Book Tour for See the Light by Cassandra Carr (Review & GIVEAWAY)

As a fan of sports romances I'm particularly excited to have Cassandra Carr here today with her hockey romance, See the Light.  Keep reading to get a glimpse into this book and see my impressions of this book as well.  Not only that, but make sure to see what others on this tour think of this book too.  Also make sure to fill out the form for your chance to win a gift card before you leave.....

Hockey player Jason Monroe lives a double life—star defenseman and soon-to-be Olympian on the ice and closeted gay man outside the rink. A serious relationship is out of the question, and Jason makes do with anonymous sex in barroom bathrooms, not willing to take the chance on coming out as gay in a decidedly macho sport.

Advisor to the US Olympic hockey team Patrick Parker knows a thing or two about being a professional hockey player who’s not out. He’s fifteen years older than Jason, and when he senses the sexy younger man is interested, he knows he shouldn’t give in to the attraction. The two men can’t keep their hands off each other, though, and with each heated encounter it gets harder to hide their relationship. Then their world blows up around them, forcing them into the limelight. Will their love survive or be put on ice?

EXCERPT:

Stepping a little closer still—not enough to rouse suspicions should anyone come upon the two of them, but enough to better assess what was going through Jason’s mind and, if he was honest with himself, to experience that little thrill of attraction he’d missed so much lately—Patrick took a good look at the man in front of him. Jason might be younger than he by over fifteen years, but he wasn’t built like a kid. No, Jason was closer to a tank, and that had always been Patrick’s type. He wasn’t a fan of feeling like he was going to break some little twink in half.
Jason’s hair was dark brown and cut in one of those fashionable styles when it wasn’t plastered to his head after a hard practice like they’d had today. He also had full lips and a square jaw. For a younger man, his facial hair grew quickly, and his neck, jaw, and cheeks were covered in a thick scruff, even though Patrick knew the man had been clean shaven as per USA Hockey regulations for the team picture only two days ago.
Patrick wasn’t usually attracted to younger guys, but he had to admit, Jason had a certain magnetism that no doubt drew men and women alike to him. Eyes the color of honey were currently darting all over as if the man was looking for an escape hatch, and with no small amount of regret, Patrick took a step back. He now had a pretty good idea of what Jason’s problem was, but he refused to embarrass the kid by saying or doing anything, especially here.
There was no good way to end this awkward-as-hell encounter, though, and Patrick searched his mind for something nonthreatening to say. “Just promise me you’ll tell me if there’s something I ever say or do that makes you uncomfortable.”
Jason nodded, staring at the floor. “Can I go now?”
He retreated another step. “Of course.”
Without another word, Jason fled, and Patrick had to resist the urge to allow the wall to hold him up. He didn’t need to read a book on the principles of coaching to know that having an attraction to a player was bad news, especially one as young as Jason. Sure, he was well above legal at the age of twenty-two, but many would only see the large age difference and vilify Patrick.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

As a fan of sports romances I found myself completely enthralled by this story and its characters.  It's a fast read but I found the characters to be fully fleshed-out and the romance steamy and believable as it started out slowly, with lots of sexual intensity, and morphed into something more powerful and life altering.

See the Light is set in the world of hockey and gives a realistic interpretation of the sport as well as the sport's feelings towards homosexuality.  The issue is brought up but it doesn't overwhelm the story.  There's no outright bigotry portrayed in the story.  The roadblocks holding Jason and Patrick from fully committing are more of an internal struggle, a worry of how others will accept them.  It's not until a life or death event late in the story that makes them fight for their HEA.

Jason is the new kid on the block, the hotshot star player who's kept the truth about his sexuality secret from everyone.  He finds himself obsessed with the older Patrick and throws caution to the wind to start a relationship in secret.  He's always been the one calling the shots during his quickies but has never been in a real relationship that's about give and take.  Seeing him and Patrick together shows his naïveté and it's sweet yet sexy to see Patrick tutor him.  Patrick is older and wiser and in his role as mentor/coach has much to lose in being with Jason.  He too is obsessed with the younger man and finds the lighthearted and entertaining in his uncertainties.  Patrick is the more serious and adventurous of the two and leads Jason down an exciting sexual path.  Jason is more playful, more like a cute puppy, and their differences mesh beautifully together.  Again, this leads to numerous off the charts hot sexual encounters.

Along with the immensely likable and charmingly sexy main couple comes a cast of secondary characters who add to the realistic feel of the hockey world.  Fellow players Rob and Stephen are a great addition to the storyline that shows them in a heroically sexy role that has me hoping this isn't the last we see of them or this sports world.

Ms. Carr has written a sexy story that seamlessly incorporates an important issue.  I would've liked to see Jason and Patrick in the outside world as a couple as opposed to constantly hiding.  An event late in the story forces them to admit their true feelings but as the story quickly concludes thereafter, their true HEA is left a bit up in the air.  Ms. Carr's knowledge of the sport is apparent so here's hoping she'll return to these characters soon.  Fans of the m/m genre will find this couple worth rooting for and their romance to die for.

My rating for this is a B+

*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  ARe

AUTHOR INFO:

Cassandra Carr is a multi-published, award-winning erotic romance writer with Ellora's Cave, Siren, Sybarite Seductions and Loose Id who lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out on Twitter. Cassandra's book Caught was recently named Best BDSM Book 2011 by LoveRomancesCafe and Impact was named BDSM Book of the Month for May 2012 by BDSM Book Reviews.

Website:  http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraCarr
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/Cassandra_Carr

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