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Heat Lightning
Jassy Turner is drawn to Caleb Spenser, the man they call a killer. But nothing in her genteel background has prepared her for his kind of high-voltage heat. But vengeance against the Turner family churns inside of Caleb, and it is as unstoppable as his intense desire for Jassy. She should have run for cover when she heard trouble coming, because not even her innocence and good intentions can prevent the overdue storm from breaking. As seen on Romance Classics .
250 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
11 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Anne Stuart
203 books2,063 followersAnne Stuart is a grandmaster of the genre, winner of Romance Writers of America's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, survivor of more than thirty-five years in the romance business, and still just keeps getting better.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 19, 2018
4.25 stars
October 13, 2019
"Heat Lightening" is the story of Jassy and Caleb.
In a tale of vengeance and love, our hero Caleb returns to his old town to get revenge from Harrison- the man who committed murder and got him falsely imprisoned for it. After three years in jail, he spent years becoming financially successful, and now is planning to get vengeance, by hook or by crook. His hurdle, however, comes in the form of Jassy, Harrison's spinster sister, the do-gooder and caring Southern belle.
The ferocity with which he hates Harrison is no match for the blazing attraction he feels for Jassy. However, Jassy is fiercely protective of her dysfunctional family, and soon realizes Caleb's motives for his pursuit. But will their pasts and inhibitions tear them apart, or will Caleb finally learn to accept Jassy's selfless love?
This book has it all- from domestic abuse, murder, psychopaths, alcohol addicts to a potential dog death, loads of angst, cheating (not between MCs) and hot sex. The H and h are extremely likable, and you cannot help but root for them. I cried on so many instances, especially when dog gets poisoned and Caleb FINALLY breaks down- to Jassy's realization of her family 's truth. My favorite part, however, was Jassy's altruistic love for Caleb, and her determination not to give up on him. She looks past all the gruff and meanness, to find a caring soul and gently encourages him to love her back. The ending was just a ray of hope and sunshine, and made the book a worthwhile read.
Highly recommend.
Safe
4.5/5
In a tale of vengeance and love, our hero Caleb returns to his old town to get revenge from Harrison- the man who committed murder and got him falsely imprisoned for it. After three years in jail, he spent years becoming financially successful, and now is planning to get vengeance, by hook or by crook. His hurdle, however, comes in the form of Jassy, Harrison's spinster sister, the do-gooder and caring Southern belle.
The ferocity with which he hates Harrison is no match for the blazing attraction he feels for Jassy. However, Jassy is fiercely protective of her dysfunctional family, and soon realizes Caleb's motives for his pursuit. But will their pasts and inhibitions tear them apart, or will Caleb finally learn to accept Jassy's selfless love?
This book has it all- from domestic abuse, murder, psychopaths, alcohol addicts to a potential dog death, loads of angst, cheating (not between MCs) and hot sex. The H and h are extremely likable, and you cannot help but root for them. I cried on so many instances, especially when dog gets poisoned and Caleb FINALLY breaks down- to Jassy's realization of her family 's truth. My favorite part, however, was Jassy's altruistic love for Caleb, and her determination not to give up on him. She looks past all the gruff and meanness, to find a caring soul and gently encourages him to love her back. The ending was just a ray of hope and sunshine, and made the book a worthwhile read.
Highly recommend.
Safe
4.5/5
March 25, 2012
Anne Stuart is pretty good at writing darker heroes, who pretend to be cold and un-caring. As far as this book is concerned the only reason the hero comes to town is revenge, and if that takes down his family including his sister(the heroine), his wife and mother, so be it.
Among the whole cast of characters I found the heroine Jassy better than the rest though to be honest I found her foolish as well, the blind trust she had in her family and the way she took care of each and everyone. Yeah I was supposed to see her as one goody goody person instead I found that trait a bit irritating, I kind of don't mind reading about people who have their flaws.
The hero Caleb is clear about what he wants, he spent three years in prison for a murder he didn't commit, likes no ties in life and wants to destroy her brother, he didn't count on his desire for her, but he has no plans of changing his goals.
She is kind of the uptight type, wanting to save the world, so keeps going to him to try and solve whatever there is between him and her brother. I actually liked the end when she decided to cut the apron strings and begin her life fresh with him. This wasn't the best read by her.
Among the whole cast of characters I found the heroine Jassy better than the rest though to be honest I found her foolish as well, the blind trust she had in her family and the way she took care of each and everyone. Yeah I was supposed to see her as one goody goody person instead I found that trait a bit irritating, I kind of don't mind reading about people who have their flaws.
The hero Caleb is clear about what he wants, he spent three years in prison for a murder he didn't commit, likes no ties in life and wants to destroy her brother, he didn't count on his desire for her, but he has no plans of changing his goals.
She is kind of the uptight type, wanting to save the world, so keeps going to him to try and solve whatever there is between him and her brother. I actually liked the end when she decided to cut the apron strings and begin her life fresh with him. This wasn't the best read by her.
June 7, 2014
A little disappointing because I expected more but as always, Anne Stuart books always make for some great brain candy.
May 20, 2010
In Heat Lightning, Anne Stuart continues to prove why she is the resident genius of romance novels! Her books amaze me with their complex characters and unique plots.
Caleb Spencer was imprisoned for a crime that he did not commit. He has come to seek vengeance on the man responsible for this injustice. The one thing that he does not count on is his enemy's sister. Jassy Turner comes into Caleb's life and turns it upside down. Whereas Caleb emits "badness", Jassy is able to see right through his facade. She believes in him, trusts him, and eventually falls in love with him. Caleb has had very little love in his life and needs it desperately.
The problem is this....what happens when your need for REVENGE and your need for LOVE conflict with one another. What happens when these two competing values are waging war within? What wins out? Can there be a happy ending? These are all questions that Stuart makes you think about early and then slowly and skillfully leads you to the answer. Pure Brilliance.
Caleb Spencer was imprisoned for a crime that he did not commit. He has come to seek vengeance on the man responsible for this injustice. The one thing that he does not count on is his enemy's sister. Jassy Turner comes into Caleb's life and turns it upside down. Whereas Caleb emits "badness", Jassy is able to see right through his facade. She believes in him, trusts him, and eventually falls in love with him. Caleb has had very little love in his life and needs it desperately.
The problem is this....what happens when your need for REVENGE and your need for LOVE conflict with one another. What happens when these two competing values are waging war within? What wins out? Can there be a happy ending? These are all questions that Stuart makes you think about early and then slowly and skillfully leads you to the answer. Pure Brilliance.
August 8, 2022
I know I promised myself I'd pace myself on Anne Stuart, but then I saw the blurb for this one and it was repeatedly compared to one of my favorite Paul Newman movies, Long, Hot Summer. It has been years since I've watched that one (I purposely didn't watch it once I started reading this just in case it made the book suffer from the comparison), but I just couldn't resist.
And yeah... Meh.
Jassy was actually a really great character. I enjoyed her. I know she was a bit of a goody-two-shoes, but she had a spine and a sense of self-worth (similar to the way Joanne Woodward was in LHS). And while I didn't hate Caleb, he had reasons for behaving the way he did, and he certainly had reasons to hate her brother, who... yikes... the revenge-is-all-I-do schtick did get a little old (I'm going to add the caveat here that I cannot for the life of me remember Paul Newman's motivations in LHS, so maybe it was another homage). And in the end, either his varied levels of revenge happened off-page, or Jassy handled them due to coincidences that really had nothing to do with any strings he'd pulled.
I didn't understand everyone's cluelessness about Jassy's brother, Harrison. And honestly, because we only got to see him as his life fell apart, the fact that no one saw his absolute fuckheadedness until now was really unbelievable. I would have liked to see Jassy stand up to him more rather than letting him think he'd gotten his way and doing her own thing anyway. I would have liked to see some sort of trace of normalcy from him that made it a little more clear that he wasn't always a jackass because that is all he ever is in this book, and you find yourself wondering why the hell that wasn't more obvious to Jassy and why she didn't take more steps to get out from under his thumb. A lot of it felt like it wasn't plotted out in advance, or even revised during later drafts, so much as while-Anne-Stuart-was-writing-it-and-according-to-what-felt-right-just-then.
While the book was a lot of fun for the first half or so, once Jassy sets her sights on Caleb, it went flat. And it isn't really even because of the romance -- it's because the entire plot, romance and all, kind of let itself go after that. I would have liked more of some of the background characters to make the story feel more real. Additionally, even though the way this ended gave me a similar feeling to the sudden way a lot of movies end, this one really could have used an Epilogue.
So even though this hit my newly discovered love of Romances Involving Old Money Family Dramas, it wasn't deep enough for me to rate this any higher than three stars.
And yeah... Meh.
Jassy was actually a really great character. I enjoyed her. I know she was a bit of a goody-two-shoes, but she had a spine and a sense of self-worth (similar to the way Joanne Woodward was in LHS). And while I didn't hate Caleb, he had reasons for behaving the way he did, and he certainly had reasons to hate her brother, who... yikes... the revenge-is-all-I-do schtick did get a little old (I'm going to add the caveat here that I cannot for the life of me remember Paul Newman's motivations in LHS, so maybe it was another homage). And in the end, either his varied levels of revenge happened off-page, or Jassy handled them due to coincidences that really had nothing to do with any strings he'd pulled.
I didn't understand everyone's cluelessness about Jassy's brother, Harrison. And honestly, because we only got to see him as his life fell apart, the fact that no one saw his absolute fuckheadedness until now was really unbelievable. I would have liked to see Jassy stand up to him more rather than letting him think he'd gotten his way and doing her own thing anyway. I would have liked to see some sort of trace of normalcy from him that made it a little more clear that he wasn't always a jackass because that is all he ever is in this book, and you find yourself wondering why the hell that wasn't more obvious to Jassy and why she didn't take more steps to get out from under his thumb. A lot of it felt like it wasn't plotted out in advance, or even revised during later drafts, so much as while-Anne-Stuart-was-writing-it-and-according-to-what-felt-right-just-then.
While the book was a lot of fun for the first half or so, once Jassy sets her sights on Caleb, it went flat. And it isn't really even because of the romance -- it's because the entire plot, romance and all, kind of let itself go after that. I would have liked more of some of the background characters to make the story feel more real. Additionally, even though the way this ended gave me a similar feeling to the sudden way a lot of movies end, this one really could have used an Epilogue.
So even though this hit my newly discovered love of Romances Involving Old Money Family Dramas, it wasn't deep enough for me to rate this any higher than three stars.
February 7, 2008
Read another Stuart category and I have one more in the TBR pile. I guess it’s Anne Stuart’s week around here again.
This is another one of her stories with a bad boy, possible killer, hero and a naïve, innocent heroine who blossoms as she falls in love. Caleb Spencer comes to Turner’s Landing looking for revenge and Jassy Turner can’t help be attracted to the man who seems bent on ruining her brother’s life. As we discover what lays behind Caleb’s attitude Jassy faces the reality of an alcoholic mother and a manipulative brother. Set in the old south in the middle of swamps and with a certain gothic atmosphere I think it needed to be a full length to fully develop the atmosphere. We have a glimpse of an oppressive small town that is run behind the scenes by the most prominent member of the community but it’s not enough to create suspense.
Although I did enjoy the story I think it lacked some of the tension that makes these smaller stories stand out. By now I’ve read a small part of Stuart’s huge back list and I think what makes these small stories so attractive is the relationship between the main characters and how they deal with their feelings and situations that seem to lead them to no good. From that point of view I think I prefer titles like Blue Sage, Crazy Like a Fox or Winter’s Edge. Having said that I still think it’s a good story and so it’s a B-.
The cover photo is not the one from the book I’ve read which was the 1992 edition but I was unable to find it online so I posted this one instead.
This is another one of her stories with a bad boy, possible killer, hero and a naïve, innocent heroine who blossoms as she falls in love. Caleb Spencer comes to Turner’s Landing looking for revenge and Jassy Turner can’t help be attracted to the man who seems bent on ruining her brother’s life. As we discover what lays behind Caleb’s attitude Jassy faces the reality of an alcoholic mother and a manipulative brother. Set in the old south in the middle of swamps and with a certain gothic atmosphere I think it needed to be a full length to fully develop the atmosphere. We have a glimpse of an oppressive small town that is run behind the scenes by the most prominent member of the community but it’s not enough to create suspense.
Although I did enjoy the story I think it lacked some of the tension that makes these smaller stories stand out. By now I’ve read a small part of Stuart’s huge back list and I think what makes these small stories so attractive is the relationship between the main characters and how they deal with their feelings and situations that seem to lead them to no good. From that point of view I think I prefer titles like Blue Sage, Crazy Like a Fox or Winter’s Edge. Having said that I still think it’s a good story and so it’s a B-.
The cover photo is not the one from the book I’ve read which was the 1992 edition but I was unable to find it online so I posted this one instead.
January 29, 2021
tw/cw:
multiple mentions of domestic abuse, cheating (not MCs), “savage” slur used, g-slur, mention of wrongful imprisonment, mention of child molestation, “lynching” used in vain.
other notes: Not very PC. Hero makes a wife beating joke due to heroine working with domestic abuse survivors, heroine causally and positively mentions a side character having had an great grandfather who was a confederate soldier as if that was not a negative.
multiple mentions of domestic abuse, cheating (not MCs), “savage” slur used, g-slur, mention of wrongful imprisonment, mention of child molestation, “lynching” used in vain.
other notes: Not very PC. Hero makes a wife beating joke due to heroine working with domestic abuse survivors, heroine causally and positively mentions a side character having had an great grandfather who was a confederate soldier as if that was not a negative.
September 5, 2011
This is one of Suarts 90s Harliquin,and is a fabulous little book.It is a Bayou book which,along with ghosts are my favorite genres,and it is one of the best,A solid 5*
Reread
Reread
August 16, 2021
Not my favorite , but certainly worth the read!! I like that the truth, when all the cards were on the table, came out the way it did. A lot of foreshadowing for the plot but the hook at the end was awesome!
May 11, 2023
brilliant
Set in the smoldering South, this book just sweats intrigue and sexual tension. Some have compared this book to The Long Hot Summer, I say it is so much better. Bravo. I have read almost every book the author has written and this is in the top five.
Set in the smoldering South, this book just sweats intrigue and sexual tension. Some have compared this book to The Long Hot Summer, I say it is so much better. Bravo. I have read almost every book the author has written and this is in the top five.
October 7, 2018
(Explícito). No me gustó. Hay muchas cosas mal con este libro que simple y sencillamente no lo recomendaré.
April 16, 2022
3.5 stars
May 29, 2023
This is yet another fast-paced book with a great plot. A great read.
August 28, 2024
Great story.
June 10, 2010
Caleb Spencer has come to the town of Turner's Landing to get revenge on Harrison Turner. Caleb was sent to prison for a murder he didn't commit because of Harrison and while nursing his grudge in jail he vowed to get his revenge. Jassy, Harrison's sister is Caleb's target. One thing Caleb has always excelled at was seducing women. Sweet, sheltered Jassy Turner won't know how to resist bad boy Caleb Spencer.
For a short book the characters were well developed. I liked how the weather and bayou came across as characters all on their own. I also thought it was very creative how Ms. Stuart was able to slowly unravel clues about Harrison and Caleb's past. Jassy slowly discovers her brother's true nature that tries to deny. Events built up to a climax that coincided with the weather.
Ms. Stuart has a tendency to write anti-heroes and Caleb is no exception as he sets out to get revenge on Harrison by seducing his sister. This leaves the believability of the romance on shaky ground. Both Jassy and Caleb are likable and the relationship developed at a reasonable pace so it works out well. Jassy is a good combination of spit-fire and tenderness, so it's easy for the reader to like her. I tend to like stories were the heroine comes in and waltzes all over the hero and he doesn't know what hit him. But only when the hero thinks he is so macho and invincible. I love the irony of a little weak female bringing a strong willed man to his knees.
As for what I didn't like. The story felt a little dated, with the clothing and hair descriptions. I think the picture on the cover didn't help at all. It's one of those covers that the Smart Bitches would have a hay-day with. There a few secondary characters that come across as cliched; Jassy's mother and sister-in-law and even the sheriff.
For a short book the characters were well developed. I liked how the weather and bayou came across as characters all on their own. I also thought it was very creative how Ms. Stuart was able to slowly unravel clues about Harrison and Caleb's past. Jassy slowly discovers her brother's true nature that tries to deny. Events built up to a climax that coincided with the weather.
Ms. Stuart has a tendency to write anti-heroes and Caleb is no exception as he sets out to get revenge on Harrison by seducing his sister. This leaves the believability of the romance on shaky ground. Both Jassy and Caleb are likable and the relationship developed at a reasonable pace so it works out well. Jassy is a good combination of spit-fire and tenderness, so it's easy for the reader to like her. I tend to like stories were the heroine comes in and waltzes all over the hero and he doesn't know what hit him. But only when the hero thinks he is so macho and invincible. I love the irony of a little weak female bringing a strong willed man to his knees.
As for what I didn't like. The story felt a little dated, with the clothing and hair descriptions. I think the picture on the cover didn't help at all. It's one of those covers that the Smart Bitches would have a hay-day with. There a few secondary characters that come across as cliched; Jassy's mother and sister-in-law and even the sheriff.
March 1, 2013
This is a good book by John Sandford. He knows how to capture his reader's attention and keep them interested. He has Virgil Flowers running around trying to solve a murder and keeping people safe. While attending to his lovelife with Mia. Who is actually Hoa, who is one of the killers. Virgil gets put in the hospital do to a blow to the head and then gets into a gun fight. Only to find out in the end that Mia/Hoa is the actually the killer.
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June 12, 2016love story
May 1, 2017
29/05/2011
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