THE BALLER by Vi Keeland-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway
THE BALLER
Down and Dirty Football #1
by Vi Keeland
Genre: adult, contemporary, sports, erotic romance
Release Date : January 18, 2016
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play/ ibooks
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 18, 2016
The first time I met Brody Easton was in the men’s locker room. It was my first interview as a professional sportscaster. The famed quarterback decided to bare all.
And by all, I don’t mean he told me any of his secrets. No. The arrogant ass decided to drop his towel, just as I asked the first question. On camera.
The Super Bowl MVP quickly adopted a new hobby—screwing with me.
When I pushed back, he shifted from wanting to screw with me, to wanting to screw me. But I don’t date players. And it’s not because I’m one of the few women working in the world of professional football. I’d date an athlete. It’s the other kind of player I don’t date. You know the type. Good looking, strong, cocky, always looking to get laid. Brody Easton was the ultimate player.
Every woman wanted to be the one to change him. But the truth was, all he needed was a girl worth changing for. Turned out, I was that girl. Simple right?
Let’s face it. It never is. There’s a story between once upon a time and happily ever after… And this one is ours.
•••••••••••
REVIEW: THE BALLER is the first installment in Vi Keeland’s DOWN AND DIRTY FOOTBALL stand alone erotic romance story line focusing on professional football quarterback/Super Bowl MVP Brody Easton, and television sportscaster Delilah Maddox.
Told from three first person points of view (Delilah, Brody, Willow) THE BALLER follows Delilah Maddox as one of a handful of female television sports journalists who enters the locker rooms of the professional football league. Her first on-air assignment finds Delilah face to face with cocky, self assured Super Bowl MVP Brody Easton-a man who isn’t afraid to push all of Delilah’s buttons. Their first introduction to one another finds Delilah facing a naked Brody when he drops his towel in an bold act of defiance. What ensues is Brody’s pursuit of Delilah Maddox and Delilah’s need to remain neutral and professional in the face of public scrutiny. Their mutual love of football is a family tradition with both of their father’s originally star quarterbacks as well.
THE BALLER looks at two people whose pasts are mired in heartbreak and loss. Both Delilah and Brody lost someone close, and in this there is a mutual understanding about letting go of the past, and moving forward without looking back, which is easier said than done when Brody’s past comes looking for a second chance.
The relationship between Brody and Delilah is caustic in the beginning. Brody is a bit of an a$$ when it comes to Delilah in the locker room but his a$$holishness hides a desire and attraction he didn’t want to admit. As Brody continues to pursue our heroine, she reminds Brody that she wants something more than a one night stand-to which something Brody is unable to commit. There is plenty of sexual banter, innuendo and come-ons. The $ex scenes are intimate, seductive and intense.
There are numerous secondary and supporting characters including coaches, players, journalists, and co-workers. Brody’s remaining family focuses on a woman named Marlene who adds a bit of off-beat humor to Brody’s demanding life. Delilah’s boss is a bit of a jerk-Mr. CUM-is a misogynistic pr*ck who despises women in the workplace or out in the field-he wants an exclusive interview with Brody Easton and uses our heroine to get what he wants.
The world building focuses on the locker rooms, the interviews, and the public and private life of a professional football hero but also looks at the struggle to stay in a committed relationship when everything and anyone is offered on a golden platter.
THE BALLER is a captivating story line with energetic characters and an impassioned romance. There are moments of heartwarming love, intense sexual attraction and passionate romance followed by misunderstand and heartbreaking realization. The premise is lighthearted and enjoyable but dramatic; the characters are colorful and charismatic; the romance is a slow build to a happily ever after. The epilogue fast forwards the story line a couple of years where we get a glimpse into the future for Delilah and Brody.
Copy supplied by the tour operator.
Reviewed by Sandy
My head whipped around, even though I had no doubt whom the gravelly voice belonged to.
Michael was gracious. “I hate to share. But I suppose I have been hogging the most beautiful woman at the event.” He let go of my hand and stepped back with a gentlemanly nod. “Thank you for the dance, Delilah.”
Again Brody Easton had caught me off guard. Before I knew it, I was dancing with the arrogant jerk. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled my body tight against his. Way tighter than Michael had held me.
“Good to see you again, Lois Lane.”
The man had balls; I had to give him that. I looked him straight in the eyes. “Nice to see you with clothes on, Easton.”
“Do you prefer me without?”
“I prefer you on the other side of the room.”
He chuckled. It was a hearty laugh. “That’s what happens sometimes when you decide you want to hang out in the men’s locker room.”
I tried to pull back, but he tightened his grip and held me in place. I craned my neck. “Let go of me.”
“No.”
“No?”
“That’s right. No.”
“I can scream at the top of my lungs.”
“I’d like to hear you scream.” His tone made it clear he meant he wanted me underneath him while I was doing the screaming.
“You’re an asshole. You know that?”
“I do. You asked me that yesterday. For a reporter, you should really try changing up your questions more frequently.”
My eyes bulged.
Easton shifted his hand down to the small of my back before twirling us around the dance floor. Figures the prick can dance.
“Are you seeing anyone?”
“You can’t be serious?”
He ignored my comment. “Would you like to have dinner tonight?”
“We just ate.”
“Dessert at my place, then?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Did you hit your head at the game yesterday?”
“On a diet, huh?”
“Yeah. That’s it. I don’t want to go to your place for dessert because I’m on a diet.”
“Well, that’s just a shame.”
Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn’t change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting smut author by night!
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