Tag Archives: hockey romance

Hard Hitter (Brooklyn Bruisers #2) by Sarina Bowen-Review & Giveaway

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HARD HITTER (Brooklyn Bruisers #1) by Sarina Bowen-Review and Giveaway

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Hard Hitter
Brooklyn Bruisers #2
by Sarina Bowen
Genre: adult, contemporary, hockey romance
Release Date: January 3, 2017

Hard Hitter

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM /

About the book: Release Date: January 3, 2017

He’s a fighter in the rink, but he’s about to learn that playing nice can help you score…

As team captain and enforcer, Patrick O’Doul puts the bruise in the Brooklyn Bruisers. But after years of hard hits, O’Doul is feeling the burn, both physically and mentally. He conceals his pain from his coach and trainers, but when his chronic hip injury becomes too obvious to ignore, they send him for sessions with the team’s massage therapist.

After breaking up with her long-term boyfriend, Ari Bettini is in need of peace of mind. For now, she’s decided to focus on her work: rehabilitating the Bruisers’ MVP. O’Doul is easy on the eyes, but his reaction to her touch is ice cold. Ari is determined to help O’Doul heal, but as the tension between them turns red hot, they both learn that a little TLC does the body good.

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: HARD HITTER is the second installment in Sarina Bowen’s contemporary, adult BROOKLYN BRUISERS erotic, hockey romance series focusing on the men and women of the Brooklyn Bruisers professional hockey team. This is team captain and enforcer Patrick O’Doul, and Bruisers’s massage therapist and yoga instructor Ariana (Ari) Bettini’s story line. HARD HITTER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Patrick and Ari) HARD HITTER follows the building relationship between the Brooklyn Bruisers’s hard-hitting captain Patrick O’Doul, and the team’s massage therapist Ari Bettini. Years of hard hits including his earlier life in the foster care system have caught up with Patrick O’Doul. Fight after fight our hero struggles with the pain and the emotional drain of the never-ending one on one of professional hockey. No longer able to hide the injuries and recurring hip injury Patrick is ordered to the team’s massage therapist Ari Bettini wherein our hero will fall in love with a woman who is unable to promise much more than the present. What ensues is the push and pull of attraction between Ari and Patrick, and the revelation of a secreted past that will catch up with our story line couple.

Patrick O’Doul is a fighter who struggles with the guilt and on-going grind of the team’s leading enforcer. Falling in love with Ariana Bettini was never in the cards. Patrick has always been a loaner whose recent battle with his demons has finally caught up and threatens his career and the team’s reputation. Ari Bettini’s long term relationship with her last boyfriend has ended and our heroine is in need of some time alone without worrying about a man in her life. But a threat from her past finds Patrick her guardian and protector, and the man with whom she will fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and steamy; provocative and seductive.

We are re-introduced to a number of the Brooklyn Bruisers’s players, as well as Georgia Worthington and Leo Trevi ( Rookie Move #1 ), and team owner Nate Kattenberger who may or may not have a thing for Georgia’s best friend Rebecca. Nate’s Manhattan assistant Lauren Williams and goalie Mike Beacon’s story will be told next in Pipe Dreams.

The world building continues to look at the game of hockey: on the ice and behind the scenes, and the battle for playoff positions. Patrick’s years as an enforcer have finally caught up as he struggles with the pain and guilt; and Ari’s past finds our heroine face to face with a dangerous outcome. Trust is an issue for our leading couple and Patrick’s secret will place a wedge between himself and the woman he loves.

HARD HITTER is an emotional storyline; a tale about romance and love; the struggles to stay on top; and leaving behind a past that shaped a future. The premise is moving; the characters are dynamic and colorful; the romance is dramatic, fun and sensual. HARD HITTER is a passionate look at hockey, romance and falling in love.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

giveaway

The Reading Cafe and Sarina Bowen’s publisher are offering a paper copy of HARD HITTER to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

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8. Giveaway open to USA only

9.. Giveaway runs from January 3-6, 2017

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Face-Off At The Altar (Assassins #9) by Toni Aleo-Review and Book Tour

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FACE-OFF AT THE ALTAR (Assassins #9) by Toni Aleo-Review and Book Tour

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FACE-OFF AT THE ALTAR
Assassins #9
by Toni Aleo
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, hockey romance
Release Date: December 26, 2016

Face-Off at the Altar

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / ibooks

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 26, 2016

Add to your GOODREADS shelf.

Markus Reeves is sucking. Big-time. Toiling away on a minor-league hockey team hundreds of miles away from home, he’s watching his dreams of an NHL career fade away. Add in the lingering guilt he has over the dramatic demise of his relationship with college girlfriend, Mekena, and he’s a mess on and off the ice.

But the family of his heart, the Sinclairs, won’t let Markus suffer any longer. When he arrives himself back in Nashville for a trial run on the Assassins, it feels like his life may be making a turn for the better. If only he could get Mekena to forgive him…

Mekena Preston has been hurting since fleeing Nashville following the horror of Markus’s betrayal with her sister. Now a professional photographer, Mekena finds herself in the same place at the same time with Markus to celebrate Lucy and Benji Paxton’s wedding. Neither of them has been able to move on—and they’re starting to wonder if they really want to.

They’re headed for a face-off at the altar unless they can confront their past and unearth the truth about what really happened on that fateful night.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: FACE-OFF AT THE ALTAR is the ninth installment in Toni Aleo’s contemporary, adult ASSASSINS erotic, hockey romance series focusing on the members of the professional hockey team the Nashville Assassins. This is Assassin’s rookie twenty five year old Markus Reeves, and twenty year old photographer Mekenna Preston’s story line. FACE-OFF AT THE ALTAR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I caution new readers to the series that many of the previous couples featured in the series, and from the Bellevue Bullies series (e.g. Sinclair family and siblings) play secondary and supporting roles, and some of the history and backstory are mentioned throughout.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Mekenna and Markus) FACE-OFF AT THE ALTAR focuses on the rekindling romance between Markus Reeves, and Mekenna Preston-a romance and love destroyed by betrayal and lies. Approximately two years earlier Mekenna walked in on her then-boyfriend Markus Reeves, in bed with her sister Skylar. With her heart destroyed, Mekenna moves to Florida in the hopes of starting anew. Fast forward to present day Mekenna is contracted to photograph Lucy and Benji Paxton’s wedding (Rushing The Goal #8) knowing that the man who broke her heart would be front and center in the wedding action. What ensues is the rebuilding of a friendship and relationship that was all but destroyed by lies, deceit, and betrayal; and Markus’s rise from the Assassin’s farm team to rookie star in the NHL.

FACE-OFF AT THE ALTAR looks at friendships, fractured family dynamics from jealous siblings, drug abuse, and racism; as well as a second chance for two people who never stopped loving one another. There is plenty of humor, heartbreak and tears; frustration and resolution; and a wonderful back and forth banter between siblings, couples and friends. Mekenna’s pain and anger towards Markus bleeds heavily into the story line premise but new revelations open Mekenna and Markus’s eyes to the truth about what happened years before beginning the healing process for our story line couple.

FACE-OFF AT THE ALTAR is dramatic and intense; humorous and fun; heartbreaking, tragic and fated. There is plenty of history between our story line couple; demons from the past that must be addressed, and demons from the present that will continue to haunt far into the future. Toni Aleo ASSASSINS series is has a little of everything for the sport romance lover in all of us.

Copy supplied for review.

Reviewed by Sandy

Face Off at the Altar teaser

Excerpt

“You are, by far, the most patient man I know.”
Baylor grimaced as she took Dawson from Markus’s outstretched hands. He smiled as Dawson looked at him innocently. He knew the little guy didn’t mean to puke all over him and he wasn’t upset, but he was trying to figure out a way to get to the house and shower before he had to talk to Mekena. He highly doubted that baby puke would be an aphrodisiac. Maybe it would be? Huh.
He wasn’t going to try, though.
As Baylor cuddled Dawson against her, Markus waved her off. “It’s no big deal. He’s a baby.”
She smiled shyly. “Yes, but Ashlyn pooped on you too.”
He grinned as he shrugged, trying not to laugh. It was a tough rehearsal for Dawson, Ashlyn, and Markus. Puke and poop were big-time stars during the hour of watching the Sinclairs and Grace Justice try to put together a wedding. He wasn’t sure what was funnier, Jace glaring as Jordie walked with Avery, or Ashlyn farting and then realizing she had just shit all over him. It was a toss-up, but then Dawson decided to puke down the front of his shirt, and he figured he was now a substitute for a baby rag. “I volunteered.”
“Still, we’re really sorry,” Avery said, holding Ashlyn close as she rocked her back and forth. “I understand if you don’t want to watch her ever again.”
“Nonsense,” he said, laughing as he tucked his hands into his pockets and looked around. He spotted Mekena at the front of the altar, taking pictures of random things. He wasn’t sure if she was done, but maybe he could slip away. “How much longer until y’all are done?”
“We’re done, but Lucy and Benji have some pre-wedding pictures they’re having done with Angie.”
“So Mekena isn’t done?”
Avery smiled. “Nope, she’s got a bit.”
“Can you pass a message for me?”
“Sure.”
“Let her know that I went back to the cabin to shower and clean up?”
“Yeah, of course. I’ll tell Jace to tell her since I’m taking Ashlyn to bed.”
“Cool, thanks,” he said, kissing her cheek and then Baylor’s, before rubbing Dawson’s head. “I’ll see you guys in the morning.”
Before he could get far, though, Baylor smiled. “Thanks again.”
“Anytime. I mean that.”
Avery smiled. “Thanks.”
“Also, good luck,” Baylor added.
Flashing them both a big grin, he nodded. “I need it.”
Heading out the back, he made it back to the cabin quickly. When he entered, though, Mr. Right was sitting on the windowsill howling. “Whoa, man. What’s up?”
Meoooooowwwwwwww, he wailed, with his mouth wide open as his hair stood on end.
“Bro, I don’t know what to say. I don’t speak your language. Are you singing? Do you want me to sing too? Meoooowwwwww,” he said, and Mr. Right looked back at him, almost with a glare. “We should add some beat to that and make a remix,” Markus joked as the cat wailed. Deciding that was a good idea, he pulled out his phone and started to beatbox as the cat wailed, recording it on his SnapChat. The cat must have realized what he was doing because he looked back, scowling, and Markus hid his phone. He didn’t want to admit it, but Mr. Right kind of freaked him out.

about the author

Toni AleoFollow: Twitter  Facebook  Web  Goodreads  Amazon Pinterest

My name is Toni Aleo and I’m a total dork.

I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.

I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!

When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughter’s dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, scrapbooking, and reading the latest romance novel.

I have a slight Disney and Harry Potter obsession, I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, I might have been a Disney Princess in a past life… probably Belle.

… and did I mention I love hockey?

Ardent Prose

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Heat It Up (Off The Ice #1) by Stina Lindenblatt-a review

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HEAT IT UP (Off the Ice #1) by Stina Lindenblatt-a review

Heat It Up

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

About the book: Release Date June 14, 2016

Some games are hotter off the ice.

Sofia Phillips feels cursed. Her father cheated on her mother, her boyfriend cheated on her she s done with dating. A summer work-exchange program in Finland is the perfect escape. But instead of gaining experience as an athletic trainer, she’s cleaning toilets. Awesome. The trip is a disaster, and even better, she meets Kyle Bennett. In the sauna. Naked.

Sexy hockey player Kyle was the star right wing for an NHL team. But after an accident killed his wife and left him injured, Kyle has appreciated the therapeutic benefits of booze and puck bunnies. Now in Finland for the summer, he s coaching in an elite hockey-training camp for teens. When Sofia’s grandmother decides to set her up with a nice Finnish man, Sofia recruits Kyle as her make-believe boyfriend. Neither expects their first kiss to sizzle. And neither expects, while stranded on an island during a storm, to have a scorching night of passion.

But as their charade, and then their attraction, develops into something deeper, the past comes back, threatening to destroy them. They must decide if their feelings for each other are strong enough to survive or it will be game over.

•••••••••

REVIEW: HEAT IT UP is the first installment in Stina Lindenblatt’s new adult, contemporary OFF THE ICE romance series. This is former NHL player Kyle Bennett, and American exchange student Sofia Phillips’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Kyle and Sofia) HEAT IT UP follows the building relationship between Kyle and Sofia. Following a devastating accident that destroyed his hockey career, Kyle finds himself in Finland coaching young teens in a summer hockey program. Sofia, on the other hand, runs at the first sign of trouble and heads overseas to escape the mess that has become her life. Hoping to gain summer work experience in her mother’s home country of Finland as an athletic trainer, Sofia finds herself cleaning toilets and showers at the local arena. An accidental meeting with a naked Kyle Bennett, finds our heroine caught betweenlust, or looking at Kyle as a temporary arrangement. When a friends with benefits relationship turns into something more, Sofia knows that only heartache will come when one or both have to return to the USA.

HEAT IT UP is a new adult story line but the premise and many of the scenarios are nearing young adult (YA) territory including a love triangle wherein our heroine is playing both sides. Although Sofia professes to want only Kyle Bennett, she continues to accept invitations and a weekend away with a young man with whom her grandmother is trying to match up. Conflicting emotions and intentions are always fuel for misunderstanding and broken hearts. For those of you who follow my reviews, I am NOT a fan of the love triangle scenario especially one where promises have been made but actions say something else.

The relationship between Sofia and Kyle is one of immediate attraction but Sofia isn’t willing to risk more betrayal and refuses to accept Kyle into her life. Kyle, is a man, trying to escape the heartache of his past, and hopes for something more with Sofia Phillips. The $ex scenes are intimate without the use of graphic sexual language or imagery.

There are a number of secondary and supporting players including Kyle’s friend and fellow hockey player Nik. We are also introduced to a couple of Sofia’s girlfriends (Maija and Claire), and of course, the young man Joni who is desperately trying to get between Sofia and Kyle.

HEAT IT UP is a story of young love; a romance that may be threatened by secrets and lies; a relationship that struggles with insecurity and the threat of another potential suitor. There is a twist to the story line that reveals a close connection between our leading couple including a mutual home base of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The writing style is a bit sluggish at times as though we are being told a story and not invited into the action. I had a difficult time connecting with the characters or feeling any empathy for what was and what is going to be. Sofia’s lack of direction, and her inability to ‘just say no’ to her second suitor, lacked the maturity I want from my story book characters.

Copy supplied for an honest review

Reviewed by Sandy

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