She's the voice of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars and the founder of the fashion and lifestyle brand, Her Universe. He's a two-time World Series champion and former World Series MVP. His book, Just Enough (Blue Box Press, Sept. 8), is an autobiography. Hers, Lucky 22, (Blue Box Press, Sept. 8) is a romance about a struggling actress who falls for a professional baseball player. We spoke to David and Ashley Eckstein about their marriage, their careers, and sharing, among other things, a pub date.

How did your books, which both publish on September 8, come to be?

Ashley: David’s book, Just Enough, has been in the works for over 15 years. After David retired from Major League Baseball in 2010, I told him that he needed to share his story. Fans think they know the story of the short shortstop who overcame the odds to win two World Series Championships and become the 2006 World Series MVP…but they truly have no idea about everything he went through to make his dreams come true. I believe this is one of the greatest underdog stories that has yet to be told, and I am so excited for the world to be inspired by it.

David: The problem was, I’ve never written a book, and I needed to find the right author who could capture my voice and help tell my story. That took a long time and two failed attempts. This is not a baseball book with statistics, behind-the-scenes drama, and salacious dirt. My story is one of family, faith, and never giving up on yourself or your dreams…baseball is just a part of it. Jake Gronsky, a former minor league baseball player turned author, helped me share my story in a way that I hope will resonate with everyone.

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For fans wanting a home-run kind of a deal, Blue Box Press and Mid-America Transplant are teaming up to offer two gifts with purchase on all preorders of Lucky 22 and Just Enough.

Preorder Lucky 22 to receive a bookmark signed by both Ashley Eckstein and Samantha Chase.

Preorder Just Enough to receive an exclusive baseball card signed by David Eckstein.

Preorder both books to receive the two gifts listed above and an exclusive baseball card featuring both Ashley and David.

Submissions will be accepted until Sunday, September 13, 2026. Open internationally.

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David Eckstein is a former Major League Baseball player known for his Just Enough style of play. The youngest of five in a family affected by kidney disease, David learned early on that life is precious and should never be taken for granted.

He made his major league debut with the Anaheim Angels in 2001, and despite always being considered an underdog, led the league in grand slams while contributing to the Angels’ 2002 World Series victory.

In 2006, with the St. Louis Cardinals, Eckstein helped lead the team to his second World Series championship and was named the World Series MVP.

Over Eckstein’s ten-year career, he was a two-time All-Star, the 2006 Babe Ruth Award winner, and the first-ever recipient of the Heart & Hustle Award.

Off the field, David has dedicated himself to advocating for organ donation and, since 2007, has partnered with Mid-America Transplant. Post-career, he can still be found on the baseball field, mentoring young players. He has earned three gold medals as part of the 18U Team USA Baseball coaching staff, and also works with MLB International, coaching kids from all over the world.

He lives in Orlando, Florida, with his wife, Ashley, who is the voice of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars. Together, they can often be found at Walt Disney World.

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Ashley Eckstein is an actress, author, entrepreneur, executive producer, fashion designer, inspirational speaker, mental health advocate, podcaster, and a dynamic force in the entertainment and fandom worlds. Best known as the voice of the iconic Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars—a character she originated in 2008—she also revolutionized fandom culture in 2010 when she founded Her Universe, a trailblazing fashion and lifestyle brand. Ashley’s designs can currently be found at Disney parks and stores around the world.

A leading authority and tastemaker in fandom, Ashley has been featured on CNN, Forbes, Fortune, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal, among many others. She was honored by Good Housekeeping as one of its “25 Awesome Women,” invited to speak at Fortune magazine’s Next Gen Most Powerful Women Summit, and named one of CNET’s “Women Who Inspire.” Ashley also serves on the national advisory council for the Kids Mental Health Foundation.

She lives in Orlando, Florida, with her husband, former Major League Baseball player and World Series MVP, David Eckstein. Together, they love traveling the world in search of the best pizza.

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Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than eighty titles under her belt--including The Christmas Cottage, which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017, and The Wedding Season, which was a Hallmark wedding movie in 2023! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire when she should be writing, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene... oh, and spending time with her husband of 32 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

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In this heartfelt introduction to David Eckstein’s Just Enough, Sean Astin reflects on the lesson of “making the routine play” and explains why David Eckstein embodies that ideal. While many see Eckstein as an underdog with uncommon grit, Astin praises his “powerful commitment to simplicity,” calling him “grace personified” and a player who “made every team he played on better.” Through quiet excellence, decency, and determination, Eckstein demonstrates that true greatness comes from mastering the routine with extraordinary care.

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Now you can catch David and Ashley in person as they hit the road to promote Lucky 22 and Just Enough. Here, a list of some of the cities they'll be visiting for readings and events:

9/8 - Orlando, Fla.
9/9 - Mt. Vernon, Ill.
9/10 - St. Louis, Mo.
9/13 - Springfield, Mo.
9/14 - Jonesboro, Ark.
9/17 - Los Angeles, Calif.
9/19 - Phoenix, Ariz.

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The story behind Just Enough and Lucky 22 extends beyond baseball and into a cause close to the Eckstein family’s heart. Mid-America Transplant, an organization dedicated to saving lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation, plays an important role in David Eckstein’s memoir, Just Enough, and the real-life experiences that also inspired Ashley Eckstein’s companion novel, Lucky 22. As Mid-America Transplant helps share the books’ message, David and Ashley are using their platform to raise awareness of the life-changing impact of donation, highlighting themes of hope, resilience, love, and second chances woven throughout both stories.

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Want the good fortune of staying up to date on the latest news about Ashley Eckstein and Samantha Chase’s Lucky 22?

Follow along with the bestselling coauthors at their favorite socials. Find Ashley at: Instagram and TikTok. And connect with Samantha here: Instagram and Facebook.

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Want a chance to get your hands on advance copies of Lucky 22 and Just Enough before they hit shelves on September 8? Then click below for your chance to win a bundled collection of both titles!

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Blue Box Press is a boutique publishing and marketing imprint dedicated to bold voices, unforgettable stories, and a reader experience that feels both premium and personal. As part of Evil Eye Concepts, we bring decades of industry expertise—and a long-standing reputation for successful, innovative publishing—to every project we champion.

We specialize in full-length novels spanning numerous romance sub-genres, along with select projects outside of romance—all stories crafted to sweep readers away and linger long after the final page.

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