TAKES TWO TO TACKLE (Santa Fe Bobcats #3) by Jeanette Murray-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 15, 2015

Sometimes faking it is your only option…

Football player Stephen Harrison has hit rock bottom—he’s fresh out of rehab, lost too much weight to be an effective offensive lineman, and has no support system in place. The Bobcats staff suggests he get a life coach to keep him sober and get him back into playing shape, but Stephen says his girlfriend will help. Too bad he doesn’t have one…

Luckily for Stephen, he does have a housekeeper. Margaret has always dreamed of starting her own elite cleaning service, and the money Stephen offers her to play the part of girlfriend is too good to pass up. But while Mags is helping Stephen bulk up and get ready for training camp, she can’t seem to block the feelings crashing into her heart. And one night of passion will pull both of their heads out of the game.

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REVIEW: TAKES TWO TO TACKLE is the third installment in Jeanette Murray’s contemporary, adult SANTA FE BOBCATS erotic romance series focusing on the men and women of the Santa Fe Bobcats professional football team. This is offensive lineman Stephen Harrison, and housekeeper Margaret Logan’s storyline. TAKES TWO TO TACKLE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous storylines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives TAKES TWO TO TACKLE focuses on Stephen Harrison’s physical and emotional recovery following a three month stint at rehab for alcohol abuse. Without any means of personal support at home, Stephen lies to the Santa Fe Bobcat staff saying his ‘girlfriend’ will aid in his at-home recovery. Enter Margaret Logan-Stephen’s part time housekeeper- and the woman who will steal his heart. Stephen offers Margaret a business arrangement whereby he will double her wages if she pretends to be his live-in girlfriend. There is an expiry date on their ‘faux’ relationship, and with it will come heartbreak and the loss of friendship and love.

TAKES TO TWO TACKLE looks at the long road to recovery as Stephen’s cravings increase with exposure to his ‘drug’ of choice. While the other players enjoy a beer or two with friends, Stephen craves what it is he cannot have.

The relationship between Stephen and Mags begins as employee/employer to friends to something more. Mags (as she likes to be called) is a part time housekeeper for a number of Stephen’s teammates, and in this many of the players and their wives have grown close to the woman that Stephen wants to call his own. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive.

Many of the previous storyline couples and characters play secondary and supporting roles. We are re-introduced to Cassie and Trey (One Night With a Quarterback #1), and Aileen and Killian (Loving Him Off The Field #2). There is some personal trouble brewing for the Santa Fe Bobcats head coach, and his two youngest daughters will begin to act out accordingly, looking for support from an outside source. Cassie’s friend Anya arrives in time to save Mags from a fashion disaster. Anya and Josiah’s story is next-ROMANCING THE RUNNING BACK.

TAKES TWO TO TACKLE continues to focus on the Santa Fe Bobcats professional football team: the players, the girlfriends and wives, the staff, the media and game day excitement. Jeanette Murray pulls the reader into the locker room, onto the field, and behind the scenes as the players navigate the world of professional sports. We are witness to Stephen’s struggles as he endeavors to regain some of the weight and muscle he has lost, as well as staying sober to maintain his position on the team and a positive direction in life.

Jeanette Murray writes a story about two people with issues of betrayal; personal insecurities; and professional demons. The premise is entertaining with some moments of fun and humor; the characters are likeable, colorful and realistic; the romance is slow to build with a happily ever after.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy