Collette West's Blog, page 11

I'm talking all things Jilly

Please share a few Random facts about this book…

I asked readers at the end of my last book, GAME CHANGER, to vote in an online poll and tell me which member of the New York Kings they wanted me to feature next. Jilly won by a landslide, and that’s why GAME ON is his story. There’s a huge contingent of “Jilly Girls” out there. A few of them even posed in his #24 jersey for a fan collage to help me promote the book.

Please tell us a little about the characters in your book. As you wrote your protagonist was there anything about them that surprised you?

Jilly is the team’s star closer. He’s the one who comes in to pitch the ninth inning and secure the win. He’s ‘Mr. Reliable,’ the guy who comes through when the pressure’s on. But when it comes to his love life, he chokes. He can’t make the big, dramatic move when it counts. He allows his insecurities to hold him back from pursuing the girl of his dreams, until she tracks him down and makes him take a stand.

As you wrote your protagonist was there anything about them that surprised you?

Jilly’s childhood is a chapter that poured out of me spontaneously. It was one of those moments when my fingers were flying over the keyboard and I was channeling who this character was and why he thought he needed to be so self-sufficient and brave, when all he yearned for was to be loved just like everyone else.

The First kiss…

I love Jilly and Hailey’s first kiss in the rain! The whole time they were in high school, he couldn’t bring himself to do it, not wanting to screw up their friendship. Little did he know that she wanted him to kiss her just as much. When he finally lets go, and pushes her up against that brick wall, he kisses her hard and deep, holding nothing back—the way every woman wants to be kissed.

Did any scene have you crying or laughing (or blushing) while writing it?

Whenever, Jilly talks with his first baseman, Scott Harper, it makes me chuckle. Scott doesn’t even blush when talking about the most intimate topics, and Jilly can’t even say what he wants out loud. They’re total opposites when it comes to their approach to women, but I think that’s what makes their banter so hilarious.

Read that scene and the complete interview at http://harlequinjunkie.com/spotlight-giveaway-game-on-by-collette-west/

New Scott Harper teaser from PERFECT GAME

"I'd make another night with me worth your while. I like to draw things out, too, preferably in the bedroom when we're both naked and I'm on top of you. You're gonna come apart in my hands the minute I touch you. I give you a week before you're back in my bed."

Gotta love these reader fan pics!

Meet "Jilly, Jr." - the nickname reader Charity Foster lovingly gave to her precious newborn! :)
















Whitfield is my fav! :)
- reader Ash from Morning Books & Coffee

Who are these readers favorite guys on the New York Kings?

I'd definitely have to pick Jilly. He's the epitome of the strong stoic and deeply romantic type. His character is so beautiful and he only talks when the important things need said.
- reader Nicole McCurdy
















Chase "oh so yummie" Whitfield has got to be fav. Does it count if he's retired?
- reader Tina Adeoba





I have to say that Chase is my favorite!
- reader Jennifer Shrum

Why do guys always have to fight?

There are a lot of physical altercations on the New York Kings, and most of them have to do with pitcher Bruce “Jilly” Gillette and third baseman Drake Schultz. These two always seem to be going at it—in hotel hallways, in the shower room, on the floor of the stadium. They’re full of testosterone, ready to duke it out at the drop of a hat. They like to curb their aggression by kicking each other’s asses.

Growing up, Jilly was always picked on despite being the biggest kid in the room. On the playground, he learned to defend himself by using his fists. Drake had a complicated childhood, too, resorting to violence as his first means of defense whenever he had a problem with someone. So it’s not surprising that when these two become teammates, they tend to settle matters by wrestling each other to the ground.

They both know it’s not the best way to solve things, but Drake comes to respect Jilly’s toughness and Jilly just comes to see Drake as a bloodthirsty lunatic, especially when Drake attacks him while he’s still recovering from Tommy John surgery. Jilly usually goes after Drake in order to right a wrong or to shut him up whenever he starts running his mouth, but for some reason Drake seems to take particular pleasure in seeing how much bodily harm Jilly can take, always testing his limits.

Jilly knows he’s not the only one on the team who wants to beat the living daylights out of Drake, but so far, he’s been the only one to do it. Drake is the kind of guy who likes to push his teammates over the edge, so they’ll go after him. He bates them, needles them, but Jilly’s doesn’t let his taunts go unanswered. He keeps the team troublemaker in check, as much as he can.

But is Drake really nothing more than a bully? You’ll have to wait and see what happens in Drake’s story, coming in 2015. I can’t wait to open the door to his heart and reveal why he is the way he is.

These readers love Brooks!

My favorite baseball player is Brooks! I don't watch much 'real baseball' on TV but I fell in love with the game with Collette's series! :)
- reader Liza Dequilla

















I loved Brooks Davison because he was so different than other sports stars I've read. They are all players both on and off the field and Brooks was never that.
- reader Gina Hester

We've got a Drake fan over here!

I'm probably going against the grain but I absolutely adore Drake. I know he comes across as an absolute ass but I'm convinced that there's more to him. I kinda love that he's super cocky and thinks he's god's gift to women because if (fingers crossed) you write his book I can't wait to see a woman bring him to his knees!!!
- reader Gemma Weir

These readers love Chase!

This 2-week-old is already a fan of the New York Kings! L-O-V-E!








"My favourite has to be Whitfield, I have loved them all so far but he was the first in the series and how I came hooked to your books. So my loyalty is with Whitfield."
- Carol Clarke

I'm giving away NY Kings T-shirts this Xmas!

Win your very own New York Kings T-shirt!

I'll select the lucky winners this Xmas.
It's super easy to enter.
Email collette_west [at] yahoo [dot] com
with the following info.

1. A photo of you holding a copy of one of my books
(or your e-reader screen showing the cover)

2. Your favorite player & why

3. Your T-shirt size

4. Your mailing address

Top 5 Things Jilly Would Never Do on a Date

1. Make boring, small talk.

If he’s going to say something, it’s going to be meaningful—something that’s sure to hold your interest and give you some deep insight into his character.

2. Split the check.

He might not take you to the most glamorous of locations, but he’ll be sure to pick up the tab. He likes being able to take care of his girl, but he’s going to make sure that there’s a personal touch to everything he does.

3. Get dressed up.

He will if he has to, but he’d rather not. He finds suits to be uncomfortable, especially those Italian designer varieties. He doesn’t like clothing that constricts his movements, and if it does—he’d fantasize about you taking it off him.

4. Go to trendy places.

He’s much more comfortable out of the limelight. He’s a well known ballplayer, who can’t run from being a celebrity, but he’d like to pretend that it’s possible when he’s with you. He wants you to see him as just a regular guy, and he’s happy indulging in activities that ordinary people take for granted—even something as simple as strolling down the street hand in hand.

5. Make the first move.

He’s super shy and even though he’s full of confidence on the field, it doesn’t mean he scores a lot off of it. He wants to satisfy your desires but you’ll have to encourage him to take it to the next level because Jilly’s the kind of guy who needs you to spell it out for him.