Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Quick Reviews

Cameron Wants To Be A Hero (Love, Austen Book 2) by Anyta Sunday: New Release Review

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Lake: Did you get his number this time?
Cameron: Yes. But I’m not sure I should use it so soon.
Lake: What’s soon? Didn’t you last see him yesterday?
Cameron: I thought you’re meant to wait three days? Otherwise it looks desperate.
Lake: You are desperate.
Cameron: Thanks.
Lake: From everything you’ve told me, sounds like this could be something.
Cameron: You think?
Lake: Message him. Keep it sexy.

~ ~ ~

When it comes to romance books, Cameron Morland can always read between the lines. When it comes to real romance, he may need a dictionary.

Or Jane.

~ ~ ~

It’s Northanger Abbey, complete with a neo-gothic mansion and charming misunderstandings. But contemporary. And gay.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Another modern day retelling of a Jane Austen classic, although I’d venture to guess a lesser known classic. And I loved it.

Cameron, the shy scriptwriter, living in his brother’s shadow, ignored at best by his father who’s friends are off traveling for work. He loves books- especially Austen as he feels that it brings him closer to his mother who died when he was a baby. So when he meets Henry- in an interesting and strange way- and English teacher, he is smitten. Unfortunately, he is also being pursued by his new neighbors. A brother and sister who are renting the house of his friends next door. The brother in romantic pursuit and the sister in a best friend pursuit. More on that later.

This book was just so fun. There was a *tiny* bit of angst involving fathers, but hardly the crux of the plot line. Cameron and Henry took it very slowly. Wooing each other through text messages, emails, and even written letters. All while being thwarted by the neighbors, John and Isabella.

I love when stories involve written communication like that. Yes, everyone texts these days, but when Cameron can be so much more open with written words than face to face, they get to know each other really well.

John and Isabella though- ugh. I wanted to slap them both. John for being ridiculously pushy, arrogant and trying to steamroll Cameron into a relationship he didn’t want. And Isabella who really seemed like she just wanted the eye rolling “gay bestie”. Whereas Henry’s sister wanted to be friends with Cameron because of him. And because her brother was smitten.

I was missing a little of Cameron’s work life. I know what he wants to do, but not actually what he does.

You don’t need to know anything of the original story to thoroughly enjoy this one.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Up in Smoke: A Gay Firefighter Romance (Hotshots Book 4) by Annabeth Albert: Quick Review

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Three Men and a Baby meets Backdraft with explosive chemistry and heartfelt feels.

Freewheeling smoke jumper Brandt Wilder thrives on adrenaline. He’s never met a parachute he can’t repair or a dangerous situation he couldn’t wrangle his way out of. He’s popular and fun-loving and not at all looking to settle down or form lasting relationships. It’s a lifestyle that’s served him well…right up until the day he finds a baby on his doorstep.

Shane Travis is used to putting his country music career—and his own happiness—on hold after his sister rolls through his life. Like last spring when she convinced him to try skydiving for his birthday—and she walked away with the hot parachute instructor.

Now he gets to deliver the piece of news that will upend Brandt’s carefree life: he very well might be a dad.

Shane’s niece is safe in Brandt’s strong, capable hands, but too many questions remain unanswered. Co-parenting while they sort it out leads to late-night talks, and soul-bearing confessions lead to a most inconvenient attraction. Still, Shane can’t leave this makeshift family behind—even if it means playing house with the one man he can’t resist.

Amazon

Carina Press

Hotshots
Book 1: Burn Zone
Book 2: High Heat
Book 3: Feel the Fire

This book was quite different than the first three books in this series. That made me love it all the more! The author wasn’t afraid to branch away from the previous main focus of how the firefighters and their future significant others were handling the challenge of being a firefighter, injuries, etc.

First and foremost, there was a baby. There definitely wasn’t a baby in the other three books. And watching these two men who had never been around babies, since one spent much of his life in foster care, and the other spent much of his life being moved around and having to take care of himself, it made it heartfelt and fun. They had to learn everything from how to diaper and feed her, to what to do when she got sick, to how to love her unconditionally, and figure out how to best take care of her legally. But they didn’t really question it, they just did it. They didn’t make their focus on what could go wrong, but how to make it all right.

They each had their goals and ambitions, yet once that sweet little baby came into their lives, and they were determined to work together to care for her, those goals shifted. They didn’t change completely, just shifted to accommodate the addition of a little one who needed both her daddy and her uncle. And still that wasn’t the main focus of the story.

The focus of the story was simple, two men, one baby, all falling in love with each other. Learning about each other, and about themselves with the others in their lives. My heart nearly couldn’t take it. It was happy, it was sad, it was funny, it was heart wrenching. But in the end, I truly loved it.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

No Flag by Liz Borino: RB, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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Captain Mike Kelley does not ignore his intuition, so when sexy bartender Will Hayes captures his heart, Mike embarks on a mission to win him over to a Domestic Discipline relationship. Will accepts with one caveat: Mike must promise not to renew his army contract.

Mike agrees, until the army invokes the stop-loss military policy to involuntarily extend his commission and send him back overseas, rendering him powerless and threatening everything he and Will have built. Will, left alone to cope with a new café, must rely on the support of old friends who may no longer be trustworthy.

A horrific terrorist attack on Mike’s outpost changes everything, leaving them both at a loss.

Mike awakens in a hospital with a devastating injury and no recollection of the attack. As the only survivor, his memory may be the key to national security. Mike struggles to cope with his injury and Will struggles with his new role in Mike’s life.

For Mike and Will, “No Flag” meant “come home alive.” Will has Mike back rather than a folded flag, but in the aftermath of war, can they rebuild the life they had before?

Title:  No Flag

Series: After Everything, Book One

Author: Liz Borino

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: 06/07/2021

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 67100

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, contemporary, family-drama, military, war, violence, terrorists, disabilities, amputee, bartender, Dom/sub relationship, domestic discipline, OCD

Amazon

NineStar Press

Goodreads

Chapter One

The News

July 7, 2012

Bombs exploded on the evening news, one after the other. Body parts flew past the camera. The headline across the bottom of the screen read: “20 Army Intelligence Officers Dead.”

“Early this morning, a bomb exploded in the Army Intelligence building, killing twenty American soldiers from Platoon 518,” the blonde newswoman reported.

Will Kelley squinted as the fuzzy security images played behind the woman’s head, searching through the chaos for reassurance. Nothing. His heart pounded and he tried to swallow but found only dry air in his mouth and throat. The female reporter described the weapons used and structural damage done in vivid detail, which made for sensational television, but failed to answer any questions for the people at home. Victims’ families had to be notified before the media could release their names. So, Blondie would lose her job if she read the list in front of her.

“What the hell are you doing, man? We open in thirty minutes and you’re watching television?” Seth, his roommate, demanded from the doorway of the living room.

“Answered your own question, didn’t you?” Will responded.

“Are you ready?”

“No.” Will did not take his eyes off the screen. “I’ll drive myself.”

“When?”

The report flashed to an increase in allergies in children, so Will switched to another station while typing “Attack on American S2 Building in Afghanistan” into Google. It wouldn’t be that easy though. So, Will tried several more combinations of search terms before finding a video shot by an insurgent involved in the attack. The camera shuddered. Focused on different areas of the chaos. Men ripping clothes off soldiers. Looting. Bodies blown to bits. A man removing computer hard drives. And only one face. On the severed head of Major Evans.

“Will!” Seth jabbed him in the shoulder with a pen. Will forced his eyes away from the computer. “What happened?”

“Mike’s platoon was attacked. Twelve survivors.”

“Shit,” Seth said. “Can you call…?”

Will took a slug from the nearby water bottle. “Who? No one will talk to me. I’m not my husband’s family.”

Seth stared at him for a long moment and said, “I’ll have Casey cover for you.”

Will stood and shook his head. “Why? I can’t do anything here except watch the same videos over and over. May as well see if I can make some money.” He shut his computer and set it on the side table. “Meet you there. I won’t be too late. Promise.” He had to stop himself from scoffing as the meaningless word left his lips.

“Will…” Seth began.

“You wanted me to move, I’m moving! Go. I’ll be there.” He walked toward his bedroom, Seth’s gaze burning into his back. Stopping to throw a glance over his shoulder, he added, “Don’t tell Casey. I can do without her mother-henning me.”

“Will…”

“Please, Seth.”

“Sure.”

“Thanks.” Will climbed the steps and closed his bedroom door. He leaned against the wood cutting him off from the rest of the world. His gaze roamed the four walls decorated with art prints, a whiteboard, and his wedding picture. Will strode over and fingered the golden frame. Behind the glass lay a photograph of Will and Mike in tuxes in the middle of their first dance. Their smiles easily outshone the gold on the frame. Mike had always been handsome with broad, built shoulders and muscular pecs, leading to abs you could grate cheese on.

But none of that stood out to Will, not on their wedding day of the year before. Mike’s blue eyes radiated a strength and hope. Will removed his wedding band to read the promise inscribed: No Flag.

Please keep your promise, Mike, Will thought as he took a deep breath and tore himself away from the picture and the crushing memories it brought. He had a job to do tonight.

Domestic discipline is one of my favorite tropes and I feel like recently it’s become hard to find. This book reeled me in from the first page. If was well written. The characters were well developed, interesting and assimilated well into the story.

It is definitely a hard fought love for Mike and Will, but oh so worth it. With everything trying to tear them apart; Mike’s deployment, Will’s friends, Mike’s injury, and day to day life Mike and Will stay strong and true to each other.

I felt like the story had so much vivid detail. The storylines were woven together masterfully, I was never confused about what was happening to who or when it was happening. The intimate scenes were shorter with less detail and I found that a refreshing change to my normal reading.

I couldn’t put this book down and I am really excited to read some of the authors other works.

5 pieces of eye candy

Liz Borino has been telling stories of varying truthfulness since she was a child. As an adult, she keeps the fiction on the page. She writes stories of human connection and intimacy, in all their forms. Her books feature flawed men who often risk everything for their love.

When Liz isn’t writing, she’s waking up early to edit, travel, and explore historic prisons and insane asylums—not (usually) all in one day. Liz lives in Philadelphia with her two cats.

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Keeping Kellan (Keeping Him Book 2) by Amy Aislin: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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Brant Harkrader is done living by other peoples’ rules. He may not know exactly what he wants out of life, but he’s perfectly happy letting that question figure itself out while starting a new job as a tour guide.

Too bad the one thing he does want—his sister’s BFF—only sees him as a little brother.

Or so he thinks…

Kellan Shelby-Briggs has never shied away from going after what he wants. And what he wants is the important contract that will put his brand new company on the map—and Brant.

Too bad Kellan’s career keeps yanking him away just as things heat up between them.

Now that Brant is back in town—up close and personal in Kell’s living space—can they finally get the timing right to go after the love that has eluded them both for too long?

Keeping Kellan
By Amy Aislin

Keeping Him, Book 2

Amazon

Apple
B&N
Kobo
Goodreads

Kell was staring at him. “You baked?”

“Uh-huh.” The look Kell was giving him made his stomach do backflips. He leaned a hip casually against the counter. “Don’t get too excited, though. Like I said, I don’t know if I did it right. They might be gross.”

“You baked?” Kell repeated. He crept in closer to Brant, slowly, as though he thought Brant would flee at the slightest provocation.

But, today, Brant’s stupid desire to run was nowhere to be found.

Because this was Kell. Kellan Shelby-Briggs, who used to babysit him when he was little, and instead of sitting Brant in front of the television so Kell could spend all night talking on the phone with his friends like most teenagers would do, Kell had played board games with him until it was time for bed. Kell, who saw the world as one giant playground on which he could get shit done and show everyone how goddamn capable he was. Kell, who’d never treated Brant like an annoying kid. Kell, who’d often wandered over from next door to visit Wendy, but who had always brought a little something for Brant—an action figure, a new baseball, a well-loved board game he no longer played, his mom’s freshly baked cookies, hockey cards.

He was literally the boy next door, and he was looking at Brant with a cocky half-smile that was way sexier than it should’ve been.

It made sense in the grand scheme of things, though. Brant had always been attracted to competence and confidence. And here was his dream man in the flesh, coming toward him until he stopped less than half a foot away.

“You baked,” Kell said again, though it didn’t sound like a question this time. More like an acknowledgement.

“Mm-hmm.” Brant straightened, bringing them that much closer. Kell’s eyes slipped to his mouth. “As a thank you for letting me stay here. And for dessert for tonight’s date.”

Those eyes, clear pools of blue, snapped back to his. “Date.”

“Wasn’t that what the steak and shrimp kabobs were for? Not to mention the salad, the veggies, the potatoes, the dip, and the lava cakes. A date.” It had been too much for one person, so he’d brought the leftovers to Wendy’s last night. Except for the lava cakes. Those he’d kept.

“A clandestine one,” Kell admitted. “In case it wasn’t something you wanted.”

Brant wanted so much that he was tempted to let the pizza burn and drag Kell upstairs. Hell, he was kicking himself for not staying for the “movie” the other night. When had he ever backed away when he was interested in someone? The last time he’d seen someone he wanted to know, he’d walked right up to him in the bar and had taken him home two hours later.

Just that things were different with Kell. Everything that pulled Brant toward him—the friendship, the familiarity, Kell’s steady presence—also threatened to push Brant away. Because they were entering dangerous territory and neither of them would remain unscathed if they fucked this up, and it would forever alter their relationship, whatever that turned out to be.

Right now, though, with Kell looking at him with heat in his eyes? None of that seemed to matter.

The oven timer went off, an incessant beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep. Neither of them moved.

“Going to get that?” Kell asked, voice dropping to a husky rumble that had goosebumps climbing up Brant’s arm.

“In a minute,” he murmured and, hand to Kell’s chest, pushed him back against the counter, slotted himself between his thighs, and kissed him.

Book 2 in a series, but stands alone.

This story was sweet. Crush on his sister’s best friend since he was a kid. But now everyone is grown up. And the crush works both ways.

Kellan and Brant so easily just slipped into a relationship. Brant was staying with Kellan until he found a place of his own having moved back to his home town. And even without a sexual relationship at all, they just fell in to that groove. They were so comfortable with each other, with mutual crushes, so it was completely natural. Even Brant’s sister- Kellan’s best friend- really had no issue with it at all.

Poor Brant is trying to figure his life out. He played junior hockey as dictated by his step father. He went to college. He got the job in the cube in the city. But he wasn’t happy. So he went back home, back to the small town life and mountains he loves. And Kellan.

Brant has a really strained relationship with his mother and step father. Proving that words can do as much damage, if not more, than fists. Brant’s sister was just old enough to have moved out to college and didn’t know how bad it was. But Brant just kept it in.

Kellan validated Brant. Listened to him, loved him, supported him. Things he was severely lacking from his mother and step father.

It was a fun book that had a little bit of angst with the parental situation, but not the romance situation.

Great book to read at the beach or sitting in the back yard this summer. Most of the sex scenes are very fade to black with some details. You’ll love Kellan and Brant and their dog Ollie.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Amy‘s lived with her head in the clouds since she first picked up a book as a child, and being fluent in two languages means she’s read a lot of books! She first picked up a pen on a rainy day in fourth grade when her class had to stay inside for recess. Tales of treasure hunts with her classmates eventually morphed into love stories between men, and she’s been writing ever since. She writes evenings and weekends—or whenever she isn’t at her full-time day job saving the planet at Canada’s largest environmental non-profit.

An unapologetic introvert, Amy reads too much and socializes too little, with no regrets. She loves connecting with readers. Join her Facebook Group, Amy Aislin’s Readers, to stay up-to-date on upcoming releases and for access to early teasers, find her on Instagram and Twitter, or sign up for her newsletter.

Connect with Amy:
Website: amyaislin.com
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/AmyAislinNewsletter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyaislin/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amy.aislin
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/amyaislin/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amy_aislin
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/amy-aislin
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16693566.Amy_Aislin

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Hard Sell (Jade Harbour Capital Book 1) by Hudson Lin: New Release Review

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One night wasn’t enough.

Danny Ip walks into every boardroom with a plan. His plan for struggling tech company WesTec is to acquire it, shut it down, and squeeze the last remaining revenue out of it for his Jade Harbour Capital portfolio. But he didn’t expect his best friend’s younger brother—the hottest one-night stand he ever had—to be there.

Tobin Lok has always thought the world of Danny. He’s funny, warm, attractive—and totally out of Tobin’s league. Now, pitted against Danny at work, Tobin might finally get a chance to prove he’s more than just Wei’s little brother.

It takes a lot to get under Danny’s skin, but Tobin is all grown up in a way Danny can’t ignore. Now, with a promising patent on the line and the stakes higher than ever, all he can think about is getting Tobin back into his bed—and into his life for good.

If only explaining their relationship to Wei could be so easy…

Amazon

Carina Press

I was really looking forward to this book. There isn’t a lot of representation from other cultures, beyond white middle America in this genre, and especially people of Asian descent, in Canada. So, this seemed a great push towards that direction. Also, that cover was just fantastic!

However, the story itself fell just a bit flat for me. I had a tough time connecting with the characters.

I felt that Tobin, as independent as he wanted to be, treated his family as if they were abusive, or difficult. It seemed that in his culture there was to be a closeness that he just couldn’t allow himself to feel. He wouldn’t take their calls, seemed to complain about it, refused his parents’ money for college, but not for any solid reason. Just that he wanted to be independent.

Meanwhile, Danny who was falling out of love with his job and lying to his best friend, again, really for no reason. He seemed to just be burned out, and unsure how to handle it. However, he really seemed to love his best friend and his family, the children (even helping to put them to bed, etc)…which again really made me not understand the reason to lie in the first place. It could have been a cultural thing that I did not understand. Then add in Tobin’s resentfulness, and I was confounded by these MC’s.

I did like the dynamic between Tobin and Danny, as they got to know each other again, and in different circumstances than their past had presented. I do hope to read more from this author though, as I believe this book, and likely future books will continue to enhance a cultural understanding, with a bit of romance thrown in for additional enjoyment.

3 pieces of eye candy

Invisible Strings by Aimee Nicole Walker: Blog Tour, Excerpt and New Release Review

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Magnetic as the Sun

Jimmy Alsop, a vivacious journalist, longs to trade his sheltered life for a summer of adventure but lacks the confidence to launch his stellar plan.

Lonely as the Moon

Nova Skye, an aloof scientist, wants to resuscitate his dead love life but hasn’t found the right man to kickstart his guarded heart.

Eclipse of the Heart

Sparks fly when a chance encounter drops Jimmy and Nova into the same orbit. Though their approach to life and love couldn’t be more different, they’re inexplicably drawn together as if connected by an invisible string. With nothing to lose but their inhibitions, Jimmy and Nova embark on an epic adventure of discovery. Passions soar with the sultry Savannah temperatures, and soon, their carefree summer becomes something more profound and beautiful than either man bargained for.

But are the ties that bind sturdy enough to withstand a lifetime, or will they fray after a season?

Invisible Strings

Aimee Nicole Walker

M/M Romance 

Release Date: 05.19.21

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Nova placed his hand beneath Jimmy’s chin and tilted it up until he was staring into sleepy eyes. He lowered his head to kiss soft lips, but Jimmy pulled free of his embrace a second before rolling to his feet and standing over the sofa. 

“Having second thoughts?” Nova asked. 

Jimmy snorted. “Get real. I have morning breath. You’ve been adamant that our first time together be perfect.” 

“Mmmm, I don’t think that’s what I said.” 

“Well, it’s how I perceived your comments,” Jimmy declared. “It’s been a while since you’ve had sex, so I also want to make this experience amazing for you.” 

“It already is. Take off your clothes,” Nova commanded. 

“Gladly, but first direct me to a bathroom where I can clean my mouth. I’d love a spare toothbrush if you have one but will settle for a finger, toothpaste, and a mouthwash chaser.” 

“Whose finger? Yours or mine?” 

Jimmy swallowed hard. “How can you make that question sound so sexy?”

Nova laughed and rolled to his feet. Jimmy raked his gaze over his body, landing on the semi-erection tenting his shorts. “Come on.” 

Jimmy followed him to the master suite but stopped just inside the door. “I honestly never allowed myself to imagine what your bedroom looked like, only the things you did alone in here. It’s like a calm oasis with all the blues, purples, and grays. And that’s a really big bed.” 

“I like a lot of room to work with,” Nova countered. He placed his hand at the small of Jimmy’s back and guided him toward the bathroom. Once inside, he removed a spare toothbrush from a drawer along with the toothpaste and handed them to Jimmy. Gesturing to the bottle of blue liquid on the vanity, Nova said, “My mouthwash is your mouthwash.” Then he went to work cleaning his mouth. Sharing the bathroom with Jimmy felt as intimate as sex because they kept exchanging heated glances in the mirror. 

Once satisfied, Nova rinsed his mouth while Jimmy swished mouthwash around in his cheeks for a second time. Was the adorable man that concerned about his oral hygiene or had a case of nerves settled in? Their gazes met in the mirror once more, and tawny eyes widened. Jimmy shook his head and spat out the mouthwash. 

“Oh no. You’re thinking too hard.” 

“I was just thinking the same thing about you,” Nova admitted. 

Jimmy responded by pulling off his T-shirt and tossing it to the floor. “I haven’t changed my mind.” Hooking his thumbs in his waistband, he shoved his shorts and underwear down his legs, baring himself completely to Nova. “I was just being thorough.” 

“As will I,” Nova said, stepping forward and claiming the kiss he’d wanted since opening his eyes.

SO GOOD! It’s been a while since a book has sucked me in completely within 10 pages. But this one did it.

I immediately feel for Jimmy. Even his name, being so average American guy, just drew me in. Having led a sheltered life by his mother and grandmother, he has a bucket list of things he wants to do while they are on vacation for two weeks and he is home alone. One of the biggest things on his list is to lose his virginity. No big deal.

He is also trying to get more responsibility at his job for a local paper. So he pitches his idea to take a bunch of adult enrichment classes- different crafts, etc- and to write about them for the paper. Can he be any more wholesome? (yes, I just watched the Friends reunion)

His first class is being led by a famous astrologer who’s book Jimmy had read as a kid and always loved. He was in awe of her in the class. And of her son who was there to support her.

And that is Nova. Astronomer, scientist, complete opposite of his mother and the guy who finds Jimmy’s bucket list. Jimmy doesn’t know where it went, Nova doesn’t know what to do with it.

Nova and Jimmy do meet up, with a bit of mom meddling. She was so funny, as was her husband, Nova’s father. They were just a very cool couple who loved their son and wanted him to be happy. And even though mom had some tricks up her sleeve, I don’t think she went overboard at all.

As it is a romance, Jimmy and Nova come to an agreement about Jimmy’s bucket list. And as much as he wanted to scratch one thing in particular off of his list, Nova made sure they did other things as well. It was really cute.

Jimmy and Nova played well off of each other. If Nova got too serious, Jimmy brought levity. If Jimmy got too shy, Nova brought him out of his shell. Checking things off of the bucket lists were fun scenes to read. It wasn’t all about sex. And through those activities they really grew to know each other and fall in love.

There was a small bit of angst- but it really wasn’t couple related. Enough to have Jimmy’s mother and grandmother admit that he is a grown man who can make his own decisions about life.

This was just a good, couple centric romance.

4 pieces of eye candy

Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she gets paid to tell those stories to other people. She wears many titles—wife, mom, and animal lover are just a few of them. Her absolute favorite title is champion of the happily ever after. Love inspires everything she does, music keeps her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day. I’d love to hear from you 

https://linktr.ee/AimeeNicoleWalker