"fabulous sports romance"

The middle child raised by her Uncle Yank, Sophie prefers to work the public relations behind the scenes at their sports management agency, The Hot Zone. However, she cannot stay quiet in a corner at the moment because partner and top sports agent Spencer Atkins has gone into hiding following the news that he is gay; a no-no in the macho athletic world. Sophie cannot depend on her older sister Annabel as she just gave birth (see HOT STUFF), her younger sibling Micki who is on her honeymoon (see HOT NUMBER) or even Uncle Yank who eloped with his long time assistant Lola. She needs to locate Spence or they will lose the Heisman trophy winner John Cashman as a client probably to the Cambrias Agency.

Meanwhile superstar NFL quarterback Riley Nash seeks Spencer for another reason. Spence is his biological father and he wants to insure that the sports agent does not open his mouth at a time when his adoptive dad runs for the US Senate from Mississippi. Riley realizes how ironic it is that he always wanted Spence to acknowledge him. When Riley learns that Sophie is going to Florida to find Spence, he decides to accompany her to insure nothing goes wrong. Already, attracted to one another Sophie and Riley fall in love, but first must locate a missing sports agent.

HOT ITEM is a terrific closer to a fabulous sports romance trilogy. The story line stars two individuals attracted to one another, but she wants nothing to do with a jock and he prefers short term relationships though he loves to tease and taunt her. The tale is a stand alone, but newcomers will appreciate Carly Phillips' talent that much more by reading the siblings' tales first. This is one hot mini series that is a winner from start to finish.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 25, 2006