Christine Grabowski's YA Novel DICKENSEN ACADEMY: In the Spotlight!

Fellow Wild Rose Press author Christine Grabowski is my guest today. Unlike me, Christine writes young adult novels and she writes them very well. Her debut novel, DICKENSEN ACADEMY, was the #1 New Release on Amazon in Children's Coming of Age Fantasy the week it released. Way to go, Christine!

Blurb:

Dickensen Academy isn’t a typical boarding school. The faculty is hiding an unbelievable secret within their fine arts program. When Autumn Mattison receives an invitation to attend the high school, she yearns to escape her overbearing father yet remains reluctant to leave her mother and brother. Her doubts fade away when a vivid dream convinces her she belongs there.

Away from home, Autumn discovers a unique school environment that awakens her creative potential, and her new friends become like a second family. However, as she uncovers more about the dark side of the school and struggles with its curriculum, she questions whether Dickensen Academy is truly where she belongs. 

When tragedy strikes, Autumn must learn to believe in her own power and stand up to her greatest fear or risk having her memories destroyed to protect the school’s secrets. Caught between secrets and dreams, can she find her true self?

Excerpt:

“I feel like there’s something big we don’t know about. Something those students were protecting. I mean, really, why are we here?”

I thought it was just me who was confused. “Well…the recruiters said we’re creative and focused.”

“Yeah, that’s what Principal Locke said too.”

“And we have the right personality.”

Ben looked up at the sky, sighed then turned toward the forest. “What did he say…something about how it will soon become clear why we’re here, and there’s some ultimate purpose for our creativity?”

“I know. That whole creativity part was a bit bizarre.”

He shrugged. “It seems everyone is going with the flow. But I have so many questions.” Then he touched my arm to stop me, so I turned toward him. “I’m thinking they’re isolating us for some special reason,” he admitted in an embarrassed tone.

I tried not to laugh—he was acting paranoid. But I didn’t know Ben well. Maybe he was joking, trying to freak me out. Or was he hitting on me? The flutter in my chest moved to my stomach. I was already anxious about being away from home and whether or not I could hack the academics. I didn’t need to obsess about anything else. But I still had to know about Ben’s dream.

“So…I also had a dream about Dickensen before I accepted the offer.”

Ben’s head snapped toward me. “You did?”

Website:

https://christinegrabowski.com

Book Trailer:

https://youtu.be/sgjRes7zPLQ

Buy/Book Links: 

Amazon: 

https://www.amazon.com/dickensen-academy-map-success/dp/B07G71747S

Barnes & Noble:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dickensen-academy-christine-grabowski/1129315140?ean=9781509221233

Apple: 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dickensen-academy/id1419915501?mt=11

The Wild Rose Press: 

https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/6044-dickensen-academy.html

Google Play: 

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Christine_Grabowski_Dickensen_Academy?id=3LpsDwAAQBAJ

Kobo: 

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dickensen-academy

Goodreads: 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41065431-dickensen-academy

Bookbub: 

https://www.bookbub.com/books/dickensen-academy-by-christine-grabowski

Author bio:

Dickensen Academy is Christine’s debut YA novel. After graduating from the University of Washington, she earned her MBA at the University at Albany. She honed her technical writing skills in marketing and consulting but attributes the creative part of the process to her passion for reading.

When she isn’t reading or writing, Christine can often be found running, skiing, or hiking. She lives in Newcastle, Washington, with her supportive husband, two avid teen readers, and their energetic wheaten terriers.

Christine's Social Media Links:

Facebook:  

http://facebook.com/christinegrabowskiauthor

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/christinegrabo/ 

Twitter:  

https://www.twitter.com/christinegrabo 

Goodreads Profile:  

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18276822.Christine_Grabowski

Bookbub Profile: 

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/christine-grabowski

Amazon Profile:

https://www.amazon.com/Christine-Grabowski/e/B07G7D9LJ2

RA Winter and a TWISTED paranormal romance!

I have a unique paranormal romance for you today. RA Winter is the author of TWISTED: A Vampire Werewolf Freaky Friday. I'm intrigued by the premise. She also sat down for an interview with me. Welcome RA!

Interview:

Where did you get the idea for this novel?

One of the Freaky-Friday movies was showing on the TV about two young girls who body-switched, and I looked over at my man and I was like, what would you do if you were switched with me?  (Answer deleted.  We don't talk about the rest of the night. It's not PG 13.)  My first thoughts were- yeah, that one.  I mean come on-  who could resist?

Was there anything unusual, any anecdote about this book you’d like to share?

Twisted has been given a PG 13 by a review site.  Honestly, I wouldn't want my 13 year old reading this, however, I would have eaten it up at her age. It's adult humor. I mean come on, a female vamp is in a male werewolf's body, what's she going to do?

What was the most difficult thing about writing this book?  

Pronouns.  Twisted went through about six complete rounds of beta readers.  Also, I had to hold back on my humor.  I went down a raunchy hole, had a lot of fun, then my editor dug me out.  Thanks, KC Freeman.  She saved me.

What do you want readers to come away with after they read your book?

I didn't set out to have a message besides that we can all get along, no matter what our ideas are of someone else, we need to put ourselves into their  boots before we can understand them.  Overcoming prejudice by understanding your enemy acts as the primary theme.

How many books do you have under the proverbial bed? Will they ever see the light of day?

I have six pieces that will (should) be part of the Spirit Key Series, at some point I'll get back to those.  It's about a Native American family and the ancient spirits that surround them, begging for a voice, and romance of course.  Then there is a sequel to Twisted, a three part series about Death Takers falling in love, (book 1 is finished, I'm just waiting for book 2 to be done before I start publishing, it's a three-part series).
  
Tell us a bit about you. Where do you live, and how long have you been writing? 

I live in Pittsburgh right now.  I've lived all over the world, Turkey, Germany, Egypt, Jordan and tons of states in the US.  I love to travel but hate to fly!  I started writing genealogy reference books under my married name but wanted more romance in my life.

If writing is your first passion, what is your second?

Finding answers to where I came from.  Genealogy!  There is a lot of lore in my family, some I doubt is true, some I've proven true, and a couple of really wonderful rogue characters who have kept me interested in history.

Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it? Does it help you with your writing?

Ok, so-- I've been a Federal Agent, I won't tell you what agency, but let's just say that it's interesting.

If you could get rid of something in your life that would give you more writing time, what would it be?

Downsize my home!  I spend way too much time organizing and cleaning the same stuff everyday.

Do you have any pets? Are you cat person or a dog person? Or are you into totally different pets, like goldfish? 

I am a pet person.  I love everything.  Seriously.  Dogs, cats, bunnies, I'd live at a zoo if I could.

What did you want to be (occupation-wise) when you were a child?

Archaeologist!  I love history.


How can readers reach you or find you online?

 https://www.amazon.com/By-RA-Winter/e/B00PMF26SC

@RAWinterWrite  https://twitter.com/RAWinterWriter

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9869268.R_A_Winter

https://www.facebook.com/Author-RA-Winter

Newsletter sign up   email link   http://eepurl.com/dbCIE5                
                  
Tell us about your next release.

A dark romance, Demise's Lover, the first novel in a three part series.  One touch of Aiden's soul brought Demise to life. After taking his life too soon, death's realm erupts in war. Demise must fight for his love and his soul in Tartarus as all of Hades revolts.  Book 2, Death's Desire, Death goes to war, only to fall in love with the god Ares himself. Destined to take souls for eternity, Death has come alive and finds herself in the middle of a war in Hades. 


Twisted: A Vampire Werewolf Freaky Friday
Blurb:

A curse has plagued the land of the witch and the only clue to save the world is in the form of a riddle. For centuries Tabitha has failed to release the death that has overtaken her world. Now, the vamps are mostly female, the werewolves are male. The witch must erase the curse before the land dies, but how can she convince these two warring species to work together before all is lost?

One last chance is dropped at her doorstep when a young vampire falls into her clutches. Darkness descends over their world as the witch comes up with one last scheme to save them all. Switch their bodies. 

It's the only way to make them work together, but will the two chosen ones tear each other apart, or save their world from death?

A Freaky-Friday romance.  

Excerpt:

Koane’s body collided back together in sharp painful pieces. Around him, snow littered the ground and the wind picked up, waving the trees. Adjusting his position, his vision sharpened in the night. 

Oddly, he saw better than before but different. The birds throbbed red as if the only thing that mattered was its heart and the blood that pulsed through it.

He sniffed the air. The air told him nothing as if the wolf ignored him. Inside darkness covered where the beast lived.

The witch had taken his wolf! Emptiness as if a deep void had been stuffed down his throat.

A heavy coat floated to the ground. The vampire's. Red leather with a thick furry lining. He reached for it and stopped.

Long thin tapered fingers wiggled as he commanded them. Red nail polish too? He flexed them just to make sure. Rolling over, he noticed a few other things.

Im-freaking-possible.

Smaller hands ran over the swell of breasts and down between shapely legs hidden beneath the folds of a black gown. No bulge, not even a slight swell under those hands. Koane squeezed everywhere searching for something familiar between those thighs. He gave up and bit the hand. A yelp burst from his lips as a high squeak.

Throbbing beats pierced his eardrums. The emotions of animals entered his mind. Food. Flee. Fight.

“Tabitha!” His yell echoed over high mountains with a distinctive female edge.  The vampire’s voice. No freaking way. Castrated and replaced with lady bits. Curves and swells that he’d only dreamed of touching were now within his reach. Emptiness settled between his legs and he’d do anything to get his dick back.

A man without a penis couldn't be an alpha male.

His surroundings told him one thing. He was in the overlands. A place where no one travels. Where the creatures held no honor and ate anything, even the pregnant.

“Shut up. Do you want everything to know we’re here?” That was his voice, but he hadn’t said it.

The bushes rustled. Snow dropped off dark satin as his own body trudged through the snow still encased in that horrible frivolous tux. He could smell the wolf under the skin and bared his teeth.

Switched! He changed his mind. He’d kill the witch himself. Eat her too.

“Vamp?”

“Ophelia.”

Canines popped out of his mouth and a deep hunger bit inside. A throaty growl burst from his lips.

“Put a lid on it,” Ophelia snapped in his own freaking voice. His own body walked over, swaying hips like a pup in heat, and put a boot up on a log. The coat fluttered in the wind. “Hi-ya, partner.”

Koane growled, but a hiss came out of his mouth, crawling like spiders over his thoughts. “I will not work with a vampire!”

It laughed. “Well, you’re not, now are you? Apparently, Tabitha found a way around that.”

“What are you talking about?”

Ophelia ran a finger over stubby hands. His hands. “We said that we wouldn’t work with each other. We’re not. We’re working with ourselves. And unless you know someone more powerful than the witch who can switch us back, we’re stuck with no way out but to solve this riddle.”

Buy links:   


https://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Vampire-Werewolf-Freaky-Friday-ebook/dp/B07FMCTHLK/


Bio:

RA Winter, began her writing career under her married name, writing genealogy books. However, her love for reading romance novels intruded in on her daily activities. She started writing and fell in love with her characters and is writing many more books in the Romantic Western series, "The Spirit Key". Each one of Grandfather's grandchildren will have their story told, as will Grandfather himself.


RA spent many years traveling the world and has lived in many different countries. Turkey, Egypt, Germany, and Jordan, have all been called "home" at one time or another. Now you can find her quietly living in Pittsburgh, Pa, with her husband, writing her next novel.  There will be more in the twisted series too!

Social Links:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRAWinter
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ra-winter
https://rawinterwriter.wordpress.com/
Newsletter signup  http://eepurl.com/dbCIE5
https://www.amazon.com/By-RA-Winter/e/B00PMF26SC

When clothes do more than make the man by Kayelle Allen @kayelleallen #SciFi #SpaceOpera

When clothes do more than make the man by Kayelle Allen

Jana, thank you for inviting me to share my new book with your readers. Lights Out is space opera - a short story in a huge and sweeping universe. I wrote the story because I wanted to explore the character Six in my Bringer of Chaos series. In Lights Out, Six is known by his call sign, Tornahdo. He's human, the antagonist is an immortal Ultra, and their two races are at war.

To fight an enemy who can't be killed, humans capture Ultras alive and use their blood to resurrect slain human soldiers. It works well -- the Ghost Corps is turning the tide of war. For the first time, humans are winning. The Ultras have agreed to peace talks and it's the duty of Ghost Corps to police the event.

What the ghosts don't know is that their own uniforms are part of a brainwashing program. The symbols sewn onto their clothing trigger hatred, resentment, and a compulsion to kill Ultras. Every time the ghosts dress themselves, they renew their resolve to destroy the enemy.

You've heard the expression "clothes make the man" -- in this case, they control the man.

To reveal the concept, I showed Tornahdo reacting to the symbol in different situations. When he takes a long look at the corps logo, he's surprised to see a hidden symbol. The fact that he is surprised to see the symbol the next time he notices it should clue the reader in that something is amiss.

Showing how Tornahdo handles the symbols throughout the story reveals much about his character -- and the Ghost Corps. At one point, he reacts to the formal uniform worn by the leader of the Ultras. Here's a snippet from the scene:

---

There wasn't a human alive who wouldn't recognize Pietas. Seven feet tall. Slim. White hair. White uniform.

Seriously. Like he was the good guy.

Painted on bandit's mask.

Because yeah, the mask went so well with the good guy look.

---

In Lights Out, the clothing worn by the main character reflects much more than his rank. It reflects his alliance, his world's values, his people's belief system, and his willingness to submit to all of them.

The Ghost Corps leaders manipulate those who owe them allegiance and over whom they hold power. Lights Out is as much about blind obedience as it is about hatred of the enemy. Does one arise from the other? I think they do, but I'll let you be the judge. What do you believe?

Lights Out by Kayelle Allen

He can save mankind. After he does one important thing. Die. Join the Ghost Corps, they said. You'll live forever, they said. You'll save mankind, they said. They didn't say that to do it, first he had to die. When Tornahdo signs on the dotted line, he puts his life into the steady hands of the mighty Ghost Corps. Three grisly deaths and three agonizing resurrections later, he's assigned duty on the space station Enderium Six. He's facing his most dangerous mission yet, the very reason the corps exists. Do they expect him to win? Fat chance. Tornahdo and his team are already dead and this mission is codenamed "Lights Out." No, there's more to this than he can see. To discover the truth, he must face an unbeatable, unkillable enemy, and this time--somehow--find a way to keep himself alive... Lights Out is featured in The Expanding Universe Vol 4, edited by Craig Martelle. https://kayelleallen.com/lights-out-save-mankind/

The Expanding Universe releases Sept 17, 2018. You can do one of the following. 1) Join one of Kayelle's Reader Groups You'll download four free books and get news about books coming soon. You can unsubscribe at any time. 2) Follow Kayelle's Amazon Author Page and get one alert from Amazon when a new story is available. 3) Sign up for AuthorAlarms and the app will send you one email when she releases a new story. You can add and remove authors as you please.

Kayelle Allen writes Sci Fi with misbehaving robots, mythic heroes, role playing immortal gamers, and warriors who purr. She is the author of seven books, three novellas, and multiple short stories. She's also a US Navy veteran and has been married so long she's tenured.

https://kayelleallen.com

http://twitter.com/kayelleallen

http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author

http://pinterest.com/kayelleallen/

https://instagram.com/kayelleallen/

#NewRelease from Viviana Mackade: HER MIDNIGHT SUN

Vivana Mackade joins me today to talk about HIS MIDNIGHT SUN which releases September 15, 2018. First, she answers five quick questions for us. Let's get to know Viviana!

Quick Five:

Water, pop or juice?
Water. Pops just make me thirstier–and vaguely nauseous. Juices have too much sugar in them, so unless I can make a fresh one (which I don’t because it takes a lot of work. Yes, I’m that lazy), I don’t drink them. So, it’s gonna be water, un-sugared herbal tea, or Margaritas.

Country life or city life?
Granddaughter of hazelnut farmers (hello, Nutella. In Europe, that’s made with hazelnuts my family, and others like us, farm), daughter of the town math teacher. Country girl through and through. Always have been, always will be.

Satin, cotton, jersey, flannel - what's your favorite kind of sheet?
Cotton. Actually, I love linen, but it’s hard to find sheets made with it. At least, good quality sheets made of it on the low side of a 100$. I tried satin sheets once, and I’m very much ashamed to admit I kept sliding everywhere. So slippery! Flannel, I tried when I lived in the UK. There’s a wet quality in the cold there, something that seeps down and down into your bones, and I’d have tried whatever promised warmth, but I didn’t like it. It made my feet sweaty. I bought a thermal blanket, by the way. Best pounds ever spent. I’m a jersey sheets virgin, so I can’t tell. Seems nice, though.

I love pizza with ...
(I feel like I have to say this before answering: I’m Italian. Like, born and lived there for the first 27 years of my life. Now you’ll understand how some things are not to be taken lightly. Pizza is one of them.) There is one, and one only, real pizza: tomato and mozzarella. To be precise, it’s called Pizza Margherita, named after the Italian Queen Margherita, who rightly elevated it to regal status.

I'm always ready for ...
The beach! It’s easy for me because I live 20 minutes from it, so to us is a lot like a stroll in the park. My son learned how to walk there, how to catch crabs, and I’m a getting tanned-in-every-place-I-can-expose-without-getting-in-trouble Black Belt. Credits for it go to Monica, my sister in law, who taught me years ago how it’s done.

Blurb, HIS MIDNIGHT SUN:

Tormented, fierce, and broken, sculptor Aidan Murphy has judged himself guilty. He yearns for love but pushes everyone away. He longs for acceptance but has lost the key to open his heart. Until he meets Summer Williams. Beautiful and smart, Dr. Williams promises haven for a man who believes he deserves none. All he has to do is let her in and risk his heart and soul.

Summer’s managed to keep her inner light alive, even through tragedy. She’s created a new life for herself and her daughter in Crescent Creek with loving, caring and fun friends–well, except brooding, breathtaking Aidan. She’s used to keeping away from his type, though. All she has to do is ignore the pull of a man who’s turning up to be much more than snarls and storms. Will her compassion and medical instincts let her?

Love can heal a broken soul and shake up a timid heart. Or it can unleash devastation and revenge.

Will Aidan and Summer survive the hurricane?

Excerpt:

Fire.

Fire would eat all.

The simple, brown casket entered the cremation chamber accompanied by the soft crying of the mourners.

A sister. So-called friends. No mother or father in the crowd–a small blessing, as no parent should live to see a son’s death. Even more so when he’d committed suicide. Grabbed a gun, let the black hole of desperation drench his mind and pulled the trigger. The maid said he’d cursed one name right before he ended all: Summer.

Pain and anger rattled through Lilith Chapman. Along with Stephen’s brain, her heart had shattered that day.

Lilith had known she could save him, had always known. With time, she’d have made him forget he’d ever loved anybody but her.

He didn’t give her time.

His sister had pressed him to visit doctors. Depression, she’d called it.

Bullshit.

Love killed Stephen.

Sweet Stephen. A gentle, caring soul who only wanted affection and care. No harsh word ever left his mouth; his hands knew no fists.

With him, Lilith never had to face fear. She knew all about it thanks to her father first, and her deceased husband later. Not with Stephen. Never with him. For the first time in her life, she’d been the strong one, the one leading. Day after day she’d listened to him, to the winnings and the losses of a man who possessed everything. Money, power, a place in society. Not someone to share it with, though. Until, silly man, he’d believed he’d found The One: Doctor Summer Williams. A woman who had left him with a few words and no remorse.

Lilith had heard his heart shatter with a singing soul. With patience, had watched Stephen spiraling down and downer in a place always darker and more desperate. She only had to wait. Once he hit the bottom, he’d realize Summer was not worth it. Stephen would finally open his eyes and see her, Lilith.

At the bottom though, he’d found a gun.

And now she had nothing.

Sure, he’d left money to her, a lot of it, enough she didn’t have to worry about working or anything else anymore. Too bad she didn’t care for it.

She wanted Stephen, but Summer Williams had taken him away forever.

And for that, Lilith would bring tears and blood.

Summer’s tears and blood.

She, Lilith, was going to own his final words of hate, carry on his vengeance and make sure Summer Williams witnessed the crumbling of her world. Everyone she held dear would perish in front of her eyes. And then Lilith could go to him where they would be together. Forever.

“I promise you,” she whispered to the burning casket. “I promise you, love will kill again.”

Release September 15, available for pre-sale
$ 0.99 FREE with KU

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GDP26VB?

Author Bio:

Beach bum and country music addicted, Viviana lives in a small Floridian town with her husband and her son, her die-hard fans and personal cheer squad. She spends her days between typing on her beloved keyboard, playing in the pool with her boy, and eating whatever her husband puts on her plate (the guy is that good, and she really loves eating). Besides beaching, she enjoys long walks, horse-riding, hiking, and pretty much whatever she can do outside with her family.

Social Media Links:

Website: http://www.viviana-mackade.blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011982152461

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ViviMackade

Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Viviana-MacKade/e/B01KKY6WLQ

Review: Ann Everett's TRUE

I'm finally making good on my promise to review Ann Everett's contemporary romance TRUE. Ann visited Journeys with Jana back in July: you can read an excerpt and our interview here. 

My Review:

I received a copy of TRUE from the author in exchange for an honest review. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Ann Everett’s contemporary romance TRUE. The characters were likable (except for the bad guy) and I really wanted all of them to get their happy endings. That’s endings—plural, because three couples fall in love in this book! And there are many laugh out loud moments that will keep you reading.

What I especially loved about this book is that Ms. Everett takes well-used romance tropes and manages to make them fresh. The girl with amnesia plot could have been tedious but instead it was funny and almost believable. I loved that just before her accident, True vows to become a different person, and when she comes out of the coma that’s exactly what she does. Instead of being the shy, conservative-dressing doormat she was previously, the new, assertive True goes after what she wants. And she decides she wants Ritter. I like that in a romance heroine!

The small-town hero trope is also well-used. Here it is played for laughs – Ritter is a reluctant hero who keeps saving people’s lives, including True’s. But there’s a more serious side to Ritter that makes him want to look after everyone – his mother, his sisters, and especially True. And that makes him a very appealing character. 

One of the romance tropes that I think Ms. Everett handled particularly well was the love at first sight trope. From the moment Ritter’s sister Swan sees True’s brother Teague, they were in love. And I believed it! It was probably the best love at first sight scene I’ve ever read. I’m hoping Swan and Teague get their own book!

All the characters face obstacles on their way to true love (no pun intended), and the sexual tension is off the charts in this book. By the time they actually “do it”, all the reader can do is sigh in relief. 

All in all, TRUE is a fun read. And it should probably get an award for best character names in a romance novel!

Buy Link:
Amazon - ebook and Print

FIRST AND TEN by Margo Bond Collins and Erin Hayes

Margo Bond Collins and Erin Hayes are with me today to talk about their new release FIRST AND TEN. Sounds like a hoot! Please welcome Margo and Erin!

First and Ten: A Contemporary Reverse Harem

A Team of Her Own Book 1: Preseason

by Erin Hayes and Margo Bond Collins

Available on Amazon

FREEin Kindle Unlimited

 When Madison Harte inherits a football team with three hot players who all want her, there’s one problem: when it comes to America’s favorite sport, she’s clueless. 

I have the worst luck. Failed tech startup? Check. Cheating ex-boyfriend? Check. No idea what to do next? Check.

Then my Uncle Dusty passes away and leaves a whole football team to me. Never mind that I’ve never even seen a game. Who has time for that, right?

But I can sell the team and turn my life around, so I fly from San Francisco to Birmingham, Alabama, where I find a whole new level of football obsession—and start to develop a fascination of my own. Mostly with the three players who are very, very interested in me. 

I never expected to find a team of my own. Or that there would be so many obstacles in our way.

Luckily, Madison won’t have to choose just one man in this contemporary reverse harem where Friday Night Lights and Bridget Jones collide and where—hallelujah—it’s still raining men.

Excerpt:

The last time I had anything to do with football, Timothy Bartley threw the ball at me during PE, and it hit me in the face. I was left with a shiner for three weeks after that, barely able to see out of my poor eye. Everyone made fun of me, and I still sported a small scar on my eyebrow where my skin had split from the swelling.

That was in sixth grade. Seventeen years ago.

Since then, I hadn’t watched a game, hadn’t paid attention to who’s who, or even glanced at ESPN. That was fine by me. I was happy not having to spend my Saturdays watching the big game. My money was spent on video games, comics, and shoes instead of tickets and merchandise.

Football was in an entirely different universe that didn’t touch mine in the slightest.

Until now.

“Excuse me?” I asked in disbelief, sitting forward in my chair. My black business suit stretched as much as it possibly could, but it still felt tighter than the last time I wore it. Yet another sign that my size-14 waist was now a size 16. I’d put on some weight since my ex Jacob and I broke up six months ago. My boobs looked great though, so I really didn’t mind. He was the one missing out.

“Did you just say what I thought you did?” I asked.

My lawyer, an old family friend named Daniel Reiss, a balding man with a permanent scowl, stopped his reading of my late uncle’s will and looked up. “Which part?”

He must have continued reading while my mind slowly processed what had been bequeathed to me.

“The part about the football.”

He frowned, the wrinkles in his face deepening, and he flipped back a few pages in my uncle’s very long will.

Uncle Dusty had been eccentric when he was alive, amassing a huge fortune that had once covered a vacation home in Tahiti, several of the most expensive cars ever produced, a private jet, and millions of dollars in capital. But, being eccentric, he had spent or sold most of it before he died. Fair enough, I would have done the same. Most of the will consisted of what to do with his coin collection or each of his rare, exotic stamps.

But the part about football was, well, let’s just say unexpected.

Finding his place on the page, Daniel cleared his throat. “‘I leave my football team, the Birmingham Yellowhammers, to my brother’s daughter, Madison Harte.”

Madison Harte. Me.

I blinked. “Is that like a little kid’s team or something? Or his collection of footballs? Or a set of those shirts they wear?”

“Jerseys?” Daniel supplied.

“Yeah, those.”

“No.” He watched at me, perplexed. “They’re a team for the major league.”

I looked at him blankly.

“As in professional football, Ms. Harte.” Ugh. Daniel only used my last name when he thought I was being stupid. I should’ve been used to it by now—he’d used it for the last several months as I refused offer after offer from Jacob to buy out my half of our tech startup, even as my savings dwindled. I finally took him up on it when I had no choice.

I hesitated for another beat, still trying to come to terms with Daniel’s words. “You’re not talking about soccer, are you?” At least I knew something about soccer. I played on a rec team when I was in college. Still terrible at it, but at least I knew some of the rules. Like, you couldn’t use your hands to touch the ball.

Daniel couldn’t hide the derision from his face. No matter how grumpy someone looks, they can always make you feel like the stupidest person in the room.

“No, Miss Harte. American football.”

I worried my bottom lip, a million thoughts running through my head. “Uhm, how can you leave someone a whole football team?”

None of this made any sense.

Margo's Top 5 Favorite Sports Movies One of the things I loved about co-writing First and Ten with Erin Hayes is that neither of knows anything about football! Lucky for us, though, neither does our heroine. We’re not quite as clueless as Madison, though I have to admit, much of our (small amount of!) combined knowledge of the game comes from popular culture, including movies. I was originally going to do a top 5 football movies post…but then I realized I couldn’t think of five football movies. Clearly, I’m going to have to fix that as this series continues! But for now, here are my top five favorite sports movies: 1. Bull Durham 2. Bend it Like Beckham 3. A League of Their Own 4. Rocky 5. Field of Dreams What I love about all these sports stories is that ultimately, they’re not about the sports—they’re about what it means to be human, to function as part of a team, to live and love and win and lose. Tell me: what are some of your favorite sports movies, and what do you love about them?

About the Authors

Erin Hayes

Sci-fi junkie, video game nerd, and wannabe manga artist Erin Hayes writes a lot of things. Sometimes she writes books.

She works as an advertising copywriter by day, and she's an award-winning New York Times Bestselling Author by night. She has lived in New Zealand, Hawaii, Texas, Alabama, and now San Francisco with her husband, cat, and a growing collection of geek paraphernalia.

You can reach her at erinhayesbooks@gmail.com and she’ll be happy to chat. Especially if you want to debate Star Wars.

Read More from Erin

 www.erinhayesbooks.com

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Margo Bond Collins

USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times bestselling author Margo Bond Collins is a former college English professor who, tired of explaining the difference between "hanged" and "hung," turned to writing romance novels instead. (Sometimes her heroines kill monsters, too.)

Read More from Margo

 www.MargoBondCollins.net

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

 

Fall Into Love Romance Giveaway!

FALL INTO LOVE

All-Genres Romance Giveaway

September 10-30

Kindle Fire 7 • Ebook Prize Packs • Amazon Gift Cards

https://bookwrapt.com/fall-into-love-romance-giveaway/

Between quaint country inns, falling leaves, and weather that invites snuggling, nothing tops Fall for sheer romance. And we’re holding an all-genres romance giveaway to celebrate the season. Enter now for your chance to win!

Plus, it’s reading season and we have the perfect books in every romance genre for you to snuggle up with on a chilly night or two or seven, falling in love with your new book boyfriend. Or should we say boyfriends? Browse our book fair and see how many you discover to make your own!

https://bookwrapt.com/fall-into-love-fair/

(Fall Into Love is sponsored by the 58 authors listed below)

Amanda Uhl • Amy Knupp • Andy Wayne • Aubrey Wynne • Ava Bradley • Candace Blevins • Cecilia Lane • Cecy Robson • Constance Bretes • Cynthia Cooke • Debbie White • E.B. Black • Elizabeth Rose • Elsie Davis • Heather Slade • Holly Cortelyou • Jan O’Hara • Jana Richards • Jenny Gardiner • Jessica Jayne • Joanne Dannon • Julieann Dove • Karyn Gerrard • Kris Michaels • Lane Hart • Lara Ward Cosio • Laura A. Barnes • Laurel Greer • Laurel O’Donnell • Lucy Lakestone • M.C. Cerny • Marie James • Marina Simcoe • Melissa Belle • N.D. Jones • Natalie Ann • PG Forte • PJ Friel • Rachel Everly • Ruth A. Casie • S.L. Sterling • Sabrina Kade • Sahara Roberts • Sandra Marie • Sarah Williams • Shelley Munro • Sherrie Lea Morgan • Simone Leigh • Soraya Naomi • Stacy Gold • Stephanie Queen • Susan Sheehey • Sylvia McDaniel • Tamara Ferguson • Teddy Hester • Theresa Paolo • TL Clark • Zoe Dawson

Review: VENGEANCE IS MINE by Kat Henry Doran

Kat Henry Doran was my guest back in June and she talked about her contemporary romance VENGEANCE IS MINE. I promised to a review her book, and better late than never, here it is. Thanks for letting me read your book, Kat!

Blurb:

Ever think about going back to study hall to face down the school bully? The mean girls? The brainless jocks who made your life a pure misery? For Dru Horvath, gypsy orphan turned Pulitzer Prize winning photo-journalist; Rafe Archangeli, Scourge of Summerville who now heads a multi-million dollar trust; and Fiona “Fat Aggie” Thorpe who recreated herself into an A-list model with her own A-list agency, the opportunity to exact revenge is too good to pass up. Will they find the vengeance they crave? Or something more valuable? 


My Review:
How many of us would love to go back to high school and exact revenge on the bullies and gossips and the mean girls (and boys)? 

In Kat Henry Doran’s VENGEANCE IS MINE, three former graduates of Summerville High School in western New York state, get the chance to do just that. But this revenge comes a different way than they expect.

VENGEANCE IS MINE is made up of three novellas – Mad Dog and Archangel, Embraceable You and The List. The three stories are intertwined, with characters from one story appearing in the other books. 

The stories were well-written and the author’s depictions of certain occupations were very real. All three novellas explore racism and bullying, but mostly they’re really good love stories, with characters you want to root for. In Mad Dog and Archangel I could feel the instant attraction between the Rafe and Grace. In Embraceable You, I wanted Dru and Rory to get past their fears so they could have a life together. In The List, which I confess was my favorite story, I admired Fiona’s strength and perseverance and willed her to see how much Mick, her former tormentor, had changed. Ms. Doran didn’t disappoint me in any of the stories.

In each story, the author did a good job of showing how love changed the characters for the better. And she also did a skillful job of showing that revenge isn't what they thought it would be. 
Instead, they discover the best revenge is living well.

I received a copy of VENGEANCE IS MINE from the author in exchange for an honest review. 

Buy Links: 

• Amazon Print
• Amazon Kindle
• Amazon CA 
• Amazon UK 
• Amazon DE 
• Amazon ES 
• Amazon FR  
• Amazon IT