Category Archives: Uncategorized

#WOTR26 #attendingauthor #spotlight Celebrating Pride with Audrey Simmons

Happy Pride Month everyone!  Twinsie Tenise here. I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who took the time to answer the questions for our pride month celebration. I thought hard about the questions and had fun coming up with them. I love that the authors seemed to have as much fun answering them. We will be celebrating all month with author spotlights  as well as reviews for some of the LGBTQIA  books we’ve read this year.  Check back daily to learn more about that days featured author or book and add to your TBR piles. I hope you enjoy getting to know a little about all of these wonderful authors and their work.

🏳‍🌈 Tell us your name and a little about yourself? I’m Audrey. You can call me Aud. I write epic romantic fantasy and under the pen name Andrea Marie Johnson I write dark why choose romantasy. And of course, all of it is queer. I’m an artist. I dabble in all sorts of things including wire jewelry, photography, and bronze sculpture but my favorites are character illustrations and fantasy maps. When I’m not writing or drawing, I’m probably playing video games (I have a BFA in animation and game design!) or watching anime (current favorites are: Spy x Family, Apothecary Diaries, and My Hero Academia). If you spend any time with me at all you will learn that I have a deep love of frogs.

🏳‍🌈 How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?
 I have four books out currently. 3 under Audrey and 1 under Andi Marie and hopefully by the time WotR happens, I’ll have a Red Society short story published in an anthology. My favorite is definitely Shadows Dark and Deadly. When I wrote Child of the Moon I was still deep in denial about my sexuality and gender and SDaD is when I really started to embrace and accept it. It’s unapologetically bi and writing Damara’s enby egg starting to crack helped me crack my own.
🏳‍🌈 Do you write one book and finish it completely before starting the next? If not, how do you keep yourself from confusing the projects?
My process is chaos. Sometimes I’ll start a WIP and finish draft 1 in under 2 months while only working on it (ok that was just SDaD but still), and sometimes I will take years to write draft 1 while also working on other WIPs. I think I’m pretty good at compartmentalizing all my 30+ WIPs. It also helps that when I switch things up, I start from the beginning because it’s been too long and I need a refresher on the story. By the time I catch back up, I’ve got a good idea of the voice/story/etc.
🏳‍🌈 What font do you write in? Do you actually care or is it a default setting?
I have written in Arial for at least 15 years now. Idk what it is about that font but it just feels good to write in.
🏳‍🌈How do you ensure your LGBTQ characters feel authentic and mutifaceted, rather than just serve a plot function?
I try not to write MCs outside of my own queer identity. All my MCs are bi (yes, even Neoma, she just doesn’t know it yet), I’ve got nonbinary MCs in the works and even a few that are demi. For LIs and important side characters, I try to avoid stereotypes, write them as people and use sensitivity readers
🏳‍🌈 Do you have a favorite piece of LGBTQ history or fun fact you would like to share?
Polari is a whole slang language that was used by queer men in the UK in the 1900s because of the strict laws against homosexuality. It fell out of popularity after the UK legalized homosexuality in 1967.
🏳‍🌈 What is one of your favorite books or movies with LGBTQ representation? Feel free to share more than one, I know it is difficult as a reader to pick one favorite of anything. Especially if its book related.
This feels sort of like cheating since it just recently came out and everyone is talking about it (at the time of writing this in February) but Heated Rivalry. There’s just something really refreshing about a romance TV show about queer love where I don’t have to worry about it being tragic. I was also 18 in 08 which basically makes the characters the same age as me (if it took place in 2026) so I relate as a millennial but also as a deeply closeted high school jock (swimmer).
🏳‍🌈 What is something you have used for a bookmark that IS NOT a bookmark?
Fruit snacks wrapper
🏳‍🌈 Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what are some of your favorite genres or songs?
I alternate between listening to music and forgetting music even exists. This past year I’ve listened almost exclusively to Sleep Token with the occasional Evanescence because I didn’t realize they’d made any music since like 2008.
🏳‍🌈 What is a super specific detail you know about one of your characters that has no relevance to the story? 
Cerise’s favorite color is pink.

#mmromance #favorites Celebrating Pride with Twinsie Talk

Hi friends, its me, Twinsie Tenise! I will be here with you every day for the month of June hosting Twinsie Talks annual Pride month celebration. This month between the author spotlights I will be sharing my reviews for some of the books I’ve read so far this year that fit the theme. I’ve read hundreds of MM romances over the years and sometimes I like to reread old favorites. Kicking off pride month, I want to share some MM books that I read in the past then read them again in 2026.

Make sure to check back daily, you aren’t going to want to miss a thing. I hope you find lots of new to you authors with backlists to overflow your tbr piles.
The Mercenary and the Mortician by: Alexandra St. Pierre
This book was wild. It left me searching for months for a similar book. To this day, I find myself yearning for another book like this one. It was deliciously dark with some absolutely delightful side characters. Don’t even get me started on the audiobook because it was also *chefs kiss* perfection.
Jett & Leighton by: Ad Ellis
This is book 1 in the On Cravenwood Block Series. I read all of A.D’s books at least twice. The first time as one of her Alpha readers, then the next after its released. Someone in a reader group was asking for recs with a tattoo artist and I immediately thought of these 2 while also realizing I missed them. That prompted my 3rd time reading Jett & Leighton. They were so fun to get to know and watch their relationship grow. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire series.
Humbled by: Kate Hawthorne
This book became my obsession for a minute THEN the audiobook was released and I was freaking done for- Don’t ask me how many times I’ve read and listened to this book since it was released. I said don’t ask!
Black & White by: Vinni George
Oh Vinni. Getting me addicted to shifters when I had zero desire to know anything about them. Well that was until I discovered your work. Friends! If you watched and loved the old series White Collar with my boy Matt Bomer in it then you MUST check out this series. Its so good. Each book follows a different ORCA shifter brother and their group efforts to solve some Neal Cafferty-like crimes. Ugh! I just love them all so much. NO! I Will not pick a favorite.
Spencer Cohen, book 1 by: NR Walker
Daniel wants his ex back and the best person for the job is Spencer. So its a client and his matchmaker. I had friends saying it was one of their favorite books ever. Me? I wasn’t understanding the hype. I thought it wouldn’t be my thing. I knew about the series for YEARS before starting it. Now it has become yet another NR Walker book obsession. The audio is so freaking addicting. When I’m in a funk, the audio version of this book gets me through it.

#WOTR26 #Comedy – The Last Single Girl by Bria Quinlan

Get a date for the big gala in four weeks when I thought I could go solo? Challenge, accepted.

Now to find a hot, interesting guy who will dress up for a gala. Last minute. Who doesn’t already have plans on the busiest date night of the year.

But, so far the best part of the search for a great date has been the cute café I found and the geeky-hot owner who keeps rescuing me from these crazy eLove.com dates.

This should be easy-peasy. The internet is the home of all your hopes and needs, right?

Spoiler Alert: it isn’t.

Between the bromance date and the crazed single dad who needs to hire a nanny and housekeeper, not get a date, I’m running out of options.

If only a certain cutey didn’t have a phone call with “sweetheart” every day.

The weirder things get, the more I think just going solo is very I Am Woman, blah blah blah. Forget about the fact that my heart keeps bringing me back to a certain café even when I don’t need to be there…I mean, my heart doesn’t always get what it wants, does it?

Goodreads

Buy Link

Review by Twinsie Angie

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The Last Single Girl by Bria Quinlan
I purchased this audiobook.
I have read a few really heavy and dark books lately. I needed something fun and light hearted. I needed something sweet and fun. I also needed something to spend my audio credit on….hence this book.
Guys, this book was everything I needed. It most definitely took me out of the dark stuff I have been reading into a fun and adorable happy story.
Sarah is in need of a date. Sarah is pushed into online dating due to a “friend” who makes she feel less then because she doesn’t have a boyfriend. The dates are an absolutely horror show to say in the least. She is meeting her dates at a coffee shop when she befriends the shop owner. Slowly they build a friendship when Sarah realizes, Holy crap I love John!
The story was adorable and sweet and I will be grabbing the 2nd one asap. The story was just sweet and funny and everything you need at times.

RWA RITA award finalist and USA Today Best Seller Bria Quinlan writes Diet-Coke-Snort-Worthy Rom Coms about what it’s like to be a girl and deal with crap and still look for love. She also writes books for teens that take hard topics and make you laugh through your tears. Some people call them issue books. Some people call them romantic comedies. Bria calls them what-life-looks-like.

Her stories remind you that life is an adventure not to be ignored. You can contact her at www.briaquinlan.com OR on Twitter @briaquinlan.

Rep’d by Laird Lauren Macleod of the Clan…. Oh, wait. Of Strothman Agency.

 

#EventsWeLove #EventsWeSponsor- Romance Rendezvous Book Bash August 1, 2026 Cedar Falls, Iowa

 

*Author List Subject to Change*

List of authors coming soon
Romance Rendezvous Book Blast
Hosted by: Romance Rendezvous Book Blog
August 8, 2026
Please join the Romance Rendezvous Book Blast Attendees Page to keep up-to-date with all things related to this signing!
Romance Rendezvous Book Blast will be offering THREE ticket options for 2025! All three ticket options will be available on Eventbrite starting on November 16 at 10:00 am (CST) Debit/Credit Card.
🎟 FREE Ticket option: This ticket will gain you access into the signing from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Lunch is not included.
🎟 Early Entry Ticket option: This ticket will be $15 (plus Eventbrite fees) and you will gain early entrance into the signing from 12:00– 4:00 and a swag bag. Lunch is not included.
🎟 VIP ticket option: This ticket will be $30 (plus Eventbrite fees) and you will gain entrance into the signing from 10:30 – 4:00, mingle/lunch with the authors, swag bag, and extra raffle tickets to be used on the raffle drawings.
Venue info:
Hilton Garden Inn
7213 Nordic Drive
Cedar Falls, IA
(319) 266-6611
Guests can call the Hilton directly at 319-266-6611, press “0” for the front desk or use the Hilton Link below for online reservations: https://www.hilton.com/…/romance-rendezvous-book-blast/
For anyone wanting to spend the night there are three hotels in the area: Hilton Garden Inn (319-266-6611), Super 8 (319-266-6988), Comfort Suite (319-273-9999).

#WOTR26 #Audio #Romcom – Text2Lovers by JD Hollyfield and K Webster

 

It’s the start of nothing good.
I fired off a storm of raunchy text messages…to the wrong number.
And he replied.
Him: Show me a picture.
Him: Tell me your name.
Why does the lure of anonymity have me craving to indulge a stranger?

It’s the start of everything right.
I received a slew of text messages…when everything in my life was wrong.
And she made me laugh again.
Her: You’re probably a creeper.
Her: Possibly a stalker.
Why do I have the overwhelming need to find this stranger who saved me and make her mine?

Him: Take a chance with me.
Her: This is crazy.
Him: I need to see you.
Her: What are we doing?
Him: We’re about to find out.

Her: PHOTO ATTACHED
Him: PHOTO ATTACHED

HERE

HERE

 

I purchased this book.

I met JD Hollyfield at a book event and thought she was adorable. I knew she has audio books and I had credits so here we are!! I grabbed this book based solely on the premise of texting the wrong number. I mean brilliant is todays society who hasn’t texted the wrong person once or twice.

Ram is a hilarious stalker….LOL I mean he is pretty in to Dani from jump and when they actually see face to face he was 100 in all the way. Dani texted Ram accidently when she was drunk texting her ex boyfriend. The two start to daily chat but Dani gets in her head about the WHAT IF. Ram is not going to stop from meeting this girl who has become his everything.

I loved the story and how they met was amazing. The chemistry between the two was great but Andi and Roman have them beat hands down. LOL I was so captivated by the story I couldn’t stop and was super sad when it ended until that prologue dropped and I was in a fit of giggles. Another credit gone to see what happens with Andi and Roman.

Creative designer, mother, wife, writer, part-time superhero…

USA Today Bestselling author J.D. Hollyfield is a creative designer by day and superhero by night. When she is not trying to save the world one happy ending at a time, she enjoys the snuggles of her husband, sons, and doxies. With her love for romance, and a head full of book boyfriends, she was inspired to test her creative abilities and bring her own story to life.

J.D. Hollyfield lives in the Midwest and is currently at work on blowing the minds of readers, with the additions of her new books and series, along with her charm, humor, and Happily Ever After’s.

 

#Audio #MaskedMan – Accidental Abduction: Masked Men of Sage Springs, Book 1 by E.L. Koslo

Hoodwinking Hudson
The crush I have on my best friend’s brother Hudson likely borders on being unhealthy. But when he dons a mask at a Halloween party and suddenly notices me, I’m not going to argue. Especially when he goes from my grumpy boss to the growling dominant man of my wildest fantasies.

Hijacking (C)harley
My pseudo ex-girlfriend (sort of) breaks up with me days before Halloween, citing my reliable nature as boring and vanilla. Tired of playing it safe, I decide to fulfill her fantasy of being kidnapped by a masked man. The only problem is…

I end up abducting the wrong feisty comic book villainess.

Accidental Abduction is a spooky, interconnected stand-alone short novel with a grumpy, filthy mouthed cinnamon roll and his little sister’s feisty best friend.

HERE

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Angie

I met this author at an event and grabbed an audio code for this book.  I bought it based on the cover and title.  Masked man and an accidental abduction??  Yes, sounds great.

This book’s narration was HAWT.  Lawd, these narrators did an amazing job.  Hudson’s voice when he is masked was *fans self* all a girl wants to hear.  LOL

Hudson has a horrible girlfriend who dumps him/wants a Ross/Rachel style break.  He is devastated and makes a plan to kidnap her in a fun way to give her the excitement she says she needs/lost.

Charley has always lusted after her best friend’s brother, but has respected that he is in a relationship.  When he finds out he is single, she is thinking of a plan to make him hers when he takes her…. and then she realized he didn’t know who she was.

I loved this book and all that Charley and Hudson go through.  I am not grabbing Reid and Hazel’s book because I need to see the Playboy get tamed by the virgin.

 

Find the funny in your life.

That’s what EL Koslo strives to do in her life every day. She spent her youth with her nose in a book, often conjuring up storylines in a composition notebook she hid under her mattress. Her love of writing continued on through high school as she served on the school paper and wrote poetry for the literary magazine.

At University, she studied Art and Art History where she met her own prince charming after kissing a few frogs, of course.

Her love of reading and writing have been a constant in her life with her nose always buried in a book, tablet, or computer—both writing and reading.

She resides in the Midwest United States with her husband and four rambunctious children. Her days are filled with driving kids to school, activities, and sports; frequently squeezing writing time in while waiting in the carpool line.

Koslo’s characters are often developed while running on the treadmill at the gym, and she has a DVR full of Hallmark movies.

Her debut novel, Foreplay on Words, combines her love of steamy romance, awkward but loveable leading males, and headstrong heroines with a dash of humor and a little bit of kink.

Follow her at: https://linktr.ee/elkoslo

#EventsWeLove- Sassy in St. Louis

*Authors list subject to change*

 

SaSSy in St. Louis Tickets are LIVE!!!
Midwest Peeps!! Are you ready to mix, mingle, and make memories with your favorite authors?
Craving a weekend surrounded by fellow book lovers who get your obsession?
Want to dance the night away after a day packed with bookish bliss?
SaSSy in St. Louis is calling your name — and tickets are on sale now!
🔆Over 60 incredible authors ready to meet you
🔆Engaging panels that’ll spark your imagination
🔆A book signing event like no other!!
🔆And an epic afterparty where the real stories begin
Your book tribe awaits. Come find your people, your passion, and your next unforgettable weekend.