Meet Lori Ryan and check out her latest book, 'Penalty Clause'

Meet Lori Ryan, author of the Sutton Capital series and dog expert. Then, check out the second installment, 'Penalty Clause.' Be sure to leave her comments and your own questions!

What was the inspiration behind 'Penalty Clause'?

Andrew was one of my favorite characters in Legal Ease, the first of the Sutton Capital series. He was funny and such a loyal friend. I knew I wanted to write about him. And the next thing I knew, Jill had moved in next door and he was a drooling fool!

This is the second book in the series. How many do you anticipate there being? When can we look forward to the next installment?

I am currently editing a novella that will be book 2.5 in the series. That one features Jesse Bradley, Kelly’s sister and is fun and light, for the most part. I will be giving that out for free to any of my readers who join my fan group at http:// www.goodreads.com/group/show/104565.

I am also working on Chad and Jennie’s story, which will be book 3. This one is heart wrenching and emotional and I am absolutely in love with it! I can’t wait to release it to readers. It should be out on October 29th.

As for how many in the series, I’ll keep writing them if my fans want them! There are a few side characters that I’ve thought about writing books for. I’ll keep going as long as you guys want them!

Which character is the most like you in this series?

Honestly, I think there are just pieces of me in all of them. There doesn’t seem to be any one that captures all of me. And, I guess that’s how it should be!

What kind of research did you have to do for this book?

I had to research stalking for the Theresa character. There are actually several different types of stalkers and they each have a different set of beliefs and different motivations for their beliefs. That was a little scary to look at. Sometimes, there’s just such a tiny thing that triggers a stalker to develop their obsession but the object of their obsession’s life can be completely destroyed as a result.

Do you have any other writing projects in the works, outside of this series?

Yes. I have several ideas. There will be another series about four women who open a lakeside spa together. And I am currently in the stages of writing a mystery/thriller and a book about a woman who escapes an abusive relationship.

What have been some of your most interesting careers, other than writing and law? Would you ever want to return to them?

My work with dogs and dog behavior was fascinating but at the level of work I was doing, working with very aggressive dogs, I just got burned out. I still consult some and I still work with other dog trainers to help them do aggression work, but I won’t return to it full time again.

You are considered an expert in dog bite analysis. What does that entail?

When someone has an aggressive incident with a dog, I look at the style of bite, the circumstances surrounding the bite, and the level of injury involved. I then use this information to help either the dog owners or sometimes city officials to decide what the level of risk is for that dog. That information is used in deciding if a dog can be trained safely, if they are safe in the home they are in, or if euthanasia needs to be discussed as a possibility. It’s honestly depressing and very stressful for the people going through it. I consulted locally as part of my business but also got calls from around the country and trained other dog behavior consultants to do the work as well.

What kind of dog is your favorite?

Oh, I have so many favorites. I love my labradoodles because they’re total goofballs. Someday I want a Belgian Malinois, but that needs to happen when I have the time to devote to a working dog. Those guys need to work or they go nuts. I also love good, old fashioned mutts!

Any advice for dog owners in handling aggression?

The most important thing is to get qualified help from someone who practices the right kind of training. If you are dealing with aggression, read this pamphlet: http://avsabonline.org/uploads/position_statements/dominance_statement.pdf and then look for a trainer near you on one of these sites:

• http://www.farbeyonddogtraining.com/find-a-far-trainer/
• http://avsabonline.org/resources/find-consult
• http://www.iaabc.org

Would you ever write a book about handling dogs?

I actually have a book that is almost complete. Someday, I’ll probably sit down and finish it, but for now, I’m having too much fun with the men of Sutton Capital. Can you blame me?

Lori Ryan is a romance novelist and the author of the Sutton Capital Series. She lives with her husband, two children, three dogs and a cat in Austin, Texas. You can find her on www.Goodreads.com or at www.loriryanromance.com. Her books are available for sale at www.amazon.com/author/loriryan.

Penalty Clause: Sutton Capital Series, Book Two

by Lori Ryan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ***First Place Winner Romance Category, Lucky Cinda Publishing's Annual Global Writer's Contest, 2013***

To keep her, he'll have to gamble it all!

Andrew Weston and Jill Walsh had to be the two most unlikely people to fall in love. When Jill's first husband's love for her simply fizzled and died, Jill knew she'd never trust that love could last again. After Andrew's first love betrayed him in the most brutal way possible, he knew he might fall in love again someday, but there was no way he'd ever make himself vulnerable again by confessing those feelings if he did.

Fate had a different ending in mind for these two, though, and when Andrew discovers his love for Jill, he knows the only way to get her to stay with him forever is to offer her an iron clad penalty clause in a prenuptial agreement. He stays with her forever or he loses everything he owns. The millions he's worked for, his property, his cars, everything. Now he just needs to hope that's enough to hold onto Jill forever.


Five out of Five Stars "Lori Ryan has done it again...I am just drawn in. On the hook. I want to know what is going to happen next. There were times when I really was physically holding my breath!

Five out of Five Stars "I've been waiting for this book and wasn't disappointed. Great story and great characters. Andrew is sexy and steamy and hot!"

Read an excerpt:

“Nora asked me what my intentions toward you were. When I told her we were just spending time together, she told me you have a reputation for being – and I swear to you, I’m quoting here – ‘good in the sack.’ It was by far the most uncomfortable conversation I’ve ever had,” Jill said.

Andrew’s fork hung in midair as he stared, open mouthed at Jill, a horrified expression on his face. “She did not. Please tell me she did not say that to you. Of course she did. Who am I kidding? This is Nora we’re talking about.”

Jill just laughed as she watched Andrew try to process her conversation with Nora. “At least you didn’t have to sit there and figure out how to explain our relationship to her,” Jill said. Andrew grinned at that. “‘Spending time together,’ huh?”

“I couldn’t think of any other way to tell her I was banging her grandson.” Jill blushed furiously as the frank colloquialism left her mouth. She picked up her wine glass and sipped to try to cover her embarrassment, but Andrew leaned in, moved the wineglass out of his way and kissed Jill soundly on the cheek.

“I like banging you, Jillie Walsh.”

**My thoughts**

I enjoyed the first book in the series (read my review of 'Legal Ease' here) and was happy to see the second book become available for review. Who doesn't like a story about a woman and a rich man falling in love?

This installment features Andrew, who was in the first story as Jack's best friend. This book follows a similar plot, in that rich man has no desire to pursue a relationship with a woman. Fate brings him a woman he cannot resist and they quickly fall in love, with finances dictating the details of their relationship and impending nuptials. There is also a dangerous person who is threatening them, even if they aren't completely aware of it, and the woman is the most in danger. Within this formula are different details and twists that make the story its own.

Jill and Andrew actually knew each other when they were kids. Andrew was madly in love with her, but Jill only looked upon him as the cute young boy next door who flattered her with his attentions. Now that they are all grown up, they find an intense mutual attraction that rapidly ignites. In some ways, it feels like Jill falls too hard too fast. She is just getting out of a divorce after finding out that her husband had been cheating on her. It doesn't take too long for this relationship to accelerate to a racing speed, which is good for them both with their mutual history, but can be dangerous when you factor in the rebound. Yet, the two of them work well together.

The two of them have a very steamy relationship, so if you like to read about sex, you will have plenty of it! They work hard at learning how to trust each other, after having been completely devastated in the past. You want them to figure out how to make things work, because of how well they fit together, and not for any financial gain.

Theresa is an interesting creepy character, in that she will stop at nothing to get Andrew. She has a strange fixation on him and is convinced that they are destined to be together. He is somewhat aware that she exists in his office, but that is about it. I would have loved to have gotten to know more about her and what made her tick, how she came to be in his office, and what event triggered her obsession. I felt like her part of the story started a little too abruptly and I wanted more.

This book, just like the first one, is an easy read that passes an afternoon. I am interested in reading the next book in the series. 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lori is an award winning author and stay-at-home mom. Her second book, Penalty Clause, won first place in the romance category in Lcuky Cinda Publishing’s Annual Global Writer’s Contest in 2013.

Lori has had a number of careers before embarking on her newest adventure of writing novels. After graduating from the University of Connecticut School of Law, she practiced law for three years, working primarily in the areas of utilities law and intellectual property litigation. More recently, Lori owned and operated a dog training business in Austin, Texas, where she specialized in aggression and became an expert in the field of dog bite analysis. Lori sold her dog training business in 2013 and is now a full time writer and mother of two.

Lori still lives in Austin with her husband -- who is endlessly supportive of her changing career paths -- and her two children, one cat, and three dogs.

How can your readers follow you?

To follow me on Facebook, visit: http://www.facebook.com/loriryanromance

To visit my website, visit: http://www.loriryanromance.com/

Want to be a part of my online street team? Email me at Loriryanauthor@gmail.com and put the words ‘street team’ in the subject line. I’ll email you back with directions for joining my team. To join my email list to receive updates and news, including sneak peeks and free giveaways or contest news, visit http://www.loriryanromance.com/#!join-my-mailing-list/cdpp.

To buy my books, visit my author page on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/loriryan.

Lori will be awarding a Giana Bernini Handbag to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. (US ONLY) Follow the tour for more chances to win! 

A Giana Bernini Handbag will be awarded to a randomly drawn host. Tour hosts who do a review will get two entries into the contest. All others will receive a single entry. (US ONLY)