Dual Review: Playing with Fire by Gena Showalter

Format Read: MMPB
Number of Pages: 384
Release Date:
Publisher: HQN Books
Formats Available:MMPB, eBook
Purchasing Info: The Book Depository, GoodReads, Author's website 

Book Blurb:

Earth, Wind & Fire aren't just a band anymore...

Used to be my greatest achievement was holding a job more than three days. Now suddenly I can shoot fireballs, chill your drink or blow-dry your hair at fifty paces with a blink of my eye!

It all started when this crazy scientist dropped something in my Grande Mocha Latte. Of course I got wicked sick. Next morning I'm waking up with this total hottie bending over me. He tells me:

1) his name's Rome Masters,

2) he's a government agent and

3) I can control the four elements with a thought.

He seems even less pleased by my (apparently irreversible) transformation than I am…. Because now he'll have to kill me.

Our Thoughts:

Why do a review of Playing with Fire now, it was published in 2006?


The Geeky Lover: That's easy. After a torturous wait for the sequel...we finally got one last week, with the release of Twice as Hot. And what better way to celebrate that than with a praising review of book one?

The Obsessed Lover: My feelings exactly! I have been waiting with baited breath and pure annoyance for the sequel to Playing with Fire to come out! I even boycotted Gena Showalter's books until I had a release date of Twice as Hot - I'm not sure she noticed though and I was unsuccessful in rallying other readers to my cause.

When did you read it?

The Geeky Lover: The first time I read it was a bit over a year ago and I have re-read it 2 times since then. That's how much I adore it.

The Obsessed Lover: I read it in 2007 - so you can imagine HOW upset I was by HOW LONG it took for the sequel to even be announced! I don't generally re-read books, but was planning to with this one before reading Twice as Hot - but I seem to have misplaced my copy and it looks like I will have to buy it again.

The Geeky Lover: That is sooooo sad hon! I so feel you pain!

The Obsessed Lover:  You Purchased a 2nd copy of it when the new cover version was released this summer, right? So that the covers would match?

The Geeky Lover: Yep, I'm very anal about that. But I have to say the first cover will always be my favorite. I think the girl on it is branded in my brain...I will always think of Belle that way when I talk about this book.

The Obsessed Lover: I prefer the original cover also, and hopefully when I get my new copy it will have the original cover. The image on the first cover is absolutely how Belle looks in my mind also. I think the new covers are beautiful, but I am disappointed with the re-branding. The original spoke to the story, the new covers are just cool looking.

The Geeky Lover: Totally agree there!

Why is this your favorite Gena Showalter book?

The Geeky Lover: All of Gena's books are witty, hilarious, sexy and thrilling but this one made me laugh so much that my stomach hurt and I couldn't stop for a long time. I had to read it in one sitting. There was no way to put it down till I read the final résumé at the end. Just perfect! The characters are so wonderful, you just have to love them all.


The Obsessed Lover: Gena has a an awesome sense of humor and it translates right into her writing. Few authors can keep up with her brand of wit in writing. I have read most of her books, but this one just blew me away. A few things about this book really stood out for me - the most important is how well developed and memorable the characters are, Belle, Rome and especially (for me) Tanner “Crazy Bones” Bradshaw, were all such real people. Complete with personal demons, good decisions, bad decisions, insecurities, strength and the ability to laugh at each other as well as themselves.The world building was subtle and outstanding. Making me want to hang out some more, chill with that motley crew of heroes and get to know them better. And I totally agree with you that the resume at the end was the best! At the beginning Belle's employment issues were so funny to me because it made me wonder if Gena Showalter was stalking me to create Belle's work history! :D

The Geeky Lover: I thought her starting resume totally mirrored mine. Perhaps that's a reason we both love the book so much cuz we could totally get into Belle's head so to speak. I would do anything for a Grande Mocha Latte too! LOL

The Obsessed Lover: That might be it, hon. I bet there are a quiet a few other people who could get right into her head also - especially how she'd do anything for a Grande Mocha Latte, only for me it would be a Caramel Macchiato! LOL

What do think about Belle?

The Geeky Lover: Belle is a girl I would be friends with ASAP. Okay, she is a bit disorganized, but I'm like that most of the time too. She's special to me because she is caring. She tries to do everything in her powers to earn the money for her dads assisted living center. He gave everything to raise her in the past and she wants to give that back to him. She tries to work as much as she can to support him. Belle is a great friend and I think every girl would be happy to call her BFF. She's funny, witty and has a great attitude. I loved that she never gave up, wanted to solve all her problems and master her new abilities. And the to say it again she's just hilarious. Love her!


The Obsessed Lover: Belle is a Kick-ass heroine of the highest ranks! She doesn't back down from anything, whether it be (sorta) busting her butt in frustrating service jobs - while standing up to obnoxious customers, mastering her newly obtained powers or standing toe-to-toe with the bad guys. She has fears, but she doesn't let them slow her down or rule her as some heroine's we see in Urban Fantasy do, (Can you tell I have issues with heroine's who don't immediately step up to the plate & do what needs to be done?) I loved her! Like you I would love to be her friend and I feel a kinship to her that if she were a real person would be an unbreakable bond. She is hilarious and the level of caring she has for everyone in her life gives her a special place in my heart.

Belle Quote:
“Was it wrong of me to rely on the girls to get me out of trouble? Probably. Did I give a shit? Hell, no. In fact, I unabashedly adjusted them for ample display. I was single, twenty-four and determined to keep this job. Anyone who objected could blow me."


Could you imagine yourself in her position? Feel for her?

The Obsessed Lover: I think we both have already cover this, with a resounding "YES!", but do you have any more thoughts about it?

The Geeky Lover: Oh yes, I so can. Things like being the one to get the strange things put into her coffee- that is something that would happen to me. I can totally relate to her.


The Obsessed Lover:  It would definitely be something that happened to me, too! In fact nearly as bizarre things as what happened to her with the coffee do happen to me on a regular basis - so I can not only relate to her, I could be her! I must say though that I'd much rather end up with the ability to control the elements, especially the fire wielding powers than some of the things that have happened to me. (Ha! You think I'm kidding..but seriously, I'm not - some really bizarre things have happened to me...) LOL

Some people think Belle is too jealous, her temper is too short and she is flaky. What would you say to those people?

The Geeky Lover: I think all the things listed above made her more real to me. When I have to be honest I'm nearly always too jealous and can have a bad temper when BF is concerned. The poor guy sometimes just has to hide. So perhaps that's why I didn't mind that. I think this is like loving music. Some people like characters that way and some not. It would be totally boring if we would all like the same things. Would leave no room for discussion. 

The Obsessed Lover:  Once again I agree with you, all of those aspects of her character/personality making her more real. Sometimes a character is not a fully developed person in the story, which is not the case here.  Her jealousy, flakiness and temper make her into a whole person. I could relate to many of her actions, reactions and responses. I can be a very jealous person when it comes to my husband - I am not necessarily proud of it but it is real and by adding that personality trait to Belle's character so is she. As for flakiness and temper...well I believe we all have those character traits in us - whether we want to admit it or not. My temper is a strange beast, kind of like the Hulk, I am all sweetness & sunshine, most things don't bother me - but when I do lose my temper it gets ugly. It is there and it is more honest to add those traits to a hero or heroine in a story - that includes jealousy, as well. None of us are saints. That said if there weren't differing points of view on books things would as you said get pretty boring and we probably wouldn't have so many books available to choose from. It is those different feelings about books that spurs on the authors and publishers to create different types of books - so there is a hero or a heroine for each of us.

What was your first impression of Rome?

The Geeky Lover: I thought what does that asshole think he is? Seriously such a prick! Okay, he's yummy and all but no-one should be that arrogant. Really didn't like him in the first scene. But we girls can't be angry very long at our hero, can we? Not me when he is as hot as Rome is.

The Obsessed Lover: I am RIGHT there with you! In the beginning I said to myself "Not another arrogant, overly-macho, dominating hero that the girl falls for anyway, because he is such a hottie. Shaking my head and hoping it would get better I read on. Once Rome really developed it was hard to hate him and ultimately given 'what he is' it is not surprising that he acts the way he does - it really is how he should act under the circumstances. Okay, so I fell in love with him and wanted to keep him as my very own book-boyfriend. I am a Leo after all, so it is only fitting. (I'd go for Curran, but then The Smutty Book Lover would hunt me down...Phew, talk about a temper...nobody messes with her Curran.)

The Geeky Lover:  Okay so now finally starts the cat-fight about who can have Rome? No way, you can have him because...He. Is. Mine.

The Obsessed Lover: Nope you already lost him because 1- I am a Lioness by birth and 2- I had him first - remember I read the book in 2007! Ha! Ha!

The Geeky Lover: Nooooooooo...not fair. We will discuss that later. *starts sharpening her claws and puts on an evil grin*

What did you think about all of Belle's Nicknames throughout the book?

The Geeky Lover: I so loved that...can't decide which one is my favorite...Periodic Table Chic? That is my nerdy favorite for sure.

The Obsessed Lover:  I lean towards Periodic Table Chic, as well...but some of the others like: Homicidal Tendencies Wench, Fabulous Flame and Belle BBQ are really great too!


Coffee-shop scene anyone? Why is it so great?

The Geeky Lover: The whole chapter one is so hilarious. We get to know Belle and her life the way it is before everything gets supernatural. I love the way she talks to her customers and I have to think very often about this scene at when I'm at work. It's so funny and so real at the same time. And the annoying customers are funny too:

Excerpt from Coffee-shop:

“I’ll have a skinny venti vanilla, please,” my next customer said.
“Sugar free?” His face scrunched in disgust. 
“I said skinny, not tasteless.”
....Did I complain? 
Did I mix anyone a swirlie (aka spit in their drink)? 
No and no!...If I didn’t get Employee of the Week after this…Wait. I decided I’d rather have a break.

Who wouldn't love these customers. *snort*

The Obsessed Lover:  The whole chapter is hilarious and it sucks you right in with how 'real-life' it is. I laughed so hard at her thoughts and reactions to the annoying customers. I have never worked in that type of environment but I have been behind some people like that in line and had to restrain myself from saying some of the things Belle said or thought. When all hell-brakes loose in in the coffee shop we get our first glimpse of what Belle is really made of and what her priorities are...meaning coffee. *giggle*

Why is the interview scene so great?

The Geeky Lover:  This scene is where BF left the room so he could get away from my laughter. The way she answers the questions of the interview really made me snort my coffee over the table and I couldn't suppress the tears which shot into my eyes from all this laughing. Just for saying she prefers the term of "let go" to the term 'fired'. And the list of reason why she was let go from other jobs. And then she addressed the interviewer with the wrong name- more than once! I will stop raving about it now so you all can laugh about the jokes. It is so a scene everyone should read!!! When I'm feeling down I get my copy and read this scene. Always cheers me up!

Interview Excerpt:  
Me: Just give me a chance, Mr. uh, uh—
Interviewer: Mr. MacDonald.
Me: I’ll be the best damn, uh, uh—
Interviewer: Maid.
Me:—maid you’ve ever seen. Maid! That’s excellent. I told you about my five years of experience,
didn’t I? I’m great with people and even better with toilets, and that’s the Belle Jamison guarantee.
There’s nothing more solid than that, Mr. MacRonald.
Interviewer: It’s Donald.
Me: Why, thank you, Donald. You may call me Belle.
Interviewer: That’s not—never mind.

How does your impression of Rome change throughout the book or by the end?

The Geeky Lover:  As I said before I didn't like him at all at the beginning. He was such a jerk. But when we meet Alexis and Sunny he changed into something else for me. He is such a caring and wonderful man. I totally fell in love with him. The way he treats them both is so sweet, made me feel all warm inside. And he so knows what to do with Fabulous Flame between the sheets. LOL

The Obsessed Lover: That was where the change came for me also, when we meet Lexis and Sunny. His whole persona changed, we got to see another side of this very controlled, reserved man. We find that he really has a big heart, with big soft spots and that the reason he keeps people at a distance is because he wants to protect those he loves and not get hurt any further himself . And you are right he definitely knows how to *handle* Periodic Table Chick under the covers! Fantastic chemistry between them!

The Geeky Lover: Oh sooo much chemistry! *purr*

What did you think about the side characters, like Lexis and Tanner?

The Geeky Lover: I already told you all that I totally felt for Belle, so for sure Lexis was my enemy because she is the other woman. No way around that - I'm really loyal to my friends. Okay I admit it, she is nice but I won't say more good things about her. And Tanner, OMFG this boy is hilarious. Just think about his nickname Crazy Bones. And he really thinks that is a kewl name. He's crazy, a bit confused but one of the nicest people ever! Really liked him and think he has a great potential when he finally leaves his puberty behind.

The Obsessed Lover: I felt for Belle also when she met Lexis. It made it so much worse that Lexis was nice, because I wanted to completely hate her. It was a brave and interesting thing for Gena to do - adding in an Ex and child to a romantic story and making the Ex essentially a nice person - but I still didn't trust her. As for Mr. Tanner "Crazy Bones" - he seriously is one of my favorite characters of all time! He's immature, crazy and hilarious - bold and insecure. His caring and compassion are almost heartbreaking. I can't wait to see how he grows in the next book.

Belle and Tanner: 
"Rome wouldn’t hurt me. He’s all bark and no bite. Wait. He’s all purr and no bite. Damn.” Tanner     laughed. "They just keep coming. I’m unstoppable. I’m the Joker. Hey!” His eyes widened, and he clapped his hand on his thigh.“That can be my superhero name. The Sensitive Joker.” I snorted."Except you’re so not sensitive.”
“I am, too. I’m sensitive to other people’s feelings.”
“I think your new name needs to be the Amazing Ass.”
 He grinned in agreement. “I do have a cute ass, don’t I?”

Belle About Lexis:
“Lexis, who should be punched in the face right now, was working her way up my People to Punish When I Could Control My Powers list."

How was the pacing of the story? Action verses character development?

The Obsessed Lover: I felt like the pacing was just about perfect in this book. The story never felt dull to me. I never wanted to skip a few pages to get back to the action. The action was expertly spread throughout the book and the action scenes were easy to follow - there was never a  'wait a minute...who did what?' moment. I knew what was going on, who - when - where - how and why were clear. The action wasn't 'told' to you is was shown to you, also. I could see it like I was standing there in the room with them. I felt like character development happened in the action scenes as well as the regular scenes. And the development wasn't just happening for Belle, but for Rome, Tanner and even a bit of Lexis. It was more like witnessing people I know develop and mature than characters I was just reading about in a book.

The Geeky Lover: Totally agree there. The pacing is exactly right. I loved that the characterization was handled mostly over the actions of the characters and not just saying that they are that way. Nothing more to add to what you said! 

What did you think of the bad guys?

The Geeky Lover:  OMG it's always really bad when the bad are also pretty. Very deceiving! I so enjoyed the things Belle assumed in her head. Again really funny. The bad were nothing totally new but they worked good for the story. Won't say more cuz I don't want to head into Spoiler city. *g*

The Obsessed Lover: It is really rough when the bad guys are almost if not as pretty as the hero or heroine, but I love it! It did really worked for this book - without a doubt and the bad guys were well developed and not immediately obvious when reading the book. To say more than that would be giving away a bit too much and we did agreed to try to steer clear of major spoilers! ;D

What is your overall impression of Playing with Fire?

The Geeky Lover: Overall this book is a perfect book. A great companion for a bad day. Take the book and start laughing. It's wonderful and one of the books I have in my hand at least once a month . You haven't read it? Go get your copy. You so won't regret it!

The Obsessed Lover: My overall impression is a rollicking, joy ride with an insane group of your best friends. You'll experience some ups, some downs, you'll feel fear, triumph, and pain but no matter what you'll laugh and be glad you went! No doubt, you can't go wrong with this book. There is something, in some cases everything for everyone. Buy it and don't lose it because then you'll end up like me rummaging around used bookstores searching for a replacement with the cover you love so much - hoping against hope that you might even find your own copy with all your notes in it...but I digress...seriously it is worth the price of admission. No matter how much that price is!

For all of these reasons we give Playing with Fire 5 out of 5 Bookies!

If you had to chose one other book by Gena Showalter that you loved almost as much as Playing with Fire - excluding the sequel, Twice as Hot - What would that book be?

The Geeky Lover: That is a really tough question. I have 2 ( yep I'm cheating): 1. Animal Instincts- hilarious book with wonderful sexy men inside 2. Seduce the Darkness- Devyn is reason enough *dreams*

The Obsessed Lover: I only have one Catch a Mate, which is a contemporary romance not a PNR. I loved it almost as much as Playing with Fire that are really close together on the list.

Tell us what your favorite Gena Showalter book is?

~Susi & Heather