Genre Spotlight: Sports Romance

I just reread Reeds Reckoning by Ahren Sanders and it had me thinking of some of the wonderful sports romance books out there. Here are a few that are my favorites.

Shrouded in Blackness by Norma Jeanne Karlsson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For eight years Darcy Quinlan has been hiding. She has lived on the streets as a ghost, the only person she has let close is Ian who is an older man who owns an underground fighting establishment. When she accidentally meets Kieran Delaney, she stabs him. She doesn’t realize he wants to help, well she does but when she tells him no, he doesn’t listen. As if the day was not bad enough, she finds a little boy and a newborn who have been sent to her for safety.

Darcy claims them as her own, but she knows the newborn named Ashling needs help. Pushing her pride aside she seeks out Ian for help. Kieran wants to protect this women and her family, he doesn’t know why she is running but Kieran can protect her like no one else. It takes awhile to earn Darcy’s trust and with it she reveals a few closely guarded secrets. Kieran knows she is his redemption but when in one moment he realizes he can lose it all. Kieran has to figure a way to regain everything he had with Darcy and the children. Can two broken souls find happiness together?

I loved this, it is rough, raw, and hard to read at times but overall encompasses strong characters who are fiercely protective of the ones they love. Definitely picking up more from this author.

View all my reviews Wicked Games by Jessica Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When her boss pulled her into her office, Abby Lewis doesn’t expect to find out she is the a contestant on survival game show, Endurance Island. Abby is a plan expected to do an expose and book for the magazine she works for.The only surety she has is getting past the first round, farther than that is solely up to her.

Dean Woodall is highly competitive, when it is announced that they are to pair into boy/girl teams he finds himself paired with the attitude filled Abby. Abby is not happy with her team mate, especially after his rude introduction. A couple of cool nights though and an unpleasant challenge has the two realizing they are going to have to work together if they want to succeed.

Loved it. It had surprises galore and was unpredictable. The chemistry between Abby and Dean is hot, hot, hot!!! Checking out more of this author’s books.

View all my reviews Beast Behaving Badly by Shelly Laurenston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blayne Thorpe is a spirited wolf dog whose thoughts and actions run a hundred miles a minute. She has caught the interest of Bo Novikov, the seven feet, 400 lb shifter and notorious hockey player who has a reputation of being just plain mean. Blayne decides Bo needs a life and to be happy, this is the opening that Bo needs to convince Blayne he wants her to be happy. Danger lurks in the background though as hybrid shifters are being kidnapped and tortured to fight in the pits until their death, and Blayne is the next one on their list.

What a wonderful series, absolutely relished in every page. This was hilarious, captivating, and just pure out fun

*Just reread, I have to say this is probably my favorite of the series. I love Bo….can I please have him for Christmas.

**Reread again because I can’t wait for her next books..love this book my ultimate favorite.

View all my reviews Reed’s Reckoning by Ahren Sanders
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ari Williams was the love of Reed Matthews life, a talented football player on the rise into the NFL, but then it all crumbled. For Ari she thought Reed was her happily ever after, until he left her and finding out she was pregnant with his child was a constant reminder of what they once had.

Four years later a chance moment has Reed realizing they have a son. He wants answers and when they come Ari and Reed quickly realize someone broke them up on purpose, but who? Trying to rebuild a relationship, get to know his son, and get ready for the next NFL season keeps Reeds plate full, but what he really wants is to find out who destroyed the best thing that has ever happened to him.

I loved this one, normally when you have a story like this with a break up and what seems like a betrayal your halfway through the book before the couple figures it out. Not this one, you know right away, Reed is a charmer and although initially Ari is supportive of Reed’s relationship with his son, she doesn’t want her heart broken again but Reed is in it to win it. I am definitely picking up more books from this talented author.

View all my reviews Pitch Please by Lani Lynn Vale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hancock “Parts” Peters is a man known for his reputation being gruff, playing ball, and telling it as it is. Sway Coffman knows she beat out others for her job as athletic Trainer for the Texas Lumberjacks baseball team, but she is the best in her field and is not letting anyone stand in her way. When she meets Hancock for the first time, she is a bit awe struck as she has had a crush on him she can remember.

Hancock wants Sway and has a alpha caveman way of wooing Sway. Sway is not sure what is going on with Hancock but she knows she wants him. Together they are in their own world will Sway get her happily ever after with the Hancock?

Delightful. Hancock is a larger than life personality who sets his sights on Sway. I thought the characters were quirky and was chuckling throughout the book. I cannot wait for what is next in this fantastic new series.

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Genre Spotlight: Humor

With all the time spent at home over the last five months (and I am a homebody) I find I am seeking out some genre’s more then others. Right now if I can find a book that has a nice blend of humor it is a must read for me. I was perusing my bookshelf and here are a few that you may not have read before but are worth picking up.

What’s a book with humor/comedy I should look at?

Need You For Keeps by Marina Adair

The first book in series with animal sidekicks and all.

Need You for Keeps by Marina Adair
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Deputy Jonah Baudouin should stay away from town trouble maker and savior of pets, Shay Michaels. She lets her emotions set her path and that is exact opposite of Jonah. Jonah should be focusing on running for Sheriff but Shay keeps crossing his path the next thing he knows they have a kiss they will not talk about and he is babysitting a kitten he doesn’t want. Shay has a way of making him smile, she is beautiful both inside and out and Jonah can’t seem to stay away. But when the town of St. Helena’s most influential takes airs some of Shay’s dirty laundry to stop her from her cause, everything becomes a hot mess and Jonah needs to decide if he stands by Shay’s side or lets her go.

Loved this, great summer read. Shay is a free spirit and so animated it comes off of each page in the story. Her friends are hilarious, the side characters are a real treat as well. Jonah is a pure charmer, he wants Shay but at the same time tries to run from it. Slow burn romance at it’s finest.

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Junkyard Dog by Bijou Hunter

This is the first in the White Horse series but one of my favorite rereads by this author. You have a dirty talking hero and a feisty heroine who marches to her own two and twins that could give the shining twins a run for their money.

Junkyard Dog by Bijou Hunter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Angus Hayes has a reputation of being surly, arrogant, and scary. Single mom Candy Wilburn, doesn’t care she needs the job as his assistant and no matter what he says she lets it brush off of her with a snappy comeback.

Angus doesn’t understand Candy, she should be quivering in fear and quitting. However, she sticks around and gives as good as she gets. Angus decides he is going to keep her, he doesn’t know what to think of what he thinks are her “weird” children, but decides he will keep them too. Now to convince Candy they are meant to be together.

I loved this one, an instant favorite. Angus is a living Oscar the grouch, he is hilarious and so mean trying get Candy off kilter. Candy has a mouth on her and I wanted the book to go on and on and on. Definitely a favorite book from this author. Highly entertaining.

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The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata

This was a laugh out loud read for me and one of those that I recommended right away to friends.

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vanessa Mazur has decided it is time to give her notice to Aiden Graves, The Wall of Winnipeg, football star. Aiden is a man of few words, even though Vanessa has worked for him for two years, she still doesn’t know if she has done a good job or if he even likes her. Imagine her surprise when Aiden shows up on her door step, wanting her back. Vanessa isn’t interested and for the first time in Aiden’s life he has to work hard at something that is not football, keeping Vanessa in his life.

This was delightfully fun. I loved it from beginning to end. AIden has layers to his character that unfold as the story goes. I thought Vanessa was wonderful, she is a fighter and she and Aiden have more in common than what either thought. Full of intriguing characters, humor, and a few shockers this is a book to pick up and lounge for the day with. Fantastic.

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My Commander by Alanea Alder

The first in the Bewitched and Bewildered series. This was so much fun and I want to be Meryn when I grow up. She is a nerd, pixie, and drives Aiden crazy. A paranormal treat.

My Commander by Alanea Alder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Meryn Evans doesn’t know what compelled her to move or climb over a fence to see what was behind it. She is caught immediately and while trying to conjure up an excuse to get her out of this mess, she is thrown over a hulk of a man who tells her she is his mate. Meryn doesn’t believe him for a moment this man is stable, instead she plans her escape.

Tempers flare and Aiden McKenzie is confused as to why his mate is not accepting him at his word. Of course she is human and doesn’t know shifters or any other paranormal beings exist, but still he is an alpha and she is his mate.

Once Meryn has time to learn and accept her new path in life, she finds she is the target for someone who is trying to kill her off. Aiden is protective to a fault, but Meryn is a firecracker all on her self and has a way of getting herself in trouble. Can this new couple find who is after Meryn and start their new life together?

So much fun. I loved Meryn she is a geek, I geeked out on her movie knowledge. Aiden is a hoot, he is fairly rigid but with Meryn his life is turned upside down. Full of surprises and I am ready to just sit down and read the whole series in one sitting. Excellent read.

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The Spitfire Series by Jordan Silver

Erotic humor at its finest. This is completely unbelievable but the chemistry is off the charts and the back and forth banter is what sells this book. Plus Arianna is unpredicatble and Shane doesn’t quite know how to handle her.

The Spitfire Series: Books 1-3 by Jordan Silver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mouth
Shane Flanagan has been questioning his sanity the minute he met Arianna “Mouth” Rossi. She has been a pain in his side with her continual references to the mafia and his resemblance to them and the antics she has put him through with her job, apartment, and overall anything associated with her. Through it all though Shane realizes she is meant to be his, now he has to find a way to tame the mouth.

Hilariously entertaining. Shane is mafia and there are things he doesn’t know about Arianna. Normally someone going head to head with him would be shaking in their boots, but not Arianna, she doesn’t even flinch. Some laugh out loud moments make for a delightful read

Lady Boss
Shane has gone about making Arianna “mouth” his, in every way possible. However he didn’t realize she was the daughter of a mob boss in Chicago. He can overlook that, but Arianna has a tendency to take things into her hands when she feels threatened. His little firecracker needs to learn who really is the boss.

Loved this one, it has an unexpected twist that I had not expected. Love how Shane tries to reign Mouth in.

Beautiful Assassin
As Shane continues to try and reign in Arianna, he is finding his wife to be has a listening problem. Not only that she has a flair for killing people, his beautiful woman is a full blooded assassin. Like a strategic chess game, Shane has to use his wits to get Arianna to let him take care of her and their now baby to be. However she was crazy before she was pregnant, now he is not sure what to do with her.

Love, love, love this series. Anxiously waiting the next.

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