Rookie Move by Sarina Bowen is 99c! This is book one in the Brooklyn Bruisers series about a hockey team. Both Elyse and I have enjoyed books in this series, though I think we both agree that the second book, Hard Hitter is our favorite. Readers loved the second chance romance in this book, but found the pacing in the first half a bit slow.
The Book of M by Peng Shepherd is $1.99! This is a character-driven, near future sci-fi novel. One of my favorite book buddies say this is a book that starts of strongly, but drags around the middle. However, the writing seemed to be a major high point.
Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost is $1.99! This is the first book in the Night Rebel series, which is a spin-off of Frost’s Night Huntress series. I read this one and I found it to be a lot of fun. The opening scene is quite…memorable. However, as someone who never got into the Night Huntress series, I’ll admit there’s a learning curve with understanding the world-building. I also made a cocktail for this one!
Crosstalk by Connie Willis is $1.99! Carrie is a huge Willis fan, but this one really fell flat for her. She gave it a surprising D+ grade. There is also some great discussion in the comments. However, I’ve heard other readers talk fondly of this book. Which camp are you in?
Forgotten Sins by Rebecca Zanetti is $1.99. This is the first book in her Sin Brothers series. This is intense erotic romantic suspense with an amnesiac hero. Readers loved the balance of action and romance, while others found the heroine TSTL. If you’re looking to fill some gaps in your library, the other books in the series are on sale, or you can grab all four books for less than $10.
RECOMMENDED: Midnight’s Kiss by Thea Harrison is $2.99! This book is currently nominated for a RITA® in the Paranormal Romance category and received favorable reviews during our RITA® Reader Challenge.
There’s plenty of action between escaping and revenging and cleaning house. It moves along logically and nicely paced. You aren’t going to find yourself wondering why someone wanders off by themselves or doesn’t stay put when told to stay put. It’s pretty entertaining, but the real reason to read this is the relationship journey. I probably won’t articulate this as well as a more analytical thinker. The exploration of forgiveness and moving on after trust is betrayed is deeply effecting.
On its own, this novel isn’t the most amazingly unique example of the paranormal romance sub-genre, but it is part of a pretty dynamic series. The writing is solid; characterization, strong–especially Melly’s–and world-building, consistent and interesting. A reader new to the series could easily follow the plot, might well enjoy it, but might not get what the hoopla is about. I do reread my favorite books and series, so I expect to reread this one at some point. Hence the B+. However, there was no Good Book Noise™ wafting up from the old recliner as I turned the last page, so Midnight’s Kiss fell a little short of an A. On the other hand, I was smiling.
RECOMMENDED: Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger by $1.99! This is the first book in the Finishing School series, which both Carrie and I highly recommend. This is young adult with a steampunk historical setting. And would you look at that cover. Readers loved the creative, whimsical setting, though some expressed difficulty in reading a lot at one time. They had to take breaks every few chapters because of the overwhelming twee-ness. The book has a 3.7-star rating on GoodReads and, if you’re looking to binge read the series, the next two books are also on sale for $1.99. Curtsies & Conspiracies ( A | K | G | AB ) and Waistcoats & Weaponry ( A | K | G | AB | Au ).
The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen is $2.99! This is the first book in The Ivy Years series and was brought to our attention by reader Cat, who did some serious squeeing over this book:
As I commented on Sarina Bowen’s Facebook post about the sale, I devoured-yet-savored this like I would cheesecake. I whipped through this thing on a Saturday night because it was so engrossing but at the same time I just marveled at it, like, “How is this book so good?” Bowen does a great job of portraying disability in romance, and just likeComing in from the Cold she took a plot angle that makes the whole romance genre seem fresh again–I mean, I love the concept of genre and its constrictions and its tropes (I swear having a guaranteed happy ending is my favorite thing about romance, too many nasty shocks from mysteries and then of course fantasy…I’m a bit of a genre geek) but I love when authors can play with those tropes (cough Courtney Milan cough) or create something fresh and exciting even within various constraints.
Anyone interested? I know I am.
I picked up The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight because with a title like that I figured it must be geek-friendly. It turns out that it’s not very geeky, but it’s a cute YA that is entertaining and sweet. Statistical is told from the point of view of the heroine, Hadley, who meets Oliver in an airport. Hadley is seventeen and her parents divorced fairly recently (about a year or before the book … Continue reading The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
