STS #112 – Bought Borrowed & Bagged #62
Stacking The Shelves, hosted by Tynga’s Reviews is all about the latest additions to your library – virtual or actual, with books that are bought, borrowed, won or ARCs you will be reading soon. Bought Borrowed & Bagged is a homage to to Barron’s Books and Baubles from Karen Marie Moning’s amazing Fever series, and is hosted by Braine over at Talk Supe.
The first of December was a very good day for new releases, and it’s going to be really hard to decide which book to read first!!
Netgalley ARCs:
Fighting Dirty by Lori Foster – Thank you Harlequin HQN Books!
He’s the hottest MMA fighter in the game, but one woman is ready to try out a few steamy moves of her own in an unforgettable new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster…
With the life he’s led and the muscles he’s gained, Armie Jacobson isn’t afraid of anything. Except maybe Merissa Colter’s effect on him. It’s not just that she’s his best friend’s little sister. Fact is, she deserves better. Women pursue him for one night of pleasure, and that’s all he wants to offer. Until rescuing Merissa from a robbery leads to the most erotic encounter of his life.
Good girl meets bad boy. It’s a story that rarely ends well. But Merissa is taking matters into her own hands. No matter how he views himself, the Armie she knows is brave, honorable and completely loyal. And as past demons and present-day danger collide, they’re both about to learn what’s truly worth fighting for…
Sweet Ruin (Immortals After Dark #16) by Kresley Cole – Thank you Gallery Books!
A foundling raised in a world of humans
Growing up, orphaned Josephine didn’t know who or what she was—just that she was “bad,” an outcast with strange powers. Her baby brother Thaddeus was as perfect as she was flawed; protecting him became her entire life. The day he was taken away began Jo’s transition from angry girl…to would-be superhero…to enchanting, ruthless villain.
A lethally sensual enforcer on a mission
A threat to the Møriør has brought archer Rune the Baneblood to the mortal realm to slay the oldest living Valkyrie. Whether by bow or in bed, he never fails to eliminate his target. Yet before he can strike, he encounters a vampiric creature whose beauty conceals a black heart. With one bite, she pierces him with aching pleasure, taking his forbidden blood—and jeopardizing the secrets of his brethren.
A boundless passion that will lead to sweet ruin…
Could this exquisite female be a spy sent by the very Valkyrie he hunts? Rune knows he must not trust Josephine, yet he’s unable to turn her away. Despite his millennia of sexual conquests, he can’t ignore the unfamiliar longing she arouses deep within him. When Jo betrays the identity of the one man she will die to protect, she and Rune become locked in a treacherous battle of wills that pits ultimate loyalty against unbridled lust.
A Girl’s Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber – thank you Ballantine Books!
When Nichole discovers that her husband, Jake, has been unfaithful, the illusion of her perfect life is indelibly shattered. While juggling her young son, a new job, and volunteer work, Nichole meets Rocco, who is the opposite of Jake in nearly every way. Though blunt-spoken and rough around the edges, Rocco proves to be a dedicated father and thoughtful friend. But just as their relationship begins to blossom, Jake wagers everything on winning Nichole back—including their son Owen’s happiness. Somehow, Nichole must find the courage to defy her fears and follow her heart, with far-reaching consequences for them all.
Leanne has quietly ignored her husband’s cheating for decades, but is jolted into action by the echo of Nichole’s all-too-familiar crisis. While volunteering as a teacher of English as a second language, Leanne meets Nikolai, a charming, talented baker from Ukraine. Resolved to avoid the heartache and complications of romantic entanglements, Leanne nonetheless finds it difficult to resist Nikolai’s effusive overtures—until an unexpected tragedy tests the very fabric of her commitments.
Kindle Purchases:
Their Fractured Light by Amy Kaufman and Meagan Spooner – I actually got this both in hardback and for kindle… I love the Starbound series!
A year ago, Flynn Cormac and Jubilee Chase made the now infamous Avon Broadcast, calling on the galaxy to witness for their planet, and protect them from destruction. Some say Flynn’s a madman, others whisper about conspiracies. Nobody knows the truth. A year before that, Tarver Merendsen and Lilac LaRoux were rescued from a terrible shipwreck—now, they live a public life in front of the cameras, and a secret life away from the world’s gaze.
Now, in the center of the universe on the planet of Corinth, all four are about to collide with two new players, who will bring the fight against LaRoux Industries to a head. Gideon Marchant is an eighteen-year-old computer hacker—a whiz kid and an urban warrior. He’ll climb, abseil and worm his way past the best security measures to pull off onsite hacks that others don’t dare touch.
Sofia Quinn has a killer smile, and by the time you’re done noticing it, she’s got you offering up your wallet, your car, and anything else she desires. She holds LaRoux Industries responsible for the mysterious death of her father and is out for revenge at any cost.
When a LaRoux Industries security breach interrupts Gideon and Sofia’s separate attempts to infiltrate their headquarters, they’re forced to work together to escape. Each of them has their own reason for wanting to take down LaRoux Industries, and neither trusts the other. But working together might be the best chance they have to expose the secrets LRI is so desperate to hide.
Blood Kiss by J.R.Ward
Paradise, blooded daughter of the king’s First Advisor, is ready to break free from the restrictive life of an aristocratic female. Her strategy? Join the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training center program and learn to fight for herself, think for herself…be herself. It’s a good plan, until everything goes wrong. The schooling is unfathomably difficult, the other recruits feel more like enemies than allies, and it’s very clear that the Brother in charge, Butch O’Neal, a.k.a. the Dhestroyer, is having serious problems in his own life.
And that’s before she falls in love with a fellow classmate. Craeg, a common civilian, is nothing her father would ever want for her, but everything she could ask for in a male. As an act of violence threatens to tear apart the entire program, and the erotic pull between them grows irresistible, Paradise is tested in ways she never anticipated—and left wondering whether she’s strong enough to claim her own power…on the field, and off.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.
What Lou doesn’t know is she’s about to lose her job or that knowing what’s coming is what keeps her sane.
Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he’s going to put a stop to that.
What Will doesn’t know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they’re going to change the other for all time.
Unmasking Zach by Edie Danford – I couldn’t resist Lauren @ Shooting Starmag’s review!
The missing piece of the puzzle might be the one piece he can’t keep.
Before heading for grad school, Zach O’Malley needs downtime from his superhero-worthy schedule. Painting houses seems like the perfect summer gig for some mindless mellowing out.
There’s just one wrinkle in Zach’s Zen plan. Coworker Kirby Kurtcehajic, a hippie kid who starts hitting on him with happy and hardcore voracity three seconds after they meet. And has the ability to make his mind and body leap with a single smile.
Kirby would be the first to call himself a cockeyed optimist, but even he admits he’s had a tough year. After busting his knee, losing his cat, and accidentally demolishing his Vermont house, seducing way-too-serious Zach is the ideal distraction.
But when another spectacular mishap lands Kirby in crisis, Zach puts on his superhero cape to come to the rescue. And as boundaries dissolve, Kirby realizes he may be in too deep. Because the end of summer is coming, when Zach will be moving on, and Kirby will have to continue his quest for independence—alone.
Kindle Freebies:
Play With Me by Anna Katmore – it’s all Naomi’s fault, her review made me one-click!
What if you had to do the one thing you hated most to get the guy you loved to notice you?
Ryan Hunter’s parties are legend. And tonight she’s going to be there.
Lisa Matthews anticipates the return of her best friend and only love since kindergarten from soccer camp. But when Tony finally shows up, his mind is more focused on another girl. And worse, she’s a soccer player. Fighting for the attention Lisa craves, she’s just a hairbreadth away from making a very stupid decision. But when extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, she’s prepared to play ball to get her man.
The tryouts are hell, the first match ends bloody, and the morning after the selection party she wakes up in the worst place possible—in the arms of the captain of the soccer team. The hottest guy in school… Ryan Hunter.
Giveaway Wins:
I received more books from Lori Foster’s Thankful Thursday giveaway this week, and it was yet more nice surprises!
Christmas on 4th Street by Susan Mallery – Thank you, Susan for mailing this all the way to Europe!
There’s nowhere better to spend the holidays than with New York Timesbestselling author Susan Mallery in the town of Fool’s Gold, where love is always waiting to be unwrapped… Noelle Perkins just got a second chance at life, and she intends to make the most of every minute. That’s why she ditched a frustrating legal career to open her own store in Fool’s Gold, California. The Christmas Attic celebrates everything that’s magical about her favorite season. Business is booming, and as a bonus, gorgeous army doctor Gabriel Boylan has offered to help out during the holiday rush.
Gabriel’s memories of Christmas past contain more sour grapes than sugar plums, thanks to a drill sergeant father who ran his home like a boot camp. Spending the holidays with his family while he recuperates from injury sounds as appetizing as last year’s eggnog. Still, there are some enjoyable distractions in town, including sunny, sexy Noelle…and the red-hot mistletoe kisses they can’t stop sharing.
Gabriel didn’t think he was made for happily-ever-afters. But when fate hands you a love as sweet and surprising as this, only a fool could refuse….
Did you get some exciting-looking books this week? Remember to leave me your link so I can check out your Stacking the Shelves and or Bought, Borrowed and Bagged post, too 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! Have a spectacular Saturday.
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Lots of nice books! I’m so excited my review made you get Unmasking Zach. I really hope you like it!
I realized when I was adding Unmasking Zach to my GR shelf that I have read the first book in this series, Uncovering Ray, and I really enjoyed it, but that was after I had one-clicked because of your review 🙂
Have a great weekend, Lauren.
oh wow, you got so many amazing treasures here!!! I am planning on reading Blood Kiss soon. I really want to try out Susan Mallery and this title of hers is on my Christmas reading list this year. I have Fighting Dirty and can’t wait to read it. But I am watiing until I read the third book before I read that one. Trying to read the series in order hehe But oh Arnie….I CANT wait LOL. He is such a riot.
I know, I have some truly amazing books here, and it’s getting more and more difficult to choose which one to read first! I have Blood Kiss on my HW challenge list for next year, so that’s going to wait a few weeks.
I think you’ll enjoy the third book in the series, Renee, but I can totally understand that it’s hard to keep Armie waiting… I am so excited about his book, and at the same time, I try not to let my expectations get too high.
Thanks for stopping by.
Great haul this week! I still need to start that Lori Foster series… It’s been on my TBR forever :/ Next year I swear I’m going to request less ARCs so I can catch up on all of these older books that I want to read!!!
I tell myself every week that I should just stay away from Netgalley, Danielle… and you can see how well that works for me 😀
Thanks for stopping by.
Twitter: kbaby81
Thanks for reminding me that I need to read Me Before You. It’s been on my shelf since it’s release. All of these look great. Happy weekend!
I haven’t read any books by Jojo Moyes yet, Lekeisha, but my mom has hassled me for a while now, so I figured I’d start with that 🙂
Have a great weekend yourself, and happy reading.
I have so many books to choose from that I can never decide what to read next! Part of me wants to get into the paperbacks to hopefully clear some space on the shelves, but the other part thinks I should tackle the Kindle freebies as that would sort the tbr quicker! Arrgghh! Too many choices!
Ha! I have exactly the same ‘problem’ Chuckles. Not that this stops me from always getting more books 🙂
Great haul, Lexxie! I can’t believe book #3 of Starbound is out already. I’ve had the first book for a while now but still haven’t read it. I guess I really should at some point, right? 😀
Happy Reading!
Oh my goodness, Stephanie! Starbound is such an amazing series, I absolutely loved the first books, and I have high hopes for Their Fractured Light…
Thanks for stopping by.
Ooh very nice! Those are mostly new to me reads! Heard of a few of them like Their Fractured Light! Hope you enjoy each and every one of these!
My STS will be up tomorrow, so be sure to stop by then!
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
I am really excited about all of these, Jessica! Thanks for stopping by.
I also requested the Macomber book but who knows when I’ll actually get to it. Happy reading!
Tsuki’s STS
This is almost always a problem for me as well, Tsuki 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Twitter: Mollykatie112
So many good books! I really like the sound of Sweet Ruin and Me Before You in particular. Of course the BDB book would have been a given for me, except I still haven’t listened to The King so I am behind. Hope you enjoy your books!
I still haven’t read The King, either, Lorna. I still had to buy Blood Kiss, though 🙂
So many great ones!!! I have seen Sweet Ruin around a lot lately. I hope you love Me Before You. It is one of my favorites of all time. Also, can’t wait to see what you think of Their Fractured Light. Enjoy them all!
I love the Immortals After Dark series, Grace, so I am really excited about Sweet Ruin. And I have so many people who have told me I have to read Jojo Moyes, so Me Before You seemed like a great place to start 🙂
I’m super excited for Their Fractured Light. Going to read book two before my copy arrives in the mail. I want to read the BDB spinoff book. I’m excited, and yet, hesitant. The last few BDB books have been a bit of a let down for me. (Though I liked Shadows and The King a lot more than the ones before them.) I need a great book in this series to prove to me that it still has life and isn’t just about prolonging a series.
I’m reading that right now, and so far, it’s amazing! The second book in the series was great! I have to read The Shadows before I read Blood Kiss, but I hope it’ll be good. I agree that sometimes, we really need to see that the series is still viable, not just milking us for our money 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Great haul this week Lexxi! I can’t wait to read Armie’s book. I totally love his cover.
Hope you enjoy all your new reads 🙂
Here’s my StS
I love Armie – he’s been such a great character through this series. Thanks for stopping by, Andie!
Twitter: lattenightsbook
Debbie Macomber is a great author. I haven’t read books by her in a looong time. I used to love them. I haven’t read the series that Their Fractured Light is in but I’ve been wanting to so bad especially with those covers! I hope you have a good weekend! Thank you for stopping by my STS
I’ve only read a couple of Macomber’s books so far, but I really enjoyed them. Starbound is an amazing series, Gen, I hope you’ll read it one day 🙂
I’ve heard Me Before You is absolutely AMAZING!! I haven’t read it yet, though I hope to very soon. Hope you have a great weekend and enjoy your new goodies!! 🙂
I’ve heard great things about Jojo Moyes as well, Lisa, and I really look forward to Me Before You 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
I am a year behind in the Starbound series as I am buying the books in paperback. I just received my copy of the second book, so the third book will go on my pre-order list for next year’s releases. I really enjoyed the first book and am looking forward to continuing the series and the covers are so pretty!
Your other books look good too and yay that’s so nice the author mailed you a copy all the way to Europe, there aren’t many authors who do that. I can understand that as shipping costs are so crazy.
I was lucky enough to receive ARCs for the first two books, and I’ve already been waiting for a whole year for the third installment. I’m reading it right now, and it’s awesome so far 🙂
I was so happy to win books that authors mailing to me! It’s not very often I get physical books, because they are so expensive here. But shipping costs isn’t cheap either, so I feel like my luck is double.
Thanks for stopping by, Lola.
Twitter: talksupeblog
Have fun with Blood Kiss!
I can’t wait to delve into that one, Braine!
Wow you have terrific looking books!! I just read my first Lori Foster book-Jamie, and I am a fan of Susan Mallery. Still want to read Kresley Cole and just recently bought my first J.R.Ward book! Awesome week!!
I love, love, love Lori Foster! Of course, I look forward to all my new books – I’m greedy like that, Joann 🙂
Their Fractured Light has a lovely cover! I need to catch up with the series.
Great haul!
I love that whole series, Lyn, it’s so well done, and the sci-fi / space elements make me feel like I’m several hundred years in the future 🙂
Ohh lots of goodies. My mouse hovered over the download button for Fighting Dirty for awhile, but I resisted. I haven’t read the previous books yet and want to. And Their Fractured Light … I seriously need to get in gear and read the 2nd book.
Even if Foster’s series can be read out of order, I think especially Fighting Dirty will be more enjoyable if you know the back story. Of course, I haven’t started it yet, but what I know about Merissa and Armie make me quiver with anticipation, Christy.
I’ve tried 2 Moyes books and I really enjoyed them but I don’t think I’ve read this one. I hope you’ll enjoy all your new books my friend. happy reading!
I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed the Moyes books you’ve read, Melliane! I really look forward to it. Thanks for stopping by.
Look at all your lovely new books. Glad to see you bought the Hardcover and Ebook of Their Fractured Light. I’ve been doing that with a few series in the past. I still need to get current with this one but I hope to do that in January to many books this month to read. I also see a few I’m not familiar with that I need to check out. Have a great week and happy reading.
I just couldn’t resist the hardcover, Mandy. I need to get that for the other books as well – it will look so pretty on my shelves. Thanks for stopping by.
Sweet Ruin sounds good, hope you enjoy and have a great week.
I love that series, so I have a good feeling about Sweet Ruin, Brandi 🙂
Great haul! I’m kind of excited to get around to reading Sweet Ruin eventually, even though Cole’s books can be a little hit or miss for me.
I mostly enjoy Cole’s books, Samantha, but I’ve had a couple of misses, too 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
I still need to read The Starbound Series Lexxie, which is ridiculous considering how much I love sci-fi and how much praise the series has been getting! I need to fix that soon! Same goes for J.R. Ward really, I’ve heard so many good things…and I have a good feeling about his series 😉 Fantastic haul^^ happy reading and have a wonderful week! xx
You are going to love that series, Micheline! I just finished Their Fractured Light last night, and it was so well done, the perfect ending, even if I, of course, wanted more 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
Haha! I’ll cop the blame, I’m good like that!
Ooooh… Armies book! Might have to slip over and request that one!
LOL I know, right? I love how we gently nudge each other to keep adding books to our shelves 🙂
I’m so excited about Armie’s book, but I’m trying to wait a little bit before I start it, as the release date is in February.
You did haul in some lovely books, Lexxie. 🙂 The Macomber book sounds great – I’ve not read her yet. I have Me Before You on my shelf…have had it for a year and a half as James got it for me for my bday in 2014. :/ And I think I’m going to go check out Unmasking Zach. It sounds interesting!
I hope you had a wonderful weekend, my friend. I crafted all weekend – I’m going to be posting about it. 😀 Happy Monday! **BIG HUGS**
Unmasking Zach is in the same series as Uncovering Ray, which I really enjoyed 🙂 And I think you will too! It seems like this one can be read as a standalone, though 🙂
I have heard so many good things about Momo Joyes, so I look forward to Me Before You – another buddy-read mayhaps?
Happy Monday to you, too! *BIG HUGS*
I just added Unmasking Zach to my tbr – Uncovering Ray was already on it thanks to you. 😉
I’d love to buddy-read Me Before You…funny, I had the same thought. 😉 And I’m seriously considering using some of the same books you are for my Reading Assignment. It would definitely be more fun and motivating to buddy-read something we *have* to read. Right? <3
Oh yes! Using some of the same books for the HW challenge would make it even better! Maybe I’ll actually make it next year that way 🙂 I’m glad I could help you with that poor, dwindling TBR mountain of yours, Brandee. *BIG HUGS*
lots of pretties up there, hope you enjoy them. Can’t wait to see what you think.
It was definitely a good week for new books last week, Lily 🙂
You got some goodies 😉 I loved Me Before You! Happy reading.
I have heard so many good things about Moyes, and I figured this was a great place to start 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!