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Face-Off
These three couples are skating on thin ice!"Ice Time"
Newly retired NHL hockey player Jarrad McBride's life seems permanently sidelined. But maybe sexy schoolteacher Sierra Janssen is just the woman to get him back in play....
"In The Sin Bin"
Samantha McBride was good and over firefighter Greg Olsen. But when an unexpected reunion sends lust crackling between them, it's clear that this game isn't finished...and there's only one way to settle this score!
"Breakaway"
When skating sweetheart Becky Haines is paired with hotshot NHL rookie Taylor McBride for a charity event, there's no hiding their frustration with each other...or their scorching chemistry! But will full body contact earn them a penalty?
Newly retired NHL hockey player Jarrad McBride's life seems permanently sidelined. But maybe sexy schoolteacher Sierra Janssen is just the woman to get him back in play....
"In The Sin Bin"
Samantha McBride was good and over firefighter Greg Olsen. But when an unexpected reunion sends lust crackling between them, it's clear that this game isn't finished...and there's only one way to settle this score!
"Breakaway"
When skating sweetheart Becky Haines is paired with hotshot NHL rookie Taylor McBride for a charity event, there's no hiding their frustration with each other...or their scorching chemistry! But will full body contact earn them a penalty?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 9, 2011
6 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Warren
365 books1,900 followersNancy Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 novels.
She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
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She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
www.facebook.com/groups/NancyWarrenKn...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 18, 2011
I loved this 3 story sports romance centering on the hockey-playing McBride family. It was well written, fast paced, had just enough detail, and some sweet heat in all three stories.
Ice Time features newly retired 35 year-old, ruggedly handsome NHL star Jarrad McBride. Due to an on-ice body check that rattled his brains and left him with no peripheral vision, Jarrad was forced to give up the sport he loved and wasn't yet ready to leave. Recently divorced from a high-profile swimsuit model and feeling a little humiliated by her antics with her famous boyfriend and the constant paparazzi attention in L.A., and feeling at a loss about what to do with the rest of his life, Jarrad welcomes the chance to escape back to his hometown of Vancouver. His long-time friend and cop Greg Olsen wants Jarrad to coach his amateur hockey team (made up of firefighters and cops) for an upcoming tournament. While Jarrad observes the team's practice at the rink, he's distracted by an amateur women's team practicing on an adjoining rink, and especially the plucky blonde (Sierra Janssen) struggling with her skating. Before you know it, Jarrad's helping her with her skating, taking her out for coffee where they talk about their careers (she's a second grade teacher) and really connect, and to his surprise, heading back to his place with more than talking on the agenda. Is this a hot fling or just the beginning of a future for Jarrad and Sierra?
I really enjoyed this one and the set-up for the rest of the book (we meet Jarrad's younger lawyer sister and brother (future NHL rookie) in this one). Jarrad and Sierra are hot together and adorable. There's no big misunderstanding or real conflict (except getting past Sierra's feelings of inferiority). Yes, the romance happens fast (over a three-day weekend), but these two are mature enough and communicate well that you know they're going to make it.
In the Sin Bin is a reunited lovers story featuring Jarrad's 33- year-old sister Samantha, and the guy she left behind 10 years ago with a broken heart, policeman Greg Olsen. Samantha and Greg had been an item since high school, and were on the path to marriage, until Sam cold cold feet over what she misinterpreted as Greg's desire to control her. Now 10 years later, and crossing paths once again at the tournament her brother is coaching, both realize the sexual spark is still there. But is that enough to get two stubborn people to trust in love again?
This one was probably a little hotter (sexually) than the first story, but had way more conflict. A lot of push-pull from Greg, with whether he will put himself out there to be possibly hurt again by Samantha or not. In this story, Samantha has to take a chance on Greg and really lay her heart on the line. A really sweet ending and a lot of heat made this story a winner too.
And finally Breakaway, about the youngest McBride, future NHL rookie Taylor, and Canada's 'sweetheart', figure skating champ Becky Haines. Taylor and Becky are thrown together for a charity skating event, and the sparks fly even though the two take an immediate dislike to one another. Will a physical connection (and later an emotional one) be enough for Becky to 'break away' from her controlled life and become her own woman?
This was a good one too--I thought Taylor was adorable...Becky, not so much (at least not at first--she was kind of bitchy). Lots of heat in this one too, and lots of references to Taylor's 'hairy body'. Hmm, I guess that's not either of the McBride boys on the cover of this book...
If you're a fan of sports romance, like lots of heat (but nothing kinky) in your stories, and like the family (brother/sister) element, I think you'll like this one. 4 1/2 stars
Ice Time features newly retired 35 year-old, ruggedly handsome NHL star Jarrad McBride. Due to an on-ice body check that rattled his brains and left him with no peripheral vision, Jarrad was forced to give up the sport he loved and wasn't yet ready to leave. Recently divorced from a high-profile swimsuit model and feeling a little humiliated by her antics with her famous boyfriend and the constant paparazzi attention in L.A., and feeling at a loss about what to do with the rest of his life, Jarrad welcomes the chance to escape back to his hometown of Vancouver. His long-time friend and cop Greg Olsen wants Jarrad to coach his amateur hockey team (made up of firefighters and cops) for an upcoming tournament. While Jarrad observes the team's practice at the rink, he's distracted by an amateur women's team practicing on an adjoining rink, and especially the plucky blonde (Sierra Janssen) struggling with her skating. Before you know it, Jarrad's helping her with her skating, taking her out for coffee where they talk about their careers (she's a second grade teacher) and really connect, and to his surprise, heading back to his place with more than talking on the agenda. Is this a hot fling or just the beginning of a future for Jarrad and Sierra?
I really enjoyed this one and the set-up for the rest of the book (we meet Jarrad's younger lawyer sister and brother (future NHL rookie) in this one). Jarrad and Sierra are hot together and adorable. There's no big misunderstanding or real conflict (except getting past Sierra's feelings of inferiority). Yes, the romance happens fast (over a three-day weekend), but these two are mature enough and communicate well that you know they're going to make it.
In the Sin Bin is a reunited lovers story featuring Jarrad's 33- year-old sister Samantha, and the guy she left behind 10 years ago with a broken heart, policeman Greg Olsen. Samantha and Greg had been an item since high school, and were on the path to marriage, until Sam cold cold feet over what she misinterpreted as Greg's desire to control her. Now 10 years later, and crossing paths once again at the tournament her brother is coaching, both realize the sexual spark is still there. But is that enough to get two stubborn people to trust in love again?
This one was probably a little hotter (sexually) than the first story, but had way more conflict. A lot of push-pull from Greg, with whether he will put himself out there to be possibly hurt again by Samantha or not. In this story, Samantha has to take a chance on Greg and really lay her heart on the line. A really sweet ending and a lot of heat made this story a winner too.
And finally Breakaway, about the youngest McBride, future NHL rookie Taylor, and Canada's 'sweetheart', figure skating champ Becky Haines. Taylor and Becky are thrown together for a charity skating event, and the sparks fly even though the two take an immediate dislike to one another. Will a physical connection (and later an emotional one) be enough for Becky to 'break away' from her controlled life and become her own woman?
This was a good one too--I thought Taylor was adorable...Becky, not so much (at least not at first--she was kind of bitchy). Lots of heat in this one too, and lots of references to Taylor's 'hairy body'. Hmm, I guess that's not either of the McBride boys on the cover of this book...
If you're a fan of sports romance, like lots of heat (but nothing kinky) in your stories, and like the family (brother/sister) element, I think you'll like this one. 4 1/2 stars
July 27, 2015
Three novellas centred around hockey & the McBride siblings. Relationships developed or redeveloped at speed.
First both burned & wary, No. 2 second chance and last a little professional snobbery & a young woman starting to rebel, craving a personal life.
They are heartwarming, sweet, show humour & vulnerability while describing slamming bodys intwined.
Great light read.
First both burned & wary, No. 2 second chance and last a little professional snobbery & a young woman starting to rebel, craving a personal life.
They are heartwarming, sweet, show humour & vulnerability while describing slamming bodys intwined.
Great light read.
September 14, 2014
Read in "Game On" box set.
Two-haiku review:
Vancouver setting
Three siblings, three novellas
Hockey related
Three great short stories
Thought I wouldn't like this one
But I did, a lot
Two-haiku review:
Vancouver setting
Three siblings, three novellas
Hockey related
Three great short stories
Thought I wouldn't like this one
But I did, a lot
February 1, 2018
The characters in this book were 2 hockey playing brothers and their attorney sister. An anthology of 3 stories, each one kind of picking up where the other one left off, one sibling the main character in each story.
While the characters themselves were likable, the stories were rushed and lacking. There was plenty of steam in them, but it happened unbelievably fast, and the relationships between each couple felt rushed and kind of unbelievable.
I would have enjoyed this much more as a trilogy- I think that each story had enough to be it's own book, and the stories would have been a lot better.
While the characters themselves were likable, the stories were rushed and lacking. There was plenty of steam in them, but it happened unbelievably fast, and the relationships between each couple felt rushed and kind of unbelievable.
I would have enjoyed this much more as a trilogy- I think that each story had enough to be it's own book, and the stories would have been a lot better.
April 14, 2019
The first story had insta-love, a trope I can barely stand. Still, I pushed through it and finished the story only to stumble into my next most hated trope- miscommunication. I don't have patience for such stories where the h-H go round and round in circles because they are too chicken to talk about their feelings. I gave up midway through the second story.
So, ba-bye book. I'm not even sure why I picked this up in the first place, seeing that it is a Harlequin and the name itself is a red-flag to my rational sensibilities.
Honestly, totally meh! read. Don't waste you time on it.
So, ba-bye book. I'm not even sure why I picked this up in the first place, seeing that it is a Harlequin and the name itself is a red-flag to my rational sensibilities.
Honestly, totally meh! read. Don't waste you time on it.
April 21, 2018
A collection of three stories, each one has a McBride sibling as one of the MCs. I’d call his hockey-adjacent rather than hockey romance, as there is almost no actual hockey involved. The first story was the best of the three. The other two were kinda meh, both had unexplained time gaps or timeline flubs, which drive me crazy. The third one has a very similar plot to the Cutting Edge movie, if that’s your thing. Overall, just meh.
March 21, 2018
Three short stories make up this book, each sibling getting their HEA. I just didn't care about any of them as there wasn't enough time to get to know any of the characters very well. Reading this one dragged on too long for such a short book.
July 21, 2020
La típica historia de amor Americana.
December 18, 2020
3 x minis, 1 per sibling. Lots of sex.
September 30, 2011
I was a little disappointed in this one. Glossing over the one time, Woobie Contemporary Author crown endangering use of the word "turgid" (it has multiple meanings, none of them sexy, please stop using it), the stories in this anthology were too short to get to know the characters enough to really care. On top of that the tension is resolved before it has time to build. I would have rather have coughed up money for three separate books and got the whole story.
As always in Nancy Warren books, I liked the characters (or began to like them before they were hurriedly put aside) and there weren't any jarring grammar problems that have a tendency of creeping into other Harlequin authors' books. She knows what she's doing, but she's limited by the length imposed on the imprint. Yes, I'm rationalizing. I love Nancy Warren's other books so I wanted to love this one too, but it didn't satisfy they way I've come to expect in her work.
As always in Nancy Warren books, I liked the characters (or began to like them before they were hurriedly put aside) and there weren't any jarring grammar problems that have a tendency of creeping into other Harlequin authors' books. She knows what she's doing, but she's limited by the length imposed on the imprint. Yes, I'm rationalizing. I love Nancy Warren's other books so I wanted to love this one too, but it didn't satisfy they way I've come to expect in her work.
May 7, 2011
3 short stories involving siblings.
1st story involved a pro hockey player who suffered a career ending injury and is now at loose ends, not sure what he wants to do.
2nd story is the sister to the hockey player. She is a lawyer who had a huge misunderstanding with her high school boyfriend before leaving for college. He is a cop and plays on a local hockey team. She has to decide if she wants to revisit the past.
3rd story is the youngest brother who has been trying to break into the NHL. In order to up his exposure, his agent sets him up to dance on ice with a figure skater for charity.
While all 3 storys were likable, I enjoyed the first one the best.
The heroine of the 2rd story is a little bit annoying, but this is more related to her age, I think, and the fact that her parents still have a lot of control over (at least) her public life.
1st story involved a pro hockey player who suffered a career ending injury and is now at loose ends, not sure what he wants to do.
2nd story is the sister to the hockey player. She is a lawyer who had a huge misunderstanding with her high school boyfriend before leaving for college. He is a cop and plays on a local hockey team. She has to decide if she wants to revisit the past.
3rd story is the youngest brother who has been trying to break into the NHL. In order to up his exposure, his agent sets him up to dance on ice with a figure skater for charity.
While all 3 storys were likable, I enjoyed the first one the best.
The heroine of the 2rd story is a little bit annoying, but this is more related to her age, I think, and the fact that her parents still have a lot of control over (at least) her public life.
July 15, 2011
I always applaud the Harlequin writers who write a great story in 224 pages or less so it's amazing to me that NW can write three great stories in an anthology of the same length!
My favourite story was Jarrad's in Ice Time as he hooks up with the simple but smart and sexy schoolteacher Sierra. In continuity stories you may sometimes need a memory jog to remember who's who but because the McBride sibling stories are all in one anthology, you have no problems keeping track.
All three stories were fun, red-hot, and well written. I'm looking forward to NW's next and, hopefully, longer story!
My favourite story was Jarrad's in Ice Time as he hooks up with the simple but smart and sexy schoolteacher Sierra. In continuity stories you may sometimes need a memory jog to remember who's who but because the McBride sibling stories are all in one anthology, you have no problems keeping track.
All three stories were fun, red-hot, and well written. I'm looking forward to NW's next and, hopefully, longer story!
March 4, 2011
Let see this book has two hockey players and a cop. Do I need to say more? I've alway enjoy Nancy Warrens book and this is no different. The only complaint I have is that each story was to short. I needed more. I would have to say that my favorite of the three stories was Ice Time, Jarrad and Sierra's story. Not to say the others weren't good but you know how it is when you read trilogies there's always one that's your favorite.
February 28, 2012
Despite my obvious love for "Harlequin Romance" line, sometimes I'm in need of more sensuous read. Something where women make bold moves and men are more rough around the edges. "Blaze" has it all and even more.
"Face-Off" was the perfect combination of romance, humor & sensuality. The characters were amazing! You gotta love hot, hunky & larger that life hockey players and their petite women. I highly recommend this wonderful 3-stories-in-one book featuring 3 McBride siblings.
"Face-Off" was the perfect combination of romance, humor & sensuality. The characters were amazing! You gotta love hot, hunky & larger that life hockey players and their petite women. I highly recommend this wonderful 3-stories-in-one book featuring 3 McBride siblings.
October 23, 2011
Three fun hockey stories about siblings and although they were each short and steamy I still felt the romance in all of them. 1) Jarrad newly retired from NHL notices Sierra in the rink barely able to skate. 2) Samantha never really got over her childhood love for Greg. 3) Figure skater Becky is paired with NHL rookie Taylor for charity event.
September 4, 2015
A trio of novellas about siblings connected with hockey. Two brothers in the NHL and their knowledgeable sister, whose old high school flame is a cop who plays hockey. The conflict is minimal, since there's not a lot of room for conflict resolution, and the relationships heat up quickly since this Is a Blaze, after all. It was an enjoyable read.
September 13, 2011
Very cute trio of stories about siblings who skate or who fall in love with skaters. Ms. Warren does a lovely job of packing the stories into so few words, although I did want a little more at the end :)
March 15, 2012
Three short stories about the McBride siblings - two hockey brothers and a lawyer sister. I particularly loved the first story, about the older brother forced to retire due to injury and falling for the local elementary school when he returns back home to Vancouver.
May 19, 2015
Face-Off consisted of three intertwined short stories about three Canadian siblings, which I liked. I also liked how the siblings were all connected to hockey in some manner. I did wish that the stories were long, but the stories were delightful and I had a wonderful time reading them.
dnf
April 9, 2020This was part of a 4-book set I checked out from Overdrive. I could not stomach the writing and should have skipped it entirely. I was only able to read the first of the three stories in this book. Ugh.
April 22, 2011
4 stars – Contemporary/Sports Romance Anthology
March 15, 2011
Cute book with three short, sweet stories. No angst, just sweet stories with happy endings.
April 18, 2011
three fun easy to read short stories.
September 14, 2011
This would have been a full 5 star read if the stories were not so choppy and finished without notice.
March 27, 2012
one and a half stars.... i usually like nancy warren books but this one i just didnt like.... it felt like a chore to finish it off, not a feeling i enjoy when i read novels
July 28, 2013
Ready for another about all these couples good read for me thx
April 2, 2013
I liked all of the stories. short but sweet, but i do have to say that the first one is my favorite.
December 30, 2014
Three novellas following the lives of siblings. The plots of each read more like promising outlines for single titles and should have been developed as such.
October 1, 2015
2.5 stars
March 6, 2011
3 sweet and pretty hot short stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews