MAKO BAY
OTAGO WATERS - BOOK 1

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Shal Hoffner’s back in Dunedin after eight years of self-imposed exile. Setting up a new fashion boutique, and juggling bridesmaid duties for her best friend’s wedding, she’s determined to forget her ripped-up past, soulless love-life, and the guy who broke her heart.
She should’ve known it wouldn’t be that simple.
Assuming the proximity of Cameron Dante (builder, guitarist, surf-buddy, and old flatmate) the least of her worries? Big mistake. Huge. Because there’s more to the past than Shal knows, on a collision course with her immediate future, and if she can’t stick to friends-with-benefits there’s a chance she could snap. Just like before.
‘No promises, no commitment, and no exclusive rights.’ Shal’s mantra is fast losing traction, and it’s all Cam’s fault. He’s not the shy surfer-down-the-hall he once was, and he’s out to prove something. No matter the cost. He’s been in love with Shal forever, so what’s he got to lose? His new-found roots, his music career, his very heart and soul... Pretty much everything, actually.

Winner of the Daphne Clair de Jong First Kiss award, and finalist in the Koru First Book Award of Excellence, MAKO BAY is the first story in Stephanie Ruth's Otago Waters series, set in the beautiful South Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Intended for readers who enjoy their slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance on the steamy side, with the promise of a happily ever after.
Reader discretion advised, this novel deals with the trauma of a past car accident.

RUBY ISLAND
OTAGO WATERS - BOOK 2


​First impressions are hard to shake...
Big-headed ex-rugby star, Daniel Dante, refuses to believe a word celebrated ceramicist Kanako Janssen says, though why her new landlord’s opinion bothers her so much is anyones’s guess. She has enough to worry about, with her soon to be ex-husband refusing to sign divorce papers, Daniel’s dog appearing regularly to freak her out, and an exhibition date looming.
Kanako is everything Daniel isn’t, and nothing he’s used to. Commitment doesn’t come easily to a player who’s been burnt so publicly before, but if he can’t learn to trust this fresh-faced, quirky artist, he could well lose her altogether.
Like the swallows, Kanako’s only in Otago for the season. But willing or not, the self-proclaimed introvert is being slowly absorbed into small town life on the lake, and she’s in grave danger of falling in love with it.

Editor and agents choice in the RWNZ Great Beginnings competition, and finalist in the Pacific Hearts Award, RUBY ISLAND is the second story in Stephanie Ruth’s Otago Waters series, set in the beautiful South Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Intended for readers who enjoy their opposites attract romance on the steamy side, and promising a happily ever after.
Reader discretion advised, this novel deals with past addiction and a historical drowning.

LAKE TAIMANA
OTAGO WATERS - BOOK 3

 
What does it take to shift deep-seated betrayal?
Adele Fergus switched back to her maiden name with plans to never look back—never think about her naïve, short-lived marriage to James Montague. But that was before he turned up on her Wānaka doorstep with her missing diamonds, a crazy backstory, and persistent requests for visitation with his ex-stepdaughter.
Adele’s hell-bent on keeping James at arms-length, but it’s not easy with old attractions still running hot. What’s more, she’s beginning to suspect she may have left him on false information.
Divorce was never in James’ game-plan, so when his ex-wife’s jewellery comes to light, he’s drawn back to her—welcome or not—and he isn’t leaving until he has all the answers.
The more the exes re-learn to trust each other, the more they come to realise someone was intent on dragging them apart from the very beginning. Someone close.
Is it worth risking everything to start again?

Winner of both the Daphne Clair de Jong First Kiss and RWNZ Great Beginnings competition, LAKE TAIMANA is the third love story set in Stephanie Ruth's Otago Waters series, set in the stunning Lakes District in southern New Zealand. Intended for readers who enjoy their second chance romance on the steamy side, and promising a happily ever after.
Reader discretion advised, this novel includes references to a historical miscarriage, depression, and suicide. 

ADD A SPLASH OF LOVE
OTAGO WATERS' SHORT STORY ANTHOLOGY


“People maintain there are six degrees of separation, but they’ve clearly never been to Aotearoa. Make it two, and you’re getting warmer…” - Stephanie Ruth

Six addictive short stories by award winning New Zealand writer, Stephanie Ruth, celebrating warmth of connection, and the Kiwi phenomenon of one-degree-of-separation.
Linked to the Otago Waters series, these quirky romance tidbits can all be read as standalone.

A beginning and ending for Poppy and Clementine, torn apart by distance, but stoutly stitched back together with shared history. The Bit That Means Something is concluded in Lead a Horse to Water. Katie weathers a stinky pheromone experiment in Scent, Not Sensibility, a newbie gardener learns all about life’s laterals in Heads or Tails, and identities and intentions are not what they seem in Second Act. Fancy a spot of baking? Perhaps not from Talulah’s kitchen, who refuses to follow the recipe in Heaped Teaspoons.

Add a Splash of Love is the first anthology of short stories in Stephanie Ruth’s Otago Waters series, set in the beautiful South Island of New Zealand.
For more short stories, bonus prologues, epilogues, and cut scenes with all the characters you love, sign on to Stephanie’s newsletter. 

VALENTINES IN THE VINES
MULTI AUTHOR NOVELLA ANTHOLOGY

Three worlds collide on Valentine's Day in this collection of novellas from award-winning authors set in Central Otago, New Zealand.

Ginger Kisses, by Courtney Clark Michaels: Single mum Hilary Whitlock might be a science whiz, but the formula for lasting love has escaped her. Not that this bothers her – until she’s forced to attend the wedding between her ex-husband and her half-sister on Valentine’s Day in Wānaka. When her colleague Jeremy offers his services as her fake date for the wedding weekend, she gratefully accepts. Sure, Jeremy’s reputation is more wham-bam than thank you ma’am, but all she needs is a friend to sit beside, and maybe to fetch her a wine or six while she avoids the gossip and pitying looks from her family. He’s the ideal solution.
Jeremy Hart is the perfect one-night boyfriend. Just ask the slew of beneficial friends he’s been keeping company with since his last serious relationship came to a screaming halt two years ago. He’s more than happy to put his good looks and charisma to use, helping a friend out of a difficult situation. But by the time Jeremy and Hilary get to Wānaka, suddenly his role as Hilary’s faux-beau starts to feel a little more real… and sharing a bed isn’t helping his libido get the message that this situation with his boss is only temporary!
One bed. One wedding. One weekend that might change everything. Ginger Kisses is a Pacific Passions novella that proves changing one variable is enough to create chemistry in the most unlikely of places.

Taniwha Creek, by Stephanie Ruth: Barista Maddie Stalwart-Jones has known Todd Kaihanga all her life, but no matter where her brain wanders when she's not vigilant, she refuses to consider her brother’s best mate as anything other than off limits. It would be all wrong, right? The self-proclaimed pessimist is intent on ignoring the fact her cafe manager is the only guy she can relax and be herself around, and the only person she's comfortable talking about her dead brother with. Intent on escaping Wānaka, where everyone seems to have an opinion on her intimate business and family history, falling for Todd would be highly inconvenient.
Todd’s a patient guy, but he’s had enough of waiting around for Maddie to notice he’ could be so much more than a shoulder to lean on. When Maddie’s mother finally agrees to accept some help with her run down property, it’s a perfect catalyst for Todd to prove to his high school crush that his optimistic streak isn’t a curse, it’s the perfect yin to her yang. The wedding of the year is about to kick off, and there’s only one woman he wants to be dancing with.
A grumpy-versus-sunshine novella, where friends really do make the best lovers.

Heart Eyes, by Esme Brett: Dean wants to be left alone. Hannah’s a pathological liar. A shortbread festival brings them together.
While photographing lingerie models for a sexy Valentine’s Day photoshoot, Hannah Holliday finds herself in a professionally compromising position. To save face, she tells people the grumpy man who owns the hotel they’re shooting at is her boyfriend. This is news to Dean. Her quote-unquote, boyfriend.
Hannah has her reasons, but none of them matter to Dean Harris, reluctant hotelier. He’s busy avoiding his guests and trying not to leer at the tall, freckled boudoir photographer. As his best friend’s cousin, Hannah’s definitely off limits. Having the Royal Hotel linked to Hannah’s boudoir business is a risk aspiring designer Dean can’t afford, but a persistent vision of her body wrapped around his is wreaking havoc on his sense of self. Before Dean can say tit pic, he’s initiating conversations, attending a wedding as Hannah’s fake date, and learning how to sext.
Dean might be the strong and silent type, but luckily for Hannah, his mouth has other talents. And she’s not lying when she begs for more.

ONE KISS IS NEVER ENOUGH
MULTI AUTHOR SHORT STORY ANTHOLOGY


Seven Kiwi authors. Seven sexy stories. Seven First Kisses.

Getting together isn’t always easy, even when the attraction is undeniable. But whether the journey begins as friends, enemies or a chance meeting between strangers— somewhere along the way to lasting love there is always a first kiss.

Forbidden, long-awaited, or the kiss they never saw coming—this collection of short stories contains first kisses that will make you hungry for more.
With short stories by Michele Clare, Amy Blythe, Jillian Barnes, Emmy-Lou James, Stephanie Ruth, Molly Matheson, and Alexa Rivers.

This collection contains sexy, open door romance, including MF, MM and FF pairings. Intended for adult readers only.

RISING HEAT
MULTI AUTHOR SHORT STORY ANTHOLOGY

Dreaming of summer lovin'?

Come on a summer vacation with seven contemporary romance, short stories from these new authors. Unexpected meetings, new beginnings and second chances await! No cliff hangers and an HEA/HFN every time.
This collection contains some sweet stories, some hot romance, and a menage story. Sweets come first (like every good meal) and the hottest are saved for last.
From Laura Wolf: The New Zealand wilderness gives an underprepared explorer more than she bargained for when she encounters a rugged, experienced hiker (MF)
From Emmy-Lou James: A chance encounter on the South England coast reveals long-kept secrets, and offers a second chance at love (MF)
From Stephanie Ruth: A Mediterranean cruise and a handsome stranger are just what’s needed to kick-start her mid-life reinvention (MF)
From Molly Matheson: She has to protect her heart. He wants to convince her friends can become lovers (MF)
From Amy Blythe: She’s travelling light for a naughty weekend in Amsterdam, staying with a friend of a friend (MF)
From Grace Lawler: Two strangers share a BnB and discover that one summer night is not enough (MM)
From Jillian Barnes: Surrounded by family and friends, a kiwi bride marries her grooms (MMF)

Intended for adult readers only.