Sometimes, it’s their own.
Taylor Ranford has three immediate goals: have a blast on her birthday cruise with her sister, help Team USA win the international cheerleading title, and earn enough money to put her through grad school. Not part of the plan: her sister getting sick and sending her best friend—and Taylor’s longtime crush—in her place. She can't face the only guy she’s ever had feelings for treating her like she's his little sister when she really wants so much more.
After a big blow to his career—and his ego—and with no immediate plans for the next season, Kingston Brewer jumps at the opportunity to go on a last-minute cruise with the bouncy-ponytailed cheerleading coach. Taylor had always been there when he needed her most, and he holds a soft spot for her in his heart. But after a few days on the ship, Kingston begins to see Taylor as more than just his best friend’s little sister.
Just when he thinks they can explore a future together, Kingston gets THE call from his agent. Now he has to make one of the most difficult choices in his personal and professional life. Will he give up the professional chance of a lifetime for a chance with the girl he’s fallen head-over-skates for?
How long have you been writing?
All my life! I started writing novels in October of 2015. I was challenged to write and finish a book. I didn’t finish that first one, but the second one, Love on the Edge published in December 2017, and I haven’t stopped since!
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
I do! I read pretty much everything except horror and erotica. I also write widely—my imagination is all over the place, and I keep the stories fresh and interesting by writing them differently. But almost all of my books connect to each other.
Advice you would give new authors?
Read dozens of books in the genre you want to write so you can get a feel for the structure and nuances. Readers have expectations, and if your romance doesn’t have a happily-every-after, or you kill off a pet or child, or you miss certain story beats, it’s going to feel off to the reader. We are wired for story, and the brain science of it is fascinating. I recommend Story Genius by Lisa Cron. She breaks it down and explains it. So fascinating!
Join a professional writer’s group. Plug into a writing community, preferably in your genre, and learn from people who are at the various stages you will be hitting on your way to your goals.
Take a LOT of writing classes. Books are great, but you need live instruction and critical feedback from people who know what they’re doing. Ask questions, be brave and share your work for feedback—you’ll learn a lot!
Attend reader and writer conferences. Meet people, network, and spend time with the authors who are where you want to be.
NEVER ask for free advice or to pick someone’s brain, UNLESS you have already established a friendship. Our time and hard-earned knowledge is valuable. We want to give back, but we’re selective because we repeat the same things over and over and only a fraction of prospective authors ever listen. Most authors charge consulting fees. Ask about that. I suggest reading one of the author’s books before starting a conversation, unless you want to hire the author, then just book and appointment.
Have thick skin. Don’t take criticism personally. We all start out as immature writes, and we get better with time.
Remember, not everyone is your audience. The trick is to find the right audience for your story. When you do, magic happens, and the love fest begins (from both sides)!
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Reading too many how-to books. Every writer’s process is different. I suggest experimenting with processes that interest you on short stories. Then, when you find a groove, write a longer story. The short, if it relates to the novel, can be used as a reader magnet to build your newsletter list prior to your book’s publication. Then, you’ll have hundreds or thousands of potential buyers on release day!
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Big revisions! If I have to delete or move something I am attached to, I put if off as long as I can.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Start sooner and save EVERYTHING! Do not quit that writing class before the last assignment just because you’re moving out of state. Push though and FINISH. And don’t wait 13 years to get back to it!
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from other genders?
Writing guys can be hard. I have to put myself in their heads – and that can be a scary place, haha!!
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Depending on the length, 2-3 months for the first draft. Then 2-3 more months of critique partners, beta readers and editors before it’s ready to be published.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
Yes, and no. I do get stuck. The fix is knowing your characters. If you know what’s going to harm them or trip them up, send that thing their way. They’ll keep busy for awhile trying to work it out!
From Chapter 17, in Taylor’s point of view…
Kingston grabbed my hand and spun us around so that he was skating backward. I reached for his other hand and grabbed it, spinning us again until he was pulling me at high speed. I squealed in delight as the people blurred in my peripheral.
He was grinning at me stupidly, and I’m sure I wore a similar expression. I couldn’t think of anything to say, so I just waggled my eyebrows at him. He spun us again and guided me into his arms, facing outward. His warm breath on my neck brought back the goosebumps and sent a shiver down my back.
“I’ve got a birthday gift for you,” he whispered. “I was going to wait until dinner, but I don’t want to.” His hands dropped to my waist, and we glided to the gate.
“Then I don’t want to wait.” I pressed my lips to his. We found a bench and changed back into our shoes. With a quick wave to the others, we left the recreation area and headed back to our room.
“When did you have time to get me a gift?” I asked breathlessly as I tried to keep up with him. Where had he found this much energy after all the physical activity we’d exerted today?
“I’m sneaky like that.” He flashed a grin and tugged me into the cabin, spinning me so that I was pressed against the door.
Kingston bent his head down, and I lifted to my toes to meet his lips. I closed my eyes, savoring every light, feathery brush of his kiss.
I looked past him and saw that the dresser was dotted in red rose petals. On a tray, a vase of red roses sat next to a champagne bottle chilled in an ice bin. A card leaned against the vase, and as I reached for it, Kingston scooped up the skinny, silver-wrapped rectangular box with a big red bow.
“Happy birthday, Taylor.”
I took the box and sat on the bed, grinning stupidly. I was almost afraid to open it. I was sure it was jewelry, but I wasn’t sure what that meant.
“Just open it. I hope you like it.”
I untied the bow and slid the satiny ribbon off the box. Carefully, I worked at the paper until it released from the box. I wasn’t normally a sentimental person, but a gut feeling told me I’d want to keep it as a memento. And the bow. And maybe a few dried roses, too.
I glanced up at him as I lifted the top of the box. He nodded, and I returned my attention to the gift. Inside, on a delicate chain, was a strip of silver tied into a bow.
“Oh, wow. I love it. Thank you.”
He kissed me again and reached for the card. “I got this for you before we left. I should have gotten you another card.”
“You’re the sweetest.” I opened the envelope. Inside was a year’s subscription for audiobooks. “This is perfect! Thank you!” Another kiss. I didn’t think I could ever get enough kisses from this guy.
He pulled away and looked at me seriously. “I don’t know how to do this, Taylor. I’ve never had a serious girlfriend. I . . . I want us to be serious. You want that, too, right?”
After my divorce, I made two rules:
1. Never date guys with first names for last names.
2. Never date guys whose jobs require travel.
And definitely don't marry them.
I'd like to think I learned from my past experiences. But Trask Emerson feels like a mistake I might have to make.
***
Christmas on Ice is a sweet, second-chance hockey romance and the second standalone book in the Palmer City Voltage hockey romance series.
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This sounds like a great book, adding it to my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteintriguing
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book. I'm looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteSounds great
ReplyDeletelooks like a cute cover and sounds like a great read.
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