Feed Your Readers: Three Female Athletes – Three Hot Happy Ever After Endings

*One thing I need to decide for myself … am I playing to win, or playing for keeps? *

Angelica Bryant

Football is my passion. Right now, I have a chance to make my dream of being the best midfielder in the Women’s Aussie Rules competition a reality. And soon I’ll finish my studies and succeed in a role in sports management. For now, working in my dad’s bar pays the bills. Even if he used to be a world-famous soccer legend and can’t care less about Aussie Rules.
I won’t let anything get in my way. Not even the hot-as-hot one-night stand who, oh yes, just turned out to be Jaxon Flint, one of Australia’s most successful sports agents … and he’s offered me a job. We’ve agreed we have to forget about our attraction to both stay on the track we’ve laid out for ourselves. So why does the idea of being with Jaxon make me want to take the biggest risk of my life?

Jaxon Flint

I told her my name was Jack. She told me her name was Angel. But an angel she wasn’t when I took her home for the most amazing night of my life. I  picked her up in a sports bar … but I never expected her to turn out to be the rising star of the new Women’s Aussie Rules football competition. Or a natural at handling ego-fuelled sports superstars.  I knew Angie was someone I had to hire … and a star I would be lucky to represent. Those are both good reasons to stay away from her. And after the way I failed my sister, I know I should stay away from someone so driven to excel. So why can’t I get it out of my head that I want to be everything to my Angel?

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I’m following one of my dreams … but do I dare to follow my heart? 

Cress Kennedy

One thing everyone in Grong Grong knows about me: it’s always been my dream to play Aussie Rules Football. And now the Sydney Sirens are signing me for the new Women’s Aussie Rules competition. I’m headed to Sydney. To stay with my brother’s best friend. Quin. But here’s one thing no-one in Grong Grong knows about me: how much I want Quin to see me as a woman, and take him for myself…

Quin Fitzpatrick

I knew as soon as she got a chance to play in the Women’s Aussie Rules competition that Cress would be a star. I knew it made sense for her to come and stay with me, where I could protect her, show her the ropes—Watercress from Grong Grong, the little sister I never had. I never expected Cress—gorgeous, generous Cress—to shake me out of my rut. Now how am I ever going to go back to life without her around.

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Darcy

There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to play for the Brisbane Banshees in the new Women’s Aussie Rules league. I think I’ve proved that given that I’m willing to put up with the coach being my ex, Tony. He may have stomped over my heart, but I’ve moved on, and I’m focused on my team. I don’t need any men in my life—apart from Levi, of course, my roommate, and friend. And my saviour, now that I’ve corked my thigh in our first game, and need his sports massage skills to get me back on the field. What I feel when Levi touches me … is making things very complicated.

Levi

Darcy was always my best friend’s girl—Tony’s girl. Two years on and she still doesn’t know how I’ve felt all this time. There’s no way I’m leaving her in pain when I can fix her injury and get her back to playing the sport she loves. No matter how much touching her makes me want to make her mine at last. Finally, I’ve got a bit of hope—the last thing we need is Tony suddenly deciding he wants to take Darcy back after all…

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Game On (Women of W.A.R.): Exclusive Excerpt 5

It’s fair to say that this, the final excerpt from Nicola Marsh’s sexy sporty GAME ON is definitely NSFW.

How did we get here?

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

I tugged on her hand, hard, hauling her body flush against mine. She gasped in surprise and I took the opportunity to kiss her, invading her mouth like I’d yearned to do since I first saw her. She tasted of hops and something sweeter, something enticing.

 

She moaned as my tongue tangled with hers, releasing my hand to claw at my shirt. Tugging it out of my jeans. Fumbling with the button. Zeroing in on the zip. Eager, I liked that. Liked that she knew what she wanted and wasn’t playing coy or mucking around to get it.

 

When she palmed my cock through the denim, I almost lost it.

 

‘Impressive,’ she murmured against the side of my mouth as she continued to stroke me with single-minded determination, tracing the shape of my cock that throbbed with her touch.

 

‘Glad you approve.’ I backed her toward the couch, not breaking eye contact, seeing the exact moment her eyes widened when I slid my hands up her thighs to palm her arse.

 

Hot damn, she wore a G-string, giving me instant access to smooth skin. I traced the curve of her and snagged the elastic, heard her sharp intake of breath as I let it go with a snap.

 

‘Tease,’ she said, her lips curved into a naughty smile that promised this would be great. Stupendous.

 

‘I’ll show you tease.’ I lowered her onto the couch and knelt at her feet. She propped on her elbows, watching me as I slid the denim mini down her long legs, revealing a tiny triangle of damp black satin. I wanted to get behind that scrap of material so damn bad my balls ached.

 

I stared at her, seeking silent permission before taking the last step. In response, she arched her hips slightly. Offering herself to me. Such a fucking turn-on.

 

I almost tore her panties in my haste to get them off. She didn’t care as I trailed a finger from her belly button to her clit in a slow, deliberate swipe that had her wiggling in anticipation.

 

‘You like that?’ I circled her clit with my thumb, lazy strokes designed to tease and torture.

 

‘Yeah …’ she ended on a groan as I increased the pressure, desperate to be between her slick folds but wanting to make her come first.

 

‘Good, because you’ll like this even more.’

 

I lowered my head and licked her, using my hands to pry her thighs further apart while laving at her clit. Lapping at it. Sucking, until she writhed beneath my mouth, urging me on.

 

I picked up the pace and she grabbed at my head, holding me to her as she came on a loud, triumphant yell that made me feel like a goddamn sex master.

 

When she finally released my head, I raised it to see her lying splayed on my couch, eyes closed, smug smile; pussy wet and waiting for me.

 

Her eyes snapped open when I unzipped and she watched me grab a condom from my wallet, slide it on and guide my cock toward nirvana.

 

‘That was so good,’ she said, pushing into a sitting position, bringing her tits delectably close.

 

‘It’s about to get better.’ I peeled off her tank, unhooked her bra and took a second to admire pert B cups with erect rosy nipples before sliding into her an inch.

 

Her eyes widened, appreciation making them darken to molten chocolate as I slid in further, taking my time so she could adjust when all I wanted to do was ram into her.

 

She felt so tight, so good. I leaned forward, flicked the tip of my tongue against a nipple. The other. Alternating between her tits, nipping and sucking, laving until she couldn’t sit still.

 

She reached around me and dug her fingers into my arse, trying to pull me closer. I obliged, sliding into her to the hilt, the fit so snug I couldn’t help the groan ripped from deep within.

 

I found her mouth as I started to move, sliding in and out in a slow, deliberate rhythm set to titillate. But she felt so hot and slick, kept moaning into my mouth with each thrust, that I couldn’t hold back for long.

 

When she bit down on my bottom lip, intentionally or not, I kinda lost it. The momentary pain heightening the pleasure, the friction of my cock sliding in and out of her making me light-headed.

 

She wrenched her mouth from mine in an effort to haul me even closer, if that were possible. The pressure in my balls built, the muscles in my lower back tightening as I pounded into her. Over and over. Mindless with lust. Craving release. Each torturous, wonderful second driving me insane.

 

I came on a roar, barely registering the pain of her sinking her teeth into my shoulder as I saw spots.

 

I had no idea how long it took for me to form a coherent thought. When I could function again, I blurted the first inane thing that popped into my head.

 

‘Just so you know, I have a sweet tooth and plan on coming back for seconds and thirds of that ice-cream all night long.’

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Are they playing to win…or playing for keeps?

Angelica Bryant has a dream. The only child of a soccer legend, she pays her bills by working at her father’s bar while pursuing her goals: a role in sports management and a place in the newly established Women’s Aussie Rules league. Football is her passion, and she won’t let anything get in her way: including an ill-advised one-night-stand with one of Australia’s most successful agents.

Jaxon Flint thrives on success. His workaholic lifestyle keeps his agency and the athletes he represents at the top of their game – and all of his emotions at bay. Until he meets Angie, W.A.R.’s newest star, who undermines his carefully laid plans and gets under his skin. Is he willing to relinquish his careful control both in and out of the bedroom?

When Angie and Jaxon end up working together, it’s game on!

All three Women of W.A.R. titles release 20 February 2018

Game On (Women of W.A.R.): Exclusive Excerpt 4

Don’t miss a second of the action:

Part I

Part II

Part III

and now, Part IV from Game On by Nicola Marsh!

‘Let’s go.’

We’d barely made it out the front door and onto a busy Chapel Street when she stopped. ‘I don’t even know your name.’

I wanted to tell her but I’d seen too many women react to it, and if she worked in a sports bar she may know my identity by reputation. I didn’t want to see her change. I liked her just the way she was, bold with a hint of susceptibility, embracing the sexual attraction between us but doubting its potency at the same time.

I didn’t want her to treat me any differently, so I settled for ‘Jack’.

‘Angelica,’ she said, with a proud tilt of her head, as if she expected me to make fun of her.

‘Angel …’ I tried the abbreviation on for size. It fit.

When she stared at me in wide-eyed surprise, like no one had ever called her that, I ducked down to nuzzle her neck, inhaling a unique scent reminiscent of roses mixed with jasmine. Refreshing, like her.

‘You don’t mind if I call you that?’

‘I don’t mind.’ The corners of her mouth twitched. ‘Though I have a feeling I’m about to become a fallen angel, with my halo around my ankles.’

I grinned, enjoying her sense of humour. I couldn’t spar with many women like this. It turned me on as much as her hot bod.

‘Good. It’ll be alongside your panties.’

She inhaled sharply, the flare of heat unmistakeable as she gripped my hand tighter. ‘You’re way too charming for your own good.’

‘Hey, you’re here, aren’t you?’ I swung our arms as we started walking, glad I’d chosen tonight to stop by Bobbie’s. I frequented the bar regularly because my clients liked it. Sportsmen flocked to the iconic bar in trendy South Yarra for three things. Live bands. Drink cards. Hot women.

I didn’t go in for the whole bar scene, especially at the end of a long day, but what my clients wanted I provided. It’s what made me the best manager in the country.

Besides, socialising with sports stars often led to referrals for new clients and I had enough elite footballers, basketballers, soccer players and swimmers on my books to keep me solvent forever.

‘Me being here has absolutely nothing to do with your dubious charm.’ She matched my lengthening stride with ease, her quirky smile alerting me to an incoming zinger. ‘I’m here for the free ice-cream.’

‘You’ve got a smart mouth.’ I stared at it, imagining all the naughty things she could do with it. Damn, I couldn’t wait to get her alone.

‘It usually gets me into trouble.’

A brief shadow flickered across her eyes as I inwardly cursed for saying the wrong thing. I wanted tonight to be about fun. Playful sex was the best.

‘Here’s hoping.’ I held up my free hand, fingers crossed, and she laughed as I’d intended.

‘Where do you live?’

‘Right here,’ I said, stopping outside the newest high-rise on the block.

‘Impressive.’ She craned her neck, looking skyward.

‘I try.’ I punched in my security code and the heavy glass door swung inward on a hydraulic hiss. We didn’t speak as we traversed the marble foyer, past a massive floral arrangement, to the private lift that serviced the penthouse only.

I swiped my card and the doors slid open, revealing more speckled Italian marble, shimmering gold and mirrored walls. I hadn’t lived here long, the bulk of my time spent in hotel rooms around the country, holding client’s hands, negotiating deals, cleaning up their messes.

I earned every cent of my exorbitant fees, because if there’s one thing I’d learned in this business it’s that young people who earned a shitload of money often ended up in trouble because of it.

As we stepped into the lift and the doors slid shut, I risked a glance at her. She looked calm, serene almost, but the death grip on my hand said otherwise.

‘You okay?’

She nodded, but still didn’t speak until the lift doors opened directly into my apartment.

‘Wowza.’She baulked as we took a few steps inside. ‘I’m not really interested in what work you do but whatever it is, it sure pays better than bar wench.’

I laughed as she flung back my earlier smart-arse remark. ‘I guess you can call me a hand-holder of sorts. I negotiate for celebrities, sporting personalities and models, but my official title is talent management.’

She stared at me with open speculation, as if trying to size me up, before stepping closer. She hadn’t lost the death grip on my hand and I hoped like hell she wasn’t about to ditch me before we’d begun.

‘Now that we know each other’s names and occupations, why don’t we get to the ice-cream?’

I breathed a sigh of relief. ‘I thought you’d never ask.’

We’d apologise for stopping there, but we just wanted to make Friday all the sweeter 😉

Part V

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Are they playing to win…or playing for keeps?

Angelica Bryant has a dream. The only child of a soccer legend, she pays her bills by working at her father’s bar while pursuing her goals: a role in sports management and a place in the newly established Women’s Aussie Rules league. Football is her passion, and she won’t let anything get in her way: including an ill-advised one-night-stand with one of Australia’s most successful agents.

Jaxon Flint thrives on success. His workaholic lifestyle keeps his agency and the athletes he represents at the top of their game – and all of his emotions at bay. Until he meets Angie, W.A.R.’s newest star, who undermines his carefully laid plans and gets under his skin. Is he willing to relinquish his careful control both in and out of the bedroom?

When Angie and Jaxon end up working together, it’s game on!

All three Women of W.A.R. titles release 20 February 2018!

Game On (Women of W.A.R.): Exclusive Excerpt Part 3

Things get a little steamy in today’s instalment…

Don’t miss Part 1 and Part 2!

Chapter 2

JAXON

How long since I’d felt this kind of pull with a woman? Months, years, aeons?

I dated. Casually. Women who knew the score. Usually wannabe models or starlets wanting a leg-up in the industry, using me for my credentials. I didn’t mind. Having money, prestige and contacts meant I scored whenever I wanted.

Not that I was a man-whore. I was selective. Choosy, even. But for a guy who’d been bullied at school to the extent girls avoided me, I got my fair share of sex these days. I considered it an occupational perk.

So what was it about this woman that had me eager to take her back to my place and see if we could create sparks beyond the verbal kind?

I liked banter as foreplay. Give me a quick wit and I was a goner, the boner in my pants testament to that ever since we’d started sparring.

But I didn’t pick up women in bars. Wasn’t my style. But the longer she studied me like some complex science experiment she couldn’t figure out, I knew this time I’d make an exception.

There was something about her … an elusive hint of vulnerability beneath her brash exterior that guaranteed she’d be fun in bed.

Decision made, I stood. ‘I’m leaving now. For ice-cream.’ I made those cutesy inverted comma signs with my fingers that I hated. Shit. She had me seriously rattled if I was resorting to trite.

She stared at me and I saw the battle she waged in her eyes; big, brown, expressive eyes with dark caramel flecks that a guy could drown in. Interest. Excitement. Tinged with fear.

‘I don’t have ice-cream with just anyone, especially when I don’t know them.’ She raised an imperious eyebrow and squared her shoulders, drawing my attention to pert breasts encased in black cotton.

Unlike most of the women here she didn’t go for the slinky revealing look, yet she rocked a denim mini and cotton tank better than the haute couture of past dates.

‘The only way to rectify that is get to know me better.’ I held out a hand, daring her to take it. ‘My apartment is just around the corner.’

‘Of course it is,’ she said, rolling her eyes. ‘Though shouldn’t that be ice-cream parlour?’

‘There’s ice-cream there. Strawberry, boysenberry and double choc chip.’ She smiled and my cock thickened further. The simple action of her lush mouth curving upward transformed her face from pretty to spectacular and I couldn’t help but imagine how that beautiful mouth would feel wrapped around me.

‘What are you, a girl?’

I almost said, ‘My sister visits regularly,’ out of habit. But Erin hadn’t visited in two years. Thanks to me. And I had to live with the truth that I’d contributed to my sister’s death every fucking day.

I cleared my throat, hating the way it tightened whenever I thought of Erin, so I blurted the first fib I could think of. ‘My mum stocked the freezer with her favourite flavours.’

It made me sound like a mummy’s boy. I didn’t care. Besides, I couldn’t tell her the truth: that I stocked Mum’s favourite flavours in the hope she would drop by unexpectedly like she used to.

These days, we avoided each other. I hated seeing the devastation in her eyes, she hates seeing the guilt in mine.

An eyebrow quirked. ‘Wow, so we’re really going to eat ice-cream?’

I couldn’t resist. ‘I’m going to eat something.’

Rather than slap me, she chuckled. ‘Bad boy.’

‘I can be good too.’ I gave in to the impulse to touch her and trailed a finger down her bare arm. Goosebumps sprang up over her skin and I glimpsed the telltale hardening of her nipples.

Fuck, I wanted to wrap my lips around them so bad. To suck them into my mouth, twirl my tongue over them, have her arch and thrust them into my mouth. Were they pink or brown? Large areola or small? Were her tits the perfect handful?

She must’ve glimpsed the lust in my eyes because she eased away. ‘This is way out of my comfort zone,’ she blurted, colour flushing her cheeks. ‘But I’m renowned for my bluntness so here goes. I like you. I like the fact you’ve been straightforward with what you want. I don’t like the fact I haven’t had sex in almost a year.’

She blew out a long breath. ‘And I’m very tempted to rectify that alarming statistic with you.’

My cock surged to fully erect. Suit jackets were good for something after all. How could this gorgeous, intriguing woman not have had sex in almost a year? A travesty, one I intended on remedying if she let me. She’d be so responsive, going off like a firecracker with the slightest ministrations, and I couldn’t wait to get my mouth on her.

‘Then what are we waiting for?’ I held out my hand, willing her to take it.

She hesitated, staring at it for an eternity, before she finally moved, sliding off the stool to stand in front of me. Wow, she was tall, at least five-nine, her height a welcome surprise. I always felt like I’d break the petite ones, considering I’d hit six-two at nineteen.

‘I won’t bite.’ I flexed my fingers, inviting her to take hold. ‘Not unless you ask politely, that is.’

When her tongue darted out to moisten her bottom lip, I almost lost it, the yearning to grab her hand and make a run for it incredibly strong.

‘This is so not me,’ she murmured, so softly I barely heard, before she finally, finally, placed her hand in mine. ‘But maybe for one night it can be.’

I squeezed her hand and she squeezed back, strong and sure, at odds with her wary expression. ‘For what it’s worth, I’m not some sleaze who picks up women in bars for one-night stands.’

She gave a slight nod. ‘I’m a pretty good judge of character and I wouldn’t be doing this if I thought you were.’

I wanted to say she shouldn’t be so trusting. That you couldn’t tell a good guy from a bad on first meeting. But it wasn’t my place to lecture her and I knew she’d bolt if I did. Did that make me a selfish prick? Hell yeah, but with her soft hand in mine, my little head overruled my big one.

‘Let’s go.’

Can’t wait to see what happens next? Go straight to PART IV

And don’t miss the steamy conclusion in PART V

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Are they playing to win…or playing for keeps?

Angelica Bryant has a dream. The only child of a soccer legend, she pays her bills by working at her father’s bar while pursuing her goals: a role in sports management and a place in the newly established Women’s Aussie Rules league. Football is her passion, and she won’t let anything get in her way: including an ill-advised one-night-stand with one of Australia’s most successful agents.

Jaxon Flint thrives on success. His workaholic lifestyle keeps his agency and the athletes he represents at the top of their game – and all of his emotions at bay. Until he meets Angie, W.A.R.’s newest star, who undermines his carefully laid plans and gets under his skin. Is he willing to relinquish his careful control both in and out of the bedroom?

When Angie and Jaxon end up working together, it’s game on!

All three Women of W.A.R. titles release 20 February 2018!

 

Game On (Women of W.A.R.): Exclusive Excerpt Part 2

For the next few weeks, we will be previewing titles from our brand new Women of W.A.R. series, available Feb 20. This week, we are featuring Game On, the flirty workplace romance from internationally best-selling author Nicola Marsh.

Part One is available here.

He laughed, a rich, deep sound that rumbled all the way through me, arrowing straight between those damn ovaries. ‘From the way you handled those dickheads, I may have just fallen in love a little.’

‘Be still my beating heart,’ I deadpanned, enjoying our dry banter all too much.

How long since I’d done this? Swapped witty one-liners with a pro? Try never. The guys I’d dated occasionally in uni had been fellow sports-freaks who viewed sex the same way I did: as a form of exercise. No muss, no fuss fun.

I’d hooked up with exactly three guys, one a year, during my studies. None of them had made me sit up and take notice like this guy.

‘Just so you know, I don’t do love, so I paid you a massive compliment.’ He raised his beer in a silent cheer.

‘Just so you know, I don’t talk to strangers, so the fact I’m sitting here listening to your BS is a massive compliment.’ I clinked my beer bottle against his, unable to stop a burgeoning smile.

Because staring into those mesmerising dark eyes filled with humour made me want to laugh out loud for the hell of it.

‘In that case, I’ll drink to that.’ He took a slug from his beer, the smooth convulsive action of his throat making my fingers itch to reach out and touch. ‘At the risk of reverting to trite jerk status, what do you do when you’re not emasculating misguided men?’

‘I work at a bar not unlike this one.’

I must’ve inadvertently screwed up my nose because he laughed again. ‘And not loving it, obviously.’

I shrugged, not willing to divulge my reasons for sticking around at my father’s bar when he obviously didn’t give a crap one way or the other. ‘It’s a stopgap until I get where I want to be.’

‘Where’s that?’

The truth hovered on the tip of my tongue but most guys didn’t understand a woman wanting to make it big in Aussie Rules; why would this one be any different? ‘Anywhere but here.’ I placed my bottle on the bar and gestured around. ‘Seen one mirror-lined, liquor-stocked, den of inequity filled with memorabilia from washed-up sports stars, seen them all.’

‘Sounds like you really love your job. Cheers to that.’ He took another slug of his beer as I bit back a grin.

I liked sarcasm. Go figure.

‘Let me guess. You’re one of those annoyingly chipper people who live for work.’

He held up his left hand. No ring. Not that it meant anything to some guys. ‘Guilty as charged.’

‘Workaholics are good.’ I cast him a sly sideways glance. ‘They end up alcoholics who keep me in a job.’

‘I thought you were only playing bar wench as a stopgap?’

‘And I thought you were just leaving?’ As much as I was enjoying our banter, I should go. I had an early start on the training track tomorrow and another double shift starting at midday.

‘Is that an invitation?’ He eyeballed me, bold and challenging. Damned if I didn’t like it. ‘Would you like to leave with me?’

No innuendo. No sly jibes. A blatant invitation that tempted me more than it should.

If I had a bucket list, sex with a stranger wouldn’t be on it. That was before. Before him.

‘Just so we’re clear, we’re not leaving here to have ice-cream, right?’

‘There can be ice, and cream, involved.’ He leaned closer, a waft of something crisp and expensive washing over me, befuddling me more than his words. ‘If you’re lucky.’

I didn’t pick up men in bars.

I didn’t do one-night stands.

But the longer I stared into his dark, hypnotic eyes, the more I knew without a doubt I was in danger of doing both.

What happens next?? 

Part I

Part III

Part IV

Part V

PRE-ORDER NOW

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Are they playing to win…or playing for keeps?

Angelica Bryant has a dream. The only child of a soccer legend, she pays her bills by working at her father’s bar while pursuing her goals: a role in sports management and a place in the newly established Women’s Aussie Rules league. Football is her passion, and she won’t let anything get in her way: including an ill-advised one-night-stand with one of Australia’s most successful agents.

Jaxon Flint thrives on success. His workaholic lifestyle keeps his agency and the athletes he represents at the top of their game – and all of his emotions at bay. Until he meets Angie, W.A.R.’s newest star, who undermines his carefully laid plans and gets under his skin. Is he willing to relinquish his careful control both in and out of the bedroom?

When Angie and Jaxon end up working together, it’s game on!

All three Women of W.A.R. titles release 20 February 2018!

 

Game On (Women of W.A.R.): Exclusive Excerpt

For the next few weeks, we will be previewing titles from our brand new Women of W.A.R. series, available Feb 20. This week, we kick off our series with Game On, the flirty workplace romance from internationally best-selling author Nicola Marsh.

Chapter 1
ANGIE

I liked working in a bar. Serving drinks, listening to life stories, dishing out advice, chuckling with the drunks. I could handle it all and frequently did at my dad’s sports bar, The Scissor Kick, Melbourne’s newest hotspot.

Arse-kicking Angie, they called me, and I liked it. I didn’t take crap from anyone.

So what the hell was I doing here, perched on a stool at a rival bar, doing some reconnaissance work for Dad but putting up with unwelcome advances from a bunch of Neanderthal pricks all in the name of research?

I braced as a group of four cute-enough guys approached, jostling and elbowing as I’d witnessed many times before, usually when I wasn’t the object of their intent.

‘Hey, are you Cinderella?’ Tall, Dark and Dickhead led the pack. ‘Because I can see that dress coming off at midnight.’

I bit back a groan, not summoning the energy to point out I wore a denim mini and a black tank top. Idiot.

When I didn’t respond, the second guy tried his luck. ‘You must be a hell of a thief, because you stole my heart from across the room.’ He clutched his chest to emphasise it and gazed at me hopefully.

I refrained from saying, ‘I may have vomited in my mouth a little.’ Just.

The third squared his shoulders, exuding cockiness. ‘Your lips look lonely. Would they like to meet mine?’

That did it. No more. I pointed over their shoulders. ‘Boys, there’s a door over there for a reason. Use it.’

‘Bitch,’ the first one muttered under his breath, as they collectively glared at me before swaggering away in search of their next victim.

‘Arseholes,’ I muttered, determined to be more protective toward unaccompanied females at The Scissor Kick in future.

Was this the type of crap women had to put up with on a night out? I wouldn’t know. I didn’t date. I didn’t socialise. I didn’t do much of anything but work nights at Dad’s bar and study days at uni. Though with a degree in sports management finally under my belt, I hoped to change all that.

I’d given Dad enough of my soul. He could find some other skivvy to tolerate his excessive demands.

‘That was painful.’ A laconic drawl from the stool on my left drew my attention. ‘Men are jerks.’

I rolled my eyes. I’d seen this ploy too, where guys berated their own sex in the hope of cosying up to a woman. Pathetic.

However, when I half swivelled on my stool and saw my next victim of a potential tongue-lashing, any putdowns fled.

This guy didn’t have The Look. The naughty glint in the eyes, the sleazy smirk, the roving stare. Uh-uh, this guy had the potential to command The Look from me.

Dark wavy hair. Dark soulful eyes. Dark designer suit. He didn’t need The Look because one glance from those eyes and women’s panties would drop all by themselves.

Lucky I was immune.

Though for a fleeting moment, as I remembered the last time I’d had sex an unmemorable eleven months earlier, maybe I should amend that to unlucky.

‘You’re a man. Doesn’t that make you a card-carrying member of Jerks United too?’

‘That depends.’

‘On?’

‘How foolish the woman.’

Against my better judgement, he had me intrigued. ‘What does that mean?’

‘It means that I’m upfront when I like a woman. I don’t resort to all that bullshit corny line crap. I tell her I want her and not to expect more than what I’m willing to give. If she reads more into it …’ he shrugged. ‘More fool her.’

My ovaries twanged. I may have met the male version of me.

‘Interesting perspective.’ I fiddled with the label on my boutique beer, an annoying habit I’d tried to conquer for years and failed. ‘Yet one question remains.’

An eyebrow arched. ‘What’s that?’

‘How foolish do you think I am?’

What happens next?? 

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

PRE-ORDER NOW (one click links below!) and tune-in this week for more from all three titles!

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Are they playing to win…or playing for keeps?

Angelica Bryant has a dream. The only child of a soccer legend, she pays her bills by working at her father’s bar while pursuing her goals: a role in sports management and a place in the newly established Women’s Aussie Rules league. Football is her passion, and she won’t let anything get in her way: including an ill-advised one-night-stand with one of Australia’s most successful agents.

Jaxon Flint thrives on success. His workaholic lifestyle keeps his agency and the athletes he represents at the top of their game – and all of his emotions at bay. Until he meets Angie, W.A.R.’s newest star, who undermines his carefully laid plans and gets under his skin. Is he willing to relinquish his careful control both in and out of the bedroom?

When Angie and Jaxon end up working together, it’s game on!

All three Women of W.A.R. titles release 20 February 2018!

iBooks, Booktopia, Kobo, Nook, Google, Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon AU

Women to Watch

The Women of W.A.R. series is set in a fictional universe, so our teams and characters – though they feel real – don’t really exist. But Women’s AFL is very much real, and the players and their teams on the field are playing their hearts out and inspiring girls and women all over the country.

So while we hope that you enjoy the stories of Angelica, Cress, and Darcy, we thought that we should also pay homage to those players who inspired them.

Daisy Pearce

Already a stellar player in VFL Women’s league, Daisy set the AFLW league on fire in the inaugural season, winning the inaugural Melbourne best-and-fairest winner, the AFLW Player’s best captain award, AND captained the inaugural AFL Women’s All-Australian team.

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Moana Hope

Moana is born on Valentine’s Day (which as romance readers, you know we love), but more importantly, she is an incredible goal kicker: the first player to ever kick more than 100 goals in the VFL Women’s, and winner of her AFLW team’s inaugural leading goalkicker award.

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Kirby Bentley

Kirby won’t be playing in 2018 due to an injury, but she hasn’t let that slow her down: she has created the Kirby Bentley Cup to provide young indigenous girls aged between 13-17 the opportunity to put their footie skills on display. Also, just when she couldn’t get cooler, off field, Kirby works in mines as an explosives expert.

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Erin Phillips

Not content with dominating on the basketball court (where she’s an Olympic silver medalist and a player in the US WNBA), Erin also co-captained the Adelaide AFLW team and won the AFLW best and fairest medal and the AFLW Player’s Most Valuable Player award.

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Brianna Davey

Another over-achiever, Brianna played international soccer with the Matildas before becoming co-vice-captain of Carlton and being listed in the 2017 All-Australian team.

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Meg Hutchins

Meg not only plays for Collingwood, but she is involved in the management team as well, in her role as Women’s Football Operations Manager, where her experience benefits the Collingwood board.

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Ally Anderson

Part of the Brisbane Lions team that made it to the Grand Final, Ally is also a coach for the AFL KickStart program and mentors the Queensland under-15 women’s Indigenous side. She’s also training to be a paramedic, and has swapped her boots for a microphone, commenting on the NEAFL for NITV.

Incidentally, if you’re interested in Indigenous players in the AFL/AFLW, there is a great map here  with information about players and their identified language and cultural groups.

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Hannah Mouncey

Hannah isn’t an AFLW player – yet – but we wanted to include her on our list as she fights to be the first transgender player in the AFLW. Hannah was excluded from the draft, due to concerns that her physical disparity would give her unfair advantage. Mouncey’s testosterone levels fall between those required by the International Olympic Committee, the same guidelines followed by the AFL.

There are so many other inspiring athletes, and you can check them out for yourself here http://www.afl.com.au/womens/player-profiles.

And, for a fictional account of the lives and loves of Women’s Aussie Rules players – on and off the field – remember to check out the Women of W.A.R. series. Pre-order now!

 

All Women of W.A.R. titles are available for pre-order now!

iBooks, Booktopia, Nook, Kobo, Google, Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon AU

The Stuff of Fantasy

by Nicola Marsh

If you follow AFL you’ll know there’s a thing called Fantasy Teams, where anyone can choose their favourite players and create their dream team. Each week players are assigned points according to performance and your score is tallied so you can see how your fantasy team performed, with mega prizes involved.

But as I’m a romance author and totally shallow when it comes to eye candy, here are a few players who could make the cut of ‘Fantasy Team’ of a different kind…(as voted by Herald Sun readers in 2015, Who is the AFL’s sexiest player?)

Andrew Swallow (past captain of my football club, the North Melbourne Kangaroos, who’s gorgeous inside and out, a true gentleman of the game.)

Lance Franklin

Travis Boak

Alex Rance

Now it’s over to you.

Who would you choose to be in your Fantasy Team?

Any sport, any player, let’s see who would make the grade in your dream team.

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Are they playing to win…or playing for keeps?

Angelica Bryant has a dream. The only child of a soccer legend, she pays her bills by working at her father’s bar while pursuing her goals: a role in sports management and a place in the newly established Women’s Aussie Rules league. Football is her passion, and she won’t let anything get in her way: including an ill-advised one-night-stand with one of Australia’s most successful agents.

Jaxon Flint thrives on success. His workaholic lifestyle keeps his agency and the athletes he represents at the top of their game – and all of his emotions at bay. Until he meets Angie, W.A.R.’s newest star, who undermines his carefully laid plans and gets under his skin. Is he willing to relinquish his careful control both in and out of the bedroom?

When Angie and Jaxon end up working together, it’s game on!

iBooks, Booktopia, Kobo, Nook, Google, Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon AU

Get more information about this title on Nicola’s blog!

Breaking News: Announcing Women of W.A.R.

Escape Publishing is pleased to announce three stand-alone titles in a fun, flirty, footy series featuring the strong athletic heroines of the Women of AFL.

Set in the fictional Women’s Aussie Rules (W.A.R.) League, Women of W.A.R. follows three female footy players as they break down barriers, learning to live and love in the big leagues.

All three books will be released simultaneously on 20/2/18, and are available for pre-order now.

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Are they playing to win…or playing for keeps?

Angelica Bryant has a dream. The only child of a soccer legend, she pays her bills by working at her father’s bar while pursuing her goals: a role in sports management and a place in the newly established Women’s Aussie Rules league. Football is her passion, and she won’t let anything get in her way: including an ill-advised one-night-stand with one of Australia’s most successful agents.

Jaxon Flint thrives on success. His workaholic lifestyle keeps his agency and the athletes he represents at the top of their game – and all of his emotions at bay. Until he meets Angie, W.A.R.’s newest star, who undermines his carefully laid plans and gets under his skin. Is he willing to relinquish his careful control both in and out of the bedroom?

When Angie and Jaxon end up working together, it’s game on!

iBooks, Booktopia, Kobo, Nook, Google, Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon AU

Get more information about this title on Nicola’s blog!

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Does she dare pursue all her dreams?

Everyone in Grong Grong knows Cress Kennedy’s childhood dream is to play Aussie

Rules Football, so when the Sydney Sirens sign her in the new Women’s Aussie Rules competition, she heads to the big city to pursue her dream. But no one in Grong Grong knows of Cress’s other dreams: the ones that revolve entirely around Quin Fitzpatrick.

Quin Fitzpatrick left Grong Grong as an eighteen-year-old to play Aussie Rules in Sydney, but after eight years the shine has gone from the lifestyle. When his best friend’s little sister follows in his country-to-city footsteps, he promises to look after her. She can stay with him and he’ll protect her as best he can. Besides, Watercress is the little sister he never had.

But Cress is all grown up now and playing Women’s Aussie Rules, and it’s about time that Quin sees her as a woman too…

iBooks, Booktopia, Kobo, Nook, Google, Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon AU

Get more information about this title on Cath’s blog!

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How to mend a broken heart…

Darcy Clarke would do anything to play for the new Women’s Aussie Rules league, even put up with her ex, Tony, who just happens to be the coach of the Brisbane Banshees. Tony stomped out of their apartment – and all over her heart – two years ago, but she’s moved on, and she deserves her jersey.

As his best friend’s girl, Darcy has always been out of Levi’s reach, even after Tony dropped her and moved out of the apartment they all shared. Now, two years on and still sharing the same apartment, she should be fair game. But Levi is no closer to getting Darcy to think of him as anything but a roommate and a friend.

But when Darcy injures herself in play, Levi’s qualifications as a sports massage therapist are put to good use. Suddenly, their relationship becomes very hands on, and Darcy sees a whole new side of her old friend. A pity he seems immune to her charms. When Tony makes it clear he wants back into her life, she has a decision to make: between the man she once loved and the man who never left her side.

iBooks, Booktopia, Nook, Kobo, Google, Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon AU

For more information on this title, check out Amy’s website!