When the gods breathed life into us, they blessed us with an element. Pity they didn’t care to bless us with anything else.Princess Nymira’s life changed forever when a coup forced her to flee north. In doing so, she found herself mated to Zorren, the formidable Ice Lord. Their instant connection was undeniable but their budding relationship is not without challenges. Mira must now face the open … now face the open hostility of a foreign court as she attempts to carve out a niche by Zorren’s side. New enemies work tirelessly to drive a wedge between the newly mated pair and their tentative bond of trust is tested to the limit. Are Mira and Zorren strong enough to withstand the storm, or will her most guarded secret drive them apart…
…forever?
Publisher’s Note: This is book two in the Bride of Fire Trilogy. This fantasy romance contains elements of danger, suspense, mystery, adventure, and sensual scenes set in an apocalyptic world.
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Playing with Fire by Jane Burrelli is book two in her Bride of Fire series. In this book, we are reunited with Mira and Zorren. Mira is struggling to find her place among Zorren’s people, but with her being a Firelander it’s not easy. With the bad blood between her people and his people, this makes things even harder between them. With Mira keeping secrets from Zorren, this only takes things from bad to worse. Zorren is battling himself and his own counsel as he works to take care of his people, but in the process begins to ignore Mira as well. Mira is not used to being in a place of where she holds no political clout. She quickly comes to see that the ground she stands on is precarious at best. Due to misunderstandings, lies, and tactful manipulation it isn’t long before Mira and Zorren’s relationship is put to the test and frayed to the point that if they aren’t careful they will lose everything.
Playing with Fire brings us a step deeper into Mira and Zorren’s story. Zorren knows that Mira is his mate, but he lets those who surround him influence him in ways that will cost him. Mira is still a strong female character, but we get to see more flaws in her character. She is strong-willed but she takes things too far at times in my opinion. I like that when certain situations arise that she doesn’t back down from them. Mira and Zorren have a lot to face in this story, and the question of what will happen not just with them but with the kingdom is constant. This book truly touches on the differences between them and the politics of court that they each face. Mira must face her rivals, threats and much more. Zorren must take a stand one way or another. This story truly shows the tests that they will face as they work to come together.
There are some steamy situations in this story, but thanks to overheard conversations, miscommunications, and unchecked lies things take a rough turn between the two. I like that we get to see the danger that Mira faces. It leads one to think that if she is facing this danger then for sure Zorren is facing it as well, but unknowingly. I don’t like that Mira gives head to her stubbornness so much in this story. Zorren makes mistakes, but it seems like she is intent on making him pay at every turn. Nothing he does appeases her even a little, regardless of the fact that she sees how much he is hurting. I’ll admit that her behavior irritates me, but I have hope that things will work out.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. The author keeps me engaged throughout the story. Some questions are answered from the first book, but the second book still ends with questions unanswered and the question of what happens next looming. If you have not read the first book in this series I highly recommend that you go back and read it first. When I first started reading this book I had not read the first one, so I went back and started with that one. It helps to lay the foundation for the characters so that you are better able to understand the dynamics and relationship. I’m hoping that all will come to light in the next book in the series and that things will be well in the end. This book is engaging and the characters are riveting. An intense fantasy romance novel that I recommend.