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?
Interview with Collette West
- When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I always wanted to be a writer since I was a young girl, but it was a little over two years ago that I finally found the courage to hit the publish button.
- How long does it take you to write a book?
On average, I’d say six months.
- What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
I have a conversation with the main characters before I start writing. They tell me where they want to go. I do a rough brainstorming session to provide myself with a road map with plenty of room for detours. Next, I write the dialogue. Later, I go back and fill in the supporting details. Then I edit, edit, edit.
- What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I know I’m on to something when I can get lost in the world of my characters. If I look up from the keyboard and hours have gone by, then it’s usually a good sign that everything is clicking.
- How do books get published?
I self-publish. For me, it’s all about staying motivated and finding the discipline to stick to a schedule.
- Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
I like to look at what’s going on in the world of baseball. The current headlines are great place to find inspiration.
- When did you write your first book and how old were you?
I wrote my first book in 2013. At the time, I was in my early 30s.
- What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I watch baseball on TV. Of course in the summer, I love to get out to the ballpark and catch a game in person, too.
- What does your family think of your writing?
I really don’t know. I never asked them J
- What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
The storyline of a supporting character in one book can develop into the main plot of a future book. For me, that’s always exciting.
- How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I’ve written four books. My favorite is GAME CHANGER. I love the idea of there being a female player in Major League Baseball, and it’s the first time readers are introduced to Jilly, a character who turned into a fan favorite.
- Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Write every day. Read every day. Have others critique your work. Stay true to yourself. If you do those four things, you will grow as a writer.
- Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I really enjoy hearing from my readers. They are kind enough to email me, tweet me and leave me comments on Facebook and Goodreads. They’re my lifeblood. They provide me with the encouragement to keep going. Their feedback is invaluable.
- Do you like to create books for adults?
I do. With my latest release (PERFECT GAME), I upped the sexual content quite a bit. I’m eager to see how readers will respond.
- What do you think makes a good story?
Heart. If I can connect with the vulnerabilities of the characters, then I’m sold.
- As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
As corny as it sounds, I’ve always wanted to be a writer. Writing is the one thing that’s always come naturally to me—since not many things do J
- What would you like my readers to know?
I consider them to be the twenty-sixth player on the Kings. They always bat first in my starting lineup.
- When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
- How long does it take you to write a book?
- What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
- What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
- How do books get published?
- Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
- When did you write your first book and how old were you?
- What do you like to do when you're not writing?
- What does your family think of your writing?
- What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
- How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
- Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
- Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
- Do you like to create books for adults?
- What do you think makes a good story?
- As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
- What would you like my readers to know?
Beta Reader Reviews
I read and really enjoyed the first two books by Collette West (Game Changer and Game On) so I snatched this one up as soon as it was released. One thing that sets West’s romances apart is the fact that she also knows a lot about the sports her characters are playing, which adds depth to the stories and makes them that much more realistic!-CA Walsh rated it 5 of 5 stars
Perfect Game is exactly what I needed after this horrible winter. Collette West really knows her baseball, and every time I read one of her stories, it brings back so many memories from all the years I spent following baseball. And I'll admit, I always dreamed of marrying a ballplayer myself. (Shh, don't tell my husband.) Now of only she was writing about a team based on my beloved Red Sox and not that pinstriped team from NY. ;)-Raquel Auriemma rated it 5 of 5 stars
...with conspiracies, family woes and fraud and trades elevating the story to epic proportions, it literally left me wondering what in the hell was going to happen next, it was a roller-coaster ride with no end in sight and it was brilliant. As always superbly written by Collette with complex and layered characters and a great family of ball players and their better halves to offer counsel and hilarity when needed. I can't wait for the next book in this awesome sports series.
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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.
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