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MJ Fields – The Firsts Series Reading Order + a Fun Facts & an awesome giveaway (signed book AND swag!!)

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<— Their First Time: Mitchell and Jamie’s story (The Firsts series Book 5) JUST WENT LIVE and MJ Fields is celebrating her release by sponsoring this week’s upcoming newsletter, PLUS she’s sent over Fun Facts about the series and she’s having a giveaway. P.S. It can be read as a standalone!! 😀

Tessa: I’m almost done with Her First Kiss by MJ Fields. It’s awesome. I’m loving every page of it. Friends since kids (8 and 12), he’s absolutely psycho about keeping her protected all their life. Also, I REALLY want to read the earlier books about the parents and probably stepbrother.

And now…

Fun facts about Firsts series:

I love to write what I know, so to speak, and incorporate what I love in it.

The Firsts series is all about … firsts.

The things I love in this series are:

The region.

The fictional town of Blue Valley is based on the town I reside in—Upstate, New York. Think small town, central to some of the most beautiful cities in Upstate.It’s also the name of the family’s farm that I grew up on and my publishing company.

The college.

We’re HUGE Syracuse University fans. SU is an hour away and home to my favorite college football and basketball teams. We have two graduates of SU in the family and, fingers crossed, my mini will attend there in two years.

The sport. (The team)

Football. I love watching football.

Musical Theatre. (The squad)

As much as I love watching sports, musical theatre is a huge part of the “Fields” family, as well. I was in musicals in high school, and my mini is now gracing the same high school stage as I did, as well as the local theatre, and doing it so much better than I ever did.

London (Her First Kiss) and the “squad” are all somewhat quirky, musical theatre geeks—same!—and have found their “people” their first year of college.

The theme of becoming.

There is nothing like witnessing someone, or of finding within ourselves, our true passion. When they fight for it, do the work, and achieve … priceless.

Broken souls.

Another thing that gives me the “goosies” is seeing someone who life has kicked in the nuts, so to speak, and fight their way through it. We’ve all heard the term: without suffering, there would be no compassion. I agree completely. We find truth in it. But, with age, I have come to the realization that suffering, unlike pain, is optional. (Think about that … I truly have.)

The season.

Fall, football, holidays, “cuddle season.” *sigh*

Firsts!!!!

Pretty self-explanatory, right? Lol!

All the firsts, from seeing snow, to taking the field, to standing on stage, to dates, to friendships, to finding your “squad,” to kisses, licks … sex … are all amazing, even the first heartache.

SERIES READING ORDER (although they can all be read as standalones)

Each one after Logan and Londons books will be a stand alone companion novel with a complete story in each book.

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY

We have a few going on (one here on the blog) and the author is having one on Facebook AND one on Instagram:

OKAY TO ENTER HERE ON THE BLOG: To win a signed copy of Her First Kiss and some Firsts series swag (Trading cards, stress footballs and some MJ swag), leave a comment below, and let us know your favorite sports team (and why – if there’s a reason 😉 ). OPEN INTERNATIONALLY!! By Sunday December 15th 2019, at 10pm, I will randomly select one lucky commenter for THIS prize. The winner will be contacted and will have 48hrs to respond confirming their mailing address, so if you are picked, do not delay or you will lose your chance. The prize will be sent to the winner directly by the author.

And…

For the author’s giveaways on Facebook OR Instagram:

★ $50 Amazon GC! Wine Tumbler! Cuddle Season T-Shirt★ (Pics in comments & open Internationally) all you need to do is like the post (either here on Facebook):

★Add Their First Time to your Amazon wish list. **extra entry if you add Amazon screenshot**
★Add to Goodreads : https://bit.ly/2OY9eh0
★SHARE THE POST AND TAG YOUR BOOK SQUAD!
★ HEART THE POST 
or here on Instagram – $50 GC, #cuddleseason T-, 🍷 tumbler !)
To enter: ❤️ and Tag a member of your book squad.

Guest Review (my sister!!) – Run Away by Harlan Coben 

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Run Away <— Ahhhhh my sister. A girl after my own book-heart. Not only is she into the same genres as I am, she reeeeeads on her vacations!! Oh how I love her, and her book tastes, and YAY FOR US ’cause she’s sent over two reviews of her favorite books she read while on vacation, and both have me bouncing and clapping with glee!! Totally my thing!

And I love the last line of her review. I see what you did there, Jo. Clever. 😉

 

 

4.5 STARS

Review by Johanne Pearl Couturier

I have a book review for you ladies! There are 2 books I read on my last vacation in Cuba, this one and Behind her eyes by Sarah Pinborough… I am not talking about the one last July, I’m talking about the one my boyfriend and I just took in November 2019. Again? you’re going to ask yourself… Well Hell yes!!! I must take multiple vacations because it is the only time that I can READ! LOL 

I had to give this book 4.5 stars because I could not put it down!

As usual, Harlan Coben’s characters are sublime. So realistic, with their flaws, their pains, their doubts. We are in their head, thinking, feeling, and it is not all cute and fluffy… we’re talking about murders, multiple murders. I hate it when some characters that I got to particularly like, die. But hey… this is far from being a Disney book!

What got me in this one, is the love felt by the main character. I believe Harlan writes from his own perspective. How is it for a man to love his wife and his family? To what ends would he go, or would be willing to go, for the ones he loves? Being a parent, I know I would die for my daughter if I were to be certain that it would save her.

I love what he remembers about his daughter, little moments that only parents can remember. He is obsessed with his daughter’s situation, because she did run away and won’t come back home. He feels helpless in front of her addiction. He tries his best to behave properly… and discovers that the rules are not the same in this drug jungle in which he sets foot to get his daughter back. 

His entire family has secrets… Isn’t it true that what men think is happening, often has no connexion to what is REALLY happening? They are so caught up in their own career, and the idea of how they should be in front of others, that they do not understand all that is going on in their own family. There is so much action in that book as well. Fights, shootings, pursuits… Like I said, I could not put it down. Needed to know more and more, wanted to find out the connections, the secrets, the reasons. Just like him! I could actually visualize the characters evolving and their stories mingling, unaware of each other at first. That book would make an excellent movie!

I know… I am saying nothing about the story itself in that review, and it is on purpose! You need to discover the story by yourself. Every little piece of the puzzle counts. Don’t “Run Away” from this one!! *Giggles*

Guest Review (my sister!!) – Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough 

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Behind Her Eyes: A Suspenseful Psychological Thriller <— OMG OMG OMG!! I AM DYING to read this one BIG TIME!! YAY to my sister for telling me (and us) about it, it’s so right up my domestic/marital strife/the other woman thriller alley. She’s the other woman… but it appears to go WAY deeper than that. 😀

<— Holy moly… look what Stephen King says about the book (his quote is on the cover). And better yet… lookit what my SISTER says (she has sold me on this one for sure):

 

 

5 STARS

Review by Johanne Pearl Couturier

The second book I read on my last vacation I consider 5 stars. I bought the French version from my book club on the recommendation of the salesperson. I did not know Sarah Pinborough, but when I saw that Harlan Coben AND Stephen King were thinking highly of her book, I could not resist buying it.

I did not know either that my sister had already reviewed a book from her, Cross Her Heart (here’s her Book Review) but now that I know, I’m going to tell her: “Maryse!!!! You NEED to read this one!”

Unlike Maryse’s comments in Cross Her Heart, I did not get confused in the back and forth of the past and the present. Maybe the author is getting better and better at making sure we can follow. 😉 Does she play with your mind? Oh, heck yesssss… nicely too!

Like in her previous book, it is also the story of a single mom, Louise, who’s been alone for some time. Being encouraged to go out by her only friend, who’s constantly cheating on her husband, she finally does it one night and has a bit too much to drink. There is a gorgeous man in the same bar who had too much too… and they have a little “tongue massage” party! For the first time in a few years, she feels desired and it does awaken her body for more. The very next day, that gorgeous man is introduced to her office, along with his stunning wife, as her new boss David!!! Ok Louise… damn professional mmmh? She’ll try to stay professional, particularly when she’ll accidently meet with Adele, David’s wife, and will be absolutely swooned by her. 

And this is when the fun starts! Adele seems so perfect! And her life is strange, difficult. She looks fragile, and so scared of her husband! Louise cannot stand that duality. She must know what is going on. Who is that man that she’s cheating her new best friend with? In her determination to know the truth, she’ll be caught in a swirl of events where secrets are deeper than any one can realize. I understand that Harlan Coben enjoyed the book, because it is nonstop action and discoveries, where things of the past come back to haunt you.

The sick twist is that we are also in Adele’s mind… She knows everything about Louise and her husband. More than anyone could possibly know, because she’s able to do something that she teaches Louise to do… and this is where I understand Stephen King’s “Bravo.” From one woman’s guilt to the other woman’s rage, David is but a pawn in a story that he has no control over.

In the very end, I thought I was understanding what was going on, I was certain about it. The last chapter slapped me in the face! OMG, OMG, OMG! I did not even know how to react! It is just so BRILLIANT!!! And the last sentences are horrible… I loved it!!!

Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 12-06-19

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TGIF!!!! Boy do I love Fridays, and I love when the Friday Finds are loaded with reader recommendations, like this one is!!! Some pretty awesome sounding new releases just went live too, including one that was only supposed to go live next week. Surprise!!! 😀

But first… some super-sale memberships you can try (if you haven’t already been a member, that is) 😉 These are still going on as we speak!

TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE FOUND FOR THE WEEKEND :D !!

  • Chase The Butterflies by Monica James <— LIVE!!! SOUNDS AMAZING AND POIGNANT & SUPER-ANGSTY from the ugly-cry reviews I’ve only glanced at!! LOVE AFTER LOSS? “…As I attempt to claim back my life, Jude Montgomery enters my world, and things begin to change. I thought running would appease the nightmares, but I soon discover my past won’t let go. Things are not what they seem, and I begin to question the world as I know it. Jude may hold the answers, but will my love for him blind me to the truth?…” P.S. It’s a standalone (no cliffhanger).
  • The Punk and the Plaything (When Rivals Play Book 3) by B.B. Reid <— B.B. REID’S LATEST IN THIS BULLY SERIES IS LIVE!!! “Jameson and Barbette’s story is a continuation of the events that occurred in The Peer and the Puppet and The Moth and the Flame. For the best reading experience it is recommended that you read these books in order as the plots connect.” P.S. Here’s the reading order.

Tessa: BB Reid’s Peer and the Puppet, OMG, it was awesome. If you liked Fear Me, you’ll love this. It’s not as violent as Fear Me. The, err, issue that Maryse had with Fear Me wasn’t there at all. 🙂 Still ANGST! 🙂 Tons of it.

Nancy: YESSSS!!!!!

  • Savage Fae (Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac Book 2) by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
  • Never Always: A Enemies to Lovers Navy SEAL Romance by Rachel Robinson <— LIVE!! RACHEL ROBINSON BULLY BOOK ALERT!!! SHE’S A RECLUSIVE SCIENTIST & SHE HAS TO DEAL WITH THIS AWFUL RETIRED NAVY SEAL… “…Unfortunately, having my nose in a book and eating goals for breakfast doesn’t bode well for a social life or my cobweb covered dating sector. Then I met Grange. He’s a tormenter—an epic bully, but he’s promised to help me in my lackluster areas. He’s been ordered to fulfill service hours at my Aquatic Lab in Cape Cod if I allow it. He is bad, the worst. I’m talking wearing prison garb when I met him kind of awful...”
  • THUG (HARD EIGHTS MC Book 1) by Scott Hildreth <— LIVE!! BIKER BOOK ALERT!!! Kathy found this one for us, too!

Kathy: Scott Hildreth has a new MC series. The first book is called Thug. I have enjoyed his previous MC Series.

  • Landon & Shay: (The L&S Duet Book 2) by Brittainy C. Cherry <— BRITTAINY C. CHERRY DUET CONCLUSION IS LIVE!! Landon & Shay part 2 (no need to wait for cliffhangers… relief is here)  !!! And it’s in KU!!

Virginia: It’s amazing!

  • Accidental Santa by Celia Aaron <— LIVE!!!
  • Fury (Savage MC–Tennessee Chapter Book 4) by by Jordan Marie <— LIVE!!! BIKER BOOK/SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE
  • Powerless (Steel Demons MC Book 2) by Crystal Ash
  • Gilded Lily: An Enemies to Lovers, Opposites Attract Romantic Comedy by Staci Hart <— LIVE!!! SHE HAS THE PERFECT LIFE & boyfriend, but there’s one thing that’s not… “…I could have told you every perfectly imperfect thing about the gardener at Longbourne. Like his hair, lush and black and far too long. Or his nose, the flat bridge of a Greek god, bent a little like it’s been broken. Or his size. Beastly. Roped and corded with muscles, gleaming with sweat and peppered with dirt. There’s no escaping him, not if I’m going to use his family’s flower shop for my events. But nothing is what it seems. And in the span of a heartbeat, my perfect life is turned inside out...”
  • A Shifter’s Christmas Box Set by Emilia Hartley <— LIVE!! BOOK BUNDLE SUPER-BARGAIN!
  • Beautiful Secret (Dirty Hollywood Book 1) by Claire Raye
  • Waking up in Vegas by Natasha Preston <— LIVE!!! SHE ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED HER BROTHER’S IDIOT FRIEND!! LOL!!! “...Once sober and home, the incompatible newlyweds try everything within their power to end their pantomime marriage. Unfortunately for them, the promise and vows they made to spend their life together now aren’t as easy to break as they’d once hoped. Especially not when Brody starts to have a change of heart...”
  • Taming Nick (Perception Book 3) by Shandi Boyes
  • Chaos Kings MC by Linny Lawless <— BIKER SERIES BUNDLE ALERT!!
  • My Holiday Secret: A Fake Fiancé Contemporary Christmas Romance by Jackson Kane
  • Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey <— BREAKING NEWS UPDATE!! I just received another adamant recommendation (this time from Ashley) for a book I chose on this month’s “Amazon First Reads”. I’m going to start it tonight!!! *happy dance*

Ashley: I’m reading Unspeakable Things right now and wow. Its haunting and scary and the tiny hairs on the back of my neck are standing up. Oddly reminiscent of Judy Blume if she wrote psych thriller type books…. does that even make sense? 😂

I think I know what’s going on but then there’s something else I can’t put my finger on. The writing is amazing. Just a heads up for anyone who saw it …and wasn’t sure!

Tracie: And now I had to 1 click lol!

Suzie: I eyed this one and didn’t 1 click when they came out because my TBR is insane. Thanks for the recommendation!

Ashley: For real…. I’m not going to be able to sleep. 👀

Maryse: *claps with glee*

  • Dirty: The Complete Series by Ella Miles <— SERIES BUNDLE SALE ALERT!! 😲🥳 From USA Today Bestselling Author Ella Miles comes a new DARK romance series! This collection includes: Dirty Beginning, Dirty Obsession, Dirty Addiction, Dirty Revenge, and Dirty Epilogue. “...He tried to warn me. Every chance he could, he tried to get me to run far, far away. But it only made my obsession grow stronger. Until I made the worst mistake I could. And ended up trapped forever...”
  • Chronicles of the One Trilogy by Nora Roberts <— TASHA IS LOVING IT!!!!!!!

Tasha J: I started back in on Nora Robert’s The One the other night and I’m loving it. I love the whole apocalypse type genre, but I can’t say I’ve ever read about rebuilding civilization, if that’s where this is heading. It’s different and fresh, for me.

  • Enemies by Tijan <— RECENT TIJAN RELEASE & WE HAVE FEEDBACK!

Shara: Finished enemies by Tijan yesterday. Loved it. I’ve been in a book slump and this one got me out of it. Not sure what I should read next.

Tessa: I finished Enemies by Tijan last night and big heart hurt. (Though, football note, the scoring spot is called an end zone, not safety. Safety is tackling the team in their end zone.)

Teri: Oh dear! This sounds angsty…

Linda: Yay!!! Love her books! Can’t wait to start reading it ⭐️

Tessa: …then I went to Teardrop shot. Actually better and i didnt expect that. It starts you out laughing and yet, towards the end your crying, even with the HEA. Tore my heart in pieces because so much starts with that happy cute feeling then emotions start to see in.

At first it’s all sad. Okay. No tears. But then the emotions really come out and I couldn’t stop feeling all the sadness.

Still. HEA.

  • The Wife Between Us: A Novel by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen <—- ON SALE & I 4.5 STAR LOVED THIS ONE!! A riveting, “marital strife” (or aftermath) psych-thriller (her husband left her for a younger woman…) P.S. here’s my review!!

Stacy: The Wife Between Us on Audible…5++++ stars!

Lindsay: This book was fantastic! Not what I was expected at all.

Theresa: …warning. Read every word, no skimming, no nozing and no reading ahead. This book has so many “hints” that it is easy to miss what and who is doing what. Well I passed to another neighbor, then to DIL and she passed to neighbor. We rarely pass a book this much.

Maryse: I did the same thing!! I read it, then I loaned my hard copy to my aunt, who handed it to my mom and then my sister. We ALL loved it and enjoyed that twist!! 😀

  • A Place Without you by Jewel E. Ann <— DAFFY’S FAVORITE FOR 2019!!! When I asked for everyone’s favorites, she messaged me this:

Daffy: Hi! You asked for recs 2019 – A place without you – Jewel E Ann

Jenn: I am currently finishing up “A Place Without You” Jewel E Ann-I do not think I have ever laughed so much with a book that also is ripping my heart out! I can’t wait to finish it as most all in the BR have and of course loved it!

Susan: I don’t know if anyone has read The KingMaker or the Rebel King. This is a fantastic duet and even though I finished it two weeks ago, I’m still thinking about it. Great Books!!

Lisa: I agree with Susan. Mercy. The All the Kings Men Duet has become one of my favorite reads this year. This story line had it all! When an author can combine social justice issues with a riveting slow burn romance?? Yes please and more!! …I borrowed this on my KU but I had to buy it for my library. One author made the comment that this is the future of Romance. I pray it’s so!! ✨📚✨

Kathy: That is a great price for the Lani Lynn Vale box set. I love her series and they rarely go on sale. Unfortunately, I bought all of these books at full price. Defiinitely recommend getting and reading if you can part with your Christmas money. She definitely writes the Alpha characters.

Maryse: She’s a blurb-jolt QUEEN!!! I WANT TO READ ALL of her books, ’cause the stories all sound unique and addictive.

  • Outmatched by Kristen Callihan and Samantha Young  <— RECENT RELEASE & WE HAVE FEEDBACK!! Julie O says it’s re-read good!

Julie O: Oh, BTW, just finished OUT MATCHED by Kristin Callihan and very much enjoyed. Could not think of 2 people who weren’t suited for each other but opposites attract.

Humerous and many sweet times. A good 4. And that means it is on the Reread shelf which is filling up.

  • To Touch the Light: An Irons and Works Holiday Novel by E.M. Lindsey
  • Tequila by Dr. Rebecca Sharp
  • The Lineup by Meghan Quinn <— LIVE!! MEGHAN QUINN ALERT!! HE KNOWS SHE HAS A HUGE CRUSH ON HIM… “…according to her, she “accidentally” donated an obscene amount of money to my charity — The Lineup — to win said date but I found out the truth. Miss. Button Up Blouse has a secret, passionate crush on me. I didn’t know her name until two days ago, despite the friends we have in common…”

 

AUDIOBOOK L:DVERS!

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

PREORDERS (going live soon!!! 😀 )

 

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Reader Question… Solved! The book about the girl & the “player” that fall in love but then something terrible happens…

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Lesley just sent this one over a few minutes ago and I couldn’t help but post it right away!! It’s got some spoilers so I alert before they happen, so proceed with caution.

Hiii everyone!

I’m trying so hard to find a book that I’ve read a while ago.

It’s about a player who falls in love with a girl and their story is beautiful and then

*spoiler alert*

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*spoiler alert*

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*spoiler alert*

*spoiler alert*

*spoiler alert*

she gets raped and she changes. Then she kills her rapist and

*spoiler alert*

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he takes the blame for it and she has his baby but then they meet again and it’s a happy ending.

I really suck at telling stories but please help if you know what book i’m talking about haha

Anyone know which book she’s looking for?

Rae: Holy Smoke -following and hope we get an answer

Lesley: It’s really one of the best books i’ve ever read. I’ve been trying to find the book for a week now, reallly hope someone finds it. I’m so stupid for deleting the book from my ibook

Nicolle: Was she kidnapped when she was raped? This story sounds familiar, but In the one I’m thinking about after she was rapped she suffered damage to her cervix and was told she wouldn’t have any children, but by some miracle she got pregnant by him.

Lesley: I don’t really remeber if she gets kidnapped, i don’t think so. And she does get pregnant and gives birth to his child so i don’t think it’s the same book. Cause when he’s out from jail he’ll be sad because she didn’t tell him about his child. And the day before she got raped i think they were celebrating her birthday at a bar and the guy who rapes her will follow them but that scene will reveal later on in the book. I suck at explaining things, I bet ya’ll are confused haha but u guys will really enjoy this book.

Kelly: Undo Me: The Good Ol’ Boys by M Robinson?

Mag: Could it be STONED (Wrecked) by Mandi Beck?

Chris: It sounds similar to The Dark Light of Day by T.M. Frazier

Jennie: I’m pretty sure the book is Undo Me: The Good Ol’ Boys #3
by M. Robinson

Lesley: Yes!!! That’s the one!!! Undo Me. Thank u

Maryse: YAY!!!! Another one solved! 😀 Thank you Kelly (and Jeannie). 😀 And we have a couple of other great book suggestions in this genre to peruse (BTW I loved The Dark Light of Day), so I need to read the other two.

➔➔➔  Browse more reader questions (solved & unsolved) here. 😀 Maybe you’ll find a solved one to read or have a guess for us for one that’s still unsolved.

Have a reader question for us to solve? Send it to me here.

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