Maggie Blackbird

Today, author Reneé Nicole is guesting. She’s talking about her debut release Ireland Finds Gold, a romantic suspense. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

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I was raised in a small town, Franklinton, NC. I am a middle child. My parents are very supportive, loving and all together AWESOME. I am blessed with the most loving family. I graduated from UNC-Wilmington with a BA in criminal justice. I have a Master’s degree in Homeland Security with a focus on Terrorism. I have lived in North Carolina, California, North Carolina, Florida and now Virginia. I work as a federal probation officer.

I decided on January 1, 2015, I wanted to write a book (I will never forget that date). I have always had a vivid imagination and so many story ideas in my head. When midnight struck on the new year’s eve, it clicked and I made the decision. I sat down over a three week period and just poured, what is now, ‘Ireland Finds Gold’ onto my computer screen. I literally just sat and typed all day for three weekends straight.

I was so nervous about my writing, but the story just came straight out of me and onto the blank pages. I never claimed to be the best writer so, when I finished the final page, the first thing out of my mouth was, “I just wrote a fucking book. Seriously.” I was so proud of myself. My first draft was crazy/stupid long for a romance novel, so after doing some research I started taking the steps to edit my first manuscript. I read, re-read and then read my book again before I hired an editor.

I was so scared I didn’t tell anyone I wrote the book or what I was doing. I was so worried about what other people would think. After reaching out to a few friends I know with editing and/or writing backgrounds, I found my first editor and sent him the manuscript. I think I told him five times in the email. I was not a writer, but this was in my head and I had to get it out. All the edits were BRUTAL and I was like, ‘oh wow Nicole maybe this is not for you.’ I was discouraged because of all the corrections, but I knew he was only trying to make the book better, because from the first editing pass, he told me there was a store there. Truthfully after the 3rd editing pass when he sent me the correction, there was still so much work to do that I lost my drive and put the book on the shelf/computer drive for 5 years and didn’t look back.

Over dinner and drinks with one of my “forever friends,” I admitted to writing the book and told her how discouraged I was by the corrections and how hard it was to get to the next phase. She listened to me and eventually told me to suck it up, life can be hard, but I did something and I needed to see it through. I heard her, but of course I didn’t listen (smirk face). I eventually told my mom and other friends about writing the book and all the editing that had to be done and they encouraged me to stick with it and see this idea through.

In 2021, I completed my vision board to include being a published author. I set deadlines, missed deadlines, set more deadlines and eventually finished all the edits and went on with my publishing process. After some much needed personal and mental growth, I came to the point that I had no reason not to publish my book. I no longer wanted to be nervous or worried about what others would think, so as Drake says, “YOLO”, and I published. I said all that to say: that just because something is really hard and you get knocked down from time to time, it doesn’t mean you stay down. Get up, wipe yourself off and fucking try again. That is what I did and I am so happy, ecstatic, joyous, delighted and proud to say that I am a PUBLISHED AUTHOR.

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Title: Ireland Finds Gold
Series: N/A
Author: Reneé Nicole
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Blurb:  Ireland Deckland may be a feisty probation officer with a tough exterior, but regularly putting handcuffs on perps has her view of people trending down. She’s been single for so long that she’s starting to think it’s a permanent status.

Xavier Gold may be the city’s most eligible CEO bachelor with a sexy as sin face, but the wannabe models who vie for his attention don’t have him looking to settle down. He’s played the game so many years, he’s starting to think no one will ever catch his eye.

When an unexpected meeting brings these two together, tough exteriors crack and sparks fly. But danger is never far from probation officers nor billionaires. After a bad business deal brings the Russian mob to the door, they have to fight to save their heads…or lose their hearts.

Amazon | Bookbub | Goodreads

Quotes from the book:

“I finally meet the most intense green eyes.”
“Now it is my turn to stare. I’ve been told that’s rude, but he didn’t seem to think so.”
“That was fun and absolutely made my night. Only your night? I am willing to make your night
any night, Xavier.”
“Oh, Xavier Gold calling me, this day just got interesting, how can I make your day better?”
“Just say yes, Ireland! It is not hard. Say it.”
“I like it from behind. And pull my hair while you are at it.”
“Um, wow, you know how to make a girl lose all rational thought.”
“Ireland, I am not weak.”
“Xavier, nothing about you says weak.”
“As soon as his tongue touches mine, I stop breathing and the world stands stills.”
“I won’t be ashamed of my successes.”
“Where do you want to cum X.”
“I have wanted to see how wet I could get you since that night at the club.”
“Ireland. Take it all.”
“You can always count on me. You know that. I will always have your back.”
“Yes, but that is not going to keep me from losing my legs or being thrown from a moving car.”
“I love him.”
“I have a safe house to take you to for now.”
“Stop saying Fuck so much.”
“We can take a few down before they take us.”
“We are not dying here. Ready? Let’s Move.”
“Xavier, I put up one hell of a fight.”
“We can’t die here. Someone is coming for us.”
“He will stop at nothing to find her.”

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Reneé Nicole grew up just north of Raleigh, North Carolina, in the very small town of Franklinton.  Nicole, as her family and friends call her, is a middle child and the best aunt ever (there’s even a mug that says so). She has lived in a few different cities throughout the United States, but for now calls Richmond, Virginia her home. Nicole graduated from college with a degree in Criminal Justice, and received her master’s degree in Justice Studies. Since then, she has worked for over a decade in the criminal justice field. Specifically, community corrections: first as a state probation and parole officer, and now as a federal probation officer. Since no one calls her mom or wife, she holds her ‘auntie’ title with pride. Nicole spends her nights in front of a computer screen writing about fictional men who do naughty things that would make anyone blush, and badass women who both want it and love it.

Nicole’s love of books developed later in life, after she was dragged into reading one of the best trilogies of all time. This led her to fall in love with writing. In particular, the process of using the power of words and imagination to entertain. She decided to write what she knows – but with lots and lots of steam. Nicole is excited to change her career path and provide entertainment to every person who picks up her book. Criminal Justice degree and author: sounds about right.

These days you can find Nicole working as a federal probation officer. A day job, as some may call it. But it’s not her only day job: she’s also a certified florist and small business owner of a flower shop, Petals of Color, with her sister and business partner. Nicole loves traveling, good rum, good wine, and spending time with her parents, siblings, and family.

Check out Nicole’s author pages on Instagram and Facebook, where you can like and follow to receive updates about her upcoming writing projects.

Follow Reneé:  Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub | Amazon | Goodreads

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