Maryse's Book Blog - Page 1219 of 1846 - Following my heart, one book at a time...

Reader Question… Solved! The book about a girl that fell for her room mate’s brother who is the lead singer in a band…

August 20, 2015 By Maryse 10 Comments

Yay!! It’s Thursday which means it’s reader question day, and this book is PERFECT to start off wit, because I’m sure someone here will absolutely know this one, PLUS it’s right up our alley. Okay so…

Kenesha needs our book help!! It involves something along the lines of… “her best friend’s brother” AND!!! He’s a lead singer!!

Hi Maryse,

Please help me find this book. I am in a book funk and want to reread a book but cannot find it. I spent all day searching but with hundreds of books to search I am lost.

Its about a girl that fell for her room mate’s brother who is the lead singer in a band. She first met him when she was walking on campus and he fell on her while playing ball. He has 2 sisters that are the h room mates and she has a lot of guy friends that look out for her that are friends of her brother’s. It is a series. She left him at the end of the first book I think and went to paris with her best friend who loves her and always looked out for her.

I am going crazy please help me Thanks for any help you can offer

Oh WAIT! The part about Paris and her leaving him to go with her best friend SO SPEAKS TO ME! Like… something I read 2 years ago and LOVED. GAH!!!!! What series is this? I know I read this!!

Surrendering (Surrender Series Book 1) by Ahren Sanders <— Both Dawn and Brianne say it’s this one!! 😀

Dawn: I know this book!!!! Surrendering by Ahren Sanders is book 1, Surviving is book 2. The story of Ravenel and Declan Collins!!!!!!

Brianne: Yes its surrendering by ahren sanders!! And surviving is book 2!! Its my favorite series!!!

Maryse: Gah! It’s not the one I was thinking if that’s the answer…Which means I read something with a similar *thing* that happened in the end of book #1. Do you guys remember THAT one?

YOU GUYS WERE RIGHT!!!! 😀 Kenesha just commented on Facebook and said:

“Thank you so much Maryse’s Book Blog it is in fact surrender by ahren sanders. This will keep me until fallencrest university comes out on Tuesday squueeeeee!!!!”

Tracy Tappan – The Community Series Reading Order

August 19, 2015 By Maryse 4 Comments

This one has been brought up a few times recently (we’ve been told it’s a great “What to Read After The Black Dagger Brotherhood” option), and our very own, Laura has jumped in and is LOVING IT like crazy!! WHOA. The “cover” didn’t stir me much, but these recommendations sure do!!!

Ruthie: The Bloodline War by Tracy Tappan suppose to be like BDB series

Laura: I decided to go with bloodline war by Tracy tappan and omg I loved it!! Defo my new vampire series that I love just thought I would let u all know oh and I’m already on book 2

Laura: Update people on the community series by Tracy tappan I’m on book 2 purest of the breed and OMG it’s even better than bloodline war I really love it all its all vampires fae and demons half breads and all and it’s more modern like the way BDB is get them on the TBR’s

Laura: Update maryse I’m on book 3 this one is going dark but it’s so far my favourite out of them all the emotions and going to be good in this one and everything is coming together I’m going to have an ‘I knew it!’ Moment on this one lol

About book #1:

A car accident changes everything for Dr. Toni Parthen. Her computer hacked hospital blood test confirms she’s the carrier of a gene that’s the key to salvation for a unique race of human beings. Abducted from her hospital room to a secret, underground community, Toni is asked to do the unthinkable: procreate with a man from a race called Varcolac—a species that must consume the blood of other humans to survive. Then bizarre turns dangerous, because a new, mysterious enemy also wants her special DNA, and Toni finds herself in the middle of an all-out war to possess her.

It’s the job of Jacken Brun, leader of the Warrior Class, to keep the captured women safe from a demonic race of humans who rule a neighboring part of their underground world. His challenges multiply when Toni inflames the women into mutiny, and then there’s his biggest problem…his growing desire for the infuriating woman herself. Afflicted with a dark genetic makeup, Jacken can never be with a woman. Until Toni uses her scientific ingenuity to find a way for her and Jacken to be together. But then the new enemy faction unearths Toni and drags her to their hidden lair, where they’ll inflict an unspeakable cruelty on her to gain access to her valuable genes.

It will take every warrior skill Jacken owns to save the woman he loves, but only if he can find her in time….

Five Fun Facts about Makenzie Smith’s latest book release, Free Falling + a signed book giveaway!

August 19, 2015 By Maryse 22 Comments

<— JUST WENT LIVE TODAY!! YAY ME!!!

I read Makenzie’s first book in this series, soon after it’s release (back in December 2014) ’cause that cover had my attention. Gorgeous, serene, and it looked like it could be emotionally deep. but it was the blurb that had me. And it delivered! Here’s my review.

SO when I found out she was releasing another book – also a standalone, with an equally gorgeous book cover, and an even MORE intense synopsis that TOTALLY gave me a blurb jolt, I knew I had to read it, too!!

My heart was intact, unbroken, whole.
No man had ever claimed it.
And then I met Wally.
I willingly fell for him, giving myself with eager hands.
He was wild and stunning, the most extraordinary man I’d ever known.
It was perfect. It was beautiful.
And then he destroyed it.

Oomph!!! Boy can this lady can write a blurb, or what?! Short, sweet, to the point but with TONS of angst so readily waiting for us… So before I (or maybe WE!!!) jump in, I asked her to send over a little sneak peek at the author, and the inspiration “behind” the book.

Fun facts/inspiration …for my new book Free Falling by Makenzie Smith

1.) Wally’s love interest, Kristen, is named after my best friend. When she read Starting Fires she became obsessed with him. There was no other way around it. They belonged together.

2.) Wally is a sky-dive instructor. I’ve never been skydiving because I am WAYYYYY to chicken. To do research on it, I watched dozens of YouTube videos and visited every blog I could find. I’m still too terrified, but if I was strapped to him, I might consider it.

3.) I made up his last name. Nikolokakis. I wasn’t even sure it was a true surname, but in my head I’d referred to him as that so often, I couldn’t call him anything else. Later, I did a google search and found two people who shared it. He’s unique. And it was perfect.

4.) Wally’s story was originally very different. I had started and re-started it numerous times before finding the voice it needed. Eventually, I threw out the entire outline and started over from scratch. After that, it clicked. Everything fell into place, and I completed the first draft in just over 30 days. They inspired me.

5.) Two more books are going to be released in this “series”. And I’m already about half-way finished with the third!

My inspiration for Starting Fires and Free Falling has been simple: People. No tricks. No gimmicks. Just people. These stories are about you. Or me. Or the person sitting across from you. They’re about finding the one person in the world who sees through your bullshit and gets you. Falling in love is the greatest force on earth. It doesn’t matter who you are—man, woman—love drives us. It makes us do stupid things. It makes us crazy. But it also gives us purpose, meaning. Capturing that, feeling that, living that…it’s the best feeling in the world. I write because it’s what my heart aches to do. It’s what my mind thinks about when I’m trying to sleep.

I used to make up stories in my head—outlandish, ridiculous, fantastic stories. I thought I was crazy. Weird. I’d spend whole hours daydreaming. Then one day, I put those stories on paper, and there’s no going back. I feel whole when I write, so I’ll continue to. Wally is fascinating to me. He was always easy to love, but harder to keep.

Now for the signed book giveaway!!

Look what the author has for us! Two signed copies of Free Falling, three kindle or nook copies, and a signed copy of both Starting Fires and Free Falling.

How to enter for a chance to win? Just leave a comment below and by 10pm EST, Sunday August 23rd 2015, I will randomly select one winner for the signed set, two winners to each receive a signed copy of this new release, and three winners to each receive an ebook version of this new release.

The winners will be contacted and will have 48hrs to respond with a mailing address (or confirm their email address), so if you are picked, do not delay or you will lose your chance. This book will be sent to the winners directly by the author.

Giveaway open to US only for the mailed signed books, however it’s open to anyone that can receive one of the ebooks if they win.

ALSO! The author says: More opportunities to win on my Instagram @makenzieherself or my facebook facebook.com/authormakenziesmith

Latest Paranormal & Contemporary Romance Book Releases – August 18th 2015

August 18, 2015 By Maryse 282 Comments

<— Something Beautiful AND Before We Were Strangers are my own personal *squees* of the day. —>

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19th 2015 UPDATE!! 5 more awesome sounding new releases by popular authors today (I listed ’em right here) 😀 :

Four Week Fiancé by J.S. Cooper <— JUST WENT LIVE! “He’s 28, hot as can be and he’s my brother’s best friend. TJ asked me to be his fiance for four weeks. I’m hoping to make the engagement real.“
Tempt Me Like This: The Morrisons (New Adult Contemporary Romance) by Bella Andre <— JUST WENT LIVE/ROCK STAR ALERT! “As one of the biggest rock stars in the business, Drew Morrison can have anything—and anyone—he wants. Only Ashley Emmit, who has joined his tour to work on a college research project, is completely off-limits…“
Unearthed (The Heights Book 2) by Lauren Stewart <— JUST WENT LIVE/PARANORMAL AND SOUNDS AWESOME! “For three years, Keira lived in hell on earth, kept and tortured by a psychopath. He should’ve killed her. Because now she’s looking for payback…” (here’s book #1 on supersale right now, about different characters: Unseen (The Heights Book 1)
Free Falling (Starting Fires Book 2) by Makenzie Smith <— JUST WENT LIVE & I LOVED this author’s other book (Starting Fires <— my review – both are standalones)! This one sounds romantically ANGSTY!!! “He was wild and stunning, the most extraordinary man I’d ever known. It was perfect. It was beautiful. And then he destroyed it.“
Off Her Rockers: Loving All Wrong 3.5 by S. Ann Cole <— JUST WENT LIVE & I LOVED “Jahleel” (<— my review) and the series continues…
Releasing Rage (Cyborg Sizzle Book 1) by Cynthia Sax <— JUST WENT LIVE “Half Man. Half Machine. All Hers.”

Something Beautiful AND Before We Were Strangers are my own personal *squees* of the day. Two of my favorite authors, and two stories that sound like they’ll be totally up my alley. I think many of us here will be buddy reading “Strangers” today, right? That’s the one I’m jumping in on, first, then. YAY ME!!! Of course, I will be reading both, but since so many of you mentioned wanting to start Strangers, I wanna read it with you guys!!

Kirsten: Had an early read of Before We Were Strangers. Loved it. Her best book yet.

Anne: Oh are we going to BR Before We Where Strangers?

Ela: Before We Were Strangers BR!!!

Grey: I’m in for the buddy read of Before We Were Strangers! I fell asleep early last night and haven’t started anything else…

Maryse: I can’t wait!!! I’m not even starting anything until it comes out so I can devour it!!

Ela: Woot hoot! We also have Jamie McGuire *enough said*

I’ll add in my “blurb-jolt” highlights reel as soon as I’m done this list… Oh!! And don’t forget to check out yesterday’s earlybird releases list: 15 Early bird releases & tomorrow’s highly anticipated preorders…

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

AUDIOBOOK LOVERS

For those going on a road trip soon, or maybe you’ve got some projects that require both hands this weekend but still allows you to “listen”… check out the free audible trial + 2 free ebooks deal —>

AND! Here’s the fun-tool again! —> Find out which of YOUR Kindle books are available as audiobooks at a BARGAIN-PRICE! <— 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. VERY COOL!

Wray: Tornians, Book 2 by M.K. Eidem
From Russia with Claws by Molly Harper (writing as Jacey Conrad & Gia Corona)
Never Never: Part One by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher
Never Never: Part Two by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher
Forsaken: The Secret Life of Amy Bensen, Book 3 by Lisa Renee Jones
Scandal Never Sleeps: The Perfect Gentlemen, Book 1 by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake
Treasured by Thursday: Weekday Brides Series, Book 7 by by Catherine Bybee
Secret Pleasure by Lora Leigh

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).

The Wrecked Series by Abby McCarthy <— WHOLE SERIES BUNDLED AT A BARGAIN PRICE!!
Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid Book 1) by Richelle Mead <— OMG!!! THE WHOLE DARN SERIES is on sale!!! And SO many of my fellow readers went CRAZY for this series. There is a part somewhere along the books that FREAKED my friend Jackie out BIG TIME!!
Succubus On Top (Georgina Kincaid Book 2) by Richelle Mead
Succubus Dreams (Georgina Kincaid Book 3) by Richelle Mead
Faking It (The It Girls Book 1) by Leah Marie Brown <— Sounds cute and super-bargain priced. She gets dumped by her fiancee and is pretty much homeless but goes with her best girlfriend to Paris (her “honeymoon”) and meets someone…
Nobody’s Darling by Teresa Medeiros <— SUPER-BARGAIN HISTORICAL BOUNTY HUNTER ALERT! And this was one of my greatest friend’s favorite authors in the world. “Instead of killing me, she hired me to find her runaway brother. Little did she know she was about to make the acquaintance of a flea-bitten basset hound named Sadie, the infamous Darling Gang, and my shotgun-toting kinfolk. And little did I know she was about to lead me on a merry chase that would take us from a bungled bank robbery to the very first Wild West show to tour London, England. ..“
Across the Distance by Marie Meyer <— BEST FRIENDS & HE’S GETTING FAMOUS ALERT!! Also it’s on super-bargain sale right now! “I always had him. Only, now I’m not so sure I do. It’s not just the eleven hundred miles separating us now that I’m at college. Or his band finally taking off, and all the gigs and girls suddenly demanding his time. It’s as if everything is different-the way we talk, the way we text . . . the way he looks at me and the way those looks make me feel.“
What to Read After Fifty Shades of Grey: Paranormal Passions (WTRAFSOG Themes Book 1) by C. James, Dale Mayer, Kristine Cayne, Michelle Hughes, J.A. Fredericks, V.J. Devereaux, Vella Day, Calinda B., Bianca D’Arc, Kiki Wellington <— SUPER-BARGAIN anthology bundle!
Confessions of a Reformed Tom Cat (Modern Love Stories Book 4) by Daisy Prescott <— SISTER’S BEST FRIEND ALERT!! On super-sale today!! “When his sister’s best friend returns to Whidbey Island and propositions Donnelly for a one-night stand, he breaks one of his biggest rules–no fooling around with his sisters’ friends. It’s just sex, nothing more. That’s what Tom does and does well…“

PARANORMAL/FANTASY/SCI-FI/DYSTOPIAN

Two Minutes (Seven Series Book 6) by Dannika Dark <— Robyn is excited!! “Don’t forget Dannika Dark has Two Minutes coming out tomorrow. It’s part of her Seven Series. A lot of us have been waiting for this book it seems forever! Denny and Maizy!“
Getting Wilde: Immortal Vegas, Book 1 by Jenn Stark
A Warrior Wedding (The Protectors Series Book 7) by Teresa Gabelman
The Banished of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 1) by Jeff Wheeler
Damage Report (Immortal Outcasts Series Book 2) by Mandy M. Roth
Matt: Tales of the Were (Redstone Clan Book 5) by Bianca D’Arc
An Alpha’s Choice (Talon Pack Book 2) by Carrie Ann Ryan
Not Quite Gone (A Lowcountry Mystery) by Lyla Payne
Immersed: A Falling in Deep Collection Novella (The Immersed Series Book 1) by Katie Hayoz
Human Nature: Novella of the Lupi (Novella of the Lupi, A) by Eileen Wilks
From Russia With Claws by Jacey Conrad and Molly Harper <— Traci told me about this one! “Hey Maryse! Molly Harper and her writing partner have a book out tomorrow, too. From Russia With Claws is the start of a snarky, wolfy series.”
Forbidden Temptation by R.L. Kenderson
Stone Guardian by Maeve Greyson
The Future (Equilibrium Book 3) by Kate Thomas
Tangling with the Tiger (Lone Pine Pride) by Vivi Andrews
Winter’s Bride (The Elders of the Seasons Book 1) by Nellie C. Lind
Supremacy (A Valens Series Book 2) by Andy Lewter
Forged by Love (Even Gods Fall in Love) by Lynne Connolly
Forbidden (Luna Lake) by Cathy Clamp
Queen of the Immortals (The Vamp Saga Book 3) by Elle Chardou

CONTEMPORARY

Something Beautiful: A Novella by Jamie McGuire <— AMERICA & SHEP ALERT!!!! *happy dance* 😀 Travis’s cousin. remember him?? Of course we do!!! “…a road trip to her parents’ home in Wichita, Kansas could mean the next step, or the end of everything.“
Forsaken (The Secret Life of Amy Bensen Book 3) by Lisa Renee Jones <—CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE ALERT!! I remember when this series was indie and book #1 BLEW everyone away. Finally… book #3!!! “…we meet Amy’s brother Chad–and the woman who either loves him or wants him dead.”
Love After Dark (Gansett Island Series, Book 13) by Marie Force <— SINGLE MOTHER WORKS FOR MAN CARING FOR HIS SICK MOM ALERT!!: “Kissing her boss, however, was not part of the plan. The more time she spends with Paul, the more she admires the way he cares for his mother and the attention he pays to her son. But when Paul finds out about her shameful past, will he still want her and Ethan in his life?“
Evening Storm by Anne Calhoun
Never Say Never (Sniper 1 Security Book 2) by Nicole Edwards
#Poser (Hashtag Series Book 5) by Cambria Hebert
As Lost as I Get by Lisa Nicholas
Practice Makes Perfect (The Warriors Series Book 3) by Charlene Groome <— HOCKEY STAR ALERT!!
Before We Were Strangers: A Love Story by Renee Carlino <— SUBWAY PASSES AND THE SEE EACH OTHER ALERT!!! Ex-lovers see each other years later as they pass each other at the subway… (and he looks for her on Craigslist)… Eeeeeep!!! SO MANY ARE LOVING THIS ONE!! In fact, our very own Anne just finished and said: “You guys!!! I am in book heaven! I started Before We Were Strangers last night as soon as it arrived on my Kindle and finished it this morning and wow! WOW!! What a book! Its the best book I’ve read this year. I cried, laughed, swooned and fell in love. Matt is perfect! I am so in love with him! This is Renee’s best book to date. You all need to read it ASAP! I wish I could start it all over again. More than 5 stars for me. PERFECTION!!“
Treasured by Thursday (Weekday Brides Series Book 7) by Catherine Bybee
Broken Hearts (Chaos Bleeds Book 7) by Sam Crescent
Laid Out (Worth the Fight) by Sydney Halston <— MMA FIGHTER ALERT!!
Hot & Bothered (A Hostile Operations Team Novel – Book 8) by Lynn Raye Harris <— SHE’S A TERRORISTS WIDOW AND SHE’S PREGNANT WITH A CIA OFFICER’S BABY ALERT!!… “He can never have her. Having her means the end of his career in the Hostile Operations Team. But when he learns she’s carrying his child, he’ll have to make a choice…“
Wrecked: Studs in Spurs by Cat Johnson
Scandal Never Sleeps (The Perfect Gentlemen Book 1) by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake
Desert Kings Book 4: Amahd: Captivated by the Sheikh by Jennifer Lewis
Gabe (The Heartbreaker Series Book 1) by Evan Grace
Sinful (Bad Boy Rockers Book 5) by Lexi Buchanan <— SHE’S ENGAGED AND HE’S EX-MILITARY NOW SOFTBALL COACH ALERT… “A man who’s been through hell and a teacher who belongs to another, come together on the softball field, but soon find their lessons extend beyond the field…“
The Surprise Princess (The Wedding Series Book 5) by Patricia McLinn
Heart Breaker (The Heart Breaker Series Book 1) by Cole Saint Jaimes
Laci on Top by Donna Jay
Love So Tempting (The Lawson Brothers Book 4) by Marquita Valentine <— SHE’S PREGNANT WITH HER TORMENTER’S BABY ALERT!! “Forced to turn to her childhood tormentor in her time of need, she convinces Tristan to marry her to keep the gossip in their small town at bay…“
Hate F*@k: The Complete Story (Horus Group) by Ainsley Booth
War Wounded (The War Trilogy #2.5) by Andria Large
Secret Pleasure (Bound Hearts Book 13) by Lora Leigh <— TRIO ALERT! “…when the sexy cousins blaze their way back into her life, Alyssa cannot help but succumb to the heady pleasures the two men can give her.”
What He Left Behind by L. A. Witt <— M/M ROMANCE – A COUPLE & A NEWLY DUMPED BEST FRIEND!! “Everything is fine and dandy until emotions become so entangled, their friendship—and a marriage—could be at risk…”
Starting Over (A Nugget Romance Book 4) by Stacy Finz
Wrangling Echoes by B. Breckenridge
Room 702 by Paloma Aínsa
A Sweet Possibility (Archer Cove Series Book 2) by Natalie Charles <— DUMPED BY HER FIANCEE SHE HIRES HER BEST FRIEND/PERSONAL TRAINER ALERT! “Nate can’t pass up the chance to help Jessie with her self-improvement plan, even if she’s got another man in mind…”
SEALed with a Kiss (Alpha SEALs Book 2) by Makenna Jameison <— OLDER WOMAN YOUNGER GUY + HE’S A SEAL ALERT!
Borrowing Trouble (Give Me Memphis Book 2) by Mae Wood
Rock Her (Rock Rhapsody Series Book 1) by Rachel Cross
The Wife by S.P. Cervantes <— MARRIAGE FALLING APART ALERT!! “She takes every opportunity to show her husband the wonderful family they’ve built together, hoping to win his heart back. The Truth. When a ghost from her past enters Alex’s life in the most unexpected way, she is left questioning everything she believes. Lies will be told and secrets will be unveiled leaving Alexa fighting for her life. The End. There was no way for Alexa to know what was awaiting her.” <— WHOA!!! WHAT does that mean?!
Get Rocked? (The Next Generation Series Book 2) by K E Osborn
On Paper by Shae Scott
Cinderella Wore Tennis Shoes: A Novella by Holly Jacobs
The Favor by Elle Luckett
Breaking Faith (The JackholeS Book 1) by Joy Eileen <— HANGS OUT AT A BAR & FALLING FOR LEAD SINGER ALERT! “While putting the pieces of her life back together, she fights to keep her broken heart from falling for the moody lead singer of the JackholeS. A man named Kill. Killian has his own demons to battle, yet Faith brings out his protective side: a side he thought he’d buried long ago.“
Seaside Gifts: a Seaside romance (Hometown Romance) by Gayle Roper
Retribution (Sebastian Trilogy Book 3) by Janey Rosen
Bosom Buddies: A Novella by Holly Jacobs
Hidden in the Spotlight: Rocker Romance (Surviving the Dream Book 4) by Whiskey Starr
Deceived (Whiskey Nights Book 3) by Suzannah Daniels <— ONE NIGHT GOES AWRY ALERT! “…she’s not the same shy girl who used to admire him from afar. Knowing what she wants, she sets a plan in motion to capture his attention, but things don’t always go as planned—a lesson that Seren will soon learn the hard way.” CAN be read as a standalone.
Nerd Girl (Modern Girls Series Book 1) by Jemma Bell <— SHE’S A BOOK-NERD IN LOVE WITH A COVER MODEL ALERT!
My One Regret by V, Krissy
Her Heart’s Desire (Sunflower Series Book 1) by Linda Joyce
Lucky For You (A Marsden Novel) by Jayne Denker
The CEO (The Game Changers Series Book 1) by Shealy James
I Need You Here: Standalone, HEA, Erotica Romance, Suspense Romance, BDSM, Dominant Alpha Male, Action & Adventure Romance (Need Series Book 3) by Cynthia P. O’Neill
Instruction by L.M. Pruitt
Roses are Wrong, Violets Taboo by Kris Calvert <— TWO STRANGERS MEET IN A BAR ALERT!! “Not wanting to be alone on her last night in Tampa, she stumbles into what she never planned on – Chase Tabeau and the best night of her life. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, Rose and Chase spend one night confessing their hopes for the future and their failures of the past. After opening their hearts to one another, the morning after sheds new light on their destiny as Rose has disappeared without a trace—taking Chase’s heart with her…“
No More Knights by Laura Briggs and Sarah Burgess
Turning Tides by Ruby McNally
The Catch by Jeny Heckman
First Choice, Second Chance (Kurztown Book 1) by Fallon Brown
Healed (Embracing Series Book 5) by Delisa Lynn
Deep Night: A Denver Heroes Novel by Kathy Clark <— BEST FRIENDS SINCE CHILDHOOD & PARAMEDICS ALERT!! “Not even active combat could prepare Chris for the rush he gets when violence and tragedy collide, but the job isn’t the only thing making his heart race. His partner is his closest confidant from childhood, and the girl he remembers is now a strong, sensual woman . . . who needs him more than ever.“
Her Dakota Summer by Dahlia DeWinters
Here He Comes Again (Storybook Lake) by Melissa Shirley
Here Comes Trouble (A Tremayne Family Romance Book 2) by Anna J. Stewart
Fan the Flames by Michele Dunaway <— HIS BEST FRIEND’S WIFE ALERT!! “Former Navy SEAL turned marine rescue firefighter Brad Silverman is tasked with his toughest mission yet: taking care of his best friend’s wife. The only problem is that Scarlett Harrison has always been the one-the one who got away, the one who held his heart, and the one who has always been off limits…“
The Little Kiosk By The Sea by Jennifer Bohnet
One Good Thing by Lily Maxton
The Accidental Cougar by Tiffany N. York
Falling for You (Unscripted Love Series Book 1) by Heather Thurmeier
Perfect Betrayal by Season Vining <— HE’S A THIEF AND HER FAMILY IS THE TARGET ALERT!! “To the outside world, Taylor Hudson has it all: beauty, money and social status. But Taylor’s privileged life is far lonelier than it appears. Levi is the inside man on a job to steal fifteen million dollars from one of the town’s wealthiest families, putting him on a crash course with Taylor. Neither of them believe in love, but lust. . . that’s undeniable“
Keys to the Heart: A Romance by Jennifer Rose
Out of Character by Molly Zenk
Hot and Unusual (Glamour Nannies – Falling for the Billionaire) by Vivien Paige <— CHECKING ON HER FOSTER BROTHER’S SON ALERT!! “Armed with a Nannying for Dummies guidebook, all Tayla needs is three weeks at the mansion where the little boy lives to suss out the situation, confirm his well-being then leave without anyone ever knowing who she really is…“

PRE-ORDERS (next week’s)

Fallen Crest University (Fallen Crest Series Book 5) by Tijan – expected release date August 25th 2015
Sustained (The Legal Briefs Series Book 2) by Emma Chase – expected release date August 25th 2015
Until Friday Night (A Field Party) by Abbi Glines – expected release date August 25th 2015
Illusive (Storm MC #5) by Nina Levine – August 25th 2015
With Brave Wings (Breaking Free Book 2) by Cara Dee – August 25th 2015
Nightwalker by Jacquelyn Frank – August 25th 2015
Heart-Shaped Hack by Tracey Jarvis-Graves – August 26th 2015
Rule (A Mafia Romance) (The Corruption Series Book 3) by C.D. Reiss <— August 27th 2015
The Empathy series Box set by Ker Dukey <— The entire series bundled for a SUPER BARGAIN!! releasing August 31st 2015

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Book catnip & blurb keywords that make us want to read it badly…

August 17, 2015 By Maryse 25 Comments

LOL!!! Yep, this is shaping up to be a goofy Monday, indeed. It’s NEW LIST day (I post one every Monday), and recently, our fellow readers were having a “book-catnip” discussion. Certain phrases, or storylines, or keywords in blurbs that grab us and make us want to read it next. Plus… of course, certain heroes (or hero-types) make us go crazy enough that we’d roll in ’em. The books I mean. We’d roll IN the books. *snort* 😛

What a PERFECT list idea!!! So I am immortalizing the discussion. 😉

We all know who my main catnip hero is… (Travis!! Yep… still. LOL!) 😉 but here are some things that make give me a *blurb jolt* and make me want to one click it.

Reclusive, angry, uninterested men/tortured heroes a la “Zsadist” in Lover Awakened. Those that are impossible to get to, and want nothing to do with the heroine. AND I MEAN IT darn-it! NOTH-ING. Full on refusal, denial, disinterest, and even rudeness. And long term too, so we can work for it. Lots of offensive (or at least discouraging) behavior, and private pining, and more rudeness, and heartache, and… well. Work. For eventual love. Of course I want there to be love for a good part of it, but I want to feel the emotional overload of knowing better, NOT wanting to want him, and yet loving and wanting him nonetheless. And all of that delightful intense emotion, true unconditional love, and healing.

Real people married-couple problems, as portrayed in After I Do by Taylor Jenkins-Reid. This is another thing that attracts me in book blurbs. Adults, living real lives, and having real life difficulties, and therefore struggling to keep their love alive. Whether it be extra-marital issues, or reproduction issues, or overworked issues, or personal scars that have opened up again… issues. Old secrets… (but please – let them be worthy of all the darn drama, okay?!!) I just love to see two people who were set in their lives together, trying to build it back, or at least, hold it together during the hard times. Or even fall apart right before our very eyes.

Risqué love themes. Teacher-student (such as Loving Mr. Daniels and Slammed), Stockholm Syndrome (like Captive in the Dark), forbidden love of various sorts (not too gross of course, but who am I kidding? Forbidden was as forbidden as it gets, and we all loved it, did we not)? All the things that we can imagine happening (due to news stories, or “hearsay” from friends), but that we wouldn’t actually want to experience ourselves due to the incredible trauma and insecurity and even mental-health issues such a love story could cause. And that’s why I love to experience the thrill, and terror, and drama via books. Always… and ONLY via books. 😉 *tee hee!!*

Potential NON-HEA – Blurbs (or recommendations from readers) that indicate a potential NON-HEA <— the possibility of that. BUT!!! Still gives me the impression that an HEA *could* happen… either way. You know. An unconventional love story. Ahhhhh I love that torment! I LOVE NOT-knowing what could happen in a book. Unpredictable = Maryse catnip! Oh I’d list some here but I’m afraid. I don’t want to spoil them either way, so I… I’m gonna think about it. 😉

Bad guys. ALMOST unredeemable, unloving, cold and distant bad-asses (and maybe even a good reason for it – the potential for redeemable). And yet… that ONE (and only one) girl is THE one that warms his cold cold heart. BUT!!!! There are SO many of these out and they do not seem to thrill me as much as they once did. I think because there was a time when an entire book or two would pass before he finally relented, fully, to her (with hints of emotion throughout… but only for her. A la “Barrons“). Now it seems only a chapter or two pass before it’s “true love”. *sigh* I want more resistance!!! P.S. It’s kind of fun rooting for the bad guy… just sayin’ (Hi Javier!!!! *blows kiss*). Oh and Terrible. Any guy named Terrible must be terrible, right? Well to many he was. BUT OMG he put my heart through the ringer, book after book, after book. One of the best love stories ever! Oh and Deuce. Although I struggle with what section to put him in… “bad-ass”, or “bad-guy”? I dunno… *sigh* Guess it depends on who you ask. No matter what… FUN!

And of course… the tattooed, bad-ass, bad boys (and I MEAN BAD-ASS!!!) fighter or protector-types/ultimate BOSS hero types. But again… while they were once so majestic to me, in books, so hard to get to, so hardened and confused, now they seem a little too easy… there has to be *something*. A “je ne said quoi” that makes being loved by him, so freaking HUGE and delightful, and relieving, putting us in that love-fog again. You know… a la Travis, Edward, Christian Grey and of course… Zsadist. *sigh* I haven’t been in a true love-fog in ages…

Oh! But what DOES get my adrenaline racing are psych-thrillers (like Jezebel by K. Larsen). Twists and turns, shocking reveals, genius story-telling, and of course, if you can throw in “love” into the mix? That’s my perfect book. You can find A LOT of that kind of reading in Alessandra Torre and Tarryn Fisher‘s work.

P.S. The Paper Swan by Leylah Attar is quite the PERFECT mix of most of these, above. Just sayin’ 😉 READ. IT!!!!

Oh!!! One more… and even though I do not read many of these, I WANT TO. I have NO idea why I haven’t marathon indulged in post-apocalyptic reads. Because the thought of disease, or government takeover or something along those lines scares me to death. So not only would we get that crazy “what if” thrill, but we’d get the whole “rebuilding”, finding new friends, forgetting old “ways of beings” learning that all of that material wealth was for naught… and maybe even finding love and happiness amongst desolation. YES!!!!

Okay well…. enough of my rambling.

Let’s take a look at our fellow reader’s favorites! bev started us off:

bev: I was just listening to someone talk about figuring out your catnip in books. And then speaking of a book with Amy all over it. I was wondering what is your catnip, the keywords that make you want to buy. I think I’m learning a bit of some of yours. Fairies for MichelleS. Tessa likes the heroes that are d!cks, Amy the heroines that are. 😉 But really what checks the box for you?

Tessa: I do like jerk heroes, but past that, what really checks my box is great secondary characters. So many times, the secondary are one dimension. When they are fully fleshed, and even better, there’s a friendship/ family love there, I just go nuts. FCH has Logan, Nate, and Heather. Harry Potter had so many awesome secondary, it’s insane. The Rocker… Series is basically a big family. Even Bully had Madoc, KC and eventually Jaxon. I just adore how it makes the story more real for me.

DianeM: Great question Bev!! I love tortured heroes (and heroines like Nora in The Siren: The Original Sinners Book 1 (The Original Sinners Series)), my 2 faves are Caleb from the Dark duet and Eli from The Lonely / LOST BOY (The Lonely Book 2). But I totally agree w/ Tessa, great secondary characters always make a book better

Lisa: Great question Bev. I think my book catnip is tortured heros who are kind of jerks initially…like Remy and Colton and Travis. And I totally agree with Tessa. Secondary characters that are well fleshed out really turns a good story to a great story for me. Loved all the characters in Jay Crownover‘s series for that reason. Felt like I knew them and missed them when I finished.

Amy: My catnip? When a book is attached to words or sayings like ugly cry, heartbreaking, gutted me, mindf$#k, twist, etc.

bev: Bad Boy/good girl Yes, well developed secondary characters. Yes, Tessa, HP rocked that. Made Families, HP did this well too. Slow Burn. Good sense of time and place, as if I know the town, or house, vibe of the city, etc

fabi: Book triggers, hmmm, I can’t really pin it down. I know I’m partial to younger characters, especially if they’re fighting against a dystopian world and there’s a little romance thrown in. So when I read a blurb with those elements, its an automatic 1 click. But there are many others too.

Lisa: fabi, have you read Lauren Oliver’s Delirium and Pandemonium. Also the author who wrote ‘travelling pants series’…her book ‘My Name is Memory’. They would all be ticking your book catnip box. Mmmm that sounds wrong. Another book quirk I love is when authors add a play list and you get that multidimensional feel by listening to the music and reading at the same time. (Trust me…listen to the choral music when reading 50 shades red room scenes *gulp*). Of course the beloved Colleen Hoover did it to perfection with her colab with Griffen Peterson for Maybe Someday. My husband thinks it’s just another way I block the rest of the world out when I have my iPod earbuds in and my head buried in my Kindle!!;)

fabi: Music, that’s another trigger for me. Give a character that plays guitar/sings and I’m likely to read the book. Same goes for soccer/football/basketball athlete characters. And dont even get me started on sci-fi. Ah, so many triggers. Probably why my reading is all over the place and I end up missing as many great books as I find.

Jean: OK I’m late to this conversation, but my catnip is the guys who are broken and need saving (Z, Remy, military men…). Also tattoo artists, bikers, and fighters. Yum!

Cheryl: My catnip in books, tortured, sweet, bad-a$$, doesn’t hurt to be a rock star or sports star, hero and a strong heroine.

Tessa: I adore CH, if done right and not cheesy just to get you to buy the next book. I love the mystery and twirling in my head of what’s going to happen, what is that mystery about… all those. Something to dwell on and ponder and make theories about are beyond priceless. However, I don’t like, “And I hate you,” the end, CH, where they get back together in the next book. *rolls eyes*

Maryse: Yes!! Agreed… cliffhangers have rocked my world in the past, but it had to be worth it!!

Maryse: I am LOVING this hero-catnip question… Me too, I’m into the broken bad-asses. And they don’t have to be god-like gorgeous either. Just BIG, strong protectors (even if they’re bad-guys) and reluctantly loving until that one girl comes along and then they give their WHOLE heart. Gah I LOVE that. Z is my ultimate. Travis too (but of course!!) hahaha!! Acheron… definitely. Christian Grey (although I don’t know how much of a “bad-ass” he was). Sebastian from Surviving Raine (YES!!) an even Evan Arden. Terrible from The Downside Ghosts series (and he is another of my perfect examples that he was not a physical beauty, BUT OMG I FELL HARD for him!!!!)

Okay… anyone else? What gets you excited about a book?