Welcome to the Blog Tour for the second installment to Penny Reid’s Hypothesis Series! HEAT is what you have been waiting for and exactly what fans of ATTRACTION want to see! Check out more about the book, Tina’s Thoughts, an excerpt, and a fantastic giveaway to celebrate!
Heat
by Penny Reid
Hypothesis #2
Publication Date: April 30, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Humor, Romance
Elements of Chemistry: HEAT is part 2 of a 3 part series (65k word novel) and ends in a cliffhanger. **Blurb contains spoilers if you haven’t read Elements of Chemistry: ATTRACTION**
Four days left.
Private beach (…and boat).
Not so invisible girl.
And maybe less of a jerk-faced bully than originally thought.
What’s the worst (or the best) that could happen?
Kaitlyn is finding life outside of the science cabinet of obscurity to be quite illuminating …and so are her pants.
When things heat up between Kaitlyn Parker and Martin—previously known as the jerk-faced bully—Sandeke, she places her trust in the one person she never thought capable of earning it, let alone keeping it safe. Fortunately or unfortunately for Kaitlyn, where she gives her trust she can’t help but also give her heart.
But how will the world beyond the sanctuary of their newfound connection react to their relationship? Soon senators, chinless billionaires, and elements beyond Martin and Kaitlyn’s control want to weigh in on the young couple’s future.
Navigating the chaotic inferno of new love might be more than Kaitlyn bargained for, and much, much more than her trust—or her heart—can handle.
You can purchase your copy of HEAT at the retailers listed below!
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
Please note that if you have not read ATTRACTION, this review might contain some spoilers from the first book (hopefully not too much)! You have been warned…
HEAT picks up the story exactly were ATTRACTION left off and the heat level is smoking HOT in this second installment. Kaitlyn and Martin have to learn what they want from each other and how much of themselves they are willing to give. Watching their love story unfold is heartwarming and perfect. I love how these two seem opposite but in retrospect they have a connection that tends to baffle those around them. When they leave the island to return to the “real world” there are so many obstacles that I never saw coming. They have to decide what is most important to themselves as individuals and to their new-found relationship.
Kaitlyn is once again a fantastic Penny Reid heroine. Watching her stand true to herself while experiencing new and exciting things is such a treat to read. Her thought processes and mannerisms are so fresh and unique. Her world view is contagious and I loved getting inside her hear. She encounters new life experiences she never crossed before and it was fascinating to watch her compute and understand what was happening and her response to new situations. Her honesty is refreshing!
Martin feels like he is even MORE in this story. His inner power and masculinity seems to be unleashed even more in this story- drawing Kaitlyn like a moth to the flame, evoking so many emotions. You begin to better understand his motivations at the numerous revelations of his past and his family. It allows both Kaitlyn and the reader to better see who he is and why his reactions are the way they are. His character flaws are still a bit overwhelming to Kaitlyn but she seems to understand the motivation behind them. His commanding personality is something that both attracts and repels Kaitlyn.
This novella is full of many highs and lows in their newfound relationship. At times I wanted it to work and other times I questioned if it ever could work. Penny makes you feel with the characters, allowing the reader access to their inner thoughts and motivations. You are so caught up in the book that when that ending hits, you feel like you have been slammed by a semi. This cliff hanger is bigger and harsher than the one before- so prepare yourself as much as possible. Don’t curse Penny too terribly! We know that there is bound to be goodness to follow soon!
If you haven’t read this series, make sure to start now. If you are nervous about this novella because of the ending, trust me when I saw you should pick it up anyways. It will be worth the frustration in the end. HEAT literally explodes off the page with emotion, passion, and so many choices. The only question is what will those choices lead to…
“What are you doing?”
I lifted my eyes at the sound of Martin’s voice, but not immediately. I finished the paragraph I was reading, then I looked up, holding my place in the book with my thumb.
He was dressed in swim trunks and he was wet, with beads of water dripping down his chest. As such, he looked super hot. However, only the right side of his body was visible as the door blocked the other side. His hand was still on the doorknob and he leaned a tad to one side, into the room.
My eyes wandered over his form and I allowed myself to appreciate the beauty of Martin Sandeke like I might admire the beauty of a cold, soulless statue. Physically, he was a magnificent male specimen: corded muscle, long limbs, and rigid angles. Even his temples were drool worthy, especially since I knew his head housed a giant—albeit mismanaged—brain. Truly, he was one of our finest. His ancestors should really give themselves a big pat on the back.
A little pool of water had gathered at his feet, which made me wonder how long he’d been standing in the doorway. My eyes traveled upward again and I noticed he wore an angry expression. He looked livid.
I started a little at the heated annoyance in his stare. Then I glanced around the laundry room, searching for the source of his anger. I found that I was still alone. Therefore, I surmised his fury must be directed at me.
But, just to be sure, I said, “Who? Me?”
“Yes. You,” he growled, then stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. “What are you doing in here?”
I raised the book and tipped my head toward it. “I’m reading.”
Martin exhaled loudly, another growl. “I can see that, Parker. But why the fuck are you in here reading?”
I frowned at his use of profanity, my shoulders bunching with tension. I realized I’d gotten used to it, how often he cussed; I’d accepted it as part of him. But that was before he’d left me standing at the entrance to a party I didn’t want to attend, and that was before I’d seen him kissing a random girl.
“It’s the first sequel to The Three Musketeers. I’ve been meaning to read it. I found it on the shelf in the library—or living room, or whatever room. There are too many rooms in this house, so I don’t know what half of them are called.”
Martin gritted his teeth, and I got the distinct impression he wanted to strangle me. “Parker. This is a party. And you’re in the laundry room? Reading?”
I paused a beat to make sure this wasn’t a trick question. When I could find nothing amiss with his interrogation, I nodded slowly. “Yes. This is a party. I am in the laundry room reading.”
“Why? What is wrong with you?”
My mouth opened and closed but no words arrived, because his questions continued to confuse me. Finally, I admitted, “Martin, I don’t know what you want me to say or why you appear to be upset. I found the book when I was in one of the several rooms with lots of books. I’ve been meaning to read it. So I picked it up and found a quiet place. Why are you so angry?”
He charged at me and I ineffectually scrambled backward on the washing machine. In less than two seconds he’d pulled the book from my hands, slapped it on the counter at my left, and braced his arms on either side of my legs, leaning forward.
I realized he’d made me lose my page in the book. I decided to ignore my urge to vocalize this complaint, because his eyes were beyond heated.
They were incensed blue flames. I braced myself, my gaze wide and watchful, and flinched when he lifted a hand. I relaxed a smidge when he used it to push my hair off my shoulder.
When he spoke, his voice was low, strained, like he was trying very hard to control his temper. “I brought you here as my date. That was our agreement.”
I nodded once. “Yes. I know.”
“And, instead of talking to people or having fun, you’re in here reading a book.”
I kept my voice even and calm, tried to sound soothing. “I am having fun. I’m reading a book.”
As if Penny’s book was not enough of something to get excited about, she is giving away an awesome prize pack! Check out this giveaway (pictured below) to celebrate the release of HEAT! Enter this Rafflecopter giveaway and follow the instructions listed for your chance to win! Don’t miss out! Good luck!
SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing).
By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.