Cover Reveal: A Thousand Words

Several months ago, I had an idea for a novella I wanted to write set at Thackeray College where David, Hank, and Miranda from NOT QUITE PERFECT and THE WORST MAN are professors, and where Ross O'Connor, my hero from the Dublin Rugby novella SIDELINED, has come to coach rugby.

I loved the idea so much, I reached out to a few author friends and asked if they would be interested in contributing their own novellas to this world. And thus, the "Love at First Kiss" multi-author shared world was born. 

In A THOUSAND WORDS, a down-on-his-luck rugby player and an uptight poly-sci major meet during a "strangers photo shoot" and instantly fall for one another. Keep reading for more information. 

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When you’re a broke college student and someone offers you a couple hundred dollars for an hour of your time, you take it. That’s how how I find myself caressing the cheek of the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever laid eyes on while a photographer stands five feet away taking photos of us pretending to be in love.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the only ones I can think of are you’re perfect and I want you. And from the way Emmy’s pulse flutters in her neck as her eyes lock with mine, I know she feels it, too.

So even though we only just met, I’m hoping she’ll say the one word I want to hear most: yes.

A Tanya & Aidan Update (Dublin Rugby #5)

I've been asked a lot about Tanya and Aidan lately and when their story is coming, so I thought I'd take a moment to give a public update.

If you've read RUCK ME, you know their back story. If you've read BREAK DOWN, you know their current situation. 

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If you haven't read either book, you should probably click out of this post now.

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(Spoilers commencing in 3, 2, 1 ...)

I had every intention of writing Tanya and Aidan's story. I had the best happily-ever-after planned for them. They both deserve it.

And then two Irish rugby players were accused of raping a girl they met at the bar hours earlier. I'd cheered for those guys. They weren't my favorite players in the world, but I happily clapped, stomped, and screamed when they played well. And as you can imagine, I was disgusted by the details that emerged from the trial -- not just of these two guys, but of some of their fellow teammates -- and I knew I couldn't work on that book. I was too heartbroken.

So I tabled WING IT until my heart didn't hurt quite so much. But that day never came. Even now, sitting here writing this update, my hands are shaking with rage over what that girl endured, how she was vilified in the public, and how those scumbags got away with rape because they're famous white boys.

It's a story as old as time. 

I want to give Tanya and Aidan the ending they deserve. Really, I do.

But I can't.

As authors we pour our hearts and souls into our characters -- into our stories -- and my heart can't handle this right now. Especially when the likelihood of people buying this book is slim-to-none. I won't lie to you. With each successive release of the rugby series, my sales get lower and lower. Poor Donal and Liam. I know the world tells you it's crass to talk about money, but this is my job. I need to sell books. I will happily break open my chest and pass my bloody, beating heart to my readers ... if it is going to be worth it. And living in a state of perpetual heartbreak while I get this book out only to lose money just isn't worth it.

I may come back to Aidan and Tanya someday. I've toyed with making it a short newsletter exclusive. I may still do that someday. Alas, that day is not now.

I hope fans who loved my writing in this world will stick with me as I explore new love stories, and new couples, and create new worlds.