Tag Archives: Sarina Bowen

Shenanigans (Brooklyn 6) by Sarina Bowen-Review Tour

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Shenanigans (Brooklyn Bruisers 6) by Sarina Bowen-Review Tour

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 15, 2022

What I meant to do in Vegas: Let my hair down for once and celebrate winning a medal at my first women’s hockey all-stars competition.

What I actually did: Got senior prom drunk and woke up married to Brooklyn’s star winger, the great Neil Drake.

He’s the heir to a billion dollars, and I barely survived my childhood. Our friendship is based strictly only on hockey, takeout food and smack talk.

And now holy matrimony. Although we both know it can’t last, especially once his evil family gets wind of our Vegas shenanigans…

••••••

REVIEW:SHENANIGANS is the sixth full-length instalment in Sarina Bowen’s contemporary, adult BROOKLYN hockey, romance series (formerly known as the Brooklyn Bruisers)-a series that now includes the all women’s Brooklyn Bombshells hockey team. This is Brooklyn Bruisers hockey player Cornelius ‘Neil’ Drake, and Brooklyn Bombshells hockey player Charlotte ‘Charli’ Higgins’ story line. SHENANIGANS 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 (Charli and Neil) SHENANIGANS follows the friends to lovers, Vegas marriage, fake relationship between Brooklyn Bruisers hockey player Cornelius ‘Neil’ Drake, and Brooklyn Bombshells hockey player Charlotte ‘Charli’ Higgins. An awards ceremony in Vegas ends with our couple, a very drunk couple, pretending to get married, only to wake up the next morning, married for real. Hoping for a quickie annulment, Neil and Charli discover that leaving Vegas was the worst thing they could do. When a paparazzi posts a picture of the couple entering a chapel, not only does the Brooklyn hockey organization begin to round up the troops, but Neil’s well-to-do family, begin to circle wagons in an attempt to protect their family holdings. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Neil and Charli, and the potential fall-out as both extended families take action, but action with varying degrees of threats and intimidation.

Neil Drake has lusted after Charli Higgins for as long as he can remember but never thought Charli saw him as boyfriend or marriage material. Charli always presented herself as not interested in the opposite $ex, disguising years of mistrust and threats at the hands of many men. When Charli draws a line in the proverbial sand with regards to their quickie marriage, Neil struggles with his growing attraction to a woman who believes she is unworthy of our hero’s love.

The relationship between Neil and Charli is a friends to lovers, fake relationship in which Charli is hoping for an immediate divorce. Targeted and threatened by both Neil’s family and her own, Charli is forced to walk away to protect the man with whom she is falling in love. Neil is quickly falling for the woman he married, a woman who stands up to protect our story line hero. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters cause most of the problems and issues in our couple’s lives-Silas (Superfan 3/Brooklyn Bruisers 7), Bess and Tank (Sureshot 4), the Bombshells’ coach Anton Bayer and his significant other Sylvie (Bombshells 5); Charli’s teammates Fiona, Angelica, and Samantha; her cousin Robert, and brother Dennis; Neil’s long-suffering mother Paloma Drake, his uncle Harmon, and his sister Paisley ; personal shopper Vera, and Neil’s ex Iris. The conflict resolution with Charli’s family ends rather abruptly-I was hoping for more.

SHENANIGANS is a story of family and dysfunction; secrets and lies; betrayal and vengeance, friendships, relationships, hockey and love. The character driven premise is emotional and intense ; the characters are animated, inspiring and energetic; the romance is spirited, edgy and tender.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Rookie Move
Hard Hitter
Pipe Dreams

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Sarina Bowen is the USA Today bestselling author of steamy, angsty Contemporary Romance and New Adult fiction. She lives in the wilds of Vermont.

She is the author of The Ivy Years, an award-winning series set amid the hockey team at an elite Connecticut college. Also, the The Gravity series.

With Elle Kennedy, Sarina is the author of HIM and US.

Follow Sarina: Goodreads / Website / Twitter / Facebook

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‘TIS THE SEASON FOR ROMANCE Anthology -Reviews

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‘TIS THE SEASON FOR ROMANCE Anthology -reviews

‘Tis The Season for Romance anthology features NINE NEVER BEFORE RELEASED novellas from New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors, and was only available for a limited time in December 2020.

I have posted my  reviews for six of the novellas, and the links for the individual books now available for purchase.

•••••••

THE DETOUR by K. Bromberg

Release Date: January 1, 2021

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Bestselling author, Harley Humbug, needs an escape.
From the current state of her own love life.
From her deadline she blew past weeks ago.
From Christmas that’s just around the corner and the bad luck it usually brings with it.

When a snowstorm causes a road closure, she chalks it up to one more thing to go wrong.
Little does she know the detour will take her to a town she never knew existed, and right into the path—and possible arms—of a man who might just be her real-life muse.

______

REVIEW: THE DETOUR by K. Bromberg is a contemporary, adult Christmas short focusing on romance writer Harley Humbug, Mayor / bar owner Saint Nick and a snowstorm that strands our heroine in Saint Nick’s Hollow.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Saint and Harley) THE DETOUR follows the quick building relationship and one-night stand between romance writer Harley Humbug, and Mayor / bar owner Saint Nick. Harley Humbug has lost her muse; she is struggling to write, and the holidays are something of which she is not looking forward. Stranded in St. Nick’s Hollow, a virtual Christmas village Harley will get the inspiration she needs from the man that stirs something she hasn’t felt in a very long time-magic.

THE DETOUR is a character driven, short story with a sexy hero and a lost heroine who will find her muse in the unlikeliest of places. The story ends abruptly, I am hoping for more.

•••••••••••

 

SHIELDING JAYME by Susan Stoker

Available : January 5, 2021

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: After a decade of hard work and dedication, Jayme Caldwell’s dreams of a Seattle bakery are whisked out from under her. She’s licking her wounds in Killeen, Texas, living with her memaw, Winnie, while contemplating her future. Of course, Memaw knows exactly the kind of future her granddaughter needs…and it starts with a handsome young man she tricks into having dinner with Jayme. She’d be upset…if the man wasn’t something straight out of any red-blooded woman’s fantasies.

Rocket Long never suspected the sweet little old lady he’d befriended at the grocery store would turn out to be a conniving matchmaker, cleverly setting him up with her beloved granddaughter. But once he lays eyes on Jayme, Rocket can’t be too upset. Especially when, at forty, he’d already given up on finding “the one.” Suddenly, the love and family he’d all but given up on could be his for the taking.

But life is precious. And short. And happiness can be snatched away in the space of a breath. All things Rocket may discover the hard way…before he even gets his ring on Jayme’s finger.

________

REVIEW: SHIELDING JAYME is the fourth instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult DELTA TEAM TWO, romantic suspense series. This is baker Jayme Caldwell, and helicopter mechanic Rocket Long’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jayme and Rocket) SHIELDING JAYME follows the building romance and relationship between baker Jayme Caldwell, and helicopter mechanic Rocket Long. Having moved from Seattle to Killeen Texas after her dreams of owning her own bakery died, Jayme moved in with her Grandmother in an effort to reconsider her future plans but Jayme never expected her Memaw to play matchmaker. Enter helicopter mechanic Rocket Long. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Rocket and Jayme, and the potential fall-out as danger comes to Killeen on Christmas Eve.

SHIELDING JAYME is a story of family, friendships, goals and ideals. The premise is impassioned; the characters are flirty and passionate; the romance is tender, provocative and intense.

••••••••••••••

CHRISTMAS IN QUINCY by Devney Perry

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

Release Date: January 1, 2021

ABOUT THE BOOK: From USA Today Bestselling Author Devney Perry comes an Eden series prequel.

Cleo Hillcrest would rather cancel Christmas than endure another one of her father’s pretentious holiday parties, making small talk with his rich colleagues and her stepmother’s shallow friends. She’s leaving home to spend three peaceful and quiet days in Quincy, Montana, trading gifts and grandeur for room service and slippers.

But she should have expected her family to thwart her plans. The minute she finishes unpacking her suitcase at the quaint Eloise Inn, Austin Myles knocks on her room door.

As the head of her father’s security team, Austin’s been ordered to drag Cleo back to California. Only when she refuses to leave, he has no choice but to stay. After a Christmas in Quincy, everything between them is about to change.

__________

REVIEW: CHRISTMAS IN QUINCY is the introductory novella in Devney Perry’s contemporary, adult THE EDENS romance series focusing on the town and people of Quincy, Montana. This is twenty-eight year old, bakery owner Cleo Hillcrest, and thirty-three year old, security specialist Austin Myles.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Cleo and Austin) CHRISTMAS IN QUINCY follows tech heiress and bakery shop owner Cleo Hillcrest n the few days before Christmas. Wanting to spend some time alone, our heroine heads to Quincy Montana, only to find herself facing a member of her father’s security team, sent to bring our heroine back into the fold. Enter Austin Myles, Cleo’s long time crush, and the man with whom Cleo would fall in love. As Austin struggles to bring Cleo back home, our heroine finally comes to terms with the who and what of what she wants.

CHRISTMAS IN QUINCY is a story of family, relationships, honesty and love. The premise is spirited ; the characters are sassy and energetic; the romance is edgy and intimate.

••••••••••

CODE NAME: GRACE (Jamieson Force Security 6.5) by Sawyer Bennett

ONLY 99 ¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO

ABOUT THE BOOK:
As the resident psychiatrist at Jameson Force Security, I make it my business to know all about our team—the good, the bad, and everything in between. But for every secret of theirs I hold close, I have secrets of my own I hold closer. I’m not trying to hide my history, but…it’s complicated. And that’s putting it mildly. It’s easier to keep my past firmly in the past, until the day a familiar face walks through my office door.

Clay Brandeis is the only one who knows my whole story. Through the darkest period of my life, he was by my side. A friend and confidant. I once thought he was something more, but he walked away and left me wondering how I got it so wrong.

After all these years, one look at him and I know I wasn’t wrong at all. His handsome face, his strong and steady demeanor, despite the icy glare he’s throwing my way. My heart wasn’t wrong about Clay Brandeis, and this Christmas, I’m determined to make sure he knows it too.

______

REVIEW: CODE NAME GRACE is the latest novella in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult JAMIESON FORCE SECURITY erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Jameson Force Security. This is twenty-nine year old, psychiatrist Dr. Corinne Ellery, and thirty-seven year old, FBI Agent Clay Brandeis’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Clay and Corinne) CODE NAME: GRACE follows the rebuilding romance and relationship between our leading couple. Nine years earlier, Agent Clay Brandeis was the leading investigator on the Salt Slasher serial killer case, and Corinne’s parents were the killer’s final victims. Believing his inaction caused the death of Corinne’s parents, Clay ran from the woman who had stolen his heart. Fast forward to present day wherein a Christmas Eve snowstorm has ‘trapped’ our hero with the woman he failed. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Clay and Corinne as Clay continues to struggle with the guilt of Corinne’s parent’s death.

CODE NAME: GRACE is a wonderfully sexy and decadent second chance Christmas romance. The premise is heart warming; the romance is provocative; the characters are energetic, a little bit broken and lost.

••••••

BOYFRIEND (True North) by Sarina Bowen

REVIEW: BOYFRIEND is a contemporary, new adult, hockey romance short found in Sarina Bowen’s world of the TRUE NORTH series,and the upcoming multi-authored Moo U anthology. This is waitress Abbi, and Vermont college hockey player Weston Griggs.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Abbi and Weston) BOYFRIEND focuses on the fake relationship between college junior/ waitress Abbi, and Vermont college hockey player Weston Griggs.With the approach of the Thanksgiving holiday, Canadian Weston Griggs, choosing t remain in Vermont, hires himself out as a temporary boyfriend, something our heroine needs in the face of returning home for the holidays, a home where she no longer feels comfortable or welcome. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Abbi and Weston, as Weston must run inference on more than one occasion.

BOYFRIEND is a story of family, friendship, betrayal and lust. The premise is engaging; the romance is sweet; the characters are colorful and fun but the story line ends rather abruptly. I am going to presume the author has plans for their continuing story.

•••••••••••

BLIND DATE by Monica Murphy

REVIEW: BLIND DATE by Monica Murphy is the most recent instalment in the author’s contemporary, adult DATING romance series. This is twenty-six year old. jewellery clerk Amelia Lee, and twenty-one year old Isaac Jones’ story line. Several characters from the previous DATING instalments appear as secondary and supporting characters.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Amelia ad Isaac) BLIND DATE follows Amelia as she is tasked to select a Christmas tree for the family owned jewellery store, and runs into twenty-one year old, tree farm worker Isaac Jones (first introduced in HOLIDATE #3), a young man who would unknowingly become her blind date aka plus one for her friend’s wedding To Isaac and Amelia’s shock, neither one was aware of their impending matchup, a matchup that would become a happily ever after.

BLIND DATE is a story of family, friendships and love. The premise is inviting; the romance is sweet but mostly implied; the characters are feisty and flirty.

•••••••••••

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Fireworks (True North #6) by Sarina Bowen-a review

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FIREWORKS (True North #6) by Sarina Bowen-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK : Release Date November 13, 2018

Skye Copeland is on paid leave from her broadcasting job after accidentally drawing a pecker on the traffic map.

Let that sink in. Like it’s her fault the traffic pattern created a perfect schlong?

Skye isn’t laughing. She needs this job. And that’s the only reason she’s willing to chase down a story in her least favorite place—that hell on earth known as Vermont.

A quick trip. In and out. Much like – never mind. She can sneak into the town that once tried to break her, get the story and slide back into the good graces of her producer. Easy peasy.

But things go sideways the moment she steps over the county line. Her stepsister is running from a violent drug dealer. And the cop on the case is none other than Benito Rossi, the man who broke Skye’s teenage heart.

His dark brown eyes still tear her apart. And even as she steels herself to finally tell him off after twelve years, the old fireworks are still there.

Things are about to go boom.

••••••••••••

REVIEW:  FIREWORKS is the sixth instalment in Sarina Bowen’s contemporary, adult TRUE NORTH romance series focusing on a tight knit group of family and friends in Colebury, Vermont. This is twenty-eight year old, broadcast journalist Skye Copeland, and thirty-year old, detective Benito Rossi’s story line. FIREWORKS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Benito and Skye), as well as third person memories from the past, FIREWORKS follows the rekindling relationship between former high school friends- twenty-eight year old, broadcast journalist Skye Copeland, and thirty-year old, detective Benito Rossi. Twelve years earlier Skye Copeland’s life had spiralled out of control when her mother moved our heroine back to Colebury, Vermont, and into a trailer park where her life was a menagerie of unwanted sexual threats. Meeting her neighbour Benito Rossi allowed Skye the protection she needed from her mother’s abusive ex (Jimmy Gage), a man determined to destroy what wasn’t his to touch. Fast forward to present day wherein Skye has been forced into a leave of absence from her New York broadcasting job, a leave precipitated by the drawing of a p*nis on the local traffic map; and the emergency call from her step-sister Rayanne stating there was something important she needed to tell. Enter Benito Rossi, the young man who destroyed our heroine’s heart, and one of the reason’s Skye has never returned to Colebury, Vermont. What ensues is the rekindling romance and relationship between Skye and Benito, and the potential fall-out as Skye’s return to Colebury coincides with a police investigation into a local drug dealer whose customers are dropping like dying flies.

Benito Rossi destroyed Skye’s heart the day he didn’t show up for prom. Humiliated beyond words, our heroine packed up and headed to Aunt Jenny’s in an effort to forget about the boy she once loved. Twelve years would pass before Skye returned to the town that devastated her life, a town where her past is about to come full circle. Benito Rossi never stopped loving the girl that got away. With no explanation or forwarding address Skye disappeared from Benito’s life, a disappearance Benito would mourn until Skye’s return.

The relationship between Benito and Skye is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people who fell in love but never acted upon their attraction or want. Benito refused to take advantage of the pain and humiliation of a sixteen year old girl, while Skye secretly hoped that her feelings were not a one-sided affair. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters, a source of some of the past events that are slowly revealed. We are reintroduced to Griffin and Audrey (Bittersweet #1), Zara and her daughter Nicole (Bountiful #4), May and Alec (Speakeasy #5); high school mean girl Jill Sullivan; Jimmy Gage, and his daughter Rayanne, as well as a number of journalists with whom Skylar connects when her boss demands a return to work, and the local police department as they struggle to contain the growing drug epidemic.

The world building followed several paths including a focus upon some of the backstory, and the dangerous situation into which Skye had been placed; the history between Skye and a number of the secondary characters; the sexual predilections of her mother’s ex; the search and take down of the local drug supplier; Rayanne’s part in bringing Skye to Colebury, as well as the rekindling romance between Benito and Skye.

FIREWORKS is a story of family and friendship; betrayal and heart break; secrets and lies. The premise is interesting; the romance is passionate; the characters are energetic. I had a couple of issues including why Benito never searched for the woman with whom he fell in love, and his ability to defend and deflect his last relationship; and Skye’s naivete as it pertained to Rayanne’s lies.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Pipe Dreams (Brooklyn Bruisers #3) by Sarina Bowen-Review, Interview & Giveaway

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PIPE DREAMS (Brooklyn Bruisers #3) by Sarina Bowen-Review, Interview and Giveaway

Pipe Dreams Banner

PIPE DREAMS
Brooklyn Bruisers #3
by Sarina Bowen
Release Date : May 2, 2017
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, hockey, romance

Pipe Dreams

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

About the book: Release Date May 2, 2017

A goalie has to trust his instincts, even when taking a shot to the heart…

Mike Beacon is a champion at defending the net, but off the ice, he’s not so lucky. A widower and a single father, he’s never forgotten Lauren Williams, the ex who gave him the best year of his life. When Lauren reappears in the Bruisers office during the playoffs, Beacon sees his chance to make things right.

Lauren hates that she’s forced to travel with the team she used to work for and the man who broke her heart. There’s still undeniable sexual tension running between her and Mike, but she won’t go down that road again. She’s focused on her plans for the future—she doesn’t need a man to make her dreams of motherhood come true.

Lauren plays her best defensive game, but she’s no match for the dark-eyed goalie. When the field of play moves to Florida, things heat up on the beach.

One of Mike’s biggest fans doesn’t approve—his teenage daughter. But a true competitor knows not to waste the perfect shot at love.

••••••••

REVIEW: PIPE DREAMS is the third installment in Sarina Bowen’s contemporary, adult BROOKLYN BRUISERS erotic, romance series focusing on the men and women of the Brooklyn Bruisers professional hockey team. This is Bruisers’ goalie Mike Beacon, and the team’s temporary office manager Lauren Williams second chance story line. PIPE DREAMS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lauren and Mike) PIPE DREAMS focuses on the rekindling romance between Brooklyn Bruisers’ goalie and single father Mike Beacon, and office manager Lauren Williams, and the Bruisers run for the Stanley Cup. With the office manager Rebecca Rowley on sick leave, team owner Nate Kattenberger brought his former office manager, and current corporate employee Lauren Williams to fill in for the remainder of the season knowing Lauren’s history with team goalie Mike Beacon was icy and cool. Two years earlier Lauren and Mike were lovers; making plans for something more permanent when demons from the past forced Mike to walk away from the woman he loved. Fast forward to present day and Mike Beacon wants a second chance with Lauren Williams-a woman struggling with her attraction to the man that broke her heart. What ensues is the rekindling love between two people whose relationship was destroyed by secrets, miscommunication and Mike’s overwhelming need to care for someone from his past.

The relationship between Mike and Lauren is one of second chances. Lauren’s need to run from the man that she loves finds our hero begging for another chance to prove he is worthy of Lauren’s love. Lauren’s struggles with a broken heart that has to be mended; her trust in Mike Beacon is tempered when the truth is revealed. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive.

Most of the previous story line couples and characters play secondary and supporting roles including team owner Nate Kattenberger, and the woman he secretly loves Rebecca Rowley. I am hoping for Nate and Becca’s story line next. We are also introduced to Mike’s teenage daughter Elsa who struggles with the loss of her mother, and her father’s relationship with a woman she blames for her parent’s marriage demise.

The world building follows the Brooklyn Bruisers’ as they make a run for the Stanley Cup; a championship season that takes the team to the final round.

PIPE DREAMS is a story of second chances, forgiveness, falling in love and moving on from the past. There are moments of heartbreak, betrayal, romance and love. The conflict between our leading couple is easily resolved with little to no drama or anxious moments. The premise is engaging and realistic; the romance is sexy, seductive and spicy; the characters are spirited and passionate. PIPE DREAMS is a heartwarming and moving story about family, love, and second chances.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Rookie Move
Hard Hitter
Pipe Dreams

Copy supplied the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Interview beige

TRC:  Hi Sarina and welcome to The Reading Café.

Congratulations on the release of PIPE DREAMS, the third book in your Brooklyn Bruisers series.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Sarina BowenSarina: Sure! I live in northern New England and I love hockey. And coffee. And wine with bubbles.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties have you encountered writing and publishing your stories?

Sarina:Every new book is a challenge. With the Brooklyn Bruisers I wanted to make my new hockey series have a terrific sense of place, using Brooklyn as a rich setting. Penguin loved the idea so the Brooklyn Bruisers was born!

Pipe DreamsTRC: Would you please tell us something about PIPE DREAMS and the Brooklyn Bruisers series?

Sarina:Pipe Dreams is a unique second chance love story. Lauren isn’t very nice in the first two novels in this series, but she has a terrific reason. It was really fun to unspool her back story and turn her into an empathetic character. And Mike Beacon is a swoony single dad. I’ve always wanted to write one of those.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Sarina:I’m really not sure, but each book stands alone on its own. No cliffhangers in sight.

TRC: How do you keep the plot(s) unpredictable without sacrificing content and believability?

Sarina:I don’t find that a problem because hockey is unpredictable! And the men and women who live the pro hockey lifestyle experience some pretty wild circumstances. There is a fun plot twist in this book provided by the hero’s teenage daughter.

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Sarina:Probably! We take many cues from book covers. But that doesn’t mean a reader rejects a book just because she doesn’t love the image. She might, however, reject a book if its cover design doesn’t accurately depict the book’s contents.

TRC: Do you have any say in the cover selection?

Sarina:Sure. My editor at Penguin and I discussed the covers right away, before the first book was even finished. At that point my publisher went into a photo studio and shot unique images for all the books, so that they wouldn’t overlap imagery on other books in the market.

TRC: You have co-written several books with author Elle Kennedy. How do you determine the break down of the writing/ story line process?

Sarina:We brainstorm the story together ahead of time. And then we take shifts, trading off every half chapter or so. It’s a really fun way to write a book!

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writers fail in this endeavor?

Sarina:The trick is to never cheat your story’s emotional touch point moments. When something big is happening emotionally, the scene should linger and take it all in. If a big moment feels rushed, that’s when the reader feels cheated.

TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the story line direction? Characters?

Sarina: Nope. I write in silence. Music sounds fun but I can never make it work for me.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Sarina:You mentioned co-writing before. The bouncing of ideas is what makes that so great. When I’m working alone I don’t really have anyone to help me. Actually, sometimes I call up Elle Kennedy and make her listen to my plot woes. She usually points out something incredibly obvious and then I slap myself on the head.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Sarina:I’m not sure there are any misconceptions left. Facebook has made all of us terribly accessible.

TRC: What is something that few, if any people, know about you?

Sarina:For twelve years I traded derivatives on Wall Street. It was stressful but fun.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: tacos

Favorite Dessert: cherry pie

Favorite TV Show: I don’t have a TV!

Last Movie You Saw: Hidden Figures

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Dark, with nuts

Secret Celebrity Crush: Anna Kendrick

Last Vacation Destination: What is a vacation?

Do you have any pets? We have 11 chickens. I’m not sure that counts.

Last book you read: Outlander

TRC:  Thank you Sarina for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on your PIPE DREAMS.

Giveaway beige

The Reading Cafe and SArina Bowen’s publisher are offering a finished copy of PIPE DREAMS 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.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Follow Sarina Bowen on Facebook.

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

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6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from May 5-10, 2017

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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

Hard Hitter Banner

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.

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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.

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