Today we get to visit with the delightful Karen Rock as she shares a little about herself.ย She was even so kind as to bring a bit of a sneak peek at her newest Harlequin romance, A League of Her Own.ย AND I got a few more looks at the story and let me say that this one could be an emotional rollercoaster.ย Both Garrett and Heather have things in their backgrounds that make a relationship super difficult.ย But a HEA is worth every moment of it, right?
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*What do you like best about writing romances? Thereโs something so special about falling in love. Itโs the moment when we are most vulnerable and most filled with joy because weโve finally found the person who understands and cherishes us. I love creating two characters who desperately need to find each other and creating that path (and itโs not an easy one!) to love. There is nothing like Happily-Ever-After.
*What is your favorite romantic story (movie/book, fact/fiction)? I love Jack and Rose in Titanic. They both grew so much from knowing each other. Rose became stronger and was able to stand up for what she wantedโand that was out of an arranged marriage with an abusive man. Jack grew into a man who no longer looked out for just himselfโฆ he became responsible and cared for othersโ namely Roseโ more than himself. Thatโs what the best romances always doโฆ bring out great changes in each person so they are worthy of love.
*If you could be any romantic character, who would it be and why? I would be Claire in THE OUTLANDER. Puh-lease let me ride a horse with Jamie Fraserโฆ and have him wrap me in his plaid. Sigh*
*Which of your characters/books was the most fun to write? Theyโve all been wonderful to write, but A LEAGUE OF HER OWN was the most fun because I got to research with a Florida minor league team and learn the slang, rhythms, and rules of the baseball world. Now I know what really goes on in those locker roomsโฆ lol.
*If you werenโt a writer and could be anything you want, what would it be? I would love to direct movies, which, for me, is visual story-tellingโฆ same craft, different medium. I go to the movies at least once a month and it would be a dream come true to work on an actual set. My father got to consult with Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks (who he said is a genuinely nice guy) while making THE TERMINAL and ate lunch with Stanley Tucci every day. Lucky man!
Thanks so much for hosting me on Romantic Reads and Such today! Wishing everyone a wonderful Holiday season ๐
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A League of Her Own
By Karen Rock
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: 1 December, 2014
Blurb:
He was attractive, talentedโฆand way off limits.
Heather Gadway may have been a world-class college pitcher and a top university coach, but she’s a rank amateur when it comes to managing the Falcons, her father’s struggling minor league team. And when it comes to managing her aggravating attraction to Garrett Wolf, their talented new pitcher. It’s going to be difficult enough to make it as the first female manager in the league and prove to her overly critical father she’s worthy. No distractions. No missteps. And certainly no romances with players. Everything stands between themโincluding their troubled pastsโeven as Heather’s world falls apart and Garrett’s the one who’s there to catch herโฆ
You can find A League of Her Own on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23252231-a-league-of-her-own
You can buy A League of Her Own here:
– Amazon (Kindle): http://amzn.to/1tqr4Ee
– Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1sEFKPM
– Kobo: http://bit.ly/1v0W14e
– eHarlequin: http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=55073
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Excerpt:
Garrettโs grumbling teammates filed out of the pre-game meeting, followed by the coaches and Heatherโs father. Garrett, however, remained in his seat, watching the lithe young woman as she stood by the door.
At last she turned to him.
โWe meet again. Garrett, right?โ
He stood and strode to the door. When he stopped, her eyes widened, caution swimming in their depths.
โYou mentioned having individual meetings,โ he said, keeping his voice even, hiding the irritation shimmering through him. โI thought weโd have ours now.โ
She blinked up at him, and her lips moved. Though he strained to hear, he couldnโt make out what sheโd said.
โIโm sorry, I didnโt catch that.โ
A bright pink suffused her cheeks, and he forced himself not to notice how pretty the color made her.
โI said that I havenโt finished my notes for you yet. Iโll watch you pitch tomorrow. Weโll meet after that.โ
He had to give it to her. Soft-spoken or not, she had a direct way about her. He didnโt doubt that she could leadโฆjust not professional baseball players. โThatโs what I wanted to talk to you about. Iโm requesting to be released from my contract. This isnโt the right place for me to advance in my career.โ
Her mobile face stilled. โAnd why would that be?โ
โLook, Iโll be blunt.โ He tapped his fingers on the sides of his legs. โThis team isnโt hustling, and itโll be a long time before they come around to supporting you. Things will get worse instead of better. I have a limited window of opportunity to advance. Given these factors, my bottom-line pitching wonโt look good with a losing team behind me. Iโd like to help you, but selfishly, this is my last shot.โ
A speculative gleam entered her eyes. โSo youโre asking to be released because you think I canโt help you reach your goals.โ
A long breath rushed out of him. She was going to be reasonable. โThatโd be great. Thank you.โ
She arched an eyebrow. โYouโre wrong, and Iโll be as frank with you as you were with me.โ
His relief turned to irritation. So she wasnโt going to make this easy. He held his tongue and waited to hear her out.
โI think youโre overvaluing yourself.โ She nodded when his mouth dropped open. Guys talked this way to each other. Not womenโฆespecially not pretty womenโฆto him.
โYour control isnโt where it should be, and if that’s not addressed, you’ll also be another reason why this team isnโt doing well. But you have potential, and I can help you.โ
โRight,โ he scoffed. What could a softball pitcher do for him? โNo offense, but I need someone with more experience.โ
She tapped her chin and angled her head, her eyes flashing up at him. โIf I can change your mind about that, will you drop your request and give me your support and a hundred percent effort?โ
He held in a laugh. Was she for real? There wasnโt a chance she could change his decision. โWhat do you have in mind?โ
She stepped closer, and her subtle citrus scent curled beneath his nose.
โA contest. If I get more strikes out of twenty pitches than you do, you stay. If you have more, then Iโll release you.โ
He stared at her. Processing. She couldnโt be serious. Sure, he had control issues, but he was still better than a college-level player. She was making this easy. But if she was foolish enough to offer him this out, heโd take it.
They eyed each other for a long, tense moment before he jerked his chin at her.
โYouโre on.โ
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Author Info:
Karen Rock is an award-winning YA and adult contemporary romance author. She holds a masterโs degree in English and worked as an ELA instructor before becoming a full-time writer. Currently she writes for Harlequin Heartwarming and her first novel for the line, WISH ME TOMORROW, has won the 2014 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the 2014 Golden Quill Contest and a finalist in the Published Maggie Awards. The first novel in her co-authored YA series, CAMP BOYFRIEND, has been a finalist in the Booksellers Best and Golden Leaf awards.
You can find and connect with Karen here:
– Website: http://www.karenrock.com
– Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/karenrockwrites
– Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/karenrock5
– Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/karenrockauthor
– Tumblr: http://www.karenrockauthor.tumblr.com
– Quarterly Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1rcOVJK
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Giveaway:
There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of A League of Her Own. These are the prizes you can win:
– a 100$ Amazon gift card (INT)
– a set of signed paperback of Wish Me Tomorrow, His Hometown Girl, Someone Like You and A League of Her Own (US only)
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1000e4f181/
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I hope you enjoyedย my stop during the blog tour for A League of Her Own by Karen Rock. This blog tour is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours and runs from 1 till 14 December.ย You can view the complete tour schedule on the website of Lolaโs Blog Tours: http://lolasblogtours.net/blog-tour-a-league-of-her-own-by-karen-rock/
