If you are a fan of contemporary romance stories with a pseudo-sports theme (the Chicago Stars series by SEP, the Chinooks series by Rachel Gibson) then Line of Scrimmage by Marie Force is a must-read for you. Like the comparable stories, the hero is a professional sports icon who will have your heart from page one. But unlike those similar books where the hero and heroine meet and then face the trials and tribulations of a new union, the protagonists in LofS have been married 10 years and are just 10 days away from being divorced.

Ryan Sanderson, quarterback for the Denver Mavericks, has just led his team to their 3rd Super Bowl victory. However, Ryan's happiness in winning the championship is bittersweet because his career has cost him his marriage to Susannah, the love of his life. Knowing that his divorce will be final in 10 days, Ryan is panicked that he is about to lose the only woman he has ever loved. Desperate to convince her their marriage is worth fighting for, a battered and bruised Ryan shows up on Susannah's doorstep. Unfortunately, he has picked a most inconvenient time to make an appearance as a celebration is going on inside...Susannah's engagement party.

The story begins...

First of all, you will absolutely LOVE Ryan and mourn the fact that all men have not been created in his image (or any man, for that matter). He is tall, ruggedly handsome in that modern-day cowboy style, and has a killer body like an athlete of his caliber should. (Overall, think Tom Brady* and you'll get a good image). Ryan is a sweetheart with a heart of gold and at first you'll wonder what the hell was Susannah thinking to file for divorce from this model of perfection, and soon after become engaged to a nerdy Wall Street guy that wears bow ties. But as you get to know Susannah you come to understand why she felt she could no longer be married to the football star. She had once devoted her life to loving Ryan but it no longer was enough. She felt like nothing more than a fixture on a shelf - taken down and dusted off whenever an occasion called for a wife. She was second to his career, his endorsements and to his public. Susannah knew that Ryan loved her and she would always love him, but the intimacy they had shared in the early years of their marriage was now nothing more than a fond memory. The love that had once been the wall that sheltered them from the rest of the world was buried beneath the avalanche of activity that monopolized a superstar's life. Then the rumor started to circulate that there was another woman...and Susannah had had enough. Ryan moved across town and Henry, Susannah's high school sweetheart, swooped in to pick up where they had left off ...before Ryan had ventured in and stolen Susannah's heart.

Ryan intends to keep that heart! He is going to convince her - or die trying - that they are meant to be together. Hating to hurt Henry but needing the closure with Ryan, Susannah agrees to spend the last 10 days of their marriage together. What follows is the sweetest story of two people rediscovering an incredible love they had almost let slip away. Like Gibson and Phillips, Marie Force presents a hero and heroine that are genuinely likable characters who, early on, become lodged in your heart. Ryan and Susie (as he calls her) both have engaging qualities yet very individual personalities, and they play off each other perfectly. The "fleshing out" of their characters is done primarily through dialog so you, the reader, can live their story instead of merely reading about it.


He turned in his seat so he could see her. "It's going to be crazy for a day or two, but I want you to remember it's not the most important thing I'm dealing with right now." Squeezing her hand, he added, "Patching things up with you is my top priority, and the only reason I'm letting this other stuff in is because my contract is set to expire right around the same time our marriage ticket comes due."
"Ironic coincidence."
"Yep. Ironic is the word. In five days, I'm either going to have everything or nothing."
She glanced at him. "No pressure though, right?"
His dimples were on full display when his face twisted into a lazy grin. "None at all." Sweeping his thumb over the palm of her hand, he asked, "How's my mug looking?" He stuck out his jaw in a dramatic pose.
She rolled her eyes."Much better."
"So I'm not going to look hideous in all the pictures that'll be plastered on the front pages of every newspaper in the country?"
She snorted with laughter. "There's that legendary Sanderson ego on full display."
"What ego? It's an honest question." He flipped down the visor and opened the mirror to study his reflection. "Looking good, my man."
"Puleeze. Listen to yourself. 'Looking good, my man'."
"I love giving you the opportunity to burst my bubble," he said with a chuckle.
"You do it often enough."
"I need to keep you sharp."
"Keeping you humble was my greatest challenge as your wife."
"IS your greatest challenge."
"Was."
"Is."
"Was."
"Is."
"Shut up."
"Shut me up."
"I'm driving."
"So?" He slid his hand up her thigh. When he reached his destination, she inhaled sharply and grabbed his hand.
Not to be deterred, he kissed her neck, whispering in her ear. "Is."
"Shut up."
He laughed and sat back in his seat but kept a firm hold on her hand.

They are so cute together!

The book does have several humorous scenes, but (in keeping with the aforementioned authors) the gist of the story isn't funny at all...it is real, it is touching and at times you'll want to sob right along with Ryan or Susie. Overall, however, it is a most heartwarming story that you will hold onto long after the last page is read. Definitely a keeper!


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Ryan Sanderson