Hello, friends of Cherie! Thanks to Cherie for letting me swing by for the Sidelined blog tour!
Today I am here to answer the question Cherie posed for me: - “I love how sports are featured in your Game On series books. What made you decide to include football (aka soccer) in the books? Did you used to play the sport?”
When I first came up with the idea for Game On, I needed a profession for my leading male, Radeigh McCoy, that was in the public eye. He needed to be someone everyone knew, someone who was used to getting what he wanted, and someone who had a lot to lose if one of his mistakes was ever discovered. I felt like the movie star thing has been overdone (some will probably say that soccer stars have, too lol!) so I decided to go with a sports star. I am not the biggest sports fan in the world – not gonna lie. The only sport I have any knowledge of is football (soccer, for my American friends!). I love the game, I know how it’s played, and because the entire US soccer league in the story is my own creation, I have the freedom to make up anything I’m unsure of. :D
Today I am here to answer the question Cherie posed for me: - “I love how sports are featured in your Game On series books. What made you decide to include football (aka soccer) in the books? Did you used to play the sport?”
When I first came up with the idea for Game On, I needed a profession for my leading male, Radeigh McCoy, that was in the public eye. He needed to be someone everyone knew, someone who was used to getting what he wanted, and someone who had a lot to lose if one of his mistakes was ever discovered. I felt like the movie star thing has been overdone (some will probably say that soccer stars have, too lol!) so I decided to go with a sports star. I am not the biggest sports fan in the world – not gonna lie. The only sport I have any knowledge of is football (soccer, for my American friends!). I love the game, I know how it’s played, and because the entire US soccer league in the story is my own creation, I have the freedom to make up anything I’m unsure of. :D
As for playing football. Not so much. I definitely don’t play anymore, but when I was at school, I played occasionally. I was a kickass goal keeper, and one time I almost broke my fingers saving a goal lol! I was inexperienced – I had NO clue how freaking hard footballs are when they’re flying through the air at you, and I wasn’t trained in punching footballs to keep them out of the goal. That experience explained why PROPER goalkeepers wear gloves!
Isolated and unsure who to turn to, Bree finds herself falling back into a dangerous friendship, and developing feelings for the only person who really listens to her. Torn between her loyalty to her husband and her attraction to a man who has the perfect family she always wanted, she has some tough choices to make.
While Bree tries to figure out what she wants, a tragedy rocks the Westberg Warriors, triggering some dark memories, and pushing her to take a look at what’s really important.
Kyra is a self-confessed book-a-holic, and has been since she first learned to read. When she's not reading, you'll usually find her hanging out in coffee shops with her trusty laptop and/or her friends, or girling it up at the nearest shopping mall.
Kyra grew up on the South Coast of England and refuses to move away from the seaside which provides massive inspiration for her novels. Her debut novel, Game On (New Adult Contemporary Romance), was released in July 2012, and she scored her first Amazon Top 20 listing with her New Adult novella, If I Let You Go.
BOOKS READ
The Trouble with Flying by Rachel Morgan
Minstrel's Serenade by Aubrie Dionne
The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson
Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs
One Kick by Chelsea Cain
Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs
One Kick by Chelsea Cain
BOOKS REVIEWED
The Trouble with Flying by Rachel Morgan
Sarah's worst nightmare, a cute stranger who wants to talk to her, is about to sit beside her on a long flight from England to South Africa in Rachel Morgan's The Trouble with Flying. Oh my goodness, I loved this book. Sarah is so adorably awkward and shy, and I could easily relate to her. Aiden is hot and weird in his own way. I anxiously awaited to see how these two could possibly meet each other again after their flight. Set against the exotic backdrop of South Africa, this story is an endearing read. I laughed, cringed at Sarah's awkwardness because I totally got it, and teared up at the book's sweetness. I really want to try Zoo Biscuits now too. If you're looking for a clean, new adult romance, then look no further. I was completely engrossed in the story and couldn't get to the next screen page on my Kindle fast enough to know what happened next. The Trouble with Flying by Rachel Morgan is one of my favorite reads this year!
Minstrel's Serenade by Aubrie Dionne
Danika Rubystone must choose between her duty and her heart in Aubrie Dionne's Minstrel's Serenade. The fast-paced action keeps the reader on edge. This fantasy romance novel has rich world-building set against amazing settings, many fraught with danger. Danika is a strong character, although her bouts of wishywashyness made me not always like her. My favorite characters were Bron, Chief of Arms of Ebonvale, and Nip, a child who'd survived a wyvern attack. The wyverns are a worthy foe for the people of this land. The House of Song was a magical place, and I would love to live there, although some quiet every once in a while would be nice too. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of the land and the people, so Ebonvale and the House of Songs' quest would've been a touch more powerful. Overall, Minstrel's Serenade by Aubrie Dionne is a beautiful fantasy novel with smoldering romance at its core.
The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson
Waxillium brought justice to the Roughs, but can he do the same for the city in Brandon Sanderson's The Alloy of Law? Set over three hundreds years after the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial has modernized with its horseless carriages and the invention of electricity. Sanderson introduces the idea of twinborns, those with an Allomancy skill and a Feruchemy skill. I love the Wild West meets Victorian England feel to this novel. Lord Waxillium, his friend and partner Wayne, and the intelligent Lady Marasi are characters anyone could root for. The enemy in the Vanishers is very real, their threats immediate. The story hooked me from page one and didn't want to let me go even at the end. I found this story also to be faster paced than the previous Mistborn books, and I do hope there will be more of Wax, Wayne, and Marasi in the future. If you enjoyed the Mistborn trilogy, then you'll love The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson.
Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs
A criminal from the past taunts Temperance Brennan and brings the crime scene too close to home in Kathy Reichs's Bones Never Lie. As a fan of Reichs's work and a watcher of Bones, I'm ashamed to admit it has been a few years since I've read a Temperance Brennan novel, so when I had the opportunity to read an early review copy, I jumped at the chance. This book does not disappoint. I love how this case involved an earlier case (the one from Reichs's Monday Mourning), which I had previously read and recommend reading before Bones Never Lie. Reichs does a fantastic job at filtering in backstory to keep the reader updated on the relevant events that'd gone before. The characters come to life in the action-packed story. I was hooked from the very start! Although I figured out the murderer earlier on, I enjoyed reading to see if I was right. Reichs' writing is immediate and well paced. I highly recommend this book. You'll want to hold on and don't forget to breathe while reading Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs.
One Kick by Chelsea Cain
Kick Lannigan delves into the past to save a child missing in Chelsea Cain's One Kick. As a fan of Cain's Gretchen Lowell/Archie Sheridan series, I was excited to hear of her new series. Kick is damaged goods after being kidnapped as a young child, but she has an inner strength that's easy to admire. She never wants to be the victim again. The mystery of Bishop intrigues me. I never quite knew whether or not to trust him. This novel keeps a reader guessing and is not as gritty as Cain's other series. The story twisted my stomach in knots as Cain delves into kidnapping and child pornography and the victims it leaves behind. I rooted for the criminals to be caught. One Kick by Chelsea Cain is a gripping must read. And I recommend not starting this one until you have a few hours to finish the book because once you start, you won't want to stop. I'm looking forward to the next Kick Lannigan book!
COVER REVEALS
I love Jenn's cover, but then again, I'm usually sold when there is purple.
Tiva Boon: Royal Guardian by Jenn Nixon
SciFi-Fantasy
From Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing
July 10 2014
@jennnixon
BOOKS RELEASED
The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier
Tiva Boon: Royal Guardian by Jenn
Nixon
Conversion by Katherine Howe
The Butterfly and the Violin by
Kristy Cambron
Go Away Home by Carol Bodensteiner
The Paper Magician by Charlie N.
Holmberg
Half a King by Joe Abercrombie
Tales of the Hidden World by Simon
R. Green
Desolation Angels by James Axler
Supreme Justice by Max Allan Collins
The Last Town by Blake Crouch
A Test of Loyalty by Jack Lewis
Baillot
The Wolf by Lorenzo Carcaterra
Don’t Talk to Strangers by Amanda
Kyle Williams
Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie
Stolarz
Forty Acres by Dwayne Alexander
Smith
Games Divas Play by Angela
Burt-Murray
Elemental Release by Elana Johnson
Uriel’s Fall by Loralie Hall
Heart and Soul by Lee Strauss
Effigy by M.J. Fifield
Salem's Vengeance by Aaron Galvin
Second Daughter by Susan Kaye Quinn
Heart and Soul by Lee Strauss
Effigy by M.J. Fifield
Salem's Vengeance by Aaron Galvin
Today's the third Wednesday of the month, so it's time to put up another chapter of Reborn on Wattpad. You can click here to start at the beginning or click here for Chapter Five.
Smashwords is having its annual Summer/Winter sale. You can purchase Reborn, Gravity: The Complete Trilogy, and The Nightmare Collection for 50% off their retail prices with coupon code SSW50. The sale ends July 31st.
23 comments:
I've never played soccer, but I imagine the ball does really hurt! I'm not much for playing sports either, Kyra. I prefer to watch.
I broke my finger trying to save a ball too. I was always put in goal, lol! I've not played football since school, safe to say!
Great post, Kyra! I was never a sports fan or player myself. Great reviews, Cherie. I'll have to pick up that new Cain book!
Thanks for having me, Cherie!
Yay for Kyra! I just love her writing.
Athletes are definitely sexay! Congrats Kyra!
You read so fast, Cherie. I need to rub your head. lol :)
How fun to hear from Kyra! I was wondering if "football" was what we call soccer when I first heard about her book. :) I am not much of an athlete- but I definitely played a lot of soccer in school (physical education). Wishing Kyra the best of luck!
Lots of awesome reviews! Thanks for sharing. :)
~Jess
There lots of purple in my sci-fi covers! Can't wait to share them with you.
I keep seeing Kyra everywhere. Such a great book cover and premise.
Ellie Garratt
Congrats to Kyra!
Cherie, you read so many books in a month! I wish I could hack that.
P.S. Your book covers all in a row look so gorgeous in that banner at the bottom of the post. :)
I love Jenn's cover. I wish I could incorporate sports into my writing, but I never understand the rules of any of them.
Write what you know. If you know soccer (I'm an American), than use those finger-breaking details.
Your one tough cookie! Gloves are for babies! (no offense to babies)
I love it when writers put in the details of something they're describing. It makes it more interesting and I can "see" what they want me to.
Way to go, Kyra!!! I loved soccer in early elementary school but by late elementary school it got competitive and I backed out. Best wishes with your books!
And wow - awesome reviews and awesome new book list!!!
Hey Cherie and Kyra,
Hearty congrats to the wonderful Kyra. I've been rather Sidelined from the blogging world due to packing boxes. Oh well, anybody notice my absence? Who is this guy?
Ah yes, football, football as in soccer, football and not that other football, played in Canada and that other country.
Cheerio and somebody is reading a lot of books, Cherie!
A good weekend to you.
Gary :)
Congratulations to the winners. And I always thought "football" made more sense for soccer. You know, since they use their feet the whole time. I have no idea how American football got its name -- maybe they used to kick the ball a lot more in the old days?
Love the sound of this book! Congratulations!
That's why you'll never see sports in any of my books. I know nothing about them!
Love me some soccer! My dad was a college coach for a while and my boys both played. Nixon's cover is deliciously wicked looking, and I still can't get over the beautiful Reborn cover. I want, like a full size wall poster of that, Cherie!
Almost broke your fingers? Poor Kyra. I've actually seen WAY worse on the soccer field. It's a pretty dangerous sport.
Good luck!
Congrats to Kyra!
My sister was a goalkeeper, so I got dragged to lots of her games, but it always looked like a lot of random running around to me. But it was awesome for her because she earned a full ride to college to play soccer. Although, sadly, she DID break her hand and even had to have surgery to repair it. But she still plays for fun all these years later.
I love the cover for this book. Although I wish I could incorporate sports into my writing, I don't really know enough about them to have my characters participate. I imagine it would take a lot of time and research... maybe someday!
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