When a submission call for romance featuring a rescue worker came
from my publisher, I knew instantly I wanted to write a story about a female
rescue worker. Having rarely read any, I couldn’t help but wonder why such a
courageous group of women weren’t portrayed as heavily in literature. My aim
was to portray a woman who had strength and courage, and a big heart as well.
Yes, women can be all three and have it all. Especially in a
romance novel.
Heavily in research mode, I soon discovered the numbers of female
firefighters to be much lower than I imagined. The other disheartening
statistic associated with the career is that of the 4 percent of women
firefighters, 88 percent of them had experienced sexual harassment on the job.
Let’s pause a moment.
Eighty-eight percent.
Now, more than ever, it’s important for books, movies, and
publications to focus on female heroes, the powerful women who’ve clawed their
way to the top or put their lives on the line every day for others.
Each and every dedicated female firefighter deserves to be
celebrated as they break the mold of stereotypical gender roles present for
centuries. Not only that, but they are to be respected for their courage and
bravery, right alongside their male counterparts.
In my 12th novel published, my 6th with Hot Tree
Publishing, my wonderful heroine Jillian, from “A Little Spark”, is the feisty
protagonist I’m so proud of. Brave, dedicated, and having a strong voice in a
unit of predominantly male firefighters, I created her character as a shout-out
to the women firefighters of America, heck of the world.
My research was carried out shortly before the #metoo movement on
social media. And during editing, the Times Up initiative began in Hollywood.
With all of this in the news, it was more important than ever for me to make
this story great.
Celebrating a woman’s ability to fight shoulder to shoulder with
her male colleagues, while in true romance style falling in love with her
civilian hunk, was just part of my aim. One of my novels wouldn’t be complete
without some wit and drama thrown into the fold.
I want “A Little Spark” to be received as more than “just” a
romance. It’s my hope readers will cheer on Jillian’s strengths and admire her
courage in the field. As important as it is to entertain my readers, I also
want to bring notice to the many amazing women in a male-led industry.
Blurb
Sparks fly when sassy
firefighter Jilli meets her match in Amy K. McClung’s enemies-to-lovers romance.
When Sam and Jillian meet, the snark and sparks
start to fly. Despite their intense attraction, words and actions are
misunderstood, and miscommunication is rife. Will their stubbornness be their
downfall or the start of something extraordinary?
About the Author
Amy McClung was born in Nashville, TN. She is the second oldest of
four girls and occasionally suffers from middle-child syndrome. She met the
love of her life online in August of 2004, on his birthday of all days, and
married him in September 2005.
Currently they have no human children, only the room full of
colorful robots that transform into vehicles and the large headed Pop Funkos
who represent their favorite characters. Collecting movies, shot glasses, Pop
Funkos, and dust bunnies are some of her favorite pastimes.
Amy began writing in September of 2011 and independently published
her first YA novel, “Cascades of Moonlight”, book one of the Parker Harris
series the following May. Her first book was a means of therapy for her,
enabling her to escape reality for a while during a difficult transition in her
life.
Sparks fly
when sassy firefighter Jilli meets her match in Amy K. McClung’s
enemies-to-lovers romance.
When Sam and
Jillian meet, the snark and sparks start to fly. Despite their intense
attraction, words and actions are misunderstood, and miscommunication is rife.
Will their stubbornness be their downfall or the start of something
extraordinary?
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