About the Author

Kelly Luinstra

Kelly Luinstra has always loved reading, but it was a middle school creative writing course that first sparked her passion for storytelling. A devoted fan of sports romance, she found herself imagining characters and scenarios she hadn’t seen yet—and decided to bring them to life.

Kelly’s books blend emotional depth with humor, capturing the ups and downs of life, love, and sports with a realistic touch. As a registered nurse and a parent to a child with disabilities, she brings a unique perspective to the genre, incorporating various aspects of healthcare beyond the typical nurse/player dynamic. She also explores the complexities of family—both the ones we're born into and the ones we choose.

Dialogue is her favorite part of the writing process, and she loves crafting banter, sarcasm, and jokes that make her laugh out loud. When she’s not writing, Kelly enjoys escaping into books, which often inspire new ideas for her own stories. Her favorite authors include Elle Kennedy, Kelsie Rae, Anne-Marie Meyer, and Mira Lyn Kelly, and she dreams of collaborating with Elle Kennedy or Anne-Marie Meyer someday.

A proud Texan, Kelly was raised in San Antonio and sets her stories there, celebrating the heart of South Central Texas. She balances writing with her healthcare career and family life, often jotting down notes on her phone when inspiration strikes. Though not all of her family members read her books—her mom is supportive but prefers not to dive into the romance genre, and her father, who has Alzheimer’s, needs regular reminders that the book Kelly is marking up is actually hers—her friends and extended family are enthusiastic readers. Her child is her biggest cheerleader and has already claimed the roles of merchandise designer and social media manager.

Kelly loves hearing from readers and discovering what moments made them laugh, cry, or truly connect with her stories. With Playing for Keeps releasing in April 2025 and Playing It Safe following in November 2025, she has three more books outlined for the San Antonio Outlaws series—and plans to dive into hockey romance after that.

A woman with wavy gray hair and glasses looking at the camera, with framed documents or certificates on the wall behind her.

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