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: