Author of more than twenty published books, Laurie Ryan has been published in sensual contemporary romance for over fifteen years and her writing has been said to feel like a warm hug.
Laurie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her “he can fix anything” hubby, but is always willing to travel to visit their children and grandchildren. Her creativity isn’t limited to writing. She also scrap books and, when she really needs to disappear, she paints rocks and shells found on the beaches she walks.
An avid cruiser, Laurie has visited many places. One of her favorites was a stop in Greenland, where the strength and endurance of the people living in those beautiful but harsh surroundings became an underlying thread in her stories.
Since Laurie is often found on the beach staring at the ocean—her happy place—she had to write beach books, right? Laurie is best known for her small-town series, Willow Bay, which has won awards in contemporary romance categories.
Laurie Ryan writes about resilient, independent women who might stumble, but they dust themselves off and get the job done. Their men, whether commanding alpha or endearing cinnamon roll heroes, will do whatever it takes to ensure the happiness of the women they cherish.
Laurie has always had a deep connection to nature and the outdoors, which is reflected in her writing. Laurie is a passionate writer who brings her love for nature, animals, and creativity into her work. Her sensual romance novels are sure to warm the hearts of readers and leave them wanting more.
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Title Last Resort, book 1 in the completed 6-story Willow Bay series
Author Laurie Ryan
Genre Contemporary, small town, friends to lovers romance
Publisher Silver Sage Press
Book Blurb
Welcome to Willow Bay, the perfect place to stick a chair in the sand, your toes in the water, and get lost in the ebb and flow of life and love.
Torn between love and obligation.
Smitten with feisty gift-shop owner Dana Ricci from the moment she moved to Willow Bay, reserved mayor Josh Morgan is ready to invest in their future together until a suave entrepreneur sweeps into town. Certain the proposed mega-resort will destroy the small town ambiance of their coastal community, Josh battles the draw of increased tourism, something that Dana, buried in debt, direly needs.
This sensual, friends-first story, complete with a wily matchmaker and an endearing dog named Duffy is the first in the Willow Bay series, which can be read in any order.
Excerpt
Josh stumbled and almost fell. “Is your date waiting for you?”
“I think that’s way beyond the purview of a friend to ask.” Okay, that sounded pretty grumpy, even to her. Dana realized Josh had stopped walking. She turned back to him.
“Is he waiting for you?” he asked again, his voice a deeper, more gravelly version of its normal self. Was he jealous? Dana’s heart lightened just a bit at that thought. But, since she also wasn’t one to play games, she let him off the hook. “No.”
“Good.”
“Why?”
Josh stepped closer to her. With only the moon for light, his face was in shadow beneath his hood, and Dana couldn’t see his expression. There wasn’t much need, though, since he didn’t stop. He pulled her into his arms, his lips crushing hers with the intensity of his kiss. Dana gave herself over to the exquisite feel of his lips on hers, demanding, begging, so unlike the Josh she knew. The scent of the sea swirled around them as he deepened the kiss, coaxing her mouth open.
She did so willingly, wanting more, needing more. There was no cold, no wind. Only Josh.
When he broke the kiss, he held her neck and leaned his forehead against hers as both of them caught their breath. Finally, after long moments, he pulled back his hood so she could see the passion flaming in his eyes.
“That’s why,” he said, then turned and ran off down the beach.
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Author Biography
Author of more than twenty published books, Laurie Ryan has been published in sensual contemporary romance for over fifteen years and her writing has been said to feel like a warm hug. Her travels have given her unique perspectives into both the frailty and resilience of humanity and those experiences are reflected in the strong, independent women she writes about. They might stumble, but they dust themselves off and get the job done. Their men, whether commanding alpha or endearing cinnamon roll heroes, will do whatever it takes to ensure the happiness of the women they cherish.
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Title Finding Home, book 2 in the completed 6-story Willow Bay series
Author Laurie Ryan
Genre Contemporary, small town, adversaries to lovers romance
Publisher Silver Sage Press
Book Blurb
When unwished-for love lands on your doorstep, do you embrace it or bolt?
Taking in a runaway teen, Bernie Pedersen, who was a runaway herself, goes toe-to-toe with the handsome social worker looking for the girl. Bernie will do anything to protect the child the way her sixteen-year-old self could have used.
Suffering burnout as his search for an endangered teen brings him to a small coastal town, Paul Gibson becomes embroiled in the lives of two people. One, a neatnik teenager whose home life wasn’t what he’d been told. And another, a feisty, redheaded pizza joint owner who makes him believe he could have a future in this town.
He's legally bound to return the girl to her home, but when he learns things are not what they seem, Paul works with Bernie to do whatever it takes to keep the girl safe. Even if it means losing his job.
Can he also convince the beautiful loner to give them a chance?
Excerpt
Gladys pushed a grocery cart piled high along the sidewalk. People driving by must have wondered how the frail-looking woman managed it, but there was steel beneath that feigned fragility. The persona had served her well so far. Thankfully, the May weather was moderate and patches of sunshine graced the beaches.
A rustling in the bushes next to Square Peg Pizza got her attention.
“Who’s there?”
The leaves stopped moving, so she pushed her cart beyond the pizza parlor door, out of sight of the bushes. She then rounded the building and pounced, coming up with a ragamuffin teen who wore more dirt than clothes, if Gladys’s eyes—and nose—were still any good.
“What are you doing in the bushes, girl?”
Startling blue eyes glared back at her as the girl remained mute.
“Well, if you won’t tell me, maybe you’ll tell the owner of this establishment. Come on.” She grabbed her by the ear and walked her inside.
She tugged the girl, who continued to glare at her, toward a chair. “Sit.” Leaning over the counter, she hollered. “Bernie!”
“Gladys?” Bernie came out wiping her hands on a towel. She smiled when she saw the white-haired woman wrapped in her usual layers of clothing. “I was wondering if I’d see you today. Want some pizza?”
“Nah. You gave me enough yesterday to feed me for a week. Thank you.” Gladys patted Bernie’s cheek. “I brought you a stray.”
Bernie leaned sideways to see behind Gladys. “A stray?”
“Yeah. You collect them, don’t you? Find them homes?”
“Stray animals, Gladys. Animals. Who’s this?”
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Title Chances Are, book 3 in the completed 6-story Willow Bay series
Author Laurie Ryan
Genre Contemporary, small town, law enforcement romance
Publisher Silver Sage Press
Book Blurb
Danger follows her.
Tired of overbearing men who think they know best, self-sufficient attorney Aimi Larson moves to the coast hoping to leave that all behind. She can take care of herself. But when her past follows her, she must enlist the aid of Willow Bay’s sexy sheriff to find a man bent on deadly revenge.
Confirmed bachelor Jackson Smith isn’t interested in anything but a hookup. He’s seen firsthand what relationships do to people. Someone always gets hurt. When Aimi moves to town, he’s determined to keep his attraction locked down tight. Right up until she needs his protection and he vows to keep her safe at any cost.
Jackson knows how to shield Aimi from harm, but Aimi has a few ideas of her own. The only way to neutralize the lethal threat against Aimi’s life is to work together and never let her out of his sight. Even if it means losing his heart in the process.
Excerpt
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Jackson Smith clapped, then laughed along with everyone else as his friends kissed. Josh’s enthusiasm over being a married man showed big time. The man had loved Dana ever since she’d moved here. Josh had been waiting for this day for a long time.
What a fool. Jackson shook his head. He had nothing against women, of course. They were great as friends and offered a perspective that he found important. But once you let them into your life, everything changed and nothing lasted forever. Nope, he’d never be the one waiting at the front of the church. He was happy with his life, though an occasional dalliance wasn’t out of the question. Rules were a big part of his life, but every once in a while, he liked to toss them out the window and show his appreciation for a beautiful woman.
He glanced at the wedding party again, particularly at the maid of honor. Maid or matron? He couldn’t see her ring finger under the bouquet she held. She intrigued him, with her long, sleek, dark hair and eyes that shone with happiness while she watched her friends exit the church. Next, she and Bernie walked down the aisle together.
Once again, Jackson tried to get a glimpse of the woman’s left hand. Still buried under flowers, damn it. Something about her drew him in. He’d planned on ditching the reception. Weren’t they all alike, anyhow? But now, maybe he’d pop in. Just to satisfy his curiosity about the mysterious woman.
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Title Tender Tide, book 4 in the completed 6-story Willow Bay series
Author Laurie Ryan
Genre contemporary, small town, reunion romance
Publisher Silver Sage Press
Book Blurb
Welcome to Willow Bay, the perfect place to stick a chair in the sand, your toes in the water, and get lost in the ebb and flow of life and love.
He’s home from the war. She’s back in Willow Bay to care for ailing parents. Both transformed by time and trauma, can they reconcile their present with the love they left behind but never forgot? Jasmin Powter has put her ambitious life on hold to help her parents and their failing horse ranch. If she can’t find a way to safeguard their future, her family will lose everything. Luke Taylor, the man who left her all those years ago, has been helping her parents. Seeing him again opens old wounds—and old attractions.
Weighted by regrets, Luke only wants to escape the guilt that robs him of sleep and haunts his days. No penance is enough, and he can’t give Jasmin the love she deserves until he’s a whole person again.
Can the tender tide of a love remembered bring them peace and help them realize how much stronger they are together?
Excerpt
“Are you going to the Cannery Park celebration?”
Jasmin heaved a deep sigh. “Yes.”
“You don’t sound too excited.”
“I sort of got talked into it.”
Luke chuckled. “Me, too.” He glanced around. Where was Gladys? “Why are you stopping here?”
“Gladys asked me to pick her up here.” Jasmin looked around. “I wonder where she is? I sure hope she’s all right.”
The little meddler. With a not-so-well-hidden smile, Luke shook his head. “Oh, I’m sure she’s just fine.”
Jasmin looked at him, her squint filled to the brim with suspicion.
He held his hands up. “Not my fault, but I think the town meddler is up to her tricks again. She also asked me to pick her up.”
Realization widened Jasmin’s eyes. “She’s trying to throw us together?”
“Looks that way.” Not that he minded. Gladys and her matchmaking had totally brightened the day. He decided to embrace it.
“Then I’m going home.”
“Why? You’re dressed up. It’s a great day for late September. Let’s go enjoy the opening.”
“Together?”
Ouch. Her voice, full of incredulity, knocked him down a peg. Luke put his arm on the open window frame and leaned closer. “Sure. Why not me?”
“Well, because— ”
“Because what? We’re neighbors. We should be able to socialize, differences be damned. I’m not asking you to marry me. Just take the afternoon off from everything that makes you grumpy and laugh a little.”
“Where everyone will see us and assume we”—she gripped the steering wheel tightly—“have something going on.”
“That would be horrible.” Luke tried hard to look serious, but he couldn’t pull it off. He straightened and grabbed the door handle. “Got the guts?”
Title Reluctant Christmas, book 5 in the completed 6-story Willow Bay series
Author Laurie Ryan
Genre contemporary, small town, medical romance
Publisher Silver Sage Press
Book Blurb
He embraces Christmas. She just wants it to go away.
When Cade Huntington limps out of Dr. Grace Janson’s ER without using the crutches she gave him, she’s glad to see him go. Except the arrogant, carefree cable guy keeps showing up in her life. It doesn’t help that he’s taken her on as his pet project and is determined to prove how extraordinary the festive season can be.
What he doesn’t know is that Christmas is the worst time of year for the doctor who relies on logic and organization to get her through. She wraps herself in work like an ostrich hides his head in the sand. Nothing will ever bring back the Christmas spirit she lost as a child.
Determined to show her why Christmas is the best of all times, Cade thunders right past Grace’s warning signs and right smack dab into a past rife with emotional fallout.
Can they unwrap their tangled emotions and find the joy in each other and the season?
Excerpt
Cade walked up to Grace’s front door like he knew what he was doing, which he didn’t. He rapped three times.
She opened the door, dressed and with makeup on as if ready to head out the door. Shoot, maybe she had plans. Her eyes widened when she saw him.
“Hi,” he said lamely.
“Cade? What the— How— What are you doing here?” She let go of the door and reached down to pick up a large gray cat. Another piece of information about Dr. Grace. She liked cats.
He shrugged, knowing he had no excuse. “I didn’t want to wait to see you again.”
Her hand stroked the cat, who watched him with shuttered eyes. Cade reached out to the animal, who immediately stiffened.
“You don’t know where I live. I mean, you shouldn’t. Did you follow me home last night?”
He pulled his hand back, stuffing it in his pocket. “God, no. I’m not a stalker.” He winced inwardly. “Never been before, at any rate.” He’d better come clean. He pointed to Jackson and Aimi’s. “Had to fix their cable and Jackson mentioned a doctor had moved in next door. I took a chance.”
Her eyes narrowed. “That doesn’t sound exactly plausible.”
“It’s not. It’s…fate.” Cade grinned. “Shoot. Does that make me a stalker?”Cade ran a hand through his hair. “Jackson will vouch for me.”
Grace shivered.
“You’re cold.”
“Yes, I am.” She looked down the street, then back at him, one lovely eyebrow arched. Shaking her head, Grace opened the door wider. “You’re here. You might as well come in.”
“Thanks,” he said, flashing his smile as he maneuvered carefully past the cat still giving him the stink eye from her owner’s arms.
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