Book Review: The One Who Undid Me (Austin Heat, #1) by Amari Nylix

The One Who Undid Me by Amari Nylix
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Spicy-hot read for after the kids go to bed!

The One Who Undid Me is the debut novel in author Amari Nylix’s spicy-hot Texas-set romance series, Austin Heat, and the HEAT promised in the title is definitely delivered. The two main characters are both trying to leave their pasts behind them, looking for authenticity in their lives; however, each keeps secrets from the other.

Jake Skyler, the up-and-coming NFL quarterback, is trying to move beyond his frivolous playboy-party-hearty reputation and become the leader his team needs and a successful career demands. Rakell McCarthy plans to leave behind her former profession as a very exclusive and very expensive escort for the rich and famous to pursue a legitimate modeling and acting career. Neither one was planning to meet the one person who makes their hearts pound and senses race, but there they are. She has no idea he is a celebrity quarterback who attracts women like a magnet. He hasn’t a clue she’s a highly sought-after companion to some of Europe’s wealthiest men. They only know each other from working out at the same Austin gym and regular people.

For Jake, his attraction to Rakell is immediate, and while she is flattered by the attention of the handsome guy, it takes her some time to warm up to him and override the caution she’s maintained to exit her former career by the end of the year. Their banter is lively, with Jake often on the receiving end of her barbed comments.

The characters, especially Rakell, have quite developed and complex backstories, and readers will get a good understanding of what is important to them and what makes them tick. Neither Jake nor Rakell seems to have experienced a normal dating life; even Jake’s early dating was as a popular high school quarterback and without the stress of much rejection or effort. They are often awkward with each other early on and their verbal sparring, while flirty and full of innuendo, seemed like unfamiliar ground to both. Their uncertainty made them seem more human and more relatable, and then the fact is their chemistry sizzles and eventually ignites. But they still have secrets they put off revealing to each other that lurk at the edges of their relationship and threaten to destroy their gradually growing trust and love. And the longer they wait to tell all, the worse the consequences could be. The suspense kept me greatly invested in the outcome.

I enjoyed the various settings, most specifically the familiarity of Austin, Texas, and the exotic allure of Santorini. The story provides both the comfort of a hometown and the excitement of distant and fabled destinations. The storytelling is compelling and easy to read, and though the language is blunt and raw at times, it rings true to the characters’ ages, experiences, and lifestyles.

I did feel the build-up went a little long, though; a lot of ground is covered. Surprisingly, the story does not wrap up completely, leaving readers with important questions unanswered, questions that will hopefully be answered in subsequent books in the series.

I recommend THE ONE WHO UNDID ME to readers of spicier romances who enjoy a football theme or a Texas setting.


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Book Review: The End Game by Michael Scott Clifton

The End Game: In Love and Basketball There’s Always an End Game by Michael Clifton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Exhilarating and emotion-filled! An exultant underdog story and satisfying sports romance.

The End Game by Michael Scott Clifton is a warm and wonderful new sports romance and passionate high school basketball underdog story. Great characters with realistic lives and a gripping basketball plot set in football-mad Texas made for a riveting page-turner of a novel.

Chris Cooper is a young high school basketball coach seeking a fresh start after his life in Arkansas implodes. He comes to the East Texas town of Mayfield to helm a struggling program that hasn’t had a winning season in decades. However, he soon discovers the biggest stumbling block to his future success is the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Rocco Rawlings. As in many Texas towns, high school football is king and all other sports are redheaded stepchildren. The brightest spot in his life is his new landlady, single-mom Jennie Sloan, with whom he clicks from their first meeting.

The storytelling is gripping. Just when there’s a glimmer of hope for Chris, some surprising obstacle appears. However, new people in his life step up to help him face each challenge as if placed there deliberately for that reason. It was emotional watching Chris come to terms with his past and finally share what he’d gone through as he and Jennie opened their hearts, minds, and lives to each other. It was wonderful to see how he applied the life lessons he’d learned from his father to his own players.

The author does a fantastic job choreographing the action on the court and conveying it to the reader. The play is exciting and fast-paced and, of course, critical at times; I could feel my heart racing. The Mayfield Mustangs are engaging underdogs, and I was compelled to root for them every step of their journey, just as I did for Chris and Jennie in theirs.

I recommend THE END GAME to readers of sports romances and sports fiction, especially those partial to basketball or who have enjoyed shows such as Hoosiers, Friday Night Lights, or The Mighty Ducks.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Against the Run of Play by Kiru Taye

Against the Run of Play
Kiru Taye
(Viva City FC Books, #2)
Publication date: May 28th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

Step into the thrilling world of professional footballers in the Viva City FC Books series!

Soccer player and reformed bad boy, Asher Uzodimma, is struggling through a challenging season. Due to a string of injuries, he finds himself relegated to the bench during crucial games as his team battles for promotion into the league’s top division. Frustrated, he falls back on some old habits and escapes to find solace where he encounters the vibrant Vivi. She has zero interest in celebrities. Yet, spending only two days with her brings a sense of calm and stability back into his life. She possesses all the qualities he never realised he desired in a woman, and his yearning to be in her presence grows stronger with each passing day. Nevertheless, when he finally learns her full identity, she quickly becomes the last woman anyone wants for him.

Vivacious and fun-loving Vivi Osondu is currently in seclusion after the highly publicised end to her turbulent relationship. She needs a break to reevaluate her life and dedicate time to self-reflection. Meeting Asher brings back her laughter, which had been missing for months, and each time she lays eyes on him, her stomach fills with a delightful sense of excitement. However, he’s part of the famous crowd, and she’s made a conscious decision to steer clear of that world, so she chooses to walk away. But Asher is determined to turn the game around both on and off the pitch, against the run of play.

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EXCERPT:

I see a flash of colour—fuchsia—and turn instinctively towards it. But I lose it in the crowd.

My heart is racing, my skin hot. Could it be her? Vivi. Is she here?

“Mum, I think I spotted someone I need to speak to. Do you mind?” I say.

“No. It’s okay. I need to use the ladies anyway. I’ll meet you back at the table.”

“Okay.” I direct her towards the signs for the ladies and keep glancing around. But I can’t see anyone wearing the bright purple/red colour I spotted earlier. Then I head down the corridor leading to the foyer, thinking she might have gone outside.

My heart stops as I halt. Then it slams into my chest.

A Black woman stands in the foyer talking on her phone. Her back is to me but I recognised her figure, her voice.

Vivi is here. I don’t know how it’s possible. I mean, I know she lives in London and she works as a sportswriter. But to be here at this very moment feels like serendipity. Like destiny.

My senses heighten and my vision clarifies. I was buzzing when I arrived. But now it feels like I’ve been struck by lightning as I feel an energy surge. It feels like that first night I saw her in the sports bar. I zoom in on her.

She is in an off-shoulder ruffle collar boho maxi dress that shows off the glowing skin of her shoulders and arms and skims her curves. It’s sexy without being vulgar. Her strappy stilettos match her purse tucked under her arm.

Her hair is different. In Zanzibar, her hair had loose curls and streaks of colour. This looks too dark, long, and straight and almost to her butt. Perhaps a wig or weave, just like my sisters wear sometimes.

Her voice is a melody that draws me closer and I can’t resist the pull. I walk past the people around me as if they are obstacles and challenges I must conquer to reach my goal—Vivi. Adrenaline charges over me. I’m on the field in a crucial match and I’m running toward the goal line to score before the final whistle.

As if she senses me, she swivels and I know I’m not dreaming because her face lights up with a beautiful smile. Warmth and ecstasy spreads through me. I want to touch her smooth skin, to kiss her full lips a shade darker than her dress. Her irises are a mesmerising bronze. There are layers of colours on her eyelids and cheeks, contouring her face. It’s more makeup than she had on the island.

But I recognise the woman underneath. I remember the natural tone of her skin first thing in the morning. The softness of her curves against me. Every cell in my body wants to be connected to her.

Author Bio:

Kiru is the award winning author of His Treasure. She writes sensual and passionate multicultural romance stories set mostly in Africa. When she's not writing you can find her either immersed in a good book or catching up with friends and family. She currently lives in the South of England with her husband and three children.

Subscribe to her newsletter for book news and giveaways: http://www.kirutaye.com

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Book Blast & Giveaway: Fashionista's Playbook (Jersey Chasers, #1) by Candi Scott

Fashionista's Playbook

Jersey Chasers, #1

by

Candi Scott

Sports Romance

Publication Date: January 16, 2024

Page count: 317 pages

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SYNOPSIS:

The door to the New York fashion world shut firmly in her face, Moriah Stanhope’s only option seems to be to return to her small-town home as a failure. At least, she would go home in disgrace, but her car was just repossessed. In front of the hottest guy she’s ever seen.

Travis Madera is supposed to hire an assistant. One with qualifications and experience. Someone who won’t be starstruck by the fact he’s a professional football player. But he never could resist a damsel in distress, especially one with all those curves.

Moriah’s been humiliated in front of guys like Travis before. But as his assistant, she has access to every moment of his day-to-day life, so surely she can stay ahead of any potential problems.

Until the past comes rushing into the present.

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READ AN EXCERPT:

“You’re kidding, right?” I sat straight on the leather sofa and gaped at Moriah.

She was grinning, a big cheesing smile that would have turned me on had what she was telling me not been so ridiculous. “Indeed not.”

Damn it. She wasn’t supposed to find humor in my misery.

“I thought you were Team Madera.” I scowled. There was no way this was happening to me. A large chunk of my masculine pride rebelled, and I recoiled as she stepped closer.

Moriah’s giggle was vibrant, rich, and made my groin twitch.

“I am, Travis. But the production company will pay more money if you wear the Speedo—plus, your female fans will be thoroughly impressed.” She pinched each end of a tiny, bright red men’s bikini, stretched it out, and wiggled from side to side with it.

She was taunting me. And despite my horror, I liked it.

Everything stopped, and I fixated on her face. Those flirty lips were plump, ripe. As were other parts of her, I was betting. Things I shouldn’t think about, especially not now and not about her.

She was better than that.

I shouldn’t have hired such a sexy assistant. I’d have been better off with a doting grandma type. A maternal old lady that folded clothes. Definitely not a woman I’d fantasize about wearing one of my jerseys and nothing else.

“Being objectified for cash feels wrong.”

The disdain that dripped from her sizzled all around us. “And yet men have been doing it to women for decades.”

“Fair point. But I’m an athlete, not a model. Hell, I’m covered in ink—not exactly Speedo material there.” I leaned back on the couch. Arguing with her was fun, even if I was going to lose. I’d film for Shark Week, if nothing more than to out-Speedo Gronkowski.

Moriah snorted. “I think the ink is part of the appeal. Women love it—nothing screams bad boy like tattoos.”

She turned away, but not before something like to embarrassment flashed in her eyes and darkened her cheeks.

God, I wanted to make her blush like that when she was naked under me. “You like inked up guys, Mariposa?’ I sure the hell hoped so.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Candi Scott is the spicy contemporary pen name for award winning author of Two Hearts, One Stone and the Arkadia Fast Series, Leslie Scott. She has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. The happier the ending, the better. Currently, she lives and writes amidst her own happily ever after with her soul mate, son, and domestic zoo.

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