4.5 stars

Set in the world of women’s international ice hockey “Delay of Game” is an excellent combination of sports based intrigue and rekindled romance.

Niki was one of the top players on the Canadian olympic team, now retired and teaching, she has moved on, married, become a parent and been widowed. When team Canada come knocking her first response is to say no, but her country and her team need her for the upcoming olympics. Eva is still playing and still one of the best on the young American team, but her body is giving out and its a constant struggle to get on the ice.

Their relationship ended bitterly many years before and they have avoided each other ever since, but now they are bound to meet in the run up to the olympics. Old feelings spark, rivalries run deep and some will do literally anything to win. When it comes to the crunch both women have to choose who they want to be, and where their loyalties lie.

This is a great read, fast moving, full of intrigue and action, on and off the rink. The spark between Eva and Niki is excellent, one having settled, literally, the other having spent her energy being a player in every sense of the word. The constant battle between their obvious passion for each other, Niki’s determination to stay loyal to her past and their commitment to their teams makes for great romantic tension and some hot sex.

Both women are interesting characters, well drawn and complex. You want both to succeed, clearly impossible for opposing teams, but off the rink you can't help but want them to work it out. The intrigue between the teams adds a great dramatic energy that lifts this above a straight forward romance. Even though it is obvious who is playing dirty Ms Richardson keeps the tension high until the very end, we may know who, but we don't know why - or if good will overcome.

Thoroughly enjoyable read, one of her best yet, and given they are all on my re-read pile that's saying a lot. ( )