This is my first year attending Penned Con. From what I heard, this was an amazing event, one that gives back to Autism awareness. If you know me, you know this is a very important topic in my life.

The event started Thursday with the arrival of authors and a few readers. Friday began the first of two signings, along with panels, key note speakers, etc. Unfortunately, due to travels whoas, I missed Friday's shindig during the day. That night though, there was a lip sync battle. I've never witnessed anything like this. Let me break it down for you!

• Costumes
• Dancing
• Tears (I'll get to this in a minute)
• Laughter
• More dancing

Those who did the lip sync battle dressed up for the role. We had uptown funk to Taylor Swift to the ladies dancing the theme song to Outlander... along with a James Fraser bought in an auction by the one and only Jamie Maguire. Dancing and smooching of said cut out commenced.
Then more dancing... and some tears. A special young lady dressed up as Belle. A male model who has become good friends with her dressed up as the Prince. If you're not sure who I'm talking about, the young lady has special needs. Watching her dancing with the Prince (model) brought tears to my eyes while they danced to Beauty and the Beast. It was beautiful. 
Saturday began the second book signing. There were so many people! I met new to me readers and finally met face to face with readers I've known for years! That was AMAZING! 
Would I go back? Yes, absolutely. If you're on the fence about going, give it a shot. You've got nothing to lose and readers to gain. 

I'm giving away a Kindle Fire HD 8 on Amazon! Come enter for a chance to win!
Click here!
Be sure to share! The giveaway ends on July 27th! So hurry and get in on this!

Provided by Ashley Taylor, and as a mother of an autistic child who also has epilepsy, I wanted to share her information on my blog. Please take a moment to read.

Pregnancy and parenthood already bring a whole host of challenges, and those challenges might feel insurmountable to parents who have a disability. But research has shown that disabled parents feel greater levels of satisfaction at overcoming their personal limitations, especially after the births of their children.
 
Parenting with a disability does present some unique conundrums, and preparing ahead of time will let you focus your energy where it belongs—on your newest family member.
 
Prep yourself
If you’re pregnant and have a disability that could interfere with a successful pregnancy, schedule a visit with your ob-gyn. Make sure you discuss:
●      How your disability or medical condition might affect your growing baby as well as your own health.
●      What medical tests might be required initially and throughout your pregnancy.
●      How you’d like to approach the birth of your child. You’ll probably create plans A, B, and C—just like any expectant mother.
 
 
Prep your home
 
Being a parent does come with its share of trial and error, but there are a few things you can do before you’re home from the hospital with your newborn to smooth that transition and remove some of the worry:
●      Install and/or test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor.
●      Buy a fire extinguisher and store it in an easily accessible place.
●      Store all medications securely out of sight and out of reach.
●      Prepare and freeze meals that you can defrost and heat up when you don’t feel like cooking.
●      Think about your physical limitations when you’re planning where to put your baby’s crib. It may be easier to have the crib next to your bed for less stressful nighttime feedings and diaper changes.
●      It doesn’t hurt to babyproof your home before your little one joins the family. Here’s a list of 12 low-tech steps to take right now.
 
Adaptive baby gear
 
Babies require lots of equipment. If you’re vision-impaired, use tactile labels for items so they’re easy to identify. If you struggle with zippers or buttons, choose baby clothing that fastens with snaps or velcro.
If you use a wheelchair, purchase a wheelchair-accessible crib that operates via remote control. Bonus: These cribs work well for dressing a baby or changing diapers, too. Adaptive strollers for wheelchairs make it easier for parents with mobility issues to tote babies from their home to their car or to get around town or through the neighborhood.
Slings and wraps help you keep your baby close while keeping your hands free. With ring slings, wraps, and other structured carriers, there are plenty of options.
 
If you’re looking for more ideas, the national organization, Through the Looking Glass, provides exceptional resources for parents with disabilities.
 
Saving for IVF Treatments
 
According to Qunomedical, “The success and availability of in vitro fertilization have given hope to many infertile couples who have not been able to conceive. Since 1978, 5.4 million babies have been born worldwide with the help of IVF.”
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Survey of Family Growth, 6.9% of women—including those with physical disabilities—received some kind of fertility treatment between 2011 and 2015. That’s over 8 million women who undertook an emotional, expensive journey without the guarantee of a happy ending.
 
The majority of IVF patients assume financial responsibility for their treatments, although some insurances may cover a portion of the costs.
 
Unless you’re one of the lucky few whose insurance does cover treatments, you’ll likely need another plan. Financing options include:
●      Fertility, credit union, and online personal loans
●      Health savings accounts (HSA) or flexible spending accounts (FSA)
●      Shared-risk or IVF refund programs, which help to recoup at least some of your costs if the treatments aren’t successful. Learn more about these programs here.
●      Borrow cash from a home equity loan, retirement funds, or relatives. Do consider those financing options carefully.
 
Wherever you are in your parenthood journey, create a support network.  Don’t hesitate to reach out and make connections. Friends, family, community organizations, and social services are valuable resources. Join online communities or support groups for other disabled parents. But most of all, enjoy the wild and crazy ride!
 
Picture Credit: Pexels

Writing this book was a wild ride! I'm also super excited to tell you it's published with Naughty Nights Press! This is my first reverse harem (unofficially, my first was the Symphony series lol!)
I had so much fun writing this, getting to know the men, who Olivia was, her destiny, everything about their world. Will there be more? I plan on writing Tawne's story, and maybe something fun Candace. Who knows? I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did writing it! Be sure you have good batteries and/or your spouse is ready for you to explode! IT'S HOT!!!

Check out these reviews!
​
HOT DAMN!!! Where's my husband?? -- Amazon review
This book was so good that I did not put it down -- Booked and Loaded reviews
Sexy and hot! -- Amazon review

​When destiny becomes reality…
 
Born a blood demon, Olivia Martin's sole purpose is to become a blood slave to a vampire. She is nothing more than a blood bag.
 
With a vampire as her master, she would want for nothing, her every need and whim catered to, but becoming a prisoner was not the life Olivia would have chosen for herself. At least, until she met Jared and his four brothers-at-arms.
 
Giving yourself to one person was easy. Having fun with two, exciting. But a harem of lovers? It was more than Olivia ever considered possible.
 
Need, lust, and blood drive Olivia to find a strength inside herself to not only accept her five sexy-as-sin vampires, but to also protect herself from an evil hell bent on claiming her for its own.

Happy cover reveal day to me! I paired with Naughty Nights Press to develop this amazing paranormal reverse harem novel! I'm excited about this and honestly feel this is my best work to date. Look for it May 15th on all sales channels.
Click here to grab your preorder!
Outside the US?
​Amazon CA
Amazon AUS
Amazon UK

​When destiny becomes reality…
 
Born a blood demon, Olivia Martin's sole purpose is to become a blood slave to a vampire. She is nothing more than a blood bag.
 
With a vampire as her master, she would want for nothing, her every need and whim catered to, but becoming a prisoner was not the life Olivia would have chosen for herself. At least, until she met Jared and his four brothers-at-arms.
 
Giving yourself to one person was easy. Having fun with two, exciting. But a harem of lovers? It was more than Olivia ever considered possible.
 
Need, lust, and blood drive Olivia to find a strength inside herself to not only accept her five sexy-as-sin vampires, but to also protect herself from an evil hell bent on claiming her for its own.

​Click here to grab your preorder!
Outside the US?
​Amazon CA
Amazon AUS
Amazon UK

Are you ready for the retelling where Belle is the beast? In this Jekyl & Hyde mashup, The Beast Underneath will take you down a different path with Belle, Adam, and Gaston.

Wicked Alchemy, book three in the Alchemy series, is LIVE! This book has been a long time coming, in the making! From writers block to moving, getting hit with a hurricane to breast surgery, getting to this point has been quite hard. So let's end this series on a BANG! Wicked Alchemy is waiting for you!
Grab yours now!

Love might be magical, but hate has an alchemy all its own…

Adam Quinn dies and the unthinkable happens. A vampire rescues him. Turns him. Remakes the dying werewolf in the image of his mortal enemy. Lost in a sea of grief and rage, Adam struggles to accept that everything he has ever known and loved has been ripped away from him, including his beloved Sophie. It's too much to ask of one man, yet his vampiric sire does just that. Adam discovers there is one thing that remains to him, one thing no one can take. Vengeance.

Sophie Benally only ever wanted to be happy and free to run through the whispering forest and sing to the silvery moon…as a wolf. Adam's 'death' put an end to those dreams forever. Now, she is caught in a rising tide of blood as rival wolf packs begin to attack and vampire covens creep closer, all too eager for war. She must fight to protect her pack, even if it means betraying her old lover, her alpha, and anyone else who stands in her way. 

When wolves begin to disappear and the vampire covens clamor ever louder for battle, Adam must fool friends and enemies alike to get to the bottom of this deadly mystery. But, he risks more than just his heart and life by embracing the change from pack to coven, life to everlasting death-in-life, and the warmth of Sophie's smile to the cool touch of Elena's touch.

The wicked alchemy of hate and revenge could destroy his very soul. ​

Wicked Alchemy, book three and final chapter to the Deadly Alchemy series, is coming January 23rd! Have you read Deadly and Fatal Alchemy yet? Now's your chance! They're on sale for 99 cents! Grab yours and start the series now!