SATURDAY BREAKING NEWS UPDATE!! A few more new releases & super-bargains that look DARN good!!
Temptation by Brie Paisley <— SOUNDS INTENSE! “…one bad mistake at a party, changed my life in so many ways. Gone was my mapped out future. Gone was the perfect image of the girl I was. Then he came. Viktor Matvei found me. He saved me. And then he offered me one of the biggest temptations of all. The chance to become someone else..”- Loving My Neighbor by C.M. Steele <— JUST RELEASED and ummm… the title. 😉 Tee hee!! “… she knocks on the rumored curmudgeon’s door. Knock. Knock. Expecting to be snarled at, she was surprised to see a beast of different kind…”
- Wreckage by Emily Bleeker <— SUPER-SALE ON A DESERTED ISLAND READ!!! This one was recommended for my latest list and it’s bargain priced right now. I totally one clicked this one! “Missing for almost two years, the castaways are thrust into the spotlight after their rescue, becoming media darlings overnight. But they can’t tell the real story—so they lie…”
- Unravel: A Novel by Calia Reed <— PSYCH-THRILLER ALERT!!! And super-bargain priced and loved by SO many here! Amy LOVED it! “I LOVED Unravel!! Perfect mindf&@k but it *will not* leave you frustrated. I just know you would love it!”
Now… back to our regularly scheduled Friday Finds post! 😀
Since last week’s absolute 5-star reader recommendations (or just plain ol’ FAVORITES from this year) was such a hit, I thought I’d continue the theme, this week too. The INCREDIBLE amount of comments and recommendations that came our way after, were too good to not highlight. After all, we need to celebrate the end of the year with tried-and-true “super-reads”!
Have some absolute 5-star favorites you want us to know about (of all time, or even just this year’s favs)? Leave it in the comments. 😀
What am I reading?? Written In Red: A Novel of the Others by Anne Bishop <— Oh I spilled the beans a couple of days ago, but it’s one of the books that has been MOST OFTEN recommended by a few of my reading crew, and it is SO good. I should be done today (and will be getting right back to it as soon as I finish this list) and then I’ll review it. I’m SO into it! 😀 I absolutely LOVE the crows, I love Simon’s furious grumpy-growliness and his irritation with her stinky hair. LOL!!!! I am intrigued by every single character…
Young: Maryse!!! I’m so tickled that you are reading WiR. WiR is SO GOOD!
MichelleS: Maryse is reading WiR? Hot damn.
Jean: Yay, we don’t have to hear bev beg Maryse to read WiR anymore! Lol!
Ela: Maryse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are we BR’ing WiR??????? *twirls and throws mixed nuts in the air*
Lisa: Great rec! WiR was just what I needed. Read til 4am then picked it straight back up at breakfast.
Oh AND!!! We’ve still got some online shopping time available before Christmas!
➜ Amazon says that there is still time left to order for Christmas. Here’s their Amazon Prime shipping breakdown for the next few days!
➜ And if you’re cutting it down to the wire, you can always Email an Amazon Gift Card. I LOVE gift cards, especially to Amazon!! Or you can give the gift of a Prime Membership
➜ OH AND! I’m posting the Kindle Fire, 7″ Display, Wi-Fi, 8 GB release again, ’cause the deal is too great! Wondering if this is the one for you? Check this out: Reader Question… Which Kindle should I buy?
➜ You can also check out all of TODAY’S AMAZON DAILY DEALS
P.S. Let me know if I’m missing any or if you loved any (from this list or elsewhere).
P.P.S. Don’t have a Kindle? No problem! Amazon offers various free Kindle apps and a free Kindle Cloud reader for any and ALL of us to use. You can either use the free Kindle App for your smartphone, tablet, AND your desktop computer (just like you’re using a Kindle, but right through your web browser <— No need to download anything! 
)
JUST RELEASED TODAY! SURPRISE!!!
- Royal Savage by Victoria Ashley <— BAD ASS BIKER & SHE WANTS TO SAVE HIM ALERT! “I shouldn’t have gotten on the back of his motorcycle that day. I know that now. Colton warned me. I was told it was dangerous. I was told that nothing would be the same. He was right…”
- Without a Doubt by <— LOVE TRIANGLE ALERT!! He and the love of his life “take a break” over college… and he meets someone else and “causes her to fall in love while making her second guess everything along the way…”
- Broken Records (Spotlight Series: Book One) by Lilah Suzanne <— M/M ROMANCE! “…when Grady Dawson—sexy country music star and rumored playboy—asks Nico to style him, Nico is reluctant. But after styling a career-changing photo shoot, Nico follows Grady to Nashville where he finds it increasingly difficult to resist Grady’s charms…“
- FireBrew by Liz Crowe <— YOUNG RETIRED FIRE-FIGHTER and she falls hard for him! “…the harder she tries, the more out of reach he gets until his continued presence does nothing but wreak havoc on her carefully constructed world. Fate throws them together. But the horrific memory of a fiery disaster could tear them apart.”
Sweet Soul (Sweet Home Book 5) by Tillie Cole <— JUST RELEASED!! (series reading order)- Once Bitten Twice Shy by Sommer Marsden <— SHE’S MADE HERSELF UNAVAILABLE TO FALLING IN LOVE “Until the day Jack Murphy falls into her life. Literally. The new lawn man takes a tumble into the hole in her front yard — the very hole he’s there to deal with. This man with his big brown eyes, his muscled forearms, and his quick smile shakes up her safe little world from that very first encounter.“
YAY US!!! (NOTE: bargain priced when I added them, but prices can change on Amazon, so make sure to check before you finalize your order).Okay right off the bat, I’m leading us in with one that Allison recommends! I’m highlighting ’em ’cause she gave us a really awesome mini review!!!
“I read a book a LOOOOONG time ago (OK a couple of months) that I absolutely LOVED but didn’t recommend because it ended on a HUGE cliffhanger. FINALLY the second book was just released this week and I read it in 2 days.
The first one is Forget (Changing Colors Book 1) and the second one isBlur (Changing Colors Book 2) and both are written by NA Alcorn.
They tell the story of Brooke, a beautiful woman who grew up with her younger sister in a neglectful home (parents are drug addicts) until her grandmother gets custody of them. She adores her grandmother, who has recently died. She is going on a trip to Paris for one month that her grandmother arranged for her because when her grandmother was young, she fell in love in Paris. There Brooke meets Dylan. Total HOTTIE and musician. He’s funny and kind and they both love music SO much. If you are a music fan you will LOVE this series, because music is integral to the story. Throughout her month in Paris Brooke drops hints at secrets that she is hiding. She even hides her occupation from Dylan (she’s a well known record producer). But as time goes on and she falls deeper in love with him . . . . it’s harder to keep everything under wraps.
When the first book ended . . . . I. Almost. Died.
The second book was just as good. i love this couple so much! Their rapport, their chemistry, they way they communicate through music, the hot sex, it’s all there and more! I cried during BOTH books! …Concluded with book 2.”
- After I Do: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid <— MARITAL TROUBLES ALERT!! Tasha LOVED these so much that she’s in a funk, now! “My last two 5 stars were After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid and The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. And these were weeks ago, and I haven’t been able to get into anything since
Talk about a funk…*sigh*” I 5-starred it too! (my review) - The Language of Flowers: A Novel by Vanessa Diffenbaugh <— LIFE IN FOSTER CARE ALERT! Tasha loved this one, too! “After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen and emancipated from the system with nowhere to go, Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But an unexpected encounter with a mysterious stranger has her questioning what’s been missing in her life.”
- To Love Jason Thorn by Ella Maise <— FAMOUS HERO ALERT!! Deborah recommends this one!! “Just wanted to give you one that I put on my best book ever shelf (which I don’t do often) and that not many people know about is…. To love Jason Thorn by Ella Maise….such a fun ,lol read and a FAMOUS HERO!!!!!!!!!!!” and Ela agrees! “I did read To Love Jason Thorn and it was exactly what I needed and I truly loved it.”
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy <— bev has three to add! “I read 3 books recently that I thought were great. Didn’t want to stop reading til done. Lucky enough to read them back to back. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Act Like It. Dumplin’ They’ll be on my year end list for sure.”- The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah <— AN ABSOLUTE 5-STAR FAVORITE!!! Liz loves one that I loved too! “Favorite book this year, hands down, without any question whatsoever? The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I read it in the Spring, and I still haven’t found anything to match it. It changed me, and I will never forget it.” (my review)
Beautifully Insightful by K.C. LYNN <— LOVE STORY BUT THEY ARE FROM OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE “TRACK” ALERT! Theresa just finished this one! “Just finished Beautiful Insightful. Stayed up until 3- ugggg. Sweet story of kids from to two different social groups with HEA but strong message and sad story of awful crimes in our world that I for one can not even fathom of how people can treat others.”- Broken Juliet (The Starcrossed Series) by Leisa Rayven <— TEAR-JERKER ALERT! Jean loves these!! “Just finished Broken Juliet…..sigh…..loved it more than Bad Romeo (The Starcrossed Series Book 1) but both were great! I cried a lot in the 2nd book….so many feels!”
- Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta <— HEART-HURTY!! Amy loved this one!!! “I finished Jellicoe Road…it was SO good!! The “past” part of the story made my heart hurt so that was a definite plus. “
- Sweet Dreams (Colorado Mountain) by Kristen Ashley <— Lynne loves the same one I love!! “I’m currently rereading Sweet Dreams by Kristen Ashley for the umpteenth time, I tell you, this woman’s talent is limitless. I’ve loved every single book of hers I’ve ever read, I think I’ve read all but about 3!!!!!!!!”
- Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi <— ON SUPER-SALE & MUCH LOVED by so many of our fellow readers! Like the kind of obsessive “I LOVE THIS BOOK” kind of love… Kathryn says: “OMG!!!!!! This author writes BEAUTIFULLY and Warner…SWOON!!!”Leo (Sign of Love)
Leo’s Chance (Sign of Love #2) by Mia Sheridan <— SUPER-AWESOME AUTHOR AND SERIES & EVERY SINGLE BOOK IN THIS SERIES IS ON BARGAIN-SALE ALERT!!! Lauren found us a mega-deal!! Every single book in Mia Sheridan’s series is on supersale!!! And I mean super-bargain! “Every single book of Mia Sheridan’s… Archer’s Voice, Kyland, Leo, Becoming Calder, Grayson’s Vow, Finding Eden, and Leo’s Chance. Excellent reviews on all of them!”- Stinger (Sign of Love, Scorpio) by Mia Sheridan <— and this one!
- Archer’s Voice (Sign of Love, Sagittarius) by Mia Sheridan <— and this one! ONE OF OUR ABSOLUTE ALL-TIME FAVORITES!!!!
- Becoming Calder (Aquarius) by Mia Sheridan <— and this one!!
- Finding Eden by Mia Sheridan <— and this one!
- Kyland by Mia Sheridan <— and this one!
- Grayson’s Vow (Sign of Love) by Mia Sheridan <— and this one!
- The Sordid Promise (A Breaking Insanity Novel Book 1) by Courtney Lane <— DARK READ that is still super-bargain priced!! So many of our fellow readers love it, including Lise (one of my trusty reading buds that seems to have the exact same tastes that I do)! “For your next dark-twisted-mind-f**k read: ‘A Sordid Love’ by Courtney Lane“
The Deal (Off-Campus Book 1) by Elle Lennedy <— 5-STAR FAVORITE SUPER-BARGAIN ALERT!!! Kim reminds us that THIS one is on super-sale right now and it’s in her top 5 for all of 2015. “The Deal by Elle Kennedy is on super sale!” And mine, too!! I 5-starred this one!!! Actually, I mention it in the latest edition of RT magazine “Maryse’s Musings” column I wrote. One of my recent FAVORITE 5-star college contemporary romance books! (my review)- Seduction and Snacks (Chocolate Lovers #1) by Tara Sivec <— HILARIOUS & SUPER-BARGAIN PRICED TODAY!!! One from our early indie-days that we LOVED (most 5-star loved) like crazy. Plain ol’ hilarious and a great story, too boot! (my review)
VERS
- For those going on a road trip soon, or maybe you’ve got some projects that require both hands this weekend but still allows you to “listen”… check out the free audible trial + 2 free ebooks deal —>
- AND! Here’s the fun-tool again! —> Find out which of YOUR Kindle books are available as AUDIOBOOKS AT A BARGAIN-PRICE!<—
PRE-ORDERS (next week’s)
- First Touch: A Novel by Laurelin Paige – December 22nd 2015
Outtakes from the Grave (Night Huntress Book 8) by Jeaniene Frost – December 22nd 2015- Break Even by Lisa De Jong – December 27th 2015
- Hooked by Love (Bellevue Bullies Series Book 3) by Toni Aleo – December 28th 2015
- THE ARRANGEMENT 21 (THE FERRO FAMILY) by H.M. Ward – December 28th 2015
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).
Almost a 5 for me, The Deal by Elle Kennedy is on super sale! My Top 5 for 2015 (so far, there’s still time)
November 9 Colleen Hoover
Paper Hearts Claire Contreras
Him Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen
The Paper Swan Leylah Attar
The Deal Elle Kennedy
Maryse, I am real excited about the 5 star recommendations. Here are mine:
1. Bink Cummings- “The Diary of Bink Cummings MC Chronicles”
Volumes 1-3 ( This author is so close to Kristen Ashley reads, I
really enjoyed this wonderful new writer.
2. Kristen Ashley- Any of her books, are 5 star to me.
3. Alessandra Torre- Hollywood Dirt
4. Penelope Ward- Step Brother Dearest
5. Jamie Begley- Last Riders Series
Hey Maryse,
I just wanted to let you know that Karen Marie Moning is doing autograph pre-orders of Feverborn. The info is on her blog here is the link. https://karenmoning.com/signed-feverborn/?utm_source=KMM+Newsletter&utm_campaign=8e4e9a8329-Dec_newsletter12_15_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_722a2607d6-8e4e9a8329-29446725
Happy Holidays
I know I’m late for first line Thursday… but girls… I’ve finally got one… *giggle*
Professor Easton,
Please bend me over your desk and f*ck me until it hurts.
Sincerely,
Adele Morello
From Tempting by Alex Lucian
*runs back to read the post now*
Grey, *ding, ding, ding* we have a winner!!! Safe to say I’m putting that book on my tbr list!! 😉
To Love Jason Thorn sounds yummy- think it’s my next read.
BUT Grey it says this book is part of a duet!! I know it says does not have a CH but I HATE to read a book when the next one is not out yet!! *pouts*
Oh no Cheryl! You’ve got to be kidding me! I hate CH’s! but I’m already in lust…I mean, in love with this book!
No CH Grey. I’m a little confused, the author says: “Tempting does not have a cliffhanger ending, but it’s the first book in a duet. The Tempting series will have other novels featuring characters with concurrent story lines.”
So 2 books about the H/h in book 1, then more books in the series about other characters??
You’re killing me ladies! You all got me reading The Man that I Love and the sequel and you all dropped it like a hot potato. I thought all 5 starred thise!
HAPPY!!!!
I have read many great books this year but I narrowed down books that came out this year or series that are still going with books that came out this year in the series. In no order.
Becoming Raine – K A Tucker
The Bourbon King – J R Ward
When I was Yours – Samatha Towle
The Fall Up – Aly Martinez
Sweet Rune – Kresley Cole
Rush – Emma Scott
Hollywood Dirt – Alessandra Torre
Series- because I like them all
Hard Wire – Merity Wild
Hard Ink – Laura Kaye
Mckinney Brothers – Claudia Connor
YAY Dena!!! I AM SO getting a copy. OMG how awesome is THAT?!
OMG I love these lists!!! When I make my Top 2015 Favorites list, I’ll make a section just for the readers’ lists!!! 😀
I have 40 5 star reads for 2015 so far. I’m going to have a hard time narrowing it down to list just a few.
Maryse, check out Alessandra Torre FB, looking for bloggers for cover reveal. Follow to Hollywood Dirt but in anthology. Soooo disappointed it isn’t more.
Wow. This is quiet for a Friday post.
I know why I’m quiet… reading. I’m loving it but OMG bev.. you forgot to mention it’s over 500 pages. LOL!
Almost every single book I’ve read in the last month or two has been between 500 and 600 pages!
I’m so curious about Sam…
I wanna snuffle that poor baby’s furry neck.
Oh Theresa I’m so happy to hear that!!!!! 😀
OMG the sweeeeeeet relationship between sweet baby Sam and Meg!!! My heart!!!!!
And I think I have a HUGE crush on Vlad. Oh I miss my vampire-crush days. He’s got some serious charm and doesn’t even realize it..
Hmm. I think I mentioned it wasn’t almost 500 pages, lol.
If you do decide to read more in the series the next two are a bit shorter. And you meet Skippy.
I do think one aspect that keeps me so entertained is how different the Others are. The Crows are crows. Simon is a Wolf.
And what they consider games, lol. Squeaky toy.
And of course grumpy ponies.:-)
And I’d love to read a novella, maybe, of Vlad falling in love.
Thunder… “thundered”. LOL!!! Ornery sugar-cube loving thing!!!
🙂 A novella for Vlad. After Simon and Meg, it will take longer than a novella for him to fall in love.
Somebody read Nancy Gideon’s Moonlight series. It is seriosly dismissed in the reading circles. Max is almost the Callie Hart’s Zeth character.
But it is paranormal. I don’t think you can read any book as a stand alone. It’s hard enough remembering all the details and intertwined characters.
Lol. I would not mind that at all. I was just thinking how she did a novella for one of her Black Jewels characters.
I am reliving WiR vicariously through Maryse. I have all the feelz 🙂
Yay Maryse!!! So glad you are loving it!! I just did a re-read for third time since everyone was talking about it. I love being in the courtyard!!! I’m going to start royal savage next!
Bev look what you started with WiR!! Thank you for recommending it.
Maryse – Walk of Shame by Andrea Smith is LIVE like way early…
Morrison: A Caldwell Brothers Novel by Chelsea Camaron is also LIVE!!!
My 5 star reads for 2015
The Deal – Elle Kennedy
The Air He Breathes – Brittainy C Cherry
Manwhore Series – Katy Evans
Rhythm, Chord and Malykhin by Mariana Zapata
Crazy Beautiful Lies – Kathyrn L James
Just to a few….;0)
Omg… I have news. *2* news-es… Whatever…its early, cut me some slack. First, this Tempting book
… Is hot!
And 2nd… Fallen Crest Christmas by Tijan, a Christmas novella is free on Amazon right now!
Tee hee!!!
The crow gave her a “bug” to apologize for his mess. *snort* 😛
P.S. I want a pen-stealing Jake Crowgard! Not so sure I wanna be pecked, though. LOL!!
It’s really endearing, isn’t it? The book as a whole. There’s mystery, and I’m a bit scared, there appears to be a few sets of bad guys, her own prophesy issue I know is going to get bad one day…
and yet it’s endearing. I really love it!
It is. I think that’s why it can be a bit of a comfort read for me. She really took her time building that world. When I was reading it I felt like I was walking around the courtyard in the snow.
And the “wolf” beds and cookies, lol. Then I remember the butcher shop and mystery meat and that it can be a bit dangerous.
I am just SO INTO this!!!!!
I feel like when I first fell head-over-heels in love with paranormal… Like. I want to LIVE there with them, and be them.
Giving myself a happy hug.
😛
Cole McCade has his books available for free this weekend. If you’ve been curious about A Second Chance at Paris and The Lost, here they are. DOWNLOAD HERE
Sorry, the link didn’t paste. Here it is again
https://www.colemccade.com/Downloads/ColeMcCadeFreeBooksDec2015.zip
Grey you have me so curious about Tempting. Just wish it was complete. *sigh*
Think I’m going to go thru books read this year to try to figure out my 5* list…
Oooh, thanks Fabi, I loved the Lost!
I just finished Pucked Up. Another one off my EoY list. 🙂 It was good. Not as good as Pucked, but still an enjoyable read. It left me with a craving for more NA romance so I’m going to stick with my EoY list and revisit the Gentry boys in Game.
Or you could step into the courtyard, Cheryl. You and Maryse could have a cup of coffee at the diner.:-)
Amy. What I think is going to happen is going to happen isn’t it? And guessing I know by whom.
Fabi, at a quick count around 20 best for me. But I might condense even more if feeling strict. Or add more cause that’s how we seem to roll, lol.
Ok, hard to narrow down my 2015- 5 star reads since read about 225 books (which is sadly down from 300+ books read last year)!!! From what I can remember…
In no particular order:
The Deal/The Mistake- Elle Kennedy
Kulti- Mariana Zapata
The Hook Up/ The Friend Zone- Kristen Callihan
Beat- Vi Keeland
Manwhore Series- Katy Evans
That Baby- Jillian Dodd
Heart Shaped Hack- Tracey Garvis Graves
Hollywood Dirt/ Tight- Alessandra Torre
Badger- CM McKenna
The Mason List- SD Hendrickson
Cruel & Beautiful- Terri E. Laine
Brooklyn & Beale- Olivia Evans
Bev, you are so funny!! What are you reading again?
In the Fields by Willow Aster. An Amy rec. Only at 30%. But since it was Amy I’m halfway expecting something horrible to happen.
Maryse is making me want to read WiR. AGAIN. Or at least favorite parts.
Just bought Beat.
Fabi, I read Second Chance in Paris and the Gentry Brothers, haven’t read the cousin yet. Good books not 5 stars but good reading in between the tough reads.
Theresa, those are the best books to have. Some of our books are so insane, we need something light after. 🙂
I am trying to get some of the challenge books done, so I picked up a Mange called You Are Mine. I swear, it’s fascinating in a romance novel way that almost makes fun of romances. 😀 Funny and silly, but interesting. Also, for non fiction, George Takei Oh Myyy. I will reduce the amount of failures, darn it!
Watching the Amy Winehouse documentary. Its really good.
Yey Maryse! That’s what enchanted me about WiR too – it’s so novel that it felt like I was just getting sucked into the genre again. That excited, giggly, just living the words feeling, reminded me why I love those books!
Hmm I had to look but I have 24 five star reads out of 234 books so far…I’m a harsh critic I guess!
Fabi, thank you for the freebies 😀
Oh and Amy, I’m loving Lily of the Springs but I want to smack her! I get it’s the time period (which was overall refreshing since I do not read it a lot) but come on girl!! Ok at 75% and she better straighten some things out and liberate…and get a happy ending somehow…
So, Michelle.
*kicks peanuts*
What are we going to rec from now on? Cheryl is the only one who hasn’t read it. Ha. She’s the lone wolf.
*Howling* something to be said about being the lone wolf…
*scoops up peanuts and takes them to Star Wars movie to snack on*
*pulls my peanut brittle from the oven* I dunno Bev but we have to get cracking on finding the next one.
I would say Illuminae is up there for me with WiR…*sighs* but Maryse quit on it…maybe you need to read it and then we can possibly work up a campaign with Fabi if it knocks your socks off like it did us.
Or we can turn it over to others on here – What is that one book (just one) that you tell everyone to read…incessantly…but in a non-annoying way of course ;)?
Nope, I still haven’t read it either… Cheryl and I are holdouts together… LOL!
The puns are out of control tonight.
Cheryl I really want to see that. Pretty much not reading any reviews just know people are loving it.
Offers Grey a piece of Michelle’s peanut brittle.
It’s really hard to pick but my top two 5 star reads of 2015 are Beneath The Stain by Amy Lane-a gut wrenching heart breaking yet super romantic m/m read and Where Sea Meets Sky by Karina Halle- an amazingly descriptive romantic adventure across the New Zealand countryside with Karinas trademark edgy heroine.
Cheryl the majority of your 5* are mine too. 🙂 It’s just that my list will have a few sci fi right at the top.
1. Illuminae
2. The Martian
3. Golden Son
and then I start getting confused because I have so many contemporaries that are 5*
I think I’m going to add a couple of mm
4. Atom Heart John Beloved
5. The Locker Room
6. Him
and then the CR that really stuck out for me were
7. Kulti
8. The Deal
9. Cocky Bastard
alright, I kept it under 10. I don’t think I can do any better than that in narrowing them down. Those are not necessarily published in 2015. That’s just when I read them. And, don’t ask me again next week, because I’ll have changed my list again. :-/
Michelle I don’t know if you’re too picky with your 5 stars or if I’m too easy. I’ve been thinking about being a little more strict in 2016 because I find that when I run across the exceptionally great I don’t have enough stars to make them really stand out.
Oooh. How about recommending a book that is her “type”. Seriously, Law of Moses is just that. Heartbreak, laugh, happy and tons of angst. Also, it’s on her TBR. It’s not out of her normal comfort zone, but… *shrugs* It was a definite 5 star. I gotta get Song of David.
Or! Out of comfort zone, Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones! *grins* A lot of people love it here and Reyes is HOT.
I thought I could, I really did. But no, can’t do it. I can’t keep my list under 10. I HAVE to add The Skull Throne as a Fantasy read right up there with the sci fi. *sigh* That’s depressing that I can’t pick my top 5.
Then again…I guess I really liked the books I read this year. 🙂
Y’all need to let Maryse enjoy WiR before you start hitting her with more peanuts. Who knows…she may continue the series.
:O
Oh I didn’t see that coming…I mean I suspected but not THAT! Amy, almost done and lots of ‘stuff’ is going down!
I’m not ready to make a definitive list yet.
Fabi just doesn’t want to *listen* to me be obsessive again, lol.
*focuses in on Fabi*
Did she shoot the husband?
*blinks* I’m going through this year five star, and realized that there is a series that DEFINITELY should be recommended that is out of Maryse’s comfort zone. Tairen Soul series by CL Wilson. One of the best recommendations I’ve had, ever. I have to add that to my top five stars of the year. Just, wow.
Finished! It was really good and that ending 😀 4 staI wanted more details about a few things instead of the skip ahead. Also wanted a little more in the epilogue – I mean after all of thatttt, I would have liked more ‘where are they now’ you know.
Cut off part there…4 stars for me.
Bev, where you asking me? No
I’m not ready to make a 5 star list either yet. I plan on reading 15 more books…maybe.
Tessa, I read the last 4 Tairen Soul books this year and they are 4/24 5* ratings…sooooo goood!
…’were you asking’…we do need spell check here or I need more sleep
I’ve been going back and forth with the best of the best and finally figured out how to make Goodreads tell me what I’ve read only this year. 😀 So many deletes because, best of the best is HARD to figure out.
Michelle, I really hope there is no spell check here (other than spelling peanuts correctly. 😛 ) If so, I’d have to get rid of gonna, wanna, etc and type all proper. Pfft, like I’m doing that!
Yes. Amy in describing the book used words like shotgun and bam.
I have not read at all since this morn, so no way I’d finish 18. 18??
There’s a new favorites list up!
Bev, I wish she would have or something else veryyyy painful…stupid self-centered a-hole…
HA! yes especially spell check for peanuts
I’m just waiting for THE REVIEW.
I wonder sometimes if keeping current on a series that comes out yearly helps me to appreciate the books more?
But on the other hand if a clunker its doubly bad. Like the book that shall not be named.
Just popped in and saw Tairen Soul mentioned, so you know my ears are going to perk up. Best. Series. Ever. Hands down. Would recommend it to anyone. Would love a spinoff series for the twins.
Oh that would be cool I’d just like a new book by her. However, we have to wait until March.
*names book* Burned, Burned, Burned
Tempting, 4.5 stars.
Hmmm. What’s next?
Tessa, how does Goodreads tell you what you read this year??
Grey, I know it didn’t end in a CH, but what about book 2? Continuation of same story or new characters?
Whoever recommended To Love Jason Thorn, oh yeh I did LOVE him. Great book. Maybe not 5*, 4?
Bev that’s how I feel anout Laurell Hamilton. I torced myself to read the last. The beginning were so good. Can’t decide on the new one coming out. Her hardbacks use to be my treasure. And she lives in my hometown. So sad.
Theresa it has been a while since I picked up one of her books. Just so disappointing.
Tessa, shh shhh shhh. That’s dangerous.
And the blurb on the new book? Ugh!
Cheryl, in GR, go to My Books, then in the list of links on the left, scroll almost all the way down until you see “stats”. Click on that and, if you’ve marked your reads this year, you’ll see a total number for the year and a couple of buttons you can click on for details. This is the first year I’ve been consistent with marking mine. Everything but my beta reads are in there for 2015. It’s a convenient way to keep track.
Tryst, a sexual education novel by S. L. Jennings. Holy Hot Rock God Batman…. Um wow… Yeah… *whistle… I need to go to confession or something after that chapter whew*
Gah. Greeyyy! Let me know if it ends in a CH. I may have to check it out if it doesn’t.
Ladies, lets up grade the fort for Christmas week. Snow. Amy could make us roast & yorkshire pudding.
https://hookedonhouses.net/2015/12/14/the-honey-pot-a-sweet-stone-cottage-in-the-cotswolds/
Just cause, questions.
If could travel for holiday Europe or Tropics?
Fat full tree or skinny tree?
Craving peppermint?
Do you prefer mall shopping or boutique shopping?
Just cause, questions.
If could travel for holiday Europe or Tropics? —> Europe for me please!!!
Fat full tree or skinny tree? —> Fat full tree absolutely! 😀
Craving peppermint? —> right now, no but I love it.
Do you prefer mall shopping or boutique shopping? —> this one is tough. I suppose boutique shopping but I do enjoy a good mall!
Tropics
Full Tree
Peppermint bark, yes (my new addiction)
mail shopping
Alright another one, lol.
*shrug*
Latest song on repeat and what Christmas song can you listen to on repeat?
Snow! I’ve only lived in the tropics. I even went to a cabin for -Christmas one year for snow, and it was unseasonably warm with no snow that year. :/
-Full tree for me,
-Always, I even have peppermint gum all year round because I love it so much.
-Mall shopping!
European city/town
Full tree
Crave peppermint in Dec. (MichelleS pass some over)
Mix but love walking around small towns with shops.
Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton. All last week on way to work.
Happy Xmas by John Lennon.
Bev, you always come up with the coolest little games.
Tropics
Full tree
No
with MichelleS on “mail” or online shopping
I don’t listen to too much Christmas music and nothing in repeat. But when I do hear a Christmas song, I like the classics like Silent Night and Little Drummer Boy, etc.
LOVED Written in Red. Can’t wait for your review. Everything Anne Bishop is great.
Samatha Towle Storm novella is up for pre order for .99.
Alessandra Torre will have follow up story for Hollywood Dirty in an anthology on 12/28. I think we are going to see several surprises pop up this week.
Last song on repeat was Santa Claus is Coming to Town *thanks little dude!* Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night. Two octaves and if you do the Mariah Carey version, three. 😀 Fun!
Europe
Full tree
Yes – just had a peppermint mocha today
And yesss to Ten. Whiskey – I’ve been listening to that one too (also Cam Burning House, Little Big Town Girl Crush and Jana Kramer I Got the Boy have been on repeat and I’m not a huge country fan)
Both for shopping and online
Oh and Tessa not cool *punches ya in the arm* 😉
Tessa, do you sing?
What are you guys all reading? Not sure what I want to open.
*grins impishly* Did I say the B word?
Finally got it down to erm, around top ten of the year.
Fear Me and Fear You by BB Reid – A totally dark form of Bully. He’s scarier than scary. Fear You, his POV, wasn’t soothing or non-angsty like most male POV. He’s just nuts evil.
Kulti by Marriana Zapatta EMOTIONS! Slow burn, lots of love and OMG, felt real.
The Deal and The Mistake by Elle Kenedy Like you all don’t know why!
Branded by Abi Ketner – This dystopian messed with me BIG TIME> I didn’t know whether to feel scared,
Breaking Him by RK Lilley It broke my heart! CH warning, but the romance and love was there, but totally toxic. I can’t wait for book two!
Tairen Soul by CL Wilson MichelleS is right. One of the best fantasy series I’ve read. It gripped me and then, I felt like OMG, why are bad guys allowed to live? Yeah, angst from bad guy POV. That’s insane!
Indebted Series by Pepper Winter And this series is why I’m on some Homeland Security list.
Diamonds by KA Linde Again, angst, all from the lies being told. I should have HATED this character. The mean girl that is popular and a cheerleader. Yet, I totally emphasized with her and felt every emotion she did.
Nola Series by Kelli Jean I laughed. I cried ugly tears. I spun in happy joy. There’s not a single freaking emotion I didn’t feel. Freaking series gutted me and I loved every second.
Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas – Just… read this series. If you like fantasy, read it! I have my niece who doesn’t like to read hooked on it. It’s different and utterly fascinating. (I’m still rooting for the prince!)
I purposely didn’t add any books that were part of a series I was reading prior to 2015. Every one of these took my emotions and gutted me in some way.
YAY TESSA!!! I’ll be posting this on Saturday!! *happy dance*
All of the new (or un-lurkers) 😉 that have joined our group, feel free to email me your TOP 10 (or more, or less) of 2015.
OR!!! Email me your absolute FAVORITE BOOKS EVER (again – no real limit in how many, I just say Top 10 to give an idea)
Yep. I sing. I was classically trained, but darn if I don’t prefer other music. 😛
As in opera?
I’m reading two books. George Takei Oh Myyyy, and The Firefly Effect by
Allie Gail. Both so different, my mind can keep track.
Yep, opera.
Tryst by S. L. Jennings 5 stars! Loved it! Not a cliffhanger, kind if built off Taint, if you’ve read that, but not necessary to have read it, just mentioned a couple characters in passing. Hot smut, smart, witty dialogue, pretzel tummy, gut twisting angst, kept my attention all afternoon when I had a ton of other stuff I should have been doing… *oopsie…*
Throne of Glass yessss I’m obsessed after Queen of Shadows which was 5* for me! I’m loving the fae hunk though Tessa – MichelleS needs to read them.
I’m reading Hold My Heart by Esther M. Soto. It’s strictly tbr list now. I picked 15 more books I wanted to read this year so I can get to 250 books read which was my goal. I work tomorrow and then I’m off until the next Monday so it’s doable I think.
I need THE REVIEW now Bev! *anxiously biting nails*
Just went to look up a book…..and it looks like it is up, lol.
So we ready to read it???
Ahhhhhhh
Whoot!!!!
*happy claps*
What book?
WiR review is up, Tessa.
I was looking up a book on amazon for price. When on my phone I will go thru Maryse. Just faster on my slow phone.
squeee!
Grey, I’m getting Tryst. Thanks for the heads up.
Tessa and Michelle, I’m starting A Court of Thorns and Roses tomorrow. I’ve had it on Kindle forever, but I just bought the Audible version so I’ll start listening tomorrow on my drive to work.
Wow Tessa. Trained in opera. That is super incredible.
I narrowed down my top ten books of 2015. I still need to read 5 books to reach my goal for the year.
Top Ten 2015
Uprooted Brenda Novik- Fantasy fairy tale like. Great world building tiny romantic element.
The Way of Kings Brandon Sanderson- Epic fantasy with a truly unique magic system
Dead Heat Patricia Briggs- I love Anna and Charles
Visions in Silver Anne Bishop- The Others book 3. This is one of my favorite series ever!
Nightingale Kristin Hannah- Historical fiction WWII. This was an ugly cry book.
Cruel Beauty Rosamund Hodge- Young Adult Beauty and the Beast
A court of Thorns and Roses Sarah J. Maas- Fantasy a mix of several fairy tales.
Station Eleven Emily St John Mandel- apocalyptic science fiction
Reclaiming the Sand A Meredith Walters- a bully book. This time the girl is the bully
Eagle Elite Series Rachel Van Dyken- I love all the characters in this series.
Right, Fabi? And she just casually throws it out there.
Hey, where are Amy & Jean? And MichelleS with her random in and outs. Hmm. I wonder.
I think …just maybe….they are seeing another blog group. With Laura. :-\
That looks like an awesome list Anna.
Bev, wasn’t Maryse’s review awesome? I was so worried she wouldn’t get into WiR because it’s so different. I’m thrilled she loved it as much as we did.
Anna, I recently read Uprooted and liked it too – really imaginative! StationFabi, that’s actually the one I was reading that I said I found another you had to read…but it lost some steam for me in the middle third. Beginning and ending were fabulous though, overall 4* I thought. Court of Thorns and Roses was really good too and I will be continuing that series. Throne of Glass is even better but the other series may catch up.
Anna, I recently read Uprooted and liked it too – really imaginative! StationFabi, that’s actually the one I was reading that I said I found another you had to read…but it lost some steam for me in the middle third. Beginning and ending were fabulous though, overall 4* I thought. Court of Thorns and Roses was really good too and I will be continuing that series. Throne of Glass is even better but the other series may catch up.
Cut off my comment again…Station Eleven was a favorite for me last year…and doubled it boo
bev- Thank you 🙂
Michelle- I’ve been looking a Throne of Glass since I loved A court of thorns and Roses so much. This year I was trying to finish up some of the series I have going. Of course I got distracted by the shiny new books and started several more series. I might try to wait until the Throne of Glass series is complete.
Yes and me too, Fabi. I think because I started reading this blog after Maryse’s uf/pnr heyday, lol.
And she might start MoC.
I loved it too, but trying to remember my first impression of it.
Michelle, I have Throne of Glass. Maybe.
*eyes it*
Anna, it’s really good and the series gets better as the books go on but yeah waiting might not be a bad idea since I’m desperate for the next book already! I should really wait until series are complete more *sigh*
*giggles* Throne of Glass ends? I hope not. I want my prince to win! What does it say that this year I read both Throne of Glass and Court of Thorns and Roses, and Throne of Glass wins? Yeah, i don’t know either. I just plain loved both! I do want book two for Court as well. It’s just different and interesting.
Oh and the opera thing just means I won’t shut up and stop singing in stores with their bad elevator music. 😛
FAbi, thanks I’m going to give that a try.
Grey I really liked Tryst too. No CH, but I think it sets up the next book in the series, following “other” characters. I didn’t read Taint, and really didn’t find that mattered.
Michelle- I try to keep an eye on my update feed on Goodreads. If I see a ton of status updates about desperately needing the next book in a series I put the book on my wait-until-series-is-finished shelf. But sometimes I have no restraint and I read it anyway. I’m trying to wait until Fallen Crest is complete before starting. I know I will love that series I might just give in for that one.
Tropics
Full tree
Nope
Mall, but online is a lot easier!1 😉
Hello by Adele. Fall Out Boy- Yule Shoot Your Eye Out. :>
Tessa, abc right now you can sing along with Sound of Music. Gah. Love that movie.
😀 I grew up with that movie. It was one of my mom’s favorite.
Are we putting our top 5 or top 10 reads for 2015 here? Or is Maryse starting a separate thread for that?? I want to keep everyone’s list….
I will be posting lists every day of your top 2015’s… and then I’ll post mine on January 1st. 🙂
Well, here goes nothing….
Last Hour of Gann – best all around
Throne of Glass – best series for me
Badger
Jezebel
Fearless (Dartmoor 1) – fave MC of year
Kulti
Eleonor & Park – best coming of age
Kyland
Station Eleven
Radiance
Some of these weren’t released in 2015, obviously, but that’s when I finally got around to them. They were all amazing and I remember the details, and would reread them, which earns them 5 stars in my book.
So I notice a pattern: this was my year for great Sci-Fi / Post Apocalyptic reads? These were all recommended on your blog, Maryse, so thank you ladies for sharing your wonderful finds with me. 🙂
I have it narrowed to like 20 lol. Going to try and be stricter when write it out, but….
I kind of like when we all share when Maryse does, lol. It is fun to read through them all. I love year end lists.
That is funny how themes will pop up.
Great List MichelleS. I remember the experience of reading a few of those. *sigh*
I was looking at some of mine and trying to think which I’d rec to who if I was being selective.
Maryse is mixing it up. I love year end list!
But it means I have to stop being lazy and write one.
My good reads is a little slow on the uptake because I remembered a couple and when I searched them, I gave them 5 stars but they didn’t come up in the search *shrug*
Thief by Tarryn Fisher
Indebted #4 (Third Debt) by Pepper Winters
The Queen by Tiffany Reisz
Rock Bottom by R.K. Lilley
Jezebel by K. Larsen
King by T.M. Frazier
Sloth by Ella James
Lev by Belle Aurora
The Ground Rules and The Ground Rules Rewritten by Roya Carmen
Tryst by S.L. Jennings
I think I’m going to give myself the gift of Written in Red for Christmas…
Hi ladies!!!
I’m on vacation but I have missed you all soooooooo FREAKING much!! And good lord, I have so many comments to catch up on.
In case I’m not able to check in before Christmas, I wanted to tell you all how much you mean to me and how thankful I am to have you all here to share book love and to just be a fantastic group of friends that I can vent to and be myself around…and y’all STILL put up with me despite all that!!! 😀
Luffs you guys SO much!!
Luffs you too Amy!!!!! I’m so glad you’re having fun. 😀
I swear I have lost a couple books out of my kindle library. So odd.
Amy hope you are somewhere wonderful!
Ok think I’m going to do my list in a bit. If I read another great one ill count it as next years.
*hugs* Have fun Amy! A vacation this time of year can be a lot of fun. We loves yous!
Bev, if I did that, then I’d have to include last year’s Bright Side. Stupid book making me cry and love everyone!
Happy Holidays/Vacation Amy!
I apologize in advance. This will be long. In no paticular order. And I don’t star, these were just the books I didn’t want to put down until I was done.
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy
“I lift my head. Staring back at me is Dolly. A fat teenage Dolly Parton.
“Oh my God,” says El.”I think you might be my spirit animal.”
Kulti by Mariana Zapata.
“‘Hey, you German bratwurst.”
Did that just come out of my mouth?”
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
“You saved the day, you courageous fuck. You absolute nightmare.”
I started the year with E&P and have now read all her books. I figured E&P gets chosen a lot.
Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop.
” ‘This looks like puppy fuzz.’
Before he could give her a scritch behind the ear, she jerked away from his hand and wailed, “I don’t wanna look like puppy fuzz!”
“Why not? Puppies are cute.”‘
Wild Reckless by Ginger Scott. Just that old indie romance feel.
Beautiful Bad Man by Ellen O’Connell
“Oh, Mabel, yes, he is. He’s a very bad man, but he’s a beautiful bad man.”
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.
So different than I expected. Lyrical, sad, yet hopeful.
Strawberries for Dessert by Marie Sexton. Stayed up all night reading.
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta.
“It happened on the Jellicoe Road. The prettiest road I’d ever seen, where trees made breezy canopies like a tunnel to Shangri La.”
This book stayed in my head for days after.
Act Like It by Lucy Parker.
“A nerve twitched above Richard’s right eyebrow. “Is that blatant insult supposed to make me re-evaluate my life choices?”
She shrugged. “It would make me think twice.”
Who Buries the Dead by CS Harris. Just love this series.
Career in Evil by Robert Galbraith. Read a bit every night for a week. Just had such fun walking around the streets of London with Strike.
Simon vs. The Homo Sapien’s Agenda by Becky Albertalli.
“Like the way you can memorize someone’s gestures but never know their thoughts. And the feeling that people are like houses with vast rooms and tiny windows.”
Going the Distance by Julianna Keyes. This book just snuck up on me, not sure how else to describe it.
*sigh*
Said be long. And this is edited down. 😛
Rolf and forgot one.
Last but not least.
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson.
Quirky, sad, and romantic.
Wow Bev. That is so cool how you have quotes from all of them.
Thank you Fabi. Almost all of them. Mix of Lazy/library/missing kindle books and how long it would be for lack of others.
Wild Reckless has seemed to have disappeared on my kindle. There is this tiny scene in that book where he is walking by her desk and skims his finger over hers. I love little moments like that.
It is funny how sometimes you remember such tiny scenes.
It seems to be the YA that was maybe my theme from 2015.
Bev, that was pretty slick with the quotes, now I really really want to read the ones I haven’t! Might have to ‘borrow’ that idea when I post mine 😉
Have fun Amy! Merry Christmas!
Wow Bev! Just WOW!
I second both Tessa, Michelle, and MichelleS. Maryse and everyone who haven’t read yet. Please read Tairen Soul series, or Warprize. Both were AMAZING and the best I’ve ever read!! The world building in the stories is top notch. You won’t be sorry
Young I absolutely will. Those that have read the Tairen Soul series go NUTS for it so I want to and ASAP.
Oh and definitely Warprize. I’m almost tempted to start that one first…
Tessa, Thanks you for recommending Defy series by Sara B. Larson. I have never heard of the author, but I’m enjoying Ignite (the second) very much!!
That’s a great series Young. I don’t think I’ve finished it yet. I hate having all these unfinished series haunting me.
Borrow away. Though not the only one doing it. I read that top one and wrote it down to use. Gave me the idea. Then like a week later read a best of using all quotes. Lol.
Bev – you’ve sold me on Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Something about that quote just resonated with me. So…. one-click. You haven’t let me down yet – when you really really like something, it’s usually a sure bet. Can’t wait. Dang. My TBR list for this winter vacation is getting too long to handle.
(Dumplin’ caught my eye too, but I have to admit the 11 dollar price tag scared me away. If it’s loanable, I would love to check it out).
It says not enabled. 🙁
But anytime a book I have is & you’d like a lend just let me know. It was a book with some buzz when released so maybe the library has it.
Paste magazine has a list of their to YA books & I want every one almost but all 9-11$.
I did have to give in and buy An Ember in the Ashes. I saw it on another best of list. Think I may start it now on my commute.:-)
I did the same thing after looking at Dumplin’ – I’m waiting for my gift cards though and then I will pick it up. Same goes for me, if anyone is ever looking for a lend. I use booklending.com but I would surely rather send one to my reading family here 🙂
Bev, that list is epic. That’s a great way to get us interested. I’ve had the same issue with losing stuff, but most of mine is because one company bought the reading app from another. :/ Try your search option in Kindle. I’ve had to do that a lot. (I still have no idea where Mighty Storm went, though!)
That was me Tessa. I read They Who Fell recently. It was good. Different.
😀 I thought so. I’m only on chapter two, but the premise intrigued me, as did that first chapter.
Oh and BIG thank you for the recommendation. I love angel books as long as they are portrayed as more than happy, peaceful, fluffy things.
No danger of that with this book.
Thanks Tessa. Only problem is book I’m reading now is shaping up to be on it, lol.