Look what’s LIVE!!! I’m loving the hilarious, super-steamy, sports star reads and here is another release from a SUPER-POPULAR series!! Yeah hockey players!! π I need to jump into this one, too!
That said, I had a hard time deciding me next read ’cause I just hit the 5-star motherload with “The Score” (check out my 5-starΒ book review of The Score by Elle Kennedy)Β and now you guys are also hitting emotional book-motherloads, too! LOL! And for a day or so I was squirreling from one recommendation to the next, each time another one from our crew, commented on their latest awesome read.
Here… you’ll see what I mean:
fabi:Β The Baller, 77%, end of Chapter 32.Β *minor/major freakout* What is wrong with you people? I am bawling my eyes out. I have a 3pm meeting and no makeup left on my face, a bright Rudolph nose, and an ache in my chest. Β I may have to come after every one of who said there was no angst in this book. *freakout done* I still love yβall. Youβre just a whole lot tougher than I am.
Amy:Β *snort* Sorry Fabiβ¦itβs just kinda funny to be watching a freakout instead of having one.Β
Maryse:Β Whoa Fabi. Now you have me wanting to read Baller nextβ¦
Theresa:Β Reading Time and Space, Rachel Robinson. Page turner, so suspenseful. Plot I canβ t figure out, and Iβm pretty good at seeing the end. Third of the way through. This is a great read with an unusuall love triangle due to SEAL being found that was suppose to be dead and fiancΓ© with another but their is a dangerous revenge plot going on.Β Love this series, you get the familiar but no CH. next coming out end of year.
Maryse: OMG Theresa⦠now I wanna read THAT one!!!!! I MUST!!!!! THAT SOUNDS PERFECT! Considering how much I loved #1. Do I have to read #2 first?
Theresa: Maryse, no you do not read Set In Stone, but gotta tell it was really good too.
fabi: *snort* *shakes head* I freak out because a book makes me cry and Maryse jumps in with an βoh! I want to read that!β. Β Nuts I tell ya, we are all nuts around here
Maryse:Β I love the cry-ey moments!!!! I canβt help it. If it freaks you out so bad that you tell us about it mid-read, you know itβs a doozy!
Celeste: I finished Here to StayΒ early yesterday morning after staying up through the night to read it. I cried like no oneβs business, and had to get up and move the box of tissues to my bedside table. By the end, however, I was so happy and fulfilled, that when I got to the last page, it was shocking almost, the reminder that all that had happened wasnβt real, but Iβd just been sucked into an epic story by an amazing storyteller. Truthfully, Iβm a bit stunned that Iβve found my favorite book of 2016 in the third week of January!
Maryse:Β OMG CELESTE!!!!! Okay THAT is now the one Iβm starting now. WOWβ¦ you guys are killing me with emotional reactions.
Lisa:Β Wow, just wowβ¦I finished reading the third and final of this series βHere to Stayβ a couple of days ago and Iβm having major post-series depressionΒ
Β Suanne, your story-telling and writing is so eloquent. Iβve never before felt so in-tuned with literary characters. In the first two books, I longed for the love and bond of the two main characters, and in the final book, it was the bond of their foursome friendships! Just beautiful!! I hope to read more from you in the near futureβ¦Iβm officially stalking your page.
So there you have it. I’ve finally settled on my next read (Here to Stay), and it’s perfect, since I’ve already read #1 and #2 and LOVED them, what a perfect selection for me!Β Especially after Celeste and Lisa’s post about #3 in Suanneβs series, I HAD TO. I just HAD TO. And since I finished #3 in Elle Kennedyβs series (YAY Iβm catching up on series!!!) I figured Iβd do #3 in the Fish Tales, too.Β
In fact:
Maryse: I just started book #3 in this series and OMG the writing is EXQUISITE.
βDonβt leave me,β she whispered under him.
βI canβt,β he said. βIβd never breathe again.β*sigh* perfection…
Theresa:Β Read all of them . So sorry to be the last. Looking forward to her next venture.
Lynne:Β Agreed! Her writing is phenomenal – finished it last night. Just wait – you will be sobbing before you finish this Maryse!
*gasp!!!!* Β
Β
Β SOBBING!!???? See? Perfect!!! π π
Take a look at what else we found!
P.S. Let me know if Iβm missing any or if you loved any (from this list or elsewhere).
P.P.S. Donβt have a Kindle? No problem!Β Amazon offers variousΒ freeΒ Kindle appsΒ and a freeΒ Kindle Cloud readerΒ 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 youβre using a Kindle, but right through your web browser <β No need to download anything!Β Β )
JUST RELEASED!!!! SURPRISE!!!Β
- PUCKED OverΒ byΒ Helena Hunting <— IT’S LIVE!!! SPORTS STAR ALERT! AND AND!!Β Book #1 & #2 in Helena Hunting’s The Pucked Series are on SUPER-SALE TODAY (I posted ’em below in the Friday bargain finds). π P.S. They can be read as standalones!
You Already Know: Twelve Erotic StoriesΒ by Charlotte Stein <— CHARLOTTE STEIN/I LOVE THIS AUTHOR and she just released a book of her own short stories!! “Eleven stories from bestselling erotica and erotic romance author, Charlotte Stein, exploring all of the filthy fantasies and forbidden loves that her work is renown for. Dangerous liaisons and sexy strangers, naughty encounters and rekindled flames, women who don’t want to say no, and the men who love to give them everything they’ve been craving.“
- Beyond Happily Ever After: Blank CanvasΒ by Kit Rocha <— THIS WAS CREATED FOR FANS OF THE SERIES! “…vignettes and outtakes showing the O’Kanes in their daily lives, in between the adventures and often after their happy endings…”
In This LifeΒ by Christine Brae <— SOUNDS ANGSTY GOOD!! She takes an impromptu trip and falls in love with someone there… but “Anna returns home to find that her life is no longer the way it once was, and that she canβt stop thinking about him. She learns through tragedy that nothing sheβs ever believed in has turned out to be true. The worst part? The people she loved were keeping a secret from her.” and then… this part made me go ooooooooh!!! “the struggle between morality and guilt, faith and acceptance, there comes a learning that even the best-laid plans are powerless against the alignment of the universe…” <— I wonder what happens!!
- ZEKE (Breaking the Declan Brothers, #3)Β byΒ Kelly Gendron
- Mobster’s Gamble: Chicago Mob Series Book 1Β byΒ Amy Rachiele <— HE’S IN THE MOB & SHE’S BEEN RAISED IN A CULT ALERT!! I hate that it’s shorter ’cause this one sounds good! Might still be fun!
- Gage (Contract Killers Book 1)Β byΒ Jenika Snow
- SketchΒ byΒ Laramie Briscoe <— HE JUST GOT LEFT BY HIS WIFE ALERT! (and it’s a full-length novel – the page count is wrong)… “So here I stand. Half the man I was, p*ssed as f*ck, because while I was busy making a better life for us, she was under the impression I was leaving her lonely…“
Dolce (Love At Center Court Book 2)Β byΒ Rachel BlaufeldΒ <— FRIENDS-TO-LOVERS ALERT!Β “Caterina is an intern. Sonny is her shock-jock boss. And Blane isΒ a good-hearted baller . . . except when he steps on the court…”
- Brody (Steele Brothers #4)Β byΒ Cheryl Douglas <— SHE FINALLY DECIDES TO LEAVE THE BAD-BOY LOVE OF HER LIFE ALERT! “Riley Myers has had her heart broken one too many times. By the same man. She believed Brody would be her husband, the father of her children one day, but she couldnβt wait forever…”
- Blinded by the DarknessΒ byΒ JA Essen <— HE HAS UNIQUE… DESIRES ALERT! “There is nothing he wants forβ¦ Except for the next exclusive βauction.βΒ Due to his βuniqueβ desires, Mason has never had any luck keeping a real girlfriend, but it doesn’t really bother him since there are other, darker ways to deal. Deep pockets make buying anything possibleβ¦ Or ANYONE…“
FIVE-STAR READER RECOMMENDATIONS (and bargain finds!)Β Β (NOTE: bargain priced when I added them, but prices can change on Amazon, so make sure to check before you finalize your order).
- PUCKED (The PUCKED Series Book 1)Β byΒ Helena Hunting <— SUPER-BARGAIN PRICED TODAY!
- Pucked Up (The Pucked Series) (Volume 2)Β byΒ Helena HuntingΒ <— SUPER-BARGAIN PRICED TODAY!
AbruptionΒ byΒ Riley MackenzieΒ <—Β NEW BOOK BOYFRIEND ALERT!!Β Renee loved this one like crazy! “You are the reason I picked up Riley Mackenzie’s Abruption (and yes, I randomly started with the last book based on reviews) and was blown away!! I dont usually write reviews or comment, but I had no choice. It’s not your typical love story— don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautifully real love story between a woman and a widowed young doctor and his children, but it is so much more.Β There are layers of depth that unfold with each chapter, culminating with an unforeseen plot twist that rivals some of the best “are you freaking kidding me” moments.Β Without giving away too much, this story deals with some heavy topics that the authors handled perfectly.Β No exaggerations or dramatics for the sake of drama. The kids make the book and the dialogue/ banter between the h&h was priceless and spot on. Guy Hunter is currently sharing my book boyfriend title with KA’s Joe Callahan and Tina Reber’s Ryan Christensen (and that’s saying ALOT!) I can not recommend this book enough!! Everyone should stop what they’re doing and find out “Who loves ya?””
- Invisible Love Letter (Love Letter Duet Book 1)Β byΒ Callie AndersonΒ <— YELL AT YOUR KINDLE ALERT!Β Tatiana recommends both of these! “Please read Invisible Love Letter and Endless Love LetterΒ by Callie Anderson! By far the best book I’ve read in a long time. It’s such a beautiful love story. I cried smile, laughed and Many times I’ve wanted to yell and smash my kindle. Please read it, you won’t be disappointed!”
- Endless Love Letter (Love Letter Duet Book 2)Β byΒ Callie Anderson <—Β And this one!
- The Baller: A Down and Dirty Football NovelΒ by Vi Keeland <— MADE HER TUMMY TWIST & TURN ALERT!Β Fabi LOVED this recent release! “It may not be a doozy for you guys. But Iβm at 89% and my stomach is tied up in knots…” and then: “I just finished Baller. Vi Keeland wrote the perfect book boyfriend.Β Β
Β …I only saw two small copy edit mistakes in mine. For an indie book, thatβs pretty near perfect. I thought both characters were pretty perfect too. It wasnβt a light read for me, but had just enough emotional upheaval for a CR to make my tummy twist and turn.”
Dirty Ugly ToyΒ byΒ K WebsterΒ <—Β SUCKER PUNCH STRAIGHT TO THE TUMMY ON THIS RECENT RELEASE!Β DG was loving the sucker-punches!! “*sucker punched straight to the belly* geez I know, I mean really know that I should have seen one of the truths coming. But I didnβt. Only 56% into Dirty Ugly Toy and I WILL be finishing it tonight. Who really needs sleep even if my day starts at 5:30amβ¦β¦” and then…”Dirty Ugly Toyβ¦.per K Websterβs warning at the beginning of the bookβ¦.βHowever, those that keep an open mind and stick with it will not be disappointed.β Absolutely agree!Β Overall for me it had the perfect balance of dark to light. Standalone, HEA, no rushed ending. SCORE!” and she also said: “Not a light readβ¦H is not a Prince Charming but I am holding out hope!Β ...it does have a dark feel to it with moments that are not completely twistedβ¦throw in a hint of BDSM. Not sure how dark of a read you preferβ¦.but I havenβt been disappointed yet. Maybe sucker punched and throw in a little βoh no he didnβtβ but not disappointed.“
- Never Let You Go (a modern fairytale)Β byΒ Katy RegneryΒ <—Β MODERN TAKE ON A FAIRYTALE andΒ MichelleS loved this one! “I just read never Let You Go. I wonβt forget it, thatβs for sure. Very cool retelling of Hansel and Gretel β what if two kids got βtakenβ and then formed a bond? Yup. Pretty cool.”
- Darkest Before Dawn (KGI series)Β by Maya Banks <—Β Maggie is loving this series!! “Just finished darkest before dawn, was hooked from the first book hopefully not the last .”
The Mother RoadΒ byΒ Meghan QuinnΒ <— LAUGH UNTIL YOU CRY (OR PEE) ALERT!!! MeganΒ recommends this one! “Hi Maryse! Have you read The Mother Road by Meghan Quinn yet? I have never laughed until I cried with a book before but I laughed my way though this book! Best book so far this year and my favorite of hers.” and Kelly agrees! “I love Meghan Quinn. The Virgin Romance Novelist was one of the funniest books I have ever read. The Mother Road was really good. Some laughing so hard you pee a little scenes!”
- Pointe of BreakingΒ by Sarah J. Pepper <—Β Nancy found us this super-sale! “Pointe of Breaking by Sarah J. Pepper just went on sale… This one has been in my Wish List for a while, but 1-clicking now.”
- For those of you that missed it βΒ Maryseβs 2015 Top Ten Favorite Books List!! AND!!Β 2015 Reader FavoritesΒ (<— new ones added weekly!!)
And for AUDIOBOOK LVERS
For those going on a road trip soon, or maybe youβve got some projects that require both hands this weekend but still allows you to βlistenββ¦ check out theΒ free audible trial + 2 free ebooks dealΒ β>
- AND! Hereβs the fun-tool again!Β β>Find out which of YOUR Kindle books are available as AUDIOBOOKS AT AN AH-MAZING PRICE!<β
Audiobooks for ebook super-sale prices. Iβm thrilled with that, and whatβs fun is you can flip flop from reading it, to listening to it without losing your spotβ¦Β This thing is so cool (Amazon calls it βMatchmakerβ)! Itβs an Amazon feature, that scans your Kindle books and will list all of the ones you have that are also available as an audiobook at a discounted price (not normal audiobook prices). This way, you can switch back and forth, seamlessly between your ebooks and your audiobooks. VERY COOL! (This is the βWhispersyncβ thingie).
- Feverborn: Fever Series, Book 8Β by Karen Marie Moning <—Β Fabi is listening to this one! “Iβm listening to Feverborn. Since I only get an hour or two of listening time/day Mon-Fri, it forces me to savor the book instead of fly through it like I normally would. Well, not as fast as some of you doβ¦but still. So, no, I havenβt gotten to that part yet. Iβm about halfway through chapter 3. Oh, and they switched out the narrators, so me (and a whole lot of other people) are totally bummed about it. Phil and Natalie were incredible in Burned and some of the other ones they narrated.“
- The DealΒ by Elle Kennedy <—Β Julia loves one of our fav series too! “Love all these books. Have the first one in audio as well as kindle version.”
PRE-ORDERS (next weekβs)
- Needing To FallΒ by Ryan MicheleΒ Β β January 25th 2016
- Boiling Point (Crossing the Line)Β by Tessa BaileyΒ β January 25th 2016
- Sin & Suffer (Pure Corruption)Β by Pepper Winters β January 26th 2016
- Spider Game (Ghostwalker)Β by Christine Feehan β January 26th 2016
- Backlash (Winterβs Wrath Book 1)Β byΒ Bianca SommerlandΒ – January 26th 2016
- EnshrineΒ by Chelle BlissΒ – January 26th 2016
Pandemonium (MC Sinners Next Generation Book 1)Β by Bella JewelΒ – January 26th 2016
- Mercury Striking (The Scorpius Syndrome)Β byΒ Rebecca ZanettiΒ – January 26th 2016
- Hooked Up: Book 2Β byΒ Arianne RichmondeΒ – January 26th 2016
- Sageβs Eyes (Forbidden)Β by V.C. AndrewsΒ – January 26th 2016
- Roadside Magic (Gallow and Ragged Book 2)Β byΒ Lilith SaintcrowΒ – January 26th 2016
- A Carolina Cold Fury Hockey Series 4-Book Bundle: Alex, Garrett, Zack, RykerΒ by Sawyer BennettΒ Β – January 26th 2016
- Sweet Revenge (2-Book Bundle: Sweet the Sin and Darker the Release)Β by Claire KentΒ – January 26th 2016
- An Act of Salvation (Acts of Honor Book 2)Β by K.C. LynnΒ – January 27th 2016
- The Perfect LifeΒ by Erin NoelleΒ – January 31st 2016Β – January 31st 2016
- Beautiful Burn: A Novel (The Maddox Brothers Book 4)Β by Jamie McGuire β January 31st 2016
Target on Our Backs (Monster in His Eyes Book 3)Β <— FEBRUARY 23rd 2016!!
Get Maryseβs Book Blog updates delivered by emailΒ (youβll get one daily email that will have each post from that day consolidated on it).
Marsye, no you do not read Set In Stone, but gotta tell it was really good too.
YAY!!! Okay thank you Theresa!!! π
I have several fav military suspense authors, but hands down Rachel Robinson is writing THE BEST! One is better than the next with 3 out currently
I read after Here to Stay so very opposite.
I’ve already started Pucked Over.
I’m in heaven with all this extra reading time in 2016. I worked too much in 2015 and it cut into my fun reading time. I just love all these worlds I get to escape to and these amazing people I get to meet book after book. Authors rock!!!
I started this week reading The Baller and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s was amazing. Next up is Pucked Over…I’m so excited to be snowed in for the next few days with great books to be read!
Pucked Over is definitely next for me!
Maryse, you have to read Never Let You Go! And you 5 -starred The Score. I loved it too! Gotta go check out your review! And, I guess I have to read Give Me Your Answer True so I can get to the third book that’sc making everyone sob because as much as I hate to admit it, I do love to sob too! Lol!
Bracing for a huge blizzard here on the east coast. Got my food in, liquor cabinet stocked, and Kindle fully downloaded and charged! Expecting 12-18 inches of snow here!
One-clicking Pucked Over even though I haven’t read Pucked Up. For whatever reason just didn’t interest me to read about Buck & Sunny.
I read Abruption when it was posted previously. The cover drew me in and then I really liked it, especially because it was set in the medical profession and then went on to read the authors previous 2 books. Gotta say the second book was an unexpected gut-punch.
Also, going to read the samples of The Mother Road and Pointe of Breaking. Supposed to get 12-18 inches of snow so should get in some quality reading time!!! π
Everybody don’t forget to charge your laptops, kindles and iPhones!!!!! This way y’all won’t be bored if you lose electricity.
Yes, everyone on the east coast please stay safe and warm and reading great books.
I have to add another recommendation for Time and Space – it was fantastic! If you loved Crazy Good it is an absolute MUST read. I also really liked book 2 – Set In Stone, but you don’t have to read it before Time and Space -and really you wouldn’t need to read Crazy Good first either.
oh oh oh Abruption!! Beautiful 5+star read! Loved it all! amazing single father and a heroine that was one of the strongest women I’ve ever read, kids were adorable and a twist I wasn’t expecting! Definitely go for this one, couldn’t put it down, read it in one sitting!
Also Never Let You Go is a great book. Interesting take on Hansel and Gretel woven into an nontraditional love story.
One clicked Pucked Over and Sketch. Also getting Dirty English. Great list Maryse!
Aw, Maryse, I would have sent you a copy! Thanks so much for coming back to me. Now I can breathe π
I’m reading The Mason List by SD Hendrickson that was on some readers best of 2015 lists and it is fricken awesome. I think this will be my first 5 star book of the year. I don’t want it to end. But it better have a HEA or I will be royally peed off.
I think the Pucked series is next as it has been sitting in my TBR for a while.
Never Let You Go is one of my favorite books of 2015. I’ve already re-read it a few times.
Safe wishes to our East coast friends! I know the snow can be a pain (especially at 12-18 inches…yikes) but how beautiful as well! π
I’ve been *really* excited about In This Life since I first heard about it! And the lovely cover…it seems lately THAT is what is drawing me to certain books. If it is simple or unique and doesn’t just blend in with all the other covers with half-naked guys (not that I’m complaining about the eye candy ;)) or passionate couples. Those are just getting kind of boring now, ya know?
OMG!!!!!! Did y’all see the next post listed below?!?!?!? A Jezebel short story!!! *tumbles out of chair*
Lauren is that the Monica Murphy book?
Lauren, sorry Katy book. Is it a real tear jerker? I don’t do well with kid abuse. Let me know please. I really liked the Vet and the Vixen.
*waves* preparing for the snowpacolypse… Can’t decide what I want to read. I haven’t been wowed yet this year… I want to be blown away. I think I’m going to read the 2nd book Cunning by Aleatha Romig… A mindf@ck to be sure. I’m prepared with Manny and wine in the blankie fort!
Amy I totally hear you on the cover thing…thats what drew me to Abruption..such a unique and awesome cover..book just as awesome! I agree In this Life is another unique cover…going to check it out too π
All you easterners, be careful. Watching the news is scaring me a little for you all.
Yes please all easterners please be safe! And keep in touch if you can so we know you are ok.
In This Life is only $0.99 so one-clicked that baby lol
You might not be so bummed about the Feverborn narrators having been swapped out after reading this post:
https://redhotbooks.com/2016/01/where-is-the-feverborn-review-there-isnt-one.html
Those on the east coast be safe! What a great reason to get some extra reading time! π You guys have made such great recommendations! I’m still knee-deep in Chicagoland Vampires. Getting ready to start book #10. I keep telling myself after each book, that I’ll take a break and read something else, but then I reach the end and find myself one-clicking the next one! I.Just.Can’t.Stop. I LOVE this series!! I’m going to be so depressed when I reach the last one! π
I saw the KMM/Narrator news on another blog today.
π
I want just a little bit of that east coast snow.
Me too Bev, but I want enough to shut my work down so I can lay in bed for a couple of days and read. The coffee pot will be next to my bed with plenty of food supplies. I’m thinking enchiladas and chocolate cake for starters. Not together of course! Oh! And guacamole and chips! And I do love me some brownies!! Read, eat, nap. Repeat. π
We’re on the tail end of the snow storm….a few flurries and will be surprised if we get more than that. However, bitterly cold. *snuggling under a blanket*. Such is life in the deep South.
Started To Have and To Master by Sparrow Beckett earlier. Feeling some Christian Grey kink with this one….she is pure and innocent and he is the bad boy who will reluctantly change her….so far it is good…not devouring it like the last two books but not every book will be that way…
I read The Score a couple days ago and it has put me in a reading frenzy. I loved it! So far this week I’ve read: Sustained and Appealed by Emma Chase, Baller by Vi Keeland, and Big Rock by Laureb Blakely. My favorites were The Score and Baller. There’s something about confident, hot alpha males.
I don’t know if it’s because I’m tired, but nothing is capturing my attention. Or maybe it’s being spoiled this week with so many good reads. Ugh, good advice Maryse- going to charge my laptop, kindle and phone just in case with all the snow.
Cristina, just enough so I have a reason to shut out the rest of the world for the weekend.
But really, everyone stay safe.
Jillian, right?? I can be looking at two dozen different books, but the covers that will catch my attention are the ones which stand out because they look different from what has become the norm.
Even though I don’t listen to books, I was curious what was making Bev sad (never a nice thing to see :() so I clicked on the link. Wow. That’s just…wow. *shakes head*
Cristina…don’t forget some whiskey to toss in your coffee!!! Or at least some Kahlua. π
Agreed Bev! π
And Amy, yes and yes! π
Just finishing up Winter Wishes the novella for The Play…which was amazing. God I loved Lachlan so damn much. Perfect broken hero. *sigh* And a big burly bruiser who rescues puppies *shuddery sigh* Best bbf for the year so far. I couldn’t picture Tom Hardy even though he was the muse for this character….my head kept conjuring a Hemsworth….but hey, I’m an Aussie so of course I’ve got a habit of imaging Hemsworths….its practically a National pastime. π
Then onto Pucked Over. Squeeee!
Anne Dirty English was great. Read it and let me know what you think.
And anyone who is missing hockey hotties after reading The Score should grab Sawyer Bennett’s boxed set of Carolina Cold Fury. Oh How I love those boys!!!!
ALEX! ZACK! So good.
Just finished Sketch and really liked it! Loved that it was about a struggling marriage. It was a quick read too.
Lisa I never pictured Lachlan as Tom Hardy either. Oh the Hemsworth’s! Yummy!! Well done Australia! Lol
Good luck, Maryse! *hands you a bulk-sized box of tissues* I’ve been in a book funk since I finished Here to Stay. It’s hard to leave a world like that behind when you feel like the characters have become part of your life. I guess that’s the great thing about rereading though; we can always go back and visit.
Finished Hearts of Fire. I didn’t connect the way I wanted but decided to stay with the circus. So, pulling Amour Amour out of my tbr. Not sure what my third tbr will be.
If anyone likes circus setting then try Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Cutest baby elephant.
To Have and To Master (Sparrow Beckett)….what can I say….a Russian Christian Grey? Yeah, OK- I am going to go with that. Different storyline…had a hard time with the h’s dialect at times (reminded me of a co-worker and kept hearing it said in her voice….which is not Russian!?!). Geez….otherwise enjoy it as a light read…not what I would consider a dark read by far…
Oh, oh Bev! *jumping up and down*. Amour Amour is soo good! It’s my fav “circus” read. Still looking for my next “circus” read that matches it….so wish Krista Becca Ritchie would make this into a series.
Only 10% in. Not sure what I think so far. But why would she let him do that to her??? I do hope as it goes on she calls him on his arrogance.
DG I love Amour Amour too! I need to find another romance around the circus.
Has anyone read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern? It sounds intriguing and its quite a popular. Its $9 for Kindle though :/
Anne that’s funny cause I almost looked it up at the library a few days ago. I know they have it and have wanted to try it.
Thanks bev!
Anne and Bev I read The Night Circus in hard cover format a few years ago and it is absolutely beautiful. I can’t even describe the genre it’s like a dark gothic noir fairytale. The imagery is amazing and completely absorbing. Centred around a Victorianesque magical circus.
It is dark though and from what I remember heart breaking too. There is intrigue and mystery and ofcourse love.
I had a run on circus centred stories for a while there. The best were:
Water for Elephants
The Night Circus
Amour Amour
The Travelling Man
Anne – never heard of that one…maybe we can catch it on sale one day….i have to know, Know that a book is going to be worth it to even go for them 7.99 ones.
Just started Appealed…no doubt on this one…I have read Sustained previously and enjoyed it. Something about a confirmed playboy falling for an h with a house full of kids….
Jean – thoughts are with ya’ll and sending prayers up for safety and minimal damages!
Thanks Cheryl and DG! 18 inches of snow here now. The shore towns were destroyed by flooding.
Lisa thank you!! I just got it. Its expensive but once in a while I like to indulge lol. Bev you should totally check it out from the library.
Jean so glad you are ok. I saw in the news that 14 people have died. Its heartbreaking. Please guys be safe!
Just finished Captive Prince book one and moving right into book two. It was a slow build, but you really got to get the feel of the characters this way. I don’t hate Laurent anymore. I am now intrigued and can’t wait for the “fun” to start. Book one was a total tease.
Teasing is fun…. π
Anne I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think. Its pretty unique.
MichelleS, I’m so happy you liked it. Now to see how you like number 2……
Off to choose my next read.
Why do authors use the word smirk so often? Usually it is the hero going around smirking all the time. I just started Beat and in this instance it is the heroine.
“I smirk to myself, picturing Redhead standing in front of her bedroom mirror–letting her hair down and singing into her hairbrush wearing nothing but those nine-hundred-dollar Louboutins.”
I do not believe this is an unkind thought. Or that all the heroes are being unkind or smug when smirking, but it is what comes to my mind. Couldn’t they just smile?
https://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/smirk
I’ve noticed the same problem Bev. It’s almost as if they’re trying to change the meaning of the word. It’s a little annoying.
Exactly. I know that sometimes happens where words start to take on new meanings. Smirk is not one of them at least to me.
It could also be that I have read too many CR books in a row and so it is just becoming too much.
On the other hand I’m only a little bit in but like Beat. Pretty sure it is my first by this author.:-)
Mmm. Looks like I need to stop typing, lol.
I’m right there with you. I’ve read too many CR recently. I started Beat a few weeks ago but squirreled for something new and shiny. I’ll get back to it but not right now. I even squirreled away from Pucked Over. I was getting annoyed with both MCs. That’s when I realized I needed a different genre. I tried a couple of books and finally settled on one of Tessa’s recs, Edgelanders. It’s a good fantasy. I remember MichellesS read it too and liked it last year.
Ok Bev. I agree. The MCs in The Play did a lot of smirking. But what word could we use in its place? It has cheeky connotations to me not malicious. Still over used…I agree.
Ugh fabi! I am struggling with Pucked Over too! Only at 30%. I usually never dnf, but maybe I need a change up too!
wow Jean. I’m shocked. You seem to love every book you read. I’m not dnf’ing, I’m gbl’ing. In other words, I’ll try again later. π
I finished Cunning… 4.5 stars for me. Big old cliffy. Gah! I should know better. but I love this writer’s style. Reading The Baller but actually am taking a break… to make a spreadsheet. Yep, my OCD is rearing it’s ugly head today…
I decided I wanted to make a spreadsheet of all of the Reader Favorites of 2015… that way I can look at everyone’s favorites and have an easy way to try and pick a good book *giggle*
Starting to dig out of all the snow. Unfortunately, for the hubby I’ve re-injured my elbow and can’t shovel. I actually feel bad; luckily our neighbor has a snowblower that he did the driveway with. Now to get the teenage boy up to help…
I forgot Jean that you and I are close-by. Philly area and south NJ. I think we’re at around 20″, what about you?
I finished Pucked Over, but I went into it with the mindset of it’s just going to be a light, funny no-brainer read. In other words, I didn’t have high expectations, but I couldn’t decide what else to read next. I agree about CR’s and maybe that’s why I couldn’t decide what to read next, nothing “different” or too much the same.
About 20 inches here too Cheryl! Hubby is out there with the snowblower now and I don’t feel bad. Haha! We think the shore house got it bad. Hoping to have someone check on it today until we can get down there this week.
I’m going to finish Pucked Up, but then I think I really need to change it up…..
You’re reading Pucked Up? I thought you were reading Pucked Over. I’m enjoying Edgelanders for the change of pace.
I’ve just finished book2 in the Arcana Chronicles by Kresley Cole, Endless Knight. The first being Poison Princess. And I devoured these books! Not sure who recommended them on here but absolutely loving them so far, and I see that a new one is coming out this summer I think! π So I may hold off on the third until it gets closer to that one come out. The whole tarot card aspect is something I haven’t read before and it was done so well, it was just the thing I needed. You know when you have to switch up genres from time to time so u don’t get that burnt out feeling? At least I do quite often…anyway this series did it for me! I get that same feelings I did when I read The Darkest Minds and Queen of Shadows a little. The only down side is that the first book I borrowed from the library and I could t wait for the second so I bought it but it’s super expensive for a kindle book π Another reason I will wait for the 3rd
Smirking makes me think…..like James Spader in Pretty in Pink. Lol. *shrugs*
One of those words that has different connotations for everyone.
I’m enjoying Beat. Almost done with it. She has a nice breezy style I like. I will definitely try more by her.
Then I can choose a new/new to me book. Was thinking Sebring, though yes another CR.
Jean & Cheryl that is crazy. I’ve been watching on the news. Scary.
I like the idea of being snowed in. But just enough where it is that beautiful white & silence. Stay in with books/movies, comfort food, &hot chocolate.
Not the scary.
Sorry I meant Pucked Over. All this snow must be getting to my brain! It is really pretty though bev! Bev, is that Beat by Vi Keeland or something else?
Yep, that’s the one. It just went somewhere I kinda hoped it wouldn’t. But not too bad, I guess, as we do know somethings. But the whole table/next morning thing not a fan. Even if one is a punk they do not need to walk into that.
I’m just at the pool part with Alanna. I like her.
I started Pucked Over yesterday but couldn’t get into it. Don’t know why :/ I agree with you guys. I think I need to read something different. Maybe the first one in the Chicagoland Vampires or The Night Circus.
Bev any great new HR?
Bev, ha-ha Alana- Not enough duct tape…
Anne, I so have not been paying attention. I still have not read Cold-Hearted Rake.
*hangs head*
I do that sometimes though. Hoard an anticipated book.
I have one I might read if not Sebring.
A Talent for Trickery by Alyssa Johnson. Had a good review & caught my attention. See how my mood goes.
Others I have, not necessarily new…..let me know if you read them
The Gunslinger-Heath
The Drifter-Schmidt
The Fighter and The Fallen Woman-Cayne
Beauty and the Rake-Monroe
Jackaby-Ritter
Tiffany Girl-Gist
What I did for a Duke-Long
The Secret Clan-Scott
and so on………
Oh and Rogue Spy by Joanna Bourne. Hmm lots of love, maybe this way my reading path lies.
I did read The Highwayman. It was on a few best of list. But it was just ok for me. And Dancing on Coals which was really good.
Sorry I tend to ramble when I can type out a list of titles. π
OK ladies….I finished Appealed. As expected I liked it. Do have a question though, does anyone recall how Brent lost his leg? He mentioned that he would get to that later early in the book but I don’t recall reading it? Maybe I skimmed over that part???
Inquiring mind wants to know……
Um…..the 4 yr old going off to sit with another 4 yr old & strangers in a dark theater? While they sit up in the balcony? That I find worrisome.
Last post before I start my day. But seriously past time to break some ties. Seriously.
Ok. So I finished the spreadsheet of everyone’s posted favorites of 2015… seriously, I have issues haha! Now I’m going to color code it according to books I’ve read or plan to read. And make my TBR list for February. *giggle* See what books I’ve got already squirreled on my kindle. Then, going to finish The Baller…
Wow that’s a great idea Grey! I’m a spreadsheet kinda girl too and I’ve been having trouble lately deciding what to read!
Bev you have great ones there! I haven’t read any from that list though. Going to check them out. I still have to read Cold Hearted Rake too lol Dancing with Coals was amazing! I loved it!! I really need to get back to my HR. I used to read those all the time! Now I am more of a CR reader but still love a good HR.
TashaJ! Isn’t the series so good? I love the Arcana series. Who do you love more? Death or Jack? I’m so in love with Eric. Jack is awesome, don’t get me wrong, but Death just stole my heart.
Anyone looking around for a paranormal, seriously, Imp series by Debra Dunbar. It’s funny, but by book four, so emotional. It’s pure addiction honestly.
Bev, I’m the same way. I have so many books that I anticipated but have yet to read. I think mine is a mood thing, though. I can’t read paranormal when I’m in a dark mood. I can’t read angst when I’m wanting HEA. Heck, I’ve yet to read Carter 2!
Tessa, definitely a mood thing. I’m still not sure what my mood will be tonight…..HE or CD?
MichelleS, did you read Sebring?
Anne, I was so happy that she was going back to BE too, lol. Idk ……maybe next. I’m all over the place and honestly probably won’t decide until I open the book.
Sprees sheets……Lol.
Fabi, I loved Edgelanders! I rec’d it to MichelleS and she really liked it too. I think Tessa thought it was slow. I like the longer reads that might take their time so it was perfect for me.
MichelleS, let us know what you think of CP book 2. I really loved that one. I read them both so fast and need NEED book 3 now!
On a random note, who is ready for the return of X-Files tonight!!! I’m counting down the minutes π
Oh and can’t wait for the fourth Arcana book but seriously it’s Jack and that accent all the way π
Yes Michelle, I like those longer world building books too. I forgot it was you you rec’d it. I’m liking it a lot.
I really need to get back to the Imp series. I remember you saying book 1 was ok but that they get better and better as they go on. So all I have to do is get through this first book to go on the rollercoaster ride with y’all.
Tessa my vote is for Aric all the way! I think they just click better and he made some good points on why it should be him. I didn’t dislike the Cajun but they never really communicated that much and in my opinion Aric is more bad*ss. Lol. But that could change somewhere along the way.
Bev – haven’t read Sebring yet, it’s in the mix somewhere soon though.
Right now I’m at 60% with Captive Prince book 2. I’m going to combust soon if these two don’t hook up soon. Bev and her slow burns. This better not be like WiR with no kissing even!!! I mean it. P.S. Love this series. Definitely reading book three.
Fairly productive here. I sorted my kitchen catchall. paid bills, Read The Baller. Made the reader Top 2015 recommendations spreadsheet…and, *drum roll please* I know what I want to
read!
Kulti by Mariana Zapata was listed almost as frequently as The Deal. LOL! So that is enough of a glowing endorsement for me!
I am reading Waiting for Wyatt by S.D Hendrickson and loving it so far! I want to know Wyatt’s secret!
Grey, Kulti was a full on 5 star read for me! So much awesome and a slow burn.
Fabi, I thought I put three stars for Edgewood? I liked it, but it was slow for me. However, a lot of people loved it, so… I might just be weird.
Tasha, I read three and I still root for Aric. Jack is definitely awesome, but Aric stole my heart.
Michelle, only 22 percent in, but I swear I was giggling at the part with the cane trying to squish the swamp sludge. π Though, Grumpy is making me super curious and uneasy.
Grey- great choice, Kulti is great!!!! I Loved it!!!
Ok so this is most likely the worst book description ever. For the past hour I’ve been searching for a book based purely on what I think the cover looks like. I don’t remember the blurb or title. :/ Here is what I think though, it has the picture of a girl like leaning up/laying on maybe against a car, think like Hollywood dirt colors of that gold/dust background. And that’s literally all I got. Lol. Except I remember not too long ago Maryse saying it had that old school feel. I think bad boy too. I saw this everywhere for the longest time and forgot to list it and now I might wanna read it. Help? Haha
OMG Tasha that one was AWESOME!!!!! π
Thank you Anna!
Tasha J is it Wild Reckless by Ginger Scott?
Anna Penwick, I think that’s it! Thanks so much! I really didn’t think that would be enough info to go off of! π
You’re welcome. I remembered the cover from Maryse’s Top Ten of 2015 list.
Grey!! Kulti is the best!!! At the very top of my favs ever!!! I actually was reading it today to try and get over the awesomeness that was Feverborn but I think I might have to read Feverborn again:)
I hope those on the east coast made it out of the snow storm ok? Maybe got in some much needed reading time? I spent all day yesterday with my eyes glued to my Kindle. It was fabulous! I haven’t had a day like that in a long time. I FINALLY took a break from Chicagoland Vampires (but will be back on it today) and jumped into a couple of college romances this weekend. I haven’t read one of those in so long, and it felt so good to re-ignite the love I have for that genre!
First I read Hustle by Ashley Claudy. It wasn’t on my TBR list and I’d never heard of it, but found it as a recommendation on Facebook Saturday morning. I read the blurb and was instantly intrigued! It was definitely an unexpected ans awesome surprise! I just love it when I find hidden gems! Here’s the blurb, ”
“College was supposed to be Brook’s chance to escape the rumors and the harassment that plagued her at home, but she hadn’t planned on meeting Andrew Fayden.
Now, she’s finding it hard to think of anything or anyone else. She’s determined to wipe him from her mind though, because he is the definition of unavailable. He’s got an on and off again girlfriend always on the sidelines and a flood of girls willing to take over that position.
And his popularity makes it hard to keep a low profile, something she needs to do if she doesn’t want to be pulled back into the drama of her past.”
It was released in November of 2015. Has anyone read it? I absolutely fell in love with it! I just could not put it down. I would find myself gravitating back to my Kindle all day Saturday, because I just couldn’t get enough. I was sneaking in reading time in between household chores. One of the better college romance books I’ve read in a very long time. I highly recommend!! It was able to tear me away from Chicagoland Vampires, and that was no simple feat! Keeping on that train because I was not ready to jump off yet, once I finished Hustle, I jumped to Sacked by Jen Frederick and yet another really great read! Not quite as dramatic as Hustle, but still a beautiful love story. Had me laughing out loud a few times too! I believe someone else on here had recommended that a short time ago? Thanks! π
Finished Waiting for Wyatt and it was beautiful. It was heartbreaking but beautiful all the same. It gave me all the feels. A 5 star read for me.
Oh I added Waiting for Wyatt to today’s list, Anne. I love this author!! π
Michelle, wherever you are, I loved it! (Imp Forsaken) The end gave me happy feelings, but more, one word. Chickens! *snickers* Tons of intrigue and drama and eeps and sad parts, but I loved every second.
*looks around*
Where is everyone this Monday?
I started Sebring. Not sure how much reading time I will have tonight. Well, if do what I should and not read instead.
What should you be doing instead? What could be more important? π I’m in a silly mood because after I finished imp, I started Emma Chase’s Tangled. It’s full of giggles.
Errand, housework,&homework.
*sigh*
All I did not do this weekend. :-/
Did someone say spreadsheets??? I LOVE spreadsheets!! I haven’t updated my document with my main book spreadsheets in about 2 months, and I get all kinds of anxious every time I glance at it. *eye twitches*
I’m still on book 2 of the Penryn series and loving it! It has *exactly* the kind of “early reading days” YA PNR feels I was craving. π But for whatever reason I’ve been consumed with teacher/student book thoughts, so…yeah, looks like one of those is next for me. π
I have to ask. What do you put on your spreadsheet?
I just finished Grave mercy (His fair assassin)by Robin LaFevers and wanted share with you all that it was FANTASTIC!! It took me solid two days (it is a long book – a little over 500 pages) but if you are looking for something unique and historical fantasy with a great H/h with slow slow burn, give this a try. Robin LaFevers’ writing is beautiful. Now I need to find something as good as this one.
Bev…my spreadsheet has different pages with tabs labeled such as YA standalones, YA series, NA standalones, NA series, YA PNR, NA/adult PNR, etc. THEN, I have columns next to each book or series where I’ve designated if it’s vampires, shifters, fae, rockstars, celebrity/normal person, MC, love triangle, infidelity (don’t you judge me :P), college, bad boy/good girl, etc.
And that’s just the short answer. π
Oh, and I also mark if I’ve completed it along the star rating I gave it. Like I said, I love spreadsheets!
Amy is that spreadsheet only for the ones you’ve read? Cause how would you know all that if you hadn’t read it yet?
Nope Fabi, it includes read and unread books. I usually try to update it monthly with all of my new purchases (I check the blurbs to see the genre and then try to see if there are others in the series, which is why it can be time consuming) and any that I read. It’s been a couple of months and I’m behind in updating it so that’s why I’m getting anxiety. π
And don’t get me started on the collections on my Kindle app.
Wow. I don’t know how you do it. I have a hard time figuring out what kind of book it is. I’m doing good if I know whether it’s CR or PNR. I’m so jealous. I can barely categorise mine “after” I read them.
Oh Dear God Amy…I would never get out of the house if I had to do all of that!! And I thought I had OCD tendencies because I color coded my book case!?
I am “trying” to be a bit more organized this year by actually using Goodreads to log all my 2016 reads and put the 5 star books into one file but seriously I have spread sheet envy!
Omg…with the snow storm here in the north I finished two books in one weekend…The Score and then Baller. OMG back-to-back yumminess. I don’t know where to turn next. First of all not sure how long it has been since I finished two books in one weekend, but man! Baller literally had me hot…my face turned red and i kept thinking it’s just hot in here! Nope the writing really made you feel. You ladies are always right! Now I just keep looking for some athletes! Lol. Thanks for always keeping me interested with your awesome reviews and suggestions!
Yay Kristina!! Maybe I should just read this one next… something completely different from my last heartache awesomeness. Hot and funny and sports guys are great!
Actually, the blurbs make it pretty easy to sort them…and, of course, I have y’all here and Maryse’s “[insert blurb summary] alerts!!” to help me figure ’em out! π
*snicker* Spreadsheet envy. π
Tee hee!! It’s fun to alert. I like when I can be silly in the alert. π
Kristina, right? The ladies here are the best!!
Amy, but if you do that, that means I have to stop and read the blurb of every single book. 0.0 I’m pretty good when I first get them to organize them correctly, but anything old still needs sorting.
I will share my spreadsheet of the reader favorites for 2015 if anyone wants it. It is very basic. Just reader name, and the book title/author. What I’m doing for myself, is if I’ve read the book, I’m changing the cell color itself to red… (red for read…. I know, a ridiculously bad pun… I’m groaning at myself right now)
Amy… I have spreadsheet envy in a major way, that sounds… AWESOME!!!