Annabelle Carlyle is on a highly confidential job. She is an investigative reporter, but her cover now is to be a travel writer. While covering the story, she also has a personal issue, worrying about why she hasn't heard from her good friend. As she takes her job to Charleston, she meets Mark Dering, a very handsome man who rescues her from a near fall. Mark is a tour guide and doesn't mind giving Annabelle a more guided tour of the beautiful city of Charleston. Mark finds she has a strong effect on him, and he loves her strong spunk. Annabelle is at the top in her field and cannot allow any personal involvement to cloud an investigation. One day she will try to manage to enjoy some freedom but now the job comes first, even if a handsome hunk is making her weak in the knees. No, she is not there to fall in love, but her heart is telling her differently and Mark's lips sure don't leave much room for her to protest. When danger begins to bring them closer together, Mark is determined to stick to her like glue and make sure to keep her safe throughout her investigation. As the plot thickens and they become targets, Annabelle is certain something is really amiss, but can they find the culprit before it is too late?

Carolina Heat is a roller coaster ride of events that keeps the reader looking around every corner for the whodunit. I liked the idea of the location being in Charleston because it gave me the feeling of being there all over again. I could sense the sights and sounds of the whole historical district. I love some of the descriptions that raced through Mark's mind, especially about the pig's belly and prickly porcupine, when he had chats with Annabelle. Mark certainly has that Southern charm that can make a woman weak in the knees. Christi Barth pens a page-turning read that kept this reader engaged. I loved how she created Mark and gave him such charisma. He and Annabelle had just the right amount of chemistry to light up the pages in this electrifying turn of events. The secondary characters added just the right amount of finesse to make the storyline flow at a good rhythm in this sensational read.

Reviewed by: Linda L.