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Release Day Review and Giveaway! ONCE UPON A POWER PLAY by Jennifer Bonds (Risky Business #2)

Welcome to the Hottest Faceoff this NHL Season…

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About ONCE UPON A POWER PLAY:

He’ll do whatever it takes to get her against the boards…

Sidelined by a potentially career-ending injury, the only thing hockey player Ryan Douglas should be thinking about is recovery. But after sharing a near death experience and a night of passion with a spunky brunette, the only thing on his mind is five and a half feet of sexy sarcasm. And he’ll do whatever it takes to get her back in his bed–even if it means playing dirty.

Chloe Jacobs is done with fairytales. And men. She’s kissed her share of frogs and what’s it gotten her? Dumped by text–again. Determined to eighty-six illusions of romance and prove she’s more than just a good-time girl, the last thing she needs is a pushy, arrogant hockey player testing her resolve. Especially one who’s sinfully good with his hands and thinks date-by-blackmail is a perfectly acceptable social convention. Ryan wants to play games? Fine by her, but this is one faceoff he’s going to lose.

Excerpt:

Should she invite him up? Offer him a drink? What was protocol for a near death situation among strangers?

Before she could overthink it, Ryan took the decision out of her hands.

His lips descended upon hers, gentle at first, but growing hungry and desperate when she stretched up on her toes and kissed him back. Opening herself to him, she took the kiss deeper, tangling her fingers in his damp hair and pulling him closer. It was hot and cold and hard and soft all at once. Everything she’d expected and nothing she’d imagined. Unable to process the conflicting feelings, her brain shorted out from sensory overload. He snaked his arms around her back, gripping her ass and pulling her body flush to him as her tongue mated with his, caressing and massaging in response to his dominating thrusts. She was vaguely aware that he’d lifted her from her feet and the realization sent white-hot need tearing through her. The groan that rolled from his lips confirmed that he also craved more. Sucking his lower lip, she teased him mercilessly, enjoying the taste of spearmint on his breath.

When they finally broke apart, she was breathless, gasping at the icy cold air that filled her lungs but did nothing to mitigate the scorching hot lust burning up her skin. “I’m Chloe, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, Chloe.” He grinned, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “You should know I’ve wanted to do that from the moment I first saw you.”

For the second time that evening, she found herself speechless. That kiss? It had been seductive, and sweet, and mind-blowing. And jackass or not, she kind of wanted another one. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so thoroughly kissed. Probably never. The guys she normally dated were a little lacking in the passion department. She’d never kissed a man with facial hair before and she was surprised to discover she didn’t hate it. There was something very masculine about the way it scratched her face, no doubt leaving her lips red and swollen.

Oh, who was she kidding? Everything about him was masculine. It wasn’t just his size. It was his protective nature. He was a throwback to another age. With a little encouragement, he’d probably throw her over his shoulder, tote her upstairs, and screw her eight ways to Sunday. She just had to say the word.

Too bad she’d sworn off men just an hour ago. She was over them. Completely. Totally. Over them. On the other hand, she didn’t feel like being alone tonight. What harm could come from one little drink? Or one more kiss, for that matter? They’d been through hell. They deserved it, didn’t they? The words were on her lips before she could stop them. “Come up for a drink?”

Review:

Such a dilemma! I think I might actually have liked Once Upon a Power Play even more than book one, Once Upon a Dare …and it’s mainly because of one word: HOCKEY. Even though Ryan played for the Rangers, there’s just something about a hockey playing hero 😉

I loved that Ryan was such a down-to-earth guy, even though he was an NHL star and team captain–his Minnesota roots were definitely showing. And it was just too funny that Chloe was completely clueless about hockey–but also awesome that she made an effort to pick it up so quickly. The banter–and the chemistry–between the two is fantastic.

It was easy to identify with Chloe, especially since she was so prone to having her bad days get even worse. (Stood up on a date–and dumped via text message. Losing the last lime (for consolation margaritas) to sexy stranger–just minutes before the bodega they’re in is held up. Realizing the entire planet knows the identity of your one night stand and you had no idea whatsoever he was famous…or what’s such a big deal about hockey…) She was a little quick to suspect the worst of Ryan when she shouldn’t have, but on the other hand her track record has been horrible and she’d always secretly suspected he would toss her aside for a more model-like…well, model.

Fortunately, Ryan really knows how to pull out all the stops in his grand plan to win her back and the HEA that results is much deserved. I can’t wait for more from this series–such a fun read!

(Though Once Upon a Power Play is book two in the series, nothing here requires that you’ve read book one first so it’s a safe place to start.)

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

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On Sale in Digital–November 16, 2015:

Amazon       B&N       Kobo     iBooks

Add ONCE UPON A POWER PLAY to your TBR pile on Goodreads!

Check out the first book in the Risky Business series!

(I reviewed it here.)

 

Author Bio:JBonds Head Shot

Jennifer Bonds writes sizzling contemporary romance with sassy heroines, sexy heroes, and a whole lot of mischief. When she’s not writing or wrangling toddlers, she can be found curled up with a good book and a bottle of wine. Jennifer lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where her overactive imagination and weakness for reality TV keep life interesting. She’s lucky enough to live with her own real life hero, two adorable children, and a pair of rambunctious dogs. Loves Buffy, Mexican food, the Winchester brothers, and all things zombie. Sings off-key. Connect with Jennifer: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

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2 Comments

  1. Can’t go wrong with hockey hotness, that’s for sure 😉

    Thanks for stopping by!

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