ICE COLD SAINT is the third book in Cynthia Eden’s Ice Breaker romantic suspense series. This might be my favorite book in this series since FROZEN IN ICE. I like a heroine who is complex and doesn’t rush to explain herself or define herself to the hero. At the opening of this tale, Saint is paid by the wealthy Tracy Eldridge to track down Alice Shephard and find prove that she killed her brother. Alice is ostensibly the “bad girl”. When Saint finally comes face-to-face with Alice, he is captivated by her just as much as he finds her confusing. Awesome. I like my heroes a little confused by the heroine. Alice has had a few exes meet with tragic or mysterious ends and she’s often blamed. Her magic-themed club, Abracadabra, makes a quirky backdrop to the sensual romance that develops between Saint and Alice.
Cynthia Eden is one of the best at creating tension – whether sexual, terror, or a mix of both. There is a strong physical attraction between Saint and Alice but it’s complicated. The circumstances that led Saint to this beguiling lady of mystery automatically put them in an adversarial situation. There is a delightful sexy simmer as the two tease and figure each other out. Like many Cynthia Eden books, the theme of trust plays a big part in the eroticism of the story. There isn’t any huge misunderstanding or feelings of betrayal, but there are several unintentional daggers Saint throws Alice’s way because of her past. She’s been disbelieved and abandoned so many times that she expects Saint to disappoint her, but it still stings a little when she thinks he might not totally believe her either. The chemistry between these two characters is phenomenal. Saint makes a smooth transition from hunting Alice to protecting her. There are several different suspects with several very different motives for stalking Alice. The magician aspect of this story adds an extra creepy edge.
ICE COLD SAINT has a complicated heroine who slays and lives life by her own rules. Saint works hard at earning Alice’s trust and affection. This is another tough guy with a soft heart when it comes to the woman he falls for. I look forward to meeting more Ice Breakers in future books. I loved this couple, this story, and can’t wait for the next in the series!
“You said that wrong. What you meant was that you’re here to fall in love with me.” - Alice
Saint is in the family business…the business of hunting killers and closing unsolved cases. He knows his reputation—most people think he is a monster. Dangerous, cold, deadly…and with no conscience. But it takes a guy like him to get the job done. And his latest job? Well, that job has him tracking down a suspected Black Widow…the beautiful and ever-so-seductive Alice Shephard. A woman who is linked to the disappearance of three men.
Beauty can be the coldest lie of all.
Whispers and scandal follow her every step, but Alice doesn’t seem to care. Is she responsible for the disappearances—and possible deaths—of three ex-lovers? Saint will find out. He’s stepping into her web, and if she’s guilty, he’ll personally lock her away, just as he has done on case after case before. Emotions never get in his way.
Wanting her isn’t a surprise. Needing her is.
Alice seems immune to his charm. Fair enough, mostly because Saint isn’t known for charm. But he is hell on wheels when it comes to seduction, and the attraction between him and Alice is electric. When he touches her, need rocks through him, a desire so fierce that it threatens to consume them both. But Saint can want her and still lock her away. No problem. Or…
Problem. What if she’s not guilty?
When Alice saves his life, Saint realizes there is more to her than meets the eye. Maybe she’s using him, maybe everything is a game to her, or maybe…maybe Alice is the real victim in the story and not the villain. Unlikely, but…what if? What if all along someone else was attacking from the dark? What if someone else is determined to claim Alice, to eliminate all other men from her life?
And what if Saint might just wind up losing the one person he needs above all others?
They call him Saint, but everyone knows he’s a monster…and he’s ready to let his dark side out to hunt.