ON THE SURFACE

ON THE SURFACE                                       KATE WILLOUGHBY
Posted:  May 21, 2014

On the Surface (In the Zone, #1) NHL player Tim Hollander lost his temper one time and threw a water bottle at an abusive fan. After "Bottlegate," he's traded to the San Diego Barracudas, where he'll need to keep the bad publicity to a minimum while proving he can still compete with the younger guys on the ice.

Erin Collier is a pediatric nurse who's never seen a hockey game, but gets in line for Tim's autograph at a PR event in hopes of impressing the doctor she has a crush on. When an obnoxious fan gets pushy toward Erin, Tim rushes to defend the pretty stranger, throwing a punch in the process.

Grateful for the rescue, Erin agrees to stand by Tim during the resulting press conference and host him at a hospital charity event. Their chemistry is palpable, and soon their lives are intertwined. But Erin doubts a hockey player is capable of anything resembling a real relationship. And if Tim can't get her to see beyond what's on the surface, they'll never last longer than a single season…
96,000 words

MY REVIEW:
     I enjoy reading sport romance stories and although this one had a lot of really fine moments there were still some drag times in it.  Not to mention at times, Tim Hollander, a hockey player who is in the NHL and plays for the San Diego Barracudas, is a total Alpha Male.  I guess I can’t say a total one because he doesn’t have that overly aggressive on the verge of mean streak to him.  But, he does want his way and usually gets it.
     He especially wants his way with Erin Collier, a pediatric nurse, at Good Samaritan Hospital.  They meet by chance when she goes to a local mom and pop fast food place to pick up lunch for her and friends.  One being a doctor she is crushing on and who she is standing in line for to get his autograph for.  You see Tim is there doing a fan signing for the Barracudas.  When a guy in front of her in line to get Tim’s autograph for Dr. O starts to try and scam Tim for more than one autograph like they are supposed to do.  So, she says something to the guy.
     This young punk takes offense and pushes her.  Then they have more words he pushes her hard enough to knock her down.  When all of a sudden Tim comes to her defense.  This guy goes flying over the table and then punches fly.  Of course nobody catches this guy pushing her down only Tim punching him.  Since he was already traded because of fighting it doesn’t look good for him.  She decides to stick up for him in the press, to the NHL, and to his team.
     From that point on their friendship begins.  See where they go from there and see what comes to pass.  Tim has heart ache he doesn’t see to move past and Erin has fears of her own mainly, that Tim will wake up and not think she is worth his time.  Sex is less scary then a talking relationship for both of them so that is a main event in this story but oh what and event.  I give this 4 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com
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TAP OUT

TAP OUT                                               MICHELE MANNON
Posted:  May 21, 2014

 Late-night shock jock Sophie Morelle has been fired, dumped by her network after an embarrassing incident cost them big bucks. But she knows just how to get back on her feet—by filming a raw, gritty documentary about MMA fighters, starring the hottest welterweight around. The only problem? He’s the one responsible for ruining her life.
MMA-champion-turned-model Caden Kelly is hell-bent on reestablishing himself as the best fighter in the country. He’d been on a roll, too, until that loudmouth reporter hit him in the head with a camera on national TV. The headaches he’s suffered since are nothing compared to the one he gets when she shows up, seeking an exclusive. That Sophie’s gorgeous is undeniable…but she’s also the most infuriating woman he’s ever met.
Stepping into the ring with Caden Kelly is not for the faint of heart, but Sophie’s never been the delicate type. This champion may have finally met his match—both in and out of the bedroom.
Don’t miss Knock Out, a Romantic Times Magazine 4 1/2 Stars Top Pick - available now!

MY REVIEW:
     In the book prior Sophie Morelle, hot shot Shock Jock, had tripped at an MMA match.  Bumping her camera man who in turn was bumped so hard lost hold of his camera and knocked out Caden Kelly.  He was the up and coming welterweight fight champion and underwear model.
     In that one miss step both careers were shot to the high heavens.  Sophie who’s contract was in negotiations for her contract was fired due to the company pulling their ads from the station for Caden’s underwear ads.  Also, not allowing her to go get another job for a month due to a no sigh contract clause.
     As for Caden he suffered a concussion and never ending headaches.  Plus the fact that it now stalled his come back for a while.  He was focused but in pain.  He was worried but with just cause.  You see Sophie was not his favorite person and she had been asking around.
     Caden hated users/posers.  He had way too many of those from his past.  To him that is what Sophie posed.  As for her she used her smart mouth, outlandish talk, and shock value to keep everyone mainly men at bay.  Due to her past and how she was treated.  Let’s just say they both had serious trust issues, commitment issues, and intimacy issues.
     I really enjoyed this series.  This is the second book I have read and I have to say they keep you on your toes.  There are some very funny moments between Caden and Sophie as well as some very scary ones too.  Some in the way of physical harm that comes and can come to the characters, but the emotional scars from their past that they go through that you piece together as the reader.  Ms. Mannon does it in such a real way that you can see it unfold right before your eyes.  A lot happens in this 267 pages.  I give it 5 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com. 
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