D – CM Doporto

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I’m so happy to introduce CM Doporto to the A to Z Challenge Sports Romance Quiz. CM lives in my neck of the woods and loves football and baseball so much she writes about both

Welcome CM,

  1. What is it about the sport in your romance that inspired you to write about it? I love college football and wanted to incorporate that in a love story.
  2. Is your sports hero based on a real sports figure? If so, who and why? No, Raven Davenport is not based on anyone in particular, however the challenges and demons he faces are typical of those in the industry.
  3. What kind of research did you do for the sport in your romance? Although I understood football when I decide to write the series, I wanted to know more about it and make the books seem as realistic as possible. I did a lot of research, which included interviewing a previous college and professional football players. I also watched a lot of YouTube videos, listened to sports radio, and consulted with my husband and brother who are avid fantasy football fanatics.
  4. Best advice for other authors who want to write sports romance? Know the sport your writing about because if you don’t, someone will call you out if its wrong.
  5. What sports romance are you working on next? Baseball, my second favorite sport.
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To win a copy of CM’s novel, Opposing Sides, tell me your favorite college football team and why. Leave the answer in the comments section. I’ll pick a comment at random to win. 

C – Cast of Characters in Anxious Love

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I thought I would allow my cast of characters to introduce themselves by answer this question with one sentence.

Why did you choose your profession? 

Leah (best-selling romance writer) – Writing saved my life and reconnected me with the outside world.

Ryan (Defensive Lineman) – I was an angry kid and football allowed me to hit people without getting arrested.

Sophie (Singer & Songwriter – When I sing, I can be my true self.

Kory (Personal Trainer) – When I train people, I get to see them at their worst and help them find a way to be their best.

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Why did you choose your profession? I’ll pick a comment at random to win an advance copy of Anxious Love. 

 

Hipmunk Hotels: Foodie Stops in Ventura, Torrance, Santa Ana, San Mateo, and Oakland

Every time I book a trip, I create three “to-dos” at the place I plan to visit: best beach/mountain/lake, best hotel, and best restaurant. If I succeed at visiting two of the three on each list, I’m a happy traveler. To continue my exploration of California, I found some really great restaurants and local foods to get the most of my California vacation.

Ventura, California

Ventura Harbor Village is known as the seaside playground. Located in Ventura, California, the village houses hotels, bars, and amazing local spots for tourists and locals to enjoy. Most of the eateries have an ocean or harbour view, so this location is seaside dining at its finest. You can find casual as well as elegant dining. The restaurants are as diverse as the people. There is Italian, Mexican, Asian, Greek, and American food, all utilizing the local seafood and produce. Brophy Bros Restaurant and Clam Bar is first on my list.

Image provided by Ruth Rieckehoff via Trover.com

Torrance, California

Torrance, California is an oceanside township south of Los Angeles with great ocean view hotel rooms. It houses a famous restaurant with an unlikely speciality on the menu, the Hawaiian Sweet Roll. Opened in 1977, King’s Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant & Factory is the continental U.S. home to these tasty Polynesian treats.  If you’ve never had one, head out to your local grocery store and pick some up, but make sure you head over to the deli section. This bread is too good to hangout with the other breads. The restaurant features Hawaiian inspired dishes using the famous sweet bread rolls and you can learn about the history of the bread and the family who created it back in 1950 in Hawaii.

Image provided by Rich Barton via Trover.com

Santa Ana, California

Santa Ana is another suburb of Los Angeles that has its own personality and cultural influences. The city’s downtown historic district is the new hot spot for tourists to stay and locals to live. Santa Ana has Spanish influences and several local restaurants use the local seafood in the Spanish cuisine. I look forward to trying the fish taco or shrimp enchiladas that are popular at some of the local spots.

San Mateo, California

San Mateo, California is located in Silicon Valley near San Francisco. It’s no surprise that the food in this region of California is heavily influenced by the large Asian population in the area. Downtown is the best place to stay to sample the many Japanese inspired restaurants and check out the Asian themed Central Park.

Oakland, California

Across the Bay and north of San Mateo is Oakland, California.While Oakland may not get the respect it deserves, the city grew when people from San Francisco relocated during the 1906 earth quake. The San Francisco Bay offers beautiful views from the Oakland side. There are many great southern food restaurants; one of my favorite dishes is chicken and waffles. The House of Chicken and Waffles is my first stop. It’s in the name, I have to try it.

Image provided by Nica F! via Trover.com

Do you have any hidden food gems in California to share? 

Hipmunk Hotels: Bridges and Boardwalks in Wheeling, Gulf Shores, Hunstville, Little Rock, and Kissimmee

If I took this road trip in order, I would log about 2,000 miles on my car; which I think would be would be worth the mileage. I would be sure to properly explore the bridges and boardwalks in some unlikely spots in these cool southern towns.

Wheeling, West Virginia

Wheeling, West Virginia, sits on the banks of the Ohio River, the largest river that flows into the Mississippi. The suspension bridge is a must see stop in Wheeling. A short walk from many hotels in downtown Wheeling, you can traverse the 1,000 foot bridge and see great views of the river, Wheeling, and Wheeling Island. The bridge has great historical significance. It was the original passage from the New World to the wild, wild, west.  If you’re afraid of heights or old things, prepare yourself. The bridge looks every bit of its 160 years.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

When I think of the Gulf Shores, my mind conjures up the devastating scenes of Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. The homes and attractions destroyed during the storm have popped back up over the years better than ever. Gulf Shores, Alabama is a great beach town with amazing reasonably priced hotels on the beach and fun attractions like the Gulf State Park and Boardwalk. It’s possible to sit out on this boardwalk and stare at the water for hours.

Image provided by Amanda Watson via Trover.com

Huntsville, Alabama

Huntsville, Alabama is a beautiful little city with land on two spots of the Tennessee River. I think the river loved the water so much it curled around another city to have two river coastlines. Ditto Landing is a marina and campground dedicated to preserving the natural resources. The nature reserves are regulated by the government and provide fishing, boat rides, archery, and bow lessons. Ditto Landing is only 10 minutes away from several hotels in Huntsville, but the peaceful surroundings may make a camper out of me, yet.

Image provided by Jennifer Hott-Greenway via Trover.com

Little Rock, Arkansas

I spent a few days in Little Rock, Arkansas, last summer. I didn’t get the chance to see much but the inside of a nice hotel and a few bars downtown. I also saw the Junction Bridge and knew I had to come back and explore. Located outside of Bill Clinton’s Presidential Library, the trails from the library lead you into the woods and over this historical bridge. I can’t wait to check out the views over the Arkansas River.

Kissimmee, Florida

I lived in Florida for years and every time someone came to visit, they wanted to go, stay, and play in Kissimmee–the center of adult and childhood fun near Disney and Universal Studios. However, the adventure side of me always wanted to visit Shingle Creek Regional Park. Located in the Everglades, the President calls Shingle Creek America’s Great Outdoor. On the west trail a pedestrian bridge was constructed to allow hikers, bikers, and nature lovers to explore the Kissimmee lands without disturbing the natural setting.

Image provided by Steve Burns via Trover.com

What are some of your favorite boardwalks, shores and bridges? 

B – Blurb

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Anxious Love is my sixth multicultural sports romance.

I need some help with the blurb.

Trauma, isolation, courage, love. . .  Anxious Love

Ryan Ware has overcome loss and is hopeful about his future. As a first round draft pick, he is living his dream. Fame, fortune, and gorgeous women are part of his crazy new life, and he is ready to enjoy every minute of it.

Best-selling author Leah Jones is the most sought after writer in romance but never strays far from her isolated world. Leah suffers from severe anxiety. Her regimented life diminishes the triggers that could put her back in the hospital or worse, cut her off from the world completely.

After a chance meeting on the streets of New Orleans, Ryan vows to get to know the brown eyed beauty who keeps odd hours and seems content in her own little world.

Can Leah manage her anxiety to function in Ryan’s crazy life? Can Ryan throw away everything he thought he knew about love to be the man Leah needs?

Anxious Love contains explicit scenes of a sexual nature and is not suitable for readers under 18 years of age. 

Add Anxious Love to you TBR list on Goodreads.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23688024-lie-with-me?from_search=true&search_version=service

Tell me what you think?  

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