Category Archives: Uncategorized

#WOTR26 #eventsponsor – Jackie Ziegler

 

#WOTR26 Sponsor Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Jackie Ziegler. Host of Rockin’ Romance Readers

 

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

2 years so far

 

What is your favorite part of sponsoring?

Helping out

 

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

2 tattoos and a master’s degree

 

What are your social links?

Page – https://www.facebook.com/RockinRomanceReadersAuthorEvent

Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/285455755402032

 

What are your buy links?

Rockin Readers Ticket link – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rockin-romance-readers-author-event-2026-tickets-1358502500549?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

 

 

 

 

 

 

#WOTR26 #authorinterviews – Nicole Craig

Nicole Craig

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Nicole Craig. I’m a retired teacher after 25 years teaching English and theatre in high school. I’m married and have three furry children: Toulouse, Spirit (aka The Flerken), and Missandei. We adopt geriatric and special needs cats. I’m also a competitive bowler, and I volunteer at a local community theatre doing onstage and backstage work.

 

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

I first heard about WOTR in 2023 from Anna Blakely and her husband, Christian, on their weekly Talk Tuesday video chats. I couldn’t go that year, but I went as a reader in 2024 and had the best time. It became a goal to be invited in the future, but I never expected it to be the first year I applied.

 

What genres do you write?

Romantic Suspense, particularly Protector Romance, but I just started branching out into police procedurals with my books in Susan Stoker’s Police & Fire world. In 2025, I plan to have at least one science fiction (alien LGBTQ+ series) romance and at least one sports romance (baseball series) out.

 

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

Never Enough is all about conflict precious gem mining in Africa. There was a lot of research that went into that book, so I would love more people to be aware that we’re still in an era of conflict product.

 

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

Last year I shared my rhinoceros story, so this time I’ll share that I was bitten by a monkey in Roatan. About 50% of my first novel takes place there, so I had one of my side characters get bitten by a snake there as a sort of Easter egg. I hide a lot of personal things in my novels.

 

What are your social links?

Facebook profile – https://www.facebook.com/nicole.craig.352527
Facebook author page – https://www.facebook.com/nicolecraigauthor/
Facebook reader group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/3624387751170522
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nicolecraigauthor/
Amazon author page – https://www.amazon.com/stores/Nicole-Craig/author/B0CJLL23M5
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/46899544.Nicole_Craig
Bookbub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nicole-craig

 

What are your buy links?

 

Amazon author page – 

 https://www.amazon.com/stores/Nicole-Craig/author/B0CJLL23M5

#WOTR26 #authorinterview – Red Phoenix

Red Phoenix

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Red Phoenix – I’m a submissive in real life who is best known for my romantic BDSM series, Brie’s Submission. I started as an Indie Author in Dec of 2011 and several months after publishing my first book, I wrote a novelette called Brie’s First Day of Submissive Training. That little story went on to become 26 full-length novels, with 9 additional books in the Brie world. I adore my fans – they are the best part of being an author!

 

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

Angie! Although this is my first time attending, I have sent auctions items for years because I am passionate about supporting the charity Thistle Farms. Fighting against human trafficking is also an important theme in the Brie Series.

 

What genres do you write?

BDSM Romance, RomCon, Spiritual Romance

 

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

Safe Haven – the unlikely couple and the powerful message behind their love story is beautiful and inspiring. I get happy tears just thinking about it.

 

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

I’m seriously afraid of spiders, but I save them anyway – even black widows!

 

What are your social links?

Website: https://redphoenixauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRedPhoenix/
Newsletter: https://redphoenixauthor.com/newsletter-signup/
Friends of Red Phoenix: https://www.facebook.com/groups/539875076052037
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redphoenixauthor/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTXLzl-OjFBXHLvkLwL_vug
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorredphoenix?lang=en
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/red-phoenix

 

What are your buy links?

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Red-Phoenix/author/B006UHCM1C

https://www.audible.com/author/Red-Phoenix/B006UHCM1C

https://redphoenixshop.com/

#WOTR26 #authorspotlight – Julie Navickas

 

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Julie Navickas

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

I’m Julie Navickas, a contemporary romance author represented by Chip Rice of WordLink, Inc. I write what I like to think of as heart wrenching, second chance love stories—full of humility, humor, and heroism. My Trading Heartbeats and Clumsy Little Hearts trilogies have earned a Literary Global Book Award, five first place BookFest honors, as well as finalist nods from the American Writing Awards and the Clarion Award.

When I’m not immersed in fictional worlds, I teach writing courses in the School of Communication at Illinois State University and work in corporate communications at COUNTRY Financial. I hold master’s degrees in organizational communication and English studies, plus a bachelor’s in public relations.

 

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

2026 will be my third year at Writers on the River!

 

What genres do you write?

Contemporary Romance

 

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

I’d have to say Finding Love. It’s relatable, relevant, and raw in a way that feels very true to life. The story doesn’t shy away from vulnerability—it digs into the complexities of love, trust, and second chances in a way that I think so many readers could see themselves reflected in. It may not be my flashiest title, but it’s one that carries an emotional honesty I’m really proud of, and I’d love for more people to experience that connection.

 

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

I’m ambidextrous! I’m predominantly right-handed, but I shoot pool, play shuffleboard, and mini-golf left-handed. I can even bat left-handed. It’s a quirky little trait that tends to surprise people—and occasionally gives me an advantage in a friendly game.

 

What are your social links?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieNavickas
X: https://twitter.com/JulieNavickas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julienavickas/
Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/julienavickas.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@julienavickas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julienavickas/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@julienavickas

 

What are your buy links?

 

 

#WOTR26 #authorspotlight – A.J. Moran

A.J. Moran

#WOTR26 Author Interviews

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

A.J. Moran; I’m married to my high school sweetheart and have four grown kids. I’ve enjoyed crafting stories as far back as playing barbies with my friends. I’d write a script out for us to play, fraught with lots of drama and romance.

 

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

I’ve had some author friends attend and I’ve seen videos of the event. This will be my first year.

 

What genres do you write?

Reverse harem/Why choose under A.J. Moran and MM Romance under Kit Jade

 

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

My Orion’s Daughter series. It was a passion project and I’m still in love with it.

 

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

I’ve broken an arm and a leg. My leg was broken when I was six months old and my 11 year old brother put me in a bouncer on the table and went to answer the door. I bounced right off the table. The arm was broken when I was eight and waiting for my best friend to get home on her porch. I sat on the railing and fell backwards into the bushes. I was left handed until then.

 

What are your social links?

Www.linktr.ee/ajmoran

 

What are your buy links?

Https://www.amazon.com/stores/A.J.-Moran/author/B096BJHM9Z & Https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kit-Jade/author/B0FKFCM44L

 

 

#Audio #EndOfTheWorld #ForcedProximity – Wildflowers by Kylie Scott

Don’t miss this heart pounding apocalyptic romance from New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott!

There’s only one person Dean Wallace wants to save from the end of the world: sunshine girl from across the street. She’s always smiling. Who knows, maybe she can teach him a thing or two about how to live? But saving her against her will is harder than he expected.

Astrid Hardy doesn’t know what to think when she wakes up in her hot neighbor’s basement. He says he wants to protect her from the deadly virus threatening to collapse society. But that sounds like paranoid conspiracy theory nonsense, and losing her sh*t seems like the correct response.

As they watch the downfall of the world play out online, hear approaching gunshots, and smell smoke from nearby burning buildings, it all starts to seem horribly realistic. With almost everyone they know dead, and law and order gone…how will they navigate this new world together?

I was given this book by the author for an honest review.
I absolutely loved her zombie books so I JUMPED to read this one. Now there aren’t any zombies so if that isn’t your thing you should be good.
Dean and Astrid are quite a pair. LOL Dean kinda…well….yeah he wants to keep the pretty but clueless neighbor safe as the world is coming to an end. SO he does what all rational men do, he kidnaps her. LOL If you read Kylie books you know the banter is amazing and hilarious between them.
As the world is falling apart and Astrid realized Dean isn’t as crazy as she thinks, they begin to travel to find a safe place to hunker down. Dean wants to keep her all to himself, and Astrid is like HELLLLS NO. They find a crew of like-minded people to form a town with while also finding another town of not so great men who feel they own all the women and items around.
I loved seeing Astrid realize her attraction to Dean and him opening to the fact she actually might have a few good ideas. Their adopted kid they find in the town is such a fun character because she is NOT ok with the friends to lovers change between the two.
I cannot wait to get this in audio because I just know it will be 100x better!!

 

UPDATE : I was given this audio book from the author for an honest review.  Oh man was it even better listening to the story with Andi telling it.  I laughed and got cringed with Astrid at times but boy did i SWOON again over Dean.  This book is one I will  relisten to time and time again.

Amazon

Audible

 

Kylie is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-selling, Audie Award winning author. She has sold over 2,000,000 books and was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year four times by the Australian Romance Reader’s Association. Her books have been translated into sixteen different languages. She is based in Queensland, Australia; living and working on land traditionally owned by the Jagera people.

#WOTR26 #AuthorSpotlight – Gia Cobie

Gia Cobie

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Gia Cobie. I’m a librarian turned full-time author living in upstate NY with my husband and pets. I love reality romance TV, red wine, charcuterie, exploring the Adirondacks, and adding to my massive collection of books. 🙂

How did you hear about this event?  How many years have you attended?

Facebook. This will be my 2nd year.

 

What genres do you write?

Romantic suspense, romantic thriller, military and protective romance, contemporary

 

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

Saved from Revenge. It starts off the world that most of my books exist in. 🙂

 

What is one fun fact about you?  It can be anything like food allergy, fear of something, weird way you broke a bone…….

I broke my foot on a teeter-totter when I was thirteen. Technically, my friend jumped off while I was at the top and squish! went my foot.

 

What are your social links?

https://www.facebook.com/GiaCobie, @giacobie (TT/IG)

 

What are your buy links?

 

https://www.amazon.com/author/giacobie

 

#WOTR26 #eventbloggers #eventsponsors #MajorEventSponsor- TwinsieTalk Book Reviews – Bloggers : Dee, Melinda, Kelly, JM, Angie, and Tensie

Main Event Bloggers

Left to Right : Dee, Melinda, Kelly, JM on a stick, Angie, and Tenise

Hey Y’all
I’m Dee, reader of thrillers (the darker the better), romance, true crime and i find the more trigger warnings as a fun intro to a book. I’m a single mama to a crazy 7-year-old son who is my whole world, and he keeps me on my toes. A total introvert, I’ve been a part of Twinsie Talk since 2019 and loved this wild ride. I love a good crime podcast, I crochet, love jigsaw puzzles, and living my old lady life (as I like to say)

 

Hello everyone I’m twinsie Melinda and one of the event hosts for WOTR. I have an amazing husband that puts up with my love of books. I also have a teenager that can be found helping out wherever she is needed at the event. I have two dogs a chihuahua and a golden doodle.

I enjoy reading paranormal,  why chose, MC, and military.
Hi! Twinsie Kelly here! I am a WORD NERD and a lover of all things creative!! I have been with Twinsie Talk for about 9ish years and it has been amazing! I am from central Illinois and relocated to Pennsylvania. I married the love of my life this year and couldn’t be happier! I’m a hot mess of a mom that loves dropping the f-bomb and am mostly inappropriate with the sense of humor of a teenage boy. I am happy to say that my two sons come by their sarcasm naturally. And guess what, my hubby loves me AND all my crazy! I’ll give most stories a shot. I enjoy reading a good rom com, fantasy, and sci-fi, however my absolute favorites are of the paranormal variety. The more twisted the story, the better! The book community is insanely incredible. I love meeting authors and bonding with other readers over our favorites. I have made some great friendships over the years with authors and readers alike and wouldn’t trade them for the world. I LOVE BEING A WORD NERD!
Jo-Anna Walker or J.M. Walker or Twinsie Jo – I’ve been with Twinsie Talk, gosh, for a long time. Our 10 year anniversary is coming up, so maybe just short of that? I can’t remember but I do know that I joined the blog before I became an author myself. I’m the only Canadian out of all of us, I write, read, have a day job, have 2 cats and an amazing hubby and I’m left handed – because us lefties have to always throw that in there somehow.

Hi. I am Angie.  I am a Parent Educator in my full time job.  I am a huge reader and run a book blog.  My favorite things to read are MC, Paranormal, and dark.

I love to spend time with my 3 dogs, bougie cat, and the love of my life, Brian, who is a big helper behind the scenes at the event.  WE have 2 kiddos.  One works the raffle room event day and the other is at home with my 1st grandbaby.

Disney is my favorite place in the world and if i can make a trip happen I do!!  Thankfully my husband is a big Disney fan as well so he is always onboard for the impromptu trips.

Twinsie Tenise mom of 4 humans and 3 furbabies. Grandma (aka Sugee) of 3. My wife and I will be married 10 years in November. I am a kitchen manager at a local middle school. I am not kidding when I say I love being a lunch lady, friends! It brings me joy to feed all the kiddos. I love to cook! In my free time I enjoying reading books, listening to audiobooks, crafting and candy making.
This is my 6th year with Twinsie Talk. I read a whole lot of MM romance. I’m obsessed! I read all kinds of LGBTQ romance but MM is my jam. If its dark, I will take it! Bonus points if any book makes me bawl my eyes out.

 

#WOTR26 #Review – Halloween in Sleepy Hollow: A Heroes of Sleepy Hollow Holiday Novella – By: Gia Cobie

They thought the danger was over.

The residents of Sleepy Hollow have been through more than their fair share of danger. But that’s supposed to be all in the past. This Halloween is a time for celebrating spooks and scares with friends and family.

And it is up until people start disappearing.

Spend Halloween night with the Heroes of Sleepy Hollow as they try to solve a sinister mystery before it’s too late.

Halloween in Sleepy Hollow features an ensemble cast of the previous Heroes couples. Revisit with your favorites or meet them all for the first time!

Amazon

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

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

Don’t let this novella fool you it is packed with suspense, romance, and a bit of spooky. I loved getting to see the cast and catching up on what has been going on with them.

The group are at a Halloween party when Ari, Thea, and Shea head to the library to get Ari’s phone.  What could possibly go wrong they were only a little way away from the library and they are in a group of three.  In Sleepy Hallow a lot can go wrong when you let your guard down and think you are safe on Halloween night.  When the girls go missing their men go on the hunt for them and won’t give up until they find them.

This was a quick read that had me flipping pages to find out what was going to happen and who took the girls. I so enjoy reading novella’s that give you little updates on everyone in the series.

Gia Cobie is an Amazon best-selling and award-winning author living in upstate New York with her husband and pets. She loves writing about protective heroes and the strong women they fall in love with.

In her spare time (when she has any!), Gia enjoys reading and spending time in the Adirondacks, and also has a weakness for reality romance shows, wine, and buying way too many books!

Follow Gia for updates on her latest releases!

#review #darkromance #audiobook Bad Wrong Things by: CP Harris

One promise.

One summer to see it through.

One explosive love fueled by mutual obsession.

The day Clint sees his son, Joey, off to basic training, the young man he’s devoted his life to extracts one promise from him: spend the summer doing something selfish for a change. The request seems harmless enough until Joey puts his best friend, Raven, in charge of seeing it through.

Raven would do anything for the people who took him in as a teen, and, when it comes to Clint, anything comes without limits. When encouraging Clint to explore his selfish side reveals Raven’s love for the older man, Raven is shocked to discover his feelings may not be unrequited. Not only are they returned, but all his darkest, most hidden desires have finally found their match.

Clint’s possession feeds every craving Raven’s ever known. Raven’s openness provides Clint the freedom he’s longed for to take whatever he wants, and soon boundaries are abandoned at the bedroom door. As summer’s promise bleeds into winter, and the threat of Joey’s impending return looms over their heads, Clint and Raven love faster and harder.

When Joey’s disapproval ends up being the least of their concerns, Raven and Clint go to desperate extremes to stay close because something is better than nothing. Facing an uncertain future, both men are left wondering if you can ever go too far or risk too much and still come out on the other side whole.

Bad Wrong Things is a second chance, best friend’s dad MM romance with two possessive MCs. Both MCs are consenting adults. Please utilize the sample feature for a full list of what to expect.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by: Twinsie Tenise

Whoa! I finished this weeks ago and its still on my mind. Raven wants Clint, his best friends dad. He has for quite some time. The men end up in close-ish proximity for the summer and Raven soon discovers he isn’t alone. Seems Clint has a thing for Raven too. A summer fling can’t hurt, right? Well that may have been the case with any 2 other people but we aren’t talking about other people. This is Raven and Clint’s story and their story is not your hearts and flowers love story.
Their story is toxic.
Violent.
All consuming.
Soul crushing.
“I lived for the small windows of time either right before or right after when he momentarily forgot he hated me.”
There is a whole lot of messed up stuff going on so proceed at your own risk. Clint is Ravens addiction. Clint also isn’t fair. The mean sh!t he said to Raven at times had me raging. These men were, for lack of a better word, violent together but they were also undeniable soul mates. The “violence” is part of what made them perfect for one another. I think they just needed to find a way to grow as a unit so they could have more control in the bedroom when it comes to pleasure and pain. 5 taboo af stars! I listened to the audiobook it is narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Liam DiCosimo.

C.P. Harris writes emotionally charged romance with a dark edge, where love is messy, possessive, and always worth the wreckage. Best known for The Good Liar and her latest release, Saving Sparrow, she crafts stories that dive deep into flawed characters and hard-won, happily-ever-afters. When not writing, she’s devouring the same intense, complicated romances she loves to create. If you crave angst, obsession, and endings that hurt before they heal—C.P. Harris might just be your next favorite author.