Making a Play by Victoria Denault

***1/2

He'll do whatever it takes to win--on and off the ice.

Luc Richard is the hottest player in the NHL--and it has nothing to do with hockey. His racy relationship with his supermodel ex set the tabloids on fire but nearly put his career on ice. To avoid being traded, Luc agrees to take a break from the spotlight--and from women--and spend the off-season at home in Silver Bay, Maine. It's the perfect plan... until he reconnects with Rose.

Rose Caplan is tired of being shy, sweet, and safe. She's ready for passion, romance--and Luc. Having loved him longer than she can remember, she's finally ready to prove she's not the same innocent little girl he once knew. Off the ice Luc doesn't do games, but this new Rose makes him feel like playing a little dirty. If he's really got a shot at her heart then he's not just playing to win. He's playing for keeps.

I love this series and Making a Play does not disappoint.  A family of uber-hot hockey players that are genuinely good guys (despite their playboy pasts)?  Yes, please.  Luc and Rose grew up together, their families close and they became close, but Luc always thought Rose was too good and innocent for the likes of him.  Rose has loved Luc her whole life, but he dates super models and lives the life of a hot professional sports star, so why would he want her?

Luc and Rose are the standard sweet girl and bad boy, who thinks he shouldn't have her, but there are enough twists in their story to keep it fresh and interesting.  Victoria Denault's Hometown Players Novel is sport's romance perfection.  The Final Move is leap frogging to the top of the TBR pile!

~ Shel

Shel's Top Ten of 2015

I hate this time of year...  It's the time when I have to narrow down all the great books I've read and pick my top ten favorites.  *Sigh*  I had a difficult time figuring out my top ten this year, but here you have it - 

Ally Carter really goes for the jugular in All Fall Down.  It's a fantastic, emotionally exhausted ride.

While Ally goes for the jugular, Tiffany King tries to rip out your heart in A Shattered Moment.  It is such a devastatingly beautiful story.

Atlantis Rising is a clever take on the lost city.  A great mythology and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Wow, if you are ever in need of a laugh, you couldn't ask for better than most of Rachel Van Dyken's work.  I laughed so much reading The Consequences of Loving Colton that it had to go on my Top Ten list.

A modern take on the teenaged Lois Lane, newbie sleuth and reporter.  Seriously, it's mystery mixed with superhero mythology, which makes it perfect.

Loving Dallas is a great New Adult revolving around a country music band on the rise.  The whole series is fun and you should check it out.  

A great sport's romance, and check out this cover!

Reawakened was a fun and entertaining story about Egyptian Mythology.  I loved this book so much, I got it for BiblioJunkie Bel for Christmas!

I nearly disavowed Janet Evanovich after reading The Scam - I need to know what happened!!!!  The Fox & O'Hare series is great fun about a straight laced FBI agent partnering with a charming con-man to bring down hardened criminals.  If that doesn't sell you on the series, then you don't know how to live.  :-)

I loved Tessa's story and I hope you do too.  A New Adult about a young woman trying to have it all, but being a single mother, it's not really happening. 














And there you have it, my Top Ten of 2015.  I wish you happy reading in 2016 and too many great books to narrow it down to just 10!

~ Shel

One More Shot by Victoria Denault

**** 1/2

From Forever Romance (Grand Central):

They say you only get one shot at making your dreams come true.

Jordan is determined to take two.

Drafted by the NHL at eighteen, Jordan Garrison was headed for fame, and there was only one person he wanted to share it with - Jessie Caplan.  He was crazy in love with her, and had finally told her so.  They shared an amazing night... and then everything fell apart.

Jessie tries not to think about the night she gave herself to Jordan - or how he broker her heart.  She tries not to think about it, but she does.  Especially now, when she's staring into his sky-blue eyes for the first time in six years.  After so much time and torment, she can't tell if she loves him or hates him.  But Jordan has learned enough to know a connection like theirs is rare.  He was lucky to find Jessie once.  No way will he lose her again.  

I loved this book!  I loved almost everything about this book.  Jordan, despite being a womanizer, is a decent man.  He throws himself into hockey and meaningless sex to distract himself from his broken heart.  

Jessie, for her part, is a coward and the one thing I did not enjoy about this book.  Granted, I hate Jessie as an 18-year-old more than the contemporary Jessie, but still.  Both are cowards.  She ran away from home because she was so afraid of getting hurt and spent years hating Jordan for something he had no control over and ran instead of speaking to him.

The thing I did like about Jessie was her refusal to take any shit from Jordan, the superstar, when they do run into each other again.  After years of getting whatever he wanted, it was good for him to have someone tell him "oh hell no!"

The supporting characters of One More Shot were great.  I loved Jordan's brothers and cannot wait to see what's in store for them!  We need more Ms. Denault!!

~Shel

That's What HE Said Thursday #33

Image courtesy of Kei at The Lovely Pages Review

That's What HE Said is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies at Chapter Break. It's a chance for us to spotlight and gush over a quote from our current book crush to the object of his desire. We like to pretend it's us ;)

What better way to celebrate our book boyfriends?

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Here's this week's quote, chosen by Shel from One More Shot by Victoria Denault. It's a hockey romance and a great choice since today's the Chicago Blackhawks Parade and Rally to celebrate their Stanley Cup win! (Us BiblioJunkies are just glad that we're not on the morning commutes into the City. Trains are packed and things will be very lively downtown!).

Anyway ... enjoy this snipet from Jordan to his one true love, Jessie.  

"Do you know how many people I slept with since you ran away?"  I ask hotly, and then go on before she can answer.  "Because I don't.  But not being able to remember all of them was one hell of a wake-up call."

"Do you know what I learned from the last six years?  I learned that nothing can replace you.  Nothing.  I thought I was sleeping around because I wanted to avoid feeling something for someone, because you had destroyed me and I didn't want to be that vulnerable ever again.  But I was kidding myself."  I take a breath because my heart is pounding in my ears.  Jessie is just staring at me, so I go on.  "I was trying to find something to numb the pain.  Because it never left.  I never stopped missing you.  I never stopped needing you.  There was a constant ache in my chest for you.  I tried to convince myself it was anger, but it was love.  And no one could fix it.  You're the only one who can fix it."

~ Jordan to Jessie

One More Shot (Hometown Players #1) by

Victoria Denault

   

     

One More Shot by Victoria Denault

Do you love sports romances as much as we do?  If so, check out this holy hotness cover for One More Shot by Victoria Denault!

I seriously need to make it to more hockey games!

ONE MORE SHOT by Victoria Denault (June 2, 2015; Forever Yours E-Book; $3.99; Hometown Players Book #1)

They say you only get one shot at making your dreams come true. Jordan is determined to take two.
Drafted by the NHL at eighteen, Jordan Garrison was headed for fame, and there was only one person he wanted to share it with-Jessie Caplan. He was crazy in love with her, and had finally told her so. They shared an amazing night . . . and then everything fell apart.

Jessie tries not to think about the night she gave herself to Jordan-or how he broke her heart. She tries not to think about it, but she does. Especially now, when she's staring into his sky-blue eyes for the first time in six years. After so much time and torment, she can't tell if she loves him or hates him. But Jordan has learned enough to know a connection like theirs is rare. He was lucky to find Jessie once. No way will he lose her again.

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon

B&N

iBooks

BAM

GooglePlay

Kobo

Top 5 Fun Facts about Victoria Denault

1. I've run the bulls in Pamplona, Spain – twice.

2. The title One More Shot was inspired by a song by a band named Kane.

3. The characters are from the fictitious town of Silver Bay, Maine. It's roughly based on Old Orchard Beach, Maine, but I swapped the ocean for a lake.

4. The relationship between the Caplan sisters (Jessie, Rose, Callie) is inspired by the relationship I had with my best friends growing up.

5. I LOVE hockey and was lucky enough to be at a Stanley Cup winning game. Total bucket list item.

About the author:

Victoria Denault loves long walks on the beach, cinnamon dolce lattes and writing angst-filled romance. She lives in LA but grew up in Montreal, which is why she is fluent in English, French and hockey.

Social Media Links:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Instagram