Dead and Dateless Sexy by Kimberly Raye

Lil Marchette’s start up business, Dead End Dating, is just starting to become alive. Which is really saying something for a agency that specializes in finding mates for the undead. But Lil has her work cut out for her when a group of lady werewolves looking for the perfect one night stand. Then to make matters more complicated, the police believe she killed one of her clients and has the evidence to prove it. Her only hope to seek help from Ty Bonner, bounty hunter and hunk. But will Ty be able to find the real murder or will Lil die only to never wake up in the morning again.

This sequel to Dead End Dating brings back most of the characters, so rereading Dead End Dating to become reacquainted with the characters might be a good idea. The story is filled with humorous situations and characters with a slightly non-traditional chick-lit heroine. If you love humor with your paranormals, this story definitely for you.

Details: Temptation, January 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