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    Rules of the Game: A Stardust, Texas Novel
    Rules of the Game: A Stardust, Texas Novel
    Rules of the Game: A Stardust, Texas Novel
    Audiobook11 hours

    Rules of the Game: A Stardust, Texas Novel

    Written by Lori Wilde

    Narrated by C. J. Critt

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    A jilted bride meets a superstar baseball player in  this newest Stardust, Texas novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde

    Just uttering the word "wedding" makes Jodi Carlyle break out into a cold sweat. So a year after she'd been dumped at the altar, and two days after turning the big 3-0, she decides to break some rules—by dressing to the nines, hiring a limo,and crashing a swanky wedding . . .

     . . . Where she catches the eye of the Dallas Gunslingers' new star hitter Jake Coronnado. He's hot. He's sexy. He sticks by her side all evening. He's the perfect fling. After a wild weekend, where they do everything and then some, Jodi thinks she'll never have to see him again . . . hey, she's even told him her name is Gwendolyn! But she thinks wrong.

    Because guess who's the best man at Jodi's sister's wedding? And guess who's still as seductive as ever? And guess who's determined to turn their one-night fling into happily-ever-after?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateMay 26, 2015
    ISBN9780062404756
    Rules of the Game: A Stardust, Texas Novel
    Author

    Lori Wilde

    Lori Wilde is the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers’ Weekly bestselling author of 87 works of romantic fiction. She’s a three-time Romance Writers’ of America RITA finalist and has four times been nominated for Romantic Times Readers’ Choice Award. She has won numerous other awards as well. Her books have been translated into 26 languages, with more than four million copies of her books sold worldwide. Her breakout novel, The First Love Cookie Club, has been optioned for a TV movie. Lori is a registered nurse with a BSN from Texas Christian University. She holds a certificate in forensics and is also a certified yoga instructor. A fifth-generation Texan, Lori lives with her husband, Bill, in the Cutting Horse Capital of the World; where they run Epiphany Orchards, a writing/creativity retreat for the care and enrichment of the artistic soul.

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    Reviews for Rules of the Game

    4/5

    8 ratings5 reviews

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    • 5/5
      How can you not like a book that has witty , sarcastic banter between two people? Jodie , who was dumped at the altar over a year ago decides to be reckless one day. She dresses herself up, bling and all and off she goes to do something crazy . What a great idea she has by crashing a wedding , or so she thinks . To her rescue is the dashing yummy Jake Coronado, who helps her get into the wedding. Oh my Jodie, what have you gotten yourself into? The story moves at a great pace with characters who are attracted to each other with a chemistry that sends sparks flying. I always love reading Lori's books because they are so funny and utterly charming . There are lots of surprises in the book and both characters have let's say "baggage" they need to work on. It's a love story at its best with strong characters, laughter and even a mysterious magical hope chest . Will Jodie and Jake have a lasting relationship? Can they overcome their past hurts and find love? It's another great story from one of the best romance authors around .
    • 5/5
      Contemporary RomanceStardust, Texas Jodi Carlyle breaks out into a cold sweat when the word “wedding” is uttered. It has been a year since she was dumped at the altar and two days after turning 30. She decides it is time for her to break some rules, which she does by dressing to the nines, hiring a limo, and crashing an upscale wedding. While there she catches the eye of Jake Coronado who is the new star of the Dallas Gunslingers. He is sexy and hot and he also stays by her side all evening. Jodi figures he is the perfect fling. She also thinks after a wild weekend where they do everything and then some and with him thinking her name is Gwendolyn she will never have to see him again. She thinks wrong.Jake is the best man in Jodi’s sister’s wedding. He is also just as seductive as ever. Jake is also determined to turn their one-night stand into happily-ever-after.This is a story that will pull readers in and also pull on their heartstrings. This one has some amazing characters that make for a book that is very hard to put down. Readers will both want to take their time reading it and also reading fast just to see how things turn out between Jodi and Jake. This is the second book in the series and while it can be read as a standalone readers will find it much more enriching and enjoyable if they read the first book first. It will also have readers wanting to return to Stardust and hoping to have another book from Stardust very soon. This is an author that never disappoints and writes some wonderful small town romances that will have readers remembering them long after they finish each book. This is definitely a must read. Receive a review copy
    • 5/5
      Very good book, with two people who have some pain from their pasts to let go of before they can have the future they want. Jodi is the maid of honor at her sister's wedding, but the mere thought sends her into a mental freeze. A year ago she was left standing at the altar and getting past it has been a challenge. On the advice of her therapist she blings herself up and crashes a celebrity wedding in Dallas. Caught without the invitation she swiped from her future brother-in-law, she is saved from embarrassment by Jake, who makes her his date for the evening. The attraction between them is instant and hot. Jodi has spent her life being the "good girl" and following all the rules. Indulging in a one night stand with a hot guy is not normal behavior for her, but she figures she'll never see him again. Jake has given up on casual hookups but something about Jodi has him ignoring that rule for this one night. He'd really like to get to know her better, but she isn't cooperating. After they part ways, neither has much luck in forgetting the encounter. Then Jodi is horrified to discover that her walk on the wild side is none other than the best man at her sister's wedding. That means she's going to have to work with him over the next few weeks, while keeping the truth from her family.I liked Jake right from the start. He doesn't want a meaningless fling and tries his best to get to know Jodi. He can't stop thinking about their night together and is thrilled when he finds her again. Being with Jodi makes him feel alive again after the tragic death of his wife three years earlier. At first he isn't sure if he's truly ready for a new relationship, but the more time he spends with her, the happier he is. He knows that it will be a challenge to overcome Jodi's reluctance, but he is determined. I loved seeing him try to follow her rules while still pursuing her the way he wants to. He's sweet and protective and wants to take care of her. The only thing holding him back is the grief and guilt he feels over his wife's death. As he gets closer to Jodi, he opens up to her about his feelings, which helps him but creates some misunderstandings with her. I loved his big moment at the end, which was sweet and romantic and really funny, too.Jodi is a bit of a complex character. Like her sisters, she was adopted, though she remembers her earlier life with a neglectful mother. Being adopted by the Carlyles was like a dream come true for her. She never wanted to do anything that would make them regret it, so she was always careful to follow all the rules. She also watched over everyone else. Making sure she had her life under control was very important to her, right down to the way she ate her food. When her fiance jilted her, it wrecked her self confidence and made her feel that she had lost control of her life. Her therapeutic crashing of the wedding was only supposed to be the wedding itself, not a fling with one of the guests. Her encounter with Jake affected her control in a way nothing had before, and it freaked her out. Having him show up in Stardust threatened her control all over again. I loved seeing Jake bring her out of the shell she has built around herself, as she slowly learns to let go a little at a time. Jake works his way into her heart, but she's afraid that his feelings for his late wife will keep him from loving her. I loved seeing her take the risk in the end.Also as part of the story was Jodi's turn with the mysterious hope chest that was found in the first book, Back in the Game. Jodi finds a bottle of perfume that only she and Jake can smell. The chemistry between Jodi and Jake is hot, but that heat seems to burn even hotter when she wears it. There are a couple of really steamy scenes that come about because of it.The secondary characters are also great. We get a little more of Breeanne and Rowdy from the first book. Rowdy is the catalyst to get Jake to Stardust as he tags Jake as his best man and also advises him about moving forward through his grief. Jodi's closeness with her sisters plays a big part also, as each of them has something to say about her relationship with Jake. Jake's friend and teammate Talbot is also present, with an attitude that is just begging for karma to catch up with him. I can't wait until it does!
    • 4/5
      Let me preface this review, admitting I have not completed the story as yet. I do intend to finish it, but in book or ebook format, not audio. The 4 stars are based on the average review prior to this posting, which is giving Ms. Wilde more than a 'benefit of the doubt' nod, and relying on earlier readers' opinions more so.
      I had to stop listening to this audiobook. Ms. Critt's voice and performance forces me to post a review even though I'm only one-fourth of the way through. C J Critt's vocal nuances are anything but; the pacing is slow, bordering on pedantic; the elocution, intermittently sarcastic and ironic. This isn't the first book I was unable to listen to, due to the talent assigned to its performance, and it won't be the last. It's just that Ms. Critt has been the most frequent of the women narrators to do so. When the voice of narration results in the listener believing he/she has listened to the story before and they tune out the particular words of an author, only to listen for the commonly used words among all, it is time to point and say, "The Emperor wears no clothes." (no stars for narrator C J Critt).
    • 4/5
      I received a ARC copy in exchange for a honest review, thanks to Edelweiss and Avon publishing and Lori Wild, this does not alter my view on this title.Summary Jodi knows that crashing a wedding is just what she needs, its been over a year since she was left at the altar, and she still struggles with the pain of that moment. So she takes her therapists advice, she crashes a wedding, but then she meets Jake, a sexy man who saves her from being found out as a “wedding crasher” and they are connected, and she can’t seem to say no to him, and after sharing a dance and a sensual night in his hotel room, she knows that this beautiful night will always be in her memory but she realizes that she can never have anything “normal” with him and for the first time in her life she wonders if her life would have been different if she had taken his offer for more than a one night stand. While getting ready for her sister’s wedding, working at her bedroom and breakfast she owns and manages, she runs into Jake again, and soon Jake and Jodi are entering into a sexual relationship, but a relationship that turns into something stronger and more binding…a bond that blows them both over with passion and love and trust…The Hero Jake Coronnado is the star hitter for the Dallas Gunslinger’s, and he has been asked to be the best man, which surprises him, but he accepts and gladly. But coming back to Stardust, is also a way for him to face his demons. While away on a game, he lost his wife when she was gunned down in a store, and its been three years and he still hasn’t come to full terms with his wife’s death. Her death almost destroyed him, and he doesn’t know if he is ready for something more, but Jodi is like a breath of sunshine to him, a healing balm, a way for him to find peace and find something more with her, he doesn’t know where this relationship will take him, but he knows he can’t stop craving her. Jake is a hoot of a character, he is not your typical sports hero, despite his athletic talents, he isn’t what he appears to be, he is still hurting, and is quite tormented. But what I also loved seeing what how playful and carefree his character is.The Heroine Jodi Carlyle, has unresolved issues and not just from her ex fiancee…but she was adopted, and her life before was bleak and lonely and she had no one who loved her before her adopted family came into her life. She would do anything for her siblings and her parents. She has tried to move on from the past and build a new life for herself, she likes being in charge and in control, and has a hard time trusting others. She still suffers from being dumped at the altar for a stripper, but she knows that she needs adventure and to let go…but isn’t sure if she can. Control is her saving grace and is all that she knows to function. What I loved about Jodi was how she knows that she has a past, struggles, and is trying to face them. She makes mistakes…plenty, but she also knows herself and is true to that. She doesn’t hide from it, and I loved seeing her spunkiness and seeing her come out of her shell that she has built around herself. She was quite lively and entertaining. Even though there were moments I wanted to shake her…she also is the type of character that become real to the reader.Plot and Story LineRules of the Game is the second book in this latest series, and unlike her other books…this has a different take…its a sports romance, but with a small town feel to it. What I love about Lori Wilde is being able to create a story that I just fall right into. She is an auto author for me now, every story I have read from her has been fun and entertaining and sexy…and this holds true for Rules of the Game. What is great about this story was the emotional development we see in the characters. Both of the main characters are struggling with a past trauma. We also see a form of “magic”–kinda. This is the theme for the series, about sisters who find a box, and each holds a special item, an item that what you wish for you get…and only your soul mate can connect with that item. For Jodi the item is perfume, and no one can smell the scent except for one man…Jake and her wish…to have a sexual adventure…well every time Jake gets a whiff of her perfume he wants to take her clothes off. Quite entertaining really…seeing this arrogant ball player being humbled a bit at times. He does have to work for Jodi and boy does she make him work for it. I love how sassy she is, and the way she has to have her own way…but she gets humbled too. Another great aspect to the story is seeing characters from the first book…since the setting is around their “wedding” but it’s quite fun to see other members of the team…and I sure hope their stories are next. Especially cocky Talbot.The Cover You know I like the cover…with her green dress and the backdrop…very romantic and fun.Overall View Rules of the Game is a story of redemption, healing, learning to trust in love, and fated soul mates. It’s a warm and sweet romance, with loveable characters, Lori Wilde accomplishes a home run with this charming tale that is guaranteed to make you cheer….sensational in every way!! A MUST READ FOR ROMANCE LOVERS!!