Four books.Four stories of hot men, seduction, love, mistakes and second chances.Meet the sportsmen of The Bay with a fierce determination to win, and the women who will push them to fight harder.WINNING THE PLAYER The Bay Series #1I watched him play football from the stands, and saw the cocky persona he puts on for the crowd. He’s my BF’s cousin and over the years noticed me grow into a woman. … noticed me grow into a woman.
One night I succumbed to his charm. Took the risk because it was the night before my flight to travel the world. I would be gone for two years, thought it would mean nothing.
Stupidly I almost gave him my heart.
In a moment of panic I fled, and tried to forget him.
Now I’m back and ready to move on with my life.
Running into Hunter Stone on my first night out wasn’t part of the plan.
His eyes tell me he hasn’t forgotten.
My gut tells me I’m going to regret it…
CHARMING THE OUTBACK
The Bay Series #2
When jaded city girl Maddy McIntyre packs up and leaves Adelaide for a new job in the country, it’s not only a chance at a fresh start. Six months ago, the first guy she’d ever loved shattered her heart before moving home to Broken Hill. Deep down inside, Maddy is hoping that living in the same town will give her an opportunity to prove to Luke that she’s one temptation he can’t resist.
JARDINE
The Bay Series #3
(Prequel to Caught Out)
Love, I imagined to be easy.
The year Jardine Kumble entered my life I knew I found my soul mate.
We were only eighteen.
My family presumed it to be a crush.
No one took us seriously.
No one predicted how far I would go for love.
Love was not easy. It was hard. And it almost ruined me.
I survived…
But it destroyed us.
CAUGHT OUT
The Bay Series #4
I have carried a secret for six years.
Lied to protect the one who matters most.
The day I would be confronted was inevitable. So why am I shocked and unprepared when cricket superstar Jardine Kumble walks into my restaurant and demands I speak to him?
It doesn’t matter that my heart still calls for his in the dark of night. That I have a new life, one I built to survive the pain of giving him up.
He had a dream of playing international cricket for Australia, and I helped him to achieve it.
If he finds out the truth, the fall out will break my heart all over again.
I have to stay away only this time I don’t have the strength…
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WINNING THE PLAYER
Winning The Player is another 5 star read from one of my favourite authors. I couldn’t put this book down last night and was sat until 4am reading. I loved Aubree and Hunter who both had to learn to trust before they could accept their love for each other. Both were damaged by their pasts and had to face that pain head on so they could then move on with their lives together. And just when it seemed like they were finally heading towards a future together, it looked like Hunter was keeping something from Aubree and my stomach dropped. I was filled with relief by the end though as I honestly wasn’t sure if this couple were going to make it.
Leesa Bow is an author who knows exactly what words to use to pull the reader in. She balances the sports facts so well with the main story and it adds rather then takes away from what she’s trying to give the reader. I’ve not yet come across a book of her’s that I haven’t enjoyed, and each review is so easy to write because I could rave about her amazing work all day. This book is most definitely worth downloading and picking up to read today!
CHARMING THE OUTBACK
After reading and loving Winning The Player last night, I needed more by Leesa Bow and couldn’t wait to pick up Charming The Outback. I’ve spent the afternoon unable to put down this addictive 5 star read and have just finished it. The story of Maddy and Luke was emotional and the author writes in such a way that you’re there with the characters every step of the way. I liked that Charming The Outback followed on from Winning The Player and we get to catch up with some of the characters, but this book can still be read separately and enjoyed just as much. However, I recommend that you read Winning The Player if you haven’t already because you get to see how Maddy and Luke first met. Plus you’ll learn more about Aubree and Hunter who are another couple you’ll love just as much.
Charming The Outback gives the reader a chance to learn more about the Australian outback so many of us have seen on the TV or in films. You’ll see how tough life can be, but how everyone comes together and gets the job done. It was so warming to see how welcoming the locals were to Maddy, and the author gives us some lovely characters who become like friends to us just as much as they do to Maddy. Again, Leesa Bow weaves fact and fiction together so beautifully, and you can tell that she has first hand experience of being in Broken Hill. If I ever made it to Australia, I’d definitely want to visit Broken Hill and see the gorgeous sights that this very talented author allows us to visualise with her clever descriptions.
As with Leesa Bow’s other books, this book is well worth the 5 stars I’ve awarded it. This author is one who I’d happily one click without even reading the blurb because I know I’m guaranteed a fantastic read!
JARDINE
Jardine by Leesa Bow is the prequel of Ava and Jardine’s story in Caught Out.
Ava and Jardine are in love and have dated for the last year but their lives are very different and not everyone supports them being together. They are in their final year of secondary school and have plans to attend medical school but Jardine has also caught the eye of the Australian cricket team. Ava is struggling with what it will mean for their relationship if Jardine is selected to play but he insists nothing will separate him from his “sundar”. When Jardine is selected, Ava finds it hard to be away from him for long periods of time and then when she makes a life changing discovery, she knows the only option is to walk away and let Jardine follow his dreams whilst she builds herself a new life.
“Que sera – it is what it is”
What an amazing love story that has your heart melting and then breaking as Ava and Jardine discover that plans change and life doesn’t always go to plan. This couple seemed so strong despite all their differences and it really seemed like Jardine’s family history was continuing with their own love for each other. I really felt for Ava who based her life around being with Jardine and was then left waiting when his dream came true and he went off to join the Australian cricket team. She’d worked really hard so they could go off to medical school together but just when it looked like it was going to happen, everything changes and Ava doesn’t know what the future holds for her. Then she receives unexpected news and the changes this will bring to her life become her new focus. She welcomes the opportunity given by her parents that will allow her to move on with her life and help Jardine live the life she believes he deserves.
This is the first book I’ve read by Leesa Bow and I couldn’t put it down. I experienced so many emotions and was crying by the end when Ava made the ultimate sacrifice because of her love for Jardine. I hoped throughout that Ava and Jardine would be able to deal with everything that came their way, so my stomach dropped when I realised what decision Ava had made. This book is a great introduction to Ava and Jardine’s story, which continues in Caught Out and I can’t wait to see what Leesa Bow has planned for them.
I recommend that you download Jardine and Caught Out today!
CAUGHT OUT
Caught Out by Leesa Bow is the story of Ava and Jardine. It can be read as a standalone but I would recommend reading the prequel, Jardine, as it will help you to better understand the history between this couple.
Six years ago Ava walked away from the man she loved so he could follow his dreams of playing for the Australian cricket team. She was heart broken to let Jardine go but she’s built herself a new life and loves being a mother to her 5 year old son. Just as she’s offered the opportunity to become a partner at the restaurant where she works, Jardine unexpectedly reenters her life and wants answers as to why Ava ended their relationship. Ava made decisions that Jardine wasn’t aware of and she’s not sure how to explain them to him or if he’ll ever forgive her.
Jardine was devastated when Ava ended their relationship but he’s never forgotten about his first love and when he returns to Adelaide during a short break from playing the game he loves, he’s surprised to find Ava living and working there. Despite his anger towards her, he sees it as the ideal opportunity to finally get the answers he’s wanted for years but Ava seems determined to avoid him and he wants to know why. Will Jardine get the answers he demands and if he does, will he be able to forgive Ava for making the decisions she did for them both?
“Carpe Diem – Seize the day”
Having read Jardine and awarding it 5 stars, I was looking forward to reading the continuation of Ava and Jardine’s story. I wasn’t disappointed and I’m so glad that I had the chance to read their amazing story about strength, self-sacrifice, forgiveness and second chances. I loved it from start to finish and didn’t want it to end. It’s so refreshing to read a book about a sport other than hockey or college football. Don’t get me wrong, I love some of the authors who write books around those sports but it’s also great to read something different.
Whilst this is a love story, Leesa Bow also incorporates just enough about the game of cricket and doesn’t overload the reader with too much information or detail. It takes an author with skill to get the balance just right and Leesa Bow definitely achieves it. I spent many hours as a teenager watching our local cricket team play (I’m in the UK) but I wish they’d had their own Jardine to make it much more fun to watch lol.
I don’t know what to do now that Ava and Jardine’s story is over because I loved this couple from the start and will miss them. Ava did what she thought was right and put Jardine before herself. Some readers will hate Ava for the decisions she made but I never felt this towards her and could understand why she did what she did. Sometimes we do what we think is the right thing when it’s actually the wrong thing. I believe Ava and Jardine were destined to meet again because their story wasn’t over.
Leesa Bow is a new author to me but having read Jardine and Caught Out, I’ll definitely be keeping up to date with her and reading other books she writes. In fact, I’m already looking forward to reading Winning the Game, which I have on my Kindle! I fully recommend that you download Jardine and Caught Out today and be prepared to read about an amazing couple who prove that making mistakes doesn’t always mean your relationship is over.