If March has given you a love of all things Irish, you might want to grab a copy of the Ireland-based exciting romance TRYING SOPHIE. Our main character Sophie Newport is half-Irish, half-American, growing up in Ireland without being pretty and suffering the disgrace of her dad's having run off with another woman. Her childhood isn't easy and she tries not to care. As a college graduate however, she's supposed to be in control of her own life. But selfish dates and a manipulating mother mean that even the family trusts aren't enough to guarantee happiness.

Sophie's mom has lived in Boston for decades and refuses to go back to Ireland. So when Sophie's grandfather has a heart attack, it's the younger generation who has to visit the little town of Ballycurra. Here Sophie meets up again with the terror of her schooldays, Declan O'Shaughnessy, now a rugby star and ladies' man. He'd never be interested in a travel journalist, she thinks, and he never liked her anyway. Not to mention he clearly doesn't respect women. Well... times change.

Rugby is a fast physical sport, played without padding and helmets, with every chance of strong contact and getting injuries. Declan plays for both Dublin and Ireland, making him the equivalent of a film star. While he now lives in Dublin, he makes regular trips to Ballycurra and Sophie's Fitzgerald grandparents are family friends. Sophie finds more changes. The little town has prospered and modernised. Another school nuisance, Cian Kelly, now works in her grandparents' bar, every bit as handsome as Declan. Maybe it's something in the water that makes Irish guys turn out so well.

Be prepared for strong language and adult action as these mid-twenties people explore life, lust and love. The second half of the book is a series of steamy scenes for those who like their romances physical. That's far from all the tale of course!

Rebecca Norinne is from the US but now lives in Dublin with her husband and enjoys rugby, bars and travel, not necessarily in that order. She has also written about the Hollywood lifestyle and plans a series of 'Dublin Rugby' themed books. TRYING SOPHIE gets them away to a flying start.