BLOG TOUR: OFF THE RECORD by SAWYER BENNETT ~ SERIES REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

 

Welcome to my stop on the Off the Record Blog Tour!

This tour is being hosted by AToMR; find the schedule here. My stop includes a review of Off the Record and, to help anyone who isn't familiar with first two books in the series, Off Sides and Off Limits. Plus I have the tour giveaway.

 

 

Series: Off Series #1
Category/Genre: Contemporary New Adult

Publisher: Big Dog Publishing

Publication Date: 2/21/13
Format: ebook
Pages: 137
Source: Received from author for review

 

“I'm not sure what possessed me to do it. Maybe it was the impossible expectations I faced, maybe it was my own self-loathing. But I just knew I needed something different to happen. I needed someone...something...to derail me from my current path. Otherwise, I would become lost...a hollowed out shell of a man. So I did it. I approached her, then I pursued her, then I made her mine. And my life was saved...”

Ryan Burnham is the privileged son of a U.S. Congressman and captain of his university’s hockey team. While he is on the verge of fulfilling his dreams to play in the NHL, his parents want him on a different course. One he is expected to accept for the sake of his family’s public image.

Forced her to abandon her music career after the heart breaking death of her parents, Danny Cross exists on the opposite side of the tracks from Ryan. She is struggling to make her own way, working two jobs, attending college part time and volunteering in a homeless shelter. She is on a mission to build her own success.

With a chance meeting, their vastly different worlds collide, causing each to evaluate whether they are truly on the correct path to self-fulfillment and happiness. Can their relationship survive? Particularly when others are against them every step of the way. A lot can happen in just ten short days...

Oh. My. Gosh. I loved Off Sides. LOVED IT! I adore books that involve a love story about two people, from very different worlds, who fall in love against the odds and wishes of others. Off Sides gave me this and so much more. I also got a story about a hot collegiate hockey player, a fantastic heroine whom I adored (and wish I was brave enough to be like), and a love story that made me get all kinds of choked up.

Ryan and Danny were just...sigh... I really adored these two. The author truly brought these two characters to life and made me love, wish, and cheer for them. Ryan was fantastic on so many levels. A collegiate hockey player with an eye on a pro career, the son of a wealthy politician, he could have easily been a jerk, but was so nice that I wanted to smoosh him. Danny, with her eclectic look, who is struggling to get by and without the distinguished pedigree, is the girl he should have never fallen for. But from the moment Danny opened her mouth and totally shut Ryan's horrible ex-girlfriend down, he was done for. I loved to see these two fall in love. That the recognize what they share early on, discuss, and don't fight it, made me so happy as a reader. Off Sides is their story of finding love, and discovering what they will do to fight for it.

Author Sawyer Bennett did a fabulous job with creating such a deep and affecting story in such a short book. I never felt that the story was rushed, or lacking; Off Sides felt complete to me. I only have one problem: I loved Ryan and Danny's story and never wanted it to end!

Go ahead and consider me a huge fan of the Off Series. I can't wait to read Off Limits and Off the Record.

Favorite Quote:

  "Ryan.." she whispers.
  "Sshhh...we don't have to do this tonight," I assure her.
  She gives a slight shake to her head, closing her eyes briefly. When she opens them back up, her anxiety is gone and in its place is desire. It make my heart trip over and my body harden with anticipation.
  "I was going to say that I want you so much it scares me," she murmurs as she reaches on her tip toes to place a soft kiss on my mouth. ~56%


  "Danny, I'm falling in love with you. I just...I need you to know that."
  I smile at him and I can feel my eyes misting. "I'm already there. Glad you caught up."  ~58%

Series: Off Series #2 Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Big Dog Books

Publication Date: 4/16/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 224
Source: Received from author for review

 

“There is a vulnerability there, hovering just below the surface. And I want to pick at it until I expose it. Then I want to kiss it."

Two years ago, Emily Burnham, had an epiphany about the shallowness of her life. And she made it her mission to become a different person…a better woman. Out from under the controlling thumb of her mother, Emily is tasting the real world for the first time. And she likes it.

Nixon Caldwell has served his time in the Marine Corps, surviving two brutal tours in Afghanistan. He is back home, surrounded by what he likes best…isolation. It's certainly the best way to avoid confrontation of the consuming guilt that is weighing him down.

When an accident brings Emily and Nix together, he soon learns he is not the master of his own fate. Struggling with his own pain, Nix tries to guard himself against Emily’s charms. He wants her in his bed, but he doesn’t want her in his heart.

Having grabbed life by the horns, Emily wants it all. But is she willing to accept just the small part of himself that Nix is offering? Can she reach the part of his soul that he has deemed to be Off Limits? 

Strong, determined and loving heroine. Quiet, stoic and tortured Vet who only wants to be left alone. Off Limits is a story of passion, love, and forgiveness.

In Off Sides, Emily Burnham is a spoiled society girl who helps her mom destroy her brother's relationship with his love Danny. But in the end, she saw the error of her ways and helped bring the two back together. This set Emily off on a life changing mission to become a better person. In Off Limits, the metamorphosis is complete, and Emily is an absolute dream of a heroine. When she meets Nix Caldwell, brother of Ryan's teammate Linc, the two seem to be completely wrong for one another. Emily is no longer the girl who does what she's told, and when Nix tries to warn her off, she's not having it. I love her determination, her strength, and complete acceptance of Nix.

Well...I swore when I read Off Sides that I would never love another like I love Ryan Burnham. I try to be good, really I do. And I honestly meant to never betray Ryan by falling for another Off Series man, but I did. It's not my fault. I blame Sawyer Bennett. I truly believe that she formed, cast, then broke the mold when she created the tortured, withdrawn, surly Nix Caldwell. A lot of book guys are broody and withdrawn, but not many have that complete justification like Nix does. This is a man who only wants the companionship of his dog, his dad and his brother. In the two years since Nix came home from the Middle East, damaged, angry, and full of self-hatred, no one has been able to penetrate the walls around his mind and heart. So when Emily comes into his life, the last thing Nix expects is to be broken apart by this sweet, yet determined woman. Nix's battle to withhold his heart from Emily was sad, yet futile. Of course, we the reader just know that these two are definitely meant to be, but Nix can barely see past the pain of war.

Off Limits had its lighthearted moments, and a lot of sweet moments too. But let me say that I did the uuuugly cry while reading it. Nix's pain, his inability to see himself for the true hero that he is (because let's face it, anyone who joins the armed services and willingly puts their life at risk is a hero), was so completely palpable that my heart ached for him. And to see someone so remarkable, who believes he is not worthy of love and lash out at the very person wants to be there for him, it hurt. Emily can be there, if Nix will let her, but it is ultimately his journey.


Off Limits is so beautifully written. We get this gorgeous and powerful love story. A man's journey to forgiveness. And yes, we get some Ryan and Danny! I have to say, Sawyer Bennett wrote the hell out of this book. The Off Series, and Sawyer Bennett have joined my list of favorites.


Favorite Quotes:

  He smirks at me and it makes me want to slap his face.
  No, kiss his face.
  Wait...definitely slap his face.  ~eARC, 12%

 
  She had her hair up in a ponytail, exposing a delicate neck.
  I wanted to bite it. Then lick it to make it better. Then suck on it...hard...just so she'd know how hungry I was.  ~eARC, 22%


  When I'm finally worn out, I lay there quietly, taking in the beauty that is this man.
  My Nix.
  Just as I am his Emily.  ~eARC, 94%

 

Series: Off Series #3

Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Big Dog Books

Publication Date: 6/8/13

Format: eARC
Pages: 236
Source: Received from author for review

The sparks of dislike burn hot, but the sparks of mutual attraction burn even hotter.

Ever Montgomery suffered the ultimate betrayal by the one man who she should have been able to count on for anything. It has left her hurt, jaded and incapable of forming relationships, but it also means that she can spot a liar a mile away. These traits are earning her a reputation as a reporter with a keen nose for a good story and a complete understanding of the extreme power of the written word.

Lincoln Caldwell, is the hot goalie for the New York Rangers. At twenty-four and a rising star, he works hard and he plays even harder. He’s gorgeous and carefree—the ultimate charmer. Ladies fall at his feet and the single life has never been lived the way Linc Caldwell does it.

When Ever publishes an article about Linc containing information that she received off the record, she finds herself on the receiving end of the athelete’s fury. Rather than basking in the glory of exposing Linc as a shameless user of women, she finds herself at his mercy when he demands and receives retribution. Required by her editor to trail Linc for six weeks, Ever is forced to look at the real Linc Caldwell. And she just might find that she has misjudged him.

 

Professional athlete who is both slightly arrogant, and super nice. A passionate leading lady who's temper gets her into trouble. Two people who make each other a little crazy, in the best of ways. How could I not love Off the Record?!

Linc Caldwell was introduced to the Off Series in Off Limits. I loved this guy right away when I realized what a kind and caring son and brother he was. Sure, he's portrayed as a bit of a womanizer, but he's so darn nice and respectful that it's not even an issue. But that's not how reporter Ever Montgomery sees it, and when she lets her temper run away with her, it lands her in big trouble. Ever  owes Linc Caldwell the truth, and he intends to enjoy making her follow him for six weeks in order to see the real man behind the reputation.

As someone who has been know to let her mouth and temper get the best of her, I could identify with Ever. As someone who's very, very cautious with who I allow to gain my trust, I could relate to her in that way as well. Ever wasn't as easy to love as the other girls in this series, Danny and Emily, but I got her. And I love that while she did jump to conclusions, Ever was also quick to realize that she has a lot to work on when it comes to being judgmental. She's not a character without flaws, and she didn't always make the right choice, but she experienced so much growth and understanding in this story. She was real.

I came into Off the Record already adoring Linc. And that happily did not change throughout the book. I love a story about a hot athlete who's headed for love. I love that story even more when that hot athlete is a nice guy. Linc was forgiving and patient with Ever. This is her story of change and growth, but Linc is right there beside her, showing Ever that love and forgiveness are worth the risk.

Off the Record was a very sexy story, too. The chemistry between Linc and Ever is immediate and intense. I love that each of the books in the series are more of a slow burn. We don't have characters jumping into bed (or wherever) then getting to know one another. Here we have a nice, delicious building-up of the tension, so that when that last step is finally taken, it's an explosive event.

Off the Record is another fabulous addition to the Off Series. Nix and Emily are very present in this story and that made me happy! I am so excited that we have another book coming soon, Off Course. I'm even more excited since the heroine of that book was introduced in this book. Sawyer Bennett keeps killing it with this series, and as long as she's writing these books, I will be reading them.

 

 Favorite Quote:

 

   His hair is artfully windblown and he hasn't shaved today, which gives him a just-out-of-bed look. He wears it well and I'm surprised my panties don't just fall down to my ankles on their own accord.  ~eARC, 11%

  I smile at her. "That's sweet of you to say, but I'm not feeling it. I mean, what would you do if Nix pushed you away?"
  Emily is the one that smiles at me now, and her look is positively devious. "Oh, you poor girl. You shouldn't have asked me that. Nix did exactly the same thing to me. He was trying to be altruistic of some shit like that."
  Really? That's interesting. "What did you do?"
  "I came onto him hard. He didn't stand a chance."  ~eARC, 42%


  "In all my life, I don't know that I'll ever see anything as beautiful as this."
  I glance down at Ever, whose head barely comes to my shoulder, and she has the most peaceful and serene look on her face.
  "I agree. Nothing as beautiful as this." But I say that without taking my eyes off of Ever while she stares out the windows.  ~eARC, 57%


 

The Off Series 

(Click on cover for GoodReads page)

 

Purchase Off the Record at:

   

 

 

GIVEAWAY

• 10 copies of Off Sides/Off Limits Combo
• $100 gift card from Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

About the Author
Sawyer Bennett is the pen name for a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

 

 

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