Winning Ace
Winning Ace, #1
by Tracie Delaney
Publication Date: May 29th 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Serial
BLURB
When the opportunity arises for journalist Tally McKenzie to meet tennis ace Cash Gallagher, she grabs it without hesitation. Desperate for a killer story to advance her career, she’ll have to betray her idol and her own morals into the bargain if she is to succeed.
Renowned bad boy Cash wants one thing; to remain at the top of his game. He’s fought hard to get there, and he’s not about to lose his crown, especially over a woman. When Cash divulges personal information, Tally seizes her chance and writes an explosive article. Incensed, Cash sets out to get his revenge. Except the darling of centre court gets more than he bargained for—a passionate affair with a woman he should detest.
But Cash is a man with secrets—secrets that could destroy his career. Dare he take the risk? Or is the cost too great, even for his perfect match.
Winning Ace (Game - Catching Cash)
Losing Game (Set - Holding Cash) Releasing July 2017
Grand Slam (Match - Keeping Cash) Releasing October 2017
Losing Game (Set - Holding Cash) Releasing July 2017
Grand Slam (Match - Keeping Cash) Releasing October 2017
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Excerpt
“I have something for you.” He fumbled in his jacket pocket for the gift he’d bought when what he really wanted to give her was twitching away in his pants. He held out the small box he’d picked up at Tiffany’s.
“What is it?” Her hand closed around the box, and her eyes sparkled as her gaze flitted between him and the gift.
“Open it.” His chest tightened. God, he hoped she liked what he’d chosen.
Her fingers trembled as she unwrapped the bright-red bow. Gift paper fluttered to the floor, and she hesitated before opening the box, and then she gasped.
“Cash. Oh my God, they’re gorgeous.”
The platinum diamond drop earrings shone brightly, even in the dim light from the street lamps. She lifted one out of the box, holding it up to her ear. “Suit me?” she said with a grin.
He swallowed past an enormous lump that had lodged in his throat. “Their beauty is nothing compared to yours.”
Her smile fell, and she replaced the earring back in the box, closing it with a snap.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept them.”
“Why not?” He’d dithered over choosing those earrings for a whole fucking hour, and she was throwing them back in his face?
“They’re too much, Cash. They must have cost a fortune, and we don’t even know each other. I wouldn’t be comfortable accepting such an extravagant gift.”
Lost for words, he simply gaped at her. He’d never had a girl refuse a present before. Usually, they nearly broke his arm grabbing whatever was offered. His hands remained by his sides as she held out the box containing the earrings.
“Are you deliberately trying to hurt my feelings?”
She inhaled sharply. “No. Of course not.”
“Then take the earrings, Natalia. I bought them for you, and if you don’t want them, I swear I will walk to the nearest rubbish bin and toss them inside.”
Her gaze bounced from the earrings to him and back again. “But I don’t understand why you would buy them for me.”
His smile built slowly, and he grazed her cheek with the back of his hand. “Because I can.”
She opened the box again and stared at the earrings. Eventually, she lifted her eyes to his. “I have no idea when I will ever go anywhere nice enough to wear them.”
“How about the third of February?”
“What’s happening on the third of February?”
“I’m taking you to dinner.”
She blinked several times as a small smile played about her lips. “Are you asking me out?”
“I guess so,” he said, more surprised than he would ever let on to her. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d formally asked a woman out on a date. Actually, that wasn’t true. His memory was perfect—he’d just never done it. “So are we on?”
“Why the third of February?”
“Because the Australian Open final is on the first, and the third is the earliest I can get home and readjust to GMT.”
“You’re planning to win, then?”
“I rarely lose, baby.”
“Are you talking about tennis or life in general?”
He grinned. “I’ll leave that for you to work out.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “Want to come in for a drink?”
“No. I don’t want to interrupt your evening with your family.”
A slow burn of a smile curved her lips upward. “Aren’t you at least going to wish me a Merry Christmas?”
Cash swallowed hard. Jesus, she was flirting with him. He took a step forward, and when she didn’t back up, he caught her hips and pulled her closer. Without a doubt, she’d be able to feel how hard his cock was, and it took all his willpower not to grind his pelvis against her. He bent his head, stopping just before their lips touched.
“Merry Christmas, Natalia.”
He pressed his mouth to hers, purposely keeping the kiss soft. He half expected her to change her mind and push him away, but she didn’t. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her fingers in his hair. Pulling her even closer, he moved his lips slowly, and when she let out a soft moan, he slipped his tongue inside and gently licked against hers. Doused with the same powerful urge he’d had at Rupe’s place—to take her, to brand her as his, to warn the world that this one was taken—he deepened the kiss. When she moaned again, the sound deeper this time, his breathing quickened.
He drew away slowly, needing to put some distance between them before the spell she’d cast sent him over the edge, into madness. Resting his forehead against hers, he briefly closed his eyes to see if the world stopped spinning. When he opened them again, it was plain to see she was as affected as he was. Her face and neck were flushed, and her lips were slightly swollen.
With a half grin, he leaned in and softly grazed her earlobe with his teeth before whispering, “Third of February, Natalia. And if I have my way, by the end of the night, those earrings will be the only thing you’re wearing.”
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Author Info
Tracie Delaney is the author of the Winning Ace trilogy. She loves nothing more than immersing herself in a good romance, although she sometimes, rather cheekily, makes her characters wait for their HEA.
When she isn’t writing or sitting around with her head stuck in a book, she can often be found watching The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones or any tennis match involving Roger Federer. Her greatest fear is running out of coffee.
Tracie studied accountancy, gaining her qualification in 2001. Her maths teacher would no doubt be stunned by this revelation considering Tracie could barely add two plus two at high school.
Tracie lives in the North West of England with her amazingly supportive husband. They both share a love of dogs, travel and wine.
Where would you spend one full year, if you could go ANYWhere? What would you do with this time?
MY INTERVIEW WITH TRACIE DELANEY
How would you describe your style of writing to someone that has
never read your work?
What a great question! I’ve been told I have quite a unique
writing style. I am not overly descriptive, preferring just enough to set the
scene, but I do love dialogue. The characters interacting on the page is what
excites me and I prefer that to drive the story rather than being overly
narrative.
What are some of your writing/publishing goals for this year?
What are some of your writing/publishing goals for this year?
To get the entire Winning Ace trilogy published. The second book
is due for release on July 31 with the third in early to mid October (depending
on how quickly I can get through the editing and proofreading process). I’m
also working on a fourth book but this will be based on the best friend of the
main character in Winning Ace. He simply demanded
his story be told J. I’d
like to get that book out around Christmas time if I can pull it off.
Do you feel that writing is an ingrained process or just something that flows naturally for you?
Parts of writing come very easily to me (for example dialogue), but like any craft, you need to work at it. I worked with a mentor one-on-one for almost four years to really hone my craft and I read as many books on writing as I have time for. I’m always learning new things. Writing is something that every author can always improve upon and that’s what I try to do because I owe it to the reader to put out the best book I’m capable of writing at that time.
Do you have a character that you have been working on for a long time that still isn't quite ready, but fills you with excitement to work on the story?
Yes! He’s called Lucas Devereux and I have a book which is ¾ written but I still don’t feel he’s talking to me properly yet (he’s very secretive and complicated). However, when he does talk, I listen (and get those words down as fast as I can).
If you could spend one-week with 5 fictional characters, who would they be?
Ooh, I love this question. And I get to pick 5!
Do you feel that writing is an ingrained process or just something that flows naturally for you?
Parts of writing come very easily to me (for example dialogue), but like any craft, you need to work at it. I worked with a mentor one-on-one for almost four years to really hone my craft and I read as many books on writing as I have time for. I’m always learning new things. Writing is something that every author can always improve upon and that’s what I try to do because I owe it to the reader to put out the best book I’m capable of writing at that time.
Do you have a character that you have been working on for a long time that still isn't quite ready, but fills you with excitement to work on the story?
Yes! He’s called Lucas Devereux and I have a book which is ¾ written but I still don’t feel he’s talking to me properly yet (he’s very secretive and complicated). However, when he does talk, I listen (and get those words down as fast as I can).
If you could spend one-week with 5 fictional characters, who would they be?
Ooh, I love this question. And I get to pick 5!
·
Kane Malloy who is a character in Lindsay J Pryor’s Blackthorn
series which is a Dark PNR series set in a dystopian world. Kane is a master
vampire and very hot!
·
Kade Dennon who featured in Tiffany Snow’s Kathleen Turner series.
I devoured those books (although the last one was a little disappointing).
Still highly recommended.
·
Will Berwick in Incy Black’s Hard to Protect. Some of Will’s one
liners have me laughing out loud and I loved the complicated relationship he
had with the heroine.
·
James Bond….because who wouldn’t J
·
Max from Montana Ash’s Elemental Paladins series. Max is a very
feisty girl but she is just so funny and fun to be around—and let’s face it,
I’d need another woman to help me keep those men in line for a whole week!
Where would you spend one full year, if you could go ANYWhere? What would you do with this time?
I’d go to Australia because it’s somewhere I’ve never been and
would love to go, but it’s not somewhere you could go for a few weeks. To
really appreciate it, you’d need more time so a year would be wonderful. I’d
write (of course), but I’d also take the time to explore the whole country
because it’s just so diverse with so many wonderful things to see. My number
one destination would be Penguin Island just south of Melbourne. I love
penguins and to see them all coming out of the sea at night would be truly
magical.
Can you share you next creative project(s)? If yes, can you give a few details?
Can you share you next creative project(s)? If yes, can you give a few details?
I’m playing around with an idea for a four book series
following four brothers after their parents are killed in a plane crash. The
eldest brother (who the first book would be based on) had to give up his dreams
to take care of his three younger brothers and his book follows the fallout
from that and the impact on the family. It would be a romance (of course) because
that’s what is in my heart to write, but it will also deal with complex family
dynamics.
Thank
you, Tracie,
You
have given me some very insightful answers to my question. I felt like you
really put some thought into my questions and took them seriously. I have to
say that you gave me some new and interesting avenues to explore with my
reading (ie. . . Kane Mallory & Kade Dennon).
Thank
you, again,
TBJR
. . .
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