What do you think?
Rate this book
Mossy Bog #2
Hot Water
Solving Mossy Bog's first fire fatality could net police officer Laurie Ann Dinterman the promotion she desperately wants. When the state arson investigator arrives to take over the case, Laurie Ann is assigned to give the man everything he needs while keeping him alive. The fact he's the sexiest man ever to hit town shouldn't make a difference.
Hot on the trail of a serial arsonist, Wyatt North demands justice for his partner, the arsonist's first victim. He'll find the murderer or die trying--no matter how distracting the tall, lithe figure of his local partner is.
As the investigation zeroes in on a suspect uncomfortably close to Laurie Ann's life, her cop instincts conflict with her feelings for Wyatt. Worse, the arsonist will do anything to protect his identity. Can Laurie Ann accept the truth in time...or will she and Wyatt go up in flames?
Hot on the trail of a serial arsonist, Wyatt North demands justice for his partner, the arsonist's first victim. He'll find the murderer or die trying--no matter how distracting the tall, lithe figure of his local partner is.
As the investigation zeroes in on a suspect uncomfortably close to Laurie Ann's life, her cop instincts conflict with her feelings for Wyatt. Worse, the arsonist will do anything to protect his identity. Can Laurie Ann accept the truth in time...or will she and Wyatt go up in flames?
323 pages, ebook
First published March 25, 2013
4 people are currently reading
361 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Toussaint
41 books403 followersA scientist by training, a romanticist at heart, Maggie Toussaint loves to solve puzzles. Whether it’s the puzzle of a relationship or a who-dun-it, she tackles them all with equal aplomb and wonder. Maggie writes romantic suspense, contemporary romance , and science fiction for Muddle House Publishing, cozy mystery for Camel Press, Henery Press, and Muddle House.
She has five published romantic suspense novels: House of Lies (won the 2006 Readers Choice Award for Best Romantic Suspense), No Second Chance (won 2 cover awards), Seeing Red (LASR book of the week), Muddy Waters ( Beacon finalist), Hot Water (EPIC finalist, cover art winner), and Rough Water.
Her mystery titles include In For A Penny, On the Nickel, Death, Island Style, Murder in the Buff, Dime If I Know, No Quarter, Gone and Done It, Bubba Done It, Doggone It, Dadgummit, Confound It, Dreamed It, All Done With It, Seas the Day, Spawning Suspicion, and Shrimply Dead. She also wrote a romantic mystery novella series, The Lindsey & Ike Mysteries.
Her next release, SNUFFED OUT, is tentatively scheduled for January 2023 under the pen name of Valona Jones.
Her works blend mystery and romance, often with a dash of humor.
She's a member of Southeast Mystery Writers of America, Sisters In Crime, and Guppies. She was awarded the WRW Magic Crystal Award in 2004. She also won Silver Falchion Awards, the National Readers Choice Award and the EPIC ebook Award. She's been a finalist for Georgia Author of the Year three times.
Visit her at www.maggietoussaint.com
She has five published romantic suspense novels: House of Lies (won the 2006 Readers Choice Award for Best Romantic Suspense), No Second Chance (won 2 cover awards), Seeing Red (LASR book of the week), Muddy Waters ( Beacon finalist), Hot Water (EPIC finalist, cover art winner), and Rough Water.
Her mystery titles include In For A Penny, On the Nickel, Death, Island Style, Murder in the Buff, Dime If I Know, No Quarter, Gone and Done It, Bubba Done It, Doggone It, Dadgummit, Confound It, Dreamed It, All Done With It, Seas the Day, Spawning Suspicion, and Shrimply Dead. She also wrote a romantic mystery novella series, The Lindsey & Ike Mysteries.
Her next release, SNUFFED OUT, is tentatively scheduled for January 2023 under the pen name of Valona Jones.
Her works blend mystery and romance, often with a dash of humor.
She's a member of Southeast Mystery Writers of America, Sisters In Crime, and Guppies. She was awarded the WRW Magic Crystal Award in 2004. She also won Silver Falchion Awards, the National Readers Choice Award and the EPIC ebook Award. She's been a finalist for Georgia Author of the Year three times.
Visit her at www.maggietoussaint.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 4, 2015
“When she awoke, the world was on fire.” ― Scott Westerfeld, Uglies
“We all live in a house on fire, no fire department to call; no way out, just the upstairs window to look out of while the fire burns the house down with us trapped, locked in it.” ― Tennessee Williams, The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore
It really doesn’t smell like roast pork, you know. A burned human body, that is. There is just too much difference – a plain slab of pig flesh as compared to a blood filled human body. And Laurie Ann Dinterman knows that smell. Somewhere in the ruins of the former Pirate’s Cove Restaurant, someone has burned to death. Now, the question is not only who, but why.
As the only female officer in Mossy Bog, Laurie works harder, and longer, than anyone else in the department. She has to, if she is going to transfer out of a department where she gets no respect into the Sheriff’s Investigative Department. Finding the answer to the arson of the Pirate’s Cove, and the answer to why drifter James Brown (no relation) was inside the building when it burns may mean the difference between promotion and being stuck in Hillbilly Hell for another year.
Enter Georgia State Fire Investigator Wyatt North, a genuine, red blooded pain in the Police Chief’s ass. A PitA that the Chief is determined to dump on Laurie Ann – and if he gets so much as a hangnail, it will be not the Chief’s ass on the line, but Laurie Ann’s. Because North isn’t just the Fire Investigator. He is a Fire Investigator who had a breakdown when he lost his partner to a serial arsonist. Oh, and did he mention that the guy is also the much beloved nephew of the First Lady? Yep. Of the good ol’ US of A. Babysitting duty. Oy.
Maggie Toussaint has done a beautiful job with Hot Water. Her characters are believable, her setting well drawn, and her research/knowledge of how things run in a small department is spot-on. Believe me, I have been a woman in a small, backwater police department. It isn’t fun.
This is a romantic suspense novel, but unlike many stories Toussaint doesn’t overwhelm the “suspense” with the “romance”. This is a well-rounded story with a tight storyline and a heavy dose of edge-of-your-seat action, a bit of snark, and a few well interspersed laughs. Overall, a book I would recommend to both romance and suspense readers.
This is Book 2 of the Mossy Bog Series. I didn’t feel lost at all, even though I hadn’t read the first book. I hope you enjoy it. If you enjoyed my review, please say “yes” to my Amazon post. Thank you!
“We all live in a house on fire, no fire department to call; no way out, just the upstairs window to look out of while the fire burns the house down with us trapped, locked in it.” ― Tennessee Williams, The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore
It really doesn’t smell like roast pork, you know. A burned human body, that is. There is just too much difference – a plain slab of pig flesh as compared to a blood filled human body. And Laurie Ann Dinterman knows that smell. Somewhere in the ruins of the former Pirate’s Cove Restaurant, someone has burned to death. Now, the question is not only who, but why.
As the only female officer in Mossy Bog, Laurie works harder, and longer, than anyone else in the department. She has to, if she is going to transfer out of a department where she gets no respect into the Sheriff’s Investigative Department. Finding the answer to the arson of the Pirate’s Cove, and the answer to why drifter James Brown (no relation) was inside the building when it burns may mean the difference between promotion and being stuck in Hillbilly Hell for another year.
Enter Georgia State Fire Investigator Wyatt North, a genuine, red blooded pain in the Police Chief’s ass. A PitA that the Chief is determined to dump on Laurie Ann – and if he gets so much as a hangnail, it will be not the Chief’s ass on the line, but Laurie Ann’s. Because North isn’t just the Fire Investigator. He is a Fire Investigator who had a breakdown when he lost his partner to a serial arsonist. Oh, and did he mention that the guy is also the much beloved nephew of the First Lady? Yep. Of the good ol’ US of A. Babysitting duty. Oy.
Maggie Toussaint has done a beautiful job with Hot Water. Her characters are believable, her setting well drawn, and her research/knowledge of how things run in a small department is spot-on. Believe me, I have been a woman in a small, backwater police department. It isn’t fun.
This is a romantic suspense novel, but unlike many stories Toussaint doesn’t overwhelm the “suspense” with the “romance”. This is a well-rounded story with a tight storyline and a heavy dose of edge-of-your-seat action, a bit of snark, and a few well interspersed laughs. Overall, a book I would recommend to both romance and suspense readers.
This is Book 2 of the Mossy Bog Series. I didn’t feel lost at all, even though I hadn’t read the first book. I hope you enjoy it. If you enjoyed my review, please say “yes” to my Amazon post. Thank you!
May 28, 2014
When I first began reading Maggie Toussaint's HOT WATER, I was immediately engaged by the main character, Laurie Ann Dinterman. Attentive to the point of being obsessed with her work on the Mossy Bog Police Force, Laurie Ann is so engrossed in her work, she has no time for romance. Called to a torched restaurant that contains the body of a homeless man, Laurie Ann is quickly embroiled in a murder investigation and a serial arson investigation. The problem, however, is that she is forced to work with and babysit for the politically connected arson investigator, Wyatt North. She is not happy; she's been forced to take the back seat many times because of her gender. However, with a promotion in the wings, she swallows her anger and partners up with the new guy--who turns out to be a smart hottie with an urge to find and bring the serial arsonist who killed his partner to justice.
Wyatt is enraged over the loss of yet another person to this monster. Now he has to work with this no nonsense woman cop who is smart, dedicated, and attractive. Unhappy with the fact that he is being looked after, he at least has a cute baby sitter. Unfortunately, she just happens to keep getting in the way of his investigation and keeps insisting it's hers, too.
Sparks fly and the pages heat up in this romantic suspense set in a small town setting. Readers who enjoy small southern towns will warm up to Mossy Bog and its cast of characters. Everyone is a suspect, and Laurie Ann wonders if this out of towner will cut anyone a break. Besides, as soon as he finds his arsonist, he's just going to blow out of town and go back to his White House connections, isn't he? Why does she keep wishing he'd settle down in her little burg? She should know better at her age, shouldn't she?
No spoilers coming from me! I very much enjoyed this story and learned a lot about arson without lectures. Maggie Toussaint really did her research and it showed over and over. I was delighted with her off beat, quirky characters and the sense of a place where time slows down and the pace of life is a little more civilized and charming. This book took me for a fun filled ride with enough twists to keep me flipping through my Kindle late at night. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 blazing stars.
Wyatt is enraged over the loss of yet another person to this monster. Now he has to work with this no nonsense woman cop who is smart, dedicated, and attractive. Unhappy with the fact that he is being looked after, he at least has a cute baby sitter. Unfortunately, she just happens to keep getting in the way of his investigation and keeps insisting it's hers, too.
Sparks fly and the pages heat up in this romantic suspense set in a small town setting. Readers who enjoy small southern towns will warm up to Mossy Bog and its cast of characters. Everyone is a suspect, and Laurie Ann wonders if this out of towner will cut anyone a break. Besides, as soon as he finds his arsonist, he's just going to blow out of town and go back to his White House connections, isn't he? Why does she keep wishing he'd settle down in her little burg? She should know better at her age, shouldn't she?
No spoilers coming from me! I very much enjoyed this story and learned a lot about arson without lectures. Maggie Toussaint really did her research and it showed over and over. I was delighted with her off beat, quirky characters and the sense of a place where time slows down and the pace of life is a little more civilized and charming. This book took me for a fun filled ride with enough twists to keep me flipping through my Kindle late at night. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 blazing stars.
September 2, 2013
Laurie Ann Dinterman comes from a family with a long history in law enforcement in her home community of Mossy Bog. She is sharp, efficient, take no prisoners strong which is not every officer’s cup of tea, but they can get over it immediately. Laurie is standing on the site right now of what appears to be a murder by arson case. Some hotshot arsonist from Atlanta believes it is tied into a serial arsonist and that someone, Wyatt North is on his way to take the case over. Wyatt has been tracking down this psychopath for two years and it looks like he has finally gotten close enough to make it stop.
Laurie and Wyatt butt heads as much as they swap ideas but together they are a great team both professional and it seems personally. While they can never let their guard down they can get a few moments of pleasure from each other’s company. The problem is the path that leads to who the arsonist may be is going to cause a lot of pain to the people in this small town. Wyatt will not stop seeking the truth regardless of who gets in the way but now it appears the arsonist has tagged him so the game is definitely on.
Two relentless people will stop the nightmare of fires and murder while trying to figure out how to build a life together. If family stays out of the way and everyone stops interfering something great may happen all around.
Maggie Toussaint writes a story that draws you in, scares you into keeping the lights on, while showing the tender side of each character
Laurie and Wyatt butt heads as much as they swap ideas but together they are a great team both professional and it seems personally. While they can never let their guard down they can get a few moments of pleasure from each other’s company. The problem is the path that leads to who the arsonist may be is going to cause a lot of pain to the people in this small town. Wyatt will not stop seeking the truth regardless of who gets in the way but now it appears the arsonist has tagged him so the game is definitely on.
Two relentless people will stop the nightmare of fires and murder while trying to figure out how to build a life together. If family stays out of the way and everyone stops interfering something great may happen all around.
Maggie Toussaint writes a story that draws you in, scares you into keeping the lights on, while showing the tender side of each character
October 27, 2014
Toussaint pens an edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense with "Hot Water," book two in the Mossy Bog series. This book can be read as a stand alone.
Laurie Ann Dinterman is a hard working cop in Mossy Bog, but there's a serial arsonist lurking about. Can Laurie Ann catch him or will her budding relationship with arson investigator Wyatt North get in the way?
The novel opens with Laurie Ann poking around the burnt ruins of the Pirate's Cover restaurant. There she meets Wyatt North, an arson investigator tracking the arsonist. Laurie Ann and Wyatt are teamed up to find the criminal, but soon sparks flare up between them. When Wyatt targets Laurie Ann's cousin, Lester, as a suspect, will his declaration dampen the investigation and their growing relationship? How far will the arsonist go until he kills again?
Toussaint's penned a gem of a thriller. Taunt and face-paced, her writing is easy to read. She uses a good economy of words to paint a vivid picture of the setting.
Toussaint's characters shine. Laurie Ann is a cop with a big heart and a perfect fit in Mossy Bog. Wyatt is determined, possessing a quiet inner strength that is to be admired.
"Hot Water" is a romantic suspense with several mainstream love scenes. As Laurie Ann and Wyatt close in on the arsonist, I didn't want to put the story down. "Hot Water" intrigues, excites, and keeps the reader riveted to the page. I highly recommend this book, especially if you enjoy romantic suspense.
Laurie Ann Dinterman is a hard working cop in Mossy Bog, but there's a serial arsonist lurking about. Can Laurie Ann catch him or will her budding relationship with arson investigator Wyatt North get in the way?
The novel opens with Laurie Ann poking around the burnt ruins of the Pirate's Cover restaurant. There she meets Wyatt North, an arson investigator tracking the arsonist. Laurie Ann and Wyatt are teamed up to find the criminal, but soon sparks flare up between them. When Wyatt targets Laurie Ann's cousin, Lester, as a suspect, will his declaration dampen the investigation and their growing relationship? How far will the arsonist go until he kills again?
Toussaint's penned a gem of a thriller. Taunt and face-paced, her writing is easy to read. She uses a good economy of words to paint a vivid picture of the setting.
Toussaint's characters shine. Laurie Ann is a cop with a big heart and a perfect fit in Mossy Bog. Wyatt is determined, possessing a quiet inner strength that is to be admired.
"Hot Water" is a romantic suspense with several mainstream love scenes. As Laurie Ann and Wyatt close in on the arsonist, I didn't want to put the story down. "Hot Water" intrigues, excites, and keeps the reader riveted to the page. I highly recommend this book, especially if you enjoy romantic suspense.
June 26, 2013
Laurie Ann Dinterman is a small town cop following in the footsteps of her father. She is good at her job and generally knows everything that goes on in Mossy Bog. After all, she grew up here. This is her home town. These people are her friends. Hell, she’s related to half of them, including the fire chief, who is her uncle.
Then a local wino is burnt to death in a restaurant fire and Wyatt North, the state arson investigator, hits the town. He is hot on the trail of a serial arsonist and convinced that the fire at Mossy Bog was the latest of his crimes. Laurie Ann can’t help finding him attractive and is delighted to be given the responsibility of working closely with him. This could mean the promotion she has been seeking for so long.
But there’s a problem. Of course there’s a problem. It is the people Wyatt decides are suspects. These are her friends and relatives, right? None of them could be responsible.
I loved this story. Ms Toussaint writes with refreshing fluency and clarity. Her characters are well-rounded and believable. The plot is well-paced and very exciting. As the story neared its end I was on the edge of my seat with apprehension.
I never thought I’d say this, but I think I liked this even better than the Cleopatra Jones series.
Then a local wino is burnt to death in a restaurant fire and Wyatt North, the state arson investigator, hits the town. He is hot on the trail of a serial arsonist and convinced that the fire at Mossy Bog was the latest of his crimes. Laurie Ann can’t help finding him attractive and is delighted to be given the responsibility of working closely with him. This could mean the promotion she has been seeking for so long.
But there’s a problem. Of course there’s a problem. It is the people Wyatt decides are suspects. These are her friends and relatives, right? None of them could be responsible.
I loved this story. Ms Toussaint writes with refreshing fluency and clarity. Her characters are well-rounded and believable. The plot is well-paced and very exciting. As the story neared its end I was on the edge of my seat with apprehension.
I never thought I’d say this, but I think I liked this even better than the Cleopatra Jones series.
April 24, 2013
Fast-paced romantic suspense with real heart
'Hot Water' grips from the stark opening and doesn't let go. Laurie Ann is a marvellous heroine - sympathetic, caring, brave and competant. She has wit and intelligence and comes vividly off the page. The hero, Wyatt North, is sexy, troubled, driven and laconic - very alpha but with a saving humour and courage to open up his feelings to Laurie.
I liked and enjoyed the way these two related with each other. The obvious attraction was there from the first but so too their dedication to their tasks - to find a serial arsonist and killer. When they clashed their quarrels had real meaning and were resolved in a grown-up way, without pouting. Laurie's love for her homeland shines through and also her concern for her family and friends. The author does a wonderful job in showing small town and also country America, its rythyms, habits and fierce loyalties. I loved the outdoor scenes of this story, from gators to mysterious swamps. And the descriptions of everything, from the grits and shrimps Laurie cooked to the sunlight on the water, made me feel part of the novel.
'Hot Water' is for people who enjoy romantic suspense with heat and heart. It consumed me and kept me on the edge of my chair until the very last page.
'Hot Water' grips from the stark opening and doesn't let go. Laurie Ann is a marvellous heroine - sympathetic, caring, brave and competant. She has wit and intelligence and comes vividly off the page. The hero, Wyatt North, is sexy, troubled, driven and laconic - very alpha but with a saving humour and courage to open up his feelings to Laurie.
I liked and enjoyed the way these two related with each other. The obvious attraction was there from the first but so too their dedication to their tasks - to find a serial arsonist and killer. When they clashed their quarrels had real meaning and were resolved in a grown-up way, without pouting. Laurie's love for her homeland shines through and also her concern for her family and friends. The author does a wonderful job in showing small town and also country America, its rythyms, habits and fierce loyalties. I loved the outdoor scenes of this story, from gators to mysterious swamps. And the descriptions of everything, from the grits and shrimps Laurie cooked to the sunlight on the water, made me feel part of the novel.
'Hot Water' is for people who enjoy romantic suspense with heat and heart. It consumed me and kept me on the edge of my chair until the very last page.
May 29, 2013
Good story line, very like able characters. I especially like Laurie Ann. The author did a great job of portraying a female cob that is excellent at her job yet loves her family but also wants a man...not NEEDS a man and has been willing to wait for exactly what she wants. The community of Mossy Bog was a riot from the "knows everybody's business" EMT to the senior citizens picnics.
I didn't know what to think of Wyatt. At first I thought hmmm he may be a hottie and then he sort of became luke warm then sizzled a little more. My feelings about him definitely ran hot and cold. I would have enjoyed more tension/sexual or otherwise between he and Laurie Ann but it works the way it's written as well. For me it just evolved a little quicker than I thought it would.
Insy bit predictable regarding the bad guy but I'm not certain that the author didn't play it that way on purpose to hone in on Laurie Ann's loyalties.
Anywho....fun fast read...
I didn't know what to think of Wyatt. At first I thought hmmm he may be a hottie and then he sort of became luke warm then sizzled a little more. My feelings about him definitely ran hot and cold. I would have enjoyed more tension/sexual or otherwise between he and Laurie Ann but it works the way it's written as well. For me it just evolved a little quicker than I thought it would.
Insy bit predictable regarding the bad guy but I'm not certain that the author didn't play it that way on purpose to hone in on Laurie Ann's loyalties.
Anywho....fun fast read...
June 12, 2013
Police officer Laurie Ann Dinterman’s main ambition in her small hometown is to take an investigator exam and move up the ranks of her chosen career. Her plan comes unhinged when she’s assigned to work with an arson expert on a murder case. Wyatt is sure the serial arsonist he’s been tracking is connected to her work, but she resents his interference. Soon Laurie Ann realizes he might be onto the truth. A series of murders might be related to the dangerous arsonist he’s trying to catch. Her spirit turns to one of cooperation and something more when this hot specialist lights her fire. Will he leave when his case is done, or does she mean as much to him as he does to her?
The small town atmosphere and quirky secondary characters add spice to this story. Exciting action scenes, sizzling romance, and a nail-biting climax will ignite your interest and keep you turning pages until the surprising end.
The small town atmosphere and quirky secondary characters add spice to this story. Exciting action scenes, sizzling romance, and a nail-biting climax will ignite your interest and keep you turning pages until the surprising end.
December 23, 2013
Laurie Ann Dinterman is a driven woman. She has to be, she's the only female on the police force in her tiny Georgia town, and she has the big shoes of her father to fill. She's working hard to win her promotion when she is assigned to investigate the arson murder of a homeless man. Worse, Wyatt North, a well connected arson investigator on a mission to bring his partner's killer to justice shows up. Laurie Ann's fire matches the mo of Wyatt's partner's killer. Her only instruction from her boss is to keep Wyatt happy and safe. Nothing about catching the killer. When she falls for Wyatt, she's only too happy to follow the directive, but neither one will let their relationship get in the way of catching the killer. Her local knowledge and Wyatt's insight into the mind of the killer lead them to put their lives on the line. Who survives? This is a great book. Well written, honest, at times painful to read. Highly recommend.
April 8, 2013
This was my first visit to Mossy Bog and I can honestly say that I didn't want to leave. Maggie Toussaint does an expert job of weaving together a captivating tale full of danger, suspense, mystery, small-town charm, and hot, sexy romance. All my favorite things!
Laurie Ann - the heroine - is a wonderful character. She's talented, strong, intelligent and compassionate. Determined to put in the hard work necessary to rise to the top of her profession. Her mistakes are believable and natural.
Wyatt was what I love in a hero - damaged but determined and sexy as hell. I fell for him along with Laurie Ann.
The arson/murder mystery was one that kept me engrossed until the end.
I neglected house chores to keep reading this book . . . so clear your deck to finish it in one go. Don't say I didn't warn you!
Laurie Ann - the heroine - is a wonderful character. She's talented, strong, intelligent and compassionate. Determined to put in the hard work necessary to rise to the top of her profession. Her mistakes are believable and natural.
Wyatt was what I love in a hero - damaged but determined and sexy as hell. I fell for him along with Laurie Ann.
The arson/murder mystery was one that kept me engrossed until the end.
I neglected house chores to keep reading this book . . . so clear your deck to finish it in one go. Don't say I didn't warn you!
April 7, 2013
An exciting read from start to finish. Hot Water is about a small-town female cop who is assigned to work with a hot shot arson investigator to solve the town’s first fire fatality. Evidence points to a serial arsonist who is willing to kill to protect his secret. Meanwhile the two investigators find themselves caught up in an attraction that neither had planned on.
Maggie Toussaint has written a fast paced novel that will keep you guessing right to the end. Her main protagonists are well defined in their strengths and weakneses and totally relatable. The rest of the colorful characters in her fictional town of Mossy Bog make me want to go out and buy other books in this series.
This book should go to the top of your "to be read" pile.
Maggie Toussaint has written a fast paced novel that will keep you guessing right to the end. Her main protagonists are well defined in their strengths and weakneses and totally relatable. The rest of the colorful characters in her fictional town of Mossy Bog make me want to go out and buy other books in this series.
This book should go to the top of your "to be read" pile.
May 29, 2013
This is an entertaining romantic suspense book about the partnering of Laurie Ann, a police officer with Wyatt, an arson investigator, to investigate a fire of an abandoned restaurant that resulted in the death of a vagrant. Suspicions were that this fire was caused by a serial arsonist. The mystery moved forward at a good pace and it was suspenseful when the villain attempted to ambush and to eliminate them. Laurie Ann and Wyatt were a great team, resourceful and determined to save each other. The romance was intermingled well with the mystery. They were intensely attracted to each other and enjoyed each other one day at a time, uncertain about whether it would lead to a long-term relationship.
April 30, 2013
Maggie Toussaint has captured the sultry south in Hot Water. You'll hear Laurie Ann's drawl; you'll be transported to life in a small town with its "everybody knows everybody" atmosphere—which can help and hinder Laurie Ann's investigation. Paired with an "outsider" arson investigator, she's doing everything she can to keep her own job while he fights for his, even when it puts them at cross purposes. As romances go, this one is spot on, and the mystery only adds to the heat.
April 5, 2013
Exciting chase for an arsonist. Nice hero and heroine, good action scenes. I don't really care if I guess whodunit quickly, but for what it's worth, I knew pretty early into the story. Maybe that was deliberate on the author's part. I would read more from this series
May 20, 2013
A small-town cop (female) is assigned to work with a hotshot arson investigator (male) and they find themselves on the trail of a serial arsonist and killer. Fireworks ensue.
May 24, 2013
This was a great mystery with a great ending. Some fun characters and a great love story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2013
Well written story by a good writer. An enjoyable read.
July 20, 2016
Enjoyable enough story. Liked ti that Our Heroine was Episcopalian because I am also. I've not seen that before and so thought it an original touch. Liked it that Our Hero was an arson investigator as I have not seen that before either.
Three things really bothered me On the first page there was this "charred footprint of the restaurant." That jerked me right out. What does that mean? A restaurant can't possibly have a footprint. Unless the author meant carbon footprint. "Charred remains" would have made much more sense. I can't stand it when the author's sloppy writing intrudes on my reading enjoyment.
Another thing I did not like was that it was so obvious much too early in the story who was Our Bad Guy. I kept hoping I was wrong and the author would prove to be skillful enough to have planted red herrings. But alas, she was boringly predictable. A romantic suspense novel ought to have some suspense in it, don't you agree? Our Bad Guy's behavior was predicable, oh so predictable.
The third thing I didn't like is that Our Bad Guy had no motive for his actions. There was not enough backstory. Our Bad Guy was there simply because romantic suspense needs a Bad Guy. He had no personality, no character development. He was just there to fill a plot gap. To me that is just another example of sloppy writing.
I am deleting this from my Kindle because it is just not worth keeping to re-read.
Three things really bothered me On the first page there was this "charred footprint of the restaurant." That jerked me right out. What does that mean? A restaurant can't possibly have a footprint. Unless the author meant carbon footprint. "Charred remains" would have made much more sense. I can't stand it when the author's sloppy writing intrudes on my reading enjoyment.
Another thing I did not like was that it was so obvious much too early in the story who was Our Bad Guy. I kept hoping I was wrong and the author would prove to be skillful enough to have planted red herrings. But alas, she was boringly predictable. A romantic suspense novel ought to have some suspense in it, don't you agree? Our Bad Guy's behavior was predicable, oh so predictable.
The third thing I didn't like is that Our Bad Guy had no motive for his actions. There was not enough backstory. Our Bad Guy was there simply because romantic suspense needs a Bad Guy. He had no personality, no character development. He was just there to fill a plot gap. To me that is just another example of sloppy writing.
I am deleting this from my Kindle because it is just not worth keeping to re-read.
November 30, 2013
I found this book really interesting. I absolutely loved the interaction between these two characters. I'm not necessarily the biggest romantic suspense fan out there, since I'm more likely to pick up something paranormal or fluffy, but these are the kind of hero and heroine I look for when I do pick one up. Laurie is smart and determined and is the kind of heroine that you can relate to and look up to at the same time. I liked that while she wanted love, she didn't absolutely need it to make herself feel complete. She's okay on her own. Wyatt is, of course, the kind of hero you can drool over for a whole bunch of different reasons. This book was full of action and I never felt that either the action or the romance took up more time than the other. Everything was very equally balanced and well written. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I think that anyone looking for a romantic suspense to pick up need look no further. :) Read the rest of this review here: http://paperbacksandfrosting.com
August 21, 2013
Maggie Toussaint's Hot Water ( A Mossy Bog Book) is about a small town in Georgia, an arson investigator obsessed with a serial arsonist (Wyatt), and a local cop following in her father and grandfather's footsteps (Laurie Ann). Between them, the arsonist/murderer doesn't really have a chance as both Wayne and Laurie Ann are determined to find him or her and bring them to justice. There are the predictable sparks (no pun intended) between the two, but the plot is handled well with some twists and turns, as well as an assortment of locals. It isn't obvious who the arsonist is until toward the end, and then the question is how Toussaint is going to get her hero and heroine out of the mess. It looks like this is part of a series - Muddy Waters obviously preceded Hot Water and even though I sorta know how it ends, it's on the TBR list.
January 27, 2015
Hot Water is a refreshing blend of romance, mystery, and suspense with the down home friendliness of a small town’s loyalty to one of its own. Laurie Ann is a cracker jack cop working hard to be an investigator on the force.
Wyatt is an arson investigator looking for the serial arsonist who set a fire that severely burned himself and killed his partner. Wyatt has trailed the arsonist to a fire in Laurie Ann’s hometown of Mossy Bog. Laurie Ann is assigned to work with Wyatt in his investigation. The two of them work closely together and the atmosphere quickly heats up between them.
The arsonist targets both Laurie Ann and Wyatt trying multiple times to kill them. The identity of the arsonist seems clear to Wyatt but is a shock to Laurie Ann.
This story will keep you reading as bullets fly and fires burn.
Wyatt is an arson investigator looking for the serial arsonist who set a fire that severely burned himself and killed his partner. Wyatt has trailed the arsonist to a fire in Laurie Ann’s hometown of Mossy Bog. Laurie Ann is assigned to work with Wyatt in his investigation. The two of them work closely together and the atmosphere quickly heats up between them.
The arsonist targets both Laurie Ann and Wyatt trying multiple times to kill them. The identity of the arsonist seems clear to Wyatt but is a shock to Laurie Ann.
This story will keep you reading as bullets fly and fires burn.
October 26, 2014
I loved this book! The story provides a great mystery with many twists and turns and an engaging hero and heroine that fall in love while solving it. The setting of Mossy Bog is a true to life small town. Its residents function like an extended family, know each others' business and look out for each other—even the quirky oddballs that would go virtually unnoticed in an urban area.
January 8, 2014
My exact rating is 3.5 stars. Unfortunately my notes don't tell my anything more about why I chose this rating and I don't remember. I've read a ton of books since.
July 27, 2015
Another fun read by Maggie Toussaint!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews