losing control of his oh so well regulated life? Taylor is gorgeous, intelligent, accomplished and deep inside is a little girl wanting to be loved. While readers see what drives Taylor, they have the opportunity to determine for themselves was compels Hunt. You come away from the story wanting to make Hunt your own.
Especially enjoyable was Ms. Adair’s interweaving of Dante’s INFERNO in Morales’ African mine. She presents the levels in vivid detail and makes them tangible for today’s reader.
When the last of the Wright Brother’s tale was told this reviewer had that feeling of sadness series fans have when it appears a series has ended and no more tales will be told. With HOT ICE, storyteller Cherry Adair breathes continued life into the series by giving stories to the secondary characters, making them heroes on their own merit. For fans, such as this reviewer, the possibilities for T-FLAC to continue saving the world and delighting readers will continue as long as Ms. Adair puts pen to paper. Here’s hoping she wishes to do so long into the future.
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