My Tangled Skeins Book Reviews: Release Day Book Blitz: The Winning Side by C.M. Doporto

The Winning Side (University Park, #3)

Release Date: December 21, 2014

Genre: New Adult Sports Romance 18+ for adult situations and language

Page numbers: 272 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Lexi’s determined to keep her word and stand by Raven’s side because her love for him is too strong to deny. As Raven learns to deal with the issues that are destined to destroy him and their relationship, their love is taken to a new level. As doors are closed and new ones are opened, Lexi and Raven find themselves in a heavenly bliss, but not without the challenges from Raven’s past. With a true test of love, Lexi and Raven have to decide if they are willing to do whatever it takes to be on the winning side.

Excerpt:

Delaney held up a light pink sweater to her chest. “This is hideous. You have to trash this thing.” She flung it behind her.

“Hey, I like that sweater.” I dashed after it and then gave it a once over and agreed with her. It was something my mom had bought for me and it had Betty Homemaker written all over it with pearl buttons and a jacquard trim. I shoved it in the return-home bag. “I think coming back to the dorm will be good for both of us. When Raven’s having a bad day, I can just come back here so he can have some time to himself. Time to process whatever he’s going through.”

And time to fight his demons.

“And you trust that he will be okay.” She threw one of my skirts over her head. “He won’t plunge off the edge and go back to where he was, will he?”

“I’ll check on him. It’s not like I won’t see him. And if needed, you can take me to his apartment, right?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Who’s apartment?” Raven stood in the doorway carrying my bags.

“Your apartment, silly.” I smiled at him, trying to displace any unnecessary fear or jealously. Although Raven hadn’t seemed liked the jealous type, I wanted to keep it that way. That was one less thing I didn’t have to worry about in our relationship.

“Hey, what’s this?” Delaney held up a pink and silver Victoria Secret’s gift card.

“Where did you get that?” I said taking it from her hand.

“It was buried in your clothes.” She pointed to the mound on my bed.

Raven looked over my shoulder as I opened the flap.

Have fun shopping with Raven. Love, Dad.

“Holy shit. Is he serious?” I looked at Raven and he smiled. Was my dad trying to make up for my mom going bat shit crazy and burning all the lingerie Raven had bought me?

Sweet.

“Damn!” Raven covered his mouth with his fist. “Three hundred bucks. We can buy you a lot of sexy stuff.” Raven cocked a brow. “When are we going?”

“Whenever you want.” I eyed him with a hungry stare. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t seem to get enough of him.

Of his taste.

Of his touch.

Of his scent.

I was permanently caught in The Raven’s trap. And I wondered if he was really done with setting out his bait and happy with the catch he’d caught. Time would only tell. I shook my head, trying to calm my ranging hormones.

“Is that it?” I asked, looking at the two bags by the door.

“What do you mean, is that it?” He huffed, gripping his waist. “I brought up like five bags. And there’s still more at my apartment.”

“I’m sorry.” I walked past him and headed for the closet. “I didn’t ask my dad to bring me all of my clothes.”

“I know.” He grabbed my hand and spun me around. I slammed against his body and rested my hands against his broad chest. “If you’d just stay with me, then we wouldn’t have to be hauling all of your stuff back and forth.”

His scent laced around me, making it difficult to stand my ground. “But I am going to stay with you.”

“Yeah, but not every night.” He pressed his lips to the sensitive part of my neck and my mind quickly forgot why I had talked myself in to coming back to the dorm. “I need a little bit of this every night.” He popped me on the butt and I squealed.

“Okay, I’m outta here.” Delaney dropped the clothes in her hand.

“No. I need your advice.” I tried to wiggle out of Raven’s arms, but he only held me tighter. “I need you to help me pick out clothes that will make me look sexy.” I glanced up at Raven and he let out a low growl as he continued to nibble on my neck, not paying any attention to Delaney. I leaned to the side, trying to break free, even though I really didn’t want to. “Raven, stop.” I pleaded with a tone that said yes, more than it said no.

“Looks like you’re about to get undressed so I’ll help you later.” Delaney step aside and headed for the door.

“Thanks, Delaney.” Raven said as he kicked off his shoes and started to pull off his shirt. His stomach tensed and I caught a nice view of his elegantly chiseled abs.

“Shit, I almost forgot.” Delaney turned around before pulling the door shut. “Whoa! Can you wait until I get out? I don’t need a glimpse of the freak show.”

“Hurry.” Raven tossed his shirt on the chair. “I don’t have all day.”

Delaney’s eyes landed directly on Raven’s midsection for a full count of three before she finally tore them away and looked at me. “Do y’all want to grab a pizza with Luke and me later?”

Raven looked at me, waiting for a response. “I’m game if you are,” I said, feeling the hunger pains bubble up in my stomach.

His lips spread into a full smile. “Sure, but I’m game for something else first.” Raven encircled his arms around me and pressed his lips against my ear as his hands wondered up and down my backside.

“What time Delaney?” I grabbed his arms, trying to restrain him from feeling me up in front of my roommate. He stretched his neck, trying to kiss me. I laughed, unable to resist his tempting offer. After all, I was already in his trap and I was there to stay.

“Is an hour long enough?” Delaney appraised Raven from head to toe and then gave me a wide-eyed warning.

“No, but we’ll make it work.” He said, undressing me with his eyes.

I giggled as Raven picked me up and tossed me on the bed, landing on top of my clothes.

“I warned you, Lexi,” Delaney said, as she pulled the door shut.

“I know. But I can’t resist The Raven’s trap.”

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Currently Opposing Sides, book 1 in the University Park Series is FREE for a limited time.

About the Author

CM Doporto lives in the great state of Texas with her husband and son enjoying life with their extensive family along with their Chihuahua, Mexican Redhead Parrot, and several fish.

She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from The University of Texas at Arlington. She briefly worked in the area of Public Relations and Advertising and then pursued a career in the field of Human Resources. CM considers herself a life-long learner and returned to school and earned her Master of Art’s Degree in Organizational Development from Dallas Baptist University.

She writes Young Adult and New Adult Sci-Fi/Urban Fantasy stories about ordinary women who do extraordinary things, become a heroine, and find love along the way.

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