LOVE ON DECK

Author: Rebecca Martinez ISBN: 1590887662 7/2004 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.

“Women don’t belong on the baseball field. ” That’s the way handsome, playboy manager Sam Lucero thinks, but just try telling that to Amber Morales—she wants to be a baseball radio announcer.   But she wants no part of a macho ex-jock who is trying to tell her what she can and can’t do. But while they may be striking out on the field, their hearts are hitting a grand slam in the bedroom.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Though I am not a huge baseball fan—football—is more my thing, Rebecca Martinez bats contemporary romance out of the park in her new one, LOVE ON DECK. Now what I have to say following that line may not seem like I really feel that way, but when a book brings out such an angry reaction in me I like it just because of that!

I like the heroine, Amber Morales, despite her doormat personality when it comes to men. Mind you, her experience is limited and she doesn't quite let him stomp her into dust—she just keeps going back for more! Amber is quite the spitfire chasing after her dreams and capturing them. I just wish she would show that much spunk with the chauvinist hero, Sam Lucero. He is a first class jerk. Way too handsome and cocky, but mostly way too available.

Yes, some could argue Sam is up front with Amber about his commitment phobia (he was burned by an ex-wife in a big way), and yes, he tells her not to expect anything more than a few day fling. However, Sam knows that Amber is NOT in the same league as his other bimbos and he dangles himself in front of her like a carrot. He knows she wants more than what he can give and goes for her anyway! That is what I don't like. The many times he breaks her heart and the many times she lets him!

Well, now hopefully you see what I mean. In the end, all the heartache is worth the end result but this is one bumpy ball game. Sam flirts and Amber gives in, only to witness him with other women, which he then tells her about. Grrrr. This kind of book always gets me going because I don't know who is the dumbest—the hero or the heroine!

Shannon Johnson