Fresh Fiction Blog | Tracy Solheim | My Scene Stealing Secondary Character Actually Stole a Book!

Hey there Fresh Fiction readers! It's release day for RISKY GAME, my fourth title in the Out of Bounds series and my fourth release in the past 364 days! It's been a whirlwind, but I'm really excited for readers to finally get Brody's story. I know I'm not supposed to admit it, but Brody is my favorite child among all the players on the fictitious Baltimore Blaze football team. But if I'm telling the truth here, the book I was supposed to release today was never going to be Brody's story. As a matter of fact, my favorite child was actually *cough* an accident.

You see, I never saw Brody on the horizon when I was plotting out the books I was contracted for. He just appeared on page thirty three of FOOLISH GAMES, wearing his trademark neon sneakers and lounging on Will Connelly's sofa. Loose-limbed and carefree, the blue-eyed jock breezes through life with his charming smile and athletic grace. I was immediately smitten. But there's more to Brody than just his cover boy good looks and all-pro ball handling skills. He's vulnerable on many fronts and he's trying his best to hide it from the world.

But as most superstars discover, their life is not always their own. Brody's being dogged by a blogger who could possibly bring down his career. He's used to women selling him out to the tabloids for their fifteen minutes of fame and some cash, but the health condition he's keeping secret could change the course of his life. That has Brody in a panic because he isn't really sure what he wants to be when he's forced to give up the game and "grow up".

I had a lot of fun writing RISKY GAME. He's a sort like a modern day Peter Pan. The woman I put in Brody's path—Shannon Everett—is smart, sassy and not blinded by his shine. Finally, a woman who "gets" him. Readers will also get to reconnect with Shane and Carly from GAME ON and Will and Julianne from FOOLISH GAMES, as well as many of the Blaze secondary characters. Because Brody's story takes place during the season, they'll be some on the field action, too.

So tell me, are you a fan of sports romances? If you are, do you like them to include scenes from the playing field? Obviously, I'm a big fan of the genre. Here are a few of my favorites:

Leave a comment with the title of your favorite sports romance books and we'll select one reader to win a signed copy of RISKY GAME.

About RISKY GAME

Baltimore Blaze tight end Brody Janik is a natural-born football star. At twenty-seven, his record-breaking athletic performance and his cover-boy good looks have turned him into a household name. But Brody's hiding a major secret behind his charming public persona: a health condition that may cut his career short.

PhD candidate Shannon "Shay" Everett works multiple jobs to put herself through school—including an unpaid internship with the Blaze training department. Strapped for cash, Shay answers the call of an NFL gossip blogger to uncover personal details about the Blaze players. Sneaking into the locker room one night, she gets entangled in Brody's secret...and swept up by his charm.

Brody isn't sure what to make of the gawky girl with the whiskey eyes, especially when he discovers she was snooping. His first instinct is to turn her in as a snitch, but she could destroy him by sharing his secret. Instead, he decides to keep her close...perhaps closer than either of them originally intended.

Comments

I have read "This Heart of Mine" but not the others. I
enjoyed the book alot. I will have to check out the others.
Thanks for the advise. Yes it does give the book a little
something more.
(Tina Ullrich 2:31am May 13, 2014)

The first sports Romance book that I read recently was A
Perfect Distraction by Anna Sugden. I really enjoyed the
book, and I would have to say that sports Romances make a
good read, as long as you don't have too much about the
sport itself. I suppose a person would choose to read the
particular book because they know something about that
particular sport to begin with, otherwise they would be
totally lost, when it comes to sports talk. It would be
that point, or they would be completely bored if it comes to
writing too much about sports itself. After reading your
synopsis of your latest book, I'm willing to give it a try.
It sounds like a good read, and I was particularly taken by
your writing style - especially the line about "Shays'"
whiskey eyes!! I've never heard that expression before, and
found it to be quite interesting, so I'm sure that I'll
enjoy reading your book. That line alone had a way of
pulling me in. I'm glad that you came here today, and gave
us a little insight into how you came up with ideas for
writing your latest book. Congratulations!!
(Peggy Roberson 10:53am May 13, 2014)

One I enjoyed recently was In Her Corner by Vicki Essex about a female fighter.
(Colleen Conklin 1:15pm May 13, 2014)

I recently read Melting the Ice by Jaci Burton, which I really enjoyed. I like
that her stories are all about characters that are family and friends, and it
really does feel as though you are visiting with old friends when you read
them.
I can't wait to read Brody's story.
(Debbie Burdeen 2:40pm May 13, 2014)

I have to tell you that I have sons named, Shannon and Shayn (Shane-just spelled differently)! I found this interesting and somewhat coincidental upon reading about your books. My Shayn was involved in every sport and excelled at all of them. Many colleges sent their scouts out watching my son play football trying to recruit him by offering scholarships, so he could play college footballfor them. He didn't accept any of them, since that wasn't his career path. I also have a son named, Shawn. I am quite interested in reading your books. I enjoy Susan Elizabeth Phillips books very much. She is one of the first authors I got started reading with many years ago. I've heard Jaci Burton writes good sports romance stories. However, I will start reading yours first as I haven't dipped my toes in the sports genre yet, and I'm looking forward to reading something different.
(Linda Luinstra 6:38pm May 13, 2014)

I don't have any favorite sports romance books. Yours look
pretty hot though. I am not much for football, love baseball
and basketball....
(Brenda Rupp 9:40pm May 13, 2014)

I have enjoyed Sports romance. Some times I like. But really terrific ones are hard to find.
Love your covers. :-)
(Lisa Hutson 10:44pm May 13, 2014)

I really like sports romance. Some of the series I like are:
Love and Football - Julie Brannagh
Portland Storm - Catherine Gayle (hockey)
Men of the Show - Rhonda Shaw (baseball)
In the Zone - Kate Willoughby (hockey)
Fighting for Love - Gina Maxwell (MMA)
(Marcy Shuler 12:43pm May 14, 2014)

I haven't really read a sports romance book. They sound interesting.
(Pam Howell 8:44am May 14, 2014)

I love Carly Phillips' Hot Zone series; SEP's Chicago Stars's series, and Jaci Burton's Play by Play series.
(Sue Galuska 9:18am May 14, 2014)

i love kasey millstead series the cowboy series
(Denise Smith 11:05am May 14, 2014)

I don't think I've read a sports romance, I've read a few
supernatural books that had one of the main characters on a
sports team though. They were The Mane Squeeze by Shelly
Laurenston and Delicate Freakn' Flower by Eve Langlais.
(Jen Barnard 11:41am May 14, 2014)

I can't remember reading a sports romance, but this one sounds interesting.
(Anna Speed 12:03pm May 14, 2014)

SEP's Football series was wonderful, tho not much actually on
the games themselves; Jaci Burton's sports series is also a
lot of fun.
(Diane Sallans 12:28pm May 14, 2014)

I have read sports romances and really, really enjoyed them. The only one I can think of right now is one I just read: KNOWING THE SCORE by Kat Latham. Your books sound really good, Tracy, and I need to get them. Thanks for the giveaway!
(Cathy Phillips 12:51pm May 14, 2014)

I enjoy them and as for game time it kind of depends on the story and it if fits in it or not. I love Jaci Burton's sport book series. Those are great.
(Larena Hubble 12:55pm May 14, 2014)

I absolutely love a good sports romance, especially if they include some game action! Among my favorites series are Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Chicago Stars, Lori Foster's SBC Fighters and Rachel Gibson's Chinooks. If I had to choose an absolute favorite, I'd have to go with Rachel's True Love and Other Disasters.
(Anita H 1:37pm May 14, 2014)

I can't remember the title right now but the plot is a freelance reporter who is assigned to write about the latest pro expansion team. She starts "dating" the quarterback Ty as a cover and eventually becomes the kicker coach since she is a better kicker than the team's. She went to school on a soccer scholarship.
(Laura Gullickson 11:26pm May 14, 2014)

I completely love sports romances, especially any that
revolve around my favorite sport hockey which puts Rachel
Gibson's Chinook series squarely at the top of my list! If I
was forced to pick my favorite out of that series, it would
have to be Any Man of Mine although I do love them all! I
also enjoy reading Jaci Burton, Deidre Martin, Anna Sugden
and Toni Aleo's hockey reads. As for other sports,
definitely This Heart of Mine by SEP would have to be my
favorite football and Carly Phillips' Hot Zone series is my
favorite for baseball :)
(Ada H. 3:58am May 15, 2014)

I don't read a lot of sports romances but one that stands out is Game Misconduct (hockey) by Bianca Sommerland. There was a lot of game playing but not on the ice. (wink) I did enjoy it (wink, wink). As to your book, Risky Game, I LOVE football, gawky girls and the hot players attracted to them and secrets begging to be exposed! Gotta have it! No risk involved!
(Debbie Kelly 7:34pm May 16, 2014)

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