Monica Burns penned her first short romance story at the age of nine when she selected the pseudonym she uses today. From the days when she hid her stories from her sisters to her first completed full-length manuscript, she always believed in her dream despite rejections and setbacks. She has suffered from bipolar disorder since childhood, but was not diagnosed until much later in life. She is a survivor, and it’s a topic she has become well versed in. A survivor of date rape at the age of 19, writing erotic romance has aided her in the life-long process of healing. Her writing has helped her reclaim some of her self-worth. Her most recent tale of survival is her diagnosis of the genetic disorder Long QT syndrome and subsequent heart defibrillator implant. Her determination to overcome these challenging life experiences is a reflection of her belief that there truly are happily ever afters. Writing romance is a therapeutic process as it allows Monica to explore the themes of hope, trust and love in her work. She believes romance books empower women to believe in themselves and that their only limitations are the ones they set for themselves. She holds a bachelors of science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Mass Communications. A workaholic wife and mother, she believes it’s possible for the good guy to win if they work hard enough. An award-winning author of spicy historical and paranormal romance, her historical book awards include the 2011 RT BookReviews Reviewers Choice Award and the 2012 Gayle Wilson Heart of Excellence Award for Pleasure Me. She is also the recipient of the prestigious paranormal romance award, the 2011 PRISM Best of the Best award for Assassin’s Heart. Monica as well as a 2005 RWA Golden Heart finalist, two-time EPPIE nominee leading to her 2009 EPPIE for Best Erotic Historical Romance, two-time RT Reviewers Choice Award nominee, the 2011 PRISM’s Best of the Best winner, and a 2012 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence finalist. She has consistently earned top reviews from RT BOOKreviews and other reviewers.