The Changeup by Rhonda Shaw (Virtual NBtM Review Tour, GFT)

                                         
 


The Changeup (Men of the Show)
 by Rhonda Shaw



BLURB:

Playing for keeps

After nine years of striking out in the dating department, Maddie Hamlin is throwing in the towel. But just as this mom resolves to remain single, she meets sweet and sexy pitching phenom Chase Patton at a family dinner. He’s perfect for her and aside from the fact he’s only twenty-two.

Chase knows he should be focusing on his rookie year with the Detroit Rockets, but he can’t stop thinking about Maddie. He doesn’t care that the beautiful school counselor is twelve years older, and he’s already lost his heart to her adorable daughter. When an incredible date leads to an incredible night of passion, he knows he never wants to let her go.

But dating in the media spotlight is a whole new ball game. Maddie quickly discovers that not everyone accepts their unconventional relationship and that finding love may mean losing everything else…


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Excerpt:

Maddie felt herself blush fiercely at the lingering look he gave her, but she remained where she stood and watched as he walked through the living room and out the front door, keeping a smile plastered on her face even though it felt as if everything was freaking out internally. When the door closed behind him, she closed her eyes as she let out the breath she’d been holding and slouched against the counter. This was a bad idea. Nothing good could come from it; in fact, the only possible outcome was one of them getting hurt. But even knowing that, she couldn’t stop herself. She couldn’t ignore the fact that he got her juices flowing without much effort.

Despite all that, it wasn’t enough. She was much older than he was. They were in two different stages of their lives; there was nothing to build on. While she was looking to lead a quiet, comfortable and peaceful life, he should be looking for excitement, thrills and new experiences—casualness versus commitment, living-it-up versus settling down.

And then there was the inevitable scrutiny of their age difference. Even if they got past it, others would comment on it. Their families would definitely have opinions on the matter and families were never ones to keep their opinions to themselves, especially ones that had people like Lenore in them, regardless of the existing awkward situation with Chase and her niece. How would they ever get past that? It wouldn’t be easy, but was it worth it?


The Changeup (Amazon link)


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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

After writing one mind numbing technical document after another, Rhonda Shaw decided to combine her love of writing with her love of reading romance. Born in California, but transplanted to the Midwest, Rhonda is a warm weather girl to the bone. She works in the software development industry and was a lifelong dancer until her body told her it was time to come down off her toes.  For more information about Rhonda and her books, please visit her website at http://www.rhondashaw.com.

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GIVEAWAY

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Other stops on the tour can be found at this link

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My REVIEW:

4 out of 5 stars

The Changeup by Rhonda Shaw is part of the ‘Men of the Show’ series and is the story of Maddie Hamlin, divorced mom of a sweet daughter named Bree, who is coaxed into a romantic relationship with a younger man named Chase Patton.  Chase is delighted to have found a ready-made family who, although fascinated by his baseball fame, are more interested in him as a person but he finds it far easier to be accepted by the young daughter than her mom who is worried about the inequity in their ages.  Fortunately, Chase hasn’t gotten where he is by being faint of heart.


This delightful contemporary romance combines the thrill of baseball with the complications of an older/younger romance.  The fear of judgement is not an issue with the charismatic young daughter who is so much fun to read about and the flowering of Maddie and Chase’s relationship is heartwarming.  I certainly hope there are more stories as there are intriguing secondary characters that I would like to read about even as I would love another glimpse into the lives of Maddie, Chase and Bree.


A copy of this delightful story was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

See the Light and Velocity (Adult titles)

See the Light      
by Cassandra Carr is a yummy ADULT tale.

This is a spicy m/m novella that centers around hockey player Jason ‘Roney’ Monroe and older coach Patrick Parker, neither of whom has come out about their attraction to males, which sorely complicates their growing desire for one another.  Patrick is reluctant to deal with the ethical and professional implications of becoming sexually or romantically involved with a player that is he responsible for helping groom to represent their country at the Olympic games.  Josh is decidedly still in the closet and apprehensive about his reception in his chosen profession if he comes out.  Both men must decide whether their hearts and spirits will overcome their misgivings, hopefully before it is too late for them both.


A sensual m/m romantic tale that combines the excitement of the world of hockey with the challenges that face anyone who doesn’t conform to the conventional norm.   The author does a wonderful job of presenting the dilemma that each man faces as well as the frequently harsh censure that they may have to overcome from family, friends and colleagues, let alone strangers.  The sizzling attraction between the two men and the lengths that they go to, first to avoid one another and then to find a way to deal with their lust for each other is deftly portrayed and the deepening of the relationship is delightful to watch.  It is wonderful to see that there are some mature people in this couple’s world who are supportive and accepting even as one knows that, unfortunately, this is a work of fiction and real life doesn’t always have such a positive atmosphere.  Another enjoyable tale from a talented author.



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My review of Impact (one of her bull rider's novellas) is at this link. 

Velocity        


is also an ADULT title that is the fourth novella in the ‘Buckin’ Bull Riders’ series and features Paolo D’Allesandro, younger brother of Marco (who was featured in book 3, “Momentum”). Paolo left Italy to follow his older brother to the United States and join the bull riding circuit but he has never felt the same passion or expertise for the vocation. Meeting the graduate student Savannah Harrington seems to exacerbate both his disenchantment with his sport and his sense of inferiority which continues to plague him even more as his broken English prevents him from saying everything he wants to. Savannah’s study of adrenaline junkies leads her to Paolo and neither of their lives will ever be the same.

This entertaining novella continues the saga of bull riders, set after the events in “Momentum” which focused on the elder D’Allesandro brother. Written with the author’s usual dexterity for creating an engaging and spicy tale, this heartwarming story reminds the reader of the importance of being true to oneself and following one’s own dream, not someone else’s. The added twist of the challenges faced by an immigrant to the country gives depth to the story and makes one hopeful that there will be additional cameos by this engaging pair in future tales. Glimpses of the stars of the previous three books in the series help tie them all together yet this title can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Another fun read.

© Night Owl Reviews

I received a copy of these titles in return for an honest review.



I was delighted to see these titles offered for review as I think that this author tells wonderful and sensual tales that have characters one can relate to (although not necessarily emulate, lol).  I always look forward to reading Ms Carr's stories because I know that they will be both spicy and well-written.