Sure Shot is live!

A brand new standalone novel in the USA Today bestselling Brooklyn Bruisers series!

 

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Blurb

On the eve of her thirtieth birthday, successful sports agent Bess Beringer is ready to make some changes. Armed with a five-year plan—indexed and color coded—she’ll tackle a few goals in her personal life.

A big, tall, ripped hunk of hockey player who’s just been traded to the Brooklyn Bruisers is not a part of that five year plan. Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz has a lot of baggage. He’s a ride-or-die loner. He’s on the rebound. He’s also the sexiest thing on two legs, and for some crazy reason it’s Bess that he wants.

She knows better. But then she falls stupid in love with him anyway. And for a while it seems like maybe he’ll do the same.

Until she asks him for the one thing he can never give her…

 

 

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Review

4.5 stars

Wow, I loved this book! Of course, I was thrilled to be back in the Brooklyn Bruisers world, but we also get a strong heroine, a brand new, incredible hockey god to drool over, steamy sex, heaps of swoon, and an intense, realistic and functional romance. I loved Bess and Tank’s story!

Bess Berringer is the younger sister of Dave (Brooklyn Bruisers hottie and hero of the Bruisers/True North crossover Bountiful), and is a sports agent, representing many of the boys of the series. She has worked hard to get where she is and has achieved great success and now she’s now moved her business to Brooklyn as part of her new 5-year plan to achieve her life goals.

Mark ‘Tank’ Tankiewicz has just been traded to the Bruisers from their nemesis team, Dallas. It’s not a move he wanted or was expecting, and it comes on the back of his wife ending their marriage. It’s a rough move, with Tank dealing with baggage from his marriage and struggling to fit in with the Brooklyn boys, but he’s determined to make the best of it.

Bess and Tank met 9 years previously, and they had a short-lived fling that rocked both of their worlds. It wasn’t the right time for them and they haven’t seen each other since it ended, but now they are both in the same city, and their chemistry is as hot as ever – even if Bess has a rule against dating athletes and thinks she can ignore Tank.

“Just in case you’re lost,” I tell him, pointing back the way we came, “your hotel is in the opposite direction.”
“I’m not lost. I’m following you home.”
“Why?”
“Why,” he scoffs. “Because neither one of us can stop thinking about it.” He stops, and when I stop, too, his piercing eyes take in my low-cut top and the flush on my neck. “You know you’ve been thinking about me. And I sure as hell can’t stop thinking about you.”

Bess and Tank are fantastic characters who are completely upfront with each other, and I love that! They tease, bicker and flirt, but they don’t play games, and there is this delicious sexual tension that constantly sizzles between them. God, the connection between these two is electric! The sexy time is seriously steamy, but they also have this fantastic dynamic that is fun, playful and open, and I loved their interactions.

Tank: …I would have liked to say a proper goodbye. It’s not often that we’re in the same state.
Bess: You might be surprised. But I couldn’t take the risk of waking you up. After all, you got me naked about four minutes after arriving in your room. So I have no idea what “a proper goodbye” might mean to you. Restraints, probably. And a safe word.
Tank: That sounds about right. Next time, then.

They have some hurdles to overcome and their love story doesn’t unfold without some drama, but it’s realistic to their situations, it doesn’t overshadow the whole story, and it’s handled honestly and functionally as they talk through their issues and make mature, sensible decisions. They’ve both changed so much, are in different places in their lives, and they’ve experienced difficult times, and there are some really emotional moments as they open up and deal with it all. They have ups and downs, but they clearly belong together, and I loved watching them work through it all to figure it all out.

“I can’t stay away from you. I don’t even want to try. Maybe you’re embarrassed to be seen with a bitter, rebounding hockey player with anger issues and a shitty reputation. You probably deserve better. But I’m a greedy asshole. And I meant it when I said you’re the best thing to happen to me in a long time.”

The rest of the Bruisers crew are along for the ride, and I loved seeing them all again. Most of the characters that we’ve met so far have a presence in this book, and from the boys’ camaraderie to girlie nights and family time, I loved catching up with them all again.

This is such a gorgeous read. It’s a beautiful, honest and passionate love story that is funny, exciting, swoony and heartfelt. I absolutely loved it – 4.5 stars!

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

Brooklyn Bruisers

 

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Excerpt

Tank: Did you SEE that beautiful goal???

Bess: Yes baby. That’s why I sent you a text last night that said NICE GOAL BABY in shouty caps. Didn’t it come through?

Tank: It came through. But I just wanted to talk about it some more. Because did you SEE that beautiful goal? When Castro accidentally passed to nowhere but I got my stick on it anyway? And before you could say TANK IS A STUD, I put it in?

Bess: Gorgeous goal, hot stuff! I may have spilled my beer I was so excited.

Tank: Where did you spill it?

Bess: All over my naked breasts.

Tank: Really?

Bess: No. But the purpose of this conversation is stroking your ego, right? So I thought I’d just roll with it.

Tank: LOL! I’ll take it.

Bess: 🙂

Tank: You were right, by the way. After the game, Castro told me I had to get the Brooklyn Bridge tattooed across my ass.

Bess: Well that’s a good sign. If they’re pranking you it means they like you now.

Tank: I got a goal. They like that at least.

Bess: What did you tell Castro about the tattoo?

Tank: I said, sure, buddy!

Tank: And, get this, I told him that if we connect on ten goals this season—in either direction—not only will I put the bridge on one ass cheek, I’ll put his face on the other.

Bess: OMG. What did he say to that?

Tank: “Let’s not get carried away.” Honestly he looked terrified, which was the point. I told him I was just crazy enough to do it. And then I wondered aloud what the blogs would write about that.

Bess: You are an evil man.

Tank: Never bullshit a bullshitter. But enough about me. Let’s talk about you. Specifically, I need to know if you’re naked right now. Please say yes.

Bess: I’m sitting in my office waiting for a conference call. So that would be no.

Tank: Lie to me, baby! I miss you.

Bess: There’s no need to lie. The next time we’re in the same zip code again, you can make your dreams come true.

Tank: Now there’s a plan I can get behind. Literally.

Bess: Indeed. Got to go now! Call starts in two minutes.

Tank: One more thing, hot stuff. Have you seen Henry again? I keep leaving voicemails, asking when I can visit. He texts me back, but I can’t get a phone call. I just want to talk to the old codger.

Bess: Same. I sent him a present but when I asked to visit he shot me down. Now go beat Florida.

Tank: Maybe you should send me a few motivational photographs to improve my game.

Bess: A good workout followed by a protein drink and then a nap would improve it more.

Tank: Says you.

Bess: I am a professional. I know things. Get some rest! I’ll be watching tonight.

 

 

For more great reads, check out our Sarina Bowen Author Spotlight