X

Maryse's Book Blog

Following my heart, one book at a time...

You are here: Home / Home

Breaking News Book Release Update!!

By 26 Comments

Yep! FIVE new book releases that just went live, and look so good, I couldn’t wait until tomorrow to post them. ;). Usually I wait until Tuesday to list all the latest releases but a few of these gave me blurb-jolts, and well, I had to interrupt our regularly scheduled program for a “Breaking News Book Release Update” 😉

Considering the fact that I’ve been waiting on a book by one of my favs to be released, and lo and behold, a few other awesome looking ones just went live, too! A darkish sounding “hero” (or anti-hero?), a runaway from a religious commune that runs right into a biker, a cocky brooding bad boy, a girl running from her family (this one sounds deep)… a little of everything for everyone!

  • Monster in His Eyes by J.M. Darhower  <— I’ve been waiting for this one and it’s now live on Amazon!!! I LOVVVVE this author (here are my reviews of her Sempre (Forever) & Extinguish. And… this new book appears to have that dark edge to it! *eeeeep!* *blurb jolt* “He has secrets, secrets I can’t fathom, secrets that make it so I can’t walk away, no matter how much I beg him to let me go. I see it sometimes in his eyes, a darkness that’s both terrifying and thrilling. He’s a monster, wrapped up in a pretty package, and what I find when I unmask him changes everything. I want to hate him. Sometimes, I do. But it doesn’t stop me from loving him, too.“

Kirsten: Love JM’s writing so this is getting moved to the top of my TBR. … I heard that this is book 1 but that the main story wraps up in this one. Erin is that right?

Erin: Yes Kirsten, 2 books! I finished last night and what a book high I got from this! I love me some Ignazio. Maryse, I wanna see updates on this one. I think your gonna fall for him too

Jessica: Eeekkk….so excited about this one.

Candy: I had a chance to read an ARC and this book is FANTASTIC!! Must read!

Maryse: YAY US!!!

  • It Ain’t Me, Babe by Tillie Cole <— BIKER ALERT (plus a sort of… “runaway” heroine) —> He’s a bad-ass biker in a motorcycle club and she’s super-sheltered from a strict religious commune… “Fleeing the absolute safety of all she has ever known, Salome is thrust into the world outside, a frightening world full of uncertainty and sin; into the protective arms of a person she believed she would never see again.” Katie says: “I’m 50% in, it’s really good!!!”
  • The Proposition 4: The Ferro Family (The Proposition: The Ferro Family) by H.M. Ward <— very popular serial series that makes up a huge part of my “when will this book be released?” email inquiries. LOL!
  • Beautiful Ink by Nicole Reed <— We have some VERY excited fellow readers over this one. She’s a tattoo artist with a bad past? Bad Family? “The word family means so much more. Vicious. Harmful. Dangerous. Corrupt. Deadly. You can’t run forever from the ones who love you.” Trina says: “This is the BEST yet to come from Nicole Reed and I am a fan! But this one….WOW!” and Sarah says: “24% in … It’s real good!!”
  • The Resistance by S.L. Scott <— Brooding BAD BOY ALERT! 😉 “One night. That was all it took for Holliday’s world to be flipped on its axis. Jack Dalton was cocky. Smug. Volatile. Demanding. He ignited something deep inside her like no other, but there was something more to this brooding bad boy. There was a dark side to him she couldn’t help but be drawn to.” Oooooh, I like the sound of him. And sure… that cover helps, too. 😉 Michelle says: I read The Resistance last night and LOVED it…..I hope there will be more to the story….at least another member of the band like the Lick books….I’m a walking zombie today because I stayed up all night to finish it.

    

Book Review – Jahleel by S. Ann Cole

By 14 Comments

Jahleel (Love All Wrong)
Hey!!! I really liked this one. I mean really liked it. And depending on how much I continue thinking about these characters over the next few hours… days? Maybe even loved it. Total guilty pleasure.

This is the one that gave me a *blurb-jolt* a few weeks ago when it described an extreme “unrequited love” angle. She sees him, goes pretty crazy for him and he… completely ignores her. FUN! And then a few of our fellow readers gave it a go, and I started getting feedback that had me moving it to the top of my TBR list.

Laura: Maryse just finished jahleel!! I loved it! It’s sort of a mix feeling of Beautiful Disaster and The Opportunist/Dirty Red.  Although the author gives the warning about the crazy obsession it’s not as crazy as opportunist/dirty red but still up there but I loved it!!! Put it on the tbr!!

side note from Maryse: Laura, I now get exactly where you are coming from with your book comparison. Also a bit of that whole “Avoiding Series” vibe.

Lisa: Maryse, I just finished Jahleel by S. Anne Cole and I don’t think I’ve ever been more conflicted. I loved it but I was so angry at Kia at times and of course JK too that i actually started yelling at my tablet 🙂 You need to add this to the tbr list!

Maryse: I’m so excited to start this! I love a book that makes me mad. LOL!!!

Laura: Maryse remember how I was raving about how I loved the book jahleel? I cannot get the book out of my head!! It’s been maybe 2weeks since I read it? Ohhhh I never told u either that ur song the ‘can’t not cry’ song is mentioned in it! Anyways so I’m searching for one like it with the jealousy and obsession any recommendations? Oh there should be a list!!!

Ann: drop everything and read now!!!!! This one, this one, this one! It is just sooooo good Maryse!. The story follows the sometimes obsessive love of British singer Saskia … and the sexy and unattainable lead dancer Jahleel Kingston (JK). It is love and LUST (he is HOT) at first sight for her but he doesn’t give her the time of day…. *Ann continues on with lots of exciting earlier storyline info here that isn’t too spoiler-y but for those that like to experience it all blindly, I blanked this part out*… OMG, the author certainly knows how to ramp up the sexual tension!! ( and the sex scenes are hot as hell ) There is lots of angst and heaps of heartbreak – put this near the top of your TBR list Maryse, you won’t be disappointed!

sidenote from Maryse: OMG Ann!!! That description is exactly right, especially on the steamy. I love a good platonic (or friends-only) situation. Makes the stomach butterflies that much more intense!

Maryse: Okay!! I’m in the delightful throes of “Jahleel” right now! I’ve been eyeing it for a couple of weeks now, and couldn’t resist it any longer. I’m just finishing the first quarter and so far? It is exactly what I wanted to read… I’m having fun living her distress.

Darla: I don’t know what it was about this book…but I absolutely loved it.

Nicole: I loved that one! Loved. It.

Kerri: I finished this book last night and want to re-read it already. I do wish the ending would have had a more in depth explanation.

sidenote from Maryse: Agreed, Kerri on that ending. It could have been lengthier and slowed down a bit…

Laura: Oh thank god ur finally reading it! I still can’t stop thinking about it x

Angela: Great pick! Loved this book!

Yep this one was FUN!!

Sure, it was a little self-indulgent, a few eye rolls to be had, and sure, it was a bit over-the-top at times a la “rich-and-famous soap-ish” (some twists, reactions and consequences made me go “whaaaaaa!!???“) but at the same time, I was really into it. Full of angst and drama, but well done in it’s “crazy”.

And even though I did put it down (just a couple of times and once was to sleep), I was always excited to get back to it. Come to think of it, I started it yesterday afternoon (reading it in the car for hours as my husband drove us around and did his “husband shopping”) and it held my attention so well that I didn’t get bored once. Yep… pretty much devoured it.

And what I liked the most? Despite the fact that I couldn’t relate personally to their rich-and-famous lifestyle, while I was in her head, she was so very human. Normal. Insecure. Disillusioned with the “fakeness” of the industry, and yet insisted upon to act a certain way. But best yet? She’s obsessed with one gorgeous male that appeared not to have any interest in her, whatsoever. She’d practically “stalk” him every chance she got. She’d strive for nonchalance in his presence, with frequent cringeworthy results. And at times, her reactions had me giggling. And often, his reactions had me fuming!! (<— YAY ME!!)

Once upon a time, I was a strong young woman, but that ‘me’ died a brutal death the second I laid eyes on the biggest American arsehole ever, who became the bane of my existence, but at the same time, the love of my life and holder of my happiness.

One glance at him, and he didn’t even have to acknowledge me to rob me of my senses, my thoughts, my integrity, my virtue, my pride, my heart and, most of all, my love. Both a blessing and a curse, he took it all, all of me, just by existing. Just by breathing.

Jahleel Kingston stole me, claimed me, owned me, just by ignoring me.

What else did I like? The fact that we (the reader) were kept guessing when it came to him. We weren’t privy to his private thoughts or feelings. The only way we got to “know” him, was by way of the heroine, which means I was feeling her pain, big time. This angsty romance was through her POV only, so what she felt, we felt. What she thought, we thought. What she perceived, we perceived (well… mostly). Sometimes I thought she was being pretty oblivious, but then again… wow, he could be an ass! And when he was an ass to her, he was an ass to us. And that, my friends… keeps me on my emotional toes.

So what’s it about?

Before she became a famous, Saskia (British, blonde and gorgeous, tattooed and a bit wild, and an incredible singer) was offered the chance to open up for a famous rap artist. Backstage after her performance, Saskia met his dance crew, including his main (and most coveted) dancer, Jahleel. Gorgeous, with blonde shoulder length hair and the face of an angel…

Every ounce of air left me. I was immediately desperate for that water. Breath robbed, my world stopped. Heart thudding, I watched him as he watched her bum.

He was… hot. Ridiculously hot. No-words-to-describe hot.

Jesus Christ.

Along with his thick, sandy brown hair, he had eyes so astoundingly gold, the almost seemed paranormal. The sharpest, most conspicuous jawline I’d ever seen on a man. A nose probably to small for a man, and lips probably too full. But everything just worked together. Made him perfect. Flawless. Made him, him.

And made me breathless. Never had I seen a man that alluring. Beautiful. Physically without a fault.

…but with the attitude of a devil. Full of himself (and notorious for it), he was so obviously uninterested in her obvious interest.

Lion whispered, “That’s Jahleel. Also known as JK… my best dancer.”

As I began wagging my head, about to lie through my teeth that I wash;t gawking/ogling, he called aloud, “JK!”

When he glanced up and pulled the plugs from his ear, Lion told him, “Saskia here wanna say ‘hi’.”

Oh hell.

Jahleel slid his gaze over me for a brief, bored second, muttered, “Hey Sastia,” then made to put his earplugs back in.

“Saskia,” I corrected.

“Yeah,” he mumbled, without sparing me another glance.

I felt like nothing. No one.

Yep. UGH!!! Ignoring her, he plucked a gorgeous female out of his adoring crowd and headed off to do his thing.

The stricken and highly embarrassed Saskia was assured by her handlers… this is how he is, and he’s not worth it. Career first! Become someone, then you’ll have your pick and you’ll forget all about this. Him.

And so the story goes. Saskia works her butt off to become the huge super-star she is, but even as the years pass, she can’t forget. There’s just something about him. And somewhere along the lines from the original “Saskia”, to the “Jahleel-stricken” Saskia, she lost herself. And at times, we were lost with her.

He stole something from me, a huge chunk, and I would never again feel whole, until I saw him again, even if it’s just once, so I could recover that piece of me back from his grasp.

And I’ll let you read on from there.

Let’s just say that there are plenty of sweeeeeeeeet moments (some of my all-time favorite “get-to-know-you-and-maybe-finally?… opportunities), and some OH NO HE DIDN’T moments. A TON of each, with some very confusing reactions to boot. He’s Mr. Mixed Signals, but Saskia’s obsession perseveres.

“JK’s mine, he just doesn’t know it yet. He’s my destiny.”

Yet… there were a few worthy contenders vying for her attention, which kept me guessing. While I suspected (or hoped for) a certain outcome, the author definitely threw in a few “extras” that had me wondering if I was in for a romantic twist. HEA? And what kind of HEA? Ya know? And was my hope for a “certain” HEA evolving?

But my lips are sealed. 😉

Now I did have a few “I wish there was…” issues. For example, as much as I loved the ride this one took me on, I would have definitely wanted more by way of her rise to stardom, more pining and more disheartening early run-ins with Mr. Uninterested. I wanted  a few more early punches-to-the-gut. I would have wanted to experience more of that whole period. More of that time before this story really kicked into high gear.

Alas, we do get a few nice jolts from that period, and have a good enough idea to be plenty invested in them when the story really begins, so I’m not too phased. Oh and er… let’s just say that a specific twist along the way definitely has a more taboo cringe-worthy quality to it. And, another issue… or let’s just say the solution of it boggled my mind. Took this from over-the-top but still somewhat realistic game-playing to WHAT WHAT WHAT!?! unbelievable. Still though… I went with it. Eh. Why not? 😉 LOL!

4.5 stars! <— ’cause I had fun reading this one. A good, entertaining, and unnerving read if you’re into semi-outrageous romance angst. While this story’s circumstances may be a bit “out there” (especially considering some of the reveals), she still had a real feel. At least… emotionally. And as long as I can connect with my heart and my churning stomach, then I’m happy to tell my brain to sit this one out for a while. 😉

P.S. I hear that there is an entire backstory to Jahleel and even the POV of a few of the character’s in this one (plus a POV from the timeline of the first half of this book) in a book that she released before this one (I Choose You (The Billionaire Brothers Series). Some say to read it first.

Jing: Jahleel is a great book but I think you need to read “I Choose You” before Jahleel. While both books are stand alones, it will give you better insight on JK’s childhood and his *spoiler*. Both stories are in parallel but the previous book will give you more background information. I enjoyed reading the books and if I had to choose between the two, I would lean towards “I Choose You”.

Great advice, Jing! Thank you!! 😀 However, I will admit that I was toooooo impatient for this unrequited love story and so I just jumped right in (without reading I Choose You). And luckily all went well for me in terms of understanding what was going on (mind you, because of your note, with certain reveals, I started getting very excited to backtrack). But! I still enjoyed this one immensely, ’cause I had NO idea what was going on in his head, or who he was, so everything was a first to me, as it was a “first” to Saskia. Which I liked.

However that said, I must read that other book, ’cause now that I “know stuff” I’m dying to see what it all looks like from that other angle.

Layne Harper – The Infinity Series Reading Order

By 4 Comments

YAY for a great looking (and I think *complete*) series! Friends at first but you know how that goes. 😉 I love those. She’s a med student and he’s becoming a famous football player and they “…must learn to cope with his transition to playing professional football, the crushing attention of the media, and constant demands of his fans.”

Book # 4 was just released and if you’re in the mood to indulge in a nice long series read, by the sound of these recommendations, THIS is it!!!

Stephanie: Did you know that the conclusion to the Infinity Series was released? Thanks Maria for letting us know! I’ve been eagerly waiting for all of the installments to be released so I can read the entire series back-to-back. 🙂

Michelle: They are so good…I’d get aggravated and stop for a bit, but open my kindle right back up to see if he redeemed himself.

Linda: I read the Infinity series not too long ago & absolutely loved it. Fell in love with all the characters. Such a great story.

Julie: I too loved the Infinity series. You will fall in love with Charlie and Colin.

About book #1:

Pre-med student Caroline “Charlie” Collins, a sophomore at Texas A&M, knows exactly what she wants in life and the order that it will happen: finish college, complete medical school, and then fall in love. A chance meeting with A&M’s star quarterback Colin McKinney changes everything. A friendship between the two grows over time and blossoms into a powerful love affair. Charlie and Colin must learn to cope with his transition to playing professional football, the crushing attention of the media, and constant demands of his fans. At the same time, she’s struggling with how her dream of attending medical school will fit into their already stressed relationship and Colin’s new life. Falling Into Infinity asks the question is just loving someone enough to make a relationship work?

    

Latest Bargain e-Books – April 25th 2014

By 25 Comments

Lots of new releases todays along with plenty of great sounding bargain finds. Some “new-to-me” bad boy motorcycle club reads on this one, approx. five famous guy books (sports!! A wrestler, hockey player, football player and BMX’er, and a rock star!) <— I experienced a few blurb jolts with those. Plus plenty of angsty ones, and some sweet sweeeeeet sounding romance reads that just might cleanse our palette enough to be ready for Tuesday. Oh and a fun-sounding “coffee shop series” that had me giggling with the titles alone. I noted ’em, below. Maybe some gems on this list? *fingers crossed*.

What’s coming Tuesday, you ask? LOTS!!! Including that darkish-creepy-sexy sounding one (Alpha by Jasinda Wilder) where that girl gets those mysterious checks with one word on ’em, and it ends up saying “You. Belong. To. Me.” And THEN!!! “And then, after a year, there was a knock on my door. A sleek black limousine sat on the curb in front of my house. A driver stood in front of me, and he spoke six words: “It’s time to pay your debt.” Would you have gotten in? I did. It turns out $120,000 doesn’t come free.” <—- *eeeeeeeep!!!* MINE!! 😀 😀 😀 😀

Right?!!??

P.S. This is what I’m starting tonight —> Jahleel. It caught my eye a few weeks ago upon it’s release, and I’m getting some great feedback from our fellow crew that decided to give it a go. She sees him, goes nuts for him, he doesn’t even notice her, so she gets kind of stalker-y obsessed with him… for years! <— *eeeeeeeep* Sounds FUN!!!! Anne says: “OMG, the author certainly knows how to ramp up the sexual tension!! ( and the sex scenes are hot as hell )  There is lots of angst and heaps of heartbreak – put this near the top of your TBR list Maryse, you won’t be disappointed!”

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

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

Todays latest reader recommendations and bargain ebook finds:

  • Needing Me, Wanting You: A New Adult Biker Erotic Romance (‘Triple M’ MC Series) by C.M. Stunich <— JUST RELEASED BIKER BOOK ALERT!!
  • Timeless (Book Boyfriend Series) by Erin Noelle <— JUST RELEASED!!  I can’t read the synopsis since it’s book #4 in the series and I’m not sure if they’re standalones or not, so I don’t wanna spoil it. 🙂 Here is the Book Boyfriend Series Reading Order. Kelly says: “LOVE this series sooooo much!!!!!! Read Timeless last night and it was PERFECT!!! “
  • The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller by L.B. Simmons <— JUST RELEASED and comes highly recommended by Toski. She says: “My brain. My heart. Just…. I have no words. Please, read it. It’s so fantastic.” and Renate says: “The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller is a fantastic read! has a very strong ‘Sea of Tranquility’ feel to it….he even calls her sunshine…. great love story, not necessarily a romance…”
  • Liam’s List by Haleigh Lovell <— JUST RELEASED!!! “His best friend’s sister. A list. A love story.” <—- Oooooh it had me at “best friend’s sister!!!” 😉 Oh!! And from the reviews I see he’s in the military!
  • Fragile Bonds by Sloan Johnson <— JUST RELEASED and from the synopsis I think this one’s gonna hurt! “Xavier Ross tried to keep everyone at a distance until Melanie came into his life. The more he tried to fight his feelings for her, the more he fell in love. One rash decision fractured the trust that was essential to their relationship.” <— Great reviews so far… except for that one star review, and the title of that review kept me from reading it further ’cause it gave me an idea of where this might be going. Yep… I… I’m scared… and I wanna read it. 😉
  • Rule’s Obsession (The House of Rule) by Lynda Chance <— JUST RELEASED!! Alpha male business tycoon meets “goth girl”. “With her fishnet stockings and spiked leather cuffs, she’s wildly inappropriate for his long term needs. But for the short term? She’ll do just fine.” Oh I bet he’s gonna be a jerk and break her heart! At least once. 😉
  • Exposed: An Anthology by Brooke Cumberland, Mia Sheridan, J.S. Cooper, Harper Sloan, Erika Ashby, Kimberly Lauren, M.J. Carnal, Kasey Millstead, Adriane Leigh, J.L. Berg <— I’ve brought it back on the list since this deal is just toooooo good. Ten full length books! An ANTHOLOGY of stories by a bunch of our favorite authors. “Note: This anthology is only available for a very limited time! Each book is either a first in a series or read as a stand alone.”
  • Phenomenal X by Michelle A Valentine <— this week’s new release is getting some good feedback! Nadja says: “Finished Phenomenal X by Michelle Valentine last night. And it’s an absolute must read! Very swoon worthy, and Xavier is very hmmmmmm It ends with a cliff and I was like “no way!! Are you serious!! not now….grrrrr” So I really hope book 2 will hurry up!!” and Neika says: “Maryse Phenomenal X by Michelle Valentine is reallllllly gooooooood! Its ends in a cliffhanger but nothing to bad. Xavier is extremely swoon worthy pro wrestler,bad boy and alpha with a past. Anna is a good girl looking for freedom from her fanatic religous father. Perfection!“
  • Broken Pieces by Riley Hart <— M/M alert! This one came highly recommended a few months ago (and I loved another M/M book by the same author) and I decided to bring this one back after Lisa’s recent recommendation: “I had to tell you about Broken Pieces by Riley Hart. It was just wonderful. What a great story of how these 3 men battled their pasts. While m/m/m stories are not for everyone, this is a must read!” <— Thanks for reminding me, Lisa!!! 😀
  • The Regret Series Complete Collection Box Set: Lost to You, Take This Regret, and If Forever Comes by A.L. Jackson <— Sally just announced an AH-MAZING deal!!! Al Jackson’s beloved “Regret Series” (3 books!) has been bundled. Over 600 pages of angst and romance. I one-clicked! Celine recommends it! “I love this series!!!“
  • Knockout by Tracey Ward <— that fighter book from a few weeks ago is on sale right now! Plus it’s got a love triangle between two sisters… (thanks Nancy!!)
  • Nash: A Marked Men Novel by Jay Crownover <— Maria loved it! “Maryseee, Nash by Jay Crownover is total yummy and sweet. Loved it.”
  • Crash Into Me (Heart of Stone) by K.M. Scott <— Stephanie found us this entire series on sale right now! 😀
  • Fall Into Me (Heart of Stone) by K.M. Scott <— this one is #2
  • Give In To Me (Heart of Stone) by K.M. Scott <— this one is #3
  • Nomad Kind of Love: Prairie Devils MC Romance (Outlaw Love) by Nicole Snow <—- BIKER ALERT!!! RECENT RELEASE “Aaron “Maverick” Sturm doesn’t know what it means to settle down. The President of the Prairie Devils Nomads charter is way too hardened, untamable, and dominant for any old lady. But when he’s sent West to establish a new charter, the beautiful woman he takes as collateral from the Grizzlies upends everything.”
  • Promise Me (Motorcycle Club Romance) by Cora Brent <— BIKER ALERT!!! RECENT RELEASE <— Oh I like the sound of this one! “Grayson Mercado seethes with the injustice of a long imprisonment for a crime he did not commit. Finally free, he is trying to make a life among his new Defiant brothers. Everything changes when a battered young woman approaches him, begging for help.“
  • Make It A Double (The Last Call Series) by Sawyer Bennett <—  RECENT RELEASE and sounds good! “Brody Markham has endured a nightmare, spending the last five years in prison and losing everything that was dear to him. Now he’s back home, trying to survive in a world he doesn’t recognize anymore. While his family and friends desperately try to reach through to him, he shelters himself further and further away from their love.” And then… there’s that one woman that meets him…
  • A Woman Gone Mad by Kimber S. Dawn <— I couldn’t help but bring this one back to the list after Victoria’s reaction: “Does anyone ever just wanna STOP reading because your happy where you’ve ended off. Well I’m reading A Woman Gone Mad. and I just finished chapter *****. And I just wanna quit. she’s happy, he’s happy. And it makes me happy. I can just imagine the rest of the Happy Ever After. Because I know/fell that if I keep going….something is gonna happen and get ruined and flush my happy mind down the drain. So have you ever felt like this/Been in my shoes???” LOL!!! I love when that happens. That fear of the impending angst. Maria says: “Victoria keep reading!!! great story!!”
  • Love, in English by Karina Halle <— this one has been the highlight of my week (my review), and apparently that of many others! Like Athena: “Holy moly just finished “Love in English” by Karina Halle and I was blown away! Such deep emotions, I was on edge till the end!! First attempt in contemporary romance and she hit it out the park!! Vera and Mateo and the “supporting” cast were awesome! Life is full of shades of grey and nothing is fair in love but we all have a right to love and happiness!! 5+++stars”
  • Flutter, The Discover Series, Book 1 by Melissa Andrea <— Sarah recommends it! “This story is amazing and so worth the read!! “
  • At Any Price (Gaming The System) by Brenna Aubrey <— Lots of good reviews for this one, and Stephanie just found out it is on super-sale! “Promotional sale in honor of the release of Book #2, At Any Turn, on April 30, 2014…AT ANY PRICE (Gaming The System) by Brenna Aubrey On SALE for a limited time!” – “When Mia Strong, proud geek-girl and popular gaming blogger, auctions off her virginity online, she knows she’ll make waves. But what she will not be making is a love connection. Her rules are set in stone: One night. No further contact.” (and then a CEO wins her!)
  • Room For You (Cranberry Inn #1) by Beth Ehemann <— These sound great! Brought to my attention when Jenn asked our crew about ’em, and Michelle said: “Awesome…loved them” and Kathy said: “Read the first and can’t wait to read Room for More.” Single (widowed?) mom of two girls… “Brody Murphy landed on my doorstep, literally. He was a carefree, playful hockey player who barged into my life and messed with my head. He left me more confused than I had ever been.“
  • Room For More (Cranberry Inn #2) by Beth Ehemann <— and Melissa recommends ’em, too! “I really enjoyed both books!!”
  • Come Undone (The Cityscape Series #1) by Jessica Hawkins <— This was a series I LOVED! Angsty stuff! Here’s my review of the series as a whole: The Cityscape Series
  • Sex Love Repeat by Alessandra Torre <— One of my faves still on sale right now! Here’s my review of Sex Love Repeat
  • Gone with the Wolf (Entangled Covet) by Kristin Miller <— OFFICE ROMANCE with a touch of werewolf paranormal?? Sounds like fun! “CEO and alpha werewolf Drake Wilder has given up the search for his one true love. When he discovers that she’s a secretary in his company, Drake’s primal instincts kick into overdrive.”
  • Nice Girl to Love: Three-Book Collection (#1 Resisting the Bad Boy, #2 Falling for the Good Guy, #3 Choosing the Right Man) by Violet Duke <— Oh this looks like love triangle fun! By the book titles alone, I’m thinking there’ll be angst, and they’ve been bundled! I’m already hoping she chooses the bad boy. But you know… I’ve been surprised by my team-choices before, so maybe I’d like the good boy ever more?
  • Falling for Autumn by Heather Topham Wood <— RECENT RELEASE! She’s “starting over” in University (bad rumors) and… “Blake Preston is precisely the type of guy Autumn wants to avoid. He’s gorgeous, arrogant and the college’s beloved football star. As much as she believes he’s someone she should steer clear of, avoiding him proves to be impossible. He shows up everywhere around campus, offering her a no-strings attached friendship.“
  • The Rock Star And The Girl From The Coffee Shop #1 by Terry Towers <— Has that “normal girl accidentally meets famous guy” angle. 😉 “Hanna is a small town girl working a mundane job at the local coffee shop. Twenty-two years old, broke and living an uneventful life, Hanna is officially in a rut. But that all changes when a car accident brings rocker Bo Savage into her coffee shop and into her life.“
  • The Rock Star And The Girl From The Coffee Shop 2: Under Pressure by Terry Towers <— and here’s the conclusion. 🙂 It appears there are more books in this series, but of other characters. 🙂 Like…
  • The Porn Star And The Girl From The Coffee Shop by Terry Towers <— Okay I haven’t read ’em but by the titles alone, I’m giggling over this coffee shop. LOL!
  • The CEO And The Girl From The Coffee Shop by Terry Towers <— And this one…
  • The Firefighter And The Girl From The Coffee Shop by Terry Towers <— Okay I can’t help myself. The further I go into this series on Amazon, the more I can’t help but post ’em. I guess all sorts of hot guys drink coffee. 😛 Hehe… and the list goes on. There’s an assassin, a politician, a  bounty hunter… Ok I’m tempted to play in this coffee shop a little and check things out. 😉
  • The Reading Lessons by Carole Lanham <— Nancy found us this one saying: “This one is a different kind of “forbidden secrets” but I like to cast my net in different waters every once in a while…“
  • TWIN PASSIONS: (A Logan Brothers Novel) by L. A. Shorter <— Stephanie found us this deal saying: “Talk about angst…She’s torn between her desire for twin brothers!… On SALE for limited time.”
  • Choose Us by Caylie Marcoe <—- RECENT RELEASE and I just got a mini-blurb jolt!!! I think this is a delicious case of unrequited love. How did I miss this one? He’s a BMX racer that will be starring in a “Bachelor-type” reality show, and she’s his best friend/assistant. “Riley Logan and Travis Grayson have been best friends for the last fifteen years. She would do anything for him, go anywhere for him…and she has, countless times. Except now. Now he’s asking for too much. Their friendship has reached a breaking point and she doesn’t know how to go back. But as Travis’ personal assistant, Riley spends her every waking moment by his side.“

                                

PREORDERS:

         

“Love, in English” SIGNED BOOK GIVEAWAY (plus five fun facts)!

By 158 Comments

*squeeeeeee!!!* Hot on the heels of my latest fantastic romance read, “Love, in English” (<— my review, and yes, I’m still in a love fog), and I just lucked-out, big time! I’ve got some goodies for us. A giveaway for this very book (actually two giveaways, and some fun swag), plus some “insider” intel, including five fun facts about the story behind the story, some of Karina’s personal photos and the book trailer.

Oooooh the juiciness!! 😉

Karina Halle indulges us a little further in what inspired “Mateo and Vera”:

1. The program exists! It’s not called Las Palabras but any native English speaker can try and sign up for it and live out the Love, in English experience: https://www.diverbo.com/en/volunteer-abroad

2. I did the program – twice. The first time I was in the town of La Albera, Spain and the second time I was in Umbria, Italy…but still teaching English to Spaniards. It got…confusing.

Karina says: “Me during one of the skits…I think I was a tourist about to get mugged (Vera was the mugger in the story)”

3. Love, in English is inspired by my time in the program at La Alberca. In fact, the town of Alcantilado (fictional) is based on La Alberca. You can read more about the town in this travel article I wrote: https://www.gonomad.com/2098-la-alberca-spain-a-glimpse-of-yesterday

4. I consulted my diary for a lot of Part One of Love, in English. There were many people and events who inspired the book and made me think “what if?” I wanted to take the “what if this happened?” and make it happen. Also, stuff like the Mam and Chess sandwiches, the plays and presentations that took place, certain phrases “Sammy told me to tell you %^$ and if I told you that, she would show me hers,” the awards, the crazy summer camp atmosphere, it all actually happened.

5. It was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. No, I never met a hot ex-football star who resembles a beardy Eduardo Noriega but I made some great friends and learned a lot about myself. And of course, I thought “this would make an excellent book one day.”

Karina says: “the scene with Vera, Mateo, Claudia and Ricardo in the town having drinks before the football match? That was this place here (and yes, they had Mam and Chess)”

LOL!! OMG that “Sammy scene” had me giggling like mad. And it was REAL!!?? Ahhhh to read just one page out of that diary. *hint hint* <— tee hee! 😛

Thank you SO much for these pictures, Karina. Your characters were already SO alive to me, but to sorta “see” ’em in images, has my heart soaring.

Karina you are SO lucky! Lucky to have been a part of something so… emotionally big (and now I just wanna hug you and comfort you for what it must have felt like to leave that beautiful bubble). What an amazing program to have been a part of. Now I know why some of those heartbreaking scenes felt so real (and tore my heart out). ‘Cause I bet she felt exactly that way.

*sigh* I love books like this. That come straight from the heart, and are inspired by personal experience.

And now TWO lucky winners here, will win a signed copy of this amazing read.

How to enter for a chance to win a signed print copy of “Love, in English”? I’d love to hear about your most amazing travel experience or memory. Or!! If you don’t have one, let me know where you’d love to visit. That’ll work! :)  And Sunday night (Sunday April 27th, 2014) by 10pm EST, I will randomly select two winners.

The winners 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 to the winners directly by the author.

Open to US & Canada only however all are welcome to comment!

Oh! And here is the author’s gorgeous book trailer.

Contact Me | About Maryse | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Policy | © 2025 Maryse.net – Maryse’s Book Blog |
I am part of the Amazon affiliate program, which is designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Other than potential affiliate link commissions, I receive no compensation for reviews. All opinions I have expressed are my own.