Synopsis
Maci strives for one thing in life—anonymity. With her
writing career in full bloom, all she wants is to work in peace while
concealing her true identity from the public. Though readers love the science
fiction worlds she creates, Maci knows that gender stereotypes could damage her
career if she is exposed as a woman.
Liam is the envy of all gamers as the lead developer for
nZone Studios. Over time, he builds
walls around himself, keeping people at arm’s length who only gravitate to him
for his material possessions rather than who he is as a person.
With thick barriers around their hearts and their past
looming in the shadows, Liam and Maci challenge each other by slowly peeling
away their protective layers and seeing each other for who they really are. It
doesn’t take long after their chance meeting at a coffee shop for them to
become one another’s game changer.
Note: If a strong, quirky heroine makes you roll your eyes,
If you hate sexy heroes who would rather lose a game than the woman of their
dreams, if fast-moving relationships and hot sex aren’t your thing, if you
can’t stand when humor is used to cover up life’s awkward moments, if
cliffhangers anger you beyond comprehension… this series is not your cup of
tea. This contemporary romance novel is the first book in the Playing Games
series and contains adult situations meant for ages 18+.
Purchase Links
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1yHKXhA
B&N: http://bit.ly/1AwxIxo
Apple: http://bit.ly/1qN3qXn
Kobo: http://bit.ly/13eLJ90
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1BP0KMR
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1BPfn2R
All Romance eBooks: http://bit.ly/1GoFLjG
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1qB2sgL
Rene has done it again! This book is an amazing read. I
couldn't put it down. This book has a little bit of everything in it, mystery,
surprising twists, and it wouldn't be a book by Rene without some steamy
scenes!
Maci is an author, but writes under a pen name because she
writes sci-fi books. She is a best selling author though, and very few know
that it's her writing the books. She likes remaining a secret.
Liam is an owner of a top video game company. He is a
"cocky geek". Girls that he date, always have a motive to be with
him. It's usually either his money, to become a video game tester, or because
of his standing in the gaming community.
A chance meeting at Maci's writing cave, AKA, a local coffee
shop proves to be a game changer for both of them.
Maci has her secrets and so does Liam. A few secrets do come
out.
I loved when Liam quoted a part of one of her books to her,
not knowing she's actually the author.
"I've walked on many planets and floated through the
heavens...yet you're the only one in the universe who can make my hearts
move."
I love how Liam is a cocky gamer geek, and not an over the
top alpha. I loved all the geeky references, like Harry Potter and the golden
snitches. And their tee shirts were freaking hilarious!
It ends with an awesome twist and I can't wait to read the
next in this series!!
Excerpt #1
The hotel the event would be held at was only two blocks
away, so I was surprised when Liam wanted to drive rather than walk. Shrugging
and not questioning his motives, I clambered into the car and settled back,
sighing with the way the seat seemed to hug me. I appeared to be falling in
love with this damn car.
Just when I thought Liam would start the engine, he let the
keys dangle in the ignition and leaned over to me instead. My breath hitched as
he reached across my body and grabbed the seatbelt, buckling it in place with a
loud click.
Never backing away and hovering his face precariously close
to mine, he said, “Safety first, beautiful Maci.”
“For two blocks?” I scoffed, trying to deny my inner delight
at his closeness.
“For two blocks,” he affirmed just as his eyes began roaming
over my body, landing on the slit that parted all the way up my left leg to
mid-thigh. Extending his hand out, he traced a finger along my leg, right
between the parted fabric.
“Non-date, Sir Liam,” I chided, reminding him of our
agreement. Even though I turned him down verbally, I didn’t bother flinching or
pushing him away. I honestly enjoyed his touch, like he was caressing a fragile
item with adoration. But I needed to keep my wits about me if I planned to make
it through the night with dry panties.
His fingers lingered on my skin just a bit longer, sending a
chill through me at the thought of him lifting my dress and moving even higher.
“Liam,” I whispered, breathless and desperate for him to
either increase his hold on my self-control or stop punishing me with such
delicious torment.
“Right. Non-date,” he agreed as he retracted his hand. “I
just can’t seem to act normal around you, Maci.”
Well, that statement seemed to send a whole new thrill
through me, because it meant he wasn’t used to moving in on a girl so quickly
and vigorously. I didn’t care much for players, so his masked confession had a
grin spreading on my face before I realized it was happening.
“What’s so funny?” he asked, peeking over at me while
pulling into traffic and making an immediate left.
“You. You said you can’t act normal around me, but I think
normal is utterly boring.” His dimples made their appearance at my words, and I
delighted in the fact that I could make him smile.
God, I’d barely wanted to come on this stupid non-date
tonight, yet now I realized I was having a great time with him. I would be the
first to admit I was wrong. Well, at least to myself. No need to admit it out
loud and ruin our fun banter.
Excerpt #2
He wasn’t kidding when he said the gamers at the university
considered him a deity of sorts. Hell, they were damn near ready to roll out
the red carpet for us once they saw him walk through the doors of the arcade
lounge.
Once the gamer geeks left us alone, Liam eyed me sideways
and smiled at me in a way I could only describe as deceptive and evil—in a very
playful Liam sort of way.
“What?” I asked, backing up a few steps and feigning fear.
“You up for a challenge?” Just as the words spilled from his
lips, his eyes darted toward a wall of classic arcade games.
“Oh, hell yeah,” I breathed, leading the way toward the
wooden box with the words Mortal Kombat splayed along the top. The vintage
cabinet was beautiful, and I couldn’t help but touch my fingers against the
large, yellow dragon adorning the sides. “Won’t be much of a challenge though.
I’ll kick your pansy ass in this game,” I nearly whispered.
Biting my lip to hide my smile, I watched with unabashed
interest as Liam’s long fingers slid a few coins into the slots and began a
game. “Ladies first,” he said, gesturing toward the controls. It didn’t take me
long to choose Scorpion so I could lasso his ass for the undeniable fatalities
that were in his near future.
“Not gonna go with Sonya, huh?” he blurted out as he did the
predictable and chose Sub-Zero.
Rolling my eyes, I didn’t look at him as I spoke with a bit
of a bite in my tone and said, “Why, so you can stare at her tits while you
attempt to kick her ass? Plus, why do I automatically have to be the girl? Is
it because I should like the pretty green color of her too-tight outfit?”
“No reason. I just wasn’t expecting you to choose Scorpion
is all,” he said with a shrug as the game began.
Jerking my body as I dodged his first freeze blast, I said,
“You better learn really quick that I don’t care for gender stereotypes, Liam.”
Failing at dodging my kunai, he sighed and laughed. “Point
taken.”
It didn’t take long before the command to finish him blasted
through the speakers, and I ripped his spinal cord clean through his frigid
body.
“Fuck,” he cursed under his breath, and I couldn’t hold back
my laughter anymore.
“You totally deserved that.”
Without saying another word, I continued to show him who was
boss. After the third round and another epic fatality, he threw his hands up
and said, “Okay, Maci. You done showing off?”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I gave him an I-told-you-so
smile and nodded. However, it was then that I realized we’d attracted an
audience.
I was suddenly worried he’d be pissed that I showed him up
in what was supposed to be his territory. These kids looked up to him, and
there I stood, holding his balls in a metaphorical vice. The smirk that tilted
up on half his face told me he wasn’t mad… at least not horribly upset with me.
Leaning close, a little too close, he whispered in my ear.
“I think these guys like watching you from behind while you play.” Before I
could respond, Liam grabbed my ass, squeezed once, and winked before offering
me his hand and adding, “Let’s go.”
As soon as we made it into the hall, out of geekdom earshot,
I laid into him. “Did you seriously just grab my ass?”
“I had to even the score somehow and also show them all you
were off limits. Their gawking was very distracting,” he said with a shrug,
never letting go of my hand as I tried to tug it free.
“Well, you don’t get to grope me just to prove a point,
Liam.” I wasn’t really as upset as I was sounding. Having his hand on me was
exciting. But a habit like that could give him the wrong impression, and I’d be
damned if I let a guy get away with pawing me in public like I was some piece
of ass he had to stake claim to.
Using my hand, he pulled me closer and threw his arm around
my shoulder like it was second nature for us to be connected. “I know, and I’m
sorry. Their eyes were practically glued to your ass though. I was just giving
them something to look at,” he said with a holier-than-thou smirk. “Hell, even
the one chick there was nearly undressing you with her stare.”
Smacking his chest, I pushed him away and said, “Next time,
grab yourself. I’m sure they’ll get an eyeful then.” But the smile on my face
betrayed me and turned into a full-blown laugh that echoed off the marbled
floors as we made our way toward the stairs leading to the theater.
Author Bio:
Rene Folsom, author of contemporary and paranormal, lives in
Florida with her husband and three kids. She has officially diagnosed herself
with creative ADD and often has a million and one writing projects going at
once. In addition to writing, she is also a graphic artist who enjoys creating
custom book covers for indie authors. She is definitely an artist at heart and
would love nothing more than to be elbow deep in clay during her waking hours.
Rene believes that all fiction is based on some form of
reality—otherwise we would never have the inspiration or knowledge to dream up
the realistic situations we portray with our words. She is proud to say that
her personal experiences have been inspirational, though perhaps not always
identical to that of her fictional characters. Where reality and fantasy
diverge, however, must remain her little secret…
Author Links:
Website: www.renefolsom.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/renefolsom
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ReneFolsom
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/renefolsom
B&N: www.barnesandnoble.com/c/rene-folsom
Kobo: www.kobobooks.com
ARe: www.allromanceebooks.com
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/renefolsom
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