Limecello’s review of Power Play by Nancy Warren
Contemporary romance published by Harlequin Blaze on 1 Nov 2009

I really enjoy Nancy Warren’s books. She’s an author I try to keep up with, and am happy to read any of her stories by whatever publisher.  Power Play was no exception, and definitely a great Blaze story. I have to say, I’ve also got a soft spot for hockey player heroes.  And this one’s a cop too. Actually, a cop first – but in the book, he’s at a hockey tournament. No really, this all makes sense. Enjoy.

Emily Saunders is a contradictory heroine. Or, I thought so, but in a way, that makes her realistic. In another way, I found it annoying. Let me explain. Emily is smart, savvy, put together, and has it together. She’s a massage therapist and essentially owns her own business. She has a good life, and is well adjusted and happy. Until she’s around family. Then she’s a giant pushover, and basically a door mat. She knows this. It drives her insane. But she doesn’t do anything about it. (I know this is all too common and prevalent in real life… but fiction! Anyway, there’s always the hope.) I didn’t hold it against her.

Jonah Betts is hot, and adorable. If I think about it too much he’ll be a bit old for me – but… that’s not a universal thing. Jonah is the one who first figures out what is going on at the hotel- and he’s so… there. Once he’s in, Jonah is committed. You know Jonah is a good guy because he keeps his word, and is grown up. Jonah promises to not make a move on Emily, and he doesn’t. In fact, he gets a little pouty because he thinks Emily was just leading him on – but she was waiting for him to act first. I found this to be the cutest, sweetest thing ever. Ever!

If you read Ms. Warren’s website, you’ll see that the horrible hotel situation actually happened. That explains a lot – everything is so realistic, and borderline ludicrous that it had to have been based on an actual experience. The secondary characters are fun and entertaining, and Emily’s family outrageous and infuriating, as they’re supposed to be, I imagine. I also must make a note of the secondary romance. It was fantastic. I almost wish the couple didn’t have their happy ending because I wouldn’t mind reading an entire book devoted to the two of them. (Yes, me. The one who is starting to despise series.)

I’ve come to realize that Ms. Warren’s stories are so… small town and comfortable (at least in feel, though not always in setting) until *bam* you’re hit with some rather outrageous action. Ms. Warren hints at it throughout the book, but its not what you really expect. I can’t decide if this is a good or bad thing, but it definitely comes as a surprise to both the characters, and the reader.  The relative/villain was a bit static – and I thought it was over the top, how Emily’s family acted about him when they thought the two of them were “hitting it off” – but… what can you do. Family is crazy. (And I suppose hard to write realistically when given the word/length restrictions of a category.)

I loved this book… up until the end. I hated the ending. In fact, I disliked it so much I’m going to tell you what it was. (And generally I do my utmost to avoid that.) Do Emily and Jonah end up together? I don’t know. The easy answer is “yes of course.” But really in the book, all the characters say is “no, this wasn’t just a weekend fling!” In fact, Emily starts dwelling on it – in her head only – and Jonah “reassures” her by saying “You think we were done? Silly, we’ll definitely hang out in Portland!” Ok, so that’s not it verbatim, but am I convinced they’ll end up happily ever after and together forever? No. Not necessarily – and that is the reason why I read romances, dammit.

So. Aside from the ending, I really liked the book. Unfortunately, just thinking about the ending annoys me. You’ll notice I still think Power Play is a good book. It just… couldshould have been better. Still, I recommend this book to everyone who likes Blaze books, Ms. Warren’s writing, or is looking for a quick and fun contemporary. Especially those of you who love heroes who play hockey.

Grade: B

Keep her hands to herself?

Not easy for Emily Saunders, who’s in Elk Crossing, Idaho, for a family wedding. She’s double booked in the same hotel room with a sexy cop attending—of all things!—a hockey tournament. As a massage therapist, Emily’s soon itching to soothe Jonah Betts’s gorgeous muscles—both on and off the ice.

Jonah can’t believe his luck—a sexy single woman sharing his cozy room, albeit temporarily. Okay, her orange bridesmaid dress is a disaster and her family is convinced he’s actually her boyfriend. He’s ready to go along with it even as he makes his play….

Until Emily is suddenly calling for a TIME-OUT! Will Jonah’s fantasies be permanently iced?

Read an excerpt here.

Limecello’s review of Power Play (New York Blades, Book 8 )by Deirdre Martin
Contemporary romance released by Berkley on 7 Oct 2008

Big news – we may have found a potentially never ending series that doesn’t annoy me. Power Play is Deirdre Martin’s eighth New York Blades story, and I’m still really enjoying the series. A huge part of this may be that Ms. Martin’s novels are each stand alone. To be honest I wasn’t sure how to receive this book – I wasn’t in love with the previous few novels in this series, and the premise definitely didn’t make me want to fight someone for the book. However I’m so glad I read Power Play. In fact, I sat in my car (in the cold) between work and class so I could read undisturbed. Yes – it was that good.

Monica Geary is a soap opera star. She’s something of a diva and your stereotypical actress egomaniac, but incredibly likable. In fact, you can’t even hold Monica’s love of the spotlight against her. Monica is self aware and self deprecating, so that aspect of her personality becomes almost endearing. Monica is very nice, and rather regular, aside from the fact that she’s been in the public eye and a leading lady for an entire decade. She’s hit a rough spot, and is struggling to deal with it. I really liked Monica’s personality, and feel that she’s a well developed character. Talented, nice, well respected, yet still has some insecurities and day to day woes.

Eric Mitchell is quite the character on all fronts. It’s almost as if he has a split personality, and throughout the book there seems to be a “good Eric” and a “bad Eric.” On the surface, Eric looks like a jerk. He’s self centered, incredibly arrogant, and even worse, Eric believes that he has to act that way so people (including his teammates) will like and respect him. At times, Eric is too easily influenced by what people think of him, but in the end, he’s a good guy. Eric can be incredibly sensitive and intuitive, and does feel deeply. Something that helps give Eric depth is his empathy, and how much he cares about his family.

The story behind Power Play is incredibly cute and sweet. The characters are interesting and engaging, and the secondary characters are a lot of fun as well. There are a number of cameo appearances by characters from the other New York Blades books, but if you haven’t read the previous books the reader isn’t left confused. I loved the premise behind Monica and Eric’s relationship – the mutually beneficial business arrangement to boost their popularity. Monica has to deal with a usurping bimbo starlet, and Eric has to deal with the animosity of fans and teammates because he was traded for one of their favorite players.

While Eric and Monica are very different, their personalities fit. Their interaction is volatile and very entertaining. It’s sweet how bumbling and inept Eric is at first, when he tries to act self assured and desirable. He thinks it’ll attract Monica, when really it make her want to smack him. Circumstances, however, throw the two together with great results. Later, once they develop an honest relationship, the antics Eric engages in to win back Monica are exorbitant and entertaining. The side story with Eric’s parents and his twin brother Jason is quite enjoyable as well. Added to all the colorful characters found in Monica’s acting friends, and you have a satisfyingly full story.

I did think Monica got a tiny bit overly maudlin at times, and insecure. That, and the drama near the end of the book with her acting job – some things seemed a bit rushed and random, but they definitely didn’t detract from Monica and Eric’s romance. Accordingly, I was very happy with the story. The newest addition to the New York Blades series is very well written – I’d have to say I enjoyed it a lot more than some of the previous ones, and it was along the same lines as to what made me like the series in the first place. There were a lot of hockey hijinks, and humor as well. I recommend that anyone who likes a fun and entertaining contemporary romance read this book. Especially if you like Ms. Martin’s writing and hockey.

Grade: A-

Summary:

They were acting when they met. They dated under false pretenses. But their attraction was all too real.

As a leading soap opera actress, Monica Geary is good at faking it. But pretending to fall for NHL star and notorious playboy Eric Mitchell is going to be her hardest role ever. Yet she has no choice, for she desperately needs an edge in order to maintain her daytime diva status.

Eric Mitchell is a man in demand. First he was traded to save the New York Blades, and now the publicity department has loaned him out to help save Monica Geary’s career. What no one knows is that one of People magazine’s hottest bachelors is also a closet soap opera fan. He’s had his eyes on Monica for years-and can’t wait to get his arms around her…

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series: