#Review – 25 Days by Per Jacobsen

25 days, 25 chapters. This December, the countdown to Christmas will chill you to the bone.

Hoping to bring his family closer together, Adam Gray arranges a vacation in a remote cabin on a snowy mountain. Things take a dark turn, however, when someone starts leaving gifts in the Christmas stocking mounted on the barn door.

Each morning brings something new, and with every passing day, the contents become more terrifying. Soon, the family makes a spine-chilling realization: they’ve been dragged into a deranged game of Secret Santa, and if they want to survive, they will have to fight.

This book was written like an advent calendar, where you read only a chapter a day from December 1st to December 25th. Of course, you didn’t have to read it like that but I did and it was a lot of fun.

We follow the Gray family while they head to a cabin in the mountains. They’re there for some family time and Adam, the father, hopes it brings them closer.

As the days progress, creepy things start taking place. A random Christmas stocking with things inside that don’t lead to happy presents.

I really loved this story and the way it was written. I definitely want to read more of Per’s books. 25 Days follows the family dynamic and shows what parents would do to protect their children, as well as what children would do to protect their parents.

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/4fbRw2i

#WOTR25 #attendingAuthor #authorinterview – Jessica Grayson

Jessica Grayson

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Jessica Grayson

How did you hear about this event?

Through my author friend, Jade Waltz 🙂

How many years have you attended?

I’ve never attended

What genres do you write?

Fantasy Romance, Monster Romance, Scifi Romance

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

Claimed by Hades

What is one fun fact about you?

I bake things when I’m stressed. Cookies, cakes, pies, etc. My husband can always tell when I’m stressed about a book deadline because of this lol

What are your social links?

FB: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaGraysonBooks

IG: https://www.instagram.com/author.jessica.grayson/

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessicagrayson07

What are you buy links?

Writersonriver.com

#WOTR25 #MM #FakeBoyfriend – Boyfriend with Benefits by Allison Temple

When Bailey’s new boss turns out to be his childhood bully, a.k.a. Jake the Jerk, it’s time to call in backup for the upcoming corporate retreat in Vegas. Too bad Bailey works too much to date. His best option is to ask his very straight roommate Gordo to play the part of temporary boyfriend, even if Gordo is better with pythons than he is with people.

Except Bailey and Gordo haven’t even checked into the hotel and Jake the Jerk is already everywhere. The pressure is on for Bailey to prove he deserves to climb the corporate ladder, but it’s hard to talk shop as Gordo goes from backup to an increasingly attractive distraction.

Bailey’s trying to keep his cool, schmooze the executives and stick to the plan, even though Gordo’s not playing by any of the rules. They’ve always been just friends, but maybe it’s time to be boyfriends…with full benefits.

Boyfriend with Benefits is a 37k contemporary MM romance novella. It features fake boyfriends who might not be so fake, a hotel room with only one bed, and a James Bond moment in a tiny blue bathing suit. HEA guaranteed.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased this audiobook.

The narration was great.  He did a great job varying the voices but I LOVED how he did Gordo. It definitely hit the peace love and happiness vibe Gordo puts off well

I was looking for a quick novella and saw this book from and author who is attending a book event /I was going too.  I love the whole Fake dating aspect so I was sold.

When we meet Bailey he was a bit high strung being in the corporate world and climbing the ladder of success. He gets bad news that the man who made his life hell is now going to be his boss.  Oh snap!  Worse of all he lied and said bully that he has a great boyfriend and they can’t wait to hang out at the corporate retreat.

Yeah uhm CRAP!

Enter the amazing Gordo.  Gordo is NOT in the corporate world.  He is a peace love a happiness guy that loves to rescue any animal really from dogs to dragons to snaked and spiders.    He said he would love to help his roomie out as long as they can see the fountains while in Vegas.

This is when THINGS start to happen and make me look at Gordo a little more …like maybe he isn’t so peace love and happiness.  Maybe is he …well, I won’t say my guesses but lets just say Gordo is the best fake boyfriend ever.

I absolutely loved this story.  Gordo knows Bailey very well and knows exactly what he needs when he needs it  Bailey soon realizes a lot about his fake boyfriend like he wants Gordo to be his real boyfriend through this emotional roller coaster of a weekend.  Jake, well lets say he has the knickname for a reason and he deserved it his entire life.  LOL

Allison lives in Toronto with her very patient husband and the world’s cutest team of rescue pets. She tries to split her time between writing, exploring Toronto’s parks, and traveling anywhere that has good wine. Tragically, this leaves no time to clean the house.

Allison writes queer fantasy as Alli Temple

#ReleaseDay #NewRelease #DarkRomance – Her by D.V. Fischer

I have something to prove.

My weight. My worth. My life.

Not only am I a woman fresh out of the police academy, but because of my father’s reputation, I have to prove I’m worthy of my badge.

And then an opportunity arose, one I couldn’t pass up. Men and women are being abducted from another country to be trafficked for horrific purposes. I have every intention of going undercover to bring down the entire operation.

I just hadn’t expected to get in so deep. I hadn’t expected to be targeted because of my body. It had become idolized and monetized by those in the shadowed, dark web and those with deep pockets and malicious secrets.

I certainly hadn’t expected to fall for one particular deep, dark secret, coiled so tightly in the stunning Nix Blaylock. But he’s the key, he’s my way in to the top, and in the end? I just might have to take him down too.

This book is heavy on explicit content. Please check the author’s website.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Angie

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest opinion.

When I saw the author looking for ARC readers for this book and saying how dark it was.  She was saying her editor said people won’t be able to handle the content…I was INVESTED.  I absolutely LOVE dark romance.  Gimme the dark romance!!  Give it to me.  Give it all to me NOW!  However, I will have to say IMO, and this is my review which is my opinion, this is not a dark romance.  This book has very dark themes and a great anti-hero but not dark romance.  The themes of trafficking and necrophilia are dark for sure, but we don’t actually see that stuff so IMO, it’s a running dark theme in the book.  If the characters had been involved in that stuff, then YES dark romance.  My rating for this book is based off this being presented as a dark romance.

Ok so that is my take on the genre this book is being placed in.  Now for the book itself, as a romance reader, we do put aside a lot because we are reading for enjoyment. Charlotte is sad her estranged husband has died leaving her penniless.  She is working and is allowed to go undercover to bust a trafficking/porno ring.  When she is there, she meets Nix who is stunned by the curvy woman of his dreams.  He tries to push her away and not draw attention to his attraction to her or his “bosses” could use that as a weakness.  They fumble through trying to figure out several things (who is the main boss and who killed Nix’s family member) when it all comes to a head at the end of the book.

I did have a few issues with a rookie cop sitting behind the desk being allowed to be thrown in to a pornography undercover ring.  But ok no worries.  I also had issues with the fact that Charlotte/Charlie knows how dangerous Andre (Nix’s partner) is and is still ignoring Nix at every damn turn. Like ma’am do you want to be unalived??

Was the book enjoyable? Sure.  I did like a few of the twists she had in place. One I kinda picked up on and the other was a bombshell.

The heat and spice were at a nice level.  Nix is a great anti-hero.  I mean are you supposed to fall in love with a guy who runs a porno ring???  I think not and yet you do.

USA Today & International bestselling and two-time Iowa award-winning author DV Fischer is a mother of two very busy boys, a wife to wonderful husband, and an owner of three sock-loving German Shorthair Pointers. They also have one cat named Geralt.

Together, they live in Sheldon, Iowa.

When DV Fischer isn’t chasing after her children, she spends her time typing like a mad woman while consuming vast amounts of caffeine. Sometimes, if her husband can manage to remind her of the real world outside her office window, they hike!

You can follow DV Fischer on Amazon, Bookbub, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Facebook, or join her VIP Reader’s Group on Facebook.

#WOTR25 #AttendingAuthor #AuthorInterview – Dorothy Ewels

Dorothy Ewels

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Dorothy Ewels is my name and writing romance is my game. I still live in the city of my birth, Cape Town, South Africa, with my husband, two crazy rescue dogs and a cat with plenty of cattitude. A lifelong love affair with reading got me writing at a young age, but it wasn’t until I was retrenched from a soul-destroying job that I finally found the courage to write my first book, leading to its publication in 2018. I’m addicted to coffee, books and finding humor in life, not to mention happy endings against all odds. As well as being a proud and active member of the Romance Writer’s Organization of South Africa (ROSA), I’m also thrilled to be a contributing author in Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward’s Cocky Hero Club and Susan Stoker’s Special Forces.

How did you hear about this event?

From the friend, and fellow South African author, I’ll be attending WOTR with.

How many years have you attended?

This is my first ever signing, as well as my first trip to the USA.

What genres do you write?

I write Military Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Contemporary Romance.

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

If I had to narrow it down to one book, I’d have to say Gator’s Gambit.

What is one fun fact about you?

My very first job was drawing maps. (Bonus fact: I suffer from Ophidiophobia – a fear of snakes. More like paralyzing terror. )

What are your social links?

Website : www.dorothyewels.co.za
Newsletter sign up : https://bit.ly/DEwelsNewsletter
Facebook : www.facebook.com/dorothyewelsauthor
Facebook Readers Group : www.facebook.com/groups/dsjewels
Instagram : www.instagram.com/dorothyewelswrites
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@dorothyewelswrites
Bookbub : www.bookbub.com/authors/dorothy-ewels
Goodreads : www.goodreads.com/author/show/18573939.Dorothy_Ewels

What are you buy links?

Writersonriver.com

#review #partofaseries Beneath Southern Stars (Magnolia Grove 12) by Andrea Johnston

LANEY

Small town life isn’t for everyone. At least that’s what I’m told. To me, it’s everything. Growing up in Magnolia Grove my neighbors are like family and every memory I have is tied to our community.

When a single dad rents the house next door, he makes my simple small town life a little more exciting.

RYAN

After a year of grieving, I vowed to give my daughter a holiday season to remember. Magnolia Grove is the epitome of holiday cheer and exactly the distraction that we need.

When my identity as a country music artist becomes town gossip, I greedily accept help from my new neighbor. What I didn’t expect was to find someone who speaks to my soul and reminds me of how much life there is left to live.

When we’re together beneath the southern stars, I believe anything is possible.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202410261-beneath-southern-stars?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=DXUiW8Ihy7&rank=39

Amazon https://amzn.to/47RJM2E

Review by Twinsie Dee

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

Small town living is much different than the crazy life of Nashville and Ryan is moving to Magnolia Grove to get a fresh start a year after his daughter’s mother passed away and they both needed a place that didn’t have a memory every time they turned around. Laney is the small-town girl grown up with a hard work in her blood and don’t take crap from no one. so, when her crazy dog finds the new neighbors moving in and the cutest little girl to be friends with, she can’t help but wonder what their story is and what brought them to Magnolia Grove. the small-town charm is working on Ryan and Pepper and hope that they can make new memories but still have Katie be a part of Pepper’s life even if just in memory she will always be the breeze in the wind, the warmth from the sun and live within her daughter’s heart. life as a single dad is the hardest thing Ryan has done but maybe the thought of opening his heart to find new love might be the hardest and worst thing ever. Such a cute story that will make you laugh, cry and fall hopelessly in a happy every after. this was such a good way to end the chapter to Magnolia Grove.

A romantic at heart, Andrea has always been a storyteller. An avid reader since a young age, she never planned to pen her own romance novel but, on a whim, and with no plan, she discovered her passion. Known for her slow burn small town romances, Andrea prides herself on writing relatable characters that the reader cheers for and secondary characters who bring the sass and laughs to each story.

Settled in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dog, she counts down the days when her adult children come home for a visit. Even if it means more laundry!

#WOTR25 #attendingauthor #AuthorInterview – Julie Navickas

Julie Navickas

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

My name is Julie Navickas, and I write contemporary romance. I started my author journey writing the Trading Heartbeats trilogy and am just about ready to wrap up the Clumsy Little Hearts trilogy (the final book, Chasing Love, releases this November!). I am a mom of three, work at COUNTRY Financial in corporate communications, and teach writing coursework in the School of Communication at Illinois State University and at Heartland Community College.

How did you hear about this event?

I was an attending author for the first time this past year!

How many years have you attended?

1 year

What genres do you write?

Contemporary Romance

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

I Loved You Yesterday, book one in the Trading Heartbeats trilogy

What is one fun fact about you?

I’m ambidextrous and can do most things either righty or lefty without difficulty

What are your social links?

Instagram, X & TikTok: @julienavickas

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieNavickas

What are you buy links?

Writersonriver.com

#Review – Ballistic: Icarus Series, Book 2 by Aria Michaels


It’s been three days since Solar Storm Icarus silenced the world…three days since the GRS virus wiped out most of humanity and started changing the few who remained. Liv and the others made it through the initial wave, but they’ve lost a lot along the way and the journey to Salvation is far from over. A rogue military organization has taken hold of the area and they possess a weapon that could change everything.

When Liv finds out her brother and the other refugees are being held captive at Camp Seco, she will risk everything to get him back. As the group embarks upon a dangerous rescue mission, a rival band of survivors threatens their safety and a new storm gathers overhead. The virus has spread and the infected are being drawn together. What’s worse, the beast that lurks inside of Liv is growing stronger and more difficult to control. But Liv has a promise to keep–and her little brother is running out of time.

Will Liv be able to harness her strength to save her brother and the hundreds of other innocents beyond the walls of Camp Seco, or will she let the monster out and put them all at risk?

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I can’t say enough good things about this series and especially this book. There are so many horrible things going on but this ragtag band of misfits has made it so far and they are going to beat the system. At this point, there is on such thing as good and evil, no right and wrong. There is only death and survival. You do what you have to do to stay alive. Liv feels like everyone thinks she is something special because she has these “special powers” but she feels she is not part of the solution. She is part of the problem. Her group ends up working with a rival band of survivors and uncover a HOT MESS of stuff going on at the camp that her little brother, Beans, is at. Also, a surprise character pops back up from book 1. I couldn’t believe it, and their entrance was absolutely perfect! I am completely bummed that I waited so long to read this series because once I started turning the pages, I just couldn’t stop. Now, I don’t believe there is another past this book.

Reader beware: This is an amazing book and totally worth the read but there should be at the very least another book after this to complete it. At the time that I am writing this, there is not. I hope this changes because it truly is something special!

Aria Michaels profile image

Aria Michaels is the author of The Icarus Series, a bestselling young adult dystopian saga as well as a contributor to ATZ’s Chronology of the Apocalypse. Aria is an avid reader, die-hard zombie fan, and enthusiastic lover of bonfires and red wine. When she is not glued to her computer pouring out the voices in her head, this busy single mom can be found playing in the dirt with her boys, painting, or binge-watching The Walking Dead. Aria is currently hard at work on the next installment of the Icarus Series and reveling in her role as instigator of literary mayhem and stealth assassin of fictional characters.

“You are never more than one chapter away from a different future.” –Aria Michaels

#WOTR25 #attendingauthor #authorinterview – J Lawson

Visit J. Lawson Store on Amazon

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Jackie Lawson. I was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa. I moved to Peoria, Illinois, in 2008, live in Bartonville, Illinois, with my husband, son, and two dogs, Bailey and Ember. I graduated from Western Illinois University with a Master’s in English Literature. Originally, I wanted to teach postsecondary English, but fell into a workforce development position for a local youth-based non-profit organization and absolutely love it. Book one in The Amulets Trilogy was my debut novel. I enjoys reading almost every kind of fiction out there, but fantasy is my favorite. I also have a craft business where my partner and I take donations of damaged books and turn their pages into flowers in arrangements, wreathes, bouquets, etc.

How did you hear about this event?

This will be my third year participating! I heard about it long ago through other book enthusiasts and never felt confident I could cut it in such a large, established event. I’m so glad I eventually took the chance to apply as I absolutely love everyone I’ve met through the process from organizers, to other authors, and especially the readers!

How many years have you attended?

This will be my third year!

What genres do you write?

Modern and paranormal fantasy, LGBTQ+, and humor memoir

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

Peculiar Lessons: Semester One

What is one fun fact about you?

I can say the alphabet backwards just as fast as I can forward

What are your social links?

Website: www.authorjlawson.com

Facebook:AuthorJ.Lawson

Instagram: authorjlawson

What are you buy links?

https://www.amazon.com/author/j.lawson

Writersonriver.com

#Review – Mountain Storm (Mountain Mayhem Book 2) by Dawn Love


They say you must weather the storms to find a rainbow.

Michael “Blaze” Blaisure and Lexi Lane have endured some of life’s hardest trials and are finally beginning to see clear skies. Now, they’re ready for the next phase of their lives to begin. A new career path and a new venture may be just what they need to move forward.

As they take those steps together, they are unaware of the danger lurking around the next corner. When the past rears its ugly head, they must face some of the most turbulent storms of their lives.

Will they survive the landslide headed their way? Or will fate rip them apart?

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I must start by saying that the first book, Mountain Haven, is one of my favorite books EVER! I stumbled across it and when I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. When I realized I could continue Lexi and Blaze’s story, I was ecstatic! Now, for Mountain Storm, Lexi and Blaze have started to settle into a sort of routine. Music is coming back to Lexi and Blaze has found a purpose with the police department. Ok everyone, the hotness level is turned up, waaay up! And waaaay fast! What I didn’t see coming was the twistedness that is twisted up within the guy that is all twisted. Gah, I just can’t with some people and the reasoning behind the things they do! The first book was a raging rollercoaster, and this book is more of a twisted pathway through a haunted forest. We are left with quite a cliffhanger at the end so I am desperately waiting for book 3 so I can figure out how I will attempt to describe that book, LOL! Dawn Love, you have a new stalker, er, um…I mean fan!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Dawn Love profile image

Dawn Love was born in Mayfield, Kentucky, and spent the first twenty-six years of her life there. Always a creative person and an avid reader, she began writing stories for her own entertainment as a teen, and her love of writing continued to grow into adulthood. She now resides on her 50-acre farm on the Delmarva peninsula. A mother of two, she spends her free time creating the characters and stories of her fantasies. She also writes an internationally read Blog where she shares stories, thoughts, and craziness.

Writing romance is her passion and it feeds her soul. She loves to tell a good, heartfelt story. Her motto is, “Steamy Romance and Heart Smiles.” You will always find a happy ever after or happy for now in her books

We are THE TWINSIES… We love to read…We love to promote the authors we read… and we love to stir up TROUBLE… It's who we are and what we do