Heat

South Beach Bodyguards #3

by Erin McCarthy

I love women, especially naked, beautiful women. As a bodyguard at the hottest shows in Miami, I’ve scored my fair share.

But there is only one woman I truly want… Miranda.

My brother’s ex.

My brother who faked his own death to escape drug debts and left Miranda grieving and in the dark.

Now Miranda is back in Miami, stepping down as a pop star’s body double, and looking to make a baby. With me.

A better man would say no. But I never claimed to be a saint, only better than my brother.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Amazon, Mystery Thriller

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 28, 2017

About the author

USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Erin McCarthy sold her first book in 2002 and has since written over a hundred novels and novellas in teen fiction, new adult, and adult romance. Erin has a special weakness for high-heeled boots, beaches and martinis. She lives in Ohio with her family, two grumpy cats and a socially awkward dog.

Reviews

[DJ Sakata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite Quotes:

Sex makes you stupid. Wanting sex makes you a downright moron.

He kissed like it was art and I was his canvas.

What most people are is somewhere in between saint and Satan. They are shades of gray.

It was true, guys know where they land on the scale of peewee to porn star and I knew I was packing a decent weapon.

This is Miami and I oversee the rich and famous. Everyone is crazy. Though I had one guy in particular who was about eighty years old and spent all day walking around his house completely naked. There was something both horrifying and awesome about that.
My Review:

A book based in South Beach with the title of Heat… silly me! I wasn’t prepared and my oh my, this story was beyond steamy and sizzling doesn’t even come close to describing the erotic and salacious sensual scenes – I think I was actually gasping as the imagery knocked the breath right out of me. But that was not all there was to the tale; there was also suspense, humor, a shameful secret, danger, a ten-year crush, and a friends to lovers storyline. It was a quick and entertaining read, but it might be a bit awkward to peruse in public unless you plan to be poolside and frequently able to take a refreshing dip to cool off.

[Coco.V]

💝FREE on Amazon today (5/16/2018)!💝

Blurb:
I love women, especially naked, beautiful women. As a bodyguard at the hottest shows in Miami, I’ve scored my fair share.

But there is only one woman I truly want… Miranda.

My brother’s ex.

My brother who faked his own death to escape drug debts and left Miranda grieving and in the dark.

Now Miranda is back in Miami, stepping down as a pop star’s body double, and looking to make a baby. With me.

A better man would say no. But I never claimed to be a saint, only better than my brother.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's amazing that one word can encompass so much. Ms. McCarthy found the perfect title to identify a tale of danger, sensuous attraction and the edgier dance of mystery and fire with Heat. Right away, I felt thrust into a romance that has intrigue written all over it. Nothing is as it seems and that makes for some confusing moments, but the chemistry between Alejandro and Miranda never wavered.

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heat by Erin McCarthy is a good read. This is a hot and sexy book. Fast paced and entertaining. I am posting an honest review after reading an ARC copy of this book.

[Myst]

Now this is the blurb I was looking for not that secret baby one.

[Louise H's Book Thoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, which had a bit more about it than just a straight forward contemporary romance. Unlike the saying 'more is less', in this case I was left feeling as though this book did need more. Not more story line - the plot and its twists was good. Personally I wanted more scenes, more suspense and strange occurrences to amp up the tension and more scenes that building the relationship between Miranda and Alejandro.



The book is well written, the story flows well and is easy to read. I had no issues with time lines or who was speaking etc. It's the shorter end of novel length that started really well and maintained a good pace. Whilst we had several side characters, the book focused mainly on Alejandro and Miranda.

Whilst I believed Alejandro was in love with Miranda I didn't quite buy into her feelings and this was because we didn't really experience any genuine relationship building/none sexual time together.

Alejandro is just so sweet and sexy and so very much in love with Miranda. I really liked Alejandro and his emotions were so well portrayed they tugged at my heart. Miranda is also a well written and believable character and the chemistry between the pair is super hot.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love this author. This book felt like it was from early in her career, one before she hit her stride with good character depth, cohesive story lines, emotionally connected sexy times, and overall enjoyability. Disappointing, to say the least, is how I felt when I finished this story. The baby stuff was conflict enough, but add in the government, dead but maybe not dead ex, delusions about the past, secrets about the past, and manwhore flirting as an introduction and attitude toward the end and I've pretty much given up liking the book. Miranda wasn't really a strong woman who knew her mind and what she wanted for her future. She worked hard and did well for herself professionally, and that's great, but her maturity level felt more on par with late teens, early twenties. Alejandro was sex on a stick, sure, but when I am introduced to him getting felt up in the extreme right in front of the person he says he's always loved? Not a fan. And then there was Max not really being who Miranda had glorified him into. Overall, there was too much drama and not enough depth.

Read and willingly reviewed this ARC for the author.

[Becky Claxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miranda Bartello acts as Lola Brandy's double, but is leaving her job to go to school and try to have a baby. Alejandro is a bodyguard and at her last gig. Alejandro fell in love with her when he was 15 and his brother Max brought her home as his girlfriend. Miranda tells him that she has something to ask him later. On their way out of the venue, Alejandro asks her what she wanted to ask him. She blurts out that she wants to have his baby. Alejandro is shocked. They talk some about it, but Alejandro insists that if he agrees it has to be the old fashion way. Miranda still thinks Max is a good guy and something happened to him. Alejandro knows his brother is a psycho and wants Miranda to see and admit it. They begin a relationship with lots of sex.

Miranda was so young and gullible that she didn't see all of Max's crazy actions. I think she just didn't want to see it as she wanted someone to love her. Alejandro had grown into a hunk of a man. I enjoyed Miranda experiencing all the ways Alejandro changed physically, and saw what a good, loving man he is. It is a good story that I enjoyed, and I encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader's Copy of the book.

[Ballerina60 · Rating 4 out of 5]

there were problems at the end of the story like: 1) if you bail someone out of jail, you're paying 10% of their bond. if they skip out, you are stuck with the other 90%. 2) if someone has some very serious crimes that they are charged with, there probably won't be any bail, especially if the person has been know to vanish before. 3) there really should have been some conversation with mom and dad. 4) there should have been some hint as to what happened to the vice people and really where the cat came from.

one more problem: I was surprised at how little sex they were having. and not in any comfy spots like beds or couches. then towards the end, it was mentioned that they'd had a lot of sex. ok. lots of sex that I didn't get to read about! bummer!

other than these problems, I gave this 4 out of 5 because the plot was fascinating and a real page turner. I loved the characters and I especially loved Alejandro's favorite birthday ever. I was a little confused about Alejandro's boss vs other male relationships. maybe I've missed something in the past because I don't have an e-reader. but the storyline was great and fun and suspenseful, etc.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable quick read, Heat has attraction and chemistry in spades. Alejandro has known Miranda for 10 years, ever since she started to date his psychopath brother and while they might have lost contact, there has been a space reserved in his heart for all the years just for her. Underlying the romance there is a build up of suspense, keeping the reader guessing as to whether or not there was a threat to Miranda. I thought that the first 80% of the book went really well, hooking the reader in as one roots for Alejandro to find his dream. However, the suspenseful side of the book comes to an unsatisfactory conclusion, in that it has all the makings of a highly suspenseful ending, but instead it closed on unresolved issues that left me asking "What just happened?" However, the romantic ending of the book was cute. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[wendy Shelton(obsessedbybooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh my I was drowned in from the first page and couldn't get enough this book has it all danger mystery heat Alejandro does bodyguard jobs and one brought him to a past that he's never forgot at age 15 he fell in love with a girl Miranda who just happened to be his brother's girl but those feelings haven't left Miranda doubles as an actress just trying to get through school and she wants to have a baby but she needs a man for that job and she's had one on her mind and he just happens to be by her side tonight but when she asked how Alejandro he's only request was that they do it the right way and this is only half of the book Max Alejandro brother is no good and there's lies and secrets to watch or was Max Alejandro just needs to prove to Miranda the truth

[Marie Brown (Marie's Tempting Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie's Tempting Reads ARC Review:

A very well in-depth, more than I expected contemporary romance that is sexy, saucy with loads of heat, tempers flaring, great banter and a good solid plot!

Erin McCarthy took me away with heat! All around sexy with a good set of characters, this story was easy to get into. I found myself on the edge with the bit of suspense and the romance was delectable. Heat had the perfect amount of temper with our hero and heroine but it made for some seriously delicious heat.

Heat gets a SEXY AND GREAT FOUR AND A HALF SHOOTING STARS! Can't get better than this!

[Laila Viking · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story that is well written. I think the blurb was a bit off and could be a bit more accurate. Great main characters with an amazing chemistry and attraction but the brother is not so great. I do not like this douchebag character but of course there was not story without this character.
Alejandro is a character that develops through the story and gets more likeable. Miranda is also likeable but seeks someone to love her and to give her a baby. They both like each other but is it the right time to take the chance and get rid of the past?
A very nice read and I recommend it.

I voluntarily read an Advanced Readers Copy of the book.

[Cheryl Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 3 in the South Beach Bodyguards series and it features Alejandro Garcia and Miranda Bartello. She wants something from him. Blinded by the love he's always felt for his crazy dead brother's girlfriend, he agrees to give it to her. He must've been really blind to want someone that still wants another. Even though Max is dead, she still has his picture on her phone. Alejandro is a sexy, muscled, good looking man but in my opinion she makes him look like a chump. I do believe she behaves like the blonde bimbo some people think she is but I had a hard time picturing her as a blonde with big hair.

This is a good read with some amazingly hot sex.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing like ending the day with being knocked off your rocker, with Miranda, Alejandro never knows what's going to hit him, "...for a second, I couldn’t even process what Miranda had said. Then the shock had me saying, “What the eff did you just say?” Alejandro is very cocky, and sure of himself, "he gave a low laugh. “My invitation was you coming for me twice.” Alejandro is always finding new things out about his woman, “can you believe this?” Alejandro asked Wester. “She’s hot and carrying. Should I be worried?” I liked this book, I loved Alejandro.

[Erin Hockman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Erin’s books it’s no secret she’s one of my all time favorite authors! I love having one of her books on stand by I don’t have many left I have not read.
The South Beach Body Guards are great and this one was just as awesome as the first two.
Alejandro wanted to be more than his brother. He worked hard to get where he is in life. He refused to have a steady relationship those are just messy. The one girl was wanted and was waiting for was his brother’s girlfriend.
Max disappeared mysteriously five years ago Miranda refuses to admit he just left she thinks he’s dead. She can’t give up hope.
When Alejandro meets her after all this time she has a hidden agenda but so does he. Of course all kinds of other stuff happens it can’t be a South Beach Body Guard book with out some bad guys and foul play.
I loved this book it was so good. I just wish it was longer it was a good quick read. I never want those to end though.

[Gloriamarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this as part of the ongoing project to help a friend compile a booklist for her group, Adult children of Parents with PTSD.

I much prefer McCarthy's paranormal books to this kind of thing, but I guess an author has to earn a living.

Had no idea rock stars employed body doubles, but I suppose that makes sense. I read it, enjoyed it enough at the time, but don't really remember it.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blurb was about half inaccurate and I wasn't all that thrilled with what was actually going on once I got onto the right track of mind. The blurb sets up a readers mind for where the story will go, it's the tease. When the tease is so so off base, it destroys so much.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I obtained this free e-book from Amazon and I am voluntarily writing a review. Not much of a story line or character development to this book. I also felt like it was missing big chunks of the story that was assumed the reader was already aware of.

[KimberlyDawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alejandro and Miranda knew each other once. When they are thrown back together, their agendas are not quite the same. This story was good, and you can't go wrong by picking it up.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like your women strong, your men sexy and your stories HOT, HOT, HOT then this is the book for you.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and had chemistry. Erin did a wonderful job making the keep leap off the pages. I voluntarily read an Advanced Readers Copy of the book.

[Myst · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost stars due to the fact that the blurb does not follow remotely anything going on in this story! terrible! If you were hoping for a secret baby story THIS IS NOT IT!

[Kendra Needs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot hot hot read

[Virna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about the story. I didn't particularly care what happened to any of the characters, the relationship was more lust then love.