The Varlet and the Voyeur (Rugby #4) by Penny Reid and LH Cosway

Blurb:

He kept his salacious secret for years. But soon, everyone is going to be reading about it in their morning paper…

THE VARLET (and the VOYEUR)
William Moore is a long way from home. A farm boy from Oklahoma, he’s now the most well-respected member of the Irish rugby team. But appearances are often deceptive, and Will isn’t the clean-cut, all-American good-guy everyone imagines him to be. He’s got a secret, one that will tarnish his reputation forever.

THE VOYEUR (and the VARLET)
Josey Kavanagh is a self-proclaimed mess, but she’s finally getting her shi…uh, act together. She’s set her sights on becoming a veterinarian, but there’s one teeny tiny road bump. Her living arrangements are coming to an abrupt end, leaving Josey homeless and in need of a job to pay her way through college.

THE PLAN
What he needs is a companion to keep him on the right path.
What she needs is an apartment with free rent.
Will is convinced Josey will make the perfect companion, since she’s brutally honest and basically ‘just one of the guys.’ Josey is convinced she can ensure Will doesn’t succumb to his voyeuristic proclivities by keeping a scrupulous eye on him.
Except, what happens when the varlet is tempted by the voyeur, and vice-versa?!
Perchance something very, very volatile. And vexing.

The Varlet and the Voyeur is a full-length romantic comedy novel, can be read as a standalone, and is the 4th (and last) book in the USA TODAY bestselling Rugby Series

Find on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon PB: https://amzn.to/2Mky3QN

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2HMHfu1

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2HLC11e

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2t0Z5nw

Kristine's Review:

Reviewed: June 2018.

It's not often til you revisit old friends in your most beloved books that you realise how much you needed to revisit the authors work. After a week filled with great book after great book I needed something I would love just as much. When I picked up The Varlet and the Voyeur I was quietly confident I wouldn't be disappointed. Individually Penny Reid and LH Cosway have written some of my favourite titles, together they've created books I've adored. With the fourth and final instalment in the Rugby series landing on my kindle I was ready to be swept away.

Josey Kavanagh is the very definition of hot mess, she's honest to a fault, has absolutely no filter and is absolutely living in the present with little to no thought of the future. Happy to be a home body and spending the majority of her free time with her eclectic parents, she's blind sighted by the news of her parents wanting to sell her childhood home pushing her to move out and forge her own path. Hurt and still very much in shock Josey has no plan and no idea what she's going to do.

"She wasn't crazy, she was kind. She wasn't nutty, she was naïve, trusting. There was absolutely nothing wrong with Josey, and I silently promised I'd never let Bryan - or anyone else - plant seeds of doubt about her again."

William Moore has done his best to live as private a life as possible despite being his chosen profession, he's been the consummate professional, a good friend to those around him, albeit stoic in his interactions with others. When the media grabs hold of a scandal of an intimate nature his once carefully constructed persona is blown apart. With vultures at every turn vying for blood he's thrust into a spotlight he never craved.

"She'd eradicated the emptiness, but she'd made the space bigger, fuller, brighter than before. Her leaving would create too large of a chasm, one that I'd feel both acutely ad chronically."

Josey needs somewhere to live, Will needs someone who will hold him accountable and not be afraid to ask him direct questions, it seems like a perfect arrangement right? In the land of romance we know it's going to be anything but smooth sailing for these two.


The beauty of these two slightly quirky characters is in the vulnerability and honesty that laces all of their interactions. In a world full of deceit and make believe being open and earnest can be a revolutionary act. The way Josey and Will exist around one another means so much because they operate without judgement. It's their connection from tentative to all encompassing that I found so thrilling. I wanted them to be each others safe haven, I wanted Josey to know Will's kinks and love him not in spite of it, but because it was part of who he is, and I wanted Will to see this young woman who was too loud, too quirky, too awkward for so may others and worship her because it's what made her, her. It's what we all crave after all, a genuine connection, an unshakeable bond, a person who is our common sense, our mischief, our best day, our sounding board. Someone who knows our hopes, our dreams, our fears and encourages and supports us through all of it. Someone who knows all of our best qualities and our worst ones as well. It's being vulnerable with someone knowing they will safeguard your heart. It was this connection that had my heart swelling and skipping a beat because having that connection with someone regardless of whether it's in the form of a friend, soul mate or lover is without a doubt one of the greatest gifts we can receive.

"Unfortunately, a tear had already formed inside me. And where there was a tear, pain was inevitable."

The Varlet and the Voyeur had the same humour I've come to expect from Reid and Cosway, it was sexy and fun in equal measure ticking all the boxes for this romance reader, and yet it had this depth that I wasn't quite ready for, with moments of unyielding beauty, an exquisite rawness that stole my breath. The vulnerability on the pages that had me so utterly invested in the characters that I found this story impossible to put down. I adored every moment of this story, I fell hopelessly in love with Josey and Will, with the way Reid and Cosway breathed life into them so they jumped off the page and straight into my heart. Full of frivolity and fun, and laced with so much emotion that I'm not sure to forget these two anytime soon.

"I wasn't falling in love with Josey because I was already in love with her."

About Penny Reid:

Penny Reid is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

Connect with Penny on Facebook

About LH Cosway:

L.H. Cosway lives in Dublin, Ireland. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.

She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories.

Connect with Lorraine on Facebook

Bountiful (True North #4) by Sarina Bowen

Mark your calendars - October 20th...It's apple picking season. It's also time for a brand new True North story. Bountiful is Zara's story. Remember Zara? She is Griff's ex, and the bartender at The Mountain Goat. She has a cute little baby daughter, and hasn't told a soul who the father is. More about Bountiful...

Blurb:

No last names. No life stories. Those were the rules.

Once upon a time a cocky, copper-haired tourist sauntered into Zara’s bar. And even though she knew better, Zara indulged in a cure for the small-town blues. It was supposed to be an uncomplicated fling—a few sizzling weeks before he went back to his life, and she moved on.

Until an accidental pregnancy changed her life.

Two years later, she’s made peace with the notion that Dave No-Last-Name will never be found. Until one summer day when he walks into her coffee shop, leveling her with the same hot smile that always renders her defenseless.

Hockey star Dave Beringer has never forgotten the intense month he spent with prickly Zara. Their nights together were the first true intimacy he’d ever experienced. But the discovery of his child is the shock of a lifetime, and his ugly past puts relationships and family out of reach.

Or does it? Vermont’s countryside has a way of nurturing even tortured souls. The fields and the orchards—and hard won love—are Bountiful.

Pre-order at Amazon US | iBooks | Kobo | Nook  

Excerpt:

“Last call,” she said to me as she wiped down the bar. “Can I get you anything else?”

“Not unless you’ll let me buy you a drink. Seems like you might need to unwind after that last bit of bullshit.”

She gave me a wry smile. “You’re sweet to ask. But I can’t accept. Company policy.”

“Uh-huh.” I took out my wallet and put a fifty on the bar. “First of all, I’m not sweet.”

Her eyes widened a little when I said that. Now I had her attention.

“And secondly, company policy my ass. It’s you who calls the shots in this place. Nobody else but you. I can see why you need a handy excuse, though. If you couldn’t pull the ‘company policy’ out of your pocket sometimes, the men would be buying the sexy bartender drinks left and right all night long, I bet. You’d never get a moment’s peace.”

A smile stole across her features. “Yeah, sure. I have to keep a stick back here behind the bar just to beat back all the men.”

“You don’t need that stick, gorgeous, because you give ’em the evil eye and they run off, knowing they’re not man enough for you. But every guy who drinks in this bar has the secret, fervent wish that fortune would smile down on him just long enough for him to earn an hour of your undivided attention.”

Zara rolled her dark eyes, but a telltale blush splashed her cheekbones. “You know how to lay it on thick.”

“No need.” I shook my head. “Just telling you how it is. Now I think you should do a shot with me, and we’ll toast your unapproachability.”

She laughed, and her eyes lit up for the first time tonight. “You are smooth, mister. I’m almost tempted.”

“Almost? Damn.”

She smiled. “There aren’t any taxis out here in the woods, and I’ve been pouring your beers all night. If you do a shot with me, it won’t be safe to drive away from here. And it’s quitting time.”

“Well. Now that you mention it…” I reached across the bar and laid a hand very gently over her smooth one. Our gazes collided as I stroked my thumb across the back of her hand. “Driving after doing shots with you wouldn’t be such a great plan. I’d have to stick around for a couple hours until it wears off.”

Zara waited a beat before retrieving her hand from beneath mine. “I see.”

“Do you?” I put both elbows on the bar and leaned forward. She was trying to play it cool, but my not-so-subtle message was getting through. I saw the blush beginning to creep across those fine cheekbones. She and I had chemistry, damn it. We’d been eye-fucking each other all night. “Look. I think you had a stressful evening. And I’m really good at stress relief. Like, pro level.”

She braced both hands on the bar and smiled at me. “Are you always this forward?”

“Nope.” I shook my head. “Some women can’t handle the truth. But I’ve watched you run this place. You’re in charge of everything that happens inside these walls, and I’ll bet that gets old. I’m thinking you might like to hand over the reins once in a while. Let someone else take charge. Tonight that someone is gonna be me...”

PUCK LOVE by Carmen Jenner

Blurb:

Stella Hart is the hottest thing in country music. For ten years, she’s been Nashville’s darling. She’s pure, sweet, and a positive role model in an industry rife with scandals, sex, and sequins. Men want to own her, women want to be her—everyone wants a piece of her, and Stella? Well, she wants out.

As the center for the Calgary Crushers, Van Ross isn’t afraid of the spotlight, but he doesn’t much like it either. Despite his reputation as a player, the NHL’s bad boy lives for only two things: the game, and his younger brother. That’s why when he comes across a country music superstar seeking refuge at his home in the Canadian Rockies, he’s not too happy with the media sh*tstorm this surprise houseguest brings.

With a nationwide manhunt, paparazzi dogging their every move, producers of a reality TV show baying for blood, and a record label desperate to see their “good girl” returned safely home, Van and Stella’s lives are snowballing out of control.
While Van would like nothing more than to show the purest of them all how well he handles his er ... stick, Stella is no puck bunny. Nor is she as innocent as she’d have the world believe.

With chemistry like theirs, tension runs high on and off the ice, but the end game is the same for both players: line up the puck, take the shot, and score. If only their hearts understood the play.

Puck fame and fortune.
Puck right and wrong.
Puck love.

Find it on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Uhttp://bit.ly/2y4ibgDS: http://amzn.to/2xRSQGq...
PB: http://amzn.to/2xRSU8X
UK: http://amzn.to/2yDr1yO
CA: http://amzn.to/2hG9vqQ
AU: http://amzn.to/2xGJiOU

Kristine's Review:
Review: October 2017.

When news of Puck Love hit the interwebs I was instantly intrigued, I mean talk of a book from Carmen Jenner without death and destruction... without rape or torture... a book that's fun and light and won't make me shriek or cry.... GET OUT OF TOWN....I knew I *needed* this book like I needed my next breath. It's not secret I've been on a happy book binge of late, give me happy and laugh out loud funny and I'll be all over it like ...well myself at a Tieks sale.

Stella Hart is the undisputed GOOD GIRL of the Country music scene, she's loved by little girls, teenage boys and parents alike, the World is her stage and she *seems* like she's got everything figured out. Unfortunately for Stella, she's just barely holding on. Suffering from crippling anxiety, each SOLD OUT show on her Tour seems harder to get ready for, each night the voices and fears getting louder and louder and harder to hide away. 

When Stella finally has had enough and makes a break for it, hilarity ensues, and for maybe the first time in a long time she can breathe without feeling like drowning. I remember listening people talking about anxiety years ago and not really getting it. I mean sure panic attacks seemed legitimate enough, but it was still in the abstract, I mean surely anxiety couldn't possibly be *that* bad. Funny isn't it, that earlier this year I found myself huddled in the corner of my bedroom mid panic attack trying to remind myself how to breathe with tears running down my face, so anxious over an upcoming signing that the thought of not packing the right clothes left me a bleary eyed mess. As I read the opening chapters of Puck Love I FINALLY *got* it, I understood Stella in my bones, I understood inherently why running was the ONLY option she could live with, I felt a soul deep connection to Jenner's words, it was the most holy of UH HAAAA moments, in the most unlikely of places.

"You wanna try on your own?"

"No, don't let go."

"You looking for an excuse to hold my hand, country?"

"No, I'm afraid of falling."

"But that's the best part." He grins, squeezes my hand tighter, and I have a feeling he's right. 

While I may have had a earth shattering connection to Puck Love in the opening chapters what followed was a fun filled adventure as Van the BADBOY of Ice Hockey crosses paths with Stella the enteral GOODGIRL of country music, and boy did Stella give him a run for his money. Van The Man, strong and stoic, the man who wants nothing more than to flatten anyone who gets in his way on the ice, and keep his life off the ice private. From the outside Van looks like the typical sports star, but beneath the bravado and icy glare - he's a man who's ready for something real away from the ice. And Stella, well Stella has wanted real for as long as she can remember and for the first time in a long time, she might have found someone who will give that to her.

Jenner keeps us enthralled with her trademark blend of snarky banter and tantalising sexual chemistry, but where she truly flexes her muscles is delivering a story that doesn't rely on emotion and angst to deliver something thrilling, from a quirky beginning that had me genuinely invested to a story about two people who as poster children for the lifestyle's of the rich and famous shouldn't be entirely relatable but inherently made Puck Love a book that was not only easy to devour but to love, leaving this reader smiling long after she turned the last page. 

About Carmen Jenner:

Carmen Jenner is a thirty-something, USA Today and international bestselling author.

Her dark romance, KICK (Savage Saints MC #1), won Best Dark Romance Read in the Reader’s Choice Awards at RWDU, 2015.

A tattoo enthusiast, hardcore makeup addict and zombie fangirl, Carmen lives on the sunny North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, where she spends her time indoors wrangling her two wildling children, a dog named Pikelet, and her very own man-child.

A romantic at heart, Carmen strives to give her characters the HEA they deserve, but not before ruining their lives completely first … because what’s a happily ever after without a little torture?

THE PLAYER by K. Bromberg

Blurb:

Baseball has never been sexier in an all-new novel by New York Times Bestselling Author, K. Bromberg.

Easton Wylder is baseball royalty. The game is his life. His passion. His everything.

So, when an injury threatens to end Easton’s season early, the team calls in the renowned physical therapist, Doc Dalton, to oversee his recovery. Except it’s not Doc who greets Easton for his first session, but rather his daughter, Scout. She may be feisty, athletic, defiant, and gorgeous, but Easton is left questioning whether she has what it takes to help him.

Scout Dalton’s out to prove a female can handle the pressure of running the physical therapy regimen of an MLB club. And that proof comes in the form of getting phenom Easton Wylder back on the field. But getting him healthy means being hands-on.

And with a man as irresistible as Easton, being hands-on can only lead to one thing, trouble. Because the more she touches him, the more she wants him, and she can’t want him. Not when it’s her job to side in the club’s best interest if he’s ready to play.

But when sparks fly and fine lines are crossed, can they withstand the heat or is one of them bound to get burned?

Find on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2p9a66M
Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2nGw3tC
iBooks: http://smarturl.it/PlayeriBooks
B&N: http://smarturl.it/PlayerNook...
Kobo: http://smarturl.it/PlayerKobo

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: April 2017.

Holy Moly... I do not know what I expected from Bromberg's latest release, but whatever it was the final product well and truly exceeded my expectations. From the outset The Player was intriguing, everything about Easton and Scout invited you to want more, from their resilience and strength individually, the their explosive chemistry together.

"There's something about Easton that makes me want when I shouldn't, need when I needn't, and desire when I know it'll be disastrous."

On the road to recovery after a shoulder injury the last person Easton wants to deal with is a pretty young thing pretending to have the skill required to help him heal and get him back to the game he loves. Easton is the epitome of a major league star, he's cocksure, sexy as hell, talented and has a considerable pedigree. After a shock accident on the field Easton has seen more time on the bench than ever before in his illustrious career. When he meets Scout Dalton he's ready to dismiss her like some many others before her, until she shows him that she's not to be messed with. Stuck between the pressure to succeed and live up to his famous father's reputation and trying to rediscover his passion for the game he once loved, Easton is desperate to get back on the field.

"I've had enough people in my life leave me, Easton. I'm not walking willingly into a situation that sets me up for that hurt."

Scout knows all about pressure, about wanting to measure up to her famous father. As the daughter of arguably one of the best sports physiotherapists in the league, Scout has big shoes to fill. When she is given the opportunity to work with Easton she knows it's her shot for a permanent role with the Aces, a coveted role that would fulfil her fathers' only unchecked professional bucket list. Filled with secrets she's desperate to keep hidden, Scout has one mission, to rehab Easton and prove her skill to the powers that be.

"Sympathy will break me, when I can't break."

The Player is arguably one of my favourite titles by Bromberg, filled to the brim with intense chemistry, stormy angst and a story that has you utterly invested from only moments in, there was everything I look for in my next favourite book. While I'm a sucker for anything written by this author, The Player had that something special that's hard to replicate, it has that unquantifiable thing that makes reading so enjoyable, that enviable connection between story and reader that makes it impossible to put down. I wanted more, no... I needed more and because of that I finished in one sitting, bleary eyed, heart racing, utterly spent. Some books leave you feeling sated, some leave you grateful for the journey, Bromberg's ability to weave a tale so eloquently left me desperately wanting more.

"The worst part about telling yourself lies is you know the real truth."

About K. Bromberg:

New York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines, and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love.

A mom of three, she plots her novels in between school runs and soccer practices, more often than not with her laptop in tow.

Since publishing her first book in 2013, K. has sold over one million copies of her books and has landed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists over twenty-five times.

In April, she’ll release The Player, the first in a two-book sports romance series (The Catch, book 2, will be released June 29th), with many more already outlined and ready to be written.

She loves to hear from her readers so make sure you check her out on social media or sign up for her newsletter to stay up to date on all her latest releases and sales: http://bit.ly/254MWtI


Connect with Kristy on Facebook

Hard Hitter (Brooklyn Bruisers #2) by Sarina Bowen

US Cover

UK/AU Cover

Blurb:

He's a scrapper in the rink, but he's about to learn that playing nice can help you score...

As team captain and enforcer, Patrick O’Doul puts the bruise in the Brooklyn Bruisers. But after years of fighting, O’Doul is feeling the burn, both physically and mentally. He hides his pain from the coaching staff, but when his chronic muscle strain becomes too obvious to ignore, he’s sent for treatment with the team’s massage therapist.

After breaking up with her long-term boyfriend, Ari Bettini needs a timeout from men. She’s focusing only on work: rehabilitating the Bruisers’ MVP. O’Doul is easy on the eyes but his reaction to her touch is ice cold. Ari is determined to help O’Doul heal, but as the tension between them starts to simmer, they both learn that a little TLC does the body good…

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2iSMD3k,

Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2iSLwk4

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2iGQ6m4

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2iH4b2R

Kobo: http://geni.us/hhkobointl

Google: http://geni.us/hhgooglenonna

Kristine's Review:

Reviewed: January 2017.

Patrick O'Doul is both the Brooklyn Bruisers' Captain and Enforcer, considering the bulk of my ice hockey knowledge comes from Ms Bowen's previous books and The Mighty Ducks that was a position I was already somewhat familiar with. Reserved and quiet is not often the adjectives you would expect to hear in relation to a tough as nails enforcer, and yet even the men who play on his team know little about him.

Ari Bettini is not at all what I expected, intuitive and warm the Bruisers masseuse and yoga instructor has her work cut out for her with the team Captain. He's quiet and intense nature leaves most underwhelmed by working with him. When persistent pain and injury lands Patrick on Ari's table, she'll have to work harder than ever before to earn his trust and the ability to touch him freely in order to help him heal. When Ari's ex won't leave her alone Patrick will need to prove to her that not all men are the same.

“It might take me years to convince you I'm a good guy, but I'll never stop trying.”

Bowen has long been capturing my attention with her writing style, whip smart funny, scintillatingly sexy and with the perfect blend of swoon worthy romance her Ivy Years and True North series were both winners for me. Her staging is always delightful, allowing me to lose myself in her words, imagining the sights and sounds of each scene from hockey rink to massage room to Brooklyn street. With a taste of suspense infiltrating her story, I was both swept away by these two people falling for one another and on edge waiting for something to happen to jeopardise everything. Patrick with his gruff moments that were supposed to keep him isolated and protect him, I only found myself loving him more, the glimpses into his past early on tugged at my heartstrings sufficiently to have me seated firmly in the O'Doul cheers quad, but what really and truly sealed my fate was the banter between he and Ari. With her recent past, one could excuse Ari for being down, but her strength and determination, layered exquisitely with vulnerability hiding just below the surface made her real and relatable in a way I need in my heroines.
For me, I find myself drawn to particular writers for certain tropes or genres, when it comes to sports romance, Sarina Bowen is an automatic one click, but more than that, when I want something effortlessly beautiful, something both sassy and sweet, something that just feels good to read, Ms Bowen checks every box, always leaving a smile on my face and wanting more.

About Sarina Bowen:

Sarina Bowen is the USA Today bestselling author of steamy, angsty Contemporary Romance and New Adult fiction. She lives in the wilds of New England.

She is the author of The Ivy Years, an award-winning series set amid the hockey team at an elite Connecticut college. Also, the The Gravity series.

With Elle Kennedy, Sarina is the author of the RITA award winning HIM, and its sequel, US.

Sarina enjoys skiing, espresso drinks and the occasional margarita. She lives with her family, eight chickens and more ski gear and hockey equipment than seems necessary. 

Connect with Sarina on Facebook

The Goal (Off Campus #4) by Elle Kennedy

New Cover

Original Cover

Blurb:

She’s good at achieving her goals…

College senior Sabrina James has her whole future planned out: graduate from college, kick butt in law school, and land a high-paying job at a cutthroat firm. Her path to escaping her shameful past certainly doesn’t include a gorgeous hockey player who believes in love at first sight. One night of sizzling heat and surprising tenderness is all she’s willing to give John Tucker, but sometimes, one night is all it takes for your entire life to change.

But the game just got a whole lot more complicated

Tucker believes being a team player is as important as being the star. On the ice, he’s fine staying out of the spotlight, but when it comes to becoming a daddy at the age of twenty-two, he refuses to be a bench warmer. It doesn’t hurt that the soon-to-be mother of his child is beautiful, whip-smart, and keeps him on his toes. The problem is, Sabrina’s heart is locked up tight, and the fiery brunette is too stubborn to accept his help. If he wants a life with the woman of his dreams, he’ll have to convince her that some goals can only be made with an assist.
Find on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2djjFqt

Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2cSNtLV

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2dthHHk

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2ctRCTT
B&N: http://bit.ly/2cRoyWK
iBooks: http://apple.co/1Ye8BLO

Purchase:

The Deal (Off Campus #1)

The Mistake (Off Campus #2)

The Score (Off Campus #3)

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: September 2016.

Elle Kennedy has quickly become one of my favourite authors, the Off Campus series I often find myself rereading when I'm in a funk, there's something inherently thrilling about these big, brooding, dirty talking ice hockey players that ticks all the right boxes for me. Throughout the previous books in the Off Campus series, I've found myself particularly drawn to John Tucker, the lovable larrikin of the house, the man that ensures that the groceries are done and meals are cooked, the one that makes sure the house and the team continues to function. I wasn't under any false impressions that Tuck didn't enjoy the perks of being a former Frozen Four winner, surely having women throwing themselves at him wasn't a chore, being one of the undisputed Kings of school wouldn't have hurt, but there was always something deeper there that intrigued me, something about him that left me eager for more, I like most readers finished The Score absolutely desperate for The Goal, not only for Tuck but for the elusive Sabrina.

"I'm trashy, I live with trashy people. I belong in a trashy place. The question is, will I ever be able to rub off the stench of my past to belong at Harvard? I thought I could."

Throughout the previous books Sabrina seemed like a stuck up b*tch to put it mildly, she is self sufficient to the extreme, determined to excel in everything she takes on, tough as nails in every aspect of her life. Sabrina's life is carefully constructed timetable, every activity, every moment scheduled to precision, while she may be well known on campus, very few actually truly know her, she knows how to get in, get off and get out, strict rules for all of her brief sexual encounters, and keeping people at a distance is a way of life. Everything about Sabrina shouts stand back and stay away, while most people see the out of reach, bitchy façade she puts on, Tuck see's past it all and is instantly intrigued, desperate to know more about the woman who quickly captured his attention.

"I'm usually the strong one. But right now I don't feel strong at all."

Tuck has seen both sides of the proverbial coin, growing up he was all to aware of the trials of living in a single income home, his widowed mother sacrificing to ensure he never went without, while still living a modest existence, despite living away at college, playing for a championship winning team, proud recipient of a scholarship and big man on campus he has dreams of something more, a career outside of hockey, a wife and children, his Southern charm showing through.

"You're the only one for me. My sun rises and sets on your smile. My heart beats because yours does.

What I adored so much about this story is that Sabrina makes no apology for who she is, and what she does, she's straight forward, blunt to a fault, Sabrina has only one goal in life, to work her way out of her soul crushing existence and to a life she's always dreamt of, one where she's self sufficient, financially stable, and shooting to the top of Harvard, kicking ass and taking names. She doesn't need a big circle of friends, to be liked or dare say loved, she certainly doesn't need a man, but for the first time in her life, with John Tucker she finds herself wanting one, wanting someone to share the load. For the first time in a long time, there wasn't a clear hero for me, both Sabrina and Tucker stole my heart in equal measure, while fans of this series will remember the bombshell that Elle Kennedy dropped at the end of The Score, with the two stories running partly concurrently, I expected to lose that WOW! factor, and I found myself even more drawn into the story, immediately invested because of that. While The Goal is the fourth book in the Off Campus series, all of these titles can be read as stand alones. While The Deal will always hold a special place in my heart, The Goal and in fact this entire series continues to go from strength to strength, everything about this book stole my heart,
with the perfect blend of heat, heart and humor The Goal hit the mark for me.

About Elle Kennedy:

New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.

Elle currently writes for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!

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The Summer Games: Out of Bounds by R.S. Grey

Blurb:

I despise Erik Winter.

He’s arrogant and cruel—a man I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy—and by some twisted turn of fate, he’s my new Olympic gymnastics coach.


I’ve had to contend with gruff coaches in the past, but Erik is far worse. His stern demeanor complements a body built for intimidation, and his reprimands come from a mouth so cunning, I know it could strip me of my defenses—if I let it.

Though each of us would love to be rid of the other forever, we are bound to each other by need and necessity. I’m his rising star, his best shot at proving himself to his critics. And without a coach, I have zero chance of winning gold in Rio.

The easiest way forward would be to wave a white flag and make peace with the man I’ll be sharing close quarters with for the foreseeable future, but he is intent on war.

Fine. By. Me.

If he pushes me, I’ll push back harder. If he wants to test me, to play with my head, I’ll show him just how many boundaries I’m willing to cross. Because I know it’s not a choice between winning or warring—not if you can have them both. At the end of it all, I plan on leaving Rio with gold around my neck and his icy heart in the palm of my hand.

Find on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2aulk05

Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2axrhHb

Audio: http://amzn.to/2aulyUG

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2asyjuQ

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2aBe4dW

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2aMWruC

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: August 2016.

I discovered RS Grey by chance before The Duet was released, I quickly devoured every available title of hers released up until that point and fell in love with her words, her writing style, her stories, everything about them drew me in, there's a freshness to her writing that makes diving into her books a pure joy.

Brie Watson knows all about the sacrifices you make to be the best, discovering her love of gymnastics at what most would consider old age, Brie worked hard to become worthy of the gold medals she's already claimed from World Championship's, with the Rio Olympics only weeks away Brie is the person to beat, and has her heart set on bringing home the Olympic Gold. To most standing on the medal podium while your National anthem plays seems like a pipe dream, but for Brie it could mean providing her and her mum the chance at financial security, something they've never experienced.  While she may be singularly focused on winning, Brie can't deny her attraction to her new Olympic coach. Erik Winter is devastatingly handsome, sizzlingly sexy and a complete ass, they say first impressions last, and their first meeting certainly leaves them both on the back foot.

"I guess you need your privacy if you’ve got the Tinder Train rolling in every night." 

Erik Winter is an enigma, son of the former Olympic gymnastics team coach, Erik has been able to live the last few years out of the media spotlight. A one time Olympic contender, he retired from the sport and chose a different path, estranged from his father, and yet selected as his replacement, Erik is once again thrust into the media spotlight. Coaching five headstrong young women, teenagers is bound to be a tough gig, fighting your attraction to your gold medal hopeful is definitely the safest course of action.

Five Olympic hopefuls, elite athletes who's days revolve around training and getting game day ready should have more than enough to concentrate on, but an attraction that strong is harder than Erik or Brie ever anticipated, and despite everything going on focusing on preparing for heats and all the sights and sounds of the Olympic Village, the chemistry simmering between them only seems to burn hotter with each encounter. Their interaction like verbal foreplay, dancing around one another, the push and pull of the imminent power play had me utterly invested.

"I’d gone down to meet Erik so I could surrender, and I had. I’d laid down my sword and armor, and in return, he’d stabbed me square in the chest. It was an ambush." 

With the Rio Olympics currently taking place in the real world, the fictional world RS Grey created gives a nice birds eye view into the world of elite athletes. So often sports romance focuses on male dominated sports, I've certainly read my share of football and hockey stories albeit loving quite a few, but what I LOVE so much about Grey's Summer Games series is the level playing ground she explores, with two Olympic heroines so far, I only hope for more to come from the series. Grey once again absolutely captivated me from the very first page, Brie and Erik's undeniable chemistry making it impossible to put down, laugh out loud funny, devastatingly sexy, with that beautiful balance of tender that Grey does so very well, set against a backdrop of the bright lights of Rio, Out of Bounds was the perfect book to wet my appetite for the television coverage of the 2016 Summer Games.

About R.S. Grey:

I am a lover of books, chocolate, reality TV, black labs, and cold weather. Seriously, if I had it my way, I would be curled up on the couch with all of those things... everyday.



I live in Texas where I spend my free time writing and reading. My favorite authors include Mindy Kaling & Jonathan Safran Foer. I'm a comedy geek and love all things "funny". Women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling are definitely the biggest inspirations for my writing, though I think my work tends to skew a bit smuttier than theirs.

Connect with R.S. Grey on Facebook

Kicked by Celia Aaron

Blurb:

Trent Carrington.
Trent Mr. Perfect-Has-Everyone-Fooled Carrington.
He’s the star quarterback, university scholar, and happens to be the sexiest man I’ve ever seen. He shines at any angle, and especially under the Saturday night stadium lights where I watch him from the sidelines. But I know the real him, the one who broke my heart and pretended I didn’t exist for the past two years.
I’m the third-string kicker, the only woman on the team and nothing better than a mascot. Until I’m not. Until I get my chance to earn a full scholarship and join the team as first-string. The only way I'll make the cut is to accept help from the one man I swore never to trust again. The problem is, with each stolen glance and lingering touch, I begin to realize that trusting Trent isn’t the problem. It’s that I can’t trust myself when I’m around him.

This is a full-length, sweet, hot, safe, standalone American football romance novel.

Find on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US : http://amzn.to/2a6SZqw
Amazon UK : http://amzn.to/2apZDwe
Amazon CA : http://amzn.to/2ab6uLz
Amazon AU : http://amzn.to/2a9inOe

Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2a6TBwg

Kristine's Review:

Reviewed: July 2016.

Kicked was my first book by Celia Aaron, from the outset it sounded like something I could sink my teeth into, sports romance....CHECK, college students....CHECK, sexy...., CHECK, sweet....CHECK, and air of second chance romance...CHECK CHECK CHECK! From the very first page I was smitten, Cordy seemed like the kind of girl you'd want to be friends with, funny, smart, and holds a position on the mens football team, no, before you ask...Cordy is not a cheerleader, due to some previous inclusion issues, Cordy holds a place on the team as second string kicker, sure she may be the one token female on the team, but she's a talented athlete, while her passion may reside in soccer, her place on the football team ensures a partial scholarship.

I was immediately drawn into the story, while moments seemed predictable - manwhore best friend loving her from afar anyone, there was a level of intrigue surrounding Cordy and team superstar Trent that had me entranced. They had a past two years ago but it crumbled before it even had a chance to flourish. I needed to know more, I found myself devouring those first few chapters, desperate to know why their romance didn't work out, but I found that knowing why didn't leave me with that OH MY moment I was hoping for, and instead I was left feeling a little underwhelmed.

From that moment the story felt both rushed and intensely slow for me, the moments I wanted to see more developed fell flat and other moments I felt dragged onto long, extended sex scenes that while hot, didn't necessarily add to the story for me. I wanted to love Kicked, initially I truly believe I would, but overall the story was just to inconsistent for me, individually I enjoyed the characters, and times I felt a stronger sense of connection to Aaron's words, but unfortunately for me I just wasn't able to engage with the story as a whole and found myself more easily distracted than I would like when fully invested in a book.

About Celia Aaron:

Celia Aaron is the self-publishing pseudonym of a published romance and erotica author. She loves to write stories with hot heroes and heroines that are twisty and often dark.

Connect with Celia on Facebook

The Summer Games : Out Of Bounds by RS Grey - Cover Reveal

Release Date: 1st August 2016.

Blurb:

I despise Erik Winter.

He’s arrogant and cruel—a man I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy—and by some twisted turn of fate, he’s my new Olympic gymnastics coach.


I’ve had to contend with gruff coaches in the past, but Erik is far worse. His stern demeanor complements a body built for intimidation, and his reprimands come from a mouth so cunning, I know it could strip me of my defenses—if I let it.

Though each of us would love to be rid of the other forever, we are bound to each other by need and necessity. I’m his rising star, his best shot at proving himself to his critics. And without a coach, I have zero chance of winning gold in Rio.

The easiest way forward would be to wave a white flag and make peace with the man I’ll be sharing close quarters with for the foreseeable future, but he is intent on war.

Fine. By. Me.

If he pushes me, I’ll push back harder. If he wants to test me, to play with my head, I’ll show him just how many boundaries I’m willing to cross. Because I know it’s not a choice between winning or warring—not if you can have them both. At the end of it all, I plan on leaving Rio with gold around my neck and his icy heart in the palm of my hand.

Find on Goodreads

The Summer Games : Settling The Score

About RS Grey:

I am a lover of books, chocolate, reality TV, black labs, and cold weather. Seriously, if I had it my way, I would be curled up on the couch with all of those things... everyday.



I live in Texas where I spend my free time writing and reading. My favorite authors include Mindy Kaling & Jonathan Safran Foer. I'm a comedy geek and love all things "funny". Women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling are definitely the biggest inspirations for my writing, though I think my work tends to skew a bit smuttier than theirs.


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