FalconINK, the publishing arm of gay adult entertainment company Falcon | NakedSword, has released Hard Ball 2: Playing for Keeps, a sequel to the erotic novella Hard Ball. The new erotic sports romance is available today, November 3, in trade paperback, e-book, and audiobook formats.
New Release Details
Hard Ball 2: Playing for Keeps, written by Riley Parks, is available for purchase wherever books are sold, including Amazon, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble. The trade paperback has a suggested retail price (SRP) of $9.99, the e-book is priced at $4.99 SRP, and the audiobook is available for $9.99 SRP. Eddie Burke narrates the audiobook edition.
The novella continues the story of Mateo Ruiz and Chase Whitaker. Mateo Ruiz has pursued a career in the majors, and when he receives a call, it takes him away from Chase Whitaker. Their relationship, which began as an attraction between teammates, has become a secret marked by stolen nights and devotion. Distance exacerbates their desire for each other. Chase then receives his own call, leading him to a rival team. Mateo finds the man he loves across the diamond in another uniform, off-limits. In public, they are competitors, but behind closed doors, weeks apart lead them to make up for lost time. As their careers advance and the spotlight intensifies, maintaining the secrecy of their relationship becomes more challenging than resisting each other. They have worked to reach the big leagues and risk losing everything, but neither is willing to abandon the love they have found.
Ben Rush, Co-Chief Content Officer at Falcon|NakedSword, stated that the company is proud of FalconINK's success and the connection fans have made with the Hard Ball Universe. Rush noted that Riley Parks delivered a sequel and that readers will appreciate the continuation of Mateo and Chase’s romance. Rush also mentioned that Eddie Burke’s audiobook performance will bring pleasure to listeners.
FalconINK's Expanding Catalog
FalconINK, launched by Falcon | NakedSword, focuses on erotic fiction. The San Francisco-based company’s publishing house consists of three imprints: Falcon Books, NakedSword Books, and Raging Stallion Books. FalconINK publishes erotic M/M romance stories that celebrate passion, connection, and fantasy. The imprint offers original novellas and stories inspired by the Falcon | NakedSword film universe, delivering emotionally engaging, character-driven fiction. Stories from FalconINK's imprints are available in print, as e-books, and as audiobooks narrated by industry figures.
Other titles available from the FalconINK imprint include Hard Ball by Riley Parks, Wild Game: Open Season by Riley Parks and Ben Rush, and Eat the Rich: First Taste by Ben Rush.
Falcon | NakedSword CEO Tim Valenti stated that this venture reflects the company's commitment to expanding beyond its traditional audience while maintaining the storytelling and sexuality that have defined Falcon for over five decades. Valenti also noted that FalconINK will create content for one of the largest audiences in the M/M romance space, women, adding that few companies are better positioned to tell accessible romantic and erotic stories than one that has been doing so since 1971.
Company Background and Launch
Falcon | NakedSword, a gay adult entertainment company, entered the book business with the launch of FalconINK. This publishing house was announced nine months after Heated Rivalry premiered. A launch party for the new three-imprint erotic fiction venture was scheduled for August 29 at Book Soup in West Hollywood.
FalconINK aims to expand the company’s storytelling ambitions beyond film and into publishing, promising romance, passion, and heat. The company's website, FalconINKBooks.com, provides additional information and allows readers to join a mailing list for future release notifications.
Key Facts
- Hard Ball 2: Playing for Keeps, an erotic sports romance, was released on November 3, 2026.
- The novella is a sequel to Hard Ball and is written by Riley Parks.
- It is available in trade paperback ($9.99 SRP), e-book ($4.99 SRP), and audiobook ($9.99 SRP), with the audiobook narrated by Eddie Burke.
- FalconINK, the publisher, is the publishing arm of Falcon | NakedSword.
- FalconINK publishes erotic M/M romance stories and includes three imprints: Falcon Books, NakedSword Books, and Raging Stallion Books.
- Ben Rush is Co-Chief Content Officer at Falcon|NakedSword, and Tim Valenti is CEO of Falcon | NakedSword.
