Guest Blog: Sidney Halston

Let me introduce you to Tarpon Springs, Florida.

Worth the Fight Academy is located in Tarpon Springs, a small sixteen square mile, town in the west coast of Florida. Even though the events that happen in Against the Cage are fictional, Tarpon Springs is in fact a real town, founded by mostly by Greeks who came to Florida to dive and harvest for sponges. Today, Tarpon Springs has a population of roughly 25,000 people. With such a small number of inhabitants, it’s not surprising that everyone knows everyone, which, includes knowing everyone’s business. This town gives a whole new meaning to gossipy neighbors.

Tarpon Springs and the people of the town are as much characters in Against the Cage, as well as in the subsequent books, as are the main characters of the story. You’ll see Esther and Earl, Patsy and Jett throughout the series, as well as other colorful individuals. A break up isn’t a secret in this town because news spreads fast, as Jessica will discover in the second book of the series, Full Contact. But, once the town embraces you, it is like having an extended crazy family who loves you, no matter if you’re a tattooed cage fighter or the town doctor.

Because it is in the west coast of Florida, it is typically humid and hot. Therefore, most of the times, the men aren’t dressed in much more than gym shorts and the women are in short shorts and tank tops. Everyone seems to be tanned and sweaty most of the time. And when the mosquitos aren’t invading, there’s barbeques by the beach with the MMA team. BBQs aren’t the only activities happening on the beach. Since this is a far cry from the populated beaches of Miami, the isolation of the beaches and the sea grass that covers the view from nearby homes, makes it the perfect at times, the beach is the backdrop to a lot of sexy fun between the hero/heroine.

So, whether you’re having drinks with the men of Worth the Fight Academy at the Pier, the favorite hangout of the locals, or enjoying a turkey melt at EE’s Diner, while hearing an earful of town gossip from Esther, Tarpon Springs is a laid back town, where alligators sometimes lurk close to the main road, which are lined with mangroves. But hidden in a huge dilapidated warehouse a mile away from the main street of the town is Worth the Fight Academy. Brazilian native, Senhor Silva, has owned and operated WtF Academy for years. And, no, the old-school trainer, doesn’t know that the acronyms WtF have a difference significant in modern times. Jack, Slade, Travis, Tony, and Cain have been training for professional (and sometimes underground) fights for years at WtF Academy. Some of the men have been friends since childhood, and some are new to town. The notoriety of Silva as a trainer and the fighters he breeds, brings in some of the most known fighters to train in the small town.

So, welcome to Tarpon Springs, Florida. Dress comfortably, stay and have a beer at the Pier, and cheer on the men of WtF in their next MMA bout.

Check out her new book:

Title: Against The Cage
Worth The Fight #1
Author: Sidney Halston
Expected Publication: May 27, 2014
Publisher: Loveswept

For Chrissy Martin, returning to her Florida hometown always seems to bring bad luck. The day starts with a breakup text, followed by a jailhouse phone call from her troublemaker brother. Now a routine traffic stop has ended with her accidentally punching an officer . . . in a delicate place. Then Chrissy realizes that the hot cop on the receiving end of her right hook is none other than the man from her teenage fantasies.

Jack Daniels knows how to take a hit. After all, when he’s not chasing reckless drivers, he’s kicking ass in a mixed martial arts ring. So what takes his breath away isn’t the low blow, but the woman who dealt it: a gorgeous knockout with legs Jack wouldn’t mind being pinned under—who just so happens to be his best friend’s nerdy little sister, all grown up. Soon their instant chemistry leads to a sizzling affair, but Jack and Chrissy are fighting an uphill battle if they want to make love last beyond the final bell.

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