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Tyber and Zanita #2
High Intensity
A handsome and seductive physicist and his beautiful partner join forces to explore the mysteries of science and of passion, in a sensual romance set in modern-day Martha's Vineyard. Original.
395 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 14, 2000
50 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
About the author
Dara Joy
30 books304 followersBlazing new trails in experimental fiction is a top priority for Dara Joy. Her novels break all the rules and have captured a huge audience. Her unique works have gone on to receive numerous awards.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 18, 2015
Okay, so I confess I never read the prequel, High Energy, and after having read two or three chapters into High Intensity, it was clear that I should have read the first book before diving into the sequel (I didn't know this book was a sequel). There were way too many inside jokes and an already established familiarity and intimacy between the characters that I found bizarre because I didn't read the first book. That's my bad.
As far as this book goes, it's not my cup of tea.
It is definitely more for the type of person who enjoys mixing piracy and science. If you plan to read it, be prepared to be bombarded with a lot of pirate terminology - ad nauseum, to the point of feeling sea sick on dry land. Sometimes the pirate terminology pops up at odd intervals too, like the author is constantly reminding you or rubbing in your face that this brilliant, sexy theoretical physicist thinks and acts like he's a pirate. And not in the Jack Sparrow kind of way.
Aside from the unusual and bizarre combination of piracy with some science thrown in, my other really big pet peeve with this book is that Zanita, the physicist's love interest, seemed like she was just...there. Like she didn't contribute much to the plot aside from the sex. She also seemed like your stereotypical fictional woman: emotional, silly/ditsy, doesn't seem to care much for science (which her paramour does have an interest in), gets scared by rats and things that go bump in the night, etc.
On a brighter note, the mystery was interesting and so was the sex. The sex was different and more unorthodox than any other romance novels I've read; for example, not once did it seem like sex was all about hard thrusting and I didn't feel like Tyber was trying to run through Zanita with his dick (unlike some other male romantic leads I could name...). The ghosts, flying kitchen gadgets, and secret passageways in the old inn are what really kept me turning the pages in the book. It was interesting trying to figure out who the culprit(s) was/were.
As far as this book goes, it's not my cup of tea.
It is definitely more for the type of person who enjoys mixing piracy and science. If you plan to read it, be prepared to be bombarded with a lot of pirate terminology - ad nauseum, to the point of feeling sea sick on dry land. Sometimes the pirate terminology pops up at odd intervals too, like the author is constantly reminding you or rubbing in your face that this brilliant, sexy theoretical physicist thinks and acts like he's a pirate. And not in the Jack Sparrow kind of way.
Aside from the unusual and bizarre combination of piracy with some science thrown in, my other really big pet peeve with this book is that Zanita, the physicist's love interest, seemed like she was just...there. Like she didn't contribute much to the plot aside from the sex. She also seemed like your stereotypical fictional woman: emotional, silly/ditsy, doesn't seem to care much for science (which her paramour does have an interest in), gets scared by rats and things that go bump in the night, etc.
On a brighter note, the mystery was interesting and so was the sex. The sex was different and more unorthodox than any other romance novels I've read; for example, not once did it seem like sex was all about hard thrusting and I didn't feel like Tyber was trying to run through Zanita with his dick (unlike some other male romantic leads I could name...). The ghosts, flying kitchen gadgets, and secret passageways in the old inn are what really kept me turning the pages in the book. It was interesting trying to figure out who the culprit(s) was/were.
June 3, 2010
It could never compare to High Energy but it was still a fun read. I love Tyber and Zanita. She is hilarious and he is funny in how he handles her.
If the bookcover doesn't discourage you, it's a cute book. To get the full understanding of the characters, you have to read High Energy first.
If the bookcover doesn't discourage you, it's a cute book. To get the full understanding of the characters, you have to read High Energy first.
July 26, 2018
A fun read! Book 2 is as good as the first book!
The mystery is an interesting puzzle and the comic aspects give a balance to the story. Familiar characters Auntie, Blooey, and Hambone interact well with the new characters in this story.
The mystery is an interesting puzzle and the comic aspects give a balance to the story. Familiar characters Auntie, Blooey, and Hambone interact well with the new characters in this story.
September 30, 2024
I remember enjoying the first of the Tyber and Zanita books but not the second. I couldn't really remember why. I now know. It's because Zanita was charming and whimsical in the first book while Tyber was bemused and enchanted (this was well before manic pixie dream girls became oversaturated in our culture.) The second book, she's a nut and he's a prankster know-it-all.
Zanita proposed to Tyber but then tells him she doesn't want to get married because they'll become boring. He decides to prove her wrong by whisking her off to an island adventure where there may be ghosts. Blooey (cook) and Hambone (cat), of course, are going to come along. Zanita's Auntie shows up as well. We even see Mills and Gregor (and his son Cody) a couple of times though the conversation is basically the same in both.
Zanita proposed to Tyber but then tells him she doesn't want to get married because they'll become boring. He decides to prove her wrong by whisking her off to an island adventure where there may be ghosts. Blooey (cook) and Hambone (cat), of course, are going to come along. Zanita's Auntie shows up as well. We even see Mills and Gregor (and his son Cody) a couple of times though the conversation is basically the same in both.
June 27, 2018
Are they or aren't they?
A terrific second book - I have read this as many times as the first. Are they or aren't they? The bet is on. Another mystery and the same banter and humour. A wonderful romantic read. Another must.
A terrific second book - I have read this as many times as the first. Are they or aren't they? The bet is on. Another mystery and the same banter and humour. A wonderful romantic read. Another must.
June 10, 2016
I enjoyed this book, but I think the first installment was better. I enjoyed the eccentric characters and the situations Tyber and Zanita put themselves in. I think if this book had a little more detail it would have been better. I enjoy books that have the kind of details that allows me to feel as if I am there experiencing it with them.
The story was great and had a lot of twists and turns, but by the end of the book I had to flip back to the beginning to refresh my memory on a few things. This book took me two days to read and if it takes you longer you will definitely get a little confused. Luckily Tyber places all the pieces together making the puzzle a picture which everyone will understand.
At the end, this story is really all about Tyber and Zanita. With Tyber pushing for marriage and Zanita running scared this story from start to finish proves how opposites are never truly opposite.
A very good read if you ask me......
The story was great and had a lot of twists and turns, but by the end of the book I had to flip back to the beginning to refresh my memory on a few things. This book took me two days to read and if it takes you longer you will definitely get a little confused. Luckily Tyber places all the pieces together making the puzzle a picture which everyone will understand.
At the end, this story is really all about Tyber and Zanita. With Tyber pushing for marriage and Zanita running scared this story from start to finish proves how opposites are never truly opposite.
A very good read if you ask me......
August 28, 2014
Although I absolutely adored High Energy and the Character of Tyberius is to die for; High Intensity just falls apart. It seems at times that Dara is grasping at straws to keep this story together. There are far too many holes in this story coupled with things that are just not believable. Then when things are revealed in the end there are several points that just don't make any sense and you are left scratching your head. More character development on several of the characters in this book was needed. Although I like Zanitas character well enough and get she is supposed to be unpredictable, no woman on earth could possibly be so stupid or out of touch with reality....who would not want to be Mrs. Evans! Especially when she was the one who asked him to marry her in the previous book...I did not buy that plot line for a second.
March 26, 2008
A sexy hero (who is an astro-physicist), a nutty heroine (who wants to believe in ghosts), and a haunted house. Throw in hot sex, an old mystery, and an eclectic group of secondary characters and you have a very funny and satisfying read. Although I didn't enjoy this one as much as Tyber and Zanita's first book (see my review of "High Energy"), it's still a keeper on my shelf!
March 28, 2008
Reminded me of the first one WAY too much. Kinda boring since I felt I had read it already.
October 30, 2011
Love rereading this, and being able to have a second book and more time with Tyber and Zanita! :)
January 6, 2010
rarely does a second book about a couple isn't about their kids or a make up after a break up in the first. A rare fun read indeed.
February 15, 2011
i loved this book because it ties in physics. I really impressed my teachers when i knew a bit about this.
April 11, 2011
Not as good as her other books. This one felt like a bad Agatha Christy novel with a little sex thrown in there now and then.
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Want to read
September 23, 2012Sounds really good and rec'd from a KA lover.
April 21, 2013
very light reading.
Read
June 15, 2016ok
January 29, 2010
I like the characters and this story was a little better
Currently reading
January 20, 2011trying to get into it.... trying really hard
April 24, 2017
My rating was 3 but I upped it to 4 because the story is cute and because I love Tyber. Zanita was a bit more annoying in this one that the first but the story was still pretty good.
September 21, 2018
Can I just say I want a pirate who understands the laws of physics? Whew! Hot Hot Hot! I was wrong in my review of the first book. Mills, Greg and Cody only come in at the end and very briefly. I don't know if there is a book out there for them, but I will look for it. Gotta love a cat, excuse me a pirate cat/scalawag, who loves the water. Hambone was hilarious. He was always getting into something. The haunting was fun, and I enjoyed the way that Tyber sleuths mixed with loving Zanita. Like I said.... Hot! I don't think I will ever look at lace the same way again.There is one scene that you really couldn't have without Auntie, but I really could have done without her for the rest of the book.All in all, I loved it and definitely recommend it to romance readers.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews