October 18th, 2026
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On Top Shelf
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She’s the lady everyone overlooks. He’s the prince who can’t look away.


October Reads Worth Falling For

Danger, desire, second chances, and unexpected romanceβ€”discover this month’s Fresh Fiction Featured Books.


Fresh Fiction Blog
Get to Know Your Favorite Authors

Mary Jo Burke | Some Like it Hot, but not Me

Romance books are described as being hot or steamy. A subtle warning that the content may be too much for some readers. There used to be a simple rule: would you recommend the book to your mother? Since my mother handed me THE OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT by Sidney Sheldon, that criteria didn’t work for me. Also people are described as being hot. Those who are above and beyond attractive and alluring. Again, hotness is in the eye of the beholder. What’s hot and what’s not is subjective. Except in the case of Tom Hardy, it’s a universal truth.

When I say hot, I mean the weather. To say it’s been hot this summer is an understatement. For those forced to work outside, shade is the most sought-after spot. The poor dogs in my neighborhood are only outdoors before 7am and after 7pm. Since ice melts so fast, cold drinks must be consumed immediately. My hair does a special dance with humidity and refuses to lay flat. Even if I hold still, sweating is a constant.

I’m a winter person. I like snow and not polar vortex cold, but normal cold. It’s quieter, no nightly fireworks, store bought or thunder. The night sky is clear, the air is crisp, my breath is visible, like having a personal cloud. Sure, my nose turns red, like Rudolph, and snowflakes gather on my eyelashes, but it beats the heat.

Plus, to stay warm, I’d just ask my mom for more book recommendations.

About Mary Jo Burke

Mary Jo is a USA Today bestselling author and 2014 WRWDC Marlene Award winner. She writes whatever pops into her head including paranormal, fantasy, romance, and mystery stories. Being an eternal pessimist and multi-tasker helps Mary Jo put her characters in desperate situations. She reads, likes her kids, and is currently working on her next project.

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