The story of Kristina and Jake has an odd twist in the book. They got together in high school, at a party where they played the game, and Jake gives Kris her first real heartbreak. Now in this excerpt it's seven years later, and Jake wants another chance at love. Buy your copy! Amazon Amazon.co.uk Froogle Barnes & Noble.com PublishAmerica What could be worse than being hurt by your first true love? For Kristina Abney, nothing. Kris was returning home to a teaching job at her old high school. Things were perfect, things were right on track, things were just as she had planned them. Until she ran head on into Jake Taylor. Jake is surprised to see Kris back in Pinegrove, and is thankful for the opportunity he would have. He messed things up with her seven years ago when he left her; he didn’t plan on making the same mistake. Only problem is, Kris hates his guts. He knows he deserves it; he just has to figure out a way to earn her trust and love back again. Can Jake teach Kris to forgive a childhood mistake? Can he prove that he’d grown into a man who wouldn’t hurt her, and could love her far better than he did all those years ago? Kris will fight him every way possible, swearing she won’t lose her heart to him again, but will she win, or will a tragedy drive her right into his arms?

Road to Romance review
The Game
By Erin Moore




Kristina Abney is a woman trying to get her life together, and with a new teaching job at her former High School, it looks like she’s well on her way. Except for one lingering memory of an event that happened in her sophomore year, called ‘The Game’.
Ami, Kristina’s best friend, announces that they’ve been invited to a special ‘party’- and both the guys they like are going to be there. Kristina is flattered that Jake Taylor chooses her to be his partner for ‘The Game’, but the result brings far more than either of them bargained for. Budding love, companionship and friendship is destroyed by Jake’s sudden betrayal, one from which Kristina has spent the last 7 years waiting for her broken heart to mend.
Just when Kristina thinks she’s finally gotten over Jake, she discovers he’s
teaching at the same school. Can they overcome their past and rekindle their relationship? Or will betrayal and mistrust forever spoil their chance to find the love they both yearn for…?
Ms. Moore has penned an intriguing, character-driven story filled with wonderfully developed characters. Though at times the prose reads a tad rough, such does not detract from the enjoyment of the story. The reader is drawn into an emotional tale exploring the legacy of young love and commitment. A great, fast read for any summer afternoon by the pool!

Denise M Clark, Road to Romance

The Romance Readers Connection Review
THE GAME
Erin Moore
PublishAmerica
ISBN: 1-59129-370-7
August 2002
Contemporary Romance

Though it was scheduled for release this November, THE GAME is now available online at www.publishamerica.com . It will be available at your favorite stores later this fall.

What started as a simple teenage game led to heartbreak for Kristina Abney. Now a teacher, she returns to her hometown where she will be teaching English at her alma mater. Kristina is happy with her new job, happy to be home, but not ready to bump into the man who broke her heart, Jake Taylor. Finding herself in close proximity to Jake at both her new apartment and at work, Kristina is unsure just how long she can keep ignoring her feelings. However, she cannot let herself lose her heart once again to the only man who can destroy her ideal of happily-ever-after.

Ms. Moore has done a commendable job building likeable characters, sizzling romantic encounters and a fast paced story within the pages of THE GAME. This feel good romance is certain to appeal to readers looking for an honest romance with many tender moments.

However, for this reader, I did find myself questioning Kristina and Jake’s “first time”. We all remember our first time, and while Jake is like a dream come true, I found myself wondering just how many teenage boys in those hormone driven years would honestly worry more about their partner’s experience over their own. If boys like that exist, I wonder where they were for my friends and I while we were in high school!

Regardless of that minor nitpick, THE GAME is a solid read that is sure to bring a happy sigh to most romance readers lips.

Tracy Farnsworth

Administrative Coordinator & Reviewer for TRRC


The Word on Romance Review
THE GAME...Erin Moore
PublishAmerica

Kristina "Kris" Abney has been in love with Jake Taylor for a long time. So when her friend, Ami, tells Kris Jake wants her to come to a party where they play "The Game" she is shocked. The Game is a type of hide-and-seek where the guy picks two girls and they hide in a room. Whichever one he finds first is the one he gets to do anything he wants to with for the whole night. Excitement wars with common sense and Kris goes to the party and spends the evening making love with Jake. They go steady and she waits for him to ask her to the prom. He doesn't and actually goes with another girl. Kris is heartbroken and vows to never make love to a man again unless she's in love with him. Years later, Kris returns home to teach English at her old high school and comes face to face with Jake Taylor, who also returned home and is now a teacher too.

Jake Taylor fell in love with Kristina Abney during high school. Her wit and charm drew him in and he found himself in deep. The night they make love is one of the best nights of his life. But, at that time, everything had been moving too fast for Jake, and he decided to back off. He knows he's hurt Kris badly and wants to explain but is too chicken. When she moves back to town Jake wants a second chance. The only problem is Kris won't give him the time of day. With a little help from some old friends, Jake and Kris talk and it's not what Jake was hoping for. Kris tells him she won't fall in love with him again and runs off. Will Jake get his second chance or is Kris lost to him forever?

A romance tale with a twist, THE GAME is rather unique. The idea of an adult version of hide-and-seek added an element of intrigue to this romance. Jake and Kris are wonderful, in-depth characters who keep the story moving with their relationship or to Jake's thinking lack of one. Their emotions and feelings are laid bare for all to see and it is heartbreaking at times to watch their suffering. The story moves at a steady pace and never loses the reader. Kris still loves Jake but is afraid to trust him again. Jake wants Kris and is determined to find a way to gain her trust. They have several situations that crop up along the way making their road a rocky one. But both will have to give a little in order to make their relationship a lasting one.

Author Erin Moore writes a romance that will touch your heart. THE GAME is interesting, intriguing and a quick read. Once I sat down to read it, I turned the pages quickly to find out if Jake and Kris made it or not. Ms. Moore's writing is creative and her characters multilayered. Get your copy of THE GAME today. It's not to be missed. "November, 2002., 215 pp., $ 16.95., ISBN 1-59129-370-7"

Robin Peek