A murderer’s child…A foster child…A troubled teen…Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has never had an easy life. Being shuffled from one foster home to another after his father murdered his mother, he found himself in and out of trouble with the law. Never giving a damn about himself, let alone anyone else, his life was spiraling out of control; fast. Until one man and one sport changed everything.
Frankie Carbone taught Saint how to handle his anger and rejection; by fighting it out in the ring. On his way to stardom, Saint finds himself pushed into the spotlight and into the arms of more women than he can ever imagine; he’s completely content with one night stands and random sex.
Then Salem Harris comes walking into his life and changes his game plan. Saint finds himself wanting Salem in all the ways that scare him. She is off limits; taken. But that doesn’t stop Saint from going after what he wants, and he wants her.
Frankie showed Saint a new way of life with Boxing, but will Salem give him the one thing he’s never known – love? Will Saint find himself fighting for the one thing he thinks he doesn’t deserve or will Salem end up breaking his heart? Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has had to fight for every good thing he’s gotten in his life. Can he go the distance?
***ARC was provided by author in exchange for an honest review***
On the Ropes – as the title implies, Christa Cervone’s novel describes a variety of struggles that life throws at people, sometimes on a regular basis, and when people’s lives are “on the ropes,” they can either back down or push through it, but either way, the potential risks are great for both.
Gabriel “The Saint” Vega has been in dangerous situation after dangerous situation. As a child, the struggles he faced were not of his own making, but he still had to endure them, and both he and his brother, Jason (Jase), were forever changed. Fast forward into Gabe’s teenage years and his circumstances aren’t much better, but this time, he’s choosing the wrong path all on his own, but all it takes is one person to be in Gabe’s corner to give him the courage to change directions. Gabe finds that person – Frankie – and now The Saint is born, and he’s literally “on the ropes” in a boxing ring, looking to make a bigger name for himself by becoming a professional boxer.
For the most part, since Frankie took him in, Gabe’s life has been good. He has a couple of really good friends, and a boxing coach who looks out for him, always trying to keep him on the straight and narrow. Gabe still pushes himself to the edge, especially when it comes to the opposite sex, but he’s young and attractive and just looking to have a good time while he still can.
Salem Harris changes everything for The Saint. She’s someone he shouldn’t want, but he can’t help himself; she does something to him that no other woman ever has; there’s only one problem, though, she’s not free to be his. In fact, Gabe’s association with Salem’s boyfriend, Blaine, makes this whole scenario a lot more complicated. So what does he do? Does he take the risk and fight for the girl he wants or does he back down and give up the one person who might have been his game changer?
I really enjoyed reading On the Ropes. Christa Cervone knows how to create dynamic characters. She allows her readers an inside look into Gabriel’s thoughts and feelings about his past, his present, and even his future. Sometimes when books are about MMA fighting or boxing, the sport seems to consume the text, which takes away from its other aspects. That is definitely not the case here. If anything, the boxing is secondary. The sport allows readers to meet some of the major players/complications in the story, but it’s not the main aspect. At the heart of the story is Gabe’s transformation from a lonely little boy to a troubled teen to a man who wants to fight to make a name for himself, save his brother, and maybe even get the girl he wants.
Because this is book one in a series, it ends with unresolved issues and conflicted feelings. I’ve read that Going the Distance is the title of book two, and just like book one, its name has a lot of varying implications for Gabe, Salem, and maybe even Jase. I hope to get a little more from Salem’s point of view in book 2. My feelings for her are conflicted right now because I don’t have a very clear picture of the type of person she is. Readers were only given a few glimpses into her psyche, so I’m left with many questions in terms of her actions and attitudes. It will be interesting to see how everything plays out in the next book.
4 poison apples
My thoughts drift to creating a fantasy of Salem and me. We’re in the locker room at Frankie’s gym and I’m all hot and sweaty from training. I have her pinned up against the wall and she’s completely defenseless against me, but she’s into it. Her skirt is up around her waist and the little piece of fabric she calls underwear is interfering with what I want. I grind my body up against hers and my dick is swelling as I rub up on her thigh. My hands roam freely over her body, finally landing on her tight ass. Our tongues are dueling and I’m drunk on her taste. The scent of the perfume or body spray she’s wearing is tormenting me until I’m at my breaking point. “God, Salem, you smell so fucking good; it makes me wanna fuck you until you can’t remember your own name,” I growl. Her hands tighten in my hair and a stronger wave of her scent drifts into my nose as I inhale. My chest is heaving at my thoughts and my breathing is labored. Sliding my hand into my boxers, I adjust myself to get more comfortable and my thoughts are almost immediately back with Salem. Her perfectly manicured nails are clawing at my back now as I dig my fingers into her legs. I kiss her neck roughly as she pants in my ear, “Make me come, Saint.” Then she bites my earlobe and I lose control. I’m so anxious to have her that I rip off the expensive panties she’s wearing and slam my cock into her like her pussy is my saving grace. I smile when she screams in pleasure as she comes apart in my arms.
Unconsciously, my hand slides back down into my boxers until it meets my aching erection. This time I begin stroking myself; I just can’t help it. Salem…there’s just something about her…I’m not sure if it’s her beauty or the fact that I’ll have to work to get her. But, whatever it is, she will be mine.
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I was born and raised in Western Massachusetts and I’m a married mother of three who married her high school sweetheart, Frank. I don’t really have too many hobbies. I like to watch my kids play sports. I do photography on the side (weddings, families, babies etc). I’m Minion & Adam Levine obsessed. I enjoy listening to all different types of music, Maroon 5 & P!nk being some of my favorites.
Achievements — I was on the Top 20 Erotica as well in being on the Movers and Shakers List on Amazon with “Broken.”
I’m currently working on her second novel titled “Going the Distance” which will be released Fall 2013 as well as a third novel titled “Saved.”
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Thank you for this review. I haven’t read her and I’ll be looking for her book. Sound like one I would love.