Hi, I’m laura marie.
I’m a sarcastic ray of sunshine, a devoted wife to my long-suffering husband Keith, and a homeschool mom of two—one of whom is my pint-sized, sass-filled clone. I’ve been an artist in every form imaginable: from smearing paint across a canvas to designing bold sports graphics to crafting a perfectly timed comeback. Creativity isn’t just my outlet, it’s my chaos, my calm, and sometimes my caffeine substitute.
Like most dramatic creative types, I dabbled in writing for years (and dabbled is a really loose term), but it wasn’t until Quinn and Raeban broke into my imagination like uninvited houseguests that the story floodgates burst open. Suddenly, I was scribbling scenes between co-op lessons and muttering dialogue in grocery store aisles, stopping mid-step to jot things down in my notes app. When your characters hijack your brain mid-discussion about health insurance, it’s time to write the book.
I write steamy romance and emotional fantasy with heart, heat, and a sharp edge of sarcasm. My characters are messy, bold, and unapologetically real—just the way I like them. And trust me, I’m just getting started!
My writing Approach
“fantasy-lite” (modern fantasy, but make it readable)
I love fantasy, but not the kind where you need a 400-page glossary and pronunciation guide to survive a single chapter.
My worlds are fantastical, but approachable.
romance that actually simmers (no insta-love)
I don’t do instant soulmates after a two-second glance. While it can be fun to read from time to time, it’s just super unrealistic (and sometimes cringe-y IMO).
My slow-burns earn very spark… and then light the whole damn forest on fire.
sharp tongues, fun banter, & Messy love
My heroines don’t do weak. They don’t back down.
My love interests are a little overprotective and only slightly unhinged.
The banter will keep you giggling at all hours of the night.
dark edges, real scars, healing trauma one word at a time
My writing bites. Sometimes it’s sharp, triggering, and filthy. Sometimes it makes you feel things you didn’t know you wanted to feel.
It all comes from a place of trauma and healing. But I like to sprinkle in a few healthy doses of “oh no they didn’t” for good measure.
why i write:
To show that even in dark places, there’s always a way to find light. And sometimes that light has a sarcastic sense of humor and questionable morals.
Because storytelling healed pieces of me I didn’t know were broken, and now I can’t shut up about it.
And honestly? Because it’s fun to create chaos on the page that would get me arrested in real life.
how i write:
A little panster, a little plotter, a lot of coffee. I start with an outline, then let my characters completely ignore it.
Emotion first. If it doesn’t punch me in the gut or make me laugh at 2 am, it probably doesn’t make the cut.
No fluff for the sake of fluff. Every scene has to earn its place, or it gets yeeted into the deleted folder.
WHAT’s next?
Quinn and Raeban aren’t done yet.
Wilted in Shadows, book two in the Enchanting Vines Series picks up right after that jaw‑dropper ending in Tangled in Thorns. There’s fallout to face, secrets to dig through, and more danger closing in. Quinn’s self‑discovery is nowhere near finished. The story is only getting sharper, darker, and a whole lot messier.
And because my brain refuses to rest…
I’m also plotting a standalone dark stalker romance. Let’s just say she knows exactly who’s watching her—and she’s known him far too well, for far too long. This outline is unhinged in the best way, and I’m not even promising you a happy ending.
Meet the characters of
the enchanting vines series
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![A young woman with red hair and green eyes standing in a bright greenhouse, wearing a green crop top and jeans.]()
Quinn Corliss
FEMALE MAIN CHARACTER
Quinn has always felt safer among roots and soil than people.
Sheltered and stifled by a life she never truly chose, she learned early that sarcasm and a greenhouse full of thriving plants were better armor than trust. Her gift, an unspoken pull over vines and blooms, has always been her secret refuge, a quiet rebellion in a world that tried to cage her.
But secrets don’t stay buried forever.
When her carefully tended life is completely torn apart, and her own memories betray her, Quinn is forced to discover herself, thorn by thorn, bloom by bloom.
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![A man with dark hair and a serious expression, wearing a white shirt and black vest, sitting in a leather chair in a room with framed black-and-white photographs on the wall.]()
Raeban Avery
MALE MAIN CHARACTER
Raeban is a decorated Mirapas detective with a reputation for getting the job done, and for keeping the world at arm’s length.
Broody, overprotective, and sharper than the badge he wears, he hides a heart that cares far too deeply. But Raeban carries secrets… the kind he’s sure would make Quinn run without looking back.
Gifted with impossible speed and strength, he’s always felt duty‑bound to use those abilities for good. Once, the law was his compass—his anchor. But when the choice comes down to obeying every rule or saving the woman who’s become his everything, Raeban learns just how far a man will go when he refuses to lose it all… again.
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![Young woman with blonde hair standing outdoors near a school bus and residential houses.]()
Brien Bayley
QUINN’s BESTIE
Bri has been Quinn’s best friend since grade school and her roommate for the last few years. She’s the kind of bestie who will show up with wine in one hand and brutal honesty in the other. Bri doesn’t sugarcoat a damn thing. She calls Quinn out when she’s spiraling, holds her accountable when it matters most, and delivers wisdom Quinn never wants to hear but always needs.
Armed with sarcasm sharp enough to rival Quinn’s, Bri is a force of her own. By day she wrangles middle‑schoolers, slang words, and hallway drama. By night she’s Quinn’s unwavering support system, the voice that cuts through the chaos and says exactly what needs to be said—whether Quinn likes it or not.
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![Young man with styled hair wearing a gray shirt and a reflective yellow safety vest, smiling against a dark background.]()
Dannon Knighton
QUINN’s BOYFRIEND
Dannon Knighton is the kind of mistake you make twice—and regret forever. He’s a smooth‑talking player with a crooked smile and condescending uppercut. When he realizes Quinn keeps her deepest feelings locked away, it bruises his ego. And he doesn’t handle bruises well…
Jealousy brings out the worst in him, and even with someone actively trying to kill her, Dannon does what Dannon does best—fucks shit up.
He’s a construction worker by trade, driving a work truck that always smells like dirt, sawdust and exhaust. But the truth is, Dannon doesn’t build much of anything outside of work… least of all a healthy relationship.
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![A young man with long blonde hair and blue eyes smiling outdoors in an urban setting, wearing a dark blazer and a graphic t-shirt.]()
Maddock Toll
QUINN’s SECURITY
Maddock Toll is one of Quinn’s assigned “shadows”. A bodyguard brought in when a mysterious woman surfaces with every intention of killing her. But don’t let the job title fool you. Maddock only gets serious when he absolutely has to.
Most days, he’s all easy charm and quick jokes, showing up in a vintage band tee and combat boots (until Raeban barks at him to look “professional”). Behind the humor, though, is a man who knows weapons better than most people know their own hands. He’s fast. He’s lethal. And he’s deadly accurate when it counts.
Maddock loves loud music, late‑night gaming sessions, and he becomes more than a little smitten with Brien Bayley.
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![A man in a black suit, wearing sunglasses, standing with arms crossed in front of a black vehicle.]()
Rysin Dietrick
QUINN’s SECURITY
Rysin Dietrick is one of Quinn’s assigned “shadows,” a bodyguard whose presence speaks louder than his words ever do. Broody, protective, and almost always silent, Rysin is a man of few words and fewer smiles. He’s rarely seen without his sunglasses—even in places far too dark for them—and that only makes him more unreadable.
He knows weapons and security like second nature, every move precise, every glance calculating. But beneath the hard edges and muscle is a quieter side—a patient, unexpectedly gentle heart that earns the favor of the softest character in the entire story. Rysin may be all business on the surface, but when he lets the armor slip, you see a man who would stand immovable between you and the world.
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![A woman with curly blonde hair and a tattoo on her shoulder holding a tropical drink with a lemon slice and pineapple garnish, in a lively nightlife setting with colorful hanging lights.]()
Nece Nightingale
QUINN’s FRIEND
Nece Nightingale is the definition of a good time wrapped in sunshine and danger. A beautiful island girl with a laugh that lights up a room and a sultry vibe no one forgets. She’s equal parts life of the party and unshakable optimist. Men fall at her feet, desperate to tie her down, but she’s already gone before they can even ask to stick it in twice.
Insatiable, fearless, and unapologetically herself, she lives with no regrets, no excuses, and nothing holding her back. Nece isn’t just a good time… she’s the kind of unforgettable that makes you rethink your whole life.
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![A confident woman dressed in a purple blazer with gold jewelry in a well-lit modern office setting.]()
Tarin Karnes
QUINN’s FRIEND
Tarin is a corporate attorney with a razor‑sharp mind and the presence of a queen. Regal, blunt, and utterly no‑nonsense, she doesn’t soften her words for anyone—and sometimes, that edge makes even Quinn bristle. Of the friend group, Quinn gets along with Tarin the least… but there’s no denying Tarin’s loyalty runs deep.
She’s polished and intimidating, a badass in heels who can cut through contracts and egos in a single breath. And when it counts, she’s the kind of friend who stands beside you without question—an ally you’re lucky to have, even if she drives you up a wall.
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![A man in a red suit with a grey vest and patterned tie, standing on a busy city street.]()
Hellum Underwood
MAGISTRATE of MIRAPAS
Hellum Underwood, Magistrate of Mirapas, was born to be on a stage, and he never lets anyone forget it. Calculating and scheming, he thrives on being a spectacle, every smile a performance and every word a blade. His history with the Avery family runs dark, and he wastes no time turning that bad blood into leverage.
For Quinn, Hellum is more than just a political power play, he’s a constant, cringeworthy thorn in her side. Ever the charmer in all the worst ways, he can’t resist making sly passes at her, testing her patience with every smirk and innuendo. But beneath the theatrics lies a man dangerous enough to shape the city itself… and meddle in Quinn’s fate whether she likes it or not.
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![A young woman with light brown hair, glasses, and freckles working in a greenhouse with lush green plants and sunlight streaming through the glass.]()
Tona Dane
GREENHOUSE WORKER
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![A woman with short red hair and hoop earrings staring intently at the camera, wearing a beige shirt, in a setting with blue-green lighting.]()
Kate Corliss
QUINN’s MOTHER
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![Close-up of an older man with gray hair and beard, wearing a black suit, standing in front of an ornate building with columns.]()
Axel Corliss aka Able Axelson
QUINN’s FATHER
check out the settings of
the enchanting vines series
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![A large indoor conservatory with a spiral staircase wrapping around a massive artificial tree with textured bark, surrounded by lush green plants, colorful flowers, and decorative pottery, with a glass ceiling allowing natural light.]()
Whispering Vines Botanica
HOME OF THE SYLVANSPIRE TREE
It’s more than a greenhouse and so much more than a healing center. Whispering Vines is Quinn’s sanctuary, and home to the legendary Sylvanspire Tree.
Years ago, this land was nothing but an old, used car lot. Quinn poured sweat, sacrifice, and obsessive care into every leaf and root until the tree thrived again, building the cathedral greenhouse around it.
This place is her peace, her purpose, and a living reflection of everything she’s fought to grow.
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![Living room with a green velvet sofa, beige and yellow throw pillows, and an orange throw blanket. The space is filled with numerous potted green plants, a wooden bookshelf, a round table with a plant, and a chair, all near a large window with sunlight.]()
Quinn & Bri's Apartment
HOME IS WHERE THE PLANTS ARE
A tiny two‑bedroom packed with thrift‑store finds, overgrown greenery, and just enough chaos to drive Bri mad.
Quinn’s plants spill over every surface while Bri battles (and loses) to keep things tidy and glass‑shard‑free.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s home—even when life outside keeps trying to break in.
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![Urban city skyline with several skyscrapers covered in lush green vegetation.]()
Mirapas
THE MAIN SETTING IN THE SERIES
The third‑largest city in Dreylon, where polished stone meets relentless green overgrowth. Decades‑old architecture looms high while vines and shrubs claw up walls and roots split sidewalks.
Mirapas is alive—unpredictable, beautiful, and dangerous.
It’s where Magistrate Hellum Underwood pulls the strings, Raeban Avery protects with his badge, and where Quinn’s story first starts to unravel.
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![A futuristic city street at night with neon signs and tall skyscrapers in the background, people walking along the wet pavement.]()
Arkheim
HOME OF BOOK ONE’S CLIMAX
A neon jungle that never sleeps. Its lights burn through the night, masking the whispers of deals struck in shadowed alleys and screams no one stops to hear.
Danger hums beneath every glow, coiling tighter the longer you stay. Arkheim never slows down, never lets you catch your breath making this place perfect for secrets, perfect for vanishing… and it’s here, in this relentless city, where everything comes to a head and the story ignites in chaos.
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![Colorful beachfront houses lined along a sandy shore with a wooden pier, turquoise ocean waves, tall palm trees, green hills in background, and partly cloudy sky with warm sunlight.]()
Strygon
TROPICAL CITY IN DREYLON
Dreylon’s own tropical escape, Strygon is warm, lush, and thriving even when winter grips the world beyond.
Magistrate Cedric Mooney manipulates the kiss of summer keeping it year‑round, making Strygon a paradise with sharp edges.
Quinn’s quarterly deliveries here were routine, but this city left marks she can’t forget… even after everything shattered.
