Limecello’s review of Unleashing the Storm (ACRO, Book 2) by Sydney Croft
Paranormal romance released by Delta 26 Feb 08
This is the second book in the ACRO series (Agency for Covert Rare Operatives). For some reason I thought it was about two different characters, but I enjoyed it all the same. The characters are unique and creative, and I’m enjoying the books by Sydney Croft.
This book didn’t deal so much with physical storms, as internal ones. As a result, Tom Knight, better known as “Ender,” and Kira Donovan have an interesting time. Kira is a powerful animal psychic, and once a year, she goes into heat. To add yet another layer unto such an inconvenience, if she doesn’t have sex, she’ll die. Tom, is just a jerk.
Tom is sent to find Kira, and convince her to join ARCO. His orders are to recruit her within 48 hours, or kill her. It sounds harsh, but if she doesn’t join the good guys, the threat she provides is too high. The problem is, Kira doesn’t know about Tom’s orders, or how dangerous she really is. I’m mentioning this aspect of the story, because it was a source of frustration for me. It’s used near the end for a dramatic confrontation, but the scene lost some of it’s punch for me because I spent the majority of the book being annoyed by it.
I absolutely loved the second half of the book, and all the secondary characters and their stories. The book is very well written, engaging, and emotional. That being said, let me explain my issues with the first part. Tom and Kira have sex. A lot of sex – but there’s no emotional connection. Not only do they not trust each other, but it seems that they might actively dislike each other. Personally, that was not fun to read. Angry sex is all well and good, but generally that involves two people who have a preexisting emotional connection – they’re just upset at the moment. Kira and Tom, are purely physical.
Once the relationship begins to develop, however, the characters and their personalities emerge as well. The conflict and trials they go through are enthralling, and constantly serve to draw the two of them together. I enjoyed watching how Tom and Kira slowly fell in love. It was also fun once the two of them came into contact with other people, and Ender became possessive. I was amused. It seems confusing, because while with Kira, Tom is Tom, but with others, and back at ARCO, he’s all Ender. Really – read it to find out.
I liked Tom a lot more than Kira. Interesting because, Tom really is cold. Kira, however, annoyed me. She definitely wasn’t a wilting heroine, but she was stubborn, and so set on being independent that she put herself, and others in harm’s way. Personally, I view that as being TSTL as well – just in the opposite direction we’re used to. I can understand why she felt and acted the way to a certain degree – but the result was that it took me a lot longer to get into the book.
I think it’s important to remember this book is the second in a series. I enjoyed reading it, but think I would have enjoyed it less, and gotten rather lost if I hadn’t read the first. The secondary characters and their stories (there are about six of them that are important) have great stories – but they’re really introduced in book one. I liked how well developed the characters were – not just emotionally, but how they had an entire history. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next book. And I want Annika and Creed’s story!
Grade: B-
Feel the heat. Hear the roar. The fever has begun.
There’s a storm rising. Electricity crackles in the air. For Kira Donovan, it’s that time of year again: when the need floods her flesh, when almost any man-the bigger and the stronger the better-will do. For Kira, an animal psychic, the heat is a matter of life and death, and this year it has come at just the right time. Tom Knight, a natural born predator, has arrived at her isolated Idaho farm-for reasons all his own…
At first Kira isn’t interested in Knight’s motives. She only needs him-his body, his hands, his scent. But soon, through a daze of desire and distrust, Kira discovers Knight’s world-the world of a covert operative, one man among dozens of secret agents waging an astonishing global war. Knight’s mission is to bring Kira–kicking and screaming if necessary–into the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives and harness her extraordinary gift. He never expected the powerful emotions she would ignite in him, or the fierce desire to keep her safe from harm. For as darkness gathers around them, Kira is feeling the heat once again, leading them both on a wild ride of delicious thrills…and terror beyond imagining.
Read an excerpt here.
To read all the posts and reviews about this book and others in the series, click on the ACRO Series tag below.
I can’t wait to read Wyatt’s story, too.
Jane, I know – it sounds so interesting! And of course, I always want more of Annika and Creed’s story. 😛
I love this series and can’t wait for the next book either. Also if you love this series Larissa has a book coming (Pleasure Unbound) out at the end of this month that is fantastic. There are demons, werewolves, vamps, and other species all running around.
Oh and can I just say ENDER is HOT!
Ing- you know, I don’t know how or why, but I haven’t read Larissa’s books. 😛 I need to remedy that.
As to Ender – YES! He was also so patient – if I were him I think I would’ve wanted to club Kira over the head :X
Limecello get the book when you can. I’d love to hear your take on it. This was a pretty dark, raw, edgy, and sexy as heck book. Very action packed. The main character is a demon doctor. He and his brothers run a demon hospital. The heroine is a demon slayer. Lets say there are some conflicts but boy sparks fly while they try to solve who is behind killing demons and selling demon parts in the blackmarket. Great start to this new series. Sorry for rambling.LOL!
As for Ender lets just say his stamina and jerkiness was some of his many hot factor. The scene when he and Kira are on the phone was heartbreaking. I actually loved Kira. I thought she was pretty kickass. She did have her stupid moments but I didnt’ think they were TSTL status.
Ing – I’ll do my best! [Sybil – did you see? People want me to get [those] book(s)! ;)] I think Stephanie and Larissa have a great writing voice, and I’d love to read their solo works. Ramble away! What you’re saying sounds so fascinating – and it’s perfectly built in conflict!
I loved how Ender was a jerk too! [And you know, that’s not a quality I’m generally for – so wow! He was a great character!] For Kira… I wanted to like her, but it was tough. I think it made it very difficult, knowing more than she did, because I wanted to be like “you idiot – you’re just making trouble for everyone!” – that and of course we all knew she’d go because hello it’s a romance, so … it went a bit far for me. But, I didn’t want to punch her in the face :X so that’s something, right? 😛
I agree Larissa and Steph are great together. The story flows very well and their voices are so similar that I never once stopped and said hmmm…well Larissa or Steph must have written that. The ACRO series is another fave of mine.
I haven’t read any of Steph’s book but I am looking forward to her upcoming SEAL series. I think Larissa has definitely built her own world and her own unique voice with this Demonica series. I hope you get your hands on it.
I always feel dumb but jerks do not impress me in real life but something but a little jerkiness in my romance is a-okay..lol. See I think Kira’s response to the situation was understandable. She’s pretty vulunerable and dependent on a man she is not too sure of. She needs him for the sex but I don’t blame her for not trusting him completely. If it wasn’t for her heating problem she probably wouldn’t have been so fast to jump on him even if he is sexy! 🙂 And yes it’s always a plus when you don’t want to punch her..hehehee!
LOL! Ing. I think the ARCO idea is really creative [though the org name makes me chuckle a little]. Jerks… as heroes, actually don’t do much for me. I am friends with a few jerks in real life. [I have to think about that…] One of them, a lot of people think he’s a jerk, but he’s not a jerk to me. The others… don’t really try to be jerks, they just don’t hold back their words. [And they do know how to apologize.]
As to the heroine *rolls eyes* – I did feel bad for her, but… seriously. No. She was just fighting the inevitable, in an annoying way – but I really liked her after she got to the center. There’s a book I was reading, where I thought (about the heroine) – “if she were my friend, I’d punch her in the face.” Then I realized “… no I wouldn’t, because I wouldn’t be friends with her.”
LOL…Limecello you crack me up!