Stephanie Ruth

S T E P H A N I E R U T H

Aotearoa, New Zealand contemporary romance novelist
and short story writer.

Honoured recipient of the Sandra Hyde Romance Writers Memorial Scholarship in 2019. Two time winner of the RWNZ First Kiss competition, editor and agent's choice in both the 2018 and 2023 in RWNZ's Great Beginnings, and agent's choice in 2019.
Runner up for the esteemed Pacific Hearts award in 2020, finalist in the Koru First Book category in 2021, finalist in the RWA Sapphire Award in 2022, finalist in the Koru Novella Award in 2023, finalist in the Koru Short Novel Award in 2024, and author of the Otago Waters series, Stephanie is an active member of Romance Writers of New Zealand, and the founder of Tī Kōuka Publishing.
She lives in the Te Waipounamu (the South Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand) with her husband, three children, and an ever expanding array of animals, and has been delving into romance since she was old enough to sneak her sister's Sweet Valley High books.
Stephanie is currently writing a second contemporary romance series, dabbling with every other art form she can get her hands on, and connecting with other bibliophiles on social media.

https://www.stephanie-ruth.com

Mako Bay

By: Stephanie Ruth

MAKO BAYOtago Waters Book 1 Maybe friends really do make the best lovers?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 ex-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-benefit...