Lady of Ice and Fire: A Novel

by Colin Alexander

A rendezvous with a femme fatale sends Dr. George Jeffers, a top scientist at a medical bioengineering firm, off on a dangerous mission to locate a missing scientist, a quest that involves him in international intrigue.

352 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1995

About the author

Colin Alexander is a writer of science fiction and fantasy. Actually, Colin Alexander is the pseudonym for Alton Kremer, maybe his alter ego, or who he would have been if he hadn't been a physician and biochemist and had a career as a medical researcher. His most recent book, The Secret of the Martian Girl, is his eleventh and the fifth of the Leif the Lucky novels. Colin is an active member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association, Mystery Writers of America, and the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance. Away from writing fiction, his idea of relaxation is martial arts (taekwondo and minna jiu jitsu). He lives in Maine with his wife. His books are available on Amazon in print and e-book formats.

Reviews

[Audrey Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a curious sort of thriller. By no means does it feature nonstop action, at least in the early going. Even at the three-quarters point, the plot bogs down in a new element that needs extensive setup. The real interest for me was Taylor Redding, the oddball adventurer, and the way she and lab geek George Jeffers develop from total strangers to partners in risky enterprises. Eventually, standard thriller elements show up, as the characters dash from one location to another in Europe. There's a box of cash, firearms, fast cars, and several dead bodies. The conclusion is sufficiently tense and conclusive, but with tantalizing possibilities.
The novel is set in the 1990s, shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the reunification of Germany. The author explores possible developments from that situation, with a rather chillingly apt conclusion, given present-day events. Another aspect of that time period is there are no cell phones, no digital cameras, no internet. Their absence didn't bother this reader, but some may find that aspect quaint, or irritating.
It's a pretty good read, despite occasional episodes of over-explaining and a few spots where Taylor's talents seem a bit too good to be true. But then, I've never stolen a plane and then jumped out of it, or jimmied locks, or roamed the world as a thrill-seeking adventurer.

[Joyce Loeffler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not believable

Characters' motivations are poorly
developed, they have no believable motive to work together and the plot lines are all over the place, Nazis , stasi, Russians, whatever. And so conveniently taking place in Iceland where Taylord somehow knows Icelandic. Really.

[Jess G · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a struggle. I had high hopes for this book. However, in the end it just was not what I wanted. The overarching story was good but there was WAY to much introspection of the characters and I couldn't really relate to them.

[Jim Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This entire novel is based on very, VERY coincidental events.

The main character just happens to run into the other main character at a secret meeting at a Boston bar...and she just so happens to be named the secret code password he was to use when he met his real contact. Then she just so happens to be this great adventurer...and his case just happens to be in the areas that she's spent a lot of time in and speaks the languages...cities in Germany and Amsterdam...okay, I can buy that. But some isolated Icelandic village? Come on...

All that said, it was an easy read and I ended up liking the relationship the two developed. 3 Stars.