HAPPILY EVER AFTER

 By Caroline Clemmons

Each of us deserves a happily-ever-after! I’m one of the lucky souls who actually has my HEA with my husband I call Hero. Many of my friends were not so fortunate. In romantic fiction, however, we expect/demand the HEA ending, or at least happy for now. What keeps us reading is discovering how the hero and heroine overcome obstacles and reach their HEA.

When writing, I try to vary plots with each book. Yet, my books tend to have several common themes: redemption, good defeats evil, love overcomes obstacles, and personal fulfillment. But I don’t want readers to dwell on them, other than to sigh with satisfaction at the end.    

That means one or more of the following occurred: love conquered all, the broken heart healed, the hardened heart cracked and welcomed love, characters achieved fulfillment, and those obstacles blocking characters’ happiness have been defeated. What I desire is that readers fall in love with my characters and think of them as real people (as they are in my mind) and want to read my next book. Nothing makes an author happier.  

 One of my most popular historical western romances dealt with good triumphing over evil, personal fulfillment, and overcoming obstacles. Often evil doers believe themselves above the law and unconquerable. In my books, the evil are always caught or dea;t with severely...eventually. I wish that were true in real life, but it sometimes happens. Let’s go with that, shall we?

THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE is about a marriage of convenience that blossoms into a true love match. NOTE: My later books are sweet, but this series is slightly sensual. The idea for this book came from my grandmother once mentioning a girl in her hometown who quit school because of all the rumors and teasing she was forced to endure about her birth and her grandmother’s hateful actions. Although my sweet grandmother didn’t know what happened to her, I wanted the poor girl’s story to end well.

If you’ve ever lived in a small town, you know there are no secrets. Sometimes a person with evil in his/her heart forgets that fact and does terrible things to conceal a fact everyone already knows. 

 

Here’s the blurb from THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE:

Wanted: one completely improper bride.

Even if Drake Kincaid had placed such an advertisement in every newspaper in the country, he believes he couldn’t have found a better candidate than Pearl Parker...which is just what he wanted. After all, his parents’ will stipulates only that he marry by his thirtieth birthday, not that he marry well. And no one—including Drake’s grandfather, the man determined to hold him to the ridiculous will’s provision—could possibly think tall, bossy Pearl with her ragtag siblings and questionable “cousin” Belle will make a good wife. Until Drake realizes that in her startling violet eyes he sees a beautiful woman with a generous soul...

Their life together may not have started with hearts and flowers, but Drake and Pearl will soon learn that real love—with a breathtaking dose of passion—will make their marriage a true romance.

 THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE is Book One of the Kincaids,

 https://www.amazon.com/Most-Unsuitable-Wife-Kincaids-Book-ebook/dp/B004OR1VOO/

 

Excerpt from THE MOST UNSUITABLE BRIDE:

           "What do you mean, stay here?”

          Pearl had wakened cocooned in the hazy glow following a night of intermittent lovemaking with her husband to find him dressing for the ranch. Then he dropped a bombshell on her.

          "You know it's not safe for you to be on your own. Ranch is too isolated. You'll be safer here in town.” Drake stomped his feet to settle each in the boots he wore. He retrieved a blue chambray shirt from his bag and donned it.

          "For how long?” Pearl slid from bed and grabbed her nightgown from the floor.

          "Well..."

          She whirled on her husband, confronting him, "You never intended for me to move to the ranch, did you?” She yanked her nightie on. No one could argue buck-naked.

          "Don't get riled. Women hate the seclusion. You'll be happier in town. Things to do here and people about you.” Drake shoved his shirt into his twill pants without looking at his wife.

          She stepped toward him and pointed at her chest. "What do you know about what makes this woman happy?"

          A crooked smile broke his face. "Aw, I know what makes you happy, all right. Didn't I keep you happy all night?"

          She shrugged away the comment aimed to distract her. "Did you ask me which I prefer? No.” She hoped her glare chilled his randy hide.

          His voice softened, placating. "Pearl, be reasonable. We don't know who's tried to kill you and your family. Someone might be trailing you right now, waiting somewhere and watching the house.”

          He met her gaze. That muscle twitched in his cheek, letting her know he was less than happy with this conversation. Well, that didn't bother Pearl in the least. Some things needed talked about.

          He walked over and put his hands on her shoulders, then took a deep breath and continued,  "Look, the sheriff and his deputy as well as several of the town's leading citizens will be looking out for any newcomer. I talked to the owners of the livery stable, the hotel, the mercantile, all the places I could think of that a newcomer would stand out. If any strangers come around asking questions, the sheriff will find out immediately. You and Sarah will be safer here."

          "You're taking Storm with you?” She hugged her arms, sensing a lost battle.                 

          "Yes, um, with your permission. I can't see him attending teas or shopping here in town. Besides, he's a big help to me."

          Her head came up and her hands fisted at her hips. "And I suppose Sarah and I are just so much baggage?"

          "Now, I didn't say that and you know it.” He held up a hand, palm out, as if to stay her fury. "But you have no place rounding up cattle and getting ready for a drive."

          "It's true we don't ride, but we could learn.” She could learn anything, given a chance. She suspected no chance would come.

          "There's no time to teach you. 'Sides, it makes the cowboys and vaqueros nervous to have women around the cattle. They think it's bad luck. And I can't leave the two of you at the house with only the housekeeper to help you."

          She sagged in defeat. "Okay, Drake. I'll stay here for now, and I'll try not to shame you. But this is only until we know there'll be no more meanness against my family. Don't think you can keep me waiting too long," she warned.

          His face broke into a smile of relief. "You'll see. By the time this is over and things calm down, you'll like this sweet life so much you won't be able to tear yourself away from Grandpa's house."

          "Too much sweet gives a body a belly ache."

          Ignoring that and stepping close, he kissed her on the cheek then nuzzled her neck. "I'll be sleeping tonight in a bedroll on hard ground. Give me a kiss to remember."

          Something to remember. She'd give him something to remember all right. She raised her mouth to his, let him plunder with his tongue. Her tongue did some plundering of its own as she moved her body against him. When their kiss ended, the heat of passion darkened his eyes.

          "When you're sleeping on the hard ground, all alone, you remember that, husband.” Head high, she turned and walked into the dressing room.

  

Best wishes for your HEA. Thanks for reading!

DARING TO LOVE AGAIN!

Under the Sicilian Sky

Daring To Love Again, Book 1

by
Alexia Adams

Genre:
Contemporary Romance

Amnesia
obliterates a married couple’s shared past in this poignant
second-chance-at-love story.

Matteo Vanni washed up on a Tunisian beach six years ago with no clothes,
identity documents, or memories, just a wedding ring to link him to
his past. He’s reinvented himself as a wealthy entrepreneur, but
now a knock on the head restores some of his memories, particularly
that his wife Bella is waiting for him in Sicily. But returning to
his native land and digging into his mysterious and sudden
disappearance could cost this new millionaire everything.

Sheep farmer Bella Vanni has accepted that her presumed-dead husband is
long gone, so it’s a huge shock when he knocks on her door and
announces his desire to resume their marriage. She can’t trust his
answers on where he’s been or why he left, and she certainly isn’t
keen to walk away from the family farm she labored to save. But their
mutual passion won’t be denied.

When Matteo’s freedom is threatened, Bella must decide which is most
important to her: everything she’s painstakingly built or a new start on love.

Sensuality Level: Sensual

Add to Goodreads

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A former world wanderer, Alexia Adams writes contemporary romance
stories that reflect her love of exotic destinations and diverse
characters and cultures. She currently lives near Vancouver, Canada
with her husband and four children and dreams of a world without
housework. As a flight risk mom, romance is her escape and she can
often be found with her nose in a book, pretending she’s somewhere
else.

Website
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Follow
the tour HERE
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AUTHOR SHERREL LEE RELEASES EXPOSED BY RAGE VIA KINDLE SCOUT!

EXPOSED BY RAGE

by Sherrel Lee

EXPOSED BY RAGE Blurb:

He has a dead body.  She has the seedy connections. To solve the crime they are forced to work together.

To keep her mother’s reputation from destroying her, Ashley Dix Gibson had to learn at an early age to persevere and tune out the lies, gossip, and the bullies.  Detective Michael DeMarco has no desire to team up with a woman with ties to the underbelly of the porn industry but if he wants to solve his case, he has no other options. When Ashley and DeMarco combine their resources to find a brutal killer, sparks of distrust turn into the fires of passion.

EXPOSED BY RAGE Excerpt:

I must have been feeling weak, because instead of rushing out to confront a few of those I wanted to talk to, I invited DeMarco in.  He’d left Braden in charge of the scene and didn’t appear to be in a rush to start the reports he’d have to do.  That thought made me smile.  For once I wasn’t chained to a desk for seventy-five percent of the investigation.  I could get used to being out of the Army and doing things my own way.

“Glad to see the smile.  I know this has been extremely hard on you,” DeMarco said.  “Want to share?”

“I was thinking about Jillie, wanting me to come home.  She kept trying to talk me into the leaving the military.  It took her death to accomplish that.”  Hot, wet tears started streaming down my face.  Appalled, I turned away from DeMarco and stumbled toward the bedroom.  He didn’t say anything or try to stop me, but he did follow me. When I didn’t collapse on the bed, he put his arms around me, gave a gentle hug and helped me to sit on the mattress.

Damn.  This was awkward.  The harder I tried to stop crying, the more I leaked tears.  I don’t cry.  I don’t show emotion, especially to guys.  I didn’t want to feel the warmth of his touch and long to put my head on his shoulder.  But I did.  Before I knew what was happening his lips were on mine and I was holding him.  Desperate to keep from drowning.

He pushed back, looking into my eyes.  Reading me like the clichéd open book. 

Sherrel Lee has entered this book into the Kindle Scout Program.

§  Between Monday, March 2 and April 1, 2015 go to her campaign at:  https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/1VT4C9BS6157E

§  Browse by Category or Search for Exposed by Rage.

§  Read the excerpt.

§  If you like it, please nominate it for the next round.

§  Let all your friends know.

Sherrel Lee, Author

Wrangler of a fearsome Yorkiepoo named Rogue (Half Yorkie half Poodle weighing in at a hefty eight pounds). Obsession controlled writer with a passion for making up names and twisting myths. 

Sherrel, as the daughter of an Emmy winning cameraman, learned early in life the dark secrets of creating all those incredible fantasy characters for the large and small screen.

Refusing to be crushed at the discovery the monsters, aliens, and Robby the Robot weren't real, Sherrel's imagination soared. She became a SELF-proclaimed voyeur of special-effects and expert at fictional character creation.

Website:  http://sherrellee.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Sherrellee.valens

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1E4qlDv

Twitter: @SherrelLeeBooks (Romantic Suspense) @gryphoenix (Urban Fantasy)

Sherrel will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card. Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/12/super-book-blast-exposed-by-rage-by.html

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REVIEW OF OUT OF THE DARK

OUT OF THE DARK, by Geri Foster, is a fast paced, sexy, action adventure, romantic suspense available in print or e-book.  From the first page, readers are riveted to the story and can’t stop reading until the last sentence. I enthusiastically give it 5 of 5 stars!

To prove how much I love this book, I'll be giving away an OUT OF THE DARK e-book to someone who comments on this post.

Emily Richards is a mediation attorney who at times works for Falcon Securities. Her current assignment for Stromberg Chemicals has taken her to Moscow, and exhausting negotiations have just ended. Emily looks forward to returning home and a vacation at a peaceful Belize beach with her best friend, Brenda.

While in Moscow, Emily has tested an invention for her former fiancé, Stanley. The device is a camera built into a contact lens remotely controlled by a pen-like device. Her last night in Moscow, she strolls around and takes random photos in various light to complete Stanley’s test.

When Emily returns to her hotel room, John “Mac” McKinsey is there. His mission for Falcon Securities has gone wrong and he is stranded while assassins search for him. Against her better judgment, Emily is persuaded by the head of Falcon Securities to let Mac hitch a ride to London on the Stromberg Chemicals private plane. After all, since Falcon Securities works directly for the President of the United States, so who is she to fight that connection?

Emily fights her attraction to Mac. She’s worked with him before at Falcon's Dallas, Texas corporate office, but always he’d been in a suit and tie. Now he’s in jeans and a tee shirt and looks even more ruggedly handsome. 

Mac notices that Emily no longer wears an engagement ring and figures any guy who let her get away is too dumb to live. Mac's interested, but she fits in the house-with-a-picket-fence-and-kids. He doesn't see himself in that picture. 

There’s a lot of chemistry going on between them, but neither sees it going anywhere permanent.

Before they can leave, armed men invade her hotel room. Mac shoots the men and hurries Emily down the staircase and out. Emily is forced to depend on Mac to escape whoever is trailing them. Each time Emily thinks they are finally safe, another frightening incident occurs. Her anger with Mac for entangling her in a life or death struggle quickly turns to fear when the men pursuing them call her by name. How would they know who she is?

Mac and Emily are caught in a tumultuous race to escape with their lives and capture a crazed bomber and a vindictive drug lord. Facing their attraction is almost as frightening as the villains. Mac can’t conceive of any other life than his, and he knows love never lasts. Emily wants a calm, normal life with a husband who comes home each evening and is with her all weekend, not someone who risks his life on each assignment.

But living apart offers no peace. Can they tear down their own emotional walls and admit love is the most precious thing in life?

I have to admit up front that Geri Foster is a long time friend and one of my three wonderful critique partners. That’s why I am so pleased her first two books are released and have been so well received. Geri is a terrific author who is also a supportive and encouraging friend. But here’s the point of this disclaimer: Even if I’d never met or heard of Geri Foster, I would still love OUT OF THE DARK.

As one of Geri’s critique partners, I know the struggles she endured writing a book that is so fast-paced it leaves the reader breathless yet immensely satisfied with the action, the romance, the relationship, and the outcome. Once she latched on to this plot, she did not back away. Even when the FBI came to her home to ask why she had been researching “how to make a bomb” and “White House floor plan” at the same time. ☺

I’m so happy with this Falcon series. In addition to OUT OF THE DARK, OUT OF THE SHADOWS is now available. These truly are stand alone and don't need to be read in any particular order. Geri plans more stand-alone books in her Falcon Securities series next year, and I can hardly wait for each one. 

You can find OUT OF THE DARK here:

Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/305315

Amazon Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Out-of-the-Dark-ebook/dp/B00CB8GY9K/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371145616&sr=1-1&keywords=Geri+Foster

Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-of-the-dark-geri-foster/1115109461?ean=2940044439184

Kobo http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Out-of-the-Dark/book--xbdDGwb90SCV4Le4uBo5w/page1.html?s=JEydLCyXUUepBGj-mKNyyQ&r=2

 Geri Foster

Award winning author Geri Foster and her husband and their dog Lola live in the Fort Worth area. Geri is President of the Yellow Rose chapter of Romance Writers of America and active in Dallas Area Romance Authors. For more information, check out her website at www.gerifoster.com, Facebook and Twitter, and her personal blog. She blogs on the 20th of each month at http://www.smartgirlsreadromance.blogspot.com

If you want to be included in the drawing for a free e-copy of OUT OF THE DARK, please leave your email with your comment.

Thanks for stopping by!

DEBUT AUTHOR ALYSSA FOX VISITS

Readers, please welcome debut author Alyssa Fox.

Caroline: Alyssa, readers love to get to know authors. Share anything that lets readers get to know the real you.

Alyssa:  I didn't start off wanting to write for a living. I wanted to be a nurse at first, but then it turned into being a mom. Being at home with four small children, I needed an outlet. I started out writing a YA book, but it took a bad turn, and that's when I found my genre with smoking hot sex scenes.


My loving husband and I now reside in the beautiful mountains of southern West Virginia with four wonderful children who put up with my writing craziness. They have been shushed more than once so I could write down something a character was saying.

As a stay at home mom and the family taxi driver, I can still find time to write about the alpha heroes and strong-willed heroines who keep my imagination running wild.

Caroline: Who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?

Alyssa: Nora Roberts, Maya Banks, Candace Havens, and Shayla Black are just to name a few. I read contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and erotic.

Caroline: All good choices. Candace and Shayla live in my area. Nora is one of the reasons I write romance. How many books do you read a month? What are you reading now?

Alyssa: 6-8 it depends. I’m reading "POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT,” by Shayla Black.

Caroline: When you’re not writing, what’s your favorite way to relax and recharge?

Alyssa: Reading would be the way I love to relax. Hobbies? I knit and crochet.

Caroline: I always intend to learn to knit and crochet. All I can crochet is a chain stitch a mile long. LOL Describe yourself in three or four words?

Alyssa: Caring, loyal, strong.

Caroline: Would you like to share any guilty pleasures that feed your muse?

Alyssa: It would have to be reading.

Caroline: Reading, yes, I love reading too. But authors must read to stay current with our craft, so that really shouldn't count as a "guilty" pleasure, should it? How long have you been writing?

Alyssa: I’ve always had stories running around in my head, but I’ve only been writing them down for the last year and a half.

Caroline: Can't get them out of our heads, can we? Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet, music, or solitude? PC or laptop?

Alyssa: Laptop, in my office. I have to have my playlist playing for the book I’m working on. Now I can write a first draft in the middle of the living room with the kids screaming, but when it comes to editing the only thing I can have on is the music.

Caroline: Mmm, I write with classical music. Are you a plotter or a panzer?

Alyssa: Plotter.

Caroline: Me, too. Do you use real events or persons in your stories or as an inspiration for stories?

Alyssa: Yes I do. Erin from ROAD TO RECOVERY is loosely based on my best friend.

Caroline: Do you do your research before you begin a new project, or as you go along?

Alyssa: I do my research before hand, but there are times I have to do it during as well.

Caroline: Tell us about your writing schedule. Do you set goals?

Alyssa: Yes I set goals.

Caroline: Do you write daily?

Alyssa: Yes unless the kids are out for summer vacation like now, then I write when I can.

Caroline: Do you write full time or do you have a day job.

Alyssa: I’m blessed to be an at home mom, so I get to write full time.

Caroline: Stay at home mom was my favorite job! What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

Alyssa: I hope they enjoy the books I write, as much as I enjoy writing them.

Caroline: Don't we all? What advice would you give to unpublished authors?

Alyssa: Don’t give up. It takes lots of hard work to make it to land a contract.

Caroline: Tell us about your latest release, ROAD TO RECOVERY.

Alyssa: Dr. Erin Miller and Dr. Kyle Reynolds are competing for a coveted mentoring position at Maple Forge Memorial Hospital, they plan on pulling out all the stops. But their careers and their desires collide, tangling their past with their future and giving them a chance for love.

Blurb: Dr. Erin Miller’s life was going great; for the most part, anyway. She was single, had a career she loved, and a cherished circle of friends, but something was missing. When a mentorship with the Chief Pediatric Surgeon becomes available, she couldn’t be more thrilled. Maybe this is just what the doctor ordered! That is, until the handsome and charismatic Dr. Kyle Reynolds decides he wants the mentorship as well.


Kyle Reynolds has lost everything including his wife and daughter. With nothing left in his life except for his job, he sets his sights on the new mentorship position with single-minded determination. The only obstacle he faces is the sexy Dr. Erin Miller

Caroline: Please give readers an excerpt.

Alyssa: Here's and excerpt from ROAD TO RECOVERY:
Erin leaned back in her chair. She sat surrounded by the tomes she’d pulled from the shelves. It made no sense to her. The tests she’d been waiting for had all come back fine. Those two hours she’d hoped it would take had turned to six. She was still waiting for an ultrasound report, which should be coming any moment. She placed the latest report on the table and reached her hand to her head, slowly rubbing her temples. It wasn't like her not to be able to figure out what was going on with a patient. She dreaded the look on the parents' faces when she had to tell them. Sometimes it seemed like days before reports came back, and that was the only part of her job she hated. Her stomach knotted as she glanced at the clock. Only twenty minutes before she had to give them an update.


Her mind wandered back to the meeting six hours ago, and the way her body had warmed under Kyle's gaze. It had only been for a brief moment. Girl, you seriously need to get laid, that's all it is. There's nothing to the way he looked at you. You're imagining things.


“Good afternoon, Erin,” She jumped at the deep voice coming from her left. A glance over her shoulder confirmed what she already knew.


Kyle.


“Afternoon.” She fumbled to grab the chart in front of her, hoping he'd leave. He sat down next to her. His gaze singed her cheeks, but she couldn't look up; instead, she concentrated on the chart in front of her.


The memory of their first week working together came to her mind again. When she walked into the office, she'd been drawn to Kyle, who had sat in a chair across the small room, so arrogant and sure of himself. Kyle wasn't her type at all; she normally stuck with the safe, boring guys. Everything about him had screamed he was more. Just once, she wanted to take a chance and not do what everyone else expected. It had been time to let go and have some fun. Well, that's what she had wanted to do, and based on his flirting he’d seemed to be into her too.


For a moment, her mind drifted back to the dance they’d shared at the Christmas party three years ago. Against her best judgment, she’d said yes to Kyle's offer to dance. Really, what could one little dance do? Boy was that ever wrong, from the moment he’d taken her in his arms. She could feel the chemistry between them. The smoldering heat took over, and she couldn't think of anything but him, as fire raced down her spine, consuming her. Her mind told her to break the dance, that it had been a mistake, and yet she couldn't. The pull between them was greater than her need to move away.


Her gaze had traveled upward. His eyes had darkened, her knees had weakened, and it had taken everything in her to fight the strong attraction she felt toward him. She saw the unspoken question in his eyes. The song ended. "I'm sorry...I just can't," she had whispered and left him on the dance floor.


Instead of taking a chance on Kyle, she’d gone the safe route and starting dating Dr. Lopez. Someone she had thought was ready to settle down and start a family like she had been. Too bad the safe route had turned into the biggest mistake of her life. It had caused her to re-examine her plans. To wait until she was more established in her career before she seriously started dating again.


She continued pointedly ignoring Kyle, and relief washed over her when Jenny, one of her interns, walked up and said, "Here's the CAT scan report."


“Thanks,” she said, taking the report. She studied it. Erin closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. This keeps getting crazier. She opened her eyes slowly to skim over the report again. Nothing had changed. “This makes no sense,” she whispered, more to herself than to anyone else.


“What's doesn't make sense?” Kyle asked.


Setting down the piece of paper, she turned to look at him. “I've got a three year old patient, and it shows he has no appendix, yet he has all the classic symptoms of having appendicitis. I don't get it; I've run every test I can think of.”


“Here, let me take a look at his chart.”


Erin handed him the chart and watched him as he read it. His eyebrows drew together as he concentrated. Her fingers itched to trace the scar above his right eye, and she wondered how he'd gotten the injury. He cleared his throat, jarring her back to reality.


“This doesn't make sense. Come on, I want to check him out myself.” Kyle stood.


Although she wasn’t crazy about his taking over like that, she was so relieved to have another brain working on the problem that she let it slide. Her bruised ego was nothing compared to the well-being of her young patient.


Kyle’s hand brushed against the small of her back as he let her precede him into the room. Shivers of pleasure raced down her spine so quickly they were gone in an instant.


Caroline: Where can readers find your books?

Alyssa: Pink Petal Books, http://pinkpetalbooks.com/Road-to-Recovery-by-Alyssa-Fox.html
Kindle, http://www.amazon.com/Road-To-Recovery-ebook/dp/B0051HF0LG/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_2
Barnes&Noble http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Road-To-Recovery/Alyssa-Fox/e/2940012445360/?itm=1&USRI=road+to+recovery

Caroline: How can readers learn more about you?

Alyssa: Website, http://www.alyssafox.com/
Blog, http://alyssafoxauthor.blogspot.com/
Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Alyssa-Fox/149547855112826
Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/AlyssaFox99

Thank you for visiting us, Alyssa. Best of luck with your career.