Thank you for hosting me on your blog today.
TKO of the Heart is a contemporary romance
set in present day Miami South Beach.
The book is the first in a new sports romance trilogy
called The Ladies of Athena’s Gym, which focuses on the
romances that blossom between sexy heroes and athletic heroines.
When I set out to write this story in the fall of 2014, I
wrote and submitted it for a publisher’s special call out for stories about bridesmaids
finding true love at a wedding. Originally, this was a standalone novella—the
story still does standalone and ends with a happily ever after—but after I sent
the manuscript off, another idea started to take shape. I started thinking
about the way most sports romances are series that center on male athletes and
the non-athlete women who fall in love with them.
I wondered why a series can’t show that idea in reverse. Why
can’t there be a series about professional women athletes who fall in love with
non-athlete men?
While I waited to hear back from the publisher on the
submission, I developed the series idea further and created an outline for
books two and three. The publisher decided to pass on the story as it wasn’t a
right fit for them, but by the time I learned of their decision, I was so in
love with my characters and the trilogy idea that I didn’t let their rejection
discourage me.
That’s the back story of how the series came to be, now
here’s more about the characters. I chose to make the heroine of TKO of
the Heart a bit unorthodox, a little tough, but with a tender, true heart. My
main character, Frankie, is a female boxer and just as her name and profession
implies, she’s no girly-girl shrinking violet. The man of her dreams actually
starts out as a guy who she finds attractive, but supremely annoying. Gabe is a
radio personality famous for being obnoxious and opinionated. Most of the time
he has difficulty separating his on air image from his true personality and
Frankie’s tough, no-nonsense exterior helps him examine that issue within
himself.
I loved the playing with the “enemies to lovers” romance
trope in this story. Sometimes under the layers of irritation and discontent,
true passion can flourish. I had a lot of fun writing these two strong-willed
characters and I hope readers love them as much as I do!
TKO of
the Heart book blurb
Frankie “The Machine” Mancini knows how to bob and weave and
recover from a left hook in the boxing ring. What she doesn’t know how to do?
Be a bridesmaid. When her best friend Rachel calls on her to take part in her
special day, Frankie reluctantly agrees. It’s not until she travels to the
destination wedding in Miami that the real problem starts. The best man is none
other than Gabe Boyd, a cocky, obnoxious radio personality who she thinks is
determined to ruin her time in South Beach, but when the two are thrown
together to resolve a wedding snafu, her view of the self-proclaimed “rogue of
the radio” changes. Gabe shows her he has another side to him, he can be warm,
caring and romantic. She can’t tell if his cocky demeanor is part of his on air
persona or if he’s truly changed for her. Maybe the rules of the ring can be
applied to matters of the heart. Stay on your toes. Always keep an eye on
your opponent. Protect yourself.
TKO of the Heart releases Tuesday, March 17 and is available
for pre-order on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U0EFDSU
About the author
In addition to being an author of contemporary, historical
and erotic romance, Amanda Bretz holds a degree in communication from Florida
Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida. She has worked as a journalist in
both print and online news. Amanda writes romantic stories with a happy ending
and invites readers to experience the rush of falling in love.
When not writing, Amanda can be found whipping up something delectable in her kitchen, spending time in nature or getting lost in a good book.
She resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband.
When not writing, Amanda can be found whipping up something delectable in her kitchen, spending time in nature or getting lost in a good book.
She resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband.
Website: http://amandabretz.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/realamandabretz
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your comment awaits moderation. Thank you :-)