Thank you so much to Marie and Heidi for inviting me. I am delighted to be here. Last year, I was invited to submit a novella for an anthology about the beach. A friend who told me about the submission sent me an Aussie Bums commercial “to inspire me”. It inspired me big time and I ended up writing a gay romance about a beautiful, effeminate art dealer in Laguna Beach, California who has a homophobic run-in with two Aussie volleyball players on the beach and ends up falling in love with one…and then both of them. I originally planned to call the book David and Goliath because that’s how the hero, David, thinks of the nasty guy on the beach. But just before I started writing, in a fit of inspiration, I changed it to Volley Balls. People loved the title. I loved it too.
I decided to write another book in the series. My romance between David and his lovers could have been stretched out a bit, but I wanted new characters. So, as I often do, I started with the title. Balls! Hmm. What kind of balls would be good? Base Balls? Foot Balls? Fire Balls! Yes. And the title actually suggested that the book would include a fireman. So I started with a minor but memorable character in Volley Balls — David’s best friend, Rodney. What if Rodney had the hots for a Laguna Beach fireman? And what if the fireman was conservative and couldn’t see the charms of a wildly flamboyant artist? The rest is history. Fire Balls has been a bestseller.
Before Fire Balls was edited or released, my publisher asked if I would like to write a third book in the series. If so, they would print them as a three-book, single-author anthology. Of course, I said yes! And I christened the series the Balls to the Wall Series. I didn’t yet know how very popular Fire Balls and Volley Balls would be. But again I started with a title. What if the book was called Beach Balls? What if the two heroes meet underwater? The story had to take place on or near the beach. I happened to have lunch with a friend who was telling me about a big land dispute in Newport Beach, CA. which is right next to Laguna. Bingo! My heroes would be a developer lawyer and an environmentalist. Natural enemies. Yes, an enemies to lovers story. But they are both divers so when they meet, their true colors don’t show. Beach Balls comes out June 1st.
My romance with Balls continues. Many readers adore my surfer turned firefighter, Jerry, from Fire Balls. He also makes an appearance in Beach Balls. They are asking for him to have his own story. Okay, you guys — what shall I call Jerry’s book?
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E-mail: tara@taralain.com
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Heidi Cullinan
Evaine
Marie Sexton
Shawny
Ooo will have to read these books!
Thank you, Rachelle : )
Blue Balls? ~snicker~
Jason you are evil. But you know me. I might just do it! : )
Love your titles! Can’t wait to read them. My girlfriends laugh at me because “balls” is my favorite word ever. It’s just so….expressive. In so many ways.
Hi N– I agree! I love my Balls! There is an old musical called the Music Man where they say Bal-zac! I think that might be good too. : )
Blue Balls gets my vote.
LOL. We shall see. : )
Bucky ball. (Its a molecule). Sorry best I could come up with. Great hearing from you.
Oh, i love this! I have plot bunnies hopping through my head. I have to look this up. : )
Blue came to mind here too! Also, snow, meat (!), hard, handball, goof, fast, high, hair(!!), big, juggling, medicine and pool, net, basket and bowling balls!
Ah, that kids should know what occupies their mothers mind whilst cooking dinner!
You’re a genius! I’ve written all these down and will be drawing on them for future books. Thank you! : )
oh my god!! Hair balls! haha!!
It will star a cat. Oh wait! I already wrote that book. LOL : )
These sound great! Need to check them out.
Also, I second ‘meat balls’ – apart from the obvious it makes me think of a chef.
Thank you, Feverfew. That is a cool idea. I just finished a book that has lots of food in it. It was fun. : )
Which one is it? I’d love some ‘food porn’!
It’s called Genetic Celebrity. It comes out July 24 from Loose Id. It’s a menage – MMF. : )
I’ll have a look at it, then. Thanks!
Well, I won’t have to say how much I love your balls do I? But I seem to have started in the wrong end, with Fire Balls first.
Can hardly wait to read Beach Balls. If I’m patient and save it I may read it at the beach in Laguna! What could be better?
Love from Cathy/oceankitty
Hi Cathy — All the books stand alone but Volley Balls did come first. Beach Balls is a perfect Laguna read. : )
These look interesting. I will have to add them to my collection!
Thank you, Jilrene. It’s a fun series to write. And now that i have all these suggestions for names, i may go on for years! LOL
How about Great balls?
…of Fire! Thank you, it’s going on the list. : )
Furballs would be cute. Maybe a vet!
I love Fur Balls. It has many implications. And i love the vet idea. Thank you. : )
LOVED Fire Balls! And I think Goof Balls would be great for Jerry’s book.
Bless his heart. That’s out Jerry. But remember he’s a firefighter now. Not quite as goofy. : )
My first thought was Fur Balls, Jerry saves a cat and takes it to the Vet. That seems to have already been suggested. How about a whole different kind of ball, The Fireman’s Ball? Maybe a charity ball where Jerry gets auctioned off and purchased by a hunk.
Oh Nancy, i love that. What a great idea. : )
The second one has me drooling!
Hmmm…Crystal Balls
OMG, i love that too. I have a fantastic list. Thank you so much. : )
For some reason, the AC/DC song “Big Balls” keeps going through my head…lol
Hmm. Which hero will step up to claim them? : )
Chocolate Balls? Great blurbs…I definitely want to read these books!
Thank you, Michelle. Another great idea. : )
How about Hand Balls or Raquet Ball?
Oooh. Racquet Balls might be about the mob! LOL : )
ooo! sexy mob guys!!!