Follow three identical triplets as they move back to their home town to face the challenges of small town life, starting a career and falling in love...
In the second book, PLAYING FOR KEEPS, Kristina Smith has never met a man more self-confident, overbearing and irritating and she wants him. Only she isn't willing to admit that she does. Eric Brooks lives a lifestyle that she doesn't want any part of but he wont take no for an answer. Knowing that she is fighting a losing battle she gives in. After all what better way to prove to him that they are incompatible than to give into everything that she wants…he wants.
Excerpt
Keirra took a deep breath before getting out of her car. She walked into Sam’s Café and spotted Eric at the back of the restaurant. One of the things that she noticed was that he stood out. He had a commanding presence.
What she did know was that whatever he had to say better be interesting because she was going to have a fit otherwise. As she neared him, she figured whatever he had to say must be important because he was sitting in a secluded booth. He stood up as she approached the booth and didn’t sit back down until she was seated. She hated that he was such a gentleman. Personally, she thought it was all an act to sucker a woman in, and she refused to be one of the women that fell for that game. So much so that she didn’t even give him a chance to speak.
“So what did you want to talk about?”
If she had irritated him by interrupting him, he didn’t let it show. Instead, he gave her a reassuring smile.
“Why don’t we order some food first then we can talk.”
She frowned at him. “I’m not hungry.”
“You have to be. You haven’t eaten all day.”
Keirra laughed. “So you admit that you have been following me all day?”
Eric grinned. “I wasn’t aware that I was trying to make it a secret.”
Keirra figured he had a point. If he wanted to trail her without her knowing, his experience as an officer would allow him to do so.
“Well, thank you for the offer of lunch, but I had a big breakfast.”
As if to mock her as well as make her look like a liar, her stomach let out a loud growl. She closed her eyes in embarrassment and wondered if the day could get any worse. Eric chuckled and leaned back in the booth.
“Are you sure?”
Keirra rolled her eyes at his smugness before picking up the menu in defeat. She flipped through the menu in haste and decided on the chicken fried steak sandwich. That was one of the things on the menu she had been interested in trying but hadn’t received the chance to. Eric must have worked up an appetite following her around because he ordered enough food to feed at least three people. There was no way the man could eat the way he did and maintain the body he had. The shock must have shown on her face because he smiled.
“Don’t worry. I have a workout room at my house, so I get plenty of exercise, but you are always welcome to provide alternative methods.”
Keirra gasped in outrage, but she didn’t get the chance to respond because Nadia came up to their table and took their drink and food orders. When Nadia walked off, Keirra turned her attention back to Eric.
“So what was so important that I had to meet you here and have lunch?” she asked through gritted teeth, still insulted by his earlier comment. However, she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of a response. He would only bait her into an argument, and frankly, she just didn’t want to go there.
Eric laughed, and her heart skipped a few beats. The man was too sexy for his own good.
“To discuss that you want me just as much as I want you, and it’s time we stop avoiding it.”
Keirra felt her eyes widen. The man was cocky as well. A little too cocky, and it made her blood pressure rise to a dangerous point.
“I tell you what. When you are ready to talk to me and not at me, let me know.”
Keirra reached for her purse and went to slide out of the booth. Eric reached out and stopped her.
“Keirra, wait. I apologize if I sounded rude.”
Keirra gave him an incredulous look. “If you sounded rude?”
She took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves before continuing. “Eric, you were very rude, and you know it. What I can also tell you is that I’m not like the other women you have talked to. So you are going to have to do much better than this if you want to capture my attention.”
Keirra tightened her grip on her purse at the thought of just how many women that could be. “If you are looking for a typical one, I am positive there are several women around here willing to oblige you starting with Melanie.”
Eric gave her an incredulous look, but she wasn’t going to take the words back. If he wanted a battle, he was going to get one.
Professional Reviews
Coffee Time Review
Keirra Smith teaches seventh and eighth grade math at the local middle school. She loves the everyday challenges the students bring about.
Eric Brooks used to be a cop for the Atlanta police department until he started to feel burned out. Now he works as a deputy for Appling County.
Keirra knows she is attracted to Eric, but she continues to ignore both her attraction to him and his attempts to date her. After her father was killed in the line of duty when he was a cop, Keirra decided that she would never date one herself. But slowly Eric pulls her in, and they begin a push-and-pull relationship. Then tragedy strikes and Keirra once again finds herself at the mercy of fate when a gunman takes aim at Eric.
Once again Ms. Morris takes us on a journey through the world of the Smith triplet sisters. Playing for Keeps is the second story in this trilogy, but you do not have to read the first novel to understand this book. The struggle that Keirra has with her past and the feelings for Eric are very good depictions and were very heartfelt. Eric is like a steamroller; he just rolls right over all of Keirra’s objections and pursues her until she has to give in. A good read with a realistic storyline and believable characters.
- Danielle, Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Literary Nymphs (contains a spoiler)
Keirra Smith wasn’t planning to give in and date Eric, no matter how much he makes her tingle. Accepting her attraction to the cocky cop was like a walk in the park, compared to the turmoil Keirra felt over dating a police officer. Painful memories from her past just wouldn’t let Keirra risk another broken heart.
Sure, he had a playboy reputation but all Eric Brooks wanted was to settle down with one special woman. Convincing Keirra that she’s that woman was proving to be more difficult than Eric thought. Living without her in his life was not an option, because Keirra was already in Eric’s heart.
Eric chases Keirra until eventually she can’t fight the chemistry between them any longer. As a couple, Eric and Keirra deliver passion, in and out of the bedroom. Their strong wills worked for them and against them at the same time, and always kept their banter interesting. I had a moment of fear after the incident that caused their break up, but not for long. Eric ends up with his career and the love of his life because he was Playing for Keeps.
Enjoy twists and surprising turns in this erotic collection of sexy love stories based on seven classic fairy tales. There are romantic interludes to touch your heart and plenty of scorching sex to warm your coldest nights.
