This is the 11th time this has happened, and I’m not sure if it ever changes. The fear, excitement, the terror, the panic, the joy. The absolute knowledge that anything could happen, for better or worse, and that there is absolutely no way to control any of it.
Well, possibly there is, but I don’t know it, and if you do? Please let me know.
Of course I’m talking about the release of my new book, and, TRUST ME pals, I am crossing fingers like crazy person.
As you know, I hope I have written four Charlotte McNally books, and five Jane Ryland books, but TRUST ME is my very first standalone. It is a psychological thriller, and it was astonishingly educational and fascinating to write. (Another blog for another day, but writing a standalone is so astonishingly different from writing a series! And we’ll talk about that some day.)
But in TRUST ME me, I realized, anything could happen! Main character Mercer —might not survive. Main character Ashlyn. Same thing.
Who is innocent, and who is guilty and why? And here are people we care about, and like (or not), and worry about, but in the end we will never see those characters again.
And it has a structure I have never tried before. You’ll just have to read it to see.
So, because it is a one time only deal, this story had better be super good.. Publishers Weekly calls "twisty," "intriguing," "sinister," "revealing," and "satisfying." So that’s good!
And one reviewer on Goodreads said: "If I could give this book 100+ stars I would!" That’s also good.
Here’s a little bit of what it’s about:
There are three sides to every story. Yours. Mine. And the truth.
Everyone’s talking about it--notorious party girl Ashlyn Bryant stands accused of the most unspeakable crime imaginable.
The compelling and heart-breaking drama unfolds. Journalist Mercer Hennessey is riveted to the story. Obsessed. If Ashlyn is innocent, why doesn’t she say so in on the witness stand?
Convinced of Ashlyn’s guilt with every fiber of her being, Mercer fanatically writes the fascinating true story of this twisty, provocative, and shocking case. Everyone agrees--only the despicable Ashlyn could have committed this crime. But did she?
"Trust me," Mercer urges her. "Tell me."
And Ashlyn—finally haltingly reluctantly—reveals her story. But only to Mercer. “Trust me,” Ashlyn pleads.
Soon Mercer sees the story in a completely different way. The opposite way. An even more disturbing way. What if Ashlyn’s version is the truth?
Luring the other woman into a high-stakes psychological cat and mouse game, Mercer is forced to face a sinister reality: Is she the cat? Or is she the mouse?
It all depends on what you mean by the truth.
And if that sounds good, do I have some deals for you!
First, you can enter to get an advance copy OF TRUST ME right here! But hurry, tomorrow July 4 is the last day to enter.
Also you can get the first five chapters of TRUST ME as an e-book absolutely free! Free free free. Just click here.
But wait there’s more…
The fifth Jane Ryland, SAY NO MORE, is $2.99 right now! And you get the first five chapters of TRUST ME as well.
So all in all, Femmes and friends, I am in a tizzy. You authors all know the feeling, and for that compassion I am grateful. Readers, you know what you have to do! Read it, and if you love it, leave a review. For an author with a new book, nothing could be more important.
And here we go. Wish me luck! And crossing fingers you love it.
Congratulations, Hank.
Posted by: Elaine Viets | July 03, 2018 at 10:36 AM
OH, thank you! As you know, SO exciting!
Posted by: Hank Phillippi Ryan | July 03, 2018 at 11:02 AM
Ohhhhh, this sounds fantastic. I'm pre-ordering in my local bricks and mortar today.
Posted by: catriona | July 03, 2018 at 11:57 AM
Oh, thank you. Yeesh. SO excited. And that would be THE most wonderful thing in the world. As you know. Thank you!
Posted by: Hank Phillippi Ryan | July 03, 2018 at 11:59 AM
I can't wait to read it! The suspense already has my heart racing!
Posted by: Deb Romano | July 03, 2018 at 06:58 PM
Thank you, darling DebRo! So excited for you to read it…
Posted by: Hank Phillippi Ryan | July 03, 2018 at 08:10 PM
Congrats! I'm looking forward to reading it. Trust me.
Posted by: Mark | July 04, 2018 at 03:15 PM
I am a little bit late to this post, but I think you can uncross your fingers, Hank! I was lucky lucky lucky enough to receive an ARC of Trust Me. I am less than a quarter of the way through but if all these people (family ha ha ha) would just stop bothering me I would go hide and read it straight through. I love Jane and Jake and Charlotte, but you have outdone yourself here. It's amazing. The writing is fabulous and I can't figure out at all what might happen minute to minute, much less by the end, or who to believe and what everybody is really up to. This is a keeper!
Posted by: Sally Schmidt | July 08, 2018 at 07:35 AM
Whoo hoo Sally, nothing could make me happier! Thank you thank you thank you. Truly, this is such a nerve-wracking time, and so full of possibilities, and I am so thrilled to hear your kind words! Thank you so incredibly incredibly much !
Posted by: Hank Phillippi Ryan | July 08, 2018 at 10:04 AM