Writing a series can be challenging especially when the author (me) has to make each book stand alone, but still move in chronological order and develop back stories for the main characters. As a reader, I appreciate when I can pick up any book in a series and start there. As an author, having each book stand alone makes it easier to market when an individual title comes out. I love not making the reader feel like they have to invest in the previous books before they can start the newest one. Although it is my sincerest hope that they'll enjoy the one they've read so much they just have to find out what happened first.
Today I'm talking about my best selling sports romance series, Kingston Heat Series. There are two titles available and the third one is due out July 20. I'm currently writing the fourth. Yes, I've been a busy girl and my players certainly keep me on my toes.
When I agreed to write Stealing His Heart it was supposed to be a one and done deal. My publisher asked someone to write a book with a baseball hero, and since I live in a house with three obsessed baseball men I figured it was a no-brainer. In house research was a breeze. Book one was born...
WARNING... Pax will steal your heart!
Will the bad-boy pitcher strike out when it comes to love? Shy music teacher Sophia Ballis has sworn off men. After a bad experience with a college jock she decided it was better to be alone than to get burned again. She focused on her education and now her new job at a local private school.
Professional baseball pitcher Paxton Hughes is a player both on and off the field. He's signed to the Kingston Crushers to bring home the coveted championship title. Nothing can get in his way. Serious relationships don't mix with a life on the road and he never loses focus on the game. One-night stands are his specialty for a reason.
While out jogging one spring morning, the two collide, setting their course in motion. Pax is immediately drawn to the unassuming beauty. Sophia is aware of his reputation and decides one night of meaningless sex with the attractive Texas charmer is just what she needs to get over her self-imposed dry spell. Pax has more than a one-night stand on his mind, but will his bad-boy persona and demanding schedule ruin any chances of a happily ever after?
Somehow a conversation with Beachwalk Press turned this into a series. I quickly began outlining the next two books and decided a four book series was in order. That changed (you'll see why).
Book 2 features a charming second baseman who we meet in Book 1 and I knew he had to have a story. Sliding Into Second gave me a chance to revisit Pax and Sophia while I began introducing some future characters. Book 2 picks up directly after book 1 ends so I had an opportunity to write about the hero in the off season. If you like second chance stories...
Jilted once before, now it's her turn to level the playing field. Hotshot sports reporter Sage Millan has been busy making a name for herself in the male dominated world of baseball. She's just landed her dream job, and her first assignment is covering the newly crowned World Series champions, The Kingston Crushers. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. The only problem…her ex-boyfriend, and the only man she's ever loved, is the team's second baseman. Things ended badly between them, and she's not sure she can put those demons to rest.
Professional baseball player Nicolas Cordova is having the time of his life. His team has just won the World Series, and with the victory comes more fame, women, and exposure than he ever could have imagined. But things are about to change for the sexy, charismatic athlete. He never expected his ex-girlfriend to walk back into his life, much less the locker room.
These days Sage is smarter, more mature, and doesn't plan on being played a second time. Her appearance stirs old memories for Nic. She's the one he let get away in the name of his career. He vows he can be the man she needs this time around. Will that be enough to mend her broken heart?
Content Warning: contains explicit sex and adult content
While developing Sliding Into Second I created a sassy little sister named Rosalie. She's a hopeless romantic and would stop at nothing to make sure her sister ended up with the only man she ever loved. In the process Rosalie decided she wanted a player of her own...
As fiery as Rosalie is, she may have met her match with a fast talking, 'I get what I want' player named Holt Clemson. He is probably my dirtiest player to date.
But, just who is playing who?
Once a player, always a player. Maybe not this time.
Hopeless romantic Rosalie Millan is fresh out of college and ready to start a new life in the baseball-obsessed town of Kingston, Rhode Island. Her sister has found her forever love with the Kingston Crushers' second baseman, and now Rosalie wants the same thing. But the man she has her sights set on is far from boyfriend material. He's wild, sex-crazed, and hell-bent on staying single. Still, Rosalie can't seem to give up on the bad boy.
Up-and-coming baseball pitcher Holt Clemson is on fire, both on and off the field. His career has taken him to the top, and with that success comes women, and lots of them. After spending years watching his father cheat and lie to his mother, he's become jaded when it comes to relationships. He can have any girl he chooses, but the last one he thought he'd ever want is the only one making her way into his heart.
Rosalie wants romance, love, and a man who will do anything for her, but Holt isn't a hearts-and-flowers kind of guy. Can this unlikely duo find some common ground? Will Rosalie make Holt see that happily ever afters do exist?
Content Warning: contains explicit sex and adult content
These two gave me a run for my money. The dialogue alone made me blush. Their 'challenge one another' banter kicked things up a few notches too.
Rosalie's Player will be available on July 20, 2015. You're not going to want to miss these steamy lovers. I promise!
When I sat down to write the final installment in this series I realized I wasn't done. One for the Team features a gentle, caring shortstop who has no interest in being a player unless it's on the field. He's not like his teammates in the respect that he doesn't jump from bed to bed. He has his sights set on an intriguing waitress who won't give him the time of day. He's persistent...
Working Summary
Casey won’t be fooled again no matter how hard Ryder tries to score...
Shortstop Ryder Stanton is in a slump. Not on the field, but in his love life. Listening to his teammates talk about having meaningless sex night after night has left him feeling hopeless that a guy who spends most of his time on the road can ever find the right girl. When an apprehensive waitress catches his eye he’s set on winning her heart, but she won’t give him a chance.
Casey Bennet has lived in Kingston her whole life. Working in her father’s pub she’s dealt with her fair share of players. They sweet talk a girl into getting what they want, and when they get it they leave. After a failed fling with the team’s pitcher, Casey vows never to date another Kingston Crusher again.
Ryder needs to make Casey see he’s not like the rest. He’s looking for more than one night. Persistence, determination and winning aren’t just for the game. Casey may prove to be his biggest challenge yet. Will Ryder change her mind when it comes to love? Can he show her not all players are the same or is he destined to take one for the team?
***
So, that should have been that... except...
I created an adorable little yoga instructor named Hadley who spends most of her days stretching out and massaging the team. It only seemed fair that she find love too. When I went to outline her book it occurred to me that another character needed his say so I'm up to six books now. I'd like to tell you this will be a six book series, but I don't know if I can honestly say that. I guess I'll leave it at...
If you keep reading about my players, I'll keep writing about my players.
Can you tell I'm having a BLAST doing this? The Kingston Heat Series has renewed my love for writing. These characters are in my heart and I hope they find a way into yours. Most of the fun in writing the next book is getting to see who's getting engaged or married, who's having a baby and which player is getting traded (it is baseball, after all).
Hit the sheets with my players today...
Baseball has never been HOTTER!
All books stand alone and can be read in any order.
Available Now...
July 20, 2015
I hope to have to my publisher by August 2015
One for the Team
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I also have a readers' group where we chat about what's coming next.
So many players, so little time.
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