Happy Birthday Canada! And... to Bad Ice, too!

Update: The winner of the Canada Day Contest is Brian O'Rourke, who answered the questions on Twitter (in three parts!) since he couldn't comment on Blogger. Email me, Brian, with your mail address!

Today is Canada's Birthday. I expect the masses to march past my house tonight to take in the annual Newmarket fireworks at the end of my street. Maybe I'll go there, too, armed with bug spray, a blanket and my camera. This, when hockey ended only a couple of weeks ago! I already can't wait for next season.

Today also marks the fifth birthday of my hockey romantic suspense, Bad Ice. I've always been fond of this story, which kept me awake nights while I wove Jason's tragic past around his burgeoning relationship with Christina, while Sheila's jealousy threw a wrench in the works.

I have a single trade paperback copy of Bad Ice in my study. I'd love to celebrate Canada Day and Bad Ice's Birthday by sending the copy, personally signed, to somebody out there. International is okay.

Five years ago, I held a Canadian trivia contest for the e-book release. I'd like to do that again today with the paperback. You don't have to get all the answers right. In fact, humour (with a U) is welcome. After the fireworks tonight, I'll draw from the comments that answer the following questions.

Okay, let's drop the puck:

1. Give me a unique Canadian word. Example: Toboggan.
2. Who wore No. 99 in the National Hockey League?
3. Give me an alternate name for the Canadian Niagara Falls.
4. What Canadian was known as 'America's Sweetheart?"
5. Canada is a bilingual country, but what is the only official bilingual province?
6. What is the Canadian term for a sweetened carbonated beverage?
7. Name a Canadian invention.
8. What is the oldest walled city that still exists north of Mexico?
9. What is the Canadian word for sofa?
10. What is the alcohol content of typical Canadian beer?





I'll take answers until 10 p.m. Eastern tonight. Come on in, have a beer and a laugh. I'll drop in often. Good luck!

BAD ICE Electronic Release Today

Happy Canada Day!

What better occasion (Hey, Jessica, I spelled it right!) to celebrate our country's birthday than to release a romantic suspense about Hockey?

Just for fun, I thought I'd give away pdf copy of my book with a trivia contest. Not just any contest, but a Canadian trivia contest. You don't have to have all the answers right, but please try - I'll either draw the winner from all entries received, or simply pick the person who amuses me and is mostly right.

But first, a word from our sponsor. A brief blurb about Bad Ice:

When hockey fan Christina Mackey prevents a murder attempt aimed at her idol Jason Petersen, the hockey scene she'd always worshiped from the outside suddenly surrounds her.

Jason had entertained a succession of beautiful women since his rookie year, but none were a substitute for his first relationship, which had ended in tragedy. When he meets his saviour, Christina's gentle spirit reawakens him, and her daughter Mishayla reminds him of the child he could have had.

Jason discovers his girlfriend Sheila is behind the attempt on his life. He breaks off their relationship but Sheila won't let go. Her devotion to drugs and alcohol are second only to her obsession with Jason and his lifestyle. She uses lies, threats and manipulation in trying to get him back.

As Jason's feelings grow toward the widow who saved him, his past threatens not only their happiness, but Christina's innocent daughter as well.

Here is an excerpt:

Jason glanced at the nurse and shifted from one foot to the other. He mumbled something Christina couldn’t quite catch.

She raised her eyebrows. “Excuse me?”

He tried again. “Could I take you out for coffee or lunch or something after you get out of here?” His stage whisper was clearly intended to escape Phil's attention, but the nurse only chuckled and hummed louder.

Christina thought about the phone call. She silently argued with herself, but eventually, curiosity overcame caution. She leaned back on her pillow and said, “Hmmm.” What the hell, I’m all grown up. I can take whatever comes my way. It’s only coffee...or lunch...or something. "Of course, I'd be delighted."

Jason’s blue eyes lit up. “Great! I’ll give you my number. Or you give me yours. No, you won’t be home yet. I’ll give...” He patted his pockets, searching for something to write on.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere for a while.” His flustered behavior amused and surprised her. Not your typical super jock. “Just drop by again in a few days. We’ll probably have something written down by then.”

He sketched a brief salute and pushed at the door. It didn’t move.

“I think you’re supposed to pull it,” she said, hiding her smile behind her hand. He glanced at her with a shy, embarrassed grin and violently yanked the door open to rejoin his friend.

She glanced across the room at Phil. He raised his eyes innocently to the ceiling and sauntered from the room. Off-key strains of “Love is In the Air” drifted from the hallway before the door closed with a soft clunk.


If you don't win, you'll have another chance at the end of the month on Book Roast.

Okay, let's drop the puck:

1. Give me a unique Canadian word. Example: Toboggan.

2. Who wore No. 99 in the National Hockey League?

3. Give me an alternate name for the Canadian Niagara Falls.

4. What Canadian was known as 'America's Sweetheart?"

5. What famous Canadian actor was born in Newmarket and recently became an American citizen?

6. What is the Canadian term for a sweetened carbonated beverage?

7. Name a Canadian invention.

8. Officially, how old is Canada today? (My son will argue this one.)

9. What is the Canadian word for sofa?

10. What is the alcohol content of typical Canadian beer?

I'll take answers until 9 p.m. Eastern tonight. Come on in, have a beer and a laugh. I'll drop in often. Good luck! For those who don't win, please buy an e-copy of my book. It's easy and inexpensive. If you really like it, you can buy a print version when the real hockey season starts, or at least recommend it to a friend.

Tune in Tomorrow...

... for a contest! Drop by Tuesday, July 1 for some Canada Day fun.