Full Strength

Las Vegas Sinners #2

by Katie Kenyhercz

After a bum knee ended her soccer days, Alexandra—Allie—Kallen has dedicated her life to helping injured athletes cope and get back in the game. As the new team sports psychologist of the Las Vegas Sinners, she starts out with just one player, but he’s a handful. Goalies are stubborn, and she would know. She’s determined to figure him out and return him to the net good as new, especially after she sent her last patient back to the ice too soon. The problem is, she sees so much of herself in Shane, and their chemistry is off the charts. Falling for him isn’t in the plan. Is love worth losing her career?

Shane Reese’s entire identity has been wrapped up in being a goalie since he was five years old. When he gets a high ankle sprain right before playoffs, he doesn’t exactly take it well. After putting his fist through the physical therapy room wall and hitting a few joking teammates, he’s ordered to see the new shrink. All he has to do is convince her he’s seen the light, and he can get back to defending his team as soon as his ankle heals. The problem is, she sees through him like no one he’s ever met, and the more time he spends with her, the less hot he is to get back to the ice. Could something mean more than hockey?

Genres: Sports, Romance, Sports Romance, Hockey, Contemporary, Ebooks, Hockey Romance

226 pages, ebook

First published February 17, 2014

About the author

I live in Ohio with my husband and Sylvie the cat, and I write hockey romance.

I played one season of roller hockey when I was fifteen--it hurt enough that I decided I liked it better as a spectator--and it's been true love ever since! My fictional team is the Las Vegas Sinners, and my real-world team is the Pittsburgh Penguins.

I like strong, capable heroines who bring out the vulnerability in their tough guys.

Reviews

[Chu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the fact that this one is a part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

Her injury had stopped her from playing soccer. Since then, Alexandra Kallen had put all her passion into helping athletes cope with their injury and get back into the game. Being a sports psychologist in the team proved to be a bit of a challenged, especially when she was handed a stubborn player. But she was up for a challenge, and this time there was no room for mistake. She had done it once, and she wasn't going to do it again. But then, there's this chemistry that is brewing between them. Is he worth the risk of losing her career?

More than just the ankle injury, Shane Reese's has a lot more issues on his plate. It just put more gas on the flames. Playoffs is coming, and he wasn't yet allowed to get on the ice. After causing some havoc in physical therapy and some teammates, he was forced to see the new shrink. All he has to do was to convince her he was fine. Problem is, this woman sees right through him. The more he spends time with her, the dangerous it got for his heart.

I like the chemistry between two characters, and the individual issues Katie had given them. For Shane, it was his ankle injury, and the changes in his life, and for Kally, it was more of the acceptance of the team. Being a shrink is not an easy job, especially when a stigma is attached to every person who knocks in their doors. At first, they tried to fight it, ethics and all - but with chemistry of this magnitude, a whole rink of ice would sizzle. They were meant for each other! I'm glad they have worked it out with each other's help.

I had so much fun reading. This is my first Katie Kenyhercz book, and this wouldn't be my last.

*ARC COPY GIVEN IN EXCHANGE OF AN HONEST REVIEW*

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie Kenyhercz knows how to write chemistry. Having fallen in love with her characters in On the Fly, I can't tell you how impatiently I waited for the next in the Las Vegas Sinners series. She did not disappoint.

Allie and Shane are wonderful together and aching when apart, even if what they feel for each other brushes uncomfortably close to unethical and inappropriate. But the beauty of their situation is in helping the injured goalie get his head back in the game, the sports therapist's confidence in her own professional abilities is restored. You can't help but pull hard for them to find a solution to the obstacles in their way because they truly belong together.

Full Strength is a winner.

[Debbie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly a five star read

I loved the balance of hockey and off ice time and the representation of the stress of the playoffs.
But these two never actually told each other they were in love with the other before she casually said ‘you know I love you’ in front of the team owner with no reaction from him. That was a huge disappointment.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Gwyneth Cage · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, except I didn’t really like her toward the end

[Renes Getaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the Fly by Katie Kenyhercz is a prequel to this book but either book could be read and enjoyed alone. However, being an avid reader all my life I know very well that anytime we enjoy an author’s work and know that the author has other books out there with the same cast of characters, we always want to read them all, so I would suggest reading On the Fly first as that is the timeline for the story. Like book one this novel is also a romance and revolves around the same hockey team and owners as the first book and also takes place in Las Vegas.

But in book two we meet a new addition to the staff as well as get to know expanded family members and friends of some of the characters and a more in depth acquaintance with some of the team members from book one, while the leading characters from the first book play a more minor role.

The newest employee is Allie Kallen, a psychologist who specializes in treating athletes who are dealing with injuries that require prolonged healing time and the impact on their psychological adjustment to the slow recovery or limited activity, as well as recognizing and treating any other issues a team player may be dealing with—perhaps insecurity about being re-injured when they return to play or rejection by other team members if their injury or prolonged absence is causing a negative effect on the team’s performance. It was a decision made by Jacey, who we learned in book one inherited this team from her father and had to face a lot of criticism for basically being a female team owner in good old boy territory. Every decision she made was scrutinized in great detail by the national board of professional hockey team owners, almost as if they were hoping she would fail. One of those decisions was hiring a
female to coach the all male team. Now she has done it again by hiring a young, attractive, unmarried female psychologist to work with her team.

Please visit www.renesgetaway.blogspot.com for the full review plus many other great reviews!

[Cocktails and Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books

This is the second book in the Las Vegas Sinners series and each one is a stand-alone. This story centers on Dr. Allie Kallen and goalie Shane Reese. After finishing her degree, Allie is hired as the sports psychologist for the Las Vegas Sinners hockey team. The first person they want her to work with is Shane Reese, the team’s goalie. He is recovering from an injury and worries about his career coming to an end and is lashing out at everyone. From the moment Allie and Shane meet, the chemistry zings between them and Shane continually tries to convince Allie to go out with him. However, employees of the team are not allowed to date the players and Allie is afraid of ruining her career and losing her job if she sees Shane outside of work.

It is easy to like Shane. He is a nice guy and he is attracted to Allie from the moment he meets her. He makes her feel special and lets her to know he cares about her. Shane has a lot on his mind and he worries about all the changes taking place in his life and it is affecting his game. Allie wants to help him, but he is uncomfortable opening up and sharing his feelings with a shrink. In fact, none of the guys on the team want to talk to Allie, because they think it is a sign of weakness. I admire Allie’s hard work and determination and how she never lets the team’s attitude get her down. This is a sweet hockey romance and Shane and Allie have a lot of chemistry together. My only problem with the book was the ending. Yes it is a HEA, but it didn’t seem realalistic. I enjoyed this book as much as the first book in the series and can’t wait to read WINNING STREAK.

Reviewer information can be found under the Tags section of the post on our site.

[Downward dog · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/

I was given a copy of this book to write an honest review for Cocktails and Books.

This is the second book in the Las Vegas Sinners series and each one is a stand-alone. This story centers on Dr. Allie Kallen and goalie Shane Reese. After finishing her degree, Allie is hired as the sports psychologist for the Las Vegas Sinners hockey team. The first person they want her to work with is Shane Reese, the team’s goalie. He is recovering from an injury and worries about his career coming to an end and is lashing out at everyone. From the moment Allie and Shane meet, the chemistry zings between them and Shane continually tries to convince Allie to go out with him. However, employees of the team are not allowed to date the players and Allie is afraid of ruining her career and losing her job if she sees Shane outside of work.
It is easy to like Shane. He is a nice guy and he is attracted to Allie from the moment he meets her. He makes her feel special and lets her to know he cares about her. Shane has a lot on his mind and he worries about all the changes taking place in his life and it is affecting his game. Allie wants to help him, but he is uncomfortable opening up and sharing his feelings with a shrink. In fact, none of the guys on the team want to talk to Allie, because they think it is a sign of weakness. I admire Allie’s hard work and determination and how she never lets the team’s attitude get her down. This is a sweet hockey romance and Shane and Allie have a lot of chemistry together. My only problem with the book was the ending. Yes it is a HEA, but it didn’t seem realalistic. I enjoyed this book as much as the first book in the series and can’t wait to read WINNING STREAK.

[Sassy Moms Say Read Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah's Review
Thank you to Katie for reaching out for a review for another one of her books, On The Fly. As soon as I found out it was a hockey romance, I pounced and then was offered this one as well. I enjoyed this one as much as I enjoyed the other one.

We met Shane Reese, Reese as he is called, in On The Fly since is is Carter's best friend and goalie of the Sinners. At the beginning of this story, we find out that Reese was injured and was required to meet with the team psychologist. Boy, to say he isn't happy is an understatement. That is until he meets Dr. Kallen.

Dr. Allie Kallen moved to Vegas to work with the Sinners after her own sport injury to give back in a way that only someone who experienced a sport career ending injury can. At first, Allie is wondering if she made a mistake moving to Vegas but she begins to help the dance team and Reese. She knows that there is something Reese is repressing but she isn't sure what since she had experienced an injury as well. When she realizes that there is something he is unaware of, she goes looking for the tape from when he was injured. She is able to pinpoint something that she is sure Reese isn't aware of.

Reese and Allie were not prepared for the level of attraction that they have for each other and that leads to professional problems for both of them. However, they seem to find a way to respect the professional and personal aspects until one picture could ruin the whole thing.

[Tpagirl Loves Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read! Full Strength detailed the ethical and professional conflict of a developing relationship between a patient and client for an NHL team, the Las Vegas Sinners. Kenyhercz did an exemplary job providing an accurate, well developed, in-depth story line with a realistic conflict and practical solution.

The story wasn't too far off from the first in the series, On The Fly. Yet this time the story was between the star goalie, Shane Reese and the team psychologist, Allie Kallen....and it worked for me. Both were strong, likable characters with a great sense of humor. Comprehensive insight was provided allowing us inside the head of each one for both past and present. Although we were given a glimpse of additional characters from both the team and family, I would have preferred additional depth with the supporting characters.

Full Strength also provided an authentic perspective of professional hockey as a game as well as the team dynamics. The camaraderie, brotherhood and superstitious nuances added both substance and humor to the story line. Accurate involvement is an important aspect to me when reading a sports romance novel.

Lastly, I preferred an epilogue or some type of ending with final thoughts from either Reese or Kally versus an abrupt end. Hopefully we'll see more of that in future books within the series. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was a great read.

[Jenny Dauksa Schaber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of Katie's that I've read, and I enjoyed it very much! I've always been athletic, so I had even more relatability to the characters than I expected. Reese has an injury and is forced into therapy by the team owner. He wasn't expecting the team's therapist to be his own age with an attraction that short circuited his brain. He's had an extremely difficult year, and it's Allie's job to get him back into the playing mindset. She's got her work cut out for her, but seeing as they played the same position in similar sports - Reese lets his guard down a little more that he was anticipating. Allie's injury was career ending, but that gives her additional insight into how players react to injury and not being able to play. It was fun watching their banter while both in session and out. I love seeing men nervous to ask a strong woman out on a date. There was debate because the relationship is "technically" taboo - doctor/patient. That actually plays a very large part of the story line. I liked that the hockey lingo and the game scenes weren't too technical so anyone could follow it easily. If you're looking for a relaxing and fun sports read, give this a click. I don't think you'd be disappointed.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Mackenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked On the Fly so I was excited to see a sequel out. Full Strength is about Shane Reese (the Sinners' goalie and Phylnn' s best friend) and the new team psychologist, Allie Kallen. Phylnn and Jaycie make a few appearances but mostly stay in the background of the story. When I read On the Fly, I felt like it only had one major flaw, the excessively brief conclusion. This book remedies that because we get a glimpse at Jaycie and Phylnn' s life after a year and all seems solid. It also, has a satisfying end for Reese and Allie, so all was good on that front. One minor almost flaw that On the Fly had was that some of the characters were on the fence between developed and underdeveloped. This book had a similar issue but, as with On the Fly, I decided that the character development was good enough to call it a forgivable flaw. The only thing that bugged me enough to lose stars was that there were times when the story dragged on a bit and the progress was slow. During those bits, I didn't mind putting my Kindle down for a while. Even so, I would recommend Full Strength and will read any other Las Vegas Sinners series books.

[Yazmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Full Strength by Katie Kenyhercz, Alexandra Kallen has dedicated herself to helping injured athletes cope with their injuries and get back in the game. Since she used to play soccer in college, she knows what an injury can do to an athlete and personally knows how an injury can affect them both physically and psychologically. She hopes that as the new team psychologist for the Las Vegas Sinners she’ll be able to help them. But being accepted and seen by the players voluntarily is not easy, so she starts with one player who has been injured and needs her approval before he will go back to play, but he is a handful and definitely not as open to seeing her as she is to seeing him.
 
Shane Reese is definitely not happy with his situation. Not only did he get a high ankle sprain right before the playoffs, after a few of his teammates were joking about it his anger got the better of him. Resulting with him putting his fist through the wall and on some of his teammates as well. Read More...

[Jonel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author wrote a novel that will definitely steal your heart. She takes the real world and wraps it around her character, using what we know about ‘adult Disney Land’ as the basis for what she puts her characters through. This novel definitely made me look at organized sports in a different way. And even though this one is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone novel.

I quite enjoyed the characters in this novel. They fit into the stereotypes associated with their positions in life and society, yet always with a twist. As a reader you also get to know them quite well as individuals. I couldn’t help but wonder how things could possibly work out for them while hoping that they would. Oh, and the characters say some of the most ridiculous things in this novel. Just like real life. I couldn’t help but laugh.

I definitely enjoyed reading this novel and would recommend it to others. It may have been my first foray into this author’s writing, but I plan to read more in the future.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed on Behalf of Give Me Books

Full Strength is the second in the Las Vegas Sinners series. While I enjoyed the first book, On the Fly, I absolutely loved this book! This books focused on Shane Reese, the goalie, and Allie "Kally" Kallan, the new sports psychologist for the team. We watched as the dancers, Shane, and eventually the entire hockey team opened up to Allie and made her one of their own.

I really liked this book more than the first because of the relationship between Shane and Allie as well as all of the secondary characters. The addition of Shane's sister, Saralynn, and Mac, Allie's best friend, made the story more realistic. This one also focused more on the hockey aspect which is one of the only sports I watch thanks to my husband. I liked how we got to see more of the team as well as follow the continuation of Carter and Jacey from the first book. I can't to see what else Katie brings us from the Las Vegas Sinners! (4.5 stars)

[1-Click Addict Support Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Strength is the second in the Las Vegas Sinners series. While I enjoyed the first book, On the Fly, I absolutely loved this book! This book focused on Shane Reese, the goalie, and Allie "Kally" Kallan, the new sports psychologist for the team. We watched as the dancers, Shane, and eventually the entire hockey team opened up to Allie and made her one of their own.

I really liked this book more than the first because of the relationship between Shane and Allie, as well as all of the secondary characters. The addition of Shane's sister, Saralynn, and Mac, Allie's best friend, made the story more realistic.

This one also focused more on the hockey aspect which is one of the only sports I watch thanks to my husband. I liked how we got to see more of the team as well as follow the continuation of Carter and Jacey from the first book. I can't to see what else Katie brings us from the Las Vegas Sinners! ~ Tiffany, 4.5 stars

[Amazeballs Book Addicts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two of the Las Vegas Sinners Hockey team series and I must say it was pretty good. I have to admit that Phlynn and Jacey's book is still my favorite, however I really like Shane aka Reese and Allie as well. They have another "forbidden" love because she works for the team and he is on the team. I really like the flow of the book and it is masterfully written. My only complaint is that I felt it was a little slow in places and I just wanted it to pick up the pace just a tad. I did enjoy that Phlynn and Jacey were in this book as well along with all the other previous hockey team guys. That one negative was more than made up for by the rest of the book and one I would still recommend to people to read especially if you love hockey. This one is a 4.25 AMAZEBALLS stars.

A copy was gifted in exchange for an honest review.
Review by Tabitha

[Starla · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review” I loved Allie and Reece. They were such great characters, both going through so much but still being such kind caring people. Allie took a life altering injury and turned it into a career. Reece was still working on what he would learn from his injury which made for an interesting dynamic between the two of them. I really enjoyed the balance of outside influence and the connection between the two of them. I am trying to carefully choose what to say because I do not want to spoil the experience for other readers. This is a wonderful story with a happy ending for two special characters. This is my first book by Katie Kenyhercz but I will be looking for more of her books in the future. You do not have to love sports to enjoy this book but if you do it is that much more special.

[Karen K. Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet read. I liked Allie's commitment and passion for her job and the people she served. Reese was such a lovable character. I instantly liked him and admired his commitment to Allie. As the team psychologist and a former soccer goalie, Allie was insightful to Reese's problems. She made him look at his problems head on, made his face what was really his problem. She encouraged him to take the steps that he needed to get back in the game. I don't often like reading a second book in a series without reading the first, but there was enough of a background developed that I didn't miss having read the first. I might go back and read the first after reading this one.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read for me by Katie Kenyhercz. Full Strength is a continuation of the Las Vegas Sinners series. Dr. Alexandra "Allie" Kallen is a Psychologist who deals with Sports injuries. In comes Shane Reese (goalie) who requires the services of Allie. The services run into more than patient and Doctor.

This is the 2nd part of a Hockey series where the team owner and coach are both women. It's great for those ladies who are not only into sports but also into romance. Looking forward to other books by Katie K.

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Strength by Katie Kenyhercz

A sports oriented contemporary romance. Stands alone but part of a loose series with the theme and some characters in common.
Light but with enough of a minor conflict to keep interested and invested.
I am the furthest thing from a sport fan. I enjoyed this book because it didn't overdo the sports lingo or go too deep into things I wouldn't understand. It did give me just a bit of insight into the locker room "lucky" talismans.
Romance was the main theme here and it was done well.

I received a copy of this book for review.

[Jessica Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great book. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down until I was finished. The story was great and the author did a great job of developing the relationships in the book. This book brought together my love of sports and love of a good love story very well.

This is the 2nd book of the series but I couldn't tell that. I wasn't lost or anything when I read it. I'm always leery of picking up a serial book without reading the first but this can read as a stand alone.

[The Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by an awesome author!!! I basically read this one in a matter of hours the story really sucked me in!! the characters are just amazing and the story is really captivating... could you really walk away from the one that makes you feel better? or would you put everything else aside and let love win? I know the answer and I knew the characters did find the answer!! and I have to admit I have a silly teenage crush on coach Nealy because she is awesome!!! I can't wait to read more in this series! *Book provided in exchange of an honest review*

[Missy Clifton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I had no idea it was part of a series when I started reading it but, I am now getting the others so I can read them too.

Kally is a sports psychologist for the Sinners hockey team in Las Vegas. Shane is a Goalie for the Sinners unfortunately he is out with an injury. Kally helps Shane with the why's of his injury, it helps that she has been there before.
Very happy that it was a hockey romance it's not often you come across a good one.

*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review."

[Natalija · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but it wasn't quite as good as On the Fly . Since I read them both almost back to back, I was slightly disapponted when I realized that it's very similar to the first one. The primary conflict, once again, was that of unprofessional/unethical relationship. Basically, they had the same problems as Carter and Jacey, sans media attention.

All in all, a worthy addition to this series, but I don't see myself picking up book 3 anytime soon.

[Darla Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a free read for a review. When Shane Reese first meets his team shink Allie Kallen, AKA Kally, he hates it and doesn't like her much either. However, as his body begins to heal. Reese looks at Allie differently. I'm a big fan of sports and romance. This reminded me of Rachel Gibson's sports book. The writing flowed very well and I was done reading it in no time. But now I want to read the rest of the series.Sigh

[V.L. Locey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful hockey romance! Sure, I may be a bit biased. After all, the leading man is a goalie, but aside from my rampant goalie-lust, this book delivers. The plot is solid, the pace neat and crisp, the dialog fun and snappy. The sex is sweetly sensual, which works for both the book and the author`s style. Overall a great read for any romance or hockey fan!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great romance. Hope there will be more in this series.

[Janeiowa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Las Vegas Sinners, pro hockey team, and goalie, Shane Reese and sports psychologist, Dr. Alexandra Kallen..."Kally"

[Sherri Romero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet easy little read

No big mysteries. No big scenes. Just a nice little romance with very likeable characters. Read and enjoy your self