BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

Author: Cathy Yardley ISBN: 0373793707 12/2007 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: HARLEQUIN BLAZE

Wanted: Hot holiday fling with an out-of-towner (sort of) Is jet-setting, supermodel-bedding hottie Colin Reeves actually home for the holidays? That's the rumor this Christmas. And now he's desperate for something only wholesome Emily Stanfield can provide: a room at her inn. But Emily's tired of her choir-girl rep. Sex-ravenous and determined, she's facing a tantalizing dilemma: can she entice Colin to some holiday cheer under the sheets—and trust him to secrecy after the deal is done? Because one slip and everybody will be gossiping about Tall Pine's poster girl having the delicious Colin. Unless, of course, one steamy night turns into something even these folks couldn't predict…

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

It might be cold outside, but a raging fire has been lit inside the historical-home-turned-inn featured in Cathy Yardley's December Harlequin Blaze, BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE.

Emily Stanfield is the last living descendant of the most prominent family in Tall Pines. The boring mayor wants to marry her, but she's hoping for a steamy fling with someone she's been chatting with over the Internet. The problem is, well, I wouldn't want to give it away, but her second best choice is Colin Reeves, who is back in town for a brief visit to his family. She's been crushing on this hottie since high school, but they'd never gotten to know each other before now.

Emily thinks she wants a one-night stand, but what happens when you can't get rid of a man after that one steamy night?

I loved how Yardley turns the small town story topsy turvy. In the middle of the book she hit a point where most books would have ended, but the author was just beginning to rev it up. Yardley has a gift for seeing past clichés and finding the meaning that's true and original for her stories. You'll find it difficult to put this novel down!

Heather Hiestand