The Heat is On by Katie Rose

Review by TashNz | 4.5 Stars

The Heat is On
by Katie Rose

Loved this read. Delighted to see it’s part of a series. Can definitely be read as a stand alone.

Pro baseball player, Connor Jackson has come home. He’s come home to play his last series of baseball and hopefully win the world series with the New Jersey Sonic's, but most importantly he has come home to take the make gamble of his life and try win the game of life and love with his college girlfriend Tracy Coleman.

Going out to dinner both Connor and Tracy are surprised how easy it is to pick up where they left off and they talk and talk and simmering below is mutual attraction. But Connor doesn’t know what Tracy’s life is like now except that she is happily divorced. Fifteen years is a long time but to both time feels just like yesterday when they were kids in College.

Tracy Coleman is a happily divorced mother of 4. Yes you did read that correctly and what ensues is quite a realistic tale of a single bachelor looking up his old girlfriend who turns out to be a mother of 4. Tracy is reluctant to mention her children so early in the piece, she needs to figure out where this is going first. But as you know secrets have a way of exposing themselves and in the story, quite hilariously. Tracy is frightened Connor is going to run straight for the hills.

When Connor discovers Tracy is a Mum he takes it in his stride and I quite liked his way of looking at things. He was a strong character who was extremely likable and who I praise for sticking up for his loved ones when it counted. I loved his totally hilarious ways of dealing with kids and the adventure or two they went on and seeing things from his point of view.


I really liked the author’s portrayal of a proud mum with four kids and the battles faced with a divorce, the oldest and wisest son being upset and the effects the divorce had on him and the psycho ex also added a great angle. Realistic in a great read kind of way. Being a Mum myself I could totally relate.
The feelings Tracy felt were believable and I was totally caught up in the story, not realising how many chapters I’d read. Interspersed with Connor and Tracy’s story was Connors journey with the Sonics. I really enjoyed this and thought the trials and tribulations with a difficult team and players all panned out and I really got caught up in it.


I’m stoked to be reading a new author and will definitely be checking out the other books in the series and I highly recommend this one. It was a delight to read with realistic moments of life with kids and with likeable characters who you just wanted to both have their happy ever after. I liked the secondary characters just as much and will be looking them up.

Bad Boys of Summer Book 4
Published by Loveswept January 2016

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The Heat is On (The Boys of Summer #4)

Katie Rose



Reviewed by Helen

What a great story this is it is the first book I have read by this author but it won't be the last and this book is no 4 in The Bad Boys of Summer series but can be read as a stand alone and I will be reading the first ones in the series.

Pro-Baseball player Connor Jackson is thinking about retirement and decides to go back to his home town for his last year but there is also someone else back home his college sweetheart that he left behind to make it big in the baseball league he knows from his parents that she is now divorced and is determined to make it work this time but there are four reasons that may make this a bit harder than he thought can Connor open up his heart to all of them.

Tracy Coleman Carter is a divorced mother of four young children and finding it tough but she has great support in her family and best friend and of course her children mean everything to her but when her college sweetheart pro-baseball player Conner Jackson walks back into her life the spark is still there but there is a lot to think about before they can look to a future together especially with her ex causing problems.

Firstly this is an emotional and very sensual story the hero Connor is such a caring fabulous hero and Tracy has so much at stake if she re-kindles her love for Connor but that love between them has never waned it is still there as strong as it was. The author has bought the characters in this one to life so much so that you will be crying laughing and smiling not only that but I was on the edge of my seat through the baseball games as if I was there (and I don't know a lot about baseball). I highly recommend this book it was a fabulous read and I look forward to more in the series.

5/5 stars for a great story.

New Year at the Boss's Bidding by Rachael Thomas

New Year at the Boss's Bidding
by Rachael Thomas

Reviewed by TashNz

A romantic winter read with a beautiful setting at New Years Eve.

Tilly has landed a fantastic opportunity to cater for a New Years Eve party. Xavier Moretti hates Christmas and Tilly is a jilted bride so both aren't the happiest of campers at such a time of year where most are happy and full of joy. Both Tilly and Xavier note the sparks flying and not just from the log fire. Crazy snow storm blocks the road and neither the party Tilly is catering for can get through and she can't leave.

Snowbound! 

Brilliant set up for two people who need to face their demons and the distraction of each other proves to start the New Year off with a bang. Once the snow settles and they have to face the real world, will the warmth in the manor continue outside in reality to melt their past away and heal broken wounds??? 

Tilly and Xavier are two fab characters to read about and I enjoyed their story from the start. I found it hard to put down and I enjoyed the set up of the beautiful manor which was described with perfect detail, the believable back stories and really warmed to the characters of Tilly and Xavier. They deserved their happy ever after together.

Imagine sitting in front of a warm log fire all tucked up with a nice glass of red! This is how I felt reading New Year at the Boss's Bidding.

Reviewed by Nas

NEWYEAR AT THE BOSS’S BIDDING by author Rachael Thomas is a January 2016 release by Harlequin Presents series.

Natalie Rogers is snowbound with Xavier Moretti and passions run high. But she wouldn’t sleep with her boss. Yet by midnight, her contract is up and Xavier is no longer her boss. Would she give in to their fiery passion and raging chemistry?

After an accident, Xavier is scarred both physically and mentally. He doesn’t see himself a fit suitor for Tilly. Yet he couldn’t ignore the longing he has for her love. Could they have a happy ever after?

NEW YEAR AT THE BOSS’S BIDDING is a mesmerizing romance filled with emotional intensity and sensuality. Author Rachael Thomas once again astounds her readers with her heart-warming story telling style.

Highly recommended for all readers of romance.  

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Reviewed by Alexia

"New Year at the Boss's Bidding" by Rachael Thomas is a quick, classic romance. Xavier Moretti hires Tilley Rogers to cater his family New Year's Eve party but a snowstorm cancels the party and strands them together. Even though it's cold outside it is HOT inside. I'd love to tell you more but it gives too much of the story away, and the relationship between these two are worth reading.

5 Stars

Reviewed by Hina

New Year's Eve being not far away from Christmas, every New Year's Eve has the added warmth of Christmas. The same is true for this sexy story.

Snowbound in a manor that oozes of times gone by, Natalie and Xavier come together emotionally and physically. Both of them have a past that they must learn to move on from. Wounds of a past that need healing and the way to that is for them to be there for each other. The salve for their wounds is the love they have now developed for themselves.

Even though it is a Presents story, I find it a very sweet Romance. A book that when I once began, I could not keep it down until I read the last word.

5 Stars

Reviewed by Cheryl

New Year at the Boss's Bidding by Rachael Thomas

Xavier Moretti’s New Year’s Eve party is a good way to build the verily recent business for Tilly Rogers’s new catering company, Tilly’s Table. Landing it was a much needed boost to her new business and he wants an Italian theme which is perfect for Tilly. She used to cook alongside her grandma. 
As Tilly drives out to the Wimble Manor which is set on the edge of Exmoor it is snowing. She finally finds the Manor and finds also that the snow is accumulated a bit more. As she gets out unloading her business van she encounters none other than Xavier. 

Xavier is a billionaire business owner and has the motorcycle track. He is a former motorcycle racing and now mentors the young riders. He for sure is the most high-profile client to date for her catering company.

Tilly was very pleased to be out of London for New Year’s Eve considering that last year on the morning of what was to be her wedding day when her fiancé, Jason called off the wedding. 
Tilly felt Xavier’s eyes on her as she unloaded the van. He offered to help her and touched her as he grabbed boxes out of her arms. This sent sparks flying between them. She had never been affected by a man like this before, not even her ex-fiancé. 

As she set to prepare for the party she was not really looking out the windows and when she did she could not believe how the flakes were so large and coming down at a fast pace. She began to worry would her 2 assistance make it out there to help her. 

After her broken engagement she started a bucket list of things she wanted to accomplish. Her catering business was on the list and so was a romantic fling. There was something between her and Xavier and yet she told herself and later him that she could not do anything since Xavier was her boss for this party. 

Do the 2 assistants make it to the Manor? Does Xavier’s family make it there? Will Xavier and Tilly be alone in the Manor for New Year’s Eve and after due to a major snow storm? To find these answers and more you will have to read the book. It will show how Tilly had been hurt and how Xavier’s cycle accident that left his best friend dead and Xavier with major scars and what the future now holds for them. 

Enjoy!

5 Stars

Review by Dottie

Tilly Rogers is given the opportunity to cater a New Years eve party for billionaire Xavier Moretti. New Years is not a good time for either Tilly or Xavier, last New years Tilly was to marry and her fiancé called it off just before the ceremony. Xavier hates the holidays as he feels responsible for the death of a friend near the holidays. New Year is as it says a new year and these two people are suddenly stranded and have to cancel the party and spend the time together. Take Tilly , Xavier and an author like Rachael Thomas and you have a lovely story of discovery , healing and finding love when its least expected. These two people find what all romance readers want HEA but on their way to that you have a lovely story that will make you warm for the new Year

5 Stars

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Review by Amanda
Tilly Rogers is thrilled to cater for Xavier Moretti’s New Year’s Eve party. What she hadn’t catered for was getting holed up with her boss for a few days. However, being in close proximity to each other ignites a fire between them and it is not before long that Tilly and Xavier act upon their sizzling attraction. But with their broken past hanging over their heads, Tilly and Xavier give each other comfort in trying times by helping each other recuperate. Overall, New Year at the Boss’s Bidding by Rachael Thomas is a good solid book that keeps you reading until the end. Ms. Thomas creates a convincing story where her unique writing style and her well-developed characters take readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride.

Recommended
4 Stars

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New Year at the Boss's Bidding Rachael Thomas

Reviewed by Helen

This is a story that will have you turning the pages as two people that have issues to get over come together in a sizzling sensual story in such a beautiful setting with lots of snow.

Tilly Rogers was jilted a year ago and has thrown herself into a new business and hid behind that but she has made a list of things that she is determined to get done she is quiet and determined and a little afraid of loving which stems from her parents but when she takes on a job for New Years Eve and then gets snowed in her life will change for the better.

Xavier Moretti had a great life as a motor bike racer but when that part of his life ends in tragedy he continues to punish himself he works hard to promote safety in the industry but shuns Christmas, but when he meets Tilly things will change.

I loved this story truly the instant sizzling attraction when Tilly and Xavier meet could set the pages on fire the sensuality is amazing and to see a tortured hero meet a heroin who has issues to overcome and then Xavier to be so determined to get the girl he loves, this one will have you smiling throughout I highly recommend this story grab a beverage curl up and enjoy I did very much. 

5/5 stars for a great story