Category: A to Z Challenge

F-French Quarter

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle8 Comments

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I lived in New Orleans for two years. It’s one of those cities that great to visit but hard to live in, especially if you have obligations like a school or a job.

It remains one of my favorite places on earth.

Anxious Love will be the first of many (I hope) novels set in New Orleans. The city is a character in itself and it main character trait is found in the French Quarter.

Depositphotos_40084997_s-2015Top 5 coolest things to do in the French Quarter:

  1. People watch in Jackson Square.
  2. Eat at Acme Oyster House.
  3. Ride the river front street car down the Mississippi River.
  4. Listen to jazz at the Preservation Hall.
  5. Take a book tour and see where Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote wrote.

This list could have been 100 items long. These are just the highlights.

Have you been to New Orleans? 

E – Elle Kennedy

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

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I am a huge fan of hockey. Every since I stayed up until 2:00 am back in 1999 and watched my Dallas Stars win the Stanley Cup, I’ve been hooked. When I found Elle’s books, I devoured them. Couldn’t wait to see her take on what went on in the room (locker room) as the guys put on their sweaters (jerseys) and got ready to put the biscuit in the oven (goal in the net). I love talking hockey. 🙂

One of my favorite writers is joining me today and she writes about HOCKEY!

Welcome Elle …

  1. What is it about sports that inspired you to include them in your romance books?

I’ve always been a big sports fan. I watch a LOT of football—every Sunday during the season I watch all the games with friends, so to me, it’s one of those things that brings people together. I thought it would be fun to write a series in a sports setting, and I chose hockey because I love it as much as football.

  1. Are your sports heroes based on real life sports figures? If so, who and why?

They’re not, sadly. Though I’d welcome some hot athletes to inspire me LOL

  1. What kind of research did you do for the sports in your romances?

Not a lot. Hockey’s pretty big here in Canada so there’s always someone who has all the answers if I don’t.

  1. Best advice for other authors who want to write sports romance?

Make sure you know the sport you’re writing about! Watch games, understand the rules, and it helps if you love the sport because then it’s more fun to write about.

  1. What sports romance are you working on next?

I’m working on a couple actually! The Goal (Off-Campus #4), and Him #3 with Sarina Bowen. Both are hockey-focused.

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To win an ecopy of Elle’s book, tell me who your favorite hockey player is and why? I’ll pick a comment at random to win. 

D – CM Doporto

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

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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. 

B – Blurb

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle11 Comments

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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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A – Rachelle Ayala

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle11 Comments

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Welcome to the A to Z Blogging Challenge. My name is Sydney Aaliyah Michelle and I will be your blog host for the month. I have a great month of stuff planned for you. And, a #Giveaway every day. Please come back daily to enter.

My theme for A to Z 2016 is Sports Romance. I’ll bring you interviews from some of my favorite authors, free books, excerpts from my own books and an introduction of my upcoming release, Anxious Love.

Since opening day of baseball is this weekend, I thought I’d started with a baseball sports romance. Welcome, Rachelle Ayala.

Five Questions: 

1.     What is it about the sport in your romance that inspired you to write about it?

I’ve always liked baseball as a kid. Baseball has a long season and they play many games, so it’s all about the averages and being consistent. Also, baseball is a summer sport, so it reminds me of long, hot days and relaxing with family and friends. 

2.     Is your sports hero based on a real sports figure? If so, who and why?

Not based on anyone real. I don’t follow real sports figures because the men in my imagination are much more perfect.

3.     What kind of research did you do for the sport in your romance?

I read books by baseball players describing their game. I used to watch baseball on TV as a kid, but have been too busy lately. I did go to the Giants World Series parade and got to cheer on our heroes.

4.     Best advice for other authors who want to write sports romance?

Use fictional team names so you don’t get into any trouble with the franchises.

5.     What sports romance are you working on next?

I’ll work on another baseball romance in time for Spring Training 2017. I like spring training because it is more low-key for the fans and there are more opportunities for the fans to get to know players since everyone is in the same vicinity for a little over a month’s time. I’ve concentrated on Phoenix since I’m in California and more familiar with the west. I’ve been to Phoenix and not Florida.

I’ve also written several football romances, so there’s always a chance I will write another one, maybe for a holiday romance.

Thanks for having me on your blog. I’d like to give away a copy of Playing the Rookie, a humorous and steamy romance between a rookie pitcher and a marketing intern trying to get over her ex-boyfriend.

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To win a copy of Rachelle’s novel, Playing the Rookie, tell me your favorite baseball team or player. Leave the answer in the comments section.