Being a sometime fan of the Temptation Blaze sub-series, I was eager to try the new longer-and-reportedly-hotter Blaze books, and jumped at the chance to review Janelle Denison’s first entry in the new line. I had my doubts about them being “hotter,” though, because I never thought the Blaze Temptations were any wilder than the regular Temptations. I’m thrilled to report that Heat Waves lives up to the “hotter” rumors (and then some) and as a bonus it features two likable leads. If this story is any indication of the direction of this line I may just buy them all!

Ian Carlisle, CEO of an investment firm, is wealthy, handsome, and very lonesome. After his fiancée died in a terrible accident years earlier, he turned his energies towards his work. His has become a lonely existence. One hot summer night he stumbles across a sexy radio talk show that reawakens his senses and has him reaching for the phone to share in the provocative discussions.

Erica McCree is the host of “Heat Waves,” a radio talk show devoted to sex. She poses a titillating question each night and her listeners call in and spill their sexual secrets and desires. Erica purposely reveals very little of herself (her own sex life is seriously lacking) until a nightly caller named Ian changes everything. Their witty, sexy banter quickly boosts ratings and both look forward to their heated conversations. When Ian asks Erica on a real life date while they’re on the air she agrees, fearing a drop in ratings if she turns him down. She accepts only after her listeners agree that it is a good idea. Since odds are high he’s a kook or a hairy old perverted gnome, she makes it a double date and hopes for the best.

The two hit it off immediately and a very effective, very slow seduction begins. No quickie consummation scenes here. Instead, the couple engage in a lot of frank sexual talk and explicit foreplay in non-traditional places while getting to know each other better. This technique heats the sexual tension to boiling and also allows the reader to get to know the couple a bit before they start going at it. I very much prefer this in a hot romance, and it’s something that I wish more authors took the time to do.

Both characters are likable, but Ian really steals the show. He’s highly sensual but also caring, sensitive, and committed to settling down. He does make one misstep toward the end of the story, but it’s easy to forgive the guy since it’s apparent he will do anything to make the woman he loves happy. Erica is commitment-shy after seeing (and experiencing) dominating relationships where the woman gives up her identity for a man. She’s independent and though she talks a sexy talk and has no sexual inhibitions, she is never blatant or rude. She even owns a library of sexy books that she refers to in order to come up with her stimulating topics. She never crosses over into “hussy” territory.

Which brings me to Erica’s good friend and program manager Carly. This woman is brazen, nosy, pushy, irritating and hornier than those kids in the American Pie movies. Whenever she came around I found myself annoyed and usually a little grossed out. If I ever met someone like her I would do everything I could to avoid her. She’d make a perfect villain. But a friend? Ugh, I don’t think so. Other secondary characters, such as a woman picking up the pieces of her life after a devastating relationship and the family of Ian’s deceased fiancée are much more interesting and add warmth and depth to the characters’ lives. More of them and less of Carly would have made this an even better read.

Heat Waves is a story worth buying, especially if you’re looking for some super-hot lovemaking along with a warm fuzzy feeling when you turn the last page.