Musings and Ramblings

Getting It Back

Red Hot Russians, #3

Elizabeth Harmon

Genre: Contemporary Sports Romance
Publisher: Carina Press
Date of Publication: April 4, 2016
Number of pages: 243

In this second-chances romance, a former top men's figure skating champion is willing to risk everything for a comeback—except a new start with his long-lost love

An unexpected phone call from the man who broke her heart offers Amy Shepherd an opportunity to return to the work she loves, training elite figure skaters. Except it's just one figure skater: him. Can she finally forgive and forget?

Figure skater Mikhail "Misha" Zaikov once had it all: medals, money and the adoration of millions. But a devastating injury put an end to his career and his romance, leaving him with nothing but regret over what could have been. His last chance to rejoin the world's top skaters is now. And there's only one person who can help him: her.

On Russia's unyielding ice, Misha must reclaim what he's lost while facing off against a talented young rival and risking further injury. But Amy soon discovers Misha's much bigger challenges lurk off the ice. And she's determined to keep Misha whole and healthy, even if doing so ends his shot at the gold.

Don't miss any of Elizabeth Harmon's Red Hot Russians. Pairing Off and Turning It On are available now!

Excerpt: 

The next morning, Amy awoke first. Misha lay beside her in bed, still sleeping. He’d brought over clothes last night. His toothbrush was in the bathroom cabinet. This was just like back in Ohio, only better. Misha was no longer searching for direction. He knew what he wanted, and they were working together to help him achieve it. But she couldn’t deny that she was nervous about what would happen today, when he returned to training on the ice.

She got out of bed, and changed into her running clothes, put coffee on, then returned to wake Misha. “Hey,” she sat on the edge of the bed and gently shook his shoulder. “Time for our run.”

“Nyet,” he said in a sleepy voice, and reached for her.

“You agreed to it last night. Nothing too strenuous, just enough to get your heart pumping and muscles working.”

“Don’t need running to make my heart pump,” he pulled her down onto the bed, cupping her butt through her black running tights. “As for muscles… maybe we can stay in and work this big stiff one?”

She laughed and squirmed away. “Nice try, but that muscle’s getting plenty of exercise. Rise and shine, big guy.”

She threw back the blankets, leaving him no choice but to fumble around for his pants. She waited outside and he joined her a few minutes later. They took off at an easy pace, following the path behind the center’s main buildings, then out around the pond and back. Nothing too strenuous, just as she’d promised. Their lungs filled with clean fresh air, the morning mist was cool on their skin. They returned to the guesthouse and she bent over her knees, breathing out cold air. Misha did the same. He straightened easily. “How is your back,” she said.

“Perfect. No pain at all.”

“And the rest of you? Knees? Head?”

“Knees are fine, and my head is in good place, too. Thanks to you, Amy the tiger.”

She grinned, and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. “Ready to get back on the ice?”

“Can’t wait,” he said decisively.

“You’re going to be great.”

He brushed a kiss across her lips. “For you, I will be.”

Guest Post: 

I live in a house that’s almost 100 years old, so I’m resigned to never having enough closets or electrical outlets. One thing my house does have though—in addition to hardwood floors and cute built-in cabinets, is the perfect office.

I think it was intended to be a bedroom, though it’s on the first floor, just off the dining room. But when my kids were small and I started writing, it was the perfect office space.

It still is.

In my office, I’m surrounded by photos of my family, keepsakes, and piles of paper that never seem to go away. ☺

There are shelves of reference books, books about figure skating, thesauruses, dictionaries in various languages, color-coded folders for each project, and favorite books on the craft of writing.

There’s an elderly Dell desktop that runs WindowsXP, but can still play the soundtracks I create for each book. Getting It Back’s playlist includes everything from Eric Clapton to Igor Stravinsky, classic country to jump-swing.

Often hiding behind the paper flowers my skating friends gave me when “Pairing Off” came out, is an orange tabby who likes to help me write. Mango inspired the heroine’s cat in Getting It Back, though Amy’s kitty has just three legs, while Mango has all four.

Clinging to the windowsill and bulletin boards are sticky notes with character traits, plot twists and inspirational messages to myself. My two favorites? “Make It Worse”—meaning my characters’ predicaments, and “Just Keep Swimming,” for those times when the words won’t come, and I’m convinced the well has run permanently dry. Every writer goes through it, and though it’s no longer as scary as it once was, writer’s block is no fun.

And there’s the place where I sit each day to write, that looks out onto our backyard. In the summer, I long to be out there. Winter, I’m glad to be inside watching the snow drift down.

My office isn’t without its drawbacks. It was designed by 1920s storage standards, which basically means none. Office supplies are stored in Rubbermaid tubs under the desk. The single filing cabinet is long-overdue for a purge.

I once sought the advice of an organization expert, who asked how I could be creative in the midst of so much clutter. It ticked me off, but I have to admit, she had a point. And sometimes, it does drive me a little crazy. When that happens, I either pack up my laptop and head for the nearest Panera, or I…gulp…clean.

Throwing stuff out is a great cure for writer’s block!

Giveaway: 

Author Bio:

Elizabeth Harmon loves to read and write romances with a dash of different.

A graduate of the University of Illinois, she has worked in advertising, community journalism and as a freelance magazine writer. She feels incredibly blessed to have a career that allows her to spend her days imagining “what if?” and a loving family that keeps her grounded in the real world. Her debut novel, Pairing Off is a 2016 RITA Award Finalist.

An adventurous cook, vintage home enthusiast, occasional actress, and entry-level figure skater, Elizabeth makes her home in the Midwest, where life is good, but the sports teams aren’t. She loves to hang out on her front porch, or at her favorite local establishments, enjoy good food and wine, and talk writing with anyone who will listen.

To connect with the author online:

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