Ripe For Reader: Review - PLAYING THE GAME by Shawnte Borris

Monday, April 4, 2016

Review - PLAYING THE GAME by Shawnte Borris

Playing the Game, Derek Backhard

(Book 2 in the Game Series)

Shawnte Borris

Since being drafted by the NHL to play for his home team at age nineteen, Derek Backhard has had everything he's ever dreamed of - unrivaled MVP mentions, countless goals and assists, even being compared to the great one. Holding the power to control his future in the palm of his hands, nothing stood in his way.

Until the unthinkable happened, and everything about his life shifted. Past priorities fell away the moment he held baby Ryder in his arms mere moments after losing his close friend, and Ryder's father, Brad.

After weeks of watching Liz fall apart over the loss of her husband as she struggled to adjust to life as a single parent, Derek vows to give her and Ryder everything they deserve, creating a life he never knew he always wanted.

Rocked to her core by her changing feelings for him, Liz doesn’t know what to do with Derek or his offer. Uncertainty swirls within her as she leans on her lifelong friend during the hard times, but how much of his attention is real, and how much is pity?

Is she strong enough to let him in and let him take care of her, or will she force him away and back into the life she thinks he really wants?

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/playing-the-game/id1011992776?mt=11
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Playing-The-Game-Derek-Backhard-ebook/dp/B01DJCUPC8

4 of 5 Stars

We met both Liz and Derek in book one "The Game" and you really will be missing out if you jump right in and read "Playing the Game".

While her husband Brad is away on a business trip she goes into labor early. Liz received a beautiful blessing and a tragic loss all in one day. Brad never does come home from that business trip as his plane crashed on his way to his new family. We watch sadly as Liz struggles with her loss and tries not to let it overpower her joy for her new baby boy, who looks just like his daddy. When she finally shows her strength and sends her family away so she can start moving on, she is still a little worried and hesitant. But she has a super support team in her friends.

Derek is no stranger, he was one of Brad's best friends and Liz's best friends twin brother. He has know Liz since she was 13 years old. Derek is on the road a lot as he is a NHL hockey player but when he can be home he likes to spend time with his friends and family. He finds himself as the stand in for Brad during deliver of Ryder and the experience has changed in just a little. He suddenly is feeling the need for someone to come home to, someone to share his time away with.

When Derek surprises everyone and offers to move in with Liz and Ryder when he is home, just to help be the other person she expected to have, to help make life easier. The last thing they ever suspected was the bond that would form between Derek and Ryder. Before they know it the little boy is totally attached to him. Slow as time moves on there might be a little extra attraction for Derek to Liz. Does she feel the same? Is it too soon? Can he do this to Brad, this was not his plan, he just wanted to be there to help her.... but now he wants more.... so much more....Will Derek and Liz move forward as a team in every sense of the meaning?

This was a wonderful book about second chances. Life throws some really twisted curves at us and life is all about how we react to those specific curves. I think Shawnte did a wonderful job with choosing the right path for Liz to take. I look forward to the next book.....Stay tuned.

*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***

Shawnté lives in central Alberta, with her husband Ricky of 10 amazing years and together they have two beautiful children. Somehow her husband has managed to trick her into running a cow/calf operation. As much as she fusses about it, she loves it.

When Shawnté is not sitting at her kitchen table hammering away on her laptop while watching the moose chase her cows across the yard, yes this really happens. Then she is busy attend school activities, community events and chauffeuring children here and there. She is big on playing softball and watching hockey.

When the time comes to relax, you will find her snuggled underneath her down comforter reading on her Ipad. Wait…who are we kidding, if the dishes, vacuuming, laundry or the bathrooms needs a hose down, you’ll always hear her say, “Just after this chapter.” She doesn’t have a favorite author or best story because everyday she falls in love with someone new.

Shawnté is technology challenged so with the help of Lacy you can find her anywhere. Please go like her page and leave a review/star rating on the books she’s wrote.