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Happy Wednesday, guys!
Not Roman, but the eyebrows are right, and the mouth. Oh my.
I’ve got extra bounce this morning, for reasons. Namely, I just wrapped up my February writing goal by sending off the first five episodes of my serial, ROMAN HOLIDAY (starts in August!) to my critique buddies. Now, one might be disappointed with me for not sending the episodes off by February 28 — I know I am — but on the other hand, it’s possible that those 50,000 words ended up taking a week longer than they were supposed to because they were actually 68,000 words. Eighteen thousand bonus words of Ruthie! You lucky ducks, you. This is going to be an epic serial adventure. (Or else my editor will make me cut 18,000 words. Which would not be so epic.)
Secondly, I got good publishing news yesterday. I don’t know if I’m allowed to tell you about it yet, but it’s not the kind of secret that matters to (most of) you guys, just to me — the sort of secret where money I didn’t expect has appeared miraculously from nowhere. Yay, money! When I was about nine years old, I once found ten dollars I’d forgotten I had in my red nylon velcro-closure wallet. It had horses on it. The wallet, not the money. This feels like that, only it’s more than ten dollars.
AND there are additional reasons for bouncing, as well. My book trailer went live at Heroes and Heartbreakers yesterday — check it out. You like? I think I will probably never be involved in anything this cute again in my whole life. But in a good way.
AND Mary Ann Rivers says all kinds of wonderful things about the heroine of Along Came Trouble, Ellen. (Are you following Mary Ann? You should be. She’s going to knock your socks off come June.)
So that’s a lot of good stuff. Plus, I have a great book to recommend today. Here’s the blurb—
She’s hitting below the belt…
Round 1
In this corner is admittedly romantic Jenna Wilinski, who’s inherited a rather seedy boxing gym from her estranged father. With it, she can realize her dream of launching an upscale matchmaking business…provided she can take on the very intimidating—and wickedly hot—boxer who stands in her way!Round 2
In the far corner is former pro boxer Mercer Rowley. He’s the only one who can protect his “home”—even if it is a little run-down— from his determined and feisty little opponent. But man, once the gloves come off, his hands just want to touch her everywhere…Round 3
This matchup is too close to call. But no matter which contender comes out on top, the other is sure to enjoy every minute of it….
You all know I love Meg Maguire (aka Cara McKenna). I’m on record — quite thoroughly on record — as thinking the sun rises and sets on her shiny little Irish face. This is Meg’s third Blaze, and my favorite so far. The reason is primarily Mercer, who is the most delightful down-to-earth hero. He’s like a teddy bear in a pit bull’s body, it pit-bull-teddy-bears were witty.
The flirting in this book is almost outrageous in its sexy-funness. Is that a word? I think I just made up a word, that’s how good the flirting is. There’s also a lovely, authentic sense of place here — of Boston, of this down-at-the-heel mixed martial arts gym where the story is set, of these ordinary guys who have made the gym their home base.
This is the first of a connected series of stories about Wilinski’s, and it has a nice solid foundational feel to it — like we’re seeing our patriarch and matriarch get together, and we’ll get to enjoy them a little more in the future books, when all Jenna’s little matchmaking babies are running around.
Enjoy!
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Making Him Sweat by Meg Maguire | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
I did not know Meg Maguire and Cara McKenna were one in the same; or that she was Irish! Loved the book trailer. It was great diversion from the boringly dry academic writing I’m doing this morning for my dissertation. I can’t wait til 2pm EST when I get to quite academic writing and start some steamy reading! Thanks for the diversion and recommendation. Hope you get to keep you 18K words.
I love when people don’t know that and I get to surprise them with the knowledge that it’s the same filthy mind at work!
Ugh, dissertation. I’ve been there. Imagine me giving you a big cup of mint tea and, you know. Your life back. If I could.
Hope you enjoy the steamy reading!
I’ve got Making Him Sweat on my Kindle and can’t WAIT to get to it. Love me a huggable pitbull body. And Meg/Cara is the total bomb.
Oh, and love those eyebrows. And the mouth. Can’t wait to meet Roman.
Yay for you, Ruthie! Secret unexpected miracle money reminds me of the scene in Indecent Proposal, when Diana is rolling around in the money all over the bed.
Over-delivering by an extra 35% makes that additional week completely excusable. Reward–worthy, in fact.
I always thought there should be a book featuring a hero inspired by Roger Huerta, the ex-UFC fighter who totally whipped butt in defense of a woman he didn’t know. Now that random thought has come to fruition in Meg Maguire’s book and I didn’t have to do any work. Sweet. Time to purchase and consume.
I hope you like it! I’m not sure if it’s enough money to roll around in. Maybe small bills. Quarters?
First of all Ruthie, the trailer is AWESOME! Plus thank you for the introduction to Meg Maguire/Cara Mckenna. Yet another book to add to my groaning TBR file! I love it!
I know what you mean about ” surprise money”. I love to go from winter clothes to summer, and find all the bills stuck in pockets before I put them away! Lucky for you sounds like your surprise was for a bit more…LOL.
I love Rome and Italy, so I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy Roman Holiday, oh is it about Rome?? Sounds like a great day for you!
Roman is the hero’s name, actually, so no Rome visits for you in this book! Maybe sometime after I round up enough found money to do some “research” in Italy.
Congrats on the word and $$$ bonus!
Hmmm, Roman Holiday, huh? Should I be thinking
a petite pixie-esque brunette with doe eyes
meets and beds a tan and sweaty brut in a
chariot and a whip? Because I can and I will
You can think that, but you’ll be SO surprised. This one is more “Cuban-American emotional robot land developer has to figure out how to deal with the Marcia Brady lookalike who’s chained herself to a palm tree at the resort he needs to knock down. Hilarity ensues. Also sexytimes.”
Congratulations on getting Roman Holiday done and getting some extra money. Thanks for the book suggestion. Have a great day!
Thank you!
Thanks for the book recommendation, Ruthie. I feel Nakeesha’s pain — I’m supposed to be revising a scholarly journal article — but instead am just doodling around on your blog. I wonder how many academic careers have been hi-jacked (or supported?) by reading romance novels?!
If I’d read romance novels in grad school, it would have taken me another 3 years to write my dissertation.
Finally just read this. If things go the way I need them to go (and deserve them to go for criminy’s sake!!!), I’ll be joining the grad school (for real this time, not just taking grad classes amongst undergrad b/c then I can double-count them) ranks. Again. This will be my third (and hopefully 4th!) official degree.
Speaking of found money, anyone got, oh, a hundred thou or so that you want me to wash and find in my dryer?