Here's what the reviewers
are saying about
U.S. Male
Book #2 of Sealed With a Kiss

Harlequin Blaze
August 2005

The Romance Reader's Connection (4 ½)
Sensual Romance Reviews
RT Bookclub (4 ½ stars, Top Pick!)
Romance Junkies

The Romance Reader's Connection (4 ½)
“U.S. Male is a thrill from first page to last!”
Joss Chastain is reeling from the recent theft of her grandfather's prized stamps worth millions of dollars. Though her sister Gwen was successful in recovering some of the losses; the whereabouts of a very valuable stamp known as the "One Penny Mauritius" remains elusive. Now, the investigating agency, Interpol, is dropping their investigation for lack of evidence. But Gwen and Joss believe that a high-powered Swedish collector is holding the missing stamp and Joss has a plan to get it back.

What security expert John Baxter wants, after wrapping up his latest project, is to take a vacation. Instead, he gets a gypsy-like beauty in need of his expertise and international connections. Despite his misgivings concerning the feasibility of recovering the stolen stamp, Bax finds himself won over by Joss' determination, confidence and sensuality. With the promise of no-strings sex to sweeten the deal, how can Bax possibly say no?

U.S. Male is a thrill from first page to last! Ms. Hardy's already dynamic storytelling gets better and better with each book released. As a reader and a fan, I find it difficult to choose a favorite but this latest offering is definitely one of the best. Though a sequel to Certified Male, U.S. Male stands alone well. Ms. Hardy has taken the elements of danger and intrigue to a more intense level than the previous story. With respect to chemistry between hero Bax and heroine Joss, U.S. Male hits the mark and blows it away! This reader also greatly enjoyed the evolution of Joss' character from a free spirit to a force to be reckoned with. U.S. Male offers up more than just sizzling adventures between the sheets; and if this is an example of the future of the Blaze line, it will no doubt keep readers happy for years to come!

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Sensual Romance Reviews
“…a fabulous romantic suspense thriller that never decelerates …”
In San Francisco, someone stole the rare Blue Mauritius stamp from her grandfather’s business while her sister Gwen Chastain was on watch (see Certified Male). Feeling sorry for her sibling and knowing the family business is in jeopardy, Joss Chastain decides to try to recover the valuable stamp. Her plan is simple she will hire a private investigator to escort her to Stockholm where she believes the person possessing the stamp is; there she will pretend to have the Orange Mauritius stamp.

Joss hires sleuth John Baxter, who reluctantly accepts the case though he tries to persuade her to stay in California while he tries to recover the stolen stamp. She rejects his idea so he agrees to her ploy because he fears someone less reputable will harm her or let her get hurt. As they work together in Stockholm, Joss and Bax fall in love, but first there remains a stolen stamp to recover.

U.S. Male is a fabulous romantic suspense thriller that never decelerates from the moment that Joss hires Bax. The action-packed story line grips the audience as Bax has cardiac arrests at the same time his heart has never felt more complete in both cases due to his client. Sub-genre readers will appreciate this fine tale that though can stand alone as Kristin Hardy cleverly interweaves the back story, is even further enhanced by reading Gwen’s escapades first.

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RT Bookclub (4 ½ stars, Top Pick!)
“…exotic settings filled with details, adventure, excitement, romance, and hot sex.”
An international thriller completes the story of the Chastain sisters and the famous stamps they’re trying to recover. Joss Chastain is determined to find the collector who arranged for the theft of the Blue Mauritius. Posing as the temporary holder of the companion stamp, the Orange one-penny Mauritius, she hires John Baxter, security consultant, to go with her to Stockholm and offers it for sale as bait. John doesn’t want any one working with him, especially not an amateur but she makes him an offer he can’t refuse. Sealed With A Kiss: U.S. Male (4 1/2 TOP PICK) by Kristin Hardy has excellent exotic settings filled with details, adventure, excitement, romance, and hot sex.

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Romance Junkies
“I highly recommend this witty and suspenseful novel to all!
Joss Chastain needs to redeem herself. She is the one responsible for the theft of their Grandfather’s prized stamps, worth millions. She needs to be the one who finds and returns the remaining one. It shouldn’t be a problem with the help of gorgeous P.I. John Baxter, he doesn’t want her help, but she has a feeling that her way of convincing him, will change his mind.

The one-penny Mauritius and the Blue Mauritius, or better known as The Post Office Mauritius pair, are the most valuable pair of stamps in the world. Which until a few weeks ago, when they were both stolen, belonged to Joss’s Grandfather. Thanks to her sister Gwen, the Blue Mauritius is now back in their possession, but the One-penny Mauritius still needs to be found and returned, before her grandparents return from their extended vacation. Because she played a part in their loss, Joss is determined to find the one-penny Mauritius and bring it back. Using the services of an executive security specialist seems the best choice she has. The security consultant she is referred to, ends up being a stop-you-in-your tracks kind of hunk, maybe this job won’t be as tough as she first thought?

John Baxter is looking forward to his long awaited vacation, there is nothing that is going to keep him from his European holiday. Until a woman who is a combination of vibrant colors, subtle scents, and incredible attitude, breezes into his office and demands his help. Having always worked alone, he is not about to drag this feisty but unprepared-for-danger woman with him to Stockholm. Joss has no intention of sitting on the sideline, she is going to Stockholm with “Bax” and she has the perfect cover for them. They will go as lovers.

As Joss and Bax head into an amazing adventure filled with humor, passion and danger, will they manage to be successful, and return the stolen stamp to its rightful owner? Will the charade of being lovers turn into something real and perfect for them both? Or are they both about to lose it all?

U.S. Male, the second book in the “Sealed With A Kiss” series is a delightfully action-packed novel. Meeting up with these fascinating characters again, and continuing their search for the missing stamps is marvelous good fun! Ms. Hardy started her fast-paced momentum in Certified Male and has successfully managed to keep it going with U.S. Male. I highly recommend this witty and suspenseful novel to all!

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