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 anyone'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-in-residence, 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.

RUBY ISLAND is the second story in Stephanie Ruth's Otago Waters series, set in the beautiful South Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Each book stands alone, but reading them in order provides a deeper experience. Intended for readers who enjoy their slow-burn, feel-good romance on the steamy side, and promising a happily ever after.

Authors note: Though this story ends with an HEA, it also includes references to a historical drowning, and addiction. Please read at your own discretion.

Sign on to Stephanie Ruth's newsletter to receive bonus short stories, prologues, epilogues, and cut scenes set in the same world at www.stephanie-ruth.com