Tag Archives: Off The Record

REVIVE & OFF THE RECORD 1-4 by Madelynne Ellis-review tour

Posted on by
10

REVIVE & OFF THE RECORD 1-4 by Madelynne Ellis-review tour

REFLEX
OFF THE RECORD #1
by Madelynne Ellis
Release Date: December 10, 2019
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, rock, romance

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

When burying your heart and being alone forever is less terrifying than letting your demons out.

Rock guitarist Spook Mortensen wants nothing to do with sex, love, or intimacy. Having had his heart brutally destroyed by the explosive ending of his first real relationship, he’s content to remain celibate forever. Better that than being a monster.

Sound engineer Allegra Hutton can’t forget the mad chemistry that sparked between her and Spook the previous times their paths crossed. They’ve been text buddies for a year.

When their paths collide on the Riviera, the reckless energy that burns between them rekindles and reaches new heights. But Spook has no intention of letting his guard down or Alle in. Good thing Alle’s a born fighter. She’s determined to get her man, and she’s not giving up, even if that means digging into Spook’s past to break through the barriers he erects. Unfortunately, she’s not the only one out to expose him…

•••••

REVIEW:REFLEX is the first instalment in Madelynne Ellis’ contemporary, adult OFF THE RECORD erotic, romance series set in the author’s BLACK HALO world. This is Jan ‘Spook’ Mortensen, and Allegra ‘Alle’ Hutton’s story line. REFLEX can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the original Black Halo instalments for back story and history.

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

Told from three omniscient third person perspectives ( Spook, Alle, and Xane) REFLEX follows the building but struggling relationship between Black Halo guitarist Jan ‘Spook’ Mortensen and sound engineer Allegra ‘Alle’ Hutton. For approximately one year, Alle has tried everything to persuade Spook Mortensen to take a chance but Spook has sworn a personal vow of celibacy in the wake of betrayal and pain years before. Alle is desperate to learn the truth about what causes Spook to back away but as bits and pieces of information are revealed, Alle finds herself falling in love with a man so broken, he doesn’t trust himself or anyone else but all is not well when Spook continues to be the target of aggressive paparazzi, a target that is about to pay for the sins of the past. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Spook and Alle, and the fall-out as Spook, once again, finds himself at the mercy of someone else.

The world building continues to focus on the rock band Black Halo, but more importantly on the embattled guitarist Jan ‘Spook’ Mortensen.Spook’s past is dangerous and dark; a past that continues to haunt our hero both day and night but a past that is threatening any future with our story line heroine.

The relationship between Spook and Alle begins acrimoniously as Spook continues to push away our story line heroine. Alle doesn’t understand Spook’s need to reject but the heart wrenching truth is about to break Alle’s heart. The $ex scenes are intimate and erotic with some scenes of bondage and spanking.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, familiar and often intrusive secondary and supporting characters including all of the members of the band Ginny and Ash (Black Halo 1-3); Xane, Luthor & Dani (Rock Hard 1-3); Paul ‘Rock Giant’ Reed (Reckless Beat), as well as the contentious and virulent paparazzi, and Alle’s brothers Marshall and Ewan.

REFLEX is a thought provoking story of power and control, betrayal and manipulation, love and understanding. The dramatic premise is raw, gritty and haunting; the characters are broken, tragic and struggling; the romance is limited to our couple’s struggle to get beyond what was, and what will be. REFLEX ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Own a copy

______

REPLAY
OFF THE RECORD #2
by Madelynne Ellis
Release Date: February 24, 2020
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, rock, romance

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

When the heart-rending mistakes of your past are stuck on repeat, you’re destined to replay every painful beat.

Rock guitarist Spook Mortensen never had trouble keeping his desires in check until Alle Hutton gate-crashed his life and reignited his libido. Now his life’s careening out of control.

With Black Halo about to embark on their first official cruise and Alle along for the trip, Spook knows that not succumbing to temptation will require constant vigilance and ingenuity.

Alle’s determined to prove to Spook—and everyone else—that his deviant desires don’t make him a monster, and she’s willing to put her heart on the line to prove it. But being in love doesn’t mean she’s blind to reality. She knows Spook’s keeping secrets and that coaxing them out of him will be as, if not more, challenging than enticing him to explore their sizzling chemistry. Luckily, she’s always up for a challenge.

When the return of a figure from Spook’s past leaves him emotionally untethered, Spook and Alle’s burgeoning relationship is put to the ultimate test. When trust is compromised, only the truth will suffice. But can their relationship survive the revelation?

••••

REVIEW: REPLAY is the second instalment in Madelynne Ellis’ contemporary, adult OFF THE RECORD dark, erotic, rock romance series -a part of the Black Halo world. This is the continuing story of rock guitarist Jan ‘Spook’ Mortensen, and sound engineer Allegra ‘Alle’ Hutton. REPLAY should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events and cliff hanger of book one REFLEX.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers including BDMS and same $ex scenarios.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Spook and Alle REPLAY picks up after the events of book one. Black Halo has opted for a smaller tour as several members of the band are either on leave, have quit or are struggling within their personal lives but none more so than guitarist Spook Mortensen. Along with his ‘girlfriend’ Alle Hutton, Spook battles his demons that refuse to let go but as their journey through Europe brings Spook closer to home, the demons he has yet to address, take hold, and threaten Spook’s tenuous hold of his fragile psyche. Lines will be blurred then crossed, heart will be broken and crushed, secrets will reveal the true extent as to Spook’s shattered and splintered existence.

The world building continues to focus on Spook and Alle’s building relationship but also Spook’s friendship and dependency with Xane Geist. The world is about to be shown a monster they never knew existed but a monster that was created by someone else.

All of the previous story line secondary and supporting characters return. Alle’s brothers are about to destroy the man with whom she has fallen in love; and Spook’s past is about to reveal a fictionalized account of what happened in the past.

REPLAY is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, abuse and hatred, power and control. The character driven premise is heart breaking, dramatic and haunting-the complexity of Spook’s demons is dangerous and dark; the romance struggles in the face of secrets; the characters are broken, perhaps beyond repair.

HEED MY WARNING-this is NOT a story for everyone. There are issues that will trigger some readers; there are scenes both in the present and memories from the past that are graphic and heart wrenching. REPLAY ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

_______

REFRAIN
OFF THE RECORD #3
by Madelynne Ellis
Release Date: July 25, 2023
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, rock, romance

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

When your past collides with your present, and you wind up broken, so you walk away, lest you break everyone else.

Rock guitarist Spook Mortensen has spent a decade hiding from his traumatic past. Now everyone knows his secrets, and their judgement leaves him broken inside and out. To avoid destroying everything that matters to him, Spook leaves both Black Halo and the woman he loves.

But there’s no running from the demons that lurk in the darkest corners of your soul, because they hitch a ride with you wherever you run.

There doesn’t seem to be a path out of the darkness, until the band’s irresistible, sex addicted, bad boy frontman swoops in determined to stage an intervention.

Xane’s prepared to do whatever it takes, no matter the sacrifice, to mend the hole in Spook’s heart and ensure he returns to where he belongs – Allegra Hutton’s arms and the Black Halo line-up. What neither of them expects is how intense the bond between them will become.

••••••

REVIEW: REFRAIN is the third instalment in Madelynne Ellis’ contemporary, adult OFF THE RECORD dark, erotic, rock romance series focusing on rock guitarist Jan ‘Spook’ Mortensen, Allegra ‘Alle’ Hutton and Xane Geist.. REFRAIN should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events and cliff hanger of book two REPLAY.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers including same $ex, multiple partners scenarios.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Spook and Xane, REFRAIN focuses on the aftermath of Spook Mortensen’s latest spiral. The demons from his past have been revealed for all of the world to read; the ghosts refuse to die; and Spook finds himself on the outside looking in as his band Black Halo implodes. His savior comes in the form of bandmate Xane Geist, the man whose own life is precarious at best. Keeping his distance means doing dark from the people he knows and loves but staying dark means rejecting the woman with whom he had fallen in love.

The world building focuses on Spook’s continuing spiral, and the friends who are struggling to keep him alive. Five months will pass, as the band struggles to continue without their friend, five months in which Alle will lose the only man she has ever loved.

Most of the previous story line secondary and supporting characters return, some now figure prominently in leading roles. Spook’s love for Alle is questionable, as his affections are now turned toward someone else.

REFRAIN is another emotional, dark, gritty, heart breaking and haunting instalment in Madelynne Ellis’ BLACK HALO rock romance series. The line between love and hate is blurred; there is no definitive relationship between Spook and Alle, Spook’s mental frailty is dependant upon someone else. REFRAIN ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

________

REVIVE
OFF THE RECORD #4
by Madelynne Ellis
Release Date: August 8, 2023
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, rock, romance

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

When you hit rock bottom, the only option left is to rise.

When damaged, elusive rock guitarist Spook Mortensen reunites with his former band to record a new album, it sets him on an unavoidable collision course with his former girlfriend, feisty temptress, producer, Allegra Hutton.

Alle has never given up on her man. Their chemistry remains off the charts, as undeniable now after months apart as the first time they met. Moreover, she sees through Spook’s pain and self-recriminations to the damaged soul beneath.

Only by winning his trust, can Alle hope to mend his heart and secure their future. That means exposing herself to the deviant desires he’s kept in check most of his adult life. Desires her family and the world are still judging him for. Desires that mean, she’ll have to beg him to make her his, while pretending she doesn’t want him to.

•••••••

REVIEW:REVIVE is the fourth instalment in Madelynne Ellis’ contemporary, adult OFF THE RECORD dark, erotic, rock romance focusing on rock guitarist Jan ‘Spook’ Mortensen, and sound engineer Allegra ‘Alle’ Hutton. REVIVE should not be read as a stand alone as it pick up after the events and cliff hanger of book three REFRAIN.

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

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Alle and Spook) REVIVE is the culmination of the previous three instalments in which Spook Mortensen’s life had spiralled out of control. With his past controlling his present, Spook Mortensen had gone into hiding, five months without his band, or the woman he loved but five months meant time to ruminate and battle the demons alone. Reuniting with the band forced Spook to reconsider his life going forward but he struggled to face the woman who held his heart. Betrayal and vengeance, mistrust and misunderstanding threatened Jan Mortensen every day of his life; using his friend as his anchor meant admitting the truth about his fears and his need for the people he trusted the most.

Throughout the series Alle Hutton had an uphill battle focusing on the man that she loved but there were people in Alle’s life that thought they knew better, never anticipating the fall-out or cost of their betrayal. Alle’s pain was magnified by Spook’s inability to trust, to trust the woman who was one part of the whole that would save his life.

REVIVE is a story of loss and survival; forgiveness and trust; family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is heart breaking and emotional; the romance continues to struggle with issues of trust and communication; the characters remain broken yet struggling to heal. REVIVE ends on a happily ever after-for now. Like several members of Black Halo, forever is never a guarantee, sometimes perceived betrayal comes at a cost.

Reviewed by Sandy

Madelynne is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author. She wrote her first novel after discovering Black Lace Books in the 1990s. Having escaped the Hotel California, she dived into storytelling full-time. Her books are filled with bisexual bad boys who like to get down and dirty, and stories so angst-filled you know they’re going to hurt.

She lives in the UK near the Welsh border, where you can find her surrounded by books, drinking rapidly cooling decaf coffee, and listening to loud music. Her family still haven’t grasped that noise-cancelling headphones really do mean she can’t hear them.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website: https://www.madelynne-ellis.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadelynneEllis1

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Madelynne.ellis.readers

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/271150.Madelynne_Ellis

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/madelynne-ellis

Share

Off The Record by Kristen Proby-Review tour

Posted on by
9

Off The Record (With Me In Seattle Mafia 3) by Kristen Proby-Review tour

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

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3mW2fU8

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 11, 2021.

Rafe “Rocco” Martinelli was never one for the family business. Alas, being born into a crime syndicate means doing the family’s bidding and making sure you’re connected—and, yes, breaking a few kneecaps. Rafe would love nothing more than to hang up his enforcer apron and live a quiet life, but as more and more higher-ups in rival clans turn up dead, Rafe realizes he doesn’t have a choice. Especially not when the captivating and gorgeous bratva princess needs his help.

Dr. Annika Tarenkov learned early on that her life belongs to her family. She’s a pawn in the long game, a bargaining chip for power and prestige. She gave up the only person in her life she thought she could be happy with, all for the greater good of the family. Now, a newly made widow and desperately seeking answers, she’s forced to confront her past as it converges with her present. But all it does is make her wonder about her future and how she can make Rafe hers again. While being with him is like wrangling a toddler at times, he still makes her heart race and her breath catch. And she wouldn’t feel safer with anyone else.

With the chips seemingly stacked against them, they must work to uncover the perpetrators of the nefarious plot that’s been brewing for some time—before it’s too late.

••••••

REVIEW:OFF THE RECORD is the third (and final?) instalment in Kristen Proby’s contemporary, adult WITH ME IN SEATTLE MAFIA erotic romance series- a spin-off from the author’s With Me In Seattle Series. This is pilot/Mafia son Rafe ‘Rocco’ Martinelli, and Dr. Annika Tarenkov’s story line. OFF THE RECORD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines (or series) is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspective (Rafe and Annika) OFF THE RECORD follows the rekindling romance and relationship between is pilot/Mafia son Rafe ‘Rocco’ Martinelli, and Bratva daughter Dr. Annika Tarenkov. Years earlier Rafe Martinelli and Annika Tarenkov had fallen in love but their families were rivals in the criminal underworld, and Annika was sent away to destroy their bond. Fast forward to present day wherein, Annika, now a widow whose husband had been abusive and controlling, finds herself a target of blackmail by an unknown source but Rafe has promised his undying protection, and calls in the ‘families’ to help with the woman he loves. As the threats against Annika increase, several mob boss families are found tortured and murdered, and the Martinelli family may be next on the list. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Rafe and Annika, and the potential fall-out as the past demands retribution and revenge seeking power and control of the criminal underworld.

Annika Tarenkov believes she is damaged goods but has never stopped loving our story line hero. Rafe Martinelli had never stopped loving the woman that was torn from his arms but Annika’s marriage to a man she never loved threatened the possibility of a future for our storyline couple. A target has been placed on the families in both the Mafia and Bratva, and in this everyone comes under the protection until the killers are found.

The relationship between Rafe and Annika is one of second chances; a rebuilding romance that begins as friendship as Rafe bides his time in the wake of the threats against our story line heroine 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 colorful and dynamic secondary and supporting characters including mob boss son Carmine Martinelli, and thirty year old, Mafia princess Nadia Tarenkov (Underboss1), mob boss’ son Shane Martinelli, and medical receptionist Ivie Jordan (Headhunter 2); cousin Elena and her husband Archer; Annika’s uncle Igor; and Rafe’s parents. The requisite evil has many faces.

OFF THE RECORD is a story of power, greed and control; a tale of family, relationships, betrayal and loss. The fast paced premise is twisted, spicy and inviting; the romance is spirited and seductive; the characters are lively, strong willed and spirited. OFF THE RECORD is a wonderful addition to Kristen Proby’s WITH ME IN SEATTLE MAFIA series.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Underboss
Headhunter

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Bookbub / Goodreads / Website / Twitter

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen lives in Montana with her husband and their four pets, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

Share

Off The Record/Off Limits/Off Sides by Sawyer Bennett-a series review

Posted on by
14

Off The Record/Off Limits/Off Sides by Sawyer Bennett-a series review

Off series

NOTE:  I want to say what attracted me to this particular series are the covers.  Clean, simple, attractive two-toned.  YEP-listen up authors and publishers-give me an ugly cover and I won’t look twice; I won’t attempt to read it and I will scroll on by at the e-retailer. But give me a beautiful, attractive cover and you will definitely catch my interest

Off The RecordOFF THE RECORD (Off Series #3) by Sawyer Bennett

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 8, 2013

Ever Montgomery suffered the ultimate betrayal by the one man who she should have been able to count on for anything. It has left her hurt, jaded and incapable of forming relationships, but it also means that she can spot a liar a mile away. These traits are earning her a reputation as a reporter with a keen nose for a good story and a complete understanding of the extreme power of the written word.

Lincoln Caldwell, is the hot goalie for the New York Rangers. At twenty-four and a rising star, he works hard and he plays even harder. He’s gorgeous and carefree—the ultimate charmer. Ladies fall at his feet and the single life has never been lived the way Linc Caldwell does it.

When Ever publishes an article about Linc containing information that she received off the record, she finds herself on the receiving end of the athlete’s fury. Rather than basking in the glory of exposing Linc as a shameless user of women, she finds herself at his mercy when he demands and receives retribution. Required by her editor to trail Linc for six weeks, Ever is forced to look at the real Linc Caldwell

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: OFF THE RECORD is the third installment in the OFF SERIES by author Sawyer Bennett. Although this is part of a series it can be read as a stand alone without too much difficulty. The premise surrounding the series is that of professional hockey players and the lives and loves, but to be honest, there is little to do with hockey except most of the leading men are hockey players.

Off The Record focuses on Linc Caldwell and Ever Montgomery. At a year end party for Linc’s team, magazine journalist Ever mistakenly gets the wrong impression about Linc and writes a scathing review about the athlete and his affinity for sex and women. To avoid a law suit, Ever must serve ‘time’ with Linc for six weeks-tailing and trailing everything he does. In this, Ever will learn that she has made a major error in judgment and will have to apologize before she loses both the man and her heart.

The writing style and character building are simple. There is nothing over the top. The storyline is a boy meets girl, girl gets angry, boy wants girl back. The world building brings together several of the previous storyline characters in cameos but their importance to the overall story is negligible although Off The Record does further both of the two previous storyline premises.

Ever Montgomery is a woman scorned –not once, not twice but three times-and therefore she wants to keep all men at a distance. Her personality and too quick to judge attitude left a little to be desired. Betrayal has left an open wound and she refuses to allow herself to get hurt –ever again- but in doing so, she comes across as bitter and angry. Linc must move slowly in order to not scare Ever away, but in doing so begins to lose himself in the woman who may or may not want a happily ever after. This story is told from two points of view, but the focus remains on Ever and the inner turmoil that threatens to overwhelm her perfect façade and her need to make things right with Lincoln Caldwell before she loses the man forever.

OFF THE RECORD is another interesting storyline that at one point I shed a tear. Although the overall story is not an emotional roller coaster ride there was a moment when it definitely pulled at my heart. The storyline is fast paced but the relationship is slow to build. There is very little tension; there is no angst between the couple only an overwhelming aura of past betrayal. Ever must purge her demons before she is able to move on. If you like a romantic storyline with a happily ever after-Off The Record is perfect for a lazy afternoon of reading.

READING ORDER
1. Off Sides
2. Off Limits
3. Off the Record

Reviewed by Sandy

•••••••••••••••••••••••

Sensual coupleOFF LIMITS (Off Series #2) by Sawyer Bennett

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 2013

Two years ago, Emily Burnham, had an epiphany about the shallowness of her life. And she made it her mission to become a different person…a better woman. Out from under the controlling thumb of her mother, Emily is tasting the real world for the first time. And she likes it.

Nixon Caldwell has served his time in the Marine Corps, surviving two brutal tours in Afghanistan. He is back home, surrounded by what he likes best…isolation. It’s certainly the best way to avoid confrontation of the consuming guilt that is weighing him down.

When an accident brings Emily and Nix together, he soon learns he is not the master of his own fate. Struggling with his own pain, Nix tries to guard himself against Emily’s charms. He wants her in his bed, but he doesn’t want her in his heart

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: OFF LIMITS is the second installment in the new adult genre OFF series by Sawyer Bennett. Although this is part of a series, each book can be read as a stand alone with out any difficulty. A few of the characters from the first book are present but their back story and anything necessary to the current story are brought into play when necessary. This is Emily Burnham and Nixon Caldwell’s story.

Emily is from a well to do, politically connected family. Upon entering university she was determined to change her personality-so much so that when she selects a major (not connected to medicine or law) her mother pulls all financial support. Without following her mother’s demands Emily is on her own. But when she accidently runs over the brother of her latest journalism interviewee, she will become indebted to Nix Caldwell until the bill is finally paid. What she didn’t expect was a snarky, mean spirited, angry young man who will tug at her heart and her soul.

Nix Caldwell is a veteran of two tours in Afghanistan, who builds motorcycles and metal sculptures and, a man determined to keep everyone at a distance. But when he meets Emily he realizes he wants something more than friendship. To pay off her debt he arranges for her to help with his home and office, but over several days Nix will discover that Emily is something more-he is beginning to fall in love.

Off Limits is an interesting story of two people from different sides of the track. Emily is a child of privilege-a daughter who is expected to marry into money, make pretty babies and represent her husband in their affairs and Nix is the complete opposite of what and whom she is expected to marry.

As the storyline develops the reader is pulled into a relationship that begins as friends with benefits but one that will quickly evolve into something more. But when Emily uncovers a secret that Nix has hidden away, she will be pushed out of his life, possibly for good. And in the end, Nix will realize that Emily is the love of his life and if anyone can calm the nightmares and guilt, it is the woman who holds his heart with her own.

Off Limits is a predictable story where the embattled hero refuses to acknowledge his demons and a heroine who is willing to stand by her man. There is family friction from Emily’s side and heartbreaking sorrow when Nix’s history is revealed. His heart is heavy with guilt and the knowledge that he may lose Emily because of his behavior and perhaps his past. But like many warriors, his guilt and his PTSD must be addressed before he can ever conceive of starting a new life with the woman he loves and in the end his guilt is a manifestation of the atrocities of war.

The writing style is simple. There is nothing overwhelming or life altering about the premise but it is story of romance with a happily ever after. There is the angst and heartbreak of a broken hero who cannot forget the ravages of war; the love and care of a woman willing to support the man she loves and in the end, there is the couple, who together, want to take the next step in their lives- to start a family of their own.

READING ORDER
1. Off Sides
2. Off Limits
3. Off the Record

Reviewed by Sandy

••••••••••••••••••••••

Off SidesOFF SIDES (Off Series #1) by Sawyer Bennett

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK : Release Date February 2013

Ryan Burnham is the privileged son of a U.S. Congressman and captain of his university’s hockey team. While he is on the verge of fulfilling his dreams to play in the NHL, his parents want him on a different course. One he is expected to accept for the sake of his family’s public image.

Forced her to abandon her music career after the heart breaking death of her parents, Danny Cross exists on the opposite side of the tracks from Ryan. She is struggling to make her own way, working two jobs, attending college part time and volunteering in a homeless shelter. She is on a mission to build her own success.

With a chance meeting, their vastly different worlds collide, causing each to evaluate whether they are truly on the correct path to self-fulfillment and happiness. Can their relationship survive? Particularly when others are against them every step of the way. A lot can happen in just ten short days…

•••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: OFF SIDES is the first installment in Sawyer Bennett’s OFF series focusing on the men of professional hockey and the women they love. Off Sides is a short story that introduces the series but remains focused on the leading couple –Ryan Burnham and Danny Cross. Danny is a struggling part-time college student trying to make ends meet and Ryan is the epitome of rich, successful jock from a well to do family with political aspirations. But life isn’t always greener on the other side. Ryan’s mother is all about appearances and Danny does not fit into the family plans.

The storyline follows Ryan and Danny as their relationship blossoms over several days. Enter the ex-girlfriend who cannot take no for an answer and we soon discover that Ryan’s mother has plans for her son. Ryan’s family is a study in dysfunctional family values and his only means of escape is to walk away into the arms of the woman he loves.

Off Sides is a story of rich boy/poor girl, class structure and the ability to walk away when the pain becomes too much. The storyline is told from two alternating POVs. But something about this particular storyline did not sit well with me. Perhaps it was the overall feel to the story or some of the characters including Ryan’s mother, ex girlfriend and fellow team mate were complete and utter evil. Perhaps it was the rushed feel of the relationship –zero to love – in 48 hours or perhaps it was the heroine’s continuous internal verbiage about losing her virginity to Ryan Burnham. Both leading characters are strong and independent and willing to step out side of their comfort and class. Ryan is not someone who bows to the demands of his mother or ex girlfriend; and Danny is not a woman willing to stand by and take verbal or emotional abuse from those who believe money talks. But in the end, Danny will walk away because money and power are all about control.

I read this series out of order-in fact-Off Sides was the 3rd storyline I read and for me OFF THE RECORD (#3) and OFF LIMITS (#2) are much better stories with well-rounded characters and a more interesting premise.

READING ORDER
1. Off Sides
2. Off Limits
3. Off the Record

Reviewed by Sandy

Share