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:
Dreamspinner Press: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/coachs-challenge-by-avon-gale-8609-b
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
Reviewed by:
I think Troy is my animal spirit. He made me feel not so bad about my own potty mouth.
He also made me want to pull out my mosaic puzzle. It's been SO long and that fucker is HARD!! lol
For those that are just noticing this series, you can jump in on this book. Yes, it's part of a series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. I do suggest going back into the others though, because, well...Avon Gale.
I'll admit, I only know about the Spitfires because I read that book, so it was pretty great to see some of those characters briefly, but I was not confused in any way.
Can we talk about Troy and Shane's hot AF banter?? Troy's deadpan, no BS humor is incredible. Shane never missed a beat either, he just goes with it and gives back what Troy dishes out. I love these guys.
I'm actually very curious about Shane's roommate Alani. I would totally read her book, if it were ever written. Female surfer sounds kind of badass.
I would also love to see some River and Ben, too. I guess I don't know if they already have a story and I may need to do some research after I write this. River is the lovely ex ballerina, now bartender/defender of youth LGBT and local bookstore/cafe/rec center owner, and his tattoo artist boyfriend, Ben.
River gets to see Shane and Troy's relationship grow as they have there not-date, date nights, at his bar.
Villainary: I KNEW something was up with Quinn, the little weasel!!! He should be right where St. Savoy is, because it almost sounds like he'll be back to do villainy things.
Warning: This is a heat level five and may melt your e-reader. That being said, there's also loads of story and a lot of humor and chemistry.
I highly recommend this series for hockey lovers and romance lovers alike.
He also made me want to pull out my mosaic puzzle. It's been SO long and that fucker is HARD!! lol
For those that are just noticing this series, you can jump in on this book. Yes, it's part of a series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. I do suggest going back into the others though, because, well...Avon Gale.
I'll admit, I only know about the Spitfires because I read that book, so it was pretty great to see some of those characters briefly, but I was not confused in any way.
Can we talk about Troy and Shane's hot AF banter?? Troy's deadpan, no BS humor is incredible. Shane never missed a beat either, he just goes with it and gives back what Troy dishes out. I love these guys.
I'm actually very curious about Shane's roommate Alani. I would totally read her book, if it were ever written. Female surfer sounds kind of badass.
I would also love to see some River and Ben, too. I guess I don't know if they already have a story and I may need to do some research after I write this. River is the lovely ex ballerina, now bartender/defender of youth LGBT and local bookstore/cafe/rec center owner, and his tattoo artist boyfriend, Ben.
River gets to see Shane and Troy's relationship grow as they have there not-date, date nights, at his bar.
Villainary: I KNEW something was up with Quinn, the little weasel!!! He should be right where St. Savoy is, because it almost sounds like he'll be back to do villainy things.
Warning: This is a heat level five and may melt your e-reader. That being said, there's also loads of story and a lot of humor and chemistry.
I highly recommend this series for hockey lovers and romance lovers alike.
5*
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 fuck 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.
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.