Blog Tour, Review and a Giveaway: Game On by Collette West

Game On

by Collette West

Publication Date: October 17, 2014

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Sports



Pitching phenom Bruce "Jilly" Gillette has a hard time talking to women. His hulking presence of tattoos and muscles is what makes him an intimidating closer on the mound, yet off the field, he's painfully shy, uncomfortable in his own skin.

Desperate to revamp his loner image, the New York Kings hold a dream date contest, granting the lucky winner a night on the town with their surly reliever, doing whatever it takes to force Jilly out of his comfort zone.

Hailey Halpert enters the contest on a whim, looking for answers as to why her high school relationship with Jilly hit the skids. Now she’s a popular romance author writing under a pen name, and her reappearance in Jilly's life is no accident. It turns out that her novels are all about the sexy players on the Kings, and Jilly has no clue that he's about to become her new leading man.

I never thought that Hailey Halpert would be at one of my games, cheering for

me. Sure, she watched me play plenty of times in high school, but never as a King. It's

something I've often fantasized about, and now, it's actually happening.

I take a deep breath to steady my nerves. I don't get nervous no matter how

pressure-packed the situation. I'm known for having ice water running through my veins.

When I pitch, nothing can get to me, but tonight, I want to show Hailey what I can do. I

want to impress her. Let her see that she's dating the number-one closer in all of baseball.

I want to prove that I'm good enough for her, that I'm worth taking a chance on.

I shake off my catcher, Pedro Gonzalez. He wants me to throw a breaking ball.

Yeah, right. I don't think so. I intend to bring the heat.

Pedro finally gives in, realizing how determined I am to deliver a fastball. Burke

Balfour, the Detroit player at the plate, is currently leading the league in homers. This

should be fun—a muscle against muscle, chest-thumping battle for supremacy. But you

know what? Screw Balfour. I'm all about blowing Hailey Halpert away.

I rear back, slightly changing my delivery in order to give it everything I've got.

The ball flies out of my hand, Balfour swings and misses, and the crowd goes wild. I take

a look over my shoulder to check out the scoreboard for the radar gun reading. A hundred

miles per hour. I smile to myself. I want Hailey to see me at my absolute best, and that's

what she's going to get.

I sneak a quick glance at Hailey. She's watching me attentively, her eyes trained

on no one but me. Even in front of all of these people, my crotch tightens. Fuck.

 Game On was another fantastic story from Collette West.  This is the third book in this series.  This is Jilly and Hailey's story and is told in both of their POV's.  I would give this book a solid 4 stars.  I have loved every book in this series--Night Games and Game Changer are the first 2 books in the series.  Even though this can be read as a stand alone I would highly recommend the other books because you will see the same characters in all the books.  Jilly was introduced in Game Changer and I was super stoked that his book was the next in the series because he captured my heart then and Game On sealed the deal on my heart for him.  

Jilly is a pitcher for the New York Kings and is very good and what he does, but he is also known as the man with the broken heart because of what happened last season with Sasha.  He is over that drama now and wants to only focus on his career nothing more.

That's probably why I don't get out much.  I leave everything I have on the field.  I give it my all.  I don't have time to waste on anything else.  If I'm not with the team, I'm either sleeping, eating, or preparing myself for the next time I'll pitch.  My social life is nonexistent only because I take my job very seriously. I have a good thing going here with the Kings and I don't want to mess it up.-- Jilly

The only problem with all of this is the Kings want him to shine more, so they put him in the limelight.  He is set up to go on a date that was arranged through a contest from the Kings.  Of course he wants nothing to do with this but he follows along with the plan to make his managers and owners happy... but this date will change his life.. his past will come back and open his eyes to what he lost years ago... Hailey.

Hailey is a writer and she knows Jilly from her past..but she broke his heart years ago.  When she wins the contest for a date with him she is really nervous.. so nervous she steps out of the restaurant before he shows.  But when he comes storming through the doors to where she is standing outside she has to finally face him and her demons from the past.  

I was wrong to make him believe that I didn't care about him, that I could be happy in the arms of another guy.  Even after all that, he's still here, ready and willing to give what we had another chance.  I don't think I'm strong enough to deny him.  I won't crush him a second time.  It's why I entered this contest. It's why I'm here now.  Because I've missed him.  Oh, how I've missed him. --Hailey

The passion will ignite once again between them but this time a big secret will hold Hailey back from being truly happy with Jilly.. in the end will she hurt him again? Or can they finally make it work to reach there HEA?

Who knows?  Maybe I will fight for the girl with the forever type of hold on my heart.-- Jilly

GO pick up this series ASAP!  You will not be disappointed and I have to say this was my favorite one in the series so far.... But I am super excited to get Scott's story next--eeeek!  Can't Wait!  Thanks again Collette West for making another fantastic baseball dream story.

Game On by Collette West is the next book featuring one of the famous New York Kings' players and my favorite so far, Bruce "Jilly" Gillette!  A story of a childhood love unrequited and a chance meeting as adults years later, this book will have you laughing at some scenes and swooning in others.  This was a 4 star read for me and I can't wait to read more about the baseball players that have captured my attention in her next book!  Collette West had hit a grand slam with this book and I highly recommend it to everyone!

Jilly is known to his fans and the other players as the loner and guy who made a play for Sasha Roberts but didn't get the girl.  In an effort to increase his fan base and make him appear to be more accessible, he agrees to a publicity stunt where one lucky girl wins a date with him.  Uncomfortable and no longer wanting to be a part of the contest; he is surprised to find out that the girl who won a date with him was none other than Hailey; the girl that he loved in high-school from afar, appearing to only be her best friend on the surface.

Hailey has followed Bruce's career from the time he was drafted, loving him from afar since they were in high-school.  In an effort to becomes closer to him, she begins writing a series of romance type novels based on the lives of each of the players on the New York Kings under a pen-name.  The books are a huge success, a success that no one knows belongs to her as she keeps that information close to her heart, worrying that if he finds out, the friendship that they are rekindling and the possible romance that she hopes happening between them will be ruined.

As Hailey and Bruce become closer, a series of events take place that threaten to jeapordize the foundation that they are building together.  Making both Hailey and Jilly question the other's true feelings and if their relationship will in fact work in the end.  When the unthinkable happens and Jilly is injured on the field, all he wants is to have Hailey by his side while his entire future as a major league pitcher hangs in the balance.  It is then that the truth of her identity as the author of the romance books is revealed causing him to walk away from the only woman who he has ever or will ever love because he is more than confused to her true intentions.  Hailey is crushed that Bruce walked away from her but she understands nonetheless and tries to move on with her life without him.

With the interference of some characters that we have seen in the previous two books, Bruce and Hailey are thrown back together to see if they can repair the damage that has been done to their shaky relationship.  Will love conquer all and bring Bruce and Hailey back together or will the secrets that Hailey kept tear them apart for good?  You will have to read this amazing story to find out!  Colette West is an amazing author who has the ability to pull the reader into the story making them feel as though they are right there with the characters.  I cannot wait for the next book from her and I guarantee that you will feel the same once you read.



Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball's biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette's impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.

Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as many games as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she's not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. 



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Blog Tour and Giveaway: My Salvation by Michelle Dare

 

 

 

Caliana Crawford is smart, sexy and unemployed. After quitting her mediocre job, she finds herself in need of a break. She goes to the one place that holds her most precious memories, her cabin by the lake. Life hasn’t always been easy for Cali. She lost someone close to her, was betrayed by her lover, and now she only wants to escape reality. What she doesn’t plan on is her sexy neighbor, who has an agenda of his own. Owen Matthews goes through the motions every day, but knows his life is missing one essential part - Cali. He has never forgotten about the summers he spent by the lake with the gorgeous brunette. When he sees she is back to stay, Owen knows he can’t let her slip through his fingers again. Others think he has it all with owning a multimillion dollar company, but what they don’t know is that he would give it all up to have her in his arms and his bed. The road to happiness isn’t always easy. His brother returns to his life and brings with him an old flame who threatens to rip Cali and Owen apart. Will they find their salvation with one another or let the events of their past influence their future?

 

 

     

 

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Michelle Dare is a Jersey girl living over the border in Pennsylvania. She started out as a reader, then became a book blogger. She loves the book community and thought to try her hand at writing. Her first book, My Salvation, is a contemporary romance.

She is a married mom with two wonderful children and a German Shepherd, who she considers her third child. She is a lover of books, music and movies. Her favorite band is Maroon 5 and has too many favorite movies to list. Paranormal romance is her favorite genre to read.

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Blog Tour, Review and a Giveaway: That Night With You by Alexandrea Weis

That Night With You
by Alexandrea Weis
Now Available!

Madison Barnett spent one-night with a stranger that changed her life forever.

But when she takes a job at Parr and Associates as their newest architect, Madison has no idea that the stranger she has spent five years trying to forget is about to walk right back into her life. And what she hoped would be a fresh start turns into a perplexing dilemma.

Soon Madison’s life is sent into a tailspin as she tries to juggle the demands of her controlling boss, Hayden Parr, with her persistent desires for her long lost sexy stranger.

Then, just when she thinks all hope is lost, everything changes.

Madison embarks on an education in the art of pleasure that began five years ago in the bed of the man who captured her heart. But there is one little catch… 

When fantasies become reality, passion can turn addictive in…That Night with You.

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“Madison,” a sultry voice called over her right shoulder.

When she turned, Hayden was standing behind her. Her body tensed when his eyes peered down at Adam’s hand in hers. “I need to speak with you.”

Instantly, she let go of Adam’s hand. “Of course.”

“Is this about the designs?” Adam butted in. “Because I have a few more things I would like to—”

“No,” Hayden barked, cutting the young man off, “this is about something else entirely.”

Seeming relieved, Adam gave a slight shrug and then nodded. Letting Hayden take her elbow, Madison allowed him to pull her away. When they went to a corner of the dining room, Hayden let go of her arm, and his eyes surveyed the room before he finally spoke.

“I’m sure you already know the Martins are very interested in your design.” He lowered his head. “They were very impressed with you. I have to say, so was I.”

“Thank you.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

“However, they have some changes they want to make, quite a few changes actually. I want to find out if you’re all right with that.”

Madison nodded. “It’s their house. I’ll do whatever they suggest…as long as it’s structurally possible.”

“Good answer.” He slowly grinned, appearing pleased. “We need to speak more about this tonight, but not here.” He glanced over at Adam standing by the buffet tables, taking in their every word. “How did you get here? Did you drive?”

“A friend brought me. She’s going to pick me up later.”

He hesitated, his lips smashing together in an unflattering scowl. “I’ll take you home. We can talk in my car.”

Her stomach tangled into a huge knot. “You really don’t have—”

“I said I would take you home.”

The hint of anger in his voice disturbed her. Great, the last thing she needed to do was piss off her boss. “All right. Thank you,” she added, hoping to appease him.

He peered over her shoulder to Adam. “Anyway, you looked like you needed rescuing.”

She followed his eyes to see Adam hovering over the buffet tables, inspecting the food and trying to strike up a conversation with an older couple next to him. The way his tuxedo hung on his lanky frame reminded Madison of a something she would see at a prom and not a fancy party. “Adam is harmless,” she declared, as she swung her eyes back to him.

The first thing that struck her was how the cut of Hayden’s tuxedo was nothing like Adam’s; he looked dark and tempting in the precisely pressed fabric. Adam’s high school attempt at formal men’s fashion only amplified Hayden’s magnetism.

“Don’t say anything to him. I’ll give him the bad news on Monday. I don’t need him causing a scene or bothering the Martins.”

“Yes, Mr. Parr.”

Hayden inched closer to her, and the smell of his musky cologne overtook her senses. “What did I tell you about that?”

Madison gazed boldly into his eyes. “This is business…Mr. Parr.”

The scowl on his face twisted into an intrigued grin. “I can see you’re going to be very difficult to handle, aren’t you?”

Feeling that tingle of electricity at the nearness of him gave Madison a rush of courage. “I was being assertive and not difficult. If I were being difficult, I would have refused your offer to take me home.”

His grin became a full-on smile. “And which one are you most often, assertive or difficult?”

She returned his smile. “That would depend.”

“On your mood?”

Madison kept him waiting before finally answering, “No, on the man.”

The laughter of a group of men by the patio doors distracted him. “Let me see to the Martins, grab your design, and I will meet you out front. Give me about ten minutes.”

“Ten minutes?” Her eyes took in the half-full dining room. “What about the party?”

“I didn’t come here for the party.” He abruptly headed toward the patio doors. His lean figure cutting across the room reminded Madison of a hero in a Greek play. Strong, smart, and with a dash of hubris in his step, he looked irresistible. As Madison watched his sleek body maneuver through the light scattering of guests, she felt that white heat rise up from her gut, obliterating all other thoughts.

Oh, I’m in trouble.

That Night With You was a story about a one-night stand that meant more than either participants were willing to accept, but fate will intervene and past and future will collide.  I would give this book a 3.5-4 star.  I really did like this book just thought it would have been better told in a first person POV rather than third person.  I sometimes struggle with third person because the characters switch off so easily and you don't feel like you truly can get into the mind of each character as much if it were in first person.  That being said I would recommend this to others as it had a great story line, plenty of mystery and angst oh and some serious steamy scenes.  This is the first book I have read by this author and I will continue to read what she puts out in the future.

Madison lives with the memories of an amazing one-night stand with a man she never gave her real name too but she only got his first name.  She knows she will never see this man again but he ruined her for other men...not only was he a gentle amazing lover but he took something special from her.. her virginity.  She didn't stick around after they fell asleep and she finds herself regretting it for years. She is determined to start her life over and no better way to do that then staring a new career... but when she finds that the big boss who Hayden is her Harry from the amazing one-night stand she had years before.  But the only problem she isn't sure that he remembers her...so doubt will set in and she finds herself lusting after him all over again.

Hayden AKA Harry also is haunted by the memories of the woman from his past, he searched everywhere for her and came up empty.  He had to move on and when he met someone that looked like her he up and married her but soon finds out that she isn't the woman he wants and he gets divorced.  He vows to never give his heart away again.  When his associate hires a new architect for his business he soon realizes this woman Madison is the "Mary" from his past.. .the one who stole his heart and shattered it all in one night.  He will not give his heart again but he can't help the steam and passion that still surrounds them.. so they come up with an agreement for a sex only relationship no ties.

Will the feelings from the past come to surface?  Can Hayden let down the walls he built up and love someone again?  Or will it only be that one night for them to forever cherish because there hearts will never mend?

Go pick up this book it is a great story!  I hope to see more from this author. 

That Night With You by Alexandrea Weis is a story of a one-night stand that stays with Madison for years, making it difficult for any other man to live up to the memories that Harry had given her of one of the most influential nights of her life, the night that she lost her virginity.  Often listening to the song that was playing while Harry consumed her mind and body, she finds comfort in the memories that she holds close to her heart.  Taking a job at a renowned architect firm after graduating from college; she is comes face to face with the man that has haunted her thoughts and dreams for years, Hayden Parr her boss.

Upon realizing that the Harry that has haunted her all these years is the same man as her breathtakingly hot boss, she wonders if he remembers her and if he thinks on that one night with the fondness that she does.  When she discovers that he looked for her after she left him in the middle of the night, all of the feelings that she believed she was crazy to have for a one night stand burst to the surface making it difficult for her to concentrate on her job.  Deciding to enter into an arrangement with Hayden that he wants to keep discreet due to his ongoing court issues with his ex-wife, Madison thinks she can handle everything that he is asking, until she can't anymore.

Madison never intended to fall in love with Hayden, especially when he shows no signs of sharing the same feelings toward her.  Constantly telling her that he cares and telling her that he will show her through giving her pleasure, Madison tries to accept that this is enough, that she can accept only what he is willing to give her.  Unfortunately after spending time with Hayden in his home and in his bed, she begins to want things that a normal couple have, things he isn't willing to give her.  Giving him an ultimatium that she needs to hear the words not just have him show her; she walks away when he is unable to give her what she desperately desires.

Will Hayden be able to let down the walls he has surrounding his emotions after being hurt by his ex-wife and let Madison fully into his heart or will he lose her forever?  Will Madison be able to let go of the hurt that Hayden has caused her and love him in spite of it?  You will have to read this 3.5 star book to find out!  I promise you will fall in love with Hayden just as Madison did!

Alexandrea Weis is an advanced practice registered nurse who was born and raised in New Orleans. Having been brought up in the motion picture industry, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her award-winning novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story memorable. A permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured wildlife. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans.

 

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Release Day Blitz: Heart of Marley by T.K. Leigh

 

Title: Heart of Marley 

Author: T.K. Leigh

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RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 18 AND OVER DUE TO GRAPHIC VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, AND SEXUAL SITUATIONS. To the moon and back… From the stars to the ocean… That was Marley and Cameron Bowen’s secret code. Twins born just five minutes apart, they have the perfect life… Until tragedy strikes just weeks after their eighth birthday and their father is killed by a drunk driver. Having trouble coping with the loss of her soul mate, their mother tries to find comfort in drugs and alcohol… And an abusive man with a penchant for underage girls. No longer able to stand listening to his sister’s screams and cries every night for nearly three years, Cam takes matters into his own hands and they’re finally able to escape the nightmare. They’re finally able to start over… But the nightmare still haunts Marley. The years go on and she is forced to put on a smile, making everyone think that she is the perfect, well-adjusted teenager that she is supposed to be… Until she is faced with a painful reminder of her past during her senior year of high school and she’s no longer able to keep on the mask that she has been compelled to wear. Heart Of Marley is a prequel novel to T.K. Leigh’s Heart of Light.

 

 

 

 

 

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T.K. Leigh, otherwise known as Tracy Leigh Kellam, is the USA Today Best Selling author of the Beautiful Mess series. Originally from New England, she now resides in sunny Southern California with her husband, dog and three cats, all of which she has rescued (including the husband). She always had a knack for writing, but mostly in the legal field. It wasn’t until recently that she decided to try her hand at creative writing and is now addicted to creating different characters and new and unique story lines in the Contemporary Romantic Suspense genre.

When she’s not planted in front of her computer, writing away, she can be found running and training for her next marathon (of which she has run over fifteen fulls and far too many halfs to recall). Unlike Olivia, the main character in her Beautiful Mess series, she has yet to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

 

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