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Valentine #3
Cold Tea on a Hot Day
Marilee Jones, a single mother caring for both her special-needs son and her abandoned niece while running the local newspaper, finds her life turned upside down when hotshot newspaperman Tate Holloway arrives in town and wreaks havoc upon her heart. Original.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2001
9 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Curtiss Ann Matlock
62 books122 followersCurtiss Ann Matlock is the author of 40 novels. With over 7 million copies in print worldwide, her books have earned rave reviews, spots on the USA TODAY bestseller list and numerous awards.
Born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, into a family of avid readers, Curtiss Ann began reading before entering first grade and was writing vignettes while still in elementary school. Her writing career began in her early thirties, with publication of two small, warm-hearted articles about her life, for which she received a total of $100. She was so enthused at this success that she immediately started writing her first novel. She also enrolled in the professional writing program at the University of Oklahoma, studying under the distinguished writer and teacher Jack Bickham and bestselling mystery novelist, Carolyn Hart. In her second year of study, Curtiss Ann experienced the dream of selling the first novel she ever wrote, a romance, to Harlequin Books.
Told with a strong Southern voice, her insightful stories portray the uncommon valor of everyday people and the humor, heartbreak, and shining graces of small-town life. In 1999,Lost Highways was published by Mira Books. The book was nominated for a RITA Award in women’s fiction and began the warm-hearted and funny series about the lives of the beloved characters in fictional Valentine, Oklahoma. The sixth book of the Valentine series, Sweet Dreams at the Goodnight Motel, was a 2005 Oklahoma Book Award Finalist.
Chin Up, Honey, number seven in the series, was released May 2009.
Curtiss Ann currently lives with her family and assorted pets in rural south Alabama.
Born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, into a family of avid readers, Curtiss Ann began reading before entering first grade and was writing vignettes while still in elementary school. Her writing career began in her early thirties, with publication of two small, warm-hearted articles about her life, for which she received a total of $100. She was so enthused at this success that she immediately started writing her first novel. She also enrolled in the professional writing program at the University of Oklahoma, studying under the distinguished writer and teacher Jack Bickham and bestselling mystery novelist, Carolyn Hart. In her second year of study, Curtiss Ann experienced the dream of selling the first novel she ever wrote, a romance, to Harlequin Books.
Told with a strong Southern voice, her insightful stories portray the uncommon valor of everyday people and the humor, heartbreak, and shining graces of small-town life. In 1999,Lost Highways was published by Mira Books. The book was nominated for a RITA Award in women’s fiction and began the warm-hearted and funny series about the lives of the beloved characters in fictional Valentine, Oklahoma. The sixth book of the Valentine series, Sweet Dreams at the Goodnight Motel, was a 2005 Oklahoma Book Award Finalist.
Chin Up, Honey, number seven in the series, was released May 2009.
Curtiss Ann currently lives with her family and assorted pets in rural south Alabama.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 4, 2015
This book is terrible. I read it for a 2015 reading challenge as my "Book with Antonyms in the Title," and I'm sorry it was my first book of the year.
Perhaps it is because I am not from the South, that I didn't understand a lick of any of the character's motives, but I can't imagine that people are so simple there. Not this simple. One example: The protagonist breaks off a 5-year relationship with a man, not because he cheated on her (which she admits she "understands!" WHAT?) but because the linens in his bathroom don't match the decor. Again, WHAAT??!
The only reason I gave it two stars is because an author put time and effort into writing it, and I respect the work that goes into a book. This book, however, missed the mark by a million. Perhaps I'm just a "hot tea on a cold day" type of person.
Perhaps it is because I am not from the South, that I didn't understand a lick of any of the character's motives, but I can't imagine that people are so simple there. Not this simple. One example: The protagonist breaks off a 5-year relationship with a man, not because he cheated on her (which she admits she "understands!" WHAT?) but because the linens in his bathroom don't match the decor. Again, WHAAT??!
The only reason I gave it two stars is because an author put time and effort into writing it, and I respect the work that goes into a book. This book, however, missed the mark by a million. Perhaps I'm just a "hot tea on a cold day" type of person.
October 2, 2022
Malheureusement il arrive parfois qu'un livre ne corresponde pas. C'est le cas ici. Je n'ai pas su entrer dans l'histoire même au bout de plusieurs jours et j'ai fini ce livre par une lecture rapide. Dommage.
June 19, 2023
A nice light read for a weekend. Characters who seem like people I would actually know and set in a small town like many I'm familiar with.
Realized after I read it that this is number 3 in a series, so now I have to find the first two.
Realized after I read it that this is number 3 in a series, so now I have to find the first two.
March 23, 2018
Loved it!
January 15, 2019
Just a good old fashioned feel good book. More of a 3.7. Good people living a good life. Made me smile.
December 6, 2024
Very nice to read this enjoyable book. So funny in places! Very good,
January 3, 2011
Liked this book very much. It is another of Curtiss Ann Matlock's series about the little town of Valentine, Oklahoma and the eccentric people who populate the town. This one is about Marilee, associate editor of the Valentine Voice, small town weekly newspaper. She is also a single mom who has also taken in her abandoned niece, Corrine to raise with her son Willie Lee, who is mentally challenged.
All sorts of things happen in Valentine. Marilee gets engaged to her boyfriend, Parker, the local vet, but finds out after a few days that he has been unfaithful to her and calls the whole thing off. Willie Lee finds a stray dog that he names Munroe. Of course, Munroe would be a dog with a secret. His collar carries a microchip of trade secrets from a large company. Soon, strangers come to town seeking a strange dog. After the retrieval of the chip, Willie Lee becomes a holder of a large amount of stock in the company.
Lots of the book is about the changes that the new editor, Tate, makes in the paper. This sets the town on edge. But, in Valentine fashion, everything works out. Marilee and Tate start dating, the people accept the changes to the newspaper.
All sorts of things happen in Valentine. Marilee gets engaged to her boyfriend, Parker, the local vet, but finds out after a few days that he has been unfaithful to her and calls the whole thing off. Willie Lee finds a stray dog that he names Munroe. Of course, Munroe would be a dog with a secret. His collar carries a microchip of trade secrets from a large company. Soon, strangers come to town seeking a strange dog. After the retrieval of the chip, Willie Lee becomes a holder of a large amount of stock in the company.
Lots of the book is about the changes that the new editor, Tate, makes in the paper. This sets the town on edge. But, in Valentine fashion, everything works out. Marilee and Tate start dating, the people accept the changes to the newspaper.
October 28, 2012
Just so you know, I DO NOT like romance books, but this was a delightful exception!! Set in the fictional town of Valentine, Oklahoma. It is about a single mom who works at the local newspaper. A rivalry for her attentions comes from the local vet and the newspaper's new editor. This book does an excellent job of bringing the characters of this small town to life, and makes you care about each and every one (not just the main characters). There are several books this author has written that are set in Valentine, and feature the lesser characters of this book. If you read them all, you will feel like you know that little town as well as you know your own hometown!!
January 17, 2016
This is book three in a continuing series and I'm enjoying all that I've read. I love the characters, and how each one has their own story and situation, yet is incorporated into the overall storyline. It continues in the next book, At The Corner of Love and Heartache, finding Marilee James as well as others figuring out their lives and their hearts journey.
July 6, 2015
The story moved along quickly, characters were likeable but something about the story was missing. Not enough connection between the characters I think. Or maybe, up until the end, all the characters were settling into a relationship rather than any real passion for their partners. When I read a romance I want a little more than eating dinner or having ice tea. I want to escape a bit.
April 11, 2015
I have enjoyed all of Curtiss Ann Matlock's books even though I've been reading them out of order. Her characters are so human and likable. You're never sure what's going to happen next. You really can pick one of her books up and have it stand alone, or if you're like me you will keep finding them until you have savored every one.
July 20, 2009
Good story, interesting characters, I just couldn't get into it. I picked up this book because the main character has a special needs kid and so do I but I ended up liking the Tate character more than Marilee.
April 21, 2011
Still updating my old reads. Ugh, what a tedious task. I read this many years ago for All About Romance. The review is archived HERE .
July 23, 2012
Tate Holloway has bought the Valentine Voice and meets Marilee James, the managing editor. Marilee has a special needs son and a niece that take a lot of their time. Marilee is also dating the veterinarian. Tate is persistent and gets his woman.
June 18, 2016
I really enjoyed this small town story. I enjoyed all the characters and liked that they were dealing with real life situations. Marilee is a single mom trying to deal with real life and maintain the day to day normal life for her and her son. Great read!
August 6, 2008
Not as good as LOST HIGHWAYS but still entertaining. Mindless predictable read.
May 10, 2009
Enjoyed the plot and characters, easy reading, held my attention. Author write with an easy going style and Southern charm.
January 2, 2012
It has a lot of people to keep track of.
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July 29, 2012Awesome !
February 27, 2013
I enjoyed the story and the unexpected changes in the characters.
March 21, 2013
So cute! Love the characters and the heartwarming stories. Fun, quick and light reads.
December 11, 2013
This is a "feel good" book... I started with this one (#3 in the series) because my library doesn't have the others in an e-book. I didn't feel as though I was missing anything by starting with #3.
April 7, 2015
Eh, the story line was ok, but the book dragged on.
June 16, 2017
I enjoyed this book
September 23, 2017
I liked revisiting Valentine in Cold Tea of a Hot Day. I enjoyed the small town slice of life.
December 9, 2019
I’m shelving this book for another time. I’ve read it before and liked it.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews