Seduced by the Game by Toni AleoMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love hockey romances. So when I discovered that a bunch of my favorite authors came together with an anthology I was doing back flips. Okay I’m not really capable of doing a back flip without seriously hurting myself, but I did a lot of them in my head – where it counts.
Even more amazing they put this anthology together for an incredible cause, the fight against cancer.
The anthology opens with Toni Aleo’s Tangled in the Laces (The Assassins series: Prequel to Laces and Lace coming out in 2015). All I can say is incredible, my heart just melted. It was a truly magnificent story about a strong heroine, Lacey Martin, who survived breast cancer and the wonderful perspective first-round draft pick hockey player, Karson King, who loves her. I will anxiously be counting day the days to the release of Laces and Lace to read the rest of their story. Tangled in the Laces has become my new favorite in the Assassins series.
Next up is Cassandra Carr’s and Cindy Carr’s HOOKING HANNAH. Hannah does not have the best image of hockey players. NHL hockey star Scott Richards plans on changing her opinion. First off, I love that the mother and daughter wrote this story together. I also enjoyed the concussion aspect and Hanna support of Scott. This is a sweet book, with lovable characters that I hope will resurface in a future book.
Jami Davenport CRASHING THE BOARDS (Seattle Sockeyes 1.5) The Giants hockey team has been sold and are relocating to Seattle. The players are not happy, especially team captain, Cooper Black. Management decides to hire professional party crasher, Izzy Maxwell to initiate some fun at the team welcome party to help team morale. This was a very creative concept and original story that will have you smiling.
Catherine Gayle TAKING A SHOT (Portland Storm 2.5) Eighteen-year-old, Katie Weber, is suffering from leukemia and beginning to lose her will to fight. Twenty-year-old Jamie Babcock has liked his teammate's daughter from afar. Jamie’s team mates talk him into asking Katie to her prom to help give her something to live for. This story made me cry from both heartbreak and joy. It is a heartwarming story you will not want to miss.
V.L. Locey - Heir Apparent is a clever tale about up-and-coming goalie Jacobi Neal and the relationship he develops with his childhood idol and new teammate goalie Cam Evans.
Jaymee Jacobs, A VALUABLE TRADE: Bryan Comstock is upset by his trade to the Dallas Comets, but his transition is made easier by their Director of Team Services Georgiana Pierson.
Bianca Sommerland BLIND PASS (The Dartmouth Cobras 0.5) Having followed the Dartmouth Cobras Series, I enjoyed learning assistant coach Tim Rowe’s story. He is a lovable character with a great romance.
Nikki Worrell – Captain, My Captain (Prequel to the NHL Scorpions Series) I loved hearing Scorpions Captain, Keith Lambert’s story. It was a great way to complete this anthology.
A couple of authors were first time reads for me: Catherine Gayle, Jaymee Jacobs, and V.L. Locey. I’m glad I finally had an opportunity to read something by all of them.
I would like to point out that I don’t remember ever giving an anthology five stars. Typically, I might love one or two stories but never all of them, so I give the book what I feel is an appropriate average. I literally loved the characters in every story and did not want any of them to end.
Whether you love contemporary sports/hockey novels, a good romance, or to support a wonderful cause: you will not be disappointed in this book. It should be a staple in every romance library.
Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
ebook
Published April 2014
edition language: English
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Diane, thanks for the great review and for supporting our cause!!
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