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New Jersey Ice Cats #5
A Perfect Strategy
Is there really life after hockey?
If there's one thing Scotty Matthews knows, it's hockey. Unfortunately, the former New Jersey Ice Cats captain isn't proving successful at life after hockey. His wife's left him and he's lost his post-ice job as a media commentator. All he's got now is a big empty show house.
If there's one thing Sapphire Houlihan knows, it's that she never wants to be tied down to anyone or anything ever again. Unfortunately for her, a wonderful one-weekend distraction with Scotty turns into something much more complicated… Because he's a guy who wants way more than one weekend.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2017
2 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
Anna Sugden
23 books126 followersAward-winning author, Anna Sugden, loves reading romance novels and watching films with happy endings. She also loves watching hockey and football, where she prefers a happy ending for her teams (Go Devils, Man UTD, Exeter, ‘Skins!). When she’s not researching hockey players (for her books, of course), she makes craft projects and collects penguins, autographs and memorabilia, and great shoes.
A former marketing executive and primary teacher, Anna lives in Cambridge, England, with her husband and two bossy black cats. Learn more about Anna, her books and her shoes at www.annasugden.com . You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
A former marketing executive and primary teacher, Anna lives in Cambridge, England, with her husband and two bossy black cats. Learn more about Anna, her books and her shoes at www.annasugden.com . You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 18, 2017
Another New Jersey Ice Cats story that focuses on business woman Saffire Houlihan. Sex is fine, but she has no intention of really getting close to a man. Instead, she has her business and the people she meets and works with through that venue. Then she meets and has sex with (a one-off, right?) form hockey captain Scott Matthews, now in the back office of the team after his retirement from pro hockey play.
Although divorced, Scott is looking for a steady commitment with a woman and he thinks he can have that with Saffie, though he's aware she has always run from a relationship that lasts more than a weekend.
How they end up having to work together when her boss buys the team and what that means for their respective approaches to man-woman activities is both intriguing and a bit different from the usual romance. Perhaps because I appreciated a woman who's strong in spite of the pain of her backstory and whose strength is reflected in her business dealings as well as how she loves... Then again, the man she finally falls for deserves someone like her. And he's not bad, either.
Although divorced, Scott is looking for a steady commitment with a woman and he thinks he can have that with Saffie, though he's aware she has always run from a relationship that lasts more than a weekend.
How they end up having to work together when her boss buys the team and what that means for their respective approaches to man-woman activities is both intriguing and a bit different from the usual romance. Perhaps because I appreciated a woman who's strong in spite of the pain of her backstory and whose strength is reflected in her business dealings as well as how she loves... Then again, the man she finally falls for deserves someone like her. And he's not bad, either.
March 16, 2017
When it comes to men, Sapphire Houlihan has always avoided commitment. She enjoys being with men and having fun, but she wants no-strings attached relationships. Sapphie loves her job and is very happy with her life just the way it is.
Scotty Matthews has had to deal with a lot of big life changes within the last year. He retired from playing hockey, changed jobs, and got divorced from his wife of many years. Scott is the kind of guy who prefers commitment as part of his relationships, and he is returning to the world of dating for the first time since he was 18 years old.
So what happens when these two begin to spend time together? Sparks leap off the page, of course! There is instant chemistry between them in their first encounter, and that chemistry continues throughout the book. Scott is the first guy that makes Sapphire start to rethink her stance on relationships and what she really wants in her future. It was a great joy to read about these two characters learning to compromise and finally coming together.
*I received a copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.*
Scotty Matthews has had to deal with a lot of big life changes within the last year. He retired from playing hockey, changed jobs, and got divorced from his wife of many years. Scott is the kind of guy who prefers commitment as part of his relationships, and he is returning to the world of dating for the first time since he was 18 years old.
So what happens when these two begin to spend time together? Sparks leap off the page, of course! There is instant chemistry between them in their first encounter, and that chemistry continues throughout the book. Scott is the first guy that makes Sapphire start to rethink her stance on relationships and what she really wants in her future. It was a great joy to read about these two characters learning to compromise and finally coming together.
*I received a copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.*
June 3, 2020
Once again I am lost in the world of ice hockey and even more so this time in the corporate world behind it. Who knew that the details behind hitting a puck around an ice rink were so complicated? Comparing this to A Perfect Trade (also in the Wildcats series) much more time is spent on the behind-the-scenes management and politics of the company team, which still amazes me, but I guess that's high level sports. Everything becomes more and more expensive and the stakes get bigger and bigger. A lot of time is spent on this, which I appreciated as I still don't understand it it very well.
Successful consultancy owner Sapphire has rules about relationships: she doesn't do them. A one-time casual encounter with Scott, former Ice Cats captain and new assistant general manager of the team develops into something neither expected or was looking for. Troubled by her past, Sapphire won't commit to anything more than a "one and done" approach to men, while Scott is still hurting from a divorce, and looking for meaning in a materially comfortable but empty life.
The two protagonists are both successful, wealthy and influential in their spheres, but accountable to higher powers - in this case the Ice Cats company just purchased by the genial and avuncular but indomitable new owner Marty, a wealthy collector of sports teams. Tension arises when Scott and Sapphire are (inevitably) placed on opposite sides of the board where their professional natures conflict. Sapphire favours a more corporate approach with fiscal constraints to address the clubs financial problems where Scott favours the fans and more personal relationship with them and a riskier expansionary strategy.
This conflict in the management of the Ice Cats holds equal place with the steamy relationship building between the two as their professional and personal lives clash and entangle with delightful complexity as they struggle to keep everything in balance without sacrificing anything, and keeping their relationship a secret from their colleagues - all while meeting deadlines and forging a new marketing strategy for the Ice Cats.
To be honest I actually got more caught up in the wheeling and dealing of the company than the romance, and about halfway through as the expected trough loomed, I was getting a bit annoyed at how stubborn they both were. Neither was prepared to compromise, leading to a break driving them apart. It's pretty hard to see how something amazing can be ruined so quickly by a lack of communication and assumptions.
Towards the end even though I was enjoying the story I hadn't been touched and thought this might be it but then in the reunion I was caught defenceless as Sugden showed what she can do. Nice shot, well played.
Successful consultancy owner Sapphire has rules about relationships: she doesn't do them. A one-time casual encounter with Scott, former Ice Cats captain and new assistant general manager of the team develops into something neither expected or was looking for. Troubled by her past, Sapphire won't commit to anything more than a "one and done" approach to men, while Scott is still hurting from a divorce, and looking for meaning in a materially comfortable but empty life.
The two protagonists are both successful, wealthy and influential in their spheres, but accountable to higher powers - in this case the Ice Cats company just purchased by the genial and avuncular but indomitable new owner Marty, a wealthy collector of sports teams. Tension arises when Scott and Sapphire are (inevitably) placed on opposite sides of the board where their professional natures conflict. Sapphire favours a more corporate approach with fiscal constraints to address the clubs financial problems where Scott favours the fans and more personal relationship with them and a riskier expansionary strategy.
This conflict in the management of the Ice Cats holds equal place with the steamy relationship building between the two as their professional and personal lives clash and entangle with delightful complexity as they struggle to keep everything in balance without sacrificing anything, and keeping their relationship a secret from their colleagues - all while meeting deadlines and forging a new marketing strategy for the Ice Cats.
To be honest I actually got more caught up in the wheeling and dealing of the company than the romance, and about halfway through as the expected trough loomed, I was getting a bit annoyed at how stubborn they both were. Neither was prepared to compromise, leading to a break driving them apart. It's pretty hard to see how something amazing can be ruined so quickly by a lack of communication and assumptions.
Towards the end even though I was enjoying the story I hadn't been touched and thought this might be it but then in the reunion I was caught defenceless as Sugden showed what she can do. Nice shot, well played.
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February 2, 2017Miniseries: The New Jersey Ice Cats
April 10, 2017
Anna Sugden's Perfect Strategy hits the mark! The story follows retired pro-hockey player Scott Matthews and businesswoman Sapphire Houlihan, who now works for the New Jersey Ice Cats but has been a longtime fan. The pair are as opposite as night and day when it comes to how they view relationships: he is a one-woman commitment man while she is more of the type not to let things get too serious or else they might get attached. At an Ice Cats event, they hit it off and decide to check out of the party and into a hotel room. The rest, as they say, is history.
A Perfect Strategy is a fun read! It incorporates all of the necessary elements in a good love story (tension, drama, family background and friendships), but also looks behind the scenes at the business of pro hockey and what it takes to climb the ranks even off the ice. Though I'm not much of a hockey fan (and probably one of few Canadians who will admit to that), it was still interesting to view the sport from a different angle. Non-hockey fans will enjoy this read because the author knew this is a story about the characters and therefore focused primarily on their personal stories. Hockey was incorporated throughout, but never overshadowed what A Perfect Strategy is primarily about.
5 stars to Anna Sugden for this one. I'll be on the lookout for more about the Ice Cats.
A Perfect Strategy is a fun read! It incorporates all of the necessary elements in a good love story (tension, drama, family background and friendships), but also looks behind the scenes at the business of pro hockey and what it takes to climb the ranks even off the ice. Though I'm not much of a hockey fan (and probably one of few Canadians who will admit to that), it was still interesting to view the sport from a different angle. Non-hockey fans will enjoy this read because the author knew this is a story about the characters and therefore focused primarily on their personal stories. Hockey was incorporated throughout, but never overshadowed what A Perfect Strategy is primarily about.
5 stars to Anna Sugden for this one. I'll be on the lookout for more about the Ice Cats.
May 1, 2017
If there ever were two people that were perfect for each other than these two are, retired ice-hockey captain Scott Matthews and business consultant Sapphire Houlihan, oh but there are a few hurdles to cross before they both see this. Scott has been having a hard time settling into life after ice-hockey and a divorce and well Sapphie has had such a hard childhood that commitment is way too much for her but love has a way of changing lives.
When Scott takes on a new job in the office of his beloved Ice Cats he does not expect to run into the woman that he has not forgotten after a very sexy sensual weekend at their friend’s wedding, but now it seems that they will be working close together and the sparks are still there, can he convince her that they can have a relationship and work together?
Sapphie lives her life to the fullest she has built her company up and works hard she has her flings but there is no way that she wants anything permanent but now that she is working closely with Scott she is feeling the pull and can feel her life changing, there is so much going on and their time together is just the best and life is complicated can she change?
I am loving this series and I think this is my favourite so far, Scott is such a gorgeous hero and Sapphie strong and caring and what a story it is, it has everything it is so very sensual and so very moving I cried, I smiled and I sighed thank you MS Sugden for another keeper you have given me hours of reading pleasure and of course it was wonderful catching up with friends. I highly recommend this one it is a must read one you will not want to put down.
When Scott takes on a new job in the office of his beloved Ice Cats he does not expect to run into the woman that he has not forgotten after a very sexy sensual weekend at their friend’s wedding, but now it seems that they will be working close together and the sparks are still there, can he convince her that they can have a relationship and work together?
Sapphie lives her life to the fullest she has built her company up and works hard she has her flings but there is no way that she wants anything permanent but now that she is working closely with Scott she is feeling the pull and can feel her life changing, there is so much going on and their time together is just the best and life is complicated can she change?
I am loving this series and I think this is my favourite so far, Scott is such a gorgeous hero and Sapphie strong and caring and what a story it is, it has everything it is so very sensual and so very moving I cried, I smiled and I sighed thank you MS Sugden for another keeper you have given me hours of reading pleasure and of course it was wonderful catching up with friends. I highly recommend this one it is a must read one you will not want to put down.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews