Everyone has demons -- something in their past that
manages to haunt them. For some these demons occupy too
much importance in their lives, influence decisions,
impact directions and even cordon off the heart. Escaping
those demons can often feel like a full time job. But you
know the saying that the tough get tougher. Karen Rock's
book A LEAGUE OF HER OWN emphasizes strength and love as
important factors while growing up. Not everyone gets
their fair share and yet still manage to forge ahead and
succeed. A LEAGUE OF HER OWN speaks to anyone with
personal challenges or demons to conquer with touches of
humor, grace and love to ease the journey. And Karen Rock
does it all with aplomb.
Heather and Garrett at first glance have little in common
with the exception of their athleticism and love of
baseball. Heather's world has always revolved around
softball and baseball -- it was a family legacy for
generations of the Gadway's. They owned a minor league
team.
Heather's father was not an easy man to live with or
impress and she worked diligently to gain what few
compliments or words of praise this guarded man would
throw her way. Heather feared her mother's terrible mood
swings influenced by a reliance on drugs. Heathers entire
childhood was spent placating the father that she loved
and cherishing the all too few good moments with her
mother.
As a young adult Heather drew on her desire to win her
father's approval and at the same time carefully guard
her heart -- keeping a safe distance from anyone with even
a hint at an addictive personality who could once again
hurt and betray her. As long as she remained distant and
professional Heathers involvement with her teammates kept
her safe from harm. In one word -- trust -- was not one of
her strong suits.
No matter how hard Heather tried, her resolve to keep a
distance from the team pitcher Garrett Wolf was tested -
that line she drew crossed over but always to her dismay.
Although she greatly admired many of Garrett's strengths
she feared the one thing he couldn't absolutely promise --
abstaining from alcohol -- an addiction that he faced down
continually and would his entire life.
Sometime something happens in life and simply put it
colors the way we look at things. Realizing that everyone
is capable of making mistakes and getting past them is
part of life. There are times when the only thing you can
do is take that giant leap of faith and trust.
A LEAGUE OF HER OWN is part of the Harlequin Heartwarming
series of stories. Don't be misled by the inclusion of
this book. There's nothing sappy or condescending about
this lovely and at times raw story. Karen Rock has an
enviable talent for creating very real characters with
flaws and issues and insecurities just like the best of
us. There's no doubt that in short order A LEAGUE OF HER
OWN will rein you in and keep you turning pages. Rock
makes sure you are fully invested in this story about
people who just want to find a safe place for their
heart.
He was attractive, talented…and way off limits.
Heather Gadway may have been a world-class college
pitcher
and a top university coach, but she's a rank amateur when
it
comes to managing the Falcons, her father's struggling
minor
league team. And when it comes to managing her
aggravating
attraction to Garrett Wolf, their talented new pitcher.
It's going to be difficult enough to make it as the first
female manager in the league and prove to her overly
critical father she's worthy. No distractions. No
missteps.
And certainly no romances with players. Everything stands
between them—including their troubled pasts—even as
Heather's world falls apart and Garrett's the one who's
there to catch her…
Excerpt
"I liked working with the kids today," he said into her
ear, his mouth so close to her flesh that the fine hairs
on the back of her neck rose. She relished the sweet
brush of his knuckles against the side of her throat as
he flipped her ponytail over her shoulder.
"I know how hard that must have been for you," she said,
doing her best to appear cool on the outside. Inside she
was a web of conflicting emotions.
"You're getting me do a lot things I promised myself I
wouldn't."
When she pulled back, he met her look with grave
intensity. "Like what?"
Then came the silence. The long, long silence. Their eyes
met until she dropped hers, her heart thumping faster.
Red lights flashed. Stop! Leave! Retreat! But her tangled
emotions wouldn't let her wriggle free.
His hand caressed the sensitive spot beneath her chin,
and with a gentle pressure, Garrett raised her head until
she stared into his deep blue eyes again.
"This."
Without waiting for permission, he brushed his lips
gently over hers. Ohhh...a shiver went through her entire
body. The gentle caress melted the last of her defenses
into a gooey heap.
His fingers slid along her jawline, and the warmth of his
touch radiated past her skin and into her bloodstream.
Goosebumps rose on her arms and legs, and her ears rang
with the staccato thrum of her heart. He slipped his hand
from her jaw to cradle her head. His fingers pulled her
ponytail loose and tunneled through the hair that fell
around her shoulders.
He pulled back slightly, his eyes heavy-lidded. His lips
hovered above hers, tantalizingly close. The blood
pounded so wildly in her veins that she feared he'd sense
the vibration. A magnetic pull took over the small
distance between their lips. An energy she couldn't
resist. So why was Garrett holding back? Her fingers were
wrapped around the back of his neck, running through his
hair.
And then it hit her. He was giving her a chance to return
his kiss. To show him that she wanted him, and the truth
was...more complicated than that. Cold reality doused
her, and she leaned back.
She'd kissed Garrett. A player. And worse, a recovering
alcoholic who might one day relapse. Someone she could,
if she wasn't more vigilant, become addicted to herself.
She couldn't let that happen.
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