BLOG TOUR STOP: Public Lives Series by Clare James: Review, Excerpts, and Giveaway

*Caution: This story contains explicit sex scenes with an alpha hockey player … who gives an entirely new meaning to the term Body Checking. *

Finn Daley took the world by storm two years ago when he was drafted by the NHL. The young, handsome, high-scoring player quickly became a fan favorite. He had everything going for him: fame, fortune, a promising career, and his pick of women. But when he made an abrupt exit from the NHL last spring, everything changed and he’s been in hiding ever since.

Casey Scott plans to find out why.

After interning for free all summer at the top television station in the Twin Cities, Casey lands an on-air gig. Trouble is, the new role is Sports Girl—which means reporting from local bars and tailgating parties to create excitement for the hometown heroes. All while wearing tiny team jerseys that are so tight they leave little to the imagination.

But she has a plan. Uncover the biggest sports mystery of the decade, and she’ll be on her way. Question is, how far will she go to get the story?

Because I read so much, any time I can come across a text that’s writing style is completely different than anything I’ve read before, it’s a definite bonus, and Clare James’ new book Talk to Me is one such text. Talk to Me is told through both the hero and heroine’s perspectives, and it is set-up in a reporter/interviewee format. The hero, Finn Daley, is an ex-professional hockey player whose unexpected retirement remains a mystery; his point of view is told through the role of the interviewee while the heroine, Casey Scott’s side is delivered as a reporter investigating information. But here’s the problem, what starts off as a potential career making news story turns into so much more, and the objective writer that Casey is supposed to be gets thrown out the window when feelings develop between herself and Finn, her unknowing story. By the end of book 1, it’s unclear what’s more important to Casey – the story or the man – the career or the relationship.

I absolutely loved this story. The characters are interesting and well developed. The mystery behind Finn’s sudden departure from the game of hockey and what his secret is, is slowly built up throughout the book. Clare James provides some clues in terms of Finn’s actions while playing hockey both on and off the ice as to what it might be, but even at the end of the text, it’s still merely speculation, which has me dying to dive into book 2 and finally solve the mystery. Casey is an interesting character; she’s driven to succeed, but through her internal monologues, readers also see that she does have a moral code, which is not the best combination for a reporter who wants to move up the ladder. She’s definitely conflicted about what she should do, and as her feelings for Finn grow, it gets worse, and I think she knows that her betrayal is not going to go over well at all with Finn; it will more than likely end what they have, which is why she won’t say anything.

Talk to Me is a fantastic book. I love how the story’s presented, and I can’t wait to find out Finn’s secret. A definite must read!

A complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to believe I’d become the good guy, helping out damsels in distress and all that shit. That wasn’t it. I simply couldn’t handle seeing another man’s hands on her.

When she turned her attention on me, I went fucking nuts. Her hands, her lips, her tight frame pulling me closer. I loved every fucking second. Still, I wouldn’t take her that way, drunk and careless. I wanted her to remember every last detail with me.

I brought her home that night and she passed right out. And when I checked in on her in the morning, she didn’t remember a thing. I wasn’t sure it was a good idea to fill her in, so I let it go. I didn’t want her embarrassed or regretful. I had one chance, and I wasn’t going to fuck it up.

*Caution: Just Listen contains explicit sex scenes between an alpha hockey player trying to begin a new life and an ambitious reporter who will do just about anything to get her story … Conflict of Interest doesn’t even begin to describe the trouble these two get into.*

Aspiring reporter Casey Scott knows it was unethical to get involved with retired hockey star, Finn Daley, but she did it anyway. Happily. She also knows that she should tell him about her assignment, but she can’t seem to do it. No matter how many times she tries. With Finn, Casey experiences intimacy, pleasure, pain, comfort, and a strange sort of stability. Things she’s not yet willing to give up.

But when she finally uncovers his secret, the decision she has to make is harder than she ever imagined.

For Finn, his past, present, and future are colliding. And when he discovers the truth about the woman he’s grown to love, and the one he let get away, his world comes shattering down around him. With everything on the line, there’s only one person who can help. But is it too late?

Just Listen is the gripping conclusion of Finn and Casey’s story that began in Talk to Me.

I hadn’t seen Finn for a few weeks, since everything was set in motion. It was the most brutal torture to sit this close without any physical contact. I missed his intoxicating smell; his electric touch; his deep laugh; and the way his face warmed whenever he looked at me.

These days the looks were full of scorn and disgust. I tried to blame him for the situation. I told myself it was his fault. If he had just been honest. If he had trusted me enough to tell the truth.

But all that was bullshit. I betrayed him, and I lost him. There was nobody to blame but myself.

Clare James is the author of steamy contemporary romance and new adult novels: BEFORE YOU GO, MORE and DIRTY LITTLE LIES. A former dancer, Clare still loves to get her groove on—mostly to work off her beloved cupcakes and red wine.

A fan of spunky women, gorgeous guys, and super-hot romance, Clare spends most of her time lost in books. She lives in Minneapolis with her two leading men—her husband and young son—and loves to hear from her fans.

Find her at:
www.clarejamesbooks.com
@clarejamesbooks
http://www.facebook.com/clarejamesauthor

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fairest Of All Book Reviews