I found Jackie after her first book was recommended in another author's newsletter. Jackie's books are in Kindle Unlimited, so I grabbed it and read it right away. And I laughed. Her characters are full of sarcasm and fun humor. The family dynamics of her characters are complete with mockery, hilarious text chains, and incredible love and support. The Amos family of characters remind me so much of my family and the relationships I have with my siblings. I was hooked and I knew without a doubt I would be reading everything Jackie writes. Her third book releases today and I wanted to focus my author spotlight on her in the hopes that other readers will find and enjoy her laugh-out-loud writing style. I believe we will be hearing a lot more about Jackie in the future.
Without further delay, let me introduce you to Jackie Walker.
About Jackie: The Official Bio
One day during the COVID quarantine (a.k.a. the dark time), Jackie was reading yet another laugh a minute rom-com by Lucy Score or Pippa Grant, and she thought to herself - hey, I can do that. And so, she did and it turned out even better than even she thought possible.
Jackie is a fresh face on the romance author scene destined to shake things up with her signature blend of light-hearted comedy, over the top characters and romantic heartwarming moments. A voracious romance reader herself, Jackie writes stories featuring the four S's: Snark, Swoons, Steam and Sarcasm. Her heroines are bad-ass and her heroes are easy on the eyes and heavy on the charm.
When she is not writing funny stories about swoony heroes and the women who get to play with them, she is reading all types of romance novels or taking care of her army of cats and her teenage son (who also speaks fluent sarcasm).
Follow Jackie so you don't miss out on her new releases, which are destined to be topping the best seller lists.
You can also view her website at: www.authorjackiewalker.com and find her on FB and Instagram as: @AuthorJackieWalker
More about Jackie (the less official version):
Jackie Walker is a loud-mouthed lady with a strong passion for sarcasm, slapstick comedy, cussing, rescuing cats, theme parks, giggling to herself, and drinking margaritas.
In elementary school she discovered she had a passion and a talent for writing. Jackie used her writing skills to fake her way through twelve years of school, four years of college, and many jobs where she was foolishly considered above average and often rewarded for her ability to use words to convey meaning. Crazy, right? She even duped an entire college into thinking she was valedictorian material. Hilarious! After college, she snuck her way into a career where she was paid real money to write things that sounded important and serious. Alas, careers like this typically occur in a business world where it is “frowned upon” to have a sense of humor and speak fluent sarcasm. Thus, Jackie decided to say goodbye to the chains of the business world and become an authorprenuer. Now that she is in charge, she can call her boss names all day long and not get in trouble. She can also clock in late each day and give her co-workers (her cats) the finger when they look at her funny.
Since she was raised by wolves in sunny Central Florida, Jackie often finds herself saying the wrong things in the most inopportune times, leading to embarrassment and shame. This trend has continued throughout her life and to this day she often can be found putting her foot in her mouth and then sneaking away to write something. It turns out that writing is a coping mechanism she uses to process her embarrassment over her inability to be socially appropriate. When she is not talking to the imaginary characters who live in her head and bringing their stories to life on paper, she is hanging out with her teenage son or extended family. She also spends approximately thirty-six hours each and every day scooping litter boxes and refilling water bowls in devote service of her cat overlords. In addition to hanging out with family, taking on craft projects that she never finishes, and writing steamy love stories, she also spends her time reading romance novels in practically every sub-genre except historical (because there just weren’t enough showers back then for sexy times. That’s right. I said it.)
What is the hardest thing about taking a chance and becoming a full-time author?
Uncertainty about the future is constantly playing tricks on me and dragging forth doubts from the back of my mind. I just keep squashing those worries down and pushing ahead, one step at a time. Essentially, I’m putting my best foot forward because I love writing and telling stories, and I think I was born for this life. I feel like this is my one shot and I’m trying to grab hold with both hands, investing time and money to hone my craft and learn the business. Because I have a large family safety net to fall back on, I’m not terribly worried about outright failure or becoming homeless - and I’m grateful for that; I know it is rare and I’m blessed in that regard. However, the need for affordable health insurance is critical for me and my son and is certainly my biggest worry day to day. I’m currently paying a high cost for cobra benefits from my last job (was laid off due to Covid). I’m optimistic that things will continue to develop in my career as an author and worrying about the high cost will be a distant memory. Fingers and toes crossed!
What is the best or most surprising positive thing you have discovered along the way?
The romance author/reader community is a beautiful surprise! As an avid reader, I knew there were a lot of good people out there, but seeing the support from other aspiring authors and experienced veterans, has been awe inspiring. Additionally, and probably even more shocking, is the outpouring of love and support from readers and bloggers who have stumbled onto my stories and sent encouraging notes of thanks and congratulations through my email or DMs. Getting notes from other moms with kids on the spectrum that said they felt “seen” because of Cara’s struggles with her son and/or her quest to date as a single mom of a special needs child, meant the WORLD to me. I was touched, truly. I feel like I’m gaining more friendships and supporters as each book rolls out. It’s a kick ass feeling to have this support network developing like a snowball (which I know nothing about since I live in Florida, but I’ve got an idea about how snowballs roll and grow from TV. Lol)
Connect with Jackie:
Social Media Links:
Website & Newsletter sign-up: www.authorjackiewalker.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJackieWalker
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjackiewalker/
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20979535.Jackie_Walker
Email: authorjackiewalker@gmail.com
Facebook Reader group: Jackie’s Junkies: https://www.facebook.com/
Love & Other Chaos: A Friends-to-Lovers & Teacher/Parent Rom Com
When hot teachers and internet trends collide, love soon follows.
Brody’s my friend - just a friend. He’s also my autistic son’s favorite teacher.
He’s as off limits as they come, no matter how drop dead gorgeous he is.
Falling for him would be wrong. Resisting him though, is becoming pure torture.
After being burned by men who can’t handle dating a single-mom of a special-needs child, I refuse to date anymore. Not until my son is grown.
My plan is working fine until my trouble-making bestie presents me with a dare that I can’t resist. I’m a sucker for a good dare - especially when margaritas have been consumed. And she’s just dared me to plant a surprise kiss on Brody’s sexy lips, while she records it for a trending TikTok challenge video.
But if I do this, it could change everything. My life is already pure chaos and maybe now is not the best time to shake things up even more.
Is it worth risking our friendship and his important role in my son’s life for one kiss? What if he wants more? What if I do?
Love & Other Chaos is a hilarious, steamy, friends-to-lovers romantic comedy featuring a drop dead gorgeous and seriously buff teacher with the hots for a single-mom of an autistic pre-teen son... who happens to be one of his students. This story also includes wise-cracking grandparents with zero respect for personal boundaries, swoon-worthy beach scenes, a jerky boss with no concept of personal space, nosey siblings and a foul-mouthed best friend who loves to instigate trouble. If you don't like sarcasm, steam, sexy-times, heroines who drink copious amounts of margaritas and laugh-a-minute dialogue, then this might not be the book for you. It’s a stand-alone novel with a happy ending, because cliffhangers will kill your margarita buzz.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PPXDFP3/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i2
Add to your Goodreads TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56324785-love-other-chaos
My Review:
5 STARS
I picked up this novel in KU after it was mentioned in an author newsletter. I love to read debut novels and encourage talented new romance authors. Sometimes the debut novel is disappointing and sometimes they are ok with a lot of potential for growth. Other times, like with this one, I know I have found gold and that I will be reading every book this author puts out. Love & Other Chaos is written in first person from a dual POV.
This friends-to-lovers novel tracks the relationship of Cara (a sarcastic, funny, and sharp-witted single mom of a pre-teen boy on the spectrum) and Brody (a fourth grade teacher). When they first meet, they have an instant attraction to each other that cannot go anywhere because Brody is the teacher for Cara's son, Miles. Over the course of the school year and the diagnosis of Miles of being high functioning autistic and ADHD, they develop a friendship filled with snark, sarcasm, and humor. When a dare leads Cara to kiss Brody after three years of friendship, the only option is to move forward to their HEA and embrace the feelings they have been denying.
Cara has her hands full. Not only are she and Miles adjusting to handling things in a different way than most children, but Cara is also the primary caregiver for her two elderly grandparents and about a dozen cats. There is A LOT of humor that comes from the situations with Cara and her family. She is hilarious and her self talk is outrageously funny. I should mention that she also has a collection of margarita inspired t-shirts that forced me to laugh out loud on multiple occasions throughout the book. Brody is caring, buff, and an all around good guy that I adored. I loved how much he loves his teaching career while still laughing at some things that teachers definitely laugh at. I love how accepting he is of Cara and Miles and the way he supports them. I love the heat between the two of them as they pursue a physical relationship (see me fanning myself here). I love the quirky family members and friends that surround them and encourage them.
This book also cleverly covers sexual harassment in the workplace as Cara takes on her slimy and pervy boss. The family and friend group pulls together to make the near-impossible happen and I loved it. (Here, I will also mention that Cara's best friend Helen is a character I just want to hang out with. That girl speaks every thought that comes through her head and I loved it!)
On a serious note, I will say I was immeasurably touched by Cara and Miles and the story of his diagnosis. It is apparent that the author knows this subject well. As I was reading about Miles and his behaviors I could not help but think of my son, who is now 25. No one ever offered to test him for the spectrum. It never occurred to me either. I am thankful that this is much more talked about now and that there are more resources available. However, reading this book, I am convinced that my son may very well be high functioning autistic. Though this fills me with some understanding, it also fills me with a large amount of guilt. I now know that there were things I could have done or done differently that might have made his life a little easier. Thought he has now successfully graduated college, he still struggles in so many social situations. I will be following up on some research to see of there are things I can do at this point to help him. One of the marks of an excellent book for me is this: does it make me think, dig deeper, research, or expand my knowledge? This book has done that for me.
I felt like the writing was on-point and funny. The black moment did not overwhelm me, which I appreciate in a rom-com. The pacing and the character development were both very good. There are a handful of errors (usage and spelling) that should have been caught in editing, but they were not prolific and did not pull me out of the story. (Honestly, it is a curse that I often catch these as most would not.) I appreciated the deeper sub-plots in addition to the love story, and I adored both Cara and Brody. I look forward to reading more by this new and promising author in the indie romance community. I definitely recommend that you pick up this book and allow yourself a laugh (or several) and a swoon or two.
Love & Other Mistakes: An Opposites Attract Romantic Comedy
Blurb:
Hudson freaking Langley.
My polar opposite. Biggest flirt on the planet. Best man at my sister's wedding.
Sleeping with him would be a huge mistake.
Resisting him is suddenly a full-time job.
I try to keep him at arm's length as we work together on all the pre-wedding festivities. But since he takes nothing seriously, I'm the one doing all the actual work while he tries mercilessly to seduce me.
Sure, he's funny, sexy, and has a rear end you can bounce quarters off, but that's irrelevant at this stage of my life. I'm ready for a family, and I already made the decision to take that journey on my own. All I need is a little self-control.
Until I saw another side of him that night at the engagement party.
Next thing I knew it was goodbye control, hello consequences.
Was it the worst mistake of my life? Or did I accidentally find my happily ever after?
Love & Other Mistakes is a hilarious, opposites attract, steamy, romantic comedy. This story also includes horny horse rides, ginger burps, insane family game nights, a drunk grandma, nosy siblings, and sexy times. It's a stand-alone novel with a happy ending, because cliffhangers will kill your margarita buzz.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08XKFBHZB/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1
Add to your Goodreads TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57208989-love-other-mistakes
My Review:
5 STARS
This is the second novel by this author. It is full of laugh out loud humor, a lot of
snark, some serious heat, and a super heart melting HEA. Hudson and Chloe’s story is written in first
person from a dual POV.
Chloe is a serious professional woman who is taking her
dreams into her own hands at the age of 44.
As the oldest Amos sibling, she has always been the responsible one
looking after everyone and trying to fill in for their deceased parents. She is not looking for a relationship. She doesn’t even feel like she needs a
relationship. Then Hudson comes into her
world with a big smile, a world of flirt, and a body she wants to get to know a
whole lot better. I love that through
the story Chloe learns more about herself as she gets to know Hudson. I love her confidence in her own
abilities. I love the relationships she
has with her family members and the banter of the Amos family text
exchanges. (Fun, real, and hilarious.)
Hudson is a hero unlike any I have ever read. He is undeniably masculine. At the same time, he exudes sunshine, joy,
peace, and the desire to make the world a better place. His ability to seemingly not take things too
seriously is in direct contrast to Chloe.
He is an over-the-top flirt, without crossing into skeevy territory. I love how positive he is, how soft his heart
is, and how fast and hard he falls for Chloe.
I love how she is drawn to him like a moth to the light. I love how she learns to see him for who he
truly is and accepts and cherishes him for it.
He really is a joy to read.
The secondary characters continue to have an important role
in this book, as in the first one. They
are well-rounded and I look forward to reading each of the stories of the Amos
siblings. I had trouble putting this
book down to go to work and to go to sleep.
The pacing was quite good. I
loved the first book, and I can see the refinements to the author’s style in
this second book. I predict that this
author is going to be a favorite of many.
Love and Other Mistakes is a standalone in an interconnected series of
books. Though it can be read on its own,
I recommend reading Love and Other Chaos to get her sister, Cara’s, story and
to meet her nephew Miles for a richer experience.
Love & Other Lies: A Fake Marriage Friends-to-Lovers Rom Com
Blurb:
It started as a little white lie.
A temporary marriage of convenience that would only last a few days — then we’d go back to just being friends.
After all, Cort Amos and I aren’t in love. We only tied the knot so I wouldn’t have to marry the greedy social climber my billionaire father had chosen as the son-in-law he wanted to inherit the company.
But then came the romantic honeymoon across Europe — my father’s apology gift to me.
Day after day. Night after night. Spent with a man I’ve been drooling over since the day we met, while we're in some of the most romantic places on the planet. So when he suggests we explore our physical attraction while on this vacation ... just for fun, I can’t help but say yes.
He’s sweet and charming, and he knows just how to make me laugh. Not to mention those shoulders and that smile and those washboard abs. I can hardly catch my breath around him.
But it’s all in fun — he doesn’t want a serious relationship any more than I do. When we get back home, it will all come to an end, just like we planned.
Simple right? We can totally pull this off without feelings getting involved. No sweat.
Gulp.
I think I’m a big fat liar.
Separating the truth from the lies has never been harder. Pun intended.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0926QJDHV/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0
Add to your Goodreads TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57687660-love-other-lies
My Review:
5 STARS
Amber and Cort’s story s the third in the series but can be
read as a standalone. It is written in
first person from a dual POV.
Cort has always liked Amber.
When she finds herself in a bind, he is more than wiling to help her out
by being her husband. There is a lot of
heat when they adapt the arrangement to include benefits. The catch is that they both fall for each
other in the process. I love that Cort
has some baggage to work through that he never acknowledged was present. His journey through that was special to read
and made me feel so much emotion for him.
I love the way they can’t keep their hands off each other and need to be
touching. I adore the hilarious
self-talk and the very funny Amos family text threads. The grand gesture brings all the
romance. I couldn’t help but cheer for
Cort and Amber when they get their HEA.
You will definitely want to grab this one for a humorous read with a
side of sentimental family time.
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