Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Release Day Blitz & Review: Knocked Out by Ty Langston

Knocked Out Cover

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  Fresh out of Grad School, Hayley Monroe gets the chance of a lifetime when her boss gives her the opportunity to produce and host a reality series on finding MMA’s “Next Great Hope”. Enter former MMA contender Evan Bates. His sudden re-appearance into the sport after a mysterious five year absence not only raises eyebrows, but also temps both in and out of the Octagon. Can Hayley keep everything in check? Or will she be Knocked Out?


   

Dressed in a pair of black sweats and matching tank, she seemed underdressed as Evan wore only a pair of blue running shorts and sneakers. “Hey.” She shouted as she caught up to him. Annoyed, Evan took out one of his ear pods while he continued to run. “What is it?” he asked. “Just haven’t had a chance to talk to you; wanted to see how you were doing. We’ve never formally met. I’m Hayley.” “I know. Good to meet ya.” He told her. “So, do you usually run with contestants?” he asked. “Only the ones I want to get to know.” She could feel him looking at her. His blue eyes glimmered with devilish intent. “Well, this is a five mile run. Think you can hang, pretty girl?” he mocked. Her eyes grew wide as she watched his shirtless torso. His broad shoulders already had beads of sweat running down his arms and over his six pack abs. “I’ll keep up as best as I can.” she said on an exhale.


Knocked Out by Ty Langston was a compelling story about a talented MMA fighter who leaves the ring in order to take care of the most important thing in his life, his daughter.  Although a fairly quick read, it was a heartfelt one and I would give it 3.5 stars.

Evan "the Engima" Bates retired from MMA fighting 5 years prior without a trace, no one in the fighting world knowing why or hearing a word from him since.  On his way to being the number one fighter with endorsement offers and money flowing in, he walked away from it all to take care of his daughter, to be there for her in every way that he could.  Struggling to make ends meet after he loses his night job at the mill, his mother convinces him to enter a one night fight at a local bar with a cash prize that will certainly help with their money problems for the moment.

Hayley Monroe is a young producer from California who is in charge of a new reality television show called The Next Great Hope.  A show following the progress of 6 MMA fighters all vying for the chance at a million dollar contract with Contact Sports and a live fight with the current champion.  With the help of a childhood friend in the business and a former fighter turned gym owner, she goes on the search for 6 fighter who possess all of the qualities that she is looking for, looks, personality and athletic talent.  And this is where Evan comes in.

Hayley sees Evan fight and is drawn to him, for many different reasons, but most of all because she wants him on her show.  Having a hard time locating him, she goes on national tv and appeals to the masses, hoping that he will see her plea to come out to California and compete for the million dollar prize.  Evan is hesitant to go and leave his mother and his daughter for such an extended period of time, especially when he should be finding work to pay his bills.  But as his mother points out, MMA is in his blood, it's his passion and this is something that he needs to do.  Reluctantly Evan agrees to go on the show and compete.

Will Evan make it to the finals? Is Hayley's draw to Evan more than just because of his athletic ability?  You will have to read to find out!



Ty Langston

As a child, multi-published author Ty Langston loved to read about dragons and knights so much that one day, her grandmother told her to "just write about them."
So she did.
From that day forward, she never left home without her pen, a notebook, and some kind of music playing in the background. Her love of reading expanded from fantasy into science fiction, and eventually into paranormal romance and erotica. She enjoys different works from George Martin, Anne McCaffrey, Stephen King, and Jackie Collins. But some of Ty's favorite writers are from the world of TV and film: namely, Tudors creator Michael Hirst, and the late John Hughes.  
Ty has a certificate in Broadcast Journalism along with a degree in Business Administration. She is single and enjoys spending time with friends and family.


    



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