The Hot Spot

By TaRessa

Book Overview

Public relations whiz Kendra Harrell is hopelessly in love with love. But her latest crush presents a real conflict of interest. Yusef Huntley is the sexy chief of staff for Atlanta's high-profile congressman, who happens to be Kendra's client. Does she dare mix business with pleasure? Her friends are divided on this one, but they've got problems of their own--. Meghan Bennett is the Black-American Princess of Protocol-- and Atlanta's leading VIP event planner. To top things off, her Mr. Right has finally popped the question. But Meghan can't accept until she figures out what to do about his One Big Flaw--in the bedroom. Stephanie Ivey is a slick corporate tigress who juggles the city's most eligible men with ease. But despite her skills at seduction, she can't crack her own personal pleasure code-- much to her dissatisfaction. Torn between romance and ambition, Kendra lands an assignment that could combine both--the chance to create a campaign for a lush new Caribbean resort. Soon she and her friends are packing their bags and leaving Atlanta for what becomes a sexy, scandalous comedy of errors that will call for Kendra's unique spin--.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373830718
• ISBN13: 9780373830718
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: Harlequin Kimani Sepia
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.7" x 5.1"

Customer Reviews

In a Word...It's Hot

From a high-profile scandal to sweet seduction on an exotic island, The Hot Spot by Taressa is guaranteed to entertain and the plot twists will definitely catch readers off guard. With a witty conversational style of storytelling, this new author takes readers on an adventure they won't soon forget. To outsiders, Kendra Harrell is a stylish, professional woman who has it going on. The truth is she's a public relations genius who is struggling to get her PR firm off the ground. It seems at every turn her former mentor and boss, Rhea Royce-Daniels, gets the upper hand and steals a potential client. Not only is Kendra struggling financially and career wise, but also her love life leaves much to be desired. Lucky for her she's got her girls, Stephanie and Meghan. Stephanie is a successful investment banker, who is the epitome of a single diva. She has more men than she can count but she's not exactly happy. She has a secret about her sex life that she's never shared with her girls. Meghan, the event planner extraordinaire, has just received a marriage proposal from her boyfriend of four months. Although he's a great guy and shares many common interests with Meghan, she hesitates to say yes because her fianc?-to-be is lacking in one crucial area. The luck of all three women is about to change. Kendra receives an unexpected phone call from the director of a luxury resort on the secluded island of Caribia. He explains that he's looking for a U.S.-based PR firm to promote the resort. Kendra jumps at the opportunity to take an all-expense paid tour of the facility with her "focus group participants" (Stephanie and Meghan). The island and resort prove to be as lavish as the brochure claims. Just as Kendra is getting comfortable with the director and begins to feel confident that she will win the very lucrative contract to become the PR representative for the resort, she discovers that Rhea is bidding on the contract as well and is on her way to the island. While Rhea taught her everything she knows, Kendra is determined to outsmart her. She hopes to leave the island with the contract and maybe something more. In a word, The Hot Spot is hot. It's a fast-paced read with characters that are relatable. It has just enough scandal to make it intriguing, and just enough twists to keep you on your toes. I highly recommend it for those looking to escape within the pages. jazzypen rating: 3.5 stars

I'd like to see more stories about Kendra

TaRessa's debut novel was excellent. Being an up and coming PR exec myself, I know exactly what she's going through. I would like to see some background info about how all three became friends and their undergrad experience, then fast-forward about 10 years and show us where their at. Overall, great book.

Sexy and Scandalous Comedy--3.5 stars!

TaRessa's debut novel, Hot Spot, is an entertaining and scandalous read to be slowly enjoyed on a cool, autumn day. Kendra Harrell is highly educated, professionally focused, and looking for the love of her life. To keep her grounded and add a little spice to her life are Kendra's good friends: Meghan Bennett and Stephanie Ivey. When a business deal goes sour and a new opportunity knocks, but it requires jaunting to the Caribbean's, Kendra's girls are there to cheer her on, encourage, support and quickly pack their bags so that they can join her and get their tan on. But, they also bring their mainland baggage with them and must slay demons while trying to have a good time and keep up a good face. What Kendra does not plan for is one of her clients stalking her and following her to her destination. This client isn't just any client, she is a client with a secret and she needs Kendra's public relations expertise and 'spin doctor' approach to help her out of her dilemma. And my oh my what a dilemma it is--totally unexpected and unpredicatable! From the witty to the wicked, Hot Spot is a charming and steamy read. Taressa explores "the hot spot between romantic and professional success, and the things we do when they conflict with one another." (I bet you thought she was talking about another type of hot spot and not to be disappointed she does mention it.) The characters held my attention and in the process, made me laugh, fuss, angry, and laugh some more. The pacing wasn't as smooth as I would have liked and the plot stalled in the middle but the unexpected twists and turns were enough to keep me reading until the end. There was one twist that was so original, I did not anticipate it or see it coming! Actually it caused me to pause and sit with my mouth wide open for a minute before regrouping and continuing the read. Although the trio sister friend theme was not original, TaRessa interweaved other topics that held my interest such as the business side of the public relations industry; workplace romance; maintaining one's ethics in a cutthroat workplace competition; and erotic moves that would even surprise the Kama Sutra. Hmmmm! If you are looking for a quick, easy and entertaining read, centered around three female friends, then I recommend you pick up the Hot Spot by TaRessa. APOOO rating: 3.5 stars. Reviewed by Yasmin APOOO BookClub

(RAW Rating: 4.5) - The Hot Spot is definitely the place to be...

THE HOT SPOT by TaRessa is a fast-paced novel, rich with humor, drama and sensuality. One determined woman, three handsome men, two longtime friends, an enemy that won't go away, a few "screaming orgasms," the Kama Sutra, and a nude beach, all culminate in one spot-The Hot Spot. And it's not just about the place on a woman's body that brings pleasure; it's a place where one woman finds her purpose and regains her strength. As long as one of Atlanta's high profile politicians can't keep his Johnson where it should be, Kendra Harrell, publicist extraordinaire, will always be in demand. Though she's barely one step ahead of the bill collectors, chasing new clients at very every turn and trying like hell to keep her life together, recent events keep Kendra constantly in CMA (cover my ass) mode. Adding to all that drama is a handsome chief of staff, a stalker ex-boyfriend and a hungry reporter who has come too close to the truth and is willing to steamroll over anyone to be the first to put the scandal into print. Hopefully, the latest series of fiascos will turn into a solid contract that will keep her above board, especially since Kendra's old boss and rival has suddenly closed in for the kill, aiming to crush Kendra's spirit and drive her out of business, if not out of the state. What does a strong Black woman have to do to stay ahead? Enter her best friends who have had her back since college. Stephanie Ivey, the queen of engagement rings with a hefty stash to prove it, and Meg, a VIP event planner with a weakness for one man who has a special flaw of his own which may keep them away from the altar. A chance invitation brings them all to a place that will be a turning point for some, but will definitely change their lives forever. THE HOT SPOT was a smoothly written piece that taps into the emotions as effortlessly as a knife slides into Red Velvet Cake. I identified with some of Stephanie and Meg's challenges, but rallied with Kendra during her triumphs, and cheered her on through every obstacle. Each woman had strengths in their own right that made their friendship endearing and the story is sure to resonate with women everywhere. Reviewed by Naleighna Kai TRR Guest Reviewer

For Love Or Pleasure

Platinum Reviewers Rating 4.5 TaRessa brings the flavor of a sister who is determine to keep her business up and running even if it means breaking down and showing her once mentor and teacher exactly who is on top of the game of public relations but the question is exactly how far will one go to get the job done. TaRessa introduces three female characters that will make you laugh, cry, and argue right along with them as they attempt to figure out there way through there relationships and work dilemmas. Kendra Harrell is what one might called the Queen of Spin in the public relations arena in the Atlanta area but she is so hopelessly in love with love itself that she always find herself looking at her bosses or someone closely influence to her boss as a love interest but when she finds her self in a bind that includes her business she makes the attempt to lick her wounds and fly right but not before getting herself into a little fiasco that leads to a crisis of a congressman dilemma to a island retreat with some yummy amenities. Meghan Bennett is what many would consider a Black American Princess her father has always spoiled her and she can't ever get to the altar. Meghan has probably been engaged more than a dozen times but before she gets to the alter she finds something wrong with her beau and ends the situation before she allows it to get out of hand. When she finally finds someone she can settle down with she finds one weird problem and she feels unless this problem can be fix there is no way she will walk the aisle but she is in tune with this guy and love him can she fix the situation before it gets out of hand? Stephanie Ivey is what many would call a sister with a mission she is the corporate guru of the crew and she is determine to juggle the city's most eligible men while continuing her climb up the corporate ladder but when she puts the ultimate situation to the test she realizes one thing and hat's her personal pleasure hasn't been touch and she doesn't know what to do with it. When a preposition is offered to allow them the opportunity to get away from it all they take to enjoy life for what it is but not before someone can make the attempt to sabotage the one big thing that Kendra has going for her but can Kendra put the spin on the situation and still land the big contract with the resort or will she be force to close her business. TaRessa makes you howl and cry during this book but she keeps it real and makes you want to go looking for your Hot Spot just as the ladies do on their search to sexual freedom and career goals.