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Tavonesi #1
Love Bats Last
A stormy night changes their lives forever...
In LOVE BATS LAST, (The Tavonesi Series, #1), the baseball diamond isn't the only field for all-star player Alex Tavonesi; he also runs his family's prestigious vineyard. What he can't seem to run is his love life. He's closing in on the perfect vintage and the perfect game, but so far the perfect woman has eluded him.
Veterinarian Jackie Brandon is eluding her aristocratic past and memories of a soccer star who jilted her just before their wedding. She devotes herself to a marine mammal rescue center on the northern California coast, where hundreds of seals and sea lions are washing up dead.
A chance meeting in a midnight storm brings Alex and Jackie together to rescue a stranded whale. Watching her work, he realizes she's the passionate, courageous woman he thought he'd never find—he just has to overcome her deep distrust of jocks. Jackie’s passion and courage lead her to discover what's killing the sea mammals. The culprits want to silence her, and Alex is the only one standing in their way. What will he sacrifice to save the woman he loves?
While each book in the Tavonesi Series, by award-winning author Pamela Aares can be read as a standalone, you may enjoy reading the entire series.
Love Bats Last (Book 1)
Thrown By Love (Book 2)
Fielder's Choice (Book 3)
Love On The Line (Book 4)
In LOVE BATS LAST, (The Tavonesi Series, #1), the baseball diamond isn't the only field for all-star player Alex Tavonesi; he also runs his family's prestigious vineyard. What he can't seem to run is his love life. He's closing in on the perfect vintage and the perfect game, but so far the perfect woman has eluded him.
Veterinarian Jackie Brandon is eluding her aristocratic past and memories of a soccer star who jilted her just before their wedding. She devotes herself to a marine mammal rescue center on the northern California coast, where hundreds of seals and sea lions are washing up dead.
A chance meeting in a midnight storm brings Alex and Jackie together to rescue a stranded whale. Watching her work, he realizes she's the passionate, courageous woman he thought he'd never find—he just has to overcome her deep distrust of jocks. Jackie’s passion and courage lead her to discover what's killing the sea mammals. The culprits want to silence her, and Alex is the only one standing in their way. What will he sacrifice to save the woman he loves?
While each book in the Tavonesi Series, by award-winning author Pamela Aares can be read as a standalone, you may enjoy reading the entire series.
Love Bats Last (Book 1)
Thrown By Love (Book 2)
Fielder's Choice (Book 3)
Love On The Line (Book 4)
317 pages, Paperback
First published November 25, 2013
696 people are currently reading
1922 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Aares
18 books301 followersPamela Aares is a USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author of contemporary and historical romance novels. Her contemporary series, The Tavonesi Series, explores the lives, loves, friendships and sizzling romances of the Tavonesi family.
Her popularity as a romance writer continues to grow with each new book release, so much so, that the Bay area author has drawn comparisons by reviewers to Nora Roberts and Barbara Freethy. You can stay in touch with Pamela by signing up for her New Release Newsletter: http://www.pamelaaares.com/newsletter...
Pamela writes romance books that she loves reading, particularly those that entertain, transport and inspire dreams while captivating and tugging at the heart. She takes her readers on a journey with complex characters in both contemporary and historical settings who are thrown in situations that tempt love, adventure and self-discovery.
Before becoming a romance author, Pamela wrote and produced award-winning films including Your Water, Your Life, featuring actress Susan Sarandon and NPR series New Voices, The Powers of the Universe and The Earth’s Imagination.
She holds a Master’s degree from Harvard and currently resides in the wine country of Northern California with her husband, a former MLB All-Star and two curious cats.
If not behind her computer, you can probably find her reading a romance novel, hiking the beach or savoring life with friends. You can visit Pamela on the web at http://www.PamelaAares.com.
You can stay in touch with Pamela by signing up for her New Release neslwtter: http://www.pamelaaares.com/newsletter...
Her popularity as a romance writer continues to grow with each new book release, so much so, that the Bay area author has drawn comparisons by reviewers to Nora Roberts and Barbara Freethy. You can stay in touch with Pamela by signing up for her New Release Newsletter: http://www.pamelaaares.com/newsletter...
Pamela writes romance books that she loves reading, particularly those that entertain, transport and inspire dreams while captivating and tugging at the heart. She takes her readers on a journey with complex characters in both contemporary and historical settings who are thrown in situations that tempt love, adventure and self-discovery.
Before becoming a romance author, Pamela wrote and produced award-winning films including Your Water, Your Life, featuring actress Susan Sarandon and NPR series New Voices, The Powers of the Universe and The Earth’s Imagination.
She holds a Master’s degree from Harvard and currently resides in the wine country of Northern California with her husband, a former MLB All-Star and two curious cats.
If not behind her computer, you can probably find her reading a romance novel, hiking the beach or savoring life with friends. You can visit Pamela on the web at http://www.PamelaAares.com.
You can stay in touch with Pamela by signing up for her New Release neslwtter: http://www.pamelaaares.com/newsletter...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
May 22, 2014
Originally posted at The Book Nympho
Quick Summary
Alex Tavonesi isn't your typical athlete. He's a vintner who inherited his family vineyard and he's a star first baseman for the San Francisco Giants with a shot at winning this year's Triple Crown. Jackie Brandon is a world renowned marine mammal veterinarian from England, now running a marine rescue center/hospital in San Francisco. Their first meeting was...kismet, at least for Alex.
The heart of the story
Alex doesn't have the capacity for any distractions as he focuses on the baseball batting prize. But he's drawn to Jackie like a moth to flame. She's pretty prickly and has vowed off relationships after a very bad one years ago and both have extremely challenging careers that require intense concentration. It's a dance they're losing when Alex drifts into a volunteer role at the center...during the season!
The strength of the tale
This is NOT your typical baseball story. I loved what I learned about a player's mindset about the game. I've been a baseball fan for a long time and had no clue about the mental rigor and preparation in parallel with the physical skills for a player to be successful. It was fascinating and didn't overwhelm the story. I also got an education about marine mammal issues and those committed to their sustenance and survival.
Alex and Jackie are extremely well developed characters, so much so that I felt I knew them intimately by the end of the book. He's a dreamboat, really. Jackie was tougher to warm up to but I got there. Theirs is an unconventional romance that fit who they were individually and as a developing couple, sensual and intense.
The bottom line
The writer delivers so much more than a standard romance. Issues related to the vineyard, marine mammal rescue and baseball were well researched and presented. Nora Roberts is the only other romance writer I've read that gives you this type of education along with a love story. There was also a pretty exciting climax and not just related to sports. I loved the story, the writing and the characters. Nice surprise.
(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)
Quick Summary
Alex Tavonesi isn't your typical athlete. He's a vintner who inherited his family vineyard and he's a star first baseman for the San Francisco Giants with a shot at winning this year's Triple Crown. Jackie Brandon is a world renowned marine mammal veterinarian from England, now running a marine rescue center/hospital in San Francisco. Their first meeting was...kismet, at least for Alex.
The heart of the story
Alex doesn't have the capacity for any distractions as he focuses on the baseball batting prize. But he's drawn to Jackie like a moth to flame. She's pretty prickly and has vowed off relationships after a very bad one years ago and both have extremely challenging careers that require intense concentration. It's a dance they're losing when Alex drifts into a volunteer role at the center...during the season!
The strength of the tale
This is NOT your typical baseball story. I loved what I learned about a player's mindset about the game. I've been a baseball fan for a long time and had no clue about the mental rigor and preparation in parallel with the physical skills for a player to be successful. It was fascinating and didn't overwhelm the story. I also got an education about marine mammal issues and those committed to their sustenance and survival.
Alex and Jackie are extremely well developed characters, so much so that I felt I knew them intimately by the end of the book. He's a dreamboat, really. Jackie was tougher to warm up to but I got there. Theirs is an unconventional romance that fit who they were individually and as a developing couple, sensual and intense.
The bottom line
The writer delivers so much more than a standard romance. Issues related to the vineyard, marine mammal rescue and baseball were well researched and presented. Nora Roberts is the only other romance writer I've read that gives you this type of education along with a love story. There was also a pretty exciting climax and not just related to sports. I loved the story, the writing and the characters. Nice surprise.
(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)
November 24, 2016
I got this as a free e-book on Amazon Kindle...read a while back and sort of remember it. I am not planning on reading the rest of the Tavonesi Series...didn't grab me.
December 30, 2015
only stuck it out because I needed a book for a challenge and this fit it on multiple ways...
guy was too perfect - superstar baseball player; runs his family vineyard and volunteers to help rescue sea animals - blech!
guy was too perfect - superstar baseball player; runs his family vineyard and volunteers to help rescue sea animals - blech!
Want to read
June 28, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/28/2020)! 🎁
January 30, 2014
Alex Tavonesi isn’t looking for love. He is focused on his game. A successful Baseball player and manager of his Father’s prestigious Vineyard he isn’t ready for the distraction of trying to find ‘The One’.
Veterinarian Jackie Brandon is trying to escape her affluent upbringing in England, and the lover who jilted her at the altar.
Devoting all of her time to helping the marine life and mammals on the Northern California coast.
During a stormy night while rescuing a beached whale she and Alex meet.
He is drawn to her and while watching her work tirelessly in trying to find who or what is poisoning all these beautiful creatures he soon realises she could be the missing part of him.
In a sinister turn of events, could the culprits of the poisonings destroy the couple before they’ve begun?
With a multitude of romance of novels flooding the market at the moment I’m happy to give something a little different a chance.
I am truly grateful for having been given the opportunity to read this wonderful story, at first glance you’d think it would be a run of the mill Jock romance with a pretty girl but the depth and complications in this story completely drew me in and had me hooked.
Jackie is a complex character and sometimes incredibly frustrating to read, she is stubborn, strong and also scared of her own feelings and with that comes a frustrating dialogue with the character of Alex but fundamentally it works because they both need to regain an element of trust in each other.
With the surrounding characters I found they fit well into this story, they complement the darker sides to this story and add an element of comedy.
I loved reading the romantic/sex scenes. They were written perfectly with the right amount of descriptive. With some British terminology thrown in I couldn’t help but giggle, having read many American romances it was refreshing to feel at home with this.
What else can I say apart from that this book will have your heart in your mouth, you will shout, sigh and smile at the characters and love every minute.
ARC Supplied For Review.
Veterinarian Jackie Brandon is trying to escape her affluent upbringing in England, and the lover who jilted her at the altar.
Devoting all of her time to helping the marine life and mammals on the Northern California coast.
During a stormy night while rescuing a beached whale she and Alex meet.
He is drawn to her and while watching her work tirelessly in trying to find who or what is poisoning all these beautiful creatures he soon realises she could be the missing part of him.
In a sinister turn of events, could the culprits of the poisonings destroy the couple before they’ve begun?
With a multitude of romance of novels flooding the market at the moment I’m happy to give something a little different a chance.
I am truly grateful for having been given the opportunity to read this wonderful story, at first glance you’d think it would be a run of the mill Jock romance with a pretty girl but the depth and complications in this story completely drew me in and had me hooked.
Jackie is a complex character and sometimes incredibly frustrating to read, she is stubborn, strong and also scared of her own feelings and with that comes a frustrating dialogue with the character of Alex but fundamentally it works because they both need to regain an element of trust in each other.
With the surrounding characters I found they fit well into this story, they complement the darker sides to this story and add an element of comedy.
I loved reading the romantic/sex scenes. They were written perfectly with the right amount of descriptive. With some British terminology thrown in I couldn’t help but giggle, having read many American romances it was refreshing to feel at home with this.
What else can I say apart from that this book will have your heart in your mouth, you will shout, sigh and smile at the characters and love every minute.
ARC Supplied For Review.
June 6, 2015
This was fun --- well-rounded characters, a scientific-minded heroine, and a romance that doesn't depend on endless sex scenes to fill pages. The sports element didn't even annoy me, which is saying a lot.
March 20, 2023
Pamela Aares hit it out of the park with this book. (Okay, okay, I'll stop with the baseball metaphors.)
In Love Bats Last, Alex Tavonesi isn't the airheaded jock we're expecting. He is well-rounded, major league All-Star and coastal winery owner.
Dr. Jackie Brandon, veterinarian to the sea at a marine mammal rescue center that has seen better days against an influx of sick and injured animals.
When they first meet, sparks fly. of course, she's calf-deep in mud trying in vain to unstick her Zodiac and he ruins a thousand-dollar suit to help her out, but hey, all love stories can't be the same.
What I love so much about this book is that neither of them have to give up what they love most in order to be with the person they love. Do they make reckless choices? Yes. Do these choices have consequences? Yes. Does love end up batting last? Yes, but that's just because it has the home field advantage to come out victorious.
In Love Bats Last, Alex Tavonesi isn't the airheaded jock we're expecting. He is well-rounded, major league All-Star and coastal winery owner.
Dr. Jackie Brandon, veterinarian to the sea at a marine mammal rescue center that has seen better days against an influx of sick and injured animals.
When they first meet, sparks fly. of course, she's calf-deep in mud trying in vain to unstick her Zodiac and he ruins a thousand-dollar suit to help her out, but hey, all love stories can't be the same.
What I love so much about this book is that neither of them have to give up what they love most in order to be with the person they love. Do they make reckless choices? Yes. Do these choices have consequences? Yes. Does love end up batting last? Yes, but that's just because it has the home field advantage to come out victorious.
March 15, 2025
I loved everything about this romance. Alex was comfortable with himself and his masculinity and he didn’t need to be alpha or a-hole and could fully appreciate Jackie’s independent spirit. He really ‘got’ her, even while shaking his head at himself over why this particular woman was getting under his skin. Jackie took a little more to warm up to; her banter with Alex and her coworker Gage helped make her more human. The mystery/suspense raises the stakes without detracting from the romance (although the bad guy goes a little more violent than I expected). I will admit it lagged a little bit when they still hadn’t gotten together past the 50% mark, but the build-up was worth it (both the mystery and the romance)!
October 26, 2020
This was a really fun read. I usually find that books with the male love interest being a sportsman usually revolve around just that, so it was great to see this one leaning more heavily on the sea life side of things. I really liked the characters, especially the side ones, they really managed to charm me. Um, there really isn’t much else to say about this, I just enjoyed myself. I thought that maybe it ended a tad abruptly, I feel like there are still some questions left unanswered, but other than that, I’m pretty satisfied.
April 21, 2020
An emotional baseball romance and one that made me swoon several times. If you're missing baseball and want to escape from your quarantine life for a little while, pick this up today.
My Rating: 5 stars
My Rating: 5 stars
October 31, 2014
Do you prefer your sportsmen in those tight little white pants ? Are you more a baseball girl than football/ Rugby ? Love Bats Last is the first book in Pamela Aares series "Tavonesi" and mixes Sports, Romance and Marine life within it's pages. Love Bats Last starts with Alex discovering Jackie Brandon in a small dinghy along the riverbed down from his vineyard and notices something about her that he likes. Alex doesn't want one of those society girls or those baseball hanger-on's. After inheriting his father's vineyard , he spends alot of his time between the vineyard and his love of baseball. Jackie Brandon has vowed never to date ot fall in love with another sports player and has vowed to keep her "title" under wraps as Jackie comes from London aristocracy. Eager to get to know Jackie better , Alex volunteers his time at the Marine Center. Someone is poisoning the waterways and killing the seals and Jackie is getting closer to capturing and finding out the truth, but what will happen when she is kidnapped first and is silenced ? Will Alex discover the truth about what has been happening down the road from him before it's too late and he has lost his chance of love with Jackie ? Of course romance never dies, and we are all for big displays of feelings and Alex does not disappoint as he does an amazing gesture to win Jackie's love.
November 30, 2013
Alex Tavonesi is a famous baseball player and heir to a vineyard in northern California. When he bumps into Jackie Brandon snooping around his vineyard he’s instantly attracted to her. Jackie works as a veterinarian at the California Marine Mammal Center. She must get to the bottom of why seals and sea lions are mysteriously dying. She discovers a poisons substance being dumped into the water close by the vineyards. Alex volunteers at the marine center to get closer to Jackie but the last thing she’s looking for is a relationship, especially with a jock. As their attraction grows, Alex is having a hard time staying focused on his big hitting season and Jackie is distracted from uncovering the truth.
The best way to describe this gripping romance story is “hot.” Alex is surprisingly a level headed sweetheart for being so rich and famous. Jackie is career minded and I enjoyed learning more about saving marine animals. My favorite reads are spin-off series by Nora Roberts and I’m happy to find another author I love reading as much. A great love story that will wrap you up in the steamy hot attraction between Alex and Jackie but the danger threatening their lives will keep you on edge.
I’m looking forward to reading all of the In the Heart of the Game Series.
The best way to describe this gripping romance story is “hot.” Alex is surprisingly a level headed sweetheart for being so rich and famous. Jackie is career minded and I enjoyed learning more about saving marine animals. My favorite reads are spin-off series by Nora Roberts and I’m happy to find another author I love reading as much. A great love story that will wrap you up in the steamy hot attraction between Alex and Jackie but the danger threatening their lives will keep you on edge.
I’m looking forward to reading all of the In the Heart of the Game Series.
February 26, 2014
This is a really lovely hot story. It's based on two characters Alex and Jackie.
Alex is a baseball player and he manages his fathers vineyard. He's hot and sexy and I just loved reading about him.
Jackie is a vet who works in a marine centre. She's trying to find out why the sea lions & seals are dying mysteriously. Alex can't resist volunteering in the centre to be close to Jackie.
The research the author did for this book on the two main subjects- baseball and marine biology is fantastic. I certainly love reading a book that broadens my mind with subjects I know nothing about. When I started reading this I wasn't interested in either subjects but once I got into the book my views changed.
Great writing with a brilliant storyline.
Received arc in return for an honest review.
Alex is a baseball player and he manages his fathers vineyard. He's hot and sexy and I just loved reading about him.
Jackie is a vet who works in a marine centre. She's trying to find out why the sea lions & seals are dying mysteriously. Alex can't resist volunteering in the centre to be close to Jackie.
The research the author did for this book on the two main subjects- baseball and marine biology is fantastic. I certainly love reading a book that broadens my mind with subjects I know nothing about. When I started reading this I wasn't interested in either subjects but once I got into the book my views changed.
Great writing with a brilliant storyline.
Received arc in return for an honest review.
February 15, 2014
Triple Crown Ms. Aares! This story has so many levels that all weave together beautifully.
Read full review in the 2014 February issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2014 February issue of InD’tale Magazine.
October 28, 2016
I really liked the info on the Marine Mammal rescue. Could have been a little less resistance from Jackie. Liked her friendship with Gabe. Would like to see him get his own story. Loved Alex's character. Easy read. I had figured out who the bad guys were early on, but not what they were doing.
December 27, 2015
Great read
This book was exciting and such a sweet romantic read. I love that she was an independent woman and didn't need him but chose to have him just the same.
This book was exciting and such a sweet romantic read. I love that she was an independent woman and didn't need him but chose to have him just the same.
January 3, 2018
An enjoyable and easy read, this is the first in a series by this author. Alex is the first baseman for the San Francisco Giants who feels like there is something missing from his life, he just doesn't know what. Even though his goal is to get the Triple Crown, he still knows there is something more that he needs. It's not until he runs into Dr. Jackie Brandon that he is beginning to realize what it is. Jackie is a vet for marine sanctuary who is trying to figure out what is killing the lcoal marine life, specifically the seals. While out getting soil and water samples, she unexpectantly runs into Alex. Even though she finds him handsome and mysterious, she knows she doesn't have time for any type of personal relationship. After Alex shows up at the marine sanctuary to volunteer, Jackie tries her best to fight her attraction to him by coming up with all kinds of reasons. Alex feels the attraction with Jackie but tries to fight it, thinking he doesn't have the time to pursue a relationship between playing baseball and running the family vineyard. When Alex decides to pursue Jackie, he tries his best to do everything he can to get her to give them a chance. Jackie keeps fighting it but when Gage keeps pestering her to give him a chance, she thinks about everything he has done and decides to go for it. Meanwhile, someone is trying to sabotage her findings with the water samples to keep something hidden. After her life is put in danger, Alex comes to the rescue and tries to convince her that he is all in and wants the same from her. Jackie is afraid that her past life in England will come between them if he ever finds out the truth. The love scenes are not steamy as other books but it leaves more to the reader's imagination. I was satisfied with the ending of the book and look forward to reading others in this series.
August 31, 2022
Alex is a baseball star – one of the best hitters in the National League and on the way to winning the batting Triple Crown. He also owns a successful winery. He is wealthy, a talented athlete and a really nice guy.
Jackie is a veterinarian/scientist. She runs a rescue site which specializes in helping seals, sea lions and otters. She is British, very intelligent and so devoted to her work she has no time in life for anything or anyone.
When these two people meet, there is an immediate attraction on an emotional as well as physical level.
Jackie is investigating what is killing harbor seals. There is excessive fertilizer in the water draining into the bay area. And when radon is found in the same water samples the mystery deepens. Who would be doing this and where in the world is it originating. The people responsible are obviously very dangerous and no one but me seemed to notice some of the bad things being done around the rescue center.
This book has a really interesting plot. The information about rescuing and helping wildlife is wonderful. But, it sure seemed for all that there were parts of the book which bogged down.
I am a sports fan, so I liked that part of the book. I am an animal lover, so I liked that part of the book. And I admired Jackie and Alex and most of the secondary characters. So, what in the world made me feel as though the book had some very slow parts.
I am going to look into some other books in this series. I hope the next book is more consistently exciting.
Jackie is a veterinarian/scientist. She runs a rescue site which specializes in helping seals, sea lions and otters. She is British, very intelligent and so devoted to her work she has no time in life for anything or anyone.
When these two people meet, there is an immediate attraction on an emotional as well as physical level.
Jackie is investigating what is killing harbor seals. There is excessive fertilizer in the water draining into the bay area. And when radon is found in the same water samples the mystery deepens. Who would be doing this and where in the world is it originating. The people responsible are obviously very dangerous and no one but me seemed to notice some of the bad things being done around the rescue center.
This book has a really interesting plot. The information about rescuing and helping wildlife is wonderful. But, it sure seemed for all that there were parts of the book which bogged down.
I am a sports fan, so I liked that part of the book. I am an animal lover, so I liked that part of the book. And I admired Jackie and Alex and most of the secondary characters. So, what in the world made me feel as though the book had some very slow parts.
I am going to look into some other books in this series. I hope the next book is more consistently exciting.
March 11, 2019
** Provided by the author for an honest review **
50% Through...
After a break from reading due to personal issues I was worried I'd lost that little spark with finding enjoyment from reading. However, this is not the case.
Pamela so far has got me addicted to reading again and I'm so relieved about that.
I am in love with the book so far and if I have nothing to do or can manage multi-tasking I'm reading: eating, waiting for people, before bed, waking up, just going for a drive to somewhere quiet and sitting with my kindle!
Loving Jackie, Alex, Gage and the Seals :)
100%
Awww, I am so in love with these two! I think it's the fact that they don't jump straight into bed together and there isn't no cheesy chat up lines (which i'm not against) but it was nice to see true love develop between normal people.
I never saw the twist coming... Well, I did... But not over that... If that makes sense, I guessed that certain people were involved and that it was based were it was.... Just not the cover!
The flow of the story is perfect, I never got bored or thought about skipping ahead... the whole book was written perfectly. Pamela, you're a genius!
I'm excited to get started on book two tonight :)
Everyone must read this book!!
50% Through...
After a break from reading due to personal issues I was worried I'd lost that little spark with finding enjoyment from reading. However, this is not the case.
Pamela so far has got me addicted to reading again and I'm so relieved about that.
I am in love with the book so far and if I have nothing to do or can manage multi-tasking I'm reading: eating, waiting for people, before bed, waking up, just going for a drive to somewhere quiet and sitting with my kindle!
Loving Jackie, Alex, Gage and the Seals :)
100%
Awww, I am so in love with these two! I think it's the fact that they don't jump straight into bed together and there isn't no cheesy chat up lines (which i'm not against) but it was nice to see true love develop between normal people.
I never saw the twist coming... Well, I did... But not over that... If that makes sense, I guessed that certain people were involved and that it was based were it was.... Just not the cover!
The flow of the story is perfect, I never got bored or thought about skipping ahead... the whole book was written perfectly. Pamela, you're a genius!
I'm excited to get started on book two tonight :)
Everyone must read this book!!
June 10, 2017
Cute and fun. Jackie Brandon is an English aristocrat who is also a marine mammal vet investigating why seals and sea lions are becoming sick and dying. She meets Alex Tavonesi when she's collecting samples of water near his winery. There is instant chemistry between them, but Jackie is focused on her career and her Marine Mammal Center and has no room in her life for a man.
In addition to owning a winery (that he inherited when his father died), Alex is first baseman for the San Francisco Giants and is looking to clinch the "Triple Crown" of batting this year. He has no room in his life for women or romance or anything that might distract him from winning the Triple Crown.
Alex, against his better judgment, volunteers at the Marine Mammal Center just to be near Jackie. Jackie resists his attention at first, but both find themselves falling in love.
There is some intrigue in the story, as someone breaks into the Center and steals Jackie's water samples.
The supporting characters add depth: Gage, Jackie's 2nd-in-command; Sabrina, Alex's sister; Scotty, Alex's teammate.
This is the first in a series and I know I'll be reading others.
In addition to owning a winery (that he inherited when his father died), Alex is first baseman for the San Francisco Giants and is looking to clinch the "Triple Crown" of batting this year. He has no room in his life for women or romance or anything that might distract him from winning the Triple Crown.
Alex, against his better judgment, volunteers at the Marine Mammal Center just to be near Jackie. Jackie resists his attention at first, but both find themselves falling in love.
There is some intrigue in the story, as someone breaks into the Center and steals Jackie's water samples.
The supporting characters add depth: Gage, Jackie's 2nd-in-command; Sabrina, Alex's sister; Scotty, Alex's teammate.
This is the first in a series and I know I'll be reading others.
October 7, 2018
Please dont read my review if you dont like spoilers. I do this so i can remember what i have read as i read so many books. Thanks.
Alex is a pro baseball player and Jackie is a sealife animal rescue officer. The first two thirds of the book are all about the attraction between Alex and Jackie when Alex startes volunteering at the rescue centre. It is quite boring and i found it very hard to stay interested. Skip to the last few chapters and this part of the book is good. Jackie is kidnapped and Alex uses his friends in high places to save her and they fall in love. I am really interested in baseball and was really looking forward to reading this book but was very disappointed in the lack of baseball in it. It was all about sealife rescue.
Alex is a pro baseball player and Jackie is a sealife animal rescue officer. The first two thirds of the book are all about the attraction between Alex and Jackie when Alex startes volunteering at the rescue centre. It is quite boring and i found it very hard to stay interested. Skip to the last few chapters and this part of the book is good. Jackie is kidnapped and Alex uses his friends in high places to save her and they fall in love. I am really interested in baseball and was really looking forward to reading this book but was very disappointed in the lack of baseball in it. It was all about sealife rescue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2017
Baseball, intrigue, romance
I enjoy watching baseball so to find a romance book with baseball the main part of the book, I thought why not. Loved it. Alex is an athlete who has it all, but love. Jackie is a veterinary for marine mammals. She was burned by love before so doesn't want anything to do with it. I enjoyed reading what attracted them to each other- strength, brains, skill, physique. I will definitely read more by Pamela Aares as buying the next book after finishing this review. I would definitely recommend this book to read. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.
I enjoy watching baseball so to find a romance book with baseball the main part of the book, I thought why not. Loved it. Alex is an athlete who has it all, but love. Jackie is a veterinary for marine mammals. She was burned by love before so doesn't want anything to do with it. I enjoyed reading what attracted them to each other- strength, brains, skill, physique. I will definitely read more by Pamela Aares as buying the next book after finishing this review. I would definitely recommend this book to read. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.
March 13, 2018
Great potential but fell a little short
Well written interesting premise but something is missing. The love story between Dr. Jacqueline Brandon, Vet,and Alex Tovanesi,vintner, baseball player has a mystery running through it that when it concludes it is a tremendous let down. The reader is left hanging and has to work out for themselves what this was all about. It is a shame because the book really could have been great when at times it became a little long winded. Good side bar on baseball however that too left us a little short changed. Recommend you read it for yourself as you may not feel the same way I do. 2.5 Stars from me .............
Well written interesting premise but something is missing. The love story between Dr. Jacqueline Brandon, Vet,and Alex Tovanesi,vintner, baseball player has a mystery running through it that when it concludes it is a tremendous let down. The reader is left hanging and has to work out for themselves what this was all about. It is a shame because the book really could have been great when at times it became a little long winded. Good side bar on baseball however that too left us a little short changed. Recommend you read it for yourself as you may not feel the same way I do. 2.5 Stars from me .............
October 2, 2019
Huh? Fertilizer and wine country
When did we make that left hand turn. And Russians...really. The main story is alright. It
takes the right amount of time to get there. The escalating quickly is okay because emotionally the ground work is laid. The twist is really out of no where I would have went somewhere else with fertilizer and radioactivity but to each their own. The toddler building of careers where he's a vintner and a baseball player, and she's an animal vet and an aristocrat is slightly weird. But at the heart there is pretty decent story telling. I just really hated the twist.
When did we make that left hand turn. And Russians...really. The main story is alright. It
takes the right amount of time to get there. The escalating quickly is okay because emotionally the ground work is laid. The twist is really out of no where I would have went somewhere else with fertilizer and radioactivity but to each their own. The toddler building of careers where he's a vintner and a baseball player, and she's an animal vet and an aristocrat is slightly weird. But at the heart there is pretty decent story telling. I just really hated the twist.
March 23, 2024
I couldn't feel any connection between the two main characters. I found the fmc annoying and the mmc seemed too perfect. Not only does he excel as a baseball player, he also runs the family vineyard and then he's also really interested saving sea animals and becomes one of the best volunteers at the rescue centre.
The most annoying part of the book though was that every time the mmc saw the fmc he'd get an erection! No matter where they were or what the circumstances, one look and he's getting a hard-on!
I've read the second book in the series too and the mmc is exactly the same. Does the author really believe that men have so little self control?!
The most annoying part of the book though was that every time the mmc saw the fmc he'd get an erection! No matter where they were or what the circumstances, one look and he's getting a hard-on!
I've read the second book in the series too and the mmc is exactly the same. Does the author really believe that men have so little self control?!
January 29, 2017
Working your way to trust
Alex is a pro baseball player and owner of the family vineyards. Jackie is a veterinarian with a specific love for ocean life, particularly seals & sea lions. This story has some great twists and turns. A ball player with a heart of gold and a vet who has a sad history with pro ball players. This was a well written story with intrigue, light suspense, trust issues and a whole lotta love!! I enjoyed this book and I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series!!
Alex is a pro baseball player and owner of the family vineyards. Jackie is a veterinarian with a specific love for ocean life, particularly seals & sea lions. This story has some great twists and turns. A ball player with a heart of gold and a vet who has a sad history with pro ball players. This was a well written story with intrigue, light suspense, trust issues and a whole lotta love!! I enjoyed this book and I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series!!
August 5, 2018
Alex & Jackie
Alex Tavonesi, an all-star outfielder for the Giants, is on line for winning a a batting triple crown. He also is managing the family vineyard. He meets marine biologist/veterinarian Jackie on the riverbank below the vineyard, where she is pulling water samples. Something is killing her beloved sea lions.
Alex is attracted, and begins volunteering at the Marine Mammal Center where Jackie works, against his better judgement given his baseball commitments.
Excellent plotting & characterization with mystery thrown in.
Alex Tavonesi, an all-star outfielder for the Giants, is on line for winning a a batting triple crown. He also is managing the family vineyard. He meets marine biologist/veterinarian Jackie on the riverbank below the vineyard, where she is pulling water samples. Something is killing her beloved sea lions.
Alex is attracted, and begins volunteering at the Marine Mammal Center where Jackie works, against his better judgement given his baseball commitments.
Excellent plotting & characterization with mystery thrown in.
May 17, 2018
Perfect book for me with all the topics I like: romance, suspense, love, and as additional value I learnt a lot about marine mammels around San Francisco bay and baseball, a sport unknown to me as a German.
For hero and heroine it is not love at first sight, it devellops slowly and with obstacles. I also loved the supporting characters with their hilarious banter.
The book is well edited with impeccable grammar, a rare find nowadays.
For hero and heroine it is not love at first sight, it devellops slowly and with obstacles. I also loved the supporting characters with their hilarious banter.
The book is well edited with impeccable grammar, a rare find nowadays.
February 29, 2020
Alex had a love for baseball and studying marine biology, baseball won out. Then when his father died he took over the vineyard. Something was missing, was a woman who would share interest in baseball, and not the fame of the team. Meeting Jackie as they work together to save a whale, he is intrigued with her passion. She is trying to find who is pulverizing the water with fertilizer. It had a good mystery along with romance.
January 2, 2018
Adventure and Romance
Such an exciting book! The ups and downs of baseball great Alex and the dedication of marine vet Jackie to all things ocean make for a fun tale on their way to falling in love. Add in the Russian drug Lord's and the stunning winery owned by Alex and you have a great plot, interesting characters and a wonderful love story! Perfect hit!
Such an exciting book! The ups and downs of baseball great Alex and the dedication of marine vet Jackie to all things ocean make for a fun tale on their way to falling in love. Add in the Russian drug Lord's and the stunning winery owned by Alex and you have a great plot, interesting characters and a wonderful love story! Perfect hit!
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