Man of the Year by Lisa Ruff
Harlequin American
Contemporary
Full Length, Spicy
Review by Viscaria

He’ll take one for the team!

Advertising executive Samantha James is looking for a ballplayer who can turn the city’s losing team into a winning package. From the moment she sees pitcher Jarrett Corliss in that steamy locker room, she knows she’s found her star candidate. She also knows she needs to steer clear of the arrogant player outside the boardroom.

Jarrett agrees to be Samantha’s poster boy on one condition – that she goes out with him.  Even though the team’s owner has forbidden fraternization because of recent scandals that almost brought down the ball club, Jarrett isn’t about to strike out. He needs the team to win this season to save his career, but he also needs Sam… and this is the one time where he hopes his pitch lands a home run.

♥ ♥ ♥

What a fun book!  Lisa Ruff has hit a home run with her debut novel, Man Of The Year. Yes, I’m sorry, pun intended. It just fits so perfectly, as does this book.

Samantha James is an advertising executive who has big dreams. Her small company is on it’s way when she lands the ad campaign of the year. When she gets the opportunity to revamp the damaged image of The Rainiers baseball team, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. I loved Samantha’s dynamic personality, and her ability to give as good as she got. She didn’t let much ruffle her feathers, and I can honestly say I wish I could handle myself half as well as she did.  I found it quite admirable that even though she was immediately attracted to Jarrett when she first met him, she didn’t jump straight into bed with him.  She had integrity and strength of character that kept this story from becoming trite and repetitious.  I really enjoyed seeing how Samantha made Jarrett prove that she wasn’t just another notch on his belt.  Samantha was a truly enjoyable heroine.

Jarrett Corliss was quite a character, and I mean that in every sense of the word.  He was charming, funny, handsome, and determined.  He knew what he wanted, and had no problem going after it.  When Jarrett first meets Samantha, all he knows is that he has to have her for himself.  He honestly can’t understand why she doesn’t want to be with him.  His arrogance was almost endearing, especially when he would get so very baffled when Samantha kept turning him down.  Usually, I don’t like a manipulative hero, but Jarrett was adorable in his antics.  He would back Samantha into a corner and I found myself grinning the entire time, wondering how she would react THIS time.  When Jarrett finally does get his way, and face it he does or there wouldn’t be a book, the love that grows between him and Samantha is really quite poignant.

A cast of entertaining and spunky secondary characters added depth and interest to an already well-written book, giving me even more enjoyment of Ms. Ruff’s writing.  I felt that I got to know each one without it detracting from the main love story. I would love to see more of these characters.  Especially Boomer, I can only hope that one day I get to see if things truly do change for him.

This book was full of witty banter and sexual tension as two very headstrong people worked their way into each other’s heart.  I had a great time reading this, and I’m almost sorry that I am giving it away, as this book deserves a spot on my keeper shelf.  Lisa Ruff will most definitely become an author that I look for in the future.  A truly engaging read, and one that I highly recommend.  Ms. Ruff is definitely an author to be on the look out for.

A gently used copy of this book is being given away this week in our Blog Review contest. To enter, just fill in the comment form below between 7/29/08 & 8/1/08, and you will be included in the drawing to be held on 8/2/08.  Good Luck!!

Comments:

Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Your Name: Karen H in NC
Your Comment: I am not normally a big fan of contemps but I have been known to make an exception and this one sounds like a fun read.

Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Your Name: Debra Frischkorn
Your Comment: This book sounds intriguing and fun. I enjoyed reading the review. :)

Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Your Name: Teresa Warner
Your Comment: Another new author for me, included me in the draw!

Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Your Name: cheryl castings
Your Comment: This sounds like a fun read!

Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 2:49 AM
Your Name: Cindi
Your Comment: Baseball rules in our home! I would enjoy reading this book. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks, Cindi

Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 4:32 AM
Your Name: Dena
Your Comment: Samantha\'s book sounds really good and very timely it being Baseball season. I know our team needs a Jarrett right now we are doing soooo bad! I enjoyed the review and am going to put Samantha on my new Authors to get.

Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Your Name: Maureen
Your Comment: This looks like a fun book and it fits in with all the baseball my son is watching on television right now.

Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 7:46 PM
Your Name: Martha E.
Your Comment: This sounds like it would be relaxing and fun to read! Thanks for a chance to win.  Martha

Sat, Aug 2, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Your Name: Pam P
Your Comment: It\'s not the sports theme making me want to read this, it\'s what you said about the characters, the witty banter and sexual tension, spunky and headstrong, her making him work at it. Love that type of romance.