Image by David Mark from Pixabay
By Francine Beaton (Guest Blogger)
When
you meet a fellow rugby enthusiast on a boat cruise on the Hudson
during the Fourth of July celebrations, there had to be a reason why
such a meeting made an impression. It was only on the long flight
from New York to Johannesburg that the idea of the series started to
form. Before then, I never considered writing about my beloved sport,
not even romances.
Eye
on the Ball was not the
first book in the series I thought would be published. When I plotted
the series, Jakes was only a number in the team. I’ve already
written the first four books and the prequel when Jakes suddenly made
an appearance while I was watching a Six Nations rugby match on
television. Jakes made such a compelling plea to be heard that I
didn’t have much choice than to stop watching the game halfway and
put my thoughts about Jakes and Angie on paper.
Jakes
was not an easy character to figure out. He had issues, which he hide
at first.
A
few days later, when the news came of the suicide of the former
Wallaby, Dan Vickerman, I started to get glimpses of what Jakes and
many other men in similar environments, were dealing with. During a
talk show in which the panellists discussed Dan’s passing, one
panellist made the point that men in macho environments don’t want
to appear weak, so they never talk about emotions and fears. That was
when I realised that there was more to the reason why Jakes felt it
so necessary to keep his promise to his team.
Jakes’
reasons, however, had nothing to do with Dan Vickerman. It was the
phrase that caught my attention and made me wonder what could cause
such reactions in men. Slowly but surely Jakes emerged, forcing me to
touch more than one sensitive subject.
I
soon realised that Jakes’ story was not going to be the typical
sports romance I envisioned when I planned the series. Although Jakes
had the the physical appearance, macho male image, intelligence and
other attributes to make him an alpha male, Jakes wanted to highlight
important issues that had nothing to do with his looks.
Eye
on the Ball is about a
man who struggles to keep his focus on what he felt was important—his
teammates, his team and their end goal. It is also about a woman who
is strong enough to deal with Jakes’ fears and insecurities,
although it may not appear that way. Angie just didn’t need the
limelight. It also didn’t make her weak.
The
rest of the series seemed to follow Jakes’ example. Each character
has a different story, dealing with teenage pregnancies, work ethics,
and unforbidden love. Between all the ups and downs, rugby is the one
thing that keep my characters together. Some of the books are steamy
and some are clean, but in the end, it was what the character wanted.
And
they all get their Happy Ever Afters.
The
Playing for Glory Series, is standalone sports romances
which follows the lives of red-hot professional rugby players and the
women they love.
EYE
ON THE BALL (PLAYING FOR GLORY, #1)
What
would prove to be stronger? Love, or loyalty?
It
is a World Cup year and top professional rugby player, Jakes du
Plessis, desperately wants to fulfil his childhood dream of playing
for the Springboks. To succeed, he must stick to the team’s strict
vow of celibacy and mantra: ‘Focus! Keep an eye on the ball – and
stay away from women.’
A
chance meeting with artist Angie Summers throws his well-laid plans
into a tailspin. Not even his promise to his friends and teammates,
over 9 000 miles between them, and demons from his past can stop
Jakes from falling for her.
But
life is not plain sailing, and Jakes discovers that it takes a team
to help him overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of his own
Happily Ever After.
When
Angie meets Jakes, it is not love at first sight. She is not looking
for a new relationship; after all, she still wears another man’s
ring.
Fate
has different ideas though.
Can
Angie forgive Jakes and forget about their first disastrous
encounters? Will he let her into his heart to overcome his biggest
enemy, which is not on the field of play?
OBSTRUCTION
(PLAYING FOR GLORY, #2)
There
is a fine line between love and hate. Christopher Brooks spots Riley
Adams, his first love, at the Buffaloes’ first press briefing of
the year. He cannot allow her back into his heart that she broke more
than seven years ago. Or can he?
Riley
does not have the luxury of hating or avoiding Christopher. Their
lives are inextricably linked forever. Her best option is to confront
him before he discovers her secret through someone else. And when he
knows the truth, will Christopher hate her even more or will he be
willing to forgive?
Obstruction,
is the second standalone sports romance in the Playing For
Glory series, it follows the lives of red-hot
professional rugby players and the women they love.
LEADING
FROM THE FRONT (PLAYING FOR GLORY, #3)
As
long as it didn’t come in the form of Melissa Roux—a feisty blond
with long, shapely legs. She spelled trouble and Daniel Cooper knew
that from the moment he laid eyes on the new physio for the Buffaloes
rugby team. As captain, he had to set an example and falling head
over heels in love wasn’t the way to do it.
Melissa
knew Daniel was going to be a problem from the first day on the job.
There was no way she was going to risk her career for an arrogant
chauvinist who called her a blonde bimbo. She had worked too hard to
get her dream job.
Neither
of them could deny the undeniable chemistry between them, or the
famous Cooper curse. When Daniel made one simple request, it had
unexpected repercussions. In his quest to find the truth, he made
another error in judgement, risking not only Melissa’s career but
also the loyalty of his team and the Club.
Daniel
and Melissa both faced a decision: What’s more important? Your
career or love?
https://amzn.to/2TLBbZd
“If
you know what’s good for you and your career, stay away from my
daughter!”
Ulrich
Fölscher wants to play rugby for the Buffaloes and the Springboks
and eventually become the best chef in town. In that order. There is
no place for romance in his life. Obeying Coach Brady’s command is
easy, until he meets his daughter Samantha. She is everything he
needs – warm, bubbly – and possibly, the missing ingredient he
lacks to spice up his life.
Sammy
is a professional athlete and she too knows the rules. But it is hard
to resist Ulrich’s quiet strength, focused determination and, most
of all, his delectable kisses.
Both
know how to fight for what they want. But as their desire for each
other intensifies, so does the pressure to make a choice. Can Ulrich
and Sammy continue to play by the rules or risk it all for love?
MAKING
THE RIGHT CALL
Nicholas
Carter is the billionaire owner of the Wild Dogs, a young and
successful rugby club. His secret to success is simple; he keeps his
business and his private life separate. That resolve is tested when
Emma Cole comes into his life. His new accountant is not his type,
yet she has the uncanny ability to make Nicholas lose control.
Geeks
shouldn’t look like Nicholas and neither should they kiss like he
does. Emma is mortified to discover that the hot, sexy, green-eyed
man with intoxicating kisses is her new boss.
They
cannot deny the attraction between them. But giving in to the
chemistry spells serious repercussions. During a business trip they
surrender to their passion, and embark on an affair that changes
their lives forever. Reality creeps into their relationship and
Nicholas is forced to make a decision. Will he take ownership of the
resulting fallout? Will he make the right call?
About
the Author
E-mail: beatonfrancine [at] gmail [dot] com
Website:
https://www.francinebeaton.com
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/francinebeaton
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