As You Wish Reviews: Release Week Event / Animate Me by Ruth Clampett

Title: Animate Me

Author: Ruth Clampett

Release date: May 1, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: New Adult-Adult

Event organized by: AToMR Tours

Book Description:

She seemed far beyond his reach…could love draw them together?

For years shy animator Nathan has carried a torch for Brooke, the beautiful and dynamic Director of Development at their animation studio, even creating B-Girl, a comic-book heroine in her likeness. When a new project throws the two of them together, lovestruck Nathan finally seizes his moment – only to find Arnauld, head of the animation studio, claiming exclusive rights to Brooke’s affections.

But Nathan, it turns out, is not giving up on his dreams so easily. With inspired determination, he sets out to be the super hero of wooing his girl. Threatened by his persistence, Arnauld plays dirty – only to spark an uprising at the studio that unleashes the sort of havoc only a building full of frustrated animators can create. While Nathan pulls out all the stops to win his B-girl, Brooke has to choose. Should she pursue the sparkling career that has taken her years to build…or follow her heart?

Excerpt:

"And you!" She pushes me on the chest.

Uh oh, she's getting physical. Wow, it's kind of hot. I try to focus so I don't get aroused. That would be really awkward and weird right about now.

"You’re the one who's stirred everything up. You and your damn pedestal, treating me like I'm sooo perfect...like I deserve more. You don't realize what that does to me."

"I thought it’s good to be admired," I say, trying not to feel bad.

"But don't you see…I'm always worried that I'm going to let you down. All along you've thought you weren't good enough for me. When will you figure out that it's me that's not good enough for you?"

"How can you say that?" I ask, baffled.

"I'm a mess, Nathan. I don't even know who I am anymore. The sooner you figure out what a sorry mess I am, and that I'm not anywhere close to perfect, the better off you'll be. You can go find the girl that really deserves you."

I realize there are tears steaming down her face. Confused, I hold my hands out, palms facing up. "Find the girl, what girl?"

"The girl," she says, her voice breaking. "You should go find her."

"What makes you think she couldn't be you?" I ask.

There are little sobs now in between the crying. It's breaking my heart.

"No, not me," she cries.

I never would imagine she could be like this. She always seems so powerful, so sure of herself. I'm seeing another side of her and it's a revelation. I realize it's my turn to be strong. I clear my throat so my voice will be sure and steady.

"I'm not going anywhere, so stop saying that Brooke." I pull her into my arms. She feels so fragile, and it makes me want to protect her.

"Besides, even if you are a mess, you're my perfect mess."

She bucks and fights my embrace. "Quit saying that! I'm not perfect Nathan…not even close."

I decide to try a new tactic. "Oh, I know that… believe me!" I tease.

"You do?" She sniffles, the crying slowing down.

"Sure. What you don't understand is that despite the fact that your coffee drinks are disgustingly sweet, you like Strawberry Shortcake, and that you have questionable taste in men, you're still perfect to me."

She sniffles against my chest, and I feel her relax a tiny bit into me. I rub my hand over her back slowly.

"You think my coffee drinks are too sweet?" She asks quietly, sniffle-free.

"Oh yeah! When I order them my teeth hurt."

"Then why do you get them for me? You could try to get me to order something less sweet?"

"I wouldn't do that, Brooke. I don't want to change you. I just want to make you happy."

She takes a deep breath that shivers from the leftover tears.

"Oh, Nathan. Whatever am I going to do with you?"

"Whatever you want to," I reply.

She pulls away just enough to look up at me and smile.

About the Author

Ruth Clampett, daughter of legendary animation director Bob Clampett, grew up surrounded by artists and animators. A graduate of Art Center College of Design, she has been VP of Design for Warner Brothers Studio Stores and taught photography at UCLA. Today she runs her own studio and as the Fine Art publisher for Warner Brothers Studios has come to know and work with some of the world’s greatest artists in the fields of animation and comics.

From this colorful background comes Ruth’s first novel, Animate Me, a fun and sexy, unique and engaging contemporary romance.

Ruth lives and works in Los Angeles, strictly supervised by her teenage daughter, who helps plan their summer around their yearly pilgrimage to the San Diego Comic Con.

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