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In the mood to read something with marital strife & drama? I have a list for that!

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IN THE MOOD FOR MARITAL STRIFE & DRAMA?

I mean…NOT in real life!!! In BOOKS. Always and only in books. ;)Yep. Some of us can’t resist the drama that comes with trying to hold a marriage together… or the drama of the aftermath. Or all of the details that cause a marriage to go south. It’s the topic of one of my most often requested recommendations lists (in various “romance” forms… divorce, infidelity, arranged marriages… life starting over and so on).

So I’ve compiled a list of all those lists. 😉

Monica Murphy – Damaged Hearts Series Reading Order

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<— Ooooh she’s dead set on revenge against her mother, and she’s using him to get to her… AND!! Book #2 just went live and book #3 is up for preorder and coming out in just a couple of weeks!!
About book #1:

Life can feel like a cruel joke. I grew up poor and motherless, with a father who never got over his wife’s abandonment. But now he’s gone too, and I’m dead set on finding the woman who so carelessly tossed me aside when I was a baby.

I want revenge. And I’m going to get back at my mother any way that I can.

I change my name. Start my new life in college, and just happen to cross paths with the gorgeous, ultra-rich Rhett Montgomery. He’s immediately interested in me, not that I’m surprised.

You see, I planned it that way. I meant for him to find me. He’s the one connection to my mother, and I’m using him, so I can destroy her. But I didn’t plan on Rhett being so charming. Sweet. Sexy.

And I definitely didn’t plan on falling for him either…

READING ORDER:

  

Chloe Walsh – Boys of Tommen Series Reading Order

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UPDATED MAY 29th 2025!!!

OUR CREW WENT CRAZY for the few books in this series, and now book #6 is LIVE!! 😀

Sabrina: I binged the Boys of Tommen series and can’t wait for more books in the series. Then straight onto Crossbreed series and i just can’t get enough. No i need to decide what books to try next off the list

Loretta: Only at 3% and the tears are already starting.

Tasha: Oh, yes. I finished Binding 13 saying out loud, “WTF kind of ending is that?!” I need book 2 ASAP!

Jenn:  I am holding off on Binding 13 till Keeping 13 is out but getting even more excited to start with all the comments about it.

Tasha: Binding 13 is crazy good. If only ppl understood my need to live in this book and leave. me. be. It’s giving me old school feels! And talk about fleshed our characters. Something about the way they curse makes it feel more classy than over here. Lol! The spelling too.

Tessa: Binding 13 was perfect. More than 5 stars. I NEED BOOK TWO NOW! Just saying. I didn’t realize it was the same author as the one who wrote The Carter Kids. Just more reason to A, read the rest of that series and B, to have grabbed this book and read it right away. Good thing I only need to wait a month for book two.
And his mom… OMG, I was laughing SO HARD. Tears hard. I absolutely adore her.

Jan: Binding 13′s more NA than YA. I’m not often a fan of either genre really, but there was just something about this one and I couldn’t stop reading it. The length didn’t seem to be an issue. I’m easily bored in books but I never got bored with this one.

About book #1:

Johnny Kavanagh has everything going for him. On the rugby pitch, he’s a force to be reckoned with. Primed for stardom, he’s heading straight for the top. Nothing can possibly get in his way, right?

Not even the shy new girl at Tommen College. The one with the sad eyes and hidden bruises. The one that distracts him like no one ever has.

Plagued with a hidden injury and desperate to impress the scouts watching his every move, Johnny has been placed on a pedestal so high, he has no room to make mistakes.  Striving to maintain balance, and on the crest of the International Summer Campaign, Johnny needs to keep his head in the game. He needs to stay focused, and cannot afford to let distractions get in the way of the bigger picture. But what happens when a lonely girl with sad eyes becomes the only picture?

Life has never been easy for Shannon Lynch. Bullied and tortured, she arrives at Tommen College mid-way through the school year praying for a fresh start and desperate to shake off the demons that plague her. On her very first day at the prestigious private school, she comes into contact with the notorious Johnny Kavanagh. Thrown through a hoop over her feelings for him, and desperate to keep a low-profile, Shannon finds herself once again the target of bullies as she forms a fragile alliance with rugby’s rising star.

Falling into a complicated friendship and grappling with their undeniable chemistry, Johnny and Shannon must face obstacles that threaten their relationship.

Two teenagers from opposite sides of the tracks collide. Friendship, first love, rising fame, horrifying secrets, and pain all fuel together in Binding 13.

SERIES READING ORDER:

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Five Fun Facts about Stephie Wall's latest release "Dear Diamond"

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Oooooh you guys!! TOTAL BLURB JOLT ALERT!!! Lookit this one! I don’t know how I missed it (it was just released a week or so ago), but it sounds right up our steamy alley (and maybe a little grit, too? Considering what the heroine does for a living, and all). 😉
Tell me this doesn’t make you want to read this ASAP:

She wasn’t mine to claim—I knew nothing about her.
But then our eyes met…
She danced on stage, exposed in more ways than just her lack of clothing. I expected to see lust. Instead, I got anger, hatred, resentment. She was in deep with the company I’d escaped, and my presence at Club Swank made me guilty by association.
But I refused to let them have her.
I’d protect her at all costs. After all, they owed me.

Ohhhhh YES!!!!! MINE. Absolutely!
And… author Stephie Walls is this week’s newsletter sponsor and she’s giving us a sneak peek “behind the book” 😀 I love when authors let us in on their process and how a story developed!!!
Five Fun Facts about Dear Diamond:

1.) The title of the book was derived from Miranda Lambert’s song, “Dear Diamond” (although the book has NOTHING to do with the song) when I was driving home from the airport from a book signing.
2.) I spent hours researching erotic dancing and adult entertainment to ensure that I accurately reflected Nikki’s time at Club Swank, even though she doesn’t spend much time on the actual stage in the book. (I hope no one ever looks at my search history on my computer. Haha.)
3.) Ryker’s character was inspired by the model, Steve Gehrke…because…um…well, hello! Have you seen him? If not, GOOGLE HIM! Wowza!
4.) Since I prefer country music, I had to have my friends send me “stripper songs” to listen to in order to create a playlist and dance set for Diamond. You can imagine how those text messages went…I doubt I’ll ever live that down.
5.) Those “funny” feelings Nikki gets on the back of Rykers Harley?? Oh yeah. They’re real. I’ve tested it out myself.

Okay…. we MUST have that list of stripper songs!! OH PLEASE!!?? 😉 And teehee on that last part!! 😛

Latest Romance Book Releases – November 27th 2018

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BREAKING NEWS UPDATE!!! LOOKIT WHAT’S LIVE!!!!!! Keeping 13: Boys of Tommen #2!!! #1 was MUCH LOVED in our crew but #2 was DESPERATELY needed and here. it. is. ➔➔➔➔➔➔➔➔➔➔➔➔

Tasha: Oh, yes. I finished Binding 13: Boys of Tommen #1 saying out loud, “WTF kind of ending is that?!” I need book 2 ASAP!
…Binding 13: Boys of Tommen #1 is crazy good. If only ppl understood my need to live in this book and leave. me. be. It’s giving me old school feels! And talk about fleshed our characters. Something about the way they curse makes it feel more classy than over here. Lol! The spelling too.

HAPPY NEW RELEASE DAY!!  Plenty of books to choose from (I highlighted a bunch, but make sure to check yesterday’s list, ’cause it was awesome)!! I’ll also be loading in deals that I find – book AND products – into the “bargain section” below since Amazon is running some awesome sales right now.
While you’re here, don’t forget to check out yesterday’s earlybirds, a new review, and my latest BIG LIST:

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

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!
  1. Two Weeks Notice by Whitney G.
  2. Fatal Invasion: The Fatal Series, Book 13 by Marie Force
  3. Love in Catalina Cove: Catalina Cove by Brenda Jackson
  4. White Hot by Sandra Brown
  5. Overkill by Linda Castillo
  6. Bonds of Cupidity: A Fantasy Reverse Harem Story: Heart Hassle, Book 2 by Raven Kennedy
  7. Tom Clancy Oath of Office: Jack Ryan Novel Series, Book 19 by Tom Clancy
  8. The Other Miss Bridgerton: A Bridgertons Prequel by Julia Quinn
  9. Kingdom of the Blind: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, Book 14 by Louise Penny
        

 

BARGAINS & READER RECOMMENDATIONS (NOTE: bargain priced when I added them, but prices can change on Amazon, so make sure to check before you finalize your order)
➔ Amazon is having an AMAZING Kindle Unlimited promotion (for a limited time only)!!
➔ Amazon is still having their “Cyber Monday Week” deals! <— :D I’ll be looking for goodies to point out and add to this post in a bit. I’ve already seen a cool

The deals are great this week. I’m thinking even better than Black Friday (I’m finding more stuff that I like, this week).

    

 

PARANORMAL/FANTASY/SCI-FI/DYSTOPIAN NEW RELEASES

  1. Raff (The Vorge Crew Book 4) by Laurann Dohner <— SHE THOUGHT MEETING ALIENS WOULD BE COOL, but they want her as a slave… “…Fighting for survival since childhood, Raff Vellar is more intimately familiar with knives and bloodshed than women. Then, during a trip to his home planet, a tiny human literally falls at his feet. When he learns she’s been forced into slavery, a fierce need to protect the human overcomes him…”
  2. Swordheart by T. Kingfisher
  3. Roxy’s Warriors (Bondmates Book 4) by Ann Mayburn
  4. Kiran: The Warrior’s Bride (Rights of the Strong Book 2) by Ellen Stellar
  5. This Happened to Jessica (Secrets of Redemption Book 2) by Michele PW (Pariza Wacek)
  6. Envied (Immortal Chronicles Book 6) by Samantha Britt
  7. Touch of Regret: The Collectors Book 1 by Autumn Reed <— HER ABILITIES MAKE HER A TARGET… “At twenty-four, I’d resigned myself to a simple life following in my mother’s footsteps. I would manage the antique shop she left me and marry a kind, stable man. Most importantly, I would never tell a soul about my psychic abilities. But with a single, intentional touch and a vision of the past, I set events in motion that expose my secret...”
  8. Fuse: Bolt Saga: Volume Four: Parts 10, 11 & 12 (Bolt Saga Volumes Book 4) by Angel Payne
       

 

CONTEMPORARY NEW RELEASES

  1. Playing by Heart by J.B. Salsbury <— J.B. SALSBURY ALERT!! ROCK STAR ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS & HE’S HER BOSS’S BROTHER ALERT!!! And he’s not that impressed with her either… “...She’s bossy, has a horrific singing voice, and she’s so ordinary, she practically blends in with the eggshell-colored walls—the complete opposite of anyone I’d bang. The only reason I put up with her is because my career is on the line…”
  2. Her Mafioso King (The Vitucci Mafiosos Book 4) by Terri Anne Browning <— TERRI ANNE BROWNING MAFIA ROMANCE ALERT!!! “…I was never supposed to love her. My future has been set in stone since birth, down to who I am expected to marry. With our inner circle now compromised from my bastard of an uncle, it looked like my future had arrived earlier than expected...”
  3. Trust Game by Kitty Thomas <— KITTY THOMAS QUEEN OF DARK READS ALERT!!! OMG THIS BLURB!!!!!! *GASP*!! “Astrid believes she’ll never be free of her abusive husband–until she walks in on his murder. His killer is unable to take her life but refuses to set her free. Will she come to enjoy her new cage and the man with the keys to it?“
  4. Hunky Heartbreaker: A Whiskey Kisses Novella by Kendall Ryan <— KENDALL RYAN ALERT!! “…When Valentina storms into his life, her presence is only supposed to be temporary. She’s a feisty attorney hired to help clean up his company’s recent legal mess. He never counted on her being the one to turn his whole world upside down. After spending most of his life living in the shadow of his brother, Duke has something to prove, and he’s not about to let this distraction get in the way of his plans, no matter how hot things get...”
  5. I’ll Always Love You (The Worthingtons) by Ella Quinn
  6. Someone to Trust (A Westcott Novel) by Mary Balogh <— MARY BALOGH HISTORICAL ROMANCE ALERT!! OLDER WOMAN-YOUNGER MAN ALERT!! “…They know there is no question of any relationship between them, for she is nine years older than he. They return to London the following Season, both committed to finding other, more suitable matches. Still they agree to share one waltz at each ball they attend. This innocuous agreement proves to be one that will topple their worlds, as each dance steadily ensnares them in a romance that forces the two to question what they are willing to sacrifice for love. . . “
  7. The Runaway Bride: A Medieval Scottish Romance (The Brides of Inverfyre Book 2) by Claire Delacroix
  8. Earl to the Rescue by Jane Ashford
  9. Rule Number Four (Rule Breakers Book 4) by Nicky Shanks
  10. Perfectly Inappropriate by Stacey Kennedy <— SHE JOINS A DATING SITE… “…after sweet, innocent Olivia is vetted and arrives for their week together in his penthouse, it’s blatantly clear that she’s running from her demons. Noah’s more than willing to be her escape—until their emotions get tangled up in their games…”
  11. His Student (Forbidden Series Book 1) by Sam Crescent <— FORBIDDEN LOVE ALERT!!!
  12. Love With Me (With Me In Seattle Book 11) by Kristen Proby <— KRISTEN PROBY’S LATEST!!! THEY’VE BEEN BEST FRIEND’S SINCE COLLEGE… “…Joy Thompson collects unwanted strays. A dog with one eye, a three-legged cat, a bird that swears like a sailor? All part and parcel of her veterinary business. It helps pass the time. Until Jace calls out of the blue to ask her out on a real date. Spending extra time with him is dangerous. Her feelings for her best friend have always been stronger than simple companionship…”
  13. Buried Lies (Crimson Point Series Book 2) by Kaylea Cross
  14. Fueled in Fire (Ravage MC Rebellion Series Book Two) (Crow & Rylynn Trilogy) by Ryan Michele
  15. Mr. Darcy’s Enchantment: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Abigail Reynolds
  16. Insistent (Soul Serenade Book 4) by Kaylee Ryan
  17. Until Cobi (Until Him/Her Book 7) by Aurora Rose Reynolds <— AURORA ROSE REYNOLDS ALERT!! He’s tying their lives together… “…Hadley Emerson knows she could fall hard and fast for a guy like Cobi. A man who seems to show up every time she needs him, but she knows better than to just hand over her heart. Knowing his future with Hadley is on the line, Cobi begins to tie their lives together…”
  18. My Forever Home (Rescue Me Book 3) by Debbie Burns
  19. Hell or High Water (Boston Syndicate Book 3) by Michelle St. James
  20. Refrain (Beautiful Monsters Book 2) by Lana Sky
  21. Melt With You (Into The Fire Series Book 8) by J.H. Croix <— SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE ALERT!! He’s a billionaire and she’s a firefighter... “…A wedding, a one-night stand, and no happily-ever-after. That’s how it all started with Max Channing. Along comes another cliché – a second chance. A year later, I’m about to face Christmas alone when tall, dark & s*xy as h*ll Max shows up again. Our lives are worlds apart. He’s a billionaire tech investor. I’m a hotshot firefighter. Nothing about us makes any sense…”
  22. Finding Forever: Book 3 of the Rollin On Series by Emilia Finn
  23. You Had Me at Cowboy (Cowboys of Creedence Book 2) by Jennie Marts
  24. Girls’ Night Out by Glynis Astie
  25. Blinding Echo by Tina Saxon
  26. A Whirlwind of Color (The Light to My Darkness Book 2) by Ivy Smoak  <— OOOOOH INTRIGUING!!!!!!! BLURB JOLT ALERT!!! She wrote a novel… “...The pages make my heart ache, my tears flow freely, and my cheeks hurt from laughter. My whole life is written on these pages. I have the perfect husband. The perfect family. The perfect life. But I don’t remember any of it…”
  27. All That Glitters (Jasper Lake Book 3) by Leah Atwood
  28. Sean (More Than Friends Book 1) by Fiona Keane <— UNREQUITED LOVE ALERT!! “…To him we’re nothing more than friends—good friends. To me he’s the one man who makes my heart beat faster. It doesn’t matter that his affections are elsewhere, I continue to love him from a distance dreaming of a happily ever after. Then…my world is turned upside down. Even if we manage to find each other through this storm, it will be a race against time...”
  29. The Rancher (Morgan Ranch Book 6) by Kate Pearce
  30. Sweat by K.B. Andrews
  31. Your Wildest Dreams (Keeping Score Book 5) by Tawdra Kandle
  32. Hard Night (An 11th Hour Novel Book 3) by Jackie Ashenden
  33. Joshua and the Cowgirl & Seduce Me, Cowboy: An Anthology by Sherryl Woods & Maisey Yates
  34. Fatal Invasion (The Fatal Series) by Marie Force <— MARIE FORCE FATAL SERIES ALERT!!
  35. Secretly Dating the Lionman (Cowboys and Angels Book 2) by Sue Brown <— M/M ROMANCE ALERT!!
  36. Rend: A Novel (Riven Series Book 2) by Roan Parrish <— M/M ROMANCE ALERT!!
  37. Silent Scream (South Shores Book 5) by Karen Harper
  38. The Duke That I Marry: A Spinster Heiresses Novel (The Spinster Heiresses Book 3) by Cathy Maxwell
  39. The Girl with the Sweetest Secret (Sin & Sensibility Book 2) by Betina Krahn
  40. Best of Luck (Chance of a Lifetime Book 3) by Kate Clayborn
  41. Western Hearts: An Anthology by Debbie Macomber & Jodi Thomas
  42. My Lover, My Murderer by Loretta Lost <— DARK READ BLURB JOLT ALERT!!! SHE FINDS OUT WHAT HER BF REALLY DOES FOR A LIVING… “…The day I found out I was pregnant was the day I found out what my fiancé really did for a living. In the worst possible way. And then he asked me to help him clean the bloodstains out of the carpet. I refused. He said it was fine. He would just have it replaced with hardwood floors. But I really, really liked that carpet. Like our relationship, the carpet was ruined forever. I knew I had a terrible choice to make. I knew I had to get away...”
                                         

 

PREORDERS (going live soon!!!  :D )

            

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