Tag: romance

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Book Review: A Very Pagan Christmas by JC Brown and Lena Lane

Feeling festive? Instead of a Book Spotlight yesterday, I bring you today a holiday book review! Join me as we check out A Very Pagen Christmas by JC Brown and Lena Lane!

Title: A Very Pagan Christmas

Author(s): JC Brown and Lena Lane

Genre: Holiday Romance, paranormal romance

Release Date: June 27th, 2025

Format: Kindle

Pages: 105

Nicholas is a veterinarian and a man of science. He has no patience for the nonsense of natural remedies and herbal fix-it-alls. So when he meets Dahlia, an employee of The Blueberry Apothecary, he’s disappointed that she’s a believer of magical nonsense. But their worlds keep colliding.

As a born witch, magic is everywhere in Dahlia’s world, even in her blood. But considering the history between humans and witches, she hides it from everyone. And the sexy vet who’s taking care of her familiar is no different. It’s too bad, though, since he’s so cute.

Can their words come together? Or will their differences tear them apart?

Available on AMAZON

REVIEW

A Very Pagan Christmas is not my normal read. I usually run away from holiday romances like the black plague. I must say, though, A Very Pagan Christmas was surprisingly charming. We meet Dahlia and her feisty familiar calico, Theo. When Dalia thinks Theo is sick, she takes her to the vet, where she meets the hunky vet Nicolas. Nick is drawn to Dahlia, but when he learns she works at the Blueberry Apothecary, which sells herbal remedies, he becomes hesitant about his feelings cause she really can’t believe in that witch stuff, can she? Oh, but she does.

Nick and Dahlia keep crossing paths, though, and their banter is quite hilarious because Nick doesn’t believe in magic and Dahlia does. When Nick’s brother, a priest, asks the Apothecary to help in a fundraiser, Nick flips out because how can a Pagan go into a church? Dahlia mifed attend decked all out in witchy attire. I just love Dahlia, by the way!

 I did, though, have an issue with it ending flatly. The book led me through the exposition, rising action, and climax so well, but then faltered in the resolution. Still, A Very Pagan Christmas is a great Sunday-afternoon quick read that will delight your holiday romance fancy. 

My Rating: ⭐ ⭐⭐1/2 out of /5 stars

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY: Fairy Tale Road by Christina Farley

Those kid-friendly Choose Your Own Adventure books from the past (I loved those books so much growing up) get a grown-up flair in FAIRY TALE ROAD by Christina Farley! Definitely earning a spot in my spotlight. Let’s read on!

Fairy Tale Road (Choose Your Happily Ever After Book 1)

Release Date: June 3, 2025

Genre: Enemies-to-Lovers Romcom

FEATURES
⦁	Enemies-to-lovers
⦁	2nd chance romance
⦁	Celebrity romance
⦁	Modern fairytale retelling
⦁	Slow burn
⦁	Happily Ever After (x3!)
⦁	One bed
⦁	Magical realism
⦁	Traveling
⦁	Fake dating

Your Choice, Your Fairy Tale.

When Scarlett discovers her sister’s heart was broken by the notorious Mr. Wolfe, she travels to Germany to expose this Big Bad Wolf and his Fairy Tale Tours. Disguised as a tourist, she explores the world of the Grimm Brothers’ tales, magical castles, and quaint towns while plotting Wolfe’s downfall. But things are not as they seem, and Scarlett soon finds herself entangled in a web of decisions and unexpected romance.

On this interactive romcom adventure, you will guide Scarlett’s path as she navigates a modern retelling of Red Riding Hood. Will she find her true love with the charming Hunter, mysterious Wolfe, or the dazzling Movie Star? Each choice leads Scarlett closer to a different fairytale ending, filled with twists, laughter, and sizzling romance.

Fairy Tale Road is not just a story, it’s your story. With each decision, you shape Scarlett's destiny. Along the way, you’ll guide her choices and determine which of the three swoon-worthy love interests she ends up with. And yes, each path leads to its own unique happily ever after. Or, if you’re feeling curious, read all three endings to experience every possibility.
Choose your fairytale ending where revenge, romance, and the magic of the unknown beckon at every turn. Explore a world where the path to love is one choice away.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHRISTINA FARLEY is the author of the bestselling Gilded series, The Princess and the Page, The Dreamscape Series, The Immortal Bound series, and the Library of Alexandria series. Prior to that, she worked as an international teacher and at a top secret job for Disney where she was known to scatter pixie dust before the sun rose. When not traveling the world or creating imaginary ones, she spends time with her family in Clermont, Florida with her husband and two sons where they are busy preparing for the next World Cup, baking cheesecakes, and raising a pet dragon that’s in disguise as a cat. Visit her at ChristinaFarley dot com.

CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA

Instagram: @ChristinaLFarley

Facebook: @ChristinaFarleyAuthor

YouTube: @ChristinaFarley

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Feather and Famine by Mariah L. Rosewood

Capturing the spotlight this Thursday is the beautiful epic romantasy Feather and Famine. The first in the slow burn and spicy, The Withering Saga, this series will appeal to fans who enjoy immersive romantic high fantasy in the likes of A Court of Thorns and Roses, From Blood and Ash, The Cruel Prince, and Kingdom of the Wicked. Feast your eyes below!

Feather and Famine (The Withering Saga #1)

Publication Date: March 25, 2025

Genre: Epic Romantasy

Features

🌿Plant girlie
🌿Shadow daddy
🌿Dual POV
🌿Elves AND Fey
🌿Slow burn AND whirlwind/fast burn romance
🌿“Who did this”
🌿Touch her and die
🌿Dark secrets
🌿Wound tending
🌿Diverse/LGBTQ+ cast
🌿Multiple magic systems
🌿Mental health rep

Only she can sense the tree’s magic. Unfortunately, the tree’s not hers. It's his.
In the famine-stricken kingdom of Ittora, Ayse discovers a magical birch that might hold the power to save everyone. If only Aiden, the tree’s grumpy, annoyingly hot guardian would get over himself and let her investigate it.
Despite dark secrets and growing desire, Ayse is determined to see if the tree can reverse the Withering.
Meanwhile, Prince Seok is pushing for war against the Fey in a last ditch attempt to quell the famine, while also uncovering something amiss with the rations keeping everyone alive.
With the Withering closing in and time running out, they must hurry to save Ittora—before hunger consumes them all.

AVAILABLE at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mariah L. Rosewood is a creative soul from the Midwest with a love for family, reading, art, music, and the intricacies of human emotion.

As an author, she loves characters that are multifaceted, imperfect, and relatable. The kind you root for, swoon over, and sometimes want to smack upside the head. Characters you’re on the journey with.

So step into the world of Rosewood—where magic meets the heart, and every story leaves a mark.

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BOOK REVIEW: Bonded Nightmare by E.M. Rinaldi

I actually finished this book on December 31st, 2024, so I am welcoming the new year with a review for the spicy paranormal romance BONDED NIGHTMARE by E.M. Rinaldi.

*This book is intended for mature readers 18+

Bonded Nightmare

Publication Date: May 2024

Genre: PNR/ Spicy

Tropes

⚫Enemies to lovers

⚫Fated mates

⚫Shadow daddy

⚫Touch her and die

⚫Slow burn

⚫F0rced pr0ximity

⚫He falls first

⚫Dual POV

Synopsis

She can run but she can’t hide…

As the last unbonded nightmare in existence, Eryn Montalli has been hunted her entire life for the mere potential of her magick. She’s only ever wanted a quiet life tending to the hurt and sick animals that seek her out. Those dreams go to absolute shit with four little words…

They found your bond.

Now she’s hiding amongst the humans at Moorcroft University, trying to make a life for herself—if one overprotective witch wasn’t so determined to set her carefully laid plans on fire. His arrogance is enough to make her want to punch him in the face…but his touch has her questioning why she’s fighting so hard to stay away.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Eryn and her family are the near last of their supernatural kind called Nightmares. When the tribunal counsel says they found Eryn’s bonded mate, who happens to be of the Witch faction, Eryn flees. She is not into all that. At least not having one chosen for her.

Deciding to come out of hiding and hoping for a new life, Eryn enters college to continue her life and studies. When she encounters an upperclassman named Kaiden, who she is annoyingly drawn to and seems to know all about what is suitable for Eryn, much to Eryn’s protest. Unbeknownst to Eryn, Kaiden is her bonded, and when hunters come calling, Kaiden will risk life and death to protect her. 

Bonded Nightmare features a duel pov format, which I like. In fact, my own book features a dual pov format, and Rinaldi does a nice job of keeping the plot of the story going between the two characters.

I usually gobble up paranormal romances. Bonded Nightmare is a gobble-up good, spicy read, yet I had a hard time getting fully engrossed in it. The character of Eryn seemed too stereotypical of a typical college girl to me, and I really had a hard time believing she loved Kaiden in the end.

Kaiden, on the other hand, was the perfect too-good-to-be-true hunky guy and what can I say I like too good to be true hunky guys. I did kind of like him.

Maybe I have outgrown college-age paranormal romances? The spice, though, was pristine! I enjoyed the slow burn pace as I was squirming in my panties along with Eryn over Kaiden’s antics, I will say that. 

My favorites were the side characters Ezra and Rani, and learning their story will be next I am utterly there for. 

Therefore, my rating for Bonded Nightmare is still 4 out of 5 stars.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Visit https://www.emrinaldi.com/

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Book Spotlight Thursday: The Book Binder by C.A. Cordova

Caught in my spotlight is C.A. Cordova’s soon-to-be release, The Book Binder! It will be released on December 6th, 2024. Read on for more details.

The Book Binder

Publication Date: December 6, 2024

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Features

✔️High Stakes
✔️Exotic Locale
✔️Forbidden Romance
✔️Love Triangle

Choice is an illusion gifted by the gods.

Aria never expected to be a mistress, especially to the Pharaoh’s son.
But when she accidentally witnesses the poisoning of his cup and intervenes, he is intrigued. Even more so when he discovers that she can speak the betrayer’s language and many others.

Aria’s forbidden education as the daughter of a book binder makes her valuable, and she quickly becomes the prince’s obsession.

As she embraces her newfound power, she begins to question the rulings of the palace and uncovers a world of deception.
Is Aria destined to receive the spoils of the gods or will tragedy befall her?

The Book Binder is an epic adventure novel with elements of suspense and mystery. C.A. Cordova’s tale is woven with intense emotion, dire situations, and female cunning.

COMING DECEMBER 6TH, 2024

PRE- ORDER TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

C.A. Cordova is perhaps best described as a whimsical nomad. She has an ever-present thirst for new adventures that has resulted in many moves and many more stories.

C.A. Cordova’s unique novels are crafted under a shroud of bergamot from a bottomless cup of Earl Grey tea. She declares herself an observer of the countless tales that play out in her mind. It is not unusual for her to have upwards of ten works in progress at any given moment, the most active being determined by the tone of the day.

Guided by her love of reading, C.A. Cordova hopes to capture the feeling of blissful immersion she has experienced with her favorite books.

When she is not feverishly tapping away at her laptop with a cat in her lap, C.A. Cordova can be found enjoying time with her family, training her parrot, or tending to her flowerbeds.

C.A. Cordova lives in Texas with her family and many pets.

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Book Review: The Secrets of Roan Island by Maci Auroa & Thea Masen

An invitation she can’t refuse—a secret he doesn’t want her to uncover. The Secret of Roan Island is a dark, sexy, gothic paranormal romance that is sinfully sweet. I recently received an ARC copy to review, and now that the book is out, I am revealing my review as I join with R&R Book Tours for the Book Tour Release!


The Secrets of Roan Island

Publication Date: November 21, 2024

Genre: Gothic Fantasy/ Gaslamp/ Romance

Features

⦁	A gothic mansion
⦁	Steampunk aesthetic
⦁	Morally gray alpha MMC
⦁	Academic FMC
⦁	Complex family dynamics
⦁	Wounded characters
⦁	"Who did this to you?"
⦁	He unalives someone for her
⦁	Possessive and obsessed MMC
⦁	"Tell me to stop"
⦁	Primal chase scene
⦁	"Mine"

Outcast from her academic peers and at risk of losing her position at Essik College, Professor Ruby Rose appeals to the reclusive philanthropist Hammish Roan by asking for a grant. What she receives is a cryptic invitation to stay at Roan Island for the winter holiday. No matter how much the eerie mansion unnerves her, access to the Roans’ coveted library is worth facing her unsettling fears.
Mysterious and enigmatic, Noah Roan, the oldest of Hammish Roan’s sons, knows exactly what happens to women who come to their isolated estate. Especially those who stay until the Winter Solstice. No matter how hard he tries to get Ruby to leave, the infuriating and alluring woman insists on staying.

In a clash of will and desire, Ruby and Noah struggle to fight their attraction to each other. But their connection reveals dark and sinister secrets that draw the attention of the maniacal patriarch. Can they work together to out maneuver Hammish Roan, or will he destroy them both?

REVIEW

This book had me swooning! We are introduced to Ruby Rose, a professor at Essik College. Desperate for grant funds, she reaches out to reclusive philanthropist Hammish Roan. When Ruby gets a reply and a errie invitation to spend the Winter Solstice holiday at his manor, Ruby accepts unbeknownst to the secrets that lurk on Roan Island.

Upon Ruby’s arrival, she meets Hammish Roan’s enigmatically handsome sons, The Roan brothers Shemaiah, Jafeth, and the oldest, Noah. Noah wants Ruby to leave, but Ruby is not leaving not without her grant. Frustrated and drawn to this intelligent, headstrong woman, Noah fights to hide their secret and his attraction. Ruby, aware there is something up with this family, can’t help but be intrigued by the sizzling hot Noah Roan, and she is going to get her grant hell or be damned.

Available on AMAZON

Oh, My! Gosh! This book has all the tropes I apparently love and did not know: the gothic Victorian setting, Touch her and die, and the achingly slow-burning romance. I was so giddy reading reading this book. I  did guess the conclusion quickly, yet eagerly read on to see if THEY (the characters) would figure it out. I mean, come on, Noah and Rose! They play so dumb at times, which I think is what makes them likable. They are far from perfect characters, and that just makes them perfect!

Aurora and Masen tag team brilliantly in their writing, creating a seamless flow and tone. I’d never guess two people wrote this (some double-author books, you can tell). When asked at the end if we, the reader, would like more Roan Brothers, the answer is YES!

My rating is 5 out of 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

MACI AURORA

Romance author.

Lover of stories.

Maci Aurora has been writing stories since she was a child. When she was eleven, she fell in love with reading Sunfire Historical Romances about girls who made a difference in their lives and still fell in love. In high school, a friend introduced her to Lavyrle Spencer and Judith McNaught, and from there, her writing journey was cemented in telling stories about love. Having already published many novels (all of which are threaded with romance as upper YA and New Adult titles) under the pen name, CL Walters, Maci Aurora wanted to write stories that offered the same attention to story and characters but with additional steam.

Maci writes in Hawaiʻi where she lives with her husband, their children, and their fur-babies.

THEA MASEN

Thea Masen never thought she’d write spicy romance. The first time she read a steamy book, she was so embarrassed she couldn’t finish it. Now, she spends her days hiding her computer screen from her teenagers and her nights reading tantalizing snippets to her husband.

If you want sweet and spicy love stories, with a touch of the magical and imagined, you’ve come to the right place.

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Book Spotlight Thursday: All the Sacrifice of Shadows by Hillary Raymer

The cover has a dragon on it, so of course, I am spotlighting this book. All the Sacrifice of Shadows is the exciting next installment in the Starstorm series, coming November 13th.

All the Sacrifice of Shadows (Starstorm Series Book 2)

Expected Publication Date: November 13, 2024

Genre: Romantic Fantasy/ Dragons

Features

Arranged Marriage
Grumpy x Sunshine
Shadow Daddy 
Morally Grey
Very Spicy
Dragons
His Dragon Like Her Better

Synopsis

She was a storm of violent sunbeams and catastrophic rainbows.
Marrying for love was never in the stars for Creslyn, as evidenced by her future husband. Drake is calculating, cruel, and wields a blade of death. By all rights, he should be terrifying. But something about him draws her in, his shadows call to the darkness she keeps locked away inside of her. She isn’t foolish enough to expect love from a marriage contract, but when they bind their vows in blood, Creslyn does the unthinkable—she claims Drake as her mate.

He was a monster of shadow and night, of death and destruction.
Cursed since his first breath, Drake has only known power and a realm of shadows. But now he’s bound to a faerie whose heart bleeds for him, and his obsession with her only grows with each passing day. Unfortunately, his world of violence puts her life at stake. Not only is he still the Shadowblade Assassin, but unrest is brewing in Aeramere, and an attack on House Celestine confirms an ill-fated prophecy. War is coming.
As Creslyn longs to find a way to break Drake’s curse and struggles to embrace her own darkness, Drake will be faced with a terrible choice—one that will only end in sacrifice.
Secrets will be unearthed and their bond will be put to the test, because love might be enough for a hero, but it will never save a villain.
Don’t forget Book 1

Pre-Order Here

Content Warning: The book contains the following triggers.

⦁ Voyeurism
⦁ Foul language
⦁ Explicit sexual content
⦁ Attempted murder
⦁ Death
⦁ Blood
⦁ Brief on pages attempted SA

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hillary Raymer is a fantasy romance author. She’s a wanderer, a storyteller, and believes in happily ever afters.

Hillary has always been a dreamer, and lucky for her, she turned those dreams into stories. She has an unfinished Bachelor’s Degree in English, because she ran off and married a Marine halfway through college. She has an affinity toward plants, loves flowers, and enjoys scoping out metaphysical markets for crystals. Wanderlust comes naturally to her, and she’s doing her best to instill the same wild and free values in her daughters. When not writing, Hillary can be found attempting to do yoga, buying more makeup she doesn’t need, or discovering small businesses on Etsy.

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Violence in the Void by Alice Stanco

I am back! This Thursday, we are shedding some love on Alice Stanco’s Violence in the Void. The cover lulls you in, so let’s go deeper into the void.

Violence in the Void

Publication Date: November 2023

Genre: Dark Romantic Fantasy

Featuring
⦁	Multiple dialects
⦁	Mental health rep
⦁	Life & love after trauma
⦁	Hidden realm
⦁	Elemental magic
⦁	Phantom hands daddy
⦁	Tall, dark, & brazen MMC
⦁	Feisty, resilient, & powerful FMC
⦁	Morally grey everyone
⦁	“Mine”
⦁	“You’re safe with me”
⦁	Forced proximity
⦁	He cooks for her
⦁	Quest-centered plot

The Void is encroaching, threatening to take over…
Will his Violence set me free, or push me further into Its grasp?

That day at the Armantrea market was the same as any other, until a tall, beautiful stranger appeared and snapped his fingers.

In an instant, my world disappeared, replaced by his strange land. I’m suddenly surrounded by foreign accents, mysterious, magic-wielding Astrales like Xander, and powers I never knew existed.

Except, in Xander’s eyes, I belong here. Fate’s unfathomable hand guided mine to unknowingly create a replica of an ancient Astrale relic—one with the power to upend society as we know it. Months later, I am responsible for tracking down this lost replica through an unfamiliar world, with Xander as my guide.

But the Astrales are playing with powers far beyond my comprehension, and have political agendas I can’t begin to understand.

Despite his barbaric and controlling demeanor, I find myself drawn to Xander, and something shifts as I begin to rely on him for my safety. When threats from this new world circle in, truths from my past begin to surface, and I am forced to question everything I know.

Xander does what he can to protect me, but I soon realize that even he can’t stop the Void that threatens to swallow me whole…

Available Now on Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alice Stanco is a full-time writer who has spent most of her life between the pages of fantasy books. When not obsessing over fictional characters, she can usually be found celebrating Christmas at any given time or frolicking in proper ADHD fashion.

While a born-and-raised American, Alice is also half English. This can be seen in her writing, as it explores the many cultural differences in a fictional sense.

Mental health representation is also a strong focus in Alice’s work, and is a passion that will ring true indefinitely.

Dive headfirst into her enchanted fantasy world, explore the thrill of love and darkness intertwined, and you may find yourself not wanting to return…

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Selfish Desires by Michelle Hall

I am tagging along this Thursday with R&R Book Tours, spotlighting Selfish Desires by Michelle Hall. Dive in below!

Selfish Desires

Publication Date: August 23, 2024

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Features
❤️Second Chance
🧊Morally Gray MMC
❤️Spice in Ch2
🧊Light BDSM
❤️Destroy her to protect her
🧊Groveling
❤️40 Somethings
🧊“Good girl/sl*t/wh*re”
❤️Third act oopsie baby

The love of my life, the person I trusted most, abandoned me in the worst way possible. There was no warning, not a single clue—just pure, devastating abandonment. I was left to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart.

To survive, I fled. I left behind everything and everyone I knew and loved, all in the desperate hope of forgetting him.

But then Vincent came back, and all the healing I thought I had achieved crumbled in an instant. He begged for my forgiveness, claiming he had no choice in what he did. Yet, I knew he always had a choice—and he chose wrong.

He said everything he did was to keep me safe. But safe from what?
Emotions I thought I had buried resurfaced, and while my mind screamed no, my heart whispered otherwise.

How could I give a second chance to the man who ruined me? How could I even consider it?

Trigger warning

Accidental Pregnancy
Kidnapping
Attempted Murder
Drugging
Abandonment
Sexual Degradation

Available August 23rd on Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michelle Hall, a native Long Islander from New York, continues to raise her family here, which includes two dogs and two children. When she’s not writing, she goes to her day job, enjoys the country’s biggest comeback sport Pickle Ball, finds ways to entertain her kids, and reads when everyone goes to sleep. Michelle has always written fiction short stories as a hobby, but only recently took the plunge and decided to pen full-length literary fiction novels. Creating a world of characters for herself and others to connect to, makes writing one of her greatest joys in life.

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Love’s Redemption by ShaRhonda L. Sharp

Today, I am spotlighting another romantic read by author ShaRhonda L. Sharp, Love’s Redemption that is guaranteed to make you sizzle.

Love's Redemption

Published: Febuary 29th, 2004

Genre: Romance/ African American Romance/ Fiction

Synopsis

Noelle Morgan is a young woman who, after divorcing her high school sweetheart,
rebranded herself as a fierce entrepreneur in the face of opposition and uncertainty. Having been
betrayed and blindsided by infidelity, she was determined to regain control of her life by returning to her roots in Houston and starting over from scratch. Now with a thriving career in the beauty
industry, and glowing in self-rediscovery, she’s fully open to the possibility of giving romance anotherchance...and one sexy firefighter is more than happy to stoke all her flames of desire…

Jackson Howard chose to become a firefighter because he always had a strong desire to help people in need…to save them. Little did he know that the day he walked into a particular hair salon, he’d find the one person who was meant to save him. Jackson had never been so instantly drawn to someone before, but the very second he laid eyes on Noelle Morgan, his soul would not rest. It burned for her…

After leaving these two hopeful romantics beaten, battered and betrayed in the worst ways, is it
possible for Love to redeem itself? Only time will tell…

CONTENT WARNING: This story features depictions of or references to the following: Divorce, Infidelity, Profanity, Feuding Families, Strong Sexual Content

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ShaRhonda is originally from Maywood, IL, and currently resides in Metro Atlanta, GA. She is a self-proclaimed “Unhinged Creative,” as well as owner and operator of S.L.S. Publishing, LLC. She has been published multiple times across various indie publications, including three self-published collections of poetry and a host of other projects. ShaRhonda holds a Master’s Degree from National Louis University in Chicago and currently works a “cushy 9-5” as a means to fund the dream of being a best-selling author someday. In between her many passion projects, she moonlights as a freelancer, content creator, copywriter, and editor, and avid reader of fiction and poetry.