In Bed With a Romance Author: Rachel Blaufeld on romances, emojis and 'Scandal'

The expression "two ships passing in the night" may be over 150 years old, but it accurately describes my personal life these last few weeks. While I've been jetting to conferences and signings, my husband has been going the absolute opposite direction.

Needless to say … we haven't had a lot of pillow talk.

I have spent a lot of time in airports — texting.

Like with my beta reader.

Her: Do you have any good sports romances to recommend?

Me: What sport? (I proceed to add every sports emoji known to man, because who doesn't love emojis?)

Me: Wait! There's no hockey emoji!

Her: I know. You should call Apple and work your charm.

Me: What is this? (Insert some weird-looking ball emoji)

Her: That's rugby.

Me: They have rugby and a horse jockey, but no hockey? What's up with that?

Her: I told you, go get us one.

I actually have been trying to get a hockey stick or at the very least a puck added to our keyboards, but in the meantime, I'm still hooked on sports romances.

Being more of a football gal myself, I cracked open The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan where Gray Grayson and Ivy Mackenzie meet over a friendly text. Ivy is in Europe learning the bakery business with her mom, while her dad, the sports agent, lends her pink Fiat to his newest client, Gray.

Gray is a shining star when it comes to football but not when it comes to relationships. Ivy is finding her own way in life despite feeling ousted by her dad's ever-loving affection for sports. The two begin to text regularly and get hooked on it. The chemistry is palpable between the two of them — despite being on two separate continents. Yet, when they finally meet in person, they are friend-zoned. Afraid to ruin their friendship and lovable dynamic that has grown between one another, they put off the inevitable — falling for one another.

The story is funny, sweet and downright sexy all the way through their friendly anecdotes leading up to their relationship. Pasts come into play, and of course, it isn't easy, but Gray and Ivy really spark up the pages. And I have to admit, I love a girl who knows her cupcakes and football.

There's also been fun and witty texting between my one-and-only and myself … until the very end. On the last day of all my traveling, our texts looked something like this:

Me: On my way.

Him: Text me when you land.

Me: K.

Him: Are you here?

Me: Oh, crap! Yeah, I forgot to text.

Why did I forget? My nose was buried in a good book. Of course.

I jumped into True North by Liora Blake thanks to a friend's recommendation. Centered on rock star Trax (aka Trevor) and young widow Kate, this book was emotional, beautiful and angsty. Trevor Jenkins has played the field for long enough when he co-stars with national bestseller Kate Mosely. Kate is serious as they come, promoting her intellectual read about living the hard life in Montana, and Trax is an international heartthrob. Thrown together on national television, sparks ignite between the two — and Trevor begins to pursue Katie.

Let me say this, Trevor sends some awesome texts. Humorous, silly and touching texts. As the two begin to know one another, despite Kate living in Montana and Trevor in Los Angeles, we learn of both their painful pasts. Trevor has barely shared his with anyone, and the world knows all about Kate's tragedy. With geographic challenges and totally different career pursuits already in their way, can these two get beyond the terrors of their pasts?

Of course, there were a few nights, my face was buried in my iPad binge-watching Scandal. Nights when I was too busy to cook or read.

A few weeks ago, I asked readers on my Facebook page to recommend a show to me. I instructed them I only watch shows with love, angst and sexy times. It could be about Martians, but they have to show some element of falling in love.

Scandal was a fan favorite, so I started at the beginning and WOW! Love, angst, political scandal after scandal, and sensual times in the Oval Office are just the beginning. I'm embarrassed to say I'm starting the third season already … shhh, no spoilers!

I absolutely have fallen in love with this show, and recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it yet (or wants to watch it a second or third time). What is better than a love triangle in the middle of the nation's capital involving the POTUS, Fitzgerald Grant, and the person responsible for cleaning up the biggest scandals in America's politically fueled city, –Olivia Pope?

The only question is will I end up #teamfitz or #teamjake.

Rachel Blaufeld is a social worker/entrepreneur/blogger-turned-romance author. Her obsessions include running, coffee, icing-filled doughnuts, antiheroes and mighty fine epilogues. She is the author of the Electric Tunnel Series and Redemption Lane, and can be found at rachelblaufeld.com or on Twitter (@rachelblaufeld).