All-Star shortstop Matt Darrington has more than a problem. His wife died, and now he's juggling a too-smart-for-her-britches six-year-old and the grueling pace of professional baseball. Worse, his daughter is mom shopping. When they explore a local ranch, she decides the beautiful, free-spirited tour guide is premium mom material. Matt thinks the sexy guide looks like Grade-A trouble.

Alana Tavonesi loves her cosmopolitan life in Paris. But when she inherits the renowned Tavonesi Olive Ranch, she has to return to California and face obligations she never wanted. Selling the place is her first instinct, but life at the ranch begins to crack her open, exposing the dreams hidden inside her heart.On a lark she leads a ranch tour, where she meets Matt Darrington. His physical power and a captivating sensual appeal fire her in a way no man ever has, but he has a kid--and being a stepmom is a responsibility Alana will never be ready for. Still...she can't keep her mind or her hands off him.

When Matt's daughter goes missing from a kid's camp at the ranch, Alana organizes the search effort, knowing from experience the areas a bright child would be drawn to explore. As she and Matt work together to search for the little girl, Alana discovers that father and daughter have won her heart. Yet it may be too late for love...

I love to fall asleep to lulls in the Pendant Races in the Fall and sit under the stars staring down at the surreal green field to watch the Padres win and lose on summer nights. 

 

I will admit to being a Cubs fan down deep where it counts and I like the lovely Dodgers as well though I grew up in Angels land. 

 

Here are some wonderful Baseball Romances to get your summer started off just right! 

 

1. Tempting the Player by J. Lynn

2. Out of Her League by Kaylea Cross

3. Honey by Stef Ann Holm 

4. Double Play by Jill Shalvis

5. Heal My Heart: by Elley Arden

6. Love To Love You Baby by Kasey Michaels 

7. Long Relief  by Abigail Barnette

8. The Philadelphia Patriots by V.K. Sykes 

9. Spring Training by Parker Kincade

10. Strike by Holly S. Roberts 

 

For more Baseball Romances check out these "teams"

 

1.  Pamela Aares' Heart of the Game

2.  Beth Bolden's Portland Pioneers 

3. Jaci Burton's Play by Play 

4. Roz Lee's Mustang Baseball

5. Kate Angell's Richmond Rogues

 

 

For even more recommendations , if you like your games endless, take a gaze at my Pinterest Board: Men of Summer: Baseball Romance.

 

 

3.5 Cocktails

THROWN BY LOVE was a book that surprised me. It has the typical sports romance, that I enjoy, but it had super intelligent women who weren't intimidating and were immediately likable.

Scotty Donovan and Chloe McNally meet at a fundraiser and immediately hit it off. She's a professor of Cosmology at Stanford and he's the Giant's star pitcher who happens to have studied astrology in college. But when Chloe's baseball owner father dies, leaving her the San Jose Sabers and their newest acquisition, Scotty Donovan, she finds herself in the position of following her heart or doing what's best for her father's team.

I liked both the these characters right away. Scotty was a nice guy. Even when he thought he was using women, he was just too nice. He was just a guy from a farm in Nebraska living out his dream. It was hard not to fall for him. Chloe was equally as likable and you felt bad for the position she found herself in. Despite being surrounded by baseball for most of her life, she was torn about delving into that world and having to give us her teaching position. I give her credit for sticking with her father's wishes, even when that meant she might have to throw away the only man who's ever understood her.

This was m first Pamela Aares book and I really enjoyed it. I'll definitely be picking up more books in this series. The romance was sweet and the couple had good chemistry, which kept me turning the pages.

LOVE BATS LAST is an enjoyable story with both romance and intrigue. Dr. Jackie Brandon, a veterinarian working for The California Marine and Mammal Center, is trying to discover who is dumping chemicals into the San Francisco Bay. The Mammal Center is a seal hospital and they rescue injured marine mammals. Jackie loves her job, but it’s all consuming and she has little free time. At times, Jackie can be brash and intense; she has an easier time communicating with animals than she does with people.

Alex Tavonesi is a baseball player with the San Francisco Giants. There is a lot of pressure on Alex because he is trying to run his families vineyard and excel in his baseball career. Once Alex has a chance meeting with Jackie, he has a hard time getting her off his mind. Alex is a successful athlete and a nice, down to earth guy, who works hard at everything he does. Even though he is busy, Alex decides to volunteer at the Mammal Center so he can get to know Jackie.

Alex and Jackie are both committed to their careers and don’t have time for a relationship, but their feelings for each other intensify with each meeting. I liked Alex and enjoyed the camaraderie he had with his teammates, but I had a difficult time connecting with Jackie. Jackie is a cold, distant person and I found it hard to warm up to her. It took a long time for Jackie and Alex’s relationship to move to the next level, it moved a little too slow for my taste. This is the first book in the Heart of the Game series and each book is a stand-alone. Pamela Aares writes a sweet romance.

Reviewed by Karen for Cocktails and Books