A.D. Ellis

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

A.D. Ellis
I’m a mom to an 18-year-old and a 20-year-old, an inner city educator of 27 years, and the author of over 50+ books. I love to read, write, laugh with friends over sweet red wine, and take walks on pretty days.
I’m also a huge fan of tea, learning to like coffee, a collector of fun notebooks, and the queen of naps. I’m fluent in F-bombs and sarcasm, and my sense of humor ranges from mind in the gutter to people/kids falling down to dog and cat videos.
The only pens worth writing with are medium point, there IS a perfect sized mug for tea, and audiobooks count as reading. I have way too many house plants and shoes (although, I’d argue there is no such thing on both accounts) and I now feel bad for teasing my older friends for needing to hold the menu so far away. My consequence is needing reading glasses in every room of my house.
My resting bitch face is severe, I take a bit to warm up, and I’m likely still thinking about that one time I said something awkward around you.

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

I’m lucky enough to be friends with the organizers so I heard about it back when it was just an idea. I’ve been fortunate to attend each year. I love watching the event grow and do so much good for Thistle Farms.

What genres do you write?

Romance is the easy answer.
My first books were male/female romance.
Then I moved to male/male romance and found my place.
During the pandemic, I started a pen name (Dove Daniels) for short male/female romance (I’m not writing under that pen name at this time, but those books are still available).

What is a book of yours you wish more people read?

Series? I think I’ll go with On Cravenwood Block or The BJ Boys. Oh, but The Men of Haven Grove is so much fun too!
Stand-alone? I’m a fan of Take Me Home and wish more people would read it.

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

I’m terrified of deep open water, but I think I’d maybe be okay being in one of those cages to watch sharks. Maybe.

What are your social links?

All my links can be found on my LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/adellisauthor

What are your buy links?

My buy links are also on my LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/adellisauthor

Vinni George

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Hi! I’m Vinni George! I have been a lover of romance novels (of all shapes, sizes, and colors) since the first time I got my hands on one of my grandmother’s Harlequins, and I’ve never looked back. I live in Ohio with my two favorite guys (my husband and son) and, hopefully—one day—a dog. When I’m not writing, I can be found working for my family’s business, which provides plenty of plot bunnies. In my spare time, I’m a soccer mom who dabbles in performance art, quilting, and various culinary pursuits, and I love traveling. My debut novel, Hold the Door, was a finalist and runner-up in Contemporary Gay Romance in the 2020-2021 Rainbow Awards.

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

I heard about Writers on the River from a friend who attended. 2026 will be my fourth year attending!

What genres do you write?

I write MM romance in a bunch of subgenres including contemporary, shifter MPREG (omegaverse where male omegas can get pregnant and have babies), shifter romantic suspense, and (sea) monster romance.

What is a book of yours you wish more people read?

Oh, that’s a tough question…I think it depends what a reader is int he mood for, but if I had to pick, I would say Black & White, book 1 in my ORCA shifter romantic suspense series.

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

In a past creative life, I used to be a burlesque performer. Once, I was in a Star Wars parody burlesque show called The Empire Brings Sexy Back. The scene where Han gets frozen in carbonite was a musical number set to “Bohemian Rhapsody” done in the dark with only flashlights held by each performer. I played Darth Vader and had two flashlights because I also had to light the stormtrooper, which was a life-size cardboard cutout, so I had to learn two sets of light cues. Twelve years later and I still can’t listen to “Bohemian Rhapsody” without doing the light cues. If “Bohemian Rhapsody” is playing, no matter where, I will be turning on and off my imaginary flashlights. I also hold both burlesque and pin-up titles in perpetuity.

What are your social links?

All my socials can be found through my Linktree: https://linktr.ee/vinnigeorge

What are your buy links?

All my books can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/author/vinnigeorgewrites

Sophie Stern/L.C. Mortimer

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Sophie Stern/L.C. Mortimer – I’m a paranormal romance author who also loves to read! I will read just about anything, including literary fiction, sci-fi, romantasy, PNR, and contemporary romance. I also love horror. When I’m not busy reading, I’m writing! I love to write every day. I love to write in the mornings, in the afternoons, in the evening. All the time!

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

I’ve been attending for five years. I first heard about this event on Facebook.

What genres do you write?

I write paranormal, sci-fi, fantasy, contemporary, and pirate romance. Pirate romance is its own genre, right?

What is a book of yours you wish more people read?

Megan Slays Vampires

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

I love frogs!

What are your social links?

www.facebook.com/sexysophiestern
www.instagram.com/dontdatedemons
www.x.com/sexysophiestern
https://www.threads.com/@dontdatedemons/
https://bsky.app/profile/sophiestern.bsky.social

What are your buy links?

Rachelle Paige Campbell

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Hi, I’m Rachelle Paige Campbell. I started reading romance novels in college; as a way to help speed up my reading to make it through Art History textbooks. After years in the professional world writing very dry grant proposals and auction descriptions, I started writing the contemporary romance stories I wanted to read. Setting my books in some of my favorite destinations was my inspired way to require plenty of research trips every year with my family.

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

I’ve heard about Writers on the River from author friends that have been attending for years. I was thrilled to be a signing author in 2025 and am so excited to come back in 2026.

What genres do you write?

sweet contemporary romance and Christian contemporary romance

What is a book of yours you wish more people read?

The Ghost of Loon Lake is my second chance romance plus a mystery with all the shenanigans I love. Estranged spouses. An inheritance. And maybe a ghost? This book is perfect for fans of Psych and Gilmore Girls.

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

When I graduated college, I moved overseas for grad school and lived in a dormitory run by nuns. They were amazing. The kindest ladies. I still think about their delicious dinners.

What are your social links?

https://rachellepaigecampbell.com/

https://www.instagram.com/rachellepaigebooks/

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rachelle-paige-campbell

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13453682.Rachelle_Paige_Campbell

What are your buy links?

https://www.amazon.com/Rachelle-Paige-Campbell/e/B00T0T533Q

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/author/rachelle-paige-campbell

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Rachelle%20Paige%20Campbell%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall

https://books.apple.com/us/author/rachelle-paige-campbell/id1439716125

Joel Shoemaker

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Joel Shoemaker has been a librarian for over a decade and a magician for more than three! He lives in central Illinois with his husband, frogs named Penn and Teller, a bearded dragon named Toothless, a colony of cherry shrimp, currently nameless, and his dog, Maximus. He consumes an inordinate amount of cheese.

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

This will be my third year. I believe my dear friend and fellow attendee J. Lawson was the one that first told me about it.

What genres do you write?

My first book is LGBTQIA+ YA, my second and fourth books are adult short story anthologies and my third book is a picture book for the queer, affirming-faith community.

What is a book of yours you wish more people read?

My newest book is a cocktail-themed flash fiction anthology. I wish more people read it and tried out the accompanying recipes. 🙂

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

I have performed magic for Chuck Palahniuk’s Halloween Party in Portland, OR. Chuck Palahniuk is the author of Fight Club and it was a WILD honor to be invited to perform alongside the rest of the hired entertainment: a silent clown, a tarot card reader, and a floutist.

What are your social links?

https://www.facebook.com/shoemakermagicianauthor

https://www.instagram.com/magicianactor/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21950012.Joel_Shoemaker

https://itsjoelshoemaker.com

What are your buy links?

Lacey Black

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

I’m a full-time author of sexy contemporary romance. My first book released in August 2014, and I’ve had the pleasure of writing over 70 books in the last 11 years. I write small-town romance and weave in all my favorite sub-tropes, like single parents, surprise pregnancy, second chance, friends to lovers, workplace romance, and best friend’s sister/brother. I live in a small town in central Illinois with my husband, youngest daughter, grumpy cat, rambunctious puppy, and a chicken!

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

I believe I saw the sign-up form on FB for the very first WOTR. I had only done 1 signing before that one, so I was incredibly nervous. Signings were still way out of my comfort zone, but I immediately felt at ease. WOTR quickly became my favorite signing, and I’ve been fortunate to attend all 11 events!

What genres do you write?

Contemporary romance

What is a book of yours you wish more people read?

Grip. It was originally part of K. Bromberg’s Driven World, and I feel most people thought they had to read all of the World books, but that wasn’t the case. It’s a great second chance, surprise baby book with tons of feels!

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

I love to buy plants and flowers, but have the brownest thumb alive. 🙁

What are your social links?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlaceyblack
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laceyblackwrites/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lacey-black
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthLaceyBlack
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laceyblackauthor?lang=en
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8414783.Lacey_Black
Newsletter: http://www.laceyblackbooks.com/newsletter

What are your buy links?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lacey-Black/e/B00MW2UGZI

Amber Anthony

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

*Amber Anthony is Pati Hough Bader and Nancy Reynolds. We began as screenwriters pitching in LA. Our coach, DC Fontana suggested we write romance novels, so we did. We love all genres of spice: PRN, Cont., Adventure, and Street Justice

*Pati Hough Bader is 1/2 of Amber Anthony. Nancy Reynolds lives in Tulsa. We met through a trip to UK in 2009 although we’ve known each other since 2007.
We pitched scripts until 2013 when our writing coach, DC Fontana (of Star Trek) suggested we write novels. We love many different genres of romance but all are an adventure, street justice and steamy, consensual sex.
We write seasoned, new Adult, PRN, metaphysical, and contemporary romance.

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

*We’ve watched for a few years and always missed the interest date. 2026 will be our first.

*It’s been my dream for a couple of years and I finally applied in time and the weekend was free.

What genres do you write?

*Multi: PRN, cont., adventure, seasoned, new adult and tales of redemption.

*PRN, contemporary, metaphysical, BDSM, steam

What is a book of yours you wish more people read?

*Roman’s Revenge, action, humor, street justice and STEAM.

*Roman’s Revenge.

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

*Nancy was a Broadway actress. Pati owns a tavern

*Nancy was an actress on Broadway. Pati owns a tavern

What are your social links?

https://www.amberanthonywrites.com/

 https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/17062164.Amber_Anthony

Amber Anthony

What are your buy links?

Love can be murder, especially when your ex is a serial killer. Don’t miss this spicy new romantic suspense by New York Times, USA Today and Audible bestselling author Kylie Scott!

Nothing prepared Sidney Walsh for the awkwardness of having unknowingly dated an infamous killer. She’s doing her best to move on after her ex got dragged off to jail. If only online amateur investigators, his creepy fans and a particularly belligerent cop would leave her alone. Her social life might be quiet, what with having few friends and the neighbors wanting nothing to do with her. But at least it’s safe. That is until tattooed chef and all-round thirst trap, Noah, moves in next door.

Now Sidney is being asked on dates for the first time in forever, and feeling a dangerous mix of soul-deep connection and red-hot desire. But the darkest moments of her life come crashing back when her ex decides he has unfinished business…her. Will she and Noah make it out alive, and can their love withstand the nightmare of her past?

Amazon

Goodreads 

Review by Twinsie Melinda

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am not a big true crime, murder mystery fan but this is Kylie. I’m not a zombie kind of girl either but I liked Kylie’s zombies so I figured I would give this a shot.

Sydney’s ex is a serial killer rotting in prison for the past 10 years. So Sydney and her friends have spent the past 10 years trying to map out places he could have buried the bodies. Then the sexy Noah moves in next door.

I tried to get into this one but I am just not into to the true crime. Don’t skip this book just on the reviews you read. Just because this was not for me doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be something you would enjoy.  I am a big Kylie fan and would not pass on one of her books. This book is also in audio and I love Andi as a narrator on all of Kylie’s other books.

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Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased this audiobook when it first released on Audible.  I also was offered a review copy of the ebook from the author when the ebook was the be published.

I am a giant true crime fan and read a lot of true crime biographies so I jumped to read this book.  I did enjoy the story and understood some of it would be unreliable but much like Ryan Murphy’s Monster TV series, I was ready for this.

I have to say that I felt the story was kind slow and dragged in parts which to me was shocking.  I never find that with Kylie’s books.  She has great whit and snark but this book seemed to lack the chemistry with her characters that I love.

I felt the story was pretty A+B=C with the plot. Nothing really shocking came from the story and maybe that was why I thought it was kind of flat?

I would recommend that if you haven’t read a Kylie book not to start here because to me this is not her best work.

Kylie is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-selling, Audie Award winning author. She has sold over 2,000,000 books and was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year four times by the Australian Romance Reader’s Association. Her books have been translated into sixteen different languages. She is based in Queensland, Australia; living and working on land traditionally owned by the Jagera people.

*Snacks & Jockstraps is a steamy, bi+ awakening, M/M romance between the beloved Riggs family patriarch who is under the impression he doesn’t deserve anything good, and a small-town guy determined to find happiness by returning to his roots.*

Casey Joe is a handful. He’s blunt, he’s grumpy, and he throws F-bombs around like rainbow sprinkles. Casey takes his recent health scare as proof he’s circling the drain, and his family is the only reason he hasn’t given life the middle finger. No way is he letting some new guy waltz into town and stir up crap he’s long-since buried. Mostly.

Bryce left home years ago. A life surrounded by glitz and glamour was everything he thought he wanted, until he’s forced to admit the loneliness is slowly eating away at him. So, Bryce heads back to Small Town, USA. He quickly finds himself entangled in a new business and a man who keeps him on his toes.

Casey and Bryce have a rocky start, but soon they’re living and working together. Heck, they might even be friends. Casey is on a healing journey, and he doesn’t hate that Bryce is right there through it all. Bryce is flourishing with a newfound sense of belonging, and he owes a lot of it to Casey Joe. Their story could have wrapped up nice and neat right there but, of course, love decides to get in the way.

Content Warning: this story contains characters with addictions and their journeys with these addictions, mention of unsupportive parents, negative religious experiences, a heart-related medical emergency, depression, mention of arson, and mentions of homophobia.

Amazon

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Tenise

Casey is a big ol grump.
Bryce is a big ray of sunshine.
The pair click instantly and begin a friendship.
Snacks and Jockstraps is my favorite in the Haven Grove series. I kind of had a feeling it would be. I enjoy a well written, later in life, awakening book. Casey Joe was broken af and I really feel that Bryce was the only one capable of helping Casey Joe save himself. Their connection was undeniable from the start and if either of them tried to say otherwise they are big ol liars! While I’m super sad this is the last book in the series, I’m also happy this particular story was the one to end it. It was a wonderful end to the series.

Evelyn Sola

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

I’m Evelyn, and I write contemporary romance. My books will make you laugh, cry and swoon. When I’m not reading or writing, I’m at home in Chicago with my husband and two teenaged daughters.

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

I heard about WOTR from another author. 2026 will be my second year in attendance.

What genres do you write?

Contemporary romance

What is a book of yours you wish more people read?

Cherish

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

I can’t ride a bike or sleep in the middle of the day.

What are your social links?

IG: EvelynWritesEveryDay,

TT: authorevelynsola

What are your buy links?