Today, I’ve asked Heather Greer to be my guest. Her latest Contemporary Romance, Love in the Squared Circle releases April 19th. Heather shares the inspiration for mixing wresting with romance. And though I’m not a wrestling fan, I loved this book. Here’s Heather:
Romance stories and wrestling seem to work together as well as using ice cream and boiled eggs to make an ice cream sandwich. Trust me. I’ve made an ice cream sandwich using boiled egg. It should never be done.
Wrestling and romance, on the other hand, might surprise you. I know it was an unexpected pairing for me, but watching it come together for Trinity and Blane’s story was beautiful. And a reader doesn’t have to be a wrestling fan to enjoy their journey.
At its core, wrestling is storytelling. Through words, matches, and out of ring interactions wrestlers bring fans into the drama of the wrestling ring. A conflict arises. The tension builds to a peak. And over time, those involved bring resolution to the situation. There are plot twists, heroes and villains, and triumphs and tragedies. Though more soap opera than Oscar-worthy movie, wrestlers tell stories, not unlike romance writers.
But an enjoyment of wrestling and its style of storytelling wasn’t enough to encourage the theme’s inclusion in my latest contemporary romance. I needed something to connect readers to the characters. An element that reached beyond a reader’s apathy toward wrestling to draw them into the story and make it their story too.
Instagram and a good book delivered what I needed.
When I read the biography of a famous wrestler which focused on his testimony of faith, the seeds were planted. A Christian working in the over-the-top world of wrestling. How would they find
the balance? What lines would they refuse to cross? Could their light be bright enough to shine in that arena?
It was a good base, but I needed more. I found it on my Instagram feed in a post from a wrestler who makes his mark in wrestling by being big and fierce. His dark scowls and confident stride prove he means business, along with his height and frame of solid muscle. He is, in a word, intimidating.
As I scrolled through my feed, I saw his photo, and it sparked the rest of the story. This huge, intimidating man was playing with a kitten. The words beneath the photo encouraged others to love on their pets, because he’d just unexpectedly lost one of his and you never knew how long you’d have with them.
What if the fierce warrior inside the ring had a heart of gold outside the ring? What if the Grizzly bear was really a teddy bear?
I found my hero. His name is Blane Sterling.
The addition of Trinity Knight, a widowed mom and her young son, Jay, rounded out the main characters. With my cast in place, I sat back and let them tell me the direction their story should take, with Blane leading the way.
What began as an unlikely romance between a famous wrestler and a woman who lives a quiet life far from the spotlight, became more as other characters made their way into the story. What if Trinity could accept Blane, but they found he couldn’t be part of her world?
Love in the Squared Circle is what happens. And now you know how it happened too.
About Heather: Heather Greer is a preacher’s kid and pastor’s wife who loves using her passion for reading and writing to encourage and challenge
others in their faith. Whether writing or speaking, Heather’s desire to help believers grow spiritually shines through.
An avid reader of Christian fiction, Heather also reviews books on her website. Her love of God and story flow into the devotional videos she shares on her YouTube channel and the ones she shares with her writing buddies about all things reading and writing on the Once Upon A Page channel on YouTube.
While Heather thrives on all things romance, she’s also a fan of professional wrestling. It was this interest that led to her reading the biography of Christian wrestler, Shawn Michaels. His powerful testimony sparked the idea for Blane Sterling and Love in the Squared Circle.
About the book – Love in the Squared Circle
Trinity Knight is not a fan of professional wrestling. But with her husband gone, it falls to her to give their son the father-son trip they daydreamed about when he was alive. After Trinity causes them to miss a meet and greet with Jay’s favorite wrestler, a random act of kindness saves the trip and starts Trinity on an unexpected path.
Universal Wrestling Organization Champion Blane Sterling hears whiny children at photo ops all the time. However, overhearing a young boy comfort his mother piques his interest. Touched by their story, Blane works with the UWO Public Relations team to give Jay the experience of a lifetime.
As they learn each other’s stories, Trinity and Blane are drawn to each other. But they don’t just come from different states. They live in different worlds. Trinity might learn to fit into his life, but can those in her world look beyond Blane’s profession to see his heart? Or will a lack of acceptance cause Trinity and Blane to lose their shot at love?
So, are you a pro wrestling fan? If not, what is your favorite sport to play or watch? All comments with go in the drawing for a print copy of Love in the Squared Circle, U.S. only. Deadline: April 11th, 11:59 pm central time.
Award winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does. She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural Arkansas where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects.
I’m not a wrestling fan,but I thoroughly enjoyed this book when I got to read an early copy. I am so excited for this one to come out.
And I am not a huge sports fan in general but I live with a major Braves fan (baseball) who has also started watching a lot more football the last few years. So, I guess I am a fan by proxy.
I thought wrestling was an orchestrated sport so never much interest. Nota sports person at all, always too clumsy as a child. Great post and timely reminder to not judge a book by it’s cover, hero’s occupation…,
I’m not a wrestling fan, but this book seems really interesting. I don’t watch sports, but if I had to pick, it would be soccer.
oh what a wonderful time you had in researching and getting this book together. such a cool idea. no I am not a wrestling fan, never have been. I love to watch ice skating. I used to ice skate a little. Once mom and dad took us up to Big Bear mountain in CA and we were going to ice skate. but alas it was not to be. Peggy Fleming was practicing. oh but mom and I had a grand time watching her and afterwards she even talked to those of us that stayed. and that was when it was all born. but in the desert there were no ice skating rinks to practice. so I did a lot of roller skating.
I don’t watch sports
Glad to have here Heather. The book was so fun. I loved the characters and their story.
When I was in Junior High, I watched wrestling. I had a thing for a couple of the wrestlers, I’ll admit. I still have a signed picture of one of my favorites that my Daddy gave me, as he got it from that wrestler’s sister for fixing her phone at work. I LOVED this story!!! I haven’t watched wrestling in years, and never really knew all of the lingo, as I was the only one in my family that watched wrestling, and even though I “watched” I usually read a book while I was “watching”!!
Thanks for coming by Inspy Romance, Heather, and thanks for inviting her, Shannon! I’m another non-fan of wrestling or (honestly) most sports. It’s so interesting to me how God uses everyone’s interests to inspire a wide range of stories! There truly is something for everyone.
My brothers and I would watch the WWF when we were children. My brothers would try to wrestle like the big guys in the ring. Someone always ended up getting a goose egg or bruise from the experience. I love how you’ve pulled that world into a romance! How creative. I have some wrestling fans I’ll recommend Love in the Squared Circle to.
I’m not a fan of wrestling, but I’m definitely adding your book to my TBR list! It sounds so good! I prefer exercising with anything dance fitness, and loosely follow sports world events like the Olympics or the FIFA World Cup.
My dad and brothers were baseball fans, but I never got into it. My husband enjoys football. Sadly, it’s not a sport we can watch together. The rules make no sense to me!
It is mostly orchestrated, though viewers can only guess at the outcome of each match like any regular sport. I watch it like any other tv show I know is scripted, knowing it going in and enjoying it anyway. I think it’s because I’m impressed by the amount of athleticism these people show.
Like you, I’m not a sports person myself. I was always lacking in the grace department. Sports never ended well for me!
It seems like soccer has really risen in popularity in the last several years. I don’t know that I’ve ever watched a game though.
We roller skated a lot, but no ice skating for me either. I do love watching it though. Watched it a lot more in my teen years than I have recently. It is so beautiful.
I don’t either. Other than wrestling and the Olympic ice skating and gymnastics events. I was never very athletic. I’d much rather read a book!
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
There is nothing wrong with multi-tasking. I’ll admit I pay closer attention to certain matches and am known to scroll through social media when there’s one on I don’t care for.
What a fun memory!
Yes there is! I’m very limited in my own sports interests. And as for playing them, forget it. I might join a game of volleyball, but that’s about it. But I haven’t done that in years.
That would be wonderful! Thank you!
And the great thing about it being a romance is that even readers who aren’t wresting fans are enjoying it.
I hope you enjoy the story as much as I enjoyed writing it! I’m not a sports fan either, but like you, I do usually enjoy a few of the Olympic events.
Favorite sport to watch is baseball.
When I was growing up our grandmother loved to watch wrestling matches and when I was in Middle School, one of my brothers was in the HS wrestling team, it was very interesting, it is alot more fun and interesting when you go to a wrestling match and if someone you know is wrestling. I love tennis, I don’t really play it but 2 of my grandchildren play Tennis in HS and the other one is in Middle School, it is alot of fun. When our daughter and our son were in School they both played Tennis, so my husband and I followed their games and now we follow our 2 grandchildren that play tennis. I love the sound of your book and I love the book cover! Have a great week and stay safe.
I used to watch WWF when I was a kid and even had a crush on one of the wrestlers. I also watched the Saturday morning cartoon. My favorite sport to play is volleyball (but, it’s been many many years since I have) and my favorite sport to watch is baseball.
I’m not a fan. I sometimes watch racing with my hubby but that doesn’t last long.
I used to be into wrestling but know I’m more into college football. Michigan Wolverines go blue!
Years ago as a young adult out on my own for the first time, my best friend had gotten me into watching WWF on TV. But I haven’t watched it for years & probably won’t. I do, however, love to watch NFL football :-) That’s the only professional sport that I like.
I would not normally like a story with a sport playing a major role in it, but “Love in the Squared Circle” sounds like one I would enjoy very much. Because, one of my favorite things to read in a romance novel is a big strong man having a soft heart for women, kids & animals! :-) I would definitely be interested in how Heather brings these two together & makes them fall in love.
Thank you for sharing. I am not a wrestling fan or a sports fan. God bless you.
not really a sports fan
My niece’s family is into high school wrestling big time. Her youngest is a gentle giant until he gets on the mat or on the defensive line in football. He’s 285 pounds of all muscle and is very intimidating as a junior. I don’t watch the TV scripted wrestling, but I’ve enjoyed watching the clips she posts on FB. This sounds like a fun book.
I like to watch hockey & play basketball & tennis
I only watch NHL hockey & love to play hockey all year round
I am not a fan of wrestling at all, or really any sports. I will watch the occasional football game once in a while but that’s about it. Thank you for the chance to win, your book sounds really good!
My dad and brothers always watched baseball when I was growing up. I’ve gone to one Cardinals game, but it was cold and rainy. It didn’t help make me a fan!
I had a friend try to teach me tennis at a summer camp in junior high. It was a lot of fun, but I didn’t stick with it after I came back home.
Thank you! I love the book cover too. The publisher’s cover designer does a great job.
I remember that cartoon! My brothers always watched it. Well, so did I. I did a lot of things because its what my older brothers wanted. But I’ll admit, I enjoyed it too.
I know Nascar is a huge thing in the area where I live, but I have never gotten into it. My husband isn’t either. So, I don’t ever have to watch it!
My husband likes football, but the rules don’t make sense to me. I end up getting frustrated by things that are “just that way”. Wrestlemania is for our house what the Super Bowl is for others. Though I know that isn’t college football.
My husband likes the NFL, but he doesn’t get to watch it as often as he’d like.
Blane is definitely a big, strong guy with a soft heart. You’ll love the ministry he’s involved in at his church.
I’m not much of a sports fan either. They’re not for everyone.
I’m not either. For the most part. I’d much rather read a book or watch a movie.
Gentle giant. I like that description. It fits the Blane Sterling character perfectly.
My daughter and two of my sons played basketball. My daughter loved it and was extremely talented in the sport. Her brothers like it well enough but never put as much into it as she did.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a hockey game. The closest team is two hours away, I think. And there are no ice skating places near me so I didn’t grow up with it.
I’ve been told by my early readers who are not sports fans, and especially not wrestling fans, that you don’t have to be a fan of either to love the story.
Thanks everybody for giving Heather such a nice welcome.