ICE blue

DeLuca Family #2

by Susan Rae

When lives are on the line, sometimes the wrong thing is the right thing to do.

Born into a Chicago cop family, while her brothers get their rush from catching bad guys, paramedic Angela DeLuca gets hers from saving lives. A tough beauty with a heart perhaps too big, she champions the underdog because, as the youngest of six siblings, she often felt like one.

ICE Special Agent Troy Deavers became a cop to prove he wasn’t like his father—a southern politician who brought his family down with greed and corruption. He doesn’t suffer victims well. At first intrigued by Angela’s passion, he soon fears that the fire in Angela’s heart will be her undoing.

What happens when Troy falls in love with the lovely but infuriating Angela, the Chicago paramedic who insists on protecting a young witness and her unborn baby—a witness who could break his case wide open?

You met the DeLuca family in heartbeats, now come to know them even better in ICE blue.
--Even if you haven't read heartbeats, you can still enjoy ICE blue. Each book has it's own gritty suspense tale and is complete within itself.

Genres: Mystery, Romance

ebook

First published March 28, 2013

About the author

I write because I can't resist the challenge of taking the intriguing characters and storylines that pop into my head and fleshing them out into compelling manuscripts. I wrote my first melodrama in fifth grade for a Girl Scout Drama badge, not so different really than a romantic suspense novel. My love of characters lead me to pursue theater in college, and then brought me back around to creative writing. I received my BA in English from Columbia College, Missouri with an emphasis in creative writing.

I love writing romantic suspense because it allows me to combine a sexy, passionate love story with a gritty suspense tale—in my opinion, the best of both worlds. It also lets me express my appreciation for the outdoors in the settings which I recreate on the page.

Freefall, my second novel, takes place in Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine Forest and beautiful Door County. ICE blue returns to the busy streets of Chicago and the shores of Lake Michigan to continue the story of the DeLuca family which began in my award winning first novel, heartbeats. In the third installment of the DeLuca Family, TRUE blue, my characters must take a trip to Montana’s majestic Glacier National Park to solve a twenty-four year old murder.

When I’m not sketching characters or working out plot problems, you might find me on the golf course working on my handicap. I also enjoy traveling around the country seeking out new settings for my novels with my husband and my new puppy, Roxie, who has all the spunk and feistiness of my heroines. To read more about my novels and the writing life, please visit my website/blog at www.susanrae.com
Copyright © 2014 by Susan Rae

Reviews

[Gregory Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aptly titled, "Ice Blue" is an action packed page turning mystery thriller with a steamy romance thrown in to keep things interesting. Susan Rea drops the reader right into the middle of the action with tension and suspense that builds and builds.

Rae tackles an important theme and uncovers the ugliness of human trafficking in this story that takes place during a Chicago winter. When the lovely and capable paramedic, Angela DeLuca arrives at the scene of an accident on an icy highway, she meets up with ICE agent Troy Deavers. Their paths cross several times before Angela and Deavers end up in a predictable and cliche' romance. When Angela finds an abandoned baby on her doorstep, the mystery of where it came from begins.

I really enjoyed the tension between all of Rae's characters, but I especially appreciated the courage this author took to expose an important issue plaguing our society. Rea is my hero for placing the human trafficking issue in the United States at the forefront of good fiction. James Patterson can stand aside as I can't wait to read the third volume of the DeLuca series when it comes out next year.

Thanks Susan Rae for providing me with a review copy.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't be scared off by the fact that this is a second book in the series. It is a great read all by itself. The author does a good job of working background information in on Angela and her family, some of which I am assuming you would have learned if you read the first book, heartbeats. But it reads as being very essential to the story, not like sometimes when you know you are being fed information from previous books. Does that make sense?

Angela is a strong female lead (we need more of these!) and she follows her heart more than she follows the rules. She isn't afraid to break some if it is going to help someone who might be in a bad situation. Like with the baby that is left on her back porch. She calls an EMT (seeing she is one herself) before she calls the police. Then continues to check up on the little baby boy as he undergoes surgery just because he needs to have someone there for him. This is just who she is and it shows in both her professional and personal life.

Troy, on the other hand, seems to play by the rules. Even if bringing down the bad guys might uproot innocent lives, he is able to do his job without thinking of those consequences. Somehow he and Angela continue to cross paths. Troy is working on bringing down a human trafficking ring and unbeknownst to Angela, she is involved with some of the people on both sides of that ring.

The pace of this story was just perfect, it was quick enough without seeming unrealistic. Every chance I got I was picking this book up because I had to know how everything was going to tie together. I also wanted to know if anything was going to develop between Angela and Troy! I really really enjoyed this book and would not hesitate in picking up another one by Susan Rae.

[HEChapter -Tina J · Rating 4 out of 5]

ICE blue
DeLuca Family, #2
by Susan Rae

Released: March 29, 2013
** eBook provided by Author in exchange for an honest review. **

Angela is the youngest of six siblings in the DeLuca family. Where most became cops, she became a paramedic. Troy Deavers is the southern boy, the son of a corrupt politician. He purposely removed himself from that to become an ICE agent in Chicago.
An abandoned newborn in a box is left on Angela's back porch, kicking in her maternal and protective instincts. CPD is determined to find and charge the mother. Troy is convinced the baby is tied to illegal immigration. Is there any winning solution to be found?
Being a paramedic and a leading supporter in the new neighborhood health clinic, she is seen as capable, caring and compassionate. Having lost a baby of her own, she's also protective and vulnerable where the baby is concerned, especially since he is suffering from a heart defect. Troy does not tolerate rule breakers well and he's sure the cute and feisty paramedic knows more than she's saying.
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The main characters are strong, smart and smoldering. Secondary character are solid and supportive. We have the opportunity to catch up with previous characters and meet new ones. The dialogue and interaction is believable, providing a good foundation for a full plot that flows smoothly. There was plenty of conflict throughout the story, all finding satisfactory resolution. I was a little disheartened with my ability to predict several key elements long before the reveal, but I still enjoyed reading the scenes as they unfolded. The conclusion was tight, leaving no cliffhangers. Another fantastic suspense-filled read!
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Score: 4.1
Stars: 4

[Kirke · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Angela DeLuca is a paramedic working for the Chicago Fire Department. She's strong, caring and she often goes beyond the call of duty. It's probably because of those factors someone decided to leave a newborn baby on her front door step.

Enter Troy, he's an ICE agent. His job is to uncover human trafficking cells and his gut is telling him that bay is somehow part of it. When he first meets Angela, he's convinced she knows more than she is letting on. What he didn't expect was how attracted he would be to her. Luckily for him Angela returns that attraction, but this doesn't mean she likes him all that much, in the beginning.

So while Troy is investigating the human trafficking cell, Angela tries to stay focused on her job. Still the whole baby thing lies pretty close too her heart and she decides to start her own little investigation, but how far is she willing to go before admitting she needs Troy's help.

ICE blue is a fun chick lit novel. There are no big surprises in the story and I do feel the author could have gone deeper into the main characters' past and problems. Still I loved the investigation part, human trafficking isn't a easy subject but Susan Rae approached it really well. The story is really convincible, some parts a bit sensational but not over the top. The tension between Troy and Angela could have been explored a bit more, but it doesn't leave you disappointed.

Overall ICE blue was an enjoyable read, certainly if you like mystery, romance and hot cops!!!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angela DeLuca loves her job and loves feeling as if she’s made a difference. So when a baby is abandoned on her door step during one of the coldest nights of the year she takes steps to make sure this baby is cared for and doesn’t follow the proper protocol. Protocol that she, as a paramedic, is more than aware of. This action introduces us to a no nonsense woman who always does the right thing, even if it’s wrong.

With the discovery of the baby Angela is pulled into the seedy underworld of human trafficking as Angela tries to determine who the baby’s mother is after a suspicious event one evening shortly after finding him (can’t reveal what it is, it’s a spoiler ;) )

Besides Angela, Troy Devers is investigating the possible human trafficking ring running in the city. As an agent for ICE, following protocol is paramount. He doesn’t think there are victims, only people willingly trying to skirt the law. Angela and Troy disagree on how the people being brought in illegally should be dealt with but they agree that the physical attraction to each other is undeniable.

I really enjoyed the weaving of the romantic plot line with the suspenseful thriller side. It made for a tension filled read. The clues as to who was behind this activity were dribbled but it was never clear until the end which made for a page turning experience.

I’ll definitely read more from this author.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

I received a copy of this novel for an honest review

[Jillian (NetGalley Addict) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was part of a blog tour I received a copy for my honest review
3 1/2 stars

Angela is a tough paramedic with a marshmallow center, Troy is an ICE agent who doesn't do nice and cuddly. The two of them have great chemistry and when a baby is left abandoned on Angelas doorstep Troy has to find out how this baby fits into the human trafficking. I liked this book, it was a good entertaining read without any surprises. The two main characters Angela and Troy were well written written and had depth and there emotions were shown. I think the author did a great job of that throughout this entire book, she didn't tell you how things were or how they should be she showed you. There is some suspense and mystery, human trafficking is not an easy subject to write about but I think the author did a good job, some things were a bit over the top but it's fiction. I would have liked to had more information on Troy and his family, I think his background was glossed over some. The DeLuca family seemed warm, inviting and always in each other business, they were an interesting bunch and great secondary characters. Ice Blue was a good mystery romance with likable characters, I have already picked up the first book in this series and I am interested in seeing what Susan has next for the DeLuca family.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thoughts:
This is a great story! Although it is not the first book in the series it easily stands alone. The story is complete on it's own, but will only draw you into the series more if you have read book one. It is fast paced and action packed. The character development is well thought out and wonderfully done. The story line is disturbing in topic, but completely draws you in and holds you through to the end. The story gives a sense of what it means to have family and yet brings the reality that that sense of family doesn't have to be reserved for those who are related by blood. It gives an inside view of the lives of men and women who serve the public in the jobs; firefighters, paramedics, police, doctors, and government agents. It sheds light on a frightening and too real topic - human trafficking - those who suffer from it and those who fight against it. This story is well written; both heart wrenching and heart warming at the same time. I can't wait for more in the series.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last part of the blurb? True.

I hadn't met the deLuca family before, but it's impossible to not fall in love with such an amazing mix of characters. In a world where we are so often faced with stories of troubled familes, half families, families who don't care, it was a true pleasure to read about a group that would do absolutely anything for each other. The family dinner scene early within the book easily sets the tone for the entire novel.

On to the main characters! I loved Angela for her most predominant trait: stubbornness. She stood up for everyone, from a little puppy (Half-Pint!) to a poor baby abandoned on her doorstep. She was a heroine with some backbone, some strength, and didn't mind revealing it.
Read the rest of the review at http://canireadeverything.blogspot.co...

[Margaret Tidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t read the first book in the series so I found that I was a little lost with some parts of the book but I still loved this book. I am going to go back and read the first book and then I am sure this book will make more sense to me. I really did enjoy this book though. I liked the characters and I felt like they really could be alive and they also seemed like people I would get along with. I love the authors writing and I can’t wait to check out more books by her in the future. This is also a book that once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. From the start I had to know how it was going to end. It needs to be at the top of your list if you love suspense books.

FTC: I received free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

[Missy Harton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted this book for an honest review. WOW!! Great storyline, suspenseful, sad, and heartwarming. Angela DeLuca's story is full of emotion. I'm seriously enjoying this series!!
Busy paramedic, Angela, has a crazy work schedule. When not on shift, she spends her time volunteering at the clinic which she helped get started. Her bad luck with men and relationships kept her focused on other, more important matters, until she met him at the scene of an accident......
Troy Deavers, ICE agent adjusted arrived in town on a case. A nasty winter storm involved him in a multi vehicle accident. Protecting and serving, he jumped right in to help, only to be dismissed by a rescue worker who took his breath away!!

See how Angela and Troy end up involved in a life threatening situation that changes all of their lives!!
Missy - reviewer for Mommy's Naughty Playground

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ice Blue" is the second book in the 'DeLuca Family' Series. Susan pens her book in a well written plot filled with suspense and romance, this was one book that I never knew what was going to happen. With her well developed characters, Susan keeps you glued to the pages. I do wish I had read the first book in the series for more background, but as a stand alone book, I found this to be okay.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author which was provided for an honest review.

[Susan Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book I write seems more involved and challenging than the last. Yes, I give this one five stars, of course, but what do you think? Ice blue takes place in January in Chicago, but don't let the temperature fool you. There is plenty of heat between Angela and ICE agent Troy Deavers as they try to protect a young mother and her unborn baby.

[Tara Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent plot that hasn't been told before. Interesting characters. Not exactly a happy ever after, more a 'happy for now'. Writing was very good and kept me reading. Romance was there but plot was really driven by the suspense.

[Jennifer Kacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story! Loved the story and characters!