| Title | : | In the Zone (Portland Storm, #5) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 296 |
| Publication | : | First published November 1, 2014 |
ASIN B00NNDXSWI.
It was supposed to be a single night of fake names, half-truths, and anonymous sex. Neither of them was prepared for it to become more. Keith Burns, star defenseman for the NHL’s Portland Storm, was just looking for a way to pass the time and ease the loneliness of his lavish lifestyle. Brianna Hayden wanted to find herself—and maybe learn to love herself again—after health issues changed everything. Anonymity is the name of their game; the rules were laid down at the outset. But when a chance encounter brings them back together long after the game should have ended, all their initial rules get thrown out the window.
It isn’t long before partial truths and dancing around the pain of the past gets complicated. Their physical chemistry is off the charts, but it isn’t enough. They both want a future, but Keith has an unspeakable history involving his two brothers that he just can’t share with anyone, not even Brie. She needs the truth if they are going to have any chance at moving forward. If he can’t give it to her, it might land him a permanent spot in her penalty box. If Keith can get In the Zone, he’ll be on the forecheck—but Brie’s heart is the goal he’s seeking.
In the Zone (Portland Storm, #5) Reviews
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#free for a limited time!
Amazon US:
http://amzn.to/29T2ZUj
The perfect balance between sweet, sexy and heart-rending. This beautiful story about love and acceptance, both of self and others is now tied as my favorite hockey romance. Catherine Gayle not only writes strong appealing heroes, she writes witty, smart and courageous heroines you can’t help but love while you enjoy reading.
When Keith and Brie first meet, it’s under false names and half-truths. It was supposed to be for one night, but it left a strong and lasting impression on both. When they inadvertently meet again, neither is willing to let go.“I hadn’t been able to get her off my mind in the months since that night… I wanted to get to know her. I wanted to help her find her confidence again… I wanted to kiss her again. And more. I wanted a fucking hell of a lot more.”
But Brie can’t see she’s as beautiful on the outside as she is within and Keith won’t let anyone in because of his heartbreaking past. They both want more, but can they leave history where it belongs in order to have a future?
Catherine did a phenomenal job of portraying Keith. She captured his conflict between the guilt he felt from his youth that clearly still haunted him but also fueled his motivations in the present. He hides the damaged and broken parts of himself well, but when they surface I couldn’t help but suffer along with him. He’s my best kind of hero, tough and hard on the outside but a caring and kind soul on the inside.“I wanted to know why he was so desperate to keep that part of himself private. I wanted to know what was so painful that it caused that pinched crease on his forehead. I might try to hide my body, but he was hiding so much more than that.”
Brie is so charming and easy to identify with. Catherine did equally wonderful work in depicting Brie who besides being sympathetic and gentle and despite her issues of self-worth was strong and determined to find herself. She felt incredibly real.“Brie was a real, live, in-the-flesh woman who seemed to have completely lost herself. I wanted to help her find herself again. Maybe in the process, she could help me find myself. Or find the man I was trying to become, at least.”
These two burn up the pages with their scorching chemistry.She took a deep breath and I watched her chest rise and fall with it. “Can I… Do you mind if I kiss you?”
“I’d mind if you didn’t.”
But besides the sexy heat and the sweet romance, I can always bank on the fact that Catherine includes the close knit family that conform the Portland Storm hockey team. Bringing back past characters and having them support each other while letting us enjoy keeping up with them.
And what’s better than hockey, romance and camaraderie? A story that also touches serious issues such as the effects of peer pressure and homophobia that made this book heartfelt and raw.“I’d only caved in to peer pressure… I knew I was a worthless piece of shit, but that I was going to do everything possible to make a better man of myself.”
This story took me through a range of emotions. From painful heartache, teary eyed family reunions,“you’re my fucking brother and I fucking miss you, you ass.”
happy friendship support, hope, love and lust. I wanted to pace myself reading and stretch-out the reading delight.“You’ve already given me something.” Had I? I’d given her my heart, but I wasn’t sure she knew that yet.
I also loved that even with its depth there was no over the top drama, just mature grownups struggling but learning with each passing moment and interaction together with the people in their lives. The story made me care about all the characters involved and not just Keith and Brie.
If you like reading about sports, romance written with emotion that leaps off the page, Catherine Gayle’s Portland Storm series is perfect for you.
* Each book in the series can be read as a standalone but it’s best to read in order. HEA. Told from both point of view.
Amazon US ->
http://amzn.to/1tDlm18
** ARC graciously provided by author. Excerpts are from that copy. **
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I usually have very strong difficulties to relate with the issues of obesity. Though the explanations regarding the thyroid unbalance were convincing, I still wondered whether anyone dealing with that would really go from a size 2 to a 22 in a matter of months/few years... However what I really liked was seeing how the heroine had managed to get her life back under control changing basically everything. The hero played a very interesting and convincing role in making her realize she was not just flab but toned from all her dancing and round/shapely.
What I liked most about this book was the hangs-up that the hero was hiding: a huge sense of guilt and the way the heroine finally managed to break his happy-go-lucky facade to get him to open and accept he could still be loved and not only despised. -
My favorite book in this series! Gayle did a smashingly awesome job.
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Slick‘s review posted on
Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
5 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
I didn’t think I could love author Catherine Gayle and her Portland Storm hockey team any more than I already did and then she went and wrote a ballroom dancing heroine and she just upped her game one more time. This was a complicated story with both the hero and the heroine dealing with some demons and honestly neither one dealing very well. It was quite interesting to watch how these two refused to let the other wallow in their misery yet they were perfectly okay wallowing in their own. An out of town hook up, a cross country move, a surprise reconnection, and two people realizing that sometimes fate steps in when you least expect it and makes you feel whole all makes In The Zone one sensational book and one that was impossible to put down.
Keith Burns (Burzie) has the reputation of being a good time guy; one that has trouble being still, always on the move, always looking for a party, and a new woman but there is way more to him than meets the eye and underneath that fun loving man is a whole bunch of pain that he doesn’t want to or know how to deal with. After a memorable night in Providence following the wedding of two of his teammates, Burzie has found himself out of sorts and unable to think of any woman but the one from that night; the one whose real name he doesn’t know and without any way to contact her. So he’s concentrated on helping out his teammates including new team member Cole Paxton (Colesy).
Brianna (Brie) Hayden is adjusting well to her cross country move and in fact enjoys the ballroom dance classes she teaches every day. Her life was turned upside down when she began gaining weight and it turned out to be a thyroid problem that while under control wrecked havoc on her body in more than one way. Brie suffers from body issues and her self esteem took a hit when her pro dance partner and boyfriend was verbally abusive as her health problems changed the way she looked. She had one pretty memorable night with a man who made her feel more beautiful than she thought possible and she holds on to that memory now but when that man walks into her dance studio with a friend of his who is taking ballroom lessons to help with his hockey playing she isn’t sure where they go from here.
While there was no doubt these two had chemistry in spades and they had no problem falling back into a physical relationship, Brie shared so much of her life, her hurt, and her pain with Keith but soon figured out that Keith refused to share anything about his personal life or background and while she enjoyed the time they spent together she was unsure of where they could go without him trusting her. Forcing the issue made Keith understand that he not only needed to face his past with her but with his family as well. I loved the fact that Keith went the extra mile to make sure Brie knew how much he appreciated her body and tried to help her feel comfortable in it and the fact that Brie wanted to help Keith repair his broken relationship with his family said a lot about how these two were feeling towards each other even before they even realized the depth of their feelings.
There were several sub-plots going on throughout this book and yet none of them took away from the budding relationship and in fact they often enhanced it. I was especially intrigued by the arrival of Keith’s brother Shane and his close relationship with Keith’s teammate, Cole. Brie’s involvement with a well known contemporary dancer for a charity show as well as for a dance video for a well known band really helped her to see past the hurt of losing her former career and gave her better acceptance of her changing body.
I really could go on and on and on about how much I loved this book but instead I’ll just encourage you to buy it and read it. This is one of those series that gets better with each book because the characters just grab a hold of you and won’t let go. A solid romance that delivers relatable characters, amazingly sexy scenes and an emotionally charged plot In The Zone is not to be missed. -
2014 has been the year of Hockey Romance in my house, finding Catherine Gayle and Toni Aleo's books back in January kick started my obsession, and the Portland Storm is HANDS DOWN my favorite series. (I adore Toni's Assassins, but the Portland Storm have this sense of reality, which I'll talk more about in a minute.)
In The Zone is the fifth book in this series, and I have to say that Keith and Brie are my favorite - so far. (I say so far because I'm 99% certain a Katie/Babs book is coming, and there is no doubt that they win the favorite of EVERYONE who has ever picked up a Portland Storm book.)
Here's the thing, and I mentioned this before, her books are real and raw. The characters are flawed, broken and sometimes downright assholes. Keith is so broken that it hurts. And Brie? She is possibly the most real character I've ever come in contact with. I saw pieces of me in both of these characters - I have been in Keith's shoes - the older sibling who was a bit relentless. I have also been in Brie's shoes struggling with self-worth. So I found them both so easy to slip alongside.
And of course? We have the team. The secondary characters are what makes this series worth it. And the continuity from book to book is phenomenal. We're watching Dana give birth to Zee's first baby. Babs and Katie are fighting their way through life, as the two youngest members of the series. Nicky is battling his addiction. These characters are so real to me now, so much a part of my life that I can't help but dive into the pages of each new book with anticipation.
If you're a fan of romance, a fan of sports, or just plain looking for a good escape? Catherine Gayle's books are for you! (Although I DEFINITELY recommend starting with book 1, Breakaway, as this series really needs to build up for you!) A HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to Catherine Gayle for allowing this fan-girl to read and review an advanced copy of this amazing story! -
In the Zone
Book 5
by Catherine Gayle
Once again with grace and dignity, Gayle covers a tragic societal topic mixed with a fantastic romance; bullying and its often-irreparable consequences. Her stars, Keith and Brie are both memorable and their love story is entertaining, heartwarming and very sensually appealing. She continues her hockey tutorial with her fast-paced dialogue that perfectly fits every character and situation like a glove. Her co-stars both new and returning keep our romance past curiosities satisfied while adding an extra layer to the story. When you add in the-his and her pet menagerie you’ve got an unforgettable romance/morality tale.
The audible edition narrated by Angel Clark draws listeners right into the action and the emotions. Her tackling of the myriad of voices, tempos and inflections making this an excellent way to experience the novel.
It began as an amazing one-night hook up.
A night that Brianna (Brie) Hayden needed to boost an ego that had been damaged by a medical condition and hurtful words from someone who supposedly loved her. And quickly became a night she never forgot with a man who made her feel beautiful if only for a moment.
A night that for Portland Storm star defenseman Keith (Burnsy) Burns started as a way to scratch a sexual itch but soon became something much, much more from a curvy stunner who needed a huge shot of self-esteem. And suddenly her face is all he can see even long after their too short night together.
When they unexpectedly re-connect sparks are still flying and he wants to take it to the next step but she’s wary. -
3.5 stars
This is a book that has been on my TBR for a while and I plopped myself in the the series mid stream to meet Keith (Burnzie) Burns and Brie.
To say that these two each have issues would be an understatement. For Brie, it’s body image related to a health issue and jerk ex boyfriend. For Keith it’s grief and a fractured family relationship. Seeing them come together, heal and grow was sweet and refreshing.
In the Zone is a stand alone book, but it very much part of a larger series and there were times that I felt a little bogged down with the large secondary cast. There are lots of references to couple who were obviously prior main couples which would be great for someone who has read the series in order, but was slightly confusing for me.
Overall, this was a good read, but I do wish I had started the series from the beginning. -
Oh my goodness Catherine has done it again. I absolutely fell in love with these amazing characters Keith and Brie!! I love how they both pushed each other and finally gave into how they actually were feeling for one another. And we're able to both work out the issues they had with the help with each other's help.
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Hotness Rating 3 out of 5
Review to come... -
I think Burnzie might be my favourite Portland Storm player...after Babs!
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3.5 - Basically likable heroes, but the plot didn't catch me. And again the heroine wants too much too soon. I don't see why a man (or a person in general) has to offer the whole (tragic) story of his life after just a few days.
I'm looking forward to Nicky's story anyway.
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Ausführliche Rezension auf Deutsch:
http://buecher.ueber-alles.net/?p=20308 -
In the Zone
Oh this was HOT… 4 stars baby
A one night stand that doesn’t stay at one night oh no it doesn’t.
Keith is battling some pretty heavy guilt for things of his past he can’t choose. I think what gets him the most is he can’t atone for what he had done. It’s eating him up inside.
Brianna doesn’t see herself in a very favorable light at all. Her ex dance partner really did a number on her and she just continued to do it to herself as well.
Her one night affair with Keith who was to be a no names no nothing just hot affair. Things did not turn out that way at all. They start to become friends and lovers and Keith starts to break down her walls about her weight and how she sees herself. And Brianna and the help of his brother help Keith to see that sins of the past don’t define his future.
It’s a story of these 2 overcoming things they cannot chance and moving forward I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next. -
Although still not one of my favorites, I did enjoy this story. I liked that Brie wasn't the typical perfecting-looking heroine. I find it hard to believe she thought she was a size 18, when in fact, she was a 14, but whatever. I liked Keith's backstory and that we got to meet his brother, Shane, a little. I also liked Keith as a person, outside of his relationship with Brie.
At one point, I thought there was going to be extra, unnecessary drama, but luckily, Ms. Gayle stayed true to form, allowing the relation to keep from getting sidetracked. I love a good ansty book at times, but also love when an author doesn't have to use it to provide all of the momentum of the story.
Still loving this series, the writing, and all of the characters. -
Everytime I read a Portland Storm book I say it's my favorite but I think In the Zone is my favorite. Who am I kidding? This whole series is my favorite. :)
What I adore about Ms. Gayle is she writes wonderful romances BUT the issues of the characters are really issues of everyday people. Someone can relate to the characters. I love the raw honesty between Keith and Brie. It's not simple but it's real and that's why I love these books.
This book has it all hockey (which I am coming to love, thanks Ms. Gayle), hot romance, sweet tender moments, heart aching scenes and laugh out loud moments. I loved it. -
My favorites so far is a tie from the first book and this one.
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Too much navel gazing
3.5 stars. I loved the first half of the book - the one-night stand, the next meeting at the dance class, the Pretty Woman-like shopping together. But the second half dragged and became too tell-y. There was too much rundown of where everyone in the team was and it took away from Keith and Brie's romance. Overall, I liked Brie's growth arc into accepting her body. I also liked that Keith had always thought she was gorgeous. I didn't particularly like their declarations of love to each other. Very offhand, not romantic at all. -
Keith "Burnzie" Burns has been made out to be the player of the team - the one that just wants to have a good time and isn't interested in more than that. This book proves he's so much more than that!! And Brie is a perfect addition to the "Hockey Wives" club! This story was so well told and really focused on helping Brie improve her self-image and the way that he accomplished that melted my heart and made me a forever fan of him!!!
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3.5 stars
Decent story, it flowed well. I liked how the book dealt with the heroine's body issues, as well as other themes that were raised. I'm not into pets, so the cat and dog stuff bored me at times. Definitely not an exciting book - it was easy to put down and leave, but it was sweet. -
Oh my gosh! I absolutely love Keith. I couldn’t get enough of him. He was so sweet to Brie! I love that Keith help her find the confidence she needed. I also love that she was there for Keith too when he needed someone. They both didn’t know but they definitely needed each other. I love seeing their relationship grow throughout the whole book. Keith and Brie were absolutely perfect. 💜
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This isn't my favourite in the series, but it was a nice, enjoyable read. It centred on self-worth issues and was very believable. I really enjoyed the characters and their back stories. However, I think it lacked suspense and excitement. Overall, a wonderful book for some light reading. x
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Defeating the Demons
Usually fans are unaware of the demons that professional athletes deal with in their private lives. With Keith, his demon was the belief that he was to blame for his brother's death.
As a hockey fan, I can appreciate the moments Keith spends with the team. -
In the Zone (Portland Storm Book 7)
The love story of Keith and Leanna "Brie". Keith and Brie meet on a one night stand using fake names then the meet again a few month late. They could not forget each other. Are they soul mates or is it just lust? Great story. -
Is it just me, or do a lot of the couples in this series have super short relationships before they're moving in with each other or engaged?
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I'm getting tied of this series because they all have the same basic plot. Guy falls in love immediately, girl resists, girl runs, hea.
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A fabulous Portland Storm instalment, lots of emotional ups and downs, new perspectives on seeing oneself and outsiders views and the strength of family and friends.
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Keith Burns and Brianna, made this one great. I loved it
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4.5 stars
