I’m Talyia Quinn, a Central Illinois dweller, happily married, and mom to five boys. (Yes, five. That’s not a typo. My life often feels like a sitcom with a laugh track running in the background.) Between teenage slang that makes me question whether “low-key gas” means dinner is edible or explosive, and the never-ending quest to find the missing sock, I’ve learned to embrace chaos with humor. I’ve been a lifelong bookworm, always ready to escape reality and tumble headfirst into a fictional world. I’m a sucker for a good villain. I fully believe they are misunderstood and just need a hug and a redemption arc. When I’m not reading or writing, I’m usually running, hiking, playing board games, or chasing whatever ADHD-fueled side quest catches my attention that day. Some people binge shows—I binge hobbies. I share my home with a small (okay, large) menagerie of animals who are convinced they run the place. Judging by the way they watch me, I’m fairly certain they’re plotting my demise—but at least they’ll make it entertaining. My idea of “self-care” is handing my skin over to tattoo artists, because honestly, there’s something therapeutic about turning pain into art. My husband is a retired Navy man, which means I’ve had the privilege (and occasional chaos) of living in several different places. The travel itch never really left me, so I love exploring new cities, new countries, and new stories. Meeting people, experiencing fresh adventures, and collecting memories fuel both my life and my writing. Oh, and when the kids are busy and the animals haven’t staged a coup, you’ll often find me in Azeroth battling through a dungeon in World of Warcraft—or more likely, forgetting what I was supposed to be doing because some NPC convinced me to go off on yet another side quest. At the end of the day, I like to think of myself as the queen of this chaotic little kingdom—a ruler of boys, beasts, books, and a brain that never stops chasing stories. Stick around, pull up a chair, and let’s dive into worlds where adventure, laughter, and a touch of mischief always wait on the next page.