Michele ShriverRecensioner

Michele Shriver’s BREAKING THE ICE is a heartfelt addition to the Men of the Ice series. NHL defenseman, Noah Mann, is set up on a blind date with medical resident, Riley Marks. The two seem like opposites; Noah is a practical joker, and Riley is studious and serious, but their relationship is just what the doctor ordered. This contemporary sports romance takes place in San Antonio, Texas. It is suitable for new adult audiences.

BREAKING THE ICE is a cute story. I enjoyed both characters. Practical joking hockey stars are one of my favorite heroes. I love to laugh. Riley is sweet, smart, and has a huge heart. She works with children, so it totally tugged on my heartstrings. They are set up by Kendall Myers and goalie, Becker Lawson (from book 4). Riley, is Kendall’s daughter’s doctor.

I like that Noah and Riley met after the NHL All-Star game. During those competitions, fans get an idea what their favorite hockey stars’ personalities are like. I think it was cleaver that Riley gets a sneak peek of Noah before they officially meet. I thought it was cute that they are both closet comic book hero fans Noah is clever with his date ideas. The two end up having a lot in common. Riley ends up going through a difficult situation that Noah could help her deal with. Noah and Riley are an adorable couple that help balance one another. I truly enjoyed this story, flying through it quickly. BREAKING THE ICE is a wonderful addition to the Men of the Ice series. I am looking forward to Michele Shriver’s next book in the series. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Michele Shriver’s MAKING AN IMPACT is a fun addition to the Men of the Ice Series. Executive director of the San Antonio Generals Charity Foundation, Charlene Simmons, is celebrating her fortieth birthday at a surprise party that was thrown for her. Celebrating is the last thing she wants to do, feeling a bit depressed about the occasion. Nothing that a one-night-stand with NHL center Casey Denault won’t cure, but one night will not be enough.

I like Charlene. She is working her dream job. She is successful. She should be happy, but she’s not. Casey is a good guy. He has the reputation of a playboy. He typically does not date women. I appreciate that age does not bother him. Like most hockey players, Casey is superstitious. I like that Char is lucky for him. They make a cute couple, with great chemistry.

I like that Jessica (book 5) was in this story. Seeing how she is Char’s best friend it is only appropriate. The two have a wonderful friendship.

I enjoyed the plot. It was realistic and entertaining. Being a Six Flags Season pass holder, I like that they go to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. The story gives a good example of the mistakes to make on social media. At 103-pages, the story is a quick read. I’m looking forward to Noah’s story in the next book BREAKING THE ICE.

Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Television reporter Jessica Rowan is covering the San Antonio Generals’ bachelor auction and is livid after her friend, Charlene Simmons, bids for her to win a date with NHL winger, Ryder Carrigan. The last thing alternate captain, Ryder Carrigan, wants to do is participate in a bachelor auction. However, when the two meet they might have more in common than they would have expected. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for new adult and adult audiences.

I like Ryder. He is serious about hockey to a fault. I appreciate after Ryder was called out by one of his teammates, he realizes that he needs to achieve more balance in his life. This is a valuable life lesson that can benefit everyone. I felt bad that Jessica was blindsided at the auction, but I love that her friend bid on Ryder for her. They have some obstacles to overcome that make the story interesting. The two have great chemistry and make an excellent couple.

At ninety-seven pages, this story is a fast and captivating read that I finished in one sitting. I enjoyed the charity scene in the beginning and thought that was a clever way for the characters to get together. Chasing the Prize is a fun story and entertaining read. I’m looking forward to Casey and Charlene’s story next in Book six, Making an Impact.

Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Michele Shriver created another fantastic addition to the Men of the Ice Series. Goaltender Becker Lawson helps coach the teams new Young Generals hockey program meeting single mom, Kendall Myers. He tries to convince her to allow her son, Tristan, to play goalie and to give Becker a shot. This contemporary sports romance takes place in San Antonio, Texas during summer and is suitable for adult audiences.

Michele Shriver does a great job with her character development. I really like Becker. I love how he is around Kendall’s kids, especially around Ali. He is a great guy and better to the children then their own father. Becker is good for Kendall and her confidence. Kendall is a wonderful mom and person. The two have a lot in common and are good for each other. I appreciated their love of eighties movies. I found Kendall’s ex-husband’s actions interesting.

The plot was realistic and well-constructed. They faced real-world issues and showed different ways people deal with it. I like Bryson Crawford from book two was at the camp. I also enjoyed Becker’s hockey lessons with the kids. I appreciated getting updates on some of the players from the previous books. It is nice to know how their lives are progressing as well. The Generals are not only a team but a family. This is a great series for anyone who enjoys sports romances. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

NHL player Trevor Collison is back in San Antonio, Texas and runs into his ex and love of his life, Danielle Greer, a now single mom with a sick child.

I enjoyed hearing Trevor’s story. His drug addiction nearly cost him his career. He is determined to become a better person and lead a clean life. I like how he handles the situations he faces in this story. He is open-minded and contemplative.

I like Danielle. I do not really like the secrete she kept from Trevor, but I understand her thought process. She is an excellent mom and does all she can for her daughter. She is an admiral person with a good heart.

I like how the past characters are included in this story. It makes the San Antonio Generals feel like a real team/family. I love that the players and staff support each other.

Michele Shriver does a great job creating a moving and believable plot. The characters are well-developed and likeable. The circumstances are realistic and gut wrenching. The conflict had a great resolution. Winning it All is a wonderful addition to the Men of the Ice series.

Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic collection filled with some amazingly sizzling hot romances. I haven't had a chance to read all of them but the ones I have made this worth the price! I highly recommend this set.

3.5 Stars

I enjoy my sports romances and really liked this novella. There was a lot going on in a short period of time, which can be expected from a novella, and this romance had more of a new adult feel to it, but it certainly got my attention and has me looking forward to more stories in this series.

I really liked Nik. He was everything that you would want to see in an up and coming athlete, someone who you know will be a great role model for kids and treat his sport with the respect it deserves. Meryl wasn’t my favorite female character, but she did grow on me as the book progressed. For a girl who has grown up with money and privilege, as the book progresses you get to see another side of her that, for me, helped redeem her from her initial somewhat bratty, spoiled, “I get everything I want” impression that she made early in story.

Watching the relationship between Nik and Meryl develop was sweet at times and you could feel the attraction between the two. Things do move rather quickly between the two, and having to deal with the “players are off limits” policy that Meryl’s father has dictated had them trying to keep their budding relationship quiet. When things come to a head let’s just say I was pleasantly surprised with how Nik handled things.

As I said, I did enjoy this read but, for me, I had a bit of disconnect from the main characters, which I think was caused by their ages. The story itself was well written and the characters were well developed, so I’m pretty sure this was just a “me” issue – I liked the other characters and am looking forward to reading more about the San Antonio Generals.

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

Nineteen-year-old rookie, Nikolai Brantov, left Russia to pursue his dream to play in the NHL on the San Antonio Generals. Against her father’s warning not to fraternize with the players, the owner’s daughter, Meryl Johnson, sets her sites on the hockey star.

You cannot help but like Nik. He is talented, yet humble. He is grateful for his opportunity to play in the NHL, and does not feel entitled.

I loved that Nik was so attentive to the twelve-year-old son of his host family. I have a godson who plays college hockey and has many friends in the AHL and NHL. Whenever my twelve-year-old hockey-playing son meets someone who plays the sport, they are always really nice to him, so this seems believable to me and struck my heartstrings.

A few times, I felt like Nik’s grammar was a little too good considering he was learning English. Although he did have a tutor who would probably teach him the proper way to talk.

Meryl is a bold heroine who initially comes off as being conniving. Ultimately, she is a good person who means well. She has some daddy issues, and misses her mother. I like that she is good at thinking on her feet, and that she is driven about the things she cares about.

Crossing the Line is a great addition to the Men of the Ice Series. It is a quick read with a great flow and plot.

Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVE box sets, especially when I get to read new authors, and revisit some favorites. I've read most of Chantal Rhondeau's previous collaborations, and enjoy her sweet approach to the fantasy love story that every woman dreams of. Rich, gorgeous bazillionaires with their own tropical island resort? Yes please! The rest of the novels contained in this set range from sweet to stunningly sexy. From the hot-as-hell actor to the boy next door. I am in love with all of them! (Downfall of the box set: now I have too many book boyfriends swimming around in my head!) One-click it today!

Playing for Keeps (Men of the Ice, #1) by Michele Shriver

NHL player, Colton Tremblay’s reputation gets him traded from his hometown team the Montreal Canadians to an expansion team the Generals in San Antonio, Texas. Maya Dominguez gets her big break as a beat reporter for the new NHL team. The two meet while on the job. Maya wants to keep things professional but Colton feels he has finally found someone that is worth more than a one-night stand.

I liked the idea of an NHL expansion team going in a non-typical hockey demographic. Yes, there is a team in Dallas, but San Antonio is a very different city and culture.

I’m glad that after the initial shock of being traded that Colton Tremblay decided to look at his move as a positive thing. He becomes captain of the new team and makes a noteworthy effort. He seems to grow a lot throughout this novel.

I like Maya. She works hard and takes her career seriously. She values her family and has good priorities.

I appreciated the scene where Colton meets Maya’s family. Having a brother who is a police officer and a father who chased her last boyfriend away with a shotgun the situation could be quite intimidating. It said a lot about Colton’s character.

I really enjoyed this book. The plot was interesting and substantial. It had a great flow that was attention-grabbing. After reading Playing for Keeps, I am definitely am interested in reading additional books in the Men of the Ice Series.

Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest

I received this book free from the author through LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. This was a well-written book about the workings of the child welfare system, social workers, lawyers, and the courts when a child is removed from the home of a drug addicted mother. We see the long process of deciding whether to place the child back into the home or terminating rights and placing the child for adoption. This book brings forward the use of methadone in the rehab of a drug addict and how social workers, lawyers, and the courts feel about its use. I would have preferred less intimate details about the judge and her partner’s relationship. All in all this was an interesting and well-written book.

Aggravated Circumstances is an intriguing story about the child welfare system and the affect it has on four women when an emotional circumstance within the system arises that intertwines their lives. Author Michele Shriver utilizes her legal experience to weave a fascinating and realistic tale told in the alternating first and third person narratives, that captivates the reader's attention as they follow this emotionally charged story about one drug addicted woman's attempt to get clean and reclaim her child who has been put in the child welfare system, and the three women who work within different areas of the system.

The main portion of the storyline delves into the story of Devin Lenox, a young stripper who is a relapsed drug addict. Devin has lived a hard life, the demon she fights is drug addiction. Five years ago Devin had her parental rights terminated for her first born daughter Emily. Now five years later, Devin finds herself working the system to maintain her parental rights for her twenty-two month old daughter Hannah. This time she wants to prove that she will not fail as a parent.

The three women who are brought into Devin's circumstances all work within an area of the child welfare system. As the three women walk a fine line in this new case involving Devin, each has her own demons that she is fighting.

Elisa Cahill is an attorney who has battled depression, and is slowly rebuilding her law practice. Devin asks Elisa to represent her in her drug and parental rights case.

Taylor Ross is a state social worker with the New Hampshire Division For Children, Youth and Families. Taylor has a history with Devin, she was the social worker that was called to work the original case five years ago, and is once again called to work this latest case involving Devin. Taylor's demon is that she has become jaded to the system and its process. Taylor's demanding job has left her struggling to find a balance between her work and having a social life.

Sarah Canfield is the presiding judge in the juvenile court system. Sarah has a history with Devin that causes her concern in regard to the new case that is brought before her. Sarah and her partner Kelsey used to be registered foster parents when she was an attorney. They have a nine year old adopted son named Ryan, and a five year old adopted daughter named Emily. Elisa had handled the adoption of Emily for Sarah and Kelsey after Devin's parental rights were terminated, and Taylor had been the social worker on the parental termination and adoption case.

This is a riveting story that transports the reader into the interconnected lives of these four women as they balance the process of a life altering issue within the child welfare system with their own personal affairs. I really enjoyed that the storyline alternated between Devin's first person perspective with the third person perspectives of the other three women. The reader can't help but become emotionally invested in the four women's lives as they work through their personal and professional struggles.

I think the author provides the reader with a storyline that is emotional and dramatic; with four realistic, vibrant and different women whose interconnected lives and personal stories speak to the reader's heart; and an accurate portrayal of the inner workings of the child welfare system that draws upon the reader's compassion.

Aggravated Circumstances is a compelling and touching story that will resonate with you for a long time.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2013/06/aggravated-circumstances-by-mi...

Child welfare services are responsible to making sure that children live in a safe, healthy environment. When that isn't the case, they may remove a child from home and place the child in a safer location. In many cases, a family member is able to step in to care for the child. Others go into foster care. If the parent is able to show the ability to regain custody, the child is usually returned to the parent. If not, the child may be placed for adoption or will remain in the foster care system. Sometimes, though, a child is returned to his or her parent and may suffer further damage.
When AGGRAVATED CIRCUMSTANCES begins, 22 year-old Devin Lenox is at home with her two-year-old daughter, Hannah. Responding to a complaint from a neighbor about drug use and a child in the home, police arrive with a search warrant. They find Devin high on drugs, syringes and other drug paraphernalia littering a table, and Hannah in the corner, crying and in soiled clothes.
Taylor Ross, a social worker with the state Division for Children, Youth, and Families, is called in to take Hannah while Devin is taken into custody. Devin is very upset when she realizes what's happening; Taylor was also involved in taking her first child from her five years previously. Taylor phoned Judge Sarah Howton-Canfield to get a court order to take Hannah. There is no other family member available. The father is in jail for felonious sexual assault; Hannah was conceived through his raping Devin. Devin later explains she decided to go through with the pregnancy because she wanted to prove she could be a good mother.
When Devin gets to jail, she calls attorney Elisa Cahill to help her regain custody. Elisa and Taylor have a negative history between them which the author brings up at least half a dozen times before saying what started it. When Taylor learns that Elisa is the lawyer, she calls her to advise her that the person who adopted Devin's first child is the judge. It turned out that Elisa handled the adoption after Devin had lost her parental rights.
Taylor is very concerned about what happens to children who are bounced among foster homes; she was one of them. But she also is very concerned about returning a child to what may become a dangerous environment.
In order to regain custody, Devin finally realizes she must make major changes in her own life including getting off drugs, getting job and education, and assume responsibility for her own actions. She also must learn to trust other people as well as herself. She enters a recovery program and is put on Methadone. Unfortunately, the Methadone program takes a year to complete. The decision about permanent termination of parental rights is in six months. Some representing the state firmly believe her previous history condemns her permanently.
Sarah and her wife, Kelsey, also have a nine-year-old adopted son. While their lesbian marriage is discussed the same way it would have been for a straight marriage (while I really appreciated), one day he mentions another boy talking about him not having a dad. I would think that point would have been discussed when he was much younger.
AGGRAVATED CIRCUMSTANCES presents a window into the way the DCYF treats people and cases. It also shows how one incident can affect so many people in so many ways. It went beyond the basic story and told about the personal lives of the main characters as well in a style that added to the story. I think it was well written (except for all the comments about Taylor and Elisa's history).
I received this Early Reviewers book via LibraryThing and Smashwords.

This was a good book about friends that lose contact but come back together. It was not particularly memorable but definitely a quick, fun read.

This book was fun to read. Constantly switching from one person to the next (there are four main characters) was interesting, as you got to see things from each woman's point of view. It's not the kind of book that makes you want to read it all in one night, but it was enjoyable.½

Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com/2011/12/after-ten.html

After Ten is the story of four women who meet in the first year of law school. They become friends, and discuss where they expect their lives to take them in ten years. They agree to meet in ten years time to see if expectations meet reality. The book moves back and forth between the four characters and back and forth through the ten years telling their stories. Not surprisingly, life takes unexpected turns for all of them both in positive and negative ways. Whether or not the friendship lasts is for you to discover in the book.

This book is definite chick lit. The plot is not a new one. The issues raised - lost loves, parental disapproval, siblings, care taking for elderly parents, alcoholism, building a marriage, bonds of friendship - are common but real life issues. They are issues we can all relate to in some way. Different ones will strike a chord with different people. That perhaps is the value of this book - to remind us that no matter what the issue we may be facing, we are not alone. Others face the same things, and if we are lucky, we have people around us to help us get through.

Overall, It's not a bad book, but it's not a memorable book. A quick weekend or airplane read.

***Reviewed for LibraryThing Member Giveaway Program***½

I really enjoyed this book. It was very interesting how it followed 4 seperate lives over th 10 years of seperation and the realness of life and friendships! Great book.

This was a fun weekend read. The story had a little bit of everything that women go through. I really enjoyed how it showed that things change yet true friends will be there when you need them. Even if you have not talked to each other in in ten years. I enjoyed all of the characters and was really wanted Tracy and Steve to get back together.

This was a wonderful book about 4 college friends. The author captured stuff we all have either faced or dealt with in our lives. This book shows the struggle that the women faced and how they overcame the problem. This book dealt with marriage, motherhood, being a single parent, alcoholism, and being gay. The author has written a great book with well developed characters and a wonderful plot. Thanks for allowing me to read this book Ms. Shriver.