Heated Moments

Espresso Empire #3

by Phyllis Bourne

Opposites attract…and ignite! 

When she's dumped as the famous face of Espresso Cosmetics, Lola Gray does what any self-respecting diva would do: she throws a hissy fit and hits the road. Leaving Tennessee—and her family empire—in the dust, the cover model takes off for New York City. When a speeding ticket gets her in trouble in a small town in Ohio, the only bright spot is the hunky local police chief.

After the craziness of the big city, Dylan Cooper couldn't wait to return to the peace and quiet of Cooper's Place. Now the stunning tabloid beauty he is holding for questioning is charming his hometown, and seducing the former homicide cop. Dylan needs Lola gone before he gives in to temptation. But unexpectedly, Dylan's discovering a woman of surprising talents, hidden depths…and intense passion. Is it possible their sizzling affair will become a lifetime of love?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 17, 2015

About the author

A native of Chicago’s Southside, Phyllis Bourne began her writing career as a crime reporter for the Ft. Wayne News-Sentinel and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. After years of chasing cops and criminals, she left reporting to write about life’s sweeter side.

Nowadays her stories are filled with heart-stopping heroes and happy endings. Phyllis is 2010 RT Book Reviews nominee for Best Multicultural Romance, as well as a two-time Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found at a make-up counter feeding her lipstick addiction. Phyllis currently resides in middle-Tennessee.

She also writes as Phyllis Bourne Williams.

Reviews

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Lola Gray is the gorgeous face of her family's cosmetic company. She is also a grown woman . Yet her family treats her like she's an irresponsible child. It is extremely frustrating when your actions are misconstrued and your explanations are disregarded. I am so glad that Dylan treats Lola with the respect she deserves. But will their relationship put an end to her lucrative career?

[Marie Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heated Moments is the final installment to the Espresso Empire series by Phyllis Bourne. Lola Gray, the youngest sibling of the family, just can’t catch a break. She’s constantly getting into trouble with the media, but it turns out her shenanigans are largely misconstrued and taken out of proportion, as the media tends to do. As a result, people don’t take the time to listen to her or understand where she’s coming from. A family argument has Lola leaving home, and on her way to New York City, where bigger opportunities await.

During the trip, Lola has another mishap in a small rural Ohio town, Cooper’s place. What was meant to be a simple speeding ticket, ends up becoming a full blown police investigation.

Enter Dylan Cooper, the hunky police chief of Cooper’s Place. Unlike most people, he doesn’t get caught up in the gossip, and prefers to see people how they really are himself. He’s the only one who takes the time to hear Lola out, and as a result, sparks fly faster than the two of them can keep up.

Much of the story is spent with Lola and Dylan trying to clear Lola’s name of the ridiculous, out-of-proportion accusations of her allegedly assaulting a police officer. There are a few funny moments sprinkled in, as well as the sexy times Lola and Dylan share together.

I thought this was a cute story, and I enjoyed the reoccurring theme that this book expressed of being yourself and not being afraid of what others will say. Lola was a strong heroine, and I was glad to see that she found her happiness with Dylan, as well as a new place where she could call her new home. It was a cute happily-ever-after for the two of them, and a satisfying conclusion to the series.

[Shone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baby girl Gray has always been wild and pretty , as she does her best to represent her families cosmetics company. it's time for a change small town living is just what she needs.Watching Lola reinvent herself and allowing her intelligence to shine as much as her beauty. Mrs Virginia was my favorite character in the series. Three great reads Ms Bourne.

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommending in one of my book clubs and it did not disappoint. I loved reading Lola and Dylan's story and look forward to reading more books by Phyllis Bourne. Bourne did a great job of creating a love at first sight (or first kiss) romance that wasn't overly sappy. I loved that her secondary characters, especially Dylan's mom Virginia, added some comedic relief to the story with their quick-witted responses and quips.

[Cynthia Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you handle a "Fall from Headlights and Headlines"? With grace, dignity, poise and a handsome Alpha Male! Lola and Dylan's journey could have gone many different ways, but only Phyllis Bourne could weave it to be interesting, intriguing and HOT!

[Tina Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

Another good read by Phyllis Bourne. No one takes Lola Gray seriously. In a bad situation everyone is quick to label her as the bad guy even her own family. In a small town in Ohio she meets Chief Dylan Coopee, a man who respects her enough to hear her side of a story and to believe her. Small town city chief just new his small town would not be enough to keep Lola there. He is happily surprised and shocked when she chooses him and his small town. A true love at first sight romance.

[Lynne Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about personality on the page, great author voice. I thoroughly enjoyed this fun and occasionally wacky romance. Lola is a force to be reckoned with as the youngest of the Espresso Empire family. Being fired is bad enough but by your own family??? The only good thing is it takes her on a road trip where she winds up in a small town, at odds with the Chief of Police, Dylan, where she's forced to grow up a little and fall in love a lot! Sparks fly. Great cast of characters.

[Ranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a funny, sexy, and unpredictable book (laugh out loud)...I love our main character, Lola Gray, she was strong, showed dignity and grace under pressure...Dylan was such a reliable and supportive friend, later husband...love the other characters, Virginia, Jeb, Wilson, Marjorie...etc...(this is the 1st Phyllis Bourne book I read and I plan to read all of them)...highly recommended!

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and fun. I love the family dynamics, I love the hero and heroine together, I love their meet-cute, and I love that he gives her the respect she struggles to obtain from her own family and colleagues.

[A. Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, quick romance.

[Marilyn Diamond]

Lola and Dylan are opposites meeting and colliding. No one believed in Lola until she met Dylan. She met Dylan because Lola got stopped on a lonely highway cruising. Lola's decisions and behavior landed in Cooper's place what happened after that is a great story.. Fast paced, exciting, sensual and funny..

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haveto admire Lola Gray for speaking her mind. It's too bad her whoke fsmily misunderstands her and just assumes thst she's "trouble".
It's refreshing when she meets Dylan Cooper and without knowing a lot about her, gets her and has her back. An enjoyable read.

[Cynthia Taylor]

Hot! Hot! Hot!

How do you handle a "Fall from Headlights and Headlines"? With grace, dignity, poise and a handsome Alpha Male! Lola and Dylan's journey could have gone many different ways, but only Phyllis Bourne could weave it to be interesting, intriguing and HOT!

[Harlequin Books]

"This installment of the Espresso Empire series builds and builds and will have readers hanging on every word until the very end" (RT Book Reviews).

Miniseries: Espresso Empire

[Shannon Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. Heated Moments is the correct name for this book. Lola is a spitfire, tell it like it is female that came in and knocked Dylan off his feet. With Dylan's laid back character, Lola gives him just enough thrill to balance him. Great job Ms. Bourne.

[Brenda Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute

If it's trouble it 'll find Lola. Never has one person been so misunderstood. The only drawback was the romance part seemed a little contrived. Still a cute and enjoyable story.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick read. A sort of coming of age. A nice feel good tome.

[Monique Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I woke up early and finished this book in one sitting. I liked the hometown feel of it. I may read the other Espresso empire series books.

[Anita L. Roseboro-Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it.

I loved how just having one person believe in her changed Lola's whole left, and helped her make the biggest decision of her career.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Deena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, sexy and funny as hell!!! Ms. Bourne continues her winning streak with me.