Spotlight & Giveaway: Total Ship Show by Susan Renee

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Susan Renee to HJ!

Hi Susan Renee and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Total Ship Show!

 
Hellooooo reader friends!!
 

To start off, can you please tell us a little bit about this book?:

Total Ship Show is a standalone fake relationship rom com and is part of the Love at Sea multi-author series. My two main characters were side characters in two different books of mine. Adrienne Hart, my FMC is from L.A. and is friends with Lacey Fox who you read about in YOU ARE THE REASON, book 2 in my Bardstown series. My MC, Aris McElfry, aka Dr. Elf, is from Seattle and is the best friend of Dr. Kohen McKay, a main character in my rom com, SMOOCHED, which is book 3 in my Camel Club series. (all interconnected standalones). I’m super excited to be able to put these two particular characters together and had so much fun watching and laughing as they tackled crazy adventures and grew as a couple.
Both Adrienne and Aris have a reason for needing a fake girlfriend/boyfriend on their cruise and together they come up with a wild scheme to help each other out for the week. Honestly, this is a story you can sit back, relax, and have a good laugh with!
 

Please share your favorite lines or quote(s) from this book:

1. “I’m going to kiss you. Like, really fucking kiss you so that douche sees that you belong to someone else now. Smile at me and tell me quick, is that okay?”
2. “The next time you grind on me like that,” Aris says in my ear as cheers continue around us. “You had better be prepared for more pleasure than you know what to do with.”
3. “What if I want to use Jack Hammer?”
“Who?”
“My pink sparkly penis.”
“You named your pink sparkly penis Jack Hammer?” He smirks.
“Maybe. What’s it to you?”
He grins trying to hide a wider smile. “It’s unimportant but funny as hell. But hey, if you want jack hammered, babe, just say the word. Mine’s not sparkly but it’ll do the job and I can guarantee you a better orgasm than that battery powered piece of shit could ever give you.”
4. “Big penis and he knows how to kiss? This really is paradise.”

What inspired this book?

I’m an author who writes both romantic comedies and small town romances. (I know…I don’t always stay in one lane…but I need two lanes to swerve in and out of!) My inspiration to write something comical and over the top came after finishing up a small town romance series that while still humorous at times, took a little more of a series spin than I had originally intended. After five “serious” or slightly heavy books, I needed something light and fun to end my year and this was the perfect time and the perfect setting, so I went with it!

How did you ‘get to know’ your main characters? Did they ever surprise you?

My characters ALWAYS surprise me. They never end up being the “people” I plan for them to be. I never saw Adrienne as professionally insecure until she showed up that way in the story. As for Aris, I meant for him to be a little flirtatious but also always the nice guy. My male characters, though sometimes rough on the exterior, are always “cinnamon roll” type men. Genuine, respectful, and compassionate toward the women they fall for. But what’s the fun in that if you can’t add a little naughty humor?

What was your favorite scene to write?

Oh it was totally the scavenger hunt scene! Talk about ridiculously over the top things Adrienne and Aris had to do! From fake orgasms in the ice cream parlor to kama-sutra modeling on the main deck, these two had their work cut out for them and they took it all in stride! The whole scene was a blast to write!

Snippet:
I’ve pictured Aris in many different scenarios since the moment I met him, but until now, not one of those scenarios was watching him do a set of burpees in front of a ninety-year-old woman while wearing a pink polka-dotted speedo thong.
“Mmm. Impressive.” Gertrude wags her brows as she sits in her chair watching Aris from the front and admiring his bulging package in the pink speedo. I have to say I’m also impressed. It’s as if it’s made specifically for showing off a man’s crown jewels.
“Ten more, you sexy mother fucker,” Gertrude calls out. She spins her fingers around and around. “And turn around. I need to watch from the back this time.”
And there he is.
Dr. Aris McElfry in all his bare ass glory. Well except for the tiny pink string between his cheeks. Holy hell. His ass is a fine ass. A mouth-watering tightly toned globe of muscle that I wouldn’t mind digging my fingers into, even more than I did for our picture, if given the chance.
“Eight…nine…ten.” Aris raises his arms in triumph as those around us applaud him, including Miss Gertrude.
“That’a boy,” she says with a smile. “Now get over here and get your victory kiss.”
I watch in sincere happiness as Aris walks over to receive his kiss, and then I cackle when Gertrude turns him around and gives him a red lipstick lip smacker right in the middle of his left butt cheek. The crowd around us applauds even louder and Aris takes it all in stride, bowing to the group and then winking to me before hustling back to the restroom to change his clothes.

What was the most difficult scene to write?

Hands down my most difficult scenes are always when my characters break up or suffer whatever conflict they must face. I guess the romantic in me wants my characters to always be happy and mushy in love, but good romance books don’t work that way, I know. So, without giving any spoilers this time, my most difficult scene to write was definitely having one character leave another (but don’t worry…I always give them their HEA!)

Would you say this book showcases your writing style or is it a departure for you?

This book very much showcases my romcom writing style. I’m always full steam ahead but my humor is sometimes different in my romcoms than in my small town romances…sometimes. I like to be silly and a tad bit inappropriate in my romcoms. Like…enough so that I usually tell my mom not to read them! But it is definitely my personality shining through.
Though Total Ship Show is several thousand words shorter than my other books (to remain consistent with the other authors in the group), it is still a story that plays out just as any of my other books would.

What do you want people to take away from reading this book?

Two things. I want them to be able to laugh and not take the read too seriously. This book is a lot of steam and over the top mayhem which clearly isn’t always reality. It’s just a fun wild ride.
And secondly, because this has been the arc of my life thus far, I hope readers will take from this book the message that just because you planned your life to go one way or the other doesn’t mean it’s ever too late to change it. Doors open all the time. You just have to be brave enough to walk through them.
Also, you only live fucking once! Date the guy! Fall in love! No regrets!

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?

I just finished and released my very first holiday romcom called (are you even ready for this?) KAMANA WANALAYA for the HOLIDAYS! This book features a she-grinch/sunshine trope, a little fake relationship, a super steamy bathroom and beach scene and several cameos from characters in my past books! It’s so much fun and again…a light holiday read!
I am currently working on projects for 2023. Two different “series” (of interconnected standalones). One of them is a 6-book set based on the Chicago Red Tails Hockey team (which you start to meet in my last Bardstown book called NO ONE NEEDS TO KNOW). Each player in the starting lineup will get his own book and then we’ll see where we go from there.
My second project is a new set of romcoms with titles so juicy I can’t even give them away yet! But I promise if you like the wacky fun of Total Ship Show…you’re going to love them!

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: One Susan Renee backlist ebook – winners choice

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Excerpt from Total Ship Show:

“Adrienne! Aris! You made it!” A voice shouts from a large table to our right when we enter the Mexican restaurant. Grace waves us over and gestures to the two empty chairs on the left side of the table. Aris places his hand on the small of my back, his fingers brushing softly against my skin as we seat ourselves amongst my friends. It’s not lost on me that my stupid-ass ex, James, gives me a once over like an animal hunting its prey.
Totally creepy.
And wrong.
You’re supposed to be in love with Pippa, asshole.
Aris must take notice as well because he pulls out my chair for me and then seats himself, leaning over to kiss me on my temple.
“Don’t worry about that jock strap. I’m right here with you and I’ve got you.” He kisses my temple again and I smile, exhaling away my anxiety. His simple act of kindness gives me goosebumps. Instead of butterflies flying around in my stomach, I’m pretty sure there are jellyfish in there now. Here he is, a man sitting among strangers. A man pretending to be my fiancé. I would’ve thought I would need to be the one to reassure him, but he’s literally as calm as a cucumber. Instead, here he is reassuring me that I have no reason to be nervous.
To let him know I heard him, and appreciate him, I slide my hand over his left leg, wrapping it over his knee under the table. He adjusts his chair so he’s a little closer to me and wraps an arm around me.
“Hey, what excursions did you all choose for later in the week?” Grace asks?
Everyone chimes in with what they signed up for and then they look to me.
“Um, actually I didn’t sign up for any yet.”
Even Aris looks at me a little surprised before he catches himself and fixes his face. I smile at him and squeeze his leg. “Yeah, we umm…we just weren’t sure what we wanted to do, so we figured if we want to do a certain excursion, we’ll see what’s available last minute. Other than that, we just want to check out the ports, hit the beach, and spend some quality time together. You know, before the wedding planning starts.”
“Eeeek! I’m so excited for your wedding,” Pippa squeals. “Have you made any plans yet at all? Have you chosen a date yet?”
Aris answers this time. “Nothing concrete just yet. It’s all going to depend on my surgical schedule and what I can work around at the hospital. We’ll have a better idea of dates in a few weeks. Probably late spring or early summer.”
“So happy for you, girl,” Grace says. She lifts her glass of whatever fruity cocktail she’s drinking. “A toast!”
Everyone follows suit lifting their glasses and watching Grace. Just as our drinks are delivered to the table, Aris and I lift our glasses as well.
“To Adrienne and Aris and the hot as fuck children they’re going to have one day, because well, I mean, look at them.” She winks at me, and I laugh.
But she’s right.
We look hot together. Not gonna lie.
“To engagement bliss and all the happiness in the world as you travel this life together! It is the best experience either of you could ever wish for.”
“Cheers!”
“Thank you, Grace.” I beam back at her. “And thank you everyone. Cheers!”
We all clink glasses and I turn to Aris just as he turns to me. I almost freeze in place because this is one of those moments where we should give each other a happy and chaste kiss. Clearly, it’s what any normal couple would do and I’m certain my friends would think it weird if I didn’t kiss him right now, but when he looks at me and cups my face in his hand, I gasp. He smooths his thumb across my cheek and connects his lips to mine and holy shit it feels much different than the kiss he gave me yesterday.
His lips are soft against mine, slow, but hungry. As if he wants to linger here for much longer than he knows he should. If this were just a swift peck, he would’ve pulled away by now but he doesn’t. Rather than separating our lips, he brushes against mine a second time and then, oh, my God, a third.
Fuck. Shit. Dammit. Hell. Can I just take my clothes off now?
When I pull back, I lick my lips as if I’m tasting his kiss. I can tell he’s breathing a little faster than he usually does as he connects his forehead to mine, but holy hell, I’m finding it hard to control myself too. My face is hot, and I know it’s not the alcohol.
Oh, my God, this man can kiss.
He holds my stare and smiles that megawatt dimple producing, panty-melting smile and whispers, “Breathe, Ade. It’s just a kiss.”
Just a kiss? You mean, a kiss that makes me want to slip off my thong and throw it overboard proclaiming to the entire ship how much I want to jump Dr. Aris McElfry’s bones.
How the hell are we going to sleep in the same bed tonight?
I’m so totally fucked.
I swallow as hard as I can and give him the tiniest nod. “Yeah. Just a kiss. I’m good. We’re…” I take a deep breath and remember to smile to save face as everyone is watching us…two love birds in love. “We’re good.”

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

My old college friends decided we need to take a group cruise, significant others included.
There’s just one small hiccup…I’m woefully single.
I ask a friend to come with me to pose as my boyfriend, but he backs out on me at the last minute. What’s a girl to do on a cruise as a single person?
Wait…what?
It’s a lover’s cruise?
Oooh ship!
No way am I spending the week with my friends as the only single in the group. I’ve got to find myself a hot, fake boyfriend, or better yet, a fake fiancé for the week. It can’t be that hard. There have to be plenty of single men on the ship. One of them is bound to say yes. I’ll just board the ship as early as possible and hope I bump into someone worthy.
Okay, yeah. This could work. It’ll either be a genius move…
Or a total ship show.

Total Ship Show is a fake romance rom com, part of the Love at Sea multi-author series. Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruises’ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!

Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.

Book Links: Amazon |
 
 

Meet the Author:

Susan Renee wants to live in a world where paint doesn’t smell, Hogwarts is open twenty-four/seven, and everything is covered in glitter. An indie romance author, Susan has written about everything from tacos to tow-trucks, loves writing romantic comedies but also enjoys creating an emotional angsty story from time to time. She lives in Ohio with her husband, kids, two dogs and a cat. Susan holds a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Music Education and a self-awarded Doctorate in Sass and Sarcasm. She enjoys laughing at memes, speaking in GIFs and spending an entire day jumping down the TikTok rabbit hole. When she’s not writing or playing the role of Mom, her favorite activity is doing the Care Bear stare with her closest friends.
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