Shutdown Player: Seattle Sockeyes Hockey (Game On in Seattle #10) by Jami Davenport
927743
Jami Davenport lights the lamp with SHUTDOWN PLAYER, the tenth book in the Game On Seattle series. After a failed marriage to a stereotypical puck bunny, Jared Roderick is ready to settle down with a nice girl. He thinks he finds the woman of his dreams when he meets, Stephanie Clarke. However, Steph has some secretes and a former boyfriend who is not willing to let her go. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for adult audiences.

We first meet Steph in book 9, PENALTY PLAY. Steph used to work with Vi. She was in an abusive relationship with Gino. Its terrible what he put her through, the guy doesnt know when to give up. I love that she is embraced by the Sockeye family. Its great that Izzy hired her at Party Crashers. I like how she meets Jared through her second job with Agnes.

Both Jared and Stephanie understandably have issues because of their previous relationships. Candy and Gino really pulled a number on them. As a result, they are both keeping secrets from each other, which winds up causing issues.

Steph and Jared make a cute couple. I love that they both read hockey romances. I also, like their favorite authors, add in Jami Davenport of course.

The plot was believable and heartfelt. I appreciated how the characters developed throughout the story. The epilogue was a perfect conclusion to the story. I enjoy Jami Davenports writing style. It flows well and is easy to envision. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
97358
I am an avid sports fan and reader. Simply put, Jakki Clarke hit this one out of the park. It is as if I was havig a fun afternoon talking sports with a locker room full of hockey greats, the author did an amazing job of getting into the lives of these players and she has allowed us along for the ride.

I highly reccomend this book to any sports fan or parent of a young athlete.

I will certainly be on the lookout for the next book by Jakki Clark.
704933
The loudmouth casanova of the `Dartmouth Cobra' hockey team, Luke Carter isn't afraid to stir up trouble both on and off the ice.  Catching his girlfriend playing tonsil hockey with his roomie is his wake-up call to realize he's not cut out for a vanilla relationship. Returning to the BDSM club scene, he jumps back into his Dom role to explore life with a willing sub or two.
Jami Richter, daughter of the Dartmouth Cobra's GM, reached rock bottom last year but has cleaned herself up and is working her way back. She hopes making it as an ice girl for the team will make her dad proud and be one step closer to changing her luck for the better.
Sebastian Ramos, defensive man for the Cobra's, is in complete control whether it's on the ice or in the bedroom. A new city/new team is just what he needs to start fresh and hide the secrets that have gotten him into trouble in the past.
It's playoff time for the Darkmouth Cobra's and Sebastian, Jami, & Carter are about to find out things about each other that will either heal them or break them.

First off, I do have to point out that this isn't just an erotic romance book. It's gives glimpses behind the sport of hockey itself. I learned things like why the players feel the need to fight in the middle of the game that I never knew. How the psychological portions of a game are just as important as the physical and that teammates will always have your back no matter what. And ice girls aren't simply fluff - they work hard to make it look easy but they are just as committed to excellence as the players themselves and work long hard hours too. But management is the same in all sports - players, for the most part, are a commodity that can be used, exploited, intimidated, and traded when it suits them with the exception of a select few. But. They do have a responsibility to the fan base who are the ultimate deciders of who/what/where hockey teams will flourish or wither away which they can never forget.

This is the third of the "Dartmouth Cobra" series which features Jami, Sebastian, & Carter. It's not possible to touch on all the twists and turns that are included in this book without giving away story line spoilers but just know that this book is the best of the series to date in my opinion. The author brings out the psychological and emotional toll that each character has been going through, including returning characters from the previous books in the series, to help the reader understand why they are the way they are and how finding that special person/relationship can save even those who think they're unsaveable.

As to the erotic portions of this book. This mmf themed book is toe curling hot with well written BDSM scenes that won't disappoint those of you who like their adult content action with intense scenes that include edgy S/M elements, impact play, & dirty talking,. I really loved that the author didn't shy away from giving the boys as much quality alone time as the bi and menage scenes got. And if that's not enough, there were additional scenes with other characters in the book, including one memorable orgy scene, that had me squirming in my chair. Card games, toy shopping, skype, hotel room, BDSM club, home - all will have you smiling ear to ear after reading this book.

I can see someone trying to read this as a standalone and appreciating it for the most part but to get the full understanding of the different dynamics and such I would highly recommend reading all three of the books in this series.  I guarantee you'll never look at hockey players the same ever again.
575701
With The Game, Ken took us inside the spirit of the game.  With Game  Change he has taken us both within where hockey is now, but most importantly inside its future for both its players and its fans.  Ken has also shown a path to make it even better, more special and the most rewarding sport to watch, play and live.
4363370
I'm new to fantasy sports, not new to hockey but didn't realize some of these stats even existed.  Well written.  Definitely worth the 2.99 price.
4893846
Last year, it was an easy decision. If you wanted five-on-five hockey on the Xbox, you bought NHL 2002. Now, NHL 2k3 is on the market and you have to decide between EA's NHL 2003 and Sega's 2k3. While I am a big fan of the Sega Sports line (including NFL 2k3), I haven't played NHL 2k3 and I won't. I have always loved EA's hockey offering and despite many negative reviews here, I really like the improvements to NHL 2003. It is important to realize that I like these improvements not because it makes the gameplay more fun, but because it makes the gameplay more realistic.
If you are deciding between the two, I feel it goes something like this: those who want a more realistic, true hockey-like feel will enjoy EA Sports NHL 2003. Those who want to pick up a game and just start playing go for NHL 2k3. Do you like spending time managing your lines, learning about and controlling your offensive and defensive strategies? Do you feel that it is too unrealistic for most players to be scoring from the blue line on a backhand? You sound like a NHL 2003 player. This describes myself. I would rather have the challenge of assembling a good team, managing that team, editing my lines to put myself in a good position to win, and then execute it in each game.
To those of you who are upgrading from 2002, I wouldn't say the game makes leaps and bounds but it improves in many areas. Many of the improvements revolve around making the video game more true to real hockey. The biggest change is the ability to control the puck on dekes. Fake the goalie out one direction, then shoot from another. Previously, any dump-in would circle its way around the boards. It was quite easy to play "dump and chase" by dumping with one player on one side and chasing with another on the opposite. Now, not so. If you don't aim your dump-in, it will go the direction you are facing and many times come off at a more realistic angle, often straight back at you. It used to be in 2002 that you could clear a puck during a penalty kill regardless of your body direction or clearing angle. Now, not so. Poke-checking is much more realistic and passing is not as accurate. The goalie AI is a huge improvement. The goalie will now make a handful of different saves, including poke-checks and stacking the pads. Another improvement I really enjoy is the ability to have the goalie partially stop a shot and have it still trickle through. It's frustrating if it happens to your goalie, but again, makes excellent strides towards simulating real hockey.
One area for improvement is definitely the camera angles. I was really disappointed after moving from NHL 2001 on my PC (I liked those angles) to NHL 2002 on the Xbox. Unfortunately, NHL 2003 camera angles are the same as 2002. There are a few reviewers here who don't understand that there are also many things to change in the form of options. If you are scoring too much, up the difficulty level. If the game is too slow, up the gameplay speed bar.
I'm one video gamer that likes NHL 2003 and feel that it was worth my money.
1805197
This book is pretty amazing. It has all the dates and big players and great lists of what happened and when. It even delves into some of the more finite details like player moves, etc. There are many great pictures in their. The only two things I would change are 1. I wanted to see a detailed map of each of the incarnations of the cup in a flat layout so each inscription could be read. It showed the same close ups over and over. Show me a detailed map. The Hall of Fame has a 3d version of the Cup and that one fails to show all of it as well. 2. I would have combined the year by year sections. There are 2 of them that go through the cup history year by year, focusing on two different aspects. Combine them. Let's update this book to include the Blackhawks 2010 and do it again!
4267818
My dreams have finally come true.  2k sports has released NHL 2k9 on the Wii.  I love hockey games, and was one of the few (apparently) that was a big fan of 2k8 (I had it on PS2, played like a wonder).  Not only has this great series come to Wii, but 2k was even kind enough to give us the features of the series that was common on the other systems.  Franchise, Exhibition, mini rink, pond hockey, shootout, all official NHL teams, world teams, old teams, etc.  The only two elements that seem to be missing are the mini games which were so fun in 2k8, and online play.  Supposedly, they did not attach the Wii edition with online play because they wanted to focus on the controls more than anything, and they would add it next year.

I say who cares if its missing it! I don't need strangers from around the world to enjoy my hockey game.  Graphically, this looks fine.  Its on a Wii, its a hockey game, the fact that it does not look like a graphic masterpiece is almost irrelevant.  The presentation of the game is great.  There is now an intermission report, cool introduction videos, stadium effects, referee videos, and things of that nature.

The controls are fantastic.  I haven't quite memorized yet, but I know which button does what, and its all perfectly laid out.  And boy is there satisfaction when a slapshot goes in!  Passing with the lock-on function is great, doesn't take any time to get used to and actually works better than the old way of auto-pass/face player to pass function, which was generally a gamble.  However, if you are stuck in the old ways, that function is still available.  Honestly, I was worried this wouldn't work so well coming to the Wii, but its better than I could imagine.  I'm so happy I got it.  I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for some awesome hockey action on the Wii, or just awesome action on Wii.
3962106
2198746

The title, MELTING ICE, perfectly conveys the story Jami Davenport skillfully tells in book 5 of the Game On In Seattle series.

Isaac "Ice" Wolfe has, at the young age of 26, burned just about every bridge imaginable in regard to his NHL career. Solely focusing on winning and maintaining his phenomenal skill level, Isaac lives in his own world. A world where no one, team and family alike, is invited. He refuses to play nice with reporters, fans, and more importantly, his team members. His surly attitude has finally outweighed his value as a hockey player and he is traded to a relatively new NHL team, the Seattle Sockeyes.

Realization dawns that this just might be his final chance and Isaac is scared. Hockey is his life. He's damn good at it and it's all he wants to do. But can he turn himself around and be the nice guy team player?

Isaac's past is slowly revealed, bit by bit as the story moves forward. We learn he has good reason to protect himself and his heart; he blames himself for the deaths of his sister and girlfriend.

Good thing his new neighbor, Avery Maxwell, is dedicated to healing damaged souls. Sure, she works with abused horses but her compassion and need to heal have spilled over into helping a troubled teen cope with a tragedy. Now it appears she can't resist Isaac and his mysterious history.

Avery has her own issues. Her family looks down on her choice to make horse training a career and at times she is unsure of own abilities for success as she works day and night to make it in the highly competitive field.

Avery and Isaac's meet cute is just that. The first thing Isaac's dog Hal does is escape his surly owner and waddle next door to the horse barn in search of nicer company. Looking for Hal, Isaac runs into Avery. Cue the sparks and chemistry.

Ms. Davenport developed her characters so well and at the perfect pace. As the story unfolded so did Isaac and Avery, their pasts, their hopes, their fears, their desires. Isaac Wolfe could very well have been an arrogant jerk throughout this story, taking two steps back for every step forward, however, Ms. Davenport kept that from happening. The chemistry and passion between Isaac and Avery led to a beautiful journey for both characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

I received this book from Candid Book Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
1712899
NHL 2K2 is a really great game, and its not like those EA arcade games where you score 15 goals in a game. Games are like 1-0, or 2-1 in this game. Also, the fighting along the boreds for the puck is great. There are a lot of bugs, though. Like after all penalties the puck is droped at center ice, instead of where the penalty took place. Also, Off-sides are kinda weird, its kinda hard to explain, but if i go off side it goes all the way into my zone for the faceoff. Another bug is sometimes if you get a penalty, the penalty box doors never close until the game is over. Between plays can be kinda frustrating cause you have to wait for the players get to the bench, then get back on. And the fighting is horrible. Some good things are the ice. The ice is simply gorgious. The sound is ok, although after you score, the crowd is almost silent, even if your at home. Over all, its the best game for Dreamcast out there, and a must buy.
GO STARS!!!
2230934
I have to start by saying I love the game. The little details are the most important and EA Canada realizes that. If you are a fan of sports game I'm sure you played the new Madden and like me was extremely disappointed. EA Canada proved the Madden team has done nothing to improve the offline experience.

This is going to seem a little off but one of my favorite new features is the restricted free agents. They are such a big part of the real game that it only makes since they are in the video game. The tracking of actual draft placement is also impressive. I start my first dynasty as the Bruins and sure enough they have Toronto's first and second pick in 2011. Awesomeness.

The Be a Pro Mode is even more awesome this year then years past. Playing in the memorial cup was way more fun then I'd ever thought it be. Go Thunderbirds. The only thing that kind of sucks about it is that if you play really well you pretty much get guaranteed to get drafted by the oilers. Who wants to play for them really...

The new stick breaking feature is fun for a while until it happens to you when the game is on the line. The feature its self is nothing to write home about but like I said before its the little details that make or break these annual sport releases.

My one complaint is the new collision system. The hits do look completely awesome but why do I have to press in R3 of all buttons to make a hit. I think I just haven't gotten the hang of it or something but seriously it is a pain in the butt with everything else going. It just feels completely unnatural to press and hold in R3 while trying to deliver a hit. The process slows you player far too much and I actually miss about 80% of my intended hits. But like I said that's my only complaint.

Overall Great Effort by EA Canada keeping pace. Putting out a game once a year is hard enough on the next generation system and adding new features that Madden should have like RFA's proves they care a little more about their consumers then their counter part.
3135964
NHL 2017 is the new hockey game that EA sports released for the year of 2016. If you are any young adult, or beyond that, boy or girl, and have a passion for hockey, then this game is meant for you. The game is rated E for everyone, which means that it is suitable for all ages. Parents have nothing to worry about when allowing their children t play the game.  The game is a fast pace, adrenaline inducing style of game, which is sure to get you in the zone to play some video games. EA sports is a video game developing company that makes this game and they also make very well known games like: Madden, NBALive, and Professional Wrestling.  One thing that EA Sports is well known for is the consistency in every game they make. They never have a down year, producing games every year, for almost every sport.

One thing that puts the game over the top is the gameplay and fast pace that it is. When you play baseball games they can sometimes be laid back and relaxing. NHL 2017 is a very fast paced game, with a great gameplay. The features that it comes with are major upgrades from what they were last year. Now you can play multiplayer mode online through Xbox Live, and can play against your friends on just one console. The graphics on this game are out of this world. Every year the advancements in technology keep improving and amaze me. This game when played on a high definition television makes it seem as if you are at the game, or watching a live game on the TV. With all these features that the game developers have added over the year I was certain that the price would increase. That is not the case; the price is still $69.99, a very affordable price compared to other games.

I am a proud owner of this game and would recommend the game to anyone that ask. If you are a fan of hockey and want a game that will make you feel like you are in the skates of the players or in the front row banging on the ice at a professional game. you should really consider NHL 2017.  Even if you are not a huge fan of hockey, much like myself, and just want to get the game to give it a try, you definitely should consider NHL 2017.
2645203
Saw a good review of this book over a year ago, kept the review until I got the book.. It grabbed me from the first page and I found it  hard to put it down to go to bed..I have recommended this book to friends who are into hockey and those who are into murder mysteries. I will get the other books in the series soon.
2630761
Loved it a lot. best hockey game out there.

Can't wait till next year!
4088900
This game rocks, the secret teams, the players, the goals and goalies, and everything! I've played a hockey game before--NHL Hitz 20-02--for PS2. This is THE game, not A game, THE game!
3306129
It is great to have some hockey in a season when all fans are being deprived of any action.  Jeremy never disappoints to entertain and tell it like it is.  This book was given as a gift to my son and he was thrilled.  He could not wait to start reading.  It is disappointing to have missed nearly half of the season already and the book does bring a spark of hockey back to a very dismal time for every fan.
3780949
Finnie Walsh.  A book not only fun, but informative as well.  This book, written by Steven Galloway is an awesome, book.  Unlike the usual canadian books, it just great... If you like Hockey you'll love this book.  If you don't like hockey you'll love this book.  The book has relationships, between family, friends, and beaus.  A wonderful, outstanding read.