This has to be worst book I have ever read of Elizabeth Lowells. Usually all her books are keepers and I love reading them again but this one I have sold off. I am in total agreement with other reviewers who found this just not realistic and bad dialog.

Only a mistreated, emotionally abused woman like Tory would fall in lust with a cruel abusive man like Ethan. All the man did was treat her like dirt, laugh at her, and then have sex with her. She would have been a lot better off walking into town and out of his life forever.

Lowell writes good time wasting books. I am glad I read a lot of them before this one. There is no excuse for it.

Please be forewarned that this is NOT one of Ms. Lowell's best efforts! Do NOT purchase it unless you must have a copy for your collection. In that case, I would suggest a good used copy. It is a reprint of an earlier Harlequin edition. Need I say more? Yes, I believe I will. There is very little plot and not enough depth to the characters to explain why they are as they are, especially Reever's character.

When I read the reviews for this book, I couldn't wait to read it. But after reading it, I was terribly disapointed. The heroine (Tory) seemed to be too naive and the hero (Reever) was absolutely horrible. There was not much basis for Tory to fall in love with Reever. How can you fall in love with someone who puts you down and treats you like dirt? The love scenes were too drawn out,and some of the things they said to each other during sex were completely corny. For example, "It's all right," Reever said gently, biting Tory with exquisite delicacy. "You're almost ready now." "For what?" she whispered, and her voice, like her body, trembled." "To die with me inside you, and then to be born again the same way. With me. We're going to be together all the way to our souls." I almost didn't finish the book due to some of the ridiculous conversation. Overall, I would honestly have to say that I would not recommend this book to anyone. It was a waste of time to read.

The re-issue of Elizabeth Lowell's classic Harlequin Too Hot To Handle is a delightful rehash of her earthy style in the earlier efforts. Afflicted by a debilitating injury, Victoria Wells has been cruelly deprived of her aspirations as a champion diver. With a dysfunctional family and lost hopes and job, she leaves home for the Arizona Sundance Ranch where she was promised a job. The honcho of the ranch Ethan Reever turns out to be condescending to city women but reluctantly gives her a job after witnessing her sympathetic plight. The tension of the opposite couple surrenders to a passion that neither can deny - even with their considerable age gap. Tory finds herself falling in love with him as the chemistry between the two smolders but Ethan promises he will give no women his heart. Elizabeth Lowell's classic romance remains timeless and sizzles with deep-sated passion and ravaging emotions. Despite the formulaic plot, the fiery interludes especially the riding lessons rages with a sensual inferno that makes it scandalously hot even after a decade since its release.