Shadowboxer (Tapped Out) Paperback – February 4, 2014

I remember when I finished reading my very first Cari Quinn book thinking to myself that this author was something special and with each book I'm convinced not only is she special but she is truly a gifted author. It doesn't matter if she's writing sweeter romance, new adult romance, or erotic romance she manages to dig deep and give the reader everything they could want and more and Shadowboxer is a prime example of that effort. This is not an easy story, the romance is far from pretty, the hero is on his way to getting his life together, and the heroine is carrying scars so deep I often wondered if she would survive yet I simply could not put this book down. It is emotional, it is raw, it is gritty, it is painful and yet it is unbelievable beautiful.Mia Anderson is an underground MMA fighter who is determined to fight the top male fighter in NYC so she finally has enough money for her and her younger sister to move on and start a new life; one they both so richly deserve. Mia's life has not been pretty; a rape survivor who has done whatever she's had to do survive and save money for the next leg in her life's journey. She has a plan, she has goals, and now she just needs to convince Tray "Fox" Knox to fight her; she just doesn't expect for him to wake up her long dormant hormones.Tray really doesn't know what to expect when Mia approaches him about fighting other than there is no way he's going to fight a woman. He quickly realizes Mia is unlike any other woman he has ever crossed paths with and he'll do anything to keep her in his sights even if that mean fighting her but he never intends to lose his heart.So wow, I really loved having a female MMA heroine; Mia is one tough chick but as this story progress we come to realize that the toughness is something she's developed to cover up how messed up she is inside and believe me Mia has some very good reasons for being messed up. It was very fun watching Mia throw Tray for a loop and the fact that she didn't let him get away with anything. She had every reason not to want to be with a guy like Tray but as she got to know him she realized he was much more than the family in which we as born.Tray was one of those heroes that is so very easy to fall in love with because even though he's this tough MMA fighter it's almost like a role he plays. I love that Tray saw all sides of Mia and that he wasn't turned off by her prickliness and that he accepted everything about her past even if some of it was truly ugly. He didn't judge, he simply wanted to understand and to help even when she was just so stubborn and would refuse.There was just such a special bond between these two right from the start but it was a complicated bond. There was some mutual admiration and respect, there was a whole lot of sexual tension, but there was also this underlying feeling of rightness when they were together. I can't even begin to explain the complicated relationship these two had or the many things they had to work through on their way to finding happiness but each step was important and while sometimes those steps were brutal they all served to build the unbreakable bond between them.If you are wanting a sappy heart, flowers, and rainbows romance this isn't the book for you, but if you want to read the story of two people who have to really work to be together, who WANT to work to be together even when they aren't sure it's the best thing, and two people who share such a strong bond that not even the past or judgmental relatives can break them apart then this book is for you. Shadowboxer story is emotionally gripping, undeniably sexy, and superbly told by an author who is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite authors.

What a wonderful book! I got this book because it was free and it was about a female MMA fighter and I thought it might be nice to read a book with a strong heroine. I expected it to be entertaining but I was pleasantly surprised with how good the book was.This book will make you laugh, cry, feel pissed off, smile, and feel overwhelmingly frustrated, sometimes all on the same page! This is the story of Mia, an MMA fighter who is trying to get Tray "Fox" Knox to fight her so she can win a big purse and move away to a smaller place (the book takes place in NY) with her younger sister Carly. Tray initially refuses to fight her but he is clearly attracted to her. Tray is a self-described 'rich' boy who dropped out of college to fight to irritate his parents and to make his own mark in the world.The book chronicles the dance of lust, attraction, admiration, and finally love between the couple, but fasten you seat belts because its a real bumpy road with lots of detours to their HEA. Mia has a history of abuse and abduction, and the author does an excellent job in describing the emotional angst that Mia goes thru trying to keep her history a secret from Tray. As a result of her history of abuse, Mia has some major issues with trust and she expends a lot of emotional energy pushing Tray away.Let me say that the love scenes between these two is top notch: steamy, sensuous, and at times touching. I won't disclose any spoilers but there is a scene at the end when Mia finally lets Tray in that is to cry for, literally. Tray is the man that we want our daughters to fall in love with.While the topic of abuse is dark, I wouldn't describe this as a dark book. There are parts that are really funny and I liked the fact that the story is told from both Mia's and Tray's POV. You will also like the secondary characters, especially Carly, Kizzy and Slater, who will hopefully be featured in future books.My one complaint, which other reviewers also noted was that it was hard to believe that Mia was only 21 and Tray was 23. Way too wise and mature to be that young. Also the author made it sound like Tray was 'old' as a fighter, are you kidding?! Professional athletes are remaining in sports well into their 30's now and it was clear that while Tray was losing his motivation to fight, physically he could still be at the top of his game. The way the characters are portrayed, it would have been more believable if Mia was in her mid 20's (25-27) and Tray was closer to 30.Still, it's a really good book and I plan to read the next book in the series!

Wow what a story!I'd seen this book recommended on a couple of blogs and I was intrigued by the synopsis and once I saw the price - 49p on Amazon UK or 80c on Amazon.com - well what did I have to lose?Afterall it promised illegal cage fights which guaranteed some hot bad boys, hopefully covered in tattoos. It also had something I'd not come across before - women participating in illegal cage fights.What I hadn't picked up from the synopsis was how emotional the background history was going to be, the demons that Mia (the female main character) had to live with every day and the impact that that also had on her younger sister, Carly.Tray, aka Fox, (the main Male character) is a hunk of a cage fighter with reasons of his own for doing what he does.Throw the two together and ......... well you get the book I've just finished!This book contains topics that readers may find difficult to read along with profanity, sex and violence but it also contains the most wonderful love story and a HEA.Can't wait for book 2 in the series !

It's refreshing to have a fighting novel from the female point of view - she is so focused on what she needs for herself and her sister that her single minded determination almost makes her miss out on something important. Damn good - read it

Really enjoyed this book, loved the story line. Fox or better known as Trey was a patient man waiting for Mia to realise that he was the one for her ! Hope there is a follow up

Some books don't get the credit it deserves this book had me from the first page just loved it it all feels so real just read it it won't disappoint

This book is written in the two lead characters pov. A good story line. A page Turner once you get going. Very emotional. A good read.