Learning Curves (Heat) (Harlequin Temptation) [Paperback]

Joanne Rock (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harlequin Temptation | Publication Date: January 1, 2002

Graduate student Madeline Watson can't believe the university rejected her human-mating-rituals study, hinting a good girl like her can't handle the racy subject. Okay, so maybe she has a few gaps in her mating knowlege. But she's changing that by propositioning the campus bad boy Cal Turner. With his expert instruction, she'll learn the finer points of desire... and how much fun it is being bad.

Mechanic-turned-teacher Cal has to shake a reputation that's been a lifetime in the making. Which means he can't risk a public fling with Maddy... and he can't refuse her oh-so-tempting offer. But he could give her private lessons-- just the two of them-- studying the art of seduction. Until their passionate sessions overheat the classroom and Cal's left wondering who really is the teacher.

Editorial Reviews

Review

....this debut book for Ms. Rock delivers some wonderful entertainment. -- Old Book Barn Gazette

Ms. Rock has a fresh, interesting voice that will have you laughing out loud so many times. -- The Belles and Beaux of Romance

From the Author

What good girl doesn’t occasionally dream of letting her inner wild woman run free? If you’ve ever entertained the idea of really letting your hair down, I bet you’ll like reading about sociology scholar Madeline Watson, who can’t wait to undertake the study of human mating rituals for her dissertation. Too bad the university thinks upstanding Madeline has spent too much time in the ivory tower to undertake such an earthy subject. Now she needs to shed her good girl image in a hurry, and she knows just the man to help her!

I hope you enjoy seeing how Madeline leads the campus on a steamy, wild ride that turns their lives upside down. LEARNING CURVES is set at my alma mater, the University of Louisville in Kentucky. Although I didn’t have quite as much fun there as Maddy does, I loved every minute spent at that venerable institution in pursuit of my Master’s degree.

If you like LEARNING CURVES, don’t miss my first Harlequin Blaze title in February 2002, SILK, LACE & VIDEOTAPE.I’d love to hear from you!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373259638
• ISBN-13: 978-0373259632
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,487,074 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Higher learning will never be the same!, February 4, 2002

By 

C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Learning Curves (Heat) (Harlequin Temptation) (Paperback)

Graduate student Madeline Watson feels outraged to learn that her desertion topic has been rejected. She had elected to study the mating practices of humans from a sociological point of view. The committee's denial of the topic implies that she lives a pristine life that lacks practical experience with dating rituals; therefore, her innocence disqualifies her from making an adequate study of such a racy topic. Consequently, Madeline approaches long time friend Cal Turner, the bad boy of the teacher's lounge. Her goal: to practice dating rituals publicly enough to convince her professors to reconsider her topic.

Cal has tried to flirt with Madeline for years, but she just never seems to "get it." He resolved long ago to maintain their platonic friendship. Now he is shocked at Maddy's invitation to come to her place to burn up the sheets. Shocked that she offers and flattered that she wants him, Cal still has to decline. He has been cleaning up his reputation for the sake of a custody hearing for his little sister. A flagrant and public affair could cost him the case. Still, he finds himself irresistibly drawn to Madeline, especially when his Lady Scholar becomes a siren in a red dress.

Author Joanne Rock brings a marvelous sense of adventure and a touch of the unexpected to LEARNING CURVES. In the Ivory Towers of higher academia, this marvelous heroine discovers that higher learning and falling in love can be both challenging and rewarding. Rock carefully sidesteps current policy of prohibiting a graduate student and an instructor from dating. Her ingenious resolution: they were friends before he started teaching, she has more teaching experience, and they are in different departments. And in a world where a graduate student's reputation makes all the difference, in this case because she is a little too pristine, Rock exploits the possibilities to the fullest. A delightful romp scertain to entertain, LEARNING CURVES comes very highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sizzle from a juicy steak!, January 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Learning Curves (Heat) (Harlequin Temptation) (Paperback)

I figured a Harlequin Temptation novel would have plenty of sizzle, especially one whose cover featured a scarlet sheath-clad siren in the back seat of a classic convertible getting very friendly with a gorgeous guy. LEARNING CURVES, the Harlequin Temptation debut of Golden Heart winner Joanne Rock, does have sizzle to spare. But it isn't a case of all sizzle, no steak. Ms. Rock delivers a juicy, full-flavored steak with the love story of Madeline Watson, a socially inexperienced academic and Cal Turner, the campus bad boy she chooses to tutor her in the subject of passion. Cal and Maddy set off sparks that can't be quenched by either the complications in their lives or the pink soap bubble car wash that's the scene of one memorable tryst. Like a roller coaster that ends with a lingering ride through the tunnel of love, LEARNING CURVES, provides the perfect mixture of sensual thrills and sweet satisfaction.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Subtle Humor, January 12, 2002

By 

P. F. R. "punkin" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning Curves (Heat) (Harlequin Temptation) (Paperback)

Ms. Rock has written a very lively tale featuring my favorite style, subtle humor. I loved the Mechanic-Made-Good hero. My kind of guy.