Category Archives: Review

2nd Chance, Contemp. Romance, Review, Romantic Comedy, short story, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR24 #Review – ‘Cherry Burn’ in Rocks: The Complete Series by Tori Ross

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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

***Review is for Cherry Burn***

Cherry and Dylan were high school sweethearts 10 years ago. Dylan did the unthinkable. He took Cherry’s virginity and then was abducted by aliens the next day! 10 years later he pops back up and wants to give Cherry an explanation. But a lot has happened to Cherry over these 10 years and she has become cold toward men. She has responsibilities and she doesn’t think Dylan deserves the time of day.

Dylan has had enough and won’t take no for an answer. He finally gets to give his explanation. While it wasn’t as explosive as I thought it would be, it was different.

Next comes the inner turmoil of these two before they can finally get through their own crap to realize they are in love. Their long lost love is super sweet and hawt!

This was a great quickie read with some laughs, witty comments, sweet and swoony, with the mouth of a sailor… this is 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.

2nd Chance, Fantasy Romance, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Review, Romantic Suspense, Shifters, Suspense, Vampire, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR25 #Review – Drave: The Vampire King (Black Mountain Pack Book 6) by Miranda Lynn

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ONE VAMPIRE KING WANTED FOR HIS POWER

I am one of the three oldest vampires on earth. When I learn my people are disappearing from the black mountain pack territory, it’s time to visit. It’s supposed to be a simple trip until Fate decides I’m finally worthy of a mate. Only the power hungry female I left in charge of my nest will do anything to get what she wants, even destroy what fate has given me.

ONE LYNX SHIFTER STANDING IN THE WAY

Life was perfect until fate decided to meddle. A good job, a stable home, and my precious cubs leave no room for a man or a mate. However, things take a sharp turn when the bar I manage is blown up and rogue wolves come hunting my twins. To make matters worse, my unwanted mate’s vampire ho thinks taking me hostage will force him to his knees. Underestimating a mother’s drive to protect her children might be the last mistake she ever makes…

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

DRAVEN!!!! I couldn’t wait for this book and I was not disappointed!!!

While reading the Black Mountain Pack series, I was always intrigued with Marla, and while reading this book, I totally understand why. She is a hardheaded, say it like it is, take no crap momma! And what does someone like this need? The sinful patience of her mate. The strong mate that would burn the world to the ground for the woman he loves but also knows when to stop and hold her while she lets her crazy come out. D.R.A.V.E.N.

Things are going wrong all over the place. Draven finds that there is trouble at the local nest and there are sickly rogue shifters staying with the pack and asking about the kids Marla has taken in as her own. And the cherry on top is the bar has been targeted. Needless to say, everyone is on edge. Even with everything so unsettled, Marla is fighting the mating urge with everything that she has. And the shhhh that is about to go down! All the things that Marla and Draven have to go through will infuriate you AND pull at your heart strings.

This is definitely a page turner. There is so much going on and so many different worlds colliding that you can’t help but continue turning the pages to find out what happens next. Draven and Marla both get to see a side of the other that they had no clue about. No one knows why the fates chose to mate a vampire and a shifter, and we may never find out. However, the fates chose wisely for them. These two are the perfect match. Everything about each of them contradicts mating but they were definitely made for each other.  A MUST READ!

Miranda Lynn profile image

Escaping reality one book at a time has been Miranda’s motto since she learned to read. As an only child raised on a dairy farm her creative imagination brought words to life. She devoured more books growing up than her little town bookmobile could handle. It was inevitable that she would turn from reading them to writing them. This is her way to help not only herself but others escape the day to day drudge. Her books may take you on a journey through time, give you a look inside a fantasy realm, or delve into the magic of almost anything paranormal. Threading in heart stopping romance and dropping an occasional super sexy scene just to keep you on your toes.

Miranda’s stories are focused around strong female leads and sexy males who appreciate them. She strives to encourage her readers that they can have it all in real life too.

You can find her most days either subbing at the local high school or tucked away in her office working on the next story with a cup of java in her hand. She loves connecting with her readers online as well as in real life so make sure to find her on Facebook and check out where she will be signing throughout the year on her website.

Website:https://www.mirandalynn.com

Twitter:@MirandaLynnBks

Email:mirandalynnbooks@gmail.com

New Release, Part of a Series, Review, Small Town Romance, Standalone

#review #newrelease #partofaseries Sweet Southern Heat (Magnolia Grove 9) by Ashley Cade

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Kissing your enemy is never a good idea, especially when he’s your ex’s surly older brother. But in my defense, he kissed me first.

Landon Crawford has hated me for six long years. He blames me for the car wreck that stole his brother’s future. It doesn’t help that I ran away from our hometown after the accident, but there’s a lot he doesn’t know about that night. I’ve kept what really happened a secret from everyone, but the truth always finds a way of revealing itself.

I never planned to return to Magnolia Grove, but when my grandmother passes unexpectedly, I’m tasked with sorting out her estate and the bakery she left to me in her will. Sugar & Sage is in disrepair and desperately needs a facelift. Hiring our town’s only contractor is a no-brainer, but when he sends Landon to complete the renovations, not even the sweetest of treats can counteract his bitterness.

I try my best to avoid Landon, but fate is determined to keep throwing us together. And the more time we spend in each other’s presence, the more that line between love and hate begins to blur. The moment we give into our feelings, tragedy strikes again, leaving Landon with an impossible choice: fully give his heart to me or cling to what’s left of his crumbling family.

*Sweet Southern Heat is a complete standalone set in the Magnolia Grove Series. It’s a small town, enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine romance with plenty of steam and lots of tension and swoon

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202618032-sweet-southern-heat?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Kk2khanxkT&rank=16

Amazon https://amzn.to/48f3Agh

Review by Twinsie Dee

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

Olivia wanted to never return to Magnolia Grove after what happened in high school and losing her boyfriend in front of her eyes. She only returned to see her grandmother on special occasions and today was one she never wanted to deal with the fact that she was coming home for her grandmother’s funeral, her best friend was gone and she didn’t know what she would do except now she never would have to return to home where everyone still hated that i was the reason Lyle died. She isn’t the reason but the town already hates Olivia, so she just deals with it. Lyles family will never forget or forgive her and when Olivia comes face to face with his brother Landon shit was about to hit the fan. he wanted nothing more than for her to leave town again, his family had fallen apart, and Landon will never forgive her for that. life in Magnolia Grove was going to get crazy when Landon finds out that Olivia’s grandmother left everything to her and can these two set the past in the past or will the town really be too small for the both of them. Memories never fade, and traditions and legacies don’t die. this was the one that got me in my feels reading it, but oh so good.

Ashley is a USA Today Bestselling author who likes her small town romance extra spicy with a touch of angst, and a splash of humor. Her swoon worthy heroes will melt your kindles (along with your undergarments). She resides in Ohio with her husband and two sons where she pens emotionally gripping love stories about imperfect people who find their happily ever after.

Fireman, New Release, Part of a Series, Review

#review #newrelease #partofaseries Rhett (Station 47 3) by Evan Grace

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I love to live my life free as bird. In my line of work, it’s better to have no attachments. I have no desire to leave some poor woman and children behind.

Plus, who doesn’t love having women flock to you?  But then why does the strawberry-blonde who walked into our fire house with a box full of cookies, monopolize my thoughts and make me think that there’s something more that I could have, if I just grab it.

Rhett saved me from my burning building. I had no idea meeting him would change my life. He’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever met and sees something in me that he can’t get enough of. From the start he’s all in, but when two little lines appear… everything changes.

Sofia’s changed everything and all we can do is hold on and enjoy the ride, no matter what comes our way.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217262056-rhett

Amazon https://amzn.to/3WWEBvn

Review by Twinsie Dee

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

fire blazing, and Hollywood and Marchy are checking the last floor of the apartment building that is engulfed in flames, and they hear a cry from a women stuck in her apartment they couldn’t leave her behind and they were able to save her. days pasted and Sofia couldn’t help but want to thank Rhett and Cooper for saving her, baking and teaching are her passion, and waiting for her insurance claim is now a new hobby. her life hasn’t been pictured perfect her dad doesn’t want anything to do with her after being the oops from an affair, but her half-brothers are in her life, it’s crazy but it’s her crazy. Rhett grew up the opposite parents still married older sister, he always wanted to be a firefighter and EMT so once he graduated high school that’s exactly what he did, and he didn’t look back he loves getting to help people and even though some calls are worst then others he wouldn’t change it. he has his brothers and when the strawberry blonde walks into the station with cookies as a thank you his heart is smitten, and he doesn’t know what to do with himself. Will the teacher tame the Hollywood boy from his wild hook up nights or will it just be a few coffee dates of thank you’s for saving her life. these books keep getting better and better with each call and each couple keep them coming I don’t think I ever want this series to end.

A Midwesterner and a readaholic most of her life until one day an idea came into Evan’s head and a writing career was born. She’s a sucker for happily ever afters and loves creating fictional worlds that others can get lost in. She loves putting her characters through the ringer, but loves when they get to that satisfying, swoony ending.

When the voices in her head give it a rest, which isn’t often, she can always be found with her e-reader in her hand. Some of her favorites include, Aurora Rose Reynolds, (the queen) Kristen Ashley, Kaylee Ryan, Lucy Score, and Sara Cate. Evan finds a lot of her inspiration in music, movies, TV shows and life.

New Release, Part of a Series, Review, Small Town Romance, Standalone

#review #newrelease #partofaseries Endless Southern Love (Magnolia Grove 8) by Heidi McLaughlin

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Wade Jenkins struggles with the challenges of running his thriving landscaping company and raising his spirited 8-year-old daughter Mari.

Lemon Walsh has just moved to Magnolia Grove as the new elementary principal. She’s leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city in search of a more peaceful and fulfilling life.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199905008-endless-southern-love

Amazon https://amzn.to/3RDrrki

Review by Twinsie Dee

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

Wade Jenkins had one drunk night after a breakup with his one true love high school sweetheart, ended up making him a dad. having his daughter randomly during the summer and school and co- parenting great with her mom he can’t even imagine what happened when he gets a random phone call from the emergency room regarding his daughters’ mother. so now Wade has his daughter full time while her mother figures things out with her husband who isn’t the nice guy Wade thought he was. So now he is having to add bathtime, a school routine and everything else to make his daughter more of his number 1 then when she was only around when she was visiting, but his parents are wonderful to help. One thing Wade didn’t think about is the love of his life was now the principal at the school his daughter now attends, and he is having to face her daily. its Lemon’s worst nightmare having to face Wade after 8 years of pain and avoiding him in their small town. Will these two find the love they once had for each other again, or will Lemon let the fact that someone else had his baby before she did get in the way of her happiness. omg this was such a fun cute, typical small town high school sweetheart story.

Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.

In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.

Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.

Fireman, New Release, Part of a Series, Review

#review #partofaseries Cooper (Station 47 2) by Heather Lyn

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Cooper

By day I’m fighting fires and saving lives with my brothers at the station, and by night I’m slinging drinks at our family bar with my blood brothers.
I was happy, but I couldn’t help wanting more.
When I stumble across the stunning redhead and her little boy, it’s like everything I was searching for just appeared in front of me.
When an apartment fire takes everything she’s ever worked for, I can’t help offering my home to her and that chubby faced toddler.
Soon enough, they’re not just living in my home, but now they’re permanent residents of my heart.
And if I have it my way, they’ll never go anywhere for the rest of our lives.

Haley

I never planned to be a single mom, but Roman is the absolute love of my life and the best thing that ever happened to me.
When I moved to Nashville for a fresh start, I never could have dreamed what was heading our way.
When the firefighter with a heart of gold steps in to help me and my boy, I vow to find some way to repay him.
I just never imagined I would end up giving him my heart.
I soon find myself imagining a life I never saw for us… a happily ever after.
But after years of never being enough or wanted by someone, can I trust that he really wants us forever?

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215789318-cooper?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=7ZCbjoYA7T&rank=55

Amazon https://amzn.to/4bxWepa

Review by Twinsie Dee

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

Haley is a single mama to a cute little boy, living on her own after just moving to Nashville after finding herself pregnant and her parents kicking her out of the house. the only person she ever had in her corner was her older brother Jensen, who is in the military to do anything he can to help his sister and his nephew with anything they might need. When Roman is getting his molars and can’t get any form of relief, Haley is exhausted and while he’s screaming in the store while trying to get a few items Haley finds a tall good-looking stranger coming up behind her asking if he could try to help her little guy. Cooper grabbed some frozen waffles, and it was the best sound Haley ever heard Roman was finally calming down. When Cooper turned that corner at the store he was hit by a ton of bricks, and he was needing to get to know this woman and her son, he can’t stop thinking about them at all. When the Station gets a fire call at Haley’s apartment complex, Cooper is now in a panic until he sees them and knows they are safe, but they are now going to be staying together while Haley gets back on her feet, but once that happens will Haley or Roman want to leave the comfort of Coopers house, or will he chip away at all the walls that she has put up to protect her heart so what happens in her past didn’t affect her life now. OMG these dang firemen are smoking, hawt and ugh I’m needing this station too be real. another great story and I need the next one. but these cliffhangers are torture in the best way.

Born and raised in New England, Heather Lyn lives in Southern Maine with her husband and son. When she doesn’t have her nose in a book, you can generally find her listening to country music or drinking coffee. Proficient in sarcasm, she enjoys bringing as much life to her books as she can. With a lifelong love of reading and storytelling, she decided to try her hand at self-publishing in 2016, when she released her debut novel.

Friends to Lovers, Novella, Part of a Series, Review, short story, Standalone

#review #shortstory #partofaseries Dear Future Husband (Matchmaker Series) by Angel Devlin

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Dear Future Husband…

Ella Cassidy is looking for love, so when she hears about Grace Graham’s dating service ‘What the Heart Wants’ where you handwrite love letters to your potential suitor, she’s eager to start.

She’s so in, she starts her letter ‘Dear Future Husband’. But there’s an error that leads to Ella getting letters from TWO potential suitors. One’s letters are the romance she’s dreamed of, the other’s letters are, well, just so darn… DIRTY.

Ella’s roommate, Finn, tells her she’s bound to end up on a date with a six-stone, pasty-faced serial killer. But are Finn’s concerns just for Ella’s safety, and are the suitors who she thinks…

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43848306-dear-future-husband

Amazon https://amzn.to/4bJxWsM

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book and here is my honest review

Ella and her bestie own a boutique and it’s the time of year that woman come into the store to shop for their perfect Valentine’s Day outfit, and as both single ladies Ella and Jodi dread with seeing the way they are all happy in love. Ella is a hopeless romantic and when a customer says she seen an advertisement about a matchmaker that does it old school by sending letters to the other person before getting to see what they looked like. Ella couldn’t help but think how amazing it would be and maybe she could fall in love by the end of the year. Especially since she had not one but two possible matches fighting for her heart.

Angel Devlin likes to write about bad boys and billionaires. She lives in Sheffield in the UK with her partner, son, and furbaby.

Angel also writes paranormal romance as Andie M. Long and psychological suspense as Angel Devlin.

Part of a Series, Review, short story, Standalone

#review #shortstory #partofaseries Dear Baby Daddy (Matchmakers Series) by Alexis Adaire

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After years of playing the field, I’m finally ready to settle down. Rather than waste time with the endless aggravation and frustration of dating, I decide to go through the What The Heart Wants matchmaking service.

When the matchmaker pairs me with Scarlett, I’m more than intrigued. She’s smart as hell and incredibly sexy, but too many cheating boyfriends have left her with a singular focus: getting pregnant and raising a child on her own.

I may want a wife and family, but being an absentee baby daddy is a whole different story. Too bad Scarlett is more interested in her pregnancy project than in falling in love.

So now I’m in trouble. I’ve been matched with someone who wants my ability to father a child more than she wants me. And yet I still can’t seem to get her out of my mind.

Valentine’s Day comes once a year, but the Amazon best-selling authors who brought you #ResolutionPact are back at it, and their new The Matchmaker Series is more perfect than a dozen roses! Skip the box of chocolates — it’s time to devour FIFTEEN sweet, sexy, steamy, stand-alone stories set in a shared world.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43910888-dear-baby-daddy

Amazon https://amzn.to/3Lm0U6V

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book and here is my honest review

Scarlett sent a letter to a matchmaker but not in hopes of finding a forever love but just to find a sperm donor, without shots, appointments, and everything else that involves a sperm bank. Grace thinks she has the guy for the job and hopes to change Scarletts mind with her views of men in general, and that not all guys are cheaters.

Author Alexis Adaire is a master of scorching-hot romance writing that features strong, intelligent women and breathtakingly sexy men.

Living in the Pacific Northwest, Alexis spends her time indoors wrapped in a blanket at her computer, only emerging periodically to refill her coffee mug. Alexis delights in taking her readers to those unspeakable corners of their fantasies they may not even know exist.

2nd Chance, Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, New Release, Paranormal, Review, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Vampire, Witches, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR24 #Review – A Bargain With The Shadow Prince by Genevieve Jack

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It takes a monster to stop a monster.

Light the candle.
Stand naked before the symbol.
Offer your blood.

The advocate will come.
🌹

I left my abusive crime boss husband expecting to start over from nothing. After all, the prenup I signed when I married him is ironclad. But when Tony uses a loophole in the law to go after my ancestral family home—the one I’m currently living in and my grandmother is dying in—I’m desperate to stop him.

My witch best friend Maeve offers a solution. She lends me a family spell to call a supernatural advocate to deal with Tony. After all, it takes a monster to stop a monster.

But when I follow her instructions, I’m not expecting the darkly handsome Damien to form from the shadows, or to learn that he’s been a prisoner of Maeve’s family for centuries. From the moment he accepts my bargain and drinks my blood, he awakens a passion in me, one charged with latent magic. Magic formidable enough to restore my true self. Magic that holds the promise of Damien’s freedom.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

6 stars!!!! Grief, turmoil, secrets, vampires, witches, magic, love, and a million other things are within these pages!

Eloise has been left in quite the position. She left her abusive husband and her grams is dying. Everything she thought she knew about her soon-to-be ex-husband is false, everything she thought she knew about her best friend is false, and the world as she knows it is about to turn completely upside down.

Eloise is a pure spirit and soul. She just wants things to be made right. Unfortunately, she has been looking at things through rose colored glasses. When she calls on the advocate for help, she doesn’t realize exactly what she bargained for. Everything within her being tells her the situation is wrong, but it feels all so right.

The story took just a tad bit to really get going but I think that is necessary for the beginning of a series to ensure that the character and world building are solid. Then when I got to the point of no return, I could not put this book down! This is a unique spin on the supernatural and I am excitedly looking forward to the next!

Visit Genevieve Jack Store on Amazon

USA Today bestselling and multi-award winning author Genevieve Jack writes wild, witty, and wicked-hot paranormal romance and romantic fantasy. She believes there’s magic in every breath we take and probably something supernatural living in most dark basements. You can summon her with coffee, wine, and books, but she sticks around for dogs and chocolate. Her novels feature badass heroines, fiercely loyal heroes, and fantasy elements that will fill you with wonder. Learn more at www.genevievejack.com.

Get a free book at http://www.freeparanormalromancebook.com/

Cliffhanger, Mystery, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Reverse Harem, Review, Shifters, Vampire, why choose, Witches, Wolves

#review #seriesstarter #whychoose Tender Thorns (The Ivy Institute 1) by Albany Walker

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Nestled in the shadows of the Mori Forest lies The Ivy Institute. It may look like something out of a fairytale, but if the rumors are true, it’s where nightmares reign.

The only way to get into the elite facility is by invitation and, once received, it’s impossible to refuse.

They were never supposed to know I existed, yet here I am, walking toward the only place that might be more dangerous to me than where I grew up.

Secrets shroud the institute and its inhabitants, but I have secrets too. Secrets that will get me killed… or worse.

I guess I’m about to find out.

Tender Thorns is a dark academia why choose romance novel intended for mature audiences.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206876665-tender-thorns

Amazon https://amzn.to/4czkx7f

Review by Twinsie Dee

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

Last week I received my invitation to The Ivy Institute to train with all the others like me or so I’m told, my father got greedy and used me as his cash cow. I was almost unstoppable so when I got my invitation I was dreading it. al the Ivy Institute we were the elite from witches, vampires, shifters, healers and almost any kind of supernatural being you could think of now I was one of them, at my new home where I hope I would learn about my powers and hopefully survive. in a new place where I’m granted privacy and respect, I’m not sure what to do with it but I’m hoping they too aren’t taking advantage of me. this was a great read it started out a little slower for me, but I had just finished a different genre, so it took me a while to get into it but once it picked up for me it was fantastic as usual.

Albany lives in Michigan where she’s happily married to her high school sweetheart. She spends most of her time juggling her four children’s extracurricular activities, with her nose stuck in a book. When not reading you can find her writing her very own book boyfriends. Albany’s passion is writing romance with real characters that are far from perfect, but always seem to find their own happily ever afters.