Té Russ's Blog, page 23
October 27, 2013
Premiering After the Storm book cover
It's late and time for this mama to fall asleep but I just had to share my good news!
The book cover for my next book, After the Storm is complete!
Take a look:
The book is in review on amazon as we speak so hopefully by the time we all wake up, I'll be posting telling everyone and their friends to get online and purchase my latest book! Lol!
Well goodnight and happy reading!
Té
P.S. I also added a family tree to the beginning of the book so you can keep along with the family!
October 9, 2013
It's almost here!
Book number four is almost ready for publishing! The book itself is just about complete, I'm just getting an excerpt to put at the end of the book from the next book. After that I just have to get the cover done.
Not sure if we'll be able to get it done this weekend; it's the hubby and my anniversary starting tomorrow and Friday and I don't know what he has planned for us (after over half a decade of marriage, I've learned not to even bother with trying to figure out his plans because he won't give up anything). So if we can't squeeze out time this weekend to get it done, then I pray we'll get it worked out next weekend!
I really hope you enjoy this book and the books that follow. As I've mentioned before, I love family series books and I'm enjoying writing about this family. I opened up my current work in progress, which is book for in the McAllister family and this couple always gets me. It's properly titled Love After War and you'll see why!
Well, be on the look out! After the Storm, coming your way soon!
Happy Reading!
Té
September 4, 2013
Welcome! C. Michelle Ramsey
About Mrs. Ramsey
An avid reader since her primary years, Michelle saw books as an escape mechanism. Excited by the worlds, and characters that could be created with a touch of the imagination, she began writing her own stories at the age of 12. The more enamored with storytelling she became, the more she wanted to create stories about the suffering, and hardships she saw others enduring, with one twist…her characters would rise above their adversities and limitations, but not always with traditional endings.
This busy wife, and mother of three, exchanged her Girl Scout Leader pins for her creative writing pen, as she began to focus on publishing her novels. In her spare time, when she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading mystery novels, watching NBA, remodeling their home with her husband, and spending time with him and their children. Having recently received her MBA in Human Resource Management, she says she cannot wait for the day when writing becomes her full-time career.
Contact Info:
Email: books@cmichelleramsey.com
Website: www.cmichelleramsey.com
FB: Author C Michelle Ramsey
Twitter: @CMichelleRamsey
Blog: www.writingmydreams.com
Pinterest: authorcmramsey
And now an excerpt from her latest book Is the Grass Really Greener:
Courtney found herself nodding her head to the beat of the music, more than she was focused on her report. Anita Baker’s “I Apologize” was on the radio playing softly in the background on KSTORM. She had to get this report done for tomorrow morning’s budget meeting. Stretching back in her chair, she let out a long yawn and shook her head to shake the sleep off. It was 11:55 at night and she knew that she had to be up at four in the morning. But these numbers just weren’t shaking out right.
The right thing to do would be to put it away and go upstairs with Nate and go to bed. She found herself going to bed after her husband more and more these days. She used to be the one who was knocked out by eight or nine o’clock, but not anymore. Some nights she was still up until two or three in the morning, if she didn’t have an early day at the office. Nate didn’t question it, because he didn’t want to be bothered with her anyway. She couldn’t remember the last time they had sex. She stopped to ponder that thought, had it really been five months now? Damn, it had. Seems as if she was always attempting to get him in the mood, and the last time she had done that he had brushed her off and he didn’t show even the slightest interest in her.
“Lonely hearts, find someone to love. Fellas, take care of your women; remember to love them long and strong, ‘cuz if you don’t, another brother will. And to all my lovely ladies, I’m wishing you a good night out there in the ATL; thanks for spending another night with me. And come back tomorrow for another night of love with Hypnotiq on the Storm.”
And with that he blew his traditional kiss and Pierce was off the radio for the night. As if this were some subliminal cue, Courtney closed her folder, switched off the radio on the bookshelf behind her, walked over to the doorway, switched off the light in her office, and walked upstairs to her bedroom. She was halfway up the steps when it hit her.
Damn, she thought to herself, I’ve been staying up half the night every night to hear the voice of a stranger. I’m falling for a man who I don’t even know. She started walking back down the steps to her office and flicked on the light and sat in her chair behind her desk.
Courtney furiously ran her hands through her hair shaking her head in disbelief. What the hell is this? I’m falling for a man I don’t know? He’s a kid from the old neighborhood that’s what it’s got to be. He brings back pleasant memories for me at this rough time in my life. Hell I had one cup of Joe with this man and ran into him at my art exhibit, and I sit up every night to hear his voice on the damn radio, how pathetic am I? He might have a girl, hell for all I know he might not be interested in women anyway, or black women, she shook her head laughing at that one. The way he came on to her that night she highly doubted it. “This is crazy, it doesn’t even matter. I’m a married woman…not happily, but I’m married just the same and I love my husband with all my heart,” she said aloud, “I’m taking my butt to bed, I’m tired…that’s what it is,” and once again she repeated the steps she had just taken, not even three minutes earlier.
But this time when she got to the bedroom Nate wasn’t asleep. He was sitting in the bed staring at the TV. She could tell he wasn’t watching it. Courtney decided it would be best to not say anything, because she didn’t want to argue. All of their words turned into arguments these days and they couldn’t have decent communication. But it wasn’t to be.
“Courtney, I want a divorce,” Nate said.
Thinking she must have lost her mind, or maybe forgot to clean the wax from her ears, she turned over in the bed to face him. “Huh?” she said, a little befuddled.
“I want a divorce,” he repeated in that same monotone he had just used.
“Why?” she asked with panic rising up in her throat.
“I don’t wanna be here anymore, I can’t do this,” he explained.
“Do what Nate?”
“Do us, this thing we call a marriage, this faking it we’re doing day by day, I can’t do it anymore,” he said with a little emotion coming into his voice.
“Look Nate, I know that you’re hurting, I’ve been hurting, too. And what’s hurting the most is that you’re shutting me out. You won’t even talk to me. I know you’re grieving baby, we’re both grieving, but you didn’t suffer this loss alone. I did, too and just like we lost him together we have to find a way to heal together, to go on with our future,” she pleaded.
“I don’t think you heard me. There’s no future for us,” Nate responded a little more passionately this time.
Mrs. Ramsey's book is on sale now for .99 cents until September 10.
You can purchase it at the following sites:
Amazon-http://amzn.to/17KJLJ
You can also enter to win the book here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/OTQ2MDc5Y2Q0ZWJhYjg3MjI3YWNiZDlhNTEyNWJkOjE=/
Enjoy and happy reading!
Té
August 13, 2013
Read-a-Romance Month! My favorite authors! Plus: Big Announcement!
How's every one doing? Just got done making a post on my personal blog and now I'm here to chat it up with you all for a minute!
Did you all know that the month of August is Read-a-Romance month? I recently found out myself and thought it was very cool! So I've decided to share a few of my favorite romance authors with you guys!
First up is the late great Francis Ray. It's hard to choose a favorite because I love all of her books. Her family series are really good, especially the Grayson Series.
Next is Brenda Jackson. Once again it is hard to pick a favorite, because I love them all; but as I am particular to series, one of my favorite is another familial series the Westmoreland Series.
I also like Kate Perry's Laurel Heights series. This woman is a beast! She cranks out a new book like every six weeks or something like that! Amazing!
Christie Nolfi's Liberty Series is very good as well. It will have you laughing and crying. Especially when you read about Miss Theodora!
Brenda Novak's Whiskey Creak Series is a new series I've recently started reading. I've only read a couple, but I've enjoyed them, and I have another in my tbr pile!
Here are a few more romance authors and their series I enjoy:
Rochelle Alers' Eaton Series
Celeste Norfleet's Cole Series
A.C. Arthur's Donovan Series
Melanie Schuster's Devereaux/Cochran Series
Marie Force's The McCarthy's of Gansett Island
I also enjoy a few paranormal romance series as well. A.C. Arthur's Shadow Shifters and T.L. McCallan's The Elementals Series.
Well, I think that's enough for tonight! Lol, that should be more than enough to get you through the rest of August, and these have barely scratched the surface. As you can see, when it come to romance and enjoy a wide variety!
Until next time,
Happy Romance Reading!
Té
Oh! I almost forgot (actually I completely forgot lol, it's late and I'm tired!)! The big announcement! My fourth novel After the Storm, the first in my own familial series, The McAllisters, will be released October 1, 2013! Looking forward to sharing it with you all!!!
July 21, 2013
Amazon Best Sellers Rank!
Just wanted to share a little exciting news!
At the moment Always You (which has only been out for a month!), is currently number 85 on Amazon's Top 100 Best Sellers list for African-American Romance!
Right next to my favorite author, the late Mrs. Francis Ray!Also, the book is ranked number 88 in Multicultural Romance!
How amazing is that huh?!It's gone down from when I originally checked earlier and I'm sure it will fluctuate on the list. But even if I'm only on the list for one day, it was awesome knowing I made it!
Thank you all who have been buying the book! You guys are the ones making it possible!
Well Happy Late Night Reading and Sweet Dreams!
Té
July 17, 2013
New Excerpt!
Wow, not even noon and I'm beat! Writing a highly emotional chapter right now. It's draining!
So I decided to take a break and share with you all an excerpt from my next book After the Storm!
As I said in a previous blog, this is the beginning of a family series: The McAllisters. This is a close knit family who love each other and any friends connected with them!
Lila McAllister (last seen using some match-making skills in Dream Lover) is the leading lady in this book and she has definitely met her match in Zach, an MMA fighter.
Well I hope you all enjoy reading about how Lila and Zach first meet!
If you haven't read my other books yet, check out excerpts from those books as well!
Without further ado.....
You have my bag…
The whirring sound of the baggage carousel caught his attention. He moved closer so he could watch for his bag. Soon a plethora of bags came around and he noticed his. He reached out to grab his bag just as someone on his right bumped into him. He looked over his shoulder out of reflex, and then felt a jolt fly through his body as he felt a soft hand brush against his. Then he felt a sharp tug.
He turned his eyes locked with the most beautiful almond shaped hazel eyes he'd ever seen. He didn't have a chance to admire the woman, who looked strangely familiar, before she tugged on his bag again.
“You have my bag.”
He shook his head and blinked.
She jerked the bag again.
“You have my bag,” she now said through clenched teeth.
He looked down at the bag and then back at her. “I'm sorry, but you're mistaken. This is my bag.”
“No, you're mistaken.”
“Look, lady. I'm tired and I've got to get to a rental car place so I can get out of here. I don't have time for this.”
“And neither do I, so if you'd kindly let go of my bag.”
She jerked the bag.
He jerked it back.
Her eyes widened then narrowed to thin slits.
He closed his eyes, counted to three in his head and let out a slow deep breath. Then he opened his eyes and looked at her.
“Look, I can save you a lot of trouble and spare you some embarrassment, by proving to you this is my bag.”
She glared at him. “How on earth are you going to do that?”
“Well, besides just looking at the name tag,” he pointed out sarcastically, “there is a tear on the front left side at the bottom.”
Clearly looking too embarrassed to look at the nametag, she leaned down and looked at the front of the suitcase. He couldn't help but noticed how her pencil skirt lovingly hugged her hips and her bloused showed just a hint of cleavage. He felt his body stir in appreciation of the well-shaped woman. He found himself annoyed to have responded so quickly to a rather irrational woman.
She stood and finally released the handle of the bag. Then she turned away without so much as an apology. He went to call her out on it, but heard his mother's voice in his head and something about always being polite. He glanced over at the carousel and noticed a bag that looked exactly like his.
He looked over to the woman and saw she was not watching the bag, so he swiftly picked it up and sat it down in front of her. She jumped in surprise then looked at him.
“Thanks,” she mumbled.
“Don't mention it,” he replied, annoyance still in his voice. He turned to head for a rental car kiosk. Then he looked over his shoulder and shouted, “You may want to check the tag before leave off with someone's bag.”
What do you all think?Get ready to read the rest of their story!
Happy Reading!Té
July 11, 2013
It's All in the Family
Well, my birthday was yesterday! Yay!
Since I'm feeling extra generous, I'm going to give you all a choice on my next excerpt!
Before I get to that though, let me tell you about what I'm working on.
There's something about families isn't there? They are so complex.
I love reading series about families. There's just something great about how the characters stick together and are there for each other in their times of need. I've loved writing about families too!
My next book, After the Storm introduces my first family series: The McAllisters. Perhaps you've noticed that name before! I've already introduced two of the family members in previous books. Lila McAllister in Dream Lover and her sister, Cassandra, in Taking Chances. Lila will be the first McAllister in After the Storm.
If you recall from Dream Lover, the McAllisters run a very large hotel chain. Lila, runs her own event planning company. She is burnt out and is forced into a sabbatical, which leads to her to Galveston, where her family got their start in the business. While she's there, she meets Zach, a fighter who is also in Galveston to "get away from it all".
Their initial meeting is rather rocky, but after they are forced to spend time together, and they get to see the real sides of each other, they can't deny the attraction between them.
I had a lot of fun writing this book! One because part of the story is set in Texas! The other part I enjoyed working on is Zach's character. He is a professional mixed martial arts fighter. My husband is a professional MMA fighter, so it was great getting his input on this story!
That brings me to the excerpt choice, I'm giving you all, the readers the choice on which excerpt from After the Storm you'd like.
The poll is at the bottom of this blog!
I look forward to what you all choose!
Happy Reading!
Té
web polls
July 9, 2013
My First Blog Interview!
Big things are happening around here! I'm very excited to share with you all my first blog interview! It was very fun answering these questions and I hope you enjoy it.
I'm featured as this week's Spotlight Author on the lovely Miss C Michelle Ramsey's blog!
You can read the entire interview here!
I know you've all been waiting for me to talk more about my next book, After the Storm, which is the beginning of a series of books. I promise I will get to it. Things have been kind of hectic in the Russ home. Lol...
To make it up to you, once I post a little more information, I will also post an excerpt from the book. :-)
Well all, mommy duties call, so I will see you all around!
Happy Reading
Té
Check out C Michelle Ramsey's website and blog! Her books are all on amazon!
June 22, 2013
You Guys Rock!
Always You, has only been on sale for three days and I've already got a review! Check it out here! It was a great review!
And the book has been selling very well. I've very excited and proud.
I'll admit, I started feeling quite anxious about what readers will think because quite a few were very eager to read Henry's story! I didn't want to disappoint. So far I've gotten positive feedback! I'm glad about that.
Well, this was just a quick little update to tell everyone thanks and you guys are the best.
I'm going to post a blog soon about my upcoming work, which will be a series of books. I think you guys will enjoy these very much!
Until next time....
Happy Reading!
Té
June 20, 2013
Always You, Now Available on Amazon!
Always You is now available for purchase on amazon!
Pick it up here!
If you haven't checked out my other books, check them all out on my Amazon page. Or you can just click on Book tab at the top of the site to read about the books.
I didn't put an excerpt in Always You for my next book After the Storm, but I will be adding one to my excerpt page soon!
Happy Reading!
