About 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 or Finalist in the IAN 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 2017, 2016 and as a Readers Favorite Gold winner in 2020, as well as a Bronze in 2015.

Is That Paprika on Those Thighs?

I’ve sometimes wondered if anyone knows what kind of agonies some authors go through to choose a title for their stories. Some of mine have come easily, but over the years, I’ve gone through more torture coming up with an engaging title than you might think.Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems

Take this one: Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems: I wrote this one in collaboration with my late husband, and the reason we chose this title was that we were over fifty when we met (Dinosaurs), it was about internet dating and courtship, and Joe had a special knack with the cherry stems you find in cocktails.(*Wink*) If you’d like to read the story, it’s Book One of a Six Story Series called Cindy’s Crusades and you can find it here https://www.amazon.com/Dinosaurs-Cherry-Stems-Cindys-Crusades-ebook/dp/B009BDJ5X

Our publisher Tamara Ferguson had no trouble entitling our beautiful new set IRRESISTIBLE SECOND CHANCES, Seven IRRESISTIBLE couples risking it all for their second chance at love…

Find your happy-ever-after in these BRAND NEW, NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED STEAMY STORIES From New York Times & USA Today Bestselling, Award-Winning Authors.

https://www.amazon.com/IRRESISTIBLE-SECOND-CHANCES-Tamara-Ferguson-ebook/dp/B0CDHBLLCT
TWO HEARTS CAPTURED by Tamara Ferguson, USA Today Bestselling Author: Injured severely and suffering from PTSD, wounded warrior Zander Atkinson is struggling to move forward with his life. When the girl that he rescued as a child appears in his life seventeen years later after her life is threatened by a stalker, can he be strong enough to save her—along with himself?

BEGIN AGAIN by Natalie Ann, USA Today Bestselling Author: They say you never forget your first. When everything changes in Liz’s life, she discovers returning home is the only option. She didn’t expect to run into Christian Butler again nor find out he’s still the same boy she’d fallen for as a teen.

THE SPARK OF LOVE by Alicia Street, USA Today Bestselling Author Tired of always choosing the wrong men, Julie has given up on love. But when she runs into the guy she left behind, his panty-melting gaze and heartwarming smile make her want to believe in second chances.

I LOST MY VIRGINITY AT THE CLOCK MOTEL by Suzanne Jenkins, USA Today Bestselling Author: Gina Perez lives a sheltered life in Mexicantown, a good Catholic girl protected zealously by her mother, Angel. When she meets Freddie Papadakis, captain of the rival high school football team, it’s going to take more than Angel’s overprotective radar to keep Gina safe.

WHERE LOVE ECHOES by Rachelle Ayala, USA Today Bestselling Author The last time Ava saw Cruz, he left her standing at a bus stop with a broken heart. Twenty years later, she is hired by Cruz’s ex-wife to orchestrate a lavish destination wedding at a secluded Caribbean resort, Unexpected Paradise.

IT’S A MATCH by Susanne Matthews, International Bestselling Author: They were a perfect match—until she caught him with another woman. When Marissa canceled the wedding and left her hometown, she refused to listen to Zak’s explanations. Now, she’s in the UK for her sister’s wedding and so is he, determined to set the record straight.

A DELICATE REUNION by Susan Jean Ricci, USA Today Bestselling Author: Melanie Hutchins, a widow with a young child, has recovered from a relationship with the CIA Agent who left her long ago until he strides up the sidewalk and back into her life. Does he really expect her to take up where they’ve left off and forgive him for leaving her to raise their child alone? Or is there a secret he needs to share about his long absence?

I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and, as always, we thank you for reading our stories. As a special treat, some of the authors of The Author’s Billboard have put together what we entitle a Book Bites collection, which is a FREE book of sample Romantic Suspense stories so you can get a sense of what you might like to purchase going forward. Our latest is called: Book Bites: Protectors (Book Bites Romances 1)

Inside this collection, you’ll find chapter samples of eleven incredibly exciting books. Our hope is that you’ll be so thrilled, you’ll have to continue reading. Best of all, it’s FREE on all venues!

https://books2read.com/u/4XerL7

Many of the authors are NYT & USAT bestselling authors who understand that a reader loves to get snippets of a story before clicking that buy link. We’ve gathered these together to make the journey easier for you.
Since this is the perfect way for you to find your next book, we also hope it becomes a trail of discovery to a fresh author and her backlist.

Mimi Barbour – Special Agent Walker
Patricia Rosemoor – Fake ID Wife
Rachelle Ayala – Preying Heart
Dani Haviland – The Midwife’s Son
Rebecca York – At Risk
Denise Devine – Small Town Girl
Susanne Matthews – Sworn to Protect
Calinda B. – Gravestones
Taylor Lee – Forbidden
Cynthia Cooke – Deadly Secrets, Loving Lies
Susan Jean Ricci – Evasion

Enjoy your week and stay safe. xo

Fun WIth My Family in July 2023

In between creating stories, I was lucky enough to travel with my oldest daughter to Isla Mujeres, Mexico in March, checked out Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, Orlando, in May, and had a lovely Florida cousins’ reunion in June. Don’t get me wrong, writing’s my passion, but floating around here and there since my beloved husband resides with the angels has become a thing. However, I must say this past month was excellent fun because we just stayed around where we live.

This is my youngest daughter and me earlier this month when we had a lunch date at a local seafood restaurant near the ocean. It amazes me how much our shore area has to offer, and I understand why tourists flock to the Jersey Shore. Since I grew up here, the gifts our beach town has to offer were often taken for granted – it’s crazy when you live in a super cool area all year long and don’t pay homage to it, right?

My cousin Kathleen and her family recently visited New Jersey from Michigan – Kathleen’s a Jersey girl and I always look forward to July when she returns to her roots – and what a wonderful time we had!

My story Sharing Sea Glass is based on my childhood adventures at the ocean. It’s about a young woman who gets swept out to sea while collecting sea glass and is rescued by a young British man who’s recently moved to the Jersey shore to continue higher education. If you aren’t familiar with sea glass, it’s broken glass that’s been softened and worn into beautiful pieces of glass people like me collect. It sometimes takes over half a century, or more, for sea glass to become useful for jewelry or suitable for seaside decorations. These days, you’re lucky if you can find any at all.

Sharing Sea Glass is part of our latest Unforgettable collection entitled Unforgettable Love: Unforgettable Wonders (The Unforgettables Book 10), and you can purchase it here for just 99 cents, or free on Kindle Unlimited. https://www.amazon.com/Unforgettable-Love-Wonders-Unforgettables-Book-ebook/dp/B0C6L2RRFT.

This Unforgettable Romance Series box set collection will give you tingles and set your heart atwitter. Join these talented and award-winning ladies on incredible and diverse journeys, where lovers find each other for the first time – sometimes under difficult or seemingly impossible conditions – or are reunited by fate after being torn apart by situations or deceptions.

I’m also offering my hurricane tale in this story set in July called Braving the Wild Elements – for those who like a little steam with their humidity if you get my drift.

“Two softhearted sisters throw caution to the wind and rescue a stranded hitchhiker during a mandatory evacuation. Add a homeless veterinarian for good measure and learn the secret of how all four weather the elements during an unexpected hurricane – especially behind closed doors when they face the passionate storms brewing in their hearts.”

Get it here for just 99 cents or read it free on Kindle Unlimited. https://www.amazon.com/Braving-Wild-Elements-Loves-Salvation-ebook/dp/B08F3BQKPH

Thank you always for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your summer. Please don’t forget to check out our monthly newsletter where you will find Free eBooks, Bargains, and New Releases – If you’re not already a member you can also sign up for free – Here: https://authorsbillboard.com/

PS: Go to the boardwalk and indulge in a soft serve like my grandson up there! xoxo

Welcome to a Blog Within a Blog

Hoping I don’t get into hot water here, but I’d like to take this opportunity to announce I finally have a new website and I’d be delighted if you’d help me celebrate by looking it over – the premises are still in the bare bones stage, but that’s where my author buds will come in – https://www.susanjricci.com/blog

I’m looking for guest authors to interview. Here’s the rest of the site and I appreciate your time https://www.susanjricci.com/

Now let’s down to the Author’s Billboards new releases for this month and what you have to look forward to this summer.

We’re back to pre-pandemic prices! All the Unforgettable Book Collections are just 99 cents or free to read on Kindle Unlimited. Here are a few: https://authorsbillboard.com/book-bites/

Attention: New Release: Unforgettable Love: Unforgettable Wonders (The Unforgettables Book 30) Once again, the amazing writers of The Authors’ Billboard have come together to bring you a box set filled with amazing stories of Unforgettable Love: Unforgettable Wonder. The 30th in the Unforgettable Romance Series box set collection will give you tingles and set your heart atwitter. https://www.amazon.com/Unforgettable-Love-Wonders-Unforgettables-Book-ebook/dp/B0C6L2RRFT

Fantastic News: Both Sweet & Sassy New Beginnings and Irresistible Christmas Pets to the Rescue have been selected for Prime Reading on Amazon during June, July, and August – Here are the Set Photos and book links:

Despite thwarting dogs and Mother Nature’s wrath, these couples fight to begin again and forge a new path. Sometimes their second chances arrive where they least expect them or even wave through a window. Whether best friends, co-workers, or strangers, these men, and women struggle with roadblocks that pop up all around them. https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Sassy-Beginning-Romance-Book-ebook/dp/B098PLHBMT

IRRESISTIBLE CHRISTMAS – PETS TO THE RESCUE 

It’s a season for miracles. FALL IN LOVE with SEVEN BRAND-NEW, NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED STEAMY CHRISTMAS STORIES From New York Times & USA Today Bestselling, Award-Winning Authors https://www.amazon.com/IRRESISTIBLE-CHRISTMAS-RESCUE-Tamara-Ferguson-ebook/dp/B08HSBJGBW

Have a wonderful rest of June and thanks for joining me today. As always, please try to hope by and visit our monthly page, for new releases, free and bargain books, plus AUDIO. Right here: https://authorsbillboard.com/

Happy Reading!

Dedicated Service

Sunday Blessings, one and all. I was stumped for a while about the content of my post on this Memorial Day Weekend. Then I thought it might be timely to share a few loving memories about my late husband, Joe, and his military service in the US Navy.

While Joe was still with us, I wrote a fictionalized story about his service in the US Navy, as he was very proud of the time he dedicated to our country. Although he had a horrific accident when he was stationed in Bermuda which shortened his military career, he still managed to work as a civilian on aircraft engines at the Lakehurst Naval Base in NJ after his honorable discharge, which is very close to where we lived, and I still do now.

The story is called Dedicated Service and is free on Amazon today through tomorrow, and although I took some literary liberties with the main character’s family life and romantic endeavors, the details of his enlistment, boot camp, and education, plus the accident and grueling recovery are very real. Joe was a very good historian. https://www.amazon.com/Dedicated-Service-Susan-Jean-Ricci-ebook/dp/B07WHBLPVC

The Blurb: “Michael Burke, the rising star baseball player of his high school class, rethinks his future plans after someone dear to him dies in Vietnam.

As Michael’s goals collapse along with his dreams, he forgoes a college scholarship and puts his marital intentions on hold with his high school sweetheart Ellie Roberts.

Will Ellie be able to endure Michael’s sudden decision to join the Navy and leave her behind? Can she sit by the sidelines and wait while Michael overcomes his nightmares regarding his brother’s death?”

I hope you’ll pick it up and someday find a few hours to read it, and I’d like to wish you a safe and happy remainder of this holiday weekend. Please remember those who’ve served our country over the years, throughout the wars, and have given their ultimate sacrifice, so we can presently enjoy the privilege of liberty and all the perks that go along with it.

Thanks so much for reading – (Joe was a major baseball fan) – and see you next time. Please don’t forget to visit our webpage for Free books, Sales, Collections. and Audiobooks right here: https://authorsbillboard.com/