Too Hot to Handle

by Norma Tadlock Johnson

At the death of her stepfather, Stewart Collins, Angie Evans inherits the modest house in a small town on Puget Sound in which he has lived since Angie's mother's died. Wanting nothing more than to dispose of the house, put her unhappy memories behind her, and to get back to her job as a gardener in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, Angie is not prepared for what she finds in her old home town.

204 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1985

About the author

Norma Tadlock Johnson's publishing history began with four romance novels co-written with her daughter, Janice Kay Johnson (herself a multi-published author of books in the romance, historical mystery, young adult and picture book categories) as Kay Kirby. These were followed by two romantic suspense novels on her own (Walker and Co). She then switched to writing for middle-grade children, and published the well received Bats on the Bedstead (Houghton Mifflin; Avon Camelot) and The Witch House (Avon Camelot). More recent work includes a non-fiction history of the 10th Mountain Division of World War II titled Soldiers of the Mountains.

Norma graduated from Broadway High School in Seattle, Washington, and has been named to its Hall of Fame. A Cum Laude graduate of Washington State College (now University), she did graduate work at Mexico City College (now University of the Americas). A widow, she now resides in Burlington, Washington. Besides her daughter, Janice, Norma has a son, Karl, and three granddaughters. She has lived primarily in Washington, Oregon, California and Mexico. While residing with her husband on Camano Island, WA, she was active on a local water board, where the startling acrimony experienced among members, along with the perpetual battling of slugs in her garden, inspired her to write Donna Rose and the Slug War. Her hobbies include reading, gardening and swimming.

Series:
* Cedar Harbor Mystery

Reviews

[Stephanie Ziegler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title of this book has nothing to do with its contents. It is a “who done it” book, not a trashy romance novel. I actually thought this book was interesting. I found myself turning its pages with anticipation. There is a twist towards the end that had me laughing hard. The end was suspenseful, but you kind of know how its going to go. I did not like that I could not figure out the decade this was placed in because of the way people spoke. It never says how long Angie is actually in town. So when Brad tells Angie he loves her, I imagine it was only a few days. The book came out in the mid-80s (which is the oldest book I have a blog for), so don’t expect bells and whistles of the 21st century. It is a well written book for its time. This was the first book I have read (and blogged about) that had suspense and mystery to it and I rather enjoyed it. It is an easy read as well. It is a shame that it is from 1985 because I cannot find ANY website that has the book cover.

If you don’t believe me, check it out for yourself!

Until next time, take life one page at a time!

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]