Genres: Coming of Age, Contemporary, Fiction, New Adult, Romance
Published by Shelbyville Publication Date: June 7th 2015
Pages: 333
Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org
Find on: Goodreads
Privilege, poverty, death, and self-loathing; these are the backgrounds of the men of the internationally famous rock band, Sphere of Irony.
Dax Davies has one job to fulfill in the Davies household. Earn money at the family business. The problem is that the family business is illegal underground fighting.
From a young age, Dax and his brothers are groomed to become money earners in their father's club. Broken bones and bruises are commonplace. Their father pits the brothers against each other to 'toughen them up' for the ring. His future is in the cage, not on stage where he dreams of being.
Kate Campbell loves one thing in life. Well, two. Soccer and Dax Davies. Growing up in the poorest part of London, soccer is her personal escape from reality and the fact that Dax doesn't seem to know she exists. She figures if she can be good enough at it, maybe she can get away from Hackney, and leave the poverty behind.
Kate doesn't plan on ever getting a chance to know Dax as more than an unattainable dream. After a mutual acquaintance brings them together, it only takes one ill-fated night at the fight club tear them apart.
Dax, Dax, Dax. ย There was so much to this man. ย Behind that tough exterior was a guy worthy of his success and the love of the only woman he’s ever wanted.
STRIKE gives us the story of Dax and Kate. ย They grew up with each other in London, where Dax was famous as an underground fighter. ย Dax was tied very tightly to his father’s fighting ring and his rules. ย It’s those rules that keep him from Kate and what ultimately cost him to lose her. ย But what made me love Dax was the fact that he kept trying to get it right with Kate. ย He knew when he screwed up and he knew when he needed to step back to figure out his business before going after what he wanted, again.
I could immediately sympathize with Kate. ย She’s been in love with the guy since a teenager and she’s struggled with the feelings she’s had for him, even when he’s broken her heart. ย But instead of falling apart she went forward with her life. ย She was stronger than I initially thought and I knew she was the perfect match for Dax.
I love this series. ย Heather Leigh creates such fabulous characters that pull me into the story, and no matter what they do, become characters I can’t get enough of. ย I look forward to more from the author and from Sphere of Irony.
Meet Dax & Kate in the newest standalone in the Sphere of Irony Series.
NOW AVAILABLE
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1HaMtNW
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1HaMTE2
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Kobo: http://bit.ly/1APfX1J
I follow Adamโs gaze to see Ellie hurrying towards us, towing a friend by the hand. Ellie immediately latches on to Adam, prattling on about something or other. Tuning out the happy couple, I take a moment to check out Ellieโs friend, Kate. Iโve seen her around, mostly with Ellie, but sheโs in my maths class as well. In fact, now that I think about it, weโve been in school together a long time.
The fact that I didnโt remember her until now makes me frown, which in turn, makes Kateโs eyes go wide with fear. The girl is fiddling with her hair, pulling it up into a ponytail. Sheโs clearly uncomfortable around me, so, being the heartless prick that I am, I decide to make it worse.
โYouโre Kate.โ
When impossibly green eyes shoot up to meet mine, big and innocent looking, all of the smartass comments I have at the ready fall away. Smooth, lightly freckled skin flushes pink and full lips part, making my cock sit up and take notice. Itโs then I realize Iโve never really looked at Kate before.
How did I not see how gorgeous this girl is? Sheโs not obvious or flashyโno, sheโs veryโฆ girl next door. Sporty and fit with tawny brown hair always pulled up on her head, showing off two very high cheekbones. Iโm surprised how affected I am by her. My heart has begun thumping hard and my palms are sweaty. How angry would Adam be if I shagged Ellieโs best friend?
Probably very. Not that I care much what he thinks.
While Iโm thinking of how she looks naked, she gathers herself together and answers my question. โYes. Iโm Kate.โ Shit, even her voice affects meโsoft and slightly scratchy in a sexy kind of way. Now my dick is throbbing, pressing uncomfortably against my zipper. I need to hear that voice again.
โIโm Dax. Youโre in my maths class.โ
Those emerald eyes get even wider and her jaw hangs open. โHow do you know who I am?โ
Huh?
โWhy wouldnโt I know who you are? Havenโt we been in the same year for ages?โ I furrow my brow, trying to decide if Iโm thinking of a different girl. But no, itโs her, Iโm sure of it.
โY-y-yes. Since third year.โ
I hold back a smile, keeping my cool exterior. At least I got that right. โWell then, apparently Iโm not as stupid as some might say.โ
Kateโs fingers untwist from her hair, settling on her hips. Lush, ruby lips turn down in the corners and her eyes narrow. She looks downright offended. โWho says youโre stupid? Youโre in my advanced maths class, so I know that canโt be true.โ
For once in my life Iโm speechless. No one ever gives me the benefit of the doubt or defends my intelligence. Do I bother explaining to her that most people associate a big, muscled guy with an empty skull? Add in the underground fighting and they assume Iโve taken enough hits to the head to be rendered daft and dumb.
No one talks about it, but the teachers here know what I doโwhat my dadโs business is. I am the fourth Davies son at this school after all and they treat me accordingly. They donโt even bat an eye at the bruises anymore.
I tilt my chin to look down at her. Kateโs not at my eye level, but for a girl, sheโs fairly tallโmaybe five foot seven or eight? In those eyes, eyes as green as the stripes on the Davies family tartan, I see something I havenโt seen on a girlโs face inโฆ well, ever. Admiration? Respect, maybe? Is it possible Kate respects me? That she sees past my intimidating exterior to the man beneath the brawn? That she sees more than just a conquest to brag to her friends about?
One of dadโs rules pops into my head.
Rule 2โNever let your emotions show.
I lock down the surprise on my face, keeping it to its usual icy faรงade.
What if she doesnโt like what she finds? I donโt know why I care, but suddenly, I donโt want Kate to know about the fighting, the girls, my familyโฆ those goddamn rules. For the first time in my life Iโm not proud of my wins, of all the girls Iโve shagged or had suck me off at the club or behind the school. For once, Iโm truly ashamed of what I am.
Incite (Book One) The Sphere of Irony Series
Now ONLY $0.99
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Shannon
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