Category Archives: Fantasy

#WOTR24 #Review – Hoist the Flag: Triangles and Tribulations Book 1 by Cassandra Featherstone

***This was previously published in the Jingle My Balls Anthology. This version has bonus content!***

Click to send… and I’m outta here.

Being the infamous fairy tale ‘Jack’ isn’t as glamorous as it sounds. My entire life has been a series of memes—before they were even invented!

My current ‘Jack’ title is companion to the Ice Queen—who spent the first couple of years singing that song—but my sentence here is almost over. I’m going to make a run for it to retire with my shaker of salt on an island in the Caribbean while I drink piña coladas.

Before I leave, I realize my heart wasn’t as frozen as I thought and I have to save Queenie from her evil sister. We make a plan to escape together after the Yule celebration, but even that falls victim to my legendary bad luck.

Enter two bumbling pirates who were playing Robin Hood, a monkey, and a sea voyage to our permanent hiding place…only to trip over a bottle on the beach that contains a mysterious map to a legendary graveyard filled with famous treasure the moment we arrive.

My spill draws the attention of our pirate friends and two other local hotties who can’t resist damsels in distress.

Insert eyeroll here.

My girl and I didn’t ask to be conscripted on an adventure with two shifter pirates, a masseuse, a demi-god, and a merman who think we’re on the menu, but here we are.

Maybe I should have taken the Ice Queen’s musical advice when I first arrived ?

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

First, this cover is amazing! I mean we have a gorgeous female pirate and I immediately think of a female version of Jack Sparrow. I was scrolling and immediately stopped to check it out. Second, the blurb grabbed me by throat, pulled my hair, and made me one click, like RIGHT NOW! Needless to say, I have incredibly high hopes that this story is going to consume me. I am ready to ride high and laugh my money maker off. However, I had a difficult time at the beginning. This could be because this is a ‘new to me’ author and I am not familiar with her writing style, but I was expecting a YO HO HO glorious grand time and got stuck in the snow. The beginning was quite foreboding with detail (that is needed) to give you each of the female character’s backgrounds so that you understand why they are planning to escape. There are funny and extremely hot scenes throughout the first half, but it didn’t really pick up until about the 60% mark for me. Now, this is where things get really good. We get a lot more action with the escape, add the shifter pirates and crew, plus a special request comes into play. Now, I am hooked! I need to continue this journey and see what the next leg has in store for this crazy crew!

Cassandra Featherstone profile image

Cassandra Featherstone has been writing since she could hold a pencil.

Her passion for literacy is unmatched, but when she picked up her laptop to write her first published novel in March 2020, she focused on subjects that not only spoke to her soul, but affected many of the women she’d met throughout her twisty life path.

Cass’s vision of a more inclusive whychoose genre lead her to include various types of polycules and diverse characters with three-dimensional personalities, hopes, and dreams that readers adore. Due to her relationships with friends and family, bullying, PTSD, body dysmorphia, mental illness, reinvention, and claiming your space are frequent themes in her books. She frequently champions other authors who also strive for accurate, respectful representation of LGBTQIA+ characters in their whychoose romance.

Her works include urban fantasy, paranormal, contemporary, and academy whychoose/polyam with characters over eighteen. Her books never include non-consensual elements, but feature accurate, safe depictions of BDSM and kink lifestyles.

She’s also affectionately known as the Muppet for her outrageous, extroverted personality and her wacky brand of theater kid social media posts and videos.

Cassandra lives in the Midwest with her computer geek husband, artsy college goblin, an author dog named Tilly, and five cats that Loki himself spawned.

Follow here everywhere: https://cassandrafeatherstone.com/followcasseverywhere/

#BookPromo #Review- Iron Flame (The Empyrean #2) by Rebecca Yarros

Don’t miss the explosive new sequel to Rebecca Yarros’s bestselling hit, Fourth Wing.

“The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity.” —Xaden Riorson

Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.

Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.

Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.

But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.

Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.

I’m going to leave this review short and sweet because I’m a firm believer of going into a story, completely blind. Especially with a book like this one.

So I’m sure most of you have heard of this series. It’s basically everywhere right now and for good reason.

This series is about Basgiath, a war college, and the students and faculty that attend/work at it. AND of course, we can’t forget the dragons.

Iron Flame is year 2 for Violet and her friends and man, does this one pack a punch. It’s pretty much action right from the very beginning. I thought book one stressed me out but man, this one topped that and more.

I won’t give anything away but if you like fantasy romance, I 100% recommend this one. I haven’t been this invested in a world in years. I can’t wait for the rest of the books in this series! Also, THAT ending. My heart is so happy.

#WOTR23 #RH #LegendaryMonstersKids #Audio #fantasy #paranormal #vampires – Monsters, Prodigium Academy book 1 by Katie May, narration by Bridget and Jake Bordeaux

As the daughter of Dracula, you would think I’d be born the perfect monster.

You couldn’t be more wrong.

As far as monsters go, I’m a screw up—if I’m not tripping over my own feet, I’m accidentally murdering someone (it’s a real issue, guys).

Left with no choice, Dad decides to send me to Prodigium—otherwise known as Monster Academy—to train me on how to be a better monster.

When bodies turn up on campus, I’m the prime suspect (not that I can blame them. I’ll be pretty suspicious too if bodies drained of blood show up right after Dracula’s daughter arrives).

With the help of my mortal-nemesis Vin, Van Helsing’s son

Frankie, Frankenstein’s son

Mason, Medusa’s son

And Jack (sometimes Hux), Dr. Jekyll’s son

I might have a chance of uncovering the truth.

If I’m not murdered first.

The struggles of being a vampire, am I right?

This is a horror comedy reverse harem with some dark elements. After all, you can’t have a bunch of monsters without some darkness. This is book one of a series.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased this audio book.

I met this author and my charity book signing.  I couldn’t read anything at the time but when I saw her at another event I ran over.  I said I need to read something and this book she sold me on this one.  I bought a signed copy for a friend for Christmas.  I purchased the audio because I am an audio junkie.

I must admit I am not usually a fan of “academy-type” books.  But the blurb and listening to Katie talk made me put that aside.  I am glad I did.  The book was what my heart needed.  I am a huge fan of “Monster” horror or creatures of horror. To know I was going to meet the children of some biggies like Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, Frankenstein, etc I was sold!!!  Being a Lit major and reading all of these original works was perfect for me.

Ok the story…lol….I like the comedy of the character.  Violet was a bit of a quirky girl but that is what I liked about her.  We are all kinda quirky right?  The guys in the story were just perfect fun to read.  I mean can you imagine dating all of these guys??

I have to say this was my first book by the author and I really enjoyed the world building and character development.  I will for sure add the other books to my reading when I can.

Katie May is a romance writer of numerous genres! She writes everything from horror to fantasy to contemporary. #whychoose

She has a gorgeous tabby cat who she adores, and she’s obsessed with coffee and horror movies.

#WOTR24 #Review – Baker Down: Magic and Mayhem Universe by A.J. Renee

Bougie Treats was my dream—and is Assjacket’s favorite spot for peanut butter and jelly donuts and chocolate croissants.

After an electrical storm damages my ovens, I’m left scrambling to keep the bakery running. I blame my reaction to the repair man on my earlier-than-normal mornings.

Keeping my growing attraction to the good-looking visitor in check should be easy… except at every turn, the simple repair is delayed by unknown forces.

How is a witch to protect her heart when fate keeps intervening?

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

When the hottie that comes to fix your ovens, fries your girly circuits, you invite him to lunch! Cami is having a helluva week. Her ovens stopped working and she is running herself ragged trying to keep up with the bakery. D’Angelo has been called to fix her ovens. However, when one thing goes right, another goes wrong and D’Angelo has to postpone the repair. These two have an instant connection but both of them are trying to talk it down. He has to leave and she has to stay. This just won’t work! Fate, which most of the time has its own laughable agenda, pushes these two together. Oh, and we cannot forget about Ricky! He has to be one of my favorite familiars! Love him!

Baker Down is an adorably funny, super cute, and humorous story! If something can go wrong, it will go wrong, but for the absolute best! Just like with the other stories in this universe, you should expect quirky characters around every corner that will keep a smile on your face.

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AJ Renee is a military wife and mother of three. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with her Master of Science in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

She loves to read and write steamy romance with a happily ever after. When not working, you can find her playing World of Warcraft, board games, or outdoors for a run or hike.

https://www.facebook.com/ajreneeauthor

http://https//WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/AJRENEEAUTHOR

http://https//WWW.TWITTER.COM/AJRENEEAUTHOR

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15251253.A_J_Renee

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/aj-renee

#WOTR24 #Review Stolen Soul A Reapers Origin Story: A Reapers Prequel by Tara Vasser

Someone has done the impossible – broken into Death’s vault in The Realm of the Dead, and stolen an especially valuable and dangerous soul. The very soul which determines the balance between life and death.

As Death’s enforcers, Gunnar and his fellow Reapers are tasked with hunting down the thief and recovering the soul. Will they catch the culprit and recover the soul before things take a catastrophic turn?

Stolen Soul is a prequel novella to the Reapers series.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

This is a new series and author for me and I understand that this is a prequel, however, I received this book for free for signing up for the author’s newsletter. As Tara Vasser is a new to me author, it was the perfect way to see if I would enjoy her words. Well guess what?! I absolutely do!

Stolen Soul is absolutely gripping!! Right from the jump I was captivated. I absorbed this story in what felt like minutes. It is intriguing and will leave you literally needing to continue this story. I was able to get a snippet of some characters that I feel like will be big players down the road. Amethyst is a witch, Gunnar is a vampire, Atticus is a werewolf, and then there is Death. There are many more characters that you are introduced to within this short story that I can’t wait to catch back up with them all in the series. Gunnar has a new mission and I can’t wait!

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Tara is a writer who lives in the frozen north in Minnesota with her wonderful husband and two rambunctious little dudes. She is an engineer during the day, a crazy mom in the afternoon and a writer at night. She enjoys spending her time playing in the dirt when her gardens aren’t covered in snow and listening to a wide variety of music that inspires her writing – sometimes doing both at the same time.

Be sure to visit Tara’s web page and sign up for her newsletter for updates on works in progress and upcoming new releases! www.authortaravasser.com

#Review – Haunted on Bourbon Street (The Jade Calhoun Series Book 1) by Deanna Chase


“Sexy, seductive and simply delightful. Deanna Chase has worked magic, and I can’t get enough of Jade Calhoun and her adventures on Bourbon Street” – Viv Arend

New York Times bestselling author. Jade loves her new apartment—until a ghost joins her in the shower.

When empath Jade Calhoun moves into an apartment above a strip bar on Bourbon Street, she expects life to get interesting. What she doesn’t count on is making friends with an exotic dancer, attracting a powerful spirit, and developing feelings for Kane, her sexy landlord.

Being an empath has never been easy on Jade’s relationships. It’s no wonder she keeps her gift a secret. But when the ghost moves from spooking Jade to terrorizing Pyper, the dancer, it’s up to Jade to use her unique ability to save her. Except she’ll need Kane’s help—and he’s betrayed her with a secret of his own—to do it. Can she find a way to trust him and herself before Pyper is lost?

Goodreads

Amazon

Bookbub

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Ghosts, strippers, witches, and a sexy landlord all on Bourbon Street…need I say more?

I read this blurb and was like, “Hell YES! Sign me up!”

I knew that it was going to be a wild ride but I did not expect that I wouldn’t be able to stop turning the pages. I NEEDED to know what happened next.

Jade is new to Bourbon Street fresh from Idaho and is in need of lessons on misbehaving. She is the epitome of Miss Responsibility. She rents an apartment that everyone knows is haunted, but when the ghost comes out to play, things get real. Some really great friendships are formed and new love starts to bloom, but this does not make the spirits happy. Things get amusing and chaotic and help is needed in many forms. Next thing you know, there are ghost hunters, witches, and other spirits. The story is cute and twisted, the characters are witty and fun, and kept me on the edge of my seat as I turned each page.

I thoroughly enjoyed the chaotic, but amusing, rollercoaster of the first book in this series. I am a new fan and ready for more!

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Deanna Chase, is a native Californian, transplanted to the slower paced lifestyle of southeastern Louisiana. When she isn’t writing, she is often goofing off with her husband in New Orleans or playing with her two shih tzu dogs. For more information and updates on newest releases visit her website at www.deannachase.com or sign up here: https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/q1s9b0.

#Review – The Seven Levels of Sin: Spark by SL Pearce


A proposal.
A plane crash.
Supernatural demons.
A battle for answers.

Kira must brave the depths of the unknown to uncover the truth behind the death of her beloved Leon. But as she dives deeper, she discovers a dark and terrifying world of demonic forces that threaten to consume both her and everything she holds dear. With the help of her newfound ally, Kira must confront her deepest fears and unravel the mystery that haunts her.

As she fights to save humanity from the brink of destruction, she must also confront the haunting truth about her own heart and the choices she must make.

Will Kira be able to face the danger that lies ahead and rescue those she loves?

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I was scrolling through Goodreads Giveaways and was intrigued by this cover. After reading the blurb I decided to enter the giveaway…and I won! The author, SL Pearce, is a new to me author. I dove right in and it did not take long for the action to start. I got super excited, but then started to realize some of the story is very rushed. Kira’s boyfriend/fiancé ends up in an accident and dies. His brother comes out of nowhere to save Kira and they start an epic journey of venturing to the underworld to find some really epic answers. Some aspects of the story are a bit predictable but the world that was created, the Seven Levels, is a pretty awesome concept. Kira and Luke, her dead fiance’s brother, end up falling for each other but some of the feelings they had for each other seemed to come out of left field. While I knew it was going to happen, there just wasn’t enough “meat and potatoes” to really satisfy the blossoming of these characters. I would love to see some more world building and character development because I am truly intrigued by this story. I plan to keep this one on my radar because I would love to see how this story unfolds as it has great potential.

Hi, I’m Sian Pearce, a passionate author from England, United Kingdom.

From a very young age, I’ve been intrigued by the world of books and crafting stories. I’ve always been fascinated with the mind and why people do things, which drove me to pursue a degree in Psychology as well as a career in the mental health sector. I also became a qualified primary school teacher, which allowed me to share my love of literature with young minds.

Although I’ve always possessed a talent for writing, I was hesitant to share my work with the world until my supportive family convinced me to take the plunge. Encouraged by my own daughter’s nickname, “Baby Bird,” I published my first children’s book, “What Does A Baby Bird Eat?,” which has been well-received by parents, carers and their little ones.

Fast forward a little under a year and now I am an award-winning author. Three of my children’s books have won the prestigious Golden Wizard Book Prize in 2023, including “The Bunny Who Couldn’t Hop,” “The Dinosaur That Had No Hobby,” and “What Does A Baby Bird Eat?”.

Even with my triumphs and successes, I am still exploring my passion for storytelling and I am always seeking to improve.

At the moment, I am eagerly awaiting the publication of my YA novel, “The Seven Levels of Sin: Spark,” which is being published under my pen name, S.L. Pearce. I also have another novel under S.L. Pearce due out in February 2024, titled “A Court of Moons and Stars,” and a sequel to “The Seven Levels of Sin” set to be released in the spring of 2024.

When I’m not writing, I enjoy spending quality time with my family or immersing myself in a good book.

Home Page (slpearce.com)

#Review – Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, 1) by Rebecca Yarros

An Instant New York Times Bestseller
A Goodreads Most Anticipated Book

“Suspenseful, sexy, and with incredibly entertaining storytelling, the first in Yarros’ Empyrean series will delight fans of romantic, adventure-filled fantasy.” —Booklist, starred review

Fourth Wing will have your heart pounding from beginning to end… A fantasy like you’ve never read before.” ―#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout


Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

The Empyrean series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 Fourth Wing
Book #2 Iron Flame

I had seen posts about this book for weeks before I purchased it. When one of my friends said that she loved it and I knew that this wasn’t her normal genre, I had to drop everything to read it and boy, man, gosh, am I ever glad I did.

This book was on a whole other level. I haven’t read something like this in years. The world building, the characters, the friendships, the love, the fighting, the grumpy dragons, the sizzling chemistry…man…seriously, I truly have no words.

I couldn’t read this book fast enough. I had to know what all the hype was and I knew that the book ended in some sort of way but I still wasn’t expecting that.

I haven’t felt this way about a book and world since I read The Black Dagger Brotherhood for the very first time.

The world building in this book was top notch, the originality, the heroine…I could keep gushing but trust me when I say this, read this book! I didn’t even read the blurb and went in completely blind and boy am I glad I did. I can’t say it enough but I truly loved this book and it’s now in my top 5 of favourite books I’ve ever read. I don’t re-read books often either but I’m about to jump into re-reading this to get ready for book 2 that comes out on November 7th.

Thank you, Rebecca, for sharing your world with us and I can’t wait for the rest of this series.

#Review – A Ship of Bones and Teeth by Karina Halle


A standalone adult dark fantasy pirate romance re-telling of The Little Mermaid from the New York Times Bestselling Author of River of Shadows and Blood Orange.

Princess Maren is a woman with a secret.

Ten years ago she sold her soul to the sea witch Edonia, giving up a life underwater in exchange for the love of Prince Aerik on land. But after a decade of abuse and misery inflicted by the cruel prince, Maren wants nothing more than to leave him and her royal role behind and find Edonia to reverse the spell.

An opportunity for escape presents itself when the prince and princess are traveling overseas and are taken hostage by a band of notorious pirates, led by the fearsome Captain Ramsay “Bones” Battista. Maren has heard the sordid stories about the infamous pirate–not only is his ship supposedly haunted and crewed by the damned, but that no prisoners ever survive.

Fortunately for Maren, she learns that the captain also has a score to settle with the sea witch. With any luck, Maren may be able to get her old life back, even if it’s being held in the captain’s wicked hands.

But Ramsay gets more than he bargained for when he learns who–and what–Maren is, and that her appetite for revenge, freedom, and bloodlust rivals his.

Meanwhile Maren finds herself falling for the pirate’s dark nature, even as she discovers that Ramsay has a secret more deadly than her own.

When it comes to the high seas, not all monsters lurk beneath the surface.

Content Warning: Though this is a fantasy, it is also a dark romance with potential triggers. A full list can be found inside the book or on the pinned cover reveal post on IG (authorhalle)

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Wickedly devilish! Being caught between the devil you know and the devil you don’t, can be a terrifying place. Especially when you exist in a space between worlds with nowhere to belong to.

I needed this story! It is a standalone adult dark fantasy pirate romance re-telling of The Little Mermaid, but I have to say that A Ship of Bones and Teeth is SO. MUCH. BETTER! I mean, Syrens and Pirates? Sign me up!

Be prepared when you open this book because it will consume you. For days, all I could think about were Maren and Bones. What was going to happen next? How would they overcome? Will they really turn on each other? Who else will die? And let’s not forget… OMG, how hawt was that?

Maren and Bones are completely different people, but once together, they are intensely drawn together. It’s one of those intense feelings that actually scares you. However, these two really helped each other throughout the story without really realizing it. This has a bit of everything from friendships, sex, kinks, feuds, betrayal, beauty, death, abuse…you name it, it has it! It will even make you smile and laugh!

There are a tremendous number of twists and turns in this retelling, unlike any other I have read. There is nothing that I can say that will prepare you for the consuming obsessive monster you will become until you reach the end of the story. An absolute must read!

Remember: “There are no mistakes. Just choices that took us on a different path.”

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Karina Halle is a screenwriter, a former music & travel journalist, and the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today bestselling author of River of Shadows, The Royals Next Door, and Black Sunshine, as well as 70 other wild and romantic reads, ranging from light & sexy rom coms to horror/paranormal romance and dark fantasy. Needless to say, whatever genre you’re into, she’s probably written a romance for it. When she’s not traveling, she and her husband split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles. She seems a bit boring in her bio but I assure you she’s a big ol’ goof in real life. For more information, visit www.authorkarinahalle.com.

#WOTR23 #Review – To Teleport, or Not to Teleport?: Magic and Mayhem Universe by A.J. Renee

The drama that follows the colorful, supernatural citizens of my town is enough to glue anyone to the couch for a binge sesh.

I used to pride myself in the fact that the most exciting thing affecting my small-town life was my students’ shenanigans. But then my childhood crush returns, setting off a barrage of complex emotions in my witchy heart.

My quirky power of sniffing out secrets starts making my visions go crazy. Being preventable isn’t exactly one of their features, and they’re all targeting him. As if that isn’t stressful enough, my dormant teleporting powers decide it’s time to activate.

My cousin can’t bake her chocolate croissants and sweets fast enough to help me cope with the pitfalls waiting to hit my inner circle. Or how the boy who’d left me has become hotter than the fires of hell.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Oh my stars! Goofy cute but purrrrfectly hawt! These types of stories are the kind that everyone needs, especially if you are trying to get out of a reading slump! This is definitely a dramedy that has everything! There are parts that are the corny type of funny that make you laugh out loud, then you move on to the hawtness that our panther shifter brings to the table, and all wrapped up with some murder mystery. Aileen is our female MC witch with a lot of quirks whose senses start to go even more haywire once her childhood friend, Grayson, returns just as abruptly has he left. Visions start coming and going, she is teleporting to places she doesn’t understand, but one thing that this has in common is Grayson returning to town. Mix in some mischief and murder to round everything off and you won’t be able to put it down. There were literal times that I laughed out loud and then had to turn around and fan myself, LOL! This story was absolutely fun and crazy, but most of all, it kept me entertained! Bravo, AJ!

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AJ Renee is a military wife and mother of three. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with her Master of Science in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

She loves to read and write steamy romance with a happily ever after. When not working, you can find her playing World of Warcraft, board games, or outdoors for a run or hike.