Caressed By Ice (Psy-Changelings, Book 3) by Nalini Singh

• • Title: Caressed By Ice (Psy-Changelings, Book 3)
  • Classification: Adult Fiction
  • Genre: Paranormal Romance
• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (September 4, 2007)
• ISBN-10: 0425218422
• ISBN-13: 978-0425218426
• Author's Website: http://www.nalinisingh.com/

Two years ago the Laurens left the PsyNet when the Psy Council sentenced the entire family to be rehabilitated. That included Judd's brother, Walker; Walker's daughter Marlee; and Sienna and Toby, his niece and nephew by his deceased sister, Kristine. Rehabilitation was not a method which helped people to get back on their feet. It was a mechanism used to wipe a brain clean and turn the individual being rehabilitated into not much more than a walking vegetable. Judd, because of his vocation as an Arrow, had previously renounced his family ties and had, therefore, been excluded from the sentence.

In a desperate attempt to save their family, they defected to the SnowDancer Changeling territory hoping they'd be able to save at least the children. Walker and Judd had no expectations of surviving for the Psy and Changelings were not on friendly terms, and SnowDancer had the reputation of being one of the most powerful and ruthless groups of Changelings in the country. The Changelings, however, had surprised them and offered the entire family sanctuary. In return the Laurens swore allegiance to SnowDancer, but trust is something that needs to be earned and is not readily given.

Brenna had been the victim of horrible crimes committed by the now defunct Counselor Santano Enrique. Unbeknownst to her, Judd had had a crucial part in her recovery. While her body had healed, a part of her never would. She'd been changed and wasn't the happy, carefree, sweet natured girl she'd once been. She'd survived the torture and experiments, but Enrique had done something to her. Something that she feared now allowed her to see visions of murder through the eyes of a psychopath. Could Enrique have had an accomplice? Could he have somehow managed to survive in the net? Could she be going insane? When the victim in her vision shows up dead, she begins to wonder...

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Nalini's books are soooo good for many reasons. I feel like I should be spouting that famous poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning....How do I love thee? (thee being the books) Let me count the ways... *giggle* I was reading this with my Goodreads buddy Southpaw and we were hoping the next book after Visions of Heat would be Judd's. We try not to peek at the next book we'll read in the series.  Judd is the strong and silent type. He is such a mystery and while Psy are known for not having emotions we get blurred glimpse of the ones he has buried beneath the surface of the icy exterior he has cloaked himself in.

From Judd we learn not all aspects of Silence are bad. As we all know, every good lie contains some grain of truth or its foundation starts to crumble. For some Psy, their powers are so volatile that for them Silence is a true blessing. Judd is one such Psy. We'll learn more about Judd's powers and his extraordinary but deadly abilities which totally blew my mind. It is something that makes him fiercely try to fight the attraction he has toward Brenna. He has no aspirations of ever being part of a loving relationship and that isn't just because of the Silence imposed upon him.

We also learn more about what happened to Brenna at the hand of Enrique. Some scars cannot be seen and for her they're still fresh and festering. She feels she can't go to her brothers who still haven't accepted she is a different and slightly broken person from the little sister they've previously known. She seeks out the help of Judd in figuring out what is happening to her. Their is something about him that makes her feel safe. Perhaps it's because he didn't know the old Brenna or perhaps it has something to do with his role in her recovery. Whatever it is she is drawn to Judd.

Kaleb Krychek was the candidate the Council favored most to replace Enrique in Visions of Heat. We'll get to learn more about him as he takes his newly found place on the Council. He's ambitious, and it's obvious he has a plan, but at present we can only speculate what that might be. Perhaps that is why right now I find him the most interesting of the Psy Council members. He truly intrigues me.

Overall, I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses. I liked the mystery of who the killer was and learning the full extent of Judd's power. He is truly a man most would never wish to face in a fight. His gift is a double edged blade because it's both a gift and curse, it all depends on how his powers are used. Additionally, I loved how Brenna manages to finally crack through the ice Judd so carefully enclosed himself in. We're  given a great view into the heart of the man who has so carefully hidden it away. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a  SHOWER rating--a cold shower is necessary (need I say more?). Some books should come with a warning - make sure your significant other is handy or your shower is in working order. lol

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