Behind the Pages: An Exclusive Interview with the Author of Scorpions: Second Clutch
Today, we are sitting down for an intimate, behind-the-scenes look into the mind of the author behind the highly anticipated contemporary sports romance, Scorpions: Second Clutch. From managing a high-intensity career in healthcare to masterminding a massive, 31-book interconnected sports universe—including the 12-book Scorpions series—she is sharing her secrets on "stolen time," character epiphanies, and what it takes to build a sprawling fictional sports empire.
Q1: Welcome! To kick things off, let’s talk about the inspiration behind Scorpions: Second Clutch. What first sparked the idea for Grady and Sloane’s story?
A: Honestly, it started with a single image that wouldn't leave my head: a stubborn, fiercely independent woman standing at the gates of a rural Texas ranch, refusing to let a hotshot, major league pitcher back into her world. I wanted to explore what happens when the glamorous, fast-paced world of professional sports collides head-on with the quiet, grit-and-dirt reality of a working ranch.
Q2: The setting of Heart & Hoof feels like a character all on its own. What drew you to a rural Texas ranch setting for a sports romance?
A: Texas ranch life has a specific pulse. It’s demanding, exhausting, and beautiful. Putting a high-profile athlete into that environment strips away all the fame and the stadium lights. Out there, the dirt doesn't care who you are or how much your contract is worth. It forced Grady and Sloane to face each other without any distractions.
Q3: This is a second-chance romance with a decade-long separation. What is the biggest challenge—and the biggest reward—of writing a love story with that much history?
A: The biggest challenge is balancing the past hurt with the present tension. You have to make the readers feel the weight of those ten empty years. But the reward is immense. When they finally look at each other and realize that the foundation they built as teenagers never truly crumbled, the emotional payoff is incredibly powerful.
Q4: Grady is returning to his roots after reaching the pinnacle of baseball fame. How does his journey of reclaiming his past shape his relationship with Sloane?
A: Grady grew up in this world, but he left it behind for the fast lane. Coming back isn't just about winning Sloane back; it's about finding the guy he used to be before the money and the cameras took over. Sloane is the ultimate anchor for him, but she’s not going to make it easy. He has to prove he’s back for the right reasons.
Q5: Sloane is fiercely protective of her ranch and her independence. What makes her the perfect match—or mismatch—for someone like Grady?
A: Sloane stayed in the world Grady left. She’s built a life of routine, hard work, and self-reliance. Grady represents chaos and a past that broke her heart. They are a perfect match because she doesn't take his BS, and he’s the only one who truly sees the vulnerability behind her tough exterior. They challenge each other constantly.
Q6: Secondary characters often steal the show. Without giving too much away, which side character in Scorpions: Second Clutch did you have the most fun writing?
A: I absolutely love the banter between the teammates, but writing the family dynamics and the tight-knit ranch community was incredibly rewarding. Keep an eye out for characters who seem small now—they are paving the way for a much larger universe.
Q7: There are some deeply emotional hurdles in this book. Was there a specific scene that was particularly difficult or emotional for you to write?
A: Honestly, writing the scene where I have to allow Sloane to euthanize a horse. That scene makes me tear up. As a nurse, I deal with intense medical realities all the time, but there is a raw, devastating kind of heartbreak that comes with veterinary euthanasia—especially for a character like Sloane, who pours absolutely everything into Heart & Hoof. It really highlights that heavy burden of care she carries.
Q8: Grady grew up in rural Texas but transitioned to the fast-paced world of major league sports. How do your characters adapt to these contrasting lifestyles?
A: It is true that rural Texas ranch life can be a bit on the slower-paced side. Grady grew up in it, and Sloane stayed in it. People adapt to their environments. Sometimes those who grew up in the slower-paced lifestyle and then suddenly find themselves in a fast-paced style go back to what they know when they need a break. The quiet of the country is his retreat when the world gets too loud.
Q9: You are an avid fan of darker, high-stakes genres like Mafia, Romantasy, and Paranormal. Do you find that your love for those genres influences your contemporary sports romance?
A: Oh, I love Mafia, Romantasy, and Paranormal, but I also love sports romance! Because of that, I’m always trying to make sure any twists and turns in the book keep people on their toes. Even in a contemporary setting, I want the emotional stakes and the pacing to feel just as intense and gripping as a high-stakes fantasy or suspense novel.
Q10: Every author has their must-haves. What does your ideal writing space or routine look like?
A: Dr Pepper is a must—Original and Blackberry! Also, I tend to write when I get off work; it is my way to decompress from my shifts. I also get random "Oh my gosh, [character] should totally [something random]" epiphanies, and it will have absolutely nothing to do with what I am currently reading or doing at the time!
Q11: When you're building a brand-new character from scratch, do you start with their career or their internal personality?
A: If it is a player, I figure out what position they play first. Then I go for their personality, and that will lead me to their lifestyle. Before any writing takes place at all, I already figure out who is going to play what sport and what position, and then I decide who is related to who and how.
Interestingly, in Playing for Keeps, it wasn't until I was 3/4 of the way through writing it that I realized Mitch Carter (Book 3) was going to be a billionaire heir who didn't want to follow in his father's footsteps!
Q12: What is the overall vibe in the San Antonio Scorpions' locker room? Are they a tight-knit family or is there internal friction?
A: For the most part, it is a tight-knit family. There is plenty of banter, some pranks, laughter, and advice. Plus, I have all the teams interconnected so others will show up as a cameo appearance throughout the books.
Q13: What is the number one message or feeling you hope readers walk away with when they finish Grady and Sloane’s story?
A: Overall, I want people to realize that miscommunications, misunderstandings, and the like can all be figured out with an open mind, an open heart, and open, honest communication.
Q14: As a busy professional, you juggle a lot. What advice would you give to aspiring writers who feel like they don't have enough time to finish a book?
A: Everyone has 5 minutes somewhere. If you are standing in line for something, a quick note about a character or scene can help you remember later. I started off with "I got 15 minutes" of stolen time somewhere, and it eventually turned into making time on my calendar to ensure I had time to really sit and write.
Q15: Looking back at the beginning of your journey, what is the biggest lesson you’ve learned about yourself as a writer?
A: My writing, my notes, my manuscript setup—it is always evolving. Writing isn't stagnant; you learn and you evolve with every single page.
Q16: Since you write across multiple genres, do your different worlds ever subtly bleed into one another?
A: Well, I don't want to spoil anything, but we do get involved with an MC (Motorcycle Club) and a gang! The gang will be in one book and then make appearances in later books. The MC is a huge character in one book, and then they'll make smaller cameos later on.
Q17: What can you tease about the future of the Scorpions lineup?
A:Scorpions is going to be my longest series. It has the most characters, and I am really hoping that everyone finds a Female Main Character (FMC) that they truly vibe with.
Q18: With such a massive roster, how do you keep this huge fictional family organized without mixing up plot points or siblings?
A: I have detailed character profiles written for each character. There are absolutely times when I am writing and I have to pull out my character profiles and go flipping through them, thinking, "Wait, Paige is with who again? What book is Harleigh in?"
Q19: What has been the most rewarding part of the journey toward publishing Scorpions: Second Clutch?
A: I think overcoming the anticipation and nerves of actually publishing the first book—because once that's out there, I need to get to work and do books 2 through 12!
Q20: Finally, what is your ultimate, pie-in-the-sky dream for your writing career over the next few years?
A: My ultimate dream is that I can go to working part-time or per diem as a nurse, and continue to write more stories and make a living from it.
Scorpions: Second Clutch is coming soon! Keep your eyes peeled for release dates, character aesthetics, and more sneak peeks into the world of the San Antonio Scorpions.
