Author Archives: Susan Jean Ricci

I don’t know about you, but I was so busy this Holiday season, I’m tempted to take that long winter’s nap you’ve heard about – here’s a quick slide show of my Christmas highlights.

Lots of traveling and visits! And you wonder why I haven’t completed a book the past few weeks? LOL! Just kidding because we’re all hard at work here at the Authors’ Billboard to entertain you.

Please check out our new Rom-Com Collection Cute But Crazy Quirky Careers, Book Four – Get it here and WIN!

Welcome to the December New Release Giveaway! 12/27 – 01/03! Our Romance Authors want to show you their new books! Maybe you will find your new favorite author. After you’ve grabbed these new books, make sure to check out the giveaway! We are giving away an Amazon Gift Card to one lucky reader just for following us on social media or joining our newsletters. Follow this link >>> https://lovekissedbookbargains.com/2021/12/23/december-new-release-giveaway/

Break out the fan, Ladies, because guess what’s releasing, just in time for early Spring?

IRRESISTIBLE BAD BOYS

You know you should stay away.
Everything about him spells trouble.
But that’s what makes him irresistible…

Find your happy-ever-after with not just one, but SEVEN IRRESISTIBLE BAD BOYS in these NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED STEAMY STORIES From New York Times & USA Today Bestselling, Award-Winning Authors. Pre-Order it here: Just 99 Cents! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09P8MFQJ7

And please don’t forget to enter our December Contest right here: http://authorsbillboard.com/

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Susan Jean Ricci

A USA Today, Award-Winning Author, Susan Jean Ricci is best known for her Cindy’s Crusades Series, starring the hilarious duo Cindy and Jay DeMatteo. These characters were first introduced in the multi-award winning novel Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems, and return to entertain you in its sequel The Sugar Ticket. Look for the soon to be published, and final saga Don’t Bruise the Bananas 2020. Cindy and Jay’s mischief making lives on in these shorts: A Sweet Snafu, Christmas With Niagara, His Sacred Vow, Passion’s Secret Ingredient, and Turning up the Heat. Please also consider the other stand alone works of fiction and short stories in Ms. Ricci’s collection, with more to come later this year.

A member of the RWA, The Authors’ Billboard, and the Independent Authors’ Network, several of Ms. Ricci’s titles have been recognized as the Women’s Outstanding Fiction Winner in the IAN 2016 and as IAN finalists in 2017, 2018, 2019.

Yes, you read that right. After receiving both vaccinations in early 2021 and adhering to the suggested scientific data, Covid caught up with me anyway. Did I get sloppy? Maybe. I was in three different, public places within days of each other. But here’s the skinny – getting Covid may have changed my life for the better. Here’s one of the many reasons to stay healthy and quit smoking:

I felt so bad the possibility of dying entered my mind. Covid had landed inside my head, behind my eyes, invading my nose which was swollen beyond belief, behind my cheekbones – between my ears and encompassing my brain. I couldn’t keep my head upright for any length of time. It was like taking a melon and plunging it onto a spike a hundred times a day – the melon was my head, the spike my neck. I was alone – my kids left me some care packages, but the day-to-day things one does were a whole lot harder to deal with when there’s no one to ask for a glass of water.  

I was blessed I didn’t get the cough and laid around wherever I landed – from the bed to the couch or back to my bed – but I could breathe AND it was during this crazy awful time I quit smoking.

My sense of taste and smell is iffy but is coming back stronger than ever, thanks to eliminating nicotine and smoking from my life. I still feel like I have a cold coming on, but that’s NOTHING compared to the sinus/headachy/can’t go outside in the sun due to photosensitivity, or working on the computer. The screen was painful to look at until a dear friend suggested I adjust the white screen to a mild blue. This was after two weeks of abstaining from what I love to do most, and that is storytelling.

Now that I’m recovering, I’m tidying up my story for the new Cute but Crazy collection – Quirky Careers. Here’s my book description for Just Horsing Around. “Horse ranchers turned sleuths, Joshua and Bella endeavor to purge their neighborhood of an unsavory character who’s destroying their precious Florida wetlands – and confront falling love in the process.”

Just Horsing Around is included in the next Cute but Crazy: Quirky Careers Collection -it’s available for pre-order here and releasing December 12, 2021: https://www.amazon.com/Cute-But-Crazy-Quirky-Careers-ebook/dp/B09GYKGCGM

This is my favorite time of the year – how about you? Here’s our new Christmas collection! Isn’t it sweet! Presenting our Unforgettable Christmas Promises: Unforgettable Blessings (The Unforgettables Book 24)

Ten New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Authors bring you stories of love, wonder, and surprises. With puppies, mermaids, talking dogs, letter-writing snowmen, department store Santas, firemen, feuding families, and holiday traditions, these tales promise to make your Christmas merry and bright. So, grab your favorite yuletide beverage, curl up on the couch by the fire or in a beach chair by the ocean, and enjoy Unforgettable Christmas Promises, brought to you by THE AUTHORS’ BILLBOARD. Free on Kindle Unlimited or just 99 Cents! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KZ2CC9X

Wishing you all a very Happy Holiday Season and I’ll leave you with a few of my personal Christmas favorites, written by yours truly and I hope you enjoy the video! I promise this will get you in the Christmas Spirit! https://www.youtube.com/watch?

Oh, Gosh! The Authors Billboard is having a Christmas Giveaway Party on December First – that’s next Wednesday at twelve noon!

Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/abbpartyplace

Susan Jean Ricci

A USA Today, Award-Winning Author, Susan Jean Ricci is best known for her Cindy’s Crusades Series, starring the hilarious duo Cindy and Jay DeMatteo. These characters were first introduced in the multi-award winning novel Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems, and return to entertain you in its sequel The Sugar Ticket. Look for the soon to be published, and final saga Don’t Bruise the Bananas 2020. Cindy and Jay’s mischief making lives on in these shorts: A Sweet Snafu, Christmas With Niagara, His Sacred Vow, Passion’s Secret Ingredient, and Turning up the Heat. Please also consider the other stand alone works of fiction and short stories in Ms. Ricci’s collection, with more to come later this year.

A member of the RWA, The Authors’ Billboard, and the Independent Authors’ Network, several of Ms. Ricci’s titles have been recognized as the Women’s Outstanding Fiction Winner in the IAN 2016 and as IAN finalists in 2017, 2018, 2019.

I hope you all get more treats than tricks this year! After 2020, everyone deserves this lovely respite.

Treats come in many varieties. For example, I recently traveled to Florida to visit my family, dear ones I hadn’t seen in almost a decade, but it turned out to be much more than a beloved reunion – I was inspired, along with the brainstorming skills of my cousin, to begin penning my contribution to our Cute But Crazy Set Four: Quirky Careers. This was indeed a real treat for me.

My story is about a farrier feuding with a feisty female neighbor over property rights. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this occupation, a farrier is a craftsman who trims and shoes horses’ hooves. If you think this is an old-time profession, think again – “Farriers now work with a variety of breeds in different environments, from riding stables to farms to racetracks. Pet horses, show horses, racehorses, and even zoo animals can require attention from a farrier.”

This is the setting. My story takes place in the lush farmlands of Sarasota County, Florida…

And here are a few of my secondary characters…A mischievous Goat whos’ a faker…

One of my farrier’s prospects…

My work in progress is currently untitled, but here’s the tagline: “When Joshua Gable tells his neighbor, the smitten Bella Anderson, “Honey, this ain’t my first rodeo,” you can bet he takes the term to a whole new level.”

Romance, betrayal, villainy, and much more of my story will be included in this new Romantic Comedy Collection, Cute But Crazy: Quirky Careers.  

Follow the Fun!
There’s humor in everything, even that economic obligation called a career!

What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever heard of? An ostrich groomer? A Lego inspector? A toothpick tester?

Some of your favorite Romantic Comedy authors are returning with NEW stories to take the edge off the hassles of the day and life in general. The Word Wranglers of the Wacky, Wonderful Women, Ditzy Dudes, and Unique and Unpredictable CUTE BUT CRAZY box set collections have taken on another topic: Quirky Careers.

Cute But Crazy Four: Quirky Careers: Available for Pre-Order NOW! https://books2read.com/CBC4

From Book 1: The First Romantic Comedy Set from THE AUTHORS’ BILLBOARD!

Enjoy EIGHT side-splitting tales of love and screw-ups from this international slate of USA Today and NY Times Bestselling Authors.
Undeterred by misadventures and challenges, these strong-willed ladies take life and love by the ears, embracing the men they have chosen through good times and bad. Furious ex-wives – ghosts and angels with their own agendas – the challenges of PTSD and imaginary friends – even Cupid, chickens, and a bumper crop of marijuana won’t get in the way of true love for these wacky, wonderful women. You can call them cute. Just don’t call them crazy. Get all three sets here > https://www.amazon.com/Cute-But-Crazy-3-Book/dp/B093C1NTWP

Why not treat yourselves to a FREE Paranormal Set, just in time for Halloween? Tangled Paranormal Nights –

“In the dark of night when most people rest, the paranormal world comes alive.”

From small towns to big cities, these mystical creatures co-exist and interact with the human world. From shapeshifters to gods, wolves to vampires, they live and love in the shadows around us. When murder clashes with one-night stands and forbidden love, these enemies to lovers, reincarnations of past lives, and wounded heroes strive to find romance and balance in their tangled existence.

FREE Everywhere! https://books2read.com/FabFree3

Have a Spooktacular Weekend!

Susan Jean Ricci

A USA Today, Award-Winning Author, Susan Jean Ricci is best known for her Cindy’s Crusades Series, starring the hilarious duo Cindy and Jay DeMatteo. These characters were first introduced in the multi-award winning novel Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems, and return to entertain you in its sequel The Sugar Ticket. Look for the soon to be published, and final saga Don’t Bruise the Bananas 2020. Cindy and Jay’s mischief making lives on in these shorts: A Sweet Snafu, Christmas With Niagara, His Sacred Vow, Passion’s Secret Ingredient, and Turning up the Heat. Please also consider the other stand alone works of fiction and short stories in Ms. Ricci’s collection, with more to come later this year.

A member of the RWA, The Authors’ Billboard, and the Independent Authors’ Network, several of Ms. Ricci’s titles have been recognized as the Women’s Outstanding Fiction Winner in the IAN 2016 and as IAN finalists in 2017, 2018, 2019.

Last May I was chatting about places to visit with a few Facebook friends, and one of the girls mentioned how much she loves Charleston, SC. Since I’d been there a few times with Joe, it’s also a destination dear to my heart. Long story short, she had her own reasons for wanting to revisit, so she and I decided to take a leap of faith. We made plans to travel there togther, even though we’d never even talked on the phone before.

Fortunately, we really hit it off – Dee flew from California, and I from New Jersey. Although we have different lifestyles, we had an amazing time together, so I decided to share some of the highlights of our trip. We are both foodies, so we made reservations for places she wanted to visit, and so did I.

We also toured the historic town of Charleston on foot and via the trolley.

And took a dinner cruise of the harbor, which was delightful.

Sometimes taking chances can lead to lasting friendships. I write about this aspect of the human condition all the time, using my characters as my fall guys/gals – and wherever they lead me while sharing their stories either puts them in uncomfortable situations or ends with an everlasting love. It’s all about the risks one’s willing to take to achieve their goal.

In Dazzle Me Hard, one of my characters is severely injured but is willing to take the risk of placing his faith in a female counterpart to make a comeback in their shared sport. Will their combined efforts work? Nobody knows for sure, but a person is doomed to fail if they don’t try.

The Blurb:

When a semi-retired pro wrestler is roped into a charity match with a WWE Diva Champion, will the two competitors declare forfeit due to their red-hot attraction?

Forget the fact these two have a history – Daniel Michaels, AKA Daz the Conqueror, suffers a severe injury at the hands of a devious opponent at a championship bout, and a mysterious woman renders him life-saving care until professional help arrives.

After his recovery, Daniel’s career hangs in the balance, unless he can return to his former glory in the ring.

Enter Sabrina Capshaw, AKA Chili Hardbody, who might prove to be his salvation – IF they can hurdle the victory fence together, and embrace their razzle-dazzle.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SKWPFR1

My story Sharing Sea Glass is FREE from October first to the fifth for the last time ever – and I’m looking to hearing your opinions. It’s one of my favorites because my characters led me down a path even I couldn’t conceive – it’s like they took the invisible ring in my nose and just pulled me with them. They were mischievous and fun.

The Blurb: Jo Harrison is a lucky lady. Not only has the incredibly, handsome Peter Mattson saved her from nearly drowning, Jo’s Uber driver Tony is always around for her emotional rescue.

Here’s the glitch: Jo and Peter believe they’re inches away from falling in love, but are Jo’s emotions based on hero worship because Peter saved her life? Is Peter’s attraction to Jo only physical after watching her shower in a wet T-shirt?

Or, does fate have an agenda more everlasting in mind for them?

Come join these would-be lovers as they discover what made Asbury Park famous, and enjoy a fun ride in Tony’s Uber – You won’t want to miss this one! https://www.amazon.com/Sharing-Glass-Susan-Jean-Ricci-ebook/dp/B07FMWWK7M

Enjoy one another in this adventure called life and give yourself chances to grow with new friendships, new adventures, and have fun when you can. You deserve it! Hugs! @mimisgang

Susan Jean Ricci

A USA Today, Award-Winning Author, Susan Jean Ricci is best known for her Cindy’s Crusades Series, starring the hilarious duo Cindy and Jay DeMatteo. These characters were first introduced in the multi-award winning novel Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems, and return to entertain you in its sequel The Sugar Ticket. Look for the soon to be published, and final saga Don’t Bruise the Bananas 2020. Cindy and Jay’s mischief making lives on in these shorts: A Sweet Snafu, Christmas With Niagara, His Sacred Vow, Passion’s Secret Ingredient, and Turning up the Heat. Please also consider the other stand alone works of fiction and short stories in Ms. Ricci’s collection, with more to come later this year.

A member of the RWA, The Authors’ Billboard, and the Independent Authors’ Network, several of Ms. Ricci’s titles have been recognized as the Women’s Outstanding Fiction Winner in the IAN 2016 and as IAN finalists in 2017, 2018, 2019.