Straddling the Line by Jaci Burton – Review & Giveaway

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Straddling the Line by Jaci Burton – Review & Giveaway

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Straddling the Line
Play by Play – Book #8
by Jaci Burton
Release Date: July 1, 2014

Straddling the LineAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Trevor Shay has a successful career straddling the two sports he loves—football and baseball. He puts it all on the line for old friend Haven Briscoe, though, when she has a tough time getting her professional career together after the death of her father. Despite her misgivings, Haven accepts the assignment of doing a feature bio on Trevor, but he’s an attractive force of nature and there’s a lot more to him than meets the eye. Secrets are revealed and chemistry is added to the mix as they each help each other through some tough times.

 

Review:

What can I say, I’m a sports nut and this series couldn’t be more up my alley. I love a good story where the hero is an athlete, and once again Jaci Burton delivers with Straddling the Line. I don’t know how she does it, but book after book, she makes me feel as though I’m a part of the story and right there cheering her hero on as he plays his particular sport. Now, I’m a huge hockey and baseball fan, so her hockey and baseball centered stories are my favourites of hers, but I’ve enjoyed all her other books in her Play by Play series as well. Straddling the Line is book 8 in this popular series by Jaci Burton.

Once again, Jaci delivers on the hotness factor with her latest hero. Trevor Shay is the ultimate in athletes thanks to his sporting prowess in two sports, baseball and football.   The guy is a natural in both sports and somehow manages to juggle a dual sporting career. I loved Trevor from the get go in this one and only grew to love him more and more as the story went on. The guy is not only amazing on the field, but also in the bedroom. Let me just say you will need a pitcher of ice water and a fan close by when you read this one. Trevor definitely knows how to turn on the heat and make a girl loose any inhibitions she may have when it comes to sex. Ms. Burton brings the steam in this romance between Trevor and Haven. This couple burned up the pages in Straddling the Line. Just when you think they can’t get any hotter, they do, but these scenes also provide much needed insight into Trevor and Haven’s psyche’s regarding love and trusting someone else. Neither character has ever been in a long term relationship, or experienced feelings like this before, and seeing them explore them through a sexual relationship as well as friendship helps draw the reader even more into the story and allows us to get to know both characters even better.

As their relationship progresses we see Haven finally come to terms with the death of her father, and it’s Trevor that helps her to finally accept all that happened and what’s happened since her father’s passing. As Haven finally moves forward she starts to see Trevor in a new light, but at the same time realizes there’s a part of himself he’s not letting her see. It’s not until Haven accidentally backs him into a corner that she finally learns his secret. At first it looks as though things are finished between them but in true Burton fashion she allows the characters to work through the issue and see that they are better together then apart, and when Trevor and Haven both go to each other to make up, the scene is magic. There are no other words I can possibly use to describe that scene. I think Trevor had me tearing up a little when he was talking to Haven in that scene. These are two characters who are meant to be together and their journey to their HEA is beautifully written.

Once again Ms. Burton writes a fun, fast paced and emotional story that centers around a sports hero. Both hero and heroine are strong characters and compliment each other very nice in Straddling the Line. They hold their own, and are able to drive the story page after page, making the reader not want to put the book down. As an added bonus for any sports nut like I am, the sport footage scenes are well written and make you feel like you are at the ball field and foot ball stadiums watching Trevor play his two favourite sports. It was also nice to see some past characters return in this one and be a part of Trevor and Haven’s story. The scenes with these characters are fun and comical at times and also provided a nice balance to the emotional part of the story taking place between our hero and heroine. I’d say Ms. Burton has another hit on her hands with this current installment in her Play by Play series. I’m already looking forward to her next installment and I highly recommend this series.

Until next time, happy reading my little sports nuts. 😉

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher


giveaway

Jaci and her publisher, Berkley, are offering a paper copy of Straddling the Line to one (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

 1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on  FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry

5. LIKE  Jaci Burton  on Facebook.

6. The giveaway is open to U.S. only.

7. The giveaway runs from July 16  to July 20, 2014

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51 thoughts on “Straddling the Line by Jaci Burton – Review & Giveaway”

  1. A wonderful review, Marcie. I would love to go back and read this series. I love Jaci’s Hope series, which lucky for me I started in the first book. Hard to catch up with an 8th books these days. But I’m sure they can be read as standalones.

  3. Thanks for the post and your thoughts on this book. I love this series and this looks like another great addition to it. I follow you on twitter and fb w/notifications along with Jaci Burton. Thanks for the chance to win!
    kgagnon at donofrio dot cc

  15. suegaluska (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Already LIKED on FACEBOOK and GET NOTIFICATIONS
    Already LIKED us on Twitter
    Already LIKED Jaci Burton on Facebook.

    Love these books. Jaci has the BEST covers out there!
    Thanks for the chance to win.

  20. I love this series! I really want to read this one!
    I like Reading Cafe & Jaci Burton on FB & get notifications as Daphne Schexnayder Trumps
    I follow both on twitter as dmtrumps

  24. I am a hardcore historical romance geek, but a few contemporary romance authors can pull me away & SUBMERGE me into their wonderful world! Jaci Burton is one of those AMAZING & CREATIVE authors! Thanks for letting me live in your COSMO for awhile& PRETTY PLEASE NEVER stop writing!

  25. I love this series and I just started it during the winter too. I’m not really a sports fan but this series is just awesome. I like both this site and Jaci’s on FB and follow on twitter (@paaj_xyooj)

  38. Thanks for the wonderful comments everyone. Yes Rachel u need to dive into this series. Sandy I know what u mean, I have series I want to read but just haven’t the time.

  40. Enjoyed the review. I’m always happy to find a new Jaci Burton book, because I know what is behind the cover will be great reading. Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks!

  46. Oh Boy! I hadn’t realized Jaci has another in this series coming out! Love ’em!
    – LIKE u on FACEBOOK w/ NOTIFICATION – Diane Sallans
    – LIKE u on Twitter – @DianeSallans
    – LIKE Jaci Burton on Facebook – Diane Sallans

  47. Gah I love this series and not just for the drool worth covers! They combine my two favorite things (besides my family) books and sports!

    Thanks so much!
    mmafsmith AT gmail DOT com
    twitter @TexasBookLover
    FB (Reading Cafe & Jaci) – Maria Smith

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