Pure Jonel ~ Confessions of a Bibliophile: Fire on Ice

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Edge by Brenda Rothert

Title: Edge
Series: Fire on Ice #3
Author: Brenda Rothert
Published: May 1/14
Length: 209pgs
Format: ecopy
Genre: contemporary romance
Shelf: review
Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

One bad hit has left the career of young NHL Center Luke Hudson in question. When he arrives for rehab with a minor league team, his injury has robbed him of the edge that made him great.

Team trainer Adella Price’s job is to help Luke get back in peak condition. But their one on one sessions shake her resolve to remain unattached. Dell is hands-off to all hockey players, even one as charming and successful as Luke.

As Luke starts to get ahold of his game again, he loses his grip on his heart. Helping Luke get his edge back brings to light what Dell is missing from her life. But those who want them apart are relentless, and with their careers on the line, Luke and Dell must decide if their love is worth risking it all.

My Review:

The writing in this novel is exhilarating. Rothert takes off skating, and you spend the entire novel out of breath. I read it in little more than a single sitting. The story itself is wildly imaginative and fiercely loveable. It is seamlessly put together, and presented in a manner that you can’t help but visualise. The hockey behind the novel is also solid. It was a complete rush. This is an emotionally profound novel. Rothert tells an incredibly racy love story while also tackling some very tough issues. Rothert definitely had me in tears more than once, and laughing out loud a great deal. There were also some moments that cause me to swoon.

Before I even start talking about the characters I should probably mention that I was hooked on the male lead when he was just a minor character in the first novel of the series. Now that he’s fully developed to lead the story, he’s absolutely unforgettable. He is beyond swoon-worthy. The female lead is definitely very unique as well. She is fighting to reconcile so many aspects of life that it amazes me that she’s still standing on her own two feet. Together, these two are unforgettable. Combine this with the strong secondary characters that Rothert brings forward and you have the perfect cast.

Overall, this was a fantastic novel. If I weren’t hooked on the series before I would be now. My final thoughts? Bring on the next please!

Monday, February 17, 2014

Captive by Brenda Rothert

Title: Captive

Series: Fire On Ice #2

Author: Brenda Rothert

Published: January 27th 2014

Length: 176pgs

Format: ebook

Genre: contemporary romance

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Two years ago, Jason and Kate Ryker were brought together by grief and bound to one another by love. Now married, they’re confronting their fears together.

But heartbreak finds them again, and the ties that bind Kate and Ryke are tested as she struggles against fear and sadness. As a grief counselor, Kate understands all too well the pain of her clients. And while her husband’s career as an NHL forward is at an all-time high, he’s coping with the frustration of feeling powerless as his wife's hopes slip away.

Kate’s unexpected journey sheds light on the fear that imprisons her, and reveals that she is the only one who can set herself free.

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

My Review:

I loved being back with Kate & Ryke. It was really intriguing to see what happened after their happily ever after. This instalment was much more emotional than the first. Rothert combines the hot & steamy that we’ve come to know and love her for along with heartbreak and intense emotions. There was a lot more sweet infused among the spice in this one. Her vivid descriptions bring everything to life in an exquisite way.

I quite enjoyed the way that we got to know Kate and Ryke better in this one. They grow as individuals and as a couple. I must say, however, that Kate got on my nerves more than once. I loved seeing more of Luke as well. Rothert really takes the time to develop her supporting cast in this one. It gives a greater depth to the story as a whole.

As a whole, this was a well written, emotional tale that held my heart. It was a quick, enjoyable read that followed up from the first in the series quite nicely. I’d definitely recommend it to others and I definitely can’t wait to read Luke’s story in the 3rd story.