Rocking Thin Ice by Z. Allora

Can a sexy rock star show a relationship-phobic ice skater that there’s more to life than gold medals?

When ice-skating’s bad boy Blaze first glimpses Drake, every fantasy he’s ever had flares to life. Not only is rock star Drake sexy as sin, his songs awaken a longing in Blaze that he’s denied for years. But Blaze Parker doesn’t believe in relationships—at least not those that last more than twenty minutes.

Drake Keys has dreamed about the sensual ice skater for years. When Drake is kicked out of his band because of his bisexuality, he drives across the country to finally see the man he’s had a crush on skate live.

Though the attraction is instant and intense, both Blaze and Drake have baggage that puts any relationship on thin ice. Blaze is driven by a long-ago betrayal to prove himself a champion, and Drake, uncertain about the future, hopes to resurrect his music career. As they take a road trip together, Drake romances Blaze, hoping to melt his heart and show him that love is possible… but not without some tough decisions.

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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This is a sweet, slow, and angsty story about the relationship between a rock star and a figure skater. As the bad boy of figure skating, Blaze sacrificed his privacy and any kind of a personal life in his quest for Olympic gold. It’s only after he achieves his lifetime dream that he starts to realise how much he’s missed out on. Rock star Drake has had a crush on Blaze since he was a teenager. When his band kicks him out, Drake drives cross country for a chance to see his favourite skater perform live.

Blaze and Drake are fantastic characters. When they meet, Blaze’s cocky on-ice persona hides his insecurities and fears while an accidental pot-brownie overdose leaves Drake a little bit too honest and vulnerable. I loved the instant connection between these two and I love how much they actually have in common with each other. There is some heat in the story, but the focus is on the intimacy that slowly builds between Blaze and Drake.

My only reservation about this story is the pace and the lack of action. This is a slow read and the connection between the two men is full of angst and hesitation. Considering they both have fascinating jobs, I find it hard to understand the lack of excitement in the story. Most of the story happens while Blaze is on a break from training after the Olympics and Drake has been dumped from his band. The men have way too much time to talk themselves round in circles, analysing every detail of their lives and relationships. Some relief comes in the form of a short road trip and a family wedding, but I did find this a bit tedious at times.

I enjoyed this story overall, but it is a slow read. I love the characters – both Blaze and Drake are wonderfully complicated and beautifully written.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
Given how much I enjoy sports romances and ones involving rock stars, this was always likely to be a win for me! Interestingly, both leads are taking downtime from the heights of their career commitments when they meet, so we get to see them without most of the usual thrills and frills. This makes it a fascinating combination of public figure off duty, but still with all the hang-ups that come from being used to the superficial life that they normally lead.

We get Drake, a rock star who is ready for commitment, and Blaze, whose trust was broken young and who is only prepared to rely on his brother, Luke. Somehow, following a rather funny laced-brownie affected introduction, these two start something. Neither dare define the something, but somehow it is enough to keep them testing the waters for more. It makes for some degree of slow burn, although they are pretty much inseparable from day one, so it is a confusing relationship for us as well as them!

I really enjoyed the side characters, from Taylor to Anna, they all contributed to helping each man recognise what they could see so clearly. If you like seeing behind the fame, the glory, and the hard work, then this will be a book for you.

Z. Allora thinks everyone deserves a happy ending, and she makes sure they get one. Her stories are about love and romance and are tied together with erotic sex. She utilizes her time overseas and travels to bring you to places you've yet to visit. She introduces you to cultures you've yet to explore. But with every word she writes she tries to convey love is love.

Connect with Z. Allora

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Rocking Thin Ice by Z. Allora to read and review.

The Librarian's Rake by Z. Allora

Opposites might attract, but is acting on that attraction wise?

Librarian Tristan Cooper can’t steer clear of sexy, motorcycle-riding bad boy Phillip—the man is hot—but Phillip is bound to find quiet, bookish Tristan boring, like all Tristan’s boyfriends. Tristan yearns to explore his wild side, the part of himself he’s only allowed into his fantasies, and maybe rakish Phillip is just what he needs to feel free.

Sexperienced hairdresser Phillip is more of a believer in happy endings than happily ever afters. Experience has taught him not to hope for more—until he meets sweet, vulnerable Tristan, who seems genuinely interested in his heart. But Phillip can’t trust enough to see himself as a man Tristan might want for more than a night.

With the help of a pair of matchmaking grandfathers, Tristan and Phillip might find the courage to step beyond their comfort zones and discover what has been missing from their lives…

Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Dreamspinner Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie – ☆☆☆
This book had potential, but didn't hit the mark for me. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. I just didn't really feel the connection between Tristan and Phillip. I loved their grandfathers, and I would have liked to see more of them in the book because I think they could have added so much more to the story and given it some life. The book was just a little bit boring to me and I felt a little let down when I was done reading it.


Kris – ☆☆☆☆
Really good story that I completely enjoyed! It started off a tad slow with a bit of filler and inane details but picks up nicely. The characters round out and become very interesting and the story begins to fly by easily.

Tristan is a buttoned up, prim librarian. He's been told he’s boring by past lovers. He doesn't do hookups and hardly ever takes chances. Philip is just the opposite. He's the hookup king. The two meet through their grandfathers and begin a relationship with Philip teaching Tristin how to loosen up. Thing is, Tristin only wants to loosen up WITH Philip. I really enjoyed the funny banter of Philip's friends and coworkers. There was steam when the two finally paired off and there's also very tender moments. The book was all around a good, fun read.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This is a fun and fluffy and sexy read. There is more than a nod to classic romance in this contemporary story but there is also a hint of cheeky self awareness that I absolutely loved.

Tristan is a buttoned up librarian who is resigned to people thinking he’s more than a bit boring. Until his grandfather sets him up with Phillip, a motorcycle riding hair stylist with a serious Grindr habit. These two are perfect opposites and I loved the way they were drawn to each other from the start.

This is a quick and easy read, but I did fall in love with both Phillip and Tristan. I love the way Phillip gets Tristan to come alive in the bedroom and I love the way Tristan gets Phillip to open up emotionally.

Beyond Tristan and Phillip, I couldn’t help but love their randy grandfathers and Phillip’s friends made me smile.

Z. Allora thinks everyone deserves a happy ending, and she makes sure they get one. Her stories are about love and romance and are tied together with erotic sex. She utilizes her time overseas and travels to bring you to places you've yet to visit. She introduces you to cultures you've yet to explore. But with every word she writes she tries to convey love is love.

Connect with Z. Allora

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Librarian's Rake by Z. Allora to read and review.

Lock and Key by Z. Allora

Rejected. Heartbroken. Devastated.

Zack Davis wanted to serve only one man, Andrew Nikeman. He was denied because Andrew thought he was too young and because their brothers were together. So Zack crushed his submissive tendencies and focused on being the perfect Dom, giving every sub he played with something he couldn’t have.

After years of denying his submissive side, Entwined’s charity auction “Are you Dom Enough to be a sub?” gives Zack an excuse to get a little of what he’s always craved.

Andrew doesn’t know when his infatuation turned into more, but it kills him to see Zack with a constant parade of submissives. He’d refused to jeopardize his brother’s relationship or become Zack’s regret; however, Zack isn’t a kid anymore, and his brother’s relationship is unbreakable. Now Zack’s popularity and success as a Dom might ruin Andrew’s dreams of collaring him, but he can’t wait any longer to confess his feelings or he risks losing the man he loves forever.

Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Dreamspinner  Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
I found this to be an interesting book in the BDSM genre, with good levels of openness and discovery.

It is a lovely story of hope, unrequited needs, and an eventual solution which works for the leads. Watching the times and trials before things come good, are both frustrating and compelling. The band dynamics, the issues of age and family all feature large.

Hot, cute, kinky and ultimately fulfilling – this is a good read.

Z. Allora thinks everyone deserves a happy ending, and she makes sure they get one. Her stories are about love and romance and are tied together with erotic sex. She utilizes her time overseas and travels to bring you to places you've yet to visit. She introduces you to cultures you've yet to explore. But with every word she writes she tries to convey love is love.

Connect with Z. Allora

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Lock and Key by Z. Allora to read and review.