Dana reviews Rocking Thin Ice by Z. Allora (Published by Dreamspinner Press, July 30, 2019, 226 pages.) A copy was provided in exchange for a honest review.
Why I read this: I am a big fan of this author! From her Dark Angels and her Made in China rockers to her sexy zombies and bdsm club members, I have enjoyed all her stories. So getting a chance to read and review this book that pairs a musician with a figure skater (I love figure skating!) was a no-brainer.
Blurb:
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.
Buy links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes | Add to Goodreads
Now I have read several different types of stories from Z. Allora and they are all different in a way. There’s been sci-fi, and I have loved both of her series that revolve around rock stars. I really loved her Entwined Dreams series, too. In her books there is always a good love story, sometimes a little kink, and definitely some sexy times as well. You get that in this book, but it is at a slower pace. The characters get a real chance to know each other and their love comes naturally.
Blaze Parker is an out and proud skater, even if he was dragged out of the closet without his consent. He carries himself with air of confidence and he dares to do moves that challenge his athleticism, and he gives flawless performances that are a finger to the homophobic judges from countries still in the dark ages. I feel like the author modeled him after several different figure skaters to form the perfect one. However, Blaze’s path to two Olympic medals wasn’t easy. First, was that he lost his parents young, and he still carries around that grief. His older brother took care of him, and Luke Parker is just an awesome guy. He is supportive of Blaze through all things and I love the close relationship between the brothers. Second, when Blaze was a rookie figure skater, he wasn’t accepted by his fellow skaters and one of them tricked him into revealing his sexuality with a tape that caused Blaze to have to take a break and get a new coach. Once he got back to competing, Blaze had more invested in winning, or perhaps more invested in beating those who used him and outed him. But with two Olympic appearances behind him and a break coming up, he is at loose ends.
Drake Keys realized he was bisexual in high school and he would drool when watching Blaze skate. His parents were really cool when he came out and he has a trans best friend whose little sister introduced him to his love of figure skating. Drake’s talents were of the musical variety, and after school he ended up in a band touring the country. Bisexual was considered hip, but his manager and one fellow band member didn’t want him to act on his feelings and made sure to play up his hookups with girl groupies. Even though Drake did fall into rockstar cliche’s like sleeping with groupies, he wasn’t really satisfied with the one night stands or a polyamorous relationship that he wasn’t in to, that got him kicked out of the band. Drake is also at loose ends.
Both Drake and Blaze are fans of each other on social media and Drake finally decides to meet the skater in real life. Now I have to say that I love Blaze and I feel for him with his definite baggage. He isn’t quick to trust anyone but his brother and coach and relationships last for 20-30 minutes for him. Drake is my favorite character, though. He is patient and kind, and really the kind of guy that anyone who likes guys would want. Drake really wants to find that one that he can commit to and have a forever with. It isn’t easy for Drake to break through Blaze’s walls, but he stays strong. They avoid anal sex for awhile in order to really develop feelings for each other, though they do have other kinds of sexy times. Really, this is one of the sweetest love stories that I read from this author. I was in love with them falling in love and sighed internally while reading this book more than once. At the end of this book, I was left with a feel good feeling that I couldn’t wait to share in my review.
At the end of this book, time is fast forwarded, and we get glimpses as the two have new experiences with each other. they are short parts, but we get just what we need to see how the two are doing until the big definitive HEA. It is just enough info without extending the book overlong. While I think this book might be a little different from Z’s other books, there is still a solid romance I’ve come to expect. I definitely recommend reading this author and this book.
10/10 Pots of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 5/5 Stars
Z. Allora never expected to share her words with anyone, but things don’t always work out as planned. Growing up in Upstate NY, she was a tomboy: playing basketball in the park, twirling a rifle in color guard, and in secret she composed stories filled with angst.
She didn’t always believe in romance, although before giving up on it completely, she took out a personal ad in a college newspaper. On October 20th 1987, at 5:08 PM she found what she didn’t think existed, and married her best friend five years later.
A bit of an overachiever, Z. received three Bachelor’s degrees (Psychology, English & Philosophy) and a Master’s degree in Psychology. She loved enhancing the quality of life of people in her residential and day programs, but her love’s job swept Z. overseas to Singapore, Israel and China.
While living in China, she discovered M/M romance and a new world opened. The magic of the genre gave her new insights about herself and those around her. When she saw protests in Malaysia by parents who genuinely believed watching a singer could make their children gay, the ignorance was too staggering to ignore. No longer content to keep her words to herself, she published her stories hoping to add another voice to foster understanding, and to promote equality.
Z. Allora believes that each of us is wonderfully unique and deserving of a happily ever after.Regardless of where we are in the infinite spectrum of gender identity, orientation, or sexuality our differences and similarities should be both respected and celebrated.
However, Z. will never apologize for having too much yaoified smexy goodness in her books. She teases that plot is simply the words between the sex scenes (though that’s a bit of an exaggeration). Sex is one of our most important and basic forms of communication, and she feels it’s a vital part of understanding her characters.
Z. Allora truly believes this rainbow romance is changing hearts and minds, and will continue to speak out for love for all of us
E-mail: Z.AlloraHappyEndings@gmail.com
Facebook: Z Allora Allora
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