Book picks similar to
Off Season by R.W. Clinger


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In Dreams He Came


Trina Lane - 2011
    There’s always one constant in Gabe’s dreams: a nameless man whose love completes Gabe’s soul. Gabe is waiting for someone special in his “real” life as well, and his best friend Phil is determined to find Gabe his elusive knight in shining armor.Nick Jackson, a university alum and Olympic swimming champion, immediately recognizes the quiet young man from the swim team and convinces Gabe to give them a chance at building something special. Considering the palpable attraction between them, Nick surprises himself by quickly agreeing to take their budding relationship slow. Unfortunately, real life is not a fantasy, and Nick’s demanding schedule as a professional athlete and Gabe’s obligations to the swim team and his degree make finding time to spend together difficult.Have the two men found everlasting love, or will it all prove to be just another dream?

Avaritia


Mathew Ortiz - 2014
    A sleepy little town a few hours north of Boston on a picturesque stretch of New England coast. The town’s folk live a quiet life away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy the simpler life, even if just north of them dwell the infamous Oswald family. The Oswald Estate is only minutes north of the town but most people avoid it. The town’s history tells of witches and supernatural events at the stately mansion. Is there truth to the rumors? Witches aren’t real, are they?Prodigal son William Oswald Blackthorne has come home to take his place as head of Oswald House and his family. He sets about renovating and repairing his family home since it had fallen into disrepair. All seemed to be going well until he butted heads with his obstinate siblings, an overbearing aunt and the opinionated staff. Just when he thought everything was hitting its stride, Rushford Harrington ,the head of the construction company, refuses to send his men to the house. Who the hell does the man think he is? No one tells an Oswald ‘no’!Rush Harrington has his hands full. His workers are frightened. The gossip about Oswald House has made it near impossible to find workers to do the renovations his company promised. Now the Oswald family members are making his life crazy with abrupt changes to the renovation plans. When he attempted to talk to William Oswald Blackthorne, the man refused to speak to him. So Rush pulled his teams. Next thing Rush knows, a handsome and irate blond man barges into his office and into his life; Rush realizes that nothing is ever going to be the same!

Football Sundae


Daryl Banner - 2017
    But the more he tries to ignore the football player's charm, the less he can resist it.Billy's peaceful, hot-fudge-glazed little world is about to be flipped upside-down. Get ready for the "sweetest" romance you've ever tasted.In this "sweet & steamy" love story, you can expect some seriously hot man-on-man action, ice cream, and a whole lotta small town southern sass.Read all the books set in Spruce, Texas!Football SundaeBorn Again SinnerHeteroflexibleWrangledRebel At Spruce High(...and more coming soon!)

Footballer: My Story


Kelly Smith - 2012
    She has been called the Zinedine Zidane of the women's game. She has scored more goals for England than any other player in history. Yet since she was old enough to kick a ball, Kelly Smith has had to battle every step of the way to play the game she loves. Girls were not welcome when Kelly first started out, practising for hours to hone her sublime skills, but after outshining all the boys in the teams she played in, she became a pioneer for English women's football. A teenage sensation and the nation's first professional footballer, Kelly was soon a star, a genius with the ball at her feet, but a series of injuries led to periods of depression and then alcoholism as she struggled to cope without the sport. As she nears the end of her glittering career, Kelly now tells the heartfelt story of her triumphs and tragedies, of how she beat her demons to put England on the world football map. It is a tale of overcoming prejudice to live your dream, and of how it feels and what it means to be a woman at the very top of her game.

RG3: The Promise


Dave Sheinin - 2013
    He seemed pointed toward stardom, but would it be in basketball, his true favorite, or maybe in track, where he qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials as a hurdler? As for playing football, the only sport that really mattered in Griffin’s small Texas town, first he had to overcome his mother’s objections to the violence and danger—which he did by making a “Pinkie Promise” with her that no one would catch him. Eventually, he began to realize that all of his remarkable talents—unrivaled speed, pinpoint accuracy, exceptional intelligence, single-minded drive—combined into a potent force that few quarterbacks could rival. What followed seemed almost destined: a football scholarship to Baylor University, three exceptional seasons capped by winning the Heisman Trophy, and the 2012 draft—where Griffin, as the second overall pick, became the franchise quarterback for one of the oldest and most storied football teams in the country.In RG3: The Promise, Washington Post reporter Dave Sheinin provides an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at Griffin’s first year in the NFL, from his record-breaking first game to the frightening knee injury that ended the Redskins’ playoff hopes. An award-winning journalist himself, Sheinin has reported on Griffin’s rookie season every step of the way, and now has written a unique, intimate look inside the transformation of one of the NFL’s brightest young stars.

Love Next Door


Amelia Bishop - 2013
    a long break. He'd rather be alone than have his heart broken again. So, he keeps the crush he has on his sexy neighbor Matt a secret and spends his nights alone. But soon Matt discovers Leo's feelings and they begin a relationship that quickly grows too intense for both of them. To make it work, they'll both have to risk heartbreak and learn to trust.

The Cop and the Nosey Neighbor


Cat Blaine - 2016
    Nerds. Romance. Matt MacGregor is pissed at the world. All he ever wanted was to be a cop. But when he’s shot on the job, his confidence is rattled to the core. Sulky and drunk most of the time, the last thing he wants is to be bothered by anyone. Berlin Rhodes just moved into the same apartment complex as Matt. He’s the complete opposite of Matt; he loves people and has a positive outlook on life. When Berlin needs to use Matt’s phone because his power didn’t get turned on, an unlikely friendship begins between these two polar opposites. Berlin wants to do whatever he can to coax Matt back into the land of the living, but is Matt too bitter and broken to make the leap?

Bad Boy


Sammi Cee - 2021
    He loves his job welding, creating art in his funky warehouse , and dancing at the Carousal Lounge Gentlemen’s Club for fun! When danger strikes, and he ends up on the doorstep of a reclusive shifter, his whole world tilts on its axis. Fated mates are supposed to be myths, but all evidence is suggesting otherwise. Trickster’s one hundred percent on board for this new adventure, but what will it take to convince his disbelieving mate to trust what’s in his heart instead of the words in the history books? In this anticipated prequel for Sammi Cee’s new shifter world, you can expect a sexy omega who thinks clothing should be optional, a confused alpha who’s not sure what to do with said bold and confident omega, a couple of babies—because why not keep freaking the professor out—and a chosen family who knows just what to do!

Taking In Strays


Kracken - 2013
    His father, the mayor, had cared more about re-election. Donny suddenly finds himself homeless, and on the street with a few dollars to his name. Face first in a gutter, after drowning his sorrows in cheap booze and cheaper sex, Donny is saved by Officer Peter Parker, a straight laced, by the book man who is everything that Donny wasn’t.At first, Donny tries to use him, just as he had used everyone else in his life, but he soon discovers that he has feelings for Peter. To win Peter’s love, Donny believes that he can change, that he can learn to be the man that Peter deserves. There are obstacles to his goal, though, life itself trying to trip him up and make him revert back to the selfish man that he used to be and a father who will stop at nothing to remove a son who is still too much of an embarrassment.

Home Goal


H.J. Perry - 2016
    Career-focused Jason Tant has given up on love to play football at the highest level: his team is in the Premiership, and Jason also plays for the English national team. He doesn’t want to be the poster boy for LGBT people in sport—and his advisors have told him that coming out will ruin his career. It’s not an issue until Scott captures Jason’s heart and turns his world around. Out and proud... With a carefree, live-for-today attitude, Scott Cole was never in the closet. Funny, clever, and a terrific dancer, the science student has many talents but the man he loves requires something else—discretion. They seem an unlikely couple but neither can resist the chemistry that draws them together. Under scrutiny... Prying paparazzi are everywhere, determined to out gay footballers. Scott questions whether he and Jason need to keep their love a secret when professional British sportsmen in other fields are coming out. Will Jason have to choose between love and his career? Or will the tabloids destroy them both? An MM romance novel with a happy ever after. The story spans 2012-2015. Set in England where fans would die for their football team and football is not called soccer. It is 51,000 words. The book was inspired by the news story in October 2015 that British gay footballers are preparing to come out in public.

Home Run


Cole Bates - 2016
    Since he came out of the closet in middle school he’s been tormented by the same group of boys he goes to high school with, the jocks on the baseball team who have shown him no mercy. He keeps to himself as much as he can and doesn’t even tell his mother who raised him alone and has been his best friend. So, when his mother meets and marries the father of one of those very same boys an Alex is faced with a choice between breaking his mother’s heart and living under the same roof as one of his tormenters, he chooses the latter. Now the question he faces is how to survive with Ryan Reed, one of the most popular guys on the baseball team living in the room next door. Alex tries to ignore him both at home and at school, but in spite of all of the years of strife between them, Alex begins to see something in Ryan that goes way beyond his hot body, gorgeous face and seemingly black soul. Can Alex save Ryan from himself, and if so, at what cost to his own life? Ryan Reed is good-looking, athletic and one of the most popular seniors in school. He’s grown up with a single father so most of what he’s learned about life was how a “real man” would handle things. He has it in his head that masculinity also means keeping your emotions tucked away where no one can see them and they can’t be used against you. He’s learned how to channel his feelings into baseball and any angst that’s left over is used spent in the torture he and his friend’s heap on his new step-brother, Alex Matthews. Picking on Alex is not as much of an option now however since his father has warned him not to. But not participating in the actual bullying and doing something to stop it are two different things and Ryan’s not ready to risk his reputation to save a boy he’s not even sure he likes. When Ryan’s future is threatened by failing out of high school he’s surprised when the most unlikely of all people steps up and offers to help him. Alex is willing to tutor him and Ryan is willing to try and use his step-brother’s brilliant brain to get what he wants. What he hadn’t bargained for was how spending so much time with Alex would change the way he looked at things. He begins to realize that although Alex doesn’t have the physical size and strength that he does, he has something Ryan does not. Alex is brave and even after everything he’s gone through, he’s good. Ryan goes from wanting to take advantage of his step-brother’s kindness to actually wanting to stand up to his friends and protect him. But will he be able to find the courage to do that and in the process will his most tightly guarded secret be revealed?

Raising Rachel


Jason Collins - 2017
     When Kyle compares his body to the muscle-bound man waiting in line at the coffee shop, he immediately dismisses the notion that he might attract someone so sexy. But then Kyle notices that the handsome stranger is accompanied by an annoyed teenage girl. He eavesdrops and discovers that the man is named Brad, and Rachel is his visibly frustrated niece. Kyle awkwardly stumbles into a conversation, but he hurts his chances when he accidentally opens a steamy male video while asking for Brad's number. In the midst of their passionate affair, Kyle realizes that he’s quickly becoming a part of Brad and Rachel’s family. With tensions mounting, he takes it upon himself to help the people he loves. Against all odds, and with the entire coffee shop watching, a spark ignites between them and they make a date. Expecting a one-time thrill, Kyle is surprised to learn that Brad is raising his troubled niece while her mother completes a court-ordered rehabilitation program. Kyle thought their relationship was based in lust, but he’s surprised to learn that Brad wants something more. Kyle's drawn to Brad's dependable nature and kind heart, while Brad can't help falling for generous, free-spirited Kyle. But can their relationship survive the challenges they face? While the two men build a relationship based in passion, love, and desire, Rachel rebels by seeing a man who’s old enough to date Brad or Kyle. Just when things couldn’t get any more chaotic, Rachel’s uncontrollable mother arrives out of the blue, on the run from law enforcement and hoping to take Rachel with her. Brad and Kyle flirt with danger as they try to save their relationship—and Rachel’s life.

Shirts vs. Skins


Victoria Cabot - 2016
    The game will never be the same. Ethan Blake and Colt Stackford rule the gridiron each week - amazing audiences with their record breaking conquests both on and off the field. But underneath it all simmers a deep seeded rivalry... Until it explodes. Now, with their careers on the line, the one person in the entire league who can save them may be more of a badas$ than both of them combined. Curvy Julianna Heaton, the youngest team owner in the league, chews up bad boys for breakfast and spits them out before lunch. But is there room for both of them in her…lineup? As Ethan and Colt compete for the ultimate prize, a tantalizing new possibility presents itself - one that will change their lives forever, if it doesn't destroy them all first. Come cheer for this sizzling standalone MMF bisexual ménage romance - filled with brooding bad boy alpha males and the one woman who can tame them! No cliffhangers, but it’s a scorcher with super-steamy scenes of MF, MM, and MMF. Happily Ever After? You know it. As an thank you, also included is a bonus Victoria Cabot billionaire romance

In Search of Duncan Ferguson: The Life and Crimes of a Footballing Enigma


Alan Pattullo - 2013
    A tall, lean striker with the world at his feet, Ferguson seemed destined to develop into one of Scotland's most successful exports, but anger, and a number of injuries, hampered his progress. Ferguson has scored the most goals of any Scot in the Premiership but also shares the record for Premiership red cards. In 1995, he became the first professional footballer to be jailed for an offence committed on the pitch. It earned him a three-month sentence in Glasgow's infamous Barlinnie Prison and a twelve-match ban from the SFA. Bruised by the experience, he walked away from the Scotland team and blanked the media from then on. Featuring contributions from numerous top players, this explosive biography uncovers the real Duncan Ferguson. The author delves into Ferguson's personal and professional life and reveals that there is more to him than the media portrayal of a Scottish hard man.

A Season to Remember


Carson Tinker - 2014
    But on April 27, 2011 everything changed. An EF4 tornado ripped through the small college town and changed it forever. Carson Tinker, the starting long snapper for the 2011 and 2012 National Champion Crimson Tide, was among those forever changed by the events of April 27. Tinker lost his girlfriend Ashley Harrison to the storm, but not his faith. In the midst of unfathomable destruction, Tinker saw love, companionship, perseverance, and triumph in a community torn apart by a natural disaster. Where everyone else saw tragedy, Carson Tinker saw blessing. Following the storm, the Crimson Tide suited up to face their most challenging season to date. Tinker’s personal story guides readers through what cannot be described any other way than a season to remember.