Uncategorized Archive

Wisdom and Change

Posted January 13, 2024 By Linda

I walk in a local conservation area every day and in the past few weeks, I’ve seen an owl every day or so. The owl is never in the same spot, so it’s a bit like playing “Where’s Waldo?”, and it’s very well camouflaged so it’s a magical moment when I do see it. Owls are thought to symbolize inner wisdom, change, transformation, and good luck, so I thought it apropos to highlight some fun facts about owls as we begin 2024.

Owls vary in colour from white through many shades of tan, gray, brown, or rufous (reddish) to deep brown. A few are solidly coloured, but most are patterned, often resulting in them being almost invisible against tree bark.

Owls can see in the daytime. Their pupils don’t get as small as ours in bright light, so to block out the extra light, they often close their eyes half-way or more. They may look sleepy or even half asleep when really they are wide awake and alert.

Their eyes are fixed in position, and to compensate, they can rotate their necks more than 180 degrees in either direction meaning they can look directly backward. I’ve seen the owl do this and often think they need to rotate it back to unscrew their neck. Lol

Camouflage, daytime immobility, and silent flight combine to make it as difficult for owls to see each other as it is for natural enemies and humans to see them. The flight of owls is a steady flapping on a straight path, ending in a short upward glide to the perch. Hunting, usually from a perch, rarely involves extensive flight, requires only a short burst of speed to surprise the prey on the ground. Most of the time when I pick out an owl, it’s because it’s flying to a new perch.

I hope your year is filled with good luck, transformation, and change to make your life better! Make time to nurture yourself. I love to escape with a good book. If you do, too, you might enjoy Perfectly Honest. It’s the first book of the Perfectly Series and a fun, sexy, humorous romance about two doctors who find themselves in a fake engagement that snowballs out of control. Enjoy!

Perfectly Honest

You never know where your words will take you…

When Mikaela Finn agreed to be Sam’s “fiancée” for a weekend, she probably should have told him that she’s a doctor. Sam O’Brien, aka “Dr. Eye Candy,” is trying to shed his playboy reputation and convince a small town hospital that he’s ready to settle down. But when his “fiancée” helps deliver a baby in the middle of the meet and greet, it’s a bit of a shock. If he’d known the whole truth, he might have done things a little differently because somehow his “fiancée” ends up stealing his job and his heart. Not exactly the change he wanted.

Lies and deceit – it’s a match made in heaven!

Enjoy an excerpt from Perfectly Honest ~

Mikaela woke with a start to the sound of voices. Disoriented, in unfamiliar surroundings, she looked down at her short shorts and loose shirt covered with spatters of paint. Painting, of course. She finished the job late and must have fallen asleep in the chair. Checking her watch, she saw that it was two o’clock in the morning. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. Pulling herself out of the chair, she listened to the voices. One voice was female, sounding impatient and unhappy and one male, sounding apologetic and resigned.

“I know it’s not ideal, Sophia, but it’s what I want. I’m tired of the large city, the tertiary care center, and all the politics. I’m tired of all the meetings and all the committees. I want a smaller hospital in a smaller city. I want a life.”

“Nonsense, Sam,” the woman shot back. “You don’t know what you want or what’s good for you. You need to pay your dues now to reap the benefits later.”

“Look, I don’t expect you to understand. I’m grateful you’ve agreed to help me out, but . . . ”

Mikaela wandered into the hallway and stopped when she saw the two of them at the front door. The woman had unbuttoned her coat, and as she put her hands on her hips, there was a flash of the red cocktail dress she wore underneath. The man was a foot taller and wearing a suit. A very nice fitting suit, Mikaela mused, as she came up behind him.

The woman noticed Mikaela first, and her startled gasp had the man looking over his shoulder. Mikaela wasn’t sure who looked more shocked, the man, who moved to shield the woman, or the woman, who raked her gaze over Mikaela from head to toe. As Mikaela fought the urge to straighten her shirt and fix her hair, she decided, definitely, the woman.

The woman’s eyes narrowed, the hands on her hips became clenched at her sides, and her face flushed red. Mikaela held her breath.

The woman pushed at the man’s shoulder and spun him around to face her. “Why you! You! ‘I can’t invite you in, the house is being painted,’” she mimicked. “Is that the new code word for ‘mistress?’ You could have just told me we were through. Well, I’m done. This is the last straw. You pig!” The woman spun on her heel and wrenched the door open.

“Sophia, wait!”

“No, wait,” Mikaela added. She lurched forward, now wide-awake.

The woman stormed out and slammed the door.

The man turned to Mikaela with his hands on his hips. “Who are you?”

Buy link (free with Kindle Unlimited): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08V9CWRMK

Filed in Uncategorized | Tagged: doctors, fake engagement, fun, humor, medical romance, series, sexy, standalone

Stress Busters!

Posted December 15, 2023 By Linda

What do you do to keep stress at bay this time of year? It’s a busy time and it helps to be intentional about taking time to reset and relax. I’ve learned a few tricks over the years and my favourite is to have a quiet space to retreat to when life gets hectic. Not gonna lie – it used to be the bathroom when my kids were little. LOL Now it’s a comfy chair in my bedroom that I can sink into. I wrap myself in a cozy blanket, put on upbeat Christmas tunes or pull out a book to read. Exercise has always been my go-to for busting stress, and even with the onset of colder weather and snow, I still try to get outside for a walk. I also take advantage of indoor sports that local schools host in the evenings. I have a friend who loves to bake – her happy place smells delicious. This time of year, it helps to prioritize what’s truly important and reschedule what you can until after the holidays when things are a little less hectic. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and that you give yourself permission to take a moment (or a few) to relax.

If you love to relax by escaping into a fun book, here are a few suggestions! Love and the Hidden Hockey Clues and Love and the Hockey Heist are 2 books in the Laugh-out-Loud Hockey Caper Romance series. These stand-alone stories are humorous romances with a white-collar crime twist!

Love and the Hidden Hockey Clues ~

When she was younger, Dr. Abigail Clark dreamed of playing professional hockey, but the world wasn’t ready for a female player. That stung. She skated as far away from hockey as possible – until she lands a job in the emergency department of a hockey-crazy town and buys the house of the late beloved Zamboni driver. A tin box is discovered during the renovation of her new home, and Abigail brushes it off as a time capsule left by the previous owner – that is until someone tries to steal it. Turns out, the odd collection is more than just sentimental hockey memorabilia.

Abigail inadvertently embroils Del Braebury, captain of the local pro hockey team, into helping her sort it out. Her history with hockey players is rocky at best, but he comes in handy when she needs to access parts of the rink that are off limits. Del is happy to be tangled up in the clues of the hidden hockey loot. In the process of solving the mystery, he hopes to win Abigail’s heart!

Enjoy an excerpt ~

Abigail put her purse on the floor at her feet. “I found a date for next Saturday.”

“Yeah, I got that, but rewind a moment.” Sierra put up a hand. The black curls framing her face bobbed with the movement. “You’re going with some random guy from the gym and to seal the deal, you kissed him?”

Abigail rolled her eyes. “It wasn’t to seal the deal. It was to get a five-thousand-dollar donation to the hospital.”

Her three friends did simultaneous double takes. If she didn’t feel so sheepish about the whole thing, it would’ve been funny.

“He paid five thousand dollars to kiss you?” Bailey’s eyes were wide. “I mean I know you have sex appeal, but that’s impressive.”

Abigail laughed. “He had a bet going with his friends. They promised to fork over five thousand if I said yes and five thousand if we kissed before the night was over.” She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “I just sped things up.”

“Abigail Sarah Clark, it seems we need to have a little talk about appropriate behaviour with the opposite sex.” Sierra gave a good stink eye.

Abigail sighed. “I know, I know. It was an impulse. His two friends were so smug. I was goaded.” She’d had to quash her own pang of embarrassment over the kiss. “He is quite easy on the eyes, though.”

Bailey leaned forward with a wide smile. “Deets.” Her heart-shaped face, porcelain skin, and fine features belied the adventure in her blood.

Abigail laughed. “Close to one-hundred-ninety centimetres tall, black wavy hair, and an angel face with a sexy five o’clock shadow.”

“What’s his name?” Piper asked softly. Her warm brown eyes held more worry than censure. Abigail could imagine she was the most appalled, though she’d never say so for fear of hurting Abigail’s feelings.

“I don’t know.”

Again with the simultaneous double takes.

Sierra blinked rapidly and held up her hands. “What do you mean, you don’t know? Didn’t he give you his name? Didn’t you ask?”

Abigail cleared her throat. “Not exactly. In my head I was calling him Muscles. I don’t think he introduced himself when he came over and then after that kiss…” She bit her lip. “You know that emoji with the big saucer eyes and flushed cheeks?”

Her friends nodded.

“That was me.”

Bailey laughed and wiggled her eyebrows. “Good kisser, check.” She made a big check mark in the air.

“Over the top,” Abigail said with a nod. “I was in the locker room before I realized I’d forgotten to ask his name, and when I came out he was hanging with his friends again. I didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of knowing that I didn’t know, you know?”

“So you have a date for Saturday, and you have no idea who he is except that he’s a good kisser?” Sierra asked. Her hands might as well have been on her hips.

“Pretty much,” Abigail said, a tad sheepishly. “I’m sure I’ll see him again at the gym before next Saturday. I’ll ask him then.”

“What’s the name of the gym?” Bailey asked.

“Break Point.”

Piper’s eyes widened. “Isn’t that owned by one of the Edge players? I heard the team hangs out there.”

Sierra’s jaw dropped. “You kissed a hockey player?”

“What? No.” Although they certainly were built. And they dropped ten grand like it was Monopoly money. “Oh, jeez.”

Bailey laughed delightedly and pulled out her cell phone. “The woman who has vowed never to date a hockey player, who disses hockey players at every opportunity, who shows nothing but disdain for women who date hockey players…is going out with a hockey player. Wouldn’t that be karma?” She searched for pictures of the Brighton Edge players and handed it to Abigail.

Abigail took Bailey’s phone reluctantly and scrolled through the team members. Her heart dropped when she found him. She held the phone out to show the others.

Bailey whistled, Sierra’s eyes narrowed, and Piper tried unsuccessfully to hide a sympathetic smile.

Abigail was going to the dinner and dance with Del Braebury, captain of the Brighton Edge hockey team.

Buy link ~ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YJXZS7H/

Love and the Hockey Heist ~

Dr. Piper Roblin is peeved. She’s pretty sure her new neighbour stole her travel alarm clock. It may not be worth much, but it has sentimental value. Piper hatches a plan to get it back, but her plan relies on Brent Dean, popular forward of the Brighton Edge hockey team, to finagle a dinner invitation to gain access to her neighbour’s house.

Brent thought the invite from the stunningly beautiful cardiologist was based on a thoughtful gesture to welcome new neighbours to Brighton. He didn’t realize the gig included subterfuge, thievery, and a fake engagement. But he didn’t get to where he is without a lot of hustle and determination, and since he’s always up for some fun, let the games begin.

Enjoy an excerpt ~

“I need a fiancé.” Piper Roblin tucked her purse under the stool and sat down heavily. Her shoulder-length hair, the colour of rich dark chocolate flounced around her heart-shaped face. Her three best friends, already seated at the workstations waiting for the cooking class to begin, turned and stared at her with identical expressions: open-mouthed shock.

Bailey Jansen, a dermatologist with an adventurous spirit, and the most outspoken of their group, was the first to recover. “Excuse me?”

Piper pulled back her shoulders, trying to make the most of her one-hundred-fifty-seven-centimeter height, and raised her chin. “I need a man, a hockey player to be exact.”

Bailey grinned at the determination in Piper’s brown eyes and waved a hand. “I’ve been saying the same thing for months.”

They looked expectantly at Abigail Clark, a levelheaded emergency room physician, who sat at the workstation in front of them beside the fourth pea in their pod, Sierra Westlake, a serious-minded general surgeon.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Abigail asked.

“Two words. Del Braebury.” Bailey pointed at the impressive diamond ring on Abigail’s left hand. “You’re engaged to the captain of the Brighton Edge hockey team.”

“You can make it happen,” Piper said.

Sierra raised a hand. “Whoa. Let’s just pump the brakes here. Why do you need a fiancé? Last I heard you were too busy being the chief of cardiology to worry about dating, never mind planning a wedding. And didn’t you say that your parents are big on the whole pre-arranged marriage idea?”

Piper waved that aside. “This is just temporary. I have no intention of settling into a relationship. I accepted an invitation to a dinner party, but the only reason I was invited was because I sort of mentioned that my fiancé played for the Brighton Edge.”

Sierra shook her head. “What? Why would you do that?”

“I was backed into a corner.” Piper gritted her teeth.

Bailey laughed. “I hear you, sister. You don’t know how many times I’ve needed to use that.”

“Really?”

“No, never. How did that even come up?”

Piper sighed. “You know how I belong to a neighbourhood book club?” At their nods, she continued. “Last week I hosted. After everyone left, I realized that my little silver travel alarm clock was missing. I think my neighbour took it.”

“That’s crazy,” Abigail said. “Haven’t you been in that book club for years? Aren’t those people your friends?”

“I know how it sounds, but I’ve looked high and low for that clock, and I cannot find it. Most of the women have been part of the group for years, but a young couple, Jessica and Ryan, moved in beside me recently, and I invited Jessica to join us.”

“Why would she steal your alarm clock? Is it worth something?”

“No. That’s what’s so annoying. I bought it online a few years ago, for like, ten bucks. But I really like it. It’s compact and has a quiet alarm. It’s perfect for travel, and I used it all the time when I had to sleep at the hospital during my residency. I don’t know why she took it, but I’m almost positive she did.”

“Why? What makes you think that?” Abigail asked.

“She went to the washroom and instead of using the powder room, I caught her coming down the stairs. She made some excuse about not knowing about the bathroom on the main floor even though I specifically pointed it out. And I’m pretty sure her house is the exact same layout as mine.”

“That is odd,” Bailey said.

Piper nodded emphatically. “I know. I didn’t think much of it until I noticed that my little alarm clock was missing. I’m sure she took it while she was up there.”

“That’s pretty bold,” Abigail said. “Stealing from your neighbour isn’t a great way to settle into the community. Do you know anything about her?”

“Only that they bought the house next door. She said they own a cleaning company and moved here from Toronto to set up a local franchise. No kids, no pets, and huge hockey fans.”

“So you plan to have dinner with them, get to know them, and ask if she stole your alarm clock?” Bailey asked, more than a little skeptically.

“I’m going to steal it back.”

Buy link ~ https://www.amazon.com/ebook/dp/B0B1QVMSS3

If you’re into holiday romances this time of year, the sexy Perfectly Christmas or the sweet Don’t Mess with Christmas may hit the spot!

Don’t Mess with Christmas

Dr. Brogan Corkie is happily semi-retired from medicine and now has time for other hobbies. Her passion for food is second only to her skill at matchmaking!

Parker Roy grew up in the middle of four brothers and has lived with enough testosterone to last her a lifetime. She’s finally moved out and made a life of her own. Between putting the finishing touches on the set for Mapleton’s Christmas play, plowing snow, and transforming her hydroponic greenhouse into a Christmas wonderland, it’s ramping up to be a hectic season.

Dr. Julian Murphy, the only allergist in town, has his eye on the woman behind the set design of the holiday play. He’s volunteering backstage in the hope of getting to know her. There’s a bit of a snag when she’s referred to his clinic for a rash – doctors aren’t allowed to date their patients – but Dr. Brogan Corkie doesn’t see it as an insurmountable problem and steps in to give their romance a nudge. She’d better be right because, if not, it could seriously mess with Christmas.

The allergist or the rash– which itch will Parker scratch?

Buy Link https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L1DHDMS

Perfectly Christmas

On the first day of Christmas, his true love said to him, “Sorry, I have to work.”

That’s the life of a surgeon, and Dr. Madison Hayes wouldn’t have it any other way.

Dr. Quinn Malone has another priority. In the countdown to Christmas, he needs to convince his old flame that there’s more to life – and love – than the job itself.

This time, his heart is in it for the long haul. Really.

Romantic and . . . complicated – it’s Perfectly Christmas!

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYW5T7X

Filed in Uncategorized | Tagged: medical romance, relax, romance, romcom, series, sexy, sweet

Christmas Magic!

Posted November 30, 2023 By Linda

I’m excited to share the release of Don’t Mess with Christmas! This is the 4^th book in the Dr. Brogan Corkie Matchmaking Doctor series. All of the books in the series are stand-alone humorous contemporary romances. The Christmas season is usually a pretty hectic time. I love to read to unwind and relax, and I hope this story helps you escape from the hustle and bustle of the season (and everything else going on), so you can relax, laugh, and recharge.

Dr. Brogan Corkie is happily semi-retired from medicine and now has time for other hobbies. Her passion for food is second only to her skill at matchmaking!

The allergist or the rash– which itch will Parker scratch?

Enjoy an excerpt ~

“Pleased to meet you, Julian Murphy.” His hand was warm around hers, and when he moved his thumb in a subtle caress, a shiver went down her spine. “Julian Murphy,” she murmured. She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you a doctor?”

Julian nodded. “I am.”

“An allergist at Gateway General?”

“Guilty.”

Parker pulled her hand back and put her hands on her hips. “I tried to get a referral to see you. You refused.”

His lips twitched. “Yes, that’s true.”

“Why? Dr. Corkie said she’d never seen it in all the years she’s practiced medicine.”

Julian put his hands in his pockets. “Well, there’s a rule against doctors dating patients. It’s ill-advised and frowned upon by the College of Physicians of Ontario.”

Parker scoffed. “Well, good for you. What does that have to do with me?”

“Parker, would you like to have dinner with me?”

Buy Link (a bargoooon at 99c): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L1DHDMS

Award-winning author Linda O’Connor started writing romantic comedies when she needed a creative outlet other than subtly rearranging the displays at a local home décor store. Her books have enjoyed bestseller status. When not writing, she’s a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic. She shares her medical knowledge in fast-paced, well-written, sexy romances – with an unexpected twist. Her favourite prescription to write? Laugh every day. Love every minute.

Filed in Uncategorized

Pondering Success

Posted November 23, 2023 By Linda

What does success mean to you?

I feel successful every time I finish a novel. My books are all around 50,000 words in length. The sense of accomplishment after plotting, planning, wading through the mushy middle, and pushing through to the end is like none other. It gives me a feeling of pride – even after 17 published stories. I would love to have earn enough from my writing to support myself but that would be icing on the cake. Real success, to me, is getting the stories in my head written and out there for others to enjoy.

This month, I’m celebrating Don’t Mess with Christmas, the fourth book in the Dr. Brogan Corkie Matchmaking Doctor series. The medical romantic comedies in this series are all stand-alone stories. It’s matchmaking at its funniest!

Don’t Mess with Christmas

Dr. Brogan Corkie is happily semi-retired from medicine and now has time for other hobbies. Her passion for food is second only to her skill at matchmaking!

The allergist or the rash– which itch does Parker want to scratch?

Enjoy an excerpt~

Get a grip. Mary’s Boy Child. Dates are supposed to be fun. Parker’s shoulders sagged. If only.

She blew out a breath. Was this all worth it? She could be in comfy sweats, with a big bowl of buttered popcorn, curled up on her favourite chair watching a movie. Cozy, fun, stress-free.

Her cell phone rang making her jump. “Hello?”

“What are you wearing?”

Parker smiled reluctantly. Hailey Gibson, her best friend since grade two, got right to the point. “Yoga pants and a hoodie.”

“March yourself into that bedroom and change right now. You are going on that date.” Hailey tsked. “I’ll be there in five.”

“No need. I’m kidding.” Parker pursed her lips. “I’m wearing black plants and a blue sweater.”

“The fitted ones that go to your ankle?” Hailey’s voice was suspicious.

“Yes.”

“The cashmere sweater with the low back and pearl buttons?”

“Yes.”

“Jewelry?”

Parker rolled her eyes. “Pink and yellow crystal pendant with the matching earrings – the dangly ones.”

“Perfume?”

“Definitely not.”

“Okay, maybe you’re telling the truth.” Parker imagined the consternation in Hailey’s blue eyes. “Maybe.”

Parker laughed. “I am. I can send you a pic.” She leaned against the bathroom counter. “Oh ye of little faith.”

“Huh. I know you too well, Parker. Any little excuse and you’d be backing out of that date. I’m not going to let that happen. Should I come over to drive you?”

Parker sighed. “How did you know I was having second thoughts?” Her voice was quiet.

Her best friend didn’t even say I told you so. “Twin vibes.” Parker’s eyes filled. “Parker, just relax and try to enjoy yourself. You put too much pressure on yourself. You think every date is an interview for marriage. Don’t. Sometimes people get together to have fun and…enrich their souls.”

Parker harrumphed. “I don’t need my soul enriched.”

“Maybe Julian does. Look, he sounds like a great guy – talented, smart, easy on the eyes. And he’s taking you to Fire and Ice. Not a bad way to spend a Friday night. Pretend he’s one of your brothers. No scratch that. Pretend you’re meeting to discuss the stage set. Just give him a chance – get to know him.”

Parker made a face. “I always seem to say something stupid and blow it.”

“You can’t blow it, Parker. You can’t have a relationship if you have to watch what you say. Your true soul mate will overlook an occasional blunder.”

“Is that supposed to be reassuring?”

“Yes.”

Parker held the phone away from her ear. Ouch.

Hailey continued at a lower volume. “If you don’t jibe, it wasn’t meant to be. No harm, no foul.”

“I suppose.”

“And if you don’t mesh, you can get the rash sorted out. It’s a win-win.”

Parker laughed ruefully. “I guess. In a pique of bravado I told him that all my dates were fantastic. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

“Repeat after me. I am kind and considerate, have a great sense of humour, am a smart, successful businesswoman, and I’m fun to hang out with.”

“I’m a mess.”

Hailey laughed. “No, that you are not. You’ve got your shit together, Parker. You just need to ratchet that confidence up a notch.”

“I’m trying.”

“You go, girl. It’s 6:40. No more stalling. Put on some lipstick so you don’t look anemic, a little blush to cover the pallor, and get ’er done.”

“All right. Will do.”

“Send me deets.”

Parker shook her head with a laugh.

“Have fun.” Hailey had been a cheerleader in high school. Pep talks were her thing.

“I’ll try.”

“That’s the spirit,” Hailey said dryly.

Parker hung up the phone with a chuckle.

She fastened the necklace and earrings, her hands no longer shaking. She looked at herself once last time in the mirror and squared her shoulders. “Here goes nothing.”

Buy Links: only 99c!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L1DHDMS

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08L1DHDMS

Filed in Uncategorized

Fun Facts about Love and the Hidden Hockey Clues

Posted November 22, 2023 By Linda

Love and the Hidden Hockey Clues – a fun mix of romance and white collar mystery!

Love and the Hidden Hockey Clues cover When she was younger, Dr. Abigail Clark dreamed of playing professional hockey, but the world wasn’t ready for a female player. That stung. She skated as far away from hockey as possible – until she lands a job in the emergency department of a hockey-crazy town and buys the house of the late beloved Zamboni driver. A tin box is discovered during the renovation of her new home, and Abigail brushes it off as a time capsule left by the previous owner – that is until someone tries to steal it. Turns out, the odd collection is more than just sentimental hockey memorabilia.

Buy link for Love and the Hidden Hockey Clues ~ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YJXZS7H/

What inspired Love and the Hidden Hockey Clues?

Love and the Hidden Hockey Clues, is the first in a new series, Laugh-out-Loud Hockey Caper Romance. It’s about a doctor who finds a tin box hidden between the studs during renovations of her home. She thought the items were random hockey mementos but realizes they are clues and enlists the help of the captain of the local pro hockey team to help her sort out where they lead. I’ve always thought it would be cool to find a hidden treasure during renovations and that sparked the initial idea. I also love escape rooms with the challenge of clues to decipher and puzzles to solve. I thought I’d weave that type of white-collar crime mystery into a romance. Add in a smart, sassy doctor and a swoon-worthy professional hockey player, and the stage is set for a fun, clever hockey caper.

What would I like people to know about Love and the Hidden Hockey Clues?

This is the first book in the series and all of the (stand-alone) stories will have an element of white-collar crime – like a cozy mystery without murder! I also decided to make these stories sweet with the feel of a sexy romance – sweet with heat.

What do people get wrong about writing medical romance?

I specifically write medical romance and here are 3 things that authors may get wrong when their main characters are doctors:

Physicians cannot/would not date their patients – unless they want to lose their licence to practice medicine. I know that readers are sometimes asked to suspend reality when reading fiction, but a doctor hooking up with their patient makes me cringe. It’s so unprofessional. If you want to write a romance with the doctor as the hero or heroine, their love interest could be a colleague. Generally, the rules about dating a fellow hospital employee aren’t as strict as they are in the corporate world.

Something else I’m often asked about with respect to the scope of practice outside of a clinic or medical facility – doctors can pretty much only do First Aid and CPR like any other bystander. Not many doctors carry around a stethoscope, medical equipment, or urgently needed drugs on an outing!

Gone are the days of old when a doctor, usually a surgeon, stereotypically a neurosurgeon, goes around throwing out arrogant orders to the doctors-in-training or nursing staff. That is no longer tolerated. Doctors are expected to maintain a level of professionalism – on and off the job. A couple of years ago a doctor was reprimanded by the College of Physicians and Surgeons for swearing at another driver after a minor motor vehicle accident. It wasn’t medically related at all, but it was deemed that the doctor’s behaviour was unbecoming to the profession.

If I was suddenly transported back to Victorian England as a member of the aristocracy, would I be thrilled or appalled?

I would be appalled. A female physician in Victorian England was pretty much unheard of, and the practice of medicine was very different. The use of anesthetics, antibiotics, and even basic sanitization practices were all still evolving. I would be anxious to be transported back to today.

Is true romance – the wooing, courtship, passion, seduction, the little gestures of affection – dead? Why or why not?

I don’t think so, at least not in my heart. It’s the little gestures of affection that carry the relationship forward. The wooing and courtship allow you to get to know someone and develop trust and respect. They build the foundation of affection and attraction, and the passion and seduction have to wait until your heart is ready. That foundation, in my opinion, has to be in place for a long-lasting relationship.

What’s the best thing that has ever happened to me as a writer?

The best thing is when a reader tells me they love my book. It’s not just the words, but the sparkle in their eye or the laugh when they recount a scene. Sometimes they haven’t finished reading it yet, so I can’t say too much because I don’t want to spoil the ending. But that genuine enjoyment is so uplifting to me as a writer.

Filed in Uncategorized | Tagged: hockey, medical romance, romcom, series, sportsromancen, white collar mystery

A Spark of Fun!

Posted November 19, 2023 By Linda

The holiday season is coming up fast and decorating will begin! I thought I’d review a few pointers for electrical safety. Somewhat random, but super important!

Did you know that outdoor extension cords should never be used indoors? Say what? Yikes, guilty. Turns out outdoors cords are insulated against the cold and when used inside, they can easily overheat and start a fire. Also, extension cords used for more than 24 hours a day means that the cord never gets a chance to cool off. Who knew?

Cords shouldn’t be used if they are frayed or damaged. Neither should you string up extension cords with nails, walk on them, or pinch them in a doorway (no matter how tempting). If the wiring gets damaged, it can cause arcing which creates friction, heat, and fire. And if you’ve spent time reading owner’s manuals, you probably know that large appliances should always be plugged directly into a wall socket rather than using an extension cord. The large draw of power from a refrigerator, air conditioner, or a dehumidifier, for example, can quickly overheat an extension cord. And finally, don’t overload a circuit by plugging in more than it can hold – stay at or below the maximum wattage in a light fixture and don’t plug in lights, equipment, or computers together in an outlet not designed to handle the load. Let’s light up the night safely and have a wonderful holiday season!

I have two Christmas romances filled with love and laughter – Don’t Mess with Christmas is sweet and Perfectly Christmas is sexy. Each is part of a series, but they’re fun stand-alone stories and both are included in the Kindle Unlimited program.

In Perfectly Christmas, the small town is worried that the new surgeon, who is only planning on staying for 2 years, will fall in love with their beloved family doctor and will lure him away when she leaves. They set up a plan to keep the two doctors apart! Perfectly Christmas is part of the Perfectly Series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. It’s a fun, sexy, holiday romance – perfect if you need an escape!

On the first day of Christmas, his true love said to him, “Sorry, I have to work.”

That’s the life of a surgeon, and Dr. Madison Hayes wouldn’t have it any other way.

Dr. Quinn Malone has another priority. In the countdown to Christmas, he needs to convince his old flame that there’s more to life – and love – than the job itself.

This time, his heart is in it for the long haul. Really.

Romantic and . . . complicated – it’s Perfectly Christmas!

Enjoy an excerpt from Perfectly Christmas ~

Edna Alexander and Bea Mitchell stood at the window of the seniors’ center and watched the new surgeon drive out of the parking lot.

“She’s very young, Bea.”

“And very pretty,” Bea agreed with a frown. She adjusted the tortoise shell glasses perched on her nose. “Didn’t we specify we wanted someone old, someone frumpy?”

“There wasn’t a tick-off box for that.”

“Hmph. There should’ve been.”

They watched the car pull out onto the street and hit the curb as it turned.

“She drives like us.”

“True. And look at the bright side, Edna. If we need surgery, it’d probably be better to have a young whipper-snapper doin’ it rather than some old fart like us.”

“I’m more worried about losing Dr. Quinn.”

Bea pursed her lips. “I know. But what are the chances of that happening?”

Edna gave her a grim sideways glance. “I’d have said slim to none three weeks ago. But when Dr. Hoity-Toity Hecktare decided she’d had enough of us, and Dr. Quinn looked like he was going to go with her, I almost had a stroke. I would never have believed he’d abandon our beloved Strathaven for a girl.”

“Woman,” Bea corrected absently. “Do you think he truly loved her?”

Edna shook her head and her gray curls bounced. “No.” She bit her lip. “Yes. That’s what I’m worried about. What if he up and falls in love with this new surgeon and leaves us?”

“We’d have a town of five thousand with no doctor.”

“Exactly. We’d be right back where we were five years ago before Quinn returned home.”

“And we’d have to go through another round of recruitments for a new doctor. I rue the day when someone from the Underserviced Area program figures out that we’re the Mitchell Alexander who’s been filling out all those forms.”

“A problem for another day.” Edna sighed. “Maybe she’ll stay. Dr. Madison Hayes. She seemed very friendly. Very small-townish.”

Bea grunted. “Not likely. You read her application. I’ll bet my boots she’ll do her two years and move on.”

“And take Quinn with her.” Edna twisted the strap of her oversized purse. “We can’t control his heart.”

“No. But we can’t risk him falling in love, either.”

“So we’ll keep them apart.”

Bea’s eyebrows shot up and she paused, considering. “That’s not a bad idea.”

“Of course, it’d be easier if he wasn’t also the only anesthetist for miles around. They’re going to have to work together.”

“Sure, but they’re professionals. I can’t see them getting into any hanky-panky at work. We’ll just make sure they’re never alone together outside of the clinic.”

Edna grinned widely. “Excellent plan. I’ll get on the blower, and before she unpacks, we’ll have a network of chaperones in place.”

“Email me the list.”

“Send me an email, and I’ll reply.”

Bea looked at her pointedly. “Edna, you gotta learn how to send an email.”

“I know how,” Edna said. “You hit reply, then type, then send.”

Bea laughed and threw her arm around Edna’s shoulders. “I think I’ll get you a computer lesson for Christmas.”

Edna’s eyes lit up. “A private one? With that hotty Albert Sparkle?”

Bea stepped back and started buttoning her coat. “Albert’s one hundred and two. And I think the name is Spartan. Does he even own a computer?”

“Yes, and he’s rigged himself up the perfect cup holder with this little drawer thingy that slides out at the top of the computer engine.” Edna pulled a crocheted cap over her curls.

Bea frowned. “You mean the CD tray on the tower?”

Edna smiled. “Maybe. Isn’t that brilliant?”

Bea laughed. “You two were made for each other. C’mon, let’s go and start Operation Put Out the Fire.”

Perfectly Christmas buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYW5T7X

Don’t Mess with Christmas

Dr. Brogan Corkie is happily semi-retired from medicine and now has time for other hobbies. Her passion for food is second only to her skill at matchmaking!

The allergist or the rash– which itch will Parker scratch?

Enjoy an excerpt from Don’t Mess with Christmas ~

Julian nodded. “I am.”

“An allergist at Gateway General?”

“Guilty.”

Parker pulled her hand back and put her hands on her hips. “I tried to get a referral to see you. You refused.”

His lips twitched. “Yes, that’s true.”

“Why? Dr. Corkie said she’d never seen it in all the years she’s practiced medicine.”

Julian put his hands in his pockets. “Well, there’s a rule against doctors dating patients. It’s ill-advised and frowned upon by the College of Physicians of Ontario.”

Parker scoffed. “Well, good for you. What does that have to do with me?”

“Parker, would you like to have dinner with me?”

Buy Link https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L1DHDMS

Filed in Uncategorized | Tagged: Christmas reads, fun, medical romance, romcom, series, sexy and sweet

Good Advice!

Posted September 23, 2023 By Linda

Do you ever have moments when advice you heard growing up pops into your head? My mom’s “Don’t sweat the small stuff” is a frequent one for me. Sometimes when I’m tired and debating whether I really need to floss my teeth before bed, my grandmother’s voice echoes in my head, “You only need to floss the ones you want to keep.” Of course, then I floss. lol My son tells me that he still carries the “Good luck and have fun!” I said to him before every game he played. One he remembers from his teacher/coach is, “Suck it up, buttercup.” (It was said with a smile and the best of intentions. lol). My dad’s words inspired me to strive for a medical degree when one day he casually said, “Don’t settle. Be the one who interprets the tests.” I know it doesn’t seem like much, but it was an eye opener for me. One summer, when I was griping about having to wash rocks as part of my summer job, my dad said, “You never know where a job will lead you.” He was right! The next summer I was hired for a coveted job because of that experience on my resume. Sometimes it’s advice that’s fleeting, sometimes it’s advice that resounds like a mantra, but words from important people in our lives can be very impactful! I’d love to hear yours – drop them in the comments.

Perfectly Honest in the first book of the Perfectly Series, six stand-alone romantic comedies. When Mikaela meets Sam’s mom for the first time, she’s a bit taken aback by the advice she receives – and is trying to hide the fact that the engagement isn’t real.

Perfectly Honest

Medical Romantic Comedy

You never know where your words will take you…

Lies and deceit – it’s a match made in heaven!

Enjoy an excerpt from Perfectly Honest ~

your horoscope

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Emotions will escalate and confusion will set in with regard to a partnership you thought you could count on. Take time to absorb what’s happened. You are sitting in a much better position than you realize. Bide your time.

As they stirred their tea, Marla leaned forward with excited eyes. “I want to know all the details. What’s your sign?”

Mikaela blinked. “My sign?”

“Yes. You know, Sam is a Scorpio. I hope you’re not a Virgo. All the Virgos are a little…zealous. Too much energy, if you ask me. And I don’t know that Pisces would be a good fit either. They tend to daydream the day away, don’t you think? I think Sam needs someone a little more grounded. Taurus would be okay, but they do tend to be a bit stubborn and Leo, well I think a Leo would be a bit too boisterous, maybe a bit too bossy for Sam. I wouldn’t like to see another Scorpio. Could you imagine? That would be the worst kind of clash. Don’t you think? Now, last year, I would have said Sagittarius. It was a good year for Sagittarius. This year, I’m thinking a Libra or Aquarius would be good. I could see that working. I’ve given this a lot of thought. I’ve told Sam. I told him he has to watch the sign, but I never know if he really listens.”

Mikaela’s head spun. “Ah, I’m an Aries,” she said hesitantly.

“Oh perfect.” Marla clapped her hands. “That’s a good match, especially this year. The moon cycle is perfect for an Aries-Scorpio match. I’ve always thought Aries was best at thinking things through before they do something irreversible. That will be the perfect balance to Sam’s Scorpio impulsiveness,” she announced confidently.

Mikaela almost burst out laughing. Yup, that was her all right. Thinking things through. Planning change. Avoiding the irreversible. Marla’s nailed it, she thought ruefully. Sam really should have paid more attention to the sign.

“What is your Chinese zodiac?”

“Pardon?”

“You know. Your heavenly stem, your earthly branch, your animal, your element?”

“I’m not really sure.”

“Hmmm. We’ll have to figure that out. Sam is a Tiger. At least he’s born a Tiger. Personally, internally I think he’s a dragon. Truly there is a bit of ox and secretively, I suspect a little goat. But then I’m his mother.” She patted Mikaela’s hand. “So if you were a horse, dog or dragon, that would be wonderful. Oh dear, I do hope you’re not a monkey. That would not be good.”

“I’m pretty sure I’m not a monkey,” Mikaela assured her.

“That’s a relief. There are so many things to think about when you choose a mate. Are you a yin or yang?”

“Yin?” Mikaela guessed, hoping to make Marla happy.

“Perfect,” Marla beamed. “Sam’s a yang. The perfect match. You know Olivia and Ron are yang-yang, so I do worry. But they produced the most beautiful daughter. Just goes to show there’s something good there somewhere.”

“And what is your favourite color?” Marla asked earnestly.

Seriously? She was engaged to her son and that’s what she thought was important? She was beginning to understand why Walt went for a swim. “Ah, aquamarine?”

“Oh, aquamarine,” Marla repeated, nodding her head. “Now would that be more blue or more green?”

Mikaela just stared. “Blue?”

“Oh lovely. I love blue, too.”

“That’s important to finding someone compatible?” Mikaela asked skeptically.

Marla laughed. “No, now that would be silly, dear. No, I just asked because I enjoy quilting in my spare time, and I’ve decided to make a quilt for each of the kids as a wedding present. So yours shall be blue. And I’ll get started on that right away.” She leaned forward. “Have you picked a date for the wedding?”

Buy link (free with KU): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08V9CWRMK

Filed in Uncategorized | Tagged: doctors, fake fiancee, humor, medical romance, romcom, sexy

Theme Party fun!

Posted September 15, 2023 By Linda

I have a pretty amazing group of friends – all moms who have kids around the same age as mine. When the kids were younger, we would take turns hosting a fun themed party to celebrate summer. The parties were outdoors and we were always lucky with the weather. Everyone would dress up (including some reluctant dads), play (sometimes pretty inventive) games, and share a delicious meal.

For our Western party, the story revolved around a villain who had stolen a bag of gold and was leaving a trail of coins behind. I painted a large piece of cardboard with a villain in handcuffs and then covered the cardboard in plastic and painted the same picture with the villain holding the loot he stole. The final task for the dozen kids when they found the villain was to squirt water at the villain and wash the paint off revealing him in handcuffs. After dinner, we ended the evening with a square dance – the kids loved it!

We had an Under the Sea theme with a giant submarine and 3-D marine animals that the kids helped us paint the day before. We knighted the kids at the Medieval party, had an erupting volcano, dancing raisins, and other fun science experiments at the Science party, and visited all the planets at an Out of this World party. So many happy memories!

Our children are all grown now, but last weekend for a milestone birthday, my friend hosted a Mamma Mia party! What a hoot! We were divided into teams and played mini-golf in their yard (complete with rose bush obstacles and weed traps), ladder toss, and axe throwing (a plastic version). We named-that-tune, played Taboo with Greece-inspired words, and after a sumptuous meal, ended the evening with an ABBA karaoke competition and dancing. It brought back memories of our summer parties with the kids, and the Mamma Mia theme was perfect! It felt like we were away on a vacation in Greece.

I love family parties and having a theme with an excuse to dress up and play games makes me feel like a kid again. Have you been to a theme party that you loved? Leave a comment!

I’m excited to share Don’t Forget the Dog. This is the 2^nd book in the Dr. Brogan Corkie Matchmaking Doctor series. All of the books in the series are stand-alone humorous contemporary romances. Matchmaking at its funniest!

Dr. Brogan Corkie is happily semi-retired from medicine and now has time for other hobbies. Her passion for food is second only to her skill at matchmaking!

Blaine McKinnon, owner and executive chef of an upscale restaurant in Mapleton, has an adorable Old English sheepdog named Tacos. Brogan is roped into dog-sitting Tacos at Blaine’s house. The upside is the spectacular kitchen at her disposal.

Dr. Sabrina Langfield, a newly minted doctor, is in a bind when her mom, Rue, falls and fractures her wrist. Brogan offers to help and does double-duty looking after Tacos and Rue.

Blaine and Sabrina were high school sweethearts but parted ways when Blaine pushed Sabrina to pursue a career. Sabrina hasn’t seen him since, but Rue is a huge fan and frequents his restaurant. Rue’s biggest regret is her part in Sabrina and Blaine’s break-up, and with Brogan’s help, she’s determined to get them back together. It might not be that easy – Sabrina is wary of Tacos and, more pressing, she’s decided to move a four-hour flight away to do five more years of training in emergency medicine.

Will meddlesome matchmaking, Blaine’s persuasiveness, and – don’t forget the dog – Tacos’ sweet nature be enough to convince Sabrina to stay?

Enjoy an excerpt~

Blaine leaned against the wall. “I take it you’re still a plant-based, vegan, health food nut.”

Sabrina raised her chin. “There’s nothing wrong with choosing foods wisely to optimize health, despite what my mother thinks – or you, for that matter.”

He stepped closer and brushed at the snow melting on her neat ponytail. He could smell the perfume she wore. It took him back eleven years, and he almost lost his train of thought. “Eating for pleasure is just as important.”

Sabrina stiffened at his touch. Her back was ramrod straight. “Proper nutrition gives you the energy to enjoy what gives you pleasure.”

Her message and her body language read prim and proper, but her husky voice was pure sex. His body responded, and he leaned closer. “What gives you pleasure these days?”

She stopped him with a pointed finger jabbed into his chest and raised her chin. “Shouldn’t the question be who is giving me pleasure?”

Blaine jerked back, her words stopping him more effectively than a slap. He’d been fairly confident she hadn’t been dating anyone. He had a front seat window to the ticker tape of her life through Sabrina’s mom, who was a regular at Fire and Ice. There hadn’t even been a whisper of Sabrina dating, and even though two people couldn’t be any more different, Sabrina and her mom were still tight. There was no way Mrs. L wouldn’t know. He glanced at Sabrina’s left hand. No ring. She was baiting him, but he couldn’t deny the relief that coursed through him. He narrowed his eyes at her sublime expression and had to ask. “Who is giving you pleasure?”

Sabrina smiled slowly, her emerald eyes silently mocking him. “I would say that’s none of your business.”

She buttoned her coat. “I’ll pick my mom up after work at six.” She opened the door. “See ya.” She pulled the door shut behind her.

Blaine stood in the foyer and, with a shake of his head, smiled reluctantly. Round one to Sabrina. She was still sassy, sexy, and smart – exactly why he loved her. Game on.

Buy Link

e-book: https://www.amazon.com/Forget-Brogan-Corkie-Matchmaking-Doctor-ebook/dp/B086RQHH9B/

Filed in Uncategorized | Tagged: chef, contemporary, doctors, Dr. Brogan Corkie Matchmaking Doctor, matchmaking, medical romance, romcom, second chance romance, series, sweet

Love and the Hidden Hockey Clues

Posted September 9, 2023 By Linda

Love and the Hidden Hockey Clues, is the first in a new series, Laugh-out-Loud Hockey Caper Romance. It’s about a doctor who finds a tin box hidden between the studs during renovations of her home. She thought the items were random hockey mementos but after a few close encounters realizes they are possible clues to a hidden treasure! She reluctantly enlists the help of the captain of the local pro hockey team to sort out where they lead.

I’ve always thought it would be cool to find a hidden treasure during renovations and that sparked the initial idea. I also love escape rooms with the challenge of clues to decipher and puzzles to solve. I thought I’d weave that type of white-collar crime mystery into a romance. Add in a smart, sassy doctor and a swoon-worthy professional hockey player, and the stage is set for a fun, clever hockey caper. This is the first book of the series and all of the (stand-alone) stories have an element of white-collar crime – like a cozy mystery without murder!

Here’s the blurb for Love and the Hidden Hockey Clues ~

Enjoy an excerpt ~

The foreman looked up and grinned. “Look what we found.”

A tin box was wedged between two studs in the wall in the area where the fridge had been.

“What is it?”

Jack shrugged. “Not sure. Could’ve been here a while. When was the house built? Forty some odd years ago?”

Abigail nodded. “It’s like, a time capsule?”

“I don’t think it’s been there that long,” Phil said, hooking his thumbs in his pockets.

Jack looked at him. “What makes you say that?”

“The wall in front of it was patched. New drywall and painted a different colour.”

“Strange place to hide something,” Jack said with a shrug. He looked at Abigail. “What would you like us to do? Pull it out or leave it there?”

“A secret box. Are you kidding?” She’d die of curiosity not knowing what was inside. “Pull it out.”

Jack tugged on it, but it didn’t give. He took a hammer from his tool belt and pried it with a bit of force. It gave way with a pop, and Jack caught it before it hit the ground. “It has a bit of weight to it.” He handed it to Abigail. “Maybe it’ll contain enough gold to pay for your reno.”

Abigail took it with a grin. “I’m not that lucky.”

Jack waved a hand. “Excitement’s over, boys. Back to work,” he said to the other two workers who had joined them in the kitchen. Jack escorted her to the patio doors as the hammering and whirring of tools resumed. “We should have all the cabinets in by the end of the week and your water turned back on before the weekend.”

Abigail smiled. “Wonderful news.” She held up the box. “And more valuable than anything in this box, I’d bet.”

That was a bet she was destined to lose.

Buy link ~ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YJXZS7H/

Filed in Uncategorized | Tagged: doctor, fun, hockey, medical romance, mystery, sportsromance, sweet, white collar crime

Hot Tips for Protecting your Skin (and a Hot Read)!

Posted August 26, 2023 By Linda

I’m passing along some hot tips for protecting your skin and lowering your skin cancer risk while enjoying the outdoors. The Ontario Medical Association spoke with Dr. Sandra Landolt, chair of the OMA’s section of dermatology, and shared this information:

Understand sunscreen terminology

When buying sunscreen, look for one that has a “broad spectrum label”, which means that it offers protection from all UV (ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B) rays. Sunscreens can be chemical blockers, physical blockers or a combination of both. Chemical blockers absorb UV rays, preventing them from getting into your skin. Physical blockers deflect the UV rays off your skin, like a shield.

Mix sunscreen with your routine

You should apply sunscreen underneath all other skincare products. The sun’s visible light naturally increases skin pigmentation. To prevent that, you can either mix your sunscreen with makeup pigment to block the visible light or buy a tinted sunscreen. Wearing insect repellent and sunscreen at the same time will decrease the effectiveness of your sunscreen’s protection.

Reapply sunscreen throughout the day

All sunscreens become less powerful as the day goes on: chemical blockers deteriorate as they absorb UV light and physical blockers can be washed or rubbed off. Reapplying sunscreen every 90 minutes will give your skin the best protection.

Wear sun protection clothing

Wear sun protective clothing to shade your skin from UV light. The darker and the thicker the material, the more protective it will be. You can also purchase sun protection clothing with an ultraviolet protective factor that indicates how much UV radiation a fabric allows to reach your skin. These clothes will have labels indicating their UPF. They will generally have protective abilities of around UPF 50.

Consider the shade

It’s best to spend time outside when the sun is not at its highest point during the day, typically before 10 a.m. and after 2 p.m. During the sunniest part of the day, it’s best to plan activities in the shade to avoid UV rays.

If you’re in the mood for a hot hockey romance, thenBehind the Bench, a standalone story as part of the In the Game Hockey Romance Series will hit the spot!

Behind the Bench by Linda O’Connor

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.

Enjoy an excerpt ~

Danni watched the tail end of the in-house broadcast of the news conference and flicked off the screen. How could you not be impressed with that? Trey Mason was confident and eloquent, and spoke in a relaxed and engaging way. The beach-bum blond hair, sculpted cheekbones, and easy smile would win over the non-hockey fans, and his passion and knowledge of the game would impress the followers. He had it all, and landing in a town like Clarington must be a dream come true. For him.

And a nightmare for her.

She had worked part-time as the team physician for the Clarington Earthquakes, Quakes for short, for the past three years. It had taken time to gain the players’ confidence. Being a female physician for a men’s hockey team hadn’t been easy, but she’d built a solid professional relationship.

She loved everything about the job – the energy of the games, working with high-level athletes, and a new clinic in a state-of-the-art arena. Two years ago, the Ontario community of a hundred thousand had banded together and invested countless hours of sweat equity into building a new arena. It was spacious and bright. From the wall of glass at the entrance to the wide well-lit hallways, lined with gleaming stainless steel and interspersed with elegant navy tiles, it drew people in. Moving ramps carried fans up to three levels of seating, and rumbling seats mimicked an earthquake when the Tectonic Plate mascots riled the crowd.

She didn’t know how a building could affect her so much. The sight of fans streaming in or players waiting restlessly in the wings before a game sent shivers down her spine. She had a feeling of utter contentment, at times like this, when it was quiet. There was always an underlying sense of anticipation, an expectant excitement, and she loved it all. She certainly didn’t want it to change because of a new head coach.

Trey Mason couldn’t fire her. Theoretically. That would be up to the owners of the team. He could, however, make her life miserable. And if there was friction between them, it would affect the players, and ultimately, what affected the players influenced the owners. There were two other physicians who shared the job with her and a few more who would be eager to take it on.

He, on the other hand, could be set for a long run if he delivered half of what he’d promised today. She certainly hadn’t seen any charm when he’d walked into the pressroom, and yet it came out in spades when he spoke. She could only hope that her initial impression had been wrong, because between the two of them, it wasn’t likely that he’d be leaving any time soon.

Bottom line – she needed to suck it up and get along with the new guy. She sighed. She hated sucking up. She’d thought she was done with that after building a solid reputation with the team. Apparently not. She shook her head and gritted her teeth. Time to smile and play nice.

Buy Link Only 99c! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FTWRR9N

Filed in Uncategorized | Tagged: doctor, hockey, medical romance, romcom, sexy, sports romance