A beautiful hockey romance with dark and gritty elements interweaved in story that’s heart achingly sweet, tender and full of love, compassion and hope with an absolutely perfect book boyfriend.What would you do if you’re all alone in this world, left in a foreign country without means to live and fearing being sent back to your home country because death would be the better option? Viktoriya “Tori” Dubrovskaya was sent to the US to become a ballerina and escape a hellish fate at the hands of the Russian mafia. But after her only source of income is vanished, she makes a choice that has slowly robbed her of her self-worth and eventually her dreams. "Someday I’ll get through to you, and you’ll know you’re a thousand times more valuable than the sum of your parts…Someday, you’ll take control over your body again, and you’ll own it. And maybe then, you’ll see how beautiful you are to me. Maybe then, you’ll be beautiful to yourself." ~ Razor to ToriLeft without money and a visa, feeling helpless and despaired, Viktoriya turns to selling her body to survive. But the man she’s set her sights on doesn’t just see the provocative package she’s offering, he sees through her and recognizes the proposition for what it is, an act of desperation by a scared and damaged woman. "What if I think you’re a nice girl who’s had some ugly shit done to you, and I want to give you the chance to be the nice girl you are? What if you’re a nice girl by day and a dirty girl by night, and that’s exactly what I’m looking for." Even though Ray “Razor” Chamber now has a career in the NHL which guarantees neither he nor his mother will ever want for anything, he knows this was reached in part because of all the sacrifices and difficult choices his mother had to make while he was growing up. So when the sultry seductress propositions him at a Vegas casino, he makes an offer of his own. His, involving a quickie marriage by Elvis, a green card and an opportunity to mend her body and soul. "Shocker of all shockers, somehow I ended up married before Babs." They have interlaced their lives lightning fast, but getting past the deep seated scars life has dealt Tori will be slow going, if at all. Can Viktoriya leave the past behind, forgive herself and move forward with the man who’s given her more than a safe harbor? Can Razor resist her long enough to break through her shields and show her she’s worthy of happiness and him? I met Razor from the Portland Storm series and had a few sightings in Bury the Hatchet (book #1 Tulsa Thunderbirds) and liked his outgoing, sarcastic, cocky persona. I had an idea of his past, and from the blurb and knowing Catherine’s writing, I knew I would get a story that would tug at my heart, make me smile and fan myself and place itself on my favorites list. What I didn’t anticipate, but thoroughly loved was to fall head over heels for this man who so patient and determinedly, caring, gentle and lovingly helped this beaten and broken woman become whole again. "You’ve got to give me a fighting chance. Let me in on whatever it is that’s going on in your head so I can find a way to combat it."I was shocked by the situations Tori had to endure to survive. I was saddened at the reminder that this a very real issue and sympathetic for the woman who lived in shame and fear and couldn’t imagine anything but bad things coming her way and anyone associated to her. But I also admired her when she finally fought to retake her life and embrace the love Razor offered her. "He cradled my face between both his hands, tipping it up so our lips met. Soft. Tender. Reverent. He kissed me in a way no man ever had before. Like I was worth the effort of holding himself back, taking his time. Like I ought to be handled with care."I enjoy how Catherine conjures up these interesting situations between hero and heroine and doesn’t force their love and romance, but rather develops it slowly and gradually, bringing up not just the sexual tension but also the swoon factor to a maximum. “What do you see?” “You. Exactly as you are. Exactly as you should be. Thriving and powerful and ten times more beautiful than anything I’ve ever seen before."I also love the addition of characters from past books which adds to the camaraderie and support that help this couple out. I loved being part of Babs and Katie's wedding and I delighted in the sunshine the witty Tallie brought. And I can't not mention Razor's mom who was not just understanding but also the best book mom ever. “I recognized a piece of you in her.” “Didn’t anyone ever tell you that you’re not supposed to marry your mother? Someone should have mentioned that.” “I think that would have been your job, Mom.”Catherine Gayle writes another beautiful, emotional and touching book that both broke my heart and put it back together with kindness, patience and love. Smoke Signals is the second book in the Tulsa Thunderbirds series, a spin-off of the Portland Storm. It is a standalone, full-length, contemporary sports romance filled with all the feels, from action hockey sequences, to sweet tenderness and sexual tension. It has a happy ending, with no cheating, no cliffhangers. It also has graphic and potentially disturbing description of abuse, both physical and sexual.Pre-Order -> http://amzn.to/1LIJBIjRead Chapter 1 -> http://catherinegayle.com/contemporar...* I was graciously given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author. The excerpts are from that copy. *More reviews * Stalk us on FaceBook * As well as Twitter * Pinterest Board for Book Teasers
Smoke Signals is a fantastic novel that grips you right from the start with raw, gritty, dark emotional and physical trauma suffered by Tori. Her only hope at staying in the US and avoiding the same fate as her parents is to sell parts of her, and potentially her soul. She needs Razor more than he thinks, and he shocks her by propositioning her with something she never even dreamed of. Razor knows the pain that can be caused by selling parts of yourself, his mom did it to provide for him and he will never see her do that again. Seeing fear and pain in another’s eyes knowing that she was using this as a last resort, he can’t help but see his mom and want to help her out any way possible. The details were so painful to read about, I debated about putting it down and trying it later. But, I pushed through it and was so happy that I did. I know Razor is known for being an ass and always trying to corrupt Babs, however he redeemed himself ten-fold in this novel. Caring, reassuring, solid and steady is how I would have described Razors emotions; of course he was loving and gentle with Tori. But always ready to throw down gloves to defend her honor. And, Tallie, simply amazing the way she has stepped up and really become a voice for those that have been pushed around and ashamed about their past. I kept cheering on Tallie, she was the mommy bear that Tori needed in her very unstable world. Once Razor sees his mother in Tori, he knows baring his soul to her, something he’s never done to anyone including Babs; will be the ticket to getting her to open her heart up. He proves he is the “good man” that Tori is always telling him, he is. Reaching into her past to help her move forward into their future is one of Razors goals. Ultimately Razor want to love and protect Tori, and make their lives into a happy, loving, intimate place for Tori, something she once thought unobtainable. I can not recommend this book anymore than saying, read it….you will miss and incredible story about love, loss, personal forgiveness and learning to let people in. Even if hockey isn’t really your cup of tea, this novel will still pull at your heartstrings, seriously read Smoke Signals, you won’t be disappointed that you did!
Do You like book Smoke Signals (2015)?
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Let me just start by saying that I have been hooked from the very start, way back when it was Eric and Dana (go read it!) and the books that have followed do not dissapoint. Ahhhhh I had no clue this book was gonna be about Razor I have adored his punk ass from the very start. I had no clue he had a caring bone in him, oh but he does and it might be the second biggest thing he has to offer. He is so understand with Tori and never gets discouraged or upset. Oh and the way he is with his Momma...be still my heart!!! Tori an ex-pornstar, was hard not to love from the get go especially with how fast and deep we get into her background. However, because of all that she has been through, and I mean it's a lot and it's rough, she has a lot of self-hatred and she believes she is of no worth. So at times it got a little annoying with how often she tried throwing herself at Razor or how often she said "you good man" but didn't believe she had anything good to bring the relationship. All of the relationships in this book were heart warming and just plain awesome but the relationship Tori and Tallie share has been one of my all time favorites. Tallie is non-judgmental, supportive, and talkative she makes me proud to be an Oklahoma woman, how she handles herself is how I strive to handle myself. I adored this book and it has surprisingly turned into one of my favorites. Catherine brought a couple tough pills to swallow with this book but if you can get through them the sun and your smile be shining so brightly in the end.
—Sara
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**Smoke Signals is the 2nd installment of the Tulsa Thunderbirds series, which is a spin-off of the Portland Storm series. I have read, and loved, each book in both series and Smoke Signals is no exception!Razor has been a favorite of mine for a long time and I was thrilled to finally hear his story. Many parts of this book are dark and gritty but it’s also a beautiful story of redemption. While we’ve always known Razor as a loud mouth, opinionated, a**hole, but Smoke Signals does a great job of showing his softer, gentler side. He meets Viktoriya , a former porn star, when she propositions him for sex. Instead of taking what she offers, he marries her and does all he can to help her. Tori has been through so much and isn’t proud of her past, but works hard to recover from it. I appreciate that both Tori and Razor are honest and never lie about her past. After months of breaking down the emotional walls she’s built, they finally are able to admit they care for one another. Catherine Gayle does a beautiful job of showing just how far people will go out of desperation and just how far they can rise above their circumstances. Tori & Razor’s story is the epitome of beauty from ashes! I also appreciated that Hunter & Tallie were so present in this story. Love them!
—Mandy Monson
I received a free arc of Smoke Signals in exchange for an honest review I have enjoyed all Catherine Gayle's hockey romance stories. I think I've loved them since Babs accidentally stole all the readers hearts. While blushing dimpled Babs is perfectly wonderful my immediate thoughts were of his bad boy best friend Ray "Razor" Chambers. In meeting Ms. Gayle at RT in New Orleans I asked her about Razor she quickly told me he wasn't hero material. I am so glad she changed her mind.The Thunderbirds are little rough around the edges but soft in the right places. Okay so they might be the Bad News Bears of hockey. They keep with Catherine Gayles' mentality of real life issues having a place in fiction. Razor and Tori's story is dark and in some ways one of the hardest couplings Gayle has written about. If you follow her work she doesn't shy away from any topic. Seeing Tori through Razor's eyes and then seeing her find herself is amazing. He truly is a good man. And who doesn't love his mama. Plus seeing Tallie stretch her wings and stand up for others makes me so very happy. This marriage may have been meant to be one of convenience but with Tori's past nothing was easy. But with love, family, therapy, and teammates anything is possible. It may have began in search of a green card but ended with both Tori and Razor giving each other permanent tokens of true love.
—Heather
