Tag Archives: sports

Hawk (The Boys of Summer 4) by Heidi McLaughlin-Review & Giveaway

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Hawk (The Boys of Summer 4) by Heidi McLaughlin-Review & Giveaway Tour

 

Hawk
The Boys of Summer #4
by Heidi McLaughlin
Release Date: December 10, 2019
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 10, 2019

It’s another season of Renegade baseball and, as they say, the boys are back in town. All except for all-star pitcher, Hawk Sinclair, who has returned to his hometown and back to the ranch he grew up on to rehab after shoulder surgery.

Real estate agent, Bellamy Patrick, feels like she’s failing at being a single mom. Her son is having a hard time fitting in and she’s hoping that playing baseball will be the answer. When he doesn’t make the team, she’s willing to do anything to help him… except that! And that’s exactly what the little league coach expects.

When Hawk’s asked to coach a team of misfit kids, he balks…until he sees how the program is run and how boys are left out. That’s when he knows he has no choice but to do the right thing and turn these boys into the players he knows they can be.

•••••••••

REVIEW:HAWK is the fourth instalment in Heidi McLaughlin’s contemporary, adult THE BOYS OF SUMMER romance series. This is Boston Renegade pitcher Hawk Sinclair, and real estate agent, single mother/ divorcee Bellamy Patrick’s story line. HAWK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Hawk and Bellamy) HAWK follows Boston Renegade pitcher Hawk Sinclair in the aftermath of a near-career ending injury. Heading home to Montana for rest and rehabilitation Hawk will come face to face with real-estate agent Bellamy Patrick, a woman who stirs something deep within our story line hero but not all is well in the small town of Richfield, Montana including a corrupt system of government and a little league coach who doesn’t play on the up and up. What ensues is the building relationship and love between Hawk and Bellamy as they circumvent the local oligarchs in an effort to start up a little league team of their own.

Hawk Sinclair loves the game of baseball but struggles with injuries that could very well end his career. Discovering the local little league coach has too much control over the players and their parents, Hawk takes things into his own hands disrupting the coach’s power and control over the town of Richfield, Montana. Bellamy Patrick struggles in the face of ex-husband less than active parenting skills but when their son does not make the little league team, Bellamy is desperate to help anyway she can, but desperation found our heroine facing threats of a different kind.

The relationship between Hawk and Bellamy is one of immediate attraction and palpable sexual energy. Bellamy is a single mother, five years older than the man with whom she will fall in love but a man whose career and job will take him from her home in Richfield, Montana. The $ex scenes are mostly implied or fade to black.

We are introduced to Bellamy’s ten year old son Chase, her ex-husband Greg; Bellamy’s office manager Karter Watson, and their boss Owen; Hawk’s brother in law Warner; his sisters Avery and Elizabeth, and his nephew Nolan; Hawk’s former best friend and little league coach Brett Larsen and his wife Annie, their daughter Mattingly; Coach David Farmer, as well as several members of the Boston Renegades, their spouses and family: Ethan and Daisy (Third Base #1), Cooper and Ainsley (Home Run 2), Saylor and Travis (Grand Slam #3).

HAWK is a story of secrets and lies; betrayal and vengeance; power, control, revelations and love.The character driven premise is engaging, fast paced and inviting; the romance is passionate; the characters are energetic, lively and dynamic.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Third Base
Home Run
Grand Slam

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Heidi McLaughlin: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Newsletter /Instagram /Pinterest

Originally from Portland, Oregon and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell, Buttercup and a Highland Westie/Mini Schnauzer, JiLL and her brother, Racicot.

When she isn’t writing one of the many stories planned for release, you’ll find her sitting courtside during either daughter’s basketball games.

Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, is currently in production for a major motion picture.

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The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams – Review & Giveaway

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The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
The first rule of book club:
You don’t talk about book club.

Nashville Legends second baseman Gavin Scott’s marriage is in major league trouble. He’s recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. When he loses his cool at the revelation, it’s the final straw on their already strained relationship. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gavin realizes he’s let his pride and fear get the better of him. 

Welcome to the Bromance Book Club.

Distraught and desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville’s top alpha men. With the help of their current read, a steamy Regency titled Courting the Countess, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. But it’ll take a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for this hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his wife.

 

 

Review:

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams is the first book in her Bromance Book Club series.   I was not sure what to expect, as this is the first time, I have read this author, and the idea of a romance book club for sports alpha men had me questioning whether I would like it.  I am happy to say I really did enjoy and get a kick out of this book.

Gavin Scott, our hero, is a famous baseball player, who finds his marriage falling apart, as his wife Thea kicks him out of the house and asks for a divorce.  Gavin begins to realize that he was unfair to Thea with his disturbing comments, and tries to make amends.  Thea Scott, our heroine, is determined to go through with the divorce, and has her sister come live with her to help care for her two daughters.  When Gavin tries to apologize, Thea ignores him and tells him that she is going through the divorce.

Gavin tells his baseball buddies about his crumbling marriage, and they insist he join them in a meeting that night.  What Gavin finds to his total surprise, as all the men at the meeting are part of a club that helps each other find ways to win back their disillusioned wives.  They are the Bromance Book club.  What do they read?  Historical romance novels.  ?  Each of the men give Gavin suggestions how to win back Thea, especially to read a novel that is similar to their own predicaments.  He must learn how to understand Thea better, and begin courting her again to win her over.

What follows is a fun heartwarming second chance romance, with a great couple, and two sweet kids.   It was a lot of fun watching these alpha baseball players give Gavin suggestions in flirting with his wife; at times it was downright hilarious. 

Gavin and Thea did not have an easy road ahead, as they both made mistakes and needed to recognize it was not one person’s fault.  Gavin needed to get past his insecurity, and Thea had to get past her troubled childhood.  It was nice to see Gavin would do anything to win Thea back.  By the last half of the book, I found myself rooting hard for Thea to give in to her feelings and take Gavin back.  The Bromance Book Club was a fun story line, a sweet second chance romance, and a fantastic humorous group of alpha’s that had me laughing throughout.  Lyssa Kay Adams did a wonderful job writing this fun story, which you need to read.  I know I will be waiting for the next book in this series.   So much fun.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Lyssa’s publisher is offering a paper copy of THE BROMANCE CLUB to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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Catching Her Heart by Jody Holford – a Review

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Catching Her Heart by Jody Holford – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository / Google Play / Apple

 

Description:
When a beautiful brunette driver meets Nashville Slammers catcher, Sawyer McBain, at the airport, he figures it’s his lucky day. Sure, he’s usually pretty guarded around people, especially after what happened with his ex, but he can definitely enjoy the car ride. Until she passes his apartment…and keeps driving. All of a sudden the woman seems a lot less like romance material and a lot more like a kidnapper. What gives?

Slammers executive Addison Carlisle needs one little favor. Sure, she may have kinda maybe kidnapped one of her professional baseball players, but it’s for a really good cause. She desperately needs someone high-profile to auction off that night for the multiple sclerosis society she’s chairing, but he insists he wants a favor in return.

Soon Addie and Sawyer are trading completely ridiculous I.O.U.s, like being his plus-one to his grandmother’s poker game or keeping each other company at the driving range. But when their agreement goes from flirty to fiery, neither is ready to let their guard down for a shot at love.

 

 

Review:

Catching Her Heart by Jody Holford is the 2nd book in her Love of the Game series.  A first time reader of Ms. Holford and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I really enjoyed this.

I love baseball, and I really love sports romance, and this one has it all. At first it was a little confusing, trying to figure out the plot to the story, but once you get into; it’s like any other really good book. You can’t put it down until it’s finished.

Sawyer is the catcher for a MLB teamed based out of Nashville and is the best in the business. Now when you think baseball player, you think smiles, happy and ready to have fun. Well Sawyer is none of those things, he is quiet, mean mugged and cranky.

Enter Addie, the woman to see him for more than his flaws and money. Addie with her soft smile, loving personality and the hope for a better future.

All in all this was such a happy read, I would love to see more of her work.

Reviewed by Sarah

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Nanny Rules by Melynda Price – a Review

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The Nanny Rules by Melynda Price – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository / Google Play / iTunes

 

Description:
Don’t touch the nanny. It’s one rule I’m most certainly going to break.

Since becoming a single father, I have two things that keep me sane—my daughter Lily and playing football for the NFL. But when my meddling sister hires a nanny without my knowledge, I’m not thrilled to come home and find the woman has taken over my house. Our instant attraction is one more complication I don’t need in my life.

But my daughter loves Amelia, and I will do anything for that tiny munchkin. Even if it means walking around with blue balls most of the time. Why does the nanny have to be so sweet—and drop dead gorgeous? She’s driving me crazy. Never in my life have I wanted a woman more.

I just need to make it through this season. I can do that. Hands free, of course. But then there’s that moment, and I know she’s thinking what I’m thinking and, well, yeah. Screw the rules…

 

Review:

Single father, NFL Browns quarterback Brody Evans comes home from an away game to find a stranger in his kitchen. Amelia Renshaw was hired by Brody’s sister as a nanny for Lilly – Brody’s daughter.

Even though Brody is completely taken by the appearance of Amelia, he does not want a nanny, nor does he want one this attractive.  After calming down, and placing a call to his sister – he realizes that Amelia has a masters in child psychology with special interest in children with PTSD.

Lilly lost her mother in a tragic accident a year ago and both her and Brody are struggling to find a balance and move forward in their lives.  But Brody is struggling for a much different reason. Brody is angry and pissed off after finding out during the accident investigation that his wife was having an affair with a team mate of his.  He has sworn to never allow another woman into his or his daughters life.

But the moment he meets Amelia he already knows that’s going to be an issue. Brody is a straight forward, no nonsense, handsomely built single father. His love for his daughter shows threw this entire story.

When he is away he facetimes with Lilly to read her bedtime stories. But he is also so caught up in his emotions of losing his wife, finding out about her infidelity and trying continue with the wall he has built around himself and Lilly.

Amelia has taken a job as Lilly’s nanny out of necessity more than anything.  Her brother has battled addiction and she has used every ounce of money she had saved to help him get out of situations he seems to find himself in.  While the money is nice, she had no idea how much she would fall for Lilly.  She has her own baggage coming into this, and part of her problem is trying to hold onto secrets she doesn’t want her new boss to find out. 

The chemistry between Brody and Amelia is palpable. I am a huge football fan but have never read a sports romance before this one. It was an enjoyable, fun, steamy read.  I loved how playful the characters were with each other, while fighting the urge to give in to their desires.

This book dealt with a lot of social issues – single parenthood, addiction, adultery and commitment issues.  There is a bit of a struggle between the main characters, but in the end they get their happily ever after.

The Nanny Rules by Melynda Price is a quick read, highly recommend if you need a steamy fast paced, HEA read!

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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ANIMAL ATTRACTION (San Francisco Dragons) by Kate Willoughby-a review

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ANIMAL ATTRACTION (San Francisco Dragons #2) by Kate Willoughby-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 27, 2019

What do you do when an NHL player has your dog and won’t give it back?

First grade teacher Maggie Hudson has been grieving since her dog disappeared three months ago. Imagine her shock when she sees an NHL player being interviewed with her dog sitting next to him.

NHL player Spencer Corbett is blindsided when a sexy, curvaceous woman shows up on his doorstep demanding to get her beloved pet back. He can’t bear to relinquish the dog he found on the side of the road. After all, the pug gave his aging Labrador a new lease on life. Luckily, just as Maggie begins to leave with her pet, she realizes how important he is to Spencer’s dog.

Their shared custody of the dog leads to passion and possibilities that neither saw coming. Love for the dogs brings them together, but when a past girlfriend shows up with a boy who looks remarkably like Spencer, suddenly their fragile relationship is skating on thin ice. Will the truth shatter everything or will they find the courage to build a future together?

••••••••••

REVIEW: A sports story isn’t my usual read, but I thought I’d give it a go ……

Maggie is a school teacher and avid hockey fan, she follows the San Francisco Dragons loyally, but her loyalty is tested when her best friend Jade tells her to watch an online interview. It shows Spencer Corbett holding HER BELOVED pug Kirby (the dog had disappeared a few months ago from her back garden) and Maggie thought she’d lost him forever, and when Spencer won’t return her calls, Maggie goes to his home to find her pug and bring Kirby home.

Spencer loves his ageing Labrador and after finding a pug by the roadside, it gave her a new lease of life, but now a fiery female stands at his door, demanding the return of HER dog!!!

After a little soul searching, Maggie gives in and says they can share the dog. And a mutual love of dogs bring them closer together. A romance soon blossoms, but it’s put to the test when an old girlfriend returns, and brings with her a young boy that looks a whole lot like Spencer.

There are plenty of laughs in this book. I don’t follow hockey, but the author put a lot of time and effort into this book, the research was very extensive.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B ?

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OFF HER GAME by Zoe Forward – Review & Giveaway

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OFF HER GAME by Zoe Forward – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
Tori Duarte’s big dreams to be a video game designer…well, they haven’t panned out. And a girl’s got to eat. Enter: the Stadium, a secretive video game gambling ring. As a world ranked eGamer, winning should be cake. Until it’s not. Gambling debts suck her in deep.

A chance encounter with the media shy, ridiculously handsome video game CEO Noah Harrison offers her a way out. The deal: 1) Assist the FBI to catch the underworld eGaming kingpin (doable but dangerous). 2) Keep the FBI connection secret by pretending to date Noah (not optional but keeping it PG is problematic).

What neither expects is an explosive chemistry that’s more than convincing—it’s sizzling. Falling for each other is the most dangerous thing they could do…

 

Review:

Off Her Game by Zoe Forward is the first book in her new Game Lords series.  I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading this series, as it was a different type of read from what I was used to with Zoe Forward. I am happy to say that I really enjoyed this book.

Tori Duarte, our heroine, is one of the best elite gamers, which is especially unique for a female.  Tori also designs video games, hoping to sell them to make money to pay off her debts, which forces her to be involved with a secret gambling ring.  

Noah Harrison, our hero, is the CEO and co owner of a game company, known to many as Game Lords. Noah, is a wealthy and handsome bachelor, who is an introvert and shy around women and media.  But when he meets Tori, he finds himself very attracted to the badass gamer.  But Noah and his partner have agreed to help the FBI find out who is behind the secret gambling ring that is murdering people who worked for them, especially since one of the victims was their brother.

Tori is pulled into the FBI sting, since she needs money, and also knows she too is in danger.  Noah will join hands with Tori to pretend to be dating, which draws the attention of the evil gaming kingpin.  During their adventure, they will both begin to fall in love with each other, though Tori cannot believe that Noah could possibly care about a girl like her. There chemistry was very steamy.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful and fun story. I am amazed how well Zoe Forward described the gaming industry, giving us a wonderful insight to that industry.   I loved Tori and Noah together, and Forward also created some very good secondary characters; such as Emma, Jake, Quan, Sam. I expect to see more of them in the future books.  Off Her Game was a fast-paced, fun enjoyable story; wonderful couple, great secondary characters, as well as filled with excitement and suspense.  Great start to this new series, which I intend to continue reading. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

 

 

 

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The Soccer Player and The Single Mom by Kyra Jacobs – a Review

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The Soccer Player and The Single Mom by Kyra Jacobs – a Review

 

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Description:
For most women, working for a sexy soccer star would be a dream come true. All except single mom Felicity Shaw. She has no interest in playing personal assistant for a stubborn, injured playboy—no matter how nice his abs are. But with bills piling up and mouths to feed, she can’t say no to the job. That’s when it gets interesting. 

The last thing Scott Gillie wants or needs is a persistent and entirely too distracting PA while he’s recuperating in his small hometown. Unfortunately, it’s not up to him. Then Felicity and her son end up temporarily moving in—all thanks to his meddlesome grandmother. Now temptation is right across the hall and it’s driving Scott crazy. His only option is to fight fire with fire. He never expects Felicity to do the same.

 

 

Review:

I’ve read a few of Kyra Jacobs books now and they’ve been a fun read.  So I looked forward to reading The Soccer Player and the Single Mom.

Felicity is a single mum struggling to make ends meet, she loses her job after the factory she worked in closed. And when she gets the chance of a job (a chance meeting in the doctor’s) she jumps at the chance, (well the agent for the soccer player makes her an offer she can’t really turn down) 

Scott needs to get back on track, before his career ends forever, convalescing at his grandmother’s home he has to put up with a bossy female and her son. He has a few issues that he needs to work through. His past makes him wary, but there is something about Felicity that makes him stop and think. 

Felicity is a no nonsense woman, and at first she really isn’t interested in Scott’s attempts at seduction. She knows he is only passing the time away before he leaves this small town. 

The attraction between Felicity and Scott was fun to read. The to and fro between them was funny. Add a few misunderstandings made for an interesting read. And the meddling from Edna and Tyler (his grandmother and Felicity’s son) was really cute. 

Will he stay in this small town? Or will he get fit and move on ? Will Felicity fall for his patter or keep her heart under lock and key? 

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy provided by Publisher

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Taking a Shot by Taryn Leigh Taylor – a Review

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Taking a Shot by Taryn Leigh Taylor – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo

 

Description:
Hockey star Brett Sillinger’s never been afraid of a little trouble. But when his personal life ends up in the tabloids, he knows his career is on thin ice. Luckily, a new team decides to take a chance on him. All he has to do is keep head in the game. But when temptation walks up wearing black knee-high boots, looking for one night of nameless, no-strings passion, well, what’s a guy to do?

Chelsea London is looking to misbehave. What’s being good ever gotten her, besides getting dumped and passed over for a big promotion at work? But her one delicious night of rebellion has unexpected consequences–her hot one-night stand is the latest addition to her father’s hockey team. And suddenly, one night of bad-girldom isn’t nearly enough.

But one false move, and Brett might spend this season in the penalty box…

 

Review;

I really enjoyed Taking a Shot by Taryn Leigh Taylor.  It was a fun, fast, flirty read with just enough hockey talk to keep this hockey fan happy.  I really liked Brett and Chelsea from the get go.  Both characters are fun, witty, sexy and know how to charm the socks off each other. Their scenes are full of fun, sexy, flirty chemistry and keep the story going from beginning to end.  Watching the two of them deal with their adventure was enjoyable from beginning to end.

Even though Brett is the ‘supposed’ bad boy of the hockey world, we do learn he has a heart of gold underneath all his screw ups in his younger hockey days.  His scenes with his sister/brother-in-law and new niece are so precious and sweet that you can’t help but want him to get a HEA in his social life and professional life.  I loved the way he went completely overboard with all his baby shopping for her, but what I loved most was how he wanted Chelsea to be a part of it all and go with him to meet the newest addition in his family. Those were precious and tender scenes and we get to see that Chelsea and Brett are falling in love with each other and don’t realize it yet, or just don’t want to see it yet. 

Yes there is just enough drama between the two of them to keep the story going, but thankfully it didn’t over power the rest of their story. It was just the right amount of drama to make both characters realize they had fallen in love and that the other person was the best thing to ever happen to them.  I especially enjoyed the final scenes where Chelsea decides she’s going to win her man back.  I had a few chuckles with these scenes thanks to a couple of the supporting cast of characters but there were also some oooo and aaaa moments too. 

Taking a Shot is the type of book you can read in one sitting, tucked away in your little reading nook with a good glass of wine and box of chocolates.  If you’re a sports fan, especially a hockey fan and enjoy a good sports themed romance, then this one’s a must.

Until next time, happy reading everyone!!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

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