Welcome to the Limitless Library Lounge where I interview fellow authors from Limitless Publishing. Today, I am chatting with Judy and Pete Ratto, husband and wife writing team known as JP Ratto, from Jupiter, Florida.
Thanks for joining me, Judy and Pete. Please take a seat and make yourselves comfortable.
I understand you have a novel that is just being released by Limitless today. Can you give me some details about it?
We had done all the research for self-publishing our novel, when a friend suggested we submit to Limitless. We were thrilled when they accepted our manuscript. EVERYTHING TO LOSE, a mystery/thriller, is the first in a series of Lucas Holt novels and our first collaborative effort. We have at least three Lucas Holt novels planned. The first, EVERYTHING TO LOSE is being released today, 
December 29th. Two more in the initial trilogy are tentatively set for release in the Spring and Fall of 2016.
How exciting. Would you describe your goals as a writer to us. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?
Our immediate goal is to finish the two remaining Lucas Holt novels. We are considering an offshoot series showcasing one of the supporting characters. We love Lucas Holt and depending on the reception he receives from readers, we will continue to create more cases for him to solve.
That sounds like a great plan. As a romantic suspense/mystery author myself, I know how involved you can get with your characters. In my sequel to A Stone’s Throw published this past November by Limitless, I am creating lots of new characters that can have their storylines developed if I continue it as a series.
What type of reader are you hoping to attract? Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?
Our targeted reader would be anyone who reads mysteries and thrillers. We’ve intentionally written the book to appeal to both men and women. Hopefully, we’ve balanced description and character development with enough action and intrigue.
Excellent. I’m sure it helps that the two of you, a man and woman, are writing it.
What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?
Our advice is to read in the genre you are writing and learn all you can about the craft of writing. Then apply it to your own work. Whether a writer decides to self-publish or take the traditional route, the goal should always be to produce a polished story that will appeal to publishers and readers.
Very good advice.
What hobbies and interests do you have besides writing?
As we write full time, our writing takes up most of our days. We both love to read and make time for that. Twice a month we participate in a writer’s critique group attended by wonderful local authors. Judy paints watercolors and sings soprano in our church choir. Pete enjoys reading and photography. We spend time with friends and love a walk along the ocean.
Nice hobbies.
What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?
The best thing about being an author is when creative ideas flow and the setting and characters come alive to the extent that they practically write the story for you. There isn’t much that we don’t like about being an author—but if we never wrote another synopsis, we wouldn’t miss it!
As Pete is a outliner and Judy is a pantser, the toughest challenge is plotting the entire story before writing one word of the manuscript. We compromise with an outline that is very flexible.
Lol. I haven’t met an author yet who enjoys writing a synopsis. I can identify with Judy, as I tend toward being a pantster myself, but I’ve also done a bit of planning with my follow up book. I think a flexible outline is the most beneficial for writing. It sounds like you both bring different and yet complimentary styles to your working relationship.
Can you please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. so readers can connect with you.
Website: www.jpratto.com FB Author page: www.facebook.com/jp.ratto.1/
Twitter: @jandpratto Goodreads:
Thanks for the interview. It was very nice to talk with you both in the Limitless Library Lounge today, and I wish you the best with your your new book and those that follow. I’m also including your blog tour information that includes a giveaway that might be of interest to my readers.
☆҉☆‿➹⁀☆҉☆ #NewRelease #LimitlessPublishing #OneClick #KindleUnlimited
҉☆‿➹⁀☆҉☆
Celebrating the #NewRelease for Everything to Lose by @jandpratto and @limitlessbooks
#KindleUnlimitedDownloadFree
#OneClick
Amazon: http://goo.gl/KdCk4R
Amazon CA: http://goo.gl/xW2uY4
Amazon UK: http://goo.gl/0nSkhH
Amazon AU: http://goo.gl/Q86mDw
#AddToGoodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28024256everythingtolose
#Giveaway
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/81aa7894775/
Check out the great #TeaserPics and Read Chapter 1
BLURB
PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR LUCAS HOLT IS ON A MISSION…
Lucas Holt specializes in kidnap recovery. ExDelta Force and a former NYPD detective, he has
spent the last fifteen years burying himself in case files to cope with the unsolved abduction of
his daughter, Marnie.
JANET MAXWELL JUST CAN’T LET GO…
After the death of Janet’s husband and son in a tragic car accident, she hopes Holt’s expertise
can locate the daughter she gave up for adoption seventeen years ago. Janet knows her actions
will have explosive repercussions for the girl’s father— presidential candidate, Todd Grayson.
With no family, hope of finding her only daughter is all she has left. Or is there a more sinister
motive?
THERE’S NO GREATER INCENTIVE FOR A FATHER THAN PROTECTING HIS
DAUGHTER…
On a mission to bury the constant reminder of his failure to recover Marnie, Holt agrees to
Janet’s proposal. But at what cost? When his inquiries lead to news of the death of another
woman, Holt can’t shake the feeling something is off about the whole case. And when new
evidence surfaces about Marnie’s disappearance, finding her and finding Janet’s daughter
become the same treacherous mission.
Crooked candidates, hired mercenaries, and his own life on the line—will Holt find it inside him
to risk everything in the line of duty?
THERE’S NO TELLING HOW FAR YOU’RE WILLING TO GO WHEN YOU HAVE…
EVERYTHING TO LOSE.
Author Bio
JP Ratto is a husband and wife collaborative writing team. EVERYTHING TO LOSE is the first
of a threebook series featuring private investigator Lucas Holt.
Judy began writing full time six years ago. She attended Hofstra University’s Writing Intensive
in the summer of 2010, and participated in a Hofstrasponsored writing and critique group from
2009 to 2012. She has written an upper middlegrade fantasy adventure and a children’s
mystery chapter book. Judy also does freelance editing.
Pete Ratto, a former member of the U.S. Navy serving half his enlistment with the U.S. Marine
Corp, is a retired corporate accountant and is now writing full time.
Both are avid readers of mysteries, thrillers and suspense. Active in a critique group made up of
local authors, they enjoy discussions on all aspects of the craft of writing. Pete enjoys
photography, writing and going to the beach. In her spare time, Judy paints watercolors and to
her husband’s delight, cooks an occasional dinner. They have a son and a daughter, both grown
and living in New York. Pete and Judy live in southern Florida with their cat, Gillian.
☆Connect With the Author☆
Website: http://www.jpratto.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jandpratto
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jandpratto
Publishers Profile: http://www.limitlesspublishing.net/authors/jpratto/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14721366.JP_Ratto
☆҉☆‿➹⁀☆҉☆ #NewRelease #KindleUnlimited #DownloadFREE ҉☆‿➹⁀☆҉☆
Hosted by #EnticingJourney
Ruff Drafts 
Thanks, Debbie!
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You are very welcome, Judy. I wish you and Pete all the best with your release and future novels. It was my pleasure to feature you on my blog.
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