Spotlight & Giveaway: The Soccer Player and the Single Mom by Kyra Jacobs

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Kyra Jacobs to HJ!

Hi Kyra and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, The Soccer Player and the Single Mom!

 
Hi everyone! So great to be here today 🙂
 

Please summarize the book for the readers here:

She’s a single mom, he’s a soccer star recovering from a bad tackle. Each thinks they know exactly what they want…until their worlds collide and prove them both wrong.
 

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

KJ – Sometimes when you compose a line, you’re rather blindsided by the truth in it. Being a single mom, this one made me take pause…and smile.

“She hated when he looked at her like that, because the woman in her loved when he looked at her like that. Like she wasn’t just the queen cleaner of runny noses and kisser of boo-boos, but something more.”

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

As I mentioned, I’m a single mom. Instead of one sweaty little boy, though, I have two. LOL Both live and breathe soccer. Lucky for me, I love the sport. So it only made sense to finally put some of my knowledge of both mothering and soccer-momming into a sweet romance. Who knows–maybe someday I’ll find my own Scott Gillie…

What first attracts your Hero to the Heroine and vice versa?

I tend to write heroines who are comfortable in their own skin. Even if they’re shy in public, they’re leading the charge somewhere else (like Felicity in this story, or Maddie in HER UNEXPECTED HERO). My heroes tend to sit up and take notice of them for that…and resist though they may, eventually the heroine’s endearing side will win them over. As for my heroes, it’s their caring sides slowly revealed that the heroines fall in love with.

Did any scene have you blushing, crying or laughing while writing it? And Why?

One of my favorite characters in this story is Edna, the hero’s grandmother and owner of the house where most of the story takes place. She was SO much fun to write–seriously, I can only hope to be as sassy as her at 80. She’s sick of waiting for grandbabies, and takes every chance she gets to hammer into Scott ‘s head that soccer doesn’t have to be his entire life. Here’s just one of the scenes that had me cracking up at the keyboard:

“Still,” said Edna, “Norman is a hundred times better prospect than that girl you took to your junior prom.”

Scott’s smile slipped; Felicity’s grew.

“Oh? Do tell.”

“Sarah Ann Miller, Miss Junior Allen County.” Edna ignored his glare as she speared a forkful of noodles. “Of course, the judges were apparently blind that year.”

“Grandma,” Scott whispered sharply. “There’s more than looks that go into the crowning selection. It’s the 4-H fair, for Pete’s sake.”

“She could have been Miss America, for all I cared. I didn’t want her bearing my grandchildren. It’d have been the scariest display of buck-toothed redheads ever seen.”

Scott dropped his head into his hand with a groan, and Tyler burst out laughing.

“Still, it was kind of you to take her.” She leaned toward Felicity and added quietly, “Since no one else would.”

“Okay, that’s just not true. Sarah Ann was very popular and could have had her pick of dates. She just chose me.”

“Lucky you,” his grandmother said under her breath.

Readers should read this book….

…if they’re looking for a heartwarming story with plenty of humor to keep them smiling along the way. I love a good battle-of-the-wills, and Scott definitely has his hands full with Felicity and Edna. But beyond that, readers get to see two caring people find the courage to step out of the pains of their past to find joy in the moment…and perhaps a happily-ever-after along the way.

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have in the works?

I’ve got several projects in the works, no release dates as of yet. 😉
 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: I’ll be giving away three Entangled Bliss ebooks to one lucky name drawn. Winner gets to choose which three they’d like to have.

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: In The Soccer Player and the Single Mom, Scott and Felicity first meet in the lobby at the pediatrician’s office–definitely not the most romantic place in the world! I’m curious–tell me the crazy place(s) you or someone you know found their significant other…

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Excerpt from The Soccer Player and the Single Mom:

Scott sat beside a petrified Felicity, relishing the soft breeze stirred by the moving ride. They were in the transition loop, where the Ferris wheel moved only enough to allow the next chair to reach the platform so current riders could exit and make way for the next batch. Unfortunately, each break in momentum sent their otherwise balanced chair rocking back and forth. And with each rock, Felicity’s grip on the lap bar tightened.

“One more group to let off, then we’re home free.”

His statement was met by silence, which was all she’d offered him since they’d boarded. Well, other than the occasional sharp inhale. What he’d envisioned as a get-even activity was beginning to make him feel like a real schmuck.

“You’re really not a fan of heights, huh?”

“What gave it away?”

She’d spoken and used sarcasm. There was hope for her yet.

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the clenched-shut eyes and white-knuckled grip on the bar in front of you.”

“Better on the bar than around your neck. Oh!”

The car pitched forward as the ride started up again, and her shoulders hunched at the movement. Scott chuckled and stretched his arm across the back of their chair. “The scary part is over now, it should smooth out soon.”

“If you say so.”

He’d like to say a lot of things to her. Things he admired about her, things that drove him crazy. Things that made him want to dive under the covers with her in his bed. Instead he remained quiet for a moment, looking out over the carnival’s endless strings of lights as the cloudless sky faded from orange to purple and savoring the warmth of the body beside his.

“Felicity, open your eyes.”

“Are you nuts?”

Seems that way, he thought as he pulled her against his side and rested a hand atop each of hers. She was his personal assistant, his coworker. Someone he should make nice with during the workday, then think nothing more about after they parted ways. But theirs wasn’t a traditional work arrangement, and the more time he spent with her, the further he wanted to push those boundaries.

He leaned closer to whisper in her ear, “Open your eyes.”

Her lashes parted a fraction, then a fraction more. Ever so slowly, she straightened in her seat, those perfect lips forming a small O. “Whoa, do you see that sunset? And the lights, they look so cool from up here. Oh, and there’s your booth. And the food trucks!”

Watching Felicity come to life made the rest of today’s hassles fade away. She was like a kid at Christmas, taking everything in with oohs and aahs. It took him back to simpler times, happier times. Times before losing his mom and trying to fill the void forever after with soccer.

“Pretty neat, huh?” he asked, his voice thick with emotion.

She nodded, but the action caused their chair to rock a little. This time, instead of tensing her body, she pressed tighter into him.

“It’s all right,” he murmured. “I’ve got you.”

In truth, he couldn’t have let go if he’d wanted to; she was his anchor in a sea of memories crashing down on him—both his favorites of his mother and the dark days that followed after she passed. But right here, right now, it was Felicity’s touch that allowed him to keep control of his emotions, her presence that kept the worst of his memories at bay.

He curled one arm around her waist and pressed a kiss to her forehead. She turned her face toward his and smiled, that ray of sunshine instantly calming his inner stormy seas. For the first time since they’d met, he wondered how he would get by without her.

Ironic, as less than a week ago he couldn’t wait to be rid of her.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

For most women, working for a sexy soccer star would be a dream come true. All except
single mom Felicity Shaw. She has no interest in playing personal assistant for a
stubborn, injured playboy—no matter how nice his abs are. But with bills piling up and
mouths to feed, she can’t say no to the job.

That’s when it gets interesting.

The last thing Scott Gillie wants or needs is a persistent and entirely too distracting PA
while he’s recuperating in his small hometown. Unfortunately, it’s not up to him. Then
Felicity and her son end up temporarily moving in—all thanks to his meddlesome
grandmother. Now temptation is right across the hall and it’s driving Scott crazy.

His only option is to fight fire with fire.

He never expects Felicity to do the same.
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Meet the Author:

Kyra Jacobs is an extroverted introvert who has always called Indiana home. That means she’s well versed in fickle weather, pork tenderloin patties that don’t fit on a bun, and sarcasm. Putting her Indiana University degrees in Public Management to good use by day means Kyra does the bulk of her writing late into the night. Fueled by caffeine and funny memes, she weaves tales of love and relationships, including the humor and/or chaos both can bring. Kyra’s published novels range from sweet contemporary romance to chick lit and paranormal/fantasy.

When this Hoosier native isn’t at a keyboard, daydreaming through her fingertips, she’s likely outside, elbow-deep in snapdragons or on a sideline somewhere cheering (loudly) for her sporty sons. Kyra also loves to go bowling, tries to golf, and is an avid college football fan.

Be sure to stop by kyrajacobsbooks.com to learn more about her novels and ways to connect with Kyra on social media.
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