Playing Without Rules

Men of Spring Baseball, Book 1

By: Rachelle Ayala

Narrated by: Tor Thom, Charley Ongel

Length: 4 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

A ballplayer's girlfriend hides his daughter from him because she fears he's like his abusive father.

Marcia Powers wants nothing to do with ballplayer Brock Carter, especially after she told him to go away and pursue his dreams. She has more than she can handle with an elderly father, a business to run, and a four-year-old daughter posing as her baby sister.

Brock Carter's back in town to rekindle his romance with Marcia, and this time, he's not letting her run him out of town. Marcia is unable to resist Brock, but determined to keep her secret.

Brock's already lost his heart to Marcia once. Will he lose every dream, including baseball, when he discovers the real reason Marcia sent him away?

©2015 Rachelle Ayala (P)2017 Rachelle Ayala Publishing, LLC

Second chances ...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I highly recommend this book. Having never read or listened to anything by this author, I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of characters and the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I think my favorite character was Bianca. The girl had no clue who her mother or father really were. I disagree with Marcia's decisions about keeping that information quiet, but I understand why. She was protecting her child.

What about Tor Thom and Charley Ongel ’s performance did you like?

I loved the different characters that were portrayed. I love the gruffness of Ryan and the sincerity of Pappy. The hard nosed Jeanine and the sweet and innocent Bianca.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Second chance love affair.

Steamy Second Chances

I have come to love Rachelle Ayala's books and this one did not disappoint! This was a great steamy second chance romance! Both narrators did amazing jobs with the characters! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Second Chance

I enjoyed this listen by Rachelle Ayala and performed by Tor Thom and Charley Ongel immensely. The story was both sweet and hot. I found it a little unbelievable that Marcia could keep the secret of her daughter from Brock for so many years. The narrators add so much to the book with their chemistry and banter. Charley Ongel did such a great job in her portrayal of their daughter. How the author incorporates issues as domestic violence in this book was very well done. It's not the spotlight, but plays a part. Also, it shows how therapy can help. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this book. I loved the setting of Phoenix spring training for the background of this book. The humor in this book is a plus. I laughed at the reference of Gila Monster (so ugly they are cute but poisonous lizards).

Enjoyable story

I enjoyed listening to this book and listening to the narrator. Heart felt it will make you happy and sad and happy again.
I was given this book for my honest review.

The baseball player and the bartender

Brock is back in town! He is a baseball player who left 5yrs ago for the Minors. He left behind his fiancée...little did he know he left behind more. Now he’s back and his ex-fiancée, Marcia, is hiding a huge secret. Brock is trying to rekindle his relationship w Marcia but she’s resistant. There are outside forces working to keep them apart. When the secrets are revealed, will their relationship survive?

A great story...

Playing Without Rules is the first book in the Men of Spring Baseball series. Marcia has been keeping a secret since she sent Brock on his way. She was pregnant and she was worried that he might be like his father. As many times as she wanted to tell him, she didn’t . But when he returns to town, it is hard for them to keep their distance from each other and hard to fight off the feelings they both still have. But she still tries to keep her secret, and her father has other ideas. They end up spending more and more time together. What will happen when the secret comes out? Will Brock forgive her? Will she ever truly trust him? This was a really good story. I enjoyed listening to this narrator as well. I definitely recommend this book.

The truth always has a way of finding the light.

The truth always has a way of finding the light.

This is Book 1 of 4 in the Men of Spring Baseball Series by Rachelle Ayala, and currently only 2 available in audio, but the rest are due soon!

Being the first in the series, this could be read as a standalone. I personally would suggest starting with the novella.

Sex Warning:
Author’s Heat rating is Steamy: Sex and lovemaking shown with naughty words for body parts. Love and lust intertwined, but couple is monogamous.

♥ Story ♥
This is a tale of second chances. If you are into those kinds of tales, then you are going to like this. As a mom, I can relate to wanting whats best for your child. I didn’t quite agree with some of Marcia’s actions, but could understand the logic behind her choices.

Marcia Powers told a lie four years ago over a miscommunication and has been running from it ever since, despite never leaving her small town. The holes she digs for herself just keep expanding, as all lies do. Bianca is the one that truly suffers in the wake of her mother’s delusions of grandeur.

Brock Carter did what the love of his life asked of him and left town to pursue his baseball career. He wanted to make himself worthy of her heart. Now he’s back, and determined to claim his dream, but Marcia doesn’t want him to have anything to do with her or her “little sister”. A child that just happens to be close in age to the time frame he left town, but that thought never occurs.

I had more feels for Brock and the other members of Marcia’s family than I did for her. She is a sloppy stack of pancakes on a good day, and she is a bit of a hypocrite. Luckily, the extra personalities balances everything out. There is a sneak peek at the end for Book 02, Playing Catch and it is quite amusing. I can’t wait!

♥ Author ♥
Rachelle Ayala really brings the drama with this story! But don’t fret fans, there is hot steamy goodness too.

♥ Narrator(s)♥
This whole series is voiced by one of the best duos out there! Tor Thom & Charley Ongel deliver again! Their performances make you love a character as much as you want to smack them for being an idiot.

Ebook obtained through the Kindle Store
Audiobook obtained for free at my request and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review.
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2nd Chances

1st off- Narration was awesome! Great voices, production- no complaints.

The book itself was a nice story about 2nd chances. This 2nd chance was a bot different being a child was involved and the father had no idea. The emotional journey both went through took a toll them. This is their journey to the HEA.

Emotional second chance romance

This was an emotional listen. I enjoyed listening to it, although, I found it a bit hard to connect with the main character. I could understand why Marcia did not tell Brock she was pregnant but I found a bit odd the way Marcia treated her daughter. Brock left and she stayed in her hometown. I assumed everyone would have seen her pregnant and would have known she had a daughter. I found it strange her daughter did not call her mom. It seemed she was hiding her daughter from everyone.

Narration was ok and brought the story to life. Tor did an excellent job narrating, but for some reason, I think Charley sounded a bit detached
From the story.

I enjoy Rachelle Ayala’s writing. The book wraps up nicely with a HEA and no cliffhangers. There is some drama and some sweet moments. It is a bit of a rollercoaster ride.

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Hitting it out of the park again!

I have fallen in love with this series of baseball players. This story introduces Brock and Marcia. They were high school sweethearts with big dreams and an abundant future. At least that is what they thought. When Brock leaves for his baseball team, and then comes back 5 years later, he is sure of his feelings and can't wait to get back together with Marcia. But will it be that easy? The two of them have things to deal with. Again, Rachelle Ayala amazes me with what she can include in a short novel. This one includes second chances, domestic abuse, death of parents, dealing with anger, single parenthood and aiding aging parents. These are all handled elegantly so that you don't even realize they are all being addressed in this story of happily ever after. I love how she can do that!

With this great story, Ayala uses the talented team of Tor Thom and Charley Ongel. They are able to take this book and convey the hurt and frustration that Marcia feels, the fear and anguish that Brock feels and together the love that this couple has for each other. Another well performed story that the narration will bring both tears and smiles to your face.

Sweet Second-chance Sports Romance

Brock and Marsha's story is a loving, second chance baseball themed romance that touches on a few hard subjects including physical abuse and its potential effects. Marsha and Brock do not have the problem of falling in love. In fact love seems to exist naturally between them. But romantic love isn't enough when they struggle with trust and honesty with each other as well as with themselves. It is only when they find the confidence to address their issues that they have a chance of building a life together.

Rachelle Ayala writes multi-dimensional feel-good romances that often include realistic issues. Her characters make mistakes and are flawed but her stories are always hopeful. The audiobooks are just about long enough to explore some of the issues and situations but not so long that the plot drags.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Great Second Chance Romance

This is a second chance romance, which is a really emotional listen. This is a very well written and well developed story, which draws you in straight away.

The chemistry between Brock and Marcia is great, they are real and relatable.

Tor Thom and Charley Ongel did a great job narrating and bringing the story to life.

“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

Hitting it out of the park again!

I have fallen in love with this series of baseball players. This story introduces Brock and Marcia. They were high school sweethearts with big dreams and an abundant future. At least that is what they thought. When Brock leaves for his baseball team, and then comes back 5 years later, he is sure of his feelings and can't wait to get back together with Marcia. But will it be that easy? The two of them have things to deal with. Again, Rachelle Ayala amazes me with what she can include in a short novel. This one includes second chances, domestic abuse, death of parents, dealing with anger, single parenthood and aiding aging parents. These are all handled elegantly so that you don't even realize they are all being addressed in this story of happily ever after. I love how she can do that!

With this great story, Ayala uses the talented team of Tor Thom and Charley Ongel. They are able to take this book and convey the hurt and frustration that Marcia feels, the fear and anguish that Brock feels and together the love that this couple has for each other. Another well performed story that the narration will bring both tears and smiles to your face.