Review: Surviving Ice, by K.A. Tucker

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Synopsis

Ivy, a talented tattoo artist who spent the early part of her twenties on the move, is finally looking for a place to call home. She thinks she might have found it in San Francisco, but all that changes when she witnesses a terrible crime. She’s ready to pack up her things yet again, when a random encounter with a stranger keeps her in the city, giving her reason to stay after all.

That is, until Ivy discovers that their encounter wasn’t random. Not at all…

Review
5 out of 5 stars

I was kind of in a book slump when I started this book so my expectations were pretty low for finding something that would captivate and impress me.  Surviving Ice couldn't have been read at a better time for me because this book was just what I needed to get me out of a serious rut!  I loved every minute of this story.  It was unique, sexy, suspenseful, so much so that when I sat down to read it I actually read it cover to cover without putting it down.  I loved this one, and I have to say Ivy's story is probably my most favorite of the series.

Ivy is a talented tattoo artist who goes through life drifting from one place to another.  She hasn't really ever settled anywhere because none of the places she has worked or lived every really felt like home, nor was there ever really anything pulling at her heart strings making her want to stay.  She most recently re-located to California and is working in her uncle's shop, the uncle who taught her everything things she knows about her profession.  He's the one who ignited her passion for tattooing, the one who believes in her, accepts and loves her just as she is.  Just as she is beginning to feel settled, of feeling like she may want to plant permanent roots, she unexpectedly finds herself witnessing her uncle's murder.

Ivy is left shocked, horrified and desperate to run as far away from California as possible, but packing up and moving this time around isn't going to be so easy.  You see she has to help her cousin sell the house and the business both of which are going to require a lot of work.  Not to mention the customer's who keep knocking on her door, especially Sebastian, a new, mysterious customer who she cannot get out of her mind.  As things further develop with Sebastian, the mystery around her uncle's murder continues to grow leaving Ivy questioning every detail surrounding that night so, with no other choice other than figuring out exactly what happened and with the hopes of bringing her uncle justice she decides to stay, at least until the mystery is solved.

I totally loved Sebastian's character.  He is a quiet force.  His role is meant to study Ivy, find out what she knows and eliminate her if needed.  A former Navy Seal who know works in "private security" has never left a mission incomplete, but with Ivy nothing is at it seems and the more he gets to know of her the harder it is for him to stay away.  These two are so similar yet different enough that as a couple they bring out the best in one another.

Surviving Ice is perfectly paced, the story isn't rushed and things fall into place brilliantly.  I was afraid when the truth comes out that Ivy's reaction would be over the top, but it was genuine, real, heartbreaking and yet she handled it with grace and honesty.  I didn't want the story to end.  Spending time with Ivy and Sebastian made for an excellent escape from reality!  I love KA Tucker's ability to take readers on a unique journey where mystery and suspense dominate the journey and romance unfolds naturally.  Absolutely buy and read this book today!