The suspense stays light, the romance central, in this contemporary novel of romantic suspense set along Florida's Gold Coast, where investigative reporter Jeremiah Tabak suspects his onetime lover Mollie Lavender of attending elegant charity parties in order to snitch expensive jewels from the rich and famous. Ten years ago, Jeremiah and Mollie had a torrid one-week affair that ended when Jeremiah sent her packing, convinced that their destinies lay elsewhere. Now Mollie is back, running her own publicity firm and determined to avoid reliving the past. But intrigue and desire ensure that she and Jeremiah remain in close contact, facing some increasingly nasty skullduggery. Colorful secondary characters--including an ancient chain-smoking gossip columnist and a trio of old-geezer neighbors--enrich the relationship between cynical, laid-back Jeremiah and smart, independent Mollie, who both have reached that place in life where they may be looking for something more. Neggers's well-rounded, sympathetic characters and reliable moral barometer give White Hot far more than mere surface glitter.


From Publishers Weekly
An investigative reporter and a publicist renew old ties and investigate a series of jewel thefts in this talky romantic suspense by veteran author Neggers (Night Scents). When a scruffy informant tips off Miami Tribune reporter Jeremiah Tabak that Mollie Lavender appears to be the common denominator in a series of thefts at society events in southern Florida, Tabak is intrigued for various reasons. He had a brief but intense affair with Mollie 10 years earlier and they parted on less than friendly terms. Soon they're clashing at every turn, while more valuables disappear, including a necklace ripped from Mollie's throat. The characters discuss at length every development, personal or pilferage, sapping the sense of narrative drive. Also, although Jeremiah is frequently described as a hard-hitting reporter, he doesn't act like one; he neither reports to an editor nor writes anything, and rarely even asks a perceptive question. When the villains finally reveal themselvesAneither hero nor heroine makes the discoveryAthey proceed to discuss at length their motivations, past actions and current options. Despite the title, the story never generates much heat either between its protagonists or in its rather uninvolving mystery. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Literary Times
There's a jewel thief hitting Palm Beach society and Croc, Jeremiah Tabak's informer, asks him to check out Mollie Lavender because she's been at every event when the thief has struck. Jeremiah is an investigative reporter for the Miami Tribune and he's curious if this is the same Mollie Lavender who shared a week of heaven with him ten years ago when Mollie spent her spring break in Florida. Mollie is a publicist trying to build a name and reputation for herself in Palm Beach, and she is completely unaware of the heists. One night she sees Jeremiah hovering near some shrubbery as she's leaving a charity ball, and the next day, when she hears a conversation about a cat burglar, she puts two and two together which equals Jeremiah, and he spells trouble! Mollie and Jeremiah find themselves intimately involved with the jewel thief and with each other! It's definitely in their best interests to catch the thief, but when that situation comes to an end, what will happen with their relationship? This book was easy to read, but I was disappointed, especially since I thought Ms. Neggers Just Before Sunrise was a really good book. This story lagged, and the main characters too often reflected on their past relationship. Towards the end, Croc tells Jeremiah that 'Mollie is next,' but Mollie had already been attacked and her necklace stolen. Without giving it away, Croc is badly beaten and Mollie's necklace is found on him. Yet the only two people who know about Croc are Mollie and Jeremiah so the identity of the thief, the conspiracy to pin it on someone else and the cover up seem feeble and convoluted, as Ms. Neggers doesn't tie it up and make the connection. Gloria Miller -- Copyright © 050198 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved


Book Description
New York Times bestselling author of Cold Ridge Florida's lush Gold Coast lends an exotic backdrop to this dazzling tale of fiery sensuality and searing suspense from New York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers. WHITE HOT Mollie Lavender just moved to Palm Beach to start a public relations business and things are going swimmingly. So far her clients include a dog, a ninety-year-old ventriloquist, and a grumpy astronaut. But when she runs into hard-hitting reporter Jeremiah Tabak, she learns that even a decade isn't enough time to heal a broken heart. Society parties aren't Jeremiah's usual beat, but there's a cat burglar on the loose and a hot tip suggests his old flame is right in the thick of things. Seeing Mollie stirs up old desires...and new suspicions. Is it coincidence she attended every gala where the burglar struck? Jeremiah thinks not. The only way Mollie can prove her innocence is to help set a dangerous trap to catch the real thief. But Jeremiah's touch triggers powerful emotions...and the next thing stolen might be Mollie's heart.


Download Description
"New York Times bestselling author of Cold Ridge Florida's lush Gold Coast lends an exotic backdrop to this dazzling tale of fiery sensuality and searing suspense from New York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers. WHITE HOT Mollie Lavender just moved to Palm Beach to start a public relations business and things are going swimmingly. So far her clients include a dog, a ninety-year-old ventriloquist, and a grumpy astronaut. But when she runs into hard-hitting reporter Jeremiah Tabak, she learns that even a decade isn't enough time to heal a broken heart. Society parties aren't Jeremiah's usual beat, but there's a cat burglar on the loose and a hot tip suggests his old flame is right in the thick of things. Seeing Mollie stirs up old desires...and new suspicions. Is it coincidence she attended every gala where the burglar struck? Jeremiah thinks not. The only way Mollie can prove her innocence is to help set a dangerous trap to catch the real thief. But Jeremiah's touch triggers powerful emotions...and the next thing stolen might be Mollie's heart. "


About the Author
Carla Neggers wrote her first book on a rented typewriter, with her newborn baby on her desk blotter and a day job as an arts and entertainment reporter for the local newspaper. Now, her unique blend of humor, romance, and suspense is expanding her already huge following and drawing rave reviews from critics, booksellers, and readers alike. Carla lives in Vermont with her husband, two children, and one incorrigible golden retriever puppy.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Intriguing characters, electrifying suspense, and steamy sensuality are the hallmarks of Carla Neggers' fabulous bestselling novels. Now she adds the exotic locale of Florida's Gold Coast to a dazzlingly romantic tale of fiery attraction and searing intrigue....Mollie Lavender just moved from Boston to Palm Beach, Florida, to start her own P.R. business. So far her clients include a dog, a ninety-year-old ventriloquist, and a grumpy astronaut. Her life is going swimmingly in South Florida -- until she runs into Jeremiah Tabak, hard-hitting reporter. Ten years should have erased her feelings for a man who broke her heart. But a decade turns out to be not nearly long enough. A society party isn't Jeremiah's usual beat, but he can't resist a hot tip that puts an old flame in the thick of things again. This time it's a cat burglar on the loose. Seeing Mollie back on his turf stirs up old desires...and new suspicions. Mollie has attended every gala where the burglar has struck, and Jeremiah wonders if she's in over her head...or maybe she's the thief. Even when Mollie teams up with Jeremiah to get to the truth, she's wary. His touch triggers powerful new emotions she can't control. As she joins him to set a dangerious trap for a burglar, what may be stolen next is her still-fragile heart....

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly