Customer Reviews

Hot

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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).

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.

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..

Historical Romance writer Elizabeth Hoyt makes a change in genre and name, writing a Contemporary Romance under the name Julia Harper. Having discovered Ms. Hoyt last year, I quickly fell for her characters and writing style. I could not wait to see how she did in the contemporary genre and I am not at all disappointed, she exceeded my expectations.

Turner Hastings is the local Librarian and Saturday bank teller. She lives her life as a characterature of a Librarian; baggy and boring clothing, horned-rimmed glasses and even wears her hair in a tight bun. In all the confusion after a Saturday bank robbery, Turner sees an opportunity to empty her boss's safety deposit box and put to rest four years of wondering and waiting.

When FBI Special Agent John MacKinnon is called into investigate a small town bank robbery, the case seems pretty simple. It seems simple until he catches Turner on the surveillance camera emptying the contents of the safety deposit box into her purse. When Turner faces the camera and smiles, John knows there is more to the case and Turner than meets the eye.

Turner is new at this fugitive thing, so when her cell phone rings, she answers and finds herself conversing with the very man who is sole purpose is to arrest her. Soon John and Turner find themselves looking forward to their brief cell phone chats, and an unusual but wonderful relationship begins.

My one complaint about this book is the mindless chatter and overly idiotic scenes with the bank robbers. They are like Bill and Ted meets Beevis and Butthead and then they are shorted a few more brain cells. I could have totally done without those two, I was grateful she limited their chapters to a few pages.

This is not a slow paced book. The action starts early in chapter one and while Turner is solving a mystery and John is hunting Turner, the momentum never stops. I liked how the romance starts with innocent phone calls and then builds to so much more. The sex scenes in this book are phenomenally written, very erotic, realistic and emotional.

I absolutely loved this book; it was witty, charming, sensual, fun and unique. This is one of those books that you can't put down; you can't read or turn the pages fast enough, racing to get to the end to see what happens next. Then you'll end up mad at yourself for rushing a good thing because now you're so sorry it's over.

There are elements of this book that I really enjoyed. One was the Wisconsin setting. Ms. Harper (aka the super-amazing Elizabeth Hoyt) uses little details to create a realistic midwestern community, complete with hamburger hot dish, ice fishing, pickeled herring, ticks, and one character's unholy love of Miracle Whip.
The main characters are likable. Special Agent John MacKinnon is sexy, hardworking, and refreshingly normal (this makes his rash decisions later in the book even more inexplicable). Turner has deeper problems, but I admired her commitment to her uncle and the truth. And I liked the doggy sidekick too, although too much was said about his rank breath. (Give him a milk bone, somebody.)
I also liked John's clotheshorse partner Dante Torelli.
However, having said this, there were things about this book that didn't work for me.

Too often the humor falls flat. The chapters with Yoda and Spongebob did nothing for me. They felt forced and contrived (oh, how it pains me to say this about Ms. Harper/Hoyt!). Only one good scene with these doofuses--their interview with the immaculatly clad, potato-chip-wielding Dante.

I don't think the author ever found the right tone for this book--it shifts from the ridiculous and lighthearted to the solemn, deep, and intimate with reckless abandon. The shifts in tone jolted me out of the story.

Finally, and this is the biggie for me and somewhat connected to the tone issue, the hero's actions don't fit his personality. He seems like a focused, committed, serious agent, but his investigation of Turner is irresponsible & cavalier to say the least. True, he's attracted to her from the start, but because of that attraction, he makes little effort to actually bring her in. Multiple times his partner suggests they call in backup and he refuses. I found this behavior very out of character for the hero Ms. Harper created, especially since he tells Turner how seriously he's taking this womanhunt. His emotions are not slapstick/slapdash, so I don't think his investigation should be either. It doesn't fit. It would be more believable if John made one or two serious, concerted efforts to nab Turner before giving into their emotional connection and letting his professional agenda slide.
So, the book's far from perfect, but I am such an admirerer of Ms. Harper's pitch-perfect Georgian romances that I will certainly read her next contemporary anyway. It might just take her a book or two to get into the swing of the 21st century.

I agree with almost all the reviewers here -- this book is fantastic, except for the parts with the robbers. If all those segments were edited out, it would be a 5 star book.

Julia Harper usually writes historical romance novels under the name Elizabeth Hoyt. I think she should write more contemporary romance novels, because this was fun!

The robbers are so stupid, so over the top, so ridiculous that it detracts from the rest of the book. Skim those parts at best and just enjoy the rest.

Turner Hastings had been waiting for just the right opportunity to get revenge for her falsely accused uncle, and when two bumbling bank robbers start waving guns around, she sees her chance to commit a little burglary of her own. What she wasn't expecting was to be sucked into a flirtation with the FBI Special Agent following her.

John McKinnon couldn't put his finger on why Turner had such an unusual effect on him, but he didn't try too hard to resist it either. As he gets closer to catching up to her, his phone calls become increasingly personal - for both of them. And when it seems like Turner's theory of conspiracy might be valid, John has to not only find her but do it before she gets killed.

If you are looking for a fun, light read, Hot will fit the bill. With an unusual take on the initial flirtation between the two lead characters, Hot starts off with a bang. The growing emotional connection is apparent, and the backdrop of Turner's investigation into her uncle's frame up gives tension. The comic relief the bank robbers provide could be over the top (and sometimes is), but is definitely entertaining. A good beach read!


Niki Lee
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

It's just OK. You've got a librarian who's been waiting out her chance at revenge, a FBI special agent thinking from his pants instead of acting like a professional, and the uncovering of evidence that her (the librarian) uncle wasn't the one stealing from the bank.

I read 'for the love of pete' and LOVED it- that's the book that takes place after this one. I was surprised I didn't love this book. The whole story was just OK and lukewarm at best. I just couldn't get behind either leading character and they didn't captivate or delight me.

my advice would be to buy (and enjoy!) Pete and forget this book.

HOT
JULIA HARPER

Rating: 3 Enchantments

Turner Hastings has been waiting 4 long years for the chance to avenge her uncle. When SpongeBob and Yoda hold up the bank she works at, she seizes the opportunity to take advantage of the chaos.

FBI Special Agent John MacKinnon couldn't believe his eyes when he notices Turner emptying the contents of the bank managers' safety deposit box into her purse on the surveillance tape. Unsure if she is connected to the yahoo bank robbers or if she has a motive of her own, he begins to trail her.

Contacting Turner on her cell phone leads John onto a completely different chase. He knows that he needs to apprehend her, but as their conversations go on, things become more complicated, as an unexpected attraction takes hold of them.

HOT is a comical take on a bank heist gone terribly wrong. Take two not-so-bright bank robbers, one sensitive Great Dane, a local politician, a revenge seeking heroine and an FBI agent who ALWAYS gets his man...uh woman, and you have the set-up for a great comedy of errors. Can Turner clear her uncle's name? Will John capture the crook? Can a relationship between them ever work?

I found HOT to be an amusing tale, but it lacked something that kept me from loving it. I just couldn't connect with the characters. Turner was a rather bland heroine and I found myself annoyed by her lack of logic, while John had some hot spots, but for the most part I found him boring. Though the passion between them was sizzling. My favorite character was Squeak, the dog; he was a total wuss of a Great Dane, but he seemed so sweet.

Ms. Harper writes a fast-paced story that is light and fun. I thought she wove a wonderful plot and setting. Unfortunately, not being able to bond with Turner and John was a real handicap to the book for me. Ms. Harper also writes as popular historical romance author Elizabeth Hoyt. To learn more about her and her books, you can find her online at [...].


Aemelia
Enchanting Reviews
April 2008

I really enjoyed this book. The H/H were both smart and funny. Look forward to reading more from her.