Ranae Rose's Blog, page 9

I revealed this for the first time earlier today in my December newsletter - Inked in the Steel City, #5. I wanted to wrap up this year with an announcement sharing something to look forward to in the next, so here it is. :) Serious Ink will release in early 2014 - exact release date TBA.
I know I usually include the official release date with my book reveals, but this time, the fact that I'm due to have a baby sometime within the next few weeks complicates knowing exactly when I'll be able to handle all the tasks involved in preparing for a book release. I'll share the date soon. Meanwhile, here's the blurb...


Hard times mean hard choices, but falling for Noah Wilder is easy. Beneath his suit and tie, he’s seriously inked and seriously irresistible. When he walks into the Hot Ink Tattoo Studio, the attraction between him and studio receptionist Zoe is mutual – and fierce. And after the opportunity to ditch her demeaning second job to work for him instead arises, suddenly he’s her boss … and much more. With lines blurred in every way imaginable, can she balance passion and professionalism with doing what’s best for her struggling family?
Attraction is a powerful thing. So is former fighter Noah’s drive to make his growing mixed martial arts promotion company succeed, and if business happens to coincide with pleasure, so much the better. Tattooed beauty Zoe Ramsey is all his when she’s not working at Hot Ink – for twenty hours a week, anyway. When circumstances bring them close faster than they ever imagined, can he make her see that he’s just as serious about her as he is about the business he’s poured his heart and soul into?
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For those who use Goodreads and would like to shelve Serious Ink, it has a newly-created GR page right here.* * * * *
Optional: Want to be the first to know when Serious Ink releases? Sign up for the Inked in the Steel City new release mailing list below. Subscribers will receive a notification e-mail each time a new book in the Inked in the Steel City Series is released. That’s it. No spam, no other e-mails, and your contact info is kept completely private.Type your e-mail address in the box below and hit ‘enter’ to subscribe.Subscribe to the Inked in the Steel City new release notification list

Inked in the Steel City Book 4 is here! Are you ready for Tyler's story? I've put together a giveaway to celebrate the new release. Keep reading for the details on Abiding Ink & how to enter for a chance at some signed paperbacks and assorted series / book goodies.

Tyler DeHaven may look like a bad boy, but there’s got to be more to the tattoo artist who volunteers at the hospital during the holiday season. Inviting him to a work Christmas party seems innocent enough … at first. Problem is, he’s just as irresistible as he looks and falling fast is more than Mallory bargained for. After all, she’s reminded every day what a gamble love can be, and there’s no question that with him, the stakes are high.It may be cold outside but Mallory Stephens is the hottest nurse Tyler has ever laid eyes on. To top it off, she also likes ink and wants him to be her holiday party date. He’s not going to say no, and when things get rocky, he’s not going to let their passion frost over, either.Can a brand-new romance survive the chill as snow falls in the Steel City? Read an excerpt here. Available now at...Amazon     Amazon UK     B&N     Apple     Kobo     AReAnd in paperback at Amazon .
GIVEAWAY

Prize 1 is a signed paperback set of Inked in the Steel City Books 1-3 (Hot Ink, Innocent Ink & Dedicated Ink) + assorted series & book goodies (buttons, postcards, etc). Prize 2 is a signed paperback copy of Hot Ink (Book 1). 
This is an international contest!
To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below. Please note that you must be 18 or older to participate.
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Thank you for celebrating the release of Abiding Ink with me. ♥
Ink is forever. So is love.
Explore the Inked in the Steel City Series anytime via the Inked in the Steel City page at ranaerose.com

Two years ago I hit ‘publish’ for a book about a girl who falls for her tattoo artist. At the time, I thought I was being pretty darn original. (I can hear you laughing now … it’s okay. LOL) Fast forward to present day and I think it’s safe to say that tattoo romances are a thing. Much more so than two years ago. Which I think is…
Awesome. Seriously – who doesn’t like browsing books online and seeing all the covers showing off the characters’ ink? I love that. Back in 2011 it was a rarity. Not anymore. And I’m one of those shoppers who definitely gets drawn in by a good cover. :)

Anyway, to be exact, December 15thwill be the two year anniversary of Hot Ink ’s release. (I guess I’m writing this post a tad prematurely, but mid-December seems a little too close to my due date for comfort. I figure if I have anything I want to say, I’d better say it now.) Since then my girl-meets-tattoo-artist love story has expanded into an entire series that will be at least six books long. Book 4, AbidingInk , releases in just a few days – on Nov. 25th.

Two years may not be an incredibly long time in many respects, but I have experienced so much during that time, including when it comes to my writing career, that it often seems ages ago. And I feel very fortunate when I consider how the Inked in the Steel City Series has been received during that time.
Writing in general is something I love, but there’s something special about working on the next book in a series, knowing that there are already readers out there who’ve met the characters and are anticipating their time in the spotlight. I’ve really enjoyed writing the Inked in the Steel City Series and am looking forward to continuing it.
Will I wrap it up in 2014? I don’t know. I only set a rigid writing schedule for myself a couple months out. For various personal reasons, 2014 is also going to be a very demanding year. I may still be writing the series into 2015. But there will definitely be more of the series coming in 2014. I’ve already been working on what’s next, which probably isn’t a surprise.
Hot Ink wasn’t a huge success out of the starting gate. But over time it gained popularity and to date, the Inked in the Steel City Series as a whole is some of my most popular work ever. Each installment has reached bestsellerdom at every major ebook retailer (Amazon, B&N, Apple). 

Sometimes the books are received with what, to me, is a crazily awesome amount of enthusiasm. Like when the last book, Dedicated Ink, released and quickly became the #1 bestselling book in the entire Australian Apple (iBooks) store. The entire store. Not in romance, but overall. I’m not sure I can convey how incredibly cool that made me feel. LOL
So to those who follow the series, thanks a bunch. I hardly have the market cornered on sexy tattooed characters, especially this day in age (ha ha).  And I know that’s not all that defines the Inked in the Steel City Series. Not even close. But my point is, I appreciate the people who read it and I want to assure everyone that there will be a minimum of six books.
Each time a new book releases, a lot of people contact me asking whether there will be more, and many seem to be worried it will be the last / that a character they want to read about will be left out. Well, Book 4 definitely isn’t the end. Each member of Hot Ink’s staff (artists and receptionists) will receive their own HEA. There are seven staff members, but since Mina and Eric are a couple, that means six books. Plus, there’s also the (very likely) possibility of extra stories revisiting past characters.
So thanks for the past two years. I’m looking forward to one or two more of writing the Inked in the Steel City Series. And I’m not going to leave any Hot Ink staff members behind without a HEA of their own. ;)

P.S. If you'd like to be notified via e-mail as soon as Abiding Ink releases, visit the Inked in the Steel City series page on my site to sign up for the Inked in the Steel City new release notification list.

Thank you to all subscribers who entered my November newsletter contest for a signed paperback set of Inked in the Steel City Books 1-3. This month's winner is:
Anne M.
I have contacted Anne regarding her prize.
As always, there'll be a new contest in next month's edition. ;) If you're not a subscriber but would like to be, you can sign up using the form below. You will receive one monthly e-mail, sent out during the first week of every month. Subscribers' contact info is never shared or sold.
To subscribe, enter your e-mail address in the box below and hit ‘enter’.Subscribe to our mailing list

Only 12 days 'till release day! Ready to meet Tyler & Mallory a little early? I just posted an excerpt from Abiding Ink at my site. You can get started on Chapter 1 now via the link below.

Read an excerpt from Abiding Ink.
See you back here November 25th for a special release day celebration / giveaway. ;)

Happy Veterans Day and thank you to all who have served. Since my veteran heroes are so often among readers' favorites and today is all about remembering our military men & women, I'd like to acknowledge a few favorite organizations of mine that honor our veterans every day of the year. If you're looking for a way to support American men & women who have served in the military today or any other day, these organizations are a great place to start:

Homes for Our Troops
HFOT builds the specially-adapted homes that our combat wounded veterans and their families need and deserve. In the past, I had the chance to visit one of their work sites. I got to learn about what they do and it's very impressive!


www.hfotusa.org
American Red Cross
Virtually everyone is familiar with American Red Cross. Did you know that they support military families in a variety of ways? You can find out more about exactly what they do here.
redcross.org
Soldier Mama Troop Greeting Cards
Soldier Mama is actually the work of one of my readers, Sue. Sue generously devotes much of her own time and funds to making sure that our deployed troops receive greeting cards. Mail means more to our military men and women, especially those who are deployed, than many realize. If you're on Facebook, please consider stopping by Soldier Mama's page and giving it a 'like'!
Soldier Mama Troop Greeting Cards on Facebook
Thanks for allowing me to share these three organizations with you. They deserve much more than a spotlight on my blog, for sure! Enjoy your Veterans Day. :)

Tyler DeHaven may look like a bad boy, but there’s got to be more to the tattoo artist who volunteers at the hospital during the holiday season. Inviting him to a work Christmas party seems innocent enough … at first. Problem is, he’s just as irresistible as he looks and falling fast is more than Mallory bargained for. After all, she’s reminded every day what a gamble love can be, and there’s no question that with him, the stakes are high.It may be cold outside but Mallory Stephens is the hottest nurse Tyler has ever laid eyes on. To top it off, she also likes ink and wants him to be her holiday party date. He’s not going to say no, and when things get rocky, he’s not going to let their passion frost over, either.Can a brand-new romance survive the chill as snow falls in the Steel City?

Inked in the Steel City Book 4Releasing Nov. 25, 2013* * * * *It's my pleasure to announce that Tyler's story, Abiding Ink, will release on November 25th. Believe it or not, it's been nearly two years since Book 1 in the Inked in the Steel City Series - Hot Ink - released in December 2011. And the series is still going strong, thanks to readers. :) I really enjoy writing this series (which will be at least 6 books long, as every member of the Hot Ink staff will get their own HEA). So thank you for nearly two years of support & encouragement. There are more Inked in the Steel City books on the way!
As for Abiding Ink, I will have an excerpt live on my site sometime before release day.
Optional...
Add Abiding Ink to your to-read shelf on Goodreads.
Want to be the first to know when Abiding Ink releases? Sign up below for the Inked in the Steel City Series new release notification list. Subscribers will receive a notification e-mail each time a new book in the Inked in the Steel City Series is released. That’s it. No spam, no other e-mails, and your contact info is kept completely private.Type your e-mail address in the box below and hit ‘enter’ to subscribe.Subscribe to the Inked in the Steel City new release notification list

Cooler days, cold nights. The weather is perfect for spending time with a good book and a cup of hot tea or coffee, so it's probably no surprise that this is my favorite time of year. I've  invited four other romance authors to celebrate the change of seasons with me, and we've put together something special for you! We want to make sure there's no shortage of steamy reads to heat up fall, so we're giving away some signed paperbacks and running a special ebook sale Oct. 29 - Nov. 3.
Keep scrolling for special sale titles and a giveaway...
Hot Books on SaleOct. 29 - Nov. 3 Only

Hell Without You $3.99 $0.99
Amazon      B&N      ARe

Under His Command $2.99 $0.99
Amazon     B&N     ARe

The Lady Knights of Barony $4.99 $0.99
Amazon     B&N    ARe


Act of Pardon $3.99 $1.99
ARe

The Light Within Me Free!
Amazon     B&N     ARe
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Hot Books Giveaway
Enter to win signed paperbacks from the Cold Nights, Hot Books authors via the Rafflecopter widget below.
Note for international readers: You are eligible to win a book from each author. If an international winner is drawn for a book marked 'international', (s)he will receive the signed paperback edition. If the book is marked 'US only' and an international winner is drawn, (s)he will receive an ebook prize instead.

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Meet the Authors

Elise Marion
Elise first picked up a pen with with dreams of writing at the age of 12. She's been writing ever since and has found a love of romantic stories both sweet and sensual.
EliseMarion.com      Facebook      Twitter      Goodreads

Carly Fall
Carly is a wife, mother and a slave to Nicky the dog. She loves to laugh, thinks chocolate and wine should be considered their own food group, and wishes Christmas happened twice a year.
CarlyFall.com     Facebook     Twitter     Goodreads

Ranae Rose
Ranae is the author of over a dozen adult romances and counting. She calls the US East Coast home, and resides there with her husband, child, German Shepherd dogs and overflowing bookshelves. 
RanaeRose.com      Facebook      Twitter      Goodreads

Sandra Sookoo
Sandra's passion is being an author of romantic fiction with quirky characters in unusual situations.  She loves baking and cooking and will try anything once. 
SandraSookoo.com     Facebook     Twitter     Goodreads

Kristine Cayne


Kristine is fascinated by the mysteries of human psychology—twisted secrets, deep-seated beliefs, out-of-control desires. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, thriving on the mix of cultures, languages, religions and ideologies.
KristineCayne.com     Facebook     Twitter     Goodreads
* * * * *Thanks for celebrating the new season with us!

Today is release day for Bright Blue Moon, the latest installment in my Half Moon Shifters Series!
A second chance at a happily ever after only comes once in a blue moon – or in Kimberly’s case, once in a lifetime. After the disappearance of the only man she’s ever loved, she knows that after so many years, chances are slim that Michael is still alive. But when her world is shifted on its axis at their daughter’s wedding, it becomes clear that anything is possible.Leaving behind the woman he loved and their unborn child was the hardest thing Michael ever had to do – even harder than seeing his pack massacred, or spending most of his life on the run, hunting and being hunted. In the aftermath of a battle that finally ended the threat posed by a vicious clan of shifter hunters, he’s finally free to return to Kimberly.Despite the passage of time, the spark of their love is still alive. Unfortunately, their reunion coincides with the strangest trouble the Half Moon Pack has ever encountered: the arrival of a monster hunting TV show crew determined to prove that something unnatural is lurking in the Great Smoky Mountains.Book 2.5 in the Half Moon Shifters Series.Bright Blue Moon is a novella that takes place between Books 2 and 3.Read a free excerpt here.Available at…Amazon      B&N      Apple     AReTo celebrate the release of Kimberly & Michael's story, I'm giving away a signed paperback copy of Half Moon Shifters Volume 1: Lonely Alpha & True Alpha, plus a button and silicon Half Moon Shifters bracelet. To enter, see the Rafflecopter widget below. This giveaway is international!

P.S. If you've already done one of the giveaway options - like if you're already a newsletter subscriber or already follow me on Twitter, just go ahead and mark that option as done. ;)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for celebrating the release of Bright Blue Moon with me! ❤
Other books in the Half Moon Shifters Series...
  Sparks and bullets fly as a werewolf pack in the Great Smoky Mountains grows from one lonely alpha to a strong pack united by love and loyalty, while certain members of a neighboring bear-shifter tribe share their journey.
Visit the Half Moon Shifters Series page at my site.
Get Book 1, Lonely Alpha, for $0.99 at...
Amazon     B&N     Apple     Kobo     ARe

October 28th - release day for the next installment in the Half Moon Shifters Series - is just around the corner. Still, if you'd like an early taste of Kimberly & Michael's story, you can read part of Chapter 1 now for free, on my site.
Click here to read an excerpt from Bright Blue Moon.
Speaking of release day, don't forget to stop by here again on Monday, the 28th - as usual, I'll be hosting a special giveaway to celebrate the new release. ;)
Bright Blue Moon
A second chance at a happily ever after only comes once in a blue moon – or in Kimberly’s case, once in a lifetime. After the disappearance of the only man she’s ever loved, she knows that after so many years, chances are slim that Michael is still alive. But when her world is shifted on its axis at their daughter’s wedding, it becomes clear that anything is possible.Leaving behind the woman he loved and their unborn child was the hardest thing Michael ever had to do – even harder than seeing his pack massacred, or spending most of his life on the run, hunting and being hunted. In the aftermath of a battle that finally ended the threat posed by a vicious clan of shifter hunters, he’s finally free to return to Kimberly.Despite the passage of time, the spark of their love is still alive. Unfortunately, their reunion coincides with the strangest trouble the Half Moon Pack has ever encountered: the arrival of a monster hunting TV show crew determined to prove that something unnatural is lurking in the Great Smoky Mountains.Book 2.5 in the Half Moon Shifters Series.Bright Blue Moon is a novella that takes place between Books 2 and 3.