Discover a New Sports Romance

What is a blog hop? It’s a way for readers to discover new authors. With bookstores closing and publishers not promoting new authors as much, blog hops are a way to introduce readers to authors they may not see in the local bookstore.

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop is a great chance to find many new authors. Here you’ll find information about what I’m working on now – FINAL SCORE. Also, see links after the questions and answers and find five other authors you might like to check out.

I’d like to thank fellow author LISA HANNAH WELLS for tagging me to participate. Click the link below to find out about her latest book BE STILL MY LOVER’S HEART

In this particular hop, my fellow authors and I, in our respective blogs, have answered 10 questions where you get to learn about our current work in progress as well as some insights into our process, from characters and inspirations to plotting and cover decisions. I hope you enjoy!

Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts and questions. Here is my Next Big Thing!

What is the working title of your book?

Final Score

Where did the idea come from for the book?

After attending a Nashville Predators game, Jen had an idea about a hockey player and a chef. I’d been talking about writing a story with a hockey hero – one of my favorites – and we thought, why not? Since I know nothing about cooking (and Jen does), and Jen knows nothing about hockey (and boy, do I), it was pretty easy to delegate writing responsibility. Many fun hours of “what if…” later, we had ourselves a story.

What genre does your book come under?

Contemporary romance, though we’re not averse to the sports romance and hockey romance labels.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

We’ve always envisioned model Ralf Baumgarten for Brody and actress Sarah Drew from Grey’s Anatomy for Anna.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

When NHL bad boy Brody Clark gets checked by pretty redheaded chef Anna Bloom, his free agent days just might be over.

Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

FINAL SCORE is a work in progress, in the last stages of self-editing before the manuscript is ready for submission, but Jen currently has YA novels published with a small press, and Melissa has a paranormal romance published and another contracted with another small press.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

The first rough draft took approximately nine months to write, and we’re still going through edits!

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

This is comparable to hockey sport romances by Deirdre Martin and Rachel Gibson, although there are other great writers taking on hockey players as heroes—and even heroines!

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Live hockey games, hockey players, and the excitement they generate. Read the story, go to a game. You won’t regret it!

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Conditioned athletes, celebrity, paparazzi, travel. Hockey. Attraction and tension. Set goals, reassessed priorities. Good food, good friends, good times between consenting adults.

Between the two of us, we have intimate knowledge of both the restaurant business and hockey players, so hopefully that adds a fun depth to the story! 😉

Below you will find authors who will be joining me by blog next Wednesday. Be sure to bookmark and add them to your calendars for updates on WIPs and New Releases! Happy Writing and Reading!

Sandi Layne