Inside Game by Collette West: Excerpt & Giveaway

Inside Game 
by Collette West

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Expected Publication: July 10th, 2015

Third baseman Drake Schultz is the undisputed bad boy of the New York Kings. So it's no surprise when Major League Baseball suspends him for taking performance-enhancing drugs. Furious with their superstar, the front office issues an ultimatum: either work with their sober companion or kiss the rest of his quarter-billion-dollar contract goodbye. Cocky and arrogant, Drake resists being saddled with a live-in babysitter—even one he's insanely attracted to.

Drake is Eva Sloane's first celebrity client as a substance abuse counselor, and she knows she's in trouble when he starts tempting her at every turn. The way he looks at her is as hot as sin, but she refuses to become his new drug of choice. Slowly, she helps him realize he has to face the demons from his past and heal his tortured spirit before he can even think about satisfying any craving he has for her. 

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Excerpt

She turns to me, and my breath catches. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Schultz. My name's Eva Sloane."
Her voice is rich and melodic. And if it were anyone else, I'd shove my hands under my arms and refuse to cooperate, but I can't. Not with the way she's looking at me.
I extend my hand to her, and she gives me a firm handshake, one I can respect. There's nothing light or dainty about it, but I hate the fact that she can feel me trembling.
"Hello, Eva," I mumble, looking away.
Her warm, brown eyes are too compassionate. They're full of understanding, not revulsion or pity. Based on the way she's staring at me, it’s clear she sees right through me. I might be fooling everyone else in the room, but not her.
She's remained quiet, taking it all in, like she's trying not to form any snap judgments about me, even if my hostility isn't making it easy for her. But her reticence only makes me more curious as to what's going on inside that head of hers. Just knowing she's here to witness my downfall is really getting under my skin.
I pound my fist and shove myself away from the table. I'm seething inside, so angry that I could spit. But when I turn my head to gauge Eva's reaction, all she does is look back at me, unflinching under the scrutiny of my gaze.
She's not afraid of me.
But she should be.

About the Author

Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball's biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette's impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.

Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as many games as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she's not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. Email her at collette_west@yahoo.com.

She is the author of NIGHT GAMES, GAME CHANGER and GAME ON.

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Giveaway

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Perfect Game by Collette West: Giveaway

Title: Perfect Game
Author: Collette West
Genre: Contemporary/Sports Romance

For New York Kings' first baseman Scott Harper, scoring women is easy. He's ready to get naked anytime, anywhere. But when a hacker leaks his nude selfies, he's unprepared for the scrutiny his full-frontals receive.

Carrie McKenzie has a love-hate relationship with her body. No longer the fat chick guys can ignore, she wins the job as the Kings' clubhouse reporter. With her svelte new figure, she nabs an exclusive interview with Scott to get his take on the scandal.

However, the two are already on a first-name basis after Scott came on to her in the hotel bar, and she woke up in his arms. The problem is that Scott doesn't do relationships and Carrie doesn't date jocks, yet the way they burn up the sheets is deserving of more than just a one-night stand.

Scott shows Carrie that he has a sweet, caring side beneath all the swagger. But can she really trust her heart to the biggest player in the game? 

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Excerpt

I turn around, and my eyes zero in on the door. My heart starts hammering in my chest because Scott is standing there looking absolutely incredible in a crisp, white shirt and tight, black pants.

"Oh my God, he came alone,” I mumble, hardly believing it to be true as my heart skips a beat. I thought for sure he’d want to show me up by draping some rail-thin model on his arm. “Damn it. Why does he always have to look so amazing?”

"'Cause he's Scott Harper,” Grey chuckles. 

Chase is waving Grey over, and she gives me a wry grin. 

“Poor Jake never stood a chance, did he?" She gives my hand a quick squeeze before moving through the crowd to join her husband.

I turn my back to the revelry and face the wall, trying to collect myself. This is going to suck so bad. Yeah, I accepted Jake’s offer just to piss Scott off because I'd thought he’d bring one of his past flames in a surefire tit-for-tat move, but he didn’t. Now, I feel like an idiot. I thought Scott didn’t want to be seen with me in front of his teammates because I don’t quite measure up to the standard he’s used to. But this is a couple’s party, and he flouted the rules and came here stag, willing to be the odd man out, just because of me. 

He'd asked me to go with him and I'd said no, but he hadn’t asked anyone else either. He'd been serious. He hadn't just offered me some secondhand invitation because his friend had beat him to it. He really wanted to go with me, and I messed it all up by coming with Jake. 

Damn it.

I feel myself start to shake, but then a familiar hand grazes the exposed skin on my back, making me shiver.

"Hey, Care Bear.”

I glance over my shoulder, and Scott’s face is so close that I can almost taste the velvety softness of his lips. I’m lost in the moment as I find myself turning into his strong, hard frame, loving how his hand never leaves my body. Instead, his fingers skim the curve of my waist, following my every movement. His gray eyes are stormy with desire when we finally come face to face. He wasted no time in coming over to me, and my heart flutters at the thought. He’s sending a clear message: He’s here because of me, and he doesn’t care who knows it. 

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About Collette

Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball's biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette's impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.

Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as many games as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she's not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. Email her at collette_west@yahoo.com.

She is the author of NIGHT GAMES, GAME CHANGER and GAME ON.

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Giveaway

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Game On by Collette West: Playlist & Giveaway

Title: Game On

Author: Collette West

Genre: Romance

Publication: October 17th, 2014

Pitching phenom Bruce "Jilly" Gillette has a hard time talking to women. His hulking presence of tattoos and muscles is what makes him an intimidating closer on the mound, yet off the field, he's painfully shy, uncomfortable in his own skin.

Desperate to revamp his loner image, the New York Kings hold a dream date contest, granting the lucky winner a night on the town with their surly reliever, doing whatever it takes to force Jilly out of his comfort zone.

Hailey Halpert enters the contest on a whim, looking for answers as to why her high school relationship with Jilly hit the skids. Now she’s a popular romance author writing under a pen name, and her reappearance in Jilly's life is no accident. It turns out that her novels are all about the sexy players on the Kings, and Jilly has no clue that he's about to become her new leading man.

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Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball's biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette's impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.

Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as many games as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she's not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. Email her at collette_west@yahoo.com.

She is the author of NIGHT GAMES, GAME CHANGER and GAME ON.

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Amazon | Purchase official New York Kings Fan Gear

GAME ON Playlist

Please welcome author Collette West.

I'm a big country music fan, so that's what I was listening to while writing GAME ON. I don't think you can beat the romantic imagery found in country lyrics and there's nothing sexier than hearing a deep, masculine voice singing a love song. I know it gets me weak in the knees whenever a guy can sing about how a woman makes him vulnerable. It gets me every time, whether a song on the radio makes my heart flutter while I'm driving or when a certain turn of phrase catches my ear while I'm typing away at my desk. There's just something so swoon worthy about hearing a man's man singing about being in love.

"I Don't Dance" by Lee Brice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBEBbgQEJy4

This one is my anthem for GAME ON. Jilly's this big, strapping guy who doesn't date. He doesn't do romance. But when it comes to Hailey, he'll do anything to make her happy as long as he can do it with her.

"Hope You Get Lonely Tonight" by Cole Swindell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W10EJnhrkv8

This is the ultimate booty call song, but related in a way that any woman would readily respond to. It was my inspiration for when Hailey calls Jilly in the middle of the night and tells him to, "Get over here now!" because I REALLY like what happens next.

"Burnin' It Down" by Jason Aldean

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdImDqbgc2g

For me, there's nothing sexier than Jason Aldean's voice. I dare any female on the planet to listen to this song and not get turned on by it. This one helped me write the chapters at the end of the book when Hailey and Jilly finally let go and give in to each other.

"I Hold On" by Dierks Bentley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV40NzkqJrw

This one best encompasses Jilly's personality. He doesn't let go of the things that are important to him. He's a rich and famous ballplayer now, but he still has the same best friend he had his entire life and he's still in love with the girl he's had a crush on since the first grade. His loyalty to those he loves runs deep. Success didn't corrupt him. He still values the same things he did before he made it big.

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GAME ON by Collette West Book Highlight

Title: Game On
Author: Collette West
Genre: Romance
Publication: October 17th, 2014

Pitching phenom Bruce "Jilly" Gillette has a hard time talking to women. His hulking presence of tattoos and muscles is what makes him an intimidating closer on the mound, yet off the field, he's painfully shy, uncomfortable in his own skin.

Desperate to revamp his loner image, the New York Kings hold a dream date contest, granting the lucky winner a night on the town with their surly reliever, doing whatever it takes to force Jilly out of his comfort zone.

Hailey Halpert enters the contest on a whim, looking for answers as to why her high school relationship with Jilly hit the skids. Now she’s a popular romance author writing under a pen name, and her reappearance in Jilly's life is no accident. It turns out that her novels are all about the sexy players on the Kings, and Jilly has no clue that he's about to become her new leading man.

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          His clumsy attempt to show his feelings started off as something beautiful, something I'll never forget, and I want him to know that.

          "Jilly…" I say tentatively, and his eyes instantly snap to mine. "The way you held me all through the night, felt so…right. The way you touched me, running your hand up and down my arm, and later when you were stroking the inside of my palm with your thumb. God…it felt so good. You didn't have to say anything. I could feel it."

          "You don't know how long I'd wanted to do that," he whispers softly, his face turning red.

I smile, breaking eye contact because I'm completely overwhelmed. He's saying the words I've always wanted him to say. This is the talk we should've had a long time ago, and I want him to know everything that's in my heart.

          I meet his eyes again. "What made it even better was that…you didn't have to touch me in all of those places…any other guy would have to make me want you. Your fingers on my arm were enough. I was in agony being so close to you and not being able to do anything more. I wanted you to take me somewhere, anywhere, to finish what you started—upstairs to one of the bedrooms, outside on the porch, in the back seat of the car—so I could kiss you everywhere I wanted to—but you didn't."

          He's staring at me so intently that I'm afraid to go on, but I have to. I'm almost there.

          "I know neither of us got much sleep that night because all I could feel was your hand caressing my body from my neck to my fingertips. But the next morning, as soon as it got light, you couldn't wait to get out of there. You started muttering to yourself about being late for something, propped me up on the side of the couch, and left me there. You didn't even say goodbye. Do you have any idea what that felt like?" 

          He meets my eyes for a second before looking away. "If you were tightly wound, you can imagine how I felt. You don't remember what you were doing right before that, do you? How you were running your leg up and down mine? Your knee at my—” He stops, burying his head in his hands. “I had to get out of there because I—"

          I swallow, realizing now why he did what he did. 

          "But I could've…" I stammer. "Helped you…with that."

          He pushes himself away from the table, and I'm afraid he's going to leave me sitting there all alone again. "I didn't know what to do. I—"

          "Jilly, I was yours for the taking." 

          "Are you still?" His gaze burns into me.

          I look into his soulful, brown eyes, which are holding nothing back from me. He's taking a giant leap for me now, even if he couldn't do it back when we were kids. Things could've turned out so differently if he had, but here we are, in New York City, sitting across a table from each other, four years older, four years wiser. 

          I’d thought he was lost to me forever, never to be a part of my life again. But he's here, offering me a second chance at what I've always wanted—to be with him.

Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball's biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette's impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.

Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as many games as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she's not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. Email her at collette_west@yahoo.com.

She is the author of NIGHT GAMES, GAME CHANGER and GAME ON.

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Game Changer by Collette West: Interview & Giveaway

Game Changer

Collette West  

Released July 25^th, 2014

Self-Published

Blurb

Young, rich, and unaware of how seriously hot he is, Brooks Davison is tearing it up as the latest shortstop for the New York Kings, despite his tendency to blush whenever girls scream his name.

When a health scare forces his best friend, Kyle Roberts, off the team, no one can stomach the thought of replacing him, especially so close to the playoffs.

Until Kyle's sister, Sasha, steps in, convincing management to let her take his place. The idea of signing the first female player in Major League history proves too tempting for the Kings to resist.

Nevertheless, Brooks doesn't want any part of it. Sasha is Kyle's little sister, not some sideshow.

Yet when Kyle takes a turn for the worse, Brooks promises to do everything in his power to help Sasha win a championship for him. Because there's no way he's letting either of them down. Not now, not ever.

Available at:

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Author Info

Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball's biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette's impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.

Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as many games as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she's not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. Email her at collette_west@yahoo.com

She is the author of NIGHT GAMES and GAME CHANGER.

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Interview:

Please welcome Game Changer auther Collette West to Diane's Book Blog.

What is your favorite part of the story, Game Changer? 

It actually doesn't have anything to do with baseball.

It's when Sasha and Brooks go to Landry's ranch, and they get to hang out and reconnect with each other away from the spotlight.

Brooks takes Sasha for a ride on the back of a four-wheeler and things quickly get hot and heavy when they end up all muddy back at Landry's cabana. I love how they get a chance to be two normal people, falling in love.

The following scene on the dance floor of the honky tonk is also one of my favorites.

If you were stranded on a desert island which of your characters do you want by your side?

I'd take Jilly because he's the kind of guy who would give me my space and wouldn't be chattering away the whole time. Jilly's a man of few words, but I think he'd be super chill to hang out with. Plus he's easy on the eyes with all those muscles and tattoos, assuming he's gonna be shirtless most of the time :)

If you could be best friends with one of your characters, who would it be?

This might sound crazy, but I think I'd go with the Kings' manager, Tony Liotta. I know not many girls would wanna be friends with "the old dude" but I'd love to pick his brain over a couple of beers. He's seen everything there is to see in the game of baseball and dealt with every kind of personality under the sun. I think he gives some pretty awesome advice, too. He's old school. He's unpredictable. He tells it like it is, yet he's a people person through and through.

What is your favorite thing about sports romances?

I love turning jocks into die-hard romantics. I think in the real world athletes are pretty single-minded when it comes to their laser sharp focus. Their main goal is to win, no matter what sport they're competing in. When love is thrown into the equation, sometimes they bring that level of intensity into the bedroom, and that can be super hot, or they do an about face and show their softer, more vulnerable side to the woman they love.

I also like the team dynamic and how different guys handle love differently. It's a great way to show the full spectrum of male emotions and how guys tend to rib each other, and compete—even in the locker room.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I'm dying to share the blurb from GAME ON (Jilly's story) coming October 17, 2014.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22883350-game-on

Pitching phenom Bruce "Jilly" Gillette has a hard time talking to women. His hulking presence of tattoos and muscles is what makes him an intimidating closer on the mound, yet off the field, he's painfully shy, uncomfortable in his own skin.

Desperate to revamp his loner image, the New York Kings hold a dream date contest, granting the lucky winner a night on the town with their surly reliever, doing whatever it takes to force Jilly out of his comfort zone.

Hailey Halpert enters the contest on a whim, looking for answers as to why her high school relationship with Jilly hit the skids. Now she’s a popular romance author writing under a pen name, and her reappearance in Jilly's life is no accident. It turns out that her novels are all about the sexy players on the Kings, and Jilly has no clue that he's about to become her new leading man.

Giveaway:

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Game Changer by Collette West: Book Highlight & Giveaway

Title: Game Changer
Author: Collette West
Genre: Adult contemporary romance

Young, rich, and unaware of how seriously hot he is, Brooks Davison is tearing it up as the latest shortstop for the New York Kings, despite his tendency to blush whenever girls scream his name.

When a health scare forces his best friend, Kyle Roberts, off the team, no one can stomach the thought of replacing him, especially so close to the playoffs.

Until Kyle's sister, Sasha, steps in, convincing management to let her take his place. The idea of signing the first female player in Major League history proves too tempting for the Kings to resist.

Nevertheless, Brooks doesn't want any part of it. Sasha is Kyle's little sister, not some sideshow.

Yet when Kyle takes a turn for the worse, Brooks promises to do everything in his power to help Sasha win a championship for him. Because there's no way he's letting either of them down. Not now, not ever.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | iBooks

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I reach out and rub Sasha’s back, letting my fingers stray to the area behind her neck. It's been such an emotional twenty-four hours for her. The ups and downs have been pretty intense. I want nothing more than for her to relax. Let her know that, even though I don't agree with her decision to do this, I'll always be on her side.

She shivers when I play with a loose tendril of hair at the nape of her neck. "Maybe you should go," she says, briefly shutting her eyes as I withdraw my hand. "I think I can take it from here."

I stepped over the boundary I promised Kyle I wouldn’t cross. She's only abiding by my wishes. It's my fault that I can't stop touching her. It's too hard being alone with her, having her right beside me. She's resisting because she thinks that's what I want her to do. I get to my feet, upset with myself.

Things are so screwed up right now. We should be enjoying each other's company after so many months apart, not pushing each other away. She wants it. I want it. But Kyle's the one calling the shots, and now even the Kings are getting involved.

Last night, after we spoke on the phone, I thought that this was it. Finally, I was going to get my chance to make things right with her. But Kyle's holding firm, and the Kings don't want a scandal. If Sasha and I get caught in a compromising position, the press is going to label her the team slut. I can't have that happen. I respect her too much to jeopardize her reputation. I have to be there in the background building her up, not front and center tearing her down. Maybe we'll get our chance at the end of the season, but for now, it's for the best if we just remain friends.

Sasha follows me to the door. I pause with my hand on the knob. "If you need anything—"

"I know... You're right next door," she finishes, an intense fire blazing in her eyes

as she stares up at me.

"Be ready by six." I'm all business, fighting every instinct in my body not to turn

around and ignite the passion that's smoldering in her gaze. "Goodnight, Sasha," I grunt, stepping into the hallway without looking back.

"’Night, Brooks," I hear her say before closing the door and twisting the lock.

Yeah, I may be locked out of her bedroom for now, but I hope I still hold the key to her heart.

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Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball's biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette's impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.

Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as many games as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she's not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. Email her at collette_west@yahoo.com.

She is the author of NIGHT GAMES and GAME CHANGER.

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