FRISKY FALL SATURDAYS, #24 ~ TEMPTING THE BEST MAN and TEMPTING THE PLAYER by J. LYNN

Summer is over, but just because the temperature is dropping, doesn't mean we have to stop reading scorching hot books! Frisky Fall Saturdays is our new weekly post created by The Autumn Review, The Bookish Babe, Hackaroo's Reviews, and Sim-Sational-Books. Feel free to join in. (let us know so we can add a link to your post) As those leaves start piling up in the yard, ignore them and pick up a sexy book!

The Autumn Review
Sim-Sational Books
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Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Reviews

**The books featured on FRISKY FALL SATURDAYS are for adults. If you are under 18 years of age, or do not like smexy books, please stop here. **


Series:  Gamble Brothers #1
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Brazen (Entangled Imprint)
Publication Date: 4/23/12
Format: ebook
Pages: 172
Source: Received from publisher for review.

Madison Daniels has worshipped her brother's best friend since they were kids. Everyone thinks she and Chase Gamble would make the perfect couple, but there are two major flaws in their logic. 1) Chase has sworn off relationships of any kind, and 2) after blurring the line between friends and lovers for one night four years ago, they can't stop bickering.

Forced together for her brother's wedding getaway, Chase and Madison decide to call a truce for the happy couple. Except all bets are off when they're forced to shack up in a tacky 70’s honeymoon suite and survive a multitude of "accidents" as the family tries to prove their "spark" can be used than for more than fighting. That is, if they don't strangle each other first…

Fun, flirty and so steamy...Tempting the Best Man is a story that hits all the right spots.

I think I'm the only one of my friends who hadn't read Tempting the Best Man, though it is a book that was highly recommended to me. I'm happy that I finally took the plunge because I truly enjoyed it.

What made Tempting the Best Man so enjoyable on my part is that it was fun! Madison and Chase were both characters with a lot of heart, a bit of snark, and were never afraid to call the other out on their bull. Madison is a chick a lot of women can relate to. She is confident, but still has doubts about herself. She is strong, but still has vulnerable moments. I wanted her to fight for Chase's love, but understood why she couldn't.

I did like Chase, as well, though he really made me frustrated at some moments. Believing he is not good enough for Madison and that he will hurt her, Chase continually pushes her away. His blindness to the awesome potential for happiness right in front of him drove me crazy, but in all honesty it makes sense. Chase's slow realization that he is, in fact, a good man worthy of Madison's love made the story so sweet.

The steam factor was nice, and  J. Lynn did a great job of turning up the heat. Madison and Chase were HOT, and I loved it. And I have to say, Tempting the Best Man is at the perfect level for romance readers who look for less graphic stories.

If you're looking for a read to warm up those cold afternoons, Tempting the Best Man is a good bet.

Favorite Quotes:

 

 

  " 'Wait. I can't hear you. Guys, can you keep it down?'

His voice got a little farther away from the mouthpiece.'Maddie's on the phone and she blew something.' The room erupted in male laughter.

   Oh. My. Freaking. God.

  'Sorry about that, honey. Now, what happened?' her father asked. 'You blew a fire?'

  'I blew a tire! A tire! You know those things that are round and made of rubber?' "  (ebook, 7%)

 

 

  "Chase placed his hands on her hips. The touch of his skin on hers sent chills over her. She let him help her out of the tub, made no sound as he tugged her between the V of his thighs. She waited with her heart in his hands as he leaned forward, pressing a sweet kiss against the flare of her hip."  (ebook, 61%)



You can purchase Tempting the Best Man at:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble 


Series: Gamble Brothers #2
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Brazen (Entangled Imprint)
Publication Date: 10/23/12
Format: ebook
Pages: 203
Source: Received from publisher for review.

Chad Gamble, all-star pitcher for the Nationals, is one of the best players on—and off—the field. And right now, the notorious bad boy wants Bridget Rodgers. But with her lush curves and snappy comebacks, the feisty redhead is the kind of woman a man wants to settle down with…and that’s the last thing Chad needs.

When the paparazzi catch them in a compromising position, Chad’s manager issues an ultimatum: clean up his act or kiss his multi-million dollar contract goodbye. To save his career, his meddling publicist says he'll have to convince everyone Bridget isn’t just his flavor of the week, but his girlfriend.

Being blackmailed into a fake relationship with Chad Gamble isn’t easy, especially when the sizzling physical attraction between them is undeniable. With a month to go on their arranged pretense, it's going to take every ounce of willpower they have not to fall into bed together...or in love.

Alright, I've gotta say it: Tempting the Player is the book that turned me into a hardcore JLA fangirl. I do like her writing in all of her books, but something about the Gamble Brothers series really hooked me. Here's why...

The characters. Chad is a real man's man. Sure, he can be a bit cocky, and he's known for making the rounds with the ladies, but deep down, he's a really good guy who loves his family and loves his job. Another check in the "Win" column for Chad? He is attracted to Bridget and wants her because of her curves, not despite them. Chad never, ever makes Bridget feel that she is less than perfect and that her wants her but exactly the way she is. I sort of want to give him a high-five right now.

Bridget was fantastic, such a relatable chick. She struggles to get by financially; she's more happy staying at home on a Friday night, reading a YA book and eating a pie; and when a world-famous athlete gives her his undivided attention, she wonders "Why me?" Bridget wants Chad, wants to be with him, but can't help but wonder why we chose her when he has models at his beck and call. I think most of us would react the same.

Okay, now for the steam. Good lord, JLA can write a love scene! I really enjoyed the love scenes in Tempting the Best Man, but she took it to a whole new, hotter level in Tempting the Player. At one point, I considered putting my Kindle in the freezer! Or my head! Chad and Bridget are such a sexy couple, their chemistry is out of control, and oh boy, Chad can work it out, y'all. Whoa. Jennifer manages to bring the steam, without the explicit words that can make some readers uncomfortable. I'm a girl that can appreciate a pretty (who am I kidding, very) graphic love scene, but in some ways, the way these books are written make it even hotter.

Tempting the Player was fantastic. Consider me dying for book three, about Gamble brother Chandler, Tempting the Bodyguard. 

Favorite Quotes:

  "It was a Friday night, she was at a club, and a good-looking man was currently giving her the I-want-to-take-you-home-and-I-hope-I-last-longer-than-five-minutes look...and she was thinking about pie, and young adult book, and feeding her cat.
  She was so turning into the cat lady at twenty-seven. Sweet."  (4%)


  " 'I know I can have any woman there.'
   Well, he definitely wasn't lacking in the self-esteem department. 'What I'm trying to say is that out of everyone there, you could've taken home one of the girls who looked like she stepped off a runway.'
  Chad frowned. 'I did take home the one I wanted.'
  'But--'
  'There isn't a but in this.' He cupped her cheek, tilting her head back. When he spoke, his lips brushed hers. 'I want you. Bad. Right now. Against the wall. On my bed. The floor and maybe in the bathroom later. I have a shower stall and a Jacuzzi we could put to really good use. I know you'd like it.' "  (11%)



You can purchase Tempting the Player at:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble