Hot Item by Carly Phillips

Seen on the sidelines . . .

What star quarterback has been spotted with a new flavor of arm candy? It's notorious bad boy Riley Nash, but his newest flame is the last person this reporter could imagine—none other than Sophie Jordan, beautiful, buttoned-down co-owner of The Hot Zone, the industry's top sports management agency.

What's behind this unlikely team? Some say it has to do with the sudden disappearance of super agent Spencer Atkins. Could there be a connection between the red-hot quarterback and the missing dealmaker? Or has the famous groupie magnet simply met his perfect match in cool, collected Sophie? Watch this space, because the resulting news is bound to be one Hot Item.

Sophie Jordon along with her two sisters, one older one younger, was raised by her Uncle Yank from a very young age. Both parents being killed in a plane accident the girls learned early what unexpected heartache life brings. Each relying on their own different ways to cope.

Sophie's comfort comes from being able to control things. Her life, those in it. And if she cannot control it she needs to fully understand it. So when her Uncles best friend, and co-owner of the Athlete's Only and The Hot Zone Spencer Atkins goes MIA Sophia gets a little nervous. Ever since she became a partner at The Hot Zone Spence has always been in his office ready for business at 9am sharp, never late, no exceptions. But the day after all the papers picked up on the gossip about him being gay (the true gossip) Spencer changes his way and becomes a no show.

Sophie soon finds herself with an unexpected companion in her quest to find Spence. None other than the only athlete to ever make her hot, Riley Nash, professional football star. And the bigger shock? Spense is Riley's biological father. All his life Riley has known who his father was but never had contact with him, although he did everything in his power to be noticed. Blessed with a natural talent and love for football he was sure his father the Sports Agent would recognize him and accept him, but that doesn't happen. So Riley decided long ago he needed nobody especially not his father, but Sophie makes his heart flip and stomach flop. How can he a firm believer in doing what he wants when he wants, no rules at all fit with a control obsessed woman?

So with his own issues on being rejected and Sophie's issues with needing to control everything it should be painfully obvious that they don't work. Except for that the burning heat between them, and how they seem to understand each other so well without any words makes a mockery of all their intentions to tell themselves and each other it won't work.

So go pick up the book and see how these two overcome their childhood issues, interfering Uncles, gay fathers, and bratty teenage daughter.

Funny, interesting, and sexy, a must read in my book.

Grade: B

Hot Stuff
Hot Number
Hot Item

Dylan's Turn:

Hero: Riley Nash
Heroine: Sophie Nash
Category: Contemporary
Page Count: 378 pages
Grade: B-

Okay, so this was the last installment to the Hot Zone Trilogy (is that what this is called?) Well anyway, this book was a quick read for me, a quick and very enjoyable read.

Sophie is the last Jordan sister who needs her happy ending and she finally gets hers not too long after Micki got hers. She has an insane crush on Footballer Riley Nash of the New York Giants and even though she hates athletes, Riley has gotten under her skin and she's so hot damn attracted to him that it bugs the heck out of her.

They take a trip to Florida to find his biological father and her partner who has gone missing, Spencer Atkins.

Their journey to finding love with each other was a pleasant story to read. I loved watching Sophie's personality shine through in her book. The whole controlling thing didn't bother me as much as I thought it would and I enjoyed reading about her falling in love with Riley and more importantly (for me atleast) to see Riley falling in love with Sophie.

I loved when Riley realized that he was indeed in love with Sophie. I thought it was so sweet. He was a fantastic hero, one who was kind, caring and outrageously gorgeous. He's an athlete too and I've got such a soft spot for athletes. I loves his relationship with Lizzie and I loved how he learned from his mistakes and he wasn't a butt head and stubborn (like Yank) when he was wrong.

Sophie was a fabulous heroine and I enjoyed her very much. She wasn't this pushover heroine that got on my nerves, she was what she was and I loved how Riley accepted her for it. He loved her despite all of her retarded little quirks like her incessant need to control everyone's lives.

It was sweet.

This book was sweet, fun and cute. I totally recommend it. This is my second favorite in the series, Hot Number being my most favorite!

Hot Number by Carly Phillips

The Hot Zone:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Micki Jordan, co-ownder of The Hot Zone Sports Agency

Micki Jordan, publicist to the brightest stars in the sports world, is pleased to announce the end of her tomboy ways, effective immediately. While she will still be able to discuss the finer points of the two-man defense, Micki has transformed herself into one hot number, and she will no longer be known as "just one of the guys."
To that end, Micki is now holding tryouts for the position of new man in her life. Current leading contender Damian Fuller is a professional ballplayer and a major-league playboy. Those who would like to go head-to-head with the wildest player in the league for a chance at winning Micki's heart should apply in person . . .

Let the games begin.

Now at first glance, this book seems to be like every other predictable contemp romance with a sports focus - with the hero fighting the premature end of his sporting career and the heroine battling her own insecurities as well as trying to to succeed where every other woman had failed: to break through the hero's defenses and prove that all their tomorrows should be spent together.

Yes, this book definitely had all those qualities but it was far from a disappointment. In fact, the first time I read this book I was completely hooked. I chanced upon Hot Number a little over six months ago while I was shopping for snacks with Dylan at Wal-Mart. So as the two of us browsed the aisles talking and what not, I continued to flick through the cute book to see if there was anything of interest. And yes, I was definitely interested. I think I devoured the Prologue, the first chapter and half of the second before I realised that I was practically reading non-stop in the store. I knew then, that if I couldn't stop reading at the store, there was no way I could leave it behind. And thankfully I didn't.

The fact that I was on vacation at the time visiting some long distance friends and still couldn't bare to put the book down, should be confirmation enough that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Micki Jordan was a spunky heroine and even though she was sporting some insecurities she was still able to be the confident assertive heroine we all love. Damian Fuller, the hottest player on and off the field was definitely a treat. What I loved most about him was his sense of honor, especially towards Micki. And it's no wonder Micki fell for this particular ball player.

I haven't been all too impressed by Carly Phillips other books so I was quite surprised that Hot Number had fast become one of my romantic sports favourites - alongside The Chicago Star series by SEP.

Hot Number is apart of a three book series, centering on the Jordan sisters, beginning with Hot Stuff. Hot Item is scheduled to be released in June 2006 and you can bet that I'll be anxiously awaiting for my copy.

If you're looking for a light romantic read, I'd definitely recommend Hot Number.

Dylan's Review:

Hero: Damien Fuller
Heroine: Micki Jordan
Category: Contemporary
Grade: B+

Grace did a spectacular review on this book and I just wanted to add a little bit to it since I just finished reading this book myself.

This book was definitely on my TBR list and has been since that memorable day that I stood in Wal Mart trying unsucessfully to have any kind of conversation with Grace, whom was visiting from her far away homeland of Australia. I have Carly Phillips to blame for stealing precious time away from Grace's first trip to the states to visit myself and our friends. She was so engrossed in this book and after finishing the book myself last night, I completely understand why she was so wrapped up in it.

Now, I should add that the reason I'm just barely getting around to reading this series is because I have been very wary of trying anything new by Carly Phillips (and by new, I mean new to me) because I haven't been "wowed" by Carly Phillips yet. I mean, I've only read one of her other books and that was the first book in The Chandler Brother's series, Roman's story. I think it was called The Bachelor and though I liked it well enough, it didn't have enough of a pull for me to think "Wow that was a great book" but I thought it would get better as the series progressed but then I never finished Rick's book. It was the first book that I never finished and to this day, almost 3 years later, I STILL haven't finished that book. So I never got around to reading Chase's book which I hear is the best book and a favorite among CP fans.

But I can finally say that Carly Phillips has wowed me.

The storyline behind this book isn't a new storyline, it wasn't fresh, it wasn't something that I haven't read before but none of that mattered to me while reading this book. Carly Phillips did a wonderful job writing this book.

I absolutely LOVE this kind of storyline and Carly Phillips delivered a great rendition to the ol' Aging Athlete denying the end of his career and tomboy unsure of her worth as a woman. Damien Fuller was a memorable hero and Micki was a fantastic heroine! The storyline didn't drag at all and it was just fun, light and very fulfilling. A truly great read!

Ya'll should definitely pick this book and give it a whirl, I'm so glad I did!

Hot Stuff by Carly Phillips

Hero: Brandon Vaughn
Heroine: Annabelle Jordan
Page Count: 377 pages
Grade: C

New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips introduces a sizzling new trilogy — The Hot Zone — the three Jordan sisters are all grown up, and the sports world will never be the same!

Annabelle Jordan and her two sisters were orphans in frilly dresses when they went to live with their sports-lawyer uncle in his world of locker rooms, bookies and gambling.

Now the girls are publicists in their uncle's firm, the Hot Zone. Despite her upbringing Annabelle is allwoman. She's naturally drawn torealmen — like her latest client, ex-football legend and businessman Brandon Vaughn.

The chemistry is potent, undeniable,irresistible. But Annabelle soon realizes that Brandon is much more than just another jock. And that she'd better hold on tight if she doesn't want to lose her heart.

Hmmm.

This book was your average romance novel with a really hot hero, a great heroine and witty secondary characters. The storyline was a real basic storyline and though I enjoyed it for what it was, this wasn't the best romance novel ever.

It was cute and it made me sigh and I'm not mad that I read it but it was very predictable and I knew who the villain of this book was right from the very beginning.

Brandon Vaughn is one of those hot hero's that has you drooling from page 1 to page 377, he's one of those hero's that you want to take the challenge on of showing him just how worthy he is for love because of course he doesn't think he is. I enjoyed getting to know him and I enjoyed seeing him get his happy ending in ALL things, not just with Annabelle. I was very happy with the way his story ended. It was good stuff.

Annabelle Jordan is the oldest Jordan sister and she has had issues with her parents death that has stayed with her into adulthood and though she was a good heroine, she wasn't by any stretch my favorite. I just couldn't really relate to her or her problems so because I didn't understand her or why her issues were still issues when she's a grown ass woman, I just didn't really feel much about her.

I enjoyed the secondary characters very much. Nick and Mara? Love them. Yank and Lola? LOVE THEM. Sophie and Mick? I love them too! I loved the relationship between the three Jordan sisters and thought that it was just great to see sisters so bonded together if that makes any sense. LOL.

Would I recommend this book? Sure, only if you're looking to read something very fluffy, funny and light. This was an enjoyable read but it wasn't as engrossing as other books that I've read.