Too Hot to Hold: A Novel [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

This is the second book in Stephanie Tyler's Navy Seals series about 3 brothers.

Too Hot To Hold is Nick's story......I think?

I was looking forward to this book after reading Hard To Hold. Nick's story seemed liked it was going to be very interesting after he appeared in book 1. In fact one of the things that appealed to me about this series was the relationship and camaraderie between the three brothers. I just wish there had been more of it.

This book was supposed to be Nick's story as I stated earlier, but he had to share center stage with Clutch and Sarah's story (who also appear in Hard to Hold), and third brother Chris and Jamie's story (he's supposed to star in book 3 Hold on Tight). Now don't get me wrong, I think secondary characters and their storylines are an integral part of a novel, but in this book they almost had equal billing and quite simply I wanted more of Nick and Kaylee's story.

Nick and Kaylee seemed like they could have been soul mates. Both were in trouble with the law during their youth for their car-stealing abilities and adeptness at hot-wiring cars. Both had major family issues with Nick choosing to leave/disown his own family at 14 and Kaylee being abandoned by her mother at 9. And both are keeping huge secrets.

Kalyee is a journalist who's on the hunt for the truth about her supposedly dead ex-husband Adam. Who knew a dead man could make phone calls? And he's been calling Kaylee or has he? Kaylee contacts Nick from a list left to her by her Ex as one of the last people to see Adam alive to try and help her uncover the truth.

Together they embark on a journey to Africa which was Adam's last know location. They discover they've been setup and are now in grave danger and on the run as attempts are made on their lives. With Clutch and Sarah in tow, they try to stop a top secret plot to eradicate a group of government sanctioned mercenaries code name GOST of which Clutch is a member.

Despite the secrets Nick and Kaylee are keeping from one another, they have no problem in the having sex department (including in his Porsche and the wet African outdoors).

These two seemed to fall fast and fall hard for each other and frankly I just couldn't buy into it. Nick had barely been able to maintain a relationship in his past for more than a few hours with other women; had never spend an entire night when he did have sex with someone and could barely stand to be touched. Considering the minimal amount of time he spent with Kaylee I just didn't believe he could be in love with her.

I will read the third book in the series, Chris' story, but this one left me wanting more.

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 develops between Nick and Kaylee. Readers are also treated to a resolution of "Sarah" and "Clutch's" story as part what are intersecting subplots in the narrative of this book. The climax of "Too Hot To Hold", is IMHO, emotional, suspenseful and edge of seat exciting.

Ms. Tyler gives enough background information that I think a reader could enjoy "Too Hot To Hold" without reading "Hard To Hold", first. However, I think it would be far better, to read the "Hard To Hold" trilogy in sequence if you would like to give the series a try.

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.