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The Warriors #2
Cold as Ice
The Warriors take to the ice again in Charlene Groome's sensational series about hockey players and the women who love them. But the team's new addition may have to work for a warm welcome. . .Defenseman Devin Miller has bounced from team to team and city to city, but he's finally ready to settle down—professionally and personally. The Warriors seems like the perfect fit. Now all he needs is the right woman to start a family with—and he's willing to put in the practice to find her. Sports anchor Carla Sinclair already doesn't like Vancouver's hot new acquisition. So when she's persuaded to interview him, she's not prepared for the chemistry between them. But though Devin seems eager to show Carla his moves—on and off the ice—he keeps his personal life off-limits. Frustrated by him in more ways than one, Carla decides to track down Devin's secrets on her own—and soon must decide if their attraction is worth the hit to her fragile heart. . .96,000 Words
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2014
5 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Charlene Groome
11 books29 followersCharlene Groome started writing stories throughout high school and went on to study journalism and creative writing. As a freelance news reporter, she then worked in radio broadcasting. After having her first child, she began writing again, penning romance stories because she loves happy endings. As a published author, she’s living her dream. A fitness enthusiast, she loves romcoms, all things girly and has a soft spot for home decor. She lives on the West Coast of British Columbia with her husband and three children. When she’s not writing, she enjoys hanging out at the lake with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 6, 2014
I signed for the Promotional Blog Tour & Review Tour on December 8, 2014. I will not be adding review to post.
Out of respect for the author and publisher, Smut Book Junkie Reviews will not post a bad review on our blog page. We don't want to influence our followers with our negative reactions to a book.
This book needed quite a bit of work. I am surprised the publisher allowed this book to be published.
The cover for this book is stunning. It is one of the reasons I selected this book. The synopsis for the book caught my attention. I love sports romances and hockey is my favorite kind of sports romance.
Cold As Ice fell flat. I could not connect with the characters. Their personalities were dull. They did not come to life. The characteristics and personal drives these characters possessed were portrayed in a very negative way. I absolutely hated the herione, Carla Sinclair. She is too career driven, too opinionated, and too obsessed with having a baby. Her career goals and her obsession with starting a family conflict with one another. How can she focus on those two goals and not sacrifice one for the other. Her animosity towards Devon Miller's career was terrible. She supposedly has an unbiased but attacked him repeatedly on the air about his trade and salary.
Devon Miller lacked personality. He did not have that alpha male quality that readers love. I felt he spent half the time defending his choices. Those defenses were weak and not convincing.
Now to the heart of the matter. This book is a romance. I did not feel the attraction between the characters. The sexual chemistry was weak. The push and pull tension did not work. Their relationship seemed more professional than romantic. When they finally got together, after one torrid moment, they are suddenly head over heals in love and ready for their forever? Did not work at all.
The writing and flow of this book was very poor. It was written for different POV's and it was confusing. There was not a smooth switch of POV's and I found myself going back through passages to figure out the change.
I think the publisher should of put their foot down and make the author rework this book. The over idea and plot could have been very good.
My reaction to this book was right on. I researched the reviews on Goodreads and talked to other blogger/ reviewers. They had the same kind of reactions that I did.
If this would of been a self published book, the readers active in the Social Media communities would tear this book apart. Being that is from a big Publisher not so much. Readers will look at the over all reviews and just skip purchasing it.
Cold As Ice was very disappointing. It left me as cold as ice.
November 22, 2014
I love a good sports romance. I have had a particular thing for Ice-Hockey romance for a long time so I was really quite excited to read this and I couldn't have been more disappointed.
I'm not adverse to saying what I don't like about a book because there is usually something good to say along side it. But honestly? I'm struggling to think of anything.
The writing was awful. Rambling disjointed narrative. Jumping POV (usually fine but not well done here). Incomplete threads... Argh! Was it even edited?!
Clara is without a doubt one of the most annoying characters I have encountered. She is cold, overly career driven, obsessive and bat-shit freaking crazy about babies. In fact, a good 25% of the book - minimum - is her rambling about babies in one way or another.
Her chemistry with Devin was non-existent. The romance between the pair was pretty much non-existent. Two-thirds into the book before they go on a bloody date!
Sorry, I like a little romance in my romance!
If I wanted a story about the boring ass minutiae of someone's life I'd watch soaps... Actually I'm insulting soaps. They tend to be marginally entertaining, this was not.
The relationship between Devin and Clara went something like this: acquaintances, to dancing around the possibility of each other, denying the possibility of each other, loving each other after one mediocre date and passionless screw, to an over-blown misunderstanding, which of course was made better rather quickly and simply. The epilogue gives you marriage, babies and happy ever after (in about 2 pages).
Throw in Devin forgiving his dad and forgetting 24 years of resentment in under 60 seconds and you kind of have to ask yourself what was the point?
Reading this is 5hrs of my life I will never get back. I was tempted more than once to put it aside and not finish but I kept reading hoping that it would get better, that the reason her ex-husband wanted to give the cat away would be revealed (cause it cant be just because his new girlfriend has cats / his ex-wife bought the cat surely?!) But alas...
Oh! And the ending? Did she lose her job or not?
Seriously, WTF? How is this book 2 in a series? How can this possibly have been picked up by a publishing house?
No. Just No.
I can't recommend. I'm sorry I just can't.
If you want a good hockey romance try Deirdre Martin's New York Blades series (the early books especially) or Rachel Gibson's Chinooks.
I'm not adverse to saying what I don't like about a book because there is usually something good to say along side it. But honestly? I'm struggling to think of anything.
The writing was awful. Rambling disjointed narrative. Jumping POV (usually fine but not well done here). Incomplete threads... Argh! Was it even edited?!
Clara is without a doubt one of the most annoying characters I have encountered. She is cold, overly career driven, obsessive and bat-shit freaking crazy about babies. In fact, a good 25% of the book - minimum - is her rambling about babies in one way or another.
Her chemistry with Devin was non-existent. The romance between the pair was pretty much non-existent. Two-thirds into the book before they go on a bloody date!
Sorry, I like a little romance in my romance!
If I wanted a story about the boring ass minutiae of someone's life I'd watch soaps... Actually I'm insulting soaps. They tend to be marginally entertaining, this was not.
The relationship between Devin and Clara went something like this: acquaintances, to dancing around the possibility of each other, denying the possibility of each other, loving each other after one mediocre date and passionless screw, to an over-blown misunderstanding, which of course was made better rather quickly and simply. The epilogue gives you marriage, babies and happy ever after (in about 2 pages).
Throw in Devin forgiving his dad and forgetting 24 years of resentment in under 60 seconds and you kind of have to ask yourself what was the point?
Reading this is 5hrs of my life I will never get back. I was tempted more than once to put it aside and not finish but I kept reading hoping that it would get better, that the reason her ex-husband wanted to give the cat away would be revealed (cause it cant be just because his new girlfriend has cats / his ex-wife bought the cat surely?!) But alas...
Oh! And the ending? Did she lose her job or not?
Seriously, WTF? How is this book 2 in a series? How can this possibly have been picked up by a publishing house?
No. Just No.
I can't recommend. I'm sorry I just can't.
If you want a good hockey romance try Deirdre Martin's New York Blades series (the early books especially) or Rachel Gibson's Chinooks.
October 23, 2014
Cold as Ice (The Warriors, #2) by Charlene Groome Defenseman Devin Miller has been traded to the Warriors and is looking forward to his six-year contract and settling down. Sports anchor Carla Sinclair thinks Miller is overpaid and has no problem voicing her opinion of him. Despite the conflict, neither can stop thinking about the other.
I enjoyed Devin. He grew up without a dad and yearns to have his own family. He is very private about his personal life. He values honesty. He is a good man, frequently going to visit kids at the children’s hospital.
I appreciate that Carla has been successful in a male-dominated field. She is confident in her professional life but the opposite in her personal life. It is understandable considering her history. She wants to have kids to an extreme. She assumes that her and Devin have different values, when they are really a lot alike.
I thought there were a few too many exclamation points at the beginning of the book. At first, I found it distracting, but I got over it. That being said, most of them were in a bar scene, and people are more animated in that type of environment.
Cold as Ice is a believable novel. The plot was carefully thought out and entertaining. A lot of things happen to make them revisit their past. I enjoyed the characters and story.
Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed Devin. He grew up without a dad and yearns to have his own family. He is very private about his personal life. He values honesty. He is a good man, frequently going to visit kids at the children’s hospital.
I appreciate that Carla has been successful in a male-dominated field. She is confident in her professional life but the opposite in her personal life. It is understandable considering her history. She wants to have kids to an extreme. She assumes that her and Devin have different values, when they are really a lot alike.
I thought there were a few too many exclamation points at the beginning of the book. At first, I found it distracting, but I got over it. That being said, most of them were in a bar scene, and people are more animated in that type of environment.
Cold as Ice is a believable novel. The plot was carefully thought out and entertaining. A lot of things happen to make them revisit their past. I enjoyed the characters and story.
Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2014
ARC given by netgalley for an honest review
This is the first time I've read the author's book and honestly, I don't like it at all. In my opinion, when a book is under romance genre, kinda hoping there was an interaction at least every chapters between the main characters (Devin & Carla). Here each chapter is dedicated from each main POV, a good thing if they are talking about each other instead of just explaining their own life for on and on, seriously enough already. The main have the spark , what made them decide they are compatible to commit (socially not just sexually). I've sense better connection btw her and her ex. Their interaction really pick off after 70% of the book, at 90% the misunderstanding /miscommunication and everything else being explain in epilogue (which the only part I love about this book). Overall, this book is not to my taste, maybe others reader love the author writing style but I'm not a fan. Good luck for the future book and all the best.
This is the first time I've read the author's book and honestly, I don't like it at all. In my opinion, when a book is under romance genre, kinda hoping there was an interaction at least every chapters between the main characters (Devin & Carla). Here each chapter is dedicated from each main POV, a good thing if they are talking about each other instead of just explaining their own life for on and on, seriously enough already. The main have the spark , what made them decide they are compatible to commit (socially not just sexually). I've sense better connection btw her and her ex. Their interaction really pick off after 70% of the book, at 90% the misunderstanding /miscommunication and everything else being explain in epilogue (which the only part I love about this book). Overall, this book is not to my taste, maybe others reader love the author writing style but I'm not a fan. Good luck for the future book and all the best.
May 30, 2020
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Kensington Books for an honest review**
Unfortunately with a good few tries, this has become a DNF for me. Its the second time that i have tried this author and her writing style is just not for me.
The author often writes in the third person which means i am unable to connect to the book or the characters or feel their emotions. I am lead down a story which then just feels blah.
Unfortunately i will not be reading any further books from this author.
Unfortunately with a good few tries, this has become a DNF for me. Its the second time that i have tried this author and her writing style is just not for me.
The author often writes in the third person which means i am unable to connect to the book or the characters or feel their emotions. I am lead down a story which then just feels blah.
Unfortunately i will not be reading any further books from this author.
November 4, 2014
As a huge fan of ice hockey and romance novels... and a fan of the Vancouver community where this story takes place, I really wanted to feel something. Instead, Cold as Ice left me cold. Were my expectations too high? No. I had read Charlene Groome's previous book and my expectations were set pretty low, but after the first few pages, I remembered why I had given His Game, Her Rules such a low rating. It didn't even belong in the junior league.
* Stilted dialogue -- there were plenty of parts where the writing seemed unpolished, unnatural and stunted. And that's just dialogue among friendly gal pals hanging in a bar. If the author can't write convincing dialogue amongst friends, it doesn't bode well for what should be leading to the eventual steamy relationship between hockey star Devin and sportscaster Carla.
* Awkward story/relationship development -- Ugh! It took too long for Devin and Carla to even get to know each other. We're less than 100 pages to the end and that's when they go on their 1st date?! How is it possible that after the few hours they spend together they are already professing they can't live without each other? It just seemed as if Groome was trying to tie it up too quickly, but took forever to build the story.
* A heroine I have a hard time rooting for - I had a near impossible time to admire and like Carla. She may be a longstanding sports reporter, but she is so clueless and undecided and immature on how to make a connection with our hero. Now, I am ok with many a flawed and clueless heroine in more well-written stories (example: any Jane Austen character por even Bridget Jones), but not when the writing is also flawed and clueless. Good news is that Carla is only marginally more tolerable than the previous heroine in His Game, Her Rules.
At the end of this story, the publishers tee-up what's meant to be the next book in Groome's series. Sadly, I sense there is no winning hat trick for this triple play. I've been patient so far in reading her stories, but I will be walking off the the ice and to avoid what will surely be a losing situation.
* Stilted dialogue -- there were plenty of parts where the writing seemed unpolished, unnatural and stunted. And that's just dialogue among friendly gal pals hanging in a bar. If the author can't write convincing dialogue amongst friends, it doesn't bode well for what should be leading to the eventual steamy relationship between hockey star Devin and sportscaster Carla.
* Awkward story/relationship development -- Ugh! It took too long for Devin and Carla to even get to know each other. We're less than 100 pages to the end and that's when they go on their 1st date?! How is it possible that after the few hours they spend together they are already professing they can't live without each other? It just seemed as if Groome was trying to tie it up too quickly, but took forever to build the story.
* A heroine I have a hard time rooting for - I had a near impossible time to admire and like Carla. She may be a longstanding sports reporter, but she is so clueless and undecided and immature on how to make a connection with our hero. Now, I am ok with many a flawed and clueless heroine in more well-written stories (example: any Jane Austen character por even Bridget Jones), but not when the writing is also flawed and clueless. Good news is that Carla is only marginally more tolerable than the previous heroine in His Game, Her Rules.
At the end of this story, the publishers tee-up what's meant to be the next book in Groome's series. Sadly, I sense there is no winning hat trick for this triple play. I've been patient so far in reading her stories, but I will be walking off the the ice and to avoid what will surely be a losing situation.
October 9, 2019
Reviewed by Jen
Book provided by NetGalley
I'll freely admit that I read this book at least a year ago and sat on the review because I just wasn't sure how to put my feelings into words. I picked up this book solely based on the cover. I love hockey romances and had never read this author before. Little did I know that it was the second book in a series and it wasn't really worth my time.
Don't get me wrong, I really don't like writing a negative review, which is probably why it took me so long to write this. But I do have obligations and really need to mark this one completed on my to-do list. So, after a quick re-skimming of the book to refresh my memory, here we go...
There were times I just wanted to stop reading because I was just so frustrated with the characters and their non-romance. Devin was likable and probably the only saving grace of this story. He, by himself, was for the most part believable. There were a couple times of forgiving and forgetting seemed to come a little too easily. Carla, on the other hand, didn't have too many redeeming qualities. I hated being in her head and just wanted to reach into the pages and slap some sense into her. These two together just did not work for me. There was no build up in romance, which you expect when you pick up a book that's billed as a romance. I get that there's a fine line between love and hate, but the way this was approached was all wrong and unbelievable.
I could get past the writing style, which was a little choppy and jumpy when it came to the point of view, for my tastes. But really couldn't overcome the characters. The plot had some promise, it just wasn't delivered. I don't think I'll be going back to try any other books in this series.
Book provided by NetGalley
I'll freely admit that I read this book at least a year ago and sat on the review because I just wasn't sure how to put my feelings into words. I picked up this book solely based on the cover. I love hockey romances and had never read this author before. Little did I know that it was the second book in a series and it wasn't really worth my time.
Don't get me wrong, I really don't like writing a negative review, which is probably why it took me so long to write this. But I do have obligations and really need to mark this one completed on my to-do list. So, after a quick re-skimming of the book to refresh my memory, here we go...
There were times I just wanted to stop reading because I was just so frustrated with the characters and their non-romance. Devin was likable and probably the only saving grace of this story. He, by himself, was for the most part believable. There were a couple times of forgiving and forgetting seemed to come a little too easily. Carla, on the other hand, didn't have too many redeeming qualities. I hated being in her head and just wanted to reach into the pages and slap some sense into her. These two together just did not work for me. There was no build up in romance, which you expect when you pick up a book that's billed as a romance. I get that there's a fine line between love and hate, but the way this was approached was all wrong and unbelievable.
I could get past the writing style, which was a little choppy and jumpy when it came to the point of view, for my tastes. But really couldn't overcome the characters. The plot had some promise, it just wasn't delivered. I don't think I'll be going back to try any other books in this series.
October 17, 2014
Cold As Ice (The Warriors Series) by Charlene Groome
Overview by Amazon:
The Warriors take to the ice again in Charlene Groome’s sensational series about hockey players and the women who love them. But the team’s new addition may have to work for a warm welcome…
Defenseman Devin Miller has bounced from team to team and city to city, but he’s finally ready to settle down—professionally and personally. The Warriors seems like the perfect fit. Now all he needs is the right woman to start a family with—and he’s willing to put in the practice to find her.
Sports anchor Carla Sinclair already doesn’t like Vancouver’s hot new acquisition. So when she’s persuaded to interview him, she’s not prepared for the chemistry between them. But though Devin seems eager to show Carla his moves—on and off the ice—he keeps his personal life off-limits. Frustrated by him in more ways than one, Carla decides to track down Devin’s secrets on her own—and soon must decide if their attraction is worth the hit to her fragile heart…
This was a great book! I really enjoyed reading it. I don’t know if it’s because hockey is like a religion in the city I live in or that the story was a great contemporary romance. The author pulled a hat trick and there were three reasons this book was well done.
Firstly, the author really describes the world of hockey well. From understanding the complexities of the NHL to the junior hockey league, she describes all the nuances of the game well. When Carla is watching the game, I found myself getting into it almost as if I was actually at a live hockey game. I enjoyed learning about the relationship between hockey players and the reporting networks and how they impact each other. The charity work Devin and his team engage in was a great addition. It made the players believable and that they recognize the importance of giving back to their fans.
Second, the romance between Devin and Carla was complex, frustrating at times and scorching as well. It was a long slow dance for these two to get together. Devin and Carla both want similar things out of life – love, family, stability, but of course they don’t know that about each other. Their relationship starts as a professional one, but they feel a pull towards each other that gets harder and harder to deny and it blurs the lines between professionalism and personal lives. This was a long burn. At times it was frustrating how long it took for the two of them to finally connect, but when they do it is so satisfying. Devin is an athlete with a smoking hot body and Carla is a beautiful sports newscaster and they make a beautiful couple. I liked how they explored the city of Vancouver together and spent time getting to know each other before things progress to the bedroom. A few stolen kisses were very hot and I wished they found their way to the bedroom sooner, but it was satisfying when they did.
Finally, I really appreciated the plot line of Carla’s infertility woes. She actually isn’t infertile, but experienced two miscarriages that ended her marriage three years earlier. She is under enormous pressure from her mother to marry and have a baby. Her mother is like a terrier on the topic. I felt like cringing when she would push Carla and I wanted to protect her from her mother’s insensitivity. Carla visits doctors and explores her options to being a single mother, but you know that somehow Devin will get in the way of those plans.
This was a fun read. I really enjoy contemporary romance novels that feature the sports world. Baseball and football players get a lot of attention in the genre, but it was refreshing to read about hockey. The author writes well and crafts a realistic story that had you cheering not only for the Warriors, but for Devin and Carla to open up to each other.
Reviewed by www.kiltsandswords.com Thank you to netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review.
Overview by Amazon:
The Warriors take to the ice again in Charlene Groome’s sensational series about hockey players and the women who love them. But the team’s new addition may have to work for a warm welcome…
Defenseman Devin Miller has bounced from team to team and city to city, but he’s finally ready to settle down—professionally and personally. The Warriors seems like the perfect fit. Now all he needs is the right woman to start a family with—and he’s willing to put in the practice to find her.
Sports anchor Carla Sinclair already doesn’t like Vancouver’s hot new acquisition. So when she’s persuaded to interview him, she’s not prepared for the chemistry between them. But though Devin seems eager to show Carla his moves—on and off the ice—he keeps his personal life off-limits. Frustrated by him in more ways than one, Carla decides to track down Devin’s secrets on her own—and soon must decide if their attraction is worth the hit to her fragile heart…
This was a great book! I really enjoyed reading it. I don’t know if it’s because hockey is like a religion in the city I live in or that the story was a great contemporary romance. The author pulled a hat trick and there were three reasons this book was well done.
Firstly, the author really describes the world of hockey well. From understanding the complexities of the NHL to the junior hockey league, she describes all the nuances of the game well. When Carla is watching the game, I found myself getting into it almost as if I was actually at a live hockey game. I enjoyed learning about the relationship between hockey players and the reporting networks and how they impact each other. The charity work Devin and his team engage in was a great addition. It made the players believable and that they recognize the importance of giving back to their fans.
Second, the romance between Devin and Carla was complex, frustrating at times and scorching as well. It was a long slow dance for these two to get together. Devin and Carla both want similar things out of life – love, family, stability, but of course they don’t know that about each other. Their relationship starts as a professional one, but they feel a pull towards each other that gets harder and harder to deny and it blurs the lines between professionalism and personal lives. This was a long burn. At times it was frustrating how long it took for the two of them to finally connect, but when they do it is so satisfying. Devin is an athlete with a smoking hot body and Carla is a beautiful sports newscaster and they make a beautiful couple. I liked how they explored the city of Vancouver together and spent time getting to know each other before things progress to the bedroom. A few stolen kisses were very hot and I wished they found their way to the bedroom sooner, but it was satisfying when they did.
Finally, I really appreciated the plot line of Carla’s infertility woes. She actually isn’t infertile, but experienced two miscarriages that ended her marriage three years earlier. She is under enormous pressure from her mother to marry and have a baby. Her mother is like a terrier on the topic. I felt like cringing when she would push Carla and I wanted to protect her from her mother’s insensitivity. Carla visits doctors and explores her options to being a single mother, but you know that somehow Devin will get in the way of those plans.
This was a fun read. I really enjoy contemporary romance novels that feature the sports world. Baseball and football players get a lot of attention in the genre, but it was refreshing to read about hockey. The author writes well and crafts a realistic story that had you cheering not only for the Warriors, but for Devin and Carla to open up to each other.
Reviewed by www.kiltsandswords.com Thank you to netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review.
December 20, 2014
In all honesty this book wasn't as bad as some of the other reviews say, well at least in my opinion. I have read my fare share of sports romance and while this one isn't quite up to pare with Susan Elizabeth Phillips or Deirdre Martin it had it's own unique quality that most people aren't liking. The changing of POV can be confusing but that happens...a lot, especially if you are switching between a bunch of characters. Cold as Ice isn't that bad I didn't confused it was obvious who we are following at the time. Okay now for what I didn't like. I can understand a woman's need to want kids so bad it plagues her sleep and that's all she thinks about, but Carla is unreasonably impatient. As career driven as she is you would think she would be intelligent enough to know she can't have both with out one suffering a little. Devin, I really liked him, he's a former playboy at the point in his life where he is ready to settle down.He definitely has the bad boy secretive image but with a soft spot and regularly spends his free time at the Children's Hospital.
Carla tries to push her attraction to the newest Vancouver Warriors Defenseman away by attacking him on air questioning his need to be part of the team. Devin is determined to prove her wrong and to prove to her that the attraction between them isn't bad either. All the while in between Carla battling her need to have a baby she is dealing with a struggle at the office, with people being laid off and a younger sports commentator trying to take her job and Devin father has contacted her to get her help in reconnecting with his son. Devin's father left him when he was little and he lost faith in lots of things but with his supportive mother and then later a step father Devin knows what he wants and reconnecting with his father is last on that list. Carla soon puts her job on the line and the young new commentator is determined to have her spot and the topic is Devin and his father. She needs an interview or she loses it all. Can she risk love for her job or will she finally admit something is more important.
Carla tries to push her attraction to the newest Vancouver Warriors Defenseman away by attacking him on air questioning his need to be part of the team. Devin is determined to prove her wrong and to prove to her that the attraction between them isn't bad either. All the while in between Carla battling her need to have a baby she is dealing with a struggle at the office, with people being laid off and a younger sports commentator trying to take her job and Devin father has contacted her to get her help in reconnecting with his son. Devin's father left him when he was little and he lost faith in lots of things but with his supportive mother and then later a step father Devin knows what he wants and reconnecting with his father is last on that list. Carla soon puts her job on the line and the young new commentator is determined to have her spot and the topic is Devin and his father. She needs an interview or she loses it all. Can she risk love for her job or will she finally admit something is more important.
December 10, 2014
*I received an ARC of this book free from NetGalley on behalf of Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review*
Devin Miller has finally found a place to call home. Playing for the Warriors finally seems like a perfect fit to settle down both in his hockey career and in his personal life.
Carla Sinclair works for the local television station as a sports reporter. Not knowing the man personally she already dislikes the newest Warrior addition. When asked to do the interview she is not prepared for the frustration nor the chemistry that she feels.
I am extremely torn between liking and really disliking this book. Good news first. The storyline has a lot of potential being that it is sports related. I like how the characters have a mind of their own and know what they want in life.
Now for the not so great news. The POV changes really confused me at times, I think the transition could have been smoother. Carla is very career driven and has worked very hard for what she has but has this overbearing need to have a child. I honestly feel that she does not make room for both in her life. And Devin is not your typical alpha male; he is constantly having to defend himself to Carla throughout the entire book.
As for the romance, well there really is not any. Halfway through the book I should be reading the good stuff. The only thing that I read that was remotely romance was pretty much “in and done”. The chemistry between the two was really off. They like each other and then all of a sudden they are in love and planning a future. And what happened at her job? Did she get fired from her job? I have some unanswered questions….I think.
My Favorite Quote: “Some women dreamed of weddings, hockey players dreamed of winning the cup. It was that simple.”
Devin Miller has finally found a place to call home. Playing for the Warriors finally seems like a perfect fit to settle down both in his hockey career and in his personal life.
Carla Sinclair works for the local television station as a sports reporter. Not knowing the man personally she already dislikes the newest Warrior addition. When asked to do the interview she is not prepared for the frustration nor the chemistry that she feels.
I am extremely torn between liking and really disliking this book. Good news first. The storyline has a lot of potential being that it is sports related. I like how the characters have a mind of their own and know what they want in life.
Now for the not so great news. The POV changes really confused me at times, I think the transition could have been smoother. Carla is very career driven and has worked very hard for what she has but has this overbearing need to have a child. I honestly feel that she does not make room for both in her life. And Devin is not your typical alpha male; he is constantly having to defend himself to Carla throughout the entire book.
As for the romance, well there really is not any. Halfway through the book I should be reading the good stuff. The only thing that I read that was remotely romance was pretty much “in and done”. The chemistry between the two was really off. They like each other and then all of a sudden they are in love and planning a future. And what happened at her job? Did she get fired from her job? I have some unanswered questions….I think.
My Favorite Quote: “Some women dreamed of weddings, hockey players dreamed of winning the cup. It was that simple.”
April 20, 2015
Cold As Ice
This story was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review by Net Galley
Carla Sinclair works for the local television station as a sports reporter and has a reputation for saying what is on her mind and not sugar coating it. She is very blunt and goes strictly for the truth and guts of the story without thinking about anyone's feelings.
Devin Miller is a defense man playing hockey for the local team. He and Carla have crossed paths before when she asked him some direct questions so he is hesitant to talk to her. He wants to build his image up, not concentrate on negativity.
But he finds himself attracted to her. Now Carla has one failed marriage behind her and has closed herself off emotionally from all men. She does not believe that Devin is interested in spending time with her, and her only thoughts are of getting the story for the station.
This was a nice quick read. The story line moved quickly and the characters were likable. I felt sorry for Carla as she obviously wants a baby very badly, but I was also perturbed that her doctors were talking her out of having a baby by herself. That is her choice not their's. Anyway, back to the story,
I loved her family and their involved, I really enjoy when families play a large part in stories as they are such a large part in everyone's everyday life. They conflict between Devin and his father was also well done.
I would rate this story a 3.5/5 and would read more by this author.
October 8, 2014
Devin I'm not sure what to make of him but he has some pretty hot answers on the fly, "I don't kiss just any girl and want to sleep with her," he answers as he slips on the condom and lies on top of her." It also takes the boy's father to make him see some sense, "Devin looks down at the beige carpet. He misses Carla. Misses her peach lips on his and the smell of her body lotion." He also likes to tell his woman that she's a possession which can be totally hot, "I won't. You're mine." Devin kisses her and holds the back of her head to secure the passion he feels for the woman he's always wanted." I liked this one but the first one still has my heart. I can't wait to see whose next in this series.
October 12, 2014
ARC from Netgalley for honest review. I like sports and I like good characters in good stories. I liked the characters except the mother. I can't believe how obnoxious she was! Sweet story about newsrooms but lacking in romance. I think the "foreplay" or courting took so much of the book and then in the last few pages we are led to believe they can't live without each other. So many authors do this....it's like they are writing a school report and told to keep it around so many words. Then when author has done a good job up until that limit they hurry it off. Nice HEA however but it is short also. I'm taking a star off.
October 23, 2014
ARC given by netgalley for an honest review
I'm a fan of sports novels and POV written stories. I did enjoy the book though in my opinion, spent to much time going on about her ex and previous marriage. Devlin seemed so inept where it came to relationships/woman. I enjoyed the competition between the reporters. I didn't care for her nosy overbearing mother but she did fit in what was trying to be portrayed. The overall story was good but the build up could of moved faster so they had more bonding time. I would recommend it to anyone who loves sports books but it really didn't have that much romance.
I'm a fan of sports novels and POV written stories. I did enjoy the book though in my opinion, spent to much time going on about her ex and previous marriage. Devlin seemed so inept where it came to relationships/woman. I enjoyed the competition between the reporters. I didn't care for her nosy overbearing mother but she did fit in what was trying to be portrayed. The overall story was good but the build up could of moved faster so they had more bonding time. I would recommend it to anyone who loves sports books but it really didn't have that much romance.
December 9, 2014
ARC provided by Kensington Books via NetGalley for an honest review.
I am very middle of the road on this book and so is the book for that matter. Nothing really stands out. The chemistry was just ok. The characters were not really what you expect from a romance novel, especially our hockey playing hero, but not horrible, either. I didn't really buy the HEA, but again, I wasn't totally disgusted and/or surprised even. The whole book was just kida blah ... so of course the end is just going to be .... blah. I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to recommend this book, but I wouldn't not recommend it either. BLAH!
I am very middle of the road on this book and so is the book for that matter. Nothing really stands out. The chemistry was just ok. The characters were not really what you expect from a romance novel, especially our hockey playing hero, but not horrible, either. I didn't really buy the HEA, but again, I wasn't totally disgusted and/or surprised even. The whole book was just kida blah ... so of course the end is just going to be .... blah. I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to recommend this book, but I wouldn't not recommend it either. BLAH!
December 3, 2014
I've got to admit that I was blinded by the cover. All I saw was the hockey player and requested without reading the description. My bad. Once I started reading it it dawned on me that this was the second book in the series. I really disliked the first book so I wasn't expecting anything great. It's still written in the weird tense that I just can't get into. And the characters are bad with stilted dialogue and baby fever. Just a really slow book that took all my strength to finish it.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
July 31, 2015
The book was good but the story ran long in repetition of Carla's past & Devin's secret. Carla is a sports reporter & Devin a hockey player who she tries to interview & he runs the other way. When they do finally get together it's good until his father comes between them. My only other complaint other than the repetition is it took 16 chapters of build up to the only love scene & then it was glossed over. What I did like was that this book had an epilogue which allowed us to see the finish, the 1st book didn't do that & it should have had one.
October 19, 2014
Uh I should have known. After reading the first one...which was hard to get through I was hoping Cold as Ice would get better.
The beginning was great but when you hit 50% and you still dont have a relationship between the main characters it gets boring. The alternating POV is great but its about how they live their lives versus communicating with each other. To be honest I almost DNF'd this one. The book seriously could have been about two people with two different stories.
The beginning was great but when you hit 50% and you still dont have a relationship between the main characters it gets boring. The alternating POV is great but its about how they live their lives versus communicating with each other. To be honest I almost DNF'd this one. The book seriously could have been about two people with two different stories.
October 16, 2014
***I was given an ARC by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review***
I'm a big fan of sports and romance stories, so I enjoyed this story. I must admit that the story was a little tough to get into at first but overall I loved the story. Carla and Devin were so perfect for each other. I was a little disappointed that there was more of their story once they were together. But overall I thought it was a great read and would recommend this book.
I'm a big fan of sports and romance stories, so I enjoyed this story. I must admit that the story was a little tough to get into at first but overall I loved the story. Carla and Devin were so perfect for each other. I was a little disappointed that there was more of their story once they were together. But overall I thought it was a great read and would recommend this book.
November 12, 2014
I received a copy from netgalley in return for an honest review of the story
The beginning was great but when you hit 50% and you still dont have a relationship between the main characters it gets boring. The alternating POV is great but its about how they live their lives versus communicating with each other. To be honest I almost didn't finish reading this one. The book seriously could have been about two people with two different stories.
The beginning was great but when you hit 50% and you still dont have a relationship between the main characters it gets boring. The alternating POV is great but its about how they live their lives versus communicating with each other. To be honest I almost didn't finish reading this one. The book seriously could have been about two people with two different stories.
November 4, 2014
Received ARC on Netgalley.
I'm loving this series more and more... There was tension, conflict, and a HEA. What more could a romance reader want? Devin is quite appealing especially when you see how this hot athlete is awkward around a woman he likes. Yes, it does take Devin & Carla a while to finally get together, and yes she does go on & on about her previous marriage, but overall it was an enjoyable read. Her mother is a I'm officially addicted to hockey sports romance.
I'm loving this series more and more... There was tension, conflict, and a HEA. What more could a romance reader want? Devin is quite appealing especially when you see how this hot athlete is awkward around a woman he likes. Yes, it does take Devin & Carla a while to finally get together, and yes she does go on & on about her previous marriage, but overall it was an enjoyable read. Her mother is a I'm officially addicted to hockey sports romance.
November 17, 2014
I enjoyed parts of this book and not so much other parts. I felt like there was a lot of potential with this book but the two characters seemed to have no chemistry together. The alternating points of view made it hard to follow the story. Too bad, because it could have been a good story.
November 19, 2014
Cold as Ice by : Charlene Groome. I loved Devin and Carla's story. Wasn't a big fan of the hockey element. This story is beyond good.. Loved the story.
March 10, 2021
Read my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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