WARM UP (Scotia Storms 2:The Academy Years) by Cathryn Fox-review

WARM UP (Scotia Storms 2: Rebels: The Academy Years) by Cathryn Fox-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 5, 2022

He’s a defenseman on the academy’s hockey team – a well-known player on and off the ice.

It’s a reputation he wears proudly…flaunts, even. The only one he has to look out for is himself. No one expects anything else.

Thanks to past mistakes, I have a whole lot of responsibilities outside of the academy, and have no choice but to put others in my life first. They count on me, but you know what? I’m lonely.

I guess that’s why I got all tangled up in the guy whose only focus is on hockey – and fun.

What I hadn’t meant to do, however, was fall head over heels for the player who only wanted one thing from me. Can you say been there done that?

But I think, underneath it all, there’s a lot more to him than even he knows and maybe his choices aren’t his own. Maybe someone else is pulling the strings.

Either way, when past mistakes catch up with me again, the team’s biggest player must decide whether to follow the path carved out for him and walk away from me, or shape his own future, and become the man he keeps well hidden.

••••••

REVIEW: WARM UP is the second instalment in Cathryn Fox’s contemporary, new adult SCOTIA STORMS: REBELS-THE ACADEMY YEARS hockey, romance series. This is college hockey player Matt Morgan, and single mother/music student Kennedy Walsh’s story line. WARM UP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous storyline is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Kennedy and Matt) WARM UP follows the building romance and relationship between Matt and Kennedy. Kennedy is a single mother who works two jobs in an effort to support herself and her daughter but getting fired meant Kennedy was desperate for a job, and found herself cooking and cleaning for an on campus frat house that housed several members of the college hockey team. Enter Matt Morgan, the man with whom Kennedy will fall in love. Matt Morgan’s reputation both on and off the ice precedes his introduction to our story line heroine but neither Matt nor Kennedy is looking for a permanent relationship, and a friends with benefits affair is perfect until the heart wants something more. As Kennedy and Matt’s relationship begins to take on a life of its’ own, perceived betrayal threatens to destroy the couple’s tentative hold on a happily ever after, for now. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Kennedy and Matt, and the potential fall-out as Matt’s future plans do not involve a ready made family.

Kennedy Walsh is a single mother, struggling in the wake of betrayal and lies. Living with her mother, Kennedy works two jobs, attends college, and raises her daughter without the support of her ex or his money. Kennedy never expected to fall for a man whose reputation as a one-night stand kind of guy threatens all good sense but Kennedy’s heart wants something Matt may be incapable of giving. Matt Morgan’s plans for the future include making it big in the NHL but Matt found himself falling for a young woman and her infant child, falling hard in the face of warring emotions.

The relationship between Kennedy and Matt is one of immediate attraction that begins when Kennedy is fired without cause. The Frat house needs a new cook and house keeper, and Kennedy is the perfect candidate, desperate enough to ignore all the potential rumors about Matt and the players. Matt Morgan quickly pulls Kennedy under his wings, falling for a woman who is perfect for Matt but not necessarily perfect in the eyes of everyone else. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Kennedy’s mother Barb; Kennedy’s friends Amy, and Piper; as well as Matt’s brother Liam, and their grandfather Gary. We are reintroduced to Sawyer and Chase (Away Game #1), as well Sawyer’s friend Daisy, and fellow hockey player Beckett. Piper and Beckett’s story is next in CRASH COURSE.

WARM UP is a story of family, friendships, betrayal and love; a story of relationships, misunderstanding, and acceptance. The character driven premise is captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are charismatic and perfect for one another.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Vampire (Dark Protectors 12.5) by Rebecca Zanetti-Review Tour

Vampire (Dark Protectors 12.5-Rebels / 1001 Dark Nights) by Rebecca Zanetti-Review & Excerpt Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 13, 2021

Dr. Mariana Lopez has finally stopped bailing friends out of difficult situations. Well, except for substituting as the leader for another anger management group, pitching in as a campaign strategist for a prospective sheriff, and babysitting three dogs. Even with such a full life, she can feel the danger around her—a sense that something isn’t right. Nightmares harass her, until the real thing comes to life, and only the dark and sexy male sitting in her group can save her. However, with safety comes a price she might not be willing to pay.

Raine Maxwell is one of the Maxwells out of Montana, which means he’s not only one of the most deadly vampires alive, but his path is set and his mate has been chosen for him. To save him—to continue his line. Unfortunately, his mate is an enhanced human female who has no idea of her abilities, of his species, or of her future. He’d like to lead her gently into this new world, but his people aren’t the only ones who’ve found her, which puts her into more danger than she can imagine. Plus, in order to follow his laws, he only has one week to convince her that immortality with him is what she wants—and needs.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

••••••••

REVIEW:VAMPIRE by Rebecca Zanetti is instalment 12.5 in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult DARK PROTECTORS/ REBELS erotic, paranormal romance series, and the latest entry in the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series. This is four hundred year old, vampire Raine Maxwell, and psychologist Dr. Mariana Lopez’s story line. VAMPIRE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary. The current arc of the series focuses on former/current members of Dr. Lopez’s anger management group, most of whom are not quite human.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Mariana and Raine) VAMPIRE follows the building romance and relationship between Mariana Lopez and Raine Maxwell. Mariana Lopez has a stalker, and finds herself a prisoner alongside Raine Maxwell, a former member of her anger management group but from the outset it looks like Raine may be a part of our heroine’s problem. When things begin to escalate, Raine becomes as much as a victim but a victim who isn’t helpless when Mariana’s life is threatened. Raine knows that Mariana is his mate but refuses to tie her to a potential life on the run, a life that is threatened by otherworldly beings, and the possibility that Raine will not be around for the long haul. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Mariana and Raine, and the potential fall-out as Mariana’s stalker is determined to claim our heroine as his own.

VAMPIRE is a story of obsession, power, fate and love. We are reintroduced to vampire/demon and assassin/mercenary Noah Siosal, and Abby Miller; detective Evan McConnell, and his fiancé purebred demoness Tabitha (Tabi); Deputy Baker and his son Johnny. The premise is engaging and intriguing; the romance is seductive and hot; the characters are energetic, and powerful.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Fated
Claimed
Tempted
Hunted
Consumed
Provoked
Twisted
Shadowed
Tamed
Marked
Teased
Tricked
Tangled
Talen
Vampire’s Faith
Demon’s Mercy
Vengeance
Alpha’s Promise
Hero’s Haven
Vixen
Guardian’s Grace

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Mariana tried to swallow and wet her suddenly dry throat. Having him near was too much for her libido, and if the guy had any idea of the dreams he’d starred in lately, he’d probably blush. Well, maybe. Something told her that Raine didn’t blush. “Why did you leave town?” she asked.
One of his brows arched. How could a freakin’ eyebrow look sexy? “The job was done.”
Ouch. Okay. Well, then. He’d only been there for the job of watching Ivar and Noah. “Then why did you come back?” She looked away from him.
His sigh was long-suffering and didn’t tell her a thing. “That’s a long story, and I can’t go into it.”
“Seriously?” She whipped around to face him. “Are you kidding me? You show up on my porch, get kidnapped, admit you were in my group under false pretenses, take off for Montana, and then return without being able to explain why? Oh, I don’t think so. Either you start talking right now or you get the heck out of my house.” The place already seemed smaller and somehow safer with him in it, but she knew better than to start depending on him. He’d be gone again soon.
His eyes flared in a way that didn’t even look human. “I’m out of here the second we find this guy.”
Yikes. Okay. That hurt a little bit. She’d thought she’d gotten an interested vibe from him a couple of times, but maybe she’d misread him? He was the sexiest man she’d ever been this close to in real life, so maybe he went for perfection like Tabi Rusko? Mariana was fine with her curves and looks, but maybe she’d overestimated Raine’s interest when he’d thrown Johnny Baker up against the wall after the kid had insulted her. “I think you should leave.”
“No.”
Heat flashed up her spine to tingle at her nape. “No? Are you joking?”
“No.” He cocked his head, watching her.
She had the strongest urge to punch him again, but her wrist still ached from last time. The guy had abs of solid rock. “I don’t think you’re understanding me,” she gritted out.
He moved toward her without warning, pivoting and putting her back against the wall. “You’re not understanding me.” His big body loomed over her, and an unexpected heat rolled off him. 


 

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes contemporary romances, dark paranormal romances, and romantic suspense novels.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day—or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Amazon * Goodreads

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