The Heat Seekers [Paperback]

The Heat Seekers involves the stories of two sets of best friends -- Tempest and Janessa, and Dvonté and Geren. Tempest is a headstrong sister who has had a string of bad relationships, but when she meets Geren, a refine, handsome investment banker, she starts to believe that she can have that special love afforded only to soul mates. The problem comes into play when both Tempest and Geren keep secrets that may spell the end of their love affair. Janessa is an around the way sister who wants to try and put her life back on the right track. She lives at home with her parents and brother, and she's ready to get a good job and make a life of her own. At the club, the same night Tempest meets Geren, Janessa meets Dvonté, a playa who doesn't believe in love, commitment, relationships, or children. He's strictly in it for the sex, plain and simple. When Janessa gets involved with him, her life alters in ways she never expected, and she's forced to see who Dvonté really is.

I think what drew me into The Heat Seekers is its tone. It's serious. More serious than any of Zane's past works. This novel deals with abortion, unplanned pregnancies, suicide, the "ghetto" lifestyle, love, lies, and just plain ol' life. I could not put the book down. Tempest, by far my fave character, drew me into the story, and I was eager to wrap up the novel and see what would happen to everyone.

I think a lot of readers might be surprised not to see such an abundance of sex as Zane has had in previous novels, but the sexual scenes and innuendoes in this novel are tastefully done and drew me in just as much as any full blown, graphically detailed scene could. There's something to be said for giving a peek and allowing someone to imagine the rest.

In the end, I was extremely happy to see another facet to the writing of Zane. I hope to see more of this serious, deeper side in her future writings. I think the reason I didn't give this novel a 5 star is because there are still remnants of that Zane we know and love from her previous works. This novel has midgets and other off the wall, 'no you didn't go there' situations. I wanted a full departure, but instead, I received a 3/4 departure, and for me, that was enough.

I'm eager to see what twist in the literary road, Zane will put forth next.

Shon Bacon

Tempest has been looking for love in all the wrong places. Harboring her doubts about the male species, she stumbles upon Geren, a man from the fairy tales. But she's been keeping secrets, and the heat from this one could cause her to lose it all. Tempest's best friend Janessa wants the same thing any woman wants. To be loved, to be appreciated. However, when you run with dogs, you're bound to get fleas, and Janessa finds out the difference between a boy and a man.

The Heat Seekers is an entertaining, thought provoking read with many plot twists and turns. The characters are likeable if not deserving of compassion and empathy. The Heat Seekers is complete with cameo appearances by characters from Shame On it All, including Raul, the exiguous entrepreneur, and passing mentions of the Whitfield sisters themselves. In this piece, Zane pays more attention to the serious issues confronting her characters, and less to their shenanigans. The book will have you doubled over in laughter one moment and pondering the decisions you may have made in your own life the next. The Heat Seekers is Zane's most robust work to date, while she proves to the literary world that she's got it like that.

Reviewed by CandaceK

Even though the novel was a little slow in the middle, I found The Heat Seekers to be a light, entertaining read. I enjoyed the friendship between Tempest and Janessa. Their interactions reminded me of me and my high school friends. Cursing each other out one minute and crying on each other's shoulders the next was an all too familiar scene. I could feel the romance between Tempest and Geren and cheered them on from the first meeting. I only received a glimpse of the relationships between Janessa and Dvonte and Dvonte and Geren so I was not as vested in them. The story, while a little predictable, was very enjoyable.

I would recommend this book to all. After having read Addicted and The Heat Seekers (with Addicted being my favorite of the two), I look forward to reading Shame on it All and The Sex Chronicles.

This book is actually a 4.5...