Tag Archives: MMA

Winning Love (Love to The Extreme 3) by Abby Niles-a review

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WINNING LOVE (Love to the Extreme #3) by Abby Niles-a review

Winning Love

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 26, 2014

Mac “The Snake” Hannon has spent years throwing himself into cage fighting as a way to lash back at the natural disaster that destroyed his future. A call for help has Mac returning to the one place he swore never to return: Kansas—in the height of tornado season.

There he meets free-spirited Gayle Andrews. At first he wants nothing to do with the infuriatingly, persistent woman, but the crazy challenges she tosses his way are impossible to resist. As she thaws years of bitterness, bringing back the Mac he believed long gone, he starts to make peace with the past and see the future again. Until he learns she chases his worst nightmare, then he can’t get away fast enough.

Meteorologist and storm chaser, Gayle Andrews is no stranger to being left behind and now believes in living in the moment. She wants to do just that with the handsome extreme fighter with the achingly sad eyes. As she works to replace the sorrow with desire, she finds herself breaking her one rule: have fun, but don’t fall in love. When he suddenly pushes her away and she discovers the horrifying reason why, she issues one more challenge: face his fear and come on a chase with her.

Will squaring off with the past lead to a victory for heartache or love?

•••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: WINNING LOVE is the third instalment in Abby Niles contemporary adult Love to the Extreme romance series focusing on the men of the MMA and the women that they love. This is professional MMA fighter Mac Hannon and meteorologist Gayle Andrews’s storyline. When Mac returns home to Kansas (following a four year absence) to help train his best friend Lance for his upcoming fight he was not prepared for the spitfire known as Gayle Andrews-Lance’s neighbor; sometime babysitter, meteorologist and all woman. Although this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone without any problems.

The storyline follows Mac as he tries to come to terms with everything that has destroyed his life. Kansas brings with it too many painful memories of loss, heartbreak and fear. The one shining spot is his best friend’s neighbor –a woman who doesn’t take no for an answer-but a woman with secrets of her own. As Gayle endeavors to get Mac to open up she will soon discover that what she does for a living is the very thing that could send Mac back into the spiral to hell.

The relationship between Mac and Gayle begins as friends. She is the yin to his yang; she pushes Mac to step outside of his comfort zone and in doing so discovers that she is falling for the man with a heartbreaking past. The sex scenes are hot, seductive and sensual. But both Mac and Gayle know that neither one is in it for the long haul: Mac is a man who is unable to let go of the past and Gayle is a woman who has knows what Mac is trying so desperately to hide.

The world building continues as the series focuses on the men of the MMA fighting ring. When Lance enters a local competition, Mac finds himself in need of a fight to let off some aggression. What he doesn’t realize is that this fight will set into motion a series of events that could very well end his career.

WINNING LOVE is a captivating and emotional storyline where two people share more in common then they could have ever imagined. Their backstories are filled with love and loss; pain and sorrow; letting go and moving on. But only one person has been able to let go while the other still clings to a personal guilt that eats away one day at a time.

Abby Niles’s LOVE TO THE EXTREME series will captivate and compel. The romances are intimate and intense; the friendships are real; and the storylines are provocative and arousing.

Reading Order
Extreme Love
Fighting Love
Winning Love

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Wrecked / Rescued (Wrecked 1 & 2) by Priscilla West-a review

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Wrecked / Rescued (Wrecked 1 & 2) by Priscilla West-reviews

Wrecked Series
WRECKED (Wrecked #1)
by Priscilla West
Wrecked #1
Release Date: December 2013
Genre: New Adult, contemporary, MMA,
Wrecked

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /

ABOUT THE BOOK:

“There would be no happy ending for us. He was too damaged. I was too broken.”

Two years ago, Lorrie’s mother was murdered. But that wasn’t the end of it. Reeling from the tragedy, Lorrie’s father spiraled into alcohol, depression, and finally suicide.

The two most important people in Lorrie’s life are both gone but she’s still alive.

Trying to recover from the tragedy, Lorrie returns to campus, ready to pick up the pieces of her life. All Lorrie wants is to get back to “normal.”

Then she meets Hunter. The man, the legend, “the Hammer.”

Hunter is a cage fighter who takes on every fight like he’s got nothing to lose. His life is a tangled mess of girls, booze, and fist fights. And while it may seem like he’s got a devil-may-care attitude, he’s fighting a private cage-match with a monster he can’t defeat.

Lorrie knows that Hunter is the exact type of guy she should stay away from, especially in her fragile state, but Hunter has other ideas.

As Hunter and Lorrie grow closer together, will they be able to overcome their pain and heal each other? Or will they both end up wrecked

••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: WRECKED is the first storyline in Priscilla West’s contemporary, new adult duology Wrecked series focusing on MMA fighter Hunter Jensen and Lorrie Burnham-the woman who has stolen his heart. Both of our leading characters are haunted by their own pasts; mired in the muck that continues to pull them down; and in the end, their demons will rear up and kill any chance of forgiveness and love. This is not a story with a happily ever after-this instalment will leave you reeling and wondering where it had all gone wrong.

Lorrie has recently returned to college following a leave of absence due in part to the death of her parents-two deaths that have affected her life in more ways than the perceived obvious-her mother was murdered by her step father and her father, who still loved her mother, killed himself after leaving a note asking for his daughter’s forgiveness. Lorrie had to endure eighteen months of lawyers, court cases, television cameras and her own grief only to return to campus where she will become the fodder for gossip and innuendo. Meeting Hunter Jensen was something Lorrie had never expected. Hoping to keep their relationship at the friendship level only-Lorrie pushes Hunter away at every opportunity only to watch him go from woman to woman when she refuses to acknowledge her feelings and emotions.

This is a story about two people whose lives are snowballing out of control. Lorrie refused to admit she was falling for Hunter and at every opportunity she would purposely push him away only to realize that in the end it was too late.

Much of the storyline follows the emotionally draining back and forth of a growing relationship that was destined to end in tragedy and disaster. And Hunter’s big secret-well, it will become the last brick in a wall that has been slowly building since the beginning of their friendship-a wall of secrets that will find our couple spiraling out of control and lost.

Priscilla West has written a storyline that is gritty, emotional and painfully heartbreaking. It is also a story that is predictable as are many of the new adult storylines. The impassioned need of one man for the woman who has captured him heart and soul is tempered only by the demons and truth he refused to admit.

Copy supplied by the author through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

________________________________________

RESCUED
Wrecked #2
by Priscilla West
Release Date: February 24, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary

Rescued

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/

“There would be no happy ending for us. He was too damaged. I was too broken.”

“Wrecked” should be read before this book.

Lorrie’s semester started off hopeful but ended in disaster. Now, she’s even more lost and confused than she was at the beginning of the year. As Lorrie flees to the only family she has left, she has to come to terms with how things ended with Hunter.

Hunter has fought for so long to keep the truth from Lorrie in an effort to protect her, but that has only caused more heartache and pain.

Realizing his mistake, Hunter has made a vow to get Lorrie back, but is it too late?

Will Hunter be able to overcome his own demons and help Lorrie through her pain, or are they destined to keep hurting each other?

••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: RESCUED is the second instalment in Priscilla West’s new adult, contemporary, romance series focusing on art student Lorrie Burnham and MMA fighter Hunter Jensen. At the end of WRECKED Lorrie ran, after receiving a letter from the man who destroyed her life, leaving Hunter alone to deal with a medical crisis that will affect both of their lives.

The storyline follows Hunter and Lorrie as they try to come to terms with Hunter’s disease and how it will affect their future-both his and as a couple. While Lorrie continues to battle her demons, Hunter is in a battle for his life. Not only does he have to deal with his illness but he must be strong for the woman who has stolen his heart.

Part of the story focuses on Lorrie and her inability to deal with what has happened to parents. When the person responsible wants to meet face to face, Lorrie is convinced she will find the answers to all of her problems but in reality, there will probably be no closure for a young woman dealing with so much hurt and anger. In this, Lorrie is an emotional wreck and does not handle her demons well. She is a difficult character to like knowing that the man that she loves will suffer until the end of his days.

RESCUED is a story about two people who must focus on the present when the past is determined to pull them under. Priscilla West has written another heartbreaking storyline of betrayal and startling realizations; a dramatic look at a young couple who have suffered more in their lives than most people in a lifetime; and of a building relationship where an intense love for one another is hindered by a future with a promise of the unknown.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Fighting Love (Love to the Extreme #2) by Abby Niles-Review and Guest Post

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FIGHTING LOVE (Love to the Extreme #2) by Abby Niles-a review and guest post

Fighting Love
Love To The Extreme #2
by Abby Niles
Release Date: December 31, 2013
Genre: New Adult, contemporary, romance, erotic, MMA

Fighting Love

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 31, 2013

Talk about kicking a fighter while he’s down.

Former Middleweight champion and confirmed bachelor Tommy “Lightning” Sparks has lost it all: his belt, his career, and now his home. After the devastating fire, he moves in with his drama-free best friend, Julie. One encounter changes everything and Julie is no longer the girl he’s spent his life protecting but a desirable woman he wants to take to his bed. Knowing his reputation, he’s determined to protect Julie more than ever—from himself.

Veterinarian Julie Rogers has been in love with Tommy since she was ten, but would love to get over the man. She’s quiet nights at home and a glass of wine. He’s clubbing all night and shots of tequila. As friends they work great. As a couple? No way in hell. She just can’t get her heart to agree. When she starts spending time with another fighter, the man who’s always treated her like a sister is suddenly not being very brotherly and enflames her body like never before.

Can two childhood friends make a relationship work, or will they lose everything because they stopped FIGHTING LOVE

••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: FIGHTING LOVE is the latest storyline in Abby Niles contemporary, adult Love to the Extreme series. Although this is the second in the series it can be read as a stand alone. This is Tommy and Julie’s storyline-Tommy is a former MMA champion and Julie is the woman he has loved most of his life.

The premise focuses on the friends to lovers relationship between two people who refuse to acknowledge the obvious-they have loved one another since they were ten years old but life and Tommy’s career as a fighter got in the way. Julie has always been at Tommy’s side-through the good times and the bad-but she refuses to allow herself to be ignored any longer. As the storyline progresses, our couple finally realize that the other one is the one who has always owned their heart but Julie will soon discover that Tommy is quick to forget about everything when his star, once again, begins to shine.

Abby Niles pulls the reader into a storyline about two people who have been friends for as long as they can remember but taking the relationship from friends to lovers is something they have both wanted to do for a very long time but neither one is willing to admit the truth. The reader follows as two people struggle with the push and pull of sexual attraction and the ensuing heat but watch as the friendship will falter when a familiar pattern re-emerges and forces one or both to walk away.

FIGHTING LOVE is a romantic, contemporary storyline where two people who have known each for twenty three years still have issues with trust, relationships and emotional growth as it pertains to one other. The progression from friends to something more is slow and hindered by Tommy’s inability to commit and Julie’s inability to trust. Tommy has always considered himself the protector and Julie needs protecting from the man himself. My only critique is the continuous reminder, throughout the story, about how long our couple has been friends.

If you are a fan of the MMA storyline premise, with a battered hero and a heroine who loves the hero for all of his faults, Fighting Love is the perfect romantic storyline-a little bit of heartbreak; a little bit of love and whole lot of anxious moments before our couple finally realize that two best friends can be lovers at the end of the day.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

Guest Post

Abby Niles’ Top Ten Favorite Friends-to-Lovers Storylines

I’m about to admit something that will probably have many of you gasping in horror. I’ve never seen the obvious movie that should top this list: When Harry Met Sally. I know, right? When it came out in 1989, I was barely a teenager and it wasn’t on the approved movies my parents would let me see. As I got older, I just never got around to watching it. I really need to do that, don’t I?

So, to say the least, my list doesn’t have that movie on it, but I still have my favs, which consists of a mash-up of movies and TV shows.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Zack & Miri

Deacon: What? You’ve never thought about the repercussions of sleeping with a chick you’ve known your whole life? What are you, slow?

Yes, this movie is crass and it’s not for the faint-of-heart, but it. Is. FANTASTIC! I LOVE Seth Rogan. Like, seriously, I crush on the man. This movie is where that crush started. Zach and Miri are lifelong best friends, who share an apartment. Things aren’t going too well for them financially and they are close to being evicted from their apartment. To fix their problem, they decide to make an adult film to bring in some extra cash. In the process, they realize they feel more than just friendly feelings for each other. Seth Rogan is in it and it’s a Kevin Smith film, so there’s no punches pulled, but if you have not seen this, it is one of those movies you really need to see.

Credit: IMDb http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2509870080/tt1007028?ref_=tt_pv_md_2

The Ugly Truth

The Ugly Truth

Credit: IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1649182720/tt1142988?ref_=ttmd_md_pv

Colin: [Abby is on a date with Colin. Mike is relaying instructions to her via an earpiece] I’m used to women I can figure out in five seconds, but I can’t do that with you.
Mike Chadway: [to Abby via earpiece] He’s an idiot. I figured you out in two.

Mike Chadway. *dreamy sigh* I guess it helps that he’s played by Gerard Butler, huh? This actually has a mix of enemies-to-lovers and friends-to-lovers. Mike and Abby don’t really hit it off when they first meet, but they do become friends while Mike is helping Abby land the man of her dreams: Colin. Mike is your crass rough-around-the-edges sort of guy. (Do you see a pattern with me? LOL.) Abby is an uppity perfectionists. The two of them together is just fun. Great flick.

Silver Linings Playbook

Silver Lining Playbook

Credit: IMDp: http://www.imdb.com/media/rm308652288/tt1045658?ref_=ttmd_md_pv

Tiffany: You know, for a while, I thought you were the best thing that ever happened to me. But now I’m starting to think you’re the worst.
Pat: Of course you do. Come on, let’s go dance.

I can’t even begin to describe how much I loved this movie. Two broken people finding each other when they are at their lowest. It’s a beautiful movie and there is a reason it won so many awards. Pat has just been released from a psychiatric hospital after months of treatment for bipolar disorder and is determined to win back his ex-wife. He meets Tiffany, who has recently been widowed and she’s not the nicest person in the world either. But she needs a partner for a dance competition. She makes him a deal: if he partners with her, she’ll help him win his wife back. And their journey begins. These two just got to me *thumps my fist over my heart* right here.

Iron Man

Iron Man

Credit: http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3656420608/tt1228705?ref_=ttmd_md_nxt

Pepper Potts: I need you…
Tony Stark: I need you too, that’s what I’m trying to…
Pepper Potts: …to leave. Now.

I can’t have a list without my favorite superhero couple: Tony Stark and Pepper Potts. I love their relationship. The womanizing billionaire and his unimpressed assistant. It took one and half movies for Tony to realize what Pepper meant to him, but even before that, I loved watching the two of them together. She had a way of being able to handle Tony when no one else could.

Clueless

Clueless

Credit: IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2184480512/tt0112697?ref_=ttmd_md_nxt

Cher: I am totally butt crazy in love with Josh!

Now this is stretching it some since this is really step-siblings, but still. I think this may be the first close relationship to romantic relationship that I can really remember. And who doesn’t love Paul Rudd? I still love Cher and Josh’s story, brings back fond memories.

Now on to the TV shows:

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Monica and Chandler (Friends)

Monica and Chandler
Monica: “Do you know what’s weird?”
Chandler: “What?”
Monica: “This doesn’t feel weird!”
Chandler: “I know…”

Credit: IMDb: www.imdb.com/media/rm2184480512/tt0112697?ref_=ttmd_md_nxt

When it comes down to it, Monica and Chandler is the best example of a true friends-to-lovers. They’d known each other for years. They’d never had any romantic involvement or romantic feelings for the other. When they got together, it was just something that happened one emotional night. And they became the best couple to come out of Friends, even over Ross and Racheal, who I pulled for until the last episode. There was something magical about Monica and Chandler.

Castle and Beckett (Castle)

Castle

Castle: Do you know what Lanie and Esposito were fighting about?
Beckett: Everything, they both want to be together, but neither of them want to admit it.
Castle: Ugg…Why do people do that to themselves?
Beckett: Maybe they just don’t see it?
Castle: How can they not? It’s so obvious.

Credit: http://www.imdb.com/media/rm835169792/tt1219024?ref_=ttmd_md_nxt

Doesn’t that little excerpt above capture the entire Castle/Beckett relationship? LOL. Fans of the show spent the first season watching these two fight, then moving on to form a friendship where they could finish each other’s sentences, then fighting their growing feelings for the other. And now they are together. With any show, fans worry that once you get the two mains together, the show will lose some of its appeal, but it hasn’t, at least not for me. I like how the writers are balancing Castle and Beckett’s relationship with their everyday life. It feels natural.

Nick and Jess (New Girl)

Nick and Jess

Nick Miller: I realized something. I’d do anything for you, Jess.

Credit: http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2035656192/tt1826940?ref_=ttmd_md_nxt

New Girl. I love this comedy and I LOVE Nick Miller. Yes, I do realize a relationship with someone like this in reality would most likely never work, but damn it, I still love this man. I guess that is why Jess is so perfect for him. Jess is an odd duck too. I’ve been rooting for them to get together since Season 2, when Nick really came into his own in the show. These two needed a friendship first, before a relationship would’ve ever worked between them. Yes, I said that. Sometimes, you have to learn a person’s oddness and quirks on a friendship level, learn to love that about them, before you can see past it to the person underneath. That’s Jess and Nick, especially Nick.

Sheldon and Amy (The Big Bang Theory)

Big Bang

Credit: http://www.imdb.com/media/rm644799744/tt0898266?ref_=ttmd_md_pv
Amy: I think a boy likes me!
Bernadette: Doesn’t he know you have a boyfriend?
Penny: She doesn’t have a boyfriend, she has a Sheldon.

Amy Farrah Fowler: Sheldon, what are you doing here?
Sheldon Cooper: The thought of you sitting in a darkened theater with a character like Stuart is repellent.

Sheldon Cooper: I believe I would like to alter the paradigm of our relationship.
Amy Farrah Fowler: I’m listening.
Sheldon Cooper: With the understanding that nothing changes, whatsoever. Physical or otherwise. I would not object to us no longer characterizing you as not my girlfriend.
Amy Farrah Fowler: Interesting. Now, try it without the quadruple negative.

Sorry. I had to include more than one quote to do Sheldon and Amy justice for anyone who may not watch The Big Bang Theory. For the rest of us, who just laughed? Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler. How could I not add these two? Anytime anyone referred to Amy as Sheldon’s girlfriend, he would insist, “Amy is not my girlfriend. She is a girl and she is my friend. But she is not my girlfriend.” I’ve loved watching Sheldon and Amy’s relationship more than I have Penny’s and Leonard’s (and I LOVE theirs). The reasoning is because Sheldon is well…Sheldon. And seeing his growth, while slow, since he met Amy is remarkable. Every time he takes that next step, it’s a cover-my-mouth-with-my-hand-oh-how-sweet moment for me. If you don’t watch the show, you won’t understand. If you do, well, you get what I’m saying.

***********************

So who is your favorite friends-to-lovers?

I wanted to thank The Reading Café for hosting me today!

Abby

About The Author

Follow: Website/ Facebook/ Twitter / Goodreads

Ever since Abby Niles picked up her first Sweet Valley High book in sixth grade and fell in love with Elizabeth and Todd, she’s been hooked on romance. By the time she reached high school, she was devouring meatier romances with pirates, cowboys and knights. She never imagined that those years of reading would one day lead to her becoming a published author.

Abby NilesIn her late twenties, after having twins and becoming a stay-at-home mom, she started doodling stories to keep her sanity. Next thing she knew, she was actually submitting to publishing houses. And was immediately rejected. That didn’t stop her though. She found some kickass critique partners, honed her craft, and continued submitting.

And eventually sold.

Today, she juggles work, being a single mom, and writing. It’s not always easy, but hey, who said life was easy?

Abby is the author of the contemporary MMA romance, Extreme Love, the first book in her Love to the Extreme series. Fighting Love is scheduled to release in December of 2013 and Winning Love is scheduled for 2014. She is also the author of the dark paranormal romance series The Awakening: Aidan and the The Awakening: Liam and The Awakening: Britton. Both series are with Entangled Publishing. She also has a geeky romantic comedy, Defying Convention, with Carina Press.

She is represented by Maureen Walters at Curtis Brown, LTD.

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Fighting For Irish (Fighting For Love #3) by Gina L. Maxwell-Review and Guest Post

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Fighting For Irish (Fighting For Love #3) by Gina L. Maxwell-Review and Guest Post

Fighting For Irish Banner 2

Fighting For Irish
Fighting For Love #3
by Gina L. Maxwell
Release Date: January 13, 2014
Genre: contemporary, romance, MMA

Fighting for Irish

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

FIGHTING FOR IRISH (Fighting For Love #3) by Gina Maxwell

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 13, 2014

Kat MacGregor has forty-eight hours to make good on the debt her ex-boyfriend owes a crime boss. Unfortunately, the measly tips she makes waitressing are barely enough for her to live on, much less cover the twenty-thousand needed to keep her breathing. With time running out, Kat ‘s forced to accept help from the only man who’s ever made her feel fire rather than fear.

When he learns a friend’s sister is in trouble, former Boston MMA fighter Aiden “Irish” O’Brien heads to Louisiana to offer himself up as collateral to keep her safe. But to satisfy the debt, he has to do the one thing he swore he’d never do again: fight. With more than just money on the line, will Irish have what it takes to not only reclaim the man he once was, but become the man he needs to be for the woman he can’t live without?

•••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: FIGHTING FOR IRISH is the third storyline in Gina Maxwell’s contemporary, adult Fighting for Love romance series focusing on the men of the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and the women they love. This is Kat and Aiden’s (Irish) story. Although this is the third book in the series, it can be read without too much difficulty but I would suggest reading in order as some of the previous storyline characters have continuing roles in successive stories.

The premise follows Aiden as he goes ‘undercover’ to keep an eye on a friend’s sister who has disappeared and withdrawn from her family and friends. Kat is on the run and her location has been discovered by the people to whom her ex-boyfriend owes money. Enter Aiden O’Brien who promises to pay off the debt in return for Kat’s safety.

The relationship between Kat and Aiden develops slowly-from coworkers to friends than lovers. Aiden has made a promise that he will never allow another woman to get hurt while under his care but the past continues to haunt his life.

The world building continues as each of the leading men is an MMA fighter but Aiden is technically retired. The storyline revolves around Aiden’s return to the ring in order to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love. And in the end, he will need to call in some help from the person he believes he has hurt the most.

FIGHTING FOR IRISH is a wonderful addition to Gina Maxwell’s Fighting for Love series. She blends the world of the MMA with stories of suspense, action and relationship drama but each one ends with a happily ever after.

1. Seducing Cinderella
2. Rules of Entanglement
3. Fighting for Irish

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

guest post

Hello, and Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you’re all recovering from last night’s festivities, whether you attended a gala event, partied in the streets, or watched the ball drop in Times Square, or like me, from your living room.

I love January 1st. No matter if the previous twelve months were good, bad, or a mix of both, I always feel a renewed sense of hope for the coming year, and this year is no different. I’m excited to get 2014 under way and give my readers several new releases, both in the Fighting for Love series, and in a new paranormal romance trilogy.

But today I’m here to give you a gift from the long-awaited mass market paperback release of Rules of Entanglement: a sneak peek at the bonus scene included in the book! I wrote this scene as an answer to a question I kept getting from readers: Will Danny Akana get his own story?

What?! Hell, no! The guy is a douche-y douchebag of douche. I have no plans on redeeming him. So to make that clear, I gave Jax and Danny a little epilogue fight that takes place several months after the end of RoE.

I loved visiting Jax and V again, and for those who have already read their story, I hope you do, too. For those who haven’t read RoE yet, you can still enjoy this little excerpt. There aren’t any spoilers that would ruin the book for you. (Unless you were one of those people who were shocked the Titanic sunk at the end of the movie. Then you might want to wait to see if they actually get together at the end of the book. *wink*)

So, without further ado, here is the beginning of the bonus scene, Jax vs. Danny Akana. To read the rest of it, you’ll have to grab a copy of the paperback on February 25th, 2014!

Gina~~

excerpt

Jax vs. Danny Akana (Bonus Scene)

Vanessa stood at the entrance to the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu where Jackson was fighting Danny Akana shortly at UFC 165. The jerk had switched camps after she emasculated him by breaking his nose with her fist and then made a career of publicly smearing Jax’s name and challenging him in the media. Akana only had a few fights under his belt and in no way deserved to fight a seasoned and former champion like Jax, but even the UFC wasn’t immune to the politics of ratings and the bigger the rivalry, the bigger the ratings.

Jax, of course, couldn’t have been happier when UFC president, Dana White, proposed the fight. Now he can finish what Danny started all those months ago when he sucker punched Jax after a sparring session in the gym followed by a crass threat of what he’d like to do to Vanessa. Although she would never condone Jax going after the guy outside of the octagon, inside the cage was another story entirely.

At last the towncar with her guests arrived and she greeted Becca and Christine at the curb with a warm smile and big hugs. They’d interviewed her and Jackson the day before and now they were here to continue their exposé on the couple. Christine would be writing an article on the fight and Becca would be taking pictures and clips of video to accompany it.

Vanessa handed them their press passes to wear around their necks. “Okay, girls, are you ready?”

Becca adjusted the camera strap over her shoulder. “Absolutely. I’m hoping to get so close to the action I get sprayed with sweat.”

Christine added, “You never know, Bec, it might end up being blood.”

Becca momentarily paled as her friend laughed at her expense, then recovered with a shrug. “I don’t care, as long as it’s followed by Jackson kicking Akana’s sorry a—”

“Ladies,” said a deep voice from behind them, “if you’ll follow me I’ll escort you inside.”

All three women turned to see a member of the arena’s security team. The guy was massive and could have easily gotten a job as Duane “The Rock” Johnson’s stunt double. Vanessa thanked him then followed as he directed them through the throng of MMA fans to a door labeled as restricted access. After navigating several hallways they finally arrived at a room with Jackson’s name beside it.

Vanessa looked back at the girls. “Becca, you’re fine to take pictures. Christine, Jax is going to be in pre-fight mode, so don’t feel bad if he totally ignores you. Depending on what he’s doing in there he might be fine with talking or he might not. Just follow his lead, okay?”

Becca nodded and Christine added, “Got it.” Big Man knocked and waited for someone to call out that it was okay to come in before opening the door and waving them in.

It looked like a typical green room where celebrities might wait before appearing on a show or where a band hung out before their concert. A couple of couches lined the back and left walls and a large flat screen TV hung in the opposite corner showing the fights as they happened.

“There she is.” Corey, one of Jackson’s good friends and teammates crossed the room to greet her with a hug and kiss on the cheek. Vanessa introduced him to the girls and explained why they were there. He bestowed them with his signature boy-next-door smile and warm handshake. Then, jerking his thumb in the direction of Jax shadow boxing in the middle of the room, he said, “Have you finally come to dump this poor schmo and ask me for my hand in marriage?”

She laughed at the tall and lanky fighter with his All-American good looks and charm by the mile. “Isn’t it the man’s job to do the asking?”

“I’m all for the feminist movement. I support your right to pursue happiness, and in this case, I think you’d be happier with me,” he said with a wink.

“Now, Corey, what did I tell you about thinking? It only gets you into trouble.” She patted his cheek a couple of times. “Stick with fighting.”

“Can’t say I haven’t given it the old college try. Why don’t you have a seat on the couch over there while your golden boy does his thing.”

All three women sat and watched the pre-fight routine. Corey and a couple of the other fighters who would be “cornering” for Jackson talked amongst themselves and watched the current fight on TV. Jax was now throwing combinations at the hand pads his coach was wearing. Vanessa loved watching him move. He wore a black pair of shorts that looked just like his dozens of pairs of board shorts he owned, only these had his sponsors’ logos all over them. On top he wore a matching sponsor loaded hoodie, hood pulled up to block out his peripheral vision, and ear buds blasting his favorite “get psyched” music straight into his brain.
He was focused. He was ready. He was damn sexy.

Becca took the occasional picture and Christine watched and took down notes on her writing pad. Vanessa was eager to see what the article would say. Hopefully it ended with Jackson’s hand being raised in the end.

Fifteen minutes later Coach shed the pads and Jax removed the ear buds and his hood to listen to the plan one last time before the older man cuffed him on the side of the head as his own twisted way of showing affection. Apparently it was everyone’s way. Vanessa’s eyes grew wide as every man in the room proceeded to hit Jax on the sides of the head—hard!—as they yelled words of encouragement at him.

Glancing over Vanessa found Christine’s mouth hanging open and Becca giggling as she took shot after shot of the barbaric scenario.

“That explains so much about the male psyche,” Vanessa muttered. “Come on, girls, let’s leave them to their caveman rituals and find our seats. It’s almost time.”

The girls both made pouty faces at having to leave the testosterone filled room and Vanessa tried not to laugh as she ushered them toward the door.

“Wait!”

She knew that deep voice as intimately as her own. Turning, she watched as Jackson strode toward her. Normally her fiancé had a ready smile that showed his dimples and warm topaz eyes that reminded her of gooey caramel. He was a charmer by nature and no one was immune to his powers. But right at this moment all of that was replaced with a feral intensity he only ever unleashed during two things: fighting…and sex.

He stopped in front of her, so close she swore she could hear his heart beating a rapid tattoo against his chest. Or maybe that was hers. “You didn’t think I’d actually let you leave without saying anything, did you?”

“I didn’t think you knew I was here. I mean, I didn’t think you saw me.”

He challenged her statement with an arch of his scarred eyebrow. “I don’t have to see you to know when you’ve stepped into the room, V. You should know that by now.” A shudder ran through her as he lifted his taped up hands and framed her face. “Tonight, this win’s for you.”

“You know I don’t like the idea of you fighting for me.”

“Yeah, I know. But just this once, I’m doing it all the same. You can yell at me for it later.”

She rolled her eyes and released an exasperated sigh. “Fine. Now go on, get in the zone or whatever. I’ll see you after.”

Jax kissed her firmly on the lips and dropped his hands. He acknowledged Becca and Christine with a nod of his head before bouncing from side to side back to the center of the room. Becca opened the door and they started to shuffle into the hallway, but at the last minute Vanessa looked over her shoulder and called out to the man she loved. He stopped jumping around to turn and face her again.

Then she said the words she’d been secretly wanting to tell him since that first time he’d been in a cage with Akana. “Kick his ass.”

A shit-eating grin split his face just before Corey shoved a guard into his mouth. The glint in his eyes shone brightly as he started jumping again with renewed energy. As Vanessa finally joined the girls in the hallway, encouraging shouts from the men of Team Titan echoed as the door swung shut behind her.

About The Author

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Gina MaxwellGina is a shameless romance addict with no intentions of ever kicking the habit.

Growing up she dreamed of helping people escape reality with her acting abilities…until college when she realized she had none to speak of. Another ten years passed before she discovered a different means to accomplishing the same dream: writing stories of love and passion for addicts just like her.

Her debut novel, Seducing Cinderella, landed on the USA Today and NY Times Bestseller lists in less than a month. Now she splits her time between writing more books and acting as Boss of the world’s first organized romance mafia, the Maxwell Mob.

Thanks to the support she receives from her amazing family, Gina is finally able to live her dream of bringing a little romantic fantasy to the world, one steamy novel at a time.

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