All posts by Angie J

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#WOTR25 #attendingauthor #authorinterview – Amy Award/Aidy Award

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Amy Award

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Amy-Aidy Award – I write Curvy Girl Romance, because I’m a curvy girl myself, and seeing ourselves positively represented in the media can quite literally change the world!

How did you hear about this event?

My good friend Dylann Crush loves WOTR and said that she thought I would love it too

How many years have you attended?

This will be my first one

What genres do you write?

As Amy Award I write Contemporary Rom Coms with thick thighs and yummy guys, as Aidy Award I write Paranormal Romance with curves and claws!

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

My personal favorite Aidy book is Defy Me. It’s about a dragon who is sure he doesn’t have a soul, and no soul means no mate. But the fates have other plans in mind for him and his very… unique heroine. I love this book because it’s grumpy-sunshine, fated mates, filled with international locations, and a heroine who can’t swear, but tries very hard to.

But if you’re into contemporary romance, I wish all the Swifties out there would read The Wiener Across the Way. It’s loosely inspired by Taylor and Travis’s love story (but if I’m honest, I have a bit more of a crush on Jason Kelce than his brother). But what I really did was take the idea of a plus size pop star dating a football player… possibly in a showmance, and then made up my own story from there. But I’m a Swiftie at heart, so there’s lots of inspo from Tay-Tay’s songs in this story too.

What is one fun fact about you?

One time when I was scuba diving in Nha Trang, Vietnam, I cut my hand open on a piece of coral. When I got back on the boat, even though I normally have no problems, I almost passed out, and had to be medically evacuated to the shore. They took me to the military hospital where I ended up with 5 stitches in the meaty part of the thumb area of my palm, which was all done in an open air operating room. The whole thing cost me about $180 dollars, and I have the scar to this day.

What are your social links?

TikTok – @AmyAwardBooks + @AidyAwardBooks
Instagram – @AmyAwardBooks + @AidyAward
Facebook group – www.facebook.com/groups/AidysAmazeballs

What are you buy links?

Amy Award – https://www.amazon.com/stores/Amy-Award/author/B0B8W5W4RQ
Aidy Award – https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aidy-Award/author/B00KP8DNVU

Writersonriver.com

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#WOTR25 #attendingauthor #authorinterview – C.J. Baty

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C.J. Baty

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

I’m C.J. Baty and a person who loves reading a good mystery and writing them too. I live in Southwest Ohio with a heart that lives in the mountains of Tennessee. I have 2 wonderful adult children who encourage me in my writing. In September of 2025, I will be married to my high school sweetheart for 50 years.

How did you hear about this event?

Gosh, it’s been so long I forget how I first heard about it. I just know that I was so excited to be accepted that first year I attended.

How many years have you attended?

2025 will be my 9th year of attending. It’s wonderful to be a part of this event.

What genres do you write?

C.J. writes Gay Romance/Mysteries some historic and some contemporary. Under a second pen name, Catherine Marcum, I write Seasoned Romance with Mature Herions. 2025 will see my first books from this pen name.

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

Coal Dust is one of the Legend of the Ghost Train Trilogy. It’s a story about the coal mines of Harlan County Kentucky in the 1930’s. My father’s family were coal miners. It’s a story close to my heart.

What is one fun fact about you?

I was 55 when I published my first book. Talk about new life goals!

What are your social links?

www.cjbaty.com
https://www.facebook.com/cj.baty.3/

What are you buy links?

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/c-j-batyhttps://books2read.com/ap/nkNz6R/CJ-Baty

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00K2ISIQI?ingress=0&visitId=07ff7ecd-c30c-4b36-82ea-a53e1c64d6ec&ref_=ap_rdr

Writersonriver.com

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#attendingauthor #authorinterview #EventSponsor – J.R. Thorn

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J.R. Thorn

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

I’m Jen and I left my life as a Toyota automotive design engineer to write full-time. Call it a midlife crises or my calling, whatever you prefer. I’m approaching 2 years as a full-time author. Although, I’ve been published since 2016. I write steamy why choose paranormal romance on J.R. Thorn and fantasy (with dragons) on A.J. Flowers. No regrets living in worlds of my own making!

How did you hear about this event?

Another author recommended it.

How many years have you attended?

This will be my 2nd year.

What genres do you write?

I write steamy why choose paranormal romance on J.R. Thorn and fantasy (with dragons) on A.J. Flowers. Those are my main pen names, but I also write post-apoc on Eva Storm and LitRPG on Aurora Weiss.

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

I absolutely recommend “Their Blood Queen by J.R. Thorn” as an introduction to my work. It’s a Bridgerton meets Hunger Games with a why choose dystopian spin… and monsters.

What is one fun fact about you?

I am allergic to dairy so the bonus recipes you find at the end of “Their Blood Queen” are deliciously dairy-free.

What are your social links?

https://poplme.co/hash/JcNDJSLW/1/s

What are you buy links?

https://linktr.ee/bloodstoneseries_jrthorn

Writersonriver.com

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#WOTR25 #attendingAuthor #authorinterview – Jessica Grayson

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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

Fake Relationship, M/M

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

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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

Dark Romance

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

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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.

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#WOTR25 #AttendingAuthor #AuthorInterview – Dorothy Ewels

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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

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#WOTR25 #attendingauthor #AuthorInterview – Julie Navickas

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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

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#WOTR25 #attendingauthor #authorinterview – J Lawson

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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

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#WOTR25 #AttendingAuthor #AuthorInterview – Deanna L. Rowley

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Visit Deanna L. Rowley Store on Amazon

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Deanna L. Rowley I started writing in 2014 but didn’t know what to do, so I would copy the book, put it in an envelope, then put it on a shelf. By the time I started publishing in 2020, I had 68 books written. In the last 4 years, I’ve published roughly 40 of those 68 books. I am a widow, and have 1 adult child, and 2 grandchildren.

How did you hear about this event?

I was at an event and Rochelle Bradley told me about this event and how to apply.

How many years have you attended?

2025 will be by 4th year in attendance.

What genres do you write?

Contemporary, Military, MC, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense

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

The Love Found Trilogy. Book 1 is Love Doesn’t Exist. It’s the first book I ever wrote, and I broke it into a trilogy.

What is one fun fact about you?

I rode my own motorcycle for a few years.

What are your social links?

E-mail: deannalrowley@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author-Deanna-L-Rowley-106623544172360
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Deanna+L.+Rowley&qid=1KYE0zxcp5
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/deanna-l-rowley

What are you buy links?

amazon.com/author/deannal.rowley

Writersonriver.com