Icebreaker by Deirdre Martin

Title : Icebreaker
Author : Deirdre Martin
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Series : Book #9, Blades
Pages : 304
Publish Date : February 01, 2011
Publisher : Berkley
Started Reading : February 22, 2011
Completed Reading : February 23, 2011
Book Rating : 3/5

Good thing high-powered attorney Sinead O'Brien has a rule about never dating clients. Because Adam Perry, the newest star of the New York Blades—and her newest client—has her headed for the penalty box. If only she could prove he's just another jock...

Adam's been charged with assault after a borderline hit on another star player, but off the ice he's a private, no-nonsense guy who knows the Blades are his last shot at Stanley Cup glory.

Assembling her case, Sinead tries not to get distracted by Adam's dazzling good looks or strong work ethic, but she quickly discovers that there's a wounded man under that jersey, and she's starting to fall for him—hard.

Now Adam's having trouble focusing on the goal with Sinead in his sights. And Sinead is tempted to break her "no dating clients" rule. Can they play on their newfound feelings without penalties?


*****

I wonder if it's just me... it's my 2nd Deirdre Martin book and I'm not fully into her books still. Or maybe her books are not just for me. For some reason, I just can't connect to her characters. And I feel that there's something missing. Though I liked Icebreaker than The Penalty Box. And the case felt that it became a backstory and it wasn't much of a conflict than I was kinda thinking that it would be. Hmm... I wonder if I should try one more book? After all, there's 9 of them in the series and I've read only 2. Maybe I'll hit one that would just be right for me ;)

The Penalty Box by Deirdre Martin


Title : The Penalty Box
Author : Deirdre Martin
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Series : Book #4, Blades
Pages : 342
Publish Date : March 7, 2006
Publisher : Berkley
Started Reading : January 2, 2011
Completed Reading : January 3, 2011
Book Rating : 3/5

Everyone from Didsbury High remembers Katie Fisher as the dumpy brainiac from the poor side of town.

Everyone from Didsbury High remembers Paul van dorn as the school hockey star - and heartthrob.

But now they're facing off - and matching up in more ways than one. Katie's lost the pounds, added some self-confidence, and become a drop-dead gorgeous sociology professor.

And since a series of concussions put an end to Paul's pro-hockey career, his star has dimmed. Now he hits the ice as a youth hockey coach. But he's still got the hometown crowd behind him as the owner of the a bar called the Penalty Box.

Paul is reliving his glory days. Katie wishes she could put those years behind her. And the battle of wills that ensues just might knock love right out of the game...

*****

It really took me awhile to connect with the characters. I felt like I'm seeing them always at arms length. Though I've had my moments when I was touched with some parts of the book - little Tuck with Paul, etc and there had been times that it made me laugh (Paul going out of Katie's window and injuring himself). But still, I just feel that there's something missing.