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Steele Street #2
Crazy Cool
She's sizzling hot...He's icy cool.
He called her Bad Luck Dekker, a gorgeous socialite who trailed trouble in her wake. Christian Hawkins should know. Thirteen years ago he saved Kat Dekkerâ s lifeâ only to spend two years in jail for a crime he didnâ t commit. Now itâ s dÃjà vu all over again when he rescues Kat from an explosion that rips through a Denver art auction. This time Christianâ now an operative with an elite U.S. task forceâ plans to keep her close until he figures out why somebody wants to kill her. That is, if he can keep his cool around this sizzling-hot lady.â ¦
The daughter of a senator, Kat hasnâ t forgotten the hot summer nights of passion in Christianâ s arms before everything went wrong. Now, as the bullets start flying, the sexy, self-appointed bodyguard is back in her life in a major way. Especially when Christian kidnaps her and they go roaring into the night in his brute-powered muscle car. But staying out of danger is tough for two people who are this hot for each other, a little bit crazy, and a whole lot in loveâ ¦.
From the Paperback edition.
He called her Bad Luck Dekker, a gorgeous socialite who trailed trouble in her wake. Christian Hawkins should know. Thirteen years ago he saved Kat Dekkerâ s lifeâ only to spend two years in jail for a crime he didnâ t commit. Now itâ s dÃjà vu all over again when he rescues Kat from an explosion that rips through a Denver art auction. This time Christianâ now an operative with an elite U.S. task forceâ plans to keep her close until he figures out why somebody wants to kill her. That is, if he can keep his cool around this sizzling-hot lady.â ¦
The daughter of a senator, Kat hasnâ t forgotten the hot summer nights of passion in Christianâ s arms before everything went wrong. Now, as the bullets start flying, the sexy, self-appointed bodyguard is back in her life in a major way. Especially when Christian kidnaps her and they go roaring into the night in his brute-powered muscle car. But staying out of danger is tough for two people who are this hot for each other, a little bit crazy, and a whole lot in loveâ ¦.
From the Paperback edition.
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 25, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
September 3, 2010
5 stars – Romantic Suspense
My ode to Christian “aka Superman”.....
C-razy, cool, coconut oil obsessed Christian
H-awkins is a hottie bad boy hero who drives a
R-ockin’ muscle car named Roxanne and
I-wanna lick him up ‘cause he’s
S-ex on a stick and his
T-attoos drive me wild and
I-wanna trace them with my tongue, even
A-midst explosions, guns blazing, and bad guys chasing ‘cause there’s just
N-ever enough of Christian!!!!
My ode to Christian “aka Superman”.....
C-razy, cool, coconut oil obsessed Christian
H-awkins is a hottie bad boy hero who drives a
R-ockin’ muscle car named Roxanne and
I-wanna lick him up ‘cause he’s
S-ex on a stick and his
T-attoos drive me wild and
I-wanna trace them with my tongue, even
A-midst explosions, guns blazing, and bad guys chasing ‘cause there’s just
N-ever enough of Christian!!!!
March 21, 2011
*4.5 Stars*
I just finished this book and I am still grinning like a fool. I am not a fan of contemporary books normally, but Janzen has slipped beneath my guard and is making a liar out of me. Obviously I can't say that I dislike contemporaries anymore because I just love this series! It is so sexy and so fast paced and just so fun that I can't resist it.
When you open this book you will be in for a wild ride. Once the action (and the attraction) starts it just won't stop. Even though these books take place over a short amount of time I never feel like anything is lacking in the romance. The author has been smart and made the main characters second-chance-romances so you feel the connection and attraction even though they don't have weeks and months to get to know each other before hooking up. Also, some of the future romances have been slowly built up as secondary romances through these books so we'll have history with them as well when we finally get to read their wild ride.
I really loved that the author showed us so many clips of Christian and Kat's past together. It really helped make their feelings authentic and I could totally understand how Superman (aka Christian) let everything get so out of control. The time that Kat got drunk and tried to seduce him in the elevator was a good example of this. I also thought it was adorable and sexy that he tried to be cool but totally broke down and spilled all his feelings for her the minute he got back in a *ahem* familiar situation.
Christian and Kat were so perfect together. They were from two completely different worlds and were complete opposites in some respects (she's a slob and he's a neat freak), but they couldn't resist each other when they got within a hundred yards of each other.
The dialogue and the humor were perfect. These books make me smile and laugh and they are completely sexy as well. The attraction was as irresistible to me as it was to the characters. Their attraction popped and that car scene was very hot.
The setup is secondary to the romance instead of the other way around, but that's how I prefer it. The mystery and murders were just a vehicle to put the characters together so I could enjoy them. :)
Kat's mom is completely psycho and I didn't like that Kat softened toward her at the end, or that Kat couldn't man up with her at times, but that was really my only complaint. Other than that I loved it! How can I not love a second-chance-romance where the guy has been calling the girl Bad Luck Dekker for the last thirteen years?
I just finished this book and I am still grinning like a fool. I am not a fan of contemporary books normally, but Janzen has slipped beneath my guard and is making a liar out of me. Obviously I can't say that I dislike contemporaries anymore because I just love this series! It is so sexy and so fast paced and just so fun that I can't resist it.
When you open this book you will be in for a wild ride. Once the action (and the attraction) starts it just won't stop. Even though these books take place over a short amount of time I never feel like anything is lacking in the romance. The author has been smart and made the main characters second-chance-romances so you feel the connection and attraction even though they don't have weeks and months to get to know each other before hooking up. Also, some of the future romances have been slowly built up as secondary romances through these books so we'll have history with them as well when we finally get to read their wild ride.
I really loved that the author showed us so many clips of Christian and Kat's past together. It really helped make their feelings authentic and I could totally understand how Superman (aka Christian) let everything get so out of control. The time that Kat got drunk and tried to seduce him in the elevator was a good example of this. I also thought it was adorable and sexy that he tried to be cool but totally broke down and spilled all his feelings for her the minute he got back in a *ahem* familiar situation.
Christian and Kat were so perfect together. They were from two completely different worlds and were complete opposites in some respects (she's a slob and he's a neat freak), but they couldn't resist each other when they got within a hundred yards of each other.
The dialogue and the humor were perfect. These books make me smile and laugh and they are completely sexy as well. The attraction was as irresistible to me as it was to the characters. Their attraction popped and that car scene was very hot.
The setup is secondary to the romance instead of the other way around, but that's how I prefer it. The mystery and murders were just a vehicle to put the characters together so I could enjoy them. :)
Kat's mom is completely psycho and I didn't like that Kat softened toward her at the end, or that Kat couldn't man up with her at times, but that was really my only complaint. Other than that I loved it! How can I not love a second-chance-romance where the guy has been calling the girl Bad Luck Dekker for the last thirteen years?
August 29, 2015
Crazy Cool was another winner in the fabulous Steele Street series. I’m absolutely loving this entertaining and fun brand of romantic suspense, with its action, humour and sexy romance. I can see Tara Janzen’s Steele Street sitting comfortably alongside Pamela Clare’s I-Team and Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooters as my favourite RS series.
Although not quite as action-packed as the first book Crazy Hot, Crazy Cool still had that wonderful Tara Janzen style, and shared the same ‘feel’. Christian ‘Superman’ Hawkins is every bit as hot as Quinn Younger, and the cars are still there, although they don’t play quite as prominent a role.
Crazy Cool is a second-chance romance between former car thief now SDF (Special Defense Force) agent Hawkins and prom queen/senator’s daughter Katya Dekker. Thirteen years ago, on the night of her prom, Kat was in serious trouble until Hawkins, a stranger, showed up out of nowhere to save her.
What followed was an intense and idyllic month of unparalleled and uninterrupted intimacy between 18 year old America’s sweetheart, Kat and 19 year old bad-boy, Hawkins, which ended dramatically when Kat’s ex-boyfriend was murdered and Hawkins was charged and convicted of the crime. They haven’t spoken since.
But when Hawkins is assigned to do security detail at an art auction, history repeats itself when he again finds himself saving Bad Luck Dekker, and learns that someone is out to frame him all over again. Despite the intervening years, the destructive way their romance ended, and the danger and intrigue they currently face, Kat and Hawkins again find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other against their better judgment.
The author provides the perfect blend of action, steam, romance and humour to create a uniquely fun and satisfying read. This one was more focused on the relationship and history between Kat and Hawkins, with less of the fast-paced action from the previous book. Thankfully, there were no TSTL moments from the heroine this time round, and we also got a surprise regarding one of the SDF team that I didn’t see coming.
We were also treated to more of the wonderful and ongoing Kid and Nikki storyline from the previous book, but the author needs to be careful with this scene-stealing couple – they almost showed up the main event.
Although not quite as action-packed as the first book Crazy Hot, Crazy Cool still had that wonderful Tara Janzen style, and shared the same ‘feel’. Christian ‘Superman’ Hawkins is every bit as hot as Quinn Younger, and the cars are still there, although they don’t play quite as prominent a role.
Crazy Cool is a second-chance romance between former car thief now SDF (Special Defense Force) agent Hawkins and prom queen/senator’s daughter Katya Dekker. Thirteen years ago, on the night of her prom, Kat was in serious trouble until Hawkins, a stranger, showed up out of nowhere to save her.
What followed was an intense and idyllic month of unparalleled and uninterrupted intimacy between 18 year old America’s sweetheart, Kat and 19 year old bad-boy, Hawkins, which ended dramatically when Kat’s ex-boyfriend was murdered and Hawkins was charged and convicted of the crime. They haven’t spoken since.
But when Hawkins is assigned to do security detail at an art auction, history repeats itself when he again finds himself saving Bad Luck Dekker, and learns that someone is out to frame him all over again. Despite the intervening years, the destructive way their romance ended, and the danger and intrigue they currently face, Kat and Hawkins again find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other against their better judgment.
The author provides the perfect blend of action, steam, romance and humour to create a uniquely fun and satisfying read. This one was more focused on the relationship and history between Kat and Hawkins, with less of the fast-paced action from the previous book. Thankfully, there were no TSTL moments from the heroine this time round, and we also got a surprise regarding one of the SDF team that I didn’t see coming.
We were also treated to more of the wonderful and ongoing Kid and Nikki storyline from the previous book, but the author needs to be careful with this scene-stealing couple – they almost showed up the main event.
June 23, 2008
Christian Hawkins was sentenced to life in prison for murder as a nineteen year old when he became involved with Katya Dekker, a senator's daughter. After being released because someone else confesses to the murder, Christian joins his old gang of car thief buddies as a special government agent. Years later, he and another agent are sent to provide security at an art auction where Christian sees Katya for the first time since he was arrested as a teenager. When an explosion occurs at the auction, Christian whisks Katya away to safety. As people and events from their past start to surface, they realize that they are in danger. As they work together to find out what really happened thirteen years ago, they quickly become involved again.
I loved this book at least as much as the first one in the series. I quickly became caught up in the characters, and I enjoyed the fast moving action. I liked the steamy relationship between the hero and the heroine, and I appreciated reading about a hero who is willing to admit his feelings right away. The other agents of SDF were also in the book, and I am already interested in them and anxious to read their stories.
I loved this book at least as much as the first one in the series. I quickly became caught up in the characters, and I enjoyed the fast moving action. I liked the steamy relationship between the hero and the heroine, and I appreciated reading about a hero who is willing to admit his feelings right away. The other agents of SDF were also in the book, and I am already interested in them and anxious to read their stories.
March 25, 2008
2nd book in the Crazy series. Same premise as the other one. This one focuses on a different team member. The guy in it is...GUH! I was drooling over him. Another former car thief. When he was about 19, he started seeing a senator's daughter. They had a hot fling, then he was accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend. He spent 2 years in jail for the murder, but then was pardoned. Now 13 years later, he meets up with the girl again, and they end up on the run together for issues dealing with the original murder. Again, very fast paced and very hot. As I said, the guy is just yummy. He's got this tattoo that's just...mmmm. Anyway....I've enjoyed both books. There are apparently going to be 4 more books in the series. Looking forward to reading them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2010
Okay, I'm going to try to not gush.....this book was amazing. I loved it, loved it, loved it. I really don't know where to start. I'd like to say "JUST BUY IT AND READ IT FOR HEAVENS SAKE", but I'll try to give a few reasons why you should.
First off, this book is second in the "crazy" series. A series about a group of top notch special force operatives. All these men, (and "woman", I won't spoil it with any more info) are just larger than life, sexy, brave, talented soldiers and are all stuff that dreams are made of. I loved Crazy Hot, but I think Crazy Cool is even better.
Katya and Christian are a couple that you soon will not forget. They have a past, in fact, Christian was falsely accused of murder and imprisoned after protecting her when they were younger. Now fate has brought them back together and this is their story. This is a story of mystery, revenge, and of deep enduring passion. It is a page turner and one that I finished in no time flat.
We also catch up with Kid and Nikki in this book, (the secondary couple in Crazy Hot), and again they steal the show. They alone are worth the price of admission and I can't wait until they get their own book. The steam leaps off the pages whenever they are on them.
If your looking for mystery..this book will satisfy, if you're looking for passion and romance, this book will blow your mind. It's just that good. I will read this whole series...probably again and again. Do not hesitate. Buy this book now. Wait. You might as well but the whole darn series. If you're like me, your only regret will be if you don't have the next book in the series on hand to start after you finish reading this one.
First off, this book is second in the "crazy" series. A series about a group of top notch special force operatives. All these men, (and "woman", I won't spoil it with any more info) are just larger than life, sexy, brave, talented soldiers and are all stuff that dreams are made of. I loved Crazy Hot, but I think Crazy Cool is even better.
Katya and Christian are a couple that you soon will not forget. They have a past, in fact, Christian was falsely accused of murder and imprisoned after protecting her when they were younger. Now fate has brought them back together and this is their story. This is a story of mystery, revenge, and of deep enduring passion. It is a page turner and one that I finished in no time flat.
We also catch up with Kid and Nikki in this book, (the secondary couple in Crazy Hot), and again they steal the show. They alone are worth the price of admission and I can't wait until they get their own book. The steam leaps off the pages whenever they are on them.
If your looking for mystery..this book will satisfy, if you're looking for passion and romance, this book will blow your mind. It's just that good. I will read this whole series...probably again and again. Do not hesitate. Buy this book now. Wait. You might as well but the whole darn series. If you're like me, your only regret will be if you don't have the next book in the series on hand to start after you finish reading this one.
September 15, 2010
This was a mess. In some places a very enjoyable mess, but there were at least three stories going on and one of them eclipsed all the others, including the main romance. Christian deserved better.
As I mentioned in one of my status updates, there was a lot of padding. Christian and Kat rehashed their teenage melodrama over and over and over. I skimmed a lot of their scenes.
About halfway through the book, Travis the Wonder Stud (as Kid Chaos calls him) suddenly becomes a major player and we get his POV and multiple scenes. Huh?
And finally, Kid Chaos's story eclipsed all of them for emotion and depth. I know what goes on here is back story for his own book, but I wonder if it should have played out more in the background with less Kid POV. As it was I found myself only interested in what was going on with him.
Still, I kind of like the premise of the Steele Street boys and their adventures, so I'll probably read on. I'm not sure how far I can tolerate more messes like this one, though. Too many POVs, too much padding, and too little depth in the main storyline. I think this author is capable of better.
As I mentioned in one of my status updates, there was a lot of padding. Christian and Kat rehashed their teenage melodrama over and over and over. I skimmed a lot of their scenes.
About halfway through the book, Travis the Wonder Stud (as Kid Chaos calls him) suddenly becomes a major player and we get his POV and multiple scenes. Huh?
And finally, Kid Chaos's story eclipsed all of them for emotion and depth. I know what goes on here is back story for his own book, but I wonder if it should have played out more in the background with less Kid POV. As it was I found myself only interested in what was going on with him.
Still, I kind of like the premise of the Steele Street boys and their adventures, so I'll probably read on. I'm not sure how far I can tolerate more messes like this one, though. Too many POVs, too much padding, and too little depth in the main storyline. I think this author is capable of better.
October 2, 2010
Crazy fun! Janzen's writing style is very different from most R/S I have read. She let's the reader into the characters heads. We hear their thoughts both random and otherwise as well as their words. This makes for some hilarious moments but also for some redundancy (which is very realistic - how often do we notice that hot guys gorgeous lips for instance - that's natural. Reading it every time can get, well, redundant!) It does add a measure of depth, however that one usually doesn't get when reading just the surface stuff.
The action sequences are edge-of-your-seat good and the mystery intense and fun to figure out. The romance, however, takes the cake - hot and YUMMY! (scene skippers beware). I'm not sure I liked the secondary stories completely interrupting the plot (as in switch chapters - switch stories) instead of being interwoven delicately but each one was riveting and they did draw out those characters to the point I was hooked and need to read the rest in the series.
The action sequences are edge-of-your-seat good and the mystery intense and fun to figure out. The romance, however, takes the cake - hot and YUMMY! (scene skippers beware). I'm not sure I liked the secondary stories completely interrupting the plot (as in switch chapters - switch stories) instead of being interwoven delicately but each one was riveting and they did draw out those characters to the point I was hooked and need to read the rest in the series.
February 17, 2015
I'm loving this series sooooooooooo much.
Action, sexy romance, fun group of guys, fun heroines, I laugh. <3
Action, sexy romance, fun group of guys, fun heroines, I laugh. <3
October 14, 2021
This is the type of book that people who like Janet Evanovich will like. And I like her a decent amount but this... it was hella boring.
This is definitely not something I expected, I thought I've find a new author/series that has the perfect amount of action and sexy banter but rather it was very hard to even finish.
This is definitely not something I expected, I thought I've find a new author/series that has the perfect amount of action and sexy banter but rather it was very hard to even finish.
April 25, 2011
Fun, sexy and cool. Hot, fast and delicious.
If you pick up a Tara Janzen novel, you will be entertained, that's for sure. You will also begin to hate the word "geezus".
Christian (Cristo, Superman) Hawkins, was smokin'. I think I fell in love with him too.
I even liked Bad Luck Dekker. I didn't like her mom, and didn't like the ending at all, but aside from that, I really enjoyed reading this high octane novel.
I loved Niki and Kid. God, the store room closet scene in the Gallery had my heart in my throat.
I look forward to more Steele Street Novels.
I'm officially a Steele Street Strumpet
If you pick up a Tara Janzen novel, you will be entertained, that's for sure. You will also begin to hate the word "geezus".
Christian (Cristo, Superman) Hawkins, was smokin'. I think I fell in love with him too.
I even liked Bad Luck Dekker. I didn't like her mom, and didn't like the ending at all, but aside from that, I really enjoyed reading this high octane novel.
I loved Niki and Kid. God, the store room closet scene in the Gallery had my heart in my throat.
I look forward to more Steele Street Novels.
I'm officially a Steele Street Strumpet
October 16, 2015
Two-haiku review:
He went to prison
Framed for murder cuz of her
Together again
Second of series
Like first, plenty of action
Danger and romance
He went to prison
Framed for murder cuz of her
Together again
Second of series
Like first, plenty of action
Danger and romance
November 23, 2020
A sort of rom-com version of a group of bad boys turned good and the women that hook them as they solve mysteries and save the day, girl, world or whatever. A very conventional plotline and a fun read when a break is needed from intense psycological dramas or macabre horror books though this book delivers much more R rating than you would get from say reading a cozy mystery.
August 25, 2019
I love this series! I've read some out of order but they can all be read on their own. Sexy and full of action make this a winner.
March 18, 2015
2.5 stars.This book was all over the place...It's basically a romantic suspense but apart from a flimsy suspense plot,its an out and out romance and that would have been ok with me if it was a bit more developed The story goes like this..13years ago Kat, our heroine, on her prom night was saved from a group of her so called friends who turned to be rapists by this unknown street kid Christian, who was also a car thief.. They fell in love at first sight,and thereafter spend an entire month living together in a hotel...you see Katya's mother was a paranoid senator who was so busy with her campaign at the time that she thought it was a brilliant idea to have her daughter stay at a hotel complete with room service.. anyway so during this time katya's ex-boyfriend who was one of the gang of to be rapists, was murdered and Christian was convicted of murdering him..however he was pardoned after 2years whereafter he joined some top secret government group working as an agent,assassin, bodyguard... I am still a bit confused .Katya,on the other hand was sent to a Paris loonybin by her wonderful mother as she thought that her daughter by loving Christian has gone insane... great. Our story begins 13 years after this, when Katya has returned to her home to open up her own art gallery at an auction gala event and Christian has been pulled from again a top secret mission to act as her bodyguard.. because someone from a high authority has specially asked for him..And thus these two meet after 13 years and within a few hours there's bombs blasts hither and thither slightly injuring our heroine which prompts our hero to gear up to his bodyguard mode, another member of that gang killed and all evidence again points to Christian.. someone really wants Christian to be put away to prison for good this time.. Thus begins the thriller...I found it somewhat unbelievable that Katya and Christian rekindled their love within a span of 1day.. It's harder to believe that Christian let go of the grudge he held against Katya for so long because she didn't come forward when he was convicted.. It felt like there was more to their story than solving the case and rekindling their love.. I felt cheated out of that story mainly because there were so many subplots going on and bingo!! we got to get inside each of these character's heads..for example :we got inside Alex,Katya's secretary's head, Travis's head,a super minor character, we got pages after pages of Kid's point of view.. i see he has a book of his own now..it totally took the focus out of the main story..Another thing i found funny was here most of the major characters fell in love at first sight..Kat and Christian did,so did Kid and Nikkie, bit over the top..Lastly, the murder plot had no meaning.. I kept asking myself Why frame Christian, and why include katya? Why go through all the dramatic flair of photographs and torn bloody prom dress..it made absolutely no sense at all.. so overall 2.5 star read for me.. I kind of liked this authors writing style, so will definitely check out some of her other books but not anytime soon.. First I need to recover from this wreckage of a story. :(
April 18, 2008
UNPUTDOWNABLE! And just as 'hot' as the first novel. Again, Janzen grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go! Filled to the gills with action, adventure, romance, and totally wicked muscle cars! Christian's is my all-time fave: a 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T with a high-performance 383 under the hood (my parents own a 1973 Dodge Challenger R/T with a high-performance 383 under the hood!) This is only Book #2 and I can't get enough! The action glues you to the page, the males smoking-hot, the women cool under stress, their pasts cross just as much as the present, sexy, sensuous scenes make you hot under the collar, and the cars... sigh! (LOL!) Throughout the book, you're right there in the middle of it all, and I couldn't ask for better!
June 30, 2011
Pure popcorn reading. Janzen is funny and writes a great alpha hero, and her sex scenes are steamy. I love that beautiful bombshell Katya is a total slob.
But it could have been a little more than that. Example: Katya's mother Marilyn is a monstrous character, but we never get to see that resolved. There is a lot of build up about her horrible past behaviour in the first two thirds of the book, but Katya and Christian never confront her about it. There's a lot of B plot going on in the second half of the book, setting up characters for future installments, and that took away from a real resolution between Katya, Christian, and Marilyn. Although I do love the description of Marilyn as Darth Vader in Chanel.
But it could have been a little more than that. Example: Katya's mother Marilyn is a monstrous character, but we never get to see that resolved. There is a lot of build up about her horrible past behaviour in the first two thirds of the book, but Katya and Christian never confront her about it. There's a lot of B plot going on in the second half of the book, setting up characters for future installments, and that took away from a real resolution between Katya, Christian, and Marilyn. Although I do love the description of Marilyn as Darth Vader in Chanel.
June 29, 2020
Even though there's some lacking in the action departement and the love stories are often the same, you end up wanting to read the next
ones coz the author find a way to make you like the characters. It's been said before, but the secondary characters are always better than
the main characters.
This one could have been better with a great heroine. Katya got on my nerves !
But like I said, i'm still enjoying this serie and I like the humor even though it's sometimes so OTT. The secret with this one: don't take things seriously and you'll have a good laugh.
ones coz the author find a way to make you like the characters. It's been said before, but the secondary characters are always better than
the main characters.
This one could have been better with a great heroine. Katya got on my nerves !
But like I said, i'm still enjoying this serie and I like the humor even though it's sometimes so OTT. The secret with this one: don't take things seriously and you'll have a good laugh.
September 16, 2010
I love this series! I've peaked ahead to see who the next books are about and I'm super excited to read Dylan's book!
I was a little disappointed that Quinn and Reagan had almost no part, and judging by the end of this one Christian and Kat will have little part in future books. But the fun you have while reading more than makes up for it.
I do have to say though, that I'd much rather ride in Jeanette than Roxanne. Camaro's are WAY cooler!
I was a little disappointed that Quinn and Reagan had almost no part, and judging by the end of this one Christian and Kat will have little part in future books. But the fun you have while reading more than makes up for it.
I do have to say though, that I'd much rather ride in Jeanette than Roxanne. Camaro's are WAY cooler!
May 12, 2013
Christian Hawkins will always be one of my top book boyfriends!
January 11, 2025
เพิ่งอ่านฉบับภาษาไทยจบไป ก็เลยถือเป็นฤกษ์งามยามดีเขียนถึงหนังสือที่แม็กซ์ชอบแต่ยังไม่มีโอกาสได้เขียนถึง (เพราะอ่านภาษาอังกฤษไปตั้งแต่เดือนธันวาคม 2005)
หนังสือเล่มที่สองในชุด The Mission ซึ่งเป็นชื่อชุดอย่างเป็นทางการของฝรั่งเขา โดยตัวของมันเอง ความสนุกอาจไม่ถึงกับโดดเด่นกินขาดหนังสือในระดับคลาสิก (ของแม็กซ์) เล่มอื่น แต่เมื่อนำมันมารวมกับหนังสือเล่มอื่นในชุด ทำให้คุณค่าของหนังสือเล่มนี้เพิ่มพูนขึ้นอย่างมหาศาล และนั่นเป็นการบ่งบอกพลังของหนังสือชุดได้เป็นอย่างดี
พล็อตเรื่องสั้นและง่าย ถ่านไฟเก่าไม่เคยมอด คริสเตียน ฮอร์คกิ้นส์ (แม๊กซ์สะกดเอาเองค่ะ ไม่เหมือนกะที่หนังสือใช้) เคยรักแคทย่า เดกเกอร์อย่างหมดหัวใจ และไม่ว่าเวลาผ่านไปนานเท่าใด ความรักนั้นก็ไม่เคยหายไป
ด้วยเวลาเพียงสองวัน กับอีกสองคืนที่คนรักเก่าทั้งคู่ได้กลับมาพบกัน บทสรุปก็คือการแต่งงาน ความน่าเชื่อของความรักแบบชั่วข้ามวันนี้ได้ผลเพราะคนแต่งปูพื้นความสัมพันธ์ที่มีต่อกันในอดีตได้น่าเชื่อเพียงพอ สิ่งที่แม๊กซ์ชอบมากที่สุดในเรื่องก็คือ การเปลี่ยนแปลงความคิดของคริสเตียนที่เป็นไปเรื่อย เริ่มต้นจากไม่ชอบใจนักที่ต้องมาผูกติดอยู่กับผู้หญิงที่เป็นต้นเหตุ (อันหนึ่ง) ที่ทำให้เขาติดคุก ก่อนจะค่อยยอมรับกับตัวเองว่า เขาไม่อาจอยู่โดยปราศจากเธอได้ การเปลี่ยนแปลงของคริสเตียนเป็นไปอย่างน่าเชื่อ จนกระทั่งถึงจุดที่เขายอมรับกับแคทว่ารักเธอ เขาก็ทำทุกอย่างเพื่อให้ได้ตัวเธอมาครอบครอง
นั่นเป็นอีกจุดหนึ่งท��่แม็กซ์ชอบผู้ชายจากถนนสตีลค่ะ เริ่มจากควินน์ มาถึงคริสเตียน และคนอื่น ๆ ไม่เคยมีใครตั้งคำถามตัวเองมากนักว่าทำไมต้องเป็นผู้หญิงคนนี้ (โอเค ยกเว้นให้ดีแลนคนนึง แต่ถ้าคุณอายุสามสิบกว่า แต่ตกหลุมรักเด็กสาวอายุยี่สิบเอ็ดปี คุณก็คงไม่อาจยอมรับได้ง่ายนักหรอก)
เมื่อวานแม็กซ์เขียนถึงคริสเตียนไปหน่อยนึง แล้วก็เลยได้คอมเม้นท์ที่น่าสนใจจากคนที่มาทิ้งข้อความไว้ที่บลอก ซึ่งทำให้แม็กซ์ฉุกคิด อาจจะเป็นเพราะแม๊กซ์อ่านหนังสือชุดนี้ครบทั้งหกแล้วก็ได้ การมองตัวละครจึงมีลักษณะของการเอาทั้งหก���ล่มมายำรวมกัน บุคลิกบางอย่างกว่าจะเห็นได้ชัดเจนก็ต้องปาเข้าไปหลายเล่มแล้ว
ยอมรับนะคะคุณเลดี้จีว่า คริสเตียนดูไม่เป็นซุปเปอร์ฮีโร่เท่าไหรในเรื่อง เขาถูกคนร้ายชนจนตกลงไปในน้ำ โดยไม่ได้เป็นฮีโร่ที่เข้าไปช่วยชีวิตผู้หญิงที่เขารักที่สุดในชีวิต แล้วปล่อยให้เป็นหน้าที่ของคิดในการจัดการ แม็กซ์ไม่ได้พยายามเข้าข้าง แต่คิดขึ้นมาได้ว่า พระเอกของทาร่า เจนเซ่นนั้นมักจะไม่ใช่ฮีโร่ในความหมายของความเก่งกาจ ในเล่มที่ตัวเขาเองเป็นพระเอก อาจเพราะเมื่อมีความรัก นั่นก็เป็นจุดอ่อนสำคัญที่สุด คริสเตียนไม่เก่งหรือนิ่งพอที่จะเป็นอัศวินขี่ม้าขาวมาช่วยแคทย่า เช่นเดียวกับที่คิดไม่ใช่คนที่ช่วยนิคกี้ ในเครซี่ คิส ที่เขาเป็นพระเอก (นั่นเป็นหน้าที่ของทราวิส) และทราวิสเองก็แทบจะเป็นแค่ของประกอบฉากในการจัดการผู้ร้ายในเรื่องเครซี่ สวีท ที่เขาเป็นพระเอก กลับปล่อยให้คริสเตียนขโมยซีน
แม็กซ์อาจจะมองภาพกว้างมากเกินไปสักหน่อย ทำให้เมื่อมองลึกในขอบเขตของหนังสือเล่มเดียว จึงดูไม่เป็นเช่นนั้น แต่ก็ยังคงยืนยันค่ะ ว่าแม็กซ์รู้สึกด้วยตัวเอง ไม่ใช่เชื่อที่คนแต่งบอกว่าคริสเตียนเก่งแค่นั้น แต่คิดว่าอาจจะต้องใช้เวลาหลายเล่มมั้งคะ ในการสร้างความรู้สึกนั้น สำหรับแม็กซ์เองก็บอกไม่ได้หรอกนะคะว่าความเชื่อว่าเขาเก่งนี่มันเกิดตอนนั้นกันแน่ เพราะอ่านในเวลาที่ไล่เลี่ยกันหลายเล่ม
กลับมาที่เรื่อง หนังสือเล่มนี้อาจได้ชื่อว่าเป็นโรแมนติกแอคชั่น แต่เนื้อในมีแต่โรแมนซ์ก็ว่าได้ เพราะเวลาเกินกว่าค่อนเรื่องใช้ไปกับความคิดและความรู้สึกของตัวละครทั้งสองที่มีต่ออดีตของพวกเขา แม๊กซ์ชอบที่คริสเตียนไม่คิดในลักษณะโกรธแค้นต่อแคทที่เธอทิ้งเขาไว้ตามลำพังหลังจากถูกจับ เขาอาจตั้งฉายาว่าเธอเป็นตัวซวย แต่ไม่เคยเลยสักครั้งที่มีคำว่าล้างแค้นอยู่ในความคิด เขาแค่น้อยใจ นั่นเป็นความรู้สึกที่แม็กซ์จับได้ในเรื่อง และเมื่อเขาไม่อาจปฏิเสธตัวเองได้อีกต่อไป เขาก็ยอมรับง่าย ๆ แค่นั้นว่าเขายังรักแคทอยู่ และไม่มีวันจะปล่อยให้เธอจากไป แล้วคริสเตียนก็เลิกวิ่งหนี และทำทุกอย่างเพื่อดึงตัวเธอไว้ โดยไม่สนใจว่าอุปสรรคตรงหน้าจะมีอะไรบ้าง
แม็กซ์ชอบวิธีการที่ทาร่าจัดการปัญหาความขัดแย้งระหว่างแคทและแม่ของเธอ มาริลีนโดนวางให้เป็นตัวร้าย แต่ในท้ายที่สุดโดยไม่ต้องอาศัยฉากเรียกน้ำตา แคทก็รับรู้ว่าการกระทำที่แม้จะดูสุดขั้ว แต่ก็เพราะแม่รักเธอ ตอนที่บรรยายว่าทุกคนต่างวิ่งหนีออกจากตัวบ้านเมื่อได้ยินเสียงปืน แต่แม่กลับวิ่งมาหาเธอ นั่นแสดงให้เห็นถึงความห่วงใยของคนเป็นแม่ได้เป็นชัดเจนโดยไม่ต้องใช้คำบรรยายอะไรมากมาย
สรุป สรุป ชอบเรื่องนี้ค่ะ แต่แนะนำว่า ถ้าอยากเกิดอาการเครซี่ชุดนี้อย่างแม็กซ์ อ่านเล่มนี้เล่มเดียวไม่ได้นะคะ ต้องอ่านทุกเล่มในชุดนะคะ แล้วจะรักหนุ่มจากสตีลสตรีทมากเหมือนแม็กซ์
September 22, 2018
Revisiting Steele Street has been...good. I've always loved these books, have recommended them and praised them, but it's been a number of years since I actually read them. Sure, they've lost some of their luster in the intervening years. As a high school kid newly obsessed with romance novels, I didn't think there was anything cooler than the Steele Street guys--or anything cooler than Tara Janzen, who made up a government agency so that her characters could, essentially, do whatever they want just to keep being alpha and awesome. Superman was always my favorite. I've always thought the first book in the series was better than Christian's book, but the hero himself...ugh, I adored him.
And really, I still do. I still think he's wonderful, and let's just say if I spilled a mocha latte in his car, I might have reacted just like Kat did.
But the book itself has paled in comparison to the other tough-guy, romantic-suspense-y books I've read since high school. It's more introspection and narration than action or dialogue, which is strange for the genre. I feel like Kat and Hawkins' relationship plays out more in the past than the present, and I never really believe the connection has been rekindled (though I'm told it has been). And as much as I loved Kid Chaos and Nikki and Skeeter and everybody else, all the long scenes in the middle setting up their later romances and stories-to-come really bogged down the main love story here.
As far as mystery goes, I can't say I cared too much about who was after whom, though maybe that was because I already knew from my first reading. The whodunnit part of the story didn't really hold my attention, but frankly, that wasn't what I was reading it for. I was revisiting my old Steele Street friends, and in that respect, I'd say I was satisfied.
So after years of fiercely defending these books and wildly praising them, I know I will go on doing so. They're not the best-thing-ever that I once thought them to be, but they're still definitely worth it.
And really, I still do. I still think he's wonderful, and let's just say if I spilled a mocha latte in his car, I might have reacted just like Kat did.
But the book itself has paled in comparison to the other tough-guy, romantic-suspense-y books I've read since high school. It's more introspection and narration than action or dialogue, which is strange for the genre. I feel like Kat and Hawkins' relationship plays out more in the past than the present, and I never really believe the connection has been rekindled (though I'm told it has been). And as much as I loved Kid Chaos and Nikki and Skeeter and everybody else, all the long scenes in the middle setting up their later romances and stories-to-come really bogged down the main love story here.
As far as mystery goes, I can't say I cared too much about who was after whom, though maybe that was because I already knew from my first reading. The whodunnit part of the story didn't really hold my attention, but frankly, that wasn't what I was reading it for. I was revisiting my old Steele Street friends, and in that respect, I'd say I was satisfied.
So after years of fiercely defending these books and wildly praising them, I know I will go on doing so. They're not the best-thing-ever that I once thought them to be, but they're still definitely worth it.
March 27, 2025
2.5 stars
POV: alternating 3rd person, past tense
Christian is part of a black ops group. When they are pulled off a mission to retrieve their guys to work an art auction, it seems a little weird. Especially when the girl he loved who didn't stand up for him when he was arrested for murder several years ago is there. And then someone ends up dead. It seems as though the past is determined to catch up with Christian and Katya, and it all ties in to Katya and what happened all those years ago.
So many POV. So little story. I don't know if I bought that Katya and Christian picked up where they left off, especially with all the years and happenings in between. Still, it was entertaining. The LGTBQIA+ side of society was represented, but it was pretty stereotypical. One guy, who had been a cop for 6 years before his current occupation as Katya's assistant, put a hand to his throat in a "feminine" gesture at the sight of something shocking/disturbing. Really? A former cop who was on the job in LA for 6 years? That seems... odd.
POV: alternating 3rd person, past tense
Christian is part of a black ops group. When they are pulled off a mission to retrieve their guys to work an art auction, it seems a little weird. Especially when the girl he loved who didn't stand up for him when he was arrested for murder several years ago is there. And then someone ends up dead. It seems as though the past is determined to catch up with Christian and Katya, and it all ties in to Katya and what happened all those years ago.
So many POV. So little story. I don't know if I bought that Katya and Christian picked up where they left off, especially with all the years and happenings in between. Still, it was entertaining. The LGTBQIA+ side of society was represented, but it was pretty stereotypical. One guy, who had been a cop for 6 years before his current occupation as Katya's assistant, put a hand to his throat in a "feminine" gesture at the sight of something shocking/disturbing. Really? A former cop who was on the job in LA for 6 years? That seems... odd.
April 14, 2020
Another fun, whimsical quarantine read. This book was redeemed by the sub-characters and sub-plots introduced, IMO. But if you think I'm going to get swindled into continuing the series based on the new, interesting characters and sub-plots, then YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.
June 22, 2017
Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Yowza!!!
September 20, 2017
I read this entire series a while ago. I liked the writing style, setting and characters. Fun, fast reads - all of them.
March 4, 2019
Book 2 and bullets are flying as Hawkins plays bodyguard to a socialite with a side order of muscle cars.
June 12, 2019
One of the best I’ve read
This book is crazy good.! Love all the steel boys. Can’t wait for their stories well defined characters and believable action
This book is crazy good.! Love all the steel boys. Can’t wait for their stories well defined characters and believable action
August 2, 2023
if my name was “kid chaos” i’d gladly hit myself with a brick everyday
Read
July 1, 2024DNF 46%
Cool storyline but it’s too much unnecessary description and repetitive lines, it couldn’t hold my interest.
Cool storyline but it’s too much unnecessary description and repetitive lines, it couldn’t hold my interest.
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