The Heat Is On

In Rose’s tender fourth Bad Boys of Baseball contemporary (after The Heat of the Moment), two long-separated lovers get their second chance. Pro ballplayer Connor Jackson is glad to be reunited with the New Jersey Sonics as their catcher, and even more delighted when he reconnects with his first love, Tracy Coleman, after 15 years apart—but unbeknownst to him, she’s now heading up her own “team,” her family of four kids. Tracy and Connor agreed to end their relationship, but she never really got over him, even when she married someone else. Now divorced and raising her kids without any help from their father, Tracy is afraid her life will be more than Connor is willing to take on. Connor’s passionate about Tracy but not oblivious to the fact that she’s a package deal, and he needs to be sure he’s willing to commit for the long haul before getting too deeply involved. The story is sensitive and heartwarming, and readers will appreciate the realistic reactions of all the characters as the relationship unfolds. (Jan.)