Taming the Fire [Paperback]

Taming the Fire follows the previous Storm trilogy (Riding the Storm, Unleashing the Storm, Seduced by the Storm) telling us the adventures within a secret paranormal government agency, called ACRO, comprised of members with special abilities (think X-Men). These agents fight crime around the globe, ridding the world of mysterious supernatural evil we don't even know exists, usually at the hands of nefarious rival agency Itor. The latest installment features Ulrika, a werewolf shapeshifter, and Trance, an excedosapien who possesses extraordinary strength and an innate talent for hypnosis. Trance's mission is to track down Rik, an escaped Itor agent, and get her on ACRO's side before Itor can reclaim her.

Trance and Rik share a common bond in that they're both players in the world of BDSM, which seems perfect except they're both determined to be the Dominant. The book starts hot and heavy with the push-and-pull between these characters and doesn't let up for a moment, but something is different this time. Whereas before they each used BDSM to hide behind a role, a facade, now someone must submit, and in the process they begin to trust each other like they've never been able to before.

Sydney Croft has an incredible ability to match characters and bring them together in a very powerful way. Rik is extremely vulnerable and Trance's gaping past haunts him, but as they begin to heal each other, almost without noticing at first, their loneliness is alleviated and a bond forms that cannot be unbroken.

We again see the vast array of unique and colorful secondary characters that makes the ACRO world so nuanced and complex, including old favorites and bright newcomers. Ryan and Meg's supporting romance is heartfelt and touching, a reunion they must fight for as Ryan struggles with amnesia and Meg (introduced as Coco in the previous book) tries to overcome feelings of betrayal. We get more of head of ACRO Devlin O'Malley's story as he reconciles remaining grief from the loss of his lover and embarks on a new relationship. And finally we learn more about ongoing character Marlena, a beauty cursed to always experience unrequited love. Marlena's story will be completed in the next installment in the series.

Just as good, we get to revisit previous beloved couples Kira and Ender and Wyatt and Faith. My personal favorites Creed and Annika don't make a significant appearance in this novel, but I'm assured they will continue to play a big role in upcoming books.

Readers should be advised that the nature of Trance and Rik's relationship, including the heavy BDSM, definitely entrenches Taming the Fire into erotic romance territory with a high amount of sexual content. This is a series where sex plays a big part and has a very specific purpose in the missions and abilities of its characters, but I have always marveled at the aplomb and care given, how it's woven so intricately into the fabric so that it never feels gratuitous or overindulgent. Instead, it helps us see the connection that builds so fiercely between Trance and Rik, a connection we're convinced will never sever.

I have read the 3 books before this one in the series and really loved them. This one I had a hard time getting into it. I did not like the BDSM stuff that was going on in the beginning of the book. I guess that it's not my cup of tea. The story I felt was not as good as the earlier books either. So why the 4 stars? Because the ending is what made me truely like this book. I love HEA and it gave that to me. I could feel the love that had grown between them and the other characters in this book.
I will be waiting once again for the next Sydney Croft book to come out.

Book 4 in the ACRO series and the authors' are maintaining the intensity. This one has two primary plots. In the first, Trance, an excedo with super strength and the ability to hypnotize with a look, has been sent to bring in Ulrika [Rik] who is an escaped ITOR operative. Rik is a victim - her family destroyed by ITOR as they experimented with them - only she survives and has been mutated into a shapeshifter. ITOR controls her with a collar she has been unable to remove [it contains a bomb among other things] and she has been running, trying to stay beyond the range of the controller. Rik has been hiding in the BDSM community in London and to meet her Trance tries to play the part of a sub. Through the course of the book, and especially this portion, some very wild sex occurs [several times way beyond my comfort level]. In the second, Ryan, who was tortured and had his mind scrubbed in an earlier book, is provided with false memories of his life as an ITOR agent and sent out to take or kill Rik. Along the way Ryan kidnaps Meg who is the only person he remembers from his old life but he only remembers her existence, no details. He is hoping she can help him regain his memories and find out if he really is the ugly person that ITOR tells him he is...

The parallel plots of Trace and Rik and Ryan and Meg dominate the book but significant events are occurring at home, as well. The past and the present collide clouding the future... And the next book isn't due out until 2010. Sigh.

Read these in order!

ACRO
Riding the Storm (2007)
Unleashing the Storm (2008)
Seduced by the Storm (2008)
Taming the Fire (2009)

and another called Tempting The Fire is scheduled for 2010

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 14 reviews  4.8 out of 5 stars