Hot & Spicy - P. T. Macias

This debut erotic romance tells the dramatic story of the De La Cruz's - a hard working Mexican American family that run a successful architectural company. The eldest cousin Jose Enrique's claims of introducing his girlfriend at the 25th Anniversary party of the company puts him in an awkward situation - there is no girl. However, his sister Paty, carries out a little matchmaking.

In walks Jessica Maria Cortez - Paty's best friend. She is stunning and Jose Enrique can't believe he never noticed his sister's childhood friend. Jessica has always been in love with him and is anxious on two counts - will he fall in love with her and will she be able to become the main interior designer at De La Cruz Inc?

Just as they find themselves wrapped up in sizzling ecstasy, their perfect world is plunged into one where the Navy Seals and the Mexican cartel come face to face. How did the De La Cruz become pawns in the drug world and how can Jose Enrique and his family save their family and its name from corruption? More importantly, can he and Jessica start their lives together?

The premise of the plot is good but the execution wasn't quite there. The use of 'Spanglish' would certainly make the reader get in to the feel of the characters, how they speak and address each other, but once shown there is little need to keep emphasizing it. It becomes too distracting. The author relied too much on the thoughts of the characters to push the story forward and in some chapters there was a slight repetition of what was about to happen which stilted the flow of this story.

Starting off with the romantically and erotically charged relationship between Jose Enrique and Jessica you're suddenly introduced to the Mexican cartel and all this danger for the family which broke up that passion and momentum. The number of cousins and their respective partners at times can become quite overwhelming and difficult to keep track of and the relationships formed too easily. The issue of sex before marriage was supposed to be a major thing, but not explored more deeply by the characters.

Overall it's an enjoyable story but I felt that there was too much going on. For me, if the author had slowed down the romance between the main characters and left out the cartel, it would have made a better impact.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive review.