Science teacher Rebekah Jamison lives a quiet life in the suburbs of Atlanta. Devastated by a tabloid scandal nine years ago, she ended her marriage to the man her parents never approved of.
Rafael Lopez, former professional wrestler and “Sexiest Athlete Alive,” regrets the lapse in judgment that caused him to lose his wife. He shows up unannounced one day with some startling news, but he gets a surprise of his own. He finds out he’s a father. To get to know his son, he whisks him and Rebekah off to his home in the Hollywood Hills for the summer.
Delaney Diamond is the USA Today Bestselling Author of more than 60 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels, and dozens of romance short stories. She reads romance novels, mysteries, thrillers, and a fair amount of nonfiction. When she’s not spinning tales of romantic fiction, she’s in the kitchen trying out new recipes, dining at one of her favorite restaurants, or traveling to an interesting locale. She enjoys learning about time management and ways to increase productivity and shares her recommendations on her For Authors page at delaneydiamond.com. She also offers self-publishing consultations, leveraging her extensive experience to guide and support authors through the publishing process.
Nine years ago Rebekah Jamison’s ill-fated marriage ended. After the break-up, discovering she was pregnant, Rebekah made several attempts to contact Rafael but was somewhat relieved when she was unable to reach him. Now, she and her son live modestly, and are relatively content. When Rafe shows up unannounced with startling news she is overwhelmed.
Retired pro-wrestler Rafael Lopez, better known as La Sombra to his many fans, is flabbergasted when the door opens and a miniature replica of himself stands there facing him, awestruck. Rafael is quick to realize he is not the only one with big news to deliver.
Due to a clerical error, Rafael and Rebekah are still legally married. Unfortunately, all the unresolved issues from the past remain and, to top it off, Rafe is thunderstruck to find out he has a son. Adamant that he will be a part of little Ricky’s life, he insists that he and Rebekah must work out a custody arrangement. The physical desire between the pair is as strong as ever, and while neither wishes to re-open old wounds, the cathartic process is set in motion regardless.
An outstanding character-driven story; this short read is stylishly rendered in contemporary prose that absolutely shines. The dialogue seems realistic and believable; Rebekah’s uncompromising desire to protect herself and her young son from emotional hurt is completely understandable. At the same time, my heart ached for Rafe, who suffered such gut-wrenching loss almost a decade earlier. Both characters, though strong and self-reliant, have hidden vulnerabilities that Ms. Diamond reveals in a masterful manner and with a deft touch. I absolutely, unashamedly loved this story; delighting, also, in the antics and innocent prodding’s of their adorable son. This is a story that transcends ethnicity and makes me cheer.
Book number two for me from the author and I really liked it, it was good storytelling. Rafael and Rebekah where teenage sweet hearts, who where forbidden to see each other by Rebekah's parents, being young in love and married did not work of so well for the young couple, there where alot of misunderstandings involve that led to the divorce and separation of the couple. Fast forward to 9 years later Rafael is a retired wrestler, rich and sexy and Rebekah is a teacher with a son, faith brought these two back together with a twist thus where the story begins. Reading the story it took me on that journey with the characters, the author has a sensual, smooth romantic way of writing as well as making the simplest things or actions tear at your heart. The teasers and love making were prefect, as well as the storyline, the other characters in the book as well brought something to the table( wouldn't mind reading a book about Rebekah's sister *hint* *hint*). The author knows how to write about a mean Latin lover. I look forward to more books to come.
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I have honestly never disliked a heroine more in a book! Her reasons for not telling her ex husband about their son were awful (basically, as far as I could see, she could not be bothered, but told him it was his life that was too awful and hence did not want her son exposed to it) This woman took no responsibility for anything, it was all someone else's fault! She blamed the hero for the marriage break down, she blamed him for her even being attracted to him in the first place. She blamed him as to why she kept his son a secret, she blamed him from coming to tell her something important and not ringing first, even though he had tried, she blamed him for having to explain her current circumstances to her sort of boyfriend. Her family, especially her father, considering they were meant to be religious (her father is a pastor) were judgey and superior! I have never read a book where I wanted the hero to get the son and walk off leaving that awful woman behind! A disappointing 1 star
Rafael and Rebekah split up 9 years ago, because a public situation made Rafe look like he was cheating on his wife. So Rebekah filed for divorce! Surprise! Rafael discovers that the divorce papers were never filed and he and Rebekah are still married.
A little fact that Rebekah's current boyfriend does not find amusing! But the real surprise is the son that Rafael did not know he had! I love their son, Ricardo, especially when he introduces his father to his grandmother: "Ta-Da! This is my Dad!" Not realizing Rafael knows his in-laws quite well and not in a good way!
I finished this book yesterday and am re-reading it today because I enjoyed it so much!
If looks were a deception, Rafael was the perfect picture, if you only looked at the surface. Once you dig deeper into his personality, it was an anomaly. Rafael was a good guy. Stubborn, but still a good guy. Rebekah was filled with unnecessary insecurities. And a few times I wanted to scream. Ricardo did not deserve the hand his mother dealt him. And in the end, I knew she still loved her hottie husband.
Another stellar read from author Delaney Diamond and another book I have had on my Kindle for far too long *sighs* the good thing is instead of 1-Clicking like crazy, I have instead taken to reading the books I already own and am happily finding great gems.
Rebekah Jamison was married to the love of her life Professional Wrestler Rafael Lopez but a tabloid article sent everything crashing down almost 10 years ago. They have sensed divorced with Rebekah making her home back in Atlanta, GA and Rafael making his home in Hollywood Hills, CA. Almost 10 years is a long time without seeing someone, well for Rebekah she got to see Rafael gracing the magazine covers but that's it.
Rafael Lopez married the one woman who didn't care whether he had money or not but he cared. Rafael was determined to make a better life for himself and the young lady he pledged his life to but being on the road is tough, it's especially rough on a young marriage but both determined to make it work. Rebekah returns home for a visit and in an instant, their whole world changed from a picture that was taken and then plastered all over the news media, it was a devastating blow that would change the lives of both of them.
Rafael comes to Atlanta to give Rebekah some news about their divorce but before he could get it out, he comes face to face with a miniature version of himself. Rafael is furious, Rebekah tries to explain and the breakdown of communication goes south. But with all of the tension of discovering he is a father and their divorce not happening because of a court mishap by one of the clerk's, Rebekah and Rafael are forced to make some decisions because frankly, with their child being prominent, Rafael is not going away, he is determined to be in his son's life and that of Rebekah's.
Another great book to this series and I am looking forward to reading the next books. The Latin Men are deliciously hot, loyal and loving.
Delaney Diamond pens stories that simply satisfy-characters we care about, solid plots, swoony chemistry. I also appreciate the third person point of view. So many novels today are in the first person, which I don’t enjoy as much.
Reviewed by Marissa Book provided by the author for review Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
This was a delightful yet heartbreaking story about what can happen when you are young, in love, and just don’t know how to make things work. For Rebekah and Rafael (like so many people), they didn’t talk. Instead, they run – in opposite directions – and it took nine years to discover the mistakes they made.
I could truly feel the pain Rebekah must have felt, thinking her husband and one true love was cheating on her. And after she files for divorce, to find out she’s pregnant. There is a lot made by Rafael how she did not try hard enough to contact him about the pregnancy, and Rebekah does agree with him, but at the same time I know how easy it is to make one or two phone calls and say, “Well, I tried” and leave it at that. Okay, I never had to call a man to tell him he’s a father, but still… I think Rebekah could have stood up to him a bit on that point and said, “Look, I did try and it was hard enough as it was. And did you ever try to come after me to stop the divorce? No.” Point and match.
One thing I absolutely did not like was that Rafael seemed to have everything regarding custody and visitation of his son planned within minutes of finding out he was a father. He already knew he wanted joint custody with every summer and alternate holidays. That’s pretty specific for five minutes time. I kept waiting to read that he had actually known about his son prior to his visit to Rebekah but, no, apparently he didn’t. I just think it would take a bit for the facts to sink in. He might know right away he wanted joint custody but I don’t think the specifics would come quite so quickly.
I must say that, for a short e-read, it is amazingly free of typos *happy dance*. I loved the bi-lingual dialogue Rafael uses *sigh* and the brief flashbacks, although I think this would have made a great full-length novel with more flashbacks and greater details. Overall, if you are looking for something to fill a couple of hours and don’t mind a little misting up, here’s your book.
**I read this book as part of the Tall, Dark and Alpha book bundle.**
Rafael Lopez, former professional wrestler and “Sexiest Athlete Alive” is back and determined to win back the woman he lost but still loves and the son he never knew existed!
LOVED this one! Rebekah was young when she fell in love with Rafael and he definitely wasn’t someone her family thought to be “acceptable”. Even though her family is against their relationship, they get married. Rafael soon follows his dream of being a professional wrestler which has him traveling a lot and Rebekah left alone worrying about what he’s doing on the road. Eventually something happens and her fears are realized. She decides to go home and soon finds out she is pregnant. She decides to divorce Rafael and not tell him about the baby. Several years later, he shows up at her door and they are both left shocked with news that changes everything!
The characters are great, the story is actually very believable and it drew me in from the first page. I started worrying towards the end that I was going to be left with a cliffhanger, but the story was wrapped up nicely.
It's always nice and refreshing to read a story that just makes you go ahh and feel satisfied. This was a short but very sweet story of a married couple rekindling their love for one another after thinking they were divorced for 10 years and come to find out that they are not with unresolved issue's between them and a deep passionate love that they still share they truly have a fight for love . I really enjoyed this. This would be a good weekend read or for even traveling. So if your in the mood for something short and sweet I'd recommend this book.. pssst oh and the love making was steamy and romantic wonderfully done!
I enjoyed this book very much. He was a poor boy and she was a good girl, from a well to do family. The conflict between the two characters was not their races, (Latino male/Black female), but the immaturity, lack of trust and communication. It was a nice even story, but the ending felt just a tad rushed. A crazed female stalker was introduced, but never really dealt with. It would have been a nice layer to explore this angle with more depth instead of "my lawyer is dealing with her." We all know that would not have been enough to deter the obsession. (Fatal Attraction, anyone?) But even with this shortcoming, it was a nice tale.
I want my own personal Rafe. This book drew me in right from the start and kept me captivated the whole time. The H/H had chemistry for days and they take you on an emotional roller coaster. I wish Rafe and Rebekah had their own series. I'd love to read more about them. I also would have liked to see more conflict between Rafael and Rebekah's father and more conflict with Rafe's crazy ex. This is a really good read for it's shorter length.
An ENJOYABLE read...although I have to say Rebekah DEFINITELY should have told Rafael about their son Ricardo...9 years...and she couldn't get in touch w/him...she was so WRONG for that...despite that it's a sexy SIZZLING treat...and I'm so glad they were able to work-out their issues.
Being young, and in love doesn't always work out the way we would like. Thinking it's all hearts and roses because life and unfortunate situations can destroy those thoughts and feelings in a snap. As is the case in Raphael and Rebekah's story. I get that Rebekah felt betrayed by those stories of Raphael in that hotel room, but she chooses to believe that too quickly instead of giving her husband the benefit of the doubt. Raphael had a right to know he was a father from the start. It's always being stated that men aren't stepping up to be fathers and doing the right thing. Well, that's hard to do when the chance is never given to them from the jump. Raphael and Rebekah's love was still strong in their hearts, so I'm glad they spent the summer rekindling that love for each other. They truly belong together and their son gets to see what true love really looks like.
Rebekah and Rafael... She's a school teacher and he's a boxer. They met while in their teens and got married young. But she couldn't handle his boxing career and everything that goes with it. So she goes back home and finds out she's pregnant, but he doesn't know. In the meantime they file for divorce but he eventually finds out the papers were never filed. When he shows up at her home to tell her, he finds a surprise himself. This was a good short story and I enjoyed reading it.
The preview was so good that I actually bought the book on Amazon (Kindle). Unfortunately, the preview didn't live up to the rest of the book. The book was okay, erotic I guess, but mainly disappointing. It just wasn't super interesting/engaging, idk. The sad thing is that I really wanted to like it. At least the book was cheap lol.
Also, I think Rebekah should have believed Raphael that he didn't cheat on her. She gave up too easily I think.
The author does it again. I have read most of her book series and enjoyed every book that I have read. I am always amazed at the vivid images that she composes. It always allows me to escape into my mind's eye and live out the scenes. My favorite was when the character Rafael was in the swimming pool with his son and Rebekah smiling. Second chances are my favorite and the first two books in this series has not disappointed.
They were very young, he had nothing to offer her, but didn’t stop her from choosing him . They got married and a bad judgment from him causing him her… fast forward almost 10 years later he discovered 2 things… one was he had an 8 years old son … wow!! imagine his shock!! Not to mention he never stop loving her… And her , well, she may deny it, but she could never love any other man. Rafe and Rebekah can take you to their journey.
I enjoyed and loved reading Rafael and Rebekah's story. This was a good cute and short read. Loved the characters. I would absolutely recommend reading this book I don't think you will regret getting it, this is my second time reading this story that's how much I liked it. Thank you Ms. Delaney please please keep these kinds of story coming.🙏👍❤
Is it just jealousy that causes a female to choose to believe the worst of the person she says she loves? I think it was her insecurities and her own selfishness at play and affecting her frame of mind in this story! I am glad she finally convinced herself to stop running and letting her temper get in her way!
I absolutely enjoyed this book as well as the first book of this series. Miss Delaney Diamond, honey you write the heck out this book. Even though Bekah got on my nerves at times! I enjoyed reading Bekah and Rafe rekindling their marriage. Great book!
"Fight For Love" was a very enjoyable about Rafael, an up a coming wrestler, and Rebekah, his young wife. They were torn apart by his lifestyle, and years later during an unexpected visit, Rafe discovers he's a father.
Ever found the love of your life and could not make it work because of ........ Ever had a child that you decided to ....... Ever had that love walk back in your life and ......
Marriage?....After a nine year separation! Could it be? Rafael & Rebekah fight to escape their past to see what awaits them. But it’s definitely not an easy task.