Tag Archives: Worth the Fight

Stacked Up (Worth The Fight 6) by Sidney Halston-a review

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STACKED UP (Worth the Fight #6) by Sidney Halston-a review

Stacked Up

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About the book-RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2016

Working two jobs to support her infant daughter is harder than anything Penny Richards has ever done, but it sure beats living under the rules of her stepfather, a television preacher who demands a picture-perfect family. And if Penny hadn’t struck out on her own, she never would have met Travis Calhoun. The intensely physical heavyweight brawler has a way of drawing out her wild side. But Travis lives fast, with no responsibilities—and that just isn’t for Penny.

Most of the women in Travis’s circle wear tight clothes, high heels, and tons of makeup—not pearls or plaid headbands. But once he works past Penny’s inhibitions, Travis discovers a kindred spirit who longs to trust someone with her body, and her secrets. Still, Travis can’t help but wonder if this rich girl is just slumming it before she returns to her privileged life. Now it’s up to Penny to prove that she wants her hard-edged, hard-loving fighter just the way he is.

•••••••

REVIEW: STACKED UP is the sixth and final installment in Sidney Halston’s contemporary, adult WORTH THE FIGHT MMA romance series. This is bar tender /single mother Penny Richards, and MMA fighter Travis ‘Texas’ Calhoun’s story. STACKED UP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Travis is JL’s sister (Fighting Dirty #5).

Told from dual third person perspectives (Penny and Travis) STACKED UP follows the building relationship between Penny and Travis, and Travis’s preparations for a championship fight. Penny is a struggling, single mother and currently in hiding from her wealthy televangelist step father, and the father of her child who have made it clear she is an embarrassment to the family and the family business.

Travis Calhoun is in training for a championship fight. For one year Travis has found himself at the local bar where Penny is employed, but has not been able to cross the invisible line into something more. When Penny finally agrees to one date, pictures of the couple kissing begin to flood the internet, and Penny’s whereabouts are finally found by her past.. What ensues is the struggle to stay one step ahead of her family, and to not lose her heart to a man who wants nothing to do with children or anything long term.

The relationship between Penny and Travis is a slow build-one year of acquaintance and friendship-that evolves into lovers and more. Penny claims to like it a little rough in the bedroom, although her lack of experience would say something else. Herein lies a bit of a problem because the ‘rough’ aspect of the story line is so vanilla that a couple of slaps against the behind is barely a scratch towards the erotic, and yet it is oft mention by the hero that the heroine likes it rough. The $ex scenes are intimate, seductive and hot.

STACKED UP has a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including most of the previous story lines couples as we say goodbye in championship style. We are introduced to Penny’s step father-a television preacher more concerned about appearances than his daughter, and her ex boyfriend Lawrence –both of whom have plans for Penny and her child.

STACKED UP continues to focus on the MMA fighting-their training, their diets, their lives and their loves. Sidney Halston grants the reader a behind the scenes look at the making of a champion. The premise is entertaining and inviting; the characters are passionate and intense; the romance is a slow build towards a happily ever after.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Fighting Dirty by Sidney Halston-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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FIGHTING DIRTY (Worth The Fight #5) by Sidney Halston-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

 

FIGHTING DIRTY
Worth The Fight #5
by Sidney Halston
Genre: adult, contemporary, MMA, erotic romance
Release Date: January 5, 2016

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 5, 2016

With his preppy clothes and horn-rimmed glasses, Enzo Silva is the last dude anyone expects to find in a mixed martial arts gym. A wealthy Brazilian banker who never had to fight for anything, Enzo’s stuck in the amateur circuit—but he burns to make the pros. Maybe that explains the heat he feels whenever he’s around Jamie Lynn Calhoun. The pint-size, magenta-haired bartender with the Texas drawl is everything he’s not . . . and everything he craves.

Tough as nails and independent to a fault, Jamie Lynn—JL to her friends—works hard to pay her bills and keep life simple. Enzo is doing his best to complicate that. Even though she likes to bust his balls, he’s got some kind of a nerdy-hot vibe that makes JL wonder if she might finally be able to let her guard down. It might do the boy some good to spend some time in her world, where blood, sweat, and victory are as sweet as the first taste of real love.

•••••

REVIEW:  FIGHTING DIRTY is the fifth installment in Sidney Halston’s contemporary, adult WORTH THE FIGHT erotic romance series focusing on the MMA fighters of Worth The Fight Club and the women they love. This is amateur MMA fighter and Brazilian businessman Enzo Silva, and bar waitress Jamie Lynn (JL) Calhoun’s story. JL is Travis’s sister-we were first introduced to our leading couple in a previous story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives FIGHTING DIRTY focuses on Enzo’s attempts to seduce Jamie Lynn-a tattooed, impulsive and feisty thirty year old who never considered settling down anytime soon. For close to a year Enzo has been trying to convince JL to give him a chance but when Enzo is ready to give up it is Jamie who asks Enzo out for their first official date. Jamie and Enzo are polar opposites in almost everything they do but Jamie’s take charge attitude pushes Enzo into some uncomfortable situations while hiding her own emotional and darkened past.

Jamie and her brother Travis never ran in the same circles as the rich and famous people like Enzo Silva. They never knew their father and their mother is an addict with a taste for drugs and men. But Jamie and Travis keep secret their younger life, and it is only when things between Enzo and Jamie begin to heat up does Jamie reveal the truth about earlier years and the reasons she hides behind the tattoos and various changes to her hair color and style. Jamie is a talented artist who likes to push the envelope between right and wrong but the envelope she continues to push lands squarely in the new business deal that Enzo had been trying to make. The $ex scenes are intimate and erotic, and for Enzo there are a number of firsts –outdoors and on the hood of expensive cars.

FIGHTING DIRTY includes all of the previous story line couples as well as Jamie’s twin brother Travis, and the woman who calls to his heart-Penny. Jamie’s BFF Violet (Laid Out #4) is a little protective of our story line heroine but it is Jamie’s secret that Violet struggles to protect the most. We are introduced to Jamie and Travis’s struggling mother, as well as Enzo’s ex wife and the ‘new’ man in her life.

The world building continues to focus on the men of the MMA but the fight scenes are limited in this particular story line. There is a ‘reality’ series scheduled to be shot in and around the Worth the Fight fighters, and with it comes the potential for more drama.

FIGHTING DIRTY is an entertaining story line with likeable characters once you get past Jamie Lynn’s initial over the top exuberance and take charge attitude. There is betrayal and heartbreak; secrets and family dysfunction; falling in love and letting go. A welcome addition to Halston’s Worth the Fight MMA series.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

 

JL knew that, short as she was, she often intimidated men with just a look. That’s what confidence did. And she had it in spades. It made you as tall as you wanted to be. As pretty as you wanted to be. As rich as you wanted to be. Because if you had confidence, nothing else mattered. That was a lesson she’d learned a long time ago.
But even with all that confidence, she wasn’t blind to the differences between her and Enzo. He was from a different world, and she could feel the distance between their worlds every time she thought about going out with him. It had all been harmless flirty fun until he’d taken things too far and kissed her a few weeks ago. And what a kiss it had been. He’d kissed her as if he were stuck in a desert and her mouth were the only thing that could quench his thirst. She still felt all sorts of things running through her body when she thought of the way he’d backed her up against a wall, not caring who the hell was around, gripped her neck, and slipped his tongue between her parted lips. She’d embarrassed herself by melting into him and mewling in need. In fact, she might have even dry-humped his leg. It had been that good a kiss. Then he’d let her go and challenged her by saying, “Next time you’ll beg me to kiss you.” Like she’d ever beg a man! But now, with his glorious body on full display . . .
As if he could sense her inappropriate thoughts, his eyes met hers. His stare felt like a warm caress all over her already ignited body. The charcoal fell out of her hand and a shiver ran down her spine. Is it getting hot in here? She shifted uncomfortably on her chair, but he didn’t break eye contact. Then, the ultraconservative man who had been asking her out constantly for almost a year winked at her. It caught her by surprise, and she quickly hid behind her canvas.


 

About the author

Sidney_HalstonSidney Halston lives her life by one simple rule: “Just do it.” And that’s exactly what she did. At the age of thirty, having never written anything other than a legal brief, she picked up a pen for the first time to pursue her dream of becoming an author. That first stroke sealed the deal, and she fell in love with writing. Halston lives in South Florida with her husband and children.

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Laid Out (Worth the Fight #4) by Sidney Halston-Review and Book Tour

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LAID OUT (Worth the Fight #4) by Sidney Halston-Review and Book Tour

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Laid Out
Worth the Fight #4
by Sidney Halston
Release Date: August 18, 2015

Laid Out

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 18, 2015

Growing up an Army brat, Violet Channing could never meet her dad’s high expectations. But in the eyes of her best friend, she could do no wrong. He even insisted that he should be her first kiss. Now Cain Sorensen is all grown up, hardened by years in special ops and always looking for a good fight. Tall, with striking blue eyes and impossibly blond hair, he’s a modern-day Viking warrior. Of course, Violet’s all grown up, too, and she’s ready to surrender to his every command.

Cain knows he’s bad for Violet. His work is dangerous, and his hobbies are downright deadly. As a private mercenary and a mixed martial arts fighter, he could never let such an innocent soul into his world. And yet his most grueling combat training is no match for Violet’s killer curves, hot touch, and suggestive glances. Now all of Cain’s most explosive fantasies are coming true—but once they cross the line between friends and lovers, there’s no turning back.

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: LAID OUT is the fourth installment in Sidney Halston’s adult, contemporary Worth the Fight MMA romance series. This is former Special Ops soldier / MMA fighter Cain Sorensen, and nurse Violet Channing’s storyline. LAID OUT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous storylines is imparted where necessary.

Told from third person point of view LAID OUT follows the rekindling of a friendship between Violet and Cain. After two tours of duty Cain went MIA and in the ensuing time Violet’s emotions were all over the place believing her best friend, and the man that she loved since childhood was missing or dead. She had already lost one friend to the war in the Middle East but losing Cain would have destroyed Violet’s heart and soul.

Violet has issues with self esteem following a childhood where she was always considered overweight or slightly plump, and in this, Violet’s issues of weight are a continuing presence, throughout the story. In the ensuing years Violet has grown into her body but her lack of confidence finds our heroine asking Cain to ‘teach’ her how to make love–and of course- you know what is going to happen when two people who love one another promise to remain friends in the face of everything that is going on.

The relationship between Violet and Cain is one of life long friendship and love. Along with their other best friend and fellow army brat Jeremy, Violet and Cain did everything together including falling in love-the problem-Jeremy and Cain fell in love with the same girl. Upon his return Cain continues to send mixed signals as it concerns his relationship and love for Violet Channing. Cain believes he is not worthy of Violet’s love in the face of all that has happened between Jeremy, Violet and Cain but his back and forth attitude was a little disconcerting throughout the story: his reasons will become very clear when our hero goes missing-one final time. The $ex scenes are erotic and seductive although many fade to black or are implied.

All of the previous storyline couples play a secondary and supporting role throughout the story. Cain’s love for Violet is apparent to everyone but the man in question; Violet’s love for Cain finds our heroine lost every time Cain rejects what it is Violet is willing to offer. There is a building storyline between MMA fighter Enzo Silva and Violet’s BFF Jamie Lynn Calhoun.

LAID OUT is a slow building storyline both in the romance and relationship development. The attraction and sexual energy between our leading couple is filled with anxiety, regret and heartbreak; Cain is unable to get past his guilt; Violet knows it is time to move on when the man that she have always loved is unable to recognize he loves her in return. The bigger issue is Cain’s need to run when everything begins to break down, and Violet’s willingness to forgive Cain upon his every return.

This is a bit of a difficult review as it pertains to the overall ‘feel’ of the story. Cain is a veteran whose personality has drastically changed and in this his emotions and ability to express himself are closed off; almost cold towards the woman that he loves but his continuous mixed signals left me in a constant state of…WTF!! To feel, Cain pushed himself into the underground world of the MMA without thinking about how his actions affected everyone else.

LAID OUT is an emotional and heartbreaking storyline where one man must learn to acknowledge the past before he is able to move on with the woman that he loves. Guilt and the atrocities of war make for some ugly bedfellows when trying to move on with the realities of life.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

She was kicking a rock out of the way when Cain grabbed her hand and pulled her to a nearby tree, causing her to yelp as she struggled to keep her balance. At nineteen, Cain was thin and lanky—all limbs. She was still short and stumpy. He turned her around brusquely and pressed her back against a tree, the bark digging into her. She looked up at him and saw an intensity in his eyes she’d never seen before. His cheeks were flushed and the vein by his neck pulsed. Suddenly she became nervous. He’d never looked at her this way—the way the cute guys looked at the pretty girls.
Lately she’d felt flustered when Jeremy was nearby, with his mess of curly dark brown hair and dimpled smile. Feelings that hadn’t been there before were now creeping in. In fact, she could’ve sworn Jeremy had been flirting with her lately—complimenting her clothes and hair, brushing against her “accidentally,” inviting her to the movies without Cain around. But these brief flirtatious moments were with Jeremy. Not with Cain. Never with Cain. Cain was just her friend. A little gangly, a little quiet, a lot overprotective.
That was until now.
Suddenly there was an awareness that had never been there before.
When he licked his lips, her pulse sped up. A foreign feeling—desire—began to take root. He reached toward her hair, and she flinched a little before he tucked a stray strand behind her ear. The tender action surprised her. For the first time, she noticed how clear his blue eyes were, how his hair was so blond it almost looked white. All of a sudden, he didn’t seem like just this boy who was always around. Unfamiliar feelings began to erupt throughout her body. She felt her cheeks flame and her heart race.
When he finally spoke, his voice shook a little. “I’m your friend because I want to be your friend. Not because of your parents or your dumb threats. I don’t like it when you call yourself fat. You’re not fat.”
She nodded and murmured, “Okay.” She drew her lower lip into her mouth and nibbled as her wide eyes gazed at his. Cain reached over and pulled her lip out of her mouth. “You’re nervous.” It wasn’t a question. He knew her well enough to be aware of her tells.
“I . . . uh . . . what are you doing, Cain?”
“I don’t want you to kiss just anyone to get it outta the way.”
Words failed her, so she just nodded again. There was a moment where neither spoke. He just looked at her as if trying to decide on his next move.
“I should be the first person you kiss,” he finally said as his tongue flicked out a little and wet his lips.
She gasped and looked up into his eyes nervously. His eyes never left hers, but his reddened ears and neck showed that he was also nervous. She too knew him well.
Like a fool, she bobbed her head up and down mostly because the words were stuck in her throat. It felt like he stared at her lips for an eternity until he finally leaned forward, causing her to press herself further back against the tree, her hands gripping the bark. He tilted his head to the side and she imitated the action.
Should I open my mouth? Leave it closed? What about my tongue? What should it be doing?
Softly, almost feather light, his lips brushed against hers. Her eyes instinctively closed tight, and she stopped breathing. It was less than ten seconds but it was forever. In that moment she fell into the category of girls who’d had their first kiss. She kept her eyes closed for far too long, and when she opened them he was standing upright, his face even more flushed. Her own tongue snuck out of her mouth to taste her lips. She swallowed and looked at him, her eyes as wide as saucers. What just happened?
Then, with the same intensity in his expression, he leaned back down, but this time he pressed harder against her lips causing her lips to part slightly. His body moved closer to hers, and then she felt his hands grip her waist and his tongue touch her lips before it moved into her mouth and brushed hers for a brief second, his fingers digging into her skin at her waist. She instinctively melded into him, her body seeking him out.
Again he moved away and looked at her. His expression never changed, and neither did hers. Her eyes were wide; she touched her lips, as if to determine whether the kiss had really happened. They just looked at each other, neither saying anything, her heart beating so loudly she was sure he could hear it. Finally she spoke and said the only thing that came to mind. “Wow, my cup runneth over,” she whispered. It was a phrase he teased her about constantly, but it was exactly how she felt: she could barely contain her happiness.
He chuckled, and the smile did her in: she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. Hard. He wrapped his arms around her waist and walked them the half step back against the tree again. Their noses bumped. It was awkward, but as first kisses went . . . it was perfect.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Vi.” It was the last thing he said to her before leaving for war.

Series Spotlight Black and White

Against the CageAgainst the Cage
Worth the Fight #1
by Sidney Halston
Genre: adult, contemporary, MMA romance
Release Date: May 24, 2014

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For Chrissy Martin, returning to her Florida hometown always seems to bring bad luck. The day starts with a breakup text, followed by a jailhouse phone call from her troublemaker brother. Now a routine traffic stop has ended with her accidentally punching an officer . . . in a delicate place. Then Chrissy realizes that the hot cop on the receiving end of her right hook is none other than the man from her teenage fantasies.

Jack Daniels knows how to take a hit. After all, when he’s not chasing reckless drivers, he’s kicking ass in a mixed martial arts ring. So what takes his breath away isn’t the low blow, but the woman who dealt it: a gorgeous knockout with legs Jack wouldn’t mind being pinned under—who just so happens to be his best friend’s nerdy little sister, all grown up. Soon their instant chemistry leads to a sizzling affair, but Jack and Chrissy are fighting an uphill battle if they want to make love last beyond the final bell.

_____________

FULL CONTACT
(Worth the Fight 2)
by Sidney Halston
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance, MMA

Full Contact

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Click HERE for Sandy’s review of FULL CONTACT

About the book: Release Date October 28, 2014

How could she have been so stupid? When Jessica Cross decides to give her violently jealous boyfriend—the otherwise influential and charming Dennis Stavros—a second chance, she very nearly becomes a statistic. After weeks of healing from a broken rib and collapsed lung, and with Dennis behind bars, Jessica finally feels ready to come out of hiding. But will she ever be able to take a chance on love again with someone new?

Mixed martial arts fighter Slade Martin knows he has a bad reputation. Hell, he’s probably earned it. So it won’t be easy to convince beautiful, vulnerable Jessica that she can trust him—that from the moment she walked into his life, she’s been the only one he’s wanted. Powerful and confident

_____________

Below the Belt
Worth the Fight #3
by Sidney Halston
Release Date: February 10, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary,erotic, romance, MMA

Below the Belt

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Click HERE for Sandy’s review of BELOW THE BELT

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 10, 2015

Once one of the most sought-after names on the mixed martial arts circuit, Antonio “Scarface” Marino watched his career go down for the count as he chased skirts and made tabloid headlines. Now he’s finally making a comeback, and it’s all thanks to Francesca Silva, a Brazilian bombshell as tough as any of her fighters. But who’s the real Francesca: the trash-talking trainer who rides him hard, or the vulnerable woman who blushes at his touch?

Francesca went to the mat to sign Tony because she believes he still has the potential to bring big success to her gym—if she can keep his head in the cage and out of her personal life. After a short-lived marriage soured her on love, a one-night stand is all she can handle. Now Tony’s kisses are stirring up complicated feelings—especially when he agrees to face her ex in the ring. Francesca’s used to freezing guys out. But Tony’s tempting her to give in to the heat.

About The Author Black and White

Sidney_HalstonSidney Halston lives her life by one simple rule: “Just do it.” And that’s exactly what she did. At the age of thirty, having never written anything other than a legal brief, she picked up a pen for the first time to pursue her dream of becoming an author. That first stroke sealed the deal, and she fell in love with writing. Halston lives in South Florida with her husband and children.

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Ebook copies of:
• JUST A LITTLE CRUSH by Renita Pizzitola
• CRUSHED by Lauren Layne
• AGAINST THE CAGE by Sidney Halston
• POSSESS by Laura Marie Altom
• AFTER MIDNIGHT by Kathy Clark
• MAKE YOU BURN by Megan Crane
• MY HIGHLAND LOVER by Maeve Greyson
• BREAKING NOAH by Missy Johnson and Ashley Suzanne
• A FASHIONABLE INDULGENCE by K.J. Charles
• FORBIDDEN by Jacquelyn Frank

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Full Contact / Below the Belt (Worth the Fight 2 &3) by Sidney Halston-a review

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Full Conact / Below the Belt (Worth the Fight #2 & 3) by Sidney Halston-a review

Worth the Fight Series

FULL CONTACT
(Worth the Fight 2)
by Sidney Halston
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance, MMA

Full Contact

Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

About the book: Release Date October 28, 2014

How could she have been so stupid? When Jessica Cross decides to give her violently jealous boyfriend—the otherwise influential and charming Dennis Stavros—a second chance, she very nearly becomes a statistic. After weeks of healing from a broken rib and collapsed lung, and with Dennis behind bars, Jessica finally feels ready to come out of hiding. But will she ever be able to take a chance on love again with someone new?

Mixed martial arts fighter Slade Martin knows he has a bad reputation. Hell, he’s probably earned it. So it won’t be easy to convince beautiful, vulnerable Jessica that she can trust him—that from the moment she walked into his life, she’s been the only one he’s wanted. Powerful and confident, Slade knows he can honor his vow to protect Jessica body and soul. Winning her heart will be another matter . . . but a woman like Jessica is worth the fight.

••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: FULL CONTACT is the second installment in Sidney Halston’s adult, contemporary Worth the Fight erotic romance series focusing on the men of MMA and the women that they love. This is thirty three year old MMA fighter Slade Martin and bartender Jessica Cross’s storyline. Although FULL CONTACT is the second in the series, it can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. The series follows the MMA fighters at Worth the Fight Academy in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

Told from dual third person points of view the storyline focuses on Jessica’s recovery following a near fatal beating by her ex boyfriend Dennis Stravos. Slade, always the protector, finds himself falling for Jessica ensuring her recovery is under his care-at his home- and in his bed. What ensues is a developing friendship that grows into something more but Slade’s ‘harem’ of women throws Jessica’s emotions into a frenzy; jealousy, betrayal, insecurity and threats against the people she loves, follow Jessica from work to home. In order to protect everyone, Jessica knows it is time to move back home. Breaking Slade’s heart is the only way to protect the man with whom she has fallen in love.

The relationship between Jessica and Slade is a friends to lovers storyline; their attraction to one another is immediate but Slade’s reputation with the ladies precedes his introduction to Jessica and she is unsure about any stable relationship with a man whose one night stands are many. The $ex scenes are captivating, provocative and intense-Slade knows how to please a woman in bed. There is plenty of push and pull throughout the story as Jessica must consider the future-with or without the man that she loves.

The secondary and supporting characters include Jack and Chrissy (Slade’s sister) from book one as well as Francesca Silva-Slade’s new partner at the gym and the woman who catches the eye of Worth the Fight’s newest fighter-Tony Marino. Cain, Violet, Jamie Lynn, Jett, and Travis add color, humor and an interesting take on life and love both in and out of the cage. We are also introduced to Jessica’s parents-two people who wish more for their daughter than to settle in Tarpon Springs; and Dennis Stravos-an up and coming political wannabe with a quick temper and a quicker fist.

The world building takes the reader from the Worth the Fight Academy to the local pub known as the Pier, behind the scenes and into the bedrooms of the MMA fighters. We get an up close view of their training, after hours play, and what goes between fights.

Sidney Halston’s FULL CONTACT is a passionate look the fighters of the MMA- their loves and lives; their failures and wins. Worth the Fight is an imaginative series with romance, love, betrayal and revenge. There are moments of intense drama, and painful realizations followed by intimate and sensual scenes of love. If you are a fan of the MMA storylines, where the hero always gets the woman that he loves, then WORTH THE FIGHT is the series for you.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

______________________________

 

Below the Belt
Worth the Fight #3
by Sidney Halston
Release Date: February 10, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary,erotic, romance, MMA

Below the Belt

Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 10, 2015

Once one of the most sought-after names on the mixed martial arts circuit, Antonio “Scarface” Marino watched his career go down for the count as he chased skirts and made tabloid headlines. Now he’s finally making a comeback, and it’s all thanks to Francesca Silva, a Brazilian bombshell as tough as any of her fighters. But who’s the real Francesca: the trash-talking trainer who rides him hard, or the vulnerable woman who blushes at his touch?

Francesca went to the mat to sign Tony because she believes he still has the potential to bring big success to her gym—if she can keep his head in the cage and out of her personal life. After a short-lived marriage soured her on love, a one-night stand is all she can handle. Now Tony’s kisses are stirring up complicated feelings—especially when he agrees to face her ex in the ring. Francesca’s used to freezing guys out. But Tony’s tempting her to give in to the heat.

••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: BELOW THE BELT is the third installment in Sidney Halston’s adult, contemporary Worth the Fight erotic, romance series focusing on MMA fighters and the women that they love. This is thirty five year old MMA fighter Antonio (Tony) Marino and gym owner Francesca Silva whom we first met in FULL CONTACT (book 2). Although this is the third novel in the series, BELOW THE BELT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

The premise focuses on Tony’s upcoming fight and the building relationship between Tony and Francesca. Francesca and Slade Martin (Full Contact book 2) bought the rights to Tony’s contract, and ‘Worth the Fight’ gym/fight club is hoping to make their money back and more. What ensues is Tony’s pursuit of both the title and Francesca-a woman with a cold façade and an even colder attitude. Francesca’s history with men is limited and full of heartbreak. She is an independent heroine with a fragile ego who hides behind a business suit that screams nothing but professional.

The storyline and the relationship are slow to build. As Francesca and Slade work to rebuild the gym, Francesca continues to push Tony away at every opportunity and she is a woman who likes to run when the going gets tough. Francesca and Tony both have a quick temper and are even quicker to jump to conclusions as it pertains to their relationship jealousy and other contenders for their heart. As Tony’s championship fight draws near their personalities, egos, wants and need begin to clash until Tony walks away giving Francesca the space she needs to deal with her past. The sex scenes are intimate, passionate and hot.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include the previous storyline couples (Slade and Jessica/ Chrissy and Jack) as well as Tony’s large extended family -mother, four sisters, six nieces and a house full of kittens that kept Tony on his toes. We are also introduced to Tony’s next competitor in the ring-a man whose connection to Francesca is a little more than Tony is willing to accept.

The author notes on several occasions the distinction between Tony and Francesca’s heritage. Francesca is Brazilian and Tony is Cuban and this seems to be a bit of a bone of contention or at the very least, a delineation or characterization that necessitated several reminders. The writing style was a little choppy early on; I didn’t quite feel invited into the story but once the storyline began to unfold, the flow was smooth with a more welcoming and engaging style.

BELOW THE BELT is a story about an alpha male who falls in love with a strong, independent woman whose previous relationship and lack of experience sets the tone for her current dilemma. Francesca knows that to fall in love will only bring heartbreak and sorrow-in this, she is a woman determined never to fall in love again.

Sidney Halston invites the reader into the cage, onto the mat, and behind the doors of the MMA fighter. Not only do they fight for their life but they fight for love and a happily ever after.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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