I know it’s not politically correct in this day and age to refer to anything as being gender-specific. I mean, if a guy wants to run around wearing a push-up bra all day because he likes women’s clothing, more power to him. And if little girls want to play with hot wheels and little boys want to play with dolls, who’s stopping them. No one’s going to laugh or poke fun. It’s all okay nowadays.
But me, I’ll about the “girl sports.” I like figure skating, ice dancing and gymnastics. I can really get into a good game of beach volleyball. My husband – not so much. He’s into the manly man sports, you know, football, Nascar, golf, although I’d argue that last one is a little foo foo. Watching golf is like watching grass grow if you ask me. I do like me some good old-fashioned rodeo, though and thankfully, the hubs and I both enjoy a good round of team roping, steer wrestling, and bull riding. Yee haw!!!
Now my friend Kristi Mathews, she’s all about baseball. Baseball is one of those “guy” sports in my mind, but Kristi is no guy and she’s one of the biggest fans around. What’s super cool about Kristi is that she’s found a very clever way to combine her two passions and get one fantastic result – a romance book about baseball.
Let me tell you a little bit about Kristi. She doesn’t remember a time when she didn’t have a book in her hand. Or in her head. But it wasn’t until she turned forty that she confessed the reason the laundry never made it out of the dryer was because she was busy writing. 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 more than 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.
Yes folks, she’s a Giants fan, but don’t hold that against her. She’s about as nice as they come.
Her debut novel, Better Than Perfect, is available everywhere today (there’s a link at the end of this post). Well, maybe not everywhere, but I’m sure if there’s a place that sells e-books, you’ll be able to find her. And today, I’m giving away a few copies to some very lucky followers. Just leave a comment below and you’ll automatically be in “the drawing.”
I’ve asked Kristi some questions. Her answers are in blue. My interview with Kristi starts now:
Here’s the blurb: More Than A Game, #1
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.
If you have a question for Kristi, her book, or baseball, leave it in the comments section below. She’ll be stopping by periodically to answer.
If you have a question for me, the answer is no. Just kidding. You can ask questions any time in the comments portions of any blogs I’ve posted. Thanks for visiting, sharing your thoughts and being a good and faithful follower. For more information about Kristi and her books click here: http://kristinamathews.com/2013/11/03/whats-new/
Are you a baseball fan? Any sport in particular you like / hate? Which cover do you like better?
Word of the Day: Gigot
Fun fact about me: I played second base on my little league team a very long time ago. We took second place. I still have the trophy.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, March 2014. Photos courtesy Google Images and Amazon.com. Kristi’s book, Better Than Perfect is available by clicking here: www.amazon.com/Better-Than-Perfect-More-Game-ebook/dp/B00IT6IC0W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1394751847&sr=1-1&keywords=better+than+perfect
Go Kristina! it’s nice to see you here on the blog. I hope you get your wish of hardwood floors, driving the 3,073 miles to Ocean City, (don’t you just love that road sign on Hwy 50?), and being a “Ball Dudette!”.
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Thanks for stopping by.
I do love that sign. It reminds me a little of writing. Sometimes it seems like an impossible journey, but you just have to start. If you keep going, you’ll get there.
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Hi Suzanne and Kristi. I too have seen that sign on Highway 50 and often wonder who paid to have it put up. I presumed it was a joke, but I love it.
Happy release day, Kristina. I hope you have a very lucrative debut book experience.
Patricia
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Jansen,
Thank you so much for having me on your blog and helping me celebrate my book birthday. I wouldn’t be here without your encouragement, support, and leadership.
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Aw shucks – you’re too kind. I know that you’re a hard worker and that’s what really sells books. Best of luck to you my friend. Enjoy this ride.
Patricia
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Congrats to Kristina! Nice to meet you. I am still a few months out from the roller coaster ride. I’m glad to hear it worked out for you!
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Hi Susie and thanks for stopping by. I know Kristi appreciates all the support.
I know you Susie, you’re about as creative and hard-working as they come. When you feel the time is right, you’re going to have a best-seller.
Patricia
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Oh gosh! That’s so nice of you to say! I found an editor and will be sending it off a week from today. I hope and pray I’ll find an agent and publisher like Kristina! I’ll be ready to buy a ticket for the roller coaster…. 🙂
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Hi Susie,
My last reply was sent to another dimension, I guess.
It’s nice to meet you, too. I hope you will enjoy your own ride. It will happen very quickly. After the years and years of waiting.
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I am so ready mentally. I just want to be sure my book is the best it can be. I’m hoping to query by mid-summer. Then the fun will begin!
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Hi Kristina. I’m so excited for you. Your journey has really just begun. BTW, growing up, my summer nights were spent watching baseball in Chicago so I totally understand your passion. And since everyone knows that writers are optimists, it won’t surprise you that I’m still a Chicago Cubs Fan. The biggest optimists of them all! Now I’m off to start on your new release. Happy days are ahead for you!
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Hi Cindy. Thanks for taking the time to stop by. It’s so nice to see a showing of support from the SVR contingent.
I didn’t know you were a baseball fan. That’s cool.
Patricia
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Cindy,
Thank you for your support. I have mad respect for Cubs fans. They’re a team I can root for unless they’re playing the Giants, of course.
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Kristina, I wish you the best for a lot of sales. I feel like I know your characters already after hearing you talk about them on our way to and from our SVR meetings. The cover is awesome and it is definitely hawt!!! I know very little about baseball because the last time I played it I was in high school and I’ve never attended a professional game. I know how much you love the sport and am glad you are able to put your two loves together and write your stories with baseball as the theme.
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Hi Paisley. I know what you mean about knowing Kristi’s characters. It’s so nice to have that time to spend together so we can learn about each other and the crazy people who live in our heads.
Patricia
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Paisley,
It seems like just yesterday you were the first to welcome me to SVR. Wow it has flown by.
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I’m a HUGE Seattle Mariners fan and pretty fond of romance as well. Sounds like a great combination! 🙂
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Hi Coleen. Mariners fan, huh? I’ll bet Kristi will have some interesting things to say to you.
Thanks for stopping by.
Patricia
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I think Tim Lincecum grew up a Mariners fan. As long as they’re not playing the Giants, I wish them well. Oh, and I’m really glad Timmy stayed a Giant instead of moving back home to Seattle.
I chose to use a fictional team, because I know how passionate baseball fans are. I get thrown out of a story if the team is real but the catcher is not the real guy behind the plate.
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I’m having trouble with my internet. Go figure, I took the day off from work so I could stay on top of things. And so the kids at school wouldn’t look at me funny when I periodically jump up and down.
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You took a day off work to work. I love it!
Now worries on the internet. Just keep checking back when you can.
Patricia
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Congrats to Kristina on the release! One of my writer friends contracted with Lyrical right before the merger, and is very happy with them. I have to admit I like the second cover better. I bet it will sell tons!
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Hi Jennette. Two of the gals in my local RWA chapter signed with Lyrical right before the merger as well. They are both now with Kensinston and, so far, have no complaints.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Patricia
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Hi Jennette,
I’ve been very impressed with how friendly and helpful the Lyrical authors I’ve “met” have been. I’ve learned a lot from them, and they’ve helped me not feel so clueless about spreading the word about my book.
I do like the second cover, too, but I feel a little sad for the first guy. Hopefully he’ll find some love somewhere else.
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Leave it to you Patricia to find such a intriguing guest. Great interview girls!
I especially love that you gave us such a personal view of your publishing experience Kristina. I think it gives those of us who haven’t reached the stage of publication a renewed hope whether traditional or self publishing. It’s dang hard to write that first book. Geez, it’s taking forever. lol. But once you feel that it’s ready to send off, then you end up facing rejection and frustration. What a cycle.
I really like the premise of your story Kristina. I think it sounds fresh and I wish you all the best with the series! 🙂
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Hi Karen and thanks for visiting. Kristi is over the moon about her first book. She took the day off work yesterday to be “everywhere” she needed to be in the blogging and social media world and to enjoy a pedicure her hubby rewarded her with for her hard work.
Hopefully she’ll drop in later and leave a reply as well.
Always good to see you over here at the Edge of Eternity
Patricia
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Hi Karen,
So nice to hear from you. I’m glad you liked my path to publication story. There are so many different roads to success. I, too, found other’s stories inspiring. And it’s been great having a support group to help me celebrate my successes along the way and give hugs for all the disappointments.
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Thank you everyone for your comments and support of Kristina. And thank you Kristina for being my esteemed guest. I wish you the best of luck in your publishing journey.
The winners of Better Than Perfect are: Suzanne Pitner (TeacherWriter), Susie Lindau, CJ Burright, and Karen McFarland.
If each of you will drop me an e-mail at jansen (dot) schmidt (at) yahoo (dot) com I will forward you your electronic copy of Kristi’s book. I will be sending Amazon (Kindle) versions only so if you don’t have a Kindle, I’ll need your address so I can have a paper copy delivered to you.
Thanks again everyone for your support.
Patricia
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Thank you so much for hosting me. It was a great way to celebrate my first novel release. I hope the winners will enjoy reading Better Than Perfect as much as I enjoyed writing it.
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Congratulations, Kristi! I love to hear success stories. The book sounds great!
I like the second cover better!
Great post, Patricia!
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Thanks Lynn. Kristi has had an amazing adventure that’s for sure.
Patricia
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