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Hot Touch
Rugged vet Paul Belue was part Clark Gable, part Cajun Gypsy, and all male, but when Caroline Fitzsimmons arrived to train his pet wolf for a movie, he vowed to drive her from his bayou mansion!
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1989
17 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Smith
81 books419 followersaka Jackie Leigh
aka Della Stone
aka Leigh Bridger
Bestselling Author
Co-founder, co-publisher
Vice-president, Editor in Chief
BelleBooks, Memphis, TN
Deborah Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of A Place to Call Home, and the No. 1 Kindle Bestseller The Crossroads Cafe, A Gentle Rain and other acclaimed romantic novels portraying life and love in the modern Appalachian South. A native Georgian, Deborah is a former newspaper editor who turned to novel-writing with great success.
With more than 35 romance, women's fiction and fantasy novels to her credit, Deborah's books have sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Among her honors is a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine and a nomination for the prestigious Townsend Literary Award. In 2003 Disney optioned Sweet Hush for film. In 2008 A Gentle Rain was a finalist in Romance Writers of America's RITA awards.
For the past fifteen years Deborah has partnered with Debra Dixon to run BelleBooks, a small press originally known for southern fiction, including the Mossy Creek Hometown Series and the Sweet Tea story collections. As editor, she has worked on projects as diverse as the nonfiction Bra Talk book by three-time Oprah Winfrey guest Susan Nethero, and the In My Dreams novella by New York Times bestselling author Sarah Addison Allen.
In 2008 BelleBooks launched Bell Bridge Books, an imprint with a focus on fantasy novels and now expanded to include multi-genre fiction--mystery, suspense, thrillers, women's fiction, nonfiction and other. In 2013 BelleBooks acquired the late Linda Kichline's paranormal romance press, ImaJinn Books, and hired legendary editor Brenda Chin, formerly of Harlequin Books, as editorial director. Chin will expand the imprint to cover a diverse mix of all romance types.
Deborah's newest books are the Crossroads Cafe novellas: THE BISCUIT WITCH, THE PICKLE QUEEN, THE YARN SPINNER, and THE KITCHEN CHARMER (2014). She released a mini-short story, SAVING JONQUILS, in March 2014. A sexy romantic novella, A HARD MAN TO FIND, is scheduled for later in the month.
aka Della Stone
aka Leigh Bridger
Bestselling Author
Co-founder, co-publisher
Vice-president, Editor in Chief
BelleBooks, Memphis, TN
Deborah Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of A Place to Call Home, and the No. 1 Kindle Bestseller The Crossroads Cafe, A Gentle Rain and other acclaimed romantic novels portraying life and love in the modern Appalachian South. A native Georgian, Deborah is a former newspaper editor who turned to novel-writing with great success.
With more than 35 romance, women's fiction and fantasy novels to her credit, Deborah's books have sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Among her honors is a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine and a nomination for the prestigious Townsend Literary Award. In 2003 Disney optioned Sweet Hush for film. In 2008 A Gentle Rain was a finalist in Romance Writers of America's RITA awards.
For the past fifteen years Deborah has partnered with Debra Dixon to run BelleBooks, a small press originally known for southern fiction, including the Mossy Creek Hometown Series and the Sweet Tea story collections. As editor, she has worked on projects as diverse as the nonfiction Bra Talk book by three-time Oprah Winfrey guest Susan Nethero, and the In My Dreams novella by New York Times bestselling author Sarah Addison Allen.
In 2008 BelleBooks launched Bell Bridge Books, an imprint with a focus on fantasy novels and now expanded to include multi-genre fiction--mystery, suspense, thrillers, women's fiction, nonfiction and other. In 2013 BelleBooks acquired the late Linda Kichline's paranormal romance press, ImaJinn Books, and hired legendary editor Brenda Chin, formerly of Harlequin Books, as editorial director. Chin will expand the imprint to cover a diverse mix of all romance types.
Deborah's newest books are the Crossroads Cafe novellas: THE BISCUIT WITCH, THE PICKLE QUEEN, THE YARN SPINNER, and THE KITCHEN CHARMER (2014). She released a mini-short story, SAVING JONQUILS, in March 2014. A sexy romantic novella, A HARD MAN TO FIND, is scheduled for later in the month.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 3, 2020
Most people warn for spoilers or safety or triggers. I have to warn you dear readers about the wonderful, beautiful, comical and tragic animals depicted in this story. It was such a sweet read but at other times just broke my heart and made me bawl like a baby. The heroine is an animal whisperer, the hero a veterinarian. The romance happens on a movie set in Louisiana and we are regaled with Cajun culture. But NONE of that is important. The stars of the show are the animal characters, especially the central pair of the half-wolf aptly names Wolf and his mate, Lady. So I hope you enjoy reading this but be warned and have a box of tissues at the ready! (The only reason this isn’t a five star is because the various animal abuser characters should have been drenched with fire hoses filled with acid but unfortunately it didn’t happen).
August 21, 2017
I read this book when it was originally released in the Loveswept group of books. I have always loved this book! This was one of the few at that time that combined romance with a paranormal edge that I just fell in love with. Paul at the beginning comes across as a cranky, stuck in his ways man who really doesn't want the people in his home but he needs the money. He certainly doesn't think his wolf needs the help of anyone else to perform, let alone someone from Hollywood. Enter Caroline. She has been called in to hopefully get wolf to do what he needs to do for this movie. But she comes across as stuck up, bossy, and high maintenance. Until you truly get to know her and what she hides about herself. She has her own set of secrets and fears. Little does she know that Paul will be just the person to set her free from her own fears and be the one to accept her for who she is! Love, love, love this book!!
September 13, 2017
This book was originally published in 1989 and it's surprisingly relevant in today's world. Caroline has a unique ability to speak with animals. She is called to Louisiana to help on a movie set with a wolf-lab mix as the star. The owner is Paul, a vet who runs an animal sanctuary. I liked the idea of communicating with animals. Paul and Caroline are both haunted by their past and it was a good story as they help each other overcome and reach for the future.
September 13, 2017
If the amazing Deborah Smith never publishes another new book again (and considering how long I've waited for the 3rd novella in the MacBrides trilogy that's a distinct possibility*), I'll have to be content with re-reads of her unforgettable single title novels, such as A Place to Call Home, Crossroads Cafe or Sweet Hush. Hot Touch, a re-release of a 1989 Loveswept romance, clearly demonstrates Smith's talent, but it's severely hamstrung by multiple Old Skool tropes, most notably the Alpha Male hero.
Upon their first meeting, Paul "Blue" Belue immediately assumes that Caroline Fitzsimmons is a trampy hellion who needs to be tamed. He knows what's best for her (which mostly includes kissing her until her traitorous body responds, and throwing her over his shoulder while she flails helplessly) and only comes to his senses when another character (a man of course) tells him that she is more chaste than he believed.
Ah Loveswept. I used to think they were the sh&t. In my defense, I was pretty young at the time.
There is a lovely subplot about Caroline's unique ability to communicate with animals, and several poignant scenes that highlight her gift. But I couldn't help wishing that our heroine had used her skills to make an alligator take off a few pieces of Blue's anatomy. I'm sure if Smith re-wrote the book today it would be very different - her recent heroes are usually troubled and often dark, but they're not alpha-holes - but Hot Touch is presented in all of its 1980s glory, shoulder pads and all.
Re-release edition published by Belle Compass Books, 2017. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*ETA: New MacBride novella is coming out September 15, 2017! Woot! Finally!
Upon their first meeting, Paul "Blue" Belue immediately assumes that Caroline Fitzsimmons is a trampy hellion who needs to be tamed. He knows what's best for her (which mostly includes kissing her until her traitorous body responds, and throwing her over his shoulder while she flails helplessly) and only comes to his senses when another character (a man of course) tells him that she is more chaste than he believed.
Ah Loveswept. I used to think they were the sh&t. In my defense, I was pretty young at the time.
There is a lovely subplot about Caroline's unique ability to communicate with animals, and several poignant scenes that highlight her gift. But I couldn't help wishing that our heroine had used her skills to make an alligator take off a few pieces of Blue's anatomy. I'm sure if Smith re-wrote the book today it would be very different - her recent heroes are usually troubled and often dark, but they're not alpha-holes - but Hot Touch is presented in all of its 1980s glory, shoulder pads and all.
Re-release edition published by Belle Compass Books, 2017. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*ETA: New MacBride novella is coming out September 15, 2017! Woot! Finally!
Read
August 4, 2023This was a very strange book. I think I mostly liked it. Idk. There was a lotta weird stuff going on (especially the way the book talked about Cajuns. It was weird! I didn’t like it! Also a transphobic joke that I felt was pretty gross). I still haven’t mentally recovered from the scene where the hero plays his accordion in the nude (not a euphemism) in the middle of the night and then gets legitimately offended when the heroine asks him if he can maybe not.
Anyway, there was also some stuff to like. The hero and heroine have genuinely funny banter (like, funny on purpose), and I believed that they were both enjoying themselves when they interacted.
My main gripe, apart from all the other stuff, is that the hero consistently assumes the worst of the heroine, up to the end point. I’m fine with that as an obstacle for the relationship as long as it gets treated as a problem and dealt with, but nope, instead the book seems to take the position that it’s actually fair for the hero to do so, because the heroine wears nice clothes (the text treats them as nice, but they sound hideous) and is from California. Which, uhhh, no? People from California deserve rights, strange as it may seem.
Edit: I forgot to mention that in the same accordion scene, the hero gets an angry boner from the heroine and uses his accordion to cover it and then has to untangle his pubes from the accordion hinges. None of this is made up but god do I wish it was.
Anyway, there was also some stuff to like. The hero and heroine have genuinely funny banter (like, funny on purpose), and I believed that they were both enjoying themselves when they interacted.
My main gripe, apart from all the other stuff, is that the hero consistently assumes the worst of the heroine, up to the end point. I’m fine with that as an obstacle for the relationship as long as it gets treated as a problem and dealt with, but nope, instead the book seems to take the position that it’s actually fair for the hero to do so, because the heroine wears nice clothes (the text treats them as nice, but they sound hideous) and is from California. Which, uhhh, no? People from California deserve rights, strange as it may seem.
Edit: I forgot to mention that in the same accordion scene, the hero gets an angry boner from the heroine and uses his accordion to cover it and then has to untangle his pubes from the accordion hinges. None of this is made up but god do I wish it was.
May 25, 2021
2021, May: I still love this little category romance, even after multiple rereads it still makes me cry, everything still feels new
I continue to love this book - I've read it perhaps a half dozen times so far and each time I read it makes me cry. Nothing like having a comfort read that brings tears. Re-read in September 2017. My opinion of this book has not changed. In my Top 4 keepers and best books I've ever read.
Another re-read in November 2018. Still a 5-star read. Still makes me cry. Still love love love this little gem.
I continue to love this book - I've read it perhaps a half dozen times so far and each time I read it makes me cry. Nothing like having a comfort read that brings tears. Re-read in September 2017. My opinion of this book has not changed. In my Top 4 keepers and best books I've ever read.
Another re-read in November 2018. Still a 5-star read. Still makes me cry. Still love love love this little gem.
September 24, 2023
Caroline Ancelet Fitzsimmons: uneducated Cajun mother (with la touche chaude - the hot touch - able to talk to animals) who married a wealthy, snobby Eastern Board man, whose family did not accept her or her daughter; dad lost money, house, etc, and sent Mom home to Cajun family; when she was 5, he came to visit, and Mom insisted she was going with him - took daughter in car, and headed to the city - but rainy, crashed, mom dead, daughter cut badly (still has scar on cheek); Eastern family denied Cajun family access to her - but raised in an unloving home by aunt/uncle who told lies about her mom; She left home at 17, to san Francisco, tough outer exterior, found a friend/love - but he died a few years after they married; his brother a director, having trouble with a skunk actor, she offered to help, and did... and word spread... making a lot of money as actor animal trainer; she presents herself as snooty, tough, well dressed...
called to Louisiana, to work with a wolf actor;
Paul Belue: Cajun, of a poor loving Cajun family - who became rich when oil was found on their property; veterinarian, bought great grandfather's house (after kicked by a horse, and was paralyzed for 2 months) and turned it into a sanctuary for animals; money an issue, he agrees to allow his plantation house as set and his wolf pet to star in a film; wolf is having trouble, so Caroline brought in;
\
volatile emotions from first moment.. a hate/love relationship...
but they work it out... and...
Wolf is yearning for his love (a part german shepherd lab - who is being used to train pit bull fighters, and is hurt)... Caroline helps, and rescues her...saying the two of them 'talk' to her with words, not just images...
funny scene when she is angry at him, and in room, and is making a daddy long legs march around in circles... hmmm
called to Louisiana, to work with a wolf actor;
Paul Belue: Cajun, of a poor loving Cajun family - who became rich when oil was found on their property; veterinarian, bought great grandfather's house (after kicked by a horse, and was paralyzed for 2 months) and turned it into a sanctuary for animals; money an issue, he agrees to allow his plantation house as set and his wolf pet to star in a film; wolf is having trouble, so Caroline brought in;
\
volatile emotions from first moment.. a hate/love relationship...
but they work it out... and...
Wolf is yearning for his love (a part german shepherd lab - who is being used to train pit bull fighters, and is hurt)... Caroline helps, and rescues her...saying the two of them 'talk' to her with words, not just images...
funny scene when she is angry at him, and in room, and is making a daddy long legs march around in circles... hmmm
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2017
This is a reissue of an earlier book by Deborah Smith that I had never read. No matter how old the book, if it's by her, it will be captivating, engaging and inspired. Every word, every sentence draws the reader deeply into a compelling story filled with emotion.
Hot Touch is such a story. A woman who detests her heritage is called to work in the heart of what she hates. Caroline Fitzsimmons is an animal trainer gifted at reaching animal actors when all else fails. Deep in the Cajun country of Louisiana is a wolf that won't cooperate with his owner, Paul Belue. He's never encountered such behavior from Wolf and believes no outside trainer can do anything. Caroline is not an average trainer Paul soon learns. Plus, there is something more present drawing them together, even as Caroline fights it.
The story artfully unfolds as the tenuous relationship grows. Caroline is hiding the truth of her hatred of all things Cajun and of her unique gift. Paul is determined to uncover the why's.
Hot Touch is such a story. A woman who detests her heritage is called to work in the heart of what she hates. Caroline Fitzsimmons is an animal trainer gifted at reaching animal actors when all else fails. Deep in the Cajun country of Louisiana is a wolf that won't cooperate with his owner, Paul Belue. He's never encountered such behavior from Wolf and believes no outside trainer can do anything. Caroline is not an average trainer Paul soon learns. Plus, there is something more present drawing them together, even as Caroline fights it.
The story artfully unfolds as the tenuous relationship grows. Caroline is hiding the truth of her hatred of all things Cajun and of her unique gift. Paul is determined to uncover the why's.
November 3, 2021
Why does Deborah Smith write love so beautifully and passionately ? I want my life to be written by Deborah Smith. I wish I had a desperate, dramatic past (even though it's bad) and such a proud character, plus real human beauty. Is that too much to ask? Reader who happened to stumble into this literature, you are wildly lucky, I know that. I praise this book and the author himself because of the emotion I've received. I experienced with this book and with the characters sadness and love and fear and shame and excitement and awe. Carolyn and Paul are very honest with each other but at the same time they are not telling important things to each other... All of the scenes involving the animals and Carolyn's jealousy are Pulitzer Prize-worthy. Thank you all for reading my explosion of emotion about this candy book
November 8, 2017
I have the paperback copy from the Loveswept collection and have re-read many times. Enjoyed getting to read the story in ebook form . This story still sweeps the reader to the land of Cajuns to experience the power of touch and love.
Ebook from net galley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
Ebook from net galley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
July 24, 2021
Beautiful story full of well developed characters & an interesting twist at the end. You will enjoy the read!
Most likely women will prefer this story, I sure did. Great descriptive details of the area and surroundings. Try it
Most likely women will prefer this story, I sure did. Great descriptive details of the area and surroundings. Try it
May 8, 2011
I was in junior high when my mother gave me my first batch of Loveswept novels. Hot Touch was among them. After devouring Swashbuckling Lady, I got to Hot Touch. This is one of the first romance novels I read that combined paranormal elements into it's storyline. From that moment on I was hooked.
I love the southern setting and the big hearted Cajun Paul Belue, but what really made me love the novel was the heroine, Caroline Fitzsimmons. At first her stand-offish behavior made me a little skeptical of her likability, but as you get into the book we learn that she has her reasons for loathing the southern local that she is forced to work in.
Caroline is an animal trainer with not one but two secrets. One she can talk to animals and two...well I'll let the second remain a secret.
This is a great romance and I can't wait until my copy arrives in the mail. I had to buy it again because my copy has been read so many times over the years that it no longer has a cover and is falling apart.
I love the southern setting and the big hearted Cajun Paul Belue, but what really made me love the novel was the heroine, Caroline Fitzsimmons. At first her stand-offish behavior made me a little skeptical of her likability, but as you get into the book we learn that she has her reasons for loathing the southern local that she is forced to work in.
Caroline is an animal trainer with not one but two secrets. One she can talk to animals and two...well I'll let the second remain a secret.
This is a great romance and I can't wait until my copy arrives in the mail. I had to buy it again because my copy has been read so many times over the years that it no longer has a cover and is falling apart.
November 27, 2021
Sweet
Good story. If your against the idea of sex - this might not be the book for you but I didn't find it offensive. I actually enjoyed the story and loved all the animals in it. I read it several years ago and re-read it again last night!
Good story. If your against the idea of sex - this might not be the book for you but I didn't find it offensive. I actually enjoyed the story and loved all the animals in it. I read it several years ago and re-read it again last night!
August 23, 2016
Loveswept
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews