Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Reese Ryan to HJ!
Hi Reese and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Return to Hummingbird Way!
Hey there, Harlequin Junkie Readers!
Tell us about the book with this fun little challenge using the title of the book:
H: High school hate crushes
U: Undeniable Attraction
M: Matchmaking
M: Mama Mae
I: Island
N: Neighbors
G: Grown Folks Romance
B: Best Friends
I: Inclusive
R: Renovation / Real Estate
D: Drama (Family & Career)
Please share the opening lines of this book:
Sinclair Buchanan stood at the center of the banquet room at the Holly Grove Island Resort and glanced around, her chin propped on her fist. The frosted sea glass, seashells, and stunning photos of Holly Grove Island Beach, located in the Outer Banks, incorporated in the hotel’s decor created the perfect subtle beach vibe. She’d kicked the theme up a notch with streamers, swaths of fabric in coral, soft blue, and a brilliant turquoise, and beach-themed centerpieces for the tables. The space looked good, but Sinclair needed it to be perfect.
Please tell us a little about the characters in your book.
Sinclair “Sin” Buchanan is an ambitious, career-focused real estate agent and a loyal, supportive friend. She loves Holly Grove Island and the people who live there. And she has no intention of leaving.
Garrett “Rett” Davenport was the bad boy troublemaker in town growing up. After the death of his father, he was hurt, angry, and acted out. Two decades later, he’s matured, grown wiser, and has discovered how to manage the learning differences he’s been struggling with his entire life. But because of the guilt and painful memories, he’d rather be anywhere but the little town where he grew up.
Mama Mae is Rett’s bold, audacious grandmother. She’s 82 years old, perceptive, clever, and an absolute hoot.
Please share a few Fun facts about this book…
- One of the first things I knew about this book before writing it was that the two main characters would be real estate agents who’d be competing for a listing. I just had no idea that the home would be his grandmother’s.
- There is lots of food mentioned in this book, and I put a lot of effort into picking foods that felt right for this Southern town and that the female protagonist—whose love language is cooking for and caring for the people she loves—would make. So if you get hungry while reading this…my bad.
- Secondary characters always play a pretty big role in my books, but I had no idea how big a role the male protagonist’s grandmother would play in the story. But I love her character and readers are loving her, too.
What first attracts your Hero to the Heroine and vice versa?
Rett and Sin have history. Their respective best friends dated in high school, so they were forced to spend time together. Rett fell for Sin back then. She was gorgeous and ambitious with a fiery personality. But she was the “it” girl and he was the bad boy in town and they quickly got off on the wrong foot.
Sinclair has always been attracted to Rett, but they always seemed to push each other’s buttons and rub each other the wrong way. But when they reconnect to help plan their friends’ rushed wedding, she sees him for who he really is. She is attracted to the way he loves and cares for his grandmother and his commitment to their best friends.
The First Kiss…
Which one? Their actual first kiss happened the night of a high school dance after one of their usual arguments turned into a make-out session that Sin immediately regretted. Five years ago, they had an incredible one-night stand that neither of them has been able to forget. So after Rett comes to Sin’s aid in a BIG way and they spend the evening getting honest and vulnerable with each other about their pasts, Sin can’t help wanting to relive that incredible night they shared, so she kisses Rett, hoping for a no-strings-attached do-over, as you’ll see in the excerpt below.
If your book was optioned for a movie, what scene would you use for the audition of the main characters and why?
I would use the scene at the farmer’s market where Sin runs into her ex and her ex-friend to whom he is now married and has three adorable children with. Usually confident and quick with a comeback, Sin is shaken and visibly upset by seeing them together, and Rett steps in and “saves” her without Sin needing to ask.
“Gwen, I got you a bottle of water and a…Sinclair?” Teddy stood beside his wife and children. A sleeping infant was strapped to his chest in one of those fabric baby slings. When they’d dated, he’d mocked other men for wearing such a thing. “What are you doing here?”
“Shopping, like everyone else here,” Sin said finally. Her shock and embarrassment morphed into flat-out anger. She stood taller, her spine straight and her chin tipped. “It is a public market, after all.”
“Hey, babe. Introduce me to your friends?”
Garrett. She’d nearly forgotten he was there.
Rett slipped his arm around Sin’s waist. His warm, soothing voice slid over her, easing the tension in her shoulders.
She leaned into him, thankful he was there. “This is Gwen Walker. You were already gone when she lived on the island. And you remember Teddy Walker. We went to school together.”
“Sorry. Can’t say I do,” Rett said with an easy smile as he reached out to shake both of their hands.
Teddy grimaced and his shoulders crumpled. His ears turned red, the way they always had whenever he was angry, embarrassed, or both.
Maybe it made Sin a ridiculously petty person, but Teddy’s ego being bruised by Rett’s brush-off brought her a perverse sense of joy.
If your hero had a sexy-times play list, what song(s) would have to be on it?
Both Sin & Rett are a little bit R&B and a little bit country, so I actually have two playlists for the book. The R&B list is here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPEuT5kvVWH7aunGPrpbBatkFDNX_2iGs
The country playlist is here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPEuT5kvVWH5Xtzq73ULCYBJla-XY5iS4
A couple of sexy-times songs that stand out are: “Worship You” by Kane Brown, “Motivation” by Kelly Rowland, “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson.Paak, and Silk Sonic, and “positions” by Ariana Grande.
If you could have given your characters one piece of advice before the opening pages of the book, what – would it be and why?
My advice to both Rett & Sin would be to let go of past hurts and forgive yourself and each other. They are both holding on to pain from the past and guilt over their past mistakes. But it’s so satisfying to watch them work through their personal issues and their issues with each other in order to earn their happy ending.
What are you currently working on? What are your up-coming releases?*
I’m currently working on the next book in the Holly Grove Island series—Em & Nick’s book.
As for releases, this is a super busy year for me. I have a total of seven books coming out this year. RETURN TO HUMMINGBIRD WAY is the second release. The next two books in my Valentine Vineyards series ONE SUMMER OF LOVE & SNOWBOUND SECOND CHANCE come out at the end of August. I have a secret indie project coming out later this year. Then WORKING WITH HER CRUSH—the first book in my Dynasties: Willowvale quartet with Jules Bennett—comes out at the end of October. BREAKING THE BAD BOY’S RULES—my second book in that series comes out at the end of November.
Thanks for blogging at HJ!
Giveaway: One reader will receive a $10 Winner’s Choice gift card from either: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, or Starbucks.
To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: Sin loves her hometown of Holly Grove Island and has no plans to leave while Rett left town the first chance he got with no intentions of ever moving back. Which point of view most closely resembles your view of the place where you grew up? Did you put down roots and stay in your hometown or did you leave for new adventures?
Excerpt from Return to Hummingbird Way:
As Sinclair approached their table, Rett’s eyes lit up the moment they met hers. He stood quickly, a broad smile animating his handsome face. Sin’s heart swelled and her pulse raced.
His reaction was genuinely sweet. Something she didn’t think she’d ever say about Rett Davenport. In high school, she considered him rude and thoughtless. But these past few days, he’d been nothing but kind and considerate.
Sin was still finding it difficult to wrap her head around that. She’d agreed to dine at the restaurant partly because she was mortified by the possibility of getting barbecue sauce on the leather seats in her Lexus. But mostly, because she’d taken comfort in Rett’s companionship, and she had wanted an excuse to spend more time with him.
Rett held up her jacket, so she could slip her arms into it.
She thanked him, then tied the belt at her waist. “Did the server bring the bill?”
“She did.” He sounded sheepish. “It’s been taken care of.”
“Did she forget to split it?” Sin frowned.
“No,” he said simply, gesturing toward the door.
“You didn’t have to do that, Rett.”
“I know, but I wanted to. Now c’mon. Let’s get you home.” He gestured toward the exit.
Arguing the point seemed futile. Besides, it was nice of him. “Thank you, Rett. Next time, dinner is on me.”
“Sure, if you want.” Rett placed a hand low on her back, guiding her toward the exit. He chuckled. “I promise not to order the lobster.”
Sin laughed, too, and the mood instantly felt lighter. Still, she couldn’t help noticing the electricity that flowed through his fingertips and into her skin, despite the layers of clothing between them.
Her skin tingled, as did those parts of her anatomy she was trying hard not to think about. But her mind wandered back to the place it had gone several times this evening. Remembering how amazing it had felt to have Rett’s strong hands on her bare skin. The fluttery excitement in her belly as he’d trailed kisses down her chest. How it had felt to have him inside her.Sin shivered. The visceral memories of Rett’s lips and hands sliding over her skin felt as real now as they had in his hotel room.
She’d tried to scrub that night from her brain. Pretend it had never happened. She’d failed abysmally. And now that she and Rett were spending time together, that night was living rent-free in her head. She couldn’t stop thinking about it or him.
Sin glanced at Rett. Was he thinking about that night, too?
They were two reasonable adults. What would be the harm if they hooked up again? Nothing serious. Just pure fun and a little tension relief. Like before.
Rett stopped and held his hand out.
That shook Sin from her temporary daze. He wasn’t asking for her hand. He was asking for her keys because she’d asked him to drive home.
Sin unlocked the vehicle. “Thank you, Rett.”
“For dinner? Honestly, Sin, it was no big—”
“Not just for dinner. For insisting on helping with the wedding. You might’ve noticed I’m not big on asking for help.” She smiled sheepishly and Rett chuckled. “But now, I realize how much I need your assistance. It was nice having you here today. And at the market, you saved me from the most humiliating moment of my life without me even asking. I didn’t expect that.” She tucked strands of hair behind her ear that a gentle breeze had blown across her face.
“I’m full of surprises.” Rett winked and his dark eyes twinkled. He looked so handsome and somehow larger than life.
Why hadn’t she noticed that before?
Instead, she’d teased him. Called him the Jolly Mean Giant and countless other not-so-nice names as they’d gone toe to toe playing the dozens. She’d told herself it’d all been in good fun, but had he been as hurt back then by her cruel comments as she’d been by his?
She studied Rett’s hungry stare, his expression filled with longing and desire as he glided his tongue along his lower lip. Sin shuddered at the memory of Rett’s kiss and of the way his tongue had felt gliding against hers.
A thousand thoughts rushed through Sin’s head as they stood there, neither of them speaking. But the thought she couldn’t shake was that she wanted to kiss Rett again. To experience the comfort of his embrace and the passion that had filled her body and made her feel alive again after Teddy and Gwen’s betrayal had left her battered and bruised. Feeling dead inside. Wondering if it would ever be her turn. Feelings that had resurfaced as she helped plan her best friend’s wedding.
Sin gripped Rett’s jacket, lifted onto her toes, and pulled his mouth down to meet hers. When she parted her lips, Rett swept his tongue between them. Searching her mouth. His hands glided around her waist, molding her lower body to his as he deepened their kiss.
Rett was such a good kisser. Something she’d discovered the night of the dance.
He backed her up, his body pinning hers against the vehicle. Rett angled her head and claimed her mouth, setting her entire body afire. Her nipples beaded against his hard chest. His length grew taut against her belly.
Rett kissed her until she felt feverish and breathless, her knees trembling.
Suddenly, Rett pulled away, his chest heaving. He stared down at her, his hands still resting on her hips. “It’s getting late. We’d better head back.”
“Or not,” Sin said calmly, despite the thudding of her heart. Her eyes searched his as she smoothed a hand down his chest. She wanted Rett. He obviously wanted her, too. They’d made peace with their past, so why not give in to their desire for each other?
Rett’s eyes widened. “You’re suggesting—”
“Yes.” She leaned into him.
Rett groaned, his eyes drifting closed momentarily. He dragged a hand over his head. “I’d love to take you up on that offer, Sin, but I can’t.”
Excerpts. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Book Info:
In this heartwarming small‑town romance, can three months, two planning projects, and a meddling grandmother finally make two high school hate crushes see just how right they are for each other?
Ambitious real estate agent Sinclair Buchanan is ecstatic to be her best friend’s maid-of-honor—until she discovers the best man is Garrett Davenport. Sin and Rett’s mutual hate crush ignited when they were teens and hasn’t let up since . . . except for that one extremely hot (and extremely regrettable) night they shared five years ago.
Nothing gets Rett fired up like going toe-to-toe with Sinclair. She’s as infuriatingly stubborn, and as absolutely gorgeous, as when he fell for her back in high school. Working together to plan their best friends’ last-minute wedding is one thing, but when his matchmaking grandmother gets involved Rett knows he’s in deep.
Attraction has always simmered between them, but this time, they’re both in danger of losing their hearts.
Book Links: Amazon | B& N | iTunes | Google |
Meet the Author:
Award-winning author Reese Ryan writes sexy, emotional stories set in small Southern towns about characters age thirty-plus finding love while navigating career crises and family drama. She’s the host of Story Behind the Story—her YouTube show where romance readers and authors connect.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads |
Audrey Stewart
I am too afraid to move away from my hometown.
Reese Ryan
Moving far away from home can definitely feel overwhelming and scary, but I’m so glad that we did. But when didn’t move until I was 39.
EC
I moved continents with reluctance. I’d moved homes in different counties but stayed within the same vicinity. I’m a homebody that wants to stay near family, so it really depends on that and how great a library system a place has.
Jennifer Shiflett
Rett. I left and came back several times until I finally settled back here.
Reese Ryan
I love that. And sometimes you need to see other places in the world before you can really appreciate home.
Mary Preston
I have never really had a home town. We moved around a lot when I was growing up. Settled now though, but nowhere near I have lived before.
Reese Ryan
I can understand why nowhere would feel like a “hometown”.
Debra Guyette
I am with Rhett. I left but my brother returned.
Anita H.
I’m in Sin’s camp, love my hometown and have no plans to ever leave!
Reese Ryan
Love this!
Diana Hardt
I put down roots and stayed in my hometown.
Marcy Meyer
I love my home town. I may not live there now, but I am close and have never been far away.
Reese Ryan
That’s awesome!
Tiffany
I absolutely love my hometown!! I moved about 45 minutes away but I still visit because that is where my parents live!!
Reese Ryan
That’s wonderful! Great to hear so much love for the hometowns.
Pat L.
I have lived in the same state all my life. Moved a few times but all nearby. Currently living where I am now for 51 years.
Pat Lieberman
Lived in same state all my life, moved a few times but all nearby.
Amy Donahue
I left as soon as I could, but ended up coming back 23 years later 🙂
Reese Ryan
I feel like this happens a lot. And I love writing about characters who return home after decades away.
hartfiction
Neither, really. I grew up in the military so I moved quite often. I don’t really have a “hometown.”
Reese Ryan
I can definitely understand that.
Rita Wray
I left but did go back to visit my family.
Reese Ryan
It’s nice that you still go back.
kim hansen
I left. Didn’t really have a hometown grew up in many places.
Texas Book Lover
My husband and I moved a few towns over about five years after we were married and have been here 22 years next month. We love our home and our girls grew up here and I plan on staying here as long as I possibly can!
Reese Ryan
Sounds wonderful!
Lori R
I left right after college for my first job. I still go back to see my family.
Latifa Morrisette
I desperately want to leave my hometown
Glenda M
We first moved when I was 10. I moved out of the ‘new’ town during college, and the state a few years later. I put down my roots in my mid 20s as far away as possible from both my hometowns
Sue G.
I moved 13 minutes away from where I grew up! LOL
Dana Boersm
I stayed close to my hometown
Maryann
I left my hometown for new adventures in a new state.
Terri Hebert
I love my hometown but left with my parents to see about my grandmother. I met my husband where we moved to but visit my hometown when I can.
Terri Hebert
I love my hometown but left with my parents & moved to another state to see about my grandmother. I met my husband & had my children and the rest is history. I still visit my hometown as often as I can.
Kim
I left for new adventures. I would never want to move back.
lasvegasnan
I joined the Air Force and left. Later on the rest of the family left as well.
auntiemissmaria
I would have loved to stay in my hometown forever, but my life took me to another town in another county.
Janine
I have no desire to go back. The town is not what it used to be.
Tiffany
My mom still lives in my hometown. I personally live about 30 miles away and I don’t plan to return. I’m close enough to visit and drive through. Most of the people I grew up have all left anyway.
Daniel M
i stayed but want to leave now
Brandy L
I moved to the other side of the country!
Banana cake
I left my hometown Minneapolis Minnesota for Austin Texas when I was 35. I moved to Austin even though I had never been there. I felt stuck in a rut in MN and I’d always dreamed of moving somewhere with warmer weather. I love the hot summers here.
SusieQ
Leave for new adventures.
Linda May
I lived at home until I got married. I did spend weekends with a friend I worked with and we would go to a placed called The Holiday Ballroom and it was a nice place to meet guys. This bok looks absolutely amazing. Thanks for your great generosity.
Charlotte Litton
I left after I got married but now I’ve moved back after 40 years.
Colleen C.
Stay close to family
lorih824
I stayed in my hometown
Latesha B.
I stayed in my hometown for many years but when mom decided she wanted to come south, I came with her. Hometown has changed and not necessarily for the better.
Amy R
Did you put down roots and stay in your hometown or did you leave for new adventures? I left for new adventures
Bonnie
I left my hometown for new adventures and have enjoyed living in different parts of the country.
Mary C
I left but moved to another city in the same state to stay close to family.
Lori Byrd
I left but have always wanted to go back home.
Pamela Conway
Stayed local but wouldn’t mind going somewhere warm like FL!!
bn100
leave
dholcomb1
While I don’t live in my hometown, I still love it. I love the town where I live, too.
Leeza Stetson
I’ve stayed close to where I grew up.
Ellen C.
We moved for jobs and have been happy. We both have family in our hometowns, and go back to visit often.
Shannon Capelle
I have stayed in my hometown by family but dream of one day moving by the mountains
Linda F Herold
I have lived in Northern CA and San Joaquin County my whole life!
Patricia B.
I don’t hate my home town, but I couldn’t wait to leave and see the world. I go back regularly, but don’t plan on moving there.
Kathy
leave
Diana Tidlund
I live in the next town over (10 minute drive) from the town I was raised in . My brother bought the house I grew up in and my parents bought land just down the street and built their retirement dream floor with no stairs. This town is the best to live in and I only ever took my 3 trick or treating there their whole life. Everyone knows everyone and cares about everyone . I’d hear people yell to their spouses …” quick come here here comes Dede and the kids” as I’m walking down the streets .
Laurie Gommermann
I looked forward to leaving my hometown to go to a university. Lived there for 5 years, married and moved to a big city. Moved again after 5 years, then 3 years, then again 2 years later. Finally settled about 2 hours from my hometown and have owned that house for almost 37 years. We are snowbirds so half the year I am 1500 miles from my hometown.
Now that I’m in my 60’s I appreciate my hometown. It was a safe place to live. A beautiful setting on the shore of Lake Michigan, lots of recreational activities and I made lasting friendships.
Joy Isley
I grew up in a small town in the West where there were not any opportunities for a career other than ranching. So I went away to college and then moved to a big city
Tina R
I moved out of my childhood home when I got married. Four years later, we moved back in to help my dad after my mom passed away. That was 30 years ago and we’re still here.
Kathleen O
I left the city I was born in for work when I was in my 40’s. It as a big move for me to leave my family and friends.
Annette
I left my hometown to go to college and lived in several different cities. I swore I’d never return to my hometown, but I’ve been here since 1987. I still think I’d love to leave, especially since I have no close relatives here, but the thought of packing it all up is overwhelming.
Jill Hanson
I’m like Rhett, I left as soon as I could and never looked back.
Nicole (Nicky) Ortiz
I left the city for the suburbs and then a couple years ago I left the state.
Thanks for the chance!