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Seattle Lumberjacks #3
Down by Contact
After twelve years in the league, all Zach Murphy wants is a Super Bowl ring. He’s been about hard hits not smooth manners, about breaking quarterbacks not making small talk at cocktail parties. But now he’s shattered something else. After dumping a tray of drinks on the team owner’s snooty daughter and accidentally feeling up the Governor’s wife, his tenure with his team looks perilously short. And things are getting worse.
Life is looking up for Kelsie Carrington-Richmond. A onetime beauty pageant star and mean girl, she only recently stopped living out of her car. But both those times have passed. Her Finishing School for Real Men has a real shot, and the Seattle Lumberjacks have hired her to polish up their roughest player. Except…it’s Zach. Long ago she broke his heart. He’s just the beast she remembers—gruff, protective—but she’s nothing like the beauty from his past. Yet, getting knocked down happens, and getting back up makes a contender. And they both have the hearts of champions.
Life is looking up for Kelsie Carrington-Richmond. A onetime beauty pageant star and mean girl, she only recently stopped living out of her car. But both those times have passed. Her Finishing School for Real Men has a real shot, and the Seattle Lumberjacks have hired her to polish up their roughest player. Except…it’s Zach. Long ago she broke his heart. He’s just the beast she remembers—gruff, protective—but she’s nothing like the beauty from his past. Yet, getting knocked down happens, and getting back up makes a contender. And they both have the hearts of champions.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2013
17 people are currently reading
692 people want to read
About the author
Jami Davenport
99 books1,171 followersSubscribe to my newsletter to receive a free novel and be notified of new releases, special sales, and contests: https://geni.us/JamiDavenportNews
USA Today bestselling author Jami Davenport writes sexy contemporary, new adult, and sports romances, including Gone Missing, Seattle Sockeyes, and The Scoring Series.
Jami lives on a small farm near Puget Sound with her Army Ranger-turned-plumber husband, a Newfoundland drool monster, and a prince disguised as an orange tabby cat.
Jami worked in IT for years and is also a former high school business teacher but recently achieved a life-long dream of being a full-time author. A horse lover since birth, Jami showed dressage horses for over thirty years. Now she gardens and goes glamping, along with other travelling adventures. She's a lifetime Seahawks and Mariners fan, and has season tickets to the Seattle Kraken hockey team. She still misses her SuperSonics.
An avid boater, Jami has spent countless hours in the San Juan Islands, a common setting in her books. In her opinion, it's the most beautiful place on earth.
USA Today bestselling author Jami Davenport writes sexy contemporary, new adult, and sports romances, including Gone Missing, Seattle Sockeyes, and The Scoring Series.
Jami lives on a small farm near Puget Sound with her Army Ranger-turned-plumber husband, a Newfoundland drool monster, and a prince disguised as an orange tabby cat.
Jami worked in IT for years and is also a former high school business teacher but recently achieved a life-long dream of being a full-time author. A horse lover since birth, Jami showed dressage horses for over thirty years. Now she gardens and goes glamping, along with other travelling adventures. She's a lifetime Seahawks and Mariners fan, and has season tickets to the Seattle Kraken hockey team. She still misses her SuperSonics.
An avid boater, Jami has spent countless hours in the San Juan Islands, a common setting in her books. In her opinion, it's the most beautiful place on earth.
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September 22, 2013Review to be posted in upcoming issue of InD'tale Magazine.
April 28, 2014
3.5 ring stars!!
Down by a Contract was an entertaining and delightful read that fell into the “okay zone” for me. I do like sports romances and themes of making right of your wrongs as well as following your dreams and falling in love but I just couldn't seem to fully engage myself into this read a 100%. There was something missing in it for me in which I just can't seem to pick out.
On the bright side though, we meet two heroines, both of whom we see growth personally and professionally throughout the entirety of this read. That is a definite plus for me.
So over all, a great read with lots of points and potential for me but didn't quite capture me entirely. Hmmm, maybe it's just me?
Down by a Contract was an entertaining and delightful read that fell into the “okay zone” for me. I do like sports romances and themes of making right of your wrongs as well as following your dreams and falling in love but I just couldn't seem to fully engage myself into this read a 100%. There was something missing in it for me in which I just can't seem to pick out.
On the bright side though, we meet two heroines, both of whom we see growth personally and professionally throughout the entirety of this read. That is a definite plus for me.
So over all, a great read with lots of points and potential for me but didn't quite capture me entirely. Hmmm, maybe it's just me?
May 31, 2013
This Review was first published on my blog Lecture toute une Aventure
From the excerpt I thought I was going to like it but in fact I love this story and I even greatly love it. It’s simply one of the best sport romance I’ve read so far, it’s really well written, the characters are well built and you will love some as much as you will hate others but each of them has the perfect background to makes the readers understand them. Also you have a large part dedicated to the sport, but it’s well written in a way that even if you know nothing about it, you are not bothered at all; in fact it even made me want to learn a little more.
And the romance: simply wonderful, sweet and cute but also growing with the relationship between the main protagonists, Zach and Kelsie, at the same rhythm as their trust. It’s just superb. To be honest I had some doubt about Kelsie at first, until we learn more about her and I can really appreciate her effort now. Knowing which kind of family she had, I can see why see wanted acceptance at all costs, sad she wanted acceptance from the number not from the quality but she was a child then so my heart went to her, even more when we learn that her parents sides with her ex after all they have done. Rachel and Lavender are her first true friends because being able to navigate society and being popular doesn’t mean you aren’t lonely far from it. Kelsie is stronger that she seems and just needed proper guidance.
Zach is just the opposite, you have to love him right at the start… he is a little like a big bear imposing on the outside but soft and fragile inside. The way he gets to do the wrong things at the wrong time just make him even cuter, I couldn’t resist. He is trying to do his best but if he manages on the field, in society that’s the opposite. He prefers to be alone, to do things that matters so in a sense he is all against appearances when he is also judging others on them. After a new disaster at a gala, he must take etiquette lessons…just the idea made me laugh. The big men who must learn how to hold their cup… while I can see the necessity of politeness, asking so much from athletes was a little ludicrous, for me, as long as there wasn’t disaster, it didn’t matter which fork they would use to eat etc. But it is also part of the scheme orchestrated by Veronika who just wanted him to fail not to shine, and that a character I detested strongly since the beginning, after Kelsie’s mother that we never see but heard enough about, and Mark that really should have suffered more.
Zach is all about honesty and compassion, he has suffered so much but he didn’t become selfish, simply afraid to let people discover that fragile side of him. The way he wants to wait until after the marriage before making love was simply adorable in a really good sense of the word. It was about love before sex, to have some meaningful and it something I respect and admire. He really worked his way in my heart.
I was so engrossed in the story that I didn’t want to put the book down I had to finish it right now. It’s the third book in the series yes but I haven’t read the others yet, but I hope to do so really soon, however that didn’t bothered me at all. It works perfectly as a stand alone even if now I want to understand Tyler more, he looks like a excellent man too. So if you want to read a sport romance with a wonderful story try this one you won’t be disappointed at all.
From the excerpt I thought I was going to like it but in fact I love this story and I even greatly love it. It’s simply one of the best sport romance I’ve read so far, it’s really well written, the characters are well built and you will love some as much as you will hate others but each of them has the perfect background to makes the readers understand them. Also you have a large part dedicated to the sport, but it’s well written in a way that even if you know nothing about it, you are not bothered at all; in fact it even made me want to learn a little more.
And the romance: simply wonderful, sweet and cute but also growing with the relationship between the main protagonists, Zach and Kelsie, at the same rhythm as their trust. It’s just superb. To be honest I had some doubt about Kelsie at first, until we learn more about her and I can really appreciate her effort now. Knowing which kind of family she had, I can see why see wanted acceptance at all costs, sad she wanted acceptance from the number not from the quality but she was a child then so my heart went to her, even more when we learn that her parents sides with her ex after all they have done. Rachel and Lavender are her first true friends because being able to navigate society and being popular doesn’t mean you aren’t lonely far from it. Kelsie is stronger that she seems and just needed proper guidance.
Zach is just the opposite, you have to love him right at the start… he is a little like a big bear imposing on the outside but soft and fragile inside. The way he gets to do the wrong things at the wrong time just make him even cuter, I couldn’t resist. He is trying to do his best but if he manages on the field, in society that’s the opposite. He prefers to be alone, to do things that matters so in a sense he is all against appearances when he is also judging others on them. After a new disaster at a gala, he must take etiquette lessons…just the idea made me laugh. The big men who must learn how to hold their cup… while I can see the necessity of politeness, asking so much from athletes was a little ludicrous, for me, as long as there wasn’t disaster, it didn’t matter which fork they would use to eat etc. But it is also part of the scheme orchestrated by Veronika who just wanted him to fail not to shine, and that a character I detested strongly since the beginning, after Kelsie’s mother that we never see but heard enough about, and Mark that really should have suffered more.
Zach is all about honesty and compassion, he has suffered so much but he didn’t become selfish, simply afraid to let people discover that fragile side of him. The way he wants to wait until after the marriage before making love was simply adorable in a really good sense of the word. It was about love before sex, to have some meaningful and it something I respect and admire. He really worked his way in my heart.
I was so engrossed in the story that I didn’t want to put the book down I had to finish it right now. It’s the third book in the series yes but I haven’t read the others yet, but I hope to do so really soon, however that didn’t bothered me at all. It works perfectly as a stand alone even if now I want to understand Tyler more, he looks like a excellent man too. So if you want to read a sport romance with a wonderful story try this one you won’t be disappointed at all.
May 3, 2013
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I love a book that draws me in and keeps me locked in the whole time and Down By Contact does just that!! Jami Davenport knows what she is doing!!
Zach & Kelsie's story is just beautiful!! Zach lives and breaths football. Kelsie is the beauty pageant mean girl. These two are complete opposites and yet so compatible at the same time - it's what makes their story amazing!!
Zach is considered the dumb jock and everyone around him doesn't let him forget that. From his teammates, to the owner's daughter, they all consider him white trash. Zach's childhood life was nothing short of horrible. And he does everything that he can to rise above that and become someone better. Zach knows that he doesn't have the best manners but he has a huge heart! He doesn't live like a typical NFL player - he doesn't do all the fancy stuff or show off his money.
Kelsie was raised to be nothing but the best. Her every move was scrutinized by her mother. She also had to survive the pressures of being popular and always making sure that everyone was beneath her and her friends. She married the high school football player but her life after that was anything but perfect. He made her the perfect Barbie doll wife - seen but not heard. She can't take it anymore and leaves - but not without bringing some package along.
"Since then she'd hit rock bottom more than once, but through it all she clung to her dignity and tattered pride, the only thing they hadn't stripped from her, and the only thing she hadn't stripped from Zach all those years ago. Yeah, karma was a bitch."
Zach just wanted to win 1 Superbowl ring so he could retire. Kelsie wanted to start over and make amends for all the wrongs she did her in past and that included apologizing to Zach for crushing him in high school. Zach & Kelsie create quite a disastrous scene when they first see each other after all those years and this causes problems for Zach and being able to stay on his team. Kelsie comes up with a plan that she thinks will not only help Zach but also help her make amends with Zach.
Zach has to learn some social manners and fast! In steps Kelsie and her idea of being able to make any man sociably acceptable at public events. Zach remembers everything from high school and doesn't let grudges go easily. He trusts no-one so Kelsie has her work cut out for her.
"Roses reminded him of Kelsie, beautiful but with the ability to inflict pain."
These two definitely fight the attraction to one another for along a time!! But once they realize what they've been missing out on - wow!! These two are like freaking rabbits!! But all relationships can't be based on sex - these two have a lot to overcome to make any sort of relationship work.
You can feel the passion, desire, heartache, confusion and frustration from Zach & Kelsie. One minute I was frustrated with these two and the next minute I was loving them! You will be fighting for these two through the whole book!!
"Love was the ultimate bond for the beauty and her beast."
Great read!
I love a book that draws me in and keeps me locked in the whole time and Down By Contact does just that!! Jami Davenport knows what she is doing!!
Zach & Kelsie's story is just beautiful!! Zach lives and breaths football. Kelsie is the beauty pageant mean girl. These two are complete opposites and yet so compatible at the same time - it's what makes their story amazing!!
Zach is considered the dumb jock and everyone around him doesn't let him forget that. From his teammates, to the owner's daughter, they all consider him white trash. Zach's childhood life was nothing short of horrible. And he does everything that he can to rise above that and become someone better. Zach knows that he doesn't have the best manners but he has a huge heart! He doesn't live like a typical NFL player - he doesn't do all the fancy stuff or show off his money.
Kelsie was raised to be nothing but the best. Her every move was scrutinized by her mother. She also had to survive the pressures of being popular and always making sure that everyone was beneath her and her friends. She married the high school football player but her life after that was anything but perfect. He made her the perfect Barbie doll wife - seen but not heard. She can't take it anymore and leaves - but not without bringing some package along.
"Since then she'd hit rock bottom more than once, but through it all she clung to her dignity and tattered pride, the only thing they hadn't stripped from her, and the only thing she hadn't stripped from Zach all those years ago. Yeah, karma was a bitch."
Zach just wanted to win 1 Superbowl ring so he could retire. Kelsie wanted to start over and make amends for all the wrongs she did her in past and that included apologizing to Zach for crushing him in high school. Zach & Kelsie create quite a disastrous scene when they first see each other after all those years and this causes problems for Zach and being able to stay on his team. Kelsie comes up with a plan that she thinks will not only help Zach but also help her make amends with Zach.
Zach has to learn some social manners and fast! In steps Kelsie and her idea of being able to make any man sociably acceptable at public events. Zach remembers everything from high school and doesn't let grudges go easily. He trusts no-one so Kelsie has her work cut out for her.
"Roses reminded him of Kelsie, beautiful but with the ability to inflict pain."
These two definitely fight the attraction to one another for along a time!! But once they realize what they've been missing out on - wow!! These two are like freaking rabbits!! But all relationships can't be based on sex - these two have a lot to overcome to make any sort of relationship work.
You can feel the passion, desire, heartache, confusion and frustration from Zach & Kelsie. One minute I was frustrated with these two and the next minute I was loving them! You will be fighting for these two through the whole book!!
"Love was the ultimate bond for the beauty and her beast."
Great read!
June 2, 2013
First off left me say Thank you to Ms. Davenport, I have been waiting for Zach’s story, I give you an A+ on building true, believable characters in your “Lumberjack Series”. Down by Contact is in my top 10 of awesome sport romances, Ms. Davenport ranks right up there along with Jaci Burton, Rachel Gibson and Jill Shalvis.
Kelsie
I have to say that Kelsie’s character did not let me down, that girl has true grit. I had to laugh as she put Zach through the paces, my heart felt for him. Even with their shaky past, I feel there was no other woman for Zach.
Zach
His character is what I like call the “real deal”, he makes for an everyday football hero with some emotional dealings, hardships, and yes he even has a vindictive bitch on his heels. Roll all this up in one gorgeous package and you have a hero worth remembering.
Kelsie and Zach’s trouble past, smacks them both in the face when Kelsie returns to town to clear the air and show Zach, he is capable of being more than a hard jock. Zach has never been the same after a one unforgettable day when the “Mean” girl aka Kelsie came gunning for him.
Secondary character’s just added more life to this already brilliantly written book, you have amazing Hero and Heroine, some smoking hot sex, add in a disgruntled team mate, a vindictive prima donna, a crazy mean ex and you have the makings of a true hit.
The plot line flowed effortlessly, Ms. Davenport keeps you connected to all the players. You get to the heart of what makes Zach and Kelsie tick. Now only if they can get on the same page. I have to ask Ms. Davenport who story is going to be next? I have read the first books in this series, “Forth and Goal- book#1, Forward Passes-book#2″ I would suggest you read in order, but that is just me.
So in short Jami Davenport is just as hot as her characters. Down by Contact is heartwarming, sexy and real… you’ll fall in love.
Rated 5 Stilettos and a Recommended Read by Deb!
Kelsie
I have to say that Kelsie’s character did not let me down, that girl has true grit. I had to laugh as she put Zach through the paces, my heart felt for him. Even with their shaky past, I feel there was no other woman for Zach.
Zach
His character is what I like call the “real deal”, he makes for an everyday football hero with some emotional dealings, hardships, and yes he even has a vindictive bitch on his heels. Roll all this up in one gorgeous package and you have a hero worth remembering.
Kelsie and Zach’s trouble past, smacks them both in the face when Kelsie returns to town to clear the air and show Zach, he is capable of being more than a hard jock. Zach has never been the same after a one unforgettable day when the “Mean” girl aka Kelsie came gunning for him.
Secondary character’s just added more life to this already brilliantly written book, you have amazing Hero and Heroine, some smoking hot sex, add in a disgruntled team mate, a vindictive prima donna, a crazy mean ex and you have the makings of a true hit.
The plot line flowed effortlessly, Ms. Davenport keeps you connected to all the players. You get to the heart of what makes Zach and Kelsie tick. Now only if they can get on the same page. I have to ask Ms. Davenport who story is going to be next? I have read the first books in this series, “Forth and Goal- book#1, Forward Passes-book#2″ I would suggest you read in order, but that is just me.
So in short Jami Davenport is just as hot as her characters. Down by Contact is heartwarming, sexy and real… you’ll fall in love.
Rated 5 Stilettos and a Recommended Read by Deb!
April 19, 2013
Book 3 in the Seattle Lumberjacks Series.... my favorite so far!
I absolutely fell in love with Zach Murphy. He is a hero with some major flaws that make him extremely awkward in social situations. But on the other side of the coin he is an extremely loyal, dedicated, extremely private man. He doesn't let most see his good side. His sole purpose is to win the Super Bowl ring before he retires. Because of his social awkwardness and redneck ways he is put on the radar with the team owners and his position with the team is on the line. He needs to learn social graces....fast! Team owners hire Kelsie Carrington-Richmond as his manners coach. Little do they know that Kelsie is "the mean girl" from Zach's past. She is the girl who humilated him and scorned him in high school and scarred him for life.
She has regrets about the way she lived her life and how she abused her friendship with Zach. She came to Seattle to apologize for this treatment so that she can move on with her new life. Now she has to gain his trust, convince him she's sincere, and turn a bull in the china shop into a gentleman. The more time she spends with Zach , the less she wants to change him. Because he is perfect in the most important way....he is an outstanding human being that most don't see.
Add conflict with other members of the team, mainly Tyler Harrison, a stalker, a wicked team owner, a dangerous ex husband...and you got a fabulous read. Jami Davenport just keeps improving on an already fantastic series. I can't wait for the next book in the Seattle Lumberjack Series.
I absolutely fell in love with Zach Murphy. He is a hero with some major flaws that make him extremely awkward in social situations. But on the other side of the coin he is an extremely loyal, dedicated, extremely private man. He doesn't let most see his good side. His sole purpose is to win the Super Bowl ring before he retires. Because of his social awkwardness and redneck ways he is put on the radar with the team owners and his position with the team is on the line. He needs to learn social graces....fast! Team owners hire Kelsie Carrington-Richmond as his manners coach. Little do they know that Kelsie is "the mean girl" from Zach's past. She is the girl who humilated him and scorned him in high school and scarred him for life.
She has regrets about the way she lived her life and how she abused her friendship with Zach. She came to Seattle to apologize for this treatment so that she can move on with her new life. Now she has to gain his trust, convince him she's sincere, and turn a bull in the china shop into a gentleman. The more time she spends with Zach , the less she wants to change him. Because he is perfect in the most important way....he is an outstanding human being that most don't see.
Add conflict with other members of the team, mainly Tyler Harrison, a stalker, a wicked team owner, a dangerous ex husband...and you got a fabulous read. Jami Davenport just keeps improving on an already fantastic series. I can't wait for the next book in the Seattle Lumberjack Series.
May 26, 2013
Lumberjack's Score a New Fan!!, May 26, 2013
This review is from: Down by Contact (Seattle Lumberjacks) (Kindle Edition)
Davenport sends a Seattle Lumberjack's linebacker to finishing school to learn manners, mid-season, and this story is off and running. Zach Murphy thinks he wants a Superbowl ring more than he's ever wanted anything but boy does he have lessons to learn, both on and off the field.
Kelsie, Zach's unobtainable high school crush holds all the cards when it comes to his heart, and his future on the team. Her task: teach the big brute how to handle himself in Seattle high society, or he's off the team. Fate steps in and reverses their roles, and Zach teaches Kelsie a thing or two about affairs of the heart.
I couldn't put the story down. All the characters on the Lumberjack's team were painted with such vivid strokes I now consider myself an official fan. I will read more of this series - I want to read Tyler's story next.
If you like hot contemporary romance and love a good sport's story, then treat yourself to Down By Contact by Jami Davenport.
This review is from: Down by Contact (Seattle Lumberjacks) (Kindle Edition)
Davenport sends a Seattle Lumberjack's linebacker to finishing school to learn manners, mid-season, and this story is off and running. Zach Murphy thinks he wants a Superbowl ring more than he's ever wanted anything but boy does he have lessons to learn, both on and off the field.
Kelsie, Zach's unobtainable high school crush holds all the cards when it comes to his heart, and his future on the team. Her task: teach the big brute how to handle himself in Seattle high society, or he's off the team. Fate steps in and reverses their roles, and Zach teaches Kelsie a thing or two about affairs of the heart.
I couldn't put the story down. All the characters on the Lumberjack's team were painted with such vivid strokes I now consider myself an official fan. I will read more of this series - I want to read Tyler's story next.
If you like hot contemporary romance and love a good sport's story, then treat yourself to Down By Contact by Jami Davenport.
May 1, 2013
Quarterback Zach Murphy remembers Kelsie Carrington only too well, it is a memory he would rather wipe out from his past. When Kelsie is hired to teach the burly and tactless Zach etiquette, he feels like a fish caught into a tiny bowl, until he realizes she needs him more than he needs her. Zach sees a chance for sweet revenge, but every time he tries to revel in it why does he feel twangs of guilt and his long locked away feelings for her are pushing to come out.
Trust is a huge issue for Zach where Kelsie is concerned, he wants to believe she has changed from the mean girl twelve years ago but he is not sure if his heart will ever recover if she has not. Kelsie regrets her past, but she has not been hell with her ex-husband for nothing, she wants to show Zach she is a different person I she can break down the wall he has erected where she is concerned. I loved that Zach was just himself, he was a bit sloppy, rude, and completely endearing. The third in the Lumberjack series, I thought this was another fantastic addition.
Trust is a huge issue for Zach where Kelsie is concerned, he wants to believe she has changed from the mean girl twelve years ago but he is not sure if his heart will ever recover if she has not. Kelsie regrets her past, but she has not been hell with her ex-husband for nothing, she wants to show Zach she is a different person I she can break down the wall he has erected where she is concerned. I loved that Zach was just himself, he was a bit sloppy, rude, and completely endearing. The third in the Lumberjack series, I thought this was another fantastic addition.
April 30, 2013
This third installment was my introduction to the Seattle Lumberjacks; this is a standalone story. Although, the author mentions previous characters; the books can be read out of order without spoiling anything. I love to discover a new sport romance. There is no shortage of well-known authors with amazing sport romance series, but I like to sample authors that are unknown to me. I could not pass up the opportunity to review Jami Davenport’s latest release. The characters are refreshing and captivating, and the romance is without limitations. I will not include any spoilers but, I reread the gala scenes several times - is the most emotional bit of crazy I’ve read in a while. This author has earned a new fan…!
Disclosure: This ebook was provided to me free of charge by Author's Angels for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
Disclosure: This ebook was provided to me free of charge by Author's Angels for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
March 29, 2013
I love the idea of this story. Sending a jock to finishing school tickles my funny bone. And it did as I read, too. But there’s so much more to this story than polishing a football hero. Zach has been beat down time and time again, yet always rises to the occasion. And Kelsie, well, when her world fell out from underneath her, she picked herself up and found a way to make things work. There’s a load of hurt between these two, and some very interesting times watching them work through it. :) I love the depth of this story, enhanced by the well-done sports background. I’ve always loved how well Jami Davenport writes guys. The story is natural, emotional, funny and totally recommended by me as an awesome read.
July 4, 2013
4.5 stars
This series gets better and better! There is such great world and character building, it feels so real. The heroine, Kelsie, used to be a real mean girl in every sense of the word. So I shouldn't even like her but I absolutely adored her. The author did a great job of showing how she has changed and why. And the hero, Zach, is so down to earth and rough around the edges. He doesn't feel comfortable at social gatherings and always a bit out of place which makes him act stupidly sometimes. He's got such a big heart but hides that from most people and lets them think he is a dumb jock. I loved those two together.
This series gets better and better! There is such great world and character building, it feels so real. The heroine, Kelsie, used to be a real mean girl in every sense of the word. So I shouldn't even like her but I absolutely adored her. The author did a great job of showing how she has changed and why. And the hero, Zach, is so down to earth and rough around the edges. He doesn't feel comfortable at social gatherings and always a bit out of place which makes him act stupidly sometimes. He's got such a big heart but hides that from most people and lets them think he is a dumb jock. I loved those two together.
May 16, 2013
The strength of this series is really in the culture and characters that the author has created. I loved that the hero is a linebacker (not a "sexy" position like quarterback or wide receiver) and I really liked that the heroine was a, legitimate, former Mean Girl. A fun contemporary with a healthy dollop of internal angst (which I love!).
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May 31, 2013
This is the 1st book I have read by this Author. I enjoyed her style of writing. The interactions between the main 2 characters was great. I read this book in 1 day. I didnt realize there are more books in this series until after I finished the book. This book does great as a standalone. I will have to read the others now.
If you want a fun, fast easy flowing book, then you will enjoy this one.
If you want a fun, fast easy flowing book, then you will enjoy this one.
June 2, 2013
Scored a touchdown with this one!
Loved Loved Loved this book! I’m a big fan of romance with a sports theme and I enjoyed reading about the trials and tribulations of these two characters. I felt that I was right there with them while they laughed, cried, and tried to figure out if they could trust each other and have a love that is everlasting. This book had it all and I had a hard time putting it down. I look forward to the next one in the series.
Loved Loved Loved this book! I’m a big fan of romance with a sports theme and I enjoyed reading about the trials and tribulations of these two characters. I felt that I was right there with them while they laughed, cried, and tried to figure out if they could trust each other and have a love that is everlasting. This book had it all and I had a hard time putting it down. I look forward to the next one in the series.
November 11, 2013
This is an evocative tale of two people with a somewhat volatile history.
Read full review in the November 2013 issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the November 2013 issue of InD’tale Magazine.
April 1, 2013
Great read; liked the "settling in" of Zach with Ty. Wonder if Brett's story will be next...????
June 1, 2013
What a wonderful book.... at times your heart went out to poor Zach and feel sorry for Kelsie, but in the end love won over.
Highly recommend book what a great page turner.
Highly recommend book what a great page turner.
June 23, 2013
Such a good book if you love sports romance like I do! Review coming shortly...
January 3, 2015
3.5 “More Than He Wanted A Ring” Kisses
I’ve read a few different kind of book boyfriends but I have to tell you this book was my first ‘pro-athlete’ book boyfriend. And he surprised me….a lot. In a good way. This whole book surprised me to be honest, and since I am normally rarely surprised, I guess that must mean in a very good way. This deserves further explanation…
Zach Murphy is 34 and on his last leg in his football career. He’s got one last chance to achieve his goal of winning a Super Bowl…finally getting a chance at the ring he wants so bad. But football is not just about the game you play on the field. It’s the politics and the schmoozing, making the right impressions on the right people, kissing the right butts and Zach has never been very good at that. A small town Texas boy, trailer trash that made something of himself but still refuses to compromise on being the person he is to his core.
‘Football gave him life, while women sucked the life out of him. Football made sense to him. Women didn’t. Especially this woman.’
I loved Zach…he was real, authentic, very genuine and lovable, overall a very well balanced character. He’s been through a lot of heartbreak, which makes your heart bleed for him (and made me tear up – surprise!) Plus it doesn’t hurt he’s 6’3” Texan boy with shaggy black hair and warm chocolate brown eyes and the body of a god. He’s all alpha male and full of ferociousness and yumminess. It’s hard not to drool over Zach…really hard.
‘Kelsie gazed into his warm brown eyes. She liked this Zach, liked when he softened his edges a little and relaxed. She liked how he smiled with his whole face, especially his eyes, and those rare dimples came out. Yes, if Kelsie Carrington-Richmond didn’t watch herself she might do something inexcusably dumb and fall hard for a guy like Zach, which wouldn’t be fair to him.’
Kelsie Carrington-Richmond is the perfect blue eyed, blonde haired former beauty queen that stomped all over Zach’s heart. She was his crush…she was more than his crush, he was a 17 year old in love and he put his trust in her, only to have that thrown back in his face at the worst possible time in his life. Granted…she didn’t know that at the time – but still, she was a teenage girl sucked into the usual vortex of peer pressure and doing what was ‘cool’. Not the most honorable thing to do but chalk it up to inexperience and lack of brain cells being in the proper regions they needed to be at the time.
‘Kelsie Carrington-Richmond was a bitch of the worst kind. She didn’t deserve to be in the same company of a man as kind as Zach Murphy.’
So after a very nasty divorce Kelsie comes looking for Zach…for forgiveness, for help, for a lot of reasons….the last one on this list being the hopes of a friendship. Zach is obviously guarded with the past that he has with her…rightfully so. Thru a twisted first encounter and a lot of the ‘right people in the right place, right time’ scenarios, Kelsie finds herself employed by the Lumberjacks to ‘smooth out’ Zach’s ruff edges…refine the country Texan into something more presentable for the media. That’s only the beginning…the tip of the iceberg, but it’s what brings them together, starts to mend the fences of a very broken and tattered relationship. Is it salvageable…yes. Is there something more beneath the surface of Kelsie and Zach….hell yes. Was I tortured waiting to finally get to that point of them succumbing to that fact…you betcha I was!
“Are you ever going to forgive me?”
He frowned and stared at his hands. “Not sure. I’m struggling with it.”
“You don’t forgive easily.”
“I haven’t met anyone who’s truly earned my forgiveness. The few times I’ve forgiven they’ve proven they don’t deserve it.”
“You must live a tragic, lonely life, Zach Murphy.”
“Yeah, maybe.” The sadness in his eyes undid her.
I swear, I am okay with books drawing out that longing and desire for the couple to be together but I have never been teased this badly by a book. There are two scenes that I was like a cheerleader with my pom-poms, cheering them on to make this thing between them happen already and it was like a false start both time. They get you all hot and bothered and then douse you with ice water – it sucked! I would have been mad if I hadn’t been so disappointed because both scenes were sexy, hot, I was so excited (for them!) and then I was like….wait a minute? What just happened??? No No No! Wait! Rewind….try this again!
“All a guy needs is the right woman. The one that makes you see that there’s nothing else in your life that compares to her.”
Oh and btw – 52% - be prepared….cause I wasn’t. Knocked me for a loop, I did not see that coming and I applaud Jami for completely shocking me with that twist. It was interesting, unexpected and I liked where it took the story line. So…with that twist comes a lot of internal battle with the two of them – doubting each other, questioning if what they were doing was right…you get the picture. She’s damaged from her ex husband, he’s damaged from her. She’s desperate to get out of the situation he is in, he’s desperate to make his current situation better, the easiest way of doing that is by keeping her around to help him. Do they both profit in one way, shape or form from the other…yes. It’s a mutually beneficial scenario…plus it involves sex. Score!
‘Convince Kelsie of what he already knew. That she was his – and his alone – for today and all their tomorrows. Wishful thinking from a desperate man who’d never given up the dream of Kelsie loving him and him alone.’
There is enough angst and conflict just surrounding Zach and Kelsie’s relationship…then you throw in the drama with the team that Zach is having to deal with, the main catalyst being the Quarterback, Tyler Harris. Compounding that conflict with the team is the owner’s daughter Veronica, hate her btw she’s a douche…and then for good measure let’s throw in the evil ex that makes a quick appearance (sleaze bag alert!)
‘She wanted to be more desirable to him than a coveted Super Bowl ring.’
‘He wanted Kelsie even more than he wanted a ring.’
I really enjoyed Down By Contact, it was a sweet, surprising story that kept me thoroughly entertained. While it is part of a series, and I am a stickler for always reading series books in order – I broke my rules for this one (gasp!) and I am very glad I did. Would it have been helpful to know the other characters…probably, but it didn’t bother me or stop me from liking the story I was reading. It definitely makes me want to read the first two books even more. If this is what I can come to expect from Jami Davenport, count me in…cause it’s good stuff. :-)
I’ve read a few different kind of book boyfriends but I have to tell you this book was my first ‘pro-athlete’ book boyfriend. And he surprised me….a lot. In a good way. This whole book surprised me to be honest, and since I am normally rarely surprised, I guess that must mean in a very good way. This deserves further explanation…
Zach Murphy is 34 and on his last leg in his football career. He’s got one last chance to achieve his goal of winning a Super Bowl…finally getting a chance at the ring he wants so bad. But football is not just about the game you play on the field. It’s the politics and the schmoozing, making the right impressions on the right people, kissing the right butts and Zach has never been very good at that. A small town Texas boy, trailer trash that made something of himself but still refuses to compromise on being the person he is to his core.
‘Football gave him life, while women sucked the life out of him. Football made sense to him. Women didn’t. Especially this woman.’
I loved Zach…he was real, authentic, very genuine and lovable, overall a very well balanced character. He’s been through a lot of heartbreak, which makes your heart bleed for him (and made me tear up – surprise!) Plus it doesn’t hurt he’s 6’3” Texan boy with shaggy black hair and warm chocolate brown eyes and the body of a god. He’s all alpha male and full of ferociousness and yumminess. It’s hard not to drool over Zach…really hard.
‘Kelsie gazed into his warm brown eyes. She liked this Zach, liked when he softened his edges a little and relaxed. She liked how he smiled with his whole face, especially his eyes, and those rare dimples came out. Yes, if Kelsie Carrington-Richmond didn’t watch herself she might do something inexcusably dumb and fall hard for a guy like Zach, which wouldn’t be fair to him.’
Kelsie Carrington-Richmond is the perfect blue eyed, blonde haired former beauty queen that stomped all over Zach’s heart. She was his crush…she was more than his crush, he was a 17 year old in love and he put his trust in her, only to have that thrown back in his face at the worst possible time in his life. Granted…she didn’t know that at the time – but still, she was a teenage girl sucked into the usual vortex of peer pressure and doing what was ‘cool’. Not the most honorable thing to do but chalk it up to inexperience and lack of brain cells being in the proper regions they needed to be at the time.
‘Kelsie Carrington-Richmond was a bitch of the worst kind. She didn’t deserve to be in the same company of a man as kind as Zach Murphy.’
So after a very nasty divorce Kelsie comes looking for Zach…for forgiveness, for help, for a lot of reasons….the last one on this list being the hopes of a friendship. Zach is obviously guarded with the past that he has with her…rightfully so. Thru a twisted first encounter and a lot of the ‘right people in the right place, right time’ scenarios, Kelsie finds herself employed by the Lumberjacks to ‘smooth out’ Zach’s ruff edges…refine the country Texan into something more presentable for the media. That’s only the beginning…the tip of the iceberg, but it’s what brings them together, starts to mend the fences of a very broken and tattered relationship. Is it salvageable…yes. Is there something more beneath the surface of Kelsie and Zach….hell yes. Was I tortured waiting to finally get to that point of them succumbing to that fact…you betcha I was!
“Are you ever going to forgive me?”
He frowned and stared at his hands. “Not sure. I’m struggling with it.”
“You don’t forgive easily.”
“I haven’t met anyone who’s truly earned my forgiveness. The few times I’ve forgiven they’ve proven they don’t deserve it.”
“You must live a tragic, lonely life, Zach Murphy.”
“Yeah, maybe.” The sadness in his eyes undid her.
I swear, I am okay with books drawing out that longing and desire for the couple to be together but I have never been teased this badly by a book. There are two scenes that I was like a cheerleader with my pom-poms, cheering them on to make this thing between them happen already and it was like a false start both time. They get you all hot and bothered and then douse you with ice water – it sucked! I would have been mad if I hadn’t been so disappointed because both scenes were sexy, hot, I was so excited (for them!) and then I was like….wait a minute? What just happened??? No No No! Wait! Rewind….try this again!
“All a guy needs is the right woman. The one that makes you see that there’s nothing else in your life that compares to her.”
Oh and btw – 52% - be prepared….cause I wasn’t. Knocked me for a loop, I did not see that coming and I applaud Jami for completely shocking me with that twist. It was interesting, unexpected and I liked where it took the story line. So…with that twist comes a lot of internal battle with the two of them – doubting each other, questioning if what they were doing was right…you get the picture. She’s damaged from her ex husband, he’s damaged from her. She’s desperate to get out of the situation he is in, he’s desperate to make his current situation better, the easiest way of doing that is by keeping her around to help him. Do they both profit in one way, shape or form from the other…yes. It’s a mutually beneficial scenario…plus it involves sex. Score!
‘Convince Kelsie of what he already knew. That she was his – and his alone – for today and all their tomorrows. Wishful thinking from a desperate man who’d never given up the dream of Kelsie loving him and him alone.’
There is enough angst and conflict just surrounding Zach and Kelsie’s relationship…then you throw in the drama with the team that Zach is having to deal with, the main catalyst being the Quarterback, Tyler Harris. Compounding that conflict with the team is the owner’s daughter Veronica, hate her btw she’s a douche…and then for good measure let’s throw in the evil ex that makes a quick appearance (sleaze bag alert!)
‘She wanted to be more desirable to him than a coveted Super Bowl ring.’
‘He wanted Kelsie even more than he wanted a ring.’
I really enjoyed Down By Contact, it was a sweet, surprising story that kept me thoroughly entertained. While it is part of a series, and I am a stickler for always reading series books in order – I broke my rules for this one (gasp!) and I am very glad I did. Would it have been helpful to know the other characters…probably, but it didn’t bother me or stop me from liking the story I was reading. It definitely makes me want to read the first two books even more. If this is what I can come to expect from Jami Davenport, count me in…cause it’s good stuff. :-)
October 30, 2020
This was awful. I tried reading it cuz I read the first two in the series. The premise was ridiculous & hero wanting to marry her came out of nowhere. I just skimmed rest of the book. Will NOT be reading anything more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2018
Took me a long while to warm to the h...not sure I liked her at all but sort of redeemed herself at the end
March 4, 2023
What a awesome story
I loved keeping and Zach romance. I am a big fan of sports and Football is one of my favorites. Highly recommend
I loved keeping and Zach romance. I am a big fan of sports and Football is one of my favorites. Highly recommend
November 4, 2013
Since I went back and read the first 2 books, I can say with complete confidence that Zach’s story is by far my favorite of the three. I don’t know if it’s because I have a think for his bad boy image; or if it’s the fact that this book basically takes a bad boy and refines him. It might very well be a combination of both things, but either way, it seriously works for me! I am extremely picky on my sports romance, but this series has completely rocked my face off!
Kelsie was that girl that most of us LOVED to hate. She was and had everything that we wanted & had no issues at all projecting mean from every pore of her body. She even ended up married to the star football player in high school! Little did she realize that even the mighty must fall at some point. Realizing that her marriage isn’t what she expected it to be – she leaves. Which proves not to be as easy as she played it out in her head. I love her spunk and the fact that no matter how down she is, she isn’t afraid to grab life by the horns and simply GO FOR IT! Which is exactly what she does when she comes face to face with Zach again.
Zach.. oh Zach. Talk about eye candy to boot! What a well written Alpha he is! He lives and breathes football and will stop at nothing to finally achieve his dream of a Superbowl Ring. Except at his age – the dream seems to slip farther and farther away from him.. Add in the fact that he’s being made to go through the entire “dog and pony show” that his manager is putting him through. Then he runs into Kelsie. The girl who took his heart and stomped all over it. Can his life suck any less?!
I LOVED watching the two of them through the course of this book. Kelsie is dead set on making amends and Zach is dead set on making something of himself. I began to wonder if the two of these things could ever mesh together to become one. Can Zach look within himself to become something more than just the typical dumb jock that everyone thinks he is? The story moved so effortless for that I found myself at the end of the book before I ever wanted to be!
This story had everything I wanted! The Alpha Male, the Stand her Ground Heroine, crazy teammates, insane chicks and hilarity! Oh! & let me not forget to mention the hot love scenes! Yea – completely made the book for me! I loved it and will seriously recommend it to anyone who wants to read some scorching hot romance with a TON of awesomeness on the side!
Kelsie was that girl that most of us LOVED to hate. She was and had everything that we wanted & had no issues at all projecting mean from every pore of her body. She even ended up married to the star football player in high school! Little did she realize that even the mighty must fall at some point. Realizing that her marriage isn’t what she expected it to be – she leaves. Which proves not to be as easy as she played it out in her head. I love her spunk and the fact that no matter how down she is, she isn’t afraid to grab life by the horns and simply GO FOR IT! Which is exactly what she does when she comes face to face with Zach again.
Zach.. oh Zach. Talk about eye candy to boot! What a well written Alpha he is! He lives and breathes football and will stop at nothing to finally achieve his dream of a Superbowl Ring. Except at his age – the dream seems to slip farther and farther away from him.. Add in the fact that he’s being made to go through the entire “dog and pony show” that his manager is putting him through. Then he runs into Kelsie. The girl who took his heart and stomped all over it. Can his life suck any less?!
I LOVED watching the two of them through the course of this book. Kelsie is dead set on making amends and Zach is dead set on making something of himself. I began to wonder if the two of these things could ever mesh together to become one. Can Zach look within himself to become something more than just the typical dumb jock that everyone thinks he is? The story moved so effortless for that I found myself at the end of the book before I ever wanted to be!
This story had everything I wanted! The Alpha Male, the Stand her Ground Heroine, crazy teammates, insane chicks and hilarity! Oh! & let me not forget to mention the hot love scenes! Yea – completely made the book for me! I loved it and will seriously recommend it to anyone who wants to read some scorching hot romance with a TON of awesomeness on the side!
May 8, 2013
Down By Contact was my first read by Jami Davenport and while it is the third book in the Seattle Lumberjacks series it completely stands on its own and served as a great introduction to the authors writing style. I was a little unsure of how much I would like this romance since contemporary romances aren't usually my genre of choice but this one was done really well.
I liked the characters even when I hated them. Especially Zach. He was such an arrogant pain in the rear for a good part of the book I kept wondering if he'd ever shape up and stop acting like a brat...so it's safe to say that I wasn't impressed by him or his actions at all for the first bit of the book but as he and Kelsie (who I thought had her iffy moments) started developing a relationship and he started mellowing out her really grew on me. Plus there were a couple moments in the book where he was just so incredibly sweet it was hard not to like him after all the changes he was making.
Kelsie was a good character too. While sometimes she would be a little snooty (I blame this on her previous mean girl status) she was really down to earth and kind. I liked that she wasn't a complete pushover and like that she was a woman who put her foot down.
The relationship between Kelsie and Zach was rife with chemistry and I loved how despite everything they just seemed to automatically work together even though in many ways they were opposites and probably should not have worked together. They both took what the other dished out and I was surprised by how "real" their love seemed to be.
I thought the plot was really well done. It's one that I haven't really come across before and I liked the whole idea of a sports star having to go to finishing school under the tutelage of his ex-flame was really good.
Overall, I loved this sports themed contemporary romance and am so glad I had the opportunity to review it for this tour. I'm definitely going to be reading more by Jami Davenport and can't wait to read the first two books in this series. I would recommend this to anyone who loves contemporary romance novels where the frog turns into a prince with a headstrong female lead.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.
I liked the characters even when I hated them. Especially Zach. He was such an arrogant pain in the rear for a good part of the book I kept wondering if he'd ever shape up and stop acting like a brat...so it's safe to say that I wasn't impressed by him or his actions at all for the first bit of the book but as he and Kelsie (who I thought had her iffy moments) started developing a relationship and he started mellowing out her really grew on me. Plus there were a couple moments in the book where he was just so incredibly sweet it was hard not to like him after all the changes he was making.
Kelsie was a good character too. While sometimes she would be a little snooty (I blame this on her previous mean girl status) she was really down to earth and kind. I liked that she wasn't a complete pushover and like that she was a woman who put her foot down.
The relationship between Kelsie and Zach was rife with chemistry and I loved how despite everything they just seemed to automatically work together even though in many ways they were opposites and probably should not have worked together. They both took what the other dished out and I was surprised by how "real" their love seemed to be.
I thought the plot was really well done. It's one that I haven't really come across before and I liked the whole idea of a sports star having to go to finishing school under the tutelage of his ex-flame was really good.
Overall, I loved this sports themed contemporary romance and am so glad I had the opportunity to review it for this tour. I'm definitely going to be reading more by Jami Davenport and can't wait to read the first two books in this series. I would recommend this to anyone who loves contemporary romance novels where the frog turns into a prince with a headstrong female lead.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.
April 22, 2014
Read my full review at For Love and Books: Review of Down by Contact
Do you know that feeling where you’re reading a book/series that you absolutely adore and you feel the need to take a break from it, because if you don’t take a breather you’ll finish and then it’s over? That’s exactly how I feel about Jami Davenport’s Seattle Lumberjacks series! I read two books, then take a break so I can drag this series out a bit longer!
I first fell in love with Jami when I read my ARC of Seduced by the Game and a friend told me I HAD to read her Lumberjacks books. I immediately downloaded the first book (Fourth and Goal) to my Kindle and started reading, I was hooked!
Down for the Contact is the third book in this fantastic series, and I feel like I can’t write this review without gushing. Zach is absolutely amazing. He is rough around the edges in the most obnoxious of ways, and reminds me so much of someone in my personal life that I couldn’t help but adore him! Kelsie is the mean girl who broke his heart in high school, and watching these two not only fall deeper in love, but learn to trust one another? It’s amazing.
Another thing I adored about this book is how well incorporated the other stories are. In fact, watching Tyler and Zach play out their Frenemy-ship was one of the parts of this book I loved most! (I loved Ty, and if I’m honest I didn’t expect to love Zach as much as I did because of how much I loved Ty!)
Lately it seems like I’ve read a lot of books that tackle tough situations, and Jami is no exception! The last two books dealt with cancer, this time it’s abuse and homelessness, and she does it well! She doesn’t tip toe, she jumps right in with the negatives – yet the outcomes are realistic and leave us with ugly tears, hope and about a zillion other emotions.
If you’re a fan of Sports Romance (think Jaci Burton, Toni Aleo, Catherine Gayle) then you will love this series!
**A huge thank you to Jami Davenport for a copy of the book to read and review, I loved every single second of this one!!
Do you know that feeling where you’re reading a book/series that you absolutely adore and you feel the need to take a break from it, because if you don’t take a breather you’ll finish and then it’s over? That’s exactly how I feel about Jami Davenport’s Seattle Lumberjacks series! I read two books, then take a break so I can drag this series out a bit longer!
I first fell in love with Jami when I read my ARC of Seduced by the Game and a friend told me I HAD to read her Lumberjacks books. I immediately downloaded the first book (Fourth and Goal) to my Kindle and started reading, I was hooked!
Down for the Contact is the third book in this fantastic series, and I feel like I can’t write this review without gushing. Zach is absolutely amazing. He is rough around the edges in the most obnoxious of ways, and reminds me so much of someone in my personal life that I couldn’t help but adore him! Kelsie is the mean girl who broke his heart in high school, and watching these two not only fall deeper in love, but learn to trust one another? It’s amazing.
Another thing I adored about this book is how well incorporated the other stories are. In fact, watching Tyler and Zach play out their Frenemy-ship was one of the parts of this book I loved most! (I loved Ty, and if I’m honest I didn’t expect to love Zach as much as I did because of how much I loved Ty!)
Lately it seems like I’ve read a lot of books that tackle tough situations, and Jami is no exception! The last two books dealt with cancer, this time it’s abuse and homelessness, and she does it well! She doesn’t tip toe, she jumps right in with the negatives – yet the outcomes are realistic and leave us with ugly tears, hope and about a zillion other emotions.
If you’re a fan of Sports Romance (think Jaci Burton, Toni Aleo, Catherine Gayle) then you will love this series!
**A huge thank you to Jami Davenport for a copy of the book to read and review, I loved every single second of this one!!
April 29, 2014
This book was very good. The story of Bruiser & Mackenzie is one of lust, makeovers, past tragedies & love. Mac has had a crush on Bruiser since he's been on the team but all he & the other guys on the team see is just another friend, they think of Mac as just one of the guys. Working as one of the grounds crew she's trying to get a scholarship from the franchise to finish college which she had to stop 3 yrs earlier when her brother went missing & was presumed dead so she could help her father search for clues to finding her brother. Bruiser is volunteered to take Mac to a special work party & some of the team wives decide to give Mac a makeover so she stands out more & is noticed by the committee who picks the scholarship. This makeover has the heads finally turning of Bruiser & the other guys on the team & Bruiser finds himself drawn to her. Not looking for a relationship of any kind Bruiser would rather let everyone believe that he is the shallow, woman chasing attention hound that he pretends to be, but we see another side to him with his children's burn ward charity & his caring for the kids in it. Bruiser has a tragic past as well with the suicide death of his twin brother after a devastating burn accident, he uses his past to keep people from seeing the real him & from getting close to anyone. Only one problem he can't stay away from Mac. They end up having a physical relationship with both thinking they can walk away when necessary. Enter a young boy burned in a crash that kills his family & Bruiser is there to help him get better but the boy ends up showing Bruiser that he does have a heart & can love. This story had me tearing up a lot because of the angst that both Bruiser & Mac went thru with their individual problems & also with their budding relationship. I recommend this book & series as a great, good feeling read. I hope that there will be a book on Brett soon.
May 8, 2013
This is the third book in the Seattle Lumberjacks series by Jami Davenport. It is however the first one that I have read. Thats ok though. even though the book contains couples from the first two books in the series it is still a stand alone novel. This is also the first book of Ms Davenport's that I have had the pleasure of reading and I think I found a new author to enjoy many times in the future.
Zach's life is football. He knows nothing else. He is considered a dumb jock by many and as such he keeps himself closed off and doesn't easily make friends, or trust others. Kelsie is a former beauty pageant contestant and was considered a mean girl in high school. Back then she chewed Zach's heart up and spit it out. Now she is down on her luck and needs Zach to help her out.
Since the team owner's daughter wants Zach off the team with a passion he must polish his social skills and refine his reputation. Kelsie has started an new business to teach jocks social etiquette. Can the two help each other out. Can Zach trust that Kelsie is no longer the mean girl that she was in high school. Can Kelsie see past Zach's 'dumb jock" ways. The opposites really attract in this novel and it makes for a great story. I enjoyed this book so much, that I plan to go back and read the rest of this series now.
4.5 stars !
see more reviews at welovekink (dot) com
*this book was provided free by the author for an honest review*
Zach's life is football. He knows nothing else. He is considered a dumb jock by many and as such he keeps himself closed off and doesn't easily make friends, or trust others. Kelsie is a former beauty pageant contestant and was considered a mean girl in high school. Back then she chewed Zach's heart up and spit it out. Now she is down on her luck and needs Zach to help her out.
Since the team owner's daughter wants Zach off the team with a passion he must polish his social skills and refine his reputation. Kelsie has started an new business to teach jocks social etiquette. Can the two help each other out. Can Zach trust that Kelsie is no longer the mean girl that she was in high school. Can Kelsie see past Zach's 'dumb jock" ways. The opposites really attract in this novel and it makes for a great story. I enjoyed this book so much, that I plan to go back and read the rest of this series now.
4.5 stars !
see more reviews at welovekink (dot) com
*this book was provided free by the author for an honest review*
December 16, 2015
Zach is traded to the Lumberjack. In his mind this his last chance to get his super bowl ring. As you come to find out that this is one of his promises he made to his brother. His brother was killed at the hands of their own father. I felt that Zach was living his life more for his deceased brother more than for himself.
Enter Kelsie who friended him in high school, but ended up using the friendship to help others bully him. She is later hired to "groom" Zach, and which pisses him off more than anything. Kelsie wasn't aware of the damage she has done until their paths cross years later. She apologizes to him, but he can't get past it. He says words are nothing; that he needs more action.
As the story goes on she lets him because that's what he wants, but he never lets her in. He keeps secrets, but she ends up finding them out.
The two fight their attraction to each other for a lot of the book. They even get married to help his image, but they both love each but won't acknowledge their feelings for one another.
Even more secrets come to surface, because of Veronica the owners daughter. Can they overcome all of the obstacles given to them? It seems every time you think things are finally coming together something else wedges them even more apart.
Overall things come full circle and they get their happily ever after. Every Beast needs his beauty, and Zach gets his.
Enter Kelsie who friended him in high school, but ended up using the friendship to help others bully him. She is later hired to "groom" Zach, and which pisses him off more than anything. Kelsie wasn't aware of the damage she has done until their paths cross years later. She apologizes to him, but he can't get past it. He says words are nothing; that he needs more action.
As the story goes on she lets him because that's what he wants, but he never lets her in. He keeps secrets, but she ends up finding them out.
The two fight their attraction to each other for a lot of the book. They even get married to help his image, but they both love each but won't acknowledge their feelings for one another.
Even more secrets come to surface, because of Veronica the owners daughter. Can they overcome all of the obstacles given to them? It seems every time you think things are finally coming together something else wedges them even more apart.
Overall things come full circle and they get their happily ever after. Every Beast needs his beauty, and Zach gets his.
August 9, 2013
Braine's Talk Supe review
I LOVED DOWN BY CONTACT! Zach and Kelsie's story was well drawn out, well written and very cute and a solid sports contemporary novel. I love how despite both characters having troubled pasts, JDavenport didn't dwell in it too much so the story remained light and tight with sexual tension. Zach's lack of manners are funny and cringe-worthy (see excerpt below) and his classes with Kelsie provided the comedic relief. I love his very rugged character, Zach's downright honest and very unapologetic. His gruffness is more of a mask, a defense mechanism for his part due to growing up poor, his dad in prison and basically not fitting in anywhere all his life. His character development is poignant and heartwarming. Truly Zach is just in need of good loving and Kelsie sure did softened him and buffed him up real good.
DOWN BY CONTACT is a great romantic story. Even if you're not into sports-themed books, you'll love JDavenport's adorable Lumberjacks with their macho personalities and ego-centric attitudes. Inasmuch as they exude the quintessential Alpha vibe, they turn into warm, fuzzy teddies around their mates. They're every sports fan's fantasy as JDavenport dishes out the smex and romance in large doses.
I LOVED DOWN BY CONTACT! Zach and Kelsie's story was well drawn out, well written and very cute and a solid sports contemporary novel. I love how despite both characters having troubled pasts, JDavenport didn't dwell in it too much so the story remained light and tight with sexual tension. Zach's lack of manners are funny and cringe-worthy (see excerpt below) and his classes with Kelsie provided the comedic relief. I love his very rugged character, Zach's downright honest and very unapologetic. His gruffness is more of a mask, a defense mechanism for his part due to growing up poor, his dad in prison and basically not fitting in anywhere all his life. His character development is poignant and heartwarming. Truly Zach is just in need of good loving and Kelsie sure did softened him and buffed him up real good.
DOWN BY CONTACT is a great romantic story. Even if you're not into sports-themed books, you'll love JDavenport's adorable Lumberjacks with their macho personalities and ego-centric attitudes. Inasmuch as they exude the quintessential Alpha vibe, they turn into warm, fuzzy teddies around their mates. They're every sports fan's fantasy as JDavenport dishes out the smex and romance in large doses.
April 24, 2013
The book was for the most part enjoyable. There were two characters who are clearly shown as growing throughout the book, both personally and professionally. The development of the romance was well done and at the end of the book you believe that the relationship will last. The friendships that developed between Zach and his teammates, especially Tyler, and between Kelsie and Lavender and Rachel were also well written. Through their interactions with each other and their friends and opponents, you can see Kelsie's and Zach's growth. I especially enjoyed Kelsie's character arc, growing from a dependent "mean girl" to a strong "nice girl". However, I kept being amazed by how incredibly gauche Zach was written. One could understand that he is not comfortable in certain social situations, especially given his negative associations that developed that fateful night in his teens, but this is taken to the extreme. Furthermore, here is a man who is a professional in the NFL (and not a rookie!) and he knows nothing about press interaction and has a deep-seated hate for quarterbacks!? I kept shaking my head at how ridiculous it all was, and though the plot revolves around his social awkwardness and lack of concern for appearances, it did not have to be so over the top.
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