Deidre Martin, Penalty Box

Penalty Box

Deidre Martin

Berkeley, Mar 2006, $6.99, 352 pp.

ISBN: 0425208907

Psychology Professor Katie Fisher is on a leave of absence from Vermont's Fallenfield College working on a book on professional team sports. She is staying at her mom's home in Didsbury, Connecticut, a town she hates ever since she was an obese brainy outcast in high school. Also at mom's place is Katie's nephew nine years old Tuck whose mother is in rehab.

At her tenth anniversary high school reunion Katie, explains her study to former NHL legend Paul van Dorn; he agrees to be interviewed. The interview goes well until she mentions his forced retirement due to injury. He ends the interview. Paul coaches the Squirt Squad; Tuck is on the team. He takes Katie on a picnic. A few days later after dinner, they make love, but Katie demands their relationship be kept secret so as to not harm Tuck.

When his team loses, Paul works the team too hard. Katie tells him to ease up on them. Not long afterward Paul insists he loves her, but ends their relationship because she is a snob. One of them will have to skate towards the goal if they are to score the hat trick of love, marriage and family.

Deirdre Martin's latest hockey romance stars delightful lead protagonists especially Katie, who "smoothly handles her dieting and a strong support cast. The story line scores because of the youth hockey subplot that bring out the differing attitudes between Katie and Paul while spotlighting the little leagues. Though a spoiled selfish villainous acts like she is still in high school and when marginally "hip checked" not even into the boards vanishes, fans will enjoy this fine sports romance.