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Thanks for stopping by It's Raining Books, Kristina. If someone were writing a story about you, what would your blurb say?
Former teacher and modeling school
dropout, Kristina Mathews is passionate about books, baseball, and her family.
When not writing, catching a ball game, or shuttling her kids to games and
activities, she can be found greeting schoolkids, opening Gogurt packages, and
helping kids become better readers at her job as a para educator. She has tiled
her own floors, baked her own bread, and sewed her kids’ Halloween costumes,
but she is not a domestic goddess by any stretch of the imagination. Just ask
her husband, who tends to get stuck with the laundry.
This story was inspired by a real life
event. When the San Francisco Giants traded for Hunter Pence in 2012, I loved
the way he took a limo to the ballpark from the airport. As a fan, his
enthusiasm won me over. As a writer, I couldn’t help but think it would make a
great story. Especially if there was a woman in that limo. And if that woman
happened to be the team owner, even better. The story took off from there. The
characters are a blend of several of my favorite players and my imagination.
I loved the opening scene. I had a
lot of fun with the anticipation of what he could bring to the team, not to
mention the romantic tension.
I think it would be fun to be Marco
Santiago. To be a professional baseball player would be pretty awesome, and to
be part of a championship team would be even better. I played Little League and
one year of high school softball. My teams were very good, but I had a lot of
fun playing. I see how much my sons’ teams have meant to them. The camaraderie
in the dugout and locker room is something special. I think sports provide a
socially accepted outlet for men to express emotion that they have to suppress
in other areas of their lives.
A ballplayer and a team owner would give anything for a championship—even their hearts…
After inheriting majority ownership of the San Francisco Goliaths baseball team, Hunter Collins wants to prove to herself—and the rest of the league—that she’s got what it takes to build a champion. Her first move is to trade for a hot left-fielder. He’s got it all, speed, power, and a desire to win. Not to mention undeniable charm.
Marco Santiago is tired of being the new player in town. After four teams in six years, he’s facing free agency at the end of the season. He wants nothing more than a long-term contract and a World Series win. Hitting on his new owner probably isn’t the best way to get it, but love may be the most powerful challenger either of them has ever faced...
Warning: Strong language, consummated love scenes, and some baseball clichés.
“Smart, fun, and sexy. A great romance read.” –New York Times Bestselling Author, Kat Martin
Enjoy an excerpt:
“I’m only interested in winning the division and making a strong run in the postseason.” She turned her head to look out the window as if to show she was unaffected by the chemistry between them.
“Aren’t you a rotten liar?” He chuckled softly. Oh yeah, he was definitely getting to her. “Don’t join in the poker game at the next owners’ retreat. You’ll be wiped out.”
She whipped her head around so fast the car shook. “I happen to be a very good poker player. I can hold my own against anyone. Anytime.”
Interesting. Her strong reaction told him two things. She was insecure about her place among her fellow owners. And yes, she was interested in him on more than a professional level.
“That explains your wardrobe.” He leaned back, not ready to leave her just yet. “You dress like you do to fit in with the old boys’ club. But you can’t hide the fact that you are all woman.”
“And you can’t hide the fact that you don’t want to be here.” She dared look him straight in the eye, but couldn’t hold his gaze.
“I’m starting to come around.” He gave her one last smile.
About the Author: Kristina Mathews doesn't remember a time when she didn't have a book in her hand. Or in her head. But it wasn't until 2010 that she confessed the reason the laundry never made it out of the dryer was because she was busy writing romance novels.While she resigned from teaching with the arrival of her second son, she's remained an educator in some form. As a volunteer, Parent Club member or para educator, she finds the most satisfaction working with emergent and developing readers, helping foster confidence and a lifelong love of books.
Kristina lives in Northern California with her husband of twenty years, two sons and a black lab. A veteran road tripper, amateur renovator and sports fanatic. She hopes to one day travel all 3,073 miles of Highway 50 from Sacramento, CA to Ocean City, MD, replace her carpet with hardwood floors and serve as a “Ball Dudette” for the San Francisco Giants.
http://www.kristinamathews.com
http://www.facebook.com/kristinamathewsauthor
https://twitter.com/KristinaMathews
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I always like opening scenes.
ReplyDeleteI love this type of sports romance, it always make for a fun story
ReplyDeleteInteresting bio
ReplyDelete