X

Maryse's Book Blog

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

You are here: Home / Home

Monday Earlybird Book Releases + some that are going live at midnight! 01-28-19

By 35 Comments

Good morning and Happy Monday!! Quite a few in today’s lineup look awesome, and 4 of ’em gave me a blurb jolt!!! Take a look below at the early birds.
But first! Three things:
1.) It rained ALL day yesterday! ALL DAY. ALL NIGHT. I felt soggy. LOL!
2.) I watched a super scary movie this weekend (subtitled since it was filmed in Argentina) and it scared me GOOD!! It’s called “Terrified” (P.S. The cover image for this movie is SCARY!!) and it has that whole “Paranormal Activity” feel to it. Really disturbing scenes! The reviews were great, and I agree!!
3.) When I went to bed that night, I slept with the cooking channel on, in my bedroom, AND my lights on (albeit dimmed). Yep. I literally slept with the lights on. LOL!!!
LOOK WHAT JUST WENT LIVE :D !!!

  • If I Only Knew by Corinne Michaels <— LIVE!! CORINNE MICHAELS ALERT!! She’s grieving her husband, a single mom, and hates her new boss… “…Landing the promotion as the CEO’s right hand was exactly what I needed. Getting saddled with Milo Huxley as an assistant is exactly the opposite. I can’t stand him. He’s arrogant, irresponsible, and out for my job...”
  • MVP by Rachel Van Dyken <— LIVE!! RACHEL VAN DYKEN’S LATEST!! OH WOWOOWOWOWW THIS SOUNDS AMAZING AND HEARTBREAKING!!! He’s grieving his child and his fiancé blamed him… “…I’ve lost everything. And then I got a phone call. She was in an accident. She remembered nothing. A gentleman wouldn’t fight for her, wouldn’t remind her of the pain. So, I let her go. I let her live her happily ever after and I took all the darkness, all the pain, all the anger. Only, the universe had a sick sense of humor. She bumped into me. She pursued me. The beautiful woman I used to call mine. She said she wanted to make me smile. She didn’t know she’s the reason I stopped…”

Jenn: Good Morning! So I read MVP yesterday and trust me when I tell you plan two hours when you want to start this because you will not want to stop. And what I was surprised about with it being so short it did not leave me wanting more; I was content where it ended!
This book needs to be made into a movie-It was emotional for sure but there were funny moments as well. Just a very sweet emotional touching story.
Laura: *slams the one click button*

  • Bodyguard by Stella Andrews
  • Nothing to Lose (The Blackbridge Series Book 4) by Claire Boston
  • CURVEBALL by Mariah Dietz <— SHE’S FINALLY FALLING FOR SOMEONE, BUT HER BEST FRIEND FELL FOR HIM TOO…“…My constant bright spot always adding to the humor was my son, Hayden. But when Hayden had a life-threatening allergic reaction, the man who came to help my little boy became my own savior. His laugh, his smile, and the way his eyes lit up when he spoke to my son made him a beacon of light in both our lives. But I wasn’t the only one who noticed him. When I began having feelings for the man my best and only friend had fallen for, I knew following my heart would once again lead to a fresh round of heartbreak...”

Jessica: It’s really good! I read it last year and still think about.
Brenda: Oh I loved this book so much love all her books
Heidi: So good!

The author says:

1. Told in two married couples POV’s ( & some Lucas Links )
2. You must read Her First Kiss and His First Crush, first. (Could read 27 Truths and 27 Lies before that… but may want to kill me cause they are super angsty, have a love triangle and bad things happen)
3. Lots of sexy time.
4. Emotional AF.

  • The Right to Remain Mine by Linda Kate <— LIVE!! LINDA KAGE’S RE-RELEASE!! “…Tempers flare from the first moment divorce lawyer Willow DeVane crosses paths with sheriff deputy Raith Malloy. Both too stubborn and controlling for their own good, Willow and Raith butt heads until anger turns to passion, and they begin an affair despite their brewing hostilities. But more than one force works against them when they learn Willow’s being targeted by a dangerous stalker...”
                     

 

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 )

       

➔➔➔  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).

M.J. Fields – Firsts Series Reading Order

By 1 Comment

Book #4 just went live! 😀

The author says:

1. Told in two married couples POV’s ( & some Lucas Links )

2. You must read Her First Kiss and His First Crush, first. (Could read 27 Truths and 27 Lies before that… but may want to kill me cause they are super angsty, have a love triangle and bad things happen)

3. Lots of sexy time.

4. Emotional AF.

YES PLEASE!! BRING ON THE ANGST!!!!! So be sure to ALSO check out (maybe even FIRST): 27 Truths: Ava’s story (The Truth About Love Book 1) & 27 Lies: Luke’s story (The Truth About Love Book 2) – obviously these are from another of her series, however they appear to crossover. 😀

About book #1:

One woman with her entire life in front of her.

Having experienced a lifetime’s amount of loss and love under the spotlight of her stepfather and stepbrother’s rock and roll stardom, London Fields decides now is her time to shine. Leaving for college with a clear focus and big dreams around her musical theater major, she is ready to take on the world … under an assumed name. Protecting her identity will allow her the freedom to experience life and maybe love for the very first time.

One man with a second chance to live for himself.

A horrible accident devastated life as Logan Links and his family knew it. He spent a semester off from college to help them begin to heal and returns to school just in time to play one more season of college football.

Only one thing can make things … hard.

Logan and London have had a tumultuous relationship since he was twelve and she was eight. One that has always been buffered by their families’ close connection. Now, they are on their own.

What happens when these two repeatedly run into each other without the watchful eyes of others? Will London’s daydreams of Logan Links being the first man she kisses become a heavenly reality, or will his devil dimples lead her straight to hell?

His First Crush ( Logans story) will release on February 18th.

Logan and London have a deep history and two books were necessary to tell their story.

READING ORDER:

         

Book Review – When Ashes Fall by Marni Mann

By 5 Comments

When Ashes Fall
What an intense, truly unique take on a love story (or TWO love stories) that just might have you questioning exactly what is happening… and how she can be so deeply in love with two different men at the same time, without it being a what it appears to be.

Is it? Or isn’t it? 😉 TONS of questions and guesses for sure.

Lisa: I have so much love for When Ashes Fall right now. That book owned me. I opened it intending to just get started, since I was at work, and the next thing I know it’s 7 hours later and I’m making enough unladylike crying noises at my desk that my co-worker had to come check on me!!! It’s a gut-wrenching, yet beautiful story. It will break your heart, but also mend it. It is not safe for those averse to Marmies…but it is also NOT about cheating. I had such a visceral reaction to the storyline when it all came together for me.

Michele G: I have to second everything Lisa just said about When Ashes Fall. We buddy read it…well Lisa inhaled it…then I inhaled it…now we are waiting for Jenn…then Renee…and so on… On a serious note, GO IN BLIND! Do avoid it if you don’t like heartbreakers….because I could have buzzed through a case of tissues (no lie).

Don’t avoid it for any other reason…there’s really no cheating or anything else that folks might be worried about. It’s a beautiful and unique story. It is written in multiple POV’s (and time periods) which I know Renee is not digging and I confess that I had to get used to it myself at first too …but it really does lend itself to the story. Get in there ladies and read it!!

Jenn: You will all have to forgive me as I am totally in a book that just GUTTED me so what is the book…I was sucked in right from the beginning with the first (4) lines of the book. Marni Mann is a new to ME author but I am seriously in love with this book even though I am hiccuping/sobbing and feel like I am going to throw up…I love having these reactions goes to tell you how invested I am. This book is owning me!

YESSSSS!!!! I was sucked in right from the start, and devoured within 1 day. There was no *squirreling* with this one.

BUT!!! There’s not much I can say in regards to the story as it’s one that presents itself in spurts of past and present (from multiple POVs), slowly culminating to an incredible reveal.

Jenn: I finished “When Ashes Fall” last night and I HIGHLY recommend this one, the words will move you, the characters will welcome you, and the journey they take you on will be unforgettable! 5+ STARS for me!

I can’t even really do a “what’s it about” section… other than, Alix is obviously suffering from some sort of PTSD, and acute depression (could it be from heartache? Or is it due to the thing that makes her hide in the closet, terrified)?

I was in complete darkness.
That was where I belonged.
And that was where I stayed.

Despite her need to isolate herself into her secure routine each night after work, she has the support of her very best friend, AND she is in love and has that sense of comfort to ease her. And then she meets another man, and strikes up a friendship with him…

Something was wrong with all of this.
I didn’t know how to fix it.
I didn’t know if I could.
I just knew I was completely in love with Dylan Cole, and Smith Reid had made me smile tonight.

And that’s where I have to stop. The mystery will evolve slowly but surely and you will be hooked.

This story is warm, and rich, and soothing and anxiety-inducing all at once.

Beautifully written with a main character that you truly become one with, you’ll read this straight through like I did. It’s captivating, and I just HAD to know what was going on. So hard to put down (which is a GREAT thing!!)

My hiccup?

*skip this next part if you want to go in blind – I don’t spoil it, but I don’t want you going in with any preconceived notions*

*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*

The author tells us up front (in the synopsis) that no one is cheating in this love story (even though, per the blurb, she’s in love with two men at the same time…deeply).

And while I respect that (so as not to alienate those that don’t want to read a book that explores infidelity – as the synopsis suggests at first), unfortunately I found it gave away too much, KNOWING this upfront. It took away some of that shocking, unnerving edge, and worry.
But never mind… there was PLENTY of worry in other ways. 😉

Lots of foreshadowing that, had I “gone with” the first part of the blurb – without that last sentence – I would not have picked up on and would have had QUITE the gasp-worthy surprise in the end. Unfortunately for me, I guessed it pretty much from the start, and so the reveal didn’t have the impact on me that I was hoping for.

Maryse: Okay so I’m halfway through When Ashes Fall (started it today)!!!! I already think I know what I know… but I’m hoping to be surprised. ;) Anyway, YAY!!!! :P I’m liking it!!

Amy: I started When Ashes Fall, and at only 6% I was pretty sure I knew what’s going on. Now, at 12%, I’m 99% sure of it. If I’m wrong, all y’all can smack my a$$ and call me Sally.

Obviously there is foreshadowing, and obviously there will be a twist, but I wish the blurb had been even more vague so I wouldn’t have guessed the twist. Or maybe after reading so many books I’ve just about read it all as far as storylines go and have little left to be surprised by.

That makes me kinda sad. :(

That being said, I’m liking it so far! :D Now if I can just resist the urge to look at spoilers (under the guise of being in the right mind frame *snicker*) and see if I’m right…

Cheryl: Amy, the blurb made me think of another book we read a few years back, that had an interesting twist.

Amy: Exxxxxxxxxactly, Cheryl. EXACTLY. And I know we’re thinking of the same one.

Maryse: Amy I think it’s ’cause it was so insistent (in the blurb and via everyone) that this was NOT a cheating-love triangle book… and the whole book seems to be written as if it WAS that way, so going in KNOWING it’s not, loses that “OMG NOOOOO” effect… BUT I CRIED!!!!!! LOL! :P

Still, this is a must read!! It’s wonderfully written, and I enjoyed it from start to finish, with barely a moment that I set it down.

He’d been out in the rain.
He’d seen my storm.

*my heart*

4 stars!

Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 01-25-19

By 114 Comments


SUNDAY BREAKING NEWS UPDATE!!! I just posted my latest review. 😉 ➔ Book Review – When Ashes Fall by Marni Mann
Holy moly I can’t believe we’re already well into 2019, so much so, that I’m not writing 2018 anymore!! 😛 This list is incredible today!! Over 35 books and most of ’em are reader recommendations (my favorite!!) 😀
But first! Some highlights of the week:

  • BREAKING NEWS UPDATE!! The Mister by E.L. JAMES ALERT!!!This one’s up for preorder and coming out in just a couple of months! P.S. We have a VERY good question by Jessa about this one, and I’m curious too! ➔➔➔
Jessa: Do we know what the relation is between Max and Christian’s mother/father’s family? (Grace and Carrick) Since they share the same last name?

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

Robyn: Maryse and everyone, I’m soooo excited to tell you about a book I just finished! It’s called If by Randi Cooley Wilson. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and OMG what a book. It reminds me a little of the Avoiding series by KA Linde. The main characters meet freshman year of college.
Oh the angst with these two! Eeek! It’s never the right time for them. I don’t want to give anything away, it’s that good. This book is right up there with Unbreak My Heart by Nicole Jacquelyn. Now if you know anything about me, that is one of my all time favorite books and nothing can top it. If is giving it a run for the money. You guys have to read this glorious book!

  • The Banker by Penelope Sky <— Recent release and now we have feedback!! MichelleS is LOVING it!

MichelleS: I started The Banker & im almost done! Squee. So good. Setting – Italy, Florence & Tuscany. Characters – seedy, wicked, gangster types. Plot – to save her dad, get close to & betray the worst of them. And he’s a real doozy. Hot alpha alert!

Jan: Last night I realised there is a NEW PAGANO BROTHERS book out. Sweeet. Hidden Worthiness by Susan Fanetti. It came out earlier this month but somehow I missed it. Anyhoo, I’m already totally hooked and can’t seem to stop reading. Scarred mafia man and ballerina. :D
Lisa M: Mine mine mine!! I’ve been waiting for book 2 so The Princess is up first. Lisa Renee Jones has the best Alpha males.
Mary Beth: I love Lisa Renee Jones. Her books are captivating and I find them hard to put down.
MichelleS: I’m currently reading Ruined (McIntyre Body Guards Series 6). Was on someone’s list somewhere! Loving it. It’s a m/m, done so well. AND it’s younger/older… loving it.
  • One Day in December: A Novel by Josie Silver <— OMG BLURB JOLT ALERT!! Back on the list ’cause I keep hearing how awesome this one is, and here’s another recommendation! AND… Dena recommends it and wants MORE LIKE IT!!!

Dena: Hi guys! I just finished reading One day in december by Josie Silver and I loved it. I am a big sucker for these type of books.
Can someone recommend me books like this? With theme where hero and heroine loved each other for a long time? I read The opportunist, A love letter to whiskey which were a bit similar. Thanks for any recommendation!

Virginia: Redemption Lane by Rachel Blaufeld is on sale…. Loved it!!
  • The Kiss Thief by L.J. Shen <— BULLY BOOK ALERT!! Back on the list ’cause D.G. is LOVING it!
D.G.: Hello!!! 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!
Jean: LOVED, LOVED, LOVED MARLEY (3RD book in Carnage series)….. it made the whole series for me!!!!!!!! Glad I stuck with it even after not being thrilled with book 1…..so worth it to get Marley’s POV!! (Thanks Paula for pushing me and getting me to stick with it)
Steph N: I read My Half Night Stand and LOVED LOVED LOVED it.
  • Cry Baby by Ginger Scott <— GANG MEMBER & THE NEW GIRL IN TOWN ALERT!!!  While Pia was sick, this one kept her company and she loved it!

Pia: I finished Cry Baby by Ginger Scott a couple of days ago. I went in blind and it was one of the best reads in a long time. The story is about a gang member and the new girl in the neighborhood.Not your typical HEA but the perfect ending in my opinion. I can’t seem to let this one go. I have startet a new book but I still keep thinking about Cry Baby and wishing I could stay in their world a little longer. I highly recommend this one…

  • Forever Winter by Alexa Riley <— The latest by Alexa Riley is LIVE!! TOTAL BLURB JOLT!!! They met but lost each other amidst fire alarm chaos…

“…Bo has been searching for the woman of his dreams for four long months. When his brother Cory’s fiancée shows up at the family estate pregnant, his world is turned upside down…”

MichelleS: I’m reading Year One, by Nora Roberts. Already hooked. Post Apocalyptic, mixed with Irish “Magick”… characters I already love…. so so good. Haven’t read her in years. Forgot how great a writer she is. …Haven’t thrown peanuts in FOREVER! I’m throwing Nay a stack of peanuts – for Year One! There.
Nay: MichelleS–I will definitely read that–thank you! Y’all probably won’t believe it, but I don’t think I’ve ever read a Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb book.
Tessa: MichelleS, I keep wanting to read that! So much. I used to read her all the time, but she’s so prolific it gets expensive. lol I was kicking myself for seeing the sale on Year One the day after it ended. *sniffles* It sounds so good, and now Irish myth? *Whimpers* I WANT!

Kathy P: for those of you with teenage daughters or who like YA books, my daughter and I read A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi. It takes place a year after 9/11. We loved it but both wish it had an epilogue at end. But we would still give it 5 stars.

Nay: I HIGHLY recommend the 44 Chapters series by B.B. Easton if you’re looking for a coming of age series that’s full of non-stop excitement (sex, drugs, romance, fast cars, rock ‘n roll).
The books are based on B.B. Easton’s life from 15 on (although she’s 15, these are NOT YA), and each book features the story of her life during the time she’s dating a different boyfriend.
They are well written and edited and are full of non-stop wild tales of a young girl who’s learning EVERYTHING about life and love (I don’t see how she made it through her junior and senior years of high school!)
I LOVED book #1, Skin, and I’m almost finished with book #2, Speed, and I’m loving it just as much. Star is next and I don’t think I can stop!

Laura: Wow!! I just finished Welcome to the Dark Side by Giana Darling, which I found by reading this list. Stayed up all night and bawled my way through the story. I just had to know if Louise lived. A fantastic SIX star read.

Anne: …for a little bit more of angst and drama, The Controversial Princess and His True Queen by Jodie Ellen Malpas. It’s everything and more!
A contemporary romance about the forbidden love that blooms between Adeline, the princess of england, and Josh, Hollywood’s latest heartthrob. You NEED to read this one.

  • Seductive Nights: The Complete Julia and Clay Collection by Lauren Blakely <— LAUREN BLAKELY SERIES BUNDLE SUPER-BARGAIN ALERT!! “The Complete Julia and Clay Collection is a box set of all the books starring Julia and Clay in the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Seductive Nights Series. This box set includes First Night, Night After Night, After This Night, and One More Night. This is the ONLY Seductive Nights box set that includes the final Julia and Clay story, ONE MORE NIGHT.”
Pia: I’m a huge fan of Lauren Blakely and I have read most of her books. Started with the books in the Seductive Nights series and read 4 books in 4 days during af Holiday in Spain. Spain will always remind me of Lauren Blakely :-) But her books keep getting better and better and I cannot wait to start Sweet Sinful Nights. No one can write steamy scenes as Lauren Blakely and my expectations for Brent are high – if he is just half as sexy as Clay this will be a hot and delightful read.

                                   

 

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 —>

  • ROCHELLE FOUND US A DEAL!!! She says:
Hi Maryse,
Wanted to let everyone know the Aublble is having a big sale … for many titles. Outlander and My Oxford year are both on that sale list.
R. Renee: Gah!!!!!!!!! I just (this very second) finished My Oxford Year on audio. Wow.
I just finished Bright Side and wow, it was a real tear jerker! I am listening to the audiobook version of Gus (usually it’s hard for me to get into audiobooks, but the male narrator in this book is phenomenal) and so far it’s good, but it is moving a bit slow paced. I plan to make my way through a lot of the suggestions here. I love these lists Maryse!

PREORDERS (going live soon!!!  :D )

           

➔➔➔  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… Answered! The book about the couple in a military and civilian marriage… (P.S. it gets crazy!!)

By 3 Comments

And here’s Claire’s book question #2 (and OMG I WANNA READ IT LIKE CRAZY!! It sounds angsty and tumultuous and heartbreaking and WOW what a twist, so advance carefully below – I spoiler alerted BIG time).

She asks:

2. Another book that I vaguely remember but would be really nice if you guys know what the title is.

It’s s about a hero who was in the military and got married with a woman. They were in a usual military and civilian marriage wherein the guy had to be deployed for a few months and would go back.

*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*

I know that the story ended with them getting a divorce because the hero thought that the heroine was cheating on him

*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*

when in fact she was actually raped.

*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*

I know that there is a second book to this because the first one ended on a cliffhanger.

And the second book starts with the ex-husband finding out the truth.

Oooooh WOW this sounds CRAZY INTENSE!!!

Do you know which one this is?

Tracey: I know this one! I know this one! Great story! Before the Lie and Truth Revealed by KD Robichaux

Maryse: OMG Tracey!!! And I KNOW that author personally and she’s the sweeeeeetest! YAY!!! Thank you so much!!! :D
KD Robichaux: *faints* Y’all just made my LIFE! <3

 

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.