Rating: 
Summary: Cute story, but let's get real....
Review: Okay, it was a really cute story, but since I have worked for a professional hockey team, and know quite a few players personally, I know this is way too sappy. If it had happened with any real team, I don't care how much Lou liked Janna, her butt would have been kicked out the door in a heartbeat. Also, her little bit on puckbunnies didn't even cover the things they will do to get a player. It's sad. The only thing close to the mark was Lubov's attacking Theresa. Overall, a cute, sappy read, but if you're looking for a good hockey romance, this isn't it.
Rating: 
Summary: I LOVED this book.
Review: Body Check is wonderful. The fact that it is the first book by Deirdre Martin means that this woman is someone to watch. I can't wait for the follow-up Fair Play. This book should be deconstructed by every wannabe writer as a lesson in how to do everything right the first time out. Ms. Martin's writing is everything good chocolate should be: rich, smooth, satisfying, and full of nuance. Her characters are everything a human should strive to be: multi-layered, believable, and flawed. Her story line is everything a romance should be: predictable enough to keep the reader happy, dynamic and clever enough to keep the reader guessing, and hot, hot, hot. Her love scenes had me twitching with keystroke envy. This book actually nudged me - an avowed sports-phobe - to watch ten minutes of a hockey game last night. THAT'S an effect.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Buy it. Read it. Keep it. Read it again.
Rating: 
Summary: Really Lacking ......
Review: I'm so bummed. I was really excited about this book. I ADORE hockey. I'm a huge fan. Watch it constantly - LOVE the Detroit Red Wings with my entire heart. So, when I saw that a new contemporary romance novel was coming out - and it revolved around a hockey team. I was thrilled. Even bought a copy BRAND new. Hardly ever do that with romance novels. Well ------ I was completely let down. I really didn't like it. I found the characters boring, not romantic at all, and the entire storyline unfulfilled. "Body Check" by Deirdre Martin had potential. It could have been great. I give Ms. Martin credit for the interesting foundation - but, she needs work on the sexual tension and dynamic storylines. I wish I could recommend it --- but, sadly I can't.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrific story, but...
Review: It was a great story--don't get me wrong! I read it in one sitting and was completely entertained and enchanted. However, as a hockey fan as well as a romance junkie, there were a few things that REALLY bugged me... - I have never heard "puck bunny" before, always "rink bunny" though this may depend on where you're from.
- Another hockey team in New York?!?!? (This would make 3 around New York City and 4 in New York State... not terrible but not very plausible...)
- Other teams were never mentioned by name but by city only.
- Chicago was said to have won the Cup multiple times in the 90s. I'm a Hawks fan, and while I would love for this to be true, we haven't won the Cup since 1967--when there were only six teams in the NHL!!! But it really was a terrific story. The characters were great. The relationship between the characters was wonderful. The sports action was fantastic. The plot was fabulous. And in such a good book, the details mentioned above were disappointing. I know that not everyone gets hung up on little things (and not everyone is a hockey fan). Even with the distracting details, I'll buy the next one, the one after that, and then the next four (you get the point). Read this book, love this book, but now that you've been warned, you can't complain!
Rating:
Summary: Infectious fun
Review: How you wonder is PR manager Janna MacNeil going to transform Blazes Ice Hockey team when they are marooned in a throng of scandals from drug-taking to soliciting prostitutes? The task proves even arduous with the obdurate Captain jock Ty Gallagher who refuses to subject himself to the whims of his sponsor to upgrade their image with Armani-apparels and participating in charity events. What he wants only is to steer the team towards another Stanley Cup. There is a complication though and that is Janna for the smart-mouthed lady gets into his head. She falls for Ty and recklessly engages him into casual sex, hoping that love will erase his obsession with his career. It is fortunate that Ty has a soft spot under his aggressive cloak after all. He helps Janna's friend Teresa through her near-rape ordeal by censuring his team-mate and secretly passes a ticket to a fan who can't afford it. Body Check is in the same grain as Rachel Gibson's See Jane Score but focuses more on Janna as a publicist instead of the game itself like the latter. Which is fine when Deirdre Martin manages to personalize the story with the well-drawn friendship between Janna and Lou, drama, sizzling chemistry and a dose of deadpanned humor. This debut scores for its bounteous infectious fun, warm humanity and nice, ahem, sexual play.
Rating:
Summary: Actually..3 1/2 stars.......
Review: "Body Check" was a sweet book..it was entertaining, fast paced and funny..however I just couldnt seem to connect very well with the characters...I liked Janna and Ty well enough..but I didnt love them..I also found it frustrating that we saw them more seperate than actually together. Lots of times their scenes together were just mentioned ..as if the character was remembering that they spent time together, but we werent there to witness it...because of this, I had a hard time caring about them as a couple. I will say that Lou was a hysterical and endearing character as Janna's boss, and the fact that there is a follow up book has me curious. All in all a charming read, but not my favorite.
Rating:
Summary: Buy it, read it, love it!
Review: I love hockey and I love romance novels, so I had no problem deciding to buy this one. Then I read it---it was excellent! One of the best heroes and heroines out there--neither of them was perfect, but they were real. The romance was believable, the love scenes were hot, just a great read. I can't wait for the next book from this author!
Rating:
Summary: A great read!
Review: The only reason that I didn't give this a 5-star rating is that it didn't have as much humor in it as I had hoped. But a very enjoyable read, none-the-less. I will be looking for Ms Martin's second novel.
Rating:
Summary: COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!!
Review: What a great read! I loved the sexual tension between the two characters, her roommate, her boss, the family dynamics and the hunky hockey players. I could care less for hockey, but I couldn't put this book down. This is Diedre Martin's first book?? You're kidding! I can't wait for another!! GO BLADES!
Rating:
Summary: Did not want it to end!
Review: Like everyone else, I could not put the book down. Being a hockey fan made it even more enjoyable (but not necessary). I cannot wait for Theresa's story in 01/04!
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