Lynn Raye Harris

It's always a worry when a series starts to climb in the number of books that it will "jump the shark" or "nuke the fridge". I start to approach new releases with a certain trepidation, wondering if this will be the book where I call it quits.
Happily, this is not the case with HOT Valor. Mendez is not a new character to readers familiar with the series; most of us have been anxiously anticipating his HEA. And once again, Lynn has given us an intelligent, competent, sexy, alpha male. But to show more be fair, it's not like there's a shortage of those, especially in military romance novels. What makes the HOT series a stand out is that once again, we also have a strong, intelligent, kick-ass female! I like women who don't *need* a man, but who choose a man who compliments their own strengths and weaknesses and offers a pile of orgasms for a bonus. Once again, for what is often considered "fluff" writing, we get relatively complex and believable humans. 5 stars for sure! show less

CW: domestic abuse. There are a couple of scenes which could be difficult to read for some.

Harris' books have become a staple for me. I enjoy her writing, the way that we get to revisit our favourite characters from previous books, she writes heroes that are take charge, get it done, but aren't massive alphaholes and her heroines are intelligent and actively work towards fixing the sticky situations they may be in. I like her humour - and in this book, let me tell you, the Dad jokes abound show more and I love it!

HOT Storm is a sweet mix of slow burn, friends to lovers and forced proximity. I like that we don't jump right into the action, it fits with Scarlett's guarded nature and allows us to see her and Mal's friendship unfolding. To see our HOT operative in a more vulnerable position is a change and I like the very real feelings of frustration that Mal has. He is used to powering through and getting things done. I think that it was a good parallel for his relationship with Scarlett, he can sense she is hiding something but he knows that he can't rush in like he would normally and fix everything. There were a couple of times where I did the yelling because * c o m m u n i c a t i o n * but they talk and work it out and that is part of why I enjoy this series so much.

My usual disclaimer stands - you don't have to have read the other books in the series to enjoy this one, but I think your overall enjoyment for having read the series is increased if you do.

I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my honest review. show less

"I’m amazed a woman like you could even be interested in me—but you are, and I thank God for it. I may not be worthy, but I’m going to do my best every day to let you know how grateful I am for you. Because I love you, Grace. I love you. I didn’t want to, but I do." - Garrett Spencer

I am SO glad I decided not to give up on Garrett's book when I thought it wasn't as exciting as the rest of them!

Garrett "Iceman" Spencer had once told his friend, Nick, that there was no woman good show more enough for him to keep returning to (ok, in not so polite words, but anyway). Now, he knows he might have to eat those words after meeting the last woman on Earth he should ever find attractive. Grace Campbell is a senator's daughter, an Ice Queen with the voice and manners to match, and an awkward, antisocial geeky scientist. He shouldn't find her so damn irresistible. But he does, and he now has to decide whether it's worth it risking his heart after his ex-wife has roughed him up the way she did.

Garrett was not one of my favorites in the team. Certainly not after that cocky speech about golden pussies and all that in the previous book. But he turned out to be a decent man, and a devoted father, so I guess I warmed up to him. His charm was considerably good, too, and that helped a lot in my accepting him at least a little.

But he was not as good a character as Grace was. This woman was the reason this book got a solid 5! Grace was... she was all of us! The readers, I mean. She was sassy, and geeky, and a workaholic. She preferred books and movies and pizza to being with people. She had a dirty mouth, but the voice and tone of a Queen, she was timid and had low self-esteem, but kick her in the wrong place, and she was bound to start kicking you back. I related to Grace so much it nearly freaked me out!

More than her personality as an individual, I loved how she was with Garrett. She loved him, yes, but she never lost her dignity or sarcasm or self-respect for his sake. She didn't play mind games, and she was honest and upfront from the very beginning. And when Garrett kept comparing her to his ex-wife, she set him straight. When he used Melissa as an excuse to act like a jerk, she had none of it and called his bullshit as she saw it. Magnificent, really, and something I had longed for lately.

Lynn Raye Harris has surpassed herself with this one. Hope the next book lives up to its glory! show less

Behind the Palace Walls
4 Stars

Paige Barnes and Alexei Voronov are both appealing characters. She is shy and quiet but has a core of steel that is apparent from her back story and her interactions with Alexei. She stands up for herself against his bullying tendencies.

Unlike the more domineering HP heroes, Alexei's dark, broody and cold facade is the result of a traumatic past, and his fear of loss has made it difficult for him to become emotionally attached. Paige is his perfect match as she show more forces him to take a long look at himself and reevaluate his life choices.

The plot itself is a well written and engaging pseudo-office romance as Paige is not actually employed by Alexei Voronov, but rather by his business rival. Harris thankfully avoids the angst-ridden pitfalls of the annoying keeping secrets trope as both Paige and Alexei are up front about their agendas.

All in all, a light and satisfying read and the setting of Moscow and St. Petersburg in the winter added another layer of interest to the story. show less