Better Than Perfect by Kristina Mathews - Interview/Giveaway

Better Than Perfect

by Kristina Mathews

BLURB:

The woman he left behind and the son he never knew are tougher opponents than any he’s met on the field.

Pitcher Johnny “The Monk” Scottsdale has won awards, been named an All-star and has a perfect game to his credit. Known for his legendary control both on and off the field, his pristine public image makes him the ideal person to work with youth players in a preseason minicamp. Except the camp is run by the one woman he can’t forget…the woman who made him a “monk.”

Alice Harrison’s three strikes include an unexpected pregnancy, a marriage of convenience and young widowhood. She once traded her dreams so Johnny could have a chance at making it to the Majors. Johnny comes back into her life just as she’s ready to resign as foundation director and pursue her own dreams of finally earning her teaching credential. Her plans may go on hold, though, depending on the reaction when she confesses she may have kept a major league secret from Johnny and her son.

With the minutes ticking by until Johnny will leave for spring training, they’ll need to let go of the past and work together in order to win the game of love.

CONTENT WARNING: Some strong language, consummated love scenes

http://lyricalpress.com/better-perfect-kristina-mathews/

http://www.amazon.com/Better-Than-Perfect-More-Game-ebook/dp/B00IT6IC0W/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/better-than-perfect-kristina-mathews/1118912159

To get started can you tell us what you are working on or have coming out?

Better Than Perfect is Book 1 in the More Than A Game series. Book 2, Worth The Trade will be out in July. I have submitted Book 3 and am working on Book 4. I have an idea for the heroine for a fifth book, but I don’t want to get to far ahead of myself. Book 4, Bryce Baxter’s story was originally going to bethe second book, but his teammates demanded attention.

What made you realize that writing was it for you? Do you write full time?

I’ve always written, but mostly for myself. I filled volumes of journals in high school, and wrote awful poetry (and one really bad country song) in college. I started my first romance novel in 1993 when I was a newlywed, but it wasn’t until I turned 40 that I got serious about making my dream a reality. I write as much as I can in between raising my teenager and preteen and working at their former elementary school. I have an incredibly supportive husband. He loves to find my book on Amazon around the world and update me when my ranking is good. He posts the cover on Facebook, telling friends that yes, he has been working out.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

I love road trips. Four our honeymoon we traveled from California to Yellowstone over two weeks. We had to be back to Reno in time for me to be a bridesmaid for a girlfriend’s wedding. We have traveled much of the Western part of the US, and we hope to someday travel all 3,073 miles of Highway 50 from Sacramento, CA to Ocean City, MD. We’ve made it to Grand Junction, CO. Our favorite stretch is “The Loneliest Highway in America” through Nevada.

Plotter or Pantser? Why?

I’m a Pantser, in the sense that I don’t write out the plot ahead of time. I do spend a lot of time thinking about the hero/heroine’s goals, motivations, and conflicts. I usually start with the idea for the opening scene. Then I think about what the black moment will be and how my characters will resolve it. Then I take it scene by scene. I do spend a lot of time plotting in my head. I don’t outline or use sticky notes. The only outside of the manuscript writing I do is when I get an idea that can’t wait and I jot it down on the Notes app on my iPhone. The great thing is that I can e-mail to myself and copy and paste if it’s really good. I’ve tried writing out an outline but then my brain thinks I’m done. In high school, I was the student who typed up the paper at the last minute and then wrote the required outline (and sometimes fake rough draft) on the bus on the way to school.

Where are your fans most likely to find you hanging out?

I’m on Facebook at least three or four times a day. I can be found on Twitter during sporting events and at random times, mostly commenting on baseball and sometimes tweeting about book news. I do try to blog once a week, but sometimes I get behind schedule. I try to relate the writing life with baseball, but I throw some teenager stories in once in a while. Here are my links, if you’d like to include them.

Website www.kristinamathews.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kristinamathewsauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KristinaMathews

Kristina Mathews doesn't remember a time when she didn't have a book in her hand. Or in her head. But it wasn't until 2010 that she confessed the reason the laundry never made it out of the dryer was because she was busy writing romance novels.

While she resigned from teaching with the arrival of her second son, she's remained an educator in some form. As a volunteer, Parent Club member or para educator, she finds the most satisfaction working with emergent and developing readers, helping foster confidence and a lifelong love of books.

Kristina lives in Northern California with her husband of twenty years, two sons and a black lab. A veteran road tripper, amateur renovator and sports fanatic. She hopes to one day travel all 3,073 miles of Highway 50 from Sacramento, CA to Ocean City, MD, replace her carpet with hardwood floors and serve as a “Ball Dudette” for the San Francisco Giants.

Website www.kristinamathews.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kristinamathewsauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KristinaMathews

Kristina will be awarding a $10 Amazon GC plus a digital copy of the book to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour