A Wild Pitch

Timing is everything—in baseball and in love—in this slow-burn romance from USA Today bestselling author Alicia Thompson.

As the brand-new closing pitcher for the Carolina Battery, Squire Murphy’s job keeps him on the move. That’s why it was an impulsive decision for him to adopt Princess Furball, a skittish cat. But now that she’s in his life, he wants only the best cat-sitter for her while he travels for games. So when he meets poet Anna at a preseason fundraiser, the proposal that comes out of his mouth shocks them both.

Anna Thornton needs an insurance plan that will cover the steep cost of her diabetes treatment. After a sparky exchange with Squire leads to a spontaneous offer of a marriage of convenience, of course she says no. It’s a wild pitch, but then the more Anna thinks about it, the more she considers taking a swing. . . .

As Squire and Anna adjust to their new living arrangement, their fake marriage starts to feel real, and even Princess Furball is settling in. The more Anna opens up around Squire, the more she pushes against the rigid control he’s always had around his life. With the end of the baseball season approaching, will he ever give up his heart?

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs