Review: Amazing Anthology for an Amazing Cause
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 12, 2014
I was so excited to get an Arc copy of this book!! I read it as quickly as I could and it seemed to take over my life while I was reading it!Tangled in the Laces by Toni Aleo(Prequel to Laces and Lace)“Nothing ever distracted him but this girl had the power to.” -Toni Aleo, Tangled in the LacesKarson King has always known that he would follow his father’s footsteps and enter the NHL. But his mother wanted him to make sure that hockey is what he wanted which is why he and his sister are in Chicago, attending university and playing hockey, of course. But when Karson spots Lacey at his practice he knows she’s the one that is meant to be his. Lacey has managed to survive a fight with cancer, unfortunately having a double mastectomy in order to do so. She knows that she’s not the one for Karson and is scared to try. When she finally takes a chance on him, she finds that they’re perfect for each other, and so in love. But Lacey’s brother and father are not happy with the relationship and who knows the lengths they will go to in order to protect their sister and daughter.I’ve really enjoyed the Assassins’ series so when I found out that Toni Aleo was writing a short story for this anthology it just made me even more excited for it! But then when I read this, I just couldn’t help but giggle and sigh, and wish that Karson was mine. Once more Toni Aleo has created characters that are not only dreamy, sigh worthy, and just overall amazing but she’s also created characters that you feel slightly bad for hating. But only just a teensy bit. It’s easy to slip into the book and find yourself wondering where the time has went, especially when Lacey is the less than confident girl she is, and Karson’s the overcocky, future NHLer. They easily draw you in. Not to mention you get an insight to Lacey who has fought and survived breast cancer. It’s amazing to get a look into her head!Then there’s the plot, it just makes you feel like everything is a fairytale, but towards the end you begin to see that everything isn’t always that easy. Toni Aleo has created a reality in which you could imagine yourself and easily put yourself in the heads of the characters, that is how well she writes the characters and her books. Occasionally the dialogue seems a slight bit awkward in the wording but overall this is a novella that you will have to read, especially before Laces and Lace comes out sometime closer to 2015. Oh, and I forgot to mention Tangled in the Laces is the prequel to Laces and Lace.Hooking Hannah by Cassandra Carr and Cindy Carr“He didn’t believe in love at first sight or anything - who did? - but that woman fired up his blood.” -Cassandra Carr and Cindy Carr, Hooking HannahHannah’s never wanted the life of a NHL hockey wife like her sister has. But she soon finds that it might not be her choice when Scott catches sight of her. It takes some convincing but he finally manages to get her to go out with him. But will Hannah be able to get past his career to embrace the love she could have?Both Cassandra and Cindy Carr have created a book that seems like it was written by one author. Sometimes when collaborating, you can tell the distinctive styles of the writers but in Hooking Hannah, it seems as if it is being written by just one author.Then there’s the characters. Hannah is reluctant to follow in her sister’s footsteps and become a hockey wife, and yet we see her changing thoughts throughout the book. It is a slow change and Cassandra and Cindy Carr display it in such a way that it doesn’t feel rushed. They don’t make it seem all that shocking that she would possibly change her mind throughout the book which is great to see! Then, of course, there’s Scott. Swoonworthy, handsome, extremely thoughtful and sweet. Basically everything you want to see in a guy.Throughout the novella, it’s clear to see the struggle that Hannah is feeling and the ones that Scott is developing. It keeps things going and the small but noticeable changes are the best. That way the ending doesn’t seem to have snuck up on you and left you totally confused as to why there was a total 180. Cassandra and Cindy Carr have created a great novella to contribute to a great cause!Crashing the Boards(Seattle Sockeyes 1.5) by Jami Davenport“Judging by the stubborn set of his jaw and those steely blue eyes, this wasn’t going to be easy.” -Jami Davenport, Crashing the BoardsCooper never wanted to come to Seattle and is making it hard on the new team owners. Izzy has been hired to crash the party and turn it from a dud into amazing. But first she must convince Cooper, the team captain. When sparks fly, she thinks things may be easier than it seems but nothing is ever easy in the game of love.First of all, I want to say that I am not very adventurous so having a character that is working to be a professional party crasher was really exciting and invigourating for me. Mostly because it allowed me to get inside Izzy’s head and have all the rush of everything she was feeling and doing without actually risking anything. Jami Davenport certainly did an amazing job with creating characters that were easy to understand the surface and get into their heads. She’s drawn the readers in and created a situation that is certain to make things difficult. And it does. But she also gives those romantics what they’re always looking for in any romance book.Overall this was a great book for a great cause. Jami Davenport created relatable characters, that involved some hockey and a team that is struggling with it’s relocation. The plot is interesting and keeps the reader engaged as well as interested to find out more. I think I’ll definitely give her new series, Seattle Sockeyes, a chance when the first book comes out!Taking a Shot(Portland Storm 2.5) by Catherine Gayle“They gave me something to believe in, and there hadn’t been much of that lately.” -Catherine Gayle, Taking a ShotKatie Weber has been diagnosed with Leukemia and is fighting for her life. She’s also had a crush on the Portland Storm’s Jamie Babcock ever since he joined the team that her father played on. But since discovering she has cancer, she’s decided not to go to Prom, that is until Jamie asks her, much to the dismay of her father.Can I just say that even though this was a novella, it put me through an emotional wringer? Catherine Gayle makes you feel the emotions that her characters do and you just can’t help but laugh and cry even as you remind yourself that it’s just a book. Catherine Gayle has created characters that you can get behind and you find yourself cheering for the couple even as her father takes protective to a whole new level. But you can also understand his reasons. She gives you insight into this difficult situation and it was eye opening to see.Catherine Gayle has certainly created a wonderfully created novella to support an amazing cause and has found a new fan for her Portland Storm series. I will definitely be adding the previous two books in this series to my to-read pile!A Valuable Trade by Jaymee Jacobs“I may not be a hockey player, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t know how hard trades are.” -Jaymee Jacobs, A Valuable TradeBryan’s been traded and his girlfriend is reluctant to follow him. When he arrives in Dallas, he finds himself greeted by the definition of a southern cowgirl, Georgiana, who also happens to work as the Director of Team Services for the Comets. After a drunken night together, they find that it’s not always easy to ignore things. But Bryan must decide between his girlfriend, and Georgiana.At first I found that this novella was really hard to get into. I think mostly because of the point of view. It’s not one I’m always comfortable with and it seemed to be a little awkward at first. But then everything settled down and it wasn’t hard to find myself falling into the story.Jaymee Jacobs has created two realistic characters in Bryan and Georgiana. After their drunken encounter, Georgiana finds things difficult and it’s easy to see why. Not only that but it’s clear that Bryan feels the same and why. Jamee Jacobs allows readers to understand the viewpoints of her characters without making a snap judgment about their behavior.It was interesting to see the effect that the trade had on Bryan as well. Many times, we see only what people want us to see and it was interesting to get that glimpse into the difficulties of being traded to a new city, and a new team. Jaymee Jacobs in A Valuable Trade gives the readers an insight into what it truly is like to be a NHL player, and the sacrifices that the players make that the fans don’t alway see.Heir Apparent by V.L. Locey“I came down with a whole new understanding of who I was that day.” -V.L. Locey, Heir ApparentJacobi Neal has just been called up to the NHL as backup to his hero, Cam Evans. But when he first meets his hero, he finds himself fighting an attraction and certain issues. But he’s not alone in that. Can the two overcome their issues together or is this a lost cause?V.L. Locey has created two characters that might just fit perfectly together. It was amazing to read a book about Jacobi and Cam, especially because Cam is older than Jacobi and Jacobi seems to have a bit of hero worship for him in the beginning of the book. It’s interesting to see how their relationship develops and how they interact with each other.It’s not hard to get into Heir Apparent with the way it’s told. The book seems as if it’s just a good friend reminiscing about old times. The narration is smooth and keeps the reader interested with occasional comments that are obvious that the narrator is adding as he’s telling the story.Not to mention the view we gain into being gay in the NHL. I don’t think it’s something that often comes up and V.L. Locey gives us a glimpse into what it might be like to be gay and in the NHL.Heir Apparent is a marvellous book by a great author supporting an amazing cause. It serves as a great addition to an amazing anthology!Blind Pass(The Dartmouth Cobras 0.5) by Bianca Sommerland“He wanted to make her laugh again, wanted to use the time on the long flight to get to know more than her name.” -Bianca Sommerland, Blind PassTim Rowe, assistant coach to the Dartmouth Cobras finds himself falling for the flight attendant on the way to one of their away games. But he’s not sure that he can meet her needs. When Madeline sees Tim, she knows that there’s something special between the two. But will their relationship be able to last?Bianca Sommerland has created characters that immediately draw readers in. Tim is the man who is used to his brother getting the girls. And Madeline is a mothering type, someone who is always looking to help those around her. With the way that Bianca Sommerland presents them it isn’t hard to jump inside their heads and see their worries and fears. Not to mention fall in love with both. It’s clear to see that both are interested in the other and they both care for the team. It was amazing to read.Not to mention the fact that it’s interesting to see a relationship that shouldn’t succeed succeed. I only say that because Madeline is a flight attendant and Tim is an assistant coach for a hockey team. This means that both are travelling quite a bit and long distance relationships don’t seem to work a lot of the times. It was great to see a relationship like that work out.Bianca Sommerland has created a great addition to this anthology and it was certainly amazing to read!Captain, My Captain by Nikki Worrell(Prequel to the NHL Scorpions Series)“But there’s nothing to forgive. I was absolutely going to hit on you, but you blew it.” -Nikki Worrell, Captain, My CaptainKelly’s had a rough life and is working hard to make it better. Keith has just been traded, and broke up with his girlfriend of two years. But when he sees Kelly, his ex is forgotten and he knows he’ll work hard to get Kelly in his bed and his heart. But will Kelly be able to let her past go and believe in his love?Nikki Worrell has created two characters that share an easy banter. I think that was one of the things I enjoyed most about this novella. It was the easy banter that was still amusing that Kelly and Keith share. I was always looking forward to when the two would run into each other and there would be some smart comment made.Again, an author has touched on the difficulties that can be had after having been traded and that’s always nice to see. Then there’s the fact that there’s a complete pain in the a-hole character that you can very much enjoy hating. It just seems to draw in the reader.Captain, My Captain is a great prequel to the NHL Scorpions series and you should definitely check it out!Phew, I made it through! And hopefully you did too! But reading through this anthology I found the time just flew and I was constantly having to set alarms on my cell phone so that I wouldn’t be late for class or miss a tv show that I was looking forward to. And even when I stopped to watch a tv show, I was sneaking a couple of pages in during the commercials. You will not be disappointed if you pick up this book and you’d be supporting an amazing cause! This is a must-have for anyone who likes sports, more specifically hockey, romance books.Find this review and many others on Reading Shy With Aly([...])