He’s known as Father Anton to his teammates—the brooding, sexy captain of the NHL’s Chicago Blaze has a reputation for…not having a reputation. Just like his diet and sleep routines, celibacy is part of Anton Petrov’s on-ice mojo. Or so they say. Anton stays mum on the subject. If the world thinks he chooses to abstain from sex, so be it. Better that than the truth getting out: there is a woman he burns for, but he can never have her. She’s his teammate’s wife, after all.
Mia Marceau is finally on her own. Now that she and her husband are living apart, she’s finding the peace she was desperate for. She spends her days in classes and late nights bartending, making her own way in the world at last. After what she’s been through, as long as her husband leaves her alone, she doesn’t plan to rock the boat. He still has the power to hurt those dearest to her, and she can’t demand a divorce with such a high cost.
A chance encounter with Mia has Anton hoping for a shot he never thought he’d get. And while she’s drawn to the intense, serious hockey center, Mia’s leery about playing with fire. That’s all Anton has ever known for Mia, though—a living, burning desire that won’t be denied—no matter the cost.

Anton by Brenda Rothert is book one in her new Chicago Blaze series.

Anton Petrov is Captain of the Chicago Blaze and Father Anton to his teammates. I want to start with how much I loved Anton’s character. He was a man with morals, strength of character, devotion to his career and to his family.  I adored that a star, and a man with means didn’t fill his time with meaningless sex or women who meant nothing to him.

Mia Marceau is woman who wants her life to be in transition…but she is still deeply tied to her past.

I am not going to reveal more than that since the blurb does not… I will say the connection between these two was tangible, the respectful manner in which Anton handled himself added to my love of him and in the end the happy these two obtain is so worth the wait (both for them and the reader)

This story truly crafted a world that pulled me in, from Mia’s sick grandfather, to Anton’s Uncle, to Alexei, Anton’s twin brother, to the players we started to get glimpses of, it all wove together to keep my reading well into the evening.

I am so excited that LUCA is getting a book next… this man taking care of his sister’s children pulled at my heart ❤️ I can NOT wait for him to find a happy!

And I am so happy that Alexei (Anton’s Twin Brother) will be getting his happy in the Austin Comet series coming soon

ps I do feel compelled to say don’t let the sexy cover fool you.. this really is a deeply powerful and emotion read. It is more than slow burn……it is laced with forbidden and the waiting is needed.