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Crossing the Line #1
Delayed Penalty
A minor penalty that is not called until the offending team gains control of the puck. As long as the non-offending team maintains possession, the referee allows play to continue and signals a delayed penalty by raising his arm.
I’m Evan Mason, an NHL hockey player for the Chicago Blackhawks. I spend my nights roughing up two hundred pound defensemen and, at times, spend more time in the penalty box than I do on the ice.
That’s my job.
One night changed everything I thought I once knew about my life on, and off, the ice.
A girl.
A brutally beaten girl left to die in an alley.
I don’t know why or how but something made me stay that night after taking her to the hospital. I didn’t know her, nor did I have an obligation to stay but something inside of me rooted me there telling me I should stay. Saving a life is worth something. At least I thought so. And I wouldn’t have been me if I just simply left her there.
Any man who put his heart and soul into a game of hockey couldn’t just walk away when someone needed them. She had no one else right now. The same guy who saw determination where there was desire, now saw hope where there was once despair.
I couldn’t leave. That wouldn’t be me. No, not a man that put all he had into something some called just a game. I couldn’t walk away from her holding onto life, weak and powerless to something she had no control over.
So I stayed. In a room full of family members praying for their loved ones to pull through, I prayed for a girl I didn’t know and had never met before, to have a beating heart. While others’ sorrows turned to grieving pain, I sat waiting on the words of the unknown.
No bond is stronger than the ones you’ll bleed for.
I’m Evan Mason, an NHL hockey player for the Chicago Blackhawks. I spend my nights roughing up two hundred pound defensemen and, at times, spend more time in the penalty box than I do on the ice.
That’s my job.
One night changed everything I thought I once knew about my life on, and off, the ice.
A girl.
A brutally beaten girl left to die in an alley.
I don’t know why or how but something made me stay that night after taking her to the hospital. I didn’t know her, nor did I have an obligation to stay but something inside of me rooted me there telling me I should stay. Saving a life is worth something. At least I thought so. And I wouldn’t have been me if I just simply left her there.
Any man who put his heart and soul into a game of hockey couldn’t just walk away when someone needed them. She had no one else right now. The same guy who saw determination where there was desire, now saw hope where there was once despair.
I couldn’t leave. That wouldn’t be me. No, not a man that put all he had into something some called just a game. I couldn’t walk away from her holding onto life, weak and powerless to something she had no control over.
So I stayed. In a room full of family members praying for their loved ones to pull through, I prayed for a girl I didn’t know and had never met before, to have a beating heart. While others’ sorrows turned to grieving pain, I sat waiting on the words of the unknown.
No bond is stronger than the ones you’ll bleed for.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2013
201 people are currently reading
3974 people want to read
About the author
Shey Stahl
63 books2,196 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author, Shey Stahl is a lover of sunsets, dirt track racing, collecting antiques, and the south, where her soul wants to be. Writing is her passion, giving words meaning, and readers experiences they’ll never forget. Currently she’s living in the pacific northwest with her husband and daughter, she can usually be found near a dirt track with an iced coffee in hand.
Visit her website for additional information and keep up to date on new releases: www.sheystahl.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 449 reviews
June 15, 2013
4 Hockey, love and the bonds between us Stars
What I realized, what I lived for now, was the bond. No bond is greater than the ones you'll bleed for. I would bleed for this girl, and I would lay everything on the line and cross any line to protect her.
When 21 years old Blackhawks defense hockey player, Evan "Mase" Mason finds a girl beaten and raped almost to death, on Christmas Eve, laying bleeding on the snow, he can't help but rescuing her, being there for her and ultimately falling in love.
So I stayed. In a room full of family members praying for their loved ones to come through, I prayed for a girl I didn't know and never met before to have a beating heart.
He makes it his life mission to provide for her, to erase her nightmares and offer her whatever she wishes, only asking in return a smile and the light to shine again in her beautiful blue eyes.
The mention of her name made my stomach tighten? Check. Heart beating like a fucking girl? Check. Any skin revealed and I'm hard? Check. Watching her sleep like a goddamn stalker? Check. Wanting to know everything about her and what makes her smile? Wanting to be the reason for the smile? Yep. Big fucking checks all around. Fuck. I was in love.
He will do anything to keep her safe. To fight her demons and find the one that still haunts her sleep. But he will also offer her the world, the chance to a beautiful future, crazy friends and loving family and OF COURSE HOCKEY!
18 years old Ami, came to Chicago to escape the memories of her family's tragic death and be a ballerina. She met her worst nightmare and she survived. Because of Mase and the safe haven she found in his strong arms. Unbelievably strong, sweet, adorable and admirable, she now has to convince him that she won't break and love is the answer to all their doubts and questions.
Life wasn't always bad, sometimes good things did happen, and they could make all that bad shit simply...fade.
Wild, funny, heartbreaking and addictive this book will take you in an amazing emotional ride, in the world of professional hockey and the guts it take to score, live and love.
Shey Stahl with her usual flair and style, delivers another powerful romance about professional athletes, their complex relationships, the sacrifices for their sport and the vulnerable souls they hide under their uniforms.
In dual POVs Mase and Ami share their beautiful story amidst tears, blood and ice.
Looking forward to more, (Leo's story will drive me crazy!) and running away to check my cable for hockey games!!
What I realized, what I lived for now, was the bond. No bond is greater than the ones you'll bleed for. I would bleed for this girl, and I would lay everything on the line and cross any line to protect her.
When 21 years old Blackhawks defense hockey player, Evan "Mase" Mason finds a girl beaten and raped almost to death, on Christmas Eve, laying bleeding on the snow, he can't help but rescuing her, being there for her and ultimately falling in love.
So I stayed. In a room full of family members praying for their loved ones to come through, I prayed for a girl I didn't know and never met before to have a beating heart.
He makes it his life mission to provide for her, to erase her nightmares and offer her whatever she wishes, only asking in return a smile and the light to shine again in her beautiful blue eyes.
The mention of her name made my stomach tighten? Check. Heart beating like a fucking girl? Check. Any skin revealed and I'm hard? Check. Watching her sleep like a goddamn stalker? Check. Wanting to know everything about her and what makes her smile? Wanting to be the reason for the smile? Yep. Big fucking checks all around. Fuck. I was in love.
He will do anything to keep her safe. To fight her demons and find the one that still haunts her sleep. But he will also offer her the world, the chance to a beautiful future, crazy friends and loving family and OF COURSE HOCKEY!
18 years old Ami, came to Chicago to escape the memories of her family's tragic death and be a ballerina. She met her worst nightmare and she survived. Because of Mase and the safe haven she found in his strong arms. Unbelievably strong, sweet, adorable and admirable, she now has to convince him that she won't break and love is the answer to all their doubts and questions.
Life wasn't always bad, sometimes good things did happen, and they could make all that bad shit simply...fade.
Wild, funny, heartbreaking and addictive this book will take you in an amazing emotional ride, in the world of professional hockey and the guts it take to score, live and love.
Shey Stahl with her usual flair and style, delivers another powerful romance about professional athletes, their complex relationships, the sacrifices for their sport and the vulnerable souls they hide under their uniforms.
In dual POVs Mase and Ami share their beautiful story amidst tears, blood and ice.
Looking forward to more, (Leo's story will drive me crazy!) and running away to check my cable for hockey games!!
June 12, 2013
5 BAD-ASS HOCKEY Stars
Delayed Penalty:
When a referee signals that he is about to penalize a player, but will not stop play until the team to be penalized touches the puck.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the story of Evan and Ami. Evan plays hockey for the Chicago Blackhawks. After just getting back from an away game, on a cold night, Evan decides to walk home(everyone walks in downtown Chi)and he accidentally meets unconscious, severely beaten, Ami in an alley. And here's a short summary of their story.....
This girl came into my life for a reason. I was meant to save her, and this girl was the reason my life had gone the directions it had. Hockey owned me. Good or bad, it knew everything about the sweat and blood i poured into it and gave me gratification in return. It gave me the adrenaline i needed, the joy, the love, and the thrill of victory. Then I fell in love with Ami Sutton. That was when I found out there was something else that i enjoyed just as much. Being with a girl, loving a girl, taking care of a girl, and giving myself to a girl. She showed me a side of myself that had been there all along. It was just pushed aside by my love for hockey.
*Why i bought this book:*
1. It's about the Chicago Blackhawks(my hometown)
2. Chicago Blackhawks
3. Hawks
4. Hockey
I really really LOVED Delayed Penalty..... yes it was about the Hawks, but it means even more to me, because the Blackhawks are currently playing for the Stanley Cup as we speak, so this book hit the spot for me!! It wasn't just about hockey, there was a true love story there too...i swear :)))
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A deep breath, a SECOND chance, and everything seems different and WIll because it's new, it's your CHANCE.
MY EVAN
Evan Masen was handsome. There was no way around that one. He had the dark messy hair, scruffy face, and a good strong jaw. His eyes were blue and spoke when he didn't.
I should have a BIG heart. I was born on Valentine's Day. (Oh Evan i love you)
MY AMI
I LOVED her. I wanted her not just to KNOW it, but to feel it consume HER. I wanted my LOVE beating in her heart.
I knew, without a doubt, this AMI, being with her, would FOREVER be the best GOAL I'd ever snagged.
“You can't see something shining if you're eyes are closed.”
[image error]
LORD STANLEY
^*Bring it back home to Chicago...woo hoo^*
*********************************************
You know I'd fall apart without you
I don't know how you do what you do
'Cause everything that don't make sense about me
Makes sense when I'm with you
Like everything that's green, girl, I need you
But it's more than one and one makes two
Put aside the math and the logic of it
You gotta know you're wanted too
'Cause I wanna wrap you up
Wanna kiss your lips
I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
And never let you forget it
Yeah, I, I wanna make you feel wanted
Anyone can tell you you're pretty, yeah
And you get that all the time, I know you do
But your beauty's deeper than the make-up
And I wanna show you what I see tonight...
When I wrap you up
When I kiss your lips.
I I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
And never let you forget it
'Cause, baby, I, I wanna make you feel wanted
As good as you make me feel
I wanna make you feel better
Better than your fairy tales
Better than your best dreams
You're more than everything I need
You're all I ever wanted
All I ever wanted
And I just wanna wrap you up
Wanna kiss your lips
I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
And never let you forget it
Yeah, I wanna make you feel wanted
Baby, I wanna make you feel wanted
You'll always be wanted
No bond is greater than the ones you'll bleed for.
*******************************************
**This one is for all the Hawks fans and especially my GR Chi-town girls...Lkay, Desiree & Mirjana. I hope i'm not forgetting anyone....**
Chelsea Dagger (dat dat dat dat dat dat dat dat dat dat)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCvvwo...
*
Well you must be a girl with shoes like that
She said you know me well
I seen you and little steven and Joanna
Round the back of my hotel oh yeah
Someone said you was asking after me
But I know you best as a blagger
I said tell me your name is it sweet?
She said my boy it's dagger oh yeah
Delayed Penalty:
When a referee signals that he is about to penalize a player, but will not stop play until the team to be penalized touches the puck.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the story of Evan and Ami. Evan plays hockey for the Chicago Blackhawks. After just getting back from an away game, on a cold night, Evan decides to walk home(everyone walks in downtown Chi)and he accidentally meets unconscious, severely beaten, Ami in an alley. And here's a short summary of their story.....
This girl came into my life for a reason. I was meant to save her, and this girl was the reason my life had gone the directions it had. Hockey owned me. Good or bad, it knew everything about the sweat and blood i poured into it and gave me gratification in return. It gave me the adrenaline i needed, the joy, the love, and the thrill of victory. Then I fell in love with Ami Sutton. That was when I found out there was something else that i enjoyed just as much. Being with a girl, loving a girl, taking care of a girl, and giving myself to a girl. She showed me a side of myself that had been there all along. It was just pushed aside by my love for hockey.
*Why i bought this book:*
1. It's about the Chicago Blackhawks(my hometown)
2. Chicago Blackhawks
3. Hawks
4. Hockey
I really really LOVED Delayed Penalty..... yes it was about the Hawks, but it means even more to me, because the Blackhawks are currently playing for the Stanley Cup as we speak, so this book hit the spot for me!! It wasn't just about hockey, there was a true love story there too...i swear :)))
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A deep breath, a SECOND chance, and everything seems different and WIll because it's new, it's your CHANCE.
MY EVAN
Evan Masen was handsome. There was no way around that one. He had the dark messy hair, scruffy face, and a good strong jaw. His eyes were blue and spoke when he didn't.
I should have a BIG heart. I was born on Valentine's Day. (Oh Evan i love you)
MY AMI
I LOVED her. I wanted her not just to KNOW it, but to feel it consume HER. I wanted my LOVE beating in her heart.
I knew, without a doubt, this AMI, being with her, would FOREVER be the best GOAL I'd ever snagged.
“You can't see something shining if you're eyes are closed.”
[image error]
LORD STANLEY
^*Bring it back home to Chicago...woo hoo^*
*********************************************
You know I'd fall apart without you
I don't know how you do what you do
'Cause everything that don't make sense about me
Makes sense when I'm with you
Like everything that's green, girl, I need you
But it's more than one and one makes two
Put aside the math and the logic of it
You gotta know you're wanted too
'Cause I wanna wrap you up
Wanna kiss your lips
I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
And never let you forget it
Yeah, I, I wanna make you feel wanted
Anyone can tell you you're pretty, yeah
And you get that all the time, I know you do
But your beauty's deeper than the make-up
And I wanna show you what I see tonight...
When I wrap you up
When I kiss your lips.
I I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
And never let you forget it
'Cause, baby, I, I wanna make you feel wanted
As good as you make me feel
I wanna make you feel better
Better than your fairy tales
Better than your best dreams
You're more than everything I need
You're all I ever wanted
All I ever wanted
And I just wanna wrap you up
Wanna kiss your lips
I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
And never let you forget it
Yeah, I wanna make you feel wanted
Baby, I wanna make you feel wanted
You'll always be wanted
No bond is greater than the ones you'll bleed for.
*******************************************
**This one is for all the Hawks fans and especially my GR Chi-town girls...Lkay, Desiree & Mirjana. I hope i'm not forgetting anyone....**
Chelsea Dagger (dat dat dat dat dat dat dat dat dat dat)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCvvwo...
*
Well you must be a girl with shoes like that
She said you know me well
I seen you and little steven and Joanna
Round the back of my hotel oh yeah
Someone said you was asking after me
But I know you best as a blagger
I said tell me your name is it sweet?
She said my boy it's dagger oh yeah
June 17, 2013
AMAZING!!!!!
Evan....
Wow!!! When I got finished with this book, that was the first word that came to my mind....and that was probably because I said it so often throughout this entire book. When I heard about this book I was expecting a romance/love that likely blossomed through a connected tragedy. I knew there would be a lot of references to Hockey and although I know nothing about hockey, I was still intrigued.That is what I was expecting after reading the blurb. After reading a few reviews I realized there was going to be a little more to it but that still didn't prepare me for what I got. What I got was an amazing story of a young woman faced with the unimaginable... assaulted and left to die alone in a dirty ally and young man in the prime of his career that saves her life and becomes her rock. They came together in the very worst of circumstances..the very worst for a young sweet woman who's already faced such heartache....Ami is 17 and a ballerina....she's alone in Chicago, moving there after facing one tragedy..never imagining she'd live to see more at such a young age.
Evan is a professional hockey player..he's only 20, but he's already a star on his team. He's a good guy, big and gorgeous of course. He's got a mouth on him and loves to fight it out on the ice. One night, walking on his way home after partying with his friends after a big win, he finds Ami. A tiny thing, beaten up so bad he can't even tell what she looks like. It's obvious what's happened to her and he gets her to the hospital immediately. He offers her words of comfort on the way, not even knowing what he's saying. He's so upset and enraged that someone would do something like this to another person. He's beside himself. He wants to save her.... screaming at the doctors to save this girl that he doesn't even know.. she just has to make it...He feel's completely connected to her..he found her now he has the overwhelming need to make sure she's going to be ok..
When something happens to you, good or bad, the sudden impact of the situation isn't the most damaging. Your body and mind continues to go over the trauma of what happened over and over again until it stops. The problem was it wouldn't stop for me. My mind was constantly turning, constantly replaying the images and the scenario in my head as I looked at her lying in that hospital bed. It was an endless loop. Just when I thought it would stop, my mind pushed play again.
Evan stays with Ami at the hospital.. spending nights there while she's still unconscious...he tries to go home and sleep but he can't sleep..he still has to be there for his team and play and he does, but his mind is constantly on Ami.. waiting for her to wake up. He talks to her and spends so much time.. just waiting on her eyes to open... and when they finally do----
Damn.......I was just floored at the chemistry and connection that was simmering right away between them. Ami knew what he had done for her, although she had no idea he was a famous hockey star. Evan was tripping all over himself over this girl and Ami didn't fight it. And this girl was so f'king strong. After everything she went through.. she was just this force that wouldn't be knocked down. She wasn't going to give up on life and she still wanted love. She knew what was in front of her.. this beautiful strong man that saved her life and she wasn't going to turn down the opportunity for some happiness. And Evan... wow, this man was just completely floored me with how strong and understanding his was for Ami. He was every single thing she needed and more. He was going to take care of her..he knew that the minute she spoke to him. He knew it in his soul...
This book has tons and tons of hockey talk.. I live in the south and we rarely EVER see ice.. much less a hockey stick. But I honestly really enjoyed all the hockey stuff I learned while reading this and next time I see a game on TV, I'm sure I'll stop to catch some of it just because I'm familiar with so much lingo now!
This book is about tragedy and overcoming that tragedy through love....it was so much deeper than I expected. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough and I cannot tell you the amount of times I just sat there with a long drawn out fuuuuuuckkkkkkkk coming out of my mouth. When it was over, I was sad it was over. I'll read this book again for sure.
Shey Stahl brought me into Evan and Ami's story on page one and she did not let me go until the very last page. I was so wrapped up in their story and I loved every single minute of it... EVERY SINGLE MINUTE....
Evan....
Wow!!! When I got finished with this book, that was the first word that came to my mind....and that was probably because I said it so often throughout this entire book. When I heard about this book I was expecting a romance/love that likely blossomed through a connected tragedy. I knew there would be a lot of references to Hockey and although I know nothing about hockey, I was still intrigued.That is what I was expecting after reading the blurb. After reading a few reviews I realized there was going to be a little more to it but that still didn't prepare me for what I got. What I got was an amazing story of a young woman faced with the unimaginable... assaulted and left to die alone in a dirty ally and young man in the prime of his career that saves her life and becomes her rock. They came together in the very worst of circumstances..the very worst for a young sweet woman who's already faced such heartache....Ami is 17 and a ballerina....she's alone in Chicago, moving there after facing one tragedy..never imagining she'd live to see more at such a young age.
Evan is a professional hockey player..he's only 20, but he's already a star on his team. He's a good guy, big and gorgeous of course. He's got a mouth on him and loves to fight it out on the ice. One night, walking on his way home after partying with his friends after a big win, he finds Ami. A tiny thing, beaten up so bad he can't even tell what she looks like. It's obvious what's happened to her and he gets her to the hospital immediately. He offers her words of comfort on the way, not even knowing what he's saying. He's so upset and enraged that someone would do something like this to another person. He's beside himself. He wants to save her.... screaming at the doctors to save this girl that he doesn't even know.. she just has to make it...He feel's completely connected to her..he found her now he has the overwhelming need to make sure she's going to be ok..
When something happens to you, good or bad, the sudden impact of the situation isn't the most damaging. Your body and mind continues to go over the trauma of what happened over and over again until it stops. The problem was it wouldn't stop for me. My mind was constantly turning, constantly replaying the images and the scenario in my head as I looked at her lying in that hospital bed. It was an endless loop. Just when I thought it would stop, my mind pushed play again.
Evan stays with Ami at the hospital.. spending nights there while she's still unconscious...he tries to go home and sleep but he can't sleep..he still has to be there for his team and play and he does, but his mind is constantly on Ami.. waiting for her to wake up. He talks to her and spends so much time.. just waiting on her eyes to open... and when they finally do----
Damn.......I was just floored at the chemistry and connection that was simmering right away between them. Ami knew what he had done for her, although she had no idea he was a famous hockey star. Evan was tripping all over himself over this girl and Ami didn't fight it. And this girl was so f'king strong. After everything she went through.. she was just this force that wouldn't be knocked down. She wasn't going to give up on life and she still wanted love. She knew what was in front of her.. this beautiful strong man that saved her life and she wasn't going to turn down the opportunity for some happiness. And Evan... wow, this man was just completely floored me with how strong and understanding his was for Ami. He was every single thing she needed and more. He was going to take care of her..he knew that the minute she spoke to him. He knew it in his soul...
This book has tons and tons of hockey talk.. I live in the south and we rarely EVER see ice.. much less a hockey stick. But I honestly really enjoyed all the hockey stuff I learned while reading this and next time I see a game on TV, I'm sure I'll stop to catch some of it just because I'm familiar with so much lingo now!
This book is about tragedy and overcoming that tragedy through love....it was so much deeper than I expected. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough and I cannot tell you the amount of times I just sat there with a long drawn out fuuuuuuckkkkkkkk coming out of my mouth. When it was over, I was sad it was over. I'll read this book again for sure.
Shey Stahl brought me into Evan and Ami's story on page one and she did not let me go until the very last page. I was so wrapped up in their story and I loved every single minute of it... EVERY SINGLE MINUTE....
Read
September 23, 2013EDIT 23/9/2013
Due to recent development of the events considering plagiarism and the fact that book has been pulled from Amazon, I decided to erase my rating and initial review!
*********************************************************
Due to recent development of the events considering plagiarism and the fact that book has been pulled from Amazon, I decided to erase my rating and initial review!
*********************************************************
June 9, 2013
”That was me. I played the pipes. I crossed the line and stood up for what I believed was worth it – the goal I wanted. This girl.”~Evan
This is actually the first Shey Stahl book I have read and I really liked it!!!
Delayed Penalty is told mostly in the male main character’s pov of Evan “Mase” Mason. Evan is a defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks. I found the delivery of the story to be very well done, although the pace of the story was at times slow. Overall, I really enjoyed my time on the ice with Mase and I’m pretty schooled in all things hockey after completing this book!
Mase plays defense on the ice and in this story one night he comes across a girl so badly beaten and abused clinging to life in a dark alley he goes right into protector mode. Mase gets her help but what sparks this story is his connection to Ami and his determination that she gets better. The hospital scenes were really well written. I loved how these two strangers had a connection even before Ami opened her eyes.
”I had kind of fallen for a girl in a coma, as weird as that sounded.”
"Resting my head against the side of my cubby, one thought was never far from my mind: the girl."
Ami Sutton is a young girl who has suffered many losses in her young life. The attack happened just as she was getting a new start. Ami finds so much in Evan and his family. Ami has little memory of the attack which leads law enforcement with little to go on but Ami and Evan do find the closure they needed. There is a connection that she makes to her own family in Evan and she falls for him and vise versa.
"I was at the point where I couldn't get enough of her, and I was ready to drop the gloves if she was willing to dance."
Evan and the team are fantastic on the ice. The guys were realistic and funny.
"She's the girl you let blow you in the elevator a few months back." "What's her name?" "Ask your dick." I shrugged. "Maybe he knows."
Please note: there is NO instant love in this book. They take it SLOW, although I like a faster pace in this area it was realistic. Ami heals both physically and emotionally and finds so much in Evan while the team makes their way towards the Stanley Cup.
The ending was a perfect hea for characters of their age and I’m hoping to get more of Evan and Ami in the next book of this series which is about Leo!
June 13, 2013
"There are times that you never want to cross a line. Maybe fear holds you back, but there's something important about crossing a line. You'll never know what side to be on until you cross it."
First I’ve got to start this review by saying that I’m probably biased, since I have a soft spot for hockey players when several years ago, my brother-in-law started to making me see the NHL games on ESPN (which is already weird, considering we live in Europe). And not only that but we have a drinking game during the game time (due to the time difference the games here are always late at night), where one of the reasons for us to drink, is every time I say that a player is good looking, or cute, or hot. Or all of the above. So as you see, my love for hockey players comes from a long time. As so, I couldn’t help but love Evan.
Evan Masen is a hockey player for the NHL team, Chicago Blackhawks. One night, returning home after celebrating a winning game, he hears strange noises in an alley. When he goes see what’s going on, he finds Ami, fighting between life and death, covered in blood and with ripped clothes. Without a second of doubt, he takes her to the hospital, when after having been beaten almost to death and raped, she is induced in coma. Evan is drawn to the girl he saved, with whom he never talked or met. But for some reason he keeps going to see her until she wakes up from the coma.
After she wakes up, Ami has no one. Her family died a few months ago in a plane crash and she had come to Chicago to start fresh and try to be a ballerina. But the boy that saved her and whose voice she kept remembering never stops visiting and her connection starts in the hospital, then he offers her help and she stays with him until her life get back on track. And that’s how their story starts, but they’ll have a lot of fights ahead of them, and not all of them are possible to solve during a hockey game.
The only reason I’m not giving this book five starts is because during a great deal of it, it was painfully slow. We needed more action on the beginning. And Ami, although I liked her, was too blank, she needed a bit more of personality. Other than that, I loved all of it.
Evan is great and it’s very refreshing to see a book about a good guy. Although he’s not a saint he is not a playboy, he’s not broken, he’s not bad. He’s a normal guy, sexy in a discreet way and with a hot job. All the supportive characters were also pretty good (I think I’m in love with Leo!). The story is original and very good to read. You should try it.
Definitely a series that I’ll keep my eye on! ;)
First I’ve got to start this review by saying that I’m probably biased, since I have a soft spot for hockey players when several years ago, my brother-in-law started to making me see the NHL games on ESPN (which is already weird, considering we live in Europe). And not only that but we have a drinking game during the game time (due to the time difference the games here are always late at night), where one of the reasons for us to drink, is every time I say that a player is good looking, or cute, or hot. Or all of the above. So as you see, my love for hockey players comes from a long time. As so, I couldn’t help but love Evan.
Evan Masen is a hockey player for the NHL team, Chicago Blackhawks. One night, returning home after celebrating a winning game, he hears strange noises in an alley. When he goes see what’s going on, he finds Ami, fighting between life and death, covered in blood and with ripped clothes. Without a second of doubt, he takes her to the hospital, when after having been beaten almost to death and raped, she is induced in coma. Evan is drawn to the girl he saved, with whom he never talked or met. But for some reason he keeps going to see her until she wakes up from the coma.
After she wakes up, Ami has no one. Her family died a few months ago in a plane crash and she had come to Chicago to start fresh and try to be a ballerina. But the boy that saved her and whose voice she kept remembering never stops visiting and her connection starts in the hospital, then he offers her help and she stays with him until her life get back on track. And that’s how their story starts, but they’ll have a lot of fights ahead of them, and not all of them are possible to solve during a hockey game.
The only reason I’m not giving this book five starts is because during a great deal of it, it was painfully slow. We needed more action on the beginning. And Ami, although I liked her, was too blank, she needed a bit more of personality. Other than that, I loved all of it.
Evan is great and it’s very refreshing to see a book about a good guy. Although he’s not a saint he is not a playboy, he’s not broken, he’s not bad. He’s a normal guy, sexy in a discreet way and with a hot job. All the supportive characters were also pretty good (I think I’m in love with Leo!). The story is original and very good to read. You should try it.
Definitely a series that I’ll keep my eye on! ;)
June 21, 2013
4.5 I-love-knight-in-shining-armor stars.
I absolutely adored this book. I think Evan is going to have to go on my shelf of “hero’s I’d love in real life” I’ve gotten so used to the reformed bad boy hero, that it was so refreshing to get to see the “good guy” win for once, and there is no doubt Evan is one of the “good guys”.
Seriously, I don’t think I can express how awesome he is. If you have kids – he’s the kind of guy that you want your daughter to meet someday, or the man you want your son to grow up to be like. But I think one of the best things about Evan is he’s NOT perfect. He’s not some paragon that wouldn’t’ ever exist; he’s just a GREAT guy -protective, respectful, and loving. *sigh*
Evan and Ami meet under just about the worst circumstances possible. He is her savior, and because of that, he can’t seem to get her out of his mind. It creates of bond between them, that that only grows stronger as the book goes on.
”There’s no going back, you know that right?”
. . .
Ami swallowed and spoke the only truth I knew, “There never was.”
I loved how Evan and Ami’s relationship developed. It wasn’t rushed. There was no glossing over the issues of her assault, her age, or what an odd circumstance it had left them both in. I adored how protective Evan was, and how he treated her with care and compassion every step of the way. It was interesting, because in a lot of ways, their relationship felt very much like a “first” relationship you would expect in say the high school age crowd. There was innocence to it – a freshness that you rarely get to see beyond that age group.
”No bond is greater than the ones you’ll bleed for. I would bleed for this girl, and I would lay everything on the line and cross any line to protect her. . . . This girl came into my life for a reason. I was meant to save her, and I was meant to fall in love with her, and this girl was the reason my life had gone the directions it had.
I was not a hockey fan prior to reading this book, but I might just be tempted to watch one now. I was impressed at how well the game and various hockey terms were woven through the story. I have read a lot of “sports hero” books where, except for knowing what the hero’s profession is, nothing from that part of his life seem to factor into the book at all. But, in this book you see just how important hockey is to Evan, and I really felt like it helped me to know him better to learn about the sport he was so passionate about.
Oh, and I LOVED getting to know some of the other guys on his team – especially Leo. I cannot wait for his story. I loved him almost as much as Evan.
Overall, fantastic story, with characters I absolutely fell in love with. Highly recommended.
I absolutely adored this book. I think Evan is going to have to go on my shelf of “hero’s I’d love in real life” I’ve gotten so used to the reformed bad boy hero, that it was so refreshing to get to see the “good guy” win for once, and there is no doubt Evan is one of the “good guys”.
Seriously, I don’t think I can express how awesome he is. If you have kids – he’s the kind of guy that you want your daughter to meet someday, or the man you want your son to grow up to be like. But I think one of the best things about Evan is he’s NOT perfect. He’s not some paragon that wouldn’t’ ever exist; he’s just a GREAT guy -protective, respectful, and loving. *sigh*
Evan and Ami meet under just about the worst circumstances possible. He is her savior, and because of that, he can’t seem to get her out of his mind. It creates of bond between them, that that only grows stronger as the book goes on.
”There’s no going back, you know that right?”
. . .
Ami swallowed and spoke the only truth I knew, “There never was.”
I loved how Evan and Ami’s relationship developed. It wasn’t rushed. There was no glossing over the issues of her assault, her age, or what an odd circumstance it had left them both in. I adored how protective Evan was, and how he treated her with care and compassion every step of the way. It was interesting, because in a lot of ways, their relationship felt very much like a “first” relationship you would expect in say the high school age crowd. There was innocence to it – a freshness that you rarely get to see beyond that age group.
”No bond is greater than the ones you’ll bleed for. I would bleed for this girl, and I would lay everything on the line and cross any line to protect her. . . . This girl came into my life for a reason. I was meant to save her, and I was meant to fall in love with her, and this girl was the reason my life had gone the directions it had.
I was not a hockey fan prior to reading this book, but I might just be tempted to watch one now. I was impressed at how well the game and various hockey terms were woven through the story. I have read a lot of “sports hero” books where, except for knowing what the hero’s profession is, nothing from that part of his life seem to factor into the book at all. But, in this book you see just how important hockey is to Evan, and I really felt like it helped me to know him better to learn about the sport he was so passionate about.
Oh, and I LOVED getting to know some of the other guys on his team – especially Leo. I cannot wait for his story. I loved him almost as much as Evan.
Overall, fantastic story, with characters I absolutely fell in love with. Highly recommended.
June 16, 2013
No bond is greater than the ones you'll bleed for
Yep! That was my question about 40% through the book.
The answer:
It got so bad that fortunately for me it could only get better. And it did. Right towards the end.
First things first, this review will mostly be made up of quotes and it'll be a short one because a) i can't be bothered to write a proper review for this book, and b) i got exams coming up (sh*t!!!).
You're probably wondering what this book is about, and usually i just go on, and on explaining to you the synopsis. This is not the case. I can sum it all up in 4 short paragraphs.
Delayed Penalty is about a famous hockey player, Evan Mason, who after his game finds a raped and dying girl in a valley. He takes her to the hospital and stays/visits her until she comes out of her coma. But when the girl, Ami Sutton, wakes up she can't remember what happened to her and who raped her.
Will they find the guy who did it before there'll be a next victim? Can their love withstand it?
'I had to get her to help now. I thought about calling Leo or even the police.'
How about something like an ambulance would help???
I wanted her to come but knew that wasn't happening. For one, she was probably in too much pain. And two, i wasn't lasting long enough for that. Maybe next time.
Their first time having sex and he won't even make her come. Really? Really? Is he that big of an insufferable, selfish human being? Aren't hockey players supposed to make woman come with one touch? Aren't they at least supposed to try?Can someone, like, please push him off a cliff?
"My brother was born on Valentine's Day, too. They were the same age."
Evan, here, is talking about Ami's brother. And guess what? They were not only born on the same day, they were not only both some sport superstar (or about to be), but they were also the same age.
50% of this book is about hockey. I'm not even joking. There is more hockey games and crap like that than anything else for that matter.
30% of this book is about Evan fighting his urge and resisting to have sex with Ami because she was raped, even when she was all like...
10% of this book is a about Ami crying all the time, especially when she remembered a tiny memory from her past. I think she is the biggest cry baby i ever read about so far.
10% is finally about the romance. Did i mention that they only had sex at the end?
However, the book did get me interested in hockey. I never get the rules of any sports. I still don't even get football. This game was no exception. When every chapter begins you get those little definitions of what is what and stuff like that. Was it juts me that was all like..
?????????
I wasn't very fond of the main characters either (I know! Shocking right *sarcasm*). But i must admit that sometimes Evan could be an admirable guy. He's really sweet with a big and protective heart. And sometimes he could be a little dominant and rough in the bedroom (just a little though!) I liked that.
Her mouth fell open, steam rolled around us, mixing with our heavy breath. Her fingers clawed at my back and hair as i buried myself in her neck, frantically pumping into her over and over again. Our skin slapped together, and the bathroom echoed with desperate cries and grunts.
Overall, Delayed Penalty was an OK read. To be honest i am very impressed by Shey Stahl knowledge about hockey. But for me the book was very boring. Though I would definitely recommend this to big hockey fans and drama lovers. Otherwise, i don't think this book is something for you. I'll, however, pick up book 2 when it's released.
You're my girl," I said, trickling my fingers down her ribs. "You know that, right?"
Read
June 25, 2013 DNF stopped at pg 70
Don't hate me for not trying to finish this book. I'm not going to rate it because I didn't even get half way and might come back to it.
The reason I stopped was because of all the hockey mentioned in this book. I don't even watch sports on TV (tennis maybe). So sports are a definite NO for me in a book.
I've read other books where the character are athletes and those stories never led me to skipping pages.
READING ABOUT SPORTS IS
I really did like the characters and was very intrigued to read more about them. But I felt it unfair to read this book then give it a low rating based on hating to read about the hockey games.
When I read a romance I want less of this:
And more THIS:
DEFINITELY some of this:
Oh...YES this too:
Too bad I didn't read enough to get to that LOL
Don't hate me for not trying to finish this book. I'm not going to rate it because I didn't even get half way and might come back to it.
The reason I stopped was because of all the hockey mentioned in this book. I don't even watch sports on TV (tennis maybe). So sports are a definite NO for me in a book.
I've read other books where the character are athletes and those stories never led me to skipping pages.
READING ABOUT SPORTS IS
I really did like the characters and was very intrigued to read more about them. But I felt it unfair to read this book then give it a low rating based on hating to read about the hockey games.
When I read a romance I want less of this:
And more THIS:
DEFINITELY some of this:
Oh...YES this too:
Too bad I didn't read enough to get to that LOL
Read
June 14, 2013I knew as soon as I made a DNF shelf it would curse all the books for me :( :(
I DNF'd at 30% I just couldn't cope with one more hockey reference and the plot didn't entice me as I hoped it would.
I really wanted to read it after reading the blurb but it just wasn't for me :(
I am seriously going through a book slump at the moment though, so it could just be me *shrugs*
I DNF'd at 30% I just couldn't cope with one more hockey reference and the plot didn't entice me as I hoped it would.
I really wanted to read it after reading the blurb but it just wasn't for me :(
I am seriously going through a book slump at the moment though, so it could just be me *shrugs*
Want to read
June 3, 2013SERIOUSLY.....
AGAIN???
THIS BOOK HAS BEEN DELAYED SOO MANY TIMES!!!!!!
1ST MAY 28TH
THEN JUNE 1ST
THEN JUNE 2ND
THEN JUNE 3RD
NOW JUNE 4TH
EVERYDAY I HAVE WOKEN UP AND SEARCHED AMAZON... HAHAAHA I'M TURNING INTO A STALKER
I JUST WANT TO READ THIS FREAKING BOOK SO BAD.
ARGGGGHHHH......
February 25, 2015
*Just an FYI…All my spoilers are quotes. I don’t typically quote a lot from books because I tend to feel like it gives too much away, but I fell into my History training of supporting my argument/thesis with supporting evidence from the book. So…with that said, all the spoilers are quotes. Some spoilers may be present. It was not my intention to spoil anything but they do support my feelings about this book. You’ve been warned.*
I know some people have had issues with this book, and that gave me some trepidation going into it. But my fears were quelled because I ended up really enjoying it. Ok, so….Yes, this book is wordy. On that I’ll agree but I got it.
I get why people had issues, but it's like they were reading a different book...or I was. As soon as I read the first Hockey game my thought was "Wow. That's it. That's his life. It revolves around Hockey." It clicked for me, it made sense. Evan ate, slept, breathed and lived Hockey . That was life for him from a very young age. His parents went out of their way to give him his dream of playing professional hockey . He even says that he doesn’t follow a normal calendar; his calendar is the Hockey schedule . His world revolves around Hockey….Until he meets Ami. He meets her in such a way that he can’t get her out of his head. Ami breaks through the Hockey wall and becomes something that is important to him.
Once he was committed to Ami, his life changed. He was willing to move heaven and earth for her. As he became more committed to Ami, the book changed. His priorities changed. And it showed in his POV. His play by play details during the game gave way to other things.
Even though he grew up in a loving family, with parents that would do anything for him, he didn’t really know love. Not from someone other than his family. He wasn’t quite sure what to do with it when it happened. But he got through it and didn’t run.
In the end, Evan came to realize that there was more to life than Hockey. And he embraced that.
One of the things I loved most about this book is the fact that Evan and Ami stayed together. They didn’t have any misunderstandings that tore them apart for dramatic/angst purposes. And that was refreshing. They faced the hard times together, as a couple.
I loved the twist of who the bad guy was. I’ll admit, looking back, the clues were there. And there was one moment when something was mentioned and I had a niggling thought, but I let it go and went on with the story. (No, I didn’t cheat and go to the back of the book. :P)
All in all, this was a really enjoyable book. Yes, the hockey scenes could get wordy, but if you realize that they serve a purpose, and you can get through it, you’ll end up with a really good story.
My Evan:
I know some people have had issues with this book, and that gave me some trepidation going into it. But my fears were quelled because I ended up really enjoying it. Ok, so….Yes, this book is wordy. On that I’ll agree but I got it.
I get why people had issues, but it's like they were reading a different book...or I was. As soon as I read the first Hockey game my thought was "Wow. That's it. That's his life. It revolves around Hockey." It clicked for me, it made sense. Evan ate, slept, breathed and lived Hockey . That was life for him from a very young age. His parents went out of their way to give him his dream of playing professional hockey . He even says that he doesn’t follow a normal calendar; his calendar is the Hockey schedule . His world revolves around Hockey….Until he meets Ami. He meets her in such a way that he can’t get her out of his head. Ami breaks through the Hockey wall and becomes something that is important to him.
Once he was committed to Ami, his life changed. He was willing to move heaven and earth for her. As he became more committed to Ami, the book changed. His priorities changed. And it showed in his POV. His play by play details during the game gave way to other things.
Even though he grew up in a loving family, with parents that would do anything for him, he didn’t really know love. Not from someone other than his family. He wasn’t quite sure what to do with it when it happened. But he got through it and didn’t run.
In the end, Evan came to realize that there was more to life than Hockey. And he embraced that.
If someone asked me how she changed me, I would tell them my perspective. All that she went through everyday didn't mean anything. There were worse things in life to be bent over. So what if you were stuck in traffic or you locked yourself out of the car? So what if you missed the penalty shot in a playoff game? Didn't happen to me, by the way, I rocked that motherfucker, but what I was getting at was there were worse things to have happen to you. Ami was what changed that perspective, if I ever had thought that way. Maybe I didn't. But she kept me from ever swinging that way in the first place.
What I realized, what I lived for now, was the bond.
No bond is greater than the ones you'll bleed for.
I would bleed for this girl, and I would lay everything on the line and cross any line to protect her. Saving a life was worth something to me.
This girl came into my life for a reason.
I was meant to save her, and I was meant to fall in love with her, and this girl was the reason my life had gone the directions it had.
Hockey owned me. Good or bad, it knew everything about the sweat and blood I poured into it and gave me gratification in return. It gave me the adrenaline I needed, the joy, the love, and the thrill of victory.
Then I fell in love with Ami Sutton.
That was when I found out there was something else that I enjoyed just as much. Being with a girl, loving a girl, taking care of a girl, and giving myself to a girl. She showed me a side of myself that had been there all along. It was just pushed aside by my love for hockey.
Up until that night that I'd found her, I believed that nothing would come close to the way I felt about hockey. Now I know better.
One of the things I loved most about this book is the fact that Evan and Ami stayed together. They didn’t have any misunderstandings that tore them apart for dramatic/angst purposes. And that was refreshing. They faced the hard times together, as a couple.
I loved the twist of who the bad guy was. I’ll admit, looking back, the clues were there. And there was one moment when something was mentioned and I had a niggling thought, but I let it go and went on with the story. (No, I didn’t cheat and go to the back of the book. :P)
All in all, this was a really enjoyable book. Yes, the hockey scenes could get wordy, but if you realize that they serve a purpose, and you can get through it, you’ll end up with a really good story.
My Evan:
June 17, 2013
I love hockey, I love romance...so what's not to love about this book?
Evan is a defensive lineman for the Chicago Blackhawks. He is an enforcer, someone who protects his teammates by roughing up the opposing team when they get out of line. Evan is extremely loyal and, according to his mother, since he was born on Valentines day, he has a bigger heart than most.
Evan:
One night on the way home from an after party, Evan hears something strange in an alley. He pauses and in that moment, everything in his life will change based on the choice he makes in that moment.
For everyone out there each day, each year, is arguably different than the last, bringing with it different struggles, highs, lows, new friends, and fading friends. In five days, in twenty minutes, in a second, everything about that year could change.- Evan
Ami has has a rough year to say the least. Her entire world was turned upside down and inside out. She decided that what she really needed was a fresh start so she moved to Chicago. She hoped to find a new life with hope for the future. What she found was that the world can be a very cruel place. In her darkest hour, Ami finds kindness like none she has ever know.
Ami is a ballet dancer and was on her way home one dark winter evening when everything changed. She was brutally attacked and left for dead. She is in a coma and no-one knows who her attacker was. Evan visits Ami every chance he gets in the hospital and finds himself drawn to this beaten and bruised girl. He wants to protect her and it is killing him that he couldn't have prevented her brutal attack.
Ami slowly regains consciousness, but she has no memory of her attack. Evan learns her story and continues to be drawn to her, even more than before. Ami finds herself drawn to Evan as well, her knight in shining armor.
I wasn't sure if Evan was attracted to me that way, but his body language told me another story. His kisses added the words and his touches added page numbers. -Ami
As the story begins to unravel, Evan realizes that he can not just walk away from Ami, their lives have become forever entwined.
Evan works hard to help Ami move forward from her attack. He gives her hope and safety. But as Amy starts to remember more and the story unfolds, Evan has a revelation that rocks their world.
You'd be surprised to see what could be waiting for you on the other side of the blue line. -Evan
This was an emotional one to read. It was told from a dual point of view. Evan is the primary voice, especially in the beginning when Ami is in a coma. Evan is a guys guy but his response to what happened to Ami is deeply emotional. The issues tackled were intense and heartbreaking. I was left wondering about halfway through how much one person could endure and still survive.
Ami is a tough cookie. Despite all that life has thrown her she survives and learns to thrive. It is a long and slow recovery but with Evan by her side, she finds it is not quite so hard.
Such a sweet ending to this amazing story. I really enjoyed this one. The only complaint was that it got a bit slow about 20% in. Evan also talked a LOT about "unity". That got a bit old after a bit. Aside from those two relatively minor things, this was a solid four stars for me.
4 Glove Dropping Stars
Evan is a defensive lineman for the Chicago Blackhawks. He is an enforcer, someone who protects his teammates by roughing up the opposing team when they get out of line. Evan is extremely loyal and, according to his mother, since he was born on Valentines day, he has a bigger heart than most.
Evan:
One night on the way home from an after party, Evan hears something strange in an alley. He pauses and in that moment, everything in his life will change based on the choice he makes in that moment.
For everyone out there each day, each year, is arguably different than the last, bringing with it different struggles, highs, lows, new friends, and fading friends. In five days, in twenty minutes, in a second, everything about that year could change.- Evan
Ami has has a rough year to say the least. Her entire world was turned upside down and inside out. She decided that what she really needed was a fresh start so she moved to Chicago. She hoped to find a new life with hope for the future. What she found was that the world can be a very cruel place. In her darkest hour, Ami finds kindness like none she has ever know.
Ami is a ballet dancer and was on her way home one dark winter evening when everything changed. She was brutally attacked and left for dead. She is in a coma and no-one knows who her attacker was. Evan visits Ami every chance he gets in the hospital and finds himself drawn to this beaten and bruised girl. He wants to protect her and it is killing him that he couldn't have prevented her brutal attack.
Ami slowly regains consciousness, but she has no memory of her attack. Evan learns her story and continues to be drawn to her, even more than before. Ami finds herself drawn to Evan as well, her knight in shining armor.
I wasn't sure if Evan was attracted to me that way, but his body language told me another story. His kisses added the words and his touches added page numbers. -Ami
As the story begins to unravel, Evan realizes that he can not just walk away from Ami, their lives have become forever entwined.
Evan works hard to help Ami move forward from her attack. He gives her hope and safety. But as Amy starts to remember more and the story unfolds, Evan has a revelation that rocks their world.
You'd be surprised to see what could be waiting for you on the other side of the blue line. -Evan
This was an emotional one to read. It was told from a dual point of view. Evan is the primary voice, especially in the beginning when Ami is in a coma. Evan is a guys guy but his response to what happened to Ami is deeply emotional. The issues tackled were intense and heartbreaking. I was left wondering about halfway through how much one person could endure and still survive.
Ami is a tough cookie. Despite all that life has thrown her she survives and learns to thrive. It is a long and slow recovery but with Evan by her side, she finds it is not quite so hard.
Such a sweet ending to this amazing story. I really enjoyed this one. The only complaint was that it got a bit slow about 20% in. Evan also talked a LOT about "unity". That got a bit old after a bit. Aside from those two relatively minor things, this was a solid four stars for me.
4 Glove Dropping Stars
June 10, 2013
I really did love this book.
First off we meet 20 year old Evan Masen a Hockey Player for the Chicago Blackhawks who from the start you can tell oozes sex, confidence, aggression and a life that revolves around Hockey, Until the night that changes everything. When making his way home from a game on Christmas Eve he finds an extremely beaten girl left for dead in the snow.
Ami is 17 when we first meet the her and has been through a lot for her young age, she's also the girl who has survived an almost life threatening beating that if it wasn't for Evan she would probably be dead.
The chemistry and love between Evan and Ami was beautiful to watch develop into a HEA don't get me wrong it wasn't all plain sailing and they both had some major issues to work though to get there.
I loved how Evan talked us through his Hockey games you could almost feel the adrenaline rush right along with him and it made a change to not be focused solely on the couple falling in love.
I will defiantly be reading the next book in this series. I can't wait for Leo and Callie's story.
First off we meet 20 year old Evan Masen a Hockey Player for the Chicago Blackhawks who from the start you can tell oozes sex, confidence, aggression and a life that revolves around Hockey, Until the night that changes everything. When making his way home from a game on Christmas Eve he finds an extremely beaten girl left for dead in the snow.
Ami is 17 when we first meet the her and has been through a lot for her young age, she's also the girl who has survived an almost life threatening beating that if it wasn't for Evan she would probably be dead.
The chemistry and love between Evan and Ami was beautiful to watch develop into a HEA don't get me wrong it wasn't all plain sailing and they both had some major issues to work though to get there.
I loved how Evan talked us through his Hockey games you could almost feel the adrenaline rush right along with him and it made a change to not be focused solely on the couple falling in love.
I will defiantly be reading the next book in this series. I can't wait for Leo and Callie's story.
June 12, 2013
I loved the premise, and the hero but there was something off with this book.
I'm a huge sports fan and there was too much hockey for a romance novel for me. Also, for all that Ami went through, her recovery was just too simple. Her story was tragic beyond words and Evan seemed to suffer more than she did.
It dragged in places and was repetitive.
I also think the author took the easy way out with the "can't remember" and robbed us of a lot of the story.
I don't know, just missing things for me. I'm at a 2.5-3
I'm a huge sports fan and there was too much hockey for a romance novel for me. Also, for all that Ami went through, her recovery was just too simple. Her story was tragic beyond words and Evan seemed to suffer more than she did.
It dragged in places and was repetitive.
I also think the author took the easy way out with the "can't remember" and robbed us of a lot of the story.
I don't know, just missing things for me. I'm at a 2.5-3
June 10, 2013
3 stars
It's not NA if they don't mention a dead person in the book...Ok bad joke.......Well I learned a lot about hockey....Lol....No seriously I do like how the author incorporates sports into her books. That is a nice change. I don't however like when it takes over basically the whole book though. How the team is losing blah blah blah and then magically they won the game....Ami was a decent character but she seemed somewhat of a mooch... And also
It's not NA if they don't mention a dead person in the book...Ok bad joke.......Well I learned a lot about hockey....Lol....No seriously I do like how the author incorporates sports into her books. That is a nice change. I don't however like when it takes over basically the whole book though. How the team is losing blah blah blah and then magically they won the game....Ami was a decent character but she seemed somewhat of a mooch... And also
January 13, 2018
When bad things happened, they happened. There was nothing you could do about it.
You tried to prepare and tell yourself you'd be okay, but the truth was you were never prepared. You had to keep in mind that there was an end to everything. There was a beginning, a middle, and eventually an end, whether you wanted there to be one or not. It was all about surviving it.
When Evan Mason, a 21 year old defensman of a Chicago Blackhawks hockey team, found a half dead, beaten abd sexually violated young girl Ami Sutton lying in a back alley, his protective instincts spur into action and he brings her to the hospital in a nick of time, saving her life.
Even though, there's nothing that would ever link these two young people if there wasn't this gruesome crime made against her, Evan can't stay away from Ami, starting an open, heart-warming friendship filled with a powerful need to protect her and comfort her at any time.
And soon their friendship grows into more, as they both deal with revelation of Ami's attacker, fueled by the pressure of the upcoming Stanley cup finale, and the acknowledging the true bonding between them and acting on the realization.
This is a sport/action/romance drama that deals with heavy subject of rape and battery but also it offers hope and love and healing...and strength within to thrive and move ahead, winning and surviving...
I liked it very much. Duh?! *wink*
September 13, 2013
4 Awesome Intriguing Hockey Stars!
“Our presence in the world was actually very small. It was our presence in the lives of others that made the world what it was. Every word we said, every gesture we made, every detail connected you to that presence you made whether you knew it or not.”
Evan "Mase" Mason is an NHL hockey player for the Chicago Blackhawks, when he finds a girl on Christmas Eve lying on the snow raped and nearly beaten to death he cant leave her there and has to help.After rescuing her he just cant leave her at the hospital after finding out that she has no-one to be there for her.He is drawn back to her and ends up falling in love with her..
“No bond is greater than the ones you'll bleed for.”
Ami is 18 years old and came to Chicago to start over to create a new life and become a ballerina.She is running from her past after facing so much loss she moves to Chicago only to be brutally attacked.The only light in all the darkness is Evan.Her saviour who helps her overcome the loss in her life.They help each other to become better and stronger people.
“You can't see something shining if you're eyes are closed.”
Wow!I really enjoyed this book and let me tell you something..before I read this book I knew nothing about hockey.I liked finding more about the sport and actually enjoyed reading about it,much to my surprise.I actually thought I wouldn't enjoy it due to the whole hockey part of it and would get bored and lose interest ahh how wrong I was! The story-line was awesome and there wasn't a dull moment to it.This book is in both Ami's and Evan's POV which made it even better!
Oh my god I was going to write I loved Leo he should sooo have his own book and then I check next book and what dya know.. Book 2 is Leo's woop woop!
Check out my blog for more reviews!
http://zakirrahsbookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zakirr...
“Our presence in the world was actually very small. It was our presence in the lives of others that made the world what it was. Every word we said, every gesture we made, every detail connected you to that presence you made whether you knew it or not.”
Evan "Mase" Mason is an NHL hockey player for the Chicago Blackhawks, when he finds a girl on Christmas Eve lying on the snow raped and nearly beaten to death he cant leave her there and has to help.After rescuing her he just cant leave her at the hospital after finding out that she has no-one to be there for her.He is drawn back to her and ends up falling in love with her..
“No bond is greater than the ones you'll bleed for.”
Ami is 18 years old and came to Chicago to start over to create a new life and become a ballerina.She is running from her past after facing so much loss she moves to Chicago only to be brutally attacked.The only light in all the darkness is Evan.Her saviour who helps her overcome the loss in her life.They help each other to become better and stronger people.
“You can't see something shining if you're eyes are closed.”
Wow!I really enjoyed this book and let me tell you something..before I read this book I knew nothing about hockey.I liked finding more about the sport and actually enjoyed reading about it,much to my surprise.I actually thought I wouldn't enjoy it due to the whole hockey part of it and would get bored and lose interest ahh how wrong I was! The story-line was awesome and there wasn't a dull moment to it.This book is in both Ami's and Evan's POV which made it even better!
Oh my god I was going to write I loved Leo he should sooo have his own book and then I check next book and what dya know.. Book 2 is Leo's woop woop!
Check out my blog for more reviews!
http://zakirrahsbookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zakirr...
Want to read
June 6, 2013
http://www.amazon.com/Delayed-Penalty...
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YOU HAVE GOT TO BE &*%$#$@ KIDDING ME!!!!! MAY???? NEXT MONTH IT WILL PROB BE JUNE!!!!! FFS
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noooo I see this book has been moved to April :(
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June 13, 2013
4.5 stars
This is my first Shey Stahl book, and I wasn’t disappointed.
We meet Evan Masen an NHL hockey player, who lives & breathes hockey and has done for as long as he can remember. Also encouraged by his father, who had been a player in the leagues too.
His attraction to the “puck bunnies” is heightened by his sportsman status; a member of the Chicago Blackhawks no less.
Returning from an after game celebration, negotiating the bitter snow, he hears a sound that takes him into an alley. What he finds there, completely turns his life upside down...a girl, Ami, badly beaten and literally left for dead.
He takes her to the hospital, and then there starts the story...
I loved the writers dual POV, especially later on in the story. I did think that the extensive description of elements of the game, the rules, the transgressions, would put me off. But as we get further in, you can see the relevance and when the game gets tight you are put right there, appreciating the adrenaline rush!
Evan was a “heart” boy and was endearing from the offset. His attraction to Ami was beautiful to watch, and was totally reciprocated by her. Her attitude to life and resignation, given the sadness she had experienced, was uplifting.
I will most definitely be delving into the rest of this series..
This is my first Shey Stahl book, and I wasn’t disappointed.
We meet Evan Masen an NHL hockey player, who lives & breathes hockey and has done for as long as he can remember. Also encouraged by his father, who had been a player in the leagues too.
His attraction to the “puck bunnies” is heightened by his sportsman status; a member of the Chicago Blackhawks no less.
Returning from an after game celebration, negotiating the bitter snow, he hears a sound that takes him into an alley. What he finds there, completely turns his life upside down...a girl, Ami, badly beaten and literally left for dead.
He takes her to the hospital, and then there starts the story...
I loved the writers dual POV, especially later on in the story. I did think that the extensive description of elements of the game, the rules, the transgressions, would put me off. But as we get further in, you can see the relevance and when the game gets tight you are put right there, appreciating the adrenaline rush!
Evan was a “heart” boy and was endearing from the offset. His attraction to Ami was beautiful to watch, and was totally reciprocated by her. Her attitude to life and resignation, given the sadness she had experienced, was uplifting.
I will most definitely be delving into the rest of this series..
June 7, 2013
I'm really torn with rating this book. It really had potential but it just dragged on with way too much emphasis on the game of hockey itself. Too detailed about the sport, the rules, the terminology....we didn't need all of that!! I wanted more about the actual story. I was hoping it was this way in only the beginning of the book but disappointed it went on this way throughout the entire book!! I began skimming the hockey game/practice parts half way through the story. This was one of the most frustrating reads ever! The characters were great but I wanted more development of them all.
Then there were all the grammatical errors. At one point in the book they were in California for a hockey game and there was an incident (not including specifics as spoilers) the character go to a hospital there and the detective from earlier in the book (FROM CHICAGO) shows up at the hospital???WTF??? This drove me nuts!
Anyway, I wanted to like it but there were too many inconsistencies, mistakes in grammar, etc....And the good parts were way rushed while the hockey specifics droned on forever. At one point I said to my husband the book felt like Hockey for dummies :(
Disappointed
Then there were all the grammatical errors. At one point in the book they were in California for a hockey game and there was an incident (not including specifics as spoilers) the character go to a hospital there and the detective from earlier in the book (FROM CHICAGO) shows up at the hospital???WTF??? This drove me nuts!
Anyway, I wanted to like it but there were too many inconsistencies, mistakes in grammar, etc....And the good parts were way rushed while the hockey specifics droned on forever. At one point I said to my husband the book felt like Hockey for dummies :(
Disappointed
June 11, 2013
Tiny spoilers possibly???
I did not like this book. :(
First of all, I really didn't think there would be SO much about hockey! I read a review somewhere else that stated, "You don't have to like hockey to love this book." Uhhhhhh, yeah, you kind of do. I figured there would be hockey talk and play involved in this book, but WAY, WAY too much!! I skimmed through all of the hockey stuff. I TRIED to read those parts but I couldn't. Mind numbingly BORING. The H was great but there were even more parts I hated. At one point near the end, the H is narrating & he says, "I know nothing is forever, I'm not stupid." Just that one little sentence from the H really ruined any HEA for me. :(
Also, there were times while reading this when I was just confused!! The author's writing was less that clear & understandable.
The h also befriends a woman who sleeps with numerous hockey players, Evan included! Then she proceeds to ask (and LISTEN) about this woman's sexual encounters with her man!! Sick. THAT was completely unbelievable. Just awful.
I know I'm in the minority, can't fathom why or how, but this book was just.....not...good.
I did not like this book. :(
First of all, I really didn't think there would be SO much about hockey! I read a review somewhere else that stated, "You don't have to like hockey to love this book." Uhhhhhh, yeah, you kind of do. I figured there would be hockey talk and play involved in this book, but WAY, WAY too much!! I skimmed through all of the hockey stuff. I TRIED to read those parts but I couldn't. Mind numbingly BORING. The H was great but there were even more parts I hated. At one point near the end, the H is narrating & he says, "I know nothing is forever, I'm not stupid." Just that one little sentence from the H really ruined any HEA for me. :(
Also, there were times while reading this when I was just confused!! The author's writing was less that clear & understandable.
The h also befriends a woman who sleeps with numerous hockey players, Evan included! Then she proceeds to ask (and LISTEN) about this woman's sexual encounters with her man!! Sick. THAT was completely unbelievable. Just awful.
I know I'm in the minority, can't fathom why or how, but this book was just.....not...good.
June 9, 2013
Loved the uniqueness of this story, the connection between Evan and Ami was gut wrenching and beautifully written..I also liked how it didn't linger too much on Ami's ordeal etc
Loved the kick ass throwing the "glove down" and all the Hockey lingo!! Will definitely be hanging out to read book 2!!
I think if it wasn't so drawn out it would've gotten my 5 stars without a doubt..
Loved the kick ass throwing the "glove down" and all the Hockey lingo!! Will definitely be hanging out to read book 2!!
I think if it wasn't so drawn out it would've gotten my 5 stars without a doubt..
June 9, 2013
Very interesting subject matter...well written and stayed true to the ages of the main characters 18 & 21. Initially I was going to rate this 3.5* but I realized I wouldn't have been fair to the author or the book in general as I wanted more depth (which is strange given the story line) but I relaize for the ages of the characters and what they went through the depth of the characters was fitting as it would have been unrealistic to ask for more given their ages. I really liked Evan and the way he cared for Ami and the way he treated her and how their relationship grew. I also liked his committment to his team, family and friends.
I took a * off because I think there was too much detail of the actual game when they were out on ice for me I didnt need all that description I thought it could have been spent more on the couple but that aside I think this was a wonderful, inspirational story that shows us despite what we go through in life no matter how horrific that you can find light at the end of the tunnel...It also reminded me that in this life you just have to do the right thing and to simply be the best person you can be no matter what.
I took a * off because I think there was too much detail of the actual game when they were out on ice for me I didnt need all that description I thought it could have been spent more on the couple but that aside I think this was a wonderful, inspirational story that shows us despite what we go through in life no matter how horrific that you can find light at the end of the tunnel...It also reminded me that in this life you just have to do the right thing and to simply be the best person you can be no matter what.
June 8, 2013
Oh this was fab! I just couldn't put it down. The adrenaline rush from the games, the emotions behind Ami's attack and Evans struggle to help her. Just brilliant writing. Cannot wait for Leo and Callie's story in Offsides. Brilliant! X
June 10, 2013
I have been looking forward to Delayed Penalty with almost bated breath. But what a disappoint this book was. The first 35% - 40% was so slow I almost gave up on it several times. It picked up slightly but it was so repetitive. We had to read about what hockey players feel and do and how they act...all centered around them being tough and rough and kick ass. By the end of the book I was rolling my eyes. And we also had to read as the H lamented about the fragility of the h over and over and over again. He spent so much time talking about her sad and horrible past and what she went through and his anger surrounding it that her predicament no longer had an impact on me. I was bored with it.
The H's POV dragged and his voice never connected with me. By the time the H and h got together I barely cared. I should have really liked this book but the delivery was bad. The H's voice needed to not be so repetitive and it needed more kick. Too many things seemed disjointed.
And OMG what the hell was up with the whole San Jose away game? The characters are in San Jose and the H winds up at the hospital and he tells his teammate to call a Chicago detective and that detective ends up at the hospital to see him???? WTF? Did the author forget that they were at an away game in CALIFORNIA? Because later they leave the hospital to go to their hotel only to have taken a cab or whatever to their condo. What??? When did they leave San Jose? How did they get home? I thought the h didn't fly. All of the San Jose events were pretty crappy. I didn't like the resolution that yielded from that trip nor did I like how any of it was played out.
Seriously, this book had too many wonderful elements for it to end up the way that it did. I just found myself sighing way too often with irritation.
The H's POV dragged and his voice never connected with me. By the time the H and h got together I barely cared. I should have really liked this book but the delivery was bad. The H's voice needed to not be so repetitive and it needed more kick. Too many things seemed disjointed.
And OMG what the hell was up with the whole San Jose away game? The characters are in San Jose and the H winds up at the hospital and he tells his teammate to call a Chicago detective and that detective ends up at the hospital to see him???? WTF? Did the author forget that they were at an away game in CALIFORNIA? Because later they leave the hospital to go to their hotel only to have taken a cab or whatever to their condo. What??? When did they leave San Jose? How did they get home? I thought the h didn't fly. All of the San Jose events were pretty crappy. I didn't like the resolution that yielded from that trip nor did I like how any of it was played out.
Seriously, this book had too many wonderful elements for it to end up the way that it did. I just found myself sighing way too often with irritation.
June 13, 2013
This one was really up and down which was a disappointment because I love sports heroes and hockey men are my "gods". The premise of the story was interesting, Evan, a young and studdly Chicago Blackhawk hockey player saves a girl's life when he finds her near death. She has been brutally raped, assaulted, and left for dead behind a bar in downtown Chicago on Christmas Eve. He feels so connected to her that he stays with her and helps her through her ordeal. Sounds good, but it was sort of boring. I didn't find the way the rape was handled, both emotionally and throughout the story line (especially on Ami the 17 year old heroine) in a realistic manner.
There also was a lot of discrepancies such as, Ami & Evan were at an away game, but they were at home; incorrect lingo such as a "pole drag" (never heard of one of those in hockey...toe drag I have heard of.) I know these sound minor and there were others, but because of them it had me questioning if I was awake while reading the book. I started just ignoring my doubts and pushing myself to just finish it. Not a good feeling, I felt the book could and should have been a lot better than it was.
There also was a lot of discrepancies such as, Ami & Evan were at an away game, but they were at home; incorrect lingo such as a "pole drag" (never heard of one of those in hockey...toe drag I have heard of.) I know these sound minor and there were others, but because of them it had me questioning if I was awake while reading the book. I started just ignoring my doubts and pushing myself to just finish it. Not a good feeling, I felt the book could and should have been a lot better than it was.
June 11, 2013
Although I found the correlations between the game of hockey and the game of love building between the two main leads to be interestingly written, this one was a slow boat to China for me. The series definitely starts out with a solid debut; however, there is much more action on the ice than in the relationship. This may be a problem for many readers. There is no insta-sex. Beware, the story begins with a horrible attack including rape of a young virgin. What follows is a hockey player's need and desire to keep a watchful and protective eye over her. The two form a friendship that always borders on more but isn't confirmed until much later in the story. It's very touching and heartwrenching at times. The added plus for this story is found in the secondary cast, who bring some wild and hilarious moments to the storyline. Look for a rather shocking conclusion to the mystery of the attack.
December 27, 2014
4.5 surprisingly good stars!!
I have to say this book was total and pleasant surprise. I went into it expecting the 'usual' arrogant sport star/ innocent girl romance and all the stupid drama that comes along with it but Delayed Penalty was so much more than that. It was a beautiful and emotional story that actually reminded me a little of More Than This by Jay Mclean , which I also loved.
Whilst It did start off a little slow for me and initially I did feel overloaded with hockey information, I am so glad I hung in there because around the 25% point the book picks up speed and just keeps going.
It was a fantastic and emotional story. There was so much passion, pain, fear, uncertainty, loyalty and love. I absolutely adored Evan and Ami, they were both such beautiful characters.
Ami was such a strong character. She had been through so much but showed so much courage and resilience. After all she had endured the fact that she was able to open her heart and love Evan as much as she did was an incredible feat.
Evan was the perfect book boyfriend. He wasn't your typical alpha asshole, he was possessive and protective but not in an overbearing way. He was kind, passionate, sweet and incredibly determined to protect, love, cherish and heal this beautiful girl. He came from a great home with a wonderful family that had instilled him with morals and values that he would always fight for.
From the moment he saved her and the moment she woke up, Ami and Evan shared a powerful and mutual instant connection that drew them to each other. It was an intense connection that neither of them truly understood, they had never met each other before but the overwhelming feelings they had made them feel complete in each others presence.
Whilst most people would consider it insta-love there was actually a really beautiful (slightly frustrating) build up to their physical relationship. I love that it was all built on friendship, trust and love. It made it all the more worthwhile in the end.
This book dealt with some emotionally hard issues (including rape) but they were handled both honestly and compassionately. Apart from the initial hockey talk overload the writing and the story was wonderful. It was told from the perspectives of both Evan and Ami which allowed for great insight and flowed so well you do not want to put it down. There were also some fantastic secondary characters, I especially liked Leo and Callie and look forward to reading their stories.
Delayed Penalty was a great read and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a story about the power of true love with a sport theme, memorable characters and good amount of emotion.
I have to say this book was total and pleasant surprise. I went into it expecting the 'usual' arrogant sport star/ innocent girl romance and all the stupid drama that comes along with it but Delayed Penalty was so much more than that. It was a beautiful and emotional story that actually reminded me a little of More Than This by Jay Mclean , which I also loved.
Whilst It did start off a little slow for me and initially I did feel overloaded with hockey information, I am so glad I hung in there because around the 25% point the book picks up speed and just keeps going.
It was a fantastic and emotional story. There was so much passion, pain, fear, uncertainty, loyalty and love. I absolutely adored Evan and Ami, they were both such beautiful characters.
Ami was such a strong character. She had been through so much but showed so much courage and resilience. After all she had endured the fact that she was able to open her heart and love Evan as much as she did was an incredible feat.
Evan was the perfect book boyfriend. He wasn't your typical alpha asshole, he was possessive and protective but not in an overbearing way. He was kind, passionate, sweet and incredibly determined to protect, love, cherish and heal this beautiful girl. He came from a great home with a wonderful family that had instilled him with morals and values that he would always fight for.
From the moment he saved her and the moment she woke up, Ami and Evan shared a powerful and mutual instant connection that drew them to each other. It was an intense connection that neither of them truly understood, they had never met each other before but the overwhelming feelings they had made them feel complete in each others presence.
Whilst most people would consider it insta-love there was actually a really beautiful (slightly frustrating) build up to their physical relationship. I love that it was all built on friendship, trust and love. It made it all the more worthwhile in the end.
This book dealt with some emotionally hard issues (including rape) but they were handled both honestly and compassionately. Apart from the initial hockey talk overload the writing and the story was wonderful. It was told from the perspectives of both Evan and Ami which allowed for great insight and flowed so well you do not want to put it down. There were also some fantastic secondary characters, I especially liked Leo and Callie and look forward to reading their stories.
Delayed Penalty was a great read and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a story about the power of true love with a sport theme, memorable characters and good amount of emotion.
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