Joint Review – Fatal Heat by Lisa Marie Rice

As a plant geneticist, Paige has always been focused on her work, but when she and her dog run into Max, she recognizes the lonely, shattered man behind the rugged exterior. To her mind, sexiness always comes with a white lab coat, not with acres of tanned muscle and a tough mind-set.

When Paige’s work becomes the target of criminals and she’s abducted, Max springs into action. Though still terribly wounded, this tough as nails SEAL goes on his last mission—stopping at nothing to save the woman he loves.
*Blurb from Goodreads*

Has:   I am a huge fan of Lisa Marie Rice, although I do find her books tend to be a bit formulaic, I do love her alpha heroes who never cross the line top alphaholeville. I also love the fact, that her romances are intense emotionally and they are very comfy to get sucked into. Fatal Heat lived up to that.

Lou: I don’t think I’ve read a Lisa Marie Rice novel before (my memory is terrible), but after this I know I’ll be picking up her back-list titles, and future releases. I enjoyed Fatal Heat, and it’s a quick easy read that draws you in very quickly though unfortunately whilst it started out great for me, it ended on a whimper that left me disappointed. But it’s a really addictive read, and the way in how they are introduced was super cute. Max is recuperating after a life-altering attack whilst he was on mission two years back in Afghanistan. He’s felt as if he’s been living in a deep black hole with his crippled leg, and when his ex XO lets him stay in his beach house to recuperate to try and find some semblance of peace, he meets Paige and her hyperactive and adorable dog called Max. At first, he doesn’t want to be bothered by the Cookie Lady, but after an incident in the sea where Max, the dog, brings them closer together with Max, the human, Max tells Paige he’s more than happy to look after Max whilst she’s at work as a plant geneticist. From there, their attractions grows strongly, but soon enough things are shattered when Paige is abducted and it’s up to both human and dog to find her.

MinnChica: I’m a Lisa Marie Rice virgin, but whoo-hoo did she pop my cherry in a great way! 😀 I’m a big romantic suspense fan, and I was really excited to read this book. I absolutely loved it, and enjoyed that Rice spent just as much time cultivating the romance as she did the suspense plot. I was immersed in the story from the first page and wanted to tear up when it was done!

Has: Oh you guys – you have to read her Midnight series which is one of my favourite Romantic Suspense romances. I loved the beginning of the novella. The build-up with Max and Paige was great and I loved Max the dog. I just wished that more time was spent on the suspense plot. I totally agree with Lou about the ending too. I loved the beginning, and the romance but there was too much going on. And I found the ending a bit anti-climatic and it was a bit of a departure from the original tone in the beginning. I think if the story just concentrated on the romance – It would have been a much stronger story. I just couldn’t believe that Paige would get caught up with her romance with Max and not really worry about what happened with her friend which was much later on.

Lou: I agree Has. The beginning and middle was great, and I really liked Max’s and Paige’s interactions, and they both had strong character development. Max was super grumpy at first, and in a lot of pain physically and emotionally, but Paige really brought lightness into his life, and their love scenes were quite erotic, and full of passion. I thought Paige was full of life, and I found her scenes with her dog Max were hilarious because anyone who has a dog knows how dogs will act when they want their own way. I found it really strange that she neatly forgot about her friend who seemed to be in serious trouble, just because she got caught up in smexy times with Max.

MinnChica: Max the dog was one of my favorite aspects of the story. He was great! And I do agree to a certain extend about the suspense not living up to the awesomeness that was the build up of the romance. But at the same time, I didn’t feel like the suspense plot needed to be too over the top. For what Max (the man and the dog) were capable of doing despite their injuries, I thought everything unraveled in a way that stayed true to the story and the characters. I’ll agree that I was a little surprised that Paige was not as concerned about her friend as she should have been, however it didn’t seem like she really had time to between the working and the sexy times. One of the things that I found a little cliched was the epilogue. I thought the book would have been just as wonderful without it. I didn’t need that last little bit, it just wrapped everything up TOO perfectly.

Has: I think the epilogue ended like the way that most of Lisa Marie Rice’s books end – so it didn’t really bother me and it was cute. But despite the flaws, it was a cute and fun romance although outlandish but I have to say I enjoyed this more than her last full book. I think if this was a longer book, with the suspense plot developed with more time, I think it would be a really good Romantic Suspense. But this was an engaging and quick read to while away a rainy afternoon and it helps with the wait for her next book. I give Fatal Heat a C+

Lou: I didn’t have a problem with the suspense part of the book, but the way in which it was executed made me roll my eyes a little as it really was too hard to believe. I love dogs, but that was too much like Lassie for my liking lol. I think overall it’s a really good story and despite the ending, I would definitely recommend it as a light enjoyable read. The main strong points for me are Max and Paige and their romance which was lovely. I give Fatal Heat a B.

MinnChica: Yes, the romance between Max and Paige was great, and totally believable in my opinion. I loved the beginnings of their relationship and how it progressed. All in all I enjoyed my first Lisa Marie Rice read. I thought the suspense was well done, the romance believable and the action and down times well spaced. I will definitely pick up more books by this author. I give Fatal Heat a B+

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