The Manhattan skyline glows in the afternoon sunshine as cars, trucks, and vans pull up in the parking lot of Marauders’ stadium. Mac, Lyn, Mary, Lilly Gayle, Laverne and Debby all pile out of Mac’s van.
“What a crowd. Does anyone see Gracie?” Mary asks as she adjusts her Marauders sweater.
Lilly Gayle points. “There she is playing Washers with the twins. And aren’t they cute.”
The hostesses all wave. Laverne reaches for a table. “Let’s get the food laid out, I’m starving. The smell of those ribs is making me crazy.”
The hostesses all wave. Laverne reaches for a table. “Let’s get the food laid out, I’m starving. The smell of those ribs is making me crazy.”
Debby
pats her hair, teased and poofed to perfection. “I wonder if Tuck will
be here? I could receive that wide receiver any day.”
Lilly Gayle sighs. "They've always been the best of friends. I'm surprised they haven't ended up together."
Debby lowers her voice. "I don't care what Gracie tells us, I think she secretly has the hots for Jake."
“Hi,
everybody,” Max and Gracie say as they come to a halt in front of the
table laden with burgers and dogs, bratwurst and ribs, potato and pasta
salad, corn on the cob, and fried chicken. Gracie laughs. ”Are you girls
planning on feeding the entire Marauders football team?”
“We also have Jake’s favorite chocolate chip cookies,” Mary says as she takes a bite of one of the rich cookies. “Mmm.”
“We also have Jake’s favorite chocolate chip cookies,” Mary says as she takes a bite of one of the rich cookies. “Mmm.”
Gracie narrows her eyes. “Don’t even mention that man’s name. You know he had the nerve to kiss me.”
“It
seems I’m just in time.” They all turn to see Jake in his football
uniform grinning at them. His gaze meets Gracie’s and sparks fly.
“Uh oh. What do we do now?” Lilly Gayle whispers.
“Eat.” The hostesses reply in unison.
Welcome to our tailgate party as we introduce Mac Crowne’s new release, To Win Her Love.
Here's a sneak peek of the book trailer.
PURCHASE LINK |
To win the game, they’ll have to risk losing their hearts…
When a bizarre child custody stipulation pits popular sports blogger Gracie Gable against football superstar Jake Malone, losing the battle for her twin nieces isn't the only thing Gracie has to worry about. Forced to live for three months under the same roof as the sexy tight end, will she fall prey to his flirtatious pursuit? Or worse, will the skeletons in her closet destroy her chance for the love and family she so desperately wants?
Neglected by his parents as a boy, Jake doesn’t believe in happily ever after. Yet living with Gracie and the twins might be enough to change his mind—and his womanizing ways. But when the press unearths a scandal from Gracie’s past, will he lose the one woman he was ready to open his heart to?
EXCERPT
Like pure, walking sin, Jake Malone closed the distance in a deceptively lazy saunter. Gracie Gable fought the nearly overwhelming urge to take off running. Clenching her jaw, she lifted her chin. Without knowing her true identity, the various press publications flooding her blog’s inbox with requests for interviews had been stymied in their attempts to track her down physically. How the hell had Jake?
And oh, God, why now?
A horrified groan rumbled deep in her chest. Having no idea what was in Pete’s will, she couldn’t afford to do anything to jeopardize her guardianship of the girls—like going toe-to-toe with the Manhattan Marauders’ Outlaw Tight End right here on her brother-in-law’s front lawn. She shot a worried glance down the historic farmhouse’s long driveway, relieved to find it empty. With a little luck, Pete’s attorney would be delayed long enough for her to deal with the famous all-pro’s justified, but still overblown ego. She’d promise him anything—apologize profusely for insulting his integrity, offer him a bribe, whatever would get rid of him before Anthony Spinoza arrived.
Six foot five, with a fallen angel’s face and the body of a god, Jake continued to approach. Gravel crunched beneath the heels of his boots, marking his long-legged swagger, as his thigh muscles flexed and stretched under faded blue jeans. A worn and battered leather bomber jacket rode his yard-wide shoulders. His trademark black Stetson and snakeskin boots completed the image of the Outlaw who held his own against opposing defensive lines and cast him in countless feminine fantasies. Hers included. She’d enjoyed more than her share of secret imaginings concerning the Marauders’ number one tight end.
***GIVEAWAY***
Contest ends on Sunday and everyone who comments is eligible.
(We reserve the right to waive the prize in any week when there are not enough contestants for a draw to be deemed fair and unbiased)
Good Morning Mac, congratulations on your new series, it sounds great. Wishing you many, many sales. Oh, yes, I'd love a burger, and some of that cheesecake would be nice too. Let's party, folks!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, sweetie. I'm so excited to be here and thrilled Jake and Gracie could join us. I mean, what's more fun than a tailgate party with cheesecake and hunky athletes? ;-)
DeleteHi, Mac, best of luck with the book. I love the excerpt!
ReplyDeleteAww thanks, Debby. It's Jake. All Jake. Sigh.... LOL
DeleteBeer, bratwurst, and sexy athletes! Jake gives a whole new meaning to the term "tight end." I haven't watched football since college, but Jake could turn me into a real fan girl!
ReplyDeleteLOL Lilly. We'll make a gridiron girl out of you yet.
DeleteCongrats on your new release! All that food sure looks yummy!
ReplyDeleteforeverbama@gmail.com
-April K
Thanks, April. I know, right? CHEESECAKE! My weakness. Grab a plate and dig in.
DeleteAll the food looks amazing, and the man candy is awesome too. Mackenzie your book sounds like a great read and congratulations on the new release.
ReplyDeleteLOL Hiya Nancy, and thanks for stopping by. I can't decide which is yummier, the food or the man candy.
DeleteI think it's a tie, Mac!
ReplyDeleteUm, yeah, Lilly. But I'm afraid the scales will tip if Tuck shows up. He's one sexy wide receiver rascal who loves to stir things up. We'll have to hold Mary back. LOL
DeleteHi Nancy, Hi April *waves* Yes the man candy is mouthwatering isn't it - and the food is pretty good too - Oliver was up all night making the football cake! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your release, Mac! Can't wait to read about Jake and Gracie in "To Win Her Love" - and throwing twins in the mix? Should be a fun time! Loved your book "A Case for Calamity";)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Auria. I fell in love with the twins and wait until you meet Murphy. LOL
DeleteHI Auria, great to see you at the party.
DeleteMac, I hope you sell a million. Looking forward to reading this sooooo much!
ReplyDeleteI am having trouble, they keep turning off the electricity!! Better share and tweet whilst I can!!! Big hugs
Hugs back, my friend. So sorry your having issues. We lost our power for a bit last night, but it seems to be fine this morning. I'll pop a beer and toast to clear sailing for you, sweetie. :-)
DeleteYou can have mine too! I only drink champagne...lol
DeleteI wish this stuff was done. My windows have been covered for three weeks!
And it looks like they put the stuff on too thick! AHH! Sell those books girlfriend, and enough to quit that day job!
I'll take the candy man, I need to lose a few pounds!!
ReplyDeleteLOL Nice rationalization. :-)
DeleteI can't wait to read this book. I love the cover. Best of luck on the release.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judy. I like the cover, too. It's light and fun, just like the story within. Be sure to grab a plate before everything gets cold.
DeleteUnfortunately, I have to slip off for a bit, to see a man about a toothache. I need it fixed so I can enjoy some more of that fabulous cheesecake. Yumm! But, Gracie and Jake have volunteered to entertain you while I'm gone with little excerpt from early in their story they thought you might enjoy.
ReplyDelete"I’m the enemy, remember?”
ReplyDeleteHe dropped his gaze to run his eyes over her body in a slow survey. “Oh, princess. You could never be the enemy.”
She mentally stomped her heel down on the prickles of awareness his sexy tone and blatant once-over produced. Hah! Rattled by his not-so-subtle flirting, she’d forgotten who she was dealing with. Too bad for him he’d overplayed his hand.
Princess, my ass.
Royalty was rare amongst the residents of the New York City Housing Authority. The art of street fighting wasn’t. If the all-pro superstar thought he could blitz her with a few well-placed innuendos, he deserved to learn what it was like to get sacked.
She widened her eyes, batting her lashes as if dazzled by his flirty compliment, and puckered her lips on a breathy “Oh.” She nearly ruined the affect by smirking when her acting skills proved more adequate than she’d hoped. His gaze dropped to her mouth and stayed there.
Another step sandwiched her between his body and the door. Doing her best to ignore the giddy leap of her heart, she pressed her spread fingers against the soft sweater covering his chest, beneath his open jacket. His glittering green gaze lifted to tangle with hers and, though she longed to experience the kiss the sensual intent gleaming in his eyes promised, she was no more a fool than she was a princess.
Already at a disadvantage with her unwanted housemate, gaining firsthand knowledge of what it was like to lock lips with him would only make matters worse. No, if she was going to survive living with him for the next ninety days, it would be best to lay some ground rules right now. For both of them, but first, he was going to learn who he was dealing with.
Holding his gaze, she rode her hand up over the hard plains of his chest to his shoulder then twined her fingers into the silky hair falling to his collar. She had to cut off an appreciative moan. So soft. A fascinated shiver lifted the fine follicles of hair on the back of her neck and arms when his pupils dilated once again. He dipped his head another inch. Heated spice tickled her senses, making her mouth water and her nostrils quiver in greedy delight.
Oh, holy hell. He smells better than Mary’s chocolate chip cookies.
He lowered his head until no more than a breath separated his lips from hers, and she momentarily lost track of her agenda. Gleaming striations brightened the green of his eyes as they smoldered with the promise of lovely, decadent secrets.
A sigh shimmered from her lips when he closed the remaining distance between them. Her eyes slid shut as, warm and surprisingly tender, his lips brushed hers, nibbling in no particular pattern. Small brush fires flashed to life throughout her system. Heat flared when he deepened the contact, sliding his arms around her and demanding entrance to her mouth with a hot flick of his tongue. A nagging disquiet hovered at the edge of her awareness, but she was helpless against his seductive onslaught.
She obliged him, opening her mouth to curl her tongue with his. Spice and heat tempted and teased. What was a woman to do when faced with such an irresistible combination? She sucked at the silky tongue tangling with hers then moaned at the rich flavor exploding on her taste buds like a sumptuous treat.
Strong arms hauled her up against a muscled chest and thighs. Iron hard interest pressed against her belly.
Snap out of it! Swallowing Jake Malone’s tongue is not part of the plan.
With an inward wince at her flagging willpower, she moved with more panic than grace. Fortunately, her lack of finesse didn’t matter. A healthy shove to his chest with one hand accompanied a sharp tug on his hair with the other. A quick jerk of her high-heeled boot behind his knee finished the job and the Marauders’ number one tight end toppled backward to sprawl at her feet.
Murphy barked excitedly and pranced around Jake’s prone form.
She sucked in air. “Not your enemy, huh? Wanna bet?”
I'll bet she loves him. LOL
ReplyDeleteHi Auria, thanks for stopping by, Mac is such a great writer, isn't she!
ReplyDeleteOoh, that excerpt certainly got me, although so did the first one!
ReplyDelete:-)
DeleteThis book sounds terrific Mac, way to go. Great excerpt...
ReplyDeleteThanks, sweetie.
DeleteFab excerpt. And I hope your toothache is better, Mac. And Mary, hope your electrical issues are all cleared up. We need to keep this party going! BTW, I love the book trailer.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lilly. I made it myself so I'm glad you like it. I hate going to the dentist almost as much as I hate a toothache.
DeleteI've never been to a tailgate party before. Lots of fun thank you.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Hiya Mary. A tailgate party is an excellent excuse to show up early and extend the fun. So glad you joined us.
DeleteHi Mary. Great to see you at the party. I'm new to tailgate parties too - we don't have them over here, as far as I know, anyway - but if they attract hunks like Jake ,,,,,,,*wink*
ReplyDeleteI bet they have them, Lyn and I KNOW you have hunky athletes over there. I saw several in a pub in Astor when I visited. :-)
DeleteLOL on the hunky athlestes - not so sure about the tailgating parties - although never having been to a football match, what do I know! :)
DeleteLooks like you've nailed it again, Mac :-) Kudos! Great trailer...even better excerpt, girl! Know I'm gonna love it!!
ReplyDeleteAren't you a doll, Diane. I hope so. These characters and their friends were a blast to write. LOVE me some football players and the sassy broads who bring the big guys to their knees. ;-)
DeleteOh, Mac! I'm off to Amazon to get this book right now. Sorry I'm late. I'm still struggling to get through life at the moment with this flu - and we've been painting all day preparing our house for sale. Photos on Friday - eeek!! I could sure do with another big, strong male around to help, but I've a feeling nothing will drag Jake away from Gracie ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, sweetie. Having the flu sucks at the most normal of times. Getting it while you are racing to prep the house for a move is so unfair. Be careful to take care of yourself and get some rest.
DeleteHi LaVerne *waves* hope you're over the flu soon. try and relax with Mac's book when you get the chance.
ReplyDelete