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Judd Lauren has successfully fled his former life as a Psy Arrow for the dubious safety of the Snowdancer Changeling pack. While Judd keeps to himself his expertise as a cold blooded assassin is helping the pack through some serious times. Brenna was an innocent till her mind was severely damaged by a Psy serial killer. She fears she may become a killer herself due to the evil that was left in her.

When a body is discovered in the Changeling home the pack braces for danger, Brenna finds help from the unlikely source of Judd, and as further atrocities are committed attention turns to a likely Psy attack. However there is a danger closer to home as one of the Pack seeks to silence Brenna before she can remember something locked away in her subconscious. With Judd at her side, much to the anger of her over protective brothers, Brenna must survive long enough to remember what she has forgotten. With passion blooming between the pair can Brenna reach out again and can Judd overcome his Psy conditioning to feel warmth for another human being. Physical danger isn't the only issue the pair will face.

The third in Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series Caressed by Ice follows the same basic format as the previous novel, Visions of Heat. We focus on two separate characters who had minor roles in the series kick off novel Slave to Sensation, and follow their relationship as the world around them gets steadily more dangerous. So hey anyone claiming they didn't know what they were letting themselves in for with a novel in this series is telling a few lies. We get some violence, lots of smouldering heat, and Singh doesn't shy away from bringing the passion when the novel needs it.

As opposed to the previous couple of novels Singh has upped the danger levels in Caressed by Ice. Not only are the Psy a clear and present danger to the Clan, but there's also a fourth column in their ranks that threatens to ravage the careful constructed relationships the Changelings require in order to function. Added bonus is Judd Lauren's penchant for working against the Psy Council, and his membership of a small terrorist group intent on stopping the Council's progression on mind control. There's dangers inherent in the Psy way of life, serial killers being the most obvious, and Judd is working toward the total deconstruction of “the silence” the Council believes is necessary to Psy society. What with guarding Brenna and worrying about the rest of the Lauren family, it's surprising Judd has time to consider his own feelings and a growing fascination with the Snowdancer.

While Caressed by Ice focuses on the relationship between Judd and Brenna, Singh continues her work of building up our knowledge of both Psy and Changeling societies, once again a remarkable achievement in having two separate groups of people realistical portrayed, and what looks increasingly like a major clash coming up between them. This time the Psy Council take more of a militarist approach to dealing with the Changelings, and Singh doesn't shy away from bring into focus the casualties of the approach. So if wondering, yes you should be reading this series in chronological order as each book builds on what has gone on in previous novels in the series.

While Nalini Singh might be writing in the much maligned genre of paranormal romance (PR), she once again proves with Caressed by Ice that she is an Author with imposing talent. Remembering here that the general hate directed towards PR can be attributed directly to the woefully inept writing of Stephenie Meyer, a large body of trash fan fiction, PR being predominately viewed as a female genre, or indeed some combination of all three issues. Singh, along with a number of other writers in the PR field, must force a re-evaluation of the genre as she raises the standard well above the normal perception of slush.

From a personal perspective I really enjoyed Caressed by Ice, though there is a certain feeling of “sameness” creeping in through the Psy-Changeling novels. Nalini Singh can certainly write a scene well, and doesn't shy away from the more brutal aspects of the novel or turn off the lights during the more steamy episodes. Got to say I'm now hooked in the overall story arc and am anticipating each novel to see where things might head as large cracks appear in the cold faced Psy world. Recommended novel, far superior to the Twilight books, and a cracking good read for those cold winter nights we are currently enduring. Curl up in bed with this one.

The official Hachette page for Caressed by Ice is right here. All good book stores should stock the novel, if they don't demand a copy is ordered in or go elsewhere. Nalini Singh's official site, with regular updates, can be found over in this direction. For Singh fans, we know you are reading, a must visit web address.