Contests Galore!!

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On my facebook page, I’m giving away an ARC of SEE YOU AT SUNSET, book 3 in my VK Sykes Seashell Bay Series of small town romances. I have to say that I love this story. It’s ultra-romantic, with a strong but very vulnerable heroine and a really good guy hero who would do just about anything to take care of her. SUNSET will be released on Feb. 23rd, and you can find out more about it on my VK Sykes website.

And just click here to enter the ARC contest on facebook.

I’m also running a swell contest on Fresh Fiction–this one is to celebrate the upcoming release of another VK Sykes book. SCORING POSITION is book six in the bestselling, award-winning Philadelphia Patriots Series of sports romances. The prize includes another ARC of SEE YOU AT SUNSET, and also some great book swag. Just click here to enter the Fresh Fiction Contest.

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And for more info and to read an excerpt from SCORING POSITION, just visit my VK Sykes website.

Have a lovely weekend, folks!


On The Road With The Jaunty Quills

Jaunty

I’m doing my regular gig at The Jaunty Quills today, and we’re talking about memorable summer vacations. Come share yours for a chance to win a copy of Curveball, one of my VK Sykes sports romances – perfect summer reading! Just click here to join me.

Curveball

 


Payoff Pitch Blog Tour: Day One!!

Payoff Pitch Blog Tour

My new VK Sykes contemporary romance, Payoff Pitch, will be available at most retailers on July 1st.  To celebrate, I’m kicking off a blog tour with exclusive excerpts and some great giveaways, including books and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Here’s the blurb for Payoff Pitch, book 5 in my USA Today Bestselling Philadelphia Patriots series of sports romances.

He’s a billionaire ballplayer…

Noah Cade, pitcher for the Philadelphia Patriots, has big problems. He’s recovering from a serious injury and he’s just been saddled with his sick aunt’s crazy dogs. Then there’s his dad, a wealthy oilman who wants Noah to retire from baseball and step into his shoes as CEO of the family corporation. All Noah wants is to pitch again and help his team win the World Series, but his family keeps dragging him in the opposite direction.

She’s a small town girl…

Teddy Quinn moved to the city to start a dog walking business for rich people, hoping the income will pay for law school and help her fight the oil corporations drilling the county where she grew up. When Noah Cade hires her as a full-time dog sitter for his high-energy pets, it seems like the answer to Teddy’s financial woes. But the boundaries get blurred when she starts falling for her boss, who uses all his formidable charm to lure her into his bed.

When Teddy discovers Noah’s father owns Baron Energy, she’s devastated. How can she work for—or love—a man whose family stands for everything she hates?

Today’s stop is at Snarky Mom Reads.  Just click here to join me on the blog.

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Covers & Sales!

How to plan a weddingroyal spy

In case you missed it on facebook or Goodreads, here’s the cover to How to Plan a Wedding for a Royal Spy, the next book in my Renegade Royals series.  Gorgeous, isn’t it?  This is book 3 in the series, and will be released in January 2014.  I’ll be adding info and excerpts from the book here on the website within the next few weeks.

And I’ve got some great sales  news!  Lost in a Royal Kiss, the digital novella that kicks off the series, is now FREE for the month of June.  Click here for the list of sites where you can download it.  And book one in the series, Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard, is on sale for only $1.99 – that’s down from $6.99!!

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Click here for a list of direct links to retailers.

And I’ve got another book on FREE!!  Fastball, the first book in my VK Sykes series of sports romances, is available for free download on Kindle and in the iTunes store.

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This is the first book in the award-winning, bestselling Philadelphia Patriots Series that I write with my hubby under the VK Sykes pen name.  If you haven’t checked them out yet, here’s your chance!

Fastball on Amazon

Fastball on iTunes

Have a great reading weekend!

 


Guest Author: Jami Davenport & Giveaway!!

Jami Davenport

Most of my readers know that I write sports romances with my hubby as VK Sykes, so I’m very please to be hosting another sports romance writer on the blog today.  She’s Jami Davenport, and she has an award-winning, bestselling series about a football team.

Jami, you’ve had wonderful success with your Seattle Lumberjacks Series. How did you come up with the idea for the series, and why football?

I am a football fan and have been for as long as I can remember so it only makes sense that I’d write about football players. I started writing a version of this series when I was teaching high school, only it was a young adult series, but Tyler and Derek were both in it. Then years later, I changed them to college players, and eventually NFL players. I tried the traditional publishing route with no luck (Sports romances don’t sell). So I put the books in the deep freeze and worked on my erotic career under another pen name. About three years ago I was so burned out from writing sex scenes, that I thawed my book out and decided that I was done writing for the “market” and I was going to write what I loved. It really paid off as this series sells better than anything I wrote as an erotic romance author.

Fourth and Goal

As someone who also writes sports romance, I’m interested in why other authors choose this sub-genre—especially since conventional wisdom says athlete heroes don’t sell.  What does the sports setting bring to your writing in terms of character development and story conflict?

Actually, just in the past year there’s been an explosion in sports romance, even traditional publishers are buying them now. I love bad boys, and sports romance heroes make great bad boys and then add the team aspect, an athlete’s competitive drive, cocky confidence, and laser-sharp focus. All of those qualities can be used on the field or on a woman. What woman wouldn’t want that kind of attention? Don’t forget, athletes have great bodies and they’re rich, which is an added bonus.

Your latest book is Down by Contact.  What’s it about?

This book was a lot of fun to write and loosely based on my husband. When he was in his twenties his mother insisted he go to etiquette school. The man’s manners still leave something to be desired, but he can set a mean table.

 
After twelve years in the league, all Zach Murphy wants is a Super Bowl ring. Not exactly Mr. Manners, he’s more about hard hits than soft smiles, but after committing one too many social blunders, his tenure with the team looks perilously short.  Kelsie Carrington-Richmond’s Finishing School for Real Men has a real shot, and the Seattle Lumberjacks have hired her to polish their roughest player. Except…it’s Zach. Long ago she broke his heart.  Yet, getting knocked down happens, getting back up makes a contender. And they both have the hearts of champions.

Down by Contact

Please tell us about your blog, Romancing The Jock.

LAST YEAR, a couple of sports romance authors came up with the idea for a blog written by industry professionals who love sports. This was a niche not filled by any other blog. These authors wanted to share their love of sports with readers from the unique viewpoint of someone who writes or publishes stories in the sports romance genre. In January 2013, Romancing the Jock was born and continues to grow. Regular contributors include New York Times bestsellers, other bestselling authors and an executive editor, all of whom are passionate about sports romance. The blog features posts about favorite teams, athletes, experiences as a female fan, the challenges of writing about jocks and, of course, keeping readers apprised of the authors’ newest sports romance releases. Romancing the Jock offers readers the opportunity to interact with their favorite authors and discuss their mutual love of sports. Are you looking for a list of recommended reads in sports romance? Romancing the Jock also maintains such a list. Check out our favorites by visiting RomancingTheJock.com.

What’s up next in Jami’s writing world?

I have way more plans than I have time for. Along with 2-3 more Lumberjacks books this year and even more next year, I’m doing a new adult spin-off series titled The Rookies and another series based on a college football team. I also have my rights back to my first three published books, and I’ll be self-publishing edited versions with new covers in the next six months. If that wasn’t enough, I work a full-time job in IT, and I have a small-town series, I’d like to get out there, too.

Sounds like you’ll be very busy!  Thanks for spending time with us today.  Readers, Jami giving away a digital copy of one her books–your choice!  Just tell us if you have a favorite sport and team for a chance to win.


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