Caressed by Ice - Psy-Changelings #3 - Nalini Singh

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Sum up: (Goodreads)
Nalini Singh explores new heights of sensuality, returning to the world of the Psy - where two people who know evil intimately must unlock the good within their icy hearts...

As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now he is a defector, and his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins - cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets Brenna...

Brenna Shane Kincaid was an innocent before she was abducted - and had her mind violated - by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them. Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives...

Caressed by Ice - Psy-Changelings #3 - Nalini Singh

Some scenes contain sexual and violent contents that may offend sensibilities of readers.

Plot:

Little reminder of the Psy-Changeling world. The world is ruled by three different species: psy, changelings and humans. Even though, psy seemed to overrule everyone with their cold, analytical protocol, things are slowly changing . Psy do not know what emotions are. At least they are not supposed to but some of them fracture. 

Meet Judd, a member of the Arrows, who are a small army of the best trained assassins. He left the Psy mind network and he now lives among the Snowdancer (wolves) pack. His TK power makes him one of the most dangerous man. He can crush a man's brain or heart with just one thought. More than anyone, he needs control. He needs what the Psy protocol could bring him. He will never be able to deflect from the psy control. At least, that is what he thinks.

Brenna is a wolf changeling that we had already briefly met after she was abducted, tortured and experimented on. She is damaged but not broken. She may not be able to shift again, she may have visions of a man killing people, but she is strong enough to overcome everything that has been thrown in her path. Well, except for Judd. She wants him despite his coldness. Brenna's brothers smother her with their over-protectiveness while Judd offers nothing but dark glares. And yet, she wants him.

Judd does not understand it yet but a wolf never backs down on a challenge and he just became this challenge. Feeling more and more drawn to Brenna, he knows that he won't be able to resist her. And when a serial killer decided to take Brenna as his next target, Judd will be the only one strong enough to protect her.
“Then we fight, Judd.”
She dared to place her hand gently on his chest. He flinched but didn’t move away.
“We fight until every avenue is closed and then we dig under the roadblocks. Because I am not walking away from us.”
Strong words, but she was shaking. He could destroy her with a few careless comments.
“You’re the strongest, most determined woman I know.”
He played his fingers along the strands of her hair.
“You’d make mincemeat out of a lesser man. It’s a good thing you belong to me.”

Opinion:

And once again, I fell in love with Nalini Singh writing. I just feel like this woman could never write a bad book. She writes amazing plots, describes perfectly very different characters...

This book is definitely darker than the others. It is probably because of Judd who is a darker character and also because of what Brenna went through. You can truly feel the pain of the two characters. Brenna is trying to find her rightful place among her pack after being abducted and tortured. She knows she is not the same but everyone around her expect her to return to normal or to break down everytime. Well, everyone except Judd.

I remember the first time I read the summary, I was not sure I wanted to read this book because I was not really in fond of Judd, even though we only had had brief glimpses of him. Psy or not, he knew how to melt my heart.
“If you say yes now, I won’t let you go if you decide I’m not what you want later on down the road. You say yes, you say yes forever. Be sure.”
Both characters are strong and just perfect for each other. So if you are looking for some sappy paranormal romance, this is definitely the series for you. 

Besides from the development of the love between Brenna and Judd, Nalini also takes the time to develop the policital plot of the Council and the relationships between the packs. It is always a pleasure to see some former characters.  

Happy reading everyone! :)


Excerpts:

“You're walking funny," Lucy said, a shit-eating grin on her face. Five days of out of this world sex with a starving man could do that to a girl.
"You're just jealous." Brenna pushed through the door into DarkRiver's business HQ.
Lucy made a mournful face. "Yes, I am. Goddamn but your man is hot. And he smiles at you! I've seen him do it, even if no one believes me.”

“Where did you learn your charm—the gulag?”

“I made lasagna for dinner," Tamsyn called out. "That work for you?"
He continued to look at her, as if he'd drink her up with his eyes. "Anything is fine."
"Maybe I shouldn't waste my lasagna on you, then." Tamsyn grabbed a container from the cooling unit. "How about some cardboard instead?"
Brenna found herself amused in spite of the blood that continued to scent the air and the taut expectation that stretched between her and Judd. Lips twitching, she waited for his response.
"Cardboard has no nutritional value." Utterly toneless. "Lasagna would be a better choice.”

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