Hot as Hell

Deep Six #0.5

by Julie Ann Walker

An exciting prequel novella to "New York Times"and "USA Today"bestselling author Julie Ann Walker's thrilling new Deep Six series

Harper Searcy didn't want to fall for a soldier, but she couldn't forget her hot Navy SEAL friend or their one night stand. When the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan where she works comes under attack by terrorists, there is only one man she knows who would move heaven and earth to rescue Michael "Mad Dog" Wainwright.

"The Deep Six series is going to be one exhilarating ride." -"RT Book Reviews"

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Military Fiction, Contemporary, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Suspense

140 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2016

About the author

Julie Ann Walker is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She has won the Book Buyers Best Award, been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, and the Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA award. Julie loves to travel the world looking for views to compete with her deadlines. And if those views happen to come with a blue sky and sunshine? All the better! When she's not writing, Julie enjoys camping, hiking, cycling, fishing, cooking, petting every dog that walks by her, and... reading, of course!

Be sure to sign up for Julie's occasional newsletter at: http://julieannwalker.com

Or follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/julieannwalkerauthor and/or Instagram: @julieannwalker_author.

In Moonlight and Memories:
#1 IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES: VOLUME ONE
#2 IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES: VOLUME TWO
#3 IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES: VOLUME THREE

Black Knights Inc.:
#1 HELL ON WHEELS
#2 IN RIDES TROUBLE
#3 REV IT UP
#4 THRILL RIDE
#5 BORN WILD
#6 HELL FOR LEATHER
#7 FULL THROTTLE
#8 TOO HARD TO HANDLE
#9 WILD RIDE
#10 FUEL FOR FIRE
#11 HOT PURSUIT
#12 BUILT TO LAST

Deep Six:
#0.5 HOT AS HELL
#1 HELL OR HIGH WATER
#2 DEVIL AND THE DEEP
#3 RIDE THE TIDE
#4 DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN
#5 SHOT ACROSS THE BOW
#6 DEAD IN THE WATER

Black Knights Inc: Reloaded:
#1 BACK IN BLACK
#2 BLACK HEARTED
#3 MAN IN BLACK
#4 BLACK MOON RISING
#5 BLACK WIDOW
#6 FADE TO BLACK

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hot as Hell by Julie Ann Walker is a prequel novella to introduce readers to the Deep Six contemporary romance series. This story is rather short but in that time it does exactly what the author intended it to do, give a glimpse into what the full length novels in the series will hold.

The book opens with Harper Searcy working at the Embassy in Pakistan when all of a sudden the pop pop pop of bullets flying can be heard and all heck breaks out. Now Harper has an admirer in a hot Navy SEAL, Michael “Mad Dog” Wainwright after the two had a one night stand. So when trapped with enemy fire all around Harper calls for help and for her hot alpha male to come the rescue.

This series is sure to hold some really action packed hot romances just going by this quick peek into what it would hold. Amidst the action there is plenty of steamy romance between the characters, definitely for those fans of a strong alpha male. I would have liked to have seen more but of course that feel comes with most novellas but an interesting start to give readers a bit of intrigue and suspense. And at the time I’m writing this review the books is currently available on Amazon for free so a perfect chance to try the series.

For more review please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am glad I picked this up for free as the actual story was only 35% of the book.

Great way to check out the author's writing style though, and happily (for me) we seemed to 'click' so straight on to the next book in the series :)

[Coco.V]

💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/04/2017)! 💝

[Debra Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. Interesting. Especially for a novella. The characters were well developed.
Adult romance. Suspense and action.
Definitely worth reading the 1st book in the series.
I may have discovered a 'new to me' author that I am going to enjoy.

[Bambi Unbridled · Rating 3 out of 5]

This prequel is a quick intro to the series - a very quick intro. The story is only about 35% of the Kindle file and the rest is a sneak peak into Devil and the Deep. So this is a perfect story to read over your lunch break or anywhere you have a short wait.

In this story we meet a SEAL team operating in Pakistan to protect the American Embassy and Ambassador. Soon after this mission, the guys will be hanging up their uniforms and entering the civilian life, which is I believe what we will see through the rest of the series (civilian life, that is).

The suspense in this short story was pretty good given the length we were working with. Terrorists (the TTP) have attacked the embassy and our heroine, Harper Searcy, barely makes it into the panic room. The SEAL team must race to take out the terrorists and rescue Harper... and the cowardly ambassador. The rescue effort is a little more urgent for one team member, Michael "Mad Dog" Wainwright, who has a serious romantic interest in Harper.

There was a lot packed into this story little story, including sexytime in the midst of danger. I am looking forward to the rest of the series given the amount of action packed into the prequel.

3 stars / 3 flames. Full review posted at Bambi Unbridled.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really needed this book. Sexy SEALS are the cure for just about anything. When you've just finished a disappointing book: Read a SEAL romance. When Covid has you down in the dumps: Read a SEAL romance. When it's hot as H--- outside: Grab a cold one and read a SEAL romance.

Harper is secretary to the American Ambassador to Pakistani. They are caught in an attack on the embassy. Harper makes it to the safe room and waits and reviews her relationship with SEAL Michael. Michael's team comes and he waits with her in the safe room where they get time to come to terms with their feelings for each other and the path their future will take.

[Jimnlori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Julie Ann Walker's books!
Harper Searcy is trapped in the United States Embassy and it is under attack. No one is coming to save them and the group of SEALs that had been on their guard were called off and sent to another job. Harper knows that the only person she can rely on is Michael. She and Michael had a one night stand that she was still thinking about, but it always came down to the one thing she couldn't get past, his military career. She didn't want to fall in love with or have a life with someone in the military! Too bad that their physical connection was so strong.
Michael was shocked when he received Harper's call after months of her ignoring him and having zero contact, but when he realized that she was in danger nothing would stop him and his team from getting her out of danger. One way or another he was going to make her see how much she meant to him.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books in this series.

[María · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esta sí es una precuela bien escrita. Sí bien no profundiza por qué el equipo de Navy Seal decide retirarse de la vida militar y el conflicto es bastante simple, los personajes están bien desarrollados, por ejemplo: se entiende perfectamente de dónde viene el miedo de ella a estar con él después de ver el sufrimiento de su madre.
Quizás por ser una historia realista y no en un universo fantástico, pero además evidentemente la autora tiene la habilidad para contarnos una buena historia en menos de 150 páginas en las que hay peligro y no solo el protagonista es hot...

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a good book if you are looking for something quick to read. I was able to read it in under 30 minutes. I thought it was an okay start to this series, it gives you a little taster of what is to come in the following books. After reading this, I would possibly consider continuing the series.

[Nadene (Totally Addicted to Reading) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hot as hell served as a short but interesting prequel to Walker's Deep Six series. Because of its brevity, character and world development suffered.

What saved it from being a total bust was the action that kept me glued to the pages. Unfortunately, it was over quickly.

Overall, for a novella, it delivered as expected. 


This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short little introductory story that lets us get to meet some of the SEALs who would go on to treasure hunt and do other fun things later on. As it turns out, Michael isn't one of those planning on joining his treasure hunting brothers. Which really has no bearing on this story since there's no treasure hunting involved.

Unless you count the treasure in their pants. *snickers at myself*

Anywho. There's nothing better than locking two people with chemistry and some unresolved relationship issues in a room together while danger lurks outside. THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU DO THAT. Sexy things. As they should.

Short, but enjoyable. I kinda dig how whole-heartedly these SEALs throw themselves into relationships. *thumbs up*

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short intro into the series. Bit of sexy, bit of suspense. Looking forward to reading the first book in the series.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hot as Hell was an action-packed read with a steamy romance set in a high stress situation.

Harper Searcy enjoys her work in the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan as the right-hand of the ambassador. But when the embassy comes under attack by terrorists, Harper is thinking she needs to get into a new line of work. Despite the danger, Harper knows there's someone out there who will move mountains to rescue her; Navy SEAL Michael "Mad Dog" Wainwright.

This novella starts off with the attack on the embassy and Harper's attempt to reach a panic room to stay safe. She manages to make it there with seconds to spare, the enemy right on her heels. In her rush to get to safety, she manages to get a phone call off to Mike who, along with his fellow SEALs, rush to the embassy to get control of the situation. Ultimately Mike joins her in the panic room after his team has cleared the building and stays with her until it's safe for extraction. While the pair are stuck in there, they discuss how Harper has been avoiding Mike as she's unsure a relationship between them could ever work. The pair also get up to some steamy activities which while hot were a bit unrealistic for the situation.

Overall Hot as Hell was a good introduction to the series which follows Mike's teammates after the group leaves the Navy. I will definitely be checking out the first full-length book in the series, Hell or High Water, soon.

[J.S. Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to Julie’s writing if you’ve never read her stuff before, this novella was full of intrigue and suspense I’ve come to love with Julie’s books and her love scenes as always are off the hook good. What I enjoy the most is the buildup via the internal monologue of her characters which casts you as the interloper of their lives. The only reason it wasn’t a five-star read was the length. Too short and while I can appreciate as a writer myself that this was a throw away chapter brought to life, it was a bit too far-fetched to me that the soon to be former navy seal is planning his entire life around a woman he only met but once before this encounter at the embassy. I will read this series because I dig Julie’s writing and can’t wait to see where this series goes.

[Literati Literature Lovers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay

This was a very quick read. In fact for me it was too short. It was just a few scenes and some really hot sex. The length is way it’s getting a three star rating. The writing was good, and the characters were believable.
I just keep thinking about the blood the hero must have been covered in as they had sex. Yes I am that girl, as blood becomes a fine mist in battle and the dude had just fought a bloody one.

[Ansu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book but it seems like I was missing the beginning of the relationship between Harper and Michael. I would have liked to have seen more of them from their first meeting but then this is a novella.

I liked the premise of Michael saving Harper when she called him. I wasn't a fan of all the inner monologue going on, I like a book to hurry up and get to the point.

Overall a nice read and I will be looking for more in this series.

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot as Hell by Julie Ann Walker is a prequel novella to introduce readers to the Deep Six contemporary romance series.

Then the line went dead. Which is when Michael “Mad Dog” Wainwright knew, for the first time in his life, what it was to be one hundred percent, no-holds-barred, shit-the-bed terrified…

“Because my momma always told me it’s better to keep my mouth shut and seem a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”

http://realtastypages.com

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short, fast paced action adventure that introduces the deep six guy's

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit of danger, a romp in a panic room, and a quick and easy HEA. As far as prequels go, it was okay. I would have liked to see some of the battle at the Embassy from Michael's perspective.

[Janet Faes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really quick novella! Like 35% of the book is the novella, the rest is a sneak peak at the next book. Lots of action and hawt sexy times.

[Jen_C · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 - 3.5 stars.
Good action/story and some sweet moments. Funny. Overly wordy with TONS of inner monologues and southern sayings, and references to movies that are probably funny if you are familiar with them but can be confusing if you aren't. Could be uncomfortable for Christians due to religious cursing.

Book ends at 35% and then you get the first 8 chapters of Devil and the Deep.

[Tina J · Rating 5 out of 5]

** NOTE: This title was read and reviewed on May 6, 2015 as part of the Charity Anthology, WAY OF THE WARRIOR.
--- Ebook copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ---

A secretary to a foreign ambassador and a SEAL captain who's team is assigned to protect them spent a sizzling night together. Then he was relocated when the immediate threat vanished. Only now, the embassy is attacked and only Harper and the ambassador are in residence with a skeleton crew of Marines. It's up to Michael and his team to save the day and convince Harper that there was an undeniable connection between him and her.
Even as short as it was, there was a sense of fullness to the plot. There were conflicts that resolved in a timely manner, there was action and romance with little predictability. The conclusion is solid, but creates a wonderful lead-in to the Deep Six series.
==================================
== Heat Level: 3 ~ Score: 4.6 ~ Stars: 5 ==
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[Speed · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!! I cannot say enough how I LOVED this really short but thrilling, captivating, grab you by the pants and throw you to the wall, bugged eyes out, FANTASTIC, and MARVELOUS look into Michael "Mad Dog" Wainwright and the beautiful Harper Searcy. From the first word "Boooom!" the story captures and hurdles you into Harper being attacked in a building in Pakistan. Lol. From that point you are drawn into the world of the Deep Six team. We first heard about "Mad Dog" from the first book in this series, Hell or High Water, when Bran mentions him. I am so glad that Ms. Walker gave us their story. It was short, packed full of action, like she always does, and panty drop meltingly sweet. Michael is the type of man I can only hope to meet and have as my very own one day. Excellent job Ms. Walker!!! Totally Loved it!!!

[Deb Diem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot As Hell by Julie Ann Walker is a fairly short read, a perfect choice for those with limited time available for reading. Ms Walker has furnished this book with lovable characters, action, suspense and sizzle. Harper and Michael's story is a fast paced and has a bit of humor to lighten things up. I enjoyed Hot As Hell and look forward to reading more from Julie Ann Walker in the future. Hot As Hell is book 0.5 of the Deep Six Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this after reading book 2, Devil and the Deep, and I hate to say it, but I spent the entire thing going who is this Mad Dog guy. Why don't I know him? He sounds familiar. Then at the end I finally figured it out. Well duh, he is the 7th man in the Seal Team, the one is the ship builder we hear about in the other books, but never meet. *facepalm* Cute story, nice action, spunky heroine. I liked it. :)

[Marj Cinqualbres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

I read her "Deeper Than the Ocean" in an anthology and looked for more. Found this one and it did not disappoint! It's a prequel to The Deep Six series and though short was an explanation to the series. There is also the first eight chapters to the first book in the series 'Hot As Hell", I need to get that one too. Hate paying for books but I want to find out what happens. Lol

[Noreen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hate getting a book and only 35% is the story and the previews for new books is actually longer than the rest.

[Glenda Bettin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great start to a new series

[SheLove2Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great entry to the series. I love a good rescue story.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

She's in Pakistan
Embassy under attack
Can her SEAL save her?

Action novella
Character depth pretty good
Enjoyable read