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First and Ten book cover 1
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First and Ten
Series · 9 books · 2015-2016

Books in series

Griff Montgomery book cover
#1

Griff Montgomery

Quarterback

2015

He wants to find a wife. She doesn’t want to marry again. Not exactly a match made in heaven. Or are they? Griff Montgomery, star quarterback of the Kings and a womanizer, became a stand-in father for his widowed sister’s kids. His happy family life collapses when she moves to California. Griff wants his own family. But where does a “player” go to find a mate? Having sworn off marriage, Lauren Farraday barely keeps her life together after her divorce. With her career shaky and depression closing in, the last thing she needs is a courtroom battle with a sexy athlete. Forced, by a judge, into an uneasy truce, the pair denies their growing chemistry. Wary of Griff’s womanizing reputation, and hiding a secret, Lauren keeps him at arm’s length. Can the quarterback handle the truth or will he walk away, like he has in the past? Book contains locker room language. All books in the series, available #2 Buddy Carruthers, Wide Receiver #3 Pete Sebastian, Coach #4 Devon Drake, Cornerback #5 Sly "Bullhorn" Brodsky, Offensive Line #6 Al "Trunk" Mahoney, Defensive Line #7 Harley Brennan, Running Back #8 Overtime, the Final Touchdown #9 A Kings' Christmas
Buddy Carruthers, Wide Receiver book cover
#2

Buddy Carruthers, Wide Receiver

2015

Known for his record-breaking stats and womanizing ways, wide receiver, Buddy Carruthers, would give it all up for one chance to win the only woman he ever wanted, Emmy Meacham. Hard-won games, and traveling half the season kept Buddy from pursuing his secret passion. Even if he managed to corner her for a moment, would she still care? Now a rock star known as Emerald, Emmy lived her life on the road with no time for love. In her dreams, she longed to turn back the clock and spend another night with Buddy. But lies and deceit had kept them apart for five years. Would a chance meeting wash away those years or cause old wounds to resurface? Could two lives traveling in opposite directions make room for love or would they continue to spin, out of sync, and always alone?
Pete Sebastian, Coach book cover
#3

Pete Sebastian, Coach

2015

Pete Sebastian, Coach Bass to his team, thought he had his life under control until smart, alluring Jo Parker sashayed into a front office job with the Connecticut Kings. He locks horns with the beautiful female when she implements new ideas to clean-up the team’s rep. Was she there just to push him around or was she the one woman he’s been seeking? Struggling toward success in the man’s-man world of the NFL, Jo Parker has relied on her brains and determination to get ahead. But her new job at the Kings has one hurdle she hadn’t counted on – a sexy coach standing in her way. How can she kept her mind on her job when all she wants is to get closer, much closer, to the coach? Can Coach Bass handle a woman in the boardroom and bedroom? Can he keep his heart safe or will the revelation of a secret destroy his dreams, leaving him alone once more?
Devon Drake book cover
#4

Devon Drake

Cornerback

2015

Devon Drake, star cornerback, has it all: hot super model girlfriend and pro football career, or does he? A childhood friend wanders back into his life, upsetting his ideal existence. Is it finally time to tell her the truth about what happened fifteen years ago? Stormy Gregory is on the run from an abusive man. Her best friend offers her a safe place at the shelter for abused women and children. Grateful to be out of harm’s way, Stormy helps with a charitable event, not expecting to run into Devon Drake, her friend’s brother. Will she run again rather than face rejection? Cracks in his perfect world threaten the cornerback’s starting lineup status. An unwelcome surprise short-circuits Stormy’s attempt to build a new life. Can they pull together or will the secret that separates the former friends keep them on a downward spiral?
Sly "Bullhorn" Brodsky, Offensive Line book cover
#5

Sly "Bullhorn" Brodsky, Offensive Line

2015

Sly “Bullhorn” Brodsky wished winning the heart of Samantha Drake was as easy as protecting his quarterback. A top offensive lineman in the NFL, Bull tried to live down his rep as a womanizer. Locker room chatter had elevated him to the level of “player” in more than football. But Samantha Drake, dark-haired, stunning sister of a teammate, didn’t want to have anything to do with him. Or did she? On his best behavior, Bull pulled out all the stops to woo the reluctant beauty. He was making progress until a woman from his past reappeared. Tiffany, the one woman who broke his heart, is in trouble. Is Bull the only man who can help? Samantha is overcoming her doubts about Bull until Tiffany arrives. Is the blonde really in hot water or does she just want another chance with the man she discarded? Enjoy the return of your favorite First & Ten characters in this book, too. Surprises, twists, and football action scenes will keep you turning the pages.
Al "Trunk" Mahoney, Defensive Line book cover
#6

Al "Trunk" Mahoney, Defensive Line

2015

When his wife walked out on him, Al “Trunk” Mahoney’s plans for the family he’d never had went up in smoke. A top-ranked defenseman in the NFL, Trunk’s success on the gridiron didn’t translate to the rest of his life. Hooking up with women was easy for the sexy lineman, but Trunk’s secret closed the door to marriage. Would the happiness he yearned for always be just beyond his reach? Beautiful Carla Ricci, bar owner and independent woman had her choice of men. A love-‘em and leave-‘em lady, she’d made a decision that ruled out 99.9% of men for marriage. She didn’t care. Then Trunk Mahoney came along. Carla resolved to remain true to herself. Could her willpower hold indefinitely, or would she settle for an affair that would break her heart? Caution: locker room language. A snippet: “Mary moved out. Left me. Took the furniture.” He spit it out, fast. It hurt less that way, like ripping off a bandage. Carla grasped his muscular forearm, and her eyes softened. “Well, shit. I’m sorry, Trunk. What happened?” “Damned if I know.” He took a gulp of his beer. “Didn’t she say anything?” “‘I’m leaving. My lawyer will be in touch. Took the furniture. You can have the house’.”
Harley Brennan book cover
#7

Harley Brennan

Running Back

2016

Harley Brennan and Shyla Hollings agreed to part company to follow their careers. It was a mutual decision. The star running back had no problem getting dates, but never the right dates. After one year spent trying to replace the only woman he’d ever loved, he declared defeat. Until the reality TV show, Marriage Minded, approached him. Harley flew to L.A. after the Super Bowl, ready to find his new soul mate. Bumping into Shyla at the airport didn’t give him a clue that she’d be behind the scenes, designing the sets for the program. And she didn’t tell him. Was Fate playing a hand, bringing them together? If so, Harley had to admit, Fate had lousy timing. Convinced his life was heading for a touchdown, Harley’s confidence was high, until his luck ran out. Would the running back get knocked out of the game or sprint to victory? A unique combination of reality TV show surprises, football action, humor, and steamy love scenes, HARLEY BRENNAN, RUNNING BACK, will keep you guessing until the last scene.
Overtime book cover
#8

Overtime

The Final Touchdown

2016

What happens after the last concussion? How long does an engagement last without turning into marriage? Is an unplanned pregnancy a dream come true or a nightmare? Real life takes over for the Connecticut Kings when the football season ends. Catch the “play-by-play” for each Kings’ player in this book, the final in the series. With a chapter for each team member, and a few surprises thrown in, you’ll be on the edge of your seat, but satisfied when the final whistle blows. No First & Ten book would be complete without an action scene. But can you guess who’s playing? Read Overtime, and find out.
A Kings' Christmas book cover
#9

A Kings' Christmas

2016

Stress over making the playoffs at holiday time can’t compete with the tensions in the homes of the star players on the Connecticut Kings. From Trunk Mahoney’s shattered dream of a Currier & Ives Christmas to the secret Lauren is keeping from Griff, surprises abound in this last tale of the team. As the men and their women celebrate the holidays, bad news seems to rival good as accidents, breakups, and unexpected reunions strain love to the breaking point. Who will get their Christmas wish and who will not? If you’ve loved the men of the First & Ten series, then you won’t want to miss this nail-biter, the final chapter that will have you in tears and laughing with the wonderful men of the Connecticut Kings.

Author

Jean C. Joachim
Jean C. Joachim
Author · 46 books

I've been making up stories for as long as I can remember. When other kids wanted to be doctors, teachers or firemen, I wanted to be a writer. As soon as I could read, I began devouring books. I'd read anything I could get my hands on, but Louisa May Alcott's Little Women and Nancy Drew mysteries were early favorites. In school, term papers were my favorite homework. While others bemoaned the amount of work involved, I jumped in, burying myself in research and writing the document with care. Still fiction was my first love. After college and a degree in English, I fell into the world of advertising. After many years in corporate America, I went my own way. Working and raising two kids took all my energy and creativity. But when the youngest went off to school, all the stories ideas in my head came to life. Mac Caldwell and Callie Richards landed in my head and refused to leave. So I told their story. What started as one book has become six. Now I greet my characters every morning at six and jump back into their story, enjoying every minute. I'm blessed to be able to work at something I love and share my space with my husband as well as my beloved pug, Homer. More than 26 books later, I'm still up at the crack of dawn, crafting the tales of the people who live in my head.

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