All posts by Kelly S

#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?

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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

#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?

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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

#Review – One Tequila (The Althea Rose Series Book 1) by Tricia O’Malley


From a NY Times & USA Today Bestselling author comes a laugh-out-loud magical mystery set in small-town Tequila Key.

Tequila Key is just like any other small town and I’m just like any other small town psychic. Scratch that. Tequila Key is a world onto itself and some people might think that I am one crayon short of the box.

And, if we’re being totally honest, Tequila Key is just like any other small town – if that town boasts a voodoo priestess and a few white witches for flavor. Turquoise blue water and the best margaritas this side of Mexico make it hard to leave.

I’m Althea Rose, co-owner of Luna Rose Potions & Tarot Shop, and I’ve just stumbled into a love triangle while trying to save my best friend from being accused of murder.

See? Just like any other small town.

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

Fun mix of humor and magic with just the right amount of mystery and suspense and the perfect pinch of a love twist.

I listened to One Tequila via Audible while I was sick. Needless to say, I needed a pick me up. When I read the synopsis, I knew it was right up my alley.

At first, it seemed to move a tad too slow for me. But in full disclosure, I don’t do well with audiobooks as I generally prefer to read over listen. However, I was always left with just enough that I kept wondering what was going to happen next. I had to keep listening. Althea had me hooked. She had herself in the middle of quite a mess. If something could happen to her, it was going to happen to her. And her friends, witchy and the norms, made the story all the better. The ending had a twist that I did not see coming and had me literally saying OMG. I laughed at places I probably shouldn’t have and found myself fully enjoying One Tequila!

I am looking forward to seeing what other shenanigans Althea Rose and her friends can get into!

 

Tricia O'Malley profile image

A NY Times, USA Today, and WSJ bestselling author, Tricia O’Malley’s infectious joy in writing romance with an added dash of magic has touched hearts around the world. With over three million books read, O’Malley’s stories have been translated into several languages and enjoy a devoted following. Tricia lives in the Caribbean with her handsome Scotsman. An avid scuba diver, Tricia spends much of her time underwater dreaming up new stories while photographing the beautiful sea life. She discovers her inspiration on the go – and you’ll find her books set in beautiful settings with characters who deserve a happily-ever-after. To see some of her underwater or island life photos visit her on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.triciaomalley.com

 



#Review #Apocalyptic – Killshot: Icarus Series Book 1 by Aria Michaels


After the death of their parents, seventeen year old Liv Larson and her younger brother are separated by the foster care system. Her grades slip, her friends drift away, and she gives up on her plans for college. The only thing that matters is keeping the promise to get back to her brother. After months of solitude and anti-social behavior, Liv’s best friend Riley drags her to their high school’s rooftop solar flare party. Despite the beautiful lights dancing in the sky, Liv finds herself captivated by Zander, a mysterious boy with a crooked smile. For a few hours, she allows herself to feel normal again.

That is until what should have been a small flare erupts into a massive solar storm. Cut off from the rest of the world with no sign of rescue, fear and paranoia begin to take their toll on the group. Battle lines are drawn and their ranks are divided. Soon, those left behind must embark on a perilous journey to save one of their own…but, something sinister awaits them in the shadows and it’s undeniably connected to Liv.

Can she keep her promise to reunite with her brother? What are Liv and her friends willing to do to survive? Will their bravery and determination be enough to save them all from a rogue military unit, a terrifying virus, and the things that go bump in the night?

Or was Icarus really the KILLSHOT?

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

It is not often that I have a difficult time writing a review because it left me speechless. I have had this book living in my TBR pile on my kindle for longer than I like to admit. I decided to go waaaay back and find something that caught my attention and wow, am I glad that I did. This book, just wow. I cannot find the words. If you like post apoc, conspiracy theories, military, teenagers overcoming obstacles, Sci-Fi, just some overall unexplainable craziness, (I am sure I am missing things) then I recommend Killshot.

Icarus is supposed to be a solar flare event but turns into so much more. We experience life just before and for the three days after Icarus. That’s right folks, this book gives us just before the solar flare and for three days after. So much happens and we get to experience is through Liv’s eyes. It is tough, emotional, frightening, mysterious, and overall…just WOW!

“Change is the only thing in this life that is ever guaranteed.”

There are things that people should never be exposed to but after a wicked event like Icarus, it has brought out the worst, but sometimes the best in people. Even if the best, hurts some of those people. It’s a strange combination but one that you won’t understand until you are put in those situations. Liv and her friends, well, experience it throughout this book.

I am now on my way to the next book. Not waiting around for this one!

 

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

 



#Review #Haunting – The House on the Hill by William Joseph


Welcome to The House on the Hill. It is a house unlike any other. Lonely, dilapidated, and with a tragic story.

Now meet Kacy Marie Aspen. A young and curious girl with schizophrenia who just turned seventeen. Upon discovering the house and witnessing several odd figures standing out front, she soon finds herself being stalked by them almost everywhere that she goes.

As she struggles to determine if what she is seeing is real or in her head, will she confront these strange characters and find out their story? Or will she descend into madness and learn that it might be all in her head?

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

It wasn’t every day that the spirits from the local abandoned building wanted to befriend you.

There is a great story buried within these words. I have read other books by this author, and they can get a bit on the scary side. I was really expecting this to be more of a scary, haunting type of story. Or there to be more of a ghostly struggle. I don’t even know if I am describing my struggle accurately. **Note: I am going to attempt to give this review with no spoilers. Proceed with caution.**

Kacy, the main character, has struggled with hallucinations, is medicated and sees a doctor. Nothing else is really explained regarding same. She is drawn to this haunted house and many ghosts. This is where it gets sort of weird for me. The ghosts go silent and we go into a ton of just words about shopping and hanging out with her friend, but it seems to be on repeat just in different areas. I am not sure if it was filler and there was a certain amount of words that had to be met for the book or if there was a point to this, but it caused me to put the book down a couple of times because it just didn’t seem to “fit.” BUT, I am not a quitter! I had to know what happened so I trudged on when all of a sudden…BAM! The story is right here, right now, and is going nuts! It’s crazy, it’s sad, there’s a touch of insanity, there’s gunshots, there’s fire, there’s friendship, there’s crying, and then happiness! Then it was over…

There is truly a great story buried within these words, but you do have to get through some extra stuff to get to it. When you do, it’ll be worth it!

William Joseph profile image

William Joseph is an exciting Horror, Paranormal, and Psychological Thriller writer from New Jersey, USA. He loves to draw the reader into believable worlds, creating everyday characters the readers can relate and connect with, and then forcing them to face their deepest and darkest fears. William Joseph’s writing has been detailed as twisted, dark, terrifying, raw, and emotional.

#Review – Winning the Witch by Tori Ross


Eliza Owl is all about helping her community. When her friend, Lily Jane, talks her into being a prize in the annual children’s hospital date raffle, she worries something will happen at the event that she can’t control. It’s not that she doesn’t like helping her community or children. The raffle is on Halloween, the one day of the year when her witch power is full and things just…happen.

Jake Salt thinks Christmas has come early on Halloween when he finds out he’s holding Eliza’s ticket. He immediately sets out to make their date a perfect night. But dating a witch on Halloween has its downfalls.

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

Modern day witches get their day too! This was such a humorous and quirky read; I couldn’t put it down! Poor Eliza has done some crazy things on Halloween! She has such a difficult time controlling her powers on Halloween and things always go wonky! Boiled Koi fish in the pond and made the ex-girlfriend’s tongue disappear, I mean, what else could go wrong? Jake is an amazing guy who just can’t get enough of Eliza but when she tries to convince him that she really is a witch, things just get weirder and weirder. However, with each outrageous obstacle that they face together, he is able to show her how much he really cares and wants to explore Eliza for who she is, not what she is.

This is a super sweet Halloween read that you will love so hard that you won’t be able quit turning the pages and put down until the very very end! You will be able to see how it feels for a witch to be on the other side of a bonfire!

 

Tori Ross profile image

Tori Ross is an Amazon bestselling and award-winning author of steamy contemporary romance and romantic comedy. Her book, The Cuffing Season Contract, won the National Indie Excellence Award for romantic comedy, and she’s written several shorts, novellas, full-length books, and serials. She lives with her family and two rescue dogs.

 



#Review – Cadillac Cowboy: A Standalone Runaway Bride-Cop-Roadtrip (Diamond Lake, Texas Book 2) by Cynthia D’Alba

From NYT-USA Today Best Selling Author comes a story of a cop, an antique Cadillac, and a bride on the run from her mob fiancé. What could possibly go wrong?

Relocating from Chicago to Texas, cop Shade Gruber agrees to drive his grandmother’s prize car to his new home in Diamond Lakes. He expects some car issues. He doesn’t expect to pick up a runaway bride.

Bride Victoria Vaught dashes from the church thirty minutes before the I Dos. Stranded in her bridal attire when her car breaks down, she starts walking, desperate to get as far from Chicago as possible.

Their road to love is filled with twists, turns and bumps…and a stolen flogger! Hanging on to the one you love can be a roller coaster ride with surprising results.

This was previously published in 2016 as part of a Kindle World. This edition has been re-edited and additional material added.

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

I picked this book up on a whim while it was free, then it just sat there. I was scrolling through my kindle trying to find something that caught my eye and thought, “why not” and gave it a try. I am now kicking myself for not picking this up sooner. Holy H E double hockey sticks! The way these two meet is may have been fate or purely by chance. But whatever you believe, believe it because these two were meant to meet. She tries to hide who she really is but with Shade being a cop from Chicago, he knows exactly who she is.

These two are from two completely different worlds. Cops and Mobs just don’t mix. She is used to the finer things and he is used to working for them. He agrees to take her to Texas, however, he plans to ditch her the next morning before she wakes. She is smarter than our good friend Shade and slept in the car! Ha! They come to an agreement and she is part of the roadtrip for the long haul. There are a ton of hilarious moments throughout. The fact that she had never been in a Walmart or just a regular bar will have you literally laughing out loud. But also watching their romance bloom is absolutely swoon-worthy!  She even gets to meet the fam!

Never fear, there will be an appearance from the ex-fiance’ mob douche guy. But as this is a standalone romance, we can all figure out what happens. But the journey there, in the antique Cadillac, with a runaway bride and a cowboy, will have you feeling ALL the feels!

I couldn’t put this book down. I started it reading it and next thing I knew, it was over, like no time had passed at all!  It had all the desirable elements and ended perfectly!

This is a new to me author and I am so happy I took a chance. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Cynthia D'Alba profile image

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Cynthia D’Alba started writing on a challenge from her husband in 2006 and discovered having imaginary sex with lots of hunky men was fun. She was born and raised in a small Arkansas town. After being gone for a number of years, she’s thrilled to be making her home back in Arkansas living in a vine-covered cottage on the banks of an eight-thousand acre lake. When she’s not reading or writing or plotting, she’s doorman for her border collie, cook, housekeeper and chief bottle washer for her husband and slave to a noisy, messy parrot. She loves to chat online with friends and fans.

#WOTR24 #Review – ‘Pistol Fire’ in Rocks: The Complete Series by Tori Ross

Rocks: The Complete Series

The complete series is now available!

Deep in the sticks of Missouri is a bar called Rocks where the bartenders are only similar in the fact that they’re all unlucky in love…

Cherry Burn – Dylan Wilcox has been gone from Highlight, Missouri for ten years. Nobody has seen him or even received an email as to his location. Worse, he left his high school girlfriend, Cherry Moss, without saying goodbye when he disappeared. When Dylan shows back up in town, clearly changed in the past ten years, Cherry needs to decide if his story is worth her forgiveness and if she can get over her own demons about him leaving.

Blue Balls – Piper Peck loves her life, her friends, and her job. There’s only one problem. The local sheriff, Creed McDuffy, has it in for her over her grandma’s old hot tub that’s considered an eyesore by county enforcement. Unknown to Piper, Creed has had a crush on her since high school and will do anything to get her to look his way. When Creed goes too far and arrests Piper in a last-ditch effort to get her attention, can he ever grovel enough to get in her good graces?

Pistol Fire – Libby Dean is known for being the town pistol. Brock Carpenter is known for being the town’s hero fireman. When a fire at Rocks Tavern throws Libby for a loop, Brock wants to comfort her. Libby’s not used to comfort, though, and runs away from any affection as fast as she can. But when Brock needs his own comfort, will Libby put aside her pride and step up?

Each short is 12-14k words. HEA or HFN guaranteed!

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

Pistol Fire wraps this series up perfectly! Libby gets her time with this book. Libby is known around town as the hardass but she just about broke when her bar catches on fire. Who better to help her than the town hottie fireman, Brock! Yes girls! His description alone will make your panties wet! Well, Libby can’t think straight when he is around and I completely understand why.

Libby and Brock both have their own demons and their own reasons for not pursuing long term romantic quests. Neither will accept help and certainly not from each other. There is a lot of tit for tat with these two. A tragedy strikes, and BOY this will grab your heart strings and pull hard, but even then, they can’t quite get it together for each other. It can be difficult when you don’t know who or what hurt someone to make them so cold. However, when the ice starts to thaw, the dam will break and these two collide!

I love that these two ultimately come around to each other. And their commitment to each other, while unconventional for some, is perfect for them. Absolutely love it!

Tori Ross profile image

Tori Ross is an Amazon bestselling and award-winning author of steamy contemporary romance and romantic comedy. Her book, The Cuffing Season Contract, won the National Indie Excellence Award for romantic comedy, and she’s written several shorts, novellas, full-length books, and serials. She lives in Missouri with her family and two rescue dogs.

#Review – What a Dragon Loves (Star of The North Dragons) Book 4 by Ava Cuvay


Arkyn Drekison is the alpha-heir of his Minnesota family’s dragon shifter clan. Always at the front, in the know, and ahead of the curve. But his younger brothers have all found love and, for the first time in his life, he’s… left behind. He can’t fall for just anyone. He needs a dependable, feisty, steadfast shield maiden to love: a fellow shifter who can help lead his clan and mesh with the many strong personalities within his family. So why is he utterly captivated by a woman who is anything but? She’s human, delicate, spacey, and far more comfortable with babies and pets than anyone old enough to make conversation. Yet there’s something about her that entices his dragon and makes his earth power rumble with desire.

Amalthea Payne is a chaotic hot mess on a good day, always saying the wrong thing, easily distracted, and, well… just plain weird. She’s unintentionally high-maintenance, and no one—friends and lovers, alike—needs the kind of bizarre she brings to the table. So she’s a loner, which is probably for the best, because the mayhem churning deep in her soul is growing stronger, threatening to suck her into a void of her own insanity. Yet when she helps the tall, blond, and gorgeous flannel-wearing-Thor-wannabee rescue a kitten, there’s something about him that soothes her savage beast. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

This novella is the fourth book of the Star of the North Dragon series, which can be read in any order or as standalone novellas.

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

Opposites attract in the craziest of ways, via the cat distribution system!

I started laughing almost immediately! Arkyn is the oldest and always in charge. Very organized with a plan. Until the cat distribution system interrupted his life and introduced him to Ama, a chaos tornado stuffed in a  hurricane of crazy and wrapped with a blizzard of mayhem. Arkyn already has his hands full and can’t understand why he is drawn to her crazy. Ama is NOTHING like what he thinks he needs in a woman. In true Drekison fashion, the family slowly but surely opens Arkyn’s eyes so that he should listen to his heart, and not his head. Ama can’t explain the pull she has to Arkyn and surely doesn’t understand the calmness she feels around him.

“He gazed at her like she was some riddle he couldn’t solve. Good luck to him; she couldn’t solve that riddle either.”

Being part of their journey and watching them grow together was insanely funny but also had super melty heart moments that made me swoon, and perhaps switch my crush from Ulrik to Arkyn (wags eyebrows). I normally wouldn’t say that the last book in a series is my favorite, but honestly, this really is my favorite!

Ava Cuvay profile image

Ava Cuvay writes out of this world romance featuring sassy heroines, often-alien-but-always-sexy heroes, and an alcoholic beverage or two… Set in a galaxy far, far away. She resides in central Indiana, USA with her own scruffy-looking nerfherder, kiddos who are growing up without her permission, and two kitties that make her laugh. She believes life is too short to bother with negative people, everything is better with Champagne, and Han Solo shot first. When not writing, Ava is thinking about writing. Or wine. And she’s always thinking about bacon.

#WOTR24 #Review – ‘Blue Balls’ in Rocks: The Complete Series by Tori Ross

The complete series is now available!

Deep in the sticks of Missouri is a bar called Rocks where the bartenders are only similar in the fact that they’re all unlucky in love…

Cherry Burn – Dylan Wilcox has been gone from Highlight, Missouri for ten years. Nobody has seen him or even received an email as to his location. Worse, he left his high school girlfriend, Cherry Moss, without saying goodbye when he disappeared. When Dylan shows back up in town, clearly changed in the past ten years, Cherry needs to decide if his story is worth her forgiveness and if she can get over her own demons about him leaving.

Blue Balls – Piper Peck loves her life, her friends, and her job. There’s only one problem. The local sheriff, Creed McDuffy, has it in for her over her grandma’s old hot tub that’s considered an eyesore by county enforcement. Unknown to Piper, Creed has had a crush on her since high school and will do anything to get her to look his way. When Creed goes too far and arrests Piper in a last-ditch effort to get her attention, can he ever grovel enough to get in her good graces?

Pistol Fire – Libby Dean is known for being the town pistol. Brock Carpenter is known for being the town’s hero fireman. When a fire at Rocks Tavern throws Libby for a loop, Brock wants to comfort her. Libby’s not used to comfort, though, and runs away from any affection as fast as she can. But when Brock needs his own comfort, will Libby put aside her pride and step up?

Each short is 12-14k words. HEA or HFN guaranteed!

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

***Review for Blue Balls***

OMG! This story had me feel ALL THE FEELS! For a short story, Piper’s story had me laugh at times and almost in tears at others! AND I’M NOT A CRIER! Whoa!

Piper has a lot going on in her life. She is taking care of her grandmother as best she can, prioritizing bills the best she can, and dealing with city giving threats of more fines and liens on the house for not moving the ancient hot tub from the front yard. Just read it, it will tear your heart up! The one thing she doesn’t need is Sheriff Creed McDuffy “talking” to her about her problem while she is at work. She has had enough and blows up. But what does he do? Arrests her!

I spent half the time yelling WTF, the other half trying not to cry, and the other half swooning. I know I know, there are three halves here. Trust me, girl math, this makes sense!

This was my favorite out of the three Rocks books. Bravo!

Tori Ross profile image

Tori Ross is an Amazon bestselling and award-winning author of steamy contemporary romance and romantic comedy. Her book, The Cuffing Season Contract, won the National Indie Excellence Award for romantic comedy, and she’s written several shorts, novellas, full-length books, and serials. She lives in Missouri with her family and two rescue dogs.