Why rugby’s the hottest sport for romance
When I sat down to write my first romance novel, I had no idea what the story would be but I knew who my hero was: a man with a scandalous past. A man who had torpedoed his own career and who was now trying to walk the straight-and-narrow path. A man tempted to ditch that path when the heroine proves too desirable to ignore.
And I knew he was an elite rugby player.
Several people told me that he shouldn’t play rugby. “Football players are really popular. Why not make him a football player?”
Why not? Because rugby’s the greatest sport in the world, and it’s perfect for a romance hero.
Rugby’s a fast-paced game. The action doesn’t stop when the ball hits the ground. The players don’t wear much protective gear, if any. No pads. No helmets. Only balls.
If you need proof, check out this video of “Beast” Mtawarira saving his teammate’s neck – literally – twice.
There don’t seem to be many people writing rugby romance novels. I started a list of rugby romance novels on Listopia in the hope that readers would add more books. If you know of any that aren’t on the list, please feel free to add them – and vote for your favorites while you’re there.
The people who read Knowing the Score might not have ever seen a rugby match, but I hope they’ll learn a bit about this great sport – and I really hope they love my hero, Spencer, for his commitment, his drive and, of course, his abs.
Do you like sports romances? What sports are your favorites to read about?
Knowing the Score was released on Monday. This week on my blog, I’m celebrating by giving away London Legends swag and the latest contemporary romance novels by my fellow Carina Press authors. Visit my website to enter the daily giveaways!
Knowing the Score by Kat Latham
Publication date: August 5, 2013
Book one of the London Legends
Rugby player Spencer Bailey is determined to win a spot on England’s World Cup team. But with a month break before the selectors start watching him, he’s eager to have fun with a woman who knows the score: the relationship will end when rugby season begins. The lovely American Caitlyn Sweeney seems perfect for the role of temporary lover, since her visa will run out soon anyway.
Caitlyn works for an international disaster relief organization and can handle the world’s worst crises, but she flinches from her own. Her past has left her with a fear of intimacy so deep that she has trouble getting close to anyone—until she meets sexy Spencer. His hot body and easygoing nature are too much for even her to resist.
Neither Caitlyn nor Spencer expects to fall hard for each other. But with their relationship deadline approaching, the old rules of the game seem less important than before…until past secrets surface, challenging everything they thought they knew about each other.
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Going to buy Knowing the Score right now! And how perfect the timing since I’m in between books! I can’t wait to see what happens between Caitlyn and Spencer. Oh, and now I’m curious about Rugby… I know about it, so guess what I’ll be doing along with reading the book?! 🙂