Padme's Library: Devon Drake, Cornerback by Jean C Joachim

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Devon Drake, Cornerback by Jean C Joachim

Title: Devon Drake, Cornerback

Author: Jean C Joachim

Series: First & Ten #4

Genre: Sports Romance

Release Date: August 24, 2015

Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing

Cover Artist: Dawne Dominique

Summary:
Devon Drake, star cornerback, has it all: hot super model girlfriend and pro football career, or does he? A childhood friend wanders back into his life, upsetting his ideal existence. Is it finally time to tell her the truth about what happened fifteen years ago?

Stormy Gregory is on the run from an abusive man. Her best friend offers her a safe place at the shelter for abused women and children. Grateful to be out of harm’s way, Stormy helps with a charitable event, not expecting to run into Devon Drake, her friend’s brother. Will she run again rather than face rejection?

Cracks in his perfect world threaten the cornerback’s starting lineup status. An unwelcome surprise short-circuits Stormy’s attempt to build a new life. Can they pull together or will the secret that separates the former friends keep them on a downward spiral?

“Are you checking me out?”

“Maybe.”

“Thought you had a girlfriend.”

“I do. No harm in looking.” He popped the top and stared at her. He made a mental note to slow down on the beer, as he needed to work out the next day.

“Here, get a really good look,” Stormy said, pulling her hair back and thrusting her face at him. “You wanna know what happened? A guy hit me. That’s right. End of story.” She dropped the curtain of hair over her bruises and headed toward the refrigerator.

Devon grabbed her arm, stopping her.

“Ouch.”

He pushed up her sleeve to expose an angry red mark.

“Oh, I forgot that one,” she said, pushing away from him and yanking the fabric down again.

“Don’t be so defensive.”

“I know what you’re thinking.” Her eyes flashed attitude at him.

“No, you don’t.”

“Little slut got what she deserved,” Stormy spit out.

Devon stepped back as if he’d been slapped.

“That’s what my parents said,” she whispered. “I’m going to shut up now.”

Devon closed his long fingers over her shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Stormy. Really sorry.”

Her clear blue eyes clouded, but the tense, drawn quality in her face relaxed. “It’s okay. They don’t hurt much anymore.”

“Where is this asshole?”

“A thousand miles away.”

He patted her unblemished cheek. “Good. Then I don’t have to kill him.”

Devon Drake
Devon Drake spent his childhood running, playing and hanging with his little sister, Samantha, and her friend, Stormy. When he hit junior high, football became his passion and he moved on from his young, adoring female friends.

With hard work and determination, Devon became a star. Always the fastest runner on any team, he chose to become a cornerback. His huge high school success led to an offer, after college, from the pro team, the St. Louis Sidewinders.

In St. Louis, he earned the reputation as a “shut down cornerback” – the guy who could out run, out-perform any wide receiver.

He opted to join The Connecticut Kings. At a charity event, he met Jackie Lawrence, a super model. They dated, much to Devon’s surprise. A humble young man, he never quite saw what she saw in him. But super models don’t achieve success hanging on the arm of attractive football players. So Devon had to content himself with a long distance relationship.

Fifteen years after his last encounter with Stormy Gregory, they meet again. Devon knows his behavior to her at their last meeting had been atrocious. Maybe now he could make amends.

His former childhood friend had turned into a beautiful young woman who was fleeing an abusive man. Devon’s heart was touched. Could he make it up to her for the bad way he had behaved? Devon Drake discovers that old feelings don’t die. Can he convince Stormy he’s sincere? And what about Jackie? Read Devon Drake, Cornerback, book 4 in the First & Ten series and find out.

Stormy Gregory
Life hadn’t been easy for Stormy Gregory. The fighting between her parents drove her to seek the friendship of the two kids down the block, Samantha and Devon Drake.

Stormy continued her friendship with Devon and became Samantha’s shadow in high school. Until he broke her heart. They went their separate ways.

After getting her degree in nutrition, Stormy found a job far from home in Bolton, Illinois. She worked part-time in two senior centers, planning meals. She found success and friendship there with the older crowd, and a little romance with the director.

An old acquaintance from high school looked her up, seeking help finding a job and a new start. She did what she could, but resisted his advances. He became hostile, then violent, forcing her to flee.

Not knowing where to turn, Stormy contacted her old friend, Samantha Drake. Sam made space for her friend in the shelter where she volunteered. During an event, she bumped into Devon Drake.

Stormy hadn’t expected the encounter. It had been fifteen years since she’d seen him. Instead of hating him for past hurts, warm feelings resurfaced. Stormy pushed them down, figuring she couldn’t compete with a super model. Simply being near Devon Drake made her pulse jump. She needed to get away, but the man who had hit her showed up at her door. She had nowhere to go, or did she?

DEVON DRAKE ANSWERS THE 20 QUESTION QUIZ
1. Chocolate or vanilla? Strawberry, actually.

2. Airplane or train? Airplane. Love the take-off, kind of like sex. Can I say that?

3. Walking or driving? Driving. Preferably a Maserati.

4. Red or Blue? Blue, like the ocean.

5. Country or Rock? Rock. 80’s rock.

6. Dog or cat? Pug – Brodie. Smart, obedient pup.

7. Lemonade or Iced Tea? Texas Iced Tea.

8. Vodka or Whiskey? Gin. Or vodka.

9. Mounds or Almond Joy? Who’s mounds? (laughs)

10. Action movies or Thrillers? Bruce Willis or Will Ferrell movies.

11. Men – brunette or blond? Brunette, that’s brown hair, right?

12. Women – brunette, blonde or redhead? Redhead, nice boobs, not huge. A nice handful. Yeah. Blue eyes, too.

13. Steak or lobster? Lobster. Steamed, boiled, broiled, in a lobster roll, in an omelet. Lobster for sure.

14. French fries or Salad? Fries, but I eat salad. Have to keep my weight down. Stormy makes the best salad.

15. Pistachios or Peanuts? Peanut butter but pistachios in nut form.

16. Beer or Wine? Beer. Ice cold.

17. Beach or Mountains? Beach. Love the waves. Great place for sex, if you’re careful.

18. Oatmeal or scrambled eggs? Eggs. Oatmeal sucks.

19. Sausage or Bacon? Bacon and sausage. Why should I have to choose only one?

20. Pretty or Witty? Both – Love a funny woman. If she makes me laugh, she’s got my heart.

Author Bio:
Jean Joachim is a best-selling romance fiction author, with books hitting the Amazon Top 100 list since 2012. The Renovated Heart won Best Novel of the Year from Love Romances Café. Lovers & Liars was a RomCon finalist in 2013. And The Marriage List tied for third place as Best Contemporary Romance from the Gulf Coast RWA. She was chosen Author of the Year in 2012 by the New York City chapter of Romance Writers of America.

Married and the mother of two sons, Jean lives in New York City. Early in the morning, you’ll find her at her computer, writing, with a cup of tea, her rescued put, Homer, by her side and a secret stash of black licorice.