Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 07-17-2020

TGIF!!! I LOVE FRIDAYS and we have so many book recommendations today!!! Though I have to get my tires changed this afternoon, so nothing exciting on my schedule EXCEPT that sitting there for a couple of hours means I get to read in peace! 🙂 I’m reading “Home Before Dark” (it’s horror), and I’m loving it.

AND AND!! NEWS!!!! Kate Stewart has a duet coming out (and book #1 is going live on July 30th!!) No preorder yet, but I’ll stalk it and post it as soon as it goes live. 🙂

She says:

FLOCK, book one in The Ravenhood Duet from best-selling author, Kate Stewart, is coming July 30th! Get ready for a sinfully 𝐇𝐎𝐓, 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐒𝐓𝐘, 𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋, and 𝐓𝗪𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 love story filled with suspense, a little action, and 𝐀𝐋𝐋. 𝐎𝐅. 𝐓𝐇𝐄. 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐒!

TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE FOUND FOR THE WEEKEND  !!

• EXTENDED THROUGH AUGUST!!! ➔➔➔ TWO MONTHS FREE KINDLE UNLIMITED DEAL!!! <— If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s your chance. 😲👏👏👏 WE ARE LOVING IT! 

And…

• The Game Maker by Kitty Thomas <— THE LATEST DARK READ BY Kitty Thomas IS LIVE!!!! OMG IT SOUNDS SOOOOOO GOOD!!!! “I was too isolated. I was about to be evicted. I made a final desperate call to the man who ruined my life, but he didn’t come for me. Someone else did. And then there was Seven. When I first woke in the cell, I thought he was my captor, but he is a pawn, like me. Seven is beautiful and kind. I want him so much I can barely breathe. He wants to protect me from our captor, but he can’t…”
• The Lancaster Brothers: A Complete Billionaire Romance Series (3-Book Box Set) by Ava Harrison <— SERIES BUNDLE SUPER-BARGAIN ALERT!!!
• The Way To A Man’s Heart: Series Boxed Set Books 1-10 by Frankie Love <— SERIES BUNDLE SUPER-BARGAIN ALERT!! “…this ten book collection is packed with all heart-warming happily-ever-afters you crave! With over 600 pages of make-you-melt goodness, you’ll have a serious book-hangover…”
• What’s Left of Me by Kristen Granata <— LATEST BY KRISTEN GRANATA IS LIVE!! SHE’S ABUSED BY HER HUSBAND & HE’S HER NEW RECLUSIVE NEIGHBOR!!! “…she’s determined to keep up appearances, especially when it comes to concealing the bruises her husband’s temper leaves behind. Until Cole Luciano moves into her best friend’s house across the street. He’s abrasive and rude, but his steel-blue eyes tell a different story—one with dark secrets that has Callie curious…” P.S. Don’t forget to check out her feature post today (she’s today’s Friday Finds newsletter sponsor) – INCREDIBLE insight into her inspiration for this story, plus she’s giving away a signed copy! ➔Kristen Granata’s “What’s Left of Me” is LIVE & she’s giving away a signed copy!

Leslie M: What’s Left of Me by Kristen Granata sounds good! And that cover!?! Hubba hubba 😜

Maryse: I KNOW!!! I LOVE that cover. And I LOVE books about abused wives (well… with the hope that they escape and live truly happy again), and most definitely I love reclusive heroes. MY CATNIP! And this has both!!!

• A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers <— OH MY!!!!! ONE OF MY FORBIDDENY 5-STAR FAVORITES is super-bargain priced right now!!! This is a MUST READ if you haven’t gotten to it yet. It blew me away!!!! In fact, here’s my review!!

Sara: I can’t believe how long I’ve been following your book blog2013 is when this book came out & it was another book I got to enjoy because of you

Becky R: Your recommendations haven’t let me down yet! I’m going in!

Maryse: You just wait!!!!!  I’m so excited you get to read it for the first time!!

Amy: Never heard of this but I just one clicked cause it sounds awesome!

Rae: Clicked the 3. Bargain price now I like that

Rebecca: I loved A little Too Far by Lisa Desrocher, your review got me one-clicking it back in the day.

Jean: A Little To Much And A Little Too Far… both great books I will never forget!

Becky: A little too far by Lisa Desrochers holy moly I couldn’t put that one down and still can’t stop thinking about it!

• Dismount (Off Balance book #5) by Lucia Franco <— RECENT RELEASE & WE HAVE FEEDBACK! Maria & Sharon F LOVED IT!
  

Maria: This series is the BEST!!! Each book is so, so perfect. Dismount the last one and it is incredibly amazing!! It left me at a loss for words.

Sharon F: I haven’t posted much on my reading for a long time now. Life just has been hard. I found myself in a reading funk and NOTHING appealed to me.

I looked thru my Kindle and thought I would give Balance by Lucia Franco a try. I downloaded it with Execution and Releases ages ago from your recommendation here. I abandoned Balance a few times because it just didn’t catch me – well, I picked it back up many months ago and I could not put it down.

This series has EVERYTHING I look for in a book. Angst, the male lead was a Russian jerk – it was complicated by age. I could go on and on. I tore thru the 3 books, not knowing there was a fourth book. Well, amazon banned it and the other books. I caved and bought Twist on Apple (?) books. It was worth the price, but there was another huge cliffhanger, with no date on the fifth book. This is why I try to read an entire series – I’m just not patient and this series riveted me to distraction, and that hasn’t happened since Thoughtless.

Finally, Dismount released early and I devoured it. I had to keep putting it down because I could only take the angst in small doses and I didn’t want it to end. I can’t recommend this series enough. Because the story is controversial, the author is going to be releasing re-edited books to conform with delicate sensitivity. I give this series a solid five plus stars. Happy angsty reading!

Maryse: Thank you SO much for that feedback. It looks like the author has finalized the edits as the books are all available again on Amazon. 🙂

• Chosen by Marla Meyers <—LIVE!!! SOMETHING CRAZY HAPPENS & SHE KEEPS THE SECRET… “…When she travels to the farm where she grew up, something extraordinary happens. It’s an event so bizarre that she questions her sanity and confides in her best friend, Becka, who is skeptical about Marissa’s wild tale. When proof presents itself, the two women vow to carry Marissa’s secret to their graves. Even when Marissa remarries, she doesn’t reveal the secret…”
• The Bad Girl: A High School Bully Romance (Westbrook Three Book 2) by A.D. McCammon <— LIVE!!!
• Six Nights in Paradise by Ashley Cade <— LIVE!!! HIS BEST FRIEND’S LITTLE SISTER!
• King of Nothing: An Academy Bully Romance (Boys of Almadale Book 1) by Jacie Lennon <— LIVE!!!
• Ghost Note by Vicki James <— LIVE!!! ROCK STAR ROMANCE!!!

An18: Ghost Note by Vicki James was just released and it’s on Kindle Unlimited. I loved Cherry Beats and Dirty Rock.

Michele G: Oh thanks for the reminder. Cherry Beats is one of my fave rockstar romances!! I still need to read Dirty Rock and now Ghost Note too 🙂

Melinda: I have a great recommendation I am reading and loving. I think it’s been around for a while. It’s a Rockstar book and they are my favourite, or one of. It’s called Cherry Beats by Vicki James and Victoria James. I am loving it. 🥳

• Clayton (The Wildflower Series Book 1) by Rachelle Mills <— THIS WAS A READER QUESTION GUESS (which was wrong) & KELLY & RAE TRIED IT & LOVED IT!!

Rae: Just finished Clayton …Loved the rejected mate situation though. It finishes with Dallas.

Kelly: THANK YOU FOR THIS BOOK! I sat down to read Clayton this morning at 10am and read straight through. I LOVED this book. My heart hurt throughout but Dallas! OMG!! Added him to my new book boyfriends list. Thx so much.

…it is one of my fave this year. The title of the book has me confused but I’m hoping it goes where I hope it does.

• Midsummer Night Shifts: A Limited Edition Summer Shifter Romance Collection <— LIVE!!! “...Sink your teeth into 20+ stories of hot city streets, steamy tropical jungles, pack politics, and fated mates as the heroines and heroines embrace their inner animals...”
• Torrid Rush: A Single Dad Romance (Bad Boy Studs Book 3) by Scarlett Avery <— LIVE!!! THE SINGLE DAD & THE DONUT BAKER 😉 “...My adorable four-year-old daughter’s urgent need for cupcakes sends me on a wild-goose chase across LA at nearly the crack of dawn. After a frustrating search, I finally find an opened shop. I never expected to be seduced at the first bite. And I sure as hell didn’t expect to get entangled at first sight...”
• Royally Matched: A Royal Forbidden Romance (Royal Matchmaker Book 1) by Mckenna James <— LIVE!!!
• JASON: The Alpha King Called Jason (Alpha Loves Romance Book 1) by Abbie Kaid <— LIVE!!
• Matters to Me: A Football Romance (The Hart Series Book 4) by M.E. Carter <— LIVE!! FAKE RELATIONSHIP ALERT!
• Confessions Of A Bookaholic by Joslyn Westbrook <— LIVE!!
• The Tuscan Contessa: A heartbreaking new novel set in wartime Tuscany by Dinah Jefferies <— LIVE!!! HISTORICAL ROMANCE DURING WARTIME “...In 1943, Contessa Sofia de’ Corsi’s peaceful Tuscan villa among the olive groves is upturned by the sudden arrival of German soldiers. Desperate to fight back, she agrees to shelter a wounded British radio engineer in her home, keeping him hidden from her husband Lorenzo – knowing that she is putting all of their lives at risk. When Maxine, an Italian-American working for the resistance, arrives on Sofia’s doorstep, the pair forge an uneasy alliance. Feisty, independent Maxine promised herself never to fall in love. But when she meets a handsome partisan named Marco, she realizes it’s a promise she can’t keep...”
• The Obsessions of Lord Godfrey Cavanaugh (The Cavanaughs Book 4) by Stephanie Laurens <— LIVE!!
• Keeping You Away (Tyler & Gemma duet Book 1) by Kennedy Fox <— LIVE!!
• The Proposal by Maya Hughes <— LIVE!!
• Spotlight (Famous Book 2) by Eden Finley <— LIVE!! M/M ROMANCE ALERT!! THE SINGLE DAD BOY BAND STAR & HIS NEW NANNY… “…When I quit the biggest boy band on the planet, I was supposed to get my life back. It’s not that I wanted to leave the spotlight. I felt like I had to for my daughter. Her picture shouldn’t be splashed all over the tabloids. I thought I could do this parenting thing on my own, but it’s obvious I need help. I just didn’t expect to find it in the form of a gorgeous guy I meet by chance…”
• One Cup Of Daddy and a Dash of Love by Victoria Sue <— LIVE!! M/M ROMANCE ALERT!!
• Deacon’s Defender (Protect and Serve Book 2) by Pandora Pine <— LIVE!! M/M ROMANCE ALERT!!
• Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall <— M/M ROMANCE ALERT!! Paceluvr LOVED it!

R. Renee: I just finished Boyfriend Material and it was awesome!! Def a top ten pick for 2020.

Paceluvr: R., I just had to pick up Boyfriend Material because of Maryse’s rec a while back and then yours today. I LOVED IT and devoured it one sitting. Hands down best book of the year for me so far!! Thanks so much for mentioning it. That needs to be optioned for a movie ASAP!

R. Renee: I was just talking to a friend about it! I adored it! Did you read Red, White & Royal Blue? That one was even better! I only picked up BM because the cover reminded me of that one!

Paceluvr: I loved that one! BM gave me the added Bridget Jones vibes that I loved with crazy friends and daily hijinx too.

R. Renee: Yes!! I got a Notting Hill vibe too!

• Carson: A Dark Irish Mafia Romance (Dangerous Doms) by Jane Henry <— LIVE!
• Fate on Fire (Stars Book 3) by E. L. Todd <— LIVE!
• What You Wish For: A Novel by Katherine Center <— RECENT RELEASE AND WE HAVE FEEDBACK! Michele G 5-starred it!

Michele G: I read Katherine Center’s What You Wish For and Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louise and really enjoyed them both. It was a good weekend 🙂

Although for a while, I wasn’t sure where my rating would land for What You Wish For (because I agree with Harper…the h drove me a little nuts), I still settled on 5 stars…I felt that she pulled it all together in a satisfying way for me by the end.

Harper: I received an ARC of What you Wish For by Katherine Center a while ago. I gave it 3 stars. I really enjoyed it. It was funny, insightful, and heartwarming. It lost the two stars because I wanted to shake some sense into de the h a few times, but I recommend it.

Mony: Thanks Harper and Michele for the rec about Katherine Center’s What You Wish For…will definitely be reading it.

R: It’s not necessary because it works as a standalone but the H in WYWF is introduced in Happiness for Beginners which is great too.

• Dear Emmie Blue: A Novel by Lia Louis <— RECENT RELEASE & WE HAVE FEEDBACK! Michele G 5-starred this one, too!

Michele G: Dear Emmie Blue caught me totally by surprise. I thought I’d most likely enjoy it…but I really loved it. Even though I could see some of the plot twists coming…I didn’t see them all.

There were a few times with that one as well where I wanted to slap some sense into the h, but I’m beginning to think that’s more of a “me thing”…as in I’ve read too many books and have lost patience with the nonsense now.

There were some really beautiful and realistic things (at least in my opinion) about Emmie Blue that secured it a 5 star rating as well from me.

• The Vicarious Life of Mina Price by Kendra Jones <— LIVE!! SHE LOVES COOKING SHOWS LIKE I DO!!! “…Mina’s favorite escape has become Nigella Lawson. Whether she’s mentoring aspiring chefs or whipping up seasonal delights on a holiday special, Mina is captivated by Nigella’s exuberance and begins to wonder if channeling that vivacious energy into her own lackluster life might be the key to turning things around. When two new men unexpectedly enter her life and start vying for her attention, just as a long deferred dream begins to reemerge with promise, will Mina finally resolve to discover her own voice and pursue the life she truly desires?“
• Stealing Stars by Regan Ure <— LIVE!!
• Treachery (Antihero Inferno Book 1) by Lily White <— BULLY BOOK ALERT!! AMBER IS LOVING THIS!!

Amber: I just started reading Treachery by Lily White. I’m only 15% into it and I know it’s going to be a page turner. I’m already trying to find time during my work day to read it. Lol.

There are going to be 9 books, each with their own story. The 2nd book Fraud is already out. And Violence is out on the 29th!! So excited for a new series!!!!!

• HARPER IS LOOKING FOR SHIFTER RECOMMENDATIONS! And we have a bunch!! 😀

Harper: I decided to give the shapeshifters a chance and Im reading a few books of the genre for the first time (I read twilight, of course, a long time ago). Any recommendations?

So far I read The Wildflower Series by Rachelle Mills, Becoming His by Albany Walker, Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright (tried the second book, but it was super tiresome) and now Im reading Bitten by Kelley Armstrong.

bev: Patricia Briggs. Mercy Thompson is one of my favorite heroines.

Jan: Patricia Briggs is excellent – I agree, bev. She’s a must-read. If you want to just try her out, her Alpha and Omega novella is an excellent intro and sampler of her style.

Mony: I also enjoyed The Others series by Anne Bishop…however, it’s low on the romance scale (darn). But my all time favourite book in this genre is Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison. I’m thinking it’s time to do a re-read. 🙂

Bev: Whoa! Times have changed. I have changed. I didn’t even think to rec Written in Red. I must leave the Courtyard.

Jan: Ha ha ha. I remember when you used to rec that book so hard, and now you’ve forgotten it??? bev, bev, bev. *shakes head*.

Michele G: It’s not werewolves…but if you’re going paranormal, I really enjoyed the Dark Elements series by Jennifer L. Armentrout….gargoyles & demons primarily. Another series I enjoyed (shapeshifter-wise) is Dannika Dark’s Seven series. Also, I enjoyed the first couple of Hettie Ivers books in the Werelock Evolution series. Also, the It’s You duet by Katy Regnery (writing as K.P. Kelley) was really enjoyable.

Jan: I also really liked the Seven series by Dannika Dark. And for sexy, spicy shifters, Cherise Sinclair’s Wild Hunt series is good, but, menage alert in case that’s not your thing. It’s not usually my thing either, actually, but I did like the first two books.

Harper: Thanks a lot! So many good recomendations. My weekend will be busy now. Love it!!! I never really liked menage either, but in Feral Sins there was a really good scene.

Maryse: I actually bought that book back when that scene was still in there. YAY ME!! I haven’t read it yet…

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…

• Trust Game by Kitty Thomas <— KITTY THOMAS ALERT!! DARK ROMANCE AUDIOBOOK JUST WENT LIVE!! “…Astrid believes she’ll never be free of her abusive husband–until she walks in on his murder. His killer is unable to take her life but refuses to set her free. Will she come to enjoy her new cage and the man with the keys to it?“
• Flirtasaurus by Erin Mallon <— FUN & FUNNY ALERT!!! Ashley loved it!

Ashley: I just listened to Flirtasaurus by Erin Mallon and loved it! It was really fun and funny. It had great banter and her inner (accidentally turned outer) monologue made me laugh. She has always been one of my favorite narrators so it was great to listen to a book she wrote herself.

PREORDERS (going live soon!!! 😀 )

• How to Date a Younger Man by Kendall Ryan – July 20th 2020
• Malorie by Josh Malorman – July 21st 2020
• How Lulu Lost Her Mind by Rachel Gibson – July 21st 2020
  The Dawn of the End (The Rising Book 3) by Kristen Ashley – July 21st 2020
• The Girl Next Door by Emma Hart – July 21st 2020
• A Fool’s Gold Wedding by Susan Mallery – July 21st 2020
• 10 Things I Hate about Pinky by Sandhya Menon – July 21st 2020
• Complete Me: Reid & Sienna #2 (Hawthorn Hills Duet Series) by Claire Raye – July 22nd 2020
• Varsity Tiebreaker by Ginger Scott – July 23rd 2020
• Nightfall (Devil’s Night #4) by Penelope Douglas – July 24th 2020
• The What If Guy by Lauren Blakely – July 24th 2020
• Doc T (Macha MC Book 1) by Skye McNeil – July 25th 2020
• Breaking News (Prime Time Series Book 2) by Ella Frank – July 27th 2020

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