Shame the Devil

Portland Devils, Book 3

By: Rosalind James

Narrated by: Emma Wilder

Length: 17 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

The thing about Thor is, he’s great at swinging that hammer. But he doesn’t settle down.

Harlan Kristiansen may not be good at many things, but he can sure catch a pass. He’s an All-Pro at charming a room, too, and then there’s that Norse God thing. He can even figure out how to tackle a woman and save her from a charging bison.

On skis.

What happens when you drop that game-winning pass, though, and your house is too big, too weird, and too empty? When your dad’s a mean drunk, your mom took off a long time ago and stayed gone, and all your money can’t keep your little sister safe? You fall back on what you know, that’s what. Hey, somebody has to swim in the shallow end of the pool.

Jennifer Cardello is good at lots of things. She knows how to get the most out of the cheapest cuts of meat, how long after the expiration date you can still use any food, and how to be indispensable to her employer. And as for faking an orgasm? She could win an Oscar. But surely a woman who’s been trying to fade into the background for more than half her life so she doesn’t have to hear the whispers, a woman who’s lost her mom, is losing her job, and is sending her baby girl off to college - and trying to figure out how to pay for it - is entitled to one unforgettable night.

In 34 years.

With a great guy she never has to see again.

Until old secrets get dug up, and new ones are born.

After that? It’s anybody’s guess.

Note: Yep, it gets a little steamy in here at times. What can I say? Jennifer likes it that way.

©2021 Rosalind James (P)2021 Rosalind James

Top shelf

This is an excellent story, well written; a story with depth. Very well read, Ms. Wilder. Brava Ms. James! Anxiously awaiting book 4 in the series.

Frozen Scrotum?? What the Heck!!

Good romance stories are a hard find nowadays. Shame the Devil is a GOOD romance. Well developed characters with a mix of good and bad characteristics. Sprinkled with little pearls of wisdom; that really do apply to everyday reality. A little tragedy to give some grit and tension. A solid seasoning of humor that will have you chuckling and have everyone wondering what is so funny and you have a Rosalind-style story. My eyes are still tearing from the chapter titled "Frozen Scrotum" - sounds bad, but reasonably clean and funny as all get out!

I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Super story and great narrator!

I am a big time fan of Rosalind James since I first found her New Zealand series. Since then I have been reading and now listening to every one of her books . Every story is emotional, in depth and the heroine is always a fully developed person. This book is the same - a mom with a almost grown daughter trying to figure out her life . She meets a complicated man and together they figure out a life together. There is a happy ending - which i always want ! The narrator is great - captures the feeling and emotions for each character. Very enjoyable-recommend to anyone who likes a great book. disclaimer - i received a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review . i was not obligated in any way to leave a positive review .

Spicy 🥵

I really enjoyed this book, especially since the characters are around my age and it felt somewhat relatable (I’m not a rich football star so I can’t relate to that).

The story was really rich with drama and emotion. I enjoyed going on the journey with Jennifer and Harland. I also enjoyed the bits about Owen and Dyma.

This book felt a little spicier than her past books and Emma Wilder did an excellent job of voice acting. I can’t wait for the next book from the author!

I cried more than once... five stars!

My goodness! What does this book not have?!? This is the story of NFL player Harlan Kristianen and former teen mother Jennifer Cardello. They meet at Yellowstone when Jennifer is on a business trip for her boss Blake Orbison, former Portland Devils QB, and Harland (along with his buddy Owen) are hiding out post-ProBowl and Pre-SuperBowl, especially since their team isn't playing. A crazy encounter involving bison, snowmobiles, Harlan, Jennifer, Owen, and Jennifer's teenager daughter Dyma starts the story rolling, and it is a great ride!
I am a huge romance fan and Rosalind James is one of my favorites. I buy her books in Kindle and Audio format every time. The reason is that her stories are so layered and she really is that good of an author.
I don't want to spoil this story for you, but Harlan and Jennifer's story touches on teen parenting, poverty, domestic violence, sexual assault, depression, self esteem, and imposter syndrome, yet it is a romance novel that is fun and flirty and sexy, too. We see the relationships between the family members and the couple grow and develop and you feel like you really know them. I really enjoyed reading this book and I enjoyed listening to it, too. I think that you will, as well. Five stars!

love this series!

Shame the Devil is the third book in this fun fun series. You don't need to listen to the first two to enjoy this one but don't deny yourself the pleasure! Rosalind writes great stories and Emma Wilder does a great job of narrating them. She does a good job with the different voices. Harlan is a pro football player and Jennifer is an administrative assistant for former pro player Blake Orbison (see Silver-Tongued Devil) but they had never met until they were both in Yellowstone. There is a "meet cute" when a bison stampedes at them due to the stupidity of some snowmobilers and Blake has to get her out of the way of the runaway snowmobile. There are many different times in this book; funny, romantic, steamy lovemaking, and serious. I read the book when it came out and I very much enjoyed also listening to it when the audible book became available.
I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

What a good time!

I love listening to this book, Emma Wilder is such a great narrator and is so relaxing to the ears. The story is great and has a great adventure along with it. Love the new characters that are added to the list of my favorites.
This is a stand alone book but highly recommend starting at the beginning of the series for the complete picture. I can't wait til the next one!

I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an hones review. I was not compensated for my review and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

This was one incredible listen!

I love being able to say, “ Wow, I didn’t see that coming.” Actually I said it several times during this listen.
‘Thor’ seemed like he was going to be a one dimensional 30 year old professional jock at the opening chapter. His life burdens provided the friction and pressure to produce a multi-faceted guy who had more than Viking blond hair, serious good looks, and and big muscles.

Jennifer’s story was much more than the plucky, much too young, single mom trying to resist the charm of a Chris Hemsworth doppelgänger. Oh honey, just hit that boy!

I am a huge fan of the New Zealand series and was not sure I would be interested in a different setting with American football as the back story. Very happy to report I loved this book. It shared well crafted characters, compelling storylines, and brought me to tears…. just like the books set in New Zealand.

Another great one!

This is another fantastic written by Rosalind James. It is a stand alone, loosely tied to a series. You don't need to read any others before this one. This author does a great job invoking emotion. As always, her characters are multidementional and well developed. The storyline is interesting, with just enough plot twist to keep it going.

I am very picky about narrators, a bad one can kill a good book for me. I love Emma Wilder, I wish she would do all my favorites!

I highly recommend this book!

I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest reviews. I was not compensated for my review and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Unexpected encounter leads to romance

Jennifer and Dyma are mother and daughter. Even though Jennifer had Dyma when she was very young, she had become a wonderful mother, who has a very headstrong daughter. Then comes Harlan and Owen. A chance encounter on the ski slopes leads to friendship and romance. It is an instant attraction between Jennifer and Harlan. The fact that Jennifer does not recognize Harlan from the NFL, makes Harlan even more attracted to her because she is interested in him for the man he is and not the famous one. As with all of Rosalind's books, there are ups and downs and then it all comes around. This book was sweet, sexy and romantic. As always, another Rosalind James book that I love - not only for the well written characters, but for the well written story and in depth descriptions of the locale and the characters.
And, we can't forget the incredible narrator, Emma Wilder. She makes every Rosalind James book that much better in the audio version. Her range of character voices is amazing!
I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.