Forced, by a judge, into an uneasy truce, the pair denied their growing chemistry. Wary of Griff’s reputation with women, and hiding a secret, Lauren keeps him at arm’s length. Determined, Griff marches toward his goal. Can the quarterback handle the truth or will he walk away, like he always has in the past?
Description:
Cover Artist: Dawne Dominique
He wants to find a wife. She doesn’t want to marry again –ever. Not exactly a match made in heaven. Ten years ago, Griff Montgomery, star quarterback of the Kings and womanizer, became a stand-in father for his widowed sister’s kids. His happy family life collapsed when she and her new husband moved to California. Griff wants his own family. But where does a “player” go to find his ideal mate?
Having sworn off marriage forever, Lauren Farraday barely kept her life together after her divorce. With her career shaky and depression closing in, the last thing she needed was a courtroom battle with a sexy athlete.
Forced, by a judge, into an uneasy truce, the pair denied their growing chemistry. Wary of Griff’s reputation with women, and hiding a secret, Lauren keeps him at arm’s length. Determined, Griff marches toward his goal. Can the quarterback handle the truth or will he walk away, like he always has in the past?
EXCERPT
“Even better.” Carla licked her lips. “I’ll bet she has no idea you’re having sexual fantasies about her.”
“I’m not. It was an accident,” he hissed.
“Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that. Wonder what she’d think if she knew?”
“Don’t, Carla. Please don’t. I’m begging you.” Griff reached for her arm, but she shook him off.
Buddy faced the quarterback. “What the hell did you do?”
“You don’t wanna know.”
“Oh no. You didn’t?” His eyebrows rose.
Griff nodded. “Guilty.”
“Whoa, stand back, Tony. There’s gonna be some fireworks in a minute.” Buddy pushed Hastings to the wall.
“You wouldn’t be lying, now, would ya?” Carla asked, directing her stare at Buddy.
“See for yourself.” He gestured to the brunette at the corner table.
“Lauren!” Carla cupped her hands and yelled.
Lauren stood up, turning to face them.
“You Lauren?”
“Please, please, Carla. I’m sorry, so sorry,” Griff whispered. “Don’t do this.”
CHARACTER BIOS
GRIFF MONTGOMERY - His journey from the tiny town of Adams, Indiana to national fame as a top quarterback, playing for the Connecticut Kings, had been one of hard work and dedication to the game of football. He became a family man when he moved in with his widowed sister to help her raise her two kids.
Totally focused on his career and being a stand-in dad, Griff worked hard. He believed that allowed him to play hard, too, at least when it came to women. A natural athlete, handsome and sexy, he’d been called a man-whore with a girl in every road-trip city. But once his family left for the West Coast, his compartmentalized existence fell apart.
Putting his life back together meant committing to a woman, marriage and kids. But could a “player” become a man-whore no more? He wouldn’t put money on a new beginning happening with a woman who had sworn off marriage for good. But there she was, beautiful and hiding something. He couldn’t ignore her, no matter how hard he tried.
LAUREN FARRADAY - Reeling from a personal tragedy and a recent divorce, Lauren wanted peace above all else. Tending to her ailing father, and trying to make a living as a freelance decorator didn’t leave time or energy for men. Love had kicked her in the teeth, so she wanted no part of it. Not now. Not ever.
Forced, by the court, to let seductive Griff Montgomery into her life, she built a wall around her heart. No way was she going to trust the man with a girl in every port. Despite their chemistry, she tried to keep the quarterback at arm’s length. Fearing heartbreak, she kept her secret hidden. How could she expect him to abandon his relationship deal-breaker for a woman like her?
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About the author:
Jean Joachim is a best-selling romance fiction author, with books hitting the Amazon Top 100 list since 2012. The Renovated Heart won Best Novel of the Year from Love Romances Café. Lovers & Liars was a RomCon finalist in 2013. And The Marriage List tied for third place as Best Contemporary Romance from the Gulf Coast RWA. She was chosen Author of the Year in 2012 by the New York City chapter of Romance Writers of America.
Married and the mother of two sons, Jean lives in New York City. Early in the morning, you’ll find her at her computer, writing, with a cup of tea, her rescued put, Homer, by her side and a secret stash of black licorice.
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