Review – Audiobook – Single by Collette West

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Single

by Collette West
Stockton Beavers #1
Publication Date: April 22, 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Sports

 

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Purchase: Amazon | Audible | iTunes

Underdog Luke “Single” Singleton is yearning to make a comeback. After getting hit in the neck with a pitch—an injury that nearly cost him his life—he has one last chance to play for his hometown team, the Stockton Beavers. But his mom has Alzheimer’s, and he’s all she has to depend on. How can he pursue his career, much less someone special?

Personal care aide Roberta Bennett is done dating baseball players. Having had her share of heartbreak, she heads to Stockton hoping for a fresh start. But after she finds Luke’s mom outside, lost, and alone, she can’t refuse when he hires her on the spot. Unbeknownst to Luke, Roberta is all too familiar with the violent tendencies of the pitcher who hit him.

Now that they’re living under the same roof, the last thing either of them is looking for is a relationship. But it’s not long before they find themselves drawn to each other. And right when Luke is thinking about finally making a change to his single status, a secret from Roberta’s past emerges with the power to tear them apart.

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BFF K’s Review of Single – Audiobook

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I love Luke Singleton! If you love the Sports Romance genre, specifically baseball. You’ll be very pleased with this overall story. If I look at this book/audiobook as a whole, I am overall pleased with the story. If I pick it apart, not as much.

I really like Luke’s storyline and Luke’s character! He’s an athlete coming back from an injury dealing with some pretty serious stuff in his home life. But, he’s helped through it all by Roberta. She’s kind, caring, compassionate and it’s impossible for her to resist those same characteristics in Luke. The baseball, recovery and romance aspects of this story were spot on and I really really enjoyed them.

There were a couple of things that bothered me. Please take them with a grain of salt. Semi-Spoiler-Alert: There is an adoption storyline toward the end of this book. Many of you may know that our son is adopted and this is a very personal issue for me. There were just too many inconsistencies for me between the story and real life. I couldn’t reconcile the inconsistencies and it made it hard for me to enjoy the ending of the story. But, if this isn’t an personal issue for you, I think the conclusion could be really fulfilling, so don’t let this stop you if that’s not an hot button for you!

I love audiobooks. I listen to 2-3 a week, some are better than others and I’m able to overcome a lot of small annoyances. I loved the male narrator! I think he did an excellent job and I enjoyed his interpretation of the story. However, I did not care for the female narrator. Her voice had an awkward cadence. She maintained that rhythm regardless of the content of the sentences and dialogue. I would often find myself re-phrasing the passages in my head so they made better sense. And, I could never match her voice with the images in my head of the characters.

I think this is one instance where I would have liked to read the book more than listen to the audio. I’m basing my ratings on the overall story. I would say this is a good, solid, sports romance that delivers what you’re expecting from the genre. If you can be forgiving about some oddities in narration, I think this is a story you can really enjoy.

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A copy of this audiobook was received from the author. Receipt of this copy did not impact the content or independence of this review.

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Giveaway

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About The Author

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Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball’s biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette‘s impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.

Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as manygames as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she’s not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. Email her atcollette_west@yahoo.com.

She is the author of the New York Kings series which includes: NIGHT GAMES, GAME CHANGER, GAME ON, PERFECTGAME, INSIDE GAME and GAME WINNER.

About the Narrators

Narrator Aundrea Mitchell

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After receiving her B.S. and MBA Aundrea fell madly in love and decided to start her family. Ten years and five children later she was quickly living the full time wife, mother and household management life. Needing a temporary escape from time to time Aundrea returned back to her first love – reading! After devouring everything she could get her hands on she thought, -what if she could mix her love of performance and literature in a professional capacity? Once getting involved in the world of book narration she quickly became hooked and when not with her family you can find her in her studio working hard to grow in her own storytelling abilities.

Narrator Gary Furlong

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Gary is an up and coming Irish Audiobook narrator and Voice Actor. He has a true flair for accents and dialects and has lived all over the world including Japan, Ireland and Texas. He can make listeners laugh, cry, seethe, think and feel and loves working with authors and writers to bring their message to audio! Gary has over a decade of experience as an actor and improv artist. Do not be fooled by his rugged handsome exterior, on the inside he is even more rugged… too rugged really. It’s becoming a problem.

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Review – Game Changer by Collette West

 

Title: Game Changer
Series: New York Kings #1
Author: Collette West
Genre: Sports Romance (18+)
Published: July 15, 2014 
Young, rich, and unaware of how seriously hot he is, Brooks Davison is tearing it up as the latest shortstop for the New York Kings, despite his tendency to blush whenever girls scream his name. 
When a health scare forces his best friend, Kyle Roberts, off the team, no one can stomach the thought of replacing him, especially so close to the playoffs. 
Until Kyle’s sister, Sasha, steps in, convincing management to let her take his place. The idea of signing the first female player in Major League history proves too tempting for the Kings to resist. 
Nevertheless, Brooks doesn’t want any part of it. Sasha is Kyle’s little sister, not some sideshow. 
Yet when Kyle takes a turn for the worse, Brooks promises to do everything in his power to help Sasha win a championship for him. Because there’s no way he’s letting either of them down. Not now, not ever.

BFF K’s Review

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Game Changer is the first book in the New York Kings Series, each of the books in this baseball-themed, sports romance, series is a stand-alone with interconnected characters. I have now read book #1 and book #5 in the series and enjoyed them both. I’m anxious to read more of the stories from the NY Kings!

I love baseball and I consider myself to have above-average knowledge of the sport, for a girl. Game Changer does require a true baseball fan to envision a woman successfully playing for a major league team. Sasha Roberts is the little sister of three major league baseball playing brothers. She’s grown up around the sport and has a sincere love of the game. When her brother Kyle is stricken with a genetic heart condition that takes him out of the game, Sasha rushes to NYC to be by her brother’s side. One of Kyle’s biggest stressors is the stability of his position with the Kings. Sasha decides to offer herself at the mercy of the Kings leadership and asks to take her brother’s place on the team until he’s healthy enough to return. While I love this premise and I’m all for the girl-power message, which is really well done, I had to suspend my disbelief and accept the idea that this could actually happen. Once I decided to let fantasy rule and go where the book lead me, it was a fun little trip.

Brooks Davsison is not only the short stop for the Kings, he’s also the best friend of Kyle Roberts. They’ve grown up through the minor leagues together and have each other’s backs. But, Kyle is not at all keen on Brooks’ interest in his little sister. But, with Kyle on the injured reserve and Sasha as his new teammate, Brooks can no longer deny his long held feelings for Sasha.

What ensues is a tension-filled relationship full of ups and downs. Brooks and Sasha are thrown together and pulled apart repeatedly. But, the development of their relationship and the push and pull of their situation makes for a fun and enjoyable read. Brooks is a terrific hero. He’s just enough of an alpha male to be protective and possessive, but he has a sweet and sensitive side. Brooks also sees Sasha as a true teammate, more than just a PR gimmick and way more than just Kyle’s little sister. Sasha is bold and headstrong, but also sweet and vulnerable. Her emotions, fears and excitement as the first woman in major league baseball seem to be authentic reactions for someone who might be thrown into that scenario.

If you enjoy a sweet, romantic, fantasy with a sports twist, this is definitely a book to place on your TBR. West obviously understands the game of baseball and does a great job of making the baseball talk approachable for people at various interest and experience levels. I’m looking forward to getting to know more of the NY Kings players and I’m also looking forward to West’s new spin-off series (Stockton Beaver Series) coming soon.

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An advance copy was received in exchange for an honest review.

Excerpt

I’m in a fitful kind of sleep, one arm tossed over my face, one leg hanging off the bed, when I hear a rapping at my door.

My heart starts to pound. What if it’s some demented stalker fan? I pull the covers up to my chin, determined to wait it out. But when it comes again, my curiosity gets the better of me and I inch slowly off the bed. Going stealthily step by step, I take a deep breath and look through the peephole.

I gasp when I see Brooks standing there.

My heart goes from a dull pounding to full-on somersault mode. I run my hands through my hair. I must look a wreck. But why should I care?

Because he’s pacing outside my room in the middle of the night.

He knocks again, and I unfasten the chain and twist the lock before I change my mind. His feet are bare, and he’s wearing nothing but a faded Pac Man shirt and his boxers. He shouldn’t be out here looking like he just rolled out of bed, but he is.

The way his eyes are roaming across my body makes me conscious of the fact that I’m only wearing a pair of itty-bitty shorts and a flimsy tank. I cross my ankles and fold my arms around myself in an attempt to bolster my courage.

“Don’t,” he whispers, stepping across the threshold. His hands encircle my wrists, gently pulling them away from my body. “You’re too beautiful to cover yourself up.” He presses the door closed with the back of his foot, extinguishing whatever light was streaming in from the hallway.

Now we’re alone together in the darkness of my room, and I’m kind of glad he can’t read my face. I’m too conflicted. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know why he’s here. But if I’m being honest, I’m glad that he is. He’s finally making the effort to reach out to me instead of leaving me in the barren wasteland I’ve been living in. Oh, how I’ve missed basking in the warmth of his smile.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, feeling the heat of his body against mine.

“Apologizin’,” he says in that sexy twang of his, drawing out every syllable.

The New York Kings Series

About the Author

Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball’s biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette’s impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.
Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as many games as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she’s not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers.
She is the author of the New York Kings series which includes: GAME CHANGER, GAME ON, PERFECT GAME, INSIDE GAME and GAME WINNER and the Stockton Beavers series which includes: SINGLE.


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Cover Reveal – Single by Collette West

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Single
by Collette West
Stockton Beavers #1
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Sports

 

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000032_00034]

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Smashwords

Underdog Luke “Single” Singleton is yearning to make a comeback. After getting hit in the neck with a pitch—an injury that nearly cost him his life—he has one last chance to play for his hometown team, the Stockton Beavers. But his mom has Alzheimer’s, and he’s all she has to depend on. How can he pursue his career, much less someone special?

Personal care aide Roberta Bennett is done dating baseball players. Having had her share of heartbreak, she heads to Stockton hoping for a fresh start. But after she finds Luke’s mom outside, lost, and alone, she can’t refuse when he hires her on the spot. Unbeknownst to Luke, Roberta is all too familiar with the violent tendencies of the pitcher who hit him.

Now that they’re living under the same roof, the last thing either of them is looking for is a relationship. But it’s not long before they find themselves drawn to each other. And right when Luke is thinking about finally making a change to his single status, a secret from Roberta’s past emerges with the power to tear them apart.

Excerpt

I try not to stare, but from behind, I can’t help but admire how her tiny waist comes in over her hips. Her body’s supple, strong. There’s nothing delicate about her. The corner of my mouth turns up. She could probably kick my ass, and I don’t know why, but I like that.

She tosses me an annoyed glance over her shoulder. “Quit it.”

“What?” 

“Haven’t you ogled my butt enough for one day?”

My cheeks burn again. So she did catch me checking her out on the field. Crap.

She lifts my arm and bends it at the elbow. It would have to be the arm, the one I couldn’t move after David Nichols hit me in the neck with the ball. At first, the docs didn’t know if I was partially paralyzed or not. Let’s just say it was a scary four and a half days before I finally detected any sign of feeling in it.

I gaze up at her. But does she know that?

Giveaway

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About the Author

collette_westCollette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball’s biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette‘s impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.

Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as manygames as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she’s not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. Email her at collette_west@yahoo.com.

She is the author of the New York Kings series which includes: NIGHT GAMES, GAME CHANGER, GAME ON, PERFECT GAME, INSIDE GAME and GAME WINNER.

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Review – Game Winner by Collette West

 

GameWinnerTour

Game Winner
by Collette West
New York Kings
Publication Date: December 4, 2015
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance,Sports

GW Amazon

Playing center field for the New York Kings, Jake Woodbury has one of the most prestigious jobs in all of sports. To the world, he’s the good-looking, soft-spoken minister’s son who’s survived celebrity without a hint of scandal. But, inside, he’s reeling from a secret that seems destined to haunt him forever.

Scarlett Moore is one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, famous for singing about her celebrity ex-boyfriends. The CEO of her record label has carefully honed her provocative image since she was fifteen. Sex sells, and Scarlett’s well aware that it takes more than talent to stay on top.

One thing is clear: She’s the last thing Jake needs. And he’s the do-gooder jock she should avoid at all costs. But when the game begins, all bets are off.

Purchase: Amazon | Nook | iBooks

 

BFF K’s Review

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Game Winner was my first introduction to the New York Kings. I’m tempted to go back and read the other books in the Kings series. This book delivered just what I was hoping for when I read the synopsis. (Game Winner can be read as a stand-alone. I wish I had read the other books in the series for even more backstory, but I didn’t need it to thoroughly enjoy this one!)

Jake Woodbury falls hard for Scarlett Moore. But, both have baggage. We’re talking angst-ridden, self-doubt-filled, trunk-loads of baggage. But, the intense physical attraction and connection they have to one another is undeniable. They’re soon wrapped up in an intense relationship, filled with potential career-related landmines and personal pit-falls.

I thoroughly enjoyed this glimpse into the Kings clubhouse. Game Winner was a character driven, angsty, sports romance with a satisfying HEA. If you enjoy sports related stories, characters with great chemistry and interesting plotlines, add Game Winner to your TBR today!

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An advance copy of this book was received in exchange for an honest review.

dual point of view

 

 

 

Excerpt

A lot of unanswered questions hang in the air, but for one glorious moment, when Scarlett’s voice pierced through my troubled mind and touched the innermost region of my heart, I was able to forget all about my ex, Roberta Bennett.

Jackson and Colt are wrong. The reaction I had to her voice was akin to something holy. Yeah, I’ve had strong feelings for a girl before, and I’ve been burned badly because of it. But there was something so remarkably pure and genuine about the whole encounter with Scarlett that I refuse to see it tainted.

I take a knee and face the outfield wall.

Bowing my head, minister’s son that I am, I begin whispering the quick prayer I always say before the start of every game.

“Dear Lord, please protect me and my teammates from injury and help us to play to the best of our ability in the field and at the plate.”

But, tonight, I don’t stop there. I add in one last request.

“And, God, if you really did send Scarlett Moore into my life for a reason, please give me a sign that she’s someone worth taking a chance on.” I release the breath I was holding. “Amen.”

I raise my head and immediately notice that Scarlett’s on the big screen again, only she’s somewhere in the stands this time, ready to watch the game. But, as the camera pans away, I put a hand down on the outfield grass to steady myself.

Turns out she’s sitting directly behind home plate, right next to Roberta.

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About the Author

Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball’s biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette’s impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.

Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as many games as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she’s not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. Email her at collette_west@yahoo.com.

She is the author of the New York Kings series which includes: NIGHT GAMES, GAME CHANGER, GAME ON, PERFECT GAME, INSIDE GAME and GAME WINNER.

 

 

 

New Release – Game Winner by Collette West

 BFF K’s review coming soon!

GameWinnerBlitz

Game Winner
by Collette West
New York Kings
Publication Date: December 4, 2015
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance,Sports

GW Amazon

Purchase: Amazon | Nook | iBooks

Playing center field for the New York Kings, Jake Woodbury has one of the most prestigious jobs in all of sports. To the world, he’s the good-looking, soft-spoken minister’s son who’s survived celebrity without a hint of scandal. But, inside, he’s reeling from a secret that seems destined to haunt him forever.

Scarlett Moore is one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, famous for singing about her celebrity ex-boyfriends. The CEO of her record label has carefully honed her provocative image since she was fifteen. Sex sells, and Scarlett’s well aware that it takes more than talent to stay on top.

One thing is clear: She’s the last thing Jake needs. And he’s the do-gooder jock she should avoid at all costs. But when the game begins, all bets are off.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball’s biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette’s impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.

Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as many games as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she’s not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. Email her at collette_west@yahoo.com.

She is the author of the New York Kings series which includes: NIGHT GAMES, GAME CHANGER, GAME ON, PERFECT GAME, INSIDE GAME and GAME WINNER.