I learned all about bad boys in 2nd grade from John Mudbury

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Hello !

It's crazy that I remember John Mudbury's name from an incalculable number of years ago, but I was impressionable in second grade--and like I've said before, boy crazy. Those experiences and how they made me feel really stuck with me.

And so it' no accident that when I write a bad boy trope, I may deep down be thinking about that devilish John Mudbury--just a little.

Speaking of bad boys, the hero in my next book, Tricky Puck, Link Milano, is a certifiably bad. You met him in Two Pucks. Or if you didn't, you might want to.💜

Check out the story about my 2nd grade bad boy below! ⬇️⬇️⬇️

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At SQ's House

I'm so lucky to have gone to a bunch of UConn men's basketball games this season, all on campus! 🏀❤️ Today I took my college friend Patty to the game➜➜

But getting to all those games wasn't by accident--it was something I planned, one of those bucket list kind of things--because I'm an alum and I went to all the games while I was a student--as a cheerleader.

I still keep in touch with a group of college friends, meeting the for at least one game each year since we graduated.

Now 45 years later, that tradition has become special, and it was time to indulge, jump in all the way, and get season tickets. So I did.

I hit the jackpot with a winning Husky team this year, ranked #1 in the country! Yay!

My diet/exercise, you ask?

Holding steady on my weight - at least I'm not gaining.

The good news is that this week I went to both yoga and barre class again--second week in a row. If you don't know what barre is--I didn't until I went to class--it's like a combo of yoga, ballet and weight lifting--maybe with some Jane Fonda exercises thrown in.

❤️

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Getting to know the members of my group personally is everything! 💜

➜➜Join the SQ Team on Facebook Here

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My second grade bad boy

John Mudbury was a handsome boy--not cute. He had that mischievous edgy charm even at a mere seven years old.

(This is not a pic of him, but it does remind me of him.)

He sat behind me in class and what made him a bad boy was not the usual cute second grade boy thing like pulling my hair.

No, what he did was flirt. And I flirted back.

And then we both got in trouble for talking in class.

But it was suffering the punishment together that bonded us, that gave me all those feels, the tumble in my tummy.

What was the punishment? We went to a Catholic school and our teacher who was a nun--funny that I can't remember her name!--punished us by making us kneel on the floor next to our desks.

It would have been terrible if I had to endure the punishment by myself, but somehow instead terrible, having him kneeling behind me made it... special?

That is the mark of a true bad boy in my book--literally. Way back then I gained a visceral understanding of the allure of the bad boy and trouble.

I learned about those feelings well and now I bake them into my stories whenever there's a bad boy character.

Whatever happened to John Mudbury, you ask? Sadly, he moved away to Georgia before the end of second grade.

I never saw him again. But I'll always remember him.

Look for more moments and insights about what makes a romance writer tick in future newsletters...

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My favorite review of the week!

"This had me in literal tears!!! 😭 But it’s also fun and hot... From the beginning I knew we were in for a treat... They have a great supportive group of friends and I love that. Lady is soooo cute!!!!! And the bonus epilogue is awesome!!! I loved reading it!!! Thanks Stephanie! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🥰"

Thaimelly Rigobello--Amazon reviewer

I truly appreciate everyone who takes the time to leave reviews.💜

For a limited time

READ ON KU

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NEW RELEASE!

TWO PUCKS

a fake relationship forced proximity billionaire hockey rom-com

What does a billionaire hockey player and a down and out dog walker have in common?

Nothing besides my dog--unless you count the sizzling attraction between us.

Which makes our arrangement to live together and carry off a fake relationship all the more ridiculous.

But I desperately need to appear like I'm settling down and Cherry needs a place to live, so my agent--under loud protest--goes along with the deal and writes up a contract.

It’s possibly the stupidest deal ever imagined according to my agent, but once it's done, Cherry and I are in bed together--literally--for the duration of the hockey season.

He insists on only one condition--once the season is over, we make a clean break.

Sounds good to me--right up until the moment Cherry drops a world-changing bomb on my head. Surprised? Maybe. Shocked? Getting closer.

More like mind exploding...

Now what?

READ NOW!

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Coming in May 2024

Tricky Puck - a fake fiancee hockey rom-com

Link

I'd never heard of a real life matchmaker before, but grandma insists on introducing me to one and makes sure it's really real when she tells me I'm her matchmaker's new client...

Normally, I'd do anything for grandma, but this is a big ask.

I'm not ready to settle down. Not even close. I'm only twenty-six and a rising star in the NHL - otherwise known as a chick-magnet.

After all the hard work and focus I've put in to get this far, I've barely begun to have fun. No way am I going along with the matchmaking plan.

Sure.

Fast forward to when my attitude changes real fast after grandma informs me her clock is ticking and her time's almost up.

And her dying wish is to see me settled down with a nice young woman.

Shit.

She goes on about babies, but my mind is spinning with the knowledge that I have no choice. I need to go along with this matchmaking deal for grandma.

Unless I can come up with a way to give her the comfort she wants, the illusion that I'm settled down--without actually settling down...

Pre-Order Now!

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When she gets devastating news, I support her, and things between us feel real. It’s hard to remember she’s only dating me for her job, because she refuses to be ‘just’ the girlfriend of a hockey player.

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Now I’m injured and working PR for the Toronto Blaze NHL team while I rehab. When an idiot they brought up from the farm team gets caught dissing my teammate, I’m asked to fake date him to rehab his reputation. It’s just temporary. Until the worst happens, and suddenly my fake date is my biggest support.

But I can’t lose my identity. I’m a hockey player, not a WAG.

BUY NOW!

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Rent Me While You Can - Brittany Bell

USA Today Bestselling Contemporary and Sports Romance Author Britney Bell brings you a fun holiday romance with an online travel agent and professional football player.

Amber is tired of being ‘that girl.’ You know, the one that never has a plus one to add to her RSVP. She’s had it and is putting a stop to it this year. This Halloween she will have a date to the annual costume party by any means possible.

Cole has a stressful and physically demanding job and just wants a break from it all. If those small moments of reprieve only come in the form of a side gig that pays him to go on dates where most of the women don’t have a clue as to who he is, then he’ll take it.

There’s not much time, but Cole is a professional on and off the field and knows just want to do to create the illusion of this unlikely couple being an opposites attract romance story like no other.

GET IT NOW!

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One Last Game - Kat Obe

In the thrilling world of professional hockey, Paddy reigns as both alpha of the American pack and owner of the Minnesota Wild. But amidst the roar of the crowd and the clash of sticks on ice, he's been alone, watching his teammates find love while he remains unclaimed.

Everything shifts when Felicia steps onto the scene, interviewing for the role of the Wild's athletic trainer. Her entrance sparks a fire, disrupting Paddy's solitary world. Navigating the delicate balance between Pack obligations and the desires of his heart, Paddy has to decide if he should get mated to his true love. 

But beneath the surface of their burgeoning romance lies a supernatural secret that could change everything. In the midst of escalating passion and impending danger, Paddy and Felicia must balance their wants and needs against the Canadian alpha who doesn’t want to lose his sister.

Pre-Order Now!

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The winter here is cold and the perfect time to get cozy with a book--or that's my go-to anyway. Enjoy whatever weather you're having and your favorite pastime.

It was fun to share bad boy trope secret with you. I'd love to hear your thoughts and whatever questions you might have about what makes a romance writer tick. 💜

Warmest Regards,