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Thursday, December 13, 2018

Love on the Rocks (Cobble Cove Mystery) by Debbie De Louise



Love on the Rocks (Cobble Cove Mystery)
by Debbie De Louise

About the Book

Love on the Rocks (Cobble Cove Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Solstice Publishing (October 17, 2018)
Paperback: 241 pages
ISBN-10: 1625268505
ISBN-13: 978-1625268501
Digital ASIN: B07JHV9FJC

It’s February in the small town of Cobble Cove. Love is in the air . . . but so is murder!
When Alicia helps plan a Valentine’s Day Party at the Cobble Cove library that also includes a surprise for her newlywed friend, Gilly, things go wrong when a mysterious box of chocolates addressed to the director turns out laced with poison.
Clues Lead to A Dead Suspect
Although Alicia promised John she’ll no longer meddle in crime investigations, she and Gilly set out to find the person threatening Sheila who murdered the courier of the deadly candy. The three people they suspect include the professor from California who’s been romancing Sheila while she assists him with research for his book; the obnoxious patron Rhonda Kleisman who threw coffee at the director after refusing to pay for a damaged book; and a visiting widow staying at Gilly’s inn who’s unnaturally curious about Sheila and earns the nickname of Madame Defarge for her interest in knitting.
New Cat in Town
While Alicia and Gilly are trying to solve this new Cobble Cove mystery, Sneaky is introduced to Gilly’s new kitten, Kittykai, a calico she brought home from her honeymoon in Hawaii. It’s not like at first sight, but the two cats eventually become friends. They also both play a part in foiling the killer’s murder attempts, but will Alicia and Sheila survive unscathed?

About the Author

Debbie De Louise is an award-winning author and a reference librarian at a public library on Long Island. She is a member of Sisters-in-Crime, International Thriller Writers, Long Island Authors Group, and the Cat Writer’s Association. She has a BA in English and an MLS in Library Science from Long Island University. Her novels include the three books of the Cobble Cove mystery series: A Stone’s Throw, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, and Written in Stone. Debbie has also written a romantic comedy novella, When Jack Trumps Ace, a standalone mystery thriller, Reason to Die, and a paranormal romance, Cloudy Rainbow. She lives on Long Island with her husband, Anthony; daughter, Holly; and cat Stripey.

Author Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Deblibrarian

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2750133.Debbie_De_Louise

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2bIHdaQ

Website/Blog/Newsletter Sign-Up: https://debbiedelouise.com

Sneaky the Library Cat's blog: https://sneakylibrarycat.wordpress.com

Debbie's Character's Chat Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/748912598599469/
Purchase Links: eBook & Kindle Unlimited: mybook.to/cc4
Paperback: mybook.to/cc4pap
___________________________________
Free Offer from Debbie DeLouise
The characters from Debbie De Louise's Cobble Cove cozy mysteries gather in the Cobble Cove library to celebrate the holidays. Each character receives a gift from the author, and Alicia, the main character, reads some excerpts from the first book, A Stone's Throw, and the new release, Between a Rock and a Hard Place.
It will be free from Thursday, December 13 to Monday, December 17!
________________________________


Interview with Debbie De Louise


Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?

I think it’s a balance. I don’t create any detailed plots for my books, so I let the characters and the story guide me as I write. Sometimes a character will lead me in a different direction than I planned, but I welcome this because it often adds a twist to the story.



Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.

Love on the Rocks really has something for everyone. There are a few romances in the book (nothing explicit because I write cozy mysteries). There’s a touch of humor and also some drama. The subplots open the door to the next book in the series. I introduce several characters including a kitten, a teenager and her family, and a mysterious professor from California. Some backstory is shown from the previous books, but also some information never before included, and it can certainly be read as a standalone. The mystery is puzzling, and there are red herrings with three major suspects. Sneaky, the library cat, helps thwart the killer along with the new kitten, KittyKai. It’s a fun yet suspenseful read.



Have you written any other books that are not published?

I have two unpublished manuscripts – one for a first book of a new cozy series and one for a thriller. I’m currently querying them to agents in the hope of publishing them with a larger publisher. I’m also completing a gothic type mystery.



Pen or type writer or computer?

Computer. I used to handwrite all my books, but I taught myself to write and edit on the computer. It saves a lot of time, and, since I’m a fast typist, I can think as I type.



Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?

I appreciate all their support. I love feedback from them. I especially would like to thank those who’ve written reviews. Being a writer is a tough job, and the rewards are slow in coming. However, hearing from fans and knowing that they’re reading your work is gratifying and motivating. I also welcome all readers to join my Facebook character chat group where a character from one of my books or stories hosts each month. The group is located at https://www.facebook.com/groups/748912598599469/.




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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 10 – Mallory Heart's Cozies – REVIEW

December 10 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

December 11 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 12 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST

December 13 – T's Stuff – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 14 – My Reading Journeys – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 15 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 15 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

December 16 – A Wytch's Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

December 16 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 17 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

December 17 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 18 – Socrates' Book Reviews - SPOTLIGHT

December 19 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW



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Jaguar - Uncanny Valley Series book 3 by Author C.A. Gray






Sometimes the person you lie to the most is yourself.

The Silver Six have blown the Renegades’ underground compound to bits, killing several of Rebecca’s best friends in the process—and to her horror, the boy Rebecca had convinced herself she loved for all these years was the one to betray them all. At the same time, General Specs, the company Liam was once slated to inherit, has developed a superintelligent robot called Jaguar which is quickly becoming godlike in her omniscience. As the remaining Renegades flee to their last bastion of safety in the Caribbean, Liam makes his way back to London, in a last ditch effort to convince his father to destroy Jaguar before it’s too late.

Rebecca, meanwhile, finally understands her own heart: she never loved Andy. He was merely a ‘safe’ choice who would never require anything of her. Liam, on the other hand, exasperating as he was, had seen past her defenses. All of his teasing and provoking had been his attempt to get her to be real with him—but the more he made her feel, the further she had retreated. She had even substituted her companion bot Madeline for real, deep human friendships, and for the same reason: she’d been avoiding love to protect herself from another loss like the one she had experienced when her father was killed for the Renegades’ cause. Ironically, she only realizes this once Liam is on his way to a similar fate.  But she’ll be damned if she lets him go without a fight.

This high stakes conclusion to the Uncanny Valley Trilogy envisions a world not too far off from our own, in which superintelligence is a reality, humanoid bots have supplanted human power and influence, and there are eyes watching and reporting our every move. If humanity is to survive, the Renegades will have to galvanize support across the globe, under the radar—and it will require every last bit of ingenuity they possess. But is attempting to outwit a superintelligent being really the answer? Or will it require something much more fundamentally human?

This is the third book in this series. 
Make sure you get all three books, so you don't miss anything!!!

   









C.A. Gray is the author of the YA Fantasy PIERCING THE VEIL trilogy, as well as the YA Dystopian trilogy, THE LIBERTY BOX. By day, she is a Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD), with a primary care practice in Tucson, AZ. Additionally, she writes medical books under her real name.

Her favorite authors include J.K. Rowling and Suzanne Collins, and she also reads an exceptional amount of non-fiction. She is blessed with exceptionally supportive family and friends, and thanks God for them every single day!













Snippet


“He can’t help us!” I shouted to Rick, “He’s unconscious!”


With one glance back at the hovercraft, Rick tossed the hammer back inside and barked at Francis, “Cover us!”


“What do you think I’m doing?” Francis yelled back.


I realized Rick must have sliced open his hand on the jagged glass when he scooped Liam up over one shoulder, leaving trails of blood on his hospital gown. Rick scrambled back to the window, just as the chair in the doorframe slid all the way loose.


“Closer!” Francis shouted to the hovercraft pilot bot. The hovercraft scraped the ledge now, but it was enough for Rick to leap up to the ledge and haul Liam’s shoulders aboard. I grabbed his legs, held them up, and shoved.


“Stop!” called the bots in the doorframe. Francis opened fire, and I could hear the bullets glancing off the bots’ metallic bodies. You have to shoot them in the eyes! I thought frantically. The humanoid bots behind us fired bullets out of their wrists. Searing pain shot through my shoulder, just as a strong arm locked around my waist. Francis gave a cry, and just before I collapsed on top of Liam’s limp form, I saw the blossom of blood spreading across the side of Francis’s t-shirt. His face went white, and he let out a gurgle.




No, I thought, just as Rick shouted at the pilot bot, “Go go go!” Then we rocketed up, leaving my stomach on the ground below.

Top Ten List
10 things about me:





I once performed in a musical in England. The show? “Return to the Forbidden Planet.” It’s kind of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” meets a bad Sci-Fi B movie, with a bunch of rock ’n roll songs thrown in for good measure.


I was fluent in Spanish… in 2004. I thought I wanted to be a missionary doctor in Mexico, so I moved there and learned by immersion. But sadly, at this point I’m barely conversational.


I have a 16 degree kink in my spine. I fractured L2 while sledding and fell off a 10 foot cliff. Everyone else fell off the cliff too, in fact that was the idea because the bottom was covered in powder… but *I* landed wrong.


Shortest length of time I’ve ever been overseas: 40 hours. I flew from AZ to Ireland… for ONE WEEKEND. I also had a biochem exam the morning after I got back.


I’ve gotten lost in a country where I didn’t speak the language… twice. In Cyprus and in Mexico. I’ve gotten lost in many, many places where I did speak the language, but it’s so much less interesting when you can ask for directions.


While in my first semester of med school, I had the female lead role in a music video which I don’t think ever saw the light of day. The group was called “Ever Stays Red” and the song was “Can’t Explain.” I had to get an antique wedding dress all caked in mud.


I once bought a red convertible from a slimy used car salesman… and promptly sold it one week later. It was a lemon.


For the longest time I refused to read Harry Potter, because I was “too cool” and I only read “real literature.” Then I picked up the first one and ripped through the whole series in like two months.


I used to play piano, and I was good, too, if I do say so myself… I was even a pianist for a wedding my senior year in high school (although it was only a tiny destination wedding in Maui). I’m trying to learn how to play by ear now… it’s slow going, but I’m getting there.


In 2016, I fulfilled my lifelong dream of getting married barefoot on a beach to a wonderful man, my husband Frank Baden… in Costa Rica, no less!








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Deck the Halls with Books Holiday Extravaganza tour for The Wish of Xmas Present by N.D. Jones


Dr.
Malcolm Styles is the charming and adorably sappy hero in The Perks of
Higher Ed
and The Wish of Xmas
Present
.  Dr. Sky Ellis
loves Malcolm just the way he is, including his junk food junkie habits and his
love for all things sweet and chocolate. In The
Wish of Xmas Present
, Sky cooks Malcolm sweet potato pie and triple layer
chocolate cake, two family recipes she learned how to make from her mother.
“So, you’d rather have candy corn and caramel apples
than the sweet potato pie and triple layer chocolate cake I made you?”
“You made me what?”
“You heard me.”
“Where are they?”
“In your refrigerator.”
“How did you get them in there?”
“I used the spare key you left at my apartment.”
“You little… I don’t care. Let’s go.”

Yes,
Malcolm loves desserts almost as much as he loves Sky.
“Since you didn’t bring any whipping cream, buy some
for my birthday trip. Butterscotch, caramel, orange, or lemon. Chocolate,
salted peanut butter, and brown sugar cinnamon would be redundant. I got those
already taken care of.”
Sky’s eyes snapped open and stared at Malcolm. “You
did not just say that.”
“You know I’m right. Chocolate, salted peanut
butter, and brown sugar cinnamon, you’re getting all three now.” He pulled Sky
even closer and whispered in her ear. “You love it. It’s okay to admit being a
Malcolm Styles junk food junkie. I’m the best kind of food addiction, and you
get a work out when you have me. A win-win.”

Now
that Malcolm knows Sky is a whiz in the kitchen, especially with desserts, he
made her a top ten list of his favorite holiday desserts. He’s hoping, with a
bit of coaxing and a lot of kissing, Sky will make his holiday dream come true.
If you think sweet treats are Malcolm’s only wish for Christmas, think again.
Our romantic and sappy hero has plans for Sky, a present for their future.

Here’s Malcolm’s Top Ten Xmas
Desserts. What’s your favorite?



The Wish of Xmas Present

The Styles of Love
Book Two
N.D. Jones


Genre: Contemporary Romance/Holiday Romance


Publisher: Kuumba Publishing


Date of Publication: December 21, 2018




ISBN: 9781732556751


ASIN: B07HLHN9H8

Number of pages: 292
Word Count: 80k

Cover Artist: Limabean Designs

Tagline: The greatest gift of all is the love we share with each other…

Book Description:

As love blooms and familial bonds are forged, the spirit of the season welcomes us home and offers us a chance to dream. Dr. Malcolm Styles and Dr. Sky Ellis’s whirlwind office romance, a sexy perk of higher ed, has swept them off their feet. Now that the winds of change have settled, Malcolm and Sky find, as the Christmas holiday approaches, a chance to make a deeper connection.

For Malcolm, he has only one wish for the winter holiday of goodwill, mistletoe, and decorations. Will his wish make it to Santa’s list, granting Malcolm a joyful Noel, or will Jack Frost smother his cheer in a blizzard of disappointment?

As Malcolm and Sky traverse the landscape of romance and love, they find themselves on a journey of self-discovery and bonding. For ‘tis the season of caring and with it comes the blessings of family, hope, and faith.

Amazon     Kobo      BN     iBooks


Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/VLPEZ8pvV5s






Excerpt:

“Oh my god. So
good, Sky. So damn good.” Malcolm moaned, licking out his tongue and rimming
his lips. “So good, baby.”
He moaned again
and again.
Sky smiled. How
could she not with Malcolm’s passionate reaction?
“Come here,
you’re a mess.”
Sky reached for
Malcolm, but he intercepted the hand going to his face. “Not with the paper
towel. Use your tongue.”
“My tongue?”
“Yeah, I want
you to taste yourself on me.”
“You mean taste
my cooking on you.”
“No, baby, I
said what I meant. If you want to remove the chocolate frosting from my lips,
use that long, sexy tongue of yours.”
Heat and desire
flooded Sky’s system, fueling the low buzz of need watching Malcolm savor her
triple layer chocolate cake had created within her.
He ate another
piece, fork going to his mouth. Lips parted, tongue peeked out and tasted
before Malcolm consumed the moist, rich chocolate. “If you want to clean me up
do it properly, Dr. Ellis.”
Oh, Sky damn
sure wanted to lick him clean. When Malcolm had made a show of dragging her
from his sister’s house, with the intent of driving them back to his home to
eat the cake and pie Sky had made for his birthday, she’d assumed, like
everyone else, it was all for show, and they would have sex as soon as they
reached his house. But no, being a true junk food junkie, Malcolm had gone
straight to his refrigerator, found the desserts and pulled them out. He didn’t
even bother with the ice cream Sky had stored in his freezer when she’d put
away the sweet potato pie and triple layer chocolate cake.
They sat beside
each other, a half-eaten pie across the table and a fist-high slice of cake on
a saucer in front of Malcolm. He’d consumed a tall glass of milk after his
third slice of chocolate cake. How he wasn’t full and his suit not bursting
from the seams, she didn’t know.
Sky scooted her
chair around, so they faced each other. “You’re a messy eater.”
Dark-brown eyes
lowered to sensual slits. “You knew that about me already.”
Malcolm’s erotic
voice conjured a ghost-like feel of his head between her thighs, mouth and
tongue eating his fill of her.






































About the Author:

N. D. Jones is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in Maryland with her husband and two children. She is a dedicated educator, committed to equitable and excellent education for all students. N.D. has served in the role as teacher, department chair, and professional development teacher specialist, supporting the learning of students and the professional growth of teachers.

N.D. is the founder of Kuumba Publishing, an art, audiobook, eBook, and paperback company. Kuumba Publishing is a forum for creativity, with a special commitment to promoting and encouraging creative works of authors and artists of African descent. Her teenage daughter created the image design for Kuumba Publishing, while her son has written a role playing game original character bio for a new paranormal romance series--making Kuumba Publishing a true family affair.

A desire to see more novels with positive, sexy, and three-dimensional African American characters as soul mates, friends, and lovers, inspired the author to take on the challenge of penning such romantic reads. She is the author of two paranormal romance series: Winged Warriors and Death and Destiny. She's also embarked on a science fiction romance series, Forever Yours. N.D. likes to read historical and paranormal romance novels, as well as comics and manga.





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12 Days of Clean Romance - Donna Hatch



Christmas Secrets by Donna Hatch

A stolen Christmas kiss leaves them bewildered and breathless.

A charming rogue-turned-vicar, Will wants to prove that he left his rakish days behind him, but an accidental kiss changes all his plans. His secret could bring them together...or divide them forever.

Holly has two Christmas wishes this year; finally earn her mother's approval by gaining the notice of a handsome earl, and learn the identity of the stranger who gave her a heart-shattering kiss...even if that stranger is the resident Christmas ghost.



This scene takes place when everyone on Christmas Day takes a turn kissing their spouse or sweetheart underneath the mistletoe ball. Now the group turn to Will and Holly, who have only known each other a few days, and start goading them into sharing a mistletoe kiss...
“Come now, don’t be shy,” her sister called. “It’s tradition.”
The others called out encouragements.
Apology edged into Will’s uncertain expression. “Do you mind?”
Holly’s palms grew sweaty inside her gloves, and her smile probably came out wobbly. “Who are we to go against tradition?” Did she sound desperate in her desire to kiss him?
Will held out a hand. She placed hers in it and walked at his side to the kissing ball. They stood, hand in hand, facing each other. His neck cloth shifted as he swallowed. He leaned in. Her heart stumbled and her knees shook. She closed her eyes. Aching, she lifted her face. His cinnamon-spiced breath warmed her mouth.
He kissed her cheek.
Stunned, she opened her eyes. The watching guests groaned and some chuckled.
“No, no, that won’t do at all,” Joseph’s voice rang out. “Give her a proper kiss.”
Will froze. That intensity she occasionally saw in him returned. “Holly.” He swallowed again but instead of nervousness, a hunger that sent a flurry of shivers through her overtook his expression. “May I?”
She nodded. It didn’t matter if he saw how much she wanted this, wanted him. Let him know. Let the whole world know.
He touched her chin, lifted it, and leaned in. Again, she closed her eyes. This time his lips touched hers, pliant and unbelievably gentle. Heat exploded at the contact and shot through her all the way down to her tingling toes. Different from her mystery kiss, this one sang of affection and respect and a deep longing to be accepted. Sweeter, more chaste, more filled with caring, Will’s kiss brought her a level of joy she’d never known. All the world faded away leaving Will and the power of his affection, his touch, his kiss. Every moment of her life seemed to have been designed to bring her to this single, perfect moment of bliss and wholeness.
“Ahem.” Father cleared his throat conspicuously.
Will pulled away all too quickly. A tiny sound of distress caught in Holly’s throat. It was over too soon. But oh, what a glorious kiss!



"I can always count on Donna Hatch to weave a delightful tale with vivid characters and swoony kisses. Christmas Secrets does not disappoint."
~Reading is my Super Power

"Filled with delightful holiday traditions, growing attraction between Holly and one of the guests, a mother set on a desirable match for her daughter, and a few heart-melting kisses, this novella is the perfect book to cuddle up with this holiday season."
~Remembrancy Book Reviews

"It's been some time since an author made me believe their characters like this, but Donna Hatch writes it so beautifully I was quickly drawn into the idyllic past."
Silver Wood Sketches Book Reviews









Author Donna Hatch

Donna Hatch is the award-winning author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series” and is published in sweet Regency romance and fantasy. Her professional memberships include Romance Writers of America (RWA)and American Night Writers Association (ANWA). A sought-after workshop presenter, she juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, not to mention her six children (seven, counting her husband), and still manages to make time to write. A native of Arizona who recently relocated to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.


















Giveaway Details

$25 Amazon Gift Code or $25 in PayPal Cash

Ends 1/6/19

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner may be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, Instagram, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader & Clean Wholesome Romance and is sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.




Shopping for an Heir by Julia Kent



FREE during the blitz

Shopping for an Heir
Julia Kent
(Shopping for a Billionaire #10)
Publication date: September 20th 2016
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance
Gerald Wright works for billionaires. He never imagined he’d become one.
The former Navy Seal is a chauffeur by day, artist by night, so when hotter-than-ever ex-fiancée Suzanne Dayton interrupts his nude model sculpting class to serve him with inheritance paperwork from a man he’s never heard of, he assumes it’s a joke.
Turns out the joke’s on him. There’s just one catch. A big one.
And it might be Suzanne — in more ways than he ever dreamed.
Shopping for an Heir is the 10th book in the New York Times bestselling Shopping for a Billionaire series by Julia Kent.
EXCERPT:
He smelled like home. Like love. Like promise and comfort, like passion and disbelief.
“What’s wrong?” he snapped, his face alternating between joy and anger. “Why are you here?”
Coming to her senses, she extracted the thick envelope from her brief bag, looking him square in the eye. “Legal matter. I’ve been instructed to deliver this to you.” She used remarkable restraint in not peering around Gerald to get more of an eyeful of Declan McCormick’s stately form.
Then again, Gerald was an impenetrable wall of muscle himself, not easily subverted. She’d need taller heels to peer around him. He did not move his palm from her arm, and his touch infused her, a deeply satisfying sense of connection slowly creeping along her skin, her breath quickening, his touch ringing bells inside her that had been dormant for a decade.
“What is it?”
“Read it. You’ll understand.” She turned on her heel and started to leave, shaking inside so hard she might trigger the New Madrid fault.
He glared at her. “What? That’s it? Ten years and that’s it?” He pulled back, breaking contact.
All her anxiety faded, like an antidote injected straight into the heart, his words kicking in, providing such clarity.
“Ten years you chose, Gerald,” she hissed, mouth curling, throat seizing. “You do not get to put this on me.” Grief flared in her, a burst like a fireball, and then it turned to the ash of anger, a light coat settling over every spare surface of her heart.
His eyebrows shot up, eyes gliding away, his nose twitching and mouth tightening as if holding back.
Squaring her shoulders, Suzanne decided to make this easy for him. God only knew why. “My law firm is handling the estate of deceased billionaire Harold Hopewell. You’ve been named in his will.” She tapped the thick envelope in his hand. “These papers explain everything.”
“Explain what?”
“You’re his heir. One of them, at least.”


Author Bio:
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Julia Kent writes romantic comedy with an edge. From billionaires to BBWs to new adult rock stars, Julia finds a sensual, goofy joy in every contemporary romance she writes. Unlike Shannon from Shopping for a Billionaire, she did not meet her husband after dropping her phone in a men's room toilet (and he isn't a billionaire). She lives in New England with her husband and three sons in a household where the toilet seat is never, ever, down.

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