First, we have to take a moment to congratulate Ms. Burton because today is the release day of PLAYING TO WIN, the sixth book in her Play by Play series.  Yes, you know what I’m talking about, that series with the HAWT sports covers.  Jaci is one of our favorite authors and we are very excited to have her again spending release day with us.  We also decided to dig through our archives and if you scroll past the interview and review for the new release, you will find a couple of oldies but goodies reviews of two of Jaci’s books that if you haven’t read, then you should go pick them up today as well.  But now lets welcome Jaci to UTC!

What do you think is the best quality or most attractive thing of each and every hero of your Play by Play series? See that’s easier than asking for favorites 😉

The one thing I find most attractive about each of my Play by Play heroes is their vulnerability. They might not even be aware of it, and it may take them awhile to show it, but eventually they’re all vulnerable in one way or another, and they trust the heroine enough to show it. It takes a lot for an athlete to show vulnerability, whether it be physical or emotional, and their willingness to shed that macho image and expose their underbelly is one of the things I love the most about these guys.

Cole’s story is finally here and of course people are always wondering if the stories will be as hot as the covers. Can you give us a little teaser of PLAYING TO WIN?

Cole is my bad boy who refuses to take responsibility for his failings. Until Savannah shows up and makes him see the light. I wanted to do a story that was relevant to sports figures today. So many of them think they can do whatever they want–act however they want without consequence. In Playing to Win, Cole has to face the consequences of his actions. He’s on his third strike, and if he screws up again, he’s out of the game for good. Savannah is his last hope to clean up his image and make him understand that much of what he’s done is his fault. So it’s two people butting heads, and the attraction that comes out of them working closely together and how they manage that while trying to salvage Cole’s career. Lots of sparks and fireworks and heated sexual tension–fun stuff!

Cole’s sister Alicia will be the heroine of the next book with Garrett, Gavin’s friend. What can you tell us about THROWN BY A CURVE while we suffer the wait?

In THROWN BY A CURVE I deal with what happens when a player is injured. Alicia is a sports medicine specialist, so she has to deal not only with Garrett’s physical injury, but the psychological ramifications of what happens to an athlete when they can’t play, when their life has been all about their sport. Garrett undergoes a crisis not only physically, but also mentally as he faces what might happen if he can’t pitch again. And he has to lean on Alicia not only because she’s his therapist, but because she comes to know him better than he knows himself. They work closely together on his rehab, and she sees the good side and the bad side of Garrett as he works through his issues. And as they draw closer and closer, will either of them be able to let go once Garrett’s rehab is complete?

When can we expect the second book in your Killer series?

Killer Decision will be released as an e-book original sometime in 2013. I’ll hopefully have details up on my website soon about this book.

Many authors get their ideas from everyday life. Do you have a story to share where your real-life experience has influenced your writing?

My love of riding Harleys influenced my Wild Riders series, and my utter addiction to sports influences my Play by Play series. I often write about the places where I live or where I’ve lived before, like St Louis and Oklahoma and California, because I know those locations best and loved them the most.

Christmas is around the corner and that to me means another Kent Brothers story! Will THE BEST THING be the last in this mini series?

Yes, THE BEST THING, Brody and Tori’s story, wraps up the Kent Brothers series.

If you could write a warning label for yourself as a person or an author, what would it say?

Warning: Author on deadline–bad disposition, curses often. On strict diet of pizza, Hershey Kisses and bubble gum. Do not attempt to engage in conversation.

An avid reader yourself, what have been the book(s) that stand out the most from everything you’ve read in 2012?

Oh I’ve read some awesome books this year. I lost an entire day of writing by reading Nora Roberts’ The Witness, which I thought was just excellent. I loved Jill Shalvis Lucky Harbor series. Julie James needs to write a lot faster, because About That Night was great. I have mad love for Shannon Stacey’s Kowalski series, and I just got a sneak peek at Maya Banks new Highlander historical, Never Seduce A Scot, due out this month, and it’s fantastic. I also thought Sylvia Day’s Bared to You was brilliant.

Is there anything you’d love to write (genre, idea) that you haven’t done yet?

Not really. I love writing contemporary romance. When I first started writing erotic romance, I dabbled into a lot of different genres. I’ve written fantasy and paranormal and suspense, but I love contemporary the best.

What are you currently working on and what will be the next project to be released?

Right now I’m working on my Hope contemporary romance series, a new series that’ll be released through Berkley next year. It’s set in a small town in Oklahoma with connected characters. The first book will be released in an anthology next summer, and the first single title will come out next fall. I’m really excited about this series!

Next to be released on Nov 6th is the digital release of The Ties That Bind, my novella that was previously available in the Laced With Desire anthology. We’re releasing several of my novellas that were previously available in anthologies for those that might have missed them or might not want to buy the entire anthology just to read one of my books.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

My husband and I like to hang out at a few of our local casinos. So far we haven’t struck it rich, but it’s not for lack of trying. We still enjoy riding the Harley, but that’s been kind of tough with the brutally hot summers we’ve had here in Oklahoma lately. I love to garden, but again, these summers have been a challenge to my green thumb. Good thing my jalapenos love the heat. And of course, I read whenever I’m not writing.

What was the last movie you watched?

The last movie we went to the theater to see was The Dark Knight Rises. Great film. At home, I think the last movie we watched was Contagion, which made me never want to touch another surface again without copious amounts of hand sanitizer.

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing with us today!  

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Someone’s going to have to let down their guard…

Football star Cole Riley is notorious for doing as he pleases—on the field and off. He parties hard and fights harder, but if he doesn’t clean up his act, his career is over—so Cole reluctantly agrees to work with image makeover consultant Savannah Brooks. He’s not used to being told what to do, especially by some (admittedly hot) Southern belle. As for Savannah, she’s not convinced she can transform this cocky (and aggressively sexy) force of nature. But she’s determined to give it her best shot.

When the sparks start to fly, Savannah lays down the ground rules: no personal complications. If she can turn off the tingle she feels every time Cole gives her a hot stare with his gorgeous baby blues, he can turn off his desire as well. But for two people determined to have it all, a hands-off policy can only last so long before one of them yields.

Berkley is  graciously offering a print copy of PLAYING TO WIN to one lucky US maiden!

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Books have the power to unite people and that is exactly what happened with us! Our love for books have brought us together and we’ve become good friends in a short amount of time. We “met” online through Goodreads and decided to share our passion of books with fellow book lovers. And that is how Under the Covers came to be.

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55 Comments

  2. Jaci is a new author for me. I have seen her books and her covers are fantastic-definately drooling when I see them. Thanks for the great giveaway.
    christinebails at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  4. I am a serious Jaci Burton fangirl. The Wild Riders..seriously smoking hot.

    And the Play by Play books..yum!

    And the stories are awesome too 😉

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  11. Jaci, your Playing to win is my first series I have read by you and it won’t be my last.. I will be getting my hands as many of your books as I can…
    Great interview and thanks for a chance at a great giveaway.

    superauntkx9(at)live(dot)ca

    Reply

  12. I love your books, all of them! I especially love your warning label, it made me laugh but then I am the same way when I don’t want to be bothered, or can’t be because I need to get something done! 🙂 Can’t wait to read your book!

    Reply

  14. I honestly don’t know what I love the most about this author: the fact that she rides Harleys or her cover artworks…hot either ways!
    minadecaro at hotmail dot com

    Reply

  28. I love this series and loved feeling like I was out on the ice in Taking a Shot… even though I don’t ice skate and am not a hockey fan!

    I would love to win this! thanks for the giveaway and interview!

    Reply

  31. I enjoyed reading through the interview. Nice thoughtful questions! I like the idea of tackling the issue of a sports star who has to mind his ps&qs. It should be a great read.

    Thanks for the post and giveaway opportunity.

    Reply

  35. I love Jaci’s books. I was introduced to Jaci with Unlaced. Couldn’t find it at a bookstore, but found others by her. Read them and loved them. I haven’t read this series as of yet, but I do have them. Hope to get to them soon.

    Thanks for the giveaway,

    Elizabeth Gray
    [email protected]

    Reply

  36. I love that you wrote the Play by Play series. I hate sports (and that word might not be strong enough). I love your Play by Play series. I have asked my husband questions about the sports and now I kind of understand his love of the sports. Thanks for the giveaway. This book has been on my wish list since I first heard about it. jepebATverizonDOTnet

    Reply

  38. Love the question about the warning label. It had me wondering what mine would read:)
    I haven’t even gotten my hands on this book yet, and I’m already excited to find out what the next one is about.

    Reply

  39. Congrats on the release of Playing To Win. I haven’t read any of the series yet. I love all the covers, they are absolutely gorgeous. I enjoyed reading the interview. To learn that all the heroes have some sort of vulnerability was very interesting, because one wouldn’t think that about these men. It makes them human to me.
    What do you think would be the most unlikely sport for one of your books in the Play by Play series?
    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  40. I have to admit that I have not read any of Jaci’s books yet, but do have them on my wishlist. And I do love the covers for this series…so hot!!
    Thanks for the giveaway chance.
    June
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  41. Regrettably, I’ve not read any of Jaci’s books although they are in my to read list. Definitely can’t wait to grab the Play by Play series to get started.

    Great interview and it’s cool to know a chick who rides a Harley. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

    cutiephinphin (at) hotmail (dot) com

    Reply

  42. Jaci’s cover in her Play By Play series are just awesome. Would love to read these books and have to get on the ball here and just do it. Thanks for the chance.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

    Reply

  43. Jaci’s cover in her Play By Play series are just awesome. Would love to read these books and have to get on the ball here and just do it. Thanks for the chance.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

    Reply

  50. Jaci Burton’s play by play series has such beautiful covers!!!!! Wow
    “THUNK” oooh excuse me that was the sound of my jaw hitting the desk! I just can’t stop staring!

    Thanks so much for the chance to win!

    orangepeacock313@

    Reply

  51. Love the Play by Play series. I really wanted to get Playing to Win, not only because it sounds amazing but also because it came out on my birthday. Never did get a chance to go to the store to buy it (closest one is hour and half away… ridiculous!)

    Reply