WINTER HEAT

Author: Darlene Gardner ISBN: 0373692013 12/2004 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: Harlequin

It’s going to be a very hot Christmas! Architect Riley Carter never does anything without a blueprint, including moving next door to his ex-girlfriend, Kate Marino. The only thing he wants for Christmas is Kate back in his arms, and he has a secret, seductive plan to get her there. Kate has a sneaking suspicion that what Riley really wants is sex — just sex — so she sets a trap to get him to admit it. After being swept away her first time around with him, she’s promised it won’t happen again. Right. Before long, Kate’s falling for Riley anyway. Who will win the battle of wills? Well, with all the holiday magic in the air, maybe they both can . . .

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Darlene Gardner's romances are billed as "...when love is a laughing matter."

Ms. Gardner definitely delivers on that pledge with her Harlequin Temptation, WINTER HEAT. Fun, breezy, sexy, WINTER HEAT is a clever holiday tale with a finely sketched romantic couple who are given a second chance at love.

It might just take a Christmas miracle to get these two characters back together. But Riley Carter has a plan, a grand plan to get Kate Marino back. Or so he thinks. Kate has a plan of her own. The nifty cat-and-mouse game in this story is well-done as both characters are constantly reversing roles between predator and prey.

Riley's plan to begin again as friends hits a number of snags, mainly because the two have a hard time keeping their hands off each other. And Ms. Gardner has given this pair oodles of time together. The explosiveness of the relationship has sparks continually flying between the two characters.

So regardless if you've been naughty or nice this year, treat yourself to a WINTER HEAT, a terrific holiday story with a multi-dimensional romantic couple who sizzle together.

Debbie Jett