Today’s Guest is the fabulous JACI BURTON!!!
Mar
26
2012

Jaci is awesome enough to give us an excerpt of her super hot TAKING A SHOT, the third book in her super-sexy Play By Play series.

“You’re anything but predictable. You annoy me. You like me, and you obviously want me, and you make no secret of that. I like that, because I don’t much care for games. On the other hand, I don’t want you to like me. I want you to go away and leave me alone so I can stop thinking about you.”

He grinned. She was just a little drunk, which meant she was relaxed enough to spill more of her inner thoughts than she was aware of. Which meant this was his opportunity to take things a step further with her, if he played the game right.

“I can’t stop thinking about you, either, Jenna.”

She leaned her elbows against the bar. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

“What do you think about when you think about me?”

This was a test. She was putting him on the spot to see if he was just bullshitting her.

Actually, he wasn’t.

“I think about your mouth.” He rimmed her bottom lip with his thumb. “I like what comes out of it when you talk to me. It’s sassy and smart. And I sure as hell liked kissing it. It’s soft and wet and you yield under me like you want what I’ve got.”

Her chest rose and fell.

“I like the way you talk. Confident, but you’re a bit of a smart-ass. I like that about you, too. It means you’re not a pushover. I don’t want a woman I can walk all over. I want a woman who can stand up for herself.”

She licked her bottom lip. Damn distracting and he needed to focus on what he wanted to say to her.

“You have the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen. And you see a lot with them. You call people on their bullshit, and obviously you know men.”

“Yeah? In what way?”

“You know who’s true and who’s full of shit. You aren’t going to fall for a line.”

She let out a soft laugh.

“I like these.” He swept his knuckles over the many earrings in her left ear, then leaned in close. “Are you pierced anywhere else, Jenna? I spend nights thinking about it.”

Her eyes went dark. Interest or desire? He wasn’t sure.

“And your tattoos. Those turn me on.” He cupped her wrist and caressed the tattoo of the earth, moon, and stars. “It makes me want to get you naked and explore your body. So, yeah, I think about you a lot, Jenna.”

“I don’t want to date you, Ty. I’ve told you before, you’re the wrong type of guy for me.”

“So you’ve said.”

She inhaled, let it out. “The problem is, there’s this thing.”

“A thing.”

“Yeah. A chemistry thing, between you and me. And it’s interfering when I go out with other guys.”

Oh, this was getting good. “A chemistry thing.”

“Sex.”

“Sex.” He shook his head. “Yeah, that’s a problem.” He brushed his shoulder against hers. He understood the chemistry thing. Just being near her made his dick spring to life.

She turned in the chair to face him. “It is. What should we do about that?”

“I don’t think sex is a problem for me, Jenna. You already know how I feel. The question is, what do you want to do about it?”

She slid her fingertip down the lapel of his jacket, the look she gave him burning him from the inside out.

Yeah, definite chemistry. He was surprised flames weren’t sparking between them. His breathing quickened and if she didn’t make a decision soon he was going to have to make a quick exit, because this woman was driving him crazy.

“I think you should come home with me tonight and we can talk about it,” she said.

“Ready when you are.”


Jaci is generously offering up a Nook or Kindle copy of TAKING A SHOT to one lucky winner chosen from the comments to this post. Winner will be chosen on the next prize announcement day – April 2nd! Do you like sports themed romances? If so, which are some of your faves?

56 comments to “Today’s Guest is the fabulous JACI BURTON!!!”

  1. Angie M
    March 26th, 2012 at 3:20 am · Link

    I love sports themed romances. I like reading about women who enjoy sports like I do. Recent favorites include Stick Shift by Lissa Matthews, the Buffalo Intimidators series by Cassandra Carr & The Hot Streak by Celicia Tan.



  2. Host
    March 26th, 2012 at 4:34 am · Link

    Do I love them? I adore them 🙂 And I loooove this excerpt.
    One of my favourites (besides Jaci’s series) is This Heart of Mine by Susan E. Phillips and all other in her Chicago Stars series



  3. CrystalGB
    March 26th, 2012 at 6:45 am · Link

    Taking a Shot sounds great. Love the cover. I do like sports themed romances. One of my favorites is Rachel Gibson’s See Jane Score.



  4. Diaen Mc.
    March 26th, 2012 at 6:57 am · Link

    Any of Jaci Play by Play series.



  5. Mary
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:03 am · Link

    I am on the fence about sports theme romance. That said, I love this series by Jaci. To me it’s all about the characters and being able to emotionally connect and care about what happens to them. Jaci definitely does that! Thanks for sharing!



  6. Jennifer Butler
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:07 am · Link

    I love sports series! My favorite is the Hot Zone series by Carly Phillips. Can’t wait to read this book though!



  7. Vicki Lane
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:08 am · Link

    I can’t wait to read this! And OMG, the cover gods have smiled… scratch that, they have grinned from ear to ear on this cover. Yum!!



  8. Amanda B
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:09 am · Link

    I went to a big sports college, so I definitely love sports themed books as well. I have REALLY enjoyed Jaci’s books so far, keep them coming!! 🙂 😀 😉



  9. Donna
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:10 am · Link

    I really like sports themed romances especially hockey themed ones. If there is a hockey themed romance chances are I’ve read it. Love this series, the covers are so intriguing 😉



  10. Denise
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:14 am · Link

    I LOVE sports themed romances. Any sport. NASCAR. Football. Baseball. Hockey. In addition to the Play by Play series, some recent favs are Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ Chicago Stars series and Rachel Gibson’s Chinook books. I’m also fond of Harlequin’s NASCAR themed stuff. Like I said, just give me a sports hero. ANY sports hero!! 😆



  11. Kesha
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:15 am · Link

    I love the Play By Play series. I can’t wait to read the third book in this series.



  12. Cheryl McInnis
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:15 am · Link

    I love reading about sports…actually playing sports, not so much 😕 I really enjoy Erin McCarthy’s Fast Track series, something about all that drive and focus a race car driver has, it’s pretty sexy!



  13. Laura Cromwell
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:20 am · Link

    Jaci Burton totally turned me on to sports themed romances. Now I can’t get enough…this is the best series ever!!



  14. Jana R
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:26 am · Link

    I have read the previous Play by Play books and Loved them. I am excited about this one since my better half played hockey as a young man and it reminds me of him. Looking forward to reading this one!



  15. Jackie Ingram
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:33 am · Link

    I haven’t read any sport themed books so this would be something new for me, sounds like fun!



  16. deanna brady
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:34 am · Link

    i love sports themed romances i absolutely loved Lori Fosters mma series,i know this will be alot steamier.



  17. Chris Bails
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:37 am · Link

    I definately think sexiest covers of a series. I have not read too many sports series books. I have read a few with sports players in them, but not a series. I have heard great things about this author and series, but have not read any of the books yet. What a great giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win.
    christinebails@yahoo.com
    😉



  18. Melissa B
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:39 am · Link

    Hi, Jaci ~~ and OMG, can I just say you have some of the BEST cover luck? I ADORE the covers for this series!

    And I do love sports as a theme in books ~ one of my fav series is SEP’s Chicago Stars, but also Shelly Laurenston’s Ice Hockey shifters, and crazy roller derby shifters…lol, love them! I really think it’s all about the writer making a theme work ~ if it’s a great book, it doesn’t really matter to me WHAT you’re selling, I’m buying if I’m vested in the story!



  19. Melanie J.
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:44 am · Link

    Love this series!! I also love Erin McCarthy’s Fast Track series, Rachel Gibson’s Chinook series and Pamela Britton.



  20. Dana Bix
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:51 am · Link

    Super Hot! Love her books!



  21. Lori T
    March 26th, 2012 at 8:03 am · Link

    Jaci has the most awesome covers for her Play by Play series! I do love sport themed romances…I absolutely love this series and other favorites include books by Rachel Gibson and Susan Elizabeth Phillips.



  22. Rebe
    March 26th, 2012 at 8:21 am · Link

    I do like sports romances! I think my favorite all-time sports romance is Natural Born Charmer, by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. The opening scene with the heroine walking down the side of the ride dressed as a beaver is hilarious!



  23. Lisa M.
    March 26th, 2012 at 8:24 am · Link

    I have only read a few but I have enjoyed all of the ones I have read. I really want to check out Jaci’s Play by Play series.



  24. Melissa Lamb
    March 26th, 2012 at 8:25 am · Link

    I loved the excerpt!! I really like any themed romance! I really love this series by Jaci and the Fast Track series by Erin McCarthy!



  25. Melanie C.
    March 26th, 2012 at 8:40 am · Link

    I love sports themed stories! The play by play series is my favorite one=). That Riley clan sucked me with Mick, and I was so glad to see that Jenna got a story too… Now on to the Riley cousins!!!!!! Can’t wait! For those of you who haven’t read this series yet, I HIGHLY recommend it.



  26. Krissy H
    March 26th, 2012 at 8:49 am · Link

    I just love Jaci’s books. I have to say I haven’t read any sports themed romance books but I have to say this series will be my first. I would live to win this book. Thanks for having this giveaway!!



  27. Stefani Stayton
    March 26th, 2012 at 8:59 am · Link

    I love sport themed books. I have the other books in this series awaiting me on my kindle. Looking forward to reading them.



  28. Mariann with Belle's Book Bag
    March 26th, 2012 at 9:00 am · Link

    I LOVE sports themed romances!!! Some of my favorites are Erin McCarthy – Fast Track series/ Hot Zone series by Carly Philips/ MMA series by Lori Foster and of course my favorite–Jaci Burton Play by Play series. I love these books. Thanks for the chance to win!!
    Mariann at Belle’s Book Bag 😉



  29. Viki S.
    March 26th, 2012 at 9:13 am · Link

    I enjoy them but haven’t read all that many. I’d say one of my favorites, because it was funny is, Strange Neighbors by Ashlyn Chase. Thank you for the giveaway.



  30. Susan T.
    March 26th, 2012 at 9:14 am · Link

    Love sport theme. Love Deidre Martin – Blades series, Erin McCarthy’s Fast Track and Jaci Burton’s Play by Play. Thanks.



  31. Christine
    March 26th, 2012 at 9:16 am · Link

    I have loved the other two stories in the series so definitely yes.



  32. Linda Scarchuk
    March 26th, 2012 at 9:25 am · Link

    Don’t need a copy, just read it, loved it!!! Is there more coming? I hope so, thank you for the good reads…



  33. Danielle West
    March 26th, 2012 at 9:28 am · Link

    I read the first two and loved them! Need Jenna’s story 🙂 I also really like Erin McCarthy’s fast track series.



  34. Tiffany
    March 26th, 2012 at 9:30 am · Link

    I have really enjoyed the Play By Play series, other than that I like Lori Fosters Extreme Fighters series.



  35. Jaci Burton
    March 26th, 2012 at 9:48 am · Link

    Hey Lauren! And howdy, everyone! Big thanks to Lauren for letting me guest here today, and thank you to everyone who has read my series–or wants to! Good luck in the contest today!

    Yes, there will be more books coming in this series–at least five more after Taking A Shot, so the Riley family saga continues in the next two books. After that we’ll be branching out, so I hope you continue to enjoy the series.

    Thanks again! 🙂



  36. Heather F.
    March 26th, 2012 at 9:55 am · Link

    I love, love, LOVE sports related romances. Some of my favorite books have been sports related. I love Deirdre Martin’s Blades series, Erin McCarthy’s Fast Track Series and my all time favorite is Carly Phillips Hot Zone series. That’s really how I got into reading sports related romances, however it fits because I love sports in general!!



  37. azteclady
    March 26th, 2012 at 10:39 am · Link

    I am not really a sports person, so I can’t say I like or dislike sport-themed novels in any genre. Mostly I enjoy certain authors’ voices and will follow wherever they lead me *waving to both Jaci and Lauren*



  38. TrishJ
    March 26th, 2012 at 10:42 am · Link

    Love books with athletes. What’s not to love. Muscles galore. Those guys are built. And the covers are so hot. Love to win a copy of this book!!



  39. Shannon R.
    March 26th, 2012 at 10:47 am · Link

    Love sports themed series, besides Jaci’s, I also like Lori Foster’s SBC Fighters series, Erin McCarthy’s Fast Track, Carly Phillips’ Hot Zone and Diedra Martin’s Blade series.
    Saw a few on here that I might have to try :mrgreen:



  40. Pamela
    March 26th, 2012 at 10:47 am · Link

    I have to admit that I have not read a sports themed romance yet but I love romance novels so I definitely would love to read Taking a Shot. It sounds fantastic.

    Thank you for the excerpt!



  41. Lindsay Wolford
    March 26th, 2012 at 11:38 am · Link

    I love sports themed romances. I read all I can get my hands on. I particularly love Jaci Burton’s Play-by-Play novels, Kate Angell’s Richmond Rogues series and Bella Andre’s Bad Boys of Football series.

    Thanks for the contest!



  42. Michelle Bledsoe
    March 26th, 2012 at 12:12 pm · Link

    Hi Jaci.
    I am not a big sports fan although I do read sports themed romances. I haven’t had the pleasure of reading one of your books yet. I look forward to reading them now that I have gotten a glimpse of this one.
    Thanks for the contest. 🙂



  43. Elisia Archer
    March 26th, 2012 at 2:05 pm · Link

    Wow, Jaci…can I get the number of the cover model? Great excerpt thanks for sharing I look forward to reading about how he gets her to lose her objections 😉 I am sure it will be hot!! 😳



  44. Jane
    March 26th, 2012 at 2:11 pm · Link

    Congrats to Jaci on the new release. I do enjoy sports themed romances including VK Sykes’ Caddy Girls and Hardball.



  45. Na S.
    March 26th, 2012 at 2:49 pm · Link

    Sport romances are fun. I like Rachel Gibson’s series. I recent read Any Man of Mine and it was great!



  46. Diane
    March 26th, 2012 at 5:02 pm · Link

    I enjoy all romance but can’t even think of a title right now.



  47. Marc
    March 26th, 2012 at 5:24 pm · Link

    Don’t enter me since…I just finished my copy of Taking a Shot. I am loving the Play by Play series. I’m glad to hear there are five more coming. My other favorite sports themed books are Jill Shalvis’ baseball series.



  48. Linda
    March 26th, 2012 at 5:40 pm · Link

    I read the first two books in the Play by Play series which was my first sports themed series and the next one is in my TBR list. I would love to win the Nook version.

    I have to admit, I picked up The Perfect Play because of the cover 🙂 Now I have to start looking for more sports-themed books.



  49. Lori
    March 26th, 2012 at 6:02 pm · Link

    I like almost all romance books. I liked Catherine Colters contemporary romance about the football player. Can’t remember the title off hand. And there’s been several short stories. I’m open to any romance story as ling as the couple is still a coupe at the end.



  50. Pamiam
    March 26th, 2012 at 7:11 pm · Link

    I also enjoy sports themed books. I have all the Rachel Gibson books along with the Fast Track, Hot Zone, SBC Fighters and a few more that I can’t remember at the moment. Looks like I will be adding this one to the collection.