Skin Deep (Heat) (Harlequin Temptation) [Paperback]

Tori Carrington (Author)

Book Description

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

As exciting as a pile of cracker crumbs . . .?

That's what Kyra White's ex thinks of her. Well, she'll show him -- and every other guy who's ever dumped her! Toting the book that will transform her into a sex kitten in twelve simple steps, gal-next-door Kyra sets out to go from blah to breathtaking with the help of blond hair dye and barely there clothing.

But architect and best friend Michael Romero isn't so sure he likes the new Kyra. With her fresh confidence and "come on to me" looks, she's making it even more difficult for him to keep his feelings for her under wraps, but he'd better soon reveal that his attraction runs more than skin deep because now that Kyra's making serious waves in the XY gene pool, her makeover could turn into his game over.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a light-hearted, playful romp that...readers have come to expect from Carrington. Highly recommended." -- Cindy Penn, WordWeaving.com, 7/02

"SKIN DEEP is a well-written torrid romance that reminds this reviewer of...Carl Anderson's song Friends and Lovers... " -- Harriet Klausner, Reviewer, 7/02

"[T]his book is definitely for the keeper shelf." -- Barb Hicks, RoadtoRomance.com, 7/02

From the Author

Dear Reader,

Best friends to lovers. The best of both worlds, right? Only sometimes, the transition isn't as simple as it seems. And then sometimes, it's better than anybody could have imagined…

Trendy architect Michael Romero already had it bad for his best friend, Kyra White. But when she transforms herself into a walking, talking fantasy, he can't keep his feelings under wraps any longer. Even if those feelings are not what Kyra expects. So, taking up his usual 'best friend' role and catching her when she falls, Michael sets out to make her fall for him. The problem is, he ends up falling even harder…

We hope you enjoy Michael and Kyra's sexy, sassy journey into each others' beds and hearts.

And be sure to keep your eyes peeled for our next Harlequin Blaze, EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE, available in September.

Wishing you love, romance and hot, steamy reading,

Lori & Tony Karayianni aka Tori Carrington

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin; Harlequin Temptation #890 : Heat. Sassy, Sexy, Sed edition (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373259905
• ISBN-13: 978-0373259908
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,006,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tori Carrington is the pen name of nationally best-selling, award-winning authors Lori Schlachter Karayianni and Tony Karayianni. Their over 50 published novels include titles for Harlequin Blaze, Temptation, Signature Series and Silhouette Special Edition, and their hardcover comedic-mystery series Sofie Metropolis, PI. For more info, visit http://www.toricarrington.net, http://www.facebook.com/toricarrington http://www.myspace.com/toricarrington and http://www.twitter.com/toricarrington

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sexy Seduction Between Friends, September 20, 2002

By 

writerchick - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skin Deep (Heat) (Harlequin Temptation) (Paperback)

Tori Carrington's SKIN DEEP is the dream relationship of most women, falling in love with your best friend. Yeah, an age old plot line, but it works very well once again. Kyra gets dumped and decides she needs a change, so she turns herself into a sexier version of herself. Her best friend, Michael, can't stand other men seeing the new fleshier and sexier version. He realizes he wants that sassy woman just for his pleasure! But dare they risk their freindship to become intimate? Sparks fly off the pages when these two get together. Very steamy and very entertaining!

Reviewed by Miriam van Veen

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Temptation Heat Accurate Description!, August 11, 2002

By 

Carol Carter "Carol C in GA" (Thomaston, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Skin Deep (Heat) (Harlequin Temptation) (Paperback)

Bookkeeper Kyra White is dumped by yet another jerk as her best friend in the world watches from a distance. Michael Romero is close to socking Kyra's last in the line of lovers right in the jaw when he sees the startled look on Kyra's face. He's not about to let his best friend take abuse from another loser.

Michael has been Kyra's champion since she came to work for his architectural firm, and since then they've become close buddies - shoulders to lean upon - to share confidences - and pick each other up after loves gone bad. They've always thought of each other like next-door neighbors, but suddenly Michael is getting different vibes. Hoy boy! Those vibes are going to be zinging pretty soon .....

When he gets a real good look at the new Kyra.

Kyra is tired of being plain Jane and does a 180-degree turn-around. She's cut her long plain brown locks, opting for short, spiked blonde ones. And goodbye sensible white, button front blouses with long skirts and HELLOOOOO slinky minis and low cut, tight stretchy tops that have every man ogling as she walks past. A new Kyra is born, and is she ever enjoying herself. The tiger in her tank is turned loose - and guess who her next prey is going to be? Yep - Michael better hang on tight, because this new woman is going to take charge of her life and go for the gold.

I am guessing the husband of this writing team wrote a good portion of this story as I sensed a man's viewpoint while reading Michael's thoughts. Michael goes through hoops learning life's lessons, but with Kyra to show him the way, how can he lose? Meanwhile, Kyra learns she's the same person inside no matter what she wears, but the hot, trendy look gives her the courage to fight for what she wants.

SKIN DEEP carries the Temptation HEAT label, and this story definitely fits the category. Hotter than a firecracker, SKIN DEEP pushes the envelope of erotic romance with vivid, descriptive sensual scenes that scorch the paper, but buried beneath this activity is a good story. For those who like them hot, you will not be disappointed in this latest one from the Carrington husband and wife team. SKIN DEEP won't cool down your hot August days, so be sure to sit in front of a fan with a cool glass of refreshment. Once you open the first page, you won't cool down until you reach the last page, and maybe not even then (grinning here)...

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Never Know...., August 30, 2002

By 

Patti Fischer "pattifischer" (WA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Skin Deep (Heat) (Harlequin Temptation) (Paperback)

I loved this story! It is about friends who suddenly discover they are attracted to one another. They have worked together for years, and supported one another emotionally through heartache and other woes.
One day, the heroine decides to change her looks and personality and it throws the hero for a loop. It makes both of them look at one another differently with hot results.
Some "best friends to lovers" stories can be predictable, but this kept me on my toes and hard for me to put down. I wish this had been longer, perhaps in a Blaze format, as the characters were very entertaining. The love scenes were a scorcher, and the plot different from other stories I have read. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys friends to lovers plus makeover stories like I do.