Legend: An Arizona Vengeance Novel

Oh boy - Sawyer Bennett scores again with Legend book 3 in her Arizona Vengeance hockey series. Legend Bay is the number 1 goalie for the up and coming Arizona Vengeance hockey team. He believes in an orderly life off the ice so his neighbor Pepper Naintus drives him absolutely crazy with all the decorations she has outside her home that she insists on having all year round (pink flamingos drive him crazy). When a newborn baby is dropped on his doorstep he does the one thing he never expected - reaching out to Pepper for help. The more help she provides the more he realizes that maybe a little whimsy may not be a bad thing. That along with his daughter life becomes very interesting for Legend and then danger hits. I have no idea how Ms Bennett does this book after book but each character is so different from the last ones and the stories are unique to those characters. Legend and Pepper's story is filled with romance, humor and some scary moments. What I really loved about Legends is that Ms Bennett doesnt shy away from going in deep and exploring mental illness with some of her characters and how those choices can damage you without help. So to say there is more to this story then just romance would be an understatement. We also get to see the other Vengeance characters a little bit more and the set up for the next few books is perfect and I for one cant wait. We also get a great cameo from some friends from the Cold Fury series which is always fun. That all being said this is definitely Legend and Peppers story and what a great story it is.

4.25 stars--LEGEND is the third instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult ARIZONA VENGEANCE erotic, hockey romance series focusing on the members of the Arizona Vengeance professional hockey team. This is Vengeance goalie Legend Bay, and children’s book author and artist Pepper Nantais. LEGEND can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for the history between and about the characters. There is a slight-cross over with the author’s Cold Fury Hockey series. Told from dual first person points of view (Legend and Pepper) LEGEND follows in the wake of a surprise ‘gift’ on Legend’s front porch. Struggling with the logistics, the responsibility, and the unpreparedness of the situation, Legend arrives at his neighbor’s front door desperate for help and immediate support. Enter colorful and feisty Pepper Nantais, and the woman with whom Legend will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Pepper and Legend, and the potential fall-out as Pepper is targeted by a woman from Legend’s past. Legend Bay has a hate on for his obnoxious neighbour Pepper Nantais, a woman who pushes all of his buttons with her gaudy outdoor displays, especially during the holiday season, but hate may be too strong of a word, as Legend’s attraction to Pepper is matched by the palpable and intense sexual attraction between the leading characters. The relationship between Pepper and Legend is an enemies to lovers, of a sorts, enemies predicated on Pepper’s outlandish style and Legend’s inability to accept what is. As Pepper becomes a more permanent fixture in Legend’s life, the sexual attraction can no longer be denied. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense but, once again, I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word. All of the previous story line couples, and characters play secondary and supporting characters including Bishop and Brooke, Erik and Blue, Tacker Hall, Dax Monahan and coach Claude Perron. We are introduced to Legend’s parents Wendy and Nathan Bay; Pepper’s parents Richard and Meryl Nantais; Legend’s former girlfriend Lida Martin; Lucy and Charlie. The world building continues to focus on the players, the game, the camaraderie and the relationships of the Arizona Vengeance. The premise is entertaining, emotional and uplifting; the romance is passionate and seductive; the characters are energetic, strong and sassy. LEGEND is a spicy, spirited and heart warming addition to Bennett’s ARIZONA VENGEANCE.

Upon returning home from a late night of hockey, Legend is immediately bombarded with what looks like National Lampoons Christmas Vacation decorations. While Legend thinks his next door neighbor is extremely “hot”, he can’t stand her yard trash. He’s exasperated, but can’t turn her into the HOA because he lost a bet-no complaining. So he parks his car for the evening, but sees something on his porch. As he approaches and looks under the blankets, he realizes someone’s left a crying baby on his porch. Not knowing what to do or even how to hold an infant, he backs away and runs to Pepper. Pepper, the whimsical artistic one in her family, is constantly leaving “surprises” for Legend-just to irritate him. When he knocks on her door, she assumes it’s to complain about her yard decorations. Then he drags her over to his house, to the crying baby. Pepper immediately picks the little girl up while Legend calls the police. They find a note in the infant seat claiming it's Legend’s baby. Until paternity is determined, the infant is taken to a foster home. I know I said this on the last Arizona Vengeance novel, but I think this novel was the best one yet! Sawyer Bennett is a genius in weaving a believable storyline with characters who you normally wouldn’t think mesh, but are so right for each other in every way! Pepper is carefree, bright, and colorful. Legend is focused, strict, and “bland”. It’s amazing how much more “alive, colorful” Legend’s life becomes with Charlie and Pepper. Although this novel is the third in the series and can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading them in order so you get the “whole” picture. You also don’t necessarily have to be a huge hockey fan in order to read this novel. While Legend is a highly successful NHL player, it’s not the focus of the story. I loved Pepper and Legend’s friendship. They are hilarious together and so complimentary to each other. A perfect match! The suspense and baby mama drama had me on the edge of my seat! Throw in an adorable baby girl....all the feels! I highly recommend this novel. I received a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.