Click the graphic below to go to my Loving Day Blog Hop post, Diverse Families and the Shades of Romance:
Go to: https://reeseryan.com/diverse-families-and-the-shades-of-romance/
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Revisiting My Writing Process
I accepted an open invitation from the lovely Carolyn Hughey to participate in a blog hop on my writing process. Yesterday kicked off JuNoWriMo and my attempt to complete two novels during the month of June. Seems like the perfect time to revisit my writing process.
To learn more about Carolyn, visit her writing process post on her blog at the link above and check out her bio below:
Carolyn Hughey/K. T. Roberts, who also writes mysteries has been a hair stylist, an executive legal secretary, a chef, and of course, a writer. She brings together her culinary experience and her love of writing in Dishing Up Romance, One Menu at a Time, and Catering to Love. When not practicing one of her many talents, she enjoys oil painting, jewelry making, and cake decorating. Hughey lives with her family in Arizona.
Now about my writing process:
What am I currently working on?
I have three novels (okay, four) at various stages of completion. I’m a little over 15,000 words into a jazz age historical romance set during the Harlem Renaissance. The idea came to me a little over a month ago, but scenes and dialog keep popping into my head, usually while I’m trying to sleep. I’m surprised at how quickly the story has been coming together.
Two other WIPs are additional books in my Bad Boys Gone Good series. The one I hope to finish during JuNoWriMo features Leslie Morales as the heroine. She was a secondary character in my debut novel, Making the First Move. I’m closing in on 50,000 words for that one. The other partial manuscript for that series features Kari Copeland as the heroine. Kari appeared in my second book, Love Me Not. She is the little sister of my LMN‘s hero, Miles Copeland.
The last WIP is a romantic thriller I started well over a year ago. I LOVE the story and I’m really excited about it. I could see it being part of a series. I hope to finish that one later this summer.
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I think my Bad Boys Gone Good series falls at this weird cross between Contemporary Romance and Romantic Women’s Fiction. For me, the story can never be simply about the romance between the hero and heroine. I want to see all of the elements that make these characters who they are. That usually involves family. There is probably a lot more of the heroine and/or hero’s journey in my stories than you’ll find in a lot of romance. And there is always lots of family drama.
On the other hand, the heat level of the romance makes the books differ from most romantic women’s fiction. I’m kind of a genre-bending rulebreaker. But you probably couldn’t tell. 😉
Why do I write what I do?
I write a mash-up of contemporary romance and romantic women’s fiction because those are the kind of stories that I like to read. I always incorporate a robust cast of secondary characters because I need to get to know the hero and heroine beyond their dealings with each other. Also because I enjoy reading contemporary romance and women’s fiction with memorable secondary characters. Complicated family relationships tend to always be part of my stories because those are essential elements of two of my favorite books: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
How does your writing process work?
When I started writing fiction again a little less than ten years ago, I fancied myself a pantser. I was a rebel at heart (though rarely in real life). So my unspoken mantra was, I don’t need no stinking outline! However, several stalled manuscripts languishing under my bed unfinished caused me to rethink this strategy. Then I heard an interview with prolific author Kimberla Lawson Roby in which she talked about her detailed outlining process. I figured what did I have to lose by trying it. So I outlined a scene I’d been stuck in for months. It worked! Then I outlined the next scene and the next one. Before I knew it, I’d finished my first manuscript since I’d started to write again.
I’m still not a true plotter. I usually write a little bit of the story so that I can get a feel for my characters. Then I go back and write a synopsis of the story. I usually need to go back and make changes to the synopsis because the story and the characters often have other ideas in mind. Yet, that synopsis serves as a blueprint that lets me know which elements are essential and which can be sacrificed.
Something else I normally do at that point is to designate a birth date for each main character and create an astrological chart for them. This gives me tons of material to work with in terms of the character’s personality, their strengths and weaknesses. Next, I’ll complete character profiles by answering detailed questions about the characters. I love doing this because you discover so many wonderful secrets about the characters. It’s like really getting to know a casual acquaintance over a bottle of wine. On the other hand, it is a really detailed process. I’ll often put it off because it can be pretty time-consuming. Yet, it’s always worth it.
Summary: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of My Writing Process
I’ve learned a lot during my recent years of writing fiction. The discovery that I require some structure for my writing was of monumental importance. Without this information, I would probably have twenty incomplete manuscripts floating around with no hope of ever finishing them. I certainly wouldn’t have gotten published.
So why do I have four unfinished manuscripts now? A distracted mind and an over-committed schedule certainly lent to the problem. However, I’m discovering that I need to do a bit more planning during the early stages of the novel. I’m considering creating a detailed scene list before writing any future novels. I’ll still allow myself the latitude to follow the story in a different direction. Yet, most of the path will be laid out in great detail.
Lastly, the ugly truth is that during the last two quarters I’ve done precious little writing. I was consumed by any and everything else. My schedule was extremely busy, but the biggest issue was that I didn’t have any writing time planned. I’d just kind of hoped it would happen. Yeah, I can feel the eye rolls and the Bless your little hearts being launched my way. It was ridiculous of me. Right up there with believing that the entire world is made of sunshine and rainbows.
Okay, I do believe that the world is made up of sunshine and rainbows, but I’m working on that, too. 😉
Now, four lovely ladies have agreed to step up next to bat in this blog hop. Let’s meet them:
Adrienne Dunning lives in eastern North Carolina where she is very active in a local writer’s group. A writer of contemporary romance, she is currently in the process of publishing her debut novel and working on additional manuscripts. She likes her female characters to be a little cheeky, and her stories to reflect characters forging journeys to discover who they truly are and finding love along the way (of course!).
Laura Simcox, Author of the shiny, new release, Various States of Undress: Carolina, spent twenty years in professional theater as a costume designer, with a few of those years also spent as a college instructor, Laura abandoned the nomadic lifestyle to sit in a comfy pleather office chair at a beat up ginormous second hand oak desk and write. The result? Romance novels! Her favorite thing ever since she was, oh, about twelve. Laura lives in North Carolina with her husband (true love is real!) and her adorable, high energy four-year-old son who is currently obsessed with Curious George.
Carol A. Strickland, a one-time comics letterhack and outspoken member of various comics message boards, is an award-winning painter. Along with her writing, she exercises this skill in her secondary hours (both of them) as she waits for the lottery to free her 9-to-5 time to more fulfilling pursuits. Her latest release, Lost in the Stars, is the second book in her superhero romance saga, Three Worlds.
Ruth A. Casie is a seasoned professional with over twenty-five years of writing experience. After many years of writing communication and marketing documents for a large corporation, Ruth gave way to her inner muse, let her creative juices flow, and began writing a series of historical time travel romance novels. When not writing you can find her home in Teaneck, New Jersey, reading, cooking, doing Sudoku and counted cross stitch. Read her story, Second Chance by the Sea, in the anthology, Timeless Escapes.
Their posts will be up next week on Monday, June 9th. Please stop by and visit them.
14:365 Pen & Paper photo by Matt Beckwith. Some rights reserved.
My Theme Song for 2014 and Why I Won’t Be THAT Girl Anymore
I know what you’re thinking: it’s a little late in the year to pick a theme song.
I realize that more than a third of the year is gone, but I respectfully disagree. It’s never too late. Besides, it takes time to find the perfect fit. Andy Mineo’s “You Can’t Stop Me,” a song in which the artist talks about being his own worst enemy and acknowledges his battle with self-doubt and potentially paralyzing fears, fits like a glove.
The song, and the artist, seem to get me. Better yet, the song doesn’t just commiserate with my nagging self-doubts and leave me with a sympathetic pat of the head. It serves as motivation to push past those fears. You can listen to my new theme song below.
Today I’m over at All Things Girl talking about how I discovered that I’d become that girl (the naysayer, the negative Nancy, the dream killer) in my life and what I plan to do about it. Earlier this week I had an intimate Conversation Over Cocktails conversation about the most courageous things I’ve done and how I feed my creativity.
And of course, you’ll find me on the Sulia Romance Channel where I blog five days per week.
I’d love it if you’d pop over to visit me at one of these places. 🙂
In the meantime, what is your theme song for the year? Feel free to share the YouTube link in the comments below.
Recap: Life on the Other Side of 40, the Romantic Comedy Drought and the How I Met Your Mother Finale
The past couple of months have been insanely busy. Though I haven’t posted frequently here on the Reese Ryan Diaries, I’ve been pretty active around the ‘net. This week:
- Here at RRD I reminisced over my favorite How I Met Your Mother episodes.
- In light of the volatile reactions to the show’s ending, I shared my take on the How I Met Your Mother Finale and the Promise of Happy Endings over at the Contemporary Romance Café.
- Jana Richards, a fellow member of the Contemporary Romance Café wrote a brilliant post on how to write successful romantic comedies. That prompted my plea: Someone revive the romantic comedy, PLEASE! over on the Sulia Romance Novels Channel.
- Today I’m over at All Things Girl, where it all started for me, talking about The View from Here (or life on the other side of 40).
Got a minute to pop over to one of the above stops to say hello? I’d love to see you! In the meantime, happy reading.
By the way, if you haven’t already registered for my VIP mailing list, you can do so by clicking on the hot pink bar on your left, or by popping your email address into the form on the top right sidebar. The next newsletter will go out next week and this month and next there will be exciting announcements and prizes. I want you to be the first to know.
Smooches!
5 Reasons You Should Read a Romance Novel and Your Valentine Will Be Glad You Did
Yes, Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love. Ideally, that celebration takes place with a real–rather than a fictional–being. But spending a little time cozied up with a good book and a new book boyfriend can be pretty spectacular, too.
Here are five reasons you should read a romance novel during the countdown to Valentine’s Day and beyond, including a few that will make your real-life Valentine glad that you did. 😉
Speaking of romance novels, you can get my Bad Boys Gone Good series here.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Infographic courtesy of Harlequin.
Guest Post: Take a Coffee Break or How to Have More Time to Write by Amy Denim
I love Some E-cards because of the true, but snarky insight into the world, especially when it comes to social media. My own biggest social media fail? The space-time vortex of Facebook, Twitter, etc known as The Timesuck.(Dun dun duhhhhhhhhhhn)
Last year I’m pretty sure I wrote more words on social media than I did on my WIPs. Woops.
But I had to build my platform, right? Ugh. How to combine writing and being on social media…
Coffee Breaks.
Yep, you read that right. The key to getting both done was – no, not more caffeine, but taking ten to fifteen minute breaks in my writing flurry to let my brain have a break and get my online socializing done at the same time.
Here’s what I came up with.
The Coffee Break Mentality
1. Pick one social media site and be really good at it. Only after you’re comfortable using that one (and doing it well, not being a spammer) pick a couple more to pop onto every once in a while.
2. Take Social Media Coffee Breaks. When you sit down to write, it’s a good idea to take a brain break, get up from your desk, grab a drink and stretch at least once an hour. When you do that take a few minutes of your break to check in on your favorite social media platform. Say hi to a few people, post a funny Some e-card and by the time you’ve finished your coffee (or Mountain Dew or Earl Grey) you’ve done a great job on social media and it’s time to get back to writing.
3. Focus by having a plan. It’s so easy to scroll through your Facebook newsfeed, stare at Twitter or lollygag at all the pretty pictures on Pinterest for hours. Well, you’re going to whittle that down to fifteen minutes (set a timer if you have to) but what can you do in those fifteen minutes that will be effective interactions?
You need a plan. I recommend the power of three.
3 scrolls. Whichever social media site you’re on, you probably have to scroll down a couple times to see what’s going on with your people. Limit that to three times and you won’t get sucked too far in.
Comment on three people’s posts. Remember, social media is all about being social. Talk to someone!
Make three friends. Follow or friend three new people. Don’t ask them to check out your website, Facebook page or book, just say hi. Take a genuine interest in them, Don’t be a spammer.
Don’t be a Some E-card meme. If you’re wasting time on social media try my Coffee Break Mentality. Start with those three ideas and if you want more, check out The Coffee Break Guide to Social Media for Writers: How To Be Successful on Social Media and Still Have Time toWrite.
Do you have questions about how to be successful on social media? Ask them here! One lucky commenter will win a copy of the book and one hour of social media consulting with me!
Meet Amy Denim
Amy Denim writes business books for writers and contemporary romance. She loves hot heroes (like chefs and cowboys) and curvy intelligent heroines (like chefs and cowgirls.)
She’s been a franchise sales coordinator, a lifeguard, a personal shopper, and a teacher of English as a Foreign Language. But now she spends her days reading and writing at her local library or in her book cave.
Amy started out her writer’s life scared out of her wits because she didn’t have a business plan, hadn’t yet created an online platform, wasn’t on Twitter, didn’t have a Facebook fanpage and had never even heard of Goodreads. She just wrote books. So she spent a year becoming a publishing industry information fiend and now does consulting for creatives on how to use take control of their writing careers. She started Coffee Break Social Media to help writers and artists learn to use SM platforms effectively (without the scare tactics) but still have time to create. She believes business plans and social media can be every writer’s friend, sometimes they just need an introduction.
Visit Amy on her author website at www.AmyDenim.com or for tips and tricks on the writing business at www.coffeebreaksocialmedia.com.
Michelle Miles: Countdown Release Party for A Knight to Remember!
Hello! First thanks to Reese for allowing me to come to the blog today and talk about my upcoming release, A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER. I’m very excited about this book and looking forward to getting it into the hands of readers. I hope you love it!
A little about me. I’m Michelle Miles. I write contemporary, fantasy and paranormal romance. You can find my books online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Sony and other fine online retailers. What makes my fiction different? It’s a blend of romance, high adventure, fast-paced action, sassy heroines and sexy heroes.
Why am I here today? I want you to give my undying thanks to all my readers by giving away a Nook Simple Touch Reader. How do you enter? Come by the blog every day from January 4 through January 14 to the Countdown Release Party to enter! There are daily prizes as well as the grand prize. All you have to do is comment. Every day you do gets you another entry into the grand prize drawing. Isn’t that exciting?
Plus, other authors are joining in the fun. Come meet authors Vicki Batman, Sylvia McDaniel and Misty Evans. I’m giving away books from the Realm of Honor series including ONE KNIGHT ONLY, ONLY FOR A KNIGHT and A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER. PLUS get a sneak preview of the fourth book, A KNIGHT LIKE NO OTHER!
What’s all the fuss about? If you love fantasy romance, then you’ll love this series. Here’s the blurb:
Henry Chase is desperate to find his daughter lost in the Highlands. When he steps through a stone circle, he’s transported to the Otherworld. With his human form hidden by glamour, he masquerades as a Fae knight. He’s instantly besotted by Queen Maeve and determined to break down the walls she’s erected around her heart.
In the aftermath of war, Queen Maeve’s kingdom has been destroyed. She must close the portals to the human realm and restore her lost magic. But before she can set things straight, her archenemy, the Goddess of War, attacks, seeking revenge.
When the goddess captures the queen, Henry offers his life for Maeve’s in the hope his bravery will earn the queen’s love. Discovering Henry is human and knowing she must send him back to his world, Maeve tries to fight her feelings for him. Now she must choose—life at court or life with Henry—before she loses him forever.
And now get a sneak peek of the book!
He must be crazy to even consider asking her to dance. She looked so bored though. As though she might die of it any moment.
Henry stood, his palms damp with sweat. No, he couldn’t do it. He sat again, picked up his tankard and took a healthy swig. Perhaps if he drank more, he would have more gumption to ask her. He took another quaff of the—what was this stuff? Mead? He liked the way it warmed his veins. He stood again. But his damn palms still sweated.
“Dad, what are you doing?” Maggie’s rough whisper came from his left. She tugged on his tunic. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
Yes, he was going to do this. He was going to ask the queen to dance. And if she rejected him, he would hang his head in shame and leave. She would never see him again.
“I’m going to ask the queen for a dance.”
“Are you mad?” Maggie jumped to her feet next to him, her hand on his arm, keeping him in place. “You can’t do that.”
“Why not?” he asked and it sounded more like a challenge than a question.
“B-because she’s the queen.” Maggie stole a glance at her before looking back at him. “And I forbid it.”
He nearly laughed. “You forbid it?”
“You…you can’t, Dad.”
“Why not?” he asked again, this time wanting a real answer.
“She’s….she’s the mother of my best friend. It would be…weird.”
“Mags, you’re a grown woman. Married. I seriously doubt it would be weird to ask her for a dance.” He paused, thought about his words when his daughter raised an eyebrow. “Okay, aside from the fact she’s a queen and I’m a…a…you know.”
“Human,” she whispered roughly.
“But she doesn’t know that.”
“Not yet!” She fisted her hands and perched them on her hips. “What if she says no? Then what?”
“Then I’ll look silly, won’t I?” He straightened his tunic. “Don’t worry, my little magpie. If she says no, I swear not to bother her again. But I don’t think she will. I may be old, but I still have some charms.”
Maggie scowled, looking every bit like the teenager he remembered. “Dad. Ew.”
“Hey, don’t look so disgusted. Your mother and I—”
“All right, all right. I get it. No need to explain.” She held up her hands in surrender. “But be careful. She doesn’t like humans.”
“Hey, who you calling human? I’m a Fae now.” He thumbed at his chest as he winked and Maggie laughed. “See you later, magpie.”
He headed for the front of the room, steeling his nerves. The delay with Maggie had made him nearly lose his nerve. But no. He was seriously going to do it. He wouldn’t let the fact she was royalty and he was…nothing, deter him. He stepped up to her, held his hand out across the table.
“Your majesty, would you do me the honor of this dance?”
The Elven king dropped his chicken leg in shock. Elyne stared at him wide-eyed. Derron clenched his jaw. Maeve’s expression hadn’t changed from bored and annoyed and he wondered if that was now directed to him.
“Sir Henry…?” Elyne asked, but her words waned and she didn’t continue.
“It would be my honor,” he said.
“And who are you, exactly?” Her silky voice caressed his senses.
He dropped his hand and gave a quick bow. “Sir Henry. At your service, my queen.” That sounded convincing, didn’t it? He almost believed it himself.
“Are you new to the Queen’s Guard?” She still didn’t seem convinced as she looked him over, sizing him up.
“I am,” he said, feeling rather confident. She was going to say yes. He knew it.
“I see. And how did you end up here?”
Crap. A question he didn’t have an answer to. Thankfully, Elyne piped up.
“He helped round up some of the orcs and humans wandering the realm, Mother. He came to the palace yesterday.”
Not an untruth. Points to Elyne for thinking fast and offering an explanation. He liked the princess more and more.
Maeve’s gaze never left his face as she peered at him with something he couldn’t read. Not mistrust. She seemed to trust him. It was something else. Curiosity. Interest. She bit her lip as though on the verge of agreeing to dance with him. He held out his hand again.
“Do me the honor of a dance?”
“I don’t think that’s—”
“I will.” Maeve cut Derron off as she rose.
Henry’s heart leapt as he watched her round the table. Her grace and poise was impeccable. She was every bit the dignified queen she appeared to be. She took his hand, his fingers closing around hers. Her warmth penetrated him to his soul. God, she feels good! His heart hammered a happy cadence as he led her to the dance floor. The tune had been lively, upbeat. Now it was something slower. Softer. He cheered at the thought of holding her close and feeling her body press against him.
As he took her in his arms, he realized he had no clue what the dances were of the time or the realm. How did the Fae dance here? He did a quick cursory glance around the room. The others had practically deserted the floor to give way for the queen. A few brave couples remained dancing side by side, their fingertips barely touching.
Henry would not do that. He wanted her in his arms, next to him. He wanted to smell her beautiful, heady scent. What was it? Jasmine? Whatever it was, it was exotic. And she was ethereal. He was acutely aware of the gawks and stares from those around the room.
Had it been a bold move to ask her to dance? Because he was a lowly Fae knight did that mean he was not allowed to speak with his queen? Knowing she really wasn’t his queen made it okay in his mind. He slipped his arm around her waist, pulled her close, while holding her other hand shoulder height.
“What are you doing?” She flinched and for a moment he thought she might pull away.
He tightened his grip, keeping her firmly in place. “Where I come from this is how we dance. I’ll show you. All you have to do is follow my lead.”
“Where exactly do you come from?” An eyebrow quirked in question.
Ah, yet another question he couldn’t answer. “Across the realm.” Did that sound plausible?
“Hm,” was her response.
He led her through the steps, keeping her as close to him as possible. Then turned with her still in his arms.
“You learned to dance like this there?” she asked.
“I did.”
Actually, he learned before his wedding. Maggie’s mother had made him take lessons so they could dance together and not look like fools. Her words, not his. He had reluctantly agreed. He wasn’t for the ballroom dancing but now he was glad he had learned. Now he was with this lovely woman whose curves seemed made for him.
“I have never seen such a dance,” she said.
“Mayhap, your majesty, you should relax and enjoy it instead of questioning it every few seconds.”
She blinked surprise. Had no one talked to her like that before?
“I would remove the head of most who spoke to me like that.”
“Like what?”
“In that insolent tone.”
“Apologies, your majesty. I hope I can keep my head. For my lips are attached and they’ve yet to have a taste of you.”
“You are bold, aren’t you?” She tilted her head back, gave him a look down her nose that he suspected she’d perfected eons ago.
“Too bold for her majesty?”
“That remains to be seen,” she said. And her mouth quirked into almost a grin.
Henry’s heart thumped and for the first time he could acknowledge the attraction he had for her. His nerve endings tingled and even his buddy in his pants was in agreement.
“Too bold to kiss you here?” He knew he pushed it but he didn’t care. He wanted to see what she’d say.
Her face hardened. “Definitely too bold.”
He slanted his head, as though ready to kiss her. She licked her lips, as though ready to let him. His mouth was close to hers. Oh so close. He could feel her warm breath tickling his face.
“Tempting me, your majesty?”
How to enter the giveaway:
All you have to do is visit my blog and comment on the Countdown Release Party posts. That’s it! You will be entered in the grand prize drawing as well as eligible for the daily prizes. Hope to see you there. In the meantime, happy reading!
Michelle Miles frequently gets lost in the pages of a good fantasy romance and can often been seen daydreaming about knights on white steeds and princess who know how to save themselves. Check out her blog for fun stuff, follow her on Facebook and Twitter and sign up for her newsletter at her website.
Love Me Not Release Day
I honestly can’t believe it’s finally here. The day I get to say that I’m a multi-published novelist. I’ve been grinning so hard that I think I strained a jaw muscle and I’m pretty sure I twisted an ankle breaking out my tragically-awesome Snoopy dance. (Picture Snoopy with a busted ankle and a lot more hips.) Today is release day for my second novel, which also happens to be the second book in my Bad Boys Gone Good series published by Carina Press.
When it comes to fiction-writing, I’m a bit of a rule-breaker. (Which is odd, because I cling fanatically to rules in other areas of life. But, c’est la vie. ) So in this series you won’t find syrupy-sweet heroines clinging to perfection with nary a broken fingernail. My heroines don’t always follow expectations, and in the case of Jamie Charles, the heroine of Love Me Not, they sometimes give established rules the finger. But these women are very human, deal with very real issues and find a way to be happy despite them. As P!nk would say, they’re wrong in all the right ways.
To celebrate the release, I’m doing the Love Me Not Blog Tour from December 30th – January 10th which includes a fun giveaway. Get details on the giveaway below. Check out the full tour schedule here. Then visit other stops for more chances to enter the contest.
Thank you to all of the wonderful readers and authors who have supported my journey as an author. Lots of love and Happy New Year to you!
About Love Me Not
Tortured artist, Jamie Charles’ life is a careful balance between flashes of brilliance and self-loathing. Her art is as dark and dramatic as her painful past. Her resentment of the biological parents—who were too preoccupied with their addictions to bother with her—fuels her ambition to succeed as an artist, but also takes a heavy, personal toll.
Miles Copeland climbed to the top of his advertising agency because he isn’t afraid of taking risks and because he has something to prove to the father who betrayed his family. But when he falls for a moody, Gothic beauty with zero interest in anything but a purely physical relationship, he finds himself in dangerous territory.
Jamie prefers living hard and fast without the complications of love, but finds it impossible to resist the stunningly handsome, yet incredibly sweet man who is determined to have every piece of her–including her heart. Miles shows Jamie the beauty of being loved madly and deeply, but is it enough to make her finally learn to love herself, and open her heart to him?
Love Me Not Excerpt
“You’re not the only person who can read people, mister.” She crossed her arms and stared at him.
“Okay, so maybe I can afford pricey shoes and—”
“A black BMW.”
His mouth gaped open. “How’d you—?”
“It’s a gift,” she said proudly, leaning in a little closer. “I could tell you were a BMW guy two minutes after we met. Took me another fifteen minutes to figure out you’d probably go for classic black, probably a high-end five series…maybe the six series. Definitely not the seven, ’cause that’d just be flaunting it.”
He let out a low whistle and ran his fingers through his hair. “No way. The valet must be acting as your secret informant.”
“Nope. I told you, it’s a gift.” She rested her elbows on the bar and leaned even closer to him. Her voice was a husky whisper. “Don’t look now, but the older guy coming in the door with the chick in the tiny sequin skirt who’s young enough to be his granddaughter…bet he drives a wee little Corvette in some wildly inappropriate color like lemon yellow.” She backed away from him and headed to the other end of the bar to refresh another customer’s drink. When she was done she returned to Miles and whispered, “So whadya think? You think I’m right?”
He had that ridiculously sexy grin plastered on his face again, the wattage decidedly turned up a notch. “That guy is staying at my hotel. You’re only half right, though. He drives a nineteen sixty-five Corvette Stingray, but it isn’t yellow, it’s Incredible Hulk green.”
Jamie shuddered. “Even worse. And the guy should be taken behind a woodshed and beaten for mutilating an American classic like that. Not to mention the fact that he’s corrupting a minor.”
“Agreed.”
They giggled like naughty schoolchildren making fun of the substitute teacher’s ten-buck toupee, and something about it felt good. Familiar. Like having an inside joke with an old friend.
“You’re a bad influence on me.” She swiped underneath her eye with the heel of her hand, careful not to ruin her makeup. “I shouldn’t be making fun of the customers.”
“You’re telling me you wouldn’t have slammed that guy’s superhero-inspired midlife crisis on wheels if I wasn’t here?” He smiled at her. “Then I’m really glad I came. Face it, you might not want to talk about it, but you needed a good laugh tonight.”
About the Bad Boys Gone Good Series
Love Me Not explores the story of Jamie Charles and Miles Copeland. When these characters were introduced in Book #1–Making the First Move–they were already a couple, and Jamie had undergone a transformation. In that book we were given glimpses of what led to that change. Love Me Not steps backward, to tell the story of how Jamie met Miles.
If you haven’t already read Making the First Move…don’t. Read Love Me Not first.
Comment on this post, follow this blog, or choose one of the other available options to enter the Love Me Not blog tour contest below for your chance to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card, a $10 Starbucks e-Card and both books in the Bad Boys Gone Good series to date–Love Me Not & Making the First Move.
Bio:
Reese Ryan writes sexy, contemporary fiction filled with colorful characters and sinfully-sweet romance. She secretly enjoys torturing her heroines with family and career drama, reformed bad boys, revealed secrets, and the occasional identity crisis, but always rewards them with a happily ever after.
Born and raised in the Midwest, she now resides in Central North Carolina where she has happily declared herself a Bohemian Southern Belle. Visit Reese online at ReeseRyan.com. Follow her on Twitter @ReeseRyanWrites. Connect with her on Facebook or Goodreads.
Love Me Not Blog Tour Grand Prize
- $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card
- $10 Starbucks e-Card
- Digital copy of Love Me Not by Reese Ryan
- Digital copy of Making the First Move by Reese Ryan
Love Me Not: Snarky, Sexy, Emotional
We’re less than two weeks away from the release of Book 2 in my Bad Boys Gone Good series. Squee! The lovely Tynga made the graphic above for me. It sums up these two characters perfectly. Here’s what early reviewers have to say about Love Me Not:
I’ve waited impatiently for this book since I learned it was going to be Jamie’s story and it far surpassed anything I was hoping for…Miles was sexy, romantic, sensitive and an incredible lover (be prepared for some serious, serious steam) and had enough imperfections to keep him real. I loved how Jamie’s transformation unfolded and developed, as well as the realism regarding her romance with Miles. ~ Jonetta (ejaygirl), The Book Nympho
I really enjoyed this story and all the multiple layers to both Jamie and Miles… I don’t want to give too much away because I think that Reese Ryan reveals elements of her characters so beautifully. You really need to read the book to appreciate who these characters are and what they go through in order to be together. At the end, you will believe that they are meant to be. ~ Contemporary Romance Writers
Read the summary and an excerpt here. To read the first two full chapters, subscribe to the newsletter list below:
Michelle Miles Wants You to Have Yourself a Merry Little Latte
My guest today is author Michelle Miles who is talking coffee and sexy holiday stories. She also shares the story of how she revived her series by reclaiming her rights and taking matters into her own hands.
Hello! First a huge thank you to Reese for allowing me to crash her blog today. I so appreciate it!
Today I’m talking coffee. Okay I realize not everyone is a coffee drinker but my series, Coffee House Chronicles, is set in and around a coffee house. You don’t even have to LIKE coffee to enjoy these books. I started the series way back in 2006 with my debut novella, Talk Dirty to Me. There have since been many books with the same title but I’m here to tell you I was the first. 😉
One thing led to another and before I knew it, I had four books in the series. I had switched publishers and found the latter books in the series didn’t do as well. So I did what any author would do – I asked for my rights back and got them. I’ve been indie pubbing the books and getting them back into the hands of readers.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Latte was originally titled The Coffee Wars.
*yawn*
I hated that title from the get-go but at the time it was all I could come up with. Since it was set during Christmastime, I really wanted something snappier and something that was Christmas-y. I went to my fellow Plotting Princesses and asked for title help. These ladies are brilliant when it comes to that, let me tell you. I have them to thank for the title.
I call this book 2.5 in the series. Why 2.5? Well because it comes after the second book in the series, NICE GIRLS DO. You don’t have to read these books in order to get the story. It just gives you a richer reader experience.
I got a snazzy new cover. And now the book is up for pre-order and releasing November 19!
Here’s the BLURB:
All’s fair in love and coffee and the only thing that matters in this war is a lot of hot steam!
Lilly owns the new up and coming, Java Perks. She’s determined to be the number one coffee house in town, crushing her competition down the street, The Bitter End.
Meeting the mystery woman in his coffee house, David immediately wants her for himself. After a hot encounter on his desk, he can’t stop thinking about her. Until he learns she’s the owner of the place trying to put him out of business.
When David confronts Lilly accusing her of using him, she throws down the gauntlet. Now the two are at war and may the best woman win!
Have Yourself a Merry Little Latte, a holiday romance! Can’t wait? Pre-order now!
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1eNCq3k
Kobo: http://bit.ly/19yEwvH
Want to win a prize package that includes the entire Coffee House series and gift cards? You can! Just head on over to my blog and help me celebrate the countdown to the release. Starting November 9, you can enter to win the prize package (open to US residents only). Comment every day until release day to get another entry to win. I’m posting excerpts and stuff about the book as well as asking a fun daily question. Hope to see you at the Countdown to Release!