Sliding
into Second
Kingston Heat # 2
By: Ella Jade
Releasing February 16th, 2015
Beachwalk Press
Jilted once before,
now it’s her turn to level the playing field.
Hotshot sports reporter Sage Millan
has been busy making a name for herself in the male dominated world of
baseball. She’s just landed her dream job, and her first assignment is covering
the newly crowned World Series champions, The Kingston Crushers. This is the
opportunity of a lifetime. The only problem...her ex-boyfriend, and the only
man she’s ever loved, is the team’s second baseman. Things ended badly between
them, and she’s not sure she can put those demons to rest.
Professional baseball player Nicolas
Cordova is having the time of his life. His team has just won the World Series,
and with the victory comes more fame, women, and exposure than he ever could
have imagined. But things are about to change for the sexy, charismatic
athlete. He never expected his ex-girlfriend to walk back into his life, much
less the locker room.
These days Sage is smarter, more
mature, and doesn’t plan on being played a second time. Her appearance stirs
old memories for Nic. She’s the one he let get away in the name of his career.
He vows he can be the man she needs this time around. Will that be enough to
mend her broken heart?
Content Warning: contains explicit
sex and adult content
I am a
huge fan of Ella Jade and I am thrilled to be reviewing Sliding into Second,
well let’s be honest peeps! I have been dying for this book since Pax’s story!
So we
start off with Sage Millan; super-efficient sports reporter, who has ice walls
protecting her heart as high as Niagara Falls! Why is she protecting herself so
much, well it’s because of her college boyfriend/love of her life Nicolas
Cordova. Now she has to face him, in the locker room of all places!
Nic
sees the one person he has longed for since college, the one person he was made
to give up walk into his locker room after winning the World Series! When sage walked into the locker room, he was
taken aback, but he wasn’t going to let her go easily. So Nic enlists Sage’s
sister to aid him in defeating every road block she throws at him. I am going
to stop there as I really don’t want to give away the story.
The characters
in this story are really complex. I love Nic, he has to be my favorite
character. Sage is sweet and I feel sorry for her, but after a while she just
got on my nerves and I just wanted to scream “will you just tell him you love
him already!” Rosalie is phenomenal! She is the sister I wish I had! By the end
of the book I was literally yelling “GO ROSALIE!!!!!!” There is a villain of
this piece, but I am going to withhold the name, because that would really
spoil the story, but UGH!! I wanted to smack him SO hard.
The
writing was smooth, the story was complete and you defiantly can read it as a standalone.
I also didn’t find any plot holes either. But this book did have the dreaded flashbacks
(my own personal peeve).
This
story was truly delicious and I really did enjoy the story. So I have decided
to give Sliding Into Second 9 out of 10.
“I’ll admit I’ve had many women in
the past, and I can’t apologize for living. But as the years went by, my
feelings for you were always someplace deep in my heart. I know that’s why I
can’t settle down. Why I can’t find the peace I’ve been searching for. It
doesn’t exist without you.”
“How can you say things like that? You don’t even know the woman I’ve become.
I’m not that girl who relied on you, the one who would’ve followed you
anywhere. I’m not her anymore, Nic. I can’t ever be her again.”
“Maybe I’m not asking for her.” He leaned closer to her face. “Maybe I want to
know the woman you are today. I want another shot at this.”
“No,” she whispered.
“If you remember anything about me, I have a hard time with that word.” He
tipped her chin, focusing on her lips. “I am going to kiss you. Right
here and right now.”
Her knees buckled as a cool tremor swept through her. She wanted to say no. It
was the only logical word to mutter, but her heart didn’t want her to say it.
Her body wasn’t on board with turning him down either. The warmth that built in
her stomach had moved lower, and now all she could think about was his lips on
hers.
“It doesn’t sound like you’re asking,” she breathed out.
“I’m not.”
Before she could say anything else, his mouth was on hers, eager, but slow and
soft. His stubble grazed along her chin as he tilted his head and deepened
their bond. The sound throughout the crowded lobby seemed to fade into the
background, and soon, all she could hear was her heart pumping loud between her
ears. Why did he have to be such a freakin’ good kisser?
After the incredibly long connection, he pulled away, but not before stopping
to kiss the bottom corner of her mouth like he used to.
“I’ve waited a long time to do that,” he said. “It was worth every lonely
minute.”
“I... Nic...” She’d always had the gift of words. It was what she did for a
living, but in that moment, all of her thoughts were jumbled and senseless.
“It’s okay.” He grinned as he stroked her cheek. “Let’s get something to eat
and maybe figure this out. Whatever this is.”
“No.” She ran her hands along his strong chest, resting them on his shoulders.
“Don’t over analyze this, baby.” He glanced down at her hands on his body.
“Let’s just go with it.”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you.” She took a breath and continued before
she lost her nerve. “Take me upstairs to your room. I know how we can figure
this out.”
“What are you asking?” He placed his hand on the small of her back, drawing her
closer to him. “You need to be real clear.”
“I want to go upstairs with you.”
“That’s not why I kissed you.”
“Isn’t it?” She smirked. “We’re adults now, Nicky. Let’s settle this like
adults.”
“I’m not looking to settle anything. That usually means it’s over, and we’re
nowhere near over.” He motioned for Joe. “I’ll take care of the bar tab and
then we’ll get dinner.”
“No.” She draped her arms around his neck, intoxicated by the idea of being so
close to him again. He may be older now, and may have lost those boyish looks,
but the man he had become suited him and drove her wild with need.
“What did I tell you about that word?”
“I can guarantee I won’t be using it once we’re in your bedroom.” She ran her
tongue along her top lip. “I’m going to the ladies room. When I come out, if
you’re not by the elevators waiting for me, I’ll know that kiss was nothing
more than the heat of the moment and we can go on with our lives.”
“Sage?”
“Shh.” She pressed her lips to his. “Now who’s over analyzing?” She reached for
her purse and coat hanging on the back of the stool. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.” I
hope.
**Limited
time price just .99 cents to celebrate the release!**
Ella Jade has been writing for as long
as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and
now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always
played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all
changed when she discovered the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a
rapid pace and now she can't be stopped.
Ella resides in New Jersey with her
husband and two boys. When she's not chasing after her kids, she's busy
creating sexy, domineering men and the strong women who know how to challenge
them in and out of the bedroom. She hopes you'll get lost in her words.
She loves connecting with readers.
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