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Special Offers (Coursodon Dimension Series #1)

by M.L. Ryan (Goodreads Author)

4.16 of 5 stars 4.16 · rating details · 51 ratings · 35 reviews

Hailey Parrish is quick-witted, irreverent, and hasn’t had a date in three years. She only wanted an eBook reader because her collection of paperbacks threatened to take over her small living space. Little did she know that the "special offers" that prompted the purchase included much more than a reduced price in exchange for a few ads. The device came pre-loaded with the...more

Paperback, 1, 217 pages

Published February 11th 2011 by Running with Scissors Publishing

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Apr 22, 2013 Sheri rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, reviewed

I think my Kindle is defective. It didn't come with a man. Maybe I should send it back.

The thing I loved the most about Special Offers was the characters…no the quirky humor…no the inventive storyline…I'll have to get back to you on that. Long story short, I loved this book. I knew from page one that I was going to like Hailey. First of all, she has this sarcastic wit going on. She made me laugh through the entire book. I loved being in her head. Second, she is a book hoarder, so I can relate t...more

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Apr 17, 2013 Stacy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: r2rs, favorites

If you just heard the unearthly wail of someone screaming “NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”, then you were probably in the near vicinity as I finished up my latest R2R adventure, Special Offers by author M.L. Ryan. Damn you, Ms. Ryan. But let me start at the beginning…
I received this book for free through my online book club Goodreads, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are mine, all mine.
An avid book reading, sexually frustrated, chinchilla milker (no, that’s not a typo) name...more

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Mar 16, 2013 Drako rated it 5 of 5 stars

So, this book is written from the point of view of the main character, Hailey, who is a 30 year old woman three years removed from a divorce with a fairly boring life. She's become complacent, working a stable job and associating with coworkers, but no longer dating after a failed marriage that ended horribly (and frankly her ex husband should be thrown off a cliff). She's an avid reader and finally decides to join the new age by purchasing a kindle at the reduced price, the basic one with speci...more So, this book is written from the point of view of the main character, Hailey, who is a 30 year old woman three years removed from a divorce with a fairly boring life. She's become complacent, working a stable job and associating with coworkers, but no longer dating after a failed marriage that ended horribly (and frankly her ex husband should be thrown off a cliff). She's an avid reader and finally decides to join the new age by purchasing a kindle at the reduced price, the basic one with special offers on it.
Upon receiving it, she gets a slight shock, which she thinks is static. Then she receives strange calls from a person claiming that she'd called him, when she'd made no calls at all. On her morning run, she meets a man named Alex, who she encounters again at a bar one night and for the first time, hears a strange male voice in her mind. This freaks her out and she runs, only for Alex to follow and she is brought into a world she'd never dreamed of. The voice in her head is Sebastian, something like a detective from the alternate world, in charge of hunting down others of his kind, Courso, that violate their laws. Alex is his partner and apparently Hailey had really made those calls, only Sebastian was in control and she had no memory of it. So through some means they now have to find Sebastian's body to get him back into it.
Along the way, we are treated to the personalities of the three main characters. Sebastian is the average single male, I suppose, very sexually active and never exclusive with a seriously high sex drive that makes some awkward moments for Hailey. Hailey is a natural smartass, which makes me love her more. Alex is a bit old school but charming and loyal. We discover that Hailey actually gets Sebastian's urges,which translates to her eating and drinking things she normally wouldn't, and also having to deal with his overactive libido. It makes for some hilarious moments before we hit the seriousness of getting Sebastian's body back and the struggle.
The only thing I had a problem with is the cliffhanger ending. Now I absolutely must read the next book because I didn't see that ending coming.(less)

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Nov 26, 2012 Fran rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Special Offers
M.L. Ryan

Before taking off for work Hailey Parrish decides to answer her emails. Just how dangerous can that be? Well, Hailey loves to read and she’s what you might call a book hoarder. Her shelves are filled with books and her ability to part with them non-existent. What better way to save money and conserve space then to do what so many others have done and purchase a Kindle eBook reader? Living in a confined space and barely making it over to the bathroom without having to climb...more

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Oct 13, 2012 Heather Boustead rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, humour, romance, paranormal, science-fiction

Special Offers
By M.L. Ryan

Divorcee Hailey Parrish has been single for three years and has no interest in men, compulsive book hoarder she decides one day to buy a kindle; once she does she is bombarded by men. The kindle that she bought for a reduced price with “special offers” comes fully installed with a man who takes over residence inside her body until he can get back to his own.

This is such a funny book! I of course had to read it after the author approached me, I mean a man in a kindle wh...more

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Jul 29, 2012 Critique de Book rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Title: Special Offers
Author: M.L. Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Running With Scissors Publishing (February 10, 2012)
Available: $0.99
Rating: 5+ stars
Rater: Dihanna

From the publisher:
Hailey Parrish is quick-witted, irreverent, and hasn’t had a date in three years. She only wanted an eBook reader because her collection of paperbacks threatened to take over her small living space. Little did she know that the "special offers" that prompted the purchase included much more tha...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 22, 2012 Amanda P rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance, own-as-an-ebook, paranormal-urban-fantasy, review-copy-provided

I was delivered a pleasant surprise with this book. I was contacted by the author for a possible review. After reading the description there was some slight hesitation but mostly intrigued by the trapped in a Kindle concept. I figured it could either go well or horribly wrong and I was intrigued enough to find out. It turned out to go well! ML Ryan took what could have easily been a very cheesy concept and turned it interesting. Sebastian on the verge of death transferred his spirit into an elec...more I was delivered a pleasant surprise with this book. I was contacted by the author for a possible review. After reading the description there was some slight hesitation but mostly intrigued by the trapped in a Kindle concept. I figured it could either go well or horribly wrong and I was intrigued enough to find out. It turned out to go well! ML Ryan took what could have easily been a very cheesy concept and turned it interesting. Sebastian on the verge of death transferred his spirit into an electronic device which due to technical issues ended up transferring him to a Kindle manufacturer and then shipped to Hailey when she ordered a “Special Offer” kindle. The whole Kindle aspect turned out to be a very small but pivotal detail of this entertaining tale.

At first it took me a moment to get used to the point of view, it’s told from Hailey’s point of view but much like a person actually telling the story out loud so there are a lot of “I”s and “Then I”. After a few chapters I got with the flow and it no longer bothered me. The story itself was humorous and entertaining, I found myself in turns laughing and finding myself caught up in the multidimensional world that Ryan built. The story line moved along quickly and you found yourself wrapped up in what was going on. I never found myself bored with the story line and it kept me up later then I should have been and I was eager to pick the story back up the next day. Too many times I put a book down for the night without much enthusiasm to pick the story back up the next day. Those books generally get left behind, so I am happy to report this was not the case here. I was eager to return to the story and was not disappointed.

Sebastian instead of being intrusive was a humorous addition to this motley “threesome” he butted in when appropriate and added to the conversation and the laughs and never stole the show. His character was well written and was a great compliment to the characters dynamic. Alex was everything you want your hero to be; he was sweet, understanding, and thoughtful. When he warmed her side, I definitely had an “Aw” moment. He was very supportive of Hailey and patient. He managed to be sensitive but still remain a hard a$$, this man is no push over and can handle himself in any situation. You don’t get to know him as well as you get to know Hailey and even to some extent Sebastian, because you are never in his head which is a shame. I would have liked to have felt like I knew him a bit better, what makes Alex tic and what are all of his talents; however, overall he was quite likeable and enjoyable. I always like to get at least a little bit into the males head.

Hailey is our center stage in this book, after a failed marriage she is unsurprisingly gun shy. She hasn’t even had a date in 3 years. When she meets Alex she is a bit on the weary side; after her marriage she is not quick to trust any man, even when she wants to with all of her heart. She is sweet, shy, but does not lack a back bone. Since her divorce and job change she has been in a state of limbo, while content she doesn’t quite know what to do next. Hailey is on a path of self discovery in this book; by the end she discovers what exactly she is capable of. I don’t think you will be disappointed in what she discovers. Overall, I enjoyed Hailey and this book. I will be reading book 2 whenever it comes out, I enjoyed it that much. I would suggest snatching this book up at amazon or smashwords, I believe it is a bargain at $0.99.
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Apr 13, 2013 Lissette rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Hailey Parrish is content to live her life just the way she wants it. Her old-fashioned ways suit her just fine. There's no need for her to upgrade to the current technological age. Until the moment she finds she has no room in which to store any more of her books. Books are her passion. The smell of one, the feel of the tender paper between her fingertips, and the overall contentment she feels when she holds one between her fingers is unlike anything she's ever known. Unfortunately, she has no...more Hailey Parrish is content to live her life just the way she wants it. Her old-fashioned ways suit her just fine. There's no need for her to upgrade to the current technological age. Until the moment she finds she has no room in which to store any more of her books. Books are her passion. The smell of one, the feel of the tender paper between her fingertips, and the overall contentment she feels when she holds one between her fingers is unlike anything she's ever known. Unfortunately, she has no more free space for more.

Deciding to cave in, and get herself a new Kindle, Hailey never imagined just how much trouble owning one would bring. Still, she needs her book fetish taken care of, and the Kindle will provide her with as many books as possible for less than what she currently pays for books. The thought of immersing herself day in and day out in her new books is pleasing, something she looks forward to immensely.

When the new device arrives, Hailey is more than happy to test things out. The device is certainly easy to manage, and allows her to take it anywhere. As she begins to start feeling poorly, she thinks nothing of it. In her mind, she's coming down with something unexpected. Such sicknesses can be overcome, and she's determined to do just that. Deciphering what she's ailing from, however, is another matter entirely. Yet never once does she consider that what's wrong with her might just pertain to the supernatural.

A chance encounter soon confirms her suspicions. She's possessed by an unknown entity, one who's intent on getting back to his own body. With the help of her new friend, Alex Sunderland, Hailey is determined to send Sebastian Kess back to where he belongs, once and for all. Unfortunately, he likes where he is for the moment, and doesn't seem to be keen to leave her body just yet. She, on the other hand, wants him gone completely. The thought of having someone else see what she sees, and hear what she hears, is daunting, something she can do without. Sending him home, unfortunately, is going to take some doing. Most especially when opposition comes at her and Alex from every side.

A heart-warming paranormal read, Special Offers is definitely a unique book in itself. The thought of a possessed Kindle is honestly something that's possible, though not in a good way. I say this because I do believe in the supernatural, and grew up being privy to so many things that make you go 'Hmmm'.

Hailey is just like any other girl, content with the simplicities of life. Sometimes, though, we all need to catch up to speed on technological advances. Granted, doing so is always daunting, and getting used to such things does take awhile. I did note a couple spots where the editing, (punctuation, mostly), needed to be fixed, but it wasn't a lot that detracted from the story itself. A quick read, Special Offers is one of those books you'll enjoy no matter what you're doing. (less)

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Apr 17, 2013 Danielle Forrest rated it 5 of 5 stars

The concept behind this book intrigued me from the very beginning when I first heard about it. Then I hosted it for a book tour and got an excerpt from the book and burst out laughing. I just had to read the book.

The author has this innate tendency to draw the improbable and flat out strange and make you laugh. But it's not just a comedy or satire. The author also does a very good job with romance and action scenes. This book was very well rounded and I ended up immediately going out and buying...more

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Oct 17, 2012 Laura Thomas rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The first thing that popped into my head when I read it was a genie in a magic lamp!

I thought, Wow, a new take for an old tale. I thought it was quite creative. Don’t know if that was the authors basis, but it works for me.

From the beginning I knew I liked Hailey. She is so normal and genuine. I could relate to her, right down to her eating habits. I too stand at the kitchen sink and chow down sometimes. When you are cooking for one, why make a mess at the table to clean up. And her daily routin...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Annette M Guerriero Nishimoto rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Today's review is on Special Offers by M. L. Ryan

This short 170 page book offers a fresh new twist on the paranormal genre. It's a bit like Mission Impossible meets The Body Snatchers without the gore and violence. Yes it has a some romance, but it is not the total focus of the story. What it is, is a page turner that will keep you fixed to your seat until you reach the very end.

The main character; Hailey Parrish, is a 30-year-old divorced woman who hasn't been with a man for about three years....more

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May 21, 2012 Elise Marion rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book at first. When reading the description, I felt that the premise was unique; I'd never come across another book quite like it. But I also knew that the execution would have to be just right or the story could go horribly wrong. Fortunately, the author hit the nail on the head in her execution of this story and I enjoyed it immensely!

I don't usually like the first person point of view in a romance, but for story it worked! Hailey's voice is refreshingly...more

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Feb 20, 2013 Tami rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I received a complimentary copy of Special Offers to read and review. I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I read the synopsis and came across words and phrases such as “pre-loaded with the essence of Sebastian Kess…” and “magical abilities” and “parallel dimension” and my first thought was that this was going to be one far-fetched story. As I began to read, more things came up that just seemed unbelievable. Then, something happened. I began to believe. The author has this way of weaving far-out...more I received a complimentary copy of Special Offers to read and review. I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I read the synopsis and came across words and phrases such as “pre-loaded with the essence of Sebastian Kess…” and “magical abilities” and “parallel dimension” and my first thought was that this was going to be one far-fetched story. As I began to read, more things came up that just seemed unbelievable. Then, something happened. I began to believe. The author has this way of weaving far-out ideas with logical explanations that had me saying more than once, “huh…well I guess that could happen.” The character development was great and I liked the main character, Hailey, immediately. The connection between her and Alex was strong right from their first meeting and I was rooting for them throughout the book. Sebastian was a bit snarky initially, but I grew to like him and hoped for his HEA as well.

M.L. Ryan is hilarious. I found myself smiling, laughing, and straight out snorting more than a few times while reading. These are the times when I absolutely adore the highlight feature on my Kindle. I’m not going to be a spoilsport and list out every quote I highlighted (that would take too long anyways), but here is just one of my favorites, “It felt nice to be spooned. It would have been better to have been forked, but at this point, I would take whatever I could get.” Good one, right? I’ve been told on more than one occasion that I’m a bit sarcastic. Actually, I believe I was asked at one point in time if there was ever a time I’m not sarcastic. Naturally, another thing I loved about the book was the sarcasm. “By the way, how did you get my number?” “Men’s bathroom, second stall, …” Sorry, I had to sneak one more in. It was just too good not to.

Overall, I found this be a very enjoyable and witty read and highly recommend it. I’ve already downloaded the second book in the series and I’m looking forward to continuing on with the story.
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Sep 05, 2012 Natasja rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Special Offers by M.L. Ryan is the First novel in her Coursodon Dimension Series. It’s a mix of contemporary romance with gorgeous hunks and magic. I was contacted by the author for an honest review and when I read the description of the book I knew I had to read it.

Hailey Parrish is a divorced woman who loves her life and her books. She is an avid reader and she just decided to buy a Kindle because space is running out for her beloved books. The moment she start using her new kindle, she has so...more

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Apr 14, 2013 Katie/Doing Dewey rated it 4 of 5 stars

When Hailey orders a cheaper kindle with “special offers”, she gets more than she bargained for. Through a strange series of events, a super-natural being named Sebastian has been trapped in the kindle and is released to inhabit Hailey’s body when she turns the kindle on. Fortunately for Hailey, another super-natural (and also super sexy) being is look for Sebastian. With his help, perhaps she’ll be able to retrieve Sebastian’s body from his killer and put him back where he belongs.

M. L. Ryan’s...more

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Apr 24, 2013 Billy Masters rated it 5 of 5 stars

M.L. Ryan is a very talented writer and saleswoman. She proves that with this book-- both with the words she has written(writer)and that blasted cliffhanger at the end (saleswoman). I MUST read the next book.
This story has fantasy,suspense,romance,intrigue,lots of comedy, a little violence and yes, even some light erotica. Not to mention villains that are easy to hate and heroes that are easy to love. What else could you ask for?
The dialogue is well written and flows beautifully.
The synopsis an...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Redheaded Bookworm rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A new and exciting paranormal series. The premise for this book is very unique along with some other aspects of the story. Hailey works at a dairy farm milking chinchillas! I really like the heroine. She is smart, sassy and full of snark. I found myself smiling and chuckling while reading this book. The Coursodon are "people" from another dimension, and while it doesn't give a lot of back story as to what they really are, I didn't feel like I missed anything. The book flowed really well and I co...more

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Apr 25, 2013 Masquerade Crew rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, romance, reviewed

DANIELLE'S REVIEW

5 STARS

The concept behind this book intrigued me from the very beginning when I first heard about it. Then I hosted it for a book tour and got an excerpt from the book and burst out laughing. I just had to read the book.

The author has this innate tendency to draw the improbable and flat out strange and make you laugh. But it's not just a comedy or satire. The author also does a very good job with romance and action scenes. This book was very well rounded and I ended up immediat...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 22, 2013 Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks-read-in-2013, paranormal-read-in-2013, read-in-2013

Hailey doesn't date all she does is work and read. Coming home one day she realizes books are taking over her apartment and she decides to take advantage of a special off and buy an ereader. When she gets the ereader she realizes she has gotten more than she bargained for. It has the essence of Sebastian Kess in it. He is a man with magical abilities from another dimension that just loves women. Now he is trapped in her body and she has to find a way to get him out before he drives her crazy. If...more Hailey doesn't date all she does is work and read. Coming home one day she realizes books are taking over her apartment and she decides to take advantage of a special off and buy an ereader. When she gets the ereader she realizes she has gotten more than she bargained for. It has the essence of Sebastian Kess in it. He is a man with magical abilities from another dimension that just loves women. Now he is trapped in her body and she has to find a way to get him out before he drives her crazy. If he doesn't drive her crazy Alex Sunderland will. He is another supernatural and is out to help Hailey free Sebastian and to find where Sebastian's body is. They have two problems criminals want to stop them and Alex and Hailey are attracted to each other. With Sebastian in her body things soon become strange.

Hailey is a character any book lover can feel in common with with some things. All us book lovers have books that can lead to sometimes them taking over our house. What I liked about her is you felt connected right away with her. When faced with the fact that she has a spirit trapped in her body she didn't freak to bad. She accepts things and sometimes the banter between her and Sebastian can be hilarious. She does some crazy things to try and keep him from seeing more of her than she would like. Sebastian is a funny character he is a womanizer all the way and some of the things he says will have you laughing so hard. Then we have Alex. He is the perfect man for Hailey even if she doesn't want to date this guy makes it hard not to want him. He is smart, sweet and very sexy. I love the chemistry between these two.

I will just say this is a wonderful idea for a book. A spirit trapped in a ereader that gets pulled into a body. That is so awesome and it gets your attention. The story is a very smooth read that has a little bit of it all magical abilities, comedy, some romance, a mystery and action. You know who the criminal is but you have to figure out where the body is and who to trust. this book will show you can't always trust the people at your side. I really enjoyed watching Alex and Hailey fall for each other while trying to hold back because of Sebastian. If you want a different book that you can't put down I would try this one. The author does a fantastic job with the whole thing and it is a magical read.(less)

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Feb 02, 2013 Sherri rated it 5 of 5 stars

Hailey has not dated in three years, lives in a small apartment with her cat Vinnie surrounded by the many books that she cannot bear to part with even though she has read them. One night while on line an ad for a Kindle at a price too good to pass up she decides to buy it even though it is preloaded with ads. Little did Hailey know the ads were far from the issue with the new Kindle, in fact it was preloaded with Sebastian Kess, a womanizer with magical abilities from another dimension. and whe...more

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Apr 26, 2013 Claire rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: r2r-books

3.5 Stars

Hailey an avid reader decides that she really hasn't any more room for any books so invests in a Kindle. Little did she know when the advertisement said "with special offers" exactly what she was getting.

In the form of a man, who on the verge of death transferred himself into the kindle by accident.

Shortly after she meets Alex, who Hailey had been calling without her knowledge, so he comes to investigate and sets about to get Sebastian out of Hailey.

I have to say starting the book I wa...more

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Feb 23, 2013 Sharon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-challenge

A light hearted easy read about Hailey who buys a Kindle to find it comes with a man spirit inside.

I enjoyed this book and although it is about alien life and alternative universes I was taken in by the story and believed in the characters and the situations they found themselves in.

I especially liked the easy charm of the book and how it ‘made’ me keep reading to find out what happens next.

I would have liked Alex and Hailey to have explored the world under the cottage more and for greater detai...more

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Jun 23, 2012 Julie(Reading By The Beach) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As seen on -> Reading By The Beach

M.L. Ryan gives us a range of characters in Special Offers. The smart, sarcastic female protagonist; the hot, understated male interest; the womanizing, cocky male; the quintessential villain; the loyal friends; and some characters that end up surprising you. A colorful bunch of characters that were extremely fun to read about and really helped round out an already great story. The only issue character-wise that I had was that Hailey considered herself a 'pla...more As seen on -> Reading By The Beach

M.L. Ryan gives us a range of characters in Special Offers. The smart, sarcastic female protagonist; the hot, understated male interest; the womanizing, cocky male; the quintessential villain; the loyal friends; and some characters that end up surprising you. A colorful bunch of characters that were extremely fun to read about and really helped round out an already great story. The only issue character-wise that I had was that Hailey considered herself a 'plain jane', that was a little bit of a downer, but other than that she was an awesome character.

"The truth you can deal with, it's all the speculative crap that makes you nuts"

Oh! And I can't forget her cat who was initially named after a Norwegian female swashbuckler. That was an added plus since I'm obsessed with my Norwegian heritage.

There was a lot of hilarious witty banter (mostly between Hailey and Sebastian) that greatly added to the entertainment of my reading experience. Do you ever wonder what people think when you start to laugh out loud while reading? Something that cannot be helped while reading Special Offers!

" 'Hailey, I'm really sorry, but Harrison has some sort of stomach bug and he's currently curled in the fetal position on the bathroom floor moaning 'kill me', over and over' "

The concept was absolutely amazing and so unique. It was a little twisty, but without being overly complicated. Basically, just enough (complicatedness) to draw you in and keep you hooked. I must admit that I was initially a little disappointed in the subtle romance that happens between Hailey and Alex, but then I came to the realization that Special Offers is, in fact, the first of a series. I should have done a tad bit more research, huh? In my defense, I was really excited to dive into this story. So, after that realization, I was able to look at the romance in a different light and see that it actually fits with the characters perfectly.

"Seriously, if God had wanted us to to get up when it was still dark out, he wouldn't have given us eyelids"

All in all, Special Offers is a fantastically fun, extremely entertaining read that will have you laughing out loud and eager for the next in the series. I'm anxious to see where the series will take us, especially with the little clue at the end.
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Sep 11, 2012 Nikki Brandyberry rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I read the blurb for this book I must admit I was skeptical. It’s unique and unlike anything I had heard of before and in that uniqueness came a worry. Unless this was done perfectly, it would fail miserably. I was pleasantly surprised to find Special Offers to be wonderfully written, engaging and with a plot that kept me turning pages and groaning when it was over to fast!

In a attempt to not be killed by her overflowing bookshelves Hailey decides to embrace the age and buy herself a Kindle...more When I read the blurb for this book I must admit I was skeptical. It’s unique and unlike anything I had heard of before and in that uniqueness came a worry. Unless this was done perfectly, it would fail miserably. I was pleasantly surprised to find Special Offers to be wonderfully written, engaging and with a plot that kept me turning pages and groaning when it was over to fast!

In a attempt to not be killed by her overflowing bookshelves Hailey decides to embrace the age and buy herself a Kindle. She never expected the Kindle to come preloaded with a mans soul. Sebastian was awesome, loved him! He provided some comic relief to the heavier story of having to find his body and reunite his soul with it.

The one good thing about having a man stuck in your body? He’s sure to have a friend willing to come and try and help him get out. Alex is Sebastian’s friend and him and Hailey hit it off almost immediately. They have this hot connection without the sex. I mean, it’s hard to have sex with another guy stuck inside you. Har-de-har-har-har. But seriously, virtually no sex in this one. Which was fine because I still got thier connection and the story line of the guys origins and the pursuit of Sebastian’s body were more then enough to keep me reading. Alex just lit the page on fire with his presence. He’s incredibly smart, being over a hundred years old but he has this quirkiness about him that I found endearing. I also loved how Hailey wasn’t a shrinking violet. When she needed to she thought quickly and she wasn’t afraid to help the guys in their quest.

The intrigue throughout the book was well paced and the writing was clean and never faltered. Not once did I get bored while reading this one and that’s saying a lot coming from me. I often feel the need to speed read through some books but Special Offers never got to that point. I can’t say enough wonderful things about the quality of this one.

Special Offers ends with a slight cliff hanger that really hooked me in for book two. I WANT BOOK TWO NOW! I hope that it means we’ll get to learn more about their people and the different dimension Sebastian and Alex from. M.L. Ryan is a author to watch because I found Special Offers to be a surprise of epic proportions! Pick this book up!

I give Special Offers by M.L. Ryan 4.50 stars! (less)

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Mar 20, 2013 Jocelyn Dex rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance

3.5 Stars

I loved the idea of a soul being stuck in a Kindle and knew I had to read this book.

It was well written and the characters had distinct personalities but something kept nagging me as I was reading. I finally started making notes in my Kindle while reading and almost all of them said the same thing - "too formal". I think it would have been even more fun had the dialogue and description been a little more casual but I enjoyed it anyway.

So, if you like romance, sci-fi and the paranormal,...more

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Mar 23, 2012 Ezinwanyi~For you, Agron (Mira, Crixus, Gannicus & Spartacus) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ezinwanyi, ezinwanyi-s-bookstore, magic, paranormal-romance

this book was just what I needed. Funny, Light and interesting. I definitely will read the sequel.

Hailey Parish is a recent divorcee, who works at a Diary Plant where she supervises the production of Chinchilla milk cheese. One day, as she was preparing to read a book on her new Kindle, she felt an energy jolt from the device. She thought nothing of it, and kept on reading. The very next day, a host of weird occurrences began happening. First, her cat wouldn’t come near her. Then when she got to...more this book was just what I needed. Funny, Light and interesting. I definitely will read the sequel.

Hailey Parish is a recent divorcee, who works at a Diary Plant where she supervises the production of Chinchilla milk cheese. One day, as she was preparing to read a book on her new Kindle, she felt an energy jolt from the device. She thought nothing of it, and kept on reading. The very next day, a host of weird occurrences began happening. First, her cat wouldn’t come near her. Then when she got to work, her best friend commented on the fact that Hailey, a normally staunch black coffee advocate, was adding sugar and cream to her coffee. After work, when they went to the bar, Hailey ordered drinks that she doesn’t like, and she drank them. Finally, she kept getting calls from a guy named Alex Sunderland, who claimed that he was getting calls from Hailey’s number, but Hailey doesn’t recall dialing this man’s phone number.

We find out that Hailey was possessed by the spirit of Sebastian, an “otherworld” being, who teleported into Hailey’s body via her Kindle. Sebastian, “otherworld” law enforcer, was ambushed by a villain that he was pursuing and so Sebastian encrypted his essence into a binary code and transmitted himself to his laptop. But instead of his intended destination, Sebastian ended up in Hailey’s Kindle. When Hailey turned on the device, he was transmitted into her body. She could hear him in her head, and she could communicate with him the same way. The trick now was to get Sebastian out of her body, while trying to see where this thing with Alex could go. This is where the real adventure takes place. The How, why, where and whom were revealed. I will admit that it was predictable, but it didn’t take away from the satisfaction at all.

This story was written in the first person narrative, in the heroine Hailey’s voice. She was very funny. Both Hailey and Sebastian possessed sarcastic wit and I laughed out loud several times reading this book. Another funny character was Hailey’s mom. She really cracked me up with her religious zeal, especially her comments about the “heathen” plumbers. The characters had great chemistry and the writing made everything flow.

I was really pleased to read a book that was entertaining, yet light. The hero was such a nice guy. It was clear that Alex was drawn to Hailey from the beginning. Hailey has self-esteem/worth issues and Alex did all the right things to help her work out her issues. He gave Hailey room to trust him and he wasn’t aggressive. So nothing felt forced in this novel.

The only thing I didn’t like about this book was the cover. I am sorry, but it pretty dreadful. But I am glad that I overcome that initial put-off and read the book or I would have missed out. I am anticipating the sequel because the story wasn’t finished. It wasn’t a huge cliff hanger, but there is more left to be told.

I recommend this series to anyone who loves Paranormal Romance, but doesn’t want a heavy dose of sex and violence. It will lighten your mood after you finish reading a dark UF or heavy PNR.

***Reviewed for the Paranormal Romance Guild(less)

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Mar 23, 2013 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, romance, paranormal

After reading three poorly written Kindle books in a row, I had very low expectations for this one. Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised. This was a light, entertaining read. And even more importantly, it was well-written with proper spelling, punctuation and grammar!

I breezed through it in about a day and found the main character, Hailey, to be clever and spunky. I liked the easy banter she enjoyed with her friends. And the male love interest, Alex, was quite appealing. The plot was a bit of a...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Charlie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am not sure what I really expected from new Tucson author M. L. Ryan, but what I got was a witty, well-crafted page-turner. Though targeted for the paranormal romance crowd, Special Offers has broad appeal with lots of interesting characters and plot twists. Ryan's irreverent, brave, and believable heroine, Hailey Parrish, will leave you in stitches and eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. Action, romance, beings from another dimension with magical powers -- what's not to like?

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Feb 10, 2013 Georgeanna rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a really cute story. The sassy heroine is fun - even if she does have low self-esteem and trust issues. The hero is handsome, charming, and really nice - even if he isn't a human. The chemistry is sweet and not rushed. Yes, you do have to suspend your disbelief, but it's fiction and I read fiction to be entertained, so I'm fine with that. I received a free copy for review and I will be happy to read more of M.L. Ryan's work....more

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May 03, 2013 Crystal rated it 4 of 5 stars

I wasn't sure about this book at first. I didn't know if it would be one that I would enjoy. I was surprised when I got into the story. The author did a great job and I just couldn't put it down until I was finished with it.

This book had romance, comedy, and suspense. When you have a book that has all these in one you know that you will be taken on an adventure that will take you out of this world.

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About M.L. Ryan

Scientist by day, paranormal romance-urban fantasy author by night, M.L. Ryan has many stories rolling around in her head, and she finally decided to write some of them. She prefers literature that isn't saddled with excruciating symbolism, ponderous dialogue or worldly implications. She also doesn't like plots so reliant on love at first sight that it makes her feel like her head might implode. S...more

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“It felt nice to be spooned. It would have been better to have been forked, but at this point, I would take whatever I could get.” — 2 people liked it

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Special Offers (Coursodon Dimension Series #1)

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