Maryse's Book Blog

Following my heart, one book at a time...

sports stars

The Ultimate List Of Sports Star Romance

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How in the heck did I not already have THIS list up?!! Some of my absolute favorite “new adult” books feature the sports star/girl-next-door fantasy. Whether he’s famous worldwide, or the college hero, there’s nothing better than being best friends (and maybe more) with one. Done right, whether they be loaded in cocky bad-boyness, or we have a more subdued, brooding-guy slow burn, these are the books that keep hitting the best sellers lists.

And it’s not for nothing. They can be hilarious (especially with a well-written entourage… like more popular guy friends). They tickle our “romance fantasy” needs (that, of being THE ONE noticed by the star that can have anybody they want), plus you get that family feel with the whole cast of characters. Pining and unrequited love. Angsty misunderstandings and endearing silly hijinks. Unexpected true friendships, groupies and mean girls. Nerds and jocks. Rumors and paparazzi. Throw ’em together in one story, and it promises unputdownable FUN!!! Plus, the sports stars tend to be a little alpha-male, so that’s always a plus. 😉 read more

Ilsa Madden-Mills is giving away a signed copy of her latest release, “Boyfriend Bargain”!!!

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<— Boyfriend Bargain just released a few days ago and sound right up our romance alley, my friends!!! It’s already #11 (as we speak) on all of Amazon Kindle AND available on KU (Kindle Unlimited)!!! It skyrocketed up the charts and the reviews look GOOOD! And to celebrate, author Ilsa Madden-Mills is today’s newsletter sponsor and we’re having a signed book giveaway!! 😀

He’s a hot HOCKEY STAR (although a total player) and she desperately needs to get his attention… and he doesn’t even know she’s alive. GAH!!! I LOVE THAT!! So she does whatever it takes. 😉 read more

Reader Question – The book with an Irish Rugby team and the photographer…

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Yusha needs our book help! Oh Yusha… you just mentioned my favorite key words when it comes to romance books. SLOOOOOWWW BURN!! YES PLEASE!!! I gotta know which one this is, too!! 😀

She asks:

Hello!

I’ve loved/ followed your blog for sooooo long and I’m finally finally hitting the reader question because I’m trying to recall a book and it’s driving me mental! Not even 100% sure this is where I ask but here it goes!

So the book I’m pretty sure revolves around an Irish rugby team from America. The h is a photographer and she shoots the team for an editorial or a calendar! Anyways they become super good friends (with tension) and read more

Elle Kennedy – Briar U Series Reading Order (and signed book giveaway!!!)

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SQUEEE!!!! I just LOVE this author, and can’t get enough of her “Off Campus” series (I devoured and 5-star loved them) and this is the spinoff! 😀 YAY US!!! We’re already two books in and a third up for preorder!

Sakshi: I have loved Elle Kennedy’s past works and I am so excited to read this one!

About book #1:

Everyone says opposites attract. And they must be right, because there’s no logical reason why I’m so drawn to Colin Fitzgerald. I don’t usually go for tattoo-covered, video-gaming, hockey-playing nerd-jocks who think I’m flighty and superficial. His narrow view of me is the first strike against him. It doesn’t help that he’s buddy-buddy with my brother. read more

Ginger Scott’s "The Hail Mary" is live and she says… "Turns out, this was the book I needed to write." Plus, an excerpt!

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Ginger Scott rocks our romance worlds, and I’m thrilled to present her latest release, The Hail Mary (The Waiting Series Book 3). Not only is she this week’s newsletter sponsor, but we have a very personal guest post by this author, and an excerpt too!

P.S. These must be read in order so here’s the The Waiting Series Reading Order.

Take a look:

Turns out, this was the book I needed to write.

Ginger Scott

That headline sorta wrote itself for me. Ironic. Let me explain. To get there, I’m gonna have to take you back to the very beginning. Some of you may have heard this story before, but there’s more to it now, so I beg you…read on.
I got the writing bug when I was about eleven years old. It was a copy of Judy Blume’s Forever, which…is still one of the best coming-of-age stories written. I got it for a quarter at the Goodwill, and I devoured it and decided I would make something just like that someday. read more

Ginger Scott – The Waiting Series Reading Order

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ANGST ALERT!!! And book #3 JUST WENT LIVE (but this series must be read in order)! No worries, my book-twin, Amy, LOVED the first two, and I trust everything she loves. Also, I love this author so I know right off the bat, that this series will rock my world.

The Waiting Series, which follows high school sweethearts Reed Johnson and Nolan Lennox through football, life, love and everything messy that goes along with it. The series begins with Waiting on the Sidelines and Going Long. Book 3 is for more mature readers and deals with adult themes. read more