Dream and Pretense: The Ramseys
by AlTonya Washington
Powerful, Beautiful, Scandalous, Sexy- they are the Ramseys. Step inside a world of glamour, danger and family secrets. Secrets that include many ugly things, among them...murder.
Dream…
When Michaela Sellars accepts a job to pen a family biography on the Ramseys of Seattle, Washington she is totally unprepared for the dramatic shift her life is about to take. The savvy investigative journalist turned successful author has caught the scent of a sensational story and has every intention of uncovering every ugly layer. Then she meets Quest Ramsey. Laid back and to-die-for land developer can set the most no-nonsense woman off kilter. Mick discovers she’s no different and has no weapon capable of fending off the insatiable attraction this man instills.
Quest Ramsey won’t deny that he is obsessively attracted to the curvy, chocolate beauty that waltzes without a care into his midst seemingly unaware of her devastating effect on him. In spite of his wants, Quest knows that to invite this particular woman in to his world could have equally devastating effects on his family-none of them good. The story the lovely author hopes to uncover is one certain Ramseys would see left buried. While Quest longs for justice; almost as much as he longs for Michaela, he has more to contend with. The story Mick Sellars hopes to uncover includes the person Quest loves most in the world, his twin brother Quaysar.
Pretense…
Quay Ramsey has lived with the fact that he’s cursed in love for many years. Of course one would never look at him and believe such a thing. Tall, dark and to-die-for, the man’s success with women is the stuff of legend. Sadly, that prowess with the opposite sex hasn’t brought Quay the one woman he desires above all others. Just as well, since he’s done everything he can think of to ensure that Tykira Lowery stays as far away from him as possible. Her very life depended on it. At least, that’s what has motivated Quay’s actions for the better part of fifteen years. Pushing Ty away had been the hardest thing he’d ever done but he had no intention of changing course then. Not when truths uncovered by the unlikely intervention of a tenacious investigative journalist rearrange everything Quay thought he knew.
When Tykira returns at the behest of his brother, Quay is torn between remaining cold and running hot as her very presence stirs his desire in tandem with an insatiable need to protect the only woman he’s ever loved. Yet, Quay can’t deny a very real fact- someone played a role in the disappearance of most every woman Quay has ever shown an interest in. While it’s insane to believe the culprit would target Tykira at such a late date, Quay can’t stop the possibility from waging war on his psyche. From his point of view, pushing Tykira away would be best. He’d done it before, but that ability had deserted him. All that remained was the desire to claim, love, cherish and protect but not from a distance-Never again from a distance.
Dream and Pretense: The Ramseys by AlTonya Washington
Paperback Purchase: http://amzn.com/0989145581
Kindle Purchase: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JH2HVH2
About the Author
AlTonya Washington has been a published romance novelist for 10 years. In 2013, her Harlequin Kimani novel "His Texas Touch" won the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Series Romance of 2012. This was the author’s second award from the national magazine. Writing as T. Onyx, AlTonya released her latest erotica "Ravenous: Ruler of Perfection II" in 2013.
In November of the same year she released "A Lover's Debt", the 17th title in the Ramsey Tesano saga. “When Ice Melts” is AlTonya’s latest indie novel and released in January 2014 to much acclaim. She will follow up this title with the much-anticipated release “Layers of the Past” the full length novel sequel to the novella “Layers”. AlTonya lives in North Carolina where she also works as a college reference librarian and mom- her favorite job.
READER REVIEW ON DREAM & PRETENSE: THE RAMSEYS
5.0 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Written by FeversD
Although I have read these two books numerous times, it was a treat to get them together, as this is another one of those EPIC series that will live on far beyond the pages of the book! Altonya Washington is another one of those strategic, and very creative authors whose mind is phenomenal and genius at concocting such page turning, alpha male reading books, and who also writes with passion and a deep love for the characters she creates. This is a Highly Recommended read as it will have you up all night wanting to know how their unconditional love survives even the greatest of tragedies...as it will also have you re-reading the books that followed for this is approximately 17 books in the series to include several novellas, with two more left to come! Awesome job Altonya Washington!
CHAPTER EXCERPT
Mick was fluffing out the unruly thick dark curls across her head. She and County were scheduled to have dinner later and she was trying to decide whether to do anything different with the mop of riotous locks. The doorbell chimed and Mick took that as confirmation to let her hair alone. It’d never obey her wishes to stay pulled into an elaborate updo anyway, she thought with a disapproving snort.
Turning quickly, she shuffled toward the door. The long ears on her bunny slippers slapped the carpet as her steps quickened. She figured it was County, but looked out the peephole anyway. A quick ‘oh’ wisped past her lips when she glimpsed her visitor.
“Damn it,” she whispered, glancing down at her attire, which consisted of a cap-sleeved tee with a pair of glittery pink lips emblazoned across her breasts. The sleep pants hugged her hips, while flattering her bottom in the most adoring manner, and were covered with hundreds of full pink lips. Then there were the bunny slippers…
“Oh what the hell, he’s already seen me dressed up,” she reasoned and flung open the door. Her expression was light and inviting as she prepared to greet Quaysar Ramsey. But the easy look in her amber stare turned questioning as she gazed up at the man who filled her doorway. Subconsciously, she took a step backward.
“Mr. Ramsey,” she greeted, her coolness returning a bit. “I was hoping to meet you before I left town.”
Now it was Quest’s turn to appear confused. “You know who I am?” he asked, obvious disbelief clinging to every word.
Mick nodded, her soft smile instantly drawing his eyes to her mouth.
“How?” he probed after commanding himself not to allow the woman’s X-rated lips to make him lose track of his senses.
Mick was surprised by her intuition as well, but realized that although the Ramsey twins were clearly identical, they possessed distinct differences. Especially Quest. For some reason, Mick believed she would know him anywhere, and that belief was more than a little disconcerting.
At last, she shrugged. “It’s my secret,” she said in a prim tone, her heart fluttering when his laughter touched her ears. Stop it, Mick! she demanded, feeling completely disgusted by her light-headed behavior.
“I’m sorry for keeping you in the hall, please come in,” she urged with a gracious wave as she stepped aside.
Quest stood just inside the suite. Mick closed the door and waited for him to precede her to the living room, but he didn’t move. Finally, she realized that he was waiting on her to precede him.
“Could I get you something or have something sent up?” Mick offered as she breezed into the living area.
Quest shook his head. “I’m good. Don’t go to any trouble.”
For a moment, they stood opposite one another in the room. Finally Mick nodded.
“Please have a seat,” she invited.
Quest simply waved one hand toward the cushiony cream furnishings and Mick saw that he was waiting for her to do so first. She responded slowly, almost stunned that this man could actually possess the rare- in her opinion, the extremely rare- quality of gallantry. She watched him settle into the armchair across from her and recalled the meeting with his brother.
Quest Ramsey, she surmised, moved far differently from his twin whose movements were bold and purpose-filled. Quest wasn’t slow, awkward or uncertain but smooth and relaxed. It was as though he had all the time in the world and the world was waiting on him.
In the golden light of the room, Mick could assess the package more clearly. County had called the twins chocolate-dipped, but Quest’s skin gave him the appearance of having been doused in rich molasses. Even at a distance, she could tell his midnight hair was silky, but close cut so that it appeared as a mass of waves across his head. Still, it was his eyes that most captivated her. They were an uncommon hazy gray and deep-set beneath the longest, straightest brows and fringed with even longer lashes. Those were lashes unfair for any man to have. A god indeed, she admitted.
Quest sat reclined in his chair. His massive hands rested along the arms as though he was waiting patiently for her to complete her assessment. When she smiled again, he couldn’t have been more stunned to feel his own heartbeat lose its steady rhythm in response.
“Michaela Sellars,” she saw fit to introduce herself then and watched as he grinned and inclined his head.
“Quest Ramsey,” was his soft reply.
( Continued... )
© 2014 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, AlTonya Washington. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author's written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.
Intimate Conversation with AlTonya Washington
AlTonya Washington has been a published romance novelist for 10 years. In 2013, her Harlequin Kimani novel "His Texas Touch" won the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Series Romance of 2012. This was the author’s second award from the national magazine. Writing as T. Onyx, AlTonya released her latest erotica "Ravenous: Ruler of Perfection II" in 2013.
In November of the same year she released "A Lover's Debt", the 17th title in the Ramsey Tesano saga. “When Ice Melts” is AlTonya’s latest indie novel and released in January 2014 to much acclaim. She will follow up this title with the much-anticipated release “Layers of the Past” the full length novel sequel to the novella “Layers”. AlTonya lives in North Carolina where she also works as a college reference librarian and mom- her favorite job.
BPM: What drove you to sit down and actually start writing this book?
I had attended several book events during the beginning of my career and during each event I encountered readers who wanted to know whether I had any connecting books. I had never never read any connecting romantic stories up until that time and had no idea how popular they were. After receiving lots of questions like this, I decided to look into crafting one of my own. I had a vague idea of what was involved- having gotten hooked on Karen Moning’s Highlander series shortly after. Still, I was for the most part clueless on the proper formula. So….I created my own.
BPM: Does your upbringing or life experiences inspire your writing?
I think it’s impossible to emphatically deny that life experiences don’t inspire some aspects of the writing process. While they don’t play a HUGE role for me, they do inspire me when I may be crafting a character-building them into someone readers can view as an actual person.
BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot driven or character driven?
Especially as it relates to the Ramsey (and Tesanos) my books are character driven. Why? I have always felt that if you don’t connect with the characters – who are the people advancing the storyline- then the story falls flat, because you have no interest in how the story plays out for them regardless of what the plot is. I enjoy creating characters that really have to fight to improve upon something that is personal to them. I think that’s why the readers have so powerfully connected to this series.
BPM: Introduce us to your current work. What genre do you consider your book? Is this book available in digital forms like Nook and Kindle?
Dream & Pretense: The Ramseys is the re-release of the first two titles in the Ramsey Series (A Lover’s Dream & A Lover’s Pretense). This latest project contains both titles in one package. I’ve been very excited to present this having just regained my rights to the titles. I’ve waited until this time to encourage new readers to the series because I knew there were changes I wanted to make within the text of the story.
I have assured my current readers that none of the updates change anything in the story as they know it to be. I have included new scenes- ones that I as a reader wanted to see in print. I classify it as romantic suspense and I’m firm on that because this series really does balance the nuances of both genres. One main subplot follows the series, but each book fixates on a new couple each time. It’s been an enjoyable challenge to incorporate those elements into each book.
One of the things that makes the series so unique is that while there is this really involved storyline that affects all the characters, the stories of the individual couples have an almost stand-alone capacity. I honestly believe this is what has enhanced their appeal among my readers or Ramsey Fanatics as I lovingly refer to them. The books are available for Kindle and Nook- I’m also in the process of adding more e-reader devices.
BPM: Give us an insight into your main characters. What makes each one so special?
In Dream & Pretense you’re introduced to two very different couples. Quest Ramsey & Michaela Sellars (A Lover’s Dream) have an almost fairytale involvement, meeting for the first time and being completely blown away by each other. I use the word ‘fairytale’ and it would be were it not for a murder that we find out about at the beginning of the story.
Michaela, a family biographer, is intrigued by the Ramseys who are this very reclusive, very powerful group. She’s never heard of them which intrigues her even more. She comes to Seattle- where the series is based- to research the family.
Quest has reservations about a book being written about his family, given what he knows of the secrets they’ve tried to keep hidden for many years. Still, when he sees Mick and meets her, he fears he could easily cast those uncertainties to the wind for the chance to keep her close. In the couple in the second half of the book we get to know Quaysar Ramsey and Tykira Lowery.
Quay is actually Quest’s twin brother and we get to see much of him in the first book. Where Quest is sensual and intimidating in his observant and laid back manner, Quay harbors that same sensual and intimidating allure but he’s very much driven by his temper- a kind of act first and ask questions…never. He and Ty have known each other for years, but she has been out of his life for a long time- done with having her heart broken by this man.
What she doesn’t know is that Quay has always loved her and only her, but given the danger that he knows lies within his family he’s fought to protect her by keeping her at a distance. Their relationship; while intensely seductive, is also extremely volatile.
BPM: What topics are primarily discussed? Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
The series itself covers a range of topics, but to prevent any spoilers from occurring I’ll stick with Dream & Pretense- here the stories fixate on family dynamics, there’s a lot of dysfunction among the Ramseys but there is also a lot of love and devotion. We’ve got people and situations that are shaping up to be truly evil. Quest & Michaela are very attracted to one another, but they both come from totally different worlds.
Quest had a very loving and secure upbringing, while Mick’s experience growing up in the foster care system was the unfortunate opposite. Writing this series has taught me a lot! I started it in 2004- it wasn’t published until 2006 and the series has continued to delight its readers. On a personal level, writing this series has taught me the positives of pacing myself-not rushing to keep up with the crowd. It has taught me how to be true to the story (stories) I want to tell.
Having the unbelievable support of my readers when the series went from being traditionally published to independently is why I have been able to carry this cast of characters to the places I have. I couldn’t tell this story without the support of my readers who have cheered the often outrageous twists and eerie characters, not to mention the incredibly phenomenal heroes and the heroines who rule their hearts.
BPM: What defines success for you, as a published author? What are your ambitions for your writing career?
I think how happy my work makes my readers defines my success. I feel such a sense of reciprocity there- my readers are happy with what I create and demand more which motivates me in wanting to give it to them and to give them my best. My greatest ambition is to one day be writing full time which will hopefully get the books out faster- another plus for my readers.
BPM: What are your expectations for this book? What would you like for readers to do after reading this book?
I know how I feel when I discover a new book/series. I hope the introduction to the Ramseys will provide readers with the same satisfied chills and expectations for what’s to come. I hope after reading Dream & Pretense, readers will be eager to indulge in the rest of the series.
BPM: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included? How can readers discover more about you and your work?
This is a pretty lengthy series, but the good thing is that new readers don’t have to wait and suffer through the agony between the books releasing. The series will be wrapping up next year and has actually grown to include another family that current series readers are wild about. I just love writing about these people and hope that new readers will enjoy the experience.
In the middle of this book, there is a short story featuring Quest and Mick entitled “Lover’s Muse: An Interlude” You can find it for free on Smashwords and download the version that’s compatible with your e-reading device. Although the events of the short story follow what takes place in the first book, reading it first won’t necessarily spoil the read. For those of you who’d like a little more insight into the characters that story would be a nice place to begin. Readers can discover more about me and my work by visiting my websites :www.lovealtonya.com www.alsreaders.com and www.altonysblog.wordpress.com They can also find me on GoodReads, Facebook and Twitter.
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