Category Archives: Sports Theme

#NewRelease #BookPromo – The Act of Trusting (Braxton U Book 1) by Lexi Bissen

There was a sadness in her clear, gray eyes that I could see she tried to hide. A fight with her inner demons she didn’t want to show anyone…

Camden Collins
Life was going well for me. I was on the right track: captain of the soccer team, grades were passing, and I had the respect of my team. Girls threw themselves at me. It was every twenty-year-old’s dream.
Then I saw her…
One look at her, and it all changed. Something about her drew me in. A sense of protectiveness to guard this small, sad girl. In her eyes, I could see the fight she had within herself…and I wanted to be there for her. To protect her and be someone to lean on while she fought whatever it was. Nothing else seemed to matter but the dark-haired, beautiful girl I couldn’t stay away from.

Blaire Wentworth
I wasn’t the same girl I was four years ago. My life was stolen from me one night and I’d never have the chance to get old me back. Now I was just existing, not living. I went through the motions of my everyday routine, staying quiet and keeping to myself. Trusting and letting people in was a constant struggle.
Until he showed up…
I’d never seen someone like him before. Not once had I described a guy as beautiful, but that’s what he was. He struck something in me, and I didn’t know how to handle that. I was chasing nightmares no one knew about. Ones I kept to myself for a reason. Could I let this new person into my life that I had kept closed off from many for far too long? What if I let my guard down and he ended up destroying me?
And that became my greatest fear…

#NewRelease #Review #BookPromo – Hidden Scars (An MM Hockey Romance) by Andi Jaxon

Charles Preston Carmichael is the most infuriating man I’ve ever met.

I want to sock the golden boy of college hockey right in the mouth.

He enjoys telling me everything I’m messing up. Publicly.

And since he’s my roommate for the next year, I can’t avoid him.

Yet there’s something about him that makes me watch him.

Something dark.

A secret I want to uncover.

When he returns from a weekend away, broken and haunted, I can’t keep my distance anymore.

He needs someone and I’ll be damned if it’s not me.

Soon my life no longer revolves around hockey, but the nightmares he’s living with.

Desperately I want to save him but I can’t, not yet. The timing has to be just right.

Can I watch him destroy himself as he tries to hold tight to the things that matter or will I be the final hit in the destruction of his life?
Hidden scars is an MM enemies to lovers, hockey romance, with a jealous f*ck buddy, and plenty of heat.
Trigger warnings can be found on my website at https://www.andijaxon.com/trigger-warnings

I thought Roman in Bully King was broken, haunted and outright mean. Boy was I ever wrong. Preston is worse. Much much worse. First, I just want to say that if you have triggers, PLEASE read this book with caution. I believe Andi has trigger warnings for this book on her website but I’m not 100% on that.

I can read anything and I don’t have triggers at all but the prologue to this book made even me feel very uncomfortable.

I’m a huge fan of Andi Jaxon’s MM books. I thought Bully King was my favourite and then this one came along and it’s definitely pushed BK out of the #1 spot for me.

This story is dark mixed with a sliver of light. It’s grumpy/sunshine and that’s not an exaggeration. Jeremy is the sunshine that Preston needs. Andi wrote Preston perfectly and what happens to him is beyond tragic. His dad needs to be shot and peed on.

As far as I know, this story is a standalone but there are some side characters that I would love to see stories for. A little MFM action could take place between a set of twins and a lady. Hint hint, Andi. Hint hint.

I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait for more from Andi. This story is the perfect amount of steam and plot. One doesn’t over rule the other either.

If you’re a fan of MM books, I highly recommend checking this one out!

#BookPromo #BookBlitz Scandal: A Driven World Novel (The Driven World) by J.L. Baldwin

An installment of The Driven World by K. Bromberg. Dive into a new, never before seen story and new characters with cameos from the characters you already know and love.


A female racer set on defying the odds, a famous playboy set on ruining her reputation, an attraction neither one can deny

Kellie

Kellie was a rebel without a cause, a defiant force to be reckoned with, and everything her parents feared she’d grow up to be.
Defying the odds and breaking the rules. On and off the track. That was Kellie’s motto for life. Being a female race car driver in what’s considered a male-dominated profession has given her some challenges in life.
But when a wrench is suddenly thrown into the path of her dreams, she decides to take matters into her own hands and not bend down to anybody.

Ashton

Ashton has had his fair share of rules. Growing up as the son of a famous indie race car driver, he has been at the epicenter of the media his whole life.
Things take a sudden turn when Ashton catches Kellie, his old high school “acquaintance” in a rather compromising position, then the perfect plan started to form.

Blackmailing Kellie into a fake relationship was the only way to get what he wanted and that was to get the media off his back and his playboy ways. Even if fighting him every step of the way and letting him see that fire inside of her made him fall harder each and every day, pretending to fake the feelings he developed might just veer him off track of his perfect plan all together.

J.L. Baldwin’s Scandal is an adrenaline pumping, fast paced, sexy contemporary romance written in K. Bromberg’s Driven Worlds project.

#NewRelease – Slap Shot by Kat Mizera

Slap Shot (Lauderdale Knights Book 1) by [Kat Mizera]

Welcome to Fort Lauderdale—where the days are hot and the Knights are hotter…

Vaughn:
I might be at the top of my game, but a fresh start feels like the right move at this stage of my career. Joining the Lauderdale Knights has been a great decision, and I’m ready to win this city over.

On opening night the crowd goes wild… and so does my slap shot. Knocking a fan unconscious wasn’t the introduction I envisioned. Especially when I lay eyes on my gorgeous victim. Problem is… she’s engaged.

Juliet:
Waking up with a concussion and amnesia has made me realize that when it comes to living life on my terms, it’s now or never. My big Italian family means well, but it’s time for them to stop calling the shots.

Now if I could just get rid of my fiancé, quit my job, and stop drooling over the hottie hockey player who knocked some sense into me, life would be perfect. Except nothing in my life is perfect… not even Lauderdale’s newest MVP.

Goodreads

USA Today Bestselling author Kat Mizera is a South Florida native. Born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of wanderlust, she’s called Los Angeles, Long Island, upstate New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Atlanta home. She’s never been able to pick which locale is her favorite, but if pressed, she’d probably choose the west coast.

Kat’s a typical PTA mom with a wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max). When she’s not writing, she’s either scrapbooking or indulging in her second love (after writing) – traveling. Greece is one of her favorite places in the world. She loves that Athens is a big city with a small-town feel. The food, beaches and culture keep her going back as often as possible. She hopes to retire there one day so she can spend her days writing books on the beach.

As you can guess from her series, the Las Vegas Sidewinders, Kat loves hockey. She is also a freelance hockey writer, covering her favorite team, the Florida Panthers, and any other teams that have an interesting story. The rest of the time, she writes novels: sexy, romantic fiction that she hopes makes you as happy as it makes her. There’s something enticing about hockey players and romance…

#SportsRomance – Shaw, Minnesota Raptors book 1 by Apryl Baker

Shaw

Cora Stevens was on the verge of having it all before her life changed forever. She was betrayed by the one person she loved most in the world, and everything came crashing down around her, leaving her lost and vulnerable. When life dealt her another painful blow, she ran from Boston and its dark memories.

She wanted to start over, to forget her past and forge a new life. Only the past has a way of coming back to haunt you, and she ran headfirst into him when he came into her ER.

Now everything’s changed.

Four years ago, Shaw Chandler hurt the one person who meant more to him than anyone. Now he has the chance to set that hurt right and get back his best friend and the one woman he’s never been able to forget. The woman he loves with everything in him.

He’s determined to win her back and earn her forgiveness.

But there are some things Shaw doesn’t know, and it’s possible Cora’s secrets will tear them even further apart.

Goodreads

So who am I? Well, I’m the crazy girl with an imagination that never shuts up. I LOVE scary movies. My friends laugh at me when I scare myself watching them and tell me to stop watching them, but who doesn’t love to get scared? I grew up in a small town nestled in the southern mountains of West Virginia where I spent days roaming around in the woods, climbing trees, and causing general mayhem. Nights I would stay up reading Nancy Drew by flashlight under the covers until my parents yelled at me to go to sleep.

Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot of values and morals, I also learned parents have spies everywhere and there’s always someone to tell your mama on you. So when you get grounded, what is there left to do? Read! My Aunt Jo gave me my first real romance novel. It was a romance titled “Lord Margrave’s Deception.” I remember it fondly. But I also learned I had a deep and abiding love of mysteries and anything paranormal. As I grew up, I started to write just that and would entertain my friends with stories featuring them as main characters.

Now, I live Huntersville, NC where I entertain my family and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierce…lol.

I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories.

#WOTR21 #Football – First and Ten (Love by the Yard Book #1) by Michel Prince

First and Ten: Book 1 of the Love by the Yard Series by [Michel Prince]

Warning: For Mature Adult Audiences 18+. Contains language and actions some may deem offensive. Sexually explicit content. MF.

In book one of Love by the Yard: In Chicago they say Speed Kills, or at least they have for the last seven years since the handsome running back, Jerome Speed, led the Chicago Grizzlies to divisional and conference championships.

Danika Albright’s privileged upbringing has most people believing she wants for nothing. As the daughter of a self-made billionaire she shouldn’t, but her father never wanted his children to be spoiled and demanded they make their own way with little to no help from him. While working her way through school as a stylist, she crosses paths with a local football star with his own issues.

The pair work to keep their desires from molding their relationship, but when a paternity case tackles the star and the woman wants more than money, the relationship takes a hit.

Can Danika and Jerome look past what they know and take the time to discover what really happens when you fall in love with a person—one who wants you and not just your name?

Two people—two different backgrounds—one goal—to learn to love one yard at a time.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Angie

I was given a code for the audio book by the author for an honest review.

I have too stay I really enjoy the narrator for this story.  Michel has Logan narrate her Tattoo series called The Permanent Hangover.  I truly do enjoy his voice and the variations he can make for the different characters he voices.  There are times his voice is like melted butter ladies *wink wink*.  It was a great listen.

Ok if you haven’t read anything by Michel lemme tell ya, she writes some hard topics.  She doesn’t sugar coat them and she can make things a bit uncomfortable, but she is always respectful and truthful to the story.  This story does hit the topic of mental health issues for one of the side characters.    Her raw, gritty, TRUTH is something I actually look forward too.

This is the story about socialite Dani whose father is the rich IT Genius in Chicago.  She portrays the life of privilege which she HAS but doesn’t have.  Confusing right?  Her dad informs you he is rich, but she isn’t.  She has to chip in on the family’s weekly groceries, so she doesn’t take anything for granted.  Dani has a great career as a stylist for some of the football’s players of the NFL Team.  She is stunned stupid when she meets Rome getting fitted and not se well by her nemesis.

Rome sees Dani and thinks she is going to be another rich, spoiled, socialist but is shocked when she doesn’t know who he is.  HIM!!!  She doesn’t know Jerome Speed???  WHAT!!  After a brief and intriguing meeting, he needs to know more about her. The two bumps into each other when Dani was taking her “Tuesday Treat” day and hang out.  Rome is stunned she isn’t throwing herself at him and actually tends to dismiss him at times.  Who is this woman!!!??  Does she not know who he is and what his reputation is????

Rome and Dani start to spend time together when the paparazzi, his custody battle, her families not so happy reaction to her being in the gossip rag, annnnnnd a psycho baby momma cause so much trouble for this two.  They have an amazing chemistry, and nothing seems to stop them for being together.  I loved the story and the resolution of the drama between the side characters and the main character.  I am very excited for the next book because Dalton was a GREAT Beta to Rome’s alpha in this book.

Michel Prince is an author who graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes young adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.

With characters yelling “It’s my turn damn it!!!” She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.

When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or cheering for her son in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.

Michel is a member of RWA Pro and Midwest Fiction Writers. In 2013 she was awarded Elite Status with Rebel Ink Press. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, and cat.

#WOTR21 #DoubleReview- Make it Count Anthology with Mary Martel’s short story, The Games We Play

Make It Count

The last quarter.
The final inning.
Whatever it takes, you have to give it all you’ve got.
When that clock is ticking down, remember how hard you’ve trained, how many hours you put in. Strap on your pads, wrap your hands, tie up those cleats. Whether on the field or in a rink, you’ve got this. This is your day, your time to shine. It doesn’t matter what game you play.
In the end, all you have to do is Make it Count.

Twenty-three authors bring you nineteen stories full of hope and love.

This anthology in memory of Josie McIntyre, who was an avid softball player who was tragically lost too young. All proceeds for this anthology will go toward a scholarship fund in her memory.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Angie

The Games We Play by Mary Martel

I received this book from the author for an honest review.

This short story is everything Mary Martel does and does well.  She introduces us to an alpha anti-hero that we will fall in love with and beg for more…hint hint…girl I want more Tobias!

This book is the bad boy with a bad rep who has been secretly in love with the purest, sweetest head cheerleader Shae whose dad happens to be an ambitious senator.

A night where Shae decides to cut loose and go to a party after she sees HIM looking at HER. The two confront each other and finally lay their cards on the table.  Seriously such a great short read that will leave you satisfied and feeling like you read a modern take on “The Breakfast Club”.

Review by Twinsie Melinda

Games We Play by Mary Martel

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

I loved this quick read. I have to say I want more of Tobias. He is so yummy. Shay was amazing herself. 

Shay was the good girl and the cheerleader. You know the girl that was supposed to be with the football player.  Nope not Shay she was drawn to Tobias the typical bad boy. Really she was boarder line stalker, LOL. Seriously Shay knew Tobias didn’t even know who she was. In reality Tobias did notice her and in a big way. 

Loved that Shay did let other peoples view distract her from what she wanted. This was a great good girl/bad boy romance. So many great moments between Shay and Tobias. Only question is can their fling last more than just in private between the two of them. This book was short and good. Did I mention I really want more of that bad boy Tobias because really I do need more of him and this story. 

A few of my favorites:

I wanted naughty and dangerous and…a bad boy.
I wanted Tobias Knotts

I had her full attention like I never had before.
She saw me.
Me.

Mary Martel was born in West Michigan and spent the majority of her life there. She currently resides in North Dakota with her husband, and her two beautiful daughters. She’s an avid reader, and when not writing she can be found with her nose stuck in a book.

#WOTR21 #Sports #Bookspotlight #SportsRomance – The Game Changer (Knights of Passion series Book 3) by Megan Ryder

The Game Changer (Knights of Passion series Book 3) by [Megan Ryder]

All-star catcher Dylan Prosser always has his head in the game. Accustomed to keeping opponents from stealing bases, Dylan is completely focused on getting the team to the playoffs no matter what the cost. He definitely doesn’t expect anyone to steal his heart and turn his life upside down–least of all, a stray dog and a beautiful girl.

After the ultimate abandonment by her family, Savannah Monroe channels her savior-complex tendencies into helping animals because they can’t hurt her like people can. Life at the animal rescue shelter has always provided the security and personal reward that she needs to be happy while protecting her heart.

But as she works with Sadie, Savannah soon realizes that his dog isn’t the only one who needs saving…

Goodreads

Ever since Megan Ryder discovered Jude Deveraux and Judith McNaught while sneaking around the “forbidden” romance section of the library one day after school, she has been voraciously devouring romance novels of all types. Now a romance author in her own right, Megan pens sexy contemporary novels all about family and hot lovin’ with the boy next door. She’s also a master procrastinator–with knitting and yarn shopping as her primary form of procraftination!

#WOTR20 #EventHost #NewRelease #Novella #Boxing #Hilarious #InstaLove – Four Rounds by Jillian Jacobs

Four Rounds by [Jacobs, Jillian]

Four Rounds—A completely ridiculous way to fall in love.
You Tube influencer and syndicated morning talk show host, Cricket Kelly lives life with purple tips on her red locks and unicorn socks on her feet. Theodore Brooks lives by the numbers with nary a hair out of place.
They meet between boxing bags and even though opposites attract, Cricket’s father is being implicated for money laundering, and Theo is the lead investigator on the case.
Will four rounds be enough to discover true love? Or will disastrous dates end their chance at happiness? Find out with this slightly silly but absolutely fun fight for love


Goodreads


I received this book from the author.

I read the first chapter and was messaging Jillian how hilarious this book is. Seriously I snort laughed so many times in this book!

Cricket is so damn funny and off the wall, but I loved her so much.  Once you get past her wild and crazy side you see a woman who wants to be loved for her but is so scared of being loved.  Her life hasn’t been great, and she hides it well.  However, her insane attraction to her friend’s brother changes that for her in an instant.

Theo is a total sick in the mud.  He goes boxing with his sister and takes notice of the wild instructor immediately.  When she just shoves her way into his life, he is not happy but also not unhappy about it.  The only issue is…he can’t get involved with her given he is investigating her father’s dirty dealings.

The dates the two go on…had me in stitches!!  I mean shut up!!  I couldn’t stop giggling while reading!!  The story of Theo’s investigation takes on the majority of the end of the story but seeing them try to be together through it all was well worth the read.

Seriously I would love to read a book about Jessica, Theo’s sister, because this insane family needs more wild in their lives.

Author Bio: Jillian Jacobs is the co-founder of Healing with Words–a not for profit 501(c)(3) established for healing survivors of abuse, addiction, trafficking, and prostitution. The mission is to bring together readers, authors, and survivors in a positive manner that affects change and relief from negative influences. Writers on The River, an author event in Peoria, Illinois is hosted by Healing With Words.
Her genres are Paranormal and Contemporary with suspenseful elements

#NewRelease #Review – Sweet Little Lies (Book 5 the Sweetest Thing Series) by Sierra Hill

Sweet Little Lies (The Sweetest Thing, #5)

Lance:
Some lies are meant to deceive. Others to protect.
My lies have done nothing but harm. They push people away. Even the people that I want to hold onto for dear life. Mica Reyes is too beautiful and pure for my tarnished soul, although I want her with a fierceness of a caged lion.
They say letting go of your grief and your sins will unburden you and set you free. But it’s her I need to set free from the pain I’ll cause from loving her too much.

Mica:
My Abuelita always said I should never give my heart away unless I knew it would be in capable hands. To give it to a man who would love and cherish me and put me first above all others.
But my heart didn’t listen. I fell for Lance Britton, the college basketball player who uses humor to outwardly disguise the emotional turmoil that lives inside him. To hide his painful secrets.
But I know him. And although I hate ultimatums, I may need to give him one before the lies between us grow any deeper. Letting go may be the only way to reach him.

Goodreads

I received this book from the author for an honest review.

Ahh Sierra What a great addition to the series!!

I loved loved loved Micalea and her story.  She is not the typical heroine for a story and I think I liked that a whole lot.  She is a Mexican immigrant whose family is a typical tight knit family. They love hard and work hard but always have each other’s back.  They also are very traditional and want to have her married off where she wants to go to college.

Lance on the other hand is a total hottie, college basketball player who is a player on and off the court.  However, he has eyes for Mica.  She is not having it because she KNOWS the challenges that will face the couple.  While everyone thinks Lance has it all, they don’t see he is a hot mess on the inside.

Mica was just so stinking sweet and her whole “Love is love “attitude is what made my smile.  If only others could feel that way too right.  Lance was so adorable with is pursuits of Mica.    Mica soon realized that Lance is a good guy but they both have to spend a lot of time defending their relationship.  There are many trials and tribulations they must face to end up together.

Sierra Hill wrote her first full-length romance after a corporate acquisition led her to a stint of unemployment, offering her some quality writing time.

She loves writing about the fictional characters that live in her brain who constantly shout for their own love story to be told.

Sierra resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of twenty years and her long-haired, German Shepherd. She is currently working on her next book.

Thanks for reading and reviewing her books. Keep the passion alive!