Guest Blogger, Stacey Agdern

by sue on Nov.13, 2009, under Book Chat

Hockey, NASCAR and Romance Novels

A Love Story:

By Stacey Agdern

Anybody who’s spent any length of time with me is bound to discover I’m a hockey fan. A bit more discussion, and we’ll uncover my NASCAR fandom. But what’s always fascinated people, is how connected my sports fandom is to my romance reading.

I was a hockey fan before I started reading Romance, and when I read ‘See Jane Score’ by Rachel Gibson for the first time, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. A lovely mix of the genre I had just started to read and the sport I followed to almost all distraction. And my romances stayed with me through bad times (the infamous lockout in 2004-5 where reading Rachel Gibson and Deidre Martin’s books kept me sane) and good (the obsessive reading of Martin’s Chasing Stanley during the Ranger’s short playoff run in 2007 and the heralded arrival of Gibson’s True Love and other Disasters after the Rangers’ disastrous post season of last year.) In short, Gibson and Martin were able to provide me the happy endings that my dear team could not.

On the other hand, reading NASCAR romance novels turned me into a fan of that sport. Of course, I wasn’t a blank slate. I’d watched Formula One when I was in law school; the commentators had relaxing voices and it was a great thing to listen to before I went to sleep. And when I picked up my first NASCAR books, authors I’d read before, like Debra Webb and Roxanne St. Claire, were able to bring me into a world I’d never seen. They were able to describe what was going on in the garage, around the track, and in an excited, obsessive fandom that I’d never been exposed to. What they managed to do was to bring these people, and their stories, to life. And make me watch a race.

It wasn’t very long after I cracked open my first Pamela Britton book that I went to my first NASCAR Champions’ Week event. I chatted to the mechanics stationed with their cars about how my love of romance novels pulled me into the NASCAR world, and how cool it was that I was standing next to a real live race car, even though I’d never seen a race. I also visited the displays that were set up in places as varied as the Hard Rock Café and the M&M store, talking to those who shared my newfound love for NASCAR and the impact of the NASCAR romance phenomenon.

So what is it that connects sports fandom and romance? For me, it’s simply this. Romance writers, whether they’re writing thrillers about SEAL teams, stories set in small towns, or in outer space, are able to convey the emotions and actions that bind a group of people in a way that no other group of writers can. And when reading about their favorite sports, those emotions, those views from behind closed doors, are what sports fans are looking for. And, maybe once in a while, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, a Championship.

Stacey Agdern is an award winning bookseller, one of Barbara Vey’s WW ladies, and reviews Manga and Graphic novels for Romantic Times Magazine. She is a New York Rangers fan, and mourns the fact that Champions’ Week is not held in New York this year.

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14 Comments for this entry

stacey agdern aka nystacey
November 13th, 2009 on 4:28 pm
Lisa G - Exactly. You can definitely compare the elation of finding that one special person with winning the elusive trophy. Where’s my Henrik Lundquist alike when I need him;)

Sue - The closest I’ve seen to a full fledged soccer book was Roxanne StClaire’s “Thunderstruck”. The hero of that book was an English soccer player, who found himself in negotiations to purchase a NASCAR team. It would be interesting to see a further exploration of the similar dynamics between the way NASCAR is seen overseas and soccer is seen here

Estella - Thanks for reading my blog:)

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Estella
November 13th, 2009 on 4:03 pm
I am a big NASCAR fan, but I don’t care for hockey.

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sue
November 13th, 2009 on 4:00 pm
How come we’ve not seen any soccer themed romances? Seems like that would be a winner these days . . . & cycling, my own personal interest

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Lisa G
November 13th, 2009 on 1:17 pm
Hi Stacey! I think it’s all about the idea when boy gets the trophy, boy gets the girl. Or vica-versa. I not much into the NASCAR or any of the other race seen. It’s just not that big here where I live. I like the bullrider story. I want a rough, tough guy who’s heart is harden by his loses yet that one girl can change it all. Great blog.

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Stacey
November 13th, 2009 on 12:45 pm
Maggie: Me too! (The clutch part that is. Oddly enough, the only sport I was any degree of proficient at was ice skating…

Shiloh: Hellooo Good to see you!

Sue: Thank you for having me here. I would so upset when the Red Wings lost last year. Their win two years ago was a beautiful thing to watch.

Mary G: Erin McCarthy’s NASCAR books are awesome. I can’t wait until the 3rd one comes out. Hotzones are also awesome. I’ve read a few of Kate Angel’s Richmond Rogue books. I will put the Shalvis and the Andres in my list. Thanks for the rec.

Ellen: You’re in good company.

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Ellen Higuchi
November 13th, 2009 on 12:11 pm
I’m another fan of Deirdre Martin and Rachel Gibson. Hockey is my favorite pro sport to watch. I’m a huge San Jose Sharks fan, but I have a soft spot for the St. Louis Blues, the first team I started watching when I lived in St. Louis. And Bella’s football books are great! The first pro sports romance I remember is a Silhouette Intimate Moments by Nora Roberts about a pro baseball player and the director of a commercial for the team…I just looked it up–Rules of the Game. Hmm, might have to dig that one out for a quick reread

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Mary G
November 13th, 2009 on 11:38 am
I forgot Erin Mccarthy’s fast track series. Oooh yeah.

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Mary G
November 13th, 2009 on 11:35 am
Hi Stacey
I love all those books you mentioned. You would probably also like Bella Andre’s football books, Carly Phillips Hot Zone books, Kate Angells’s books & Jill Shalvis’ Double Play. I’m on the 5th book of SEP Chicago Stars & they are yummy.

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sue
November 13th, 2009 on 9:25 am
Love the theme of your blog Stacey — I’m a big Red Wing & Hockey fan so Rachel has always been one of my faves.

Thanks for being here on BTRB — can’t wait to read the comments
Sue

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Shiloh Walker
November 13th, 2009 on 7:23 am
Hey Stacey!

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Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe
November 13th, 2009 on 7:18 am
I was an absolute klutz on any field or floor I tried, but I married a jock and all my kids were heavily involved in sports. As an outsider, there is that team bonding that I envy a bit. In books, we see the guys caring for each other as teammates which reveals their softer side.

Hockey? I hope you’ve got good dental insurance.

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stacey agdern aka nystacey
November 13th, 2009 on 6:07 am
Jane C-

Aaah *sighs* 1994 and the year Brian Leetch became the first American to win the MVP trophy. That was my first year at University and the cup run happened during exams. I was…interesting to be around

Elyssa !
Thank you:) I’m glad you liked it. I do love SEP, her stars books and otherwise, myself.

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Jane C
November 13th, 2009 on 2:50 am
Hi Stacey,
I love Rachel Gibson and Deirdre Martin’s hockey stories. I’m a huge Rangers fan, too. I still remember the magical run in 1994 like it was yesterday. I don’t watch NASCAR, but I do occasionally catch a Formula One race.

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Elyssa Papa
November 13th, 2009 on 1:53 am
Great blog, Stacey! I think you’ve hit upon why sports romance books work so well for me. I especially love Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ Chicago Star series. Dean from Natural Born Charmer. Sigh.

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