Carly Phillips

How can he keep his eye on the ball when she’s in view?

Just one short season ago, major league center fielder John Roper had it all: the looks—and personal life—of a sports hero and the public’s adoration. But this hot property’s lucky streak has run out. After a World Series disaster, fans diss him, shock jocks mock him and his dysfunctional family hassles him for money he really can’t spare. Now it’s up to him, and Hot Zone publicist Amy Stone, to get his life back on track.

Amy finds it’s easier said than done. What with the constant intrusions of his nutty family, a crazed fan playing stalker, and Roper’s refusal to put his own needs first, she’s starting to think that life in the fast lane isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But when the two retreat to a secluded lodge, the sexy center fielder throws Amy a curveball—one she never saw coming…

Book Details

Hot Property
Book # 4 – Hot Zone Series
July 2008
Paperback original, ISBN-13: 978-0-373-77333-6
Harlequin Enterprises, HQN

Digital / E-Books

• Kindle
• Barnes & Noble
• Sony

Awards

• New York Times
• USA Today
• Publishers Weekly
• Bookscan Bestseller
• Borders Bestseller

Reviews

	“It’s a poignant home run for the final installment of Phillips’ cute, sports-themed Hot Zone series (after HOT STUFF). Hottie John Roper, a “high-maintenance” outfielder feels a cold downturn in his public and personal life after getting injured and losing the World Series for the New York Renegades. After meeting adorable Floridian Amy Stone at a friend’s wedding, he later discovers she’s his new handler at Hot Zone and Athletes Only, a sports public relations firm. Amy’s wowed by John during a New year’s eve bash, spends the night on his sofa and attracts the paparazzi the next day. As she helps him reclaim his life (and navigate his difficult family), she decides their relationship must stay strictly professional. That love obstacle allows Phillips to wind up with a smart lesson: it’s all about the game plan.” Publishers Weekly
	“Phillips whips up a winner for the final installment of her Hot Zone series. Once again, she makes trials of the famous and talented seem like our own without losing that New York glamour. This lively treat of a romance has sympathetic characters and is like a yummy piece of chocolate, sweet and delicious. Don’t go to the beach without it.” RT Book Reviews | (4-1/2 Stars)
	“Take me out to the ballgame and buy me a centerfielder! Carly Phillips definitely knows how to end a series on a high! From the first book in The Hot Zone series to the last, the characters are believable, sexy and charming. Carly Phillips always bats a thousand when writing her sultry, sexy love scenes. Everyone with a dysfunctional family that is the strong one that everyone else depends on can identify with John and his hardships. Ms. Phillips writes about the strong men that are attractive to women because they take care of their families and their business. The growth in Amy Stone’s character from not wanting to be in the spotlight to realizing that the spotlight is something she will have to deal with in order to have the man she loves, is heartwarming. Carly Phillips always delights her faithful fans and delivers a homerun each time.” Dawn Myers | Writers Unlimited
	“Fans will welcome the chance to catch up with the characters from the previous Hot Zone books, as well as meeting new people. There is a secondary plotline involving Roper’s mother, Cassandra, (an actress who refuses to take age-appropriate parts so spends most of her time meddling in her children’s lives) and her one-time lover, a producer who wants Cassandra for his latest show. For the most part, though, the focus is on Roper and Amy. While it’s sad to see the Hot Zone series come to an end, HOT PROPERTY is a delightful tale that you won’t want to miss.” Jennifer Bishop | Romance Reviews Today
	“True to the integrity of all Carly Phillips stories HOT PROPERTY lets you see how vulnerable even the most powerful people can be especially when there is love involved. Falling in love with John Roper and Amy Stone is easy. It was also nice to be around other familiar characters from the Hot Zone previous stories. But getting to know two very different but equally dysfunctional families was great fun. How intuitive of Phillips to illustrate how easily our family frustrates us and yet how we can somehow find the humor in someone else’s. Great summer read.” Fresh Fiction
	“I loved the story and couldn’t read it fast enough to see what would happen between Amy and John. Would John make a comeback after his World Series disaster. Will Amy be able to restore his image with Hot Zone? You are an amazing, talented writer! Thank you again for allowing me to review your sensational new book!” Romance Junkies Reviews
	“Those who thought the Hot Zone stories were finished when the third and final Jordan sister married are in for a pleasant surprise. Hot Property returns readers to the New York City public relations firm, immersing them once again in the world of hunky professional athletes. Centerfielder John Roper takes center stage in this book, after appearing in a support role as Micki’s best friend in Hot Number. The heroine is Amy, niece of Hot Zone partner Spencer Atkins, who was introduced in Hot Item. The sparks that sizzled between them when they first met at a wedding are still smoldering when they see each other again. But John’s life is infused with problems and it becomes Amy’s job to fix them. This is an unapologetic romance, with just enough tension to make it interesting without detracting from the love story. You engage with the characters, from the likable hero and heroine, to their zany relatives. It will make you smile, laugh and sigh.” Lezlie Patterson’s Romance Reader