Release Day Launch and Giveaway: Game For Trouble: Karen Erickson

by Reviews by Tammy and Kim - Monday, October 28, 2013

Game For Trouble
Game for It #2
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He’ll play dirty to get what he wants… Willow Cavanaugh would be happy if she never saw cocky football star Nick Hamilton again. Sure, their fling was the hottest she’d had, but he’s way too much of a playboy to settle down with one woman. Plus, she’s got her heart set on a piece of real estate for her catering business—and Nick owns that property. Nick may be at the top of his game, but all he wants is a second chance with Willow. When he offers to sell her his commercial space if she agrees to a series of dates with him, their chemistry is so scintillating that jumping back into bed seems like an inevitability. But Willow’s decided all’s fair in sex and blackmail. Little does she know, Nick’s playing to win…and she’s the prize.

Game For Marriage
Game for it #1Add to Goodreads
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He’s going in deep to make her his…

Struggling artist Sheridan Harper never imagined she’d spend a sizzling night with Jared Quinn, the smoking-hot star quarterback of her local professional football team, the San Jose Hawks. And she’s even more shocked when Jared’s publicist offers her a proposition: a fake marriage to keep Jared out of the gossip mags. Being that close to Jared would be too tempting, so to protect her heart, she insists on secretly including a clause forbidding sex between them.

Jared just wants to keep his starting QB job and keep it in San Jose. His reputation as a ladies’ man has landed him in the headlines one too many times, but there’s something about his kind, passionate new wife that tempts him beyond reason. Any sort of intimacy between them is completely forbidden, but as their bodies fall in deep, will their hearts follow suit?

Excerpt:

“Come in here.” She grabbed hold of his hand and yanked him inside, shutting the door behind her and twisting the lock into place. “Let’s stay in tonight. It’s cold out there.”

“But...wherever you wanna go, darlin’, I’m game. My treat. You could order fifty lobsters for dinner, and I won’t protest.”

She grimaced. “I hate lobster.”

“You do not,” he said, frowning. “You grew up here. You can pluck a lobster straight out of the ocean from your dad’s deck.”

“Just because I grew up here doesn’t mean I have to love seafood.” She scrunched her nose. How she hated explaining this. No one ever got it. “I’ve never been a big fan. Lobster’s sorta freaky. Crab is too much work, not enough reward. I don’t mind shrimp, though. You can just pop them in your mouth and eat them.”

“I’ll take you out for all you can eat shrimp, then. You can stuff your face until you wanna burst,” he suggested eagerly.

Laughing, she shook her head. “I don’t think so. I’d rather stay in tonight with you.” She sobered up quick. The more they stayed in the better. This so- called relationship needed to stay quiet. One mention of it to the media, local or bigger, and all hell was going to break loose. As in, her father would have an epic freak-out.

“We always do that, though. Stay in.” He scowled. “Aren’t you getting bored?”

Oh, no. “Are you?” God, he was already tired of her. Really, she shouldn’t care. She should be glad. The faster she got rid of him, the better.

Right?

“No. Hell, no. Anytime I’m with you is good, Will.”

He reached for her, settling those big hands on her hips. Dipping his head, he bent his knees a little so he could peer directly into her eyes. “Are you getting sick of me yet?”

She pressed her lips together to keep from saying what she really wanted. I could never get sick of you. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

“No. Well. Your constant sweet talk is getting sort of old.” She rolled her eyes, putting on an act. Nothing Nick did when they were together was getting old.

His mouth curved upward. “What are you talking about?”

“All the darlin’s and the sugars and the princess remarks. I think you say that sort of thing so you never have to worry about the name of the girl you’re with,” she teased.

His face turned frightfully solemn. “You really think that?”

Uh oh. She shrugged. “I’ve wondered.”

“Really.” His fingers bit into her flesh, he held her so tight.

“Maybe?” He had her doubting herself. How did he do that?

Dope. He constantly keeps you on edge.

“Trust me, I always know who I’m with when I’m with you.” He kissed her—the softest, sweetest kiss ever. So soft, so sweet, she immediately wanted to weep when he pulled away to murmur against her lips, “Willow.”

He never called her Willow. Ever.

"This game we're playing is sick and twisted."~Nick
"I sort of like it"~Willow
"You drunk, Will?"

When football player Jared and Sheridan got together(Game for Marriage), they did not realize they would be throwing their two best friends Nick and Willow back together again. Six years ago Willow and Nick fell for each other. They were young and circumstances pulled them apart. And neither of them really got over it completely.

Willow grew up the spoiled rich daughter of a controlling sports attorney. But now she is trying to be independent and continue growing her specialty catering business. Nick happens to be the owner of the rental space she really wants, so he devises a deal she cannot refuse. It is game on!

Nick is sexy, cocky, flirty and fun. He is this big, popular football player, but is also vulnerable and sincere. You could tell he had regrets, true feelings, and wanted a real relationship. He set his mind on pursuing her and fighting for her no matter what (even though it meant also fighting WITH her).

Damn, he had it bad.
There was no doubt in his mind that he would conquer her. Make her his once and for all. Game motherf***ing on.

Nick Hamilton was bad for her. Unhealthy. An addiction.

Willow is strong willed, stubborn, and determined to succeed. But she is also scared, insecure, and resistant. She felt he had burned her before, so it was understandable. She did not want to open herself up to hurt again. But she is a challenge he is determined to win.

Damn. Nick Hamilton and his charming, no-good ways. Her former lover and, if she were being honest, the first real love of her life always knew how to barge right back into her life and mess with her head.

They fuss, they flirt, and they fight. Their conversations are sharp and witty. Their chemistry is combustible, but so are their daily interactions. It's all about advance, retreat, and advance again. I really liked them together. You could tell they had history and truly belonged together. But there was a lot of back and forth, and they had issues to work through.

He couldn't get this right with Willow no matter how hard he tried. He was sweet to her, and she wanted to kick his ass. He was rude to her, and she wanted to kick his ass. The woman had him coming and going, and he never knew where he was supposed to be next. It was frustrating as all get out.

This was a sweet, funny, sassy read. I enjoy books about sports players. I loved seeing more with Jared and Sheridan from Game for Marriage. They are such a fun couple and provided more humor and support. This book made me frustrated, laugh, and swoon. It was written in both points of view which was truly needed since they issues sharing their feelings and thoughts. I devoured it in one sitting. This was another fun, steamy, and enjoyable installment in this series, but could also be read as stand alone.

Thanks to Karen Erickson and Brazen/Entangled Publishing for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Karen Erickson Website/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Goodreads

USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson writes what she loves to read - sexy contemporary romance. Digitally published since 2006, she's a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children.

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