Review of Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese

About the Book ~

Lauren Bailey may be a romantic at heart, but after a decade of matchmaking schemes gone wrong, there's only one match she's committed to now -- the one that will make her a mother. Lauren is a dedicated first-grade teacher in Idaho, and her love for children has led her to the path of international adoption. To satisfy her adoption agency's requirements, she gladly agreed to remain single for the foreseeable future; however, just as her long wait comes to an end, Lauren is blindsided by a complication she never saw coming: Joshua Avery.

Joshua may be a substitute teacher by day, but Lauren finds his passion for creating educational technology as fascinating as his antics in the classroom. Though she does her best to downplay the undeniable connection between them, his relentless pursuit of her heart puts her commitment to stay unattached to the test and causes her once-firm conviction to waver.

With an impossible decision looming, Lauren might very well find herself choosing between the two deepest desires of her heart...even if saying yes to one means letting go of the other.

For more information about Nicole Deese and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese is a tale of sacrificial love that will break your heart and mend it all at once! I recommend keeping a huggable pillow nearby for this one!

I love the "journey" readers get to experience in Before I Called You Mine! From the shenanigans of a first grade classroom to a magical Christmas festival to an amazing adoption in China, the pace of this sweet story keeps readers on their toes. What an endearing journey filled with laughter and love!

I loved the characters the author so wonderfully crafted in this sweet story!  I loved the hero for a lot of reasons! His love of dinosaurs. His wit and charm. His steadfast and sacrificial love. And because he was a man... Okay, that sounded weird. What I mean is that I loved how he pursued Lauren, backed off when needed, and wasn't afraid to tell her how he felt without any games or agenda. I found those things to be incredibly -- for the lack of a better explanation -- manly. All the heart eyes! I absolutely adored Joshua Avery as a bookish hero!

And I could never forget Lauren Bailey! The heroine of Before I Called You Mine won my bookish friendship for life! Like so many of us -- if not all of us! -- she wrestles with God's timing, calling, and plan for her life. Her call to adoption and sacrificial love is not an easy journey. Additionally, it's also a probing look at what sacrificial love really means in each of her relationships -- friends, family, and romantic. While the either/or impasse Lauren has to face is a little dramatized for the sake of the story, this also allows Joshua to step up again (Once again, I love this hero!)! The steadfast willingness to wait but also to wait for God's amazing and perfect timing is another beautiful message to be found among the pages of Before I Called You Mine! As we see in Lauren's journey, it's a bittersweet truth to accept, but it's worth it. It's worth every second of it.

Five Stars ~ Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese is a beautiful story of sacrificial love! Before I Called You Mine is a standalone, but the author has other books her in backlist for readers to enjoy.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of Fawkes by Nadine Brandes

 

About the Book ~

Thomas Fawkes is turning to stone, and the only cure to the Stone Plague is to join his father's plot to assassinate the king of England.

Silent wars leave the most carnage. The wars that are never declared but are carried out in dark alleys with masks and hidden knives. Wars where color power alters the natural rhythm of 17th-century London. And when the king calls for peace, no one listens until he finally calls for death.

But what if death finds him first?

Keepers think the Igniters caused the plague. Igniters think the Keepers did it. But all Thomas knows is that the Stone Plague infecting his eye is spreading. And if he doesn't do something soon, he'll be a lifeless statue. So when his Keeper father, Guy Fawkes, invites him to join the Gunpowder Plot--claiming it will put an end to the plague--Thomas is in.

The plan: use 36 barrels of gunpowder to blow up the Igniter King.

The problem: Doing so will destroy the family of the girl Thomas loves. But backing out of the plot will send his father and the other plotters to the gallows. To save one, Thomas will lose the other.

No matter Thomas's choice, one thing is clear: once the decision is made and the color masks have been put on, there's no turning back.

For more information about Nadine Brandes and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

"Fawkes rocks! Fawkes rocks! Fawkes rocks!"

Sorry, that's the multitude in my head cheering for Fawkes by Nadine Brandes. They're good people, but they must have overtaken my fingers for a moment. ;-)

But seriously, Fawkes does rock!

The author did an amazing job of creating a new world within the confines of history. The era felt so vivid but not stilted. And I loved the magical color system!! I also loved how representative of God it was, God's playful and loving side that craves a relationship with us!!
 

Did I mention that Fawkes was written for the general market? That's right! This story has a huge crossover appeal, but that God stuff is still ingrained into the story in a subtle way that is sure to leave readers hungry for more.

There are so many amazingly layered truths in Fawkes! Nadine Brandes truly wrote a story that showed the reader that there are multiple points of view on any given subject - especially the difficult subjects! Thomas was so relatable to me. He wanted his father's love, but he needed to discover what truth was for himself. Emma was one of my favorite parts, and I loved the truth she represented. I also loved the natural way the main characters were convicted. Even Emma realized that she had been looking at something with a skewed viewpoint, and that is so powerful. Seeking the truth by going to the source rings loud and clear throughout the story!
 

I sobbed so hard through the entire last chapter - and not just because the book was ending! It didn't take a lot of wondering (or a lengthy Google search) to determine what would happen to Thomas' father, Guy Fawkes. But the story ended with a hope so profound that my only option was to cry it out. Powerful!!!

Five Stars ~ Fawkes reaches a new level of awesome that needs its own awesome name because saying "awesome" doesn't do it justice. Highly recommended!!! Fawkes is a standalone novel. I am sooo looking forward to reading Nadine Brandes' next historical fantasy, Romanov - a retelling of Anastasia! But what am I going to do with my life until May 2019??? *wails and gnashes teeth*

 

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

 

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
 

Review of Thirst of Steel by Ronie Kendig

 

About the Book ~

The Final Conflict Will Hinge on One of History's Most Dangerous Blades

Dismantled centuries ago, the sword of Goliath is still rumored to thirst for its enemies' blood. Cole "Tox" Russell wants only to put the dangers of his past behind him and begin his new life with Haven Cortes. First, though, he's called to complete a final mission: retrieve the sword and destroy the deadly Arrow & Flame Order.

The AFO, however, is determined to reunite the sword. Threatening the life of Ram and Tzivia's father, they jeopardize Ram's long-held and dangerous secret while demanding Tzivia locate the blade. With the Wraith team slowly being torn apart, things worsen when Mercy Maddox, a new operative, emerges with the stunning news that the artifact is tied to both Ram's secret and a string of unsolved serial murders.

Tox, Ram, and the others are forced to set aside fear and anger to target the true enemy. No matter the cost, Wraith must destroy the AFO . . . or join them in the flames.

For more information about Ronie Kendig and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

I stayed up until two in the morning to finish reading Thirst of Steel by Ronie Kendig.

Two. In. The. Morning.

Worth. Every. Minute.

I can't believe this is the last book... I can't believe The Tox Files are over... What am I going to do now??? (If you're acquainted with Tox, then you know I'm NOT being dramatic. If you aren't...well, all three books are available now, so I'd say it's time to binge read!) I'm trying really hard to hold my emotions in check because I know if I open that door, there's no closing it. I won't be able to stop mourning the end of this series, these characters, those...events. Those...beautiful, devastating events that raised the impact level of this legendary tale, concluding this series in the best possible way while still shredding my soul.

Sorry, no spoilers. ;-) Hehe.

Guys, Thirst of Steel destroyed me and blessed me and blew my stinking mind! Ronie Kendig is a literary genius! The skill and complexity of this novel kept me glued to my reading perch, frantically turning the pages. Think military thriller, a hint of romance, and secret societies with a National Treasure feel, making for a enthralling story! The characters (I heart Tox and Ram) with their complexities, failures, and triumphs are imprinted on my heart. And I loved the new perspectives! But despite the serious nature of the story, Ronie Kendig was able to write humor and heart and truth into the story in an organic way!

But from reader to reader, what I hope you see the most is this series is how awesome God is! Through the supernatural events of this series, Ronie Kendig reminds readers how big and powerful our God is. That He operates in the supernatural. That we can't limit Him to what we "know" because He is so much more. This was the truth that encouraged and challenged me the most throughout the story. <3

Five Stars ~ An epic conclusion to a thrilling series! Trust me when I say that this is one series you don't want to miss!!! Thirst of Steel is the last book in The Tox Files by Ronie Kendig. You should definitely read Conspiracy of Silence and Crown of Souls respectively before reading Thirst of Steel because the information learned in those books are essential to Thirst of Steel's plot.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

 

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Review of Murder at the Flamingo by Rachel McMillan

About the Book ~

“Maybe it was time to land straight in the middle of the adventure…”

Hamish DeLuca has spent most of his life trying to hide the anxiety that appears at the most inopportune times -- including during his first real court case as a new lawyer. Determined to rise above his father’s expectations, Hamish runs away to Boston where his cousin, Luca Valari, is opening a fashionable nightclub in Scollay Square.  When he meets his cousin's “right hand man,” Reggie, Hamish wonders if his dreams for a more normal life might be at hand.

Regina “Reggie” Van Buren, heir to a New Haven fortune, has fled fine china, small talk, and the man her parents expect her to marry. Determined to make a life as the self-sufficient city girl she’s seen in her favorite Jean Arthur and Katharine Hepburn pictures, Reggie runs away to Boston, where she finds an easy secretarial job with the suave Luca Valari. But as she and Hamish work together in Luca’s glittering world, they discover a darker side to the smashing Flamingo nightclub.
When a corpse is discovered at the Flamingo, Reggie and Hamish quickly learn there is a vast chasm between the haves and the have-nots in 1937 Boston—and that there’s an underworld that feeds on them both. As Hamish is forced to choose between his conscience and loyalty to his beloved cousin, the unlikely sleuthing duo work to expose a murder before the darkness destroys everything they’ve worked to build.

For more information about Rachel McMillan and her books, connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

My Thoughts ~

Next time I go to Boston, I'll see Hamish and Reggie. I'll see them everywhere. I'll see them at the Old North Church in the moonlight. I'll see them riding down the sidewalk on Hamish's bicycle, Reggie perched precariously on the handlebars. I'll see them blissfully savoring each bite of cannoli.

Oh, the cannoli!!! Was I the only one who closed this beautiful book (inside and out) desperately craving cannoli? No? Okay. :-)

Anyways, Murder at the Flamingo is like...cannoli. Delicious. A creamy romance stuffed into the crunchy shell of murder and mystery. Murder at the Flamingo is a clean read, and while none of the characters are overtly labeled as "Christian," the Christian themes are strong in the story. Much of the story sets up a grander mystery that I am eager discover, a mystery that arcs across the whole series! I also adored exploring one of my favorite cities through the lens of the 1930's! Rachel McMillan continues to be truly exemplary at immersing readers into former eras thanks to her keen eye for those special details that make a story come alive.

Reggie is a brave and clever woman, discovering who she really is away from the glitz and glam of her old life. I loved her spunk! Hamish is brilliant and endearing, discovering that his greatest weakness is actually his greatest strength. Rachel McMillan uses Murder at the Flamingo as a springboard to end the stigma against mental illness, using her own personal experiences as fodder for Hamish's journey. So many people, myself included, have fought against mental illnesses, such as panic attacks and anxiety disorders. This was truly an informative story that will fight for the good of many!

Four Stars ~ An excellent start to what is sure to be a positively radiant series! Murder at the Flamingo is the first book in Rachel McMillan's new Van Buren and DeLuca Mystery Series, which is a spin-off of Rachel McMillan's popular Herringford and Watts Mysteries Series. While you don't need to read the previous series to enjoy Murder at the Flamingo, there are a lot of fabulous Easter eggs (I need some more details about Maisie, please and thank you!) for those who have. I am sooo looking forward to the second book, Murder in the City of Liberty, releasing May 28th, 2019!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

 

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
 

Review of The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham

About the Book ~

Alone in a strange town, can she find healing for her new home . . . and herself?

Seven years ago, orphaned and alone, Em finally arrived at a new home in Iowa after riding the orphan train. But secrets from her past haunt her, and her new life in the Western wilderness is a rough one. When her guardian is shot and killed, Em, now nineteen, finally has the chance to search for her long-lost sister, but she won't be able to do it alone.

For Azure Springs Sheriff Caleb Reynolds, securing justice for the waifish and injured Em is just part of his job. He's determined to solve every case put before him in order to impress his parents and make a name for himself. Caleb expects to succeed. What he doesn't expect is the hold this strange young woman will have on his heart.

Welcome to the charming town of Azure Springs, Iowa, where people care deeply for one another and, sometimes, even fall in love.

For more information about Rachel Fordham and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Sweet and quaint equals The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham!

The Hope of Azure Springs gave me some serious Anne of Green Gables vibes, but this endearing tale was completely it's own story, filled with heart-wrenching twists and true love. When you pick up this charming story, be prepared for chuckles, happy sighs, and some tears.

Em 'twas sweet and kind, fragile yet courageous. Her story was truly tragic, but I felt like I could still identify with Em. Who hasn't struggled with their looks or been touched by grief? So much of Em's story revolved around that grief that tore me to pieces, but I cherished the message that we should find the joy in remembering loved ones who have passed. Also, I loved her passion for storytelling because it further showed the significance stories play in our lives - and in the character's lives. ;-)

Caleb 'twas the classic cowboy princely hero that we love to swoon over, but he had a lot to learn about love! Thankfully, he comes to understand the importance of kindness over vain beauty, realizing that when you love someone, then they become the most beautiful to you in all ways. Em and Caleb's love had a nice, organic progression that will leave a happy grin on your face.

The light spiritual thread makes this story appealing to a broader range of people, but Godly truths are clear and present throughout the entire story. And that ending! Oh, how beautiful and romantic and full circle!

Three Stars ~ The Hope of Azure Springs is filled with all kinds of heart! If you love sweet historical romances or Anne of Green Gables, then I think you'd really enjoy this endearing tale.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

 

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
 

FALL into Reading Giveaway!!!!

Hey, my friends!

Some author friends and I have teamed up to bring you an awesome giveaway just in time for your fall reading! The FALL into Reading Mega Giveaway is now live! *squeals of, well, joy* So grab your cozy blankets and your favorite warm drink and enter!!!

The Books ~

Isabel “Izze” Vez, bridal consultant extraordinaire, has been helping brides find The Dress for years. She loves nothing more than helping make wedding dreams come true…but sometimes the happy endings grate on her. How many times can a girl discover someone else’s gown without dreaming of the day it’ll be her turn to wear one?

When James Miles Clayton walks into her life, he represents everything Izze can’t handle: change. He’s determined to bring the Ever After Bridal Boutique into the black…and to prove to Izze that she should give him a chance.

But if there’s anything Izze handles worse than change, it’s trust. She may have a few issues—fine, she knows she does. But will they keep getting in the way of any chance of her own Happily Ever After? She wants to trust God to give her those dreams of love and lace, but that’s going to require some…minor alterations.

 

For more information about...me, check out my website and blog!

 

 

All her life Fern has been told she is blind to reality—but, what if she is the only one who can truly see?

 

Fern Johnson is crazy. At least, that's what the doctors have claimed since her childhood. Now nineteen, and one step away from a psych ward, Fern struggles to survive in bustling Los Angeles. Desperate to appear normal, she represses the young man flickering at the edge of her awareness—a blond warrior only she can see.

 

Tristan was Fern's childhood imaginary hero, saving her from monsters under her bed and outside her walls. As she grew up and his secret world continued to bleed into hers, however, it only caused catastrophe. But, when the city is rocked by the unexplainable, Fern is forced to consider the possibility that this young man is not a hallucination after all—and that the creature who decimated his world may be coming for hers.

 

For more information about Kara and her books, check out her website here!

 

 

Three couples overcome obstacles and find out that love often begins in the kitchen. A trio of novels flavored with grace, with delicious elements of food and restaurant life, mixed with lovable characters. Table for Two, Second Chance Café, and Recipe for Love were previously published by Heartsong Presents. This new compilation includes a bonus short story and recipe!

 

For more information about Brandy and her books, check out her website here!

 

 

 

“Why did my life have to be full of secrets?”

 

 After three years in England, William Landor returns to Boston in 1774, little knowing the events that are about to unfold. England has issued an ultimatum: pay for the tea that was destroyed in the Boston Tea Party, or the Port of Boston will be closed. William knows that this will have a devastating effect on his hometown, which is so dependent on the sea. However, he finds himself in the middle of the political struggle he wanted to avoid. William’s father is a merchant and loyal to the king and is furious at what the rebels of Boston have cost him. He would like nothing more than to rid the city of their poisonous influence. Meanwhile, William’s best friend, Dr. Joseph Warren, is one of the leaders of rebels, or Whigs as they call themselves. As if his life was not complicated enough, he meets a fiery indentured servant who tugs at his heart as well as his loyalty. When he is confronted by the consequences of his many secrets, he has to make a choice whether or not to tell the truth. Does he have the kind of courage it will take?

 

For more information about Sarah and her books, check out her website here!

 

 

Her only chance of getting home is trusting the man she hates.

 

With the protestant Elizabeth on the throne of England and her family in shambles, Catholic maiden Gwyneth seeks refuge in the Low Countries of Holland, hoping to soothe her aching soul. But when the Iconoclastic Fury descends and bloodshed overtakes her haven, she has no choice but to trust the rogue who arrives, promising to see her safely home to her uncle's castle. She doesn't dare to trust him...and yet doesn't dare to refuse her one chance to preserve her own life and those of the nuns she rescues from the burning convent.

Dirk Godfrey is determined to restore his honor at whatever cost. Running from a tortured past, Dirk knows he has only one chance at redemption, and it lies with the lovely Gwyneth, who hates him for the crimes she thinks he committed. He must see her to safety, prove to the world that he is innocent, prove that her poor eyesight is not the only thing that has blinded her but what is he to do when those goals clash?

The home Gwyneth knew is not what she once thought. When a dark secret and a twisted plot for power collide in a castle masquerading as a haven, the saint and the sinner must either dare to hold to hope...or be overcome.

 

 

The stalwart saint, fighting for faith...the redeemed rebel, fighting for honor.

 

After Dirk rescues Gwyneth from the Iconoclastic Fury, she discovers that faith is sometimes fragile and hope is not as easy as it may seem. Now truly orphaned yet not alone, Gwyneth continues her quest to learn more about the love of God preached by Protestants she once distrusted.   Dirk's quest is to prevent his sullied name from staining hers. Will his choice to protect her prove the undoing of her first faltering steps toward a Father God? Once separated, will Dirk and Gwyneth's searching hearts ever sing the same song?



 

What once was blazing hatred has turned to lasting love, but could the union of a wild heart with that of a lady ever result in more than heartache?

 

With the help of an old friend with uncertain loyalties, Dirk inches ever closer to clearing his name. Gwyneth throws her faith into good tidings and the promise of a future as a family. But an old evil comes to call, just as tragedy rips apart a fledgling truce. Enemies from the past and grief for the future threaten to tear asunder what God had brought together...

As the date of Dirk's trial approaches, his fate and his family hang in the balance. Will he be proven innocent of Gwyneth's parents' murders or separated from her forever? How much pain does it take to erode a love steadfast?

 

 

I believe writing isn’t all heart and art. It’s structure and syntax, too.

Write Well will help you understand the structure of writing so you can get back to the art.

Hi there, I'm Rachelle Rea Cobb. and I have history with words. I'm a grammar geek with a knack for storytelling. I hep authors (traditionally and self-published), bloggers, students, and ESL writers polish their pages until their words shine--so that they then can sign their own publishing contracts. Did I mention I signed my own book deal at age 22?

And now I'd like to share my expertise with you.

My latest release, Write Well: A Grammar Guide, is a short ebook designed to walk you through what you need to know so you can get back to the real work: actual writing!

 

Special shout-out to Rachelle Rea Cobb, who organized all. of. this. She's pretty awesome, guys!

 

For more information about Rachelle and her books, check out her website here!

Rules, Info, and Such ~

The giveaway will run from today, October 1st, 2017, through all of Sunday, October 8th, 2017. Rachelle Rea Cobb will announce and notify the winners!

Enter using the handy Rafflecopter here and may the odds be ever in your favor ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I don't have a lot to say other than that...

Oh, puppies! :-) That usually does the trick.

Hugs!!! <3

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.