The Puck Drop by Jacqueline Snowe {a review}

 

The Puck Drop by Jaqueline Snowe is now live! If you're a fan of college romances that feature hockey players and forced proximity, then do I have the book for you! Okay, Reiner isn't technically a hockey player anymore, but he was one up until recently. So that still counts. Plus his internship is with the head coach of the school's hockey team.

Michael Reiner and Naomi both are attending Central State, and both are getting ready to start their internships. The night that Michael is supposed to meet with Coach, he has a beautiful woman come up to him asking him to just play along with what she's going to do. Turns out that the guy she was seeing was also with someone else, and she's had enough! Michael goes along with it, and minutes later finds out that this woman is the daughter of the hockey coach.  Not only is she Coach's daughter, we find out that she is an intern for the team as well. Michael is working closely with the coach, and Naomi is working on creating something different for the player stats. However Coach has little time for Naomi, which is rough for her as she just wants to prove that she can do her job.  After all she purposely chose this internship so that she could work with her dad, yet he's not participating. Anyways, as the season kicks off, Michael and Naomi are constantly together at the games, and they sit by each other on the team bus. They use these opportunities to get to know each other, and there is a definite spark there. Although Naomi isn't so certain that Michael wants her since most men want her twin sister. Do these two continue being friends, or do they risk it all for a potential relationship? Also, can Naomi and her Dad ever work together and mend their relationship?

The Puck Drop had me tearing up a time or two. Seeing Michael still processing the grief that he is dealing with just pulled at my heartstrings. But then seeing the other side of him, the person who tries to see the good in every moment, that made me fall for him. He just seems like an amazing character. Not only is he hard working, but he tries to be friends with everyone while occasionally issuing some tough love. You can also feel his passion for the game, and how it is hurting him to not be out on the ice with the rest of the team. Then there is Naomi, and ugh, her story. I teared up when she was explaining her past as well. Plus there's the drama with her dad, and her twin sister, it's just a lot. All of the things that Naomi is dealing with though eventually get brought up, and the air is cleared. Until that point though there is so much tension. Naomi and Michael being together just works. You can feel their closeness. You can see the base of friendship that they've built, and how they are relying on each other through various tasks. Yes it would be nice if their relationship could be public, but since she is Coach's daughter, AND they are both interning for the team, it really is best that it stays quiet. For now. I truly enjoyed the characters, the setting, and the storyline. It all just felt right. The book was a quick and easy read, and I devoured it.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on The Puck Drop by Jacqueline Snowe. I do hope that you'll consider giving this new adult college romance a read. I think that you'll enjoy it, and you'll find yourself looking for more to read in the Central State series that Jacqueline Snowe is creating.

Laura

Falling for the coach's daughter was never part of the plan...

Michael Reiner has the new start he’s been craving, where no one knows about his past and he can finally figure out what he wants out of life. Because one thing’s for certain—he can’t play hockey anymore, and life without hockey seems daunting. But when he gets the chance to intern under the Central State Hockey coach, he couldn’t be happier. Until he finds out the mysterious hottie he met at the bar is the Coach’s daughter.

Naomi Fletcher-Simpson has always been the weird twin. She prefers spreadsheets and trivia nights while her popular sister is everyone’s favorite. Things have been tense in her family, so when she gets a chance to pair up with the hockey team for a huge stats project, she takes it. She can repair her relationship with her dad and hopefully score her dream internship in the process.

Neither Michael nor Naomi expected to like each other. Complete opposites in every way, they slowly form a deep friendship that makes their chemistry sizzle, and friends with benefits is the only option to deal with their growing attraction. Michael can’t afford to lose the internship, and Naomi can’t afford to lose her heart to a hockey guy.

For the guy who’s suffered enough loss, and the girl who’s always left behind, they can’t risk falling in love—not when they both know all things come to an end, right?

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Meet Jaqueline Snowe

Jaqueline Snowe lives in Arizona where the "dry heat" really isn't that bad. She prefers drinking coffee all hours of the day and snacking on anything that has peanut butter or chocolate. She is the mother to two fur-babies who don't realize they aren't humans and a new mom to the sweetest baby boy. She is an avid reader and writer of romances and tends to write about athletes. Her husband works for an MLB team (not a player, lol) so she knows more about baseball than any human ever should. 

 

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Thank you to Jacqueline Snowe, and Grey's Promotions, for providing me with an advanced copy of The Puck Drop.

Undaunted by Liz Durano {a review}

Are you ready for another new addition to the Salvation Society series? If os go check out UNDAUNTED by Liz Durano!  This new second chance romance features the familiar faces of Quinn Miller and Mark Dixon. This book is short and sweet, and if second chance is your trope, grab it NOW.

Trevor Hawthorne was a Navy SEAL until the day an explosion changed everything. He pushed himself in rehab so that he could come back just as strong, if not stronger than he was previously. Trevor just finished up a mission, and is on his way home. As soon as he arrives home, he runs into a familiar face in the elevator. Claudia. Trevor and Claudia had one night together before the deployment that changed his life. Now it's as though he's been given a second chance. Meanwhile Claudia is back in town to finish up the Physical Therapy program that she's taking so that she can graduate. She never expected to run back into Trevor, and to be honest it's shaken her a little bit. Can these two reconnect and have an actual relationship, or will distance affect them once again?

I was immediately taken by Trevor. There was something about this character that drew me in, and held on tight. Trevor and Claudia made a great couple, and I was invested in their story. From the characters, to the setting, to the story, I enjoyed every moment of it. Yes these two had their problems, but they worked through it. I loved all the dates that they went on. I loved the way their connection just ramped up. These two had quite the bond. I also really enjoyed how focused on school Claudia was. It showed that she was a strong intelligent woman, and she was determined to do what she needed to do so that she could graduate. I also loved how her family was by her side throughout it all encouraging her along the way. Loved it.

As I said above, this is a quick read, and honestly I read it in one sitting. If you enjoy a good second chance romance, go download this latest addition to the Salvation Society.

Thank you for reading my thoughts on the book,
Laura

It was the only life he knew... until it wasn't.

It's been a year since a Humvee accident changed Navy SEAL Trevor Hawthorne's life forever, the adrenaline rush that was the only life he knew now gone. In its place is a life where he'll have to constantly prove to everyone that he's as good as, if not better than the man he was before.

For Taos native Claudia Romero, life is about graduating from a demanding Physical Therapy program so she can show people back home that she's more than the girl who made a very public mistake so long ago. And with one more internship in Virginia Beach to complete, she's almost there.

But when she runs into the man she had a one-night-stand with a year and a half earlier, there's no denying that the attraction they felt that night is still there, stronger than ever.

But what happens when she learns he's no longer the same man he used to be? And with a job waiting for her in Taos as soon as she graduates, can she find room in her life for love?

 One click now on Amazon, or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

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About the Author

After majoring in Journalism in college, Liz worked in radio and advertising before realizing she preferred writing love stories over news and ad copy. Fuelled by coffee and emotional angst, she writes women's fiction, contemporary romance, and romantic suspense. She lives in Southern California with her family and a senior Chihuahua mix who keeps watch of her writing space.

To learn more about Liz and join her mailing list, visit lizdurano.com/subscribe

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Thank you to Liz Durano, Corinne Michaels, and Candi Kane PR, for providing me with an advanced copy of Undaunted.

Hard Fall {a review}

Did you see that Brenda Rothert and Kat Mizera have released the first book in their new St Louis Mavericks hockey series? Well they did, and friends, if you are an emotional reader be sure to have the tissues on hand. Just trust me on that. I'm speaking from experience.

Hard Fall is the name of the first book in the series, and this one sucker punched me. You see we start off the book by meeting Lauren, Ben, Hadley, and Weston (Wes). Lauren and Ben are getting married, and Hadley and Weston are part of the wedding party. Ben and Lauren think they'd be good together. Yet when they first meet, Wes says a stupid thing, and then that just riled Hadley up, and she voiced her opinion. She did not hold back. THAT was their introduction. Flash forward 7 years. Ben and Lauren went out on a date night, while the sitter had the kids at home. The unimaginable happens. Wes rushes to their house to confirm the news, and Hadley immediately flies in from New York.  Their best friends were now gone, and the lawyer just told them that they've been given custody of the kids. So not only are Wes and Hadley grieving, but they've been thrusted into the parenting world, and have to care for these two kids who are missing their parents like mad. Forced proximity + enemies to lovers + opposites attract = a fun combination for a romance novel. Oh, and you better believe there is drama as well. Drama from both Wes and Hadley, and big time drama from Ben's parents.

If you know me, you know that I freaking adore hockey romance. I mean my shelf on goodreads shows that I've read 120 hockey romances. Yes, 120. I have a problem, okay not a problem, a preferred sport within the sports romance genre. You may also know that not every one of those books has vibed with me. There has been the occasional book that just didn't sit right for various reasons. That was honestly the case with Hard Fall. Now don't get me wrong, I liked the concept of the story. I had tears running down my face from time to time. I also enjoyed the setting, and the trope. I also enjoyed the relationship that Annalise had with Lars. Then there was all the flash back scenes with Ben and Lauren, and the letters that they left behind. Oh the tears. So I enjoyed all of that. I even enjoyed the drama that the grandparents brought. My problem was with Wes and Hadley. I didn't like them individually, and I really didn't like them as a couple. Wes would constantly egg Hadley on, and then she'd go off on him. Yes, he was purposely provoking her, and it was annoying and immature. Then there was Hadley. All she could really think about was her job, and her grief. She couldn't see that Wes was also grieving, and he also had a job to do. She picked apart every little thing that Wes would say, and she would then get angry with him. It was over the top and not necessary. Both of these characters were quite immature given their ages.

Hard Fall had such potential, in my mind, given the found family/unexpected parents storyline. Even with the enemies to lovers aspect and the forced proximity setting, there was potential. Yet because of my dislike of Wes and Hadley, the book ended up falling a bit flat. So let's talk my rating. I gave it 3.5 stars on Goodreads. As I sit here collecting my thoughts, and writing everything out, I'm still going back and forth on that rating. I can't say I would go higher, but for me, Hard Fall is somewhere in the 3 to 3.5 star range. Book ratings are are so personal. Personal in the way that it is how the book spoke to us the reader. So while I gave it a 3.5, it might be a 4 or 5 star read for you. It's all in how you connect with the story, the characters, the setting, the flow of it all, that determines your feelings on the book.

Now, Hard Fall was the FIRST book in the series. Am I going to let this book affect my thoughts on future stories? Absolutely not. You see Lars has his book coming next, and I am really intrigued by that. I could feel a connection to him when he would appear with Annalise. I am wanting to know more about him, and how his HEA will happen.

Thank you for taking time to read my long winded thoughts about Hard Fall. I appreciate you taking time to read what I wrote. Regardless of my opinion on the book, I hope that if the teaser speaks to you, that you'll take the time to read the book for yourself. You may connect with it differently than I did.

Laura

The St. Louis Mavericks are having the best season in team history. On pace for a pro hockey record, the unexpected death of their captain and star player knocks them off course in ways they never expected.

Weston

My world was turned upside down the day Ben Whitmer died. Best friends since junior hockey, Ben was like a brother to me. My voice of reason and a grounding force on and off the ice. But as heartbroken as I am, I don’t have the luxury of grieving his loss.

Not only do I have to hold our team together, I was named guardian of the two young children Ben and his wife left behind. Well, not just me—me and his wife’s best friend, Hadley. We’ve been left with the impossible task of deciding which of us will raise the kids, but there’s no way I’m letting that uptight ball buster have them.

Lines are drawn, but they begin to blur as I find out there’s more to Hadley than I thought. A lot more.

Hadley

I can’t take the place of my beautiful best friend in her children’s lives. But I love them so fiercely that I’ll do whatever it takes to raise them the way their parents wanted.

Wes Kirby is an obnoxious womanizer, and I won’t let him take Ben and Lauren’s children from me. Deciding to temporarily live together in our friends’ home, we attempt to provide the kids stability while we figure out which of us is better suited to raising them.

As we learn parenthood together, my enemy Wes slowly becomes something different. Something more. And I’m left wondering not only if I’m enough for the kids, but if Wes and I are enough to last.

Hard Fall is available on ALL platforms!

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About the Authors

Brenda Rothert was a print journalist for nine years. She made the jump from fact to fiction in 2013 and never looked back. From hot hockey romance to steamy romantic suspense, Brenda creates fresh characters in every story she tells. She's a lover of Diet Coke, lazy weekends and happily ever afters.

For all the latest on Brenda and her books, join her Facebook reader group, Rothert's Readers.

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USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Kat Mizera is a South Florida native. Born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of wanderlust, she's called Los Angeles, Long Island, upstate New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Atlanta home. She's never been able to pick which locale is her favorite, but if pressed, she'd probably choose the west coast.

A typical PTA mom with a wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat can usually be found scrapbooking or indulging in her second love (after writing) - traveling. Greece is one of her favorite places in the world. She loves that Athens is a big city with a small-town feel. The food, beaches and culture keep her going back as often as possible.

Kat's been a working freelance writer for nearly 30 years. She sold her first article--a review of a rock concert--for $10 in 1985. Since then she's been an entertainment journalist, waitress, bartender, legal assistant, food critic, magazine editor, substitute teacher, and sports writer. She also spent some time working at A & M Records in Los Angeles.

As you can guess from her Las Vegas Sidewinders series, Kat loves hockey and occasionally writes articles about her favorite team, the Florida Panthers. The rest of the time, she writes novels: sexy, romantic fiction that she hopes makes you as happy as it makes her. There's something enticing about hockey players and romance...

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Thank you to Brenda Rothert, Kat Mizera, and Elle Woods PR, for providing me with an advanced copy of Hard Fall.

Coming Soon from Maren Moore!

 

Did you hear the news? Maren Moore has a new book coming out soon! Not only a new book, but this book is kicking off a brand new series! I'm here for it.

Change on the Fly (Totally Pucked Book 1) by Maren Moore is coming October 8th!

Imagine being in love with your best friend's brother.

Then.. keeping it a secret for years.

Ridiculously charming, a total player and a hockey super star... Reed Davidson has been the boy next door who's had my heart for as long as I can remember.

He was the ultimate bad boy, and I was just his sister’s shy best friend.

But when Reed's world is suddenly flipped upside down and he gets custody of his nephew, I'm the only one who can help.

I shouldn’t have agreed to come on the road with them, but Reed wasn’t cut out to be a single dad and I knew he needed help.

I tried to hide my feelings for him, but the two of us, the cutest kid on the planet, and a long hockey season were a recipe for disaster.

Reed was used to getting everything he ever wanted, and this time... He wanted me.

Only now, the stakes are higher and my heart is the one on the line.

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Conceal by Danielle Pays {a review}

  

CONCEAL by Danielle Pays is a full-length standalone romantic suspense novel with no cliffhanger and a happily-ever-after. This book features these familiar faces: Jackson, Catherine, Ben Pryce (Hulk), Gretchen, and Mark. If you are looking for a second chance romance, then be sure to consider Conceal!

In this book, we have Cody. His current employer is sending him to a college campus where he will offer protective services to an employee. This employee has been apparently receiving threats after an unpopular budget cut occurred. Cody is hesitant about this job because 1) it's close to his hometown, and 2) he was supposed to attend this very college with Lucy. Really he doesn't want to risk running into her. So go figure, when he is at an event with his assignment, he spots Lucy in the background. A short while later Cody finds out that Lucy used to be married to the guy that Cody is now protecting. After talking with Joseph (his assignment), Cody immediately knows this guy isn't telling the complete truth. There is more to the story and he's determined to figure out what it is. And now, whatever it is Joseph is doing, is about to affect Lucy. Cody definitely won't let that happen. She may not be happy to see him, but he will protect her no matter what.

Okay, I know, that was a really brief description of the book. Here's the thing though, there are a lot of characters in this book, and then there is the who-dun-it aspect of the story. It's a lot. Then there's the relationship between Lucy and Cody, there's that little tidbit that Lucy's dad dropped, there's the fact that Cody is about to take another mission that will take him out of the US for a month. Plus What exactly is happening at that food pantry that clearly isn't a food pantry! If you're looking for a quick and easy read that is also a page turner, then I recommend reading Conceal by Danielle Pays. Small town romances are some of my favorites, and when you add in the suspense element, it just ramps up my enjoyment every single time. So it's of no surprise that I enjoyed this book so much. Love the setting, enjoyed the characters, and that storyline had me hooked. Let me just say one more thing...if you think you know who is behind everything that's happening, you may be surprised in the end. I was going through each character, trying to figure out their MO, and what their role was in all of this. At the end of the story, I was a bit surprised by who was revealed. That's all I'm saying.

You may be thinking, "Laura, you didn't even mention the relationship between Lucy and Cody". You're right, I didn't. It was the standard second chance romance situation, but with a class difference. Lucy had every right to be upset about what happened all those years ago. But she didn't know the full story. She didn't know what Cody had to deal with, and what he had lost. The decision he made to leave wasn't an easy one. That decision was made out of necessity. Never in a million years did he want to hurt her. It's just his financial situation was at the complete opposite end of hers. So things she was able to do, and afford, such as college, wasn't something within his financial means. The military offered that to him. So when Cody explained this to her, all these years later, it was as though she still struggled to comprehend what it was he was saying. She couldn't understand that he might have been embarrassed about everything. Plus, as we learn in the book, there is even more to Cody's story than what he initially knew. There were forces working against him. So no, I didn't mention their story, as their love story didn't really stick out to me. What stuck out to me was the suspense, and the mystery. That drove the story. It was the main feature, and the relationship was just a bonus.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts about Conceal. If you're a fan of romantic suspense I hope you'll consider giving this book a read.

Laura

~Cody~

I told myself I could walk away and never look back.

That was a lie.

As a former Navy SEAL, I work in protection services. My latest assignment puts me right next to my hometown.

Close to her.

Too close.

But nothing prepares me for the moment I see her again. Or the moment I discover the man I’m protecting is her ex-husband.

But when the threat extends to Lucy, I’ll do what it takes to keep her safe.

Even if she doesn’t want my protection.

Because now that I’ve seen her, I can’t let her go again.

~Lucy~

His leaving destroyed me.

I never thought I’d see him again.

Now he’s back, and if he thinks he can just barge back into my life, he has another thing coming.

He might be even sexier than he once was, and yeah, my heart might still ache for him. But I can’t forgive him for destroying me.

But when my jerk of an ex-husband entangles me in his criminal pursuits, I have no choice but to lean on Cody.

But leaning on him is dangerous for my heart.

One click now on Amazon, or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited.

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Meet Danielle

Danielle Pays writes steamy romance novels with a touch of suspense. When not trying to write her characters into some kind of trouble, she can be found guzzling coffee at her kids’ soccer games. Black coffee is a requirement as she lives in the Pacific Northwest.

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Thank you to Danielle Pays, Corrine Michaels, and Candi Kane PR, for providing me with an advanced copy of Conceal.