Linda O'Connor

Author: Linda

  • Day 2 ~ Behind the Bench Countdown!

    It’s Day 2, and we’re counting down the release of Behind the Bench ~ Book Two of the In the Game Hockey Romance series! Release day is April 17. Woohoo!!

     

     

    It’s Day 2 – time for the You-two-be video! Here’s the book trailer for Behind the Bench! (I picked the music – what do you think? :D)

     

     

  • Day 3 ~ Behind the Bench Countdown!

    lit number three

    It’s Day 3, and we’re counting down the release of Behind the Bench ~ Book Two of the In the Game Hockey Romance series! Woohoo!!

     

     

    Danni and Trey are sharing some tips for players – to help keep you healthy!

    1. Use your own water bottle. Unless you want to pick up infectious mono, a cold sore, the flu, a cold, or any other infection, don’t share your water bottle. Even the squirty kind!
    2. Wear proper protective equipment including a helmet, a full-face shield and a mouth guard. It’ll help protect your brain, teeth, and eyes!
    3. Don’t use a towel that’s been left in your locker and is still damp. That’s the most common way athletes end up with a fungal infection on their skin.

     

    Behind the Bench (In the Game Hockey Romance, Book 2)

    Dr. Danni Angelo is the team physician for the Clarington Quakes hockey team. She’s worked hard to earn the players’ respect, but the new coach, Trey Mason, is stirring things up, and Danni’s worried her job may be in jeopardy.

    Trey finds Danni…distracting. Beauty, brains, and sexy moves on the ice have him uncomfortably attracted. He’s the new guy on the block. He has a reputation to build and a standard to set. The last thing he needs is a complication.

    When the team spirals out of control and Danni and Trey get caught up in a drug scandal, things heat up on and off the ice. It’s a whole new game plan…Behind the Bench.

     

     

     

    Behind the Bench is coming April 17!! It’s exclusive to the COMING IN HOT 2: Rescue Me Romance Collection – 16 medical contemporary or paranormal stories! Preorder now for only 99cents!!

     

     

    Buy links: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Nook | Kobo | iTunes

  • Visiting Nights of Passion!

    I’m visiting author Stacy Hoff with my inspiration behind writing Behind the Bench  (In the Game Hockey Romance, Book 2). What quirky characteristic of mine ended up in the story? It’s HERE

     

     

     

  • Day 4 ~ Behind the Bench Countdown!

    the number four

    It’s Day 4, and we’re counting down the release of Behind the Bench ~ Book Two of the In the Game Hockey Romance series! Release day is April 17. Woohoo!!

     

    Danni is a family physician who also works part-time as the team doc for the Clarington Quakes hockey team. When she’s in her office, she’s often dealing with sports-related injuries. Today she’s sharing some tips for dealing with acute ankle injuries.

    The Ottawa ankle rules were developed by a group of physicians in Ottawa, Ontario to help rule out a fracture when a patient presents with the an acute ankle injury. The rules have been tested and validated to help decide whether an injury requires an x-ray. Of course, there are always times when clinical judgement has to supersede the rules, but they’re a really handy guidelines.

    The Ottawa ankle rules are as follows:

    An ankle x-ray is only indicated for patients who have pain in the malleolar zone AND are tender at the tip of the lateral or medial malleolus (the bony prominences at the sides of the ankle) OR are unable to bear weight (walk) immediately after the injury and for 4 steps at the doctor’s office.

    A foot x-ray is only indicated for patients who have pain in the midfoot zone AND are tender at the base of the 5th toe or at the navicular OR are unable to bear weight (walk) immediately after the injury and for 4 steps at the doctor’s office.

    So if a player has an ankle injury and can’t weight-bear or is tender at the bony prominences of the ankle or the base of the 5th toe, they likely need an x-ray!

    Thanks for the tips, Danni!

     

    Behind the Bench (In the Game Hockey Romance, Book 2)

    Dr. Danni Angelo is the team physician for the Clarington Quakes hockey team. She’s worked hard to earn the players’ respect, but the new coach, Trey Mason, is stirring things up, and Danni’s worried her job may be in jeopardy.

    Trey finds Danni…distracting. Beauty, brains, and sexy moves on the ice have him uncomfortably attracted. He’s the new guy on the block. He has a reputation to build and a standard to set. The last thing he needs is a complication.

    When the team spirals out of control and Danni and Trey get caught up in a drug scandal, things heat up on and off the ice. It’s a whole new game plan…Behind the Bench.

     

     

     

    Behind the Bench is coming April 17!! It’s exclusive to the COMING IN HOT 2: Rescue Me Romance Collection – 16 medical contemporary or paranormal stories! Preorder now for only 99cents!!

     

     

    Buy links: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Nook | Kobo | iTunes

  • Day 5 ~ Behind the Bench Countdown!

    green and yellow fiveIt’s Day 5, and we’re counting down the release of Behind the Bench ~ Book Two of the In the Game Hockey Romance series! Release day is only five days away. Woohoo!!

     

     

    Today Trey is sharing tips for coaches to have the very best experience for both the coach and the players! He has a lot of experience to draw on. 😀

    1. Be positive and passionate – be enthusiastic and energetic. Keeping the practices upbeat and full of energy will keep the players engaged and excited about learning and playing.
    2. Have a plan and set goals – analyze what your team needs, what your players’ strength and weaknesses are, and be creative to realize short term and long-term goals. After each practice, write down what went well and what needs work and be flexible so that you can incorporate that into the next practice.
    3. Compassion and communication – learn the players’ names, what their strengths and weaknesses are so you can make each player a better person and a better player.
    4. Communication – Know that there are different learning styles and tailor your teaching and coaching to the player. There is a lot of evidence showing that positive reinforcement works significantly better in encouraging players versus the old-school humiliation tactics. Don’t be a dinosaur! Reinforce the correct way rather than focusing on the mistake.
    5. Be a good role model – get involved. Don’t just give verbal instructions; show them how it’s done. Being respectful, punctual, and prepared sets the tone for the team.

    Volunteering to be a coach and giving back to the community can be a very rewarding experience for you and the players. Have fun!

     

    Behind the Bench (In the Game Hockey Romance, Book 2)

    Dr. Danni Angelo is the team physician for the Clarington Quakes hockey team. She’s worked hard to earn the players’ respect, but the new coach, Trey Mason, is stirring things up, and Danni’s worried her job may be in jeopardy.

    Trey finds Danni…distracting. Beauty, brains, and sexy moves on the ice have him uncomfortably attracted. He’s the new guy on the block. He has a reputation to build and a standard to set. The last thing he needs is a complication.

    When the team spirals out of control and Danni and Trey get caught up in a drug scandal, things heat up on and off the ice. It’s a whole new game plan…Behind the Bench.

     

     

     

    Behind the Bench is coming April 17!! It’s exclusive to the COMING IN HOT 2: Rescue Me Romance Collection – 16 medical contemporary or paranormal stories! Preorder now for only 99cents!!

     

     

    Buy links: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Nook | Kobo | iTunes

  • Day 6 ~ Behind the Bench Countdown!

    fiery number 6It’s Day 6, and we’re counting down the release of Behind the Bench ~ Book Two of the In the Game Hockey Romance series! It’s coming April 17. Woohoo!!

     

     

    To celebrate the release of Behind the Bench, I thought I’d share six fun facts about hockey!

     

    1. Hockey pucks are three inches in diameter. They’re frozen before each game so that they don’t bounce during the game. In the old days, they used frozen cow poop. Bet the goalies are happy with that upgrade!
    2. Until recently, if both of the team’s goalies were injured during a game, they could get anybody to play the position — even a fan! Now they have to have a back-up emergency goalie on stand-by. On March 28, 2018, Scott Foster, a 36-year-old accountant played for the Chicago Blackhawks and deflected 7 shots to hang on for the win!
    3. Goalies can’t cross the centre line. Former Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ron Hextall was the first goaltender to score a goal by shooting the puck down the ice and into the other team’s net.
    4. Twelve women have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup, either as owners or team executives.
    5. Canadian goaltender Manon Rhéaume was the first – and only –woman to play in the NHL. She laced up for two exhibition games with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
    6. At the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Trent Evans embedded a loonie at centre ice to bring luck to Canada’s men’s and women’s hockey teams. Both brought home gold – it was a lucky loonie! (We needed one at the 2018 games.:D Congrats to the USA Women’s team for winning gold this year!

     

    Behind the Bench (In the Game Hockey Romance, Book 2)

    Dr. Danni Angelo is the team physician for the Clarington Quakes hockey team. She’s worked hard to earn the players’ respect, but the new coach, Trey Mason, is stirring things up, and Danni’s worried her job may be in jeopardy.

    Trey finds Danni…distracting. Beauty, brains, and sexy moves on the ice have him uncomfortably attracted. He’s the new guy on the block. He has a reputation to build and a standard to set. The last thing he needs is a complication.

    When the team spirals out of control and Danni and Trey get caught up in a drug scandal, things heat up on and off the ice. It’s a whole new game plan…Behind the Bench.

     

     

     

    Behind the Bench is coming April 17!! It’s exclusive to the COMING IN HOT 2: Rescue Me Romance Collection – 16 medical contemporary or paranormal stories! Preorder now for only 99cents!!

     

     

    Buy links: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Nook | Kobo | iTunes

  • Day 7 ~ Behind the Bench Countdown!

    green number 7It’s Day 7, and we’re counting down the release of Behind the Bench ~ Book Two of the In the Game Hockey Romance series! Release day is April 17. Woohoo!!

     

     

    Danni doesn’t cook much but makes a mouth-watering homemade pizza dough on a sexy date with Trey. I thought I’d share an equally delicious gluten-free pizza dough recipe. Unlike Danni’s recipe, this one is quick to throw together – perfect for a weeknight dinner!

    Gluten-free Gourmet Pizza Crust

    ½ cup ground almonds

    2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

    pinch salt

    ½ tsp dried oregano

    ½ tsp dried basil

    2 tsp olive oil

    1 egg

    Combine the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Spread the dough on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and brushed with olive oil. Top with your favourite toppings. My favs are tomato paste, diced chicken, pineapple, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. Bake at 325°F for 15-20 minutes.

    Bon Appetit!

     

    Behind the Bench (In the Game Hockey Romance, Book 2)

    Dr. Danni Angelo is the team physician for the Clarington Quakes hockey team. She’s worked hard to earn the players’ respect, but the new coach, Trey Mason, is stirring things up, and Danni’s worried her job may be in jeopardy.

    Trey finds Danni…distracting. Beauty, brains, and sexy moves on the ice have him uncomfortably attracted. He’s the new guy on the block. He has a reputation to build and a standard to set. The last thing he needs is a complication.

    When the team spirals out of control and Danni and Trey get caught up in a drug scandal, things heat up on and off the ice. It’s a whole new game plan…Behind the Bench.

     

     

     

    Behind the Bench is coming April 17!! It’s exclusive to the COMING IN HOT 2: Rescue Me Romance Collection – 16 medical contemporary or paranormal stories! Preorder now for only 99cents!!

     

     

    Buy links: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Nook | Kobo | iTunes

  • Day 8 ~ Behind the Bench Countdown!

    billiard ball with an eightIt’s Day 8 and we’re counting down the release of Behind the Bench ~ Book Two of the In the Game Hockey Romance series! Woohoo!!

     

    Hello. I’m Trey Mason, coach of the Clarington Quakes. I’ve been involved in hockey all my life –first as a player and now as a coach, and I think I’ve finally landed in a city that loves hockey as much as I do. The welcome I’ve received has been great – not only the enthusiastic fans but from the city itself that has so much to offer. The Quakes have a stellar team on the ice – with Mike Wallace in net and a whole line-up of talented players in front of him. I’m honoured to join the impressive team behind the bench. From the assistant coaches, to the trainers, all the way to the medical staff, the Quakes are extremely lucky to have talented, dedicated people supporting them. Our goal is single-minded. We’re going to win! Come on out to the rink – you’ll see some exciting hockey. There’s certainly a lot going on behind the bench to make that happen!

     

    Behind the Bench (In the Game Hockey Romance, Book 2)

    Dr. Danni Angelo is the team physician for the Clarington Quakes hockey team. She’s worked hard to earn the players’ respect, but the new coach, Trey Mason, is stirring things up, and Danni’s worried her job may be in jeopardy.

    Trey finds Danni…distracting. Beauty, brains, and sexy moves on the ice have him uncomfortably attracted. He’s the new guy on the block. He has a reputation to build and a standard to set. The last thing he needs is a complication.

    When the team spirals out of control and Danni and Trey get caught up in a drug scandal, things heat up on and off the ice. It’s a whole new game plan…Behind the Bench.

     

     

     

    Behind the Bench is coming April 17!! It’s exclusive to the COMING IN HOT 2: Rescue Me Romance Collection – 16 medical contemporary or paranormal stories! Preorder now for only 99cents!!

     

     

    Buy links:   Amazon.com   |   Amazon.ca  |    Nook    |    Kobo    |     iTunes

  • Day 9 ~ Behind the Bench Countdown!

    It’s Day 9 and we’re counting down the release of Behind the Bench ~ Book Two of the In the Game Hockey Romance series and an exclusive story in Coming in Hot 2: Rescue Me medical romance collection!

     

    Hi there! It’s Danni. I’m on my way to the rink but thought I’d stop by for a quick hello. I can’t be late. There’s a new hockey coach in town, and I don’t think he thinks much of me. Groan. I know. It sounds crazy but he kicked me out of the players’ pit at the press conference and if he can work with one of the other team physicians, he will. You’d think after two years with the team, my rapport with the players would trump all, but nope. He’s one sexy obstacle between me and the job I love.

    heart and stethoscopeWell, lucky for me, I have an awesome group of patients who are always happy to see me. I share an office with Sarah Jain and when I’m not treating the players or bugging them to wear full-face shields or harping on them to use their own water bottles (they really do love me), I’m busy with my family practice and a whole myriad of sports injuries.

    If you haven’t visited Clarington, you should!! Skate on the Charlebois River, try the best turtle pie at the bakery attached to Bibbington Bowling Lanes and, of course, catch a Clarington Quakes hockey game. You can’t help but fall in love here. And look me up – hopefully I’ll still be behind the bench!

     

    Behind the Bench (In the Game Hockey Romance, Book 2)

    Dr. Danni Angelo is the team physician for the Clarington Quakes hockey team. She’s worked hard to earn the players’ respect, but the new coach, Trey Mason, is stirring things up, and Danni’s worried her job may be in jeopardy.

    Trey finds Danni…distracting. Beauty, brains, and sexy moves on the ice have him uncomfortably attracted. He’s the new guy on the block. He has a reputation to build and a standard to set. The last thing he needs is a complication.

    When the team spirals out of control and Danni and Trey get caught up in a drug scandal, things heat up on and off the ice. It’s a whole new game plan…Behind the Bench.

     

     

    Behind the Bench is coming April 17!! It’s exclusive to the COMING IN HOT 2: Rescue Me Romance Collection – 16 medical contemporary or paranormal stories! Preorder now for only 99cents!!

     

     

    Buy links:   Amazon.com   |   Amazon.ca  |    Nook    |    Kobo    |     iTunes

  • 10 day Countdown Begins!!

    It’s Day 10 and we’re counting down the release of Behind the Bench ~ Book Two of the In the Game Hockey Romance series! Woohoo!!

    I’m so excited to start the countdown for my next romantic comedy, Behind the Bench. It’s part of a new medical hockey series, In the Game Hockey Romance! Join me each day for the next 10 days for a sneak peek at the story, a first-hand look at the video trailer, some fun hockey trivia and for a chance to meet the characters. Sit back and relax and enjoy another romantic comedy with a bit of spicy mystery thrown in – and some very sexy members of the Clarington Quakes hockey team!

     

    Behind the Bench (In the Game Hockey Romance, Book 2)

    Dr. Danni Angelo is the team physician for the Clarington Quakes hockey team. She’s worked hard to earn the players’ respect, but the new coach, Trey Mason, is stirring things up, and Danni’s worried her job may be in jeopardy.

    Trey finds Danni…distracting. Beauty, brains, and sexy moves on the ice have him uncomfortably attracted. He’s the new guy on the block. He has a reputation to build and a standard to set. The last thing he needs is a complication.

    When the team spirals out of control and Danni and Trey get caught up in a drug scandal, things heat up on and off the ice. It’s a whole new game plan…Behind the Bench.

     

     

    Behind the Bench is coming April 17!! It’s exclusive to the COMING IN HOT 2: Rescue Me Romance Collection – 16 medical contemporary or paranormal stories! Preorder now for only 99cents!!

     

     

     

    Buy links:   Amazon.com   |   Amazon.ca  |    Nook    |    Kobo    |     iTunes