Readers who like sports-themed romances will want to add this to their to-read list as it gives us all that as well as intense feelings and steamy encounters. Keep reading to get a tantalizing taste of Just For Christmas Night by Lisa Marie Perry, the third installment in The Blue Dynasty series, along with my impressions of it. Learn even more about this book by visiting the other blogs hosting this tour. Make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a signed print copy of this book along with a $10 bookstore GC too!
Pro football publicist Martha Blue has something to prove. To protect the image of the Las Vegas Slayers—and stay employed—she has to shed her party-girl reputation. Fast! So no more mistakes. No further scandals. And absolutely no falling for the one man who can give her everything she wants…and nothing of what she needs.
Danger and desire never mixed well for undefeated prizefighter Joaquin Ryder. A friend of the Blue family, he's a man who knows his boundaries…boundaries he has secretly crossed only once before. Now that he's back in Sin City to train for the biggest fight of his career, he can't afford to let a sexy distraction like Martha put him against the ropes. Revisiting their sizzling past is something he isn't willing to risk—until a steamy Yuletide encounter, where for just one night, they'll surrender completely….
EXCERPT:
Joaquin’s heart staggered, bearing the impact when he saw Martha waltz into the study a few steps ahead of her mother.
Some women had butts, others had asses. Martha had an ass, and it shone under the metallic gold-green fabric that fondled her slender body as she moved.
She was all bronze and shimmer and curves and long limbs, scarcely contained in a gown held together by strands of jewels.
A meaningful, appreciative glance passed between the attorneys, and Joaquin eyed them coldly.
Martha arrived at the desk, set down a shopping bag. “Merry Christmas, Pop.” She wiggled a sprig of something woven into her shiny, slicked hair.
Mistletoe. She’d tied mistletoe in her hair.
“Careful of my makeup,” she warned, offering her cheek for a kiss. To the rest of them, she said, “Excuse me, fellas, but my father insists that I knock, so—” She rapped on his desk obnoxiously.
“All right. All right.” Marshall’s smile appeared painful, but it was genuine. “Go, men. Enjoy the party.”
As the attorneys left, accepting drinks from the server waiting at his post, Joaquin approached Martha. She stood between her parents now, a treasure dangling out of his reach, a beauty out of his realm.
“Merry Christmas,” Joaquin said to her, presenting the oversize candy cane.
At the exact moment she ventured forward, suddenly near enough to taste.
Grab her face, lick into her mouth. Pull her close, drink her moans.
Rather than do it and have Tem threaten castration or Marshall call him out for a street fight, he laid the cane in her hand and murmured against her hair, “So you won’t steal mine the next time you’re in my ride.”
A snort of wry laughter or a smartass remark was expected. Not crystalline tears.
“I need to speak with my parents.” Taking the candy, she added in the silkiest whisper, “Tonight, if you want me, Joaquin, find me."
It was the sexiest proposition he’d ever heard, or the most baffling. Either way, he left the office dazed, hard and confused.
Some women had butts, others had asses. Martha had an ass, and it shone under the metallic gold-green fabric that fondled her slender body as she moved.
She was all bronze and shimmer and curves and long limbs, scarcely contained in a gown held together by strands of jewels.
A meaningful, appreciative glance passed between the attorneys, and Joaquin eyed them coldly.
Martha arrived at the desk, set down a shopping bag. “Merry Christmas, Pop.” She wiggled a sprig of something woven into her shiny, slicked hair.
Mistletoe. She’d tied mistletoe in her hair.
“Careful of my makeup,” she warned, offering her cheek for a kiss. To the rest of them, she said, “Excuse me, fellas, but my father insists that I knock, so—” She rapped on his desk obnoxiously.
“All right. All right.” Marshall’s smile appeared painful, but it was genuine. “Go, men. Enjoy the party.”
As the attorneys left, accepting drinks from the server waiting at his post, Joaquin approached Martha. She stood between her parents now, a treasure dangling out of his reach, a beauty out of his realm.
“Merry Christmas,” Joaquin said to her, presenting the oversize candy cane.
At the exact moment she ventured forward, suddenly near enough to taste.
Grab her face, lick into her mouth. Pull her close, drink her moans.
Rather than do it and have Tem threaten castration or Marshall call him out for a street fight, he laid the cane in her hand and murmured against her hair, “So you won’t steal mine the next time you’re in my ride.”
A snort of wry laughter or a smartass remark was expected. Not crystalline tears.
“I need to speak with my parents.” Taking the candy, she added in the silkiest whisper, “Tonight, if you want me, Joaquin, find me."
It was the sexiest proposition he’d ever heard, or the most baffling. Either way, he left the office dazed, hard and confused.
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Not having read the previous books in this series I had no idea what to expect, but as it's a sports-themed romance I was drawn to it from the very start and it can definitely be read on its own. From start to finish Ms. Perry gave us a compelling and admirable heroine, a conflicted hero, lots of intensely emotional twists and turns as well as family issues galore. This read has definitely earned its place amongst all the other books in this popular genre and I look forward to more.
Martha is seen as an irresponsible party girl but beneath that facade is a woman determined to prove herself. She's a strong-willed woman who tells it like it is and with parents who cut their children down at every turn as master manipulators, she'll need that attitude. As she wants a bigger role in the family business though she'll play her parent's game, but in the end she'll hopefully get everything she wants. After setting eyes again on prize fighter Joaquin it's clear what one of the things she wants is.....lots more steamy sexual encounters with him. Their previous encounter may have ended badly but she's just as drawn to him now as she was four years ago and their reunion ends up being a torrid and chaotic journey to HEA.
Joaquin is a man full of determination. He has his eyes on the prize and is focused on fighting. The distraction of Martha is one he doesn't need, but he sure does want her against his better judgement. After getting burned by his ex he's sworn off women, but Martha is too tempting and leads to a relationship full of sexual tension and a sexual battle of wills. I loved Joaquin and his intensity. His intensity practically leapt off the page in fact. He's sexy too and his emotional and physical strength calls to you. Together, he and Martha are electric and I enjoyed seeing their constant push and pull.
The sports world is on vivid display throughout this story and the battles in the ring are in perfect harmony with the battles outside the ring. Joaquin and Martha are an engaging couple with enjoyable and crackling dialogue in a relationship teeming with sexual tension. Martha is a woman worth cheering for as she stood up to her parents in an emotionally powerful scene which makes her the highlight of this story. In contrast is her parents, who are truly nasty and who I hated having precious time wasted on. Their scenes left me frustrated. Thankfully the rest of the story was a winning journey with its nice pace, enticing sensuality, and admirable main characters. Ms. Perry has ultimately crafted an exciting and emotionally engaging story that has me invested in what came before and what comes next in this series.
My rating for this is a B+
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Lisa Marie Perry encounters difficult fictional men and women on a daily basis. She writes contemporary romance fiction with plenty of sizzle, energy and depth. Flawed, problematic, damaged characters are welcome. Her tales feature exciting multicultural mash-ups, sexy guy-next-door heroes and powerful larger-than-life alphas who are brought to their knees by the love of complicated women.
According to Lisa Marie, an imagination is a terrible thing to ignore. So is a good cappuccino. After years of college, customer service gigs and a career in caregiving, she at last gave in to buying an espresso machine and writing to her imagination’s desire. She lives in America’s heartland and she has every intention of making the Colorado Mountains her new stomping grounds. She drives a truck, enjoys indie rock, collects Medieval literature, watches too many comedies, has a not-so-secret love for lace and adores rugged men with a little bit of nerd.
According to Lisa Marie, an imagination is a terrible thing to ignore. So is a good cappuccino. After years of college, customer service gigs and a career in caregiving, she at last gave in to buying an espresso machine and writing to her imagination’s desire. She lives in America’s heartland and she has every intention of making the Colorado Mountains her new stomping grounds. She drives a truck, enjoys indie rock, collects Medieval literature, watches too many comedies, has a not-so-secret love for lace and adores rugged men with a little bit of nerd.
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Thank you for hosting today! Great Review...and the other Two are just as good!
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