While October might be all about pumpkin spice lattes, football, blanket scarves and jumping in piles of leaves, it’s also about a great American pastime, baseball.
In case sports aren’t your thing, here’s the scoop: we are in the final weeks of the professional baseball season here in the States.
Fun fact: the Chicago Cubs are in the playoffs and hoping to end the longest World Series drought in Major League Baseball history. If they win the World Series, it would be their first championship in 107 years. Wow. No pressure or anything, Cubs.
Might I add that even if you’re not into baseball (or sports at all), this is still the perfect time to read a baseball romance.
My second novel, Covering Home, features a has-been professional baseball player running from his past and trying to restart his career in Japan. I spent a few weeks in Japan when I was a junior in college as part of my training for majoring in Sports Medicine. Who knew that adventure would later serve as research for writing a novel?
Caleb Scott is one of my most favorite fictional friends. His story was a blast to tell. Here’s a brief interview I concocted.
Character Interview: Caleb Scott from Covering Home
Thanks for taking a few minutes to let your fans hear a little more about you, Caleb. We’ll make this quick because we know you’re a busy guy…
What’s your favorite book?
Bang the Drum Slowly by Mark Harris
On a date, would you prefer an adrenaline-fueled adventure or a romantic candlelit dinner?
A romantic candlelit dinner
What kind of drink do you order at Starbucks?
A Venti mocha
If you could invite three people to dinner, living or dead, who would you choose?
Shoeless Joe Jackson, because he has one of the most fascinating stories in baseball history. Randy Johnson, since he’s a successful pitcher I look up to and I’d like to ask his advice on a few things. My grandfather, Abe Scott, because he’s legendary in Wyoming for his bull riding skills. I’d love to hear a few of his stories.
When you book a vacation, do you go to the beach or the mountains?
I grew up on a ranch in Wyoming so I didn’t spend a lot of time at the beach. The mountains are a little more exciting, in my opinion. If I could pick a third option, I’d have to say fly-fishing in Montana is my ideal way to spend the off-season.
Which baseball stadium is your favorite?
It’s hard to choose a favorite. Each one has unique characteristics and it depends on if you’re playing there or just enjoying a game with your family and friends. As a player, Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia will always be special to me, since we won the World Series there.
Tell us something unique about you.
Let’s see … I have seven brothers and one of them is my identical twin.
Do you have a quote that inspires you?
“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” –Babe Ruth
It’s a good reminder that we should learn from our failures. They are preparation for future successes.
What’s the best gift you could ever receive?
A generous donation to my foundation, Mandy’s Kids, which benefits disadvantaged youth in Denver, Colorado. We make sure kids have backpacks full of food on Friday afternoons so they don’t go hungry on the weekends, summer camps so they can enjoy the outdoors, and community centers so they have a safe, healthy place to go after school.
Back Cover Blurb:
On assignment in Japan, television personality turned sportscaster Britt Bowen is determined to land an interview with the most reclusive pitcher in baseball and prove she can succeed in a demanding profession. A relationship with a self-absorbed professional athlete is the last thing Britt needs. Shunning all media attention, former All-Star pitcher Caleb Scott is focused on rebuilding his career in Japan, far from his past and the horrible tragedy that nearly ruined him. Then he meets Britt, who is everything he vowed to avoid. But it doesn’t take long before Caleb is battling his attraction toward Britt. While she works to uncover his secrets, she can’t deny she’s drawn to his wounded soul. At a crossroads, Caleb must decide if he can break free from his past mistakes and give love another chance. And Britt must choose between advancing her career … or falling in love.
Click here to purchase your copy of Covering Home or read free with your Kindle Unlimited subscription.
By the way, I heard from a reliable source the Kindle edition of Covering Home will be free the last five days of October. Just sayin’.
Thanks for stopping by today. Just for fun (and because I love to hear more about you), what’s the most interesting place you’ve visited? Please leave a comment below.
Happy reading, friends!
A Pacific Northwest girl at heart, Heidi was blessed to spend her formative years in Alaska. Her unique upbringing, coupled with Alaska's breathtaking scenery, fueled her active imagination and loosely inspired her debut novel, Unraveled. Heidi graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and a Master's Degree in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. After a brief career as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Heidi married her husband, Steve. They live in North Carolina with their three active little boys. When Heidi isn't stepping on Legos, chauffeuring the boys around suburbia or watching one of their many sporting events, she loves to read and write heartwarming romance.
I have read this book and enjoyed it- one of the few I have read set in Japan! We are coming into Spring down here and- cricket season for us, love it:) Baseball is not so big here, mostly rugby and cricket, so it is interesting to learn more about this sport.
I love to read stories set in other countries. I too read this and really enjoyed it, Heidi. One of the most interesting places I’ve ever traveled to was Venezuela. A very eye-opening experience indeed.
The most interesting place I visited was Japan. While Tokyo was interesting, especially the Emperor’s Garden with its vast variety of bamboo, the variety of terrain and culture in the Wayakama prefecture (state) was fascinating. A trip to the Ume factory with its 3D movie was educational. A trek through the Japanese Alps and drinking the crystal clear water of the Nacho-no Otaki Falls to ensure that l live to be 100 according to legend (my father did live to be 96). A drive along the Wayakama coast is a blend of the California coast and the Swiss Alps (I have seen both) with the deep blue water and white sandy beaches of the Bahamas. Visiting the Sandanbeki Cavern the home of pirates. Staying in an authentic Japanese inn and spending a weekend in a Japanese home.
I am looking forward to reading your story Covering Home. Lived in Chicago for 10 years and the while not a sports fan, the Cubs is a family favorite. Hopefully in our lifetime they will win the World Series.
Praying for the flooding in North Carolina, a beautiful state, visited friends in Asheville last year.
Thanks for reading Covering Home! I appreciate it. Happy spring. :-)
I don’t know a single thing about cricket. I’ll have to do some research. Blessings!
Thanks, Jill! I can imagine Venezuela was an adventure. Have a great day.
Renate, what a grand time you had in Japan! I didn’t get to see Wayakama when I was there. Guess I’ll have to go back someday because it sounds beautiful.
Yes, the Cubs winning the World Series would be a tremendous event. I hope it happens, too.
On behalf of the people of North Carolina, thank you for your prayers. My family and community were not impacted, but less than an hour away, the devastation is heart-breaking. My husband is volunteering with the Red Cross for the first time today and I’m anxious to hear his assessment.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Blessings!
Well I don’t travel much in real life but I did love stopping at Churchill Downs in Louisville Kentucky a while back that was a lot of fun even though they didn’t have any races but we took a tour. Feel bad for Cubs fans to root for them but they keep losing, that is a seriously long losing streak! Personally am not a big sports fan, they get paid way too much for what they do. I would rather catch a college or high school game than a professional one.
As a teenager I loved visiting the huge sand dunes in Kill Devil Hills, NC. They are very tall and when you climb them you can see why the Wright brothers choose that to be their first flight location. People go hang gliding off of them now.
I’ve never been overseas before (other than Jamaica – I was born there). I hope one day I can visit Paris.
Will you write a story on Caleb’s twin?
Love the different setting.
It’s hard to pick one favorite place I’ve visited. I loved Switzerland and Scotland, but I never tire of going to Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, and they are only 4 or 5 hours away from me.
Your story sounds wonderful. I need to put it on my wish list.
If my beloved Boston Red Sox could win the World Series after a drought of 86 years (and go through their arch rival New York Yankees to do it) in 2004, then the Cubbies can do it in 2016 (and since the BoSox were knocked out already). The most interesting place I ever attended a baseball game was in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and it happened to be a championship game. I have a story to tell for everything, but let’s just say the seats in the stadium aren’t as well marked as they are at the fields here in the U.S. We mistakenly sat in Madame Mayor’s box, and she wasn’t happy. The owner’s son ended up coming over and helping us locate our seats. It was quite the interesting scene, but we didn’t mean to cause trouble. We just wanted to see a fun baseball game! We ended up sitting next to a former rival of Madame Mayor’s and getting an earful about the politics in Puerto Rice and a pound of coffee (another story). LOL. And another really interesting thing? Two of the players on our local farm team for the Reds, the Louisville Bats, had moved to Puerto Rico and we got to see them play in San Juan (on the winning team). :) Thanks for the post!
My “eyes” aren’t on yet. Forgive any typos (e.g., Puerto Rice…LOL). :)
I read Coming Home last year and really enjoyed it. Since I haven’t travelled much out of the US I would say that Washington DC is the most interesting place I have travelled or would recommend. I grew up in the Washington DC area but moved away when I married many years ago. I still enjoy going back and visiting and being a tourist in my hometown. I would highly recommend the Pentagon Tour for those that can plan ahead. You have to request to be on a tour and be cleared to take the tour. Another fun thing is to take “The Duck Tour”. It was a lot of fun being out on the Potomac River and watching the planes come in for a landing at the airport.
Oh I love character interviews!!! The most interesting place I’ve visited is Yellowstone National Park. We were only there for about half a day so I know we barely scratched the surface but it was awesome! What a creative Creator we have!
Most interesting place I have ever went was to Wisconsin to a Amish community and see how they live
I really love character interviews!
The most fun place I visited? When hubby & I celebrated both our 3rd and 4th anniversary in Canada :-) That was before you had to have a passport to cross the border. It was the first time either of us were out of the States and there were so many interesting places to visit. I think the most memorable is Butchart Gardens. We went in April and not all the flowers were blooming, but it was still so pretty walking through there. We didn’t get to visit every place we wanted, but maybe in a future trip!
We’ve been many more interesting places over the years. Our 20th year anniversary is coming up in April and we plan on going to Crater Lake, Oregon. I’ve always wanted to go there since I moved to the coast :-) I so can’t wait!!
Kentucky is beautiful, isn’t it? I’ve been twice, would love to spend more time there someday. Yes, I’m excited to see what happens with the Cubs. Agreed, too much money spent on some professional athletes’ salaries. College and high school games very enjoyable.
We went years ago, before our children were born. So breathtaking! Learned a lot about the Wright Brothers there.
Great question! You aren’t the first reader to ask me that. Perhaps I will…someday. Cowboys and Wyoming are always in demand. Although I think I married him off to a nice girl named Lisa at the end of Covering Home…She would have to meet an untimely demise, which sounds so bad now that I’ve typed it…of course, then he could be a single dad in need of a lovely partner…I will have to ponder.
Thanks, Winnie. All wonderful places you’ve mentioned, I can see how it would be hard to choose.
Thank you!
Great story, JoAnn! Thank you for sharing. That sounds like quite the adventure.
Great recommendations, thank you. We’re waiting for the youngest to get a little bit older before we take a trip to DC. So much to see and learn.
Another destination on my bucket list, Beth. I follow a few people on Instagram who post the most astounding pictures of our national parks. Our Creator is amazing, isn’t He?
We went to Crater Lake when we were newly married. Steve really wanted to see it and I wasn’t quite as enthusiastic, but I’m glad I didn’t protest too much. It’s astounding! We spent 18 months in Oregon…beautiful state from border to border. So unique.
Oh, I bet that was neat, Shelia. Thanks for stopping by today. Blessings!