On The Ropes 

Down For The Count Series- Book 1

By Christa Cervone

Synopsis

***Author’s note*** This book is not recommended for readers under the age of eighteen, due to strong sexual content, language, child abuse, and drug reference. Also, this is the first book in a series.

A murderer’s child…A foster child…A troubled teen…Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has never had an easy life. Being shuffled from one foster home to another after his father murdered his mother, he found himself in and out of trouble with the law. Never giving a damn about himself, let alone anyone else, his life was spiraling out of control; fast. Until one man and one sport changed everything.

Frankie Carbone taught Saint how to handle his anger and rejection; by fighting it out in the ring. On his way to stardom, Saint finds himself pushed into the spotlight and into the arms of more women than he can ever imagine; he’s completely content with one night stands and random sex.

Then Salem Harris comes walking into his life and changes his game plan. Saint finds himself wanting Salem in all the ways that scare him. She is off limits; taken. But that doesn’t stop Saint from going after what he wants, and he wants her.

Frankie showed Saint a new way of life with Boxing, but will Salem give him the one thing he’s never known – love? Will Saint find himself fighting for the one thing he thinks he doesn’t deserve or will Salem end up breaking his heart? Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has had to fight for every good thing he’s gotten in his life.

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Michel’s Review

On The Ropes by Christa Cervone is unlike any of the fighter books I have read to date.  Most fighter books feature a bull headed, very determined Alpha male that has some kind of issues in his past.  He allows these issues to hold him back from being in a successful loving relationship.  On The Ropes does have a very bull headed Alpha male, Gabriel “Saint” Vega.  He has a horrific past.  That horrific past has molded him into the man he is today.  Rather than allowing the past to rule his future, he allowed people to help him along the way in his life.  He has learned from the positive examples in his life and is determined to be an honorable man.  His past is put into the right perspective.  He has learned that some things are out of his control and that he has to accept it and move forward in the best direction that he can.  He has learned that family is not always defined by DNA.

He is on the verge of breaking into the big league in the boxing world.  He has trained hard and followed the rules.  He listens to his trainer, Frankie Carbone, and follows his directions.  After all , it was Frankie that gave him the break he needed in life.  One would think with his new found fame and fighting career that he would have a huge ego.  Not the case with the Saint.  He is a very humble man.  He knows his strengths and weaknesses, he has respect for others, and gives his time to “at risk” kids.  He may be a bit of a player where the ladies are concerned but overall he’s a good guy.

When a sponsorship opportunity knocks on the door, Frankie encourages Saint to take this opportunity.  This opportunity leads him to meeting the one woman that can change his view on serious relationships.  This one woman is the only woman he can’t have.  She is the girlfriend of his sponsor and they are in a very serious relationship.

Salem Harris is a spoiled rich girl with her nose high in the air.  She has been involved with Blaine all her life. It doesn’t matter that he treats her badly.  It doesn’t matter that he cheats on her.  He is her destined prince charming.

When Salem and The Saint but heads is more than a pissing match.  The sexual chemistry between the two will go the distance.  But their relationship is a forbidden one.  Nothing good can come from it.  And when something does come of it….CLIFFHANGER!

On The Ropes set the pace for the Down For The Count Series.  I loved Gabriel “Saint” Vega.  His humble personality and dedication to those he loved knocked my socks off.  I had a hard time liking Salem.  She was incredibly self absorbed and self entitled.  I could not understand the attraction that the Saint had for her.  But then Christa Cervone waved her magical pen and showed the readers another side to Salem.  I am anxious to see her transformation in the next book.  The secondary characters made this story work.  Their personalities and assigned roles gave this story an insight to the real lives of the fighters behind the scenes and in real life circumstances.

I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

Going The Distance

Down For The Count Series- Book 2

By Christa Cervone

Synopsis

***Author’s note*** This book is not recommended for readers under the age of eighteen, due to strong sexual content, language, abuse, and drug reference. Book 2 in a two book in a series.

Life has been a roller coaster for Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega. From surviving a hellish childhood, to reuniting with his lost brother, only to hit the struggle of helping him battle his drug addiction. Boxing saved Gabriel’s life, and just when his career hits the fast track, he finally finds love with Salem; at least for a short time.

Social differences, obligations, and misguided good intentions tore Gabriel and Salem apart before they could ever really get started.

Will Gabriel be able to save his brother from the whirlpool of addiction that threatens to drag him under? Is Salem capable of breaking away from the ropes that bind her to doing what’s expected rather than what and whom she desires? Can Gabriel convince Salem that their mutual feelings are worth fighting for, and that together, they will be able to go the distance?

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Michel’s Review

We met the main characters and got a glimpse of their life in On The Ropes.  Going The Distance is the sequel to that book and “meat” of the series.

Gabriel “Saint” Vega has fallen in love with the one woman he can never have, Salem Harris.  Not only is she out of his league and in a different social class, she is also involved in a very serious relationship.

After a one night mistake, Gabriel vows to stay away from Salem.  His desire for her is too strong to abstain.  As these two finally start letting down their guard and getting to know one another all kinds of angst will rear it’s ugly head in their lives.

There is the douche bag boyfriend, the junkie brother, the socially correct family, the financially troubled gym owner & trainer, the fighting career, and life in general standing in their way.  Can Gabriel and Salem make it through all the obstacles in their way.  Can their love survive the storm?

This book was the “meat” of Gabriel and Salem’s story.  It was a very emotional, heart wrenching book that took me by complete surprise.  My opinion on Salem’s personality drastically changed.  She showed her true personality and true strengths in this book.  Gabriel “Saint” Vega proved he was a fighter outside of the ring.  He fought for those he loved.

I highly recommend the Down For The Count Series by Christa Cervone.  It will not disappoint.

Author Bio:

Born and raised in New England, Christa is a married mother of three. She began writing her first book, Broken, in October 2012, as a love story to her husband, Frank. During the writing process, Christa managed to keep her book a secret from the majority of her family and friends, including her mother. She finally revealed that she had written a book on her personal Facebook page just two weeks before Broken was released.

Broken was released in February 2013, and within twenty-four hours of its release, it was on Amazon’s Movers and Shakers list as well as in the Top 20 Erotica. Christa released her second novel, On the Ropes – Book One in the Down for the Count series, in February 2014. On the Ropes has also climbed the charts on Amazon, hitting the Top 10 Sports Fiction and the Top 20 Romance Sports Fiction lists. Book Two, Going the Distance, was released July 2014 and claimed the number 3 spot in the Interracial category as well being in the top 20 in Erotica on Amazon.

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