Free Books & Book Deals - October 13, 2023

October 13, 2023


Hello everyone and Happy Friday!! It's Friday the 13th so I hope this is a lucky day for you.

All books listed are either absolutely FREE or for under $2 (at least at the time I posted this). I apologize in advance if the sale is over by the time you found yourself here.

Please Note: I only list authors I've either read or plan to read. If you know of any deals that are missing that you'd like to share, that I'd probably enjoy, please let me know in the comments section below :)


FREE


Sweet Collection #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: forbidden

99c


The Road to Love #1
Genre: suspense
Trope: forced proximity

$1.99


Ultimate #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: second chance

$1.99


Body Armor #2
Genre: suspense
Trope: bodyguard

FREE


Montgomery Ink Legacy #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: second chance

FREE


Paradise Bay Billionaire Brothers #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: workplace

FREE


Love in Bloom: The Bradens
Genre: contemporary
Trope: boxed set

FREE


Love in Bloom
Genre: contemporary
Trope: boxed set

FREE


Love in Bloom: The Ryders #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: small town

FREE


The Lodge #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: forced proximity

99c


Pleasure House
Genre: dark
Trope: boxed set

FREE


Chicago Bratva #1
Genre: dark
Trope: mafia

FREE


anthology
Genre: dark
Trope: retelling

FREE


Seasons of Betrayal #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: mafia

FREE


The Devil's Kiss #1
Genre: dark
Trope: vengeance

FREE


Trails of Sin #1
Genre: dark
Trope: second chance

FREE


Lyonesse
Genre: dark
Trope: arranged marriage

FREE


anthology
Genre: dark
Trope: valentine horror

99c


Bad Boys Next Door
Genre: contemporary
Trope: workplace

99c


standalone
Genre: contemporary
Trope: small town

99c


Highest Bidder #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: forbidden

99c


Shame on You #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: second chance

FREE


standalone
Genre: contemporary
Trope: second chance

FREE


Love the Way #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: security

FREE


Merciless #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: mafia

FREE


Valetti Crime Family #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: mafia

FREE


Irresistible Attraction #1
Genre: suspense
Trope: enemies to lovers

FREE


Hard to Love #1
Genre: suspense
Trope: second chance

FREE


To Be Claimed #1
Genre: paranormal
Trope: fated mates

99c


The McGregor Brothers #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: friends to lovers

FREE


Dark Duet #1
Genre: dark
Trope: captive

99c


Misadventures #10
Genre: contemporary
Trope: sports

$1.99


Real #4
Genre: contemporary
Trope: sports

$1.99


Tangled #3
Genre: contemporary
Trope: instalust

99c


Misadventures #8
Genre: contemporary
Trope: sports

FREE


Alaska Blizzard #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: sports

FREE


Bishop Brothers #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: small town

99c


Feral Pack #1
Genre: paranormal
Trope: fated mate

99c


standalone
Genre: paranormal
Trope: forbidden

$1.99


Shadow Agents #5
Genre: suspense
Trope: protection

FREE


Trouble for Hire #1
Genre: suspense
Trope: protection

FREE


MINE #1
Genre: suspense
Trope: protection/second chance

FREE


Lazarus Rising #1
Genre: suspense
Trope: military

FREE


Bad Things #1
Genre: paranormal
Trope: instalust

FREE


Wilde Ways #1
Genre: suspense
Trope: brother's best friend

FREE


Phoenix Fury #1
Genre: paranormal
Trope: instalust

FREE


Ice Breaker Cold Case #1
Genre: suspense
Trope: vengeance

99c


Dark Protectors
Genre: paranormal
Trope: instalust

$1.99


Dark Protectors
Genre: paranormal
Trope: second chance

$1.99


Dark Protectors
Genre: paranormal
Trope: second chance

$1.99


Deep Ops #1
Genre: suspense
Trope: protection

99c


The Dark in You
Genre: paranormal
Trope: fated mate

$1.99


Mercury Pack #1
Genre: paranormal
Trope: enemies to lovers

$1.49


Treasure Hunter Security #1
Genre: suspense
Trope: protection

$1.99


Barkley Sound #1
Genre: suspense
Trope: military

$1.99


Fluke My Life #2
Genre: contemporary
Trope: instalust

$1.99


Hollywood A-List #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: forced proximity

Throwback Thursday // Single Parent Trope

October 12, 2023


Hey everyone and welcome to another Throwback Thursday!

Today I'm sharing with you the first five books posted on the blog with the Single Parent Trope. These stories can be hit or miss for me. Some authors do amazing things with these single parents and their kids. And some kids ruin the story.

Hey, don't give me that look!

Anyhoo, I do enjoy this trope and I hope if you haven't read any of the following books, you'll give one of them a try :)



Dissident by Cecilia London


After seeing some early reviews from some of my favourite readers about this series, I knew I had to try it. The Bellator Saga is a political thriller, full of romance and intrigue. I haven't read anything like it before or since, so if you would enjoy something unique, you should definitely start with book one of this series.

Find my review HERE



Lip Service by Simone Sowood


Knox is a single dad who doesn't know how to juggle being a great dad and dating. Avery was the woman to make him question everything. It was light and fun and I enjoyed all of the characters involved in the story. I love when the interactions seem genuine.

Find my review HERE



Blood Money by Tee O'Fallon


I enjoyed everything about this book. There's suspense, romance, and a single mom trying to keep things together. I love when I can find no wrong with the characters an author creates. I adored both Alex and Gray and I hope you do too!

Find my review HERE



Whisper of Love by Melissa Foster


I love books by this author and this one was no different. Melissa Foster has a warmth that is very evident in her writing. I wonder what she's like in person? This book was light and fun and an easy book recommendation to make.

Find my review HERE



Extra Credit by Poppy Dunne


I haven't read another book from this author since I reviewed this one and I'm wondering why. Seems I really enjoyed this story and I loved the main character, Chelle. Her love interest, single dad Will, was a sweetheart and there was a decent amount of heat involved too. There's humour with this romance and I think it would be great for those who enjoy romcoms.

Find my review HERE

Review // Does it Hurt? by H.D. Carlton

October 10, 2023

Does it Hurt? by H.D. Carlton

"You were always destined to be mine."


Does it Hurt? by H.D. Carlton

Does it Hurt? by H.D. Carlton


Rating - ★★★1/2
Genre - contemporary romance with suspenseful elements
Trope - enemies to lovers
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - several explicit scenes
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 432 pages

Who am I?

I've forgotten the answer to that question long ago. Ever since I ran from that house, so desperate to escape, I left with only the clothes on my back and socks on my feet. After that day, I've only ever walked in stolen shoes.

Could I be a girl who is searching for the meaning of life in faceless men? They were all so forgettable. Until he came along. He took me under a waterfall and made me forget my name, and in return, I took his instead.

Enzo Vitale.

An enigmatic man that will only ever love the deep sea. Or rather the predators that inhabit it. Turns out, he's not so different than the monsters he feeds. He lured me onto his boat like a fish in the ocean, seeking vengeance for my crime. Had I realized his intentions, and that a massive storm would leave us shipwrecked, I would've ran.

Now, I'm a girl who's seeking refuge in a decrepit lighthouse with a man who loathes me almost as much as he craves me. He wants to hurt me, but the old caretaker of the abandoned island may have intentions far more sinister.

It's no longer a question of who I am, but rather, will I survive?

Goodreads * Amazon


Does it Hurt? by H.D. Carlton

My Two Cents

He's a shark expert (predator) and she's a thief (prey).

I've seen this author's books all over the feeds from some of my favourite bloggers and knew I had to try something. The premise for this book sounded promising so I dove in...

And enjoyed myself... for the most part. This book is listed as dark romance, but it read more like a contemporary romance to me with some eerie bits.

"What happened to you does not define you. It only forged a new path that will take you to a different version of yourself. But no one can force you to walk that road; only you can determine who you will be once you get there. It's your choice who you become, Sawyer."

Here's what I liked:

✫ Sawyer and Enzo hooked up and it was amazing. So incredible that Sawyer found it hard, for the first time, to sneak out. But that wasn't the last time she saw him and I was thrilled with Enzo's vengeful plan.

✫ Enzo's dark side. This seemingly mild-mannered, smart and sweet man was hiding some demons and I loved when he let them out to play.

✫ Every time Enzo was mean to Sawyer. Most of it was well-deserved, some of it was unfair, all of it was entertaining.

✫ The connection between Sawyer and Enzo. It grew from hate, but it grew into something wonderful and I was a willing witness to their madness.


I didn't hate anything in this story, but I didn't really get the whole lighthouse setup. While I found it hilarious, when I knew it wasn't supposed to be funny, I didn't understand how we got there. While evading the creepiness of the mad man who lived there, Enzo and Sawyer had to work through their issues and somehow it was all intertwined. Did it make sense? Not really, but I still had fun.

No matter what was happening, I was paying attention and I'll definitely be trying this author again.

The Author


H. D. Carlton is an International and USA Today Bestselling author. She lives in Ohio with her partner, two dogs, and cat. When she's not bathing in the tears of her readers, she's watching paranormal shows and wishing she was a mermaid. Her favorite characters are of the morally gray variety and believes that everyone should check their sanity at the door before diving into her stories.

Visit https://hdcarlton.com for more information

Review // The Heretic Royal by G.A. Aiken

The Heretic Royal by G.A. Aiken

Annwyl suddenly bolted toward enemy lines, screaming the entire way. She started slashing her sword, cutting demons in half and quarters. The commanders fought back, but Keeley didn't know why. Because Annwyl just kept going. She didn't stop. Keeley wasn't sure the woman could stop.


The Heretic Royal by G.A. Aiken

The Heretic Royal by G.A. Aiken


My Rating - ★★★★1/2
Part of a series - The Scarred Earth Saga #3
Genre / Trope - fantasy Romance / royalty
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - one explicit scene
Source - Kindle Unlimited (Amazon)
Length - 338 pages

Other books in the series: The Blacksmith Queen * The Princess Knight

Ainsley Farmerson has always planned to break free of the family business—and the family drama. But what was once farming, smithworking, and bickering over the dinner table has turned into open warfare between sisters. Sides have been taken, lives are on the line, and Ainsley has no doubt which sister must be queen. She’ll do whatever is necessary to take down the soulless Beatrix. Even if that means joining forces with angry battle nuns, irritating monks, and overbearing centaurs.

Gruffyn of the Torn Moon Clan has no time for human beings. And yet . . . there is something about the uncontrollable princess that he can’t ignore. Maybe it’s the way her eldest sisters underestimate her. Or her bravery facing down dragons and mad queens from distant lands. Whatever the reason, Gruff is willing to fight by this human’s side. Not only for the entertainment value, but because she’s right. Beatrix must never be queen. So whatever he has to do, whoever he has to destroy, Gruff will battle beside Ainsley. Fast. Hard. And with absolutely no mercy . . .

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon


My Two Cents

I have to tell you something...
I absolutely LOVED Annwyl!!

I honestly forgot how ridiculous and fun and perfect this series is. The fantastical imaginings of the way this story is told makes me giggle and laugh uncontrollably. I'm constantly in a state of shock and awe, thinking to myself "Did they really just say that?" or "No way did they just do that."

Before I started this book, I remembered I left Keeley and friends being confronted by Annwyl and her dragons. I had no idea what would happen next and I could have never predicted what I found.

While this was primarily Ainsley's book with the aloof and grumpy Gruff, everyone had a huge part to play and still had prominent roles in how everything turned out.

The highlights (without spoilers):

❋ Ainsley was tired of being overlooked and underestimated and Gruff was determined to see her.

❋ Keeley realized that she had some hard choices to make when it came to her evil sister and Annwyl might just be the key. Shoot, Annwyl had some hard truths to lay down on her fellow queen. LOVED IT!!

❋ Gemma was suspicious of everyone (what else is new?) and wasn't looking to make new friends (or any friends).

❋ Annwyl was hilarious and most definitely the best part of this story. Sorry, not sorry.


If you love fantasy, tons of action, reasons to laugh, with a bit of romance thrown in, you need this series in your life!

The Heretic Royal by G.A. Aiken

The Author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author G.A. Aiken, Originally from Long Island, New York, lives on the West Coast and spends most of her time writing and making sure her rescued Pittie doesn’t love everyone into a coma. When she’s not writing about sexy dragons, she’s writing about sexy wolf, lion, tiger, and other fang-filled predators under the name Shelly Laurenston. Find out more about this New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors books at www.shellylaurenston.com.

Series Review // Sweet Addiction by J. Daniels

October 09, 2023


Today's flashback is the Sweet Addiction series by J. Daniels. This is a contemporary romance that reads more like a romantic comedy. It features a woman who decides to have a fling at her ex's wedding and it turns into the love of a lifetime. I absolutely adored Dylan and Reese, but I also fell for the other characters that made this series a five-star read for me.

Have you ever read these books? Are you interested?


Sweet Addiction by J. Daniels

Sweet Addiction


Wedding hookups never amount to anything.

Those who partake in this wicked little activity know the rules. Get in. Get laid. Get out. There's no expectation of a relationship. It is what it is.

Dylan Sparks knows the rules. She’s familiar with the protocol. And she engages in the best sex of her life with a complete stranger at her ex-boyfriend’s wedding.

Reese Carroll doesn’t care about the rules. He wants more than just one night with Dylan.

And Dylan finds him too addicting to pass up.

Sweet Addiction is the story of one woman’s struggle to keep things casual, and one man’s desire to never let her go.

My Review - ★★★★★

I'd like to start off with what I didn't like about the book, which was the conflict, misunderstanding, miscommunication, mis-whatever towards the end. I realize this happens in most relationships, but this truly baffled me because until then everything was pretty much sunshine and rainbows. I didn't find a damn thing funny about this part. I wanted to reach inside the book and give Dylan a good shake and tell her to please talk to the man! I gave this book a 5-star rating so obviously this didn't really take away from my enjoyment of it.

Ok, on to the good stuff...

Dylan baked the cake for her ex-boyfriend's wedding. AWKWARD!! She attends the wedding to ensure the safety of her masterpiece. Enter Reese. He's the gorgeous owner of the lap she falls onto. Banter banter banter and they end up having some HAWT wedding sex in the washroom. They start a casual monogamous relationship. I'm no expert, but I didn't know these types of relationships existed. I always thought it was either casual or monogamous. Go figure! Anyway, we can see from a mile away that these two were going to catch feelings. I was anxiously awaiting the moment when Reese would finally convince Dylan to move things to an actual bed. I was not disappointed. We see them go from commitment-phobes to commitment junkies and it's beautiful.

The side characters all fit into the storyline exceptionally well. I can't wait to catch up with everyone in book 2.

Dylan and Joey were hilarious together "Jesus Christ. It was way too early to talk about dick sizes and which way they curve." I pause. "But for the record, he's massive and as straight as you pretended to be in high school." LMAO!!


Sweet Possession by J. Daniels

Sweet Possession


A sassy, in-your-face baker. A panty-stealing, dirty-talking accountant. And a bathroom quickie that changed their lives forever.

Wedding hookups never amount to anything.

Unless that hookup knocks you on your ass.

For Dylan Sparks and Reese Carroll, the big day can’t arrive soon enough. Dylan, stressed to the max from overbearing mothers and last minute preparations, struggles to keep her sanity. As for Reese, he’s fighting to not only keep his bride-to-be safe from creepy investors, but also to make it to the actual wedding day without losing his mind in the process.

Throw in a crazy group of friends, and a bachelor/bachelorette party weekend getaway, and you have a recipe for the sweetest wedding of the year.

My Review - ★★★★★

I went into this book with very high expectations and Jessica Daniels nailed it! I'm not going to regurgitate the plot because the blurb pretty much sums it up. Dylan and Reese get married. Woohoo!! And we get to see all of our friends again.

Fave quotes:

"Nobody finishes what I start when it comes to that p**sy. Not even you. You come when I make you. And it will be happening on my c*ck and in my mouth, not on your fingers."

"I will never regret how I fell in love with Reese. I can't. Every single second of it was worth it because it led us to this."

"Everyone has moments in their lives which are superior to others. They become an obsession, your reason for living, and all my moments involve Dylan. The moment I saw her, standing at the end of the row next to Ian. Our wedding day, when she officially became mine. And now this."

"Goddammit Billy." (absolute favourite)

Now I'm going to finish reading the Alabama Summer series so that I can dive into Brooke's tale in book 3 - Sweet Obsession.


Sweet Obsession

Sweet Obsession


Everyone knows Brooke Wicks loves to have a good time.

She’s not interested in getting serious, settling down, or limiting herself to one man. So when she meets the sexy, irresistible Mason King, she sees another opportunity to let loose and go wild. But the gorgeous Aussie isn’t interested in just a quick fling with Brooke, and if she wants to get into his bed, she’s going to have to do it on his terms.

Loving fast and hard has always been Mason’s philosophy.

He doesn’t want a meaningless connection, he wants it all, and he wants it with Brooke. When she makes her one desire known—to hit it and quit it—Mason wages a plan to ensure Brooke keeps coming back for more. Or so he hopes.

Getting her attention was the easy part. Keeping it might be damn near impossible.

My Review - ★★★★★

4.5 sweet stars!!

I loved this book. Brooke was kind of annoying but I expected this from the previous two books. She's been annoying. I read this book for Mason. If not for him and Joey I wouldn't have liked this book as much. Joey in Chapter 20 slayed me. Mason was so sweet and I loved his "yeah" just as much as Brooke did.

Fave quotes:

“That tastes like glue,” she mumbles, wiping the back of her hand against her mouth. She shoots me a disapproving look. “You packed glue bars and shoelace, Mason. Congratulations, we’re going to starve to death.”

And Joey from chapter 20... “God, I am f*cking fabulous. Someone should really write a book about me.”
Yes. Yes, they should.