Part of this story idea came in a dream years ago. Perhaps inspired subconsciously by an invitation to my high school class reunion, I woke up with a vivid scene in my mind about a girl who had been ridiculed by football players in high school and was forced to work around similar players in college before running into the only player from the past who had ever been nice to her. I scribbled down as much of it as I could remember and tucked the story idea away for later when the kids were big enough for school and I’d have time to pursue my dream of writing.

Of course, when I pulled out the scraps of paper years later, the idea lacked depth and the romance seemed too coincidental. But the nugget of an idea held my interest so I played the “what if” game until I came up with a different and bigger hurt in the heroine’s past. Since I’m married to a coach and have a son who plays receiver, it was fun to imagine a character who hated football and then try to change her mind.

In doing my research, I modeled my fictional college’s schedule after a local university in order to make sure I paced the season correctly. I was surprised to find that the opponents and road games lined up perfectly with necessary plot points like facing her past, a romantic interlude, a home game over Thanksgiving weekend, and even potential bowl game locations that brought back memories from earlier in the story. I could not have invented a better schedule than the “real” one.

Catch of  a Lifetime

He breathes football. She shudders at the very mention of the sport. After a tragedy involving a football player destroyed her family, athletic trainer and graduate student Cassie moves across the country looking for a fresh start, but a change in financial aid lands her in the middle of her worst nightmare. Meanwhile, rookie coach Reed worries his dream career will slip away as injuries plague his players and his star receiver teeters on the brink of ineligibility. As the two work together to salvage the season, sparks fly, and Reed must eventually choose between the game he cherishes and the woman he loves.

Purchase Catch of a Lifetime on Amazon.

Meet Candee

Candee Fick is the wife of a high school football coach and the mother of three children, including a daughter with a rare genetic syndrome. When not busy with her day job or writing, she can be found cheering on the home team at football, basketball, baseball, and Special Olympics games. In what little free time remains, she enjoys exploring the great Colorado outdoors, indulging in dark chocolate, and savoring happily-ever-after endings through a good book.

Connect with Candee on Twitter and Facebook.

Book Giveaway

To enter the drawing for a copy of Candee’s novel, please leave a comment before 11:59 p.m. (Central time) on Sunday, November 15th, 2015. After a random drawing, the winner’s name will be announced on Monday, November 16th.

Thank you for reading the Story Spark behind Catch of a Lifetime and participating in the giveaway.