If you had told me last year that I would binge on self-published books, I would have laughed at you. But times have changed and I’ve discovered some quality books being self-pubbed. It doesn’t hurt that some of the authors I already read are branching out in that direction. Already established trust factor!

This wasn’t an intentional binge. I just happened to look back on my really good reading streak and realized that 4 of the 5 were self-pubbed.

(Click on the cover to visit the author’s site for blurbs, excepts, reading order, etc)

*

Hard Mated by Jennifer Ashley

Book 3.5 in the Shifters Unbound series features Spike, a wildcat shifter we met in earlier books. Most of the other shifters see him as only a dumb fighter and he’s fine with that until Myka shows up with a surprise that rocks his world. A few years ago, Spike had a one night stand with Myka’s best friend that created a child he never knew about. Now the mother is dying of cancer and it is Spike’s responsibility to raise his son. Myka isn’t sure she trusts Spike to raise the child she loves but she’s willing to do anything she can to help him. And Spike is willing to do anything he can, including changing the status quo of Shifter Town, to ensure his son’s safety and future.

Fast paced with a lot of action, a dose of humor and some steamy bedroom scenes, this book book pulled quite a few happy sighs for me. I’m not sure how well it would stand alone without at least one other book from the series under your belt to explain this shifter world. There’s also many typos that can distract from the story but, overall, my enjoyment of the story overcame any flaws and I’m eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

4 stars.

*

Iloria by Moira Rogers

Book 3 in And The Beast series

After being cast aside by her fiance in Sabine, Iloria married a stranger and has traveled with him to his lands. Farren is starting to regret his impulsive decision to marry Iloria. With the curse hanging over his head, his life is no place for an innocent like Iloria. She must prove to him that she can handle his beast and by his side is where she belongs.

Iloria showing Farren what her seduction tutor taught her led to some very sexy scenes and watching Farren try to resist her was so fun. When he went to his servant to get advice on how to win her heart, I was in love. I enjoyed every page and getting to see Sabine and Cair was a special bonus.

5 stars (I am totally biased when it come to Moira Rogers books. I <3 them)

*

Bleed For Me by Cynthia Eden

Boredom led Apollo to his brother’s bar in Florida. Hunger led led Terese to the same bar. When Apollo sees Terese, all he wants is a night with her in his bed. All Terese wants is a quick bite to hold off the blood lust that is overcoming her after she escaped from her maker. They both get more than expected.

Apollo knew from the start that Terese was meant to be his and he wasn’t going to let her fear of an old, psychotic vampire stand in their way. Totally alpha, growling “mine“, and losing control when his woman is in danger, Apollo is my favorite type of hero.

Bleed For Me is an exciting start to this new series and I want the next book NOW.

5 stars

*

On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

After Joss lost her entire family in a car accident when she was a teen, she shut out the world and all the messy emotions that go with it. If you don’t care then you can’t be hurt. Her new roommate Ellie starts to crack those walls and Ellie’s brother, Braden, destroys them. A no emotions sexual arrangement with Braden leads to feelings that Joss doesn’t want to deal with and forces her to reevaluate her life and deal with the tragedy that has controlled it for eight years.

Angst-filled, a little dark, and a lot sexy, On Dublin Street is one of the best books I’ve read this year. If you are on the fence on trying it, I recommend checking out Smexy Book’s Top Ten Reasons to read On Dublin Street by Samantha Young. She sums it up so well and the post has some great snippets.

5 stars

*

So that’s been my reading week. How about you? Have you discovered any great self-pubbed books that everyone should be reading?