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Showing posts with label book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book. Show all posts

Interview with Amy Gregory + Book review: Jesse's Soul

Today I have the wonderful Amy Gregory with us for an interview. She talks about her favorite character (Eli - swoon!), her upcoming books, her inspiration and even her own experience racing (I wish we could see that video). But first I have a short review of her book Jesse's Soul, the second in the Racing To Love Series.
Jesse Frost lived the life most men would kill for. Fast bikes, fame, money, and looks. He hadn’t thought much about those things throughout his career. He was just an easy-going guy from Texas who always worked hard for everything he got in life. He’d been the shy guy in school, so when the prom queen found him years later, he thought he had finally made it. Her mirage, however, left him empty and certain there was no one that wanted him just for the man inside.

Emery Kincaid has a last name that is revered in their world. A woman in a man’s world and succeeding, Irish through and through, she has the temper and sass to boot and a reputation that precedes her. She has remained strong because she’s had no other choice. The pain she masks runs deep and hiding it is the only way she can survive.

Thrown together and forced to be in each other’s space day in and day out, sparks start to fly—from chemistry and the brakes she tries desperately to throw on. Without a doubt, Jesse thinks he’s found her, but the girl that stole his heart has a stubborn streak a country mile wide.

What Jesse doesn’t know could break his heart. Hiding her true feelings for him is the only way for Emery to protect him and in turn—herself. She barely made it out the first time. If she let Jesse in and he walked away…well, that’s a risk her heart can’t take.

Review:

The only thing I knew about motocross was that the racers have underarms like tree trunks. So yeah, those guys are definitely in prime physical condition and after reading Jesse's Soul my imagination is running wild. I really like sport themed books and reading about the world of motocross was certainly original.

Jesse is what your typical boy next door would be, if he wasn't also a very successful and smoking hot motocross racer. But he doesn't let it get to his head, he's truly good guy, very humble, sweet and loyal to the people he loves.

Emery on the other hand is a bit more hard headed. Scarred by life, she kind of has turned into an ice queen. She's doesn't take any bullshit, knows what she wants and makes sure she gets it. Being part of a world mostly ruled by men, she is used to being underestimated, even doubted about her knowledge, but she is very confident in her abilities and knows she's the best.

So of course the first time these two people meet, Jesse screws it up by being a total condescending jackass. She is his new mechanic, so wether he likes it or not they will be spending a lot of time together. Luckily Jesse quickly realizes how amazing she is and before he you know he's falling hard. Emery is only human and Jesse is doing all the right things to get in her good graces, it's impossible to resist. But not everything is so easy, Emery has some secrets she's not yet ready to share. If she's not careful those secrets might keep them apart.

Emery's secrets and fears are very realistic and draw you in completely, this is what makes it stand apart from other sport themed books. It adds extra value and makes you deal with real issues here. Of course those sexy scenes add the necessary fun and having the characters from Carter's Treasure back really gives you that family reunion feeling (in a good way).



INTERVIEW:

Your inspiration for the Racing to Love series came from a recurring dream, can you tell us a bit more about that dream and how it developed in such a successful book series?

--Well, I normally don’t dream all that vividly, but this one was so perfect, and each night it just grew. I started writing it down on paper by hand after about the fourth night. The more I wrote, it was the same, more detail just poured out. Part of what makes it unique is just the story line. There are a lot of sport romances out there, mainly baseball, football and hockey, but very few with racing and even fewer with the main setting as dirt bikes. I think that is a big draw because it’s different, add in I have an off-beat humor. Personally, when I’m reading, I find that trait something that pulls me to an author. Life is so hard a lot of the time, some days it takes losing yourself in a sweet romance laced with humor!

Eli's book is coming out in July, for those who haven't read any of your books yet, how would you describe him?

--Ah, Eli…(swoon) He’s a character all in own right. In the previous books, he was spirited, fun-loving, a prankster and just a great guy. A bi-racial guy (with killer eyes) that grew up teasing his mother (that he adores) something awful about her lack of dance skills, claiming that he got his moves from his father. Loyal to a fault, like the other two boys, but he, Jesse and Carter have a brotherhood that they’ll protect with an iron grip. He’s yet to meet the woman that will be able to keep up with him, and when he was racing, he didn’t really care that he was alone. However, in Eli’s Honor, time has passed…and certain events have changed his personality dramatically. He’s not the same guy, but it’s not his heart that was broken.

You have mentioned that Alex's Destiny is your secret twist to the series, can you give us any details on that, pretty please with a cherry on top?

--Eeeks..um. I hate to, but since you’re so sweet – I’ll leak half of it. Alex is the one book…not based on one of the guys.

Alex's Destiny will also be your final book in the series, what can we expect from you next?

--Well, I have already started the next series. It’s going to be based on a small town and each of the books will be about the two main characters coming together and finding a sense of home and belonging that they did or didn’t necessarily know they were missing. I’m really excited about it and so far have a good twelve books, at least, that will keep me busy for a while.

If you could meet any of your characters in real life who would it be and why?

--Um…Eli! He’s got these killer eyes that are OMG! But also, he’s got a great sense of humor, but also a steel to him that just makes him a little different than Carter’s sweetness, or Jesse’s ruggedness…a steel that makes a you want to challenge and defy him at the same time as you’re doing just exactly as he says. There’s a silent strength to him that you know you can trust him with everything.

And one more, have you ever ridden a motocross motorcycle?

--Oh boy…um. Well, everyone in our house rides four-wheelers and I will even go as far as to say I know how to jump mine. I love when we go to the sand dunes in Oklahoma. We get several families together and it’s a blast to ride and camp for a few days. Plus, my husband and father-in-law have been adding on to the trails at our farm, so those are a good time.

As far as dirt bikes…I can’t believe I’m admitting this. Our son races, so this past summer we were at a good friends’ with several families and the boys were all practicing on their track. Well……..someone (had to be one of the older riders I believe!) decided it would be a great idea for the “mom’s” to race. (Eye roll) all the boys each had a 65cc bike, so none of us being the type to back down from a challenge—hopped on! Now keep in mind, yes both his 50 and 65 bikes are considered small when you compare it to what the pros ride - lites bikes at 250cc and the big bikes are 450cc. However…his 50 will top out at about 68mph and his 65cc bike will hit roughly 75mph! Yeah! Needless-to-say…there is video of our “racing”—that’s all I’m going to say lol!

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Book Review: Lengths (Lengths #1) by Steph Campbell & Liz Reinhardt


Nineteen-year-old Whit Conrad leaves her conservative Pennsylvania home for sunny California, looking for independence, a fresh start, and a place to stash her grief. She promptly finds a job at a tattoo parlor, a craptastic first apartment, and one friend—Ryan—who is a little less friend, a little more benefits.

Deo Beckett is a soulful surfer with a passion for tattoos and beautiful women. On the eve of his twenty-second birthday, he finds himself living with his grandfather, recently unemployed, and seriously adrift. He doesn’t know much about what he wants out of life, but he does know his current situation isn't cutting it.

When Deo meets Whit, she’s all sexy makeup and fierce, smart-ass fun. It doesn’t take him long to see past her tough shell. And when he gets a good look at what's under all the superficial stuff that usually gets his attention, it leaves Deo wondering if there might be more to life than living fast and free.

Too bad Whit has a past she doesn't plan on sharing—no matter how hot Deo is. She might want him, but she knows better than to let her guard down.

Deo falls for Whit, and falls hard. But everything about her, down to that mysterious tattoo and the way she thrashes in her sleep, tells him that the girl he loves is hiding something. And the more he pushes for answers, the more Whit pulls away.

Having your guard up is one thing, but are the lengths Whit goes to to protect her secret worth throwing away the second chance she has at happiness with Deo?

Review:

"It's the Deo effect."




When I started this book I hadn't read the synopsis, but it seemed everyone is crazy about this book, so I just go ahead and went with it. Therefore the first thing I noticed was his name, Deo, which where I come from we use that word for deodorant. So after going over that like five times in my head, I just let it go and hoped this meant he smelt really nice and fresh. Glad we got that out of the way, now on to the rest of the story.

Deo is what most people would call a beach bum. He's recently unemployed, lives with his grandfather, divides his time between surfing, drinking and beach bunnies. The only thing missing is smoking weed, but he has quit that. One of those guys who have no clue what they are going to do the rest of their lives and just cruises along. It doesn't bother him, but his family and friends do worry about it, but he just laughs it all off.

Whit is a walking contradiction. One time she looks like a freaking pin-up girl, ready for a very good time and the next minute she's scrubbed clean and don't you dare to come any closer. The girl is messed up, but it's not her fault. She moved to California to move on with her life, but what she actually has done is run away from her problems and shutting everyone out.
"That mouth and those sexy dark eyes and her perfect curves are all conspiring to drive me fucking insane."
So when these two people meet you know it's going to be intense. The physical attraction is immediate, leading is some very smoking hot scenes. Deo is not a man to waste time and he goes for it. Whit accepts this at first, but soon realizes he makes her feel too much and she pulls away. This cat and mouse game pretty much continues through the entire book. The more Deo tries to get closer to Whit, the more she pulls away, until it all blows up in their faces.

Deo is so focused on Whit and her problems, he can forget about his own worries and life. Whit hates that he tries to put his nose where it don't belong. She is all about being independent and making her own decisions, not realizing this doesn't mean you can't share your woes.

Both have to take a good look at themselves  and figure out what they want and what they are going to do, if they want to have a chance of making it in life and love.

Lengths is beautifully written. There is this great balance between strength and vulnerability within With, which makes you understand her better and easier to associate with. Then there is Deo's humor, it translates very well of the pages and always made me smile. A couple of scenes even had me tear up, because the stuff Whit has gone through are so painful. Now I definitely understand why everybody is so in love with this book. How can you not want to read a story about two people struggling with life trying to find love.





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Excerpt + Giveaway + Book Review: The Space Between by Victoria H. Smith

Today we have a special treat for you, not only do we have an exclusive excerpt from Victoria H. Smith's 'The Space Between', I've already read it and have the review ready, but we also have a giveaway. You can win one ebook copy of The Crimson Hunt, scroll down for all the fun deeds.
When Drake started the night at his father’s campaign fundraiser, he never imagined he’d end it being conned into buying drugs on the West Side. Losing high-stakes poker has its consequences, but he’d repeatedly face them just to hear Lacey Douglas sing. Drake sees Lacey light up the stage, and he has to have her. But his intentions for being on her side of town turn out to be the reason he can’t.

Chicago native Lacey has dreams of the opera, but life has its obstacles. Lacey has come to know her hardships as part of living in the real world and accepts them fully. When Lacey meets the intense and invigorating Drake, a fire is lit inside her, unleashing those dreams again.

Two paths that should have never crossed prove to create the exact pairing the other needs. But when their worlds take time to catch up, everything they have is tested. Finding the space between the two sides that challenge them will be hard, but it’s the only place that will keep them together.

Review:

After Drake takes on another bet from his sister, (it's a sibling bonding thing), he somehow ends up on the "wrong" side of the town. Here he meets Lacey and they have this amazing chemistry, which they definitely don't fight (read: steamy!!!). But Lacey quickly realizes their lives are totally opposite and believes they could never work. She thinks because Drake's parents are rich, he has led a spoiled and selfish life, not someone she could ever be with.

Drake on the other hand doesn't believe that where you come from matters when it comes to love. He knows how he feels for her and he knows she feels that same attraction. Now all he has to do is convince her they can make it work. If it wasn't for his parents and his buddy Cooper, things could have gone much smoother from his side.

Lacey has had it hard, but mostly it seems she's disappointed in life. She has big dreams of becoming an opera singer, but life has forced her dreams on hold.  She's a strong character and always had to do things on her own. She deserves someone who could help her, make the burdens a little less. Drake could be that guy, if they weren't from two different worlds. Him coming to her side would only hurt him.

Still the attraction between them is too hot to keep them apart. When circumstances drive them together, can Lacey keep fighting her feelings for Drake?

The Space Between was a delightful read. A great combination between intense, heavy drama, 'steam coming of the pages' scenes and enough depth to keep it real.


Excerpt:
Drake.

            Lacey called out my name as I pushed into her. I claimed her. Possessed her. Her body was smooth; hot, everywhere I touched her. And I touched her everywhere.

            Drake.

            She moaned when I touched her there. She really liked being touched there. I’d have to remember that for the future.

            Drake, wake up.

            Wake up? My eyes shot open. Lacey’s chocolate-brown eyes stared right at me.
            In a panic, I grabbed my sheet and rolled off the opposite end of the bed. Wrapped up in the bedding, I hit the floor.

            She gasped from above. “Drake? Drake!” she whispered her call, shimmying my bed with her movements. “Oh my God. Are you okay?”

            She didn’t appear above me yet, so I held up my hand so she wouldn’t. “Lacey, don’t look down here.”

            The movement on my bed stopped. “Why?”

            “Because I am naked.”

            “What?” she squeaked.

            “I’m naked, Lacey. Can you please hand me my jeans beside my bed?”

            “Oh my God, Drake. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come in here. Oh, I’m so sorry.”

            My lips tight, I nodded once against the hardwood floor. “I’ll wait.”

            “Oh, right. I’m so sorry.”

            Shimmying sounded from above, then my jeans fell from the air and hit my head. I managed to get myself untangled from the bedding, and got the faded-washed pair on.

            “Are you still naked?”

            Chuckling, I pushed myself off the floor.


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College junior Ariel Richmond is working on year three of Project Normalcy.

Her house reeks of keggers past and her bestie is just a slight bit vulgar. But the thing is—they both aid in making life refreshingly uneventful.

So much for hard-earned mediocrity when Luca Grinaldi appears on the scene.

Luca’s sudden presence on campus is hard to ignore. Those bright eyes act like a beacon to unsuspecting females, and with features like his, he’s got to be moonlighting for GQ. Luca hopelessly captivates Ariel with his confidence and charisma, but the mysteries surrounding him make him nearly untouchable. And just when Ariel grows close enough to unlock his secrets, a tragic event sends her life in a downward spiral.

That steady life is no longer an option and allies quickly become scarce. The mysterious Luca seems to be the only one willing to help her—but with that trust comes the burden of his secrets. He has a dark mission of otherworldly proportions, and is willing to sacrifice as many lives as it takes to see it completed.

Gone are the days of simply maintaining normalcy, and if Ariel isn’t cautious with her trust, so soon may be her future.


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Book Review: Grasping at Eternity (Kindrily #1) by Karen Amanda Hooper


Leave it to Maryah Woodsen to break the one rule that will screw up eternity: Never erase your memories.

Before entering this life, Maryah did the unthinkable—she erased. Now, at seventeen years old, she’s clueless that her new adoptive family has known her for centuries, that they are perpetually reincarnated souls, and that they have supernatural abilities. Oh, and she's supposed to love (not despise) Nathan, the green-eyed daredevil who saved her life.

Nathan is convinced his family’s plan to spark Maryah's memory is hopeless, but his love for her is undying. After spending (and remembering) so many lifetimes together, being around an empty version of his soulmate is heart shattering. He hates acting like a stalker, but has no choice because the evil outcast who murdered Maryah in their last lifetime is still after her.

While Maryah’s hunter inches closer, she and Nathan make assumptions and hide secrets that rip them further apart. Maryah has to believe in the magic within her, Nathan must have faith in the power of their love, and both need to grasp onto the truth before they lose each other forever—and discover just how lonely eternity can be.




Review:

You know how you decide to read a couple of chapters before you go to bed and the next thing you know it's 3 AM as you turn the last page. Yeah, so that's what has happened here , I don't think I have any better way to say how good this book was.

"How ironic if I returned to my birthplace only to die of heartbreak."




The story starts of very strong and nearly had me crying within the first ten pages. After tragedy strikes Maryah's family, she has to move to Sedona, Arizona with her guardian and her family, whom she has never met before. Her newly adoptive family isn't your average family and Maryah notices some weird things happening around the house, but doesn't really know what to think of it. Still lost in her grieve, she tries to ignore it and slowly moves on with her life.

After the attack she also started to have these dreams about this really handsome guy, whom she thinks is her angel of death. That is at least until she meets Nathaniel, who is that guy from her dreams. Maryah thinks she is on the break of losing it and decides to keep her "dreams" of Nathaniel to herself, afraid she's becoming mentally unstable.

"She had let go of our eternity, and I couldn't stop grasping onto the memory of who she used to be."
The first time Nathaniel looks back into Maryah's eyes, he knows she's not the same person anymore. His heart is broken over and over again, but his never ending love for her keeps him coming back. He's mad at her for erasing her memory and losing them in the progress, but he can't help to keep hoping she might come back to him, that she can remember their love for each other.

Unfortunately he doesn't have the best way in showing this. After nearly (accidentally) killing her, Maryah is convinced Nathaniel is a lunatic. Still she feels some kind of connection to him and slowly things might change.

I like the theme of reincarnation and having the choice to start fresh or to keep all your memories. Combine this with a possible soulmate and I'm game. But the way Nathaniel and Maryah sometimes act, just makes me want to bang their heads together. Maryah is kind of being difficult and contradictory when it comes to Nathaniel, her dreams and all the other weird things happening around her adoptive family. Instead of facing the truth and talking about it, she simply ignores it and hopes it goes away. This makes life for her more difficult than it should be.

"If anyone can recover from erasure, it's her."




Nathaniel is just being idiotic, instead of believing in his love for Maryah and giving her a chance, he's very much in denial. He's gloomy, depressive and always thinking the worst. He doesn't even Maryah will ever be the same, so he rather stays out of the way, instead of staying close and taking what love he can get. Luckily some things change during the course of the story.

There is definitely plenty of drama to keep it interesting. Like I said you will be reading this in one stretch. I can't wait for the sequel, because one question still remains, 'Why did Meryah erase?'.



For those of you who can't wait (like me), here's a sneak peek of Tacking Back Forever (Kindrily #2)

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Book Review: How It Rolls (Love and Skate #2) by Lila Felix



Despite the odds, Reed Wolfe is making it, by the skin of her teeth. Her dreams and aspirations will have to wait until she can get on her feet. Because right now she’s homeless and churning on a downward spiral.

Falcon Black is existing. Not living, not thriving, just jutting along a path. But when he finds Reed, he can’t resist the urge to help her, lighten her load. But Falcon tends to go overboard, over the line, crossing boundaries he never thought he would and risking her trust in the process.

Can she accept his love or will it end up smothering her?


Review:

Leaving after the previous story, we are now a few years later and this is Falcon Black's story. He's in college, helps out at the restaurant, the bookstore and that's pretty much his life. No dating, no parties, no hanging out with friend etc. it's kind of sad actually. But this might change when he meets Reed. Not really sure what it is about her (her legs are definitely part of it), but he's immediately drawn to her.

Reed has not had an easy life, becoming an orphan at eleven and then seven years of foster care have made her jaded and reserved. Not used to the warm and welcoming personalities of the Black family, she's not sure how to handle it all. When Falcon starts paying attention to her and pretty much overwhelming her with kindness, she grabs onto it like she has been starving for love.

I absolutely adore Falcon! He's the nicest, most caring and giving person ever. Pretty much everything he does is to make someone else happy, be it his family, his friends or even a stranger. Almost an old soul in a young body, he's so mature and selfless. You would be an idiot not to fall for him. The only thing is, he's always been doing this stuff for everyone else, it seems they kind of take that for granted. Plus it has caused putting his own happiness on the back burner. But now finally his chance has come in the form of an orange Poppy.

Reed is certainly no idiot and everything goes pretty wel between her and Falcon. She can't believe how lucky she is. But Falcon him being just him, might sometimes be a bit too much, almost smothering, which might just push her away if he's not careful.

How It Rolls certainly has more depth an complexity than the first one. The things Reed has been through and still is going through, are way more dramatic than some boy or girl leaving you for someone else. Reading about her experiences after foster care and being on her own, make you really think about how she's not the only one this has happened to. Certainly very realistic.

I'm still not really liking the "fake" badass thing, because it is in such huge contrast with the personalities of the characters. This time we do get a written visual of a couple of tattoos, but still no explanation on what they mean. Even though seeing what they are, you can pretty much guess.

How It Rolls was definitely better than Love And Skate for me. A bit more realistic and there was some very needed complexity and drama. The third book in the series (Down 'N Derby) will be Maddox story and after reading a little sneak preview and the teasers on Lila Flex' blog, I believe that will be the best one yet.




This one is my favorite quote of the book and pretty much describes the relationship between falcon and his sister-in-law Nellie.
"Eeuw, Nellie Smellie, get the Hellie of my phone."
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Book Review: Love and Skate (Love and Skate #1) by Lila Felix


On the rink she’s tough, she’s a leader, she’s fast and she’s the epitome of a rebellious girl. But Nellie’s been hurt, only once, but it was enough to make her look at life through different eyes and off the rink she’s a timid girl who loves with no pretenses.
A long time ago Owen Black was betrayed by the girl he thought he loved and the guy he called his best friend. The anguish set off a domino effect of negativity in his life and he never has fully recovered. He meets Nellie Forrester and thinks he can let it go for her.

But how can you love someone when the wounds from your past are still wide open?

Review:

The only thing I know of roller derby is from Ellen Page's movie Whip It and honestly it looks vicious. But besides being Nellie's hobby, it doesn't play that big of a role in this book actually. The gruesome details are, maybe for the best, kept to the minimum.

Nellie has indeed been hurt in the past, which made her stop pretending and now she's finally being herself, piercings, colorful hair and all that. So she has this whole badass look going on, but really she's just the very opposite on the inside.

Owen Black is pretty much the same really. Totally badass with his tattoos and piercings, but the boy is whipped even before Nellie utters one word. The only difference is, he's got some major trust issues, which he needs to let go off if they ever want to work it out.

What also surprised me about this book was how PG 13 everything was. Since they both have this edgy look about them and the obvious attraction, I would have expected more. Even the kissing scene were pretty goody-goody.

Lucky for them, but it kind of annoyed me, pretty much from the beginning it's all rainbows and sunshine until about three quarters into the book. Like they are the nicest people ever, they do everything for each other etc. so a total lack of drama for the most part, which you need to keep it more interesting.

Owen's family, precisely the same, all very loving, welcoming and accepting. But it's all so nice and good, it's nearly nauseating. Now don't get me wrong I actually like the characters and it's interesting there is such a contrast between who they are and what they try to portray.

One thing I really would have liked to know is, what tattoos they have. It is mentioned they have tattoos, but no further details are given. This only confirms even more how all the badass stuff is kind of fake, that it's not really who they.

It was a good book and well written, but I still feel it could have been more. Of course this wont stop me to read the sequels, 'cause I really do like the characters and I want all the Black boys to find their happiness. 


This one is my favorite quote of the book and is a great reflection of Nellie's personality and humor.
"Yo! Nellie's funeral home. You slice 'em, we ice 'em. Watcha got?"
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Book Review: Thrown by a Curve (Play by Play #5) by Jaci Burton


She thinks she knows this player—but he has a few surprise moves.

For Alicia Riley, her job as a sports therapist for the St. Louis Rivers baseball team is a home run—until she becomes the primary therapist for star pitcher, Garrett Scott. Out of the lineup with an injury, he’s short-tempered, hard to handle, and every solid inch, a man.

Right now, the only demand he’s making on Alicia is that she get him ready to pitch in time for opening day. Except the sexual chemistry between them is so charged, Alicia’s tempted to oblige Garrett just about anything. But both their careers are at stake—one bad move and it’s game over for both of them.

Garrett also feels the hot sparks between them, and the way he figures it, what better therapy is there than sex? Now all he has to do is convince the woman with the power to make the call.

Review:

So far we've had football (2x), baseball, ice hockey and now it's back to baseball. I do love me some sports themed books. Even though I often know pretty much nothing about the games, I have a great imagination for sports guys. It's pretty easy to picture their great physical shape thanks to those steaming covers.
"I know I can, if you pull your head out of your ass and work with me."




That is pretty much how the book starts. If Garret doesn't do what he's suposed to do in therapy, his career might be over. Sick and tired of everyone coddling him, Alicia puts it down loud and clear. Fortunately for her he finds her attitude refreshing and she ends up as his personal physical therapist. Their only goal is to get him pitching again, preferably by the start of the season.

"Six feet four inches of dark-haired, dark-eyed intensity, with a leanly honed body that was a work of art."
Of course Alicia is attracted to him, she's only female you know. Garret is also definitely attracted to her. Sex might even be considered therapy, is what he is thinking. Now he just has to convince her that sharing his bed is a good idea. Which isn't going to be easy, because Alicia's job means so much for her and she doesn't want to ruin her reputation. So what is she to do? Will she risk it all for him?

"She was an adult and had made an adult decision."




This describes Alicia to a T. She's very confident, knows exactly what she wants and isn't afraid to say what's on her mind. We're talking inside and outside the bedroom here. From a young age she knew what she wanted to do with her life and completely went for it. But know that might be on the line if she would give in to Garret.

The tension between Alicia and Garret builds up very nicely. With every page you turn, you hope now is the time they are going to act on that attraction. They are both so stubborn, it turns into a battle of wills.

Garret makes it all sound so simple. In the beginning it seems he's not the one taking the risks. He obviously is holding something back. Will they become close enough for him to share his secret with Alicia?

"They all stood up, and it was like walking into a cover shoot for a magazine."




The main character (Gray) of the next book in the series is introduced like that. Definitely one of my favorite scenes in the book.

Fans of the serie will also be glad to know some characters from the previous books make some appearances and we check in what's been going on in their lives. With exception of the baby, it's mostly things that can be considered TMI.

Thrown by a Curve was a fun book, no real surprises, but it's always nice to read about a handsome athlete and a too stubborn for her own good woman.

P.S. At the end of the book is a sneak preview for One Sweet Ride (Play by Play #6), which comes out June 4, 2013





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Book Review: It's All Greek To Me by Katie MacAlister


Title: It's All Greek To Me

Author: Katie MacAlister

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Description: When Eglantine "Harry" Knight sets off for Greece at the last minute to step in as manager of a friend's touring band, the last thing she expects is to meet a billionaire Greek playboy. Iakovos Papaionannou is perfection on every level, except for his unpronounceable name. And Harry can't stop herself from falling hard and fast for him.
Iakovoos knew his sister hired her favorite band to perform at her birthday party; he's just not sure where this six-foot-tall, wild-haired, tempestuous woman fits in, or how she's already ended up in his bed-and in his heart. Harry is so not his type. She's as infuriating as she is intriguing, and she can't keep her hands off his butt. But she just may be the woman who knocks him off the world's most eligible bachelor list for good . . .

Review: This newest contemporary story by Katie MacAlister is very fast paced, even a bit too much I'm afraid. Everything happens really quick in this story. I know it's not unusual in these kind of stories for the two main characters to end up in bed at the beginning, but then usually there are some struggles or reasons why they can't be together etc. Here this is absolutely not the case. A real whirlwind romance, that has Harry moving in with her Greek Adonis by the 10th chapter. The only "problem" is Iakovoos brother, who has a drinking problem and likes to harass Harry. That and an ex-girlfriend of his looking to cause some trouble between Harry and Iakovoos is about all the drama you will get.
Harry on her own is definitely a force to be reckoned with. Not knowing when to shut up and rant after rant leads to some hilarious situations. So there is some humor in the story and Harry and Iakovoos have two opposite characters, which causes for some serious fireworks between them, keeping it entertaining.
It's All Greek To Me is not a bad story, but I feel it could have been so much more. I absolutely love the other Katie MacAlister books, both the contemporary as the paranormal, unfortunately I find this one lacking. Comparing this story with the others, you know she can do so much better. I would definitely recommend all her other books, but I'm afraid I don't believe this one is a must read.

★★☆☆☆