High-Powered, Hot-Blooded

by Susan Mallery

Mr. Duncan Patrick, CEO Scrooge

His Lose the "bah humbug" attitude

His Find the right (temporary) mistress

A powerful businessman, Duncan didn't like ultimatums, unless he was making them. But the board demanded his public image change. When he encountered sweet kindergarten teacher Annie McCoy, he knew she'd make him look like a perfect angel, though it would take some devilish manipulation.

Once he had Annie playing his pretend mistress, Duncan needed to make her his real-life lover. Could a grouchy CEO cultivate the charm necessary to win the woman he'd almost destroyed?

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Christmas, Holiday, Harlequin Desire

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 8, 2009

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.

Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.

Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.

Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.

Reviews

[KristenReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

4–Heartwarming–Stars



At the beginning of each New Year, I find myself reading the Christmas stories I didn't have time to read during the holidays season. Maybe it's my way of prolonging the holiday spirit just a little bit longer.

High-Powered, Hot Blooded is a quick, sweet and heartwarming Christmas story. It's full of heart-and-soul and encompasses what all good romance stories are made of. I only wish the ending had included an epilogue. I'm not sure why authors never seem to include them when writing novellas. They're the stories that need them the most. Still, I ended this book with a happy heart and a smile on my face. What a charming holiday read.

[MelissaB · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4 1/2 stars***

This is a wonderful Christmas romance with a hard hearted CEO who is softened by a sweet Kindergarden teacher who teaches him the importance of love and caring. Very sweet and heartwarming story just in time for the holidays! Plus there is a nice prominent Christmas theme and a wonderful ending. Highly recommended!

[Crista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread 12/28/25. I re-read this one every year!

This is a perfect Christmas read!
It has:
1. A "scrooge" type hero that is desperately in need of a Christmas transformation
2. A "do good" heroine that sets out to show this man about what's important in life
3. A very quick read (it's a perfect one-sitting book)
4. A really sweet and satisfying ending
5. A safe "formula" that the Silhouette Desire line is known for

Around the holiday times, I find myself too busy to read ****gasp****, but too busy NOT to read. I NEED the escape to balance out the hectic holiday to do list. This book is perfect. It has all the necessary components of a terrific Christmas read (listed above), and requires literally no brain effort to get through. It was just what I was looking for. A sweet, quick, satisfying holiday romance. I will be revisiting this one next year!

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars – Contemporary/Holiday Romance

I loved this simple, charming, and heartwarming holiday romance about an ex-boxer and self-made shipping mogul, billionaire CEO who’s cold, ruthless ways get a Scrooge-like makeover when he falls for an innocent, sweet, do-gooder Kindergarten teacher who defrosts his icy heart and shatters all of his cynical defenses. I highly recommend this delightful, touching story to anyone who loves a good contemporary, holiday romance! 5 stars!

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Solid Stars!! A little bit of Pretty Women, a little bit of Scrooge, a little bit of heat and a whole lot of sweet…made this the perfect holiday read!

Thanks for rec Crista, it was wonderful, just like you said it would be!! Check out her great review!

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheesy and romantic story. Very well written as well. I only wish it had an epilogue. Heroine not a virgin plus no epilogue so minus two stars! SL is a great author though if you are looking for an enjoyable read you should read this you will not be disappointed.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duncan Patrick has been voted the meanest CEO for a couple years in a row. I wonder how bad you have to be to get that calling? Anyway, the only way to get his board members of his back is to find someone to boost his image. And who better than a kindergarten teacher?

Annie would do anything to save her brother even if it meant playing a part of Duncan's devoted girlfriend. But the biggest problem is when the acting becomes reality and she starts falling for Duncan. Beneath that Scrooge mask there's a generous man.

Duncan is leery of women and relationships. His ex-wife did quite a number on him. But Annie is just so good and giving that he simply can't resist her. From the beginning he treated her with respect. He did doubt her a time or two, but he was never intentionally mean and for once there was no mention of revenge of any kind.

I love the stories in which the hero is grouchy, but you see him melt and become more human as the story progresses. Duncan, with some help from Annie, came to realize that shutting himself of, and being mean and a dictator isn't always the best solution.

I do realize that the middle of July isn't the time of the year best suited for a Christmas themed book, but you won't be sorry if you do read it.

Rating:

5 stars

[Lisa (Remarkablylisa) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ya'll this was a traditional harlequin novel following the Grinch hero and an angel heroine. I loved how Annie made Duncan a better person and how Duncan still fought her every step of the way MUAHAHAHAH so much love from friendship and as lovers. The only problem was that it was slightly dated lol. Annie didn't think it was socially acceptable to move in with someone she wasn't married to. Lol

[Paula Legate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet book. It was amazing to see how much Duncan changed throughout the story. Duncan was named the meanest CEO in newspapers, and magazines. His board of directors wanted him to do something, anything to change his reputation.

Annie was a kindergarten teacher. On her salary she was supporting her twin college cousins. She was also supporting a foreign exchange student. Her brother needed help. He had a gambling problem. He stole money from the company he worked for. Just so happened that is was the company that had Duncan as CEO. Duncan didn't give Annie many options to help her brother. She could either mortgage her house, date Duncan as a business arrangement to help him repair his reputation, or her brother could go to jail. Annie knew her brother needed help, not jail. She also couldn't afford to mortgage her home. The only option left was to date Duncan. Can this kindergarten teacher date handsome Duncan, without having her heart broken in the process? Is there a small chance that Annie with her huge heart can thaw Duncan's frozen heart? This is a Christmas book full of miracles. It was a pleasant read, that left a smile on my face.

[Jacqueline J · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect fantasy. Mega rich guy hires a kindergarten teacher to go out with him to make him seem nicer. He falls in love with her and why wouldn't he? She's perfect. Sweet and loving. She teaches him to let the inner nice guy out and her reward is a hunky rich guy loving only her and sweeping her away to a life of ease. Exactly what my teenaged self wanted those many years ago. A sweet little read.

[Lisa Filipe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swear I cry everytime I read this book, it doesn't even have to be Christmas time. Duncan is a hard headed CEO who has a crappy reputation. He gets lucky when the sister of an ex employee agrees to pretend date him to help with his image in return for her to be able to keep her house. They both fall for another and its Christmas Magic. I especially love the tree scene, he is such a great guy who needed just the right person to remind him.

[Donnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely heartwarming romance. Another good one by Susan Mallery.

[Niko Llewyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Duncan (a cross between Scrooge Mcduck and Richard Gear in Pretty Woman) is pretty firmly on the naughty list in the business world and all the bad press is affecting business. He takes advantage of Annie's situation and gets her to pose as his girlfriend to get his board of directors off his back. The resulting romance was funny and sweet and pushed enough buttons to give me a light dose of warm fuzzies.

[Listener · Rating 1 out of 5]

I get that in author's understanding Annie is the best heroine but I absolutely detest heroines that are naïve and TSTL. Annie was one, with no fight in her, a complete doormat, incapable to stand for herself and just let everyone walk all over her.

DNF-ed the moment the pushover decided to serve Duncan to his bitch of an ex-wife on a silver platter.

[Natalija · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a great read at Christmas time.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tô é morta. Cinquenta tons de cinza antes de cinquenta tons existir. Pelo menos os textos são mais completos, apesar da história ser looookaaaa! Vale a pena pra passar o tempo, o que é justamente o que eu quero agora. Vou ler mais uns mil desses. Fim muahahahah

[Page Passion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so glad my public library has digital copies of Silhouette books. A lot of these books were published after 2000 and yet some of them read like something from the past century. This was cute, genuinely funny at moments and a great Christmas story! I truly enjoyed reading about Annie and Duncan. Just what I needed with the stress of this week.

[Fanny Roswita Ria · Rating 4 out of 5]

akhirnya, gw berhasil melakukan niat untuk aktif kembali di goodreads. Ini review pertama di tahun 2013, padahal sudah banyak novel yang gw baca cuman belum sempet ngapa-ngapain..hehehehe


waktu beli novel gw sama sekali ga ada ekspektasi apa2,selain halaman yang tidak terlalu tebal&sinopsis yang biasa2 saja jd gw pikir pasti isinya yah kayak harlequin akhir2 ini yg diterbitkan oleh gramedia,semua flat&ga bikin gw semangat utk bacanya

gw ga bakal memuat sinopsisnya jd gw kasih link aja buat yang penasaran sama isinya --> http://www.gramediapustakautama.com/b...

But, I'm so supprised lho dengan novel yang ini. Harlequin yang menurut gw bener2 pas porsinya. Buat gw semangat tuk bacanya trs sampai ga sadar kalo sudah halaman terakhir. Interaksi antara Duncan dan Annie bener-bener sweet banget. Cara Annie bikin Duncan santai, atau cara Annie mempertahankan pendapatnya sampai buat Duncan gemes sendiri. Evenpun diawal cerita, Annie terlihat tidak berani untuk membantah kata-kata CEO yg kejam ini tapi berjalannya waktu malah Annie yang mendominasi Duncan.

Duncan juga memperlakukan Annie dengan luar biasa, bikin gw jadi jatuh cinta dengan karakternya. Walo Duncan kadang-kadang buat gw kesel karena mikir dia selalu benar, tetapi tetap aja tingkahnya buat Annie klepek-klepek deh :-)

Cuman diending ceritanya itu, author membuat heroine begitu mudah menerima hero tanpa perlawanan apa-apa. Padahal gw mikir, Annie mencak-mencak dulu sama Duncan atau bakal melarikan sampai Duncan memohon sambil menyembah ke Annie tapi ini malah ga. Annie malah lansung melemparkan diri begitu aja ke Duncan,,arggghhh sebelnya kuadrat lho

tapi semua porsinya pas kok. Porsi lucunya pas; porsi romantisnya pas; porsi berdebatnya pas; porsi memalukannya juga pas..hahahahaha

nilai dari novel ini adalah tidak pernah putus asa&percaya bahwa setiap orang memiliki kebaikan terpendam yang mungkin belum terlihat

happy reading guys

[Cheesecake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie and Duncan. Deliciously predictable harlequin style plot. There was one moment near the end when Annie had a TSTL but other than that it was a fun listen/read. I could see the moment coming a mile away and kinda had an 'oh cr*p' moment hoping the author wouldn't go there. The OW confronts her outside the lady's room... it's like those times in horror films where the girl goes into the dark and you are thinking, 'no don't go!'. That's what it feels like every time the h goes to the restroom in romance novels.. doh! but it wasn't as painful as I expected it to be.
Anyways, the ending was still good. Duncan is viewed as being the meanest CEO ever and his board tells him that he needs to fix his image. He meets Annie after her brother steals from him and he sees an opportunity to fix her and her brother's problems and his image. Because, Annie is a pretty, sweet, giving, kindergarten teacher. Who better to fix his image as his new girlfriend?? Of course the more time they spend together, the closer they get. I liked that their chemistry built over time and wasn't instant. Duncan was a hard nut to crack though. His mother and then his first wife pretty much killed his faith in love. But Annie, despite or maybe because of, being a kindergarten teacher isn't a pushover.
The ending was great with public declarations and groveling!
I got this on audio and the reader was good.
For those who hate OWs it's his ex wife who decides she wants him back and plays on Annie's weaknesses to get her out of the way. Not her insecurities like usually happens, but her belief in marriage and commitment. It was still annoying but did lead to a wonderful HEA. He never believed his ex and couldn't have cared less about her.

[Willow Brook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and very readable Christmas romance. For being as super sweet as Annie was (this is my first Mallery so not sure if that is typical of her heroines), she did not get on my nerves. She was just a really nice person. Duncan starts out all tough and cold, but quickly gets in touch with his better self as he spends time with Annie. My only quibble is the conflict at the end seemed fairly absurd as far as Annie's reasons for breaking up with Duncan. Oh and what is with the names on category romances? Sadly, this is one of the better ones (at least "billionaire," "secret," "baby," "mistress," and "hired" weren't in the title, but honestly). Otherwise a feel good, sweet little read.

[Thenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The end of July probably isn't the best time to read a Christmas story, but when I picked this up I had no clue what it was about, and the Christmasy element isn't overpowering so it only felt a little disorienting.

Annie is a kindergarten teacher who makes a deal with Duncan, a ruthless businessman, in order to save her brother from prison. Duncan has been burned in the past and has indeed turned ruthless, burying all the kindness he's capable of deep inside, until Annie enters his life.

At first their relationship is purely professional, with Annie accompanying him to various events and softening his image and reputation. She ends up warming up his heart as well, and he'll have to get over his issues if they are to ever get their happily ever after.

Short and sweet story for a pleasant evening.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently treated myself to several old Susan Mallery books, all written and published prior to any of her Fools Gold series. This is one of her earlier works and this is evident in the simplicity of the story, which focuses exclusively on Duncan Patrick and Annie McCoy’s relationship with each other. Don’t mistake simplicity as being insulting. I enjoyed this read a lot. At under 200 pages, I read it in one sitting in about 2 hours. Susan Mallery still managed to capture a depth to each of the characters and make them 3-dimensional. They each had a past that led them to where they are today. It may lack the secondary and tertiary storylines we’ve come to know and love from her, but all of hers are love stories at the end of the day - and this one is really, truly a love story through and through. 4 stars

[Sue Lauzon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a quick enjoyable read that altered slightly from the typical Harlequin plot line (near the end). The story follows Duncan Patrick and Annie McCoy when Annie is confronted by Duncan about her brother stealing money from his company. The board of directors from Duncan's company think he needs to clean up his image in the public spotlight so it doesn't have a negative effect on the company so they tell him to find a girlfriend. In order to help her brother and save him from going to jail, she agrees to pretend date Duncan during the Christmas season. You will have to read the book to find out how Annie and Duncan's story ends (or does it end).

[rhythmofbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was für ein wundervolles Weihnachtsbuch. Meine Mutter hat es mir zum 6.12. geschenkt und ich habe es eigentlich sofort zu lesen begonnen, weil der Klappentext so ansprechend war. Ich wurde nicht enttäuscht. Eigentlich ist es DIE klassische Weihnachtsgeschichte. Kalter Geschäftsmann verliebt sich in die bunte, fröhliche Frau, die irgendwie nicht in seine Welt passt und dabei auch noch Weihnachten liebt. Ja es ist wirklich sehr stereotypisch. Aber das macht, gerade in weihnachtlichen Geschichten, überhaupt nichts. Das ist nämlich genau das, was ich erwarte und will. Klar werde ich auch gerne überrascht, aber das altbekannte, was ich so gerne lese, nun dagegen habe ich auch nichts einzuwenden. Beide Charaktere waren richtige Sympathieträger und die Geschichte war einfach nur schön und romantisch. Der Schreibstil ist locker, die Dialoge sind toll. Nachdem ich das Buch gelesen hatte, war das Grinsen nicht mehr aus meinem Gesicht zu bekommen. Ich mochte es einfach. So richtig schön für einen kalten Winternachmittag neben dem Kamin, mit einer Tasse Punsch und den Weihnachtsbaum im Blick.

[Linda Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie the Kindergarten teacher.

Annie the Kindergarten teacher fines out her brother steals money from his boss. To keep him out of jail she agrees to date his boss till Christmas to prove he isn’t a mean boss.
Her brother goes to rehab and she dates the boss. Everything works out until... read this book to find the answer.
Susan Mallery does it again I just couldn’t put it down.

[ShannonCC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. I liked it I guess. It wasn't great. I can't even put my finger on why.

But the main characters were fine. No one was rapey (I know that's a low bar, but it's Susan Mallery, so there you go).

If you want a really simple, rich scrooge gets taught how to love again by sweet little miss, then this is the one for you.

[Heather Campos · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites!

Love this book so much always have to re-read it around Christmas time. Is short and sweet and has a great build-up. He's angsty and someone who doesn't believe in love and she's the sweet teacher who shows him that all things are possible!

[Simara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story felt too unreal for my taste. About half way I got bored but I can predict the ending as a HEA for the teacher and CEO.

[Jeannine Jennette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good love story

Well done. Good story of two people who should not. Be together but make it work. Christmas story different than most

[Loucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Petite romance de Noël. L'histoire n'est pas follement originale mais c'est mignon et agréable à lire.