Genre: Erotic Interracial Romance Heat Level: 3 Word Count: 75, 580 ISBN: 978-0-3695-0022-9 Editor: Melissa Hosack Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Lady Balls by Liz Crowe

Heat Level 3
$4.99
SKU 978-0-3695-0022-9
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Thanks to a soccer-career-ending accident, Kayla Franklin has given up on everything she ever worked for or wanted from life. She’s been avoiding her family, living in a crappy apartment with her best friend, and slinging overpriced drinks ever since. When TV executive J.D. Baxter crashes into the bar, and her life, she’s already determined that rock bottom is her destiny.

Retired NFL quarterback and semi-pro bachelor J.D. Baxter used his millions to found a unique sports station—one run entirely by women. When he decides that retired player Makayla Franklin will make the perfect subject for a new documentary, he pays a visit to the dive bar where she works, only to have his world knocked way off its axis.

Kayla agrees to his documentary proposal, and attempts not to fall for the playboy athlete who’s populated his TV station with plenty of women from his past. When he asks her to pose as his fiancée, things get hilarious, then interesting … and then smoking hot.

 

Excerpt:

The bar was swamped by five o'clock, which was no surprise. Kayla worked as fast as she could, slinging the beer and disgusting bar food with what she thought was a fair bit of rapidity and the proper amount of attitude. She was the opposite of in the mood, which really helped her cope with annoyances like her manager, Brad, who seemed to spend the better part of her every shift staring at her tits.

But now, here she was, pausing with four huge pints of beer in one hand and a plate of disgusting, orange-cheese-like-substance-covered nachos in the other. Her. A former soccer superstar. The one who was going to take the women’s national team to … oh hell. It didn’t pay to dwell.

Nope, this was her shiny new reality, in her redneck Daisy Dukes and black halter top, customer eyeballs crawling all over her. When her face burned in its familiar self-pity-party pre-teary-ness, she set her jaw, plunked the beers down in front a group of random dudes, all the while leaning over just enough to provide a good view, then headed back to the bar, clearing tables on the way.

And then … it happened.

Or rather he happened.

Some douchebag with a smart phone stuck to his ear rounded a blind corner and plowed straight into her, sending the contents of all those not-quite-empty glasses of random booze all down the front of her halter top. He’d hit her weak side, the one that had ruined her future as a soccer super star. She sensed herself falling, watched it from a distance in horrifying slow motion. She knew she was about to break the damn glassware too, because landing on her bad knee always made her crumple like a Victorian hysteric.

Resigned, drippy, and clutching the glasses for dear life, she heard the razzing of a group of assholes all the while preparing to hit the deck. Until a strong hand gripped her upper arm, keeping her upright.

"Hey, sorry, whoa…" A gravelly voice hit her ear, sending an inappropriate shockwave to her brain.

She stepped forward with her other foot, which forced her to lunge into him while still hanging onto the empties.

He smelled like sun and outdoors with a hint of soapy cologne. Why she even noticed this, she had no idea. But damn. He smelled really great. She heard his rumbly laugh as she leaned a second too long to be considered polite.

"Yo, Baxter!" She heard some other male voice nearby. "Nice catch. Reel her in and bring her over here."

The man, whose warm hand still gripped her elbow, raised one eyebrow at her. She blinked, acknowledging that he was, in a word, a perfect specimen. Tall, broad-shouldered and slim, with a model-worthy face boasting a trace of stubble. And, of course, he was wearing a damn suit. Her fantasy weakness—men in suits. This felt a tad contrived, even to her own overheated brain. But she decided to go with it, at least for now.

She’d gone so long without a man’s direct attention she sometimes thought she might declare herself re-virginized. Or maybe that would be re-virgined. Whatever it was, she was feeling it now, with Mr. Man’s deep blue eyes boring into her like a couple of laser beams.

She pulled her arm away and tried to resume a semblance of dignity, even as she got a whiff of the sour beer soaking her halter top. As if reading her mind, Sexy Hero Man’s gaze dropped to her exposed stomach, then lower. She sucked in her gut, then stopped, furious with herself for even thinking she had to do such a thing.

Yeah. Okay. Fuck this guy.

“Excuse me,” she said, making her way past him and brushing his suit-coated shoulder in the process. The shock of the contact almost sent her tumbling once again. Which only served to ramp up her anger at herself, and at him … at his stupid, sexy, awesome perfection. And her own wimpy, girly reaction to him.

“Wait,” he said.

She turned, still clutching the glassware to her chest like a shield, nearly deafened from the sound of her heartbeat pounding in her ears.

“I’m sorry. Can I … make it up to you?” He stuck his hands into his trouser pockets, his expression no longer predatory, more like embarrassed little kid.

“Stop it,” she said, her voice croaky. She cleared her throat and started backing away from him.

“Stop what?” He advanced toward her, keeping about half a foot of air between them. “I mean, I’m not … shit.” He ran a hand around the back of his neck, his nervousness making her want to giggle. What man who dared to walk on this earth looking like that had any reason to be nervous around her?

“Yo! Kayla!” The sound of Brad’s sharp voice made her flinch. She tried to relax as they maintained a weird locked-eyes thing while the busy restaurant traffic flowed around them. Her sense of unreality ramped up a thousand-fold when he moved into her personal space bubble and leaned toward her ear.

“I’m sorry. Can I buy you a drink later? When you’re done working?”

“Baxter! Dude! I told you to snag that hottie and bring her here,” his friend called from what she assumed was their table.

Kayla used the momentary distraction to take two full steps away from him. He was way too tempting. She was way too needy. But she had no time for or interest in some kind of a hookup. Although her body was sending her clear, opposing signals. Ones that urged her onward, made her want to flirt, to drink, to drag him home with her. She shook her head, and by the time he’d addressed his loud-mouthed table-mate, she’d managed to escape into the crowd.

Product Reviews

Score: 4 out of 5 (based on 11 ratings)
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4/5
Terrific Read
Written by Dale on 16th Apr 2023

It’s not every day that a person can not only tell their own story. Kayla did just that and more. This book in itself is a really nice weekender read. It has pain and self sorrow, followed by pleasure and an emotional connection. Not every career ending injury is truly the final chapter. There’s always something to be done to give more. This is the first time I’ve ever read anything from this author. And I’m so excited to see more. Any opinions expressed within this review are solely and uniquely made by me and I am happily leaving this review. I voluntarily received an advanced copy of this book via bsprout.

4/5
Detroit Sports Network
Written by C. J. Alvaro on 5th Mar 2023

This is the first Liz Crowe book I've read. I found it to be easy to read and to have a unique plot. The idea of former NFL star starting his own sports station manned only by females, quite enlightening. I loved the chemistry between Kayla and JD and it made it hard to put the kindle down!!!

5/5
nailbiter
Written by Pauli on 5th Mar 2023

Funny without being a comedy with mostly well rounded characters, although the multitude of internal monologues were a bit much at times. Fun read with a couple of surprises.

4/5
kayla & JD
Written by Shell R on 5th Mar 2023

What a great book by Liz Crow! The story starts out with a washed out soccer player Kayla who lost her chance at playing at the national level when she broke her leg. Fast forward to three yrs later and here comes big time tv CEO JD wanting to do a soccer documentary on Kayla for his station. One inquiry turned into a one night stand. JD keeps coming around to get Kayla to do the documentary and to tame his lust for this lovely lady. Finally Kayla agrees to the documentary and it leads to her second chance at a soccer career. Meanwhile JD's ex-wife is back on the scene with her crazy drama. The drama leads JD to ask Kayla for a favor. In turn Kayla ask for a flavor of JD. Check out this book to see how a one night, a crazy ex-wife and several favors later leads to marriage. Enjoy

4/5
Good Book
Written by Jeanne R on 5th Mar 2023

This is the first book I've read written by Liz Crowe; I can’t wait to read more of her books. This is the first book in the Detroit Sports Network Series; it is a stand-alone book. The story is about Kayla & J.D. I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

4/5
Lady Balls!
Written by Mary on 5th Mar 2023

This first story in the new "Detroit Sports Network" series is unique and fun. I love the plot and look at female athletes. The story develops nicely and I love the characters. JD and Kayla are absolutely perfect for each with blazing chemistry. The story has angst, obstacles, passion and so much more.

5/5
Fun Read
Written by Danee on 5th Mar 2023

Wonderful story about sports and romance, spicy statements and lots of steam and sweet, with strong characters and great characters that keep you glued to your book from start to finish.

4/5
Lady Balls, good story
Written by Babs on 5th Mar 2023

The first book in the Detroit Sports Network series. Retired NFL quarterback and semi-pro bachelor J.D. Baxter and Makayla Franklin's story. There is misunderstandings, drama, and romance. The story is well written with a good storyline. I received a copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

5/5
Roller coaster of highs and lows
Written by GB on 10th Sep 2019

***This review may contain what some consider spoilers*** A lot of back and forth in this book...a whole lot of self doubt...but, also a whole lot of uplifting moments as well. I love that both of these main characters are strong willed, independent, determined, yet vulnerable. The sass and banter between the two was fun to read. Happy that the melting moments outweigh the "I wanna shake them!" moments, lol! I love the friendships and family aspects of this novel and I enjoyed reading how the characters finally accepted that they were meant to be. The HEA was worth the wait.

5/5
5 stars
Written by Maura on 10th Sep 2019

"This is bad. No, this is good. This is awful. Oh hell, this is about to be amazing..." Love the inner and outer dialogue of Kayla, the female protagonist. The male protagonist, JD, is a powerful man who isn't afraid to let others take the lead. Kayla and JD together are a pair to be reckoned with. This was an enjoyable classic romance of girl has crap job after life goes awry, guy sees girl and hands her an offer she can't refuse (the fact that he is gorgeous and charming doesn't hurt). They have trials and tribulations with humor and hot sex thrown in. Character development was spot on, the story had a great pace to it, and the plot flowed well from beginning to end. I absolutely recommend this story.

5/5
FABULOUS READ!
Written by Dorothy on 22nd Aug 2019

Another great story from Liz Crowe! She writes books about real people - no frou frou here! This story will be hard to put down! The characters are great, easy to follow and have a good story line. I loved it from the first page!

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