Woodsmen Football Series by Jamie Bennett

BOOM. That's the sound from the football field when Knox Lynch takes down the offense. He’s big and strong, the best defensive end in the league. Tough. Scary. Dumb. At least, that’s all that most people seem to see of him. Except… BOOM. That’s also the sound Daisy McKenzie’s heart makes when it beats hard against her ribs when she’s anxious and worried... moreBOOM. That's the sound from the football field when Knox Lynch takes down the offense. He’s big and strong, the best defensive end in the league. Tough. Scary. Dumb. At least, that’s all that most people seem to see of him. Except… BOOM. That’s also the sound Daisy McKenzie’s heart makes when it beats hard against her ribs when she’s anxious and worried. She’s doing great now—she’s moved beyond her past and is focused on her future, taking steps to lead her to independence and happiness, like getting her degree and working as an art conservator. Yes, she’s doing great. Except… BOOM. That’s the sound of two lives colliding when Daisy and Knox meet. And the sound of both of their hearts, when they start to beat for each other. less

“I thought maybe I had hallucinated that you were here,” Nico commented. “I drank too much last night.” “It does seem like a dream,” I agreed. “Isn’t it amazing?” “That wasn’t exactly what I meant...”Tatum and Nico are meant to be. They’re perfect for each other! Just ask anyone, except maybe Nico, because he doesn’t seem very thrilled that Tatum has shown up uninvited at his new penthouse apartment, in the new city where he lives after being traded away from the Woodsmen football team... more“I thought maybe I had hallucinated that you were here,” Nico commented. “I drank too much last night.” “It does seem like a dream,” I agreed. “Isn’t it amazing?” “That wasn’t exactly what I meant...”Tatum and Nico are meant to be. They’re perfect for each other! Just ask anyone, except maybe Nico, because he doesn’t seem very thrilled that Tatum has shown up uninvited at his new penthouse apartment, in the new city where he lives after being traded away from the Woodsmen football team. The city that’s five states away from where they had known each other before…and by the way, she’s moving in. But he’s been acting off ever since he got traded—acting in ways that are going to sabotage his pro-football career, and Tatum is going to help him. She’ll be his life coach, even if he doesn’t think he needs one. Or wants one, or even wants Tatum in his life at all. No matter what, she knows that they can make it work, through legal problems, family problems, teammate problems, anything. Because in his heart of hearts, Nico loves her. Now he just needs to realize it too…and with Tatum there to nudge him along the way, they’ll find their happily ever after! less

IT’S 4TH AND GOAL FOR LOVE…SHOULD KATIE GO FOR IT? Katie Bell is Nutty. You know, Nutty the Chipmunk? Katie is the woman inside the costume, one of the mascots for her town’s football team, and Davis Blake—gorgeous, aloof, tough Davis Blake—is the starting quarterback. Until he gets injured and his season, and possibly his career, are over. Davis needs her help, and Katie sees a temp job working for him as an opportunity to secure her future with the football team... moreIT’S 4TH AND GOAL FOR LOVE…SHOULD KATIE GO FOR IT? Katie Bell is Nutty. You know, Nutty the Chipmunk? Katie is the woman inside the costume, one of the mascots for her town’s football team, and Davis Blake—gorgeous, aloof, tough Davis Blake—is the starting quarterback. Until he gets injured and his season, and possibly his career, are over. Davis needs her help, and Katie sees a temp job working for him as an opportunity to secure her future with the football team. But is there more possible for both of them? Maybe friendship? Maybe...love? When it’s fourth down, can both Katie and Davis put their hearts on the line and take a risk? less

A benchwarmer?Nope, Teddy Hayes can really start her up!Second-string. That’s been Ellie Wilde’s position in life.The daughter of a superstar quarterback and his model wife, Ellie could have been beautiful, tough, desirable—a winner, just like her parents.It didn’t quite work out that way, but she’s satisfied with things as they are. She has a great job with a professional football team…which would be perfect, except that she’s a really just a gofer with her office in a janitor’s closet... moreA benchwarmer?Nope, Teddy Hayes can really start her up!Second-string. That’s been Ellie Wilde’s position in life.The daughter of a superstar quarterback and his model wife, Ellie could have been beautiful, tough, desirable—a winner, just like her parents.It didn’t quite work out that way, but she’s satisfied with things as they are. She has a great job with a professional football team…which would be perfect, except that she’s a really just a gofer with her office in a janitor’s closet. She has a great boyfriend…or he would be, if he was aware of her existence, and wasn’t just the object of her 10-year, secret crush.Yeah. There are a few issues, but Ellie doesn’t dwell.Her life takes a definite turn when she meets Teddy Hayes, recently promoted to play on her team as the backup quarterback. He’s gorgeous, funny, and struggling. He has the opportunity of a lifetime to play in the pros, but he’s messing it up, and his personal life isn’t much better. Maybe Ellie can help him, both on and off the field, and maybe he can do the same for her…Maybe both these benchwarmers can step up to the big time and score—together. less

There were plus signs; double pink lines; double blue lines; double black lines; two dots; a smiley face; a big Y; and the topper, the one that just announced it: PREGNANT.“Oh, no,” I breathed out... moreThere were plus signs; double pink lines; double blue lines; double black lines; two dots; a smiley face; a big Y; and the topper, the one that just announced it: PREGNANT.“Oh, no,” I breathed out.Oh, yes, she sure is!Camdyn Riordan is not ready to have a baby—she’s the one who lost the class guinea pig in second grade, she’s the one who now won’t keep a boyfriend long enough to leave a toothbrush at his house!And there’s another wrinkle: the father is César Hidalgo, the famous football player, the guy who ran out of her house so fast after their night together that he left a jet trail in his wake. The guy with a list of past girlfriends as long as his hard, muscular arm.They’re going to be parents, but first, they’re going to be roommates, and then maybe they’ll be friends. But there is no way—NO WAY—that this is going to turn into some kind of love story, no matter how much Camdyn likes him, no matter how sweet he is, no matter anything.Absolutely not. Even though César is pretty much the ideal, if a woman was interested in something like a permanent future with a gorgeous, muscled-up guy who also likes to cook.That’s not what Camdyn wants—she’s positive, as positive as all those pregnancy tests! But life does have a funny way of moving your goal line… less

Jory Morin is a little…weird.And Meredith Roberts is not. She likes her life and everything in it to be clean, neat, and orderly. And it was, until her father took the position as head coach of the Woodsmen football team, uprooted their small family, and moved them to Michigan. Now she's living in a place where she has no job, no college, and no friends. Awesome.That’s how things are going, anyway, until she meets Jory Morin... moreJory Morin is a little…weird.And Meredith Roberts is not. She likes her life and everything in it to be clean, neat, and orderly. And it was, until her father took the position as head coach of the Woodsmen football team, uprooted their small family, and moved them to Michigan. Now she's living in a place where she has no job, no college, and no friends. Awesome.That’s how things are going, anyway, until she meets Jory Morin. He’s a giant of a guy who plays for her dad, and Meredith can’t figure him out—the way he shows up at her house uninvited, his wild hair and beard, his RV full of concrete animal statues and cat food. And he doesn’t have a cat.Yeah, a little…weird.And then there’s the thing about him fighting, in trouble with his team, and making her wonder if the violent way he plays football is just who he is. Should she even be with him?But there is more to Jory, as Meredith finds out. He has a heart that’s bigger than his old truck, and a brain that may not go in the same direction as hers, but it’s always going. In fact, Meredith will need to work keep up with him. Jory also has work to do to, to break down the defenses that she has built up to protect herself from the hurt in her past.It won’t be easy to figure each other out, but together, they may have created an unstoppable rush! less

Hallie and Gunnar just don’t get off on the right foot.There may be a question if either of Hallie’s feet are right, based on the number of times she trips and falls over them. But certainly, pegging a guy with a rock (like she does when she first encounters Gunnar Christensen) isn’t a great way to begin a relationship. It was by mistake, ok?Despite this beginning, Gunnar wants a cordial friendship with her, his new neighbor... moreHallie and Gunnar just don’t get off on the right foot.There may be a question if either of Hallie’s feet are right, based on the number of times she trips and falls over them. But certainly, pegging a guy with a rock (like she does when she first encounters Gunnar Christensen) isn’t a great way to begin a relationship. It was by mistake, ok?Despite this beginning, Gunnar wants a cordial friendship with her, his new neighbor. When she next gives him a right jab in the eye (by mistake!), this seems even more unlikely.But, friendship, sure—that’s a good goal, and it’s also all that Hallie wants from the big, beautiful professional football player who lives next door. Sure, that’s all anyone would want with a guy like Gunnar, someone so sweet, and considerate, and gorgeous, and…And she can barely keep herself from grabbing him, in a more than friendly way. That’s beside the point.The point is, Hallie has a lot to do to keep her own game plan running. Between tutoring a teenager who hates her, a best friend making poor life choices, her career in the dumpster, and her house falling down around her ears, she has enough to keep track of. Gunnar Christensen and his problems aren’t her concern.But at the end of the game, it’s the people standing with you who matter the most. And there’s Gunnar on her team—and Hallie is definitely on his. Getting to the moment when the last whistle blows won’t be easy, but true love never is... less

'I just understand that people can make mistakes, ' I said. 'Someone could do something that you think is terrible. Immoral, even! But it wouldn't be what defined her...'Because, yes, Gaby Carter has made a few mistakes herself, but she's aiming to fix them, to make amends and to make some big changes in her life.Step one in that process: she'll become a cheerleader for the Woodsmen football team... more'I just understand that people can make mistakes, ' I said. 'Someone could do something that you think is terrible. Immoral, even! But it wouldn't be what defined her...'Because, yes, Gaby Carter has made a few mistakes herself, but she's aiming to fix them, to make amends and to make some big changes in her life.Step one in that process: she'll become a cheerleader for the Woodsmen football team. She'll go up against more than 150 beautiful, talented women to get a spot on the coveted roster, but she'll have to fight her way through mean girls, falls, and tears to do it...Step two: Gaby will show her family and friends that she's smart, strong, and successful, no matter how she may have behaved in the past, no matter how little they may think about her. Or how little she may think about herself...Step three: she will not fall in love with the wrong guy again, not this time. Definitely not with Ben Matthews, the handsome, single-dad Woodsmen football coach who is totally off-limits, in so many ways. Even if in so many other ways, he's just perfect...Step four: she'll work past all the bumps and bruises that life keeps throwing at her, at her body and at her heart...And in the end, Gaby will find the happy ending for herself, for Ben, and for his little girl. It's not going to be easy-but it will be worth it! less

Just when you think your path is set…Audrey Greenwood’s life has always moved in a vertical line: straight through school, straight towards a PhD, straight into cohabitation with her boyfriend, straight on the road to a professorship at a university. Up, up, up. Progress and success.Noah Boone’s path hasn’t been at all vertical. He’s a professional football player who’s lived in three countries in six years, trying to make it into the big leagues, trying to get his break... moreJust when you think your path is set…Audrey Greenwood’s life has always moved in a vertical line: straight through school, straight towards a PhD, straight into cohabitation with her boyfriend, straight on the road to a professorship at a university. Up, up, up. Progress and success.Noah Boone’s path hasn’t been at all vertical. He’s a professional football player who’s lived in three countries in six years, trying to make it into the big leagues, trying to get his break. Nothing in his life has been neat and easy. He needs someone like Audrey to straighten him out, straighten him up so that he can make it onto the Woodsmen football team and unpack the boxes he’s been dragging around from one temporary address to the next. That’s how she ends up working for him, as his “fixer,” to get everything organized and settled.Even though other women seem to lose their minds (and bras) when they’re around Noah, nothing about him is attractive to Audrey. Nothing at all! Not his big, muscular body, not his terrible singing voice, and not how he smiles at her. No, she may work for him, but a professional relationship is all that she wants. For sure! And certainly, Noah feels the same way.Funny how a straight line can curve! When Audrey’s life veers far off-course, Noah is there for her just like she has been for him. It turns out that nothing is so set that a shift can’t change things—but maybe that shift is the best thing that could ever happen for both of them… less