Power Play

Blades Hockey Series, Book 1

By: Maria Luis

Narrated by: Elizabeth Hart, Joe Hempel

Length: 5 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

He (was) the hottest player on the ice.

She's a (struggling) sports journalist looking for her big break.

Charlie Denton has been handed the most impossible assignment from her stick-in-the-mud boss: get an exclusive interview with the NHL's golden boy, Duke Harrison.

The catch? She's got eight days or she'll be demoted. Fired. Kicked to the curb - no way is she letting her future rest on the broad shoulders of a goalie who is at least three seasons past his prime.

She has eight days to convince Duke that the loyal fans of the Cambridge Tribune (annual circulation: 1,000) are dying to know about his life, on and off the ice. Eight days to stand toe-to-toe with a man who is pure sex on a stick. Eight days to remember that every mind-blowing kiss is nothing but a power play.

What could go wrong?

Contains mature themes.

©2017 Maria Luis (P)2017 Tantor

Hot

Not normally a sports romance listener but I had credits to use, glad I did.

3.5 stars

It was very cute. I saw the ending coming before it did which was a little disappointing. I did like the story though and the relationship of Charlie and Duke. I really loved that she played hockey as well. it was believable.

Score Big With This One

What made the experience of listening to Power Play the most enjoyable?

Maria Luis' writing style is smart, funny, witty, and she nails sexy banter and romantic scenes.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Power Play?

There's a scene on the rooftop of a hotel...STEAMY. That scene made you forget that they were in Boston during the winter!

What three words best describe Elizabeth Hart and Joe Hempel ’s voice?

Clear, strong, and confident

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely. I hated having to press pause and couldn't wait to resume the story.

New favorite author!

This is my first book by Maria Luis and boy I am not disappointed. Everything about this book, I loved and will definitely move on to finish the series. I listened to this during my 4:30 hour drive back from NC and was slightly upset that there was more book left when I got home. So I stayed in the car with the engine running for the last hour.

Great job, Mrs. Luis.

cute

3.5 stars

A cute read, but very predictable. Would have liked more character development - didn’t really like Charlie, and didn’t really get to know Duke. Enjoyed the writing style.


Listened to the audiobook:
Narrator’s voices are good, but the narration is so painfully slow. Listened at 2+ speed - the narrator’s voices were rushed at this speed, but the pauses between sentences were not too long. So, there wasn’t really a good speed to listen to the book to both enjoy the narration and have the story move along.

Enjoyable audiobook

I was a bit disappointed by the performance because it was supposed to be narrated by two narrators but it was Elizabeth Hart all along. Joe Hempel read only the epilogue.
I would have love to hear him so much more.

The story itself was great and enjoyable but I miss deeper feelings and deeper story around. Don’t get me wrong this book was good but I would have love to have more of Duck and Charlie.

Charlie was a bit too naïve for me. I understood what she felt about her job and that she didn’t know what to do.
Duck was grumpy and didn’t want to have to do anything with any journalist. But Charlie will try to tear down his walls to have a better access to his heart.

One day I’ll have a hockey romance that gets the hockey aspect right…

Overall, it’s a cute romance story. However, there were several jarringly incorrect things when it came to the actual rules of hockey (goalie serving a minor in the NHL). If you don’t pay too close attention to the details, it’s a comical romance with a fmc that had me laughing out loud on several occasions!!!

loved it

I really enjoyed reading this book. I look forward to reading more books by this author in the near future.

Sweet, funny, short

First things first: I listened to the audiobook of Power Play and don't have any complaints. Elizabeth Hart is doing a decent job narrating Charlie. We get an epilogue read by Joe Hempel, which I wouldn't have minded hearing more of during the book.

Charlie is a former hockey player who turned to sports journalism because she never was an exceptional talent. She is ambitious as they come and that is one of her strengths but also her weakness. Charlie was cute, a bit sassy and definitely likable.
When she meets Blades goalie Duke Harrison she insults him. Although Duke is actually more of a brooder he is a good sport sport about it and they hit it off pretty fast.

Since this is a novella you can't expect much in terms of character development. The chemistry between Duke and Charlie needs to be pretty much instantaneous for that reason. Admittedly, the story is predictable and you can see the conflict coming from miles away but that didn't negatively influence my enjoyment.

Power Play is a bite-sized sexy little number that is perfect after finishing a heavy, angst-filled book. It does lack the depth of a full length novel but Maria Luis's funny writing style in this sweet rom-com will put a smile on your face.

very good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! After listening to this story,. I totally enjoyed reading this book. It’s well written and the characters were uniquely fantastic. I would suggest this book to my friends that like this sort of genera. this was a good book. The narration was great.