Category Archives: Review

Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Paranormal, Review, Romantic Comedy, Shifters, Writers on the River Attending Author

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

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***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 ?

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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/

Novella, Paranormal, Review, Sci Fi

#WOTR24 #Review – Shadow Initiate by Todd Skaggs

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Magic is a barrier. It protects our world from many things. Some of these things are older than Time.
There are travelers who use the Earth as a way-point in their journeys between the magical realms.

Most of these travelers are harmless enough.

Some, however, are quite deadly.

Humans are one of the last species in the realms who can channel magic naturally. They are therefore highly prized and must be kept safe. Their protection is done by ancient orders. There are gates and locks.

And in the each millennia, born among humans are “keys.”

Some keys unlock gates glowing with light. Others unlock the gates shrouded in shadows, passages of darkness.

These keys are seldom aware of their gift, and the potential they hold.

Most don’t live that long.

Unless they are kept well hidden.

—

Magic itself is neither good nor evil. Magic either shines in luminous brilliance or peers back from deep in the blackest of shadows.

Those who hold the key to using this magic are highly sought after.

Some things should be left well alone.

—

Duane was always plagued by nightmares. Visitations from the shadows. These visits, though terrifying, were the one thing that made him feel unique. Also, quite crazy. No one believed him. The people who were supposed to love him unconditionally looked at him through the eyes of strangers.

The one person who could always make him feel safe was his best friend, Ellen. That’s what made her betrayal so painful.

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

I am not sure what I really thought this story was going to be about but was pleasantly surprised with the direction it went. The blurb is compelling but then you actually start reading and you are hooked. The balance of good and bad, light and dark is truly emphasized throughout the story. It is very compelling and intriguing but there were some areas where I felt a bit confused because I felt like I was missing some pieces. While things tied up nicely at the end, with quite a twist that I didn’t see coming, I wish there was more. I would love to see this world evolve because it seems there is so much more to be told. It was a great short read.

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Todd has happily wandered down the path of writing for one simple reason–he has quite a few stories in his head and they need to come out (it’s getting crowded up there)! He’s also fond of pointing out that writing is cheaper than therapy and is still the single best way to exorcise the demons.

Living in Ohio and enjoying all four seasons in a single week, Todd works as a security analyst and plays with words any chance he can. During his free time you can find him swimming the sea of song, playing with sci-fi, dancing slowly with some poetry, or mixing things up a bit with some free-form ramblings of a completely random nature. As long as its telling a story, Todd’s happy.

On his Blog: www.toddskaggswrites.com

Twitter:@atskaggs71

Instagram:@atskaggs71

Cliffhanger, Dark, Part of a Series, Reverse Harem, Review, stalker

#review #seriesstarter #rh #dark Friends With The Monsters (Friends with the Monster 1) by Albany Walker

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Gather round close, for I have a secret to tell.

Late at night, while everyone is sleeping, dreaming of white knights and fairytales. I’m making friends with the monsters.

They call to me, like finds like, right? My biggest secret, I’m the scariest monster I know.

I think I’m the bad guy.

MFMM Reverse Harem novel with adult themes not recommended for those under 18.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51919431-friends-with-the-monsters

Amazon https://amzn.to/46WlHq8

Review by Twinsie Dee

i was given this book by the author for an honest review

When needing to eat intel’s opening up all the windows in the middle of the night, for all kinds of monsters to come into the house. Thats what keeps Damiana alive she’s always knew she was different and no one that she knew was like her. she isn’t afraid of the monsters that lurk in the shadows, but when a human figure finds her home in the middle of nowhere, she has more to deal with then she thought. Lies, deceit and distrust feed her better than anything so you need to watch yourself or your soul could be next. the twist, turns and mystery are great, Albany never freaking disappoints and this is another amazing book by her.

Albany lives in Michigan where she’s happily married to her high school sweetheart. She spends most of her time juggling her four children’s extracurricular activities, with her nose stuck in a book. When not reading you can find her writing her very own book boyfriends. Albany’s passion is writing romance with real characters that are far from perfect, but always seem to find their own happily ever afters.

New Release, Part of a Series, Review, Small Town Romance, Standalone, Writers on the River Attending Author

#wotr #attendingauthor #partofaseries Sweet Southern Memories (Magnolia Grove 2) by C.A. Harms

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Zoey

Life doesn’t always go according to plan, a lesson I learned the hard way during my divorce. My first love returns home just in time to watch me pick up the pieces, and the moment I lay eyes on him every memory rushes back.

Jayson Lincoln, the man who still makes my heart beat fast, after all these years. But he’s Doctor Lincoln now and I’m a far cry from the carefree girl he left behind.

I’m learning to navigate life as a single mother of twin girls and he’s reluctantly home to take over the family practice. We may be back in the same small town, but we’re still worlds apart.

Jayson

It’s always been her. No one could ever measure up to Zoey Harding.

And I’ll always regret walking away from her and our hometown, for the big city to chase my dreams.

The longer I’m back, the more the echoes of our past whisper what could have been. But it’s not just about us, and her daughters steal my heart and mend what’s been broken for far too long.

Zoey’s afraid to trust me, but I’m determined to heal the fractures of her heart and prove that this time I’m not going anywhere.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200855296-sweet-southern-memories

Amazon https://amzn.to/3GInTqw

Review by Twinsie Dee

i was given this book by the author for an honest review.

Tragic hits Magnolia Grove when the town doctor passes away. bringing Jayson back home to bury not only his grandpa, but his mentor and his best friend. Now back home after the funeral Jayson found himself in now his office of his new practice, that his grandpa left him. but being back home gave him a chance to get the love of his life back. Zoey is dealing with her hopefully soon to be ex-husband who keeps dragging out their divorce, and also trying to keep her twins safe from it all. So having the boy that makes her heart flutter coming back to town is the last thing she needs right now. Jayson is going to try everything he can to break Zoey’s walls down and get back into her life. But will she allow him to not only into her heart again but into the heart of her twin girls? oh this book had my heart especially from Zoey’s point of view with having my divorce being drug out, and doing everything i could do to keep my son safe and happy.

C.A. Harms is an avid romance and mystery reader. She’s always had a love for books, getting lost in writing and storytelling even as a young girl. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories.

She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She holds an addiction for Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha’s and KitKat when she should really be focusing on water and maybe a fruit or two to make herself feel less guilty, but that feeling quickly passes…thankfully.

She is easy going, fun, and although she may seem like one of the quiet ones at first, you just wait until she gets to know you better…that quietness changes, fast

Audio Book, Cliffhanger, Contemp. Romance, Dark, Part of a Series, Reverse Harem, Review

#review #audiobook #rh Created in Chaos (Corrupt Credence 2) by Albany Walker Narrated by Corvin King and Brooke Daniels

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I thought I’d already lost everything, but life has a way of proving you wrong

The moment I set my scuffed sneaker on Cadieux Island for College, my fate was sealed, but there’s no way I could have prepared for what was coming.

I should have run when I attracted the Morningstar’s attention, ruthless twins that lord over the elite school and everyone in it. I thought I could handle them, or at least survive them, but now it seems I might not live without them.

They demand my allegiance, loyalty and devotion, but I’m afraid I’ll lose so much more to them.

Four founding families, entrenched in secrets and deep-rooted history, are locked in a never-ending cycle for power and domination, and I just became the pawn everyone wants to use, or get rid of.

Welcome to Cadieux Island where the weak get slaughtered and only the strong survive.

Created in Chaos is the second book in the Corrupt Credence series. A dark college MFM romance told on duel POV with mature content for adult listeners.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202563326-created-in-chaos

Amazon https://amzn.to/3QUwTO0

Review by Twinsie Dee

 i was given this audio book from the author for an honest review.
I have waited a long time to get this audio book just to listen to this man’s voice, and to be back into this world with these sexy devil’s twins ugh they are perfect. Anyways our story left off with Lucian and Nox seeing Nova being but, in an ambulance, heading to the hospital. But once things are calmed down and life is back to as normal as possible. Lucian and Nox refuse to let Nova out of their sights, they need to find out who did this to their girl and why they targeted her, also what or if her grandparents played a part in the attack and what their ultimate goal is. Will Nova pick her family side or stay with the Morningstar’s’ and who is really telling her the truth about her parents and new life. ugh these characters and this world omg I just can’t get enough of them Lucian and Nox are swoon and I need book 3 asap.
Im obsessed with this world and the Morningstar twins ugh sweet jesus.

Albany lives in Michigan where she’s happily married to her high school sweetheart. She spends most of her time juggling her four children’s extracurricular activities, with her nose stuck in a book. When not reading you can find her writing her very own book boyfriends. Albany’s passion is writing romance with real characters that are far from perfect, but always seem to find their own happily ever afters.

Mystery, Paranormal, Review, Thriller

#Review – Georgia’s Forsaken (The Romy Files Book 2) by Shelly Small

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Six months. Romy couldn’t believe it. She has been in Savannah for six months. Work has kept her busy and trying to build a relationship with her father. Time just slipped away from her. Everything is going well with no problems….
That is until Romy goes out with her new team for a welcome party, which lands her in the ER and being pulled into another nightmare.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Romy has an unfortunate accident but luckily her new team is right by her side. Romy’s only family is her father, Chase, who has recently been released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Romy is alone and hasn’t even found a place to live in Savannah yet. However, that has to wait. She hurts herself and has to rely on her team for assistance all while navigating new visions to uncover a nightmarish crime. I do like how the author doesn’t just give Romy all the information within the visions to allow Romy to just  show up and bust the bad guy. The visions only give snippets and there is investigative work that has to be done to solve these. One small thing that bothers me a bit, and it could be some ignorance on my part, but Romy is referred to as being an empath and that is why she gets these visions. I feel like empath is being used incorrectly here and perhaps she is more of a medium (or something similar), but it is not a deal breaker as the stories have been great. I look forward to continuing Romy’s stories.

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Growing up in a military family, Shelly Small mostly lived on the west coast. She was also in the military herself. Although she has only lived in 7 different states, Shelly has traveled across the country and has been to most of the 50 states. Most of that traveling is due to marrying a military man. He is now retired and they live in Wisconsin. Shelly also has two children.

Most of her life has been reading books and about 5 years ago started doing what her husband dubs “her hobby” began her own editing company. From doing that, she has met some fabulous authors and has since wanted to bring to others – Words and Worlds Unmasked.

Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Paranormal, Review, Romantic Comedy, Shifters, Vampire, Witches, Writers on the River Attending Author

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

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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

Fantasy, Paranormal, Review, Sci Fi, Urban Fantasy/Urban Fiction, Writers on the River Attending Author

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

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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

Paranormal, Review, Romantic Suspense

#Review – Piper’s Purgatory: A Paranormal Romantic Suspense Novel by Maureen Miller

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Is it possible to fall in love in the afterlife?

The last thing Piper Malko ever expected was to have her life snatched away so early. When she wakes up on the front steps of her brownstone to a rose-colored facsimile of her world, she is forced to come to grips with her demise. Why is she still trapped on her street, though? Was there a debate as to her final destination? Any attempt to ask the gauzy pedestrians passing by goes unheard. No one notices her. Until she sees him—over six feet of well-defined humanity staring back at her from across the street.

Russell Hughes is dead. He can remember the impact of the car. But there was no bright light. No portal to the beyond. Instead, everything around him is pink. Except for her. The attractive woman across the street.

Piper and Russ try to piece together the crime that killed two strangers on the same road. If they can find their killer, then maybe they can escape this rosy limbo.

But will leaving purgatory tear them apart…just as they’re falling in love?

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Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

“Who knew hell came in shades of pink?”

Piper finds herself alone in purgatory but happens to find another soul, Russ, stuck in the same place. These two are naturally drawn to each other, but they are the only people here. They are working through how they ended up here and how to move on. But then what does “moving on” really mean. I felt like this moved a bit slow at the beginning, working through purgatory. I expected there to be more paranormal activity, possibly other souls, ghouls, bad things…but that really wasn’t there. There was a being trying to get Piper, and Russ was ever so chivalrous to protect her. Eventually, the twist happens and that is when the story gets great. This is a true love story where fate was definitely involved. If you are looking for something more along the lines of ghosts, vampires, or other things that go bump in the night, I would not recommend this. However, if are looking for a super sweet love story that happens to start in Purgatory, this is perfect!

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USA TODAY bestselling author, Maureen A. Miller worked in the software industry for fifteen years. She crawled around plant floors in a hard hat and safety glasses hooking up computers to behemoth manufacturing machines. The job required extensive travel. The best form of escapism during those lengthy airport layovers became writing.

Maureen’s first novel, WIDOW’S TALE, earned her a Golden Heart nomination in Romantic Suspense. After that, she became hooked to the genre. As hooked as she was, childhood fantasies still danced around in her head––little voices calling for her to write the young adult science fiction BEYOND series. To her it was still romantic suspense…just on another planet! She now divides her time between romantic suspense and young adult novels.

Maureen is a wife. A mother of a crazy Corgi. And a lover of mozzarella.

Find more about Maureen at www.maureenamiller.com

Follow on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MaureenAMillerAuthor

Follow on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/maureenamillerauthor/

Follow on BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maureen-a-miller

Review, Romantic Comedy

#Review – Blue Beaver (Awkward Book 2) by JB Heller

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Did you know flannel can be deceivingly sexy?

I’m Charlotte, a fashion blogging, endo warrior (if you know, you know. If you don’t, buckle up). If devoting my life to fashion has taught me anything, it’s that flannel was never a good choice. But it turns out, I was wrong. Very wrong.

The first time I met Elijah he told me I was insane and I called him a lunatic. Then he came to my rescue, like a knight dressed in flannel, and I had to eat my words. Apparently, not all country folk are serial killers intent on feeding you to their pigs. Who knew?

Never in a million years did I imagine myself lusting after a dead sexy, flannel-clad, llama farmer. There’s no way it would ever happen. Me, flannel, and llamas, do not mesh. But the guy is basically perfect. He’s tall, built like a greek god, and kisses me like he was born to do it.

Too bad he’s currently sharing his bed with Satan’s Mistress—I mean—Delilah, his baby rescue llama. And she hates my guts.

**Please note the Awkward series is set in Australia and written in Australian English. As such you may assume there are some spelling errors within. However, it’s just how we spell things Down Under.
**For lovers of all things romantic comedy. If you’re a fan of Julia Kent, Pippa Grant, Lili Valente, or Emma Hart, you will adore JB’s Awkward girls.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

For the love of all that is holy! Llamas, blue beavers and flannel! So ridiculously funny but absolutely adorably cute! These characters have me hooked! When I finished Pink Bits, I was going to rush right in to read Blue Beaver, but something told me to wait. I got into another slump and NEEDED the hysterics and shenanigans of the Awkward series!

Elijah has no time for himself. He is always working and helping everyone else but himself. Then there is poor Charlotte, she has endometriosis and suffers badly during that time of the month. She self medicates at times with chocolate and wine. While on a chocolate run, she runs into Elijah and you just know that the sparks are going to fly. It is super cute because they are basically forced together and when this happens Charlotte finds out that chivalry is not dead. This is a huge wake up call for Charlotte because she has sworn off relationships. Even when she puts Betty on a leash for a while, she doesn’t want to fall in love. However, even with the llama demon spawn trying to keep Elijah and Charlotte separated, their draw to each other is absolutely undeniable.

These books are fast and fun. While turning the pages, you will laugh and swoon at the same time. Blue Beaver was truly awesome! I am so happy that I found this author and series!

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USA Today Bestselling Author JB Heller is an average Aussie housewife and Mumma in her 30’s with a wicked sexy imagination. As well as the owner of a randy Eclectus parrot with boundary issues.

These days she writes mostly contemporary romance and romantic comedies, drawing inspiration from her everyday life.

Monday to Friday you can find JB glued to her laptop weaving words or trolling Pinterest for her next potential muse. Come the weekend, it’s family time. (And of course lots of reading and Netflix binges.)

Join Heller’s Bookwhorders reader group on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/groups/hellersbookwhorders

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