Summertime is for vacations to beaches or mountains or lakes or wherever your fancy takes you. Sometimes summer is more a staycation and that's perfect too!

What makes summer special?

• Time with family (those kids are home from school so ENJOY!)
• Time with friends
• Time to unwind and relax
• Time for new adventures
• More time for READING!!!

I will go ahead and admit that my writing will be on the backburner during summer as I enjoy having my kiddios home from their respective universities across the country but also because I just need a break (2023 was a h.e.double hockey sticks kinda year so I need to slow down and enjoy the little things). I will write when I feel the muse striking but otherwise you're more likely to find me with someone else's book in my hands over the next couple months. But when summer is over and those kiddios once again fly the coop, I have a super fun project that I can't wait to share with you all regarding the direction of my writing.

IN THE MEANTIME, add to your own TBR piles with these fun and sexy paranormal, fantasy, and romance novels to keep you glued to your beach chair with your frozen margarita while the world continues to spin around you.

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KC's Summertime Reading Recommendations

Dawn of the Sorceress: A Gargoyle and Sorceress Tale Prequel

by Lisa Blackwood

https://buy.bookfunnel.com/8xul6kk0uq

When an Avatar to the gods wakes to a new life, he finds the female half of his soul is missing. He soon learns she has been captured by their oldest enemy—the Lady of Battles. To save his Sorceress, he will risk everything.

Chaos and adventure ensues in this epic series unlike anything you’ve read before with noble gargoyles, an action-packed plot, rich world-building, and a little romance tossed in for good measure.

Join the battle today.

Gargoyle & Sorceress Tales Reading Order:

Dawn of the Sorceress (A prequel story)

Sorceress Awakening (Book One)

Sorceress Rising (Book Two)

Sorceress Hunting (Book Three)

Sorceress at War (Book Four)

Sorceress Enraged (Book Five)

Legacy of the Sorceress (Book Six)

Sorcery & Firedrakes (Book Seven)

Scion of the Sorceress (Book Eight)

Sorceress Eternal (Book Nine)

My thoughts on Dawn of the Sorceress:

If you love gargoyles as much as I do (along the lines of Randi Cooley Wilson's novels), this is a no-brainer to decide to read. In addition to quite a large number of books in the series ready to go... well, load up your e-reader and stake out your spot at the pool. What's even better when it comes to summer reading where you may have a few minutes a day to read or hours in your lounge chair, you can knock out this book in a jiffy (90 minutes) and still have time for the other books in the series. Flip off those flip flops, slather on your sunscreen, and prepare to immerse yourself in another world.

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Midsummer

by Jena Doyle

COMING SOON (June 18, 2024)

https://storyoriginapp.com/swaps/6f7cc684-15ef-11ef-94fd-bfae7c0fe8f7

It's politics, fairies, and intrigue in this dark enemies-to-lovers adaptation of Midsummer Night's Dream. The course of true love never did run smooth.

Ivy

As the daughter of the president, I’ve had my life planned out for me: college, law school, politics. I should have guessed that my mother would plan my marriage, too.

She needs a political success, which means I have to wed my enemy for publicity. I hate Lex Fairfax so much, it burns. I don’t know how I’ll spend three weeks at a remote castle in Ireland with him, his girlfriend, and my boyfriend without our secrets tearing us apart.

When a mysterious stranger overhears my drama, she takes pity on me…in her own way.

Lex

I hate Ivy Washington. She’s annoying and frustrating, and she gets under my skin like no one else. Marrying her would be a special kind of hell.

I just need to get through this without my past coming back to haunt me. Everyone keeps secrets for their own reasons, but mine will destroy all four of us.

When a Midsummer party turns into a nightmare, we learn there are consequences to making a vow in a magical place. And the fairies never play fair.

My thoughts on Midsummer:

All of my favorite things in one book: enemies to lovers, fairies and anything supernaturally related, a dash of politics, and what really steals my heart...Shakespeare! I'm a complete Shakespeare fangirl and quite honestly A Midsummer's Night Dream is one of my favorites so this adaptation is already perfection in my eyes! Add to that it's first in an already completed series with releases set close enough together that I won't get antsy waiting, well I'm set for a new favorite author.

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Releasing the Magic: The Complete Series

by Maya Riley

https://storyoriginapp.com/swaps/83fff8b2-148f-11ef-94ee-a767f0a881c9

**COMPLETE SERIES**

What's the worst that could happen? Sit down and let me tell you.

The Void Virus has been let loose on the Earth. Caused by experiments gone wrong, an outbreak has ravaged the world. Anyone infected has turned into a decaying empty shell, void of their former selves. The animate decomposing bodies have become known as Rotters, stumbling around for the scent of the living.

Alone in the dark new world where even the dead don’t die, I must fight to survive. Not only against the Rotters, but the remaining uninfected who have turned savage in their plight of survival; the scavers.

As the world I once knew is lost, a new one emerges. Strange things begin to happen. Some are able to wield power over the elements. I develop a strange healing ability. It is unknown if this is a rogue symptom of the virus, or if the solitude is driving me crazy.

Puppy, my German Shepherd, and I have been on our own until four guys enter my life and refuse to leave. Strangely enough, they’re just as broken as I am.

My name is Blyss and we will set this world on fire if necessary. After all… What’s the worst that could happen?

**18+ Reverse Harem Romance

This is the complete collection of the Releasing the Magic series and includes the following individual books:

Infected

Salvaged

Reclaimed

Veiled

Released

My thoughts on Releasing the Magic:

Thank goodness! Another COMPLETE series! Everyone loves when they don't have to wait for the next book in a series to come out. Me included. I know! I know! My own series took awhile to get each published in order to get to that lovely COMPLETE series status so I know what it took Maya Riley to accomplish this task (and she has way more books than I do).

Ready for some dystopian, post-apocalypse world fiction to keep you on the edge of your seat? I gotta admit (no spoilers because the author even states this on the book's landing page) I was worried about the Puppy because well... dogs make every story better.

This story really has it all: action; great, authentically written characters; crazy cliffhangers which will make you scramble for the next book as soon as you complete one; and... did I forget to mention crazy romance?

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The Cowboy Billionaire

by Britney Bell

https://storyoriginapp.com/swaps/87ac52b4-11f9-11ef-a59d-23e55d0e5364

A laugh out loud, later in life romcom brought to you by USA Today Bestselling Author Britney Bell with a secret billionaire who doesn't want to be bothered and a busy business owner who doesn't have time to slow down.

Julia McGregor is a fiercely independent and successful business owner who thrives on control. With a sharp wit and a no-nonsense attitude, she's built her empire from the ground up and has no time for frivolous distractions like romance. However, others close to her think it's high time she found love and takes action by creating a dating profile for her on a new and unconventional app.

Ryan Fields abandoned the corporate rat race after a health scare wakeup call for a simpler, more fulfilling life. He's embraced his passion for a hidden talent and now spends his days on the quiet land of his little Texas ranch. His mother sees him growing old differently than he's planned and seeks out the internet for help.

With full-on matchmaking mode in motion, unbeknownst to Julia and Ryan, they find themselves thrown into a series of comical encounters, orchestrated by well-intentioned people.

At first, sparks fly in the worst possible way as they clash at every turn, but with each misstep, they stumble closer to a love neither of them saw coming, aided by the relentless efforts of the colorful cast of characters surrounding them.

One-click today to see if they will give in to their heart’s desires or if they will fall back into old patterns?

My thoughts on The Cowboy Billionaire:

Need a small break from the paranormal and fantasy worlds but still keep the steamy romance? Maybe something more aligned with main characters past YA and NA ranges. Well, who doesn't enjoy a sexy cowboy? This is right out of a Hallmark or Lifetime Movie Channels movie of the week except with more steam and scenes that would most definitely have it rated too adult for Hallmark (no waiting till the end for the single chaste kiss to signify the Happily Ever After). Think of this book as your secret "Christmas in July" movie binge-a-thon from Lifetime Movie Network except with plenty of heat.

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Sacrifice & Redemption

by Sara Hinds

https://storyoriginapp.com/swaps/349d12bc-fdcb-11ee-b33b-f33e11dc03d4

Everything in life is dangerous.

The only way to survive is to be more dangerous.

All my life, people have underestimated me, but I made a promise that I intended to keep, no matter the sacrifice, even if it meant giving my life.

Lies, secrets, and greed make people desperate, but it’s not the only thing that can drive people to madness.

I never intended to care, much less have others care for me.

For the first time, my life has meaning beyond bringing down the rings and saving innocents.

Someone knows who I am, has the answers to every question I’ve ever asked, and they're closer than I would have ever imagined.

They say the truth will set you free. I say that’s bullshit. I don’t need to be set free.

I’ll free my damn self, and I’ll take down anyone who stands in my way.

And this time, I won’t do it alone.

Who said Vengeance can’t be sweet?

My thoughts on Sacrifice & Redemption:

Now just a FYI, this is the last in the debut series by Sara Hinds so you'll want to check out the first two as this one culminates in the bittersweet conclusion of to the trilogy. So once again... yea! a complete series!

Again, this one is out of my typical reads of the PNR and Fantasy romance but sometimes one needs a teensy break from a genre to spice things up and this series most certainly did that. This is no sweet romance either so don't go in expecting rainbows and unicorn farts! Sara spins a stunning tale of polyamory romance in the backdrop of the mafia. Normally not my thing, but I totally loved every second.

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Keys of Time

by Georgiana Kent

https://storyoriginapp.com/swaps/03a99600-fcb1-11ee-aa94-e3719d375b2b

No one can escape the call of Time

Erica Shylocke is your average University student, in debt and chasing deadlines. She also has a secret—a curse. One she’s kept hidden her entire life. She was doing a damn good job too, until she was attacked by a Lost Soul, a creature hell-bent on consuming her most valuable commodity: her soul.

Saved by Michael Nicholas, a Time traveller who’s as sexy as he is mysterious, her whole life is about to unravel, and it’s only a matter of time before her secret unravels too...

No longer content to lurk in the shadows, the Lost Souls are readying themselves to battle for dominion over the souls of Earth. When they do, their vengeance will be swift and brutal.

Chosen by Time itself, Erica works with Michael to uncover the truth behind their rise, and it quickly becomes apparent that her secret might give them the edge they desperately need.

As a band of unlikely heroes comes together to face off the army of Lost Souls, the fate of the world rests in Erica’s hands. Can she make the necessary sacrifices, and will they be in time to save the souls of billions?

Soul Dominion is an epic urban fantasy with Time travel, mystery, found family and love. Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunters books and Annette Marie's The Guild Codex!

This series is for you if you love:

• mysteries galore with twists and turns...
• a wide array of supernaturals from vampires to kitsune, Chinese painted skin demons to angels, shifters and more!
• Time travel shenanigans
• snarky Faeries, sassy best friends, and found family fun
• British humour and sarcasm
• love triangles with slow-burn romantic tension
• Global destinations with East Asian influences
• Diverse characters with LGBTQ+ representation

NB: This is the first part of a trilogy - one story over three books - and not a standalone book

My thoughts on Keys of Time:

Now back to my beloved paranormal romance! This one is geared toward the New Adult/College Age audience but I still consider myself to be a somewhat new adult (many years, okay maybe a couple decades later). Keys of Time is the first in the Soul Dominion series (no worries, the other books are already published and ready for you to snag as soon as you finish this one).

We've got every kind of supernatural being I've ever heard of in this series so--of course--I'm in love! You'll enjoy the multi-verses and time travel. Book 1 lays out the new magical systems presented in the series. The romance is slow burn but smoking hot!

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Affinity (Soulful Hearts Book 1)

by Tigris Eden

https://storyoriginapp.com/swaps/7ccac9a2-fc91-11ee-85b5-3b9b985e6cd5

Special Agent Jada Alexander has a great life working for the ATF’s S.E.E.K. unit, but she wishes her nights were filled with more than just Netflix marathons with her fur babies. She yearns for companionship, and while her quirks and fandoms keep her utterly entertained, it’s not the same as having someone to come home to.

When a blast from her past comes back into Jada’s life, she’s thrown for a loop, especially when both Dali and Poe act nothing like the dog and cat she’s come to know and love. They immediately accept the irresistible Nicklaus, and she begins to wonder if she has found her soul mate, her very own Viking god to warm her dark nights.

Until Klaus shatters her heart and tells her that he only wants her as a friend, that he’s not ready for a relationship. The problem…she’s already half in love with him, and now their lives are so intertwined, she might lose more than just the guy she was hoping to have forever with. She may lose all of her friends from Dallas Fire and Rescue, as well.

Jada’s life becomes much like the movies and songs constantly cycling through her head, but the question is, will she get her happily ever after with the matching ballad soundtrack, or will it be a tragedy with a death metal score?

My thoughts on Affinity:

Okay, I'll admit it! I adore reading Alpha Male Romance! I also love reading about strong female main characters but when the guy (Klaus) is THIS HOT... well, it makes for a perfect lounging by the pool read. Jada ticks off all the strong FMC traits and Klaus is a true Alpha male. Together they are smoking hot! The addition of the adorable cat and dog bring this story together to give it authenticity and a layer of cuteness mixed in with all the spice and angst.

This is a standalone and a quick read so perfect (didn't I just use that word above?) for summertime reading.

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NOW, if that's not enough to keep you busy for the summer (as I doubt it will), and IF you love enemies to lovers romance as much as I do... check out this fun book sale with plenty to whet your romantic appetites.

https://storyoriginapp.com/to/eodk8hz

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Last but not least, if you haven't already, there's a new guardian angel romance ripe for the picking from yours truly.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYQQZJGZ

Find more of my books at:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/KC-Freeman/author/B07QDTJD19

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Have a fun and joyful summer! I'll pop into your email inbox every once in awhile to share my latest reading recommendations AND perhaps leave a hint or two regarding my upcoming book writing adventures.