Title: The Heart of Frost
Series: North Pole City Tales 02
Author: Charlie Cochet
Genre: Fantasy, Christmas
Length: Novella (120pgs)
ISNB: 978-1-62798-393-8
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (18th December 2013)
Heat Level: Low – Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: At the North Pole, no one is more powerful and feared than the Prince of Frost. As general of the toy soldier army, Jack Frost has been working extra hard to put away the villainous Mouse King once and for all. If that isn’t taxing enough, Jack has to deal with the scandal and gossip brought on by news of his relationship with Rudy Rein Dear, captain of the Rein Dear Squadron, which hit headlines last holiday season. Lucky for Jack, his reputation has managed to deter any foolish attempts to stir up trouble. At least until now.
When someone sabotages Rudy’s plane during a test run a few weeks before Christmas, Jack is determined to find the culprit by any means necessary. The closer he gets to finding answers, the more difficulty he has not falling back to his icy ways. Has the Mouse King stepped up his game in order to throw Jack off his, or is someone a little closer to home behind the attempt on Rudy’s life? Either way, Jack has every intention of delivering a Christmas they won’t soon forget, even if it means losing the newfound warmth in his heart.
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4517
Review: This story is part of a series and is best read in order. Jack and Rudy have faced scrutiny since their relationship was revealed, but Jack’s reputation stops others from causing them trouble. With Jack working extra hard to stop the Mouse King and his villainous plans and Rudy working on being the best Rein Dear pilot around their relationship is still going strong. But someone isn’t happy with Jack, and Rudy’s plane is sabotaged, with Rudy severally injured Jack goes on the hunt for the culprit but without Rudy to temper the ice Jack just might lose himself to the power of the ice. Can Rudy save Jack from himself or will Jack’s heart become encased in ice again?
Oh oh oh oh *squee* I was so happy when I began to read this book and saw that it was Jack and Rudy from Mending Noel, I couldn’t wait to find out how they were doing and what was happening in the North Pole and I was so pleased to see that although it was a year later we still discover that the chase for the Mouse King has only just ended. We join Jack and Rudy at the Silver Bells Christmas Ball and they are as in love as they have always been, but just a few short days later everything is crumbling around them and Jack is losing himself to the ice inside him.
Well if Mending Noel was a sweet, exciting story tinged with danger and conspiracy then this one is a sweet daring romance that is tinged with darkness and mystery. We follow along with this story with a confusing bewilderment, why would someone try to kill Rudy? Is it the Mouse King trying to get even with Jack? Or is someone finally acting on their jealousy of Jack and Rudy’s relationship? Or is it someone completely unexpected who has a grudge? Rudy and Jack might be madly in love but others are unhappy that they have rocked the status quo and that they have supported Noel and Tim in their relationship, so just who has the balls to launch a sneak attack on Jack and Rudy?
I loved this story and thought it was a very fitting one for Jack and Rudy, Jack is the most feared being in the North Pole and with good reason, we learn about his past and how Rudy slowly gained his love and how they will stand against anything thrown their way. But, as Jack seeks revenge for his poor injured love you see him start to revert to the icy being that laid waste to all around him during the Frost War, Rudy is the only one with a chance to keep him from losing himself but will he be able to melt the icy shell encasing his heart? It is something that Rudy isn’t sure of, but Kringle’s faith in him drives him to try.
I recommend this to those who love a Christmas mystery, saving the one you love from themselves, cute elves, a strong abiding love, great characters and a very happy Christmas ending.