TWICE AS HOT is the follow-up to PLAYING WITH FIRE, a novel that came out half a decade ago, but recently was re-released to be timed with this sequel. The books tell about normal, average, everyday girl Belle Jamison after ingesting some chemical formula that messed with her insides, giving her the power over the four elements.

At the end of PLAYING WITH FIRE, Belle had it all—hot fiancee; decent paying job; friends she could count on; some control over her powers. Sure, there were at least half a dozen bad guys (they knew about) coming after her, but she was alive and she was having hot sex; she was happy. The beginning of TWICE AS HOT sort of sends her love life back to square one.

In most other books I'd accuse the author of using a cheap play to keep the romantic tension going between Belle and Rome, but Showalter doesn't do that. It does mess with Belle's emotions, and she is a wreck without Rome with her; but she becomes someone stronger because of it. Other than a few indulgences in self-pity, Belle fights for her man, and proves to him—in his amnesiac state—that she an excellent agent.

Rome is amusing to read about. It's a case of listen to what I say, not what I do for him, really. He keeps saying 'I want nothing to do with you, I love Lexis'...and then can't keep his hands off of Belle. He claims he doesn't care at all for Belle...then gets jealous if she flirts with his long time friend Cody. Watching them re-build their relationship wasn't déjà vu we just witnessed in the last book, because in this one, they are on more equal footing.

I admired Belle in this book far more than I did in the first book. She doesn't cave in to her feelings of despair; she makes some clever moves and faces down against a tough enemy. If Rome hadn't fallen in love with her all over again, I probably would have murdered him myself.

Lexis, Rome's ex-wife, gets off easy, if you ask me. Her part in what happens to Rome is despicable. Her reasoning is sympathy inducing, but her methods are less than honorable. Way less than honorable. Rat-like even. The addition of Elaine, who drains energy, and Jean-Luc, who steals memories to cast, aren't intrusive at all. I felt bad for Jean-Luc, more so than Lexis, who did the right thing in the end even though it nearly killed him to do so. Elaine was a sarcastic, angry pixie with spirit. I loved her.

TWICE AS HOT was more than worth waiting for. It's fun, it's amusing, and has hot sex. What more can you ask for? ( )

Divertente ed irriverente questo secondo capitolo della duologia di Gena Showalter si merita davvero un bel commento. Decisamente molto originale rispetto alla saga Demon's che, nonostante sia una delle mie preferite, rispecchia sempre uno schema piuttosto sfruttato per vampiri e demoni da qualche tempo: il gruppo di guerrieri da accoppiare di volta in volta con delle umane.

In questo caso invece lo stile ironico ed avvincente di Gena Showalter si mostra davvero senza indugi. Lo stile è piacevole, scorrevole e molto intrigante dato che è narrato tutto dal punto di vista della protagonista che ha un caratterino niente male.

I coprotagonisti sono tutti molto ben caratterizzati. Rome ci piace, e molto! Ma anche tutti gli altri sono piacevoli e divertenti... Se non vogliamo considerare Lexis.

Vivace e rocambolesco questo romanzo si legge facilmente in un giorno e, fra una risata e l'altra che sicuramente vi fare, non potrete che domandarvi chi, francamente, abbia ideato il nome di "Super Assorbente" per una delle nuove protagoniste! ( )

Belle and Rome's interesting love story continues in this second novel. Being a paranormal novel, Rome loses his memory in a unique manner, yet finds himself still physically drawn to a fiance who he doesn't remember. ( )

Great book. Story was good, exciting and funny. Definitely worth a read

( )

"4.5 out of 5 stars!! I love Belle & Rome in the first book and this just sealed my love for them in this one!!! I really hope there's a book 3 since I could not get enough and I just wanted to find out what would happen to them and their friends next!!"

Read more of this review and a teaser here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2010/11/feasted-on-tales-of-extraordin... ( )