Cold As Ice by Cindy Davis

This book evoked a wonderful mixture of emotions. The imagery is vivid; the well developed characters kept me invested in the story, and the author captured the story's time periods nicely.

Claudia Goodwin, the main character, instantly captured my interest. I love her spunk, which is quite evident when she becomes caught in a web of family demands.When her father, a frozen food business owner, assumes Claudia will marry another business owner's son to enable the family business to merge, she's appalled. How can he even suggest such a thing, and act as if she would consider it? She barely even know's David VanBuren. And what she does know about him convinces her that he isn't aa man she would date--much less marry. On the other hand, she knows David's playboy brother, Max. Now that hunk of a man is someone she'd gladly consider!

Even though Claudia adamantly refuses the arranged marriage--it falls on deaf ears. No matter what she does, her parents continue with wedding plans. David certainly doesn't help matters. He acts as if she is already his, despite the fact she loves another man.

Once Claudia finds out she is pregnant, marrying David seems like the only viable solution. She does so, and becomes a dutiful wife, even though David undermines her every turn. After he sells her father's business and decides to go into the diamond business with his brother, Max, she is thrown between them--a place she isn't sure she can handle.

I don't want to give too much away, but this story continues through several decades. I was constantly surprised at each turn. Claudia is strong and resilient; a real survivor in a man's world of the 50's, 60's and throughout the years. She is a mother, wife and businesswoman, and makes a name for herself despite every obstacle.


I highly recommend Cold as Ice. It will keep you up late at night because you will not be able to put it down. I love books like that.

3 stars