LEVELING THE FIELD (Gamers #4) by Megan Erickson-a review
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 2, 2016
Reclusive magazine exec Ethan Talley is furious when his business partner hires a photographer—a gorgeous photographer who insists on speaking her mind, damn it—to take pictures for an upcoming article. No matter how badly he wants the woman…under him, over him, against the nearest wall…he has reasons for not wanting to be on camera anymore, and his scars are only one of them.
It takes approximately two seconds for Lissa Kingsman to recognize Ethan as the popular YouTube gamer who fell off the planet years ago. But this Ethan is different than the charming man she used to watch, and the crush she had on him then is nothing compared to the way she’s lusting after the brooding man he is today. If sex is all he can give her, fine. Why not use that bearskin rug in her studio for something other than a prop? But she’s determined to put a chink in his armor, no matter how much he resists.
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REVIEW: LEVELING THE FIELD is the fourth installment in Megan Erickson’s contemporary, adult GAMERS erotic, romance series focusing on the men and women who work for Gamers Magazine and in the gaming industry. This is former YouTube sensation and Gamers co-owner Ethan Talley, and photographer Lissa Kingsman. LEVELING THE FIELD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Grant is Chloe’s brother (Playing for Her Heart #2).
Told from dual third person perspectives (Lissa and Ethan) LEVELING THE FIELD follows the building relationship between Lissa and Ethan. Ethan is a man who keeps to himself; hides a multitude of physical and emotional scars that have left him a broken shell of a man, and a man whose heart was destroyed with the death of someone close. Enter Lissa Kingsman, a woman whose own emotional scars remain hidden behind the glitter of boudoir photography, and a smile that presents its face to the world. When Lissa’s latest assignment to photograph the reclusive Gamer entrepreneur goes downhill, she is stunned when Ethan makes her an offer she doesn’t want to refuse. What ensues is the friends with benefits relationship between two people whose earlier years met with heartbreak, loss, and grief. Tragedy struck both families: where Ethan has shunned the outside world and the family he once loved, Lissa calls attention to the people who have overcome their scars and obstacles in life.
LEVELING THE FIELD is a storyline that covers a number of issues including accidental death, suicide, gay lovers, interracial relationships, and dysfunctional family heartbreak. All of the previous storyline couples play secondary and supporting roles. We are introduced to Lissa’s parents and her brother Angel, as well as Ethan’s family-long estranged from their only son.
LEVELING THE FIELD is a quick and sexy read. There are moments of heartbreak and presumed betrayal; grief and loss; acceptance and moving forward. The premise is enjoyable; the characters are colorful, animated and fun; the romance is seductive. There is no denying the attraction between our leading couple but some of their interludes felt cold and empty hearted-it is the nature of the beast that only wants $ex with no emotional after thoughts.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
Reviewed by Sandy
