Well, If January is any indication of what 2026 will look like, I have a strong feeling this year will go by quickly. I blinked and damn near missed this month. I did get a lot accomplished this month though. Along with making a trip to my old used book store. Which brings me to my January book haul! Here are the books I bought this month!
Christmas Haul!
I just realized I forgot to post all the wonderful bookish things Mr. Man gifted me for Christmas this year! First off, I really wanted physical copies of How My Neighbor Stole Christmas and Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn! I was surprised to find them under my tree on Christmas morning! I was also surprised to find a bookish ornament and a bookmark holder that sits on my bookshelf! I adore everything he gifted me.
How My Neighbor Stole Christmas
(How My Neighbor Stole Christmas Series, Book One)
By: Meghan Quinn
kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4qFyckw
Physical Book: https://amzn.to/4qHlNg9
Synopsis:
A new holiday enemies-to-lovers romance from USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn.
Every Kringle in Kringletown celebrated Christmas a lot.
But Cole Black on Whistler Lane, unfortunately, did not.
As his fellow citizens decorate their quaint town, brimming with carols and glad tidings, Cole wants nothing more than to hibernate the winter away. But his dreary plans are thwarted when his Christmas nemesis, Storee Taylor, moves in next door to care for her Aunt Cindy. Immediately, the new neighbor turns his life into a real nightmare before Christmas, especially when she decides to enter the town Christmas Kringle contest in honor of Cindy. And better yet, Storee is determined to win.
Over Cole’s dead body, she will. With help from his friend Max, Cole decides to enter the competition as well, to beat Storee at her own game by pretending that this hometown grump’s heart has grown three sizes this season and he’s fallen for the girl next door. And unfortunately for Storee, she has to follow his lead to have a chance at the Christmas Kringle title.
But the competition isn’t the only thing that heats up. Cole and Storee’s fake relationship becomes very real, and before they know it, they’re attempting to hide it from Aunt Cindy. Things get complicated, the competition gets tough, and all it takes is one single night for someone to steal it all…
Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal
(How My Neighbor Stole Christmas Series, Book Two)
By: Meghan Quinn
kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/3NE69n9
Limited Deluxe Edition: https://amzn.to/4sZv58K
Synopsis:
*The limited deluxe edition comes with printed edges*
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn comes a brand new holiday rom-com with all the humor and heat her fans adore.
Nothing says I love you like trespassing, public humiliation, and a town-wide Christmas spectacle to win your crush back.
Atlas “Max” Maxheimer did not sign up for this. One minute, he’s anxiously trying to keep his family’s Christmas tree farm from imploding. The next? He’s passed out in the snow after getting clocked by a suspiciously strong bottle of soda.
Enter Betty: new in town, full of holiday cheer, and helping her uncle open a rival tree farm next door. Max is convinced she’s out to destroy everything Evergreen Farm stands for. Betty thinks Max might be one sleigh short of a winter parade.
Cue the holiday chaos.
Between blizzards, blown reputations, wildly misguided romantic plots, and one stolen ornament with a seriously tragic backstory, this small-town war turns into something far messier―and much more delicious―than either of them expected.
Physical Romance Novels I Added To My Shelf:
Now, back to my January Book Haul!
This past week Mr. Man, Mr. Man’s Mom, and I went to my favorite used book store and I found eight books to add to my shelf. I can’t wait for the chance to read them all!! Here are the books I bought.
The first one, Simply Mine by Laura Pavlov was one I couldn’t say no to! I love the new trend authors all over are starting with the sprayed edges! I can’t resist! The second book I picked up is Tied by Carian Cole! A year, or so, ago I brought home Torn by Carian Cole not realizing I didn’t have the second book to continue the series. I’m so happy I found Tied and can Finally read this series!! The third book was a surprise to me! I’ve been slowly collecting Meagan Brandy’s books and I found Tempting Little Thief in the used book store! Indie authors are often a surprise to find in this store, let alone Indie authors whom I’ve been searching for! I’m thrilled to have this book on my shelf! The Fourth book I picked up was another unexpected surprise! I picked up Unexpected Fate by Harper Sloan and when I brought the book home, I found it was autographed! I only paid $4.50 for this book! I’m excited to have more books in the Hope Town Series on my shelf. The Fifth book I picked up I had an ‘OOOPS I already own this book’ moment. That book being RUBY by V.C. Andrews. The Landry Family Series is one of my all time favorite series and my most reread series. I thought I had lost the five books in this series. When I saw a flawless copy of Ruby for $2.50 I had to pick it up…. only to find I still have this series and it was another I had lost. So I gave the book to Mr. Man’s mom who is trying to read more. Hopefully she will love it just as much as I do. And the last group of books are by Kimberly Kincaid. I picked up three books in The Line Series and a standalone quickie read titled Play Me. Another surprise, I brought these books home and found a happy surprise. All four books are also autographed! I only paid $7.20 for all four books! Overall, It was a great shopping trip!
Simply Mine
(Honey Mountain Series, Book Four)
By: Laura Pavlov
kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4pWpnli
Paperback Sprayed Edges Edition: https://amzn.to/4k1RqOU
Synopsis:
She’s looking for Mr. Right. I can offer her Mr. Right Now.
That’s my specialty.
He’s my best friend’s older brother.
He was also my teenage crush and completely out of reach.
But we had our secrets―moments that nobody knew about.
I’d tucked them away in a safe place, and that’s where I’d planned to keep them.
He’d moved to the city, and I’d moved on.
But now he was back in Honey Mountain for a few weeks.
And he’d found endless reasons to spend time with me.
What started out as rekindling our friendship turned into a different kind of… stroking the fire.
No pun intended.
It was temporary.
Just another secret that we’d keep between us.
Ledger Dane came with an expiration date.
He’d always been one foot out the door.
Why would this time be any different?
Tied
(All Torn Up Series, Book Two)
By: Laura Pavlov
kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4rblTwj
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3Z2rmcO
Synopsis:
My innocence was stolen when I was abducted at five years old. For eleven years I held on by clinging to childhood fairytales. I waited for a prince to someday save me and carry me off to a happily ever after.
I had no idea my savior would come as a scarred recluse, covered in tattoos, who can’t—or won’t—speak a word. Nevertheless, the moment our eyes met I knew he was the one. My prince.
With his bare hands, he killed the monster who kept me captive. But people have a way of distorting the truth when the hero looks like a villain. As it turns out, Tyler Grace is many things: A myth. An outcast. A nightmare. Haunted by tragedy, he lives secluded in the forest. Some say they see him ride through town at night—straddling a black motorcycle, his face covered by a skeletal mask.
I’ve been warned to stay away, yet I can’t stop thinking about him. I ache to hear his voice. And I want nothing more than to break through his walls. I know he’s the only one who can break through mine.
Do we dare dream of a love that once felt impossible to find? Or will only our horrible, twisted past tie us together?
Tied is book two in the All Torn Up series but can be read as a standalone novel.
Tempting Little Thief
(Girls Of Greyson Series, Book One)
By: Meagan Brandy
kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4q0csij
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3Zxnelc
Synopsis:
From USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Meagan Brandy comes an all-new forbidden romance featuring a possessive hero … who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
I fell for a man I’m not allowed to have…
He’s rough, rugged, and utterly unpredictable.
He’s not cautious or contemplative. He’s a volcano. Silent and steady one second, and a complete nightmare in the next.
But that’s not the worst of it.
This guy? He’s an outsider and in my world outsiders don’t belong.
They’re unwanted, unwelcome and known to disappear without a trace, yet he doesn’t seem to care.
After one night of reckless rebellion, the tattooed tyrant keeps coming back, sneaking into my world without permission, and causing trouble I can’t allow.
I should end this now before my father discovers his existence and does it for me, but he won’t allow it.
He says, like it or not, I’m his now, that nothing and no one will stand in his way.
Not even me…
Unexpected Fate
(Hope Town Series, Book One)
By: Harper Sloan
kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4k1SIte
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4k27ksL
Synopsis:
Have you ever felt like you were living your life for a future that was predetermined? Like there was some bigger picture you just prayed you would someday see clearly? That picture has been crystal clear to me since I was old enough to recognize it for just what it was.
Or I should say recognize him for who he was.
I’ve loved Cohen Cage since I was a small child. He’s been my everything for the last twenty-two years. I’ve loved him through every girlfriend he’s ever brought home. Through his college years and then mine. I’ve loved him through two deployments. And ever since the day I told him how I felt, he’s acted like I’m a stranger.
My name is Danielle Reid, and it’s time for me to get my man.
Our future is an unexpected fate, and no matter what our parents, siblings, and friends say…it’s going to be worth every second of the fight to make it happen.
**This book is a standalone, HEA, with mature themes and sexual situations**
Ruby
(Landry Series, Book One)
By: V.C. Andrews
kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4q1uwZk
Paperback: https://amzn.to/46d1crD
Synopsis:
An innocent bayou girl lost to New Orleans. One of the most popular storytellers of all time, V.C. Andrews (Flowers in the Attic, My Sweet Audrina) layers psychological suspense with sheer terror in this provocative first book of the classic Landry Family series.
Even in the heart of the bayou, innocence can’t last forever….
The only family Ruby Landry has ever known are her loving guardian Grandmere Catherine, a Cajun spiritual healer, and her drunken Grandpere Jack. Although thinking about her dead mother and mysterious father sometimes makes her feel as sad and solemn as the wind sighing through the Spanish moss, Ruby is grateful for what she has. Her life is filled with hope and promise, especially when her attraction to handsome Paul Tate blossoms into a wonderful love affair. But Paul’s wealthy parents forbid him to associate with a poor Landry, and Grandmere urges Ruby to focus on her dream of becoming a great painter.
An uncertain future looms….
A shocking scheme of blackmail and deception comes to light when Ruby sees her father for the first time in a faded photograph. Stunned and devastated when Grandmere dies soon after, she is left to seek out an explanation on her own. Finding her father in his massive New Orleans mansion, Ruby is quickly subjected to his world of lies, torment…and madness. Still, she clings to her memories of Paul—for only true love might be able to save her now.
Play Me
By: Kimberly Kincaid
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/4q7vAe6
Synopsis:
As the daughter of rock and roll’s most notorious producer, Sophie Drayton has seen enough bright lights and big city to last ’til she’s ninety.
Now that she’s ditched the wild life in LA to pursue her passion for books, she wants nothing more than to live on the straight and narrow and spend a quiet Christmas alone.
The last thing she needs is the attention of a cocky bad boy stripper—no matter how sexy his smile is.
Emilio Barrett knows all about cover-ups. After all, his job is just one act after another. He can tell there’s more to feisty, guarded Sophie than she lets on.
But Emilio has secrets of his own. When Sophie’s past collides with his truths, will Sophie’s defenses win out, or will Emilio prove that a bad boy can also be a good man?
Love On The Line
(The Line Series, Book One)
By: Kimberly Kincaid
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/4qJqK8f
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3NvUu9Z
Synopsis:
Violet Morgan puts the personal in personal chef, catering to clients who want the full cooking experience rather than a culinary drop-and-dash. But when her brother’s police detective partner is injured in the line of duty and needs help during recovery, she makes an exception. Violet lost her father to the job seven years ago, and worries for her brother’s safety every day. The last thing she wants is to get up-close with her brother’s career-cop partner…again.
For Noah Blackwell, being a detective isn’t just a lifestyle, it’s a legacy. So when he’s forced to take mandatory leave and deal with the trauma amnesia keeping him from identifying his shooter, it’s as if insult and injury have joined forces— and now he’s got to deal with an unwanted caregiver on top of it. Never mind that he and Violet shared a steamy, secret kiss last New Year’s Eve. She rejects everything related to the job, and Noah’s not about to be distracted from recovering his memory and getting back to what he does best. No matter how pretty Violet is.
Despite their differences, Violet and Noah share a surprising bond in the kitchen that grows into something neither of them expect. But as Noah heals and their feelings for each other extend from the kitchen to the bedroom, Violet knows she must make an impossible choice. She may wear her heart on her sleeve in the kitchen, but can she put love on the line?
Outside The Lines
(The Line Series, Book Three)
By: Kimberly Kincaid
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/4q1uWPo
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3O2UvSM
Synopsis:
As an Ivy League ER doctor who eats double shifts for breakfast (and lunch…and dinner), Blake Fisher has little appetite for anything other than work. Being on the staff at Brentsville Hospital means taking care of people, a need Blake understands all too well from losing his brother to cystic fibrosis eight years ago. When he’s asked to coordinate a carnival fundraiser for the cause, he jumps at the chance to help others with the disease…until it lands him side by side with the one woman he never thought he’d see again: his ex-fiancée.
Streetwise and rough around the edges, Jules Shaw is no stranger to earning a living through hard work. But when her job as the restaurant manager of Mac’s Diner puts her shoulder to really broad shoulder with Blake Fisher, she nearly balks. She’d rather dodge and deflect than admit the real reason she broke things off, but the catering contract for the carnival means big business for Mac’s, and feeding people is Jules’s lifeblood.
As Blake and Jules join reluctant forces, they quickly rediscover the spark between them. But the possibility of a future together hinges on coming clean about the past, with potentially devastating consequences. Can Blake and Jules overcome their drastically different backgrounds and learn to love again, or will they always be outside the lines?
Pushing The Line
(The Line Series, Book Four)
By: Kimberly Kincaid
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/3Ly6U0r
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4pZnap8
Synopsis:
Free-spirited artist Harper McGee is happy to go wherever the wind takes her…until her flight pattern sends her back to Brentsville, New York for her beloved grandmother’s funeral. Harper’s grief turns to shock, however, when she discovers her grandmother has named her sole proprietor of her candy shop, Luscious. But she has no intention of being anchored to one place, and anyway, she doesn’t know the first thing about running a kitchen or a business. Selling Luscious is the only viable option— until the shop catches fire due to old wiring. Fixing the damage requires major work, and if Harper wants to put it on the market, she needs major help.
Thrill-seeking firefighter Aaron Fisher has never walked away from a challenge or a friend. So when a fellow firefighter is hurt on a call and can’t complete a side job for his contracting company, Aaron’s quick to jump in. He’s done plenty of fix ‘er ups for his buddy in the past, and despite his silver spoon upbringing and his no-holds-barred attitude, swinging a hammer suits Aaron just fine. That is, until he discovers the client is the same impetuous woman he forcibly dragged from the flames of Brentsville’s local candy shop.
The more time Harper and Aaron spend at Luscious, the hotter their attraction burns, daring them both to shed their tough outer layers to reveal the tender desires beneath. But when a buyer makes Harper the offer of a lifetime, she must choose between roots and wings. Can two people who live in the moment learn to see past the moment, or will Aaron and Harper always live their lives pushing the line?
My kindleunlimited Shelf:
My KU shelf isn’t quite full but it’s close enough. I have fifteen books I’m really looking forward to reading soon! I’m hoping I can knock all of these books out by March! We shall see!!
Adriana Locke – Play Me | kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4sXuvbF
Adriana Locke – Try Me | kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4tgZ24v
Tijan – A Hateful Negotiation | kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4jZlD17
Kristen Callihan – Only On Gameday | kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/3O52Ghm
Lex Martin – Burning Skies | kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4aewXTG
Corinne Michaels – All Too Well | kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4pWi2lG
Corinne Michaels – Here And Now | kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4qL54Zi
Corinne Michaels – Against All Odds | kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4k29toj
Corinne Michaels – Come What May | kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4qDKeLc
Kristen Ashley – Smoke And Steel | kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/46c2wLk
Chantal Fernando – War | kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4sUEtdX
Chantal Fernando – Haze | kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4rboUwD
Chantal Fernando – Lore | kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/3O40K8T
Chantal Fernando – Skull | kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/4q1TPL1
Sadie King – Wild Child | kindleunlimited: https://amzn.to/49DCSl4
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Peace Love and Happy Reading,
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