Release Blitz + Review: "Trial by Fire" by M.E. Carter

I'm delighted to participate in the release blitz celebrating "Trial by Fire" by M.E. Carter, book #2 of the Florida Glaze series. Characters from the previous book make appearances in this one, but it works well as a standalone. 

Nick Williams loves his job as a professional hockey player for the Florida Glaze but hates all of the media attention that goes with it. It's only gotten worse since he was named Tampa's most eligible bachelor a few months ago. As if that weren't bad enough, his team's management has started to enforce the provision in his contract that requires Nick to make himself available for interviews and public appearances, starting with the team's annual charity gala. His twin sister Delaney insists that he needs a date for the gala, so she sets him up with her new friend, hotel heiress Prestyn Caine. After Nick and Prestyn bond over their shared dislike of the spotlight and prior bad experiences with dates who were mostly interested in their money, she proposes a friends with benefits arrangement. It's not long before their intense chemistry gives way to real feelings, but neither is prepared for the consequences. Will Prestyn and Nick be able to walk away from each other without getting hurt, or will at least one heart get broken in the process?

The chemistry sizzled between Nick and Prestyn from the moment they met, but their emotional connection grew quickly too. They had a unique understanding that transcended a typical friends with benefits arrangement, and before either of them knew what had happened, they were falling in love. I adored their witty banter as well as the fact that they were such likeable, three-dimensional characters. As a poetry-loving introvert, Nick was nothing like a "typical" hockey player, and Prestyn wasn't a "typical" heiress, either. She worked hard and genuinely wanted to contribute to the family business, though her family and horrible boss (her older brother's best friend) didn't make that easy. For that reason, the resolution of her story arc was immensely satisfying to me even if it didn't happen in quite the way I predicted.

Overall, I very much enjoyed "Trial by Fire" and highly recommend it for all contemporary/sports romance fans. I look forward to the next book in the series.

 

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

About "Trial by Fire"

Chemistry this explosive can’t stay hidden for long…

Prestyn Caine doesn’t want to be known as a “hotel princess.” She wants to be recognized by the men in her family for who she is - a strong and confident business woman. Instead, she finds herself banging on the glass ceiling her great-grandfather put in place long ago. As if that wasn’t enough, her one foray into dating ended with her accidentally being the “other woman.” Needless to say, her faith in men is dwindling quickly.

Nick Williams hates wearing the title of Tampa’s Bachelor of the Year. He shies from any additional publicity of being a professional hockey player. Even dating without being hounded by the media doesn’t seem like a possibility. It doesn’t help to discover the untoward way his sister’s marriage fell apart. Any ability he had to trust others is quickly evaporating.

Still, despite the tumultuous way their paths cross, Prestyn and Nick have an undeniable attraction. With their busy careers and mutual disdain for the spotlight, a no-strings attached non-relationship is an ideal setup for both of them.

As long as they can keep their feelings in check, it doesn’t matter how much things heat up… right?