Title: DARE
Series: Brothers of Ink and Steel #1
Author: Allie Juliette Mousseau
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Release Date: January 12, 2015
Josh North is UFC’s Light Heavyweight Champion—but he’s about to meet his match.
Sophie Garner is a single mom who’s been raising her daughter on her own, fighting for both of their lives ever since going into hiding to escape her abusive husband.
When Sophie gets offered the job of a lifetime as the exclusive massage therapist for Josh “The Jackhammer” North’s team, it’s difficult to say no to the outrageous salary—and the bet—that Josh proposes. But for Sophie it’s a risk that could cost a lot more than just her heart – if she’s found, it could cost her her life.
Should she dare?
Josh wants to break through Sophie’s fortified walls, but is unwilling to put the jackhammer to his own and reveal his secrets and the side of him few have ever known or seen. To do that, he’ll have to confront the darkness of his past.
Will he dare?
Six weeks until Christmas. I jab Ray, my sparring partner, in the eye. He staggers back a little before he shakes it off. I wonder if I could get Sophie to come with me to the party?
I send two fast fists into Ray’s ribcage. In two days we’ll all be flying to Denver for the rest of the week. I’ll be meeting Charlie for the first time. I block Ray’s grasp as he comes in and tries to take me to the floor. I land a kick in his well-padded sternum.
I know Denver. Sophie said she’d never been there before. I could set up an impromptu lunch or dinner with her and Charlie … that wouldn’t look like I was hitting on her. Right? Maybe I can even get Sophie to be my—hell, I don’t know what to call it … wingman? Co-pilot? Any term but “date”—for one of the sponsor events. There will be two of them over the weekend.
Ray gets around me and attempts a chokehold. I break free and throw him over my shoulder. His back slams against the mat. I hear the breath that’s forced from his lungs.
The team always sets me up with one or two women for the photo shoots, then for the promo galas, which usually consist of a benefit auction or fundraising dinner. Sophie might find it fun. If we go as friends, she won’t feel threatened, right? And she could learn more about the ins and outs of that side of the business. Oh, hell yeah! That sounds perfect!
Just then Sophie walks by the ring. Her face is freshly scrubbed and free of makeup. She possesses a natural beauty that’s breathtaking. Deep brown chestnut waves of hair cascade over the shoulders of her crisp, white blouse. She glances at me from under her lashes. It’s so subtle, if I wasn’t looking at her precisely at this moment I wouldn’t have noticed.
But I do.
Her cheeks blush with a surge of pink when our eyes meet.
I feel Ray’s legs wrap around mine as I hear his body slam to the mat and sense helplessly that he’s taking me down with him. Shit! Immediately, my hip and shoulder connects with the tough canvas.
Sophie keeps walking by, pretending as if she didn’t see anything, but I see the curve of her rose petal lips as they form a smile.
REVIEW
This book is written by an author new to me, which I have to say is the best part of blogging - discovering new authors! I am a sports romance lover so this book grabbed my attention from the start. Sophie is running from an abusive husband whilst trying to make a stable life for her daughter, the adorable Charlie (who stole my heart with her cuteness)! She is achieving this but she is holding on by a thread. Then Josh or Joshy as Charlie calls him, is in need of a good massage therapist and they are pushed together. You can feel the sparks of passion in that first meeting. Josh is one HOT MMA fighter who has a past he struggles with but underneath the hard exterior is a heart of gold, a heart ready to love. Can Sophie break down her walls and let him in, will Josh be able to protect her from her violent past? What I do know is how enjoyable this book was, although gritty in parts it had a perfect balance of angst and happiness! I enjoyed how the story moved back in time to Sophie and Josh's pasts. This added depth and allowed us to feel the characters more realistically! I enjoyed this book and look forward to more in this series and I am now going to look for other books to enjoy from this author! I award this book 4 stars ~ Rosie
Allie Juliette Mousseau writes sexy, emotionally-charged New Adult and Adult Romance in a variety of genres and temperatures. She also creates captivating YA worlds through the magic of ink.
She can always be found writing, playing in puddles with her children, hiking with her husband, or adventuring somewhere in the world. Her favorite place to write on warm days is outdoors, but when the weather gets too cold, she'll be inside at her desk inspired by the mountain view from her home office in Montana where she lives with her loving husband, children, and golden retriever.
She loves to travel, and lived for three years in her RV with her family while visiting the national parks and forests of the U.S. and a couple Canadian provinces. Allie loves chatting to her readers through email and social media! Come visit her through any of her links below!
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Thank you very much for your wonderful words about Dare!!!
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