We’re so pleased to have author Amy Aislin joining us today on the tour for her brand new self-published novel, On the Ice, book one in the Stick Side series. Amy is here to talk about her book’s setting today, and there’s also a giveaway so be sure to check out those details below.

Welcome, Amy!

Thanks for joining me today on the second stop of my blog tour for my newest m/m romance novel, On the Ice, and thank you to The Novel Approach for having me! Today, let’s talk book settings.

Most of On the Ice takes place in the fictional small town of Glen Hill, Vermont, where one of the main characters, Mitch, attends college. The inspiration to set my book in Vermont came from a trip I took there in October 2016.

I’ve never really been a people person. My dream home is out in the country with the closest neighbour far enough away that I can’t see their house. But I work in Toronto and I live in one of its suburbs that has a population of roughly 200,000.

Not exactly my dream home.

When I was in Vermont I was blown away by the fact that its capital, Montpelier, has a population of about 8,000. EIGHT THOUSAND! My first thought? “I have to live here.” But then cue my niece being born about a year later. She’s the light of my life, and she lives with her parents four minutes away from me. I said, “Mm, nope. Not going anywhere.”

But! A girl can live vicariously through her characters. Hence, Glen Hill was born.

Here’s one of my favourite shots from my trip in 2016. (Don’t ask me where this was. Somewhere in the mountains.)

Other than Vermont, a small part of the book takes place in Florida, where Alex, the second main character, lives while he plays for the NHL. I love Florida too, but for different reasons than Vermont. Vermont has some of the nicest people I’ve ever met and some of the best food I’ve ever eaten.

Florida has Disney World. Yeah, I went there.

But it’s not just Disney. It’s also the perpetual summer weather (at least from a Canadian’s perspective), the beaches, driving with the windows down, and the green spaces. In On the Ice, Alex doesn’t like Florida because he likes his four seasons. He definitely didn’t get that from me!

And finally, a small portion of the book, about four chapters or so, takes place in Toronto and one of its suburbs, because that’s where both Alex and I are from.

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win an On the Ice prize pack, including a signed paperback, a notebook, a one of a kind professional art print, NHL mini chocolate pucks, and real Canadian maple syrup.

About the Book

Universal Buy Link
Length: 87,100 words approx.
Cover Design: Lee Hyat Design
Blurb: For college sophomore Mitch Greyson, determination and persistence are the name of the game if he wants to make it as a professional hockey player. A busy schedule of practices, games, classes, homework, two part-time jobsóand now, working with a tutor to help him pass the class heís failing so that he can keep his scholarshipóshouldnít leave him with enough time to flirt with the NHL player in town. But that doesnít stop him.

Placed on the injured reserve list until his broken arm heals, NHL defenseman Alex Dean is using the time off to be with his ailing grandfather and get a head start on the book heís been commissioned to write. He doesnít expect to get roped into a tutoring gig, especially not for cocky, smart-ass Mitch.

But Alex soon discovers that thereís more to Mitch than meets the eye…and he really likes what he sees. Only Alex doesnít dare risk his NHL career by coming out, and a relationship between them would jeopardize Mitchís chances with the organization too.

It looks impossible. Then again, the best things usually do…

About the Author

Amy started writing on a rainy day in fourth grade when her class was forced to stay inside for recess. Tales of adventures with her classmates quickly morphed into tales of adventures with the characters in her head. Based in the suburbs of Toronto, Amy is a marketer/fundraiser at a large environmental non-profit in Toronto by day, and a writer by night. Book enthusiast, animal lover and (very) amateur photographer, her interests are many and varied, including travelling, astronomy, ecology, and baking. She binge watches too much anime, and loves musical theater, Julie Andrews, the Backstreet Boys, and her hometown of Oakville, Ontario.

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