We love Entangled Brazen Books, so it was a no brainer when we were invited to participate in the blog tour for Played by Clare James. We were lucky enough to sit down and chat with Clare about her latest title. We’ve also got a fun giveaway to share with you. First, here’s what Clare had to say in our interview:
***INTERVIEW***
I am so excited to talk to you about Played! I have mad love for this romance!
Played is about what happens when a down-on-his-luck cowboy meets an ambitious southern belle dead set on repairing his singing career. And if she wants to save her own job in PR, she has to turn her cowboy into the next country music singing sensation. In just four weeks!
Having my heroine, Melody Sharp, make over the rugged and ornery Aaron Major was the most fun to write. But also, there is a sex scene that I’ve NEVER put in a book before. So that was really, really fun 🙂
I have a PR background, so I’m good there, but I did have to do quite a bit of research on the country music scene.
A smart sassy southern belle who’s never met a Lilly Pulitzer dress she didn’t love, or a man she didn’t think she could fix.
Aaron has the classic good looks, amazing body, and a sexy way about him that would make anyone swoon. But it’s his vulnerability—with his family, his music, his love—that will make you weak in the knees.
Right now? Tired, hungry, happy. But really, that’s me always.
Gabe from my Quick and Dirty series is pretty damn swoon worthy. He and Aaron are running neck and neck!
I have one more book in the Elite PR series with Entangled Brazen. And another series that I hope to announce really soon.
Can we make your book into a movie?
I hope you love reading as much as I did writing!
***About Clare James***
Clare James writes contemporary romance and new adult novels with spunky heroines and sexier-than-sin heroes. Her books have made several best-selling lists including the tender love stories in the Impossible Love series; the steamy romantic comedy Dirty Little Lies; and the touching family drama Wednesday. She’s also the author of a new series with Entangled’s Brazen line about the women of Elite PR and their very naughty clients. The first two books in the series are out now!
A former dancer, Clare still loves to get her groove on – mostly to work off her beloved cupcakes and red wine. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and young son, and is always on social media chatting with readers.
***About the Book***

Series: Elite PR #2
Published by Entangled: Brazen on October 19, 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Falling for Client
Character(s): Cowboys, Rockstars/Musicians
Pages: 203
Goodreads Buy the Book
Play. Or be played.
The music should be enough. End of story. But Aaron Major is finding out it's not, and now his agent has hired a firm of suits to help launch his debut album, turning his life into a goddamn circus. Smile here. Play there. Be nice. Well, screw that. If Aaron wanted to spend his time shaking hands and kissing babies, he would've gone into politics.
Helping launch the career of country singer Aaron Major should be a cakewalk for PR pro Melody Sharp. Aaron is charming, sexy, and oh-so-appealing when he's on stage. Off stage, though, he's her worst nightmare. A stubborn, ornery, reclusive nightmare without a lick of business-or fashion-sense. The only way he's going to make it in music is with a serious makeover-and quite possibly a personality transplant.
Soon, they're engaged in a game of give and take, and though it's Melody calling the shots, it's Aaron who holds all control...
***Our Thoughts***
Kassiah: So. I don’t love cowboys (usually), but I do like Rockstar Romances. I’m going to overlook the fact that Aaron is a country star and just focus on the musicianship. ( 😉 ) Melody is a PR girl and sets her professional sites on Aaron. Aaron just wants to launch his career. It’s a case of opposites attract and falling for the client when they can’t stay away from each other. Will it be enough or will they let their pasts (and presents) stand in their way of true love?
I wasn’t crazy about this one. Yes, the characters had chemistry, and I really liked Aaron. Melody was okay, but I just didn’t buy into their whole relationship. The pacing was sort of slow, but it was a fast read. Steamy chemistry and a rockstar romance plot wasn’t enough to make me up for the slow pacing and general dislike of the heroine in Played.
- {Review} Heartland by Sarina Bowen (with Excerpt) - January 31, 2020
- {Cover Reveal} Moonlighter by Sarina Bowen (with Giveaway) - September 26, 2019
- {Spotlight} The DNA of You and Me by Andrea Rothman - March 26, 2019
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Overall: | 3 |
***GIVEAWAY***
Good luck and don’t forget to check out the other stops on the blog tour for Played by Clare James!