I’m delighted to introduce you to talented author Carolyn Miller, who’s guest-blogging for me today! Be sure to leave a comment at the end of the post for a chance to win a copy of her newest romance. (It stars a hockey player and if you’ve read My Stubborn Heart you know I’m a big fan of hockey playing heroes!) -Becky
Imagine having hotdogs thrown at you simply for doing your job. Or being propositioned. Or getting death threats.
When I delved into the world of female sports reporters for my new book, Fire and Ice, I was amazed to discover what some women have had to put up with over the years. The above scenarios are all true for various women who have dared to report on sports, and I’ve incorporated some of them in Fire and Ice to show what it’s like to be a female trying to report on sports in what has long been considered a man’s world.
I’ve written a bunch of different types of heroines over the years, from focused athletes (as in Winter Olympian Holly in Love on Ice) to soft-hearted sweeties in some of my historicals. So it was fun to explore the kind of personality that would cope with reporting on ice hockey at a chauvinistic TV station, and create a character (Hannah Wade) who was strong enough to stand up to those wanting to pigeonhole her as some kind of Sidelines Barbie.
Hannah is a former athlete, quick-witted and kind, and (re)meets Franklin James, the local hockey hero who is the son of a local rancher (the Three Creeks Ranch which boasts its own movie studio!) in the most spectacular awkward moment that is laugh out loud funny (according to Susan May Warren). Lucky for Hannah, he’s willing to overlook it and their chemistry soon ignites into a forbidden attraction. For how can a sports reporter stay impartial when they’re head over heels in love with a player they’re meant to report on? Find out in Fire and Ice, out now at Amazon & other retailers.
Carolyn will be giving an e-book of Fire and Ice to one of you! Enter simply by leaving a comment below. I’ll randomly draw a winner on Monday. Open internationally.
Do you enjoy awkward meet cutes? Got one of your own to share? What makes a strong heroine appealing to you?
Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and LM Montgomery, Carolyn loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her contemporary romance series includes the Original Six hockey romance series, Muskoka Romance series, and the Independence Islands series, and her historical series include the Regency Brides and Regency Wallflowers series.
Connect with her: website |newsletter| facebook | pinterest | twitter | instagram | amazon | bookbub
Want more contemporary romance with banter, romance, realistic characters and all the feels? Then grab the Original Six series by Carolyn for only 99c each, until July 31.
Becky Wade
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First, I love the cover art for this book!Second, I do like strong heroines, especially if their strength comes from their relationship with the Lord (though I don’t have a problem with the princess-needs-rescuing type either–it just depends on my mood).
Hi Colleen! Oh, I’m so glad you like the cover art – my daughter designed it, so I’m very proud of her! And yes, our circumstances and mood can definitely affect what kind of book we need to read, can’t it? I’m always so touched when readers let me know a certain book really grabbed their heart or they felt challenged by something that speaks of the truth that can be found in fiction. This week I had someone say Hannah’s story encouraged them to be want to be more brave – I might’ve teared up a little at that!
The book sounds great! I do love a strong heroine, especially when she depends on the Lord for her strength. So good to find a new author who writes clean fiction. Thanks.
Thanks so much Jocelyn – I hope you’ll check this book out! And yes, it’s always good to find more good clean and Christian fiction. Happy reading to you!
As a female my problem with some female sports announcers is the way they dress — appears to me that they are there as eye candy and not as professionals. If you want me to take you seriously then dress professionally!
Absolutely – and something addressed in this book on page one. It was fascinating how research revealed some of the behind the scenes details like these – like clothing styles often not the reporters choice but dictated by management. I think Hannah’s response in this book circumvented this nicely.
I’m married to a guy whole still plays hockey twice a week, at 62! My three sons all play, too.
As for awkward meet cutes, a guy once kicked dirt all over my brand new white cycling shoes, then said hello.
We’ve been married for 34 years.
Ooh, hello to you! That’s a great meet cute – and you’ve had 34 years of reminding him, huh? I have to say that’s impressive, still playing at 62. It’s not a sport for wimps, is it? Thanks so much for commenting today!
Strong heroines are my favorite. I can’t stand a simpering female who can’t make a decision without help. But, as mentioned above, they must depend (or learn to depend) on the Lord. The book looks fun. Love the cover!
Yes, it’s good to read about someone who is independent and strong. And then when that’s harnessed (& further empowered) by God, great things can happen! I hope you’ll check this book out.
I just ran across this book this morning, possibly in an email from Carolyn? It sounds really good!
That is quite possibly possible, Patty! I’ve been touched by readers who are posting kind reviews and sharing how much they love it & are being encouraged & entertained. I hope you’ll check it out!
Strong women are so important to see in fiction! Especially ones fighting for a career in a sexist industry.
I write and read fantasy mainly, where you can literally craft a whole society that develops naturally strong, well-rounded and nuanced mothers, daughters, friends, lovers. However, when I read a strong woman in a contemporary piece? Be still my beating heart.
If story is the curator of our imaginations, and imagination is the key to empathy, aspirations, and resiliency across gender and culture, then it is fair to say that reading strong women in various contexts is a matter of social justice for me.
As a 20-something woman, I need to see women in real life situations I know require strength, but haven’t the dimmest imagining of what strength looks like in that context. Debt. Infertility. Loneliness. Toxic work environments. Doubt. Despair. Confusion.
I can write about manicured nails around a sword hilt in the dragon’s belly all day. But these books, Cara, will be the ones that my imagination eats up, laughs at, cries at, and finally sets down the reading glasses with a clearer vision what strength the Lord is inviting me to as a woman in a modern context.
Thanks for that <3
** Carolyn. Darn name aphasia strikes again! Did I look at Cara’s books today right after googling yours in my library app? Yes, yes I did. ‘:D
Absolutely Karis! I felt like in this world of #MeToo and what can be toxic workplaces this was an important book to write. I like to keep things real, so my characters aren’t perfect but they are relatable, as are their situations. I hope you’ll check it out. Happy reading – and writing – to you!
I love books about sports, especially when they include a strong heroine. I’ll have to check this one out. It sounds good.
Hi Angela! Oh, if you like sports, in addition to this I have a whole other series (the Original Six romance series – all ebooks only 99c this month) based around sports (hockey 😉) which includes numbers of strong heroines, including a short track speed skater with Olympic dreams. (Now that’s a tough sport!) I love seeing women empowered to do more than they thought possible. I hope you’ll check them out!
I loved your six hockey series! Can’t wait to read this one!
Oh yay Ann! The Original Six is a good series, isn’t it? (Nope, not biased at all!) I think you’ll love Fire and Ice and the new Northwest Ice romance series too – happy reading to you!
This sounds like a great book. Always looking for new authors to read!
Hi Patti! Well, I’m encouraged that numbers of readers seem to think it IS pretty good – I hope you’ll check it out! (And if you’re wanting to check out other of my books, then you can read The Breakup Project for free at Amazon today)
Sounds delightful. Romance, conflict, and hockey!
Right? Plus add some banter and you’ve got the perfect book! (Not that I’m biased or anything…) I hope you’ll enjoy reading. Thanks so much for stopping by!
This looks like a great book!
If you enjoy relatable characters, real life issues, swoony romance, banter and laugh out moments plus a solid God thread then I think you’ll enjoy!
I really liked your Regency novels, but want to know more about your contemporary novels.
Ooh, I’m so glad you enjoy my Regencies! If you want to know more about my contemporaries, then you should definitely check out The Breakup Project which is currently FREE and has a Mr Darcy- loving heroine who is looking for her Mr Right. The other ebooks in that series (The Original Six) are all 99c, so it’s a great chance to try some of my contemporaries and read stories with relatable characters, banter, realistic issues, and solid God threads – which makes them not too dissimilar to what you get in my historicals as well!
Sounds like a good book!
I might be biased, but I think it’s an entertaining read. And judging from the reviews coming in, others set to think do too. I hope you’ll check it out!
Hi from Norway!
Love to read one of your books, as you are new to me, and l always look for new authors.
I love the cover! Your daughter is very talented, and how fun to be able to work together.
I like strong heroines, who also can show weakness and be humble.
Good luck with the release.
Thank you so much Merete – I love his I can be writing this here in Australia and connecting with you on the other side of the world! And yes, it’s so good to find a new-to-me author. If you want to check out one of my books, then The Breakup Project is currently FREE, and the others on that series are only 99c, so it’s a great chance to check them out. I hope you enjoy!
I’m a mom of two college hockey players and I’m on book 4 of your Original 6 series, which I am loving! Can’t wait to read this one!
Ooh, I’m SO glad you’re enjoying the series! (I’m sure I’ve taken a few liberties so please forgive any errors you see – but then, I’ve never actually played in the NHL!) I do hope you enjoy this new book (make sure you get it before the price goes up!) – oh, and if you do enjoy any of these books, I’d love for you to tell your friends (and even take a second to write a quick review)!
This book looks great! You are a new-to-me author and I’m excited to check out your other books as well!
Hi Cindy! Oh, well now is the time to check my books out as my first hockey book , The Breakup Project, is currently FREE (& the other books in the Original Six romance series are only 99c each). I do hope you enjoy!
Nice to *meet* you Carolyn. I look forward to reading your books-both the “Original Six” and your regencies (do you have a suggestion on where to start with your regencies?). I love strong heroines-especially those with a kind heart.❤️
Ooh, hi Theresa! Yes, go grab the Original Six series while they’re on sale (& the first book is Free!). As for the Regencies, the best place to start is with The Elusive Miss Ellison – especially if you enjoy a book with some Pride and Prejudice vibes! I hope you enjoy!
Love your books, Carolyn! You inspired me to learn more about hockey from your Original 6 Series and have a lovely year rooting on the Vegas Knights to the Stanley Cup! Thank you for bringing such fun into my life.
I love your characters, you have done a beautiful job with each of your heroines that I have read. I do also, of course, love those heroes!!