Cross My Heart by Carly Phillips

Rather than let her uncle continue to abuse her, Lilly Dumont faked her own death with the help of her boyfriend, Ty Benson and ran away to the big city at the age of 16. Ten years later her uncle is about to declare Lilly legally dead and claim her trust fund. Ty decides that the choice really belongs to Lilly, so he tracks her to the city and brings her back only get her involved in the middle of a conspiracy. Now Lilly and Ty have to find out who’s behind the nefarious scheme before they find a way to make Lilly disappear permanently.

This is a must read book for all of Carly’s fans. Great characters, plus a solid plot make for an interesting summer read. The sequel to this book, Sealed with a Kiss is already available in hardcover. What are you waiting for? Go get this book.

Details: HQN, June 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

Simply Sexy by Carly Phillips

Emma’s matchmaking again. This time her victims are Colin Lyons, a reporter who’s returned to save his father’s newspaper and Rina Lowell, who’s the newspaper’s newest columnist who’s lifestyle column is the talk of the town. Soon, Emma has the couple making sparks. Unfortunately, when the advertisers demand a return to hard news, Rina’s column is first on the chopping block. Now Colin is faced with a choice, watch his father’s newspaper destroy itself and enjoy his new relationship with Rina or save the paper, but lose the love of his life forever?

The last Simply book features characters from the previous novels. Like the rest of the series, Simply Sexy emphasizes characters over the story. But while the idea of Emma working at the newspaper seems to me to be a bit out of character, you can practically feel the steam rolling off the hero and heroine before they even meet. Definitely a hot read and if you love a spicy books, this one should be in your to-be-read pile.

Details: Temptation, December 2002

Excellence Rating: Very good

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

Body Heat by Carly Phillips

During the day, Detective Jake Lowell followed the bad guy that messed up his shoulder, and in the evening he usually met his sister at an upscale restaurant. Knowing that Jake had the hots for one waitress in particular, his sister managed to trick the pair into sharing her apartment while she spent the summer in Europe. Brianne Nelson agreed to the offer because she needed the money, while Jake agreed simply because he trusted his sister. Being in the same apartment brought about the sparks that both felt at the restaurant, but the villain had other plans. Now will Jake be able to protect Brianne from harm or will the bad guy use Brianne in order to get to Jake.

While this book doesn’t include Simply in its title, it is part of the Simply series as Jake’s sister is featured in the final story, Simply Sexy. But of the five books, this one is my favorite, due to its combination of great characters plus a strong story. If you decide to read only one story from the Simply series, this is the one you should read.

Details: Temptation, September 2001

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

Simply Sensual by Carly Phillips

Grace Montgomery’s grandmother Emma is worried about Grace living alone in the big city, so she hires P.I. Ben Callahan to keep an eye on her. Unfortunately from the moment he saw Grace, Ben struggles to keeps his distance knowing what would happen if he didn’t. Meanwhile Grace goes about her life as normal, except for sneaking a peak at her hot new neighbor whenever she can. When Ben realizes that Grace works in a dangerous part of the city, he decides to take a more active role in her safety. While Grace loves the time she spends with Ben, she also feels a bit stifled as Ben seems to follow her everywhere. Can Ben convince Grace that they belong together before Grace does something she’ll regret forever?

Simply Sensual is the proper successor to the Simply Sinful and Simply Scandalous and continues the chain of characters this time featuring Logan’s younger sister, Grace. Emma plays matchmaker again, and you can feel the steam rising after reading just a few pages. The characters are a work of art and worthy of Carly’s skills as a writer. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Details: Temptation, January 2001

Excellence Rating: Very good

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

Simply Scandalous by Carly Phillips

Catherine Luck worked hard to distance herself from the family scandal and catering the Montgomery’s party is the break her new business needed. Despite his father’s best efforts to push Logan Montgomery into the political arena, working in the D.A.’s office is the most rewarding job he can imagine. Knowing that only a major scandal would stop Logan’s father, Emma, Logan’s grandmother, decides to create one by locking Logan and Cat in a closet. Sparks fly and soon Cat and Logan are busy making their own scandal. But when the reporters show up, can Cat find it within her to stick around or will she try to put as much distance between her and the man she loves?

Another spicy read from Carly Phillips and it’s every bit as good as Simply Sinful. Kane and Kayla make guest appearances and this book features Emma, a matchmaking grandmother, who appears in the next two Simply books. All of the characters are deep and draw in deep into the story. If you’re a Carly Phillips fan, this book should be high on your list of priorities.

Details: Temptation, April 2000

Excellence Rating: Very good

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

Simply Sinful by Carly Phillips

Since inheriting Charmed from her aunt and uncle a few months ago, Kayla Luck quicly larns that teaching teach ballroom dancing and etiquette, isn't very profitable. When someone complains that Charmed does more than Detective Kane McDermott goes undercover to investigate charges that Charmed may be the cover for a prostitution ring. But when Kane shows up looking for lessons to give him some class, Kayla doesn't understand the instant attraction to her newest student. It took only a single glance for Kane to realize that Kayla is innocent, but he isn’t prepared for what happens when Kayla finds out why he's really there. Now can Kayla manage to forgive Kane for lying to her or is she destined to lose the one man who can make her life complete?

Simply Sinful is an old Temptation that’s been rereleased twice since its original publications. It has a cute premise with plenty of steam. So much steam in fact the story is almost hidden. But Carly’s characters are exceptional and I guarantee you’ll love them. If you missed this book the first two times, you should definitely read it this time around.

If you wish to read each story in the simply series in order, here is the timeframe for each book:

• Simply Sinful, March 2000
• Simply Scandalous, April 2000
• Simply Sensual, January 2001
• Body Heat, September 2001
• Simply Sexy, December 2002

Details: Temptation, March 2000

Excellence Rating: Very good

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

Santa Baby by Jennifer Crusie, Lori Foster, and Carly Phillips

In Hot Toy by Jennifer Crusie, Trudy Maxwell finds herself looking for the hottest toy for her nephew on Christmas Eve. Unable to find it, she starts dumping toys from the shelves hoping that someone put it on the wrong shelf. But when she finds last year’s version, two men offer to buy it from her for big bucks. When she refuses to sell, the two men drag her into a dangerous adventure and force her to choose sides. Now Trudy must decide which man is telling the truth or she may lose more than her nephew’s toy.

In Christmas Bonus by Lori Foster, Maggie Carmichael finds herself in charge of her father’s company after his death. Eric Bragg is in love with Maggie even though she’s ten years his junior and the president of the company, but he ignores her because he doesn’t want her to think he’s only after her for the money. Now it’s up to Maggie to make the first move and a sprig of Mistletoe might be just the answer she’s looking for.

In Naughty Under the Mistletoe by Carly Phillips, Antonia Larson decides to go after the hunky partner in the law firm where she works and arranges to meet him under the mistletoe. Maxwell Corbin shows up at the Christmas party because his father and brother insisted, but when a mysterious stranger gives him the kiss of the lifetime, he can’t help but wonder if the kiss was intended for his brother. Now that Toni knows that Maxwell isn’t the guy she wanted to seduce, will she let herself be whisked away on the basis of a single kiss?

I can’t believe that Jennifer managed to pack such a powerful story into such a short space, while Lori’s and Carly’s stories manage to pump the heat up as high as you can get. If you’re looking for a set of three intense short stories, bump this book to the top of your stack. You won’t be disappointed.

Details: St. Martins, November 2006

can’t believe that Jennifer managed to pack such a powerful story into such a short space, while Lori’s and Carly’s stories manage to pump the heat up as high as you can get. If you’re looking for a set of three intense short stories, bump this book to the top of your stack. You won’t be disappointed.

Summer Lovin’ by Carly Phillips

Ryan Baldwin has been searching for his sister Faith ever since she ran away from home when he was 13. Seventeen years later he learned that his sister was dead, but she had left behind a 14 year old daughter, Samantha. He tracked his niece to a family known as the Costas, where she was celebrating her 14th birthday at a party whose guests included monkey and a tiny pig. When Zoe Costas, former Secret Service agent saw Ryan, she went on high alert and tried to protect Samantha from the handsome stranger. But when she learns that Ryan’s story and that his family owns the upscale Baldwin’s department store chain, she knows that her family is no match for them. To make matters worse, Ryan is slowly working his way toward Zoe’s heart. Now will Zoe allow Ryan to take Samantha away or canl she give up Ryan to protect Samantha?

This is a sequel to Under the Boardwalk, which featured Zoe’s twin sister Ariana. The Costas clan is one of the strangest families you’ll ever read about, though Zoe seems relatively normal all things considered. I love the way she always put Samantha ahead of her own needs – especially when it comes to Ryan. And while you’ll see the ending from far away, you’ll still feel happy at the end. So if you’re looking for light summer reading, this book is for you.

Details: HQN, August 2006

Bottom line: A very good book

Hot Item by Carly Phillips

The middle Jordan sister, Sophie, loves her perfectly organized life working with major league athletes at The Hot Zone. But when her partner, Spencer Atkins goes into hiding just weeks before the draft and her sisters are busy either with their new baby or husband, Sophie finds her orderly world collapsing around her. Enter Riley Nash. He’s looking for Spencer also, so they decide to join forces. While Sophie finds Riley attractive, she finds spending time with him and his chaotic life driving her nuts. But when she runs away, she finds her life is empty. So will Sophie find it inside herself to cope with Riley’s issues or will she run and hide for the rest of her life.

Another great book from Carly Phillips. I love her voice and the way she blends subtle humor into her stories. This book follows both Hot Stuff and Hot Number, so you might want to read those books first. Unfortunately this is the last book in the set, so I’ll have to wait until next year to see what she comes out with next.

Details: HQN, June 2006

Bottom line: A great book