Playing with Fire: Tales of an Extraordinary Girl [Mass Market Paperback]

Along come mad scientists, secret sub-government agencies and...control over the four elements? In a non-stop thrill of a laughter-inducing ride, one simple gal just trying to make a buck finds out there's more to life than coffee and the next lame job. Only problem is, will her new talents consume her, or will she master the potentially volatile forces?

Belle Jamison needs a new job to support not only her needs, but those of her elderly father too. She's trying extra hard not to screw up the job she has currently as well as the interview she's got later the same day. Only problem is she's a bit of a smart alec and she's hanging by a thread because of it. When a man bursts into the coffee shop where she works, begging for help, it's Belle who catches his eye. Hours later, after being detained by some pretty convincing agents, Belle's not feeling so hot. All she had was a mocha latte, so why the sudden flu-like symptoms? In a haze, she stumbles through her interview and barely makes it home where she collapses. The next morning doesn't bring any relief and to make matters worse, there's a hot man at her side--only his hotness is not the issue--his wanting to kill her is. With new powers come all new problems and Belle has to find a way to get back to simple `ole her. Only, she might be starting to like the new her...

Belle's story is in first person, so anyone not fond of those need be aware of this. Belle is perhaps one of my most favorite female leads I've ever encountered in a romance. She's determined, loyal to the good side and she knows what she wants and goes after it. Plus, she's got some faults and she's not afraid to admit it. It's the combination of her pluses and minuses that make her so unique. The dialogue throughout, with whomever she interacts with, is riddled with laugh-out-loud wit and I was very impressed with how the secondary characters shown through. Rome's role as hero was no less emphasized than Belle's and he is hot, hot hot! The addition of his family lent the story a desperate feel at times as he and Belle strive to make the world a safer place for people like them. If you are a fan of first person comedy/paranormal romances, heroines that save the day make you smile, heroes that make you sigh and a great cast of secondary characters, then I can't recommend this one enough. The plot wraps up very nicely, but sounds as if it might continue with more? Either way, I was thrilled and would love to see more if Ms. Showalter chooses to do so.

Belle Jamison could be described as somewhat flaky with a seriously smart mouth (reinforced by the number of times she's been "let go" by her employers), yet despite this she continues with her crummy jobs to pay for round the clock care her beloved father needs. Taking a brief break at her job as a waitress (with her superbly made Grande Mocha Latte), she never notices when a rambling man in a lab coat; insisting someone intends to kill him, adds his own perfected formula to her coffee.

Ill for over one week, Belle finds herself not only waking to find a major hottie threatening to neutralise her, she learns she has the ability to wield all aspects of the four elements; difficult to deny when your hands and eyes start spewing fire. Initially unable to trust this handsome stranger, Belle learns that agent Rome Masters has orders to deliver her to his boss for testing, possible recruitment to battle villainous psychics or life long imprisonment. With another agency out to capture Belle for their own use (and some far nastier tests) Belle not only finds herself trusting Rome, but also falling in love; somewhat dampened when she meets Rome's psychic, impossibly stunning ex-wife and their very special daughter.

Wise-cracking Belle just wants her ordinary old life back and initially finds it difficult to control her new powers. On the run with Rome and trying to evade capture by both secret psychic agencies, Belle soon learns emotions are the key to controlling her power over the elements; fear (the kind dodging bullets creates) is cold, sadness is rain and passion is most definitely fire, well proven when Rome sets her on flames quite literally. Now accompanied by an empath, and finally witnessing the special ability Rome possesses, they try to hunt the missing scientist and find his formula in the hope it will reverse Belle's abilities.

There are so many funny episodes in this book that I lost count; the suggestions concerning Belle's superhero name, her before superpowers and after superpowers résumés and anything that came out of Tanner's equally smart mouth (Belle's empathic side-kick) are just a few that deserve highlighting. This author never fails in producing humorous, seriously passionate, yet tender romances. Belle is a great character and initially a somewhat reluctant heroine; however her increasing control over her powers makes her realise she may have found her niche in life, maybe a life with Rome if he wasn't so determined to go into hiding with his ex-wife and daughter after his mission is complete. I now eagerly await GS's next scheduled paperback publication; "The Nymph King" is the third book in this author's "Atlantis" series and is due for release Feb 07.

A fast-paced, enthralling book! Another hit from an author who is quickly becoming one of my favourites!

Belle is an ordianry girl until she accidentally ingests a formula giving her power over the four elements, wind, earth, water & fire. The formula makes her seriously ill, & when she wakes up she is being "protected" by a secretive man, called Rome, who calmly talks about neutralising her. What follows is a race against time as Belle is wanted by both the good guys and the bad guys for testing in a lab, since she is the first one to successfully gain power from the formula. The deepening romance between Rome & Belle is truly touching & the love scenes are HOT!! This book is definitely worth the read!

One tip, though! I downloaded it as an eBook from WHSmith - cheaper & quicker!