X

Maryse's Book Blog

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

You are here: Home / Home

Monday Early Bird Book Releases + some that are going live at midnight! 02-25-19

By 29 Comments

Good morning and happy Monday! Over 20 new book releases that went live a little early, and I’ve compiled them into a list. But first…
THREE THINGS:

1.) I am absolutely IN LOVE with Lily’s Chocolate (so far, I’ve tried Lily’s Dark Chocolate with Stevia Coconut & Lily’s Salted Almond and Milk Chocolate Bar). OMG I LOVE THEM BOTH (but salted almond is my favorite). I’m dying to try the salted caramel!! Now… it’s expensive, but Keto-me can eat it (it’s sweetened with Stevia) and I can’t. Tell. The difference. In fact it’s so sweet and decadent, that I can only have a row of squares at a time, or else I’m on sweeeeeeet overload (and there’s NO SUGAR!!!). What is this sorcery??!!! Don’t tell me. Just keep making it. :D!!

2.) Still waiting on my fake tulips (grrrrr!!) so I had to get another bouquet of fresh sunflowers (they brighten my day, so YAY!!) Aren’t they BEAUTIFUL?? I have yet to find fakes this pretty 😀 —–>

3.) I cried twice in the last 48 hours. HARD. Once when I watched “A Star is Born” and when I re-watched “Odd Thomas” <— OMG. Both of those movies broke my heart!! P.S. I also watched “Autopsy of Jane Doe” at 9am this morning, ’cause Stephen King told me to (well he told all of Facebook to, but let’s pretend he only told me 😉 ), AND!!! Warned me not to watch it alone (ohhhhhh I was excited so excited for the scary) and while it’s really good, it didn’t scare me at all. But it was WELL WORTH watching!! And sure to scare many. 😉 It takes a lot to scare me in horror…

LOOK WHAT JUST WENT LIVE :D !!!

  1. When August Ends by Penelope Ward <— PENELOPE WARD ALERT!! Sexy older man moves into her rental... “…Nothing exciting ever happened on the lake—not until Noah moved into the small boathouse on our property. He’d booked it for the entire summer…and I was still trying to figure out why. When my mother became ill, I inherited the responsibility of making sure our guests were well taken care of. I should have been finishing up college. Instead, I was living my best life…as a maid. Dark, handsome, and mysterious, everything about Noah screamed forbidden…”
  2. Mr Spencer by T.L. Swan <— TL Swan ALERT!!! LOOK WHAT JUST WENT LIVE!! He sent her a hilarious list of why she should date him… “…The man’s a fool, his list was some of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever read. And the funniest. We laughed hard…and loved harder. You can outrun everything……except your past. And his has caught up. Wild handsome players don’t fall for innocent girls like me…”
  3. Pride (The Elite Seven Book 2) by J.D. Hollyfield
  4. The Arrangement 25 (The Ferro Family) by H.M. Ward
  5. Bound To His Bride by Madison Faye
  6. The Legend: A Second Chance Romance Standalone (Rivers Wilde Book 2) by Dylan Allen
  7. Dating Games by T.K. Leigh <— DRUNKEN ONE NIGHT STAND/FAKE RELATIONSHIP ALERT!! “… a story I’m working on about the country’s most sought-after and elusive escort lands me in the same café as Mr. Suit. So I do what any self-respecting woman of my age would do in my shoes… Try to ignore him. But he won’t let me…”
  8. Shot in the Dark (Men of the Secret Service Book 2) by Tracy Solheim
  9. Tame Me: The Macintyre Brothers: Book Three by S. E. Lund
  10. Game Planner by BJ Harvey
  11. Park (Archer’s Creek Book 4) by Gemma Weir <— HE’S JUST HER FRIEND… “…I’m pathetic. For years my best friend has bullied me into doing all manner of stupid, reckless things. This road trip is just another one of them. Deceit led me to him, but now old lies and new truths could destroy everything. In a small town, he showed me how big the world was, and now I can’t breathe without him. He’s my friend, but that’s all he can ever be…”
  12. Red Hot Winter by K. Webster <— K. WEBSTER ALERT!! “…A blowout fight between Winter and her dad sends her straight into August’s waiting arms. But August doesn’t want to hold her…he wants revenge. The two are an explosive combination whenever they’re together. August antagonizes and Winter pushes back…“
  13. Defying Gravity: An Ice Tigers Hockey Novel by Isabella Cassazza
  14. Roughing it with Ryan (South Village Singles) by Jill Shalvis
  15. Take Me (The Art of Pleasure Book 1) by Tracy Wolff
  16. Hardest Fall (Dominion Book 3) by Juliette Cross
  17. Underdog by Kristen Mae <— UNREQUITED LOVE & THEN HE SAVES HER BUT SHE FREAKS OUT!!! “…Noah Decker has carved out a respectable, if lonely, life for himself, designing video games in his Cold War-era house, caring for his chickens, and faithfully patronizing the local pub for their corned beef sandwiches. And loving Addison. Addison, who moves with the grace of a ballerina as she waits tables. Addison, whose every published word he reads again and again until he’s committed them to memory. Addison, who doesn’t even know he exists…”
  18. Heartbreaker by Inara Scott
  19. Covet: A Standalone Forbidden Romance by Ella James <— FORBIDDEN ROMANCE ALERT!! He’s a famous baseball player that gets in a bit of trouble… 😉 “…They want me benched, or worse, shipped off to rehab.It’s a long story, what happens next. How I end up on a boat, bound for the world’s most remote island: Tristan da Cunha. Just a speck of dust in the Atlantic. Except my heart is there. I don’t know that when I step onto the boat. I don’t know a lot of things. What I’ll covet… What I’ll lose…“
  20. Protect Me: A Mafia Romance (The Rossi Crime Family Book 2) by Cassandra Hallman & J.L. Beck <— MAFIA ALERT!! “…She was my ex-best friends little sister. Shy, gorgeous as hell and did I mention completely off limits. Well that is until she lands on my doorstep begging me for protection from my brother. She has no idea the kind of world she’s walked into, or that I’m no better of a man then the one searching for her...”
  21. Virgin Husband by Alexa Riley <— ALEXA RILEY ALERT!! FAKE MARRIAGE ALERT!!! “Caroline Parker is finally getting back to her old self. She’s moved in with her bestie, has a great job as a dog walker, and just met the man of her dreams. It seems like it’s all too good to be true, and when she finds out his secret it just might be...”
  22. Claiming His Dancer: An Older Man Younger Woman Romance by Lauren Milson <— HIS PET NAMES FOR HER WERE DRIVING HER CRAZY… “...The first night, the hot older man at my work party had my body pinned to his. The second, his pet names were driving me wild. And the third…I knew I wanted him to be my first...”
  23. HALO (Fallen Angel Book 1) by by Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine <— ELLA FRANK M/M ROMANCE ALERT!! FAMOUS ROCK BAND & HE’S THE NEW SINGER (and he’s straight)… “...After months of lackluster auditions, Viper, the lead guitarist and resident bad boy of the group, is ready to find solace in the bottom of a bottle. Time’s running out and the pressure’s on to find a new singer, but it isn’t until an angel walks through the door that the band’s prayers are answered…”
                     

 

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 —>

  • AND! Here’s the fun-tool again! —> Find out which of YOUR Kindle books are available as audiobooks at a BARGAIN-PRICE! <— This thing is so cool (Amazon calls it “Matchmaker“)! It’s an Amazon feature, that scans all of your Kindle books and will list all of the ones you have that are also available as an audiobook at a discounted price (not normal audiobook prices). This way, you can switch back and forth, seamlessly between your ebooks and your audiobooks. VERY COOL!

PREORDERS (going live soon!!!  :D )

  1. Circle of the Moon (A Soulwood Novel) by Faith Hunter – February 26th 2019
  2. Evermore: A Salvation Series Novella by Corinne Michaels –  February 26th 2019
  3. The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros – February 26th 2019
  4. Backlash by Lisa Jackson – February 26th 2019
  5. The Promise (A Neighbor from Hell Book 10) by R.L. Mathewson – February 26th 2019
  6. Sweet Liar (Dirty Sweet Book 1) by Lauren Paige – February 26th 2019
  7. The Something about Her (The Opposites Attract Series Book 4) by Rachel Higginson – February 26th 2019
  8. Angel’s Halo: Forever Angels (Angel’s Halo MC Book 8) by Terri Anne Browning – February 28th 2019

       

➔➔➔  Get Maryse’s Book Blog updates delivered by email (you’ll get one daily email that will have each post from that day consolidated on it).

Reader Recommendations – Our favorite "Older Man, Younger Woman" romance books

By 33 Comments

<— FIRST… LOOKIT WHAT JUST WENT LIVE!!! And… considering the genre of this book (sexy older man, and she’s a younger woman enthralled with him) it inspired me to satisfy an itch. 😉

April: Maryse we can have a list for older H? I want hottttt older bossy men that show the h all the love!!!! Lol can we?

Stephanie: Can anyone recommend a good older man / younger woman book? … I love the idea of the “forbidden” dad’s friend aspect but don’t really know any. Any good ideas?

Leslie M: …I don’t think I have read ANY older man/younger woman romance. How is that possible?? I hope someone recs some, I like sound of that. ;)

Ana: Hi, Maryse! I really love your lists. I didn’t find the one I was looking for, though. Older man and younger women. Do you have recommendations? Thanks!

Mar: …have been looking for similar books involving a hero way older than the heroine… Do you have any suggestions? I’ve checked the recommendations list on your page but was wondering if there were any other recommendations!!

Allison: … nothing makes me weaker than an older man and a younger woman…

Dawna: …older man/younger woman. That would be another good list.

I JUST received a request for a list of this exact trope. How could I resist? So let’s make it, shall we? 😀

Maryse: Right off the bat I’m going with Karina Halle’s Love, in English. What a forbidden-love, heartbreaker this one is. So angsty, so addictive, so unputdownable, and it made me cry HARD. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have an HEA. Or does it? 😉 P.S. Here’s my 5-star Book Review.

Leslie M: I finished Love, in English this weekend and of course it was awesome-sauce. Yup! Everything is big fat swoonfest when it comes to Love, in English.

Maryse: Ahhhhh yes Love, In English. OMG that bus scene and the Lana Del Rey song KILLED ME. LOVED IT SO HAAAAARD!!!!

Amy: Holy freaking moly, I absolutely LOVED that one. SO much emotion and turmoil and swooniness, and I don’t think I had even one single complaint. And the cover…ohhhh the beautiful cover. Everything about it was just… *dreamy sigh*

Maryse: ALSO!!! Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan. Incredible forbiddeny and tumultuous, and he’s loved her since she was just a teen… and he’s SO much older and the president of an MC. What a rollercoaster ride this one is! P.S. Here’s my 4.5 star Book Review.

Ela: If you’re into bike clubs then Madeline Sheehans Undeniable series all have older men younger woman.

MichelleS:  I LERV Madeline Sheehan and her gritty writing.

Ashley: Older Man/Younger Woman romances…. I LOVED:
Wrong (Wrong Series Book 1) by Jana Aston. Also, Right (Wrong Series Book 2)by Jana Aston is super good.

Jan: Wrong is a book I thought I wouldn’t like (because it is SO wrong!) but in fact I did like it. I liked Right as well.

Allison: …This book is about a woman about to graduate college who works at a coffee shop and has a crush on a handsome older man who comes into the shop once a week.
Then one day she heads to the local clinic for her first OB exam and some birth control because she’s about to go all the way with her BF, and the hottie coffee shop guy is the Dr. So, the book is super fun. And super hot. I was totally in lust with the H…

Beautiful Player (The Beautiful Series Book 5) by Christina Lauren is one of my favorites.

marina: LOVED and have reread Beautiful Player numerous times as well!

Jan: …Beautiful Player. If anyone out there hasn’t read it yet, go do it now!

Grey: …Player is one of my Top Ten ever…

Loving Mr. Daniels by Brittainy Cherry is a great student/teacher romance as is

Maryse: Yesssssss!!! LOVED THIS ONE!!! Here’s my 5-star Book Review!

Rima: Loving Mr. Daniels by Brittainy C. Cherry one of the best books about forbidden love I ever read. Highly recommend it!

Cheryl: OMG. Spent my saturday with Loving Mr. Daniels. Wow, just wow. Why did I put off reading it again?! *sigh…now what to read?

Professed by Nicola Rendell.
Amour Amour: A Standalone Romance by Krista & Becca Ritchie.

DG: Amour Amour is soo good! It’s my fav “circus” read. Still looking for my next “circus” read that matches it….so wish Krista Becca Ritchie would make this into a series.

Anne: DG I love Amour Amour too! I need to find another romance around the circus.

Kathy P: Read Amour Amour by Krista Ritchie on Kindle Unlimited. It was really good.

Heat Wave and Love, in English both by Karina Halle.

Leslie M: First one that comes to mind is Heat Wave by Karina Halle. AWESOME book and she is a chef!!
…Sort of forbidden-ey. She is crushing on her dead sisters hub. Who happens to be a hot Aussie. *swoon* Oh yeah, and story takes place in Hawaii!!!

Kylie: Heat Wave was great. My favourite out of Halle’s contemporaries, I think.

The Space Between (The Walsh Series Book 2) and The Spire (The Walsh Series Book 6) both by Kate Canterbary.

Reasonable Doubt by Whitney G.

Tessa: Reasonable Doubt was awesome. *grins* Jean: I started the Reasonable Doubt series this morning and couldn’t put it down! Now I’m running late for work…… Damn.

Janet: I recommend it -read all three in less than a day, although the third lost pace a little bit. The main man is irresistibly bad!

Cindy: Andrew from Reasonable Doubt by Whitney Gracia Williams!! He is such a jerk that you gotta love him!

Tessa: I can say these though for just older man/ younger woman.I have issues, thus the list for friend of the father/ best friend’s father romances.

MichelleS: The Wild Side Trilogy (three novellas bundled – really just one book)… by RK Lilley. Ultimate Older Man Younger Woman book!
…Oh Dair!!! He was amazing! ….it’s my favorite of that “flavor”… he’s a famous author and she is significantly younger… major jail-bait… and possibly a gold digger. He’s a mess and his inner dialogue is hilarious. He doesn’t know what to think with this hot little chick by his side!

…Steamy. Forbidden. Loved it. … LOL. Watching him go a little nuts was so fun.

MichelleS: Torn (All Torn Up Book 1), by Carian Cole. He’s 15 years older, her father’s best friend, and he practically raised her!!! GASP!!! But it works. Talk about forbidden May-December romance!

Lisa K: older man younger woman I would recommend author “Bink Cummings” MC Chronicles: The Diary of Bink Cummings Vol 1 it is wonderful, there are three volumes.

The author herself is in a MC, and the story is part true mixed with fiction. …I love her books, she reminds me so much of Kristen Ashley! I am constantly waiting for her new book to come out!

Niki:  I just finished the first Diary of Bink Cummings and oh my gosh!!! LOVE it!!!! I re-read my favorite parts before I even finished the book….and pretty sure I bookmarked almost every page!! So good!!!!

Shirley: I just started the 2nd book of Bink Cummings. It is very eye opening! Wow! I cant put the dang book down!

Liz: Recent favorite older man/younger girl; best friends father super angsty was Dear Mr. Black by Shanora Williams and I believe it was a duet but I can’t remember book 2 name.

(NOTE FROM MARYSE: This one used to be called “Tainted Black”)

Kris: This is an amazing book about a girl falling in love with her best friends father. I will *spoiler*. Other than that this was a great story!

Jenn: Tainted black…..so good. Makes your heart hurt!

Ela: Latest book I read with much older H and younger girl was All the Ugly and Wonderful Things: A Novel, hope got the title right?

MissR: All the Ugly and Wonderful Things is one of the best books I’ve ever read and I’ve been reading for many years ;) I borrowed it from a friend because it’s a little to pricey for my book budget.

MichelleS: I just finished All the Ugly and Wonderful Things. I reserved it at my library a while back. Whoa. Just whoa. Not sure what I think if it. Has a lot of “ick” in it.

Drowning Instinct (oh, my heart), …holy moly, I am so not kidding when I say that it is different from all of the other teacher-student books.

I started it at one point and then stopped (I was probably in a mood), but when Maryse reviewed it I had to go back and BAM! It kicked my mind’s a$$. And my heart’s a$$. And my a$$. In other words, it was perfect. :D

Nay: …sat outside all day reading Drowning Instinct. Finished it this morning, reading through the tears–LOVED it!!

Kooloo: Gahhhhhhh!!!! YOU guys I just finished a “Marmy” book called DROWNING INSTINCT Amyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy you are absolutely right we HAVE to get EVERYONE to read this book like a NOW!

The Truth About You & Me (he didn’t know she was only 16…EEEP!), and so many others.

Amy: The Truth About You and Me by Amanda Grace. It’s written as a letter of sorts from her to him after the fact, hence the ominous feels.

We know he’s in trouble (not a spoiler, we find out right away) but I don’t know the extent of the repercussions yet or if there will be an epilogue with an HEA or what.

Tessa: I’d say Diamonds by KA Linde. 17 “mean girl” type who falls for a much older man and lies to him about her age. It’s a simple premise, but the uniqueness of the MC and the relationship and lies in itself kept me on my toes. …angst, all from the lies being told.

I should have HATED this character. The mean girl that is popular and a cheerleader. Yet, I totally emphasized with her and felt every emotion she did.

Jan: These Old Shades still holds top billing, in spite of the crappy cover pictured above. (What were they thinking???) This is a truly beautiful story. Be warned, though, the H/h are much older man, much younger woman. I think I’d find this pretty creepy IRL, but for me this book works its magic every time…

Allison: Eighteen (18) by JA Huss ….at the end JA Huss explains how it is based on her life when she was 18. She was in a relationship with a much older man, though he wasn’t her teacher. But she went through the same thing as Shannon, having extra credits but still not able to graduate HS because of the timing of when she took her classes and having a counselor who rallied to support her.
She goes into much more detail about who each of the characters were based on from her life. She claims to have written it in just 2 weeks because the story was already there from her real life. Loved the book so much!

Melissa: How about Fearless: The Complete Novel (Dartmoor Book 1) by

Lauren Gilley. Who cannot love all that is Mercy Lecuyer.

Michele G: I’m reading Fearless by Lauren Gilley and guess what?! It’s an emotional gut wrencher too! I’m loving it though even though all this angst is wearing me out…

Jan: Really well written and meaty motor cycle club series. This best MC series out there IMO. It’s pretty hard core, but the characters are fascinating, and once you get hooked, you’ll love the ride!

Jan: Oh yes, just saw Fearless up there and had to add another of my all time favs: Tastes Like Candy (Lean Dogs Legacy Book 2) by Lauren Gilley.

Michelle is the only daughter of the head of the London chapter of the Lean Dogs MC. She has to get out of London, so heads for the safety of the Texas chapter. And there she meets the much older Candyman…… who’s supposed to be protecting her, not, ahem, falling for her. It’s forbiddeny and real and so, so good. Gilley is a fantastic writer.

Heather: Aleatha Romig — promises series

Mary Ann: I’ll add The Kiss Thief by L.J Shen

MichelleS: The Kiss Thief. Another 5 star read! I’m on a roll here. Could not put it down. … Still thinking about that one and replaying scenes in my head.

Mona: The Kiss Thief was unputdownable (is that a word??) for me! Sooo good!!

DG: Soooooo….I started reading The Kiss Thief earlier today and I am HOOKED!!! My catnip…bully and arranged marriage. Not too far in yet but that Wolfe is a big ole meanie!

Northernstar: Love this list. One of the best I’ve read recently is Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas. So, so good!

Ashley: I reread Birthday Girl….it’s just so good. It’s my top read so far this year.

Bunny: Does anyone know if there are books similar to Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas? That gets you hot and heavy and is a slow burn romance? Also taboo of course. Please let me know!

Chris: I’ll add Unteachable by Leah Raeder.

Amy: REALLY good teacher-student read. ;)
Lu: If you like the forbidden teacher/student trope, you should try Unteachable by Raeder. It is pretty racy, but is so beautifully written that it somehow avoids being smutty.

Virginia: In UNTEACHABLE, Evan Wilke is 32 and teaches Film Studies…

Mica: Unteachable by Leah Raeder is a brilliant story. I was reeled in from the first sentence to the last. It was so well written. It stands out from the teacher-student romance novels, in my opinion

UPDATED 02-27-2019!

Leslie M: Hmmmm…I am trying remember older man books.

I’m sure I’ve read tons more.

Denisa: Hi guys …you should add Wanting Mr. Cane (Cane #1) by Shanora Williams on the very top of the list..and also put somebody to take your heart rate because this book my just stop it 🙂

Kim: Oooh! Also, the Cane trilogy! “Wanting Mr. Cane” is the first.

Jessica:

Anna:

Kim: Also, there’s “Welcome to the Dark Side (The Fallen Men Book 2)”. It can be read as a stand-alone. There’s 19 years between them!

Laura: Welcome to the Dark Side by Giana Darling. Still my top read of 2019. Zeus’ letters from prison to the young Louise were hilarious.

Cicely: What He Never Knew (What He Doesn’t Know Series Book 3) by Kandi Steiner, it just came out and I just read it so it’s fresh on my mind! :)

JulieO: End of the Innocence trilogy by Alessandra Torre. One of my all time favorites. Brad DeLuca yum!!!!!

Jan: I think someone may have mentioned Alessandra Torre? Blindfolded Innocence. Brad DeLuca is yum! And he reluctantly falls for a pre-law student who is interning where he works. Rather saucy, but a good read.

JulieO: Years by LaVryle Spencer. I think is her best book. You still need to read this Maryse. Just ask your Mom.

Maryse: LOL JulieO!! And my aunt, too… ;)

Jan: And yes, I also second LaVyrle Spencer’s classic, Years. I reread a few months ago and floved. Lonely widowed farmer with a nearly grown-up son, very reluctantly falls for the hot new young teacher sent to their remote farming community. Set just pre-WW1. A beautiful book.

Jan: I’ve been rereading a few of those old LaVyrle Spencers over the last year or so. She was such a fantastic writer. Many of her books still stand up really well. The CRs might feel pretty dated now, but the HRs are timeless. I really enjoyed rereading Forgiving last year. A beautiful slow burn romance.

Joy: Uuuuuuhhhhh, this trope is so me! I love older man/younger woman theme. It’s my catnip, meeeeeow. Its odd because I’m the older woman that married a younger man, lol.

This list is the bomb and I’ve read the majority of them. Birthday Girl, Eighteen (I’ve read at least 12 times), Torn, Reasonable Doubt, Wrong (my absolute favorite on the list and that’s hard to do with this list)!!! Please add: see list below

—-Just a few of my favorites—–

JulieO:

JulieO: Did anybody mention the DEGRADATION SERIES by Stylo Fantome? Think it fits in here and so good.

JAN: Ooh. Some of my favourite books are up there! Beautiful Player, Wrong, and that classic Georgian HR, These Old Shades. All really enjoyable books I highly rec.
Some more to add:
I recently read A Sense of Belonging by Laura Branchflower, and quite enjoyed it. Older, mature man who is a mover-and-shaker and potential political candidate, falls hard for a college student who is so wrong for his ambitious life plans.
Some PNR:
Nalini Singh’s Kiss of Snow (Psy/Changeling Series Book 10). That book is smokin’ hot. Could cut the sexual tension with a knife. Wolf shifter alpha male, and much younger human woman with crazy super powers.
Hour of the Lion (Wild Hunt Legacy #1) by Cherise Sinclair. Sinclair’s bdsm series has been mentioned, but this is her pnr series. Older guy, wolf shifter, has been married and has a teen daughter. Falls for younger woman on the run who blows into his town. And, erm, his brother falls for her too, heh heh. Yup, it’s a menage situation. Pretty racy book, but well-written.
April: Mr Masters by T.L. Swan This is a great older H younger h! The second one just came out. Older H too!!
Jackie: I just finished When August Ends by Penelope Ward and really liked it. A bit of a slow burn, but it made the believability of age difference much better. Definitely a great book for your list.

➔➔➔  Looking for more of our favorite recommendations? Browse our “Ultimate Favorites Lists” here. Are you in the mood for a certain kind of story? Browse our favorite “genre/trope categories” here and our reader favorites lists too.

➔➔➔  Love this trope? Browse more age gap features and reviews on my blog. 😀

Book Review – Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage

By 3 Comments

Baby Teeth: A Novel
I was DESPERATE to read this book the minute it came out and kept stalking it to see if it would go on sale. I AM ALWAYS in the mood for this genre, and the day it finally did go on sale, I one clicked that sucker SO HARD and I swear I SQUEEED SO LOUD, the whole book-world could hear it. 😉

Yep, it’s not only alpha males that make me squee. The creepy stuff does too! *snort* 😛

Cynthia: …a new one you shouldn’t miss, “Baby Teeth” by Zoje Stage… Little girls are supposed to love their mothers….

Amy: O. M. G…Baby Teeth sounds NUTS! Did anyone ever see the movie (or read the book) We Need To Talk About Kevin? *shivers* Baby Teeth sounds eerily similar.

Lisa:  I read Baby Teeth some time ago. It was creepy, but not enough to give me nightmares. The little girl is just awful, and the father is a bit clueless to it all. If I had a kid like this, I’d consider accidentally drowning her! The most horrifying part is how does a parent deal with a child that they are afraid of. That is just chilling!!

Leslie M: Just the name Baby Teeth sounds creepy. *shudders*

Maryse: I kind of like it but I just can’t STAND that creepy-evil child, so I have no clue how I’m gonna feel at the end of it.

Maryse: I’m just finishing up “Baby Teeth” and ooooooooh what a creeeeeeepy psycho child. I love creepy child books, but I’m always so disturbed by them, too. I’m so curious how it’s going to end. A bit scared actually.

Tasha J: Oooh, *rushes to look up Baby Teeth

Amy: Maryse, have you ever watched We Need to Talk About Kevin starring Tilda Swinton and John C. Reilly? GAH! Talk about feeling that woman’s frustration. I know it’s hard to picture JCR in a serious role but he pulls it off. It jumps back and forth between past and present, and holy moly the ending is just *OOMPH!* I’m sure the book is good as well, I’m just a little partial to the movie having seen it first. ;)

Maryse: Amy is he a creepy kid?? I haven’t seen it. But I WANNA!!!! I LOVE “holy moly endings”!! :P Baby Teeth’s ending gave me a chill up my spine. ;) I love when that happens!!

Maryse: Tasha I give it 4 stars (but an easy 4 stars). Well worth the read because you’ll be wondering a few things the whole way through. And there’s just nothing creepier than a kid with an evil streak… trying to figure out the WHY and OMG how can a 6 year old even think that way??!! GASP!! Fun fun fun! In books. ONLY ever in books.

*sideeyes any creepy kids watching me right now*

And ooooooooh boy that ending gave me a chill up my spine and I LOVE when that happens. A little extra introspective into the story as a whole, and it came together nicely (and my mind is already wandering). Eeeeeeep!

I just can’t resist a story about an adorable child (to most) yet totally creepy (to some). The manipulation, and the torment and yet how could anyone ever believe that something like this is possible?  I think my curiosity of this kind of psych-thriller is the reality in the psychology of it. Developmental psychology was always my favorite in college (how children *tick* and yet some don’t tick like others at all).

I remember many years ago watching a documentary (maybe it was a daytime talk show special?) about the cutest adopted Romanian child (adopted as a baby) that had a serious sadistic streak and kept trying to kill his parents and siblings. I just couldn’t fathom, but as time goes on, we hear these similar stories.

Oh!! And what about that Simpsons Halloween special where Bart had a special power to make whatever he was thinking (often bad!) happen, and his whole family was terrified of him, and terrified to upset him. Those kinds of stories just STAY with me. How can something so young, so innocent, be so capable of evil?

I mean… for some, this is real life.

So what’s it about?

Told from two POVs (the mom’s and the daughter’s…)

Adorable and cherubic Hannah (I think she’s about 5 or 6) is mute but not for any physical reason.

Hanna kept her words to herself because they gave her power. Inside her, they retained their purity. She scrutinized Mommy and other adults, studied them.

Communication is a struggle, but she makes her wants and needs known by way of hugs, moments of affections, and… moments of atrocious acts and acting out.

Hanna had creative ways to amuse herself, and most of them were intolerable.

She seemingly despises her mother with an all encompassing flaming passion of hate…

She didn’t like to be corrected. But she always enjoyed seeing Mommy like this, in her natural state of hating and giving up. If only Daddy could see it, then he’d understand that Mommy was phony. When he was around, Mommy was kissy and helpful. But it was an act she couldn’t keep up.

and yet she loves her father with all of her might.

He has yet to see this dark side of her, and struggles to believe his wife when she tells him of the bad things she’s done (or the occasional horrendous things she says… only for her mother’s ears).

“You think this is funny? These games you play? Someday it’s gonna get you in real trouble. You’re not going to get your way forever.”

Hanna smiled. And nodded her head.

That is, until every school they try to enroll her in, ends up calling with serious concerns about her behavioral issues, and kicking her out.

And I’ll let you read the story from here. 😉

This one did not disappoint. Shocking at times, you’ll find yourself cringing, and furious and so sympathetic to the poor mom in the story. Moments of treasonous thoughts on many aspects, moments of guilt, moments of genius, moments of sweetness… you’ll find yourself vascilating.

I caught myself wondering if I was reading it right? If maybe there’d be a twist where I was seeing things… incorrectly. It seemed obvious who the victim was in all of this but, what if I was missing an important part of the story?

The word “hate” formed in her mouth, but she didn’t give it a voice.

“Why? Why are you doing this to me?”

Her daughter’s slight shoulders drooped, her head tilted a little to the right. She almost looked sad.

So while things seemed obvious enough, there were hints and moments that had me doubting my own impressions (and I love when that happens!)

4 stars! <— A creepy, intriguing read that will leave you haunted…

➔➔➔  Looking for my must-read recommendations? Browse my 5 star and 4.5 star and 4 star reviews or my favorite book lists here 😀

➔➔➔  Love this genre? Browse more psych-thrillers & creepy children book features and reviews on my blog. 😀

➔➔➔  Love this author? Browse more features and reviews on my blog of books by Zoje Stage

Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 02-22-19

By 59 Comments

Good morning and Happy Friday everyone!! Today’s Friday Finds list is pretty big (some great new releases AND 5-star recommendations to choose from).
And if more come our way, I’ll add those too (let me know if you see a great one that I missed).
TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE FOUND FOR THE WEEKEND :D !!

  • Best Laid Plans by Lauren Blakely <— THE LATEST By Lauren Blakely IS LIVE!! Her best guy friend is willing to give her lessons… 😉 “…But to guarantee it won’t ruin our friendship, I have some specific requirements for his instruction. I want these classes to be hypothetical more than hands-on. So what if he’s hella sexy? I can handle that, no problem…”
  • CONVICT (Unfit Hero Book 1) by Hayley Faiman <— LIVE!!! “…Those Words make the entire town assume they are vindicated to use them. I am wrong. They are right…”
  • Devil’s Daughter: The Ravenels meet The Wallflowers by Lisa Kleypas <— RECENT RELEASE & Jan LOVED it (even says best of 2019 so far!)!
Jan: I ripped through Devil’s Daughter in one day!!! LOL. I loved it. A beautiful romantic read. Best read so far for 2019. i highly recommend if you like HRs. …set in the 1870s with such a gorgeous couple. Sexy, romantic, charming, funny, intense, great secondary characters (including great kids) this book’s got the lot. At the moment it’s looking like a (rare) 5 star for me. *happy sigh*
  • What He Never Knew: A Teacher/Student Romance (What He Doesn’t Know Series Book 3) by Kandi Steiner <— STUDENT TEACHER ROMANCE ALERT!! Kandi Steiner’s latest is LIVE!! “…When Sarah Henderson walks into my life, I tell myself she’s off limits. She’s my student, sixteen years younger than me, and my boss’s niece. It doesn’t matter that I see the same pain reflected in her eyes that I have in my own, or that the dead organ better known as my heart kicks to life when she’s around. I’ve been here before, and I know how this ends…”
Trish: Loved this!!!
Donna: Can’t wait to read this!
  • One Week in Paris by Roya Carmen <— Roya Carmen’s latest is LIVE!! He’s her old high school nemesis!! “…Kayla realizes that her mother’s fiancé is her old high school nemesis’ father. Looks like the boy who made her teenage life hell is about to become her stepbrother. Matt Moore is as beautiful, rich and cocky as ever. And so is his father, Mark…” P.S. Can be read as a standalone but better in order to not spoil the first 2 books.
  • The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air Book 2) by Holly Black <— Tessa LOVED it!
Tessa: So, finally read The Wicked King by Holly Black and HOLY CRAP! I didn’t want to stop reading it. I finished it last night and I just have been in a cloud, and wanting to go back to the world again. Seriously, it’s so good, words don’t describe. That’s one of the best second books I’ve ever read.  :)
  • The Wolves of Winter: A Novel by Tyrell Johnson <— POST APOCALYPTIC ALERT!!! I love those (and I HAVE this one already!!), and TASHA J LOVED IT!!! She’s my book twin so I bet I will too! 😀

Tasha J: Finished The Wolves of Winter by Tyrell Johnson! I’ve had it for a year, I think. I’m determined to start reading some of these books I’ve been hanging on to for too long now. So, I went in blind, completely forgetting what it was about and surprise! It’s an apocolyptic read!
I needed something different so this was perfect for me. Also, something about the Yukon, (snow, snow, snow) and reverting back to pioneers basically really enraptures me. Bonus, there’s a hint of romance. I loved it, it wasn’t too long, had just enough of everything to keep me invested, and was well executed.
Maryse: Tasha I totally love those storylines too… learning to “survive” and live again. YAY ME!! Another Tasha rec right up my alley! :D I’m starting this one tonight!!

  • Jane Doe: A Novel by Victoria Helen Stone <— PSYCH-THRILLER SUPER-BARGAIN ALERT!!! I read another book by this author and LOVED it (this one: Evelyn, After: A Novel), so I’m ALL OVER THIS!! 😀 “…Jane’s days at a Midwest insurance company are perfectly ordinary. She blends in well, unremarkably pretty in her floral-print dresses and extra efficient at her low-level job. She’s just the kind of woman middle manager Steven Hepsworth likes—meek, insecure, and willing to defer to a man. No one has any idea who Jane really is. Least of all Steven. But plain Jane is hiding something. And Steven’s bringing out the worst in her...” <— OH BOY YES PLEASE!!!!!!!
Andrea: LOVED this book! Listened to it on Audible last month.
Michele G: I just finished More Than Words by Jill Santopolo. She wrote The Light We Lost, which was one I really loved. I can’t say I loved this one to quite that extent but it was still a beautifully written story with a message you can walk away feeling good about. I gave it 4 stars. (I would probably 5 star the cover! I think her covers are so pretty and to me this one was exquisite!)
  • Bone Music (The Burning Girl Book 1) by Christopher Rice <— SHE WAS RAISED BY SERIAL KILLERS!!! Book #1 is super-bargain priced (and book #2 was just released!!). 😀 “…Charlotte Rowe spent the first seven years of her life in the hands of the only parents she knew—a pair of serial killers who murdered her mother and tried to shape Charlotte in their own twisted image. If only the nightmare had ended when she was rescued…”
  • Blow Me Away: A sexy, friends to lovers rom com! (A Mile High Matched Novel Book 2) by Christina Hovland <— LIVE!!! PRETEND BREAK-UP ALERT!! “...She refuses to be interested in the hot-shot florist across the street. He is trouble with a capital T. Sexy trouble, but still, a hook-up with Jase is a hard nope. Desperate to avoid his family’s incessant matchmaking, a fake breakup with the beautiful Heather is just what the florist ordered. If his family believes Heather decimated his heart, they’ll leave him alone. Heather isn’t so keen on the idea, but Jase is determined to make it worth her while…”
  • Finding the Fight (Stealth Ops Book 3) by Brittney Sahin <— LIVE!!
  • Hard As Stone: Heart of Stone Series #8 by K.M. Scott <— LIVE!!
  • TAG by AJ Everheart <— LIVE!! DYSTOPIAN AND OMG THAT COVER CREEPS. ME. OUT!!!! “…We are the survivors, the ones who made it to the first anniversary of the outbreak. Our numbers are dwindling, but we have one last shot at fighting back. We just have to survive long enough to save the human race. The fate of the country lies with a lonely school girl and a city boy with a shady past. The rules are simple: don’t get caught…”
  • The Friend: An emotional psychological thriller with a twist by Teresa Driscoll <— PSYCH-THRILLER SUPER-BARGAIN!! “...On a train with her husband, miles from home and their four-year-old son, Ben, Sophie receives a chilling phone call. Two boys are in hospital after a tragic accident. One of them is Ben. She thought she could trust Emma, her new friend, to look after her little boy...”
  • The Son & His Hope by Pepper Winters <— RECENT RELEASE & Mona LOVED it too (top 2019!!!)
Mona: I agree with Stacey, The Son & His Hope was full of the feels and did not disappoint. It picks up where the Ribbon Duet leaves off. Tissues are a necessity! Definitely a 2019 top favorite!
Kathy P: Samantha Christy has a new start of a series out called Igniting Ivy (this one is about firemen). I loved her Perfect Game Series (baseball). I will start this…
  • Too Much Love to Hide (Summer Lake Seasons Book 2) by SJ McCoy <— LIVE!!!
  • Sins Behind The Scenes by Maggie Carpenter <— LIVE!!!
  • White Rabbit: The Fall (The Kingmaker Saga Book 2) by London Miller
  • STALK HER by Ker Dukey <— LIVE!!! KER DUKEY DARK READ CREEEEEEPY STALKER ALERT!! “…I discover the beautiful, yet broken, Alice Young. She’s seeking advice, a place to unburden her thoughts. What she gets is a dangerous, callous predator who wants to quench his thirst with her tears. My precious, Alice, feels so alone, but she’s not alone. I’m watching her. I feed on the fear of others. Alice Young may prove to be too damaged, even for my appetite…”
  • With This Lie: A Novel by Kat Savage <— LIVE!!
  • Think Twice by Stephanie Rose
  • Love Me Like You Won’t Let Go by Melissa Toppen <— LIVE!! SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE ALERT!! “…He was the boy I had loved since I understood what loving someone meant. The one who knew me inside and out. The one who swore he’d never let me go. It’s been six years since that day and even now the memory haunts me like it was yesterday…”
  • Secret (The King Brothers Series Book 1) by G. Bailey <— BROTHER’S BEST FRIEND ALERT!! Dena recommends it!

Dena: …It is a complicated story. The father is into illegal stuff and has an affair, she is the product of that affair however; the mother runs away to keep her safe. The mother dies and she ends up into a foster home and her half brothers find her and take her home. The father has died and has left the older brother in charge.
She meets her brother’s best friend and the story takes off from there. It is a really good book and the author makes all of these characters fascinating.

  • Ashley has had an excellent reading spurt!! These are the latest that she recommends:

I’ve read a lot of good books lately! I just keep forgetting to post about them.

                                  

 

AUDIOBOOK L:D VERS!

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 —>

  • AND! Here’s the fun-tool again! —> Find out which of YOUR Kindle books are available as audiobooks at a BARGAIN-PRICE! <— This thing is so cool (Amazon calls it “Matchmaker“)! It’s an Amazon feature, that scans all of your Kindle books and will list all of the ones you have that are also available as an audiobook at a discounted price (not normal audiobook prices). This way, you can switch back and forth, seamlessly between your ebooks and your audiobooks. VERY COOL!
  1. The Wicked King: The Folk of the Air, Book 2 by Holly Black <— Michele G LOVED the audio!

Michele G: Tessa, I’ve been waiting for your comments on The Wicked King!! Wasn’t it the best?! I totally agree with your statement about it being one of the best second books you’ve read! It was sooo good! That’s one I bounced back and forth between the book and the audio.
Let me tell you all that the audio was awesome! I got both through the library but I think I’m really going to have to own this one!

Nay: I’ve been doing audiobooks the past couple of weeks. Just finished Dark Places by Gillian Flynn, and I loved it! Not as much as Gone Girl–that’s one of my all-time fave audiobooks, but Dark Places is one of those that I didn’t want to turn off when I had other things to do. I actually listened to it about 4 years ago, but I’d forgotten the key points, so I sped it up and listened to it again.
  • When August Ends by Penelope Ward <— GASP!!! Ashley feels sneaky for listening and LOVING this story before it came out on ebook! And now it’s not even live on audiobook either. What luck she had!!? 😛

Ashley: AND I don’t know how, but one morning before work I was checking to see what new audiobooks came out and the new Penelope Ward book was out so I checked to see if the kindle book was out, it wasn’t so I bought the audiobook and listened to it – it was amazing, the chemistry in her books is unparalleled.So later I went to see what other books came out and the Penelope Ward book was no longer available it’s up for preorder! So I feel like I got away with something.

PREORDERS (going live soon!!!  :D )

  1. When August Ends by Penelope Ward – February 25th 2019
  2. Circle of the Moon (A Soulwood Novel) by Faith Hunter – February 26th 2019
  3. Evermore: A Salvation Series Novella by Corinne Michaels –  February 26th 2019
  4. The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros – February 26th 2019
  5. Backlash by Lisa Jackson – February 26th 2019
  6. The Promise (A Neighbor from Hell Book 10) by R.L. Mathewson – February 26th 2019
  7. Sweet Liar (Dirty Sweet Book 1) by Lauren Paige – February 26th 2019
  8. The Something about Her (The Opposites Attract Series Book 4) by Rachel Higginson – February 26th 2019
  9. Angel’s Halo: Forever Angels (Angel’s Halo MC Book 8) by Terri Anne Browning – February 28th 2019

         

➔➔➔  Get Maryse’s Book Blog updates delivered by email (you’ll get one daily email that will have each post from that day consolidated on it).


Reader Question – Looking for paranormal/fantasy books with a strong storyline and a side of romance…

By 21 Comments

Jenna is having other-worldly cravings 😉 and she’s hoping our book crew has some recommendations!

Right off the bat, I know TONS in our crew here will say Anne Bishops “The Others” series (I read #1 and loved it – here’s my 5-STAR review – and I should totally continue devouring them as our crew have).

She asks:

Hi Maryse!

I was hoping you’d help put me out of my book funk misery by asking your readers for some recommendations?!

Books where the storyline is based purely on romance no longer holds interest for me (sob).

I’m hungry for paranormal/fantasy books with a strong storyline and a side of romance. I’m thinking books similar to these series:

Any recommendations ya’ll could give would be appreciated.
Help!

I KNOW we have a TON of recommendations for her, so let’s make a list! 😀

Nay: Jenna–I know of A LOT of PNR that have quite a bit of romance, so I’m trying to stay with what you asked for. Most of these are UF. I’ve marked some of my most favorite, but I really loved (or at least really enjoyed) all of these.

Jenna: Wow, Nay! Thank you soo much for your list. I am so excited to look into these (happy dance).

Maryse: Ohhhh I LOVE this list Nay! I’m going to add it into the post. :D

MichelleS: Knights of Black Swan Series, by Victoria Dannan. First book is FREE. You’ll get hooked. One my all time favorites.

MichelleS: Mercy Thompson Series, by Patricia Briggs. Urban Fantasy. Hottest werewolves EVER. And Fae!

Jan: Nay, that list is sooooo impressive. Great effort! I will add my support for the two series by Patricia Briggs – Alpha and Omega, and also the Mercy Thomson series. Both fab series, with some romance but not too much if that’s what you’re after.

There’s a lot of good stuff out there, Jenna. Enjoy!

MichelleS: Jan – can you believe I never read the psy-changing books? Those were my library book days & they never had first book. Worth going back now? I feel like that ship has sailed. Like Anita Blake, BDB, and Lara Aidrian… I just feel “meh” now about them.

Jan: Michelle I’m not rapt in the later books in the series. I feel as if (to use an Aussie saying) the writer is flogging a dead horse now. She needs to move on to something else.

But, I recently reread the first book, Slave To Sensation, and it still stands up really well IMO. You could give it a try. I remember Kiss of Snow was really good too. Maybe I should try rereading that one and see whether I still like it. The romance is front and centre in these books, but they also have a strong and interesting storyline with good world-building.

But I know exactly what you mean about us moving on from previously loved authors. It definitely happens.

MichelleS: Sons of Rome series, Lauren Gilley. Fantastic writing. Low on romance, big on characters & story building.

MichelleS: The Weaving Man – amazing writing, super cool world building, unforgettable characters. Very light on romance.

MichelleS: Elemental Mysteries series, Elizabeth Hunter. The Tairen Soul Series, by CL Wilson. (My all time favorite fantasy series)
I’m with you on this… story trumps romance. All these stories have stuck with me. Hope you give some of them a try. I could just add to this list all dang day. I’m going to check back for others’ recs so I can check them out too. Woop woop. Love this post!

MichelleS: And Sarah J Maas’s series: Throne of Glass & Court of Thorns and Roses Fantasy? Check. Light romance? Check. Love love loved these books.

Josh: The Chronicles of the Earned by Meraki P. Lyhnne Is an amazing Paranormal Series set in a rich and vivid story world and with excellently developed characters.

Bethany: The Kingmaker Chronicles by Amanda Bouchet

Nay: All I did was go through my PNR/UF shelf on GR and mention the ones I’ve read that I was pretty sure didn’t focus on romance. I didn’t realize how may different series I’d read back when I was mostly reading PnR.

I tried to read Slave to Sensation and just couldn’t get into it. Nowadays, I probably would though. Same with Kate Daniels. I think I read 3 of those and always felt bad because I didn’t love them like everyone else did.

I’ll also agree the Lauren Gilley is a fantastic writer!

Michelle–I got meh with Anita Blake. I was really loving them in the beginning, and then I felt like things starting happening kinda for shock factor and I had to give it up. But I loved the first 10 or so of them. Same with Lara Adrian. I read the first 11 and then I got stuck on #12, so I abandoned the series. I guess I need to skim through that book just to get it read so that I can continue with a series that I really loved.

And now I’m seeing some series I hadn’t heard of, so more on the tbr–yay.

Ash: Sarah J. Maas Throne of Glass series. The first book takes a bit to get into but books 3 through 6 are absolutely 6 star! I love everything she writes but the amount of plotting she had to do to bring this full circle is impressive. I highly, highly recommend. Its about a female assassin and while there is a romance on the side, it is not the driver of the story by any means.

Also, try The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air Book 1) by Holly Black. Book 2 just released and it will be a trilogy. Awesome writing and unique story!!

marina: The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air Book 2) for sure!

Jenna: I also wanted to give a recommendation to ya’ll – The Graveyard Queen series by Amanda Stevens. Thank you all for your recommendations and to Maryse for posting my request. If you think of any newer books with a fresh storyline, I’d love to hear about it!

Nay: Jenna–I LOVE The Graveyard Queen series! Love the Gothic feel to it. I inhaled the first 3 books, and then while time passed, I started reading many other things besides PnR/UF, so I haven’t read the final 3. So I guess I have something to look forward to! Also, the covers of the first 3 books are some of my favorites, especially The Restorer.

Julie: I don’t normally read a lot of paranormal but this series really pulled me in. I read it about 6 or 7 years ago and it still blows my mind with the ending. Grey Eyes by Quinteria Ramey and Brandon Alston. There are 3 books in the series and first one is free on Amazon.

Grey: I was going to throw in

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.