Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 10-20-2023

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO READ? HOLY MOLY DO I HAVE YOU OVERED!! SINCE SO MANY BOOKS WENT LIVE IN THE LAST 24 HOURS, AND SO MANY are rocking the Amazon charts as we speak, I’m going to label the standouts as “in the top 100, top 50, top 10“… You get the picture.  😉

And as fast as they are charting, maybe these are officially already tried-and-true awesomeness? *fingers crossed*

My “favorite thing this week (so far)” is…

MY UPCOMING WEEKEND PROJECT!! Which started by getting these 16″ x 16″ matted frames from last week’s Prime Day shopping extravaganza and finally being able to put my watercolor canvas sea turtle prints (this one, and this one but mine were actually not yet framed like these yet, but these are the same as my prints and they are 16×16) up this weekend. Project. Planned!!!! I can’t wait!!

P.S. And LOL yes, my house is “nautical/coastal” due to some HUGE fish/fishing paintings that my man loves and purchased for the house. 😂 I had to match the vibe, yeah? I am loving it!!

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

Elijah: Have you read The Love of My Next Life by Brit Benson? (It’s a duet) Yes, it’s angsty (although probably not as angsty as the stuff in your list). It’s mostly petty high school drama type of thing, but it’s very entertaining and I really liked the main couple together! He’s possessive and she’s really attracted to him. It’s very interesting, and although it wasn’t quite the type of angsty romance drama I was looking for, I definitely really enjoyed it. 🙂

P.S. Can I ask you for recommendations? I’m looking for a certain type of read in this genre, and I’ve only read The Next Life duet so far (it was my introduction to this type of story).

Maryse: Thank you Elijah!! Have you read anything off of this list yet? —> What to Read After Beautiful Disaster: https://www.maryse.net/books/my-favorite-books/what-to-read-after-beautiful-disaster.html

I think you’ll LOVE these!!

• My Darling Christmas (Willow Valley Book 4) by S.L. Sterling <— LIVE!! YOUNG WIDOWER VOWS TO WATCH OVER HIS BEST FRIEND’S SISTER… “…Then I saw Cadence and for the first time since my wife died I actually thought I could heal. She made me feel alive, made the pain go away. So why did I feel so guilty? One minute I was longing to hold her, the next I was pushing her away, until I finally pushed too hard and sent her running. I didn’t want to fail my best friend, and I didn’t want to fail Cadence. We all needed our Christmas wish and I decided to do whatever it took to make sure we got it...”
• A Soul to Revive: Duskwalker Brides: Book Five by Opal Reyne <— LIVE & IN THE TOP 50 of all Amazon Kindle right now!!
• Forgot to Say Goodbye: He Falls First, Enemies to Lovers, Office Romance by S.L. Scott <— LIVE!! THE LATEST BY S.L. SCOTT! SECRET BABY ALERT! “...I did exactly what I said I wouldn’t. I fell for him. Two years later, the same man walks into my life. Again. A lot has changed. Not his devastating good looks, or that smug grin, but for me everything. Now that Noah’s back—in my office and hanging around after hours—I can’t get distracted. I must protect my secret—the one who calls me Mommy...”
• Joker’s Queen (Hunters Creek Archangel’s Warriors MC Book 10) by Ciara St James <— LIVE & IN THE TOP 100 of all Amazon Kindle right now!!
• Tempted By The Devil (Kings Of Mafia) by Michelle Heard <— LIVE & #6 ON ALL OF AMAZON KINDLE RIGHT NOW!! MAFIA ROMANCE/ARRANGED MARRIAGE TO A MAN SHE’S TERRIFIED OF!! “…Attending a party with my stepbrother, I’m in for the surprise of my life. It’s not a regular party, but instead, my wedding. To Angelo Rizzo. A coldhearted man who’s feared by all. Including me. Turns out my stepbrother owes the Cosa Nostra money, and I’m being used to repay his debt to Angelo Rizzo…”
• The Daddy Arrangement (The Situationship Series Book 3) by Jesse H Reign <— LIVE!!! M/M ROMANCE!!
• Chosen Boy: A Fake Relationship Hockey Romance (The Puck Boys of Brooks University Book 4) by Hannah Gray <— LIVE!!! WANTS TO BE A HOCKEY STAR!! And #101 on all of Amazon Kindle right now! Almost in the top 100!! “…The season gets even harder when the hockey team is forced to work with the dance team for a fundraiser, and I’m paired with the daughter of my family’s sworn enemy. As much as I hate to admit it, Sutton Savage is hard not to notice with her dark hair, big blue eyes, and angelic face to go along with those mouthy lips. Soon, it’s damn near impossible for me to hate her. And before I know it, I’m striking up a deal with her for her to be my girlfriend. My fake girlfriend...”
• Shadows of You (The Lost & Found Series Book 4) by Catherine Cowles <— LIVE & #4 ON ALL OF AMAZON KINDLE RIGHT NOW!! SMALL TOWN NEW START/SINGLE MOM IN HIDING, BUT SHE MEETS A SURLY MAN… “…It was supposed to be a fresh start. A small town where I could hide my little girl from the shadows that haunt us. A place where I could keep us safe. The last thing I expected was him. A surly, broody mountain of a man who helps me save an injured deer in a snowstorm. Now, Roan Hartley keeps showing up with his glowers and grimaces. But they only make his rare smiles and the gentle way he talks to my daughter mean that much more...”
• Cory Sloan is Swearing: An enemies to lovers sapphic romance (Sloan Sisters Sapphic Romance Book 2) by Jamey Moody <—LIVE!!! F/F ROMANCE!!
• I Will Make You Pay by Teresa Driscoll <— SUPER-BARGAIN TODAY & MICHELLES LOVED THIS ONE!

MichelleS: The Promise, The Friend, I Will Make You Pay, I Am Watching You – by Teresa Driscoll
I read these back to back because I got totally sucked into her world. These are suspense, crime thrillers. They take place in England, and I just loved all the lingo. If you are in the mood for some suspense, try these.

They are stand alones, but there are a couple of recurring characters, which makes them even more appealing (the private investigator and cop).

• Into Their Woods (The Eerie Book 1) by Ivy Asher and Ann Denton <— LIVE!!! REVERSE HAREM!!! “...I didn’t think pulling off for a quick bite to eat in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere would change everything. I was wrong. Now I’m running through the forest wearing nothing but a red cloak, being hunted by wolves. I don’t know what in the f**ked up Red Riding Hood role play is going on here, but I’m desperate, terrified, and not ready to die. When they attack, I know this is it. Except…it isn’t. Because the den of wolves that bite me somehow turn into men…”
• The Playmaker (Fire and Ice Series Book 1) by Michelle Scott <— LIVE!! HOCKEY ROMANCE!!
• Guarding Gabby: A SANCTUM Novel by Pepper North <— LIVE!!!
• In the Gray by Christina Lee <— LIVE!! M/M ROMANCE!! HE’S HOMELESS BY CHOICE… “...One split-second decision leads to losing everything and living on the streets. Still, I’d choose my current conditions over being harmed by someone I loved. The only bright spot in my struggle to survive is the handsome stranger and his dog. Despite how compassionate Foster seems, I don’t want any handouts. I need to stay safe and stand on my own two feet after what I’ve been through. But when I find myself in a bind, I allow Foster to rescue me, if only for a night...”
• Intrigues of Wicked Lords: A Historical Regency Romance Collection by Emily Honeyfield <— 3 book bundle!!
• Cruel Crypts by Becca Steele <— LIVE!!! ACADEMY ROMANCE & THEY HATE EACH OTHER!! “...Knox Ashcroft. One of the so-called gods of Hatherley Hall. He’s everything I despise–a spoiled, arrogant, lacrosse-playing rich boy. From the moment we met, he made it clear that the loathing was mutual. I don’t belong in his world, and he wants me gone. Too bad for him, I’m not leaving until I get what I came for...”
• No Rules (No Regrets Book 2) by Nora Phoenix <— LIVE!!! M/M ROMANCE!
• Three Daddies Under the Mistletoe: A Military Reverse Harem Romance (Lucky Lady Reverse Harems) by Kai Lesy <— LIVE!!! #78 ON ALL OF AMAZON KINDLE!!
• Love for Christmas: Ten sweet, heartwarming Christmas romances by Alexa Verde <— 10 BOOKS!!
• Grimstone by Sophie Lark <— LIVE!! #99 ON ALL OF AMAZON KINDLE!! SHE INHERITED HER UNCLE’S MANSION! “...Remi Hayes is beginning to think she’s cursed—her fiancé cheated on her, her brother Jude is a major pain in her ass, and the moldering mansion she inherited from her uncle might just be haunted. Flipping Blackleaf Manor already feels impossible, even before Remi is blackmailed by Dane Covett, the dangerously hot doctor-next-door, and Grimstone’s most eligible bachelor—if you can ignore the fact that everyone in town thinks he murdered his wife. Remi doesn’t want to believe it, especially after Dane sews up a gash in her thigh and steals a kiss in payment...”
• What Doesn’t Kill You (New Beginnings) by Elle M Thomas <— LIVE!! ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP!!! SHE HAD IT ALL UNTIL SHE MET HIM! “…With an idyllic childhood, a gift for academia, and a desire to become a doctor, nothing was going to stand in her way. And then, one fateful night an attractive man with an easy smile, natural charm, and an apparent sense of chivalry changed that…”
• Never Happen to You: A Chilling Cold Case Suspense and Mystery (True Crime Junkies Book 3) by Christy Barritt <— LIVE!!
• It’s A Hell of A Midlife: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel: Good To The last Death Book Ten by Robyn Peterman <— LIVE!!
• Never Fall For The Fake Boyfriend (Never Say Never Book 3) by Lauren Landish <— LIVE!! AND #15 ON ALL OF AMAZON KINDLE! HE SHOWS UP IN HER VACATION CABIN!! “...I’m embarrassed and scared, but the bear spray might’ve been a bit overkill. Especially since this AirBnB mix-up is turning out to be the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Maybe. Cole Harrington is grumpy and mysterious, grunting out one-word answers and definitely keeping secrets. But he’s also got blue eyes that don’t miss a thing, broad shoulders that carry the weight of the world, and a smile you have to work for. And he seems to hate everyone… but me…”
• Thorns of Silence: A Dark Mafia Romance (Thorns of Omertà Book 4) by Eva Winners <— LIVE!!!
• The Shining by Stephen King <— HORROR SUPER-BARGAIN THAT SO MANY OF US LOVED!!!

Shayla: I would have to say The Shining. It totally creeped me out!

Kim: The Shining was terrifying…

Northernstar: I remember reading The Shining by Stephen King when I was just a teenager and I scared myself half to death! Ahhh, those were the days LOL.

Booklady: The Shining by Stephen King was a book that sent chills down my spine.

• October in the Earth: A Novel by Olivia Hawker <— LIVE!! HISTORICAL WOMEN’S LIT DURING THE DEPRESSION! SHE’S LIVING HER LIFE IN BOXCARS! “...Rumbling across America, Del is soon drawn into a transient community among outcasts—and finds a special friend in Louisa Trout. A nomadic single mother, Louisa teaches Del the ways of the boxcars and promises to help her reach a migrant enclave where Del can learn the skills she’ll need to survive. But as they move forward together under desperate circumstances, even the closest of bonds threatens to break. With the Depression taking its toll, Del must gather her strength and faith. As she carries on toward one unknown after another, her life becomes a fulfilling, sometimes dangerous, and exhilarating adventure…”
• Keep: A Grumpy Single Dad Romance (Fury Brothers Book 2) by Anna Hackett <— LIVE!! #9 ON ALL OF AMAZON KINDLE!! SHE’S NOW LIVING WITH THE GRUMPY SINGLE DAD! “…I always look on the bright side of things. Life’s too short not to. Super grump extraordinaire Colton Fury is the total opposite. Luckily for him, along with the muscled bod, tattoos, and rugged face, it works for him. When I start getting creepy calls at the office and someone breaks into my house, it becomes clear I’m a target, and Colt sort of…loses his mind. He turns even bossier and more protective. Now I’m living with him and his super cute daughter...”
• Emerald: Rojo Gems, Book 1 (Rojo 2nd Generation: Rojo Gems) by Cee Bowerman <— LIVE!!
• Jasha’s Baby: A Russian Mafia Romance (Antonov Babies) by Bella King <— LIVE!!
• You Said I Was Your Favorite (Lancaster Prep Book 5) by Monica Murphy <— LIVE!!! #48 ON ALL OF AMAZON KINDLE RIGHT NOW!! SHE TRIES TO GO UNNOTICED BUT HE NOTICES HER! “…Nobody in our class pays attention to the groundskeeper’s daughter and I think she likes it that way. Moving through the halls like a ghost, wandering across campus unnoticed. Am I the only one who actually sees her? Little Miss Daisy sitting in the front of the classroom, always the model student. Little Miss Daisy reading her romance books with the cute covers and hot content inside… I’m considered the reckless Lancaster so when I get in trouble on the first day of school, my punishment is having to work in the headmaster’s office every day, stuck with Daisy…”
• Shadow’s Darkness (Shadow Island FBI Mystery Series Book 10) by Mary Stone <— LIVE & #71 ON ALL OF AMAZON KINDLE!! SHE’S INVESTIGATING THE DEAD BODY THAT WAS HANGING… “…The scene suggests suicide—an unlocked padlock, a rope, a toppled bench, and the lifeless body. The plot thickens when they unearth the fact that the man’s high school love and former wife, claimed by cancer, lies buried close by. Surely, the man took his own life. Rebecca’s gut says otherwise. When she investigates the dead cybersecurity expert’s office the next day and interrupts a burglary in progress, things are suddenly not so cut and dried...”
• Secret Mafia Daddy: A Forced Marriage Romance (Alpha Mafia Daddies) by Kira Cole <— LIVE!!
• Irish by Brittanee Nicole <— LIVE!! SHE ESCAPES HER MAFIA MARRIAGE! “...the son of the Irish Mob would never be mine. I belonged to the Italians. And the moment my mother sold me to the head of the Italian Mafia, I became the one the people of Boston were warned about. The only person more feared than me in our city is the Irish Ghost. When I finally flee my marital prison with my sons and my sister in tow, I unwittingly run straight into the ghost of the Irishman who died in a fiery explosion years ago...”
• Be My Everything: BWWM, Clean, BBW, Plus Size, Small Town, Billionaire Romance (Curvy Girl Chronicles Book 10) by Jasmine Carter <— LIVE!!
• Dark Hunger: Vampire Romance by Melody Lynch <— LIVE!!
• The Liar by Nora Roberts <— DONNA LOVED IT!

Donna: The Liar by Nora Roberts was awesome. I gave it a definite 5 stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love the strong sense of family in this book.

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1. Forgot to Say Goodbye: He Falls First, Enemies to Lovers, Office Romance by S.L. Scott
2. Shadows of You (The Lost & Found Series Book 4) by Catherine Cowles
3. October in the Earth: A Novel by Olivia Hawker
4. Eclipsed Heart (Twisted Fate Trilogy Book 2) by Jen L. Grey

1. Notorious: A Medieval Romance (Age of Honor Book 5) by Tamara Leigh – October 21, 2023
2. Wilted Flowers (New Beginnings) by Sienna Grant – October 21, 2023
3. Sins Of The Father (New Beginnings) by Kate Bonham – October 22, 2023
4. Say My Name: A Dark Mafia Romance by Jenika Snow | Oct 23, 2023
5. City of Darkness (Underworld Gods Book 3) by Karina Halle – October 23, 2023
6. Twins for the Wild Orc: Sweet Monsters Treats by Michele Mills – October 23, 2023
7. The Duke Starts a Scandal: A Novel (Duke Hunt Book 4) by Sophie Jordan | Oct 24, 2023
8. Immortal Prince (Age of Vampires Book 2) by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti – October 24th 2023
9. Twisted Union: An Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance (The Moretti Mafia #2) (The Moretti Mafia Series) by Ivy Davis – October 24th 2023
10. The Cutthroat Countess (Wicked Women of Whitechapel Book 3) by Minerva Spencer – October 24th 2023
11. Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant – October 24th 2023
12. The Woman in Me by Britney Spears – October 24th 2023
13. Off Course (Brantley Walker: Off the Books Book 9) by Nicole Edwards – October 24th 2023
14. The Forever Pact (The Bachelors of Paradise Valley Book 1) by Jaimie Casey and J. S. Cooper – October 24th 2023
15. When a Dragon Falls (Embraced by Magic Book 4) by Kerrelyn Sparks – October 24th 2023
16. The Crossbreed Series Companion: An Insider’s Guide by Dannika Dark – October 24th 2023
17. The Elysean Academy of Darkness and Secrets (The Holy Bloodlines Book 2) by D.N. Hoxa – October 24th 2023
18. The Last Close Call by Laura Griffin – October 24th 2023
19. A Curse for True Love (Once Upon a Broken Heart Book 3) by Stephanie Garber – October 24th 2023
20. Always Orchid: A Novel (Goodbye Orchid Book 3) by Carol Van Den Hende – October 24th 2023
21. A Christmas to Remember: A Novel (Blessings Book 11) by Beverly Jenkins – October 24th 2023
22. The Duke Starts a Scandal: A Novel (Duke Hunt Book 4) by Sophie Jordan | Oct 24, 2023
23. Dust Born: A Small Town Shifter Romance (Cambio Springs Book 4) by Elizabeth Hunter – October 24th 2023
24. No Brainer (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 18) by Jeff Kinney – October 24th 2023
25. Cooking con Claudia: 100 Authentic, Family-Style Mexican Recipes by Claudia Regalado – October 24th 2023
26. A Curse for True Love (Once Upon a Broken Heart, 3) by Stephanie Garber – October 24th 2023
27. Never Happen to You (True Crime Junkies Book 3) by Christy Barritt – October 24th 2023
28. Too Far (Blacklist Book 2) by Sylvia Day – October 24th 2023
29. The Pioneer Woman Cooks―Dinner’s Ready!: 112 Fast and Fabulous Recipes for Slightly Impatient Home Cooks by Ree Drummond – October 24th 2023
30. The Christmas Cabin by Michelle Major – October 24th 2023
31. The Secret: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child – October 24th 2023
32. Spymaster by Bianca D’Arc – October 24th 2023