READ-2-REVIEW - ROM-COM - THE MR. RIGHT CHECKLIST by Melissa Foster

The Mr. Right Checklist
Melissa Foster
November 19th 2024

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Fake Dating, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

BLURB
A free-spirited proposal planner and a grumpy professor form a hilarious and unexpected situationship that just might lead to more in this steamy romantic comedy by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster.

Dog groomer and budding marriage-proposal planner Destiny Amor believes in true love and happily ever afters. Though it’s not in the stars for her yet—honestly, who can live up to the criteria on her Mr. Right Checklist?—she wants it for others. When Destiny’s first misguided attempt at romance concierge ends in disaster, she’s ready to call it quits, until the supposed groom-to-be steps in with a proposal of his own.

Ryan “Fletch” Fletcher, a divorced-and-never-going-there-again professor, needs to get his matchmaking family off his back, and the disorganized, too-in-love-with-love proposal planner is the perfect solution. He offers to help Destiny get her business on track, if she’ll play the part of his adoring girlfriend at his brother’s wedding.

A professional situationship with her grumpy dog-grooming client? Destiny adores his pup, and she could put up with him to get her business off the ground. With any luck, she might even get that chip about love off his shoulder.

The book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . THE MR. RIGHT CHECKLIST . . .  A Perfectly Performed 4-Star Romantic Comedy!

Whenever you pick up a Melissa Foster book, you already know you are stepping into a beautifully crafted world filled with heart, humor, and undeniable heat. While The Mr. Right Checklist is an incredibly fun ride, it lands at a very solid 4 stars. It didn't quite reach the elite level of some of the other legendary stories she has created across her various interconnected universes, but it is still a delightful addition to her catalog!

The Grumpy Professor & The Free-Spirited Planner
Destiny Amor is a vibrant, free-spirited dog groomer and a budding marriage-proposal planner who believes fiercely in true love—even if her own massive "Mr. Right Checklist" keeps her single. When her very first proposal gig ends in an absolute disaster, she’s ready to throw in the towel.

Enter Ryan “Fletch” Fletcher, a grumpy, divorced-and-never-marrying-again professor who happens to be Destiny’s dog-grooming client. Fletch is desperate to get his matchmaking family off his back before his brother’s upcoming wedding. Recognizing a golden opportunity, he makes Destiny a deal: he will use his sharp organizational skills to help get her business back on track if she agrees to play the role of his adoring fake girlfriend. 

Watching Fletch navigate Destiny’s chaotic, love-filled world while trying to keep his own icy guard up is pure entertainment. Destiny adores his pup, and she is determined to chip away at the walls around Fletch’s heart to finally get this grumpy professor his much-deserved Happily Ever After.

Why It’s a Great, Steady Read:
Fletch’s Transformation: Seeing Fletch finally open up, let go of his past heartbreak, and claim his HEA is deeply satisfying.

Classic Grumpy/Sunshine Energy: Melissa Foster always nails the balance between a cynical hero and a heroine who refuses to let the world dull her shine. 

Audio Performance Review
The Narrators: Sebastian York & Savannah Peachwood 

Pure Audio Perfection! After dealing with the frustration of robotic virtual voices, listening to industry titans like Sebastian York and Savannah Peachwood is like a masterclass in audiobook luxury. They don't just read the words; they breathe absolute life into Destiny and Fletch.

Sebastian York brings that signature, deep, gravelly baritone that captures Fletch’s grumpy, professional facade perfectly, while making his hidden vulnerability completely melt your headphones. Savannah Peachwood matches him note-for-note, infusing Destiny with a bubbly, bright, and fiercely determined energy that never feels grating. Together, their flawless chemistry elevates the entire narrative, perfectly anchoring you into Melissa Foster's wonderful world.

My Final Verdict

The Mr. Right Checklist earns a strong 4 stars! While the plot itself might not rank as your absolute favorite among Melissa Foster's extensive library, the top-tier, sizzling narration by Sebastian York and Savannah Peachwood makes this an absolute must-listen. It is a sweet, steamy, and wonderfully comforting place to lay your head.

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - WINTER IN KENTBURY by Claudia Burgoa

He’s the last person I want to rely on, but I don’t have a choice.

Winter in Kentbury, an all-new forced proximity, second chance, wintery  romance from USA Today bestselling author Claudia Burgoa is now available!

Until a year ago, I had a pretty good handle on my life. 

I ran my grandmother’s flower shop, lived in the quaint apartment above it, and everything was perfectly fine.

Until business slowed, bills piled up, and I started wondering if I’d lose everything.

Now, I’m holding it all together by a thread—depending on one major wedding order that could save everything. 

But, of course, a blizzard hits, and my delivery van breaks down.

And who shows up to help? Holden Miller.

My first love and the man who broke my heart. 

Brooding, distant, and somehow even more infuriatingly handsome.

He’s the last person I want to rely on, but I don’t have a choice. 

Now we’re stuck together, forced to confront the past I’ve been running from.

The cold might be the least of my worries. 

Because the hardest thing I have to face is the one person I thought I could never love again.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . WINTER IN KENTBURY . . . WINTER IN KENTBURY is a charming, second-chance romance set in a cozy small town. Our heroine, who runs her grandmother's flower shop, is on the verge of losing everything. A major wedding order is her last hope, but when a blizzard hits and her van breaks down, who shows up to help but Holden Miller? He is her first love and the man who broke her heart—now brooding, distant, and infuriatingly handsome. Stuck together by forced proximity, they must confront the past they've been running from. Can this be the chance they have been waiting for? This is a lovely, wintery read about getting love right the second time around.

Start reading today: https://tinyurl.com/wsk5cb

Add Winter in Kentbury to Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/wik6gr  

For more information about Claudia Burgoaand her books, visit her website: https://claudiayburgoa.com

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READ-2-REVIEW - PNR - ALPHA'S CLAIM by Renee Rose & Lee Savino

My bear is wild. Totally uncivilized. Savage. 

Alpha’s Claim, an all-new tantalizing, fated mates, shifter romance from USA Today bestselling authors Renee Rose and Lee Savino is now available!

I’m not the nice bear. That’s my twin, Teddy. 

I keep my bear caged.

Until I meet Paloma and my bear goes wild. 

She’s beautiful and talented, but something’s rotten in this mansion in the Hamptons. 

Her foster father keeps her locked in a tower, surrounded by guards.

There are whispers of an auction–a virgin auction.

My bear’s about to break free and go on a rampage. 

But I can’t let him out. 

Even if I can save Paloma, I can never claim her.

Not even when she smells like wild orchids, 

Not even when she feels like freedom,

Not when she is my future, and my fated mate.

Start reading today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ektvGb

Add Alpha’s Claim to Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/acbbmgr  

Keep Reading for a look inside Alpha’s Claim!

“Well, Viking?” I challenge him. “Is this your keep?”

His warm, steady gaze turns smoldering. His lips curve into a slow smile. “It is. For now.” He doesn’t take his eyes from mine.

“And what would you do if your princess tried to run?”

He doesn’t move. He just takes another sip of coffee and watches me. 

The anticipation of his reaction turns me into a live wire. 

“There would be consequences, of course.”

A tremor of excitement starts up behind my knees. The flesh between my legs lifts and squeezes. Without breaking eye contact, I slowly slide my coffee mug onto the counter.

Then, I take off running. I make it to the glass sliding doors and waste a few precious seconds figuring out how to get it unlocked. The glass on the doors seems extra-thick. Like maybe it’s bullet-proof.

I throw the door open and realize Darius hasn’t moved yet. 

Is he going to chase me?

He’d better not ruin this for me.

“Run, princess.” His murmur is a low rumble. 

I take off sprinting across the deck and down the stairs to the sand below. I run for the water, where the wet sand will be better packed and easier to run on. Once there, I run as fast as I can. 

Which isn’t very fast since my only exercise is riding Starlight. 

It doesn’t matter, because when I look over my shoulder, Darius is right behind me, almost like he’s holding back even after giving me a head start.

I shriek in surprise. 

He lunges forward and catches me around my waist. “Bad princess,” he murmurs in my ear as he spins me around. I cling to his muscled forearms. The gorgeous, corded tree trunks. “Now, I’m going to have to punish you.” 

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . ALPHA'S CLAIM . . .  Savage Bear Claiming His Fated Mate from the Lion's Den! "Let me say a little Rapuzellesque." This dark and dangerous shifter romance plunges you straight into a high-stakes, forbidden obsession!

Renee Rose and Lee Savino deliver a truly intense, fated-mates PNR with ALPHA'S CLAIM. Our hero, who is not the nice bear, keeps his primal self caged—until he meets Paloma. She is his future and his fated mate, and she smells like wild orchids, driving his bear totally uncivilized and savage.

Paloma is beautiful and talented, but she's trapped in a dark situation—locked in a mansion tower by her foster father, with whispers of a virgin auction circling her. The protective instinct from the hero is absolute fire; his bear is desperate to break free and go on a rampage to save her.

The emotional conflict is intense: he knows he can save her, but fears he can never claim her. This book delivers all the dark heat and primal possession you could ask for, making it a spectacular, thrilling read about an alpha who must unleash his deepest, wildest self to fight for his fated mate!

For more information about Renee Rose and her books, visit her website: 
https://reneeroseromance.com

For more information about Lee Savino and her books, visit her website:
https://leesavino.com

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY HOLIDAY - A NOCHE BUENA FOR LONELY HEARTS by J.L. LORA

A Noche Buena for Lonely Hearts
A Love for All Seasons Novella
by J. L. Lora 
November 14th 2024

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One Christmas Eve, a chance for healing awaits lifestyle influencer Luciana “Lux” Blake in “A Noche Buena for Lonely Hearts,” a heartwarming holiday romance.

Luciana is surrounded by holiday cheer that feels painfully out of reach. While she hides her heartache behind a flawless façade, past trauma crashes the fiesta, prompting her to escape familial chaos.

Fate intervenes when she bumps into family friend Oliver Amador, a sexy single papi, longing to escape the shadows of his pain.

When he offers her a ride, their journey takes an unexpected turn, setting the stage for a magical Noche Buena.

One that promises to change everything.

As they bond over their shared heartbreak, Luciana and Oliver strike a one-night deal to create the perfect Christmas Eve together and then go their separate ways. Under the glow of the lights, their connection deepens through shared stories, slow dancing, and steamy kisses that set their souls on fire.

But as the clock ticks down to their bittersweet goodbye, the ghosts of the past come barging in. Will Oliver and Luciana find the courage to embrace a new beginning or let their past overshadow the magic of an unforgettable night?

A Noche Buena for Lonely Hearts is a companion piece (prequel) to my upcoming novel, The Spring in My Heart, the next full installment in my A Love for All Seasons series.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . A NOCHE BUENA FOR LONELY HEARTS . . . In "A Noche Buena for Lonely Hearts," J. L. Lora presents a poignant and heartwarming holiday romance that explores the thin line between public perfection and private pain. Luciana “Lux” Blake is a lifestyle influencer whose flawless facade is beginning to crack under the weight of past trauma and familial expectations. Her escape from the holiday chaos leads her to Oliver Amador, a family friend who is also navigating his own shadows.

The "one-night deal" trope is handled with exceptional emotional maturity. What begins as a temporary pact to survive the night evolves into a profound connection rooted in shared vulnerability. As Lux and Oliver bond over their pasts, the setting of Noche Buena provides a rich, vibrant backdrop for their healing. The narrative successfully balances steamy tension with the quiet, tender moments of slow dancing and storytelling under the glow of Christmas lights.

This is a beautiful interracial holiday romance that truly warms the heart and soul. As a prequel to "The Spring in My Heart," it does an excellent job of establishing the series' emotional stakes while functioning as a satisfying standalone story. It is a testament to the idea that the right person can help turn a night of loneliness into a season of new beginnings.

My Final Word: A soulful and evocative read that captures the true spirit of the holidays through healing and hope. It is a must-read for those who appreciate romance with depth and cultural resonance.

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READ-2-REVEIW - CONTEMPORARY SUSPENSE - HIGH INTENSITY (High Mountain Trackers: HMT 2G, #2) by Freya Barker

 High Intensity

High Mountain Trackers HMT 2G, #2 
by Freya Barker
Release Date: November 4th 2024  
Genre: Romantic Suspense

 

Dog trainer and handler, Jillian Lederman, is moving with her pack to Libby, Montana, a place where she has made friends and hopes to find a fresh start. It’s time. For years, she’s just been keeping her wounds fresh by staying in Missoula—where there were regular reminders of all she’s lost—while the rest of the world has continued to move forward. 

Perhaps the new house, the beautiful mountains, and a certain pair of clear, blue eyes hold the promise of new beginnings. 

Since changing careers years ago, former FBI agent Lucas Wolff has found a much better work-life balance as a member of High Mountain Trackers. Still able to serve his community, he has also been carving out a comfortable existence for himself and is not looking to make any changes to it anytime soon. Not even for a particular bold and ballsy redhead he’s been trying to avoid.

That turns out to be an impossible feat when a plane crash during a blizzard sets both of them on the trail of a young girl, all alone in the mountains. But it soon becomes evident they are not the only ones looking, and staying safe means sticking close together. 

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“Oh, Jillian, I’d like you to meet my son, Lucas.” I meet those pretty green eyes, now sparkling with amusement. Of course a dog named Peanut would belong to this woman. She named her cadaver dog, Emo, after all. Hell, I knew she recently moved to the area—Sloane mentioned it more than once—but I wasn’t expecting to run into her at my mother’s assisted-living home. That’s a little too close for comfort. “So you do have a first name; Lucas, huh?” “You already know each other?” Mom looks back and forth between us. “We do. How are you doing, Jillian?” She adjusts the small furball she’s holding in her arms. “Good, thanks.” I turn to my mother to explain, “Jillian and I met working on a search last summer.” Despite my immediate attempt to identify our connection as a professional one only, I see Mom’s mind already at work behind the gleam in her eyes. Great.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . HIGH INTENSITY (High Mountain Trackers: HMT 2G, #2) . . . Avalanche of Emotion: A Gritty Rescue and Undeniable Attraction!

HIGH INTENSITY is an absolute powerhouse of romantic suspense that reminds you exactly why Freya Barker's High Mountain Trackers world is so addictive. This second installment of the HMT 2G series is packed with high-stakes action, deep emotional healing, and an undeniable attraction that forces two broken people to choose a future.

Dog trainer and handler Jillian Lederman moves her life—and her pack of amazing dogs—to Libby, Montana, desperate for a fresh start after years of keeping her wounds raw. She's focused on her new home and her work, trying to leave her painful past behind, but the mountains have a way of forcing people together.

That unavoidable connection comes in the form of former FBI agent Lucas "Wolff" Wolff. Wolff, now a member of the HMT team, has been doing his best to avoid the captivating "bold and ballsy redhead," but that becomes an impossible feat when a plane crash during a blizzard sends them both on the trail of a missing eleven-year-old girl.

The intensity level is through the roof as Jillian and Wolff, with the help of her specially trained dogs, track the young survivor while enemies lurk in the snow. They have a history from a previous case, but working side-by-side to save a child ignites an unstoppable chemistry. As the danger closes in and Jillian's life is put on the line, Wolff's protective instinct goes into overdrive, proving he's ready to tear down his carefully constructed walls for the woman who brings light and healing into his world.

This is a phenomenal read about found family, the fight for self-acceptance, and the powerful love that can bloom when two wounded warriors finally stop being stuck in their solitary lives. It's an intense, moving, and thrilling addition to the series!

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories. With forty-plus books already published, she continues to create characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy. Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We've Read All Year Award for "Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, and Finalist for the 2020 Kindle Book Award with “When Hope Ends”, Freya spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

Purchase/Pre Order the rest of the series!!

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - RESCUING RYDER (Serenity Securities, Team Hawk, #1) by Cassie Colton

 Rescuing Ryder

Special Forces: Operation Alpha 
Serenity Securities, Team Hawk, #1
by Cassie Colton 
Release Date: November 12th 2024 
Genre: Romantic Suspense 

Still buried in guilt from losing his unit, Ryder "Patch" Hawkins is ready to end it all. The last thing he wants to do is face his demons and rehash the events of that tragic day. However, he reluctantly agrees to admit himself into Winters Foundation Hospital on Serenity Mountain, a facility that specializes in veteran recovery.

Meeting Dr. Claire Meyers changes everything for the battered corpsman.

Ryder makes an astonishing breakthrough with the sassy and confident psychologist's unorthodox methods. Soon, the strong and sarcastic man begins to soften in her presence. But when a dangerous killer sets his sights on Claire, Ryder and the Serenity Securities team jump into action. Ryder refuses to lose another person he cares about. He's determined to save her before it's too late. Will Ryder finally find a "life worth living" and allow Claire to rescue him from himself?

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The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . RESCUING RYDER (Serenity Securities, Team Hawk, #1) . . . A Shattered Soldier, a Killer's Obsession, and a Fight for Redemption!

RESUCUING RYDER launches the Serenity Securities, Team Hawk series with a powerful emotional punch, blending military trauma with intense romantic suspense.

Our hero, Ryder, is a man consumed by the intense guilt of losing his unit of brothers in arms. He's a broken warrior, convinced he is beyond saving, but his journey toward redemption begins when the team from the Winters Foundation Hospital on Serenity Mountain intervenes.

In swoops Dr. Claire Meyers, the dedicated and compassionate therapist who is determined to heal the brokenness she sees in him. Claire's strength and light begin to chip away at Ryder's hardened shell, and they find something truly special between them—a connection that's both unexpected and necessary for their survival.

However, the path to healing is fraught with danger. A killer, fascinated with Claire, introduces a terrifying new layer of chaos to the serenity of the mountain. Ryder, a man who swore off protecting anyone else, is forced to re-engage with his instincts to save the one woman who is saving him. This book delivers high-octane action, deep emotional healing, and a consuming suspense plot, making it an absolutely unputdownable read!

Cassie Colton is a best-selling and award-winning author of romantic suspense, military, and contemporary romance. Always an avid book reader and storyteller, she worked for one of the happiest places on earth. There, she found her love for making magic and happily ever afters.

The Serenity Mountain Series begins her author journey, detailing the lives of former military men and women who have lost their way and found peace on Serenity Mountain. Like in every story, her characters have to fight through adversity to find happiness ever after.

Like life, Cassie writes about character struggles that sometimes become dark before they see the light, but she always provides a happy ending. She believes everyone deserves to find happiness and love because it is the only thing worth fighting for.

She now lives in Virginia with her wonderful family and service dog, Leia. She enjoys gardening, flowers, cooking, and learning about beekeeping.

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - TALK WICKED TO ME (The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside) by Melissa Foster

TALK WICKED TO ME

The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside

by Melissa Foster

Releasing October 30th 2024

World Literary Press

BLURB
Veterinarian and Dark Knights biker Baxter “Baz” Wicked, the most charming and mysterious of the family, has a career he loves, a brotherhood he trusts, and plans that don’t include settling down just yet. Come along for the unexpected, hilarious, and heart-wrenching ride as Baz discovers that life and love can be messy, and carefully crafted plans can’t hold a candle to ten tiny fingers and toes.

Between expanding his veterinary practice, commitments with his motorcycle club, and international travel plans, Baz Wicked has little time for anything else. When a beautiful, frantic pregnant woman barges into his office for help with her dog, he senses something is off, and he’s drawn to her in ways he shouldn’t be. But now he can’t get Emerson Lockhart out of his head.

Having a baby wasn’t in Emerson’s plans, but neither was tragically losing her parents more than a decade ago, when she was only a teenager. After all she’s been through, leaving the chaos of New York City and moving to the peaceful small town of Bayside while on the cusp of giving birth was a piece of cake. She’s used to handling things on her own, but when an unexpected emergency brings the charming vet—who makes her remember she’s more than a mother-to-be—back into her life, she’s grateful for his help but wary of his friendship.

Emerson knows how quickly the people she cares about can be stolen away, and she never wants to experience that devastation again. But the fiercely loyal, protective biker isn’t easily dissuaded. Passion ignites and affections run deep, but when their pasts collide and Baz’s demons are revealed, will it douse their flames, or can true love prevail?

Excerpt: 

Read Sneak Peek here, https://melissafoster.com/talk-wicked-to-me-sneak-peek/ 

Goodreads link: 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201145828-talk-wicked-to-me

Buy Links:

BUY DIRECT FROM MY SHOP AND SAVE ➜ https://shop.melissafoster.com/collections/talk-wicked-to-me-collection 

➜KINDLE: https://lnk.to/TWTM_Kindle 

➜APPLE: https://lnk.to/TWTM_Apple 

➜NOOK: https://lnk.to/TWTM_Nook 

➜KOBO: https://lnk.to/TWTM_Kobo 

➜GPLAY: https://lnk.to/TWTM_GPlay 

➜PAPERBACK: https://lnk.to/TWTM_Pb 

➜AUDIOBOOK: https://shop.melissafoster.com/products/talk-wicked-to-me-audiobook 

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . TALK WICKED TO ME (The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside) . . . Unexpected Parenthood: The Most Charming Wicked Meets His Destiny!

Melissa Foster brings us back to the legendary Dark Knights at Bayside with a truly unexpected and heart-wrenching ride in TALK WICKED TO ME. This book centers on Baxter “Baz” Wicked, the most charming and mysterious of the family, who has always kept his plans—and his heart—carefully protected.

Baz's life of veterinary practice, MC commitments, and international travel is completely derailed when a frantic, pregnant woman, Emerson Lockhart, barges into his office. Instantly, he senses something is deeply off, and he's drawn to her in a way he shouldn't be. This story beautifully explores how even the best-laid plans can't hold a candle to ten tiny fingers and toes.

Emerson, weary from a tragic past, has moved to Bayside to handle her impending motherhood alone. She knows how quickly the people she cares about can be stolen away and is fiercely determined to protect herself from that devastation again. This struggle for independence and her fear of loss creates a powerful, emotional tension with the fiercely loyal and protective Baz.

When an unexpected emergency brings them together, the passion ignites and affections run deep. However, the blurb promises that when their pasts collide and Baz’s demons are revealed, their budding love will face a crucial test. Will their connection be strong enough to prevail? This is a wonderfully sexy and emotionally compelling story about a man who unexpectedly finds his heart's true purpose and the woman who teaches him that love is always worth the risk!

 

Author Info
Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today bestselling author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.

Author Links:  

Website:  http://www.melissafoster.com/ 

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Melissa_Foster 

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3023973.Melissa_Foster 

Newsletter: http://melissafoster.com/newsletter/ 

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melissa-foster 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissafoster_author/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissafoster_author 

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