For the Game (20 page)

The positive feedback from FOR THE WIN has been overwhelming. Readers have been loving London and Cooper’s story. When I first wrote FOR THE WIN, I thought it would be a standalone. My plan had been to write another sports romance about a completely different couple. But as emails and reviews started pouring in, it was clear that I needed to finish London and Cooper’s story. Many readers wanted to know what would happen to the couple once Cooper went away to college. They wanted to know if Cooper made it to the major leagues and if London stayed healthy. So I decided to continue on with their story in FOR THE GAME. I had a lot of different ideas for what could happen in this book. I pondered London getting sick again. I pondered them breaking up and getting back together. But in the end I just started writing and allowed London and Cooper to dictate where their story would lead. And the truth is, that their love for one another was too strong for them to break up. And London was getting healthier. I didn’t want her to have a setback. I wanted her to have a bright future. As I wrote, I realized that both London and Cooper had baggage that needed to be dealt with in order to have a future together. Cooper needed to face his parents’ death, and London needed to face her insecurities. So that’s where their journey took me. I feel satisfied with it, and I hope you do too.

As always, I have a ton of people to thank:

Lisa Richardson, my super star editor. I don’t know what I’d do without her.

Kris at C & K Creations for my fabulous cover. I love it so much. It’s perfect.

Cambria Hebert for being an awesome beta reader, and a huge support to me on days where I just want to lie around in my pajamas and not write a word. Cameo Renae for her daily encouragement.

To Leanne Coulson for coming up with Fallbrook University.

To Kagen for responding to all my crazy texts, even when I asked him what the mask was called that the catcher wears over his face. Ha ha! But seriously, without your baseball facts and pitching knowledge I would truly be lost.

To Matt for helping with the dialogue between the players, baseball jargon, and helping me with friendly trash talk. I appreciate you looking over scenes I sent you and making changes.

To my kids for being two of my biggest blessings.

To my husband for being my “always.”

To my fan club – your enthusiasm for London and Cooper’s story encouraged me to keep writing. #londonandcooperforever

To my extended family – there are too many to name, but I love you all!

To all my readers, bloggers and fans, you make this all worth it! I can’t thank you enough.

And, most of all, to God, who makes all this possible. Everything I do is for you.

Amber

Amber Garza is the author of the
Delaney’s Gift Series
, the
Prowl Trilogy
, suspense novel
Engraved
, and many contemporary romance titles, including
Star Struck
,
Tripping Me Up
and
For the Win
. She has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Tea and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they’re real people. She currently lives in California with her amazing husband, and two hilarious children who provide her with enough material to keep her writing for years.