Category Archives: Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight

#AuthorSpotlight – Naomi Valkyrie

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Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself and which Twinsie do you know.

I’m Naomi Valkyrie. I’m an Autistic Author that loves dark and spooky things. I spend most of my time writing paranormal fantasy, paranormal romance, and procrastinating – I mean networking – with other authors in a Discord group.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

I have found that each book comes with its unique challenges.

What comes first? The plot or characters?

It depends. Sometimes all I get is a name to start with, other times I get bits of story line.

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

This is a tough question. I read so much that it is difficult to choose just one. For this round I’m going to say, Domino Finn.

If you could ask that author three questions about their writing, writing process, or books, what would they be?

(1) Where do you research the magic elements you write? (2) Where did the idea for the Black Magic Outlaw series come from? (3) How many parts of the BMO books did you love but have to cut out during editing?

What is harder? The blurb writing, naming the book, or naming the series?

Blurb writing – no contest. I hate it so, so much, lol.

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

I think the memory that stands out is feeling relieved that there were actually people who loved my first book.

What is your definition of success?

There are several categories of success. You can be successful in all areas, or just in some areas. At this point in my life, I feel like anything that makes you feel accomplished or satisfied with your work is a success.

What are your social links?

“NEWSLETTER: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/t2y9y0 FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/naomivalkyrie/ FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebookdungeon/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/NaomiValkyrie INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/the_book_dungeon/ MEWE: https://mewe.com/i/valkyriemcdonald PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/thebookdungeon/ BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/naomi-valkyrie GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/valkyrieoracle ALLAUTHOR: https://allauthor.com/author/naomivalkyrie/ WEBSITE: www.naomivalkyrie.com”

What are your buy links?

“No Rest for the Wicked (Life is Hell 1) – https://www.amazon.com/Rest-Wicked-Life-Hell-Book-ebook/dp/B08KGQHT5K/ Hell Hath No Fury (Life is Hell 2) – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L18PH5Y House Valdis Origins: Xenobia (House Valdis 0) – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F4G84D3/ The Rise of House Valdis (House Valdis 1) – https://www.amazon.com/Rise-House-Valdis-Naomi-Valkyrie-ebook/dp/B07XXJR5QF/ It Comes From Within (House Valdis 2) – https://www.amazon.com/Comes-Within-House-Valdis-Book-ebook/dp/B0888TMF87/”

Author Interviews, Author Spotlight, WOTR Event

#AuthorSpotlight – Maggie Adams

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Maggie Adams

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Maggie Adams – Maggie Adams is an internationally bestselling romance author. Her first book in the Tempered Steel Series, the romantic comedy-Whistlin’ Dixie, debuted in Top 100 for Women’s Fiction, Humor, on November 2014. Since then, she has consistently made the various best seller 5-star lists with her Tempered Steel Series. Her series has launched the tiny town of Grafton, Illinois, into international recognition with sales in Mexico, Ireland, Scotland, Australia and the UK. She is the recipient of various awards for excellence including Dayreader Reviews Best of 2015, the Readers Favorite Award 2016, the Indie Romance Convention Romantic Comedy Award 2017 and the 2017 New Apple Awards -Suspense. She hit #1 best-seller on all major ebook sites with her contribution in the Feisty Heroines Romance Collection of Shorts in 2020.
She also writes paranormal romance, young adult romance and women’s fiction. Maggie’s books can be found on eBook and paperback on her website and all major book sites.
When she’s not writing, she can be found dancing, singing and cooking (usually all at the same time), and spending time with her family and friends. Her life, according to her husband, is a living version of the a Lucille Ball sitcom, but they wouldn’t change it for anything!

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

The others after in my opinion. You have to make sure all your timetables, characters, and scenes are in sync with each new book. It’s amazingly tedious.

What comes first? The plot or characters

Characters are always first for me. Those darn voices in my head!

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

Lexi Blake!! Of course, I’d probably be so star struck, I’d likely giggle until I snort like a pig then pass out.

If you could ask that author three questions about their writing, writing process, or books, what would they be?

How do you maintain the freshness of each book in a series? Is your husband your guinea pig for figuring out scenes? (mine is…) Who is your favorite author?

What is harder? The blurb writing, naming the book, or naming the series.

The Blurb!!! Gah, I hate writing those. I’m always afraid my knowledge of the book is going to either give out too much (spoiler) or not enough (boring).

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

Wow! I’m not sure I could pick just one. I’m always amazed and humbled that people recognize me at events. Same goes with other authors. I’m like, “but I’m just me and you’re so well known. How do you know me?” lol

What is your definition of success?

Being happy with your life, no matter what you do, or what others think. It’s taken me quite a long time to come to the conclusion that if your heart is happy, then life is good.

What are your social links?

http://www.maggieadamsbooks.com – website
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maggie-adams
https://www.facebook.com/maggieadamsbooks – book page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/maggiesminxes -reader group page
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9867300.Maggie_Adams – goodreads
https://twitter.com/AuthrMaggieAdms – twitter
https://www.pinterest.com/maggiesminxes/– Pinterest
https://www.instagram.com/maggieadamsbooks/ – Instagram
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-adams-006a8b142/ – LinkedIn

What are your buy links?

https://www.maggieadamsbooks.com ,

https://www.amazon.com/Maggie-Adams/e/B00PKHNK6E,

Author Spotlight

#AuthorSpotlight – CM Mills

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Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself and which Twinsie do you know.

Jo Anna

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

First

What comes first? The plot or characters?

Plot

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

Sylvia Day

If you could ask that author three questions about their writing, writing process, or books, what would they be?

How do they plan? What gets their juices flowing? How do they make their work exciting?

What is harder? The blurb writing, naming the book, or naming the series?

Blurb writing

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

Publishing my first book this year

What is your definition of success?

Publishing & living your dream

What are your social links?

@authorcmmills on IG and twitter @lillianrhaine

What are your buy links?

“www.authorcmmills.com Get my debut book here: https://linktr.ee/thanightskyy03”

Author Spotlight

#AuthorSpotlight – Julie Lafrance

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Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself and which Twinsie do you know.

Julie Lafrance, I am a hockey loving Canadian and I have hugged JM Walker.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

The last book.

What comes first? The plot or characters?

I’m a word vomit so my characters come first

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

Lila Rose

If you could ask that author three questions about their writing, writing process, or books, what would they be?

Where do you get your inspiration? What is the best way for marketing? Do you plot?

What is harder? The blurb writing, naming the book, or naming the series?

Naming the book!

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

Getting to hug JM Walker

What is your definition of success?

Success is having the nerve to push a book out to the world, the rest is gravy.

What are your social links?

“☆.¸(*•.¸(´*•.¸(*•.*🔷*.•*´)¸.•*´)¸.•*´)¸.☆ ✦•••✦Are you stalking me? ✦•••✦ ☆.•*(¸.•*(¸.•*(¸.•*🔷*•.¸)`*•.)`*•.¸)*•.☆ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JALafranceAuthor/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/JA-Lafrance/e/B01C6B1S1A/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14951067.J_A_Lafrance Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ja_lafrance Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/JALafrance1 BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ja-lafrance?list=author_books Readers Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351744788198642/ Website https://jalafranceauthor.wixsite.com/website JA Lafrance Gear https://teespring.com/stores/ja-lafrance-merchandise https://www.zazzle.ca/store/ja_lafrance_store Newsletter sign up http://eepurl.com/gffh-b Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JALafrance2016”

What are your buy links?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/JA-Lafrance/e/B01C6B1S1A/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Author Interviews, Author Spotlight, WOTR Event

#WOTR21 #6YearFamily #AuthorSpotlight – JM Walker

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Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

J.M. Walker – J.M. Walker is an Amazon bestselling author who hit USA Today with Wanted: An Outlaw Anthology. She loves all things books, pigs and lip gloss. She is happily married to the man who inspires all of her Heroes and continues to make her weak in the knees every single day.

“Above all, be the HEROINE of your own life…” ~ Nora Ephron

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

I find the ones that follow the first book because I suck at keeping track of timelines and details. I have a notebook for a series and I still forget things.

What comes first? The plot or characters

Characters – I don’t plot. I’ll take notes but that’s about it.

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

Tijan and Lily White. They are both my unicorn authors!

If you could ask that author three questions about their writing, writing process, or books, what would they be?

Um…well I’ve talked to both of them so…I guess I would ask Lily to help me get deeper into the dark subjects I write about. Go beyond the blood and gore kind of thing.

What is harder? The blurb writing, naming the book, or naming the series.

The blurb. Always the freaking blurb.

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

Meeting and interacting with readers! So this would include all of the book signings I’ve been to as well!

What is your definition of success?

Besides being able to quit the day job of course, which I think is a goal for a lot of authors – I think I’m pretty successful. Sure, I don’t have a movie deal or anything but I have readers. They are what keeps me going and striving to be a better author, person, etc. I really couldn’t do this without them.

What are your social links?

Website: https://www.aboutjmwalker.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jm.walker.author
Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/JMsJems/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmwlkr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjmwalker/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5132169.J_M_Walker
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/y7dpjkud
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-m-walker
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/o2i6u2

What are your buy links?

https://www.aboutjmwalker.com/books

Author Spotlight

#AuthorSpotlight – Quinn Ryder

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Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself and which Twinsie do you know.

“Well, I can’t tell you my real name because anonymity is everything when you write under a pen name, but I go by Quinn Ryder. I’m new to the MC/Mafia dark romance world, but have been writing under a different pen name for over five years. I like to think of myself as a jack of all trades, because there’s no genre I’m afraid to tackle as long as I have the inspiration to get the words out on paper. (or computer screen 😉 ) I am married with two kids, both in those crazy teenage years where attitude is in abundance, and friends are your only reason for living. I might as well live in a zoo with how many pets I have, and I spend most of my time either homeschooling the hormonal teens, dabbling in the underbelly of the criminal world with my stories, or editing for other authors. I enjoy watching movies, spending time with my family, and writing, writing, writing. As for the Twinsies, I’d love to get to know each and every one of you. I’m new to your blog, but you definitely have a new subscriber. ”

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

To be honest, the actual writing of certain books has never been hard for me. What is hard is the spontaneous bursts of inspiration that tend to lead me away from finishing series. I’ll be writing in one series, then get an idea for another. When you’re writing for two pen names, you have to go where the words take you, and sometimes it’s into new worlds that are screaming to be written.

What comes first? The plot or characters?

PLOT! There are times where I’ll have a book in my head but the characters refuse to name themselves. 95% of the time I have the blurb to my stories written before I have even started the book.

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

Hmm, I’d really like to meet Cassie Mae, Suzanne Collins, and JK Rowling (Mainly because my daughter is a super freak when it comes to Harry Potter, and I’d love to see her face while meeting one of her idols.) but I did already meet one of my Unicorn authors, RS Grey, when I first started getting into publishing.

What is harder? The blurb writing, naming the book, or naming the series?

Blurbs have always come easy for me, titles and names have as well, so, in my opinion, the hardest thing about writing for me has always been writing the middle of a story. I write the beginning of a book, then the ending, and it’s the middles of a story that like to mess with me. I think of it as kinda like building a sandwich where you only have slices of bread and you have to go searching for that perfect ratio of meat, cheese, and condiments to pile in between that give your sandwich all the pizazz and flavor to make the perfect bite. Writing is like making sandwich. You have a solid beginning and a mind-blowing ending you know the readers love, but you also need those pieces of brilliance in between to round out your story and make it the perfect mix that readers can’t wait to sink their teeth into.

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

I think my favorite memory as an author would be publishing my first book. I was reluctant to take that leap off the proverbial ledge into the writing world because I was afraid I would sink, and now that I’m here, I keep treading water looking into the vast sea of amazing stories wondering which wave I belong to.

What is your definition of success?

I think success is what you make of it. For me success was the first time a reader contacted me to tell me how much they loved my story and how the book affected them in a emotional and positive way. I never expected people to love my books the way they do, but the outpouring of love I get from my readers is all the success I need. Sure, becoming a best-selling author who brings in a lot of money is a writer’s dream, but as long as people love my stories, that’s all the success I’ll ever need.

What are your social links?

“Website: https://authorquinnryder.wixsite.com/mysite Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorquinnryder Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorquinnryder/ Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/quinn-ryder Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20312549.Quinn_Ryder”

What are your buy links?

“Specter’s Wake: https://books2read.com/SpectersWake Dusty’s Tracks: https://books2read.com/Dusty Sergio: The Santoyo Brothers Book One: https://books2read.com/u/ml2daY Revving For Love Anthology: https://books2read.com/Revving Sinful Valentine: https://books2read.com/SV Killing Me Softly Anthology: https://books2read.com/KMS ”

Author Spotlight

#AuthorSpotlight – Andrea Joy

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Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself and which Twinsie do you know.

Andréa Joy. I write romance in its various forms from dark to contemporary to MM and RH. I know Jo-Anna

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

I think they’re equally hard. The first because you’re establishing characters and hoping readers will like them and the plot enough to pick up the rest of the books in the series. And the rest because you have to make sure they’re just as good or better than the first book.

What comes first? The plot or characters?

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

Lucy Lennox

What is harder? The blurb writing, naming the book, or naming the series?

Definitely blurb writing.

What are your buy links?

amazon.com/author/andreajoy

Author Spotlight, WOTR Event

#WOTR21 #AuthorSpotlight – R. K. Gleason

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R.K. Gleason

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

R.K. Gleason – I’m married to one of the coolest people I’ve ever met and she is the one who encouraged me to write. I published my firs book in 2015 and at the time of writing this, I have 12 books in my library. I never intended or aspired to be an author and I always just thought everyone had an imagination as vivid (or corrupt) as mine. It wasn’t until I was 53 years old I realized that wasn’t the case and not everyone had their own movies playing in their heads all day. I rationalized it was what made me a consummate liar but never equated it to being an author. That was 12 or more books ago and just take a look at the twisted nonsense I’ve put out since then. I never started any this for the money and on the extremely rare occasions when someone recognizes me, it always makes me nervous. Mostly because the first thing that pops into my head is the person is with law enforcement.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

I guess it the first one, or maybe the ones that follow. Hell! I have no idea. They’re all fucking hard. What I can say is writing the follow ups are usually more familiar but that doesn’t always make it easier. Some of my returning characters are assholes and unpleasant to be around. Sort of like family members and accepting the good with the bad. I seldom like the things my characters say or do but I still love them all. Perhaps I enjoy spending time with the villains the most and especially when they didn’t start out that way. Heroes are easy but villains, those fuckers are complex! For me, the best part of starting new books, is it’s like meeting a whole new group of people you haven’t learned to distrust yet.

What comes first? The plot or characters

This is like the age old chicken or egg question, so settle back and let this one sink in. The egg had to come first and here’s why. You have to have an egg to hatch a chicken. Meaning, the chicken had to come from an egg, because it’s the truth and you know it. Hatching from an egg is part of what makes it a chicken! But that fucking egg could have come from anywhere. A penguin could have laid the thing! Or an ostrich. Hell, the egg could have come from an alligator or a snake. But where ever it squeezed its way out of, there was a chicken inside. As far as plot or character goes, it depends on how the movie starts.

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

David Wong, but meeting your idols doesn’t always work out as you’d hope. I learned that lesson with Tom Savini.

If you could ask that author three questions about their writing, writing process, or books, what would they be?

What are your feelings on the movie version of John Dies at the End? Have you aver seen a shadow man? Who really wrote the lyrics to Camel Holocaust?

What is harder? The blurb writing, naming the book, or naming the series.

The blurb, because it’s the longest out of the three choices.

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

Traveling to Belfast with my wife for a book signing at the Titanic museum. We spent my birthday walking around the city and ended up miles away at a museum we had never heard of or planned on visiting.

What is your definition of success?

I think success is to be utterly happy and I think I’ve already made it. This pandemic has understandably been very difficult for people. We’ve been fortunate enough to have jobs that allowed us to work from home since this all began. This means I’ve been able to spend every day with my best friend and we never seem to get tired of each other’s company. If that’s not the true meaning of success, I’m not sure what else there could be. Sure, I’d like to be wealthy, but only so we could do more things together. Fame has its appeal for some, but I’m a little socially awkward and have a gift for saying or doing the exactly wrong thing at the worst time, and being a celebrity drives people to be on the watch for those things. Nope, No thanks. Although, maybe sleeping in might be nice.

What are your social links?

Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/y5kyqxwk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GleasonRk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r.k.gleason/
Website: https://www.rkgleason.net/

What are your buy links?

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yb6fgdy2
Audible: https://tinyurl.com/y8dojb8d

Author Spotlight

#AuthorSpotlight – J.L. Baldwin

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Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself and which Twinsie do you know.

“J.L. Baldwin I know J.M. Walker! She’s one of my favorite humans EVER. A bit about me? Oh, goodness. Ummm…well, I’m a huge Disney nerd. I plan on moving to Florida soon to be closer to Disney World. That just about sums up my personality! haha! No, I’m just kidding. Well, other than writing, I love to read a lot. Not as much as I’d like to, because I have stories to write. 😉 I recently got into The Office so that’s my new obsession. #JimIsMine Other than that, I don’t really have much about me to talk about. I’m boring. LOL!”

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

The first book. ALWAYS. If it’s a continuous storyline spread out among several books, that’s a big harder to tackle. But if they are standalone books, then that’s easier. I kind of already know how the characters are going to be from the first book so that kind of sets up the rest. The writing comes a lot faster. It’s that first book that makes me want to pull my hair out sometimes. haha

What comes first? The plot or characters?

It’s equal. Sometimes I develop the plot first, other times the characters. For the current series I’m writing, the plot for the first book kind of came first. I just made some minor changes then the characters started talking. I’ve never had a book where I know right off the bat how each main hero of the book is going to behave this early in the game. I’m about halfway through book 1, and the next two books, the heroes are so freaking loud, I can’t silence them.

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

J.M. Walker! She’s one of many. She could write a cookbook, and I’d buy it. Others are, Colleen Hoover, K. Webster, etc. The list is endless.

If you could ask that author three questions about their writing, writing process, or books, what would they be?

“1. What’s your outlining process? 2. Do you always have characters in mind when you’re developing a plot? Or do they come afterwards? 3. Which one of your books do you see being made into a movie or TV show? ”

What is harder? The blurb writing, naming the book, or naming the series?

BLURB *hiss* The blurb writing is the WORST. Omg. I’m so glad there are blurb writers out there because even though I haven’t used one yet, I am glad to know they’re available if I need them. LOL. Oddly enough, I can’t write a story unless I have either a title or working title that can be changed later. I need something as a foundation.

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

Meeting readers. Seeing how excited they were is a feeling that will never grow old. I’ve always said I will never take being an author for granted, and seeing how excited people get over your books is the best feeling in the world.

What is your definition of success?

Success is being able to take a family vacation for the first time in years because you finally can afford it, or putting your kid through college so they don’t ruin their adult lives with student loans. Or buying a house with the money you’ve made doing something you love. Being successful to me means living comfortably. I don’t care about becoming rich. Okay, I lie. I’d love to be rich and own yachts and mansions, etc. But, if I’m able to live a comfortable life, pay my bills, put some money into savings, and not be stressing out over money every day like I am right now, that’s what being successful means to me.

What are your social links?

“Reader Group: https://bit.ly/JLBaldwinFBGroup Twitter: https://bit.ly/JLBaldwinTwitter Instagram: https://bit.ly/JLBaldwinIG Facebook: https://bit.ly/JLBaldwinFB Goodreads: https://bit.ly/JLBaldwinGR Amazon: https://bit.ly/JLBaldwin Bookbub: https://bit.ly/JLBaldwinBookbub Newsletter: https://bit.ly/JLBaldwinsNewsletter ”

What are your buy links?

www.amazon.com/author/jlbaldwin

Author Spotlight

#AuthorSpotlight – KC Freeman

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Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself and which Twinsie do you know.

KC Freeman – I’m a contemporary fantasy/paranormal romance author who writes in my “spare” time due to also being crazed mom of 5 (plus a puppy). I found this signup posted on the Nikki Holt Sexton (reposted from JM Walker).

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

1st

What comes first? The plot or characters?

plot

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

Sarah J Maas

If you could ask that author three questions about their writing, writing process, or books, what would they be?

1) Are we going to get any more Feyre/Rhysand books? 2)Do you research the fantasy creatures you use in your books or just make it all up? 3) What are your go-to steps to get past writer’s block?

What is harder? The blurb writing, naming the book, or naming the series?

THE BLURB!

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

Reading the first review (thankfully, it was a good one)

What is your definition of success?

Someone can say that my writing/story touched their imagination and gave them a fresh perspective on guardian angels

What are your social links?

“https://www.facebook.com/KCFreemanAuthor https://www.instagram.com/kvcfreeman5/ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19024932.K_C_Freeman https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kc-freeman https://www.linkedin.com/in/kc-freeman-author-425a541b5/”

What are your buy links?

“https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZHMNMGZ/ https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rekindled-prophecy-k-c-freeman/1134332705 https://zimbellhousepublishing.com/product/rekindled-prophecy-ebook/”