Cold Fury Hockey, #4
by Sawyer Bennett
Release Date:
September 8th, 2015
Publisher:
Loveswept
Source:
Publisher via BT Host
eARC received in exchange of honest review
Synopsis:
The rugged men of the Carolina Cold Fury hockey team are winning hearts once again in another scorching novel from New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett. by Sawyer Bennett
Release Date:
September 8th, 2015
Publisher:
Loveswept
Source:
Publisher via BT Host
eARC received in exchange of honest review
Synopsis:
The stakes have never been higher for Carolina Cold Fury goalie Ryker Evans. With his contract running out, he’s got a year left to prove he’s still at the top of his game. And since his wife left him, Ryker has been balancing life as a pro-hockey star and a single parent to two daughters. Management is waiting for him to screw up. The fans are ready to pounce. Everybody’s taking dirty shots—except for the fiery redhead whose faith in Ryker gives him a fresh start.
As the league’s only female general manager, Gray Brannon has learned not to mix business with pleasure. And yet even this tough, talented career woman can’t help breaking her own rules as she gives Ryker everything she’s got. She hopes their hot streak will last forever, but with Ryker’s conniving ex plotting to reclaim her man, the pressure is on Gray to step up and save a tender new love before it’s too late.
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Excerpt:
“D-a-a-a-d,” Ruby shrieks from upstairs.
It’s a sound that once used to cause all the hair to stand up on my arms and on more than one occasion caused me to go tearing after the call of my youngest daughter thinking she was being murdered by an intruder. I’ve since come to recognize that particular shrill cry as one of excitement and wonder, and I can’t help but grin over what Ruby is possibly into now. At almost five years old, she refuses to accept the concept of a well-mannered, indoor voice and goes balls to the wall in everything she does.
“Is the house on fire, Rubes?” I call out.
Her little voice shouts back to me in a squawk. “No.”
“Have aliens landed?” I keep my voice just loud enough to carry up the stairs but still decibels below her own.
“No,” she yells, and there . . . right there . . . that’s a little giggle from her.
“Did Timmy fall down the well?”
“No, Dad . . . but you have to come here,” she yells, and, to give her credit, it’s toned down just a bit. When I don’t answer her right away, she calls down in a sweet voice that makes my heart pitter-patter. “Please, Dad.”
Brilliant, little brat. Throwing in some manners to throw me off my game.
“I’ll be right there,” I tell her as I finish the last of Violet’s braid and manage to efficiently bind it with a hair elastic. Leaning over, I place a kiss on her head. “All done, dreamy dwarf.”
Violet leans her head back and gives me an upside-down grin. I love the sprinkle of freckles on her nose and it compels me to kiss her again.
“Do me a favor,” I tell her as I turn toward the living room. “Get the cereal and milk out for me while I go see what your sister needs?”
I don’t bother waiting to see what she does, because Violet has become my metaphorical right hand over the last few months. While she still loves for me to braid her hair and help with her homework, she’s also relished taking on a bit of a caretaker role since the girls moved in with me permanently this past summer.
They’ve been here almost six months and I actually feel like I know what the hell I’m doing now. It wasn’t always like that, and thank God for Kate’s help or I would have gone insane in those first few months of becoming a single parent of two little girls. Kate patiently helped me establish a routine and taught me how to braid hair, distinguish excited shrieks from cries of pain, and most important . . . how to conduct the perfect princess tea party.
I skirt my way through the living room, bending over to pick up one of Ruby’s dolls from the floor, and bound up the stairs taking two at a time. I find Ruby in the bathroom that she and Violet share, bent over the toilet and peering at something.
She shares the same dark hair and gray eyes as Violet, except her locks spring out everywhere in a mass of tiny curls. I have no idea where that came from, but assume it’s a rogue strand of ancestral DNA from either me or my soon-to-be ex-wife, Hensley. Both of us, as well as Violet, have fairly straight hair, so Ruby is definitely dipping into the family gene pool with her wild curls, but damn . . . they totally fit with her personality. “What’s up?” I ask as I walk over to the toilet.
She straightens up, shoots me a grin, and points. “Look . . . a spider.”
I cautiously take a step forward and lean over, grimacing as I look into the bowl.
And holy shit . . . a spider the size of a T rex is floating on the surface, all eight legs spread out, bent and poised to look as if it’s ready to leap out and attach itself to my face. I suppress a full spinal shudder and reach a tentative hand toward the handle to flush it.
Two things happen almost simultaneously that take at least three years off my life.
The spider somehow manages to skitter across the water, the beast so large it actually creates waves, and Ruby shrieks at me, “No! Don’t kill it, Dad!”
It is with a major blow to my pride—as a man, as a dad, as a six-foot, six-inch professional hockey player nicknamed the Brick because I’m as big and tough as a brick wall—that I jump backward at least two feet from the monster-infested toilet and banshee-crying sprite, causing my hip to slam into the corner of the sink.
“Shit,” I curse loudly, and Ruby’s eyes go round, followed by her lips.
“Oh, Dad . . . that’s a bad word.”
No shit.
I smile at her as I rub my hip. That’s definitely going to leave a bruise. “Sorry, Rubes. I’ll put a dollar in the swear jar.”
She merely nods her acceptance of my apology and turns worried eyes back to the toilet.
“You have to save it,” she implores. Yeah . . . that’s not going to happen. Not now. Not ever.
“Sure, baby,” I tell her as I take her by the shoulder and turn her toward the bathroom door. I swear the spider glares at me with a million red, evil eyes. “Go on down and get breakfast. Violet’s fixing your cereal. I’ll get the spider out.”
“Okay,” Ruby says as she pulls away from me, but continues to give me instructions. “But let it out the front door and I’ll bring it some food later.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I assure her as she disappears down the stairs. When I hear her feet hit the bottom landing, I turn toward the toilet, intent on a quick flush to put me out of my misery.
Except when I look in the bowl, the fucking thing is gone.
I’ll just go ahead and admit it. Spiders scare the living hell out of me. I have no clue why, and while I would battle the biggest, baddest monster to the death for my daughters, I’d much rather flush a little spider down the toilet.
I immediately scramble backward out of the bathroom, grabbing the doorknob and shutting it quickly behind me. My heart is racing a million miles an hour, the thought of that furry hell beast now loose in my house.
Just one more thing on the list of things I still need to do today.
Get the girls dressed and ready for school.
Take the girls to school.
Clean up the spilled laundry detergent.
Finish the laundry.
Arm myself with a can of hairspray and a lighter to torch the rogue spider in the bathroom.
Pick up my dry cleaning.
Work out.
Team practice.
Pick up the girls from Kate and Zack’s house. Dinner. Baths. Story time and cuddling. Go to bed because I’ll be exhausted.
Easy as fucking pie, and I’ll get up and do it all over again the next day with a smile on my face. I’m finding life as a single parent isn’t as daunting as I thought it would be and I’ve finally found my groove.
It’s a sound that once used to cause all the hair to stand up on my arms and on more than one occasion caused me to go tearing after the call of my youngest daughter thinking she was being murdered by an intruder. I’ve since come to recognize that particular shrill cry as one of excitement and wonder, and I can’t help but grin over what Ruby is possibly into now. At almost five years old, she refuses to accept the concept of a well-mannered, indoor voice and goes balls to the wall in everything she does.
“Is the house on fire, Rubes?” I call out.
Her little voice shouts back to me in a squawk. “No.”
“Have aliens landed?” I keep my voice just loud enough to carry up the stairs but still decibels below her own.
“No,” she yells, and there . . . right there . . . that’s a little giggle from her.
“Did Timmy fall down the well?”
“No, Dad . . . but you have to come here,” she yells, and, to give her credit, it’s toned down just a bit. When I don’t answer her right away, she calls down in a sweet voice that makes my heart pitter-patter. “Please, Dad.”
Brilliant, little brat. Throwing in some manners to throw me off my game.
“I’ll be right there,” I tell her as I finish the last of Violet’s braid and manage to efficiently bind it with a hair elastic. Leaning over, I place a kiss on her head. “All done, dreamy dwarf.”
Violet leans her head back and gives me an upside-down grin. I love the sprinkle of freckles on her nose and it compels me to kiss her again.
“Do me a favor,” I tell her as I turn toward the living room. “Get the cereal and milk out for me while I go see what your sister needs?”
I don’t bother waiting to see what she does, because Violet has become my metaphorical right hand over the last few months. While she still loves for me to braid her hair and help with her homework, she’s also relished taking on a bit of a caretaker role since the girls moved in with me permanently this past summer.
They’ve been here almost six months and I actually feel like I know what the hell I’m doing now. It wasn’t always like that, and thank God for Kate’s help or I would have gone insane in those first few months of becoming a single parent of two little girls. Kate patiently helped me establish a routine and taught me how to braid hair, distinguish excited shrieks from cries of pain, and most important . . . how to conduct the perfect princess tea party.
I skirt my way through the living room, bending over to pick up one of Ruby’s dolls from the floor, and bound up the stairs taking two at a time. I find Ruby in the bathroom that she and Violet share, bent over the toilet and peering at something.
She shares the same dark hair and gray eyes as Violet, except her locks spring out everywhere in a mass of tiny curls. I have no idea where that came from, but assume it’s a rogue strand of ancestral DNA from either me or my soon-to-be ex-wife, Hensley. Both of us, as well as Violet, have fairly straight hair, so Ruby is definitely dipping into the family gene pool with her wild curls, but damn . . . they totally fit with her personality. “What’s up?” I ask as I walk over to the toilet.
She straightens up, shoots me a grin, and points. “Look . . . a spider.”
I cautiously take a step forward and lean over, grimacing as I look into the bowl.
And holy shit . . . a spider the size of a T rex is floating on the surface, all eight legs spread out, bent and poised to look as if it’s ready to leap out and attach itself to my face. I suppress a full spinal shudder and reach a tentative hand toward the handle to flush it.
Two things happen almost simultaneously that take at least three years off my life.
The spider somehow manages to skitter across the water, the beast so large it actually creates waves, and Ruby shrieks at me, “No! Don’t kill it, Dad!”
It is with a major blow to my pride—as a man, as a dad, as a six-foot, six-inch professional hockey player nicknamed the Brick because I’m as big and tough as a brick wall—that I jump backward at least two feet from the monster-infested toilet and banshee-crying sprite, causing my hip to slam into the corner of the sink.
“Shit,” I curse loudly, and Ruby’s eyes go round, followed by her lips.
“Oh, Dad . . . that’s a bad word.”
No shit.
I smile at her as I rub my hip. That’s definitely going to leave a bruise. “Sorry, Rubes. I’ll put a dollar in the swear jar.”
She merely nods her acceptance of my apology and turns worried eyes back to the toilet.
“You have to save it,” she implores. Yeah . . . that’s not going to happen. Not now. Not ever.
“Sure, baby,” I tell her as I take her by the shoulder and turn her toward the bathroom door. I swear the spider glares at me with a million red, evil eyes. “Go on down and get breakfast. Violet’s fixing your cereal. I’ll get the spider out.”
“Okay,” Ruby says as she pulls away from me, but continues to give me instructions. “But let it out the front door and I’ll bring it some food later.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I assure her as she disappears down the stairs. When I hear her feet hit the bottom landing, I turn toward the toilet, intent on a quick flush to put me out of my misery.
Except when I look in the bowl, the fucking thing is gone.
I’ll just go ahead and admit it. Spiders scare the living hell out of me. I have no clue why, and while I would battle the biggest, baddest monster to the death for my daughters, I’d much rather flush a little spider down the toilet.
I immediately scramble backward out of the bathroom, grabbing the doorknob and shutting it quickly behind me. My heart is racing a million miles an hour, the thought of that furry hell beast now loose in my house.
Just one more thing on the list of things I still need to do today.
Get the girls dressed and ready for school.
Take the girls to school.
Clean up the spilled laundry detergent.
Finish the laundry.
Arm myself with a can of hairspray and a lighter to torch the rogue spider in the bathroom.
Pick up my dry cleaning.
Work out.
Team practice.
Pick up the girls from Kate and Zack’s house. Dinner. Baths. Story time and cuddling. Go to bed because I’ll be exhausted.
Easy as fucking pie, and I’ll get up and do it all over again the next day with a smile on my face. I’m finding life as a single parent isn’t as daunting as I thought it would be and I’ve finally found my groove.
Lindy's Thoughts:
I enjoy a good sports romance, and the Cold Fury Hockey Series is one that I would recommend to those of you who enjoy this sub-genre. As I've gotten to know this lovable cast of hockey players, and their significant others, they have come to life for me. Alex & Sutton, Garrett & Olivia, Zack & Kate, and now Ryker & Gray are all like one huge family, and they feel as if they are my friends as well. Each of these stories are fantastic, but my absolute favorites are Garret and Zack's stories!
Ryker Evans has been separated a year from his wife Hensley. She cheated on him, and left him for his younger teammate. Since this happened, he transferred to the Cold Fury Hockey team. Even though he has proven to be a great goalie, he is considered old as far as the game of hockey is concerned. Therefore, he is out to prove to his team and the fans, that he has what it takes to be the best goalie in the league. His whole focus is his career, and his two young daughters, Violet and Ruby, who Hensley left with him so that she could travel with her boy toy.
Gray Brannon has just been promoted to general manager of the Cold Fury Hockey Team by her father. She has been scouting for the team for years, and is the one who wanted Ryker to be a part of the Cold Fury. She saw something special in him. While Gray has excellent credentials, and is a genius, it is unconventional to have a female general manager. To top it off, she wants to use statistics to get the Cold Fury in to the championship. Gray deals with opposition, sarcasm, and misogyny from the players along the way.
The only people who show her any outward support are her father and Ryker. As Gray and Ryker spend time together, attraction flares, and friendship begins. However, how can Gray and Ryker have a relationship when their careers pose a conflict of interest? To top it off, Hensley wants Ryker back, and is determined to do what it takes to reunite her family.
Ryker and Gray were excellent characters. I loved how Ryker wasn't the typical bad boy. He wanted a monogamous relationship with someone whom he and his daughters would love. He was a very dedicated and loving father. He was also very romantic and sweet to Gray. As far as hockey was concerned, he gave it his all. I couldn't help but like him!
Gray was a strong, and intelligent lead. She didn't let people walk all over her. Yet, she also had a very sweet and soft side to her as well. She was inexperienced as far as relationships were concerned, because she had always focused on her career. Yet, I think she did a great job with navigating the rough waters of her relationship with Ryker.
The secondary characters from previous books, as well as Ryker's children played a significant role in Ryker and Gray's story. I love this whole cast! The romance and sexy factor where off the charts! Ryker managed to make me blush a few times!!! The overall themes in this story had to do with taking chances when the odds are set against you, and finding your priorities in life. I recommend this series! It is excellent!
Rating:
I give, Ryker, by Sawyer Bennet, 4 Sexy Goalie Superstar, Combustible Passion, Sweet & Endearing Stars!!!
Mikki's Review:
I am a HUGE hockey fan. When there is a new sports romance that is invading my social news feed it's an automatic add to my TBR list, especially if it's about hockey. I had to chance to read all the books from Sawyer Bennett's Cold Fury Hockey series and they all have a special place in my heart. Zack still holds the number one spot has my favorite, but Alex, Garrett and Ryker are fantastic characters as well.
Ryker Evans is at the top of his game as the number one goalie for the Carolina Cold Fury. The end of the last hockey season is still fresh on his mind leaving him more determined than ever to make his best season yet. A lot of things have happened since he transferred teams. His marriage to Hensley is about to be history and he's been working hard to be the best daddy Violet and Ruby can have. Hensley's betrayal is still fresh, but for the sake of the girls he tries to get along with her.
Things get complicated when Gray Brannon enters his life. She is the new GM of the Carolina Cold Fury and the number one reason why he got transferred to this hockey team. As days go by, their attraction grows and sparks fly. The more he spends time with Gray, the more he wants her in his life. What is in store for Gray and Ryker once their secret relationship is exposed? Will their love for each other be strong enough to survive all the obstacle that will come their way?
Another fantastic addition to this wonderful series! Sawyer Bennett has been delivering solid, captivating, page-turning stories for all these wonderful characters. Like I mentioned before, I am a huge hockey fan. This book released just in time to get me ready for the next NHL season. It was fun to cheer for Ryker and his teammates has they got one step closer to their ultimate goal.
Gray and Ryker were great characters and my reading journey was a memorable one. Both these characters had a lot going on in their respective lives. Ryder was trying to get used to being a single dad. Tea parties and braiding hair was not what he was most comfortable with, but he would do anything for his girls. It was amazing to see how dedicated he was to both his career and family. Getting involved with his GM was not part of the plan, but when it comes to love, you can't control who you fall in love with.
Gray was an amazing heroine. At just thirty-one years old, she got named as one of the youngest general managers in the league. She was under a lot of pressure. Not only because she was the youngest GM in the league, but because she's the only female GM. It was not easy for her and not everybody accepted this decision. She had a lot to prove and she did! Her confidence and determination to bring her hockey team towards their ultimate goal was fascinating. I loved how she gave in to her feelings for Ryker. She knew she was playing with fire, but she listened to her heart and to nobody else.
This was another amazing reading journey! The chemistry between Gray and Ryker was blazing hot! The scenes between Ryker, Alex, Garrett and Zack were incredible! You can see that these characters are not only teammates, they are like brothers. It was nice to catch up with Alex, Sutton, Olivia, Garrett, Kate and Zack. I can't get enough of this series! I highly recommend it! :)
Rating:
I give Ryker, by Sawyer Bennet, 4 secret relationship, stolen kisses, passionate, sexy, you don't get to chose who you fall in love with stars!
About the Author:
USA Today and New York Times Best-Selling Author, Sawyer Bennett is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. Her husband works for a Fortune 100 company which lets him fly all over the world while she stays at home with their daughter and three big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.
Thank you so much for hosting RYKER!!
ReplyDeleteI am still giggling over that excerpt. Feel your pain, Ryker, my man!
ReplyDeleteI loved the first book and really need to get back into this series. I like what you're saying about him being sweet and a family guy, but serious about his sport. Nice review, ladies!
Hehe...I LOVE the excerpt. Big hockey player scared of spiders....hehe.
ReplyDelete