What do you think?
Rate this book
Psy-Changeling #3
Caressed by Ice
Explore new heights of sensuality in this return to the world of the Psy—where two people who know evil intimately must unlock the good within their icy hearts…
As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now a defector, his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins—cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets Brenna . . .
Brenna Shane Kincaid was an innocent before she was abducted—and had her mind violated—by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them.
Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives . . .
As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now a defector, his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins—cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets Brenna . . .
Brenna Shane Kincaid was an innocent before she was abducted—and had her mind violated—by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them.
Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives . . .
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 4, 2007
About the author
Nalini Singh
268 books24.8k followersI've been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There's no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,167 reviews
April 2, 2019
Re-read: 4/1/19
Re-read: 2/3/18
5 Stars
I just love this series.
This world.
This everything.
I loved Brenna and Judd.
Re-read: 2/3/18
5 Stars
I just love this series.
This world.
This everything.
I loved Brenna and Judd.
November 15, 2017
4.5 Ice man Stars
I'm keeping these reviews short unless there is one I have to rant or rave about because this series is longggggg. I don't want to spend days writing reviews, though I may come back later and write more in depth reviews. I really loved both Brenna and Judd. They were so hot together. I loved the whole book and the plot the only reason it's 4.5 stars instead of 5 is the conflict Judd had to go though to be with Brenna was fixed so easy it felt like it was glossed over. There was so much build up. Judd can't break Silence or he will turn into a killer because he has a dark evil power and he can only control it with Silence. He can't touch with Silence or it will turn his brain to mush. But after almost a whole book of build up he just removes Silence and sets up a Psy trip wire in his brain to warn him if he is losing control. So anti-climate why didn't he just do that in the first place. It was just too easy. Still a great book and Judd was yummy!
I'm keeping these reviews short unless there is one I have to rant or rave about because this series is longggggg. I don't want to spend days writing reviews, though I may come back later and write more in depth reviews. I really loved both Brenna and Judd. They were so hot together. I loved the whole book and the plot the only reason it's 4.5 stars instead of 5 is the conflict Judd had to go though to be with Brenna was fixed so easy it felt like it was glossed over. There was so much build up. Judd can't break Silence or he will turn into a killer because he has a dark evil power and he can only control it with Silence. He can't touch with Silence or it will turn his brain to mush. But after almost a whole book of build up he just removes Silence and sets up a Psy trip wire in his brain to warn him if he is losing control. So anti-climate why didn't he just do that in the first place. It was just too easy. Still a great book and Judd was yummy!
October 4, 2021
Chain-smoking. Sometimes it's because it is fun, an almost mystical experience of waving a small fire around, occasionally breathing in the smoke of a campfire that goes all the way back to memory. Then there is the angry kind, burning away the thoughts, trying to smoke out the emotion. Last, of course, is the necessary kind, the only kind that's left after one has been doing it for too long.
--I wonder what if I'm having fun, or am I avoiding something?--
This installment is both better and worse than the last; more plotting, less romance. A switch to the wolf-pack gives and a Psy assassin gives more insight into the different communities. The Psy community is ramping up their antagonism with the changelings and it feels like there are more pieces put into play. It's a different narrative technique than I usually enjoy, as there are a few scenes that seem to have very little to do with what is happening in this book, but appear to be laying groundwork for subsequent plot and character development. 'Implants' are mentioned a great deal, and I see from peeking ahead that a couple of mentioned characters will be in subsequent stories.
--pass me that pack, will you?--
It's intriguing on that level, certainty, because there's are hints of societal-wide conflict coming about mental freedom and emotional freedom. But major, major down points in the continuing propping up of a controlling male and an emotional female. I had hopes that this relationship pairing might offer a new emotional dynamic (honestly, I would have accepted taking the characters from the last book and doing a simple gender-identity swap of the female hunting the male), but no, not in the least. There's a lot of lip-service to not infantilizing the woman, but the action doesn't follow through as our female wolf is rescued again and again. And don't get me started on the trope of the fabulous male-virgin lover. Oi, people. Storywise, it's just not about romance as much as doubts people have about their own emotional states and traumatized past. It'd be different if they did more working through it as a couple, but mostly they struggle on their own (I'll take my role models where I can get them, even in a PNR).
Oh, I'll also note in this one that they are all super-judgey about addicted people: "Pain was no excuse for becoming an addict—she hadn’t taken the easy way out and oh, how she’d wanted to" and
“Jax degrades memory, too.” Nate grunted. “Whatever the reason, it’s still the weak ones who take it.” She understood. No matter what the race—changeling, human, or Psy—it was the weak, broken, or damaged members who succumbed."
and then this:
"'Now'—she took a deep breath of the cold air—'I know that to be a lie. Men and women are fundamentally different.'"
--excuse me, do you have a light?
Two and a half smokes.
--I wonder what if I'm having fun, or am I avoiding something?--
This installment is both better and worse than the last; more plotting, less romance. A switch to the wolf-pack gives and a Psy assassin gives more insight into the different communities. The Psy community is ramping up their antagonism with the changelings and it feels like there are more pieces put into play. It's a different narrative technique than I usually enjoy, as there are a few scenes that seem to have very little to do with what is happening in this book, but appear to be laying groundwork for subsequent plot and character development. 'Implants' are mentioned a great deal, and I see from peeking ahead that a couple of mentioned characters will be in subsequent stories.
--pass me that pack, will you?--
It's intriguing on that level, certainty, because there's are hints of societal-wide conflict coming about mental freedom and emotional freedom. But major, major down points in the continuing propping up of a controlling male and an emotional female. I had hopes that this relationship pairing might offer a new emotional dynamic (honestly, I would have accepted taking the characters from the last book and doing a simple gender-identity swap of the female hunting the male), but no, not in the least. There's a lot of lip-service to not infantilizing the woman, but the action doesn't follow through as our female wolf is rescued again and again. And don't get me started on the trope of the fabulous male-virgin lover. Oi, people. Storywise, it's just not about romance as much as doubts people have about their own emotional states and traumatized past. It'd be different if they did more working through it as a couple, but mostly they struggle on their own (I'll take my role models where I can get them, even in a PNR).
Oh, I'll also note in this one that they are all super-judgey about addicted people: "Pain was no excuse for becoming an addict—she hadn’t taken the easy way out and oh, how she’d wanted to" and
“Jax degrades memory, too.” Nate grunted. “Whatever the reason, it’s still the weak ones who take it.” She understood. No matter what the race—changeling, human, or Psy—it was the weak, broken, or damaged members who succumbed."
and then this:
"'Now'—she took a deep breath of the cold air—'I know that to be a lie. Men and women are fundamentally different.'"
--excuse me, do you have a light?
Two and a half smokes.
January 10, 2016
I was SO right not to give up on this series after reading Visions of Heat!
Let's talk about the "serious" stuff before we get to the sighing and heavy panting yumminess shall we?
Because yes, what got me hooked to this series is Singh's fantastic world building. The idea of the Psy and Psy-Net is absolutely brilliant and one of the most original concept I've come across in a long time. Visions of Heat was a big disappointment for me because I wanted to know more about the Psy world but Singh didn't expand it much in that instalment. But here? Lots of Psy awesomeness! We get to meet the Ghost and go "behind the scenes" with the Council. We learn a lot more about the Silence Protocol, its genesis and evolution. Sabotage, talk of revolution, talk of war. Very cool. This would make such a fantastic UF series! I know most of you guys are suckers for romance but what can I say? I like action & violence more than I like rainbows and chirping birds. Nobody's perfect. Anyway, the fact that I gave this book 4 stars despite my natural aversion to romance says a lot about Singh's talent. Woman you're good. Very good.
Why didn't I give this book 5 stars? The mystery part of the plot. So far this has been a recurring weakness in the series, especially when it comes to the resolution and culprit. I'd rather read more about the Psy/Changeling world than about a mystery that doesn't add much to the book. I guess I'll have to learn not to expect much from that part of the story in instalments to come.
Now for the characters.
I love Sascha but Brenna is an amazing character. Girl you are it.
She is extremely complex and the character development she goes through here is fantastic and remarkably well-written. She is broken but strong, barely coping but fierce, damaged but strong-willed. Amazing I tell you.
Judd? *sighs*
When I found out this book would be about Judd I was less than happy about it. The little I read about him in Visions of Heat really left me cold (bad pun I know. Live with it). I thought his character would be boring. I wanted an Alpha instead. I can be so stupid sometimes… *facepalm* Seriously, who needs an Alpha when Judd Lauren is around? For all his coldness the guy is HOT. I think I'm in love. Iceman Judd is thawing?
Now let's talk about the good stuff.
Actually there isn't a lot to say here. The sex scenes in Slave to sensation were yummy enough. Were the sex scenes in Caressed by Ice any good? YES. Were they hot & steamy? HELL YEAH. Never again shall I underestimate an unemotional, cold as hell male Psy.
And ultimately
Hell yes. Hey I said I didn't like romance, I never said I didn't like smutty stuff.
Can I start re-reading this yet?
January 5, 2021
4.5 stars
Well, the plot thickens. And I like it.
This is my favourite of the series so far (I’ve read up to book 5)
I don’t even know what to say except that Brenna and Judd are so perfect for each other and I absolutely love them and I want a Judd of my own. Will that do?
Well, the plot thickens. And I like it.
This is my favourite of the series so far (I’ve read up to book 5)
I don’t even know what to say except that Brenna and Judd are so perfect for each other and I absolutely love them and I want a Judd of my own. Will that do?
June 12, 2018
Brenna Shane Kincaid (Changeling) and Judd Lauren (Psy)
Brenna is a wolf and belongs to the SnowDancer pack. She used to be pure sunshine, very happy, very optimistic, very bubbly, full of life. Lately she is not well. She almost died in the hands of a psychopath Psy and she was mind-raped by him. Thankfully she was saved last minute by her Alpha and her brothers and with the help of the Alpha of DarkRiver pack and his mate and with the help of Judd.
Judd used to be an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks. Now in order to protect his family, he has left the PsyNet and he has jointed the ShowDancer pack. Judd is too dangerous to feel welcome in the pack. And he also too unstable to feel comfortable around weaker beings. But he feels gratitude and he has honour, that's why he tries to help when he is needed like in the rescue of Brenna- not that Psy are supposed to have any feelings.
Brenna definitely wants Judd. She does not care that he
is not wolf
is dangerous
is Psy
is Tk-Psy like her kidnapper
is not liked by her brothers
is not liked by the pack
is not recognised by her wolf as a potential mate
is cold as ice without feelings
“Not like your one. That man is pure ice. Sexy ice but still ice.”
Brenna wants him and feels safe with him.
Judd on the other hand avoids Brenna as much as possible – not very successfully- because he works with logic and he understands that they can not be together.
"Push him until he loses control. Remember, fire melts ice."
I loved all this cat and mouse game! Brenna is so persistent and Judd is so cute trying to suppress his feelings without much hope. Especially when he is jealous and he does not want to admit it.
I also loved that . I couldn't believe it and neither could Brenna.
I had so much fun reading this book! Murders, treacheries, secret plans, an interesting mystery and the mating dance of Judd and Brenna.
“Do you want to be on top?” he asked against her mouth, recalling her lack of fear when she’d straddled him in the armchair.
“Will that interfere with your master plan?” She smiled and he felt rather than saw it.
Her hand began to slide south.
He pushed it back up. “There is a degree of flexibility built into the plan. But you don’t get to touch me yet.”
Awesome!
Brenna is a wolf and belongs to the SnowDancer pack. She used to be pure sunshine, very happy, very optimistic, very bubbly, full of life. Lately she is not well. She almost died in the hands of a psychopath Psy and she was mind-raped by him. Thankfully she was saved last minute by her Alpha and her brothers and with the help of the Alpha of DarkRiver pack and his mate and with the help of Judd.
Judd used to be an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks. Now in order to protect his family, he has left the PsyNet and he has jointed the ShowDancer pack. Judd is too dangerous to feel welcome in the pack. And he also too unstable to feel comfortable around weaker beings. But he feels gratitude and he has honour, that's why he tries to help when he is needed like in the rescue of Brenna- not that Psy are supposed to have any feelings.
Brenna definitely wants Judd. She does not care that he
is not wolf
is dangerous
is Psy
is Tk-Psy like her kidnapper
is not liked by her brothers
is not liked by the pack
is not recognised by her wolf as a potential mate
is cold as ice without feelings
“Not like your one. That man is pure ice. Sexy ice but still ice.”
Brenna wants him and feels safe with him.
Judd on the other hand avoids Brenna as much as possible – not very successfully- because he works with logic and he understands that they can not be together.
"Push him until he loses control. Remember, fire melts ice."
I loved all this cat and mouse game! Brenna is so persistent and Judd is so cute trying to suppress his feelings without much hope. Especially when he is jealous and he does not want to admit it.
I also loved that . I couldn't believe it and neither could Brenna.
I had so much fun reading this book! Murders, treacheries, secret plans, an interesting mystery and the mating dance of Judd and Brenna.
“Do you want to be on top?” he asked against her mouth, recalling her lack of fear when she’d straddled him in the armchair.
“Will that interfere with your master plan?” She smiled and he felt rather than saw it.
Her hand began to slide south.
He pushed it back up. “There is a degree of flexibility built into the plan. But you don’t get to touch me yet.”
Awesome!
May 23, 2021
The angst in this romance! Brenna was kidnapped and completely mentally and physically violated by her captor. Now she's home and her brothers are super protective of her. Judd is a psy and he has some dark secrets from his past he doesn't share with anyone. He also has a violent and dangerous side he's terrified will come out, especially when he's around Brenna. I loved how Brenna felt so safe around Judd, even though he was probably the most dangerous man living with them. The shifters are trying to figure out who is trying to slaughter and kill various shifter groups without creating an all-out war between the different shifter packs. Judd is trying to help them while also falling for Brenna. The romance is definitely slow burn because of Judd's fear of harming Brenna when he loses control around her. I loved their romance so much and how they had to trust each other and recover from their past traumas. This had a lot of emotion and action and I enjoyed listening to the audiobook!
November 4, 2013
Full review finally posted on 11/3/13
4 1/2 to 5—AWESOME—Stars!
WOW! I really ended up loving this book. I wasn't sure at first if Judd and love story would fully work for me because of how cold, calculating, and clinical Judd was during the first part of this book. After all, he wasn't called the Ice Man for nothing!!! However, it didn't take me long to fall head-over-heels in love with him and I couldn't seem to get enough of this couple and their relationship. It was simply AMAZING!
The world building in this series is become very complex and I find I have to pay close attention to what's going on or I become slightly lost. I've also become very fascinated with the Psy world. Nothing is what it seems where they're concerned.
I can't express enough how much I love these books. If you love the paranormal and the Sci-fi genre, you can't get much better than this!
4 1/2 to 5—AWESOME—Stars!
WOW! I really ended up loving this book. I wasn't sure at first if Judd and love story would fully work for me because of how cold, calculating, and clinical Judd was during the first part of this book. After all, he wasn't called the Ice Man for nothing!!! However, it didn't take me long to fall head-over-heels in love with him and I couldn't seem to get enough of this couple and their relationship. It was simply AMAZING!
The world building in this series is become very complex and I find I have to pay close attention to what's going on or I become slightly lost. I've also become very fascinated with the Psy world. Nothing is what it seems where they're concerned.
I can't express enough how much I love these books. If you love the paranormal and the Sci-fi genre, you can't get much better than this!
June 6, 2016
4, 5 STARS
Another amazing read! I really liked the plot, characters and that this time around we get a 'psy male' slowly fall for his woman. His POV is so well done and I'm trully grateful that Nalini can write stories both in female and male POV. It gives the story just something to it, something that you wouldn't get in a book with only one POV. Also, I felt like this story is more darker, it's filled with more pain and healing than the previous two books. Brenna and Judd's pasts aren't pretty. We roughly found out what happened to Brenna in the previous book and I felt really bad for what was done to her. But just when you think things coudn't get worse than they already were, nope, in this book we find out all the horrific details about what that monster did to her (body and mind). I swear, if he wasn't already dead...well... As for Judd's story, I'm not giving away any spoilers but I will say that it comes close to what was done to Brenna.
All in all, I already know I'm going to buy the paperback version and put it on my favourites shelf. The way things are going now, I'm quite sure that by the end, I'm going to end up buying the whole series in paperback, not that I mind. These days good PNRs books are hard to find, at least for me, so me finding this series is like a miracle that I intent to invest in! That being said, Mine to Possess, here I come!!!
Another amazing read! I really liked the plot, characters and that this time around we get a 'psy male' slowly fall for his woman. His POV is so well done and I'm trully grateful that Nalini can write stories both in female and male POV. It gives the story just something to it, something that you wouldn't get in a book with only one POV. Also, I felt like this story is more darker, it's filled with more pain and healing than the previous two books. Brenna and Judd's pasts aren't pretty. We roughly found out what happened to Brenna in the previous book and I felt really bad for what was done to her. But just when you think things coudn't get worse than they already were, nope, in this book we find out all the horrific details about what that monster did to her (body and mind). I swear, if he wasn't already dead...well... As for Judd's story, I'm not giving away any spoilers but I will say that it comes close to what was done to Brenna.
All in all, I already know I'm going to buy the paperback version and put it on my favourites shelf. The way things are going now, I'm quite sure that by the end, I'm going to end up buying the whole series in paperback, not that I mind. These days good PNRs books are hard to find, at least for me, so me finding this series is like a miracle that I intent to invest in! That being said, Mine to Possess, here I come!!!
May 10, 2014
I wrote a whole fucking review. I closed the wrong tab. I wrote it again. I accidentally turned off my computer. I'm done trying. I'm going to take the lazy road. Fuck life.
JUDD LAUREN, THE MOTHERFUCKING KING
BRENNA, THE MOTHERFUCKING QUEEN
JUDD AND BRENNA
JUDD AND THE GHOST
KALEB AND NIKITA
SASCHA AND LUCAS
MARLEE AND BRENNA
BEN
NALINI SINGH
JUDD LAUREN, THE MOTHERFUCKING KING
BRENNA, THE MOTHERFUCKING QUEEN
JUDD AND BRENNA
JUDD AND THE GHOST
KALEB AND NIKITA
SASCHA AND LUCAS
MARLEE AND BRENNA
BEN
NALINI SINGH
May 17, 2016
*** 4.25 ***
A buddy read with the Ice-Man loving gals over at BB&B!!!
Well, I have been indoctrinated and being an example of a complete romantic sap, this Paranormal Romance was right up my alley!!! My BB&B friends told me that this book was wonderful, that Judd was THE MAN and that Brenna is a complex and strong female changeling with the strength to overcome the worst of adversities... They were telling me, I doubted them, but once I started reading, I discovered how truly wise and knowing my GR friends are!!! And once again I asked myself, why on Earth did I not start this series much, much sooner???
There is something to be said about good old school Paranormal Romance!!! Particularly when it is coupled with a wonderful world building and a plot which keeps you on your toes and gives us plenty to look foreword to! In a world ruled by the cold and analytical race of the Psy, populated by humans, and interspersed with packs of different animal shifters, things have reached a point in which everything is going out of balance and things obviously have to change... But not all see things this way. The ones in power always have a hard time relinquishing it and look for more and radical ways to retain it... The ruling council of the Psy are fractured and some of them have begone using Council resources for personal goals, mainly hiring small armies of assassins, scientist to come up with experiments, and innocent victims, taken usually against their will as experimental subjects...
One of the most powerful Psy designated are the TK, and of them, those who are trained as ruthless assassins are the scariest, called Arrows. By the amazing power and training of their minds, they can stop someones heart with a thought, or liquefy and destroy their brain with a bit more concentration and energy spent... They are some scary mo-fos, and one of them is supposed to be dead... However, Judd and his brother and nieces, have found a sanctuary with the Wolf Pack and have resided there, off the net, for the past year.
Brenna, a wolf changeling, barely survived the vicious games of torture and experimentation one of the TK Psy put her through a while back... She is hurt, she is damaged, and she feels lost... She feels constantly unsafe and insignificant, and wonders why she made it out alive at all... Her brothers smother her with their over-protectiveness, the pack coddles her, but all she wants is to be close to Judd, which is weird, since he is cold, hates being touched and has no capacity for tenderness...
“Brenna’s eyes widened. Raising a hand, she brushed his hair gently off his forehead.
“Why do I keep telling you things I swore I’d take to my grave?”
The contact shot electricity through his nerves. “Because you know I’ll always be your shield against the nightmares.”
Judd is drawn to Brenna and she feels the same, ready to admit her overwhelming attraction not only to him, but to the Pack as a whole... However, there are many obstacles they have to overcome, as well as deal with a killer who has targeted Bren and her family... And Judd has to learn how to overcome the many barricades in his brain, created by those who turned him into a killer...
“Then we fight, Judd.” She dared to place her hand gently on his chest. He flinched but didn’t move away. “We fight until every avenue is closed and then we dig under the roadblocks. Because I am not walking away from us.” Strong words, but she was shaking. He could destroy her with a few careless comments.
“You’re the strongest, most determined woman I know.” He played his fingers along the strands of her hair. “You’d make mincemeat out of a lesser man. It’s a good thing you belong to me.”
Apart from the progression of the love between the two main characters, the overall plot keeps developing, with the political intrigues and manipulations of the Ruling Council and the dynamics between races, clans and packs. The secondary characters are intriguing, some of them being the old couples we have read about, some of them promising us glimpses of romances to come... But the most adorable were the kids/pups!!! I wanted to adopt every one of them!!! They melted my heart:):):)
So, to conclude, I love this series! Very pleasant and imaginative! If you like romance and you like it with shifters and beings with super powers, in a world of alternative Earth with a Sci-fi atmosphere, this one is for you!!! Much more romance than anything else, so do not say later I did not warn you about it! It has some sex and some violence, but not gratuitous and I would think PG 13ish.... I am definitely going to continue with the series, and have to make myself not binge-read it, which is not easy:)
Now I wish to wish all of you Happy Reading and may your heart always be filled by the beauty of books!!!
A buddy read with the Ice-Man loving gals over at BB&B!!!
Well, I have been indoctrinated and being an example of a complete romantic sap, this Paranormal Romance was right up my alley!!! My BB&B friends told me that this book was wonderful, that Judd was THE MAN and that Brenna is a complex and strong female changeling with the strength to overcome the worst of adversities... They were telling me, I doubted them, but once I started reading, I discovered how truly wise and knowing my GR friends are!!! And once again I asked myself, why on Earth did I not start this series much, much sooner???
There is something to be said about good old school Paranormal Romance!!! Particularly when it is coupled with a wonderful world building and a plot which keeps you on your toes and gives us plenty to look foreword to! In a world ruled by the cold and analytical race of the Psy, populated by humans, and interspersed with packs of different animal shifters, things have reached a point in which everything is going out of balance and things obviously have to change... But not all see things this way. The ones in power always have a hard time relinquishing it and look for more and radical ways to retain it... The ruling council of the Psy are fractured and some of them have begone using Council resources for personal goals, mainly hiring small armies of assassins, scientist to come up with experiments, and innocent victims, taken usually against their will as experimental subjects...
One of the most powerful Psy designated are the TK, and of them, those who are trained as ruthless assassins are the scariest, called Arrows. By the amazing power and training of their minds, they can stop someones heart with a thought, or liquefy and destroy their brain with a bit more concentration and energy spent... They are some scary mo-fos, and one of them is supposed to be dead... However, Judd and his brother and nieces, have found a sanctuary with the Wolf Pack and have resided there, off the net, for the past year.
Brenna, a wolf changeling, barely survived the vicious games of torture and experimentation one of the TK Psy put her through a while back... She is hurt, she is damaged, and she feels lost... She feels constantly unsafe and insignificant, and wonders why she made it out alive at all... Her brothers smother her with their over-protectiveness, the pack coddles her, but all she wants is to be close to Judd, which is weird, since he is cold, hates being touched and has no capacity for tenderness...
“Brenna’s eyes widened. Raising a hand, she brushed his hair gently off his forehead.
“Why do I keep telling you things I swore I’d take to my grave?”
The contact shot electricity through his nerves. “Because you know I’ll always be your shield against the nightmares.”
Judd is drawn to Brenna and she feels the same, ready to admit her overwhelming attraction not only to him, but to the Pack as a whole... However, there are many obstacles they have to overcome, as well as deal with a killer who has targeted Bren and her family... And Judd has to learn how to overcome the many barricades in his brain, created by those who turned him into a killer...
“Then we fight, Judd.” She dared to place her hand gently on his chest. He flinched but didn’t move away. “We fight until every avenue is closed and then we dig under the roadblocks. Because I am not walking away from us.” Strong words, but she was shaking. He could destroy her with a few careless comments.
“You’re the strongest, most determined woman I know.” He played his fingers along the strands of her hair. “You’d make mincemeat out of a lesser man. It’s a good thing you belong to me.”
Apart from the progression of the love between the two main characters, the overall plot keeps developing, with the political intrigues and manipulations of the Ruling Council and the dynamics between races, clans and packs. The secondary characters are intriguing, some of them being the old couples we have read about, some of them promising us glimpses of romances to come... But the most adorable were the kids/pups!!! I wanted to adopt every one of them!!! They melted my heart:):):)
So, to conclude, I love this series! Very pleasant and imaginative! If you like romance and you like it with shifters and beings with super powers, in a world of alternative Earth with a Sci-fi atmosphere, this one is for you!!! Much more romance than anything else, so do not say later I did not warn you about it! It has some sex and some violence, but not gratuitous and I would think PG 13ish.... I am definitely going to continue with the series, and have to make myself not binge-read it, which is not easy:)
Now I wish to wish all of you Happy Reading and may your heart always be filled by the beauty of books!!!
May 29, 2018
This series checks every single one of my boxes and boxes I didn't know I had.
Judd and Brenna were so good together. On to the next one!
Judd and Brenna were so good together. On to the next one!
June 20, 2017
5+ stars – Paranormal Romance
When I read Caressed by Ice, the third book in Nalini Singh’s amazing and unique Psy-Changeling series, I had the same type of deep, emotional reaction that I felt when I read another love against all odds paranormal romance favorite about a damaged H/H couple who heal each other, J.R. Ward's Lover Awakened. This is an intense, magnificent, emotional rollercoaster read and my favorite of the series so far.
Brenna Kincaid was a fearless, strong-willed Changeling wolf before she was abducted, brutally tortured, and mentally violated by a powerful, psychopathic Psy serial killer. After her rescue, it took the help of a powerful exiled telekinetic Psy assassin to heal her. She’s back among her SnowDancer wolf pack and trying to adjust and cope with being a survivor. Now there’s a copycat killer on the loose, and Brenna fears that the sense of evil she feels lurking inside herself resulting from her captivity and torture could mean that she’s become the very thing she fears and hates. The only person she feels who understands and can help her is the ruthless, cold, emotionless ex-Psy soldier Judd Lauren.
Judd “Ice Man” Lauren is a powerful Tk (telekinetic) Psy and an exiled member of the deadly Psy Arrow assassin squad. Now living as a defector among the SnowDancer Changeling wolf pack, he’s still as dangerous, distant, cold, cunning, pitiless, and unfeeling as ever, but something about Brenna awakens the man inside that he’s long denied. Still, he has to maintain the code of Silence and avoid feelings and emotion in order to control his deadly Tk gifts or else risk danger to himself and those around him, especially Brenna. But when Brenna is threatened, it stirs strong protective instincts that he’s never felt before. As extreme desire and passion explode between them, they’ll have to trust in each other to give their hearts, heal their souls, and save their lives.
The Psy are more determined than ever to enforce the mandate of Silence to protect the prohibition of all emotion, and the conflict between the Psy and Changeling (shifters that are both human and animal) races has escalated into a full blown war.
Judd and Brenna are an extraordinary couple and my favorite of the series so far. Talk about two people who couldn’t seem more wrong for each other: him a cold, ruthless, emotionless killer worthy of an Anne Stuart Ice novel who is unaccustomed and uncomfortable with feeling, sensation, and touch and a fiery, spirited, loving, sensitive she-wolf who needs comfort, touch, and love like she needs air, food, and water. Their tentative, yet powerful relationship is moving, emotional, sexy, passionate, and tender, and it’s a beautiful story about two people who are intimately associated with pain, loneliness, suffering, and evil who through each other find light, happiness, peace, and love. The romance in this one is slow building, but boy oh boy, when Judd and Brenna finally get together...YOWZA...it’s turn down the A/C, need a glass of ice water hot! I’m talking sex so wild that the furniture goes flying, tables get broken, and the bed gets busted (he is telekinetic after all)...HOT!
It’s a fabulous third installment in a phenomenal paranormal romance series that’s truly original in a saturated genre and my favorite of the series so far. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes paranormal, sci-fi/fantasy romance featuring sexy shifters and cold, alpha heroes who have their hearts defrosted by love. Big 5 stars!
When I read Caressed by Ice, the third book in Nalini Singh’s amazing and unique Psy-Changeling series, I had the same type of deep, emotional reaction that I felt when I read another love against all odds paranormal romance favorite about a damaged H/H couple who heal each other, J.R. Ward's Lover Awakened. This is an intense, magnificent, emotional rollercoaster read and my favorite of the series so far.
Brenna Kincaid was a fearless, strong-willed Changeling wolf before she was abducted, brutally tortured, and mentally violated by a powerful, psychopathic Psy serial killer. After her rescue, it took the help of a powerful exiled telekinetic Psy assassin to heal her. She’s back among her SnowDancer wolf pack and trying to adjust and cope with being a survivor. Now there’s a copycat killer on the loose, and Brenna fears that the sense of evil she feels lurking inside herself resulting from her captivity and torture could mean that she’s become the very thing she fears and hates. The only person she feels who understands and can help her is the ruthless, cold, emotionless ex-Psy soldier Judd Lauren.
Judd “Ice Man” Lauren is a powerful Tk (telekinetic) Psy and an exiled member of the deadly Psy Arrow assassin squad. Now living as a defector among the SnowDancer Changeling wolf pack, he’s still as dangerous, distant, cold, cunning, pitiless, and unfeeling as ever, but something about Brenna awakens the man inside that he’s long denied. Still, he has to maintain the code of Silence and avoid feelings and emotion in order to control his deadly Tk gifts or else risk danger to himself and those around him, especially Brenna. But when Brenna is threatened, it stirs strong protective instincts that he’s never felt before. As extreme desire and passion explode between them, they’ll have to trust in each other to give their hearts, heal their souls, and save their lives.
The Psy are more determined than ever to enforce the mandate of Silence to protect the prohibition of all emotion, and the conflict between the Psy and Changeling (shifters that are both human and animal) races has escalated into a full blown war.
Judd and Brenna are an extraordinary couple and my favorite of the series so far. Talk about two people who couldn’t seem more wrong for each other: him a cold, ruthless, emotionless killer worthy of an Anne Stuart Ice novel who is unaccustomed and uncomfortable with feeling, sensation, and touch and a fiery, spirited, loving, sensitive she-wolf who needs comfort, touch, and love like she needs air, food, and water. Their tentative, yet powerful relationship is moving, emotional, sexy, passionate, and tender, and it’s a beautiful story about two people who are intimately associated with pain, loneliness, suffering, and evil who through each other find light, happiness, peace, and love. The romance in this one is slow building, but boy oh boy, when Judd and Brenna finally get together...YOWZA...it’s turn down the A/C, need a glass of ice water hot! I’m talking sex so wild that the furniture goes flying, tables get broken, and the bed gets busted (he is telekinetic after all)...HOT!
It’s a fabulous third installment in a phenomenal paranormal romance series that’s truly original in a saturated genre and my favorite of the series so far. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes paranormal, sci-fi/fantasy romance featuring sexy shifters and cold, alpha heroes who have their hearts defrosted by love. Big 5 stars!
April 7, 2013
5 Juddalicious Stars!! I want to be encased in ICE!! Another terrific installment in this exceptional series!!
I thought the story would lose me since this book focuses quite a bit on the technical facet of the Psy and what makes them tick, and although complicated at times, I had no trouble keeping up. I am 100% invested in this series and these characters. Judd and Brenna’s story was different from the first two, as those focused more on the mating aspect and the sensual nature of the Changelings, and this one dealt with Brenna’s healing, Judd’s secret missions with the Ghost (who is he???) and the search for a killer. However, Judd and Brenna’s slow slide to their own intimacy and mating was quite sensual and the anticipation of what was to be left me anxious for them to overcome the barriers that were in their way. When they finally did figure out how they could be together sexually, it was passionate, loving and well worth the wait. As stoic as Judd was throughout the book, when it came to Brenna, this icy man was on fire!!
There are so many characters that I can’t wait to read about and fortunately for me, I’m a latecomer to this series, so there are many stories waiting to be read. I’m looking forward to Riley, Drew, Indigo, and Dorian’s books, but there is one character that has me literally drooling for his mating…HAWKE…and something tells me that his book is going to be GOOD!! God help me if I have to wait too long, because I might just peek to see who he ends up with, although I have a sneaking suspicion. I could be driven to breaking my rule of not reading out of order!!! GAAAAAAHH!!!
This is a unique, smartly written series which is more than the union of the two main characters. It’s an amazing world, where one race of non-feeling arrogant beings, deem themselves the superior race, and they pit themselves against creatures who live their lives passionately and with love. To the Changelings family is everything. It will be an interesting journey to see if the heart can outwit the mind.
March 30, 2021
I am *absolute trash* for cold, aloof man falling in love. Brenna is an amazing heroine and her bravery and her determination to be strong. And Judd is "I am a super cold psy I don't have feelings" except oh look I have all these feelings.
A
M
A
Z
I
N
G
A
M
A
Z
I
N
G
March 28, 2021
As iconic as I remember on the first read-- this book manages to combine the macro plot of the overall series with the specific micro plot of Judd & Brenna coming together in such a satisfying way. Holds up even 7 years later!
September 6, 2020
5 MAGNIFICENT stars! This series just continues in strength and brilliance.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
The Silence Protocol was implemented to save those Psy whose powers were so deadly, so destructive, that they were seen as monsters. Silence was supposed to give them peace from their demons. However, no good deed goes unpunished.
We are an abomination, a plague that will kill our people from within. Silence must never take root, must never infiltrate the PsyNet. Forgive us.
The world building in this series just continues to amaze and enthral me. In this book a lot is revealed and explained about the creation of the Silence Protocol, the need the Psy had for implementing Silence, for burying all emotion.
Silence had been invented for those like him—the brutal killers and the viciously insane, those who had turned the world of the Psy into a blood-soaked hell so bad, Silence had become the better choice.
Judd Lauren is a Psy, his powers so destructive that he believes all he is, and will ever be is a killer.
He wasn’t an assassin by choice. He was one because he couldn’t be anything else.
I ADORE Judd. His icy persona was just so very sexy, and I loved how Brenna was able to breach his Silence, causing him to act in ways that baffled him. He tried so hard to push her away, to deny his attraction to her. But it was a futile attempt.
They called him the Man of Ice, but where Brenna was concerned, he was anything but.
Brenna Kincaid was tortured and abused by a sociopath, a Cardinal Psy. Most people would not have survived, however Brenna has a will of steel, and refused to be broken. Brenna is such an amazing character, so determined to heal herself, and she refused to let anyone see her as fragile and broken.
“Heal? I’m not a damaged thing you have to put back together. I put myself back together!” She slammed her hand against her heart.
I loved how she saw the good in Judd, no matter how much he tried to convince her otherwise.
He might think he was beyond redemption, but she knew otherwise.
I loved Judd and Brenna as a couple. They loved each other’s strength, and because of that and what both of them have endured and survived, they were perfect for one another.
“You’re the strongest, most determined woman I know.” He played his fingers along the strands of her hair. “You’d make mincemeat out of a lesser man. It’s a good thing you belong to me.”
The chemistry between Judd and Brenna was VERY hot. Their need for one another pulsed from the pages. I absolutely loved the intensity between them. Judd is such a dominant man, and I loved how Brenna reacted to him, and knew exactly how to handle him.
He’d try to take over in bed, of that she had no doubt. He wouldn’t let her pet him till…after. The man liked to be in control. Good thing she was no wilting violet.
And holy hell, when Judd let go of his control, I almost melted….
Why had she not realized that Judd’s icy control, when melted, would translate into endless patience in bed?
What I love most about Nalini Singh, is that her books are not just about the chemistry between the characters, it is that, but it is so much more – it’s the need they have for one another, the devotion, the adoration. It’s more than love, and it’s unbreakable.
She was something he’d never expected and certainly didn’t deserve. He could give her nothing of what she needed, but the dark heart of him was starting to understand that letting her go might not be an option.
This series continue to be my absolute favorite. Nalini Singh is the alpha of paranormal romance, and it’s a must read.
January 17, 2021
Reread in January 2021.
I just adored Judd. He's so freaking cold and in control of everything but being able to see inside his mind, see what he's feeling and why he is what he is, it was so interesting and I loved every minute of it.
Brenna was the same. So different from him, scarred emotionally but still such a great, beautiful and strong young woman. Loved her as well.
They were just perfect for each other, so heartbreakingly beautiful. I have no words, just read this book, read this series. Nalini created such a different, complex, interesting and amazing new universe, you have to read about it!
As always, the plot was good. Intriguing, believable, suspenseful. It was a great extension to Brenna and Judd's story. I don't know what I'll do when I finish reading all the books in this series...I prefer not to think about it!
Loved the secondary characters as well and I cannot wait to read more about Brenna's brothers!
Okay, so, I loved Caressed by Ice. Oh my Lord. I loved it!!! For once, the heroine was changeling and the hero Psy. Awesome.
I just adored Judd. He's so freaking cold and in control of everything but being able to see inside his mind, see what he's feeling and why he is what he is, it was so interesting and I loved every minute of it.
Brenna was the same. So different from him, scarred emotionally but still such a great, beautiful and strong young woman. Loved her as well.
They were just perfect for each other, so heartbreakingly beautiful. I have no words, just read this book, read this series. Nalini created such a different, complex, interesting and amazing new universe, you have to read about it!
As always, the plot was good. Intriguing, believable, suspenseful. It was a great extension to Brenna and Judd's story. I don't know what I'll do when I finish reading all the books in this series...I prefer not to think about it!
Loved the secondary characters as well and I cannot wait to read more about Brenna's brothers!
February 3, 2022
Judd and Brenna's story - I wasn't sure how I could enjoy a story about a man as cold as Judd but Nalini Singh certainly wrote a great one! Judd turned out to be a very honorable man who wanted to feel but could not because he is unpredictable due to his psychic talents. Brenna is still scarred emotionally from her attack and needs Judd as her mate. Judd has to figure out a way to deprogram his training so he can be the mate that Brenna needs. Plus he has some cool telekinetic abilities that come in handy. Great addition to the Psy/Changling series!
March 4, 2021
I'm already at book 5 of the series (yes, I can't stop myself, don't judge) and before I forget, let me tell you, this one was my favourite so far!
Damn, Singh did such a great job with two flawed and damaged characters and their growth. Nothing was brushed aside, not one stone left unturned and everything made sense.
The way Brenna grew into a strong woman and the art Judd worked to understand and break his conditioning was so well done, I'm amazed at how deeply the author went in developing this world. And damn, I can't get enough!
Plus I adore the small funny moments delivered by dry Psy:
Damn, Singh did such a great job with two flawed and damaged characters and their growth. Nothing was brushed aside, not one stone left unturned and everything made sense.
The way Brenna grew into a strong woman and the art Judd worked to understand and break his conditioning was so well done, I'm amazed at how deeply the author went in developing this world. And damn, I can't get enough!
Plus I adore the small funny moments delivered by dry Psy:
"I made lasagna for dinner," Tamsyn called out. "That works for you?"
[...]
"Anything is fine." [Judd]
"Maybe I shouldn't waste my lasagna on you, then." Tamsyn grabbed a container from the cooling unit. "How about some cardboard instead?"
Brenna found herself amused [...] Lips twitching, she waited for his response.
"Cardboard has no nutritional value." Utterly toneless. "Lasagna would be a better choice."
November 6, 2016
This one was AWSOME
Unlike the previous books, in this one the hero was the Psy that needed to get in touch with his emotions
I so totally loved it!
Judd - he'd defected from the Psy with his family, and the wolf pack took them in. What they don't know about him is that he's an assassin, working for the ressistance. They don't like him much, nor do they trust him. Even though he's been out of the PsyNet for a long time, he hasn't broken his barriors and keeps a tight hold on his emotions. He feels a bond with Brenna, and she is the only one who can touch him, even though it goes against his nature to allow it.
Brenna -
her story is really dark and difficult, I really felt for her. She was kidnapped and brutally mind and body tortured for days. It took her a long time to recover, but still she sought Judd for support, when she needed affection he gave it to her, even though it cost him. After another murder in the wolf lair occurs, they become closer, and it puts Judd's life in danger because he can't withstand emotion without his brain going down, and Brenna's because he could unleash his inner killer he keeps trapped with the Psy control.
They were such a tortured pair, and it took forever for them to get together, but it was worth it
And in this book we get to see more of the wolf pack (Hawk
)
I'll have to go and see the H/h for the next books
Unlike the previous books, in this one the hero was the Psy that needed to get in touch with his emotions
I so totally loved it!Judd - he'd defected from the Psy with his family, and the wolf pack took them in. What they don't know about him is that he's an assassin, working for the ressistance. They don't like him much, nor do they trust him. Even though he's been out of the PsyNet for a long time, he hasn't broken his barriors and keeps a tight hold on his emotions. He feels a bond with Brenna, and she is the only one who can touch him, even though it goes against his nature to allow it.
Brenna -
her story is really dark and difficult, I really felt for her. She was kidnapped and brutally mind and body tortured for days. It took her a long time to recover, but still she sought Judd for support, when she needed affection he gave it to her, even though it cost him. After another murder in the wolf lair occurs, they become closer, and it puts Judd's life in danger because he can't withstand emotion without his brain going down, and Brenna's because he could unleash his inner killer he keeps trapped with the Psy control.They were such a tortured pair, and it took forever for them to get together, but it was worth it
And in this book we get to see more of the wolf pack (Hawk
) I'll have to go and see the H/h for the next books
April 10, 2018
****4.5 Este hombre de hielo derritió mi corazón STARS ****
Hasta ahorita este es el mejor libro de la serie y mi favorito. Por primera vez el protagonista ME ENAMORÓ COMPLETAMENTE!!! Judd es como me gustan I swear.
Esta historia tiene como protagonistas a Judd Lauren un Psy-Tqcel que pertenecía a un grupo de soldados élite llamados Arrows que hacen de función de sicarios del consejo se deshacen de los que causan problemas y Brenna una cambiante Loba que era la victima que rescataron del primer libro a manos de un psicópata.
Brenna está luchando por salir adelante y recuperarse del daño que sufrió a manos de su captor fue torturada física y mentalmente, este hombre violó su psique e hizo daños que ella apenas se está dando cuenta. Brenna acude a la única persona que la puede ayudar y en la que se siente protegida JUDD!!
Me gustó mucho que los papeles se invirtieran y ahora él Psy fuera él y la cambiante ella le dio un toque más fresco a la historia y sobre todo que ya no tenía tanto protagonismo el mundo de los Psy y la PsyNet que es taaaan pesado y denso.
Protagonistas
Judd es frío sin capacidad de sentir a causa del protocolo del silencio y no quiere salir de él porque sabe que es su única defensa para detener al asesino que es, pero Brenna poco a poco va destruyendo sus defensas haciéndolo sentir y él sabe que es peligroso.
Como dije al principio YO ME ENAMORÉ DE ÉL, porque esos hombres que son incapaces de sentir, cuando se enamoran lo hacen con todo lo que tienen, Judd era un amor de persona y luego ese lado posesivo y dominante que tenía aaaay GRRR tan SEXY y más cuando se ponía todo señor poderoso
Brenna fue tan fuerte, valiente a pesar de todo lo que le pasó y sus ganas de luchar y no rendirse con Judd fue admirable.
Yo me quejé de la falta de romance en los libros anteriores y este libro fue todo lo que yo pedía, dulce, romántico y sexy
El siguiente libro no me llama tanto la atención pero la me pico la curiosidad por cierto personaje que su libro es como 13 y yo quiero llegar a él, acortar camino se ha dicho.
PD:Mi media estrella de regalo es para Judd si señor!!
—Eres la mujer más fuerte y decidida que conozco. —Sus dedos danzaron a lo largo de los mechones del cabello de Brenna—. Harías picadillo a un hombre menos capaz. Es una suerte que me pertenezcas a mí.
Hasta ahorita este es el mejor libro de la serie y mi favorito. Por primera vez el protagonista ME ENAMORÓ COMPLETAMENTE!!! Judd es como me gustan I swear.
Esta historia tiene como protagonistas a Judd Lauren un Psy-Tqcel que pertenecía a un grupo de soldados élite llamados Arrows que hacen de función de sicarios del consejo se deshacen de los que causan problemas y Brenna una cambiante Loba que era la victima que rescataron del primer libro a manos de un psicópata.
Brenna está luchando por salir adelante y recuperarse del daño que sufrió a manos de su captor fue torturada física y mentalmente, este hombre violó su psique e hizo daños que ella apenas se está dando cuenta. Brenna acude a la única persona que la puede ayudar y en la que se siente protegida JUDD!!
Me gustó mucho que los papeles se invirtieran y ahora él Psy fuera él y la cambiante ella le dio un toque más fresco a la historia y sobre todo que ya no tenía tanto protagonismo el mundo de los Psy y la PsyNet que es taaaan pesado y denso.
Protagonistas
Judd es frío sin capacidad de sentir a causa del protocolo del silencio y no quiere salir de él porque sabe que es su única defensa para detener al asesino que es, pero Brenna poco a poco va destruyendo sus defensas haciéndolo sentir y él sabe que es peligroso.
Como dije al principio YO ME ENAMORÉ DE ÉL, porque esos hombres que son incapaces de sentir, cuando se enamoran lo hacen con todo lo que tienen, Judd era un amor de persona y luego ese lado posesivo y dominante que tenía aaaay GRRR tan SEXY y más cuando se ponía todo señor poderoso
Brenna fue tan fuerte, valiente a pesar de todo lo que le pasó y sus ganas de luchar y no rendirse con Judd fue admirable.
Yo me quejé de la falta de romance en los libros anteriores y este libro fue todo lo que yo pedía, dulce, romántico y sexy
El siguiente libro no me llama tanto la atención pero la me pico la curiosidad por cierto personaje que su libro es como 13 y yo quiero llegar a él, acortar camino se ha dicho.
PD:Mi media estrella de regalo es para Judd si señor!!
September 28, 2015
Remember, fire melts ice...
So, our "fire" is Brenna. She was a victim of the murdering psychopath from the first book, but survived. She's kind of broken, but is fighting to get back to her pre-victim self.
One day, she promised herself fiercely, she'd get back that lost part of her, the part that believed in joy.
See? All the joy you need is in vodka.
And, our "ice" is Judd. With a name like Judd, do we really have to wonder why he has a major stick up his butt? I mean, seriously? What is Judd even short for? Did his parents name him Judd? Cuz it sucks as a name. He probably became an assassin because of his simmering rage about his crappy name.
So, Judd was a psy assassin and is cold as ice. He was conditioned to feel nothing at all, even extreme pain. It was all supposed to be for his own good because he could kill people with just a thought if he got angry at them.
The second he broke conditioning, he became a loaded gun with no safety switch.
although maybe he wouldn't be so angry if his name wasn't Judd.... just saying!
See? Total dick name!
Alright, alright, I'll get off the Judd thing...
Anyway, Brenna has a thing for Judd, but Judd may kill her if she gets too close. Men! So freaking temperamental.
Also, someone is trying to kill Brenna. It's a good thing she has a stone-cold killer in her pocket. Super-Judd to the rescue!
Aside from the name thing, I really liked this book.
So, our "fire" is Brenna. She was a victim of the murdering psychopath from the first book, but survived. She's kind of broken, but is fighting to get back to her pre-victim self.
One day, she promised herself fiercely, she'd get back that lost part of her, the part that believed in joy.
See? All the joy you need is in vodka.
And, our "ice" is Judd. With a name like Judd, do we really have to wonder why he has a major stick up his butt? I mean, seriously? What is Judd even short for? Did his parents name him Judd? Cuz it sucks as a name. He probably became an assassin because of his simmering rage about his crappy name.
So, Judd was a psy assassin and is cold as ice. He was conditioned to feel nothing at all, even extreme pain. It was all supposed to be for his own good because he could kill people with just a thought if he got angry at them.
The second he broke conditioning, he became a loaded gun with no safety switch.
although maybe he wouldn't be so angry if his name wasn't Judd.... just saying!
See? Total dick name!
Alright, alright, I'll get off the Judd thing...
Anyway, Brenna has a thing for Judd, but Judd may kill her if she gets too close. Men! So freaking temperamental.
Also, someone is trying to kill Brenna. It's a good thing she has a stone-cold killer in her pocket. Super-Judd to the rescue!
Aside from the name thing, I really liked this book.
September 20, 2016
3.5 (but it kind of deserves 4 stars)
It was an enjoyable book, I missed this series!
I absolutely loved Judd (and how could I not, he's the perfect example of a badass alpha male).
And even more, I really liked the plot, it was damn interesting (like this whole series).
Why not more than 3.5 stars? Well, I didn't really feel anything during this read. Yes, I really liked it, I enjoyed it, but for some reason I didn't react too much to it. I'm starting to think that I'm just in a funky mood, so it's not the book's fault but mine.
If you liked this series, you'll definitely enjoy this book as well!
It was an enjoyable book, I missed this series!
I absolutely loved Judd (and how could I not, he's the perfect example of a badass alpha male).
And even more, I really liked the plot, it was damn interesting (like this whole series).
Why not more than 3.5 stars? Well, I didn't really feel anything during this read. Yes, I really liked it, I enjoyed it, but for some reason I didn't react too much to it. I'm starting to think that I'm just in a funky mood, so it's not the book's fault but mine.
If you liked this series, you'll definitely enjoy this book as well!
August 13, 2021
Of the first three novels in this series, this is undoubtedly my favorite. I absolutely adore Sascha and Lucas' story in Slave to Sensation, but there's something so incredibly heart-wrenching about seeing Judd find his way to an HEA with Brenna - the wolf they worked so hard to save in that first book.
This has absolutely NONE of the issues that I noted in my review for Visions of Heat, and none of the future books do either, but it's so incredibly refreshing to come into this book and just be met with equal strength and character from both the hero and heroine - right from the beginning. It doesn't matter that Brenna thinks that she's going insane (something that would actually be understandable considering what she's been through), she's still more than a match for Judd, for melting the Silence that he holds close to him...for a very good reason.
After 14 full-length novels in this series, the romance in this one remains one of my all-time favorites. I don't think I can give it much more praise than that.
The other favorite thing in this book is the ramping up of the world-building and over-arcing plot. I cannot say enough how amazed I am at the world that Nalini has created. And not just the world, because while it's intricate and detailed and I know that it continues beyond what I see on the page, we see this world through the catalyst of change.
Silence has been in effect for over 100 years by the time we first enter the Psy-Changeling world. And it's been working...so they say. But there are too many examples of it failing, and the Council isn't able to keep all of them contained anymore. The protocol is fraying around the edges, and when the strongest begin to leave...change is imminent. Even now, so many re-reads later, I'm still caught in the stress and worry over how they're going to make it better. Because the world they live in right now may be the best they were able to come up with, but it's sure not great, not even really good with all the losses each race is enduring.
So we get to see not only the Changelings push for change, because they're powerful even if the Psy have forgotten they're more than just animals, AND we get to see the very beginnings of the Psy push for change.Revolution is inevitable.
In this oh-so-real world that I've come to love, with the characters that feel like friends, how could I not be invested in the outcome of this intricate and detailed story?
Whenever I re-read, I'm struck anew by how far in advance Nalini Singh has planned things out. There are hints and thoughts, comments and off-hand mentions of people, places, ideas, that only really come to bear fruit much, much, much later in the series - sometimes 10 or 12 books later. That, to me, is amazing and part of what makes this world, this series a favorite.
This review is also at The Book Eaters
Previous thoughts:
One of my consistent favorites (in a series where it's hard to pick favorites), Caressed by Ice is really where the series picks up - at least for me.
Brenna is fascinating, being the only survivor of the psychopath from book 1 (Slave to Sensation) that was murdering changeling women after torturing them for a week. Determined and strong, she's nonetheless still figuring out who she is and gaining back her sense of self after the relentless attack she survived.
Judd is ... *sigh* I love Judd. He's a great hero. Psy, cold as ice to all appearances, but he risked his life to save the children in his family. Taking a chance that most psy wouldn't even contemplate. Now, several months out of the PsyNet and Judd is still separate from others. And still he can't resist Brenna, drawn to her by something he doesn't even begin to understand.
The romance is incredibly heartfelt and moving, it gets me every time watching them figure out how to be together. And shows that if someone is determined enough, they'll find a way. Both Judd and Brenna have this determination and it really endeared me to both their characters.
Here's also where we meet an integral person in the world, the Ghost, who remains a mystery for nearly 10 books - Heart of Obsidian is due out June 4th 2013 and is finally his book.
The developments in the Psy Council, and indeed the way you can see the three races on the path to war, just begins to ratchet up the overall tension in this series.
I love this book, this series, and can't recommend it enough.
This has absolutely NONE of the issues that I noted in my review for Visions of Heat, and none of the future books do either, but it's so incredibly refreshing to come into this book and just be met with equal strength and character from both the hero and heroine - right from the beginning. It doesn't matter that Brenna thinks that she's going insane (something that would actually be understandable considering what she's been through), she's still more than a match for Judd, for melting the Silence that he holds close to him...for a very good reason.
After 14 full-length novels in this series, the romance in this one remains one of my all-time favorites. I don't think I can give it much more praise than that.
The other favorite thing in this book is the ramping up of the world-building and over-arcing plot. I cannot say enough how amazed I am at the world that Nalini has created. And not just the world, because while it's intricate and detailed and I know that it continues beyond what I see on the page, we see this world through the catalyst of change.
Silence has been in effect for over 100 years by the time we first enter the Psy-Changeling world. And it's been working...so they say. But there are too many examples of it failing, and the Council isn't able to keep all of them contained anymore. The protocol is fraying around the edges, and when the strongest begin to leave...change is imminent. Even now, so many re-reads later, I'm still caught in the stress and worry over how they're going to make it better. Because the world they live in right now may be the best they were able to come up with, but it's sure not great, not even really good with all the losses each race is enduring.
So we get to see not only the Changelings push for change, because they're powerful even if the Psy have forgotten they're more than just animals, AND we get to see the very beginnings of the Psy push for change.Revolution is inevitable.
In this oh-so-real world that I've come to love, with the characters that feel like friends, how could I not be invested in the outcome of this intricate and detailed story?
Whenever I re-read, I'm struck anew by how far in advance Nalini Singh has planned things out. There are hints and thoughts, comments and off-hand mentions of people, places, ideas, that only really come to bear fruit much, much, much later in the series - sometimes 10 or 12 books later. That, to me, is amazing and part of what makes this world, this series a favorite.
This review is also at The Book Eaters
Previous thoughts:
One of my consistent favorites (in a series where it's hard to pick favorites), Caressed by Ice is really where the series picks up - at least for me.
Brenna is fascinating, being the only survivor of the psychopath from book 1 (Slave to Sensation) that was murdering changeling women after torturing them for a week. Determined and strong, she's nonetheless still figuring out who she is and gaining back her sense of self after the relentless attack she survived.
Judd is ... *sigh* I love Judd. He's a great hero. Psy, cold as ice to all appearances, but he risked his life to save the children in his family. Taking a chance that most psy wouldn't even contemplate. Now, several months out of the PsyNet and Judd is still separate from others. And still he can't resist Brenna, drawn to her by something he doesn't even begin to understand.
The romance is incredibly heartfelt and moving, it gets me every time watching them figure out how to be together. And shows that if someone is determined enough, they'll find a way. Both Judd and Brenna have this determination and it really endeared me to both their characters.
Here's also where we meet an integral person in the world, the Ghost, who remains a mystery for nearly 10 books - Heart of Obsidian is due out June 4th 2013 and is finally his book.
The developments in the Psy Council, and indeed the way you can see the three races on the path to war, just begins to ratchet up the overall tension in this series.
I love this book, this series, and can't recommend it enough.
February 4, 2011
Who knew the Man of Ice could be so HOT?!
Here I thought that the first two books in the series were good (and they were!) but Caressed by Ice surpasses them all! I adore Nalini Singh’s alternate world and although I’d be too chickenshit to actually live in it, I can still appreciate it. I love the politics that Singh incorporates in her stories. It makes the plot that much more richer and it definitely adds another layer to her already complex world!
In this book, we get a larger glimpse of the SnowDancer pack. I love the Pack mentality, but betrayals do happen within the Pack. Dieter is a perfect example! I love that Singh incorporated his POV. This fact alone made me flip these pages one after the other until I found out who the bastard was!
And the romance! Oh my, the romance! Let’s just say that I am a HUGE fan of Judd!
Judd is a trained solider, a Psy with no emotions. But I didn’t feel so detached from him as I did with Faith and Sascha in their own books. It might be the fact that he was there when Brenna was broken and needed her Pack the most. So I knew there was already some sort of emotion or feeling there despite his icy persona.
Brenna, on the other hand, operates on feelings. She is driven by her emotions and gets frustrated when she doesn’t get what she wants. She is the fire, and Judd is ice. Together, they make an incredible couple!
Riley and Drew were also part of the reason why I loved this book so much! I love how protective they were of their baby sister. It’s nice to see that the main characters can still have a stable relationship with others outside of their romantic one. It goes to show that honor can be present in more ways than one.
I adore the all changelings in this series but I think the SnowDancers may be my favourite! Before anyone else claims him, I just want everyone to know that HAWKE IS MINE!!! I absolutely adore the SnowDancer alpha! The little glimpse into his past made my heart break and I cannot wait to read his book in July!
Of course, I’m not THAT greedy. LEAH, I know you adore Dorian, so this is for you:
“I’ll need a sparring partner.”
“Karate?” Those completely human-seeming eyes brightened in interest.
“Katana.”
“Hot damn. Let’s do it.”
Lucas coughed. “If you two have stopped flirting, we have business to discuss.”
Indigo grinned but stayed silent. Mercy wasn’t so reticent. “So that’s what it takes to get into Dorian’s pants. I’ll let the sentinel-chasers know.”
Her packmate’s growl only widened her smirk.
Favourite Quote:
“I take it back!” she cried. “Foreplay sucks!”
Here I thought that the first two books in the series were good (and they were!) but Caressed by Ice surpasses them all! I adore Nalini Singh’s alternate world and although I’d be too chickenshit to actually live in it, I can still appreciate it. I love the politics that Singh incorporates in her stories. It makes the plot that much more richer and it definitely adds another layer to her already complex world!
In this book, we get a larger glimpse of the SnowDancer pack. I love the Pack mentality, but betrayals do happen within the Pack. Dieter is a perfect example! I love that Singh incorporated his POV. This fact alone made me flip these pages one after the other until I found out who the bastard was!
And the romance! Oh my, the romance! Let’s just say that I am a HUGE fan of Judd!
Judd is a trained solider, a Psy with no emotions. But I didn’t feel so detached from him as I did with Faith and Sascha in their own books. It might be the fact that he was there when Brenna was broken and needed her Pack the most. So I knew there was already some sort of emotion or feeling there despite his icy persona.
Brenna, on the other hand, operates on feelings. She is driven by her emotions and gets frustrated when she doesn’t get what she wants. She is the fire, and Judd is ice. Together, they make an incredible couple!
Riley and Drew were also part of the reason why I loved this book so much! I love how protective they were of their baby sister. It’s nice to see that the main characters can still have a stable relationship with others outside of their romantic one. It goes to show that honor can be present in more ways than one.
I adore the all changelings in this series but I think the SnowDancers may be my favourite! Before anyone else claims him, I just want everyone to know that HAWKE IS MINE!!! I absolutely adore the SnowDancer alpha! The little glimpse into his past made my heart break and I cannot wait to read his book in July!
Of course, I’m not THAT greedy. LEAH, I know you adore Dorian, so this is for you:
“I’ll need a sparring partner.”
“Karate?” Those completely human-seeming eyes brightened in interest.
“Katana.”
“Hot damn. Let’s do it.”
Lucas coughed. “If you two have stopped flirting, we have business to discuss.”
Indigo grinned but stayed silent. Mercy wasn’t so reticent. “So that’s what it takes to get into Dorian’s pants. I’ll let the sentinel-chasers know.”
Her packmate’s growl only widened her smirk.
Favourite Quote:
“I take it back!” she cried. “Foreplay sucks!”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2020
1st read - 28th March 2016 - 29th March 2016 4 ★
2nd reread - 29th June - 29th June 2018 - still 4 ★
3rd reread - 5th May - 6th May 2020 - still 4 ★
4 “Fire melts Ice” Stars.
You know when you just want to savor a book? But the book is so good you just can’t. You want to enjoy every single moment of it which I have done but then you realize shite book finished. This was what happened here. The second time around I still feel the same about it.
This time I got the name down patt it was always Jude for me the first time around.
We meet Judd in Slave to Sensation & Visions of Heat and in both of them he wasn’t my favorite character but he did have potential. I think it has more to do with that I love the DarkRiver Pack and wanted more of them but we moved on to the SnowDancers. Don’t get me wrong but I am really interested by this Pack as well but it was Judd who was iffy for me.
After reading and finishing Caressed by Ice I take it all back, Judd Lauren is a hot (well deep down) and you know what they say about still waters? They are deep and filthy. Judd was an Arrow for the Psy Council and although he may not be a cardinal he is very powerful. He cleans up their messes and does their dirty work for them. He hides his type of animal better than anyone else in the Pack. Until the day his whole family was to be rehabilitated. He goes to the SnowDancers, they drop out of the PsyNet and the LaurenNet is born.
Judd is very controlled otherwise he will hurt those around him even by accident. He has to use up most of the access energy he has so he does some work on the side. He is part of an underground movement. He seeks redemption, he is dark and utterly alone. He tries to fight against the Silence but it has consequences. In the end he can’t help what he feels.
“You,” he said quietly no longer able to lie. “You tempt me.”
Brenna has been altered fundamentally when she was kidnapped by a sociopath the former council member Enrique. He took a lot from her even her wolf. She has taken a long journey and slowly but surely is gaining her sanity back. The only one that she really feels comfortable around is Judd. He gives it to her straight.
“Would you like me to step outside?” Brenna glanced over her shoulder, eyes huge. “Stay. You make me feel safe.” “Not what people usually feel around me.”
The second time around I found Brenna to be a tad exhausting and she irritated me a bit. But they can't deny the chemistry that they have.
“Are you particularly attached to these? He fingered the lace around the crease where her thigh curved against the most intimate part of her.
"Wh-what?" Her hands dripped form his head to dig into the sheets.
He filed away her responsiveness when touched in that particular area. I'll take that as a no." Gipping hold of the front, he tore the fragile fabric off her body. The scraps fell away like mist.”
The only thing that changelings need is affection and that is a hurdle that Judd and Brenna have to overcome.
Although these are not my favorite’s characters in this series I still really liked them. They have strong personalities and Judd and his conditioning is a tough nut to crack.
Once again there are a lot of twists and turns to this plot that it exceeds my expectations. With phenomenal characters and emotions that jump off the page straight at you.
I would really like to pick Ms. Singh’s brain as I’m fascinated by how she comes up with something so breathtaking and striking. Not to mention complex with the intricate layers that she has created.
This series is so distinguishing that it can’t be compared to any other series out there. I won’t go into detail about the twists and turns it is a book you must read.
2nd reread - 29th June - 29th June 2018 - still 4 ★
3rd reread - 5th May - 6th May 2020 - still 4 ★
4 “Fire melts Ice” Stars.
You know when you just want to savor a book? But the book is so good you just can’t. You want to enjoy every single moment of it which I have done but then you realize shite book finished. This was what happened here. The second time around I still feel the same about it.
This time I got the name down patt it was always Jude for me the first time around.
We meet Judd in Slave to Sensation & Visions of Heat and in both of them he wasn’t my favorite character but he did have potential. I think it has more to do with that I love the DarkRiver Pack and wanted more of them but we moved on to the SnowDancers. Don’t get me wrong but I am really interested by this Pack as well but it was Judd who was iffy for me.
After reading and finishing Caressed by Ice I take it all back, Judd Lauren is a hot (well deep down) and you know what they say about still waters? They are deep and filthy. Judd was an Arrow for the Psy Council and although he may not be a cardinal he is very powerful. He cleans up their messes and does their dirty work for them. He hides his type of animal better than anyone else in the Pack. Until the day his whole family was to be rehabilitated. He goes to the SnowDancers, they drop out of the PsyNet and the LaurenNet is born.
Judd is very controlled otherwise he will hurt those around him even by accident. He has to use up most of the access energy he has so he does some work on the side. He is part of an underground movement. He seeks redemption, he is dark and utterly alone. He tries to fight against the Silence but it has consequences. In the end he can’t help what he feels.
“You,” he said quietly no longer able to lie. “You tempt me.”
Brenna has been altered fundamentally when she was kidnapped by a sociopath the former council member Enrique. He took a lot from her even her wolf. She has taken a long journey and slowly but surely is gaining her sanity back. The only one that she really feels comfortable around is Judd. He gives it to her straight.
“Would you like me to step outside?” Brenna glanced over her shoulder, eyes huge. “Stay. You make me feel safe.” “Not what people usually feel around me.”
The second time around I found Brenna to be a tad exhausting and she irritated me a bit. But they can't deny the chemistry that they have.
“Are you particularly attached to these? He fingered the lace around the crease where her thigh curved against the most intimate part of her.
"Wh-what?" Her hands dripped form his head to dig into the sheets.
He filed away her responsiveness when touched in that particular area. I'll take that as a no." Gipping hold of the front, he tore the fragile fabric off her body. The scraps fell away like mist.”
The only thing that changelings need is affection and that is a hurdle that Judd and Brenna have to overcome.
Although these are not my favorite’s characters in this series I still really liked them. They have strong personalities and Judd and his conditioning is a tough nut to crack.
Once again there are a lot of twists and turns to this plot that it exceeds my expectations. With phenomenal characters and emotions that jump off the page straight at you.
I would really like to pick Ms. Singh’s brain as I’m fascinated by how she comes up with something so breathtaking and striking. Not to mention complex with the intricate layers that she has created.
This series is so distinguishing that it can’t be compared to any other series out there. I won’t go into detail about the twists and turns it is a book you must read.
September 21, 2016
5 Fire and Ice Stars!!!
This book is BEYOND. That’s it. Just beyond. It has to be one of my favorite paranormal books ever. Definitely my favorite in this series so far.
His eyes fixed on hers, the gold flecks darkening to amber. "An assassin who looks after his own skin? That's exactly what I am, Brenna. I would rather die than harm you, but anyone else? I could kill them without blinking. It's what I was born to do.”
JUDD.
JUDD.
JUDD.
I am puddle on the floor because this man has melted all of my icicles. And I want to lick his giant icicle. Ok, I’m done.
My Judd:
My Brenna:
I LOVE assholes. And Judd was so cold to Brenna in the beginning that I ate him up. At the same time, he is unlike any hero I’ve ever read because he does not know or realize that he is being an ice man. As a Psy, he cannot FEEL anything. Not only is he a Psy, but he is an Arrow, which is the most lethal Psy assassin. They are so rare that they are the best kept secret among the Psy. He was trained to reject all pain and emotion, so his brain refuses to feel anything. I enjoyed the journey that Judd went through in order to let himself FEEL.
Brenna was kidnapped in the first book of this series. I was hoping that she was going to get her own book, and I am so happy that she did. Judd is her perfect other half. Because she was kidnapped and tortured by a Psy, she has lingering issues, and she feels a connection with Judd and only he can understand what she went through.
Brenna’s eyes widened. Raising a hand, she brushed his hair gently off his forehead.
“Why do I keep telling you things I swore I’d take to my grave?”
The contact shot electricity through his nerves. “Because you know I’ll always be your shield against the nightmares.”
Singh is the queen of sexual tension. In books by other authors, I’ll be rolling my eyes if the couple hasn’t had sexy by the 50% mark, but with Singh, I don’t even care. I feel the sexual tension so much in her books that I don’t even think about the sex, and I’m pleasantly surprised when they get finally get their groove on.
“Aren‘t you going to get up?"
He put a hand on the curve of her hip, a possessive gesture that had already become
familiar.
"No. Let‘s have more sex.”
With this book, Singh switched everything up. She threw a curve ball, and it worked so hard! In the first two books, the heroine was the Psy and the hero was the changeling, but this is the first book in the series where the hero was the Psy and the heroine was the changeling. I NEED more Psy men in my life because Judd was my type of man!
I’ve never read anything like this book. It is…..PHENOMENAL.
Find me on
This book is BEYOND. That’s it. Just beyond. It has to be one of my favorite paranormal books ever. Definitely my favorite in this series so far.
His eyes fixed on hers, the gold flecks darkening to amber. "An assassin who looks after his own skin? That's exactly what I am, Brenna. I would rather die than harm you, but anyone else? I could kill them without blinking. It's what I was born to do.”
JUDD.
JUDD.
JUDD.
I am puddle on the floor because this man has melted all of my icicles. And I want to lick his giant icicle. Ok, I’m done.
My Judd:
My Brenna:
I LOVE assholes. And Judd was so cold to Brenna in the beginning that I ate him up. At the same time, he is unlike any hero I’ve ever read because he does not know or realize that he is being an ice man. As a Psy, he cannot FEEL anything. Not only is he a Psy, but he is an Arrow, which is the most lethal Psy assassin. They are so rare that they are the best kept secret among the Psy. He was trained to reject all pain and emotion, so his brain refuses to feel anything. I enjoyed the journey that Judd went through in order to let himself FEEL.
Brenna was kidnapped in the first book of this series. I was hoping that she was going to get her own book, and I am so happy that she did. Judd is her perfect other half. Because she was kidnapped and tortured by a Psy, she has lingering issues, and she feels a connection with Judd and only he can understand what she went through.
Brenna’s eyes widened. Raising a hand, she brushed his hair gently off his forehead.
“Why do I keep telling you things I swore I’d take to my grave?”
The contact shot electricity through his nerves. “Because you know I’ll always be your shield against the nightmares.”
Singh is the queen of sexual tension. In books by other authors, I’ll be rolling my eyes if the couple hasn’t had sexy by the 50% mark, but with Singh, I don’t even care. I feel the sexual tension so much in her books that I don’t even think about the sex, and I’m pleasantly surprised when they get finally get their groove on.
“Aren‘t you going to get up?"
He put a hand on the curve of her hip, a possessive gesture that had already become
familiar.
"No. Let‘s have more sex.”
With this book, Singh switched everything up. She threw a curve ball, and it worked so hard! In the first two books, the heroine was the Psy and the hero was the changeling, but this is the first book in the series where the hero was the Psy and the heroine was the changeling. I NEED more Psy men in my life because Judd was my type of man!
I’ve never read anything like this book. It is…..PHENOMENAL.
Find me on
March 7, 2021
Re-read 3/21: Still love this so much! Judd is the best.
Hands down my favorite book in the series so far! Caressed by Ice ticked so many boxes for me and I loved the way sensitive subject matter was handled. The wider Psy-Changeling world continues to be fascinating with plenty of political intrigue and danger.
Judd and Brenna have this wonderful, slow burn romance (I love a good slow burn romance) and the power dynamics in their relationship feel very equal. (I also love a hero who isn't a total alpha-male) Judd has her back, but respects her ability to protect herself and make her own decisions. Their relationship truly feels like a partnership, which is always what I love to see. The story was interesting and well-paced, merging seamlessly with the romance and offering good development of side characters. But the thing that really elevated this book for me was the way it handled trauma and PTSD, particularly in a romantic & sexual relationship.
Brenna is recovering from being abducted and brutalized in the worst possible ways, and we see a very real portrayal of the challenges that brings in her developing relationship with Judd. I thought this was so well handled, especially his sensitivity to things that might be triggering for her when they begin to have a physical relationship. There is great care taken and allowances for her to decide what things she can and cannot deal with at a given moment in her process of healing. I think that is amazing to see on the page and so important. PTSD from assault is very real and sometimes books will brush that off as if such trauma would have no impact on the intimate lives of victims. Singh skillfully navigates this issue in a way that recognizes the severity of trauma, but also allows for healing, love, and movement toward intimacy.
I absolutely loved this installment of the series and look forward to continuing! Glad to have found a new fave. Obviously, given the issues mentioned above there are related content warnings to be aware of.
Hands down my favorite book in the series so far! Caressed by Ice ticked so many boxes for me and I loved the way sensitive subject matter was handled. The wider Psy-Changeling world continues to be fascinating with plenty of political intrigue and danger.
Judd and Brenna have this wonderful, slow burn romance (I love a good slow burn romance) and the power dynamics in their relationship feel very equal. (I also love a hero who isn't a total alpha-male) Judd has her back, but respects her ability to protect herself and make her own decisions. Their relationship truly feels like a partnership, which is always what I love to see. The story was interesting and well-paced, merging seamlessly with the romance and offering good development of side characters. But the thing that really elevated this book for me was the way it handled trauma and PTSD, particularly in a romantic & sexual relationship.
Brenna is recovering from being abducted and brutalized in the worst possible ways, and we see a very real portrayal of the challenges that brings in her developing relationship with Judd. I thought this was so well handled, especially his sensitivity to things that might be triggering for her when they begin to have a physical relationship. There is great care taken and allowances for her to decide what things she can and cannot deal with at a given moment in her process of healing. I think that is amazing to see on the page and so important. PTSD from assault is very real and sometimes books will brush that off as if such trauma would have no impact on the intimate lives of victims. Singh skillfully navigates this issue in a way that recognizes the severity of trauma, but also allows for healing, love, and movement toward intimacy.
I absolutely loved this installment of the series and look forward to continuing! Glad to have found a new fave. Obviously, given the issues mentioned above there are related content warnings to be aware of.
April 11, 2021
Reread
I'm glad these are holding up well on my second time through them. I'm very much still into the stories and couples.
Original Review
I enjoy this series more and more it seems. I was worries that Caressed in Ice would be just like the previous two books and in some ways it is. The formula is still the same but in many ways this one went a little deeper and darker.
I loved Brenna. After the hell she went through she is picking herself up and moving on. It is difficult, she has lapses but after that kind of hell how could you not. It took a little time for me to warm up to Judd. He was a little bit of a mystery and I think that he was sometimes really harsh. I totally get why and Brenna took it all very well but I wanted to smack him at times. Judd definitely grows on you and he seems just as broken in ways as Brenna is. But ultimately he is kind and patient with her.
The council story line is progressing as they try to gain even greater control and domination. They have noticed that the netMind is behaving erratically perhaps like a teenager but no one knows how to fix it and the newest council member might just have the same dangerous tendencies that Councilman Enrique did.
Someone is trying very hard to make the tenuous alliance between the Cats and Wolves break. It seems like all the packs are in danger and Judd is trying to find a way to help before tensions flare to a breaking point. He is also trying to protect Brenna as he is sure someone is still trying to hurt her.
I love seeing all the previous characters. I can’t wait until we hit Dorian’s story, I totally dig that dude. There are enough tid bits to move the underlying arc forward. Judd is working with someone on the inside in hopes of redeeming himself from the blood of his past. The council seems to work more and more towards getting into a hive mind state and pretty much enslaving the weaker Psys of the population. Judd is trying to stop that from happening.
But the parts I really love the most are the Romances. I’m a sucker for those. I love getting to see Lucas with Sasha and Faith with Vaughn. I enjoy seeing how the touchy feely changlings get the Psy to break their bonds.
Another very well told story. I look forward to jumping into the next book soon.
I'm glad these are holding up well on my second time through them. I'm very much still into the stories and couples.
Original Review
I enjoy this series more and more it seems. I was worries that Caressed in Ice would be just like the previous two books and in some ways it is. The formula is still the same but in many ways this one went a little deeper and darker.
“Brenna’s eyes widened. Raising a hand, she brushed his hair gently off his forehead.
“Why do I keep telling you things I swore I’d take to my grave?”
The contact shot electricity through his nerves. “Because you know I’ll always be your shield against the nightmares.”
I loved Brenna. After the hell she went through she is picking herself up and moving on. It is difficult, she has lapses but after that kind of hell how could you not. It took a little time for me to warm up to Judd. He was a little bit of a mystery and I think that he was sometimes really harsh. I totally get why and Brenna took it all very well but I wanted to smack him at times. Judd definitely grows on you and he seems just as broken in ways as Brenna is. But ultimately he is kind and patient with her.
The council story line is progressing as they try to gain even greater control and domination. They have noticed that the netMind is behaving erratically perhaps like a teenager but no one knows how to fix it and the newest council member might just have the same dangerous tendencies that Councilman Enrique did.
Someone is trying very hard to make the tenuous alliance between the Cats and Wolves break. It seems like all the packs are in danger and Judd is trying to find a way to help before tensions flare to a breaking point. He is also trying to protect Brenna as he is sure someone is still trying to hurt her.
I love seeing all the previous characters. I can’t wait until we hit Dorian’s story, I totally dig that dude. There are enough tid bits to move the underlying arc forward. Judd is working with someone on the inside in hopes of redeeming himself from the blood of his past. The council seems to work more and more towards getting into a hive mind state and pretty much enslaving the weaker Psys of the population. Judd is trying to stop that from happening.
But the parts I really love the most are the Romances. I’m a sucker for those. I love getting to see Lucas with Sasha and Faith with Vaughn. I enjoy seeing how the touchy feely changlings get the Psy to break their bonds.
Another very well told story. I look forward to jumping into the next book soon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,167 reviews