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Latest Paranormal & Contemporary Romance Book Releases – December 13th 2016

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WEDNESDAY UPDATES!!!! THESE JUST RECENTLY WENT LIVE, TOO! Okay yeah, 😉 that one there to the left is going live TOMORROW, but I had to post it, ’cause SO many are excited for this one.

  • Naughty Boss: A Novella by Whitney G. <— LOL!!!!! OOOOOOOPS! SHE ACCIDENTALLY SENT HER EMAIL TO HER SEXY INFURIATING BOSS... “I honestly can’t wait to see the look on his face two months from now when I tell him that I’m quitting his company and that he can kiss my ass. KISS. MY. ASS...”
  • Duke: Alpha One Security: Book 3 by Jasinda Wilder <— DARK READ ALERT (at least it sounds that way…) “Six-six, built like a god, red hair, blue eyes, and a tree trunk between his legs. Yeah. This is the guy I got kidnapped with. Phrasing is important there: kidnapped WITH, not kidnapped BY.”
  • Impossible: Dual POV Edition by Julia Sykes <— DARK READ ALERT!! “**This is a new 2016 Dual POV edition of Impossible, combining Sean and Claudia’s points of view into one narrative.”
  

HAPPY NEW RELEASE DAY!!! It’s almost Christmas and Happy Holiday parties time (YAYYYY!!!!) and I’m so excited. But, there’s still some time left to read and shop before the big day (or big days, since many of us have multiple get-togethers to attend), and I found plenty of goodies for all of us to enjoy, below!! 😀

Don’t forget to check out yesterday’s “Early Bird” book releases ➔ 10 Monday Early Bird Book Releases!!

What stands out to me, today? That one up there, to the left (Always With You), absolutely, ’cause book #1 ROCKED MY WORLD!!! DO NOT read the blurb of this one, if you haven’t caught up in the series yet (here’s book #1 ➔ Down to You (A Bad Boys Novel Book 1)), ’cause they must be read in order. 😀 Also, Max (’cause I LOVE famous star books, when he meets that one girl that doesn’t know who he is at all, and he can just be himself… I LOVE the “discovery” part of these love stories and this one sounds perfect!! Plus he’s a hockey goalie. SO…. WOW!!), I Was Here (in the bargains section) ’cause it sounds poignant and stunning (secrets and all that, and I LOVE this author!!), Levi’s Ultimatum (also in the bargain section from back in 2013!!! He sees her (a single mom just trying to make it) and becomes obsessed with her, Jaded Hearts (They are a couple, and both signed to a record label, and it sounds angsty as all heck!!), Becoming a Legend (I LOVE MMA stars, and this one sounds right up my alley!).

P.S. Let me know if I’m missing any or if you loved any (from this list or elsewhere).

AUDIOBOOK L:DVERS

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 audiobooks deal —>

  • AND! Here’s the fun-tool again! —> Find out which of YOUR Kindle books are available as audiobooks at a BARGAIN-PRICE! <— This thing is so cool (Amazon calls it “Matchmaker“)! It’s an Amazon feature, that scans all of 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!
  1. Jezebel by K. Larsen <— I LOVED this story!!! (here’s my 5 star review)
  2. Force of Temptation: Mercury Pack, Book 2 by Suzanne Wright
  3. Light After Dark: A Gansett Island Novel by Marie Force
  4. Max: Cold Fury Hockey Series, Book 6 by Sawyer Bennett
  5. Bearly in Control: Shifters Undercover, Book 1 by Milly Taiden
  6. The Ultimate Treasure: The Lost Andersons, Book 5 by Melody Anne
     

 

BARGAINS & READER RECOMMENDATIONS (NOTE: bargain priced when I added them, but prices can change on Amazon, so make sure to check before you finalize your order. Sales listed are for Amazon U.S., however some of the Amazon UK links also reflect the sale!):

Robin: Oh my goodness! Maryse I just read Love In Rewind by Tali Alexander! You need to move this up on your TBR. I LOVED It! I’m on a total book hangover right now!!!

Lee: MARYSE READ THIS BOOK WOMAN!!! ARGHHHHHHHH… This really is a fantastic read, DONT let that pretty cover fool you, the sex was scorching hot. … IGNORE the synopsis … this book will consume you, will make you think so many scenarios, so many plausible ideas, but you will be wrong at every single turn, the moment you read the 1st chapter you WILL say – ” Okay i hate the main character and i KNOW how this story will go, same ole same ol..” that’s until you get to the end of chapter two, because there more than half of your scenarios just evaporated , you start wondering the What’s, Why’s ..

  • I Was Here by Gayle Forman <— HER BEST FRIEND COMMITS SUICIDE ALERT!!! “…when Cody travels to Meg’s college town to pack up the belongings left behind, she discovers that there’s a lot that Meg never told her. About her old roommates, the sort of people Cody never would have met in her dead-end small town in Washington. About Ben McAllister, the boy with a guitar and a sneer, and some secrets of his own…” (super-bargain priced right now, and I LOVE this author!!!)
  • It Started With A Kiss: Regency Romance Box Set by Christina McKnight, Elizabeth Essex, Erica Monroe, Rose Gordon, Jerrica Knight-Catania, Emma Locke, Amanda Mariel, Deb Marlowe, Jane Charles, Ava Stone <— ANTHOLOGY BUNDLED at a super-bargain price! “Twelve First In Series From Stars of Regency Historical Romance! Enjoy dashing dukes, reformed rakes, and scandalous bluestockings in this sweet to sexy boxed set.“
  • Snowy Knights Anthology: 10 Suspenseful Contemporary and Paranormal Romantic Rescue Stories <— ANTHOLOGY BUNDLED at a super-bargain price! “10 BRAND NEW romantic rescue stories! From literal heroes in the snow, to the bad boy whose soul is saved by love…”
  • Born Sinner (Se7en Sinners Book 1) by S.L. Jennings <— SHE WAS BRED FOR EVIL AND HE WAS SUPPOSED TO DESTROY HER… “Twenty-two years ago, I was cut from a cold, sodden womb, and cradled in the filth and poverty of Chicago’s concrete arms. Statistically, I wasn’t supposed to survive these streets past the age of eighteen. Fate had a different plan.I was bred for one purpose and one purpose only: to unleash death and destruction on my world…“
Tessa: I finished Born Sinners by SL Jennings today and LOVED it. It was all sorts of PNR awesome though, warning – CH.
         

 

PARANORMAL/FANTASY/SCI-FI/DYSTOPIAN

  1. Dark Crime by Christine Feehan <— CHRISTINE FEEHAN ALERT!!! They team up together to get revenge… “Blaze McGuire knows who killed her father and she has merciless plans for payback. Until a phone call from a seductive stranger pleads with her to wait. Retribution is in his blood, too...”
  2. Force of Temptation (Mercury Pack Book 2) by Suzanne Wright
  3. Graham: Emerson Wolves-Paranormal Erotic Wolf Shifter Romance by Kathi S. Barton
  4. Midnight Echoes: Part of the Immortal Ops Series World (Crimson Ops Book 1) by Mandy M. Roth
  5. Bad Santa (Paranormal Christmas elves Romance) (Paranormal Protection Agency Book 13) by Mina Carter
  6. Queen Heir (NYC Mecca series Book 1) by Jaymin Eve and Leia Stone
  7. His By Command (Primarian Mates Book 2) by Maddie Taylor
  8. Moonshadow (Moonshadow Book 1) by Thea Harrison <— THEA HARRISON’S NEW TRILOGY ALERT!! SHE’S A WITCH POLICE OFFICER & HE’S FAE… “Recovering from a shooting, LAPD witch consultant Sophie Ross leaves her job and travels to the U.K. to search for answers about her childhood. When she encounters a Daoine Sidhe knight of the Dark Court, she becomes entangled in an ancient hatred between two arcane forces...”
  9. Shadow World: Dragon Born by Ella Summers
  10. Ink Ever After (Happy Ever After Book 2) by Carrie Ann Ryan
  11. Broken Angel (Bad Things Book 4) by Cynthia Eden
  12. Once Upon A Midnight Solstice
  13. Savage (Rise of the Pride, Book 3) by Theresa Hissong
  14. Beyond Surrender (Beyond, Book #9) by Kit Rocha <— KIT ROCHA ALERT!!! DYSTOPIAN/EROTICA and this is the CONCLUSION to the series!!!
  15. Bearly in Control (Shifters Undercover Book 1) by Milly Taiden
  16. Starstruck Holidays: A MM Sci-Fi Holiday Romance Anthology
  17. Acca (Angelbound Origins Book 3) by Christina Bauer
  18. The Beckoning (Entangled Series Book 2) by Jill Sanders
  19. Bear for Christmas: Kodiak Den #4 (Alaskan Den Men Book 15) by Amy Lamont
  20. Dragon Mated (Paranormal Romance) (Monsters and Shifters Book 2) by Amy Faye
  21. Lone Wolf: Fated & Forbidden (Fated and Forbidden) by K. de Long
  22. When Darkness Falls by Lisa M. Lilly
  23. Space Cowboy Survival Guide by Heather Long
  24. Mack (Black Mountain Pack Book 1) by Miranda Lynn
  25. Luminous Dreams by Alexa Piper
  26. Falling into Darkness by L.M. Brown <— M/M ROMANCE
  27. The Sorcerer’s Touch (Blood Secrets Book 3) by Imogene Nix
                          

 

CONTEMPORARY

  1. Always With You: A Bad Boys Novel by M. Leighton <— A NEW M. LEIGHTON BOOK!!!! This one should be read with the series, though… (I went crazy for that first book (check out my review) and here’s the series reading order.
  2. Off the Rails by Jill Sorenson <— MUST READ BOOK #1 FIRST!!!!!
  3. Light After Dark: A Gansett Island Novel by Marie Force <— MARIE FORCE’S LATEST ALERT!!! “Take the ferry back to Gansett to catch up with the McCarthy family and their friends. Be on hand as Laura and Owen welcome their twins and the family comes back together for another summer of love and adventure on Gansett Island…”
  4. Bestie: Joker’s Wrath MC by Bella Jewel
  5. Sweet Surrender: A MacKenzie Family Novella (The MacKenzie Family) by Liliana Hart
  6. Second Chance (Lake Placid Series Book 1) by Natalie Ann
  7. The Lady and the Lion (Once Upon a Time) by Kay Hooper
  8. Star-Crossed Lovers (Once Upon a Time) by Kay Hooper
  9. Through the Looking Glass (Once Upon a Time) by Kay Hooper
  10. Disaster at Roosevelt Ranch by Elise Faber <— SHE SLEPT WITH THE WRONG TWIN... and now she’s pregnant!!! Eeeeep! “I’m determined to make it on my own. I don’t need a man, thank you very much. Not rich, charismatic, and decidedly flighty Rex Roosevelt, and especially not his twin brother, Justin...”
  11. Waiting for a Girl Like You: (Kissables Duology Series, Book 1) by Gina Conkle
  12. Exit Wounds by Nikki Archer
  13. Road Trip: A Rock Season Novel by R.L. Merrill
  14. Max: A Cold Fury Hockey Novel (Carolina Cold Fury Hockey) by Sawyer Bennett <— HOCKEY STAR & A SINGLE “MOM” THAT DOESN’T RECOGNIZE HIM ALERT!! She’s raising her sister’s kids, and struggling to keep up… “Between working two jobs and raising her sister’s kids, Julianne Bradley doesn’t have time for sports—or men. All she knows about Max is that he’s the sexiest customer to ever grace her gas-station counter...”
  15. Her Troubled Cowboy (Harland County Series Book 9) by Donna Michaels
  16. Interception (The Distraction Series Book 3) by Angela McPherson
  17. Shattered Illusions (The Club Series Book 2) by J.C. Thompson
  18. Wicked Impulse (ALFA PI Book 3) by Chelle Bliss <— HE’S INTO HIS FRIEND’S MOM ALERT!!! “Bear North, ALFA’s resident bad boy, has never thought of Fran as anything more than his buddy’s mom. When she trades in her elastic pants and orthopedic tennis shoes for a pair of skintight jeans and high heels, he takes notice of the fifty-something MILF…” (P.S. It can be read as a standalone)
  19. A Harmless Little Plan (Harmless #3) by Meli Raine
  20. Deadly Forever (Hardy Brothers Security Book 24) by Lily Harper Hart
  21. Could’ve Said Yes: A Thistle Bend Novel by Tracy March
  22. For Maggie’s Sake by Lora Leigh <— SHE HAS VERY IMPORTANT SECRETS... “Maggie Chavez is in protective custody with a member of her former lover’s SEAL team. Joe, her ex-lover, thinks Maggie is hiding information from him about a powerful drug lord and the deaths of some SEALs. He intends to seduce her and get the information before she can sell it back to the drug cartel...”
  23. Sinful Deeds (Book 1 Sinful C.O.R.E.) (C.O.R.E. Series) by Kristine Mason
  24. Burn So Bright (Jupiter Point Book 2) by Jennifer Bernard
  25. Feeling Some Type of Way by Vera Roberts
  26. Indelibly Intimate: A Tattoo Erotic Romance by Regina Cole
  27. Temptation (Gibson Family Book 2) by H. Elizabeth Austin
  28. Emma (Angel Book 2) by Tracy Lorraine
  29. Jaded Hearts (Loaded Replay Book 1) by Harper Sloan <— HARPER SLOAN ALERT!! IN LOVE & THEY HAVE A RECORD DEAL BUT… “Our every desire was at our fingertips and the power of that feeling was all consuming. But then it took every dream we thought would come true and it slapped us in the face with the cold hard reality…“
  30. Checkmate: This is Love (Checkmate Duet Book 2) by Kennedy Fox <— THIS IS THE CONCLUSION!!! So I won’t read the blurb so as not to spoil it for myself…
  31. Captivated by Love (Grangers Book 1) by Brenda Jackson
  32. Finn: 7 Brides for 7 Brothers by JoAnn Ross
  33. The Ultimate Treasure (The Lost Andersons Book 5) by Melody Anne
  34. The Spire (The Walsh Series Book 6) by Kate Canterbary <— SHE’S LEFT HER WEALTH & FAMILY BEHIND… “She holds everyone—even her siblings—at a mile-long distance. It’s the only way to protect herself. But she can’t protect herself from him…” Can be read as a standalone!!
  35. Will Never Fade (a Riley O’Brien & Co. novella) by Jenna Sutton
  36. Tattooed Hearts by C.A. Harms
  37. I Will: A Christmas Novella by Lisa Kleypas <— LISA KLEYPAS ALERT!! HE’S BEEN DISINHERITED BUT HE CAN CHANGE IT… “…As part of his plan, he wants to convince his father that he is courting a respectable woman with the intention of marrying her. The problem is, he doesn’t know any decent women, except for his friend’s spinster sister, Miss Caroline Hargreaves…“
  38. Cheeky Christmas: A British Billionaire Holiday Romance by Aria Cole
  39. Somewhere Inn Between by Jaci J
  40. Behind The Book (Sexy Series 2) by Heather Dahlgren
  41. The Bridge by Jill Cox
  42. A Second Wind (Mount Kiernon Book 2) by Suzanne Paschke
  43. About You by A.J. Llewellyn <— M/M ROMANCE!!
  44. Nothing Special V by A.E. Via <— M/M ROMANCE!!
  45. Fix You by Carrie Elks <— SHE’S HIS SISTER’S NANNY... and they are from very different walks of life. “...As she becomes the nanny to his younger sister, the attraction between them grows, though the differences between them are too much to overcome. Until the day they meet in New York and everything changes. After a passionate night together, they try to make things work, but neither of them can imagine the ways their love will be challenged. Then one day, Hanna walks into Richard’s office and reveals an explosive secret…“
  46. The Willow Bay Stables Collection by Anne Jolin
  47. River on Fire (River’s End, #5) (River’s End Series) by Leanne Davis
  48. Always on My Mind: A Country Dirt Road Romance (The Dawson Brothers Book 1) by Jessica Mills
  49. Married at Midnight by Gerri Russell
  50. Fairground Attraction by Raven McAllan
  51. Anarchy and Kisses (Anarchy Duo Book 1) by Katie de Long
  52. The First Touch of Sunlight by Len Webster <— SOUNDS CRAZY ANGSTY ALERT! WHOA! I have NO clue what any of this blurb means, but there’s a triangle of sorts?? Or something? And secrets… and stuff. “…She saved his life, exposing him to what it could be like to be with her. But that wasn’t Life’s plan. Because deep down, his secrets will destroy their lives and separate them. His secrets will break both their hearts until the day he finds her standing on the edge of the train platform, completely lost. He did this to her...”
  53. Deadly Ending: Hardy Brothers Security Books 22-24 by Lily Harper Hart
  54. Honor: NA ROMANCE (Bending the Rules Book 2) by A.M. Wray
  55. Catching Luke by Debra Elise
  56. The Predator: Part One (The Predator Series Book 1) by Brooke May
  57. All I Want (Holiday Hearts Book 3) by Susan Scott Shelley
  58. Becoming a Legend (Kavanagh Legends) by Sarah Robinson <— FAMOUS MMA FIGHTER ALERT!!! “With her best friend about to marry into the Kavanagh family, Nora has been resisting Kane’s shameless attempts at flirting for months. But after their undeniable chemistry finally takes over, leading to the hottest night of Nora’s life, she’s running scared. There’s a lot about her life Kane doesn’t know, and she won’t be responsible for ending his career.”
                                                      

 

PREORDERS (next week’s!!! :D )

➜ CHECK OUT ALL the upcoming BOOK RELEASES here (frequently updated and it goes all the way to 2017!)

       

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).

10 Monday Early Bird Book Releases and a few preorders going live at midnight!

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EARLY BIRD DAY!!!! I’ve found us some awesome-looking early ones (one of ’em – the sports romance one below – is #7 on all of Kindle right now!!) Very cool!!!

And right now I’m reading A SUPER DARRRRRRRKKKKKKK BOOK but it is SO. FREAKING. GOOD. It’s THIS one ➔ Take Me With You

Oh MY this book!!!! The writing is absolutely incredible. The thought processes… to me? SO REAL despite being so hard to read, and to experience. An absolute nightmare. This is a DARK READ ALERT (triggers and all). But Lori and Sally were RIGHT. It’s unputtdownable.

“Oh come on!” I shout, hot tears falling down my cheeks. I’m so angry I’m letting myself cry over such mundane items. I’ve been reduced to an infant, relying on someone for my most basic needs and unable to communicate through anything but tears.“

It is so authentic-feeling. So real and raw, and hard to read, and yet I’m connected and I don’t want to put it down. I have a feeling this will be an easy 5-stars my friends. I can’t wait to review this one!!!!

But in the meantime… 😉

LOOK WHAT JUST WENT LIVE EARLY!!!!

  1. Dark Surrender (The Dark Ones Saga Book 3) by Rachel Van Dyken <— LIVE!!! RACHEL VANDYKEN’S LATEST ALERT!!! HE’S A VAMPIRE & HE HAS TO BE WITH A HUMAN... “What I’m not happy about? Being told I have to mate with some withering human and stay loyal to that one person for the next few centuries. There’s a war coming and being the idiot I am–I offered to take one for the team in order to help a friend. Now my sexual appetite is taking a freaking kick in the nuts. And I’m left wondering if it’s worth it. If she’s worth it, with messy hair and dirty human hands…“
  2. Scarlet Stone by Jewel E. Ann <— JEWEL E. ANN’S LATEST BOOK IS LIVE ALERT!! She’s a thief that loses everything, and decides to start over somewhere else, and HE disgruntledly becomes her roommate. “…She needs peace, but what she gets is a housemate who looks like Thor, acts like a warden, and smells her proximity like a Bloodhound. Theodore Reed is a carpenter and perfectionist with a body built of steel, a black, hollow heart, and a hunger for revenge. He doesn’t like company, girly-smelling crap, and British accents. He resents every breath she takes. She’s fascinated by his every move…“
  3. Even the Score by Beth Ehmann <— SPORTS ROMANCE ALERT!!! He’s a sports agent single father, and he needs help with work… “No parent likes being sidelined, so Andy decides to hire someone to share the workload. But when one of the hottest agents in the industry applies, Andy knows that this deal is definitely trouble…“
  4. Royal Atlas by H.J. Bellus <— HER BROTHER’S BEST FRIEND, NOW A BROKEN MILITARY MAN ALERT!!! “I hid my love for years. But now he’s back. Guy Webb returned a broken soldier after serving his country all over the atlas. And now it’s my job to help him heal. My family lost everything with his return and I can only hope I survive it…“
  5. Nice Guys Bite (Elemental Assassin) by Jennifer Estep <— LIVE!!! JENNIFER ESTEP’S LATEST ALERT!! “…a novella starring Silvio Sanchez, the vampire assistant of Gin Blanco, as he goes on a holiday date that turns out to be more deadly than romantic.”
  6. Unexpected by KG Fletcher <— She’s almost got all the luck, but greed and jealousy threaten her dream-come-true… “Recently jilted Josephine Davis wasn’t looking for love…. A chance encounter along the sweltering highway with Atlanta’s own millionaire bachelor changed all that…“
  7. Three Sweet Nothings (The Blindfold Club Book 5) by Nikki Sloane
  8. Never Stop (The Halo Series Book 3) by Kimberly Knight <— (must be read in order)
  9. Indelible: Beneath His Ink (Teal and Trent Book 2) by Inger Iverson <— “…when his pregnant ex plows into his life, all hell breaks loose—unearthing parts of his past he wished would stay buried…”
  10. Being Brooke by Emma Hart <— SHE’S IN LOVE WITH HER BEST FRIEND ALERT!!! “Not to mention I’m completely and utterly in love with Cain Elliott. The problem? He’s in a relationship. With a girl who’s so plastic she makes Barbie cry herself to sleep with jealousy.
    The second problem? He’s my best friend.“
  11. Branded: A Father’s Best Friend Short Story (Best Friends Book 1) by Ryan Michele <— HER FATHER’S BEST FRIEND ALERT!! “Grady shouldn’t make my body quiver. He’s my father’s best friend and everywhere. A misunderstanding taught me one hard lesson in love…”

          

 

PREORDERS (going LIVE at midnight!!! :D )

➜ CHECK OUT ALL the upcoming BOOK RELEASES here (frequently updated and it goes all the way to 2017!)

     

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).

Book Review – Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught

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Whitney, My Love (The Westmoreland Dynasty Saga Book 1)

Considered a MUST-read in the historical romance genre, HUGELY loved, and one of the most popular recommendations that has ever come my way. People either LOVE it OR hate it, but NOBODY can forget it, and I KNEW I had to read it. I was craving an emotional-book-uproar, and this sure got me there!

Maryse: I’m reading “Whitney, My Love” and I’m loving it. I’m only 25% in but holy moly it’s over 700 pages long so, I think that’s a nice chunk. She’s such a BRAT!!! BUT I am LOVING IT. Slow burn/triangly indeed.

Pamela: Whitney My Love – read it twenty years ago and several times since. Sigh.

Tessa: *shifts in seat* Whitney My Love is the most popular, but one scene made me SOO angry. I’m kind of worried that Maryse won’t like it based on that one scene.

Jan: Huh. I can’t remember *that* scene from Whitney My Love (can’t even remember what it was LOL). It mustn’t have been a trigger for me cos I can remember loving all of those books without reservation.

Tessa: I remember them. I keep saying some those old historicals are worse than some of the dark books out now…

Lauren: Whitney, My Love is freakin INCREDIBLE!!!! … I’m pretty sure I have Whitney, My Love memorized. Once upon a time, before Travis or Christian or Gideon, there was Clayton Westmoreland….my first BFF.

Shana: Judith McNaught is what started my love for romance books over 20 years ago. I have read Whitney, My love numerous times and enjoy it every time.

*ooooomph*!!!

I am in love with this cover, and I’m in love with this love story, but what I’m NOT in love with is Clayton Westmoreland, the Duke of Claymore. Oh, he almost got my heart a few times, because he seems to be the ULTIMATE dream man. Protective, patient, and considerate, lavishing his love with everything she could ever want, handsome and respected, so humored by, and enamored with her…

“You devil!” she whispered, torn between laughter and anger.

“I would hardly describe you as an angel,” Clayton mocked.

BUT then he totally loses his sh!t and he becomes so appalling and such a monster, an inconsiderate, misogynistic, manipulative, spoiled, embarrassing-tantrum-haver, emotional (and physical) abuser, that I mostly just… hated him.

Maryse: I hit THAT spot on Whitney, My Love that has me infuriated. But I’m enjoying the story as a whole too much to drop it. I can’t freaking BELIEVE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALL OF THEM!!!!!!!!! ROOOOOAAAAAARRRRRR!!!! mad Okay back to my book…

My friends… “that spot” is well known amongst the Whitney, My Love fans, but that was NOT the only *spot* that had me absolutely incensed. It was the worse one (officially), but there was something else… that had me utterly DONE with him.

That said… I AM half-in-love with his brother Stephen, and I hear (at least per the end of this book), that he’s still single. 😉 I’m in! Oh right… I don’t think he’s available “today”. LOL!!

So what’s it about?

Whitney, born into a distinguished and well-respected lineage, was raised by her unsupportive, unloving, widowed father that was squandering their wealth. But to top it all off, he was overwhelmed by teen-Whitney’s independence, extreme intelligence and tomboyish ways. And mostly, embarrassed by her outlandish unabashed behavior (and the gossip and that seemed to follow her).

By constantly criticizing his daughter in front of other people, Martin Stone had made his own child a target for village ridicule. All Anne really needed to do was whisk Whitney away from these narrow-minded spiteful neighbors of hers and let her bloom in Paris, where the social atmosphere wasn’t so stifling.

Ugh. What a jerk.

Worried that she wouldn’t become a “proper lady” (and fed up of her HUGE infatuation with an adamantly uninterested, and significantly older, “Paul”)…

“…when Paul sees how well I do, he’ll—”

“He’ll think you have lost your mind, Whitney Stone! He’ll think that you haven’t a grain of sense or propriety, and that you’re only trying something else to gain his attention.” Seeing the stubborn set of her friend’s chin, Emily switched her tactics. “Whitney, please— think of your father. What will he say if he finds out?”

…he sends her to Paris to live with her aunt and uncle.

And there, she simply blossoms! Raised with love, support, and deep affection, her aunt and uncle adore her, and treat her as their own daughter. She’s lovingly indulged in their wealthy world, treated to extravagance and “how-to-be-a-lady” lessons (in her mind… these are ALL for Paul).

“Paul Sevarin,” she whispered with great determination. “I shall change completely in France, and when I come home, you are going to marry me.”

Yet they wholeheartedly support her in her independence, personality, and all that makes Whitney… “tick”.

YOU BE YOU, WHITNEY!

Everyone notices.

Whitney becomes the belle of the ball, other debutantes either want to be her, or HATE her (jealousy!!), but the prospective men simply can’t get enough of her, and she milks it for all it’s worth.

That is, until she comes across “Clayton”.

For years, gossip had linked the man with every beautiful female of suitable lineage in Europe, but marriage was not among the things he offered. Behind that handsome nobleman there was a trail of young women’s broken hearts and shattered marital aspirations that would make any sensible woman with an unmarried female relation shudder! He was the last man on the continent in whom Anne wanted Whitney to show any interest.

The last man in the entire world!

Unbeknownst to her, he has her future in his hands. Also enamored with her, he pays her father an exorbitant amount of money to guarantee her as his future wife. Because, you see, back then, the father mostly decides the fate of his daughters.

He wanted her, that was reason enough. She was warm and witty and elusive as a damned butterfly. She would never bore him as other women had; he knew it with the wisdom born of years of experience with the fair sex.

His mind made up, he turned and strode briskly to the desk. “I will need some documents prepared, and there will have to be a transfer of a considerable amount of money when Stone accepts my offer.”

“If Stone accepts it,” Matthew corrected automatically.

The Westmoreland brow quirked in sardonic amusement. “He’ll accept it.”

The drama and tumultuous love affair (love triangles?) begin. She’s been forever in-LOVE with Paul, and now that she’s older, and more “refined”, she’s hoping he’ll return her affections.

And Clayton, humoring her needs to “find” herself and her true love, begins his quest of courting her… hoping that she will choose HIM on her own (even though he’s already purchased her).

“That was your first lesson, little one. Never, ever play games with me. I’ve played them all before, and you can’t win…”

Oooooh the DRAMA!!!!

“Why do you hate me, little one?” he asked gently.

Caught off balance by the endearment as well as his tone, Whitney gave a blunt, teary answer. “Because there’s something about you that makes me behave like a raving lunatic.”

GAH!!! That was one of my most FAVORITE LINES EVER!!!! It was so truthful, so raw and honest… and so touching.

Love triangles, and jealousy ensue, and you’re in for a wild ride, if you can suspend your objection for how all of this goes down (yes… the misunderstandings grated on my nerves, and they were SO detrimental in the grand scheme of my connection to this love story). You guys, I just don’t know that I could suspend mine. rolleyes There was eyerolling. Too much of it.

It was a great read, very long, but beautifully detailed, often hilarious, and it came alive in its imagery and personality (I believed these people truly exist… er… existed. 😉 ). I felt like I was roaming the cobblestone streets, and riding in the carriages along with these characters. Dancing at the balls, and flirting and giggling and being all ladylike in my beautiful flowing dresses. Wow… what a time to be a “lady“.

Except NO.

With the outlandish almost, childlike tantrums, over-the-top coquettish flirtations (in attempt to create jealousy, or just plain interest), and the catty rumors and detrimental gossip (spread and relished equally by the men and women), I just… no.

Because, if you were stuck with a father like Whitney had (or Emily… you’ll find out about her later), and forced to marry a man that you had no love for, or someone that you DID fall in love with, but that took horrible advantage of “owning” you (yes… when push came to shove, these men reiterated that they”owned” the woman), then you’d be in hell, no matter how wealthy.

“I find it sad that most of my sex have been trained from babyhood to sound exactly like witless female butlers.”

“So do I,” Clayton admitted quietly. Before Whitney had recovered from her astonishment, he added, “However, the fact remains that no matter how well-educated a woman is, she will someday have to submit to the authority of her lord and master.”

“I don’t think so,” Whitney said, ignoring her father’s anguished, quelling looks. “And what’s more, I shall never, ever call any man my lord and master.”

“Is that right?” Clayton mocked.

Whitney found herself with all the comforts and luxuries of a distinguished and popular (and coveted) lady, betrothed to the most coveted man, a wealthy, debonair Duke, no less, and yet found herself so alone, when he “went off”. Dealing with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a nightmare. And she finds herself often distressed, unloved, perplexed, and shamed.

Oh the shaming. Disgusting.

Mind you, she plays unnecessary and dangerous games. I found her immature and silly (despite her seeming independence and intelligence), and while I’m not blaming her for his reactions (those are HIS alone – UGH!!!!What a freak, sometimes!!!), I couldn’t stay fully connected to her, in regards to some of her actions and reactions. Eeeeeeep! Holy MOLY Whitney, why??!!!!! But those were in her dangerously “flirty” and tantrums times.

Whenever Clayton acted like a beast, I was RIGHT THERE with her, hating HIS GUTS!

And then… she’d soften to him (you’ll see), and I’d severely struggle with those moments, too.

“Tell me how much you hate my touch,” he ordered furiously. Pulling his mouth from hers, he stared down at her with biting gray eyes. “You despise my touch,” he hissed. “Say it now, or don’t ever, ever say it to me again.”

*sigh*

As dreamy as that era seems (as depicted in these gorgeous Regency romance books), I much prefer today. Of course, you can find abusive men anytime, but at least these particular antiquated customs are, for the most part, gone.

That said, it’s an addictive guilty-pleasure that will keep you guessing. I was always happy to pick this one back up, and jump back into that romance intensity with my heart flip-flopping to and fro.

4 stars!

Book Review – Whispers and the Roars by K. Webster

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Whispers and the Roars
I one-clicked this one immediately on that blurb alone. Absolutely up my alley, and I can say that this author seems to venture into that murky-creepy-fascinating territory that I tend to gravitate to. I love exploring personal darkness, whether it be emotionally innate or environmentally influenced… or even just a bad-guy psych-thriller. My curiosity as to how these subjects will be explored, and how cleverly they will twist and astonish (and give me an adrenaline rush) keeps me hooked on this genre.

Now… before you continue onto the review below, I will assure you that I do not spoil anything, but I want to respect the author’s warning by reposting it here. I would hate for you to get any preconceived notions from my review (or my own experience of this complicated journey) and I don’t want to spoil your fun. I liked it, but for some reason, I didn’t love it (I’m still working out my feelings as to why).

Something was missing, for me (and I think it was one of the main characters. I wasn’t feeling him, as much as I wanted to). However, it did keep me hooked, and I devoured it in no time, and it’s getting rave reviews, so take from this what you will.

Here is the author’s warning:

***THIS STANDALONE IS BEST ENJOYED WHEN YOU DON’T READ ANY REVIEWS OR SPOILERS BEFORE READING. GOING IN BLIND IS BEST. TRUST ME.***

And while this one DOES venture into darker (and even trigger-inducing) territories, it’s not as “dark” (as a whole), as that blurb seems to hint at.

Lisa: Ladies (and gentlemen, if any are lurking), Whispers and the Roars is in the bag, and it was amazing. For anyone who fears it as a dark read or because it has triggers, please don’t. The triggers aren’t really in your face or over the top. It is, at it’s very core, an unconditional love story.

Ela: Whispers and the Roars is not creepy at all just very mysterious.

Oh don’t get me wrong… that blurb has EVERYTHING to do with this book. It is EXACTLY right. And yet, I originally had the wrong impression entirely.

…Some may even fear me, which is ridiculous. I’m just a broken twenty-nine-year-old. Not a monster.

A recluse. I’ll give them that.

At one point in time, I wasn’t.

This journey, in essence has a more “new adult” feel to it (even though the characters are in their late twenties), but with a zany colorful cast of characters (that “best friends” feel) as the main character deals with her horrific past, and a tumultuous personal growth.

I may be a lonely woman, but I have some amazing people who look after me.

Too bad the one I miss the most ran off to Yale University. Left his girlfriend to pursue a career. Stole my heart right from my chest.

You would have held him down, Kady. He was meant to soar.

But don’t be fooled. This book gets… erratic (and it all makes sense when it does).

The beginning was a bit iffy for me, but I believe it’s ’cause it wasn’t “going” how I expected it would go from that dark-sounding blurb.

Maryse: First 25% is … sweet. Reminds me of those deep-message and growth new adult books, where one of the characters has a horrible childhood that has them suffering even as young adults. Good writing, but the tone of the blurb doesn’t match the tone of the book… from what I can tell. Yet. That said, I’m still into it! :D

Ela: 43% into Whispers and the Roars. It’s STILL TO EARLY if y’all can believe it to make any assessments….we’re still trying to figure what the heck is going on.

Nay: Yes, Ela, LisaA, and I have been having a ball on GR trying to figure out what the deal is with Whispers and the Roars. I think I’ve got it, but I’m still not positive.

BUT!! It kept me intrigued (albeit, a bit “safe” feeling) for the first half, while I guessed at what the big deal was. Where it was actually going (’cause it seemed to be just a big ol’ emotional mess and that was about it).

At one time, he had fixed everything. My life was calm and serene. He’d been instrumental in keeping Norman away. Those assholes Pascale and Kenneth never came around as long as I was with Yeo. He protected me from the bad people in my life and loved the good ones. We’d become a team. And we were unstoppable.

Until I put a stop to us.

Then it got there. I guessed it RIGHT before it was confirmed, but boy oh boy there was much more to it than that.

Lisa: 73% done with Whispers and the Roars and I love it. It is labeled as dark, but I am not getting dark. I am getting a hella amazing love between the two main characters. It is a plot twist I have seen once before…but handled so beautifully. This had to be a tough writing experience for the author.

Maryse: Okay I’m halfway in and I’ve totally figured it out. I know it…

And that’s where I’m ending this entire review. I get why the author says to go in blind and not to read any reviews to get the maximum impact. She’s right.

I liked it, but something about it kept me from loving it. And I have no idea what. Maybe it was just so… out there (although sheeeeeesh… I just LOVE this kind of  subject matter). I’m thinking it was Yeo? There was something about him that I couldn’t get attached to. Then again, by the end, I was questioning everything.

It’s good. I enjoyed it, and pretty much devoured it (I just started it last night), but there’s something that’s keeping me from screaming it from the rooftops as “awesome”. It’s crazy, it’s intense, and maybe even… cathartic. So I don’t know what my problem is? I LOVE it when I can’t put a book down. And I LOVE this genre. And this one was well-explored so…?

I just need some time to internalize and absorb it, I think. But for now, I’m giving it:

3.75 stars!

P.S. Then again, “You” by Caroline Kepnes made a mess of me way back when I read it, and I devoured it and still initially gave it 3.75 stars. Mind you now, I toute it from the rooftops, ’cause it’s unforgettable. LOL!!!

P.P.S. Note: These books have NOTHING to do with each other, other than I have that same “weird” feeling at the end of devouring ’em. *snort* 😛

This week’s latest Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations! 21 of ’em!

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<— SUNDAY UPDATE!!! I’M READING THIS ONE AS WE SPEAK!!! eek DARK-READ ALERT (seriously… trigger-warning right off the bat!!!) but so well written…

P.S. Check out my latest two reviews:

I’m finished (and ready to review) the highly recommended historical romance entitled “Whitney, My Love” and oh boy did it put me through the ringer. Almost 750 pages of one heck of a crazy love story, and I’ve got a few… choice words, let’s just say. 😉 Still, I get the enthusiasm for it.

*grumbles* stupid jerk-face Clayton *grumble grumble*

But what makes me extra happy right now? It’s time for me to start a new book, and I am choosing one out of the list below. Problem? There’s three that I’m dying to read from the list right now (like that one up there to the left… AMY!! I have a feeling it’s gonna be a Marmy book!!), and now I have to make a choice, ’cause I already one-clicked a new release from this week that also sounds pretty crazy. Hmmm… that’s not so much of a problem, though. 😉

Now… take a look at what we found! (NOTE: some are bargain priced when I added them, but prices can change on Amazon, so make sure to check before you finalize your order. Sales listed are for Amazon U.S., however some of the Amazon UK links also reflect the sale!):

  • Wait for It by Mariana Zapata <— LIVE!!!!! MARIANA ZAPATA SLOW BURN ALERT and Jan is reading it as we speak (and GLUED to it)!

Jan: I’m 45% in and really liking it. But, be warned, it IS a slow burn like Kulti and WoW. I FLOVED those two books, esp. Kulti. But I can see how some people got bored with it. But I loved the characters and was happy to dig deep into to their stories for the great payoff in the end. I didn’t really like the other MZ books as much.

Wait For It seems to be similar in style to Kulti and Wow, although it’s a different kind of story from those two. The h is Diana Cassilis, best friend of Vanessa (from WoW) and a relative (cousin maybe?) of Sal from Kulti. But it’s completely a standalone. You gradually get to know the great characters in the book as their stories unfold and relationships develop. Diana is just lovely, and she’s got a heckuva lot to deal with but she does it so well. And there are lots of funny, sweet moments.

I’m glued to this book and have dropped the other ones I was reading till I’m done with this one. So far I highly recommend it to anyone who liked Kulti or WoW or who appreciates slow burn and well-written characters with integrity.

  • Dancer (The Good Guys Book 2) by Jamie Schlosser <— LIVE!!! SHE’S A SORT OF… STRIPPER ALERT! “My life may not have turned out the way I thought it would, but I’m not complaining. From 9pm to 1am several days a week I get paid to feel sexy, to feel desired, to do what I love. I always knew I wanted to be a dancer—I just didn’t realize I’d be doing it in a cage…“
  • Torch (Devil Souls MC Book 1) by LeAnn Ashers <— LIVE!!! BIKER BOOK ALERT! And he saved her and made her his… “Torch is the Vice President of the Devils Souls MC. The men are violent and scary, but I learned to trust them, because above everything else, their women are protected. They became my family. My only family.“
  • NOWHERE: (Crimson Outlaws MC #1) by Bink Cummings <— LIVE!!! BIKER BOOK ALERT (and a single mom high school teacher)! LisaKay recommends it!!
LisaKay: Maryse I just read “NoWhere” by Bink Cummings, the book came out Dec. 6th. I couldn’t find it on here, so I was letting you and your readers know it was out. It was an awesome read, as all her books are, it already has like fourty four 5 star reviews.
  • Wild in the Windy City: The Anthology by M. Dauphin, J.D. Hollyfield, Ryan Michele, JM Witt, FL Jacob, Danielle Jamie, Jenna Galicki, Sapphire Knight, Lisa Suzanne, Elle Christensen, Evan Grace <— LIVE ANTHOLOGY FOR A GREAT CAUSE!!!
  • Whispers and the Roars by K. Webster <— SOUNDS DARK & I ONE CLICKED IT SO HARD & AM STARTING TONIGHT!!! AUTHOR SAYS TO GO IN BLIND AND AVOID REVIEWS which has me even MORE intrigued!!! I think Amy’s reading it too, so it’ll be a sort of buddy read!! Er… well, I think I’m starting it next… ’cause there’s also that other one up there to the left that has my attention, big time!!
Lisa: Ladies (and gentlemen, if any are lurking), Whispers and the Roars is in the bag, and it was amazing. For anyone who fears it as a dark read or because it has triggers, please don’t. The triggers aren’t really in your face or over the top. It is, at it’s very core, an unconditional love story.
  • Tough Luck (A Luck Brothers Standalone) by Liv Morris <— LIVE!!! FOOTBALL STAR ON A REALITY SHOW ALERT!! “When Amelia Adams tells everyone my days as Chicago’s quarterback are over, I vow never to give her another minute of my time–until the team owner sees an empty stadium, and forces us together on a reality show in hopes of filling the seats.“
  • Once She Dreamed: Part Two by Abbi Glines <— LIVE!!! ABBI GLINES ALERT!!
  • Mr. Match: A Mister Standalone (The Mister Series Book 5) by J.A. Huss <— LIVE!!!! J.A. HUSS ALERT!!! (P.S. This is NOT a standalone, so here’s the series reading order)
  • Yours to Bare by Jessica Hawkins <— LIVE!!! SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD BE ANGSTY!!!
  • Pub Fiction Boxed Set by Gillian Jones <— HE’S A PLAYER… SERIES BUNDLED AT A BARGAIN PRICE ALERT!! “He’s the guy who girls like me should avoid. I’m smart; I know better. But when I’m with him, I feel things I’ve never felt before. Things I never knew I wanted. I can’t deny it … I like the chase…“
  • Bird Box: A Novel by Josh Malerman <— HORRORish BOOK THAT I LOVED!!! Super creepy post-apocalyptic story! NOBODY can look outside… or else… and Tasha and Jean found us this one on super-sale right now!! (here’s my review)

Tasha: For all the triller/spooky book lovers, Bird Box by Josh Malerman is on sale… through Dec. 31st!

Jean: Loved that book…. totally unforgettable!

Amy: I really liked it!! :D Not terrifying but definitely creepy with enough intensity to keep me reading.

  • See No Evil by Chantal Fernando <— LIVE!!! BAD BOY ALERT!! “…if Sylar treats me as though I’m his world, does it matter that technically he is not a good man? He’s good to me. He’s good for me…“
  • On Thin Ice by Carrie Aarons <— LIVE!!! HE’S THE LAID BACK GROUNDSKEEPER & SHE’S THE RICH ICY HEIRESS ALERT!!! “Nathan Rush is a small town man who has never dreamed of a bigger life. Until, that is, the only surviving heiress of America’s richest family lands on his doorstep. Nathan is the groundskeeper at Hollis House, the Valon family’s upstate New York mansion just outside of Harlin Falls, the quiet, sleepy town he was raised in. He’s an honest, hard-working man who wants nothing more than a beer and a hockey game on TV at the end of the night. Except, when the ice princess starts to melt, Nathan pictures his future in a way he never has before…” Nancy found it for us, and it’s super-bargain priced right now!
  • Black Widow by Lauren Runow <— THEY MEET IN A SEX CLUB ALERT!!! “My marriage ended tragically. Since then, the only excitement in my lonely, pathetic, workaholic life is reading erotic novels. However, I now have the chance to be whoever I want to be, where no one knows my past and will never be my future.” (Nancy found us this one on super-bargain and she loves it!)

Nancy: If your looking for a psych-thriller than you should give Black Widow by Lauren Runow a try. It is romantic Suspense, Erotica, Murder Mystery, Broken Souls,

Grey: …read an older release… Black Widow by Lauren Runow, pretty sure a bunch here have already read this one. Hot and steamy with a good bit of mystery. 4.25 stars for this one too.

  • Take Me With You by Nina G. Jones <— GO IN BLIND/ADRENALINE-RUSH, SUPER-DARK READ ALERT!!!! My 2 book buds, Sally and Lori say THIS BOOK IS FOR ME!!!!!!! *squeeeeee*

Sally: Maryse!!!! Wake up!! It’s super early in New York but I can’t hold back LOL I have to share! Okay so I don’t know this author, in fact I have NEVER read this author before. But this book is AWESOME and I don’t know if you have read it yet?!? You know I LOVE me some dark reads and practically NOTHING gets to me BUT …It is one of the most disturbing, gut wrenching, non stop ADRENALINE rushes I have been on in a LONG time! Not for the faint of heart. But if I have any dark read sista’s out there don’t pass this one up. Go in blind!! Don’t read ANY reviews. Easy 5 Star read! And you won’t be able to put it down till your done!

Lori: Completely agree!! It’s so messed up but sooooo good!! it was such a rush I couldn’t put it down. Maryse I think it’s right up your alley!

Maryse: OH YAY MEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! Okay I’m one-clicking it, and adding it to today’s Reader Recs list. :D!!!! I’m WAY too excited now!!!! Gah!!! I love to wake up to messages like this!!!!

Lori: lolol I made Sally read it but then she beat me (yes that’s how busy i am lol) and she had to hold my hand!! and listen to my rants

Theresa: Hey Maryse…I have 2 book recs..totally different ends of the spectrum…first is Room for You by Beth Ehemann…a sweet and sexy sports romance that has just enough angst but nothing over the top…add in a set of adorable 5 year old twins and a great supporting cast of characters and I was hooked…It was a 4.5 star read for me.

  • Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi <— INTENSE TWIST-AND-TURNY DYSTOPIAN ALERT!! Theresa recommends this one too!

Theresa: The second I am currently reading and at about 70 percent…is Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi…in one word “INTENSE”…it is a dystopian / sci-fi? (Difficult to categorize) read that has many twists and turns that have left me breathless…the way it is written allows me to fully experience the array of thoughts and emotions experienced by Juliette (h) as she navigates some horrendous situations and at the same time experiences the touch of a loving hand for the first time…I can’t wait to see where this story goes…already got the novella and book 2…I am hooked! Hope you enjoy these recs…happy reading!

  • She, the Kingdom by Olivian Pope <— RECENT RELEASE ABOUT “THIS THING” and the blurb is only ONE SENTENCE? And SO VAGUE (yet totally intriguing!). Some are talking about it (I’ve been hearing a bit about it here and there) but I can’t get a feel for it, but lucky for us Tasha is reading it.  This book (and all that is tied to it) appears to be a mystery… 😉 In fact, Tessa won’t even tell us… she says: “Never had I really read a book about *this thing* I can say that for sure.” <— eek GASP!!! WHAT IS “THIS THING”?!!!

Tasha: Hey guys! …I had to mention this book Im reading real quick. She, the Kingdom by Olivian Pope. Anyone else read this??! Check out that blurb!! I was really intrigued especially after I briefly caught some reviews so as not to spoil. It’s probably too early to tell, but so far I’m really enjoying it!! I’m about 30ish percent, reads quick, has good writing, the story is giving me feels! It’s weird though, but still I’m looking past the weird and it has me jittery you guys!! I’m wanting to know what the heck is gonna happen, and the anticipation has me going crazy. Has a bit of a 50 shades feel so far! 🙂 And Nay (I think it was Nay), if you’re still in the mood for hot forbidding, angst and you haven’t read this, maybe give it a try!

Nay: Tasha–thanks for the recommendation! I will definitely check that out! But what I want to know is, how does that author expect to get their name out there and sell any books? There’s no info about her/him on GR, Amazon, FB or anywhere that I can find. No web page, no nothing. The title doesn’t really tell you what the book is about and the blurb is one vague sentence, so how can anyone even know if they want to read it or not?? IF they happen to come across it.

Tasha: Nay, I dk the one sentence blurb is what had intrigued me. That and the reviews of how great it was even with her being a first time author. But also how everyone says it’s so weird. Seriously out of curiosity I just read the sample and decided I had to know more. You’ll see what’s weird about it just in that much. I’m about halfway through now and my eyes constantly bulge, my heart races, I’m like wth, seriously, omg I bet I know what’s gonna happen, and I can’t help but laugh too. Never had I really read a book about *this thing* I can say that for sure. And it’s super fast. If I had the time I probably could’ve been done by now and I just started it today. So far I’d say it’s a guilty pleasure read for me and it’s a little thrilling too, anticipating what’s next. But seriously, the subject matter!!! LOL is all I can say right now. Maybe the author is relying on word of mouth for sales? I dk ;)

Tasha: eek eek!!!! Omg this book!!!! I’m at 77% for all you angsty lovers looking for something a little different try this book!!

Tasha: Finished! I’m not sure what my rating will be yet, though leaning towards 4ish stars. I really enjoyed it, it was entertaining for sure and I became quickly absorbed in the drama and angst. The writing was really good, and I liked that it was a quick read bc sometimes I don’t want to spend a week on a book, but also it moved too fast and skipped over some character development and connection. It was hot, if not kind of weird. Lol All in all Id definitely recommend it and think a lot of you here would like it!

Ela: Tasha, I see there is a book 2 so I’m curious if there is a cliffy.

Tasha: No cliffy…just MORE

  • Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson <— TWO FRIENDS THAT FIND THEMSELVES ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE HOLOCAUST and it’s back on sale!!! There are TONS of AMAZING reviews (over 2000!!!) & we have fellow readers right here that absolutely LOVED this one and highly recommend it!!!

Lindsay: “Maryse, just read Once We Were Brothers Although not your typical genre, I know you will love it. Couldn’t put it down for anything…”

Andrea: This is one of my favourite books of 2016!

  • From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon <— SURE BET OF AWSEOMENESS!!! And R is reading it as we speak!

R: From Sand and Ash and My Broken Soul by Amy Harmon“Angelo must have slept in the damp grass beside the road for a while, but the evening was cold and his cassock was thin, and he awoke, shivering.”

Aaaaannnd…I’m crying again. I think I may be re-sending you my top ten Maryse.

  • AUDIOBOOK L:DVERS ➜ 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 audiobooks deal —>

  • AND! Here’s the fun-tool again! —> Find out which of YOUR Kindle ebooks are available as audiobooks at a BARGAIN-PRICE! <— This thing is so cool (Amazon calls it “Matchmaker“)! It’s 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. :D !!! VERY COOL!

                   

PREORDERS (next week’s!!! :D )

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