Cole Ryan, Too Hot To Handle, Almost!

Today, I have the ice skating super star Cole Ryan from Taking Charge by Mandy Baggot, you are all in for such a treat. Sit down and help yourself to the plate of hot dogs provided by Cole......!

Peggy: Shaking her guest’s hand. ‘Nice to meet you, do remind me again of your name?’

Cole: ‘Hey Peggy, it’s so nice to meet you and thank you for having me on your chat show! My name’s Cole Ryan but you can call me whatever you like!’

Peggy: Raising an eyebrow. ‘Well I’ve never heard that name before, but then I’ve not met anyone from Michigan either, what is it like there, cold, hot, windy, poor, rich or is it just heaving with men full of testosterone like you?’

Cole: ‘Haha! There is certainly a lot of testosterone in the Portage Panthers ice hockey team that’s for sure! We’re all hot blooded young men! I’ve just moved to Portage, Michigan actually. I’m from Chicago, Illinois which is just an hour’s plane hop away but it’s a whole different culture from what I’m used to. Portage is a town in Kalamazoo County and it’s a real community. I already feel like part of the family. But talking about the weather, in Michigan it’s kind of legendary! We can have snow, sun, wind and rain all in one day here!’

Peggy: Laughing: ‘I’m none the wiser as to your part of the world, though the weather has a certain ring about it to the UK. Now with all that testosterone in the atmosphere, it’s hardly surprising that I’ve been told you’re a devil on the ice, I shudder at the thought, I struggle to stand on low heeled shoes let along ice skates, so do enlighten me about what the attraction is?’

Cole: Leaning back in his chair, winks at Peggy. ‘I thought you’d never ask. You see I’ve been skating since I was about five. Skating and in particular hockey is really big in North America. Most people learn how to do it and if you’re good at it you join a team. I was lucky enough to play for a great team in Chicago called the Chicago Wolves – they are in the American Hockey League. I did have the dream of joining an NHL (National Hockey League) team but circumstances changed my career path. Although I haven’t been in Portage long I’ve been lucky enough to get a spot with an awesome team called the Portage Panthers. We’ve got kind of a small squad at the moment but we’re passionate and we give 100% every game. You should fly over and see a game, Peggy!’

Peggy: Leaning forward and smiling. ‘Only if you look after me whilst I’m there. I’ll take that cheeky smile as a yes and get my flight book straight after our chat. Now, don’t distract me anymore you see I’m finding what I’ve just read in my notes as not only hard to believe, but a tad disturbing because I see a fit young man, very fit, sitting gazing down at me with wicked eyes and I’m expected to believe that you wolf down up to six hot dogs a day, surely this is a ludicrous mistake?’

Cole: Throwing his arms up in submission. ‘You’ve been stalking me on Twitter, Peggy! Yes, I admit it, I do have a soft spot for hot dogs. But they are my only junk food weakness, I do eat quite healthily. I love pasta and fresh vegetables and fruit. It’s all about balance!’

Peggy: Wagging a finger at Cole. ‘I’m glad to hear it, because if you don’t get that balance right you’ll not be answering my next question should it be posed to you again in the future which is, I believe you’ve a string of girls after you and if I was a few years younger I’d be one of them, even if you gobble down hot dogs or not, but are you likely to settle for just one. Don’t worry your secret is safe with me I’m the sole of discretion?’

Cole: Leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. ‘I’ve actually just broken up with a girl, just before I moved to Portage. So, at the moment I’m kind of playing the field and taking things as they come. I’m not really looking for a serious relationship right now, although I did meet a cute girl on the plane ride from Chicago!’

Peggy: Crossing her legs. ‘Seems I have a chance after all, but we can talk about that when I come to watch you play. More importantly I want to know what it is you’re up to in Lady Baggot’s latest book, Taking Charge, I’ve heard a lot about it, but not from the horse’s mouth so to speak?’

Cole: Rolling his eyes. ‘Lady Baggot is so awesome! We all love her at the Portage Panthers! Taking Charge is basically my platform to tell everyone my story. And that cute girl from the plane ride, well she’s called Robyn Matthers and she’s kind of my boss. It’s a novel about love, new beginnings, family relationships, junk food and ice hockey. I’ve got quite a big role to play!’

Peggy: ‘That sounds right up my street and you can sign my copy when it is out there in the big world. Another thing I hear is that you and your book, Taking Charge is being published by a leading publishing company, Sapphire Star, does that make you feel important and excited?’

Cole: Laughing out loud. ‘The team at Sapphire Star Publishing are amazing people! I know they’ve been fantastic with all the preparation ready for the launch of the book. I know Mandy Baggot is thrilled to be working with a group of people so committed to getting great fiction into the hands of more readers – we’re both so excited to be part of their family.’

Peggy: Leaning over and patting Cole on the knee. ‘Never forget just how important family is, priceless. And finally, Cole, I still can’t get my head around your name, but there you are, though when you’re famous, and I’m sure you will be, will you please come back and tell what it feels like?’

Cole: ‘Without a doubt Peggy! But you’re pretty famous yourself with this whole chat show thing going on! I’ll come back any time but only if you promise to come eat hot dogs with me and watch an ice hockey game – do we have a deal?’

Want to find out more about Cole Ryan – you can! Take part in #askcole on Twitter on 2^nd May from 5pm-6pm UK time. Just use the hashtag to join in the fun or contact Cole himself @coleryan22.

Taking Charge is published on May 3^rd by Sapphire Star Publishing and you can help Mandy Baggot celebrate the launch by joining in with the Twitter party. Just use #TCparty to come along and be passed a virtual glass of bubbly!

Amazon uk

Amazon com

Mandy Baggot

Sapphire Star Publishing