Beyond the Book: The Captain and the Cheerleader

Hello, and welcome to Beyond the Book. I've been sharing excerpts from The Captain and the Cheerleader. I'm picking up where I left off last week. When you finish  with this post, scroll down. I have two guests today, and I believe there are some prizes up for grabs.

Robin Lanford who's a royal pain in the butt just bet Susan English that she couldn't get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach. Some of the other faculty members also got in on the bet. Kurt showed up and Susan asked about the football game later that night. Kurt went to be with the football players before the game. He told his friend Jason that Susan had given him a compliment, and Jason reminded him that he already had a girl named Aleisha Childs. Kurt isn't sure if it's serious between them. He is about to lose his Friday night ball game when a boy interrupted him. The boy had a football play from Susan that won the game for him. Kurt is pondering that play when Alicia calls and cancels their date for that night. Kurt decides to ask Susan to go with him so he can ask her about that play, and afterward Susan calls her friend Melissa who told her to behave herself. Susan said it was a party that were going to, and the worst thing that could happen is they wouldn't have a good time.

Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

Excerpt:

As Susan hung up the phone, Samson head butted her to get her attention. He always seemed to understand when she wasn’t totally focused on him. “I hope we have fun tonight, kitty. Things have been a little stale since Tommy and I broke up.”

Samson stared holes through Susan, but the mean look on his face didn’t surprise her. “You liked Tommy, didn’t you, boy? He always had a treat for you, but that’s no excuse for looking daggers at me.

“I feel bad about Tommy too. He’s a great guy, but I don’t love him the way he loved me. I broke up with him because it wasn’t fair to let him hope for something that can never be. Still, I miss him too.”
She needed to move on with her life, and going out with Kurt Deveraux seemed like a good way to begin. Maybe this date had come at exactly the right time. 

Buy link: http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg

Beyond the Book: The Captain and the Cheerleader: Famous Last Words

Hello, and welcome to Beyond the Book. I've been sharing excerpts from The Captain and the Cheerleader. I'm picking up where I left off last week. Robin Lanford who's a royal pain in the butt just bet Susan English that she couldn't get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach. Some of the other faculty members also got in on the bet. Kurt showed up and Susan asked about the football game later that night. Kurt went to be with the football players before the game. He told his friend Jason that Susan had given him a compliment, and Jason reminded him that he already had a girl named Aleisha Childs. Kurt isn't sure if it's serious between them. He is about to lose his Friday night ball game when a boy interrupted him. The boy had a football play from Susan that won the game for him. Kurt is pondering that play when Alicia calls and cancels their date for that night. Kurt decides to ask Susan to go with him so he can ask her about that play, and afterward Susan calls her friend Melissa.

Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

Excerpt:

“Where’s he taking you?”

“Some friend of his is giving a party, and he asked me to go.”

Melissa giggled. “Have a good time, but you’d better behave yourself. I saw how you were watching him last night. I think you liked what you saw.”

Susan rolled her eyes even though Melissa couldn’t see. “Of course, I did. What’s not to like? Kurt’s absolutely gorgeous.”

“I noticed. Whew, this conversation could get out of hand. Behave now, you hear?”

“He invited me to a party for goodness sake.” Susan absently stroked Samson who had jumped up on the table. “The worst that can happen is we won’t have a good time together.” 

Buy link: http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg

Beyond the Book: The Captain and the Cheerleader

Hello, and welcome to Beyond the Book. I've been sharing excerpts from The Captain and the Cheerleader. I'm picking up where I left off last week. Robin Lanford who's a royal pain in the butt just bet Susan English that she couldn't get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach. Some of the other faculty members also got in on the bet. Kurt showed up and Susan asked about the football game later that night. Kurt went to be with the football players before the game. He told his friend Jason that Susan had given him a compliment, and Jason reminded him that he already had a girl named Aleisha Childs. Kurt isn't sure if it's serious between them. He is about to lose his Friday night ball game when a boy interrupted him. The boy had a football play from Susan that won the game for him. Kurt is pondering that play when Alicia calls and cancels their date for that night.

Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

EXCERPT:

Kurt’s call came around lunchtime on Saturday. Susan had been waiting since nine, but when she answered the phone she tried to sound surprised to hear from him.

“Susan, it’s Kurt Deveraux. I was calling to thank you for your help last night. Without your play we would’ve lost.”

“Oh, you’re welcome. I was glad I could do something; I like to see the Mavericks win.” Susan bit her lip to keep from laughing. Bet anything she knew where this conversation was going.

“Yeah, I’ve seen you at a couple of games,” he said. “I know it’s short notice, but if you aren’t busy tonight, I’d really enjoy it if you’d go to a party with me. I’ve been told there’ll be dancing.”

“Who’s giving a party?”

“You wouldn’t know him,” Kurt answered. Susan heard the smile in his voice even over the phone.

“Well, I’d love to go anyway. What time will you pick me up? Do you know where I live?”

“I’ll pick you up around seven. Be sure to wear something casual. This won’t be anything real fancy. Tell me where you live.” 


Please look at the right sidebar for a great offer from the publisher of The Captain and the Cheerleader. 

Buy link: http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg

Beyond the Book: The Captain and the Cheerleader

Hello, and welcome to Beyond the Book. I've been sharing excerpts from The Captain and the Cheerleader. I'm picking up where I left off last week. Robin Lanford who's a royal pain in the butt just bet Susan English that she couldn't get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach. Some of the other faculty members also got in on the bet. Kurt showed up and Susan asked about the football game later that night. Now, Kurt has gone to be with the football players before the game.

Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

Excerpt:

Kurt left the faculty lounge and joined the football team for its traditional pre-game meal. He

filled his plate from the buffet and sat down beside his longtime friend and fellow coach, Jason Cooper. Jason had been his best friend ever since they were in Mrs. Turner’s first grade class at Fairfield Elementary.

“Hey, what’s wrong with you?” demanded Jason. He dug his elbow into Kurt’s side when Kurt failed to reply to his question about the night’s strategy. “You’re a million miles away.”

“Sorry. I was thinking about what happened in the lounge a minute ago.”

“What happened?”

“Susan English gave me a compliment.”

Jason laughed. “Did she try to have her way with you?” he teased. “I’ve got my share of female admirers, buddy, but something about you drives women wild. Even Mrs. Kirby melts when you go through the lunch line, and everyone knows she’s as tough as nails.” 

Buy link: http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg

Beyond the Book: The Captain and the Cheerleader

Hello, and welcome to Beyond the Book. I've been sharing excerpts from The Captain and the Cheerleader. I'm picking up where I left off last week. Robin Lanford who's a royal pain in the butt just bet Susan English that she couldn't get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach. Some of the other faculty members also got in on the bet. Kurt showed up and Susan asked about the football game later that night.

Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

Excerpt:

~* ~
Melissa and Susan strolled slowly toward their cars. Who wanted to go home on such a beautiful afternoon? The crisp, cool weather turned the sky a lovely, deep blue, and the trees blazed in shades of scarlet, orange, and gold. The smell of smoke from burning leaves periodically filled the air.

“Good football weather,” said Melissa. “Are you going to the game tonight?”

Susan frowned. “I guess I should since I made that stupid bet. I wish I’d never done it, but if I cancel now, Robin will think it’s because I can’t get him, and she’ll never let me live it down.”

Melissa nodded. “That’s true. Robin’s one of the most annoying people I’ve ever met. Kurt probably ran for his life when she batted her eyelashes at him.”

“Well, she might have tossed her hair at him.”

Both of them snickered. Robin did toss her hair frequently. 

You can get your copy at http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg.

The Captain and the Cheerleader

Now that we've learned a bit about the English and the Deveraux families, let's have some excerpts. This is the beginning of the book.

One

Robin Landford swept into the room and plopped down into an orange plastic chair beside Susan English. “I think Kurt Deveraux is gay.”

It was Friday afternoon, but Robin’s statement halted the teacher exodus from the faculty lounge.

“Why do you say that, Robin?” Susan asked. Yeah, her voice sounded chilly and a bit snooty, but she couldn’t help herself. Robin was fresh out of college and seemed to think she was God’s gift to men; she flirted with anything in pants. This annoying little creature had probably made a play for Kurt’s attention and been rejected. 

Of course, in Robin’s defense, she’d have to say that not many women could ignore Kurt Deveraux. There might be a man somewhere who had more sex appeal than the blond, blue-eyed coach, but Susan doubted it.

She watched as Robin tossed her hair and pouted. “If I can’t get his attention he isn’t interested in women.” 


Annoying, isn't she? And things only get worse.

Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

Buy link:
http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg

Beyond the Book: The Captain and the Cheerleader

Last week we discussed cheerleading because my heroine was once a cheerleader. I intended to talk about football today because my hero was the captain of the football team when he was in high school. I guess, though, that most people have a good idea about the pros and cons of football so I thought we'd do something else. Today, I think I'll introduce you to both Kurt and Susan's families.

The English Family
Susan and her family originally lived in Arizona where her father coached high school football until he retired. After Susan visited Fairfield, she loved it so much she moved there and got a teaching job at Fairfield High. Her parents also moved to Fairfield a few years later.

Bill English, Susan's father, now works at Super Mart the local discount store. Marjorie, Susan's mother, is in charge of the bakery in Chef's Pantry, the largest grocery store in Fairfield. The whole community loves her delicious baked treats. Susan has one brother Tyler who is going to the local community college.

On the outside they look like a happy family, and they are, but Bill English has some deep rooted issues that Kurt and Susan's relationship will bring to light.

The Deverauxs

Kurt's family always lived in Fairfield. His father George owns a small grocery store near the high school, and his mother works at the local library. They're proud of Kurt who set a goal for himself and worked until he achieved it. They're also proud of the high school team's record. Kurt is a good coach.

Kurt has one sister, Sheila, who's eleven years younger than he is. Sheila is a handful at the best of times, but when she finds out about Kurt and Susan she rebels against her family and friends and is definitely hanging out with the wrong crowd.

Well? What do you think? I hope you like the sound of these two families. Trust me; sparks are gonna fly all which ways before the end of the book.

Buy link: http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg.

Beyond the Book

Welcome to Beyond the Book. For the last few weeks we've spent time learning about my romantic comedy Fortuna, but today we're going to focus on The Captain and the Cheerleader. Our cheerleader is Susan English. Susan was the head cheerleader when she was in high school, but at present she teaches at Fairfield High.

Everyone has seen cheerleaders before, but maybe there's a little more to it than you imagine. One of the most obvious things is that cheerleading build teamwork. Without teamwork cheerleaders couldn't do those complicated routines.

Cheerleaders also have to be fit. Think about their complicated routines. People couldn't do them if they were wheezing puffing.

Cheerleading may also lead to a good work ethic. Cheerleaders don't just show up on game day and cheer. They practice all throughout the year. Some squads go to summer camp to train and learn new routines.

Some squads practice hard and go to national cheerleading championships. This certainly fosters a sense of pride and achievement in the team.

Lastly, lifelong friendships may be formed by members on a squad, and I'm sure the memories they make will still be fresh long after their days as a cheerleader are over.

Next week we'll learn more about the characters.

Buy link: http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg

Saturday Sample The Captain and the Cheerleader

 Welcome to Saturday Sample. Today is the last excerpt from The Captain and the Cheerleader. If you've enjoyed the book so far, you can buy it Amazon http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg, Barnes and Noble, and most other retail outlets. Any book store can order a paper copy for you. Next week we'll begin Fortuna, a romantic comedy that's partly based on things that happened to either me or my family.

Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

We know the Susan won her bet with Robin when Kurt asked her to go to a party with him. Unfortunately, they drank too much and ended up sleeping together which didn't please Susan at all. She begged Kurt to take her home, and in today's excerpt they've just reached Susan's house.Kurt has assured Susan that he doesn't make a habit of making love to women in no condition to say no, but he already wanted her, so the tequila pushed him over the edge. He also asked if they could continue seeing each other, not for sex but because they had a good time. 

EXCERPT:

She stayed in the bathroom for a long time even though she knew Kurt was waiting for her. Maybe she’d get lucky and he’d move to Alaska or Africa, anywhere far, far away. He could say anything he wanted, but it didn’t change a thing. She had still humiliated herself and done something that appalled her. Oh, imagine what he really thought!

Footsteps sounded in her bedroom. Kurt knocked on the bathroom door and called, “Susan? Are you okay?”

With a big sigh, Susan opened the door.

Kurt studied her face. “You look kind of pale. I know you had something to tell me, but maybe we should wait until you feel better. I’ll help you to bed

if you like. I think you need to sleep a little while longer.”

A reprieve! Putting things off did no good, but that’s exactly what she’d do. “Bed sounds good.”

Kurt turned back the bedcovers for her and patted the side of the bed. “Sit down and I’ll take your boots off.”

Susan’s stomach quivered at the thought of bending over to tug on her boots. She sat and stuck out her foot.

Kurt wrestled the boots off, and she fell back onto the bed. It felt so soft, and it was blessedly quiet in the room. “Don’t go,” she mumbled. “I want to talk to you when I wake up.”

~* ~
Kurt watched as Susan’s eyes closed. Where did
she expect him to stay? With her? Well, why not? They’d already spent a night together. He took off his shoes and shirt and got under the covers with Susan. Before long he too fell asleep, lulled by the soft silence in the room.

Saturday Sample: The Captain and the Cheerleader

Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

We know the Susan won her bet with Robin when Kurt asked her to go to a party with him. Unfortunately, they drank too much and ended up sleeping together which didn't please Susan at all. She begged Kurt to take her home, and in today's excerpt they've just reached Susan's house..

EXCERPT:
She didn’t get far; Kurt grabbed her arm and prevented her from leaving the car. “I’m coming in with you. We have to talk about what happened last night.”

“No, we don’t.”

“Yes, we do.”

Kurt let go of her and got out of the car. Short of screaming or running away, there was no way to stop him so she might as well get it over with as quick as she could. He followed her down the walk and unlocked the door for her when he saw how much her hands were shaking. 


Buy Link:
http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg

Saturday Sample; The Captain and the Cheerleader

We're picking up where we left off last week. Do you believe that punch had tequila in it?

When the dance ended, people started to leave. She glanced at her watch. How odd. She couldn’t see it very well. “It’s late, Kurt, and I hafta go to church ah...tomorrow.” She yawned. “I’m a member of the choir.”

“Let’s say bye to Jose.”

Mendoza stood at the door saying goodbye to his departing guests. Just as they reached him and his wife, Kurt stumbled. He fell against Susan and sprawled onto a bale of hay covered with a clean tarp.


Blurb: 
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

Buy Link:
http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg  

Saturday Sample: The Captain and the Cheerleader

I'm still sharing excerpts from The Captain and the Cheerleader. We're picking up today where we left off last week. Kurt just arrived to take my heroine to a party after she  won a football game for him.

He forced himself to stop staring. “I’ve never had a beautiful woman win a football game for me. How did you know your play would work?”

Susan laughed, a musical sound that made him want to laugh with her. “I wish I could take the credit for it, but I can’t. It’s one of my dad’s plays. He coached high school football for thirty years before he retired.”

“No wonder you always enjoy football. You were raised on it. I almost killed your messenger, but I’m glad he stood his ground. Your dad’s play won the game.”

“Yes, I thought it would.”

Susan rose from the sofa and took her jacket off the back of a chair. My oh my, what a view! Her entire outfit fit so snugly it might have been painted on, but it didn’t look off color or suggestive. Instead, the jeans and sweater looked elegant and classic, just like Susan herself.

A look of chagrin crossed her face when she turned back around. “I think I’ve been a bad hostess. Would you like a drink before we go, or should we be on our way?”

“I don’t really drink. I guess you think it’s corny, but I want to set a good example for the kids.”

Susan nodded as if his answer pleased her. “I don’t think that’s corny at all, and I don’t drink either. Coffee’s about the strongest thing I’m interested in.”

“If you’re ready, we’ll get going.”

She smiled at him, and after he helped her with her jacket, she locked the front door.
Jason was right. I’ve always wanted to go out with her. For a long time I’ve hoped she’d break up with that guy she was dating. This is my chance, and I don’t plan to mess it up. 

Blurb: 
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

Buy link:

http://www.amazon.com/Captain-Cheerleader-Elaine-Cantrell-ebook/dp/B017HSUIH2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1455945918&sr=1-1&keywords=the+captain+and+the+cheerleader

Snippet Sunday and Weekend Writing Warriors

Welcome to Snippet Sunday and Weekend Writing Warriors, your chance to sample the work of a talented group of authors. After you finish here, you can find me snippets at:


www.wewriwa.com

www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=snippet%20sunday

Here's a blurb and excerpt, and this week we'll be starting with Kurt's POV.

Blurb:
 Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

Last week Kurt had just told his friend Jason that Susan English gave him a compliment in the faculty lounge, and Jason asked him if he still thought Susan was hot. Creative punctuation.

Kurt’s fork paused on its way to his mouth; “I never said that, but, yeah, I do. Susan English could put a movie star to shame.”

“What about Aleisha Childs?”

“What about her?”

Jason paused to swallow a big drink of his tea and made Kurt smile. Mrs. Kirby always provided the tea for the football team, exactly what he had hoped for when he complimented her on how good it tasted. Everyone at school loved it, and that included the football team.

“We’ve known Aleisha since we were ten,” Jason said, "and she’s awfully pretty; how many times have you gone out with her now?” 

"A few."


Buy link: http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg


I'm taking the book on  a virtual review tour next week. Here's my schedule.

2/8 Bella's Blog  http://bellasblog56.weebly.com

2/9 The Power of Three Readers https://m.facebook.com/ThePowerofThreeReaders?_rdr

2/10 Sassy Southern Bookswww.sassysouthernbook.blogspot.com

2/11  Swoonworthy Books http://www.swoonworthybooks.com

2/12  Itsy Bitsy Book Bits  https://www.itsybitsybookbits.com

2/12  I'm a Sweet and Sassy Bookwhore www.imasweetandsassybookwhore.com