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TEMPERATURES RISING - Brenda Jackson Harlequin Kimani/Romance May 2009 |
SYNOPSIS: Radio producer Sherrie Griffin is used to hot, stormy weather. But the chemistry between her and sports DJ Terrence Jeffries really heats up when the two are stranded together during a Florida hurricane.
SERIES ROMANCE |4| Susan Plummer
REVIEW: Temperatures Rising by bestselling author, Brenda Jackson is a revisit with character Terrence Jeffries, aka Holy Terror, and his story is sure to have some readers overheating with its steamy love scenes.
Radio producer, Sherrie Griffin’s move from Washington, DC to Key West to run her uncle’s radio station is a step in the right direction towards achieving her ultimate career goal. Things would be perfect if she didn’t have to keep resisting the advances of NFL star turned radio DJ, Terrence Jeffries. To make matters worse, Sherrie finds Terrence’s good looks and smooth personality very hard to resist. As passions become too much to ignore Sherrie decides that maybe a dose of Terrence is just the antidote she needs to cure her desire for him. One night of passion leaves them both wanting more but Sherrie usually plays for keeps while Terrence usually only plays. Terrence Jeffries aka, Holy Terror is a notorious ladies man and has never met a woman who makes him want to give up his player’s card; until Sherrie. She doesn’t know that one night is not nearly enough for him either because he wants forever. Like the unstoppable hurricane bearing down on them Terrence intends to keep bombarding Sherrie with love until she realizes this time he is playing for keeps.
The story begins directly with Terrence’s pursuit of Sherrie and develops quickly. Time is allotted however to give a backdrop to Terrence and Sherrie’s character. Reader’s met Terrence Jeffries’s character in his sister, Olivia Jeffries’s story: Tall, Dark, Westmoreland. It is always exciting to revisit with an old character and to finally learn their story. Sherrie initially comes across as very uptight and a stickler for protocol but Terrence’s irreverence mellows her out making her a more likable character. Other characters, such as Sherrie’s best friend, Kim, her uncle, Warrick and others; round out this interesting tale.
TEMPERATURES RISING is set in Key West, Florida which is pivotal to the plot and adds to the story’s authenticity. Terrence is very sure of himself but not in an obnoxious way. Sherrie seems to say one thing and then does another. In one breath she doesn’t want to become involved and yet, she invites Terrence into her home and her bed. She spends a huge part of the story in denial. Some of their best communication is non-verbal when Sherrie shuts up and lets her emotions guide her.
I enjoyed this book because there weren’t any heavy topics, just a light and easy romance. Aside from the mention of a hurricane and even that is dealt with jovially as Terrence defuses its gravity with his sense of humor. I didn’t particularly care for Sherrie’s character but overall it is an enjoyable story.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 29th April 2009