From New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey comes the first novel in her hot, new Romancing the Clarksons Series.

When Rita Clarkson’s Suburban takes its last breath on a New Mexico roadside, rescue roars up on a Harley in the form of smooth-talking honkey tonk owner, Jasper Ellis, a man as mysterious as he is charming. Rita’s cross-country journey to New York City–with her three estranged siblings in tow–is only beginning, but now that Jasper has found Rita, his plans do not include her leaving.

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When rescue looks like a whole lot of trouble . . .

The road trip was definitely a bad idea. Having already flambéed her culinary career beyond recognition, Rita Clarkson is now stranded in God-Knows-Where, New Mexico, with a busted-ass car and her three temperamental siblings, who she hasn’t seen in years. When rescue shows up—six-feet-plus of hot, charming sex on a motorcycle—Rita’s pretty certain she’s gone from the frying pan right into the fire . . .

Jasper Ellis has a bad boy reputation in this town, and he loathes it. The moment he sees Rita, though, Jasper knows he’s about to be sorely tempted. There’s something real between them. Something raw. And Jasper has only a few days to show Rita that he isn’t just for tonight—he’s forever.

REVIEW

(By Cindy Meyer)

If you had asked me a week ago, I would have told you that there is nothing sexier than Tessa Bailey’s dirty talking cops. Like cactus, prickly on the outside, but gooey soft on the inside. Well, cactus now has competition: a desert rat by the name of Jasper Ellis.

Too Hot to Handle is the first book in Tessa Bailey’s Romancing the Clarksons series, and it’s Rita’s story. Desperate to escape the shadows of a life in San Diego that has spelled nothing but disappointment – mostly in herself - Rita convinces her siblings to take a cross-country road trip, believing that it is their mother’s dying wish that her children join the Polar Bear Club. Belmont, Peggy, Rita and Aaron set out with the goal of jumping onto the Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island on New Year’s Day. But their plans change less than a day on the road.

Car trouble, and maybe a little divine providence, have the Clarksons stranded in Hurley, New Mexico at the mercy of the only garage mechanic in town, and Rita at the mercy of Jasper Ellis, the self-described joke of Hurley. Jasper and Rita couldn’t be more and less alike at the same time. Their attraction is instantly electric, but neither trusts that they could ever do anything but disappoint the other – not to mention the fact that Rita and her siblings are only in town for the day. Of course, with a little motivation, Jasper may be able to use his influence with the local mechanic to extend their visit.

The Clarkson ensemble is, for me, among the most complicated characters Tessa Bailey has ever penned. The siblings have a love-hate dynamic that was both confusing and liberating, sad and humorous. The story took on different perspectives of the characters so that the reader was a part of each painful struggle. It’s a sure sign of greatness when the last chapter has me sobbing into my pillow.

Five tear-stained stars!

EXCERPT

He dipped down until they were nose to nose, saw the rush of thought going on behind her eyes. It was pretty damn breathtaking up close. “Mind cluing me in as to what’s going on in there?”
“If—if—we need to stay overnight—”
“You will.”
“—then I might see you at the bar.” She wedged a hand between them and separated their bodies.
“I’d rather see someone’s worst than their best. Saves time.”
Jasper heard the tow truck pulling into the garage parking lot and cursed. Not even remotely confident that his first attempt at polite conversation with an available woman had been successful, Jasper walked her backward until they were hidden behind a rusted pay phone. She’d broken away from his touch, so he was careful to respect that. He dropped his mouth to an inch above hers and said, low, “I didn’t get near enough time with you, Rita. If you don’t show up tonight, don’t be surprised if I come looking.” He laid his palms against the warm building, above her head, watched her gaze dip to his stomach. His lap. “And if I have to come looking, I’ll be twice as determined to get that kiss.”
Her head came up. “W-what kiss?”
Jasper lowered his mouth until their lips brushed. He listened to her breath accelerate, watched her wet her lips. “The one I want to give you right now.” He allowed himself to linger another few seconds, then, with the effort of ten oxen, Jasper stepped back. “Tonight, beautiful.”
On his way to his bike, Jasper tipped his hat at Rita’s gaping siblings.

About Tessa Bailey: Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days. Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention. She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband of eight years and four-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.