Ice Gladiators

Locker Room Love #3

by Genevive Chamblee

Once the line is crossed, every penalty is major. Dalek "Taz" Tazandlakova is the epitome of a hockey player--tall, broad, and powerful. As a forward for the Lafayette Ice Water Moccasins, he's also the physical embodiment of domination and intimidation. He's everything Liam Jolivet isn't. Liam possesses an inner strength and confidence Taz has never mastered. On the surface, Liam appears to be a perfect match for Taz. The problem is, Liam is dating Taz's roommate. It's not the only problem, either. Taz is a "playa" and has commitment issues--along with a pain-in-the-ass coach who's threatening to ruin his career, and a second roommate who wants to dictate his social life for his own personal gain. Nevertheless, Taz wants Liam, and Liam appears to want to reciprocate. Do they dare cross the line?

Genres: Sports, Hockey, M M Romance, Romance, Gay, Contemporary

208 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2020

About the author

Genevive Chamblee lives in the bayou country in the deep south where sweet tea, football, good music, and colorful family is gospel. She writes contemporary romance, erotic romance, fantasy romance, the occult, Creole culture, and southern drama.

Genevive's Novels and Short Stories:

Locker Room Love Series
Out of the Penalty Box (Hot Tree Publishing)
Defending the Net (Hot Tree Publishing)
Ice Gladiators (Hot Tree Publishing)
Penalty Kill (Hot Tree Publishing)
Future Goals (Hot Tree Publishing)

Life's Roux: Wrong Doors (Red Sage Publishing)

“Harmonious Variation" (Symphony Amore Erotic Stories of Love and Music)
"Cargo" (Pirates: Boys Behaving Badly Anthology #3).
"Country Club Charades" (Fake For You)

Holiday Heart Warmers Anthology
“Valentine Mistletoe” (Cupid’s Bow)
“Oasis Haze” (Mysterious Hearts)
"Under the Magnolia Tree" (Haunted Hearts)

Reviews

[books are love · Rating 4 out of 5]

So what I love most about Taz is that he has integrity. His roommates no nope no way. Him yes. He respects them, is loyal to them and trusts them and they are just a bunch of turdballs. Taz is a good guy. He is a good player and doesn’t believe in what the coach is asking him to do. He sticks to being who he is and using his talents and that to me is the best thing. Especially after he meets who he does at the meeting he went to. I think he deserves to get all that he does and find love. He was a hard worker and nice. He didn’t use his dad’s influence or money to get anywhere and made it on his own.

Liam was smart, funny and sweet. He was stuck in a sucky situation. He and Taz were attracted to one another but was with Taz’s roommate. Taz didn’t feel it was right to date Liam due to this but the attraction and chemistry was through the roof. My kindle steamed everytime they were on the same page together. It is Liam who helps Taz with so many things. He helps him with believing in himself. With beginning to trust in a relationship and want one again. In healing and letting his dad in and just in believing he is worth it. I hated seeing him go through the meat grinder due to Taz’s roommates and how they mess with him and Taz. That was just wrong on so many levels.

The romance was steamy and sweet. Taz and Liam began as friends and became more. It was a long road for them due to the evil turdballs that Taz called friends and roommates. Those guys truly deserve all they get. When the do get together it is so precious and wonderful. They build each other up, respect and support each other. And the story of Taz and his career and how he faces a moment and makes the right decision and it is this decision that helps him grow and go further is wonderful to see.

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third hockey romance in this series has quite a different feel from the first two: there is more focus on hockey and its politics, more time “on the ice” so to speak, and the main character plays in the minors and faces all the resulting issues. Anytime money is a factor, power politics emerge, and hockey teams and their owners are no exceptions. There were hints of this in the first two books of the series, but more of the behind-the-scenes wrangling becomes obvious here. Whatever is going on, I only got hints and there is no resolution. I guess I’ll have to wait for the next book in this exciting series!


Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[The Quille and Lampe · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I Think: This tale starts up a tad twisted because I don’t see how these 2 are going to come together but it’s a process I’m so here for.
Liam is definitely with the wrong person. Just as Taz is too sweet to be single. Liam’s intelligence and ambition make him so damn attractive to me and I already want to smash the person he’s seeing because what they have can’t be called a relationship.
I love how Taz’ full name sounds almost androgynous but why oh why would anyone give him roomies this horrible? I want to take a hockey stick to them both. But Taz is doing something I wouldn’t forgive if I were Victor and it has me so conflicted. I’m even upset with sweet, lovable and perfectly nerdy Liam because I need to blame the coming mess on someone. As a nerd who knows nothing about sports, it’s awe inspiring the way athletes push themselves, turn and use their bodies as weapons and sport tales always leave me feeling awe-struck and less than superhuman.
Taz is broken, so broken that he doesn’t even know how bad it is. His thoughts of self loathing and nothingness are so familiar that Nordic god or not, I badly wanted to protect him. The people he’s surrounded by are such shitty idiots that only my determination to see him get a fucking great ending kept me going. I stopped several times because I needed to scream my rage into my pillow. And then things start to unravel in the wake of possible sexual harassment that had me pumping my fist in the air at how smart I’m getting (I sincerely apologize for my pride). I knew it! I knew something was going on between those assholes but I forgot my hunch in the mental fuckery that took place. But Liam is perfectly what he needs. So perfect that I’m glad he had the the courage to open up his heart in spite of all his reservations. Even happier that Liam did not back down, did not close himself off and makes Taz a better human being.
Taz is a fucking hero to have endured what he’s been through and still not be too scared to reach for his dream when it came. So many of us would be stuck in our heads and locked up by pain but my boy just keeps on doing what’s needed as he accepted the offer of a lifetime and had my heart pounding in my mouth and my butt at the edge of my bed as that final game began. And yes! It was glorious and everything Taz deserved but it still felt like it ended too soon!

Verdict? A romantic sports tale that is as well balanced with the sweet and the bitter as pure chocolate.

Do visit the blog post for a gorgeous giveaway!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taz is a hockey player - one that hasn't made it to the big time yet. He's on a team with a coach that seems to despise him and blame him for every mistake. Taz shares a house with two of his best friends and is estranged from his family. Liam has been involved with Taz's friend but Liam is fed up of the hot and cold and actually wants Taz.

Taz is caught up in a number of morale dilemmas here. He is asked to be more physical and deliberately cut players up as a way of increasing attendance at their games. He is asked to start a relationship with a man who could save his and his friend's jobs, despite the fact that this guy is no better than a snake. He also discovers he has feelings for the guy who is seeing one of his friends. What I like about Taz though is that his value compass is strong and doesn't stray too far from it...except in the case of Liam.

There is a warning at the beginning of this book as elements may be a trigger. From this I was expecting more and for it be an integral part of the story but it didn't feel as though it was fully explored or dealt with. That being said, I found myself willing these two together and finding their HEA. Both had integrity, passion and courage to stand by what they believed in.

***Reviewed for LBM Book Blog***

[Cheryl_cajun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Dalek "Taz" never had real trust when it came to people, after all they always let you down.  Something was off with his roommates after a blind date set up gone wrong they just couldn't take a hints to leave it alone. Liam was supposed to be off limits being Victors guy but was he really? With all the self doubting Taz is in a real down spiral with all the pressures from his hockey coach and roommates. Can he have one good thing come out of his life? You get villians of multiple choice (good luck picking just one) all the above was mine! This was such a great story with the new Orleans vibe and what could happen given half a chance in life.

[Wizard Reviews · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stilted and unbelievable

This book was a freebie and I can see why. I struggled to read this book all the way through, desperately wanting it to improve but was disappointed. It seemed to me as if the author tried too hard to make up descriptive phrases and ended up sounding as if it came from a person with English as a second language, weird and stilted. Other parts were like a rip off of a tourist brochure with the MC giving a lecture on tourist attractions. I will not be looking into any more of this authors books.

[Edga · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was quite interesting, however, I feel that it could have been executed better. I really struggled with some of the characters. Some of them really did border on being archetype baddies, classic villains whose goal is to terrorise and attempt to defeat the main character. Taz was such a downtrodden MC, I just wanted to torture those who were making his life a misery. I also found the ending a bit abrupt, and would've liked more about the fate of Taz and Liam.

[michelle Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Taz and Liam are great characters and their story was good, I just felt it dragged out. And at times I was confused as to what was going on. I felt my mind going to other things while reading it. Like it couldn’t hold my attention. It could just be me so give it a read for yourself.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has read my mind (I have not yet posted my reviews on the first two books) and there is more on page match play. Maybe because we needed to know more about the bad side of teams and management, at least in fiction.
Taz was having a hard time on the team and Liam seemed to be able to see what Taz had been unable to share.
This book also ends in a cliffhanger, but the fourth book is longer so I am hoping loose ends will be tied up.
I received a copy from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.

[Daniel Brehm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again, so many unresolved issues

It seems to be my opinion for this whole series, but I hate it when a story leaves you feeling unsatisfied! It's a really good story, with good developed characters. The prose is goid, but they endings, in all three books, leave you hanging and feeling unresolved! Sorry, I can't rate it higher, but I can't!

[Amanda D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love conquers all

Ok this one definitely makes up for the last one. I liked this book. I enjoyed reading about Liam and Taz. I liked that they had to learn such a hard lesson about what and who their true friends were. I do wish it was a big longer as it felt a little unfinished but other than that it was a fun read.

[Sarah Mitcham · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Friendships.

MM, Sports based, romance, easy to read with likeable characters. Things happening throughout the book that may or not all be connected. Twists in the plot , my favourite story in the series so far as the story felt more complete although there's still alot of things that have been left incomplete ATM.

[Carrie Weston · Rating 5 out of 5]

‪Taz is a broken man inside but determined to get the career of his dreams. Liam is sweet, honest and too kind- his boyfriend doesn’t appreciate him and he longs for a more meaningful relationship.‬

[Alexa · Rating 1 out of 5]

So we’re just going to bury THAT scene?? Dude was assaulted and he’s just fine???

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started reading this with some trepidation after reading the first two in the series. The first two both had likable protagonists but the plots were marred by problematic story-telling. This book sort of follows that same trend. Taz seems like a great guy and it's clear that Liam and he would make a cute couple if we could just get Taz away from the loathsome Spenser and Liam away from the irksome Victor. Spenser can't be bothered to remember the name of the team Taz plays hockey for? Even though Spenser's firm owns their franchise?

When characters that are supposed to be professional hockey players start spouting dialogue like “You go through trades faster than condoms in a hole-punching factory...” I start having credibility problems. And what does it mean when an author misspells her main character's three letter name?

Mixed in with the poorly crafted writing though are elements that make these interesting. In this one we get some great details about the fictional city of Saint Anne that seems to be based on New Orleans. Cable cars, mardis gras float manufacturers, historical fountains and pre-civil war hobo hieroglyphs. And the sex scenes are well written with just the right mix of hotness and humor. Though I did have one laugh out loud moment when I pieced together what Liam was surprised at when he discovered that Taz's carpet didn't match the electric blue drapes.

Both main characters are easy to feel sympathy with and the way their relationship builds is fun to see. I just wish that there were more of the good stuff amid the annoying stuff. I'm one of those that's drawn to M/M romance because I like spending time with characters falling for each other. There was that here, but there were also way too many characters that I wouldn't give the time of day to.

***Note: I am voluntarily reviewing this after receiving a complimentary copy ***

[GhostMMreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahead of the publishing of Penalty Kill, the 4th book of the series, I decided to binge-read the first three stories, of which I received ARC copies.

Genevieve Chamblee is a new author to me and I found her writing style interesting and slightly out of the more mainstream and successful MM novels.

The first three stories are written from only one POV, but thanks to well-written dialogues, the intentions, feelings, and thoughts of the second MC are easily intelligible.

Furthermore, the author picks up the MCs at a specific moment in their life, where they already know each other but something happens that causes their connection to change. The romance level is pretty low and the MCs first intercourse almost always feels like a hookup rather than part of a developing love relationship (except in the third book Ice Gladiators).

The background world of hockey is not described as this shiny environment where everybody on the team is like a family. On the contrary: in each book, there is always a moment of disclosure of slimy, corrupt, and disdainful behavior by friends, managers, and other affiliates that serves the purpose of further highlighting the good of the love interest of the MC.

In the end, all books’ ends tend to the HFN because the author does not indulge in carrying on with the story once the MCs have declared their feelings and set the first cornerstones of a hopefully happy future.

Overall these books were entertaining, although at times pretty cynical, short reads.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Okays so we do get ice time in this one & that made me happy. So Taz is in the minors and is having issues with his couch, who doesn't like Taz at all. The couch is a real tool. After seeing a major fight with their major team, he thinks that if he has his guys physically attack the other teams their playing that it will bring in more fans. What he is purposing is unethical and the players want nothing to do with it. Not only were there a ton of penalties & game suspensions but also fines assessed. Not something a minor player can easily fork over as they do not make nearly enough money as the majors. Liam is Taz's roommate's sort of boyfriend, I guess really a hook up. Liam & Taz are drawn to each other but Taz pushes back until Liam tells him that it's over with Vic, the roommate. I hated the roommates from the moment we meet them, they were just off. So his other roommate, Jackson, keeps pushing this other guy on Taz & Taz wants nothing to do with him. It was all a convoluted mess. Taz does hook up with Liam a couple of times, but gets read the riot act by Jackson. Vic jumps in on that & claims that Liam is his boyfriend, though he really can't comfortably say it. It does come out why Vic & Jackson did what they did & I was right to hate them. Things start falling into place for our MC's in a very rapid fire. And then the book just ends.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion.

[K. McDevitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I came across in this series, and I enjoyed it. I liked the financial, friend, and family complications woven in. I haaaaaaaated Taz's coach and worried about his health and career every time there was a game or practice. I never warmed to his friends/roommates. But I looooved Liam--his kindness, his cleverness, his ambition, his honesty, his friendliness. And I could see what Taz saw in the man. I love how their strengths and weaknesses balanced each other. However, I agree with Taz at being skeptical about Liam's taste for white décor and clothing; I'm too much of a clutz.

The only weak point of this story for me was that Taz was supposed to be fond of casual hookups rather than relationships, and I just didn't see it. Maybe it's because I came in at book 3 and missed some of that behavior in previous books? He was so drawn to Liam from the beginning that just being told about it wasn't enough to make me believe it was a hurdle for him to overcome. Taz and Liam had obvious, strong chemistry. I had no doubt they'd get their happy ever after, but it was satisfying nonetheless when they did.

[MJ's Book Blog and Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by: Jennifer
(3.5 stars)

The third book in this MM hockey world that Genevive Chamblee has created, and last book I said this didn't seem to be about hockey. Well, she fixed that with this story. This has loads of hockey in it. Taz's story of how he is in the minors and trying to make it, living with an annoying roommate, who keeps trying to hook him up with someone that is more annoying than the roommate. All the while, Taz is attracted to Liam, but Liam is off limits as he is in some sort of relationship with Vic, another one of Taz's friends. This story had some serious drama, but I didn't really feel the chemistry between Liam and Taz, maybe it was my frustration with Taz at how he was letting his friends play him, IDK. I give this 3.5 stars.

[Christopher Shelton · Rating 2 out of 5]

As much as I’ve enjoyed this series, I feel this book was the weakest. There was just too much happening and the ending was unrealistic. There’s HEA, sure, but not every wrong can be righted in a few pages.

This book continues the overarching plot that is shared between the books, but focuses on a minors player, Taz, and his struggles with his coach, his team, his roommates, his family, and his budding relationship with one of his roommate’s ex. A LOT of stuff happens in this book, very very quickly, and gets resolved pretty quickly as well. I don’t think we get enough detail of any situation to really get into it. It’s just too much.

Lots of potential in Taz and Liam, but the book needed another 50 pages to really handle the content.

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taz is perhaps the nicest, noblest yet still plausible human being of a character, and Liam too is kind, down-to-earth, and relatable. They’re both awesome, and I like them very much. This is the third book in the series, and like the first two, it introduces a world of hockey and hockey players that is far from glamorous. There are ulterior motives and hidden agendas aplenty, and, as with previous books in the series, lots of plot lines emerge, only to disappear without full resolution. I think the best way to enjoy these books is to appreciate them for what they are-- quick snippets from a larger story that we aren’t going to get to totally see, but can intuit from what we do get on the page. It’s not the most conventional formula for a romance, but it definitely has its own appeal.

[Wendell Hennan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dalek Tazandlakova, Taz is a hockey player in the miners, having grown up initially in the US with his mother briefly, then his Aunt until she died and then his grandmother found a photograph of his father and tracked him down in Stockholm. Taz went to live with his father, but Administrative assistants provided the caring what little there was and oversight. Hockey kept Taz out of his father's life. Liam is dating one of Kaz's roommates but there are serious cracks in that relationship. Taz and Liam spend some time together and the spark grows. Hockey is not a passion of mine so this story did not resonate with me although both Kaz and Liam are likable real characters.

[Aethena Drake · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book series because I have been missing hockey. The author definitely knows hockey, and the hockey sections of this book are written well.

I was really interested in the characters, and the plot had potential. The follow through on both didn't quite match my expectations. I felt the same way about the first two books.

I appreciate parts of this author's style, but I would like to see the plot and characters fleshed out a little bit more. I feel like I have read an interlude more than a full length novel.

[Audrey Pott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the plot, characters had substance, angst, didn’t like Taz’s roommates in fact a couple of them were just plain nasty, humour and I really liked Taz and Liam. Together their scenes were hot and steamy. I’m looking forward to reading the next in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book for my honest opinions of which I’m under no obligation to do so. I definitely recommend this story.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book in the series so far. Taz And Liam have so many obstacles to overcome both emotional and from their complicated lives with boyfriends and roommates. To say they don't have a support system except for each other is an understatement. They do manage to connect, however, and their chemistry is through the roof. Fortunately, they also have a friendship to go with it and Liam helps Taz in so many ways.

[Janet Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read the first two in the story line and felt this one was little better. Although there wasn’t any ice time in the story it did feel a little “sportier” with the politics thrown in. I really like the two mc’s, Taz and Liam. Although I kind of felt for Taz and what he’d been through. I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.

[LJ Henley]

One person point of views are alright, but I enjoy duel points of view from the characters. This series isn't like your normal MM hockey book. This series holds a lot of discord and conflict, lots of plot lines without real resolutions. It needs more content. Taz is a very likeable guy and actually, so is Liam. I liked them both. So far I've liked this series, but want more.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this read, 3rd in series

This book had much more focus, engaging characters and handled more hockey and the politics of it. I did want the ending to be flushed out more as for me it seemed to get some resolution and then just end. Hoping that there will be a final book in this series that ties up all the loose ends from the books in this series.

[Jo Atkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taz was a good character, as was Liam. They found love with each other and discovered that their friends Vic, Jackson and Spencer were not really their friends. A lot of this book also centred on the actual hockey. My problem is that I was just getting into this book when it was over.

[Lydia Devlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very enjoyable story in this series. I really liked both main characters in this sweet romance I would have quite happily read a longer book.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.