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快楽の園
Quarterback Neil Moran had always gotten what he wanted… until he met Stephanie Tyler. She was the one woman he couldn’t have, the wife of his best friend. So Neil hid his feelings, even years after his friend’s death. But when Neil learns Stephanie’s thinking of dating again, he knows it’s his chance to do what he does best… win. Even if it changes their relationship forever.
Neil has been Stephanie’s friend for years although they are total opposites—he could work out in the team gym all day, and her idea of a workout is reading a really thick book while lying down. But suddenly she’s looking at Neil in a whole new way. She wants him… but is she willing to risk losing her heart all over again?
Neil’s teammates—from the tattooed offensive tackle that majored in Philosophy, to the goofy linebacker with a penchant for failing spectacularly at magic tricks—all know that Stephanie and Neil belong together. But will the ghost of their past bring all of their hopes for the future crashing down?
While this book was previously published under the name Kristin James, this is a completely revised version. It has been updated with brand new scenes and several new characters!
Neil has been Stephanie’s friend for years although they are total opposites—he could work out in the team gym all day, and her idea of a workout is reading a really thick book while lying down. But suddenly she’s looking at Neil in a whole new way. She wants him… but is she willing to risk losing her heart all over again?
Neil’s teammates—from the tattooed offensive tackle that majored in Philosophy, to the goofy linebacker with a penchant for failing spectacularly at magic tricks—all know that Stephanie and Neil belong together. But will the ghost of their past bring all of their hopes for the future crashing down?
While this book was previously published under the name Kristin James, this is a completely revised version. It has been updated with brand new scenes and several new characters!
Paperback Bunko
First published October 1, 1984
6 people are currently reading
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About the author
Kristin James
32 books18 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Pseudonym of Candace Camp
Candace Pauline Camp was born on May 23, 1949 in Amarillo, Texas, U.S.A.. The youngest of three children born into a newspaper family -- her mother, Lula Mae (Irons) Camp, had been a reporter and her father, Grady Camp, was the business manager of the Amarillo, Texas, newspaper -- some of Candace's earliest memories are of making up stories which she played out on the floor of their den with whatever objects were handy. She cannot remember a time when she was not interested in creating stories. She began writing down her stories when she was about 10, and from then on writing was her favorite form of relaxation. Explains Candace: "I was always very shy and did not talk much. However, in written form, I could express all my thoughts and feelings."
Writing remained only a hobby, though, as Candace attended college at the University of Texas at Austin and West Texas State University, then became a secondary teacher in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. She later moved to North Carolina, where she worked in the trust department of a bank. It was there that she discovered the romance novel in modern form and started to write her first romance. She also began law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and while she was there, she finished her first novel, entitled Bonds of Love, that was published by Jove Publishing in 1978, under the pseudonym Lisa Gregory. Candace credits the rigorous training of law school with teaching her the discipline necessary to finish a book. She gave up the practice of law to devote her time to writing. Two pseudonyms later (Kristin James and Sharon Stephens), Candace writes under her own name Candace Camp-- and still loves creating stories.
Candace is married since 1980 with Pete Hopcus, and they had a daughter Anastasia Hopcus in 1982, who had started on her own career path in the field of acting and now also writes young adult novels.
Pseudonym of Candace Camp
Candace Pauline Camp was born on May 23, 1949 in Amarillo, Texas, U.S.A.. The youngest of three children born into a newspaper family -- her mother, Lula Mae (Irons) Camp, had been a reporter and her father, Grady Camp, was the business manager of the Amarillo, Texas, newspaper -- some of Candace's earliest memories are of making up stories which she played out on the floor of their den with whatever objects were handy. She cannot remember a time when she was not interested in creating stories. She began writing down her stories when she was about 10, and from then on writing was her favorite form of relaxation. Explains Candace: "I was always very shy and did not talk much. However, in written form, I could express all my thoughts and feelings."
Writing remained only a hobby, though, as Candace attended college at the University of Texas at Austin and West Texas State University, then became a secondary teacher in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. She later moved to North Carolina, where she worked in the trust department of a bank. It was there that she discovered the romance novel in modern form and started to write her first romance. She also began law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and while she was there, she finished her first novel, entitled Bonds of Love, that was published by Jove Publishing in 1978, under the pseudonym Lisa Gregory. Candace credits the rigorous training of law school with teaching her the discipline necessary to finish a book. She gave up the practice of law to devote her time to writing. Two pseudonyms later (Kristin James and Sharon Stephens), Candace writes under her own name Candace Camp-- and still loves creating stories.
Candace is married since 1980 with Pete Hopcus, and they had a daughter Anastasia Hopcus in 1982, who had started on her own career path in the field of acting and now also writes young adult novels.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 22, 2021
Neil has loved Stephanie for as long as he’s known her, but she slotted him into the “best friend” box and that’s where he’s remained ever since. When Neil breaks out of that box, will any part of their relationship survive? Angsty and sultry, this book caught and held my attention from the very beginning. There’s a little bit of a second chance vibe to this story which made me a very happy reader. Not in the classic sense of a second chance with the one that got away, but more along the lines of another chance to get it right with the one it maybe should have been in the first place. I cheered when these two could get it right and it broke my heart when they messed it all up. I loved taking this journey with Stephanie and Neil and I’m kind of sorry it’s over already.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.
May 22, 2021
This is a sweet romance with strong characters in Stephanie and Neil. He was her husband's best friend and is secretly in love with her. Dealing with the grief of losing her husband she turns to Neil. In time their relationship changes and he can no longer hold back his feelings. The author does a great job developing the story and moving it fluidly with detailed and descriptive scenes. It's an emotional story with all the feels and I enjoyed reading.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
April 29, 2010
SUMMARY:
Stephanie Tyler had overcome the grief of her widowhood with the help of Neil Moran, her late husband's best friend. Neil and Ty had played hard together on the football field, and even harder off it. Once Ty met Stephanie she became a natural member of their group. She never suspected the secret love that Neil fought so hard to hide.
Now things are changing; Neil wasn't the friend he'd always been. And that hurt, because now she needed him more than ever - not just as a friend, but as a man.
REVIEW:
This is one of the few romance books my mom has kept over the years, and I swiped it in order to see why she'd held onto to it for so long. The premise of the story is always an interesting one to me - guy loving the wife of a great friend. I really liked Neil, the passion he had for Stephanie, and seeing Neil and Stephanie's relationship develop. I didn't understand the whole thing about Stephanie's work, so I ended up skipping most of that.
While I did like this book, honestly, it's not one of the better ones out there with this plot.
Stephanie Tyler had overcome the grief of her widowhood with the help of Neil Moran, her late husband's best friend. Neil and Ty had played hard together on the football field, and even harder off it. Once Ty met Stephanie she became a natural member of their group. She never suspected the secret love that Neil fought so hard to hide.
Now things are changing; Neil wasn't the friend he'd always been. And that hurt, because now she needed him more than ever - not just as a friend, but as a man.
REVIEW:
This is one of the few romance books my mom has kept over the years, and I swiped it in order to see why she'd held onto to it for so long. The premise of the story is always an interesting one to me - guy loving the wife of a great friend. I really liked Neil, the passion he had for Stephanie, and seeing Neil and Stephanie's relationship develop. I didn't understand the whole thing about Stephanie's work, so I ended up skipping most of that.
While I did like this book, honestly, it's not one of the better ones out there with this plot.
September 22, 2011
Secret Fires was just okay. The hero Neil has been in love with his best friend's wife for years but hasn't done anything about it. He's a jock kind, honourable but now it's been 18 months since his friend died and he thinks he should make a move before Stephanie finds someone else.
Stephanie loved her husband and grieved for him, she never saw Neil in different light but now she is. Honestly, I didn't get it why Neil loved Stephanie so much. He put up with her fears and everything.
Just an okay read.
Stephanie loved her husband and grieved for him, she never saw Neil in different light but now she is. Honestly, I didn't get it why Neil loved Stephanie so much. He put up with her fears and everything.
Just an okay read.
May 25, 2021
Kind of Lackluster . . .
Quarterback Neil Moran had loved Stephanie Tyler but made no move on her as she was the wife of his best friend. He kept his feelings hidden, even after his friend died. It was only when he heard that Stephanie was ready to date again that he knew he had to step up and make his feelings known if he wanted a chance with her.
For me, this didn’t feel like a romance story. The references were more like getting Stephanie would be a “win”. It’s not a game. He didn’t make a move to date her until some “competition” became possible. I just didn’t feel the closeness I expected for a romantic relationship to begin.
Quarterback Neil Moran had loved Stephanie Tyler but made no move on her as she was the wife of his best friend. He kept his feelings hidden, even after his friend died. It was only when he heard that Stephanie was ready to date again that he knew he had to step up and make his feelings known if he wanted a chance with her.
For me, this didn’t feel like a romance story. The references were more like getting Stephanie would be a “win”. It’s not a game. He didn’t make a move to date her until some “competition” became possible. I just didn’t feel the closeness I expected for a romantic relationship to begin.
May 22, 2021
The book is a good, and enjoyable funny romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 25, 2021
This is a friends to lovers romance. It has some emotional turns. Some of the characters are on the crazy side and give a comic relief. The story has drama tension and Passion
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 12, 2022
Neil has been in love with Stephanie forever, and have stood by her while she grieved and got on with her life. When she finally decides to put herself out there and date, Neil breaks out the friend zone. They had such great chemistry together, but there is always the fear of what if the relationship goes south and does that end the friendship. I thought this story was quite sweet and enjoyable to read.
I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.
I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews