… and I am back to the website after another ridiculously lengthy hiatus!
I promise (again) to do better and remember to update this space more frequently.
It’s been a busy time. I’ve written and published three new books in a whole new (to me) romance genre. If you’d told me that I would pen even one cricket romance when I started this writing journey several years ago, I would have laughed all the way to Lord’s (actually, I probably wouldn’t have been able to locate it on a map!). But here we are. As my son’s passion for the sport has grown, so too has the popular sport’s romance genre. With hockey taking so much of the spotlight, and with my own interest in cricket growing over the past seven years as I ferry my teen about to tournaments and training, it became a challenge that I couldn’t resist…
Hit for Six got the ball rolling, releasing last spring to some amazing reviews. Obviously, cricket romance is a niche theme within the sports genre, but 1) so much of the action happens off the pitch 😉 (as with all my stories, there’s a whole lot of juicy backstory), and 2) cricket is coming back to the Olympics in 2028 for the first time since 1900! As if we even needed a 3) and a 4), here they are: cricket is growing massively all over the world, and last, but definitely not least, more women than ever are picking up bats and playing to impressively high standards.
The game is getting airtime in giant US baseball stadiums too, thanks to the popular and action-packed T20 format. That’s the cricket I write about (although there’s a nod or two throughout the series to the traditional game).
And… it goes without saying that, as with all sports, there are some HOT players. Which is where the romance aspect comes into its own. Oh, gawd. I am tripping myself up here.
As with all Isabella May books, my female main characters have BIG aspirations and their journeys to reach those dreams are truly inspiring. We are also transported to some lovely locations – Somerset (and Bath), the Cotswolds, Gibraltar, Boston, and Tuscany, to be precise.
Bowled Over was published in January this year, and On a Sticky Wicket has just gone off for formatting, ready for its May 1st publication date. Eek!
Without further ado, here are the links for all 3 titles. They are all available in ebook format on Amazon and are completely FREE to read in Kindle Unlimited. The paperbacks for Bowled Over and On a Sticky Wicket are currently in the works and will be available in May.
A simmering Fangirl Down X Rivals X Crazy Rich Asians (with a British twist)
LOLA is juggling two jobs to make ends meet; underpaid sales exec by day, and waitress in a cocktail bar by night.
MONTY is the captain of Bath Beasts cricket team and heir to a portfolio of luxury properties.
Girls like her don’t normally end up with boys like him. But when she accidentally bares all at his cup final, destiny (and the number six) ensures their match is a home run.
Unfortunately, Monty’s family has other ideas, doing all they can to prevent their golden boy from getting bowled over by the lowly Lola. Can their love survive the attacking shot? Or will they find themselves on a sticky wicket?
When recently dumped ANGELICA flies home from London to Gibraltar, the last thing she needs is more guy drama. But when the plane gets diverted and the passengers have to complete their journey by bus, a delectable but annoying male tries to make her feel guilty for snagging the last seat, leaving him in the torrential rain at midnight when he’s starting a new job in the morning. At least he doesn’t have to work for the family souvenir shop. He doesn’t know how lucky he is!
But little does Angelica realise that she’ll soon bump into the man in question in her apartment block’s elevator. And that’s just the beginning of a string of unexpected encounters, leading to what used to be her happy place: the cricket stadium.
SETH has only just come to terms with injury blighting his T20 career. He accepted the two year role as Cricket Development Coach in Gib, hoping some sunshine would be the tonic to get his life back on track. But the flight from hell and a face off with the world’s most selfish – but irritatingly gorgeous – woman is already ringing alarm bells, and now he can’t wait to see out his contract so he can return to England.
As Angelica and her team fight for their rights to access the male-dominated pitch and regain their mojo to compete in tournaments, the chemistry with Seth becomes impossible to resist. Until they are made to choose between the opposing forces of love and loyalty, families and careers…
When swoony and successful T20 cricketer, ARLO CASWELL, swaps playing for his city club to star in a village cricket tournament, injuring himself during an embarrassing catch in front of his childhood nemesis, is not part of the plan.
TRINNY KENNEDY is stressed! Her future catering career rests on her creating the perfect afternoon tea for the village cricket tournament. With a celebrity-studded attendance and a meticulous mayor overlooking proceedings, failure is not an option. So when Arlo barrels into the pavilion to get some ice, slipping on it and falling headfirst into her epic Victoria sponge, her fury knows no limits. And Arlo soon knows he’s met his match when Trinny locks him in the kitchen and demands he help her recreate the elaborate cake.
But little do the star cricketer and baking goddess realise that they are trying to impress the same shifty spectator. Now they must work as a team against the clock, while trying to resist any more falling… for each other.
A forced proximity romance, dusted with spin bowling, sugar and spice!
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I am off to have a lie down now!
No, seriously, I will try to be better at updating this space.
There’s a lot of work to do now to get some decent marketing on the go… and then it’s back to the drawing board with the ideas that are percolating for brand new titles. I will keep you posted!
In the meantime, happy reading and if you are looking for something fun and refreshing, why not pick up one of my cricket romances, or better still, all 3?
Isabella May Author 