Stone (Pittsburgh Titans 2) by Sawyer Bennett-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 1, 2022.

Minor league player Stone Dumelin lost his younger brother when the Titans’ team plane went down. He never expected the phone call that followed.

After a shoulder injury put my NHL career on ice, I resigned myself to the fact I’d never see my way out of the minor league again. As my career faded, my estranged brother’s star shot into orbit as the first line left winger for the Pittsburgh Titans. But when the team’s plane crashed returning home one night, his light was snuffed out, and I was given the opportunity of a lifetime.

Now I’m in Pittsburgh, playing for the Titans, and face-to-face with my dead brother’s ghost at every turn. His locker, his legacy, his persistent and annoyingly gorgeous attorney who won’t stop contacting me about his estate, even though I’ve demanded she leave me alone.

Harlow Alston would be extremely appealing if she wasn’t so aggravating. Only…that’s a complete lie. She pushes all the right buttons for me, and as much as I want her to quit pestering me about Brooks’s estate, I find myself intrigued by the fiery redhead who can’t take no for an answer. And the more I learn about Harlow, the more I find she might be the key to understanding who Brooks really was, and who I want to be.

I’ve got a second shot at a career I thought I’d lost and the opportunity to build something real with Harlow, but can I find strength to move forward or will my past dictate my future?

••••••

REVIEW:STONE is the second instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult PITTSBURGH TITANS hockey, romance series-a spin off from the author’s ARIZONA VENGEANCE series. This is left winger Stone Dumelin, and attorney Harlow Alston’s story line. STONE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: If you have not read the author’s Arizona Vengeance series, there may be spoilers in my review. Most of the events of STONE run parallel to, and cross over with the events of book one BADEN.

SOME BACKGROUND: Several weeks earlier, a devastating plane crashed claimed the lives of the entire Pittsburgh Titans hockey team including coaches and staff. Rebuilding the team, owner Brienne Norcross, offered positions to one-time professional and semi-pro players, including our story line hero.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Stone and Harlow) STONE follows the building romance and relationship between left winger Stone Dumelin, and attorney Harlow Alston. Stone Dumelin lost his younger brother Brooks in the plane crash that claimed the lives of the Pittsburgh Titans professional hockey team but when the new owner offered Stone a position on the rebuilding team, Stone struggled with what was and what will never be but an insistent attorney for his brother’s estate forces Stone to look at the bigger picture, a picture of which Stone knew little about. Enter attorney Harlow Alston, and the woman with whom Stone will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Stone and Harlow, and the potential fall-out as Stone struggles with secrets revealed, and his position in the life of Harlow Alston.

Stone Dumelin had been estranged from his younger brother Brooks for many years, an estrangement forced and built by someone they both knew. Unable to forgive himself or his brother Stone struggles going forward until Harlow reveals some truths, and the special place Stone had always held in his brother’s life. Harlow Alston battles her own demons on a daily basis but the loss of Brooks means more than anyone ever knew. Hoping to ease the suffering of Brooks’ brother Stone, Harlow offers up some friendship and advise, watching from the sidelines in case Stone’s life implodes.

The relationship between Stone and Harlow begins in the aftermath of the plane crash that took the life of Brooks Dumelin. Harlow is a representative for the estate of Brooks Dumelin, and Stone struggles with the demons that continue to drive a wedge between the once tight-knit brothers. As Stone slowly discovers the truth about what happened and why, Harlow becomes his angel and support when things spiral out of control. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include the members of the Pittsburgh Titans: Gage Heyward, Coen Highsmith, head coach Matt Keller,and team owner Brienne Norcross, as well as goalie coach Baden Oulett. We are introduced to Stone’s parents Mason and Nancy Dumelin, and his aunt Bethany; Harlow’s parents Robert and Celia, and Harlow’s assistant Bonita.

STONE is a story of family and fractured relationships, betrayal and trust; obsession and greed; struggled and loss. The character driven premise is emotional, revealing and tragic; the romance is intimate and edgy; the characters are edgy and dynamic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one BADEN

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two.

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