A big, warm welcome to Gay Book Review’s favorite Queen Avon Gale! She has interviewed hunky, sweet as pie hockey player Isaac Drake from Empty Net. Take it away Queen Avon!
Interview with Isaac Drake from Empty Net
(When I sat down to do this post, I wondered what I should write…and Isaac decided for me. He’s the loudest muse ever, as you’ll see.)
Hi, Isaac. I like how you showed up and insisted this post be about you.
5+ stars, highly HIGHLY recommended and this WILL be on my 2016 top 10 list. No question.Gigi's ReviewHey, the book’s about me, isn’t it? Besides, Avon, you’ve basically put me in every book in this series except the first one. Don’t lie, you’d’ve put me in that one, too, if you could have.
I admit nothing. And yes, the book is about you and Laurent. When I was first plotting this book, I was going to make you two hate each other for most of it. Why didn’t you let me do that?
Because. It’s just not my style, Avon. I don’t put up with all that b.s. – am I allowed to swear in these interviews?
No. It’s a blog site, not a locker room. Pretend Coach Samarin is listening.
Right. Anyway, yeah. I really don’t like him at the beginning, but I get over it because I’m awesome. Besides, no one wants to read a book that’s full of hatesex, do they?
Actually….okay, let’s move on. How about some questions that the nice people on Twitter asked when I said I was writing this interview?
Sure! Bring it on.
Empty Net is simply one of the best books in the series so far and will leave you breathless for more.Parvathy's ReviewThe lovely Belen asks: Hi, Isaac! Being a goalie, you probably rarely get into altercations on the ice…but what’s your most memorable scuffle?
Hi, Belen! Well, I’d say it was the one where Laurent tried to fight me and didn’t, because that’s sort of what started the whole hate thing we have going on at the beginning of the book. And oh, one time I got mad at one of my teammates – this is before Coach Samarin and Coach Ashford took over the team – and skated down the ice to fight him. During a game. But I’m pretty sure that altercation with Laurent is the one I’ll remember forever.
Belen also wants to know: What’s the most romantic thing Laurent has ever done for Isaac / Isaac’s ever done for Laurent?
Oh, boy. [laughs] Obviously the most romantic thing I’ve ever done for Laurent was find the person worth knowing under that attitude of his. Because there is one. It just takes some time to find him. And for me…well, I guess the most romantic thing he’s ever done for me is *letting* me find that person. He knows I like making difficult saves. [grins]
Does Isaac have a fear – playing-wise and/or life-wise – that he’s been able to overcome?
Well, yeah, I mean – I sort of had that whole thing happen last season, where that guy showed up and tried to, uh, put me in a compromising position? Can I say that? Avon told me not to talk like this was a locker room, so. Having my past fuck up things for my team was a real fear, and I’m glad that it didn’t happen. Er. Mess up things for my team, I mean.
Piper wants to know if you have a theme song! Like Darth Vader’s Imperial March. What would yours be?
Oh, good question! Hmm, well, my favorite band is the Arctic Monkeys, so it’d be something by them. Haha, how about “Suck it and See”? Sorry, sorry. But seriously, maybe “All my Own Stunts” or “Reckless Serenade.” Mostly because the titles are badass, though I do like those songs.
This series just flat does it for me. I can hardly wait for the next one!Belen's ReviewAnnie would like to know what your favorite pizza toppings are, and if you like candy.
What, like, candy on pizza?
Two separate questions, Drake.
I like just about everything on pizza. I’m not a picky eater in the slightest. I usually let Laurent order whatever he wants, since I like everything. I usually get whatever’s cheapest. Sorry, that is a super boring answer, isn’t it? And I’m not a huge candy eater, really. Avon eats enough candy for basically me and all the other muses who live in her head. I’m more of a savory-over-sweet guy. I guess it makes sense why I fell for Laurent, haha.
Annie also wants to know if you’d be up for changing your hair from blue to another color.
Maybe? It’s really hard to get the blue out so I’d have to grow it out, cut it, and re-bleach the new stuff. I hate bleaching my hair, it’s the only thing about the blue that I don’t like. I thought about maybe doing a single red streak in there, so it’d be like Spitfire colors. Also, Laurent totally thought I bleached my hair with like, Clorox you find under the sink. True story. Like I was going to climb in the shower and pour it over my head or something.
Also from Annie – what are your three most-used emojis?
I could say more about how much I loved this book, but I’ve already said enough. It’s certainly one of my favorites this year, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.Ele's ReviewHa, well, probably 😛 😉 and >:) – the tongue-sticking out one, the winking one, and the evil smiley face. Laurent’s would totally be this one: 😐 or maybe – maybe — :] which is his version of the 😀 face. Seriously.
And finally, from me, Avon – who do you think will win the Stanley Cup this year?
The Predators, obviously. And we have PK Subban now! Unstoppable.
The Predators? Really?
Even your muses don’t have faith in the Bruins, Avon.
Well, I think that about does it for this interview. Thanks, Isaac! I hope you are as endearing to others as you are to me <3
Thanks! But we all know I’m the easy one to like when it comes to this book. Just give Laurent a chance. He’s not too bad once you get to know him. Promise 🙂
Title: Empty Net (Scoring Chances #4)
Author: Avon Gale
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: September 2, 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary/Hockey
Page Count: 219 pages
Reviewed by: Gigi, Belen and Parvathy
Blurb:
Spartanburg Spitfires’ goalie and captain Isaac Drake ended last season with an unexpected trip to the playoffs. He’s found a home and family with his coach and mentor, Misha Samarin, and he’s looking forward to making a serious run for the Kelly Cup. But things take an interesting turn when Isaac’s archnemesis, Laurent St. Savoy, is traded to the Spitfires. After Laurent’s despicable behavior in the playoffs last year, Isaac wants nothing to do with him – no matter how gorgeous he is. But that changes when Isaac discovers the reason for Laurent’s attitude.
Laurent St. Savoy grew up the only son of a legendary NHL goalie in a household rife with abuse, constantly treated like a disappointment on and off the ice. When a desperate attempt to escape his father’s tyranny sends him to the Spitfires, the last thing Laurent wants is to make friends. But there’s something about Isaac Drake that he can’t resist, and Laurent has an opportunity to explore his sexuality for the first time, but he’s cracking under end-of-the season pressures. When facing the playoffs and a rivalry turned personal vendetta, Isaac’s not sure he’s enough to hold Laurent—or their relationship—together.
Buy Links
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About Avon
Avon Gale wrote her first story at the age of seven, about a “Space Hat” 
hanging on a rack and waiting for that special person to come along and purchase it — even if it was a bit weirder than the other, more normal hats. Like all of Avon’s characters, the space hat did get its happily ever after — though she’s pretty sure it was with a unicorn. She likes to think her vocabulary has improved since then, but the theme of quirky people waiting for their perfect match is still one of her favorites.
Avon grew up in the southern United States, and now lives with her very patient husband in a liberal midwestern college town. By day, Avon is a hair stylist who loves her job, her clients, and the opportunity to spend her time being creative and making people happy and look fabulous.
When she’s not writing, she’s either doing some kind of craft project that makes a huge mess, reading, watching horror movies, listening to music or yelling at her favorite hockey team to get it together, already. Avon is always up for a road trip, adores Kentucky bourbon, thinks nothing is as stress relieving as a good rock concert and will never say no to candy.
At one point, Avon was the mayor of both Jazzercise and Lollicup on Foursquare. This tells you basically all you need to know about her as a person.
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Yay! I loved Isaac in the Power Play and can’t wait to see him in Empty Net. Thanks for the interview.
LOVED it! Thank you:)