It’s A Goal: The Lure
of Sports Romances
New Zealand is a land of sports lovers, and I number amongst
them. At this time of the year (our winter) the rugby and netball seasons are
in full swing and most weekends I watch the games on television.
Add sports to romance, and I’m in heaven. There’s something
about a sports hero that really grabs my interest. I like sports romances
because:
1. The sports heroes have very fine physiques, the result of
some serious training.
2. The dedication and sacrifices they make to play their
chosen sport is inspiring.
3. The heroes have money and fame, which makes them
interesting.
4. They’re public figures and under intense scrutiny, and
this adds to their conflict.
5. The heroes might find it easy to get women, but when the
right woman comes along that’s when they have problems and the excitement
begins.
6. The sport adds to the conflict with injuries, loss of
form and competition to make the starting team.
7. The book covers are usually hot.
8. They often come in series because lots of sports are team
events. A series of sports romances—what’s not to like?
Although I started off as a reader of sports romances—I
blame Susan Elizabeth Phillips and my New Zealand roots—it didn’t take me long
to try my hand at writing them too.
Playing to Win features a rugby hero and has a suspense
element to the story.
Issy’s Infatuation features a female rugby player and a male
rugby coach.
Eye on the Ball is a gay romance and features a rugby player
and a coach from an opposition team.
Wanna Do Bad Things With You is also a gay romance and
features two rugby players.
The Bottom Line features a rugby playing hero, although
rugby isn’t a huge part of the story.
As a writer I try to give my books just enough sports flavor
to grab the sports enthusiast, yet not too much that I’ll bore those people who
aren’t familiar with rugby. It’s a delicate balance, and hopefully I’ve managed
to get it right. It’s certainly a joy writing about the sports I enjoy and to
showcase New Zealand as well.
CONTEST: Answer this
question and complete the rafflecopter to go into a draw to win an Amazon Gift
Certificate (2 x winners). Do you enjoy sports romances and why or why not?
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Playing to Win
Professional rugby
player, Lane Gerrard is used to women throwing themselves at him, but a
scurrilous tabloid article naming him as father of a child sends his temper
soaring. The woman he confronts doesn’t fit the blackmailer profile. Kate Alexander
is attractive with an enchanting innocence, enticing. A total stranger. Her
feistiness draws his unwilling admiration, but the child…he is the image of
Lane.
Kate can’t deny her
son’s similarity to the sexy man at her door but no way will she hand him over
without a fight. Kate doesn’t possess money but she can shower her son with
love. With public speculation rife, Kate reluctantly works with Lane to
discover the truth. They grow closer as distrust slowly turns to mutual
fascination, but the tabloid articles bring out a stalker. Mild pranks escalate
into danger, and suddenly Lane realizes Kate is a woman he could love. With
Kate and her son, he could have a family. Now, with his heart on the line, this
is one game he’s playing to win…
Purchase
links:
All Romance
ebooks - http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-playingtowin-494734-152.html?referrer=509f18e61b0cf
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Shelley
Munro is tall and curvaceous with blue eyes and a smile that turns masculine
heads everywhere she goes. She’s a university tutor and an explorer/treasure
hunter during her vacations. Skilled with weapons and combat, she is currently
in talks with a producer about a television series based on her world
adventures.
Shelley is
also a writer blessed with a VERY vivid imagination and lives with her very own
hero in New Zealand. She writes mainly erotic romance in the contemporary,
paranormal and historical genres for publishers Carina Press, Ellora’s Cave and
Samhain Publishing. You can learn more about Shelley and her books at http://www.shelleymunro.com.
