Contemporary Romance
Date Published: January 19, 2015
As an offensive linewoman for the Cleveland Clash, Tanya Martin is tough inside and out. The 5'9" beauty can take a hit and keep on going. But when the man she was best friends with - and secretly in love with - in high school comes home the same day she learns her father's gym is in financial trouble, she's unexpectedly blindsided.
Super Bowl MVP Cam Simmons is only back in town to convince his mom to move out of her failing neighborhood and live in luxury with him in Boston. But running into Tanya stirs up plenty of old feelings he never resolved. He was happy to leave his old life behind him when he hit the NFL, but walking away from their friendship was a mistake he wants to rectify.
As they work together to help save her dad's gym, Cam and Tanya's easy camaraderie and undeniable chemistry resurface. But can she open up enough to trust him with her heart a second time around?
Excerpt
“I was thinking, what about a celebrity boxing match?” Tanya asked.
“Uh, no.” Hell, he couldn’t even keep up with her in the ring.
“Back her into the corner!” some guy yelled.
What? Cam took his eyes off her for only a split second.
She popped him again and smiled. “Yeah, that’s probably a terrible idea. I mean who wants to pay to see you get your ass kicked?”
She danced around him, eyes blazing. Focus, man.
He managed a jab to her gut before she moved away.
“Thatta way!” the guy cheered.
She approached again. Cam swung. At the last minute, she spun, and his fist hung in midair. More dancing. Little hops. And a rush of laughter. He loved when she had fun. There was nothing more beautiful in the whole world.
She popped him again. Right in the flank.
The guy booed. Cam may have, too, because this didn’t seem fair.
“You know, it’s okay to hit a girl in here,” she said. “I don’t want you getting hung up on political correctness and looking like a fool in front of your … ” she glanced at the guy who was watching them, “fan. Singular.”
Smart ass. He lunged, and she dodged.
“Come on,” she said. “Show me what you’ve got, superstar.”
Oh, he’d show her all right. Just not in here. Later, they were going to finish what they started. He would find someplace where they wouldn’t be interrupted by roommates or family members, someplace where they could …
She bounced to the left and clobbered him. His brain rattled.
The guy gave a disgusted sound, and then walked away.
His one fan had bailed.
Time to stop the insanity. “Okay!” His louder than normal voice halted Tanya in her tracks, but a second later, she was bouncing again.
“What was that?” she asked.
“Just me announcing that the match can finally begin. I think you’re good and warmed up.” He grinned. “In fact,” he bobbed his brows, “you’re looking super-hot to me.”
Her feet slowed, and her eyes narrowed. “How ‘bout from now on you keep your thoughts to yourself? This is a boxing ring, not group therapy.”
Yep, he’d unnerved her, and he was just getting started.
“I’m being courteous,” he said, shuffling closer and lowering his voice. “I like to let my opponents get a feel for my size before we really get down and dirty.” He bit into his cheek to keep from laughing.
“You wish,” she said, but she was smiling too.
He advanced. She backpedaled, and then she hit the rope.
“Trapped,” he mouthed.
“Never,” she whispered.
My Review
Running Interference was a good, quick read in the friends-to-more trope set in the backdrop of football (both traditional and women's). Having both the male and female lead characters as professional football players lends a touch of uniqueness to the story.
Cam, our lead male, is a classic male athlete who has a soft spot for family and for taking care of where he comes from. I really liked his character the best of the cast in this story. The leading lady, Tanya, was a little hard for me to connect with but I can't quite put my finger on why. It did bug me a little that she was quick to think of ideas that would use Cam to her advantage (well, to her father's gym's advantage).
The first half of the story moved slower for me than the last half did, and the best scene of the book was definitely the bachelor auction at the end.
I'd recommend this to those who like their sports romances (especially football), and who'd like a quick romance to fill their weekend.
Cam, our lead male, is a classic male athlete who has a soft spot for family and for taking care of where he comes from. I really liked his character the best of the cast in this story. The leading lady, Tanya, was a little hard for me to connect with but I can't quite put my finger on why. It did bug me a little that she was quick to think of ideas that would use Cam to her advantage (well, to her father's gym's advantage).
The first half of the story moved slower for me than the last half did, and the best scene of the book was definitely the bachelor auction at the end.
I'd recommend this to those who like their sports romances (especially football), and who'd like a quick romance to fill their weekend.
Elley Arden
Elley Arden is a born and bred Pennsylvanian who has lived as far west as Utah and as far north as Wisconsin. She drinks wine like it's water (a slight exaggeration), prefers a night at the ballpark to a night on the town, and believes almond English toffee is the key to happiness.
Charming characters. Emotional stories. Sexy romance.
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