Book Review & Giveaway - Striker by Michelle Betham - Harper Impulse Fortnight

Amazon UK

Title: Striker

Author: Michelle Betham

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Publication Date: 5th June 2014

Rating: 5 Stars

This summer, it’s time to play dirty…

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.

Footballer’s Wives meets Jackie Collins in this sizzling scorcher of a summer read!

Yesterday, Michelle  was saying that she was getting her inspiration from Footballer's Wives. I haven't watched that, but having read Striker, I was reminded of the Sky TV programme, Dream Team, that I adored, and also had characters behaving just as badly as Amber, Ryan and Jim.

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. 

There is so much more I could say about this book, but I suspect I will need some of the words for the next books in the series. If this even sounds remotely like a book you would love to read, then give it a go, its a bargain on the kindle at the moment, or try your luck below as I have a copy to give away. 

Giveaway to win a e-copy of Striker (Kindle Format Only)

Michelle has very kindly offered readers of Rachel's Random Reads a chance to win a copy of the spectacular 'Striker' for kindle. If you don't have a kindle, then you can use the free kindle apps available for download for Apple, PC or Android. 

Giveaway open to everyone, all options are voluntary, but please do what they ask, as I will be verifying the winner. Giveaway closes 23:59 11/5/2015. Winner will be announced on twitter and emailed, and they will need to be in contact within 7 days, or forfeit the prize, and I will re-draw for a new winner.  Good luck everyone.

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