Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Book Release Blast for Out of Bounds by Lauren Blakely (Review & GIVEAWAY)


Sports-themed romances are a favorite theme of mine which is what drew me to this story and has me excited to introduce you to it.  Keep reading to get a tempting glimpse of Out of Bounds by Lauren Blakely, along with my impressions of it, then add it to your bookshelf.  In honor of this fun and flirty older woman/younger man football romance make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $25 GC to the retailer of your choice too!

The first rule of football--don't screw with a streak.
My career is finally looking up, and I'm leading a new pro team down the field every Sunday. No way will I mess with that. But when I meet the most stunning and captivating woman I've ever seen, I tell myself one night will have to be enough.
But it's not. And now I can't get her out of my mind. Even when I'm playing. Even when I need to focus. Even when I’m on the hottest streak of my life.
And it turns out, she's not just some random woman I met. She works for the team. My team.
***
I only have one goal this season--do my part as the team's lawyer to keep them out of trouble. Help rebuild their reputation on and off the field. There's no room for error and certainly no room for a secret tryst with a player . . . even if he's the quarterback.
Right?

EXCERPT:

"Be on your best behavior, Drew," he says, a teasing tone in his voice.
“I always am,” I reply, and the fact is, that’s true. Clean-cut is my nickname.
“And text if you’re done early.
“If I’m done early, I’m having a date with my mattress."
He groans. “You are the definition of no fun."
I grin. “That’s me. That’s why Qwench wants me now. Because I know how to get a good night’s sleep and stay out of the line of fire."
When I hang up, I step out of the car, hand the keys to the valet, and thank him. Then I head inside, where Stuart greets me in the room reserved for the event, claps me on the back, and introduces me to several people. A photographer snaps shots the whole time, and I play the role that’s hardly a role—the outgoing, non-trouble-making, peace-loving quarterback who doesn’t throw punches or raise fists, like others before me have.
Don’t smoke, don’t do drugs, don’t have unprotected sex, and I also don’t speed. Squeaky clean indeed. Not even a traffic ticket on the record, and certainly no knocked-up teenyboppers with mini Drews baking in their bellies.
Stuart introduces me to the red-haired, freckle-faced guy who heads up this charity. “And this is Drew Erickson. He’s our new starter. We’re thrilled to have him on the team, especially since he’s already active with many wonderful charitable endeavors,” Stuart says to the ginger-haired guy.
We exchange small talk for a few minutes, then Stuart drops a hand on my shoulder and tells me there’s someone else he wants me to meet. “I’d love to introduce you to a sharp-as-a-tack woman who makes sure I don’t fumble,” he says, then winks in case I didn’t realize he was making a joke.
I smile to let him know I got it—fumbling humor and all—then my smile turns into a ruler-straight line when I turn on my heels and see my surfer angel.
Holy shit. She’s hot as sin in a red skirt, white blouse, and black heels. She holds a drink. Her blond hair is twisted on her head. Damn. The smoking-hot look is almost enough to make me forget she blew me off. My dick, the traitorous bastard, has already come down with amnesia. The fucker wants her.
“This is Dani Paige. She’s an attorney for the team,” he says, and I attempt to school my expression as I come face-to-face with the woman who ditched me.
And all I want to do is toss her on my shoulder, stalk to the bathroom, slam the door, and ask her why the fuck she didn’t call. Then when she tells me it was because she was too busy getting off to thoughts of me, I’d kiss the hell out of her until she melted in my arms and begged me to take her. I’d happily oblige. Hoist her up, hook her legs around my hips, and fuck her against the wall until she comes harder than she ever has before.
Instead, I shake her free hand. “Pleasure to meet you.” Then I whisper, just for her. “Jaws.”


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BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  BN  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO  |  GOOGLE PLAY


MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Fun and flirty interactions blend beautifully with action on the field in this football-themed romance told in a dual POV.  From their playful first meeting a female lawyer finds herself drawn to the younger football player despite their business connection keeping them apart.  Interludes of unrelenting sexual tension soon combine with forbidden erotic encounters to keep readers cheering them on towards HEA in a romance that had me turning the pages furiously.

Dani's always loved football, it's a bond between her father and her that has her wanting to succeed and not jeopardize it for a sweet and sexy football player. Though she knows she's playing with fire she can't help being drawn to Drew and the joy he brings to her life, but when superstition overrides the truth she'll have to lob a Hail Mary of her own to keep her man.  Dani's an immensely likable heroine who's smart, methodical, strong-willed, and loyal to family. She's devoted to her job but knows she needs more which has her putting her career on the line in the ultimate proof of her burgeoning feelings for Drew.  Though theirs is a whirlwind relationship it's clear how good they are together as each encounter crackles with eroticism and humor.  Dani's the kind of woman you admire as she went after what she wanted after raising all the pros and cons and I'm completely jealous of her capturing such a delicious hero.

Drew always knew he could be a star on the football field, as long as he kept his eyes on the prize.  The moment he meets Dani though he finds himself obsessed with her and wanting more than fleeting touches and longing glances. Soon flirty texts and steamy midnight phone calls aren't enough as Drew longs to tell the world she's his.  When self-doubts and silly superstitions rear their ugly head though Drew will have to make the biggest play of his life to keep her.  Drew's the good guy in the world of football, living a life of good deeds and clean actions.  He's just what his new team needs after numerous embarrassing player infractions and he has no intention of adding to the infamy.  His connection to Dani's clear though from their playful and witty banter early on to increasingly erotic words and deeds that had me rooting for them every step of the way despite how others might perceive their connection.  Drew's a delightful hero, sexy and snarky, with charm and sensuality oozing from every pore.  He could've been arrogant with all of his talents but he endeared himself to me despite his one moment of stupidity.

This was a quick read teeming with sexual tension and very few complications to keep readers from its immensely satisfying conclusion.  The dual POVs lets readers get to know these characters on a more personal level than the short word count would normally allow which made them more relatable and had me more invested in their HEA.  They're a sizzling couple with interactions off the field that had me blushing while only a bit of time is spent on the game of football, though that time is well-depicted.  Along with this strong lead couple comes an equally appealing cast of secondary characters to add to the story's realism.  From the burgeoning relationship between Dani's sister Ally and Drew's friend Jason to talented and honorable teammate Elkins, these characters add to my enjoyment of this story and had a hand in getting Dani and Drew together. From start to finish this was a straightforward and carefree read with very little melodrama that gave me a bit of afternoon delight.  It was playful and scorching, all that I expect from Ms. Blakely, and I highly recommend it to those looking for a lighthearted romance with bits of humor!

My rating for this is an A-

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Since self-publishing her debut romance novel CAUGHT UP IN US over three years ago, Lauren Blakely has sold more than 1.5 million books. She is known for her sexy contemporary romance style that's full of heat, heart and humor. A devout fan of cake and canines, Lauren has plotted entire novels while walking her four-legged friends. She lives in California with her family. With twelve New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than seventy times. Her bestselling series include Sinful Nights, Seductive Nights, No Regrets, Caught Up in Love, and Fighting Fire as well as standalone hit romances like BIG ROCK, MISTER O, WELL HUNG, and THE SEXY ONE which were all instant New York Times Bestsellers. In January she'll release FULL PACKAGE, a standalone romantic comedy. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter!


**********GIVEAWAY**********

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