Back in 2011, the world of publishing felt like the Wild, Wild West. We were self-publishing, bypassing the traditional gatekeepers, and being highly judged for it. It was a time of grit, big dreams, and a lot of "author loneliness."

I didn't want a "fan club", I wanted a community. I wanted a safe corner of the internet where I could share photos of my kids growing up, ask vulnerable questions about a book cover, or vent when the "internet rain clouds" got too heavy.

That’s how Ruthie’s Roadies was born. It was a gathering place for the amazing people I was meeting online.

Rising Waters Raise All Boats

From the beginning, it was about more than my books. As I learned new things, I brought them back to them. Like blogging. I figured if I was learning about the power of blogging, we should all learn together.

It’s been incredible to watch that mission take flight. Some Roadies started blogging and realized it wasn't for them; others are still at it today. I’ve even had Roadies find their own voices and become published authors themselves. We celebrate the best days together, and we sit quietly with each other through the worst ones. I’d like to think we’ve mutually made each other’s lives just a little bit better over the past 15 years.

The Puppy at the Pound

People think that once you’ve written 50+ books, the nerves go away. They don't.

There is a specific kind of "imposter syndrome" that hits at book signings. You sit at your table, watching a hugely successful author next to you, and you feel a bit like a puppy at the pound—just waiting to be noticed. Even when the line is ticketed and out the door, that worry remains: Will they like this one? Do they remember me?

And then, out of the crowd, I see a familiar face. A Roadie.

There is no gift like a warm smile and a hug from someone who has known you for a decade. Whether the room is packed or it’s just the two of us, seeing a Roadie feels like a family reunion. They are the "safety net" that gives me the courage to be brave even during years when my books don’t sit high on the charts.

Birthdays on the London Eye

Some of my favorite memories aren't the fancy parties, but the moments where my "work" life and "real" life blended perfectly. When money was tight, we’d all pile into my hotel room just to chat. When things were better, we’d go on steamboat tours or walking adventures.

But the one that stays with me is my daughter’s fifth birthday. We were in London for a signing, and I felt that "mom guilt" of traveling on her big day. So, I invited the Roadies to join us on the London Eye. They showed up with little gifts for her, turning a business trip into a genuine birthday celebration.

That’s the soul of this story: it’s not about "marketing" or "metrics." It’s about the people who have walked this winding path with me. This is my first time living this life and I’m sure I’ve made a ton of mistakes, but gathering these women together and sharing this journey with them was something I did right.

Join the Family

If you're looking for a positive, safe place to discuss my books, how to help others discover them, and the lighter side of life, I’d love to have you. We’re a small group of about 1,000 people. Ruthie’s Roadies on FB

The shelves are dusted. The filing cabinets are organized. And tomorrow, a brand-new door opens in the Billionaire World.

For weeks, we’ve looked back at where it all started—from Dominic Corisi’s "too alpha" beginnings in 2010 to the secret experiments that brought the "Separated at Birth" twins back together. We’ve talked about the cameos, the crossovers, and the healing power of a true happy ending.

But tomorrow isn't about the past. Tomorrow is about Firebrook Valley.

Why Firebrook Valley?

When I sat down to write this new series, I knew it had to be part of the world you’ve grown to love. I wanted to introduce you to new families with their own secrets, their own struggles, and their own path to love—but I also wanted it to feel like coming home.

If you’ve been following the Corisis, the Barringtons, and the Westerlys, you know that no one truly disappears. Firebrook Valley is full of the same heart, humor, and "potato chip" addictiveness that keeps us all coming back for more.

A Note to My Readers

Writing these stories has always been my way of finding comfort in a crazy world. Knowing that you find that same comfort in these pages is the greatest reward I could ask for.

Whether you are meeting a billionaire hero for the first time or waiting for Judy Corisi to finally drop her "dating bombshell" on her father, I am so grateful you’re on this journey with me.

Set your alarms. Charge your Kindles. Tomorrow, we go to Firebrook.

Sometimes, the best stories start in the most unexpected places. For me, this series began 30,000 feet in the air on a transatlantic flight.

While the rest of the cabin slept, I was tucked into my seat with my headphones on, watching a documentary about twins who had been separated at birth only to find each other decades later. At first, it felt like a "feel-good" story. But as the minutes ticked by, the true nature of the social experiment behind their separation unfolded. By the time that plane touched the ground, I wasn't just awake—I was horrified.

I knew right then that I needed to write a happy ending for these men. Not just for my readers, but for my own sanity.

Turning Tragedy into "The Switch"

That flight was the birth of The Switch Series (Strictly Business and Out of Love). I wanted to take that premise and infuse it with the joy and heart I felt was missing from the real-world story. I created a businessman and a farmer—identical twins who swap lives to save one another’s businesses. Writing their journey healed my heart a little, but the world I was building wasn't finished.

As the first set of twins found their happily-ever-afters, I started wondering about the others still out there in the dark. That curiosity led to the Twin Find Series and the Twin Dare Series, where more brothers stepped out of the shadows and into the lives of amazing women who brought out the best in them.

A Mission to Heal

Finally, I reached the man I considered the most tragic victim of the "experiment." Giving him a happy ending in Out of Secrets felt like the final piece of a puzzle.

While this series is a mystery that lightly reflects the details of that real-life documentary, it is primarily a story of reclamation. As a writer, I don’t just write to entertain; I often write to heal something within myself. This series allowed me to take a situation that made me incredibly sad and rewrite the narrative into the way I wish it had worked out for everyone involved.

The Greatest Gift

Reading has always been my sanctuary when the world feels a little too crazy. I regularly receive messages from you all telling me that my books bring you comfort during difficult times.

Knowing that a story I wrote to comfort myself ended up bringing that same peace to someone else is the most wonderful gift a reader could ever give me.