Across the Beer Bar with Mina Carter's Prop
As part of my World Cup Soccer Book SALE, I welcome Mina Carter and her rugby boys to the Liz Bar!
Welcome to my bar Mina, what can I pour for your to start?
Thank you, I’ll have a rum and coke, thank you very much J
So...let's get really basic here and find out what is a "prop?"
A prop is a playing position in a rugby team. There are two props on a team and, along with the hooker, they make up the front row of the team. Usually they’re very powerful across the shoulders and neck with big thighs to push against the other team in a scrum. I have a fondness for prop’s because that’s the position my husband used to play.
Is Rugby your favorite sport? Why?
It is definitely my favourite sport and to be honest, until I trained with a local ladies rugby team I didn’t see the appeal even though my hubby (who used to play) has been a fan for years. After though, it was like a light bulb flicked on and I was hooked. There is something very primal and brutal about the game, but at the same time it requires immense tactical ability from all the players to know how best to play the ball once they get their hands on it. It’s addictive and these days, I yell just as much as my hubby does!
Oh, and the scenery’s not half bad either ;)
Yeah, I get the "scenery" part of it to be sure. I was once told by some old British dude at a pub that "Rugby was a game played by thugs and watched by gentlemen. Soccer is a game played by gentlemen and watched by thugs." I'm sure there are plenty of variations on that theme.CLICK HERE TO READ MY POST ON MINA'S BLOG ABOUT "THE BEAUTIFUL GAME."I know you from your amazing talents as Liz's Favorite Cover Artist. How did you get started in that business?
I was already a graphic artist before I started to write professionally, so I knew my way around photoshop. When I got my first contract, I asked if I could do my own cover art and they said yes. I built a portfolio and inquired with other publishers and it basically went from there.
Oh look empty glass, what can I pour next?
I’m pretty much a spirits girl, so how about a vodka and lime?
Rugby is a sort of "club sport" here in the U.S. I know several folks who enjoy it however. Do you think it will ever catch on here?
I would hope so! Like all sports it resonates with some and not with others, some players are very determined and go right to the top and some prefer local club level. All are awesome, because even local level is immensely physically demanding. Some of these collisions have been clocked at about the same as being hit by a small car, and it certainly feels that way!
A small aside, one of my favourite players is Blaine Scully, an American playing for my home team, the Leicester Tigers. He plays fullback, which will be the next position up in the shark’s series J
Finally, share with us a favorite scene/excerpt from Playing With the Prop.
Reaching his designated position ready for kick-off, he allowed his gaze to wander to the side of the pitch. Searching for one figure amongst the team support staff had become part of his pre-game ritual. It didn’t take long to find the lone female figure amongst the team physical therapists. Petite and with the kind of curves to tempt a saint, he’d had his eye on Ashley Parks since his arrival on the Sharks last year. So much so, he’d developed a “cramp” problem whenever she was around to ensure he got her pretty hands on his legs whenever he could. The other players had cottoned onto him, nicknaming him “Crampy James,” but he didn’t care. All that mattered was that she was here, at every game. One day, he might even drum up the courage to say something to her.As though feeling his gaze on her, she glanced around. Not yet bundled up against the cold of the oncoming winter, her dark hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, the ends bouncing across her shoulders. Swamped by the fluorescent tabard with ‘physio’ stamped across it, he couldn’t see much of her figure, but her brilliant smile and wave made up for that. Satisfaction surged through him as he rolled his shoulder and neck to make them crack. All was right with the world now. It was his birthday, he had game-time today, and his girl was watching him do what he did best.“For fuck’s sake, will you just say something to her?” The voice was accompanied by a heavy clap across his shoulder, and Harry turned around to see the smiling face of the team’s hooker, Tom, as the man passed him en-route to his own position. He turned, still grinning, pure mischief twinkling in his eyes. “Before one of us has to clue her in that it’s not just your legs you get a cramp in when she touches you.”Harry couldn’t help the bark of laughter but refrained from flipping his friend the bird. Ordinarily, he would have, but not here on the pitch with tens of thousands of eyes on them. To do so would have risked incurring their wrath, and would send Coach purple with rage. At the very least, he’d be off the line-up and on the subs’ bench for a few games, which was something all the players desperately wanted to avoid. Thanks to the brutal nature of the sport, each game they ran the gauntlet of injury that could keep them off the pitch for a game or so at best. At worst, it could kill, or end their careers. Game time was a precious thing jealously guarded.“Seriously,” Tom carried on, jogging lightly as he reached his position. “She’s single. You want her? Make a move before someone else does.”Harry cut a glance over to the lady in question. Last he’d heard, she was seeing another physio, not one with the team but from the last place she worked. What happened? He hadn’t noticed her looking sad… Perhaps it had been an amicable breakup? Amicable meant no broken heart to heal before he made his move. Hell yeah. A man could work with that.A slow grin spread over his lips as the heads up was called for the kick off. The whistle blew, and then he was running, an extra kick racing through his veins. Today was going to be a good day. He felt it in his bones.
***
Never mix business with pleasure…A physical therapist for successful Rugby team, the Strathstow Sharks, Ashley’s golden rule is never to mix business and pleasure. She loves her job and the guys she looks after, and doesn’t want to jeopardize her place with the team. As nicely put together as her charges are, she’s never found herself remotely tempted.Until now.Harry James, the team’s newest prop gives her butterflies in her stomach every time she has to treat him, and her fantasies involving his hard, muscled body and sinful lips keep her hot and bothered at night. Luckily, he shows no sign of having noticed her attraction, and hasn’t shown any interest in her…She’s been his from the moment he saw her…Harry James marked the pretty little physio the first day they met. For the last year he’s been biding his time, and trying to get her attention. So much so, it’s gained him a few nicknames in the squad. Not that anyone would dare tell her.When the Sharks win big on Harry’s birthday, can he stop at claiming a birthday kiss, or will he want everything she has to give?***
About Mina
Mina Carter is a bestselling, multi-genre author. She lives in the UK with her husband, daughter and a bossy cat. A full time author and cover artist, Mina can usually be found hunched over a keyboard or graphics tablet, frantically trying to get the images and words in her head out and onto the screen before they drive her mad. She's addicted to coffee and would like to be addicted to chocolate, but unfortunately chocolate dislikes her.Website: http://mina-carter.comFacebook Profile: http://facebook.com/mina.carterFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/minacarterauthorTwitter: http://twitter.com/minacarterAmazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Mina-Carter/e/B002BOH5R4/Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2920063.Mina_Carter
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/minacarter77
Thanks for hanging out with me Mina and for humoring my goofy requests for cover art.
cheersLiz
Welcome to my bar Mina, what can I pour for your to start?
Thank you, I’ll have a rum and coke, thank you very much J
So...let's get really basic here and find out what is a "prop?"
A prop is a playing position in a rugby team. There are two props on a team and, along with the hooker, they make up the front row of the team. Usually they’re very powerful across the shoulders and neck with big thighs to push against the other team in a scrum. I have a fondness for prop’s because that’s the position my husband used to play.
Is Rugby your favorite sport? Why?
It is definitely my favourite sport and to be honest, until I trained with a local ladies rugby team I didn’t see the appeal even though my hubby (who used to play) has been a fan for years. After though, it was like a light bulb flicked on and I was hooked. There is something very primal and brutal about the game, but at the same time it requires immense tactical ability from all the players to know how best to play the ball once they get their hands on it. It’s addictive and these days, I yell just as much as my hubby does!
Oh, and the scenery’s not half bad either ;)
Yeah, I get the "scenery" part of it to be sure. I was once told by some old British dude at a pub that "Rugby was a game played by thugs and watched by gentlemen. Soccer is a game played by gentlemen and watched by thugs." I'm sure there are plenty of variations on that theme.CLICK HERE TO READ MY POST ON MINA'S BLOG ABOUT "THE BEAUTIFUL GAME."I know you from your amazing talents as Liz's Favorite Cover Artist. How did you get started in that business?
I was already a graphic artist before I started to write professionally, so I knew my way around photoshop. When I got my first contract, I asked if I could do my own cover art and they said yes. I built a portfolio and inquired with other publishers and it basically went from there.
Oh look empty glass, what can I pour next?
I’m pretty much a spirits girl, so how about a vodka and lime?
Rugby is a sort of "club sport" here in the U.S. I know several folks who enjoy it however. Do you think it will ever catch on here?
I would hope so! Like all sports it resonates with some and not with others, some players are very determined and go right to the top and some prefer local club level. All are awesome, because even local level is immensely physically demanding. Some of these collisions have been clocked at about the same as being hit by a small car, and it certainly feels that way!
A small aside, one of my favourite players is Blaine Scully, an American playing for my home team, the Leicester Tigers. He plays fullback, which will be the next position up in the shark’s series J
Finally, share with us a favorite scene/excerpt from Playing With the Prop.
Reaching his designated position ready for kick-off, he allowed his gaze to wander to the side of the pitch. Searching for one figure amongst the team support staff had become part of his pre-game ritual. It didn’t take long to find the lone female figure amongst the team physical therapists. Petite and with the kind of curves to tempt a saint, he’d had his eye on Ashley Parks since his arrival on the Sharks last year. So much so, he’d developed a “cramp” problem whenever she was around to ensure he got her pretty hands on his legs whenever he could. The other players had cottoned onto him, nicknaming him “Crampy James,” but he didn’t care. All that mattered was that she was here, at every game. One day, he might even drum up the courage to say something to her.As though feeling his gaze on her, she glanced around. Not yet bundled up against the cold of the oncoming winter, her dark hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, the ends bouncing across her shoulders. Swamped by the fluorescent tabard with ‘physio’ stamped across it, he couldn’t see much of her figure, but her brilliant smile and wave made up for that. Satisfaction surged through him as he rolled his shoulder and neck to make them crack. All was right with the world now. It was his birthday, he had game-time today, and his girl was watching him do what he did best.“For fuck’s sake, will you just say something to her?” The voice was accompanied by a heavy clap across his shoulder, and Harry turned around to see the smiling face of the team’s hooker, Tom, as the man passed him en-route to his own position. He turned, still grinning, pure mischief twinkling in his eyes. “Before one of us has to clue her in that it’s not just your legs you get a cramp in when she touches you.”Harry couldn’t help the bark of laughter but refrained from flipping his friend the bird. Ordinarily, he would have, but not here on the pitch with tens of thousands of eyes on them. To do so would have risked incurring their wrath, and would send Coach purple with rage. At the very least, he’d be off the line-up and on the subs’ bench for a few games, which was something all the players desperately wanted to avoid. Thanks to the brutal nature of the sport, each game they ran the gauntlet of injury that could keep them off the pitch for a game or so at best. At worst, it could kill, or end their careers. Game time was a precious thing jealously guarded.“Seriously,” Tom carried on, jogging lightly as he reached his position. “She’s single. You want her? Make a move before someone else does.”Harry cut a glance over to the lady in question. Last he’d heard, she was seeing another physio, not one with the team but from the last place she worked. What happened? He hadn’t noticed her looking sad… Perhaps it had been an amicable breakup? Amicable meant no broken heart to heal before he made his move. Hell yeah. A man could work with that.A slow grin spread over his lips as the heads up was called for the kick off. The whistle blew, and then he was running, an extra kick racing through his veins. Today was going to be a good day. He felt it in his bones.
***
Never mix business with pleasure…A physical therapist for successful Rugby team, the Strathstow Sharks, Ashley’s golden rule is never to mix business and pleasure. She loves her job and the guys she looks after, and doesn’t want to jeopardize her place with the team. As nicely put together as her charges are, she’s never found herself remotely tempted.Until now.Harry James, the team’s newest prop gives her butterflies in her stomach every time she has to treat him, and her fantasies involving his hard, muscled body and sinful lips keep her hot and bothered at night. Luckily, he shows no sign of having noticed her attraction, and hasn’t shown any interest in her…She’s been his from the moment he saw her…Harry James marked the pretty little physio the first day they met. For the last year he’s been biding his time, and trying to get her attention. So much so, it’s gained him a few nicknames in the squad. Not that anyone would dare tell her.When the Sharks win big on Harry’s birthday, can he stop at claiming a birthday kiss, or will he want everything she has to give?***
About Mina
Mina Carter is a bestselling, multi-genre author. She lives in the UK with her husband, daughter and a bossy cat. A full time author and cover artist, Mina can usually be found hunched over a keyboard or graphics tablet, frantically trying to get the images and words in her head out and onto the screen before they drive her mad. She's addicted to coffee and would like to be addicted to chocolate, but unfortunately chocolate dislikes her.Website: http://mina-carter.comFacebook Profile: http://facebook.com/mina.carterFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/minacarterauthorTwitter: http://twitter.com/minacarterAmazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Mina-Carter/e/B002BOH5R4/Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2920063.Mina_Carter
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/minacarter77
Thanks for hanging out with me Mina and for humoring my goofy requests for cover art.
cheersLiz
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