Friday 29 August 2014

DARE SERIES SPOTLIGHT TOUR @carlyphillips






DARE TO LOVE
When it comes to family, Ian Dare gives his all but in relationships he offers the bare minimum. Until one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor arouses his dominant and protective instincts. He will do anything to possess her … and does. But any future with Riley must include him dealing his half-brother who is a constant reminder of the pain he’d rather forget. 


Riley Taylor believes herself immune to domineering men – until charismatic Ian Dare turns a simple kiss into an all out assault on her senses and she discovers she likes his brand of control in the bedroom. As their affair heats up, they soon realize they complete each other in ways neither imagined. But Riley’s past is closer than she cares to remember, and her struggles with Ian’s dominance might just cost her everything. (love story, contemporary romance, alpha heroes, beach reads, sports heroes, bad boys, billionaire)


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REVIEW

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first in the Dare series and I found it to be an incredibly sexy read.

The book has humour, sexiness and love all good things for a book.

It is well written and the characters are loveable.

I'm looking forward to reading the next book. 

View all my reviews

Excerpt

“Are you okay?” he asked from his place across the room.
Riley drew a deep breath and nodded, still attempting to calm down, to assure herself that what she’d seen in the mirror hadn’t been reality. She’d sworn she’d never be that woman, the one who needed a man so desperately she’d accept anything and everything he dished out.
She replayed the events of the last few minutes in her mind. He’d been cold and unforgiving, but she was the one who’d flipped out. He’d grabbed her, yes, but the minute she’d told him to take his hands off her, he had.
And he’d apologized.
Two things she’d never seen her father do.
Rationally she knew that people could argue and get past it, and that’s all they’d done. Had an argument.
She swallowed hard and slowly crossed the room to where Ian stood. “I don’t understand everything that just happened between us,” she said truthfully.
He met her gaze, equal confusion in the gray depths. “I’m not so sure I get all of it myself.” He gestured to the sofa, and she joined him, settling in with just a few inches of space between them.
They sat in silence for long minutes until Ian finally spoke. “I’ve been telling myself for years I want nothing to do with them.”
She knew he was referring to his father’s other children, and she nodded, wanting him to continue without interruption.
His chiseled features were hard as he spoke. “When my father offered your address and phone number in exchange for me reaching out to my half siblings, I grabbed the opportunity. I let him bribe me, and the why has been eating at me ever since.”
“Maybe you really wanted an excuse to get to know them?” she suggested, thinking that deep down, Alex and Ian wanted the same thing.
He exhaled a harsh breath. “Yeah. And that’s what’s been bothering me. I don’t want to want anything from them,” he said, running a hand through his short hair.
“Why do you hate them so much?” she asked hesitantly. “The resentment for your father I understand. But Alex and his siblings are as much victims of circumstance as you and your sisters were.”
“Because he chose them.” Each word came out sharp and punctuated with pain. “And before you say it, I’m fully aware these aren’t the thoughts of a rational adult.”
Unable not to respond, she inched closer, clasping his hand in hers. “No, but they are the feelings of a wounded child.”
He frowned at that. “I was an adult when we found out about them.”
“About eighteen, right?”
He nodded.
“If you ask me, eighteen is very much an in-between age. You were entitled to the resentment.”
He looked away, and she sensed him sorting through his thoughts.
“Graduations, birthdays, a broken arm, a burst appendix. We didn’t have a father for any of those events. We thought he was too busy working, and not that it made it okay to miss out on so much, but it made sense. And I looked up to him because he had this strong work ethic, so he could provide for his family. For us.”
She saw the child he’d been, idolizing his father, and her heart softened even more.
“It turns out,” he went on, “even if he’d been working, he was living with them while he did. Because he loved Savannah, while my mother was just the marriage his parents had forced on him to keep the business running.” He leaned his head back against the sofa, his emotions running high.
She sighed, wishing there were words that would help, knowing there were none. She understood so much more about his side of things now.
“It makes sense you’d resent them. But it also makes sense that a part of you wants to be included in their family, especially since your sisters are close with Sienna.”
He glanced at her, looking more the hurt young boy than the composed man she was used to seeing.
“Well, it doesn’t matter, does it? Because Alex wants nothing to do with me.”
“He’ll come around.” She hoped. Because the guilt was killing her.
But guilt and her best friend’s disapproval didn’t change her feelings for Ian, which were developing and growing stronger in a very short period of time. She was still shaken up by seeing shades of her parents in her interactions with Ian, but the facts weren’t the same as her memories. And this revealing conversation showed her that even if she had flashbacks, she needed to remember to view Ian differently than she did her own father.
“And if he doesn’t come around?” Ian asked, still on their conversation about Alex.
Riley knew what he was asking, and she didn’t want to choose. She couldn’t. “All I know is, right now, I want everything to do with you.”
She rose and straddled him, her knees on either side of his waist, her sex directly over his now-thickening erection.
His hips surged upward, and he let out a low groan. “I know what you’re doing.”
“Really? Enlighten me.”
He met her gaze, heat and desire simmering in the depths. “I spilled my guts, and now you’re distracting me so you don’t have to spill yours about what happened with you.”
He was right, not that she’d admit it. “Today wasn’t about me.” And she wasn’t in the mood to revisit her childhood out loud, when she’d just gotten him beyond his, at least for now.
“That’s a non-answer.” He braced his hands on her waist, seemingly more himself.
“I don’t want to dig into my past right now. Okay?”
His gaze sharpened. “What happened earlier had to do with your past?”
She hadn’t meant to reveal even that much. Seeking a distraction, she ground down on his hard length, moaning when the sensations rushed through her, delicious waves of yearning that precipitated the building of a fast orgasm.
His fingers pressed deeper into her flesh, and her flimsy, lace panties grew wetter. Heat spread from her core throughout every part of her being.
“I will get to know you,” he said, his words a definite warning.
Maybe so, but not right now. She slid her body away from his so there was enough space to give her room to ease her hand into the elastic waist of his pants and brush the head of his cock.
His erection jerked against her hand.
“Commando?” she asked, the very thought sending heat spiraling through her.
He shrugged, as if his lack of underwear were an everyday occurrence. “I sleep nude, might as well make life as easy as possible.”
“I can’t say I mind.” She eased her fingers deeper so she could wrap them around his velvety, thick penis.
His hips bucked, his gaze darkened, and his erection grew even more solid beneath the firm grip of her hand. Knowing she could wreak havoc with his control caused a rush of pleasure to storm her senses. Her breasts throbbed with the need to be touched, but this wasn’t about her.
She wanted to take his mind off his family’s rejection. Make him feel better. Just make him feel.


DARE TO DESIRE


Quarterback Alex Dare, had it all -- an all-star football career and his choice of willing women -- until a severe injury forces him into early retirement. Social worker Madison Evans grew up in foster homes and knows what it means to have-not. She isn't impressed by Alex Dare’s wealth or charm. Not since she fell hard for him once before, only to discover she was just one of his too-easy conquests. 


This time around Madison refuses to succumb to Alex so easily. But Alex wants Madison. And if there is one thing Alex does well, it’s to get what he wants. Can he convince Madison to take a risk and dare to love? 





REVIEW

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the series starring the sexy Alex.

The story told here is really about second chances and how we grab a hold of them if we do get the chance.

The sex scenes are hot and there is also a lot of love there.

Let's see what the third book entails. 



EXCERPT

“Alex, I believe you know Madison Evans.”
Blindsided — and his half brother knew it — Alex strode up to her.  He inhaled her familiar fruity scent, which only served as a reminder of the hot times he’d spent breathing her in as his cock moved inside her body. Her effect on him was potent, and even the most common expressions failed him.
“Alex,” she said, her cool tone bringing his head out of the desire-filled fog he’d found himself in.
“Hey, Angel,” he said, using the endearment he’d started calling her during their brief time together.  Another sign he’d had it bad, whether he’d wanted to admit it or not.
Her head whipped up, her eyes narrowing and settling on Ian.  “This won’t work.”  She turned to go.  
Alex still had excellent reflexes, and he grabbed her arm before she could stride past him.
She glared.  
He didn’t look away, determined to win this battle of wills.  This potential job, which had interested him on an intellectual and emotional level initially, suddenly felt even more important, and she was the reason.
“We need to talk,” he insisted.
“I have nothing to say.”
“Ian’s proposition said otherwise.”
Madison looked over his shoulder in search of Ian and frowned.  “Well, the traitor is gone.  No big surprise there.”
Smart man, Alex thought.  “If I let you go, will you stay long enough to discuss this position Ian and Riley want me to take?”
She let out a frustrated puff of air.  
He took that as a yes and released her.
“Us working together is not a good idea, and somewhere in that thick head of yours, you know that.”
“Because we slept together? More than a couple of times?”
She set her jaw.  “That was a mistake.”
Ouch.  That hurt, he thought, and filed away the why to deal with later.  “I want to know more about this training program and what my role in it would be.”
“Why? You can’t possibly be interested.”
“It sounds more like you don’t want me to be interested.”
She rolled her shoulders back even farther, stiffening her posture.  “You’re right.  I don’t.  This is a serious project that could help a lot of people and have far-reaching positive repercussions for years to come.  I need a partner willing to go all in.  And let’s face it, I’ve seen your staying power.  It’s nonexistent.”
He winced, knowing she was really referring to him and relationships.  And she was right.  At least, that’s how he had been.  Six months with nothing to do but live in his own head, had brought changes she knew nothing about.  
Eyebrows raised, stern expression on her face, she glared at him as if he were something she’d scraped off her shoe.  
In the span of five minutes, she’d insulted him more than anyone had in probably his entire life.  So why was he turned on? He shifted his stance in a futile effort to adjust his cock and gain some sort of ease or comfort.  Not happening around her, and he knew it.
“I’ll give you that one insult because I deserved it.”
She wrinkled her nose in confusion.  
Good. He liked her off balance.  Much better than spitting mad.  “Any more and I’ll have to take action.”
She opened her mouth then closed it again, because as they were both intimately aware, he’d have no trouble following through on his threat.  
“Care to tell me what you have planned for this program?” he asked, deliberately all business.  He strode over to the chair at the head of the table and settled in.
She obviously realized he was serious because she headed for the stack of folders on the table and sifted through them.
Coming up with the one she wanted, she opened it and glanced down only briefly before speaking.  “Football players — anyone in training for prolonged periods of time — live a very regimented life.  From what and when they eat to their exercise routine to when to practice and attend team meetings, everything is laid out for them.  One injury and everything changes.”  She eyed him warily from beneath her lashes.
He was surprised she’d still worry about his feelings after how he’d treated her.  “Go on.  I can take it.”  
She nodded.  “Suddenly they can eat what they want, when they want, and they gain unhealthy amounts of weight that isn’t balanced out by the exercise they used to do.  Lack of education and preparation result in poor financial choices.  Most athletes run through any good money they might have made in a short amount of time.  Marriages crumble from the strain.  Not to mention, they get bored, and depression sets in.  I have statistics, but for now, you can just take my word for it.”
He didn’t have to.  He’d begun experiencing some of it himself.  
“What’s your solution?” he asked, impressed with the knowledge she already had regarding the problem they faced.
“Education.”  She tapped the folder on the table.  “All football colleges and universities need to have programs geared to post-career options.  It’s not enough to offer a finance or business major.  They need to target post-professional life.  From our perspective, that means we start from the ground up. We contact schools and propose just such an approach.  We hire ex-players willing to speak to the kids about the importance of thinking beyond football.  And at a team level, we begin to provide all sorts of counseling and training.  Nutrition, business classes, psychological counseling.  Another goal is to eliminate the stigma of retirement, and to do that, we need to prepare our players for the future.”  She finished her speech, her cheeks flushed pink and her eyes wide, her passion for the subject evident.  
Fuck, she was gorgeous.
He’d seen a similar look on her face before, right before he’d slid his fingers inside her and teased her to climax.  He closed his eyes, dragging in a controlled breath.  
Wrong time, wrong place.  Wrong everything.
He might want to return to where they’d been before he’d opened his big mouth and thrown her out of his hospital room, but she wanted nothing to do with him.  She didn’t trust him, and he didn’t blame her.  He needed to win her over before he could let himself even think about sinking back into her body.  She needed to see he’d changed, grown up.
And maybe he needed to prove the same thing to himself.
“I’m in,” he told her.
“Excuse me?”
“I’ll take the job.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose.  “Didn’t Ian tell you it’s up to me who to hire?”
Alex shook his head, silently cursing his manipulative brother.  “No, I think the plan was to throw us in here like gladiators and see who survived.”
To his surprise, she let out an amused laugh.
The desire to kiss the dimples on either side of her mouth was strong.  Beneath the table, he curled his fingers into fists, curbing his desire.  His frustration wasn’t as easily controlled.
“I really don’t think we can work together,” she said, sobering.
“Then I’ll just have to convince you otherwise.”



Dare To Surrender:
After ending a relationship to a cheating, domineering man, Isabelle Masters takes off in her leased Mercedes, only to be arrested for grand theft and hauled to a local police station. To her surprise, she is rescued by the most unlikely person possible, Gabriel Dare, a man she’s been attracted to for far too long. Gabe offers Isabelle freedom along with an invitation to Eden, an exclusive island resort where everything and anything is possible.

Although Gabe yearns to possess Isabelle, he knows all too well he must fight his primitive need to bind her to him, and instead help bring out the independent woman she yearns to become – or risk losing her for good.

A woman who needs to run her own life. A man who needs to exertcontrol. Can she surrender to his erotic demands without losing her sense of self once more?




REVIEW

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the third book in the Dare series, but we have a crossover into the Invitation to Eden book.

Two people that are so right for each other but are kept apart. By circumstances. One has to be in control and the other needs to get stronger, build their self esteem.

Again the sex scenes are hot and steamy, but they don't overrule this book, we have a lot of love and storyline in here as well.

A good sexy read. 

View all my reviews

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips has written over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels that today's readers identify with and enjoy. After a successful 15 year career with various New York publishing houses, Carly is making the leap to Indie author, with the goal of giving her readers more books at a faster pace at a better price. Her Serendipity books will still finish up in January/February 2014 via Berkley as planned. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She's a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she's a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers.
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Dare to Submit Synopsis: Release: Sept 8
Decklan Dare knows about the unexpected loss of loved ones and for this reason, he values control in all areas of his life. Amanda Collins enjoys the freedom she finds in casual encounters without the emotional connection a relationship brings. They meet and their physical attraction is mutual but both experience feelings that could run deeper – if they drop their guard and let each other in. Decklan is first to trust, but when he discovers the secret Amanda’s been hiding, will he forgive? Or will he rebuild every wall before she has a chance to explain?




Giveaway: 


99c Sale Blitz for the Sweet Series by Angel Steel. @givemebooksblog & @AngelSteel69




99c SALE FOR 2 DAYS ONLY
August 29 to August 31



Title: Sweet Temptation
Series: Sweet #1
Author: Angel Steel
Release Date: March 12, 2013


Synopsis


Skylar Montague has learned that nothing good comes from trusting others.... especially men. After escaping an abusive relationship she attempts to start a new life in a new city.

Living close to her childhood friend Chantal, she's finally starting to feel at home. Men are the last thing on her mind, that is until she meets her smoldering bad boy neighbor Nathaniel Jackson. Her hesitation is huge, but the attraction is even greater. Nathaniel doesn't do relationships, just can't see himself as being a one woman man.

His instant attraction to Skylar makes him think that he could change. Their connection is explosive. Nothing has ever felt this good. Being together with Nate, Skylar feels like she can finally trust a man. That is until they are presented with an unexpected surprise. Exes reemerge and with them a falling out neither saw coming. 

With all their past troubles and demons ready to emerge, can they escape the undeniable pull they have to each other, or will the dark past they both possess prove to be too difficult and keep them apart?







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Title: Sweet Surrender
Series: Sweet #2
Author: Angel Steel
Release Date: September 26, 2013


Synopsis


For five long years, Chantal has been in love with Dom. They have always had a great friendship and flirted with each other like nobody’s business, which just seemed to be their thing. Chantal’s feelings for Dom were obvious to everyone but him.

After being rejected for the last time by Dom, Chantal is fed up and ready to move on…or so she thinks. She finds solace in a familiar face and starts anew. Things start to heat up, and along with new beginnings come new surprises…and secrets. An old flame resurfaces and things go awry. The crazier life gets, the harder it is to keep her secrets from the people she loves, including Dom. Can she keep these secrets hidden forever? 

Dom has been hiding his feelings for Chantal for five years. He just can’t see a way to make it work. There are things about him that she can never know. One could test her limits and the other would certainly test their relationship. Either way, Dom is afraid he will lose her if she were to ever find out. 

Will the love that Chantal and Dom has for each other, be strong enough for them to cope with all of the lies and deceit? Or will it end them for good?










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Author Bio


Born and bred in Australia. She has lived here all her life with her wonderful husband and 4 children. Angel loves reading any kind of books and loves to write. In her spare time, Angel and her husband watch porn and GIF’s on Tumblr for ‘research’. If you read a hot scene in one of her books, you can be sure it’s been tried and tested!

If you want to spot Mr Steel at an event, he wears a t-shirt which reads “My wife writes porn”. There’s really nothing better than a supportive husband. 

ANGEL’S BOOKS: Sweet Temptation (Sweet, #1) Sweet Surrender (Sweet, #2) and NEW RELEASE Harpers Little Spitfire (Harper’s Series)

GENRE: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Erotica.




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Giveaway

BLOG & REVIEW TOUR. WITHIN THESE WALLS BY J. L. BERG. @authorjlberg

 





About WITHIN THESE WALLS

 

Within these walls, he became my solace, my sanctuary and my strength.  

 

I am not strong.  I am just a survivor of circumstance.

Isn’t that what we all do?  Survive?

 

Each of us has our own set of circumstances to muddle through.  Mine are just more…complicated.

 

Born with a severe heart defect, I’ve seen the inside of a hospital room more than my own bedroom.

 

I was drowning, a prisoner to the illness that owned me, until he appeared.  He thinks he’s blocked out the world with his tattoos and hard exterior, but I see the real Jude, the one he so desperately wants to forget.

 

But is he the answer to my prayers or will he break my already damaged heart forever?

My name is Lailah Buchanan, and this is our story of hope, redemption and sacrificing it all for the one you love.

 

Add it to Goodreads here!

 

Read the first chaptehere!

 

Sign up for J.L. Berg’s brand-new newsletter here!

 

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REVIEW


 My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received an arc in exchange for a honest review

This is a sweet romance about two people who meet and together their hearts become whole.

There are some emotional parts but there will be no hard crying.

The book is well written, and us a standalone so you get your HEA.

So if your looking for something sweet this is it for you 

View all my reviews

 

About J.L. Berg

J.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready Series. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she's not writing, you will find her with her nose stuck in a romance novel, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate. J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.

 

Connect with J.L. Berg

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads Newsletter



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LOOK SEXY COVER REVEAL MISSING BY JESSICA WILDE @JessicaWilde9

Cover Reveal

Banner Missing 1

TITLE:

MISSING (The Brannock Siblings #3)

AUTHOR: Jessica Wilde

RELEASE DATE: SEPT 21ST

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22430814-missing

  Missing Cover

SYNOPSIS:

There are two things in this life that Gus Brannock truly loves; his family and his job. His family is growing and he wants what his brother and sister have before the job he's worked so hard for takes its toll. The woman he's got his eye on, however, isn't interested in being with a man who risks his life every day. When the unexpected friendship with the sassy red head he used to hate turns into something Gus just doesn't want to live without, he will do whatever it takes to have her. The hazards of his job as a detective for missing children may end up proving to be too much, but there's a reason Aiden was brought into his life and nothing will stand in his way to keep her there.

Aiden Murphy used to hate the handsome jerk next door until a surprising discovery spun her world in another direction. Her life of devotion to her sister and niece has been her biggest strength with the exception of her art. That is, until Gus turns out to be the one thing that has been missing from that life all along. Aiden must decide if the unknown is worth the risk of loving the dedicated detective or if being pulled into his world is more than she can handle. When Gus becomes the only way for her to keep the people she loves most safe, will she understand why he treasures her untried strength or will she let her fear of the unknown decide for her?

For readers 18+ due to strong language and sexual situations.

Other Books In this series:

Leverage (The Brannock Siblings #1)

  LEVERAGE COVER

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Synopsis:

Adventure. That's all Aislinn 'Ash' Brannock wanted in her life. Her dad and two brothers - all cops - got to see it all, but their over-protectiveness made her feel like she had been locked away in a tower with three fire breathing dragons watching her every move. Yes, it was that bad. The only silver lining? Lucas Shade. Her brothers' best friend growing up, and apparently the only man she will ever love because let's face it, none of the others even come close. After an unfortunate mistake lands her back in her father's home, her world is turned upside down and Lucas is there in a tightly wrapped package of serious with a big red bow on top. Life just got interesting, but it comes with a price, one she never wanted to pay.

Detective Lucas Shade never had a real family, but the Brannocks took him in as one of their own and he never took it for granted. Ash was a big reason for why he stuck around, but in order to save himself the beating of a lifetime from her two older brothers, he kept his feelings for her hidden. When the case he has been working on for months takes a turn, Ash could become the leverage the bad guys have been waiting for, but keeping her invisible may destroy everything Lucas has worked so hard for. Good thing Ash is the only person he would give up everything to protect.

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Conned (The Brannock Siblings #2)

  Conned Cover      

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Synopsis:

 

Conall Brannock takes his job seriously. He doesn't get attached, he doesn't ask questions, and he protects his family at all costs. Nothing will change that. Not even the sweet, green eyed witness that just burst into his life and shifted his world. He has one job to do; protect Emily until she can testify. He can't let his interest in her get in the way, but the more he finds out about her, the more he can't help but wonder how the beautiful broken girl got into this mess in the first place. And the longer he takes to learn the truth, the deeper he falls for her.

Emily Dawson has a job to do. Stay off the grid, testify, and hopefully get her brother back. He's all she has left of the family she struggled so hard to hold together and she would do anything to keep him safe. Even if it means she has put herself in harm's way or that she has conned everyone into believing she saw something she didn't. She knows where her loyalties lie, but her stoic yet gentle protector and his crazy family makes her question everything she once knew.

Loyalty can be one sided.

Family isn't always blood.

And honesty can destroy everything she has come to love.

 

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About The Author:

Jessica Wilde  

I live in Morgan Utah with my husband, daughter, and dog, Kolo. I write as often as my active daughter will let me and my husband has the patience of a saint. I find inspiration from dreams, people I meet, and life experiences. When I write, I usually end up drinking one too many cans of Peace Tea, eating three too many Fruit by the Foot fruit snacks, and accidently kicking my pup and best buddy, Kolo, too many times since he loves to sleep under my desk at my feet.
I started writing as a teen, but my fear of the unknown won out every time and I threw everything out. After becoming a mother and deciding to stay at home to raise my beautiful little girl, I tried again when I couldn't stop thinking of ideas. I loved every minute, every hour of sleep lost, and every character that came to life in my mind.
It's strange, but my favorite moments are when I have writer's block because I can turn to my husband and find inspiration through him by just doing what we do best together. Talking, laughing, and just being in love. He doesn't like to read, but he never stops encouraging me to keep going.
Writing has become an important part of my life and every book has a special place in my heart.

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