Posts Tagged With: Professional Athletes

Book Review: Benoit by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey

Posted on June 17, 2019 by susan65coug Miss Behaving

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: Benoit
Authors: R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey
Series: Owatonna U Hockey #3
Heroes: Ethan/Ben
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 192 Pages
Publisher: Love Lane Books Unlimited
Release Date: May 17, 2019
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: When the lines between career and love blur, will Ethan and Ben find a way to create a future that will work for both of them?

Senior year is here, and everything is on the line. Benoit’s time to shine in the crease is now, and he’s going to do everything he can to make sure those professional scouts take notice. He’s earned a great reputation for his skills in the net, and his laid-back demeanor is his key to maintaining his cool when things get heated in the goal crease.

As the Eagles roar into a new season, Ben’s laser-sharp focus is shattered by his attraction to Ethan Girard, the team’s new defensive consultant. Trying his best to ignore the budding friendship that’s taking a hard, fast turn into something far more passionate, Ben is determined to keep his mind on the sport he loves and not let his feelings for the handsome older man creep into his performance. But love, like hockey, is wildly unpredictable, and soon Ben finds that he’s unable to distance himself from Ethan who is slowly and surely working himself into his heart.

Famed Boston defenseman, Ethan Girard, isn’t stupid. Celebrating his thirty-second birthday in the emergency room after breaking his leg, and with a warning that healing will be a long process, he knows he has to think about his future. He was drafted at eighteen, and he’s never known anything but hockey, but with no contract in place yet for the new season he considers that maybe it’s time for him to hang up his skates for good.

Volunteering to help out with the Owatonna Eagles fills his time, but from the moment he lays eyes on goalie Ben, he knows his world will never be the same again. Falling in lust is as easy as stealing his first kiss, but Ben refuses to engage. Has Ethan finally met his match?
Continue reading →

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2019, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: Age Gap, Benoit, Canadian, College Sports, Contemporary, injury/recovery, interracial, Location - Minnesota, MM, NHL, Professional Athletes, R.J. Scott, racism, Series - Owatonna U Hockey, Sports - Hockey, stalker, The Blogger Girls, V.L. Locey | Leave a comment

Book Review: Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

Posted on March 27, 2019 by justjenbo

Reviewed by JustJen

Title: Heated Rivalry
Author: Rachel Reid
Series: Game Changers #2
Heroes: Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 310 Pages
Publisher: Carina Press
Release Date: March 25, 2019
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Nothing interferes with Shane Hollander’s game—definitely not the sexy rival he loves to hate.

Pro hockey star Shane Hollander isn’t just crazy talented, he’s got a spotless reputation. Hockey is his life. Now that he’s captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, he won’t let anything jeopardize that, especially the sexy Russian whose hard body keeps him awake at night.

Boston Bears captain Ilya Rozanov is everything Shane’s not. The self-proclaimed king of the ice, he’s as cocky as he is talented. No one can beat him—except Shane. They’ve made a career on their legendary rivalry, but when the skates come off, the heat between them is undeniable. When Ilya realizes he wants more than a few secret hookups, he knows he must walk away. The risk is too great.

As their attraction intensifies, they struggle to keep their relationship out of the public eye. If the truth comes out, it could ruin them both. But when their need for each other rivals their ambition on the ice, secrecy is no longer an option…

Continue reading →

Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2019 | Tags: Carina Press, Closeted, Dirty Talk, Family Issues, Heated Rivalry, Hidden Relationship, NHL, Professional Athletes, Rachel Reid, Series - Game Changers, Sports - Hockey, The Blogger Girls | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Coach’s Challenge by Avon Gale

Posted on February 10, 2018 by susan65coug Miss Behaving

Reviewed bySusan65

Title: Coach’s Challenge
Author: Avon Gale
Narrator: Scott R. Smith
Series: Scoring Chances #5
Heroes: Troy Callahan/Shane North
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 6 Hours, 50 Minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 26, 2016
Available at: Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: It’s been decades since blackmail forced Troy Callahan to retire from playing professional hockey, and he’s built a successful career behind the bench. When he’s offered the opportunity to coach the Asheville Ravens—the most hated team in the ECHL—he’s convinced that his no-nonsense attitude is just what the team needs to put their focus back on hockey. But Troy is disheartened when he finds out the Ravens have signed Shane North, a player known for his aggression—especially when Shane’s rough good looks have Troy thinking inappropriate thoughts about a player, even if he’s set to retire at the end of the season.

Shane’s career in the majors never quite took off. Wanting to quit on his own terms, Shane agrees to a one-year contract with the Ravens and finds himself playing for a coach who thinks he’s an aging goon, and with a team that doesn’t trust him, Troy, or each other. Despite his determination not to get involved, Shane unwillingly becomes part of the team… and is just as unwillingly drawn to the gruff, out-and-proud coach. As the Ravens struggle to build a new identity, Shane and Troy succumb to the passion that might cost them everything.
Continue reading →

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Published in 2016, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: audio book, Avon Gale, blackmail, Closeted, Coach's Challenge, Coach/Player, Contemporary, Dreamspinner Press, ECHL, M/M, NHL, Professional Athletes, Scott R. Smith, Sports - Hockey, The Blogger Girls | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Empty Net by Avon Gale/Scott R. Smith

Posted on August 14, 2017 by susan65coug Miss Behaving

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: Empty Net
Author: Avon Gale
Narrator: Scott R. Smith
Series: Scoring Chances #4
Heroes: Isaac Drake/Laurent St. Savoy
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 6 Hours, 38 Minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: January 10, 2017
Available at: Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Spartanburg Spitfires’ goalie and captain Isaac Drake ended last season with an unexpected trip to the playoffs. He’s found a home and family with his coach and mentor, Misha Samarin, and he’s looking forward to making a serious run for the Kelly Cup. But things take an interesting turn when Isaac’s archnemesis, Laurent St. Savoy, is traded to the Spitfires. After Laurent’s despicable behavior in the playoffs last year, Isaac wants nothing to do with him – no matter how gorgeous he is. But that changes when Isaac discovers the reason for Laurent’s attitude.

Laurent St. Savoy grew up the only son of a legendary NHL goalie in a household rife with abuse, constantly treated like a disappointment on and off the ice. When a desperate attempt to escape his father’s tyranny sends him to the Spitfires, the last thing Laurent wants is to make friends. But there’s something about Isaac Drake that he can’t resist, and Laurent has an opportunity to explore his sexuality for the first time, but he’s cracking under end-of-the season pressures. When facing the playoffs and a rivalry turned personal vendetta, Isaac’s not sure he’s enough to hold Laurent—or their relationship—together.

Please be advised: This book does contain some non-graphic references to past childhood physical/emotional abuse as well as issues relating to ED (bulimia and restricted eating, disordered thoughts about eating).
Continue reading →

Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Published in 2017, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: Abusive Father, audio book, Avon Gale, Competitive, Contemporary, Dreamspinner Press, Empty Net, enemies to lovers, Family Drama, First-Time, Heartbreaker, Homophobia, Hurt/Comfort, M/M, Past Abuse, Professional Athletes, Scott R. Smith, Series - Scoring Chances, Sports - Hockey, The Blogger Girls | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Power Play by Avon Gale

Posted on July 4, 2017 by susan65coug Miss Behaving

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: Power Play
Author: Avon Gale
Narrator: Scott R. Smith
Series: Scoring Chances #3
Heroes: Max Ashford/Misha Samarin
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 6 Hours, 22 Minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: October 10, 2016
Available at: Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: A freak accident during the Stanley Cup Playoffs put an end to Max Ashford’s hockey career. Despite everything, Max gets back into the game he loves—only this time, behind the bench as an assistant coach of the Spartanburg Spitfires, the worst team in the entire league. But nothing prepares him for the shock when he learns the new head coach is Misha Samarin, the man who caused Max’s accident.

After spending years guilt ridden for his part in Max’s accident, Russian native Misha Samarin has no idea what to do when he’s confronted with Max’s presence. Max’s optimism plays havoc with Misha’s equilibrium—as does the fierce attraction that springs up between them.

Not only must they navigate Misha’s remorse and a past he’s spent a lifetime trying to forget, but also a sleazy GM who is determined to use their history as a marketing hook. But when an unwelcome visitor targets a player, Misha revisits his darkest days, and that might cost him and Max the beginning they’ve worked so hard to build.
Continue reading →

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Published in 2016, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: audio book, Avon Gale, bisexual, Coaches, Contemporary, disability, Dreamspinner Press, enemies to lovers, Hurt/Comfort, injury/recovery, M/M, NHL, Power Play, Professional Athletes, Russian, Scott R. Smith, Series - Scoring Chances, Sports - Hockey, The Blogger Girls | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Save of the Game by Avon Gale

Posted on June 18, 2017 by susan65coug Miss Behaving

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: Save of the Game
Author: Avon Gale
Narrator: Scott R. Smith
Series: Scoring Chances #2
Heroes: Riley Hunter/Ethan Kennedy
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 6 hours and 22 minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 12, 2016
Available at: Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: After last season’s heartbreaking loss to his hockey team’s archrival, Jacksonville Sea Storm goalie Riley Hunter is ready to let go of the past and focus on a winning season. His new roommate, Ethan Kennedy, is a loud New Yorker with a passion for social justice that matches his role as the team’s enforcer. The quieter Riley is attracted to Ethan and has no idea what to do about it.

Ethan has no hesitations. As fearless as his position demands, he rushes into things without much thought for the consequences.Though they eventually warm to their passionate new bond, it doesn’t come without complications. While trying to financially help Ethan, Riley must hide his family’s wealth so as not to hurt Ethan’s immense pride. For their relationship to work, Ethan will need to learn when to keep the gloves on and let someone help him—and Riley will have to learn it’s okay to let someone past his defenses.
Continue reading →

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Published in 2016, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: audio book, Avon Gale, Class Differences, Contemporary, Double OFY/GFY, Dreamspinner Press, Family Drama, Location - New York, M/M, NHL, Professional Athletes, roommates, Save of the Game, Scott R. Smith, Sports - Hockey, The Blogger Girls | Leave a comment

Posts Tagged With: Professional Athletes

Book Review: Benoit by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey

Book Review: Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

Audio Review: Coach’s Challenge by Avon Gale

Audio Review: Empty Net by Avon Gale/Scott R. Smith

Audio Review: Power Play by Avon Gale

Audio Review: Save of the Game by Avon Gale

Follow Blog via Email

Search Our Blog

Blogs We Follow

Some of Our Favorite Authors

Some of Our Publishers

Favorite Reads So Far of 2017

Grab Our Badge: