Love of the Game: A Stardust, Texas Novel

Lori Wilde

Apr 2016 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this eBook

A sexy sports superstar discovers his body isn’t the only thing that needs healing in New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde’s Love of the Game.

With major league good looks and talent, Dallas Gunslingers relief pitcher Axel Richmond was living the good life. Even if the roar of the crowd could never distract him from the loss of his young son. But now with an injured shoulder and his career on the line, Axel is stuck recuperating at a ranch in Stardust, Texas . . . striking out only with his gorgeous physical therapist.

Kasha Carlyle has one week to get Axel back in action or she can kiss her much-needed job with the Gunslingers goodbye. And any chance to seek custody of the orphaned half-sister she never knew existed. She quickly learns that Axel’s guarded heart also needs healing . . . requiring all kinds of sneaky plays and sexy moves in extra innings.

Praise for Lori Wilde’s Stardust, Texas Series and Love of The Game

“Amusing, passionate, and rampant with sexual tension, this magic dusted escapade is just plain fun and a wonderful harbinger of things to come. Wilde is an expert at developing endearing Texas communities and here gives fans another one to savor.” —Library Journal

“[A] sweet and sexy story of first love, small towns, and family.” —Booklist

“Wilde brings readers to Stardust, Texas, where baseball and romance are the name of the game . . . Wilde has another winner.” —RT Book Reviews

Stardust, Texas

Back in the Game

Rules of the Game

Love of the Game

Ratings and reviews

If you've enjoyed the previous books in the Stardust, Texas series you will enjoy Kasha's story. If you haven't read the previous books, Kasha and Axel's story works as a standalone. Personally, I'm a little torn about this book. I had a hard time connecting with the heroine, so even though I liked the story, I was never really pulled into it. I never truly connected with her, so I had a hard time following the story and rooting for her happy ending. Axel, on the other hand, was amazing and the reason for the extra star, when I was torn between 3 or 4 stars. At first I thought, "Here we go: just another cocky ball player," but the more pages I read, the deeper my respect and my liking for him grew. I liked the sort of insta-attraction between them, the way Axel teased Kasha bringing her to the point she'd rather lose her job than cross a line she wasn't supposed to cross. I liked watching Axel slowly fall in love and opening up, and I liked the way he managed to reach down into Kasha's soul and pull out the ugly secrets of her past, helping her heal. The build up made things more interesting and really nice when they finally surrendered to their feelings. Despite my personal issue with the heroine, if you like sports romance and heroes with a broken heart waiting to be healed, you will enjoy Kasha and Axel's story. ***I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review***

4.5 Stars I so love this series and the magic surrounding the hope chest. This is the third book in the series. This is another winner in the series and I fell in love with the characters right away. I will say I did have some tears in my eyes while reading this one. It packs a lot of emotion especially for Kasha and Axel. My heart really goes out to Kasha what she had to go through as a little girl and the pain she endured because of it. It's really something special to see the woman she has become with such a giving heart. Axel had a tragic even in his life as well that would break anyone. I had tears in my eyes when he's talking about it. Right away you can feel the instant spark between Axel and Kasha. Things just escalate from there, but can they act on it when she's Axel's physical therapist? One of the beautiful things for me in this book was how Axel and Kasha help each other find their way through the hurt and pain from the inside. This book also has it's moments of humor. The best ones are when Axel's teasing Kasha. Great book start to finish. One of the things that drew me to this book besides the author is that Axel is a baseball player. That will grab me right away.

Fabulous

About the author

Lori Wilde is the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers’ Weekly bestselling author of 87 works of romantic fiction. She’s a three-time Romance Writers’ of America RITA finalist and has four times been nominated for Romantic Times Readers’ Choice Award. She has won numerous other awards as well. Her books have been translated into 26 languages, with more than four million copies of her books sold worldwide. Her breakout novel, The First Love Cookie Club, has been optioned for a TV movie.

Lori is a registered nurse with a BSN from Texas Christian University. She holds a certificate in forensics and is also a certified yoga instructor.

A fifth-generation Texan, Lori lives with her husband, Bill, in the Cutting Horse Capital of the World; where they run Epiphany Orchards, a writing/creativity retreat for the care and enrichment of the artistic soul.