<— HAPPY TUESDAY NEW RELEASE DAY!! It’s that time again, and today we’ve got 70+ books on today’s awesome list and a few squees for that one to the left!
BLURB JOLTS? Of course that one to the left! The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (I loved this series “…He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low…” Beach Read (polar opposites!! “…they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block…”), What’s Left Untold (PSYCH THRILLER? Her best friend unexpectedly severs the friendship and years later she finds a letter from her...), Southern Storm (she’s the women people still whisper about in town… she thought he would marry her) The Wife Stalker: A Novel (she finds out about her husband’s mistress… “...Joanna is devastated—and determined to find something, anything, to use against this woman who has stolen her life...”)
And while you’re here, don’t forget to check out:
- TWO MONTHS FREE KINDLE UNLIMITED DEAL!!! <— EXTENDED THROUGH JUNE!! If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s your chance (so many great books available and I mean a TON!!!). 😲👏👏
- M.L. Gabrielle’s “Unlocked” is LIVE and we’ve got 5 Fun Facts + an eBook & gift card giveaway! <— Today’s newsletter sponsor and this one sounds so good! Plus, I love the question she asks… 😉 HARD CHOICE!! P.S. It’s open to international!
- Vicki James – Rock Star Romance Series Reading Order <— A few in our crew LOVED #1!!
AUDIOBOOK LVERS!
Not a member of Audible yet? Get a free 30 day audible trial (which includes 1 free audiobook + 2 audible originals)
- AND! Audiobook Matchmaker!! <— Find out which of YOUR Kindle books are available as audiobooks at a BARGAIN-PRICE! This is how it works. Click on that link & Amazon will show you all of your Kindle books that are also available as an audiobook at a seriously discounted price. This way, you can switch back and forth, seamlessly between your ebooks and your audiobooks. VERY COOL!
- ➔➔ Audible now has an “Escape” package membership (30 day free trial) – used to be called the “Romance” package <— this one is SO cool, and worth it (unlimited listening for all of the audiobooks in the program, and there are tons – kind of like Kindle Unlimited)!!
- and…
- The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins
- Beach Read by Emily Henry
- Dirty Charmer by Emma Chase
- Southern Storm (The Southern Series Book 3) by Natasha Madison
- A Week at the Shore: A Novel by Barbara Delinsky
- The Wife Stalker: A Novel by Liv Constantine
- Misadventures of a Biker by Scott Hildreth
- On Ocean Boulevard (The Beach House) by Mary Alice Monroe
- Chaos Reigning: A Novel (The Consortium Rebellion Book 3) by Jessie Mihalik
- A Royal Kiss & Tell (A Royal Wedding Book 2) by Julia London
- The Somerset Girls: A Novel by Lori Foster
- A Taste of Sage: A Novel by Yaffa S. Santos
- Miles (The Mavericks Book 7) by Dale Mayer
- Seeing Darkness (Krewe of Hunters Book 30) by Heather Graham
- A Royal Kiss & Tell (A Royal Wedding Book 2) by Julia London
READER RECOMMENDATIONS & BARGAIN FINDS:
- TWO MONTHS FREE KINDLE UNLIMITED DEAL!!! <— If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s your chance (you can still get in on it since the deal has been extended through the end of JUNE). 😲👏👏
- and…
- Unlocked (Hell’s Throne Book 1) by M.L. Gabrielle <— SHE CALLS HIM AN ENTITLED HEIR-HOLE “…Today is my first day of college, where I was expecting to meet Hell’s four heirs. Instead, I found myself going toe to toe with an entitled heir-hole. Locke is gorgeous, infuriating and undoubtedly going to break my heart…” Don’t forget to check out my her giveaway right here on my blog (open to International) ➔➔➔ M.L. Gabrielle’s “Unlocked” is LIVE and we’ve got 5 Fun Facts + an eBook & gift card giveaway!
- Love Sincerely Yours by Sara Ney and Meghan Quinn <— Laurie LOVED this one!
Laurie: The last book that I loved was “Love Sincerely Yours” by Sara Ney and Meghan Quinn. A drunken email leads to romance. It’s a fun, funny read with quirky characters. I was already a huge fan of Sara Ney and now I am devouring Meghan Quinn’s backlist. Hope you and yours are all safe
- The Cruelest Stranger by Winter Renshaw <— RECENT RELEASE THAT I MISSED! A cruel exchange between strangers… “…I followed him out the door, determined to give the audacious Adonis a piece of my mind. Tearing after him in heels and barely able to keep up in the freezing rain, I ended my chase when I realized where he was going. They say never to judge someone unless you know their story. I never could have anticipated his… And I never could have anticipated the way our paths would cross again...”
- Sever the Crown: Vampire Reverse Harem Complete Series by Mysti Parker & Lindsey R. Loucks <— SERIES BUNDLE ALERT!! “This box set includes all five books in the Sever the Crown series from USA Today bestselling author Lindsey R. Loucks and award-winning author Mysti Parker. Prepare to get lost in a paranormal romance series that will leave you breathless and begging for more!”
- When Art Rises: Living in Cin: (A Twisted Interracial High School Love Triangle) by Lorrain Allen <— DARK HIGH SCHOOL ROMANCE ALERT! Maria loved this one!
Maria: Hey Maryse! You should add “When Art Rises” by Lorrain Allen. It’s a very dark high school romance that deals with an exquisite love triangle. Yes, there’s cheating but it is way more complex than that: troubled H and kind h… you get the vibe. The way the story unfolds is amazing and… well… I won’t spoil you any more details.
Book #2 is coming July 15th. Funny thing is I thought it was a standalone going in and only figured out it had a cliffhanger the moment when I had 20 pages left and saw that the story was just then reaching its climax! Can’t wait to read book #2.
- Love is Contagious : A Charity Anthology <— HUGE ANTHOLOGY ALERT!!! “…Stuck in the house? We’ve got you covered! Get ready to set your e-reader on fire! Over twenty of your favorite bestselling authors have teamed up to bring you the most contagious romances filled with the sexy heroes and strong heroines you crave! All in the name of charity! LOVE IS CONTAGIOUS is only available for a limited time. Catch it now before it’s gone! 100% of the proceeds will be divided to two global charities helping individuals and families as well as medical professionals affected by COVID-19…”
- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty <— SUPER-BARGAIN RIGHT NOW and even if it’s a show, so many LOVED the book before it hit the screen ;).
Julie: Loved Big Little Lies – any elementary school mom can totally relate.
Tasha J: I absolutely loved Big Little Lies by this author, one of my top favorites
Amy: I loved her book Big Little Lies (OMG so fun with a slightly dark comedic edge to it!)… written in multiple POVs, which gave it it’s character and quirkiness. …it wasn’t focused solely on one MC (and holy moly, I was literally snorting out loud with that one even though it was centered around a death) but rather the bigger issue which they were all a part of in some way, instead of like this one where it was the story of one couple’s marital issues but with a couple other POVs thrown in…
PARANORMAL/FANTASY/SCI-FI/DYSTOPIAN NEW RELEASES:
- The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins <— IT. IS. LIVE!!!! I DEVOURED THIS SERIES & loved it, so this is darn exciting!!! 😀 “…It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute. The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low…”
Kathy: Did you see that there is going to be a Hunger Games Prequel called The Ballad of Songbird and Snakes? …My teen daughter screamed when she found out as she was so excited!!
- Chaos Reigning: A Novel (The Consortium Rebellion Book 3) by Jessie Mihalik
- Loved by Light (Wings, Wands and Soul Bonds Book 4) by Terry Bolryder
- Savage: A Sci-Fi Alien Warrior Romance (Barbarians of the Sand Planet Book 5) by Tana Stone
- Varnog (Xian Warriors Book 6) by Regine Abel
- Cyborg and the Single Mom: a sci-fi alien romance (OtherWorldly Men Book 3) by Susan Grant
- Academy Of Beasts X: Shifter Romance by Becca Fanning
- The Vampire’s Shadow (Tales of Vampires Book 8) by Zara Novak
- My Dragon Master (Broken Souls 6) by Alisa Woods
- Her Wolf by Fiona Davenport <— SHE WAS HIS FATED MATE!! “…Allegra Hale had no idea shifters existed when she headed off to college with her two best friends. Let alone that her campus was near a shifter town. But that all changed when she got into a crash and was rescued by Zeke Blakesley—the wolf shifter who insisted they belonged together…”
- Granted (Granted Series Book 1) by Kendra Thomas
- Claimed By The Alien Warrior Oszul: A Sci-Fi Alien Warrior Romance (The Vada Wars Book 3) by Zara Zenia and Eden Ember
- Seeing Darkness (Krewe of Hunters Book 30) by Heather Graham
- A Secret In Onyx by Jessica Florence <— OMG BLURB JOLT!! FANTASY (LOVE TRIANGLE??) ROMANCE APOCALYPSE ALERT!! “…EVERYTHING I knew died when the end of the world came. People dropped dead, and electricity vanished. Those who remained alive were never the same again. While on the run with my boyfriend Tor across the desolate continent, the worst humanity had left attacked. Torn from the one I love, I boldly raced for help at the last human safe zone. Only it’s not humans I found, but the Fae…”
CONTEMPORARY NEW RELEASES:
- Beach Read by Emily Henry <— POLAR OPPOSITES ARE NOW NEIGHBORS… “…In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block. Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel...”
Harper: I finished Beach Read yesterday. I loved it. It will be on my list of best books of the year for sure. Don’t let the cover fool you, it’s not a simple rom-com. It goes deep and is very realistic.
R. Renee: I can’t wait for Beach Read but Julia Whelan is narrating the audio so I’m waiting. I swear she makes every book she reads better!
- Fight for Me (The Arrowood Brothers Book 2) by Corinne Michaels <— HE ONCE BROKE HER HEART… “…After my father’s death, I’m forced to go home to Sugarloaf for six months. She’ll be everywhere, no longer just in my memories and regrets. When we’re together, it’s as though time never stopped. She’s still the one I want, but I don’t deserve her. Instead of apologizing, I take that beautiful, broken woman in my arms. But after that, it’s her turn to leave me…”
- Virgin Next Door by Sam Crescent
- The Love of a Libertine (The Duke’s Bastards Book 1) by Jess Michaels <— HISTORICAL ROMANCE ALERT!!
- A Duke Will Never Do (The Untouchables: The Spitfire Society Book 3) by Darcy Burke <— HISTORICAL ROMANCE ALERT!!
- Fourth a Lie (GODDESS ISLES Book 4) by Pepper Winters <— PEPPER WINTERS DARK READ ALERT! MUST BE READ IN ORDER!! “...Eleanor Grace did the unbelievable. She fell for a man who trades in women, dabbles in myth, and has the morals of a cold-hearted beast...”
- Noah (Anderson Billionaires Book 2) by Melody Anne
- Grave’s Claim (Satan’s Anarchy MC Book 5) by Erin Osborne and JC Belanger
- A Scot to Keep: Scottish Historical Romance (Brides of Scotland Book 3) by Tammy Andresen
- Fatal Marriage (Wedlocked Trilogy Book 3) by Charlotte Byrd <— TRILOGY CONCLUSION ALERT!! “…I was forced into this marriage to save my father’s life and our family’s empire, but my husband has other plans...”
- Every Little Piece of Me (Orchid Valley Book 1) by Lexi Ryan <— MARRIED IN VEGAS & SHE DOESN’T REMEMBER ALERT!! “...The last time I saw Brinley, she was sleeping, tangled in the sheets of my Vegas penthouse, my diamond glittering on her finger. I returned three hours later to an empty bed, the ring on the dresser, and a goodbye note. We haven’t spoken in the six months since, but I’m not the kind of guy who’d file for a divorce he doesn’t want. Until I got this damn invitation, it never occurred to me that Brinley didn’t remember our impulsive Vegas nuptials...”
- Fooled & Enlightened: The Englishman’s Scottish Wife (Love’s Second Chance Book 16) by Bree Wolf
- Miles (The Mavericks Book 7) by Dale Mayer
- Count On Me: Baytown Boys by Maryann Jordan
- What’s Left Untold by Sherri Leimkuhler <— THEY WERE BEST FRIENDS UNTIL ONE SEVERED THE FRIENDSHIP… “…Twenty years later, Anna discovers a letter Lia wrote the summer after high school—a letter that contains a cryptic postscript concealing a devastating truth. With her twenty-year high school reunion approaching, Anna moves closer to uncovering the secret in Lia’s letter and the heartbreaking consequences it set in motion. As the layers of deceit and betrayal begin to unravel, Anna is forced to question everything she believes…”
- Off Limits Daddy (Slade Brothers Book 2) by Alexis Winter
- Scandalous Scot (Highlander’s Through Time Book 4) by Cecelia Mecca and Julie Johnstone
- Stirred (Twisted Fox Book 1) by Charity Ferrell
- Dirty Charmer by Emma Chase <— EMMA CHASE ALERT!! SHE DOESN’T HAVE TIME FOR NONSENSE! “...Tommy Sullivan’s all about nonsense. Sure, he’s an elite bodyguard with lethal skills and co-owner of the renowned, S&S Securities Firm—protector of the wealthy and titled. But he’s also rowdy, fun and thoroughly irresistible. Tommy knows how to have a good time, and he’s never seen someone more in need of a good time than Abby. The lass needs long, wet, filthy kisses—STAT—and he’s just the man for the job…”
- One Enchanted Christmas (Distinguished Rogues Book 13) by Heather Boyd <— HISTORICAL ROMANCE ALERT!
- The Judge (Highland Heroes Book 3) by Maeve Greyson
- Stranger Ranger: An Opposites Attract Romance (Park Ranger Book 2) by Daisy Prescott <— THE PARK RANGER & THE RECLUSE ALERT!! “...Living like a recluse in the hollows in the Smoky Mountains, he’s happy to keep to himself and is content to let locals believe he’s the town weirdo. Odin prefers the company of his pet pig to the nosy citizens of Green Valley. When Daphne discovers Odin might be committing nefarious deeds on park land, she vows to find out the truth behind the handsome, yet chaotic, loner...”
- Falling for the Billionaire’s Daughter (Sutton Billionaires Book 6) by Lori Ryan
- Hollow Justice (Cowboy Justice Association Book 13) by Olivia Jaymes
- A Taste of Sage: A Novel by Yaffa S. Santos
- Southern Storm ( The Southern Series Book 3) by Natasha Madison <— SHE’S THE WOMAN PEOPLE WHISPER ABOUT… “…I’m the one who broke up the golden couple. The woman people still whisper about, point at, and give dirty looks to. Did I sleep with the prom king? No. Did I sleep with the town’s golden boy on vacation from college? Yes. Did I believe that he was going to marry me? Wholeheartedly. Did he? Not even close. He got engaged right in front of me and then his father threw two hundred dollars at me and told me to take the trash out…”
- Beyond Just Us (Remington Medical Book 4): A Single Parent Marriage of Convenience Romance by Kimberly Kincaid
- Born a Queen (The Queens Book 3) by Nikita Slater
- A Week at the Shore: A Novel by Barbara Delinsky <— PAINFUL TRUTHS REVEALED… “…that phone call makes it clear that something has brought the past forward again—something involving Mallory’s father. Compelled by concern for her family and by Joy’s wish to visit her mother’s childhood home, Mallory returns to Bay Bluff, where conflicting loyalties will be faced and painful truths revealed. In just seven watershed days at the Rhode Island shore, she will test the bonds of friendship and family—and discover the role that love plays in defining their lives...”
- A Cattleman for Cora (Kansas Cowboys Book 4) by Amelia C. Adams
- Misadventures of a Biker by Scott Hildreth
- Hell Hath No Fury by RC Boldt
- A Date with an Admirer (The Dating Series Book 2) by L.P. Dover and Heidi McLaughlin <— JUST AN ACT IN FRONT OF HER EX ALERT!! “...she has no choice but to face him and his new squeeze at a huge Valentine’s Day bash that has fast become the social event of the season. No way is she going alone. What she needs is a beautiful hunk of arm candy… STAT. Sophie’s best friend, Ellie, proposes the perfect solution to her dilemma. Her brother Tanner, the smokin’ hot surfer, just got back into town and is more than happy to help Sophie prove she’s over her scumbag ex. ..”
- On Ocean Boulevard (The Beach House) by Mary Alice Monroe <— FAMILY SAGA ALERT!! “…as excitement over the house and wedding builds, a devastating illness strikes the family and brings plans to a screeching halt. It is under these trying circumstances that the Rutledge family must come together yet again to discover the enduring strength in love, tradition, and legacy from mother to daughter to granddaughter. Like the sea turtles that come ashore annually on these windswept islands, three generations of the Rutledge family experience a season of return, rebirth, and growth...”
- Not So Far (Love Grows series Book 3) by Renee Regent
- A Royal Kiss & Tell (A Royal Wedding Book 2) by Julia London <— JULIA LONDON HISTORICAL ROMANCE ALERT!! “…Every young man in London’s ton is vying for Lady Caroline Hawke’s hand—except one. Handsome roué Prince Leopold of Alucia can’t quite remember Caroline’s name, and the insult is not to be tolerated. So Caroline does what any clever, resourceful lady of means would do to make sure Leo never again forgets: sees that scandalous morsels about his reputation are printed in a ladies’ gossip gazette…all while secretly setting her cap for the rakish royal…”
- Evan’s Heart by Keith Thomas Walker
- Make Me Yours (Bayshore Book 3) by Ember Leigh
- Lost Love Found (Seaside Sisters Book 5) by Kay Lyon
- Hot Mess by Emma Hart <— SHE’S HIDING OUT AFTER HER EX RELEASED THEIR SEX TAPE… “...Creek Keys, Florida, is a million miles away from NYC and the perfect place for me to hide for the rest of summer until I can figure out what I’m going to do. Something that’s easier said than done since my new landlord’s daughter thinks you’re God’s greatest gift. Even better? Their beach house is right next to the one I’m renting, so there’s no getting away from her—or her hot, British dad. Who most definitely does not think I’m role model material...”
- Behind My Words: A Ghost Writer’s Romance Suspense by J.L. Drake
- Sweet On You (Caldwell Brothers Book 4) by Aiden Bates and Ali Lyda
- Love and Music (Small Town Secrets Book 3) by Jade C. Jamison
- The Wife Stalker: A Novel by Liv Constantine <— PSYCH-THRILLER ALERT!! SHE DISCOVERS THE “OTHER WOMAN”!! “…Joanna is shocked to discover that it’s not her loving support that’s sparked his renewed happiness—it’s something else. Piper. Leo has fallen head over heels for the flaky, New Age-y newcomer, and unrepentant and resolute, he’s more than willing to leave Joanna behind, along with everything they’ve built. Of course, he assures her, she can still see the children. Joanna is devastated—and determined to find something, anything, to use against this woman who has stolen her life and her true love. As she digs deeper into Piper’s past, Joanna begins to unearth disturbing secrets…”
- Marty’s Blind Date Mystery (Hot Hunks Steamy Romance Collection Book 7) by Suzanne Jenkins
- Man In Chains by Sara Allen and Tammy Jernigam
- Ruthless Princess (Mafia Royals) by Rachel Van Dyken <— RACHEL VAN DYKEN MAFIA ROMANCE ALERT!! “...the second generation at Eagle Elite University, to rule with an iron fist, and to take care of anyone who gets in our way. Ever since the incident. Ever since Him. There’s been a war in our little clique. After all, a house divided cannot stand. He’s the problem, not me. He used to kiss me like I was his oxygen. Now he looks at me like I’m his poison...”
- Securing Avery (SEAL of Protection: Legacy Book 5) by Susan Stoker
- Committed to You: Friends to Lovers/Billionaire Romance (It’s Complicated Book 3) by Maggie Cole
- Hot SEAL, Decoy Bride (SEALs in Paradise) by Delilah Devlin
- Jock Blocked by Pippa Grant <— PIPPA GRANT ALERT!! “…Call it superstition, but when a guy bats as hot as Brooks Elliott, you don’t mess with what’s working. And what’s working is him keeping his pants zipped and doing all of his scoring on the field. So when I hear he’s planning to ditch his V-card now that he’s been traded to baseball’s lovable losers—aka my home team and my reason for living every March through October—I do what any rational, dedicated, obsessed fan would do. I make a plan to stop him...”
- The Sugar Queen (Emerson Pass Book 2) by Tess Thompson
- Diamonds in the Dust: A Diamond Magnate Novel (Diamonds are Forever Trilogy Book 1) by Charmaine Pauls
- Runaway (Cascade Mountain Manhunt Book 1) by Mia London and Susan Sheehey
- Say Yes to the Duke: The Wildes of Lindow Castle by Eloisa James <— HISTORICAL ROMANCE ALERT!! SHE’S SO SHY… “…Miss Viola Astley is so painfully shy that she’s horrified by the mere idea of dancing with a stranger; her upcoming London debut feels like a nightmare. So she’s overjoyed to meet handsome, quiet vicar with no interest in polite society — but just when she catches his attention, her reputation is compromised by a duke. Devin Lucas Augustus Elstan, Duke of Wynter, will stop at nothing to marry Viola, including marrying a woman whom he believes to be in love with another man…”
- Rogue Angel (The Rourkes, Book 10) by Kylie Gilmore
- Renegade (Cascade Mountain Manhunt Book 2) by Mia London and Susan Sheehey
- Slow Pitch by Amy Lane <— M/M ROMANCE ALERT!! “…life throws him a curveball when cocky Ross McTierney sets his sights on getting under Tenner’s skin. One explosion of lust later, Tenner wonders what possessed him to have a quickie with Ross, and Ross wonders how to do it again. Tenner has eight weeks to convince his tiny modern family that Ross is what’s best for him. Ross has eight weeks to get used to the idea that complicated doesn’t always mean bad...”
- The Beast of Boston by JL Mac
- The Somerset Girls: A Novel by Lori Foster
- Dancing with Daddy: A Single Father Romance by Susan Hawke
- Crowned by Fate (Crowned Duet Book 2) Amo Jones – DUET CONCLUSION!! “…I wanted a husband, but he gave me a monster. So, I made it my pet…”
PREORDERS (going live soon!!! 😀 )
- Long Road Home (The Barker Triplets Book 5) by Juliana Stone – May 20th 2020
- Bound By The Past (Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles Book 7) by Cora Reilly – May 20th 2020
- Take a Chance on Me by Kathryn R. Biel – May 21st 2020
- The Man Next Door: Orchard Heights Book 2 – standalone by Roya Carmen – May 21st 2020
- Her to Protect: The Girl Power Romance Collection by Nicky F. Grant – May 22nd 2020
- My Sinful Temptation by Lauren Blakely – May 22nd 2020
- Fragments of Delores: a suspensful psychological drama from the author of ‘Beautiful Victim’ by Claire C. Riley – May 25th 2019
- Dream Maker (The Dream Series Book 1) by Kristen Ashley – May 26th 2019
- You Belong With Me (With Me In Seattle Book 14) by Kristen Proby – May 26th 2019
- Hideaway: A Novel by Nora Roberts – May 26th 2019
- The Friendship List by Susan Mallery – May 26th 2019
- The Return (Second Chance Flower Shop Book 1) by Noelle Adams – May 26th 2019
- Last Girl Standing by Lisa Jackson – May 26th 2019
- The Gilded Ones (Deathless Book 1) by Namina Forna – May 26th 2019
- Broken (Deep Ops Book 3) by Rebecca Zanetti – May 26th 2020
- Always a Bridesmaid (Getting Hitched in Dixie Book 2) by Cindi Madsen – May 26th 2020
- Queen Move by Kennedy Ryan – May 26th 2020
- My Girl: A Psychological Thriller by S. Cole – May 26th 2020
- Inside Affair (Prime Time Series Book 1) by Ella Frank – May 27th 2020
- Saving 6: Boys of Tommen #3 by Chloe Walsh – May 29th 2020
➔➔➔ Get Maryse’s Book Blog updates delivered by email (you’ll get one daily email that will have each post from that day consolidated on it).
Hi everyone! Whatcha’all reading? Or doin’?
I’m torn between watching Outlander and reading One Last Verse so I’m trying to do both!
LOL!! I’m almost done One Last Verse. I’m enjoying it, he’s just driving me crazy with his bone-headed moves. LOL!!!
Yep… I’d almost say we have another Travis in our midst with this one. Just in famous rock star form.
He’s so sweet and so obnoxious and such a train wreck, and SO obsessed with her. And it’s just so back-and-forth angsty and exhausting and I kind of love it. LOL!!
I finished it this morning. Gah! I loved it so much. Frankie was a mess but I totally get it. I think Cassy handled him perfectly. And Dante. OMG. What an arc.
I’m about to start watching Sweet Magnolias on Netflix. I saw an add that said fans of Gilmore Girls (sold!) and When Calls the Heart or something. And I haven’t watched anything in a few days.
I did some laundry today, dishes, took my daughter to her orthodontist appointment and I cooked something new (not leftovers!). I played hide and seek with my puppy, he bit my butt. It rained, rained, rained today. Same as yesterday. Tomorrow one of my fave coffee shops opens for curbside. They have 2 new lattes- candied orange mocha and salted toffee. It’s the little things that give me joy throughout the day. And! My hubs has a whole week off next week! I’m telling you, we’ve not seen this much of this man in my entire relationship (13 years). So, I’m thinking we’ll tour some trails farther away that week. And I dk what else. Sucks we can’t really vacation anywhere. Scramble planning is what I do.
What about you? Whatcha reading/watching/doing?
I am hard-core studying organic seed planting since that’s all I can get right now. Seeds.
And since I get Mischief Veggie boxes every week, I just realized I’ve been throwing away organic seeds that I could be drying and keeping for gardening. So basically… seeds right now, is my latest obsession.
I also have three itchy spots from where those nasty ticks must have dug into me.
I didn’t find them… I thought I found them all. Luckily none of the itches are swollen or weird or swollen or bad-looking. Minor inconveniences but OMG HOW GROSS!!
TICKS!
Omg, I just couldn’t stand that! I dk if I could even bear to get them off of myself. You should see me with a splinter. 😂
I’m up a bit late. Binge reading the Mercy Thomson series (on Books #5)…it had been on my TBR list for 3 yrs… It’s a bit slow at beginning, some interesting scenes…it’s good but not great.
Also doing some group reads. One of the books is Only The Lonely (A Death Gate Grim Reapers Thriller #1) About a young woman who is a death gate operator on Belle Isle near Detroit (near where I grew up but I was on Canadian side). Cover is the most gruesome thing I’ve ever seen. *shivers*
Highlight today was spending FaceTiming & reading stories to my grandson “What’s Wrong Little Pookie” Love that little book.
G’night
Only the Lonely sounds interesting. I’ll have to check it out.
I LOVE your highlight. I am so thankful for FaceTime. Years of my adult life I’ve spent not living near my mom, and in the last 5 years, have been connected on FaceTime with her every single day.
SO grateful for that.
Maryse,
Wow, so wonderful that you can see your mom so regularly…very very special!
For me, facetime & zoom have brought so much joy – some of which I didn’t even know was possible before isolation.
One of them was a recent 10-frame zoom session with all siblings & parters, my kids, nieces & nephews, 2 new babies…from 5 cities across country. I’m blown away. It was like we were at a wedding (except no dancing).
I’m listening to Hidden Bodies and LOVING it SO much! The narrator, Santino Fontana (he also narrates the new Hunger Games book), is just primo! And I love how disturbingly funny it is!
I LOVED that book even more than You!!!!
I’m at 60% and it’s just fabulous!
Trying to get back on a normal sleep routine.
And failing.
I’ve been doing ok with my 8pm bedtime (read till 10), get up at 5:30, but I have to take Benadryl to fall asleep until my body gets used to it. And stop watching Outlander.
Cutting down to one pill tonight and hopefully none next week.
That is not a bad idea. I do not like the idea of taking anything specifically sleep related, but some things do make me sleepy. I think I have some cough syrup, lol.
My doctor suggested Benadryl because it isn’t habit forming and as long as I take it early enough, it wears off before morning. I take it at 8 and am usually asleep by 10.
I’ve started drinking a magnesium powder turned into a soothing tea (I needed extra magnesium due to Keto and this was recommended) and this one you can get in raspberry lemon flavor or unflavored. The additional wonderful thing about it, is it helps relax and helps you fall asleep.
I *think* it’s working. 🙂 3 days in a row I’ve taken it, and slept very well.
Day (or should I say night 4) – perfect sleep again. 🙂
I didn’t take anything last night because I was naturally tired but forgot to mute my phone and a text came in at 11. Took me forever to go back to sleep!
I slept last night! Whoot!
YAY!!! Me too.
Good sleep is the best thing ever!
Just Finished J T Geisinger Beautifully Cruel. Slow, Slowly and then K’CHING! Liam Black GAH! 5 stars from me.
YAY!!!!! She’s a new favorite author!!!
PS just downloaded Southern Storm by Natasha Madison. That sounds ANGSTY!
RIGHT??? HOLY MOLY… what an insult to her! I’m dying to know more!!
Rae,
Loved Beautifully Cruel! So scrumptious.
Thanks for the rec about Southern Storm by Natasha Madison…on my TBR list.
I’m reading a hockey romance called Penalty Box by Odette Stone. Fake marriage trope with a hot Russian who plays for a Canadian team. Quite good so far. Then I think my next read will be the new Dartmoor book by Lauren Gilley, Lone Star.
Lately I’ve also been reading a romance/suspense series by Suzanne Brockmann, Troubleshooters. The books are a few years old, but those navy SEALS are hot, hot, hot. I’m slowly working my way through the series.
I read all of Suzanne Brockmann’s TROUBLESHOOTER series. That was before I discovered Maryse. I loved her books and all her seals are “hunks of burning love”. My favorite was Sam. I couldn’t wait until another one was published. And then she just kind of quit writing that genre. Haven’t checked on her lately. It is best if you read them in order. Enjoy! I wish that I could rediscover them again!
Oh you guys have me excited!! I’m going to create a reading order guide for it along with your recommendations. 😀
I fell asleep early 2 nights in a row and have yet to finish a single episode! Let alone time to read anything. No naps really this week either.☹️ Today will be the day.
I was thinking today though, ya know what would be fun? A quiz! Specifically a book boyfriend quiz. Like a would you rather type thing (nothing dirty). Or a character quiz in general. I’m down for either. Anyone wanna make it? 😂☺️
I want to watch Normal People ’cause everyone is so in love with it but supposedly it will tear my heart out. YIKES!! DO I DARE???????
It will?!? I watched the 1st episode and loved it, but it had a naughty scene starting so I had to turn it off. 😂 Can’t watch it during the day here. The tension and chemistry were so good!
LOL!! I love you quiz idea.
bev… ohhhhhh bev!!!! You’re the awesome quiz creator. Any ideas what we could play?
I’m thinkin like Travis vs Kellan, Reyes Farrow vs Bones from the Nighthuntress series, etc.etc.
Travis.
Bones.
Okay more questions. 😀
Yes! More questions, because neither on #1 and I don’t know #2! Maryse, you can have my Travis. 😂
*gasp* No Travis or Kellan?!? I may go with Kellan. I was hardcore Travis for a long time, but I think Kellan.
And Reyes.
Also, I can’t think of anymore cuz I don’t read as much anymore. 😂 It’s been so long and I would have to scour my Nook and early kindle reads.
I think bev and I are probably in agreement on Kellan and I just couldn’t get behind Travis. I don’t remember why because I read it so long ago.
🤣🤣
I was good and refrained from my usual Kellan rant.
I’m so proud!
Thing is… as much as I LOVED Travis (and still do) as my favorite book boyfriend, there is no way in real life I could ever handle that kind of tumultuous relationship, and emotional range.
I love being head-over-heels in love, but in a healthy, supportive… PEACEFUL way. Happiness with the occasional normal blip (because after all – we are our own people – even in a couple).
I could not deal with all sorts of jealousy and conditions and fits, and worries.
GAH. I could not handle a “Travis” now in my life.
That’s how I am with single dad romances. They are my absolute fave, but single dad in real life? Whoa. I don’t know about that.
I didnt read the Bones series beyond the first.
I’ll say Travis, but……boy. I loved him at the time but now I do not have the energy for that many big emotions, lol.
Ooh I cant remember their names or the titles, LOL.
But the island boys.
The one from On the Island or from Shay Savages one?
I never read those, but I know they were super popular.
Shay’s is Sebastian. He’s a big no for me, but On the Island?? Heck yes. Though I can’t remember his name. Love that the name I can’t remember is the yes!
Mony’s quick picks…BBFs 🙂
Paranormal/fantasy – Trent in The Hollows series / Curran in Kate Daniels series
Contemporary romance – Jack in Smooth Talking Stranger/ Luke in Rock Chick Revenge
Historical romance – Alec in The Bride
Sports – Travis in Beautiful Disaster / Reese in Teardrop Shot
Boss – Chase in Bossman
(I reserve the right to change my mind whenever I feel like it.)
Hey, where do authors get all these names?
I’m going to GR to look up Teardrop Shot.
Ooooo boss…let me think on that.
This is good. It’s hard to think of books that most everyone has read, so this might be better. I shall look at this more when I put the demons to rest.
Of course, my list would have been different if I’d listed favourite dark broody guys like Barrons in PRN/UF…
Can’t tell which kind I like better…🙂
Oh, man. I remember when we all went crazy over Barrons.
But then the series got to a point where it just didn’t work for me and I dropped it.
But I remember how much we all wanted to hang out at Barron’s Books and Baubels.
bev those are my thoughts exactly.
Paranormal/fantasy – Edward because that’s the only P/F I can think of offhand that I love!
Contemporary romance – Darian was built to spec but if I can’t pick my own… 😂 Silas from Someday, Someday.
Historical romance – I got nothing here!
Sports – Ryan Wesley from HIM #swoon
Boss – Does Ash from American Queen count?
That’s so cool about your Darian. It’s the truth. Writer’s write what they love… WHO they love, so that makes the most sense that he’d be your first choice!!
I just want to fix him! 😭😭😭😂
Ooh, bbfs. I’ve got a few 🙂
Paranormal: Charles in the Alpha and Omega series (Patricia Briggs). Hawke in Kiss of Snow (Nalini Singh)
Contemporary: Hardy Cates in Blue-Eyed Devil (Lisa Kleypas). Ha ha. Same series as mony, different book. I liked Jack too though, mony. Candyman in Tastes Like Candy by Lauren Gilley. Chris Scaife in the Commitment series (Nia Forrester). And of course Will from Beautiful Player (Christina Lauren).
Historical romance: Luke from Heartless by Mary Balogh. Wulfric from Slightly Dangerous, same author. Sebastian in Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas. And his son Gabriel in Devil in Spring. Is that weird? LOL. Rhys Winterborne in Marrying Winterborne. Devon Ravenel in Cold-Hearted Rake, Someone stop me now…….
Sports: Mark Bressler from Nothing But Trouble by Rachel Gibson. I’m sure there are more I can’t recall at the moment.
This was harder than I thought. I backtracked through so much and changed my mind from what I’m sure I would’ve answered 5+ years ago. Also, I’ve not swooned enough in recent years.
Paranormal/fantasy – Dex Foray (Experiment in Terror series)
Contemporary romance – Dan Smith (A is for Alpha Male)
Historical romance – John Lowry (Carry the Wind)
Sports – Reiner Kulti (Kulti)
Boss – Solomon (Lexi Graves series)
Bully- Mason (Tijan’s Fallen Crest series)
I think I got old and boring. I was thinking of Rowan from Throne of Glass series or Jared from Jamie McGuires Providence series. Maybe for contemporary Andrew from The Edge of Never.
Boss was hard too, cuz I’m the boss. 😂
MY FAVORITE BOOK BOYFRIENDS:
Paranormal/fantasy – Zsadist from BDB or Eric Northman (True Blood)
Contemporary romance – Hawk from “Mystery Man”
Historical romance – Jamie from Outlander
Sports – Travis forever!!
Bully – Barrons (The Fever series – he was the ultimate bully and holy moly did I crush in his moment of emotional loving weakness).
I took off Boss and went for:
Nerdy crush – The main character (Mark Watney) in AND the author (Andy Weir) of “The Martian” (holy moly – not romance but I crushed SO hard on both of them through that whole book). So clever, hilarious and excitingly scary!! LOL!!
Did you mean Carry the World? I LOVED that one!
I was also going to say Barrons, Maryse. He’s just IT for me! I also love Reyes, Zsadist, and Bones, however.
Tasha–I also feel old and boring…
Huh, I wrote that completely wrong. Is there romance in Carry the World? I need to read it! I meant Amy Harmon’s latest, Where the Lost Wander.
Ahhhhhh okay totally makes sense. I really need to read that one. It’s sounds AMAZING!!!
And yes there is romance in Carry the World. Wonderful story too. 🙂
I’m reading Sweet Dandelion (angsty, forbidden love story between a student and a school counselor) and listening to Dread Nation (an African-American girl who is in combat school training to kill zombies and who wants to better her life). Two very different, but satisfying books.
YAY!!! I’m going to add your book finds to tomorrow’s Friday Finds list. 🙂
Cool! Thanks!
Just about to run errands. Does anyone else feel like they are becoming more lax when you go out?
Always. I’m mindful about other people’s space though. And I don’t really go in and out out grocery stores or anything a lot, they stress me out. Small town shops to grab something or whatever.
Absolutely, bev. I can say I’ve only been out like 4 times total since this all started. My husband does the shopping and most of the errand running. When I am out, I am very careful to give others a wide berth and do my best not to touch things unnecessarily, but I don’t feel quite as vigilant – and I don’t think that’s probably a good thing. We are all quite tired of it all, and I think people naturally can’t continuously keep up the level of awareness that we definitely still need. It’s too much hypervigilance or an overload on the psyche. I’ve also found I’ve settled into my work at home “routine” if you want to call it that, and it’s going to be tough becoming disciplined again. I used to be the person who was at work at 6:30 in the morning when I don’t start until 8 – and now I’m rolling out of bed and logging on to my computer at 7:45, and I’m comfortable with it, LOL
I too, am very careful, and I’m in and out as fast as I can. I have a short list (since most of what I need is delivered), I try not to need a cart so I can move quickly, and I try to figure out the arrows.
Though sometimes there’s nobody in the aisle I want to go into, and yet I have to walk down an aisle full of people to go to the aisle I want… in the correct direction.
LOL 😂
I think I go out in public (other than me coming to work) once a week TOPS. Probably more like once every 2 weeks.
I’m around once a week too.
The aisle arrows are nuts. My brain likes simple patterns. Up one down the other and repeat.
I agree with you, Leslie… it’s a LOT of work to be out in public right now. The stress of catching things, the stress of touching things, disinfecting, did I touch that after I disinfected or before?
Did I just commit a faux pas? Did I get too close. Oooops, I almost went “in” the “out” and so on.
It’s probably why I just avoid going shopping altogether and make do for as long as I can with what I have. Last time I went and bought SO much cheese so I didn’t have that issue again for awhile.
Yes. When this first started and I went out, though we weren’t wearing masks then I was so hyper vigilant.
“Morning, Art.” I saluted him with my coffee as I walked through the glass front door.
He returned the gesture with his own mug. “Hiya, girlie. How are you today?”
Gypsy King (Tin Gypsy, #1) by Denver Perry
(FPL)