football

EXCERPT: “Going for Two” by Laura Chapman

February 24, 2016 2 Comments

“Going for Two” by Laura Chapman

Blurb: Harper Duquaine is back for another season of fantasy football! This time she’s a year wiser and prepared to dominate the league. But while she finally seems to have her fantasy life in order, reality proves more challenging.

Her plans to peacefully play house with her boyfriend come to a halt when the high school suddenly names Brook its head football coach. The promotion comes with more responsibility on the field and less time at home. It also unexpectedly means more work for Harper, who already has her hands full helping a friend pull off the perfect proposal (while dodging questions about when she and Brook are going to get hitched already). Plus, a new development at work could leave her—and half of the fantasy league—jobless.

With the complications of her career and being “Mrs. Coach” adding up, Harper wonders if she’s committed to the life she’s already building or if there is something else out there.

Harper Duquaine – the fun, (sometimes) fearless, and fabulous heroine of my Queen of the League series – has a knack for baking. In Going for Two, the second book in the series, she develops a penchant for mug cakes. When it comes to food in books, I take my research seriously, and I tried my hand out at making a variety of mug cakes for myself. Here’s one of my favorite recipes from the experiment.

Sour Cream (Mug) Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon softened butter

1 tablespoon sugar

1 egg

2 tablespoons sour cream

Dash of almond (or vanilla) extract

1/4 cup flour

1/8 teaspoon baking powder

For streusel topping: 1 tablespoon melted butter, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon flour

Directions: Spray a mug with no-stick spray then soften 1 tablespoon of butter. Mix in ingredients one at a time resulting in a thick batter. In a separate small bowl, combine ingredients for streusel and sprinkle on top of the batter. Microwave for a minimum of 1 minute or a maximum of 1 minute and 30 seconds until done. Pro tip: watch it closely while it cooks in the microwave to make sure it doesn’t overflow. After that, enjoy!

EXCERPT

With one day to go until our fantasy draft, I have a lot of prep work to do.

Last year I joined the league a few hours before the draft. My education had been a crash course from Wade on how to use the computer program and a few tips from my brother. I didn’t care at the time. I wasn’t in the league to win. I only joined in a desperate attempt to make my new co-workers at the car dealership like me. By the end of the season, my interest in the game—and Brook—had been piqued. I’d been willing to fight hard for a victory with both. Winning Brook’s heart had been easier than winning the league championship. Even after a major late-season rally, I finished in fourth place.

Not this year. I’ve spent the off-season studying the game and planning. And I’m determined to go all the way. Even if that means humiliating the man I love when we go head-to-head against each other. The worthy, but humble, opponent he is, I’m sure Brook will ultimately forgive me when I hoist the figurative league trophy over my head.

Unlike last year, I have a legitimate game plan. It’s called, “Study Up On All of the Top Players and Draft Them.” Subtitle: “Within Reason.” I still don’t feel right about having bad boys or total douches on my team, but I’ve made my peace. You have to make tough decisions like that when you’re in charge.

I plan to stock up on top-tier wide receivers and tight ends. In our league, we get points for each catch, which means I need players with good hands. Hands not unlike my ex-wide receiver boyfriend, only I put his hands to a much different, but equally important, use.

The other part, which is slightly more controversial, is my intent to plan one bad week. Theoretically, during one week—in my plans it’s week eight—I’ll have several of my top players out on bye weeks. That means I’ll likely lose, which should suck. I’ll have a total juggernaut team every other week of the season, so it won’t matter if I take a knee once. In preparation for implementation, I’ve done a few mock drafts online. Okay, I’ve done ten, but I really want to get all of the jitters out of me before the real thing. While it’s been interesting to watch some of the trends going in these fake draft rooms—it seems like we’re in another year of the overrated running back—I’m not going to let that influence the way I pick my team. I have a wish list, and I don’t plan to stray far from it.

We’re a ten-person league this year, so I’ve done a mock draft from each spot in a ten-person league. I have a good idea of who will and won’t make it on my team no matter when I draft. It’s comforting to feel this in control of my destiny.

**Buy “Going for Two”: Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo Goodreads

**About the author: Laura Chapman is the author of Going for Two, First & Goal, The Marrying Type, and Hard Hats and Doormats. Her work also appears in Merry & Bright, A Kind of Mad Courage, and the holiday collection All I Want For Christmas from Marching Ink. She loves Huskers and Packers football, Netflix marathons, and her cats, Jane and Bingley. Laura makes her home in Nebraska, where she is penning her next novel. Be sure to check her out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

**Contact Laura: Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Goodreads Blog Website

**GIVEAWAY**

**Click HERE for your chance to paperback copies of all 4 of Laura’s books, (US and Canada, only)!

Release Blitz: “GOING FOR TWO”

January 27, 2016 3 Comments

About “Going for Two”: Harper Duquaine is back for another season of fantasy football! This time she’s a year wiser and prepared to dominate the league. But while she finally seems to have her fantasy life in order, reality proves more challenging.

With the complications of her career and being “Mrs. Coach” adding up, Harper wonders if she’s committed to the life she’s already building or if there is something else out there.

**Find “Going for Two” now!: Amazon Barnes & Noble Goodreads Kobo

**And from January 20-29 you can get First & Goal, book one in the Queen of the League series, for only 99 cents!: Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo

In honor of Going for Two’s release, I’m sharing some fun facts about the book and Queen of the League series.

Harper needed to have some interests outside of football, and so I made her a crochet enthusiast. I have fond memories of learning how to crochet from my late Grandmother Huneke. Grandma could not only knit and crochet the most beautiful and perfect pieces, but she was also one of the best sports fans and aficionados around. Though a quiet and reserved woman, she could spout out facts like no one else. My brother likes to tell the story about the time he and my grandmother were in line somewhere. They overheard the men in front of them incorrectly discussing the stats from a recent game. My grandma politely interrupted and corrected them. So having Harper crochet throughout the season was a way for me to pay homage to my grandma. It also ended up creating some new opportunities for her, which are explored in more detail in Going for Two.

I hope you will check out the other facts—view a complete listing of locations and dates on my website, www.laurachapmanbooks.com—and the series.

Thank you, Isabella, for featuring Going for Two—and me—today. Enjoy!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

In five sentences, what made you write your book, “GOING FOR TWO”?: The short answer: Because the Queen of the League series wasn’t done and needed another installment. The longer answer: When I set out to write a book about a girl who joins a fantasy football league I interviewed a couple of assistant coaches for local high school teams. While talking to them, I realized there were more angles to explore. I could visualize more conflicts and situations to write my characters into and out of again. Plus, once I got to know Harper, Brook, J.J., Wade, Amelia, and the rest of the crew, I wanted to know what happened next for them.

How much does football encourage you to write? It can be a mixed bag. On the one hand, participating in fantasy football and being a fan of football was my inspiration for writing this series. On the other, if my teams have a bad week, I can get a little bummed out about everything. The flip is that I get really excited to write when there’s harmony in my football world. Maybe I should imagine Clay Matthews sitting in my office with me, willing me to work faster and harder, while I write. It’d be worth a shot.

Who is your all-time favorite football crush, and if you two were to go on a first date, what would you two do? It’s hard to pick just one! Right now I’m in a bit of a tug-of-war with Clay Matthews and Aaron Rodgers, because each of them fulfills different… needs, shall we say. Sadly, neither of them are on the market. But if this is my football fantasy (see what I did there), my dream date would probably involve one of them taking me on a personalized and unique first date—maybe to a bookstore or play starring one of my other crushes, like Michael Fassbender or a Hemsworth—and the other one would jealously interrupt it, and they’d fight over me, before deciding we could all just get along and I could date both.

What is the fastest part of the publishing process, (ex: the writing, editing, cover art)? The slowest? I would say the cover is the fastest. I designed the covers for the Queen of the League series, and they just sort of came to me. The slowest is probably a tie between writing and editing. So far I have found that each story is a special snowflake and plays out different. First & Goal and Going for Two took me longer to write than to edit, but Hard Hats and Doormats and The Marrying Type both took longer to edit than to write. That may be because I am more aware during the writing process now than I was with my first two books. That’s probably a good thing, though I had a lot of fun writing with total abandon on those earlier stories.

Do you have any writing superstitions? Oh sure. My biggest is that I’m afraid to say too much about any of my projects while they’re in the writing phase. I kind of feel like book ideas and works in progress are like birthday wishes in that they don’t come to fruition if you tell them to anyone. (Also, earlier in my writing career I would talk more about whatever I was writing, and then I wouldn’t finish the project and felt like a liar.) I break the rule for my sister and one of my best friends, who are my sounding boards while I work.

As an author of four books and taking part in three anthologies, have you had an “AH-HA” moment? All the time. I feel like I have AH-HA moments every day both as an author and a human. I’m constantly evolving on both fronts, which means a new experience that leads to an epiphany. It should also be noted that almost every day brings an “oh my God, why doesn’t any of this make sense?” moment too.

With a busy schedule, what has motivated you to keep going as an author? Really it’s just a calling. There are stories running through my head waiting to be told. And both of those statements sound super pretentious. Really what it comes down to is this: I’ve always wanted to be an author. It’s my dream, and that dream keeps me going. Also, I like to keep busy. Even my downtime ends up being productive. “Laura, what did you do on Saturday?” “Oh, nothing. I tried a new recipe. Re-read one of the Little House books. Watched Hallmark. Started making a baby blanket for one of my friends. Had my sister over. Just a quiet little day.”

If you played football, what position do you think you’d be best at? I’d like to think I’d make a great quarterback. I like being in charge and telling people what to do. I can think quickly and make adjustments on the fly as needed. But I could also see myself thriving in a linebacker. It’d be fun to lay people out all the time and flex my non-existent muscles for my adoring fans.

If you would want anyone to read and review your books, who would it/they be? Actually, the person I most wanted to have read and review my books did. My dad hadn’t read any of my books until First & Goal came out. Because it related to football, he was more willing to give it a try. While he was reading, my mom gave updates such as, “I keep hearing him laughing” and “he was telling the people at the bar about it.” Once he finished, he sent me the best review I’ve ever had in the form of a group-text to my whole family: “Laura, just finished First & Goal. Very good read and I really enjoyed it.” And we had a pretty lengthy conversation about it—and his hopes and dreams for all of the characters. It was pretty gratifying to have my dad’s approval and pride.

How do you plan to celebrate if the Green Bay Packers win the Super Bowl? Oh, I’ll probably get drunk and go streaking through the quad, like usual. I’m totally kidding, but I’m also not entirely sure. The last time the Packers won I jumped up and down and screamed, which wasn’t the best idea on a belly full of beer cheese and beer. I’m more grownup and mature now, but I’ll probably do the same thing. And if I drink a little too much, I’ll probably end up sharing some embarrassing posts on all of my social media platforms including, but not limited to, selfies of me, pictures of my cats, praise for Clay Matthews’s arms, admiration for Aaron Rodgers’s cleverness, and promises to marry Eddie Lacy on top of a mountain with flutes playing, trombones, flowers, and garlands of herbs while everyone dances until the sun rises and our children will form a family band—and only fellow Packers fans will be invited.

Author-wise, what are your New Year’s resolutions? I actually didn’t make any resolutions this year, but promised myself I would strive to find balance and happiness this year. That applies to my writing, too. I often freak out and stress—I’m big on extremes. And this year I’d like to stay somewhere in the middle—to do (and write) what makes me happy and be the best person (and author) I can be while hopefully spreading some joy to others.

What are you working on now? I’m working on the third book in the Queen of the League series along with a couple of other projects that I’m not yet speaking about, because of that whole superstition thing. 😉

**About the Author: Laura Chapman is the author of Going for Two, First & Goal, The Marrying Type, and Hard Hats and Doormats. Her work also appears in Merry & Bright, A Kind of Mad Courage, and the holiday collection All I Want For Christmas from Marching Ink. She loves Huskers and Packers football, Netflix marathons, and her cats, Jane and Bingley. Laura makes her home in Nebraska, where she is penning her next novel.

**Connect with Laura: Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Goodreads Blog Website

Thanks for having me as a guest. I hope you all enjoy Harper’s latest adventure in Going for Two!

AUTHOR FEATURE: Laura Chapman

November 5, 2015 1 Comment

About the author: Laura Chapman is the author of First & Goal, The Marrying Type, and Hard Hats and Doormats. Her work also appears in Merry & Bright, A Kind of Mad Courage, and All I Want For Christmas. A native Nebraskan, she loves Huskers and Packers football, Netflix marathons, and her cats, Jane and Bingley. Laura is currently in pursuit of a fantasy football championship while penning her next novel.

**Connect Laura: Website Blog Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Goodreads

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INTERVIEW

Describe your writing style in five words: Based on reality, but playful.

When did you know you were an author? Even though I spend so much of my time writing, thinking about writing, and talking about writing I don’t always feel like an author. There are a few moments that pop up here and there where it really hits me that I am an author. Each time I hold the print copy of my book or have someone ask me the same questions I would ask other authors, it will strike that, “Hey, I’m an author.” In a way that’s funny, because I have spent most of my life knowing I would write books someday. But it’s not such a bad thing to forget I am living that dream sometimes—it keeps me humble.

Tell us about your writing/editing/publishing process: This one is tricky, because my writing, editing, and publishing processes keep evolving. The one constant is that I set goals for myself to accomplish. I don’t always—okay, almost never—meet each of my goals within the time period outlined, but I give it the old college try just in case. And like my approach to most things in life, I tend to obsess about whatever part I am working on in that moment followed by periods of downtime. Someday, I’d like to be more consistent. Once I figure out how to do that with my writing, I’ll also make sure to spread that to my diet, exercise, and sleep regimens.

If you could meet any other author, who would it be? There are so many authors I admire and respect, but if I had to pick one, I would love to have a glass of wine with Nora Roberts. I’ve been reading her books since I was twelve and borrowing them from my mom and my friend’s mom. She’s prolific and seems gracious to her fans, while also owning her success—as she should. She’s a total badass. I’d also like the chance to meet Julie Garwood, Colleen Hoover, and Sophie Kinsella, because they’re other authors I admire. (And I secretly hope some of their amazingness would rub off on me while I was in their presence.)

Hard/paperbacks or eBooks? Even though I have embraced eBooks and appreciate their convenience, there are few things I love more than curling up with a paperback book. It’s more of an experience when I’m curled up with a book that fills both hands, with pages that I flip rather than swipe across. And I prefer paperback to hard cover, because I’m always worried about dinging up the edges or tearing the jackets on the hard covers.

How do you come up with the titles of your books? I typically have a title idea before I start writing. It’s one of the elements that come to me during the researching and plotting phase. That said, none of my books has published with the original working title, even though I thought I was so clever. All of my titles have just come to me at some point in time or another, usually while I was in the middle of writing or editing. And it’s always a bit of a thing when it comes to deciding whether to stick with the original or go with a new idea.

At what time of day do you think you work best? This really varies. I wish I was someone who could consistently write first thing in the morning, because that would be convenient. But it takes me a while to get going. I usually have to leave for my other job right about the time I seem to be getting in a groove. For now, I tend to do most of my writing on nights and weekends. That’s more out of necessity than anything else. I do like writing in a couple of half-hour pockets then taking longer breaks unless I’m truly caught up in a story and have to keep going.

alty or sweet? Both—my cravings shift throughout the day, and if I have salty I usually want something sweet a bit later and vice versa.

Do you have any writing rituals? If I’m writing at my desk—which is only about 25 percent of the time—I tend to have a cup of coffee or bottle of water with me. And then for some reason I toast the framed photo of hockey player Brad Richards that is sitting on my desk. (The photo is a long story, but in short, it was a gift from my brother, and it cracks me up.) When I’m writing at a coffee shop, I have to put in my head phones, select a playlist, and have a notepad and paper next to my computer before I start typing. I also reward myself with a star sticker every time I write 1,000 words. I put them on a chart that helps me visualize just how long my story is growing. And I like stickers.

Every author must have (a): Sense of humor. Even if you’re writing serious books, I think it’s good to be able to laugh at yourself or a situation every once in a while. It never fails that something challenging or upsetting happens at some point during the writing and publishing process. And while I’m all for taking a moment to be bummed or sad, at a certain point you have to move on. That’s where the sense of humor comes into play.

What do you want people to take away from your books? Mostly I hope people are entertained and engaged while they’re reading the story. I hope that a character will maybe stick with them. That’s what I love most when I read a book—having one that stays with you even after you’ve finished the last page. And I hope people will smile, and maybe develop a case of the feels. And I hope readers will feel a connection the characters. I try to write characters based on reality, and I hope that comes through. But like I said, I mostly hope a reader finishes the story and feels good about the time they spent reading it.

What are you working on right now? It’s November, which means I’m participating in my sixth consecutive National Novel Writing Month. I’ve passed the 50,000-word mark each of the past five years, so wish me luck on keeping the streak going this year. I don’t really like to talk a lot about what I’m writing while I’m writing it—that is a mix of superstition and also a personal fail-safe in case the WIP flops. But, I can tell you about a couple of completed (or nearly completed) projects. On November 11, I have two Christmas novellas coming out in All I Want For Christmas, a holiday collection by Marching Ink. Making Christmas is a story about two lonely people striking up an unlikely friendship while setting out to add some cheer to their holiday season. And What Happens at Midnight is about a woman rediscovering her whimsical and romantic side with the help of chance encounters on consecutive New Year’s Eves. And in January or February, we will release Going for Two, the follow-up to First & Goal. Outside of writing, I’m working on not gorging myself on leftover Halloween candy and pumpkin-flavored everything going into the holiday season.

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**Blurb: When Harper Duquaine’s no-nonsense approach to work unintentionally ruffles the wrong feathers at her new job, she joins her co-workers’ fantasy football league to prove she can hang with the guys. Only problem: she doesn’t know a sleeper from a keeper (or any of the other lingo thrown her way).

Embroiled in a world of lineups, stats, and trades, Harper’s quest to make nice topples when her competitive streak emerges. And her promise to herself that she’ll be a strong, independent woman and leave the drama and heartache behind is seriously tested when she catches the attention of her two biggest competitors: J.J., a local celebrity determined to win a fantasy championship, and Brook, the mild-mannered coach who seems too good to be true. Both threaten her resolve to remain single… and, more importantly, her chances at winning the prize pool.

With a slew of conflicting advice in her real and fantasy worlds, Harper must figure out how to play the game and come out a winner.

**”Buy “First & Goal” now: Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo

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**GIVEAWAY**

**Click HERE to enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

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**Click HERE to see other stops on Laura’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!

AUTHOR FEATURE: Brea Brown

October 12, 2015 7 Comments

About the author: Brea Brown lives in Springfield, Missouri, with her husband and three sons, but her international support network stretches as far as Australia. She’s an administrative assistant at an environmental consulting firm for forty hours a week and a writer all the other waking hours of the week not taken up by motherhood, wifedom, reading, and watching Netflix. (That leaves a surprisingly large number of hours, believe it or not.) Her published novels are Daydreamer, The Secret Keeper Series, Plain Jayne, Quiet, Please! Let’s Be Frank, and Let’s Be Real (Books 1 and 2 in the Nurse Nate Trilogy). Her twelfth book, Out of My League, releases October 13, 2015 (tomorrow)!

**Contact Brea: Email Website Facebook Pinterest Twitter

INTERVIEW

Describe your books in five sentences: The one thing all of my books—whether standalone or series—have in common is that they don’t take themselves too seriously. Even when I’m addressing serious themes, like adoption, divorce, or even death, my characters are navigating those issues in amusing ways, reminding us that fiction is fun, and fictional people—mine, anyway—always figure it out. Real life is hard. It’s important to me that readers recognize their own lives in my stories and characters, but I also want to provide an escape. It’s no spoiler to tell you my books end happily; it’s how the characters get to that happily-ever-after that keeps readers turning the pages (hopefully).

When did you know you were a writer? I’ve known I was a writer since I was a little girl and tried to mimic my favorites: Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, and E.L. Konigsberg. Most days I still don’t feel like an author, but I have a dozen books out there that say otherwise. I’d say the first time it felt real to me was when a cashier at a store recognized my name on my debit card and asked me if I was the same Brea Brown who wrote The Secret Keeper. I still can’t believe that happened!

Tell us about your writing/editing/publishing process: I try to publish two books a year. That means I’m constantly juggling projects. One will be in the resting phase, between drafts, while I’m putting the finishing touches on another for publication, and another is in the brainstorming/honeymoon phase. I typically have three projects going at any one time. It keeps me busy and is definitely never boring!

Salty or sweet? My stories are the Crunch-n-Munch of the literary world. They’re a good mix of salty and sweet, and they stick with you for a while after you set them down. Continuing the comparison, I also recognize that means there’s no great nutritional value in my stories, but they’re a delicious treat. I just hope I don’t give people cavities (or a stomachache).

Is the social media a help or a hinder? Big help! I’ve connected with so many readers on Facebook, and sometimes social media is about the only marketing I have the time or energy (or inclination) to do. Without it, I’d be sunk. Plus, nothing brightens my day more than a chat with a reader about books, food, and just life in general. Follow me! (My links are provided somewhere in here.)

What is a typical day like in your home? Uh… crazy? I have a kindergartner, a sixth grader, and a freshman in college living under my roof, and both my husband and I have full-time jobs outside of the house. ’Nuff said?

Do you have any writing rituals? Because life is so hectic, I have a strict weekday writing schedule. I get up at 4:30 a.m., make a cup of coffee, and write until it’s time to wake up the two youngest kids for school at 6:30. Those two hours are my sacred writing time. Most of the time, especially when I’m in the zone, I resist checking social media and keep my head down, writing or editing (or whatever else I’m doing at that stage of the process). Usually, I’m too tired to multi-task, anyway, and nobody else in the house needs my attention at such an early hour, so it’s the perfect time to focus.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Still cranking out books and getting more ideas than I know what to do with, I hope. Maybe with a few more readers, but if not… that’s okay, too. I love the readers I have and don’t take a single one of them for granted. They are the sweetest, most supportive, most loyal people on the planet!

Since becoming an author, what have you learned most about yourself? I’m more perseverant than I thought. I always kind of saw myself as a strong starter and a tough talker but wasn’t big on follow-through. Well, you can’t be the author/publisher of twelve published novels if you don’t stick with projects until the end. I’m genuinely surprised every time I finish writing a book and see it out there for people to buy and read.

Every author must have (a): Fortitude. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t have the drive to finish a job and do it well, you’ll eventually find some other, easier way channel your energy and amuse yourself. You have to be resilient. On any given day, that means starting over when a project isn’t working, dusting yourself off after a bad review, isolating and improving the weaknesses in your writing, or getting up at 4:30 a.m. when you’d rather stay under the warm covers. But you have to be self-motivated.

What do you want people to take away from your books? Good people can prevail. And you don’t have to be perfect to be a good person who’s worthy of your happily-ever-after. Also, finding humor in everyday life is essential. One of my favorite compliments from readers is when they tell me I’ve made them laugh out loud, especially in a public place or next to a sleeping spouse. Laughing is my favorite.

Can you tell us what you’re working on now? Let’s Be Friends, the third and final book in my Nurse Nate Trilogy is due out in the spring, so I’ll be hitting rewrites and edits on that one pretty hard after the holidays.

I’m also in the middle of writing the first draft of another book (a standalone… I think), but I don’t even have a title for that one yet, and I still have no idea how it’s going to end, because… that’s how I roll. I will say it takes place in a sleepy northeastern U.S. town, is chock-full of cringe-worthy moments, and includes a lot of death jokes. But… that’s all I’m going to say for now.

And releasing tomorrow (GULP!) is my twelfth novel, Out of My League, the first book in my Underdog Trilogy:

Maura Richards has a plan for her life—it involves not having a plan. From biding her time at a long-term temp job to ending relationships before they get too serious, Maura’s only commitment is to being noncommittal.

When she meets Jet Knox, the starting quarterback of her beloved hometown football team, she dismisses their encounter as a thrilling brush with celebrity she can drag out at parties for a few years, and nothing more. Jet has other ideas. He’s someone who’s made a living setting—and scoring—goals. Wooing Maura is his latest objective.

Everyone in Maura’s life seems to have a take on her relationship with the All-Pro QB, but with so many swirling opinions, rumors, and doubts, Maura must rely on the judgment of the very last person she feels she can trust: herself.

**Click HERE to pre-order “Out of My League” now!

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**Click HERE to check out all of Brea’s books!

RELEASE DAY: “First & Goal”

September 9, 2015 2 Comments

“First & Goal” by Laura Chapman

Set your lineups and pull out the old game tape—football is here. This year, you can experience fantasy football vicariously through (or commiserate with) Harper Duquaine in First & Goal by Laura Chapman.

What begins as a way to make nice with her new co-workers soon becomes an obsession for Harper as she navigates the ups and downs of managing a fantasy football team. Add in a pair of meddling brothers, a crew of quirky colleagues, and a league-mate who makes her toes curl, and Harper’s football season has plenty to keep her interested.

This new romantic comedy is now available from Marching Ink on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. Join in the fun and cheer Harper on as she takes on the old boys club.

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Then beat them.

Blurb: When Harper Duquaine’s no-nonsense approach to work unintentionally ruffles the wrong feathers at her new job, she joins her co-workers’ fantasy football league to prove she can hang with the guys. Only problem: she doesn’t know a sleeper from a keeper (or any of the other lingo thrown her way).

With a slew of conflicting advice in her real and fantasy worlds, Harper must figure out how to play the game and come out a winner.

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**Get your copy of “First & Goal” now: Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo

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**About author, Laura Chapman: Laura Chapman is the author of First & Goal, The Marrying Type, and Hard Hats and Doormats. Her work appears in Merry & Bright, A Kind of Mad Courage, and a forthcoming Christmas anthology from Marching Ink. A native Nebraskan, she loves Huskers and Packers football, Netflix marathons, and her cats, Jane and Bingley. Laura is currently in pursuit of a fantasy football championship while penning her next novel.

**Contact Laura: Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Goodreads Blog Website

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Check out Laura’s other books:

“The Marrying Type”: Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo Marching Ink

“Hard Hats and Doormats”: Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo Marching Ink

BOOK REVIEW: “The Final Quarter”

July 14, 2015 1 Comment

“The Final Quarter” by Anne Lange

Blurb: A quarterback facing the end of his career must come to peace with his past, and accept his present, before he can move on with his future.

Mitch Ryland accomplished what his father said he never would—he made something of himself.

When his wife suggests she’d like to start a family, Mitch is thrown for a loop. He’s never told her about his life before he ended up with his foster parents, or his plans never to become a father. So when he’s taken out of the game, his failings from the past come back to haunt him, and Mitch blames his injury on his loss of focus. He’s unprepared for his career as a professional quarterback to be over. Nor is he ready to tell his wife about why football is so important to him. He’d rather put emotional and physical distance between them and focus on getting back in the game.

Serena Ryland has dreamed of becoming a mother. But when she mentions the idea to her husband, he freezes her out and she has no idea why. She’s worried that if they don’t start talking soon, she’ll lose him forever. When he refuses to come home to mend from an injury, she takes matters into her own hands, determined to spend more time with him, hoping to reignite the romance in their relationship. But she’s unprepared for the things she learns on this trip. Her husband has been carrying a few secrets that just might change the outlook of their future.

My Review: Every now and then, I like to read short erotica, and having sports mixed in with it is even better. In this 145 page short and sexy read, “The Final Quarter” was HOT! Not only was the sex written very well, I loved that I really felt a connection between Mitch and Serena, and that they truly loved each other. While Mitch had his issues, I loved how Serena didn’t give up on him, and tried to help him through a dark period.

If you’re looking for a quick, sexy erotica, then this is definitely a book for you. This was my first book by Anne Lange, and it won’t be my last!

I give “The Final Quarter” 5 stars!

**Note: It’s release day, so click HERE to pick you up your copy of “The Final Quarter” now!

Writing a Novel Really is Like Winning the World Series or Super Bowl

October 23, 2013 3 Comments

I know you’re probably thinking, “Two blog posts from Isabella in six days?” Well, you’re right!

If you follow sports, then you probably know that tonight is the first game of the World Series. For the National League, the St. Louis Cardinals will be playing the American League Champions, the Boston Red Sox. (For those of you that know me, you know how hard it was to write the words, American League Champions and Red Sox, right?)

Non-sports fans, I will stop boring you now…

Practice: If you’re a writer, you know that it’s best to write every single day. Whether it’s 100 or 1,000 words, it’s important to just get something down. This is especially important if you’re on a deadline. Practice, practice, practice = write, write, write! (Blogger note: After “The Right Design” is published in January, I need to learn to take my own advice to write each day!)

The Game: Yay! You’ve written a book! Sit back and relax! Take a week off (at the most, two), but be prepared to come back to your novel, knowing the hard part is just beginning! “The hard part?” you ask me. “YES!” Playing the game, is the hard part! If this weren’t true, being a writer would be easy, but it’s not. It’s the part where you look back over your MS, and even dabble in the thought of sending it out to beta-readers (I loved mine) and to anyone else who you think would like to read it over. The most important part of this process is picking people who will give you honest and helpful feedback.

Championship Games: If you’ve revised your book and are happy with it, now it’s time to play the game. Since you have coaches (um, I mean, editors), then you should feel in safe hands with them as they guide you down the field (or, in this case, page by page). Every whistle they blow (comment they make), time out they call (email they send you to cheer you on or answer a question you had), they’re there for you. If you have talented people to help you along the way, then you’re bound to learn to play the game the right way, and I’m sure you’ll learn a few things in the process.

World Series or Super Bowl: Congratulations! You’ve made it to the World Series or Super Bowl! How do you feel to have your manuscript completed? Now that it’s gone live for the world to see (meaning you’ve pressed “PUBLISH”), it’s time to be welcomed out onto the field. Whether you’re the starting pitcher or quarterback (a well-known author) or you’ll be playing in the outfield or wide receiver (a debut author, who’s being welcomed into the world of publishing), it’s time to start gathering your fanbase. While it’s nice to have your friends and family support you, it’s also important for others to do so, too. Using social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter are the two places I highly recommend. Create Facebook and Twitter pages and enjoy receiving “Likes” and “Follows” along the way. **Blogger tip: When using Facebook, do not create a page using your book’s name, use your author name. This will be easier for when you playing in the World Series or Super Bowl again and your fans know what you’re up to.

The most important step in playing this game is to know that you won’t win each game. Sometimes, you’ll just come to play (publish a book and just having it just do okay). Don’t worry, there will be next games (books you’ll write), and you might even win the World Series or Super Bowl. When you do, it’s important for you to take time to enjoy being in the spotlight. Tell yourself, “I can do this! I’m an author!” (It might take even weeks for it to hit you that you’ve written an Amazon or B&N top ten list).

My question for you is, “Are you ready to go to Disneyland?” If so, start practicing! 🙂

Do Football and Romance Mix?

September 12, 2011 1 Comment

Yesterday was a great day, FOOTBALL season began! After months of waiting, some even anxiously awaiting to see if there would be a season this year, I was ready for my favorite sport to begin. I put on my Roger Staubach jersey, a tradition that I started a few years ago, (hopefully) thinking that if I wore my jersey, my team would win. Sadly they didn’t, thanks to Tony Romo and his…anyway, where was I? Oh yes, back to my blog.

Since I’m in the midst of my writing journey, I wondered how many romance books are entwined with football. It turns out that there are quite a few and HERE is a link I found. I haven’t read any of these book, but would love to, I’d even consider writing one, that is after I finished a couple, of course. While it might seem like a challenging task of writing about something most men enjoy, it can also do you good to learn the game from them and have them teach you something. Your SO (significant other) might even find this so attractive they you might end up having some “halftime nookie,” a.k.a., inspiration for your book!

Until next time, y’all have a great day!

It’s Fun Friday

August 5, 2011 1 Comment

As a Chick Lit writer and an avid sports fan, I’d like to put these two together and talk about my five favorite attractive men in sports. Often when I’m at a Texas Ranger’s game or am watching football, it’s a perk to see these guys in action.

AaronRodgers — Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers QB

I grew up being a Green Bay Packers fan! I even have a cheese-head, though it’s in the shape of a cowboy hat — the best of both worlds, since I’m also a Cowboy fan!

A few years ago my dad bought me tickets to the Green Bay Packers vs. the Dallas Cowboys. I was in heaven and I was beyond thrilled to go see a legend play, Brett Favre, was once my favorite quarterback. Unfortunately, I was late to the game, but got there just in time for the second quarter to start. I remember it like it was yesterday and I kept my eyes on the (old) QB, Favre, nervous that he was going to get hurt. Well, sure enough that’s what happened, and guess who was his backup? Aaron Rodgers!

Some might not think that he’s all that handsome, even at first I didn’t think he was that attractive, but as I’ve become to “know” this fun-loving man, I love everything he stands for. From the time he was the new starting QB, not once have I seen this sexy man not seem focused on his job and his team. Earlier this year he took his team to the Super Bowl and they won, reclaiming what belongs in Green Bay, the Lombardi Trophy!

OTT0205-sensjl — Mike Fisher plays for the Nashville Predators

I didn’t know who this hot NHL player was until he married a certain American Idol winner, but one thing’s for sure, I was sure missing out! From the moment I saw his picture in celeb magazines, he became one of the sexiest men I had ever seen. (Just look at that sweet, sexy, adorable, charming smile). He even looks great in a suit! Recently he was traded from the Ottawa Senators to (ironically) be closer to his wife in Nashville, to play for the Predators! (Aww…I know, how sweet)! While his name is Mike Fisher, he’s also known as Mr. Carrie Underwood. Yes, what a lucky lady she is and just imagine how beautiful their children are going to be. I wish these two a lifetime of love and happiness

This man has it all — the looks, the personality, the build, and who can forget those seductive eyes and lips? Tom Brady is one of the sexiest men in the world! He’s a leader on and off the field (and I’m sure in the sack too).

Why I haven’t been a fan of the Patriot’s, Tom Brady is definitely a reason to become a Pat’s lover! This family man is very protective of his wife and son. (His model wife, Gisele, is one lucky lady. I love how she lets her man take the lead and get all the attention on the red carpet, what a sweetheart)!

OscarDeLaHoya — Oscar De La Hoya, Retired Pro Boxer

I grew up watching the greats fight…you know, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and George Foreman, just to name a few, but when I watched a fight with Oscar De La Hoya, also known as “Pretty Boy,” I thought I had died and gone to heaven – I mean, look at him…and look at that chiseled sexy body!

When he was in the boxing ring, no matter how bad it got, the handsome boxer never gave up and he fought for the many titles he won!

Sadly a few years ago, this man retired , but he will always be my favorite boxer…and of course, I’ll remember his (fill in the blank here). Is there really another boxer as sexy as he is? I dare you to name at least one…

Whoever tags this man is certainly a lucky lady! This man is certain to be a lover and a fighter!

JoshHamilton — Josh Hamilton, Texas Ranger's Outfielder

Oh, my Josh, how I love you!

As a Texas Ranger’s fan and a season ticket holder, I have grown more fond of the game baseball, mainly since last year when we were in the MLB playoffs, but unfortunately we lost the World Series. One man who helped get us so far was Josh Hamilton.

JoshHamilton2 — Aww, how cute is this face?

I pick Josh as my #1 main player because he is the full package wrapped into one. Not only is he adorable in a manly way, his eyes have this calming look to them that makes me want to look at him forever, couldn’t you? Besides him being attractive, he clearly has everything a woman could want — he’s respectful (each time I’ve seen him on camera), he’s funny (each time I’ve seen him on a talk show), he’s a family man (he talks about his family quite a bit).

He has had problems with drugs and alcohol, but Josh has been clean for quite a while now, and it shows to his teammates and fans. He’s a likable guy in the clubhouse and it’s obvious. (I loved how when we were in the playoffs, the team celebrated with Ginger Ale not champagne, when Josh was in the room, and then Josh left so that everyone else could have their celebration). See, he’s just a good guy!

When I’m at the games and his name is called, it’s clear (to anyone) that he wants to do his best, that he is a team player and that he wants to be there and that he wants to win!

As a fan of baseball, I will forever be a Josh Hamilton fan. I’m also hoping that the Texas Ranger’s organization will retire Josh’s number, so that he will forever be a Texas Ranger!

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