Deidre Martin, Chasing Stanley

Chasing Stanley

Deidre Martin

Berkley, February 2007, $7.99

ISBN: 0425214478

In Manhattan, dog trainer Delilah Gould is walking Sherman the Golden Retriever, Shiloh the Cairn terrier and Belle the Mutt, when she notices the most handsome hunk she has ever seen in her life. With one look Delilah understands love at first sight, as she wants to run her fingers through his wavy black hair and gently kiss his hypnotic warm brown eyes. Of course, the guy with the Newfoundland canine is okay too, though he seems untrained, as Stanley the dog disobeys his commands. Delilah intercedes and meets Stanley the hunk and his owner NHL star Jason "yes that's my real teeth" Mitchell, who was just traded from Minnesota to the New York Blades.

Reluctant at first, Jason soon realizes that Delilah is good with Stanley, so he hires her to help his canine adjust to the Big Apple. However, as he pursues Lord Stanley's cup, he falls in love with the dog trainer, who proves more difficult than opposing hockey teams. She reciprocates, but while a field officer in command when it comes to her four legged pals, she is reticent when it comes to the two legged stick in the middle types.

Differencing religious beliefs and personalities make for a delightful sport romance, as the lead female protagonist uses a BODY CHECK on her beloved who ignores FAIR PLAY when it comes to her, by getting her CHASING STANLEY not him. The storyline is faster than a slap shot, especially when the canines play matchmakers. Though several secondary players deserve time in THE PENALTY BOX for tripping up the storyline, hockey fans will enjoy the romance between the hot ticket superstar and his dog trainer.