BODY HEAT (SIMPLY SERIES #4)

 NYC summer days are hot. Nights are even hotter…

Not much has stirred Detective Jake Lowell’s interest since a perp put a bullet in his shoulder, killed his partner, then walked on a technicality. Until a sexy waitress at a tiny neighborhood café catches his eye.

Physical therapy is the last thing on Jake’s want-to-do list, but he needs it to get back on the street and track down the killer. But what’s a guy to do when he meets his new PT—and it’s his smoking hot café angel?

Working two jobs, Brianne Nelson never expected to do more than fantasize about Mr. Tall, Tanned & Gorgeous. But when her new private PT client turns out to be the man who fuels her fantasies, she realizes she’s going to be seeing a lot more of him—in the flesh—than she bargained for.

It’s not long before skin-on-skin contact turns into a hot summer fling. But the killer Jake is after isn’t going down without a fight and more than their hearts could get caught in the crossfire…

Note: This title was originally published in 2002 by Harlequin Blaze. It appears here in its original glory, without substantial revision.

Re-Release Date: July 19, 2022

CP Publishing

Simply Series #4

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

Body Heat was originally released in September 2002, and was rereleased this year. I read the book when it was originally released, and I loved revisiting this book and characters when I re-read Body Heat.

I absolutely loved Brianne Nelson and Jake Lowell pretty much from the first page. Brianne is such a strong woman. She had been responsible for her younger brother since their parents’ deaths. She has worked 2 jobs for years to pay for his education and pay all their bills. When she is offered a PT job with a place to stay for the summer, she jumps at the chance to finally get ahead. Jake Lowell is the sexy police detective currently on medical leave, and needs more PT in order to get back on the force and take down the drug dealer who killed his partner.

The chemistry was smoking hot between Brianne and Jake. They were each attracted to one another just from seeing each other in a restaurant, and once they were near each other, they couldn’t keep away from one another. I loved the elements of suspense thrown in with the drug dealer Jake was working to catch. Yes he technically was on leave, but he was very driven to bring down Louis Ramirez and end his drug ring.

Body Heat was a really wonderful romance filled with a bit of suspense to help keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Ms. Phillips once again delivers a beautiful romance that will pull you in from the very first page.

Rating: 5 stars (B+)

SIMPLY SCANDALOUS (SIMPLY #2)

He runs in high society circles…and he’s running circles around her heart.

In retrospect, it was all Gran’s fault.

Logan Montgomery has found his niche as an assistant district attorney. But Gran just revealed some worrying intel—dear old dad and his political cronies are about to maneuver him into running for mayor.

But Gran has a plan. A pre-emptive strike involving a pretty blonde caterer with supple curves—and a family history literally dripping with scandal. There’s just one flaw in his grandmother's scheme: Logan’s not a player. And there’s delicious spark of attraction that makes him want to try for something special with Catherine Luck.

It’s a mystery to Catherine why Logan, who sits at the very top of the social ladder, would even look twice at someone like her. Maybe he has a thing for disgraced, overworked caterers. But his gentle concern, delivered in that velvety chocolate voice, can’t be real and Cat knows better than to mix business with pleasure.

Raw desire and genuine affection unexpectedly tip them into forbidden territory—love. Until Catherine gets a stark reminder that the Montgomerys never do anything without an ulterior motive.

Which means Catherine’s luck in love is about to run out…

Re-Issue Date: May 11, 2021

Simply series #2

CP Publishing

Carly Classics

Contemporary Romance

(Originally published by Harlequin Temptations)

Liza's Review:

Simply Scandalous is another winner from Carly Phillips. Logan Montgomery and Catherine Luck were brought up in two very different worlds. Logan comes from a very affluent family, while Catherine's family struggled to make ends meet every single month. Yet Logan's grandmother Emma is absolutely convinced they are perfect for one another and has a plan to make it happen.

I had mad love for this story...so much that I literally read it in one sitting. I love how Logan knows how he wants to live his life and makes no bones about it to his father the judge, even while the judge ignores pretty much everything he says. Catherine is such a smart, sexy, and feisty woman. She is hard working and not afraid to go after what she wants in life. Logan and Catherine together gave me all the happy feels and their chemistry was off the charts hot. I had mad love for their story!

While I loved Logan and Catherine so much as individuals and as a couple, I have to say Logan's grandmother Emma might just be my favorite character in the book. She had me laughing out loud at her antics and I could absolutely feel how much she loved her grandchildren and had their best interest at heart. 

Simply Scandalous is a fast-paced story that pulled me in from the very first page. It was filled with love, laughter, and even a few tears, and was a fabulous story from start to finish. I highly recommend this story to fans of contemporary romances.

Rating: 5 Stars (A)

SIMPLY SINFUL (SIMPLY SERIES #1)

He’s not the man she thought he was. But when danger lurks, he’s the man she needs.

Any rookie on the force could verify if Charmed! is a legit etiquette school for businessmen, or…something else. But coming off a wrenching drug bust, Detective Kane McDermott’s captain gave him a choice. Take the fluff case, or take enforced time off.

The moment Kane meets Kayla Luck, he's in trouble. She’s fierce, keen-eyed intelligence in a body built for sin. And when they touch, the jolt of desire reminds him it’s never wise to mix police work with pleasure.

Kayla is used to handling men who are more focused on her curves than her mind. But when her newest client arrives for lessons in foreign language and business etiquette, she’s the one who can’t tear her eyes off all those muscles wrapped in a sexy, double-breasted suit.

Dinner out leads to a hot night in bed, and Kayla falls hard and fast. Until she learns the business suit hides a badge, and she calls it quits. But Kane’s already lost his heart—and discovered she’s in danger. And if he can’t convince her she’s safe with him, he’ll lose the woman he loves.

Release Date: May 11, 2021

Simply series #1

Carly Classics

CP Publishing

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

(Originally published with Harlequin Temptations)

Liza's Review:

I absolutely adored Simply Sinful, the first book in the Simply series. This book is one of the Carly Classics and it totally stands the test of time.

I loved both Kane and Kayla from page one! I had mad love for both of these characters. I loved that Kayla was genius level smart and happened to have a body most men would lose their ability to think when they saw her...and Kane is really no different when he first sees her. I kinda love the hard-nosed cop totally couldn't stay in his undercover character he was so attracted to Kayla. While I did wish Kane was forthcoming with his real reason for being there after he decided Kayla was innocent, I got as a cop he had to follow procedure.

I loved this super-fast paced romance. The chemistry between Kane and Kayla had me completely falling for them as a couple, even when he messed up big time. I also really enjoyed the bit of mystery to the story, and especially how Kayla was instrumental in figuring everything out. I love a smart heroine and Carly Phillips does an amazing job writing intelligent women who are also sexy and able to take care of themselves.

Simply Sinful was a wonderful story. It pulled me in from page 1 and I didn't want to put it down. I highly recommend this Carly Classic to romance fans who love an emotion filled story.  

Rating: 5 Stars (A)