What made you decide
to be an author? I’ve always wanted to be an author, even when I was really
young, so I don’t really know what made me want to be one! I can only assume
that it stemmed from my love of reading and a vivid imagination.
What do you like best about being a writer?
What do you like the least? What I like the least is easy: Proofreading. It
drives me nuts because no matter how many times I go over things, I always seem
to miss something!
What I like most is a bit harder to answer… I just love
writing in general, creating worlds and stories, but probably what I enjoy most
is creating the characters, deciding what they will look like, what they like
doing, how they handle situations etc.
How do you think your life experiences have prepared you for writing? I’ve
done a lot of travelling in the last few years and I’m constant inspired by the
places I go and the people I meet. The novella I’m currently working on is set
in Japan and has definitely been shaped by my experiences when spending time
there.
Have you ever felt as if you were being dictated to while you wrote a
book--as if the words came of their own accord? If yes, which book did that
happen with? I can’t say that’s ever happened actually! To be honest, I
barely get time to think something before my fingers are typing it up most of
the time!
You’ve written four novels and are working on a 5th novel. What’s your
favorite time management tip? Hmm… I don’t think I’ve got time management
down yet! I just try to fit in writing around my 9-5! However, I’ve recently
decided to scale back on the hours I’m working so that I can dedicate more time
to writing.
Are you a plotter or a pantser, i.e., do you outline your books ahead
of time or are you an “organic” writer? I’m ashamed to say I very rarely
plan my novels – which is actually quite strange, since I plan most other
things! I prefer to let the writing flow and, if I do plan out a story, I
usually find that I don’t stick to it anyway.
If you had one take away
piece of advice for authors, what would it be? Read, a lot. Look at the
style of other writers and use that to help you define your own writing.
Did music help you find your muse with this book? If yes, which song
did you find yourself going back to over and over again as you wrote? I
always have background noise when writing, but it’s normally the TV rather than
music, so no there was no specific song I listened to while writing Player.
However, I will be compiling a playlist for the book to share with you at some
point during the book tour so keep your eyes peeled!
Let the game begin…
After a tragic accident which leaves her tormented by guilt, Chloe Newman accepts a scholarship to study a St. Joseph’s University. Traveling from England to Texas, the last thing she expects is to meet the schools charming quarterback on her first night. However, Parker Mitchell is a player both on and off the field.
Parker is immediately fascinated by Chloe and, after a rocky start, they manage to find a way to make their relationship work despite interference from others on campus, including Parkers jealous ex, and the ghosts that haunt Chloe’s conscience.
But, the real test comes when they visit Parker’s family over Christmas break and he finds himself being pulled back into their lifestyle...
After a tragic accident which leaves her tormented by guilt, Chloe Newman accepts a scholarship to study a St. Joseph’s University. Traveling from England to Texas, the last thing she expects is to meet the schools charming quarterback on her first night. However, Parker Mitchell is a player both on and off the field.
Parker is immediately fascinated by Chloe and, after a rocky start, they manage to find a way to make their relationship work despite interference from others on campus, including Parkers jealous ex, and the ghosts that haunt Chloe’s conscience.
But, the real test comes when they visit Parker’s family over Christmas break and he finds himself being pulled back into their lifestyle...
Excerpt
While they ate, the twins chatted between themselves. They tried to include her, but Chloe was content just to listen, as was Jet, who kept sneaking glances at Riley every time she laughed, a smile tipping his own lips. When they were finished, they all got up and headed towards the doors, only to find their way blocked as the entire football team trooped in, talking loudly.
Out of the crowd, Parker suddenly appeared standing right in front of her. “Hey guys, what up to?” he asked the group in general, but his hazel eyes were fixed on her.
“We’re just going to the bookstore,” Terri answered, hands in her shorts pockets, looking a little bored.
“Mind if I tag along, I gotta get some books too.”
“Really? I’m surprised you can even read.”
“You got a mean streak, Terri,” Parker drawled in that thick accent of his, which she couldn’t place. “What’s got you all bent outta shape today?”
“Nothing,” she snapped back. “You can come if you have to, makes no difference to me.” And with that she stomped off out of the canteen.
“Ummm, we better go…” Riley winced, pointing after her sister.
Parker flashed Chloe a smile, saying, “You guys go, I’ll catch up in a sec.”
They were just passing the building where she now lived, when he came jogging up behind them, a slice of toast between his teeth, another in his right hand and several slices of crispy bacon in his left.
“Breakfast,” he explained around a mouthful, “I’m starvin’.”
As they walked, he kept pace with her, silently eating his food, the red baseball cap on his head shading his face from view whenever she tried to sneak a look.
Once he’d finished, he wiped his hands on his jeans and pushed his cap back so that he could look down at her. “So, what year you in?”
“First,” she answered, twisting a stand of hair around her finger. She hoped he didn’t think she was flirting; it was just a nervous habit.
“Really?” he cocked his head at her. “So you’re only eighteen?”
“No, I’m twenty. I worked for a couple of years to save some money.” Not the whole truth, but nor a complete lie either.
“Aahhh, that makes sense. You don’t look like a typical, clueless freshman.”
“Um, okay. I’m not sure if I should be offended or not.”
Flashing her a grin, which she was sure had gotten more than a few girls to climb straight into bed with him, Parker explained, “It was a compliment, no need to be offended. It’s a rule of mine not to mess with freshman, but since we’re the same age I don’t think that matters.”
Chloe was certain she felt her jaw drop open. The nerve of him! One eyebrow lifted challengingly as she asked, “Oh, and what if I don’t want to be messed with?”
Obviously realizing his mistake, his eyes widened and his lips parted. “That’s not what I meant, I just… er…” He whipped his hat off and scrubbed a hand through his blond hair, still wet from his shower. “What I meant was… Well…” Returning his hat to his head, he chuckled self-consciously.
A few steps in front, Terri snorted derisively, muttering, “Very smooth.”
Parker shot her a glare before turning his attention back to Chloe. “Let’s start over. Hi, I’m Parker Mitchell. Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he looked as stunned as she felt. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Jet and Terri gaping at them.
“Okay,” she blurted.
Nodding curtly, he backed away several steps, pushing his hands deep into his jean pockets. “I’ll pick you up at six then. I just remembered, I have to be somewhere.” With that he turned and walked off – she’d never seen anyone look so much like they were running away.
“You work quick.” Riley grinned, appearing at her side, “Your first day on campus and you’ve already got a date with the hottest guy here.”
“Hey, I thought I was the hottest guy here,” Jet feigned indignation and received a withering look from Terri, however, Chloe had noticed the way the other girl looked at him when he wasn’t paying attention.
“Just be careful, okay?” Terri advised, “He doesn’t treat girls particularly well.”
“He’s not a bad guy,” Jet defended.
“No, he’s a good guy. He’s great to have as a friend, but he doesn’t date girls. He’s more of a friends with benefits kind of guy.”
“Well,” Chloe shrugged, “I’m not a friends with benefits kind of girl, so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
“Good,” Terri nodded, approval in her eyes, “you stick to that.”
Player will be her first foray into the world of Contemporary Romance. She will write pretty much anything that pops into her head, no matter the genre, and enjoys keeping her readers guessing as to what she will write next, though you can pretty much guarantee that there will be some degree of romance!
As well as writing, M L Sparrow enjoys travelling and has been to some amazing countries in the past few years, her favourite of which was Japan. She never fails to gather inspiration from her travels and has an endless supply of ideas for future novels…
Website/Blog – http://mlsparrow.wix.com/mlsparrow
Twitter – https://twitter.com/MLSparrow1
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/mlsparrowauthor/
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13987660.M_L_Sparrow
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Tour giveaway
Two signed Paperback copies of Player.
£15 Amazon Gift card
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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