Sarina Bowen's Blog, page 3
March 9, 2025
Signed books update! Copies in: CT, NH, MA, VT
I’ve been at it again! Signing books all over New England. You can find them here:
Photo by Cheri of Kindle Crack
BURLINGTON VT: At Phoenix books on Church St, there’s a signed copy of The Five Year Lie in “fiction.”
DANBURY CT: @bndanburyct find Good Boy, Stay, The Five Year Lie. Quantity: lots and lots!
HOLYOKE MA: @bnholyoke...a couple each of Him, Good Boy & Stay in Romance upstairs, 1 copy of The Five Year Lie in Suspense upstairs .
HANOVERNH: @stillnorthbooks find The Five Year Lie in Mystery/suspense and Good Boy in romance (under Kennedy)
CONCORD NH: @gibsonsbookstorenh... a stack of The Five Year Lie and **Gibsons will ship** give the store a 📞 to verify that there are still signed copies in stock.
Signed books update! Copies in: CT, NH, MA
I’ve been at it again! Signing books all over New England. You can find them here:
Photo by Cheri of Kindle Crack
DANBURY CT: @bndanburyct find Good Boy, Stay, The Five Year Lie. Quantity: lots and lots!
HOLYOKE MA: @bnholyoke...a couple each of Him, Good Boy & Stay in Romance upstairs, 1 copy of The Five Year Lie in Suspense upstairs .
HANOVERNH: @stillnorthbooks find The Five Year Lie in Mystery/suspense and Good Boy in romance (under Kennedy)
CONCORD NH: @gibsonsbookstorenh... a stack of The Five Year Lie and **Gibsons will ship** give the store a 📞 to verify that there are still signed copies in stock.
March 5, 2025
Cover Reveal!
Here’s your first look at Sarina Bowen’s upcoming contemporary romance: THROWN FOR A LOOP (on sale: November 4, 2025).
Here’s what you need to know:The Cutting Edge meets Dirty Dancing
Dual Timeline
Opposites Attract
Second Chance Romance
Guaranteed swoons!
This stunning cover was designed and illustrated by @lilaselle
Thrown for a Loop hits shelves on November 4, 2025 and you can preorder it now in trade paperback, ebook, and audiobook.
Amazon Barnes & Noble Kindle Apple Books Kobo Nook Google Play Full Description:When they met at figure skating camp ten years ago, Chase Merritt was a scrappy hockey player from the wrong part of town, and Zoe Carson was the up-and-coming ice princess. They fell in love faster than you can say triple toe loop, until Zoe makes a fateful error that ends up costing Chase dearly.
Almost a decade later, their fortunes are reversed. Chase is the MVP of the New York Legends hockey team, while Zoe—their new skating coach—has years’ worth of personal and professional bruises. It’s hard to face him again—all six feet and two hundred pounds of muscle and swagger.
And anger. Chase is in hot water with management, and refusing to work with Coach Zoe no matter how badly he needs to shore up his stride—and his image. Until a journalist digs up an old video of Zoe and Chase performing a skating program, and the internet goes wild.
Management seizes on the opportunity for a P.R. redemption, ordering Zoe and Chris to reprise their flashy routine.
Skating with him again—to a love song, of course—is pure agony. But it’s also Zoe’s only chance to unpack the truth of what really happened that night ten years ago. And to at least find forgiveness, if she can’t win back his heart.
Amazon Barnes & Noble Kindle Apple Books Kobo Nook Google PlayFebruary 7, 2025
First Chapter: The Last Guy on Earth
JethroDecemberLater, when I’m cruising at thirty-thousand feet over the Great Plains, I’ll replay the morning in my mind, trying to remember how I felt before my life was upended.
I’ll recall trudging from my car to the practice facility under a pale winter sky—the same walk I’ve taken for nine years.
I’ve got no idea what lies in store for the day. All I’m thinking about is Christmas, and whether it’s a good idea to pay a premium for that sold-out gaming console.
On the one hand, it will make Toby happy. On the other hand, I’ve officially become that parent—the kind who spoils their kid because gaming consoles are dope, and I don’t know how else to show love.
Old Bob, the security guy, holds the facility’s door open. I give him a nod of thanks the same way I always do. In the corridor, I’m a little surprised to see my agent waiting for me. Bess used to live in Detroit, though, so running into her isn’t that weird.
Then I get a look at her face. Time slows as I take in the grim line of her mouth and the worry in her eyes.
“God, what?” I swallow and it’s more difficult than it should be. “Christ. It’s not my dad?” He’s not in the best of health.
She gives her head a quick shake. “No, no, it’s nothing like that. Management wants a meeting.” She puts a firm hand on my arm and steers me toward the executive suite.
“Oh.” I consider this for a moment as we enter the suite’s double doors. “And they asked you to be here? Am I being reprimanded for…” I break off because I can’t honestly think of a thing. I’ve had a slow start this year, but that’s not a punishable offense. Either I’m being disciplined for something I said, or…
Another idea slices through me, but it’s almost too outrageous to say out loud. “They didn’t trade me.”
Bess actually flinches.
“Jesus Christ,” I sputter. “They wouldn’t do that.” But even as the words leave my mouth, I realize they could absolutely do that. We gave up my no-trade clause on the last contract negotiation in order to get other concessions.
Still, it doesn’t make any sense. You don’t get traded after fifteen years and a couple championships just because of a slow start to your season.
Or that’s what I believed until right this second.
“Let’s just go see what they say,” she says quietly.
“But you think they’re trading me.” I can tell because Bess looks upset, and that never happens. She’s steely in the face of adversity. Quicker to anger than worry.
“I got a bad feeling,” she whispers.
“Jethro? Bess?” We both look up to see Carla, the General Manager’s assistant, poking her head out of the GM’s office. “If you could come right this way,” she says, avoiding my eyes.
My heart drops even further. I gave everything I had to this team. Years of service, and it ends like this.
* * *
The next ten minutes are some of the most confusing and humiliating of my entire life. The jowly GM mutters platitudes about how difficult this decision was. And the head coach is all full of shit when he tells us how this new situation gives everyone involved an opportunity for the best possible season.
“They need your experience,” he says. But all I can hear is the drumbeat of rejection inside my skull. Traded. Traded. Traded. They might as well throw me in the Detroit River. I’m not even listening when they explain who they traded me for. Some forward from Florida.
Florida. I picture the arena down there and try to imagine myself on the home team’s bench. Impossible. In my panic, I lose the thread of the conversation again. They drone on and on. Turns out I’m a pawn in some kind of complicated, three-way trade.
I hear Bess say, “That must have taken weeks to put together.”
Weeks? They’ve been setting up the gallows for weeks, and I had no idea.
How am I going to explain this to Toby? And when? A new wave of panic washes through me, because midseason trades happen fast. There’s probably a plane ticket in my email inbox right now.
I glance at the clock on the wall and do the math. It’s ten a.m. and Toby is at school. He doesn’t get out until three o’clock. Shit. “Excuse me,” I say, interrupting the conversation. “What’s the timeline here?”
The coach and the GM stare at me for a beat. “Well, as you’re aware, these things happen fast…”
“I know that,” I say through gritted teeth, “so let me repeat the question, because I got a kid’s heart to break after you’re done breaking mine. Tell me the fucking timeline.”
A shadow of something that looks like shame passes through my coach’s eyes. “You’re on a three o’clock flight to Denver.”
“Denver?” I hear this word like a record scratch. “Why Denver?”
There’s a deep silence in the room while three people stare at me. “As Coach was just saying,” Bess says carefully, “Colorado needs seniority between the pipes…”
Holy hell. I missed a crucial detail about the three-way trade. They’re not sending me to Florida at all.
“Are you kidding me?” I yelp, speaking before I’ve even processed this latest disaster. “I cannot play for Colorado.”
More silence. Bess recovers first. “Let’s head out now, Jethro. You’ll process this news, and we’ll discuss your options.”
But even as she says it, the awful truth is sinking in. I don’t have any options. I’m playing in Colorado, or I’m not playing at all.
That’s when Bess stands up to shake hands.
Somehow, I force myself to my feet, allow my hand to be shaken, and my shoulders to be slapped. I hear a few more platitudes thrown my way, but fuck that. I don’t have to pretend this isn’t devastating. I don’t owe them a fucking smile.
I let Bess herd me outside the facility, where she opens the passenger door to a rental car in a visitor’s parking space and sort of shoves me inside. “I’ll look up this flight they have you on. We’ll make a plan. Do you want me to fly to Denver with you? Or should I stay back and help your dad?”
This question does the trick of snapping me out of my stupor. I turn to Bess and really look at her for a second. She’s sitting in the driver’s seat, body twisted toward me, concern in her blue eyes. I’m pretty sure I could assign her any task at all right now, and she’d do it. No questions.
I’m fucking grateful, but it still doesn’t help the situation. “You don’t have to fly out there with me,” I say, my voice gravel. I clear my throat. “That’s not the hard part.”
“What is the hard part?” she asks carefully. “Why did you say you can’t play for Colorado?”
I look away, out the window. Bess and I are pretty close, and I don’t hold stuff back from her. Until now, that is. There’s no way I can explain this. It’s not even my goddamn right to talk about it, even if I wanted to.
Which I don’t.
“You know Clay Powers, right?” she asks. “Weren’t you in the minors together?”
Fuck. Her memory for details is often handy. But not today.
“Hmm,” she says when I don’t answer. “So you’re not a fan?”
I shake my head, because I don’t trust myself to speak.
“He must not feel the same, though,” she says carefully. “Or he wouldn’t have approved the trade.”
“Right,” I agree, just to move the conversation along. “Maybe he’s forgotten all about me.”
Digital copies: Amazon | Apple Books | Nook | Kobo | Google Play | AudioPaperbacks: Bookshop.org | Amazon | More links hereFebruary 1, 2025
2025 events in MA, VT, CT, TN, MI, ME and NY!
Dear readers,
Plans are taking shape for my upcoming events! This is your chance to receive a reminder before the event. When all details are finalized, we will email you everything you need to know!
Note: you are not signing up for any other mailing list. This signup is just for events.
The Form: Your Name * First Name Last Name Your Email * Want to get a text? Provide your number: This is a beta feature! We might not be ready to use it. :-) (###) ### #### Please email me details and a reminder for the following events: Danbury CT Feb 28 2025 Norwich VT (mid May) Plainville MA (mid May) North Andover MA (mid May) South Portland ME (mid May) Nashville TN (May 28) Grand Rapids MI (June 4) New York City TBD Boston MA TBD Concord NH TBD Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?Thank you!
Get notified about upcoming events in Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Tennessee, Michigan, Maine and New York!
Dear readers,
Plans are taking shape for my upcoming events! This is your chance to receive a reminder before the event. When all details are finalized, we will email you everything you need to know!
Note: you are not signing up for any other mailing list. This signup is just for events.
The Form: Your Name * First Name Last Name Your Email * Want to get a text? Provide your number: This is a beta feature! We might not be ready to use it. :-) (###) ### #### Please email me details and a reminder for the following events: Danbury CT Feb 28 2025 Norwich VT (mid May) Plainville MA (mid May) North Andover MA (mid May) South Portland ME (mid May) Nashville TN (May 28) Grand Rapids MI (June 4) New York City TBD Boston MA TBD Concord NH TBD Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?Thank you!
January 16, 2025
Signed books available in Cambridge MA at Lovestruck Books
You can find:
Him and Us (sports section)
Good Boy and Stay (sports section or contemporary)
Rookie Movie and Pipe Dreams (check sports and contemp)
The Five Year Lie (probably in suspense)
What a fantastic shop this is! Owner Rachel Karten has created a gorgeous and welcoming space with a deep romance inventory. (Deep cuts! There’s an historical section with my favorites by Julie Ann Long, and a giant romantasy section, and sporty books…and every other romance you can think of. )
There’s also specialty coffee and a wine bar that opens next month. It’s all in the heart of Harvard Square, which tickles me on several levels. (Huck Farvard! Yale forever. Sorry. I can’t help myself.)
More about Lovestruck Books on their website.
December 2, 2024
Your favorite hockey romance is now in K.U.!
Brooklynaire: the billionaire team owner who’s in love with his assistant
Overnight Sensation: the bad boy who has it bad for the one woman who’s off limits
Superfan: the hockey player in love with a pop star
Sure Shot: a second chance romance full of steam
Bombshells: the team playboy can’t keep his eyes off the new girl
Shenanigans: the billionaire hockey player wakes up married to the crush who can’t stand him
Love Lessons: seduction is an art, and this hockey player is a maestro
Get the Series on Kindle UnlimitedNovember 27, 2024
Best Black Friday Deals on Books
Barnes and Noble: BOGO 50% on Good Boy
Target: 25% off on Good Boy = $12.74
Target: 25% off on Stay = $12.73
Amazon: 3 for the price of 2 on Good Boy
Amazon: 3 for the price of 2 on Stay
November 11, 2024
Find signed books in: Toronto, Philly, Hanover!
Philadelphia Barnes and Noble (Chestnut Street): signed by Sarina: The Five Year Lie, Him, Good Boy & Stay
Yorkdale Indigo (Toronto) signed by Sarina: The Five Year Lie. Double signed by Sarina & Elle: Him, Stay, Good Boy
Still North Books & Bar (Hanover N.H.) signed by Sarina: The Five Year Lie, Good Boy & Stay. Want to mail order? Call the store at (603) 676-7846 to verify that the signed copies are available, and then you can probably buy them off their site.
Check out all these copies at Indigo!
