Victoria Denault books in order

The only thing colder than the ice I skate on is my heart. Especially at Christmas.

We’re having a horrible season and when my team is struggling, I hold myself accountable. All I want to do is work harder on the ice. I definitely don’t need Felicity Roarke, the team’s Community Outreach director, distracting me. But there she is, handing out candy canes and decorating our locker room like a rabid, little Christmas elf. A very attractive, unintentionally sexy elf. I make sure I draw her name in the staff’s Secret Santa exchange, and start brainstorming the worst gift ideas ever. My goal is to throw cold water all over her holiday spirit. But somehow, things between us end up getting hotter. Suddenly I’m unable to focus on anything but proving to Felicity that she wants a Grinch in her life. Or at least in her bed.

Some guys have all the luck. I'm one of them.

My entire life is a happy accident. Did I mean to become a professional hockey player? Nope. I took the scholarship so I could go to Harvard and get my neuroscience degree for free. But, yet here I am playing for the Vancouver Comets. My parents aren’t big on the fact that I picked hockey over becoming a doctor, like them. So when an injury starts my Christmas break early, the last place I want to spend it is at home hearing ‘I told you so’. When our team captain invites me to spend the holidays at a cabin in the mountains with his family, I quickly accept.

What he failed to tell me is that his family consists of just his mom. His single mom, Hannah. Hannah is hot, confident, and witty but it’s not like I would make a move on my teammate’s mom. That’s offside, as the refs would say. But my life is a series of happy accidents, remember? So when we accidentally get snowed in together — alone — all I can say is… Oops.

They say you only get one shot at making your dreams come true.

Jordan is determined to take two.

Drafted by the NHL at eighteen, Jordan Garrison was headed for fame, and there was only one person he wanted to share it with-Jessie Caplan. He was crazy in love with her, and had finally told her so. They shared an amazing night . . . and then everything fell apart.

Jessie tries not to think about the night she gave herself to Jordan-or how he broke her heart. She tries not to think about it, but she does. Especially now, when she's staring into his sky-blue eyes for the first time in six years. After so much time and torment, she can't tell if she loves him or hates him. But Jordan has learned enough to know a connection like theirs is rare. He was lucky to find Jessie once. No way will he lose her again.

He'll do whatever it takes to win--on and off the ice.

Luc Richard is the hottest player in the NHL--and it has nothing to do with hockey. His racy relationship with his supermodel ex set the tabloids on fire but nearly put his career on ice. To avoid being traded, Luc agrees to take a break from the spotlight--and from women--and spend the off-season at home in Silver Bay, Maine. It's the perfect plan... until he reconnects with Rose.

Rose Caplan is tired of being shy, sweet, and safe. She's ready for passion, romance--and Luc. Having loved him longer than she can remember, she's finally ready to prove she's not the same innocent little girl he once knew. Off the ice Luc doesn't do games, but this new Rose makes him feel like playing a little dirty. If he's really got a shot at her heart then he's not just playing to win. He's playing for keeps.

Hockey legend Devin Garrison thought he blew his shot. But his relationship with Callie Caplan just went into overtime.

Sexy, rich, and one of the biggest stars in the NHL, Devin Garrison has always been the one who had it all. That is until his marriage falls apart and he realizes he has to start over. If he's honest, there has only been one woman who ever really excited him-Callie Caplan. They shared a night that was hotter than the late-summer sun, but in an instant-Callie was gone, pretending it never happened.

Callie Caplan isn't the wild child people think she is. It's true she's avoided relationships, but only because she's seen how crazy love can be. And her messy, imperfect life is crazy enough without opening her heart to a man-even one as picture perfect as Devin. But when fate brings them back together-just as they need each other most-Devin is determined to convince Callie that what she's feeling is real. And this final play may be their chance at forever ...

As his team's enforcer on the ice, Sebastian Deveau is America's favorite fighting Frenchman. But he's just as likely to get into trouble off the ice -- especially when it comes to women.

Shayne Beckford is so over hockey. It ruined her parents' marriage. It spoiled her brother's dreams. And let's not even talk about her college boyfriend ...So when Sebastian Deveau walks into her brother's gym, she has no idea who he is. All she knows is that he's one gorgeous man with the sexiest accent she's ever heard. And since she never has to see him again, she lets him give her the best orgasm of her life right on top of the gym's dryer.

But Sebastian isn't going to let this one-night stand get away so easily. He fights for what he wants, even if it takes fighting a little dirty ...

He had total control of his game--until she changed all the rules . . .

As one of the best players in the NHL and the "golden boy" of the league, Avery Westwood knows he has to keep his cool--on and off the ice. His whole life is a carefully constructed image of perfection for the media and his brand sponsors. Of course, that means he can never let his true feelings show. But when it comes to the sexy sister of his former teammate, Avery might be willing to make an exception . . . even if it means breaking all his own rules.

As far as Stephanie Deveau is concerned, having a thing for Avery is the equivalent of psychological napalm. Tres bad idea. Then he moves in next door, all sexy smiles and a deliciously hot body that she can't resist. Something's happening between them--it's intense, a little (a lot) out of control, and real. Only Avery doesn't know everything about Stephanie's past. And the one exception to his rule might just be the one girl who could destroy his career.

"I don't break hearts. I break headboards . . . "

When it comes to scoring in the pro hockey league, Alex Larue is crushing it-with the hot puck bunnies. He's the life of the party, the guy with all the jokes . . . and the one whose Party Guy mask keeps the real him well hidden. The last thing he needs is anyone finding out about his troubled past, or the nightmares that haunt him still.

Brie Bennett is less than impressed by Alex from the moment she meets him. And even though he insists on volunteering at the charity she runs, she doesn't trust him. He's hiding something...but so is she. She's not just the rich, privileged New York princess he thinks she is. The animosity between them is undeniably addictive and as their worlds keep colliding it becomes supercharged with something else - attraction. But if they stop playing games and let each other in, they both might lose.

He's everything I've ever wanted, at the worst possible moment.

One and done. That's always been my motto when it comes to guys, because I'm not about to pull someone else into the closet my parents have locked me inside. I've been waiting years to claim my inheritance and live the life I want to live-out, free, and oh yeah, rich.

So why is the universe dropping the sexy farm boy with the lazy smile into my life right now? When Bowen Whitlock says he'll join my band, and later my bed, I know one time won't be enough.

But loving Bowen is dangerous for me. And he has his own struggles, like keeping his family afloat and trying not to get fired from his job at Vino and Veritas. But he lives his life with an authenticity that gives me a tantalizing taste of living my truth.

My secret relationship with Bowen is everything, until someone betrays us in the worst possible way...

NB: This book is part of the of the In Vino Veritas Series that comprises:

Wonderland (2022) by Rachel Ember

Counterpoint (2022) by J E Birk

Dauntless (2022) by Victoria Denault

Underdog (2022) by L A Witt

Unmanageable (2022) by Leslie McAdam

Wildfire (2022) by Garrett Leigh

What if Romeo wore hockey skates, and Juliet was raised on a farm next door?

As a life-long Vermonter, there are three beliefs I've always held true:

1. Our family farm is everything

2. Hockey is a close second

3. The Todds next door are our sworn enemies

But this season will test everything I stand for.

I have an illicit side job that could cost me my hockey scholarship. And now Maggie Todd knows my secret. She's waiting for the right moment to use it against me. But every time I face off against her, I learn things I shouldn't want to know. Like how deeply her competitive streak runs, and how sexy that is. And how easy it is to make her blush... everywhere.

An Adler and a Todd cannot be lovers. Breaking that rule is like pulling a pin on a grenade--everything in my life could blow up. Can we surrender to these feelings... or will our families' feud make us its next casualty?

NB: Here is the complete list of the series by various authors:

1. Boyfriend (2021) by Sarina Bowen

2. Blindsided (2021) by Victoria Denault

3. Slapshot (2021) by Rebecca Jenshak

4. Holdout (2021) by Jaqueline Snowe

5. Gametime (2021) by Jami Davenport

6. Overtime (2021) by Kat Mizera

7. Halftime (2021) by Kim Findlay

8. Darkroom (2021) by Kate Willoughby

9. Playmaker (2021) by Sierra Hill

10. Snowballed (2021) by Melanie Ting

11. Goalkeeper (2021) by Andi Burns

I thought proving myself worthy of her love would be the hard part. If only…

When I left my childhood small town, I had a lot to prove. Now, I have a lot to fix. Namely, my relationship with my best friends’ little sister.

We were just kids when I rejected Terra. Even then, I knew I was nowhere near good enough for her.

I was sure I’d eventually forget her. But a decade later, working as a firefighter, the one flame I can’t put out is the one I hold for her.

So I’m back in Ocean Pines, but Terra’s moved on with someone who doesn’t have my history of bad decisions and impulsive behavior. And as if all that wasn’t enough, she’s sick. I’ll give her a kidney, my heart, the last breath in my lungs…anything she wants.

All it took was a blizzard and a pair of sky-blue eyes to break me.

I had one rule when I decided to rent out the ground level of my house – keep it professional. So I have no idea why I told the hospital to call my new tenant, Logan Hawkins, when I ended up unconscious in the snow. It was impossible to keep my distance from the brooding single dad after he came to my rescue.

My past is tragic with a capital T so I decide to keep it to myself for as long as I can. That way maybe Logan won’t run, like everyone else. I want his touch… his love. Not his sympathy.

But he’s been keeping secrets of his own. The more time we spend together the more I want to confess, and I want to know what has been turning those sky-blue eyes stormy when he thinks I’m not looking.

They say the truth will set you free, but in this case, it might shatter what’s left of my fragile heart.

I married the wrong brother, but for the right reasons.

My life was a mess when I started working at Hawkins Lobster Shack. Declan Hawkins was a mess too, and he swore marrying would solve both our problems. He wasn’t wrong. And I wasn’t unhappy.

There was love. It was good… until it wasn’t.

Now my marriage is over and my husband left town, leaving me alone to face the confused and hurt faces of our friends and his family.

So when his brother Finn suggests he become my fake husband so we can take that vacation Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins won, I don’t say no. I need a break from the judging eyes of Ocean Pines.

Pretending Finn’s my husband is playing with fire because my long buried feelings for him are coming back to life.

And I still have secrets to keep. Secrets that aren’t mine to share. Secrets that, if revealed, could burn this small town, and any feelings Finn might have for me, to the ground.

It will always be him. Even if it can never be him.

Declan

Abbott Barlowe has always been my kryptonite.

No one has ever made me feel the things I feel when I’m with him – good and bad.

Since we were kids he’s been perfect. Good at everything from standing up to his zealot parents, to winning Stanley Cups, to instinctively knowing exactly where, and how, I want to be touched.

But it turns out I’m better at one thing – coming out.

So it doesn’t matter that he just got traded, and he’s back in town permanently. I didn’t leave my wife, and toss my entire family into the Ocean Pines gossip mill so that I could end up in a secret relationship.

Even if he’s still the only man I’ve ever dreamed about.

Abbott

My sister loves to tell me I have a knack for making the impossible possible. She might be right because even after a rocky year, when Maine got a pro team, they named me their captain.

If I can manifest my dream job, maybe I can also manifest my way back into Declan Hawkins' life.

He cut me off years ago and, scared and overwhelmed, I let him. I’ve been drowning in guilt ever since.

They say if you love something, set it free. Well, we set each other free.

So why do I keep finding myself on his doorstep when it’s too hot to sleep? And why isn’t he telling me to leave?

He deserves so much more than me… and I hope he sees it before I break both our hearts.

Frankie

I grew up on the track, surrounded by race car drivers. I loved it.

But along with the good times came some really bad ones. So, I left that life behind and didn’t look back.

Until now.

I never thought I’d care enough about the family legacy to take control when my dad retired. But…I did

So now I’m in charge of a racing team that includes the man who kissed me, then ghosted me before that was even a thing. Sadly, he’s as sexy as ever.

But if he thinksmy heart will be his next big win, he’s sorely mistaken…

Billy

I was worried when Frankie took over Mirabella Racing.

Not for the team. She could handle that. I was worried for me—the guy she hates.

Problem is, I don’t hate her. She’s…everything.

But in my line of work, relationships are complicated at best, dangerous at worst. Not to mention, now she’s my boss.

Even with all those red flags, I still can’t stop trying to charm my way into her bed.

She won’t make it easy. But I love a good chase…

Jude Braddock. Hockey god. That's how everyone sees him now. But when they were teenagers, Zoey knew him as the kid who didn't have enough nerve to make a move on their one and only disastrous date. Seems he doesn't have that problem anymore, though. According to the rumors, he's with a different woman every night. After a rough divorce, the last thing Zoey needs is more heartbreak. But Jude's cocky, playful attitude is mighty hard to resist.

Jude knows he isn't built for long-term relationships. But he's getting sick of women pounding on his door in the middle of the night looking for a rematch. When Zoey comes back into his life, it's like fate has given him a second chance. He'll do anything to make her happy again. Is this what love looks like? He has no idea. All he knows for sure is that this time, he's playing for keeps.

Not every goalie plays it safe...

As a publicist for the San Francisco Thunder hockey team, Dixie Braddock is too busy rescuing the players from trouble to get into any of her own. Except, of course, when it comes to the super hot new goalie. Because when a guy's kiss curls your toes and sets your heart on fire, how the hell do you just walk away? But if anyone ever catches them together, she'll lose her job faster than any slapshot.

Eli Casco is on the brink of having everything he ever wanted. He's finally been called up from the minor leagues to play on a championship team. And he just had the most mind-blowing night with the woman of his dreams. But now that he's an official Thunder player, Dixie is determined to keep her distance. None of the fame and fortune means anything to him without her to share it. If he truly wants Dixie in his life, it's time to throw down his gloves and put everything on the line.

Griffin Sullivan is handling the ultimate balancing act. Between being a single dad to an active six-year-old and the crazy demands of his job as a hockey coach, finding love is not in the cards. But when the team's goalie is rushed to the ER, he's immediately captivated by the gorgeous, sassy nurse on duty... who just happens to be the sister of one his players.

Sadie Braddock has always had a big, open heart and a bit of a wild side. But since her dad got sick, she's closed herself off to life and love. Relationships are way too complicated--and so is Griffin. He's also funny and tender and sexy as hell. How can something that feels so right come at the worst time ever? Then again, someone to lean on may be exactly what they each need--if they're only brave enough to take the risk.

All Winnie Braddock wants is a quiet place to be alone and time to heal her battered heart. But the refuge she'd hoped for in her family's summer cottage is destroyed when she gets there to find Holden Hendricks literally camped out in the driveway. He made her life hell when they were kids, and despite what he says, it doesn't look like much has changed. She doesn't care if her brother hired Holden to renovate the house this winter; she wants him gone.

You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take. Holden knows that hockey saying all too well. After all, he could have gone pro if he hadn't messed up so much as a kid. But now he's desperate to prove he's changed for the better, especially to Winnie Braddock. As the two work together to fix up the cottage piece by piece, they realize that perhaps they can give each other the new beginning they've both been waiting for -- if they're just willing to take the shot.