Amsterdam-based Carina has been an avid reader of romance since her late teens. What better way to fill those long days, while school was closed for the summer? Little by little, ideas started forming in her head, until the moment came to turn them into a romance of her own. She loves writing in the morning in her kitchen. Her characters are early risers, and like to whisper their stories to her over coffee, while she puts them on paper –yes, by hand, using a ballpoint pen– before the world starts becoming too busy. Carina loves talking about women who carve their own path through the challenges life hurls at them and become stronger in all the broken places, and men who aren’t afraid to be their rock, yet dare to become vulnerable around them. Expect relatable MCs and chemistry, but also connected souls (be it romantic or found family), banter and healthy communication, plenty of tufts of steam, and a HEA. When not writing, she reads mostly romance (no surprise there…). She loves gardening on her balcony and tending to her 50-ish indoor plants. A line dancing enthusiast, she considers it the best mood booster, and city trips are her perfect way for a short break and change of scenery. She never says no to good sushi with sake, macarons and layer cakes, or a strong dark beer, while imagining what it would be like to share them with one or several of her characters.