Hot [Mass Market Paperback]

Julia Harper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2008

For four years, play-by-the-rules bank teller Turner Hastings has brooded over her uncle's wrongful imprisonment. But when two bumbling crooks stumble into her branch (barely disguised in Yoda and Sponge Bob masks) and hold up the place, she sees a chance to do something she's never thought possible: get revenge. She takes advantage of the melee to pull a heist of her own, seizing info from a security box that will exonerate her uncle.

Sent to investigate a bank robbery in small town Wisconsin, Special Agent John MacKinnon discovers the robbers were two not-quite-so-bright thugs and one woman. Now, Turner is on the run. With SA MacKinnon on her trail, she's breaking into the bank president Calvin's house, kidnapping his Great Dane, and for the first time in her life, setting out to break a few rules. But when Calvin hires a hit-man, MacKinnon will have to decide between his career--and saving Turner.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When two local yokels rob the First Wisconsin Bank of Winosha, part-time teller and town librarian Turner Hastings seizes the opportunity to pull her own heist, dumping the contents of the bank president's safety deposit box into her purse before going on the run. No-nonsense FBI Special Agent John MacKinnon is on the case, though this pursuit proves to be more frolic-and-giggle than cloak-and-dagger. Turner isn't really a thief, she's just determined to prove that Calvin Hyman, the politically ambitious bank president, has been embezzling from the bank for years—and not, as Hyman has testified, her late uncle Rusty. Turner's days on the lam assume a Thelma and Louise quality—in which Louise is a rescued Great Dane—as she roams Wisconsin's back roads in a borrowed Chevy pickup, playing cat and mouse games with MacKinnon. Keeping touch by phone, the cop and crook become increasingly intrigued by each other; soon, however, the plucky librarian is in the sights of another, more dangerous opponent, and MacKinnon finds his professional demeanor slipping as his role shifts from man hunter to bodyguard. Lively humor, an enterprising heroine, creative plot twists and a nail-biting finale make Harper's debut a worthwhile romp. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

'HOT pulls you in from the first sentence and carries you along on a gleeful romp you won't want to end!' - Stephanie Bond, USA Today Bestselling Author

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Forever (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446619175
• ISBN-13: 978-0446619172
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.9 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #249,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Julia Harper is the contemporary romance pseudonym of NYT bestselling historical romance writer, Elizabeth Hoyt. Both Julia and Elizabeth live in central Illinois surrounded by fields of corn which turn to fields of snow in the winter

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Harper's first contemporary is funny, engaging, and entertaining, April 2, 2008

By 

K. Hinton "avid reader" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Hot (Mass Market Paperback)

Local librarian Turner Hastings has worked at the First Bank of Winosha on Saturdays for the past four years. Turner has no real aspirations toward being the best bank teller she can be, and when a couple of bank robbers dressed as SpongeBob Squarepants and Yoda rob the bank, she hands over her money without a fight. In the aftermath of the robbery, however, Turner takes the opportunity to do something she's been waiting for--steal the contents of a safe deposit box owned by the bank's president.

FBI Special Agent John MacKinnon finds himself inexplicably attracted to the mousy librarian on the security tape, and finds himself wondering why she'd risk her mundane existence for a life on the run. Searching her house, MacKinnon finds Turner's cell phone number and when he calls her, they strike up a flirtation that keeps the readers entertained, enthralled, and wondering if a hardened FBI agent and an inept bank robber/librarian can really find love.

HOT was extremely cute and funny, and a nice change for those who picked this book up expecting traditional Elizabeth Hoyt. For those who are unfamiliar, Julia Harper is the name used by historical author Elizabeth Hoyt when she writes contemporary romance. When Hoyt writes historicals, there is an element of mystery and intrigue, but with her contemporaries, I think the thing to be looking for is her comic timing, which is impeccable. All of these characters were spot-on, very funny, and each had its own distinct voice so that the comedy didn't come off as trite or overused. However, for those Hoyt fans who picked up this book looking for Hoyt's signature brand of steam and passion, you also won't be disappointed. If you're not a Hoyt fan, the closest I can compare this book to is the Jen Crusie/Bob Mayer collaborations mixed with a little of Rachel Gibson's hilarity. And if you enjoy this book, I'd suggest checking out Hoyt's historicals while we eagerly await her next contemporary as Julia Harper (they are, in order, The Raven Prince, The Leopard Prince, and The Serpent Prince).

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lukewarm!!, December 31, 2007

By 

Tresmom - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hot (Mass Market Paperback)

It certainly has its moments of hotness but overall I would rate it as lukewarm.The male lead was definitely hot but somehow his blatant overriding of his job priorities mellowed it down a bit.The heroine sure did not leave any indelible impression on me unlike Anna from her debut novel who even though was plain but still made one forget that fact .

As always Ms.Hoyt does not disappoint us in the humor department which takes inspiration from Star wars,Scooby Doo,Mummy and Trinity from Matrix .Imagine having a character by the name of Tuna Fish in your book and getting away with it .

A good debut in contemporary field but she could definitely have done much better.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars warm, January 18, 2008

By 

specialk (Avoca Beach,Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hot (Mass Market Paperback)

I LOVE Elizabeth Hoyts books!

I really enjoy her writing style..and i do believe it carried over into "Hot" with the hero and heroine..their scenes together were excellent..and the passion..phew! Hot alright :D

If only she didn't have the two bumbling (read blindingly stupid) bankrobbers this book would have been at least four stars.

I will continue to read anything Elizabeth/Julie writes as i still believe she is among the best out there..