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HOT LIKE FIRE - Niobia Bryant Kensington/Dafina Romance November 2007 |
SYNOPSIS: After a nursing student agrees to baby-sit a sexy widowers daughter, she forges a deep friendship with him, and they soon find themselves falling in love.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE |4+| Susan Plummer
REVIEW: Ms. Bryant’s new novel, HOT LIKE FIRE,
is not for the faint of heart and as the title rightfully indicates; it
is hot like fire. Open with caution because you are guaranteed to get
hot as you read this sensual journey to finding love the second time
around.
Every page of HOT LIKE FIRE sizzles and it was difficult putting
this book down once I began. Picture it; a grown woman reading under the
covers with a tiny flashlight because my hubby has trouble sleeping with
the light on. I just couldn’t wait until morning to see what was next.
The story is a voyeuristic view into the life of Kade Strong and
Garcelle Santos. It’s been years since the passing of his wife but ranch
owner, Kade Strong is not ready to move on. He must make the effort
however for their young daughter, Kadina. Taking the necessary steps
towards healing, Kade returns home, and hires a nanny, Garcelle Santos.
Soon his front porch is filled with tricks and treats from women vying
for the title of the next Mrs. Kade Strong. Only Garcelle seems immune
to Kade’s brooding good looks. They form a comfortable friendship
unaffected by emotional attachment; or so it seems. One stormy night,
Kade rushes to Garcelle’s rescue and the line between friends and lovers
is crossed. Their passionate joining is rivaled only by the furry of the
storm. In that moment, Kade discovers something with Garcelle he
believes he’d lost forever and Garcelle realizes he’s that special
someone she’s always wanted. There is one problem: Kade is not ready to
change is grieving widower status and Garcelle is unwilling to become
part of a ménage tois, even if the third person is a ghost.
The plot is so wonderfully cultivated it flows off the page and into the
minds eye like a movie. The pacing keeps you panting and I couldn’t turn
the pages fast enough. Character development is skillfully done and I
could picture each and every one of them as they battled it out with
each other verbally and emotionally. In all honesty, I barely had time
to pay attention to the setting which was North Carolina’s farming
country but this is only because the plot is so engaging. As I said
about the characters, so also the dialogue sizzles. Garcelle drips sex
appeal when she faces off with Kade yet comes across as very down to
earth when she interacts with other characters. Kade, very much like is
name, is a strong virile man but Garcelle and Kadina manage to bring out
his softer side. The rest of the Strong clan is no push over either and
even those with supporting roles, manage to leave a lasting impression.
Needless to say at the end, I had a love hate relationship with this
book. I loved every page and hated to see it end. I will be keeping a
watchful eye for Ms. Bryant’s future works because I have a strong
suspicion that I haven’t seen the last of the Strong clan. Readers will
find HOT LIKE FIRE a quick read because they won’t want to put it
down.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 8th January 200