Tag Archives: Birmingham Rebels

July 23, 2017 · 9:10 am

Misconduct (Birmingham Rebels, #4) by Samantha Kane

Misconduct (Birmingham Rebels, #4)Misconduct by Samantha Kane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Misconduct
Author: Samantha Kane
Series: Birmingham Rebels, #4
Pages: 288
Publisher: Loveswept
Date: July 25, 2017

Summary:

Rookie running back Tom Kelly loves the perks of football stardom. Men, women—there’s no shortage of companionship for a pro athlete who’s hot, young, and willing, and Tom is definitely willing. But deep down he wants a committed three-way relationship, especially if the female in the middle is Carmina de la Cruz. The undeniably sexy Army veteran may not say much, but her body speaks loud and clear.

After a traumatic tour in Afghanistan, Carmina is struggling to regain her speech and rebuild her life. More than anything, she wants to feel like a woman again. Tom may be a wholesome All-American, but he knows just how she needs to be touched—and he’s not the only Rebel who arouses her interest. With his scorching intensity, Tom’s best friend leaves her wondering if two players might be better than one.

Danny Smith is no stranger to his team’s kinky reputation. He gave in to temptation once, but he’s not going down that road again. Sure, Carmina’s curves promise pleasure, but her eyes guarantee it comes with baggage—and Danny has enough of his own. Still, giving up control can feel so good. And when it comes to everything Danny craves, Carmina and Tom make the perfect team.

Review:

Although I am a big Samantha Kane fan (Brothers in Arms is the GREATEST!), I never expected to like the Birmingham Rebels series. I don’t like team sports, and I especially don’t like football, but these books are wonderful. And that says something . . . if I enjoy books that take place in a setting that I have no interest in, they must be good.

This one, which is book four, is no exception. Samantha Kane’s books have a continuing storyline, but there are no cliffhangers. It’s just that situations from previous books come up again and the team members and their mates show up as well. This entire series is like a story of an extended family. Obviously, it would be best to read them in order.

Anyway, Tom is the All-American-Boy who everybody loves. Carmina is recovering from injuries she received as a soldier in Afghanistan and is very self-conscious about the disability she is striving to overcome. Danny is angry. That is the best way to describe him. He has good reasons, but he has let his anger control everything in his life.

And that’s why this is a four star and not a five star book. Tom is great, but Carmina and Danny are still too focused on the past. Carmina considers herself broken and in need of fixing. Those are her words. She keeps poking herself in the head when she talks about her problems. Danny needs to get over the past. Yes, something terrible happened, but get over it and move on.

Of course, most of this works out at the end, and a wonderful thing about Samantha Kane’s books is that everything isn’t tied up in a beautiful bow. Life is not perfect. However, her characters are willing to work to make things as good as they can be.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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January 29, 2017 · 1:42 am

Jacked Up (Birmingham Rebels, #3) by Samantha Kane

Jacked Up (Birmingham Rebels, #3)Jacked Up by Samantha Kane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Jacked Up
Author: Samantha Kane
Series: Birmingham Rebels, #3
Pages: n/p
Publisher: Loveswept
Date: January 31, 2017

Summary:

The secret about the Birmingham Rebels is out: With a girl in the middle, two mouth-watering football studs are better than one.

Linebacker Sam Taylor feels like a ticking time bomb. He left the army with emotional wounds as fresh as the scars on his back. Sam’s been living like a monk, but his best friend, defensive lineman King Ulupoka, wants to get him laid. Easy for him to say. The larger-than-life Samoan is a hard-bodied, tribal-tattooed fantasy. Sam agrees, under one condition: King stays to watch.

ER nurse Jane Foster is done being a good girl, and nothing says wild like picking up two of football’s sexiest players and bringing them back to your hotel room. Trouble is, she can’t decide which one she wants more. Sam is hot, sweet, and vulnerable. Jane’s more than willing to ride him into oblivion. But King’s intense gaze from across the room promises that the best is yet to come.

Sure, King has had his choice of girls and guys in the past. That doesn’t mean he’ll jeopardize his relationship with Sam over a case of locker-room lust—until a naughty nurse pushes them both out of their comfort zones. Seeing Jane and Sam together turns King on more than he ever imagined. If they’re game, he’s ready to tackle a three-way play.

Review:

This is the third in the Birmingham Rebels series and I have loved each of them. I didn’t expect to. I don’t like football and I don’t understand it. And yes, I realize there is probably a correlation there.

So, why did I read the first one?

Samantha Kane people! Brotherhood in Arms! One of my favorite series ever.

Of course, I had to give the book a chance, even if it was based in the world of football.

And I am so glad I did.

I think this may be my favorite book of the three if for no other reason than I adore King Ulupoka. As the description says, he is larger-than-life and that is just physically. He has a wonderful, wonderful personality and he knows how to go for what he wants. Unfortunately, that sometimes means he rolls over people because, of course, he knows best. It doesn’t matter. I love him. I love how he works to make the relationship between Sam, Jane, and him successful. And it takes a lot of work. Sam is suffering from PTSD and Jane is a “good girl.” They can be their own worst enemies.

And that is my one problem with the book. I wanted Sam to get over himself. I know that sounds harsh considering his background, but I wanted them to have a happily ever after.

Did they get it?

Obviously. This is a romance, albeit a nontraditional one.

It’s not absolutely necessary to read the first two books in the series (Broken Play and Calling the Play), but it will make this one more fun. Previous characters show up and have important parts to play. Not to mention, they’re great books.

Give these books a try. I promise you don’t have to be a sports fan at all.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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November 29, 2015 · 2:27 pm

Calling the Play (Birmingham Rebels, #2) by Samantha Kane

Calling the Play (Birmingham Rebels, #2)Calling the Play by Samantha Kane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Calling the Play
Author: Samantha Kane
Series: Birmingham Rebels
Pages: 223
Publisher: Loveswept
Date: December 1, 2015

Summary:

Quarterback Tyler Oakes plays hard and parties even harder. That reckless lifestyle nearly derailed his career, and now the Birmingham Rebels are Ty’s last shot at football immortality. But staying out of trouble can take its toll—especially for a man with a taste for girls and guys. Because curvy, gorgeous Randi McInish is just the kind of trouble he’d like to get into.

A tough-as-nails undercover cop, Randi meets her match in Ty. After they get wrapped up together in a drug bust and a high-speed car chase, Randi’s eager to take the notorious bad boy for another wild ride. Turns out Ty already has something in mind. When he introduces her to the Rebels’ sexy new quarterback coach, things start heating up a little too fast for Randi.

Brian Mason coached Ty in college, and boy do they have history together. With Brian taking control on the field and in the bedroom, they were an unstoppable team. But Brian, blindsided by love, ran from his feelings for Ty. He won’t let Randi make the same mistake. Both men agree they need more than each other. They want a woman they can share. And when they make a pleasure play for Randi, all three are sure to score.

Review:

I’m a big fan of Samantha Kane’s historical menage novels and this contemporary title is no exception. Calling the Play is the second book in her Birmingham Rebels series. The Rebels are a new NFL franchise and the players are, for the most part, the ones no one else wants. They have had personal and professional problems and are trying to get their lives together again.

What these guys are not though is losers.

They want to win and they want to be a team that works together to win . . . but, they also want to be a team that is a family.

In the first book, Broken Play, Marian, and assistant coach, and two of the players, Cass and Beau, form a menage relationship. This relationship is some ways draws the team closer together, but with some of the other players, it drives a wedge between them.

The stress of this relationship is still felt in Calling the Play.

Ty, the quarterback of the team, has to stay on the straight and narrow. The Rebels is his last chance at professional football and any bad publicity could get him kicked off the team. So, of course, he ends up in a bar where a drug bust is going down.

Randi (and I just realized what a cliche that name is) works for the local police force. She normally works burglary, but has been brought in undercover for this one case. She realizes that Ty is not part of the drug deal and tries to get him out of the bar before things go wrong.

Too late.

There is a high speed car chase, a shooting, and sparks flying between Ty and Randi. So, of course, she takes him home with her.

Enter Brian, a new coach who worked with Ty in the past. They participated in menages at that time, but never had a sexual relationship with each other. Brian has been brought in because he did such a good job of coaching Ty to be a winning quarterback in college. However, Brian took the job because he is still in love with Ty and wants another chance.

Three people, all with emotional issues in their backgrounds that interfere with any relationship, and they have to fall in love with each other.

Of course, it all works out in the end. It’s not easy. It’s not perfect, but they are all willing to work at what they have together. And that’s what makes it such a good romance. It’s not a “and they lived happily ever after.” It’s we love each other and there are going to be problems, but we will stick together and work things out.

I enjoyed the first book in the series, but I think I liked this one even better. My only criticism is Randi comes off as really raunchy. It’s intentional. That’s her personality. She is very open about sex and what she enjoys. It’s just to start with, it’s a little jarring.

The series is called the Birmingham Rebels, so I am assuming all of the books will be about the team. However, Randi has a brother named Moon and I really want to know his story. Maybe there will be a spinoff series? When you meet him, you’ll understand my fascination.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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July 3, 2015 · 3:07 pm

Broken Play (Birmingham Rebels, #1) by Samantha Kane

Broken Play (Birmingham Rebels, #1)Broken Play by Samantha Kane

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Broken Play
Author: Samantha Kane
Series: Birmingham Rebels, #1
Pages: 235
Publisher: Loveswept
Date: September 1, 2015

Summary:

Birmingham Rebels offensive linemen Beau Perez and Cass Zielinski are inseparable, on and off the field. Cass, the captain with the cowboy swagger, is a loose cannon. Beau, the veteran tight end, is cool under pressure. And ever since they were caught on tape in a steamy threesome, their exploits have fueled more than a few tabloid headlines—and naughty fantasies.
Marian Treadwell knows all about the video. And now that she’s the Rebels’ new assistant offensive coach, she can’t look at Beau and Cass without picturing their hard, naked bodies—with her pressed in between. Marian would like nothing more than to indulge those impulses, but she knows better than to get too close to her players, a bunch of adrenaline-fueled alpha males who don’t always follow the rules.
Just the thought of sharing the gorgeous yet guarded Marian drives Cass wild. At first, Beau isn’t sure she’s right for them . . . and lately, all he desires is a little alone time with Cass to explore their new intimacy. But it’s only a matter of time before Cass breaks through both of their defenses. Because when seduction is the game plan, he always plays to win.

Review:

The description above describes this book, but it leaves out more than it tells.

Beau is a recovering drug/alcohol addict and still sees himself as a screwup and not worthy of anyone’s time. Cass is the person who pulled him out of his addictions and has taken responsibility for his continued soberness.

And they’re in love and neither will admit it.

Sharing women is the only way they can be close to each other without acknowledging the truth.

Marian has been in the football world her entire life. Her father is a college coach and she has worked in the sport since she was a child.

She has also discovered just how entitled some players can be. She knows that they cannot always be trusted.

She has always fantasised about being with two men, but she thinks there is something wrong with her for wanting it.

Obviously, the three of them are made for each other.

I love Samantha Kane’s books, especially her Brothers in Arms series. There is wonderful m/m/f sex, but the emotion is what sets her books apart.

I think this series is going to be even more emotionally satisfying that the Brothers in Arms and that is hard for me to believe.

There is a twist towards the end that for a minute I thought was going to be more than I could accept. But it worked. Man, did it work.

Time for a cold drink and a fan to cool things off.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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