Sunday, October 20, 2013

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It didn't matter that the ref called it a clean hit. Nico Hunter would never be the same. 

Elle has a good life. A job she loves, a great apartment, and the guy she’s been dating for more than two years is a catch and a half. But it’s boring…and she strives to keep it that way. Too many emotions are dangerous. Her own past is living proof of what can happen when you lose control.

Then Nico walks into Elle’s office and everything changes…for both of them. But what can the tattooed, hard-bodied MMA fighter and the beautiful and always steady attorney have in common? A lot more than they bargained for.

THIS IS A STAND-ALONE NOVEL. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

My Review:

I did a sneak peek on this story back in September for the author's blog tour and loved the cover. I mean seriously, look at it! A vision permanently burned in to my brain. I could look at it for days and not grow tired of it. I also loved the excerpt I had posted and kept thinking about it. The book was just stuck in my head.

But it is so rare for me to run and get a book as soon as it is released. I am usually way behind the pack, waiting it out for reviews and overall feelings. But there was just something about Worth The Fight that latched on and wouldn't let go. 

And when it comes to MMA stories, I am even more hesitant. 

After reading a few of these stories, I soon discovered the MMA story line has taken on a life of it's own becoming one of the most popular and overused story lines being published. So many are the "same" story and that makes it difficult for me. It is a genre that I do like, but enough to keep reading the same the story? No.

So even with my hesitation, I bought Worth The Fight the day of release.

And let me just say WOW Vi Keeland! You have restored my faith in MMA stories!

I loved the story. I loved that the author was able to put her own unique spin on the genre!

Here's why...

Nico is an MMA fighter with a dark past, typical but not, his darkness comes from a tragedy in the ring that he blames himself for. More a psychological darkness. 

What's so different about Nico is him. 

Instead of having the tragic broken home past, no family, no one that cares about him, Nico has a family. Even though it was a one parent upbringing, his Mother exists and he has a bunch of brothers that he has relationships with. There are family dinners every week. Nico also has a trainer/manager that cares about him and his well being. Nico is also not shut off from the world. He has a young protege he has taken on in the hopes of the boy not traveling down the road of self destruction. He is also intelligent, articulate, knows what he wants, and very business minded.

Nico is also 100% alpha male, but that is always a huge plus to me! Love the alpha male!

Elle also has her dark past. Her darkness stems from her childhood and what she needed to do to keep herself and her mother safe. It was very believable and you completely understand why she was shaped as she was. Unlike Nico, Elle does keep people at a distance and it is difficult to let her guard down. But she is a success on the surface. She is a lawyer, and a very good one. She likes things orderly and in control.

On a personal level, she needs a lot of work.

There were also some secondary characters that totally added to the story line, helping to drive it and offer some nice balance between Nico and Elle.

Their coming together, their relationship, even with the instant attraction was not an easy one. There were issues for them both to work out. But there was no over the top drama, no crazy angst, just a good plotted out story with a great, happy, and sappy ending. I am always a fan of those.

I thoroughly enjoyed Worth The Fight

Good characterizations, a story line that was not the typical, great spin on the genre, really good job by the author!

*5 stars based on the authors ability to put such a different spin on the same old story line. Not an easy task at all considering the amount of MMA stories that are out there.

Absolutely loved this story and will forever be stalking the author! Review will also be posted on my Loved These shelf on Goodreads.


The Excerpt...

I've never seen a body like his so close before. It just doesn't seem real. Both of his arms are covered in tattoos, it looks like he’s wearing colorful sleeves, only he has no shirt on. They intertwine and wrap around his bulging biceps and I get the urge to trace a path from the first splat of ink to the last with my tongue. My body’s reaction to him is unlike anything I've ever felt before. These aren't feelings that I’m used to, they seem to come out of nowhere and are uncontrollable. 

One side of his lip curls up slightly, as though he is amused at my staring. He hands me a glass of wine without asking if I want one and I take it because I need it to calm my nerves. I’m here staring at this bigger than life man, and suddenly I’m speechless. The wine can’t seep into my bloodstream quick enough. Half the glass is gone in one long, unladylike gulp. 

“Thirsty?” I look up at him and find a glimmer of amusement in Nico’s eyes, mixed with something else. I think he knows I’m trying to calm myself and I fidget in my seat on the couch as he stands there looking so unaffected.

{ 3 comments... read them below or Comment }

  1. Wow, what a great review. I think you sold me!

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    1. It's a goody and not the same old same old in this genre. I think you will definitely like Nico!

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