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.