Reese Ryan Romance

Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.

What I'm...

MADE FOR ME Featured on Book Riot List

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After a few crappy weeks, an ice storm, and a snow storm and sick grandkiddo that changed our anniversary plans, things are beginning to look up.

Undeterred, we found a way to make the most of our snowy weekend at home for our anniversary. Part of the fun was learning to salsa, courtesy of YouTube. This set me up to get ready for Benito Bowl (also known as the Super Bowl Halftime Show). And since I’ve been listening to Bad Bunny’s album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS and practicing my basic salsa steps to BAILE INoLVIDABLE and KLOuFRENS, I was ready to go.

Benito Bowl didn’t disappoint. The woman-led Seattle Seahawks organization beat the Pats. *jumps in the air and pumps fist* Led to victory by a quarterback who the league who wasn’t a flashy whiz kid and certainly not one of the powerhouse quarterbacks we expected to be there. I love a good underdog story. And I hate when a sport is dominated by the same organizations. So congrats to Seattle Seahawk nation. Maybe by the time we get those Back to the Future hoverboards we’ve been waiting on since 1985, my Cleveland Browns will be relevant again.

Then yesterday I discovered some exciting news. Made for Me, the book the kicks off The Black Diamonds Quartet—my Love & Music Suite spinoff—was included in Book Riot’s list of 16 Best New Romances by Black Authors, curated by Jessica Pryde. Click the link below to get the full deets from my Substack post. And don’t forget to subscribe while you’re there. 😉

MADE FOR ME Featured on Book Riot List by Reese Ryan

*Insert my salsa happy dance with an extra shimmy*

Read on Substack

Happy Reading!

Reese Ryan. Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.

What I’m Reading + Cowgirl & Tech Genius + See You in Chicago

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How has your week been? The temperature here in Central North Carolina has been extremely chilly, so our fireplace has been working overtime. What’s the weather like where you are?

If you’re looking for something to read this weekend, and you haven’t read my Dynasties: Willowvale Springs collaboration with author Jules Bennett, great news! Working With Her Crush, my cowgirl and tech genius romance, which is the first book in the series, is just $2.99. I love this small town romance between former childhood friends who have very different ideas about what should happen to the horse ranch she’s worked on for most of her life. 

Click below to grab your copy while the e-book sale lasts. Read on to discover more.

Grab Working With Her Crush for $2.99 now!

She wants to the restore the ranch to its former glory. He needs to sell it to save his company. Old crushes and new secrets clash in the first title of the Dynasties: Willowvale saga!

An inheritance stirs up old resentments…

And revives undeniable sparks.

Dray Walker is devastated when tech entrepreneur Kahlil Anderson inherits the horse ranch she’s managed for years. Her friend (and secret crush) left town decades ago without looking back, and now Kahlil, whose tech skills do not apply to thoroughbreds, needs her help.

As feelings from the past resurface, a shared business trip leads to a spectacular night of passion. But when she discovers Kahlil’s plans, will Dray be able to forgive him…again?

Download Working With Her Crush

What I'm Reading

It’s been a weird few weeks for me. I’ve done a TON of writing. Nearly 60,000 words in a month which is more than insane for me. But to balance out that level of intense output, I’ve also watched a lot of movies and read more books in a week than I’d read the previous few months. Here are a few of the books I’ve been reading:

Sinnamon & Golds by Lady Marie

Sinnamon & Golds by Lady Marie was a quick, fun ride. I literally read the entire thing while taking an extra long bubble bath. The book is set at Thanksgiving (the day I actually read it). It was steamy and messy with lots of family drama. This was my first Lady Marie book, but I’ve already downloaded my next one.

Ares by Asia Monique EROS by Stephanie Nicole Norris

Ares by Asia Monique and Eros by Stephanie Nicole Norris, the Love and War series, has been sitting on my Kindle for the longest. I finally made time to read them. Ares is the soft and fluffy read with a romance between a sunshiney, star-gazing, geek girl scientist and a grumpy club co-owner whose father is the mayor of Houston. I loved this couple and watching him fall for her so quickly. Eros is the more amiable of the two brothers, but his story is anything but soft and fluffy. This one brings the drama with a capital D. The heroine is part of a dangerous underworld and begins the story by challenging the current leader of the shadowy organization in a fight to the death. You’ll need a strong stomach because you can practically feel the blows in these well-written fight scenes. But if you love reading about alpha men who will do whatever it takes to protect the women they love, these two authors have got you.

Surrender by Kimberly Brown Passion by Monica Walters

The Arranged Hearts Series is an author collaboration of stories about couples who are tired of the dating scene and choose to go through an agency that finds the perfect match for them. The catch is they won’t meet that perfect match until the two of them are standing at the altar. So far I’ve read Surrender by Kimberly Brown—a new favorite author, Passion by Monica Walters, and I just started Allure by Iesha Bree. Next up are Desire by Kay Shanee, Tension by C. Monet, and Embrace by Mya. I’m loving this series, and can’t wait to finish it.

A Stalker's Prey by K.D. Richards

West Investigations Series by K.D. Richards has been a favorite of mine since the release of Book One: Pursuit of Justice. I read and loved the first several books, then started to fall behind on this now 12-book-long ongoing series. But I just finished A Stalker’s Prey and just started Under Lock and Key. If you like romantic thrillers, I highly recommend the series. But note that this particular imprint goes hard with the crime/thriller elements and the heat level is much lower. But K.D. does a great job of keeping both the story tension and the romantic tension between the characters going throughout.

Books I Hope to Read Sooner Than Later

I Like You Like That by Kayla Gross

I Like You Like That by Kayla Gross has been on my TBR forever. So I’m really hoping to get this one read before the end of the year. 

One Bed by Joss Wood
One Bed by Joss Wood is a forced proximity story (one of my Top 5 romance tropes), which will be available as an audiobook and e-book on New Year’s Eve. Joss is an author friend I’ve collaborated with on several Harlequin series. I love her voice and stories, so I’m looking forward to this one.

Save the Date: Cavalcade of Authors Chicago 2025

Save the Date for this amazing event happening in Chicago in October 2025. The Cavalcade of Authors event will coincide with the Ultimate Women’s Expo and features celebrities like Brandy, Keke Palmer, Loni Love, Hillary Duff, Melissa Gilbert, Susan Lucci, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jackeé, Sandra Lee, Valerie Bertinelli, Holly Robinson Peete, Fran Drescher, Tamar Braxton and so many more. That’s in addition to rock star authors like Reshonda Tate and so many of your current and soon-to-be faves.

Find out more about the Ultimate Women’s Expo here. Get your tickets for the Cavalcade of Authors which includes admission to both days of the Ultimate Women’s Expo by clicking the button below.

Reserve Your Spot Now

Happy Reading!

Reese Ryan. Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.

Four Weeks Until Ced & Nikki’s Story + Content Notes + Sneak Peek

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📚

In today’s post:

  • Ced & Nikki’s Story Coming in Four Weeks!
  • Never the Right Time Content Notes.
  • Exclusive Sneak Peek
  • Fall into a Book Save-the-Date

Ced & Nikki’s Story coming in Four Weeks!

I can’t believe NEVER THE RIGHT TIME, Ced and Nikki’s story, will be here in just FOUR weeks. If you read SPIN THE BLOCK, you know that Cedrick Brown is Ward’s long-time best friend and business partner. Nikki is the high school sweetheart he’s adored since they were sixteen, but their careers as music celebrities and family obligations have kept them apart. I can’t wait for you to dive into Ced and Nikki’s story of love, family, healing, and forgiveness. But there are two caveats. 

When I first envisioned this story of two high school sweethearts who are a textbook example of right person, wrong time, I had no idea that Nikki would appear on the page as a woman struggling with anxiety and self-doubt—despite the success she’s had in her career. However, her anxiety immediately became a huge factor in her story. The second unexpected element of the story for me has been how big a role Ced’s late mother plays in this story. He and his two college-age sisters struggle with the loss of their mother nearly two years ago. Nikki supports them in various ways as they learn to deal with their grief. I’m adding the content notes below to the book and the book page on retail sites. But while it’s an emotional story, it’s also a story of love, family, and friendship. I love seeing how Nikki and Ced support one another in their lives and careers.

Bonus caveat: This story gets a little spicy (even for me), as does the language. A few readers have noted that the writing in my recent indie releases DATE FOR HIRE and SPIN THE BLOCK feels “freer,” and I’d have to agree. Drop me a line here to let me know if you think so, too.

Spicy food and possibly triggering content isn’t for everyone. I totally get that. So if you need to sit this one out, I understand. But if you’re up for the ride, be sure to click the button below and reserve your copy of NEVER THE RIGHT TIME.

Pre-order Never the Right Time HERE

Never the Right Time Content Notes!

NEVER THE RIGHT TIME deals with a variety of issues that may be difficult for some readers. Please note that this story deals with the following:

Each of these topics is dealt with in an informed and respectful manner. However, some readers may prefer not to read a romance that deals with such heavy, real-life issues.

Pre-order Never the Right Time HERE

Exclusive Sneak Peek!

“Enough about me.” I force myself to stand. I miss the comforting warmth and scent of Ced’s body, which manages to be both strong and soft with a hint of cushion around his middle. I’d rather curl up in a ball and absorb every bit of heat and the calm and comfort I always feel in his presence. But it’s already late, and I’m really looking forward to exploring Ced’s beautiful new place. “You promised me a house tour.”

Ced looks disappointed. Maybe he was enjoying our cuddle moment, too.

“Wow. I didn’t realize how late it is.”

I catch sight of the time on a wall clock. It’s a large, wrought iron treble clef with a wave of staff lines and additional music notes on the side. I bought it for Ced one Christmas maybe four of five years ago. I’m touched by the fact that Ced is still wearing the cologne I bought him and prominently displaying the wall clock I gifted him.

And while I’m trying really hard not to make this weird, I’m standing here frozen with my mouth hanging open.

“You remember.” Ced stands beside me and admires the clock, too. “You’ve always been really good at knowing what I want. I love how it looks in the new place, don’t you?”

“I do.” The words practically come out as a whisper.

I clear my throat, move to the other side of the table, and slide my feet into Ree’s shoes, which are a size too big for me.

“Like I was saying, I didn’t realize it was this late. I’m sure you had plans for tonight or maybe early tomorrow. I can call a car service and head back to my hotel.”

The words are flying out of my mouth like someone is chasing them with a shotgun.

The hint of amusement in Ced’s expression tells me he doesn’t miss that I’m nervous as hell. Which is ridiculous. I’ve known Ced forever.

We’ve gotten through the tough conversations. So why am I still so nervous? I’ve never been like this around Ced before. I came here to get our friendship back on track, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. I should feel relieved—not nervous. And yet…

Pre-order Never the Right Time HERE

Save the date for the 5th Annual Fall Into a Book Giveaway 

Click the link below to make sure you are a member of the Isn’t It Romantic Book Club Facebook Group, so you won’t miss a thing. 

Do it right now. I’ll wait…

Join the Isn’t It Romantic Book Club here.

Have a great weekend

Reese Ryan. Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.

Get the tea from my chat w/ Danielle Allen (F.R.3.3 today only!) + What I Read

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In today’s post:

  • Danielle Allen Curvy Girl Confessions Chat
  • Barnes & Noble Pre-Order Sale for The Soulmate Project!
  • What I Read: Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen 
    Hold Me While You Wait by Kimberly Brown
  • Fall into a Book Save-the-Date

Curvy Girl Confessions with Danielle Allen

Join me TODAY for this super fun chat I had with Danielle Allen, author of one of this summer’s hottest books, CURVY GIRL SUMMER! 

In this episode of Curvy Girl Confessions, Danielle Allen and I talk about life, love, relationships, and books: https://www.patreon.com/posts/curvy-girl-with-103129707

Watch the episode as a free member today only! 

Join Danielle’s Patreon for full access to all past and future chats!

New episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday! Join for FREE! patreon.com/TheArtofBeingDanielle

GET IN ON THE CONVERSATION!

Pre-order THE SOULMATE PROJECT During B&N Sale!

Have you pre-ordered your copy of THE SOULMATE PROJECT, the next book in my Holly Grove Island series? If not, here’s the perfect time to reserve Nick & Em’s friends-to-lover story. THE SOULMATE PROJECT hits retail shelves on October 8th. Clink the link below to pre-order your copy.

Pre-order THE SOULMATE PROJECT from B&N

About THE SOULMATE PROJECT:

In this delightful small‑town romance, can the search for a soulmate make two best friends realize the perfect person was right there all along?

Emerie Roberts is tired of waiting for her best friend, Nicholas Washington, to realize that the two of them would make a perfect couple. And she’s fed up with seeing everyone else get their happy ending while hers is nowhere in sight. When she finally works up the nerve to tell Nick how she feels, she’s devastated to discover that he doesn’t share the same feelings. With her heart broken, Emerie makes a promise to herself that by the same time next year, she will have found the love of her life using a seven-step Soulmate Project.

Meanwhile, despite his deep-seated relationship issues, Nick is forced to confront his growing feelings for his best friend, whether he wants to or not. Can Nick accept that Emerie is his soulmate before the project tears them apart for good?

Pre-order THE SOULMATE PROJECT from B&N

What I Read: Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen

Loved this book. It was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the strong female friendships; the body positive attitude of the female main character, her friends, and the male main character; watching the development of the relationship; and the growth of the female main character.  It’s giving self-discovery, humor, family drama (I’m still mad and wanna slap the hell out of her uncle) and lots of spice. 

Reese Ryan

Here’s what the story is about:

Bridget Jones’s Diary meets Survival of the Thickest in Danielle Allen’s CURVY GIRL SUMMER, a smoking-hot, hilarious novel about the perils of online dating.

“There’s got to be an easier way than dating. I want the shortcut. I just want to find my person and start our lives together.”
After a one-night stand with her clingy ex, Aaliyah James has an epiphany: this ain’t it. She knows what she wants, and she’s ready to move past casual hookups, flings, and situationships.

But for her family, the clock is ticking—after all, she’s almost thirty. And when they imply that her personality (and her body) might be too big to land a man, she lets them know they’ve gone too far—and her (nonexistent) man loves her curves, thank you very much. Now, she has seven weeks to find the perfect boyfriend to rub in their faces at the big, fancy birthday celebration she’s been planning.

After her first blind date goes wrong, charming local bartender Ahmad Williamson consoles her with a drink and some playful banter. Aaliyah takes him up on his suggestion to use a dating app—but the more she sees of his warm, funny, and easygoing nature, the less she wants to check her DMs. Will her next swipe bring her closer to true love—or is her real match closer than she thinks?

Reese’s content warning: Deals with the loss of a sibling and fatphobic comments from a relative and a few other awful people.

Grab your copy of CURVY GIRL SUMMER

What I Read: Hold Me While You Wait
by Kimberly Brown

I adored this story about two single parents who find love when their daughters become best friends. The male main character and his daughter both have vitiligo. I loved the representation and how he helped his daughter grow more confident in her own skin. This book is giving adorable strangers to lovers, family dynamics, drama from exes that pop up out of nowhere, and growth for both main characters and some secondary characters, too. I honestly can’t recommend this book enough. It’s my first Kimberly Brown book. I guarantee you, friends, it will not be my last.

Reese Ryan

Here’s what the story is about:

Somya Hilton has known nothing but a life of ultimatums. From a young age, it was her and her sister Eliza against the world. When both of them find love and start families of their own, Somya finally feels like she has the life she deserves. Then tragedy strikes, leaving both her sister and brother-in-law dead and Somya to care for her niece Jazlynn who is ten at the time. For Somya there is no question that Jazzlyn should be with her. Her husband, however, has a difference of opinion. 

Xander Tripp has always taken care of business. The product of a drug addicted mother and a felon for a father, all he knows is hustling to survive. After the birth of his daughter left him a single father, Xander pulls himself together to be the parent she deserves. Twelve years later they have a beautiful life, but Xander is lonely… until he meets the beautiful Somya, the recently divorced mother of his daughter’s new best friend.

What starts as a friendly exchange, quickly turns into a beautiful, unexpected love. Trauma bonded them, but is their bond strong enough to withstand the tests of a jealous ex and the return of Xander’s baby mama? Will Somya and Xander thrive under pressure or fold under the weight the world on their shoulders?

Reese’s content warning: Deals with the loss of a sibling, childhood abandonment, life in foster care, an awful ex, and a parent who gives up a child.

Get your copy of HOLD ME WHILE YOU WAIT

Save the date for the 5th Annual Fall Into a Book Giveaway 

Click the link below to make sure you are a member of the Isn’t It Romantic Book Club Facebook Group, so you won’t miss a thing. 

Do it right now. I’ll wait…

Join the Isn’t It Romantic Book Club here.

Have a great weekend!

Reese Ryan. Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.

Rilzy Adams + Beach Reads + Adventures in Wilmington

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In Case You Missed It: Check out my chat with Rilzy Adams

I thoroughly enjoyed my recent chat with readers and Rilzy Adams—author of GO DEEP. It was such an honest, authentic conversation. She talked about how she got started writing, the challenges she’s faced, what she wishes she’d known at the outset of her career, and the issues she still struggles with as a creative.

I felt seen as an author dealing with many of the same struggles. Rilzy shared some invaluable insight, and we learned a lot from our conversation with her. Two of her comments stuck with me. The first was: “My worst day as an author is better than my best day as a lawyer.” That was a truly powerful statement, and it reminded me of how fortunate I am to do what I love. But my favorite quote of the evening was: “Discipline breeds motivation, not the other way around.” As an adult with ADHD who often struggles with productivity, I felt that DEEP.

Catch the replay of my chat with Rilzy Adams by clicking the graphic above or by clicking here.

Here’s What I’ve Been Doing

I spent a few days exploring Wilmington—the town Rett & Sin take a road trip to in RETURN TO HUMMINGBIRD WAY. We passed the Farmer’s Market where Sin encounters her ex, and we planned to go to The Copper Penny—where Rett and Sin had dinner followed by an unexpected kiss. But we didn’t make it there. I look forward to returning to Wilmington, NC soon. So I’ll be sure to visit both sites next time.

And while I didn’t make it to the Farmer’s Market or The Copper Penny, our hotel was on the boardwalk (pictured above), and we got to visit both Wrightsville and Kure Beach. We had a fantastic time, and it was a much-needed trip. I look forward to venturing there again soon.

What’s on your agenda for this summer? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below.

Get Return to Hummingbird Way now!

Here’s What I’ve Been Reading

While I was at the beach, I snuck in some reading. I’m reading Against the Currant a cozy mystery by Olivia Matthews. The protagonist’s family opens a bakery that specializes in making Caribbean treats like currant rolls, despite a rival baker threatening to shut them down because he considers this new bakery to be a threat to his business. The heroine is typically pretty low-key and doesn’t like confrontation. But she and her family have invested so much into this bakery, they can’t stand to see it fail. She stands up to the bully baker and they get into a very public argument. So when the cantankerous bakery owner—who had no shortage of enemies—ends up dead, guess who becomes the number one suspect in the awful man’s murder? Yep, you guessed it. Our mild-mannered protagonist must clear her name if she hopes to stay out of jail and protect her family’s investment in the new bakery. 

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, fun family dynamics, and Caribbean culture, you’ll enjoy this story.

What are you reading right now? Tell me in the comments below.

Here’s What I’ve Been Watching

https://youtu.be/O0JG6V-12ac

I’ve been watching lots of fun shows lately. If you’ve ever heard me talk about what I love, you probably already know I love a good mystery show. But lately, I’ve been on kind of a spy kick, too. I just got finished watching two great shows: THE NIGHT AGENT on Netflix and THE CITADEL on Amazon Prime. If you’re into Mission Impossible or The Bourne Identity, you’ll love both of these shows. What shows are you watching? Tell me in the comments below.

New Releases & Book Deals from Author Friends

His enemy’s little sister is the only person with the power to undo him.

Nothing rattles stone-cold FBI Agent Kai Roman. Not chasing down ruthless criminals. Not the grief of losing his wife years ago. Not even inadvertently being caught in the middle of a bank robbery.

Except Camila Garza is right beside him when danger strikes, and suddenly he’s the only person who can protect the off-limits beauty. No matter how much her older brother hates him.

And no matter how much he secretly wants her.

Camila knows she should hate Roman. He’s made it clear he doesn’t like her—or possibly anyone—one bit. But when they have to go on the run to save their lives, she begins to see past his icy exterior to the man who would do anything to keep her safe.

Including risk it all.

****

The Agent is the sixth and last standalone in the Intelligence Unit series, set in the shared world of Remington. Full of edge-of-your-seat action and scorching romance, this adversary’s little sister, grumpy hero, lovers on the run from danger romance will have you swooning and sweating. No cheating, no cliffhangers, all hard-fought HEA.

Flirting With Danger is a FREE short, sexy prequel to the full-length standalone, The Agent. It contains loads of banter, scorching heat, and ends in a cliffhanger that leads to the novel. Detective Kai Roman first appears in The Guardian. This prequel contains spoilers to that title.

 For maximum enjoyment, recommended reading order is 

1. The Guardian 2. Flirting With Danger 3. The Agent

Flirting With Danger 

She’s the only woman who can bring him to his knees.

FBI Agent Kai Roman’s nickname is The Iceman.
He doesn’t do emotions, and after losing his wife in a tragic accident five years ago, he definitely doesn’t do anything as dangerous as love.

Impulsively flirting with his enemy’s little sister? That he does.
He just didn’t expect Camila to flirt back—or to want her so much.

But when the radio silence after their one night of wanting
ends in the two of them being caught in a bank robbery,
Roman finds himself having to protect the one woman he can’t have…

🌊 🏖 Craving a beachy escape? Joanne Rock has a great deal on her 3-book box set of sexy romantic suspense titles– all in memorable beach settings from Puerto Rico to Coronado ☀. Pick up the To the Rescue collection for just 99¢ while the deal lasts ~ https://books2read.com/rescuebox

Have You Read RETURN TO HUMMINGBIRD WAY

Have you read Sin & Rett’s enemies-to-lovers, high-school hate-crushes turned co-wedding planners and renovation collaborators story, RETURN TO HUMMINGBIRD WAY? If not, click the graphic above or click here to grab your copy and take your next adventure to Holly Grove Island. If you have, I’d love it if you would leave your honest review at your favorite review site(s) like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Google Play, or Goodreads. Your honest review helps more readers find the book. 😘

Until next time!

Reese Ryan. Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.

Love exciting, new romances and Happily Ever Afters? Then let me introduce you to…

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Who loves happily ever afters? The Happily Ever After Collective does! That’s why I’m so excited to join with nearly 50 other authors to bring you something that you’re going to love! Every month the Happily Ever After Collective will deliver exclusive romance novellas from bestselling, award-winning authors who know how to deliver the HEA romance readers crave.  Readers will get to choose as many as four never-before-published novellas each month (depending on subscription tier), participate in live chats with authors, and receive exclusive content. Some of the highlights: 

  • Four exclusive never-before-published novellas each month that span the romance subgenres with main characters who show that romance is for everyone. Readers will get to choose which novellas they want according to their subscription tier.
  • Each month’s novellas will center around the same trope. That trope will change each month so that one month may be fake relationships while the next month is friends to lovers, for example.
  • At least one of each month’s novellas will feature LGBTQI+ main characters.
  • At least one of each month’s novellas will feature BIPOC main characters.
  • Readers can participate in monthly subscriber-only interaction with the authors in the form of Zoom chats and extra content from each author that ties into the novellas.
  • Exclusive Happily Ever After Collective digital book covers for each novella, perfect for those readers who are also cover collectors.
  • A newsletter with information about each month’s novellas, featured authors and all of the HEA Collective authors’ new releases and sales.
The Happily Ever After Collective. Four fresh new romances from award-winning, bestselling authors.

 I hope you’ll check it out → www.HappilyEverAfterCollective.com and sign up for the newsletter. Soft launch July 1 with August being the first four story month!

Reese Ryan. Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.

Where is RWA Today? A Romance Writers of America Q & A with Alyssa Day, LaQuette and C. Chilove

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Last night I had the privilege of hosting a frank, open discussion about the current state of Romance Writers of America with interim president, Alyssa Day, interim secretary, C. Chilove, and Director-at-Large, LaQuette. They gave us a glimpse of all the work that the interim board has been doing to right the ship and rebuild RWA’s reputation with authors, publishers, and readers.

I invited these women to chat with me about what’s going on in RWA because I’d allowed my membership to lapse after the debacle and implosion of the organization at the end of last year. So I had several questions about how the organization is handling the rampant racism and homophobia among its membership that led to what has been termed the #RWAShitShow and decades of the odds being stacked against black women and other authors of color in the judging of the RITA awards—which have now been abolished and replaced.

Listen to the playback to find out what practical steps the organization has taken to tackle bigotry and homophobia within its ranks and prevent marginalized authors from being discriminated against or feeling unwelcome or unsafe in the national organization, in local chapters, or on the community of practice forums.

As you listen to the playback, we invite you to share your thoughts on what you heard in the comments section of the video. If you enjoyed the discussion and found value in it, be sure to hit the LIKE button. If you’d like to hear other author discussions, check out my past conversations with authors like Kennedy Ryan, Farrah Rochon, Olivia Dade, and Vanessa Riley in my #StoryBehindTheStory Playlist. And hit SUBSCRIBE to be the first to know about future author discussions.

Reese Ryan. Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.

Join Me Over on YouTube

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For the past two years I’ve been pondering the development of either an author podcast of YouTube channel. I decided to go with Door #2, and now feels like the right time to feel the fear and do it anyway. So I’ve posted the first video and the channel is here: https://bit.ly/ReeseRyanChannel.

You can watch the video below. Look forward to fun content and collaborations with some of my favorite authors who are likely some of your favorite authors, too.

Reese Ryan. Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.

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

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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!

Get SECRET HEIR SEDUCTION—Frolic’s Book of the Week for just $1.99!

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SECRET HEIR SEDUCTION by Reese Ryan is on sale for $1.99.

Happy Wednesday, Dear Reader!

I hope you are safe and well given the crazy times we’re all experiencing right now. If you’re one of the millions of people who is doing their part to #FlattenTheCurve by #StayingHome, you’ve probably been doing a lot more reading and binge watching your favorite shows.

If you’re looking to add to your TBR list and you haven’t already read Secret Heir Seduction, I’ve got great news. First, Darius and Audra’s story is Frolic Media’s Book of the Week. Check out the review here. Then grab your e-copy of the book now for just $1.99 here.

Need more books for your #StayAtHome TBR list? Harlequin is currently having a sale on many of their March 2020 e-books. So if there is a Harlequin author or imprint you’ve been dying to try, now is the perfect time. Box sets are on sale, too.

Coming Soon

A REUNION OF RIVALS by Reese Ryan —available July 1, 2020.

Here’s the cover for A Reunion of Rivals—the next title in my Bourbon Brothers family saga. This one is middle brother Max’s story. The story hits shelves on July 1st, but it can be pre-ordered here.

Here’s what the story is about:

Sparks in the boardroom

and the bedroom…

She can’t let anything derail her passion project,

Not even a second chance with the sexiest man alive…

The deal that could bring Quinn Bazemore’s career back from the brink has one catch: she must partner up with her ex-lover Max Abbott. Quinn can’t forget the pleasure-filled summer they shared. But now she’s butting heads over business strategy with the mouthwatering marketing VP, even as their reawakened desire threatens to expose her deepest secrets…

Introducing the Holly Grove Island Small Town Series

Last summer I announced that I have a brand new small town series in the works with Grand Central Forever. It’s called the Holly Grove Island series and it is set on a fictional island in Outer Banks, North Carolina. Book One of the series is Second Chance on Cypress Lane. The book hits retail shelves on November 24, 2020—just in time for Thanksgiving weekend. You can pre-order your copy here. Here’s what the story is about:

In this heartwarming second-chance romance, a woman returns home and discovers that, when it comes to finding love, there’s no place like home.

When a romance gone wrong lands reporter Dakota Jones in the pages of the tabloids, her rising star crashes and burns. Instead of getting the weekend anchor job she’d been promised, she’s promptly shown the door. Which leaves her one option: return home to lick her wounds, eat lemon meringue pie, and plot her comeback while actively avoiding the man who once broke her heart.

Dexter Roberts made a huge mistake when he walked away from Dakota, and he’s regretted it ever since. So when Dakota returns to Holly Grove Island to regroup and decide what’s next, Dex can’t pass up the opportunity to win back the love of his life. Now he just needs to convince Dakota to give him a second chance.

Includes a bonus story by Annie Rains!

Available for pre-order here now.

An International Reader Giveaway

March Into Romance with Reese Ryan international reader giveaway

During the month of March I’m running an international reader giveaway.

Here’s the giveaway:

  • MADE IN TENNESSEE Anthology (Murder in the Smokies by Paula Graves / Savannah’s Secrets by Reese Ryan / Wishes at First Light by Joanne Rock)
  • Juicy Couture Wristlet
  • DO NOT DISTURB Sleep Mask
  • Set of 3 Journals
Enter the Reese Ryan March Into Romance International Reader Giveaway

For a chance to win, enter here: https://gleam.io/kI…/reese-ryans-march-into-romance-giveaway

And yes, you can enter if you already follow me on BookBub.

Good luck!