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I’m not sure how the garden is going to do this year. The weather has been so crazy, I’m sure the garden can’t keep up with the changes. When I planted the tomatoes, it was up near 90 degrees and had been pretty dry. A week later, it was back down in the 60’s and raining. And it has been doing this whole seesaw thing for a month. And today, once again, the temperatures peaked in the high 60’s after last week’s 90 degree weather.

Someone find Mother Nature and send her back to Gambler’s Folly with Fate. Maybe they can find another couple of shifters to torture.

So, I’m still editing Scotch and Soulmates. They are a fun couple, our Paul and Sophia. He’s an English lord, doctorate in psychology, and works as a profiler in the London office of Interpol. He’s also an expert on expensive Scotch, which is the reason he’s on Gambler’s Folly.

Sophia is from the Bronx and had a tough time growing up. She’s an agent with Interpol’s Spaggia Sole’s office on Gambler’s Folly and is known as the she-wolf. Having to fight her way up in a world of alpha males, she is radically feminist. And she takes exception to Paul’s high-brow upbringing.

How about a little excerpt?

Morning came early after a few too many drinks the night before. Paul wouldn’t have been as tempted by the Scotch if it hadn’t been for thoughts of Sophia. She was a beautiful woman, especially with her auburn hair down and caressing her shoulders. The green gown–chiffon over some satiny material–smoothed enticingly over her curves. Some men might have found her a little overly curvaceous, but not Paul. He preferred substantial women, especially in bed.

“Dream on,” he told the reflection in the mirror. “Get the job done and get back to London. Plenty of appreciative women there.”

Nagi was at the office when he arrived, so after grabbing some coffee, they sat down to discuss the case.

“I had assumed we’d wait and discuss things together,” he heard behind him.

“Just tossing around some ideas until you arrived. Get some coffee while it’s fresh.”

With a toss of her head, she put her things on the table and went over to the coffee maker. When she returned, Paul stood to hold her chair, out of habit.

“As I’ve told you before, I’m quite capable of seating myself.”

“Of course you are,” Paul answered. “Such a pity you’re incapable of being a lady.”

Had he said that out loud? Must be the headache speaking.

“If you’re talking about those simpering little, hand-wringing, wilting flowers, who need a man to lean on, count me out, “ she snarled.

“No. I’m talking about an intelligent woman, with a strong personality, who has a good sense of self and focus, who has enough confidence to accept social courtesies with ease and grace, without jumping to erroneous conclusions about the intentions of her colleagues.”

So, which one will tame the other? You’ll have to wait and find out! I know… I’m working on it!

Have fun, stay dry, and I’ll write more later.

As always,

Don’t Forget…\

…to Share the Romance…

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Can you help me? I need a little advice from someone on the other side of the reader/writer line.

As an indie author, I do everything myself, not just the writing. The writing is the easy part. Afterwards comes the editing, and it takes time and effort. I am sometimes able to have someone help me with the editing after I’ve been through a book several times myself. And there is a program I sometimes use which helps point out words I over use, or which tone down the emotion of the book.

Now let’s talk about book cover art. I can’t afford to pay someone to put together the cover art. And the few times I’ve tried, I didn’t like the results. So I use an online program, sometimes with AI assist, to create a book cover I feel portrays the story I’m telling inside.

After all the editing is as finished as it can be, and I have the cover art, there is the formatting so I can publish it through Amazon or Draft2Digital–which links all my books to retailers through Books2Read. All the keywords to come up with to help place it correctly for people to locate it. I’m not necessarily the best person to decide this. People who read the books and offer suggestions come up with categories and tropes I would never have dreamed existed in those pages.

And once I get to Amazon or Draft2Digital, I have to decide what price I want to ask for. What is my book worth? There are suggestions in the documentation for each site, which I use to gauge my list price. I don’t want to charge so much people are afraid to take a chance on the book. But at the same time, I don’t want to give it all away for free. I do have sales several times a year. During some of those, I do list a book or two for free, and generally I give away quite a few. While I’m happy when people want to read my books, it is disappointing when they only want them for nothing.

With my last book–Old Flame–I paid several people to help with the promotion and marketing aspects and got absolutely nothing in return. I did just as well by myself. Now with Sultonna Nadine’s new release, Lady Calloway, I am besieged by promoters and marketers wanting to help me get my book out to readers. For anywhere from $200 on up.

I’m not made of money. Never have been. And if throwing money at it worked, you would think Old Flame would have sold like hotcakes.

You might ask why I don’t hire some of this work out. And the answer would be the expense of it. For an editor to do a final editing for me would be over $1000 per book, minimum. Cover art? Anywhere from $150 on up to as much as I want to spend. Formatting? Several hundred dollars. And then there are the book trailers and all the social media posts to put together. Trailers start at around $200 and go up from there. By the time I paid for all that, I would have several thousand dollars invested with no guaranteed return.

So tell me, what am I doing wrong? I get great reviews, when I get them. Most are 5 star reviews. Everyone says the writing is excellent, the tropes are popular, the categories are popular as well. And I’ve reworked the keywords and categories on all the outlets to take advantage of them.

What am I missing? I’m not complaining about the work, except the editing… It’s doing all the work with nothing to show for it, while getting all kinds of emails and reviews with people who love it, but apparently love it only if it’s free.

Go take a look at my author pages and books. And then come back and give me your opinion. Why would you buy or not buy my books? What turns you away?

Amazon Author page for Mellie Miller

Books2Read for Mellie Miller

Amazon for Sultonna

Books2Read for Sultonna

Anyway, enough rant. It has just been a disappointing year. If you’ve read any of my work, please at least rate it for me. A review would be great.

Have a wonderful weekend.

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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Ever have one of those weeks that just didn’t seem to go right? Where everything was kind of on the disappointing or depressing side? Yeah? That has been my week so far. And since a new week starts tomorrow, I guess it was all week.

I would say the most aggravating thing was an email I received from someone wanting to help me with promoting my work. Now I know I’m not the greatest at marketing and promotions. And in the past, I have hired people to help me with that–people who were recommended to me. They did help a bit, though not as much as I had hoped for.

A word of advice. If you want me to consider hiring you to help me with something, don’t write a completely disrespectful email to me, pointing out things I already know (because they’re in my bio), and getting things from my bio incorrect. (like the fact that I’ve never in my life run 3 miles 3-5 times a week) And don’t sneer at the fact that I’m doing the best I can with what I know to do.

Did I enter a book cover contest? I sure did, because I thought it would be fun and get my book a little visibility. Did I adjust my key words as suggested by a couple people I communicated with to bring it more in line for what readers may be searching for? You bet I did.

But am I going to quit using two pen names for my writing? No. Because those two names write different books. Mellie Miller writes the books in my series. Sultonna Nadine writes the stand alone books that take different paths. And each name has her own blog and page on Amazon and Goodreads.

I also cross reference them so people will know we are the same person writing two different types of books.

If you want to help–and you want me to consider using your expertise–don’t make fun of me. “I finally wrote a theocratic dystopia with telepathy. Then I discovered that my telepathy could not help me communicate my author name to Amazon.” 

This does not in any way help me are encourage me to use your services. Neither does, “You run 3 to 5 miles three times a week. Run your author brand the same distance.” 😅 And yes, this person actually put the emoji in the email.

Which book are they talking about? My latest release as Sultonna Nadine–LADY CALLOWAY–A Question of Heresy. If you’re a fan of fantasy romance, romantic intrigue with a dystopian vibe, some religious conflict, moral conflict, and duty vs. love, check it out.

Anyway, done with my rant. If you’re looking for either of my pen names online, check out:

Mellie Miller at Amazon or at Goodreads

Or Sultonna Nadine at Amazon or at Goodreads

Want to check out Sultonna’s blog? It’s right here on WordPress.

Sorry if I sound a bit irritated this week. I’m trying to turn things around.

And I still don’t run 3 miles 3-5 miles a week, nor do I intend to start.

And as always, friends,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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Liora had always trusted their priest to teach the truth.

But now her husband accuses her of heresy.

Her village is under religious purge.

And her husband has to choose between the church he serves and the woman he loves.

In seclusion at the seaside, Kerrick and Liora discuss the church doctrines and what will happen if the wardens or confessors hear of her heresy. After much deliberation, she accepts that he must be right, even though it still kind of feels wrong to her.

But during a walk along the beach one evening, a bigger problem presents itself. They begin to communicate by telepathy. While Liora finds it fascinating, it scares Kerrick to death. As an employee of the church, from a family of confessors, he knows this ability and others like it are forbidden to the average person. They can be allowed only to those the church deems fit to use them for the church.

As he puzzles over what to do, he is contacted via telepathy from an unexpected source and urged to take his wife to Wales as quickly as possible. The wardens have her village surrounded pending a purge for heresy. Since they know she was from this village, they are looking for the two of them, to see if she believes the heresy her priest taught. And if they find the two of them with these added mental abilities, it won’t just be Liora going to the confessors.

A tale of harsh religious rule, persecution by the church, forbidden talents, and a newlywed couple caught in the middle.

Come to London and Wales and meet Kerrick and Liora, Lord and Lady Calloway. Follow their journey, not only across England and Wales, but through the religious upheavals they face as they flee the church they once served.

LADY CALLOWAYA Question of Heresy is available at Amazon. Links to other retailers are found at Books2Read.

Fantasy, alternate realities, romantic suspense, religious conflict, and a bit of folklore. Don’t miss it!

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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Yes, my alter ego, Sultonna Nadine, has been at it again! LADY CALLOWAY will be out on March 1, so if you are a fantasy lover, this is for you.

Set in an alternate timeline in turn of the century London, this fantasy has a strong romantic side as well as religious conflict and political intrigue. Liora Calloway, recently married to Kerrick, was raised believing women must not find pleasure in sex, even in marriage. They must give themselves to their husbands to keep them from seeking outside pleasure. But for the wives to enjoy the act was the same as prostitution. They also said women had no real sexual drive, so it wouldn’t be a problem. They were wrong and she was afraid she would be damned for her evil thoughts.

Kerrick worked for the church and thought his marriage would be fulfilling in every way. But no matter what he did, he couldn’t bring passion into his bedroom. And then he found he was married to a heretic. He was duty-bound to report her to the church, but his heart demanded he protect her from the church he served. Taking a holiday from work, he rushed Liora to the seaside cottage to reason with her over her beliefs.

Her heresy soon became a minor issue when they both began to develop mental abilities the church had forbidden. Not knowing what to do at this point, they receive a message from an unexpected quarter and set out for Wales in the middle of the night to escape a church determined to bring them back to London for questioning.

Can they escape the reach of the church? Are there others, like them, who have forbidden talents? And can their marriage survive the turmoil the face?

Go over and pre-order your copy of LADY CALLOWAY!

And as always,

Don’t Forget….

…to Share the Romance…

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Why don’t I let someone else give you the low down?

*****

“Author Mellie Miller invites readers back into the enchanting world of Gambler’s Folly with Old Flame, the newest addition to her fantasy romance series blending shifter lore, emotional healing, and unexpected second chances. The novel follows two characters who built separate lives marked by loss,
growth, and quiet longing, only to discover that destiny has not forgotten them.


Kort Behrens, a bear shifter and billionaire businessman, has spent years believing love simply isn’t meant for him. Two
marriages ended in disappointment, and too many encounters with women more interested in his wealth than his heart
have left him wary and guarded. Behind his success lies a man who has accepted solitude as his future, convinced that
genuine love is a chapter he will never experience again.


Elizabeth Murphy, a once-devoted wife turned widow, has spent the last four years rebuilding her life with compassion
and purpose. Immersed in her Reiki practice and the comforting companionship of her cat, Puzzle, she has carved out
stability while quietly carrying the ache of a marriage that, despite lasting nearly three decades, never fulfilled her
desire for deeper romantic and physical connection. The idea of dating again feels impossible, if not unnecessary.


Decades earlier, Kort and Elizabeth were simply friends—two young adults navigating university life with no romantic
spark between them. After graduation, they drifted into separate worlds, neither imagining their paths would ever cross
again. But fate intervenes aboard a journey to Gambler’s Folly, the mystical realm where chance, destiny, and desire
often weave together in surprising ways Their unexpected reunion ignites a spark neither felt thirty years ago. What
begins as warm nostalgia soon grows into an undeniable connection, forcing both to confront old insecurities and long-
held fears. For Kort, it is the realization that love may still be possible with someone who sees beyond his wealth. For
Elizabeth, it is the discovery that passion and emotional intimacy can coexist in a single connection—something she has
never experienced.


As Gambler’s Folly subtly nudges their lives together, Kort and Elizabeth must decide whether to embrace this rare
second chance or retreat into the safety of solitude. Miller enriches their journey with themes of healing, self-worth,
rekindled friendship, and the unexpected ways love can rewrite the stories we thought were finished.


With its blend of fantasy, shifter romance, emotional depth, and slow-burn tension, Old Flame continues the series’
signature approach to exploring love through the lens of fate and personal transformation. Fans of the Gambler’s Folly
universe will appreciate the familiar magic of the world while discovering a relationship built on maturity, vulnerability,
and the quiet power of rediscovered connection.

****

So, what do you think? Are you ready to take a chance on love with Kort and Liz? Do you love a sensual, slow burn romance? Come to Gambler’s Folly and feel the heat as these two decide whether or not love is worth the gamble.

Happy reading everyone!

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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you had telekinetic abilities during a snowball fight?

Well, I wondered the same thing while writing Too Many Talents. Here we have Connell, heir to Belfort, hosting a winter party. Of course there will be a snowball fight at some point. You can’t have a bunch of ten to twelve year old boys playing in the snow without it. The only strange thing is that they didn’t come up with it on their own…

How about an excerpt as we get ready for the winter holidays?

The forts weren’t too close together, so even when hit in the face, Connell wasn’t injured. He hastily retreated behind the fort and wiped the snow and water out of his eyes. Grabbing up another snowball from the ammunition pile he pulled back and threw his snowball in a high arc toward the other fort.

And as it arced toward the fort, Master Olivier strolled through the grounds right into the trajectory of the snowball.

“Master! Stop!” Connell shouted at the top of his voice.

Master Olivier stopped short, looked up, and waved his hand. And as he did, the snowball dodged sideways in midair and missed him by three feet. With a nod, the man continued on his way for a few feet. And then with a wide grin on his face, he approached the fort.

“I see everyone here is a student of mine, in one class or the other, and there are several of you on either team who can do telekinesis. Why don’t we see how a Talented game works?”

“Master Olivier, what do you mean?” Connell asked.

“Can I have all those with telekinetic Talent from both sides come to me,” he instructed.

Soon he was surrounded by a circle of young boys.

“Right. Now let’s divide you into equal teams.”

This took just a couple moments and they all retreated to their forts.

“Now, you who are telekineticists must direct the snowballs with your Talent. The rest can fashion ammunition for you. Who says practicing your Talent can’t be fun?”

And how about an odd game of tag? Jareth wants to help Viviane control her Talent, and sometimes a little bit of a break can make the difference. Especially if the break includes a game incorporating Talent in some way.

The first couple of days at the cabin were pretty lazy. Viviane decided she had needed a break. Jareth promised to work with her a little bit while they were up here, but only a little. He was afraid she was pushing too hard and creating her own obstacles.

One morning over breakfast, he looked up with a particularly mischievous look on his face.

“What, Jareth?” she asked. “I know that look and it means you’re up to something.”

“How about a game of tag?” he asked.

“What? Up here?”

“Why not? Only let’s change the rules to accommodate your new Talents.”

“Okay, what are the rules?”

“You know you have telepathic abilities, and you also have porting Talents. On top of that, you have kinetic Talents. So, this time, you’re going to be the hunter and you’ll have to catch me. But I can port to keep away from you, or use kinesis to move you away.”

“How is that fair?” she demanded.

“You have the same abilities and using them is fair in this game. If you use your telepathy, you will know where I’ll jump. I won’t shield my thoughts from you. Figure out where I’ll jump and get there before I can either jump again or move you. Or you can bring me to you with kinesis. Duncan says you have plenty of power.”

“Did he also tell you I tend to fling things pretty violently? What if you get hurt?”

“I’ll take my chances. Ready?”

“You’re on. Let’s get changed.”  

To an onlooker their game would have seemed bizarre. At first, Viviane stood in one place, irritated and frustrated. But as the morning went on, she began blinking out at one place to reappear at another, just as Jareth had been doing. Occasionally Jareth would appear right behind her and startle her before jumping away again.

“Viviane, the object is to use your telepathy to get here when I do. You’re doing much better at your porting though.”

“I can’t seem to switch back and forth between Talents. I can either figure out where you’re going, or follow you there after I see you.”

“So move me back to you,” he countered, and ported again to a place about twenty-five meters away.

The first time she brought him back to her, his body hit hers quite hard, and they both tumbled backwards several feet before fetching up against a tree trunk.

“I told you I flung things about!” she shouted before he could get in a word.

“Yes, you did, but you did well, nonetheless. You realize you’ve won this round, don’t you?”

“I have?” she asked, then, “I have! Wow!” as she did a little dance in the snow.

Whatever snowy games you get into, have fun. Whether it’s tag, snow forts and snowball fights, or a simple walk in the snowy woods, get out into nature and enjoy.

The holiday season is here with all its stress. So take a break. Take a walk. Throw a snowball. You deserve it. And don’t forget to check out Too Many Talents.

That’s it for now. Have a happy holiday.

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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And most of the folks out there are thinking about gifts.

If you have friends who love to read, especially if they love fantasy and romance, how about a book from one of my series? In Jareth, First Lord, Jareth brings Viviane back to Clan Brannach during the winter. And later in the book, they watch the annual eclipse of the two moons during the winter–

“In the heart of winter the two become one, the past put to rest, the future begun.”

In Too Many Talents, Connell has a winter party with his friends. Think snowball fights using telekinesis and you’ll get the picture.

On Gambler’s Folly, there is plenty of snow for skiing. That ski run down the mountain in the dark to escape from the mob might be a bit more than Kari was hoping for though…

Don’t want tied to a season? Check out the rest of the series in Gambler’s Folly and Esperance!

All right, now you have the books. What you need to go with them is something to set the scene, like a candle from Mythologie Candles, candles inspired by fantasy!

One of my favorite pairings in MORGAN–The Pixie and the Green Man, with Verdant Forest.

Grab your book, something wonderful to drink, light the candle, and settle into the world of your choosing.

Don’t know where to look? Find the book you want and then go over to Mythologie Candles and look through their selection of scent scapes. There is sure to be something there to enhance your reading pleasure. If nothing seems to fit your book, you can always find something for the season, no matter what your taste is in candles. I will warn you, their scents are unique!

Now that you have some of your gift giving sorted, go find something for you to read. And a candle to read by of course.

Enjoy the holiday season and remember to take time to relax.

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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At least it feels like it outside. When that cold front came through, our temperatures over night dropped down into the mid-twenties here near Atlanta, GA, which is much too early for this kind of thing here in the South.

But with the holidays coming up soon, don’e forget, books make great gifts! And if you want to get into the holiday spirit, check out my alter ego, Sultonna Nadine’s blog. Two of her books have solstice or Christmas scenes. One is even a costume Ball!

You can find her over at SultonnaNadine.

For books from my series--for yourself or as gifts– check out my pages on Amazon. You can also find me on Goodreads or All Author

Gambler’s Folly is great if you like shifters, fantasy worlds, and a bit of magic.

Or check out Esperance for paranormal abilities, magic, and a hint of folklore here and there.

If you don’t want to go over to Sultonna’s site, you can find here on Amazon, too!

Enjoy this interlude before the holday chaos arrives. Have fun, keep warm, and stay safe.

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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Who wants to meet the characters in OLD FLAME?

Today I’ll introduce you to Kort Behrens. How about a little history?

Born into a well-to-do and supportive family, Kort grew up confident in his own abilities. Being a bear shifter may have had a bit to do with this, too. At 6’8″ tall when he reached adulthood, he seldom had to worry about being bullied, though he did discourage it in others whenever he saw the need. His father owned an electronics company, often experimenting with new and innovative ideas. Living in Dallas, Texas, his work often leaned toward aerospace.

Kort went to university to study business management and electronics, so that when he graduated he could work in his father’s business. While he was there, he met Liz, who became a good friend. Nothing romantic ever developed between them, but during their time at university, they remained friends. Of course, they sometimes met for coffee and complaints, or ran into each other at an event, but nothing serious. There was no spark between them. So after graduation they parted ways. He went on to graduate school and she returned back East to teach.

During his time at university, Kort’s father developed a new drive for the shuttles, which slashed the time it took to travel between worlds, opening up the developed planets to business and vacation travelers. Before this drive, business travel was slow, but doable. Vacation travel was for the wealthy only. But with the new drive, nearly anyone could find a vacation destination they could afford. Behrens Industries became the biggest name in electronics in the country.

After graduate school, he married a young woman, who seemed to share his interests. But shortly before the wedding he began to have doubts, though he went ahead with the marriage. At first it was little things. And then the list grew. When she decided they could no longer have a sexual relationship due to the teachings of a local guru in an obscure sect, he’d had enough and filed for divorce. Around the same time, his father chose to retire and left managing Behrens Industries to Kort. While he had worked with his father for some time, the day to day running of the business took much more time than he’d figured it would. It took several months before he felt he had a firm grasp of his role in the company, but he’d earned the respect of those who worked for Behrens and of the shareholders. The company was growing and he was worth billions.

He’d had plenty of women showing interest, but one stood out. Once he had his business life sorted, they began to date and eventually married. Once again, things began to sour only a few months into the marriage. Frequent absences from home made him suspicious, and a private investigator confirmed that she was having an affair. As it turned out, she was interested only in his money and social stature, not him as a person. So divorce two was soon a thing of the past.

Several more times he was nearly pulled into relationships, only to discover the same pattern. Money and social standing drew gold diggers like flies to honey. Eventually, he gave up on relationships altogether. There seemed no point. No one saw him as a person, only a bank account and a place in the spotlight. Throwing himself into his work, he kept Behrens Industries at the top of the of the list when it came to electronics. Romance was never going to happen for him, unless he should somehow meet his fated mate.

By age fifty-five, solitude was an old friend. Once in a while, he would invite a lady out for dinner, but it was always a one off kind of occasion. He found he looked forward to some time alone after dealing with cut-throat business dealings during the day. With his home up in the mountains, on a thousand acres of land, there was plenty of space to roam around in either form and work out the frustration from a tough day at the office. His estate manager knew to keep the media and any unauthorized visitors away. This was his sanctuary, his safe place. The place he could let his bear out without fear of it getting into the media. His life was a media circus most of the time anyway.

As will happen, Kort discovered someone was counterfeiting parts for the shuttles. The latest had been shipped to Gambler’s Folly. What the heck, he needed a vacation anyway. Why not mix a little pleasure into the deal? He had a couple properties on the planet. And his friend, Damiano Leone, always kept a suite for him when he got into town. Always a character, a good dose of Dam and Kari’s hospitality would be a welcome relief. Who could have imagined he would meet his soulmate at the hotel before taking the shuttle off world? And even more surprising, it was his old friend from university, Liz. Neither of them expected romance to spark between them. After all, they’d spent years as just friends at university. Maybe he could take her out a few times on Gambler’s Folly. This was her first trip to the vacation destination of the galaxy. It would be like old times, a little fun with an old friend, no strings.

Go on over to Amazon and get your copy of Old Flame, to follow this romance between old friends. During the month of October, it’s on sale for only $0.99 for Kindle. Or you can read it for free on Kindle Unlimited!

Come to Gambler’s Folly and join Kort, Liz, Dam, and Kari, along with a few other friends. Who knows? You might find a romance of your own.,,

Gambler’s Follythe world where every love story is a gamble and Fate always deals the final hand.

I hope you enjoyed this little intro. Next time we’ll talk about Elizabeth!

Thank you for coming by to visit.

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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