ReeseRyan

Serial Novella Launch: Playing by the Rules

November 6, 2015 by ReeseRyan

I’m excited that today is finally the launch of my VIP Reader Lounge where I’ll share free reads and other reader goodies. To kick off the opening of the lounge, today also marks the release of the first installment of Hunter and Merrie’s love story. Playing by the Rules is the prequel to my Playing with Bad Boys series that will launch in early 2016.

Playing by the Rules will be released as a free read to my VIP Readers over the next 12 weeks. The cover is above and the summary is below.

Not on the list? Join my VIP Reader mailing list using the form at the bottom of the post and find out how you can get up to 12 entries in my $25 Gift Card giveaway.

Happy reading!

Summary

After five years and zero commitment, Meredith “Merrie” Jane walked away from her long-term relationship. She wants to be with someone she can start planning her future with. A man who will love her madly and deeply. When she crosses paths with her ex’s brother at a party six months later, the last thing she expects is to discover that he’s been harboring feelings for her and that she has feelings for him, too.

Hunter DeSeau adored Merrie long before his competitive younger brother asked her out. Unable to dismiss his feelings for her, he spent the past year distancing himself from them both. But now that their relationship is over and done, he’s faced with the hardest decision of his life. Break the rules and pursue the woman he wants more than anything in the world or keep putting everyone else’s happiness ahead of his own.

Merrie has spent her entire life playing by other people’s rules. As she examines her feelings for Hunter, she realizes a startling truth. She’s been with the wrong brother all along. But choosing Hunter means exposing herself to gossip, rumors and hard feelings. In a society where perception is everything, is their love worth the risk?

Get to Know @Ursula_Renee author of A Bookie’s Odds

October 20, 2015 by ReeseRyan

I was excited when Ursula Renee accepted my open offer to stop by the blog and chat. I read her story Sweet Jazz while doing some research for a historical series I was in the midst of writing nearly a year ago. Sweet Jazz is about an interracial couple working in a jazz club with a “Coloreds Only” policy during the Harlem Renaissance. I became an instant fan of her delicious writing voice and juicy characters. Now, let’s talk to Ursula and find out more about latest release, A Bookie’s Odds.

Welcome, Ursula. Please tell readers three things we should know about you.

Thank you for having me here today.

For starters, I love to cook and I transfer that love to my novels. In Sweet Jazz, Cass proves she can cook as well as she sings, while the men in A Bookie’s Odds prove they know their way around a stove.

Another thing readers should know is that I enjoy music. My favorite is Alternative, yet, on a particularly stressful day, I find Goth soothing. When I write, I play music based on the time period the story is set and my characters’ preference.

Finally, I believe everyone should follow her dreams. Do not sit back and wish you did something…go out there and do it.

First, I have to tell you that I loved Sweet Jazz. It’s an engaging story with two strong characters, both of whom I loved. Tell us a little about that story and what prompted you to write it.

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Sweet Jazz, which is set in 1938, explores the difficulties Randy Jones faces when he not only breaks the color barrier at The Big House, but falls for Cass, who is reluctant to open her heart after a past hurt.

After remembering several incidents that occurred when I was in an interracial relationship, I decided to explore the challenges Randy would have if he decided to break the color barrier.

Your recent release is A Bookie’s Odds. Give us a quick rundown of the story.

Because she looked beyond the surface and befriended a girl, Georgia Mae Collins grew up under the protection of the Santiano family. But, after a series of tragedies, Nicholas has to protect her from herself as well as his growing feelings for her.

What makes your hero and heroine, Nicholas Santiano and Georgia Mae Collins right for each other?

Nicholas understands Georgia’s desire to follow her dreams and is willing to help her achieve her goals. And, though they do not always see eye to eye on the best way to deal with a problem, Georgia will always be there to comfort Nicholas.

What should we expect from Ursula Renee in the near future?

I am currently working on a historical romance set in 1856 that will explore two families’ fight to maintain their homes that are being threatened by eminent domain.

Sounds intriguing! To connect with Ursula Renee, follow her on social media at the sites listed below:
Website: UrsulaRenee.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ursularenee.author
Twitter: @Ursula_Renee

Get your copy of A Bookie’s Odds at one of the links below:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | The Wild Rose Press

Weekly Wrap Up: The Sun Returns and a Cover Reveal

October 9, 2015 by ReeseRyan

This has been a busy week. I’ve been working on my novella and it was my turn on both of my group blogs. Earlier this week on the Contemporary Romance Cafe I celebrated the return of the sun to my neck of the woods and shared a little diddy adapted from Shari Lewis & Lamb Chop’s “The Song That Never Ends.” It got stuck in the head of one of my fellow Cafe authors. (Sorry Samantha!)

Over on Hot M.A.M.A. Land today, I’m giving Hot M.A.M.A. readers an early peek at the cover for the free serial novella that will be released to my VIP Readers beginning on Friday, November 6th. (VIP Readers got first reveal last week.) Here’s a portion of the cover.

For the full cover and a summary of the story, pop over to Hot M.A.M.A. Land.

And don’t forget, the serial is only free to my VIP Readers. So if you’re not already on the list, get your pass here.

Shine on!

Get to Know Tia Kelly, author of Baby Love

October 6, 2015 by ReeseRyan

This week we get to know Tia Kelly, author of Baby Love.

Welcome, Tia! Thank you for chatting with us today. Please tell readers three things we should know about Tia Kelly.

Wow, that’s a tough one. I have three loves (in addition to writing and reading): faith, family and food! I think everything I do, write or read somehow ties into those three things.

The cover of your latest release, Baby Love, is gorgeous. Tell us about the premise of your story.

Thank you! Baby Love is about a guy that truly enjoys his bachelor status until a woman shows up on his doorstep claiming he is the father of her child. She disappears and in the process of tracking the mother down so he can return the baby, he meets Brandi.

Here’s the blurb:

The son of an NBA legend, Trent Scott was born a catch and groomed since birth to know it. Little fazes him, including the mystery woman that appears on his doorstep with a baby in tow… even when she claims Trent is the father before disappearing. Until he can prove otherwise and find the delusional woman, he’s stuck caring for a kid he knows can’t be his… or is it?

Brandi Avery is ready to start the next chapter of her life. After coming to the rescue of a frazzled (and extremely attractive) stranger with an adorable (yet obviously upset) baby, she can’t help but fall for Trent Scott… which wouldn’t be so bad if she could convince him to feel the same way about her.

How would you describe Trent Scott, the hero of Baby Love?

Trent first appeared (very briefly) in my novel, Playing for Love and later in Taste for Love. He is the Paige Scott’s half-brother and the two of them didn’t have the best relationship thanks to their father. Their father was an NBA legend that probably made more history creating children through extra marital affairs than during his career playing basketball. The story opens up with Trent dealing with the fallout of his father’s infidelities and he goes through a process where he realizes he doesn’t want to continue down the same path.

Tell us about Brandi Avery, the heroine of Baby Love. What makes her right for Trent and willing to take a chance on him, despite his complicated situation?

I think the cool thing about Brandi and Trent’s relationship is that it just feels right. There’s nothing other than good old-fashioned friendship and chemistry building up between them. Her patience and immediate bond with London also helped them along. Brandi’s also successful and she’s learning from her professional role. In order to reach that place, she doesn’t have time or energy for drama – something she has come to realize when she meets Trent – therefore she wouldn’t entertain that even if it comes in the form of a tall handsome stranger with an adorable baby. Knowing Trent is also trying to eliminate stress from his life as well, they complement each other that way. Also, if she sensed that from him, Brandi wouldn’t have given him a second glance. These are simply two people that want better and encourage each other to be better.

What can we expect from Tia Kelly in the near future?

I have a few projects in the works. One upcoming project is called Chasing Moments and I’m very excited about it. That one is about a young woman named Chase Ryan. She is a confirmed party girl that has it all… and she wants the world to know it. After making her way through all the hotspots and parties across town, Chase is used to waking up the morning after with no recollection of the night before. Until she wakes up one day with a thin memory about her entire life and all she can do is chase the moments she left behind hoping to figure out her own story.

Thank you for having me!

Connect with Tia online or on social media and grab your own copy of Baby Love by using the links below:

Website: www.tiawithapen.com

Social Media:

FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/authortiakelly

TWITTER – https://twitter.com/tiawithapen

INSTAGRAM – https://instagram.com/tiawithapen/

GOODREADS – https://www.goodreads.com/tiakelly

PINTEREST – https://www.pinterest.com/tiawithapen/

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1eBcAB6

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1H71f3x

Taking on a 30-day Journaling Challenge

September 29, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Over the past few months I’ve been adding small challenges to my daily routine. Getting the newsletter out to my VIP Readers at least once per month. Blogging here at least once per week. Daily yoga. Each challenge has gone well. Though, in the words of Missy Elliot, Nobody’s Perfect.

I don’t always execute my challenges perfectly. Still, taking them on has helped me up my game. I may not do yoga every day, but I’m doing it at least every other day. A marked improvement from the slug status I held before.

Recently I added walking three times a week to my list. Due the the unusual week of rain we’re having here in North Carolina, that one is off to a rocky start. But I expect to hit the trail again soon. In the meantime, I’m adding a challenge I’ve been wanting to introduce to my routine for several years…daily journaling.

Today is the perfect day to start living your dreams journal — **My journal for this 30-day challenge and beyond.**

I’ve been wanting to do this for awhile, and I’ve started and stopped several times over the years. However, I’m ready to give it a serious try again. And why not? We’re a mere two days from entering the final quarter of 2015. This is the time of year I begin looking to the year ahead, setting goals and establishing a plan of action. Keeping a journal will help me do just that and keep track of how well I am implementing those plans.

One goal I have for this final quarter and for the year ahead is to be a more prolific writer who doesn’t make readers wait so long for the next book. (Bad author!) I’ll begin tackling that goal with the release of my serial novella in November. However, I plan to sustain that goal for at least the next two years. I believe that having a plan to write something daily, even if it’s just a small journal entry, will help me do just that.

So I’m going to approach this as I initially approached the yoga. With a 30-day journaling challenge. Something that feels doable and not so intimidating. For an added push, I’m going to join Lisa Sonora’s #30DayJournal challenge. However, I also found some fun prompts on Pinterest that range from fun and relaxed to serious and introspective. A couple of those are pictured above and below.

What about you? Do you journal now? Have you kept a journal in the past? Let me know in the comments. And if you’ve been meaning to get back to journaling (or to try it for the first time), I’d love to have your company on the journey.

Namaste,

Get to Know Shelly Ellis, author of Best Kept Secrets

September 22, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Today I’m excited to play host to the blog tour for Best Kept Secrets, the lastest release by author Shelly Ellis. Shelly is an author I admire and have gotten to know a little via Twitter over the past couple of years. So it was fun to get to know her better and talk more about her latest release.

Shelly, thanks for visiting with us today. Tell us three things we should know about you.

Revelation 1: I’m a socially awkward introvert. It has its downside, speaking in front of audiences makes me freak out but the upside is that I’m a natural born observer. I like to watch people and walk around places and just get a feel for them. I don’t feel the need to interact and am perfectly comfortable with sitting on the sidelines. You learn a lot about people and places being that way and you can use it in your writing.

Revelation 2: I have eclectic taste from books to music. One week I can be deep in a horror novel and the next week I’ll pick up funny women’s fiction. I love 90s HipHop like Pharcyde but have been a fan of Bjork since college. I refuse to limit my tastes.

Revelation 3: Before I decided to become a writer, I flirted with the idea of becoming an artist. I paint on occasion as a stress reliever. My paintings are around my house. I’ve done them for friends and family too at their request.

Tell us a little about what genre(s) you write and what we should expect from a Shelly Ellis story.

I write primarily romance and women’s fiction FOR NOW. But I might expand in the future. If you’re reading a Shelly Ellis book expect lots of drama, some snark, some humor, and a multicultural cast of characters.

Your new release, Best Kept Secrets, is the first installment in your Chesterton Scandal series. Tell us a little about the series.

The series is set in the fictional town of Chesterton, Virginia, and it’s about the wealthy Murdoch family—Evan, Terrence, and Paulette—which is both admired and envied in their small town.

There is lots of drama in Best Kept Secrets. Shady business deals. Scandalous affairs. Tell us more about the Murdoch family and the entanglements they find themselves in.

At the beginning of the novel the former patriarch, George Murdoch, is deceased and now his eldest son, Evan, is taking over the family business and is now considered the leader in the family. We follow his tribulations in his marriage to his alcoholic wife, Charisse, and his feelings for his best friend, Leila. We also see the secrets and drama that his little sister Paulette is going through. It’s basically a night-time soap. My editor was like, shoot for something like Scandal, and that’s what I did.

What’s next in the Chesterton Scandal series and are you working on any other projects that we should expect in the near future?

The next book in the series is called Bed of Lies and it comes out in April 2016. It continues many of the storylines from the previous book but also introduces some new ones and new characters. I had a lot of fun with it. I also get to explore Terrence Murdoch as a character a lot more in this novel than I did in Best Kept Secrets. He goes through a lot and evolves. It was rewarding to take him on his journey.

I have other projects in the pipeline but nothing I can really talk about now. I hope I can share more about them in the future.

Get to know Shelly Ellis better, grab your own copy of Shelly’s latest release, and enter the $25 Barnes and Noble Gift Card raffle contest using the info below:

Shelly Ellis $25 Barnes & Noble Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Summary

Between the fall-out from his father’s latest shady business dealings and his wife Charisse’s alcoholism, Evan Murdoch has his hands full. But he should be most concerned about the scandalous affair Charisse is having right under his nose–with his half-brother. Evan’s being pushed to the edge, and no one knows that better than Leila Hawkins…

Leila is back in Chesterton, divorced, penniless, and desperate enough to do anything to save her mother’s home from foreclosure–including turning to Evan, her former best friend. But Evan isn’t interested in friendship. Instead he makes Leila a shocking indecent proposal…

Meanwhile, Evan’s newlywed sister, Paulette, wants to be the perfect wife. But a blackmailing bad boy ex has reappeared in her life–and he’s threatening to reveal her most painful secret…

The scandals just won’t quit–and for everyone involved, desire, betrayal, and lies are all in a day’s work…

Buy the Book

Amazon: http://amzn.com/1617733997

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/best-kept-secrets-shelly-ellis/1120843660?ean=9781617733994

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25739781-best-kept-secrets

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/best-kept-secrets-11

Indie Bound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781617733994

Get Social with Shelly

Website: ShellyEllisBooks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shelly-Ellis-554332437931239/timeline/

Twitter: @EllisRomance

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6464591.Shelly_Ellis

Novella Update: Full Steam Ahead

September 19, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Keeping today’s post sweet and simple. The novella is coming along nicely, thanks in large part to the fact that I planned most of the scenes out in advance.

Note to self: ALWAYS PLOT THE STORY OUT IN ADVANCE.

The encouragement and camaraderie of my local Romance Writers of America chapter has also been a huge part of my constant productivity this month. Incorporating yoga into my routine several times a week has also been quite helpful. I especially enjoy the energizing morning sequences. I just discovered a new one today, posted below.

Now the question is, will this story end up anywhere close to the 20,000 words I’d planned originally, or will it be closer to 40,000 words? We’ll see. But I’m betting on 30-40K at this point.

I can’t wait to reveal the cover and book title to my VIP Readers next month. 🙂

Meanwhile, I’ll keep chugging along on this story while the plot and scenes for Book #2 in the series begin to materialize. My goal is to finish writing the first draft of the novella by October 1st. So there will be lots of energizing morning yoga routines in my future.

Namaste,

Friday Check-in: Character Naming Contest

September 11, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Just peeking my head out of my writing cave to wish everyone a fantastic Friday and give you a glimpse of how my Playing with Bad Boys prequel novella is coming. After nearly two weeks of plotting the story, I began writing the story this past Saturday. I love these two characters and the heroine’s wild child cousin. I’m sure we’ll be seeing her again.

The heroine of the story has a small dog, but I haven’t quite settled on a breed and name. That’s where my awesome VIP Readers come in. I’m having a character naming contest to decide the dog’s breed and the name. The call went out in my VIP Reader Newsletter last week and I received some wonderful suggestions. It’s not too late to enter your suggestions. If you are a VIP Reader, you may do so in the comments below. The choice of breeds is as follows:

Jack Russell Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier
Shih Tzu

In the comments, choose your suggested breed and a name for the dog. If I pick your selection, I’ll thank you in the Acknowledgements section of the novella when it’s published in February. 🙂

Have a great weekend!

Writer. Photo courtesy of Dave Morrison Photography.

Author News: New Serial Novella Coming to You Soon

September 4, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Happy Friday!

For those of us in the U.S., we’ve spent the day rushing to get last minute tasks finished in anticipation of the long, Labor Day Weekend holiday ahead. For me it’s been a busy week, including finally getting the novella I told you about last week plotted. Tomorrow, before I indulge in the usual Labor Day Weekend festivities (i.e. eating) I will begin writing my novella.

I am so excited about this story, which will be delivered to the inboxes of my VIP Readers beginning Friday, November 6th. Doing my happy dance, and it’s awesome.

Seriously.

This story will be the prequel to my Playing with Bad Boys series and it features two characters whose story is an integral part of the history and outlook of the hero in the first book in the series, Playing It Safe, which will be released on my birthday, March 1, 2016. The serial story will be free to my VIP Readers and will run for twelve weeks, leading up to Valentine’s Day weekend, when the novella will go on sale and be available to everyone.

Wanna be the first to read the story for free? Be sure to join my VIP Readers list today.

I’ve got another surprise for my VIP Readers. Starting November 6th, they’ll have access to my VIP Lounge, where I’ll share exclusive goodies. Don’t miss out!

Have a safe and wonderful weekend!

Get to Know Vanessa Riley Author of Multicultural Christian Regency

September 1, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Our guest today is Vanessa Riley. Welcome, Vanessa! For readers unfamiliar with you, tell us three things we should know about you.

Reese, first I want thank you for having me here. “Three things,” she says tapping her finger on the table.

I’m an old fashion nerd girl trapped in our modern society. In addition to knowing how to write robust software programs, I can knit, crotchet, and cook, but don’t tell my husband. He might want regular meals.
I love Bible stories. Haven’t quite figured out how to allude to an ark or turning people into pillars of salt in a novel yet, but I just might.
I love, love all things about the Regency Genre, and romance novels of the era by Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer. I have even made from scratch my own authentic 1800’s gown and wore it to a conference.

You write Christian Regency romance. When did you first become fascinated with the regency era? When did you decide that you wanted to write in this genre?

You remember that one assignment in high school where we had to read Pride and Prejudice. Well, for me, Jane Austen’s work was like a light bulb turning on in my head. The language, the strict sense of how people had to act and speak, it made a deep impression upon me. From that point on I read as much as I could and did all kinds of research. I had to know everything about the Regency era. From 1805 to 1830, England lead the world in culture and social issues. Slavery ended there without a single shot, thirty years before our American Civil War. The more I learned, the more I had to know, and it influenced my writing voice. My hope is to use my novels to bring this incredible society to readers in ways they have never seen before.

Regency definitely isn’t the first genre that comes to mind when I think of diversity. LOL. I love that you’re showing us a different side of the era. Tell us a little about the types of heroines you write about in this time period.

Unfortunately, it is rare to see a diverse cast in most Regencies. There were over 10,000 Blacks and a large Jewish population living in London during the Regency, but one couldn’t tell that from most Regency novels on the shelves of your local bookstore. It is my goal to change that perception. My heroines are strong women, but because of societal norms on the proper roles for women, they are trapped. It takes dire circumstances to shake off their shackles and it will take their faith to guide them to becoming a better person and to that wonderful happily-ever-after.

Your biracial regency romance Unmasked Heart has a very intriguing premise. Tell us a little about the story and its heroine, Gaia Telfair.

Gaia is a meek girl with a great love for her family. particularly her mentally-stunted brother. Though she has tried hard to earn her father’s love, she has accepted he will always treat her differently. He remains distant, his love always out of her reach. Now that Gaia is of age to marry, he tells her she cannot. She is to be a servant to her brother and to be grateful [for] the position. That is the day her world changes forever. Gaia isn’t the genteel daughter of a gentleman, but the product of an adulterous affair between Gaia’s late mother and an African.

This isn’t modern times. Back then the economics that you were born into set your life. Born a servant, die a servant. Affairs for women created horrible scandals and having mixed raced-children was taboo. The hint of scandal could doom you and all your relations to be ostracized. Genteel women weren’t even to associate with male servants or confide in any man who was not a father or husband. So Gaia now finds herself caught in between worlds, not quite a respectable daughter, but not a servant either. Learning to love herself within an identity of a black woman is the key to her healing from all the lies that have shaped her world.

Last week you released the third episode of your serial The Bargain. What can we expect in the ongoing saga of Precious Jewell?

Precious Jewell has to figure out how to make a life in Port Elizabeth, a place filled with danger and freedom. Her willful spirit gets her and Lord Welling into more trouble. This episode has a secrets exposed theme, so you will learn more about all the characters of The Bargain, be introduced to the powerful Xhosa warriors, and experience a couple of who’s the daddy moments.

What can we expect next from you, Vanessa?

The last episode of The Bargain releases in November. Can Precious and Lord Welling stop the next massacre? Will two stubborn hearts find the courage to love regardless of the consequences?

My next full length novel will release on January 1^st Unveiled Love which is the next book in the Challenge of the Soul Series. Expect more romance and faith-filled encounters within this series, where men and women have to decide who they are and what they want before fate or clandestine forces ruin everything.

Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to get to know you!

It is my pleasure to spend time here. Please have me back.

Connect with Vanessa at her website, ChristianRegency.com, Facebook or @VanessaRiley on Twitter. Purchase your copy of Unmasked Heart or The Bargain by clicking the book covers.

Are you an author who’d like to be featured in my Get to Know series? Make your request here.