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30,000 LIKES Celebration Giveaway! *squeeeeeee*

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I can’t even believe it!!! 30,000 likes!?? Whaaaaaaa? I love each and every one of you, and I know a bunch of you have been with me from the start. I couldn’t be happier to have shared books with you for all this time, and to have garnered even more new friends along the way.

Here’s to our happy book future and hundreds (thousands) more books to come!!

And look at this funny screen shot I took, way back when… LOL!! I was just as excited back then.

Hee hee! Memories… 😉 Okay so… let’s celebrate!!!

I’m going to give away a bunch of GOODIES! TEN lucky winners will be randomly selected to win one of these ten gifts…

YAY!!! 😀 *happy dance*

How to enter for a chance to win one of these ten celebration gifts? Just leave a comment below, telling me your absolute favorite book this year (so far), and Sunday night (Sunday October 27th, 2013) by 10pm EST, I will randomly select ten 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.

Open to international for most of the prizes (even the Amazon gift cards, too if you can receive one in your country), but only to the U.S. for the Kindle Paperwhite. However, all are welcome to comment! :D

Latest Bargain e-Books – October 25th 2013

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Today has a few of my FAVORITES on sale, and a bunch of your favorites on sale, AND! For some reason, it appears today is the day of “book #3” new releases. 😉 A few from popular rock star series, and from biker series, are live right now. Plus, a bunch of “new-to-me’s” that look goooooood!!

I’d mark the ones that really have my attention, but there are too many in here, but right off the bat I’d say “Wicked Thing” and “Jake Undone” (<—the girls are going nuts for this one!) have my attention!

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

P.S. Let me know if I’m missing any or if you loved any. :)

Todays latest reader recommendations and bargain ebook finds:

  • Making Faces by Amy Harmon <— and the love for this book just keeps coming! Kim just said: “Hi Maryse, just wanted to say that I just finished Making Faces and boy you were right. This has to be one of my fav’s from this year. I was teary eyed for Fern, Ambrose and Bailey all at different times. I loved the itsy bitsy spider, which started it all. Thanks for sharing another great read!!!!” (here’s my review)
  • Left Drowning by Jessica Park <— OMG!!! Stephanie just found out that one of my favs (one of my TOP 5 Summer reads this year)!!! *happy dance* Kirsten loves it too! ” Oh this is one of my must reads this year Stephanie. Jessica Park is an author I just one click for. Loved her Flat Out Love and this was really amazing.” (check out my review)
  • A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrcohers <— I loved it!!! Super-steamy & romantically exciting. Here’s my review.
  • Flawed by Kate Avelynn <— Weirdish, darkish taboo lovers… Look what Nancy just found us: “Just found Flawed by Kate Avelynn. Have you read?” OMG!!! YES I have Nancy. Very good I’d totally jump on it. It’s certainly got it’s… “crazy”. 😉 Here is my review.
  • Jake Undone by Penelope Ward <— Kandace recommends it! “…finished ‘Jake Undone’ today by Penelope Ward. I really enjoy this authors writing. Her other book ‘Gemini’ had a major secret that left me on edge the entire book. Well…I’m happy to say ‘Jake Undone’ also had some twists and surprises that definitely kept me on my toes.” and Courtney says: “Has anyone else read Jake Undone? OMG…I couldn’t put it down all day. There are too many words to describe how this book made me feel. I laughed, I cried, I was frustrated and angry and then happy. What a roller coaster. Loved it! … I liked Gemini, but this one just blew me away. I don’t think you have to read Gemini first though. Those who did will get to see the Gemini characters pop up in Jake, though as small side characters.” and Jennifer says: “Just got done with it….had a hard time putting it down.”
  • Scornfully Yours (Torn Series #1) by Pamela Ann <— books by this author have been on the lists quite a few times, and Sarah just recommended this one: “On a whim I started reading Scornfully Yours (Torn Series) and am whipped. Omg…Bass melts me.” and Sally agrees: “Yessss this is the series I was pushing awhile back, Bass is ALL KINDS of delicious … Bass is definitely one of my TOP book boyfriends Lori, so he is MINE. Hands OFF! LOL”
  • Just Human by Kerry Heavens <— Jen loves #1 & #2: “I don’t know if you’ve read these yet, but Just Human and Still Human from indie author Kerry Heavens were freaking fabulous! I can’t get Danny out of my head!!”
  • Still Human (Just Human) by Kerry Heavens (and here’s book #2 that was just released)
  • Wicked Thing by Angeline Kace <— recommended by Tasha: “I started this book, and I was immediately drawn in, and I loved it.. I mean absolutely loved it. So if you haven’t read this yet I highly recommend you do , but just remember Dallas is mine ( tee-hee) ! Happy Reading Ladies” and Jillian said: “I’m 65% into the sample and I am sooo buying it! Thank you!” <— *whooo* yes!! I just read the synopsis and it looks angsty! Plus of course, he sounds like a real bad boy!! “When Carmyn’s fiancé cheats on her, it sends her into a whirlwind of one-night stands with the most infamous player on campus. She can’t seem to stay away from this tough guy and his dangerous motorcycle. Everything about him is the complete opposite of who she’d planned to fall in love with: tattoos, dark stubble along his jawline, and hair that brushes his shoulders.” :D!!!!
  • Like Gravity by Julie Johnson <— Stephanie just found us this deal!! “Like Gravity is TEMPORARILY ON SALE! It is a full-length standalone romantic suspense novel.” and Kat said: “My mom loved this book!” <— and I met her mom at Book Bash. She’s cool and she likes the same books we do. 😉 Hi Kat’s mom!!! 😉
  • Irresistible Refrain (Tempest) by Michelle Mankin <— ROCK STAR BOOK alert!!! Stephanie found us this deal!! Brand new release! She says: “Irresistible Refrain (Tempest) By Michelle Mankin is on sale.* This is a gritty rock and roll tale with great reviews. Contains sexual situations, strong language, and drug use. … a reader said that it was very well written and no cliffhanger! Part two is in the works.”
  • Just One Week (Just One Song book #2) by Stacey Lynn <— ROCK STAR BOOK ALERT! Sarah found us this new release!
  • Just One Song (book #1) by Stacey Lynn <— and here’s book #1!!! “It has been one year, three months, one week and six days since the accident, and Nicole is ready to stop counting the days she’s survived, and begin living again.  On a dare from her best friend, Nicole encounters Zack Walters – the popular alternative rock star and man who signifies so much of her past – and suddenly everything in Nicole’s safe and quiet life changes.”
  • White Balance by Ainslie Paton <— Debbie suggests this one: “If you are tired of insta-attraction books, you may want to read White Balance by Ainslie Paton. I would give it a 3.5-4 stars.” – “When Bailey meets Aiden, she’s struck by the oddest feeling he’s in pain. He soon proves how bogus first impressions can be. He causes pain, belittling with his intelligence and humiliating with his wit.“
  • Searching for Tomorrow (Tomorrows) by Katie Mac <— Lea found us this one! “New release! Beautiful story:)” – “Wrynn boxes up her grief and attempts to raise her three girls the best she can on her own. As time slowly passes, Wrynn relives her life with Tripp while struggling most days to get out of bed. She is reminded of him at every turn.“
  • Feverish (Bullet #3) by Jade C. Jamison <— Sarah found us this NEW ROCK STAR book that was just released!
  • Knights’ Sinner (The MC Sinners #3) by Bella Jewel <— NEW BIKER BOOK just released!! (and here is the series reading order)
  • Feel Like Makin’ Love (Rock and Roll Trilogy #3) by Barbara Stewart <— another new release!!! And I hear book #1 (Rock and Roll Never Forgets (The Rock and Roll Trilogy)) in this series is AWESOME and intense and I think made people cry like crazy.
  • Room For You (Cranberry Inn) by  Beth Ehemann <— Sarah found us this one, too! “Room for You is LIVE …. Hockey player …. been looking forward to this one” and Jillian says: “if you don’t mind cliffhangers then this one is definitely one to read right now!!!”
  • Ruining Me (#1) by Nicole Reed <— Lori found us these deals! “Ruining Me and Ruining You are both on sale for 99¢…in case you want to read before Wasted Heart” and Jen said: “Loved these two books ladies!!!”
  • Ruining You (#2) by Nicole Reed <— Andrea says: “I’m not sure if it was just me and life experiences, but these books gutted me. I cried and cried! I really liked both, and would definitely recommend them!”
  • Wasted Heart (#3) by Nicole Reed <— JUST released and Nikki says: “I would read the first two first. Loved them both! The character in the third book was in both of them a lot so I would read them first. ” and Trina says: “You don’t have to read the first 2…but to get the full effect of 3, I would recommend Sooo good!!”
  • Permanent (Indelibly Marked) by Kim Carmichael <– Angela highly recommends! “Omg!! You have to read permanent(indelibly marked) sexy famous tattoo artist that has trouble with his taxes meets blonde Midwest bombshell! Hilarious, quirky, and a must have!!! His crew is pretty awesome too!”
  • Beside Your Heart (The Heart Series) by Mary Whitney <— Kathy found us this deal!! “This one has been on my wish list for a while. It is on sale. Has good reviews. Sequel is coming out on Nov. 5 per reviews”
  • Infatuated by Elle Jordan <— Nancy found us this  one!! “Infatuated by Elle Jordan for a limited time. A scary, wonderful, standalone, & I just plain like the cover.” ooh sounds pretty good! “Kale’s the only one I want, but the more I feel for him, the more I fear for my safety. Because the other guy is getting closer and doesn’t want to share. He’s made it clear if he can’t have me, no one can.“
  • Billionaire Romance Boxed Set (9 Book Bundle) by authors Aubrey Rose, Julia Kent, Adriana Hunter, and Artemis Hunt <— Marian just found us this bundle!!!
  • Billionaire Erotic Romance Boxed Set: 7 Steamy Full-Length Novels <— billionaires (bundled)! 😉
  • Her by Carey Heywood <— just released!! (book #1 was Him)
  • Dirty Trick (A Perfectly Matched Novel) (Entangled Brazen) <– By Christine Bell “The only guy who makes her sixth sense tingle is her playboy best friend, Trick, and no way is she risking their friendship, no matter how hot she knows the sex will be. SWAT officer Trick Mathews is a patient guy, but Grace’s inability to see what’s right in front of her is grinding on his last nerve.“
  • My Now & Forever (My Way Series) by HJ Bellus <— Christy highly recommends! “Absolutely best book I’ve read this year. You have to read. It’s absolutely hilarious, sexy, emotional and just wonderfully written. Oh yeah needs repeating free. 5stars and wish I could give more.”
  • Lengths by Steph Campbell & Liz Reinhardt <— (thanks Erin!!)
  • Maybe This Time by Chantal Fernando <— MMA fighter/mega alpha male. Here’s my review.

                                

 

Bella Jewel – MC Sinners Reading Order

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Biker series alert with book #3 that has just been released (and #1 & #2 have lots of great reviews!!)

Recommended by:

Victoria: Not sure if this book is on your radar or not but I know you like a good MC book…Hell’s Knight by Bella Jewel (The MC Sinners Series)…check it out!

Biate: I really liked Bella Jewel’s MC Sinners series.

Kelly: Must read. Grab them all!

About book #1:

Addison has had a hard life. Her mother is useless, and her father hasn’t been in her life for years. When her mother dies, she’s left with no money and an angry man after her. She goes to the only person she knows can take care of her right now – her father. She knows her father is the President of an MC club, but she doesn’t quite realize just how much she will come to rely on that club.

Cade is everything she knows she should stay away from, and yet she can’t seem to keep herself from wanting him. He’s the club VP, gorgeous, rugged, charming and he makes her feel again. She should be running, she should be escaping the demons of her past, but instead she finds herself falling for the gorgeous biker.

   

Book Review – Worth The Fight by Vi Keeland

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Worth the Fight
Worth the fight… worth the read. And while it didn’t necessarily put me into a swooning, squee’ing frenzy I still enjoyed it. It’s well-written, with solid characters, and a story that progressed smoothly. Never becoming too far-fetched in it’s moments of drama.

It comes complete with all of our favorite fighter/alpha-male characteristics: he’s pretty much undefeated, gorgeous, and unattainable. We get that fun “bad boy” response to the potential love interest (intense desire now, but…potential “issues” as things get serious) which can’t help but culminate into moments of innate alpha-male claiming tendencies.

So what’s it about?

Elle and her “maybe-kind of” boyfriend of a few years, are both lawyers. There’s a solid foundation between the two, however she doesn’t (and hasn’t ever) truly felt a passion for him. Still, though, there’s a sense of comfort, familiarity and safety and so she sticks with it. But it’s when they work on a client’s contract together (that of famous MMA fighter Nico Hunter) that all of her coveted “safety” features fly out the window.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“Not really.”

There is undeniable electricity between her and Nico (she’s never been so attracted to somebody before) and Nico feels the same.

His words are a whisper in my ear as he speaks. “I’d love to see you again. You let me know when the not really turns into a solid no.”

And like a true undefeated fighter, he goes after what he wants. And he gets it.

“Why did you pick me up on a motorcycle if you have an SUV in the garage?”

Nico looks down sheepishly and then I see the cocky lopsided smile that just melts me somehow. “I wanted to feel your arms wrapped around me tightly.”

Right. Damn. Answer.

*swooooon*. No kidding!! 😉

Thing is, when things start getting serious, and as he is gearing up for his next big fight (after a devastating outcome from his last one), memories come back to torment him. Struggling with his past, his fears and his future, can he handle letting someone in so deeply? And can she?

Oh yes… the guilty conscience theme runs deep in this one.

We get plenty of the back and forth emotional attachment that he’s struggling with, because of a past mistake. One that hints at the fact that subconsciously, he feels unworthy of love or happiness. And yet his need and desire to be with her (his need for her at his fights, the way she brings him a sense of peace, and their incredible chemistry) keeps bringing him back full-force.

But here’s the thing. She too, has unresolved issues. And THIS is where the dramatic, very dark detail comes into play as she’s haunted by terrifying flashbacks from her childhood.

The dream is back. It’s not really a dream, it’s a nightmare. Although nightmares are a figment of a person’s imagination, so I guess what I woke up to wasn’t a  nightmare… it was reality. My reality. My memory. My past.

Okay so for those that don’t want to know anymore… skip this next part as I analyze my “issues” with the story. Not really spoilers but in this next part, there is more detail than some readers want to know:

So… I could barely get through her memories (domestic violence against her mother), and this author did not hold back (so beware). Extremely detailed and vivid. Right down to the sounds. I was horrified and really felt like putting it down at this point.

And as we get to know her better, her memories expose her guilty complex and feelings of unworthiness.

That’s one of my “hiccups” with the story. A certain guilty conscience that I couldn’t connect to, considering the factual circumstances. A bit too much added drama that I think was over-amplified to keep the turmoil brewing between the main couple.

I mean, considering WHAT she had seen, had experienced in her young, impressionable age could anyone blame her? And… I think that fear alone (a sort of PTSD) could have added a more realistic effect on her relationship issues. Something to get over. You know… like trust issues. Maybe even especially because he’s a fighter. One that seems so protective of her, one who’s strength (and love) alone will keep her safe, and yet the fact that he uses his fists as his livelihood (fists that she has learned to fear from her childhood)… what a contradiction, right?

Okay y’all can come back now!! 😉 Back to the main review!

But I digress.

It still plays out well enough with moments of angst, sweet connection, personal growth, and then… regression again.

The thing for me is that, for some reason, as much as it was “up my alley”, I was able to put it down. Something about this story was so even-keeled and steady that while I perceived the moments of angst, I didn’t actually experience any of it deep enough for me to “be hooked”.

Sure, he was awesome. He was intense. He was everything I love in a hero. But for some reason, this is one of those books that I feel like I was reading from the outside looking in. And I can’t exactly pinpoint why. All I can say is other than her nightmarish “memories”, I didn’t feel much of their connection. It didn’t make me go all-out crazy.

And looking back over this recommendation, I now get what Bianca was telling me. And I totally agree!

Bianca: Worth the Fight- a passionate romantic enjoyable read. Very easy with very little angst. I call this type of story an ‘inbetweener read.’ Almost like a warm down after a work out!

But I’d still suggest this as a good “fighter” read for somebody that loves ’em alpha with those “MINE” moments, but doesn’t mind that this one is more “laid back” than our usual books.

“Are you seeing anyone?”

“No.” My response is assertive.

“Yes. You are.”

I’m confused. “I am?”

“I don’t share Elle.”

“Oh.” Oh my.

:D!!! Hehe. My reaction exactly.

And I know a bunch of our fellow readers LOVED it just by looking at the reviews.

Linda: Just finished Worth the Fight. AMAZING. I need to start a journal just to keep up with all my fantasy boyfriends. Nico;)))))) MMA fighter and soooo yuuuummy. Loved all the characters in this read and that doesn’t happen often. Xoxo

Felicia: It’s an amazing book. Nico isn’t only hot he’s a heartwarming man…

3.5 stars

J.C. Reed – Surrender Your Love Series Reading Order

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Recommended by quite a few of our fellow readers, and guess what!? Book #3 was just released!

Paula: Not sure if you have picked this one up, a two parter.   Surrender Your Love by J C Reed.   Bad boy story, lust, love and betrayal. Devoured this one today!  About 6-7 hours of reading

Jessilynn: My favorite book from the last 30 days is Surrender Your Love by JC Reed. Getting ready to start #2 – Conquer Your Love.

Jennifer: I’m trying out “Surrender Your Love” by J.C. Reed and woohoo….the sequel is already out!  Hopefully, I will have a romance-reading filled few days.

About book #1:

Meeting Jett was like lightning. Dangerous. Better left untouched. And better forgotten. But lightning always strikes twice.

Brooke Stewart, a realtor in New York, doesn’t do relationships. When she’s sent to a remote estate to finalize a real estate deal, she discovers her new boss is no other than the guy she left naked in bed.

Sexy, dangerously handsome, and arrogant Jett Mayfield attracts trouble, and women, like a lightning rod. But the night he meets Brooke he gets more than he bargained for. The green-eyed millionaire playboy isn’t used to taking no for an answer, and he isn’t about to start now.

When he proposes two months of no strings sex, Brooke is intrigued and accepts his proposal. Little does she know Jett’s determined to claim the one woman he can’t have, pulling her deeper into his dangerous world.

A man who doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.
A woman afraid to surrender to love.
Two lives that are about to cross…and secrets laid bare.

  

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