With figure skating season underway I’m thrilled to introduce my wonderful followers to the immensely talented author Elizabeth Harmon. Ms. Harmon has gained fame for the Red Hot Russians romance series set in the world of competitive figure skating, a series that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. Today I’m giving you the chance to win an eBook of one of the books in this exhilarating and sensual series as well as hearing from Ms. Harmon about the reality of figure skating versus the romanticized view of it. You’ll also get a glimpse of the recently released fourth installment in the series, Shining Through too! So let’s give a warm Welcome to Elizabeth Harmon...
Love On Ice: The Romance of Figure Skating
By Elizabeth Harmon
As the author of five figure skating romance novels, I’m often asked why I chose to write about this particular sport.
The reasons are simple. I love skating, as both a spectator and a recreational skater. Even if I can’t do a triple Salchow, it’s fun to write about people who can.
It’s also a chance to represent the sport as realistically as possible. As much as I love The Cutting Edge, it drives me nuts that their competitions are skated on dark rinks under spotlights.
Truth is, there are a lot of misconceptions about figure skating. Here’s a few I took on in my new release, Shining Through.
***All the photos were taken by my friend RoseAnne Pontillo at Skate America, 2014
Figure Skating Is Easy
On TV, top level skaters make it look effortless, though behind the perfection are years of practice and countless falls.
Movies portray it that way too. In “Ice Princess” a math genius becomes a champion figure skater after she applies physics to jumping. But there’s a difference between knowing what your body has to do and actually doing it.
Emotion plays a part too. Skaters go through slumps, just like a baseball player struggling at the plate.
In Shining Through, American skating star Tabitha Turner has all the moves, but the pressure of facing her now-or-never final season is playing havoc with her concentration and confidence.
Can she channel her off-ice turmoil into on-ice brilliance?
It’s a sport for girls and gay guys
Since the best known American skaters are women and an openly gay man, NBC Sports commentator Johnny Weir, it’s an easy assumption to make.
Girls are encouraged to pursue this graceful and artistic sport, while boys are subtly (or not-so-subtly) pushed toward more traditionally masculine sports.
But just as there are gay men in all the major sports, there are straight men in figure skating, including many who are marriedand have children.
Shining Through’s hero, Daniil Andreev discovered figure skating after being kicked off a youth hockey team. Not only does skating showcase his athleticism, it’s a constructive way to channel his darker emotions.
As an adult Daniil’s reputation as a tattooed, trouble-making bad boy has come close to ruining his career. He’s eager to change, and his love for Tabitha is the best reason of all.
Skaters in pairs and ice dance are less talented than those in singles
Singles skaters perform higher rotation jumps than skaters in pairs or ice dance. But pair skaters perform moves that demand amazing strength, and for the female skaters being lifted and thrown, nerves of steel.
Ice dance’s emphasis on intricate footwork and flawless musicality means skaters must exhibit precision control over edges and footwork, as well as the strengths and flexibility to perform moves like this.
But singles skaters tend to make the most money, which is why Tabitha switches to singles from ice dance. But teaching Daniil a few basic dance moves not only sparks Tabitha’s creativity on the ice, it awakens passions off it.
America’s sweetheart Tabitha Turner is on track to win figure-skating gold in the Winter Games. Her family has sacrificed everything for her career, but the pressure is taking its toll. Burned out and living a lie, can Tabitha let off a little steam without melting the ice?
The Last Chance of His...
Russia’s bad boy of skating Daniil Andreev is determined to prove the toughest thing about him is his competitive fight. When Tabitha tempts him to help her take a secret walk on the wild side, he gives her a taste of the freedom she craves, never expecting that one unforgettable night could turn into something more.
Two Hearts on Thin Ice...
Chicago, Vancouver, Paris… the international figure skating season unfolds. Tabitha and Daniil compete and fall in love, but as the pressure mounts in a make-or-break season, can they set aside their painful pasts and spiral into a shining future together… or will their dreams shatter like thin ice?
FIND AT GOODREADS here.
BUY LINKS: AMAZON | BN | iBOOKS | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY
READ MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK here.
AUTHOR INFO:
I love stories that give a fresh take on classic themes, and feature characters and locations not often seen in romance. Give me a lovable, if less-than-perfect heroine, a gorgeous hero with a heart of gold, take them a little off the beaten path and I'm a happy girl.
I read a variety of genres-- romance to horror and just about everything in between. I am a member of Romance Writers of America. I have worked as a freelance journalist for a number of local publications and am a contributing writer to Romance Writers Report.
When I'm not writing, I love to ice skate, bike ride, hang out at the beach or on my front porch. I love vintage homes, adventurous cooking, spending time with my family and traveling.
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I'm a male, figure skating and romance novel fan, so when I watch skating, I focus on the women, exclusively. I loved Rosalynn Sumners back in the day. Today, I'm a huge fan of Katelyn Osmond and Gabrielle Daleman from Canada.
ReplyDeleteI saw Gabrielle at Skate America last year. She was great. Thanks for reading and commenting!
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