Sliding
into Second by Ella Jade
Publisher: Beachwalk Press (2/16/15)
Series:
Kingston Heat, book 2
Genre: Sport Romance
Source: Tasty Book Tours
Rating: ★★★★1/2
Jilted once before, now it’s her
turn to level the playing field.
Hotshot sports reporter Sage Millan has been busy making a name for herself in the male dominated world of baseball. She’s just landed her dream job, and her first assignment is covering the newly crowned World Series champions, The Kingston Crushers. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. The only problem...her ex-boyfriend, and the only man she’s ever loved, is the team’s second baseman. Things ended badly between them, and she’s not sure she can put those demons to rest.
Hotshot sports reporter Sage Millan has been busy making a name for herself in the male dominated world of baseball. She’s just landed her dream job, and her first assignment is covering the newly crowned World Series champions, The Kingston Crushers. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. The only problem...her ex-boyfriend, and the only man she’s ever loved, is the team’s second baseman. Things ended badly between them, and she’s not sure she can put those demons to rest.
Professional
baseball player Nicolas Cordova is having the time of his life. His team has
just won the World Series, and with the victory comes more fame, women, and
exposure than he ever could have imagined. But things are about to change for
the sexy, charismatic athlete. He never expected his ex-girlfriend to walk back
into his life, much less the locker room.
These days
Sage is smarter, more mature, and doesn’t plan on being played a second time.
Her appearance stirs old memories for Nic. She’s the one he let get away in the
name of his career. He vows he can be the man she needs this time around. Will
that be enough to mend her broken heart?
Content
Warning: contains explicit sex and adult content
about Ella Jade || Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember.
As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the
laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head,
but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered
the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she
can't be stopped.
{ guest post } .
Spring is almost
in the air, but baseball players are definitely on the pages...
Now that those
incredibly hot boys of summer are heading back to spring training with their
gloves, bats, balls (ahem) and tight white baseball pants I have just the thing
to keep you busy while you’re waiting for them to take the field.
Players! Who doesn’t
love a dirty-talkin, physically fit, sexy athlete? I’ve got a few who will make
you see the sport in a whole new light.
I’m excited to be celebrating
the release of Book Two in my Kingston Heat Series. This book features a hot
second baseman (who you may have met if you’ve read Stealing His Heart) and his quest to win back
the only girl he’s ever loved. It’s a second chance story about two high school
sweethearts that reunite after a seven year separation.
Here’s a little
sample...
“I want to know the woman you are today. I want another shot at
this.”
“No,” Sage whispered.
“If you remember anything about me, I have a hard time with that
word.” Nic tipped her chin, focusing on her lips. “I am going to kiss you.
Right here and right now.”
Her knees buckled as a cool tremor swept through her. She wanted
to say no. It was the only logical word to mutter, but her heart didn’t want
her to say it. Her body wasn’t on board with turning him down either. The
warmth that built in her stomach had moved lower, and now all she could think
about was his lips on hers.
“It doesn’t sound like you’re asking,” she breathed out.
“I’m not.”
Gotta love a man who takes control of the situation. His
heroine, Sage, is going to give him a run for his money. She was jaded once
before but she’s not about to let him hurt her a second time. She thinks she
can walk back into his life and make it all about sex. If they don’t let
feelings get in the way then she can’t get hurt. Problem... feelings always get
in the way.
“Whatever
we’re doing, it can’t be more than this,” Sage said.
“You
just want physical?” Nic placed his free hand on the side of her face, guiding
her to his lips. “I don’t believe that’s what you really want. That’s not the
way your heart works.”
“It
does now.” She had to protect herself.
“I
don’t believe that.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “You’re lying to me.”
“I
can leave right now if what I’m asking is too much.”
It
looks like Nic has his work cut out for him!
Both
books in the Kingston Heat Series stand alone and can be read in either order.
If you like sports romances with strong, sexy men and the women who know how to
challenge them be sure to grab both books. You can pick up Sliding Into Second for a discounted release
price of 99 cents. That’s a
total steal!
{ excerpt } .
“I’ll admit I’ve had many women in the past, and I can’t apologize for living. But as the years went by, my feelings for you were always someplace deep in my heart. I know that’s why I can’t settle down. Why I can’t find the peace I’ve been searching for. It doesn’t exist without you.”
"How can you say things like that? You don’t even know the woman I’ve become. I’m not that girl who relied on you, the one who would’ve followed you anywhere. I’m not her anymore, Nic. I can’t ever be her again.”
“Maybe I’m not asking for her.” He leaned closer to her face. “Maybe I want to know the woman you are today. I want another shot at this.”
“No,” she whispered.
“If you remember anything about me, I have a hard time with that word.” He tipped her chin, focusing on her lips. “I am going to kiss you. Right here and right now.”
Her knees buckled as a cool tremor swept through her. She wanted to say no. It was the only logical word to mutter, but her heart didn’t want her to say it. Her body wasn’t on board with turning him down either. The warmth that built in her stomach had moved lower, and now all she could think about was his lips on hers.
“It doesn’t sound like you’re asking,” she breathed out.
“I’m not.”
Before she could say anything else, his mouth was on hers, eager, but slow and soft. His stubble grazed along her chin as he tilted his head and deepened their bond. The sound throughout the crowded lobby seemed to fade into the background, and soon, all she could hear was her heart pumping loud between her ears. Why did he have to be such a freakin’ good kisser?
After the incredibly long connection, he pulled away, but not before stopping to kiss the bottom corner of her mouth like he used to.
“I’ve waited a long time to do that,” he said. “It was worth every lonely minute.”
“I... Nic...” She’d always had the gift of words. It was what she did for a living, but in that moment, all of her thoughts were jumbled and senseless.
“It’s okay.” He grinned as he stroked her cheek. “Let’s get something to eat and maybe figure this out. Whatever this is.”
“No.” She ran her hands along his strong chest, resting them on his shoulders.
“Don’t over analyze this, baby.” He glanced down at her hands on his body. “Let’s just go with it.”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you.” She took a breath and continued before she lost her nerve. “Take me upstairs to your room. I know how we can figure this out.”
“What are you asking?” He placed his hand on the small of her back, drawing her closer to him. “You need to be real clear.”
“I want to go upstairs with you.”
“That’s not why I kissed you.”
“Isn’t it?” She smirked. “We’re adults now, Nicky. Let’s settle this like adults.”
“I’m not looking to settle anything. That usually means it’s over, and we’re nowhere near over.” He motioned for Joe. “I’ll take care of the bar tab and then we’ll get dinner.”
“No.” She draped her arms around his neck, intoxicated by the idea of being so close to him again. He may be older now, and may have lost those boyish looks, but the man he had become suited him and drove her wild with need.
“What did I tell you about that word?”
“I can guarantee I won’t be using it once we’re in your bedroom.” She ran her tongue along her top lip. “I’m going to the ladies room. When I come out, if you’re not by the elevators waiting for me, I’ll know that kiss was nothing more than the heat of the moment and we can go on with our lives.”
“Sage?”
“Shh.” She pressed her lips to his. “Now who’s over analyzing?” She reached for her purse and coat hanging on the back of the stool. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.” I hope.
{ review } .
They met in high school; she was a sophmore and he a senior when they started dating. They did the long distance thing when he went to school, and eventually once graduated, she followed him to Florida.
They made plans.
She was going to keep following him. Their love was what was going to get them through.
Then one day, out of nowhere, he told her she needed to stay back.
She gave up Princeton for him. She gave up her top 5 colleges for him. She wanted to be with him.
...and he wanted her to stay.
As a reader, you can understand, then, why Sage refused to take Nic's phone calls, listen to his reasoning, seek him out when she graduated -- as he'd hoped she would do. But equally, you want to know what happened that made this gung-ho, so in love with his girlfriend, want to show her off, early twenty-year old tell her he didn't want her to come with him.
Now it's seven years later, he's made it in the baseball world, and she barges in to his locker room, knocking him for a loop, to interview the World Series Champion pitcher and his friend, Pax.
He sees her and wants her -- not even 'again' because he's never truly stopped wanting her.
She sees him and wants to stay far, far away. She's knows what he's capable if doing with her heart.
Watching Nic fight for her was enlightening and sweet. It was almost as if they hadn't missed a beat. Does Sage try to keep herself emotionally detached? Absolutely -- it's the only way she figures she can protect herself from another broken heart, but sometimes you need to see things for what they are...
While this was a quick read, it was a cute read. I wouldn't be opposed to following these Crushers in future books!
...and I say future, because I have a review for book one, Pax's story, coming to you soon! (...& it seems to be my theme, but this book overlaps the same time frame as Pax's story and I love it!)
{ giveaway } .
Thanks so much for taking the time to review my book :)
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