Dare to Kiss

by S.B. Alexander (Goodreads Author)

Besides her family, Lacey Robinson’s only other love is baseball. She’s on top of the world when Arizona State University approaches her to discuss a scholarship. To be the first girl ever to grace a college boys’ team is beyond what she has ever dreamed.

Her fastball is impeccable, her curveball equally as good, and her slider annihilates anyone who dares to step in the batter’s box. But fate has its own way of throwing curveballs. When she loses her mother and sister to a home invasion, baseball and her dreams die with them. Tragedy has a way of seeping deep into her psyche, causing nightmares, panic attacks and blackouts. Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, her psychiatrist recommends a change of scenery and picking up the things that she loved to do, and for Lacey that is baseball.

After a move clear across the country, only two things matter to Lacey—overcome her PTSD and make Kensington High’s baseball team. But trying out for the team comes with obstacles—the captain, Aaron Seever, doesn’t want a girl on the team.

Her life is further complicated when she meets Kade Maxwell, a tall, sexy and drool-worthy bad boy who has a magical touch that awakens her feminine side and a kiss that slowly erases her nightmares. But getting involved with him may be dangerous when Kade’s archenemy returns to town to settle a vendetta.

To complicate matters, her PTSD has taken a turn for the worse. She has to find a way to heal otherwise she may not have a chance at anything in life, especially love.

This is a New Adult Novel and contains strong language and sexual content. Intended for audiences age 17+

Author’s personal experience with PTSD leads to New Adult novel

S.B. Alexander releasing first book in new romance series this September

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Author S.B. Alexander has drawn on a childhood experience and her love of baseball to inspire her New Adult fiction romance, Dare to Kiss (September 30, 2014).

Dare to Kiss is the story of Lacey Robinson, whose two loves are baseball and her family. When her mother and sister are killed in a home invasion, Lacey’s baseball dreams die with them. The tragedy seeps into her psyche, causing nightmares, panic attacks and blackouts. Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, her psychiatrist recommends a change of scenery and picking up the things that she loved to do. For Lacey, that’s baseball. She moves across the country with two goals—to overcome her PTSD and make Kensington High’s baseball team. But trying out for the team comes with complications—the captain, Aaron Seever, doesn’t want a girl on the team. Her life is further complicated when she meets Kade Maxwell, a tall, sexy and drool-worthy bad boy who has a magical touch that awakens her feminine side and a kiss that slowly erases her nightmares. But getting involved with him may be dangerous when Kade’s arch-nemesis returns to town to settle a vendetta.

“The story developed from something that happened to me when I was a child,” Alexander said. “And from that experience the story unfolded. The message in the story: With the right help and people around you, a person might be able to overcome PTSD. I’m not saying they will, but taking the right steps can certainly help to heal some of the symptoms associated with PTSD. I will never get the image of my experience out of my head, but I’m not afraid anymore.”

Dare to Kiss is the first book in The Maxwell Series. Alexander has also written a thrilling young adult series, Vampire SEALS, which has drawn praise from fans across the world.

Alexander is a former navy veteran, high school math teacher and college professor. She currently works as a corporate sales manager, but is always looking for her next story, character or scenery.

Author Biography of S.B. Alexander

S. B. Alexander’s passion for writing began when she read her first Stephen King novel, The Shining. Over the years she kept telling family and friends she was going to write a book. Fifteen years later, on the advice of a friend, she sat down and wrote her first novel. One year later, she published two novels with three more slotted for release. Her books are targeted toward the young adult and new adult markets.

Her young adult series, Vampire SEALS, includes two books, On the Edge of Humanity, and On the Edge of Eternity, which have garnered high praise from readers. Dare to Kiss is the first book in her new adult series.

Alexander’s career has been colorful—a former navy veteran, high school math teacher and college professor, sales consultant, coach, and manager. She loves baseball, especially the Boston Red Sox. She enjoys playing golf, is moved by music and great stories, and will go out of her way to help people.

She currently works full time in Corporate America and writes any chance she gets.

She believes words are the key to opening the door to extraordinary places with amazing characters that tell a great story.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR S.B. ALEXANDER

· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sbalexander.authorpage

· Twitter: https://twitter.com/sbalex_author

· Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/+SusanAlexandersbauthor/posts

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanalexander9

· Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sbalexanderauth/

· Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/S.B.-Alexander/e/B00AW0KZPI

· GoodReads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6871111.S_B_Alexander

· YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0JRJt9BKItmweWbzGap_gA

Praise for S.B. Alexander’s

Vampire SEALS series

Via Amazon.com...

“I couldn't put this book down. When my Kindle wasn't available, I used the app on my phone to continue reading. I thought the characters were captivating. I loved the storyline. When I finished reading the book it left me wanting more. I can't wait for the second book. Way to go... S.B. Alexander!” --TracyHope

“I've read tons of vampire books over the years, ever since the Anne Rice days. I thought I'd seen every possible configuration of vampire abilities and appearance, but I was wrong. Ms. Alexander added just enough of a unique twist to typical vampire convention to make her story world fresh, without heaping all kinds of unnecessary crazy on top. I don't usually read YA and it was a pleasant surprise to find myself truly engaged and invested in the characters. I will definitely read the next book in this series.” --Julie Jaret

“Great book S.B. Alexander! This novel was tough to put down. Tremendous job of character development. The author immerses us into a different world and it feels quite believable!

I always feel a sign of a great book is that it leaves us wanting more. That was the case with this wonderful book. Thanks S.B.” -- Joseph D. Rigter

“I love reading and could not put this series down. I love the chemistry between Webb and Jo. I enjoyed the first and could not wait until book 2 came out and now I'm anticipating the 3rd book! I can't wait!!!” --Frances T. Leon

“I am an avid reader who was reading Agatha Christi, Helen McGinnis and Dick Francis before I turned 10. I can't imagine a day without a book. This series has me admiring S.B.Alexander greatly. Characters, plot, creativity and absolute genius are here to be enjoyed. I love fantasy but usually read with a certain level of tolerance for frequent lack of grammar, character development. This series read like the best. I will be eagerly awaiting more.” --Mms

Q&A with S.B. Alexander

Where did you get the idea for the plot of Dare to Kiss?

Growing up, I was an active little girl in just about every sport. But the one that captured my heart was baseball. I loved everything about the sport. Since girls couldn’t play, I wanted to create a world where they did. I also wanted to show that no matter what you’ve been through, surrounding yourself with the things you love to do and the people you love can help to overcome the nightmares and grief in your life. It has for me.

Noting your love of baseball, is the character of Lacey modeled after you?

When I started writing Dare to Kiss, I had a feisty character in mind for Lacey Robinson. But as I continued to write, Lacey’s personality turned out to be so much more. She’s strong, determined and lovable. She has weaknesses that get in her way, but her determination is what shapes her. Part of her is modeled after me. But I was never feisty growing up. I was actually a shy kid.

After writing two Young Adult books, what inspired you to write New Adult fiction and how was writing this genre different?

I didn’t think too much about the genre. I wanted to get the story down on paper. As it unfolded it just happened to fit into the New Adult genre, although as I was writing Dare to Kiss I found I had a little more freedom to detail the romance element.

How do you balance your time between working full time and writing on the side?

I travel quite frequently for my job, and in doing so, I find a snippet of time on an airplane or at night in a hotel room. I also dedicate at least one day on the weekends to writing.

Without any spoilers of course, what can we expect from the next book in the series?

Dare to Dream is the next book in the series, and I’m so excited to finish it. Readers will be able to get into Kade’s head to see his thoughts and more of his life. The tension between Kade and his enemy will also play a part in Dare to Dream. Lacey will have more to worry about when the question about who killed her family takes center stage, creating more suspense and intrigue.

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Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of JKS Communications via NetGalley

Genre: Mature YA Contemporary Sports Romance

Part 1 in a potentially awesome series

My Dare to Kiss Review...

It was been awhile since I read a great YA book and this book definitely fits the bill. However, due to its content it is more of a mature YA book. I am such a big fan of alpha men and these Maxwell boys are YA version to the alpha men. I so wish those kind of boys existed when I went to high school but sadly that so was not the case.

We don't have one sexy boy, nope we have 4 awesome sexy brothers who steal your heart and make you squirm with there sex appeal.

Lacey Robinson has had a terrible tragedy which as caused her to suffer with PTSD and understandably so. However, with part of her healing she focuses on her dreams which is playing baseball. I have read other books where there is girls playing baseball in a boys world and they have fallen flat but with this you believed in her and her ability to fit into this boy's baseball world.

But when you are new to a school, pretty and can take a spot away from a boy on the baseball team that usually can cause waves in the hierarchy of teenage high school angst. I love the fact that the taunters and bullies are called out and reprimanded instead of ignored like they usually are in books and in life.

Lacey not only gets attention from the general high school population but also the bad ass rebel Kade Maxwell. The minute they meet even through gunpoint his heart skips a beat for her, so even though Kade goes through girls he knows that he wants Lacey for more than a fling. But with Kade also comes his family no matter what, which can cause some stress at times.

The chemistry between these two is off the YA charts. Both of them have tragic pasts that has broken a part of each of them but together they start to heal each other and move forward.

This was such a beautiful amazing story about loss, hope, dreams, family and love.

I can't wait to read more with Dare to Dream where we find out how all the drama and mystery unfolds with the ' accidents that are happening to the girl players on the team. I need it now!!! :)