Toni Aleo Talks Hockey and Host's a Giveaway

Yes, Toni Fans...She is BACK!!  And I am THRILLED to have her here for another visit!!  Toni is kind enough to not only answer some great questions but she is GIVING AWAY an E-Copy of her NEWEST Release, Trying to Score.  Keep reading past her interview for the Giveaway Question, and my review of Trying to Score.

Let's get started...



A Tasty Read: So Ms. Toni, This Assassians Hockey Series was created how? Where did the idea stem from ?

Toni Aleo: I have always loved hockey. I have been with my husband since we were 14, and I would always go to all his games. I soon fell in love with the sport, but I was told I was a Red Wings fan. So I spent the 13 years as a Red Wings fan, but then my husband started taking me to all the Predators/Red Wings game, and I soon fell in love with #6 Shea Weber. I decided I was done wearing red, and I wanted to wear blue, (its yellow now), my husband wasnt happy about it, but he supported it, and told me about a open practice during the playoffs. I went, and met Shea Weber. It was the most amazing moment of my life, and he was incredible patient with my giggling self. He told me I was cute, and the rest is history. I came home after that, and wrote the first three chapters of Taking Shots. I had started it a long time ago, but it wasnt working and the main hero's name was Rick. It was horrible, but now it is perfect.

A Tasty Read: Can you tell us a bit about your New Release, Trying to Score, the second book in the Assassins Series.

Toni: Get ready for some drama! If you thought Taking Shots was drama filled, you havent seen nothing yet! Fallon and Lucas as so intense, and their sexual chemistry is fierce. They meet when Fallon is young, only 19, and Lucas is 21. Its love at first sight for him, and she soon falls in love with him, but then he betrays her. Fallon heads back to Nashville, and 7 years later, they meet up again. Lucas feels exactly the same way he did before she left and Fallon does too, but she doesnt trust him. Throw in a big twist and things are a little crazy. Everyone has said that this book is better than Taking Shots, and after doing the first edit, I might have to agree. It intense, and perfect. I cant wait for everyone to read it!

A Tasty Read: What are you plans for The Assassians series?

Toni: Well, the next book is called, Empty Net. It is about a goalie and someone from Trying to Score. Then we go into Blue Lines, which I'm pretty sure is going to be awesome, I have so many ideas for that one. It is about a girl that sells everyone Happily Ever After and all she wants is her own, while the hero wants nothing to do with any kind of commitment. Then there is Breaking Away, which will be about a dance teacher and a hockey player. I write Happily Ever Afters. They make me happy. Expect a lot of love, and devilish sexy hockey guys!

A Tasty Read: Is there any other Genre that you would eventually like to write?

 

Toni: I've dibble dabbled in young adult, but I think I like sex too much....can I say that? lol!

A Tasty Read: Which Author's have been the biggest influence on you as a writer?

Toni: I love Kristin Higgins and Julie James. They are fantastic, and if I can be half of what they are, I would be a happy woman! Then of course, the amazing Susan Elizabeth Phillips. She is the queen of romance in my eyes!

  A Tasty Read: Favorite Sports Romance, Aside from your own?

Toni: Susan Elizabeth Phillips' This Heart of Mine and all the Chicago Stars series. I also love, See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson.

A Tasty Read: Toni, it has been a pleasure as always, and I hope you will come back when Empty Nest hits the shelves.

Toni: Thanks for having me!

Giveaway Question: Which is your FAVORITE Sports Romance?
(Giveaway is for U.S. residents only.  Please leave your answer with a VALID EMAIL ADDRESS to be entered to win.  Giveaway will run until Tuesday, May 1st at 8pm Eastern Time)

Congratulations Joanne...You have won the e-copy of Trying to Score by Toni Aleo.  I will be contacting you today for your information!!


About Author

My name is Toni Aleo!
I am a wife, mother, and hopeless romantic.
I have been told I have anger issues, but I think it’s cause of my intense love for hockey!
I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!
When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughters dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, and reading the latest romance novel.
I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, and did I mention I love hockey?
I hope to hear from you on here, my Facebook, or my twitter! Thank you so much!

Trying to Score
Assassins #2
Toni Aleo
Released April 11th, 2012
400+ Pages
Amazon
Source: Reviewer Purchased


Secrets, Lies and Betrayals....and that's just the first hundred pages. 


In TRYING TO SCORE by Toni Aleo, we meet single mother, Fallon Parker, who is trying to take the Family Wine Business to the next level, by having wine sold at the Hockey Arena.  Unfortunately for her, she has come face to face with the new player for the Nashville Assassins, Lucas Brooks, the man who "broke her" eight years ago, and she hasn't seen since. 

Lucas Brooks is finally fully recovered from his addictions and he is ready to make a new start with the Assassins.  When he sees Fallon Parker again, he knows this is the second chance that he has been waiting for, and he does ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to try and get her back in his life, if only she would let him within five feet of her.

TRYING TO SCORE was a more enjoyable read than TAKING SHOTS, at least for me.  I love a good "secret baby" story and the fact that he did the unthinkable while they were dating, well...that just made it all the better.  I will say that there was a few scenes that could have been removed to make the book shorter, and it still would have been great.  Some things can be said without reiterating it again and again, so I could have done with a little less of the same thing.

Aside from wanting to smack Lucas when he first meets Fallon...and I think you will all agree he needed a slap across his face for that dirty mouth...I did begin to like him as I kept reading and I think I may have even fallen for him by the end.  He became a real man, one that would take care of his family, even Audrey.  I think I might have liked him a little more if he wouldn't have had such a dirty mouth in the beginning.  I mean if you are trying to win back a lady because she was the love of your life, I don't think I'd be talking about sexual positions. 

As for her parents and his mother...I didn't really like any of them as secondary characters, and when it comes to Aiden's birthday party and Lucas' mother has a "talk" with Fallon...I think I'd of knocked her out for what she said. It was a bit much and it really made me not like her as a secondary character.  Fallon's father was just an asshole, but we expect that since we learn about him in the beginning of the book.  And Lucas' best friend, Levi, what a DOUCHE....excuse my french, but really...there is NO OTHER WORD to describe him, but douche.  As for Audrey, I really liked her and I hope that she finds her HEA in EMPTY NET.  I liked that Audrey told Fallon when she was being a complete Bitch and that she should let go of the past and see Lucas for who he is now. 

As I said, I did enjoy reading this second-chance romance, and I was hoping that the two of them out end up together.  I would definitely recommend you give this author a chance and pick up both of the books in this series, but if you have to buy one, go for TRYING TO SCORE....you will be happy you picked it up.