"Lovable characters and fun holiday setting"

International reporter Colin Lyons returns to his hometown when his adoptive father Joe suffers a stroke and is unable to continue running the local newspaper. To Colin's dismay, he finds out that Corinne, Joe's second wife, has taken over as publisher of the paper and has converted it from hard news to a "fluff-fest" featuring advice columns and local gossip. Readership and advertising have declined and the paper is running in the red. But Corinne refuses to change her ways or accept that a daily newspaper cannot survive if it functions as a women's magazine. So Colin looks for someone on the staff to help him keep tabs on what's going on and maybe influence Corinne -- and lovely young widow Rina Lowell, writer of the new Hot Stuff column, seems like the best bet. Of course, he can't let Rina know that her job is one of those that will be out the window if Colin has his way.

Rina Lowell is finally feeling recovered from her husband's death and ready to have a social life again. She doesn't want anything serious just yet, but would like to start testing the waters and maybe have a fun little fling. She starts changing her image from quiet and inconspicuous to sexy and flirtatious -- and she can claim this is all research about male-female relationships for her newspaper column! She decides the perfect person to try her new self out on is her new co-worker, the gorgeous son of the newspaper owner.

Colin and Rina are lonely people, covering up the pain from previous lost loves. They both think they aren't interested in commitment, but quickly find themselves in deeper than they planned. Emma, the elderly writer of a column about "matchmaking for the aging but still sexually inclined", does her best to help the holiday spirit along. And Rina finally begins to recognize her own hopes and dreams and goals in life, which she starts to hope will include Colin. But will it all be ruined when Colin's secret agenda for saving the newspaper becomes apparent?

This story is focused on the characters and their relationship and self-realizations. I really liked Rina and Colin, especially Rina and how she dealt with her recognition that although she had loved her first husband, she didn't want another marriage where she lost her own 'self' in being what her husband wanted. The action is light, and revolves around the holiday season, making it a fun, entertaining read for this time of year. If you enjoyed Phillips's BODY HEAT [Harlequin Blaze 8], you'll appreciate this follow-on story: Rina is the sister of Jake, hero of that previous book.

Reviewed by Raelene Gorlinsky
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted December 2, 2002

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Summary

What do men want?

That's what newly hired advice columnist Rina Lowell intends to find out. And, on a personal level, she really needs to know—because she definitely wants her new boss, sexy Colin Lyons. After years of living for others, she's taking back her life—and her sexuality. And a little holiday fling is just what she needs to get the ball rolling...

What do women want?

Newspaperman Colin Lyons needs to figure it out-fast! Because Rina's waging a sexual campaign against him that he can't withstand for long. Not that he wants to—Rina is as irresistible to him as her column, "Hot Stuff", is to her readers. The problem? The newspaper's in the red, and all 'fluff pieces' have to be cut. Still, faced with Rina's seductive powers of persuasion, Colin can't resist taking her to bed. Little does she guess she's about be out of a job, too...