FRIDAY IS FINALLY HERE and today’s Friday Finds is mostly reader recommendations! I’ll be adding more to it throughout the day, as I find them. 😀
Also, we had 6 new Reader Questions yesterday, so check them out in case you might know the answer to one.
TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE FOUND FOR THE WEEKEND !!
- EXTENDED THROUGH JUNE!!! ➔➔➔ TWO MONTHS FREE KINDLE UNLIMITED DEAL!!! <— If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s your chance. 😲👏👏👏 WE ARE LOVING IT!
And…
- Letting Go by L.A. Fiore <— LIVE!! SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE ALERT!! “…Years later, tired of existing but not living, I quit my job in Manhattan, sold my condo and moved to a log cabin in Wyoming. When I wake in the bed of Killian Reid, mistaken for a one-night stand, I never imagined I’d fall for the man. But I did. Not at first; a slow fall, so gradual I didn’t realize I was no longer falling. I’d been given a second chance at a happily ever after. And then Brock Callahan walks back into my life…“
- Wild Thing: A Vampire Paranormal Romance (Blueblood Vampires Book 2) by Michelle Hercules
- Can I Give My Husband Back?: A totally laugh out loud and uplifting page turner by Kristen Bailey
- Ghost Writer (Haunted Souls Book 8) by Pandora Pine
- Kiwi Strong (New Zealand Ever After Book 3) by Rosalind James <— Jan loves this series!
Jan: Kiwi Strong by Rosalind James is out on 19th June. I’m enjoying the series and have preordered this one. 😀
- Wyatt’s Wager (Cowboys of Cauldron Valley Book 6) by Caroline Lee
- Stolen: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Fated Mates of the Kalixian Warriors Book 2) by Presley Hall
- Serendipity by Lisa Chalmers
- A Little Bit Wicked (The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside Book 1) by Melissa Foster <— LIVE!! MELISSA FOSTER’S LATEST! “...If you think bikers are all the same, you haven’t met the Dark Knights. The Dark Knights are a motorcycle club, not a gang. Their members stick together like family and will stop at nothing to keep their communities safe. Their stories are told in the same loving, passionate voice readers have come to adore in Melissa’s other series. Some of the Wickeds’ love stories will be hilariously fun and deeply emotional, others will tear at your heartstrings and include injections of humor, but they will all leave you wishing you could climb between the pages and join them!”
- Loner by Harloe Rae <— RECLUSIVE ALERT! “…a well-equipped biker pulls over to save me. One glance at the scowl Crawford Doxe is wearing proves he isn’t impressed with the task. My efforts to change his mind deflate faster than the shredded tire at our feet. But disgruntled or not, my so-called hero still agrees to fix my flat...” Nancy enjoyed this one!
Nancy: I started LONER last night. He is a recluse. I was hoping it wasn’t another slow-burn romance. At 25% it turned so “HOT” I was afraid my Kindle would short circuit!!
- The Change Up by Meghan Quinn <— RECENT RELEASE & WE HAVE FEEDBACK! AMBER LOVED IT!
Amber: The Change Up by Meghan Quinn. Love me some Bad Boys of Baseball! Slow burn and sexual anticipation made for a quick page turner! And yes, I said anticipation!!
I love that this book wasn’t a “quickie”. I mean, I like my insta loves from time to time but nothing beats a slow burn. And. All. That. Build. Up! And…holy smokes on that kitchen scene….Meghan did not disappoint! She may have also given me a few ideas. Hehe
- Gifted Duet by Moira Hale <— Nancy is enjoying this duet!
Nancy: …Moira Hale: GIFTED & CURSED!! …Almost finished with Book 1 GIFTED! I will move on to Book 2 CURSED as soon as I finish. Both books are KINDLE UNLIMITED, too!
I had a hard time putting it down, but I knew I needed sleep and it was getting really late! I love that book 2 is already out. Book ends in a cliffhanger, but I can start right in to Book 2. Definietly 18 or older!
- Cake Series by J. Bengtsson <— MELANIE LOVED IT!
Melanie: One of the best book series I have read in a long time.
Cheryl: …can’t remember who recommended this, but so far I’m really enjoying it. The H is a rock star, but not your typical one because he has had a horrific event happen to him in his childhood.
- I Dare You by Lylah James <— LIVE!! DUET CONCLUSION ALERT!! LARA FOUND US THIS ONE!!
Lara: Hi Maryse!
I don’t know if you already posted about this and I missed it, but I Dare You by Lylah James is also out. It’s the second part of a duet (enemies to friends to lovers).
I haven’t read it yet, but the first one (it’s called “Do You Dare?”) it’s absolutely amazing!
- KINDLE PAPERWHITE ON SALE – US & Canada (this is the one I have – the waterproof one!!) I LOVE IT! I’m a bath reader so now I don’t have to worry about accidentally dunking it. AND! In the past, I used to read using my iPad Kindle app, while floating in the pool, but I had a waterproof cover for it which would make the iPad overheat. With this… I can read all I want in the sun, in my pool, no worries.
Lisa: This kindle is always with me when I float in my pool! Love it!
- The Tie That Binds: A Marriage of Convenience Novel by Catharina Maura <– RECENT RELEASE THAT I MISSED! “…Alyssa has been in love with her best friend, Dominic, for years. Or so she thinks. When her father passes away, his final wish is for her to marry Daniel, Dominic’s older brother. Alyssa and Daniel agree to honour his wishes and choose to marry each other. Despite their resistance they end up falling hard, but their happiness is something they’ll have to fight for. After all, they started their marriage with an end date in sight...”
- Beyond the Sea by L.H. Cosway <— BACK ON THE LIST ‘CAUSE Mona loved it too!
Loved this … it kept me up until 4:00 am 🙄
Mony: On the book front, I am still reading and have finished up a few good reads.
Reckless by Stella Rhys was fabulous. It’s a well written boss romance – friends to enemies with a great simmering slow burn. AJ and Adam are great characters and the dialogue is smart, snarky and tender. Highly recommend 4.5 stars.
Captive by R.J. Lewis was an epic read. It has 3 parts and unfolds a striking story about Nixon and Vixen. It’s not a dark as night captivity story (not mafia) but it is gripping, edgy…with a sense of mystery about the roles of villain and victim. Oh, and Nixon is hot, hot, hot – shades of Mystery Man but bad. This is longer than most books so be prepared. (GR rating 4.5) My rating 4.5 stars
I finally had a chance to read Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold by Ellen O’Connell in a Goodreads Buddy Read. I’m so glad I did…it was a gorgeous western historical romance. I agree with one of the group buddies said of O’Connell: “This author nails the chemistry, dialogue, setting, & snarky humour every single time. She’s one of my favourite historical western romance authors.” 5 stars!
I has also read Without Words by the same author and it was a fantastic as well! 5 stars!
- A Secret in Onyx by Jessica Florence <— Karen recommends this one!
Karen: Hello again Maryse, another great recommendation to thank you for!
I finished ‘A Secret in Onyx’ by Jessica Florence, and I loved it! She’s actually a new to me author, I’m now into her Final Love series, its also addictive. Thanks! I love your blog, & I hope you and yours are well.
Best Wishes, KG.
- House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski <— SCARIEST HORROR BOOK ALERT?? R just told me about it – a horror book that I had never heard of before and when I googled it, it’s touted as one of the scariest horror reads ever!! OMG MINE!! ALSO check out the crazy text on the pages inside… it’s ONLY in print form – I think because of “how” it’s written, so I ordered a copy. I can’t WAIT to try this!!!
Maryse: wait wait… House of Leaves?? *looking that up too* Okay I just looked up House of Leaves and bought a print copy. No Kindle version but I MUST READ THIS ASAP!!!!! Holy moly thank you for telling me about it R!!!
R. Renee: OMG you aren’t familiar with HOL??? 😱 Check out the Wikipedia! It’s so crazy! I discovered it years ago because I was a big Poe (the musician) fan. She’s the author’s sister and her album Haunted is a companion work. It’s on my list to read this year (no matter what). It’s supposed to be terrifying but for me it’s just a difficult read. It’s kind of all over the place and requires focus that I don’t normally have. Let me know if you ever want to tackle it together. Oh and you have to have the hard copy–NO e-book–because much of it is notes in the margins. Google images of the book.
Maryse: I remember Poe!!!! She lived here in Tampa I think? Angry Johnny!! I LOVED THAT SONG. Is that her?
R. Renee: Yes!! Love that song too!
Maryse: Okay and I just saw the images of the book. OMG!!!!! I can’t wait to try. Text formed into circles… in corners… OH MY!!!!!
Denise: I have this book. It grabs you straight away. It’s layout is quirky/unusual. It has quite the cult following, and yes you will be scared. You’ll suddenly find yourself holding your breath but didn’t know how it happened. There is also a companion book called The Whalestoe Letters.
Maryse: OMG I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS!!!!!! I needed a good book-jolt and I know this is what I was looking for! 😀
R. Renee: We may not survive the BR!!
Maryse: I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!! LET’S DO IT!!!!
Reese: Oooh I absolutely love House of Leaves!! I hope you also love it as well. Once you get into the style it just flows and it’s hard to put down. But I can understand how the format may not work for everyone. To me, it felt super authentic and made it even scarier. Can’t wait to hear what you think. I’ve read it twice and now I kind of want to read it again with you all!
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… if you’re not an audible member yet, you can get the first 4 months for 46% off this summer!!!
and…
- Perfection by Kitty Thomas <— DARK READ ALERT!! AUDIOBOOK JUST WENT LIVE!! “…Everyone thought I was married to the perfect man. But if Conall Walsh were perfect, I wouldn’t have killed him. I thought I got away with it until I received an anonymous note at the ballet company I dance for: You were a very bad girl. If you don’t want me to report what I know about last night, meet me at the old opera house after rehearsal. I will tell you the price of my silence when you arrive. If you speak of this or bring anyone with you… no deal. But his price isn’t money. It’s me.”
PREORDERS (going live soon!!! 😀 )
- Kate by Charyse Allan – June 20th 2020
- The Call of Magic (The Fool’s Journey Book 1) by A.R. C. – June 20th 2020
- Breakfast at Bronzefield by Sophie Campbell – June 22nd 2020
- This Time Tomorrow by Tessa Bailey – June 22nd 2020
- Rescue After Dark: A Gansett Island Novel by Marie Force – June 23rd 2020
- Something Like Perfect by S.C. Stephens – June 23rd 2020
- Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory – June 23rd 2020
- Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee – June 23rd 2020
- A Reckless Note by Lisa Renee Jones – June 23rd 2020
- The Swap by Robyn Harding – June 23rd 2020
- The Girl from Widow Hills: A Novel by Megan Miranda – June 23rd 2020
- Forever Only Once (Promise Me Book 1) by Carrie Ann Ryan – June 23rd 2020
- Sisters of Sword and Song by Rebecca Ross – June 23rd 2020
- The Girl from Widow Hills: A Novel by Megan Miranda – June 23rd 2020
- Thicker than Blood (Zoe Bentley Mystery Book 3) by Mike Omer – June 23rd 2020
- All My Loving: A Butler, Vermont Novel by Marie Force – June 23rd 2020
- The Last Flight: A Novel by Julie Clark – June 23rd 2020
- Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory – June 23rd 2020
- Hooked on Her by Stacey Lynn – June 23rd 2020
- Somethin’ About That Boy by Lani Lynn Vale – June 23rd 2020
- The Man Who Has No Heart (Soulless Book 2) by Victoria Quinn – June 23rd 2020
- What’s Left of Me Is Yours: A Novel by Stephanie Scott – June 23rd 2020
- Charming Like Us (Like Us Series: Billionaires & Bodyguards Book 7) by Krista and Becca Ritchie – June 23rd 2020
- Perception (The Haunt Vault Book 2) by Katja Desjarlais – June 24th 2020
- Make Me Hate You: A Best Friend’s Brother Romance by Kandi Steiner – June 25th 2020
- Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend by Lauren Blakely – June 26th 2020
- ENDLESS: A Less Than Zero Rockstar Romance: Book 1: Ty & Zoey by Kaylene Winter – June 26th 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).
Speaking of horror, my daughter has been big talking for years about how she’s not scared of anything and laughing at my reactions to scary movies. So last night, I made a date with her and my childhood nightmare, Pet Semetary. Listening to her freak out and recant today has been the highlight of my morning. I’m now making a list of semi appropriate horror movies for her to watch- should she dare. She wants to watch IT this weekend. I’ve got Poltergeist down, Silver Bullet, maybe Amityville Horror, maybe Jason (I’ve never watched it and I dk how inappropriate it might be). Oh, this is fun!
There is a lot of sex in 80’s slasher horror. I especially remember it in Friday the 13th because… Kevin Bacon. I would avoid Elm Street too. Poltergeist just has that one pot scene which was fun to explain to our daughter because it’s PG!
Ew, that’s what I was afraid of. I’d never watched Nightmare on Elm, but I figured it was bad bc of the Freddy got- ya know- I hope that’s the right reference.
My hubs is over here telling me Jaws was what did him in- I can’t. 😂🤣😂🤣
I used to “sneak watch” horror on my little black and white TV in my bedroom and the one that got me was another Kevin Bacon (I sense a theme here) made for TV movie called The Demon Murder Case. It scared the crap out of me!! You can’t even buy it, but someone recorded it off youtube and sold it on eBay and I actually have it. 😂 But I think my all time fave is The Exorcist. I still can’t watch that without freaking out! And the book is worse!
I was a child when I watched Jaws and I’ll never forget that decapitated head scene… *shudders*
My brother, cousin and I had to go to my cousin’s neighbor’s house to borrow scary movies, told her his Mom said it was ok, then took them to my Grandmas and watched them upstairs, just the 3 of us, in my Uncle’s room. Each and every time it was a huge thrill, not just cuz of the movies, but bc we were such rebels. And I could never go upstairs alone again. I was 8, this went on for years. I watched Exorcist in my teens and omg terrified me too, my cuz and friend made a whole jump scare thing with it several times and I’ve not seen it since. 😂🤣 Good memories.
I used to stay at my cousin’s house and we would stay up late and watch scary movies on her black and white TV (yup) and scare ourselves silly. Then we had to go outside in the dark to her outside toilet!!! Eek! That was scary. We kept expecting a vampire or some other monster to pounce on us. It was kinda fun, actually…….
Omg!! That’s worse than going upstairs. 😬 You’re very brave, Jan.
Freddy Kruger still freaks me out.
My best friend LOVED horror, just never scared her and so I was exposed to Freddy at too young of an age, lol.
I hate scary stuff.
OMG it reminds me of when I was a young teen. We’d have sleepovers regularly like 8 girls and watch horror ALL night. Ahhhh it was soooooo fun!!!
Slasher flicks used to scare me SO bad, but now I’m more into the ghosts and demons and possessions and such. 😉
My Bloody Valentine was good if I remember correctly but maybe sex. I was young but I can’t remember)
Also House was so good. And Aprils Fools Day <--- crazy twist!
I loved April Fools Day!!
Exorcist did me in.
Halloweens were pretty great.
The Howling is still considered AMAZING today, although I haven’t watched it.
I seem to remember watching The Howling many moons ago (hahahaha) and it NOT standing the test of time.”
Now I should probably watch it… I remember my parents watched it on one of those huge like record/LP sized disks (before even VHS existed). GAH that was so long ago.
I do remember loving An American Werewolf in Paris which is much more modern. And the soundtrack featuring Bush.
I’ve not heard of some of these, but I will finally be watching the 2nd chapter of IT this weekend. I’ve never seen it, so I’m unsure of what to expect. Goose likes to stop at every single sewer drain and stick his head in it, I got a picture of it and stuck a balloon on it. 😂
OMG Maryse, so this convo had me looking up this hot mess of a review I did for Amityville Horror, where I talked about my experience researching exorcism in college, and the book I referred to, Hostage to the Devil by exorcist Malachi Martin. I just found out Hostage was made into a movie in 2016! Have you heard of it? And apparently there’s another movie coming out based on an exorcism he did at Ft. Bragg! 😳😳😳 If you like occult stuff, this is the big time. This is the review: https://bit.ly/2YT2pRw
OMG You are giving me so many awesome movie options!!! No I have not heard of it, but I’m looking it up right now!!! And your review. 😀
I watched Pet Cemetery as a young teen. I was so scared I slept on the floor of my brother’s room for a week!!!!!!
I still need to watch the new one!! I LOVED Pet Cemetery when I was a kid.
Lol! I’m so with you there.
Ha ha ha. You guys are crazy!
I read that book and it literally gave me nightmares. *shudders at the memory*. I didn’t touch another Stephen King book for years.
Hi Maryse! I don’t know if you already posted about this and I missed it, but I Dare You by Lylah James is also out. It’s the second part of a duet (enemies to friends to lovers). I haven’t read it yet, but the first one (it’s called “Do You Dare?”) it’s absolutely amazing!
Oh thank you so much Lara!! I’m adding it now. 😀
Hi Jan,
I saw that Kiwi Strong was featured and you liked it!!
I’ve been waiting for it to be published…based on how much I loved Kiwi Rules, Book#1 in the series…such a beautiful story!
Also looking forward to reading Stone Cold Kiwi (book #2). Loved Poppy and Dr. Matiu Te Mana in the previous book!
Love Aussie and Kiwi books!
I’ve started Kiwi Strong and liking it so far. Daisy used to be in a cult but escaped and is rebuilding her life. She meets a former rugby star (but doesn’t know he’s famous). It’s good. I love the New Zealand settings of these books.
I love books about super-sheltered heroines and cult heroines. It always fascinates me to experience life through their inexperienced (and often fearful) eyes.
Some great links in this post.
One is to sign a petition to make Juneteenth a national holiday. Do you know I’ve never known much about Juneteenth or its importance. Or maybe anything about it. I dont remember it being taught in my school.
Also, there is apparently a movement to put black authors on the best sellers list next week.
https://www.gofugyourself.com/fugs-pieces-june-19th-2020-06-2020
I bought The Hate U Give and Becoming Michelle Obama a couple days ago and planned to go back and get a few more before yesterday but got sidetracked with the hubs coming home. I’m still getting them but wish I would have done it when the movement was happening.
Yes, I bought one but there was an anthology of romances centered around Juneteenth that I meant to buy and then never went back. But I need to go look it up and get it now.
And I’m with you on Juneteenth. I knew about it, but not what it was, exactly. Which is shameful since I live a few hours from Galveston and have been there countless times. It’s just awful it isn’t taught in schools, even more so when you live so close.
Today is my 11 year anniversary. It doesn’t feel super exciting, but I got away from all the kids for a bit and a tad bit of quality time with the hubs.
And, I’ve read off and on all day!!! I’m reading Crescent City by SJM and I’m really into it! I’m a whopping 17% in, but I think it’s a longer book, and it’s the most progress I’ve had in months.
Congratulations, Tasha! Enjoy your day!
Hubs and I had our anniversary last month. I don’t want to say how many, but it’s a lot. (Eek!) We couldn’t go out to eat because of iso, so just for fun, we made ourselves a retro style home-cooked meal with a menu like was popular when we were married. We had prawn (shrimp) cocktails with avocado, baked rack of lamb with mint glaze and some vegetable sides, and citrus creme brûlée. It was a great night, actually. We had bubbly too.
That meal sounds fantastic, Jan! Happy belated anniversary to you!
Maybe one day we’ll put more effort into ours as well. In the next 10-13 maybe? That way I don’t have to push so hard for sitters. 😂
Ha ha. Thanks Tasha.
That sounds lovely Jan and what a fun idea.
And congrats to you too Jan. That sounds amazing! Pretty ambitious menu! I don’t think I’d be brave enough to try making lamb or creme brulee.
Congrats Tasha!
Happy anniversary Tasha!!!!!!
I’m TOTALLY into “The Player Next door” (37% in and OMG I just highlighted the WHOLE chapter it was so good and intense!!!!)
I used to stay up late watching Creature Feature- scary movies late at night. Loved it. Exorcist freaked me out and what really freaked me out was The Blair Witch Project. That last scene. I remember Scream being a funny, scary teen horror movie.
I’ve never watched either The Exorcist or Blair Witch. I don’t think I’ll go there. I do remember accidentally watching Rosemary’s Baby when I couldn’t sleep one night. I turned on the TV and it randomly came on. Old school but still super scary. And no, I couldn’t sleep after that either LOL. The Omen. Now that movie freaked me out. *shudders*
Jan… both to me (The Exorcist or Blair Witch) were terrifying!!!! Mind you, when I watched Blair Witch I believed the initial hype that it was found footage and real.
LOL!!!!! So yeah… you can say I walked out of there shocked.
OMG I did too with Blair Witch! And The Fourth Kind!!! I thought they were both real!
I think that’s why I was so freaked watching Blair Witch!
🤣🤣🤣
GASP!!!
Guys!! Bev is laughing at our gullibility!!!! lol🤣
Maryse I have a kdrama challenge for you. There is a new drama that premiered this weekend on Netflix called Its Ok To Not Be Ok. I am going to check it out tonight before bed, but I’ve heard the visuals are stunning, almost like a dark fairytale. Anyway the challenge is to at least try it.
I’m on it. 🙂 When I get home and install myself comfortable to get working on the new release list, I’ll start it.
Watched first ep last night and I like it. Its darker than I was expecting but also whimsical? And visually beautiful. I’ve seen people say it has got a Tim Burton vibe and agree.
The leads are stunning.
Maryse those Florida numbers are so scary. Be careful.
I know it… I’m staying home as much as I can (still mostly getting food by subscription), but work-wise… makes me nervous.
I can see that. It makes me wonder if schools will be able to open in the fall. I saw that universities may have to revise since so many are younger in this new surge.
So far my son & daughter’s university is starting back this fall, with a combination of in-person classes and online, but everyone is to stay home after the Thanksgiving break and finish the semester online. Granted that’s now and everything is still so fluid. The big question is how do you social distance in dorms, on-campus apartments and dining halls?? I still don’t now for me what school will look like in the fall.
That is a good question. Especially since dont colleges and Universities want everyone one to have vaccines since they can be such a hot bed of passing on illnesses. I’m thinking of all those meningitis stories.
So many changes… it’s all trial runs right now, but might set good solid class options in the future for students that can’t come in to school for some reason, and still can continue their classes anyway.
I read letting go by LA Fiore this morning, but I didn’t know any of the characters at the end who were clearly from her other books. Which of her books do y’all recommend I pick up first?