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Hot Tamara
Tamara Contreras will never again settle for unmemorable sex. Her long-time boyfriend may look perfect to her traditional Mexican-American parents -- something Tamara has never been -- but at twenty-six she wants more from life than marriage and motherhood. So in front of everyone, Tamara does the unthinkable: She turns down her boyfriend's unexpected marriage proposal and leaves home for L.A.
Tamara thinks she's got the single-girl-in-the-city thing down, until she runs into Will Benavides, the former high school bad boy turned firefighter. If Tamara's parents had known how Will lit up her teenage fantasies, she'd have been shipped off to the nuns for sure! Now Will wants to make those fantasies come true permanently.
When an unexpected opportunity lands in her lap and Tamara has to choose between the career and the man of her dreams, she wonders if maybe la familia was right after all . . .
246 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
7 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Mary Castillo
21 books120 followersMary Castillo's novels have turned romance and mystery readers into dedicated fans. She is the author of The Dori O. Paranormal Mysteries starting with Lost in the Light and Girl in the Mist. Her romantic comedies include Switchcraft, In Between Men and Hot Tamara and novellas featured in the anthologies, Orange County Noir, Names I Call My Sister and Friday Night Chicas.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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August 3, 2007I'm the author of this book and I hope that you (did/will) enjoy it! Isa's story (Tamara's best friend) continues in In Between Men.
Thanks,
Mary
Thanks,
Mary
August 14, 2018
What Would Wonder Woman Do?
I loved the cover and picked up the book figuring with a cover like that it had to be a fun and lively read.
It is.
The Cast:
Tamara Contreras has had every major decision in her life made for her by her mother Susan and her long time boyfriend Ruben. At the age of 26 she finally found her inner Wonder Woman and struck out on her own.
Better late than never.
She not only has courage, but resilience, tolerance, budgeting skills, humour and empathy. There is so much more to Tamara as the story moves along, that most readers will be able to find her easy to identify with at some point.
The cast over all are quite something.
Nadine, the gallery owner that Tamara works for, is off the charts scattered, strong and vulnerable.
Jesse has a big heart and is a loyal honest friend whom you want around any chance you can get him away from his girlfriend.
Isa is kind of in the same boat as we find Tamara is at the beginning of the story, but finds her pillar of strength in a most unexpected ally.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Senora Allende (and she would probably let me know it too). Though much about her day to day may be old world traditional, the lady herself is not. I love her decisiveness, her benevolent interference and her kind gentle heart.
My Favorite Secondary Character:
I would love to sit and share a cuppa with the Julius Aguilar. Every now and then a girl likes to have the socks charmed off of her and I think he could do it in a most gentlemanly fashion.
Story Flow:
Most of the physical story takes place in LA where the city seems to be moving quickly around Tamara, yet she finds a way to experience her new found freedom and interests at a measured pace.
This does not make the story read slowly though.
The emotional subplot between Tamara and her mother Susan fills in the breaks from the LA happenings with segues that make sense and give some foundation to where we find Tamara when we go back to the LA story.
The book would have read choppy and slow had it been only one story or the other. Together these co-plots weave a suspenseful page turner.
Nail Biting:
Will has long been heads over heels for Tamara and Will has long churned in Tamara’s fantasies. So when an alone Tamara crosses paths with Will, a known element in LA, it was almost inevitable they would at least hook up.
Where the nail biter was for me sat mainly in the subplot with Susan. I was glued to the pages wondering what she was going to do next and if she would turn into a bitter old hag or choose to find a new relationship with her daughter.
HEA:
This wasn’t a case of insta-love. There was a lot of left over lust from their high school days that finally had a chance to get out. It was a good but purely physical reason to get together.
Will and Tamara come from such different backgrounds, but slowly discovered they have so much in common and what they both want out of family life is the same.
I think these two will work out for the long haul.
Swoon:
Will is a fire fighter, takes take of and respects his elders, has an artistic soul and shares his emotions. He also cooks, mows the lawn, and will re-tile a bathroom.
Total Keeper.
Emotion Coaster:
I could totally relate to Tamara’s journey striking it out on her own without the blessing of her family. I did the same when I moved out West. I really appreciated that her struggle and determination was kept realistic and not everything miraculously landed in her lap when it was needed.
I was very caught up in the story between Tamara and Susan and fascinated by how Mary Castillo managed to keep all the secondary characters reactions and actions consistent with each created personality.
I loved, loved, loved the mysterious goings on between Senor Aguilar and Senora Allende. Makes me hopeful for the future!
Isa’s story left me hanging and I can’t wait to dig into her book. I hope she finds her happily ever after. Just not with Rueben (fingers crossed).
Sensuality: Warm
Will and Tamara spend a lot of evenings in bed together, some of their bed sport is described, most is implied. There’s lots of it.
The Last Drop:
There are a lot of Spanish phrases used throughout the book and I liked the heavy cultural references. I am not personally familiar with the Spanish
language and the phrases that were not interpreted in the story I could kind of get the jist of.
There was enough similarity in the words to my limited cereal box French that I could take a close guess. Still I found it a fascinating glimpse into a culture I really have had no exposure to.
Over all, I enjoyed this story. There are many parallels to my on my own story of striking out and Tamara’s and I am certain many others will be able to see reflections of their own personal journeys.
Many of the subplots are so relatable that Hot Tamara will stick with the reader for a long time after closing the back cover.
Cheers
Gerry
Originally read and reviewed at Read with a Cuppa:
https://www.readwithacuppa.com/2018/0...
I loved the cover and picked up the book figuring with a cover like that it had to be a fun and lively read.
It is.
The Cast:
Tamara Contreras has had every major decision in her life made for her by her mother Susan and her long time boyfriend Ruben. At the age of 26 she finally found her inner Wonder Woman and struck out on her own.
Better late than never.
She not only has courage, but resilience, tolerance, budgeting skills, humour and empathy. There is so much more to Tamara as the story moves along, that most readers will be able to find her easy to identify with at some point.
The cast over all are quite something.
Nadine, the gallery owner that Tamara works for, is off the charts scattered, strong and vulnerable.
Jesse has a big heart and is a loyal honest friend whom you want around any chance you can get him away from his girlfriend.
Isa is kind of in the same boat as we find Tamara is at the beginning of the story, but finds her pillar of strength in a most unexpected ally.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Senora Allende (and she would probably let me know it too). Though much about her day to day may be old world traditional, the lady herself is not. I love her decisiveness, her benevolent interference and her kind gentle heart.
My Favorite Secondary Character:
I would love to sit and share a cuppa with the Julius Aguilar. Every now and then a girl likes to have the socks charmed off of her and I think he could do it in a most gentlemanly fashion.
He tipped his Cuban-style fedora when Senora Allende looked their way. “Que bella. Not too many like her around, eh?”
Senor Aguilar, Ch. 30, pg 238, para 14
Story Flow:
Most of the physical story takes place in LA where the city seems to be moving quickly around Tamara, yet she finds a way to experience her new found freedom and interests at a measured pace.
This does not make the story read slowly though.
The emotional subplot between Tamara and her mother Susan fills in the breaks from the LA happenings with segues that make sense and give some foundation to where we find Tamara when we go back to the LA story.
The book would have read choppy and slow had it been only one story or the other. Together these co-plots weave a suspenseful page turner.
Nail Biting:
Will has long been heads over heels for Tamara and Will has long churned in Tamara’s fantasies. So when an alone Tamara crosses paths with Will, a known element in LA, it was almost inevitable they would at least hook up.
Where the nail biter was for me sat mainly in the subplot with Susan. I was glued to the pages wondering what she was going to do next and if she would turn into a bitter old hag or choose to find a new relationship with her daughter.
HEA:
This wasn’t a case of insta-love. There was a lot of left over lust from their high school days that finally had a chance to get out. It was a good but purely physical reason to get together.
Will and Tamara come from such different backgrounds, but slowly discovered they have so much in common and what they both want out of family life is the same.
I think these two will work out for the long haul.
Swoon:
Will is a fire fighter, takes take of and respects his elders, has an artistic soul and shares his emotions. He also cooks, mows the lawn, and will re-tile a bathroom.
Total Keeper.
Emotion Coaster:
I could totally relate to Tamara’s journey striking it out on her own without the blessing of her family. I did the same when I moved out West. I really appreciated that her struggle and determination was kept realistic and not everything miraculously landed in her lap when it was needed.
I was very caught up in the story between Tamara and Susan and fascinated by how Mary Castillo managed to keep all the secondary characters reactions and actions consistent with each created personality.
I loved, loved, loved the mysterious goings on between Senor Aguilar and Senora Allende. Makes me hopeful for the future!
Isa’s story left me hanging and I can’t wait to dig into her book. I hope she finds her happily ever after. Just not with Rueben (fingers crossed).
Sensuality: Warm
Will and Tamara spend a lot of evenings in bed together, some of their bed sport is described, most is implied. There’s lots of it.
The Last Drop:
There are a lot of Spanish phrases used throughout the book and I liked the heavy cultural references. I am not personally familiar with the Spanish
language and the phrases that were not interpreted in the story I could kind of get the jist of.
There was enough similarity in the words to my limited cereal box French that I could take a close guess. Still I found it a fascinating glimpse into a culture I really have had no exposure to.
Over all, I enjoyed this story. There are many parallels to my on my own story of striking out and Tamara’s and I am certain many others will be able to see reflections of their own personal journeys.
Many of the subplots are so relatable that Hot Tamara will stick with the reader for a long time after closing the back cover.
Cheers
Gerry
Originally read and reviewed at Read with a Cuppa:
https://www.readwithacuppa.com/2018/0...
July 26, 2022
This is a fun book and is the perfect read for anyone who has ever been afraid to make her own choices. Tamara has spent the first twenty-six years of her life, doing exactly what her mother has wanted her to do. When her long-term boyfriend proposes and she answers, “No.” it is the beginning of Tamara’s new life.
At first Tamara faces some challenges, but when she stays true to her feelings, it all works out, little by little…….well, most of it works out. Having been wait-listed, the book does not share if Tamara gets into her first choice graduate program, and, for me, that was part of the power of this book: it challenged me to think because a fun, strong female was showing readers how to do exactly that.
At first Tamara faces some challenges, but when she stays true to her feelings, it all works out, little by little…….well, most of it works out. Having been wait-listed, the book does not share if Tamara gets into her first choice graduate program, and, for me, that was part of the power of this book: it challenged me to think because a fun, strong female was showing readers how to do exactly that.
July 29, 2020
Good book! Easy read ... good story!
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November 20, 2009From the outside it looks like Tamara has the perfect life: loving parents, perfect boyfriend, and a teaching job, but in reality Tamara is miserable. She feels like her parents are dictating her life, she doesn’t love her boyfriend anymore, and she hates her job. She surprises everyone by moving to L.A. and working in an art gallery in an attempt to get into a master’s program in museum studies, and hoping to open her own art gallery someday. While there she runs into Will, a high school classmate that she’s always had the hots for. He’s a firefighter by day and artist by night and Tamara is head over heels, but she doesn’t know how to balance her career dreams with the love of her life.
Fiction Readalikes
Dirty Girls Social Club by Alisa Valdez-Rodriguez – Six friends meet every six months to catch up (funny examination of Latina women and their love lives)
Engaging Men by Lynda Curnyn –Angie is convinced she is the warm up girlfriend as her last three exs have gotten married to their next girlfriend. (Another look at career ambitions and boyfriends)
Imaginary Man by Anjali Banerjee— Matchmaker Lina makes up a boyfriend to please her parents, but finds herself falling for the guy she based the boyfriend on (an Indian take on dealing with family and relationships)
Non-Fiction Readalikes
Wonder Woman: the Life and Times of the Amazon Princess by Les Daniels – Everything you could ever want to know about this iconic superhero (Tamara constantly wonders what Wonder Woman would do in her situation)
Latino Arts and Their Influence on the United States by Rory Makosz – explains how Latino artists have influenced U.S. pop culture (For those interested in reading more about Latino artists)
Scandals, Vandals, and DaVincis: a Gallery of Remarkable Art Tales by Harvey Rachlin – tells the back story on many famous pieces of art (For those interested in galleries and art)
Fiction Readalikes
Dirty Girls Social Club by Alisa Valdez-Rodriguez – Six friends meet every six months to catch up (funny examination of Latina women and their love lives)
Engaging Men by Lynda Curnyn –Angie is convinced she is the warm up girlfriend as her last three exs have gotten married to their next girlfriend. (Another look at career ambitions and boyfriends)
Imaginary Man by Anjali Banerjee— Matchmaker Lina makes up a boyfriend to please her parents, but finds herself falling for the guy she based the boyfriend on (an Indian take on dealing with family and relationships)
Non-Fiction Readalikes
Wonder Woman: the Life and Times of the Amazon Princess by Les Daniels – Everything you could ever want to know about this iconic superhero (Tamara constantly wonders what Wonder Woman would do in her situation)
Latino Arts and Their Influence on the United States by Rory Makosz – explains how Latino artists have influenced U.S. pop culture (For those interested in reading more about Latino artists)
Scandals, Vandals, and DaVincis: a Gallery of Remarkable Art Tales by Harvey Rachlin – tells the back story on many famous pieces of art (For those interested in galleries and art)
December 18, 2012
Reviewed by: Bela
Review: FAIR WARNING: Right away in chapter one, you get hit with this confusing Spanish--"La va a pesar" and "No le veo la punta." What does that mean? Has the author even heard Spanish?
The story then begins with a public proposal to Tamara, who has been living under the control and constant scrutiny of her overbearing mother. C'mon, how can anyone say "no" to a proposal with everyone watching and expecting you to say "yes?" I would've ran away from the scene too. I would've looked like the road runner and left dust trails in my speed.
Then Will enters the picture. He is so HOT! Reminds me of (fireman) Geoff Stults from 7th Heaven--that church show. And Will was an artist too! Hot!
I did not like the whole back-and-forth thing when Will and Tamara had their first kiss. It was annoying and really unnecessary to the flow. It was like listening to a song, then, half way through, stopping it and having to go back to the first part.
The whole thing is written in multi-character perspective, which is fine with me; but I just don't like it when the perspective keeps changing in the same chapter, in the same paragraph. The author should've kept that more uniform. Also, the attraction between Will and Tamara was sort've surreal--in other words, not genuine. It seemed like they were just slapped together at the last minute to make the story work. And, another thing, the book was full of awkward phrasing, like, "Her hair whispered against the pillow." Hair doesn't whisper! I don't even know what this means. No doubt about it that this book could've used some more editing.
Overall, this is an okay book if you like a fast and easy Harlequin Romance with VERY LITTLE Spanish flavor (honestly, you can hardly even taste it.)
Review: FAIR WARNING: Right away in chapter one, you get hit with this confusing Spanish--"La va a pesar" and "No le veo la punta." What does that mean? Has the author even heard Spanish?
The story then begins with a public proposal to Tamara, who has been living under the control and constant scrutiny of her overbearing mother. C'mon, how can anyone say "no" to a proposal with everyone watching and expecting you to say "yes?" I would've ran away from the scene too. I would've looked like the road runner and left dust trails in my speed.
Then Will enters the picture. He is so HOT! Reminds me of (fireman) Geoff Stults from 7th Heaven--that church show. And Will was an artist too! Hot!
I did not like the whole back-and-forth thing when Will and Tamara had their first kiss. It was annoying and really unnecessary to the flow. It was like listening to a song, then, half way through, stopping it and having to go back to the first part.
The whole thing is written in multi-character perspective, which is fine with me; but I just don't like it when the perspective keeps changing in the same chapter, in the same paragraph. The author should've kept that more uniform. Also, the attraction between Will and Tamara was sort've surreal--in other words, not genuine. It seemed like they were just slapped together at the last minute to make the story work. And, another thing, the book was full of awkward phrasing, like, "Her hair whispered against the pillow." Hair doesn't whisper! I don't even know what this means. No doubt about it that this book could've used some more editing.
Overall, this is an okay book if you like a fast and easy Harlequin Romance with VERY LITTLE Spanish flavor (honestly, you can hardly even taste it.)
August 19, 2015
Tamara is twenty-six years old. She still lives at home with her parents and desperately wants to move out on her own and get a graduate degree in art history. Her domineering mother wants her to get married to her boyfriend, Ruben, and become a teacher. At a family wedding, Tamara publicly rejects an unexpected proposal from Ruben. She decides to take a year off and follow her dreams by getting a job in an art gallery and her own apartment.
These decisions infuriate her mother who refuses to have anything to do with her. She is now on her own in L.A. Can she survive on her own? Will she find love again with her teenage crush, Will? Will her mother forgive her?
The romance was adequate, but very predictable. It felt like someone decided this book needed to hype the sexy romance angle and I found that to be the weakest part of the story.
The best story line was the relationship between Tamara and her mother, Susan. The author does a great job of showing both characters' beliefs and feelings. Susan's character could have easily been portrayed as an unreasonable tyrant, but her thoughts were revealed and you could understand why she felt justified in her extreme reaction. I was really engaged and hoping for a happy ending. The author also does a good job with minor characters, Tamara's father and her new boss at the art gallery. There is a strong theme in this book of characters breaking with tradition or going after their dreams. I really liked that and overall I liked this book. Good read.
These decisions infuriate her mother who refuses to have anything to do with her. She is now on her own in L.A. Can she survive on her own? Will she find love again with her teenage crush, Will? Will her mother forgive her?
The romance was adequate, but very predictable. It felt like someone decided this book needed to hype the sexy romance angle and I found that to be the weakest part of the story.
The best story line was the relationship between Tamara and her mother, Susan. The author does a great job of showing both characters' beliefs and feelings. Susan's character could have easily been portrayed as an unreasonable tyrant, but her thoughts were revealed and you could understand why she felt justified in her extreme reaction. I was really engaged and hoping for a happy ending. The author also does a good job with minor characters, Tamara's father and her new boss at the art gallery. There is a strong theme in this book of characters breaking with tradition or going after their dreams. I really liked that and overall I liked this book. Good read.
June 24, 2015
I liked the characters and the writing but I'm not a big fan of chick lit. I wanted more time with the couple, less with Tamara's parents. I didn't understand why Will picked Kristen over Tamara at one point. It seemed more like a delaying tactic than a natural part of the story. I also wanted to see him appreciate the qualities Ruben didn't--Tamara's haircut, sexy outfits etc.
Many Spanish errors but good job with the "New Mexican" culture. 3.5
Many Spanish errors but good job with the "New Mexican" culture. 3.5
January 6, 2010
This was a really quick read. It wasn't the best book I've ever read but it was short and to the point. I think that its good it moved swiftly otherwise the reader would get bored. I can't honestly say if I would or would not read more of her books based on this one. But I will attempt another title.
July 22, 2007
Tamara shocks her family when she breaks up with her boyfriend, Ruben, and announces that she's moving to Los Angeles to work at an art gallery. These decisions cause a lot of bad blood between Tamara and her mother Susan.
This is a great book!!
This is a great book!!
October 16, 2007
Excellent, excellent read! I couldn't put it down! I thlnk I finished the book in 2 days! LOL I love Tamara! She's who I want to be...period! Mary, honey, you hit this one out the ball park!
January 23, 2009
Way to go Maria! I am now a really big fan of hers'.....I luv how she mixes the spanglish in & how real the characters are. It shows alot of the latin culture, good & bad!
January 9, 2011
Oh, romance, how I hate you so.
Only read this because so few books feature characters with my name.
Bad idea.
Only read this because so few books feature characters with my name.
Bad idea.
August 8, 2011
not sure if many others would enjoy this as much as i did.
as i found there were so many parallels between my life and tamara.
as i found there were so many parallels between my life and tamara.
Read
September 22, 2008cool book
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews