Blog Tour~~Review: Down For The Count Series by Christa Cervone

 

 A murderer’s child…A foster child…A troubled teen…Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has never had an easy life. Being shuffled from one foster home to another after his father murdered his mother, he found himself in and out of trouble with the law. Never giving a damn about himself, let alone anyone else, his life was spiraling out of control; fast. Until one man and one sport changed everything. Frankie Carbone taught Saint how to handle his anger and rejection; by fighting it out in the ring. On his way to stardom, Saint finds himself pushed into the spotlight and into the arms of more women than he can ever imagine; he’s completely content with one night stands and random sex. Then Salem Harris comes walking into his life and changes his game plan. Saint finds himself wanting Salem in all the ways that scare him. She is off limits; taken. But that doesn’t stop Saint from going after what he wants, and he wants her. Frankie showed Saint a new way of life with Boxing, but will Salem give him the one thing he's never known – love? Will Saint find himself fighting for the one thing he thinks he doesn't deserve or will Salem end up breaking his heart? Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has had to fight for every good thing he's gotten in his life. Can he go the distance?

On The Ropes is the beginning for Gabriel and Salem. It is the story of how they met. Gabriel and Salem’s story starts off with her being the girlfriend of Gabriel’s new promoter. This small fact doesn’t stop him from pursuing her. Gabriel comes off as a cocky person. He believes that all women are supposed to swoon with one look.

Gabriel seems to be tormented by his past. He has a father that killed his mom and a brother that is a drug attic. He doesn’t like getting attached to people. Falling for Salem is a surprise to him. He even has a strange relationship with Frankie, the man that saved him as a child. He doesn’t seem very appreciative of what Frankie has done for him at times.

I was not a fan of Salem. She put too much pressure on herself. She feels that she has to live up to certain standards and that means staying with Blaine. Even if she doesn’t treat her right.

I know that this is a MMA type book but I was thrown off by all the fight lingo. I have read MMA books before and the balance of fighting and romance was there. I felt that in this book there was not such balance.

This book has potential at being a great book, I just felt it fell flat in some areas. I recommend this book only if you want more history on Salem and Gabriel. 

3 out of 5 Stars!

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       * AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE *

Life has been a roller coaster for Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega. From surviving a hellish childhood, to reuniting with his lost brother, only to hit the struggle of helping him battle his drug addiction. Boxing saved Gabriel’s life, and just when his career hits the fast track, he finally finds love with Salem; at least for a short time.

Social differences, obligations, and misguided good intentions tore Gabriel and Salem apart before they could ever really get started. Will Gabriel be able to save his brother from the whirlpool of addiction that threatens to drag him under? Is Salem capable of breaking away from the ropes that bind her to doing what’s expected rather than what and whom she desires? Can Gabriel convince Salem that their mutual feelings are worth fighting for, and that together, they will be able to go the distance?

Going the Distance is Gabriel and Salem’s HEA story. They had a rocky start in On the Ropes but are able to come together in this book. I feel that the author did a better job in this book blending the sports and romance cohesively.

Gabriel shows his vulnerable side in this book. He is no longer the rough and tough guy, but is someone who cares and feels for others. He shows that with his brother and also with Salem.

Salem is starting to find her own is this one. She is seeing who she really wants to be and not what others think she is supposed to be. I enjoyed seeing Salem and Gabriel blossom into strong characters.

Overall this book was by far my favorite of the series. I feel that Cervone did an amazing job in writing this book. This story allowed the readers to become more emotionally involved with the characters. I recommend this book to fans of this genre. 

4 out of 5 Stars!!

* AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE *

Born and raised in New England, Christa is a married mother of three. She began writing her first book, Broken, in October 2012, as a love story to her husband, Frank. During the writing process, Christa managed to keep her book a secret from the majority of her family and friends, including her mother. She finally revealed that she had written a book on her personal Facebook page just two weeks before Broken was released.

Broken was released in February 2013, and within twenty-four hours of its release, it was on Amazon's Movers and Shakers list as well as in the Top 20 Erotica. Christa released her second novel, On the Ropes - Book One in the Down for the Count series, in February 2014. On the Ropes has also climbed the charts on Amazon, hitting the Top 10 Sports Fiction and the Top 20 Romance Sports Fiction lists. Book Two, Going the Distance, was released July 2014 and claimed the number 3 spot in the Interracial category as well being in the top 20 in Erotica on Amazon.

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