Spotlight & Giveaway: Gage by Sawyer Bennett

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Sawyer Bennett to HJ!

Hi Sawyer and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Gage: A Pittsburgh Titans Novel!

 
Happy July, y’all!
 

To start off, can you please tell us a little bit about this book?:

Oh man. I don’t even know where to start with Gage! Okay, first and foremost, Gage is just….a GOOD GUY. Seriously. If I could bring ANY of my heroes to life, it would be Gage Heyward. He’s the oldest member of the Pittsburgh Titans team, having come out of retirement for a chance to help the Titans rebuild their team following a deadly plane crash. So he’s a little older, more mature, knows what he wants in life and goes for it. Jenna is a strong, fierce heroine who is struggling to move past a tragedy that left her scarred–both physically and mentally. From the moment they meet, Gage is so conscious and respectful of Jenna. But he really needs to work on getting her to believe she’s worth his affections. He’s patient, hot as hell, and has the body (and stamina!) of a professional athlete. Yes. Please.
 

Please share your favorite lines or quote(s) from this book:

“Jenna… I adore you. I care for you. I admire you.”
“I also want to fuck you very much.” She gasps at my crude words, eyes flashing hot. “Hard and for long hours, and I will. We will.”

What inspired this book?

The Pittsburgh Titans series is already an emotional series, given that it revolves around rebuilding a team that was decimated in a deadly plane crash. And Jenna (who readers originally met in Jett of the Arizona Vengeance) already has a dramatic backstory of her own, so I set out to make their relationship fairly drama free. Sometimes drama on top of drama for the sake of drama isn’t necessary. So my inspiration was building a hero and heroine who were strong, relatable characters that readers could connect with, who weren’t necessarily looking for a relationship but found their match anyway. And not to toot my own horn, but I think that is exactly how Gage turned out!

How did you ‘get to know’ your main characters? Did they ever surprise you?

I was pretty acquainted with Jenna since she moved over from the Arizona Vengeance series. Gage was introduced earlier in the Pittsburgh Titans series and I’d previously laid the groundwork for him, but he turned out to be such a delight to write. He was an even better guy than I imagined at the start. Patient, honest, straightforward, supportive, loves his family. GAH! I just adore him!

What was your favorite scene to write?

I don’t want to give too much away, but there is a scene where they’re in bed and she is baring her scars to him for the first time. I cried when I wrote it.

What was the most difficult scene to write?

Well…this feels like a cop out, but same as above. Haha!

Would you say this book showcases your writing style or is it a departure for you?

I think this is very in line with my other books and writing style. It’s one of my favorites though!

What do you want people to take away from reading this book?

I just want readers to completely fall in love with Gage and Jenna and their story. I think it’s such a great story of healing and finding love when you least expect it. It’s…hopeful.

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?

Plenty more hockey in the future! Next up in the Pittsburgh Titans series is Coen, and he’ll be followed by Drake. I’ll also be finishing up the Jameson Force Security series this fall with the release of Code Name: Omega. And when one door closes another opens, so look for a new series in 2023!

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: A Signed paperback of GAGE: A Pittsburgh Titans Novel, US only.

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: Do you love the good guys are the bad guys?

 
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Excerpt from Gage: A Pittsburgh Titans Novel:

“I also don’t expect you to take my word for it when I say I think you’re beautiful and I’m attracted to you and you have absolutely no reason to doubt these words. I guess I’m going to have to keep showing you.”
His head dips to kiss me, but I put my hands to his chest and pull my head back a bit. “But… why?”
“You’ve asked me that before,” he says in exasperation. “My response is the same. Why not?”
I shake my head. “Yeah, I know that. And I’m not looking for you to stroke my ego. But you seem determined. You’re putting in so much effort with me, and yes, I’ll accept and believe you like me and there’s attraction—”
“Both ways, right?”
“What?” I ask, confused he’s gotten me off track.
“You’re attracted to me, right?” he asks with a grin.
I roll my eyes. “Of course I’m attracted to you.”
“Then prove it,” he dares, dropping his hands. “Prove it right now. Make the move on me. You kiss me, and you prove to me that you feel the same as I do for you.”
My eyes widen, my skin flushes, and my mouth gapes.
“Go on,” he taunts. “Prove it. You keep needing me to prove it to you, but honestly… how do you feel about all this? Don’t tell me… show me.”
I glance left, then right. People walk by us, mostly ignoring, but a few offer curious glances.
My attention goes back to Gage, and he’s staring at me with absolutely no shutter over his expression. He stands open and vulnerable and ready to let me inside if I’ll be bold enough to take the first step.
He’s turned the tables, forcing me to work for this. I’ve been so stuck on why he wants to go through all this trouble with me, I’ve forgotten that he might need something too.
It’s all so new.
So scary.
And so thrilling, a surge of power and confidence emboldens me. I move into Gage and put one hand on his chest. The other I wrap around the back of his neck. While I go slightly to my tiptoes, I mostly pull him down to me.
Tilting my head, I straighten up the last bit, and I’m the first to press my lips to his.
To open my mouth.
To slide my tongue in against his as everything else in the world disappears. There’s only me and him and the connection between us.
Gage’s arms circle my back, pull me in close. The heat of his body simmers against mine as I relish his hard muscles, the smell of his bodywash, and the rumble of appreciation deep in his throat.
An overwhelming pulse of desire hits, and I melt into his body, both arms going around his neck. Gage spreads his palm against my lower back and presses me tighter to him, and I can feel he’s aroused by the kiss.
Just as I am, and I have to repress the urge to rub against him. I can’t stop the involuntary moan that comes out when he takes control and deepens the kiss.
My head spins, and oxygen seems to be a luxury right now. Gage tears his mouth away, puts his lips to my ear, and grumbles, “I swear, if I didn’t think I’d get arrested for public indecency, I’d give you more of what you’re asking for right now.”
That was erotically cryptic. I have no clue what he’d give me, but I’m sure I’d enjoy it.
“Unfortunately,” he complains, loosening his hold. He stares down, eyes turbulent and needy. “We’ll have to wait for privacy because that type of giving is only between you and me and no one else. I don’t share that with anyone.”
A shiver runs up my spine over the possessiveness in his voice.
He smiles and bends down for a soft, gentling kiss that settles me down. “But I’m glad to know you feel the same way.”

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

Veteran player Gage Heyward retired from the league following a successful career. Now the Titans need him, but does he have what it takes to get back on the ice and pull this team together?

After achieving the goals I set for myself, I walked away from my professional hockey career. It was a tough decision, but the right one at the time. When the Titans organization approached me about joining the team they were rebuilding following a devastating plane crash, I felt a passion for the game and a competitive spirit I hadn’t felt in years. The opportunity to make a huge difference to a lot of people spoke to me, and I accepted their offer and headed to Pittsburgh without a second thought.

Jenna Holland is also new to town, having moved from Phoenix to Pittsburgh to take a job with the Titans. Her past has left her with scars—both physical and emotional—and she’s slow to trust others. But the more I learn about Jenna, the more I want to know. The more I need to know. Because the beautiful blonde with honey gold eyes and a wall around her heart has me enamored.

My game on the ice is the best it’s ever been, but it’s my game off the ice I’m focused on these days. Because while Jenna may not be willing to take a chance, I know the potential is there for something big. Something life changing. Now I just need to convince her to take the shot.

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Meet the Author:

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).
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