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Power Play (New York Blades #7)

3.82 of 5 stars 3.82 · rating details · 1,176 ratings · 52 reviews

They were acting when they met. They dated under false pretenses. But their attraction was all too real.

A leading soap opera actress, Monica Geary is good at faking it. But pretending to fall for NHL star and notorious playboy Eric Mitchell is going to be her hardest role ever. Yet she has no choice, for she desperately needs an edge in order to maintain her daytime diva s...more

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Published October 7th 2008 by Penguin Group (USA)

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Oct 21, 2008 Auntee rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Soap fans, sports romance fans, contemporary romance fans

Shelves: sports-romance, contemporary-romance

Very cute and often funny--I enjoyed this latest offering in the New York Blades series. Although I had a few problems with it, they weren't enough to ruin the overall enjoyment I got from reading the book.

This is the story of two egotistical but often vulnerable and unsure people--New York Blades hockey star Eric Mitchell, and soap opera star Monica Geary. They meet on the set of Monica's soap, called "The Wild and the Free", where Eric is filming a cameo. He tries to pick Monica up, with a rea...more Very cute and often funny--I enjoyed this latest offering in the New York Blades series. Although I had a few problems with it, they weren't enough to ruin the overall enjoyment I got from reading the book.

This is the story of two egotistical but often vulnerable and unsure people--New York Blades hockey star Eric Mitchell, and soap opera star Monica Geary. They meet on the set of Monica's soap, called "The Wild and the Free", where Eric is filming a cameo. He tries to pick Monica up, with a really lame come-on. Monica is repulsed, even though she thinks Eric is gorgeous.

When Monica discovers a hot new ingenue is being added to the show, she starts worrying that maybe her popularity on the show could be waning. With the help of her publicist, they determine that Monica needs to get her name out there in the public to boost her popularity. If she was dating New York's most eligible bachelor and seen about town, she would be sure to get some publicity.

Eric Mitchell could use a dose of good publicity too. Since he was recently acquired by the Blades in an unpopular trade, the fans have been on his case, especially since he hasn't played up to expectations. He's also gotten off on the wrong foot with his new teammates, coming across as an egotistical jerk. He and his teammates are big fans of "The Wild and the Free", and it doesn't help his case when he's boastful about his appearance on the show, and lies about hitting it off with Monica.

When Monica approaches Eric about being her 'pretend' boyfriend, for publicity purposes only, he's happy to oblige. Here's his chance to win the fans over, impress his teammates, and maybe score with Monica. How could he lose?

What starts out as a publicity stunt, soon turns into the real thing, as Monica and Eric spend more and more time with each other. Both Monica and Eric start revealing their 'real' selves to each other, which are much different than their confident public personas. But when they make it 'real', Eric gets scared of his feelings, and does something really asinine that hurts Monica's terribly. Even though he apologizes and does everything he can to win her back, Monica doubts that she can ever trust Eric again. Will Eric be able to win Monica back, and convince her he's changed and is not the man he used to be?

I think if you're a fan of soaps or sports, you'll really enjoy this book. There are some truly funny moments in this one, especially some of the remarks from Monica's soap friend--grand dame Gloria. The woman is a hoot with all her old time Hollywood anecdotes! For sports fans, there's some funny locker room talk, although a lot of Eric's teammates come across as very immature.

I had a few problems with the book. The H/H aren't always likable--they often come across as very egotistical, immature, and self-centered, at least at first. I will say that Eric really grew on me, showing a lot of growth from the immature jerk he started out as--by the end of the book I was rooting for him to get a HEA.

Monica was egotistical too, which I attributed to being an actress, and she did have a softer, vulnerable side. However, I didn't like how she used Eric after they broke up and kept him dangling while she waffled about her feelings for him.

Two other small points--any sports fan knows that athletes rarely, if ever, have a weekend off during the season. Yet Eric managed to make a weekend trip to his parents farm in North Dakota not once but twice during the season. Also, the team gave Eric permission to leave the team and fly across country to be at his girlfriend's side for what was clearly not an emergency. Minor points, I know, but it bugged me just a bit.

However, this was a quick read, and was never boring. I was curious to see how it would all turn out. There were a couple of really hot sex scenes, and there were moments where I teared up, and moments where I was laughing out loud. And while the ending may have been a bit hokey, it did leave me with a smile on my face. For anyone who's ever been a soap fan, sports fan, or just a fan of light-hearted contemporary romance, this book delivers.(less)

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Sep 22, 2008 Julie (jjmachshev) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2008-reads, queuemyreview

Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Oct08

Let me just start off by admitting that I’ve never watched a hockey game (I’m a southern girl, born and bred), and I’m also not a big fan of the ‘sports’ genre of romance. But it didn’t take more than a chapter or two for me to realize that good romance is good romance regardless of the setting; and “Power Play” by Deirdre Martin is good romance! He’s a hockey star and she’s a soap opera star, but they have more in common than either would have g...more Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Oct08

Let me just start off by admitting that I’ve never watched a hockey game (I’m a southern girl, born and bred), and I’m also not a big fan of the ‘sports’ genre of romance. But it didn’t take more than a chapter or two for me to realize that good romance is good romance regardless of the setting; and “Power Play” by Deirdre Martin is good romance! He’s a hockey star and she’s a soap opera star, but they have more in common than either would have guessed.

Eric’s a tomcatting hockey star who’s just been traded and is the ‘new guy’ with big shoes to fill. His big mouth starts him off on the wrong foot with his teammates and his poor playing starts him off on the wrong foot with the fans. Maybe his guest spot on the #1 rated soap will help with the fans AND his teammates since the whole team is addicted. It will also provide him the opportunity to meet his fantasy woman, leading lady Monica. The meeting between Eric and Monica doesn’t exactly go swimmingly, but Eric’s ego is stroked when he gets a call from Monica’s PR rep to act as her escort. He knew she couldn’t resist him!

Monica can’t quite believe how pitiful both Eric’s acting and pick-up lines are! But when a young ingénue called Chesty, I mean Chessy, is hired for the soap, she places a panicky call to her PR rep who suggests that Monica go out to see and be seen and get some ink. When said rep suggests Eric as an escort, Monica isn’t thrilled, but hey…how bad can it be? They’ll just have a little mutual business thing that’ll be good for both their images, right?

These two made me laugh…a lot! Eric with his often stereotypical playboy ‘jockness’ and Monica with her soap star insecurities are quite the pair. I liked that there isn’t any immediate hopping into bed between these two, there’s attraction sure, but Monica isn’t ‘into’ casual flings and she sets the boundaries right up front. They’re just business associates…until gradually they become friends…and then lovers. And it’s all the more believable because of that gradual growth in their relationship. They each have ups and downs, both personal and professional; they have to learn how to work through them while still supporting their ‘friend’.

The sheer cattiness and shallowness of the acting world is beautifully (and hilariously) written and had me rolling a few times. And Martin’s portrayal of locker room jesting and antics is much like I’ve imagined it would be. The initial façade for both of these characters is pulled away slowly to reveal what’s beneath their masks…and every step was clearly described. Some of these revelations come about via some interesting secondary characters that further the plot instead of detract from it. And the sexual tension between the leads is very steamy and very well done.

I’m altogether glad I read “Power Play” by Deirdre Martin. It was both more and less than I’d imagined a ‘hockey love story’ would or could be. For me, the important and memorable scenes from this novel are the ones which show the changing way the characters relate to each other and their stubbornness in recognizing their growing feelings. That is a part of love and romance that never seems to change, whatever the scenery!!(less)

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Nov 02, 2008 Christa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: booksfree-com

Power Play was a great addition to Martin's New York Blades series. The hero and heroine were not always the easiest characters to feel empathy for, but considering that they were a professional hockey player and a popular daytime soap opera star, their sometimes egotistical behavior is understandable. Regardless of their occasional self centered behavior, I ended up liking both of these characters quite a lot. Deep down, they were truly caring individuals. The hero had to learn how to love some...more Power Play was a great addition to Martin's New York Blades series. The hero and heroine were not always the easiest characters to feel empathy for, but considering that they were a professional hockey player and a popular daytime soap opera star, their sometimes egotistical behavior is understandable. Regardless of their occasional self centered behavior, I ended up liking both of these characters quite a lot. Deep down, they were truly caring individuals. The hero had to learn how to love someone other than himself, and the heroine had to realize that love was worth the risk to herself.

Monica Geary feels threatened when the soap opera she stars in writes in a new, younger female character. The new addition to the cast obviously wants to push Monica out of the forefront. Monica's publicist suggests generating publicity by being seen at events around town with a handsome, well known escort. Monica is not thrilled when her publicist suggests New York Blades player Eric Mitchell for the role. Monica's one encounter with Eric left her with the impression that he was an egomaniacal jerk. Monica decides to go along with the advice and invites Eric to be her escort at a dinner. Feeling that she is using Eric, she admits to him that she only asked him to accompany her at the suggestion of the publicist. Eric takes the news much better than Monica expects, and he agrees that being seen together could have a positive impact on both of their careers. Eric and Monica began a "fake" courtship which soon feels very real to both of them. Monica is impressed with Eric's demeanor as her escort, and she soon notices that there is a "jerk" Eric and a "real" Eric. Recognizing that Monica is developing deep feelings for him causes Eric to feel panicked, but that doesn't stop him from becoming passionately involved with Monica. Eric and Monica finally talk about their relationship, but Eric's fear causes him to refuse to define what they are to one another. Monica agrees to take things day by day, but when she feels betrayed by Eric, she ends their relationship. After Eric's actions cause Monica to break up with him, he finally realizes that he really loves her. It will take determination and patience for Eric to persuade Monica to ever give him another chance.

I have enjoyed all of the books in this series, and Power Play was no exception. The hero and heroine were both flawed, but this made them all the more human and realistic. The hero, used to adulation, was quite self centered, and he didn't know how to react when he started to care for a woman. It took losing the heroine to see himself as the egotistical person he was. The heroine was warm and loving, as seen by her treatment of her elderly friends, but after she felt that the hero betrayed her, she was unable to open herself up to him again. She was insecure over her talent and her career decisions, and she had to come to terms with these issues before she could really trust in a relationship with a man. I have read books where I felt that the hero or heroine weren't as sympathetic or didn't measure up to what the author meant them to be, but I didn't feel this way about this book. I felt that the author fully meant for these characters to be flawed individuals who grow and develop into better people before they can find happiness together. I probably would have given this book 5 stars if it wouldn't have taken the heroine so long to give the hero another chance. I got tired of her putting him off, but at the same time, I felt that she had to face her own feelings of inadequacy before she could commit to him. Overall, this was a good book that was pleasant to read.(less)

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Jan 25, 2012 Ellen rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: don-t-know-why-i-keep-reading-these

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May 12, 2010 Justin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: at-library

Halfway into the book I actually started to enjoy it. During the first half, I was mostly reading in the hopes that it would get better. Not too long ago I read and really enjoyed Chasing Stanley, which is #6 in the Blades series, which is about the pro hockey team the New York Blades, and centers around player Jason Mitchell and his love interest Delilah Gould.

I was looking forward to Power Play because it centers around Jason's twin brother Eric and his romantic interest/soap opera actress Mo...more

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Mar 05, 2010 Patti Loves FAB Romance rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary

(I hate the cover. Eric is supposed to be blonde, his twin Jason is brunette.)

Okay, okay...I know you're tired of my raving about the hockey books. This is my last one, I promise! It's just that I really liked it. Of all Ms. Martin's NY Blades books I've read, this one and the first one, Body Check, are my favorites.

Monica Geary is a soap opera star at the top of her game. She's on the number one rated soap opera and her character tops the polls month after month. When the producer brings in a c...more (I hate the cover. Eric is supposed to be blonde, his twin Jason is brunette.)

Okay, okay...I know you're tired of my raving about the hockey books. This is my last one, I promise! It's just that I really liked it. Of all Ms. Martin's NY Blades books I've read, this one and the first one, Body Check, are my favorites.

Monica Geary is a soap opera star at the top of her game. She's on the number one rated soap opera and her character tops the polls month after month. When the producer brings in a chesty young thing who tries to take Monica's spotlight, Monica knows she's got to do something...

Eric Mitchell is the NY Blades' newest player. He is the twin brother of Jason (the hero in Chasing Stanley). When I read Chasing Stanley, I though Eric was kind of a selfish jerk with moments of goodness. Eric was traded fora beloved member of the team, so the fans (and other players) are a bit standoffish. Eric knows he has to do something to impress them...

In the Blades series, the team loves to watch soaps, and Monica's show is their favorite. Eric ends up with a 4-line scene in the soap, and he hits on Monica, who is replused by his cheesy lines. Then, her PR person suggests to Monica that she should consider pretending to date Eric to "get her image back out there". The suggestion is mutually beneficial, as the team is thrilled to meet Monica. Of course, things progress and perhaps things aren't "just for show" anymore. Their twisty road to happiness was fun to read, and the ending was sooo sweet!

This book was great - I loved Eric and Monica. The way their relationship progressed from fake to real, the fears that Eric had about falling in love, Monica's lack of confidence in her acting choices; there were a lot of storylines going on and Ms. Martin kept my attention and made me smile. Eric turned out to be a great hero. As a bonus, I especially loved Monica's friend, Gloria. Her one-line recollections of her life in showbiz made me laugh out loud.

I'm giving this one 4 1/2 of 5 stars.
(less)

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Jul 25, 2009 Kari Pontinen rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Monica is a hot soap opera actress and Eric is a hotshot professional hockey player. Both could use some good PR to boost their professional careers. What happens when they hatch a plan to pretend they are dating? Will true love follow?

I really love romances where the characters are on a mission together (pretending that they are dating for their own selfish reasons, trying to solve a mystery, stuck on a desert island, etc.) and then love develops over the course of the book. However, the key is...more

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Mar 06, 2010 Michele rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I absolutely LOVE this series~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the latest installment in Martin’s New York Blades hockey team series, Eric Mitchell has been traded to the Blades. He believes he is number one no matter what, but things are not going well, so he must try to ingratiate himself with the team and his fans. Daytime diva Monica Geary has a similar problem. She has reigned so long at the top of the soap-opera heap she hasn’t engaged in much fan face-time. Now a new cast member, a sweet young th...more

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Feb 19, 2011 Resti rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: everyone who loves fun and romantic book. this is the best choice

yesterday, after i finished this book. my stomach hurt.
because i couldnt stop laughing.
all of Deirdre Martin's books this one and the first one (Body Check) I love the most.
I laughed out loud many times. the story's interesting.
and I love the guy main character, Eric Mitchell. he's so funny, smart, and confident.
I love the way he showed his love to monica.
i love monica as well. she's so beautiful.
and of course, Ty Gallagher. My fave hockey player, though he's retire and being a couch in blade.
I...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Candace rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

One of my favorite books in this series. I loved meeting Eric in earlier books (specifically Chasing Stanley) and was excited to read his story here.

Monica is a great character and doesn't want to love Eric, but can't help it. I love how torn she is trying to decide which is the "real Eric" and which is the "fake Eric". Is he really that good of an actor or does he really have feelings for her? Even when he tells her his feelings are real she can't believe him.

This book has great secondary chara...more

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Feb 28, 2012 Jimmie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: hockey

No, I don't normally read romance novels, but I've seen this book come through the library a few times, and finally my curiosity got the better of me. C'mon! It's a romance novel with a freakin' hockey player on the cover. Of course I was going to read it eventually!

So it turns out I've misjudged romance novels. This was pretty much just chick lit (which I quite enjoy) with exactly two sex scenes thrown in. And the sex scenes were nothing like I've always assumed. Nary a throbbing bosom nor glis...more

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Oct 20, 2009 Cindi rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: drop-series

The writing style in this book is OK and the storyline is OK, but the characters are so unlikable that I never could get into it. Why bother rooting for a HEA between a "nice" (read: whimpy, unselfconfident doormat) soap actress and a cocky, smug hockey player? They come together originally as a publicity stunt, decide they really do like each other but can't tell "which" persona they actually like. The hero in this case is such a jerk and is so clueless that the "dumb jock" stereotype would hav...more

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Apr 17, 2011 Renee rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was definetly my favourite so far. I loved both the leads and finally, finally there was significant sexual tension built up before they did the deed. I have noticed with this author, that she throws the leads into bed very early in the book and it effects the emotional depth for me because we know so little about either of them. sometimes I find it hard to match the depth of emotion they are supposed to be feeling with the actions in the book when this happens. This was not hte case h...more

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Mar 29, 2012 Smut Junkie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance, library, read-in-2012, series, sweet-vanilla

This one was ok, but not that great....the author really did a great job of making Eric a complete man-whore that you just wanted to punch in the face in the last book, so his obnoxious behavior and egotistical personality were expected. I don't know...this one just didn't do much for me. I felt bad for both of them - they both clearly have issues - Eric is a jerk because he's not comfortable being himself and Monica is just a product of a crappy environment so she feels inferior....it was kind...more

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Oct 08, 2008 Bookaholics rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: contemporary romance

Power Play by Deirdre Martin

Mass paperback release date October 7, 2008
4 ½ stars

Deirdre Martin again writes a wonderful novel that thrills the senses with surprising turns and heart felt romance! This book is sure to satisfy even the pickiest contemporary romance reader. Power Play continues Deirdre Martin's `Hockey' romance series. In this book she seamlessly combines the world of soap opera and professional hockey that is alive with humor and charm.

Monica Geary is a famous leading soap ope...more

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Feb 08, 2013 Leya rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-book

It had the spark! Well, it only lasted about for about five minutes! I feel frustrated and angry! It just fizzled! WTH!

The book was so promising. You have a gorgeous, charming athlete, and a beautiful, icon of daytime drama…it had potential. From their initial reluctance to “work” together, to the scheming of their mutual plan, and to the real feelings, was really good. But I hate to say it, but the execution of it fell short.

I have just one more word to say about this book: Argh!

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Nov 14, 2008 Dina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Television soap opera star Monica Geary is a very good actress, but needs alittle push in her career. Enter Eric Mitchell, one of the hottest bachelors, who is an NHL hockey player traded to the New York Blades, who has had his eye on Monica for a long time and is a big soap opera fan. Monica and Eric are told to pretend that they are a couple in public, but as much as Monica wants to think there is nothing real about them being a couple, the sparks start flying faster than hockey pucks and the...more

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Dec 20, 2008 Anna rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-lit, fiction

Much better than the last couple of Deirdre Martin books I read! I went into this with fairly low expectations so I was pleased to find that the plot was actually kind of interesting and the characters had some personality. It is still very much your typical romance novel but I felt as though there were moments where I cared about the characters and the outcome. Three stars.

(Also, I really don't like the way her new book covers look. Please go back to the originals, even if they do look kind of...more

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Mar 29, 2012 Jen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-fiction, adult-romance, library, library-read-it, read-in-2012, series, sweet-vanilla-romance

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Jul 06, 2010 Ann Marie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What can I say....another fun hockey romance novel. This time Martin pairs a successful soap opera star with a hockey player traded to the New York Blades to save the team. Drama and hockey. Who would have ever thought...but for some reason it really worked and was mostly believable. And whatever was far fetched was enjoyable. I can't wait for Martin's next book.

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Apr 01, 2010 Lynne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, sports

***1/2. They were both so willing to dangle to the other for SOOO long. It just didn't seem as if they cared that they were hurting the person they were supposedly in love with. I was hoping for the more intense hockey parts that Ms. Martin has given in past books in this series.

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Mar 31, 2011 Ngaio rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sports-related-romance, in-a-series

I enjoyed this latest edition to the new york blades series. I was looking forward to reading it as it features eric mitchell, jasons twin brother from chasing stanley which i also enjoyed.
Although there were some bad points the rest of the book outshined them.

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Jan 21, 2013 Sari rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

Dua tokoh utama yang sama2 narsis dan egomaniak, tapi tidak menyebalkan untuk dibaca, cenderung membuat percakapan menjadi lucu dan cerita enak untuk diikuti. Namun karena tipe tarik ulur jadiannya agak2 bertele2 jadi cukup dikasih rating #3

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Nov 28, 2011 Ann Lorz rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, sports

Eric was such a ass in his brothers book that you wondered if you'd like him as a hero. As the book went out you got to know more about him and enjoyed what you found out. Monica and him seemed to make each other better people together.

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May 31, 2009 Melanie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was my first book by Deirdre Martin and it was quite a pleasant read. I did not realize it was part of a series, but I didn't feel lost jumping in at the end. A very light and breezy read. 3 1/2 stars - I like to round up!

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Sep 13, 2012 Sue Brooks rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I enjoyed reading this book, l like the author's writing and sense of humor. Movie star -v- hunk sports athlete, perfect match.... Will continue to read her books.

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Apr 28, 2009 Megan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

it is cute for the genre that it is in. no thoughts will be profound nor will the plot be unguessable but it is still cute for an easy escape.

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Feb 20, 2012 Heather Tisdale rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love it when these books actually deal with hockey every now and then. The last one was cute, but it had nothing to do with the Blades.

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Jul 13, 2012 Jess rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-all, 2012-new, romance-contemporary, library-book, romance

This is one of the better hockey romances I've read! I think it helped that it wasn't just a hockey romance, but a soap opera one too. And that stuff was dead on perfect, so well done.

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Oct 22, 2012 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"She shoots! She Scores! Congrats on your nomination! Love, Eric." Eric is insanely adorable.

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About Deirdre Martin

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

New York Times Bestselling Author Deirdre Martin was six when she wrote her first "book,”a Peanuts parody. In addition to penning bad, maudlin poetry in junior high school and serving as the Arts Editor on her high school newspaper, she was also the Arts Editor at her colleg...more Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

New York Times Bestselling Author Deirdre Martin was six when she wrote her first "book,”a Peanuts parody. In addition to penning bad, maudlin poetry in junior high school and serving as the Arts Editor on her high school newspaper, she was also the Arts Editor at her college newspaper at the University of New York at Buffalo, where she earned her BA in English in 1985. While writing for the student newspaper there, she sold her first freelance magazine article and won a city wide play writing contest. Her play, Spin Cycle, about two lonely people at a laundromat, was subsequently performed in a theater space in downtown Buffalo.

Ater graduating college, Deirdre worked at a series of trade magazines before landing a job at Soap Opera Digest. While she says it was fun working in a place where she got to watch TV all afternoon, she longed to branch out, and after two years, left to begin freelancing full time. Over the course of her twelve year freelance career, her work appeared in a wide variety of publications, including Seventeen, YM, McCall's, Fitness, New Woman, Bride's, Bridal Guide, Inside Sports, Woman's World, Modern Maturity, Islands, Newsday, and the New York Times. In 1998, her first non fiction book was published: Investing for Retirement (Avon). She also contributed to Lifescripts for Managers, Lifescripts for Employees, and Lifescripts for the Self Employed. (MacMillan, 1999).

A fan of the romance genre and of soap opera ("If Dickens were alive today, he'd be writing for a soap," Deirdre maintains), she decided to try her own hand at writing a romance novel. The result, BODY CHECK, was published in March, 2003, followed by USA Today Bestseller FAIR PLAY in 2004, TOTAL RUSH in 2005, THE PENALTY BOX in 2006, and USA Today Bestseller CHASING STANLEY in 2008.

2008 also saw the publication of JUST A TASTE, which made The New York Times Bestseller List. Deirdre returned to the world of the Blades in 2009 with POWERPLAY. 2009 was also when she launched a new series, The Wild Hart Saga, centering around a large Irish American family who own a pub in Manhattan. The first book in the series, WITH A TWIST, was quickly followed by STRAIGHT UP in 2010, and there are plans for at least two more. But the New York Blades keep calling her back: her next book, ICEBREAKER, will be published in 2011.

A resident of Ithaca, NY, Deirdre enjoys hiking and biking with her husband, Mark Levine, co author of the financial bestsellers, Die Broke and Live Rich. When not busy lavishing affection on her beloved Newfie, Rocky, she also enjoys reading, baking, listening to music, yoga, photography, and hanging out with her friends from acting class. She's had the same best friend since she was ten and adores the color purple.(less)

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“To love is to risk the pain of loss. But it’s a risk that’s worth taking.” — 1 person liked it

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8345830-power-play?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1329572418l/8345830.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8345830-power-play?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Power Play by Deirdre Martin[/url]

Power Play (New York Blades #7)

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