REVIEW: HOT MESS BY LYNN RAYE HARRIS

English professor Dr. Georgeanne Hayes has a problem. Her star pupil, an Army sergeant who works in a Top Secret government program, is missing—and someone tried to push her in front of a train last night.

Sam “Knight Rider” McKnight is used to looking out for Georgie. When they were kids, she was just his best friend’s baby sister. But Georgie’s not a baby anymore and Sam is getting some very male—and very dirty—thoughts about the girl he knows he can never have.

When someone threatens Georgie’s life again, Sam will do anything necessary to keep her safe. Even if it means spending the next few days locked up in a remote house on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with her.

Sam might be used to denying himself what he wants, but he’s about to find out that being cooped up with Georgie will push him to the limit. And maybe beyond.

Word Count: 34,070

ebook, 137 pages
Published September 30th 2013 by Lynn Raye Harris

Source: Received from author via Netgalley for review
Purchase: Goodreads | Amazon

Our Review 

This is a steamy little novella in the Hostile Operations Team series. As noted in the synopsis, Georgie and Sam have known each other for basically their entire lives and when they were old enough for romance to happen...it didn't. Happenstance throws them back together and gives them a chance to explore a possible second chance at something happening between them. Of course because it's been over a decade since the first attempt, things have happened to make this a much more challenging task. Sam is reticent to get involved because he doesn't think he's good enough and he feels like his BFF (and Georgie's brother) would freak out. He is also concerned about how Georgie would take his extended absences for his job. Georgie is less hesitant...but does have a few concerns about all of this as well.

The tale as old as time...the best friend's brother wouldn't like the romance thing....

That is killer! And it made our hero and heroine's journey a bit of a challenge, though...Georgie is a badass independent woman. For some reason, I enjoy these types of stories very much, and if you add in the fact that Sam is a man in uniform...we could read about him and his sexy ways all day long. I like the Hostile Operations Team or better known as HOT (because, damn they are hot) and was very excited to rejoin the team to see what they get up to. Georgie has gotten herself in quite the predicament y'all! 

Being thrown together in a tense situation...emotions running high...these two take an opportunity and decisions have to be made. Cute, steamy novella in the collection. Indeed! Another lovely book in our collection! 

Shelley: 3 Stars

Courtney: 4 Stars

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Lynn Raye Harris burst onto the scene when she won a writing contest held by Harlequin. A former finalist for the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart Award and the National Readers Choice Award, Lynn lives in Alabama with her handsome former military husband and two crazy cats. Lynn writes about hot military heroes, sizzling international billionaires, and the women who dare to tame them. Her books have been called "exceptional and emotional," "intense," and "sizzling." To date, Lynn's books have sold over 2 million copies worldwide.

You can learn more at her website, www.LynnRayeHarris.com, or come and visit her at her Facebook page:http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnRay.... Lynn loves hearing from her readers

REVIEW: HOT PURSUIT BY LYNN RAYE HARRIS

The last man she ever wanted to see…
Might be the only one who can save her…
Things are about to get HOT in the bayou!

Evie Baker’s luck just ran out. Thanks to an ex-partner with organized crime ties, she’s lost her restaurant, her money, and nearly all her self-respect. Forced to return to her hometown and work as a shampoo girl in her mother’s salon, she doesn’t think her luck can get any worse.

But then someone starts shooting at her, her sullen baby sister is suddenly missing, and the high school heartthrob who stole her heart—and her virginity—is the only man big enough and bad enough to help.

Captain Matt “Richie Rich” Girard can’t afford to get involved. He’s already on the verge of a court-martial after a Top Secret op gone wrong, and he’s been ordered to stay out of trouble while he’s home for his sister’s wedding.

But when Evie’s ex-partner turns up dead, staying out of trouble is the last thing on Matt’s mind. He failed Evie once before; he can’t fail her again. If he’s going to protect her from a killer, and find her sister before time runs out, he’ll have to risk his entire future—and both their lives—to do it.

Published July 17th 2013

ebook provided by Netgalley for an honest review

Where to Find the Book:

Goodreads | Amazon 

Where to Find the Author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr 

Evie and Matt have a long history together--they've been friends from childhood and then he crushed her heart and left town. Sure that was all back in high school and she's moved on...but something about those soul crushing high school loves are hard to get over. 

I'm going to be shameless and state for the record...I really was interested in this title when I read the blurb...but did anybody notice that cover!?! So did I..So did I! 

Evie and Matt both find themselves back in their Louisiana small town and while Evie would love nothing more than to never run into Matt, that's just NOT going to happen. He actually seeks her out to apologize and then shows up at a party, knowing that she's there. Despite her best intentions and her repeated mantra that she wants nothing to do with Matt, Evie finds herself attracted to him.  When all hell breaks loose at the party and Matt swoops in to save the day, their fate is sealed--they are most definitely going to hook up. 

I was really excited to discover that this story is dual POV. There is almost nothing better than being able to be in both of the MC's heads, and I fell in love with Matt really early. He is the hometown hero, but has a lot of guilt and trauma left over from his team's last mission. I really wish we could have delved a little bit more into that. After the party, the story is mostly non-stop action of trying to find Evie's sister, Sarah, with a few steamy + heartfelt moments in the mix. It was very enjoyable but my favorite moments were when Matt was vulnerable and opened up to Evie a bit! 

As the drama unfolds--missing sister, douchebag ex-business partner, small town cops and gossip--Matt and Evie find themselves on a mission to save the day, each other, and maybe regain a relationship that was once lost. They keep pushing and pulling each other away and toward each other...the timing isn't right, they cannot possibly sustain a relationship, but boy oh boy do they want to! Just when you think they're going to throw it all away, one of them kisses the other...and just when you think they're finally going to get together one of them pushes away. GAH! Will these two find their happily ever after? Hmmmm.

I definitely did not know right up until the end which way things were going! Way to make us sweat, Lynn Raye Harris!! The reality of the situation was hard for them. They had so much history, but neither wanted to make the other feel like they were giving up their entire life to be together. While somewhat noble, it was infuriating for me, who for once wanted roses and sunshine and happiness! Crazy Right!?

This was a high paced, action packed romance. It was fun to read a novel set in Louisiana since that's where I live; and while I don't live in Cajun country and speak with a thick accent, I do appreciate the way the beauty and mosquitoes (ugh) my home state were characterized.

Hot Pursuit for me was very enjoyable. It was a solid plot, and was very well written and as is very important to us readers as well...edited! Ditto, on the action packed craziness that they found themselves dealing with the entire time...Like I said, I wish there had been a few more moments of vulnerability and emotion...but with this story taking place only over about 3 days, that might have been difficult to achieve! 

It looks like Lynn Raye Harris will be adding more to this series and it'll be interesting to see where she takes it next.

Shelley: 3 1/2 Stars
Courtney: Also 3 1/2 Stars