Twice as Hot

TWICE AS HOT is the follow-up to PLAYING WITH FIRE, a novel that came out half a decade ago, but recently was re-released to be timed with this sequel. The books tell about normal, average, everyday girl Belle Jamison after ingesting some chemical formula that messed with her insides, giving her the power over the four elements.

At the end of PLAYING WITH FIRE, Belle had it all—hot fiancee; decent paying job; friends she could count on; some control over her powers. Sure, there were at least half a dozen bad guys (they knew about) coming after her, but she was alive and she was having hot sex; she was happy. The beginning of TWICE AS HOT sort of sends her love life back to square one.

In most other books I'd accuse the author of using show more a cheap play to keep the romantic tension going between Belle and Rome, but Showalter doesn't do that. It does mess with Belle's emotions, and she is a wreck without Rome with her; but she becomes someone stronger because of it. Other than a few indulgences in self-pity, Belle fights for her man, and proves to him—in his amnesiac state—that she an excellent agent.

Rome is amusing to read about. It's a case of listen to what I say, not what I do for him, really. He keeps saying 'I want nothing to do with you, I love Lexis'...and then can't keep his hands off of Belle. He claims he doesn't care at all for Belle...then gets jealous if she flirts with his long time friend Cody. Watching them re-build their relationship wasn't déjà vu we just witnessed in the last book, because in this one, they are on more equal footing.

I admired Belle in this book far more than I did in the first book. She doesn't cave in to her feelings of despair; she makes some clever moves and faces down against a tough enemy. If Rome hadn't fallen in love with her all over again, I probably would have murdered him myself.

Lexis, Rome's ex-wife, gets off easy, if you ask me. Her part in what happens to Rome is despicable. Her reasoning is sympathy inducing, but her methods are less than honorable. Way less than honorable. Rat-like even. The addition of Elaine, who drains energy, and Jean-Luc, who steals memories to cast, aren't intrusive at all. I felt bad for Jean-Luc, more so than Lexis, who did the right thing in the end even though it nearly killed him to do so. Elaine was a sarcastic, angry pixie with spirit. I loved her.

TWICE AS HOT was more than worth waiting for. It's fun, it's amusing, and has hot sex. What more can you ask for? show less

Divertente ed irriverente questo secondo capitolo della duologia di Gena Showalter si merita davvero un bel commento. Decisamente molto originale rispetto alla saga Demon's che, nonostante sia una delle mie preferite, rispecchia sempre uno schema piuttosto sfruttato per vampiri e demoni da qualche tempo: il gruppo di guerrieri da accoppiare di volta in volta con delle umane.

In questo caso invece lo stile ironico ed avvincente di Gena Showalter si mostra davvero senza indugi. Lo stile è piacevole, scorrevole e molto intrigante dato che è narrato tutto dal punto di vista della protagonista che ha un caratterino niente male.

I coprotagonisti sono tutti molto ben caratterizzati. Rome ci piace, e molto! Ma anche tutti gli altri sono show more piacevoli e divertenti... Se non vogliamo considerare Lexis.

Vivace e rocambolesco questo romanzo si legge facilmente in un giorno e, fra una risata e l'altra che sicuramente vi fare, non potrete che domandarvi chi, francamente, abbia ideato il nome di "Super Assorbente" per una delle nuove protagoniste! show less

This is the sequel to Playing with Fire. It was a good book and lots of fun to read. If you liked the first book you will like this book even more! This is a light-hearted book not meant to be taken all that seriously.

Belle is finally getting her life together. She has a great job as a paranormal investigator, her superpowers are under control...kind of, and she is planning her wedding to Rome Masters (the super hottie she meet in the first book). Then everything goes wrong Rome gets attacked by Memory Man and has all his memories of Belle stolen and Rome's exwife is feeding Rome lies to turn Rome against Belle. Memory Man has disappeared and seems to involved with super-villain Desert Girl. If Belle wants to salvage her relationship show more with Rome, first she will have to track down Memory Man and save the world from Desert Girl.

If you liked the first book in this series you will like this book. This was a fun and fast-paced read. You are really pulling for Belle as she struggles to deal with Rome's evil ex-wife. Tanner is a lot of fun and you see more of Cody (the lightening wiedling superhero) than before. The plot is well done and the book is very readable and engaging.

Belle does a better job of holding her own in this story than in the previous book. You also get to see a bit more superhero butt kicking than in the first book. There still is a lot of sex and talking about sex and groping...so this book is definitely more on the romance side of paranormal romance. Still it is all in good fun and leaves you feeling happy at the end :-)

At times Belle is still a bit immature and needy; especially in the beginning of the book. She does manage to pull herself together though and redeems herself in the end. Also it was a bit corny how everyone was grouped into happy couples at the end; definitely a fairy tale romance type of book.

Overall a great fun summer read and a feel good novel. Just beware this is more romance than urban fantasy. Belle isn't my favorite heroine, but she's alright and she's fun to read about. I hope that Showalter does more books in this world. So, far this is my favorite series by Showalter. show less

I bought this book as soon as it hit the shelves, in the hopes of purchasing the first book also but it was out of stock at that time and so months had passed until I decided that I can probably get through this without the first book... It worked. Belle, Rome, Tanner, Lexis, Cody, Sheridan and Co. have such solid characters that I never regret that I haven't read the first book yet plus the important details of the past was embedded in Twice as Hot so, my questions was answered. From how Belle got her powers? How did Rome and Belle met? Who was the villain? Who is responsible for all these experiments? (yes as far as I can tell only 2 of the characters are legit - born with their powers) What is OSSA? PSI? etc...

Twice As Hot starts show more with Belle talking to Sheridan about the wedding, Tanner's depression and her blinding love for Rome. The love for the man in question was everything that she describe and then more. I wasn't not sure that I will like Belle due to the infinite swooning and praise about her man. I could tell that she has a strong personality and I hate that she has become one of those women who forget who they are when they are in love but that all changed when Lexis (her fiance's ex wife, mother of her fiance's child, who also broke Tanner's heart) came knocking at the door to inform her that something has happened. Rome and Cody was injured but now out of harm's way. Upon hearing this news she rushed to their headquarters where she was faced with the greatest shock of her life, now with all the villains who came chasing her from Playing with Fire this one seems to be the most heart breaking of them all, Rome Master the love of her life does not remember who she is! All the memories of her was stolen by a supernatural scientific experiment known as Memory Man and what's worse was the bitch ex-wife is trying to take him back.

What would you do if you were placed on Belle's shoes? Man instead of having that awesome cat fight with Lexis, I would have probably torched her or freeze her. I like the whole premise of the story. The superheros vs. villain gives me the feel of the supernatural world as supposed to the comic hero type. I am very intrigue on the character of Dr. Roberts, I got to get book one. I love the new Belle she's stronger, more goal oriented and more independent as a woman and as an agent. The supporting characters are also key on the success of these book. Tanner is my favorite of them all. He is the perfect guy friend. Perverted, protective, funny and loving.

I have added this on my "favorite series shelf", this is a must read series. Love, action, drama, girl fight, comedy, and intense emotions while saving the world one scrim (supernatural criminal) at a time. After chapter one, I couldn't let sleep get in the way of finishing these book. show less

I really liked the characters in this book. They were just a lot of fun. It veered from the usual roles in paranormal romance - there's an ex-wife and a child for the hero, the heroine isn't a virgin, etc. I also liked that this book went beyond the happily ever after with the same couple as the first book.

Very Good. i am not usually a fan of this type of extreme paranormal book but this was very good. I would like to read the book that is the prequal to this at some point. I truly enjoyed her writing style.

Wow, Rome the uber hot Alpha male loses his memories of his fiance' Belle, during wedding planing. Everything they had is gone for him, leaving her broken. The PSI takes on a super bad, that has awesome wicked powers and wants more. The "gang" has to overcome this memory obstacle and find a way to develop powers strong enough to win. Not so easy, friends are kidnapped, another betrays and love has gone haywire. An exciting and enjoyed tale.. I want more of this story, write more Ms. Showalter. Fav new character-Jean Luc