Diversity

CANDIDLY YOURS—Layla & Quincy’s story—is now available!

May 2, 2020 by ReeseRyan

Candidly Yours (Carnivale Chronicles) by Reese Ryan is now available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

I hope that you and yours are safe and well during these uncertain times. While necessary, social distancing can be isolating. So be sure to stay in touch with friends, loved ones, fellow readers, and authors who’d love to hear from you. And look for glimmers of light and joy despite all of the sobering news. Today, I’m doing my part to bring you a happy distraction.

I’m thrilled to finally bring you CANDIDLY YOURS, my contribution to the multi-author Carnivale Chronicles series. The common factor in all thirteen stories is the fictional Chi-Flavor Caribbean Carnivale in Chicago, but each story is a standalone.

CANDIDLY YOURS is set in my fictional town of Pleasure Cove, North Carolina. (Look for cameos by familiar characters!) But we’ll travel with Layla and Quincy to various Caribbean carnival celebrations. I enjoyed learning about Caribbean carnival culture and customs in places like Trinidad & Tobago, the Bahamas, and Jamaica.

I hope you’ll enjoy the journey, too!

Read an excerpt of the story here. Waiting for a signed paperback copy of the book? Pre-order here. Then stay tuned for an announcement as soon as they are available.

Download your copy of CANDIDLY YOURS on Amazon now or read the story as part of your Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Here’s what CANDIDLY YOURS is about:

He’s not looking for anything serious. She doesn’t do flings. But neither of them can deny the sizzling attraction between them.

Layla St. John has the talent, creativity, and drive to start her own clothing line. What the big-hearted entrepreneur lacks is the capital. So when a celebrity photographer offers to connect her with investors if she’ll let him feature her in his photography series about Caribbean carnival culture, it’s a deal she can’t refuse. But Layla can’t help being attracted to the brilliant artist. Too bad he’s her little brother’s former best friend and way too young for her.

Quincy Johnston has spent the past ten years making a name for himself as a photographer and avoiding complicated relationships. But when an impromptu trip to his small hometown, Pleasure Cove, leads to a chance encounter with the woman he’s been crushing on since he was a kid, Quincy gets a taste of the deep connections he’s been missing.

Can Layla and Quincy move past their relationship fears and take a chance on turning their short-term, secret fling into a shot at forever?

Download your copy of CANDIDLY YOURS here or read it in Kindle Unlimited. Then scroll down to check out some of the other Carnivale Chronicles titles.

Be sure to drop me an email to let me know if you’ve ever attended a Caribbean carnival or if it’s one of the things on your bucket list. I’d love to hear about it. And I’d love to hear what you think of Layla and Quincy’s story.

Got a question for me about the content of this newsletter or one of my books or series? Respond to this newsletter with your question/comment and I might even answer via a FB live post.

Happy reading!

Now Available: SECRET HEIR SEDUCTION by Reese Ryan

March 3, 2020 by ReeseRyan

Can he tell her the truth…this time?

Will he risk everything for a reunion? Will she give him the chance?

Discovering he’s a long-lost heir isn’t the only surprise awaiting Darius Taylor-Pratt in Royal, Texas. He’s next door to his ex after five long years. Darius broke off his red-hot relationship with designer Audra Covington without explanation. He still has regrets…and truths he’s hiding. Rekindling their flame may cost him…especially when new secrets surface to threaten their second shot at seduction.

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EXCERPT

Darius took another of the wedge fries, swiped it in the milkshake and popped it in his mouth.

It was something people over the age of twelve usually found repulsive. But today, he deserved to indulge himself.

“A bacon cheeseburger, fries and a strawberry shake. I was going to ask if it was a really good day or a really bad one, but then you dipped your fry into your shake, so I guess that answers that.”

Darius froze, then turned toward the familiar voice. His eyes widened.

“Audra Lee Covington?”

No, it isn’t possible.

What would his grad school girlfriend be doing in Royal, Texas?

“So you do remember me.” She folded her arms. “I wasn’t sure you would. After all, you never returned my calls.”

Remember? He couldn’t forget her if he tried. She’d been his biggest regret. The woman who still haunted his dreams.

He stared at her, blinking. Still not sure he could believe his eyes.

She was stunning, as always. Her dark wavy hair was tucked behind her ears and fell to her shoulders. Gold-and-diamond starburst ear climbers decorated the outer curve of each ear. She wore a cream-colored, chunky-knit sweater and distressed skinny jeans that hugged every curve. And there was a small, star-shaped diamond stud in one nostril.

“Audra.” He stood, wiping his hands on a napkin. He inhaled her sweet scent as they shared an awkward hug. “What on earth are you doing here?”

“Good to see you, too,” she said sarcastically as she stepped away, folding her arms again. Her lips pressed into a harsh line as she narrowed her gaze at him.

If looks could kill, he’d be laid out on the black-and-white tile floor with a chalk line around him.

“It’s good to see you, Audra, of course. I should’ve said I’m stunned to see you here in Royal, Texas.” He gestured toward the opposite side of the booth. “You look…amazing.” It was an egregious understatement. She was drop-dead gorgeous. “Join me?”

Audra’s sensual lips, shiny with lip gloss, quirked in a semi-frown as she studied him. Finally, she nodded and slid across from him in the booth.

“The new look—” she indicated his bald head, a look he’d transitioned to nearly three years ago “—I like it. It suits you.”

“Thanks.” He cleared his throat. “What did you order?”

“They make an incredible Cobb salad. It probably has as many calories as your burger and fries, but at least I feel like I’m making an effort.”

He’d always loved her refreshing honesty. Too bad he hadn’t afforded her the same. Their story still would’ve ended. But if he’d been honest with her then, at least he’d have no regrets where Audra was concerned.

“LA Fashion Week is just a few weeks away. I’d expect the great Audra Lee Covington to be in the design studio right now.”

Audra was a diamond heiress. She’d broken rank with her very traditional family and formed her own company that catered to a younger, trendier clientele. Her name got frequent mentions in fashion magazines when A-list actors, musicians and social influencers bragged that they were iced in Audra Lee Covington diamond earrings, necklaces, bracelets and tiaras.

“Royal isn’t my usual hangout. That’s for sure.” A deep smile lit Audra’s rich espresso-brown eyes, the same color as her shoulder-length hair. “I got an early start on the season this year. So when I received a lucrative request from a wealthy bride-to-be here in Royal, I couldn’t resist. I’m creating custom wedding jewelry for the couple and gifts for their bridal party. So I’m staying in town for a bit. Getting to know the area and the bride, who will be returning from New York tomorrow with her fiancé. I’d hardly expect to run into you here, either.” She clasped her hands on the table. “I hear Thr3d will be doing a runway show this year.”

“We are. My team is back in LA working tirelessly to prepare for it.”

She produced a gum-filled lollipop from her pocket, opened the wrapper and popped it in her mouth.

Was that a fucking tongue ring?

Darius was pretty sure his jaw hit the ground and another part of his body reached for the sky.

Good thing he’d returned to his seat.

Audra propped her elbows on the table and tilted her head as she studied him. “What brings you to Royal?”

“A business opportunity.” It wasn’t a lie. The opportunity to collaborate with Miranda had brought him to town.

She sucked on that damn lollipop, which had already stained her tongue red, and awaited further explanation.

“It’s too early to share details.” He picked up his burger. “But I’m hoping to create a clothing line for a major fitness brand.”

“Ah.” When she said it, he couldn’t help staring at her candy-red, pierced tongue. “Miranda Dupree. Scoring the clothing line for her Goddess brand would be a major coup.”

“How’d you—”

“It’s a small world, I guess.” She shrugged. “Miranda is my client’s ex-stepmother. My client is Sophie Blackwood. Do you know her?”

His half sister. Damn. It was a small world.

“Never met her.” He shrugged. “But I’ve heard the name.”

Less than an hour ago, in fact.

Audra’s mouth made a popping sound when she yanked the lollipop from between her lips. She stared at him, her brown eyes narrowed. Judging him. As if she didn’t believe him.

Darius bit a mouthful of the bacon cheeseburger.

He hadn’t seen Audra in five years. They weren’t together, and she had no right to know his personal business.

So why did he feel as guilty now for telling her a half-truth as he had when they were together?

Audra returned the sucker to her mouth and rose from the table. She didn’t believe him, but she obviously didn’t deem pursuing the truth worth her time.

Knowing she found him unworthy made his chest ache. Her wordless condemnation was exactly what he deserved.

“Looks like they’re done with my order.” Audra nodded toward where Amanda was packing a to-go bag. “Nice seeing you again, Darius. Good luck with Fashion Week.”

Darius groaned quietly as he swiped another French fry into his milkshake and took a bite.

Audra made a hasty escape, and he couldn’t blame her.

He was a liar. Apparently, it was hereditary.

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ABOUT REESE RYAN

Reese Ryan writes sexy, emotional romance with captivating family drama, surprising secrets, and a posse of complex, flawed characters.

A Midwesterner with deep Southern roots, Reese currently resides in semi-small-town North Carolina where she’s an avid reader, a music junkie, and a self-declared connoisseur of cheesy grits.

CONNECT WITH REESE RYAN

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SWEET BRIAR SWEETHEARTS SERIES by Kathy Douglass

February 7, 2020 by ReeseRyan

Happy Friday, readers!

If you follow me on Facebook or you’re a member of my private VIP Readers Lounge, you probably already know just how much I adore fellow Harlequin author Kathy Douglass. She writes small town romance on the sweeter side for the Special Edition line. If you haven’t checked out any of Kathy’s stories, you’re in for a treat, my friend. Check out the titles in her Sweet Briar Sweethearts series below.

HOW TO STEAL THE LAWMAN’S HEART

Forgiveness starts with a stolen kiss…

Chief of police Trent Knight had it all until an accident took his wife and he was left alone to raise two beautiful girls. Now the person he always blamed for his loss is back in town, and all bets are off. But soon his anger toward Carmen Shields gives way to a very different emotion — awareness of Carmen as a woman. On one hand, it feels like a betrayal of his late wife’s memory. On the other, it could be his second chance at life — and Carmen’s shot at redemption. Maybe she can go home again — with the help of a certain lawman.

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THE WAITRESS’S SECRET

Today’s Special: The Undercover Heiress!

On the run after a bad breakup, wealthy city girl Arden Wexford ends up stranded in small town Sweet Briar. When hunky chef Brandon Danielson comes to her rescue, offering shelter and a waitressing job until her car is fixed, she reluctantly accepts. But, wanting Brandon to like her for her, not for her money, she doesn’t mention her rich roots. The closer they get, the harder it is to untell the lie.

Brandon came here to start over. Things were’t as they seemed with his ex-fiancee, and he got burned! But is it out of the frying pan, into the fire for Brandon as things heat up with a very special waitress?

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THE RANCHER AND THE CITY GIRL

From sworn enemies to soul mates?

Wall Street hotshot Camille Parker is the last person rancher Jericho Jones expects to find on his doorstep. Ever since his late wife’s best friend interfered in his marriage, she’s persona non grata in Jericho’s book. But the situation is literally life-and-death for this damsel in distress, and he opens his home to her. The problem is, he opens his heart, too.

Camille has no choice but to seek help from her worst enemy. And as she lets her guard down in close quarters, unexpected feelings surge for him. But what will happen if Camille’s life goes back to normal and the city girl no longer needs to shelter in the reticent rancher’s arms?

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WINNING CHARLOTTE BACK

When the man who left her at the altar moves in next door…

This could not be happening. Charlotte Shields had left both that heartbreaking day and this heartbreaking man behind. But here he is. Even worse, their mutual attraction is back to betray her. Especially as Dr. Rick Tyler works hard to make amends. He’s got to make this move to Sweet Briar work to give his son a second chance. Will he get a second chance with Charlotte in the bargain?

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THE RANCHER’S RETURN

“That’s all you have to say? You’re back now?”

Ten years ago, the love of Raven Reynolds’s life disappeared without a trace. Now Donovan Cordero is back, standing on her doorstep. Along the way, Raven had the rancher’s child—though he didn’t know she was pregnant! Now her prayers have been answered, but happily-ever-after feels further away than ever. Because how can she rebuild a life with her child’s father if she’s engaged to another man?

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A BABY BETWEEN FRIENDS

They pretended to be lovers.

But there’s nothing make-believe about the baby on the way.

When Joni Danielson recruits her best friend, Sweet Briar mayor Lex Devlin, to be her fake boyfriend for a wedding, it’s a no-brainer. But their staged kisses lead to real passion—and heartbreak when Lex pulls away. Now Joni’s in a bigger bind: she’s pregnant. Can she and Lex once again fake it till they make it—to a real relationship?

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ABOUT KATHY DOUGLASS

Contemporary romance author Kathy Douglass

Kathy is a born reader who as a child always had her nose in a book. That love of reading grew with her. She often would finish one book and immediately pick up another. She went from reading Bobbsey Twins to long, lush romance novels. One day she stumbled upon the Shining by Stephen King and was hooked. She turned her back on romance and became a serious Stephen King fan, reading every word he wrote. When she caught herself checking under the bed and looking in the closet for monsters or worse, she knew it was time to put down the horror stories and pick up the romance novels.

Her return to romance novels was short lived. She’d started law school and soon her reading was limited to legal opinions. Then one happy day her younger sister handed her a Harlequin romance. They were just what the doctor ordered. The books were short enough to read in a week and still get her required reading done. Best of all she knew there would be a happy ending and she wouldn’t have to search her room before she went to bed each night.

When her first child was born, she stopped practicing law to become a stay at home mom. Her second child followed nineteen months later. With two little ones in the house, reading suddenly became limited to Dr. Seuss and other children’s books. Any free time was spent trying to catch up on sleep or laundry.

All too soon her kids were attending pre-school two hours a day. She spent those few precious renewing her relationship with romance novels. After a while she felt the urge to write a book of her own and she began writing the stories she wanted to read. She spent many years writing some really terrible books and learning her craft. In 2016, Kathy sold to Harlequin. Her first book, How to Steal the Lawman’s Heart, was released in February, 2017. Several others soon followed with more to come.

CONNECT WITH KATHY DOUGLASS

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CORPORATE SEDUCTION BY A.C. ARTHUR

December 13, 2019 by ReeseRyan

Reka Boyd’s life has changed in the last four years. With a college degree, a new job title and her best friend’s wedding to help plan, she has far too much on her plate to deal with dead-end relationships or get sucked into office drama the way she used to. But when erotic emails inundate the inboxes of everyone at the firm, and a sexy new IT guy shows up to get to the bottom of the situation, she can’t help but feel the heat.

Khalil Franklin is working undercover to help his friends find out whose spamming their firm email and why. Fresh off a break-up he’s not in the market for another love interest, but as the feisty and attractive paralegal questions his every move at the firm, he finds himself falling for her fast!

Who will be left standing when a chance meeting at a sex club hatches a plan for revenge and the email scandal erupts on the top floor of Page & Associates?

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ABOUT A.C. ARTHUR

AC Arthur was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland where she currently resides with her husband, three children, grandson and an English bulldog named Vader. An active imagination and a love for reading encouraged her to begin writing in high school and she hasn’t stopped since.

Working in the legal field for over twenty-five years, AC has seen lots of horrific things and longs for the safe haven of a romance novel. To date, she has written in several genres: YA paranormal (w/a Artist Arthur), small town romance as Lacey Baker, and sexy contemporary and paranormal romance. With intriguing plots and sexy love scenes, AC brings a new edge to romance!

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A TASTE OF HER OWN MEDICINE BY TASHA L. HARRISON

December 11, 2019 by ReeseRyan

“He looks like he could plow my north field without a horse.”

Sonja Watts needs to re-enter the workforce after divorcing her husband of thirteen years. Taking the advice of her sister Birdie and her best friend Estelle, she signs up for a six-week course for entrepreneurs; hoping that she will learn everything she needs to know to build a business to support herself and her kids.

On the first night of class, Sonja is able to ignore the fact that most of the students were younger than her by ten years or more. It was what she expected. But when the instructor walks in, she debates packing up here new twelve hundred dollar laptop and walking out.

Sonja couldn’t remember the last time she looked at a man with little more interest than she give a sturdy dining room table. She was just disinterested.

But wow, did Atlas James grab her interest.

Atlas hasn’t been interested in dating since he moved back home California. Adjusting to new found success in the town where everyone sees him as that big, geeky guy who cut grass for pocket change when they were in high school has been awkward. Aside from a couple of one night stands, he hasn’t really wanted to pursue a relationship with anyone until sweet, shy Sonja signs up for his class.

Compact, curvy, and juicy in all the right places, being in the same room Sonja Watts ignites all of those giddy feelings he felt when he had his first crush. He wants to know her and he’s pretty sure she wants to know him — despite the age difference that she seems to be so fixated on.

With her future riding on the success of her new business, Sonja has no time for distraction. Will she be able to keep her eyes on her own paper or will they remain glued to Atlas’s biceps and thick thighs?

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chapter one

Sonja

The strip of shops, eateries, and galleries in The Village of West Greenville were dark and quiet when I pulled my Subaru into the parking lot a few blocks away from The CoWorking Spot. In the last few years, this part of town had experienced some growth with the arrival of a few restaurants and specialty shops. But that was just a handful of businesses; most of which closed at or around six o’clock, leaving the streets quiet on a late summer evening. I took advantage of this moment of quiet. Closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths to settle the nervous butterflies in my stomach.

About a month ago, I allowed myself to be convinced to sign up for a six-week entrepreneurship course— something I’ve been regretting since the day the payment cleared.

What makes me think I could run my own business?

The only thing I’d managed in the last ten years was a household, and occasionally, the front desk at my ex-husband’s real estate offices. Those skills didn’t necessarily translate into the sort of hustle one needed to be an entrepreneur. But at the time, my sisters Birdie and Agostina, as well as my friend Estelle, made it seem like a great idea to start a business with the skincare products I made from the herbs and medicinal flowers in my garden. And I agreed. Or maybe the gallon of wine I drank that night agreed because now that I was sitting in my car with my brand new laptop, in a brand new laptop bag, I wondered if I’d temporarily lost my mind.

The Bluetooth in my car announced that I had an incoming call from Estelle Murphy.

“Hello?”

“Get out of the car, Sonja,” she ordered.

“Why did I let you talk me into this?” I groaned and opened the car door, slightly annoyed that she knew me so well.

“Because you’re more than ready for it. We’ve gone through this. Get out of the car, and I’ll walk down there with you.”

“Okay. I’m coming.”

I’d arrived a good forty minutes early, mostly because I needed to stop by Ink Blue Yoga to get a pep talk from my Estelle.

Ink Blue, Estelle’s yoga studio,was one of my favorite places. The front windows went floor to ceiling, which made the interior look and feel bright and warm. The smooth, shiny hardwood floors were warm in the winter months and cool in the summer. They welcomed bare feet and I almost wanted to drop my bags, strip down and get in a few vinyasas. Estelle was good at this business thing and was brilliant at getting her studio seen. If I checked our town’s hashtag on Instagram on any given day, her yoga studio always showed up in the top nine.

“Hey, Soni,” my friend said and gave me a knowing look as I came in. “Amelia?”

The woman sweeping at the far end of the studio looked up.

“I’m going to walk Soni down to the The Coworking Spot. I’ll be right back.”

“No, problem. I’ll get everything set up for the six-thirty class.”

She grabbed two bottles of water out of the cold case near the cash wrap and handed me one. I opened it and followed her back out to the sidewalk.

“Okay,” she said. “Out with it. What are you feeling right now?”

I gnawed on my bottom lip. “I’m nervous.”

[Read more…]

ALL THE KINGS MEN by Kennedy Ryan (CHARACTER REVEAL)

October 14, 2019 by ReeseRyan

“KENNEDY RYAN ALWAYS DELIVERS A STORY WITH EMOTION, POWER, AND OFF-THE-CHARTS SEXUAL TENSION – I DIDN’T THINK SHE COULD RAISE THE BAR ANY HIGHER, BUT SHE DID IT! THE KINGMAKER BLEW ME AWAY.”

— USA Today Bestselling Author, Robin Covington

All The King’s Men Duet, an all-new powerful and emotional duet from RITA ® Award winning author Kennedy Ryan, is coming October 28th, and we have the first sneak peek!

Power. Passion. Betrayal.

RITA® Award-winning author Kennedy Ryan delivers the epic first installment of the All the King’s Men Duet.

Raised to rule, bred to lead and weaned on a diet of ruthless ambition. In a world of haves and have nots, my family has it all, and I want nothing to do with it.

My path takes me far from home and paints me as the black sheep. At odds with my father, I’m determined to build my own empire. I have rules, but Lennix Hunter is the exception to every one of them. From the moment we meet, something sparks between us. But my family stole from hers and my father is the man she hates most. I lied to have her, and would do anything to keep her. Though she tries to hate me, too, the inexorable pull between us will not be denied.

And neither will I.

Releasing October 28th

Pre-order the paperback today!

http://kennedyryanwrites.com/all-the-kings-men/

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Be notified FIRST when The Kingmaker goes live: http://bit.ly/2oRuDhf

Get notified when The Kingmaker is available on Audio: http://bit.ly/kingmakeraudio

EXCERPT

“Some would call your perspective radical.”

“Some would be right,” I say with my sweetest smile. “I’ll continue loving this country on one hand and exposing the government’s kleptocratic practices on the other.”

“What are we supposed to do with that information, Ms. Hunter?” Bryce asks. “Feel guilty for something our ancestors did? Doesn’t this line of discussion simply perpetuate the divisiveness that’s tearing our country apart? How is this productive?” “Not only is it productive, it’s essential. Most Americans don’t really know the full truth of what happened to Native people because our history books don’t tell it. We have to know what happened if we are to ensure it never happens again. And it’s not just what occurred in the past, but what’s still happening. We’re still living with it, and there are things that can be done now. This is not about blaming for the past. It’s about us all being responsible for the future.”

ABOUT KENNEDY

A RITA® Award Winner and Top 25 Amazon Bestseller, Kennedy Ryan writes for women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. Her heroes respect, cherish and lose their minds for the women who capture their hearts.

She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son. She has always leveraged her journalism background to write for charity and non-profit organizations, but enjoys writing to raise Autism awareness most. A contributor for Modern Mom Magazine, Kennedy’s writings have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Atlanta families living with Autism, she has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other media outlets as an advocate for families living with autism.

Written with Love by Joy Avery

October 11, 2019 by ReeseRyan

There’s no erasing a destiny written with love!

A couple weeks at a friend’s North Carolina summerhouse is just what romance novelist Zahra Hart needs to get some writing done and forget her broken heart. But then she discovers the man who secretly inspires all her sexy heroes is staying at the estate. Superhot pro football player Gregor Carter is nursing an injury and a bruised ego, and suddenly he and Zahra have to share Lake Lamont. Will fantasy and reality come together?

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MEET JOY AVERY IN BOSTON AT AC ARTHUR’S
BRING YOUR A GAME | JULY 9-11, 2020

ABOUT JOY AVERY

By day, Joy Avery works as a customer service assistant. By night, the North Carolina native travels to imaginary worlds—creating characters whose romantic journeys invariably end happily ever after.

Since she was a young girl growing up in Garner, Joy knew she wanted to write. Stumbling onto romance novels, she discovered her passion for love stories; instantly, she knew these were the type stories she wanted to pen.

Real characters. Real journeys. Real good love is what you’ll find in a Joy Avery romance.

Joy is married with one child. When not writing, she enjoys reading, cake decorating, pretending to expertly play the piano, driving her husband insane, and playing with her fur baby.

Joy is a member of Romance Writers of America and Heart of Carolina Romance Writers.

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New Year Giveaway! Co-Sponsored by Delaney Diamond

January 7, 2019 by ReeseRyan

Hello Dear Reader!

I’m celebrating the New Year with a giveaway here on my blog, co-sponsored by the fabulous Delaney Diamond. Delaney was kind enough to take the time to answer a few questions so we could get to know here. Then once you’ve checked out her interview, be sure to check out the excerpt and the details of the giveaway at the end of this post.

Good luck!

Interview with Delaney Diamond

Delaney, what was the first job you ever had?

The first job I ever had was in elementary school, if you can believe that. My dad worked for a company as a carpenter and mason on the island of St. Thomas where we lived. He also did that work on the side for himself, to make extra money. One of his customers was an older woman who lived on our street, and she needed someone to help her do some typing and filing a few hours a week. I had started taking typing classes when I was 9, so I could already type and was fairly fast. She hired me, lol. I was maybe 10 or 11 and can’t remember how much I was paid, but it was cool to earn my own money.

What are you currently reading and enjoying?

I’ve been reading a lot of suspense lately, and I’ve become somewhat addicted to Harlan Coben’s writing style. I’m working my way through his backlist, and I’m currently listening to Deal Breaker. It’s another well-paced suspense that’s keeping my attention. On the romance front, I just finished The Senator’s Daughter, a romantic suspense by Amaka Azie. The story is set in Nigeria and the hero kidnaps the heroine. But it’s not a dark romance! He did it for a good cause and is actually a great guy. Rita and Nosa end up falling in love (of course!) and work together to solve the crime. I’ve got to go through my TBR pile to see what I’m in the mood for next.

Favorite romantic movie(s)?

Love Jones is one of my all-time favorites. Also enjoyed Love Actually, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (hilarious movie), The Best Man, and Think Like a Man (Part 1).

If you could only eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Ugh, this is tough. It’s a toss up between meatloaf or this lemon butter chicken served with Virgin Islands stuffing or macaroni and cheese (if dairy didn’t hate me so much).

Is there anything you want to do this year that you’ve never done before?

I’ve always wanted to learn to play the piano, and I’ve been tossing around the idea of taking lessons. But don’t hold me to it because I have no idea how I’ll squeeze lessons into my schedule at this point.

Just Friends (part of the Johnson Family box set) is a friends-to-lovers story. What makes Alannah and Trenton’s friendship so special?

So many reasons! They’ve known each other since they were eight years old and Trenton defended her on the playground, so their bond is tight. They’re best friends and probably know each other better than anyone else does. They eat together all the time, especially since Alannah likes to cook and uses him as her guinea pig—sometimes with disastrous results, lol. They joke around a lot, too. Without giving too much away, they also take care of each other, but tensions arise in the book that test their ability to do that.

What was your favorite scene in Just Friends?

The scene where Alannah cooks Trenton dinner and she’s dancing in the kitchen. He makes fun of her dance moves because she’s a terrible dancer. The scene goes from funny to emotional when Alannah says something that upsets him. That’s when you start to realize just how much she means to him, and you experience the fear that he does when he realizes he might lose her to someone else.

What are your writing goals for 2019?

My goal is to release at least four titles, like I did last year. First up is the second book in the Royal Brides series, Princess of Estoria. I also want to wrap up the Brooks Family series by releasing the last two books (fingers crossed), and I’m working on a series with two other authors, where we each write one of the books in the series. I did that before with the Bennett Triplets, so I’m looking forward to this next collaboration. Optional books (if I have time): another Quicksand novella and the start of my romantic suspense series called Plan B.

Excerpt

She started dancing to the music. “This is going to be so good,” she sang.

“Please stop,” Trenton said. “You’re the most uncoordinated black woman—no, black person—I know. The only reason you still have your black card is because I bribed a bunch of folks during the appeal process so you could keep it.”

“You’re just jealous of my moves. Bet you can’t do this.” Alannah performed a very awkward moonwalk.

“Michael Jackson is rolling over in his grave right now.” He shook his head. “Sorry, Michael. I tried to stop her.”

She stuck out her tongue and returned her attention to the stove.

Trenton took a seat in one of the high-backed wood barstools at the breakfast bar, in front of a tall glass of lemonade, and watched her work. He licked his lips, mouth watering from the scent of the rib-eye steak.

On occasion, a personal chef cooked his meals whenever he wanted to eat at home and didn’t feel like cooking himself, and he also had the option of going to his mother’s house and eating some fine cooking from Adelina. Yet there was something about Alannah’s food that always tasted that much better and brought him comfort.

She was much better than she used to be. He recalled her failed attempt at making bananas foster.

“What are you smiling about?” she asked. She set a ribeye on a plate in front of him and spooned blue cheese sauce over it. His stomach danced in anticipation.

“Thinking about the time you almost burned down the kitchen trying to make bananas foster.”

She swirled the sauce around the plate. “What a mess. I can’t believe the towel caught fire like that.”

Trenton chuckled. “Be glad it wasn’t worse.”

She joined him in the laughter, but kept her eyes on the plate, concentrating on the artistry of the dish. “I am glad, believe me.”

“Even with that mess and the panic, the bananas turned out delicious,” he pointed out.

“They did, didn’t they? I should try that recipe again. I’ve been too nervous to attempt it because of the near accident.”

“I’m sure your flambé skills will be much better now.”

Alannah spooned roasted potatoes beside the steak. “Then, of course, there was The Great Quiche Incident of ’09.”

Trenton groaned.

“I can’t believe you ate so much of it and didn’t say anything.” Alannah shook her head in disbelief. “I gagged once I tasted it myself.”

“I didn’t want to hurt your feelings, but man, that was some nasty stuff.”

“You really took one for the team, and I appreciate it. Thank goodness for The Best Thai Restaurant.” She spooned creamed spinach beside the steak and used a paper napkin to swipe the circumference of the plate for a cleaner look. She finished by dropping chopped parsley onto the potatoes as a garnish.

“Oh yeah, that was the first time we ate there.” With dinner a bust, they’d driven to the restaurant to get something to eat and had been loyal customers ever since.

Alannah cut into the steak. She twisted it in the blue cheese sauce and then blew on it. “Tell me what you think of this.” She lifted the fork to his mouth.

Trenton leaned in, pulled off the meat, and chewed. Well seasoned and cooked to a perfect medium rare. Delicious. “Mmm…that’s good.”

She pumped a fist. “Yes! You really like it?”

“Mhmm.” He yanked away the fork and knife. She giggled as he cut another piece of meat. “I can’t believe how good this is.” The creamed spinach and roasted potatoes tasted perfect, as well. He could have been dining in a fine restaurant. “This is better than your steak and mushroom gravy.”

“No way. You love that dish. You rave about it for days every time I make it.”

“I know, you don’t make it enough,” Trenton said around a mouthful of food, enjoying the dish too much to stop eating long enough not to talk with his mouth full. He pointed at the plate with the fork. “But seriously, I’m saying this is even better, so you know it’s good.”

“Great,” Alannah said with satisfaction. She skipped back to the stove. “This is good practice, because I’m serving it to my new guy friend for dinner on Friday night.”

A piece of meat lodged in Trenton’s throat. With difficulty, he swallowed it and then took a big gulp of lemonade. He cleared his throat. “You’re cooking for him now?”

Boxset buy links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Family-limited-box-set-ebook/dp/B07F65TTWQ

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/johnson-family-series-delaney-diamond/1128985939?ean=2940162108061

Apple: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/johnson-family-series-limited-edition-box-set/id1405817142?1000ldsT

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Delaney_Diamond_Johnson_Family_series_limited_edit?id=HIhiDwAAQBAJ&PAffiliateID=1011lwN2

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/johnson-family-series-limited-edition-box-set

Author bio

Delaney Diamond is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sweet, sensual, passionate romance novels, born and raised in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She reads romance novels, mysteries, thrillers, and a fair amount of nonfiction. When she’s not busy reading or writing, she’s in the kitchen trying out new recipes, dining at one of her favorite restaurants, or traveling to an interesting locale. To get sneak peeks, notices of sale prices, and find out about new releases, visit her website and join her mailing list. Enjoy free reads and the first chapter of all her novels at www.delaneydiamond.com.

Where she can be found online

Website: https://www.delaneydiamond.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DelaneyDiamond

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DelaneyDiamond

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/delaneydiamond

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authordelaneydiamond

Enter the Giveaway

Visit Delaney’s book page and complete the form below with the name of one of her series and a title from that series.

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Form Link: https://goo.gl/forms/vXmOzb3MrxsE78wK2

About the Contest:

1st place: $25 gift card and reader’s choice of an ebook from each of our backlists.
2nd place: Reader’s choice of an ebook from each of our backlists.
Eligibility: Open to U.S. and international readers.
Deadline to enter: January 13, 2019 at 11:59 PM EST

Savannah’s Secrets Available Tomorrow — Join the Release Day Party!

February 28, 2018 by ReeseRyan

Hello Dear Reader!

Tomorrow is the big day. Savannah’s Secrets will finally be available from retailers tomorrow, March 1st, which also happens to be this writer’s birthday. This release kicks off my new Bourbon Brothers series with Harlequin Desire. The series will follow the romantic adventures of the five Abbott siblings who are heirs to a Tennessee bourbon empire.

SAVANNAH'S SECRETS by Reese Ryan — Savannah’s Secrets

I’m so excited for you to meet the Abbott Family and the titular character Savannah Carlisle. Here’s a summary of the story:

Falling for the boss, or taking him down?

Savannah Carlisle had the perfect plan. By infiltrating the Abbott family’s Tennessee bourbon empire as their events manager, she’d be one step closer to claiming half of the business they stole from her grandfather. Now she’s not so sure. Because sexy Blake Abbott, heir to it all, is simply intoxicating. He’s supposed to be the enemy. But after one long, stormy weekend, she’s pregnant with his child…

Pre-order or purchase Savannah’s Secrets from your favorite retailer here.

Be sure to join me tomorrow for the release party happening on Thursday, March 1st from 4 – 9 PM Eastern. Just pop in whenever you can, interact with the ten romance authors, including special guest author Brenda Jackson, to win giveaways, talk books and be treated to some fun excerpts. Reserve your spot at the party here.

SAVANNAH'S SECRETS Release Day Facebook Party — Join ten romance authors for fun, prizes, and sneak peeks of their titles.

See you tomorrow!

Get to Know author @RoslynHolcomb

December 1, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Today Atlanta author Roslyn Hardy Holcomb stops by for a chat. She’s sharing the inspiration behind her small town series (yes, it’s based on a real town) and her series featuring a group of female assassins working in exotic locales and stories prompted by international headlines.

You’re a small town girl now living in Atlanta. How does your small town upbringing impact the characters and settings in your stories?

Being a from a somewhat provincial area has had tremendous impact on my stories. My first book was set in a place called Maple Fork, which is a HIGHLY fictionalized version of my own hometown of Gadsden, Alabama. Like Maple Fork, Gadsden is in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and is bisected by the Coosa River. Dark Star, which is a Rock Star sequel, has a climactic scene at a major landmark, Noccalula Falls. I did a question and answer session at the local library when it was first released and the readers had a lot of fun telling me about the sites they recognized, and speculating on who some of the characters “actually” were. (All the characters are fictional, BTW, but it made for an interesting afternoon!)

I deliberately chose to set many of my books in small towns because I love the dynamic it brings. Busybody neighbors, being related to everybody for miles around. It’s fun, and can be silly at times, but character development is one of my favorite things about writing, so I love it.

I laughed when I read your bio about loving rock music and how that made you an “oddity” growing up, because I was also an “oddball” due to my eclectic musical palate. Tell us how it inspired your first book, Rock Star.

When you grow up black in blue collar town and all the other girls worship the Jackson 5 and you’ve got posters of Robert Plant, yeah, you tend to stand out a bit. Over the years, I’ve met lots of other black “rocker chicks,” and wanted to write a book for us. I wanted the rock star to write a song for his love, because most of us black rocker chicks have never had the thrill of imagining ourselves as Lady D’Arbanville or Layla. (Please don’t mention Brown Sugar, yuk).

You recently released another book in your Pussycat Death Squad. Give us a brief overview of the series and what inspired it.

The Pussycat Death Squad is a series about a squad of women who’ve trained all their lives to be bodyguards for a North African strongman. Now they’ve escaped and provide their lethal services around the world. I was inspired by a picture I saw years ago of the late Libyan leader, Colonel Qadaffi, and his all-female Amazonian Guard. Allegedly, they took a vow of chastity and had to be beautiful. With a set-up like that the first book practically wrote itself. Drop in a hot alpha Marine and stir. In something of an homage to the old Harlequin romances I read as a kid, I try to set the stories in exotic locales. Those books introduced me to a world far from my hometown. Back in the day it was called “armchair traveling,” and it’s still fun.

The Lion in Russia’s oligarch hero has wound up on the wrong side of the Russian president who sounds suspiciously like Vladimir Putin. So yes, these stories are definitely “ripped from headlines.” The most recent story, Pussycat in Peril is a return to Laritrea which has fallen into a highly-factionalized civil war, much like Libya, the country it’s based on. The next one, Diamonds on the River, will take place in Ghana mainly because I love the way NPR correspondent Ofeibea Quist-Arcton says “Accra.” Listen to her sometimes, her voice is AMAZING.

What can we expect from you in coming months?

My current work in progress is a Christmas series with my writing partner, Lisa G. Riley, called Christmas at House and Home. The leads grew up in foster care together, working in the family restaurant, House and Home. Though it’s set in Atlanta, there’s a definite small-town vibe in that these kids grew up in a multicultural suburban enclave so tightly enmeshed they developed their own language. The series was inspired by my experiences as a social worker, and also my joy in discovering the dining experience that is Buford Highway in Chamblee Georgia. The whole street is lined with international cuisine and one evening my husband and I were scarfing down Korean barbecue and listening to the owner of the place talking to his employees in a Spanish/Korean mash-up we quickly dubbed Sporean. Though I often complain about the Babylonian Exile that is my life in Atlanta, I do love the level of diversity to be found here.

*****

Thank you for visiting with us Roslyn! I have friends who live in Atlanta. Next time I visit I want some of that Korean barbecue. Visit Roslyn online and check out her latest releases here.