TITLE – Devon Drake – Cornerback
SERIES – First & Ten Series
AUTHOR – Jean Joachim
GENRE – Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance
About the BOOK
Devon Drake, star cornerback, has it all: hot super model girlfriend and pro football career, or does he? A childhood friend wanders back into his life, upsetting his ideal existence. Is it finally time to tell her the truth about what happened fifteen years ago?
Stormy Gregory is on the run from an abusive man. Her best friend offers her a safe place at the shelter for abused women and children. Grateful to be out of harm’s way, Stormy helps with a charitable event, not expecting to run into Devon Drake, her friend’s brother. Will she run again rather than face rejection?
Cracks in his perfect world threaten the cornerback’s starting lineup status. An unwelcome surprise short-circuits Stormy’s attempt to build a new life. Can they pull together or will the secret that separates the former friends keep them on a downward spiral?
A little extra glimpse
But the last thing Stormy wanted was to hang around Devon Drake any longer than necessary. He had filled out since high school with pure muscle. Like Chutes and Ladders, Devon Drake had taken the big ladder from handsome to gorgeous. Hanging around might mean the revival of old feelings, leaving her vulnerable to rejection again. It was destined to happen, since he had a hot, high-powered girlfriend. Stormy needed to watch her step. He wasn’t available, but nobody had told her heart that.
He sat up, his gaze glued to her. She hummed the tune “The Stripper” as she unzipped and peeled off her jacket. The man slid his chair closer to the window. She began to dance slowly. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see people on the sidewalk had stopped moving. She took a deep breath and eased her sweater up as slowly as possible.
Now, the man in the headphones was gesturing and talking. The others in the room turned to stare. Stormy kept humming and dancing. She was getting into it. Ignoring the cold, she pulled her sweater over her head, twirled it around, and flung it at a man standing nearby. He caught it and applauded.
My Review
Stars of the Show–oops– I mean book: Devon Drake, of course, is the leading man. He is a sexy cornerback that has been distracted and not focusing on his game. He has put on some weight and losing speed on the field. He needs to get his head back in the game but how?
Bring in Stormy the leading lady. She grew up with Devon and his sister Samantha. Devon is surprised to see Stormy in Monroe in the women’s shelter. Will she be able to get him back in shape or will she just be another distraction?
There are lots of other characters in this book. I do love multi-character stories and bringing these in from the other books and giving us more of their stories add to the realness of the story. so if you have read the other books but not this one yet…here is good reason. If you haven’t read any, read this then I promise you will want to go get the other three!
Characters that stole my heart: I have a thing for animals so toss one in and I am a sucker. Brody is a pug that Stormy rescues and I can see how he stole her heart.
I also like older characters and we have a very interesting pair here. Buddy has a widowed mom that helps him out and Griff’s dad came to help out Lauren. Hmmm…is there more to this story? Another good reason to check this out!
What I thought About Devon: I thought Devon was arrogant, selfish and stubborn. He treats his sister like a baby. Yes, being protective is good but overprotective? Though he shows this he is not unlikeable. You can see he has a good heart. I love a man that needs to redeem himself and man does he in a big way.
Memorable event- Stormy: I think Stormy stole the show when she went to the TV station to clear Devons name. The scene is the excerpt above so read it and see what an amazing woman this girls is. She corners the market on what a girl would do for the man she loves.
Memorable Event-Devon: I have to say this man redeem himself in a big way. When he let go his feelings man did he let go. I think his proposal was one of the cutest I have ever read. What do mud pies have to do with a proposal? You need to read this book just for this!
The one thing that I didn’t like so much: There is a lot of technical football stuff. There are two games that has a lot of play by play action. Yes, I do agree the scenes need to be there and are very vital to the book, I just felt they could have been a little bit shorter like just one vital play per scene. I did skim through these two scenes a little.If you are a real big football fan this will not bother you at all.
This is part of a series. Each book stands alone pretty well, but I will warn you this one has scenes from all the other books. They are done well enough you do know who they are and able to follow that part of the story.
If you love a good sweet, sensually sexy romance, sports romance pugs, and football this is definitely for you!
Meet Stormy
Stormy Gregory – Life hadn’t been easy for Stormy Gregory. The fighting between her parents drove her to seek the friendship of the two kids down the block, Samantha and Devon Drake.
Stormy continued her friendship with Devon and became Samantha’s shadow in high school. Until he broke her heart. They went their separate ways.
After getting her degree in nutrition, Stormy found a job far from home in Bolton, Illinois. She worked part-time in two senior centers, planning meals. She found success and friendship there with the older crowd, and a little romance with the director.
An old acquaintance from high school looked her up, seeking help finding a job and a new start. She did what she could, but resisted his advances. He became hostile, then violent, forcing her to flee.
Not knowing where to turn, Stormy contacted her old friend, Samantha Drake. Sam made space for her friend in the shelter where she volunteered. During an event, she bumped into Devon Drake.
Stormy hadn’t expected the encounter. It had been fifteen years since she’d seen him. Instead of hating him for past hurts, warm feelings resurfaced. Stormy pushed them down, figuring she couldn’t compete with a super model. Simply being near Devon Drake made her pulse jump. She needed to get away, but the man who had hit her showed up at her door. She had nowhere to go, or did she?
10 Things You don’t know about Devon but do now
Chocolate or vanilla? Strawberry, actually.
Airplane or train? Airplane. Love the take-off, kind of like sex. Can I say that?
Walking or driving? Driving. Preferably a Maserati.
Red or Blue? Blue, like the ocean.
Country or Rock? Rock. 80’s rock.
Dog or cat? Pug – Brodie. Smart, obedient pup.
Lemonade or Iced Tea? Texas Iced Tea.
Vodka or Whiskey? Gin. Or vodka.
Mounds or Almond Joy? Who’s mounds? (laughs)
Action movies or Thrillers? Bruce Willis or Will Ferrell movies.
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Meet the Author Jean Joachim
I asked her what top 10 favorite places to visit and why
These are all places I haven’t been:
Italy/Spain – No one needs a reason to visit Italy! After seeing “Under the Tuscan Sun”, I’ve been dying to get to Italy. What a beautiful and romantic place! Spain is also beautiful and after having studied the language for umpteen million years, I would love to go there and practice.
Ireland/Scotland – I’m drooling to see the gorgeous countryside, eat the great food and mix with some of the nicest, friendliest people on Earth. Never heard a bad thing about these two countries. They are tops on my list, even though I might need a translator!
Alaska – Though I hate the cold, I love the beauty of the snow and ice of Alaska. How wonderful to take a cruise and sail by the glacial art all around you. I’ll bundle up, sit back and be transported into another world.
Israel – My Jewish roots and the amazing struggle and resilience of Israel call to me. The history, antiquity of the land are fascinating. And how strange and wonderful to be in a place where those who believe as I do are in the majority.
New Orleans – I love Dixieland music and to see where it all began, the birthplace of jazz is a must. The food, the culture, the music entice me. It seems a romantic place where there might be a story or two waiting for me.
Buenos Aires – Speaking of stories – Buenos Aires has always been a place of mystery in my mind. It’s a place where post WWII spies and war criminals went to hide out, start over and disappear and those who hunted them crept in, seeking justice. See? Already I have stories swirling. I must visit and see if I can find any mysterious places to start a book.
Monaco – I’d guess that for sheer elegance, there’s no place finer to visit than Monaco. The center of grace and style in Europe, this legendary fairyland has called to me ever since the beautiful Grace Kelly became the reigning Queen. I’ll be careful not to bet heavily. I’d be more interested in observing the people than losing my money.
The Riviera – Again, wealth, beauty, gorgeous scenery, the Mediterranean, how could you think your travels complete without inventing a few tales on the Riviera coastline?
The Galapagos – Swim with the dolphins, observe the turtles, tortoises and all the wonderful wildlife there. I’m a serious nature lover and this trip is definitely on my schedule.
South Africa – I’m so curious to see where diamonds come from and where there was so much racial strife that brought about equality. This land is steeped in history and, from what I hear, beauty.
These are only ten places I wish to visit. I have at least that many right here in the U.S.A., too. I’m going to have to live at least two lifetimes to see them all. But oh, what fun to be traveling and checking another one off my list!
Jean Joachim is a best-selling romance fiction author, with books hitting the Amazon Top 100 list since 2012. The Renovated Heart won Best Novel of the Year from Love Romances Café. Lovers & Liars was a RomCon finalist in 2013. And The Marriage List tied for third place as Best Contemporary Romance from the Gulf Coast RWA. She was chosen Author of the Year in 2012 by the New York City chapter of Romance Writers of America.
Married and the mother of two sons, Jean lives in New York City. Early in the morning, you’ll find her at her computer, writing, with a cup of tea, her rescued put, Homer, by her side and a secret stash of black licorice.
You can stalk–oops–follow Jean
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4 responses to “On Tour With Jean Joachim and Devon Drake Cornerback”
Thank you for the wonderful review and for participating in the Tour. Victoria at My Family’s Heart
Thanks for stopping by Victoria I LOVE JEANS BOOKS!
Thank you so much for having me on your blog today. I love your review, very thoughtful. And the top ten list really made me think. I’m putting the answers on my bucket list. Don’t know when I’ve had so much fun filling things out. Great blog, love the leaves. Cheers!
It was my pleasure and I loved your answersI think I will add a few to my bucket list as well. Good luck on the release! This is another awesome series!