Review of 'Running Interference (Cleveland Clash #1)' by Elley Arden

Contemporary Romance
Date Published: January 19, 2015

Blurb:

As an offensive linewoman for the Cleveland Clash, Tanya Martin is tough inside and out. The 5'9" beauty can take a hit and keep on going. But when the man she was best friends with - and secretly in love with - in high school comes home the same day she learns her father's gym is in financial trouble, she's unexpectedly blindsided.

Super Bowl MVP Cam Simmons is only back in town to convince his mom to move out of her failing neighborhood and live in luxury with him in Boston. But running into Tanya stirs up plenty of old feelings he never resolved. He was happy to leave his old life behind him when he hit the NFL, but walking away from their friendship was a mistake he wants to rectify.

As they work together to help save her dad's gym, Cam and Tanya's easy camaraderie and undeniable chemistry resurface. But can she open up enough to trust him with her heart a second time around?

Read an excerpt:

“I was thinking, what about a celebrity boxing match?” Tanya asked.

“Uh, no.” Hell, he couldn’t even keep up with her in the ring.

“Back her into the corner!” some guy yelled.

What? Cam took his eyes off her for only a split second.

She popped him again and smiled. “Yeah, that’s probably a terrible idea. I mean who wants to pay to see you get your ass kicked?”

She danced around him, eyes blazing. Focus, man.

He managed a jab to her gut before she moved away.

“Thatta way!” the guy cheered.

She approached again. Cam swung. At the last minute, she spun, and his fist hung in midair. More dancing. Little hops. And a rush of laughter. He loved when she had fun. There was nothing more beautiful in the whole world.

She popped him again. Right in the flank.

The guy booed. Cam may have, too, because this didn’t seem fair.

“You know, it’s okay to hit a girl in here,” she said. “I don’t want you getting hung up on political correctness and looking like a fool in front of your … ” she glanced at the guy who was watching them, “fan. Singular.”

Smart ass. He lunged, and she dodged.

“Come on,” she said. “Show me what you’ve got, superstar.”

Oh, he’d show her all right. Just not in here. Later, they were going to finish what they started. He would find someplace where they wouldn’t be interrupted by roommates or family members, someplace where they could …

She bounced to the left and clobbered him. His brain rattled.

The guy gave a disgusted sound, and then walked away.

His one fan had bailed.

Time to stop the insanity. “Okay!” His louder than normal voice halted Tanya in her tracks, but a second later, she was bouncing again.

“What was that?” she asked.

“Just me announcing that the match can finally begin. I think you’re good and warmed up.” He grinned. “In fact,” he bobbed his brows, “you’re looking super-hot to me.”

Her feet slowed, and her eyes narrowed. “How ‘bout from now on you keep your thoughts to yourself? This is a boxing ring, not group therapy.”

Yep, he’d unnerved her, and he was just getting started.

“I’m being courteous,” he said, shuffling closer and lowering his voice. “I like to let my opponents get a feel for my size before we really get down and dirty.” He bit into his cheek to keep from laughing.

“You wish,” she said, but she was smiling too.

He advanced. She backpedaled, and then she hit the rope.

“Trapped,” he mouthed.

“Never,” she whispered.

**My thoughts**

I was first introduced to Elley Arden in her Kemmons Brothers Baseball Series. I am a sucker for sports romances. I loved the interactions between her characters, her strong women, and of course the hot leading men. In the third book, we are introduced to a women's professional football team, called the Cleveland Clash. MJ is the quarterback, who starts a love affair with a sports doctor. In that book, we meet her friends, one of whom is Tanya Martin. This is a spinoff series, featuring Tanya as the leading woman.

Tanya is another strong woman. She is physically strong, taking out the opposition on the field as an offensive lineman. She is family strong, one of five children, and has a very close relationship with her father, known as Pop. She has strong bonds with her friends and teammates. She also has strong convictions about love, or so she thinks.

Her past with Cam is her Achilles heel. The two of them were best friends in high school, who shares just about everything. When he became a pro football player, and a good one at that, they eventually lost touch. That hurt her deeply and she has never quite gotten over it. When he suddenly returns to town, that vulnerable side comes back out again. Her growth comes in the form of learning how to trust and to love again.

Cam is riding a high, having just been named the Super Bowl MVP. His career with the Patriots continues to soar. He has also never quite gotten over that girl from his past, but doesn't quite realize how much until he sees her again. Tanya is one chink in his armor. His mother is his other. Despite being such a force of nature on the field and in life, he has a softer side when it comes to his women. He claims to hate his Cleveland town and can't imagine why anyone would stay there. Cam's journey helps him to remember why home is where the heart is, even if you have moved on.

The two of them have an undeniable chemistry from the very moment they meet again. They go through their ups and downs, as all romances should. Their story is another good one, that helped me pass the time on a snowy afternoon. My appetite has been whet for this new series. I recommend it.

Buy links

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks

Elley Arden

Elley Arden is a born and bred Pennsylvanian who has lived as far west as Utah and as far north as Wisconsin. She drinks wine like it’s water (a slight exaggeration), prefers a night at the ballpark to a night on the town, and believes almond English toffee is the key to happiness.

Charming characters. Emotional stories. Sexy romance.

Website: elleyarden.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elley-Arden-Author/540667649278016?ref=hl

Twitter: @elleywrites

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'Fires of the Apocalypse (Episode One: Flames Rising)' by Addison Hart

Blurb:

"For those who proved immune to the initial infection ... The plague had a different effect. It animated them in ways that they couldn’t possibly have expected ..."

It happened quickly. Its origin was unknown. Its properties a mystery. It spread like wildfire on a dusty plain. Whether through an act of terrorism or an unearthly source, the plague took hold within days and never let go. Some said it was Judgment Day. Others said it was simply the wages of our past sins. The rest ... well, they didn’t say much at all.

Most became violent and psychotic. Animated by a dreadful and unaccountable desire to consume living flesh, they turned on a moment’s notice, rage and hunger filling their bodies and their minds. Reason escaped them, souls abandoned them and they became the predators.

Some people used the “z” word. Others just ran.

But for those that survived, women like Julia, they had more to worry about than the creatures outside. They had to worry about a beast rising from within--one that consumed with fire and passion, and that demanded only one thing ...

This is the first episode in the series. It is most definitely NOT appropriate for readers under the age of 18.

Available on Amazon

'Submission to Will (BDSM Erotica Submission & Surrender Series)' by Scarlet Krys

Blurb:

Submission to Will is a BDSM erotica inspired by the author's real-life BDSM experience.

Scarlet Wright is a 29 year old “get things done” director of an established digital publishing and marketing firm in the Silicon Valley.

Will Evans, a potential celebrity client, finally gets to meet her to secure a working contract after queuing up 6 months on her extensive clients’ waiting list.

Scarlet feels an overbearing attraction towards him the moment she meets him, and allows Will to unveil her submissive side she never knew before.

The duo embarks on a steamy power-exchange as he introduces her to the world of BDSM.

But Scarlet now needs to decide between keeping things purely professional with a celebrity client to add to her portfolio; or her deep, dark desire to be possessed and controlled by him.

She makes an unexpected decision, but sets herself up for a bigger surprise.

Like readers who gave raving reviews about this book on BDSM erotica, you too will be on a submission and surrender journey with Will and Scarlet!

Get your copy on Amazon

About the author:

Scarlet Krys lives the BDSM lifestyle whenever she can and is currently in a Master/slave relationship with her first Master. Scarlet chanced upon the world of BDSM as a teenager, but never got round to exploring her desires, until about a year ago. Her stories allow her to channel her fantasies, and some are inspired by her own experiences with her Master. She also writes more intimately at Journey of a Submissive, her personal blog of her BDSM journey and thoughts in their unfiltered, rawest forms. It can be dark, perverse and even scary to some... but also a comforting and safe place to those who empathise.

'Hard Rides, Billionaire Bosses (MC Romance, Book 1)' by Samantha Vex

Book description:

Katie has been seeing her billionaire boss, Todd Ashmore, for a few months and enjoying herself, except that he won't commit to her. When a fight leaves her out racing his car around town, she runs into Cue who is everything that Todd is not.

As Cue brings her closer to the dangerous world of his outlaw motorcycle club, and gets her revved up with a ride on her bike, she finds herself succumbing to his charms and has one of the hottest nights of her life.

Available on Amazon

**FREE April 2-3, 2015**

'Revisited' by Bailly Shannon Morse

Blurb:

Noah expects his vacation in England to be uneventful. But then he crashes his car into Olivia’s. With their first meeting anything but cordial, and their clashing personalities, Noah is eager to run the other way. That is, until a chance encounter at a medieval castle sends the pair hurtling back to experience their past lives... as the married Earl and Countess Northchester. When their day in the 14th century ends in murder, and they return to an altered present, they believe that their strange encounter is over. But then it happens all over again. Revisited blends history and clever humor to create an unconventional romance told through the eyes of two witty and engaging characters.

Read an excerpt:

“Listen, I know this might be hard for you to believe…” Olivia began tentatively.

“Damn right.” Noah tone was harsh.

“But,” Olivia continued patiently, “I’ve done research on this kind of thing before.”

“What, research on the… whatever century this is?”

“No, research about—” Olivia paused, tightening her lips before finishing, “—about past lives.”

Noah had to grope around behind himself to find a chair to fall into. “What?” he asked hoarsely.

“Past lives,” repeated Olivia. “I think that might be what is happening here.”

“You mean, this isn’t some joke? The way I look, the way I sound? You mean I actually am in the body of some medieval lord?”

“From the look of it, I think that’s the only way to explain it. I mean, you don’t look like the Noah I met.”

He stood again, stumbling to the mirror. He gazed at the eyes staring back at him. They were no longer the usual green that he was used to seeing each morning in the reflection over the sink in his apartment. He looked at himself through eyes of dark brown, nearly black. His hair was similar in color, like blackened charcoal, but fell in an unruly wave. He ran a hand over his chin, feeling the roughness caused by the need to shave. He traced a finger over the faint scar that ran along his left cheek, and furrowed his black brows.

“Holy shit,” he murmured, still staring.

“That’s the same expression I had on my face this morning when I saw my reflection. At first, I tried to think of a reason. But then it occurred to me when I saw you. Maybe we’ve been transported back.”

“Back?”

“Back to this time period. The fourteenth century.”

Available on Amazon

Author Bio:

Bailly Shannon Morse has been a storyteller since the age of four. Her enthusiasm for creating new and engaging worlds through writing has only expanded since her early years. Morse wrote, illustrated, and self-published two novels, Fortune's Flight and Renegade Ransom, by the time she was sixteen. Now, a recent graduate from Mount Holyoke College, having majored in English and minored in Theatre Arts, Morse has completed seven novels, two full length plays, one one-act play, and a collection of short stories. She writes a blog, titled A Novel Idea. Her passion for creative writing continues to grow as she shares stories of characters that leap from the pages of her whimsical, witty novels.

Revisited is the third novel Morse is self-publishing, and the first offered in an electronic format.

Links:

www.baillymorse.com

www.facebook.com/baillyshannonmorse

www.baillymorse.wordpress.com

'This Heart of Mine (Whiskey Creek)' by Brenda Novak

THIS HEART OF MINE

by Brenda Novak

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

4.5 Stars TOP PICK from RT Book Reviews!

First love. Second chance?

As the daughter of a hoarder, Phoenix Fuller had a tough childhood. So when the handsome, popular Riley Stinson became her boyfriend in high school, she finally felt as though she had something to be proud of. Phoenix was desperate not to lose him—especially once she found out she was pregnant. Yes, she might have acted a bit obsessive when he broke up with her. But she did not run down the girl he started dating next.

Unfortunately, there was no way to prove her innocence. Now, after serving her time in prison, Phoenix has been released. All she wants to do is return to Whiskey Creek and get to know her son. But Jacob’s father isn’t exactly welcoming.

Riley doesn’t trust Phoenix, doesn’t want her in Jacob’s life. He is, however, ready to find someone to love. And he wants a good mother for his son. He has no idea that he’s about to find both!

Read an excerpt:

His voice had a rough edge that made her fear he wasn’t taking what she’d said as the apology she’d intended. “Right,” she said. “Sex and love are two different things, and boys can make that distinction more easily than girls. That’s all I’m saying. I get that now.”

“I see. What a great thing to learn.”

Was he being sarcastic? She was so confused. “It was a lesson I needed. And learning it the way I did means I’ll never forget.”

A muscle moved in his cheek.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “Did I say something wrong? I was trying to apologize for…for falling in love with you. Or for holding on to you when I should’ve let go.” None of this was coming out right. She could tell that much, so she stopped trying to explain and opted for the direct approach. “Regardless of anything else, know this―I promise I’ll never single you out like that again or do anything else to make you uncomfortable.”

There. That had to be clear. She smiled up at him, hoping what she’d said would finally meet with his approval. But there was that damn frown again. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing. Don’t worry. You nailed it. And so innocently, too.”

She pressed her fingers to her temples. The pain meds had really kicked in. “I admit my thoughts are…somewhat disjointed. What, exactly, did I nail?”

“That you can’t trust a guy,” he replied. “That a guy doesn’t know what love is.”

That sounded a bit harsh. Had she actually said those things? “Maybe not all guys,” she clarified.

“Okay. Only me,” he said and walked out.

“I was trying to apologize!” she called after him.

He shook his head as he turned back. “For ever loving me?”

Available in print and ebook

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Brenda Novak is the author of fifty books. A four-time Rita nominee, she has won many awards, including the National Reader’s Choice, the Bookseller’s Best, the Book Buyer’s Best, the Daphne, and the Holt Medallion. She also runs Brenda Novak for the Cure, a charity to raise money for diabetes research (her youngest son has this disease). To date, she’s raised $2.4 million. For more about Brenda, please visit www.brendanovak.com.

Website
www.brendanovak.com

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/BrendaNovakAuthor

Twitter
https://twitter.com/brenda_novak

Brenda is giving away a Kindle Fire HD 6 (16 GB) US Only. Follow the tour for more chances to win!

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Survival Tips for Women from Bonnie R. Paulson, author of 'Resisting Redemption'

Survival Tips for Women

This doesn’t entail chocolate or even wine.

Albeit a bit misleading, the title can’t be more on point.

The most important thing a woman can do to survive in this life, is make sure she has someone who has her back. I mean this. If this person is your mother, father, a friend, spouse, partner, counselor, or anybody that backs you up 100%, then don’t let them go.

Let’s define this a little bit better – the person that has your back and supports you completely, is the one that doesn’t make you feel bad about yourself, pushes you to reach your potential, boosts your self-esteem (Even when you look like crap), doesn’t take your PMS crap, would kill with you or for you, eats on a weird diet because you suggested it, laughs at your ridiculous jokes even when they don’t make sense, listens to you vent and NEVER tries to fix it, gives you inappropriate presents and laughs their head off when you open it, and makes you eat the last piece of pizza because they know you secretly wanted it the whole time.

That person who just gets you and doesn’t make you feel less than 1000% awesome.

Time doesn’t decide this. You can know someone for a day and just click. Or this person has been with you through thick and thin and even hot fudge sundae viscosity and they know you.

This, my friend, is the ultimate necessity for survival in this world.

Your “person” is the soft place you land. You are their place.

Because when you have your backs against each other, bracing each other up, then it’s you two against the world and nothing can break you down.

That’s even better than a waterproof matches.

Who is your person through everything? Mine is my husband. He’s the reason I write romances that start out slow and build into a solid friendship and then love. I can laugh with him, love with him, shoot with him, and grow old with him. And he gets and loves all my quirks. All of them.

He’s my survival buddy.

Who is yours? And you can’t say Daryl from The Walking Dead. CLAIMED! *wink just kidding.

Resisting Redemption

This is the third book in a series where the plot points carry over. All plot points will be resolved by book FIVE - the end of the series. This is a sweet style romance.

With her heart at war with her mind, Lisa’s need to chase dangerous fun over boring responsibilities tugs at her emotions. Love is the last thing she expects to find, especially with her past revolting against her future.

The only love Ryan’s heart has room for is for his motherless son. But, when he finds himself yearning for Lisa, Ryan has to convince himself and her that he’s all the thrill she’ll ever need.

Will Lisa’s past destroy their future before either of them can accept the true meaning of love?

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / iBooks /Kobo

Pick up the first two in the series-

Romancing Redemption

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / iBooks/ Kobo

Riding for Redemption

Amazon / Barnes and Noble /iBooks / Kobo

Bonnie R. Paulson mixes her science and medical background with reality and possibilities to make even myths seem likely and give every romance the genetic strength to survive. Bonnie has discovered a dark and twisty turn in her writing that she hopes you enjoy as much as she has enjoyed uncovering it. Dirt biking with her family in the Northwest keeps her sane.

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