Has Sunderland player Phil Bardsley turned into my fictional footballer Ryan Fisher???

Now, they say life can sometimes imitate art, but I hadn't really expected to see players from Sunderland AFC imitating the behaviour of my fictional "bad boy" footballer Ryan Fisher. However, it's happened. Sort of.

When I first started writing Striker I was reading a book called I Am The Secret Footballer - a biography written by a professional footballer who has chosen to remain anonymous, for obvious reasons. He gives a sometimes fascinating but always interesting insight into the world of a top-flight player, and after I'd read it I realised that nothing I made Ryan do within the pages of my book could possibly be too far-fetched. Believe me. In fact, what Ryan gets up to could be considered tame in comparison to what really goes on at times.

So it was no surprise when news of Sunderland full-back Phil Bardsley's behaviour at a Newcastle casino last week was made public. I'd actually seen the pictures a few days before the papers got hold of them - my Sunderland-supporting husband showed them to me via a fan forum he's a member of. And it would appear, allegedly, that what happened at the casino was Mr. Bardsley's way of celebrating Wigan's defeat at the hands of Arsenal last Tuesday that saw Sunderland survive relegation and remain a Premiership team. Although why he couldn't just knock back a glass of wine like the rest of us I don't know. But why should he? When he can go throwing pots of money around and act like an idiot? 

Phil Bardlsey during his now-infamous casino night out.

It was the image of him lying there on the floor of the casino, covered in £50 notes, that most people have taken offence at. Another millionaire player doing nothing to counteract the somewhat stereotypical image a lot of people have of professional footballers. Although, to be fair, I've never met the bloke so he could well be a thoroughly decent guy who just let a night out and news of Sunderland's Premiership survival run away with him. However, if he'd like to help me with further research so I can continue to make Ryan Fisher as realistic as possible I'm happy to listen to anything he has to say. Shameless, I know, but an author has to try anything she can these days...

However, whatever the circumstances, this is yet another incident that made me realise, once again, that my fictional player isn't doing anything that some (but not all) real-life players don't do. You couldn't make it up half the time, and it would appear I don't need to. It's happening anyway.

My fictional footballer - the rather gorgeous, and sexy, Ryan Fisher - spends quite a bit of time in casinos himself in Striker, although I would like to point out that the book was written long before Bardsley's display of childish behaviour, and Ryan never ended up on the floor. At least, I don't think he did... not the casino floor, anyway... 

I digress... Ryan also gets into trouble with his manager because of his antics, something else which has been mirrored in real-life after Sunderland Head Coach Paolo Di Canio got wind of Bardsley's playing out on a "school night". He was subsequently dropped from the squad for Sunderland's final game of the season against Tottenham, and he's probably been fined, too, although I can't confirm that. In fact, I listened to a press conference Di Canio gave after the Tottenham game where he, basically, laid into Bardsley, and other Sunderland players, over their attitudes. Not a surprise. I always imagine that some of these players revert to acting like over-grown (and over-paid) schoolboys just because they think they can get away with it. And, believe me, if women ran football clubs they wouldn't get away with much of anything. Could be a bit distracting though, having to discipline all those players in their shorts... sorry, mind wandered for a bit there... Where was I? Oh yeah. Disgraceful behaviour from footballers...

It's all proving to be great research for me, though, as I forge ahead with the next book in the Striker Trilogy - 'Extra Time'. And all of this news of Bardsley being dropped and Di Canio shaking things up at Sunderland is quite apt, as things hot up over at Ryan's fictional club in Striker, Newcastle Red Star. And once again it feels like life imitating art as some of the things going on over there on Wearside are spookily close to what's happening over at Red Star right now...

So, as this house eagerly awaits to see just what Paolo Di Canio has in store for the players at Sunderland, I'll continue to write 'Extra Time' once again safe in the knowledge that nothing is too far-fetched in the life of a Premiership footballer - nothing. Mario Balotelli proved that. And if you think it is, then you really need to read I Am The Secret Footballer, or just take more notice of the headlines some of these players create, because we have those that are making them for all the right reasons, and they're usually on the back pages. And those that end up on the front pages - usually for reasons of the wrong variety. And, as an author currently trying to immerse herself in the world of the professional footballer, both kinds are good news for me...

And just incase you fancy reading about a fictional (and very hot!) bad boy footballer, come and meet Ryan Fisher in my sexy soccer romance Striker. Containing action you ain't ever gonna see on Match of the Day... 
 



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It's Eurovision time!

Yes, it's that time of year again. The 2013 Eurovision Song Contest is almost upon us and I, for one, am quite excited about that. I've always loved a bit of Eurovision, and I'm one of those people who isn't ashamed to admit to watching it, and enjoying it. There's just something about Eurovision that I'm addicted to. So much so that my build up to Saturday's final in Malmo, Sweden, began last night with the screening of the first of the two semi-finals to decide who joins Spain, France, Germany, Italy, the UK and Sweden in that final. 

I know a lot of people really can't stand Eurovision - maybe they think its had its day, that it isn't necessary anymore, or maybe their "street cred" just prevents them from admitting that, just like millions of others on Saturday May 18th, they'll be sitting there in front of their TVs getting caught up in the whole camp, over-the-top atmosphere that only Eurovision can create. Because I don't think its had its day. No way! I'd be gutted if there was no more Eurovision!

The UK's behind you, Bonnie!

Having said that, I do think that the UK will struggle to ever win the competition again. We've done it with Brotherhood of Man and the quite unforgettable (well, I suppose that depends on who you're talking to...) 'Save Your Kisses for Me' back in 1976, and who can forget Bucks Fizz's win in 1981 when those skirts were whipped off during 'Making Your Mind Up'? Katrina and the Waves and 'Love Shine A Light' was the last time the UK won the competition, and that was sixteen years ago in 1997, and to be quite honest, I really can't see us taking the title of Eurovision winners home again any time soon. When it comes to getting the votes, it would appear that nobody seems to like us. And I don't think it has anything to do with the song choices, not really. 

Voting in Eurovision has always been slightly "political". I remember my dad shouting (and swearing) at the TV back in the 70s when we used to watch it. In fact, he used to get himself quite worked up over it, and it is quite hard not to get carried away and feel slightly cheated by the quite obvious bias voting that does go on. Allegedly. But it does. Eastern Block countries voting for other Eastern Block countries, Cyprus voting for Greece and vice verse... you get my drift? It could be the worst song in the world but your neighbouring country will more than likely drop you a few points anyway. But when it comes to the UK it would seem we're the "Billy No Mates" of Eurovision. We should just put out a song called "Everybody Hates Us and We Don't Care"! Because it doesn't really matter who we stick up there on that stage to sing our entry, I just can't see us ever getting enough points to bring the competition back to Britain. These days we're lucky if we even make it into the top half of the voting table!

However, as always, despite the usual pessimism the UK carries with it during Eurovision time I, and I'm sure millions of others, shall be fully behind our entry. And this year - after poor Engelbert Humperdinck failed to make much of an impression last year in Azerbaijan - we've got the fabulous Bonnie Tyler flying the flag for the UK with 'Believe in Me'. I only really got a good listen to this track yesterday, but I actually quite like it. Is it good enough to win? Yeah, in terms of it being a good Eurovsion song, it's good enough. But we won't win. And I'm not being deliberately pessimistic here, I'm just stating a fact. Bonnie is a fantastic singer, a legend who can belt out a rock ballad like the best of them, even after all these years. But, even though she's also incredibly popular over there in Europe, I just don't think we can do it. But, stranger things have happened... just, not that strange... Oh, what the hell... Come on, Bonnie! You can do this!

Anyway, after watching the first semi-final last night I think Denmark stands a good chance of winning with 'Only Teardrops', and the Belarus entry is pretty catchy, too. 

And the Netherlands entry may just throw a bit of a curve-ball at the competition. It's a strange little song, called 'Birds', and I didn't really take to it on first listen, but, after a few listens it could really start to grow on me. We'll see.

To be quite honest, though, I don't really care who wins - although that's actually a complete lie because I have been known to get quite vocal during the voting - I just love the whole spectacle of Eurovision. And I really did think it might just lose a little bit of that magic once (Sir) Terry Wogan hung up his commentating crown - his dry wit during the show was one of the main reasons for tuning in. But, give him his due, Graham Norton is doing a sterling job of keeping up the tradition of making sure Eurovision stays full of the tongue-in-cheek humour it's known for. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and that's what makes it so addictive! I love it, and I will always love it. 

So, roll on semi-final number two on Thursday night. Let the Eurovision band-wagon roll on and let's get ready for Saturday! I can't wait!

Before I go though, I just thought I'd share one final Eurovision memory - one of my favourite past winners. Norway's entry from 2009, Alexander Ryback with 'Fairytale', a fabulously quirky Eurovision song, and a well-deserved winner that year.

Is it Saturday yet...?

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To plan, or not to plan... Storylines, that is...

When writing a book, how many authors out there actually sit down and plan each stage of the story they're about to write? And how many of them would describe their style as more "flying by the seat of their pants"? I'm actually a bit of both. And I only ask this question because, as work on 'Extra Time' continues, this next installment of the Striker Trilogy seems to be developing a new twist or turn that was never there in the beginning on an almost daily basis.

Now, I can't just sit down and start writing without any kind of plan in front of me. I'm not that clever. I need to have notes, guidelines, some sort of plan in place. But even I know that any kind of plan I do make in the beginning isn't going to stay that way for long. But I never expected 'Extra Time' to throw up quite as many changes as it seems to be doing lately. These characters of mine really are talking to me, telling me where they want to go and why they need to go there, which is fine. That's alright. It's all falling into place, and it's only making writing this book all the more exciting as far as I'm concerned. Sometimes I sit down at this desk of mine not really knowing exactly what's going to happen as the day progresses, but by the end of the afternoon I'm usually pleasantly surprised by the results. 

This lot have been giving me a few problems lately... but their story continues in 'Extra Time'...

So, it got me wondering how many other authors out there start out with a planned storyline that looks almost completely different by the time their book is finished, and how many prefer to stick to a rigid plan with no changes whatsoever. Is it even possible to do that? Surely everyone makes changes as they go along, even if they're just tiny little ones? Don't they? Or can you really sit down and plan everything to the nth degree and stick to it rigidly? 

It always fascinates me, finding out how other authors write, what works best for them. Sometimes - especially when I first started out on this writing journey of mine - I used to think I was doing everything wrong, that I couldn't possibly "wing it", so to speak, and just let the story flow as I wrote it. I used to think basic notes weren't enough, that I had to have this rigid story plan in front of me and stick to it, but I soon found out that that was impossible. I can't do that. I have to let the story and the characters guide me, because they usually know what they're talking about, which is more than can be said for me half the time.

So, for anyone interested in another update as to how 'Extra Time' is coming along, the good news is that I think the characters have finally told me all I need to know now. At least, I hope they have. All these little changes mean I keep having to go back and rewrite more sections of the story, which then means I start that awful habit I have of editing as I go, even though I keep telling myself to stop doing that. It only slows things down, and things are moving slow enough as it is! However, with what I hope is the final twist coming to me late yesterday afternoon, I think I can now settle down and get this story written. I've got a completely new set of notes in front of me now, a revised plan, and an ending in mind that will set things up nicely for the third and final book in the trilogy. I'm happy. At last!

Right, I've rambled on enough for one day. It's time to get writing. But, before I go, a question for all the writers out there - what kind of an author are you? One that plans everything meticulously, or one that just lets the story happen? I'd love to know...


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What am I doing today? A rewrite, that's what...

Yep. A rewrite - that's exactly what I'm doing today. This morning I have proved to myself that I really can't switch off, no matter how much I want to. My mind is always whirring, always thinking about the book I'm writing, the characters I'm currently living with (and even the ones I'd quite like to live with in the future!). So, even though I just wanted to settle down in front of the TV last night and look forward to the new series of Waterloo Road followed by the much-anticipated MasterChef final, my brain wouldn't let me. Oh no. That just wasn't happening, because, for some reason, halfway through that aforementioned new series of Waterloo Road I decided that 'Extra Time', the second book in the Striker Trilogy - I suddenly decided it needed a rewrite. Oh, not a major one, I mean, I'm not scrapping the whole thing and starting again, far from it. But one of the characters, well, I'm not happy with the way their story is going in this sequel. I don't think it's strong enough, and I'm definitely not feeling it. The other characters, I'm quite excited about how their journeys are progressing, but last night, as my enjoyment of my favourite school-based drama was rudely interrupted, I realised that this other character - and they're quite a major character so it's not like I can just ignore this - I needed to stop and think about just where they were going. What I don't want is a story that isn't strong enough, that's weak and half-hearted; that character doesn't deserve that. And leaving things the way they are could also mean I run the risk of bringing the rest of the story down, and I'm not willing to do that.

Which of these characters from 'Striker' is about to take a very different journey in 'Extra Time'?

For the past week or so I've had a little niggling doubt at the back of my mind that this character's story wasn't really going in the right direction, but I tried to kid myself that I was wrong, that I could make it work, but, like I said before, I just wasn't feeling it. And, as a writer, if you're not feeling something, then it probably means you shouldn't be writing it. 

It's only one strand of the story, of course, and changing this character's direction isn't really going to affect the story all that much, but it does mean a substantial rewrite in parts. But it's necessary. I think that, what I've now got planned for them, I think it'll make the story flow better, I really do. I guess, before, I was almost making them do something they didn't really want to do, making them go somewhere they didn't really want to go, and eventually they let me know that something was wrong. So I'm dealing with it. I'd rather they'd waited until after the MasterChef final to let me know there was a problem because, quite frankly, I wasn't concentrating. Those finalists could have been cooking beans on toast for all the notice I was taking at times, but when your characters are talking to you, it's pretty hard to ignore them. Or am I just weird? Don't answer that...

Anyway, after sleeping on it, my decision hasn't changed. And that character whose journey wasn't heading in the right direction, well, they're now going to have a slightly different journey thrust upon them, but, deep down inside, I think it was the journey they were always meant to go on. And I can't really say any more because saying anything about what any of the characters from Striker are up to in 'Extra Time' would really spoil it for anyone who hasn't yet read the first installment in this trilogy of books... However, all I can say is, I hope those who have read Striker will like what's coming next. There are some surprises in store, lots more sexy scenes... and a lot of hard work lies ahead for me! Evidently!! Still, what's happening right now is just another example of how the characters authors create can actually let us know themselves whether or not we're doing right by them. They have a voice - and I'm glad I listened. 

Right, I'd better get cracking then. I've got a lot of work to do... 

Just another day in the life of this indie author... ;)

Have a great weekend! 


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Creating that character - Kenny Ross from 'No Matter What'...

As the halfway mark looms large in this first draft of 'Extra Time', the second book in the Striker Trilogy, and I once again find myself becoming totally engrossed in the lives of the characters involved in this story, it got me thinking about some of the other characters I've created in the past, and how close I've become to some of them. 

Now, I don't know about other authors out there, but there are some characters I feel closer to than others. That's not to say that I'm not close to all my characters, I am. I wouldn't be able to write about them otherwise. It's just that, well, there are some I've created that will always have a special place in my heart. And one of those is the character of Kenny Ross, from No Matter What and Illusions of Love, mainly because I can remember the exact moment I created him. And that moment was two decades before No Matter What even came to light. But he was there, in the back of my mind, for all that time. He was always going to come to life at some point. Always.

So, just how did Kenny come to light then? Well, it all began one evening back in 1991 in the Cannon (formerly known as the Classic) Cinema in West Monkseaton. My sister and I were there to watch a film called Point Break - not much of a plot but after five minutes it became quite evident that it could have been the worst movie ever made and I was still going to enjoy it because, quite frankly, the eye candy was amazing! And so my lifelong crush on Keanu Reeves was born. It began that very night, as I watched that film. And my Keanu Crush just got stronger as I spent the next four nights back in that cinema, watching that movie over and over again. The plot didn't get any better, but I just couldn't get Keanu out of my mind, I mean, even his character's name in that movie - Johnny Utah - even that was something else! I just love that name!I wish I'd thought of it...

Keanu Reeves (left) with Patrick Swayze in 'Point Break'. And so Kenny Ross was born...

The way he looked in that movie, the way he walked, talked, laughed, it all stayed with me. And I just knew, there and then, that I would put that crush to good use one day, and base a character all of my own on Keanu.  

Now, to be quite honest, all of that makes me sound like some weird, obsessed fan-girl, but I know now that it was just the beginnings of something that wouldn't see the light of day for another twenty years. That's all it was. No need for any restraining order or anything... ;)

Keanu Reeves as FBI agent Johnny Utah in 'Point Break'

Anyway, I didn't know exactly who Kenny would be at that point, of course. I just knew that, one day, a character who looked like Keanu in his younger days would appear in a book of mine - giving me endless excuses to watch Point Break over and over again, and even now, twenty-two-years on, I still never tire of watching it. It holds a lot of memories does that movie. 

But that was only the start. Over the years Keanu only got better looking, which only served to give me more and more "research" for Kenny's character, which was a good thing, seeing as No Matter What was turning into something of a saga - which it ended up being. That book spanned twenty years (and 800 pages!), beginning in 1991, which was perfect for me. Kenny began life very much as a Johnny Utah-esque figure, a hot young movie star, but with a spiritual side. And I loved him from the very first second I started writing him. All those memories of decades ago, of first discovering Keanu, they all came flooding back as I created Kenny. And from that moment on he became - and still is - my favourite character. Ever. Out of all my books, he's always the character I come back to. The character, out of all them, that I want to keep writing about.

More 'Point Break' action... Now, where did I put that DVD...?

But, as No Matter What spanned twenty years, so the character of Kenny had to grow, but, as the years rolled by, he never lost any of his good looks. That movie star with the rock star edge, that's how I like to describe Kenny. And, as I'm a huge fan of what I like to call "scruffy Keanu" - when he has the beard and the longer hair, and wears the faded jeans and the army boots - that's how Kenny developed, too. 

"Scruffy Keanu" - I still would...

And now, even after two books, as both Kenny and Keanu head into their late forties, Kenny Ross will be making another appearance in a third book containing some of the characters from No Matter What and Illusions of Love. Because I can't let him go. I just can't. Every now and then I get a burst of inspiration as to where I can take him next, what the future holds for him, and so many people like the character of Kenny, it would be wrong to never write about him again. I just couldn't do that.

Love, love, LOVE this pic!

So, it took just one night (well, okay, five nights) in a little, now-demolished cinema for me to create Kenny Ross - albeit in a very vague form. But that was the night that character was born, so to speak. The night that kicked it all off. My Keanu Crush has been put to good use over the past twenty or so years, and I only hope it serves me just as well in the future as I write the next installment in Kenny's life. 

Just like Keanu, Kenny's grown older, but he's still a star in my eyes. And I can't wait to spend more time with him in the future. Oh, the research possibilities that might entail... I love being an author... ;)

So it leaves me with just one thing left to do, and that's to thank Keanu for giving me the character of Kenny Ross, because, without Point Break, I'm not altogether sure Kenny would have existed...


You can check out both No Matter What and Illusions of Love over at AMAZON.


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Normality has been resumed...

Yes, after weeks of experiencing something very close to what I've now dubbed "Writer's Drought" (writer's block didn't even come close) my mojo has returned from a break I'm quite sure I didn't give it permission to take, and 'Extra Time', the second book in the Striker Trilogy, is now back on a roll! Which I'm actually quite relieved about because I honestly thought I'd lost it for a while there. I wasn't enjoying the fact that I would rather be looking for handbags on boohoo.com than writing, but in hindsight I think it was just my subconscious telling me it was time to take a couple of steps back, think about everything, and let my brain tell me when it was time to get back to it. But I'm grateful that my brain didn't take too long to think about things because I was starting to panic for a bit there.

So, to cut a long story short, there was a blip, I got over it, and now 'Extra Time' is really moving along at quite a fast pace. In fact, I think it's fair to say it's all "kicking-off" in this follow-up to Striker. Although, I think we'll leave the football-related puns until nearer publication time...

Jim Caviezel... just for the hell of it, really...

The thing was, though, when my brain decided to go away and think about things, it didn't just come back with more ideas and ways in which to make 'Extra Time' just that little bit better, it also came back full of ideas for other books! So, to say my head is spinning right now would be an understatement, and not just because I've been ogling staring at a lot of Jim Caviezel photos lately - that's purely for research purposes, you understand. Purely for research... *cough*

Anyway, moving on... so, as far as ideas for future books are concerned, I've got plenty to be getting on with. And I mean, plenty! I've got the Striker Trilogy to finish, then I've got the next installment of the India/Kenny/Charley etc. (No Matter What/Illusions of Love) story to write (although that's actually already been started - I can multi-task...) and then, after that, I think I'll be embarking on another rock-star romance. Not literally - although I wouldn't mind a bit of "research" involving Dave Grohl but we won't go there right now - but I do have an idea for a series of books involving hot rock stars, beautiful women, and lots of... well, you'll just have to wait and see. ;) I guess I'm remembering how much I loved writing See You At The Show, and maybe now it's time to think about returning to the world of rock music, get some new characters out there... I'm also thinking of getting another tattoo... I'll keep you posted.... ;)

Will I be writing another rock-star romance? Yeah, I will...

So there we have it. A little bit of a catch-up as far as my writing's concerned. As for what's been going on away from the desk, well, here's a brief summary - I've had a lovely couple of days in Durham meeting up with a good friend, my new £10 glasses arrived from selectspecs.com making me realise that the days of spending a ridiculous amount of money on glasses are now over, I guessed the killer on Broadchurch (brilliant, brilliant TV!), and the back lawn is in desperate need of mowing. Yep, it's pretty much business-as-usual around here now. And for that I'm eternally grateful...






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My Contribution to the Contemporary Novelists' Book Fair

Between April 19th - April 22nd it 's The Contemporary Novelists' Book Fair - a chance for authors to showcase their latest novel/work in progress on their very own "blog stall", and a chance for readers to browse those blog stalls, and check out just what these authors have to offer.

And a huge thank you has to go to the wonderful Francine Howarth for organising this event, and giving us authors a chance to showcase our work.

For my contribution, I'm showcasing my latest contemporary romance, Striker...

Book Blurb

Ryan Fisher is young, talented, and very sexy; a professional soccer player with the world at his feet he's returning to his native North East England after more than a decade away in a multi-million-pound transfer deal to Newcastle Red Star, a big-name local club. He's got it all - looks, fame, money; women falling at his feet, and a lifestyle he's in no hurry to give up. But is his return to the north of England as clear-cut as it seems? Or is there something deeper involved...?

Amber Sullivan is a beautiful, feisty TV Sports Editor for a local North East news programme. With an ex-professional footballer for a father she's grown up around the sport, but the one thing she's sworn off is relationships with men who play the game. For a reason. As far as Amber's concerned work comes first, and she's determined that nothing and nobody will get in the way of that. But then Ryan Fisher walks into her life, and a figure from her past returns, turning her safe, steady, well-ordered world upside down...

Jim Allen is a handsome, charismatic, extremely successful American-born football manager. He's been poached from a top London club to join Newcastle Red Star in a bid to give them the success that's eluded them for so long, but is the league title the only thing Jim's out to win? And what are his real motives for coming to the North East? Motives that have nothing to do with football...

Ryan, Amber and Jim all have secrets - secrets that could ruin careers, and alter lives, forever. But, as their lives suddenly become intertwined, how will those secrets affect them? And who will ultimately win the game?

The first in a trilogy of books, 'Striker' is a a sexy, steamy romance set in - but not about - the world of professional football. Concentrating on the lives of those who live and work within the so-called Beautiful Game, it's a story about finding love, keeping secrets, wielding power, and the true cost of fame.

So, get ready for 'Fifty Shades of Football', but remember, The Beautiful Game isn't always so pretty...

Excerpt
 

            ‘You’re smiling,’ Ryan pointed out. Was he making progress here? Was he actually beginning to melt the ice-queen’s frosty exterior?

            ‘Am I?’ Amber asked, knowing that she was, and not really caring. She was having a great time tonight, even if she had somehow found herself in the middle of some sort of conversation with Ryan Fisher, arrogant bastard and self-styled northern playboy. And now she couldn’t even remember the question he’d asked her not two minutes ago. ‘Sorry, did you just ask me something?’

            ‘Are you here with Ronnie White? I mean, I know you said you’re just friends, but, someone told me you two used to go out once-upon-a-time.’

            ‘Did they now,’ Amber said. It wasn’t a question.

            ‘You never told me that.’

            ‘Because it’s got nothing to do with you.’

‘So, did you? Go out with Ronnie White, I mean. Only, I hear you’ve got a bit of a strict “no footballers” rule going on.’

            ‘You’ve been hearing a lot tonight, haven’t you?’

            ‘Makes a change to hear stuff about other people, rather than me.’

            ‘Must be such a pain in the arse, not being the centre of attention.’

            Ryan shrugged. ‘It’s good to get a night off.’

            She couldn’t help smiling again, despite herself. 

            ‘Anyway, you haven’t answered my question. You and Ronnie White…’

            Amber looked over towards the corner table where Ronnie was talking into his mobile phone, laughing at whatever was being said down the line. ‘This really has got absolutely nothing to do with you and I don’t know why I’m even telling you but, yes. We used to go out. For all of five minutes, really.’

            ‘Nothing mind-blowingly serious then?’

            She looked at him, right into those deep blue eyes. ‘No. Nothing serious.’

            Nobody said anything for a few seconds, and then Ryan took his chance, gently grabbing her arm and steering her out into the quieter corridor that housed the toilets and an entrance that led to the bar’s outdoor terrace area.

            ‘What are you doing?’ Amber asked, taking a few seconds to register just what it was that was happening. That’d teach her to down champagne too quickly. She’d only had two glasses but it was enough to make her reflexes slower and her judgement that little bit clouded.

            ‘Look, when I first met you yesterday I really didn’t like you. I mean, you’re this great-looking woman but your attitude was crap…’

            ‘Excuse me? My attitude was crap? And which charm school did you graduate from? I’ve got to get back to Ronnie…’

            ‘No, hang on, Amber…’ He reached out to grab her arm again, swinging her back round to face him.

            ‘What? What do you want from me?’

            He looked at her, not exactly sure how to answer that. He wanted to sleep with her, yeah. Of course he did. But, despite the fact he was Ryan Fisher – and if he wanted to sleep with someone then it usually happened – this was a whole different ball game. She wasn’t going to just fall at his feet like the girls he usually went for. He was going to have to work hard to get this one anywhere near his bed, and hard work outside of the football pitch wasn’t something Ryan was keen on. Would she be worth the effort? ‘I just want to get to know you,’ he said, his eyes not leaving hers.

            ‘Oh. Really.’ Again, it wasn’t a question.

            ‘Yeah. Really.’

            ‘You do know I’m a good few years older than you, don’t you?’

            Ryan shrugged. ‘So? What’s that got to do with anything?’

            Amber narrowed her eyes as she continued to stare at him. ‘So, you’re telling me you’re bored with all the young and pretty football groupies all vying for your attention and thought you’d try your hand with an older woman instead? Is that it? You’re tired of the wannabe WAGS, huh?’

            ‘I’m not tired of anything, Amber. I’m not bored of anything and I’m not even thinking too hard about any of this. I just like what I see and I want to find out more. Where’s the harm in that?’

            Amber just looked at him for a few more seconds before turning on her red high heels and walking away.

            ‘Amber! Jesus, come on… Shit!’ Ryan leaned back against the wall and ran a hand through his short dark hair, closing his eyes for a second. Under normal circumstances he’d give this up as a bad job and move onto the next one, but two things were different here: one – he’d never had to give anything up as a “bad job” before because nobody had ever walked away from him like she’d just done. And two – he didn’t want to move onto the next one. He wanted Amber Sullivan.

  

Striker is available to download HERE from Amazon.


And don't forget, you can check out all the other fabulous blog stalls by clicking this link, or the picture link in the top right hand corner of this blog. All the authors taking part are listed at the bottom of the page - just click on their names to take you to their blog stalls! You never know, you might just find something new to read this weekend. :)  


P.S. A HUGE thank you to one of my fabulous readers, and friend, Nikki Hardie, for creating the main character/book image used in this blog post. 

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