Extreme Love by Abby Niles

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Extreme Love
By:  Abby Niles
Published:  April 30, 2013
Published By:  Entangled 
Source:  Publisher (NetGalley)


GR's Summary:

New body. New clothes. New men.

Used to the average Joe, Caitlyn Moore is overwhelmed when the supremely masculine Dante Jones walks into her life and expresses an interest in her. At first she pushes him away, refusing to encourage the attention of a cage fighter. Then she learns Dante has a love ‘em and leave ‘em reputation. What better way to fine-tune her non-existent flirting skills than with a male who won’t stick around? But Dante has no intention of being a practice dummy; he’s out for all or nothing. Now Caitlyn must accept Dante—violent career and all—or let him go.

Dante “Inferno” Jones has one goal: win the Welterweight Championship. At a time when focus is crucial, the last thing he needs is a distraction. Yet Caitlyn Moore becomes a challenge he can’t resist. When the light-hearted pursuit shifts to a battle to win her heart, his focus is shot. Faced with losing the biggest match of his career, Dante must decide if his extreme life also has room for Extreme Love.

I was excited to read, "Extreme Love," by Abby Niles when I saw the hot cover of the gorgeously fit, and sexy fighter that graced the front.  Then, I read the synopsis, and thought that this book sounded like it had a fun, sexy, feel good vibe to it.  However, this story was not what I was expecting.  There were aspects of the story that I really enjoyed, and then other aspects that I did not enjoy so much.  I enjoyed the main characters Caitlyn, and Dante to a certain extent, as well as the storyline.  However, I felt like the pacing was off in the first half of the book, and certain parts of the story really dragged for me.

One of my favorite aspects to the story were the main characters, Caitlyn, and Dante.  Caitlyn was not your typical female lead in a romance novel.  She was a size twelve, had lost 80 pounds in the previous months, was very insecure, timid, and didn't view herself as attractive.  Dante, was gorgeous, fit, and always had girls throwing themselves at him, because he was a well known MMA fighter, and successful at what he did.  At first, Dante was attracted to Caitlyn because she posed a challenge, and wasn't the typical groupie throwing herself at him.  After he discovered that she was a woman with depth, and he could carry a conversation with her, Caitlyn became everything he could ever possibly want in a woman.  Plus, he was extremely attracted to her, as she was him.  I enjoyed the fact that Caitlyn was not the cookie-cutter stereo-type that is often represented in romance novels.  If anything, I think "real" women can relate to her character more than the image of the "perfect" woman that is often the main lead in romance stories.  I also enjoyed Caitlyn's background story.  She was motivated, dedicated, and worked hard to not only shed all of those pounds, but she was also extremely fit.  In fact, she could outrun many of the thinner people running on the treadmill at the gym.  Dante was a fun, and sexy character who supported Caitlyn, and really cared about her for who she was.  I enjoyed his flirting and witty lines, as well as how protective he was of Caitlyn.  The moment anyone said anything negative about her or towards her, he would put them in their place.  When Caitlyn and Dante finally came together, they had passion, chemistry, and sizzle.  Dante, "The Inferno," knew how to romance Caitlyn, and while he was at it, he romanced me.   

There were a few of the aspects of the story that I did not enjoy.  The first half of the story felt too slow, and really dragged on for me.  I could relate to and understand Caitlyn's insecurities, but It came to a point where I felt like, enough was enough.  She came off as a bit whiny.  I read page after page of Caitlyn's negative thoughts about her body image, and got tired of it.  I also, needed to see more action in the story.  There was too much telling of the story, and not enough showing.  I found Caitlyn's thoughts, as well as her conversations with Dante, and her friends to be repetitive, in nature, and was hoping to see a change sooner than I did.  This story had a great message, and premise.  I just needed more.  I needed more action, more intensity, and more spark.  I also needed less repetitiveness, less complaining about her body image, less saying, and more doing!

Overall, Extreme Love was a good story.  Even though the first half was a bit slow, the second half picked up the pace substantially.  I enjoyed how the antagonist, Sentori (Dante's MMA opponent) brought excitement, conflict, and unexpected plot twists to the story.  He made things very interesting, and I could not stand the egotistical, malicious, and demented fighter!  My favorite aspect in this story was the message of self love, and the fact that Caitlyn was portrayed in a way were the typical woman can relate, and perhaps, even be inspired, and hopeful in the pursuit of happiness, and self-empowerment. 

I give "Extreme Love," by Abby Niles 3 Stars!  This was a story that focused on self-esteem, body image, acceptance, and loving yourself for who you are, and not letting other people's negative opinions of you bring you down.  It's also about the courage to hold your head up high, leave your past fears behind, and embrace the future you want for yourself without letting anything or anyone stand in your way.  I enjoyed the message in this story, and feel that it was both a positive, as well as encouraging message.  Dante, "The Inferno," brought a lot of heat, romance, and swoon-worthy moments to this story.  I also learned about MMA fighting, and training, while reading, "Extreme Love," and always enjoy reading a story that teaches me something new.

"Dante fought a smile.  He'd help her find herself, and in the process, show her how beautiful she was through his eyes."  (EARC LOC, 1111)

"How easily the word girlfriend had come out of his mouth.  Not because he was trying to run off another man, but because Caitlyn brought forth a fierce need to protect he'd never felt for a woman before.  This was no longer about a challenge, but a woman who'd gotten under his skin.  She deserved to feel as beautiful as he saw her."  (EARC LOC, 1366)

"Do you know what's like to have a woman kiss you back 'cause she wants you, and not the idea of you?  It's fu*kin' hot, bro.  Irre-fu*kin'-sistible."  (EARC LOC, 1477)

"Just sex isn't what I'm after Caitlyn.  Been there, done that for years.  I ca  right now and find a line of womb who'd like to fu*k.  He stepped away from her.  Yes, I want your moans and kisses, but I also want more moments like we had in the truck, hand holding, laughing.  I want moe than fu*king...with you."  (EARC LOC, 1581)

"Sometimes you don't realize what you can live with until you've lost the one thing you can't live without."  (EARC LOC, 1606)

Ever since Abby Niles picked up her first Sweet Valley High book in sixth grade and fell in love with Elizabeth and Todd, she’s been hooked on romance. By the time she reached high school, she was devouring meatier romances with pirates, cowboys and knights. She never imagined that those years of reading would one day lead to her becoming a published author.

In her late twenties, after having twins and becoming a stay-at-home mom, she started doodling stories to keep her sanity. Next thing she knew, she was actually submitting to publishing houses. And was immediately rejected. That didn’t stop her though. She found herself some kickass critique partners, honed her craft, and continued submitting.

And eventually sold a short story, then a novella, then a novel, and now a series.

Today, she juggles work, home life, and writing. It’s not always easy, but hey, who said life was easy?

In her downtime, which isn’t often, you can find her playing ‘Just Dance’ with her kids or trying to catch up on her never-ending to-be-read list. She also loves Zumba, and refuses to admit she looks more like Animal doing his Muppet flail than a sensual Latin dancer.

Abby Niles'

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His gaze landed on the chocolate-brown comforter with pink accents that covered her queen-sized mattress. His attention lingered there for a moment before he lifted his gaze to the shelves that held an assortment of her favorite books and movies. “What do you like to do, Caitlyn?”

How could a man come across so damned relaxed? Especially when she was wound so tight she felt ready to shatter any second.

“Do?” She actually squeaked her question.

“You know. Read? Watch movies? Shop?”

A conversation? The man walks into her room, disrupts her perfect little world, and he decides to have a conversation? “All of the above.”

Dante’s smile sent her heart into a frantic staccato. He moved closer, and she retreated until her butt touched the wall. Her breath came in short, erratic spurts. His gaze started at her legs and raked upward over her body. “I like all of the above, too.”

Ah! She liked that response. A little too much. Her heart pumped even faster. She had to escape.

As if reading her thoughts, Dante blocked her by bracing his arms against the wall on either side of her body. 

She couldn’t swallow, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t do anything but stare into gorgeous blue eyes belonging to a gorgeous man. He leaned closer, his chest brushing against hers. Lord, she felt the strength of his body.

“So pretty.” He ran his fingers across her cheek. 

The desire in his eyes confirmed his statement. Could this be real? Could this man truly want her? Everything he did screamed yes.

“W-why did you come in here?”

His fingers paused on her skin. “Isn’t it obvious? To be near you. Would you rather I leave?”

Yes. No. Hell, she didn’t know.

“Maybe,” she finally decided on.

“Maybe?” One masculine brow lifted. “A very indecisive answer. Maybe we should kiss and see if it helps you make a firm decision.”

She swallowed, a response completely lost to her. Flustered by her inability to come up with her own flirtatious, witty comeback, she felt greener than ever. “I think that would be a bad idea.”

“Give me one good reason why.”

She opened her mouth, but no reason emerged. Instead, she murmured, “Me and you...we don’t fit.”

“Oh, I think we’d fit very nicely together.”

Her mouth popped opened, shocked and alarmingly delighted by his words. “T-that’s not what I meant.” But now that he’d taken their conversation in that direction, it was all she could think of. She shook herself. “I meant we’re too different. We don’t have any chemistry.”

Amusement filled his eyes. “No chemistry, huh? I’ll have to disagree.” He placed his lips against her ear and whispered, “Do you remember when our eyes met in the mirror this morning? That punch of lust that socked us both? That’s chemistry, Caitlyn.”