"Will past mistakes keep her from enjoying a second chance at love?"

Two interfering ghosts despair over their children's lack of a romantic life. Despite their ghostly state, they still want grandchildren. What is a mother to do? Be ghostly matchmakers, of course!

Neurosurgeon Dan Newman knocks Gayla Harris off her feet, literally. A collision in a hospital corridor introduces Dan to this enticing woman who is the daughter of a cantankerous heart surgeon for the hospital. Dan finds himself compelled to ask her out, despite her obvious distain for doctors. When Gayla challenges him to a swim, he agrees without telling her about his disfigurement. When Dan was a child, his left leg was amputated above the ankle after a bout with bone cancer. Not everyone can overlook his handicap, her father included.

Gayla feels embarrassed when she finds out she's challenged an amputee to a race. It's not fair to him, considering she had been an Olympic hopeful just a few years ago. But she learns that Dan is up to doing most everything, including being an excellent swimmer. Too bad her past leads her to believe that she has no right to a happy future.

Dan and Gayla are perfect for each other if only they can get past their insecurities. Very compatible sexually, they must reveal their deepest secrets and fears before they can go forward with a loving relationship. Well-meaning friends and Gayla's estranged father warn against the relationship, sure that Gayla's past will negatively affect Dan's career. Will Dan defy his friends' advice?

Many characters from Ms. Jacob's previous Texas-set BLACK GOLD novels make an appearance in DALLAS HEAT. I found this story to be an enjoyable read, despite some misgivings about Gayla's past mistakes and her father's excessive animosity. Dan is an absolutely wonderful hero, proving he can do almost anything he sets his mind to do. I definitely recommend DALLAS HEAT to readers who liked ANOTHER LOVE.

Sensuality: Rated S-ensuous by the publisher. Explicit sex, light bondage; sexually explicit scenes: 9.

Note: DALLAS HEAT was originally published by Berkley as ARRANGED IN HEAVEN by Sara Jarrod. It has been rewritten for Ellora's Cave.

Reviewed by Denise Powers
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted November 4, 2003

Summary

Sometimes Moms know best, even if they are ghosts.

Two meddlesome mamas scheme to get their much-loved but imperfect children together, and a chance meeting sends a wake-up call to the libidos of the dedicated doctor and the ex-almost Olympic swimmer.

Two parts ghostly intervention, two parts strong wills, serve it up with a generous portion of steaming sex: a love arranged in heaven that really turns up the Dallas Heat.

Publisher's Note: Dallas Heat is a major rewrite of Arranged in Heaven, written by Ann Jacobs as Sara Jarrod, originally released by Berkley Publishing Group.

Sexual Content: S - Sensuous. Genre: Paranormal Contemporary.