MAKE IT HOT – Gwyneth Bolton
Hightower Honors Series, Book 2
Kimani Romance
ISBN-10: 0373860838
ISBN-13: 978-0373 860838
September 2008
Contemporary African American Romance

Paterson, New Jersey – the Present

Joel Hightower's career as a fire fighter is threatened when he is injured on the job. A burning roof collapses on him in the midst of a fire, and his doctors do not believe Joel will ever walk again. Only his intense desire to continue fighting fires helps him to make it through his terrible injuries and rehabilitation.

Samantha Dash is the physical therapist assigned to work with Joel. Although she has always maintained professional courtesy when dealing with her patients, there is just something about Joel that gets under her skin. They just can't seem to have a conversation without it eventually turning into an argument.

Neither Joel nor Samantha counts on the sizzling chemistry that grows during the time they spend together. While Joel welcomes this new found passion, Samantha is leery and hesitant. In her mind, having an affair with a patient is just against the rules, even when that patient is done with his treatment. Furthermore, Samantha has sworn off relationships with men who have dangerous professions. She learned her lesson from her mother's descent into alcoholism when her father, a cop, was killed in the line of duty.

Joel cringes at the thought of not being able to fight fires and is determined to return to work after he completes therapy. Will these two unlikely people make things work? How will Samantha ask Joel to give up the one thing that sets his heart on fire? How much will Joel be willing to change for the sake of love?

MAKE IT HOT is a tender love story with extraordinary characters. Joel comes from a family of heroes. His father, brothers, and uncles are all fire fighters, police officers, or other public officials dedicated to helping others. Joel’s attraction to Samantha is not based solely on her looks; he is also attracted to her straightforward comments and encouraging attitude. Samantha is a strong and independent heroine who has so much love to offer the right man.

The interactions of Samantha and Joel had me squirming and laughing, because when Joel decides to MAKE IT HOT, he holds no punches. I could easily visualize that smooth operator in action. Poor Samantha doesn't stand a chance at resisting his charm. Secondary characters play important roles in MAKE IT HOT. Samantha's mother, Veronica, makes a few brief but painful appearances and will help readers understand Samantha's hesitancy to develop a relationship with Joel. The Hightower heroes also make grand appearances. There is Jason, Joel's younger brother, a police detective who has been fortunate enough to find his own true love. Joel's other brothers, Lawrence (also a detective) and Patrick (a captain at the fire department), are also interesting characters who will have readers looking forward to hearing more from them in the future.

I truly enjoyed Samantha and Joel's love story. It is one that I recommend to readers looking for a moving romance that will pull at your heartstrings.

Anthonette Dotson