LINE OF SCRIMMAGE

Author: Marie Force ISBN: 9781402214240 9/2008 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: SOURCEBOOKS CASABLANCA

SHE'S FINALLY GIVEN UP ON HIM AND MOVED ON ... Susannah finally has peace, calm, a sedate life, and a no-surprises man. Marriage to football superstar Ryan Sanderson was a whirlwind of passion, heat, energy, and excitement, but Susannah got sick of playing second fiddle to his team, watching women throwing themselves at him, and living in terror of the hard hits he took on the field. With their divorce just a few weeks away, she's already planning her wedding with her new fiance... HE'S FINALLY FIGURED OUT WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO RIM. IF ONLY IT'S NOT T00 LATE ... Ryan has just ten days to convince his soon-to-be ex-wife to give him a second chance before their divorce is final. He has just brought home his third championship win and his career is at its pinnacle, but in the year of their separation, Ryan's come to realize it doesn't mean anything at all without Susannah ...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Marie Force debuts on the romance scene with LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, a story about a couple who has lost their way and tries to get back their relationship through a last ditch effort by the husband.

Ryan Sanderson has had it all—the fame and glory of being a great quarterback for a wonderful team, the fans and friends who have sustained him throughout his ten year NFL career, and the love of a good woman to go home to every night. But it is the last thing on that list that he is about to lose in his divorce. He only has ten more days before he and his soon-to-be ex-wife are to meet in the judges' chambers and their divorce will be final. But he isn't ready to let Susannah, the love of his life, go without a fight.

Ryan wants the couple to spend the last ten days they have married together. Susannah balks at this because she is already engaged to marry another man. She had let Ryan go and does not understand why he has come back at the last hour to try and save their marriage. But she agrees and during the days that follow, the couple find themselves dealing with issues in their marriage that they had let pull them apart.

I really enjoyed LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. Ryan Sanderson is a bigger-than-life hero. He plays hard and he loves even harder. He will do whatever it takes to change Susie's mind about the divorce because he cannot live without her. Susannah was a great heroine to read. She stood by Ryan's side for many years, seemingly unseen. But in the ten days they spend together, she comes to know just how much Ryan cares for her. She is tough and doesn't let Ryan get away with anything, a part of the reason why he loves her so much. The cast of supporting characters, many of which are friends of the couple and also involved with Ryan's team, the Denver Mavericks, add to the warmth and realism of this tale.

I look forward to reading more novels from Marie Force. I thoroughly enjoyed LINE OF SCRIMMAGE and this one is definitely going on the keeper shelf.

Maame Kanbi