Body Checked

Center Ice #1

by Katherine Stark

SERGEI DRAKONOV. The Eagles’ newest player is a triple threat: muscle, rugged good looks, and a dangerous reputation.

Not the kind of guy who fits into my five-year plan.

I’ve got to focus on graduating. Killing it at my internship with the FBI.

But for one steamy night, I give into him.

Turns out he wants more from me. But Sergei’s brother—a high-ranking member of the Russian mob—wants more from him.

Now the FBI wants me to turn Sergei against his brother. I’ve got to find a way to save both Sergei and my heart.

Because if Sergei doesn’t do what his brother wants… he could lose everything.

Genres: Romance, Hockey Romance, Sports, Hockey, Sports Romance, New Adult, Contemporary Romance

181 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 11, 2015

About the author

Katherine Stark is the pseudonym for an author of novels in a variety of genres for children and adults. She can nearly always be found buried underneath a pile of story notes. If she isn’t writing, she’s probably reading, playing video games with her husband, watching hockey, or eating her way across the East Coast.

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Reviews

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

what I liked:
1. The cover
2. The FBI internship spin
3. The Russian poem quotes between Sergei and Jael
4. The hockey play by plays and info
5. The Russian mob tie-in
6. Once I really got into it, it pulled me in
7. Fast paced
7. Sergei and Jael's connection with each other -felt real
8. If you're a lover of steam- then there's plenty of Sergei sex on a stick steam to read about. He doesn't care where he is when it happens, either.

Sergei- the Russian player, bad-boy, hockey player. Unfortunately he has mob connections thanks to his brother Vladimir. Vladimir will do whatever he can to get Sergei to work for him- even kill him if he refuses.

Jael is in her senior year of college and interning with the FBI. That's her ultimate dream job. She originally had lust filled eyes for Sergei then quickly develops an aversion to him- until he shows a glimpse of his real self. Now all bets are off and they develop something real between them.

Can she hang on to Sergei, work for the FBI -who wants her to inform on him, balance her internship & school, and stay out of the bad graces of the Russian mob? Or will it all be too much- crashing around her and losing pieces in the end? Can Sergei stay strong and not turn for his brother? Can he keep Jael safe?

Pick up the book to find out how it all plays out.

[Medavis66 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! This book has it all - hockey, hot Russian superstar, lust, love romance, the mob, intrigue, suspense, danger...I could go on. Pulled in the instant you look at the cover, the story really delivers. I love Jael and her two best friends. Their connection to each other builds a strong foundation for all of these girls to build successful lives on. Sergei is so much more than depicted through the media. He is a deeply intense man with depth and dimension. There is also the shadow of darkness that looms over him in the shape of his older brother, Vladimir. I only set this down when my Nook's battery died and I couldn't stay awake any longer. I'm a huge sports fan and I will be reading the rest of this series as it comes out.

ARC provided in exchange for honest review.

[Yael]

Her name is Jael? Of courseeeeeeeeeee I'll read it

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. Jael meets Sergei who is a hockey player. They spend time together. She unfortunately has a secret about who she is. Of course it comes out and things get real. However, in the end it all works out for them.

[Brandy Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was givin a copy of for my honest review i think this was an amazing book and also that im going to read more from her this book had the steam and the love between the characters i was drawn to this story i couldnt put it down I loved Jael she wasnt an annoying heroin i thought she was strong and actually had a back bone Sergei was super sexy he isnt just what the media say about him he is extremely intense i thought they had off the charts chemistry i havnt really read that much hockey player books but i know im going to :0 i also thought the mob aspect was unique and different from some other stories out there with good character growth :)

[Lori Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a woman. I love hockey. I love romance novels. I was SO excited to find a book that combined the two! I love that this book shows the women as major hockey fans along with being smart and independent. I was so hooked (well not technically that's a 2 minute penalty).

Sergei and Jael are both relatable and likeable characters. They're not just one dimensional. I would love to sit down and have drinks with them. I found them so interesting.

Oh yah and there's an element of crime/mystery!

My only complaint is that it felt a little short. I didn't want it to end. I look forward to reading more of this series.

I provided my honest review for receiving a free copy of this book.

[Joyhdae · Rating 4 out of 5]

** I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

I enjoyed Body Checked by Katherine Stark. While the pacing was a little off (things happened very quickly) it didn't take away from the story.

I enjoyed the fact that this was an interracial love story that didn't focus on anything other than the fluency of everyone's Russian.

Jael was a great female lead and Sergei was the epitome of hot. The romance was great and the "big bad" of the story was entertaining.

I recommend this book.

[Dahlia]

So much fun, sexy, super fast-paced, and laugh-out-loud funny at times. I also have a major weakness for education-driven main characters, and especially for Russian majors, so this ticked a whole bunch of boxes for me. I'd already been planning to pick up #2, but the preview chapter sold it for me 110%.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, escapist fun. Jael faces real and authentic-feeling problems in balancing her fledgling career and romance, and Sergei broods, struts, and uses his filthy, filthy (but also occasionally poetic) mouth to good effect. Also, hot hockey players. With more of them to come, it looks. Yum!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I give five stars on a review I am saying that I was thoroughly entertained. I don't mean to say that I've made this book the new "Jane Austen" but for this genre I enjoyed my time spent. I loved the characters and disappointed in the FBI but hated Vladimir more. What a great tale!!!

[Marla Mei · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhh. This definitely needs a little more work and some tinkering.

[Amy Dickinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you love hockey or sports romances? Do you love a hunky Russian hockey player? How about suspense and intrigue? If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, then you will want to read this book. I received an ARC of this book for an honest review, and I was impressed with the character play and story of Sergei Drakonov and Jael. Jael is a senior in her last year of college, trying to figure out her life after being dumped by her ex-boyfriend and beginning an internship for the FBI. Sergei is a Russian hockey player who has uprooted his life to play hockey for the Washington Eagles in America. Jael is an expert in everything Russia, and they meet one fiery, chemistry-filled evening. Jael believes it will be the last time she sees Sergei given his celebrity. However, Sergei has other plans. Unfortunately, Sergei's family is complicated, and this is where the suspense and intrigue play into the story. Together, Sergei and Jael are hot. Their time between the sheets sets the story on fire. Even more, if you enjoy intrigue and action, then you will want to read this book. I did think Sergei and Jael connected emotionally fairly quickly; it's my biggest criticism for the story. But this is a common situation in romance stories, so I didn't discount it. Jael represents the quintessential college student at the end of her time in college, asking the question if her plans at the beginning of college are the same at the end. This tension causes problems in her story with Sergei, and this creates the tension in the story. Overall, I recommend this book as it is fast, engaging, and sexy.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jael is a college Senior who is doing an internship with the FBI of which she wants to be a special agent. She and her 2 best friends love hockey and go to the the games and thanks to one of the sets of parents they get to watch from a vip box.
Sergei is a Russian hockey player that has come to the US to play for the Washington Eagles. He is a force on the ice but can quote poetry. Jael who speaks Russian met Sergei and had a very hot night together.
Sergei has a brother, who is a leader in the Russian Mob and wants his brother to help him move dirty shipments. Both Sergei and Jael are keeping secrets from each other that will create many problems for the couple but they also have sweet moments and some craziness.
The story was good, what I had a problem with was the abrupt ending. I think it was rushed, a little far fetched and might have been nice with an epilogue to finish it out.

[M Robinson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf 45%

Hmm I've had to stop because there is absolutely no chemistry or feeling between the two mc. I cant even remember or find the f name ffs

I just find it all a bit cold n callous. Shes spying on sergei and taping all their interactions and has absolutely no qualms about it no guilt, no conscience, no embarrassment that all their sexy times are being recorded and transcribed n read by other fbi agents. Like it's nothing yet shes still a student?

Totally unrealistic! I dont know anyone who wouldnt cringe at knowing or hearing their dirty talk being read back to them.

The characters are two dimensional, flat, the premise is frankly ridiculous and unbelievable

Not for me, I want passion n fear n angst. I want to taste it.

This? Its cardboard instead of a gourmet meal of fillet mignon

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast and easy read with a non typical couple. Sergei and Jael have an instant connection and they are good together but there is more to it than that. He comes from a crime family and she works for the FBI and she has to find a way to keep her man and her job. Fun read, very fast paced. Good chemistry and enough angst for an exciting read. Looking forward to more from this author. (I voluntarily reviewed an ARC).

[Barrie Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love a good sports romance. This book had it all...romance, suspense, and an HEA! I loved Sergei! He was a sexy, Russian hockey player who had the hots for Jael, who is working on her 5 year plan. This was a great read and I can't wait for the next book in the series!

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generously giving this 3 stars. This was sort of over the top for me. I really don't think the hockey was a center stage thing for the story, that the Russian mob thing was more the center for the story, which is disappointing, as I wanted the hockey side of things. I don't normally read mob type books. It was a bit unbelievable at times & that took away from the story for me. Because the characters weren't believable for me, I didn't really develop a like for them or to care about any of the secondary characters either. Not a book I would re-read & not sure I would read more from this series either.

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ Great read!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
This was book was a bit of a hockey with a Mafia storyline. It was actually very good and really enjoyable. There was plenty of action and drama. I didn’t rate it higher because, as a huge hockey fan, there was some incorrect info (icing is not an automatic penalty).

[Lori Flemming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard ,but good !.

Some of the characters are very cheesy , but they make it work . The Russian was good but not what you would want to hear from normal speech . It was to formal . The hockey games were well written , and just rough enough to get the blood pumping and flowing into the ice !

[Tracey Tranter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written book with strong characters and an intriguing story line. The story has a little bit of sexy romance, drama, and suspense with plenty of action.

I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Churchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Russian crime boss, a Russian star hockey player who happens to be his brother and a smart young woman interning with the FBI all thrown together in an exciting novel. It helps if you are a Russian studies major and speak fluent Russian. An entertaining story.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this sexy, fast paced book. I couldn't put it down at times...wow!! I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review for a copy of the book via hidden gems.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. There is so much more to both characters than first appears and man did I love Sergei!

[Marygold · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mean... It did not disappoint because it gave just what it promised to. It was kind of entertaining, but definitely didn't motivate me to continue with the series.

[Disney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
It had hockey (and hot hockey players), a smattering of Russian phrases (which is really cool to read), and a strong female lead trying to save her boyfriend from the Russian mafia and the FBI.
This book is thrilling, the hockey scenes feel real, and the sex is intimate but not overboard. Wonderful story.

[Melinda Swaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had me turning the pages the more I got into the book

This is the first book by this author that I have read and I picked it up as it was in kindle unlimited and I really enjoy reading it too. This story had me turning the pages the more I got into the book to see what was going to happen next. Looking forward to the next book in this series.