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Two Pens on Notebook

D. L. CROISETTE

Romance author of bold and sultry stories with heart

FEATURED BOOK

Pack Your Bags: A Collection of Romance Short Stories

Vacations gone wrong… love gone right

Seven contemporary romance short stories about love, travel and adventures of the heart.

Featuring "The Quintessential Misadventure", a strangers-to-lovers romance with a hidden identity twist.

Pack Your Bags Sample Cover.png

I HAVE A STORY TO TELL.
ARE YOU READY?

The characters in my head demand their tales be told. Not one to back down from a challenge, I spin them into adventures full of drama, emotions, and courageous characters who rediscover their strengths.

Best Sellers

Ruby Red.png

A riches-to-rags, hidden identity, slow burn romance

Pack Your Bags.png

A strangers-to-lovers, hidden identity romance novella

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Kisses, Lies, & Us

A friends-to-lovers, hidden identity, romance series

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An opposites attract, hidden identity sweet romance series

I'm kicking off 2025 with 25 books that influenced my life.

Although I write romance, I read a wide range of books. One of my first attempts at writing was a sci-fi book and that's totally due to the brilliant stories by Issac Asimov.

One of the things I admire is how he interconnected his stories. It inspired me to expand my universe of romance books and connect them in small ways. For example, Matt from my White Knight short story is the main character in my current WIP

#2025books #WIP #romancebooks

I'm kicking off 2025 with 25 books that influenced my life.

Although I write romance, I read a wide range of books. One of my first attempts at writing was a sci-fi book and that's totally due to the brilliant stories by Issac Asimov.

One of the things I admire is how he interconnected his stories. It inspired me to expand my universe of romance books and connect them in small ways. For example, Matt from my White Knight short story is the main character in my current WIP

#2025books #WIP #romancebooks

I'm sharing 25 books that influenced my life to kick of 2025.

Love him or hate him, you can't deny Charles Dickens wrote some of the most iconic stories. Back in the day he was paid by the word and thus his stories can be quite ... well... wordy. He might take a paragraph of two to describe the room that a character walked into.

Some of my readers comment on how I paint a picture with my words, and my co-author relies on me at times to fill in pages of what she calls "naked dialogue" with the fun details of the world our characters live in.

I love writing descriptions and it might have a little to do with Dicken's books like David Copperfield.

Do you like reading Charles Dickens?

#2025books #charlesdickens #bookreaders

I'm sharing 25 books that influenced my life to kick of 2025.

Love him or hate him, you can't deny Charles Dickens wrote some of the most iconic stories. Back in the day he was paid by the word and thus his stories can be quite ... well... wordy. He might take a paragraph of two to describe the room that a character walked into.

Some of my readers comment on how I paint a picture with my words, and my co-author relies on me at times to fill in pages of what she calls "naked dialogue" with the fun details of the world our characters live in.

I love writing descriptions and it might have a little to do with Dicken's books like David Copperfield.

Do you like reading Charles Dickens?

#2025books #charlesdickens #bookreaders

To kickstart 2025 I'm sharing 25 of the books that have influenced my life.

I first read Lessons on Seduction in a draft version on Wattpad, commented and started having a conversation with the author @the_spicy_author Our chats turned into critique partners and then into a friendship.

Estelle Pettersen writes beautiful romance stories based on bold, brave women who aren't afraid to love the complicated men in their lives. Estelle's writing pushed me to write a first draft of the redemption story for the villain from my Ruby Red romance books.

Tell me in the comments about someone who has inspired you.

#2025books #romancebooks #romancestories

To kickstart 2025 I'm sharing 25 of the books that have influenced my life.

I first read Lessons on Seduction in a draft version on Wattpad, commented and started having a conversation with the author @the_spicy_author Our chats turned into critique partners and then into a friendship.

Estelle Pettersen writes beautiful romance stories based on bold, brave women who aren't afraid to love the complicated men in their lives. Estelle's writing pushed me to write a first draft of the redemption story for the villain from my Ruby Red romance books.

Tell me in the comments about someone who has inspired you.

#2025books #romancebooks #romancestories

To ring in 2025 I'm sharing 25 books that influenced my life.

Today's book is Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. Parts of this book gave me creepy chills but the characters compelled me to keep reading. I have nothing in common with these characters outside of we both went to university yet I felt like they could be my friends they were so real and well created.

Leigh Bardugo's writing inspires me to dig deeper with my characters, find the little details that bring them to life for my readers and make them memorable.

Is there a character in a book you'd like to be friends with?

#2025books #readingabook #bookcharacter

To ring in 2025 I'm sharing 25 books that influenced my life.

Today's book is Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. Parts of this book gave me creepy chills but the characters compelled me to keep reading. I have nothing in common with these characters outside of we both went to university yet I felt like they could be my friends they were so real and well created.

Leigh Bardugo's writing inspires me to dig deeper with my characters, find the little details that bring them to life for my readers and make them memorable.

Is there a character in a book you'd like to be friends with?

#2025books #readingabook #bookcharacter

I've selected 25 books that influenced my life to celebrate 2025.

Red, White, & Royal Blue was a random selection plucked off a list of romance books and I had no idea it was a MM romance. I'd never read an MM and this romcom with such heart really set the bar high.

I was uber excited for the movie and it did not disappoint in my books.

Do you like books that are made into movies?

#romancebooks #readingromancebooks #2025books

I've selected 25 books that influenced my life to celebrate 2025.

Red, White, & Royal Blue was a random selection plucked off a list of romance books and I had no idea it was a MM romance. I'd never read an MM and this romcom with such heart really set the bar high.

I was uber excited for the movie and it did not disappoint in my books.

Do you like books that are made into movies?

#romancebooks #readingromancebooks #2025books

To celebrate 2025, I'm sharing 25 books that influenced my life.

I'm just going to say it. I have a girl crush on Emily Henry. If you think my writing is anything in the vicinity of her ball park, I might cry. Book Lovers was the first book my reading buddy group chose to kick off with and man did we set that bar high.

Book Lovers is still, on most days, my favourite EmHen romance book, but its a tough choice as I adore them all. Her last romance book Funny Story rivals Book Lovers and I can not wait to read more from her.

Who's your "if they write it, I read it" author?

#2025books #romancebook #readingromance

To celebrate 2025, I'm sharing 25 books that influenced my life.

I'm just going to say it. I have a girl crush on Emily Henry. If you think my writing is anything in the vicinity of her ball park, I might cry. Book Lovers was the first book my reading buddy group chose to kick off with and man did we set that bar high.

Book Lovers is still, on most days, my favourite EmHen romance book, but its a tough choice as I adore them all. Her last romance book Funny Story rivals Book Lovers and I can not wait to read more from her.

Who's your "if they write it, I read it" author?

#2025books #romancebook #readingromance

To celebrate 2025 I'm revealing 25 books that influenced my life.

Tessa Bailey's romance book It Happened One Summer breezed into my life (another recommendation from a friend) and taught me just how hot dirty talk can be. Before I read her books (because I've read a lot of her books by now) I thought that kind of dialogue was ... well cringy. But she knocks it out of the park in in romcom novels and has me fanning myself between laughing out loud.

I'm not saying I can achieve that level of fun, but I certainly look to her for inspiration. Plus, she is super nice. I waited 4 hours in line for her to sign my copy of Secretly Yours and she was super kind and friendly.

Have you ever met an author in person? Tell me about it.

#romancebooks #2025books #bookrecommendations

To celebrate 2025 I'm revealing 25 books that influenced my life.

Tessa Bailey's romance book It Happened One Summer breezed into my life (another recommendation from a friend) and taught me just how hot dirty talk can be. Before I read her books (because I've read a lot of her books by now) I thought that kind of dialogue was ... well cringy. But she knocks it out of the park in in romcom novels and has me fanning myself between laughing out loud.

I'm not saying I can achieve that level of fun, but I certainly look to her for inspiration. Plus, she is super nice. I waited 4 hours in line for her to sign my copy of Secretly Yours and she was super kind and friendly.

Have you ever met an author in person? Tell me about it.

#romancebooks #2025books #bookrecommendations

For 2025 I'm looking at 25 of the books that influenced my life.

Trent's Redemption is the first book in @author_baileythomas Mill Creek series of suspense romance books. Aside from being a great story, having Bailey as a friend and fellow author has helped push my writing in new directions. She's a critique partner, a support system and an inspiration. We worked together to create the Pack Your Bags collection of romance short stories and we have more projects planned together.

Tell me about a friend who supports you.

#romancebooks #suspensebooks #2025books

For 2025 I'm looking at 25 of the books that influenced my life.

Trent's Redemption is the first book in @author_baileythomas Mill Creek series of suspense romance books. Aside from being a great story, having Bailey as a friend and fellow author has helped push my writing in new directions. She's a critique partner, a support system and an inspiration. We worked together to create the Pack Your Bags collection of romance short stories and we have more projects planned together.

Tell me about a friend who supports you.

#romancebooks #suspensebooks #2025books

To kick off 2025 I'm looking at 25 books that influenced my life.

Despite my reading buddy insisting I should read an Abby Jimenez book and I should start with Part of Your Word, I resisted. Why? It's silly, but the cover didn't appeal to me. Thank goodness my friend kept mentioning it because when I broke down and read the book, I adored it. And went on to read the rest of the series as they came out. Now Abby Jimenez is on my must read list.

What's the lesson from this book? The one we hear all the time - Don't judge a book by it's cover. The packaging doesn't count, it's the inside that matters.

Comment with any of the Abby Jimenez romance books you've read or are on your TBR.

#romancebooks #readingromancebooks #2025books

To kick off 2025 I'm looking at 25 books that influenced my life.

Despite my reading buddy insisting I should read an Abby Jimenez book and I should start with Part of Your Word, I resisted. Why? It's silly, but the cover didn't appeal to me. Thank goodness my friend kept mentioning it because when I broke down and read the book, I adored it. And went on to read the rest of the series as they came out. Now Abby Jimenez is on my must read list.

What's the lesson from this book? The one we hear all the time - Don't judge a book by it's cover. The packaging doesn't count, it's the inside that matters.

Comment with any of the Abby Jimenez romance books you've read or are on your TBR.

#romancebooks #readingromancebooks #2025books

I couldn't complete a list of 25 books that influenced my life without a Mariana Zapata book. Specifically The Wall of Winnipeg.

I've always loved big books, they kind you can really did into but I had not idea that I loved slow burn romances until I buddy read this romance book with my friends. It was like catnip for me and I could NOT put the book down. I was reading it standing in line at the story, while making dinner, anytime and every time I could.

Why? It's the angst, the smoldering embers of emotions, the build up to the big moments when everything boils over. I'm addicted to all of that. Mariana Zapata is known for her BIG books.

That's why my Willa Drew book, WE Blend is over 100,000 words. That burn is slow, slow, slow and you only get two kisses, but boy are they good.

Give this post a ❤️ if you also adore slow burn romance books.

#romancebooks #slowburnromancebooks #2025books

I couldn't complete a list of 25 books that influenced my life without a Mariana Zapata book. Specifically The Wall of Winnipeg.

I've always loved big books, they kind you can really did into but I had not idea that I loved slow burn romances until I buddy read this romance book with my friends. It was like catnip for me and I could NOT put the book down. I was reading it standing in line at the story, while making dinner, anytime and every time I could.

Why? It's the angst, the smoldering embers of emotions, the build up to the big moments when everything boils over. I'm addicted to all of that. Mariana Zapata is known for her BIG books.

That's why my Willa Drew book, WE Blend is over 100,000 words. That burn is slow, slow, slow and you only get two kisses, but boy are they good.

Give this post a ❤️ if you also adore slow burn romance books.

#romancebooks #slowburnromancebooks #2025books

To celebrate 2025, I'm posting a book a day that influenced my life.

Today's book is Every Summer After by Carley Fortune. This book spoke to my, capturing the summer cottage life of my childhood and my current experiences. It's a beautiful story that even with the element I rage about, I still often recommend this romance book.

This book influenced me because the author is Canadian. Probably lives down the street from me. But she writes about Canada. The stories take place in Canada, and the scenes in Toronto I can see in my mind or even visit.

They say write from your experience and early in my writing career I avoided that. I placed my stories in popular places like Los Angeles or Washington DC. But with my first @willadrewauthor book, I dipped into my hometown when Sarah came from Toronto, As the Kisses, Lies, & Us series expanded into more books, more Canadianisms came out (which was fun for my co-author @galarussauthor) and we included scenes in Toronto. Now I love writing about my hometown.

Tell me if you've been to Canada and where you stayed?

About the Book
They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser, ever since she made the biggest mistake of her life a decade ago, that has felt too true. Instead of glittering summers on the lakeshore of her childhood, she spends them in a stylish apartment in the city, going out with friends, and keeping everyone a safe distance from her heart.

Until she receives the call that sends her racing back to Barry’s Bay and into the orbit of Sam Florek—the man she never thought she’d have to live without.

For six summers, through hazy afternoons on the water and warm summer nights working in his family’s restaurant and curling up together with books—medical textbooks for him and work-in-progress horror short stories for her—Percy and Sam had been inseparable. Eventually that friendship turned into something breathtakingly more, before it fell spectacularly apart.

#2025books #cottagelife #booklove

To celebrate 2025, I'm posting a book a day that influenced my life.

Today's book is Every Summer After by Carley Fortune. This book spoke to my, capturing the summer cottage life of my childhood and my current experiences. It's a beautiful story that even with the element I rage about, I still often recommend this romance book.

This book influenced me because the author is Canadian. Probably lives down the street from me. But she writes about Canada. The stories take place in Canada, and the scenes in Toronto I can see in my mind or even visit.

They say write from your experience and early in my writing career I avoided that. I placed my stories in popular places like Los Angeles or Washington DC. But with my first @willadrewauthor book, I dipped into my hometown when Sarah came from Toronto, As the Kisses, Lies, & Us series expanded into more books, more Canadianisms came out (which was fun for my co-author @galarussauthor) and we included scenes in Toronto. Now I love writing about my hometown.

Tell me if you've been to Canada and where you stayed?

About the Book
They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser, ever since she made the biggest mistake of her life a decade ago, that has felt too true. Instead of glittering summers on the lakeshore of her childhood, she spends them in a stylish apartment in the city, going out with friends, and keeping everyone a safe distance from her heart.

Until she receives the call that sends her racing back to Barry’s Bay and into the orbit of Sam Florek—the man she never thought she’d have to live without.

For six summers, through hazy afternoons on the water and warm summer nights working in his family’s restaurant and curling up together with books—medical textbooks for him and work-in-progress horror short stories for her—Percy and Sam had been inseparable. Eventually that friendship turned into something breathtakingly more, before it fell spectacularly apart.

#2025books #cottagelife #booklove

I've selected 25 books that influenced my life to celebrate 2025.

Yes, I am on the Ali Hazelwood bandwagon. If she writes it, I read it. The Love Hypothesis was a gift from a friend who wanted to share the love and the STEM experience. I'm a slow reader but I gobbled up this book in one day. It was a long day and I read well into the night.

If you're a fan of Ali Hazelwood's romance books, comment STEM.

About the book:
As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn't believe in lasting romantic relationships--but her best friend does, and that's what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees.

That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor--and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford's reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive's career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding... six-pack abs.

Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.

#2025books #romancebooks #booklove

I've selected 25 books that influenced my life to celebrate 2025.

Yes, I am on the Ali Hazelwood bandwagon. If she writes it, I read it. The Love Hypothesis was a gift from a friend who wanted to share the love and the STEM experience. I'm a slow reader but I gobbled up this book in one day. It was a long day and I read well into the night.

If you're a fan of Ali Hazelwood's romance books, comment STEM.

About the book:
As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn't believe in lasting romantic relationships--but her best friend does, and that's what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees.

That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor--and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford's reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive's career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding... six-pack abs.

Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.

#2025books #romancebooks #booklove

To kick of 2025, I'm sharing 25 books that influenced my life.

Today's book is Neanderthal Seeks Human. Recommended by a friend, this was my first book by Penny Reid. I learned the power of an engaging opening chapter and that romance books can be funny! (Yay, now I'm addicted to Rom-Com's.)

If you also like reading RomComs, give this post a ❤️.

About The Book:
There are three things you need to know about Janie Morris:
1) She is incapable of engaging in a conversation without volunteering TMTI (Too Much Trivial Information), especially when she is unnerved,
2) No one unnerves her more than Quinn Sullivan, and
3) She doesn't know how to knit.

After losing her boyfriend, apartment, and job in the same day, Janie Morris can't help wondering what new torment fate has in store.

To her utter mortification, Quinn Sullivan—aka Sir McHotpants—witnesses it all then keeps turning up like a pair of shoes you lust after but can't afford. The last thing she expects is for Quinn to make her an offer she can't refuse.

#2025books #romancebooks #readingromance

To kick of 2025, I'm sharing 25 books that influenced my life.

Today's book is Neanderthal Seeks Human. Recommended by a friend, this was my first book by Penny Reid. I learned the power of an engaging opening chapter and that romance books can be funny! (Yay, now I'm addicted to Rom-Com's.)

If you also like reading RomComs, give this post a ❤️.

About The Book:
There are three things you need to know about Janie Morris:
1) She is incapable of engaging in a conversation without volunteering TMTI (Too Much Trivial Information), especially when she is unnerved,
2) No one unnerves her more than Quinn Sullivan, and
3) She doesn't know how to knit.

After losing her boyfriend, apartment, and job in the same day, Janie Morris can't help wondering what new torment fate has in store.

To her utter mortification, Quinn Sullivan—aka Sir McHotpants—witnesses it all then keeps turning up like a pair of shoes you lust after but can't afford. The last thing she expects is for Quinn to make her an offer she can't refuse.

#2025books #romancebooks #readingromance

I'm posting 25 books that influenced my life.

If you've read any of my previous posts you know that I wasn't a romance book reader before I was dared to write romance books. Research was necessary and Tangled was my first romance book written from an all male's perspective. I expected my Ruby Red to be from the FMC's POV only but Sam started talking to me and insisted I tell him his side of the story.

Do you prefer dual POV or single POV books?

About Tangled by Emma Chase

Drew Evans is a winner. Handsome and arrogant, he makes multimillion dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. He has loyal friends and an indulgent family. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed?

He’ll tell you he has the flu.

But we all know that’s not really true.

Katherine Brooks is brilliant, beautiful and ambitious. She refuses to let anything - or anyone - derail her path to success. When Kate is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating.

Then, just when Drew is on the cusp of having everything he wants, his overblown confidence threatens to ruin it all. Will he be able untangle his feelings of lust and tenderness, frustration and fulfillment? Will he rise to the most important challenge of his life?

Can Drew Evans win at love?

Tangled is not your mother’s romance novel. It is an outrageous, passionate, witty narrative about a man who knows a lot about women…just not as much as he thinks he knows. As he tells his story, Drew learns the one thing he never wanted in life, is the only thing he can’t live without.

#romancebooks #2025books #readingbooks

I'm posting 25 books that influenced my life.

If you've read any of my previous posts you know that I wasn't a romance book reader before I was dared to write romance books. Research was necessary and Tangled was my first romance book written from an all male's perspective. I expected my Ruby Red to be from the FMC's POV only but Sam started talking to me and insisted I tell him his side of the story.

Do you prefer dual POV or single POV books?

About Tangled by Emma Chase

Drew Evans is a winner. Handsome and arrogant, he makes multimillion dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. He has loyal friends and an indulgent family. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed?

He’ll tell you he has the flu.

But we all know that’s not really true.

Katherine Brooks is brilliant, beautiful and ambitious. She refuses to let anything - or anyone - derail her path to success. When Kate is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating.

Then, just when Drew is on the cusp of having everything he wants, his overblown confidence threatens to ruin it all. Will he be able untangle his feelings of lust and tenderness, frustration and fulfillment? Will he rise to the most important challenge of his life?

Can Drew Evans win at love?

Tangled is not your mother’s romance novel. It is an outrageous, passionate, witty narrative about a man who knows a lot about women…just not as much as he thinks he knows. As he tells his story, Drew learns the one thing he never wanted in life, is the only thing he can’t live without.

#romancebooks #2025books #readingbooks

To celebrate 2025 I've chosen 25 books that influence my life.

Today's book is The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang. Fate brought this book to me. When I was dared by my friend to write a romance book, I had to do some research. I had to read a romance books. So I googled romance books and this was on a list somewhere. Thank you whoever created the list. (The other book on there was When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn, which I also read.)

This romance book spoke to me. There is a scene where Michael runs into a client at a charity function, an older woman who was once a client. That scene lead to the birth of Ali in my romance novel Ruby Red. I wondered what that woman's background was, why she was there. My Ali Stinson didn't turn out to be much like that character, but she was the inspiration.

Has a minor character in a book or show ever inspired you to create a story for them?

About The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases—a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.

It doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice—with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can't afford to turn down Stella's offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan—from foreplay to more-than-missionary position...

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he's making her feel. Soon, their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic...

#romancebooks #2025books #kiss

To celebrate 2025 I've chosen 25 books that influence my life.

Today's book is The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang. Fate brought this book to me. When I was dared by my friend to write a romance book, I had to do some research. I had to read a romance books. So I googled romance books and this was on a list somewhere. Thank you whoever created the list. (The other book on there was When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn, which I also read.)

This romance book spoke to me. There is a scene where Michael runs into a client at a charity function, an older woman who was once a client. That scene lead to the birth of Ali in my romance novel Ruby Red. I wondered what that woman's background was, why she was there. My Ali Stinson didn't turn out to be much like that character, but she was the inspiration.

Has a minor character in a book or show ever inspired you to create a story for them?

About The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases—a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.

It doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice—with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can't afford to turn down Stella's offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan—from foreplay to more-than-missionary position...

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he's making her feel. Soon, their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic...

#romancebooks #2025books #kiss

No list of the 25 books that influenced my life would be complete without Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

The original age-gap romance book? Definitely a grumpy/sunshine romance. Maybe even a Beauty and the Beast romance. This book was my grandmother's favourite story and I read her copy of the book. After her death, I inherited the book and it makes me smile that I turn the pages that she once turned.

My love for Jane Eyre is more proof that I was meant to be a romance author. The theme of characters that find their strength and rediscover themselves run through all my romance books.

About Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Charlotte Brontë tells the story of orphaned Jane Eyre, who grows up in the home of her heartless aunt, enduring loneliness and cruelty. This troubled childhood strengthens Jane's natural independence and spirit - which prove necessary when she finds employment as a governess to the young ward of Byronic, brooding Mr Rochester. As her feelings for Rochester develop, Jane gradually uncovers Thornfield Hall's terrible secret, forcing her to make a choice. Should she stay with Rochester and live with the consequences, or follow her convictions - even if it means leaving the man she loves?

#romancebooks #booklife #agegapromancebooks

No list of the 25 books that influenced my life would be complete without Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

The original age-gap romance book? Definitely a grumpy/sunshine romance. Maybe even a Beauty and the Beast romance. This book was my grandmother's favourite story and I read her copy of the book. After her death, I inherited the book and it makes me smile that I turn the pages that she once turned.

My love for Jane Eyre is more proof that I was meant to be a romance author. The theme of characters that find their strength and rediscover themselves run through all my romance books.

About Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Charlotte Brontë tells the story of orphaned Jane Eyre, who grows up in the home of her heartless aunt, enduring loneliness and cruelty. This troubled childhood strengthens Jane's natural independence and spirit - which prove necessary when she finds employment as a governess to the young ward of Byronic, brooding Mr Rochester. As her feelings for Rochester develop, Jane gradually uncovers Thornfield Hall's terrible secret, forcing her to make a choice. Should she stay with Rochester and live with the consequences, or follow her convictions - even if it means leaving the man she loves?

#romancebooks #booklife #agegapromancebooks

I'm kicking off 2025 with 25 books that influenced my life.

I was very late to the Pride and Prejudice parade. While visiting family in England, a rerun of an episode of the BBC production of P&P was playing on the tellie. The lake episode. IYKYK. Two things happened that night. My crush on Colin Firth was born and I decided to read this book. I became obsessed with the book. I've read so many versions, adaptations, fan fiction. I've even read a Goodnight Moon P&P special edition of the book.

Jane Austen's works are timeless. Take away the timeline and you can place the story anywhere in history. At its core, this is a romance book and claims to be nothing else. At that time, I didn't read romance books. Or at least I didn't think I did.

Oh, and I think it has one of the best ever opening lines.

About Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
‘He began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention’. Pride and Prejudice , one of the most famous love stories of all time, has also proven itself as a treasured mainstay of the English literary canon. With the arrival of eligible young men in their neighbourhood, the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their five daughters are turned inside out and upside down. Pride encounters prejudice, upward-mobility confronts social disdain, and quick-wittedness challenges sagacity. Misconceptions and hasty judgements bring heartache and scandal, but eventually lead to true understanding, self-knowledge, and love.

Have you read Pride & Prejudice? Give this post a ❤️if you also have a crush on Colin Frith.

#romancebooks #booklife #readabook

I'm kicking off 2025 with 25 books that influenced my life.

I was very late to the Pride and Prejudice parade. While visiting family in England, a rerun of an episode of the BBC production of P&P was playing on the tellie. The lake episode. IYKYK. Two things happened that night. My crush on Colin Firth was born and I decided to read this book. I became obsessed with the book. I've read so many versions, adaptations, fan fiction. I've even read a Goodnight Moon P&P special edition of the book.

Jane Austen's works are timeless. Take away the timeline and you can place the story anywhere in history. At its core, this is a romance book and claims to be nothing else. At that time, I didn't read romance books. Or at least I didn't think I did.

Oh, and I think it has one of the best ever opening lines.

About Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
‘He began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention’. Pride and Prejudice , one of the most famous love stories of all time, has also proven itself as a treasured mainstay of the English literary canon. With the arrival of eligible young men in their neighbourhood, the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their five daughters are turned inside out and upside down. Pride encounters prejudice, upward-mobility confronts social disdain, and quick-wittedness challenges sagacity. Misconceptions and hasty judgements bring heartache and scandal, but eventually lead to true understanding, self-knowledge, and love.

Have you read Pride & Prejudice? Give this post a ❤️if you also have a crush on Colin Frith.

#romancebooks #booklife #readabook

When @miraclea_ agreed to join the @willadrewauthor co-authorship and write a short story with us we jumped for joy.

Our sides hurt from laughing as we wrote Pablo and Sven’s buddy relationship. We needed a box of tissues as we edited the crucial scene. And our smiles were almost as big as Pablo’s when found the happy ending.

Writing Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard was teamwork at its best.

A lost dog, a grumpy bodyguard, and a hidden bone. It’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Available in Pawliday Love, a limited edition, charity romance anthology.

Read in KU.

When @miraclea_ agreed to join the @willadrewauthor co-authorship and write a short story with us we jumped for joy.

Our sides hurt from laughing as we wrote Pablo and Sven’s buddy relationship. We needed a box of tissues as we edited the crucial scene. And our smiles were almost as big as Pablo’s when found the happy ending.

Writing Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard was teamwork at its best.

A lost dog, a grumpy bodyguard, and a hidden bone. It’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Available in Pawliday Love, a limited edition, charity romance anthology.

Read in KU.

Todays book in 25 books that influenced my life is a family favourite.

Thomas B Costain is a Canadian author and as such was required reading in both my parent's household. So of course they influenced me and suggested I read the historical story. His books are a bit like Ken Follet and Phillapa Gregory books as the stories take place in actual history, but most of the players are fictional. I always say every story has a love story element and this book has a beautiful one.

My copy of this book is tattered and torn, but since this book is out of print, I hold on to it.

About Below the Salt by Thomas B. Costain
Time was strangely rolled back 700 years so that he was hearing an account of those stirring, violent events in England and Europe that led to Magna Charta and thus contributed so much to the liberties of future generations: with a story, most of it straight from history, of a lost princess and the recovery of a lost charter.

#booklife #romancebooks #lovestories

Todays book in 25 books that influenced my life is a family favourite.

Thomas B Costain is a Canadian author and as such was required reading in both my parent's household. So of course they influenced me and suggested I read the historical story. His books are a bit like Ken Follet and Phillapa Gregory books as the stories take place in actual history, but most of the players are fictional. I always say every story has a love story element and this book has a beautiful one.

My copy of this book is tattered and torn, but since this book is out of print, I hold on to it.

About Below the Salt by Thomas B. Costain
Time was strangely rolled back 700 years so that he was hearing an account of those stirring, violent events in England and Europe that led to Magna Charta and thus contributed so much to the liberties of future generations: with a story, most of it straight from history, of a lost princess and the recovery of a lost charter.

#booklife #romancebooks #lovestories

The next book in my 25 books that influenced my life series is The Hobbit.

At far too young an age, my father gave me this book to read. He couldn't wait for me to read the Lord of the Rings series. I devoured this book and then once I found out there were more, I begged to read them. If you ever find my writing descriptive, you can thank J. R. R. Tolkein for opening my eyes to pages and pages of description.

About The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.
Written for J.R.R. Tolkien’s own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when it was first published in 1937. Now recognized as a timeless classic, this introduction to the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, Gollum, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth recounts of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent.

#booklove #25books #LOTR

The next book in my 25 books that influenced my life series is The Hobbit.

At far too young an age, my father gave me this book to read. He couldn't wait for me to read the Lord of the Rings series. I devoured this book and then once I found out there were more, I begged to read them. If you ever find my writing descriptive, you can thank J. R. R. Tolkein for opening my eyes to pages and pages of description.

About The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.
Written for J.R.R. Tolkien’s own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when it was first published in 1937. Now recognized as a timeless classic, this introduction to the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, Gollum, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth recounts of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent.

#booklove #25books #LOTR

How you look at your circumstances is everything. Even though this is a Honda commercial, it spoke to me.

Sometimes you need to turn things upside down to see things in the right light.

Shake things up. Flip your point of view. Sit in another spot and change your sight line.

I brought this perspective to my first romance book, Ruby Red. I had read so many romance stories where the MMC is rich and powerful and also a grumpy. The FMC is sweet and kind and caring. And I was bored of that set up.

So I flipped things upside down. Ali took on the MMC traits becoming the millionaire with attitude, high society social expectations and lack of trust. She’s hiding a secret. Her bank manager just ran off with all her money!

Enter my cinnamon roll Sam, a bartender at Ali’s favourite resort. He falls head over heels for her and helps keep her secret.

Ruby Red - Sometimes you only find love after you lose everything.

Tell me about something that changed your perception.

#perception #pointofview #romancebooks

How you look at your circumstances is everything. Even though this is a Honda commercial, it spoke to me.

Sometimes you need to turn things upside down to see things in the right light.

Shake things up. Flip your point of view. Sit in another spot and change your sight line.

I brought this perspective to my first romance book, Ruby Red. I had read so many romance stories where the MMC is rich and powerful and also a grumpy. The FMC is sweet and kind and caring. And I was bored of that set up.

So I flipped things upside down. Ali took on the MMC traits becoming the millionaire with attitude, high society social expectations and lack of trust. She’s hiding a secret. Her bank manager just ran off with all her money!

Enter my cinnamon roll Sam, a bartender at Ali’s favourite resort. He falls head over heels for her and helps keep her secret.

Ruby Red - Sometimes you only find love after you lose everything.

Tell me about something that changed your perception.

#perception #pointofview #romancebooks

To kick off 2025 I'm taking a look at some of the books that influenced my life. 25 books in fact.

I figured I should start at the beginning. No, this is not a book I read to my children. This book was my favourite book as a child. I made my parents read it over and over until I could read it myself. And I cried for poor Lamont because he was all alone. Spoiler Alert: He makes friends and is not so alone in the end.

About the Lamont the Lonely Monster by Dean Walley

Once upon a time, there was a very lonely monster named Lamont. He was hairy and scary on the outside, like other monsters. On the inside, he was good and kind. More than anything else in the world, Lamont wanted a friend.

#2025books #books #lonely

To kick off 2025 I'm taking a look at some of the books that influenced my life. 25 books in fact.

I figured I should start at the beginning. No, this is not a book I read to my children. This book was my favourite book as a child. I made my parents read it over and over until I could read it myself. And I cried for poor Lamont because he was all alone. Spoiler Alert: He makes friends and is not so alone in the end.

About the Lamont the Lonely Monster by Dean Walley

Once upon a time, there was a very lonely monster named Lamont. He was hairy and scary on the outside, like other monsters. On the inside, he was good and kind. More than anything else in the world, Lamont wanted a friend.

#2025books #books #lonely

Squeezed in a few books in December despite a very busy season.

The Under The Mistletoe collection was a festive treat of 5 romance books. Short, steamy stories I snuck in when I had an hour to myself.

Tessa Bailey’s Same Time Next Year was a little longer story but still a read in an afternoon hit of dopamine.

Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer is a long time TBR pick and the audio book kept me company while driving.

Another long time TBR is A Court of Thorns and Roses. Yes, I’ve entered the Sarah J Maas universe. I get the Rhysand hype now.

Reading a book and helping animals? Sign me up. Pawliday Love is a charity romance collection. It includes my Willa Drew short story Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard.

Tell me in the comments if you’ve read any of these romance books.

#romancebooks #readmorebooks #bodyguardromance

Squeezed in a few books in December despite a very busy season.

The Under The Mistletoe collection was a festive treat of 5 romance books. Short, steamy stories I snuck in when I had an hour to myself.

Tessa Bailey’s Same Time Next Year was a little longer story but still a read in an afternoon hit of dopamine.

Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer is a long time TBR pick and the audio book kept me company while driving.

Another long time TBR is A Court of Thorns and Roses. Yes, I’ve entered the Sarah J Maas universe. I get the Rhysand hype now.

Reading a book and helping animals? Sign me up. Pawliday Love is a charity romance collection. It includes my Willa Drew short story Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard.

Tell me in the comments if you’ve read any of these romance books.

#romancebooks #readmorebooks #bodyguardromance

Somehow I read 72 books this year. That’s 1 more than last year.

The two short story collections were the answer when I need a romance book dopamine hit but was time crunched.

Audio books also saved the day as I listened while driving which I did a lot of in 2024.

Of course most of my reading is romance books but I did branch out into other genres.

Tell me in the comments what your go-to genre is.

#romancebooks #romancebook #readingromancebooks

Somehow I read 72 books this year. That’s 1 more than last year.

The two short story collections were the answer when I need a romance book dopamine hit but was time crunched.

Audio books also saved the day as I listened while driving which I did a lot of in 2024.

Of course most of my reading is romance books but I did branch out into other genres.

Tell me in the comments what your go-to genre is.

#romancebooks #romancebook #readingromancebooks

🌟 Great things take time! 🌟

Whether it’s a personal project, a fitness goal, or a dream you've been nurturing, remember that every step counts.

🛤️ Progress isn’t always a straight line, but each effort brings you closer to your destination.

What goals are you working towards? Share them in the comments below! Let’s inspire and support each other on this journey!

💪✨ #GoalSetting #JourneyToSuccess #ProgressNotPerfection

🌟 Great things take time! 🌟

Whether it’s a personal project, a fitness goal, or a dream you've been nurturing, remember that every step counts.

🛤️ Progress isn’t always a straight line, but each effort brings you closer to your destination.

What goals are you working towards? Share them in the comments below! Let’s inspire and support each other on this journey!

💪✨ #GoalSetting #JourneyToSuccess #ProgressNotPerfection

It’s fun to see how Goodreads and StoryGraph categorize my reading habits.

My perspective: I read a lot if romance books. No surprise. But I do branch out to other genres.

I read multiples of Emily Henry, Ali Hazelwood, Carley Fortune and Tessa Bailey. I discovered Lynn Painter and Cat Sebastian and Kate Goldbeck.

And I finally dived into the Sarah J Maas world. Yes, I’ll be reading the A Court of Mist and Fury to get my Rhysand fix.

No, I won’t choose a favourite romance book of the year. There’s so many romance books I loved and they all deserve accolades. This is what I adore about the romance book reading community. So much to love.

Tell me in the comments some of the romance books you’d recommend.

#romancebooks #readingcommunity #bookcommunity

It’s fun to see how Goodreads and StoryGraph categorize my reading habits.

My perspective: I read a lot if romance books. No surprise. But I do branch out to other genres.

I read multiples of Emily Henry, Ali Hazelwood, Carley Fortune and Tessa Bailey. I discovered Lynn Painter and Cat Sebastian and Kate Goldbeck.

And I finally dived into the Sarah J Maas world. Yes, I’ll be reading the A Court of Mist and Fury to get my Rhysand fix.

No, I won’t choose a favourite romance book of the year. There’s so many romance books I loved and they all deserve accolades. This is what I adore about the romance book reading community. So much to love.

Tell me in the comments some of the romance books you’d recommend.

#romancebooks #readingcommunity #bookcommunity

It’s 2024 Wrap up time. So let’s look back at our adventures.

Give yourself 10 points for each item you did in 2024.

Bonus Points: 10 points for each romance book you read in 2024.

#2024wrapup #romancebook #readabook

It’s 2024 Wrap up time. So let’s look back at our adventures.

Give yourself 10 points for each item you did in 2024.

Bonus Points: 10 points for each romance book you read in 2024.

#2024wrapup #romancebook #readabook

2024 was brutiful. There were high highs and low lows. It was a year of extremes in my corner of the world.

I published 4 stories this year
The Quintessential Misadventure in the Pack Your Bags romance book anthropology introducing Sterling and Quinn.
Friendzoned By My Crush, a book box of Sarah and Nick’s romance books with bonus scenes.
We Balance, the third and final romance book for Wil & El’s Falling for the Rockstar’s Daughter series
Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard featuring Sven and his new sidekick Pablo.

The last three with my coauthor @willadrewauthor

I experience a complete solar eclipse and visited a lavender farm. The cherry blossoms were outstanding and mother nature put on a show this fall.

Standing in line to met Carley Fortune at a book signing was a blast. Carley was so nice. And taking part in the inaugural Mississauga Literary Festival @mississaugalib was an honour. My cheeks ached from laughing with the book event participants. Sold out of We Blends too.

I met @devinsloane.author in person where she gifted me one of her beautiful books. Attended BREA in Ohio and met some of the crew on my street team and fans of my Willa Drew universe of romance books.

Now it’s time to say goodbye to 2024. Thanks for the memories.

Tell me about a highlight of your 2024.

#romancebooks #published #highlight

2024 was brutiful. There were high highs and low lows. It was a year of extremes in my corner of the world.

I published 4 stories this year
The Quintessential Misadventure in the Pack Your Bags romance book anthropology introducing Sterling and Quinn.
Friendzoned By My Crush, a book box of Sarah and Nick’s romance books with bonus scenes.
We Balance, the third and final romance book for Wil & El’s Falling for the Rockstar’s Daughter series
Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard featuring Sven and his new sidekick Pablo.

The last three with my coauthor @willadrewauthor

I experience a complete solar eclipse and visited a lavender farm. The cherry blossoms were outstanding and mother nature put on a show this fall.

Standing in line to met Carley Fortune at a book signing was a blast. Carley was so nice. And taking part in the inaugural Mississauga Literary Festival @mississaugalib was an honour. My cheeks ached from laughing with the book event participants. Sold out of We Blends too.

I met @devinsloane.author in person where she gifted me one of her beautiful books. Attended BREA in Ohio and met some of the crew on my street team and fans of my Willa Drew universe of romance books.

Now it’s time to say goodbye to 2024. Thanks for the memories.

Tell me about a highlight of your 2024.

#romancebooks #published #highlight

I can’t possibly pick a fav book of 2024. I could barely choose one romance book from each month.

I feel like I left out so many good books. But I did adore these twelve romantic stories.

2024 was a good year for romance books and they were my escape in a year I don’t want to repeat.

Can you choose a fav romance book of 2024? Tell me in the comments.

#romancebooks #romantic #book

I can’t possibly pick a fav book of 2024. I could barely choose one romance book from each month.

I feel like I left out so many good books. But I did adore these twelve romantic stories.

2024 was a good year for romance books and they were my escape in a year I don’t want to repeat.

Can you choose a fav romance book of 2024? Tell me in the comments.

#romancebooks #romantic #book

I'm part Scottish so New Year's Eve and New Year's day is a big holiday in my family.

Full of traditions, the one that sticks out in my mind is called First Footing.
Essentially, the first person to enter a home in the new year is said to bring good luck. Traditionally, this person should be a tall, dark-haired man who brings symbolic gifts like shortbread, coal, or whisky.

At the stroke of midnight, we'd push my father out the door to ensure our good luck.

How do you "ring in" the new year?

#newyearseve #grapes #spain #tradition #midnight

I'm part Scottish so New Year's Eve and New Year's day is a big holiday in my family.

Full of traditions, the one that sticks out in my mind is called First Footing.
Essentially, the first person to enter a home in the new year is said to bring good luck. Traditionally, this person should be a tall, dark-haired man who brings symbolic gifts like shortbread, coal, or whisky.

At the stroke of midnight, we'd push my father out the door to ensure our good luck.

How do you "ring in" the new year?

#newyearseve #grapes #spain #tradition #midnight

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