Barbara's Book Blog : Winning the Game by Leesa Bow

Title: Winning the Game

Author: Leesa Bow

Release Date: May 17^th, 2017

Genre: Sports Romance

http://bit.ly/2rRAAqv

Troubled Aussie football star, Rhett Williams’ infamous off-field misdemeanours land him in front of his club’s board with an ultimatum: clean up his bad-boy image or lose his contract.

There’s one catch: appear on a reality show to reinvent himself.

Football is Rhett’s lifeblood, but his family and the orchard farm in the country where he grew up means more, especially as his family relies on his wage to keep the business afloat. So Rhett puts his opinion of reality shows aside to concentrate on doing whatever it takes to be re-signed.

Career-focused TV mentor, Tori Winchester doesn’t have time for men, or a social life, which suits her fine. When Rhett Williams arrives on set with his blond beach hair and his mesmerising blue eyes, her resolve begins to crumble. He’s not the spoiled bad boy casting had told her to expect.

Getting involved with someone like Rhett could not only damage her long-term career prospects, they could both lose everything.

In a game of cat and mouse, Rhett is playing the one game he doesn’t want to win…

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2q1Ehco

Amazon Aus: http://amzn.to/2q3qi64

AmazonUK: http://amzn.to/2p8SWp8

Amazon India: http://amzn.to/2p57NPj

Amazon Can: http://amzn.to/2oVbqJ2

Amazon France: http://amzn.to/2p8RbIB

iBooks: http://apple.co/2pwXuG0

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2oXzkkD

B&N: http://bit.ly/2qlbe4p

Really good!

**Bernice Fishstein ~ Amazon Review**

Thoroughly enjoyed this book--really interesting story and characters. I was immediately involved in the story, and since this was my first encounter with this author, I was pleased with her style of writing, and her way of including humor into the story.

I would definitely recommend this book.

“You’re not bloody serious?” By the blank expressions I receive from the three men in the boardroom, I may as well be playing poker. “Christ, the answer is no.”

Bill Fontaine—president of the Blackbirds Football Club—folds his arms over his barrel of a chest. Twisted knuckles curl over the large sleeves, war injuries from playing league football for over three hundred games. I remember sitting in the stands with my dad watching him play, thinking he was the greatest player of all time. Over my ten years at the club we have built a solid relationship, like father and son, and this is one of those times we’ll clash because we’re that comfortable with each other.

I meet Bill’s gaze with determination, waiting for him to respond. He stares down his long nose with a look telling me his hands are tied in the matter.

His controlled bloody silence is killing me. Leaning forward, I focus before opening my mouth. “Okay, yeah, I fucked up. But seriously, is this the best idea you three can come up with?”

Ian Jamieson, my manager, rubs the side of his neck. After five long seconds I realise he, too, isn’t going to back me. The bastard has always crawled under a rock whenever it comes to standing up to the president, and more so to the CEO—who I’ve nicknamed Dickhead—of the Blackbirds Football Club.

Bill walks over to a small, round table at the side of the room, holding a decanter of whiskey. He pours more than a standard drink and downs it in a single gulp. I narrow my eyes. He’s uncomfortable with the situation—with me—but I withhold any comment. Even before Bill became president, he was someone I’d listen to, but today I have reservations.

“You’ve left us with no option,” he says. “Look at it this way, it’s an opportunity to redeem yourself.”

I know from experience not to get into a full-blown argument with Bill. He’s gotten me out of a sticky situation on more than one occasion, but I have to pick my fights, know when to step away from the ring. Leaning back, I fold my arms. I’m not falling for their bluff that this reality show is the only way they’ll re-sign me, or I can go play elsewhere.

I’m not going anywhere.

Bill downs another shot before switching his focus to me. “You’re a valuable player to us, Rhett.”

A few words, and my resistance crumbles. “I don’t want a speech. Just tell me what I have to do.”

Peter Weeks, the CEO—Dickhead—clears his throat. “You make it sound like it’s our fault you’re in this position.” He peers over the rim of his spectacles, disdain clear in his voice. “No one forced those drinks down your throat.”

I glare at Peter, hating that he’s sitting in on this meeting. My coach is on his annual holiday with his family, so Peter was summoned to the emergency conference. Without a doubt, Peter is voting against re-signing me. The rest of my team is on an end-of-year football trip in Bali, so none are here to back me. I’m already pissed off about being banned from the team trip to sort out my alleged mess. “I’m not the only guy who drinks during football season.”

Ian holds up a hand, ready to break up a verbal boxing match. “Mate, they’re not talking about having a few drinks here. You know that. The Melbourne incident is always going to come back and bite you in the arse every time you fuck up.”

“And that incident wasn’t entirely my fault. When are you guys going to believe me?” Christ, even my voice sounds hoarse with desperation.

“I suppose it wasn’t your fault those girls ended up on your dick,” Peter says dryly.

I hold Bill’s gaze, ignoring Peter’s remark. Bill is the only guy I need to convince. The memory of a certain photograph makes me lose my train of thought. I cringe at the image in my head—my naked rear and some topless chicks at a hotel in Melbourne. The photograph was splashed across the front page of the Australian newspaper for the entire country to see. The offensive body parts blurred. I close my eyes briefly and push away the memory.

“What do I have to do?”

Leesa Bow grew up in Broken Hill and later worked as a nurse at the local hospital before moving to Adelaide in her early twenties. Leesa married a footballer, and even though she was already a sport enthusiast, sports turned into a major part of her life. So naturally she had to incorporate these experiences into stories. Leesa refuses to indulge what part of her stories is real and what is fiction.

On weekends Leesa enjoys reading, watching basketball and football, having beach days with the family, catching up with girlfriends, and taking long walks along the beach.

Leesa's bucket list is to travel the world and embrace the many friends she has made during her writing journey.