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A Kiss for a Kiss (All In)by Helena Hunting-Review & Excerpt Tour

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A Kiss for a Kiss (All In 4) by Helena Hunting-Review & Excerpt Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 27, 2021

I’m Jake Masterson, single dad, and the General Manager of Seattle’s NHL team. I walked away from a career as a player so I could raise my daughter. For the last twenty-plus years, Queenie has been my main priority, but now she’s getting married.

And there’s a small complication.

A beautiful, sexy complication named Hanna.

She’s my son-in-law’s older sister. Or at least that’s how they were raised. The truth is a little more scandalous than that.

I’ve been drawn to her from the moment I laid eyes on her. And I spent months trying to keep a lid on that attraction.

Until we finally give in.

It starts with one searing kiss, but quickly ends with us between the sheets—and in the shower, and the hot tub, you get the picture—and turns into months of sneaking around.

Here’s the problem: we live on opposite ends of the country. It can’t be anything but casual. And as I’ve already said…it’s complicated.

But when Hanna finds out she’s pregnant…suddenly things get real serious.

••••••

REVIEW:A KISS FOR A KISS is the fourth instalment in Helena Hunting’s contemporary, adult ALL IN erotic, romance series focusing on the members of the NHL’s Seattle expansion team. This is forty-something GM/single father Jake Masterson, and forty-six year old, accountant/art teacher Hanna Kingston’s story line. A KISS FOR A KISS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading book three A SECRET FOR A SECRET.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Hanna and Jake) A KISS FOR A KISS follows the secret relationship between forty-something GM/single father Jake Masterson, and forty-six year old, accountant/art teacher Hanna Kingston. Hanna Kingston and Jake Masterson are having an affair, a relationship on the down low in the weeks following their children’s engagment. Jake’s daughter Queenie is engaged to Hanna’s son/brother (see A Secret for a Secret) Ryan, and on the night of the engagement party Hanna and Jake took their relationship to the next level. Fast forward three months wherein Hanna discovers she is pregnant with Jake’s child, a child neither one was prepared for or expecting. As the days turn into months Hanna’s high risk pregnancy forces our heroine to consider a move from Tennessee to Seattle where she can live close to her son, and the father of her child. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Hanna and Jake as they must reconsider the future now that their lives are about to change.

The relationship between Jake and Hanna is sexually charged but Hanna lives in Tennessee and Jake lives in Seattle, and a long distance relationship gets up close and personal as the wedding arrangements come fast and furious. Both Jake and Hanna struggled in their earlier years –Jake giving up a professional hockey career to raise his daughter on his own, and Hanna watching as her own son believes she is someone else. Hoping for a do-over, Hanna and Jake work together to become the parents they never have the chance to, years before. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Most of the previous story line couples return as secondary and supporting characters: Bishop and Stevie (A Favor for a Favor #2), Stevie’s brother Rook ‘RJ’ Bowman and his wife Lainey ( A Lie for a Lie #1), Ryan and Queen (A Secret for a Secret 3) and coach Alex Waters and his wife Violet, as well as Hanna’s parents and her brother Gerald.

A KISS FOR A KISS is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love. A story of second chances (of a sorts) for two people whose lives are about to change. The premise is heart warming and engaging; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are mature, energetic, accepting and strong.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
A Lie for a Lie
A Favor for a Favor
A Secret for a Secret

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

“You’re trouble tonight, aren’t you?” Her fingertips dance along my traps as she brushes past me. “And yes, to answer your question, I did, in fact, bring the red bikini.”
She disappears down the hall to the spare bedroom, where she’s sleeping tonight. Because I invited her to stay at my place this weekend rather than at King’s. It’s not that she isn’t welcome there. It’s more that she wants them to have their privacy. It also means I get more time with Hanna, so it’s a win all the way around. And I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been thinking a lot about time alone with her this weekend.
I change into my swim trunks, pour myself a scotch, heavy on the rocks, and her a glass of wine before I make my way outside. I set the drinks on the outdoor dining table, remove the hot tub cover and check the temperature, making sure it’s not too hot.
Once I carry the drinks over and set them in the cup holders, I sink into the hot, bubbly water, stretch my arms out, let my head fall back and my eyes close. All the time I’ve been spending with Hanna is starting to get to me.
Reminding me that I’m in my forties, and very much still a bachelor. There are a lot of reasons why getting involved with Hanna on a romantic level would not be a good idea. Queenie and King’s relationship being at the forefront.
But she’s fun. And sexy. And we get each other.
A minute later, the sound of the sliding door opening and closing and the slap of flip-flops against the deck have me cracking a lid.
“You better not be sleeping already!” she calls out.
“Not sleeping, just waiting on you.”
I watch as she pulls the tie on her robe and the terry fabric slips over her shoulders, revealing that red bikini I’m such a fan of. Hanna is all curves. Amazing curves. The kind I’ve fantasized about putting my hands on plenty of times over the past several months. And with us spending a lot more time together, it’s been hard not to give in to the constant draw.
I rise from the water and hold out a hand as she climbs the steps. Her fingers slip into my palm, sending a jolt down my spine and a stirring inside my swim trunks.
“Could you try to be a little less beautiful all the time?”I tease as I help her into the tub. “Could you try to have more of a dad bod?” She drags her fingers down my abs, brows waggling, a smile on her gorgeous face. “You are definitely good for my ego, Jake.” She pats me on the chest and sinks into the water on the opposite side of the tub from me.
Which is probably a good thing since I feel like we’re playing with fire tonight. The kind I wouldn’t mind pouring a gallon of gasoline on just to watch it burn brighter.
“That was a great engagement party. I think the kids had fun, don’t you?”She stretches her legs out. Her toes skim the outside of my thigh and I barely resist the urge to run my hand up her calf.
I don’t know what’s in the air tonight, but things seem…different. Heightened.
“Yeah. It was good,” I agree. She pokes me with her toe. “Then why are you frowning? You’ve been off all night. What’s going on?” With all the planning and talks we’ve been having, Hanna and I have gotten to know each other better. And she can read me pretty easily.
“I don’t know. On one hand, I’m happy for King and Queenie and I know he’s going to be a great husband to my daughter, but I spent all these years raising her, and being there for her. They’ve been living together for months, but for some reason, it’s all kind of hitting me. It’s real now.” I take a sip of my scotch. “It’s different from when she went away to college, and even when she moved out of the pool house and in with King. There’s this hole I didn’t expect.”
“It sounds like empty nester’s syndrome.” She moves to the spot beside to me, where the glass of wine I poured her sits.
“Is that what this is? I’m all morose and shit.”
She chuckles and props her elbow on the edge of the tub. “You need to look at it with a fresh perspective, that’s all. You’re not losing your daughter. It’s different with girls. Sure, she’s found her partner in life, but she’s always going to be your baby girl. And the two of you are so close.”
“I don’t know what to do with all of this freedom,” I admit. “My entire life up to this point has been revolved around raising Queenie and my career.”
“Which means you did your job. And that’s a good thing. Think about it, Jake. This is the great part about having a kid young. Sure, you lost out on the freedom of your twenties, but in some ways, this is even better. You’re in your forties. You have a great job, you’re in incredible shape.” She twists and pulls her knee up so it rests against my thigh, her arm extending along the back of the tub, fingertips skimming my . “You have all of your hair.”
“I’m definitely grateful for the last one,” I joke.
“You have great hair.” She runs her fingers through it. “It’s sexy.” She bites her lip and then shakes her head. “Anyway, what I’m saying is, you’re in the prime of your life. Most people in their forties are raising teens, or maybe their kids are getting ready to go to college. You’ve done all that. Now you can just live. You can date. Have fun. Do whatever you want.”
“Fun would be good.”My gaze drops to her lips. “And I’d like to do whatever I want.”
“Me, too.” Her bottom lip slides through her teeth. “Like right now I could kiss you.”
“You definitely could.” I skim her thigh under the water with my fingertips.
She nods. “There’s nothing stopping us.”
“So why aren’t your lips on mine yet?” I ask.
Hanna shifts again, her wet palms come to rest on either side of my jaw, and she presses her soft lips to mine.
I slip my hand under her hair and wrap it around the back of her neck. For a moment, I question whether this is a good idea. But when our lips part and our tongues meet, I forget all the reasons why it might not be.
I groan as I sink into the kiss and our tongues tangle. She tastes fruity, like the wine she’s been drinking. She straddles me and settles in my lap, her breasts pressing against my chest.
She breaks the kiss for a moment and our eyes meet. “I’ve been thinking about this for months.”
“I’ve wanted to know what your lips taste like since the first day I met you,”


 

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FOLLOW: NYT and USA Today Bestselling author of The PUCKED Series, Helena Hunting lives outside of Toronto with her amazing family and her two awesome cats, who think the best place to sleep is her keyboard. Helena writes everything from contemporary romance to romance comedy, sports romance and angsty new adult romance.
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A SECRET FOR A SECRET (All In #3) by Helena Hunting-a review

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A SECRET FOR A SECRET (All In #3) by Helena Hunting-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 12, 2020.

My name is Ryan Kingston, and I’m a rule follower. I’ve never been in a fistfight. I always obey the speed limit. I don’t get drunk, and I definitely don’t pick up random women at bars.

Except the night I found out that my whole existence has been a lie.

I got drunk. And picked up a stranger.

Her name was Queenie, and she was everything I’m not: reckless, impulsive, and chaotic. We did shots and traded secrets. And ended up naked at my place.

She left me a thank-you note in the morning and her panties as a parting gift. But no way to contact her.

Six weeks later I’m sitting in the first official team meeting of the season, and there she is. I neglected to mention that I’m the goalie for Seattle’s NHL team.

And Queenie? Turns out she’s the general manager’s daughter.

•••••••••

REVIEW: A SECRET FOR A SECRET is the third instalment in Helena Hunting’s contemporary, adult ALL IN erotic, hockey romance series focusing on the members of the NHL’s Seattle expansion team. This is thirty year old, Seattle goalie Ryan Kingston, and twenty-four year old PA / artist Queenie Masterson’s story line. A SECRET FOR A SECRET can be read as stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ryan and Queenie) A SECRET FOR A SECRET follows the forbidden relationship between thirty year old, Seattle goalie Ryan Kingston, and twenty-four year old PA / artist Queenie Masterson. Queenie Masterson is the only daughter of Seattle’s General Manager Jake Masterson, and as such our heroine is off-limits to the hockey players but several weeks earlier, Queenie spent a one-night stand with a sexy stranger struggling with some earth shattering news of his own, a stranger who happened to be Seattle’s first string goalie. Enter Ryan Kingston, the man with whom Queenie will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Queenie and Ryan, and the potential fall-out as Queenie’s past demands reparations, and Ryan’s past comes looking for a second chance.

Ryan Kingston is the personification of perfection; a clean cut “boy-scout” who has fallen for the GM’s daughter but all is not well in Queenie’s life when her ex-boyfriend is the latest player to be traded to the Seattle team, a team that battles to accept the trade for a man whose reputation both on and off the ice precedes his introduction to his new team. A frenzy ensues when secrets and lies are released to the media, a frenzy that forces Queenie to run from the man that she loves.

The relationship between Queenie and Ryan begins as a one-night stand that will soon turn into something more, with the blessing of General Manager Jake Masterson but Queenie struggles with demons from her past, demons that are about to reveal a long-kept secret. As Ryan and Queenie’s relationship heats up, there are people in the back ground desperate to tear them apart. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Queenie’s father Jake Masterson; her ex-boyfriend Corey Slater and his fiance Sissy, as well as Ryan’s brother Gerald, mother, and mom-ster Hannah. We are reintroduced to Bishop and Stevie (A Favor for a Favor #2), Stevie’s brother Rook ‘RJ’ Bowman and his wife Lainey ( A Lie for a Lie #1) and coach Alex Waters and his wife Violet, and their daughter Lavender.

A SECRET FOR A SECRET is a story of family, friendships, secrets and lies; a story of revelations and heart break; of acceptance and love. The premise is captivating; the romance is steamy and hot; the characters are dynamic and seductive.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
A Lie for a Lie
A Favor for a Favor

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Haven’t started the series? Books 1 and 2 are only $1.99 OR £0.99 each (or less) for a limited time

A LIE FOR A LIE: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

A FAVOR FOR A FAVOR: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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FOLLOW: NYT and USA Today Bestselling author of The PUCKED Series, Helena Hunting lives outside of Toronto with her amazing family and her two awesome cats, who think the best place to sleep is her keyboard. Helena writes everything from contemporary romance to romance comedy, sports romance and angsty new adult romance.
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A Favor for a Favor by Helena Hunting-Review & Giveaway Tour

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A FAVOR FOR A FAVOR (All In #2) by Helena Hunting-Review & Giveaway tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / Chapters Indigo Paper /

About the book: Release Date January 28, 2020

When I joined Seattle’s NHL expansion team, I thought it was the start of something great. But nothing ever goes the way you expect. Take my introduction to my new neighbor. She came rolling in on the hot mess express at midnight, making a racket while she tried to get into my team captain’s apartment. Did I mention that he’s married to a woman who definitely was not her?

Imagine my surprise when I end up with an injury that has me out of the game for weeks, and she’s the one to offer to help me. I should probably add that she’s not the captain’s mistress. She’s his sexy, pastel-haired younger sister.

So we come up with an arrangement: she rehabs me so that I can get back on the ice sooner, and she can add a professional athlete that isn’t her brother to her client list. Seems simple enough. As long as I can keep my hands to myself and my hormones in check.

••••••••••

REVIEW: A FAVOR FOR A FAVOR is the second instalment in Helena Hunting’s contemporary, adult ALL IN erotic, romance series focusing on NHL’s newest expansion team from Seattle. This is Seattle team member Bishop Winslow, and twenty-four year old, physiotherapist Stevie Bowman’s story line. A FAVOR FOR A FAVOR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. The ALL IN series is a spin off from the author’s PUCKED series but you do not have to have read the original series to follow.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Bishop and Stevie) A FAVOR FOR A FAVOR follows the teammate’s little sister/enemies to lovers relationship between Seattle ‘s newest forward Bishop Winslow, and twenty-four year old, physiotherapist Stevie Bowman. Stevie Bowman’s life was spiralling out of control: a move to Seattle to start a new job and join her boyfriend finds our heroine homeless when she discovers said boyfriend in bed with another woman. Leaning on her brother for support, Stevie moves into Rook Bowman’s vacant apartment only to come face to face with his new neighbor, a man who pushes all of Stevie’s buttons and more. Enter Seattle’s newest defenseman Bishop Winslow, and the man with whom Stevie will fall in love. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Stevie and Bishop, and the potential fall-out when their relationship is discovered by Stevie’s brother, and the team coach.

Stevie Bowman had no idea what to expect when she moved to Seattle but finding her boyfriend in bed with someone else was never on her mind. Moving into her brother’s vacant apartment, Stevie will encounter Bishop Winslow, an irritating a$$hole who believes Stevie is nothing more than a desperate puck bunny looking to hook up with Seattle’s team captain. Bishop Winslow couldn’t believe the nerve of the woman moving into Rook Bowman’s apartment but a pre-season injury finds Winslow facing down his new neighbour when he discovers that Stevie is a physio-therapist, and the person who will help Bishop in his daily recovery.

The relationship between Bishop and Stevie begins acrimoniously. Bishop is all bark, and Stevie isn’t taking any of his crap. But an injured Bishop forces Stevie to make an offer Bishop cannot refuse-a favor for a favor-that will benefit both. The $ex scenes are limited but spicy and hot.

We are reintroduced to Stevie’s brother Rook ‘RJ’ Bowman and his wife Lainey, and coach Alex Waters and his wife Violet, as well as goalie Ryan Kingston: Bishop’s brother Nolan Winslow who struggles daily with his health; physiotherapists Pattie and Jules: and Stevie’s ex boyfriend Joey Smuck-yep Joey Smuck. Ryan’s story line is next in A Secret for a Secret.

A FAVOR FOR A FAVOR is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; of stubborn men, and stronger women. The premise is entertaining and captivating; the slow building romance is passionate and seductive; the characters are colorful and energetic-the back and forth banter is often playful and fun.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one A LIE FOR A LIE

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

“Say you were taking a woman to a formal work function. Would you get her flowers or something?” I’ve gone on my fair share of dates, had a few relationships, but I’ve never been one for hearts and flowers or any of that bull. I’m thinking I might need to do that with Stevie, though, since she’s been screwed over pretty hard.

“Is this a date or a favor for a friend?”

“I guess she thinks I’m doing her a favor.” At least that was the impression that I got when I offered to go with her.

“Is that actually what you’re doing?”

“Yes and no.”

“Can you give me a little more to go on?”

“Her ex is going to be there and I don’t want her to go alone.”

“You don’t want her to go alone because you’re worried he’ll be a jerk or he’ll try to take advantage of her?”

“Sure, yeah, that’s part of the reason.”

“Instead of me dragging the information out of you, why don’t you lay it down for me?”

“So, Stevie—”

“Hold up, we’re back to Rook’s little sister?”

“Who else would I be talking about?”

“I thought you said there isn’t anything going on between you, and now you’re taking her to some kind of work function? That’s not a favor; that’s a date. Does Rook know?”

“It’s none of his damn business.”

“I’m not sure he’ll see it that way.”

“Well, he doesn’t have control over her or what she does, or what I do.” I’m agitated now. “She’s not going to that thing alone. I don’t trust that ex of hers, and I don’t want her to end up in a situation she doesn’t like.”

Kingston tips his head to the side. “Dang.”

“What?”

“You like her.”

“Well, yeah, I like her.” What’s not to like? She’s gorgeous, and she’s funny and feisty; her body is rockin’; and she’s fun to be around, super chill, and genuinely selfless.

“Like you actually want to date her, though.”

I shrug, because what am I going to say? The answer to that is yes, I want to date her, but the timing needs to be right. “I don’t want the ex thinking he has another chance.“

“You really love complicated situations, don’t you?”

“They just tend to find me, is all.”

“When’s this event you’re supposed to take her to?” King asks.

“Saturday.”

He frowns. “We get back at noon on Saturday.”

“It’s in the evening.”

“You better hope our flight isn’t delayed.”

I hadn’t considered a delay. The only reason that would happen is if the weather isn’t good. “It doesn’t start until five. I should have plenty of time to get home and throw a suit on.”

Kingston nods and taps restlessly on the edge of the pool. “So would you call this your first date?”

“We hang out all the time.”

“‘Hang out’ meaning what?”

“Other than PT sessions, we watch hockey, eat pizza, stuff like that.”

Kingston blinks several times in rapid succession. “That’s it?”

“I pick her up from work a lot.”

“Have you ever bought her flowers before? Brought her any gifts?”

“I brought her over an aloe plant once. But, like I said, it hasn’t been like that.” I don’t get why he’s so hung up on the flowers.

“Again, please try not to take offense, but are you sure you haven’t inadvertently put yourself in the friend zone?”

“How do I know if I’m in the friend zone?” I haven’t had a lot of friends who are girls. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever had a friend who’s a girl who isn’t related to me. And I only have two female cousins, whom I see a couple of times a year at family functions. They’re significantly younger than me, so mostly I avoid them.

It’s Kingston’s turn to blow out a long breath. “If you put your arm around her and she gets all snuggly but doesn’t try to take it any further, it could mean you’re in the friend zone.”

I don’t know what my expression must be, but the panic I feel inside quite possibly reaches my face. I feel like it should be obvious that I’m interested. A guy doesn’t spend endless hours with a gorgeous woman who combines weird pizza toppings for shits and giggles. But then again, I haven’t attempted to make a move on her since the almost-kiss. And any conversation I’ve tried to have with her about it has been shut down. In fact, she wants to pretend it didn’t happen. I hadn’t considered that this might be because she actually didn’t want it to happen at all. She seemed just as into it as I was. Or maybe I’ve been misreading the whole thing. “If I’m in the friend zone, how the hell do I get out?”

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

FOLLOW: NTY and USA Today Bestselling author of The PUCKED Series, Helena Hunting lives outside of Toronto with her amazing family and her two awesome cats, who think the best place to sleep is her keyboard. Helena writes everything from contemporary romance to romance comedy, sports romance and angsty new adult romance.

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A Lie for a Lie (All In #1) by Helena Hunting-Review & Giveaway Tour

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A Lie for a Lie (All In #1) by Helena Hunting-Review, Except & giveaway Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N /Chapters Indigo

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 15, 2019

Sometimes I need an escape from the demands, the puck bunnies, and the notoriety that come with being an NHL team captain. I just want to be a normal guy for a few weeks. So when I leave Chicago for some peace and quiet, the last thing I expect is for a gorgeous woman to literally fall into my lap on a flight to Alaska. Even better, she has absolutely no idea who I am.

Lainey is the perfect escape from my life. My plan for seclusion becomes a monthlong sex fest punctuated with domestic bliss. But it ends just as abruptly as it began. When I’m called away on a family emergency, I realize too late that I have no way to contact Lainey.

A year later, a chance encounter throws Lainey and me together again. But I still have a lie hanging over my head, and Lainey’s keeping secrets of her own. With more than lust at stake, the truth may be our game changer.

•••••••••

 

REVIEW:A LIE FOR A LIE is the first instalment in Helena Hunting’s contemporary, adult ALL IN LOVE erotic, romance series. This is NHL captain Rook ‘RJ’ Bowman, and twenty-five year old, Lainey Carver’s storyline. The ALL IN series is a spin off from the author’s PUCKED series but you do not have to have read the original series to follow. Several characters from the PUCKED series cross over for cohesion and back story.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lainey and Rook) A LIE FOR A LIE follows the building but fractured relationship between NHL captain Rook ‘RJ’ Bowman, and twenty-five year old, Lainey Carver. Approximately one year earlier while on her way to study aquatic animals on Kodiak Island in Alaska, Lainey Carver would meet her future in the guise of sexy, ‘alpaca farmer’ RJ, a man with whom she will spend six glorious weeks that will come to a screeching halt when RJ is called back home. Fast forward to present day wherein Lainey will come face to face with her past while working at the Chicago aquarium. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Lainey and RJ that struggles in the face of secrets, lies and letting go of the past.

Rook ‘RJ’ Bowman knew Lainey had know idea about who he was so telling her a ‘little white lie’ meant no harm until Rook found himself falling for our story line heroine. A manwh*re by reputation, Rook struggled to reveal the truth to the woman with whom he would fall in love. An emergency back home found Rook on the move without leaving a forwarding address or revealing the truth about his professional status. Lainey Carver struggles with social situations having witness an horrific event while studying in college. Raised by over-protective parents, Lainey needs an escape to make it on her own but she never expected to see RJ again.

The relationship between Lainey and Rook is one of immediate attraction having met on the plane heading to Alaska. From Lainey’s disastrous rental to Rook’s lies of omission, our couple endure a minefield of secrets and lies but Lainey may yet hold the biggest secret of all. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Several of Rook’s fellow teammates and their wives from the author’s PUCKED series play secondary and supporting roles. We are introduced to Rook’s sister Stevie, as well as Lainey’s over protective parents Simon and Elaine Carver.

A LIE FOR A LIE is a story of second chances; of secrets and lies; of love and happily ever after. The premise is sweet yet spicy; the romance is sensitive and sexy; the characters are animated, colorful and charismatic. A LIE FOR A LIE is a heart warming start to the author’s ALL IN series.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy 

 

When Lainey excuses herself to the bathroom, I rush upstairs and throw on a T-shirt. I know she said whatever makes me comfortable, but sitting around shirtless is such a douche move.I make it back to the kitchen and pour her a fresh drink before she returns from the bathroom.

“How can I help with dinner?” Lainey drapes her sweater over the back of a chair.

And my mouth goes dry. Like I ate an entire sleeve of saltines and chased it with a tablespoon of salt. So far I’ve only seen Lainey in a giant parka or an oversize sweater. Under all that bulky fabric is one hell of a body. She’s wearing a simple white waffle shirt that conforms to her curves. A pair of dark-wash skinny jeans encase her toned legs.

I’m used to bunnies throwing themselves at me, often in questionable states of undress. I stopped getting excited about miniskirts and revealing tops a long time ago. There’s something infinitely sexier about a woman who can show off her body without actually showing it off at all.

Lainey tips her head to the side. Her teeth press into her full bottom lip. I want to do that. Suck that pouty, full lip between my teeth and bite it. I want to do a lot of other, far more explicit things than that, but a kiss seems like a good place to start.

“RJ? Is everything okay?” Her eyes dip down to my chest. I’m wearing a shirt from one of my endorsement campaigns. It afforded me the extensive renovations on this cabin a few years ago.

“Huh?” I give my head a shake. “Oh. Yeah. Everything’s good. Sorry, zoned out there for a second.”

She smiles and pushes up on her toes, her eyes twinkling—like, they legit light up, and her excitement makes her entire body vibrate. It also makes her boobs jiggle. I try to keep my eyes glued to her face. It’s not easy, though.

“I do that all the time! Sometimes my brain is busy with so many thoughts I miss entire conversations. Does that happen to you too?”

I grin. I love that she seems to say whatever is on her mind. “All the time.”

“It’s actually a helpful skill when you’re being lectured, because I can sort through stuff in my head, but it’s not so great when your supervising professor is telling you what’s wrong with your thesis.” She pulls her hair over her shoulder and finger combs it.

“I take it that’s happened to you.”

“It did. Thankfully he also emailed all his criticisms, so missing out on it the first time wasn’t that big of a deal.” She divides her hair into three sections and deftly braids it without looking at what she’s doing even once. It’s pretty damn impressive. I almost want to pull it apart so I can watch her do it all over again. “Anyway, enough about that. Let’s get started on dinner!” She nudges me out of the way so she can wash her hands. She dries them on her jeans and moves over to the fridge, opening it to check out the contents.

I kind of like that she makes herself at home. I’m used to women who expect to be catered to. It’s refreshing to meet someone who doesn’t want me to pander to her.

I start pulling things out of the fridge as she starts naming items she’ll need and set them on the counter. I manage to locate most of what she asks for.

“What about garlic? Do you have any of that?” She leans over, peering into the fridge beside me. Her braid slips over her shoulder, skimming my arm.

“Uh, maybe we could forgo the garlic?”

“Are you allergic? My oldest brother gets bloated when he eats it. It took us forever to figure out what was causing it. Sometimes I’ll still put some in when he’s coming for dinner, because it’s funny to see him look like he’s expecting.” She tips her head to the side. “Or you just don’t like garlic?”

“I like it sometimes, but it depends.”

Her brows pinch together. “On what?”

“Who I’m eating with. I mean, if I’m going out with buddies, you bet I’m gonna order the honey garlic wings, or the cheesy garlic bread, or the pasta Alfredo. But if I’m eating dinner with a pretty girl, I’m gonna pass on the garlic.”

“Oh.” She twists the end of her braid around her finger.

I hope I’m not reading things wrong and making her uncomfortable.

“Does that mean you think I’m pretty?”

That she sounds genuinely curious as to my answer is unexpected. “You see yourself in the mirror every day—what do you think?”

She averts her gaze, still playing with the end of her braid. “My eyes are too big, so I always look like I’m surprised. My nose is small, and my lips are too full, so my mouth doesn’t really fit the rest of my face.”

“Wow. I think you need a new mirror, because all I see is a whole lot of gorgeous.”

She snorts a laugh and waves me off. “Once, I took a portrait class, and we learned all about proportion and symmetry of the face. Those are just my flaws based on what I was taught.”

“Well, I’m a big fan of all your flaws, and I think they make you more beautiful, not less.”

“Thanks. I think you’re beautiful too.” She cringes. “I mean handsome. You’re very nice to look at, with or without a shirt on. When I fell in your lap on the airplane, I remember thinking, At least I fell on someone nice looking.”

“Is that so?”

“Mm-hmm.” She opens a drawer, maybe to avoid looking at me. “And as much as I was mortified when you sat beside me on the Cessna, I couldn’t complain about the view, inside or outside of the plane. That you turned out to be really nice, and just so helpful, was a great bonus.” She hands me a roll of foil. “Why don’t you wrap the potatoes? They take the longest, so we should get started on those first.”

I put the potatoes on the barbecue and let Lainey order me around. She definitely knows her way around a kitchen. When I was growing up, my mom did most of the cooking, but my dad could make a mean Saturday-morning brunch. He also made great bread, which I miss a lot.

An hour later we’re seated at the table, plates full of steak, twice-baked potatoes, and crispy brussels sprouts cooked in bacon fat. I open a bottle of red wine and offer Lainey a glass.

“Just a little bit? I’m not sure I like red wine.”

“Maybe you just haven’t had the right red wine.” I pour a little into her glass.

She picks it up and gives it a swirl, then sniffs it. “I’ve seen people do this in the movies, but I don’t really know what the point is,” she admits, then tips the glass back and takes a tentative sip. Her expression turns thoughtful; then she takes another, slightly more robust sip. “This is actually really nice. I like it. Maybe the red wine I had before was bad.”

“Maybe. Some of the cheap stuff tastes pretty awful.” I pour more into her glass before filling mine. I hold up my glass and wait for her to raise hers.

“To chance meetings.”

“To new adventures and great company to share them with.” We toast and take a sip, each smiling behind the rim.

 


 

Guest Post: Lainey vs. Puck Bunnies in A Lie for a Lie

A Lie for a Lie is a heartwarming, sexy, emotional romantic comedy. It’s a second chance romance, filled with secrets and there are definitely some exciting, fun twists. It’s also a story of empowerment, self-discovery, and independence.

Rook Bowman, aka RJ or Rookie as he has been known as previously, has recently taken on the role as captain of Chicago’s NHL team, and with that role comes big responsibility and more fame than he sometimes knows how to handle. As with any professional sport, the NHL lifestyle can often be full of excess and decadence; money, fame and an endless stream of women who will do just about anything to get into bed with them, and it’s not always easy to avoid that kind of temptation.

When we meet Rook in A Lie for a Lie we learn that he has a less than shiny past when it comes to the excess and the puck bunnies (hockey groupies). NHL players are often drafted quite young—just watch a game and you’ll notice that the rookies can often barely grown peach fuzz, let alone a full beard. They’re still teenagers when they start their careers, and Rook was no different. Having grown up on an alpaca farm in rural New York, his focus was mainly hockey and the family farm, but once he hit the pros he found himself surrounded by women who literally threw themselves at him. And being young, attractive and full of testosterone, he fell headfirst down that rabbit hole. At least until the drama found him in the form of a fake pregnancy and a social media firestorm. Because of that, and the impact it had on his relationship with his family, Rook swears off the bunnies and refocuses on his career, rather than extracurricular activities.

He meets Lainey on the way to Alaska, where he’s gone every summer since he was a teenager with his dad and his brother. He lost his father a few years earlier, but kept the tradition with his brother because he craves the escape from the demands of his life as an NHL superstar. Lainey encapsulates everything he misses about being a “normal guy.” She doesn’t recognize him or seem to even know anything about hockey, and that makes her even more alluring. For once, he can just be himself. He doesn’t have to worry about ulterior motives or being used. Lainey is refreshingly innocent, incredibly smart, genuine and overwhelmingly sweet and Rook finds himself enamored with her sense of adventure. As they get to know each other, Rook learns about her traumatic past and realizes that despite the challenges she’s faced, Lainey possesses a quiet strength and resilience. Add some insane chemistry and you’ve got a recipe for love. Unfortunately for Rook, he built their entire fragile relationship on lie he can’t take back.

~~ Helena Hunting ~~

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FOLLOW: NTY and USA Today Bestselling author of The PUCKED Series, Helena Hunting lives outside of Toronto with her amazing family and her two awesome cats, who think the best place to sleep is her keyboard. Helena writes everything from contemporary romance to romance comedy, sports romance and angsty new adult romance.

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