Reese Ryan

Why I’m the Poster Child for #WeNeedDiverseBooks / #WeNeedDiverseRomance

July 7, 2015 by ReeseRyan

I know what you’re thinking. I’m an author of color. Of course I’m pushing the #WeNeedDiverseBooks and #WeNeedDiverseRomance campaigns.

I admit that, like every other author of every color, I would love for my books to be widely read. But that’s not what makes me the poster child for either movement. It’s my #EpicFail as a POC (person of color) reader that illustrates why these movements are needed.

Today I’m over at the Contemporary Romance Cafe making my shamefaced confession about when it finally struck me that by not actively seeking out diverse literature, I’d effectively tuned out great books by POC authors. I’d love to hear your experience. Pop over to the Cafe and let’s discuss Celebrating Diversity in Romance (or Why #WeNeedDiverseRomance).

Look forward to seeing you there!

Diversify Your Shelves courtesy of Kelly Garbato.

Hot M.A.M.A. Fly Hat Society Meet & Greet Reader Event

June 26, 2015 by ReeseRyan

If you follow me on Facebook, you know I’ve committed to a yoga challenge called 30 Days of Yoga. Seven days in, I’m so stoked about staying on track that I want to add a new commitment to the mix: posting here every Friday.

Life has been a bit crazy, and I’ve been M.I.A. here. I’ve missed connecting with you, so I’ll do my best to pop in here and touch base. Let you know what’s going on in my world and find out what’s going on in yours.

First, if you haven’t joined my mailing list, you’ll want to do that here. Giveaways connected with my upcoming contemporary romance series will be coming soon.

We’re on the countdown to the Hot MAMA Land Fly Hat Society Meet & Greet. The event will take place on July 11, 2015 from 2-6PM at the Greensboro Central Library in Greensboro, North Carolina. We’d love to have you there with us. Wear your flyest hat and join the Fly Hat Contest. I’m going to be a judge, so this will be fun.

Still haven’t reserved your space? Maybe you’ve been waiting for a personal invitation. In that case, I’ve got you covered. See mine below the event graphic. Then I hope to see you there. 🙂

Hot M.A.M.A. Fly Hat Society Meet & Greet on July 11, 2015 in Greensboro, NC

Hot M.A.M.A. Fly Hat Society Meet & Greet Reader Event

June 26, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Come join your favorite authors of African American and interracial romance for a day of fun, including exclusive sneak peeks, giveaways, refreshments, and the much anticipated Fly Hat Contest! Gift bags will be available to the first 50 attendees at this reader event.

Reserve your spot at the Fly Hat Society Meet & Greet.

Fly Hat Contest: Wear your most fierce hat for a chance to win the contest.( No hair accesories, but small fascinator styles will be allowed.) A winner will be chosen by our esteemed judges panel to be crowned the Fly Hat champion and recieve a fantastic prize!

Book Club Represent Contest: Bring your book club members and wear your club t-shirts/jackets, etc. The book club with the most members attending the event will receive a prize!

Hero Bingo: How well do you know the sexy heroes created by the Hot MAMAs? Test your skills with this fun interactive game!

Attending Authors are:

Altonya Washington
Bridget Midway
Cheris Hodges
Denise Jeffries
Di Topaz
Iris Bolling
Loretta Walls
Kianna Alexander
Reese Ryan
Yvette Hines

**This event is FREE and open to the public! RSVP today for the Fly Hat Society Meet & Greet for a shot at VIP seating, and to help us determine how much food and beverage we’ll need.***

RESERVE YOUR SPACE NOW.

JuNoWriMo and Dreams of Beachside Living in Costa Rica

June 2, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Today things have been a little crazy pants. I’m struggling with a physical ailment, working toward writing a 50,000 word novel in a month, trying to tame my garden gone wild and planning the untimely demise of an underground colony of yellow jackets.

Amidst the craziness, it’s also my turn on both of the group blogs of which I’m a member.

Over on Hot M.A.M.A. Land, I’m talking about June Novel Writing Month (JuNoWriMo) and some of the other write-a-novel-in-a-month challenges and why these challenges can be beneficial, even when you don’t hit the goal of 50,000 words. Come on over and tell me about any experience you’ve had with either reading or writing challenges, and why you would, or wouldn’t, recommend them.

On the Contemporary Romance Cafe, this month’s theme is inspiring places. There I’m kicking off the topic with a discussion about why I need a 12-step program for my HGTV addiction and how House Hunters International made me fall in love with the idea of moving overseas and living in a tropical, Central American paradise. Pop in and tell me what places inspire you and if you need your own HGTV intervention.

I look forward to seeing you!

What Comes After THE END?

April 8, 2015 by ReeseRyan

As a reader, reaching the end of a good book is a bittersweet experience. I’m glad the characters have received their happy ending, or that the hero has completed his journey. yet I’m sorry to bid goodbye to the characters I’ve become so invested in.

As an author, working with a publisher, it was a great relief to type those two words: THE END. Once I finished revising and polishing book, I’d send it off to my editor and the marketing team, for them to do their magic.

But this time things are different for me. It’s the first time I’ve finished a novel that I’ll be indie publishing. There is still, of course, that moment of giddy excitement that the darned thing is finally completed. But then there was an almost immediate sense of panic because I didn’t have a pre-selected team of creatives to bring the project to fruition. There was just…me.

So I’ll admit, a slight bit of panic ensued. But there was also the heady feeling of being in complete control of my own project. I’m over at the Contemporary Romance Cafe talking about my new adventures as an indie author, and what happens after THE END. I’d love it if you pop over to the Cafe and tell me how you feel once you finally reach THE END.

PS: To be among the first to learn about the progress of my new series (including some exciting news coming later this month) and eligible for cool prizes, sign up for my mailing list in the sidebar on the right.

The End courtesy of Oliver Hammond.

The Kiss and Tell Blog Tour: Making the First Move Scene

February 11, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Today, I’m participating in the Kiss and Tell Blog Tour. Read the scene below. Then, in the comments, tell me whether Raine is trying to steal a kiss or tell Melanie something. One random tour commenter will be picked each day for a $5 Amazon or B&N gift card.

Summary

Making the First Move by Reese Ryan — *Making the First Move* is available at these fine booksellers:
Amazon | B & N | B-A-M | iTunes | Amazon United Kingdom | Audible

Melanie Gordon has spent the past five years obsessing over her career to dull the pain of a devastating breakup and the loss of her father. Her effort pays off when she receives the promotion that could be her big break. Only it means returning to her hometown to face her past while leaving behind the man who could be her future.

Selfless (and insanely sexy) philanthropist, Raine Mason, is committed to his cause. But his passion for rescuing high-risk young males from the road to disaster is fueled by his own dark and tragic past.

When Raine is ready to take his casual friendship with Melanie to sizzling new heights, her one-way ticket to Cleveland is already booked. But a steamy night of passion leaves them both wanting more, even if Melanie is afraid to admit it. She reluctantly agrees to a long-distance relationship with no promises and no commitments.

Melanie may finally be ready to give Raine her heart…but then she discovers startling news that causes her to question everything she knows about him. Worse, he’s harboring a dark secret from his past that threatens to shatter any hope of a future for them unless he can convince her that their love is worth the risk.

Excerpt from Making the First Move

Thirty minutes later, Raine is standing in my doorway in a camel-colored cashmere sweater and a pair of Levi’s. A white, button-down shirt peeks underneath the collar. Chin-length, caramel-colored locs are pulled back at the crown of his head, with the remaining hair hanging free. He is, in a word, gorgeous.

My eyes trace the curve of his biceps. I lick my lips, cheeks flushed, and hope he hasn’t noticed I’ve spent the past five seconds checking him out from head to toe. Twice.

“I see you’re ready to go.” He nods toward the wrap draped over my arm and my clutch tucked underneath it.

“I am.”

“Then shall we?” Raine extends his hand in the direction of the narrow stairwell leading down to the first floor.

“Let’s.” I offer a nervous smile.

He slips his hand to the small of my back. I try not to notice the heat emanating from his hand. But it’s nearly impossible to ignore the jolt of electricity, which travels through his long, elegant fingers and enters the base of my spine.

I’m sure his hand has been on that exact spot when he’s guided me through a crowd or we’ve danced together at charity functions. His touch seemed incidental then. Tonight, there’s something about the placement and pressure of his hand that feels deliberate, significant. Or maybe I’m transferring my own well-guarded desire to an innocent gesture.

Raine guides me down the stairs, out the front door and into his car, his hand still on my back.

“Thanks for doing this,” I say. “I know it’s short notice.”

“I couldn’t leave you standing there dressed, with no place to go.” He tries to hide a smirk as he turns the ignition.

“How’d you know I was already dressed when I called?”

“You’ve never been ready when I came to pick you up. There’s not a chance in hell you threw this together in thirty minutes. You look…amazing.”

“Very clever,” I say. “And thank you, I think.”

“It’s too bad, actually.”

“What’s too bad?”

“That you were ready. I was hoping to catch you in a towel, just out of the shower,” he says, his eyes straight ahead.

My cheeks grow warm. I’m not offended, just surprised. Our social conversations have been mildly flirtatious, but never anything so easily decipherable. We prefer our flirtation so well-coded that only a world-class hacker has a chance in hell of sorting it all out.

I stifle a giggle. “Sorry to disappoint you.”

He smiles.

We ride in silence for a while. He pays strict attention to the road. I pretend to be fascinated by the houses and apartments that fly by my window. The same ones I’ve seen nearly every day for the past five years.

“How about some music?” Raine finally breaks the silence.

“Sure. What’ve you got?”

“There should be something in there you can tolerate.” He nods toward his iPod then gestures for an elderly gentleman—who is halfway into the intersection—to cross the street.

I scroll through his iPod. “The Collection by Alanis Morissette?” I laugh. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for an Alanis fan.”

“I’m a complicated kind of guy.” He winks at me.

“Let’s see just how complicated.” I keep scrolling until I come across Learn to Speak Spanish. “I didn’t know you were learning Spanish.”

“I’ve had that forever. All I can say is No hablo español.” He shrugs. “There’s nothing to tell.”

“Why are you learning it?”

There’s a slight pause before he answers. “A lot of my clients speak English as a second language. Communicating with them in their native tongue lends to a more powerful experience. Besides, as you know—Ms. Regional Talent Manager, is it?—being bilingual makes me more marketable.”

“It’s the Great Lakes Regional Talent Acquisition Manager,” I practically sing, “thank you very much. And I’m glad you’re thinking about your marketability. The work you’re doing at the Center is important, but I wouldn’t blame you if you went for a corporate job. You’ve got a lot to offer.”

Raine turns toward me at a stoplight. There’s something intense, brooding about his eyes, like dark gray clouds rolling in ahead of a fierce storm. He wants to say something but isn’t quite ready to say it.

The light turns green, and the driver behind us blows the horn. Raine pulls off.

“Personally or professionally?” He stares ahead again.

“Both, of course.”

“So as a headhunter you’d consider me a viable candidate?”

“Sure. You have years of experience in social services and nonprofit administration. You’re passionate about making a difference in the community. Dozens of organizations—nonprofits, corporations, government agencies—are desperate for a candidate like you. I could have you placed in a week, easy.”

“That’s good to know.” Raine turns into the parking lot of Spinelli’s and finds a spot. “What about personally? Would someone like you, for instance—a successful, professional woman—think I have a lot to offer?”

My heart beats faster. I nod. “Yes. Someone like me would.”

Raine bites his lower lip. The left side of his mouth slowly spreads into a subdued smile. He pushes his door open. “Don’t move. I’ll be right there.”

He walks around, opens my door and extends his hand. I stare at it, as if he’s a smiling stranger offering candy. Taking a deep breath, I gently place my hand in his. He tightens his grip and draws me out of the car.

We stand so close our bodies practically touch. His delicious scent fills my nostrils. For a fleeting moment it seems he’s going to lean in and kiss me. Instead he steps back, extends his elbow and leads me inside the restaurant.

<=====END OF EXCERPT=====>

Don’t forget to leave your comment below. Is Raine trying to kiss Melanie or tell her something? Good luck!

Cupid, Psyche and…Mom #MWTease #Bad Boys Gone Good

December 17, 2014 by ReeseRyan

Happy Hump Day, everyone! It’s time to take a peek behind the covers of books and works in progress of several authors during the Mid Week Tease, hosted by Sandra Bunino.

Raine surprised Melanie by coming to visit her for the weekend. She is thrilled to let him into her home and bed, but not so willing to let him into her family. Her mother , Ellie Gordon, would like nothing more than to see her married. The last thing Mel wants to do is give her a prospect on which to focus. However, when Melanie takes Raine to one of her favorite places in town, the Cleveland Museum of Art, she runs into the last person on earth she wants Raine to meet.

<=====Excerpt from Making the First Move=====>

He holds me closer, our cheeks flushed as we stand in front of Jacques Louis David’s enormous painting of Cupid and Psyche lying naked in an elaborate bed, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

Raine kisses the side of my face and whispers in my ear, “I know how that guy feels.”

Cupid and Psyche by Jacques-Louis David at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of rocor. — Cupid and Psyche by Jacques-Louis David at the Cleveland Museum of Art

Before I can tell him I know how Psyche feels, too, I’m interrupted by a familiar voice.

“Melanie!”

My spine stiffens. There are times when my mother’s voice echoes in my head. It stopped me from going to third base on several occasions in high school. But it’s never quite this vivid.

“Melanie!”

Raine and I both stop to look at the woman quickly approaching.

It’s my mother!

Mimi tries to keep up, laden with her huge purse and the boys’ jackets. Mickey and Dusty are nowhere in sight.

“Mom? Mimi? What are you doing here?”

“We actually came to see the art.” Mom grins and winks at me as she leans in to give me a hug. “Who’s your handsome friend?”

I take a deep breath. I’m not prepared for this, introducing Raine to my mother. Should I call him my boyfriend? “Mom, I’d like you to meet Raine Mason. He’s…a friend of mine.” I give him a look that begs forgiveness in advance for anything inappropriate my mother might say. “Raine, this is my mother, Ellie Gordon.”

She rakes her fingers through her hair and stands a bit straighter.

“Mrs. Gordon, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about your magnificent cooking.” He extends his hand.

A wide grin spreads across her face. She slips her hand into his. “Well, it’s certainly a pleasure to meet you, Raine. Though I’m at a disadvantage. You’re apparently my daughter’s best-kept secret. She hasn’t breathed a word to us about you.”

Mom glances back at Mimi. My sister looks as guilty now as she did when she was seven and she’d denied stealing my mother’s makeup with pink-stained lips and clown-red cheeks.

“Well, she hasn’t breathed a word to me, at least,” Mom continues. “I have no idea why she’d be hiding such a handsome, polite young man from her mother.” She raises an eyebrow at me.

I rub my forehead, wishing it were a genie lamp that would grant my wish to have never left the condo this morning. “I haven’t been hiding him, Mom. Raine lives in San Francisco.”

Her smile widens. “You came here, all the way from San Francisco, to see my Melanie? You two sound like more than just friends.” She pokes me in the side with her elbow.

I cough. Mimi stares, wide-eyed.

“We are more than just friends,” Raine says sheepishly. He seems to feel the need to explain to my mother why he was draped all over me a moment ago. “I’ve been trying my best to convince your beautiful daughter to be my girlfriend.”

“My daughter is a little gun-shy and a bit of a workaholic. But keep working on her.” She speaks to him in a loud whisper behind her open hand, as if only he can hear her.

“Mom!” Mimi says sharply.

Raine is clearly amused.

“Raine, this is my sister, Michele.”

Mimi shifts her purse and the boys’ coats to her left arm and extends her right hand to him. He shakes her hand.

“Good to meet you.” He smiles. “Melanie’s told me so much about you and your boys.”

She smiles approvingly. “Nice to meet you, too.”

“How long will you be in town, Raine?” I can see the plot brewing in my mother’s head.

“Just for the weekend. I flew in on Thursday evening to surprise Melanie. I leave Monday morning.”

“Melanie, you should’ve brought Raine over to the house. I could’ve kept him company on Friday while you were at work, shown him around town.”

“Maybe next time I’m in town.” He beams at her.

Mom smiles then elbows me again. “What a darling!” She looks at me as if I’ve just won the lottery. “Raine, you have to join us for dinner tomorrow. You were going to bring him to dinner, weren’t you?” My mother looks at me accusingly.

I clear my throat. “Actually, I was thinking…since Raine’s only here for a few days…”

“Look, I don’t blame you for wanting to spend the weekend shut in with this one.” She jerks her thumb toward Raine and bares her teeth at him in a flirtatious grin I’ve never seen my mother use before and hope never to see again. “But you’ve gotta come up for air sometime and you two have to eat. I’m guessing there’s only an assortment of condiments in your refrigerator.”

My cheeks flush. My head throbs. I bury my forehead in my hand.

Raine can’t hold back anymore. His entire body convulses in a raspy chuckle as he drapes an arm around me. “I’d love to come to dinner.” Raine flashes that irresistible grin at my mother and I’m pretty sure I see her swoon. “But I know Melanie has a lot planned for me this weekend.” Mom looks at me as if to say, “I’ll bet she does” and it seriously makes me throw up in my mouth a little. “How about if we promise to get back to you with an answer by the end of the day?”

“Fabulous!” Mom can barely contain her excitement at the possibility. She squeezes Raine’s hand and kisses me on the cheek. I breathe a sigh of relief, thankful for the reprieve.

“Are you two just getting here?” Mimi asks. She blushes when she finally notices we’re standing in front of Cupid and Psyche.

“We’ve been here for a while, exploring the original building. We’re about to make our way to the new galleries.” I try to regain my composure. “What about you guys?”

“I took your advice and enrolled Mickey and Dusty in the art classes here. We decided to stay and explore the museum while they’re in class, maybe grab lunch at the café.”

“Lunch! That’s an excellent idea.” My mother claps her hands together. “Why don’t we all go for lunch at the café? That’ll give us a chance to get to know each other.”

I glance at Raine. He seems about as eager as my mother does. “Fine,” I say. “We’ll do lunch.”

“Great,” Mom says, “that’ll give me plenty of time to talk you two into coming to dinner.”

Before I can object, Raine has already extended his free arm to my mother. “I’m starving, Mrs. Gordon. Lead the way.”

Mom grabs Raine’s elbow. “Call me Ellie,” she drawls like a Southern belle, which she is not. She was born, raised and has always lived in the Midwest.

“Yes, ma’am, Ellie.” Raine flashes that damn adorable grin.

I want to protest, to tell her he’s mine. I want to spend the weekend with him. Alone. But there’s no use fighting it. All I can do is prepare myself for an hour of uncomfortable questions. Questions I can’t answer.

<=====END OF EXCERPT=====>

That Ellie is a pistol. She is the caring, wise, no-nonsense matriarch of the Gordon Family, and I had a blast writing her character in both Making the First Move and Love Me Not. Okay, now it’s time to dive into some of the tasty treats prepared for you by my fellow teasers. Please visit them at the links below.

Happy Teasing!

Cupid and Psyche by Jacques-Louis David at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of rocor.

“I’ve seen this in Lifetime movies. It doesn’t end well.” #MWTease

December 3, 2014 by ReeseRyan

It’s time to sample teasers from a wide range of talented authors. A little something we like to call the Mid Week Tease, hosted by the fabulous Sandra Bunino. If you missed my tease last week (and you probably did, because like the genius I sometimes am, I forgot to sign up for last week’s tease) you’ll find that Melanie and Raine…ahem…made a connection. It’s now the morning after that delicious feeling of complete and utter ecstasy and Mel is still getting to know this new side of Raine.

<=====Excerpt of Making the First Move=====>

Saturday morning I awake alone, tangled in the sheet. I roll over and look at the clock. It’s ten-thirty. Sitting up, I look around for evidence of my night with Raine. I need confirmation that it wasn’t an exceedingly vivid fantasy. Raine’s clothes are no longer on the floor where he’d tossed them last night, but I smell food and hear pots clanging.

Slipping from under the covers, I hurry into the bathroom, grateful I won’t be forced to do an awkward sheet shimmy.

The mirror reveals what Raine must have seen this morning. Hair smashed flat on one side, crust in the corners of my eyes—and is that dried drool? I shudder.

Standing under the steaming hot water in the shower, I lather my hair, replaying the night before. Finally I emerge from the bathroom in my bathrobe—teeth brushed, body scrubbed, hair washed and pulled into a neat, low bun.

I follow the tantalizing aroma of breakfast. Raine stands at the stove barefoot in jeans and an undershirt. He turns toward the sound of my footsteps. His eyes light up and he breaks into a grin that flexes every muscle in his face. The last time someone was this glad to see me, I had to take him for a walk and give him doggy treats.

“Morning, sleepyhead.” He leans in to kiss me then quickly returns his attention to the skillet. “Hungry?”

“You cuddle. You spend the night. You make breakfast.” I shake my head. “Are you for real? ’Cause I’ve seen this in Lifetime movies. It doesn’t end well.”

When he looks away quickly, I’m afraid I’ve offended him. But then the right side of his mouth turns up in a half smile.

“Consider yourself the beneficiary of two decades of trial and error,” he says. “Or maybe this is all part of my evil plan.” He raises his eyebrows up and down manically.

“So there is an evil plan. Well, that’s a relief.” I smile. “But I shouldn’t be surprised. There’s a lot more to you than you let on.” I gently trace the sword tattoo on his right arm with my fingertips.

Raine offers a quick smile before he focuses on his cooking again. He slides a spatula underneath the omelet he’s cooking and gently flips it. “Like I said, things were crazy for a few years. My mother likes to call it my ‘Tattoo Period.’”

“Looks like you were quite the badass.” I touch the faded blue head of a large phoenix across his back. “Exactly how many tattoos do you have?”

“Four. One on each arm. One on my chest. One on my back. It only looks like more because of their size.” He picks up a strip of bacon and offers it to me. I take a bite. “That’s practically a choir boy by NBA standards.”

“True.” I nibble on the bacon. “Still, there must be a helluva story behind every one of those.”

“There is.” A hint of perturbance flashes behind stormy gray eyes. “But that’s a conversation for another day.” The corner of his mouth lifts in a subdued smile as he hands me another piece of bacon.

“Okay,” I concede, taking a seat behind the breakfast bar. “I’m absolutely starving and everything smells and tastes delicious. I have to admit, I’m pretty impressed.”

“Don’t be. It’s the only meal in my repertoire.” His shoulders relax and he smiles. “Got any plans this weekend?”

At least a hundred things I should be doing come to mind. There are plans to make and five years of my life to pack. “Nothing really.”

“I thought we could hang out this weekend.”

“Sounds nice. What did you have in mind?”

“How about a picnic in the park this afternoon?”

“A picnic? I haven’t been on one since I was a kid.”

My dad loved picnics. We would each make our own sandwiches. Mom would make one of her homemade apple pies. We’d play bocce ball. I haven’t thought about those family picnics for years.

I can see and hear my dad so clearly. His broad smile. The glint in his eyes. His contagious laugh. I miss him. But I’m taken off guard by how much I miss the other faces around that picnic blanket—my mother, my sister and Jamie.

“You alright?” Raine sets breakfast in front of me.

“I’m fine. Just thinking about…a picnic.” I smile. “I’d love to go.”

“Great. Now, try this.” He feeds me the spinach omelet he’s been making.

“Delish.” I take the fork from him, stab another forkful and shove it into my mouth.

He pours me a glass of orange juice.

“What else is on the agenda this weekend?” I ask between bites of omelet.

Raine stands behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. “Let’s just say omelets and orange juice aren’t the only O I plan to give you this weekend.” He laughs when I drop my fork. “I have a few errands to run this morning and I need to go home and change first,” he continues.

“Would it be easier if I just got dressed and went with you?” I ask, hoping for a chance to see his place.

“No,” he says quickly. “I mean, it won’t take me long. I’ll be back in a couple of hours. When I get back maybe I can show you a few more of my…hidden talents.”

Clearing my throat, I try to smile demurely. “I think that can be arranged.” I take a sip of orange juice.

“Then it’s a date.” Raine turns my chair around and kisses me long and hard. A kiss that melts me like a pudding pop dropped on a sizzling summer sidewalk.

I squeeze my eyes shut and remind myself not to get used to this. In a few days I’ll be back in Cleveland for a visit. Less than a month from now my fling with Raine will be nothing more than a pleasant memory.

So why am I missing him from the moment the door clicks shut?

<=====END OF EXCERPT=====>

Hmm…seems like things are going to be a bit more complicated than Mel had hoped. Next time we’ll see what happens after she returns from her quick trip home, where she reunites with her family and best friend/sister, Jamie Charles, of Love Me Not. But now it’s time to see what everyone else is offering this week. I’ll see you at the next stop.

Happy teasing!

This Delicious Feeling of Complete and Utter Ecstasy #MWTease

November 26, 2014 by ReeseRyan

It’s that time of the week when we get to take a peek behind the covers of currently available novels and novellas and works in progress of several, talented authors–the Mid Week Tease, hosted by Sandra Bunino.

Last week I shared an excerpt from my debut, Making the First Move. Melanie and Raine have had a business relationship and a casual friendship that has included a few “plus one” situations. However, once Raine discovered that Melanie would be relocating to Cleveland, he felt compelled to finally act on his feelings for her. Melanie knows nothing can come of this, but then again, she has nothing to lose. Or does she?

<=====Excerpt of Making the First Move=====>

The twenty or so steps to my bed seem like the longest walk I’ve ever taken. My nipples throb from his sucking and teasing, my heart is beating like a drum and there’s a steady, dull ache emanating from between my thighs. Every erogenous zone on my body is doing a celebration dance, like farmers welcoming the first drops of rain. My body is completely in line with my decision. My head feels the need to interfere.

Why are we doing this? I’m about to leave.

Did I make my bed?

I hope I wore matching underwear today.

What’s going to happen after this?

Maybe we shouldn’t…

We stop at the foot of the bed and look at it for an instant, then at each other.

I place my hands on his chest and lean into him, forcing my eyes to meet his. It’s exceedingly difficult to divert my gaze from his body. The man is sex poured into a glass on ice with a twist of lemon. And I want him.

God, do I want him.

“Is this one of those moments we’re going to seriously regret in the morning?” My voice comes out shaky and for the first time since we started this I’m very conscious of the fact that we’re both half-naked.

He kisses my palm, then my fingertips. “I could never regret this,” he says. “What about you?”

“No,” I say. “No regrets.”

I lean into him and press my mouth on his. He lifts me slightly, puts one knee on the bed and then lowers his body on mine.

He brushes loose curls from my face. “You’re fucking gorgeous. You know that?” He kisses me again before I respond. “Do you know how long I’ve wanted to say that? To tell you how much I need you? I should’ve told you a long time ago.”

“Yes, you should have. But perhaps you can make it up to me.” I flash him a naughty smile as I trace his deliciously full lips with my thumb.

The corner of his mouth lifts in a devilish grin. He presses his mouth against mine. His tongue dives in immediately. Mine invites it to a passionate dance. A rehearsal for the union I hope will soon take place.

But Raine has something else in mind.

He rolls off me and slides his hand down my stomach, which I try hard to hold in. He kisses my belly and slides his fingertips back and forth underneath the waistband of my jeans. A difficult task, since there’s very little room to spare. He unfastens the button and slowly unzips them.

Raine peels off the jeans that are practically a second skin and pushes them off onto the floor, an act I’m willing to overlook. He removes his jeans and tosses them next to mine.

He bites his lower lip as he studies me lying, trembling, on the bed in nothing but a pair of red satin panties.

I feel exposed in a way I never have before. Butterflies do a synchronized waltz inside my stomach. My chest rises and falls rapidly. I’m eager, but try not to show it. And a little uneasy, but I try not to show that either.

Raine has been my Taye Diggs. The hot guy you fantasize about but never delude yourself into thinking you can actually have. So while I’ll admit to the fantasy, the realization that he’s actually in my bed is a little unnerving.

He kisses my neck. My breasts. My stomach. Above my waistband, which he is now edging down, taking a peek. I lift my hips to help him remove my panties. I can feel the dampness against my skin as he slides them down my leg.

Raine plants soft, delicate kisses along my belly, pelvic bone and inner thigh. My body responds with a sharp inhalation to his warm lips pressing against my throbbing clit. I grip the bedding and writhe as he teases it with his tongue. I bite my lower lip and practically hold my breath in an attempt to muffle the sounds trying to escape as I’m overcome by a wave of intense pleasure.

It feels as if I’m about to implode from this delicious feeling of complete and utter ecstasy. Is that possible? Death by sex? Because it seems like a very real possibility.

Suddenly he stops. I’ve barely taken a breath before he dives his nimble tongue inside me and works its magic.

Oh…my…God.

I moan and thrust against him, wanting, needing more. He’s only too happy to oblige. He threads his arms through my legs then presses his fingers inside my thighs, splaying them further open and anchoring my bottom to the bed.

My soft whimpering escalates to match the increased speed of his tongue, dipping in and out of my slick core. My lips part and my chin lifts as I ride this intense wave of pleasure. My breath becomes quick and ragged as he sends me spiraling into an orgasm that is like a jolt of electricity delivered to every inch of my body.

<=====END OF EXCERPT=====>

Thus begins what Melanie expects to be a short fling between her and Raine. Then they’ll both go their separate ways and chalk this up to a missed opportunity. Only, things rarely work out exactly as we expect. Stay tuned.

Now, before we all go and stuff our faces with turkey and a yummy variety of carb-loaded sides, it’s time to see what tasty teases my fellow authors have in store. By the way, all teases this week are guaranteed to be carb-free. 😉

Happy teasing!

Hot Carolina Nights Series Coming in 2015

November 22, 2014 by ReeseRyan

This morning I’ve been dancing around my kitchen with unbridled happiness, as if no-one is watching. Though my husband is, in fact, watching me and probably debating whether to call an ambulance. But I can barely contain the joy of finally making a decision about where my fiction-writing career is going next.

Thanks to a marathon session with a writing coach who helped me identify and move past some of the fears that were holding me back, I was able to settle on the series with which I’ll launch my venture into the world of indie publishing. And thanks to the amazing readers who took the time to share their opinions and ideas for a title, and said husband whose vote confirmed my final choice, my small town, contemporary romance series has a name: Hot Carolina Nights.

I’d already created titles for each of the books planned in the series. However, a serendipitous idea prompted me to spend yesterday morning renaming several of the books so that the story titles would all fit thematically with the series title. I also spent some time creating a relationship web to establish relationships between characters in each book and throughout the series.

So, yeah, I’m beyond happy. Thrilled, in fact. I hope you, dear reader, will be just as happy with the final results.

On that note, I’ll leave you with a live performance “Blue Rondo à la Turk,,” a classic jazz piece by the amazing Dave Brubeck Quartet (one of the songs I was dancing to this morning). This piece shares that same feeling of unrestrained joy (and unusual timing) that was on display in my kitchen this morning. 😉

Enjoy your weekend!

Wild Horse photo courtesy of Adnan Islam.