Tuesday, April 5, 2016

The Matchmaker's Playbook by Rachel Van Dyken - Release Launch, 2 excerpts, Review + Giveaway



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Wingman rule number one: don’t fall for a client.

After a career-ending accident, former NFL recruit Ian Hunter is back on campus—and he’s ready to get his new game on. As one of the masterminds behind Wingmen, Inc., a successful and secretive word-of-mouth dating service, he’s putting his extensive skills with women to work for the lovelorn. But when Blake Olson requests the services of Wingmen, Inc., Ian may have landed his most hopeless client yet.


From her frumpy athletic gear to her unfortunate choice of footwear, Blake is going to need a miracle if she wants to land her crush. At least with a professional matchmaker by her side she has a fighting chance. Ian knows that his advice and a makeover can turn Blake into another successful match. But as Blake begins the transformation from hot mess to smokin’ hot, Ian realizes he’s in danger of breaking his cardinal rule…


   

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU


   

The Matchmaker's Playbook by Rachel Van Dyken from Becca the Bibliophile on Vimeo.
   

EXCERPT:
Blake let out another pitiful groan. “I don’t think it fits.”

“They measured you. It fits. Just, tell me if it looks okay so we can go.” I checked my watch. “Gabi said dinner was at six, and it’s already a quarter till.”

“This is too much pressure.” Her voice was frantic. “I can’t do this. I mean, how do I know if it looks good? They’re boobs.”

I groaned. “Boobs always look good. Believe me.”

“Boobs are gross!”

Said no man ever. Even the gay ones.

One of the salesladies eyed me up and down. “Are you two okay?”

“Great,” I chirped. “Just having a very heated discussion about the beauty of breasts.” I dipped my chin to Blake’s chest. “What are you? A double D?”

Scowling, she marched off.

Thank God.

“Blake,” I hissed.

No answer.

I’d never had such a difficult client. If anything, they jumped when I told them to, asked how high, and then kept jumping until I was satisfied. Blake fought me at every turn.

“Open the door before I crawl underneath it. I’ll pick the bras, you can close your eyes if you want so you don’t have to watch me look at you, alright? My stomach literally just ate my liver. I need protein. Open. The. Door.”

The door slowly creaked open. Taking advantage of the small crack of air, I pushed it farther, then clicked it shut behind me and turned around.

Blake was facing me, hands on hips, face beet-red, body . . . freaking perfect. My tongue almost lolled out, like a dog.

Most girls starve themselves to have abs like that, which was disgusting. But her abs? They had muscle, actual muscle, but still appeared feminine.

She also had a nice tan, just enough to show that she spent time outside or maybe just had naturally darker skin.

My throat went completely dry as I continued to stare.

“Well?” Her voice was weak. “How awful do I look? On a scale of one to ten?”

I’d convinced her to buy some new workout clothes to replace her old ones. I knew I’d never get her to actually completely change her style. She liked workout clothes? Fine, at least buy the kind that fit and actually point to the correct gender. I tried to steer her away from the boyfriend sweats and sweatshirts, but she eventually wore me down, so I told her if she bought at least five new Pink outfits that had spandex in them, I’d let her get one pair of ugly slouchy sweats. You’d think I’d just given her a million dollars, from her reaction.

Currently, she was sporting a short pair of bright-blue yoga shorts.

And a black push-up sports bra that did wonders for her boobs.

And the world just in general.
Holy shit.


I gulped as I became more and more irritated with the fact that my body was reacting as if it had never seen a girl without her shirt on before. “Blake, it’s great.”

“You sound bored!”

I had to, damn it! What did she want me to do? Sound interested? Turned-on? Intrigued? Curious? I was all those things. I just tried to ignorethe insanity bouncing around in my head and blurted, “Your boobs look really good. Perky, happy, just . . . awesome.”

Did I just call her boobs “happy”?

“You think?” She stared down at her breasts, then grabbed them.

Holy shit, was she seriously feeling herself up? I braced my hand against the door and sucked in a breath.

“They still feel comfortable,” she said.

“Do they?” I managed to choke out while she continued bouncing them a bit in her hands. Dear Lord, did she know what she was doing? Waving a flag in front of a bull. My jeans suddenly tight in all the wrong areas, I tried to envision Lex naked, anything to get my dick to clue in to the word “client,” meaning I was in a no-play zone.

Another first.

It was because I was hungry.

And Marissa? Melissa? Hadn’t satisfied me. I’d gotten off, and made sure she did too, but the entire experience left me feeling empty, bored, and—if I was being completely honest? A bit depressed. Besides, her tits paled in comparison. I had to wonder what the hell I’d been doing all my life if this was the first time I was having such a strong reaction to boobs.

Something about Blake had me wondering if I’d been satisfied at all up until this point. And I had no idea what the hell was so confusing about her, and about the situation. I was unable to put my finger on it, and the more I thought about it the more my head hurt.

Hunger does weird things to guys.

“Yeah.” More bouncing, then turning and staring in the mirror. I wasn’t sure what was worse. Her staring at her own boobs or touching them. “I’m just no good at this stuff. I didn’t grow up with a mom, and I hit puberty really early. The girls made fun of me, and the boys pointed.” Her shoulders slumped inward again.

Could we please go back to the bouncing? I was a fan of that Blake. The one that rolled up like an awkward armadillo? Not so much.

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REVIEW: Ok, so at first Ian is full of himself but he has reason to be, he's the total package (according to him). I honestly couldn't wait for him to fall on his face wanting a girl and not being able to have her. Girls just fall at his feet, left and right until her. As you're reading the book he'll grow on you though. He's actually a really sweet guy and tries to do the "right' thing for Blake.

Their first encounter will have you laughing out loud and just really throws Ian's arrogance in your face.

Watching Ian doing his job to help Blake get David, the guy that she wants, while knowing he wants her for himself was kind of sad to me. He finds himself falling for her and he's never done that. One of the rules of the company is don't fall for the client, don't sleep with the client. It's been so simple until Blake.

Lex, Ian's best friend, is a tech genius that has programs to run probability matches for the clients and numbers don't lie right? 

You'll also get to meet Gabi, Ian's friend that is like a sister to him and watch the sparks fly between Lex and Gabi. Their interactions are even funnier but too bad they "hate" each other. I think there's a very thin line between love and hate in that regard. Can't wait for that book! 

The Matchmakers Playbook Creed 
1. Head held high. 
2. Always smile. 
3. Never slouch. 
4. Wear clothes appropriate to the season. 
5. Let him open the door. 
6. No kissing on the first date. 
7. He comes to you. 
8. Lingering is frowned upon. 
9. NO facebook stalking. 
10. NO STALKING stalking. 
11. Don't be too available. 
12. LIsten to Lex and Ian. 
13. See Number 12. 
14. No seriously, go back, re-read #12. 
15. If after one week you aren't satisfied, we will dissolve the contract. 


Excerpt

If you  hurt her, I’m going to break off your favorite appendage.”
Silly Gabi.” I grinned. “Is that an invitation to touch?”
Guarantee  if I ever do touch you, it will only end badly.”
Tease.” I winked.
Stop that.” She flicked me on the nose. “Your sexual prowess is dead to me. Dead!”
Rolling my eyes, I wrapped an arm around her and steered us both into the kitchen, where the smell of French bread and spaghetti filled the air. “Have I told you how much I miss our weekly dinners? Think we should do it daily? You know, so I don’t starve?”
Gabi shrugged out of my embrace. “Learn how to cook.”
I jutted out my lower lip. “It’s not for lack of knowledge.” I broke off a piece of warm bread, then poured myself a large glass of wine. “It’s because yours always tastes better.”
Gabi groaned loudly. “Damn, do the girls really fall for that? Still?”
Eh.” I shrugged and made a so-so motion with my hand. “Nine out of ten.”
You disgust me.”
You say that every day.”
Because it’s true every day.”
When’s dinner ready?” Serena bounced into the room, literally, her head bobbing from left to right. Maybe that’s how girls like her built up more brain cells. They shook the air, and the pressure between their ears exploded, making tiny little brain-cell babies.
Gabi poked her head into the fridge. “When Lex gets here.”
So it’s ready now?” she asked.
Never mind. No brain-cell babies. I fought the urge to point to the steaming spaghetti and bread sitting on the breakfast bar. Didn’t it look ready, kiddo?
Technically,” I answered for Gabi. “But we aren’t eating”—I stressed the word “eating” even though I’d just taken some bread—“until my sidekick gets here.”
Sidekick, huh?” Serena crossed her arms, forcing her boobs to kiss one another and nearly hit her in the chin.
Oh, I thought you knew.” I gave her a sad face. “I’m the hero in this scenario . . . Even own my own cape. He’s basically the Robin to my Batman.”
Batman’s hot.”
So is Robin,” Gabi said defensively.
Whoa. Did she just defend Lex? I felt her forehead. She pushed my hand away and handed me some parmesan cheese.
The door flew open, and Lex stepped through, holding up two bottles of Cab. “Sorry, traffic was shit.”
Language,” Gabi called.
Lex and I shared a look before Lex stomped over to the swear jar and tossed in a dollar bill.

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Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor. She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers! Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!


You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken or join her fan group Rachel's New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com.


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