Book Review with featured author: The Agent by Nancy Herkness

The Agent by Nancy Herkness

 

 

Publisher & Release: Montlake Romance, January 5, 2021

Setting: New Jersey  

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense

Length: 285 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Letting down her guard leaves a woman vulnerable to love—and to a menacing stalker—in a pulse-pounding novel by Nancy Herkness, award-winning author of The Hacker.

After fleeing her abusive ex, New Jersey salon owner Natalie Hart is reclaiming her life and self-esteem. Her fragile recovery doesn’t need a player like former FBI agent Tully Gibson, no matter how tempting a fling sounds. Then Natalie starts receiving anonymous notes, each more frightening and threatening than the last. To help track her stalker, Natalie knows whom to call. Their explosive chemistry together is an emotional hazard she’s willing to risk.

A high-powered security expert at KRG Consulting, Tully has intimacy issues of his own. The stirring hum of attraction he feels with his new client comes with boundaries. Tully’s job: just keep Natalie safe. But keeping his distance is getting harder. Whoever is playing games with Natalie wants to take things one deadly step further. The deeper Tully and Natalie are drawn into danger, the closer they become.

It’s time for Natalie and Tully to face their fears—of falling in love and of falling prey to a vengeful killer.

 

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Agent-Consultants-Book-3-ebook

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-agent-nancy-herkness

Audible: https://www.audible.com/search?keywords=the+agent+by+nancy+herkness

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54688308-the-agent

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-agent-the-consultants-book-3-by-nancy-herkness

 

Vikki’s Musings

 

Thanks go to the author, publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of The Agent by Nancy Herkness. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this novel prior to its release. My opinions are my own and no one influenced them.

 

The Agent is the third book in Ms. Herkness’s series, The Consultants. As with all of Ms. Herkness’s novels, The Agent is a well-written novel with characters that pull you into the story and having you routing for them to succeed. 

 

Natalie Hart is the heroine, and she’s a truly endearing character with many traits I love. She’s a troubled soul with a poor self-image from the emotional abuse she suffered at the hands of her ex-husband. That type of abuse is so hard because there are no physical signs of the damage one suffers from a controlling relationship. It can tear one’s soul apart and take years to recover from the abuse.

 

Tully Gibson is a fantastic hero with his own issues from his past. While his problems are not from an ex, they are no less damaging and has him determined to avoid a deep relationship with anyone. Then he meets Natalie and that changes fast.

 

The romance between Natalie and Tully is combustible from the beginning and burns hot throughout the book. The sexual scenes are well written with plenty of passion and will appeal to many readers. There’s also a strong emotional attraction between them, and I really wanted them to find their happy ending.

 

The suspense in The Agent is amazing! The suspense builds throughout the story and had me sitting on the edge of my seat. There’s a lot of action in The Agent making it a fast-paced reading experience. Ms. Herkness is a master at writing romantic suspense!

 

If you enjoy romantic suspense novels with a hot billionaire, and a plot with plenty of action, then you will love The Agent as much as I did. I’m not sure what Ms. Herkness plans for her next book, but I know I will want to read it. Happy reading!

 

Author Bio:

Nancy Herkness is the award-winning author of the Second Glances, Wager of Hearts, and Whisper Horse series, published by Montlake Romance, as well as several other contemporary romance novels. She is a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America RITA® award.

A member of Romance Writers of America, New Jersey Romance Writers, and Novelists, Inc., Nancy has received many honors for her work, including the Book Buyers Best “Top Pick” Award, the New England Readers’ Choice award, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award.

Nancy graduated from Princeton University where she majored in English. In addition to her academic work in literature, she was accepted into Princeton’s creative writing program, and her senior thesis was a volume of original poetry.

After graduating, Nancy had a varied career which included retail management and buying, COBOL programming, computer systems sales and marketing, and a brief stint as a receptionist at a dental office. Once her children were in school full-time, she sat down and wrote A Bridge to Love, her first romance novel to be published.

Nancy finds nothing odd about writing in the genre she calls the “Rodney Dangerfield of the literary world. It gets no respect.” She explains: “I was trained as a poet, but from the day my grandmother gave me my first Georgette Heyer novel I wanted to write romance. Romance is the genre of optimism, and that’s why I like it.”

A native of West Virginia, Nancy now lives in suburban New Jersey twelve miles west of the Lincoln Tunnel.

Social Media:

Website: https://www.nancyherkness.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancyherkness

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NancyHerkness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancyherkness7474/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancyherkness/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nancy-herkness

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/594870.Nancy_Herkness

 

Book Review with featured author: The Hacker by Nancy Herkness

The Hacker by Nancy Herkness

Publisher & Release: Montlake Romance, August 4, 2020

Time and setting:  Present Day, NYC

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 280 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating:  4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

When a personal trainer and a computer genius are caught in the dark web, there’s a lot to fear and a love to fight for in a heart-racing novel by Nancy Herkness, award-winning author of The Money Man.

Dawn Galioto is an expert in self-defense and the most in-demand personal trainer at her Jersey gym—a perfect position for a woman fighting her way out of a troubled past and the anxieties that come with it. Then, after complaints about baffling Wi-Fi glitches at the gym, Dawn calls in disarmingly hot, high-powered computer consultant Leland Rockwell. If she can trust anyone to fix her on-the-job problems, it’s Leland. As for healing her off-hours fears, time will tell.

The cybersecurity genius of KRG, Leland sees a lot to admire in Dawn. She’s strong, quick-witted, and sexy. And something of a puzzle—one Leland wants very much to solve. If only she’d let him. Every new reveal brings him intimately closer to Dawn, but there’s another, more dangerous riddle to decipher. After going undercover to solve her Wi-Fi problem, Leland’s found a dark workplace secret. As Dawn’s past threatens a burgeoning romance, the deepening mystery they’re discovering threatens their lives.

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Hacker-Consultants-Book-2-ebook/dp/B084BPQWDS

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-hacker-nancy-herkness

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51139968-the-hacker

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-hacker-the-consultants-book-2-by-nancy-herkness

Vikki’s Musings

Thanks go to the author, publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of The Hacker by Nancy Herkness for the purpose of reading and reviewing, prior to its release. My opinions are my own and no one influenced them.

The Hacker is the second book in Ms. Herkness’s series, The Consultants. As with Ms. Herkness’s novels, The Hacker is a well-written novel with characters that pull you into the story and having you routing for them to succeed.

Dawn Galioto’s character has a troubled past that led her to her career as a sought-after self-defense and fitness trainer with the NJ gym she works at. That past has her questioning her ability to have a meaningful relationship with a man, though. I could understand her concerns. Trauma always has a lasting effect on an individual. When she reaches out to the hero, known for his hacker skills, she’s immediately attracted to him. Her confused emotions toward Leland tugged at my heart. 

Leland Rockwell is a great hero. He’s a computer nerd and yet not your typical computer geek. For one thing, he has muscles from years of swimming. He has a great many facets to his character. Raised by a single mom, and with no contact or support from his wealthy father, he’s plagued by guilt when his mother dies unexpectedly. He’s determined to excel in her memory. His mother worked three jobs to see he received the best education in his younger years. As a member of KRG Consulting, the company he and his two friends founded, he has proven his success as their cybersecurity expert. 

The story line is one that has plenty of suspense and the climax is exciting. I will admit though, it was easy to figure out the culprit behind the issue with the wi-fi at Dawn’s gym. The mystery is whether it involves her mentor, something that would break her heart. I felt her anguish at the thought of his involvement.

The romance between Dawn and Leland is combustible at the beginning and burns hot throughout the book. Although I would have liked a bit more emphasis on the emotions behind the physical attraction, nonetheless, I enjoyed their love story and wanted them to find their happy ending.

If you enjoy contemporary romance with a hot billionaire, then you will like The Hacker. The Money Man is the first book and is my favorite of the two so far. I look forward to Tully’s romance. It’s sure to be full of suspense since he’s ex-FBI. Happy reading!

Author Bio:

Nancy Herkness is the award-winning author of the Second Glances, Wager of Hearts, and Whisper Horse series, published by Montlake Romance, as well as several other contemporary romance novels. She is a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America RITA® award.

A member of Romance Writers of America, New Jersey Romance Writers, and Novelists, Inc., Nancy has received many honors for her work, including the Book Buyers Best “Top Pick” Award, the New England Readers’ Choice award, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award.

Nancy graduated from Princeton University where she majored in English. In addition to her academic work in literature, she was accepted into Princeton’s creative writing program, and her senior thesis was a volume of original poetry.

After graduating, Nancy had a varied career which included retail management and buying, COBOL programming, computer systems sales and marketing, and a brief stint as a receptionist at a dental office. Once her children were in school full-time, she sat down and wrote A Bridge to Love, her first romance novel to be published.

Nancy finds nothing odd about writing in the genre she calls the “Rodney Dangerfield of the literary world. It gets no respect.” She explains: “I was trained as a poet, but from the day my grandmother gave me my first Georgette Heyer novel I wanted to write romance. Romance is the genre of optimism, and that’s why I like it.”

A native of West Virginia, Nancy now lives in suburban New Jersey twelve miles west of the Lincoln Tunnel.

Social Media:

Website: https://www.nancyherkness.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancyherkness

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NancyHerkness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancyherkness7474/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancyherkness/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nancy-herkness

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/594870.Nancy_Herkness

Book Review with Featured Author: The Money Man by Nancy Herkness

The Money Man by Nancy Herkness

Publisher & Release: Montlake Romance, April 14, 2020

Time and setting:  Present Day, NYC

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 269 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating:  5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

She’s small-town business. He’s Manhattan high finance. Together they ignite in a novel about unexpected love and danger by Nancy Herkness, award-winning author of the Wager of Hearts series.

New Jersey bookkeeper Alice Thurber has a carefully constructed risk-free life. Everything in perfect balance. Until little discrepancies show up in her clients’ accounts. Most would ignore it. Not the impeccably precise Alice. In desperation she reaches out to a high-powered consulting firm for help. New York City’s movie-star handsome financial wizard Derek Killion reaches back. All he has to do is smile and Alice’s fantasies stir. A girl can dream, can’t she?

A cofounder of KRG, Derek’s promise is to advise small-business owners in trouble. He never guessed that assisting the diffident but sexy Alice would be so captivating and make it so hard to keep his desires in check. But just as intriguing is the alarming puzzle behind the computer glitch that’s unsettled his client. As the investigation unfolds, they must also confront an attraction too palpable to ignore. Every new dark twist they follow is only bringing them closer together—in passion and in danger.

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Money-Man-Consultants-Book-ebook/dp/B07VKZWXW3

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-money-man-nancy-herkness

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51969149-the-money-man

Vikki’s Musings

Thanks goes to the author, publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of The Money Man by Nancy Herkness, and the chance to read and review, prior to release. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

The Money Man is the first book in Ms. Herkness’s nest series, The Consultants. As with Ms. Herkness’s past novels, The Money Man is well written with characters that pull you into the story, and a plot that will tug on your heartstrings.

Alice Thurber is the heroine, and while she has a definite quirky side, I adored her from the first page until the last. Alice has mommy issues since her mother was a model and gorgeous while Alice doesn’t believe she is. I thoroughly enjoy how that sub-plot resolves. Her lack of self-esteem makes it difficult for her to accept that the hero wants her.

Derek Killion is an amazing hero, one that will appeal to women young and old. He is dedicated to his work and feels no woman will put up with his workaholic tendencies. Then he meets Alice, the precise, numbers addicted individual he is. She’s everything he wants in a woman. I loved his pursuit, and his determination to convince Alice to take him seriously.

The romance between Alice and Derek pulled me in. Their sexual banter is humorous, the chemistry is off the charts. I enjoyed their romance a great deal and was rooting for them to find their happy ending.

If you enjoy contemporary romances with drop-dead good-looking filthy rich heroes and an endearing heroine, then you will love The Money Man as much as I. I can’t wait to read the next book in this awesome series. Congratulations to Ms. Herkness for giving her readers another winner. Happy reading!

Author Bio:

Nancy Herkness is the award-winning author of the Second Glances, Wager of Hearts, and Whisper Horse series, published by Montlake Romance, as well as several other contemporary romance novels. She is a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America RITA® award.

A member of Romance Writers of America, New Jersey Romance Writers, and Novelists, Inc., Nancy has received many honors for her work, including the Book Buyers Best “Top Pick” Award, the New England Readers’ Choice award, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award.

Nancy graduated from Princeton University where she majored in English. In addition to her academic work in literature, she was accepted into Princeton’s creative writing program, and her senior thesis was a volume of original poetry.

After graduating, Nancy had a varied career which included retail management and buying, COBOL programming, computer systems sales and marketing, and a brief stint as a receptionist at a dental office. Once her children were in school full-time, she sat down and wrote A Bridge to Love, her first romance novel to be published.

Nancy finds nothing odd about writing in the genre she calls the “Rodney Dangerfield of the literary world. It gets no respect.” She explains: “I was trained as a poet, but from the day my grandmother gave me my first Georgette Heyer novel I wanted to write romance. Romance is the genre of optimism, and that’s why I like it.”

A native of West Virginia, Nancy now lives in suburban New Jersey twelve miles west of the Lincoln Tunnel.

Social Media:

Website: https://www.nancyherkness.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancyherkness

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancyherkness/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nancy-herkness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancyherkness7474/

Book Review: Second Act by Nancy Herkness

Second Act by Nancy Herkness

Publisher & Release: Montlake Romance, April 2, 2019

Time and setting:  Present Day, NYC

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Length:  328  Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Lights. Camera. Romance.

Jessica Quillen, veterinarian for the charitable K-9 Angelz program, didn’t mean to stumble into the middle of a New York movie shoot. She just wanted to rescue the stray dog she’d been chasing. Instead, she’s playing catch-up with her ex-fiancé—and the screen’s hottest action hero, Hugh Baker. The only man she ever loved. The dream that disappeared. The heartthrob who’s now hoping for a “take two.”

Seeing Jessica triggers emotions Hugh has tried to forget. Abandoned by his mother to foster care, he still struggles to feel worthy of love and to open his heart to a woman. His biggest mistake was not trusting Jessica. It was his fault she left. All he wants now is to make up for lost time. But he has to prove that she can trust him.

Though the sparks still smolder, he’s still Hollywood—a world far away from Jessica’s. Now it’s up to her to give their love story a happily ever after.

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/Second-Act-Glances-Book-ebook/dp/B07H7HWB2K

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41793584-second-act

Vikki’s Musings

Second Act is book 2 in the Second Glances series and a great addition to this series. When I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review, I eagerly accepted since I enjoyed Second Time Around in this series a great deal. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

I thoroughly enjoyed Second Act from the first page to the last. Ms. Herkness’s writing is emotional and pulled at my heartstrings a lot. The plot is realistic and kept me flipping the pages on my Kindle, breathlessly waiting for what would come next.

Jessica Quillen’s character is loveable. Although she is accomplished in her career, she has insecurities regarding men. When she Hugh years before, she never truly moved on, even though she’d made the decision to leave him. Since that time. She devoted her time to building her veterinarian practice in Harlem. I could feel her confusion when she runs into Hugh again, much is the same manner she’d met him in the beginning. The attraction is still strong, but the pain of their separation still haunts her.

Hugh Baker is an awesome hero. His charisma and take-charge attitude makes him very appealing. Although he never understood why Jessica left him, he is drawn to her in the same way he’d been when he first met her. He is determined to discover why she left him and change whatever it was that sent her away. He too has insecurities from his childhood that make it hard for him to trust that someone could love him whether he’s a success or not. My heart hurt for him when he opens up about his mom.

The romance between Jessica and Hugh is tentative at first, bot afraid to trust the other, but once the air is cleared it combusts. I really wanted it to work out for them, although, since their paths seemed to make it impossible, I had my doubts. That made the romance even more rewarding when they work it out.

If you enjoy a romance with engaging characters, and a fast-paced plot with a lot of endearing secondary characters, then you will love Second Act a great deal. It was great to see the characters from the first book, to see how the children and the dogs had bounded through the K-9 Angelz program. I can’t wait for the next book in this great series. Happy reading!

Book Review: Second Time Around by Nancy Herkness

Second Time Around by Nancy Herkness

Publisher & Release: Montlake Romance, July 24, 2018

Time and setting:  Present Day, NYC

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Length:   329 Pages

Heat Level: 1.5 Flame

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

A former love makes a lasting impression in a warm and sexy romance from Nancy Herkness.

Kyra Dixon, a blue-collar girl from the boondocks, is dedicated to her job at a community center that matches underprivileged kids with rescue dogs. When she runs into Will Chase—Connecticut blue blood, billionaire CEO, and her old college crush—she’s surprised that he asks a favor from her: to be his date for his uptight family’s dreaded annual garden party. If his parents don’t approve, all the better.

Kyra’s not about to say no. It’ll give her a chance to be oh-so-close to her unrequited love. What begins as a little fling turns so mad hot, so fast, that Kyra finds herself falling all over again for a fantasy that won’t come true. How can it? She doesn’t belong in Will’s world. She doesn’t want to. But Will does want to belong in hers.

All he has to do now is prove it. Will is prepared to give up whatever is necessary to get what his heart most desires.

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/Second-Time-Around-Glances-ebook/dp/B0786C6FDH

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37654798-second-time-around

Vikki’s Musings

Second Time Around is the first book in Second Glances series and a great start on this new series. When I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review, I eagerly accepted since I enjoyed Ms. Herkness’s last series a great deal. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

I thoroughly enjoyed Second Time Around from the first page to the last. Ms. Herkness’s writing is emotional and pulled at my heartstrings a lot. The plot is realistic and kept me flipping the pages on my Kindle, breathlessly waiting for what would come next.

Kyra’s Character is an engaging one. She has a bit of the tough girl exterior, but underneath, she has a great heart. Her loving care of the children at the center and their beloved animal’s touched my heart in a big way.

I thoroughly enjoyed Will’s charismatic personality. He adores Kyra and is determined to win her over. He quickly becomes enamored with the children and their dogs and jumps in when one of them is threatened.

The romance between Kyra and Will sizzles from their reunion and remains that way throughout the book. The scene on the boat is blazing hot and very well-written. Ms. Herkness certainly knows how to write heat.

If you enjoy a romance with engaging characters and a fast-paced plot with a lot of endearing secondary characters, then you will love Second Time Around a great deal. I can’t wait for the next book in this great series. Happy reading!

Book Review: The VIP Doubles Down by Nancy Herkness

The VIP Doubles Down by Nancy Herkness

Publisher & Release: Montlake Romance, April 18, 2017

Time and setting:  Present Day, NYC

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Length: 384 pages

Heat Level: 3 Flame

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

In the witty, sizzling finale to award-winning author Nancy Herkness’s Wager of Hearts series, a haunted writer conquers his demons with the help of a feisty muse and a passion that doesn’t play by the book.

Gavin Miller, the billionaire author of a bestselling thriller series, struggles with a grim secret: he hasn’t written a word in more than a year.

Writer’s block is killing his spirit and jeopardizing his contracts with his publisher and his Hollywood producers. Prodded by his agent, Gavin reluctantly agrees to see Allie Nichols, a sassy physical therapist tasked with treating the novelist’s severe neck and shoulder pain—and maybe his writer’s block, too.

The tempestuous Gavin and no-nonsense Allie soon find themselves entangled in a steamy affair that sparks Gavin’s creativity again. But their manipulative ex-lovers and Gavin’s lingering childhood scars threaten their happily ever after. Can Gavin and Allie find their way to love when the stakes are high and the obstacles are overwhelming?

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/Doubles-Down-Wager-Hearts-Book-ebook/dp/B01MDS3FN1

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32858494-the-vip-doubles-down

Vikki’s Musings

I have thoroughly enjoyed Wagers of the Heart series by Nancy Herkness. I met Nancy at RWA2015 but had never read any of her books. When I decided to read The CEO Buys In, I fell in love and found the wager between the three men intriguing. Needless to say, I was immediately pulled in. I could not wait for the second book in the series and fortunately, I received an ARC from the publisher for that I as I did for The VIP Doubles Down, thanks go to the publisher. Let me say up front, I would have gladly paid to read both these books!

Allie Nichols’ life has taken a downward turn. She’s out of work because her ex-husband would not leave her alone at the rehabilitation center. When she is offered a chance to help Gavin Miller, her favorite author, she is excited, but it turns out the sessions were his agent’s idea.

Gavin is having the worst case of writer’s block imaginable, and it has caused severe pain in his shoulders. When the physiotherapist his agent hired shows up, he wants nothing to do with her, but the feisty woman convinces him to allow her to use electrical stimulation on him. Although he sends her away after the treatment, within fifteen minutes, his pain is reduced and he calls her back for more sessions.

Imagine his surprise, to discover that not only does she relieve his pain, she stirs his muse. Perhaps he can benefit in more than one way from his time with Allie, and her energetic personality and beauty certainly calls to him on a personal level. When things heat up, he begins to wonder if he just might have found the woman of his dreams.

The VIP Doubles Down grabbed me from the first page and held my attention until the last. Ms. Herkness’ writing style flows smoothly and her pacing is excellent. I enjoyed getting a glimpse of the other characters from the other books in this series. I also loved Gavin’s housekeeper and driver.

Allie’s character has lots of fire to match her red hair. Her determination to hang in there when Gavin practically closes the door in her face had me rooting for her from the start. I loved her down-home West Virginia attitude. Her genuine desire to help others, even her deplorable ex-husband touched my heart. Although, her lack of guile and inability to see through his manipulations gives her plenty of grief later in the story.

Gavin’s character is tormented by more than writer’s block and physical pain. His late father’s refusal to see his success eats at him, and the abandonment he feels from his mother’s desertion when he was a child, keeps him locked in the past. While normally his cantankerous behavior would be a turn-off, the lost little boy he keeps hidden, called to me, so I fell in love with him anyway.

I loved The VIP Doubles Down, and I will miss these characters, but If I know Ms. Herkness, she will manage to give them cameo appearances in her future books. If you like emotionally-charged romances with complicated characters, then you will love this book. While this one is easily read without reading the other books in this series, I do recommend reading them as well. Happy reading!

Book Review: The All-Star Antes Up by Nancy Herkness

The All-Star Antes Up by Nancy Herkness (Wager of Hearts, Book 2)

Publisher & Release: Montlake Romance, May 31, 2016

Time and setting: Present Day, NYC

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length:  354 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

“No strings, no rings.” That’s Luke Archer’s motto. As the champion quarterback for the New York Empire—not to mention a self-made billionaire—Luke has given up on serious relationships. Women only want him for one thing: the thrill of being with a superstar. And he likes it that way too. But when his best friend announces he’s retiring from football to spend time with his wife and kids, Luke feels like he’s missing out on something much bigger than his career.

The assistant concierge in Luke’s luxury high-rise, Miranda Tate fled her family’s dairy farm to come to the bright lights of New York City. She works hard to move up and sends her spare earnings home to her brother. When she and Luke meet, there’s an instant sexual attraction which turns steamy quickly, but they’re in completely different leagues. Could Miranda be just the woman Luke needs to win the most important game of his life?

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/All-Star-Antes-Wager-Hearts-Book-ebook/dp/B0194UEDFO

Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/The-All-Star-Antes-Up-Audiobook/B01EM7SY1S/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1464628091&sr=1-1

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28319409-the-all-star-antes-up?search_version=service

Vikki’s Musings

This is the second book in Nancy Herkness’ Wager of Hearts series. I read the first book, The CEO Buys In, several months ago and was eagerly waiting for this one to be released when I found it on Net-Galley. Of course, I requested it. As with Book 1, The All-Star Antes Up is a great read.

Although Luke Archer agreed to the wager, he doesn’t have time to look for his true love since he’s in the middle of football season and with a mysterious pain in his shoulder causing him problems, he has to keep his attention on his game. When his brother’s misbehavior has him running interference, the last thing he expects is to find the woman who just might be THE ONE.

As hard as he tries to keep it casual, his heart wants the exact opposite. Can he ask her to wait, or should he break it off and let her go?

I enjoyed the easy banter between Miranda and Luke. The pacing is great, and the story kept me entertained from start to finish. Both characters are easy to like. Miranda is feisty and independent. Luke is, of course, a hunk, but better yet, a really nice guy. The chemistry between them sizzles and only gets hotter as the story unfolds.

While sports romance is not my cup of tea, I could appreciate the research Ms. Herkness did regarding the football scenes. She obviously has a great love of the game, and it came through in her writing. She also must have done her research on dairy farming as well, since that was in Miranda’s storyline.

I thoroughly enjoyed Miranda and Luke’s love story and absolutely loved their “happily ever after.” I can’t wait for Gavin’s story. He’s the third person involved in the wager and so far, his character has been a bit of the instigator. I think his story could very well be the best one of the three. If you enjoy a light-hearted read with great characters, then you will want to read The All-Star Antes Up. Happy reading!