Liza Street's Blog: not your grandma's romantic fiction, page 7
May 26, 2020
Recent Reads – May 2020
In case you can’t see the image, I’ll list them all below–along with buy links so you can read them, too!
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1. The Hookup Handbook by Kendall Ryan. This was a cute, contemporary romance with a workplace romance and the “best friend’s little sister” trope. Amazon US. Everywhere.
2. Destiny’s Captive by Beverly Jenkins. This is my first Beverly Jenkins book! She’s a legend. An enjoyable historical romance. Amazon US. Everywhere.
3. The Ones Who Got Away by Roni Loren. Emotional and satisfying contemporary romance. Some distressing backstory (a school shooting) that almost had me putting it down, but the overall message is positive and I’m SUPER glad I kept reading! Amazon US. Everywhere.
4. Ouran High School Host Club by Bisco Hatori. This is my first manga and it takes skill to read a story that is told in both pictures and words! I kept wanting to read only the words, and then I’d miss the context and have to go back. Loving this, though, and I’ll have to read more. Amazon US. Everywhere.
5. Hate F*@k by Ainsley Booth. This one is steeeeeamy, erotic romance. Thoroughly enjoyable with opposites attract and a forbidden romance. Also enemies-to-lovers. So all the reader catnip! Amazon US. Everywhere.
May 19, 2020
Ready to Get Caught in Forbidden?
If you get your books from Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, or Kobo, this is your last chance to catch Caught in Forbidden before it goes up on Amazon!
We each took a step toward each other. A drop of water fell from my hair and down the back of my neck to my spine. Matt’s gaze went darker, with the kind of heat I knew I wasn’t misinterpreting. The air in the room felt charged.
He tossed the clothes on the bed and took another step toward me. He was so close, if I reached out, I could run my hands over his chest, feel the hard ridges of his muscles.
His attention went to my mouth. I wanted his kiss, more than anything.
Tap the image above to find it on one of those three retailers! Once it’s no longer available there, the link will take you to Amazon.
May 12, 2020
Look Out–Filthy Beast is On the Loose
Filthy Beast is out now! What?! I’m super excited about this one.
“That’s it, my beautiful Lena,” he whispered, then took her mouth in a kiss so hot, she thought she was melting from the inside. “I’m going to show you what it means to be mine.”
A little story from behind the scenes–I was wrecked by a couple parts in this book. Tear-my-heart-up, then sew-it-back-together wrecked. There was this one part, and I won’t spoil it by telling you what it was, that I knew was coming and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to write. I kept having second thoughts, because I just did NOT want it to happen.
But, happen it did. And like all painful things, it helped the characters grow.
But damn. It was hard!
May 5, 2020
Filthy Beast – In One Week!
We are so close to Filthy Beast‘s release, and I am so eager to see this book out in the world! Carter and Lena were so tough on each other at first–especially Lena, coming from a situation that had taught her not to trust anyone–especially not anyone with violent tendencies. And Carter, well. He liked to fight.
If you haven’t preordered your copy yet, I suggest you get it now! I don’t want you to miss out on the preorder sale. Tap the cover below for the link. 
“I’ll stay and keep watch,” Carter said.
“No, thanks. I’ll be fine. You can go,” she said. It was a struggle to keep her voice even and light. “Goodnight.”
Her heart ached as he shifted into his bear and walked off into the wet woods, but in the end, neither of them had a claim on the other, and fate seemed to want to keep it that way.
April 28, 2020
5 Netflix RomComs You Don’t Wanna Miss
I am probably not alone in blazing through the offerings on Netflix, and I am not ashamed to say that I blazed through five in quick succession. When I’m unsure about the world, and unable to focus on writing my steamy paranormal tomes, watching romantic comedies is my next go-to!
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To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
This is based on a young adult novel (which I read and loved). I also loved the film, and adored watching it play out on my screen! The concept is hilarious and cringe-worthy (love notes she never intended to send over the years to different guys all get sent out at once). Go read the book, too. It’s great.
Set It Up
This was utterly delightful, and I’ll very likely watch it again soon. It’s an office romance with some matchmaking going on, and overall a blast.
Sierra Burgess is a Loser
This is a modern, teen, gender-swapped retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac. I don’t recommend this one as easily as the others here, because I was a little disturbed by the deceit, especially when it came to the first kissing scene. However, this might not bother everyone else, and I thought the movie was still good. Just uncomfortable in places.
Nappily Ever After
I loved, loved this movie. It’s not quite a rom com in that it was super heavy at times, and it doesn’t have quite the neatly tied-up HEA that I usually expect in rom coms. However, thoroughly enjoyed this (even when I cried) and highly recommend it.
The Kissing Booth
Very cute, another teen love story. It hasn’t been that long since I watched it, but the details are pretty hazy other than the fact I enjoyed it, the kissing booth was a minor plot point, and it didn’t end quite like I wanted it to. But again, super cute.
I hope these gave you some ideas of what to watch. Have you already seen them? None of these is particularly new, so you might have! Any favorites in the bunch? Or a recommendation for something else to watch?
April 21, 2020
Bound to Change is Out Now!
I’m so excited! The Bound to Change anthology–a collection chock-full of shifter books–is now available on Amazon! It includes Filthy Vandal, a prequel to my new Junkyard Shifters series.
Change is the only constant in a shifter’s world.
These shifters will defy tradition, tragedy, and fate to find their true loves. Through ominous prophecies and quests of glory, they’re bound to change—and bound to each other.
And if there’s anything a shifter knows for sure, it’s that there’s no way to outrun their animal sides.
Whether they transform with the pull of the moon or at will, through a curse or a gift, or simply because of evolution, you’ll adore the shifters in this limited edition spring collection brought to you by New York Times, USA Today, and bestselling authors.
April 14, 2020
7 Paranormal Romance Authors Share Their Recent Faves
So often, you hear what your favorite authors are writing and publishing. Well, here I’ve collected the books that author friends and I have recently read and recommend to you. Go forth, and find some great new books to check out!
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1. I recommend Meow by Skye MacKinnon. This is the first urban fantasy in her Catnip Assassins series, and it features TONS of cats! Oh, and the heroine is a cat shifter. Which, as we all know, is awesome. You can find Meow on all retailers. My most recently published book is Ruthless Knight.
2. Keira Blackwood, author of Dragon Guardian of Water, recommends Blow Me Away by Christina Hovland. Keira says, “Take a sexy florist hero who likes to dance while working shirtless, add a heroine who bakes cock-shaped cookies, and I’m interested. Throw in a fake relationship and an over-the-top meddlesome grandmother, and I’m hooked. Blow Me Away manages the perfect balance between sweet, sexy, and ridiculous.” You can find Blow Me Away on Amazon.
3. C.D. Gorri, author of The Enforcer, recommends Goldilocks and Her Harem of Bears. C.D. says, “I thought this book was told amazingly well. It is a unique and quirky retelling of a classic fairy tale and it rocked. I love pretty much everything P. Mattern writes and this was no different. I highly recommend.” You can find Goldilocks and Her Harem of Bears on Amazon, Google Play, and Kobo.
4. TJ Finn, author of Dangerous Love, recommends Rebel by Helen Hardt. TJ says, “Helen Hardt is a master at bringing her characters alive and has me falling for even the who I think is the worse/antihero. She gives me all the feels when I read her stuff.” You can find Rebel on all retailers.
5. Natalie Aejaz, author of Lion’s Heart, recommends Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward. She says, “Love him or loathe him, Zsadist is the reason I would recommend this book. An angst-ridden character, he is given a chance at happiness with Bella, but can he move on from a horrific past?” You can find Lover Awakened on Amazon.
6. Michelle Fox, author of Motherducking Magic, recommends Carrie Pulkinen’s License to Bite. She says, “It’s light, it’s fun, it’s all my favorite things that go ‘bump’ in the night. Just the kind of distraction I need right now with everything going on!” You can find License to Bite on Amazon.
7. Carrie Pulkinen, author of Shift Happens, recommends The Vampire Wants a Wife, by Andie M. Long. She says, “It’s a quick, light-hearted read about vampires and other supernatural beings. It had me giggling quite a few times, and I just really enjoyed it! Such a fun read!.” You can find The Vampire Wants a Wife on Amazon.
I know I added a few books to my list–how about you? Find anything new you want to try? Let me know in the comments!
April 7, 2020
Two Fantastic Book Fairs
I love participating in things like these because I always find several good books to read! Tap the image to check out the books on display. 
March 31, 2020
Recent Reads (March 2020)
Here’s what I’ve been up to!
In case you can’t read the text on the image, we have…
A Princess in Theory, by Alyssa Cole
Follow Me To Ground, by Sue Rainsford
The Proposal, by Jasmine Guillory
Their Runaway Bride, by Vanessa Vale
Strange Love, by Ann Aguirre
If you tap the image, it will take you to my BookBub author page, where you can find reviews of a couple of these (Strange Love, Follow Me To Ground). I usually post a new BookBub review every couple of weeks, so follow me there for nerdy book chatter!
How about you? What have you been reading? Any new favorites?
March 24, 2020
The Junkyard Shifters Series
I gotta say, I am having a blast with this crew!
First, Keira Blackwood gave me the freaking best cover for Book 1, Filthy Beast. I couldn’t have even dreamed up this beauty!
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Then, I get a big old group of bad boy shifters full of flaws and angst and guilt. They take their shirts off and fight each other, like, all the time. And what’s not to love about hotties flexing their muscles and showing off their strength?
And THEN a woman shows up and the shit really hits the fan. Nothing makes me feel more wicked than laughing while I watch a shapeshifter hottie lose his mind over his mate.
The process for this series is involving a lot of laps around the park while I think out scenes and characters. I’m talking into my phone as I go, so I don’t forget new ideas, and I probably sound like a crazy lady going on about inner beasts and fated mates and battles for dominance.
But it’s really freaking fun.
