Blurb:

The ice is my happy place. My sanctuary. The source of my happiest memories, and the promise of my future. It’s also the reason I’m living a lie.

As a kid you don’t think about the sacrifices you’ll have to make for your dreams. After all, dreams are supposed to be happy, so all you see is the finish line, not what you’ll have to give up to get there.

I surrendered a carefree childhood to hours upon hours of grueling practices. Abandoned life with my family in favor of a boarding school that would hone my skills to perfection. But my biggest sacrifice, the one I couldn’t predict I’d have to make as a little boy, is denying who I am.

To the world I’m the top rookie in this year’s NHL draft. The most promising defender the league has seen in years. For years that’s all I wanted to be, and now that I’m here…

I knew my career would intersect with my personal life at some point, I just didn’t expect it to happen before I played my first pro game.

That’s why he is so dangerous. My lifelong dream is within reach, and now there’s another I want to pursue. If only it weren’t such bad pucking timing.

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*****

Excerpt:

“What’s your address?” I change the subject, pulling my phone from my pocket to open my contacts. “I need to get an Uber back to my car.”

“Uh, uh. No address until I get your phone number.” He smiles triumphantly around a mouthful of coffee.

“Didn’t Tripp already give you my information so you could deliver me home last night? Which you clearly didn’t do.” I make a show of looking at the room around me.

Niko rubs the bridge of his nose. “He gave me your address, which I lost while I was trying to copy it in the Uber app, so no.”

“Typical jock.” I can’t stop the corner of my lip from ticking up as I shake my head. 

“Don’t avoid the subject,” he barks. “Phone number, or you’re walking. And stop pretending you don’t like jocks.”

“I don’t.”

“You like me.”

“I tolerate you.” I drink my coffee to disguise what I’m pretty sure is a grin.

“You tolerate hockey. You like me. That smile you’re trying to hide says so.” He crosses his arms in front of his broad chest with a proud smirk.

I look at him from under hooded eyes. “Still not fucking you, Nikolas.” Flirting yes, fucking no.

“Yet… Alexander.” His blue eyes seem to promise there’s a distinction.

Jesus he’s going to give me a semi.

“Address.” I tap the screen of my cell.

“Phone number.”

“Address first.”

“Same time.” He slides his phone toward me and picks mine up, arching a sly brow as he waits for me to meet his challenge.

“Fine.” We each tap at the screens, entering the information, and the moment my phone is back in my hand it starts to vibrate.

“Just checking.” He flashes me those coy dimples.

*****

Review:

Xander, still a little burned by a relationship gone bad, is comfortable in his life and pretty much only looking for a good time. Meeting a hottie at the bar for a night of great sex and a definite connection … not his usual but he’ll never see him again. Well, not until Xander finds him in his dad’s backyard and discovers that his one night stand is the newest member of his dad’s hockey team.

Niko is new to town and thrilled to see Xander again. But things are complicated – not only does he play for Xander’s dad but he’s also not exactly looking to broadcast his sexuality the first year of his NHL career. But that connection is still there and one night of great sex turns into more. Can they figure out how to balance their needs and wants?

I loved Niko’s teammates. They are a hoot and help support him as he figures out how to be a pro player, to settle into his new life. And Xander’s friend Tripp is definitely a highlight, with how he supports them in his own way and how he unabashedly enjoys life.

I enjoyed the start of Lenard’s Colorado Bulldogs series. There’s some drama, but not too much. Lots of steam, but there can never be too much. A grumpy/sunshine mix that can go bad but is a delight when done right (which it was). And entertaining secondary characters that are just begging for their own stories. A good mix of humor and heat, Bad Pucking Timing is a fun first book and I’m all for finding out what’s coming up next!

*****

Author Info:

Michele is a tomboy who writes contemporary romance (usually sports themed) that is both sweet and steamy. Her goal is to make you fan your face as you wipe a tear from your eye. Her books are part of a series but there are no cliffhangers so each can be read as a standalone. When she isn’t reading or writing she enjoys the outdoors, something that pops up in her books from time to time.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21706386.Michele_Lenard
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*****

Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Bad Pucking Timing, Michele is giving away a paperback copy of the release!

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