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Scotland Yard Exchange #2
The Hot Shots
THE HOT SHOTS Book 2 in the Scotland Yard Exchange Program Series A romantic comedy suspense novel The snap on the If you were a Boston decorator, would you jump off the USS Constitution into Boston Harbor with a perfect stranger? You would if he looked like hunky Chauncey Miller. Not exactly Bond-James Bond in the name department, but Sophia Alano can't help being impressed all the same. That is until her big career break to host a TV decorating show gets side-tracked and she ends up being targeted along with Chauncey by a notorious terrorist out for revenge against her man. She goes on the run with Chauncey to set a trap for the mad man in London. But once Chauncey catches the mad terrorist, how will she ever be happy to return to her life as a decorator?
176 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2012
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95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 4, 2019
This is a fun little story. It really is. It's too bad that it's set in a Boston that doesn't exist, with major action--several sequences of major action--taking place in a Massachusetts Governor's Mansion that doesn't exist. Yes, that's right, Massachusetts is one of five US states that doesn't have an official residence for our Governor. This is trivially easy to find out.
Also, sorry, Ms. Queen, British knights are addressed as Sir Firstname, not Sir Lastname. Chauncey's father is Sir Bradley, not Sir Miller.
Yes, I am cranky about getting repeatedly kicked out of a fun story by the writer so insistently getting such simple things wrong.
That said, it is a fun story. Sophia Alano is an interior decorator who is about to hit it really big, with her own tv show. The day before the taping of her pilot episode, her friend and boss, Grace Young, asks her to meet a British police officer at Logan Airport and keep him busy until after dinner. He's arriving a few days early, she says, for his initiation into the Boston Police Department's Scotland Yard Exchange Program, which her husband, David, runs. They had a romantic evening planned, and don't want to cancel it.
Sophia, or Pixie as her friends call her, reluctantly agrees. Unfortunately, Chauncey Miller isn't in Boston for the Scotland Yard Exchange Program. He's in Boston to get him out of easy reach of a terrorist whose brother he shot in a previous clash. The terrorist, though, has a mole inside Scotland yard, and the same ability to hop on a plane that Chauncey does.
No one warned Pixie that this was a deep cover operation, and when Chauncey realizes the terrorist is on to them and tries to get them both to safety, he doesn't explain very well, and Pixie's initial reactions are not necessarily very smart.
I like Pixie. I like Chauncey. Even if they do both sometimes need a whack upside the head. I even like their friends and colleagues. It's a fun, fast-paced story.
But I hate getting kicked out of a story repeatedly by much of the Boston action taking place in the nonexistent Governor's Mansion, and it's hard not to scream when British citizens are addressing Sir Bradley Miller as Sir Miller, not as Sir Bradley. Repeatedly. Over and over again.
Fun, but maybe not something to pick up if such glaring and easily fixed errors bother you.
And I feel a little mean saying these things because I won this audiobook from the author, who is a very nice lady, in an event she participated in. I'm reviewing this voluntarily, obviously.
Also, sorry, Ms. Queen, British knights are addressed as Sir Firstname, not Sir Lastname. Chauncey's father is Sir Bradley, not Sir Miller.
Yes, I am cranky about getting repeatedly kicked out of a fun story by the writer so insistently getting such simple things wrong.
That said, it is a fun story. Sophia Alano is an interior decorator who is about to hit it really big, with her own tv show. The day before the taping of her pilot episode, her friend and boss, Grace Young, asks her to meet a British police officer at Logan Airport and keep him busy until after dinner. He's arriving a few days early, she says, for his initiation into the Boston Police Department's Scotland Yard Exchange Program, which her husband, David, runs. They had a romantic evening planned, and don't want to cancel it.
Sophia, or Pixie as her friends call her, reluctantly agrees. Unfortunately, Chauncey Miller isn't in Boston for the Scotland Yard Exchange Program. He's in Boston to get him out of easy reach of a terrorist whose brother he shot in a previous clash. The terrorist, though, has a mole inside Scotland yard, and the same ability to hop on a plane that Chauncey does.
No one warned Pixie that this was a deep cover operation, and when Chauncey realizes the terrorist is on to them and tries to get them both to safety, he doesn't explain very well, and Pixie's initial reactions are not necessarily very smart.
I like Pixie. I like Chauncey. Even if they do both sometimes need a whack upside the head. I even like their friends and colleagues. It's a fun, fast-paced story.
But I hate getting kicked out of a story repeatedly by much of the Boston action taking place in the nonexistent Governor's Mansion, and it's hard not to scream when British citizens are addressing Sir Bradley Miller as Sir Miller, not as Sir Bradley. Repeatedly. Over and over again.
Fun, but maybe not something to pick up if such glaring and easily fixed errors bother you.
And I feel a little mean saying these things because I won this audiobook from the author, who is a very nice lady, in an event she participated in. I'm reviewing this voluntarily, obviously.
May 9, 2018
The Hot Shots is part of the Scotland Yard Exchange series which is thrilling and the action starts from the very beginning with threats coming at them everywhere they go. On the run and in hiding this unlikely couple have to decide if they can trust each other. The thrills and spills along the way and the mystery and suspense make for an explosive read as these two charming characters try to stay one step ahead of the enemy and one step to staying alive. But this story is not all doom and gloom, you will find yourself laughing out loud every step of the way.
April 3, 2019
I listened to the audiobook version of this book.
Really enjoyed the adventure the characters go on as they evade the bad guy. The author gave an exciting story with a nice romantic element and fun characters. Although it is a series, this was a perfectly fine story as a standalone. Will look forward to more by this author. Definitely helped turn my day around.
Great performance, the narration that made these characters seem even more funny and charming.
I received a review copy at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Really enjoyed the adventure the characters go on as they evade the bad guy. The author gave an exciting story with a nice romantic element and fun characters. Although it is a series, this was a perfectly fine story as a standalone. Will look forward to more by this author. Definitely helped turn my day around.
Great performance, the narration that made these characters seem even more funny and charming.
I received a review copy at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.
May 13, 2013
3.5 stars
REVIEW: The Hot Shots is the second storyline in Stephanie Queen’s Scotland Yard Exchange Program focusing on international terrorism, secret missions and, the men and women who fall in love. Although this particular installment is the second storyline, it can be read without too much difficulty. The major players from the first book are present and blend well within this novel.
The Hot Shots focuses on interior designer Sophia aka Pixie Alano who is asked, as a favor for friends, to escort Scotland Yard detective Chauncey Miller to Boston Police Headquarters. But along the way, the pair will become involved in a life and death chase when a Middle East terrorist sets his sights on Chauncey. With Sophia now an unwelcome accomplice, Chauncey must seek out the whereabouts of the terrorist while protecting the tiny pixie-like woman with whom he is falling in love.
The relationship between the couple is both humorous and a little off-center. Sophia continues to put herself in harms way trying to ferret out information, hoping to assist Chauncey at every turn. But her actions put them into more dangerous situations each time she demands to accompany Chauncey on one of his undercover plans.
There are moments of exasperation as Sophia gets in over her head and puts everyone in danger and in this the reality of the Scotland Yard-Boston Police Department cooperation with each other seems more fictitious than based in any sort of reality. But in the end, this is a work of fiction and the entertainment level is worth the read.
Stephanie Queen takes the reader on a fast-paced, quirky journey between America and Scotland Yard. We are introduced to Chauncey’s father- a relationship that is strained at best; and there is a potential storyline for another one of BPD’s finest. Overall, The Hot Shots is a wonderful storyline between a hero and an unlikely heroine whose goal is to survive long enough to make a name for herself as a famous interior designer.
Copy supplied by the author.
REVIEW: The Hot Shots is the second storyline in Stephanie Queen’s Scotland Yard Exchange Program focusing on international terrorism, secret missions and, the men and women who fall in love. Although this particular installment is the second storyline, it can be read without too much difficulty. The major players from the first book are present and blend well within this novel.
The Hot Shots focuses on interior designer Sophia aka Pixie Alano who is asked, as a favor for friends, to escort Scotland Yard detective Chauncey Miller to Boston Police Headquarters. But along the way, the pair will become involved in a life and death chase when a Middle East terrorist sets his sights on Chauncey. With Sophia now an unwelcome accomplice, Chauncey must seek out the whereabouts of the terrorist while protecting the tiny pixie-like woman with whom he is falling in love.
The relationship between the couple is both humorous and a little off-center. Sophia continues to put herself in harms way trying to ferret out information, hoping to assist Chauncey at every turn. But her actions put them into more dangerous situations each time she demands to accompany Chauncey on one of his undercover plans.
There are moments of exasperation as Sophia gets in over her head and puts everyone in danger and in this the reality of the Scotland Yard-Boston Police Department cooperation with each other seems more fictitious than based in any sort of reality. But in the end, this is a work of fiction and the entertainment level is worth the read.
Stephanie Queen takes the reader on a fast-paced, quirky journey between America and Scotland Yard. We are introduced to Chauncey’s father- a relationship that is strained at best; and there is a potential storyline for another one of BPD’s finest. Overall, The Hot Shots is a wonderful storyline between a hero and an unlikely heroine whose goal is to survive long enough to make a name for herself as a famous interior designer.
Copy supplied by the author.
May 4, 2013
This is the follow up to Queen’s first novel in The Scotland Yard Exchange Program, “The Throwbacks”. We do read a bit of our favorite couple from the first novel, David and Grace, but this thrill-ride is centered around Grace’s friend and fellow decorator, Sophia, and the newest implant from Scotland Yard to Boston, Chauncey. The action begins right from the start as the clandestine couple meet and do end up having to jump off a boat to avoid a terrorist who wants Chauncey eliminated.
As I was reading at first, I was putting myself in Sophia’s shoes. I kept thinking, “I would never do that! Is she out of her mind?” Some of . . . well, most of the choices Sophia makes early on in the novel were mostly her being uncooperative and jeopardizing her safety. Once I put the book down for a minute and let myself think why Queen had Sophia making the decisions she was, I was able to move on with the read. I came to the conclusion that Sophia is very goal oriented and could be considered to have blinders on as she was so extremely focused on her career. Those traits caused many difficulties between Chauncey and Sophia, but as their story developed and the threats escalated, the pair stuck together.
Without giving too much away, I can tell you "The Hot Shots" has suspense and mystery galore with a heaping teaspoon full of comedy and that splash of romance most of us crave. A great read!
As I was reading at first, I was putting myself in Sophia’s shoes. I kept thinking, “I would never do that! Is she out of her mind?” Some of . . . well, most of the choices Sophia makes early on in the novel were mostly her being uncooperative and jeopardizing her safety. Once I put the book down for a minute and let myself think why Queen had Sophia making the decisions she was, I was able to move on with the read. I came to the conclusion that Sophia is very goal oriented and could be considered to have blinders on as she was so extremely focused on her career. Those traits caused many difficulties between Chauncey and Sophia, but as their story developed and the threats escalated, the pair stuck together.
Without giving too much away, I can tell you "The Hot Shots" has suspense and mystery galore with a heaping teaspoon full of comedy and that splash of romance most of us crave. A great read!
March 2, 2013
Sophia finds herself catapulted from being an up and coming decorator to a woman on a run with a James Bond wanna be. The funny part is that he really is a spy and their lives are really on the line.
The Hot Shots starts early with action. From the moment the two main characters meet, they are moving and ducking. There are times throughout the book where the action shows down to a very slow crawl, but they quickly are passed and more action ensues.
The story was cute. I did find that the story hesitated a few times as transition between scenes was not too smooth. Also, there were things that I questioned if a spy would really do. There was quite a bit of that, but it is a fiction story. :)
The characters are a riot. Their interactions are comical and cute. I couldn't help but laugh out loud a few times. They are ones you could see in the screen really enjoying them.
The story line was cute but did not quite meet up to the potential the characters had for it. The strongest part of this book are the characters. In that, the author does an excellent job. Many authors strive for such character development and fall short.
Note: I received this book during a book tour with no expectation of a positive review.
The Hot Shots starts early with action. From the moment the two main characters meet, they are moving and ducking. There are times throughout the book where the action shows down to a very slow crawl, but they quickly are passed and more action ensues.
The story was cute. I did find that the story hesitated a few times as transition between scenes was not too smooth. Also, there were things that I questioned if a spy would really do. There was quite a bit of that, but it is a fiction story. :)
The characters are a riot. Their interactions are comical and cute. I couldn't help but laugh out loud a few times. They are ones you could see in the screen really enjoying them.
The story line was cute but did not quite meet up to the potential the characters had for it. The strongest part of this book are the characters. In that, the author does an excellent job. Many authors strive for such character development and fall short.
Note: I received this book during a book tour with no expectation of a positive review.
December 8, 2012
With The Hot Shots, Book 2 of the Scotland Yard Exchange Program, Stephanie Queen once again delivers a fast-paced, thoroughly enjoyable romantic adventure that might just leave you a little breathless. Sophia, a/k/a Pixie, is a spunky interior designer with dreams of having her own television design show. But don't let her size fool you. Pixie is more than a match for Chauncey Miller, a smooth British agent who's supposed to be cooling his heels in Boston after having crossed a notorious terrorist. The Hot Shots is full of sharp dialogue, hot romance, and plenty of danger. Don't worry though. Terrorists don't stand a chance with Pixie and Chauncey on the job. When these two team up, British-American relations will never be the same. Highly recommended
February 7, 2013
The story was cute, but there were a few places where the storyline became disjointed and parts did not make sense. All in all, it was a cute easy read. You had to fall in love with the total opposite main charactors, Chauncey and Sophia.
January 11, 2014
Hot shots
Good book Good storyline. I liked the characters and the rush that it brought while reading the story. this is the first book ice read from Stephanie Queen. I will be buying more of her books. Good book, good price.
Good book Good storyline. I liked the characters and the rush that it brought while reading the story. this is the first book ice read from Stephanie Queen. I will be buying more of her books. Good book, good price.
April 23, 2013
The characters are likable, but the plot is forced.
March 2, 2013
4 stars... review coming
April 2, 2017
Nonstop action from beginning to end. Sophia, a hot Italian with red hair and green eyes goes to pick up a Scotland Yard detective. Fell in love and danger with a terrorist trying to kill them. Well written. Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews