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Exclusive Excerpt of Colleen Hoover’s Confess + A Book Giveaway!

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I am SO excited about Colleen Hoover’s upcoming release, Confess!! It’s coming out in just a couple of weeks (on March 10th). I’ve loved everything I’ve read by her, each story stunning me, and captivating me with it’s real-life feel, impactful reveals that I never saw coming, and yet every bit of that realism… exquisitely detailed. Gorgeously written. Colleen Hoover is one of my forever favorites, and I feel so blessed that I’ll already get to read another one so soon! *squeeeeee!!!*

So what’s this one about?

Here’s the blurb, to give you an idea of what we’re in for:

At age twenty-one, Auburn Reed has already lost everything important to her. In her fight to rebuild her shattered life, she has her goals in sight and there is no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a chance and puts her heart in control, only to discover that Owen is keeping a major secret from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

To save their relationship, all Owen needs to do is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin.

Whoa. What is he hiding… what confession can be worse than the sin, itself? I MUST KNOW!!!

Here’s an exceprt to kick off a week of sneak peeks!

Prologue

Auburn

I pass through the hospital doors knowing it’ll be the last time.

On the elevator, I press the number three, watching it illuminate for the last time.

The doors open to the third floor and I smile at the nurse on duty, watching her expression as she pities me for the last time.

I pass the supply room and the chapel and the employee break room, all for the last time.

I continue down the hallway and keep my gaze forward and my heart brave as I tap lightly on his door, waiting to hear Adam invite me in for the very last time.

“Come in.” His voice is somehow still filled with hope, and I have no idea how.

He’s on his bed, lying on his back. When he sees me, he comforts me with his smile and lifts the blanket, inviting me to join him. The rail is already lowered, so I climb in beside him, wrap my arm over his chest, and lock our legs together. I bury my face into his neck, searching for his warmth, but I can’t find it.

He’s cold today.

He adjusts himself until we’re in our usual position with his left arm under me and his right arm over me, pulling me to him. It takes him a little more time to get comfortable than it usually does, and I notice his breathing increase with each small movement he makes.

I try not to notice these things, but it’s hard. I’m aware of his increased weakness, his slightly paler skin, the frailty in his voice. Every day during my allotted time with him, I can see that he’s slipping further away from me and there’s nothing I can do about it. Nothing anyone can do but watch it happen.

We’ve known for six months that it would end this way. Of course we all prayed for a miracle, but this isn’t the kind of miracle that happens in real life.

My eyes close when Adam’s chilled lips meet my forehead. I’ve told myself I’m not going to cry. I know that’s impossible, but I can at least do everything I can to forestall the tears.

“I’m so sad,” he whispers.

His words are so out of line with his usual positivity, but it comforts me. Of course I don’t want him to be sad, but I need him to be sad with me right now. “Me too.”

Our visits over the last few weeks have mostly been filled with a lot of laughter and conversation, no matter how forced. I don’t want this visit to be any different, but knowing it’s our last makes it impossible to find anything to laugh about. Or talk about. I just want to cry with him and scream about how unfair this is for us, but that would tarnish this memory.

When the doctors in Portland said there was nothing more they could do for him, his parents decided to transfer him to a hospital in Dallas. Not because they were hoping for a miracle, but because their entire family lives in Texas, and they thought it would be better if he could be near his brother and everyone else who loved him. Adam had moved to Portland with his parents just two months before we began dating a year ago.

The only way Adam would agree to return to Texas was if they allowed me to come, too. It was a battle finally getting both sets of parents to agree, but Adam argued that he was one dying, and he should be allowed to dictate who he’s with and what happens when that time comes.

Don’t forget to check out Vilma’s Book Blog tomorrow for the next episode in the CONFESS excerpt chain, and follow along with all the other stops on the 10 Days of Confess chain!

Ready for that giveaway?

How to enter for a chance to win it? Just leave a comment telling us your most favorite Colleen Hoover novel (or just leave a comment :D that’s fine, too!), and by 10pm EST, Wednesday February 25th 2015, I will randomly select ONE winner for a print copy of Confess: A Novel.

The winner will be contacted and will have 48hrs to respond with a mailing address, so if you are picked, do not delay or you will lose your chance. This book will be sent directly to the winner by the publisher (Atria Book – Simon & Schuster).

Open to U.S. and Canada only but all are welcome to comment!

10 Days of CONFESS Excerpt Chain Stops

Author Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Slammed, Point of Retreat, This Girl, Hopeless, Losing Hope, Maybe Someday, Finding Cinderella, and Ugly Love. She lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys. Please visit ColleenHoover.com.

Find Colleen online:

Pre-Order Now

Five of the Latest Books on my TBR List, so I don’t forget…

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Here’s my latest TBR list so I don’t forget. ‘Cause I keep forgetting. And I WANNA read these so bad, so I have like, 10 windows open on Amazon with a different book on each page… that makes me go “OOOOOHHH I wanna read thaaaaaat!” And then… I overwhelm my computer with too many open windows and programs going on, and then I have to reboot my computer to give it a break from my book obsession, and then… I lose ’em. rolleyes *sigh*

So I’m making a list and keeping track of ’em right here. And this doesn’t include my 2015 Reading Challenge list that I’m doing. LOL! This is a whole other list. Yep. I love reading too much. I’m like a kid in a candy store, stuffing my face with a bite of each one and I can’t pick my favorite so I just keep clicking… So here are the latest 5 that are making me *squirrel* big time! biggrin

  • The Hurricane by R.J. Prescott <— ‘Cause I keep hearing this one’s on the whole “Beautiful Disaster” love and bad boy level, and well… I’ve never stopped my search for the next one like that, to fulfill my “more like Travis” needs. 😉 We’ll see… we’lllllll seeeeee. We’ll see so much that THIS is the one I’m starting right now. And Marion just commented saying: “I’m currently reading The Hurricane by R.J Prescott, fans of Beautiful Disaster this is one you need to get to pronto! (I’ll even go out on a limb and say this one has got me more hooked than BD)” <— WHOA. I gotta start it NOW!!! READ!! Here’s my Book Review

Maryse: I’m starting it now!!! *happy dance*

Alyssa: Just finished it. So. Good.

Linda: I’m 60% into Hurricane and looooving it!! Get on it guys!!!

Alyssa: Gah. You are killing me. I need someone to talk about it!!!

Maryse: Already on it!!

  • Kyland by Mia Sheridan <— ‘Cause everyone keeps telling me this is on her “Archer’s Voice” level and y’all know how much I LOVED Archer’s Voice!! And especially now, since MichelleS loved it like crazy, too. “I just finished Kyland. 5 stars for sure! I had a lump in my throat and lone tears kept squeezing out of my left eye for the entire second half of the book. It was just so dang sweet and achy and beautiful. I’m totally in love with this man/boy right now…. until the next one comes along anyway. It had an epilogue, and all that angst…. just perfect.” MINE!!! 😀 READ!!! My Book Review
  • Confess: A Novel by Colleen Hoover <— admittedly, it’s not out yet, but HOLY MOLY YES PLEASE!!! I can’t wait to read this. I’ve loved everything by Colleen Hoover so far, and I can’t wait to see what she came up with by way of how the “confession might be worse than the sin”. YIKES!! YAY!! READ!!! MY Book Review
  • Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell <— I HAVE TO READ THIS!!! Her name is Rainbow, it’s got 2,222 reviews on it so far (and they are pretty much all AWESOME, and #2 is one of my favorite #’s so it must be a sign). PLUS!! What makes it that much more of a sign that I need to read this is when our own fellow readers say: “So, I know I’m late to read Eleanor & Park but I’m loving it. I read almost all of it last night, just so good.” (that was bev!!). And then she said: “I’m so excited about E&P. Just one little plea, Maryse & Jean? If the audio is not working for you, please (see pleading) try reading it. If it had not been a library book I probably would of highlighted over half of it. Seriously, the writing is wonderful.” READ! MY Book Review
  • Three, Two, One (321): (A Dark Suspense) by J.A. Huss <— Mega-twisty and gasp-worthy… so I keep hearing. And I LOVE “book-gasping”! My favorite!

    

Shortcut to the latest upcoming book releases – February 22nd 2015

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I just updated the main “Book Releases” page with all of these goodies below. But like usual, I went ahead and made a mini-list of the new additions right here in a separate “shortcut” post so you can see ’em quick. 🙂 Look what’s coming (and a few surprises that just came out today!!)

  1. Confessions of a Reformed Tom Cat (Modern Love Stories Book 4) by Daisy Prescott <— JUST RELEASED TODAY!! and on super sale (and can be read as a standalone)!
  2. By Any Other Name (Forbidden Book 1) by J.M Darhower – TOMORROW!!
  3. Fighting Silence (On The Ropes Book 1) by Aly Martinez  – TOMORROW!!
  4. The Deal (Off-Campus Book 1) by Elle Kennedy – Feb 24th 2015
  5. Killian (On the Line Book 1) by Brenda Rothert  – Feb 24th 2015
  6. Thoughtful by S.C. Stephens <— expected release date February 24th 2015
  7. Untamed (Unbeautiful, #2) by Jessica Sorensen – Feb 27th 2015
  8. Fearless Anthology – 12 Sizzling Stories by Kahlen Aymes, Chelle Bliss, Stacy Borel, Lexi Buchanan, Tillie Cole, Kaylea Cross, Jennifer Foor, KL Grayson, Missy Johnson, Harper Sloan, Nacole Stayton, Hillary Storm, BT Urruela – Feb 28th 2015
  9. The 27 Club by Kim Karr – expected release date March 3rd 2015
  10. Changing Everything: A FORGIVING LIES Novella by Molly McAdams – expected release date March 3rd 2015
  11. Rock Hard (Rock Kiss Book 2) by Nalini Singh – expected release date March 10th 2015
  12. A Shade of Vampire 11: A Chase of Prey by Bella Forrest – expected release date March 21st 2015
  13. Awakening You (Unraveling You, #3) by Jessica Sorensen – expected release date March 24th 2015
  14. Spark X (Death Collectors, #3) by Jessica Sorensen – expected release date March 31st 2015
  15. Recurve (The Elemental Series Book 1) by Shannon Mayer  – expected release date March 31st 2015
  16. Crave: A MacKenzie Security Novel (MacKenzie Family Book 11) by Liliana Hart – expected release date March 31st 2015
  17. Spark (Death Collectors, #3) by Jessica Sorensen  – expected release date March 31st 2015
  18. Without Me (Men of Inked Book 7) by Chelle Bliss – April 7th 2015
  19. Wicked White by Michelle A Valentine – April 24th 2015
  20. Sweet (Contours of the Heart) by Tamara Webber – April 27th 2015
  21. Never Never: Part Two by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher – expected release date May 17th 2015
  22. Ever Night by Gena Showalter – expected release date May 19th 2015
  23. Ultraviolet: A Novel by Jessica Sorensen – expected release date May 26th 2015
  24. Trusting Liam: A Taking Chances and Forgiving Lies Novel by Molly McAdams – expected release date June 9th 2015
  25. Illusion of Annabella by Jessica Sorensen  – expected release date July 7th 2015
  26. Scattered Ashes (Shattered Promises, #4) by Jessica Sorensen – expected release date July 21st 2015
  27. Kitty Saves the World (Kitty Norville) by Carrie Vaughn – expected release date August 4th 2015
  28. Sustained (The Legal Briefs Series Book 2) by Emma Chase – expected release date August 25th 2015
  29. Reclaiming Jessamine: A Novel by Jessica Sorensen – expected release date September 1st 2015
  30. Archangel’s Enigma (Guild Hunter) by Nalini Singh – expected release date September 1st 2015
  31. The Drafter (The Peri Reed Chronicles Book 1) by Kim Harrison – expected release date September 1st 2015
  32. Dark Ghost (Carpathian Book 26) by Christine Feehan – expected release date September 1st 2015
  33. A Red-Rose Chain: An October Daye Novel by Seanan McGuire – expected release date September 1st 2015
  34. Dark Wild Night (Wild Seasons) by Christina Lauren – expected release date September 15th 2015
  35. Forever with You by Jennifer L. Armentrout – expected release date September 29th 2015
  36. About a Vampire: An Argeneau Novel (Argeneau Vampire) by Lynsay Sands – expected release date September 29th 2015
  37. Entranced by Jessica Sorensen – expected release date October 6th 2015
  38. Too Hot to Touch: Three Breeds Novellas by Lora Leigh – expected release date October 6th 2015
  39. White Trash Zombie Gone Wild: A White Trash Zombie Novel by Diana Rowland – expected release date October 6th 2015
  40. Feverborn: A Fever Novel by Karen Marie Moning – expected release date October 13th 2015
  41. Breathless (w.t.) by Christina Lauren – expected release date October 27th 2015
  42. White Hot by Ilona Andrews – expected release date October 27th 2015
  43. Sweet Nothing: A Novel by Jamie McGuire & Teresa Mummert – November 1st 2015
  44. Born of Betrayal (A League Novel) by Sherrilyn Kenyon – November 3rd 2015
  45. Mind Magic (Lupi) by Eileen Wilks – November 3rd 2015
  46. Hard Beat: A Driven Novel by K. Bromberg – November 3rd 2015

                             

Book Review – The Five Stages of Falling in Love by Rachel Higginson

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The Five Stages of Falling in Love
WOWWWWW!!! *sniff sniff* sad That. Was. Beauuuuuuutiful. The book that gave me big fat ploppy tears that just ran down my cheeks randomly in a mix of sorrow, absolute grief, and pure sweet happiness! lol

Sherry: I’m only 13% in and I’ve choked up AND laughed my ass off ALL on the same page….this one is going to be rough… My God, how can a book have you crying at only 3% ???? But laughing at 7%

Maryse: It sounds perfect!!!

Sherry: Oh you’ve no idea. It’s such a real feeling of emotions….it rips your heart out, then your laughing out loud a sentence later…Just real

From start, to middle to end… I snuffled and sobbed, cheered and giggled, oohed and awwwwed over the various stages of her grief and her emotional healing. I was right there with her, and felt every single step of her mourning.

AND I also loved experiencing the whole “falling in love” part. Even though she didn’t quite realize it, yet… the title pretty much gave it away. 😉

Because that’s what this one was about. Love and loss. And just maybe… love again.

Right from the start (even though I went in blind), I knew what I was in for. Like Sherry said, it hurts like heck right from the first few pages, and yet, even though I knew I was in for pure emotional agony, the writing is so beautiful, the characters already so well developed, and the connections and bonds so tangible that I knew I was also in for a delightful, heartfelt treat! I didn’t need “time” to get into it, and get to know them. I was already there, right from the start. And there was NO way I was shying away from these tears. I was gonna feel ’em and let ’em flow.

Honest, raw, REAL, heartfelt and even in it’s sorrow… witty as heck!

And my fellow readers had this one right!

Kandace: The gang and I read Five Stages to Falling in Love this week and we all loved it hard. I think you would like it too. A few of us thought her writing reminded us a bit of Taylor’s writing in After I Do. Every word and thought felt so real. <— Oh and you guys know just how much I LOVED “After I Do“.

BEpps: The five stages of falling in love has to be one of my all time favorite books of all time! It is the IT book for 2015!!!

Kandace: The words were visceral, touching, real and AMAZING! A true love story. I haven’t connected with a book like this in a long time. I was concerned going it would be too sad but the way this author told the story made it something special. I felt I was right there with her every step of the way. Heck, I could have been her, that’s how real it felt.

Maryse: I am LOVING 5 Stages of Falling in Love. Sure, I cry on and off, but I am SO there with them… my face is all streaky and my nose is pink. LOL!

Sherry: Boy did I LOVE Five Stages !! I don’t think I’ve cried and laughed in a book in a looooooong time. Such an awesome story, give it a try when you can. It shouldn’t take you that long to read it. You’ll be hooked

Maryse: Welp… I’m back in big fat ploppy tears reading The 5 Stages of Falling in Love, again. *sniff sniff*… *sniff* cry… waaaaaaaaaiiiilll!!! Christmas. Oh wow.

Sherry: Right!!!?? I’m here if you need me !!

Maryse: FAT TEARS Sherry!! The kind that come out on their now in big streams and plop on my pajama top and my face doesn’t even change ’cause I’m in sad-shock. You know those tears are something, when they do their own thing and you don’t even have to ugly cry for them to come out…!!

Summmer: Aww 5 stages of falling in love was really good I read it last week! It gives the “feels” that’s for sure! Enjoy it!

Maryse: Awwwww!!! This has got to be one of the most sweetest, touching realistic “thoughts” out of a book that I’ve ever read.

“And next year, Lucy would be starting kindergarten . Because obviously she had stopped loving me. Otherwise she wouldn’t go; she would stay home with me forever and not force me to watch her grow up.” <— *sniff sniff* The tears are gonna start again. neutral I need chocolate.

Sherry: “During the summer months, I’d paid a neighbor kid to mow the lawn for me, but selfishly, he’d applied to Universities out of state and eventually had to move….” This was one of the lines that cracked me up

Cheryl: I really enjoyed the Five Stages of Falling in Love; was so well-written. My only complaint was the ending felt a little rushed after all the “slow-burn.”

Agreed Cheryl! That is my only complaint… I was taken aback by how quickly it came to an end, so I backed up and re-read those last few pages and savored ’em properly. Once I realized I was at the end of the story, I still found even that part, beautifully written, rush and all. My heart!!!

So what’s it about?

Elizabeth had the perfect life with her wonderful husband Grady, and their four young children. Absolutely in love, and falling more so, every year. But her life came crashing down when he was diagnosed with, and died from, cancer.

But he was mine. He was my husband. And now he was sick.

“I do love you, Lizzy,” he murmured against my hair. “I’ll always love you, even when I’m dead and gone.”

“Which won’t be for at least fifty more years,” I reminded him on a sob.

*gulp* I needed a hug so bad.

And in that moment, begins her five stages of grief. Having to return to her home without the love of her life and continue caring for their children alone (including a young baby),

My new situation? A rough time? This woman had no idea. She had no idea what it was like to lose the love of her life, let alone manage to get herself and four kids ready and out the door at a reasonable time.

…this story wove us through her misery and heartache, isolation, and attempt at “normal” so that her kids wouldn’t suffer, or see her suffering the way she truly was.

The truth was I didn’t want it to get better. I didn’t want to stop missing Grady. I didn’t want this pain to recede because that would mean I would be over this. Over him. And I never wanted to be. He was the great love of my life and I was terrified to forget one small detail about him.

I don’t know why, but I get that. The agony and pain over the loss, and yet never wanting it to go away so you never forget. *sniff sniff* cry I have a lump in my throat again.

And in that attempt, she meets her new neighbor, Ben (when she goes to retrieve her rambunctious 4 year old out of his pool). Patient and kind and humored by Liz and her children, Ben offers her assistance any way she needs it, becoming a good friend to her along the way.

Ben’s text message had helped calm my frantic spirit. He’d managed to pull me out of my darkness and shine a bit of light on me. I closed my eyes and drifted easily to sleep, thankful for my sister that indulged me and for my next door neighbor that could make me smile when I thought I would never smile again.

And while Elizabeth appreciates and wants Ben around (he gives her some sort of comfort, and eases the ache when they have late night chats and drink wine together), it is all very innocent since she doesn’t let him too close. After all. She’ll never love anyone again. Not the way she loved Grady.

I closed my eyes, completely overcome with devotion for a man I would love forever and beyond. Thinking about Ben in this same context seemed silly. How could any man compare to the husband I’d loved and lost?

And Ben is just awesome. AWE-SOME! You’ll see. But you’ll also see how hard it is for her to let him in… and you’ll understand her completely. No matter how awesome Ben is.

I loved this book to death! I cried and cried and smiled right through the tears at times. It’s not a book full of twists and surprises… you pretty much already know where you’re going right from the start, and have a good idea where you’ll end up. But, it’s the gorgeous journey getting there, with friends, family, past and present, and the beauty of love that comes in ALL forms. Pure unadulterated warmth. I felt comfortably hugged the entire way through.

5 stars!

Latest Bargain e-Books & Reader Recommendations – February 20th 2015

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Super bargain finds today and some excellent reader recs, and I’ve got a new section on Friday’s list. 😉 Since so many are going crazy over audiobooks these days, I found out that there are some that go on SUPERSALE (just like out Kindle ebooks). *squee*worthy pricing… and sometimes, perfect for those long road trips, waiting room waits, or those cleaning days. Entertainment where we’d normally have none! I LOVE THIS!

P.S. What I’m reading today (and LOVING!!!!) —> The Five Stages of Falling in Love by Rachel Higginson. I know where this is going, but OMG the feeling is so deep, and pure, and well… I don’t need surprises in a story like this. I just need the heartwarming journey of growth and healing, and I just know I’m gonna get it, here! My friend Sherry fell head-over-heels over this one!

Sherry: I’m only 13% in and I’ve choked up AND laughed my ass off ALL on the same page….this one is going to be rough… My God, how can a book have you crying at only 3% ???? But laughing at 7%

Maryse: It sounds perfect!!!

Sherry: Oh you’ve no idea. It’s such a real feeling of emotions….it rips your heart out, then your laughing out loud a sentence later…Just real

Maryse: LOL!! I’m reading Five stages now!!! I’m loving it so far…

Sherry: Boy did I LOVE Five Stages !! I don’t think I’ve cried and laughed in a book in a looooooong time. Such an awesome story, give it a try when you can. It shouldn’t take you that long to read it. You’ll be hooked

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

P.P.S. 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).

(NOTE: bargain priced when I added them, but prices can change on Amazon, so make sure to check before you finalize your order).

AUDIOBOOK BARGAINS (Check out the  free audible trial + 2 free ebooks deal PLUS these audiobooks at e-book bargain pricing!! Like… 4 and 5 hours of romance listening and more for super cheap! *squeeeeee* and for more audiobook recommendations, check out this recent post: Audiobook Addiction: Our fellow readers weigh in on their favorites…)

  • Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley <— I hear THIS narrator is AWESOME. SO many love the Rock Chick series in audio format and this is BARGAIN priced *IF* you already have the kindle ebook version! *wheeeee!!!* I DO! And Jennifer got in on this deal and her AND her husband loved it! “I figured that out before a road trip to Florida. It’s 17 hours and I was trying to figure out what I had in my library that my husband would listen to and I didn’t have to spend a bunch to get the audible. I figured he would like the Rock Chicks okay since there is action. …I was thrilled! We have listened to 3 so far and he likes them. It would be my third time reading them. Kristen Ashley is one of my favorites!“
  • The Will by Kristen Ashley <— This one too!!!!
  • Beautiful Beloved by Christina Lauren <— BARGAIN priced!
  • Not the Marrying Kind by Nicola Marsh
  • Weekend Agreement by Barbara Wallace
  • Temporarily Yours by Diane Alberts
  • Come Away with Me by Kristen Proby (and pretty much this WHOLE series is on SUPER-sale on Audible!!)
  • Ask for It by Sylvia Day <— Yep. You guessed it! On BIG sale! “Nothing incites Marcus more than the primal hunger roused by his former fiancée, Elizabeth. It’s been years since she jilted him for another man, but that only means there’s a lot to catch up on…“
  • Not a Drill: Jack Reacher, Book 18.5 by Lee Child (deal price!)
  • Hopeless by Colleen Hoover!!! Here is another one that if you already have the Kindle ebook, you can get the Audible audiobook for SUPER-CHEAP!
  • Strange Highways by Dean Koontz (great price considering it’s a full length ebook!) “…he gets a mysterious second chance to relive the night in 1975 when his life began its downward spiral: to both literally and figuratively take the road that he didn’t originally take. On this road he is supremely tested by conflict…“
  • Seducing the Bridesmaid by  Katee Robert <— 4 Hours of audio-fun for barely anything!!!
  • Holy Frigging Matrimony by Emma Chase <— DEAL!
  • Lawful Escort: Eternal Bachelors Club, Book 1 by Tina Folsom <— 5 hours of listening… with an escort. Or is she? DEAL!
  • Thoughtful by S.C. Stephens <— KELLAN KYLE is coming out in just a few days (FEB 24th!!) GREAT pricing on this VERY LONG, highly anticipated  audiobook!!!!!!!
  • Off the Record: The Record, Book 1 by K.A. Linde <— much loved angsty author and her political romance! Great price!
  • Beautifully Damaged: Beautifully Damaged, Book 1 by L.A. Fiore <— Over 10 hrs of angst with this great priced audiobook!
  • Afterburn & Aftershock: Cosmo Red-Hot Reads from Harlequin by Sylvia Day <— TWO books in one to listen to here!
  • Last Call by Alice Clayton <— Almost FOUR hours of listening in this romance fun!
  • Maybe Not by Colleen Hoover <— AWESOME price for this one!!
  • Candy Store by Bella Andre <– bargain priced!
                    

BARGAINS & READER RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty <— I LOVED this author’s other book and it looks like this one is on sale! YAY ME! Tasha is excited. She said: “Anyone read Big Little Lies? I just finished and absolutely had a gasp worthy moment!” <—- eek *gasp!!* I LOVE GASPING!! 😛
  • Rewriting Destiny (Forsaken Sinners MC Series) by Shelly Morgan <— JUST RELEASED!!
  • Crash Ride (Power Station Book 2) by T Gephart <— JUST RELEASED!! Mary found us this one! “I know you love your Rock Stars, so I thought you’d like to know that Crash Ride by Tina Gephart is live! Super exciting!!!”
  • Ember (Eagle Elite Book 5) by Rachel Van Dyken <— JUST RELEASED!! MAFIA ROMANCE! Lauren found it for us! “The next Eagle Elite book by Rachel Van Dyken is out! Finally! Phoenix’s story.” Thanks Lauren. This does look good!  “This is the story of my redemption. 
    But it’s not pretty…I died, and now I’m alive, but not living, breathing but not surviving. I am Phoenix De Lange, son to a murdered mob boss, estranged brother, horrible friend, monster in the making, newest leader to one of the most powerful families in the Cosa Nostra.“
Speaking of Mafia Romance… Michelle is looking for more!
Michelle: Any recommendations for a mafia romance, kinda like Crow’s Row? (sidenote from Maryse. I LOVED it too and it’s bargain priced right now)Melanie: You have to read this one Ruthless People (Ruthless People series Book 1)Michelle: No I haven’t, I’m gonna check it out, thanks!Lauren: My favorite Mafia books are The Arrangement (The Russian Guns Book 1) by Bethany-Kris & London Miller’s Volkov Bratva series. Ruthless People is REALLY excellent but there’s 3 books in the series & book 3 isn’t out yet so I’m waiting…..not so patiently.Kathy: Roxie Rivera’s Russian Mafia Series and the Professional and The Master (The Game Maker Series Book 2) by Kresley Cole.Lauren: Oooooooo, Kathy…I’d forgotten to mention the Russian Mafia Series. I actually JUST reread a few of em last weekend. She just released books 1-3 bundled for FREE so even though I already own them, I got the bundle anyway just to have em in one place. But Nikolai is my favorite.
  • TK Rapp – For the Love of Writing Collection by T.K. Rapp <— JUST RELEASED! All 4 books in her collection bundled in one!
  • Redemption Lane (Crossroads Book 1) by Rachel Blaufeld <— JUST RELEASED!! “Bess, a wild party girl running from herself, literally falls victim to her demons when she collapses in the most unexpected of places. Lane, a tightly wound, up-and-coming CEO who can’t seem to stop enabling his brother, doesn’t know what hit him when Bess falls at his feet and into his life. It was a night she doesn’t remember, and one he can’t forget.“
  • Everything Has Changed by Mia Kaya <— just RECENTLY RELEASED and lots of great reviews already! Best friends all of their lives… “…it’s not fair that someone else will get to keep him when she knows in her heart that he only belongs to her.“
  • Heart of Ice: Bestselling Devoted Series by SK Quinn <— JUST RELEASED!! Conclusion to the trilogy and of course, bargain priced!
  • Safe at Home (Warm Springs Trilogy Book 1) by Christina Kirby <— JUST RELEASED! “When confronted by the man who’s bent on revenge, Samantha must choose between running again to save the people she loves, or, if she has the strength, to stay and fight for her new life.”
  • The Way We Fall (The Story of Us Book 1) by Cassia Leo <— JUST RELEASED and super bargain priced!! Sounds like pure romance-angst! “Houston has kept a devastating secret from Rory since the day he asked her to move in with him. But the tragic circumstances that brought them together left wounds too deep to heal. Five years after the breakup, Houston and Rory are thrust together by forces beyond their control. And all the resentments and passion return with more intensity than ever.“
  • Anne Mercier (Rockstar Book 3) by Anne Mercier <— JUST RELEASED!
  • Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens <— Still super-bargain priced!! ‘Cause guess who’s coming out on Tuesday? *squeeeee!!!*
  • Effortless (Thoughtless Book 2) by S.C. Stephens <— bargain priced!!
  • Reckless (Thoughtless Book 3) by S.C. Stephens <— bargain priced!!
  • Before You: Sex on the Beach by Jenna Bennett <— new adult with a touch of scary mystery? “Sun, sand, and a hot guy. Sex on the beach, with no strings attached. She got her wish when she met Tyler McKenna. Until someone gets hurt. But then young women start turning up at Key West landmarks – young women who look like Cassie, but with one crucial difference: they’ve all been drugged and relieved of their virginity. And Cassie begins to wonder whether there’s more to Ty than meets the eye…“
  • The Hurricane by R.J. Prescott <— FIGHTER ALERT!! Sounds like fun… “Through an unlikely friendship with the aging, cantankerous owner of an old boxing gym, Em is thrown into the path of the most dangerous man that she has ever met…” and Lauren LOVED it! She says:

Lauren: I just read an incredible book…The Hurricane by R.J. Prescott. I’d never heard of the author but read the blurb & took a chance. It was SO good!!

Vicki: I am reading it now. Pleasantly surprised. Glad I took a chance on it.

Shunda: Just finished The Hurricane and OMG!! I died. It had such a BD feel to it. Read through the night and was a zombie for work. SOOOOO worth it!!

Amy: Shunda, you’re gonna start a frenzy around here with a BD comparison like that. ;)

Lauren: Shunda, I loved it too. I wasn’t sure about it since I’d never heard of the author but….from the first sentence, you’re totally in. I couldn’t put it down. I gave it a 5 star review on Amazon.

Jean: OMG Shunda! BD feel….. those are magical words around here. 1-clicking The Hurricane right now!

Maryse: Magical is right!! :D Okay one clicking… bargain priced, too!

  • Camden’s Redemption (Gloves Off Book 4) by L.P. Ever <— FIGHTER ALERT!! Just recently released.
  • Clear: A Death Trippers Novel by Jessica Park <— Bringing this one back ’cause she’s a favorite author of mine and so many are loving her latest release!
  • Beneath This Ink by Meghan March <— RECENT release MILITARY romance “…now she’s walked back into my life, and this time, I have the upper hand. I want my second chance.“
  • Beneath This Mask by Meghan March <— and here’s book #1
  • The Life of Anna, Part 1: Enslaved by Marissa Honeycutt <— DARK READ ALERT!!!! And some of our fellow readers are suffering! MichelleS: “So you remember Jean’s “dare” post: “I know and I had a dare all ready for you! To read The Life of Anna books by Marissa Honeycutt! They are dark, erotic, mindf&$kery, with a splash of paranormal”. I took her up on her dare: I read book one, and she wasn’t kidding with the mindf&$kery. I had to take a little break in between, but I started book two. More mindf&$ery and finally some paranormal. This is one of those books that you feel like you have to delete off your Kindle so when you die or if it gets lost no one will ever know you read it. It’s that bad. So wicked. So dirty. So controversial. OMG. I keep reading it!!! Jean – are you still reading these? It’s messing with my brain. I am actually okay with Wilhelm and all that weirdness. I need a Life of Anna support group. Jean?” And Jean says: “I just finished book #4 and it did get darker and darker just like the author warns! Last book comes out in April I think. Just like I said, a bad car crash that you can’t stop looking at. I need resolution so I will definitely be reading the last book (and then yes deleting and denying any knowledge of them… Lol!)“
  • Give It All: A Desert Dogs Novel by Cara McKenna <— Recent release by one of my fav authors and Betty LOVED this one! She said: “I’m in serious book hangover. I hope you read Give it All by Cara McKenna soon!“
  • Lost Until You (Until You Series Book 1) by J.R. Grant <— ROMANCE ANGST ALERT!! Lauren loved it! She says: “I read a book off my TBR list last night &….OMG…it was SO GOOD!!! Lost Until You by J.R. Grant. It’s an unusual plot…not one I’d read before. Brax & Jazz are happily married with a baby….the love they had for each other was just indescribable….and then it all just goes to hell (that’s not a spoiler, it’s in the blurb). I loved it!!“
  • Mister Black: A Billionaire SEAL Story (In the Shadows, Book 1) by P.T. Michelle <— super-bargain priced! “We all have someone who crossed our path and fundamentally changed us. That one person who blew through our lives, their presence forever stamped on our psyche. They linger in our thoughts, in our hearts, and in the decisions we make. A soul crusher or a dream maker, depending on the perspective. My person is Mister Black…“
  • Statistic by Dawn Robertson <— Melanie calls this one a jaw-dropper! “I looked thru the “Gasp” book list and saw one that did, however, make my jaw drop when I read it: Statistic by Dawn Robertson. I highly recommend it if that is what you are looking for. I did not see that ending coming.” SUPER-BARGAIN priced!!
  • Abe: Four in Hand (Ties of Steel Book 1) by MJ Fields <— Aimee found us this bargain priced one! Met on vacation and had quite the fling! Big time DOM CEO… “…she pushes aside her budding feelings and leaves Florida and Abe behind without a backwards glance. Not used to being dumped and afraid to admit how much it hurts, Abe cuts his losses and heads back…”
  • The Summer Remains by Seth King <— Jean is reading this one right now! Sounds like it’s tear-your-heart-out angsty! “BTW guys, I’m at like 60% of The Summer Remains and I like it so far. Beginning reminds me of and is giving me the same feels as The Edge of Never or Present Perfect….. So scared of the outcome though……“

                               

PRE-ORDERS (next week’s!!!)

     

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