It’s not everyday I discover a new author to add to my very limited list of favourite authors. However, that’s precisely what happened when I sat down and read an advance copy of Rachel Gibson’s NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. This book garnered my first 10 star review (and I’m very stingy with these) and is a The Season Top Pick for May. If you’d like to read how I wax poetic about NOTHING BUT TROUBLE, please click here for my review.

After reading this truly fabulous book, I had to contact Avon to find out if Rachel would join me on the blog for a short interview and Rachel graciously agreed (See, when I love a book, I want to share it with everyone). So please extend a warm, enthusiastic welcome to Rachel.

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Nothing But Trouble is already one of my favourite books of all time. Can you tell the readers a little about Mark and Chelsea and how their story came to be?


While I wrote my last book, True Love And Other Disasters, Mark Bressler just kind of kept popping up in my head. His story is so tragic. At least for him. He’d lived his whole life for one moment, and it was taken from him in a freak car accident. I always felt so bad for Mark, and so I gave him Chelsea. She’s fun and funny and not intimidated by a cranky hockey player.


Are you a huge hockey fan? I grew up in Canada so that’s mandatory but I didn’t think anyone in the U.S. cared about hockey.


I wasn’t a huge hockey fan until I saw Mark Messier play. I was on a treadmill at a gym when I looked up and saw him on one of the television screens. I was transfixed by his Cro-Magnon man features. I fell in love with him and hockey. That was in 1994 and I wrote my first published hockey book, Simply Irresistible with his bobble head on my desk. It’s still there. So yes, I am a huge fan.


In romance, I’ve heard editors say that books about sports figures or actors don’t do well. You have both and they’re wonderful. Is that just a matter of having the right story or that Rachel Gibson fans would buy anything with your name on it. (I’m pretty sure I would).


I think it’s the right story. Yes my heroes are sports figures, but the romance is always front and center in every chapter of my books.

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Nothing But Trouble
Author: Rachel Gibson
Publisher: Avon/HarperCollins
Pub. Date: April 27, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0061579097
Retail: $7.99
384 pages

Chelsea Ross’s acting career has been a total bust. The closest she ever came to stardom was her brilliant performance as “Pretty Dead Girl #1.” But leaving Hollywood to become the personal assistant to a famous hockey player could be her stupidest career move ever.

Injured superstar Mark Bressler’s glory days are over. The bad-boy ex-jock could at least be civil to the pint-sized, pink-haired bombshell who the Seattle Chinooks hired to be his P.A. If Chelsea didn’t need the money, she’d be running from the world’s biggest jerk as fast as her feet could carry her.

Chelsea can deal with Mark’s rotten attitude and dark moods. The problem is those biceps and that red-hot bod! And when the bad boy starts to put the moves on her, Chelsea knows it’s time she banished him to the penalty box . . . if only she could resist the kind of trouble he has in mind!

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The teaser at the end of the book left me champing at the bit for Sam Leclaire’s book. Can you tell us a little about his three day marriage? Is it possible I can get that book earlier than Spring of 2011? Pretty please?


I don’t know if you can get it early. I’m only on page 180. I write by the seat of my pants. Which means that I don’t plot. When I sit down to write, I have a vague idea of where the story is headed that day. So, what little I can tell you about Sam’s story is that what happened in Vegas, didn’t stay in Vegas.


What can we expect from you after Sam’s book? I’m hoping to see two titles out from you in 2011.


Two? You’re killing me. I am not a fast writer and, honestly, I don’t know what’s after Sam’s book.


Here’s a question I ask all New York Times bestselling authors. What was it like hitting that list for the first time? Are you treated differently after you do (readers, publishing house, other authors)?


The first time I hit was awesome. Avon sent me flowers and my agent sent me champagne. I toasted with my friends and then . . . I got back to work. I’m not sure readers treat me different. Either readers like my books or they don’t depending on the story. There are a few more perks with the publisher, but probably not as many as you’d expect. And you do learn who your friends are. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s very true.

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Who are some of your favourite authors? Who influenced you in your decision to become a writer?


Love Lisa Kleypas, Simon R Green and Jim Butcher. The biggest influence on my decision to become a writer was Margaret Mitchell. I read Gone With The Wind in 1990 and hated the ending. So I sat down with a typerwriter one night and rewrote Gone With The Wind. I was 29 and the notion of writing a book never entered my head until that night.


Is there anything you would like to tell us about you, your writing or books?


Every book that I write, I truly love. If I didn’t, I’d write something else that I did love. That’s why when people ask me what my favorite book is, I really don’t know because I really don’t have one. Something about me? Hmmm well, I consider myself just a normal down to earth person who just happens to have a really cool job.

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Rachel, I know how busy you are, so I’m ultra-pleased you could take some time out of your schedule to sit down for this virtual chit chat. Thanks so much for stopping by.

To celebrate the release of Nothing But Trouble, which is today, Avon Books is giving a copy away to one lucky commenter. (Psst, you seriously want to get this book!)

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By Authors, Avon Books, Giveaways, Interviews45 Comments on Rachel Gibson’s Nothing But Trouble

45 Replies to “Rachel Gibson’s Nothing But Trouble”

  1. Rachel congrats on the release of Nothing But Trouble! Perfect timing for the book with the Stanley Cup Playoffs going on! Go Canucks Go!

  2. Oh baby….I can’t wait to read this new story and thanks sooooo much for the drawing…..(keeping fingers crossed).

    Take all the time you need Rachel…We’ll all be there when your next book is ready!!!

    Best Wishes,
    Mitzi.

  3. HOCKEY! And romance! But also, HOCKEY! Gosh, I love it when two of my favourite things in the world are combined… especially when they’re combined by one of my favourite authors! I seriously cannot wait to read this book! *squeeeeeeee*

  5. Congrats Rachel on your release! Another winner it seems that I would LOVE to read.
    So please count me in, thanks.

  8. How ironic, I am not a strong hockey follower but it was Mark Messier that I first took note of also! Being a native New Yorker, it was hard not to notice him 🙂

  11. Happy Release Day !
    I’d really like to read one of your books coz you are a new for me author, Rachel 🙂

  13. I am a Rachel Gibson fan girl! I borrowed Tangled Up in You on a whim and have never looked back! I am also kicking myself because I had this book in my hand last week and put it down (honestly what was I thinking?) I can’t wait to read Nothing But Trouble. Keep writing cause we’ll keep reading!

  14. I’m so happy the release day is finally here! I cannot wait to read Nothing But Trouble – I have read so many great reviews for it already. I have been a huge fan of Rachel’s writing ever since I read See Jane Score. I can always count Rachel’s books to give me a wonderful romance with great characters! Thanks for the interview.

  20. Rachel congrats on the release! I loved the trailer for the book and would love to read it. ^^

  22. Great interview. Congratulations on the release of Nothing But Trouble. Sounds wonderful.

  24. I’m looking forward to reading “Nothing But Trouble”. After all, I’ve loved everything else I’ve read that’s written by you! Plus, hockey players? (Fans self.) Congratulations on Release Day, and I hope to be the winner!

  25. Can’t wait to read Nothing But Trouble! I love hockey!

    Congratulations on your new release.

  29. I liked this interview. Great job! I absolutely adore Rachel Gibson. I look forward to reading it 🙂

  30. I would love to read this book, especially since it involves hockey players:)
    Thanks!
    bangersis(at)msn(dot)com

  31. Yes, a release from you! I can’t wait to read this book, am sure it’ll be as good if not better than your previous books. I love hockey so i can’t wait to read about it from you.

  32. Congrats on your new release!! I’ve read all great reviews about this book!! Please enter me. Thanks, Sue

    suehusseinAtAolDotCom

  33. What a fantastic review, and interview! I saw the book today, but held back until I read a review. I don’t know WHY, since she is a wonderful author. Perhaps, I was waiting for someone to post one here on The Season…LOL!

    Congratulations, Rachel…..and thanks Bev!

  34. I enjoyed the interview and Nothing But Trouble sounds like a fantastic book, I’m looking forward to reading it.

  35. This book looks really good and interesting and alot of fun! I like hockey and the acting business.
    Great interview Bev and Rachel! I enjoyed reading it! 🙂

  40. I have seen several reviews of this book and they have all been great. The feeling seems to be – good characters, good scenario, funny book, loved it.

    And about hockey, I think it depends where in the US you grew up. I grew up 65 miles south of Montreal in New York State. My family members were all big hockey fans, still are. I am not a rabid fan, but I enjoy watching it every now and then. None of the family ever played, but they loved to watch. I hadn’t watched for a while before watching a game a few months ago. I had forgotten how fast the game moves.

    Good luck with the release of NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. I look forward to reading it.

  41. I absolutely love Rachel’s books! I have been steadily working on her backlist. 🙂

  42. I have loved Rachel’s books for awhile! It is so great to see a new one available!

    You have to read “Sex Lies and Dating” first in series and “The Trouble with Valentine’s Day” is also great fun. It has repeating characters in it from other books.

  43. I have some of Rachel’s books on my huge TBR. I love sports romances so this one is definitely going on my list too.
    Great interview!

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