Author Spotlight: Welcome Reese Ryan!

We have a winner! Ann Bilbrew, you were chosen at random as the recipient of Reese’s giveaway! She will be in touch with you. Thanks to everyone who stopped by!

I’ve been a huge fan of Reese Ryan’s books for some time, so having her here in the Spotlight today is sort of a squee fan-girly moment for me!  Award-winning author Reese Ryan writes sexy, emotional, grown folks romantic fiction set in small Southern towns about characters 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. Visit Reese online at ReeseRyan.com.

She’s with us today to talk about her new novel Return to Hummingbird Way, Book 2 in her Holly Grove Island series, and fun of secondary characters. Be sure to check out her fun giveaway below, and comment for a chance to win!

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So thrilled you’re here today, Reese! Take it away…

Matchmaking Grandmothers, Blissfully Engaged Besties, and Other Secondary Characters

It’s no secret that I love a compelling secondary character. From meddling moms, well-meaning neighbors, and precocious children to childhood best friends and matchmaking grandmothers, I’ve included them all and a lot more. We don’t exist in a vacuum and neither should fictional characters.

As a reader, a character’s interactions with others provides a window into who they truly are whether they are a protagonist or a villain. In Spiderman, Peter Parker’s story is more compelling because of Uncle Ben, Aunt May, and Mary Jane Watson. In Pride & Prejudice, Lizzie’s relationship with her sisters and parents is as critical to the story as her slowly evolving relations with the love interest, Mr. Darcy. The protagonist’s primary characteristics can be discerned from the characters that populate their world. We also learn a lot about their fears, motivations, and aspirations. And we often develop empathy for those characters because of those experiences.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen made me fall in love with a big cast of secondary characters and family drama. When I began writing fiction, my inclusion of secondary characters and family drama was a subconscious act. I was emulating the types of stories I enjoyed reading. Once I recognized those tendencies, I leaned into them. Complicated family dynamics and career crises have since become a part of my author brand.

I create secondary characters who are more than just walk-ons. They’re an essential part of the story and help move it forward. I’ve written lots of secondary characters who went on to get stories of their own. And each of them is special to me. So I was surprised that in my recent release, Return to Hummingbird Way—the second book in my steamy, small-town romance series, Holly Grove Island—I’ve written my favorite secondary character thus far: Mama Mae.

Annamae Davenport is the eighty-two-year-old grandmother of my male protagonist. She raised her grandson during his teenage years. Rett is thirty-seven now. Yet, Mama Mae is still deeply concerned about his happiness and future. And when she thinks that Rett is walking away from the person he was meant to be with, she puts a plan into action. In our introduction to the matriarch, her personality and Southern sass come shining through.

“There really is no need for all this fuss. Land sakes, it’s just a trifling little cold and a touch of bronchitis,” Garrett Davenport’s grandmother griped as he handed her another cup of tea with honey and lemon. He laid one of her crocheted throw blankets over her lap. “You’re acting like I need to lay out my last will and testament. Spoiler alert: I spent all my money on the younger men I’ve encountered during my international travels.” Annamae Davenport shifted her eyebrows up and down and smirked.

“Seriously, Gram? I’m glad you’re enjoying your life, but I don’t need to hear about it with that level of detail.” Rett shook his head.

“I didn’t give you any details.” She grinned like the Cheshire Cat, then took a sip of her tea. “I save the good stuff for my girlfriends when we meet up at the senior center.”

Mama Mae is bold, feisty, and independent. Yet, she’s at a point in her life when she’d forced to reckon with the fact that she is overwhelmed with the care of her home and sometimes needs assistance. She serves as the mentor for both protagonists and her actions directly impact the plot. Her exchanges with Rett and Sin give us insight into her grandson’s past. His deep love for her and his sense of sacrifice and compassion are demonstrated through his actions. Sin (and readers) are given a window into who Rett truly is—despite his past mistakes. And we see his growth as a character.

Like raising children, telling a story takes a village. And for me, secondary characters are a key component of that storytelling apparatus.

GIVEAWAY! Reese is offering up a great prize for one lucky commenter: Who are some of your favorite secondary characters? Tell us in the comments below and one reader will receive either a $5 Amazon gift card or a signed copy of a 2-n-1 book of your choice from her collection. (Note: Book will be mailed to U.S. mailing addresses only.)

Return to Hummingbird Way

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.