It is clear that Skye Jordan is a skilled writer. The way they construct sentences and scenes kept me engaged, even when the subject matter made me uncomfortable.
I requested this book for the "paranormal romance" label. While this has a bit of that vibe, it is more what I consider dark romance. It starts with a kidnapping that includes physical violence between the central couple. Yes, there are a lot of extenuating circumstances, but it is still a gross dynamic. Minority representation is also not done with sensitivity. When all of the black characters mentioned by 38% are either gangsters or prostitutes, I think you need some editing.

Prison Break meets Mutants...

Okay, suspend your disbelief and get on the smoking hot ride that is Hot Blooded.
Teague is desperate and desperate men do crazy things, like kidnap the wrong woman to use for leverage. Alyssa is just trying to finish her study and then hops on board for the crazy train of steamy drama....with mutant abilities.

I hadn't read anything of Skye Jordan, but it was the cover that drew my eye. Having read the Phoenix Rising series of Abigail Owen, I expected this one to be similar. But it wasn't! Whereas Abigail's Phoenix are supernatural born, Skye tells us the story of firefighters who were exposed with a secret chemical during a fire. And now that they are developing strange symptoms, they are being held by the government for experimentation.

Ever since the fire and explosion in that government building, Teague's world has gone to hell. Being accused of murder and being experimented on, he broods on escaping and living somewhere remote, where no one can find him. After months of planning, he kidnaps his nurse, as a means to get out. Only to realize that it's the wrong woman he has targeted.

Taking over a shift from one of her colleagues ended up being the worst decision of her life. Suddenly Alyssa is being kidnapped and taken on the run, with one of the inmatesBut while on the run, Alyssa learns about Teague's story and she becomes intrigued: what kind of chemicals was he exposed to and how could that result in his new abilities?

Together they try to find the answers. But there are people who don't want them to find the truth. A gripping story, full of drama, injustice and suspense at every page. I loved it! Hopefully Skye will come up with some new stories in this series. Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

I can't say enough about how much I loved this book! Gripping adventure, intrigue, steamy love scenes with paranormal elements that made it impossible to put down. I love all of Skye Jordan's books but this is easily one of the best I've read of hers. I can't wait to read the next in this series!

I can't say enough about how much I loved this book! Gripping adventure, intrigue, steamy love scenes with paranormal elements that made it impossible to put down. I love all of Skye Jordan's books but this is easily one of the best I've read of hers. I can't wait to read the next in this series!

What an exciting read! The story crackled and burned to the point where I couldn’t stop reading until I knew absolutely everything. I was completely immersed in Teague and Alyssa. Not only was I rooting for them to succeed but I found myself wanting to know more about the event that started it all. I’m excited for more from this group of ex-firefighters. 5 stars!!!

This book was a RIDE, and you have to hold on to keep up!

Dr. Alyssa Foster is just trying to put in the hours to get a foot in the door to become an attending doctor so she offers to take a field shift. Little did she know that shift would include helping tend to a prison inmate at the hospital. Teague, said inmate, has a plan of escaping this wrongful sentence he was dealt which includes taking a hostage. Did I mention Alyssa was COVERING a shift for someone else? This all happens within the first few pages! So BUCKLE UP!

This fast paced thriller/mystery has you constantly guessing who is on which side of the law while also piecing together everyone’s pasts. I read this book in one sitting and it set up nicely for the sequel since you are now emotionally invested in their story!

🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ / 5

Read this if you like:
• Forced proximity
• On the run
• Strong FMC

Hot Blooded by Skye Jordan absolutely sucked me in from the first chapter. This is a definite action packed story with some spice! Hot blooded is the story of Alyssa Foster and Teague Creek's journey.
Alyssa Foster is feisty hard-working doctor fighting for the position she wants at the hospital she works at. Teague Creek was a former paramedic and firefighter before his life changed and he got paranormal powers and sent to jail. All he wants is to escape and reunite with his daughter, Kat. In his escape he captures Alyssa in the hope to use her as leverage without realizing she isn't the woman he planned on taking. Follow Alyssa and Teague's journey in Hot Blooded!

SPICE 2/5 🌶🌶
Just the right amount of spicy scenes in this romance novel. I loved seeing Teague and Alyssa's relationship evolve in the story as the romance was well-written.

Would I recommend Hot Blooded? Yes! This is a great urban fantasy slow-burn romance novel with a hint of some paranormal activity!

e-book provided by NetGalley and publisher (Thank you!)
All thoughts and opinions are mine.
REVIEWED: 3/11/2023

An exciting start to a new series. Action packed, drama, danger and an unexpected romance brings this first book in the Phoenix Rising series to life. Teague and Alyssa first meeting was a case of mistaken identity, but once it started it couldn’t be stopped and as their situation escalates so does their heat level. What happens next was an exciting and enjoyable start to an already addicting series and I can’t wait to see what happens next. I loved how the storyline kept me interested from start to finish with its enemies to lovers romance and all the twist that kept me flipping the pages until the end.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Author Collective 20 for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This I believe is the first in a new series. I liked the book, but felt there was a backstory that I was missing. This is the story of Dr. Alyssa Foster, a feisty kidnapped radiologist. She is the wrong woman! Teague Creek wrongfully incarcerated feels he has nothing to lose. They have an interesting chemistry. This is a crazy, convoluted but interesting story. It does have quite a bit of violence, so be warned. 3 stars

This book was intriguing from the first page. It immediately grabs you in with a thriller plot with a twist of violence. It keeps you wanting more and more with each chapter. The addition of every character is so critical and intriguing. Find out how a firefighter life was flipped upside down and it wasn’t for the reason everyone else believes.

I will say I really did not like how Creek was referred to as Creek in some paragraphs and in other not even a paragraph later as Teague. It seems as though that had me sometimes questioning who was speaking or from what perspective it was trying to portray. I will also say it left me kind of disappointed with then ending. The entire book was so detailed until the ending which just seemed lack luster as I was just hoping for more related to the court case with Creek.

Well, the book was not for me.
I really liked the premise and it seemed to be very interesting, but it kinda fell flat. I'm not particularly fond of third person pov, but I felt like it was such a hassle to read and it was a bit confusing.
The whole chemical gas giving strange powers is such an exciting plot, and I wished we could have gotten more from it.

Also I cannot forget the usage "dark-skinned Blacks" when referring to a gang. I could have let it slide if we read a characters personal thoughts, but it wasn't..

I wished I could have given it more stars, but it just felt a bit hard to get through.

OMG!! Loved this book. Wrongful imprisonment, paranormal powers, bad guys. Don’t forget the love story in there too. I was hooked while I was reading it. Skye Jordan writes an amazing story that had me kinda sitting on the edge of my chair a few times. Teague and Alyssa. I love them.
5⭐️

Teague Creek was impacted by a warehouse explosion in ways that weren't natural. He can now control his body temperature. He was convicted of a crime and is trying to get to his daughter. That is what leads to the adventure of his journey to be free of jail, kidnapping Alyssa and then ultimately proving his innocence. From the start his journey he remained true to his values as does Alyssa. She was not the typical kidnapped "victim" and brought a great character to this story. Very strong female. Overall the adventure brought them in and out of danger from external forces to the forces pulling them together. Overall great read! I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

4.5🌟!

If someone asked me to describe this book in one sentence I would say ‘Anxiety Inducing’! Throughout the book my BP was quite high with how things were going.

I felt so much for Teague Creek! Throughout the book I was thinking God, give that man a break he’s been through so much already. I hated all his adversaries and the injustices done to him.
His meeting and kidnapping of Alyssa was the best thing that happened to him in years.
I loved the sh*t out of Alyssa. She was such a strong badass heroine and I’m in awe of her strength, courage and generous heart.
The plot was so so gripping and thrilling. There is conspiracy, betrayal, injustice, loyalty, passion and action. And it’s fast paced and written so beautifully.

The reason I didn’t give it 5🌟 is because, the ending felt a bit rushed when I wanted it to be so much longer after the whole fiasco. And some of the questions leading the plot didn’t get answered. I hate loose ends in the book. Maybe they will get solved in book 2.
But this book did have an HFN ending and it’s a really enjoyable book so recommended and included in KU.

**Received this book as an ARC from netgalley and the publisher. These are my honest opinions**

This was my first time reading a book by Skye Jordan and I was not disappointed.

This was a fun romantic thriller filled with government conspiracies/coverups, wrongful convictions, a little twist of the paranormal.

Alyssa is just minding her business, trying to get through another long work day when she’s suddenly taken hostage by Teague (who thinks she’s someone else entirely). From there, what was supposed to be an easy escape plan turns into a royal shit show.

Teague is really a horrible criminal, lol, poor thing couldn’t get any of his plans to go right, and Alyssa just kept sassing him the entire time. Their chemistry was evident and I was happy despite all the chaos that ensued they got their HEA.

Definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

Enjoyable read, but I found it slow in places, first time for me with this author.

I found the characters wonderful and loved the chemistry they had, and the story was good too.
The plot and the setting were really good and kept me interested.
Maybe I will try more and see if I can find a new direction for my reading.

Many thx to Netgally for the Arc
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

1.25/5 stars! This is a paranormal romance with an almost superhero-creation-story aspect. I was excited by the premise and hopeful for this book. However, I really struggled to enjoy this story. The portrayal of Alyssa as a doctor was extremely unrealistic and honestly made me feel icky considering I've spent the last 5 years of my life getting my own doctorate. We are taught to use critical thinking, create boundaries in our lives, and how to analyze complex concepts and yet she lets herself enter an abusive relationship with Creek. There were also some issues with the way she chose to portray some of the side characters that made me uncomfortable. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Teague Creek was convicted and found guilty of a murder he did not commit. Prior to his conviction he and his team of firefighters were present at a warehouse explosion that changed their lives. He now seems to have the ability to raise his body temperature at will. This is why the prison sent him to St. Anne's for a sonogram. Teague uses this opportunity to plan an escape, taking Alyssa as his hostage.

I really enjoyed Hot Blooded. At the beginning of the book I wanted to hate Teague but as I learned more about his story and background became clear it was evident that he was truly a good guy in a bad situation. Alyssa is such a strong, independent female character. She is so focused on her life and the goals that she has set for herself that she is unable to see outside her norm. Teague forces Alyssa to reassess life as she understands it. Several secondary characters bring depth to the storyline and I am excited to learn more about each of them.

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I loved this book. It sucked me in right from the start. Skye Jordan’s books have never disappointed me!

Alyssa Foster is competing for a full time position in a hospital and has worked non stop. Covering for one of the other staff members she is called to examine a convicted criminal Teague Creek. That’s when the action starts and it’s not stop from that point.

Teague kidnaps Alyssa believing she is the doctor that Alyssa was covering for and makes his escape along with another prisoner who is definitely not one of the good guys.

Through their time together Alyssa battles with her conscience to uncover whether Teague is the good guy her gut is telling her or if he is the bad guy the media is portraying him to be. She fights him every step of the way even when in life threatening situations she shows her strength. She also finds herself falling for him.

Teague is strong and fiercely determined to have his freedom as he has something and someone to fight for. Having had everyone turn against him he is slow to trust but finds himself drawn to Alyssa although he doesn’t think he is able to offer her anything.

This book has action, steam and a slight hint of what is termed paranormal. I wouldn’t let this put you off as it’s not paranormal in the sense of magic, vampires or shifters more that Teague has developed an ability as a result of his situation.

I can’t wait to read more in this series.

Thanks to the author #NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this story. This is my honest review. Publish date is 1 March