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Philadelphia Patriots #1-3
The Philadelphia Patriots Books 1-3
From USA Today Bestselling author V.K. Sykes, three steamy, full-length romances about three sexy sports heroes and the women who challenge them at the game of love.
Book 1: Fastball
Baseball reporter Maddie Leclair has spent years chasing her dream job--covering the Philadelphia Patriots major league baseball team. But in order to make it to the top tier of sports reporting, she needs to score an interview with the most private and elusive athlete in baseball, Patriots' superstar Jake Miller.
On the rebound from a devastating injury, the last thing Jake needs is a pushy female reporter distracting him. But one look at Maddie and he finds himself trying for a different kind of play, one that involves bedrooms and not baseball stats. Sleeping together could damage both their careers, and Maddie is all about saying no. But when it comes to the game of love, Jake is playing to win.
Book 2: Hardball
Winner of The Kindle Book Review Best Indie Books of 2012 Contest
After years of hard work, Dr. Holly Bell has finally landed a position as a cardiac surgeon at a prestigious children's hospital in Philadelphia. She's always been about her dedication to work, and she's not letting anything or anyone get in her way. And a hot affair with a superstar athlete is most definitely getting in Holly's way.
Nate Carter, star pitcher for the Philadelphia Patriots, is at the height of his game, with a great career and the most gorgeous women in town in full pursuit. Nate has everything he wants, or at least he thinks he does, until he meets the beautiful and brainy Dr. Holly Bell. He's totally up for a hot affair, and Holly turns out to be the hottest.
But when the lovely doctor starts changing the rules, Nate realizes he just might be playing for keeps.
Book 3: Bigger Than Beckham
Sports journalist Martha Winston's life goes sideways when she inherits a Florida soccer team from her father. The team is almost bankrupt and on the skids, but Martha has vowed to save her beloved father's legacy. But she needs to get a financial infusion fast, or else lose the team to the wolves baying at her door.
Former British soccer hero Tony Branch wants to add Martha's team to his growing sports empire. But he wants it strictly on his terms--full control, not a partnership. When Martha turns him down flat, he's determined to change her mind by any means necessary. If that includes using the sexual heat flaring between them, Tony is more than willing to play a game of seduction.
Book 1: Fastball
Baseball reporter Maddie Leclair has spent years chasing her dream job--covering the Philadelphia Patriots major league baseball team. But in order to make it to the top tier of sports reporting, she needs to score an interview with the most private and elusive athlete in baseball, Patriots' superstar Jake Miller.
On the rebound from a devastating injury, the last thing Jake needs is a pushy female reporter distracting him. But one look at Maddie and he finds himself trying for a different kind of play, one that involves bedrooms and not baseball stats. Sleeping together could damage both their careers, and Maddie is all about saying no. But when it comes to the game of love, Jake is playing to win.
Book 2: Hardball
Winner of The Kindle Book Review Best Indie Books of 2012 Contest
After years of hard work, Dr. Holly Bell has finally landed a position as a cardiac surgeon at a prestigious children's hospital in Philadelphia. She's always been about her dedication to work, and she's not letting anything or anyone get in her way. And a hot affair with a superstar athlete is most definitely getting in Holly's way.
Nate Carter, star pitcher for the Philadelphia Patriots, is at the height of his game, with a great career and the most gorgeous women in town in full pursuit. Nate has everything he wants, or at least he thinks he does, until he meets the beautiful and brainy Dr. Holly Bell. He's totally up for a hot affair, and Holly turns out to be the hottest.
But when the lovely doctor starts changing the rules, Nate realizes he just might be playing for keeps.
Book 3: Bigger Than Beckham
Sports journalist Martha Winston's life goes sideways when she inherits a Florida soccer team from her father. The team is almost bankrupt and on the skids, but Martha has vowed to save her beloved father's legacy. But she needs to get a financial infusion fast, or else lose the team to the wolves baying at her door.
Former British soccer hero Tony Branch wants to add Martha's team to his growing sports empire. But he wants it strictly on his terms--full control, not a partnership. When Martha turns him down flat, he's determined to change her mind by any means necessary. If that includes using the sexual heat flaring between them, Tony is more than willing to play a game of seduction.
808 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2013
55 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
V.K. Sykes
18 books574 followersV.K. Sykes is really two people - Vanessa Kelly and Randy Sykes, a husband and wife team who write USA Today Bestselling contemporary romance. The second book in their Philadelphia Patriots Series of sports romances won the Kindle Book Review Best Indie Books of 2012 Contest, in the romance category. Vanessa also writes award-winning, Regency-set historical romance for Kensington Zebra under her own name. Her first novel, Mastering the Marquess, hit the shelves in April 2009, and she was subsequently named by Booklist as one of the "new stars of historical romance." In February, V.K. will debut a new contemporary romance series called Seashell Bay, published by Grand Central.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 10, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this boxed set. The third one, however, was a chore to get through. I almost DNF'd it a couple of times, but I decided to push through. I'm not really sure why it's even part of the Patriots series. Other than focusing on a character we had met in previous books and a small appearance by Nate from book 2, there was really no relation to the series. I was not a fan of Martha. She went from strong and outspoken in books 1 and 2 to wishy washy in book 3. I found the way she turned the southern charm off and on at the drop of a hat to be annoying. The overall pace of book 3 was just too slow, and it was too long, in my opinion. I also found myself side-eyeing the editing on the third book quite a few times.
Book 1: 3.5 stars
Book 2: 4 stars
Book 3: 2 stars
Book 1: 3.5 stars
Book 2: 4 stars
Book 3: 2 stars
May 3, 2013
Good continuation. Didn't quite have the same chemistry as book 1, but overall good.
***Detailed Review***
HARDBALL is a quick and fast read that continues on the Philadelphia Patriots series. Featuring star pitcher, Nate Carter and pediatric surgeon, Dr. Holly Bell.
Holly is similar to Maddie from book one in the fact that she loves her career and doesn’t want to risk losing it if love isn’t the end result. As a pediatric surgeon, she’s passionate about staying focus on saving the lives of sick children and doesn’t want a relationship to derail her. She’s high class, but I’m glad that wasn’t the main focus between her and Nate.
Nate is an up and coming pitching star. He’s in early stages of talks of being traded to a prestigious team and is floating on air until he runs into Holly while visiting the children. He’s taken with her instantly, but knows she’s going to require a little convincing.
They do start a dating relationship and Nate takes her on some great dates that continue into the bedroom. Meanwhile Holly begins being threatened by an unruly dad over his sons pending surgery he doesn’t want to happen.
In addition, Nate takes an injury to his pitching arm that slightly strains their relationship as he struggles with being away from the game.
Nate is great through supporting her through the fiasco with the father. He even flies her personally down to Florida for a few days of relaxing. It goes great until Holly brings up wanting a commitment of monogamy on the way back.
Breaking up because Nate isn’t going to promise something he’s not sure he can stick too, these two are both put through their paces missing the other. Jake offers that perspective only a married man can give and tells Nate he needs to decide how he feels about Holly. Maddie makes fast friends with Holly, but isn’t able to get her to ease up on her demands.
Overall, it’s the angry father that gets these two back together as his threats escalates when Holly gets the court to overrule his wishes. While Nate’s gone to a mini game to test his shoulder, Holly is attacked by the father. Once Nate is pulled from the game due to his disastrous pitching, he rushes home to Holly with a bad feeling and just in time to save her.
Now, a commitment is all Nate wants as he’s never leaving her again.
Overall, an enjoyable read. This series is a great in between series for when a break is needed. I’m on to book three.
book 3
***Slight Details***
I didn’t enjoy BIGGER THAN BECKHAM has much as I enjoyed the first two books mainly because of the storyline. Even though I know everything will work out, I dislike when the male lead comes into the scene planning to take over the female’s business in some form or fashion.
I also didn’t care too much for sports journalist Martha Winston. She just didn’t have the same feel to her that Jake and Nate had in their story. Her southern bell act wasn’t endearing and quickly got on my nerves (and I’m from the south).
Martha was quite happy with her journalism career, but upon her father’s death, he thrust 80% share interest to her and suddenly she’s in control of a declining pro soccer team with an uncle who only causes problems.
Tony Branch, once soccer hero in London (or football), is now a team owner who loves turning losing teams around.
The negotiation for the team goes back and forth as Martha isn’t willing to sell, but it soon comes down to having no choice and picking the lesser of the two evils.
With a relationship blooming with Tony, Martha would much rather Tony win the quickly escalating bidding war, but his unwillingness to become partners and keep her current staff in jobs threatens to kill the deal.
With some hard work, wise words and love, Tony and Martha are able to make a partnership work and find love.
***Detailed Review***
HARDBALL is a quick and fast read that continues on the Philadelphia Patriots series. Featuring star pitcher, Nate Carter and pediatric surgeon, Dr. Holly Bell.
Holly is similar to Maddie from book one in the fact that she loves her career and doesn’t want to risk losing it if love isn’t the end result. As a pediatric surgeon, she’s passionate about staying focus on saving the lives of sick children and doesn’t want a relationship to derail her. She’s high class, but I’m glad that wasn’t the main focus between her and Nate.
Nate is an up and coming pitching star. He’s in early stages of talks of being traded to a prestigious team and is floating on air until he runs into Holly while visiting the children. He’s taken with her instantly, but knows she’s going to require a little convincing.
They do start a dating relationship and Nate takes her on some great dates that continue into the bedroom. Meanwhile Holly begins being threatened by an unruly dad over his sons pending surgery he doesn’t want to happen.
In addition, Nate takes an injury to his pitching arm that slightly strains their relationship as he struggles with being away from the game.
Nate is great through supporting her through the fiasco with the father. He even flies her personally down to Florida for a few days of relaxing. It goes great until Holly brings up wanting a commitment of monogamy on the way back.
Breaking up because Nate isn’t going to promise something he’s not sure he can stick too, these two are both put through their paces missing the other. Jake offers that perspective only a married man can give and tells Nate he needs to decide how he feels about Holly. Maddie makes fast friends with Holly, but isn’t able to get her to ease up on her demands.
Overall, it’s the angry father that gets these two back together as his threats escalates when Holly gets the court to overrule his wishes. While Nate’s gone to a mini game to test his shoulder, Holly is attacked by the father. Once Nate is pulled from the game due to his disastrous pitching, he rushes home to Holly with a bad feeling and just in time to save her.
Now, a commitment is all Nate wants as he’s never leaving her again.
Overall, an enjoyable read. This series is a great in between series for when a break is needed. I’m on to book three.
book 3
***Slight Details***
I didn’t enjoy BIGGER THAN BECKHAM has much as I enjoyed the first two books mainly because of the storyline. Even though I know everything will work out, I dislike when the male lead comes into the scene planning to take over the female’s business in some form or fashion.
I also didn’t care too much for sports journalist Martha Winston. She just didn’t have the same feel to her that Jake and Nate had in their story. Her southern bell act wasn’t endearing and quickly got on my nerves (and I’m from the south).
Martha was quite happy with her journalism career, but upon her father’s death, he thrust 80% share interest to her and suddenly she’s in control of a declining pro soccer team with an uncle who only causes problems.
Tony Branch, once soccer hero in London (or football), is now a team owner who loves turning losing teams around.
The negotiation for the team goes back and forth as Martha isn’t willing to sell, but it soon comes down to having no choice and picking the lesser of the two evils.
With a relationship blooming with Tony, Martha would much rather Tony win the quickly escalating bidding war, but his unwillingness to become partners and keep her current staff in jobs threatens to kill the deal.
With some hard work, wise words and love, Tony and Martha are able to make a partnership work and find love.
July 28, 2013
This is a box set of 3 romances.
1 - FASTBALL - The story of Maddie Leclair, a sports writer for the Philadelphia Patriots baseball team with the Post News. She is a stickler for the rules & very professional within her position. Until she meets Jake Miller, a super star batsman of the league who has been out injured, but has been called back in after his form in the seconds has been good.
This story is back & forth almost til the end. They are drawn to each other & beautiful together. Maddie is holding back, as conflict eats at her. She doesn't want her career to become collateral damage if it doesn't work. The love life history of someone so famous, knowing that most of it is bull, still not seeing as to why he wants her.
We have some great issues arise & when Maddie is in danger from some bad people, Jake comes through for her. We get a terrific HEA & a Segway into the 2nd story.
2 - HARDBALL - We now get to meet Holly Bell, she's a doctor with the children's hospital, in the cancer ward. A southern girl new to Philly. Nate Carter whom we met in the first book, is the all star pitcher for the Patriots & best friend to Jake Miller.
While visiting the children in the hospital like he regularly does, Nate meets Holly & all the bells chime. We have a lot of to & fro action between these 2. They are hot together but after some issues arise in their relationship Holly pulls back. There is also a not so nice person hanging around & we have a dangerous situation pulsing in the back ground.
Nate takes a bit of time seeing where Holly is coming from, but she isn't just going to settle for a part time, casual, time share, relationship & neither should she. Nate has been a player. Not quite at the level that the papers say, but as with most men he doesn't want to correct things & enjoys the reputation even if it's inflated.
Nate does have a girl in every port so to speak & even though since he met Holly hasn't been with or thought of any other. He still doesn't want to cut all the ties just yet.
Things happen, lives are under threat, but finally we get to the HEA. Wasn't sure we would reach this point but finally all on the same page. The thought of losing Holly for good, finally works miracles Nate now knows that Holly is the one.
We get more of Jake & Maddie as all the friends interact, which make these stories more enjoyable as we already know these people so we can just get on with the plot rather than the character history. Something to be said about hot sportsman Or women & even hotter love scenes. Must be all the rippling hard muscles. Definitely makes for good imagination.
Looking forward to Martha getting her man in the 3rd book.
3 - BIGGER THAN BECKHAM - Well just finished this wonderful box set. This last story was about another sports journalist for the Philadelphia post, Martha Winston. She's a good friend of Maddie, whom we met in the first book & also a good friend to Nate Carter & now great friends with soon to be wife Holly. I think the friendships that intertwine between all 3 books make these stories better.
Martha has been thrown into a situation that makes her life turn upside down. Then in comes the hot & hunky, English ex soccer player Tony Branch. Things heat up in the bedroom & the business world for both of them. We get taken on a ride of emotions & treated to some of the hottest sex scene scenarios that burn through the pages.
Dealing with a whole range of issues at once, this story never gets stale. Right till the end is where we are hoping & finally get the HEA for this pair. Definitely left open for more stories if the author feels the need.
All 3 of these have very original & at times exciting stories, which come across very believable with dealing with real life issues. Great read for the true romantic romance lovers, guaranteed to please.
1 - FASTBALL - The story of Maddie Leclair, a sports writer for the Philadelphia Patriots baseball team with the Post News. She is a stickler for the rules & very professional within her position. Until she meets Jake Miller, a super star batsman of the league who has been out injured, but has been called back in after his form in the seconds has been good.
This story is back & forth almost til the end. They are drawn to each other & beautiful together. Maddie is holding back, as conflict eats at her. She doesn't want her career to become collateral damage if it doesn't work. The love life history of someone so famous, knowing that most of it is bull, still not seeing as to why he wants her.
We have some great issues arise & when Maddie is in danger from some bad people, Jake comes through for her. We get a terrific HEA & a Segway into the 2nd story.
2 - HARDBALL - We now get to meet Holly Bell, she's a doctor with the children's hospital, in the cancer ward. A southern girl new to Philly. Nate Carter whom we met in the first book, is the all star pitcher for the Patriots & best friend to Jake Miller.
While visiting the children in the hospital like he regularly does, Nate meets Holly & all the bells chime. We have a lot of to & fro action between these 2. They are hot together but after some issues arise in their relationship Holly pulls back. There is also a not so nice person hanging around & we have a dangerous situation pulsing in the back ground.
Nate takes a bit of time seeing where Holly is coming from, but she isn't just going to settle for a part time, casual, time share, relationship & neither should she. Nate has been a player. Not quite at the level that the papers say, but as with most men he doesn't want to correct things & enjoys the reputation even if it's inflated.
Nate does have a girl in every port so to speak & even though since he met Holly hasn't been with or thought of any other. He still doesn't want to cut all the ties just yet.
Things happen, lives are under threat, but finally we get to the HEA. Wasn't sure we would reach this point but finally all on the same page. The thought of losing Holly for good, finally works miracles Nate now knows that Holly is the one.
We get more of Jake & Maddie as all the friends interact, which make these stories more enjoyable as we already know these people so we can just get on with the plot rather than the character history. Something to be said about hot sportsman Or women & even hotter love scenes. Must be all the rippling hard muscles. Definitely makes for good imagination.
Looking forward to Martha getting her man in the 3rd book.
3 - BIGGER THAN BECKHAM - Well just finished this wonderful box set. This last story was about another sports journalist for the Philadelphia post, Martha Winston. She's a good friend of Maddie, whom we met in the first book & also a good friend to Nate Carter & now great friends with soon to be wife Holly. I think the friendships that intertwine between all 3 books make these stories better.
Martha has been thrown into a situation that makes her life turn upside down. Then in comes the hot & hunky, English ex soccer player Tony Branch. Things heat up in the bedroom & the business world for both of them. We get taken on a ride of emotions & treated to some of the hottest sex scene scenarios that burn through the pages.
Dealing with a whole range of issues at once, this story never gets stale. Right till the end is where we are hoping & finally get the HEA for this pair. Definitely left open for more stories if the author feels the need.
All 3 of these have very original & at times exciting stories, which come across very believable with dealing with real life issues. Great read for the true romantic romance lovers, guaranteed to please.
February 7, 2014
I didn't know if I should review each book of this three book set separately, or review the collective set of stories. I guess it's just easier to do all three at once, get it over with. I enjoyed all three books, even though they were each different in their own way. The author takes three characters, all associated with the fictional baseball team - the Philadelphia Patriots - and describes how they find love in the most unexpected places. In the first story, FASTBALL, Maddie (a sports writer) falls for Jake, who has just been pulled back into "the big show" after an injury. Forbidden by the team's strict rules regarding fraternization between reporters and jocks, the couple struggles to find their way to love, especially when an ethical conflict gets in the way. In the second story, HARDBALL, star pitcher Nate falls hard for pediatric cardiac surgeon Holly, but their love story hits a lot of bumps along the way as they try to figure out the "rules" while combating an angry father who does not seem to have the best interests of his child at heart. In the last story, BIGGER THAN BECKHAM, the story line switches to soccer when sports journalist, Martha, inherits a soccer team that, for lack of a better description, is at the bottom of the U.S. soccer team heap. Enter Tony, international soccer star and someone interested in purchasing the team from her. Martha and Tony could have a wonderful partnership - on and off the field - if only it weren't for a pesky deathbed promise that she made to her father to never let the team leave family hands. Three different love stories, which each stand alone as good romantic fiction, but together weave a trilogy of stories that don't leave you wondering what happens to the secondary characters along the way.
July 26, 2013
Fastball was my least favorite of the three although it was by no means bad. It was very solid romance novel. It was so solid that the sex wasn't necessary which is odd for a smut lover like me to say. Maybe it just wasn't hot enough for me.
Hardball: This story was so much better than the first one. Holly was a "real" woman that was capable and strong at work but despite her obvious beauty, she had some insecurities regarding relationships. The same could be said for Nate as well. I love that his vulnerable side was shown and that Jake, Maggie & Martha was a part of this story
as well.
Bigger than Beckham: Martha had a story that was worthy of her diva status. I really enjoyed her dynamic with Tony in & out of the bedroom. It was also great to have Nate in this book as well. Great story all around.
Hardball: This story was so much better than the first one. Holly was a "real" woman that was capable and strong at work but despite her obvious beauty, she had some insecurities regarding relationships. The same could be said for Nate as well. I love that his vulnerable side was shown and that Jake, Maggie & Martha was a part of this story
as well.
Bigger than Beckham: Martha had a story that was worthy of her diva status. I really enjoyed her dynamic with Tony in & out of the bedroom. It was also great to have Nate in this book as well. Great story all around.
August 17, 2017
Title: The Philadelphia Patriots Books 1-3
Author: V.K. Sykes
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Ebook
Pages: 808
Rating: 4
Setting: Philadelphia
Main Characters: Book 1 – Maddie, Jake
Book 2 – Holly, Nate
Book 3 – Martha, Tony
Thoughts: I liked the stories but I’m a little bummed that each book is a complete standalone. Some of the characters are there but the story isn’t continued so no worries about missing anything by not reading them in order. I’m not sure what was missing if anything but I wasn’t sucked into the story, I had no problem putting it down to do something else. I still wanted to know what happened (my curious nature) and I enjoyed reading it. I liked the characters, it was good writing with good character development.
Author: V.K. Sykes
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Ebook
Pages: 808
Rating: 4
Setting: Philadelphia
Main Characters: Book 1 – Maddie, Jake
Book 2 – Holly, Nate
Book 3 – Martha, Tony
Thoughts: I liked the stories but I’m a little bummed that each book is a complete standalone. Some of the characters are there but the story isn’t continued so no worries about missing anything by not reading them in order. I’m not sure what was missing if anything but I wasn’t sucked into the story, I had no problem putting it down to do something else. I still wanted to know what happened (my curious nature) and I enjoyed reading it. I liked the characters, it was good writing with good character development.
November 30, 2013
Being a sports fan, I was happy to find this series. This is a new author to me and I wasn't disappointed. I loved how the each book flowed, but you get a little caught up with the characters from the previous books. The steamy parts were indeed steamy, but not too much. Loved these and will read again in the future - always a good sign!
January 18, 2015
A fun collection of modern-day romances featuring strong male and female characters. I enjoyed the interplay of these characters as their stories evolved. I also enjoyed the opportunity of checking in with how the couples were doing via the subsequent books.
May 10, 2013
3.5 stars
May 11, 2013
Truly enjoyed all three books, although I must admit the third book was not my favorite. I love reading about players losing their hearts and discovering that there is more to life than a game.
May 19, 2013
A friend told me about this set and it was only $.99:) Enjoyed all 3 books.
June 5, 2013
2 good stories, 1 I just can't get into
July 22, 2013
All 3 books were great!
September 19, 2013
DNF, stopped at 17%…boring, boring,boring
October 30, 2013
i only loved Nate and Holly's story.
November 7, 2013
Wow very different from another book I've read by this couple. Not enough meat in the storylines and pretty thin romance and definitely not hot enough!
January 18, 2014
loved all 3 would have loved to find out more of what happened after they ended though
February 5, 2016
Good read
Loved the book. Loved the story line in each book. T he best part everyone gets a happy ending. Would highly recommend
Loved the book. Loved the story line in each book. T he best part everyone gets a happy ending. Would highly recommend
April 13, 2013
All great stories.
May 18, 2013
Enjoyed all three books , good value , great to relax with , good writer .
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews