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Badges on Ice #1
Nailing it!
Sparks fly on and off the ice when a sexy performance coach takes on a tough, hockey-playing cop.
Jake Evans is a born leader. He’s a cop by day, and by night he hits the ice as team captain and center forward for the Hunter Huskies, a team of hockey-playing firefighters, cops and EMTs. He’s fast, strategic and tough and knows the rink as intimately as he does a lover’s body. His team is on fire, on track to win the coveted Badges on Ice tournament cup.
Except for one problem.
In championship games, Jake chokes under pressure.
Sophia Lang is a world-renowned performance coach. She’s the one they call when a billionaire tech CEO faints when speaking in public or when an Olympian needs some mental encouragement to scale up from bronze to gold. She only agrees to coach Jake as a favor to a friend.
But Jake doesn’t need a long-legged sexy woman telling him what to do. Especially when she reminds him of a dominatrix he once arrested. He’s only working with her because his teammates will kick him out of his coveted center spot if he doesn’t. He’s hell-bent on showing Sophia who’s boss, even if it means getting her into his bed, where his performance always gets top marks.
Sophia sees right through Jake’s games to the troubled man beneath the tough exterior. She’s determined to control this relationship, no matter where it leads.
However, as unwilling attraction pulls these two together, Sophia discovers she has a stalker. As her ‘fan’ gets uncomfortably closer, there’s no room for games. Especially when a threat to Sophia brings out all Jake’s protective instincts - and kicks up the stakes to a whole new level.
Jake Evans is a born leader. He’s a cop by day, and by night he hits the ice as team captain and center forward for the Hunter Huskies, a team of hockey-playing firefighters, cops and EMTs. He’s fast, strategic and tough and knows the rink as intimately as he does a lover’s body. His team is on fire, on track to win the coveted Badges on Ice tournament cup.
Except for one problem.
In championship games, Jake chokes under pressure.
Sophia Lang is a world-renowned performance coach. She’s the one they call when a billionaire tech CEO faints when speaking in public or when an Olympian needs some mental encouragement to scale up from bronze to gold. She only agrees to coach Jake as a favor to a friend.
But Jake doesn’t need a long-legged sexy woman telling him what to do. Especially when she reminds him of a dominatrix he once arrested. He’s only working with her because his teammates will kick him out of his coveted center spot if he doesn’t. He’s hell-bent on showing Sophia who’s boss, even if it means getting her into his bed, where his performance always gets top marks.
Sophia sees right through Jake’s games to the troubled man beneath the tough exterior. She’s determined to control this relationship, no matter where it leads.
However, as unwilling attraction pulls these two together, Sophia discovers she has a stalker. As her ‘fan’ gets uncomfortably closer, there’s no room for games. Especially when a threat to Sophia brings out all Jake’s protective instincts - and kicks up the stakes to a whole new level.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2021
77 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Nicky Arden
9 books25 followersIn one of her many jobs, Nicky Arden once worked for an NHL team writing for their fan magazine. She’s also worked in engineering and high tech, for an environmental coalition and she spent five years as a newspaper reporter and editor.
She can barely skate, but she loves the smell of a hockey rink right before a game, the excitement of the crowd and cheering her favorite players on.
Nicky lives in the Pacific Northwest. Want to stay in touch? Check out her website at www.nickyarden.com or stop by her Facebook page.
She can barely skate, but she loves the smell of a hockey rink right before a game, the excitement of the crowd and cheering her favorite players on.
Nicky lives in the Pacific Northwest. Want to stay in touch? Check out her website at www.nickyarden.com or stop by her Facebook page.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 27, 2021
Nailing It by Nicky Arden
Badges on Ice Series Book One
Detective Jake Evans has choked at the Badges on Ice playoffs two years in a row. Had the perfect opening…and froze. No matter what excuse he used, his friends Ryan and Nate insisted he gives a performance coach a chance. Nate had already worked it out with her.
Sophia Lang had a lousy childhood. But, she overcame that and has become a professional performance coach. Sophia had rich and famous clients vouching for her success. And yet, here she was doing a pro bono for her friend Nate.
Ends up Sophia needed Jake too. When she starts getting emails that are beyond creepy, and then even more personal notes…she has to face it—she has a stalker. Enjoyable story.
**Sexual content and language
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
Badges on Ice Series Book One
Detective Jake Evans has choked at the Badges on Ice playoffs two years in a row. Had the perfect opening…and froze. No matter what excuse he used, his friends Ryan and Nate insisted he gives a performance coach a chance. Nate had already worked it out with her.
Sophia Lang had a lousy childhood. But, she overcame that and has become a professional performance coach. Sophia had rich and famous clients vouching for her success. And yet, here she was doing a pro bono for her friend Nate.
Ends up Sophia needed Jake too. When she starts getting emails that are beyond creepy, and then even more personal notes…she has to face it—she has a stalker. Enjoyable story.
**Sexual content and language
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
April 5, 2021
This was a really enjoyable hockey romance with great suspense elements.
Jake Evans is a detective by day and center forward for the Hunter Huskies hockey team at night. With the championships coming up his best friend Nate asks Sophia Lang a world renowned performance coach to help Jake get over his choking problem.
Sophia agrees to help Jake, but she also has a problem he can help her with. She has a stalker and he is escalating. They are also very attracted to each other so when he brings her to his home for protection they hook up. As the stalker escalates, Jake and Sophia realize they love one another. Jake gets cured and they have their HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jake Evans is a detective by day and center forward for the Hunter Huskies hockey team at night. With the championships coming up his best friend Nate asks Sophia Lang a world renowned performance coach to help Jake get over his choking problem.
Sophia agrees to help Jake, but she also has a problem he can help her with. She has a stalker and he is escalating. They are also very attracted to each other so when he brings her to his home for protection they hook up. As the stalker escalates, Jake and Sophia realize they love one another. Jake gets cured and they have their HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 14, 2021
Nailing it is the first book of the Badges on Ice Hockey Romance series. It follows Jake and Sophia. Jake is a detective and the center forward for the Hunter Huskies. Sophia is a performance coach that is brought in to help Jake deal with his tendency to choke during playoff games and championships. Sophia ends up having a stalker who is sending threatening messages to her so Jake steps in to help her find who is after her. Overall, I liked the story and am excited to see what the next books in the series brings.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 17, 2021
Jake Evans is a detective and the Hunter Huskies’ center forward on the hockey team. Sophia Lang, a well-known and respected performance coach, is asked by a friend to help Jake deal with his issue of choking up in a big game, especially with the championships so near.
While helping Jake, Sophia has to deal with a stalker who is sending threatening messages to her and has begun to escalate. Jake takes charge to find who is after her and takes her to his home where he can protect her. With their attraction, one thing leads to another and the two of them fall in love. Will they get their HEA? Or will the stalker get to Sophia and destroy everything?
While helping Jake, Sophia has to deal with a stalker who is sending threatening messages to her and has begun to escalate. Jake takes charge to find who is after her and takes her to his home where he can protect her. With their attraction, one thing leads to another and the two of them fall in love. Will they get their HEA? Or will the stalker get to Sophia and destroy everything?
June 29, 2021
I really like the writing style in this book. I like that Jake is a big bad hero who thinks he does not need help. I like that his attraction to Sophia is immediate. I love that she reciprocates. I love the way Sophia fakes it so well until she makes it. Her baggage brings a soft sadness to your heart. I love Nate and Ryan. I love the way they are together. I love the mystery and suspense and the slow action.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 20, 2021
It's a highly enjoyable read you're sure to enjoy!
Nicky Arden writing in this book is so fun, flirty and sexy sports romance. I loved this story and cheered on Sophia and Jake with every page I turned. It's a highly enjoyable read you're sure to enjoy! Loved it. This was a great read- my first book I have read by Nicky Arden but definitely not my last! Enjoy the read. Happy reading everyone!! 4 1/2 stars ⭐️
Nicky Arden writing in this book is so fun, flirty and sexy sports romance. I loved this story and cheered on Sophia and Jake with every page I turned. It's a highly enjoyable read you're sure to enjoy! Loved it. This was a great read- my first book I have read by Nicky Arden but definitely not my last! Enjoy the read. Happy reading everyone!! 4 1/2 stars ⭐️
January 31, 2022
Surprising myself, I quite liked this one. The attraction was believable, there was enough friction to make it not quite smooth sailing... I might give it 4.5 stars because the villain of the piece was a little over the top, but the romance itself was engaging.
April 13, 2021
This was an amazing first in series book. Just the right amount of steam, suspense and sports.
April 28, 2021
This was a great read that was interesting and well developed. The chemistry and interaction between the characters is outstanding. I was absolutely hooked right from the beginning to the end.
Want to read
March 30, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/30/2023)! 🎁
June 4, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyable read! On to Book 2 in the series ...
June 30, 2024
***1/2
October 12, 2025
Review of Nailing It
I absolutely loved this book and I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves romance novels. She is an amazing writer!
I absolutely loved this book and I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves romance novels. She is an amazing writer!
April 18, 2021
Good book! It’s page turner because you want to know what is going to happen. A little bit suspenseful but has hot hockey players!
January 11, 2022
This was a cute romance with plenty of suspense. Jake really didn’t want to meet Sophia but once he did, sparks flew. Their chemistry together was sizzling hot and spicy as were their conversations. I loved how confident Sophia was and how she was willing to be herself at all times. I thought this story was entertaining.
I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.
I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews