Making the Deal: Deal Series Book 1 by Shelby MacKenzie is a steamy romance with lots of spice. Rayna Raven, or Ray, is a by-the-book businesswoman who makes clear decisions based on statistics and logic. Jaxson McKells puts his business first but he enjoys life, making him seem too self-assured. Ray and Jax meet to negotiate a deal between their two companies. The deal isn’t closed as quickly as Ray anticipated, and Jax insists on screening Ray more thoroughly before he agrees to her terms. Ray believes Jax is cocky, and even though she knows it’s a bad idea, she starts to give in to his advances. Something that should have been an easy merger becomes much more as Ray and Jax battle their developing feelings for each other and their conflicting business views.

Steamy situations and first sexual encounters can be hot and spicy, and Shelby MacKenzie does not disappoint her readers! At first, their blooming feelings were managed in the same way as their business deals were handled, and neither one of them wanted to admit that their feelings for the other one were moving beyond the sexual tension in the air around them. The romance between Ray and Jax isn’t the only interesting part of the plot, as the author builds her story by including the challenges facing her secondary characters as well. MacKenzie’s story had me turning every page and interested in the growing fire between Jax and Ray! I recommend Making the Deal to mature readers who enjoy romances with heat and strong female characters.

Making the Deal (Deal Series Book 1) by Shelby MacKenzie is a sizzling contemporary romance novel. Rayna Raven is a successful litigator and has developed software that can bring value to a law firm. The brilliant and beautiful lawyer is looking forward to a partnership with McKells Reed, a global law firm. The story unravels at the Tulip Tavern where she is waiting for its managing partner Jax McKells to hopefully close the deal. After thirty minutes of waiting, Rayna’s impatience is showing, and to her surprise, Jax is also waiting for her at the bar. The two lawyers, initially disliking each other, sit down for the merger talk and a power struggle begins. The negotiation continues for the next few days but the physical attraction between them becomes a distraction.

Shelby MacKenzie’s Making the Deal is the mesmerizing first installment in the Deal Series. It’s a love story that starts on the wrong foot and develops into a strong physical attraction that could jeopardize Rayna’s career plans. Fast-paced and hot, the plot moves quickly and is a fast read. The characters are well-developed and it’s enthralling to follow the verbal skirmishes between Rayna and Jax, two strong and larger-than-life personalities. Merger talks are never easy but this one is even more complicated because of the emotions involved. Career women should find Rayna’s character relatable. What started as a merger talk is about to change their lives forever so I am looking forward to the next installment in this series. Highly recommended!

Rayna is a successful attorney whose business is getting the attention it deserves, thanks to her new software program which is proving to be a top contender for the next big thing. Jax has it all; a supportive family, a flourishing business, and looks that would give even Adonis a solid run for his money. Things do not go as planned on their first meeting before the eventual merger of their firms. Rayna's fiery attitude to work clashes with Jax's 'ladies' man' approach to closing deals. She cannot stand him but he is inexplicably attracted to her. Something has to eventually give as the unstoppable force that is Jax confronts the immovable object that is Rayna in Shelby Mackenzie's Making The Deal.

Sparks fly aplenty in Shelby Mackenzie's romantic classic. Her primary characters are well-defined, giving detailed information on their professional and personal lives that left nothing about them to conjecture. She uses a very vivid style of description when telling her story so that you can feel the weight of the sexual tension in the atmosphere when Rayna and Jax interact. The storyline may be simple but it moves along comfortably with the odd subplot that gives it a natural feel. Making The Deal may not be a long and drawn-out romantic drama like one finds is the norm in that genre but the way Shelby Mackenzie penned it left me feeling very satisfied with this novel. A testament to her innate ability to create a top-notch story from simple material.