Island Heat

The Heat #1

by Susan Kearney

Librarian's Note: This is alternate cover edition #1
ISBN 10: 076535666X
ISBN13: 9780765356666
See: Original Record Here

Shara Weston used to be a movie star. But after the death of her husband, she overdosed on more than just the limelight--and now she's a recluse.

Cade Archer fell out of the sky, and Shara believes his story -- he's here to save both their worlds.

For Cade, failure isn't an option. If he doesn't open a portal to Earth, his people will never have the resources they need to be free. But a powerful enemy has tracked him from his world: An enemy whose only purpose is to destroy him.

Shara finds Cade's mission is as compelling as his dominating sensuality--but as she falls under his spell, she realizes that if he succeeds in his mission, he may very well destroy his world and Earth.

Note: All information herein, such as number of pages, publisher, etc., refer to this alternate cover edition and may or may not coincide with the main entry for this ISBN or any other alternate covers.

~

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction Romance

297 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 6, 2007

About the author

Susan Kearney used to set herself on fire four times a day, now a USA TODAY—BESTSELLING author, she does something really hot—she writes paranormal romance and romantic suspense for Tor. She can apply the old rule of "write what you know" and never run out of ideas for characters and plots. An All-American and professional diver, expert in martial arts, sailor, real estate broker and owner of a barter business as well as women's fitness and three hair salons, she has enough material for a lifetime.

Kearney, a native of New Jersey, writes full time and has sold books to the industries' top publishing houses — Grand Central, Tor, Simon & Schuster, Harlequin, Berkley, Leisure, Red Sage and Kensington. As an award winning author, Kearney earned a Business Degree from the University of Michigan. Kearney's knowledge and experience spans throughout the romance genre, and her fifty plus books include contemporary, romantic suspense, historical, futuristic, science fiction and paranormal novels. She resides in a suburb of Tampa—with her husband, kids and Boston terrier. Currently she's plotting her way through her 54th work of fiction.

Reviews

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't too sure about this book going into it, but it turned out pretty good. It was different in that it was about a future romance and it had suspense as well.

I liked how Shara and Cade meshed together as a couple and I thought that they were fairly well developed characters, but not as well as I'd like them to be. I hope that in book 2 there is more about them and their characters grow even more.

[Hal Evergreen]

DNF. After 24 pages. It was that bad.

Alas, Susan Kearney, I will never waste my time on you again. This makes me sad, because there aren't enough SFR authors out there. But no more. I was more than generous. I gave you three chances, and you blew 'em all.

[Caro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good and kept me interested. This has good characters that are real, emotions, ups and downs, creativity and imagination, a twist and turn here and there, and a good ending. Good for an anytime read or passing time. Enjoy

[Lover of Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed this author, and when I saw this title available on Netgalley, I knew I needed to read it. Lunar Heat is a recently republished version of the title Island Heat, that was originally published in 2007. I have always liked Kearney's books, and the genre she used for this book was well done. Lunar Heat is a story that takes place on Earth, in a futuristic time period, that involves a heavy involvement of the science fiction sub genre. Lunar Heat is a story about a man Cade who is desperate to do anything to save his people. Shara Weston will do anything to save Earth, even if that means she will have to betray the man that she loves. Both Cade and Shara have a connection from their first meeting, and despite the rocky path that lies before them only the love they have may save their lives and both of their worlds.

I found Lunar Heat to be a very enjoyable read that sent chills down my spine. Lunar Heat offers a unique romantic story set in a futuristic/science fiction setting. The world that this author creates is magnificent, and I loved the way the story sets off from the beginning, with Cade crash landing on the moon that Shara lives on, and then he ends up saving her life from his enemy and brother. Cade is determined to save his people. Many of his people are literal slaves, because they weren't born first, and so they are dominated by first Born's. Cade was the one chosen, to free his kind. His people thrive on salt, they need it to survive. Earth has plenty of salt, especially in the water elements. But he needs the help of Shara to send it to his planet. Shara desires to help Cade, and he is the most gorgeous man she has ever met. But then her closest friend tells her she has visions of their planet being destroyed by the actions of Cade. This story involves a intense plot with plenty of danger and steamy desire.

Overall I fell in love with Cade and Shara. They were such a delightful couple. I couldn't help but admire them both for their actions. I had a hard time deciding which character I liked more. Cade is more honest and upfront with Shara, than Shara is. However you sympathize with Shara's dilemma, and you wonder how they will find their HEA and save both of their worlds. The story line is full of complications and drama and a world of science fiction, with a mix of paranormal drawn in as well. A poignant yet intense romance that is a thrill of a ride!!! Be prepared to fly off your seats in this one!!

[Susie Fitzwater · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really have enjoyed reading this book. I had a hard time of putting it down and it had so much excitement to it. I enjoyed how it made me laugh one minute and then the next I was sitting on the edge of my seat. It was truly spectacular the danger one minute and then the next they were safe. I enjoyed the rollercoaster of the story. It was really thought out and it followed through till the end. I really enjoyed the comment about him not wanting to eat a rock. There was even a time when I wasn't sure what to expect and that is truly hard for me to find in some books. It seem that I always know the out come or what might happen next and I just couldn't figure it out in this book. I find that excellent when I am surprised. I truly enjoyed the ending and how all four were their to help in the end. No matter what their demise was they all fought and transformed into great characters until the end.

Shara was an excellent character and really well matched to Cade. To me they helped transform each other and bought out the good in each other. She was courageous and took everything in stride for how she was famous. I liked how she struggled with something that is common these days with people and how every time she had the urge she fought it off or did something to help her through it no matter how tough it got. She transformed through the entire story and went with every plot that had happened. In my opinion the plot fit her and she had the strength to get through it all. Cade was a fascinating character to me and especially the planet he was from. I enjoyed how it included his life planet, the hardship they went through and how he wanted to save them. I admire his strength and how he wanted to protect everyone. I also liked how he tried to fight the attraction but also how he didn't want to become like Jamar his brother. He didnt want to turn into a monster and with each gift he possessed it scared him.
Lyle to me was a comedian he had a very comical side. I also enjoyed that he also took in stride everything that was thrown at him and he helped to the end. Jules was also great. I love how she had abilities and it was amazing how it all turned out. I would highly recommend this book to someone because it truly was a wonderful read.

[Eva Millien · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the Heat Series is an action packed futuristic romance with a sexy visitor from another universe.

Hiding from her countless fans on her private asteroid in Earth’s orbit, Shara Weston life is interrupted when a captivating alien crash lands on her asteroid. Cade Archer is on a mission to free his people from cruel enslavement by opening a portal from his planet to Earth. But a powerful enemy has followed hell bent on stopping him and sends Shara and Cade on the run. Shara has misgivings about Cade’s mission, but as they embark on Cade’s quest, the passion between them explodes.

This fast paced plot takes the reader on fantastic futuristic tale that keeps the reader on their toes as the danger escalates and the passion erupts. The author brings the story to life with vivid imagery, suspense and strong enchanting characters that grab the reader’s attention and doesn’t let go.

The chemistry between the Shara and Cade is out of this world hot and the well written sex scenes are hot and steamy and sexy alien powers adds in some sizzling spice. The author conveys all the emotions, passion and personalities of all the characters with intensity and ensures that the reader can easily relate to them and understand the motivations behind their actions.

The author has created a wonderful futuristic earth that captures the reader’s imagination and has not only great main characters but supporting characters as well. The mind boggles at some of the possibilities at where the author can take this series.

I found that I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read the next one in the series. I really enjoyed that the author not only brought aliens to earth she set the story way into Earth’s future, but doesn’t make things so out of the realm of possibility that the reader gets too caught up trying to figure out what’s what. I also like that the hero and heroine both had complex personalities that kept me guessing just what they might do next.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

Lunar Heat is a sexy romance with some sci fi thrown in (take out the sci fi elements and you'd have a modern thriller romance). It is an easy, non demanding read with all the hot action you'd expect from Kearney.

Movie star Shara Weston has retired to a small asteroid above the Earth to get away from the reporters and paparazzi. She is enjoying her retreat until the day a man falls from the sky and survives. Cade Archer has come from another planet to harvest the Earth's salt to save his people. But his people are in conflict, enslaved by a small number of psychic users and only he can help free them with Shara's help. But it may destroy the Earth in the process. Can Shara reconcile her attraction to Cade against the knowledge he is very likely going to destroy the Earth?

The book has Kearney's quirky characters, an evil villain, and another romance with two side characters. There's a lot of action as the two go on the run to escape Cade's evil brother and her friends will be drawn into the danger. The pace is fast and there is a lot of action.

If I have a nitpick, it is that this doesn't feel very sci fi since it takes place on Earth and uses a lot of modern earth colloquialisms and conventions - it felt very 2013, not some time in the future when space travel and exploration are conquered. Private eyes, newspaper reporters, movie stars, idyllic tropical like retreats, kooky psychic....I would have liked more sci fi world building (replace ships with cars, aliens with foreign citizens, and it is a modern romance).

Received as an ARC from the publisher.

[Unapologetic_Bookaholic · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the novel Island Heat) I read about Shara who lives alone an island called Haven that has a volcano. Cade is shot down out he sky and she rescues him. Immediately he tells her his story. He is an alien. He is here to harvest salt using a portal, but he has to collect the pieces scattered throughout the world. Also his mind-controlling "First" brother Jamal <b> will</b> try and kill him if/when they meet.

Jules is Shara's physic friend that has a vision of destruction if Shara lets Cade go through with his plan of using the volcano to harvest the salt.

The story revolves around Cade getting stronger as he comsumes more salt and not being able to control his mind control power when he's experiancing strong emotions: pleasure, anger, danger. Shara is thinking of how she is going to stop Cade and in the process her feelings for him and growing stronger. So she is feeling guilty for double crossing him.

I did like the paranormal alien aspect of the novel. The romance was smoking hot. I like how [author: Susan Kearney develops the characters. The love scence simmer with the way she describes them.

[Rachel Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Made it about 50 pages in. Couldn't do it. Sooooo many little things not adding up, and striking me as beyond silly.

A caste based world with advanced tech, where the castes are based on who has access to salt? Sorry, can't buy it even for a second. It's ridiculous. A 100 acre island with an active volcano on it? The entire island is the volcano in that instance, and there's no room to build a house on it. Not to mention active volcanoes ooze lava most of the year, and the heroine's house would've burned down several times over by now.

The hero is too perfect, and an afterthought at the same time. And he's inferior on his planet. I can buy a lot, but not that.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the publisher as a winner in a contest on Writerspace.
This book was a fast paced future romantic suspense story. Susan did a great job of keeping me glued to my Kindle to see what would happen next. Shara and Cade were well matched as a couple and they grew into stronger characters as the story moved along. Jules was a truly outstanding support character for Shara. I enjoyed the fact that she actually got her own love story, too. I look forward to the second book in this series by Susan Kearney.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was pretty good, sort of a 90's SFR feel to it.

[Karen Desmond · Rating 2 out of 5]

2

[Marti Rosenberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't need the graphic sex to make it a good story

[Marti Rosenberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Same book as Solar Heat

[Magdalena · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was OK but I found the character development a bit lacking and parts of the book were boring. I don't think I'll be reading this author again.

[Yosaggregator2]

testGoodreads

[Kara]

Warning: violence, sexual violence, and serious consent issues.

I can't decide if this book is good, bad, or so-bad-its-good.

I loved the Retro-Future setting, but had some serious issues with the characters, so I'm just going to skip trying to rate this one.