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Men of Steele #2.2
Playing It Cool
When Spencer’s old college roommate offers him a job at Steele Construction, he doesn’t hesitate. Not only does he get to be closer to his sister and her family, he may finally have the chance to repair the rift between himself and his parents.
His parents live only three hours away but it may as well be on Mars as a blizzard moving up the coast has him seeking refuge at The Red Gate Inn. Spencer prides himself on playing it cool, but something about the raven-haired innkeeper has him overheated.
As a single working mom, Gina didn’t get much time to herself. With her mom and daughter off to Florida for a week, and the inn she owns closed for the holidays, she is looking forward to some me time. Then it started to snow. In good conscience she couldn’t turn away her brother’s newest employee when he needed shelter from the storm, but her guest has her feeling anything but professional.
It may be cold outside but things are heating up at the Inn.
His parents live only three hours away but it may as well be on Mars as a blizzard moving up the coast has him seeking refuge at The Red Gate Inn. Spencer prides himself on playing it cool, but something about the raven-haired innkeeper has him overheated.
As a single working mom, Gina didn’t get much time to herself. With her mom and daughter off to Florida for a week, and the inn she owns closed for the holidays, she is looking forward to some me time. Then it started to snow. In good conscience she couldn’t turn away her brother’s newest employee when he needed shelter from the storm, but her guest has her feeling anything but professional.
It may be cold outside but things are heating up at the Inn.
108 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 9, 2018
1 person want to read
About the author
Zoe Mullins
10 books8 followersThe only reason Zoë learned to type in high school was so she could improve her word count. A prolific writer, even in elementary school, she was forever jotting down poems and stories whenever she had the chance - usually during math class.
After years of working in corporate communications, she decided to refocus on the kind of writing she loves – hot romances with strong, independent heroines.
She and her husband of 20+years (yes they did get married in elementary school - thank you very much) live in Atlantic Canada with their K9 fur-family (Karma and Moxie). When not at her desk or with her aptop in the gazebo, you can find her at her favorite yoga studio, or working with her husband to renovate their money-pit of a house.
After years of working in corporate communications, she decided to refocus on the kind of writing she loves – hot romances with strong, independent heroines.
She and her husband of 20+years (yes they did get married in elementary school - thank you very much) live in Atlantic Canada with their K9 fur-family (Karma and Moxie). When not at her desk or with her aptop in the gazebo, you can find her at her favorite yoga studio, or working with her husband to renovate their money-pit of a house.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 12, 2018
I volunteered to review this book without any promises about the review (the rating or the posting).
I was aware going in that this was a companion style novella based on minor characters of the full series. What I didn't realize was there was some light BDSM involved. However, that didn't deter me from reading.
The following is my personal opinion and thoughts about many aspects of this book and its author.
COVER: ✯✯✯ - Well I love the cover....I don't believe it fits perfect with the book or the story. This is a steamy book and the cover is just a little too sweet. I do however see why Miss Mullins used it and how it fits with the overall plot.
PLOT: ✯✯✯✯ - I was happy that the main characters from the series did not appear in this novella. (well, not till the epilogue). Being a companion to the series, I preferred to hear from the minor character and the new character. This was a solid start to a plot I see coming in future books. With that said, there was the preferred build up to the climax. (no pun intended). This wasn't a filler plot but an introduction and for that I appreciated a preview into what lies in the main series.
WRITING STYLE: ✯✯✯✯✯ - Miss Mullins doesn't disappoint with her writing style. I didn't find her words generic or overused. There was a beautiful blending of descriptive feelings to convey the scenery and the emotions.
CHARACTERS: ✯✯✯✯ - With this being a novella...there was little time to bring Spencer and Gina's characters to full development. But a solid foundation was definitely made for future books.
OVERALL FLOW: ✯✯✯✯✯ - This was an easy read. I didn't find myself bored and before I knew it....I had finished the book. I must admit I was a little sad it was over, but then I realized there were more books in this series I can read. :D
Gina is a single mom with a self-absorb childish ex. Well that's how I see him. Spencer is her brother's newest employee. They knew each other years earlier, but never had a relationship (friendship or otherwise) back then. Years change a person physically, mentally, emotionally and they have both grown up. Hence where the sparks start flying.
I appreciated this book, but truly wished it was longer. I know that companion books are suppose to be short, but I enjoyed this book so much that I didn't want it to end. I will be reading the series and hope the main characters there are as delightful as these two were.
Under no circumstances was I approached by the author to read or review this book. I offered without any agreement or promise for any compensation. I am voluntarily giving my opinion about this book. My only affiliation with the author is that I am a fan and want to support by reading and posting this review of my own free will.
I was aware going in that this was a companion style novella based on minor characters of the full series. What I didn't realize was there was some light BDSM involved. However, that didn't deter me from reading.
The following is my personal opinion and thoughts about many aspects of this book and its author.
COVER: ✯✯✯ - Well I love the cover....I don't believe it fits perfect with the book or the story. This is a steamy book and the cover is just a little too sweet. I do however see why Miss Mullins used it and how it fits with the overall plot.
PLOT: ✯✯✯✯ - I was happy that the main characters from the series did not appear in this novella. (well, not till the epilogue). Being a companion to the series, I preferred to hear from the minor character and the new character. This was a solid start to a plot I see coming in future books. With that said, there was the preferred build up to the climax. (no pun intended). This wasn't a filler plot but an introduction and for that I appreciated a preview into what lies in the main series.
WRITING STYLE: ✯✯✯✯✯ - Miss Mullins doesn't disappoint with her writing style. I didn't find her words generic or overused. There was a beautiful blending of descriptive feelings to convey the scenery and the emotions.
CHARACTERS: ✯✯✯✯ - With this being a novella...there was little time to bring Spencer and Gina's characters to full development. But a solid foundation was definitely made for future books.
OVERALL FLOW: ✯✯✯✯✯ - This was an easy read. I didn't find myself bored and before I knew it....I had finished the book. I must admit I was a little sad it was over, but then I realized there were more books in this series I can read. :D
Gina is a single mom with a self-absorb childish ex. Well that's how I see him. Spencer is her brother's newest employee. They knew each other years earlier, but never had a relationship (friendship or otherwise) back then. Years change a person physically, mentally, emotionally and they have both grown up. Hence where the sparks start flying.
I appreciated this book, but truly wished it was longer. I know that companion books are suppose to be short, but I enjoyed this book so much that I didn't want it to end. I will be reading the series and hope the main characters there are as delightful as these two were.
Under no circumstances was I approached by the author to read or review this book. I offered without any agreement or promise for any compensation. I am voluntarily giving my opinion about this book. My only affiliation with the author is that I am a fan and want to support by reading and posting this review of my own free will.
January 2, 2018
Spencer Montgomery is on his way home when he gets stuck in a snowstorm that leads him to the Red Gate Inn, owned by the sister of his close friend, Ben.
Gina Damaso is a single mother who runs the Red Gate Inn. She is trying to move on with her life since splitting with her ex-boyfriend, Rafe.
When Spencer and Gina meet sparks fly but will Gina allow herself to get close to another man, especially one that may be in the same lifestyle as her brother?
This was a good book about love when you least expect it and taking chances.
I liked how Spencer was coming back home and learning about his family. There were so many parts about his hippie parents that had me laughing as they were so extreme.
I thought it was interesting how Gina said a few things that showed she knew about the lifestyle her brother was in but never knew for sure it Spencer was that way. Spencer and Gina definitely had chemistry but you didn't really know what was going to happen with them having sex.
This was a good quick read and I am looking forward to more books in the series.
Gina Damaso is a single mother who runs the Red Gate Inn. She is trying to move on with her life since splitting with her ex-boyfriend, Rafe.
When Spencer and Gina meet sparks fly but will Gina allow herself to get close to another man, especially one that may be in the same lifestyle as her brother?
This was a good book about love when you least expect it and taking chances.
I liked how Spencer was coming back home and learning about his family. There were so many parts about his hippie parents that had me laughing as they were so extreme.
I thought it was interesting how Gina said a few things that showed she knew about the lifestyle her brother was in but never knew for sure it Spencer was that way. Spencer and Gina definitely had chemistry but you didn't really know what was going to happen with them having sex.
This was a good quick read and I am looking forward to more books in the series.
January 10, 2018
Playing it Cool is a short novella that is part of the Men of Steels series. It stood up fairly well as a stand alone, however, I think readers would benefit from reading the other books to get a sense of how these two characters fit into the overall picture. I thought it was a cute story. However, it was a bit fast, going from "hi" to bed in a matter of 24 hours. I would have liked it to be longer. They did have a brief meeting when Gina was younger, but nothing significant to make them feel that comfortable with each other. I also was not aware that there was some BDSM in the story as well as the series. So if that isn't your thing you might not like this novella. For a BDSM story, this was fairly mild.
January 22, 2018
I was looking for a nice cozy read during another one of our snow days and this book jumped out at me and begging for me to read it. And I am so glad that I did. For starters her name is Gina, I like that name...lol This was a nice short read that left me wanting more
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews