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

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.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BOOKBUB | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | INSTAGRAM

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Baden (Pittsburgh Titans 1) by Sawyer Bennett-Review Tour

Baden (Pittsburgh Titans 1) by Sawyer Bennett-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 11, 2022

After suffering a horrific injury that threatens to end his career, Baden Oulett is about to learn that sometimes a fresh start is just what the doctor ordered.

I worked my whole life to achieve one goal—play professional hockey. As part of the defending Cup champion Arizona Vengeance, I was living my dream until one split second decision destroyed it all. Instead of lacing up my skates and hitting the ice, I’ve spent my days in rehab and physical therapy just so I could walk again. When a coaching opportunity with the Pittsburgh Titans is presented to me, I find myself with a career I had never considered but which allows me to continue being part of the sport that I love.

While my injuries are physical, the same can’t be said for the woman I rescued. Suffering from wounds that can’t be seen, Sophie Winters has withdrawn from the world in fear and guilt. I didn’t know Sophie before that fateful night and have only met her once since, but I refuse to let her face her demons alone. Determined to be a friend, I support Sophie in the only way I know how… by simply being there.

Through our shared trauma, Sophie and I begin to find peace within one another. As we grow closer, what started as friendship becomes more intimate until our broken pieces become one. But can a love born of anguish endure, or will the pain of our past prove too much to overcome?

••••••

REVIEW:BADEN is the first instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult PITTSBURGH TITANS erotic, hockey romance series focusing on the members of the professional hockey team the Pittsburgh Titans. This is the Pittsburgh Titan’s new goal coach Baden Oulett, and medical rep Sophie Winters’ story line.

NOTE: If you have not read the author’s Arizona Vengeance series, there may be spoilers in my review.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Sophie and Baden) BADEN follows the building romance and relationship between Pittsburgh Titans’ new goalie coach Baden Oulett, and Sophie Winters’. Approximately seven months earlier Sophie Winters, while working in Arizona, was mugged and attacked. Arizona Vengeance goalie Baden Oulett came to her rescue but Baden’s near fatal injuries left our hero unable to play the sport that he loved, and in the ensuing months found himself struggling for a direction in life. When a devastating plane crashed claimed the lives of the entire Pittsburgh Titans hockey team including coaches and staff, Baden was offered the opportunity to restart his career as the Titan’s new goalie coach, a position that would bring him up close and personal with the woman he saved, a woman who continues to suffer in the aftermath of the attack against our story line couple. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Sophie and Baden, and the potential fall-out as Sophie continues to battle the demons from her past, paralyzing our heroine, from moving forward.

Sophie Winters is unable to move on with her life, and with Baden’s new assignment in Pittsburgh, Sophie is reminded of what was and what will never be. Struggling to forgive herself for the horrific injuries suffered by our story line hero, Sophie offers up her home to the man with whom she will fall in love. Baden Oulett had always hoped to return to the ice but never expected to return as the Titans’ goalie coach. A new direction and a new career meant new friendships, including the building romance with our story line heroine.

The relationship between Sophie and Baden begins as acquaintances that have suffered a trauma although one is more physical, and the other emotional. Sophie struggles to move beyond the walls of her home, and Baden battles the physical constraints that will force him to choose a new path towards the future. As our couple ‘s friendship slowly grows into something more, they must face their demons together, in an effort to forgive but never forget. The $ex scenes are intimate, seductive and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to the new players and coaches of the Pittsburgh Titans: Stone Dumelin, Gage Hayward, Coen HIghsmith, future player Drake McGinn, head coach Matt Keller,and team owner Brienne Norcross,Sophie’s best friend Frankie Dillard, as well as the return of several Arizona Vengeance players, and team owner Dominick Carlson. Stone Dumelin’s story is next.

BADEN is a story of family, friendships, relationships and struggle. A story of acceptance and understanding, struggle and moving forward, understanding and love. The premise is engaging, entertaining and captivating; the characters are broken but strong-willed, and determined ;the attraction is palpable, the slow building romance is impassioned, edgy and intense.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Click HERE  to read a three chapter sample

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.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BOOKBUB | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | INSTAGRAM

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The O Zone (Bears Hockey 11) by Kelly Jamieson -a review

The O Zone (Bears Hockey 11) by Kelly Jamieson -a review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 4, 2022

Owen Cook
I have one goal: To be the best hockey player I can be. I’m not going to waste the opportunity I have. All my focus is on hockey. I avoid distractions like women and relationships during the hockey season, but when a quirky subway busker asks me out on a fake date, somehow I’m intrigued enough to accept.

Emerie Ross
I gave up my music dreams to look after my half-sister. I don’t want her to feel as alone and neglected as I did after our mother died. But my ex-boyfriend is still trying to win me back and now my stepfather is helping him. Gah! I’d rather drink bleach than marry Roman Moretti. If they think I’m involved with someone else, maybe they’ll give up on that idea. All I need is a man…a date for a party.

Owen
When Emerie introduces me to her wicked stepfather (ha) I realize I’ve made a huge mistake. He’s my boss—the man who owns the team I play for. And he’s not happy to see me with Emerie. Can you say career ending move?

Emerie
Oops. I hate hockey. How was I supposed to know who Owen is? How are we going to keep Vince from trading him away? How am I going to make sure I stay happily un-married? We’re going to have to keep up this pretense even if it means me going to hockey games. Ugh. Even if it means disrupting Owen’s rigid routines. Even if it means everything gets a lot more complicated

•••••••

REVIEW:THE O ZONE is the first instalment in Kelly Jamieson’s contemporary, adult BEARS HOCKEY II erotic, hockey, romance series-spin off/companion to the author’s Bears Hockey series. This is New York Bears, professional hockey player Owen ‘Cookie’ Cooke, and busker Emerie Ross’s story line. THE O ZONE can be read as a stand alone, you do not have to have read the previous series to follow or understand.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Owen and Emerie) THE O ZONE follows the building romance and relationship between professional hockey play Owen Cooke, and busker Emerie Ross. Owen Cooke is all about the game of hockey but a local busker has caught our hero’s attention, a busker who needs Owen’s help to avoid a confrontation with her ex and pushy step- father but to Owen’s shock, said father is the New York Bears team owner, and a man who refuses to accept his step-daughter’s relationship with our story line hero. As Owen and Emerie’s relationship goes from fake to romantic, Emerie’s father takes a stand forcing Owen to reconsider his future with our story line heroine. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Emerie and Owen, and the potential fall-out as Emerie finds herself persona non-grata with both her father, and the man with whom she has fallen in love.

Emerie Ross has never revealed her connection to her famous step-father but in the wake of her mother’s death, Emerie has never felt accepted or loved but for her relationship with her younger half-sister. Busking on the side, without her step-father’s knowledge, Emerie has always wanted a career in music but found herself raising her half-sister in her step-father’s absence. Owen Cooke suffered a devastating loss and has pushed himself to prove he is worthy of his professional status . Owen is obsessed with hockey to the point of ignoring everything else, and Emerie’s place in his life, is about to push our hero over the edge.

The relationship between Owen and Emerie begins as a fake relationship, friends to lovers, in which their romance begins to affect our story line hero. Having never considered his own happily ever after, Owen finds himself at a crossroads when his future is on the line, and the past refuses to let go. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

Most of the original series couples return as secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Emerie’s father Vince D’Agostino, her sister Cat D’Agostino, Owen’s parents,and Emerie’s ex Roman Moretti.

THE O ZONE is a story of family, relationships, rejection and love. The premise is emotional and heart breaking; the romance is seductive ; the characters are energetic, broken but healing.

Previous reviews
Must love Dogs and Hockey
You Had Me at Hockey
Talk Hockey to Me

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Kelly Jamieson is a USA Today bestselling author of over fifty romance novels and novellas. She writes the kind of books she loves to read–sexy romance with heat, humor and emotion. Her writing has been described as “emotionally complex”, “sweet and satisfying” and “blisteringly sexy”. She likes coffee (black), wine (mostly white) and shoes (high!). She also loves watching hockey. She is the author of the popular Heller Brothers Hockey series, Aces Hockey series, and the Rule of Three trilogy.

Connect with Kelly

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3oqDFet
Instagramhttps://bit.ly/37x0pTe
Amazon: https://amzn.to/33MTofY
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/33Njsb2
BookBub: https://bit.ly/39LQaxm
Websitehttps://www.kellyjamieson.com

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Riggs (Arizona Vengeance 11) by Sawyer Bennett-Review Tour

Riggs (Arizona Vengeance 11) by Sawyer Bennett-Review Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October

Known as the team loner, Riggs Nadeau gives his all on the ice, but nothing extra off it. A beautiful stranger is about to cause chaos in his very structured world.

As a professional hockey player, people think I live a charmed life. On the surface, I do. But they don’t know the horrors of my childhood, or the real reason that I have custody of my seventeen-year-old sister, Janelle. And that’s exactly the way I like it. They may think I’m a prick because I don’t like to share, but that’s fine. They don’t know me, and they don’t need to.

In an effort to help Janelle get settled in Phoenix and stay out of trouble at school, I set her up with a job at Clarke’s Corner, the local bookstore owned by the girlfriend of a teammate. It’s there that she makes friends with Veronica Woodley, the extremely annoying, arrogant, money-hungry divorcee who I don’t want anywhere near my sister. Janelle insists I’m completely wrong about Veronica, but I refuse to accept that. I have to keep reminding myself that that the gorgeous blond with legs for days is off limits.

Through a series of events, I start to see Veronica for what she really is—an amazing woman who has survived her own hell to come out even stronger. I have to admit, we’re more alike than not and the attraction between us burns hot.

Maybe I was all wrong about my ability to love and commit, but when the past comes back to haunt me, can I be the man that Veronica, and Janelle, deserve?

••••••••

REVIEW:RIGGS is the eleventh instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult ARIZONA VENGEANCE erotic, hockey romance series focusing on the professional hockey team the Arizona Vengeance. This is twenty-eight year old, defenseman Riggs Nadeau, and divorcee Veronica Livingston’s story line. RIGGS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary..

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Riggs and Veronica) RIGGS follows the cautious but caustic relationship between twenty-eight year old, defenseman Riggs Nadeau, and divorcee Veronica Livingston. Riggs Nadeau has sole custody of his seventeen year old half-sister Janelle, and in this Riggs struggles to be present for a young woman whose past is mired in trauma and neglect. When Aaron Wylde’s girlfriend Clarke offers a part time job to Riggs’ sister, all bets are off when Riggs comes face to face with Clarke’s best friend the feisty divorcee Veronica Livingston. From the outset, Riggs is put off by our heroine’s demeanor, including what appears to an over the top arrogance and desperation for money but all is not as it appears to be as Riggs quickly discovers there is more to Veronica’s story than he could have ever imagined. What ensues is the back and forth, frenemies with benefits relationship between Riggs and Veronica, and the potential fall-out as Riggs and Janelle’s past comes barrelling into the present, causing problems for everyone concerned.

Riggs and Janelle struggled in their earlier years but Riggs was lucky with his love for hockey. Having battled between head and heart to leave Janelle behind, Riggs will soon discover that Janelle was not in a good place, and Riggs would have to step up and take over. Veronica Livingston knows the downfall of power, control and loss having lived a life under the thumb of a controlling man. Never wanting to fall in love again, our heroine is reluctant to start something with our story line hero, a man whose outward appearance is cold and dark.

The relationship between Riggs and Veronica begins acrimoniously when an off-handed comment sets our hero on edge. Believing Veronica is nothing but a money-hungry woman, Riggs stops at nothing to ensure Veronica knows he is not interested but Veronica gives as good as she gets, and in this, our heroine is willing to go toe to toe with the man with whom she will fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate 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 many of the previous story line couples. We are reintroduced to former Vengeance goalie Baden Oulett, a man who was left for dead following his rescue of a stranger, as well as Riggs’ half-sister Janelle. Baden’s story line is next.

RIGGS is an emotional story of dysfunction, family, friendships and relationships. The premise is consuming and riveting; the romance is sensual and provocative; the characters are impassioned, determined and a little bit broken.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Bishop
Erik
Legend
Dax
Tacker
Dominik
Rafe
Wylde
Kane
Steele
Jett

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.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BOOKBUB | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | INSTAGRAM

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Rebel Yule (Rookie Rebels 5.5) by Kate Meader-Review Tour

Rebel Yule (Rookie Rebels 5.5) by Kate Meader-Review Tour

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

A holiday entry in the Rookie Rebels series, featuring a player who’s been here from the start . . .

Chicago Rebels goalie Erik gets his shot at love . . . but first he’ll have to figure out what he did to offend the woman he’s crushed on forever.

Casey Higgins, assistant to the Chicago Rebels owner, has a smile for everyone who comes into the front office—everyone but goalie Erik Jorgenson. And he has no idea why. For the last year, she’s refused to give him a kind word, and finally, he’s had enough. At the Rebels holiday party he’ll uncover the root of their mysterious conflict and show this woman that goalkeepers do their best work . . . on their knees.

Can a little Yuletide cheer get Erik into Casey’s good graces, warm bed, and frozen heart? Or will he fumble the puck and lose his chance?

••••••••••

REVIEW: REBEL YULE is the 5.5 instalment in Kate Meader’s contemporary, adult ROOKIE REBELS hockey, romance series focusing on the members of the hockey team the Chicago Rebels. This is PA to the Chicago Rebels owner Casey Higgins, and Chicago Rebels goaltender Erik Jorgenson. REBEL YULE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Casey and Erik) REBEL YULE is a second chance romance between PA to the Chicago Rebel owner Casey Higgins, and goaltender Erik Jorgenson. Seven years earlier, a one-night stand between Casey and Erik ended when Erik ghosted our story line heroine. Fast forward to present day wherein Casey now works for the Chicago Rebels team owner, and in the previous year, struggled to be friendly to our story line hero. With the approach of the Christmas holidays, Casey finds herself wondering about what was and what could have been. With an invitation from Erik, Casey will discover that Erik has a secret, a secret that kept him from recognizing our story line heroine. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Casey and Erik, and the potential fall-out as Casey struggles to move on from the past, and a previous relationship that has affected all of her relationships going forward.

The relationship between Casey and Erik is one of second chances. Erik never understood why Casey was so hostile with every encounter, and Casey battled between head and heart in the face of Erik’s inability to remember their one night together. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including most of the previous story line couples. We are reintroduced to the team owner Harper Chase and her husband Remy DuPre, as well as the introduction of Erik’s extended family in Sweden, and Casey’s ex boyfriend Andrew.

REBEL YULE is a story of second chances, friendships, relationships and miscommunication. The premise is engaging and captivating; the romance is seductive and passionate; the characters are animated and charismatic.

Previous reviews
Good Guy
Instacrush
Man Down
Fore Player
Dear Roomie

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Kate Meader

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.

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JETT (Arizona Vengeance 10) by Sawyer Bennett-Review & Giveaway

JETT (Arizona Vengeance 10) by Sawyer Bennett-Review &Giveaway

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 20, 2021

Jett Olsson isn’t looking for anything serious and she’s not looking for anything at all, so why does it seem so hard to keep it professional?

I love my life—the thrill of being on the ice as part of the Arizona Vengeance, the rush of winning, the adoration of the fans. And if that adoration means I don’t have to spend the night alone, well even better. I’m content being single and always ready to mingle.

But the day Emory Holland walks into a Vengeance team meeting my attention is caught like never before. I can tell right away she’s full of smarts and sass, and the fact that she’s hot as hell sure doesn’t hurt either. She immediately shuts down my advances, so I opt for the road less traveled—straight to the friend zone.

My approach works like a charm, and when she invites me into her bed for a no-strings, friends-with-benefits arrangement, I vow to give her everything I have. She’s been hurt before, and if I’m able to help her heal while giving her a spectacularly satisfying time *pats self on back*, then I’ll be happy.

Or at least that’s the lie I keep telling myself as the time ticks down on the final buzzer of our “relationship”. Now the real question is, can I score the winning goal in a game neither of us realized we were playing?

•••••••

REVIEW: JETT is the tenth instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult ARIZONA VENGEANCE erotic, hockey romance series focusing on the members of the professional hockey team the Arizona Vengeance. This is twenty-six year old, right-winger Jett Olsson, and the Vengeance’s Vice President of Digital Marketing and Analytics / single mother Emory Holland’s story line. JETT 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 first person perspectives (Jett and Emory) JETT focuses on the building romance and relationship between twenty-six year old, hockey player Jett Olsson, and the Vengeance’s Vice President of Digital Marketing and Analytics / single mother Emory Holland. Emory Holland is new to the Arizona Vengeance, and the Phoenix area but a business meeting with Jett Olsson stirs something in our story line heroine but dating a player means crossing the line. Giving in to her emotions, Emory offers Jett a friends with benefits type of arrangement, an arrangement that is about to turn into something more. What ensues is the building relationship between Emory and Jett, and the potential fall-out as Emory’s past returns wanting a second chance.

Emory Holland is a divorcee; a single mother whose ex is no longer in the picture, and as such, Emory struggles with issues of trust, as it pertains to her hearts, and that of her seven year old daughter Felicity. Emory knows Jett’s reputation off the ice is a bit of a player but Emory’s heart wants more than she could have ever thought possible. Jett Olsson never expected to fall hard for a woman, having seen his fellow teammates fall hard and fast but something about Emory draws Jett like a ‘moth to a flame’, a moth that is about to get burned when Emory’s past threatens our heroine’s well ordered life.

The relationship between Jett and Emory begins as a business arrangement; co-workers of a sort who both work for the Arizona Vengeance. Emory is unsure as to the reactions of the franchise but Jett wants nothing more than to claim Emory as his own. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Emory’s seven year old daughter Felicity, her sister Jenna, and he ex Shane Kelly, as well as team owner Dominik Carlson, injured player Baden Oulett, defenseman Riggs Nadeau, and several members of the Arizona Vengeance.

JETT is a story of family, relationships and love; of camaraderie and friendships; second chances and moving on. The premise is thought provoking, emotional and real; the romance is provocative yet tender; the characters are sassy, determined and spirited.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Bishop
Erik
Legend
Dax
Tacker
Dominik
Rafe
Wylde
Kane
Steele

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.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BOOKBUB | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | INSTAGRAM

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the author

Enter the Release Giveaway for a signed copy of JETT and a $100 Amazon Gift Card:
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Dear Roomie (Rookie Rebels 5) by Kate Meader-a review

Dear Roomie (Rookie Rebels 5) by Kate Meader-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 25, 2021.

Reid Durand isn’t here to make friends.

Coming from a legacy of hockey greatness, he has games to win and things to prove. With his focus during his first season as a Chicago Rebel on his drive to succeed, every vice is off the table. No booze, no sugar, and definitely no women.

Kennedy Clark is the master of the side hustle.

She’ll walk your dog, brew your espresso, and pick up your dry-cleaning, all while rocking it in Warrior pose. Standing still is impossible for her, because the moment she starts to slow down, it’ll come rushing back in a torrent. The memories. The pain. The heartbreak.

Their meet-cute is more of a freeze-cute. Besides, they already know each other. He’s the rude, entitled customer at her coffee shop, or what used to be her coffee shop since she just got fired—because of Mr. Extra Shot Americano himself.

Reid didn’t intend to get Kennedy fired.
He didn’t intend to rescue a dog after the poor thing ended up in the lake.
And he definitely didn’t intend to acquire a new roommate.

A curvy, chatty, tempting roommate.
Now this perfect storm of events are about to wreak havoc on his neatly-ordered life.

Reid Durand isn’t here to make friends, and he’s certainly not here to lose his heart to a puppy, a team, or a chaos agent like Kennedy. But then we don’t always get what we want .

•••••••

REVIEW: DEAR ROOMIE is the fifth instalment in Kate Meader’s contemporary, adult ROOKIE REBELS erotic, romance series focusing on the members of the NHL’s Chicago Rebels hockey team. This is twenty-seven year old hockey player Reid Durand, and twenty-five year old barista/ yoga instructor Kennedy Clark’s story line. DEAR ROOMIE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. The Rookie Rebels series is a spin off from the author’s Chicago Rebels series-several characters cross over for back story and cohesion.

Told from third person perspectives DEAR ROOMIE follows Kennedy Clark in the wake of not only losing her home but her job as well. Living out of her car, Kennedy would come to the rescue of a drowning dog only to come face to face with the man she blames for the loss of her job. Enter professional hockey player Reid Durand. Reid, unable to drop the dog off at the pound, offers Kennedy the job of dog-sitting, a job that brings her up close and personal with the man with whom she will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Kennedy and Reid, and the potential fall-out as Kennedy’s time in America comes to a close.

Kennedy Clark is a bit of a free spirit spending many months of the year travelling abroad but the late approval of her working visa finds Kennedy ‘roommates’ with our story line hero, a man who struggles to prove he is worthy of professional stardom. Growing up in a hockey family, Reid has always felt like the odd man left out, having to work harder to prove he is just as good as his brother and the man he calls dad but all is not well in the Clark family dynamic, and things go from back to worse as brother is pitted against brother both in and out of the game.

The relationship between Reid and Kennedy begins acrimoniously as Reid is less than friendly with our story line heroine but not only is Reid a thorn in Kennedy’s side, he also struggles with teammates, friendships, and the people he loves. Reid Durand is petulant, sulky, and often withdrawn but raised to win at all costs, has cost our hero the ability to make friends. Always keeping apart from others, Reid battles between head and heart when he finds himself falling for Kennedy Clark. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting character including several from the original Chicago Rebels. We are introduced to Reid’s step-father Henri, and his brother Bastien, as well as Kennedy’s grandmother, and her senior’s hockey fans.

DEAR ROOMIE is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; a story of bullying and struggle, of acceptance and moving forward. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the romance is seductive; the characters are impassioned and energetic

Previous reviews
Good Guy
Instacrush
Man Down
Fore Player

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Kate Meader

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemprary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.

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Talk Hockey To Me(Bears Hockey) by Kelly Jamieson -Review tour

Talk Hockey To Me(Bears Hockey) by Kelly Jamieson -Review & Excerpt tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

Add TALK HOCKEY TO ME to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2QausLH

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date My 10, 2021

They can resist their attraction…until their hearts rocket them across the blue line.

Hunter
Timing. Hockey careers are made or broken on it, and mine has taken exceptionally broken road. I’m not a star. I’m a grinder, I work hard, and I’m finally at the point I can put the past behind me and get the fat, long-term contract I deserve.

But my agent—the man who stuck by me through every crash and burn—has had a heart attack. I need another agent now, or my one chance for the good money will slip through my fingers. Kate’s a rookie, but she loves the game like I do, so I pick up the phone. And I wonder if she remembers that one night in Cancun as vividly as I do.

Kate
Hockey. All my life I’ve lived it, breathed it, played it. Now it’s my business. As an agent, I’m tied to my phone at all hours, but nothing prepared me to hear Hunter’s voice. The last time I saw him—three years ago—there was a lot of bare skin and horny hormones involved.

I’ve handled it all in my short career—sexism, harassment, being broke, being laughed at. Resisting the attraction between us should be easy. Until it isn’t. And Hunter’s past shakes his confidence hard enough that he could make the worst decision at the worst possible time…

••••••

REVIEW:  TALK HOCKEY TO ME is the third instalment in Kelly Jamieson’s contemporary, adult BEARS HOCKEY erotic, hockey romance series. This is hockey player Hunter Morrisette, and sports agent Kate Bridges’ story line. TALK HOCKEY TO ME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Kelly Jamieson pulls from real world events in both the junior and professional hockey leagues including the tragedy of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash of 2018.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Hunter and Kate) TALK HOCKEY TO ME follows the rekindling romance and friendship between twenty-six year old, hockey player Hunter Morrisette, and sports agent Kate Bridges. Kate and Hunter were friends in college but Hunter ghosted Kate following a one-night stand in Cancun while on spring break, breaking our heroine’s heart in the process. Fast forward to present day whererin Hunter Morrisette is now a free agent but his rep had a heart attack forcing Hunter to look for new representation. Enter sports agent Kate Bridges. What ensues is the building professional and romantic relationship between Kate and Hunter, and the potential fall-out as Hunter struggles with what was and what will never be.

Hunter Morrisette struggles with issues of PTSD in the years following the bus crash that claimed the life of so many of his friends but an offer from the New York Bears, where several of his former teammates now work and play finds our hero, once again struggling with PTSD, and the memories from the night that he soon won’t forget. Kate Bridges knows a thing or two about hockey having played the sport most of her life but when the opportunity came to represent our hero, Kate was reluctant, refusing to let Hunter break her heart, a second time. Fairly new to the business, Kate is excited to get Hunter as a client but battles between head and heart when personal feelings continue to re-emerge.

The relationship between Hunter and Kate is a former friends to lovers, second chance romance. Hunter ghosted our heroine following a one-night stand, and Kate refused to cross the line now that their relationship was professional but old feelings and emotions pull at her heart, and Kate is hoping their friendship turns into something more. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Hunter’s former teammates Eaton Millar and Josh Heller; Kate’s father Joe Bridges, and he brother Ryan.

TALK HOCKEY TO ME is a story of struggle and loss, of second chances and love, of acceptance and moving forward. The premise is emotional; the romance is captivating; the characters are broken, dynamic and strong.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Must love Dogs and Hockey
You Had Me at Hockey

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

We walk into the bright and sunny apartment. Being a corner unit, it has lots of windows, and the décor is light and airy, all pale gray and white. “Cute place,” I say.
“Thanks. It’s tiny but I love the neighborhood.”
“It looks like you.”
Kate gives me a skeptical look.
“Organized. Tidy. Modern.”
She gives me a long, impassive look. “That’s me, huh? Tidy?”
Shit. There I go again. I called her tough that night and I think she was insulted. Now I’ve done it again.
“Well, not right now,” I admit, eyeing her sweaty hair and face.
That probably didn’t make it better.
“You’re not wrong.” She sighs and sets the bear head on the small island. “Okay, help me get this off. I really need to pee now.”
We wrestle her out of the costume, and I try not to notice that I’m touching her. Under the getup, she’s wearing a thin tank top and a pair of tiny, tight black shorts. I swallow hard.
One hand grazes her bare arm. Then her thigh. I hear her sharp intake of breath and my gaze lands on her nipples, now hard and poking against her bra and tank top. Christ.
I kneel to help her step out of the costume. She sets a hand on my shoulder for balance and lifts one long, sleek leg. I want to run my hands up and down her leg so badly my palms tingle. My dick is pushing aggressively against the fly of my jeans.
I look up at her. She’s watching me, her lips parted, her eyes pupils dilated. A flush stains her cheeks and she catches her bottom lip between her teeth.
Daringly, I set my hands on her calf and she pulls the other foot free of the fur garment. I slide my hands around the back of her firmly muscled calves, and then up to the backs of her knees. She shivers. “Hunter…”
She’s not stopping me. I glide my hands up the backs of her thighs, then over the little shorts to cup her ass. I straighten my legs and stand, pulling her closer. Bending my head, we’re nearly nose to nose. Her eyelashes flutter. Our mouths are so close… “Kate.”
She pulls back, her eyes full of regret. “Hunter. We can’t do this.”
I close my eyes at the stab of disappointment. “Right. Right. Sorry.”
“Also, I still have to go to the bathroom.” She darts away from me and into the bathroom, slamming the door shut.
I lean against her kitchen island, sweating, breathing hard. My heart is galloping. Jesus. I fucked up. Why did I touch her like that? What the fuck is wrong with me? 


 

Kelly Jamieson is a USA Today bestselling author of over fifty romance novels and novellas. She writes the kind of books she loves to read–sexy romance with heat, humor and emotion. Her writing has been described as “emotionally complex”, “sweet and satisfying” and “blisteringly sexy”. She likes coffee (black), wine (mostly white) and shoes (high!). She also loves watching hockey. She is the author of the popular Heller Brothers Hockey series, Aces Hockey series, and the Rule of Three trilogy.

Connect with Kelly

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3oqDFet
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Amazon: https://amzn.to/33MTofY
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/33Njsb2
BookBub: https://bit.ly/39LQaxm
Website: https://www.kellyjamieson.com

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