Review: Taking a Shot

Taking a Shot (Play-By-Play - Book 3) by Jaci Burton

Publication Date: March 6, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Erotic Romance
Pages: Paperback, 322pp
ISBN-13: 978-0425245521

ISBN: 0425245527

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Heat)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Jaci Burton on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Books in the series: The Perfect Play (2011), Changing the Game (2011), Taking a Shot (2012), Playing to Win (2012)

CoverArt: Click on the picture for a larger, clearer image of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Taking a Shot

Synopsis:


IF YOU WANT TO SCORE, YOU HAVE TO GET IN THE GAME...

The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she's stuck running the family's sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro-hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she's vowed to never fall for a jock - even one as hot as Ty.

Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty's insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it too...

But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all - including Ty...

Thoughts: 


Jaci Burton continues her wildly popular Play By Play series with the third book Taking a Shot. The Riley family's only female sibling, Jenna is the center of this book about balancing loyalty to family against following your dreams. Burton's book will appeal to both erotic romance fans and sports romance enthusiasts. Each book in the series focuses on a different sport and readers are treated to some hot and steamy times, as well as, tender romantic moments. A great addition to an already fantastic series.

I started reading this series with the second book, Changing the Game and fell in love with the Riley family. The dynamic between the siblings and their extended family was amazing to read about. It made me very thankful for my own family and how we are able to pull together in times of trouble as this family did when their father has a heart attack. Unfortunately, in Taking a Shot, Jenna is stuck running the family business and is full up to eyeballs with responsibilities she shouldn't have to shoulder. i really felt for Jenna's character because I've been there myself. It's sometimes really difficult to take that step out to follow your dreams when you feel like everyone is counting on you to do something else. I know if I identified so strongly with this character many other readers will as well. Burton writes her with such empathy that it's hard not to want the best for this character.


Ty is sexy, sweet and just an all around good man. That's hard to come by in any man, let alone a professional athlete. He could have had any woman he wanted and most that he didn't. Burton makes him just as much of a hero off the ice as he was on it. It was nice to see him being so supportive of the woman he chose to care about. He not only wanted the best for her, but he wanted her to want the best for herself. That kind of encouragement is priceless. I sometimes don't think men realize how far a little confidence boost can build up a woman's self esteem. I liked the Burton wrote both lead roles and thought the chemistry she created between them was electric.


This one is definitely an erotic romance. It's hot and steamy and doesn't hold back. If you are squeamish about stuff like that, this may not be the series for you, but if you like your romance vocal, action packed and passionate, this is a great choice. Jaci Burton is definitely one my favorites in the erotic genre. Her books has substance as well as sex. The main goal is more than just a hot roll in the hay. Her characters have personalities and feelings and the sexual aspect of the book is secondary to their development and growth. 


I'm not one to be too awful fond of contemporary romances. I am more of a historical romance fan, but if more of them were as compelling and engaging as Jaci Burton's novels are, I might think differently. Burton knows her way around the emotional landscape for sure. From the relationship between the main couple to how each character relates to each other, as friends or family or whatever the situation might be, Burton does it well. I can't say enough good things about this one. If erotic romance is your cup of tea, this one needs to go on your "to buy" list!

Taking a Shot is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Jaci Burton is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award winning author of over 50 books. She lives in Oklahoma and spends a fair amount of time on the back of her husband's Harley, where she often gets lost plotting her next story as the warm (and sometimes cold) breeze whips her face. She loves gardening, reality television, is a sucker for romantic comedies, and completely loses track of time when reading a great book. She's a total romantic and longs for the happily ever after in every story, which you'll find in all her books.