The interviewer got serious. “Andrea Esperanza was sentenced last week, receiving a life sentence with a twenty-year non-parole period for the attempted murder of yourself, and the conspiracy to murder your infant. Do you find comfort knowing she is behind bars?”
I hated talking about Andrea, but I knew with her recent sentencing, it was going to be a question that came up in this interview. “Miss Esperanza was extremely unwell, and I hope she gets the help she needs while incarcerated.”
The interviewer's eyes were soft with understanding. “So, can you tell me how your story started?
I grinned, looking between my guys. This story I didn’t mind telling, because although it had a tragic beginning, it had a happy ending.
“It started, I guess, with a knock at the door…”
Acknowledgments
This book took a village to create, more so than normal. As an Australian, I like ice hockey, but there’s nothing quite like living and breathing the sport. So I needed help, and my amazing readers provided. Honestly, you guys are the best.
Firstly, I have to thank Pascal Morency for answering all my inane hockey questions, from training and travel, right through to the Stanley Cup playoffs. It was super informative and he was so patient, so if the hockey scenes in this book feel authentic, you can thank Pascal for that! If you find any errors though, that’s on me and my terrible note taking. “I’ll remember that” is the biggest lie I tell myself daily.
Secondly, I have to thank Amy Jo Schuster and Robert McSweeney, who went out on a limb for me to make sure this book was the best it could possible be. You guys are wonderful and I can’t thank you enough.
Lastly, massive shout out to Nicole and Stephanie, who double checked that even with all that help, I still didn’t mangle the scenes. I appreciate your speed and your kind words. Thank you!
About the Author
Grace McGinty is eclectic. She has worked as a chocolatier, a librarian, a forensic accountant and finally a writer. Like her professional career, the genres she writes are also eclectic. She writes romance, reverse harem romance, fantasy, contemporary young adult and new adult books.
She lives in rural Australia with her crazy family, an entire menagerie of pets, and will one day be crushed by the giant piles of books that litter every room.
Head over to www.gracemcginty.com and join my mailing list for sneak previews into what she is working on and to stay up-to-date with new releases and giveaways!
Want more delicious sports romance? Check out 8 SECONDS TO FLY - a contemporary bull rider reverse harem romance.
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Eight Seconds To Fly
PROLOGUE
“You’re not supposed to be here, Nugget.”
My fluro pink Chucks were covered in dust, but I had my boots in my backpack. I wondered if I had time to put them on so when I kicked Branch Watson in the nuts, it’d hurt more.
“My name isn't Nugget, asshole,” I replied through gritted teeth. Branch grinned, flashing perfectly straight white teeth that looked like they’d been selected from a catalogue. I hoped a horse kicked him in his perfect face so he wouldn’t be so distractingly pretty anymore.
Me and Branch’s teeth had a long history. In the third grade, he’d lost his two top front teeth because CJ Dempsey had called me a bitch. Branch hadn’t liked that, because apparently he was the only one who was allowed to be an asshole to me. So they’d gotten in a fight and CJ had landed a good hit. A year later, I’d knocked his bottom two out with a rock.
Much like his teeth, me and Branch had a long and complicated history that was basically intertwined since birth.
“I know your name, Tessa, but it doesn’t change the fact that your daddy will kick your ass all the way to the border if he catches you back here. This is no place for girls and ‘specially not you.”
I shifted my duffle bag and glared. “Fuck you, Branch. I deserve to be here just as much as you. Maybe more. This,” I waved a hand at the area behind the chutes. “This shit is in my blood.”
“You shouldn’t swear.”
I flipped him the bird. “Eat a dick.”
Finally the stupidly handsome boy in front of me lost his cocky grin, the frown on his brow chasing away his disarming dimples. “It’s dangerous, Nugget.”