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Striker Trilogy #1
Striker
Ryan Fisher is young, talented, and very, very sexy; a professional footballer with the world at his feet he's returning to his native North East England after more than a decade away in a multi-million pound transfer deal to Newcastle Red Star, a big-name local club. He's got it all - looks, fame, money; women falling at his feet, and a lifestyle he's in no hurry to give up. But is his return back to the north of England as clear-cut as it seems?
Amber Sullivan is a beautiful, feisty Sports Editor for a local North East news programme. With an ex-professional footballer for a father she's grown up around the sport, but the one thing she's sworn off is relationships with men who play the game. For a reason. As far as Amber's concerned, work comes first. Until she meets Ryan Fisher...
Jim Allen is a handsome, charismatic, extremely successful, American-born football manager. He's been poached from a top London club to join Newcastle Red Star in a bid to give them the success that's eluded them for so long, but is the league title the only thing Jim's out to win?
A story of fame, power, secrets and sex, 'Striker' is a hard-edged romance with a kick. Because, sometimes, the beautiful game isn't always so pretty...
Amber Sullivan is a beautiful, feisty Sports Editor for a local North East news programme. With an ex-professional footballer for a father she's grown up around the sport, but the one thing she's sworn off is relationships with men who play the game. For a reason. As far as Amber's concerned, work comes first. Until she meets Ryan Fisher...
Jim Allen is a handsome, charismatic, extremely successful, American-born football manager. He's been poached from a top London club to join Newcastle Red Star in a bid to give them the success that's eluded them for so long, but is the league title the only thing Jim's out to win?
A story of fame, power, secrets and sex, 'Striker' is a hard-edged romance with a kick. Because, sometimes, the beautiful game isn't always so pretty...
496 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2013
7 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Betham
42 books86 followersMichelle Betham is an ex-media technician turned author of super-sexy romance, usually involving rock stars, DJs, movie stars, hot businessmen, and bikers. But not usually all in the same book. Yet. A proud indie author, she also has six books published through One More Chapter, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, one of which is a pyschological thriller/romantic suspense written under the pen name of ML Roberts.
Addicted to binge-watching TV shows she struggles to think of a life before Netflix or Amazon Prime, loves music - especially rock and EDM; tattoos – of which she has many; spicy food, superheroes (she's a slightly obsessed Avengers fan-girl who harbours a particularly unhealthy obsession with Captain America), and Keanu Reeves – a crush that’s lasted well over twenty years, and one she blames entirely on ‘Point Break’. The original. She refuses to acknowledge any remake exists.
Her dream is to ride a Harley, visit Las Vegas, and be able to eat any amount of chocolate without putting on weight.
She lives in County Durham, north-east England, with her husband and their West Highland Terrier, Opie - named after her favourite biker in Sons of Anarchy! She can be found, most days, at her desk drinking tea and making up stories.
Addicted to binge-watching TV shows she struggles to think of a life before Netflix or Amazon Prime, loves music - especially rock and EDM; tattoos – of which she has many; spicy food, superheroes (she's a slightly obsessed Avengers fan-girl who harbours a particularly unhealthy obsession with Captain America), and Keanu Reeves – a crush that’s lasted well over twenty years, and one she blames entirely on ‘Point Break’. The original. She refuses to acknowledge any remake exists.
Her dream is to ride a Harley, visit Las Vegas, and be able to eat any amount of chocolate without putting on weight.
She lives in County Durham, north-east England, with her husband and their West Highland Terrier, Opie - named after her favourite biker in Sons of Anarchy! She can be found, most days, at her desk drinking tea and making up stories.
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August 2, 2015
One of my favourite programmes when I was younger was Footballers' Wives, despite the fact that I was only twelve when it first aired, I was hooked on it. I think that was the programme that kick started my love for all things glamour and celebrities. I have always been more concerned with what's happening off the pitch than on it, and could probably name more WAGs than footballers. I was incredibly excited to start Michelle Betham's Striker trilogy because it sounded like a similar sort of story, and it was. And I loved it.
Ryan Fisher is the footballer of the moment, and he is returning home to the North East in a multi-million-pound transfer deal that will see him playing for his home club: Newcastle Red Star. Ryan Fisher is young, hot and extremely talented (and not just with a football). Amber Sullivan is an ambitious journalist (but not so ambitious that she would ever leave Newcastle) and she is sent to interview the cocky and confident footballer to find out more about his big return. I swear my Kindle heated up the minute these two characters met, the connection between them was both palpable and electric.
Ryan Fisher is a character most readers are going to fall in love with. Yes, he's bad, but then aren't they always the best characters to read about? Plus, there's actually quite a bit of a depth to his character and as the book progresses we really see the kind of effect living the lifestyle he does can have on such a young person. Ryan became famous at a very young age, and lacked the guidance and teaching to help him understand just how to cope with it all. In the beginning there's some mystery surrounding just why he has returned home, and this is explored as the book progresses and makes for some quite dramatic developments.
Amber Sullivan is a character I changed my mind about numerous times but on the whole she was likeable. If I had to measure how many times I changed my mind about her I'd compare it with the amount of times she has sex throughout the novel, or the amount of times she changes her mind about who she wants to be with. The connection between her and Ryan is undeniable, and in the beginning both of them just want a bit of fun, pushing the other away as they start to get serious. Because we as the reader follow the both of them, we are often privy to feelings that the other doesn't know about, so it was a tad frustrating when both characters acted out, and thought things about the other that weren't true. This makes for a frustrating (in a good way) read because you never know just what's coming.
As a HarperImpulse book you obviously want it to be hot, and descriptions of contraception can often hamper that, so Michelle Betham completely does away with all mention of contraception (or even making her characters have a quick wash after sex) which did make the characters come across as a little dirty, and left me hoping that they have regular check-ups! Then again remember 50 Shades with its mention of a 'foil packet' on every. single. page. Anyway, also returning to Newcastle is an old legend turned manager Jim, who just so happens to be the man who seduced Amber when she was still a teenager, and who still harbours strong feelings for her. And if that wasn't enough man for one woman she also has best friend Ronnie who was probably one of my favourite males in Striker.
I absolutely loved the scenes throughout Striker. Michelle has clearly done her research and this allows for a realistic portrayal of the world of football, with much of the action we witness occurring off the pitch, which is always more exciting and drama-filled. Being the first in a trilogy the ending obviously wasn't going to bring any resolution and it actually ended in a way I didn't see coming. I actually wanted to scream at Amber a couple of times and I hope that as the series progresses she starts to come to her senses! But in terms of leaving a reader wanting more, Michelle Betham has definitely achieved that. If you are after a hot, addictive and very sexy read this summer then I highly recommend picking up Striker.
Ryan Fisher is the footballer of the moment, and he is returning home to the North East in a multi-million-pound transfer deal that will see him playing for his home club: Newcastle Red Star. Ryan Fisher is young, hot and extremely talented (and not just with a football). Amber Sullivan is an ambitious journalist (but not so ambitious that she would ever leave Newcastle) and she is sent to interview the cocky and confident footballer to find out more about his big return. I swear my Kindle heated up the minute these two characters met, the connection between them was both palpable and electric.
Ryan Fisher is a character most readers are going to fall in love with. Yes, he's bad, but then aren't they always the best characters to read about? Plus, there's actually quite a bit of a depth to his character and as the book progresses we really see the kind of effect living the lifestyle he does can have on such a young person. Ryan became famous at a very young age, and lacked the guidance and teaching to help him understand just how to cope with it all. In the beginning there's some mystery surrounding just why he has returned home, and this is explored as the book progresses and makes for some quite dramatic developments.
Amber Sullivan is a character I changed my mind about numerous times but on the whole she was likeable. If I had to measure how many times I changed my mind about her I'd compare it with the amount of times she has sex throughout the novel, or the amount of times she changes her mind about who she wants to be with. The connection between her and Ryan is undeniable, and in the beginning both of them just want a bit of fun, pushing the other away as they start to get serious. Because we as the reader follow the both of them, we are often privy to feelings that the other doesn't know about, so it was a tad frustrating when both characters acted out, and thought things about the other that weren't true. This makes for a frustrating (in a good way) read because you never know just what's coming.
As a HarperImpulse book you obviously want it to be hot, and descriptions of contraception can often hamper that, so Michelle Betham completely does away with all mention of contraception (or even making her characters have a quick wash after sex) which did make the characters come across as a little dirty, and left me hoping that they have regular check-ups! Then again remember 50 Shades with its mention of a 'foil packet' on every. single. page. Anyway, also returning to Newcastle is an old legend turned manager Jim, who just so happens to be the man who seduced Amber when she was still a teenager, and who still harbours strong feelings for her. And if that wasn't enough man for one woman she also has best friend Ronnie who was probably one of my favourite males in Striker.
I absolutely loved the scenes throughout Striker. Michelle has clearly done her research and this allows for a realistic portrayal of the world of football, with much of the action we witness occurring off the pitch, which is always more exciting and drama-filled. Being the first in a trilogy the ending obviously wasn't going to bring any resolution and it actually ended in a way I didn't see coming. I actually wanted to scream at Amber a couple of times and I hope that as the series progresses she starts to come to her senses! But in terms of leaving a reader wanting more, Michelle Betham has definitely achieved that. If you are after a hot, addictive and very sexy read this summer then I highly recommend picking up Striker.
August 26, 2014
When I came across this on NetGalley I was really looking forward to read it. Unfortunately I didn't get that far into the book before I started to regret reading it.
The first few chapters of Striker were okay, and I loved Ryan's cocky, attitude and thought Betham had managed to capture todays stereotypical young footballer well, and I liked Amber, too, a strong, independent woman, and when the two got together I was looking forward to it.
But very quickly it went down hill, with the introduction of Jim Allen. Then it turned into an extremely difficult book to read. It was like the two main characters that had started off so strong, crumbled and became weak, boring characters that also seemed to mentally abuse each other, too! Lying and cheating can create a good book to read, but in this case it just turned the book into a big mess, there was just too much cheating, too much lying and way too much of the extremely repetitive sex scenes!
Leading on to the sex scenes, at first they were quite hot and steamy, until a pattern started to form, and there was some serious over use of the same words that described each session, over and over again. And to top it off, I couldn't help but question just how quickly Amber was jumping from man to man, and all I could think was that she just seemed dirty, especially as there was never any mention of contraception along with it!
Another problem was that this was such a long book! There was so much to-ing and fro-ing it dragged it out for much longer than was needed, it could have been wrapped up half way through but instead there was more needy drama causing it to be a struggle to finish reading.
Striker had such potential to be a great read but it fell on its face pretty early on unfortunately.
The first few chapters of Striker were okay, and I loved Ryan's cocky, attitude and thought Betham had managed to capture todays stereotypical young footballer well, and I liked Amber, too, a strong, independent woman, and when the two got together I was looking forward to it.
But very quickly it went down hill, with the introduction of Jim Allen. Then it turned into an extremely difficult book to read. It was like the two main characters that had started off so strong, crumbled and became weak, boring characters that also seemed to mentally abuse each other, too! Lying and cheating can create a good book to read, but in this case it just turned the book into a big mess, there was just too much cheating, too much lying and way too much of the extremely repetitive sex scenes!
Leading on to the sex scenes, at first they were quite hot and steamy, until a pattern started to form, and there was some serious over use of the same words that described each session, over and over again. And to top it off, I couldn't help but question just how quickly Amber was jumping from man to man, and all I could think was that she just seemed dirty, especially as there was never any mention of contraception along with it!
Another problem was that this was such a long book! There was so much to-ing and fro-ing it dragged it out for much longer than was needed, it could have been wrapped up half way through but instead there was more needy drama causing it to be a struggle to finish reading.
Striker had such potential to be a great read but it fell on its face pretty early on unfortunately.
May 5, 2015
With Striker, I believe Michelle Betham has done to the world of football, what Jilly Cooper has done to the world of horses. Striker is about so much more than just the beautiful game, it is about Ryan Fisher, a footballing superstar, with the world at his feet, giving in to the pressures that are associated with fame, and the expectations that come with being a Premiership footballer.
Ryan is a complex man, loves having women falling at his feet, but has just left his London club to move back to the North East (for a hidden reason), to sign for club he is a lifelong supporter of Newcastle Red Star. The last thing he was expecting, was to start feeling things for a singular woman, Amber.
Amber is a sports reporter for a local news TV programme, and since her father was a player and now manager, has grown up around footballers. She however has closed off her heart to love, and comes across initially as very cold hearted. Knowing footballers as well as she does, Amber refuses to get involved with any, until she interviews Ryan Fisher, and he gets under her skin.
Then there is also Jim, who is a long term friend of Amber's father Freddie, who is the new manager at Newcastle Red Star a fact that Amber wishes wasn't true. But why?
Striker features essentially a massive love triangle, where Amber can't seem to decide who she should be with. There are fabulously sexy scenes, with hot passionate encounters. Amber and Ryan's journey is far from smooth, and both are hiding big secrets. In fact there are secrets all over this book, which just adds to the intrigue.
Amber is continually drawn to, and seems tormented by this, to Jim, and it feels like it is a greater power that is controlling her, as she seems helpless to fight some of her not necessarily wise emotions.
In amongst all the relationships, there is some football, or at least training sessions, but as much as I love football, what was occurring off the pitch was generally far more interesting than on it! I'm almost speechless, about how addictive this story was, and how highly paced.
This is a fabulous example of a book you want to read while relaxing on holiday, or when you just want some pure raunchy escapism. I am so delighted that I have all three books of this trilogy, as I need to know how the story continues, as I'm sure that where this book ends, can't be the end of it.
Ryan is a complex man, loves having women falling at his feet, but has just left his London club to move back to the North East (for a hidden reason), to sign for club he is a lifelong supporter of Newcastle Red Star. The last thing he was expecting, was to start feeling things for a singular woman, Amber.
Amber is a sports reporter for a local news TV programme, and since her father was a player and now manager, has grown up around footballers. She however has closed off her heart to love, and comes across initially as very cold hearted. Knowing footballers as well as she does, Amber refuses to get involved with any, until she interviews Ryan Fisher, and he gets under her skin.
Then there is also Jim, who is a long term friend of Amber's father Freddie, who is the new manager at Newcastle Red Star a fact that Amber wishes wasn't true. But why?
Striker features essentially a massive love triangle, where Amber can't seem to decide who she should be with. There are fabulously sexy scenes, with hot passionate encounters. Amber and Ryan's journey is far from smooth, and both are hiding big secrets. In fact there are secrets all over this book, which just adds to the intrigue.
Amber is continually drawn to, and seems tormented by this, to Jim, and it feels like it is a greater power that is controlling her, as she seems helpless to fight some of her not necessarily wise emotions.
In amongst all the relationships, there is some football, or at least training sessions, but as much as I love football, what was occurring off the pitch was generally far more interesting than on it! I'm almost speechless, about how addictive this story was, and how highly paced.
This is a fabulous example of a book you want to read while relaxing on holiday, or when you just want some pure raunchy escapism. I am so delighted that I have all three books of this trilogy, as I need to know how the story continues, as I'm sure that where this book ends, can't be the end of it.
June 12, 2014
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Striker is full of passion and raw emotion that's hard to ignore. Well paced with an interesting plot and compelling characters whether football is your thing or not this book is definitely worth a read.
In her late thirties Amber is a successful sports reporter on a local television news programme. Amber's cool and calm exterior hides a maelstrom of pain and confusion. She avoids relationships unable to forget her first love. When her local team signs a high profile football stud she reluctantly agrees to interview him. It's lust at first sight for Amber and Ryan who is over ten years her junior but Amber doesn't date footballers and Ryan is talented but lacking in insight. He can have any woman he wants so why should he chase someone who doesn't want to play?
Add Jim into the mix, a former football star and now a celebrity football manager signed by the local club to help them win the premiership. Jim and Amber have a complicated secret history which threatens to wreck both their careers. Under his slick exterior there is a sinister quality to Jim which is disturbing.
Tempted by these polar opposites who should Amber choose or can she have her cake and eat it? Well she can try.
Finally there's Ronnie her best friend who is content to remain on the sidelines and offer tea and sympathy but still waters run deep.
Striker offers glimpses of beautiful people and sizzling sex against an exciting background of premiership football. Find out what happens when people start to believe their own hype. I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received a copy of this book from HarperImpulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Michelle Betham
June 3, 2014
Amber Sullivan is an ambitious, beautiful and feisty Sports reporter for a local TV news programme. With an ex-professional soccer player for a father, she’s grown up in and around the world of premiership football, and boy does she know better than to get mixed up with the men who play the game. As rich and charming as they are, Amber has a strict no player rule.
One of the biggest names in football, Ryan Fisher is young, hot, and talented. He has it all – looks, fame, money; not to mention women falling at his over-insured feet and a lifestyle he’s in no hurry to give up.
At the centre of a multi-million-pound transfer deal back to his home club, Ryan’s a big scoop for a local sports journalist and Amber can’t afford to miss this career-making opportunity – even if that means having to interview the cocky sports star.
But once the tape starts rolling it’s clear Ryan’s got more than just an exclusive on his mind… and he’s used to getting exactly what he wants.
Delving into the lives of those who live and work within the so-called Beautiful Game, ‘Striker’ is a story of sex, secrets and the true cost of fame.
Okay, so let me start this review saying this is the first part of a three part series... And they are not all available yet :( I guess it could go on it's own but in my opinion there is still way too much going on.
I'm surprised that I got so into this one. Just drama and sex and triangles! I'm all mixed up about the guys in Amber's life. I want to be team Ryan, so bad but let's just be honest... Everyone is pissing me off all over the place!! Amber is driving me a bit crazy. I want to smack Ryan multiple times and punch Jim in the face. And what about Ronny? I don't if I need to hug him or tell him to man up... Then do I even want that?? I don't know, I just know I'm not okay with not being able to continue the story yet!!! Hurry up July!!!
One of the biggest names in football, Ryan Fisher is young, hot, and talented. He has it all – looks, fame, money; not to mention women falling at his over-insured feet and a lifestyle he’s in no hurry to give up.
At the centre of a multi-million-pound transfer deal back to his home club, Ryan’s a big scoop for a local sports journalist and Amber can’t afford to miss this career-making opportunity – even if that means having to interview the cocky sports star.
But once the tape starts rolling it’s clear Ryan’s got more than just an exclusive on his mind… and he’s used to getting exactly what he wants.
Delving into the lives of those who live and work within the so-called Beautiful Game, ‘Striker’ is a story of sex, secrets and the true cost of fame.
Okay, so let me start this review saying this is the first part of a three part series... And they are not all available yet :( I guess it could go on it's own but in my opinion there is still way too much going on.
I'm surprised that I got so into this one. Just drama and sex and triangles! I'm all mixed up about the guys in Amber's life. I want to be team Ryan, so bad but let's just be honest... Everyone is pissing me off all over the place!! Amber is driving me a bit crazy. I want to smack Ryan multiple times and punch Jim in the face. And what about Ronny? I don't if I need to hug him or tell him to man up... Then do I even want that?? I don't know, I just know I'm not okay with not being able to continue the story yet!!! Hurry up July!!!
May 11, 2013
This is not the first of Michelle Betham's books I've read but it is definitely the best so far.
Striker is the story of Amber Sullivan, sports reporter for a local news show and her relationships with two men, Ryan Fisher who is a playboy footballer and Jim Allen, manager of Ryan's team but also Amber's secret ex-boyfriend and her dad's best friend.
Amber starts out as a strong, feisty character but by the end you see a very vulnerable side to her and at times she seems rather weak and fragile, especially when it comes to men. It's this complexity that makes her so believable. I'm sure there are some who will criticise these contradictions but to me it added to the mystery of Amber and made her all the more likeable. Who among us hasn't had a change in behaviour because of a man? Although Ryan was ultimately an idiot and spoiled brat, I couldn't help but like him and cheer him on. The story was written from both Amber and Ryan's point of view and this, to me, made Ryan more sympathetic than Jim.
This book is full of racy bits and contains a fair bit of bad language - something very much expected in a story about the ugly/glamorous world of professional football. If that is something that would bother you, this book is not for you. There is also a lot of mention of Jesus, although religion has nothing to do with what's going on in this novel!
No spoilers, but the ending was satisfying while at the same time left open for the next book in the trilogy. I will definitely be downloading it when it becomes available. Is this book perfect? No, there are a lot of questions I want answered, but I hope they will be in the next book. But I was completely addicted to it for the last two weeks and for that reason alone, it deserves each and every star I have given it.
Striker is the story of Amber Sullivan, sports reporter for a local news show and her relationships with two men, Ryan Fisher who is a playboy footballer and Jim Allen, manager of Ryan's team but also Amber's secret ex-boyfriend and her dad's best friend.
Amber starts out as a strong, feisty character but by the end you see a very vulnerable side to her and at times she seems rather weak and fragile, especially when it comes to men. It's this complexity that makes her so believable. I'm sure there are some who will criticise these contradictions but to me it added to the mystery of Amber and made her all the more likeable. Who among us hasn't had a change in behaviour because of a man? Although Ryan was ultimately an idiot and spoiled brat, I couldn't help but like him and cheer him on. The story was written from both Amber and Ryan's point of view and this, to me, made Ryan more sympathetic than Jim.
This book is full of racy bits and contains a fair bit of bad language - something very much expected in a story about the ugly/glamorous world of professional football. If that is something that would bother you, this book is not for you. There is also a lot of mention of Jesus, although religion has nothing to do with what's going on in this novel!
No spoilers, but the ending was satisfying while at the same time left open for the next book in the trilogy. I will definitely be downloading it when it becomes available. Is this book perfect? No, there are a lot of questions I want answered, but I hope they will be in the next book. But I was completely addicted to it for the last two weeks and for that reason alone, it deserves each and every star I have given it.
July 20, 2014
I was really excited to read this book. It's about a soccer player and a sports reporter. Or so I thought. Instead this book is about them and so much more. Usually that's a good thing. In this case, what I thought was excessive and unnecessary drama just irritated me.
First of all, I started off liking Amber and Ryan. I thought however unconventional, they could make a go of things. Next thing I know, someone from Amber's past has come back and everything is no longer the way I thought it was. It was at this point when my like turned to dislike. Amber went form this admirable, mature woman to this insecure child-woman who couldn't make a rational choice. There's more but if I tell you it'll ruin the story. Ryan disintegrated from being crush worthy to a little boy who needed to be minded. I didn't like them at all. Any respect I had for them went out the window.
Their personalities changed a little less than half way through the book. I was really disgusted with them and my self. Why myself you ask? I finished the book. That's right, I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to do so. I kept thinking they'll redeem themselves now...a couple pages later...okay, maybe...now. Nope, it didn't happen. This book is truly a bonkbuster. That's British slang for a book with lots of pages and sex.
There is purportedly a second book coming out. I'm not sure if I'll read it. I guess I'll have to wait and see whom the book is about. Now, the story was good, but it was really hard for me to like the characters. This book may not have been for me, but it might be for you, so please check it out.
First of all, I started off liking Amber and Ryan. I thought however unconventional, they could make a go of things. Next thing I know, someone from Amber's past has come back and everything is no longer the way I thought it was. It was at this point when my like turned to dislike. Amber went form this admirable, mature woman to this insecure child-woman who couldn't make a rational choice. There's more but if I tell you it'll ruin the story. Ryan disintegrated from being crush worthy to a little boy who needed to be minded. I didn't like them at all. Any respect I had for them went out the window.
Their personalities changed a little less than half way through the book. I was really disgusted with them and my self. Why myself you ask? I finished the book. That's right, I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to do so. I kept thinking they'll redeem themselves now...a couple pages later...okay, maybe...now. Nope, it didn't happen. This book is truly a bonkbuster. That's British slang for a book with lots of pages and sex.
There is purportedly a second book coming out. I'm not sure if I'll read it. I guess I'll have to wait and see whom the book is about. Now, the story was good, but it was really hard for me to like the characters. This book may not have been for me, but it might be for you, so please check it out.
May 19, 2013
Amber Sullivan had grown up in the professional football world, her father is an ex professional player and Amber works for a local TV news station and had become the shows first ever female sports editor. Amber had seen it all and knew full well the reputations footballers have when it comes to women. She had ended up hurt herself from a past relationship with a player and now she chose to stay well away from any romantic involvement whatsoever with a footballer.
However when a young, sexy, player Ryan Fisher joins Newcastle Redstar, he finds Amber a challenge, finding her different from all the other girls, who given a chance will give Ryan anything he wants and he is always willing to take it. Well aware of Ryan’s reputation and that he is eleven years her junior, Amber is attracted to Ryan, but with her ex back in her life and Ryan having secrets in his past is Amber running the risk of getting hurt again?
With some very well written racy scenes, this is another, steamy and sensational novel from author Michelle Betham. Set in the North East of England and concentrating on Amber’s intense relationships of being torn between two men, it is an enjoyable and entertaining read. If you like Footballers Wives or Jackie Collin novels then you will really enjoy this book.
However when a young, sexy, player Ryan Fisher joins Newcastle Redstar, he finds Amber a challenge, finding her different from all the other girls, who given a chance will give Ryan anything he wants and he is always willing to take it. Well aware of Ryan’s reputation and that he is eleven years her junior, Amber is attracted to Ryan, but with her ex back in her life and Ryan having secrets in his past is Amber running the risk of getting hurt again?
With some very well written racy scenes, this is another, steamy and sensational novel from author Michelle Betham. Set in the North East of England and concentrating on Amber’s intense relationships of being torn between two men, it is an enjoyable and entertaining read. If you like Footballers Wives or Jackie Collin novels then you will really enjoy this book.
September 11, 2014
Striker is like a revved up Jilly Cooper novel brought into the attention seeking, hedonistic world of football: society, sex and scandal.
Not just your average summer scorcher, the story, somewhat epically, tells of one woman’s struggle between two men. Amber, our leading lady, is a beautiful sports reporter in England’s north east and daughter of a once famous footballer. Despite their availability, Amber has sworn off relationships with cocky, arrogant footballers for life. That is until oober-playboy Ryan Fisher, the most handsome man in football, fixes his attention on her. Despite being over a decade younger than her Amber can’t deny the attraction and dips her toe into the dangerous world of loving a star. But shadows from both of their pasts haunt them and when one shadow manifests itself into a very tangible and sexy man, Amber is thrown into a web of confusion.
Sex and glamour oozes from every page of this steamy novel. Although it feels that all the characters mistake lust for love, which often makes them unsympathetic, this is a book to enjoy on a sultry summer night with a cooling cocktail and an indulgent smile.
Oh and if any of you girls out there are sick of football after the World Cup, then this is the novel to turn you back on to it.
Not just your average summer scorcher, the story, somewhat epically, tells of one woman’s struggle between two men. Amber, our leading lady, is a beautiful sports reporter in England’s north east and daughter of a once famous footballer. Despite their availability, Amber has sworn off relationships with cocky, arrogant footballers for life. That is until oober-playboy Ryan Fisher, the most handsome man in football, fixes his attention on her. Despite being over a decade younger than her Amber can’t deny the attraction and dips her toe into the dangerous world of loving a star. But shadows from both of their pasts haunt them and when one shadow manifests itself into a very tangible and sexy man, Amber is thrown into a web of confusion.
Sex and glamour oozes from every page of this steamy novel. Although it feels that all the characters mistake lust for love, which often makes them unsympathetic, this is a book to enjoy on a sultry summer night with a cooling cocktail and an indulgent smile.
Oh and if any of you girls out there are sick of football after the World Cup, then this is the novel to turn you back on to it.
July 13, 2014
I didn't love this book, but that is not a reflection on if the story line is compelling or book well written - it's simply that I could not tell from the description of the book that this would contain many of my pet peeves in romance novels. I wanted to read it because of the football story line, which is always something I enjoy. And the bit of the book that was really football focused was fun to read. But the rest -- well, if you do like stories with women that are desired by every man around her after years of being either closed off or undesirable, where all the characters cheat on each other with abandon and have quasi-abusive (emotionally here) relationships -- if you like those books, then this is a very interesting and fast moving read for you. That's just not my cup of tea. I can recognize that many people will enjoy this book, and it's just a matter of personal taste - it just wasn't mine.
Note: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my comments.
Note: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my comments.
June 10, 2013
Hot up your Kindle with this spicy little number from Michelle Betham!
Ryan Fisher is the ultimate bad-boy pro-footballer with a taste for the ladies and all of life's indulgences. But when he meets sports reported Amber Sullivan is he ready to change his ways?
Amber Sullivan doesn't do footballers after losing her heart to one in the past so what does she do when Ryan Fisher pursues her? Does she run for the hills or let him score?
Pure escapism taking you into the high octane life of football with silky skills in and out of the bedroom and WAGS aplenty.
Humorous but heartfelt - Striker hits the spot!
Ryan Fisher is the ultimate bad-boy pro-footballer with a taste for the ladies and all of life's indulgences. But when he meets sports reported Amber Sullivan is he ready to change his ways?
Amber Sullivan doesn't do footballers after losing her heart to one in the past so what does she do when Ryan Fisher pursues her? Does she run for the hills or let him score?
Pure escapism taking you into the high octane life of football with silky skills in and out of the bedroom and WAGS aplenty.
Humorous but heartfelt - Striker hits the spot!
February 27, 2015
So let me start off by saying Amber and Ryan in the beginning was awesome. I actually thought I was going to really love this book. But then the characters started to fall apart in my opinion. They lost what made them awesome and became weak. To be honest for me when Jim was introduced the whole book became very hard to read and for me thats saying something. I've been reading it for a while now and honestly I was only able to make it through a chapter a week. Which for me isn't good at all.
For some it's great, just not for me.
For some it's great, just not for me.
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September 27, 2015I picked this up at the library based on the cover. Harperimpulse don't have blurbs so I didn't know what it was about. Unfortunately, due to the excessive length and the love triangle, I decided not to read this book. It's also frustrating that the blurb on the Goodreads page for this edition doesn't mention the love triangle either. I skimmed ahead and it seems like a significant part of the story.
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July 12, 2014I'm not going to be able to finish this book to write a full review sadly. Having read football based novels before, I thought I would enjoy this but I can't get into it. It's not moving quickly enough for me and there's too much detail that, to me, seems unnecessary. I gave it until 30% but it's not engaging me so I'm not going to be able to continue as it is a long read.
July 30, 2014
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.
I did not finish this book. I was first turned off by the age difference. Especially when she didn't act 11 years older.
I was bored. There are too many books to be read to push myself to read a boring book. And over 600 pages?? Seriously?
I did not finish this book. I was first turned off by the age difference. Especially when she didn't act 11 years older.
I was bored. There are too many books to be read to push myself to read a boring book. And over 600 pages?? Seriously?
December 31, 2014
Read the full review on Bookabulary.
This book ended with something for us to look forward to and even if this wasn't one hundred per cent my cup of tea, I will eventually come around to reading the next books. If this book felt like a break-up, I need a deserved closure.
This book ended with something for us to look forward to and even if this wasn't one hundred per cent my cup of tea, I will eventually come around to reading the next books. If this book felt like a break-up, I need a deserved closure.
Read
March 7, 2013I'm just loving Striker, near finished it, just can't put it down! Love the twists and turns of Amber and Ryan! A must read if you like Michelle Betham's writing
September 8, 2013
Loved it! Can't wait to read part 2 in the trilogy!
June 4, 2014
My brain is still trying to compute what happened with this book. A complete mind-fuck indeed. Sheesh.
August 17, 2014
This book confused the hell out of me!!!
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