Customer Reviews

Desert Heat (Arabesque)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

DESERT HEAT is a combination of science, romance and mystery, set
primarily in the hot Arizona desert. Katharine Matthews has always
had her head in the stars, never taking time for a personal life. She
is now a successful author of academic text books on the science of
Physics. Kate is returning from an annual nuclear and particle Physics
conference where she accepted an award on behalf of her father. Kate
was not yet ready to follow in her dad's footsteps, she opted instead
to write, but her dad's recent stroke that halted his research on the
theory of teleportation may change that. The delay has created a stir
among other scientist and the questions concerning his research has
her afraid his project may be in jeopardy.

While walking through the airport, still upset from the conference, she
hears words like terrorist and nuclear annihilation. Glancing at the
perpetrator she sees a gun beneath his jacket. Kate thinks he is a
terrorist and she alerts airport security; in a flash the suspect is
subdued and cuffed. What results is the injury and near arrest of Deputy
Rafael Grant, the newly assigned Deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service.
Uncharacteristically, Kate accompanies Rafe to the hospital and then
invites him home for dinner and despite the rocky beginning, Rafe wants
to get to know this impulsive writer. When Kate finally agrees to assist
her father she discovers some of his research papers have been stolen.
Now there is a crime to solve and a possible romance to research.

Ms. Sims keeps with her tradition of delving into the scientific arena
with this finely crafted science fiction romance. The book can be
described as out of this world, but she keeps it real as she brings
this 'head in the stars' woman face to face with a grounded, basic kind
of guy. This book is a small tribute to teachers and scientists who have
inspired the author's life. This change of pace read expertly combines
the three ingredients with just the right flair.

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

The first chapter of Desert Heat had me skeptical--would Janice Sims be able to blend romance and science in such a way that I would stay interested until the last page? I am happy to say that Ms. Sims did not let me down. The plot of "Desert Heat" flows like water, and if there is a man alive who can be compared to Rafael Grant, I want to meet him in person!! All of the characters in this book are interesting and memorable, and I was unable to put this book down once I started it. I am anxiously awaiting her next book, which should be a sequel to "For Your Love". But Desert Heat proved to be a wonderful distraction until her next book is printed.

Janice Sims gives her science fiction fans a fix with her well-crafted offering, Desert Heat. It has been five years since she wrote Out of the Blue, which convinced this sci-fi shy reviewer that there just might be other possibilities. In this novel, though the subject of teleportation is more of a scientific quest, the terminology and excellent research put into it will satisfy the Trekkie fans.

Dr. Katharine Matthews of Tucson, Arizona accepts an award for her ailing father, Dr. David Matthews, who is renowned for his quantum physics research. Kate is accosted by one of his colleagues who strongly suggests that David turn over his research so as to not heed progress. Her godfather and university Physics head, Dr. Jason Edmonton rescues her from the situation and Kate, still highly agitated from the incident, mistakes a handsome man with a gun as a terrorist at the Tucson airport when she arrives home that night. One minute Deputy Marshal Rafael Grant is smiling at a beautiful young lady with lustrous hair and a pretty smile, and the next thing he knows he has a possible broken nose.

Kate is horrified and embarrassed that she has attacked a law enforcement officer and offers to nurse him after they leave the hospital. There is no denying the attraction they both feel---it is too strong. In fact, Rafe leaves her house that night, rather than risk becoming involved too soon. But he is soon pulled into the lure of the Huerta women clan as he is baptized into this multicultural family. Kate has grown up in a combined culture family, a community of blacks, Native Americans, Mexican Americans and whites. As a teenager and lover of physics, she was an outcast in high school and after her doctorate, she decided that to offset her obsession, she would concentrate on scientific writing. After her father's twelve-year research is stolen, not only is she determined to find the culprits, she knows it is time to carry on her father's work.

This story has a mixture of good and bad guys, interesting well-developed characters of diverse backgrounds and lots of steamy love scenes that will curl your toes. Ms. Sims gives readers great imagery of the cultures that make up the community of Tucson as well as a view into the intricacies of quantum physics as it relates to the scientific community. There is even a scene that involves early morning sightings of alien life. This is definitely a cross-over romance that can be enjoyed by anyone.

Dera Williams for Affaire de Coeur Magazine, Oakland, California

ISBN 1-58314-420-X
DESERT HEAT by Janice Sims
BET/Arabesque Contemporary Romance 9/03

Dr. Katharine Matthews, who followed in her father's footsteps and became a physicist, writes books instead of working in a lab, returns home after attending a conference. Anxious to get home and check on her father, Katharine overhears a conversation making her think there's a terrorist right next to her. Her only thought is to stop him before someone is harmed. A bloody nose stopped him alright, but U. S. Marshal Rafael Grant is no terrorist and this intriguing woman has a lot of explaining to do. Rafe and Katharine have an instantaneous attraction that's moving faster than either one of them could ever imagine. When Katharine's parents' house is broken into and all of her father's work is stolen, Katherine agrees to work with him in trying to complete his formula before it's copied. Her biggest worry was how her work makes her oblivious to everything around her, but her love for Rafe is strong enough to remind her of what's important. However, Rafe hasn't learned that yet. DESERT HEAT definitely heats up the pages as the passions simmer between these two. This is an alluring tale with a fascinating glimpse into the scientific community. The host of secondary characters makes for a wonderful read. DK

Not only does Katherine Matthews get her man in Desert Heat, but this leading lady has helped author Janice Sims garner yet another award. Ms. Sims recently won the 2004 Emma Award for Favorite Heroine. The Emma Award honors excellence in romance action. Those readers who are fans of Ms. Sims' work know how well deserved this honor is.

Katherine Matthews is no weakling. Like all leading ladies in Ms. Sims' novels she is smart, strong, self-confident and able to turn on the heat in any man! In this novel, Katherine is paired with Rafael Grant. From their very first meeting it's clear that the hero is going to have his hands full with this beautiful sister. Mystery, comedy and sizzlin' romance help Katherine Matthews get the man and the Award! It's a great read...I promise!!!

As in all Ms. Sims stories, passion is laid out for all to see....and feel. The instant attraction and friendship between Katherine and Rafe, made this book hard to put down, and sad when it ends. I wanted more when I got to the end and satisfied my thirst for more, by reading it again.
Great job!!!!!! Can't wait for the next novel.

This is a wonderfully written romance novel by Janice Sims, with a cast of well-written characters! I got so much into the book, the story, and the characters, that I honestly wanted to read more and more, and could not put the book down very easily!

It is the story of Dr. Katharine Matthews, a physicist, and Rafe, who keep things hot in the Arizona Heat!. After Katharine's parents' house is robbed and her father's work is stolen, Katherine agrees to work with Rafe to get to the bottom of it. Of course, it is very obvious that there is a strong attraction between them and I just loved the chemistry depicted between the two characters. I also enjoyed the wonderful casting of secondary characters, such as Katharine's grandmother Josephina!
I highly recommend this book - an unforgettable adventure of love, hope, and science! Beautifully depicted story by a terrific writer!

Janice Sims knows the recipe for an exceptional romance novel. In Desert Heat she adds a cup of suspense, a dash of humor, a pinch of wit, a smidgen of sci-fi and a healthy helping of romance making Desert Heat the best read in months.
The two main characters, writer/physicist Katherine Matthews and U.S. Marshall Rafe Grant are smart and sexy with chemistry that literally jumps off the page. Their first meeting was one for the records books. I had to read that part twice because I chuckled so hard the first time. Katherine and Rafe's energy infused bantering kept the storyline interesting and the pages turning until the very end. Bravo Janice, I loved Desert Heat!

I LOVED THIS BOOK FROM START TO FINISH. I BUY EVERYTHING SHE WRITES.THE YOUNG LADY STATED SHE WOULD BY A GROCERY LIST FROM SOME AUTHORS. I WOULD BE IN LINE RIGHT BEHIND HER FOR THE LAST EDITION GROCERY LIST.LOL

Sleep: a natural state of rest for the mind and body. Make no mistake about it; defining the word sleep was in no way for your benefit, but mine. You see, every since I stumbled upon the writings of romance author, Janice Sims, sleep has eluded me. At least that is every time she puts out a new release. I mean really, who can 'rest the mind or the body' when a page-turner like Desert Heat is sitting on your desk, teasing and taunting,
'psssst, come on now, just a few pages. At least start me tonight, you can always finish me later in the week when you have more time.' Well for the record, don't fool yourself. There is no putting Desert Heat down after a few pages. Desert Heat is so powerfully woven that a few pages only makes you crave a few more pages. Ms. Sims has provided readers with delightful
characters in the form of Dr. Katherine Matthews and Deputy Marshal Rafael Grant. Both Katherine and Rafael are strong characters with just enough inner turmoil and character flaws to make them believable. Add to that Sims' generously sprinkled humor, vivid secondary characters and enough passion that rightfully earns the novel the 'heat' portion of its title and
Desert Heat is guaranteed to have readers clearing space in the 'please don't ask to borrow this because I'm going to say no' section of their personal libraries. Desert Heat will have readers laughing, crying, angry and swooning-and all in one chapter mind you! Sims' play on words and knack for storytelling elicits this gamut of readers' emotions. I especially liked Desert Heat because Sims colors outside the lines on this one. She gives us some of the sci-fi we came to love her for in her earlier release, Out Of The Blue. I love it when Janice Sims colors outside of the lines! She is one of those authors that when she jumps out there, she jumps out there. But she never leaves you disappointed when you take that leap with her. Quite the contrary, she leaves you begging for more. Speaking of

begging, can somebody PLEASE ask Ms. Sim to let us she Katherine and Rafael again?! There chemistry was just amazing. And their initial meeting was priceless at best! Reaching the last page of Desert Heat I finally came to understand what a colleague of mine meant when she used to say that there were certain authors that if they published their grocery list, she'd buy
it hard-cover! For it was upon reaching that last page that I had a vision of my future:

"Book Store may I helpy you please?"

"Yes, I'd like to order the recent release of Janice
Sims' grocery list."

"Sure will there be anything else?"

"Ummm, make that TWO copies!"