Tropes: Enemies to friends to lovers, close proximity, agent + player, secret situationship
Blurb:
Thad
Failing to make it in pro ball left me absolutely devastated. Baseball has been my life, my dream, but it’s time to move on.
Becoming a sports agent was always my back-up plan, and now that I’m interning at the biggest queer-focused firm in the country, I’m doing my best not to let my bitterness toward baseball affect my future.
That’s really difficult when I’m assigned to babysit Kelley Afton, hotshot rookie pitcher for Philly. He has everything I ever wanted, and he doesn’t even appreciate it. I didn’t become an agent so I could soothe the ego of diva athletes.
His constant need for validation from others frustrates me to no end, but that’s probably a good thing. Because if he didn’t have that, I’d find him irresistibly my type.
Attraction could lead to crossing lines which would put my position at King Sports in jeopardy, and I can’t have that.
I have enjoyed the heck out of all of Finley’s books I’ve read and The Backup Plan is no exception. She does a fantastic job of giving her readers interesting characters and believable plots. Some of the characters may be big-shot athletes, musicians, etc but at the end of the day they are just men looking for a connection.
Thad is struggling a little after realizing that a MLB career isn’t in the cards for him. And he’s taking it out on a certain extremely sexy, extremely talented, extremely egotistical pitcher. Once he realizes what is truly at the root of Kelley’s need to be liked, it sends him on a path of little self-reflection. And maybe a little more.
Kelley’s mental health issues may have caused him to take a self-imposed break in the woods, but it also gives him the one person that he feels completely comfortable being his self with. Someone who also helps him quiet the destructive voices in his head.
There is a lot standing between Thad and Kelley, mostly revolving around their jobs, but it isn’t full of drama. Instead we get a steamy, funny, and satisfying read as they find themselves having to decide what they are willing to do, to give up, to embrace a future together.
*****
Author Info:
Eden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are full of snark and light-hearted fluff.
She doesn’t take anything too seriously and lives to create an escape from real life for her readers. The ideas always begin with a wackadoodle premise, and she does her best to turn them into romances with heart.
With a short attention span that rivals her son’s, she writes multiple different pairings: MM, MMF, and MF.
She’s also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don’t make sense to anyone else.
Hey, I don’t regret taking an oddball assignment to assist a British professor abroad. I could use a break from my life as an aspiring hair and style guru in LA. The only worrisome snag is that the professor is determined to do everything on his own.
Not acceptable. I’m here to help the impossibly smart geek with mismatched socks who just happens to be my best friend’s boss.
Alistair
Paris calls. And somehow, I have a new temporary assistant.
Winnie is a technicolor, whirlwind American with a wicked laugh and the subtlety of a steamroller. He’s brash and ridiculous and…funny, warm, lovely, and—
Oh no.
Winnie can take Paris, but he can’t take my heart.
Winnie Takes Paris is an MM romantic comedy featuring a fabulous diva, a nerdy professor, and the Parisian adventure of a lifetime!
I tapped my cup to his flute awkwardly. “To Paris.”
Winnie watched me cautiously. “Did I get your tea right? Raine said you like a smidge of milk and sugar.”
“Uh, yes…brilliant. Thank you.”
He grinned. “You’re welcome. What should we do now?”
“Wait for the train,” I replied evenly.
Winnie threw his head back and laughed, drawing a few curious glances our way. The lounge wasn’t exactly a library, but there was an unspoken acknowledgment that this was a quiet zone.
“Got that. I meant, what about work? I’m your assistant. If you need me to do anything, just say the word and I’m there.”
“Thank you. I appreciate your diligence, but there’s no need. Enjoy your champagne,” I said in a tone that clearly marked the end of the conversation.
Winnie didn’t take the hint. “Do you like champagne?”
“No, I don’t.”
He flattened his hand over his heart. “Why not? Champagne is the elixir of the gods, sunshine in a flute, bubbles for the soul.”
I shrugged. “I’m afraid I don’t care for bubbles at all. I don’t want to drink them, anyway.”
“Mm, you’re missing out. I would bathe in champagne bubbles if I could.” He hummed indulgently.
“That sounds…sticky.”
Winnie’s lips twitched. “You’re right. It also sounds like a waste of a good thing, and I wouldn’t sacrifice a single sip of this stuff.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond or if I was supposed to, but this was probably a good time to remind Winnie that I didn’t need him to entertain me or vice versa. Or perhaps this was an opportunity to ask him a few questions and be done with prerequisite niceties.
What sort of questions, though? I had no clue. This was the sort of thing Raine usually handled for me.
I set my cup on the side table, pulled my cell from my pocket, and typed, Questions for a new acquaintance.
Google suggested the following: Number one, ask personal information—likes, dislikes, favorite color, hobbies. Not a chance. In my admittedly limited experience, that line of inquiry invited reciprocity, and there was no point in pretending we shared any common interests.
Number two, comment on something pleasant, such as the weather. I glanced out the rain-streaked window and quickly abandoned that suggestion. Too dire.
Number three, pay a compliment. That seemed like a safe option. Winnie was very…winsome. He had beautiful olive skin, perfectly coiffed hair, a flair for fashion, and—
“You have lovely eyes,” I blurted.
Winnie froze midsip, quirking his head as he slowly lowered his glass. “Are you flirting with me, Professor?”
“I—no! No, I…no,” I sputtered, wrinkling my nose, licking my lips, and blinking in rapid succession. “That was a statement, not a flirtation. I don’t do flirtations, so you’re quite safe there.”
“Am I?”
He was teasing. The spark in his eyes held pure mischief, but I didn’t know the rules of engagement at all. Was I supposed to say something clever in return? Possibly, probably. Witty banter wasn’t my strong suit, so I went with the truth instead.
“I couldn’t help noticing that you’re wearing makeup and…you look quite smart.”
His megawatt grin hit me like a bolt of lightning. “I do? How so? I’ve never been told my application of Chanel Stylo Yeux in espresso gave collegiate vibes.”
“Uh, no. I didn’t mean smart in that sense. That is to say, I’m sure you’re very intelligent, but I meant that you look…nice.”
His smile didn’t waver. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Well done, old chap. Now, leave it alone. Unfortunately, I couldn’t shut my gob. This was bad…very bad. “Ancient Egyptian men wore cosmetics, and depending on their rank and social class, they wore a lot of it. The kohl liner they used had practical purposes, too. It shielded one from the sun’s rays and repelled insects. They used animal fats and oils to create moisturizers, shampoos, and even to prevent baldness. Interesting, isn’t it? They’d rub fat from a snake or a—”
“Okay.” Winnie held his hand up. “That’s a lot of information.”
“That’s hardly the tip of the iceberg,” I assured him.
“I bet.” He gestured to the corner of his eye. “I made a last-minute trip to Sephora for this stuff. Much easier than wrangling a snake.”
“Sephora, derived from the Greek sephos, or beauty.”
Oh, bloody blooming bollocks. What is wrong with me?
*****
Author Info:
Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesn’t mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, who’s pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write.
She’s been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yes…romance is much more satisfying!
Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolate…in any order. Add a book and she’s set!
While tracking down an escaped felon, FBI Special Agent Evan McGarry and his K-9, Blue, uncover a smoking hot lead on the location of dozens of missing children―including Evan’s own sister. The shocking discovery reopens cold cases throughout Colorado, along with painful wounds and the heartbreaking guilt Evan’s kept buried for decades.
Three years ago, hospital custodian Marlie Foxe’s world imploded, causing her to cut herself off from the world. But when one of the missing boys turns up at her hospital, he only allows Marlie to get close. Now, Evan needs her help with the boy―and he won’t take no for an answer. When she finally agrees to work with him, Evan suspects there’s more to the woman than she’s letting on. She’s hiding something. The question is what.
As Evan and Marlie unearth a cult targeting runaways, they’re forced to confront not only dangerous criminals but the truths they’ve both been avoiding―including the blistering passion they can no longer deny. But when more children disappear, they’ll have to risk more than just their hearts.
Each book in the K-9 Special Ops series is STANDALONE: * Tough Justice * Burning Justice * Ultimate Justice
“Ultimate Justice is romantic suspense done right! It has great characters, a riveting plot, and sizzling romance. Tee O’Fallon’s law enforcement background shines through in the realistic and suspenseful plot… The story moves at a brisk pace that will keep the pages flying… This is one of my favorite books of the year and Tee O’Fallon is an author to seek out.” – Just Another Damn Book Blog
Don’t miss the other books in the series! Find them on Amazon!
*****
Excerpt:
Evan arched a brow. Liar. The woman looked anything but happy.
Her knuckles were white where she had her long blond braid in a death grip, and the smooth skin over her carotid pulsed rapidly. She shot what he could swear was a panicked look at the door. Bottom line…Marlie Foxe looked ready to bolt faster than a deer on opening day of hunting season.
Her deep blue gaze met his, and he was struck by the sad, haunted look in hers. He’d seen that look. It was the same one he’d seen in the mirror on his own face and those of his parents in the days and months after Gracie disappeared. He wondered if it would ever stop.
Now, for the first time in twenty-four years, he was, potentially, on the verge of discovering the answer to his family’s burning question: what happened to their daughter, his sister?
If only he wasn’t exhausted. Make that totally beat to shit. He’d barely slept, and then only because he’d had to.
In the two days he’d been waiting to interview Noah, he’d fully briefed his SAIC—Special Agent in Charge—the FBI director via Zoom, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Denver, gotten an arrest warrant for Francis Manello and served another search warrant at the man’s house. He and a team of agents had tossed the house from top to bottom. Forensics was dumping every scrap of information on Manello’s computer, but all Evan could think about was that Polaroid. He still couldn’t believe it, but it was her—Gracie—wearing the same pink shirt she’d had on the last time he’d seen her. Guilt squeezed his heart tighter than a bank vault door.
Focus, dammit! Focus!
“Blue, come.” He hitched his head to the dog who’d been his partner for more than four years.
As Blue trotted to the bed, Evan pointed, and his dog situated himself between Marlie and the bed and rested his head on the edge of the mattress.
Despite Blue’s size, Marlie didn’t cringe or back away.
“Can I pet him?” Noah looked at Evan expectantly.
“You bet. That’s what I brought him for.” Pretty much every kid Noah’s age wanted a dog. A dog’s attention and comfort were great for improving emotional health, especially after a traumatic experience. The only thing necessary was for the dog to be gentle and friendly, which Blue was. Except when hunting down a homicidal felon.
It wasn’t quite a smile, but the corners of Marlie’s pink, full lips lifted a fraction as she watched Noah pet Blue. She had the most interesting face he’d ever seen. Heart-shaped. Yet it was her eyes that drew him in. Eyes were the windows to the soul, and he wondered about hers.
“He likes having his ears stroked,” Evan said, casting a glance over his shoulder. The good doctor, who looked eerily like an undertaker, would be back soon with those extra chairs. Noah didn’t like the man. Getting him out the door, even for a few minutes, seemed like a stellar idea.
Blue leaned into the boy’s hand and groaned like he’d just scarfed down a meaty T-bone. The deep rumble in the back of Blue’s throat made Noah giggle.
He hadn’t quite reached adolescence and still had the high-pitched voice of youth.
“Do you like dogs?” he asked, taking the first step in his forensic interview of the boy: establishing rapport.
He nodded.
In the interest of not towering over the bed, Evan sat in the vacant chair, leaving Kinnemara, the FBI’s Office for Victim Assistance advocate, standing quietly by the door.
Normally, he’d approach any interview with methodical calm, but that Polaroid of his sister made him feel like a powder keg with a little fuse. He wanted to trash protocol and dive right in. With children, rushing in too quickly could be disastrous. “Did you ever have a dog before?”
Noah shook his head, his attention still focused on Blue. “I wanted one, but Sheila and Mike—my foster parents—wouldn’t let me.”
No surprise there. Noah Lund’s background check had included his former foster parents. Sheila and Mike Hamilton had been too busy peddling drugs out their back door to care about anyone else. He’d bet they’d only taken Noah in to get state money for fostering a child. The state’s screening process was seriously flawed.
More like, seriously sucked.
Evan caught Marlie scrutinizing him. The haunted look in her eyes had been replaced by something else. Suspicion. Still drilling him with those piercing blue eyes, she rested a hand on Noah’s shoulder, telling him something else—North Metro’s custodian was protective of the boy. Somehow, in the span of only two days, they’d formed a bond, one he needed to be cautious of. Perhaps, take advantage of.
“Do you like baseball?” The kid’s pjs were baseball-themed.
“Yeah.” Noah kept petting Blue.
“Me too. I played in school.”
Finally, the boy looked up. “What position?”
“Centerfield. You?”
Noah shrugged. “Don’t know. Never played on a team. Just with Caleb.”
“Who’s Caleb?” He already knew the kid had no siblings and no other blood relatives the state was aware of.
“My friend. I think he got caught. He—”
Caught?
Squealing came from the hallway as Dr. Strobie wheeled in two more chairs, positioning one beside Evan’s and leaving the other at the foot of the bed for Kinnemara.
Strobie sat and scooted his chair closer. Noah stopped petting Blue and tugged the sheet on his lap higher, gripping it tightly in his fists, as if forming a protective shield. The kid really didn’t like the hospital shrink. If he could eject the doc from the room, he gladly would. The man’s presence had the same effect as slapping a strip of duct tape over the boy’s mouth. Strobie had also procured a legal-size notepad and sat poised with a ballpoint pen in his hand.
This guy was a pain in the ass. The best way to establish rapport and trust with a child was to show them you were listening and that you cared.
Not by writing down every word.
*****
Review:
I’ve only read a couple of O’Fallon’s books (Goodreads shows only one review but I would swear I’ve read more) a while back and I remember liking them. I love the relationship between the men & their K-9 partners and the suspense element was well done. The men are strong, smart, and brave and find women that are a good match.
With her latest, there are a few moments that I want to yell at both Evan and Marlie. He’s got decades of trauma though that help explain why he does some self-destructive things. I’m a bit surprised that he hadn’t had more therapy, especially for a FBI agent doing the job he does, but I do appreciate the emphasis on how much it is emphasized otherwise throughout the book. And he does eventually figure his stuff out.
I think that Marlie does a few things that are just plain stupid and she gets the consequences you would expect. I understand that it works for the way the plot goes but as an observer it is a bit frustrating. But her journey to the shell of a person at the beginning to the woman she is in the epilogue is a pleasure. I feel like maybe Noah’s attachment happened a bit too quickly but I liked her path to a HEA.
Fast paced, with twists & turns and a satisfying ending, I found myself reminded why I enjoyed O’Fallon’s book. Her characters are intriguing, with a plot that’s a good mixture of danger, feels, and steam. I’m definitely adding more of her books to my TBR and will be keeping my eye out for what comes next.
(Part of a series but easily read as a stand alone.)
*****
Giveaway:
$10 Amazon
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
*****
Author Info:
Tee O’Fallon is the author of the Federal K-9 Series and the NYPD Blue & Gold Series. Tee has been a federal agent for twenty-three years and is now a police investigator, giving her hands-on experience in the field of law enforcement that she combines with her love of romantic suspense. When not writing, Tee enjoys cooking, gardening, chocolate, lychee martinis, and spending time with her Belgian Sheepdogs Loki and Kyrie. Tee loves hearing from readers and can be contacted via her website https://teeofallon.com where you can also sign up for Tee’s newsletters.
Wildflower and Wide Receivers is a second-chance, contemporary sports romance about our hero who unexpectedly becomes a single guardian over his five-year-old niece and the one who got away.
Wildflowers and Wide Receivers
Tampa Tarpons series
by Kathryn Andrews
Blurb:
When fate throws a second chance . . . catch it.
Jonah Dallmann
Over two years ago, I met a woman on New Year’s Eve, and it was the best night of my life. That is until the next morning when it became the worst.
One voice message. One swerve over a double yellow line. One little girl, my niece, that’s now mine.
It hasn’t been easy, these things never are, but we’re trying. Now, I’m twenty-six, and determined to be the best wide receiver on our team, while she’s seven and spends her days reading books and dancing ballet.
Only, I haven’t just grieved the loss of my brother, but her too. My heart has ached for what could have been, and what I had to let go. I know what I did to her was wrong, unfortunately, I never had an opportunity to explain that at the time I thought I was right. But as the door opens and she steps in wearing green scrubs and a long white coat, shock ripples through me and hope that I might finally get the chance.
Sophie Black
I always wondered if this day would come, but I never expected to see him here, with her, in one of my patient rooms. He’s even better looking than I remember and giving off single dad vibes, too, as he cares for his adorable niece. A niece I didn’t know he had.
I was surprised when he asked if he could see me again, but I instantly declined. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Only now we keep running into each other, and I’m confused. Is fate throwing us a second chance, and if so, should I catch it?
Honestly, I don’t know how to give Wildflowers and Wide Receivers all the praise that it deserves. I could have sat down and read this in one day, so good! It’s sweet, heartfelt, and sometimes heartbreaking. You can’t help but feel for Jonah and Vivi as they deal with the loss of her parents and figuring out how to move forward. And the implications it has on their lives. But he’s such an amazing uncle, a great girl dad, and with his friend group they shower Vivi with the love and support she needs.
I absolutely adored Jonah and Sophie’s entire romance, as they find a way back to each other and face what their connection might mean for the future. And while their late story issue was pretty obvious, and could have been better handled by them, I do feel like it’s a true-life thing and handled in a realistic way. I easily see how they found themselves in the situations they did and why they acted the way they did.
This is my first time reading Kathryn Andrews and I loved every minute of it. It had so many feels and had me all over the place with how much I loved ALL the characters. Jonah’s friends are an awesome group of guys, there for each other in so many ways, and I am definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next!
*****
Author Info:
Kathryn Andrews is a #1 Inspirational Romance Bestselling Author who loves stories that end with a happily ever after. She started writing at age seven and never stopped. Kathryn is known for Chasing Clouds, the Starving for Southern series, and her much loved Hale Brothers series. Her stories are sweet, southern, and fall into the genres of chi-lit, contemporary romance, sports romance, and southern fiction.
Kathryn graduated from the University of South Florida with degrees in Biology and Chemistry, and currently lives in Tampa, Florida. She spends her days as a sales director for a medical device company and her nights lost in her love of fictional characters.
When Kathryn is not crafting beautiful worlds that incorporate some of her most favorite real life places, she can be found hanging out with her husband and two young sons, while drinking iced coffee and enjoying the sun.
Romantic Reads and Such 