I have one major problem with FATAL HEAT by Lisa Marie Rice.... it's way too short...I want more! I would love to see what Ms. Rice would do to develop the story as a novel rather than a novella. I loved the characters, each with their own distinct voice and personality. I liked that the hero was manly and the heroine was strong and independent yet feminine. The action and suspense caught my attention on the first page and held it until the very end. Because of the length, the story was on fast forward, I would have enjoyed a more paced development of the relationship. Still, FATAL HEAT is definitely a must read for fans of romantic suspense.

Former Navy SEAL Max Wright is recuperating from a near fatal injury in the beach house of his former XO. He's focused on getting his strength back ASAP. He's lying on the deck not sure he can move when cookies mysteriously appear, courtesy of his neighbor who turns out be Paige Waring. Max quickly realizes he can't resist the charms of both Paige and her rambunctious dog, who also happens to be named Max. Now that Max, Max, and Paige have bonded, the Maxes find themselves coming to the rescue when Paige is put in danger due to her work as a plant geneticist.