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Author Interview with John Lawrence

1/3/2022

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I have the honor to talk to John Lawrence today, the author of PLAYING DOCTOR. My questions are below, followed by John's answers.
1) Please tell us about yourself.

I am a parent (chronically stressed), husband (working on communication skills), biker (falls off too frequently), avid skier, screenwriter & filmmaker (left myself plenty of room to improve in both areas), runner, surfer (not really, I’m terrible), who enjoys cooking, watching films, reading and writing.  The one thing I told my college career advisor I did not want to be was…a doctor…and now I’m a doctor. 

2) Please tell us about your book. 

The series Playing Doctor is intended to be an entertaining look behind the hospital doors of medical training. I took a slightly circuitous route to medical school (never planning to be a doctor) and after being accepted (surprisingly), started my training with short term memory loss and extreme fatigue due to some bike crash induced trauma — neither of which seemed advantageous for a medical student. The books follow the month-by-month rotations of medical training in medical school and residency.  

3) What inspired you to write this book? 

Slap-Happy call night fatigue in the hospitals! I used to send slightly manic stream of conscious emails to groups of friends when I was working overnight in hospital, sharing the stories of medical blunders, crazy patients, and the internal struggles with learning to be a doctor. When a friend asked about publishing the emails, I told her I would write the entire story. And the next day started writing. I hoped to entertain people with some blunt insight into doctor’s medical care, something almost everyone has experienced to a degree.

4) How long does it take you to write a book from start-to-finish? 

It might have taken a year to write this book from start to finish.  But that was for a first draft. One year. But then if we add in the research (i.e. four years of medical school, three years of residency training and the first year of working as a doctor), add the one year writing the first draft. Then sitting on it for years tweaking chapters, then rewriting each individual book, and rewriting after receiving editing notes….only a 15-year project!  It’s one thing to sit and write a book (or screenplay), which after research and prep might take 3-6-12 months — but then the re-writing can take equally as long and if you’re not careful carry on indefinitely!  That’s why deadlines are key for me to set some sort of end point.

5) What are you working on at the moment? 

Final edits on book three in the Playing Doctor series which will come out in Summer 2022. Rewriting a comedy/drama screenplay I will produce and direct after these books are all launched. 
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About the Book

Title: PLAYING DOCTOR; PART TWO: RESIDENCY: (Blundering along with imposter syndrome)

Author: John Lawrence

Ready to learn how (not) to be a doctor?

Well, neither was John.


John’s adventures in medical training continue with this insightful, often hilarious, self-deprecating medical memoir of bumbling into residency with a severe case of imposter syndrome. This second part in the series brings John’s unique, irreverent and candid med-school storytelling to the world of residency training.

Initially, John penned email blasts while being held captive on-call nights. His descriptions of the escapades, mishaps, disorder, and terror that surrounded his training, led several friends to enquire if he has broken into the hospital pharmacy. Eventually, someone asked to publish the stories, so John replied that he’d write down the whole adventure of becoming a doctor from medical school through residency.


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Author Bio
John Lawrence was born in New York, grew up England, and attended Georgetown University where he told his career advisor that the only thing he did not want to be was a doctor. He subsequently survived medical school and residency training in Utah.

John was not the typical medical student, sneaking out of the hospital whilst on-call to audition for television shows; writing film scripts (also available on Amazon!) and overcoming imposter syndrome. He went on to work as a doctor for 20 years in both traditional western medicine and functional medicine.

John’s varied non-medical resume includes river rafting guide, ski race coach, bagel baker, screenwriter, film director, and expedition doctor climbing Kilimanjaro with Olympic Hall of Fame athlete Chris Waddell.

Links


Visit the author’s website: https://johnlawrencewriter.com/
Buy from Amazon


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Sorry for leaving you for so long...

12/14/2021

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Hey guys.

I'm sorry it's been ages since I posted on here. Mostly I have been busy working on my upcoming novels, working full time, taking care of my family and pets, and it's just been too hectic to blog much.

It took me five years to finish my first book and find a good home for it... And now in just under six months, I've finished my second book!

I'm happy to share the news with you that in 2022 my books Stealing The Earl's Heart and When Rome Burns will be released! Both of these are historical romances with fiesty heroines, dazzling love interests and dazzling love interests.

I'll try to blog more often. I've reached out again to bloggers and authors I've worked with in the past to feature more diverse content on my website, so that I can regularly update you in 2022 not just of my writing woes but also share news about new books with you!

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New Release: The Reality, Mythology and Fantasies of Unicorns by W.B.J. Williams

9/30/2021

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About the Book

Title: The Reality, Mythology and Fantasies of Unicorns
Author: W.B.J. Williams
Genre: Historical

The Hunt for a Unicorn.

The belief in unicorns as magical creatures is one that is rooted deeply in human history. They are featured in myths, legends, and folk tales from multiple cultures across the globe. In this volume, W.B.J. Williams, the author of the historical unicorn-themed fantasy “The Garden at the Roof of the World”, takes us on a journey through time to the dawn of civilization, for a fascinating take on the unicorn and its origins. Step into the worlds of magic, science, mythology, and the arts on your very own hunt for a unicorn.



Author Bio

W. B. J. Williams holds advanced degrees in anthropology and archeology. He is an avid historian, mystic, poet, and author who manages an information security program at a prominent New England start-up. He is noted for his bad puns, and willingness to argue from any perspective. He is endured by his beloved wife and two daughters, and lives in Sharon Massachusetts. When he is not at home or at his computer, he can often be found haunting the various used bookstores of Boston.

Links

Amazon
B&N

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No clue what happened but a lot of my posts are gone!

6/30/2021

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I'm not sure what happened but a lot of my posts are missing. The last date I can retrieve posts back from is August 2018.

I'll try to figure out what happened and will let you know if the posts re-appear.
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Book Tour Cherished Wings

8/5/2018

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About the Book

Title: Cherished Wings
Author: Tracey L. Dragon
Genre: Historical Romance
When Sara Kennedy returns to her small hometown in Western New York and visits her dying grandmother, Fran, in the hospital, she asks her about the pair of World War II Navy Wings she found in her dresser drawer.
Her grandmother reluctantly shares with Sara the powerfully love story she had not spoken of in over fifty years. As the tale unfolds, Sara finds herself caught up in a time where things were simpler, yet more complex—where love and war were not compatible.
A story so poignant, it rocks Sara’s world and changes her life forever.



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Author Bio

Cherished Wings was inspired by my own mother’s story. Although she never spoke of it, my sisters and I all knew of the World War II wings she kept hidden in her dresser. The wings belonged to a beau who was killed during a mission. Upon my mother’s death, I did not find the wings, but I did, however, find a small envelope containing his photos, one which was cut to fit the size of one of her lockets. She also kept the glass top of an old bottle of French perfume called Bamboo. It was from these items that the idea for Cherished Wings was sparked and the characters Fran and Jack were created. I hope you fall in love with Lt. Jack McOmber as much as I did while creating him. Please visit my website: traceyldragon.com. I would love to hear from you. My books are available at Soul Mate Publishing.com, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.




Links

Website
Facebook
Amazon

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Author Interview: Everything Under The Sun

6/28/2018

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Do you believe that many novelists choose to self‐publish out of frustration with trying to publish traditionally?
 
When self‐publishing on Amazon first became a thing, I do think most of those going it on their own were doing it out of frustration. I was one of them! Even though I self‐published my first book a short time after it was becoming the thing to do, I totally did it because I tried for almost three years to land an agent, but to no avail. But now, I think more and more authors are doing it because they feel it’s the better route for them, and are bypassing the query‐reject method altogether. Personally, I like both!
 
How important is it to understand the basics of publishing before delving into self‐publishing?
 
Writers need to understand that self‐publishing is not easy. Sure, you can write a book and upload it and start selling, but there is so much more to it than that. If a writer chooses to self‐publish they must commit to some hardcore self‐promoting and spending a lot of their own money (professional editing, giveaways, review copies, cover art, advertisements, etc.). Bypassing all of this stuff can leave your book buried beneath the avalanche of millions of other books competing for the same exposure.
 
Can you provide a few self‐publishing best practices you believe brought you literary success?
 
Some of what I’ve already mentioned are good practices, but also, I’d like to point out two things that I believe contributed to my success: kindness and professionalism. I’ve read a lot of horror stories from book reviewers who were verbally attacked by authors because they turned away a review request or gave a bad review, and similar stories about authors and agents. Know in advance that no matter how hard you worked to write your book that it’s not the next bestseller (until it is), that it isn’t better than J.K. Rowling or Stephen King and that you have absolutely no right to make these statements out loud to anyone. Period. And lastly, no matter how much it hurts your feelings or angers you, never reply to a bad review. Ever. Not even if something the reviewer said was 100% wrong. Just don’t do it.
 
 
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About the Book

Title: Everything Under The Sun
Author: Jessica Redmerski
Genre: YA/NA Crossover; Dystopian
Thais Fenwick was eleven-years-old when civilization fell, devastated by a virus that killed off the majority of the world’s population. For seven years, Thais and her family lived in a community of survivors deep in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. But when her town is attacked by raiders, she and her blind sister are taken away to the East-Central Territory where she is destined to live the cruel and unjust kind of life her late mother warned her about.
Atticus Hunt is a troubled soldier in Lexington City who has spent the past seven years trying to conform to the vicious nature of men in a post-apocalyptic society. He knows that in order to survive, he must abandon his morals and his conscience and become like those he is surrounded by. But when he meets Thais, morals and conscience win out over conformity, and he risks his rank and his life to help her. They escape the city and set out together on a long and perilous journey to find safety in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Struggling to survive in a world without electricity, food, shelter, and clean water, Atticus and Thais shed their fear of growing too close, and they fall hopelessly in love. But can love survive in such dark times, or is it fated to die with them?

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Author Bio

Jessica Redmerski is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, international bestseller, and award winner, who juggles several different genres. She began self-publishing in 2012, and later with the success of THE EDGE OF NEVER, signed on with Grand Central Publishing/Forever Romance. Her works have been translated into more than twenty languages.
Jessica is a hybrid author who, in addition to working with a traditional publisher, also continues to self-publish. Her popular crime and suspense series, In the Company of Killers, has been optioned for television and film by actor and model William Levy.
She also writes as J.A. Redmerski.


Links

Website
Twitter
Goodreads
Facebook


Buy from Amazon (eBook)
Buy from Amazon (Paperback)

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Book Release: A Girl Like Her

3/14/2018

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Book Excerpt

Ruth entered the town car park with a lot on her mind. Major highlights included:
1. Her stomach cramps, which had gone from mild irritation to knuckle-biting pain in the space of twenty minutes.
2. The indignity of waddling about town with loo roll stuffed down her knickers.
3. The absolutely extortionate price she’d just paid for a packet of substandard tampons that didn’t even have bloody applicators.
4.  Mrs. Needham, newsagent proprietor and town gossip, who would tell everyone that Ruth had come in to buy tampons as if they were Year Eight children instead of grown adults.
5. How much the average person might know about the theory of relativity. Because, the less people knew about it, the more she could get away with fudging the details for the latest issue of her web comic.
Was it really surprising, with all that to ponder, that she ran headlong into a pair of enormous men?
Ruth landed on the tarmac with an unladylike grunt. At least it was more elegant than the word currently burning through her mind: Motherfucker!
This was to be imagined, you understand, as an outraged yowl of pain.
For an instant of blissful, foolish shock, Ruth blinked down at the ground. Then she looked up slightly, just a touch—enough to see two pairs of sturdy, boot-clad feet before her. The sight of those feet, along with her embarrassment, took Ruth from mildly irritated to unreasonably angry.
But really. Those boots were entirely too solid, quite abominably stable. The men hadn’t even wobbled. They might at least pretend to be slightly unbalanced, since she was literally on the floor. Such firm uprightness in a situation like this struck her as rude.
“I’m so sorry,” one of the men said. She didn’t know which, because she refused to look up at their faces. She had quite enough to process right now without bringing faces and expressions and human lifeforms into it.
But one of the men, presumably the one who had spoken, ruined things completely by bending down to her level. He could do that, you see, because he hadn’t fallen. The prick.
He crouched before her, bringing his faded jeans into view, and then his tight, black T-shirt—what a ridiculous outfit in February—and then… well, some rather interesting musculature.
That musculature broke through Ruth’s haze of unreasonable annoyance, prodding her sharply. It said, Look at that chest! Look at those biceps! You’d better check out his face, just to see if it’s equally impressive. Quality control, and all that.
Reigning in the urge to throw a temper tantrum—she was feeling fragile, what with the tissue in her knickers—Ruth looked up.

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About the Book

Everyone has secrets. He wants all of hers.

Meet the man next door…

After years of military service, Evan Miller wants a quiet life. The small town of Ravenswood seems perfect—until he stumbles upon a vicious web of lies with his new neighbour at its centre.

Ruth Kabbah is rude, awkward, and—according to everyone in town—bad news. Thing is, no-one will tell Evan why. Does she perform ritual sacrifices? Howl at the moon? Pour the milk before the tea? He has no clue.

But he desperately wants to find out. Because Ruth doesn’t seem evil to him; she seems lonely. And funny, and clumsy, and secretly quite sweet, and really f*%king beautiful…

The more Evan’s isolated, eccentric neighbour pushes him away, the more he wants her. Her—and all her secrets. Because there’s no way a girl like Ruth truly deserves the town’s scorn.

…Is there?

A Girl Like Her is a steamy, small town BWWM romance. Warning: this book is 65,000+ words of extreme pleasure and intense romance, ending in a HEA. There are NO cliffhangers and NO cheating. Enjoy responsibly!

Author Bio

Talia Hibbert is a writer and educator from England, U.K., by way of both the West Indies and West Africa. She wrote her first romance aged 12, and was promptly scolded by her teacher because her story of love in the jungle wasn’t ‘proper’.
Since then, Talia’s romances have improved in quality and hugely increased in heat. She now writes erotic, interracial romances about dirty Brits. They still aren’t proper, but they are a lot of fun.
In her free time, she eats too much ice cream and watches K Drama on Netflix.
She also spends a serious amount of time on social media, so make sure you stay connected.
And, as Talia would say… that’s all, folks. Love and biscuits!

Links

U.S. http://amzn.to/2FqDgmo
UK: http://amzn.to/2oZHp9W


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Book Excerpt Her Russian Fixer

3/3/2018

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Book Excerpt

​The trouble started with a dog. A girl and a dog, to be more precise.
“Hang on,” Ben Volkov said to his brother Nik on the phone. “Something’s happening.”
“What?” Nik said, his voice urgent. “Is it Mishin?”
“No.” Ben lowered the phone and inched nearer to the brick wall, straining to see past the parked cars hiding him from view. Near the corner, a young woman appeared to be struggling with three gang thugs who were pushing her around, their yelling and taunts escalating to physical violence. By her feet cowered a huge shaggy mutt.
His gut knotted with disgust. He abhorred cruelty in all its forms, even more so because of his family heritage. The girl was obviously in distress, from her flushed face and harried expression, and the dog flinched and quivered each time the gang members stepped near.
He clenched his jaw and leaned back against the cool brick, his designer jeans and fine leather jacket out of place in this rougher neighborhood. Playing the white knight to a strange damsel in distress wasn’t his usual MO. Usually, Ben was the quiet one, the cool, calm, assessing one. But there was something about this girl, this situation, that refused to let him sit on the sidelines.
Knowing there’d be hell to pay from his brother later, Ben got back on the line. “I need to go.”
Nik rattled off a litany of Russian curses, blistering enough for Ben to hold the phone away from his ear for a second. When he got back on the line, he did his best to appease his brother.
“Look, I said I’d find Mishin and the money and I will. I just need to take care of something first.” Ben narrowed his gaze on the girl again. “I’ll meet you later to adjust our plans.”
“You better have a good reason for this, bro,” Nik said, though his threat held no heat. “Are you at least in the right place?”
“Yes. I’m in front of the address you gave me.” His heart tripped as the plaintive howls of the poor dog grew more intense. “I need to go. I’ll meet you at the bar in two hours.”
Ben ended the call without waiting for his brother’s reply. Adrenaline sizzled through his veins as he straightened his jacket then slid the phone into his pocket. It wasn’t his own personal safety he was concerned about. Hell, one didn’t grow up as a Volkov without learning early on how to fight.
No. It was this strange pull he had to rush to this strange woman’s aid. He was halfway to the corner before he even realized he’d moved. The girl turned and caught his gaze, her green eyes sparkling with anger. She was beautiful, he noticed absently as he neared the group.
Without warning, she rushed over to him, the frightened dog tangling around her ankles and nearly tripping her. She grabbed Ben’s hand and pulled him close, throwing her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek with her cherry-red lips. Her long black hair swirled around him, smelling of cinnamon and vanilla and his body tightened in response.
“Darling, I’m so glad you’re here,” she said, her voice determined and her smile overly bright. “I warned these guys you were on your way. This is my boyfriend and he’s going to kick your asses!”
“Yeah?” One of the thugs stepped forward, clearly unimpressed. “Him and what army?”
Ben inhaled sharply. He hated these overt displays of aggression, much preferring his drafting tables and construction tools to fighting. Still, when warranted, he could put the fear of God into just about anyone.

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About the Book

Title: Her Russian Fixer (Volkov Brothers Book One)
Author: Leslie North
Genre: Contemporary Romance

The line between right and wrong blurs when a ruthless Russian becomes her dark protector.

Benedikt Volkov grew up in Chicago, but his family’s ties to the Russian Mafia run deep. So when his godfather, Pyotr Mishin, steals millions from the Bratva, it’s up to Ben to find him or his family will be forced to pay back the money. However, his careful plans are quickly complicated when an impulsive brunette forces him to become her unlikely hero. Ben hates surprises, and uncontrollable Lucy with her luscious red lips is a distraction that could get them all killed. But with an unexpected connection to his godfather, she may be the key to securing his family’s future.

Lucy Paprocki may be reckless and disorganized, but she finds a new focus when her world is turned upside down. She’s determined to find her real father, Pyotr Mishin—a man she didn’t know existed until recently—and Ben Volkov may be her best chance. One look at his tattooed skin, muscled bulk, and penetrating stare, and Lucy knows Ben is Bratva. The mafia man may be hugely intimidating and wound tighter than a string, but Lucy will have to trust him if she wants to discover the truth about where she comes from.
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With danger lurking behind every door, passion quickly ignites between impulsive Lucy and methodical Ben. They may just be using one another to get what they want, but what if all they really need is each other?


Author Bio

Leslie North is the pen name for a critically-acclaimed author of women’s contemporary romance and fiction. The anonymity gives her the perfect opportunity to paint with her full artistic palette, especially in the romance and erotic fantasy genres.

The truth of the matter is she loves her fictional persona, Leslie North, more than her normal, day-to-day persona! Her bestselling books focus on strong characters and particularly women who aren’t afraid to challenge an alpha male. Inspired after years of travel, her stories are set all over the world, from the tough streets of Russia to the beautiful beaches of the middle east.

Leslie fell in love with romance when she first picked up a scrappy, dog-eared romance book from her local library. She began writing soon after and the rest, as they say, was history. She now lives in a cozy cottage on the British coast and enjoys taking long walks with her two Dalmatians, George and Fergie.

Read SIX full-length novellas by USA Today best-selling author Leslie North for FREE! Over 548 pages of best-selling romance with a combined 1091 FIVE STAR REVIEWS! Sign-up to her mailing list and get your FREE books HERE!
 
Links

www.leslienorthbooks.com
www.facebook.com/leslienorthbooks
www.twitter.com/leslienorthbook

Buy on
  • Amazon US -> http://amzn.to/2otUede
  • Amazon UK -> http://amzn.to/2EZIdq4
  • iBook -> https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1353435565
  • Nook -> https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/her-russian-fixer-leslie-north/1128072654
  • Kobo -> https://www.kobo.com/ch/en/ebook/her-russian-fixer
  • Googleplay -> https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=7WBODwAAQBAJ
Giveaway

Three lucky winners will get an eBook of Her Russian Fixer (two winners) or an audiobook of Her Ruthless Russian (one winner).
Fill in the form below to participate.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Release Blitz Fool's Gold

2/5/2018

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Teaser

Thrown together by necessity, united by love, Melissa and Sebastian must unravel a murderous scheme threatening to tear them apart

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About the Book

Penniless and estranged from her wealthy family in New Orleans, Widow Doña Melissa Bertrand de Cabrillo must barter her way from California to Louisiana in order to save her niece, even if it means posing as the wife of a perfect stranger.
Gold miner and banker Sebastian Henderson needs to find a wife soon . . . or at least a woman willing to play the role. Doña Melissa provides the perfect solution, but sharing a cabin with the tempting southern belle proves more challenging than their bargain—and more dangerous—after a passenger aboard their steamship is murdered. Melissa is convinced the death is connected to her family’s events in New Orleans.
Thrown together by necessity, united by love, Melissa and Sebastian must unravel a murderous scheme threatening to tear them apart.


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Author Bio

Cari Davis is an award-winning author of historical romantic suspense, writing tales of love, crime, and adventure in 19th Century America.
LinksBuy on  Amazon
Website: www.cari-davis.com
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/CDavis1851
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/CariDavisWrites


Giveaway

Win a $10 Amazon gift card to celebrate the new release.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Book Review Winner Take All

12/19/2017

1 Comment

 
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Title: Winner Take All
Author: Mary Rodgers
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Hot shot skier and unrepentant party girl Carly Carrington is on top of the world until a disastrous crash destroys her championship dreams. Can she lower her guard long enough to trust the one man who might be able to heal her body…and her heart?
When it comes to sports doctors, buttoned-up Paul Blackburn is the best of the best. But when Carly upends his carefully ordered little world, will Paul fight his one chance at true love, or go for the gold in… WINNER TAKE ALL.

Review: Hot shot skier and party girl Carly Carrington is on top of the world... But then a crash destroys her dreams for the championships. Paul Blackburn is the talented sports doctor who might be able to heal her body... But can he heal her heart too?

I love sports romance, and "Winner Take All" is such a beautiful, amazing story. Carly and Paul grow and change so much throughout the book. The writing is splendid, and this is the perfect read for a cold winter's night!


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