Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year to All!

    I’m so excited to see what 2017 has in store for my family, friends, and myself. These last few months have been crazy busy but in a good way as I transitioned into a new job and learning how to balance my life is now my new main task. But I’m not complaining one bit, nay I am extremely thankful for my new job, because I had been searching for a couple years and then just when I was at my wits end at the job I was working, God gave me exactly what I needed. 

    So looking over this last year I realized sure at the time I felt like I hadn’t accomplished much, but I read a lot and got to travel too. I loved that I traveled quite a bit with my sister and friends to places I’d been dying to venture to in and around LA. Seriously, singing out loud during packed LA traffic are the best moments. My health also took a turn for the better, helps when specialist can pinpoint things your regular doctor can’t. Oh and my other hobbies are beginning to flourish, well at least their shaping up into something to be proud of. 

     All in all, I’m happy to enter 2017, with my family, friends, books and camera. I'm ready to pack for trips I hope to squeeze in after a busy work week, but I really hope to hit my reading goals this year by reading more classics and history books I've had on my TBR list for waaay too long. I also hope to spend a lot of quality time with my family meaning my grandparents who are a lot older now and my kid cousins who aren't the babies I remember them to be. 

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My Goodreads Record:

Okay I know for a fact that I've read a few more books than just the novels I've pressed "Read", but I must sadly admit that my number of books read this year was smaller than last years. I completely blame it on my wanderlust and lack of a  proper computer for a bit.

Now a lot of amazing books were released over this past year and some series released their final novels. Those releases are always bittersweet because anticipation is sooo long, but once finished the realization that your beloved series is over sometimes sets in a book-depression. However, all good things must come to end, or else how can we cherish them if not for their beginning and subsequently their unforgettable ending. 

So listed below is a compilation of my favorite reads from the year and a mention of the various series that finished this past year.

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My Favorite Books Read In 2016:

Surprisingly enough most of these novels were released just this past year. Hope some of these books match your favorites from this year or bring you a new choice to pick up for the new year.

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PARANORMAL:

"Awakened Angel" 
(Soul Savers, Book 7.5) 
by Kristie Cook
Genre: Paranormal, Post-Apocalyptic, Fantasy. 135 pages
Price: $0.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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YOUNG ADULT:

"Nora & Kettle" 
(A Paper Stars Novel, Book 1) 
by Lauren Nicolle Taylor
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Social & Family Issues. 355 pages
Price: $3.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"Back of Beyond" 
(Complicated Love Series, Book 1) 
by Neeny Boucher
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance, Coming of Age. 316 pages
Price: $2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"See No Evil" 
(Brotherhood Trilogy, Book 1) 
by Jordan Ford
Genre: Young Adult, Sports, Romantic Suspense, Thriller. 244 pages
Price: $2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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NEW ADULT:

"Never Stop Falling"  
by Ashley Drew
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance. 288 pages
Price: $2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"The Sister Code" 
(D.O.R.K. Series, Book 2) 
by Haley Allison
Genre: New Adult, Music Fiction, Contemporary. 268 pages
Price: ebook N/A  (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

**Note: the D.O.R.K series is in the middle of a makeover but ebooks should be available soon.**

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Contemporary Romance:

"Yesterday's Tomorrows"  
by M.E. Montgomery
Genre: Romance, Mystery, Suspense. 290 pages
Price: $2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"Geronimo" 
(A Songbird Novel, Book 8) 
by Melissa Pearl
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Holiday. 218 pages
Price: $2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"In All My Wishes" 
(Riverbend Novels, Book 1) 
by Ciara Knight
Genre: Contemporary Romance. 188 pages
Price: $0.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"Shameless" 
(Dearest Series, Book 4) 
by Lex Martin
Genre: Contemporary Romance. 394 pages
Price: $2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"Follow Me" 
(Corrupted Hearts Series, Book 1) 
by Tiffany Snow
Genre: Romantic Suspense. 304 pages
Price: $1.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"Polaris Boxed Set: 
North Star and True North" 
(Book 1 & Book 2) 
by M.E. Montgomery
Genre: Romance, Mystery, Suspense. 582 pages
Price: $4.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"Last Chance" 
(A Second Chances Novel, Book 8) 
by L.P. Dover
Genre: Romance, Sports, Mystery, Suspense. 318 pages
Price: $2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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MYSTERY:

"The History Major"  
by Michael Phillip Cash
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense. 132 pages
Price: $1.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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Historical Fiction:

"Forget Me Not"  
by Allison Whitmore
Genre: Historical Fiction. 447 pages
Price: $2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"Time of Useful Consciousness"
by Jennifer Ott

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller. 286 pages.

Price: $0.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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Series That Ended in 2016

Some of these series I'd been following since the beginning, while some I found at the end. But all of them I'm happy to have read and will most likely re-read in the future.

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House of Royals Series

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

This is definitely a refreshing twist on the vampire genre. The female lead is royal vampire who is constantly concerned with matters of family, community, politics and learning to live. It's a great series and a spin off is coming soon.

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The Big Play Novels

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

As a new writer in the ya sports romance scene Jordan Ford, she brilliantly smashed the charts with "The Playmaker". Each novel is about a couple and the drama encountered is high school with issues such as race, social status, blackmail, bullying, friendship and of course love.

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The Risky Business Trilogy

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

The risk is clear when it's the main character who has to choose whom to trust. Two hot guys and she has to decide whom not only to believe but love as well. Ugh, wish I had her problems, minus the danger.

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The Patience Trilogy

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

This trilogy opened my eyes to an issue I knew about in thought but hadn't truly given more attention too. The main character endures sexual abuse and after turning in her abuser begins to find healing. It's her story process of healing and the strength it takes that really makes me want to be there for people who've faced similar situations.

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The Fire and Ice Series

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

This is a spinoff of the Kindred series and fans from that series will not be disappointed. The two leads make this series their own and let me just say Erica Stevens is great with writing about the supernatural and chemistry ;)

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Supernatural Chronicles: The New Orleans Collection

Set Collection Link: Click Here

Written as individual novellas by various authors, the story all revolves around a key plot and of course New Orleans. Each novella highlights a different supernatural group and a bit of their history. A project like this from these authors is amazing.

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Sydney West Novels

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

Simply put main girl doesn't do love or relationships, but loves sex and partying. The party time is reward for her good behavior and hard work at college, but when vacationing in Malibu-California, everything is fair game. Until one guy says no to her for once and shows her love could be a real thing.

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Love in the '80s: A New Adult Novella Anthology

Set Collection Link: Click Here

Novellas written but various authors chronicle the fantastic 80's decade by each year. It's great how contemporary the stories are even set in a time when it's all about scrunchies, spandex and shoulder pads.

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The Dark Cycles Series

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

This is YA but I'd definitely keep it upper YA. Dealing with angels, demons and other supernatural beings everything always seems unknown. The plot is complex and just a bit sinister when the hero finds he may not get his HEA.

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Make the Play Series

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

This series is the epitome of opposites attract theory. Amber Garda knows how to have her characters fall hard for people they think aren't or shouldn't be their perfect fit. Especially when the relationship brings tension to the baseball team.

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The Captive Series

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

For this series to end I honestly cried. The first novel "Captive" was the first novel I read by author, Erica Stevens, and I've been her fan ever since. So saying adieu to the characters and this dystopian world of vampires and humans fighting to coexist and survive was difficult.

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RELEASE $ALE- Puck Buddies Series by Tara Brown

FREEBIE

"Puck Buddies"
(Puck Buddies Series, Book 1)
by Tara Brown

Price dropped as of December 30, 2016

from $2.99 to FREE (that's a 100% Price Drop)

Book Link: Click Here

Book Announcement Post: Link Here

$ALE

"Roommates"

(Puck Buddies Series, Book 2)
by Tara Brown

Price dropped as of January 1, 2017

from $1.99 to $0.99 (that's a 50% Price Drop)

Book Link: Click Here

Book Announcement Post: Link Here

$ALE

"Bed Buddies"

(Puck Buddies Series, Book 3)
by Tara Brown

Price dropped as of December 30, 2016

from $1.99 to $0.99 (that's a 50% Price Drop)

Book Link: Click Here

Book Announcement Post: Link Here

NEW BOOK OUT!!- "Bed Buddies" by Tara Brown

!! NEW RELEASE !!

by Tara Brown

Author Links: Facebook, Blog, Twitter, Amazon and Twitter.

Penned Series: Blood and Bone Series, The Lonely Books, Born Trilogy, Crimson Cove Mysteries, imaginations, The Light Trilogy, The Devil's Roses, and The Single Lady Spy Series.

Book 3, in The Puck Buddies Series

"Bed Buddies"

Genre: Contemporary, Sports, Romance. 274 pages.

Price: $1.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

- SYNOPSIS -

Natalie Banks is exactly where she wants to be. 

She has a dream job in the city she loves. 

Her boyfriend is a sports god who worships the ground she walks on, and makes a mean plate of spaghetti. 

And her and her best friend have come up with something no one ever imagined they would. 

What more can a girl ask for? 

 Sami Ford is living the dream. 

She’s satisfied her parents as far as school is concerned. 

She has reinvented herself from a spoiled princess to a successful saleswoman making her own money for the first time. 

And she has a thing with the hottest Ranger in New York. 

How much more does a girl need? 

 But like they always say, when one aspect of your life is perfect, expect something else to fall apart. 

When death, a baby, and a proposal hit them all in the same week, fall apart becomes an understatement.

These best friends find themselves leaning on each other more than they ever have. 

 Bed Buddies!

<<<<<<<<<<<<<===============>>>>>>>>>>>>>
EXCERPT

Chapter 1: Dec. 31, 2015 (Natalie)

       The sea of boxes is daunting. “I think we have more shit than the last time we moved,” Brady groans and carries another box to the bedroom. “When I say we, I mean you.” 

       “The movers did offer to unpack, you said no.” I sigh. 

       “I don't need to pay people to do things I am perfectly capable of doing.” He’s grumpy from the last few days of travel, even if they won their previous three games and he scored twice. 

       “Brady, you’re traveling all week to and from games, we’re moving, and it was just Christmas. Can we finish this later?” I glance at my phone to see the texts from Sami. We haven’t spoken

since Christmas Eve, which has her texting me every tiny detail of her existence as if I’m a log book. We never fight like this so I want to text her back, but I need to make a stand on principle. The time catches my eye. “Mike and Liz are going to be here in six hours.” 
        “Then stop screwing around on your phone and finish the kitchen.” He laughs bitterly. 
        I lift my gaze, glaring at his back. “You’re sucking the joy outta this.” 
        “Says the girl who ruined Christmas by pouting for a week straight. Your mom thinks I’m doing something to make you this way, and I can’t tell her it’s just you and Sami, as usual.” He carries another box to the bedroom. 
        “I didn't ruin Christmas!” 
        He pokes his head out the doorway, giving me that look, the one where he’s going to say something shitty. “Really? You didn't pout and cry and hide in my bedroom playing NHL 16 against my brother for hours? That didn't happen?” 
         “Whatever.” 
         “You made us stay in a hotel because you refused to sleep at Sami’s on the off chance she came home unexpectedly.” 
          “It’s fine. I ruined Christmas. I get it.” I clench my jaw and start unpacking another box. 
          “Nat. Come on, babe.” He puts the box down and comes to me, sweeping me into his arms. “I don't want to fight.” He kisses the top of my head, taking a deep inhale. I want to push him away but the feel of him wrapped around me is exactly what I need. It’s calming and forces reason down my throat.
           He’s right. 
           I’ve been hateful for days. 
           “I’m sorry.” I say the thing I don't want to but have to. “I hate that I ruined our first Christmas.” 
           “Don't sweat it, Banks. We’ll have lots of Christmases.” He kisses again, lingering and breathing me in. He smells like deodorant and a bit of sweat. It’s him. The smell that gets me every time. 
           My hands drag up and down his chiseled back, slowly making their way forward to his chest. I slide them up his muscles, letting my fingertips dig in and scrape a bit on the way down. 
           He gets the hint I’m giving and makes the move I want him to. He lowers his hands to my butt, cupping and lifting me into his arms. I wrap my legs around him, letting him carry me to the bedroom, savoring the smell of him as he brings me to the bed. The new mattress is still covered in plastic but it doesn't stop us. 
           His lips make a trail from my neck to my cheek as he puts me down, stepping back and sighing. “Might be the best view I’ve ever had.” 
           “What?” The comment makes my cheeks flush more than the humiliation of ruining Christmas like a jerk. 
           “You in our bed, wearing my Superman tee shirt, in our apartment.” He bites his lip. “This is perfection.” 
           “Then stop staring and get over here.” I blush harder and reach for his belt, pulling him to me. He cups my face, like he always does, and lowers his.

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Now Available ....

"Puck Buddies" (Book #1)- Click Here

Price: $2.99 (at time of post)

"Roommates" (Book #2)- Click Here

Price: $2.99 (at time of post)
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FREEBIE Alert!! - "Fever"

"Fever"
(A Songbird Novel, Book 1)
by Melissa Pearl

Price dropped as of December 28, 2016

from $0.99 to FREE (that's a 100% Price Drop)

Book Link: Click Here

This is the first novel in the amazing Songbird novels, where music and romance meet in perfect harmony. Note: the novel can be read as a standalone, but you'll get hooked on the characters.