Alex
Author: Sawyer Bennett
Series: Cold Fury Hockey, #1
Rating: 4 Stars
Publisher: Loveswept
Date Published: October 14, 2014

Hockey star Alexander Crossman has a reputation as a cold-hearted player on and off the rink. Pushed into the sport by an alcoholic father, Alex isn't afraid to give fans the proverbial middle finger, relishing his role as the MVP they love to hate. Management, however, isn't so amused. Now Alex has a choice: fix his public image through community service or ride the bench. But Alex refuses to be molded into the Carolina Cold Fury poster boy . . . not even by a tempting redhead with killer curves.
As a social worker, Sutton Price is accustomed to difficult people--like Alex, who's been assigned to help her create a drug-abuse awareness program for at-risk youth as part of the team's effort to clean up his image. What she doesn't expect is the arrogant smirk from his perfect lips to stir her most heated fantasies. But Sutton isn't one to cross professional boundaries--and besides, Alex doesn't do relationships . . . or does he? The more she sees behind Alex's bad-boy façade, the more Sutton craves the man she uncovers."

My Thoughts:

Okay, so one of the first things you have to know about me is that I'm a big hockey fan. Like, a HUGE hockey fan. I love to watch the games, even if my team isn't playing (Go Blues!). Oddly, though, prior to reading Alex, I hadn't read many books featuring hockey players. The hockey books that I have read were part the Off series by...Sawyer Bennett.

So awhile back, one of my good friends told me about Sawyer's book, Alex, and said that I really needed to read it. I kind of dawdled for awhile and set it aside. I'm not sure why, to be honest. Maybe I was afraid of being disappointed? I shouldn't have had doubts though, because I really enjoyed her Off series. Now, I could kick myself for not reading this sooner.

Alex turned out to be a really nice book! I'll be honest- I kept waiting for more scenes when Alex and his team were on the ice, and I loved reading about how his games went. It was also cute reading about how Sutton learned about the game. I remember doing that too! :)

My heart also went out to Alex when he told of his struggles with the game and how it wasn't fun anymore. Alex was such a complex character, and although he was gruff and often had a bad attitude, I was surprised that he wasn't worse than he was when you considered all of the things he had been going through.

I often find myself disliking NA heroines more often than not, but I actually liked Sutton! I admired her disposition and the life that she made for herself, despite her obstacles. She was just what Alex needed. I did get a little irritated with her towards the end, because I didn't think she fully comprehended Alex's situation, and felt like she was a little rash. Other than that, I think I would've liked to read more about their relationship and their dialogue.

I am really looking forward to the next book in this series- Garrett! He was one of my favorite characters and really put a smile on my face. I cannot wait to learn about his story in book two!

Dream of Me: Book 1 of The Dream Makers Series

by Quinn Loftis

Synopsis

Since the dawn of time, Brudair, otherwise known as the Sandman to the world, has faithfully lived out his purpose, faithfully performed his duties. He has never questioned his lot among the immortals, until now, until her. Sarah Serenity Tillman, a consummate beauty both inside and out, is a high school senior five months from her graduation. She has great plans, dreams of leaving the small town of her childhood behind her forever. But destiny has other plans, and it’s the Sandman’s job to make sure those plans are fulfilled.
The tall muscular Sandman, known as Dair to his friends, dressed in black, wrapped in shadows, is more than a myth. And he has a job to do. His very existence makes him a creature of the night, because dreams, (yes the legends got that part right), were indeed his specialty. But his purpose was more than just weaving dreams for sleeping children. No, his dreams were made to influence, made to ensure that certain special individuals, those individuals who would change the course of history, actually accepted their chosen destiny.
Little does Serenity know that she is Dair’s next assignment. And the dream that he weaves for her, if she follows its influence, will change the course of, not only her life, but possibly the whole of history as well. But she isn’t the only one being influenced. The beauty inside of her was weighing on the Sandman, lighting up the darkness that was his constant companion. Her light was warmth, it was life, and he didn’t understand how he had survived the previous millennia without it.
The Sandman was indeed greater than anything humans had ever imagined, and his purpose was vital to the course of history. So what happens when the weaver of dreams gets so distracted by a mere human that he ignores his own duties in the immortal realm? How can an immortal who was never meant to have a mate, join a young woman in her destiny without irrevocably changing the lives of millions and potentially altering history in a way the Creator never intended?

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About Quinn Loftis

Quinn lives in beautiful NW Arkansas with her husband, 2 sons, Doberman and cat (who thinks she is a ninja in disguise). She is beyond thankful that she has been blessed to be able to write full time and hopes the readers know how much all of their support means to her. Some of her hobbies include reading, exercising, crochet, and spending time with family and friends. She gives all credit of her success to God because he gave her the creative spirit and vivid imagination it takes to write.

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My Thoughts:

I am very happy to have had the opportunity to read another book by Quinn Loftis. She's one of my favorite author's, so when I found out she was writing a book about the Sandman, I new I had to read it! I'd never read a book about the Sandman before. Of course, I had heard about him, but I knew very little about the legend. I have to say that I really liked Quinn's take on this, and the direction that she went with the story.

Dream of Me focuses on two very strong, female characters. Sarah Serenity, is about to finish high school, and wants to move away from her small town and see the world. She's not sure what's she's meant to do with her life, but she is seeking to find her purpose. She's torn, because she is one of the most unselfish and caring people out there, and she always thinks of others first. However, she feels guilty about leaving her aunt and uncle, and others who love and depend on her. Then we have Emma, an eight-year-old genius, whose life is somehow connected to Serenity's. I don't want to give away to much, but I would like to say that I hope that I can one day have as much strength as this child did.

Then, we have Brudair (Dair). Oh my goodness. Who knew that the Sandman would be so hot? Not only that, but he was also very wise and kind. I also admired his strength and his dedication; it couldn't have been easy at times. I am so glad that this is a series, as I would really like to know more about him.

Raphael. I don't know how I can justly describe him. I must admit that I teared up a couple of times because of his diligence and compassion, and for just being who he was. All I can say is that I hope that we all have a Raphael in our lives. I'd like to think that we do. ;)

Dream of Me is a beautiful story about love, kindness, spirituality, and trust. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series, and finding out what happens next!

By the way, isn't the cover for Dream of Me is absolutely gorgeous?! I love everything about it, especially all of the gold. I must order a paperback copy soon.