Rough & Ready

4 Marvelous Stars Review by Nancy Late Night Reviewer Up All Night w/ Books Blog A light steamy read, Rough & Ready by Tracy Wolff is a great sports romance. It is the third book in the Lightning series, but can be read as a standalone. Tanner is an absolute swoon worthy hero, a very successful football player with a heart of gold. Having to raise his sisters has given him a different perspective on life. Running a successful rec center is how he gives back to his community. When Elara storms into the locker room accusing him of being a bad person, he takes it upon himself to prove her wrong. Elara is rough around the edges, at one point playing basketball was everything until an injury caused her to retire from playing pro ball. Now running a rec center is her life, she dedicates every moment to that place and the kids that come through there. After she loses a donation she thinks is already in her hands, she takes it out on the man who unknowingly got it, Tanner. She knows Tanner holds himself to be a generous person, he can talk the talk but she questions whether he can really walk the walk. That is until she spends time with him, and then there is no stopping her from falling in love with the amazing man Tanner is. Although the flow of the book was great, I had a hard time connecting with Elara’s character. After reading more of the book I realized she has a troubled past that explained some of her behavior, but even then I couldn’t fully enjoy her character. Nonetheless I enjoyed reading this book, the story was light and sweet. Another great addition to the Lightning series.

3.5 stars--ROUGH AND READY is the third instalment in Tracy Wolff’s contemporary, adult LIGHTNING romance series focusing on the members of the professional football team the San Diego Lightning. This is former WNBA star Elara Vance, and football player Tanner Green’s story line. ROUGH AND READY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Told from dual first person perspectives (Tanner and Elara) ROUGH AND READY follows the building relationship between This is former WNBA star Elara Vance, and football player Tanner Green. Elara’s introduction to Tanner Green is all about the fire and tenacity of a woman scorned. Hoping to be the recipient of a large donation to her children’s youth centre, Elara sees red when all of the money is allocated and given to professional football player, and San Diego Lightning team member Tanner Green’s football foundation leaving Elara’s youth centre scrambling for funds. A locker room meltdown, a quick game of pick-me-up, and an explanation about the how and why finds Elara and Tanner fast becoming friends, that quickly turns into something else. What ensues is the building love and relationship between Tanner and Elara, and the potential fall out as Elara’s past becomes the elephant in the room that continues to pick at Tanner’s over-protective heart. Elara Vance knows success but success that has come at a cost. From the loss of familiar support, to the dark secrets of her past, Elara comes across as a powerful feminist, a ball-buster that pushes at the fringes of psychotic b*tch. Elara is a prickly heroine whose confrontational attitude was irritating and made enjoyment difficult in the early chapters. Tanner Green is a successful and well respected professional player but he too, keeps secret, a past mired in heart break and loss. Meeting Elara Vance stirs something inside Tanner Green, long thought dead by our story line hero, something that has Tanner hoping for a happily ever after. The relationship between Tanner and Elara begins acrimoniously when Elara verbally berates and attacks our story line hero. Believing Tanner was responsible for the loss of her funding, Elara becomes the aggressor in an effort to release her pent up anger, aggression that comes across impulsive and wrong. Throughout the story a softer but damaged side of Elara is revealed, a side she has kept hidden for close to four years. The $ex scenes are passionate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. The colorful and strong secondary and supporting characters include quarterback Hunter Browning and his wife Emerson (Down and Dirty #1), and Shawn and Sage Wilson (Hot and Heavy #2); Tanner’s sister Tina, as well as a number of boys and girls, and staff members at Rebound, the centre run by Elara Vance. ROUGH AND READY is a spirited story line. The premise is entertaining, engrossing and stimulating; the characters are confident and animated; the romance is impassioned and seductive. I did have an issue with the book cover. Throughout the book Elara mentions Tanner’s ‘dreads’ a number of times, yet the cover model is bald, with a completely shaven head. I wish the publishers would realize that readers take the covers seriously, oft times comparing the image to the story line description.

Tanner Green plays for the San Diego Lightning. He has really made a name for himself as one of the nice guys....probably has to do with having to raise 4 younger sisters and being the grandson of a preacher. Tanner always tries to give back to those in need because he remembers a time in his life when things were much harder. Elara Vance is an ex-WNBA star player, having to retire because of an injury. Now she runs Rebound, a rec-center for underprivileged youth in her San Diego. Imagine her surprise when she finds out the donation she was suppose to receive ends up going to Tanner's foundation instead. Elara is pissed and wants to tell Tanner off and she does it in such a great way....in his locker room, in front of his friends. It was great. Only problem is, is that Tanner didn't realize any of this happened and he wants to help make things right. Too bad Elara isn't biting. When Tanner shows up to Rebound that is when the fun begins. He doesn't realize that Elara is an ex-WNBA player and agrees to a little 2 on 2 pick up game each of them picking a youth. Imagine Tanner's surprise when Elara blows him away! I just FLOVE Elara! As Tanner keeps trying to play nice, Elara isn't buying it. All ballers are just a bunch of players and because of something from her past, she is not getting played again. Slowly, Tanner is starting to break Elara's walls down. Just when it looks like they are going to get their happy ending, the past comes back to haunt both of them and together they need to work very hard to get that happy ending. I loved both of these characters. Tanner really is a perfect guy. Sweet, thoughtful, loving....what more do you need???? Elara is such a strong female and loves to speak her mind. You do not want to cross her! I really enjoyed their happy ending too! Overall this was a great end to such a fun series.