Customer Reviews

Heat Waves (Sexy City Nights) (Harlequin Blaze)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Heat Waves," the latest entry into Harlequin Blaze's series, Sexy City Nights, continues what are (in my opinion) the best of the Blaze line. In this case, it's not so much the sex that's hot, it's the sensual tension and mind games between an investment firm CEO, Ian Carlisle, and an late-night talk show host, Erica McCree, that heat up the pages. "Heat Waves" proves that love scenes can scorch the page and not leave the reader uncomfortable for reading them.

Chicago DJ, Erica McCree, burned up the after-hours airwaves with Chicago's most titillating talk show, Heat Waves. But while she talked a good game, a previous marriage had not only left her wary of surrendering her independence again but with little firsthand sensual knowledge to back up her on-air assertions. Until Ian Carlisle arrived on the scene.

Initially only a voice in the night, Ian quickly became aware of the chemistry that sizzled between them when he called in nightly to spar with Erica over whatever topic she'd chosen for the evening. Erica and her listeners picked up on it, too, and ratings soared. Since the station had been put on the sale block, everyone wanted to keep the ratings high to attract a buyer, so when Ian proposes they meet in person, Erica's producer seconds the arrangement, resulting in a radio campaign of sexy city nights. With Ian's help, patience and ability to arouse her to new heights, Erica comes to learn not only more about her own sexuality but that not all men are like her ex-husband. They say the mind is the biggest erogenous zone and Ian proves it to Erica over and over as he gives a whole new meaning to `mind sex.'

One of the biggest tests for me in deciding whether I like a book is if I would want to sit down and have dinner with the hero and heroine. "Heat Waves" rates a definite yes. While some readers may think Ian a bit too perfect, I was willing to cut him some slack as he hadn't had a smooth road in life. He knew he was lucky to be in the position he was in and only wanted to help others as he himself had been helped. "Heat Waves" is an enjoyable, well-scripted story with characters you can't help but like and provocative love scenes that are best read with a cold drink at hand.

Erica is a DJ for a small radio station in Chicago and is building a reputation in the community with her talk show 'Heat Waves'. One particular caller makes nightly calls at exactly the same time each evening which results in more listeners and climbing ratings. He’s a man with the sexiest voice and a mischievous attitude that challenges Erica with his responses. Just as he has become a fantasy in her mind, so has she become one in his.
Ms. Denison describes her characters to such a degree that readers are able to create a mental image. An example is when she introduces Ian. He doesn’t just get out of the shower and towel off; he steps out and dries off with a plush forest green towel that matches his bathroom décor – he lives in a penthouse, his suite overlooking the harbor on Lake Michigan. She doesn’t even have to tell us he’s a wealthy CEO – She manages to put that image in your mind through her colorful words.
Janelle Denison definitely has a knack for writing Blaze stories as once more sexy city nights are lit up to engulf a reader in flames; this time in the humid, steamy city of Chicago. She heats up readers along with the airwaves and gives lessons in love and trust as a bonus. If you enjoy a hot story, bordering on erotica, turn on the fan and treat yourself to HEAT WAVES!
Carol Carter as written for Romance Reviews Today

Ian and Erica, holy cow!!!!!!! All I can say is the limo love scene is worth buying this book for, it is HOT, HOT, HOT!!Oh, and the story is good to!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

Several years ago his fiancée died in an accident leaving CEO Ian Carlisle to grieve his loss. Still lonely, Ian buries himself in his work, not caring about anything else until he inadvertently staggers upon a radio talk show with a frank discussion on sex hosted by the sexiest voice he ever heard.

Erica McCree knows how to heat up the airwaves with her show in which she asks a different ardent question each night of her listeners, who call in with sexual desires. To bad Erica cannot heat up her own sheets as well as she does with her radio show. Ian begins calling and soon their double entendres and torrid exchanges lead to higher ratings and he asking her out on a date, which she accepts after her audience encourages her to do so. What will happen when Ian and Erica meet when their radio discussions would have melted the Arctic?

The key to this solar heated novel is the lead characters that obviously care for one another so much so the audience will want this dynamic duo to make it. The support cast, especially the callers add depth with their short vignettes, but Erica's best friend is a painful nudnik who only slows down the plot. HEAT WAVES is a tale that those readers who want scorched fingers will savor; just keep your Ian handy (pun intended).

Harriet Klausner

This is one of my favorites of the Blaze series. Erica McCree has a sexy radio talk show and Ian Carlisle become a regular caller. When he asks her out for real, the audience votes and it becomes a very public romance. The story sizzled and I loved the mental foreplay that Erica and Ian engaged in before and right after they meet in person. Great story, great steamy love scenes, great heroine and hero....what more could you want? :-)

Sensual erotica achieves a fabulous satisfaction with Janelle Denison's HEAT WAVES, part of Harlequin's Blaze line. This super sexy, blazing hot novel provides a steamy romp with its heated plot perfectly blended with the a healthy dose of love.

Radio talk show host Erica McCree presents herself as a seductive siren during her evening talk show Heat Waves. But off the air, she's been celibate so long she almost qualifies for virgin status. What she lacks in knowledge in first hand experience, Erica compensates with a heated imagination and a wealth of information gleaned from books. Despite this lonely state of affairs, Erica's satisfied with the career and life she's created, cherishing her fierce independence and self-reliance. Then a regular late night caller changes all that.

Wealthy CEO Ian Carlisle has developed an obsession for a woman he's never met. Her sexy, sassy, seductive voice lures him from his harried world, and makes the hot Chicago nights even hotter with her candid talk about sexual topics. Erica's publicity photo on the radio's Website belies the sexy vixen, revealing a woman with vulnerabilities and a soft, feminine side. Now Ian wants to know which side is the real Erica. As his orgasmic voice sets the airwaves on fire, Erica agrees to risk meet him in person. Soon she finds herself swept away with Chicago's hot summer nights.

When slow seduction leads to a heated frenzy, Janelle Denison knows how to deliver. Each teasing line builds to captivating crescendo certain to please. Despite the heavy sensuality, HEAT WAVES is also novel with a remarkable plot as Erica reveals herself to be a sultry temptress by night and volunteer angel by day. Likewise, Ian's struggle to overcome the grief of the past, which allows tremendous character growth, not only creates a not only a very sexy, but also a very sympathetic character. Further, this reviewer must admit that HEAT WAVES left her both highly charged, and greatly satisfied. Very highly recommended.

Heat Waves by Janelle Denison
Harlequin Blaze # 12 - October 2001
Sexy City Nights # 3

Ian lost his fiancée tragically eight years ago, and ever since has buried himself in his work. For awhile now he's been listening to a late night radio talk show, Heat Waves, and has been totally captivated by the sexy voice of the DJ and her provocative topics. Erica's fear of becoming dependant on abusive men, just like her mother and sister, prompted her to run across the nation from California to Chicago. After three hard years, she's finally starting to make something of herself, and all without a man's domineering influence. When Ian starts calling in to her radio talk show, Erica finds herself sweating in the radio booth, and not just because the A/C is broken. Their nightly on-air debates jack up the ratings. When Ian asks Erica out on a real date on-air, she's forced by her listeners to agree. The chemistry is even stronger in person than over the telephone, so the station prompts them to go on a series of dates following a recent magazine article of erotic photos taken from various public places around the city, and then share the dates with Erica's listeners. The heat cranks up even more!

This was an exceptional read! Ian and Erica both share a scarred childhood and a lonely climb up the career ladder. The love scenes are very hot and extremely well written, esp. the scene in the limo. From the beginning, Ms. Denison brings emotional life to both Ian and Erica. Their story is both passionate and endearing. A definite keeper! And to me - a five star rating all the way!

Sexy City Nights - Multi-Author series
Exposed by Julie Elizabeth Leto - HBZ-12 - August 2001
Body Heat by Carly Phillips - HBZ-8 - September 2001
Heat Waves by Janelle Denison - HBZ-12 - October 2001
L.A. Confidential by Julie Kenner - HBZ-16 - November 2001

If you have not read any of Janelle Denison's work, then you are really missing out on superb writing! Ms. Denison has a way of writing that not only catches your interest, but gives you a chance to know the characters on a one-on-one basis. Erica is a radio talk show host who talks about sex but never experienced the real deal till she meets her on-the-phone-discussion-pal, Ian. When these two actually meet, you can actually feel the sparks! The love scenes are sensual and erotic; a definite must read! This in one of those books that once you begin to read, it's hard to put down. Definitely a 5-star vote in my book!

This was the second Blaze I've read and it certainly looks like the series is holding it's own. Janelle Denison's writing is tight, she's drawn up two great characters with hot action, and I will say, yes, the limo scene was hot!

I would like to see a novel on the other two lovers in the book though, I bet it'd be just as hot. But Ian and Erica, wow. Her treatment of Erica's past was handled differently than I expected, which made for better reading. I couldn't put this book down!

An intimate radio-session Heat Waves hosted by Erica McCree has warmed the audience with its uncensored opinions by the public on sexual fantasies and turn-ons. The heat rises when Ian Carlisle, a wealthy CEO is seduced by her brand of wry humour and intelligence, fuelled by her husky tone that spurred prurient images. Their chemistry on air is a boost to the ratings - and to capitalize on this surge of popularity, Erica is urged by her management to meet Ian in person. He is devastatingly handsome and candid. However it is Erica who surprises Ian with her innocence and vulnerability despite her daring straight-talking front. She is career-oriented and when their fantasies progress deeper to emotions attached, she is afraid to take the path where her heart belongs....

Heat Waves by Janelle Danison is potent stuff. The sexual tension escalates from simple foreplay to risque fantasies fulfilled. Ian is delightfully charming with his antics and Erica endears with her wits and intelligence. Each session of Heat Waves is a fusion of sexist confession, matured opinions and wild fantasies that will titillate you and set you in sexual anticipation. Janelle Danison's narration is detailed to engage you with burning images - and rarely does Harlequin romances advance to such boldness and erotic virtuoso. It is the best out of the Blaze series so far with hot passion and gentle protagonists to fulfil the romance part. The heat waves generated is enough to make this book a scorching keeper.