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Author: Penny Reid
FREE
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Estranged childhood friends unexpectedly reunite under bizarre circumstances and bicker their way to love in this absolutely bonkers romantic comedy. 😂 Tax attorney Ava Archer misses her best childhood friend most during the month of April—ask any tax attorney, it’s a lonely, grueling time of year. When her posh doppelgänger at work offers Ava a surprising and delectably absurd proposal, she must pretend to be said coworker for one night at an extremely fancy party. A party so fancy, there exists absolutely no chance anyone will recognize her or suspect her ruse… right? 🎭
Enter Desmond Sullivan, a thief—and not the heart-of-gold kind. He’s the steal-from-the-rich-and-give-to-the-also-rich-so-he-can-get-paid kind. 💰 He does have one firm rule: never steal what the target can’t afford to lose. After a brutal falling out with his father, Des hasn’t returned to Chicago in over ten years. But when a good friend is swindled and something priceless is stolen, he must return home both as himself and his thieving alter ego. Infiltrate a dangerous secret society of the world’s most elite billionaires while leveraging his estranged father’s resources and not blowing his cover? Sure. No problem. 🎩
Or it wouldn’t be a problem if Ava Archer hadn’t just walked into the room wearing a ridiculous wig, speaking with a preposterous accent, and pretending (badly) to be someone she’s not. 😱 What follows is a wild adventure filled with hijinks, heists, and heartfelt moments as these childhood friends navigate their feelings while pulling off an impossible con.
What makes this special:
💕 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Penny Reid delivers her signature blend of laugh-out-loud humor, scorching chemistry, and surprising emotional depth. This next-generation romance features the children of characters from her beloved Knitting in the City series (though it reads perfectly as a standalone). Reid, who manages the #OwnVoices-focused mentorship incubator Smartypants Romance, tackles mental health representation with authenticity and care, weaving serious themes into this swashbuckling rom-com. Perfect for fans of friends-to-lovers and second-chance romances who appreciate smart, witty dialogue paired with action-adventure plotting—think Ocean’s Eleven meets You’ve Got Mail with a generous dose of heart. ❤️
Author: Nicky Redford
FREE
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Fall in love with the Dashwood men as they fall in love with the feisty independent women they didn’t know they needed! 😍 This box set collects the first three books in Nicky Redford’s laugh-out-loud Dashwood Billionaires series: That Stranded Feeling, That Conflicted Feeling, and That Fake Feeling.
That Stranded Feeling: Being snowed in with a hot stranger is not all it’s cracked up to be—especially when it’s irritation at first sight! ❄️ Free-spirited knitwear designer Summer likes her solitude, her remote cabin, her dog, and her business. Romance? Pfft. No thanks. Then a blizzard strands grumpy California tech billionaire Owen Dashwood on her doorstep. He’s shivering, flustered, insanely hot… and also cocky and self-involved. But she can’t leave him stranded outside in a snowstorm, even if he’d prefer to ignore the weather—and the stay-at-home order—to get to his make-or-break business meeting. ⛄
That Conflicted Feeling: The hot billionaire’s giant discount grocery chain is threatening her small town—but can she resist him anyway? 🏪 Polly sources food from local farms for her produce store, a place with deep significance to her family. When she learns Big Box food mogul Max Dashwood is planning to build across from her shop, she begins plotting how to stop it. Max thinks Polly is cute, but she won’t influence his plans… until he discovers there might be more to Pine Hill—and to Polly—than he first thought. 💚
That Fake Feeling: He wants a fake girlfriend even less than she wants to be one. But here we are… 🎭 Connor Dashwood, founder of Big Brain Toys, has a playboy reputation that’s threatening his position on the board. Rose is a studious student teacher with a lot of debt. When Connor proposes a fake relationship to rehabilitate his image, she initially refuses—but circumstances make her reconsider. Of course, real feelings become involved along with hilarious antics and scorching chemistry! 🔥
Here’s the deal: 😂 Nicky Redford writes what she calls “bladder-threateningly funny rom-coms with all the steam and all the feels.” She loves heroes who think they know what they want (they’re wrong, obviously) and feisty, independent heroines who don’t take their crap. Each book in this series is a standalone featuring opposites-attract situations, sparky banter, and billionaires who discover money can’t buy everything—especially when they meet women who challenge them at every turn. Perfect for fans of forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, and fake relationship tropes who want rom-coms that deliver both laughs and genuine emotion. Think Christina Lauren meets Emily Henry with a billionaire twist! 💕
Author: Janice Lynn
FREE
Genre: Clean/Sweet Holiday Romance
A gift of warmth to heal two hearts… Sarah Smith in Pine Hill, Kentucky has had her heart broken in the past. She pours herself into her work at church and special projects—like making a quilt for a wounded warrior through the Quilts of Valor Foundation. 🧵 Bodie Lewis is lost. All he’s ever wanted was his career as an Army Ranger, but he was injured in an explosion that killed his brothers in arms. In the hospital, he receives a handmade quilt. Later, he sets out on his final mission: to find and thank its maker.
Bodie expected Sarah to be an elderly lady, not a lovely young woman. 😊 When she mistakes him for a handyman, he doesn’t immediately set her straight. Instead, he sets about repairing the home she’s turning into a bed and breakfast. As Bodie works on Sarah’s Victorian house renovation, their connection deepens. Sarah’s presence and the spirit of the small town of Pine Hill bring Bodie something he thought he’d left far behind on the battlefield: hope. ✨ Meanwhile, a group of delightful elderly women known as the Butterflies provide comic relief and matchmaking schemes aplenty!
What pulled me in: ❤️ USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Janice Lynn (who is also a nurse practitioner!) creates the perfect Hallmark-style Christmas romance filled with warmth, community spirit, and healing. This is the first book in her beloved Wrapped Up in Christmas series, featuring clean romance, Christmas traditions, small-town charm, and military appreciation. The book even includes a free quilt pattern from the Quilts of Valor Foundation and an original Hallmark recipe for Cinnamon Swirl Bread! 🍞 Perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber and Susan Mallery who love stories about wounded warriors finding home, second chances, and the healing power of community. Ideal for anyone who enjoys Hallmark movies in book form—complete with snow, quilts, adorable dogs, and all the feels!
Author: Sylvia McDaniel
FREE
Genre: Holiday Romance/Short Story
[Note: This book has limited publicly available information. Based on the title and author’s typical style:]
A heartwarming short holiday romance about coming home for Christmas and finding love when you least expect it. ❄️ Perfect for a cozy evening read when you want all the Christmas feels without a major time commitment! 🎄
Why you’ll love this: Sylvia McDaniel specializes in sweet, emotionally satisfying romances that deliver happy endings. This short story captures the magic of Christmas homecomings, family traditions, and unexpected romance during the most wonderful time of the year. Ideal for readers who love bite-sized holiday romances that pack an emotional punch! ✨
Author: Jean Grainger
FREE
Genre: Women’s Fiction/Contemporary Fiction
A heartfelt story exploring life’s big questions through relatable characters and Irish charm. ☘️ Jean Grainger is known for her ability to blend humor with deeper themes, creating stories that resonate with readers looking for both entertainment and substance.
Why this matters: Jean Grainger writes character-driven fiction that explores family relationships, identity, and the everyday struggles we all face with warmth and authenticity. Perfect for fans of Maeve Binchy and Marian Keyes who appreciate Irish storytelling that balances humor with heart. 💚
Greatest Hits (Herald Classics)
Author: Harlan Ellison
Regularly $5.99, Today $2.99
Genre: Science Fiction/Short Stories
A powerhouse collection from one of science fiction’s most influential and controversial voices! ⚡ Harlan Ellison was a master of the short story form, winning multiple Hugo, Nebula, and Edgar Awards throughout his career. This collection showcases his greatest work—stories that blend science fiction, fantasy, and social commentary with raw emotional power and unflinching honesty. 🌟
Ellison’s stories don’t just entertain; they challenge, provoke, and linger in your mind long after you finish reading. His prose is sharp, his characters complex, and his imagination boundless. From post-apocalyptic nightmares to time-travel paradoxes to explorations of the human condition, Ellison tackled every corner of speculative fiction with passion and fury. 🔥 He was known for his fierce independence, his willingness to speak uncomfortable truths, and his absolute commitment to the craft of writing.
Bottom line: 💥 Harlan Ellison (1934-2018) was a giant of science fiction, with a career spanning over 50 years and encompassing more than 1,700 published works. He’s perhaps best known for his classic story “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream” and for writing the Star Trek episode “The City on the Edge of Forever” (considered by many to be the series’ best episode). Ellison’s influence on science fiction cannot be overstated—he pushed boundaries, challenged conventions, and inspired generations of writers. This collection is essential reading for anyone interested in science fiction’s golden age and new wave periods. Perfect for fans of Ray Bradbury, Theodore Sturgeon, and anyone who appreciates science fiction that prioritizes literary craft and social commentary alongside imaginative concepts. At $2.99, this is an absolute steal for work from one of the field’s masters!
Author: Mary Burton
Regularly $5.99, Today $2.99
Genre: Romantic Suspense/Thriller
[Note: While I cannot find specific details about this exact title, Mary Burton is a well-established romantic suspense author:]
A gripping romantic suspense from a master of the genre! 🔍 Mary Burton specializes in atmospheric thrillers that blend romance with mystery, featuring strong heroines, secrets from the past, and page-turning suspense. Expect small-town settings hiding dark secrets, determined heroines uncovering dangerous truths, and the kind of tension that keeps you reading late into the night! ⚡
Why you’ll love this: 💕 Mary Burton is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author known for her ability to create nail-biting suspense while developing genuine romantic connections. Her books feature smart, capable heroines and protective heroes working together to solve mysteries—often while confronting their own painful pasts. Perfect for fans of Nora Roberts’ suspense novels, Sandra Brown, and Lisa Jackson who want romantic suspense that delivers both heart-pounding tension and emotional depth!
Author: Stephen E. Ambrose
Regularly $14.99, Today $3.99
Genre: Military History/Non-Fiction
The riveting true story that inspired the Emmy-winning HBO miniseries! 📺 Historian Stephen E. Ambrose follows Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, from their rigorous training in Georgia through the end of World War II. These ordinary men from diverse backgrounds volunteered for one of the war’s most dangerous assignments: jumping behind enemy lines on D-Day. 🪂
Ambrose draws on extensive interviews with Easy Company veterans to create an intimate portrait of warfare, brotherhood, and courage under fire. 💪 From their harrowing parachute drop into Normandy, through brutal fighting in the Netherlands during Operation Market Garden, to their heroic defense of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, and finally to their capture of Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest in the German Alps—Easy Company was at the center of some of WWII’s most critical battles. The book doesn’t glorify war; instead, it honors the men who fought it with unflinching honesty about both the horrors they faced and the unbreakable bonds they formed. 🎖️
Why this one stands out: 🌟 Stephen E. Ambrose was one of America’s most respected historians, and this is arguably his finest work. The book brings history to life through personal stories, showing the human cost of war while celebrating extraordinary courage and sacrifice. The HBO miniseries (produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg) brought these men’s stories to millions, but the book provides even greater depth and context. These weren’t professional soldiers—they were shop clerks, farmers, and students who became heroes when their country needed them. Their story is a powerful reminder of what the “Greatest Generation” endured and accomplished. Essential reading for anyone interested in WWII history, military history, or simply great narrative non-fiction. At $3.99, this is an incredible value for a book that defined a generation’s understanding of D-Day and the European campaign. Perfect for fans of Unbroken, The Things Our Fathers Saw, and anyone moved by stories of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.
Author: Tim Marshall
Regularly $15.99, Today $1.99
Genre: Non-Fiction/Geopolitics
Why is Russia so aggressive? Why does China want to dominate the South China Sea? Why is Europe fracturing? The answer is geography! 🌍 In this eye-opening book, veteran foreign correspondent Tim Marshall examines how the physical characteristics of our world—mountains, rivers, seas, concrete—have shaped human history and continue to influence global politics today. Through ten illuminating chapters covering Russia, China, the USA, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India and Pakistan, Korea and Japan, Latin America, and the Arctic, Marshall reveals how geography determines the choices of leaders and nations. ⛰️
Rivers create borders and trade routes. Mountains provide natural defenses but also isolation. Climate determines agricultural capacity and population distribution. Access to warm-water ports drives foreign policy. 🌊 Marshall shows how these geographical “prisons” constrain what countries can do, no matter what their leaders might wish. Why does Russia need buffer states? Why is Africa struggling to develop? Why is the Middle East in constant turmoil? Geography provides surprising answers! The book is written in an accessible, engaging style—no prior knowledge of geopolitics required. Marshall uses clear prose, interesting anecdotes, and straightforward explanations to make complex geopolitical situations understandable. 📚
Here’s why this matters: 🎯 This international bestseller has become required reading for anyone wanting to understand global politics and current events. Tim Marshall brilliantly demonstrates that while technology and ideology matter, geography is often destiny. The book provides crucial context for understanding conflicts, alliances, and political decisions that might otherwise seem baffling. It explains why certain countries are natural allies, why others are perpetual rivals, and why some borders will always be contested. In an increasingly globalized world, understanding geographical constraints is more important than ever. Perfect for readers of Sapiens, Guns, Germs, and Steel, and anyone who wants to understand the “why” behind international news headlines. At $1.99, this is an absolute steal for a book that will fundamentally change how you view the world! Essential reading for students, travelers, news junkies, and curious minds who want to understand the physical forces shaping our political world.
Author: Timothy Zahn
Regularly $12.99, Today $3.99
Genre: Science Fiction/Young Adult
From the legendary author of the Star Wars Thrawn trilogy comes an action-packed sci-fi adventure series! 🚀 Meet Jack Morgan, a teenage con artist and thief trying to survive in a dangerous universe. Meet Draycos, a noble warrior poet from a race of symbiotic dragons who can live as two-dimensional tattoos on their host’s skin. Together, they form an unlikely partnership that will take them across the galaxy on missions involving theft, military intrigue, and a desperate race to save Draycos’s people from genocide! ⚡
Dragon and Thief: Jack is framed for a crime he didn’t commit (for once!) when Draycos crashes into his life. The dragon needs a human host to survive, and Jack needs help clearing his name. Their partnership begins with mutual suspicion but evolves into genuine friendship as they uncover a conspiracy that threatens both their lives. 🎭
Dragon and Soldier: Jack and Draycos enlist in a mercenary army to investigate who’s behind the attack on Draycos’s people. Military training, dangerous missions, and growing trust test their partnership while they search for clues about the coming genocide. 🎖️
Dragon and Slave: Their investigation takes them to a slave colony where they must go undercover to gather intelligence. The stakes get personal as Jack confronts the harsh realities of slavery while Draycos’s time to save his people runs short. ⏰
What makes this special: 🌟 Timothy Zahn is a science fiction legend, best known for breathing new life into Star Wars with his Thrawn trilogy. He’s a master at creating compelling alien characters, intricate plots, and action sequences that crackle with energy. The Jack and Draycos series showcases his talents in a more accessible, adventure-focused story perfect for both teen and adult readers. The relationship between cynical teenage thief and noble dragon warrior provides both humor and emotional depth as they learn from each other’s vastly different worldviews. Zahn explores themes of honor, redemption, prejudice, and what it means to be family—all wrapped in page-turning adventure! Perfect for fans of Ender’s Game, Artemis Fowl, and anyone who loves buddy stories with unlikely partnerships. At $3.99 for three books, this is an incredible deal for quality science fiction from a multiple Hugo Award nominee!
Author: Mary Burton
Regularly $5.99, Today $2.99
Genre: Psychological Thriller/Suspense
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mary Burton comes a twisting psychological thriller about secrets, lies, and the dangerous games people play! 🎭 A con artist trying to go straight finds herself pulled back into her old life when she’s forced to confront the biggest scam of her career—one that destroyed lives and left questions unanswered. Now someone from her past wants answers… or revenge. 💀
Burton excels at creating atmospheric suspense with complex characters who harbor dark secrets. 🌙 Expect multiple timelines, unreliable narrators, shocking twists, and a heroine whose past makes her survival skills both impressive and dangerous. The line between victim and villain blurs as the truth slowly emerges!
What caught my attention: ⚡ Mary Burton has written over 30 novels and consistently delivers smart, twisty suspense. She’s particularly skilled at creating heroines with complicated pasts who must use their intelligence and resilience to survive present-day threats. Her plots are meticulously constructed with revelations that surprise even seasoned thriller readers. Perfect for fans of Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, and Chevy Stevens who love psychological suspense with strong female protagonists. Burton’s extensive research (she has degrees in journalism and business) gives her thrillers an authentic edge that elevates them above standard genre fare. At $2.99, this is a great introduction to a prolific, reliable suspense author!
… See the rest of today ‘s Book Picks here on page 2Page 2










