TEMPERATURES RISING

by Sandra Brown

Chantal duPont loved her tropical island home and would do anything she could to protect if from the greed of outsiders. To her the developers of the new Coral Reef resort were the enemy, plain and simple. So when she devised a plan to save her village, she never expected to come up against a man like Scout Ritland. — She told herself... more » that she only needed Scout to build a much-needed bridge for her people. But as the days pass and the work progressed, Chantal has to face the possibility that Scout means more to her than she had though. And when the time comes for him to leave, she will have to make the painful decision to let him go -- or risk everything by taking a chance on love.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Adult, Mystery

183 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Sandra Brown is the author of more than sixty New York Times bestsellers, including STING (2016), FRICTION (2015), MEAN STREAK (2014), DEADLINE(2013), & LOW PRESSURE (2012), LETHAL (2011).

Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages.

In 2009 Brown detoured from romantic suspense to write, Rainwater, a much acclaimed, powerfully moving historical fiction story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.

Brown was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer’s Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Reviews

[*TANYA* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh, I've overlooked this book for years. YEARS!!! Shame on me because it was super cute. I loved the characters, he was a randy-rascal not easily influenced and she was very determined and assertive. Win. Win.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these older romances, for the most part, anyway. This one happens to fall into the I love it category. Now, that is not to say that the book is without minor flaws, it has a few, but they in no way detract from a good story with interesting characters. I especially love the hero, Scout. He is so full of himself and to be brought low by an "Island Girl" was really galling. It takes him a while, but he comes to appreciate the different pace of life in the village. The heroine, Chantal, is a lovely young woman who is wicked smart and loves the village people and only wants to help them.

Scout Ritland has just finished the biggest job of his career as an architectural engineer at a new luxury resort. At the wrap party, he is ready to have a little fun before he leaves the South Pacific and the idyllic Parrish Island for his home in cold Boston. He spots just the woman he wants to have his fun with and tells his boss not to come looking for him for at least a week.

Chantal duPont loves her home. After being away at college and experiencing what the outside world thinks about her heritage being half Polynesian and half French, she is happy to be back home on her island with her people and her father. But the village needs a new bridge and Scout is the man to build it for them. Her method of convincing him was quite direct: kidnap him. When he is shot in the process, she is devastated, but the village needs are paramount, even to her needs as a woman.

Mad as hell at being shot and kidnapped, Scout is not very receptive to Chantel's plan, but the beautiful woman is very persuasive.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Temperatures Rising is a standalone, contemporary/romantic suspense novel written in 1989 by the amazing Sandra Brown. The romance feels focal in this story when compared to the thrillers that many readers have become accustomed to from this author. I love romance, so I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I also enjoyed the remote island setting immensely. There's a volcano!! and it was it's very own character. Speaking of characters, the heroine is strong and determined, so much so that she is holding the hero against his will to obtain a much needed service for the people of her island. When he initially declines the task citing it wasn't his problem, she quickly makes it his problem and I was like OMG! There were some other issues that arose that felt a bit like filler in an already short book, but I didn't mind. I enjoyed going on this journey with these desperate characters...desperate from the challenges that kept popping up and certainly desperate for each other. You'll never read two Sandra Brown books that are alike. Every story is an entirely new experience and I love that. Check her out!

My favorite quote:
"He was staring with awe and wonder at this powerful force of nature which seemed to have a distinct personality. From its mouth it spewed fire. The lava runs were red rivulets that crawled down the slopes of the cone. The air thundered with each fiery belch. The ground vibrated beneath them."Goda'mighty," Scout said in awe, "it's magnificent, isn't it?""I love it.""Just think, the material it's spitting out will be here millions of years from now. We're witnessing a birth."

[Rainz ❤️rainnbooks❤️(on a break) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A contemporary romance by Sandra Brown that was released in 1989. I have had this aim in my mind to read all the published works by my favorite authors for some time and this is my small attempt to get there for Sandra Brown.

Temperatures Rising released in 1989 has romance as its central theme, unlike her recent releases which have more of a thriller vibe in the story. Scout Ritland and Chantal DuPont are both excellent characters sketched by the talented author. Most of her works have this “greyish” tone to her protagonists which I always admire. In Temperatures Rising Chantal has to get Scout to her island community for his architectural skills but Scout is by no means gonna go meekly and take up the job and hence the fireworks explosive meeting between them and I mean that literally.

As a fan of her works, I know how efficient she is in creating sparks flying left right, and center between the hero and heroine, and here too the banter and wit between Chantal and Scout is razor sharp and makes for some interesting reading, both of them unyielding in their convictions and still feeling all hot and bothered by each other. Loved how the island and its culture have been used by the author and the volcano adds to a simmering tension between the two.

Fans of romance can easily enjoy this keeping in mind the year of publication and not expecting much from the story.

This review is published in my blog Rain'n'Books, ##Goodreads, ##Amazon India, ##Book Bub, ##Facebook, ##Twitter.

[Alexis-Morgan Roark · Rating 1 out of 5]

My mother always said, "If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all."

[Unapologetic_Bookaholic · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the narrator in this audio book. The characters Chantel and Scout were more entertaining, I think, than they would have been just reading them.

Scout is a contractor that is on a job located on a Polynesian island. Things keep getting stolen and eventually Scout has a conversation that he just wants to get lost a few days on the island, and if its with one of the local native girls, so be.

Chantel is part French, part Polynesian. She has an idea of how to get a new bridge built for her village. In all, with her looks,seducing Scout shouldn't be all that hard.

This is fluffy romance. Island theme has no real serious, heavy emotio. The H/h spar back and forth every two second, to build sexual tension. The style of writing of the author is what I am looking to be a fan of. I liked her characters and plot before and I am trying out all her books. This one was not a total miss, but won't be missed if you decide not to read it.

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow. This reeeeeally didn’t age well. Just cringeworthy portrayals of “island girls,” a MMC with breathtaking personality issues and also a scene where the FMC is made to feel like a tease after withdrawing consent.

Just...ick.

[Emma Lambert · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would give it negative stars if I could. One of the worst books I’ve read.

[Briliantina Hidayat · Rating 4 out of 5]

TEMPERATURES RISING
By: Sandra Brown



Disclaimer: ini review abal2 kelas socmed. Jadi jangan ngarep bahasa literatur yang halus ya. Sorry not sorry, aku pembaca buku, bukan kritikus karya sastra.

Karena kelamaan ngendon kerja di pulau terpencil, Scout jadi maen tomprok saja saat ada cewek kece mengerling ke dia. Hasilnya? Scout diculik, kakinya ketembak, dan dia 'dipaksa' membuatkan jembatan untuk sebuah kampung terpencil.

Cerita sih mudah ditebak. Buku2 HQ tidak akan jauh2 dari seks yang menggelora dan happy ending, komplit dengan tokoh2nya yang elok-elok.
Tapi awalnya aku agak sebal dengan buku ini. Cara penulis mendeskripsikan adegan Scout yang terpesona di tengah pesta kok generik banget.
Tapi hey, I finally found the enjoyment. Ternyata meskipun buku ini ditulis di era 80an, aroma girl power dan pesan2 feminismenya cukup kental. Kontradiktif sih dengan tebaran puja-puji fitur fisik si Chantal. Tapi gak apa deh.

Yang aku kurang suka? Tentunya sikap si Chantal yg memang menyebalkan meskipun dia punya alasan untuk itu. Juga bgmn penulis memberikan closure untuk Jennifer. Terlalu menggampangkan.

Jadi skor berapa? 3.5.

[Bona Caballero · Rating 1 out of 5]

Esta es otra de esas novelas que compré a Amazon.com allá por 1999, aunque la novelita en sí es de 1989, Loveswept n.º 336. Me pareció tan mala que no volví a leerla hasta 2017, para comentarla en mi blog. Resumiendo: un pestiño. Maneja el tópico del “buen salvaje”, en versión femenina, con síndrome de Estocolmo de por medio. Al ingeniero Scout Riland, que trabaja en una isla tropical, lo secuestra la vulcanóloga local Chantal DuPont. Aunque él en principio se niega a hacer lo que ella quiere, al final acepta; hasta acabará tirándole los tejos a Chantal, a pesar de que tiene una novia en casa. La ambientación prototípica de isla tropical me pareció un telón de fondo más falso que un billete del Monopoly, muy de cartón piedra. No me interesaron ni la historia ni los personajes. Apto solo para fans de Sandra Brown, para poder decir que lo has leído todo de esta autora.

[Alfa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Saya bukan pengemar berat Sandra Brown, tapi saya lumayan sering baca novel beliau, alasannya kadang ceritanya ga full melulu romance, terkadang ada unsur misteri/suspense/thrillers yang seru. Nah kalau buku ini 'Temperatures Rising' sih saya bisa bilang isinya full romance yah tipikal novel-novel harlequin gitu.

Nah jadi ceritanya tentang apa? Kisah ini dimulai dari seorang wanita bernama Chantal yang menculik seorang laki-laki bernama Scout Ritland, alasannya karena Chantal berfikir Scout dapat menolong kehidupan masyarakat ditempat kelahirannya. Tentunya kalian yang biasa membaca novel harlequin bisa menebak kan alurnya, benar setelah beberapa konflik mereka akan jatuh cinta, persoalan terselesaikan dan tamat. Hahaha klise bgt ya 😅, tapi memang begitu sih 😂.

[Nisa Rahmah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jujur yah, buku ini agak mendingan daripada buku SB yang ceritanya si hero diculik suku indian. Tapi aku heran, kok aku beri rating buku ini lebih rendah daripada buku yang kumaksud itu? Hahaha, entahlah. Mungkin kalau kubaca ulang, penilaianku bakal beda sama buku tersebut. Jadi pengin baca buku SB yang konfliknya tak melibatkan culik-menculik dan terdampar di pulau aneh 😂

[Suzana Orsos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beutiful romatic book!I was enjoying in reading all night.Sandra Brown is the best!OMG,its so romantic!I want this!

[Sandy Bauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was ok not one of Sandra Browns best books.

[Judy Churchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book written in 1989 this was a pretty relevant story. The plot was very simple, the theme kind of schmaltzy, but the characters were wonderful. A very enjoyable read.

[Juwita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hampir dnf. Namun aku masih berjuang dan tetap mencoba hingga akhir. Karakter ML sangat buruk dan karena memuat konten selingkuh semakin meh 😑 deh

[Debbie Hamel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was short and sweet. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. I was very happy how the story ended as I hoped it would end up that way. Scout had many obstacles to get through but never gave up. A man who had it all to see there was another world that can give you the same once you allowed it was beautiful to read. The appreciation and gratitude the respect he gained from the community was an interesting piece. A big part of that was thanks to Chantal Dupont who pushed and never gave up. If you like Sandra Brown you'll enjoy this book too.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Egad.
Stupid premise? Check. Inconsistent characters? Check. Briefly explained and poorly integrated back story? Check. Happy Ending? Obviously.

I know that this was published in 1989 and I need to cut this story a little slack from a 2017 perspective, but the premise was just so ridiculous and transparent. *Spoiler alert * The heroine wants the hero to build a bridge for her people, so she kidnaps him and keeps him captive in her remote village.
#1 - They already have a rickety bridge, which turns out to be only 1 of at least 3 ways to get to the village.
#2 - She seems to have money (Dad from an old money family, she went to university in CA and earned a PhD, dad is foremost expert in his field and publishes books...), so why didn't she just PAY someone to build a bridge.
#3 - He doesn't even build the type of bridge she wanted.

Lame. Super lame. There was no point to this story except for the main characters to have sex (page 205) and end up living happily ever after.

[Darcy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this one was awful, filled with too many cliches. I kept on until the end hoping it would get better as I know this author has done better even in these early books.

What drove me nuts was the hero, Scout. He was so filled with cliche's the up and coming star who thinks he is so much better than the island people where he is working there. Chantal was the girl who straddled 2 worlds the island and the "normal" world. Chantal used her sex appeal to entice Scout away and then kidnap him to help help her people. Of course he is mad and doesn't want to help. Of course the island has a volcano that was a metaphor for their relationship and when the volcano erupted so did they.

This one is a good one to skip unless you like cliches.

[Sarah]

Another great book by Sandra Brown. I loved the story line and I love how she always makes for a happy ending. It was about a man who is forced into a position and culture that he wants nothing to do with but in the end wants to be a part of.

[Brittany Kjenaas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts off with temptation. It’s a quick read, but it’s a good one.

[Castle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable short story but I found myself wishing for more detail.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book. The ending was predictable.

[Mara Corduneanu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iată o **recenzie mai detaliat** și o analiză echilibrată asupra romanului ***Prizonierul iubirii*** (*Temperatures Rising*) de **Sandra Brown**, ediția paperback (*Lira*, 2018).

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## Sinopsis extins

* **Personajele principale**:

* **Scout Ritland** – un arhitect-inginer dedicat, care tocmai a finalizat construcția unei stațiuni luxoase pe o insulă exotică și se pregătește pentru o vacanță binemeritată… doar că în Boston îl așteaptă logodnica sa.
* **Chantal duPont** – o femeie misterioasă și seducătoare, cu ochi albaștri hipnotizanți, care are un plan îndrăzneț pentru comunitatea locală de pe Parrish Island.

* **Intriga**:
În timpul petrecerii de inaugurare a complexului Coral Reef, Scout o întâlnește pe Chantal și, deși știe că se întoarce în curând la logodnica lui, nu poate să-i reziste farmecului. Chantal îl răpește — dar nu aproape de o crimă — ci pentru a-l convinge să construiască un pod vital pentru comunitatea ei. Pe măsură ce lucrează împreună, atractia dintre ei devine tot mai intensă, mai aprinsă decât vulcanul care domină insula.

* **Conflictul interior**:
Scout ar trebui să fie revoltat, dar fiecare zi petrecută în preajma Chantale aduce provocări noi și trăiri pe care nu le-ar fi experimentat în viața sa calmă din Boston. La final, odată ce podul e ridicat, trebuie să se întoarcă în civilizație… dar poate cu greu să uite momentele pasionale trăite pe insulă.

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## Puncte tari (Plusuri)

* **Premisă captivantă și provocatoare**: ideea unei răpiri romantice, mai curând un risc erotic decât un act violent, creează un cadru aparte și imprevizibil.


* **Atracție pasională și cadre exotice**: tensiunea romantică e amplificată de setarea într-o junglă insulară — peisaj frumos și periculos care amplifică emoțiile.

* **Stil fluid și accesibil**: Sandra Brown este apreciată pentru povestirile sale dinamice, care țin cititorul conectat la personaje și acțiune.

* **Popularitate în genul romance**: Sandra Brown este o autoare americană de renume, cu milioane de exemplare vândute în întreaga lume și un stil consacrat în mixarea romanticii cu suspansul.

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## Aspecte mai provocatoare (Minusuri)

* **Temă convențională**: premisa contractului „răpire-romantică” poate părea previzibilă pentru cititorii care preferă povești mai realiste sau complexe.

* **Personaje tipice pentru gen**: Scout și Chantal sunt eroi ai genului romance contemporan, ceea ce poate reduce gradul de surpriză pentru cititorul familiar cu tiparele clasice.

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## Concluzie

***Prizonierul iubirii*** este un romance cald, provocator și bine scris, care combină suspansul ușor și atmosfera tropicală cu o poveste de atracție necontrolată. Este ideal pentru cei care caută o lectură relaxantă, plină de romantism imaginar și aventură exotică. Probabil nu va cuceri pe cei care preferă realismul dur sau introspecția psihologică.

[Katherine 黄爱芬 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kalau disuruh memilih pelesiran di Hawaii, bertemu wanita pribumi yg cantik, tetapi sebelumnya kudu ditembak dan diculik dulu, pria waras mana yg mau? Scout memamg tertimpa sial sejak matanya tdk bs lepas dari sosok Chantal, wanita cantik nan seksi itu seolah menghipnotis dirinya. Tapi krn cara perkenalan mereka yg unik, tak urung Scout murka juga, apalagi setelah dirinya murka diperas dan dipaksa utk membangun jembatan di jurang di gunung berapi.

Dari segi background cerita lumayan menarik walaupun saya yakin idenya muncul pasti saat author berlibur ke Hawaii. Tapi dari segi konflik cerita masih sangat kurang digali krn cuma seputar kefrustrasian Scout menghadapi kendala saat diculik dan kesulitan mengendalikan libidonya terhadap Chantal. Selain itu tidak ada yg terlalu greget.

Karakter tokoh² utama juga standar saja, tidak memukau ataupun memesona bagi saya. Hanya saja, status Scout sbg tunangan wanita lain saat mengejar dan berhubungan dgn Chantal membuat "noda" walau alasan apapun utk mensah-sahkan hubungan mereka. Sebenarnya bisa dihilangkan koq bagian yg paling menjengkelkan ini. Padahal dibahas juga isu ttg wanita pribumi yg sering ditiduri oleh pria asing. Entah kenapa tidak dihilangkan saya juga kurang tahu maksudnya.

[F3t · Rating 2 out of 5]

Scout tergoda melihat wanita yang berkulit cokelat dan punya mata biru yang indah. Ia merasakan sesuatu yang misterius terpancar dari diri wanita tersebut. Seolah tersihir, Scout mengikuti wanita itu keluar dari pesta. Namun, dugaannya salah. Wanita yang dianggapnya seperti peri, berubah menjadi barbar dan menembak kakinya.

Chantal tidak bermaksud untuk menembak kaki Scout. Dia hanya mau menculik arsitek yang baru saja menyelesaikan proyek terbesarnya, bukan menembaknya! Karena hal itu Scout menjadi sulit percaya pada Chantal.

Apa yang sebenarnya terjadi? Mengapa Chantal menculik Scout? Bagaimana mereka mengatasi rasa ketertarikan terhadap satu sama lain?

--------------

Sandra Brown kembali menyuguhkan kisah roman yang kali ini terjadi di Pulau Parrish, dengan penduduk Polinesia yang masih asli peradabannya dan penggambaran daerah yang indah.

Kisahnya sendiri tidak dibuat rumit, tapi juga tidak dipenuhi nafsu/hasrat yang "membara". Kedua tokoh dijabarkan dengan baik mengenai perasaan mereka dan bagaimana menyelesaikan konflik dengan baik. Ada kejutan yang sedikit berbeda dari novel karya Sandra Brown yang pernah saya baca, yaitu status hubungan Scout. Pada akhirnya apakah pembaca setuju dengan keputusan Scout?


Jujur saja, novel seperti ini memang tidak menambah ilmu, hanya untuk mengisi waktu kosong dan cukup menghibur. Pilihan yang tepat bagi pembaca yang butuh bacaan ringan. Penyelesaian akhirpun dibuat cepat tanpa adanya embel-embel perasaan.

Saya juga ragu dengan pengartian judulnya karena buku ini tidak "membara". Menurut saya judul tersebut lebih ke arah situasi lokasi dimana ada gunung merapi yang hendak meletus dan membuat suhu menjadi panas. Namun, mungkin terjemahan menjadi "Hasrat Membara" lebih eye-catching untuk menarik minat pembeli.

Beberapa tulisan salah ketik banyak ditemukan di pertengahan awal buku, namun seiring membaca, kesalahan ketik semakin sedikit.

[Shayna Grieshaber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted a cheesy beach read for Mexico and this did not disappoint, lol. All in all, the plot was interesting with great island visuals but having been written in 1989…the commentary—especially from the male main to the female main— was absolutely cringy. There’s no way Gen Z could stomach this book. 😂

Again, 1989…”Scout wasn’t quite that far gone, but he was experiencing a pleasant buzz. It was as loud as the calls of the night birds in the jungle surrounding the landscaped grounds of the Coral Reef, the spectacular resort that was enjoying its official grand opening tonight. The potent punch had a tendency to thaw inhibitions, suppress morals, and vanquish previously held ideals pertaining to sexual equality. Eyes glazed by intemperance and uncharacteristic chauvinism, Scout stared at the woman in the clinging white dress. Without a smidgen of remorse he was assessing her only as a sex object.” This was on page 2. 😬

[Dale Safford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much sex to make one puke! Lay off already! Good thing there was enough of a story to go with it.

Set on sultry Parrish Island, architect Scout Ritland is rejoicing in the completion of his design for a resort hotel when a beautiful local woman catches his eye. Soon he is shot in the leg by her, konked on the head, and he recovers days later in a remote native village where the woman Chantal DuPont lives. She has plans for him to build a bridge for her village people, no matter what the cost. Since he is a captive on the island with no phone, he agrees and starts on the project. His wedding back home is coming up soon, but he finds himself falling for the beautiful "princess." When the island volcano threatens to erupt, will he care enough about the island people to save them and finish his job?

[Yacita Aditya · Rating 2 out of 5]

cerita terlalu monoton dari awal hingga akhir. bahkan bisa ketebak gimana ending-nya. kirain Scout setelah tahu alasan penculikan dirinya oleh Chantal, doi akan berontak sekuat tenaga. eh ga taunya malah takluk dengan gairahnya sendiri. udh gitu jalannya pembangunan infrastruktur yang dimaksud cuma sekadar lewat doang. parahnya lagi, momen putusnya Scout dengan tunangan Amerika-nya tu kok gampang bangeeets. tu cewek ga ada nangis-nangisnya. katanya cinta berat. pokoe cerita ini malah eksplor gimana mabuk kepayangnya Scout terhadap Chantal. doi rea bolak-balik California-Pulau Parrish-California demi mencari Chantal.
duh, ni cerita kayak bukan karya SB aja deh. garing dan monoton. nilai plusnya hanya pada sisi kemanusiaan keluarga Chantal yang benar-benar tanpa pamrih memajukan peradaban salah satu suku di pulau tersebut.

[Tiny Shen 沈帝妮 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chantal duPont menculik Scout sang arsitek agar Scout membangun jembatan untuk desa kecilnya yang terletak di kaki gunung.

Tentu saja Scout menolak. Tapi setelah melihat kehidupan warga di sana, Scout akhirnya menyerah. Dan setelah jembatan SELESAI Scout meninggalkan Chantal.

Bukan karena Scout tidak peduli terhadap Chantal tapi karena Scout ada urusan yang harus diselesaikan terlebih dahulu. Namun ketika Scout kembali ke desa, Chantal sudah pindah dari sana.

Scout pantang putus asa dan mencari Chantal.

Ceritanya sebenarnya cukup seru, apalagi melihat Scout yang risih melihat wanita2 di desa yang topless. 🤣
Blom lagi Chantal yang sangat keras kepala, demi membangun jembatan malah melakukan langkah yg drastis.