Coach’s Challenge by Avon Gale
Series: Scoring Chances Book #5
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date (Print & Ebook): June 26, 2017
Length: Ebook: ~70K (181 pages)
Subgenre: Sports romance, LGBTQ+ romance
Buy Links:
Book Blurb:
It’s been decades since blackmail forced Troy Callahan to retire from playing professional hockey, and he’s built a successful career behind the bench. When he’s offered the opportunity to coach the Asheville Ravens—the most hated team in the ECHL—he’s convinced that his no-nonsense attitude is just what the team needs to put their focus back on hockey. But Troy is disheartened when he finds that the Ravens have signed Shane North, a player known for his aggression—especially when Shane’s rough good looks give Troy inappropriate thoughts about a player, even if Shane’s set to retire at the end of the season.
Shane’s career in the majors never quite took off. Wanting to quit on his own terms, Shane agrees to a one-year contract with the Ravens and finds himself playing for a coach who thinks he’s an aging goon and with a team that doesn’t trust him, the coach, or each other. Despite his determination to not get involved, Shane unwillingly becomes part of the team… and is just as unwillingly drawn to the gruff, out-and-proud coach. As the Ravens struggle to build a new identity, Shane and Troy succumb to the passion that might cost them everything.
Quotes from the author about the book:
Troy and Shane’s story was a joy to write – I loved writing about two characters who were so confident in what they wanted and determined to get it no matter what. These are two stubborn, opinionated and passionate men and their interactions were so much fun to write.
Quotes from other authors about the book:
"I hope this series continues forever. I always have time for more of Avon Gale's quirky, impeccably written hockey players. Shane is the perfect smartass, and watching him fall for Troy is terrific fun." - Sarina Bowen, USA Today bestselling author of Him
Excerpt:
“I didn’t think you liked me very much, Shane.”
It was such an unCallahan thing to say, it was almost cute. “I don’t really need to like you to want you to f*ck me, do I?”
Troy’s pale eyes flashed. “Goddammit.”
They stared at each other, the music a low throb in the bar, lights dancing merrily on the slick floor. “I could like you just fine,” Shane murmured and then deliberately dropped his gaze to Troy’s belt. “If you just showed a little effort, Coach.”
Shane knew the “coach” thing would piss Troy off—what didn’t?—but he had a hunch that wasn’t all it would do. He stood up very slowly and angled so they faced each other in the small space between the barstools. Troy was taller than Shane by a few inches, though leaner and lanky like a runner. They weren’t quite touching, but it reminded Shane of those games where you lined up across from a guy for the faceoff and just knew you were going to throw the gloves off as soon as the whistle blew.
All they needed was someone to blow the whistle. God.
Review:
RATING:
I guess it’s fitting that I wrote this on Canada Day (our 150th btw). This is about hockey and love after all. I didn’t intend for it to work this way. As a matter of fact, this was slightly overdue… oops!
This 5th installment of the Scoring Chances by Avon is another delish addition to the series. It’s a standalone, I would know as I haven’t gotten to bks 3 and 4, so no worries. Troy is the new coach hired to turn the team around. Shane is the new player in town. So for starter, they definitely bring a shift to the team dynamics and culture, especially considering what the team recently went thru’. Then there’s the attraction that caught each other off guard. It’s a delicate situation they find themselves in. Troy is Shane’s coach after all. There’s so many ways things can go sideways really fast. But the pants want what the pants want, right? Hehe… More importantly though, it was beautiful to see how each came to mean so much more to each other. And it couldn’t be more apparent especially at the end when one realized that his decision no longer just affects him and seeing that trust they have for each other… awww…
Troy has got to be one of my fave alphaholes and he’s funny to boot! He’s older (translation, in my age group LOL), a fact I love! He knows he’s not with the times and he embraces that, another fact I love! He’s unapologetic, even with his hobbies, teehee, and he may talk like an a$$ but underneath all that gruffness, he’s a good person, and I love that! And I love how Shane unsettles him! And what a dirty talker, this Troy! Oomph!
Shane is the perfect match to Troy’s personality. He’s just as funny as Troy. I love how he doesn’t balk at Troy’s roughness and calls him out on it. Although he’s younger than Troy, he’s also no spring chicken, a fact I love! I love how he is with the team, and I love how a good friend he is. He has his one big “hang-up” but I totally understood. And I love how he unsettles Troy!
These 2 together, you guys! They sizzzzzzled!!! There’s such bite to their interaction that it actually fueled the fire, I’m telling ya! *giggles* And because they’re such on fire in the bedroom, had Avon added more smexy times, I probably would’ve been happier… just sayin…:p
If you’re a hockey fan, you will definitely enjoy this sports romance. If you have no clue about hockey, I’d say you’d still wanna pick this up and hey, you get to learn some hockey along the way while fanning yourself. Not only will you get to see how the game is played, you also pick up some terminology, and see how the camaraderie builds and plays out both in and out of the locker room. All these, while you also see a relationship blossom from an attraction and watch how Troy and Shane develop and grow as a couple. Delish!!*g*
This 5th installment of the Scoring Chances by Avon is another delish addition to the series. It’s a standalone, I would know as I haven’t gotten to bks 3 and 4, so no worries. Troy is the new coach hired to turn the team around. Shane is the new player in town. So for starter, they definitely bring a shift to the team dynamics and culture, especially considering what the team recently went thru’. Then there’s the attraction that caught each other off guard. It’s a delicate situation they find themselves in. Troy is Shane’s coach after all. There’s so many ways things can go sideways really fast. But the pants want what the pants want, right? Hehe… More importantly though, it was beautiful to see how each came to mean so much more to each other. And it couldn’t be more apparent especially at the end when one realized that his decision no longer just affects him and seeing that trust they have for each other… awww…
Troy has got to be one of my fave alphaholes and he’s funny to boot! He’s older (translation, in my age group LOL), a fact I love! He knows he’s not with the times and he embraces that, another fact I love! He’s unapologetic, even with his hobbies, teehee, and he may talk like an a$$ but underneath all that gruffness, he’s a good person, and I love that! And I love how Shane unsettles him! And what a dirty talker, this Troy! Oomph!
Shane is the perfect match to Troy’s personality. He’s just as funny as Troy. I love how he doesn’t balk at Troy’s roughness and calls him out on it. Although he’s younger than Troy, he’s also no spring chicken, a fact I love! I love how he is with the team, and I love how a good friend he is. He has his one big “hang-up” but I totally understood. And I love how he unsettles Troy!
These 2 together, you guys! They sizzzzzzled!!! There’s such bite to their interaction that it actually fueled the fire, I’m telling ya! *giggles* And because they’re such on fire in the bedroom, had Avon added more smexy times, I probably would’ve been happier… just sayin…:p
If you’re a hockey fan, you will definitely enjoy this sports romance. If you have no clue about hockey, I’d say you’d still wanna pick this up and hey, you get to learn some hockey along the way while fanning yourself. Not only will you get to see how the game is played, you also pick up some terminology, and see how the camaraderie builds and plays out both in and out of the locker room. All these, while you also see a relationship blossom from an attraction and watch how Troy and Shane develop and grow as a couple. Delish!!*g*
Author Bio:
Avon Gale wrote her first story at the age of seven, about a “Space Hat” hanging on a rack and waiting for that special person to come along and purchase it — even if it was a bit weirder than the other, more normal hats. Like all of Avon’s characters, the space hat did get its happily ever after — though she’s pretty sure it was with a unicorn. She likes to think her vocabulary has improved since then, but the theme of quirky people waiting for their perfect match is still one of her favorites.
Avon grew up in the southern United States, and now lives with her very patient husband in a liberal midwestern college town. When she’s not writing, she’s either doing some kind of craft project that makes a huge mess, reading, watching horror movies, listening to music or yelling at her favorite hockey team to get it together, already. Avon is always up for a road trip, adores Kentucky bourbon, thinks nothing is as stress relieving as a good rock concert and will never say no to candy.
At one point, Avon was the mayor of both Jazzercise and Lollicup on Foursquare. This tells you basically all you need to know about her as a person.
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