New Cover Alert: Taking A Shot by Jaci Burton (And it's a HOT one!)

Holy abs Batman! Give me a few seconds to cool down here *fans herself*. That is just one smokin' hot cover. I have to say, I think it's even more delicious than The Perfect Play (Play by Play #1) and Changing the Game (Play by Play #2), if that even is possible. This cover makes my hockey loving heart go pitter-patter. Gosh, if more hockey players looked like this, I'd never change the channel from TSN! Score another win for Jaci Burton in the hot cover category.

Taking A Shot is set to be released March 6, 2012. Check out my review for The Perfect Play HERE.

If you want to score, you have to get in the game...

The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she’s stuck running the family’s sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she’s vowed to never fall for a jock—even one as hot as Ty.

Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty’s insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too…

But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all—including Ty…

And here are the covers for the other books in Burton's Play by Play series so you can judge the hotness factor for yourself.

Steamin' Hot New Cover: The Heart of A Killer by Jaci Burton

I like it, BUT...

I feel like Jaci Burton did a disservice to herself by having such a smokin' hot cover for The Perfect Play. Really, nothing can compare to that gem of a cover.

However, The Heart of A Killer still gets two thumbs up from me. I think it captures the romantic suspense theme perfectly. Unfortunately, the book doesn't come out until November, 2011. BOO!

No one said coming home would be easy. But for Dante Renaldi, it’s murder.

Before the Special Forces hero has even unpacked his bags from twelve years of active duty, he’s embroiled in murder—corpses bearing the brutal trademark he’s seen only once before—on the worst night of his life.

The last time Detective Anna Pallino saw Dante Renaldi, they were in love. Now, he’s part of the connection to a string of fresh homicides and a horrible assault Anna only survived thanks to him.

More than anything, Anna wants to trust Dante. But as the bodies and the coincidences stack up, Anna will have to decide, and fast: Is the man she owes her life to the very same one who wants her dead?

Review: The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton

The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton
Play-by-Play #1
Contemporary Romance
February 1, 2011
Trade Paperback, 299 pages
Berkley Heat

As the star quarterback for the San Fransisco Sabers, Mick Riley is well accustom to having beautiful women fall at his feet. Although Mick is by no means starved for female attention, he is tired of being with women who are only interested in his money and fame. When Mick first meets Tara outside the team's locker room, he instantly attracted to her. Mick sees in Tara a women who is "normal" and completely opposite to the actresses and models his agent Liz usually sets him up with. While the pair only have a brief conversation, Mick decides he wants to get to know Tara better.

Tara Lincoln is a an event planner and owner of The Right Touch. Although her business is relatively new, she manages to land the job of planning the Sabers summer party. Tara knows that this party will make or break her business, so she is committed to making sure everything goes off without a hitch. During the party, Tara is approached by Mick and is stunned that he is so interested in talking to her since she usually sees him on the front page of gossip rags with the newest Hollywood it-girl.

While Tara and Mick soon find out that they have great chemistry both in and out of the bedroom. Tara is hesitant to enter into a relationship with Mick because she is a single mom, raising a teenage boy. With her first priority being her son, Nathan, she isn't used to making time for herself. Mick, however, knows that he wants more than just a one night stand, so he makes it his mission to convince Tara that they are good together...no matter how difficult that may be.

First of all, let me just say that this cover is smoking hot! Jaci Burton even wrote that this is the best cover she has ever had and I couldn't agree more. Kudos to the Berkley Art Department! Also, if you are wondering, the cover model is Jed Hill. Google him, you will not be disappointed...

I found the beginning of the book a tad unbelievable. Although Mick and Tara first meet on page four, Tara admits that she likes being with him only a few pages later. During this time, Mick constantly refers to Tara as being "normal" and "real" and assumes she is not after his fame or money. I'm sorry, but there is no way that Mick or Tara would know all of this after just meeting. Mick also comes off as being very pushy in his pursuit of Tara. He just assumes that Tara would naturally want to be with him. And when Mick invites her up to his hotel room to talk, they quickly fall into bed. Really? That wasn't Mick's intention from the start?

Although I hard time getting into the book, I did like the rest of the novel. After the frenzy of the first few chapters, Burton does a good job in flushing out the characters different personalities and vulnerabilities. I enjoyed Tara's personal conflict in dealing with her growing feelings for Mick. Her first priority is Nathan and although she likes being with Mick, she doesn't let their relationship impede on her sons well being. She remains steadfast in her role as a single mother throughout the book, constantly worrying about how different events will affect Nathan. While Tara does eventually learn to accept new people into her life, she stays true to her character from beginning to end.

I also really enjoyed getting to know more bout Mick and his past. We learn that depite his fame, fortune, and good looks, life hasn't always been easy for Mick. Like Tara, he deals with the consequences of his past decisions everyday. I also enjoyed the scene where Mick, Tara, and Nathan travel to St. Louis to meets Mick's family. Tara gets to see a different side of Mick that is not privy to the spotlight. It really tugs at the heart strings.

The one thing I don't have any problems with is the sex scenes between Tara and Mick. Jaci Burton is certainly a master at her craft when it comes to the lovin'. The scene on the private island...wooh, I had to fan myself a bit after that one.

Despite a shaky start, I ended up really enjoying this book. Tara and Mick are both well-rounded and dynamic characters who stay true to themselves. I'm next book in the series is called Changing the Game and features Mick's yummy baseball player brother Gavin and their sports agent Liz. Changing the Game is out August 2, 2011.

Other Opinions:

~Goodreads

~Dear Author - B-

~Book Lovers Inc. - 4.5

Other books in the series:

Changing the Game (August 2, 2011)

Author's Website



Waiting on Wednesday: A Holiday Romance Collection (Jaci Burton, Lauren Dane, Shannon Stacey, & Megan Hart)

On December 6th, Carina Press is releasing A Holiday Romance Collection which features 4 short stories from Jaci Burton, Lauren Dane, Shannon Stacey, & Megan Hart. What makes this collection extra special is that you can either buy each story individually or buy the whole collection for a discounted price. They all sound so good that I don't know why you wouldn't want to buy the whole set!

PS: I think it's kind of funny that Jaci Burton named her female lead Riley Jensen. Wonder if she's read any Keri Arthur? Hehe.

Big Star, Small-town Christmas...
Country singer Riley Jensen would never have returned to her small Missouri hometown if her publicist hadn’t come up with the scheme to tape a Christmas special there. So she never would have known that the man who broke her heart at eighteen—causing her to flee to Nashville—was now a widower with a seven-year-old daughter. Riley has ten years of angst-filled hit songs and Grammy awards to prove she doesn’t need Ethan Kent. But suddenly, she can’t help thinking of all she gave up by running away…
Ethan Kent knew Riley had the talent and the drive to make it as a singer. He also knew she wasn’t going anywhere if she stayed in their nowhere town for him. Then one night and one huge mistake sent her running on the road to fame. Which doesn’t mean he ever stopped loving her…
But with so much separating them, can Riley and Ethan find their way back together one magical country Christmas?

Their First Christmas, Bound Together…
All Jude wants for Christmas is Rori, all to himself. It’s their first holiday season as a couple, and staying home, seeing friends and family, means they’ll be surrounded by the memory of Rori’s late husband. It’s time for Jude and Rori to create their own traditions. Time for them to fully explore their most intimate desires to dominate and submit...
Rori is thrilled when Jude whisks her away to a luxury resort in the mountains. Spending Christmas away, just the two of them, is the perfect time to show him she’s ready to give herself to him completely…

Newlyweds Leah and Brandon Long are finally taking a honeymoon. But just two days into their Christmas-in-Vail vacation, Leah gets run down by an out-of-control snowboarder, severely spraining her ankle. Being stuck indoors isn’t so bad though: the luxurious chalet boasts a hot tub and cozy fireplace. Besides, sitting with her feet up while Brandon serves her in every way a man can serve a woman is exactly how both of them like to spend their time...
Leah would be in heaven, if only Brandon didn’t insist on bringing up the idea of a family. She knew that kids were part of the package, but she’s not ready to make any plans just yet. Still, with kinky sex and deep conversation the only things on the agenda for the next week, Leah can’t avoid the discussion for long. Will she be ready to take her marriage to the next level in the New Year?

House-sitting for her parents seemed like a good idea, until the microwave blew up and the lights went out...
Now Chloe Burke thinks upgrading the electrical system of her childhood home while they are away would make the perfect Christmas gift. Fortunately, there’s an electrician in town who can get the job done by the holidays...
Scott Quinn has wanted to get his hands on the Burkes’ wiring for almost as long as he’s wanted to get his hands on their daughter. Chloe didn’t notice Scott back in high school, but she’s noticing him now, and soon they’re indulging in a little festive fun: no strings, no expectations. After all, Chloe plans to get out of this goldfish bowl of a town and back to her real life in Boston by New Year’s...
But Chloe and Scott discover they enjoy each other’s company just as much out of bed. Could their holiday fling turn out to be the real thing?