Words of the Pitcher

Kentaro Ikuta is a Japanese superstar baseball player whose dream of playing in the American league has come true now that he's been signed to start pitching for the Cleveland Chiefs. All the sportswriters want a story but unfortunately, he doesn't speak English! In order to solve this dilemma the ball club looked to the local University and offered the position of translator and English teacher to Claire Ferris, a young woman whose sole focus up to that point was in completing her doctoral dissertation. While the initial meeting between Claire and Kentaro was less than amicable on the part of the very proud Kentaro, Claire saw more than most, realizing that what others thought of as his `attitude' was nothing more than his frustration at being misinterpreted. Yet, it would be more than the challenge of being able to succeed where others failed, as Claire felt an attraction for the handsome ballplayer that she had never felt before. Falling in love with Claire, his `words', posed more problems for Kentaro than he'd ever anticipated, including a betrothal that was made years ago in Japan. Torn between trying to free himself from the engagement and remain true to his heritage would cause him to make a choice that would either betray his family or betray the `words' of his heart. --- I have totally enjoyed this writer's well-written, very intelligent and entertaining stories that reveal the hurdles and prejudices that exist on both sides of intercultural romances. With well-defined protagonists, Claire and Kentaro come to life in both the readers mind and heart and you'll find yourself rooting both for the romance and the game! Written with emotion and heart you should find, as I have, that this is an author to watch and relish for this and future offerings! [...]

If you love baseball and the players who adore the game this romance is for you! It is not only acurate in the pure love and flirting between a man and a woman but it also offers the twist of defining each culture's customs and traditions and honor. My only fault in the book is there wasn't enough of it! It left you hanging to imagine your own endng as to where Claire and Kentaro end up. I loved it!

I read this several years ago and I loved it. Romance novels can become extremely run of the mill, from the same old story to the same old lines, so it is always nice to read something original. This was a very original, sweet romance. Kentaro and Claire have great chemistry. It shows the problems that exist when involved in an interracial relationship, but even so than usual since Kentaro is Japanese and has problems just understanding American customs. This is definitely worth a read.

An author is halfway home with me when she sets her story in my hometown and has the characters go to all my favorite local hangouts. This was also a very fresh idea of a Japanese hero, who is a baseball pitcher for our nationally renowned team, and his female interpreter from our local university. I learned a lot about the problems a Japanese person carries around from his heritage regarding picking a spouse. An American does not have the same problems. Nevertheless, this novel is a bit rough around the edges and falls into romantic cliché traps here and there, especially with the overly innocent, virginal heroine. This is a new author, however, trying to open up a whole new area of interracial romance and she succeeds more than she doesn't. I wish there were a 3.5 star category because that is more precisely where this novel ranks with a grade. This would probably make a very popular movie.

Kei Swanson seamlessly weaves Japanese culture and the world of baseball into the romance between Kentaro and Claire. Kentaro is a dark hero who respects his heritage but loves American Claire, and Claire pushes herself out of her comfort zone to help Kentaro learn English and become independent.I love baseball, and I love teacher/student storylines. This book really satisfies!