Rebecca Jenshak's Blog
December 11, 2025
Keeping Score is LIVE!
I woke up in Vegas with hazy memories of the night before and the hottest hockey player alive wrapped around me.
Some people come to the city of sin for gambling and partying—I did one better and left as Mrs. Travis Bennett.
My annoyingly handsome and charming neighbor has been asking me out for weeks. After nearly costing me my gymnastics career, I’ve tried to stay far away from the hot, cocky hockey player.
And now I’m legally bound to him.
When the media gets wind of our whirlwind romance, we agree to stay married until my season starts to avoid a PR nightmare.
I think it’s a mistake. He thinks it’s fate. And he’s doing everything he can to prove me wrong.
In public, I’m wearing his ring and his jersey. At home, he’s walking around shirtless, packing my lunches, and trying his best to make my heart race.
Unfortunately, he’s succeeding.
This game of pretend is starting to feel a lot more real.
My new husband is keeping score, and he won’t stop until he wins my heart.
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://bit.ly/4oQ9ahk
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/HdTo8
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/43VQjJA
Some people come to the city of sin for gambling and partying—I did one better and left as Mrs. Travis Bennett.
My annoyingly handsome and charming neighbor has been asking me out for weeks. After nearly costing me my gymnastics career, I’ve tried to stay far away from the hot, cocky hockey player.
And now I’m legally bound to him.
When the media gets wind of our whirlwind romance, we agree to stay married until my season starts to avoid a PR nightmare.
I think it’s a mistake. He thinks it’s fate. And he’s doing everything he can to prove me wrong.
In public, I’m wearing his ring and his jersey. At home, he’s walking around shirtless, packing my lunches, and trying his best to make my heart race.
Unfortunately, he’s succeeding.
This game of pretend is starting to feel a lot more real.
My new husband is keeping score, and he won’t stop until he wins my heart.
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://bit.ly/4oQ9ahk
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/HdTo8
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/43VQjJA
December 10, 2025
Keeping Score Excerpt
“Hannah?” Travis knocks lightly on the door, making me jump and my heart race.
“Everything okay?”
Speaking of disasters…
I pull open the door. Travis stands on the other side, thankfully not naked. He’s pulled on his dress pants from last night but left them unbuttoned. A light trail of dark hair descends from his belly button and disappears into his boxers. His hand is still poised in a fist like he was going to knock again. His gaze sweeps over me in a slow, appreciative way that makes my stomach dip.
“I have to go.” I breeze by him, handing him his shirt as I go.
“Wait,” he says. “Don’t rush out. I ordered breakfast and we should talk.”
It’s a more mature, direct response than I was expecting. He wants to chat about what happened last night. Meanwhile, all I want to do is flee. I can’t think with him looking so…so…damn good. I might be questioning the decisions that led me into this room, but I can no longer deny how much I’m attracted to him. Or how good it felt to kiss him. I can only imagine everything else was just as good.
“I really have to go. Kinsley and Skylar are already downstairs. Our flight leaves soon.”
“Ride back with me and the guys. We have room on the jet.”
How different is his life from mine? I sat in a middle seat in the back of a commercial flight because I couldn’t afford the thirty-five-dollar upgrade to a roomier seat, and he rode here on a private plane.
“I can’t.”
“Can’t or don’t want to?” There’s a flicker of hurt on his face that I don’t have the time or the emotional bandwidth to dissect.
“My friends are waiting for me.”
He nods and smiles, though it’s not his usual easy one. “Got it.”
“I’ll see you back in Moonshot,” I say, feeling the need to smooth over some of the weirdness. It isn’t his fault I drank too much and put myself in this situation.
I grab my purse and start for the door. My fingers grip the handle, so close to freedom, when Travis says, “Hannah, wait.”
I pause, muscles tensing before I look over my shoulder.
“Don’t forget your bouquet.” He walks over to the nightstand and picks up the floral arrangement I’d noticed earlier. The flowers are light pink and purple, gathered and held together with a ribbon. As he walks it to me, I replay his words while staring at the strangely familiar and yet unfamiliar flowers.
“That’s not mine,” I say. And wait, did he say bouquet? As in…
His grin resurfaces, along with a little of his usual playfulness. “Actually, it is, wife.”
“Everything okay?”
Speaking of disasters…
I pull open the door. Travis stands on the other side, thankfully not naked. He’s pulled on his dress pants from last night but left them unbuttoned. A light trail of dark hair descends from his belly button and disappears into his boxers. His hand is still poised in a fist like he was going to knock again. His gaze sweeps over me in a slow, appreciative way that makes my stomach dip.
“I have to go.” I breeze by him, handing him his shirt as I go.
“Wait,” he says. “Don’t rush out. I ordered breakfast and we should talk.”
It’s a more mature, direct response than I was expecting. He wants to chat about what happened last night. Meanwhile, all I want to do is flee. I can’t think with him looking so…so…damn good. I might be questioning the decisions that led me into this room, but I can no longer deny how much I’m attracted to him. Or how good it felt to kiss him. I can only imagine everything else was just as good.
“I really have to go. Kinsley and Skylar are already downstairs. Our flight leaves soon.”
“Ride back with me and the guys. We have room on the jet.”
How different is his life from mine? I sat in a middle seat in the back of a commercial flight because I couldn’t afford the thirty-five-dollar upgrade to a roomier seat, and he rode here on a private plane.
“I can’t.”
“Can’t or don’t want to?” There’s a flicker of hurt on his face that I don’t have the time or the emotional bandwidth to dissect.
“My friends are waiting for me.”
He nods and smiles, though it’s not his usual easy one. “Got it.”
“I’ll see you back in Moonshot,” I say, feeling the need to smooth over some of the weirdness. It isn’t his fault I drank too much and put myself in this situation.
I grab my purse and start for the door. My fingers grip the handle, so close to freedom, when Travis says, “Hannah, wait.”
I pause, muscles tensing before I look over my shoulder.
“Don’t forget your bouquet.” He walks over to the nightstand and picks up the floral arrangement I’d noticed earlier. The flowers are light pink and purple, gathered and held together with a ribbon. As he walks it to me, I replay his words while staring at the strangely familiar and yet unfamiliar flowers.
“That’s not mine,” I say. And wait, did he say bouquet? As in…
His grin resurfaces, along with a little of his usual playfulness. “Actually, it is, wife.”
November 13, 2025
Keeping Score Cover Reveal!
Releasing: December 11, 2025
I woke up in Vegas with hazy memories of the night before and the hottest hockey player alive wrapped around me.
Some people come to the city of sin for gambling and partying—I did one better and left as Mrs. Travis Bennett.
My annoyingly handsome and charming neighbor has been asking me out for weeks. After nearly costing me my gymnastics career, I’ve tried to stay far away from the hot, cocky hockey player.
And now I’m legally bound to him.
When the media gets wind of our whirlwind romance, we agree to stay married until my season starts to avoid a PR nightmare.
I think it’s a mistake. He thinks it’s fate. And he’s doing everything he can to prove me wrong.
In public, I’m wearing his ring and his jersey. At home, he’s walking around shirtless, packing my lunches, and trying his best to make my heart race.
Unfortunately, he’s succeeding.
This game of pretend is starting to feel a lot more real.
My new husband is keeping score, and he won’t stop until he wins my heart.
Pre-order today!
Amazon: https://bit.ly/4oQ9ahk
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/HdTo8
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/43VQjJA
Influencer Sign Up: https://bit.ly/3JQkXgS
I woke up in Vegas with hazy memories of the night before and the hottest hockey player alive wrapped around me.
Some people come to the city of sin for gambling and partying—I did one better and left as Mrs. Travis Bennett.
My annoyingly handsome and charming neighbor has been asking me out for weeks. After nearly costing me my gymnastics career, I’ve tried to stay far away from the hot, cocky hockey player.
And now I’m legally bound to him.
When the media gets wind of our whirlwind romance, we agree to stay married until my season starts to avoid a PR nightmare.
I think it’s a mistake. He thinks it’s fate. And he’s doing everything he can to prove me wrong.
In public, I’m wearing his ring and his jersey. At home, he’s walking around shirtless, packing my lunches, and trying his best to make my heart race.
Unfortunately, he’s succeeding.
This game of pretend is starting to feel a lot more real.
My new husband is keeping score, and he won’t stop until he wins my heart.
Pre-order today!
Amazon: https://bit.ly/4oQ9ahk
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/HdTo8
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/43VQjJA
Influencer Sign Up: https://bit.ly/3JQkXgS
November 10, 2025
New Holiday Audio - Holiday with the Players
Holiday with the Players includes two holiday novellas previously only available in ebook and paperback: Snowed In with the Player and Sneaking Around with the Player! It features duet narration by the talented Savannah Peachwood and Robert Hatchet!
Light the fire, turn up the Christmas music, and bring on the holiday cheer!
Twin sisters Holly and Stella just finished their first semester at Valley U. Their holiday break plans include a quick trip to their family’s cabin to unwind, ski, and watch all their favorite holiday movies. Instead, their older brother crashes with half of his football teammates.
One sister is harboring a crush on her brother’s best friend, and the other is secretly dating his rival at another college.
It’s going to be a fun holiday with the players!
Holiday with the Players features Felix's (from Scoring with the Player) twin sisters!
Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Holiday-wi...?
Light the fire, turn up the Christmas music, and bring on the holiday cheer!
Twin sisters Holly and Stella just finished their first semester at Valley U. Their holiday break plans include a quick trip to their family’s cabin to unwind, ski, and watch all their favorite holiday movies. Instead, their older brother crashes with half of his football teammates.
One sister is harboring a crush on her brother’s best friend, and the other is secretly dating his rival at another college.
It’s going to be a fun holiday with the players!
Holiday with the Players features Felix's (from Scoring with the Player) twin sisters!
Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Holiday-wi...?
September 26, 2025
Burnout is on sale for .99!
Burnout is on sale for $.99 in the US and Canada through September 28th.
I love opposites and these two couldn't be more different or more perfect for each other!
🏁 Bad boy motocross rider taking care of his brothers
💗 Good girl gymnast recovering from an injury
🏁 Spicy motorcyle scene
💗 They train together
🏁 Lots of banter
Blurb:
He’s the hot, tattooed bad boy that I traded insults with...and now he wants my help?
Knox Holland is in a jam. After an incredible first year on the pro motocross circuit, he should be on top of the world. Instead, his bad reputation has landed him without a team. He’s untouchable and desperate to turn it around.
Which is how he ends up at my gym asking me to train him. As a college gymnast with two Olympic medals to my name, I know a thing or two about the pressure to succeed. Last season I choked and then injured myself before I could show the world that I’m not a twenty-year-old has-been.
Focused on the future, I can’t afford to get distracted. But I recognize the desperation in Knox’s eyes, and I can’t say no to him, either.
It should have been an easy task, but nothing about Knox is easy. One minute we’re arguing, and the next I’m enjoying his shirtless handstands a little too much.
Falling for him would be a mistake…
Burnout is a sports romance with a cocky bad boy, spice, banter, and a happily ever after.
I love opposites and these two couldn't be more different or more perfect for each other!
🏁 Bad boy motocross rider taking care of his brothers
💗 Good girl gymnast recovering from an injury
🏁 Spicy motorcyle scene
💗 They train together
🏁 Lots of banter
Blurb:
He’s the hot, tattooed bad boy that I traded insults with...and now he wants my help?
Knox Holland is in a jam. After an incredible first year on the pro motocross circuit, he should be on top of the world. Instead, his bad reputation has landed him without a team. He’s untouchable and desperate to turn it around.
Which is how he ends up at my gym asking me to train him. As a college gymnast with two Olympic medals to my name, I know a thing or two about the pressure to succeed. Last season I choked and then injured myself before I could show the world that I’m not a twenty-year-old has-been.
Focused on the future, I can’t afford to get distracted. But I recognize the desperation in Knox’s eyes, and I can’t say no to him, either.
It should have been an easy task, but nothing about Knox is easy. One minute we’re arguing, and the next I’m enjoying his shirtless handstands a little too much.
Falling for him would be a mistake…
Burnout is a sports romance with a cocky bad boy, spice, banter, and a happily ever after.
August 28, 2025
Lucky Shot is LIVE!
Nick Galaxy has zero interest in helping anyone write a love story—especially not one about him. He’s a single dad with enough on his plate, and the last thing he needs is a curious, chatty author poking around in his past.
But when Ruby shows up on his doorstep, notebook in hand and determined smile on her face, resistance becomes... complicated.
She’s supposed to be here for research. Instead, she’s moving into the empty cabin on his property, asking personal questions, and somehow roping him into teaching her how to skate. He’s not looking for love—but she’s writing it into every inch of his life.
And the more time they spend on the ice, the harder it is to pretend she doesn’t already have his heart.
Lucky Shot is a grumpy/sunshine, single dad, forced proximity hockey romance with found family, banter, and spice—all wrapped up in a guaranteed happily ever after.
Download today or read for FREE with #kindleunlimited
Amazon: http://bit.ly/44BzAuH
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/awA9fy
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/44qpePH
But when Ruby shows up on his doorstep, notebook in hand and determined smile on her face, resistance becomes... complicated.
She’s supposed to be here for research. Instead, she’s moving into the empty cabin on his property, asking personal questions, and somehow roping him into teaching her how to skate. He’s not looking for love—but she’s writing it into every inch of his life.
And the more time they spend on the ice, the harder it is to pretend she doesn’t already have his heart.
Lucky Shot is a grumpy/sunshine, single dad, forced proximity hockey romance with found family, banter, and spice—all wrapped up in a guaranteed happily ever after.
Download today or read for FREE with #kindleunlimited
Amazon: http://bit.ly/44BzAuH
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/awA9fy
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/44qpePH
August 22, 2025
Lucky Shot Excerpt
The Scene: An Airport
You’re minding your own business, walking through an airport. Back from some sort of work trip (hockey, maybe?). You’re blissfully grumpy – as usual. The day is good. Not quite a perfect day – you haven’t yelled at anyone, but the day is young and you’re full of hope.
BAM.
A tiny redhead slams into you, snapping you out of your grumpy bliss. You’re stunned. Maybe you drop your bag. You’re still reorienting when she starts talking… and doesn’t stop. You’re pretty sure she told you she definitely didn’t have a dead body in her very heavy bag. Also, you’re pretty sure she mentioned a body wouldn’t even fit – and she’s too squeamish to dismember one anyway.
What?
What do you even say to that?
Cute bag, though – good taste.
What do you think happens next for our hero? Will he get his perfect day? Or will he help Ruby with her bag (that definitely doesn't have a body in it) and be extra grumpy about it?
Find out on August 28th when Lucky Shot releases!
You’re minding your own business, walking through an airport. Back from some sort of work trip (hockey, maybe?). You’re blissfully grumpy – as usual. The day is good. Not quite a perfect day – you haven’t yelled at anyone, but the day is young and you’re full of hope.
BAM.
A tiny redhead slams into you, snapping you out of your grumpy bliss. You’re stunned. Maybe you drop your bag. You’re still reorienting when she starts talking… and doesn’t stop. You’re pretty sure she told you she definitely didn’t have a dead body in her very heavy bag. Also, you’re pretty sure she mentioned a body wouldn’t even fit – and she’s too squeamish to dismember one anyway.
What?
What do you even say to that?
Cute bag, though – good taste.
What do you think happens next for our hero? Will he get his perfect day? Or will he help Ruby with her bag (that definitely doesn't have a body in it) and be extra grumpy about it?
Find out on August 28th when Lucky Shot releases!
July 29, 2025
Audible Member Sale!
Comeback by Rebecca Jenshak is on sale for a limited time only!
Narrated by: Lee Samuels & CJ Bloom
Download today on Audible for only $6.99!
https://bit.ly/3Uua0mH
Blurb:
My brother’s best friend is such a jerk.
An imposing, handsome jerk who doesn’t trust me. And now we’re roommates.
He wanders around the apartment in nothing but gray sweatpants, looking like a broody, tattooed muscle god, and playing music that shakes the walls. I want to hate him for treating me like an intruder, but there’s something about the way he looks at me—like he’s trying to figure me out—that keeps pulling me in.
Archer Holland is loyal, caring, and protective—with everyone except me.
Every time I move around our apartment, I can feel his glare. And the worst part? It only makes me want him more.
Not that it matters.
He’s my brother’s best friend—the one guy I can never have. But after a late-night rescue, we go from sharing a wall to sharing a bed.
I’m not sure what my brother would do if he found out, but it doesn’t matter because Archer says it can’t happen again.
That imposing, handsome jerk is about to find out I’m done playing by his rules.
Comeback is a football romance with lots of spice, swoon, and a happily ever after. It’s the third book in the Holland Brothers series and can be read as a standalone.
Narrated by: Lee Samuels & CJ Bloom
Download today on Audible for only $6.99!
https://bit.ly/3Uua0mH
Blurb:
My brother’s best friend is such a jerk.
An imposing, handsome jerk who doesn’t trust me. And now we’re roommates.
He wanders around the apartment in nothing but gray sweatpants, looking like a broody, tattooed muscle god, and playing music that shakes the walls. I want to hate him for treating me like an intruder, but there’s something about the way he looks at me—like he’s trying to figure me out—that keeps pulling me in.
Archer Holland is loyal, caring, and protective—with everyone except me.
Every time I move around our apartment, I can feel his glare. And the worst part? It only makes me want him more.
Not that it matters.
He’s my brother’s best friend—the one guy I can never have. But after a late-night rescue, we go from sharing a wall to sharing a bed.
I’m not sure what my brother would do if he found out, but it doesn’t matter because Archer says it can’t happen again.
That imposing, handsome jerk is about to find out I’m done playing by his rules.
Comeback is a football romance with lots of spice, swoon, and a happily ever after. It’s the third book in the Holland Brothers series and can be read as a standalone.
July 19, 2025
Lucky Shot Cover Reveal!
Releasing: August 28, 2025
A grumpy hockey player. A sunshiney romance author. One very inconvenient attraction.
Nick Galaxy has zero interest in helping anyone write a love story—especially not one about him. He’s a single dad with enough on his plate, and the last thing he needs is a curious, chatty author poking around in his past.
But when Ruby shows up on his doorstep, notebook in hand and determined smile on her face, resistance becomes... complicated.
She’s supposed to be here for research. Instead, she’s moving into the empty cabin on his property, asking personal questions, and somehow roping him into teaching her how to skate. He’s not looking for love—but she’s writing it into every inch of his life.
And the more time they spend on the ice, the harder it is to pretend she doesn’t already have his heart.
Pre-order your copy today!
Amazon: http://bit.ly/44BzAuH
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/awA9fy
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/44qpePH
A grumpy hockey player. A sunshiney romance author. One very inconvenient attraction.
Nick Galaxy has zero interest in helping anyone write a love story—especially not one about him. He’s a single dad with enough on his plate, and the last thing he needs is a curious, chatty author poking around in his past.
But when Ruby shows up on his doorstep, notebook in hand and determined smile on her face, resistance becomes... complicated.
She’s supposed to be here for research. Instead, she’s moving into the empty cabin on his property, asking personal questions, and somehow roping him into teaching her how to skate. He’s not looking for love—but she’s writing it into every inch of his life.
And the more time they spend on the ice, the harder it is to pretend she doesn’t already have his heart.
Pre-order your copy today!
Amazon: http://bit.ly/44BzAuH
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/awA9fy
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/44qpePH
July 1, 2025
Lucky Shot Snippet
I have a confession.
When I'm drafting a book, I don't like for ANYONE to read it. Not my editor or my agent or my husband. NO ONE. The first draft is messy and sometimes hard to follow. It's my happy place, just me and my words without anyone else's input.
So when my team (very nicely) asked if we could share a little snippet this week, I panicked. NO WAY. IT'S NOT READY! IT'S SO ROUGH NO ONE WILL UNDERSTAND IT.
Yep, I full-on spiraled for a few minutes. Then I calmed down and read through my draft to look for a fun little excerpt to share. And guess what? I ended up enjoying re-reading it so much that I pulled a much larger excerpt than intended. It even makes sense (at least to me!). Hopefully to you too.
Chapter One - Ruby
People say you should be ready when opportunity knocks, but in my experience, opportunity is rarely that polite. It either trudges in, sloth mode activated, cloaked in uncertainty that rubs off on you while taking up residence on your couch for months on end or it sprints by so fast you barely recognize it or the kernel of hope it tosses in your direction.
I had a sneaking suspicion that this meeting was going to be the latter.
I pull my hair down out of the messy top knot and finger comb the red tangles into some semblance of a tidy hairdo, then pull it back up. I don’t have enough time to make myself more presentable before the meeting alert chimes. And really, what should they expect? I’m an author. My idea of business casual is a nice shirt paired with my most comfy leggings.
My stomach is in knots as I click the link to join the call. Molly, my book agent, is already present. So is Doreen, an editor for a top publishing house and my final hope of selling this book before I’m forced into retirement.
“Hi,” I say as I adjust my laptop, so I’m centered in the screen.
Both women smile at me while my pulse kicks up enough speed that my watch buzzes and asks me if I want to record a workout.
“I am so thrilled to talk to you,” Doreen says, leaning back in her cushy, leather office chair. Her gray hair is pulled back into an elegant bun at the nape of her neck. She wears silver hoop earrings and a scarf tied around her neck. She has that timeless style of a woman in her fifties that has found what she likes and sticks with it.
“You are?” I ask. My voice betrays me by wavering a little.
“Of course.” A small laugh leaves her as she rests one elbow on the arm of chair. Her fingers absently touch one earring as she adds, “I’m a big fan of your work.”
“Even the last one?” I ask before thinking better of it. Over the past five years my career rocketed. The first two books did well, but it was the third that launched my career to the next level. I hit bestseller lists in three countries, accepted rights deals and optioned movie rights, had more ideas than I could possibly write in my lifetime. But all that came to a screeching halt a year ago when my fourth book had disappointing sales numbers, I went through a messy, public breakup, and then I was hit with writer’s block so hard I couldn’t come up with a single good idea. I haven’t published anything since, but hopefully all that changes today.
Doreen lets out a hearty guffaw that somehow still comes off sophisticated and chic. “Was it my favorite? No. But your talent shines through even when the story isn’t compelling.”
I’m not sure how to take that. I know she meant it as a compliment, but I’m hung up on the whole ‘the story wasn’t compelling’ bit. She isn’t wrong.
“But none of that matters. Publishing has a short memory. And the most recent book Molly sent over shines like nothing else I’ve read from you.”
“Thanks,” I say, relief flooding me. I’m shocked, honestly. It was painful to write and it was only a proposal and the first two chapters. If I manage to sell it, I’ll have to figure out how to get my mojo back – something I need to do regardless.
“It’s surprising and fun, and the tension between the main characters jumps off the page. What made you want to change things up? I mean, a sports romance from Ruby Madison?!”
I’m nodding along and smiling, eating up her words, until the last part clicks into place.
“Wait. Sports romance?”
“Yes.” She laughs again, smiling at first, but then she must read my confusion. She reaches for a pair of tortoise shell glances and pulls them on, then glances at what I assume is a second monitor. “A Sporty Romance by Ruby Madison. That is you, right?”
A memory of me typing those words on the title page before sending it off to Molly flashes in my mind at the same time I inwardly cringe. Not my most original title, which is probably why that book was shelved two years ago.
While Doreen waits patiently for an answer, I glance to Molly. She somehow continues to beam while I shoot lasers out of my eyes at her.
Silently, I panic scream, “You gave Doreen Walters my old manuscript!?” While she seems to say, “Just go with it, Ruby. We need this!”
The quiet stretches out for several tense moments.
“Yes, of course I wrote it,” I say as heat blooms in my face. “I’m sorry, I thought we were meeting about the vampire royalty book.”
“Molly sent over the proposal and chapters for that one too. It isn’t bad.” She pulls off her glasses and holds them in one hand. “But this is the one I want.”
She points with her glasses toward her monitor.
“Why?” The question bubbles over and slips from my lips.
“I thought I liked it.” She arches a brow.
“I’m so sorry,” I apologize again, then have no clue what else to say.
My brain reels. Two years ago, before the worst year of my life, I wrote a sports romance. It was fun. My sister, Olivia, had just started dating Flynn – a professional baseball player. I was going with her to games, completely caught up in their love story. It was inspiring to watch them fall in love. So much so that I wrote that book faster than anything before or since. It was different than what I’d written before but my early readers all loved it, including Molly, who I trust implicitly. She shopped it around to my publisher at the time. They passed, noting they liked the book, but it wasn’t right for them. Then two more editors at different publishers did the same.
I shrugged it off because I was getting plenty of requests for more paranormal or romantasy. Publishing seemed to be telling me they wanted me to do more of what I was already doing, and I listened. We shelved A Sporty Romance (still a terrible name) and I wrote another vampire book – the one that flopped.
My agent continues to smile through the screen, but I note the tension bracketing her mouth. Why wouldn’t Molly tell me she was shopping this manuscript around again?
Doreen continues on, “I know the book is different, but it’s precisely why I love it. Not everyone can pull off switching genres like this, but I think you can. Your writing is gorgeous. The hero is charming and your heroine is nuanced and loveable, if not slightly chaotic. The book has all the charisma and wit that your readers adore.”
“But my readers aren’t expecting a sports romance.” My readers may not be expecting anything, honestly. It’s been over a year since I’ve published, which wouldn’t be all that concerning if I were promoting or teasing something to come. I’m not.
“If you partner with us, then I will make it my mission to convince your readers and everyone else that they need to read this book,” Doreen says without a beat of hesitation in her tone. She’s launched so many careers that her confidence is well-earned.
“I don’t know what to say.” She’s not known for her flattery, but she’s handed me several compliments in the span of five minutes. I try my hardest to let them land and soothe the previous rejections for this book. Even if she did call my heroine chaotic. Not exactly what I was going for, but I can smooth that out in edits. Oh my god, am I actually considering this?
“There’s just one little thing,” Doreen says in that way that foreshadows the little thing is going to be a huge pain to fix. “We’d like you to change the sport from baseball to hockey.”
In the small image of me on the screen, my brows furrow. “Excuse me?”
“We have another baseball romance on our list this summer. Besides, baseball is harder to sell. Hockey romance is what readers want right now.” She grins like we’re in on a secret. “And the sport is such a small part of the story.”
That’s true, but there’s one small thing she’s failed to account for. “I don’t know hockey.”
I barely know baseball. I had Olivia and Flynn helping me get the sports details right, but it was a huge undertaking.
“Oh.” Doreen gets the first flicker of disappointment on her face and instantly I get the feeling that I’ve ruined everything.
And judging by Molly’s face, she thinks so too. I’ve wanted to work with Doreen since before I finished my first manuscript. She’s smart and powerful. She navigates publishing like a bad ass boss bitch. Her eye for picking out books from the slush pile and making them bestsellers is impeccable. If there’s anyone that can help revive my career, it’s her.
But hockey?
And if I say no, then what? I could have Molly send this book back around to editors. Maybe someone else would take it as is. Or I guess I could write another book, but, well, that hasn’t been very successful the past six months. i.e. I’ve written nothing.
“What Ruby means is that she would need additional resources in order to make sure she gets the hockey information correct,” Molly interjects. “I can help with that. I’m originally from upstate New York. We learned to skate as soon as we could walk.”
I shoot my agent a look that I hope communicates my skepticism. Meanwhile Doreen’s smile is back and wider than ever. “Great.”
“Great,” I mimic, with a lot less enthusiasm.
“I’ll send over my offer this afternoon. Take time and think it over, but not too much time.” Doreen quickly transforms back into serious editor mode, steepling her fingers in front of the camera. “We want to turn this around quickly and get it out with our Winter catalog. You’re attending the Delaroche book fair this fall right?”
I nod. It’s the one event Molly absolutely refused to let me cancel this year or I would have.
“Perfect. We’ll announce it then with big, flashy signage and advanced copies.” She gets that hopeful smile on her face again.
Panic rises in my chest, sending a flood of warmth through my body. “You want me to rewrite the entire book by the event in September?”
“Of course not. We’d need it by August,” she says with not a single drop of teasing in her tone. “We need time to format and print copies for the convention.”
Several seconds pass where my entire body is frozen with a mixture of hope and terror. I want so badly to believe this is the chance to turn things around but it’s so unexpected. Lying low in my apartment, plotting books and writing bad first chapters over and over again has become almost comforting.
“Okay.” Molly gets that look in her eye that tells me she’s heard all she needs and doesn’t want me to put my foot in my mouth. “Thank you so much, Doreen. I’m excited about this.”
“Me too,” Doreen says.
I can’t seem to speak so I force my mouth into a smile.
“We’ll talk soon.” Doreen leans forward and then ends the meeting.
Two seconds later, Molly calls me.
“Don’t panic,” she says by way of greeting.
“Don’t panic?” I ask, parroting her words. I stand and pace back and forth in my small living room. “Why didn’t you warn me?”
“Honestly?” She pauses, then adds, “I was afraid you wouldn’t take the meeting.”
“Nobody turns down a meeting with Doreen Walters,” I say as I squeeze my eyes shut.
“She is a legend,” Molly says. “And she loves the book.”
Even Doreen must get it wrong occasionally.
As if she heard my internal dialogue, Molly uses her stern, loveable tone. “So do I. I believe in this book. I always have. I wouldn’t be pushing it if I didn’t. Maybe now is the time to finally get it out there.”
Or it could flop like the last one. I swallow the words, but they burn all the same. I stop pacing and inhale a steading breath.
“How would this even work?” I ask. “I wasn’t exaggerating. I really don’t know anything about hockey.”
“Let me worry about that.”
A tiny scoff leaves my throat. This is crazy. I can’t do it. I’m the least sporty person I know. My knowledge of hockey is nonexistent unless you count fifth grade physical education class where we played scooter hockey. And the only thing I remember about that is how painful it is to have your fingers run over by a scooter wheel.
“I promise I will get you the support you need. Your character will be dekeing and chirping, putting up hat tricks, and shaking out his glorious lettuce,” Molly adds confidently.
“I have no idea what you even said.”
“But you will soon!” Her enthusiasm is contagious and finally a small laugh escapes. If I don’t laugh, I may cry.
“Oh, she’s already sent over the offer,” Molly says, then gasps.
“Is that a good gasp or a bad gasp?” I ask. Maybe it’s so bad it doesn’t justify learning an entirely new sport. We can go back to pushing the vampire royalty book and I can figure out how I’m going to write it if and when someone wants it.
“I just forwarded it.”
I hustle back to my laptop and pull up the email from Molly. When the attachment loads, I let out my own gasp. I straighten and blow out a breath. “What does lettuce have to do with hockey?”
When I'm drafting a book, I don't like for ANYONE to read it. Not my editor or my agent or my husband. NO ONE. The first draft is messy and sometimes hard to follow. It's my happy place, just me and my words without anyone else's input.
So when my team (very nicely) asked if we could share a little snippet this week, I panicked. NO WAY. IT'S NOT READY! IT'S SO ROUGH NO ONE WILL UNDERSTAND IT.
Yep, I full-on spiraled for a few minutes. Then I calmed down and read through my draft to look for a fun little excerpt to share. And guess what? I ended up enjoying re-reading it so much that I pulled a much larger excerpt than intended. It even makes sense (at least to me!). Hopefully to you too.
Chapter One - Ruby
People say you should be ready when opportunity knocks, but in my experience, opportunity is rarely that polite. It either trudges in, sloth mode activated, cloaked in uncertainty that rubs off on you while taking up residence on your couch for months on end or it sprints by so fast you barely recognize it or the kernel of hope it tosses in your direction.
I had a sneaking suspicion that this meeting was going to be the latter.
I pull my hair down out of the messy top knot and finger comb the red tangles into some semblance of a tidy hairdo, then pull it back up. I don’t have enough time to make myself more presentable before the meeting alert chimes. And really, what should they expect? I’m an author. My idea of business casual is a nice shirt paired with my most comfy leggings.
My stomach is in knots as I click the link to join the call. Molly, my book agent, is already present. So is Doreen, an editor for a top publishing house and my final hope of selling this book before I’m forced into retirement.
“Hi,” I say as I adjust my laptop, so I’m centered in the screen.
Both women smile at me while my pulse kicks up enough speed that my watch buzzes and asks me if I want to record a workout.
“I am so thrilled to talk to you,” Doreen says, leaning back in her cushy, leather office chair. Her gray hair is pulled back into an elegant bun at the nape of her neck. She wears silver hoop earrings and a scarf tied around her neck. She has that timeless style of a woman in her fifties that has found what she likes and sticks with it.
“You are?” I ask. My voice betrays me by wavering a little.
“Of course.” A small laugh leaves her as she rests one elbow on the arm of chair. Her fingers absently touch one earring as she adds, “I’m a big fan of your work.”
“Even the last one?” I ask before thinking better of it. Over the past five years my career rocketed. The first two books did well, but it was the third that launched my career to the next level. I hit bestseller lists in three countries, accepted rights deals and optioned movie rights, had more ideas than I could possibly write in my lifetime. But all that came to a screeching halt a year ago when my fourth book had disappointing sales numbers, I went through a messy, public breakup, and then I was hit with writer’s block so hard I couldn’t come up with a single good idea. I haven’t published anything since, but hopefully all that changes today.
Doreen lets out a hearty guffaw that somehow still comes off sophisticated and chic. “Was it my favorite? No. But your talent shines through even when the story isn’t compelling.”
I’m not sure how to take that. I know she meant it as a compliment, but I’m hung up on the whole ‘the story wasn’t compelling’ bit. She isn’t wrong.
“But none of that matters. Publishing has a short memory. And the most recent book Molly sent over shines like nothing else I’ve read from you.”
“Thanks,” I say, relief flooding me. I’m shocked, honestly. It was painful to write and it was only a proposal and the first two chapters. If I manage to sell it, I’ll have to figure out how to get my mojo back – something I need to do regardless.
“It’s surprising and fun, and the tension between the main characters jumps off the page. What made you want to change things up? I mean, a sports romance from Ruby Madison?!”
I’m nodding along and smiling, eating up her words, until the last part clicks into place.
“Wait. Sports romance?”
“Yes.” She laughs again, smiling at first, but then she must read my confusion. She reaches for a pair of tortoise shell glances and pulls them on, then glances at what I assume is a second monitor. “A Sporty Romance by Ruby Madison. That is you, right?”
A memory of me typing those words on the title page before sending it off to Molly flashes in my mind at the same time I inwardly cringe. Not my most original title, which is probably why that book was shelved two years ago.
While Doreen waits patiently for an answer, I glance to Molly. She somehow continues to beam while I shoot lasers out of my eyes at her.
Silently, I panic scream, “You gave Doreen Walters my old manuscript!?” While she seems to say, “Just go with it, Ruby. We need this!”
The quiet stretches out for several tense moments.
“Yes, of course I wrote it,” I say as heat blooms in my face. “I’m sorry, I thought we were meeting about the vampire royalty book.”
“Molly sent over the proposal and chapters for that one too. It isn’t bad.” She pulls off her glasses and holds them in one hand. “But this is the one I want.”
She points with her glasses toward her monitor.
“Why?” The question bubbles over and slips from my lips.
“I thought I liked it.” She arches a brow.
“I’m so sorry,” I apologize again, then have no clue what else to say.
My brain reels. Two years ago, before the worst year of my life, I wrote a sports romance. It was fun. My sister, Olivia, had just started dating Flynn – a professional baseball player. I was going with her to games, completely caught up in their love story. It was inspiring to watch them fall in love. So much so that I wrote that book faster than anything before or since. It was different than what I’d written before but my early readers all loved it, including Molly, who I trust implicitly. She shopped it around to my publisher at the time. They passed, noting they liked the book, but it wasn’t right for them. Then two more editors at different publishers did the same.
I shrugged it off because I was getting plenty of requests for more paranormal or romantasy. Publishing seemed to be telling me they wanted me to do more of what I was already doing, and I listened. We shelved A Sporty Romance (still a terrible name) and I wrote another vampire book – the one that flopped.
My agent continues to smile through the screen, but I note the tension bracketing her mouth. Why wouldn’t Molly tell me she was shopping this manuscript around again?
Doreen continues on, “I know the book is different, but it’s precisely why I love it. Not everyone can pull off switching genres like this, but I think you can. Your writing is gorgeous. The hero is charming and your heroine is nuanced and loveable, if not slightly chaotic. The book has all the charisma and wit that your readers adore.”
“But my readers aren’t expecting a sports romance.” My readers may not be expecting anything, honestly. It’s been over a year since I’ve published, which wouldn’t be all that concerning if I were promoting or teasing something to come. I’m not.
“If you partner with us, then I will make it my mission to convince your readers and everyone else that they need to read this book,” Doreen says without a beat of hesitation in her tone. She’s launched so many careers that her confidence is well-earned.
“I don’t know what to say.” She’s not known for her flattery, but she’s handed me several compliments in the span of five minutes. I try my hardest to let them land and soothe the previous rejections for this book. Even if she did call my heroine chaotic. Not exactly what I was going for, but I can smooth that out in edits. Oh my god, am I actually considering this?
“There’s just one little thing,” Doreen says in that way that foreshadows the little thing is going to be a huge pain to fix. “We’d like you to change the sport from baseball to hockey.”
In the small image of me on the screen, my brows furrow. “Excuse me?”
“We have another baseball romance on our list this summer. Besides, baseball is harder to sell. Hockey romance is what readers want right now.” She grins like we’re in on a secret. “And the sport is such a small part of the story.”
That’s true, but there’s one small thing she’s failed to account for. “I don’t know hockey.”
I barely know baseball. I had Olivia and Flynn helping me get the sports details right, but it was a huge undertaking.
“Oh.” Doreen gets the first flicker of disappointment on her face and instantly I get the feeling that I’ve ruined everything.
And judging by Molly’s face, she thinks so too. I’ve wanted to work with Doreen since before I finished my first manuscript. She’s smart and powerful. She navigates publishing like a bad ass boss bitch. Her eye for picking out books from the slush pile and making them bestsellers is impeccable. If there’s anyone that can help revive my career, it’s her.
But hockey?
And if I say no, then what? I could have Molly send this book back around to editors. Maybe someone else would take it as is. Or I guess I could write another book, but, well, that hasn’t been very successful the past six months. i.e. I’ve written nothing.
“What Ruby means is that she would need additional resources in order to make sure she gets the hockey information correct,” Molly interjects. “I can help with that. I’m originally from upstate New York. We learned to skate as soon as we could walk.”
I shoot my agent a look that I hope communicates my skepticism. Meanwhile Doreen’s smile is back and wider than ever. “Great.”
“Great,” I mimic, with a lot less enthusiasm.
“I’ll send over my offer this afternoon. Take time and think it over, but not too much time.” Doreen quickly transforms back into serious editor mode, steepling her fingers in front of the camera. “We want to turn this around quickly and get it out with our Winter catalog. You’re attending the Delaroche book fair this fall right?”
I nod. It’s the one event Molly absolutely refused to let me cancel this year or I would have.
“Perfect. We’ll announce it then with big, flashy signage and advanced copies.” She gets that hopeful smile on her face again.
Panic rises in my chest, sending a flood of warmth through my body. “You want me to rewrite the entire book by the event in September?”
“Of course not. We’d need it by August,” she says with not a single drop of teasing in her tone. “We need time to format and print copies for the convention.”
Several seconds pass where my entire body is frozen with a mixture of hope and terror. I want so badly to believe this is the chance to turn things around but it’s so unexpected. Lying low in my apartment, plotting books and writing bad first chapters over and over again has become almost comforting.
“Okay.” Molly gets that look in her eye that tells me she’s heard all she needs and doesn’t want me to put my foot in my mouth. “Thank you so much, Doreen. I’m excited about this.”
“Me too,” Doreen says.
I can’t seem to speak so I force my mouth into a smile.
“We’ll talk soon.” Doreen leans forward and then ends the meeting.
Two seconds later, Molly calls me.
“Don’t panic,” she says by way of greeting.
“Don’t panic?” I ask, parroting her words. I stand and pace back and forth in my small living room. “Why didn’t you warn me?”
“Honestly?” She pauses, then adds, “I was afraid you wouldn’t take the meeting.”
“Nobody turns down a meeting with Doreen Walters,” I say as I squeeze my eyes shut.
“She is a legend,” Molly says. “And she loves the book.”
Even Doreen must get it wrong occasionally.
As if she heard my internal dialogue, Molly uses her stern, loveable tone. “So do I. I believe in this book. I always have. I wouldn’t be pushing it if I didn’t. Maybe now is the time to finally get it out there.”
Or it could flop like the last one. I swallow the words, but they burn all the same. I stop pacing and inhale a steading breath.
“How would this even work?” I ask. “I wasn’t exaggerating. I really don’t know anything about hockey.”
“Let me worry about that.”
A tiny scoff leaves my throat. This is crazy. I can’t do it. I’m the least sporty person I know. My knowledge of hockey is nonexistent unless you count fifth grade physical education class where we played scooter hockey. And the only thing I remember about that is how painful it is to have your fingers run over by a scooter wheel.
“I promise I will get you the support you need. Your character will be dekeing and chirping, putting up hat tricks, and shaking out his glorious lettuce,” Molly adds confidently.
“I have no idea what you even said.”
“But you will soon!” Her enthusiasm is contagious and finally a small laugh escapes. If I don’t laugh, I may cry.
“Oh, she’s already sent over the offer,” Molly says, then gasps.
“Is that a good gasp or a bad gasp?” I ask. Maybe it’s so bad it doesn’t justify learning an entirely new sport. We can go back to pushing the vampire royalty book and I can figure out how I’m going to write it if and when someone wants it.
“I just forwarded it.”
I hustle back to my laptop and pull up the email from Molly. When the attachment loads, I let out my own gasp. I straighten and blow out a breath. “What does lettuce have to do with hockey?”
