Maryse's Book Blog

Oooops!!!! We just got one more in, so YAY US!!! Steph N has been with us since 2015, but most actively chatting with us this year!! I’m so glad!!

Let’s get to know her better, shall we?

About her reading preferences:

KU- worth it to me, I try and make sure to read four books a month from it to make it worth the $10 but that isn’t really ever an issue. I’m always at my limit and sometimes have to turn things before I read it just to download something else.

I love stumbling on a terrific series, especially when they allow me to use my KU.

I’m a mood reader. Sometimes I want sweet, sometimes I want dirty, sometimes I want dark. I only wish Amazon kept track of what you’ve read like they do your purchases.

I always considered a true romance book to have some sort of conclusion at the end that ends up with the couple together. A romance book also mainly focuses on all the stuff a couple goes through to get there and how it plays out and is written that makes it a good book.

I have never once listened to an audiobook!

Am I the only one that can’t remember reading books?? Thank goodness for the alerts from Amazon telling me I have!

About reviews: ”Thanks for the very long review. I have the opposite problem. (example- 5 stars-WOW- Read it! Ok. )” <— Sidenote from  Maryse: LOL!!!! CUTE!! We’ll take your short & sweet recommendations anytime, Steph!

About the books that “stayed” with her throughout her life:

As a kid: Island of the Blue Dolphins. I bought a copy as an adult just to have it on my bookshelf

As a 20 something: Good in Bed (Cannie Shapiro Book 1) by Jennifer Weiner

In my 30s, the Left Behind Series (by LaHaye Jenkins)

In my 40s, not for any literary reason but because it got me reading again after my moms death, Fifty Shade (*after the movie came out. I hadn’t read in over two years and I had been one of those book a day readers. I picked it up because a friend on Facebook told me how much better the book was. I even wrote EL and told her how it got me out of my slump.)

Most Current: Full Tilt and All In (Full Tilt Book 2) by Emma Chase.

MANY Others were so good over the years but those stand out in my mind/head.

I have to add on the Left Behind Series, which is Christian fiction. My mom was a HUGE reader, mainly of the mystery/suspense genre. I was watching her TEAR through these books and she kept like chanting to me “so good, so good” (haha). I thought it was another in her typical genre and when I found out it was about the rapture and end times I was kinda like huh!? So when she reached somewhere around book 7, I picked up book one, read it and was instantly addicted. If you have not read this series AT LEAST pick up the first book and try it out! I would imagine that it is available at the library/overdrive.

About her dog’s reaction when she ugly-cried while reading:

I read Sloth and loved it. The only think I hated was reading it on a kindle paperweight, the letters they wrote back and forth were a bit hard to read. But whatever. One point gave me such an ugly cry my dog actually looked at me with a WTF expression.

About her search for cheese

Steph N: I’m looking for a great queso recipe without velvetta. Does anyone have one? I’m probably going to have to resort to Velveeta again. There was a restaurant that I worked at years ago called “Tia’s Tex Mex”. I could drink their queso I was so in love with it. I’ve been on the hunt ever since to make it like that at home!

And now… her Best of 2018 List:

“Last year I made a New Years Resolution to keep track of books I read. I set a goal of 52 books and ended up reading 125. Going through my books, I feel I’m a little stingy with the 5 star rating.

I mostly read some sort of romance from dark to ditsy. I finally discovered the library and ebooks through them and read 45 library books.
Here is my list!”

5 Stars:

• Transcend and Epoch by Jewel E Ann <— probably on everybodys list!
• Transcendence by Shay Savage <— did not care for the second one. It was basically the same story, but the story is unique

Steph N:  loved Transcendence too! It was different than most “romance” books.

• The Idea of You: A Novel by Robinne Lee <— (debut, wish there was a follow up, stuck with me, I couldn’t get Harry Styles out of my head)

Steph N: God I loved this book so much. The writing for me was just stellar. Five plus stars for me.

This was my review of that book and I’m STILL thinking about it which is a rarity in my world.

”I loved EVERYTHING about this book. The story, the characters, the romance, the art, the language, the ending. Everything.”

The Idea of You was in my top three of books this year. Something about it stuck with me.

• My Torin by K Webster <— K Webster is just SO GOOD with the way she lays the words on the page.
• All the Ugly and Wonderful Things: A Novel by Bryn Greenwood <— SO SO Good
• Midnight Valentine by JT Geissinger <— This might be my book of the year along with the Hating Game and The Idea of You)
• The Hating Game: A Novel by Sally Thorne <— I just fell in love with this not deep, not dark, not angsty book
• Atticus: A Woman’s Journey with the World’s Worst Behaved Dog by S Bennett <— I think the title and the cover sucked me in!
• The Birthday List (Maysen Jar Book 1) by Devney Perry <— Oh my heart!
• As Dust Dances by Samantha Young <— HIGHLY recommend!! GO! Read it!! Standalone, didn’t read the first one.
• Trailer Park Heart by Rachel Higginson <— Cute, fun, relateable to me

Steph N: One click- Trailer Park Heart. I just LOVE her books!

• The Song of David (The Law of Moses Book 2) by Amy Harmon <— The first was 5 star as well
• Forever Right Now by Emma Scott <— a holdover from 2017 that was on everyones list. I think Emma Scott is in my top 3 of authors.

Steph N: Side note- Emma Scott. One click author for sure.

…I’m a big Emma Scott fan too, can understand the wanting to add them all to the best list!!

Just realized I read a 5 star a month!

4.5 Stars:

1. Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas <— this only by second book by this author, need to read more!)
2. The One by John Marrs <— Thriller, scary, crazy
3. In Harmony by by Emma Scott <— love the Shakespeare in this book
4. Behind the Bars (Music Street #1) by Brittainy Cherry <— quick read with lots of heart, loved the message in this one
5. Until It Fades: A Novel by KA Tucker <— single mom, loved this one!

4 Stars:

• Beautiful Hearts Duet by Emma Scott <— this was all over good reads and I liked it but it lacked something for me
• 53 Letters For My Lover by Leylah Attar <— Cheating, marital strife, story takes place over years
• Arrogant Devil by RS Grey
• Disgrace by Brittainy Cherry
• Infinity + One by Amy Harmon
• The Evolution Of Sin: The Complete Trilogy By Giana Darling
• -The Affair 4 stars
• -The Secret 4 stars
• -The Consequence 5 stars

Steph N: I read three naughtly cheating books (a series) by Giana Darling. Lots of misspelled words and there were some timeline things that were screwy (I didn’t notice ’till I read it in other reviews. I loved it but I may have just been in the mood for some hot sex scenes.

• Tall, Dark and Charming: An Accidental Surprise Baby Standalone Romance (Tall, Dark and Sexy Series Book 1) by Erica Wilde <— This was a quick, cute, predictable but enjoyable read
• Sex, Not Love by Vi Keeland
• The Real by Kate Stewart
• I’ll be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara <— Real life story, glad I already knew the outcome as I was FREAKED out reading it

Old Books I FINALLY read:

• Comfort Food by Kitty Thomas <— 4 stars (thanks for pick for me challenge)
• Jezebel by K Larsen <— 5 Stars (also read because of pick for me challenge)

Steph N: and oh m gee.

• Numerous Older Kristen Ashley books <— 4 stars

YAY!! Thank you SO much for this, Steph!!! Keep ‘em coming. You know how to reach me now.

1 comment

It’s Amy’s turn! She’s my book-twin (we love the same type of jaw-droppers, or devastating reads), so I’m always excited to see her recommendations. This year, its a short and sweet list (she explains why – and she’s got a GREAT plan for this year!!) but I loved a few on this list like crazy, so I know the others  she names are absolute MUST-READS for me!!

But first… some AMY 2018 “Life” highlights (in her own words)

About food: I am OBSSESSED with meatballs right now. Turkey meatballs, ground beef meatballs, ground chicken meatballs, Swedish, Korean BBQ, Italian, even flavored with Lipton onion soup mix *drool*! They freeze well so I can make a bunch in advance and then just thaw them out. But tonight, it’s a fresh batch, and I can’t wait!

I love my slow cooker! I have a couple hundred recipes saved on Pinterest, and I use it at least once a week. I recommend getting one that you can set the timer for a certain number of hours and then it will automatically kick over to warm at the end of that time so nothing is over cooked. It’s definitely worth paying a little extra for a slow cooker.

Amy: When I thought about making this list, some books immediately came to mind but I knew there just had to be others. Then, in looking back over the books I read in 2018, I was pretty surprised by how few stuck with me. I came across many where I thought, “I read that last year??” because I couldn’t remember a dang thing about them.

In other words, my list will be short but ohhhhhh so sweet.

But that’s what I get for simply trying to clear out my TBR collections instead of reading the books which had blurbs that *OOMPH!*ed me…guess I know what will direct my reading choices this year!

In no particular order, here’s my list of 2018 favorites/books that stuck with me:

The True Story of Atticus and Hazel by Fisher Amelie <— The writing was okay, nothing fantastical (and the medical events needed some serious professional input) but the events delivered a gut punch which I still feel the effects of almost a year later. How can I forget watching the Olympics couples figure skating and sobbing while hearing Mariah Carey’s My All? I still hear the damn song when I see the beautiful cover.

Amy: What book has charmed you? The True Story of Atticus and Hazel…even though it gutted me at one point, I loved how they continually used each other’s names in conversing with each other (it wasn’t even close to being annoying), and I wanted to be a part of Atticus’ big, loud, crazy family.

Atticus and Hazel…you guuuuuuyyyyys, read it! I’m still feeling feels from it days later. MARYSE MY BOOK-TWIN!!! I know, know, KNOW you will love it as well. 

Sadie by Courtney Summers <— This one is heavy. There is nothing feel-good about it. It starts off with a horrible event and just continues from there, but y’all know I love heavy. It is heartbreaking. It is frustrating. It is just so damn unfair. But it is great. The use of a transcribed podcast to help tell the story was ingenious and actually made me want to listen to the audiobook just to hear those chapters as podcasts (since I am currently addicted to podcasts). What I wouldn’t give for the author to release a novella to follow up the ending…

Amy: I just finished Sadie.

And now I’m in turmoil.

I’m not used to THAT sort of ending.

My heart is heavy.

So, now I need a drink.

Amy: I’m STILL having the hardest time wrapping my head around that ending. I expected it to end one way or the other, but I was NOT expecting the way it did end. I’m just having a tough time sorting out how I feel about it. 

Amy: I loved Sadie. It’s a HEAVY read but so very good. In fact, it will be on my list of favorites for 2018 because of the way it’s stuck with (and haunted) me since reading it.

My Oxford Year: A Novel by Julia Whelan <— My eyes watered but I didn’t shed any tears. My throat tightened up but I didn’t sob. Even so, months later I still find myself reflecting on it as if I actually know them and as if they actually exist, wondering what is happening with them and hoping for an update. THAT is what propelled my initial rating of 4-4.5 stars to 5 stars. The scene at the end where he is standing under the waterfall? Oh, my heart.

Amy: Anyone considering reading My Oxford Year really SHOULD read it, even if it means waiting for it to drop in price again…

…it was really, REALLY good. I didn’t cry (although I did get teary-eyed a couple of times) and the ending was bittersweet but lovely. No angst, but a couple of tense moments.

Binding 13 and Keeping 13 by Chloe Walsh <— Good LORD these books were long, but never did they feel like they were dragging. Never did I look at what was left and feel overwhelmed or frustrated. The characters may be in high school and often act as high schoolers would be expected to act, but the writing itself was not immature which is what I want when reading a YA-themed book. Nothing is over the top dramatic, and the situations are so very real and believable.

Amy: I never should have waited to read B13. I am thoroughly and completely wrapped up in Keeping 13 right now. I keep making the mistake of picking it up when I’m supposed to be doing other things, and next thing I know an hour has passed. LOVE these books.

…They are the type of YA books where the characters often act their age and are immature, but the writing itself isn’t immature. And due to the heavy, serious nature of what’s going on, they sometimes act and talk older than their age. The books are loooooooong and require a commitment, but I have never once felt like they are dragging. Yeah, obviously I’m a cheerleader for them. 

…if you haven’t made it to the part where he’s all high on painkillers, just wait. It’s hilarious. HILARIOUS.

I have to share the part which made me literally snort out loud from Binding 13. A little background, he calls her “Shannon like the river” because that’s how she introduced herself, and at this part he is freaking HIGH on painkillers:

“Not too much longer to wait.” I sighed. “Thank f*ck, ’cause I’m in love.”
“You’re in love?”
I nodded happily. “And she’s a river.”
“Well that’s… lovely, pet,” Mam coaxed, sounding confused. “Good boy.”
“I’m gonna sail my boat down her river,” I snickered. “My dick boat.”
“Can they knock him back out?” Ma grumbled. “He’s going to give me a stroke with all this talk.”
“It’s okay, Ma,” I coaxed. “I’m gonna keep her, too. Make all my babies with her because my balls work–and Da says I can pull on my dick again. Woo!”
“John!” Mam gasped. “What have you been telling our son?”
Dad laughed. “He’s seventeen, Edel. It’s the first thing he’s going to ask about after a surgery like that.”
“Oh, dear Jesus,” Mam groaned.

LOL!!!!!

And last but by no means least, my absolute favorite of the year…

Transcend and Epoch by Jewel E. Ann!!! <— They need no explanation. The guy… *ahem* COVER on Transcend was always eye-catching, but reading how it was tied in and explained in the story made it simply heartbreaking knowing the emotions and turmoil he was experiencing when it was taken. And the epilogue. Oh, the epilogue. So. Freaking. Perfect.

Amy: Still hungover from Transcend and Epoch. *dreamy sigh* Such a beautifully unique story. …I didn’t think I could adore Nate and Griffin more after Transcend, but Epoch took both of them to a new level. They. Are. Amazing. And human and REAL.

Here’s to a better year with filled with more amazing reads than I had in 2018! And since my list was so short, I’m throwing in the soon-to-be-released books I am just DYING to read!

• The Paper Wasp by Lauren Acampora (that cover HAUNTS me!)
• The Work Wife by CJ Martin (*oomph!*)
• Forget You Know Me: A Novel by Jessica Strawser (if that isn’t a WTF blurb…)

14 comments

For now I’ll call her “Ashley D” (as we have TWO active Ashley’s on the blog) and this is our very first “Ashley D’s favorites” list from her. I just LOVE how she formatted it!! I giggled as I scrolled through her categories, ’cause it’s exactly what we need when we’re in the mood for something in particular.

Ashley has been with us since March 2017, is one of our big “audiobook” readers,

“…I listen to audiobooks while I’m working and it’s amazing. I’m just being told a story all day long. I usually listen to them at a higher speed so that I can get through a whole book in my workday, it does take some getting used to – and you have to make sure the narrator is someone who you can listen to all day – but it’s worth it. The audible app on my phone is one of the best and most used thing ever. …I deliver mail and listen while I’m walking…

…I usually go through at least 5 a week. (And yes, I always have to listen to a sample if I haven’t listened to the narrator before because narration can sometimes make or break a book!)…”

LOVES the same authors we do, but I’ve learned a bunch of new-to-mes because of her, too!

Here are a few fun Ashley-facts (let’s get to know her even better!!):

About reading: I’ve always been a big reader… I was the kid who would go to the library and rent 10 books to read on vacation. I got older and busier and hardly had any time for ‘fun reading.’ Then one summer I decided to cut out tv almost completely (to an hour per week) and to primarily read…and it was amazing. I still hardly watch any tv and I don’t really miss it. I do hit double digits for books but I also listen to a ton of audiobooks. And I do sometimes stay up past my bedtime to read…but then everyone tells me I look tired.

About spoilers: I hate spoilers. I especially hate it when the description of a book gives away too many spoilers. A few of the audiobooks I have listened to have been spoiled for me by the description, I’ll say ‘oooh this sounds good!’ but then it’ll be 6 hours into the book when part of the description comes into play and to top it off it’s one of the plot twists of the book! And I’m always saying to myself this was part of the official blurb/description…why?!?! You’re ruining your own book!

About dogs: I wish my boyfriend’s kids weren’t allergic otherwise I would have gotten one years ago. BUT since I deliver mail I get to pet all of the dogs in the neighborhood. (Except the mean ones – fun fact: I was bitten in the face by a mean dog last week, he just jumped right up a bunch of times – there was a lot of screaming and a lot of blood. I’m okay, but I’m pretty sure there is going to be a scar or two through my eyebrow.)

About Colleen Hoover: I have had the hugest girl crush on Colleen Hoover since I read Maybe Someday. The way she incorporated music right into the book that you could actually listen to while you read the lyrics was incredible! I ended up buying the songs so I could just listen to them while I was working. It remains one of my favorite reads…and I didn’t think it could possibly get any better until I listened to the audiobook. Whole new level. (Zachary Webber everyone.)

…Maybe Someday is one of my go-to reads! I’ve read/listened to it at least 6 times.

About “couple nicknames”: When my boyfriend and I first started dating almost 10 years ago he once called me ‘babe’ and I looked at him and said, ‘you just took points off my IQ.’ That was before I read romance books! Now I wouldn’t mind it, but it really bothered me for some reason then! So his nicknames for me are Cute and Stuff. (Because apparently Stuff can be an all encompassing nickname; short stuff, cute stuff, sexy stuff, smart stuff, weird stuff…).

About favorite audiobooks:  …done a lot of re-listens; ALL of Mariana Zapatas books, K.A. Tucker’s Burying Water Series, Jana Aston’s books, and a bunch by Penelope Ward.

Three Things:

1. I’m on vacation and I was up until 4 in the morning reading The Bride series by S. Doyle. They were SO good! If you’re in a slump it’s basically 5 novellas all on KU about a girl who’s almost 17 and marries the foreman/her best friend on her ranch after her father dies so she doesn’t go into foster care. It’s funny, touching and really well written – I didn’t know if I would like it but it completely sucked me in! It’s a slow burn which are my favorite type.

2. I mowed the lawn today so that I felt as though I actually got something accomplished.

3. I ate leftover egg rolls for breakfast. No shame in my game.

I love the lists here. I love that when I’m in the mood for a specific kind of book Maryse has a list for it…if not she’ll make one!

And now… time for Ashley’s Best Books of 2018!!

Here is my list of favorite books of the year (I’m sure I’ve forgotten some along the way and I’m going to curse myself later!) but I made it pretty self explanatory. If I talked about each one there would be far too many exclamation points to handle so I just made a list.

Book of the Year: 

Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas

Ashley: I LOVED this book! In fact it put me in kind of a slump where nothing else is living up to it right now. I love forbidden romance and Penelope Douglas does it so well. And yes, there were some great quotes in it!

Ashley: This weekend I reread Birthday Girl….it’s just so good. It’s my top read so far this year.

Best Audiobook:

Getting Schooled by Emma Chase

Ashley: Getting Schooled by Emma Chase. He is a high school coach/teacher and she is the drama/theater teacher. It is amazing! It is one of my top books of the year so far!

Book I Wish I Would Have Read Sooner:

On the Island: A Novel by Tracey Garvis Graves

Ashley:

1. I stayed up WAY past my bedtime last night reading but I HAD to finish my book because…
2. I FINALLY READ ‘ON THE ISLAND’ AND IT WAS AMAZING!!!!
3. I love books. *happy sigh*

Best Destination Books:

• The Simple Wild: A Novel by K.A. Tucker
• Mists of The Serengeti by Leylah Attar

Books that Made me Laugh:

• STROKED by Meghan Quinn
• Jock Rule (Jock Hard Book 2) by Sara Ney
• Arrogant Devil by R.S. Grey

Ashley: …read Arrogant Devil which is the perfect bully book. It’s funny and I loved the heroine and it has a sassy grandma (WHO doesn’t like a sassy grandma! They steal all the scenes they’re in!)

Books that Made Me Cry:

• Heartbreak Warfare by Heather M. Oregon and Kate Stewart

Ashley: …it was beyond amazing! I still can’t get it out of my head. So so so so good!

• Transcend / Epoch by Jewel E. Ann

Ashley: I JUST finished Transcend and … oh. my. goodness! I’m going to be at work all day tomorrow thinking about it and waiting until I can read Epoch. This is one of those books where you don’t realized you’ve stopped breathing. It just grabs you and pulls you right in. I couldn’t put it down! THIS is why I love books.

Ashley: I’m not much of a duet person and I’m glad I waited to read them together because those were intense! I’m still thinking about them! The writing was beautiful and you just felt so torn through it. That epilogue. Ahh. I said it before … THIS is why I love books.

• Unbreak My Heart (Fostering Love Book 1) by Nicole Jacquelyn

Ashley: I read Unbreak My Heart because it kept popping up on the blog and OH BOY that was amazing.

• White Lilies (A Mitchell Sisters Novel) by Samantha Christy
• All Your Perfects: A Novel by Colleen Hoover

Ashley: I completely agree with ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING by Mariana Zapata and Colleen Hoover

Books that Made My Heart Happy:

• Him / Us by Sarina Bowen

Ashley: (but basically everything by her).

• Dear Bridget, I Want You by Penelope Ward
• The Ex Effect by Karla Sorensen
• Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
• Moonshot by Alessandra Torre

Ashley: (I only just listened to it! I loved it!)

Angst Done Right:

• The Surviving Trace (Surviving Time Series Book 1) by Calia Read
• Ten Reasons to Stay (The Risky Hearts Duet Book 1) by Candace Knoebel
• Forgetting You, Forgetting Me (Memories from Yesterday Book 1) by Monica James

Best Action Books:

• Preacher: Rapid City Stories by Dahlia West
• Mercy by Deborah Anastasia
• Whispered Lies: Web of Lies #1 by Kathleen Brooks

Best ‘Well, That Was a Surprise’ Books:

• The Bride Series by S. Doyle

Ashley: …I’ve been telling other people about how much I ended up enjoying it. …The Bride Series was just so much better done on all levels.

• A Surrogate Love Affair by Jaimie Roberts
• Comatose (Vixen Bluff Book 1) by Catherine Black

Ashley: I just finished Comatose by Catherine Black and it was amazing! I got it on sale on amazon and thought ‘I’ll try it.’ Sometimes those are the best finds!

• Craving Sugar (A Sugar Daddy Romance) by Elena M. Reyes

Dirty Indulgent Books (aka I’m going to tilt my iPad so you cannot see what I’m reading):

• Sex Sessions: Uncut by Charisse Spiers
• Voyeur by Fiona Cole
• Priest: A Love Story by Sierra Simone

And finally…Author I fell in love with…

Devney Perry. (Seriously, I loved all of her books. I devoured them this year. Good times.)

YAY!!! I love how you categorized you favorites, Ashley! In the mood for a certain thing, and your list becomes the ultimate TBR list!!

12 comments

Nancy’s list is one of my favorites this year, not only because it has so many NEW-TO-ME books on it (that sound right up my book-alley) but because it’s a sweet tribute to our loving and long time friend, Kandace, who passed away.

Nancy: The year of 2018 was a very good reading year. I know from how hard it was to limit the books I want to put on my list. Having said that, I can’t make this list with out paying a dedication to Kandace. Kandace “Lovesbooks” Milostan was a Golden Girl in our book world. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by her beloved family, on December 26th 2018. She was way too young, was needed here by so many, but she is at peace. Heaven now has an Angel, but she was an Angel here on earth to so many of us. Kandace and I shared a birth-date: January 24th. She use to say we were Birthday Twins. Not looking forward to this birthday. When getting ready to start making this list, I looked at my NANCY’S TOP READS FOR 2015, and so many were credited to her recommendation. Rest in peace Sweet Lady. You are missed so much!!

1) No Tomorrow by Carian Cole <— I had been patiently waiting for the release of this book. I am a big fan of Carian Cole, and have read all her books. But this is an epic book. It is a standalone long book, so don’t start reading till you can keep on reading. I didn’t want to put the book down till “The End”! This book does touch on sensitive subjects.

2) Watch Me Follow by Harloe Rae <—  This is a very unconventional love story between Ryker Doxson and Lennon Bennett. He has never had a kind word said his way, even his own parents taunted him with verbal abuse. He had been called demeaning names that made his anxiety turn to anger about his life. That is until she showed up. For the first time in his young life, he didn’t feel alone. He would do anything for his “Sunshine”! Two other books by Harloe Rae I enjoyed are:
FORGET YOU NOT (A Reclusive Novel) & REDEFINING US (A Reclusive Novel).

3) The Boy in the Window: A Paranormal Thriller by Ditter Kellen <— The book starts out on a sad note, but changes into a mysterious mystery. This book is also unique and a mind chilling experience. Won’t say more, as you must read it for yourself.

4) The Sinister Silhouette by Alex Grayson <— After reading this book, it became my favorite book I’ve read by Alex Grayson. It is a Mystery Thriller, and a book I didn’t want to put down till the end. There are plenty of twist and turns. Even when I ‘thought’
I knew what was going on, not so much, so kept reading on till the end.

5) Outnumbered by Shay Savage <— This is one ‘crazy’ good book!! Shay Savage has a way of writing unique, original, and unconventional romance novels. Bishop Harp has lived in his isolated cabin for three years with no desire for company. But what could he do, when he found a damsel in distress, abandoned and unconscious, but take her home to his cabin. When she finally wakes up, he finds that he is outnumbered.

6) Dagger in the Sea by Cat Porter. This is a long epic book. There is world building and world travel. All the way from the crime-ridden streets of Chicago to the enchanted Greek Islands. A Mafia theme through out, with more bad intentions than good. A love story to rival any Greek Myth.

7) Only the Positive (Only You Book 1) by Elle Thorpe (New to me author) <— This is a very different love story. This touches a subject that I’ve never really seen addressed in a book. Reese meets Low on her first day of work at the Lavender Fields Racecourse. They worked at the long bar serving drinks, and he worked the section right next to her and was her delicious and sexy-looking boss. By the end of her first day, she was hoping that Low would want to go home with her. They had been flirting with each other all day. But he left with someone else, and they both would come to wish he would have chosen differently. I also enjoyed ONLY THE PERFECT by Elle Thorpe.


Medicine Man by Saffron A. Kent <— This is the Ultimate Forbidden Romance! It is pretty straight-forward if Willow Taylor is a patient at Heartstone Psychiatric Hospital, and Dr. Simon Blackwood is her Doctor. Her psychologist. That any relationship is crossing the forbidden line. Also the no-touching policy can also be thrown out the window. Also enjoyed GODS & MONSTERS by Saffron A. Kent.

9) Gravel Road by Stephie Walls <— This is a Second Chance Romance, but not the usual kind. There are mountains to climb, and deep wounds that need to be healed. Apologies that might not be enough or just too late. Just saying “I still love you”! Won’t be enough to mend hearts that have been this shattered. Hateful words thrown in anger can never be taken back. You can’t change your yesterdays, but there are plenty of fences to mend if you want a happy tomorrow.
Also by Stephie Walls: FAMILY TIES, DEAR DIAMOND & SMALL TOWN GIRL.

10) Ruffles & Beaus by Carina Adams <— This is a triangle love affair. The story is told by three points of view: Cady, Roman, and Reid. Love doesn’t fit into a neat little box. It doesn’t have rules that we all have to follow. It doesn’t always make sense. It isn’t perfect. And it can hurt. But it can be all worth it in the end. Love is all that matters. So, love freely, love openly, love often. Because in the end love might be all there is!

11) In His Eyes by Nicole Hart <— This is my most inspirational book of the year. I thought it was going to be a difficult subject, but I found this book to be very inspirational. I enjoyed the strength of the characters and how faith and hope is the theme through out. The courage of a mother to draw on all her strength to take her baby and run, because she was sure the abuse would escalate, and be turned on her baby.

12) Lessons In Corruption (The Fallen Men Series Book 1) by Giana Darling <— This is the year I discovered this author and just was blown away. He was eighteen, but who would have known. He was heir to a notorious, criminal MC The Fallen Men. He was still in school and only eighteen. His teacher didn’t know until it was too late. A really, really good teacher/student story. Also by Giana Darling WELCOME TO THE DARKSIDE. So Good!!

13) Verity by Colleen Hoover <— This is not a book for everyone, but I found it consuming. It is a standalone romantic thriller. It is tragic, but creepy, too. Brilliantly written and I couldn’t put it down. Stayed with me and I needed someone to talk to about it. So made my husband and best book buddy read it also.

14) Bloodstained Beauty by Ella Fields <— I have read other books by this author, but nothing quite like this. It is a standalone thrilling, contemporary romantic suspense. Imagine finding your dream man, only to find your nightmare man just might be your soul mate.

15) My Favorite Duet: THE STARS DUET by Amie Knight.
*Beneath His Stars (The Stars Duet Book 1): Adam Nova and Livingston Montgomery were never meant to cross paths. They met under strange circumstances under the stars. Adam and Liv were pulled together by some unknown magical force. She would dream about him, until the next time she would see him beneath his stars.
*In Her Space (The Stars Duet Book 2): A continuation of Adam & Liv and their magical time beneath the stars. Even if after all these years they were two magnets drawn to each other. Not an easy ending, but destiny would win in the end.

16) My Favorite Series: MERCILESS by W. Winters (Willow Winters).
This is a four book series that is now complete. You can read the entire story of Carter Cross and his relationship with Aria Talvery. A Romeo & Juliet story with out a tragic ending.
*MERCILESS Book 1
*HEARTLESS Book 2
*BREATHLESS Book 3
*ENDLESS Book 4
This is a wild read, and you will enjoy every page.
Enjoyed these books with characters connected: A KISS TO TELL & POSSESSIVE.

Thank you so much for this, Nancy!! So many books on here that sound unique and raw and, just… everything I LOVE to read!

Like Nancy’s book-style? Check out more of her favorites:

• Reader Favorites – Nancy’s Top 15 Reads for 2015
• Reader Favorites – Nancy’s Top Book Reads for the Year 2016
• Reader Favorites – Nancy’s 20 Best Books of 2017

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