Title: Wheeler
Author: Sara Butler Zalesky
Genre: Adult Romance, Suspense, Sports
Release Date: July 4, 2016
Known as the Ice Queen of the peloton, pro cyclist Loren Mackenzie rarely shows emotion in the heat of competition; she leads her team with quiet strength and determination. But her successes have not come without suffering, and her tragic past is hidden inside tarnished armor.
While out on a training ride with her cycling team near Enfield, England, a chance meeting quickly develops into an unexpected whirlwind romance. But a relationship with an A-list celebrity brings with it the microscope of tabloid-media attention, which expose jealousy and rivalry that threaten to undermine Loren’s leadership of her team.
The new romance also reveals a dangerous obsession, culminating in a terrifying confrontation with someone from Loren’s past. Her injuries not only put her chances at the World Championship in jeopardy but also bring forth memories of a life she had long buried – for good reason.
Can Loren open her heart to the love she has held at a distance, or will her fear ultimately defeat her?
The follow up novel in the Wheeler series is coming soon.
I didn’t set out to write a romance; I thought I was writing more women’s fiction because of the conflict I created for the MC. The relationship took on a bit more of a romantic bend as it came to life, so I went with it.
When writing a book, what is your favorite part of the creative process (outline, plot, character names, editing, etc.)?
I haven’t enjoyed any of it! Truthfully though, I like writing dialog, how people talk to each other and envisioning what they’re doing as they converse.
When reading a book what genre do you find most interesting/intriguing?
I prefer to read suspense, sci/fi-fantasy with a little bit of YA thrown in there for color. Who hasn’t enjoyed Harry Potter? I often go back to some of the first books I ever bought: The Black Stallion by Walter Farley. Mercedes Lackey. I have all her books. In hard cover.
Have you always wanted to write or did it come to you ‘later in life’?
Writing has been a part of my life since grade school but I never actually finished anything, until Wheeler. It had a lot to do with life experience, timing, and drugs. Lots and lots of drugs. I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 40 and was prescribed Adderall. Since then, I have been able to think clearer and focus. Having structure in the form of a calendar, specifically the women’s racing calendar from 2015, helped immensely to keep me on track. It also helped to have support from friends to keep me writing.
Sara was born in the wee hours of a November night in New York City. When her family moved to a small borough in northwestern New Jersey, she had little choice but to move as well. Self-sufficiency is a tough thing for a toddler.
The dichotomy of being the middle child of three, but the only girl, was difficult, as typically no one really pays attention to a middle child. Mostly, Sara spent her time creating fanciful stories in her head when she should have been focused on other things, an issue that continues to this day.
Most of these stories have never been shared, let alone completed. This all changed in the spring of 2015, when Sara was encouraged by a friend to expand upon a short story she had accidentally emailed to him. The result is 'Wheeler’, a romantic, women's fiction/sport novel, which combines the author's romantic inclinations and her passion for cycling.
Sara currently resides in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, with her loving husband and their son. She is a paralegal for a boutique law firm in Chester County, Pa, an avid road cyclist and indoor cycling instructor at a national chain.
Follow the author’s blog at sarabutlerzalesky.wordpress.com or on Twitter @sarazalesky. She does a little dance every time someone ‘follows’ her on Twitter. Really.
