Please help us welcome Linda O’Connor to the blog today. Linda is here to share Before the Whistle, the fourth book in her In the Game Hockey Romance Series. Welcome, Linda! This sounds like a great series. We are all excited to hear more!
Guest Post By Linda O’Connor:
An Inspiring Romantic Comedy!
Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog Madison!
Where do I get my inspiration? It was easy for me to write a series about hockey – I have 3 sons and I’m Canadian – I spent a lot of time in arenas watching hockey! I have more-than-the-average amount of insider information about the order for putting on goalie equipment – and it was fun adding my imagination. The medical element came about because I’m a doctor, and I love weaving the best parts of medicine into my stories. That’s become my shtick – most of my romances feature doctors or health professionals as characters, and I use medical tidbits in my posts for promotion. Have you ever owned a white bathing suit? Hopefully it was better quality than the one I had! The white bathing suit I bought that looked so great in the dressing room became transparent when it got wet. Awkward. I thought that would make a funny scene for a meet-cute between the hero and heroine and that’s the inspiration for how Jordyn and Ben meet in Before the Whistle. As an author, I get inspiration for my stories from everything around me – news headlines, snippets of conversations, lyrics of songs, watching people and putting a story behind their body language or expression – and even from my own quirky characteristics. I hope you’re inspired…to read Before the Whistle!
About Before the Whistle:
Jordyn Kendra is a talented designer and savvy businesswoman. Spending eighteen hours a day establishing and running a successful business doesn’t leave much time for pursuing a relationship, and frankly she hasn’t really missed it. But when an invitation arrives that could help her fulfill her career dreams, she has to make a decision. What’s harder: going to a gala without a date or finding someone to ask?
Ben Matthews, head athletic therapist for the wildly popular Clarington Quakes hockey team, tends to stand out in a crowd. When Jordyn doesn’t recognize him, it puts a dent in his ego, but he catches her attention when he jumps in to save a life.
She’s a queasy bystander, cowering at the sight of blood, and he’s cool, calm, and confident, which she finds irresistible. With a little prodding from her spirited aunt, Jordyn realizes that she and Ben might be the perfect mismatch.
Before the Whistle – when cool and calm in an emergency is totally hot.
Genre: Hockey Medical Romantic Comedy
Before the Whistle Buy Link:
- Amazon- https://amzn.to/2LTjgOR
Excerpt from Before the Whistle:
The man who’d walked in as she’d come out of the pool – and wasn’t he gorgeous? – glanced over at the teenagers and then stepped in front of her, blocking their view. “Hi. You’re Jordyn, right? Danni’s friend?”
Jordyn stumbled to a stop. The top of her head came level with the middle of his bare chest. There were only a few advantages to being short. Being eye level with that view – sculpted muscle, smooth skin, broad shoulders – was definitely one of them. She swept her gaze up to his face. He looked familiar, but she couldn’t place him.
“Ben Matthews. I work with the Quakes.” He took the towel from around his neck and handed it to her.
She took it without thinking. “Of course.” He was the head athletic therapist for the Clarington Quakes, the professional hockey team in town. She’d met him a couple of times at team events when she’d accompanied her friend, Dr. Danni Angelo, who was one of the team physicians. She hadn’t realized that impressive physique was under the loose team jacket he usually wore. “Hi, Ben. Yes, I’m Jordyn Kendra. Nice to see you.” She held up the towel. “Ah, thanks, but I don’t really need to take yours. I left one on the chair over there.” She pointed to the lounger at the end of the pool.
He nodded. “That’s okay. I can get another. You go ahead – it’s a bit chilly in here.”
Jordyn tilted her head. Really? The water was cool, but the air felt like a balmy summer day. She shrugged and wrapped the towel around herself. “I didn’t know you lived in this condo.”
He smiled. “Just moved in last month. I had an apartment close to the rink, but when something opened up with a view of the river, I jumped at it.”
“You can’t beat it. You’ll love it here. I’m sure you’re busy with the team, but it really is convenient having the pool, squash courts, and weight room in the building.”
“I’m certainly enjoying the view.” His eyes lit with amusement.
Jordyn nodded. “Well, I should get going. It was good to see you. Maybe we’ll see more of each other.”
He chuckled. “Maybe.”
That was funny? She didn’t get it. “Thanks for the towel.”
“Anytime.”
She walked toward the change room and glanced back as Ben dove into the water. Hmm. Perfect form and hardly a splash. For a huge guy, he was pretty graceful. It looked like he’d done that before. She fleetingly wondered if he ever had trouble with shrinking bathing trunks.
She headed inside and fiddled with the combination of the lock to her locker. She’d rather shower upstairs in her condo, but she’d brought a cover to wear in the elevator. She unwrapped the towel, threw it on the bench, and glanced at her reflection in the mirror across the room. Her heart pounded in shock.
Her bathing suit was completely see-through. Her eyes widened. It left absolutely nothing to the imagination. She groaned and covered her cheeks with her hands. No wonder the teenagers had been so interested. She shook her head and laughed in embarrassment.
About the Author:
Award-winning author Linda O’Connor started writing romantic comedies when she needed a creative outlet other than subtly rearranging the displays at a local home décor store. Her books have enjoyed bestseller status. When not writing, she’s a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic. She shares her medical knowledge in fast-paced, well-written, sexy romances – with an unexpected twist. Her favourite prescription to write? Laugh every day. Love every minute.
- Website: http://www.lindaoconnor.net
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaOConnorAuthor
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LindaOConnor98
- Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Linda-OConnor/e/B00S7CNLEA
Thanks so much for welcoming me to your blog! It’s always so fun to visit!