Thursday, June 25, 2015

Book Review: Man On by Liz Crowe


Man On 
Black Jack Gentleman Series
Book 1

by Liz Crowe





Bad boy of European football, Nicolas Garza is about to hit American shores with a vengeance. Signed by the Detroit Black Jack Gentlemen as lynch pin for their expansion club, Nicco only half believes he’s making the right move. But with a past full of ghosts and rotten behavior chasing him from his homeland, he has no real choice.

Parker Rollings is a college soccer superstar, but his parents’ plans for their only son do not include professional athletics. When the Black Jacks approach him to finalize their roster, Parker leaps at the chance to keep playing, leaving behind medical school, stability and his first and only college sweetheart.

Nicco and Parker face off as bitter rivals for a coveted starting spot at midfield and are forced to channel their negative energy into something positive for the sake of the group—and themselves.

All eyes are on the fledgling team in its debut season. It’s crucial that the Black Jacks prove all the doubters wrong. They must make a good showing in the league and with new fans. But player drama, club dynamics, and misplaced priorities may tear it apart before it even begins.
 

My Rating:


Favorite Quotes:


“He felt strong but weak at the same time.  Sure of himself, yet gut-churning terrified.  All of which buoyed him, and made him even more positive about his decision.”

“Men, boys, there wasn’t much difference especially among pro athletes.  They worked hard and played harder, spending their money on fast moving things that made a lot of noise, looked nice, and made them fell important.  Rafe stopped, realizing he could be describing their automobiles as well as their wives and girlfriends.”

“The little kid at the grown up part sensation burned a hole in his gut.”

“The young man oozed vulnerability, but it combined with a sort of innate strength just under the surface.”

“‘I’ve been bad, yes.  But now, I’m completely good.  With you.  Badness over.’ He raised a dark eyebrow.  ‘Well other than the badness I’m about to get into with you.’”


My Review:


Liz Crowe tells unusual stories in a compelling way.  She has a knack for presenting conflicting information in a way that makes sense.  She also has a remarkable skill for putting a feeling or sense into words that had previously been just under my skin or a mist across my brain.  She has mad skills, and I am in awe.  Her characters are madly complicated and typically unlikable, yet she forces me to look beneath the surface and care about them nonetheless.  In addition, she also manages to squeeze my cold heart while doing so.  I have now read a few of her insightful and richly detailed books and have come to the conclusion that her dastardly characters are the story, the rest is just what happens.  She never fails in her mission to enlighten, entertain, and satisfy, regardless of the subject matter, trope, or genre.  I am kicking my reading calendar and TBR to the curb for now and diving in for more Liz, she has become my guilty pleasure.      

Empress DJ




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