Too Hot to Hold: (Navy Seals, Book 2)

I am so glad NICK DEVANE has arrived! The author has put together a group of characters that lends itself to plots and subplots and an interesting storyline that takes the reader between various countries. Great to see Clutch and Sara again. I loved the fact that along with the main story my brain was waiting to read what the lesser characters in this book were doing and yet it was done so well.....not in the normal way that some authors write in making the leads so overpowering that the lesser protagonists are nearly missed. Ms Tyler does an admirable job of keeping it all tight and neat with interest ever increasing in wondering what will happen next. CHRIS WALDRON is next and that book is one I cannot wait to read. Research was well done and visualisation of the various settings was easy. Thank you for a fabulous book!

Several years ago the U.S. Navy informed investigative reporter Kaylee Smith that her husband Aaron died while on a mission in Africa. She moved on, but now Aaron calls her from Africa and asks her to bring money with her. She looks at a list of contacts he left her consisting of people he saved. On the bottom is Navy SEAL Nick Devane, whom Aaron saved during the fatal mission that allegedly left him dead. Nick wants to ignore Kaylee's call, but knows he cannot. When they meet he admits her spouse saved his life, but that the last time he saw Aaron he was alive and well. Both detest their mutual attraction and he wants her to stoop digging especially into his affluent childhood, but the scar on his throat reveals plenty to her. As a young teen Nick walked out of his dysfunctional family to move in with the family of his friend Chris Walden and another troubled teen Jake Hanson (see Hard to Hold) who also joined them; the friends became SEALs. When the FBI intervenes, Nick with Chris' help flees with Kaylee for Africa not knowing what to expect in the Congo; the last thing being love. This is a super middle book that maintains the suspense that makes Hard to Hold a great thriller. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Kaylee receives the stress call from the "dead" and only gets faster and hotter when she hotwires his Porsche until his car becomes ours that is if they survive the African ordeal. Fans need to Hold on Tight as Chris is next. Harriet Klausner

I really enjoyed this book, possibly even more than the first book in this series. The subplots pick right up from the last book, and I love the chemistry between the main characters and the brothers. I am counting down to January 26 for the third book. Stephanie Tyler will be an automatic buy for me from now on.

When I finished reading "Hard To Hold", the first book in Stephanie Tyler's "Hard To Hold" trilogy, I e-mailed her and commented that "Nick Devane" (the hero of "Too Hot To Hold) seemed to be a very mysterious and conflicted character. Stephanie responded, "yes, his history is complicated". I'll say! However, Nick's complex, "secret" history is what makes his character so enticing and intriguing. Nick, is a tough, totally Alpha highly decorated Navy SEAL, but he is also emotionally vulnerable because of a history of childhood neglect and essentially indifference at the hands of his biological high profile family. As mentioned in my review of "Hard To Hold", Nick was adopted by the Waldron's at the age of 14, this aspect of his life is fleshed out in "Too Hot To Hold". I won't say too much more, because it will spoil the story, but from my perspective Stephanie Tyler created an absolutely fascinating character in Nick Devane, why? He thrives on danger, speed (he drives a hot black Porsche) and sex with fast women. Nick functions optimally when on a mission, working with his team, he is focused and lethal, intent on completing their assignment. Kaylee Smith was abandoned by her mother at a young age and raised by a grandmother who disapproved of her. She therefore, battles her own emotional demons but is also tough, street wise and like a dog with a bone when it comes to her job as an investigative reporter. Kaylee writes under a pseudonym and is well known for her tough "no holds barred" journalism. Kaylee believed her ex-husband "Aaron", a military man was killed in action until she receives a mysterious phone call from him requesting her assistance. Aaron pleads with her to come to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with ransom money. Aaron left Kaylee a list of names of military men along with a bank book in a safety deposit box -- the list leads her to Nick. A major event in Nick's life results in a chain reaction of events. His past comes back to haunt him and despite his covert status with the military, Kaylee Smith finds him and requests his help, and the FBI wants to talk to him.... But about what?? Meanwhile, Chris Waldron, Nick's adopted sibling and teammate hurries home following completion of a mission when he discovers Nick's past is about to catch up with him. Stephanie Tyler develops Chris's character significantly in this book and lays the groundwork for his story to be published later this month. Chris covers for his brother when female FBI agent "Jamie" comes sniffing around the guys house. Chris is a Cajun and has psychic abilities, he drips charisma, charm, and, like his brothers, is dangerous and lethal. Nick eventually agrees to help Kaylee which requires them to travel to the dangerous and treacherous DRC to help Aaron. Little do they know, they are being manipulated. The plot of this story is fasted paced and thrilling and I think Ms. Tyler incorporates an interesting paradox into the hot, intense romance that devel

Stephanie Tyler's sexy Navy SEAL trilogy continues to amaze with Book #2, TOO HOT TO HOLD from Bantam Dell (Jan. 2010). Gutsy undercover reporter, Kaylee Smith never dreamed she'd have to investigate her ex-husband, Aaron's death since she was told by the military he'd been killed on a mission in Africa years earlier. However, when she receives a phone call from Aaron asking for her help and to bring the money he left her to Africa, she's forced to contact Navy SEAL, Nick Devane, whose life Aaron saved on the same mission. Although Nick agrees to meet with Kaylee and admits that Aaron saved his life and was alive when he last saw him, he wants nothing to do with her because he doesn't like anyone digging into his past. Nick also doesn't want to get involved with Kaylee since he only has sex not relationships with the women he's attracted to. Kaylee proves more than bad boy, Nick's match when she hotwires his Porsche to further get his attention. Like a moth to the flame, Nick pays a late night visit to Kaylee's apartment where they can't keep their hands off each other. Kaylee is intrigued with Nick's tracheotomy scar not realizing it's from his terrible childhood and a prominent family Nick never wants to return to. When Nick was only fourteen he declared his emancipation from his dysfunctional family and went to live with his friend, Chris Waldron's family, who had also taken in troubled teen, Jake Hansen. Jake joined the military as an under aged teen first. Then Nick and Chris were eventually given a choice of jail or military service and they all worked hard to become Navy SEALs. When Nick goes to see Kaylee a second time he rescues her from FBI agents, who try to force her by gunpoint to go with them. Nick takes Kaylee home with him and his brother, Chris helps them make their escape to Africa. Will they find Aaron alive in the war torn Congo? What will happen to Nick and Kaylee's budding relationship when Nick finds out Kaylee's true identity and that she knows about Nick's biological family? Stephanie Tyler's TOO HOT TO HOLD is the quintessential military romantic suspense with plenty of action-packed suspense, passionate love-making, a feisty heroine and a hero to die for! Plus there's a terrific secondary romance which has been continued from Book #1, HARD TO HOLD (Dec. 2009). Readers will be greatly anticipating the next thrilling installment, HOLD ON TIGHT, about Chris and FBI agent, Jamie coming Feb. 2010.