Author inspirations: Christmas, female sports reporters and 'Spartacus'

Today's featured authors: Donna Fasano, author of An Almost Perfect Christmas; Charlene Groome, author of Cold as Ice; and Gina Danna, author of Love & Reckoning, share some of the inspirations for their new releases.

Donna Fasano, author of An Almost Perfect Christmas

Three things that inspired my new release:

• My sister-friend, Karen, lost her daughter on May 3, 2003. The tragic event changed all our lives. Karen continues to be an inspiration to me because, although no day will ever again be perfect for her, she continues to live her life with an optimistic attitude. I wanted to capture the essence of her positive approach to life and offer readers an emotional story with a hopeful message.

• I love Christmas. It's a magical time filled with family and friends, a time when anything can happen, when miracles abound and love fills the air. This is the first book I've written that takes place during the holiday season.

• Food! I love to cook and bake, and I love to eat. That's why I have included some of my favorite Christmas cookie recipes in the book. Bake a batch of Marvelous Molasses cookies or Southern Sour Cream cookies; both go great with a hot cup of tea. And the Coconut Macaroons are so delectable, they'll have your family promising to clean the kitchen if you'll only bake another batch. Plus, several other delicious old standbys that I make every year.

About An Almost Perfect Christmas:

When it comes to business, Aaron Chase knows how to succeed. But when his daughter, Izzie, asks him for the perfect family Christmas, the handsome widower feels at a loss about how to make his little girl's dream come true.

Pediatric Nurse Christy Cooper has dedicated her life to taking care of children. She agrees to act as Izzie's stand-in mom for this special holiday and throws herself into making the child's Christmas wish a reality. Maybe this selfless act will somehow alleviate her secret regrets and failures of the past.

The holiday is filled with fun and laughter, and it's amazing how three short days can be so life-changing. When the impish eight-year-old talks the adults into acting out a silly, make-believe wedding, young Izzie is certain the magic of the season will turn the pretend vows into the real thing. The little girl wants her daddy to have Christmas in his life—every single day.

Find out more at donnafasano.blogspot.com.

Charlene Groome, author of Cold as Ice

Three things that have inspired me:

• I'm always inspired by women who do what they love, especially jobs done mostly by men. I play ice hockey and have always had a love for the game. I wanted to write about females who love the game as much as men do. That was my first inspiration.

• Second of all, I have a media background and have worked with female sports reporters. These women are — and have to be — strong and passionate about sports to succeed in their jobs. It's easy to remember the commodity amongst the sexes and feel the excitement they bring each day. I love heroines who have a strong voice and are excited about what they do.

• Thirdly, I spent some time as an intern at a Vancouver television news station, as well as worked at my local TV station, so being a part of that industry was also an influence. I've worked with a lot of people and having the opportunity to be surrounded by smart and successful individuals is key to what gets me writing.

About Cold as Ice:

Hockey player Devin is a cold individual when it comes to relationships. He doesn't know a thing or two on how to date because he's never had to learn. Women flock to him. He's gorgeous, famous and downright irresistible. When television sports reporter, Carla Sinclair, announces that the team could do better without him, he calls her on it. Devin puts on his charm to play nice guy, hoping to persuade her judgment, but she tells him he's out of her league.

Devin wants to prove he's a worthy player on and off the ice, but Carla has reasons why she doesn't want to get involved. She's divorced and doesn't think falling in love will happen for her again. With a broken past and unseen future, Carla needs to figure out what she wants, while Devin, who struggles with his own insecurities, is forced to face his past.

Find out more at www.charlenegroome.com.

Gina Danna, author of Love & Reckoning

Three of my inspirations:

Rome. All for the glory of Rome. Why would an author write a love story set in Rome? For Love & Reckoning, the initial spark came from my heritage. That added to my attraction to the Starz series Spartacus. I fell deeper and deeper into the period. This book begged for me to write about Ancient Rome.

• First driving force was my heritage. My father's parents are Sicilian immigrants, and the family history indicates they originated in Italy. My fascination with Italy goes far back to my childhood.

• Second, Spartacus was a compelling drama. Pretty heady stuff and with a historian onboard, it depicts a graphic reproduction of life in Ancient Rome. It made me want to learn more about this rebellious slave and investigate what happened.

• That research, prompted by the Starz series, made me wonder. What was it like to live then? The more I learned, the more my muse pushed me to write about it and pressed me by presenting my hero and heroine for my first Ancient Roman book, Love & Vengeance. But my muse wasn't finished at the end of that novel, and pushed me to write the "prequel" to it, my current release, Love & Reckoning. Thus book two in Love in the Roman Empire series is set prior to book one, similar to Spartacus: Blood & Sand, which was followed by its prequel, Gods of the Arena. There will be a book three as well.

So welcome to the world of gladiators and Rome! I present to you Love & Reckoning for your reading pleasure.

About Love & Reckoning:

Rome 100 CE

Conquered, beaten, sentenced to die in the Colosseum, Ganius of Gaul escapes his execution only to find himself enslaved as a gladiator. His rise to champion ensures his life, but does nothing to lessen his desire for vengeance against the Roman soldiers who destroyed all he knew.

Locked into a repugnant betrothal, the beautiful Roman Aurelia turns to her brother's champion gladiator for help. Promising him his freedom if he helps her escape, Aurelia soon discovers she wants not only Ganius's help, but to capture his heart as he's captured hers.

In love with his sworn enemy, Ganius realizes Aurelia is the key to his freedom. But to take her with him would risk both their lives, yet leaving her behind to be a pawn in her brother's machinations is a wretched alternative. Ganius must choose - love of a Roman or freedom to make the Romans pay. This is a fight the champion gladiator might lose...

Find out more at www.ginadanna.com.