Blog Tour: Team Player: A Sports Romance Anthology
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Christmas just became a whole lot merrier...
TEAM PLAYER, A Christmas Anthology featuring titles by LJ Shen, Kennedy Ryan, Adriana Locke, Mandi Beck, Emma Scott, Charleigh Rose, Ella Fox, Sara Ney, Meghan Quinn, Kate Stewart and Rochelle Paige releases December 14th!
Hot jocks. We love them all.
Sexy baseball players. Intense footballers. Sweaty MMA fighters, and sizzling hockey hotties. Score!
The good news? Eleven bestselling authors have gathered to give you a set of stories focused on the men we love most—sports heroes. We bet you’ll love this thick…book.
The bad news? The men in these novellas don’t actually exist.
*This anthology does not contain calories, just eleven original, never-before- seen stories by the following authors: Adriana Locke, Mandi Beck, Charleigh Rose, Kennedy Ryan, LJ Shen, Meghan Quinn, Rochelle Paige, Ella Fox, Kate Stewart, Emma Scott, and Sara Ney. We aren’t responsible for melted devices.
Review:
This Team Player Anthology was so good! I loved most of the stories. They were fun, sweet, hot, everything I want in a story. Now for a short review for each story. Enjoy!
The End Zone by LJ Shen - ★ ★ ★ ★
Jolie and Sage are bff. They live together and even though Jolie has always had a crush on Sage she can't do anything about it. He sleeps around, is super cocky, can be a bit full of himself, but Jolie has known him forever. She sees him for him and doesn't want to lose her best friend to become a notch on his bedpost. I really enjoy a good friends to lovers story and this was the same. I loved it especially because the characters don't really change that much. Sage is still just as cocky at the end of the story as the beginning. It was fun (and hot!!).
Slapped Into Love by Rochelle Page - ★ ★
Guy has a one night stand with a girl who he can't get out of his head and when she shows up where he is again things get interesting. I wasn't a fan of this short story. The writing style wasn't one that I enjoyed, I didn't connect with the characters, it was just meh for me.
Full Court Press by Kennedy Ryan ★ ★ ★ ★1/2
I loved this story! Decker and Avery were so great together! Their first meeting was so fun, I loved how they don't get together right away, but there is just something there between them regardless. How Avery has some major issues and Decker is so kind and caring with her. How he sees her, really sees who she is and what she is trying so hard to hide. Decker is an NBA player and Avery a reporter when they meet for the first time. It doesn't go as well as he had planned, but when he gets another chance maybe he can make thing better this time. Oh, it was awesome. The writing was great and so much more emotional than I am used to in a short story. It didn't feel as short as it was. It felt like a full-length story which is awesome. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!
Out of Formation by Ella Fox - ★ ★ ★ ★
This is the story of a cheerleader in love with a family friend who she thinks doesn't like her like that. He is a little older than her, and now going to be the football coach where she goes to school. It was another great read. I loved these two and seeing what each of them thought was going on vs what was. There were definitely some misunderstandings along the way and it was a fun read.
Sweeping the Series by Kate Stewart - ★ ★ ★ ★
This was an intense read. Ren and Erica met a few years ago and he was pretty instantly smitten with her. But now it is a few years later and she has left and he has no idea why. He thought everything was great, he had his life all planned out, and then it was thrown into turmoil. He is understandably upset and does some things to try and move on/not think of what might have been. When the two of them have to work together again it is intense. They both have things they need to say, but man. There is a lot of anger there, but until the two of them can sit down and talk things out nothing will get resolved. Really enjoyed this story. All of that angry sexual tension was insanely hot!
Back in the Game by Meghan Quinn - ★ ★ ★ ★1/2
I loved this story so much! Calder was so so cute! Adorable! I loved him. He might be a big tough hockey player, but he was so sweet. He has a daughter and hasn't dated much since her mom walked out on them, but when he meets Rachel things start to change. Rachel is super fun and sweet and kind and I loved the back and forth between them. Oh, they were so cute together! Calder all nervous on their first date was adorable. Oh, I loved it.
Yard Sale by Charleigh Rose - ★
This was not a favorite of mine. I didn't like the characters and didn't see a connection between them. It felt like they only got together because of circumstances and...the guy was really not my favorite. His immediate reaction to things and they way he talked was not for me. Yeah without spoiling the whole plot I can't say much more.
Sin Bin by Mandi Beck - ★ ★ ★ ★
Now this was the way to write a story similar to one that I didn't care for in this anthology and have it be amazing. There was a definite connection between Stella and Jason right from the start. Even if circumstances wouldn't have brought them together when they did I am sure they would have figured it out eventually. Because they have the connection. They like each other. Things that happen in their lives just help them along a little bit. It was great.
Guy has a one night stand with a girl who he can't get out of his head and when she shows up where he is again things get interesting. I wasn't a fan of this short story. The writing style wasn't one that I enjoyed, I didn't connect with the characters, it was just meh for me.
Full Court Press by Kennedy Ryan ★ ★ ★ ★1/2
I loved this story! Decker and Avery were so great together! Their first meeting was so fun, I loved how they don't get together right away, but there is just something there between them regardless. How Avery has some major issues and Decker is so kind and caring with her. How he sees her, really sees who she is and what she is trying so hard to hide. Decker is an NBA player and Avery a reporter when they meet for the first time. It doesn't go as well as he had planned, but when he gets another chance maybe he can make thing better this time. Oh, it was awesome. The writing was great and so much more emotional than I am used to in a short story. It didn't feel as short as it was. It felt like a full-length story which is awesome. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!
Out of Formation by Ella Fox - ★ ★ ★ ★
This is the story of a cheerleader in love with a family friend who she thinks doesn't like her like that. He is a little older than her, and now going to be the football coach where she goes to school. It was another great read. I loved these two and seeing what each of them thought was going on vs what was. There were definitely some misunderstandings along the way and it was a fun read.
Sweeping the Series by Kate Stewart - ★ ★ ★ ★
This was an intense read. Ren and Erica met a few years ago and he was pretty instantly smitten with her. But now it is a few years later and she has left and he has no idea why. He thought everything was great, he had his life all planned out, and then it was thrown into turmoil. He is understandably upset and does some things to try and move on/not think of what might have been. When the two of them have to work together again it is intense. They both have things they need to say, but man. There is a lot of anger there, but until the two of them can sit down and talk things out nothing will get resolved. Really enjoyed this story. All of that angry sexual tension was insanely hot!
Back in the Game by Meghan Quinn - ★ ★ ★ ★1/2
I loved this story so much! Calder was so so cute! Adorable! I loved him. He might be a big tough hockey player, but he was so sweet. He has a daughter and hasn't dated much since her mom walked out on them, but when he meets Rachel things start to change. Rachel is super fun and sweet and kind and I loved the back and forth between them. Oh, they were so cute together! Calder all nervous on their first date was adorable. Oh, I loved it.
Yard Sale by Charleigh Rose - ★
This was not a favorite of mine. I didn't like the characters and didn't see a connection between them. It felt like they only got together because of circumstances and...the guy was really not my favorite. His immediate reaction to things and they way he talked was not for me. Yeah without spoiling the whole plot I can't say much more.
Sin Bin by Mandi Beck - ★ ★ ★ ★
Now this was the way to write a story similar to one that I didn't care for in this anthology and have it be amazing. There was a definite connection between Stella and Jason right from the start. Even if circumstances wouldn't have brought them together when they did I am sure they would have figured it out eventually. Because they have the connection. They like each other. Things that happen in their lives just help them along a little bit. It was great.
One Good Man by Emma Scott - ★ ★ ★1/2
Adrian and Janey were really sweet together. I don't fully understand Janey all the time, she was a bit...judgemental and not open-minded, but I liked her. And Adrian is more than he seems. More than he puts forth to the public. He is a football aka soccer player in France (btw why oh why does it take Janey so long to refer to it as football once she is in France? I didn't understand that one). He is also going to school and his team is on the verge of making it to the next level. Janey was sent to school in France, is a journalist, and is assigned to write a story about Adrian. She expects it to be just another dumb jock fluff piece, but he is so much more. I did really enjoy this one. It felt very...it is set in the 70's and felt like it somehow.
Switch Hitter by Sara Ney - ★ ★ ★ ★
Lucy and Amelia are near identical twins. Lucy likes to have fun and date lots of guys in college while Amelia is more studious. When Lucy accidentally sets up two dates for the same night she asks Amelia to stand in on one of them. She doesn't want to cancel one. I mean might as well have her sister stand in then she can go out with them again another time. Amelia is hesitant, but ends up agreeing in the end. Now what happens when Amelia starts liking Dante, the guy she is on a date with pretending to be Lucy? And he likes her in return even though he is confused as Lucy doesn't seem to be the same person he went out with before (which is a good thing). It was fun, I loved Dante and Amelia, but I will say I really didn't like Lucy. She annoyed me to no end. But it was a fun story.
And there you have it. Overall this was a great read. I loved most of the stories and found a few authors I will need to check out more of their works. I mean if I loved their short stories, something I don't read that much of as I am usually not a fan, I am sure their full length books will be awesome!
*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration
*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration
Meet the authors:
LJ Shen
L.J. Shen is an International #1 best-selling author of Contemporary Romance and New Adult novels. She lives in Northern California with her husband, young son and chubby cat. Before she’d settled down, L.J. (who thinks referring to herself in the third person is really silly, by the way) traveled the world, and collected friends from all across the globe. Friends who’d be happy to report that she is a rubbish companion, always forgets peoples’ birthdays and never sends Christmas cards. She enjoys the simple things in life, like spending time with her family and friends, reading, HBO, Netflix and internet-stalking Stephen James. She reads between three to five books a week and firmly believes Crocs shoes and mullets should be outlawed.
Kennedy Ryan:
Kennedy Ryan is a Southern girl gone Southern California. A Top 100 Amazon Bestseller, Kennedy writes romance about remarkable women who find a way to thrive even in tough times, the love they find, and the men who cherish them. She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son. She has always leveraged her journalism background to write for charity and non-profit organizations, but enjoys writing to raise Autism awareness most. A contributor for Modern Mom Magazine, Kennedy’s writings have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Georgia families living with Autism, Kennedy has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other outlets as a voice for families living with autism.
A contemporary romance author running on coffee and sticky kisses from my rowdy four little boys. From Indiana, I’m a true Mid-Westerner. Life, for me, is about family, faith, and food. When I’m not running my kiddos around or having a lunch date of fajitas with my husband (and high school sweetheart), you can find me outside. I love a good sunny day almost as much as I love candy, random quotes, and steamy bad boys in fantastic books. I’m on nearly every social media platform. Please find me on the ones you frequent – I love chatting with readers.
Mandi Beck:
Mandi Beck has been an avid reader all of her life. A deep love for books always had her jotting down little stories on napkins, notebooks, and her hand. As an adult she was further submerged into the book world through book clubs and the epicness of social media. It was then that she graduated to writing her stories on her phone and then finally on a proper computer. A nursing student, mother to two rambunctious and somewhat rotten boys, and stepmom to two great girls away at college, she shares her time with her husband in Chicago where she was born and raised. Mandi is a diehard hockey fan and blames the Blackhawks when her deadlines are not met.
Emma Scott:
I write romances with flawed characters, characters with artistic hearts: builders, poets, and writers of various makes and models. I love to write book lovers; those who have found refuge, companionship, and escape in books, much as we do in real life. I like realism, honesty, authenticity in storytelling. I love to write about enduring love, soul-deep love, in as real a setting as I can make, but with big smooshy HEAs. I believe in diversity, open-mindedness, and inclusion. I like sweetness mixed with steam, love conquering all, and above all, hope. Love always wins.
Charleigh Rose:
We are a duo of an international best-selling author and a blogger who teamed up to write the taboo, thought-provoking stories we want our audience to have-- without filters. Both Charleigh and Rose are committed to giving you witty, sexy, intelligent novels that will leave you wanting more.
Ella Fox:
When she’s not writing, Ella indulges the gypsy in her blood and travels the country. Ella loves reading, movies, music, buying make-up, reading Tmz, Twitter and pedicures… not necessarily in that order. She has a wild sense of humor and loves to laugh. Her favorite thing in the world is hanging out with her family and watching comedy movies.
Sara Ney:
Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out- loud New Adult romances. Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced latte’s, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British.
Meghan Quinn:
A BLONDE AT HEART Born in New York and raised in Southern California, Meghan has grown into a sassy, peanut butter eating, blonde haired swearing, animal hoarding lady. She is known to bust out and dance if “It’s Raining Men” starts beating through the air and heaven forbid you get a margarita in her, protect your legs because they may be humped. Once she started commuting for an hour and twenty minutes every day to work for three years, she began to have conversations play in her head, real life, deep male voices and dainty lady coos kind of conversations. Perturbed and confused, she decided to either see a therapist about the hot and steamy voices running through her head or start writing them down. She decided to go with the cheaper option and started writing… enter her first novel, Caught Looking. Now you can find the spicy, most definitely on the border of lunacy, kind of crazy lady residing in Colorado with the love of her life and her five, furry four legged children, hiking a trail or hiding behind shelves at grocery stores, wondering what kind of lube the nervous stranger will bring home to his wife. Oh and she loves a good boob squeeze!
Kate Stewart:
Kate Stewart lives in Charleston, S.C. with her husband, Nick, and her naughty beagle, Sadie. A native of Dallas, Kate moved to Charleston three weeks after her first visit, dropping her career of 8 years, and declaring it her creative muse. Kate pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense because it's what she loves as a reader. A lover of all things '80s and '90s, especially John Hughes films and rap, she dabbles a little in photography, can knit a simple stitch scarf for necessity only and does a horrible job of playing the ukulele. Aside from running a mile without collapsing, traveling is the only other must on her bucket list. On occasion, she does very well at vodka.
Rochelle Paige:
Rochelle Paige is the Amazon bestselling author of nineteen books. She absolutely adores reading and her friends growing up used to tease her when she trailed after them, trying to read and walk at the same time. She loves stories with alpha males, sassy heroines, hot sex and happily ever afters. She is a bit of a genre hopper in both her reading and her writing. So far she's written books in several romance sub-genres including new adult, contemporary, paranormal and romantic suspense. She is the mother of two wonderful sons who inspired her to chase her dream of being an author. She wants them to learn from her that you can live your dream as long as you are willing to work for it.
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