Hello and Happy Friday!
Today was a great day. I got to see my sister, her husband, and most important of all, my new baby nephew!! He is sooo cute, and because I don't plan on having any more babies, he'll be giving me all my baby fixes for the foreseeable future.
I was just so thrilled to spend time with them because they live so far away and I can't wait to see them again.
Alright, below I'm sharing a week's worth of what I want to read, what I want to buy (or borrow), what I want to read, and several romance book bargains.
Hopefully you find something to enjoy here too!
New Releases of the Week
Tempted by Celia Kyle
Irresistibly Dangerous by J. Saman
Wayward Son by Jay Crownover
The Bright Spot by Jill Shalvis
Rock Steady by Kat Mizera
Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert
Saved by Love by Kelly Elliott
Boone by Laramie Briscoe
Loving Romeo by Laura Pavlov
Cluelessly Yours by Max Monroe
The Bride's Runaway Billionaire by Pippa Grant
Boone by Sawyer Bennett
What Happens at the Lake by Vi Keeland
Irresistibly Dangerous by J. Saman
Wayward Son by Jay Crownover
The Bright Spot by Jill Shalvis
Rock Steady by Kat Mizera
Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert
Saved by Love by Kelly Elliott
Boone by Laramie Briscoe
Loving Romeo by Laura Pavlov
Cluelessly Yours by Max Monroe
The Bride's Runaway Billionaire by Pippa Grant
Boone by Sawyer Bennett
What Happens at the Lake by Vi Keeland
Upcoming Releases of the Week
What I'm Reading Next
A Grave Robbery by Deanna Raybourn
Cluelessly Yours by Max Monroe — thanks for the rec, Deanna!
Frostbitten by Rebecca Zanetti
Cluelessly Yours by Max Monroe — thanks for the rec, Deanna!
Frostbitten by Rebecca Zanetti
Romance Book Bargains
 $1.99Sunrise Cove #1
Genre: contemporary Trope: fake relationship |
 $1.99standalone
Genre: contemporary Trope: opposites attract |
 99cbooks #4-6
Genre: contemporary Trope: various |
 FREELove in Bloom #1
Genre: contemporary Trope: small town |
 FREEThe Ryders
Genre: contemporary Trope: forced proximity |
 99cstandalone
Genre: dark Trope: captive |
 FREERussian Guns #1
Genre: contemporary Trope: mafia |
 FREEanthology
Genre: dark Trope: various |
 FREETrails of Sin #1
Genre: dark Trope: second chance |
 FREESin #1
Genre: contemporary Trope: age gap |
 $1.99The Enforcers #2
Genre: contemporary Trope: organized crime |
 FREEGold Hockey #1
Genre: contemporary Trope: sports |
 FREEDungeons & Doms #1
Genre: contemporary Trope: second chance |
 FREEboxed set
Genre: contemporary Trope: instalove |
 FREEWright #1
Genre: contemporary Trope: wealth |
 FREEDirty Billionaire #1
Genre: contemporary Trope: wealth |
 $1.99standalone
Genre: contemporary Trope: friends to lovers |
 FREEBillionaire's Club #1
Genre: contemporary Trope: fling |
 FREEAlaska Blizzard #1
Genre: contemporary Trope: sports |
 $1.99Immortals After Dark #3
Genre: paranormal Trope: enemies to lovers |
 $1.99standalone
Genre: suspense Trope: time travel |
Hey everyone and welcome to another Throwback Thursday! Every week I'll be sharing my book recommendations within a romantic trope or theme.
Today I'm sharing the first five Apocalypse Romance stories I loved and reviewed on the blog. I'm still pretty new to this trope, but most of what I've found has been incredible. From the world-building to the drive to survive, I'm strangely fascinated by books that tackle what could happen to all of us.
If you happen to know of a book in this trope that you think I'd love, please let me know.
Praying For Rain by BB Easton
With only three days left until the predicted apocalypse, the small town of Franklin Springs, Georgia, has become a wasteland of abandoned cars, abandoned homes, abandoned businesses, and abandoned people. People like Rainbow Williams. This trilogy is incredible! Rainbow and Wes overcame so much, during a time of such uncertainty and fear. I freaking loved them so much!!
Find my review HERE
Juniper Unraveling by Keri Lake
Papa says everyone has a story that deserves to be told. Most begin years ago, after the second bomb hit, unearthing a deadly contagion that divided the population into the pure, the infected, and the Ragers. I'm a huge fan of Keri Lake and she did a phenomenal job with this series. Each book tackles a different couple, with an overarching plot. It's deadly, scary and steamily romantic. You know I loved these books because I had to buy physical copies :)
Find my review HERE
Mercury Striking by Rebecca Zanetti
The deadly Scorpius Syndrome has decimated North America. Now the few remaining survivors struggle to avoid infection and rebuild society. This series starter convinced me to read the rest of the books. There are zombies, people who are making the best choices they can under the circumstances, and those who find love. The heroine of this one wasn't my favourite, but the story had me hooked (mostly because of the hero) and I really need to get to the next book.
Find my review HERE
Nina is an information broker with a mission--she and her team of mercenary librarians use their knowledge to save the hopeless in a crumbling America. Knox is the bitter, battle-weary captain of the Silver Devils. His squad of supersoldiers went AWOL to avoid slaughtering innocents, and now he's fighting to survive. The battle for dominance between these characters was very entertaining. I still don't know who I enjoyed more—Nina or Knox. I guess I just loved them both so much it doesn't even matter. This was a great series starter and I will definitely be reading the rest!
Find my review HERE
Marcus by Anna Hackett
In a world gone to hell, Elle Milton—once the darling of the Sydney social scene—has carved a role for herself as the communications officer for the toughest commando team fighting for humanity’s survival—Hell Squad. It’s her chance to make a difference and make up for horrible past mistakes…despite the fact that its battle-hardened commander never wanted her on his team. Another great series starter. Marcus and Elle had an entertaining connection and with the world invaded by aliens, they still found time to forge a chemistry-filled bond. I really need to get to the other books.
Find my review HERE
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Heavy Crown by Sophie Lark
Rating -
1/2Standalone - Brutal Birthright #6
Release - January 6, 2021
Genre/Trope - Contemporary Romance / organized crime
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - explicit scenes
Source - ebook provided by NetGalley
Length - 426 pages
A Temptation I Couldn’t Resist...
I saw her being stuffed in a trunk: Yelena Yenin, only daughter of the most vicious Bratva boss in Chicago.
The Bratva hate my family. They burned my uncle alive. I should have left Yelena to her fate...
But she fought like a Valkyrie. Gorgeous, ferocious, and unbreakable.
I saved her so I could make her mine.
She says she’ll never submit to a man. I guess we’ll see…
I’ll push her to the limit. And far beyond.
I saw her being stuffed in a trunk: Yelena Yenin, only daughter of the most vicious Bratva boss in Chicago.
The Bratva hate my family. They burned my uncle alive. I should have left Yelena to her fate...
But she fought like a Valkyrie. Gorgeous, ferocious, and unbreakable.
I saved her so I could make her mine.
She says she’ll never submit to a man. I guess we’ll see…
I’ll push her to the limit. And far beyond.
“It’s you and me now, Yelena.
I love you more than anyone.
I’ll love you and protect you and adore you all our lives.
I’ll never stop.”
I love you more than anyone.
I’ll love you and protect you and adore you all our lives.
I’ll never stop.”
For my first try with this author, Heavy Crown was a good one. It had found family, plenty of action, some dark and sad moments, and tons of chemistry between the main characters.
Unlike his siblings, Sebastian was footloose and fancy free. He was starting to think that maybe he wasn't as content with his life as he should be. When Yelena crosses his path, things start looking up. She's absolutely gorgeous, a fierce warrior, and everything he could want in a woman. Too bad her father was the leader of the Bratva, his family's enemy. But isn't forbidden fruit so much sweeter?
It was easy to like both characters. There wasn't a lot of depth to them, or to the story, but it worked for me. There was something light about this book that softened the blow of all of its dark moments.
This is the sixth standalone in the series and it did read like a story that could stand alone. However, it also gave me just enough of the side characters that I want to read more about them. So I'll be going back to the beginning.
Sophie lives with her husband, two boys, and baby girl in the Rocky Mountain West. She writes intense, intelligent romance, with heroines who are strong and capable, and men who will do anything to capture their hearts.She has a slight obsession with hiking, bodybuilding, and live comedy shows. Her perfect day would be taking the kids to Harry Potter World, going dancing with Mr. Lark, then relaxing with a good book and a monster bag of salt and vinegar chips.
Visit https://sophielark.com for more information.
One of the things I love about the bookish world is that one book can evoke different feelings in all sorts of readers. One book can be a five-star read for me and a DNF for someone else. We all see something different because we're all different and I love exploring those differences by reading reviews.
Full disclosure: I read these books years ago, but I do remember enjoying them. Have you read them? Are you interested?
Flame by Adriana Locke
Carmichael Family #5
Contemporary Romance / marriage of convenience
I swore I would only get married if my life depended on it. Oh, the irony.
Many things have happened over the past few weeks that I didn’t see coming. My family imploded. Our business was turned upside down. And someone threatened to harm me if I didn’t make good on my father’s promises.
But the biggest thing I didn’t see coming?
Foxx Carmichael demanding marriage.
He’s doing it out of loyalty to my brother. I know that. But I can’t help but think if, through that deliciously hot, grumpy exterior, my bodyguard doesn’t have ulterior motives.
There’s no denying the fire in his touch or the heat in his blue eyes. He protects me with a ferocity that leaves me breathless. He makes me rethink many things I thought I knew for sure—like my position on marriage.
But how we dance around our fake relationship makes me wonder what part of this is pretend. None of it matters if he doesn’t admit he feels the same way.
Our sham wedding will fall apart as soon as the threat is contained. But what happens if the flames between us burn everything to the ground first?
Rating -
I enjoyed myself, but I think I may have benefitted from reading some of the prior books in this series.
I missed the connection between Foxx and Bianca. He was supposed to be mysterious, but I saw everything laid bare and an enigma he was not. Bianca was head over heels for him, but played hard to get in the moment. Game playing is a no-no for me. There was chemistry, but I didn't really feel it, despite the incredibly spicy scenes these characters shared.
Bianca's family dynamic was a bit confusing, but again, I think I would have understood if I had read one of the other books. Her father is dangerous and threatening and... Why though? The suspense element fell flat for me.
However, I enjoyed so many other things about this book, such as Foxx owning his feelings once he had the all-clear; Bianca discovering a part of herself that she was quickly falling in love with; all of the side characters and the ways they interacted with the main characters; and overall the writing.
I guess I need to add the previous books to my to-read list.
I enjoyed myself, but I think I may have benefitted from reading some of the prior books in this series.
I missed the connection between Foxx and Bianca. He was supposed to be mysterious, but I saw everything laid bare and an enigma he was not. Bianca was head over heels for him, but played hard to get in the moment. Game playing is a no-no for me. There was chemistry, but I didn't really feel it, despite the incredibly spicy scenes these characters shared.
Bianca's family dynamic was a bit confusing, but again, I think I would have understood if I had read one of the other books. Her father is dangerous and threatening and... Why though? The suspense element fell flat for me.
However, I enjoyed so many other things about this book, such as Foxx owning his feelings once he had the all-clear; Bianca discovering a part of herself that she was quickly falling in love with; all of the side characters and the ways they interacted with the main characters; and overall the writing.
I guess I need to add the previous books to my to-read list.
A Humble Heart by R.L. Mathewson
Hollywood Hearts #1
Contemporary Single Parent Romance
After wasting too many years on the wrong guy, Dana frees herself and her two children to live her dream.When she's forced to deal with paparazzi, offers from porn companies, magazines, Hollywood and crazed fans Dana does everything she can to keep it together for her kids. She never dreamed she'd catch the eye of the most sought after bachelor in the world. Things like that just didn't happen to women like her, or did they?
Having a life? What the hell was that? Edward couldn't remember what it felt like to live his own life without someone watching his every move. Thanks to the paparazzi and the internet nothing in his life was sacred. Out of desperation to keep some semblance of a life he stops living his own. His family and work are all he has left until he's made an offer he simply can't resist. Working with the famous author forces him to open his heart and take a chance. Winning the heart of the woman he loves while the world watches is anything but easy, but he never thought it would be dangerous. His only hope is that they get through it together.....and alive.
Rating -
This book was not what I expected. I've read quite a few books by Mathewson and had high expectations. I'm not sure if the let down is because this is one of her earlier works, but I was a little disappointed. One of the things I appreciate about Mathewson's writing style is her ability to grab my attention. Whether she's pulling my heart strings or making me bust a gut laughing, I'm always completely enveloped and involved with the story. I just couldn't connect with these characters. There was so much meat there but with so many life-altering events occurring, without any real repercussions, I felt lost.
To me, this story seems to be told mainly from Edward's POV. I hardly heard from Dana. So while I can say that I adore, admire and respect Edward's character, there isn't much I can say for Dana. I do admire her strength, kindness, tenacity and perseverance, in light of the struggles and hardships she has faced, but even though she seemed to suffer through these times, I didn't FEEL it. That is why I was unable to give this book the 5 star rating I thought I would.
Overall, it is a good read. I don't regret picking it up. And it in no way alters my love for the work of R.L. Mathewson.
This book was not what I expected. I've read quite a few books by Mathewson and had high expectations. I'm not sure if the let down is because this is one of her earlier works, but I was a little disappointed. One of the things I appreciate about Mathewson's writing style is her ability to grab my attention. Whether she's pulling my heart strings or making me bust a gut laughing, I'm always completely enveloped and involved with the story. I just couldn't connect with these characters. There was so much meat there but with so many life-altering events occurring, without any real repercussions, I felt lost.
To me, this story seems to be told mainly from Edward's POV. I hardly heard from Dana. So while I can say that I adore, admire and respect Edward's character, there isn't much I can say for Dana. I do admire her strength, kindness, tenacity and perseverance, in light of the struggles and hardships she has faced, but even though she seemed to suffer through these times, I didn't FEEL it. That is why I was unable to give this book the 5 star rating I thought I would.
Overall, it is a good read. I don't regret picking it up. And it in no way alters my love for the work of R.L. Mathewson.
Chase: Complete Series by Cassia Leo
Contemporary Political Romance
Follow presidential candidate Chase Underwood and former escort Larissa Jacobs' sensual and tumultuous journey from beginning to end.
PART I: Chase
Larissa Jacobs' financial debt is climbing after a failed attempt at becoming the next big thing in Hollywood. After losing her job as a party clown, Larissa's roommate gets her a gig working for an escort service. Her first client is Senator Chase Underwood: hot, married, and the current presidential candidate. Will his penchant for sexual domination destroy his prospects of world domination?
PART II: Disclosure
Larissa Jacobs' financial debt may be a thing of the past, now that Senator--and the all-but-certain future president--Chase Underwood has offered her a lucrative position in his campaign. But, like the rest of Chase's staffers, Larissa is asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement; only Larissa's NDA comes with some interesting stipulations that may make or break their arrangement.
PART III: Exposure
Larissa Jacobs has finally found the man of her dreams in presidential candidate Chase Underwood, but her dreams of happily ever after have been put on hold indefinitely. When a feature in the L.A Times exposes their affair, Chase and Larissa are thrust into the center of a scandal that will rock the nation and the very foundation of their love.
PART IV: Closure
After the scandal caused by her affair with presidential candidate Chase Underwood, Larissa Jacobs is flown to his lavish villa in Tuscany. Larissa watches the news coverage of Chase's victory and fantasizes about him storming into the villa and making good on his promise to marry her. But her fantasies are becoming less and less appealing with every day they spend apart. It doesn't help that the hot Secret Service agent assigned to guard her has become the only person she can speak to.
Will Larissa remain true to her promise to wait for Chase? Will Chase finally put his love for Larissa before his career?
Rating -
Not what I expected from reading other books from Cassia Leo. The story's premise was good (a little Scandel-esque), but I think the plot and characters needed more meat. It wasn't terrible at all and I don't regret reading this series, I just needed more.
Not what I expected from reading other books from Cassia Leo. The story's premise was good (a little Scandel-esque), but I think the plot and characters needed more meat. It wasn't terrible at all and I don't regret reading this series, I just needed more.
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