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Latest Paranormal & Contemporary Romance Book Releases – January 14th 2014

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<— This cover is veryyyyyy enticing, and the fact that the hero is an MMA fighter makes it sound that much better! 😉 Plus, it has a crazy amount of awesome reviews already and it was just released yesterday! Today’s list consists of only one fighter that I know of, but we’ve got plenty of tattoos, boys with bad attitudes, billionaires with control-issues, one super-taboo sounding read (eeeep!), rock stars, physically scarred heroes and even brothers caught in a love triangle <— *waggles eyebrows* this one is REALLY calling me.

These are a few of the ones that gave me an excited “I-want-to-read-it-now” synopsis jolt, today: Enticed (the brothers in a love triangle), Fighting For Irish (MMA!!), All These Pieces of Me (scarred hero), Shelter You (controlling guy looking out for seventeen year old and her newborn) and Friend-Zoned (I know this one’s not a new release but a reader mentioned she’d totally re-read it!

A bit of everything for anything I’m in the mood for (and I’ve noted a bunch that have me curious).

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

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

  • Slammed: A Novel by Colleen Hoover <— one of my most favorite books in the whole wide world, with an awesome and very exciting twist, (thanks Kat!!) – here is my review
  • Love’s Forbidden Flower by Diane Rinella <– Nancy found us this deal saying: “50% Into LOVE’S FORBIDDEN FLOWER by Diane Rinella & it is a very taboo subject, but really emotional. The second book is out: TIME’S FORBIDDEN FLOWER & a short additional story: LOVE’S EROTIC FLOWER.” Ohhhh tabooooo you say? Oh I just read the synopsis. Eeeeeep!!
  • Music of the Soul (Runaway Train 2.5) by Katie Ashley <— latest rock star release from Katie Ashley!! (thanks Kat!)
  • Temptation (The Temptation Series #1) by K.M. Golland
  • The Seaside Series (New Adult Rocker Boxed Set) by Rachel Van Dyken <— the entire series bundled and on sale right now!! (thanks Stephanie) “Bored with life, she can’t wait to graduate high school and get out of town, especially considering the famous band members from AD2 suddenly start attending her school, making her once boring life, absolutely insane.“
  • Beck (Corps Security, Book 3) by Harper Sloan <— Tricia says: Great series! (Corps Security Series Reading Order)
  • The Do Over by A.L. Zaun <— (book #2 was just released – see it below)
  • Friend-Zoned by Belle Aurora <— Aimee LOVES it!!! “Okay ladies…so..I finished reading Friend Zoned by Belle Aurora. This was a crazy good book, totally would read again and looking forward to the next one. I love when authors include the name of a song in the book as the story progresses. I always pull it up on the internet so I can hear what they are hearing as I continue reading. Well…let me just say, I have listened to Impossible performed by James Arthur over and over and over and over again. Man, gives me goosebumps!! *sigh* good stuff.“
  • Love Thy Neighbor (Friend-Zoned) by Belle Aurora <— this is book #2 and Lori loves #1 AND #2: “I loved this book hard, and the second is just as good!” Kandace too: “I love friend zoned. The second book is just as good.”
  • Play It Safe by Kristen Ashley <— another two of Kristen Ashley’s bookswent on sale!! Love her!! —-> Bobbi says: “I’m in the middle of Play It Safe now and LOVE it so far!” and Brazgirl agrees: “Me too… Am in the middle of Play it Safe … One of KA bests!!!!”
  • Heaven and Hell by Kristen Ashley <— this one, too! And Adriana says: “Both freaking excellent books!!”
  • Tangled: A New Adult Romance Boxed Set (12 Book Bundle of Billionaires, Bad Boys, and Royalty) <— entire set bundled right now! “Think high school was complicated? Welcome to the after party! Filled with billionaires, pro athletes, a biker, a cop, a crown prince, and even a white knight or two, this collection gathers 12 of the hottest adult romance stories from New York Times, USA Today, and Nook and Kindle bestselling authors!”
  • Falling For Her Fiance: An Accidentally in Love Novel (Entangled Bliss) by Cindi Madsen <— looks so cute!!!
  • Sid (The Protectors Series) Book #4 by Teresa Gabelman <— fairly new paranormal (vampires!) release and lots of great reviews for it, too! “A human with a special gift, Lana Fitzpatrick’s life is complicated. When Sid Sinclair charges into her life, her complicated life becomes torturous; his charm and wit draws her in like no other. Having dealt with alpha men most of her life, she is a match made in heaven for the VC Warrior who thinks he is God’s gift to women.“
  • A is for Alpha Male by Laurel Curtis <— Lindsay found us this one saying “A is for Alpha! I heard its a good one if you’re a KA fan.”
              

PARANORMAL

  

CONTEMPORARY

                              

Behind The Books – An Interview With Cover Model Benjamin Fiege (on J.A. Redmerski’s cover of “The Edge of Always”)

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It’s been awhile since I’ve featured a cover model on the blog, but today, we have our very own “Andrew” (his real name is Benjamin) to discuss being on the cover of “The Edge of Always“, his photo shoot, and his own personal interests. Here’s a hint: he’s a musician. 😉

1. You yourself are a musician, as is the character you modeled for EDGE OF ALWAYS. Can you talk about your experience (both as a model and as a musician?)

Well that is an interesting fact. Music started playing a pretty significant role in my life when I started playing guitar in high school, from there I began singing and then writing my own songs. My love of music grew and I realized that my long term goal has always been to develop a career through my music. I didn’t enter into the world of modeling until later in my life, actually only about three years ago, as a means of supporting myself financially to fund my path in music. I found modeling to be rather enjoyable and closely enough related to being a musician. Whether being in front of a crowd of people or a camera, it still gave me the means to express myself and the ability to connect with people. I quickly realized that both these jobs benefit the other by networking and meeting new people and expanding my possibilities. Recently I haven’t been doing too much modeling work, I have been focusing more on my music on putting together an album. I continue to write songs and I have been performing throughout New York City. Actually this month I will be competing in the Ultimate Singer Songwriter Contest at the Waltz Astoria. Also in the upcoming months I plan on getting some fresh test shots to get back into the modeling world.

2. How were you contacted about this modeling gig? Were you told anything about the book?

This was quite a random and unexpected shot. I hooked up with the photographer Richard Tuschman who found me through modelmayhem.com. This was when I was freelancing and I created profile with some test shots that I had done earlier. Modelmayhem can be a very lucrative site for models. It is a great way to network and meet photographers, just as I did which led to the cover of this book. So the truth is actually I was casted by the photographer for a western novel in which I was a wounded cowboy. That was the original purpose of the shoot, however we also did a bunch of studio shoots where ultimately one was selected for the cover of this book. So as you could Imagine I wasn’t told anything about the book and it all came as one big surprise to me. Richard contacted me through email quite some time after the shot to let me know that one of our shots was selected for the cover of this book. I guess I had more in common with Andrew than with a wounded cowboy.

3. Can you talk about the experience on the set/shoot?

Well like I said I was originally there to shoot for a different novel. It started with me staring out a window with a bandage over my head to becoming the face of Andrew. After Richard was happy with what we got for the western novel we decided to take some more shots in his studio. It was a pretty basic shot, Richard was great to work with and did a fantastic job.

4. Have you been recognized at all for being on the cover of the book? If so we’d love to hear the story!

Well this all came as quite a surprise. I didn’t expect to be on the cover of this particular book. When I first heard that I would be from Richard, I was unaware of the popularity of the author and the anticipation of this novel. It was quite a shock when my friends approached me about it after seeing it on Kindle or in the New York Times. I didn’t even have to tell anyone since most people found it on there own, that is when I realized that I was portraying a pretty popular guy, Andrew. In this case since the book was a sequel and Andrew was already a developed character it was quite the experience becoming the face of a character that people have all ready connected with and have come to love.

You can find out more by visiting his Facebook page and his modeling page:

Seventeen books from my current TBR list

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New year, new TBR list, right? Well… not really. Bigger TBR list, yes, but I’m not abandoning those that I added in last year. They are still calling to me like crazy. So while I’ve been reading some of these fantastic looking shiny new ones (and will still be reading them as I find the ones that “grab me”), I’ve also been backtracking and pulling out a few that have been waiting patiently. I’m gonna make a dent in it, if it’s the last thing I do! 😉

But since a few have asked for it…

Eduarda: And my question is…. What are You reading right now ??

Sarabeth: Ive been so out of the loop these past few mos. can you post you current BTR list? Thanks!

Maryse’s Book Blog: I will… it’s a bit of a mess though, ’cause I can’t stop “squirreling” over shiny new books (or older ones that come with a recommendation that has me leaping out of my seat) but I’ll do my best. Coming soon…

… here it is.

I’ve surfed through my books and some enticing recommendations I’ve received, and these are the books that have me currently juggling my TBR list. My hope is that this list will have (or will consist mostly of) books that I will never forget. Books that just by the title alone, I’ll be able to go into a “OMG SO good!!” what-it’s-about schpeel ’cause it affected me that much. *fingers crossed* I want to connect with them. And I want to LIVE it. So there you go, Universe. I’m putting that “out there”. 😉

Okay so this list doesn’t include any of upcoming releases that I’m anticipating (or the ones that I don’t even know about but that are sure to make me “squirrel” again) but these ARE the ones that I ABSOLUTELY want to read like crazy, and I’m hoping to get to them all, soon:

P.S. If you have a recommendations that you absolutely 5-star loved like crazy (that has left you in a love-fog, or shocked you out of your skin, or had you dreaming about it for days, or that has taken your #1 book-boyfriend spot and you don’t think he’ll ever be knocked from it – like my beloved Travis ;)), then please let me know in the comments. 😀

My latest (although not necessarily in this order) TBR list: 

  • Break In Two by MJ Summers <— brand new on my list (I found it while searching Amazon for great looking bargains), and it’s what I’m currently reading. Great number of awesome reviews, and while I find it has a more traditional “contemporary feel” at the moment (and hasn’t won me over yet), one of our fellow readers (Jennifer) just read it and freaked out, saying: “I’m 61% into Break In Two. My jaw just dropped!! It started a little slow for me, but I quickly fell in love with the characters and plot. I was waiting for a twist in the story, and BOOM! Twist it did!!! I am literally growling at my iPad right now! Can’t put it down!” <— So you know I am IN!!!! YIPPEEEEEEE!!!! Look at me dancing! —-> LOL! UPDATE – okay this one wasn’t working for me as much as I hoped. I may pick it back up later though…
  • God Shaped Hole: A Novel by Tiffany DeBartolo <—- I LOVED this author’s book How to Kill a Rock Star and I hear this one will rock my world, too. Maybe not in the same way (not a rock star in this), but there is just SO much love for it that I’ve just got to read it ASAP! Also, I will need a box of tissues or three. So… there’s that… which is probably what’s been holding me back for now.
  • Come to Me Quietly: The Closer to You Series by A.L. Jackson <— ohhhhhh the sheer number of awesome reviews this one already has, plus the fact that he’s a tortured, tattooed bad boy that she’s been crushing on since she was a kid (and he’s her brother’s best friend), and now that they’re adults, she comes home to find him on her couch  well… all I can say is… MINE!!! <— UPDATE: READ!!! Reviewed! (So good!)
  • Mine to Lose (Mine to Love) by T.K. Rapp <— also a new one that I wasn’t on my radar until last week’s bargain list and it is calling me because we all know that long-distance relationships are just asking for trouble. Wait wait waiiiiiiit. They work… they sure can. But there are all sorts of nasty emotions and insecurities that can come into play, and well… I totally wanna play with that. 😛 <— UPDATE: READ!!! Reviewed (very good!)
  • The Fault in Our Stars by John Green <— from what I hear, this is one of the most AMAZING perfect books in the world. And, well, after seeing all of the 5-star reviews, there is no way that many people can be wrong. So… what the heck am I waiting for!!??? Oh right. I don’t wanna cry. I mean, I DO. I love crying over book-relationship issues and angst… I just don’t like crying so much for… er… other stuff. And I fear this one. I know, I know… by not reading it, I’m only hurting myself.
  • Sempre: Redemption by J.M. Darhower <— I LOVED LOVED LOVED book #1 (Sempre (Forever)) and I hear this newly released sequel is simply AMAZING.
  • Beg Tease Submit – Sequence One (Songs of Submission (Sequence One)) by C.D. Reiss <— I hear this series is awesome and I have no idea why I have all of the books and have yet to read it. Especially since it’s one of my long-time reading buddies (who’s a little picky, I might add) that insists! Plus, every time I post about this series in one way or another, a ton jump in to praise it. *sigh* All I want to do is read read read read read, while I have a maid and a cook to handle the rest. Oh and there’s that thing called a job. 😛 Okay Universe, I’m putting that out there, too. 😉 <— READ!!!
  • Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma <— I hear this is the ultimate in “make-us-uncomfortable” shocking and emotionally affecting taboo books. I want to read it ’cause it reeeeally messes with our fellow readers daring enough to jump in… but I’m a chicken. 😛 Still, you know I’m gonna read it. I just wonder how i’m gonna review it. 😉 <—- UPDATE: JUST READ IT AND LOVED IT!!!!! (my review)
  • Rough Canvas: 6 (Nature of Desire) by Joey W. Hill <— m/m romance that has come HIGHLY recommended and has been deemed one of the best love/romance stories ever (by those that have recommended it). BIG time emotional connection to these guys, I hear.
  • Hot Head by Damon Suede <— suuuper-steamy m/m romance that SO many in our group L-O-V-E!!! This one stands out for me in regards to the number of recommendations and reactions that have come my way.
  • Faith & Fidelity (Faith, Love and Devotion) by Tere Michaels <—- and yet another m/m romance that is calling me like crazy and that also seems to have our fellow readers falling head-over-heels. I hear this one is GREAT for m/m newbies (kind of like me, although I can take it… LOL!), but I hear it’s more romance and extreme emotional connection then… er.. *waggles eyebrows*
  • No Turning Back (The Kathleen Turner Series #1) by Tiffany Snow <— I hear this series has the ULTIMATE love triangle that has been going on for a bunch of books now, and everyone is either on team Kade or Blane and our fellow readers are LOVING it!! Sounds like a fun alpha-male tease, that will put me through an emotional ringer. I love the angst, and I need to read these ASAP! Kathleen Turner Series Reading Order <— READ!!!
  • Fighting Destiny (The Fae Chronicles) by Amelia Hutchins <— paranormal series but I hear will take me by storm. Will blow me away, make me melt, and have me super-addicted to it. Marla says: “The Most Awesome Books would be “The Fae Chronicles” by Amelia Hutchins,,,,Fighting Destiny and Taunting Destiny,,,,are books that everyone should read,,,,Paranormal to the extreme,,,,Absolutely love these books!!!” and Kate said: “Hi Maryse, I’m not sure if you’ve read Fighting Destiny by Amelia Hutchins or if I’ve mentioned it to you before but if u haven’t, u must! I just finished book 2 Taunting Destiny and it was F**ken amazing!!! Definately needs to be added to your paranormal tbr list” —> Here is The Fae Chronicles Series Reading Order
  • Truce (Neighbor from Hell) by R.L. Mathewson <— Historical romance (but part of our beloved “Neighbors from Hell” series) and it would appear that everyone who has read it seems to love it like crazy. Soooo many 5-star reviews and barely any touching the other numbers. And I know how much I loved #1 & #2, so I’m thinking I’ve already waited long enough to jump in. Here is the Neighbors From Hell Series Reading Order
  • Styxx (Dark-Hunter Novels) by Sherrilyn Kenyon <—- 848 pages of what I hear is PURE awesomeness. And while I once-upon-a-time did NOT like Styxx (ugh!! He was just… UGH!!!), but… since he looks JUST like Acheron and my friend Sherry went crazy for his story, well… I’m willing to give him a go. 😉 I absolutely intended on reading this but wow, it’s gonna take me a few days to finish. And I want to have them all in a row, uninterrupted so I can lose myself like back in the day when I read the entire Dark-Hunter series back to back. Yep. When my BFF Sherry said: “I cried my eyes out!! Seriously..I HATED HIM SO BAD in Acherons book, but now he’s my favorite!!! … I would have 5 starred it Definitely. Serious tears!!” well, that just made me want to move this up to my next book.
  • Bullet to the Heart (No Mercy) by Lea Griffith <— How could I possibly resist when Tiffany said: “Hey Maryse, Read a book called Bullet to the Heart by Lea Griffith…Gave me goosebumps and was so hard to read at parts..but beautiful too…Its def a book that your gonna Love!! I have followed your blog for the last few years..so I know you gonna love this book!! Give it a look!!” <— you said the magic word! GOOSEBUMPS! That’s what I’m looking for!
  • A Little Too Much (#2) by Lisa Desrochers <— I LOVED book #1 like crazy, so of course, I MUST read “the other guy’s” book. Plus, I need to catch up, ’cause #3 will be out this year! A Little Too Far Series Reading Order

Okay, so far… that’s it.

Well that’s not true. My actual “intensive” TBR list is more like 40 books long. Maybe 50. Maybe 100. 😉 And… I might add a few more tonight as I continue searching out my multiple lists that I’ve made in the past. I’ll add any especially exciting-looking ones in here.

But remember, I might not be reading these in this particular order, nor will they be my only “next” TBR reads (since I’m a”shiny new read” junkie) and I like to choose my next read depending on my mood. But these are the ones that have been calling me like crazy.

              

Reader Question – The book where the rock star strips at a bachelorette party. And there’s a cowboy hat.

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Sexy rock star that strip-teases his fiancée? Sounds like a good time to me. But, I haven’t read any rock star books that feature this scene (shame on me!!), so I wasn’t able to give her an answer. But maybe you guys know?

Emily just messaged me asking:

What is the book where the girl is dating an up and coming rock star….they get engaged and he does a strip tease at her bachelorette party. I vividly remember a cowboy hat being important. It is driving me nuts that I cannot remember it.

Anyone?

  • Reckless (book #3) by S.C. Stephens <— Okay silly me!!!! OF COURSE it’s this one. The #1, ultimate dreamy best-rock star EVER in the world… Kellan. YES YES. And that makes me a bad bad rock-star-book reader. *slaps hands and goes into the corner for a timeout*

For those that haven’t one of the BEST rock star romance series ever, this is THE ONE! Get on it: Thoughtless Series Reading Order (and here is my book review of book #1 —> Thoughtless)

Book Review – Let It Be Me by Toni Aleo

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Let it be Me
I’ve had this one on my TBR list since it’s release a few months ago. In a way, I was dying to read it, but I just needed to be prepared. I kept re-positioning it to the top of my list, but skipping over it when it came time to choose, ’cause I knew… this one wouldn’t be an easy read, and I was never really ready for it. Considering the subject matter, I had a feeling this would get ugly, and boy did it ever.

While I tend to gravitate to these kinds of reads (or watch movies that deal with spousal abuse), I cringe and wonder why I do “this” to myself. But I realize, what I love about these “darker” reads, is that sometimes, we can truly hate the bad guy from start to finish, our minds are not muddled with “love” for him. Plus, hopefully… eventually, the heroine’s survival instincts kick in, her mind overrides the mental abuse and brainwashing, and she’s practically reborn in the end. She finds herself again, and is stronger for it.

And while I really struggle through the whole process of that muddled thinking (all the self-doubt), the innate constant fear (with good reason), stepping on eggshells and no matter what, NEVER getting it “right” (ugh! When it comes to HIS demands), there is something to be said for reading about a character that somehow manages to find herself, take herself back as she climbs out of her own personal hell and permanently sever her relationship to the devil incarnate. And best of all… LIVE again.

That’s why I read these. That’s why I’m attracted to a story about a women in hell, that finally fights it, and survives it.

And this is what this story is about.

Violet married the “love of her life” at the age of twenty and while at first his handsome, charming ways and intensity wooed her, he quickly proved to be the devil in disguise. And I mean it. This guy pretty much makes the worst of the worst list in my book. His mental and violent physical abuse was constant. He is an absolute monster, and like her, I kept wondering… if he hates her THIS much, why does he even bother?

He is stronger, much stronger, and Lord knows I’m scared of him. Like now, he lets loose a string of obscenities about how I’m the world’s biggest piece of sh!t when, not two years ago, I was his world.

But alas, I do not understand anything in regards to the mind of an abuser. It makes no sense to me other than monsters are just that. They’re monsters. They can’t relate to love and protection and sharing, they can’t be reasoned with, they have no sense of logic, and they are just plain… psycho. That’s the only thing I can “try” to comprehend with this kind of person.

Is it love? Hell, I sure don’t think so because his voice makes my skin crawl. Even with his dark hair and even darker eyes, his olive skin, and the thick scruff that used to turn me on, I can’t stand the sight of him. I hate him. Am I scared to leave? Yes. Do I feel like I’ll never find someone to love me? Definitely.

And while some abusers (in our books and probably in real life) act lovingly and seem to care in times when they are not on a rampage, Rob is NEVER a nice guy. N-E-V-E-R. Even in public (amongst her entourage, that is). He’s just abhorrent.

But luckily she has ONE reprieve. He works nights while she works days (and she had to practically beg to be allowed to work, so that should tell you something). They barely cross paths, but when they do, it’s never nice (even if it’s just verbal). He’s such a… UGH. I was all… “Someone just… please!! Do something about him!!!”

But at work, she has a different “life”. A certain amount of relaxation, where she can smile again, and chat and laugh freely. She finally makes her own friends that give her a sense of worth and respect. And she learns that love might just be like she once dreamed of when her new boss befriends her and they begin to bond. And while she tries to hide her reality from all, he recognizes the signs of abuse, even if she won’t let him in.

But that’s where I struggled the most, wishing that someone would just… I dunno. Force her to not go home again (I mean come on!!!! HELP HER. Don’t let her go back!!!). Force her to fly back to her mother’s house in a completely different state. Take her and hide her. ANYTHING!!!! But she wouldn’t go for help, she would barely even ask for it, and even though she had plenty of opportunities to escape (or to just… not go home again), she… didn’t. And I freaked out each and every time.

Why the hell do I stay? Why do I take this and why do I allow this to happen?

I’ve asked myself those same questions for the last seven hundred and thirty days, but for some reason I still stay.

But you know… they say this kind of mentality happens a lot in abused spouses and while I could see ALL SORTS of opportunities for escape, for some reason… she could not.

At least, not yet.

… my story isn’t a happy one, well no, I take that back. It can be happy, I can be happy; I just have to get there. I have to fight for it.

And I’ll let you find out the rest.

Sure, at times I found it to be somewhat repetitive and drawn out, as she would mentally go over and re-go over the same excuses she felt the need to convince herself of. Re-hash it all. But then again, that might just be my need for her to GET OUT NOW!!! And fair warning, the abuse scenes are extremely graphic (I really struggled with these. And there are many). And maybe some other “stuff” felt a bit quick to me.

But overall the message was clear, and my hope was tremendous. This was a bit of a “love story” but mostly this is a potential survivor’s story. Very good read that kept me turning the pages, and had me on the edge of my seat, and gritting my teeth.

I’m not quite sure where I’m at, star-wise. While some scenes (in regards to repetition) and dialog had me more at a 3.5 star level, it’s definitely at least a 4-star for me in terms of holding my attention and having me mentally and physically reacting, so I’m thinking of going with that.

4 stars!

The original cover.
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