Back in the Game audiobook

2/24/15: Now Available!This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.4 Stars!What a fun start to a new series this book turned out to be! Once I had a chance to sit down with this book, the pages flew by quickly and I couldn't stop until I knew everything that was going to happen to Rowdy and Breeanne. It was just so much fun to sit down and read this impressive story.This book did a lot of things really well. I loved the characters. Rowdy was a professional baseball player until an injury stopped him from playing. I seem to be reading a lot of books lately that feature professional athletes and I must admit that there is something about a baseball player. Breeanne has spent her life being protected by her family. Their overprotectiveness is understandable but she is ready to take some risks and start taking a few chances. She really wants to be a writer and decides to take a chance when she learns that Rowdy is searching for a ghost writer.The banter between the characters was an incredibly strong element in this book. There were a lot of funny moments between the pair and I adored the way they talked to each other. Breeanne didn't treat Rowdy different because of his celebrity status and had no problem standing up to him when needed. The little pieces of baseball humor added a lot to the story as well.I enjoyed the romance between the pair. These two didn't seem to fit together in some ways but in the end they really worked as a couple. They enjoyed spending time together and Breeanne was not afraid to push Rowdy when needed. Other others saw weakness in Breeanne, Rowdy saw strength and courage. I liked the fact that this book kept me guessing. There was a bit of magic thrown in to this book that made me keep wondering what else could happen. The mystery surrounding Rowdy's story kept me guessing and I never actually figured it out until it was revealed in the story. There were a couple of other unexpected twists that I honestly never saw coming. I would highly recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. I have several of Lori Wilde's books at home and ready to read but I think that this is the first one that I have actually read. I think it is time that I read some of those books. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.I received an advance reader edition of this book from Avon Books via Edelweiss for the purpose of providing an honest review.

Rating~ 4 stars ARC was generously provided by the publisher via edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Rowdy Blanton is the Gunslingers team’s ex-pitcher. After a horrible attack from a jealous husband (or so everyone thinks) his career is over. Now he has decided that a little payback is in order for the person responsible for ending his career by writing a all tell autobiography written by a ghostwriter since Rowdy is dyslexic. Breeanne Carlyle was born with a congenital heart defect, after having more a couple of surgeries and at 25 years of age, she is finally ready to experience life. Breezy as Rowdy calls her, is a bookstore owner and a writer. She’s a huge baseball fan and a daddy’s girl. Both the characters are extremely likeable. Breeanne is a total sweetheart, how can you not like someone who read books. Rowdy, I was a bit leery of him at the start because of the fact that Breeanne had a crush on him when she was a teenager and I felt like it would make their relationship’s power out of balance with Rowdy being in control but he won me over, he didn’t take advantage of her instead he cared for her and loved her for geekiness and inexperience. Breezy and Rowdy were great together. They become friends and understood each other before they decided to be together, even though they were both attracted to each other from the moment they met. They had a great chemistry and their relationship was sweet, soft and funny at times. In other words they were adorable together. Breeanne’s family dynamic was also interesting and I really liked them all. Breeanne and her three sisters were adopted and they all have very different personalities yet it’s clear to see the love between them all. The book has a hot ex-baseball player, a awkward and adorable writer, a crazy PTSD cat and a magical chest with the ability to bring true love and soul mates together. How can anyone not enjoy that? Quibbles: I wanted the climax to be different, it was predictable ever since we meet that woman in the book. And after the climax (the eventual separation of protagonists/couple), the book felt a rad bit rushed. Random note: I really liked the names of the characters, some of them to me were pretty unique and not used that much in Romancelandia. Overall,it was a delightful read and I’m looking forward to the next book of the series which from the looks of it might be about Jodi, the sister who got left at the altar. Happy Reading!

Back in the Game gives us a heavy dose of fun and flirty with heart but then you’ve got to add a dollop of paranormal happenings on the side.Trying to break free on her own terms, Breeanne Carlyle dreams of becoming a published writer. When the hometown hero, ex-pitcher, Rowdy Blanton is looking for a ghost writer for his autobiography Breeanne grabs at the chance. Rowdy sees that Breeanne brings out the best in him while Breeanne thinks there more to the pegged playboy, bad boy of baseball. Sometimes wishes do come true and sometimes you have to shoot for the stars on your own. Back in the Game is an easy, enjoyable and entertaining read. Predictable but heartfelt, you won't be disappointed in this hometown romance. In my opinion, the Carlyle family steals the stage, so to speak, but their quirky dynamitic makes for some great and unexpected reading. I received this ARC copy of Back in the Game from Avon in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication Feb. 24, 2015.Written by: Lori WildeSeries: Stardust, TexasSequence in Series: 1Page Count: 384 pagesPublisher: Avon Publication Date: February 24, 2015Rating: 4 StarsISBN-10: 0062311263ISBN-13: 978-0062311269Genre: Contemporary RomanceFind this book on: Amazon | Barnes & NobleReviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com

I can say that every time I read a Lori Wilde book I have a fan girl moment. I just love her books and have for a long while now. This is the first of a new series and it doesn't pull its punches and starts the series with a bang. You'll love it!

Rowdy Blanton, a pitcher and has played in the big leagues for years, but now he has just been put off the field, and there are secrets he means to let the world know of, and there is one woman he would have write it, Breeanne Carlyle. Breeanne has had a crush on Rowdy since she was a teenager, and he was kind to her when she was sick, now she is twenty five, and she is trying to get her writing career to sky rocket, but when she comes across Rowdy and an opportunity to work with him, a dream come true but she also learns that Rowdy is more than a playboy and a love for the game, he has depth and honor. Breeanne is more than tempted to give into Rowdy charismatic smile and his carefree attitude, but all she sees is heartache in her future, but will Rowdy and Breeanne find a future when they doubt themselves….Well Lori Wilde packs a wild punch in Back In The Game. This was just a fantastic romance, and I just adored this story. I was a little nervous to see how she would do with a sports theme, because she has always done westerns, but this one won my heart instantly. I would say it’s by far my top favorite sport romance themed stories…and I don’t even really know why. We obviously don’t see much of the sport, but I loved seeing a playboy really have to work hard to get Breeanne. Rowdy is quite the womanizer at times, he loves women, and on the surface he seems like the typical sports playboy, who looks sexy in his tight pants, but we see how as the story progresses, that there is much more to Rowdy than meets the eye, and he will surprise you and he can be such a bad boy at times….but what a temptation.Breanne is a great heroine, I loved her so much. Breeanne has been sick most of her life, and now she is just able to spread her wings, and find herself, and hasn’t ever dated anyone or really kissed someone or even got to second base let alone third base., and Rowdy is more than willing to be her teacher, but Breeanne will teach him a few things. What I liked about her….so many things, but my favorite aspect of her character was how easy she is to relate with, I could see myself being friends with this classy lady. She is a bit of bookworm (like me ), but she is tenacious, loyal, and honest. She is true to herself and is very genuine in everything she does. Even though she knows she is going down a road to heartache, she wants to live life and Rowdy and Breeanne have crazy adventures, and they have sexy hot chemistry, but we also see quite a bit of depth in their relationship that goes beyond the physical. They do have some rocky mountains that test their feelings for each other, but I found this pair can handle anything. Their love story is powerful and poignant…a romance that is bound to bring a tear to your eye and charm your heart….HEARTWARMING!!

This book was a slow go for me but then it picked up. The H is quite the comedian and very handsome. The h is also humorous when she starts to open up. Together they make a very funny and fated team.

Back in the Game is a wonderful story. It introduces us to the town of Stardust Texas. Where baseball is lived and breathed for most of the town folks. They love their hometown baseball hero Rowdy Blanton who playing days came to an end when he was brutally attacked by a would be jealous husband and he has come home to recover from is injury. He meets by chance or is it, Breeanne Carlyle, who knows just what goes in to recovery from surgeries. It's not injuries that bring them together, but a leopard print scarf. Breeanne wants to be a writer and Rowdy wants to tell his story, so as his ghostwriter, the job is a dream come true for Breeanne, but soon they both have more than writing on their minds. Breeanne doesn't want to just sit on the bench any longer, she wants to get in the game of love and sex and Rowdy is just the player to show her the plays and how to swing the bat.. I enjoyed this story. Lori Wilde has given her readers just want they want, Romance, laughter, family, a handsome hero who is a bit jaded yet has a heart of gold and a sexy heroine who is innocent but yet knows what she wants. But most of all she give her readers that good HEA. I can't wait to read the next book in the Stardust, TX series.

I have to admit that this is the first Lori Wilde book I've ever read, although I own quite a few books of hers I've just now gotten around to being able to pick one up and I'm kicking myself for having waited so long, I loved this book!Back In The Game is the first book in an all new series Stardust,Texas, this story has elements that I love in a book, a famous sports star Rowdy Blanton famous for his many conquests, who is finally brought to his knees by the virginal Breeanne Carlyle.Rowdy a baseball ex-pitcher has decided to write his biography, for that he'll need a ghostwriter to help get it done, enter Breeanne who works at her family's bookstore and has published a couple of books which didn't exactly sell like hotcakes, so being a huge fan of baseball and Rowdy she jumps at the chance.With some smokin' hot chemistry between these two it's only a matter of time before things start to become less than professional, and the more Rowdy reveals of his childhood and career the deeper Breeanne's feelings for him become.I really enjoyed reading about Breeanne's family the Carlyle's, I'm excited to read the other three sisters stories and see who they find their happily ever afters with, this story was humorous, heart warming and just so much fun to read.Very enjoyable, highly recommended.

In this brand new series by Lori Wilde, BACK IN THE GAME features a previously injured baseball player who is wishing for a strong comeback after a horrific beating in an alleyway that took him down for awhile. The pitcher Rowdy Blanton discovers that the person who beat him may be associated with someone in the league and he wonders if the random attack was actually due to someone hiring another to take him down. In an effort to expose this information to the masses, Rowdy wants to write a tell-all book detailing the attack. So he must find a ghostwriter to help him accomplish this.Breeanne Carlyle is the perfect woman for the job. Although not entirely experienced as a writer, she does have a passion for words and definitely attracts the attention of Rowdy in ways that the other women haven’t. These two have an undeniably chemistry that is evident from the very first page. Funny and sweet all at the same time, I had some really good laughs reading their banter.Interestingly though, BACK IN THE GAME has a little magical element in it that I think sets the story apart from typical Contemps. It reminds me a little of Lisa Kleypas’ Friday Harbor series. I’m not always too keen on these types of additions, but I felt like it worked in this situation.If you’re either a sports romance lover or someone who enjoys small-town romances, Lori Wilde’s Stardust, Texas series will most definitely charm your pants off.*ARC provided by publisher❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤

I haven't read a book by Lori Wilde that I haven't loved. It was a real honor to be among the first to read Back in the Game, the first book in her Stardust, Texas series. Breeanne has spent her life fighting a congenital condition. Rowdy was a kid from the downtrodden part of town who became a much loved baseball player. Then Rowdy is attacked and can no longer play. He's decided he has a story to tell and after interviewing a number of people, chooses Breeeanne to be his ghostwriter. As the blurb on the back of the book says "she's got the requirements, but more important, there's something about her that makes him want to be a better man". And so their story begins. This was a book that I couldn't put down until I'd finished it and I'm looking forward to more of the series and getting to know more of the residents in Stardust. (I was fortunate to have a received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my review.)

Loved it, loved it, loved it! Lori does a great job starting this new series. It has humor, romance, mystery, and even a little magic. I happen to love baseball, so Rowdy was the perfect hero for me. He was a good guy underneath his player persona and he really helped Breeanne spread her wings. The way he makes her feel special in a good way is priceless. Breeanne is tougher than even she thinks she is, she is a survivor who doesn't know the meaning of the word quit. There were so many funny moments that I found myself constantly smiling as I was reading. I also really enjoyed the magical element with the hope chest and I can't wait to see what it has in store for her sisters! ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Former pro baseball player Rowdy Blanton dreams that the random beating that probably put an end to his career never happened. It's not a reason to not being nice to the people in Stardust, Texas, who still treat him like a hometown hero. Asked to write his biography before, Rowdy refused but he now have a reason too. Since he's dyslexic, he's searching for a ghostwriter. Breeanne Carlyle's dream of being a writer fizzled before but she haven't lose hope. In the meantime, she works with her parents at their antique store/bookshop/tea room. A big baseball fan, and Rowdy Blanton fan, since she spent all her childhood time in hospital beds, watching the Dallas Gunslinger's matchs, Breeanne can't believe her luck when the biggest celebrity in town hire her to write his story. But at the end of the day, maybe the story she'll have to tell will have more to do with a romance novel ?Baseball, a mysterious chest piece, a cocky but charismatic hero and a mousy heroine who long for adventures of her own, I think this book would please fans of Suzanne Elizabeth Phillips's Chicago Stars series and Rachel Gibson's Chinook series. After the MC, my favorite character is Warwick, Rowdy's sarcastic best friend/bodyguard. I love how the hero is a goner for Breeanne when he thinks he's the one who's going to seduce her. Also love the fact that the Carlyle sisters are all adopted siblings. Some details are a little dated (macho but not bothersome) but what a fun story with heart.