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Men Out of Uniform #1
The Player
There's nothing like a man in uniform...or out of it!Especially when he's as hot as former Ranger Jamie Flanagan. After their last assignment went horribly wrong, he and his buddies needed to get out of the military for good. There was only one catch - that he and his pals promise their commanding officer one favour. Any favour. Now tall, dark and sexy Jamie is a top security specialist...and the ultimate ladies' man. So he's more than a little surprised when he learns the colonel has set him up to protect his grand-daughter. Who would trust a player like Jamie with a gorgeous woman like Audrey? Then he learns his "mission" is to seduce her away from another man...
248 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2006
171 people are currently reading
824 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 28, 2009
This is the 1st book in Ms. Nelson's "Out of Uniform series, but I've been reading these books completely out of order so is actually the last to me. Compared to the next 2 books in the series, which I read a few months ago, this one is my least favorite and I'm glad I didn't read it 1st as I'm not sure I'd keep reading the series otherwise.
I don't feel like writing a plot summary, so I'm just going to record my general feelings...
Overall, this was a rather nice read, but there was nothing remarkable about it. Jamie and Audrey were likable characters, even though his womanizing behavior and his long-lasting refusal to talk about his "trauma" were a bit annoying. The plot was kind of predictable, and the love scenes were OK but didn't leave me "hot and bothered", which was disappointing considering this is a Blaze novel. My OCD is happy because I've finally managed to read all the books in this series, but that's about it.
I don't feel like writing a plot summary, so I'm just going to record my general feelings...
Overall, this was a rather nice read, but there was nothing remarkable about it. Jamie and Audrey were likable characters, even though his womanizing behavior and his long-lasting refusal to talk about his "trauma" were a bit annoying. The plot was kind of predictable, and the love scenes were OK but didn't leave me "hot and bothered", which was disappointing considering this is a Blaze novel. My OCD is happy because I've finally managed to read all the books in this series, but that's about it.
October 26, 2019
.
Listened to the audio and the reader was quite good.
Jamie and his 2 friends are ex-Rangers who owe Audrey's father a favour each for him helping them resign from the armed forces. They used to be 4 friends and are all haunted by the death of their comrade and close friend, Danny.
So the story starts with a quick review of Jamie and his manho ways. Not super detailed but not pretty either. Does this play a big part of the story. Nope, not at all. It's barely addressed after the characters are introduced.
Audrey is runs a relaxing camp for people who are burnt out by stress. She used to have a very stressful job and more stressful love life. Then she gave it all up for her camp and a douche bag boyfriend who doesn't require much from her. It's this douche bag that her father wants gone. So he sends in Jamie undercover to flirt with his daughter... BUT NOTHING ELSE. Heh, of course Jamie just can't resist her.
There's a suggestion of the paranormal in Audrey's powers of empathy. She's like 'super' empathic.
It was a predictable but satisfying quick listen. I was a little disappointed that nothing came of the build up of Jamie's naughty past. It didn't bother Audrey or give her pause.
But I still enjoyed it and loved the ending.
Safety is pretty good
Listened to the audio and the reader was quite good.
Jamie and his 2 friends are ex-Rangers who owe Audrey's father a favour each for him helping them resign from the armed forces. They used to be 4 friends and are all haunted by the death of their comrade and close friend, Danny.
So the story starts with a quick review of Jamie and his manho ways. Not super detailed but not pretty either. Does this play a big part of the story. Nope, not at all. It's barely addressed after the characters are introduced.
Audrey is runs a relaxing camp for people who are burnt out by stress. She used to have a very stressful job and more stressful love life. Then she gave it all up for her camp and a douche bag boyfriend who doesn't require much from her. It's this douche bag that her father wants gone. So he sends in Jamie undercover to flirt with his daughter... BUT NOTHING ELSE. Heh, of course Jamie just can't resist her.
There's a suggestion of the paranormal in Audrey's powers of empathy. She's like 'super' empathic.
It was a predictable but satisfying quick listen. I was a little disappointed that nothing came of the build up of Jamie's naughty past. It didn't bother Audrey or give her pause.
But I still enjoyed it and loved the ending.
Safety is pretty good
Want to read
November 12, 2017FREE on Amazon today (11/12/2017)!
August 11, 2016
4 Stars! ~ Ex-Ranger Jamie Flanagan carries a deep private burden. And to help him cope with that burden, Jamie has been living up to his reputation as a player with the ladies. Three months into his new civilian life, General Garrett calls in his favour. It seems his granddaughter Audrey has taken up with a most unsuitable match, and there’s been a marriage proposal. So the General has ordered Jamie to some R&R at Audrey’s destressing camp for executives called Unwind. And while there, Jamie is to put on the charm and show Audrey that there other fish in the sea than her cold-fish of a boyfriend. Audrey loves her grandfather dearly, but she knows there’s something more to his request that she personally look after his former Ranger. One look at Jamie and Audrey’s libido kicks up a notch, and she senses that Jamie feels that heat too. Audrey’s uncanny empathic abilities, tell her that Jamie has a pain so deep and sharp that it’s slowly killing him inside.
What a great read! Jamie knows from the get go, that he’s so screwed when it comes to keeping his hands off Audrey. She’s the General’s granddaughter, and Jamie’s been told in crystal clear terms that he is not to reach any base with her. This leads to some very comical scenes and internal dialogue, as Audrey too fights her attraction to Jamie. Ms. Nelson is the queen of the internal dialogue debate! They make a great couple, both flawed and filling needs in the other. This is a fun, sexy read with some serious elements as well. I’m looking forward to reading more about these wonderful strong, hunky heroes!
What a great read! Jamie knows from the get go, that he’s so screwed when it comes to keeping his hands off Audrey. She’s the General’s granddaughter, and Jamie’s been told in crystal clear terms that he is not to reach any base with her. This leads to some very comical scenes and internal dialogue, as Audrey too fights her attraction to Jamie. Ms. Nelson is the queen of the internal dialogue debate! They make a great couple, both flawed and filling needs in the other. This is a fun, sexy read with some serious elements as well. I’m looking forward to reading more about these wonderful strong, hunky heroes!
May 22, 2011
i read this, the first book of this series and enjoyed it. so i made the error of reading the three books one after another (is there more then three in the series? beats me - i'm not going further).
this is one of those rare situations that reading one of a series as a standalone makes it far more enjoyable then reading the whole series. why? because.they're.exactly.the.same. i understand there should be ties between stories to hold them into a series. but this is crazy. its not so much a series as three books with only details - like names - changed between them. seriously.
SPOILERS
- hot, alpha, ex-ranger - check
- intelligent but unlucky in love heroine - check
- hero is totally relationship phobic and has a mantra to live by to ensure no one gets close - check
- usual misunderstanding that elongates the story for no purpose - check
- guilt over dead member of ranger team preventing hero from falling completely - check
- understanding heroine gets hero to "talk" about said guilt, thereby opening the emotional floodgates - check
- smarmy HEA - check
would i recommend? maybe. if you got them for free, or you read them super spread apart. long enough between them that you don't immediately know the entire story line after the second paragraph.
this is one of those rare situations that reading one of a series as a standalone makes it far more enjoyable then reading the whole series. why? because.they're.exactly.the.same. i understand there should be ties between stories to hold them into a series. but this is crazy. its not so much a series as three books with only details - like names - changed between them. seriously.
SPOILERS
- hot, alpha, ex-ranger - check
- intelligent but unlucky in love heroine - check
- hero is totally relationship phobic and has a mantra to live by to ensure no one gets close - check
- usual misunderstanding that elongates the story for no purpose - check
- guilt over dead member of ranger team preventing hero from falling completely - check
- understanding heroine gets hero to "talk" about said guilt, thereby opening the emotional floodgates - check
- smarmy HEA - check
would i recommend? maybe. if you got them for free, or you read them super spread apart. long enough between them that you don't immediately know the entire story line after the second paragraph.
February 4, 2018
Meh, a lot of wordy back story on secondary characters. I know they’ll get they’re books too, but they took away from this book.
Also, bad editing! If your editor misses things like the wrong “your�, then he’s in the wrong profession.
Honestly, I liked the characters and the premise. I would have liked to see more page time with the main characters interacting and less of side characters.
Also, bad editing! If your editor misses things like the wrong “your�, then he’s in the wrong profession.
Honestly, I liked the characters and the premise. I would have liked to see more page time with the main characters interacting and less of side characters.
September 17, 2014
4.5 stars!
THE PLAYER was my first read by Rhonda Nelson and won't be the last. I really enjoyed her writing style, and this such a funny love story, too! :)
Why didn't I give it five stars? Jamie & Aubrey had such an amazing chemistry, but when they finally had sex� I was disappointed. It was short, and then afterwards supposedly they had sex a million other times, but we hear about it though never see the scene.
Since this is a Blaze, I just expected more in that department. Other than that, awesome book! :)
THE PLAYER was my first read by Rhonda Nelson and won't be the last. I really enjoyed her writing style, and this such a funny love story, too! :)
Why didn't I give it five stars? Jamie & Aubrey had such an amazing chemistry, but when they finally had sex� I was disappointed. It was short, and then afterwards supposedly they had sex a million other times, but we hear about it though never see the scene.
Since this is a Blaze, I just expected more in that department. Other than that, awesome book! :)
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July 8, 2011This guy's female "voice" is kinda creepy. Great voice for the Colonel, though.
Even though the sex scenes were "soak your panties" hot, I didn't really get into the story all that much. Wounded hero meets empath. Sex every other page.
Ok. I guess that's not such a bad thing. LOL
Even though the sex scenes were "soak your panties" hot, I didn't really get into the story all that much. Wounded hero meets empath. Sex every other page.
Ok. I guess that's not such a bad thing. LOL
January 25, 2021
Sexy start to a new series
5 stars
This was a fun, enjoyable romance that is the perfect start to a new series about Jamie and his two ex-military buddies, called Men Out of Uniform.
Jamie himself is a to-die-for hero. Sexy, rugged and alpha with a wounded soul to go along with it. And Audrey is the perfect match for him as he tries to rid himself of his demons while fighting his attraction to her. The chemistry is real, the sex scenes spicy and satisfying and there is enough humour to keep the book light. Although potentially dealing with some heavy issues such as ill-health, grief etc. - at no point does this book become melancholic or too dramatic - it's a romance and the author has written it as such.
As I mentioned, this is the first book in a new series by Rhonda Nelson withÌýÌýandÌý following on from this.
All in all, this is a better example of a Blaze romance - fun, sexy, smart and definitely worth a read. 5 stars.
October 31, 2017
If you are looking for something that is light and sassy, with some sorrow and pain, lots of laughter and of course, love, throw in an overbearing Colonel/grandfather and a meddling assistant/friend, a mastiff for a protector and an egotistical baboon for a boyfriend, then stop looking and start reading, as you've just found it! The author has a wonderful talent that shows perfectly in this easy flowing story that will have you rolling with laughter one minute and crying like a baby the next. Definitely worth the read, and hoping that the rest of the series is as whimsical, intriguing and interesting as this one. Well done!
March 15, 2018
I read this series a very long time ago and maybe my tastes have changed but I didn’t love it like I remembered. Don’t get me wrong, I liked it and I would recommend it. This is about Jamie and Audrey. Jaimie is recently out of the Rangers and he promised a favor to his commanding officer to come at a later date.
Audrey is his “favor�, she is the favorite granddaughter of his CO. Once he gets to her retreat thinking he is going to protect her he finds out her grandfather had another motive for sending him. They quickly fall in love but can their new relationship withstand the lies and her grandfathers machinations?
Audrey is his “favor�, she is the favorite granddaughter of his CO. Once he gets to her retreat thinking he is going to protect her he finds out her grandfather had another motive for sending him. They quickly fall in love but can their new relationship withstand the lies and her grandfathers machinations?
October 5, 2017
The Player
This book pretty much had it all. Alpha male, strong female. Lots of humor, steamy sex scenes and true love. I really enjoyed reading it and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
This book pretty much had it all. Alpha male, strong female. Lots of humor, steamy sex scenes and true love. I really enjoyed reading it and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
February 26, 2018
interesting
A great story about finding your way after loading a friend in service. And have a old commander holding a favor over the 3 of you. Yours include helping his grown granddaughter.
A great story about finding your way after loading a friend in service. And have a old commander holding a favor over the 3 of you. Yours include helping his grown granddaughter.
April 5, 2018
The Player
Great book. I liked the way the characters worked together. Tawanda was a trip. She gave the story comedy. James and Audrey were good together. Can't wait to see who's next.
Great book. I liked the way the characters worked together. Tawanda was a trip. She gave the story comedy. James and Audrey were good together. Can't wait to see who's next.
June 3, 2018
LOTS better book than the title (or bare chest on the cover) suggests, although it fits - this was quite a moving story and I enjoyed every word.... and that makes me continue on to read the next in the series.....
July 31, 2021
Great Series Kick-off
This as a delightful romance. Beautiful woman, hot former military guy, romance with a little spice, hardly anything better! I loved it! Can't wait to go get the next book and see what Payne's favor involves.
This as a delightful romance. Beautiful woman, hot former military guy, romance with a little spice, hardly anything better! I loved it! Can't wait to go get the next book and see what Payne's favor involves.
December 3, 2017
Awesome
I really enjoyed this book. 1st in the series and is so pulled me in and am super excited to read 2nd book.
I really enjoyed this book. 1st in the series and is so pulled me in and am super excited to read 2nd book.
December 31, 2017
Great book!!! Loved every minute of it!! Highly recommend. I can't wait to read the rest of the books!!
February 8, 2019
Good read
I liked the book even though it is the standard military romance. It is still a pleasant and enjoyable romance.
I liked the book even though it is the standard military romance. It is still a pleasant and enjoyable romance.
March 2, 2020
5+ Star's
I chose this rating because this book was funny, steamy, and romantic, and thoroughly enjoyable, and each character is intriguing both male, and female.
I chose this rating because this book was funny, steamy, and romantic, and thoroughly enjoyable, and each character is intriguing both male, and female.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
August 31, 2020
Lift up to the billing
January 16, 2021
HBZ #255 = 3+ stars
November 3, 2022
I love this book so much
September 3, 2014
It was nice to read a romance where the two main characters don't resist each other for most of the book. Derrick showing up in the middle of the Garrett v. Jamie argument would have been nice, but I really have no complaints. This was a light and fluffy read that kept me from getting bored at work.
I'd definitely recommend this to my female friends. Wouldn't want to give the guys any ideas.
I'd definitely recommend this to my female friends. Wouldn't want to give the guys any ideas.
December 28, 2012
Jamie Flanagan owed Colonel Garrett a favor. How else would he have ended up at a “distressing� camp in Maine called Unwind? No on his own, that’s for damn sure ...
Read the rest of this review .
Read the rest of this review .
August 14, 2010
Another fast hitting love story interesting and fun, but no real depth to it
September 6, 2011
It was ok. I found the plot pretty flimsy. The more I think about it the more it irritates me. Meh.
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April 19, 2012Don't remember. Bought may 2010 paid $3.40
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