Blog Archives
Chasing Headlines
J. Rose Black’s Chasing Headlines is a lively, heartfelt, and deeply engaging sports romance that follows Olivia Milline, a headstrong and ambitious college journalist with an undeniable love for baseball. Olivia’s story is one of rebellion, passion, and determination as she fights against the limits imposed by her overprotective father while pursuing her dream of working in the world of professional baseball. With sharp writing, layered characters, and a swoon-worthy romance, Chasing Headlines hits all the right beats.
What immediately struck me about the book was Olivia’s voice. She’s witty, stubborn, and refreshingly real. Her internal monologue is peppered with humor and frustration, making her struggles feel personal and relatable. The prologue, which recounts her childhood love affair with baseball and the strict “No Baseball for Olivia” rule imposed by her father, is both heartbreaking and compelling. You can’t help but root for her as she maneuvers around roadblocks—both professional and personal—to get to where she belongs. The author does a fantastic job of making you feel Olivia’s determination and passion.
One of my favorite aspects of the novel is how well it blends romance with career ambition. Unlike many sports romances that lean heavily into the love story, Chasing Headlines gives equal weight to Olivia’s professional journey. Her interactions with baseball players, particularly the enigmatic Breslin Cooper, are electric. Their chemistry is palpable from the moment they meet, but what’s even more satisfying is how the romance builds over time. Breslin is more than just a love interest. His struggles, particularly with his past and the pressure of expectations, add depth to the story. His first POV chapter, set in a courthouse, hooked me with its raw emotion and vulnerability.
The writing is crisp and dynamic, with a rhythm that keeps the story moving. The dialogue is snappy, the internal reflections are sharp, and the descriptions are vivid without being overdone. The humor woven throughout the novel is another highlight. Olivia’s banter, especially with her brother Curt, had me laughing more than once. And yet, themes such as family expectations, grief, and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field are all explored with sincerity and depth.
I’d highly recommend Chasing Headlines to fans of sports romances, strong heroines, and anyone who enjoys a story where career ambition and love intertwine in a meaningful way. If you like books with witty dialogue, complex relationships, and a heroine who refuses to take no for an answer, this one’s for you.
Pages: 524 | ASIN: B0D1FLDHFC
No, Survival Isn’t Enough, Anymore
In Losing My Breath, a Marine veteran finds himself matching wits with his princess of a neighbor, a woman to whom he finds himself drawn despite the fact they are complete opposites. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This one wandered off track. I started off with a prompt that was supposed to be for a short story, just a cute little sexy thing where a new girl moves into an apartment building and her neighbor ends up helping her out. The prompt was: “I don’t know what he’s fixing but mine just broke.” So, I wanted a rather attractive-looking guy to be her neighbor. And he needed to be the kind of guy that would help people, but it’s more fun when you get them to grudgingly help the person. And then, over time, get to be not-so-grudging. As Callan and Meridian began to emerge from the pages their story became so much more real and deep and interesting.
I tried my best to do their story justice.
What is one pivotal moment in the story that you think best defines Callan and Meridian’s relationship?
I think it has to be the part where he somewhat jokingly says that he’s been through SERE training – so he’d be able to withstand / survive her interrogations (she, rightfully, wants to know more about him).
Meridian turns serious for a moment, basically saying she knows he’d survive just fine without her. But is survival really all he wants out of life? Is that enough?
And he knows, he can tell in that moment, what she’s asking him. She’s asking if he’ll ever let her in? Callan wants a committed relationship with her, but this is about what she wants and needs, too.
The part of him that has a habit of emotionally withdrawing, hates this question. But the part of him that has fallen in love with Meridian knows he has to fight “safety” sometimes and be vulnerable with her. So if he retreats right then (emotionally and figuratively as he was standing at her door, about to exit); if he lets that part of remain in control when he’s with her, she will (eventually) leave him.
So he finds a way to say something. Fights the urge to retreat to safety, and tells her that no, survival isn’t enough, anymore. (He wants to be with her).
And it may not have been the pretty words she would have liked to hear, but they were real. And they were honest and hard-fought. And they were enough.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I had fun with several scenes. Most of this was just a lot of fun to write. I think the one where he’s saying that he didn’t get into Princess school, though, really set the stage for many of the other fun scenes.
I also can’t help but have a fondness for the scene where Callan is griping at his friend Greyson Watts after hearing Meridian’s friend Nora swoon over the guy (Callan was somewhat mollified that Meridian had better taste – in his opinion, anyway), since that’s the scene where the prompt line showed up. 🙂
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next book is a sports romcom. You can read a short story, called “Off the Record”, about Breslin and Olivia – available, now (free) on my website. The longer novel will be available in late summer 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Neither does his princess.Battle lines are drawn when sheltered debutante Meridian Daly moves across the hall from grumpy veteran Marine Callan Brand. Situated a bit closer than advertised to ‘crime alley’, Meridian’s neighbor finds himself grudgingly guarding the pampered princess out of habit. But with her sharp wit and killer curves, he can’t help but surrender to temptation…
When their relationship evolves from casual courtship to something more, Callan finds that Meridian’s already discovered his closely-guarded secret. But can he let go of his pride, and tell her the whole truth of who he is and what he’s done—in the name of honor and country?
As Callan’s scars start to reveal themselves, his life spirals beyond the careful control that’s helped him survive—and kept those he cares about safe.
From him.
But this tough-in-a-tiara princess won’t back down, even in Callan’s darkest hours. And Meridian just might prove to be more tenacious than a never-say-die Marine!
Losing My Breath
In J. Rose Black’s enchanting novel, Losing My Breath, readers are swept away on a delightful and unexpectedly heartwarming journey into the lives of two neighbors who couldn’t be more different. Fate, however, has a clever way of bringing them together. Callan, a stern and disciplined former Marine, is as rigid as they come. When he crosses paths with his spirited new neighbor, Meridian, who couldn’t be more his opposite and full of challenges, sparks fly–both literally and figuratively. What unfolds is a romantic dance of opposites attracting.
Black immerses readers in Callan’s world, allowing us to peek into his thoughts, which is nothing short of entertaining. I couldn’t help but chuckle and roll my eyes as Callan desperately attempted to maintain his tough exterior around the vivacious Meridian. Callan’s character, firmly rooted in the past and grappling with PTSD may, at times, exasperate us due to his stubborn ways. However, as Meridian gradually chips away at Callan’s rough exterior, we come to realize that beneath the tough facade lies a genuinely sweet and caring man. Meridian, in contrast, is charming and remarkably patient as she navigates Callan’s prickly personality with grace. Her persistence and refusal to give up on him make her character endearing, and her chemistry with Callan sizzles in the steamy romantic scenes that are nothing short of electric.
J. Rose Black’s writing is undeniably engaging; she has a knack for keeping readers glued to the pages until the end. Beyond the love story, the novel explores deeper themes of redemption and coming to terms with one’s past. It’s a plot twist that catches you off guard and adds a layer of complexity to the narrative that is both unexpected and deeply satisfying.
In Losing My Breath, J. Rose Black delivers a powerful and emotionally resonant story that will leave you breathless. It’s a tale of love, sacrifice, and the battle against one’s own demons, ultimately culminating in the discovery of hope and redemption. Whether you’re a fan of romance or suspense, this book is a must-read.
Pages: 218 | ASIN : B0C8HQCFZB
Vengefully Yours
Vengefully Yours presents a captivating collection of short stories, interweaving mystery, romance, and profound themes of longing, loyalty, vengeance, and redemption.
A Disgraced former police officer, now a private investigator, is entrusted with the critical task of safeguarding a substantial amount of illicit funds during transportation. However, his mettle is tested when the captivating platinum blond singer, Angelina Darlane, takes the stage, posing a severe temptation.
Ryder, who once rescued Larissa from a life plagued by fear and abuse, has been her secret benefactor, shielding her from harm with his enigmatic past. But now, everything is on the brink of transformation.
Cormac, a resilient ex-Navy SEAL turned mechanic, confronts a shattered future and a resentful heart as Aurelie, the daughter of a powerful US Senator and his former flame, unexpectedly resurfaces. Their reunion unfolds under dire circumstances.
Stellan Stark, a paramilitary assassin, finds himself compelled to confront both a mission and the woman he left behind a decade ago. As his handlers meticulously monitor his every move, Stellan must make a pivotal choice between seeking closure or defying orders once again.
Former Marine intelligence operative Maxen Brigh teams up with the tenacious and captivating investigative reporter Aveline Watson in a relentless pursuit of a murderer. The victim in question happens to be none other than Dr. John Watson, the renowned assistant of Sherlock Holmes and Aveline’s own father.
Private investigator Joe Casey, battling his own demons as a recovering alcoholic, disrupts Mayor Reagan Kane’s re-election party to declare a vengeful mission against the corrupt politician who ruined his life. However, his plans take an unexpected turn when he becomes entangled with an alluring femme fatale. Will she lead him astray, or could she become his path to redemption?
Each story within this enthralling book leaves the reader yearning for more, immersing them in diverse narratives inhabited by characters with their own personal struggles, secrets, and desires. The authors masterfully craft these compelling tales, effortlessly turning pages as the plot unravels and the characters confront their inner demons. Set against the backdrop of the 1940s, the stories possess a nostalgic charm that enchants readers, transporting them to a bygone era brimming with intrigue and peril. Whether you are drawn to the streetwise private investigator, the protective, military figure, or the enigmatic alpha male, Vengefully Yours offers stories that will undoubtedly resonate with your sensibilities. The brevity of each story, though leaving the reader wanting more, speaks volumes about the authors’ ability to create spellbinding narratives.
Vengefully Yours is a thrilling and seductive collection of interconnected tales, sure to captivate aficionados of mystery, romance, and suspense. The vividly depicted settings, engaging characters, and expertly crafted storylines combine to deliver a mesmerizing reading experience. Whether you seek an escape into a treacherous world of secrets and desire or a transformative journey of redemption and love, this book excels on all fronts, promising to satisfy even the most discerning readers.
ASIN: B0C3ZGGFVT
LITERARY TITAN 