Romance, Sports, and Jaci Burton

Football pro Mick Riley is an all-star, both on the field and in the bedroom. But a sexy, determinedly single mom just might be the one to throw him off his game…

For years Mick has been taking full advantage of the life available to a pro athlete: fame, fortune, and a different girl in every city. But when he meets and beds confident, beautiful event planner Tara Lincoln, he wants much more than the typical one-night stand. Too bad Tara’s not interested in getting to know football’s most notorious playboy any better.

As the single mother of a teenage son, the last thing Tara needs is the jet-set lifestyle of Mick Riley; even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand was unforgettable. Tara’s life is complicated enough without being thrust into the spotlight as Mick’s latest girl du jour. Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn’t intend to put herself out there again, especially with a heartbreaker like Mick.

But when Mick sets his mind to win, nothing will stop him. And he has the perfect play in mind.

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It’s always a little daunting—and a lot of fun—to start a new series. There’s a comfort factor in having books release in an existing series. Old friends, those characters you and your readers are familiar with, and the excitement of a secondary character finally getting to star in his or her story.

But a new series is the great unknown. For a writer it’s the opportunity to start fresh with new characters. And if you’ve been dealing with an ongoing series and a multiple character arc, then this is like the dawn of time—a Garden of Eden, a new beginning. Okay, I might be exaggerating just a wee bit, but I’m a writer. I live for hyperbole.

I’ve been writing my Wild Riders series since 2006. And now it’s 2011. That’s five years, and a really long time to live with the same characters. Don’t get me wrong—I loved every single one of those characters. Always will. The Wild Riders series has been one of my favorite series to write. But now I’ve had the opportunity to start a new series, and to say I’m excited? Understatement.

And to start a sports series? I can’t say Wheeee!!!! loud enough. I love sports. I grew up in a sports household, with football and baseball and hockey the favorites. I was born and raised in St. Louis, which meant Cardinals baseball and football (before the Cardinals football team moved to Arizona-pbbbbbbbbbt!!!), and Blues hockey. NO matter what month of the year, there was always sports on the television or radio (Yes, radio). My dad would often be watching baseball on television and listening to football on the radio, or vice versa. We were immersed in the sports culture. I went to a Catholic grade school, and when the Cardinals baseball team were in the World Series in 1968 (Yes, I’m that old), the nuns wheeled black and white televisions into the classrooms so we could watch the day games. Hey, the nuns lived for baseball too!

My Play-by-Play series is my chance to bring my love for sports and romance together. The first book, THE PERFECT PLAY, is about Mick Riley, star quarterback of the San Francisco Sabers football team. Mick has it all—great looks, talent, and any woman he wants. Until he meets event planner Tara Lincoln, who wants nothing to do with him. Tara’s hands are full trying to make a success of her business while juggling duties as a single mom to a teenage boy. She has no time in her life for a hotshot playboy like Mick. But Mick thinks Tara is just about the most perfect woman he’s ever met, because she’s not falling over herself to be around him. And despite her misgivings, Tara can’t help but be attracted to Mick, because when he sets his mind to getting something, he’s a force to be reckoned with.

I hope you enjoy THE PERFECT PLAY. I’m offering up a $20 Amazon Gift Certificate to one winner. Contest is open internationally (will work out prize if international winner). Tell me if you love sports, and if you do, what’s your favorite? If you don’t love sports, what do you do when all the sports are on television? Do you shop, knit, read, or watch something else on TV?

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Many thanks to Jaci for joining us today!

For more information on THE PERFECT PLAY, please visit www.jaciburton.com.