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New York Blades #3
Total Rush
FOUR ALARM PASSION
Free spirit Gemma Dante might be the black sheep of her big Italian family, but when it comes to business, her New Age boutique is the best in the Big Apple. Longing for a love life that's just as successful, Gemma casts a spell to bring her Mr. Right. But when the cosmic wires get crossed, not one but TWO men enter her life. One's a little too far "off" for even Gemma's tastes. The other's a clean-cut firefighter who's anything but her type...
But the more she gets to know firefighter Sean Kennealy, the more he grows on Gemma. And for his part, Sean doesn't know quite what to make of his pretty neighbor who burns incense and sometimes wears Birkenstocks. He only knows that being near her sparks a fire in him that even the guys at Ladder 29, Engine 31 can't put out...
Free spirit Gemma Dante might be the black sheep of her big Italian family, but when it comes to business, her New Age boutique is the best in the Big Apple. Longing for a love life that's just as successful, Gemma casts a spell to bring her Mr. Right. But when the cosmic wires get crossed, not one but TWO men enter her life. One's a little too far "off" for even Gemma's tastes. The other's a clean-cut firefighter who's anything but her type...
But the more she gets to know firefighter Sean Kennealy, the more he grows on Gemma. And for his part, Sean doesn't know quite what to make of his pretty neighbor who burns incense and sometimes wears Birkenstocks. He only knows that being near her sparks a fire in him that even the guys at Ladder 29, Engine 31 can't put out...
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
19 people are currently reading
913 people want to read
About the author
Deirdre Martin
29 books580 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
New York Times Bestselling Author Deirdre Martin was six when she wrote her first "book,”a Peanuts parody. In addition to penning bad, maudlin poetry in junior high school and serving as the Arts Editor on her high school newspaper, she was also the Arts Editor at her college newspaper at the University of New York at Buffalo, where she earned her BA in English in 1985. While writing for the student newspaper there, she sold her first freelance magazine article and won a city wide play writing contest. Her play, Spin Cycle, about two lonely people at a laundromat, was subsequently performed in a theater space in downtown Buffalo.
Ater graduating college, Deirdre worked at a series of trade magazines before landing a job at Soap Opera Digest. While she says it was fun working in a place where she got to watch TV all afternoon, she longed to branch out, and after two years, left to begin freelancing full time. Over the course of her twelve year freelance career, her work appeared in a wide variety of publications, including Seventeen, YM, McCall's, Fitness, New Woman, Bride's, Bridal Guide, Inside Sports, Woman's World, Modern Maturity, Islands, Newsday, and the New York Times. In 1998, her first non fiction book was published: Investing for Retirement (Avon). She also contributed to Lifescripts for Managers, Lifescripts for Employees, and Lifescripts for the Self Employed. (MacMillan, 1999).
A fan of the romance genre and of soap opera ("If Dickens were alive today, he'd be writing for a soap," Deirdre maintains), she decided to try her own hand at writing a romance novel. The result, BODY CHECK, was published in March, 2003, followed by USA Today Bestseller FAIR PLAY in 2004, TOTAL RUSH in 2005, THE PENALTY BOX in 2006, and USA Today Bestseller CHASING STANLEY in 2008.
2008 also saw the publication of JUST A TASTE, which made The New York Times Bestseller List. Deirdre returned to the world of the Blades in 2009 with POWERPLAY. 2009 was also when she launched a new series, The Wild Hart Saga, centering around a large Irish American family who own a pub in Manhattan. The first book in the series, WITH A TWIST, was quickly followed by STRAIGHT UP in 2010, and there are plans for at least two more. But the New York Blades keep calling her back: her next book, ICEBREAKER, will be published in 2011.
A resident of Ithaca, NY, Deirdre enjoys hiking and biking with her husband, Mark Levine, co author of the financial bestsellers, Die Broke and Live Rich. When not busy lavishing affection on her beloved Newfie, Rocky, she also enjoys reading, baking, listening to music, yoga, photography, and hanging out with her friends from acting class. She's had the same best friend since she was ten and adores the color purple.
New York Times Bestselling Author Deirdre Martin was six when she wrote her first "book,”a Peanuts parody. In addition to penning bad, maudlin poetry in junior high school and serving as the Arts Editor on her high school newspaper, she was also the Arts Editor at her college newspaper at the University of New York at Buffalo, where she earned her BA in English in 1985. While writing for the student newspaper there, she sold her first freelance magazine article and won a city wide play writing contest. Her play, Spin Cycle, about two lonely people at a laundromat, was subsequently performed in a theater space in downtown Buffalo.
Ater graduating college, Deirdre worked at a series of trade magazines before landing a job at Soap Opera Digest. While she says it was fun working in a place where she got to watch TV all afternoon, she longed to branch out, and after two years, left to begin freelancing full time. Over the course of her twelve year freelance career, her work appeared in a wide variety of publications, including Seventeen, YM, McCall's, Fitness, New Woman, Bride's, Bridal Guide, Inside Sports, Woman's World, Modern Maturity, Islands, Newsday, and the New York Times. In 1998, her first non fiction book was published: Investing for Retirement (Avon). She also contributed to Lifescripts for Managers, Lifescripts for Employees, and Lifescripts for the Self Employed. (MacMillan, 1999).
A fan of the romance genre and of soap opera ("If Dickens were alive today, he'd be writing for a soap," Deirdre maintains), she decided to try her own hand at writing a romance novel. The result, BODY CHECK, was published in March, 2003, followed by USA Today Bestseller FAIR PLAY in 2004, TOTAL RUSH in 2005, THE PENALTY BOX in 2006, and USA Today Bestseller CHASING STANLEY in 2008.
2008 also saw the publication of JUST A TASTE, which made The New York Times Bestseller List. Deirdre returned to the world of the Blades in 2009 with POWERPLAY. 2009 was also when she launched a new series, The Wild Hart Saga, centering around a large Irish American family who own a pub in Manhattan. The first book in the series, WITH A TWIST, was quickly followed by STRAIGHT UP in 2010, and there are plans for at least two more. But the New York Blades keep calling her back: her next book, ICEBREAKER, will be published in 2011.
A resident of Ithaca, NY, Deirdre enjoys hiking and biking with her husband, Mark Levine, co author of the financial bestsellers, Die Broke and Live Rich. When not busy lavishing affection on her beloved Newfie, Rocky, she also enjoys reading, baking, listening to music, yoga, photography, and hanging out with her friends from acting class. She's had the same best friend since she was ten and adores the color purple.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
June 9, 2018
What It's About: Mikey D.'s cousin Gemma now has her own messy love life to deal with. After casting a spell to meet Mr. Right, who should come waltzing into her life but her complete opposite, her firefighter neighbor Sean.
What I Liked: 1) The return of Mikey D. and especially Nonna Marie. 2) That feeling of family, that they-get-under-your-skin-but-you-love-them-anyway feeling, especially when Mikey and Gemma called an emergency meeting about Nonna Marie.
What I Didn't Like: 1) That tagline. Oy. She called 911 for her love life. That has got to be one of the lamest taglines for a book ever. 2) I was in the middle of a lengthy knitting project while reading this, but even still, this book was not really beckoning me to put down the knitting needles and come back to it. While I loved them both individually (especially Gemma), the hero and heroine lacked any sort of real chemistry. They were cute at first, but then it just got painful to watch. Plus, the constant back-and-forth of them trying to make things work just got tedious. 3) Gemma's mother (who's barely given a name, by the way). I know she's built up as this horrible, selfish woman, but it'd be a lot easier to swallow if .
Disclaimers (if any): Standard not-safe-for-kids romance novel disclaimer. Plus, plenty of harsh language dotted throughout. My not-so-delicate sensibilities weren't offended, but I know there are probably plenty of romance readers out there that would be turned off by it.
Overall Verdict: I give it 3 incense sticks out of 5.
What I Liked: 1) The return of Mikey D. and especially Nonna Marie. 2) That feeling of family, that they-get-under-your-skin-but-you-love-them-anyway feeling, especially when Mikey and Gemma called an emergency meeting about Nonna Marie.
What I Didn't Like: 1) That tagline. Oy. She called 911 for her love life. That has got to be one of the lamest taglines for a book ever. 2) I was in the middle of a lengthy knitting project while reading this, but even still, this book was not really beckoning me to put down the knitting needles and come back to it. While I loved them both individually (especially Gemma), the hero and heroine lacked any sort of real chemistry. They were cute at first, but then it just got painful to watch. Plus, the constant back-and-forth of them trying to make things work just got tedious. 3) Gemma's mother (who's barely given a name, by the way). I know she's built up as this horrible, selfish woman, but it'd be a lot easier to swallow if .
Disclaimers (if any): Standard not-safe-for-kids romance novel disclaimer. Plus, plenty of harsh language dotted throughout. My not-so-delicate sensibilities weren't offended, but I know there are probably plenty of romance readers out there that would be turned off by it.
Overall Verdict: I give it 3 incense sticks out of 5.
October 6, 2013
Ooh here comes my optimism again, the book starts off really good with lots of funny lines. Gemma's inner dialogue reminds me a lot of my own. I love when the firemen keep calling her ma'am and she thinks "When did I go from miss to ma'am?" I have thought that a lot lately also! Strangely it seems to miff me a little bit.
The connection between Gemma and Sean hits hard and fast, they sleep together before they even have a first date. When Sean finds out Gemma practices Wicca you can feel his panic, you know he's thinking "She thinks she's a witch, a witch!" I really sympathized when Gemma grabbed a stuff animal to cuddle with after Sean snuck out; what woman hasn't went to the faithful stuffed animal in times of heartbreak?
I just love how the author writes Gemma. Before Gemma and Sean really get to know each other she imagines how everything is going to be. Again what woman doesn't go a little crazy imagining the perfect date or how every little detail of the relationship is going to pan out. It's great how Deirdre Martin writes what Gemma imagines and then what really happens. No one ever quite imagines it the way it eventually turns out do they?
The author kind of recycles a storyline she used in her other book "Chasing Stanley", Gemma doesn't get along with Sean's friends and Sean doesn't get along with Gemma's friends and then they wonder if they have anything in common since each others friends don't like them. I was a little disgruntled the author wrote the scenes to be so similar.
I really, really liked this book. The book, story line, and characters felt "real" to me. The realness of Gemma and Sean's relationship problems thoroughly sucked me into the story and the back story line involving Gemma, her mother, and their inability to connect. Ah, the wonder of mother/daughter relationships. Plus some of the ways Sean acts towards Gemma made me feel mushy on the inside, he did some pretty sweet things. This story wasn't an epic romance but a great real life romance story, definitely a keeper for me. And hey who doesn't love reading about those rugged heroes called firemen!
I forgot to mention this book could be considered part of Deirdre Martin's NY Blades series because a couple characters from previous books make an appearance here; it would be #3 in the series I think. Anyway it is not necessary to read the previous books to understand this one.
A
The connection between Gemma and Sean hits hard and fast, they sleep together before they even have a first date. When Sean finds out Gemma practices Wicca you can feel his panic, you know he's thinking "She thinks she's a witch, a witch!" I really sympathized when Gemma grabbed a stuff animal to cuddle with after Sean snuck out; what woman hasn't went to the faithful stuffed animal in times of heartbreak?
I just love how the author writes Gemma. Before Gemma and Sean really get to know each other she imagines how everything is going to be. Again what woman doesn't go a little crazy imagining the perfect date or how every little detail of the relationship is going to pan out. It's great how Deirdre Martin writes what Gemma imagines and then what really happens. No one ever quite imagines it the way it eventually turns out do they?
The author kind of recycles a storyline she used in her other book "Chasing Stanley", Gemma doesn't get along with Sean's friends and Sean doesn't get along with Gemma's friends and then they wonder if they have anything in common since each others friends don't like them. I was a little disgruntled the author wrote the scenes to be so similar.
I really, really liked this book. The book, story line, and characters felt "real" to me. The realness of Gemma and Sean's relationship problems thoroughly sucked me into the story and the back story line involving Gemma, her mother, and their inability to connect. Ah, the wonder of mother/daughter relationships. Plus some of the ways Sean acts towards Gemma made me feel mushy on the inside, he did some pretty sweet things. This story wasn't an epic romance but a great real life romance story, definitely a keeper for me. And hey who doesn't love reading about those rugged heroes called firemen!
I forgot to mention this book could be considered part of Deirdre Martin's NY Blades series because a couple characters from previous books make an appearance here; it would be #3 in the series I think. Anyway it is not necessary to read the previous books to understand this one.
A
May 9, 2011
'Total Rush' certainly wasn't my favourite book in the New York Blades series. It's the story of Gemma Dante (New York Blades' star Michael Dante's cousin and owner of new age book store) and firefighter Sean Kennealy who get it on mighty quickly and are then in for a rocky ride. I just found it awkward and uncomfortable the way they just didn't gel together at all. Unfortunately this feeling lasted for the most part of the story. It was a little over done to the point where I thought they'd be better off without one another and reall didn't want them to get together - which is not what anyone wants of the main characters of a romance novel. Here's hoping the next book in the series gets back on track.
January 21, 2008
This book was just okay. There was some character development (so that wasn't the problem) and I think the problem was that I just didn't like either of the characters. The romance was cheesy and I never really cared much about whether or not they got together. Unlike Martin's other books, this one really lacked as far as supporting characters go. The Uther storyline was ridiculous...
June 23, 2009
Part of Martin's hockey series - fireman meets Wicca - one of the better ones in the series. The two have some trouble connecting across the gulf of their likes and dislikes and I loved that Gemma, the lead, didn't settle for less than the full respect she deserved.
March 15, 2012
Didn't really like the book it felt like the main characters didn't interact and I'm still trying to figure out why they ended up together?
June 9, 2012
I liked this at first but the characters got together way too soon. From that point on, it was boring.
June 8, 2016
Definitely disappointed in this book. It lacked the sports aspect of the series and there was too much "insta love" for me
February 10, 2024
Releído
4.5/5⭐
4/5♥️
3/5🔥
De todos los de esta serie este es uno de mis favoritos
4.5/5⭐
4/5♥️
3/5🔥
De todos los de esta serie este es uno de mis favoritos
January 12, 2025
This is not an enjoyable book, at all. The entire book is about how incompatible Sean and Gemma are as a couple, and how the timing isn't right for them to be together with Sean's mental health being destroyed by his career as a firefighter, and Gemma runs her own store, cares for his Grandma with dementia while getting dissed by her Mum for following Wicca.
That's it, but they're together the end. It just isn't a nice read, and I think some romance books need to acknowledge that sometimes love isn't enough.
That's it, but they're together the end. It just isn't a nice read, and I think some romance books need to acknowledge that sometimes love isn't enough.
March 29, 2020
This was hard to get into. I spent the majority of the book thinking Sean was a massive jerk and not being able to understand what Gemma saw in him. The later chapters brought it from a 2 star to a 3, but only because of Gemma and her storyline outside of Sean; I was never quite convinced of their love, even at the end.
June 30, 2020
Hasta ahora el libro que menos me ha gustado de todos los que he leído de la editorial.
He salvado está historia por el secreto de Sean que me daba mucha intriga, pero sin más, esta entretenida.
He salvado está historia por el secreto de Sean que me daba mucha intriga, pero sin más, esta entretenida.
March 15, 2012
UGH! I was totally expecting to love this one as much as I loved the first two in this series...but I just didn't. I actually thought about not reading it all the way through, but I was at the half way point, so I went ahead and finished it, which I have to say, I'm glad that I did. Let me explain.
I didn't really feel an amazing connection to the characters this time....and I didn't really feel THEIR connection either. I don't know if it's because it happened so fast, or what. Unlike the first two books, where most of the book was spent with the H&H trying to connect in a romantic way, Gemma and Sean connected right away and then the entire books was spent watching them struggle. I really didn't have a chance to fall in love with either of them, although at least with Gemma, you got to know her in the second book a little bit....
Anyway, I started to enjoy it more towards the end, so I AM glad that I stuck with it, but the whole book just fell a little flat for me....which makes me sad, cause I have loved this series so far. Fingers crossed for the next one - The Penalty Box.
A few moments I enjoyed:
They sat a few minutes more in silence. Gemma kept trying to picture more details of her dream man, but none were forthcoming. She glanced at Frankie hopefully.
"See anything?"
"I see...I see...a big, steaming tostada on a plate."
Gemma sighed.
"What about you?" Frankie wanted to know. "Anyone?"
"Someone tall, with kind blue eyes and a really good laugh."
"Sounds promising."
Gemma reached forward and gently snuffed out the red candle.
Frankie looked disappointed. "That's it? no incantations? No flying monkeys? Nothing?"
"Feel free to say an incantation if you want."
"That's your realm, Glinda, not mine."
"Then I guess the spell is complete." Gemma hugged her knees to her chest. "Let's just hope it worked.
He paused, recalling Socrates Campbell's words of wisdom. So what is Gemma was different? Wasn't that what had attracted him to her in the first place? To automatically assume she wouldn't fit in was narrow-minded and ignorant, two adjectives he didn't want applied to him. At the very least he owed Gemma an apology. In the best of all possible worlds, she would forgive him and maybe, just maybe, agree to a real date with him. Assumming she didn't catch sight of him and tell him to go to hell immediately. Or send me there herself.
"Are you pulling my pistol? He's screwing someone who looks like Malibu Barbie?"
Gemma nodded.
"That's pretty fast if you ask me. He must have been nobbing her all along."
Gemma grimaced, hating Grankie's penchant for brutal truth.
"Are you saying you'll watch Nonna on Sundays, Sharmaine?" Michael asked.
"I can't," Sharmaine said cooly. "I'm busy."
"Doing what?" Anthony chortled. "Letting Father Flynn slip you his special communion wafer?"
"Bite my ass Anthony," Sharmaine snapped.
"Just one bite?" Anthony lobbed back. "Two or three might help make it smaller."
His mother reached out, putting a hand on his knee. "You sure you're all right? You forget: I'm a mother which means I've got a built-in bullshit detector. What's going on?"
"I don't know if you could tell by seeing her for those few seconds, but Gemma's not exactly a typical firefighter's girlfriend, you know?"
JJ looked appalled. "What the hell does that mean?"
"I told you about the night we went out with some guys from my house. It was a disaster."
JJ put down her fork. "Okay, let me make sure I'm getting this straight. You miss Gemma, but you're hesitant to get back with her because a few of the boneheads you work with think she's a little offbeat?"
"I guess," Sean muttered.
"Then you ARE an idiot."
"Gee, thanks."
"You wanted to know what I think; there it is. No offense, but who the hell cares what those guys think of Gemma? It's what you think that matters."
"They'll give me shit, JJ. They already have."
"Then give it back to them! We all give each other shit about everything anyway! If it's not Gemma, it'll be something else. This is ridiculous, Sean. Are Leary and those other yahoos the ones you're going to come home to after a long day's work? Are they going to give you a family? Grow old with you? I know you worked hard to get them to accept you, but you succeeded, Sean. Any hell you catch from here on in is just bluster. And if it's not, then I think you need to get yourself from new friends. Life's too short to screw around with this stuff," she concluded in a choking voice.
Sean thought her good had gone down the wrong pipe. Then he realized: She was starting to cry.
I didn't really feel an amazing connection to the characters this time....and I didn't really feel THEIR connection either. I don't know if it's because it happened so fast, or what. Unlike the first two books, where most of the book was spent with the H&H trying to connect in a romantic way, Gemma and Sean connected right away and then the entire books was spent watching them struggle. I really didn't have a chance to fall in love with either of them, although at least with Gemma, you got to know her in the second book a little bit....
Anyway, I started to enjoy it more towards the end, so I AM glad that I stuck with it, but the whole book just fell a little flat for me....which makes me sad, cause I have loved this series so far. Fingers crossed for the next one - The Penalty Box.
A few moments I enjoyed:
They sat a few minutes more in silence. Gemma kept trying to picture more details of her dream man, but none were forthcoming. She glanced at Frankie hopefully.
"See anything?"
"I see...I see...a big, steaming tostada on a plate."
Gemma sighed.
"What about you?" Frankie wanted to know. "Anyone?"
"Someone tall, with kind blue eyes and a really good laugh."
"Sounds promising."
Gemma reached forward and gently snuffed out the red candle.
Frankie looked disappointed. "That's it? no incantations? No flying monkeys? Nothing?"
"Feel free to say an incantation if you want."
"That's your realm, Glinda, not mine."
"Then I guess the spell is complete." Gemma hugged her knees to her chest. "Let's just hope it worked.
He paused, recalling Socrates Campbell's words of wisdom. So what is Gemma was different? Wasn't that what had attracted him to her in the first place? To automatically assume she wouldn't fit in was narrow-minded and ignorant, two adjectives he didn't want applied to him. At the very least he owed Gemma an apology. In the best of all possible worlds, she would forgive him and maybe, just maybe, agree to a real date with him. Assumming she didn't catch sight of him and tell him to go to hell immediately. Or send me there herself.
"Are you pulling my pistol? He's screwing someone who looks like Malibu Barbie?"
Gemma nodded.
"That's pretty fast if you ask me. He must have been nobbing her all along."
Gemma grimaced, hating Grankie's penchant for brutal truth.
"Are you saying you'll watch Nonna on Sundays, Sharmaine?" Michael asked.
"I can't," Sharmaine said cooly. "I'm busy."
"Doing what?" Anthony chortled. "Letting Father Flynn slip you his special communion wafer?"
"Bite my ass Anthony," Sharmaine snapped.
"Just one bite?" Anthony lobbed back. "Two or three might help make it smaller."
His mother reached out, putting a hand on his knee. "You sure you're all right? You forget: I'm a mother which means I've got a built-in bullshit detector. What's going on?"
"I don't know if you could tell by seeing her for those few seconds, but Gemma's not exactly a typical firefighter's girlfriend, you know?"
JJ looked appalled. "What the hell does that mean?"
"I told you about the night we went out with some guys from my house. It was a disaster."
JJ put down her fork. "Okay, let me make sure I'm getting this straight. You miss Gemma, but you're hesitant to get back with her because a few of the boneheads you work with think she's a little offbeat?"
"I guess," Sean muttered.
"Then you ARE an idiot."
"Gee, thanks."
"You wanted to know what I think; there it is. No offense, but who the hell cares what those guys think of Gemma? It's what you think that matters."
"They'll give me shit, JJ. They already have."
"Then give it back to them! We all give each other shit about everything anyway! If it's not Gemma, it'll be something else. This is ridiculous, Sean. Are Leary and those other yahoos the ones you're going to come home to after a long day's work? Are they going to give you a family? Grow old with you? I know you worked hard to get them to accept you, but you succeeded, Sean. Any hell you catch from here on in is just bluster. And if it's not, then I think you need to get yourself from new friends. Life's too short to screw around with this stuff," she concluded in a choking voice.
Sean thought her good had gone down the wrong pipe. Then he realized: She was starting to cry.
March 15, 2012
UGH! I was totally expecting to love this one as much as I loved the first two in this series...but I just didn't. I actually thought about not reading it all the way through, but I was at the half way point, so I went ahead and finished it, which I have to say, I'm glad that I did. Let me explain.
I didn't really feel an amazing connection to the characters this time....and I didn't really feel THEIR connection either. I don't know if it's because it happened so fast, or what. Unlike the first two books, where most of the book was spent with the H&H trying to connect in a romantic way, Gemma and Sean connected right away and then the entire books was spent watching them struggle. I really didn't have a chance to fall in love with either of them, although at least with Gemma, you got to know her in the second book a little bit....
Anyway, I started to enjoy it more towards the end, so I AM glad that I stuck with it, but the whole book just fell a little flat for me....which makes me sad, cause I have loved this series so far. Fingers crossed for the next one - The Penalty Box.
A few moments I enjoyed:
They sat a few minutes more in silence. Gemma kept trying to picture more details of her dream man, but none were forthcoming. She glanced at Frankie hopefully.
"See anything?"
"I see...I see...a big, steaming tostada on a plate."
Gemma sighed.
"What about you?" Frankie wanted to know. "Anyone?"
"Someone tall, with kind blue eyes and a really good laugh."
"Sounds promising."
Gemma reached forward and gently snuffed out the red candle.
Frankie looked disappointed. "That's it? no incantations? No flying monkeys? Nothing?"
"Feel free to say an incantation if you want."
"That's your realm, Glinda, not mine."
"Then I guess the spell is complete." Gemma hugged her knees to her chest. "Let's just hope it worked.
He paused, recalling Socrates Campbell's words of wisdom. So what is Gemma was different? Wasn't that what had attracted him to her in the first place? To automatically assume she wouldn't fit in was narrow-minded and ignorant, two adjectives he didn't want applied to him. At the very least he owed Gemma an apology. In the best of all possible worlds, she would forgive him and maybe, just maybe, agree to a real date with him. Assumming she didn't catch sight of him and tell him to go to hell immediately. Or send me there herself.
"Are you pulling my pistol? He's screwing someone who looks like Malibu Barbie?"
Gemma nodded.
"That's pretty fast if you ask me. He must have been nobbing her all along."
Gemma grimaced, hating Grankie's penchant for brutal truth.
"Are you saying you'll watch Nonna on Sundays, Sharmaine?" Michael asked.
"I can't," Sharmaine said cooly. "I'm busy."
"Doing what?" Anthony chortled. "Letting Father Flynn slip you his special communion wafer?"
"Bite my ass Anthony," Sharmaine snapped.
"Just one bite?" Anthony lobbed back. "Two or three might help make it smaller."
His mother reached out, putting a hand on his knee. "You sure you're all right? You forget: I'm a mother which means I've got a built-in bullshit detector. What's going on?"
"I don't know if you could tell by seeing her for those few seconds, but Gemma's not exactly a typical firefighter's girlfriend, you know?"
JJ looked appalled. "What the hell does that mean?"
"I told you about the night we went out with some guys from my house. It was a disaster."
JJ put down her fork. "Okay, let me make sure I'm getting this straight. You miss Gemma, but you're hesitant to get back with her because a few of the boneheads you work with think she's a little offbeat?"
"I guess," Sean muttered.
"Then you ARE an idiot."
"Gee, thanks."
"You wanted to know what I think; there it is. No offense, but who the hell cares what those guys think of Gemma? It's what you think that matters."
"They'll give me shit, JJ. They already have."
"Then give it back to them! We all give each other shit about everything anyway! If it's not Gemma, it'll be something else. This is ridiculous, Sean. Are Leary and those other yahoos the ones you're going to come home to after a long day's work? Are they going to give you a family? Grow old with you? I know you worked hard to get them to accept you, but you succeeded, Sean. Any hell you catch from here on in is just bluster. And if it's not, then I think you need to get yourself from new friends. Life's too short to screw around with this stuff," she concluded in a choking voice.
Sean thought her good had gone down the wrong pipe. Then he realized: She was starting to cry.
I didn't really feel an amazing connection to the characters this time....and I didn't really feel THEIR connection either. I don't know if it's because it happened so fast, or what. Unlike the first two books, where most of the book was spent with the H&H trying to connect in a romantic way, Gemma and Sean connected right away and then the entire books was spent watching them struggle. I really didn't have a chance to fall in love with either of them, although at least with Gemma, you got to know her in the second book a little bit....
Anyway, I started to enjoy it more towards the end, so I AM glad that I stuck with it, but the whole book just fell a little flat for me....which makes me sad, cause I have loved this series so far. Fingers crossed for the next one - The Penalty Box.
A few moments I enjoyed:
They sat a few minutes more in silence. Gemma kept trying to picture more details of her dream man, but none were forthcoming. She glanced at Frankie hopefully.
"See anything?"
"I see...I see...a big, steaming tostada on a plate."
Gemma sighed.
"What about you?" Frankie wanted to know. "Anyone?"
"Someone tall, with kind blue eyes and a really good laugh."
"Sounds promising."
Gemma reached forward and gently snuffed out the red candle.
Frankie looked disappointed. "That's it? no incantations? No flying monkeys? Nothing?"
"Feel free to say an incantation if you want."
"That's your realm, Glinda, not mine."
"Then I guess the spell is complete." Gemma hugged her knees to her chest. "Let's just hope it worked.
He paused, recalling Socrates Campbell's words of wisdom. So what is Gemma was different? Wasn't that what had attracted him to her in the first place? To automatically assume she wouldn't fit in was narrow-minded and ignorant, two adjectives he didn't want applied to him. At the very least he owed Gemma an apology. In the best of all possible worlds, she would forgive him and maybe, just maybe, agree to a real date with him. Assumming she didn't catch sight of him and tell him to go to hell immediately. Or send me there herself.
"Are you pulling my pistol? He's screwing someone who looks like Malibu Barbie?"
Gemma nodded.
"That's pretty fast if you ask me. He must have been nobbing her all along."
Gemma grimaced, hating Grankie's penchant for brutal truth.
"Are you saying you'll watch Nonna on Sundays, Sharmaine?" Michael asked.
"I can't," Sharmaine said cooly. "I'm busy."
"Doing what?" Anthony chortled. "Letting Father Flynn slip you his special communion wafer?"
"Bite my ass Anthony," Sharmaine snapped.
"Just one bite?" Anthony lobbed back. "Two or three might help make it smaller."
His mother reached out, putting a hand on his knee. "You sure you're all right? You forget: I'm a mother which means I've got a built-in bullshit detector. What's going on?"
"I don't know if you could tell by seeing her for those few seconds, but Gemma's not exactly a typical firefighter's girlfriend, you know?"
JJ looked appalled. "What the hell does that mean?"
"I told you about the night we went out with some guys from my house. It was a disaster."
JJ put down her fork. "Okay, let me make sure I'm getting this straight. You miss Gemma, but you're hesitant to get back with her because a few of the boneheads you work with think she's a little offbeat?"
"I guess," Sean muttered.
"Then you ARE an idiot."
"Gee, thanks."
"You wanted to know what I think; there it is. No offense, but who the hell cares what those guys think of Gemma? It's what you think that matters."
"They'll give me shit, JJ. They already have."
"Then give it back to them! We all give each other shit about everything anyway! If it's not Gemma, it'll be something else. This is ridiculous, Sean. Are Leary and those other yahoos the ones you're going to come home to after a long day's work? Are they going to give you a family? Grow old with you? I know you worked hard to get them to accept you, but you succeeded, Sean. Any hell you catch from here on in is just bluster. And if it's not, then I think you need to get yourself from new friends. Life's too short to screw around with this stuff," she concluded in a choking voice.
Sean thought her good had gone down the wrong pipe. Then he realized: She was starting to cry.
March 9, 2017
Repito con 3,5 estrellas para Sean y Gemma. La verdad es que son un par de tontos jajaajaja
August 2, 2013
Okay, I liked this one less than the others.
Gemma in the previous book was a creature that I regarded with a wariness born from being a Pagan Witch myself.
In the first book, I had no problems with her.
This book however seemed that the author decided to take every cliche possible and shove them all at us. Maybe it's just self hate of the stereotype on my part. I think I could handle most of it up until the Triple Moon Goddess tramp stamp that Gemma was sporting. Had the tattoo been anywhere else, I would have been fine with it. But a tramp stamp of it just rubbed me the wrong way.
Actually, now that I think about it... I think I was less annoyed at Gemma as instead the character of Uther. As Gemma even said, he's the type that gave the rest of us a bad reputation.
The blurb says "Fate brought her two men..."
Um... no it didn't.
Yes, Gemma cast her spell. Then she met both Sean and Uther. But there was never any indication from Gemma that there was even a hint of desire on her part for Uther. Yes, his part, but not hers. When he walked in to her shop and fit the description she was just sort of like "Oh, well I guess the universe has a sense of humor" (she did not say that, I cannot remember what she said.) but after that, there was nothing. He was a student, and she met/started dating Sean. So the 'triangle' that was promised by the blurb was non existent, until the end where it simply served as an excuse to get Gemma out of the house for a scene.
Sean was likable. Very likable. Yeah he was a dumb boy at times, but that's how men are when life is crushing on them.
Gemma's family... Well I'm sad to see what they are doing to Nonna. I liked her. Gemma's mother is an absolutely horrible person.
Michael and Theresa make appearances, which is good as of course I still love them.
There was not enough Hockey for this to be a 'New York Blades' novel in my opinion. Yeah, the main character wasn't a full time hockey player. And yes, the series would be boring if it was all hockey all the time. But I missed it even still.
All in all... it made me want to go back and finish watching the series of Rescue Me.
Gemma in the previous book was a creature that I regarded with a wariness born from being a Pagan Witch myself.
In the first book, I had no problems with her.
This book however seemed that the author decided to take every cliche possible and shove them all at us. Maybe it's just self hate of the stereotype on my part. I think I could handle most of it up until the Triple Moon Goddess tramp stamp that Gemma was sporting. Had the tattoo been anywhere else, I would have been fine with it. But a tramp stamp of it just rubbed me the wrong way.
Actually, now that I think about it... I think I was less annoyed at Gemma as instead the character of Uther. As Gemma even said, he's the type that gave the rest of us a bad reputation.
The blurb says "Fate brought her two men..."
Um... no it didn't.
Yes, Gemma cast her spell. Then she met both Sean and Uther. But there was never any indication from Gemma that there was even a hint of desire on her part for Uther. Yes, his part, but not hers. When he walked in to her shop and fit the description she was just sort of like "Oh, well I guess the universe has a sense of humor" (she did not say that, I cannot remember what she said.) but after that, there was nothing. He was a student, and she met/started dating Sean. So the 'triangle' that was promised by the blurb was non existent, until the end where it simply served as an excuse to get Gemma out of the house for a scene.
Sean was likable. Very likable. Yeah he was a dumb boy at times, but that's how men are when life is crushing on them.
Gemma's family... Well I'm sad to see what they are doing to Nonna. I liked her. Gemma's mother is an absolutely horrible person.
Michael and Theresa make appearances, which is good as of course I still love them.
There was not enough Hockey for this to be a 'New York Blades' novel in my opinion. Yeah, the main character wasn't a full time hockey player. And yes, the series would be boring if it was all hockey all the time. But I missed it even still.
All in all... it made me want to go back and finish watching the series of Rescue Me.
January 23, 2014
Book 3 in Deirdre Martin’s New York Blades series makes it 17 straight days of hockey romance for me (a book a day!) so my apologies to anyone new to my blog the past few weeks! I’ve had a bit of an obsession that I can’t seem to kick – I promise, I read lots of other stuff… sometimes. LOL!
I adored book three, although I have to admit that it wasn’t really a hockey book. The only thing tying it to the New York Blades was one quick scene in the beginning and the fact that the main character, Gemma, is the cousin of the book 2 hero, Michael Dante. (And I’m disappointed there wasn’t even mention of the Body Check characters, Ty and Janna!) In fact, for the most part I forgot I was reading part of this series, which makes this book a good one for anyone just looking for a contemporary romance!
One thing I loved about this book is that Gemma and Sean were total opposites. On so many levels. Yet they had this intense chemistry. (I am saying this as someone who has very little actually in common with her husband – we don’t have the same music, same religion, same friends, same anything really… other than last name, wedding date and children… LOL!) I loved that they had to overcome that as an obstacle. It’s a tough one, so I’m glad they did!
I have to say that one thing I’ve noticed about Deirdre Martin is that she tends to make one character stronger – more fleshed out – and in this case it was sticking with what we know, the Dante family. I felt a bit left out where Sean was concerned, wanting more on him. His character was great, but didn’t run very deep.
I am hooked on hockey books, and Deirdre Martin’s New York Blades is my current poison of choice. These books are quick to read and great mind candy. Unfortunately, it doesn’t go much deeper than that. I don’t have this soul crushing NEED to be with them, that I get with other books. I don’t get the desire to call my good friend, Lis, and GUSH about the latest hockey hunk. But they fill a need to escape for a few hours into a romance.
I adored book three, although I have to admit that it wasn’t really a hockey book. The only thing tying it to the New York Blades was one quick scene in the beginning and the fact that the main character, Gemma, is the cousin of the book 2 hero, Michael Dante. (And I’m disappointed there wasn’t even mention of the Body Check characters, Ty and Janna!) In fact, for the most part I forgot I was reading part of this series, which makes this book a good one for anyone just looking for a contemporary romance!
One thing I loved about this book is that Gemma and Sean were total opposites. On so many levels. Yet they had this intense chemistry. (I am saying this as someone who has very little actually in common with her husband – we don’t have the same music, same religion, same friends, same anything really… other than last name, wedding date and children… LOL!) I loved that they had to overcome that as an obstacle. It’s a tough one, so I’m glad they did!
I have to say that one thing I’ve noticed about Deirdre Martin is that she tends to make one character stronger – more fleshed out – and in this case it was sticking with what we know, the Dante family. I felt a bit left out where Sean was concerned, wanting more on him. His character was great, but didn’t run very deep.
I am hooked on hockey books, and Deirdre Martin’s New York Blades is my current poison of choice. These books are quick to read and great mind candy. Unfortunately, it doesn’t go much deeper than that. I don’t have this soul crushing NEED to be with them, that I get with other books. I don’t get the desire to call my good friend, Lis, and GUSH about the latest hockey hunk. But they fill a need to escape for a few hours into a romance.
November 8, 2012
Gemma is a free spirit in every sense and she is tired of waiting, so she casts a spell. It worked for her brother so why wouldn't it work for her. It works but not the way she thought it would; now she has two guys who want her. Sean is a hot firefighter; he rescues people and is ultra masculine. Gemma and Sean meet and start dating; their relationship puts a new meaning the saying opposites attract. When Gemma and Sean finally start getting close things go wrong with a fire and Sean shuts down. While Gemma tries to find out what’s wrong, Sean tries to deal with his mistakes. Gemma doesn’t care what people think about her and knows that she will never be fully accepted. Sean is a hero, but doesn’t believe that people should really share their feelings; this causes big problems in their relationship. I loved this book, Gemma is so quirky and who can resist a fireman. I liked how both of them didn’t change who they were, but worked around their differences. There were parts of the book that made me cry and it made me like Sean even more. Their story has more problems than the other books in this series. I really liked how Martin didn’t make everything easy about being a fireman and touched on some of the really hard issues that they have to deal with. Even though this book was only peripherally involved with the Blades hockey team I loved it.
February 5, 2012
Good continuation of the series. Gemma is Michael's cousin and we met her in book 2, but seeing her own story in book 3 is nice.
I like series books because we are able to get a look back at characters from previous book and that was certainly the case here. As Michael's cousin, Gemma is still very involved with the Dante family and we get to see not only the contination of Michael and Theresa's story but also Michael's brother Anthony and his wife Angie who we met in book 2.
My only wish was that there would have been more mention of Janna & Ty from book 1. Even just to say that Theresa's friend Janna was doing well, had a baby, or whatever. Ty is now the coach of the Blades (we learned in book 2) so even to have Michael make some mention of Coach Ty or something would have been nice. There was one quick mention of them at baby Domenica's christening, but just to say Theresa's friend Janna and her husband Ty were there. We didn't get to know anything about where they were with life, etc. Maybe they'll be mentioned in another book in the future. Can't wait to read and see.
I like series books because we are able to get a look back at characters from previous book and that was certainly the case here. As Michael's cousin, Gemma is still very involved with the Dante family and we get to see not only the contination of Michael and Theresa's story but also Michael's brother Anthony and his wife Angie who we met in book 2.
My only wish was that there would have been more mention of Janna & Ty from book 1. Even just to say that Theresa's friend Janna was doing well, had a baby, or whatever. Ty is now the coach of the Blades (we learned in book 2) so even to have Michael make some mention of Coach Ty or something would have been nice. There was one quick mention of them at baby Domenica's christening, but just to say Theresa's friend Janna and her husband Ty were there. We didn't get to know anything about where they were with life, etc. Maybe they'll be mentioned in another book in the future. Can't wait to read and see.
April 13, 2011
I had mixed feelings about this one. It definetly stumbled at the start, with the two protagonists falling into bed together in record time. To make matters worse, the sex scenes where far too wordy and descriptive while lacking in emotional depth, which is not surpirsing when we have only just met the lead characters a short time before. I had grave concerns about how the author was going to make it work but to Deidre Martin's credit, she really did. The book ended up being quite emotionally interesting as the couple delt with work issues, intense family issues, acceptance issues and all the usual stuff that comes along with new romance. I still felt the sex scense where overdone with way too much "earth shattering" descriptions that managed to take away from the moment. I really liked the two leads in this book and thought they made a great couple who worked hard to get their relationship on track and have their happy ending. the book had a rough start but worked its way into being quite a good little romance.
December 14, 2015
“In her mind’s eye, Gemma saw the hazy outline of someone tall, but when she tried to fill in the details of his face, she couldn’t. The only thing she saw were his eyes. They were green...no, blue. Blue and wise and full of compassion. She still couldn’t see his face, but now she could hear his laugh—deep, hearty—and delight swept through her. She wanted someone who laughed often. Someone unafraid to feel.” p. 11
Gemma Dante is a good witch who casts a spell so that she can see her future lover. Shortly thereafter Sean Kennealy, a firefighter, shows up at her door. It appears that Gemma’s spell has been answered, although their initial attraction does not seem to be all that successful. In the long run, of course, there is a happy ending.
It has been five years, since I read another romance by Martin. Both of these romances have been fun, light entertainment. If you read contemporary romance and you see a book by Deirdre Martin, I recommend you pick it up.
Gemma Dante is a good witch who casts a spell so that she can see her future lover. Shortly thereafter Sean Kennealy, a firefighter, shows up at her door. It appears that Gemma’s spell has been answered, although their initial attraction does not seem to be all that successful. In the long run, of course, there is a happy ending.
It has been five years, since I read another romance by Martin. Both of these romances have been fun, light entertainment. If you read contemporary romance and you see a book by Deirdre Martin, I recommend you pick it up.
October 8, 2014
3.5 stars
In some ways, this is probably the most realistic romance novel I've ever read: bad dates, friends who don't quite gel, etc. But, well, I don't read romance novels because they are realistic. And therein lies the problem. The problem also lies therein that there were a few scenes in which I really wanted to hurt Sean. And
But overall I really liked Gemma, I mostly liked Sean (his poor decisions and not-so-sure-they're-redeemable friends notwithstanding), and I thought they had great chemistry (PLUS the nice cameos from Michael and Theresa), made what could have been a DNF into a (mostly) enjoyable read.
In some ways, this is probably the most realistic romance novel I've ever read: bad dates, friends who don't quite gel, etc. But, well, I don't read romance novels because they are realistic. And therein lies the problem. The problem also lies therein that there were a few scenes in which I really wanted to hurt Sean. And
But overall I really liked Gemma, I mostly liked Sean (his poor decisions and not-so-sure-they're-redeemable friends notwithstanding), and I thought they had great chemistry (PLUS the nice cameos from Michael and Theresa), made what could have been a DNF into a (mostly) enjoyable read.
January 31, 2013
Kinda miffed the main characters in each book are following some kind of blueprint. They meet, they fall in love, crap happens, they brake up, they suffer, they get back together again. And again. And again.
I loved Gemma as a character in the first books. In this book however... She lost all her sass! I loved Sean. Sometimes. Most of the time I wanted to rip him a new one. His macho quiet suffering was too over the top. But with him being a firefighter, the only reference to hockey and the New York Blades, is Gemma being related to a hockey player. Oh, and a "friendly" hockey game early on between the firefighters and the Blades. It's kind of a stretch lumping this book in with the rest of the series...
I just didn't love this book so I'm putting the rest of the series to rest for now.
I loved Gemma as a character in the first books. In this book however... She lost all her sass! I loved Sean. Sometimes. Most of the time I wanted to rip him a new one. His macho quiet suffering was too over the top. But with him being a firefighter, the only reference to hockey and the New York Blades, is Gemma being related to a hockey player. Oh, and a "friendly" hockey game early on between the firefighters and the Blades. It's kind of a stretch lumping this book in with the rest of the series...
I just didn't love this book so I'm putting the rest of the series to rest for now.
January 7, 2016
this was actually the first book I read in the series and i loved it so much I decided to give the others a try. I love these characters because they're so real and honest. as an actual wiccan I'm thrilled to finally find an accurate protrayal of the religion.. gemma is so free spirited and optimistic you can't not love her especially sonce she's such a sweetheart to top it off. who doesnt love a sexy fireman as the hero....sean has a temper but underneath it he's a sweet guy and my does he sound yum. the plot was great though a tad slow at times and like the others of the series I find myself wishing for a stronger villain but these books are a nice way to pass a couple hours if you like romance novels
March 15, 2010
This is considered to be the third in Martin's Blades series, but I'm not really sure why. Yes, the main female character, Gemma, is related to one of the previous protagonists, but this book has absolutely nothing to do with hockey. Once again Martin relies on the whole idea of opposites attract ... this time it's a firefighter/ex-stockbroker and a witch/new age small business owner. A cute read, but extremely frustrating in parts. I enjoyed the realistic family difficulties Gemma was having, but Sean's behavior was just plain annoying. And don't even get me started on the whole Uther subplot ...
February 27, 2013
This was the first straight romance I'd read in a couple of years (not counting the occasional Nora Roberts book) and I'd forgotten what a quick, easy read they could be. Total Rush didn't have any of the grittiness or mayhem that I love in the books I usually read but for the most part I liked the Sean and Gemma and Martin's writing style had their story flowing right along for me. Of course I read the Blades series out of order (Body Check years ago and Fair Play is still sitting on my shelves but it didn't feel like I'd jumped into the middle of something. The rest of the series ended up being ordered right away.
March 2, 2015
This really wasn't a hockey book. There were small little hockey mentions and probably one game in the whole book. It was more like the "Dante" family saga continued. It wasn't a bad book. It was a little slow in parts. It was entertaining. I didn't have to force myself to finish either. :) There are lots of Pagan/witchcraft mentions in this book. Is it spooky? Nope. It's really a book about showing that being true to yourself and who are is just fine. There was no "bad" witchcraft performed in the book either. It was like "Glenda the good witch".
August 11, 2011
I loved this book the best because there were so many different emotions incorporated in this book. It left me often with a painful feeling in my stomach, whenever I had to stop reading (yeah, a girl sometimes has to work, right?) and I wanted to read more. I really love it that the author always incorporates another storyline, in this one Nonna with the Alzheimer. It was painful, a bumpy ride but in the end it was more than worth it!
April 27, 2012
Hmmm....I like Gemma and happy she got more of a story. I like Sean as well and that he left the stock market for his true passion....however other then the occasional appearance of her cousin Michael, I'm not really sure what this story had to do with the Blades. I enjoyed reading about Gemma and her quirks, and Sean growing into being a firefighter he could be happy being, I'm just not sure I would read this story with the hopes of more Blades action.....
June 16, 2008
I think all of the characters were a bit nutty. There was a crunchy lady, the daredevil guy, and a creepy crazy stalker type fellow. I think I had a constant frown on my face because of the way all of the characters were portrayed. The main reason I liked it was because of the returning characters from the previous book.
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