Knockout Girl

Knockout Girl is a young adult novel about a girl named Elli who is forced to move from Hawaii to Toronto in the dead of winter. Although she's rather resistant at first, she makes friends with Julian, who she discovers is being used as a punching bag for the school's boxing champion, Red. Elli quickly realizes the only way to get this guy off her friend's back is to beat him at his own game. With the help of a cute jock, a sweet tattooed loner, and Elli's burnt out boxing champion uncle, she and Julian enter a boxing tournament where Julian will have to face his bully in the ultimate showdown.

Why I love this story: for starters, Elli is hilarious. She's moody, sassy, and generally unhappy with her life, which somehow comes across in the funniest of ways. Once she learns that living in Canada is not the end of the world, however, she becomes a pretty good friend to Julian. (Just friends.) Julian is a perfect counter-part to Elli's narration - he's calm, cool, and collected. He's smart and a self-admitted loner. But he's also compassionate to Elli's plight in having to be the new girl in school and in a new country.

This story isn't just about bullying or how two people learned how to beat someone up. It's a coming-of-age story about finding friendship in unlikely places and having courage in the face of adversity. I don't want to give away the ending, but I will say that before Julian even fights Red, he's already won in the eyes of his peers.

If you're curious about my novel-writing process, I did a fun interview about it with Josh. 

Knockout Girl recently won me two Indie Originals awards: one for Best Young Adult Book and the other for Best New Author. Super proud that someone chose my book to represent those two categories!

 Here's what the Indie Originals reviewers had to say:

"The story is immediately engaging, with a strong, authentic voice. Great, accessible, fluid style with compelling immediacy, and the pacing is excellent. Characters and relationships are well-developed, interesting, and true to the age. Additionally, Elli makes for a smart, funny, engaging protagonist with a singular perspective. The boxing element feels both fresh and completely organic to the story world, leading to a triumphant climax and a toucing, satisfying ending."

Knockout Girl is officially available to buy in ebook or paperback from Amazon or read on Kindle Unlimited here. You can also leave me a lovely (but honest review) on Goodreads. You can also become a fan of the series on Facebook.

Standup Guy

Elli and Julian are back and this time, they'll be fighting in a huge boxing tournament with an even bigger prize. But in the meantime, Julian struggles with his new identity as both an academic and an athlete while Elli fights for equality...and true love. There are cute parts, sad parts, funny parts, and even a showdown between Elli and a bully-turned-best-friend. With Elli and Julian each fighting for what is true and good, there's a lot more at stake than just a championship.

Why I loved writing this book: first, I did alternating chapters between Elli and Julian and it was so fun getting into Julian's head. It was a chance to reveal some things you didn't know about Knockout Girl and also to give him a voice and his own story.

I also enjoyed watching Elli grow up even more and discover who she is and what is really important to her. Elli has always been a strong person who isn't easily intimidated, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have her insecurities. Conversely, Julian, who has always been a little too mild for his own good, learns that sometimes it's okay to fight back, especially for the people and things that matter the most to him.

I can't say too much more about what actually happens in the book without getting into too many spoilers. But if you can handle a little (or a lot) of conflict and enjoy a satisfying ending, then you won't want to miss Standup Guy. 

Standup Guy is now available on Amazon in paperback, ebook, and on Kindle Unlimited

The B-Boy

The sequel to Knockout Girl and Standup Guy, The B-Boy follows Red, resident boxing guru and bully-turned-best-friend alongside sweet leading lady Zara, dancer extraordinaire.

Now that high school's over and he's left his life as a bully behind, Red finally has time to focus on what he wants: boxing. For as long as he's able, that's what he'll do.

Zara's passion for dancing is rivaled by none, but her dreams are shattered when her dance partner sprains his ankle weeks before their showcase. With no other options, Red's cousin and Zara's best friend suggests they team up.

Now Red has a tough decision to make: stick to what he's always known or find the courage to love something new?

Why I loved writing this book: first of all, I thought it'd be fun to take a strong, confident athlete and former bully, and make him do something so far out of his comfort zone that sometimes, it physically hurts. Red's reluctance to learn how to dance could only be countered by Zara's fierce love of it, her strong coaxing, and her gentle encouragement.

I also wanted to show that it's possible for people to grow, and change, and learn, and be better than they used to be. When I wrote Standup Guy, I had no idea Red and Julian would become such good friends. I also didn't know Red would turn into the kind of person who would do anything for his friends. When he applies the same determination he has for boxing to his relationships, magical things happen, and that's my favourite thing about this book. It really isn't about whether or not a boxer could learn to dance. It's about whether or not he could learn to love.

Do you want to find out? The B-Boy is available on Amazon in ebook, paperback, and on Kindle Unlimited here.

Rinkside

Rinkside is my first published novella. It's part of the Knockout Girl series and fits snugly into the timeline of The B-Boy. While it can be enjoyed on its own, it's more fun to read it after you've finished The B-Boy. 

Rinkside is a story that explores Cherry's future. After graduating from high school, her plan is simple - work at her parents' arena for the summer and then go to school for business in the fall. Everything is set.

That is, until she meets Richie.

The young, attractive nephew of the arena's former Zamboni driver, Richie turns Cherry's world upside down from the moment they meet. Not only does he question her decision to study business, but he also makes her rethink her decision to stay close to home.

If only Gary hadn't gotten sick, if only Richie had never filled in as the Zamboni driver, if only he hadn't admitted he's never left Ontario, if only he hadn't touched Cherry's tattoo...

Maybe then, things would have stayed perfectly on track. But life is never that clean cut, and Cherry's about to find out that plans and fate can coincide if she's willing to let them.

Why I loved writing this story: first of all, Cherry really got the short end of a lot of sticks in Knockout Girl and Standup Guy and I felt like she deserved better. Cherry deserved to find someone who would straight up tell her "This isn't for you, try again." Enter Richie, a guy who has a lot going against him, desperately struggling to break out of his own comfort zone. And who better to help him do that than outspoken, independent Cherry?

While I can't tell you what happens at the end (obviously), I can tell you that Cherry and Richie have a lot of ideas and a lot to learn about destiny and design.

Rinkside is available on Amazon in ebook, paperback, and on KU.

Outside Edge

After the events of Standup Guy, I wrote off Adrian as a not-great boyfriend, who ended up being an awful ex. He was mean, resentful, and jealous, and made some really bad mistakes. That was it for him - no more chances from me, the author of his fate. I figured for someone like him, there's no redemption, no forgiveness.

But then, an idea formed in my head. A story about redemption, forgiveness...and, yes, second chances. Does someone like Adrian deserve a second chance? No way. Does someone like Adrian who detests the mistakes he's made deserve a second chance? Absolutely.

After his breakup with Elli, Adrian takes a downwards turn and trying to drown his sorrows with alcohol doesn't help. In fact, all it gives him is two DUIs, which in turn rids him of his scholarship and his spot on his hockey team.

When he gets sent to live with his Pops way up north in Christmastown, he takes his resentment to the next level. Nothing could ever make him want to change. Except maybe Brooke and the kids she's training.

Though she was once on track for a top competitive figure skating position, Brooke's dream has become derailed. Now she's being forced to help a bunch of kids put on a Christmas pageant. And even worse - she has to teach an errant hockey player how to ice dance.

Finding common ground between them isn't nearly as difficult as a triple axel. But can the rink also help them to repair the damage of their past mistakes? Will Adrian and Brooke learn to find strength in each other's arms?

What I loved about writing this book: first of all, I'm a sucker for a good redemption story. And this one had a double dose of it! Secondly, yes, Adrian did some bad things. I recognize this, and so does Adrian. Although it takes him a while to get around to it, he does own up to his mistakes. Also, I made him fall a lot while he learns to ice dance, so there's that.

I also loved introducing new character Brooke and her heart-breaking story to the series. Brooke's kindness, patience, and reluctant persistence is the antidote to Adrian's waywardness. When they see what they can accomplish when they let go of their pasts and get along, magical things happen. 

Outside Edge is now available on Amazon in ebook, paperback, and on KU!

Hooked

While I was writing the Knockout Girl series, two side characters - from different books, no less - caught my attention. I just knew they had compelling backstories. But were they interesting enough to tell a new story of their own? Turns out they were! 

A talented boxer with poor connections and an even poorer attitude, Sofia struggles to find a sponsor. Despite being the best in her league, no one seems to care about how good she is.

Darren, the affluent son of over-protective parents, has been misguided his whole life. Now he’s trying to retrace his steps and relearn how to live his life. And he’s starting with Sofia.

Though reluctant, Sofia agrees to help Darren step up his boxing game in exchange for his help in managing her career. When sparks fly between them, they find themselves learning a lot more than they first hoped for. But is love enough to bridge the chasm between their worlds?

Why I loved writing this novella: first of all, I felt like Sofia and Darren were both protagonist-worthy characters, deserving more attention than the little bit I gave them in Standup Guy and The B-Boy.

You've probably noticed that one of the big themes throughout the series is that not everyone is really as they first seem. Maybe you didn't like seeing (spoiler) Elli lose to Sofia and I'm sure you thought Darren was a jerk when you met him. But when I dug a little deeper, I found that there was a lot more to both of their stories and I hope you'll enjoy finding out those things, too.

Also, Darren and Sofia are from opposite sides of the train track and I couldn't resist writing a story about two people trying to reconcile that through one common interest - boxing, of course. I thought I was done writing about boxing, but apparently I wasn't.

I hope you'll enjoy this side story I wrote. It's got everything you love from the rest of the series - boxing, compelling characters, romance, and even some surprise reappearances from previous characters! 

Hooked is now available on Amazon in ebook, paperback, and on KU!