Stopping Short

By Mindy Klasky

A hot contemporary baseball romance by USA Today bestselling author Mindy Klasky.

Drew Marshall, the Raleigh Rockets' bad-boy shortstop, is about to be cut from the team. In the midst of spring training his baseball skills are slipping, and his recent scrapes with the law have put him in hot water.

Drew's agent hires spin doctor Jessica Barnes to save the shortstop's career. Although she knows nothing about baseball, she is determined to work day and night to save Drew – and to prove she's over the death of her risk-taking husband.

Jessica's campaign spirals out of control when a well-intentioned teammate announces she is Drew's secret fiancée. Now trapped in the same hotel room, the couple crafts a fake relationship to satisfy ravenous reporters, all the while doing their best to resist a mutual attraction that's hotter than the Florida weather.

But how can a relationship survive when it's built on secrets and lies?

Diamond Brides Baseball Series (each volume can be read on its own, and the series can be read in any order):

Perfect Pitch (DJ Thomas and Samantha Winger)
Catching Hell (Zach Ormond and Anna Benson)
Reaching First (Tyler Brock and Emily Holt)
Second Thoughts (Nick Durban and Jamie Martin)
Third Degree (Josh Cantor and Ashley Harris)
Stopping Short (Drew Marshall and Jessica Barnes)
From Left Field (Adam Sartain and Haley Thurman)
Center Stage (Ryan Green and Lindsey Ormond)
Always Right (Kyle Norton and Amanda Carter)

(Alpha hero, alpha male hero, bad boy hero, millionaire hero, billionaire hero, sports hero, athlete romance, baseball romance, sports romance, contemporary romance, hot contemporary romance, hot romance, sexy romance, spicy romance, strong heroine, strong female lead, major league, baseball, sports, sport, beach read, love story, value, bride, wedding, Raleigh, North Carolina, rich, wealthy, office, workplace, fake engagement, abused hero, injured hero, PTSD, widow, healing, office romance, beach, vacation, Florida, Gulf Coast, spring training, Grapefruit League)

Fiction -> Romance -> Sports Romance
Fiction -> Romance -> Baseball Romance
Fiction -> Romance -> Athlete Romance
Fiction -> Romance -> Hot Romance
Fiction -> Romance -> Sexy Romance
Fiction -> Romance -> Spicy Romance
Fiction -> Romance -> Contemporary Romance
Fiction -> Romance -> Hot Contemporary Romance
Fiction -> Sports

Similar authors:

Bella Andre
Kate Angell
Jaci Burton
Carly Phillips
Jill Shalvis

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mindy Klasky
• Release date: Jan 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781611384246

Mindy Klasky

Mindy Klasky learned to read when her parents shoved a book in her hands and told her that she could travel anywhere in the world through stories. She never forgot that advice. When Mindy isn't "traveling" through writing books, she quilts, cooks and tries to tame the endless to-be-read shelf in her home library. You can visit Mindy at her Web site, www.mindyklasky.com.

Reviews for Stopping Short

[mimizane678 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

*I received a copy for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review* I accidentally requested this on LibraryThing from the August 2014 batch. As I was scrolling I must of pressed "request" because this isnt my type of book. But since I won a copy I gave this a try. I have to admit, this wasnt very predictable but I didnt enjoy it too much. I was surprised at how quickly the main character Jessica Barnes accepted the "fiance" idea when the first chapter is her complaining about how much she misses her dead husband. She told Drew to get it together and play along which really shocked me. But after that the story slowed down and I was losing interest very fast. This was a short read though and I did finished it which is why I am giving this two stars instead of one.

[riikkat_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Drew has a bad boy reputation. Unfortunately it's getting in the way of his work and his manager hires an image consultant firm to raise Drew's stakes in the draft. Recently widowed Jessica is signed on the case. What no one foresees is the two falling in love.I have read almost all of the Diamond Brides books so far and this one is by far my favourite. The characters felt very real to me and their problems real. The books themselves continue to be a bit formulaic but this time it didn't bother me that much.

[clogan19 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This is my third book in the series and it fell short for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters. Just ok for me, could have been better.

[schmapp_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I've been reading all the books in the series and this was my least favorite. I had a hard time connecting with the characters in this one. It was an ok read but did not enjoy it as much as the previous books in the series.

[clo456 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fun well written romance. This is first book I have read by Mindy Klasky and enjoyed it enough that will look for more books by her to read in future. That they to know each other as people as well. Far more believable in a relationship

[krow134 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another great book by Mindy Klasky. If you haven't read any of the diamond brides series, I suggest you do. They are wonderfully written and keep you wanting to finish so you can see how it turns out. Ms. Klasky reminds me of J. Lynn in her writing and I think that is why I look so forward to new releases of hers. J. Lynn is a favorite of mine, and so is Mindy Klasky. This book is another example of great writing and a great story to go with it.

[jessiep-2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was a cute but predictable story. The characters were well developed and believable. Some of the scenes and events seemed disjointed to me and I would have liked it better if it flowed together more, but overall it was an enjoyable story. It was good enough for me to be willing to read another book by the author in hopes that one will be better, but not something I'll have to rush out to read more of. Although Stopping Short is part of a series it works as a stand-alone.

[labrat35 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I received a copy of this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review. This is the third book in this series that I have read and I have enjoyed them all. Well written, great characters, very good read.

[loribivens · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have definitely enjoyed all of the books in the Diamond Brides series. This, however, was not one of my favorites. It is definitely good, and I would still recommend it to anyone who enjoys contemporary/new romance, but it just didn't impress me. Again, I still enjoyed reading it.

[stacey68-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the second book I read from this author. Im not sure how I feel about it. He is the ultimate bad boy and his manager hires someone to salvage his reputation. I did not like the main characters. They were both shallow. But since really enjoyed the first book will continue to give this author a try.I received a free copy of this book for an honet review.

[medavis66 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

With Drew's story, we finish the infield. All of the books have great score lines for me. I liked how this one started off with a teammate's blunder in an attempt to help and built from there. I liked the statistical strategies and all of the reporting mumbo jumbo. The end especially tugged at my heartstrings.ARC provided in exchange for honest review.

[lornajarkin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was my first book by Ms Klasky and I really enjoyed the story of Drew and Jessica. The story line want outrageous and I really felt drawn to the characters. The situation was comical only because I could totally imagine it happening. Drew and Jessica really earned their relationship and I hope everyone can read and enjoy their story.

[lms8esmith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Stopping Short gets 3.5 stars!I have been enjoying the Diamond Brides series for a couple of months now and stopping short was no different. My only reservation about Stopping Short is that this story line seemed a little more far-fetched than the other story lines. I did like Jessica's character and the fact that she was trying to find herself. Drew's seemingly quick change of character was a little more unbelievable for me, but once I read the details of his past, I completely understood his change.

[ljtljtljt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed Stopping Short by Mindy Klasky. This is the sixth book in her Diamond Brides series and the seventh was released just last week. Each book focuses upon one of the players from the Raleigh Rockets, a professional baseball team with its roots in North Carolina. The two main characters in this story are Drew Marshall, the shortstop for the Rockets and Jessica Barnes, a public relations guru.It is spring training and Drew is having some trouble with his game. In addition, his bad-boy reputation and recent shenanigans have left a sour taste with the team's management and the general public. So much so, that he is in danger of losing his position to an aspiring minor league player. Luckily, Drew's agent hires Image Masters, a top-notch organization that specializes in image revamping.Jessica has been out of the workforce since her husband's death. Now a year later, she is back at Image Masters ready to pick-up where she left off. She is one of the best spin-doctors in the business, and that is why Drew gets assigned to her. Jessica has her work cut out for her, and the situation only worsens when one of Drew's teammates tells a group of reporters that Jessica is his fiancee. Additionally, one reporter in particular has made it his mission to ruin Drew.Drew is an amazing character. His hardships during his childhood were incomprehensible and yet he believes what he went through was completely his fault. Ms. Klasky paints Drew to be a good-looking, talented and sensitive guy, who just needs a lucky break. I really liked him.Jessica is an extremely smart woman that knows her job really well. She can solve any problem that is thrown at her while maintaining an amazing strength and grace. She is beautiful both inside and out.This is a terrific story that kept me thoroughly engaged from start to finish. I loved the way Ms. Klasky developed the romance between Drew and Jessica, by taking baby steps. Their attraction evolved into a heated love affair with a wonderful ending that I will remember for a long time.

[blsfan68 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A well written story with well developed characters. Mindy Klasky had me hoping Drew would overcome all his history and come out on top. This was my first book in the series and even though it is a stand alone, I am adding the other books in the series to my TBR list. A very pleasant, quick read for anyone who enjoys a heartfelt romance.

[lulu150 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I think this might be my favorite one in the Diamond Brides Series so far, loved it! I thought it had a great story line and characters. If you are looking for a good romance series I strongly suggest this one and start from the beginning (even thought you probably do not have to). You also do not need to like baseball at all to enjoy these. Cannot wait for the next one!

[crazy4reading · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another baseball player had some romance. Stopping Short is the 6th book in the Diamond Brides series. We meet Jessica and Andrew (Drew).Jessica works for an imaging company that improves clients images. Drew is a Raleigh Rockets ball player who had gotten into some trouble at spring training. Jessica is an associate that is sent down to Florida to work on Drew's image. The face of the Raleigh Rockets, Adam, introduces Jessica to the press as Drew's fiance. This is not what Image Consultants has in mind but that is what they have to work with. Jessica thinks of it as part of the job and goes head first into it.Drew has a past that he doesn't want to tell Jessica, even as they both start to fall in love with each other.

[kmt01_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have read all the books in this series, and so decided to read this one when it came out. I just did not enjoy this one as much. Drew Marshall, a Rockets’ Short Stop, has a bad-boy image problem. Jessica Barnes is hired to help him change that image. The story provides the reader with the ins and outs of an image consultant, by tracking how and what Jess does for Drew. However, there is one slight catch to Jessica’s job. During their initial meeting one of the players, announces to the media present that Jess is Drew’s new fiancé. His fact adds a great deal of humor to the story. I guess I just didn’t feel the chemistry between the two. In addition, there were things in Drew’s background that he did not divulge to her that would have made her job easier, and I did not understand his reluctance. Obviously, he was willing to let his career with the Rockets go. I think that, after five other books, the author is starting to run out of steam with this series. The book was okay, just not as good as the others. The concept of announcing an image consultant as your fiancé was interesting and different, but the author just did not quite pull it off. Still, if you enjoyed the others or any of her books, I recommend you give this one a try. You might see things differently. I received this from Library Thing to read and review.

[malin0johanna · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I can´t really put my finger on what I didn´t like about this book but there was something that just didn´t feel quite right. It was a sweet story and a written in a true Mindy Klasky spirit, love is always in the air but still something was off.I was given a copy from the author for an honest review.

[ash_p-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

This installment gives an insight into the "play dirty" side of Journalism & Public Relations. We may think that celebrities have everything their hearts desire but what they do not have is PRIVACY. They are treated as public property and Stopping Short highlights that effectively. Klasky has touched upon this issue in most of the titles in this series, it being about a baseball team and all but this one in particular shows how peoples' secrets are blatantly used to make one feel they have done a great service to the world by airing out other peoples' dirty laundry. On the flip side, its a story of hope and acceptance and of course love. 4/5 to Ms. Klasky