Red Hot Property

Red Hot Novels #1

by Devin O'Branagan

Molly O'Malley is a plucky rookie real estate agent navigating shark-infested waters at the town's most cutthroat agency. A former cocktail waitress, Molly uses her street savvy to avoid being eaten alive by vindictive office staff, neurotic colleagues, dueling managing brokers, crazy clients and an abundance of sexy men. A hilarious tale of a woman trying to become more than she believes possible, and discovering herself in the process.

Genres: Humor, Romance, Contemporary Romance

264 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2008

About the author

Bestselling author Devin O’Branagan writes novels about uncommon heroes. Her genres include young adult urban fantasy, science fiction, paranormal thrillers, paranormal romance, romantic comedy, and erotic romance. She’s been published by Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books, German publisher Heyne Verlag, Turkish publisher Dogan Egmont, and indie publisher Cornucopia Creations. Her books are available in print, eBook, and audio book formats.

Visit her website at www.DevinWrites.com

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a Realtor and this book was circulating the office so I read it. This novel captures real world real estate as it really is. Beginning on a light note that pokes fun at all the wacky people and situations Realtors encounter, it has a tragic twist that I didn't see coming and that continues to haunt me. I heartily recommend this book to anyone looking for a good, provocative read.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

If this is how the real world of real estate goes, you can keep it! This is apparently the authors 3rd book, but the first of what may be a new series. A reviewer quote said that the author was good at forming suspense. I would like to know what book that person was reading and what they were smoking. I would love it if they would share it with me as maybe this book would have been better.

There is little character developement, and few opportunities to feel anything for the charcacters at all. The heroine had some big dark secret that was hinted at, sort of revealed, but never truly developed. Overal it is a pretty lame book.

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started reading this, I thought it was going to be just a fun, silly read like the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, but to my surprise and pleasure, this turned out to have a lot more depth than that cutesy series than I expected.

The cast of characters includes a red haired fiesty Irish gal, Molly and her daughter, an adopted Latina sister, and a bunch of crazy and strange co workers in her real estate office and some very wacky clients. There's a drug addict, a homosexual drag queen, a religious zealot or two, a sexy cowboy boss, and a Star Trekkie. And let's not forget the dogs. Talisman and Blondie deserve some recognition.

There isn't so much mystery as comedy. As Molly struggles with learning the ropes of the real estate trade and deals with quirky clients, someone is vandalizing her signs and she also has to deal with her daughter's father, a former drug addict full of broken promises. Molly gets so engrossed in her work world tho, that she fails to see what is going on in her personal life regarding her daughter and her sister. Will she realize the damage she is doing before it is too late?

The ending quit being silly and took me by surprise. This would be a 5 star story but for one thing; I felt the homosexual Latino and all his singing and dancing was a bit overdone.

A good read when you need a laugh or a "pick me up."

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was hilarious! A great, fun read. It reminded me of a Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum novel. I laughed out loud and, at particularly poignant parts of the story, actually cried. The characters were wonderful and very memorable. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Highly, HIGHLY, recommended!

[Sally Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEVIN O’BRANAGAN RED HOT PROPERTY
What do you do when a bubble blowing, pink bunny slipper wearing, Cuban psychic reads some bird bones and tells you to uproot your whole life and start over in a new town and career? Well if you are anything Molly O’Malley and have a young child's welfare to consider you do exactly what she says. This upbeat book is filled with joy sadness and a whole lot of love. It will make you sing, dance, laugh, and cry. It is well worth the read for anyone who likes romance, chick lit, or just an all around good book. I have to say that this it a wonderful book that I will read over and over.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious! Sassy heroine, brilliant characters, amazing dog. The author is holding a raffle where the winner's pet becomes a character in the sequel (all money to benefit Best Friends Animal Sanctuary). What fun! Learn more at www.RedHotNovel.com

[Jan Niblock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely funny--it is a must read!

[Mardel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my "cleanse the palate" read. I usually stick to urban fantasy, with side trips down scifi, horror or high fantasy. But when I read a book that's just amazing to me, then I have to read either another amazing book or something completely out of the genre, because all other books just pale in comparison...

First of all, though, take a look at the cover - I love it. It's sexy, and at the same time it's spare. A dark background, a red house (it looks like a monopoly game house) and just the hint of a profile with beautiful lips. It works - and if I had seen this in a bookstore, the cover would have snagged my interest. It's a good cover.

I have to honestly say - I enjoyed reading this novel. The main character - Molly - is a single mom who has recently relocated with her life sister (that's a sister who isn't born your sister, but fills the sister need-I don't know if it's a real term or has ever been used before, hell - I don't even know if it makes sense, just go with it.) to a Colorado town, taken a real estate course and has just been hired on in one of the biggest real estate business's in town. All on the prediction of a psychic that she had visited.

Molly and three other "newbies" are hired on, and work together - finding out that there are so many unexpected expenses and hidden costs....I don't know how anyone makes it in that type of business. Anyway, these four learn how to rely a bit on each other - some more than others. This novel takes Molly on a hell of a journey of self-discovery. She discovers hidden strengths, latent "female power", and even some tendencies that she's not proud of. In fact, I respect that Devin O'Branagan didn't sugar coat some of the ways that Molly behaved. I think it's very easy for authors to portray their characters as being a lot better than other people or having a much higher sense of integrity than other characters, people just aren't completely good 24/7. Molly gets impatient with people, she agrees to things she doesn't quite feel comfortable with all in the name of making money. Molly is driven to succeed all for her daughter-but falls into the same pit that a lot of parents end up in. Trying to make enough money for the kid's sake, and yet having to spend most of the time away from the kid, when they just want time with their parents.

Red Hot Property is not only about Molly's foray into business, but it's a story of her trying to find love, friendships and a balance of work and life. It's also about Molly learning to believe in herself.

A lot of things happen for Molly - good and bad. At times things worked out almost too well for her, and at other times if something could go wrong it did. Throughout the book, we're treated to glimpses of house showings and all the strange and quirky people that one deals with when dealing with the public.

Some of the best characters were Val - one of the newbies who seemed to be very comfortable with his own gay lifestyle, and yet was still dealing with a bit of resentment from the bigotry that gay men (and women) tend to get stuck with; Talisman, Val's dog who is treated just like a person; Percy, who was a money guy that still wears old-fashioned bows and isn't quite 21st century. There are a lot of other great characters - a broker who is obsessed with all things Star Trek, a super-religious broker who invokes Jesus and God in all her dealings.

I found some of the dialogue to be a teeny bit dramatic, but on the whole I enjoyed it. Afterall, there was quite a variety of characters - all different and all with quirks. Be aware, that even though this book is mostly humorous, there are a couple of things that are sad - but it's handled quickly and handled well.

Red Hot Property was a fun read

[Jola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Received this complimentary first read from the publisher. This book was just ok. The characters were cute.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never realised that real estate agents led such exciting lives! From the first scene to the last, O’Branagan keeps the reader hooked with a blend of suspense, violence, heartbreak and, most prominently – humour. Red Hot Property is comedic chick lit at its best. It’s been compared to the style of Janet Evanovich and, while I can see where the comparison lies (I’m a big Evanovich fan myself), O’Branagan takes a unique twist that makes it something entirely new.

As always, Devin has created a full cast of loveable (and hateable) characters that you could easily believe you’d meet in the course of a day. Molly O’Malley the feisty main character, is a perfect example of a woman trying so hard to get what she wants out of life – love, a family, a successful career - that she loses focus on why she wants it. How many of us can say that we haven’t experienced that kind of tunnel vision at one time or another. It’s easy to feel empathy for the Lead’s experiences, and that empathy sucks you right into the rest of the story.

But don’t expect Molly to be the one to keep your interest the whole way through. There are so many fantastic secondary characters and all of them steal the show. It comes as no surprise to me that Valentino DeMitri – “The Queen of Real Estate” – and his dog Talisman have become such favourites of Devin’s collection. I’m so glad that I finally got to meet them and find out what all the fuss was about. They certainly deserve it.

The first in what will soon become a trilogy, Red Hot Property is a great start to Molly’s story. I can’t wait to pick up the sequel Red Hot Liberty, and Talisman’s exploits in Show Dog Sings the Blues.

[N.L. Riviezzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick quirky read. I am not sure it lives up to its statement of being 'an expose' of the real estate world - that seems to be very far fetched. I'm certain some of the events do occur in real life real estate but I doubt they are as dramatic and absurd as the book's. For all the "absurd" moments, there is a humor and an odd adorableness to them. The nature of story and writing is very similar to Janet Evanovich's work but there is greater sophistication and depth to Ms. O'Branagan's characters. By far, the most memorable character of this piece is the flamboyantly fabulous Valentino DeMitri. The main character, Molly, is very overshadowed by Val but as the story progress, she does begin to hold her own in the scheme of things. The first 30 pages are a little slow as Molly's world is built and changed, as those who will be important to Molly's growth are introduced. After that, the pacing significantly improves and the story becomes very engrossing. There will be disbelief, laughter and tears from the reader by the end.

[LAKristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written and edited. There's not a cliffhanger in the typical sense, but the story isn't exactly finished at the end of this book.

This is not a typical romance. In fact, I'm not sure I'd classify it as a romance at all, maybe more contemporary fiction. That said, I thought the story and characters were interesting and I was fully invested in the story.

A few reviewers noted there are a lot of details about real estate in this book. They're right. However, I actually enjoyed that aspect of the story. I'm not a real estate agent, but I've used their services and always wondered why they make so much money. This book really clarifies the day-to-day job and the stresses that go with it. I didn't find that information boring or overwhelming -- I learned a lot and won't look at that job in the same way.

There are a few love interests along the way, but very little romance and no heat at all. There is a lot of zaniness, collision of cultures, wacky co-workers and single parenting, so the story is lively.

I'd recommend this book and am looking forward to book two.

[Kim C Blevins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not so Red and not so hot, but a great read all the same.

I gave this 5 stars because I absolutely loved this story. As quirky as they all were, the characters were all so very real. I could identify with Molly. A single mother struggling to overcome her past and make a place for herself and her daughter in the world. Her difficulty with getting over Miguel. Her struggle to figure out which of the two men was really right for her. I loved the kindness, compassion and loved that flowed through Val. I hope that her and Rita can resolve their issues. Percy and Rose. An older couple who I hope find comfort and love in the next book. I just liked how very human all the characters were. Ms. O'Branagan's writing had me very invested in all the characters and I look forward to finding out where she takes us in the next book.

[Annette Olsen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book because Goodreads suggested it to me based on the fact I had read The Child Garden and liked it. I really fail to see the similarities. The book was entertaining enough at the beginning and the cast of characters looked interesting. It was funny at first but the character development was nonexistent and the humor became the retelling of the same jokes. For me it was pretty disappointing.

[Jane Firebaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Hot Property is one of the best books in this genre that I've ever read. I laughed, cried and just couldn't put it down.
The characters became my new best friends almost from the first page, except for a couple who I really wanted to smack.
Ms. O'Branagan is a master storyteller and I honestly can't think of anyone else who can draw me into a book so fast and so completely.
This is a must read.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious. O'Branagan captures the essence of characters with delightful observations and sassy dialogue. This introduction to a cast of characters both human and canine lead me in search of more more more.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

the story is all about how a group of relastate agents who were just out of school became friends and how they helped one another.

[Jane E. Harrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I cried at the end but laughed at the antics of Val. Molly was a strong woman but really had no clue. Her smarts carried her thru.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too much religion for my taste. Other than that a really good read.