10:04am UPDATE!! HAPPY 2022 EVERYONE!!!! π I am going to make this new year my very best, yet!!! I’m working on the list this morning as we speak, so keep checking back over the next 2 hours as I add more. π THE LIST IS READY!!! π
THREE THINGS:
1.) I watched a ton of horror and thrillers this weekend. I just indulged like crazy for once in all the movies I wanted to watch.
- I watched “The Departed“ (OMG SO GOOD, loaded in amazing movie stars, and intense & crazy. Amazing thriller. How had I never seen that one before?). Two young guys in the police department, and… the Irish mafia. π I’ll leave it at that.
- Paranormal Activity – The Ghost Dimension (Paranormal Activity series is one of my favorites. Always pretty darn scary, and they make me jump and the demonic/haunting stuff is always on point for me. In this one, they find an old video camera that can actually SEE and capture energy or ghostly activities). OH BOY!! Not the scariest of my horror movies, but I was thoroughly entertained.
- The Forever Purge (I always enjoy “The Purge” series too) so this one was pretty good (definitely entertaining) , and always a very interesting look on the breakdown of society and government when poop hits the fan, and decides to take over and no longer pay attention to the rules. Actually I loved this one, due to the initial tension between two groups of people, and then how they come together as one. LOVED.
- Iron Man 3 (and again, I LOVE Iron Man the most out of all the superheroes – and of Robert Downey Jr. being Iron Man doesn’t hurt at all). π I feel like it was kind of a prequel, but I loved how it all came together. Witty dialogue, sometimes hilarious, but always intense with AMAZING visual effects. MUST SEE!
- Old by M. Night ShayamalanΒ which I was DYING to see since I saw the trailer online months ago. I was thrilled to see I could rent it ’cause M. Night Shayamalan is always one of my absolute favorites when it comes to his brand of storytelling and horror. ALWAYS so unique, and even his “stinkers” I have found enjoyable at least for the originality of the terrifying issue at hand. This one, a group of vacationers end up on a beach, and that beach has certain… powers that affect the beach-goers in various ways (like aging for some…). Crazy movie with an incredible twist in the end. It all comes full circle and was SO good! Well, to me, anyway. π
- Dangerous – a thriller with some incredible stars!! Much better and more thrilling than the synopsis would lead you to believe. Scott Eastwood is a sociopath (and obviously on the spectrum), just got out of prison (and is on parole) but HE’S the Hero in this one. There are bad guys though… oh boy are there.
- Oldboy <— THE AMERICAN VERSION! More of a psych-thriller (but quite horrific at times, in its own right). I watched the Korean version sooooo many years ago and the twist had me GASPING!!! I LOVED IT (I love a lot of asian horror and thrillers) so I already knew what I was getting into with this one, and was so curious if they were going to end it exactly the same way. Kind of like… two or 3 twists with the last one being the craziest. They were pretty true to the entire original movie, and it was just as exciting and nerve-racking, and yes, it ended pretty much exactly the same way except for one minor/major reveal or… epilogue if you will. π
2.) I was told I watch some pretty f*cked up s*ht. LOL!!!! Then I was asked, what other f*cked up s*it was on my watchlist. So I pulled up the watchlist. Which proved that I watch some pretty f*cked up s*ht. π π
3.) I ate Carpaccio di Manzo Margherita this weekend (paper thin sliced of raw tenderloin topped with chopped tomatoes, capers, parmesan cheese, black olives, arugula and olive oil). OMG I LOVED IT!!! I love raw food and raw meats (of course within reason. π ) so this was heaven to me!! And healthy and fully NO carb in this instance. And I DIDN’T eat the wonderful bread on the table. π I was good.
And then I was bad, because I also ate pizza this weekend. Fully meats, and jalapeΓ±o poppers too. *sigh* Luckily it was thin crust pizza but still, high calorie and too many carbs. BUT it was delicious!!!
P.S. Donβt forget to checkout the next list in our βBest Of 2021β lists!!
- Reader Favorites β Rochelleβs Best of 2021 List
- Reader Favorites β R. Reneeβs Best of 2021 List
Alice: I absolutely loved Jewelβs Naked and Lost Fisherman duet. It would definitely be on my favorites list of 2021. A few of Rochelleβs favorites are already on my TBR list. I love these lists, please keep them coming.
LOOK WHAT JUST WENT LIVEΒ
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Super Hot Wingman: A prequel novella to The Best Men by Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely <— SOCCER STAR ALERT!! “...Promises I make to myselfβ¦ 1. I won’t stare at my sister’s fiance’s super hot best friend, even when he takes his shirt off at a dinner party. 2. I won’t look him up online and check out photos from his professional soccer career. 3. And I definitely won’t fantasize about him late at night. Oops. Broke all three. But in my defense, his abs and that arrogant smile are my catnip. Plus it’s been a while. But no matter how sexy Asher St James is, I will never let on that he’s at the top of a long list of things I want to do. And I keep that last promise. Well, mostly⦔
- Pocket8s: A psychothriller about choice, chance, timing β euthanasia β andβ¦luck. by Amy Sewell
- Doctor Mistake: A Best Friend’s Older Brother Romance (Boston’s Billionaire Bachelors Book 2) by J. Saman
The Protector (Four Forces Security) by Alexis Winter <— BODYGUARD HAS TO MARRY THE HEIRESS… “…She and I got off on the wrong foot the first time we met, and the day afterβ¦we both woke up on the wrong side of the bedβher bed. But now that sheβs my client, those days are behind us. IΒ thought babysitting the princess was going to be the hardest part of this job, until her father is taken hostage leaving her to take control of the company and my security firm to negotiate with the kidnappers. Thereβs one problemβin order to gain control of the board and the finances, she has to be married…”
- The Nut Low: A Small Town Romance (A Good Run Of Bad Luck Book 6) by Giulia Lagomarsino
- Dad Bod Rockstar: Dad Bod Series – Men Built for Comfort by Melissa Schroeder
- Once Upon a Mermaid: Four Mermaid Tales by Demelza Carlton
- Ebony’s Legacy Year Three (Legacy Academy Book 7) by M Guida
Safety in Numbers by Sophie Penhaligon <— THE MATHEMATICIAN & THE BILLIONAIRE SCIENTIST!! “...When a tragic accident leaves mathematician Seraphina Ellis broken and despairing, she is convinced that she will live out the remainder of her life in lonely solitude. Determined to conceal her disability from her co-workers, she hides away in her desolate cubicle, crossing off the days of her life, unfulfilled and defeated…”
- Walk Faster: Territory Walk Book 2 by Kelsey Soliz
- Heir for the Bratva King : A Russian Mafia Romance (Deadly Empire, Duet Book 1) by Aria Ray
- Find You Again: A Forced Proximity Second Chance Country Romance (Nashville Star Series Book 2) by Ava Hunter
The One by Yancey Braxton <— SHE HAS TO THROW THE HOTTIE IN JAIL!! “…Kaiya OβNeal, the former chief of staff to the mayor of New York City, canβt get out of town fast enough. After her public breakup and humiliation are broadcasted on TMZ, she heads home to Sweetland Bay to hide. Ahem, regroup. Needing to get her career back on track, she accepts the countyβs judge position, which is in line with her plans to make a bid for the White House in the next five years. All is going well until a sexy firefighter disrupts her courtroom and sheβs forced to throw the hottie in jail...”
- Falling for My Ex (Falling, #1): Second Chance Romance by Theresa Paolo
- Wicked Princess (The O’Dea Crime Family Book 3) by Elizabeth Knox and Emily Sharp
- Trapped with the Ice Station Chief (Trapped with Him Book 5) by Julie Rowe
Beef Steak by Tracy Gilmore <— HE KEEPS GOING TO HER SANDWICH SHOP!! “...Food truck robberies, break-ins, and employees taking advantage of her generosityΒ have overwhelmed her, until a tall handsome stranger enters. Phil loves his steak and cheese subs from Whyne and Cheese. He makes a special trip everyday to get his fix. When he walks in on distressed Ebony, the fire in him ignites and he defends her bravely…”
- Her Romeo, His Girl: Vitali Italian Mafia Trilogy by Amanda Miakisz
- Vacations Like This: A Romantic Comedy (A Love Like This Book 4) by Carina Taylor
- Brassy Bigwig: A Hero Club Novel by Murphy Wallace <— ONE NIGHT STAND & THEN SHE REALIZES HE’S HER NEW UNAPPROACHABLE BOSS!!! “…I left his bed, resigned to the fact that Iβll never see him again. I didnβt count on my dreams haunting meβ¦ consuming me. Causing me the kind of agony only his touch could alleviate. And I sure as hell didnβt expect my carnal, salacious one-night-stand to be my new, pompous, unapproachable boss…”
A Heart’s Connection: Loving a Black Mafia Executioner (Black Mayhem Mafia Saga Book 7) by B. Love <— MAFIA LEADER WANTS HER… “…sheβs not just running the streetsβ¦ sheβs ruling themβ¦ as one of the greatest smugglers the west coast has ever seen. She has the money, power, and respect, and Naima admittedly has no room for love. The moment she begins to think her life is perfect and canβt get any better, things get worse.Β Having taken over her exβs business, Naima expects him to want it back when he gets out of prison. Sheβs willing to give it up freely, except it isnβt that easy. He doesnβt just want his throneβhe wants the Queen that has been sitting there too. A trip back home doesnβt provide just the safety of her brother, Naeem, but the entire Black Mayhem Mafia…”
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PREORDERS (going live soon!!! π )




The Girl in the Mist: A Misted Pines Novel by Kristen Ashley β January 4th 2022
A Grave Girlsβ Getaway by Jeaniene Frost β January 4th 2022
- Love at First Spite: A Novel by Anna E. Collins β January 4th 2022
- Sins & Salvation (Rapture & Ruin Book 3) by Julia Sykes β January 4th 2022
- On the Sweet Side (The Wish Series Book 3) by Audrey Carlan
- Invisible: A Novel by Danielle Steel β January 4th 2022
- Ashes (Men of Inked: Heatwave Book 9) by Chelle Bliss β January 4th 2022
- Shielding Sierra (Delta Team Two Book 8) by Susan Stoker β January 4th 2022
- Only One Mistake (Only One Series Book 6) by Natasha Madison β January 4th 2022
- Murder Most Fancy by Kellie McCourt β January 5th 2022
Two Doors Down by Elle Spellman β January 6th 2022
- Her First Taste of Fire (Shadowvale Book 5) by Kristen Painter β January 7th 2022
- Juniper Hill (The Edens) by Devney Perry β January 11th 2022
- Hearts on Ice (The Hopefuls) by MJ Fredrick β January 11th 2022
- Put Me in Detention by Meghan Quinn β January 11th 2022
- Wright Rival by K.A. Linde β January 11th 2022
- Twilight at Moorington Cross by Abigail Wilson β January 11th 2022
- Dragon Unbound: A Dragon Kings Novella by Donna Grant β January 11th 2022
Baden: A Pittsburgh Titans Novel by Sawyer Bennett β January 11th 2022
- The Siren of Sussex (Belles of London Book 1) by Mimi Matthews β January 11th 2022
- On The Honey Side by Staci Hart β January 11th 2022
- Triple Threat by K Webster β January 11th 2022
- Shopping for a Highlander by Julia Kent β January 11th 2022
- Dating the Duke (The Aristocrat Diaries Book 2) by Emma Hart β January 11th 2022
- The Family You Make: A Novel (The Sunrise Cove Series Book 1) by Jill Shalvis β January 11th 2022
- Best Kept Secret (Rochester Trilogy Book 3) by Skye Warren β January 11th 2022
Beautiful Nightmare by Giana Darling β January 13th 2022
- Mystic Veil: A Paranormal Womenβs Fiction Novel: (Poppyβs Potions) (Haven Hollow Book 11) by J.R. Rain and H.P. Mallory β January 15th 2022
- Endgame Romance (Lost Daughter of a Serial Killer Book 3) by C.M. Stunich β January 16th 2022
βββ Β Looking for more book releases? Check out the upcoming new releases here or check out the latest new releases here.
βββΒ Β Get Maryseβs Book Blog updates delivered by email (youβll get one daily email that will have each post from that day consolidated on it). AND/OR you can also subscribe toΒ my newsletter. πΒ It goes out once or twice a week and features my βBest Ofβ¦β
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Good Morning!
1. Today is my “first day of the year” to eat healthy after the holidays and my fridge is full of New Years Day leftovers like homemade apple crisp, cream cheese mashed potatoes, and buttermilk cornbread! π
2. It was ridiculously hot on Saturday and now it’s 20 degrees. Texas can’t make up its mind!
3. I think I’m going to do stew tonight and use a turnip instead of potatoes. I’ve never cooked with one before so we’ll see!
Ohhhh that stew will be delicious even with the turnip!
I too am now full on healthy eating again (I let myself indulge over the entire Holiday), and now I have MyFitnessPal activated and I’m counting calories and carbs.
Back on track…
I remember the good ole days when I could just count carbs! That doesn’t work so much anymore!
Agreed for me also. I really need to watch the calories too. And mostly.
Those are a lot of movies and I am absolutely here for itπI loved the Departed tooπ
Wasn’t it CRAZY?? I mean… wow. And that ending… I did NOT see that coming. LOL!!
1. Thought I could recover from having fam home for Christmas. Nope. Left Jan.1 to take care of grandson…omicron, omicron, omicron πΆ…I’m singing it to a tune π Day care centres are virtually closed. Here for a month. Husband joining me soon. *sigh*
2. Eating amazing & healthy food made by my daughter in her new air fryer. Tonight, garlic green beans, maple dijon chicken, garlic sweet potato chunks. Oh and hard “boiled” eggs. All perfectly cooked.
3. My 21 month old grandson is the sh*t… LOL, new vocal & perpetual smiles & laughter. Though I don’t think that will be my focus after my month here. ππ€ππ₯΄
Sending by Best Books in 2022 soon!
Wait what??????
Hard boiled eggs in the air fryer??? OMG. I never even thought about that. DO TELL!!!!
And yay that you’re still with family. How sweet. My sister will be here in a week or 2. YAY ME!!
She’s the magician LOL No idea how she does it but they were the best!
Air fryer eggs are the best! I don’t do them often but I think it’s something like 300 for 12 minutes or so. There are several “recipes” online.
P.S. Can’t wait to see your list! π
π
1. I just recovered from a really rough bout of sickness. Over my birthday and Christmas. And not just me, but hubs and daughter too. All of the caretakers down and out and bouncing bunnies with no patience for it didnβt help. J had it first and we all got it like π. Like 8 days of misery.
2. Towards the last few days, I mustered the ability to watch something while I was down and settled for a rewatch of Vampire Diaries. Itβs been years and I never did finish the series, but I couldnβt help it and canβt stop now. π
3. I have like 20 pages left in A History of Wild Places and have really loved this book. The writing style, ugh, Iβm a sucker for lyrical writing and itβs so atmospheric and really pulls you in. The synopsis really drew me to it and it didnβt disappoint! I also love the cover. Lol.
Sorry to hear you were sick Tasha. Lots of bad flu going around. Hope all of you get better soon!
I know, seeing it everywhere. π₯΄ We are all better now though. Just a total bummer of a school break and holiday season. Thank you! I hope you enjoy your grand baby and family time. βΊοΈ
Glad you’re feeling better Tasha!
So many people that I know are sick right now (either Covid or stomach flus that last for days). I hope I don’t catch anything. I hate being sick!!
I’m glad you’re finally feeling better. *safe hug*
Right? Itβs everywhere. We did quarantine though all tests were clear, I wasnβt entirely convinced.