AGAINST THE ROPES (First to Fight #2) by Jeanette Murray- a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 6, 2015

As a troubled teen, Gregory Higgs channeled his energy into boxing instead of breaking the law. The ring gave him purpose and something to strive for. So did the Marines. Combining the two seemed like a natural fit.

Another natural fit? Reagan Robilard, the sweet athlete liaison who keeps all the fighters out of trouble and manages their PR—a job that gets more challenging when someone digs up the truth about Greg’s not-so-shiny past after equipment is vandalized at the gym.

Even if it wasn’t her job, Reagan can’t let Greg take the fall. Because passion doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to matters of the heart

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REVIEW: AGAINST THE ROPES is the second instalment in Jeanette Murray’s contemporary, adult FIRST TO FIGHT military, romance series focusing on a group of Marine Corps boxers and the women they love. This is Marine/boxer Gregory Higgs, and PR representative Reagan Robilard’s storyline.

Told from several third person points of view AGAINST THE ROPES continues to focus on the destruction, and threats against the Marine boxing team with the attacks becoming more personal and aggressive. As the PR representative for the boxing team, it is Reagan’s job to spin the press but the continued attacks and threats against their own find Reagan falling behind when the attacks become personal and Greg Higgs is a target for both the press and the harassment. Several purposefully planted clues take aim at Greg and his ‘colourful’ past, and Reagan’s job is on the line when she is unable to keep a handle of the negative PR.

The relationship between Greg and Reagan is one of mutual attraction that finds our couple trying to keep secret their liaisons and personal life. While Reagan continues to push Greg for information about his earlier life, Reagan soon discovers that the man with whom she has fallen in love has a secret and dangerous past she knew nothing about. The $ex scenes are intimate and romantic; there are no erotic sexual situations and no graphic sexual language.

AGAINST THE ROPES is an ensemble storyline with several of the previous storyline characters playing supporting and secondary roles. Marianne and Brad (Below the Belt #1) have a strong presence throughout the story, as does Marine Graham who begins to take an interest in Kara-the team’s yoga instructor. The banter and camaraderie between the boxers is friendly; there is a definite support system in place.

The world building continues to focus on the preparation for the upcoming boxing matches, but begins to aggressively turn its’ attention to the investigation into who or what is responsible for the acts of violence and betrayal against the Marine boxing team. I do have an issue with the unreality as it pertains to a lack of security and closed circuit monitors on a Marine base with visible MPs who apparently are not doing their job. The situation is disconcerting under the circumstance and what could very well be terrorist threats at another time seems to be all but ignored by the people in charge-they are quick to blame a PR rep for the trouble and not actively looking into the who, what and why. The situation, as presented, is not believable as it pertains to the investigation and blame.

AGAINST THE ROPES is an entertaining storyline. The premise is engaging with colourful and charismatic characters. The romance is predictable but seductive; the happily ever after has yet to be revealed as the Marine Corps boxing team continues to struggle with threats from an unknown source. There are no active military scenes or sequences; the series focuses on the boxing team and the person(s) responsible for the attacks.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Below The Belt
First To Fight #1
by Jeanette Murray
Release Date: April 7, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary, military romance

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 7, 2015

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of BELOW THE BELT

There’s more than one way to win in the debut of the First to Fight series…

Athletic trainer Marianne Cook is ready to do whatever it takes to turn the men of the Marine Corps boxing team into fighting machines. After all, her ultimate goal is to land a job training professional athletes. But when she notices a certain hard-bodied marine trying to hide an injury, Marianne realizes that she’ll have to use covert tactics to get him talking.

First Lieutenant Brad Costa has waited years for the chance to fight for a spot on the Marine Corps boxing team, knowing he has to push twice as hard to get half as far as his younger counterparts. Brad tries to downplay his injuries to the attractive trainer who has his dreams in her hands, but Marianne isn’t buying it. Maybe it’s time to deploy some targeted flattery.

As Brad and Marianne’s attraction turns red-hot, there’s more than one person having a hard time keeping their eyes on the prize…