Tracy Solheim

Though this is book 3 in the ‘Out of Bounds’ series, it is my first read in the series. I don’t read a lot of football romances, but I had fun with this one. Previous books in the series were referenced, but I had no problem reading this one as a standalone. Nevertheless, the characters are simply wonderful, begging me to play catch up and read their stories. This is Brody and Shay’s story. He is a bit of a spoiled entitled football star and Shay has had to work for every little show more thing in her life. When she happens on to a secret about his health, he blackmails her into helping him keep it a secret. He doesn’t trust her but finds himself grudgingly admiring her. Of course, she fits perfectly into his life and while that would be nice for her, she has obligations.

At first, I really didn’t like either of them; he was a manchild and she was seriously uptight. Their progression warmed me to them and it wasn’t long before I was rooting for them to succeed. The evil blogger is such a great plot device. I eagerly soaked up her vile gossip, while simultaneously wanting to sit on her and pull her hair until she cries (if it is even a she). I will admit I did eventually hit on the identity of the mole, but the several red-herrings throughout led me astray each time. So frustrating and fun. Great Story. Yeah, I will be reading the rest of the series.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
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A satisfying contemporary romance read. Gotta wonder though about the author's grasp of English and indeed that of every beta reader, editor and proofreader. These were not typos. The phrase "She brooked no argument," was used incorrectly TWICE.

When she'd told Carly that she and Owen were staying there, the relief in her friend's voice had been palpable. Worse, her friend hadn't brooked any argument.

What she meant to say was Worse her friend hadn't offered any argument. Two entirely show more different things. Brooked is a synonym for tolerated. So if her friend hadn't tolerated any argument then Carly wouldn't have been relieved that the heroine, Julianne, was staying somewhere else. The other occurrence was misused in the same way to indicate that the person had not argued rather than that they had not allowed any argument to sway them.

Another weird misuse of English is when Will thinks that Julianne's brother is saying that Will was not good enough for Julianne. But in fact that is not what this sentence actually says.

Will tried not to cringe. Apparently, even the duplicitous sister of a con-man senator wasn't good enough for a boy from the Seaside Vista Trailer Park.

What this sentence actually says is that she is not good enough for him. All through this book we've been told about the chip on Will's shoulder about his background and how he thinks everyone looks down on him. So I know that's what the author meant, but that's not what she said.

I don't mind the occasional typo but actual misuse of English does not get a pass from me.

So leaving aside these irritating issues, how was the book? Pretty decent and readable. Some good images of the hero's relationship with the baby. He was very young but wasn't just one of those plot device babies that sleep all the time so the hero and heroine can get it on. Some of the stuff on the football crime was interesting and well thought out. There was quite a bit of lack of communication that seemed a bit ridiculous. And did anyone else find the whole she called out another man's name during sex kind of OTT? I would have understood if she and Nicky had been lovers but as it was it seemed just something to keep them apart. The end had a bit of a deus ex machina feel to it. But all in all I enjoyed it and might try others in the series. show less

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Football player plus wedding designer equals a one night stand resulting in a child that needs Dad’s help to get better.

Opening Sentence: Paternity.

The Review:

There are a couple of things that have followed me around the world and back again. One of them is reading, which is how I ended up writing this review, and the other is my love for football. One of the things my Dad and I would do after Sunday lunch had been cleaned up was to sit show more and watch the National Football League. Those times still reside in my memory and continue to this day even when my father and I are half a world away, but the love for football remains strong. This book reminds me of those good feelings and joyful Sunday afternoons as we shouted at the referee for bad calls. I wondered what happened to the men once the game was over and the television crews went home. What sort of lives did my football heroes deal with on a day to day basis. This story is a fictionalized version of what some of them may experience and it lived up to my every expectation.

Will “William the Conqueror” Connelly is blindsided with the discovery that he may have fathered a child with a woman, Julianne Marchione, when he met her at a friend’s wedding. If that shock wasn’t big enough then the only reason he is being contacted now is because his “son” has a life-threatening blood disorder that requires that Will provide a blood transfusion because Julianne isn’t a match.

Meanwhile, Julianne has been struggling with an unexpected pregnancy then a very sick child, and her creative muse has disappeared and taken all her ability to create one of a kind bridal gowns with it. Not to mention she just wants to take her son and raise him by herself and not bother Will, but has no choice but to contact him and pray that he will help their son.

This story had me from the beginning. Initially, I thought I may get this book started today and then take a break and finish it tomorrow, but there was no way that Will and Julianne were letting me go until their story had a happily-ever-after. When a story has the ability to grasp a reader’s time, energy and good intention, then the author has written a stellar work. This book had all that and so much more. In fact, there was a minor emergency at my home, but I didn’t even know it had happened until the last word was read and I returned to the real world. (In case you are wondering, no one was harmed — just a small little incident.)

The woman characters in this novel were awesome and strong. There is always a need for woman who aren’t afraid to take charge when necessary and then be able to be approachable and sexy. Meanwhile, the only man that irritated me was Julianne’s brother, Stephen, but he may even have redeeming qualities in the end.

Foolish Games is a book that could easily have been a stand alone, but I’m thrilled that it isn’t. Don’t be afraid to dive into this book because it is just yummy, but be aware you might look up and your smoke alarm is going off. You have been duly warned.

So this is definitely a book that you need to pick up if you love a wonderful romance or love those guys in their football gear or better yet with the football gear on the floor. I believe you will truly enjoy this book and Ms. Solheim has obtained another fan. I wait for anticipation for Brody Janik’s story to be released in May.

Notable Scene:

He wasn’t sure who kissed who first, but when their lips met, something ignited within them both. She tasted of coffee and smelled of tropical flowers and he couldn’t seem to get enough of her. Their clothes melted away, giving Will’s hands and lips access to warm, soft skin. When he entered her that first time, she welcomed him, wrapping her legs around his hips and bringing him to near-perfect ecstasy.

The thunder and lightning were winding down the second time they made love, her fingers and mouth torturing his body before he found his release. The third time he took her, the storm had dissipated outside but continued to rage on between them as the electricity he’d felt in the hallway reached a fevered pitch. Will had never felt such an intense connection with any other woman.

Until she called out another man’s name while climaxing. And then the condom broke.

FTC Advisory: Berkley/Penguin provided me with a copy of Foolish Games. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. show less

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.

Quick & Dirty: Tabloids give us only a version of the truth. What happens when you get two infamous people together? Will love blossom or wither?

Opening Sentence: “Well, I’ll be doggone!”

The Review:

Let me preface this entire book review with “Purchase this book ASAP!” Tracy Solheim’s book resounds with sharp, witty dialogue and a plot that has many unexpected twists and turns while remaining so grounded that I got lost in the story.

Not many show more books can begin with “Well, I’ll be doggone!” and sound genuine but the author pulls this off with style and grace. The scope of accents, languages and locations was breath taking. This book navigates Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Baltimore, glimpses of Italy and Allegheny Mountains with such heartfelt emotions I believed I was there with the characters experiencing everything just as if I was there too. This is a gift that very few authors can achieve especially in a first book.

Shane Devlin aka Devil of the NFL is between Quarterback jobs in part because of his reputation and has gone to Mexico for a little R&R and to allow his agent to negotiate a new contract for him. Shane’s personality jumps off the page. We are gifted with a real look at his feelings, his motivations and even his anger at a father that left him to care for his dying mother when he was still a child himself.

While he has been trying to lay low he had been fascinated by a woman that appears to be a wedding designer’s assistant. How could anyone not notice this amazing woman especially when her ring tone chimed the theme to The Wizard of Oz. He had even attempted to buy her a drink but “Dorothy” didn’t seem to find him at all worthy of the effort.

However “Dorothy” aka Carly March is anything but a wedding designer’s assistant. In fact she is the assistant to the General Manager of the Baltimore Blaze, the team considering signing Shane. Her job had been to help management decide whether he had earned his nickname or if he was capable of good behavior. Carly is anything but impervious to Shane’s charisma but has been hurt by a professional athlete in Italy and has promised to stick to boring men like podiatrists and accountants. Shane is neither of those.

Once they return from Mexico, they attempt to keep their relationship professional but it all goes sideways when Carly is threatened by a journalist with an unhealthy obsession with Carly. This addition to the storyline was part of the reason that I was up until nearly midnight finishing this book.

The other reason for my late night was the addition of Troy, Shane’s half brother, that ends up in Shane’s care because his parents die in a plane crash. The emotions that are conveyed as Shane deals not just with the death of his father, whom he has despised for years, but having to come to terms with the importance of family and relationships is a huge reason you need to purchase this book on launch. One of my favorite things that Troy says is in this paragraph: “Don’t forget to feed the dog.” Troy yelled from the open passenger window. When he turned to face forward again, tears were streaming down his face. “Butthead.” It doesn’t get much more honest than that.

I have one itsy bitsy quibble about the last sequence of the book and I’m not going to spoil it, but it seemed a bit trite to have that happen there but you be the judge when you read the book. Let me know if you think I’m wrong.

As I began this review, this is a must buy but be prepared to be away for a number of hours, never getting up from your chair or hammock. This is a prime candidate for a TV movie.

Notable Scene:

“You jocks are all alike.” She fingered the chain around her neck. Shane took a slow break. The gesture was more erotic than her licking the ice of her glass. “You think any woman will be flattered by your attentions.”

“You could flatter me with a little of yours.”

His lines were bordering on pathetic, but at least she didn’t break out in hysterics. He thought he saw the beginnings of a real smile, but before she could say anything, the fashion designer and photographer returned to the table. The designer’s eyes went wide as she noticed him sitting there. The phtographer recognized Shane immediately.

“Hey, you two do know each…” Before he could finish his sentence, Dorothy grabbed Shane’s arm, yanking him up from the table.

“Let’s dance.” Her warm fingers manacled his wrist as she dragged him to the other side of the bar.

FTC Advisory: Berkley/Penguin provided me with a copy of Game On. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. show less