As a fan of sports-themed romances, and the previous book in this series, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Garrett by Sawyer Bennett. Keep reading to get a taste of this second installment in the Cold Fury Hockey series, along with my impressions of it. Learn even more about Garrett by visiting the other blogs hosting this tour as well as an interview with the player himself. Make sure to fill out the forms below for the chance to win a Cold Fury Hockey Jersey, a $25 bookseller GC and a Loveswept mug too!
LET'S MEET GARRETT......
TSP: You party hard, play hard, and work hard..... With that in mind, what motto do you live by?
GS: Yes, you know me well, and keeping in line with that, I think my motto is to just live every day as if it’s your last. That’s especially so after meeting Olivia.
TSP: What are your worst qualities and your best qualities?
GS: My worst qualities are definitely that I’m a slob at home. I tend to just leave stuff laying around. My best quality is that I’m loyal. Oh, and I tell really good dirty jokes.
TSP: What do you like best about playing hockey?
GS: I like the camaraderie among team mates. I like playing a sport where every man on the ice is integral to the win.
TSP: You've been seen out with many different women throughout your pro career but describe to me your ideal woman and perfect date.
GS: Well, that answer is different pre and post-Olivia. Pre Olivia, my ideal woman was one that understood casual, no strings sex. The perfect date? Casual, no strings sex. Post Olivia… well, there’s nothing casual about our relationship. And just look at her… she is the ideal woman.
TSP: I hear that you're dating a certain woman on a regular basis right now, what drew you to her and what affect has she had on your life?
GS: Cat’s out of the bag with my prior answer, but damn… words really can’t do justice to someone like Olivia. She is an absolute carefree spirit, sexy as hell and has more courage in her little finger than I do in my entire body. Did I mention she’s sexy as hell?
TSP: When your hockey career ends, what do you plan to do with your life?
GS: I’d love to get my degree and teach… maybe something completely ordinary like high school history. I also want to be able to travel with Olivia.
GS: Yes, you know me well, and keeping in line with that, I think my motto is to just live every day as if it’s your last. That’s especially so after meeting Olivia.
TSP: What are your worst qualities and your best qualities?
GS: My worst qualities are definitely that I’m a slob at home. I tend to just leave stuff laying around. My best quality is that I’m loyal. Oh, and I tell really good dirty jokes.
TSP: What do you like best about playing hockey?
GS: I like the camaraderie among team mates. I like playing a sport where every man on the ice is integral to the win.
TSP: You've been seen out with many different women throughout your pro career but describe to me your ideal woman and perfect date.
GS: Well, that answer is different pre and post-Olivia. Pre Olivia, my ideal woman was one that understood casual, no strings sex. The perfect date? Casual, no strings sex. Post Olivia… well, there’s nothing casual about our relationship. And just look at her… she is the ideal woman.
TSP: I hear that you're dating a certain woman on a regular basis right now, what drew you to her and what affect has she had on your life?
GS: Cat’s out of the bag with my prior answer, but damn… words really can’t do justice to someone like Olivia. She is an absolute carefree spirit, sexy as hell and has more courage in her little finger than I do in my entire body. Did I mention she’s sexy as hell?
TSP: When your hockey career ends, what do you plan to do with your life?
GS: I’d love to get my degree and teach… maybe something completely ordinary like high school history. I also want to be able to travel with Olivia.
Carolina Cold Fury star Garrett Samuelson never wants to miss out on a single minute of fun. Whether he’s playing hockey, hanging out with friends, or walking the red carpet with a new date on his arm, he lives every day to the fullest. When he meets Olivia Case, he sees someone who’s exactly his type—confident, sexy, smart . . . his next fling. But the more he pursues her, the more Garrett shares a side of himself that other women don’t normally get to see.
Olivia has been keeping a secret. While Garrett lives for the next thrill, Olivia’s not sure she’ll live to see the next day. She’s undergoing treatment for some serious medical issues, and she doesn’t have time for a relationship with no guarantees—especially one with a hot-as-sin womanizer who won’t take no for an answer. But as she gets to know the real Garrett, Olivia can’t help falling for him . . . hard. To reveal the truth would mean risking everything—but you can’t score without taking the tough shots.
Olivia has been keeping a secret. While Garrett lives for the next thrill, Olivia’s not sure she’ll live to see the next day. She’s undergoing treatment for some serious medical issues, and she doesn’t have time for a relationship with no guarantees—especially one with a hot-as-sin womanizer who won’t take no for an answer. But as she gets to know the real Garrett, Olivia can’t help falling for him . . . hard. To reveal the truth would mean risking everything—but you can’t score without taking the tough shots.
FIND AT GOODREADS here.
***GET TO KNOW THE OTHER BOOKS IN THE COLD FURY HOCKEY SERIES AT GOODREADS***
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
After reading the first book in this series I was instantly smitten with the fun and flirty Garrett and his charming yet playboy nature. What I got in this book was all that and more as he also displayed a sensitive and sweet side that made me love him all the more as he went after the only woman to turn him down. This was an intensely emotional story full of angst and gutwrenching moments that left me misty-eyed but never doubting the power of love. It's another satisfying installment in the Cold Fury Hockey series and I'm eagerly awaiting the next player to step up and find his HEA.
Garrett has it all at the start of the story with gorgeous women falling at his feet, tons of money, and a career he loves. He's finally found a home amongst his fellow teammates, especially Alex who he spends lots of his off-time with and whose support he values. At least he thought he had it all, until the day he meets the sexy Olivia who turns him down cold. Garrett's not used to having to work to get the girl, but Olivia proves herself to be more than worth the wait as he wages a sensual battle of wills to ultimately win her over. Through it all Garrett shows his charming side, but when he discovers what Olivia's been hiding from him, he shows a surprisingly serious yet loving side when he's needed most. I fell even further in love with Garrett as this story progressed as he showed himself to be the quintessential hero. He was willing to sacrifice all to keep Olivia by his side for as long as Fate allowed. He shows himself to be an admirable man who was just waiting for the right woman to completely transform him and I'm still dreaming of him.
Olivia's going through a traumatic time from the moment the story starts as she feels she's living on borrowed time after being diagnosed with cancer. She's totally focused on her disease and wants nothing to do with romance, especially Garrett. Through his persistence though she realizes he might be a good distraction which leads to steamy encounters she wants to keep casual. The closer they get, and the more supportive and caring he becomes, she's left running as she doesn't want him to have to deal with her death. Olivia gets put through the wringer in this story and for the most part she stayed strong and dealt with her cancer head-on. While I was left frustrated by her turning Garrett away when he so clearly wanted to support her through her treatment, I could understand her fear and desire not to be seen as weak. She didn't want her cancer to define her and for that she's definitely a heroine to applaud.
This was a story that beautifully balanced heartbreaking moments with uplifting and sensual ones. Olivia's cancer was dealt with in a believable and respectful way allowing us to be a part of this emotionally intense journey. Along with the support of Garrett is the return of Alex and Sutton from the previous book who are there for both of them, helping them cope with their individual emotions. They supply words of wisdom when feelings got too complicated and it was wonderful seeing them play such a large role in Garrett and Olivia's HEA. While I admired Olivia and all she went through, the highlight of this story was Garrett and his journey to falling completely and utterly in love. His journey had me hurting when he did but smiling at the end with the triumphant power of love. This series continues to satisfy and I'm impressed by the emotional intensity Ms. Bennett continues to cultivate and look forward to where she'll take us next.
My rating for this is an A.
*I got this book from NetGalley for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
USA Today Best-Selling Author, Sawyer Bennett is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. Her husband works for a Fortune 100 company which lets him fly all over the world while she stays at home with their daughter and three big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.
Sawyer is the author of several contemporary romances including the popular Off Series, the Legal Affairs Series and the Last Call Series. She will be releasing her second book in the Cold Fury Hockey Series with Random House Loveswept, February 2015.
Sawyer is the author of several contemporary romances including the popular Off Series, the Legal Affairs Series and the Last Call Series. She will be releasing her second book in the Cold Fury Hockey Series with Random House Loveswept, February 2015.
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Thank you for hosting today! Great chat with GARRETT!
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