Maryse's Book Blog

DG’s best of 2016 list is ready, too!! She’s been with us for a long time, but made it official just a bit over a year ago (joining us at the end of 2015!!) She’s been an incredibly fun and active member of our book crew, and has great book taste, so I’m thrilled she’s shared her list today.

Since this is her first official “best of” list on the blog, I thought I’d include a bit about her, so you could get to know her better:

I found Maryse’s blog after googling to find books similar to one I just finished – think it was Beautiful Disaster. And for the longest did not comment but then there are those books that you are in the middle of and you want to gush, rant or share about…so ladies ya’ll get me better than most when it comes to book addiction…yes, totally admit it…I am a book addict. *grinning*

My THREE things:

1. I am addicted to hazelnut coffee but only in the mornings since this is the ONLY caffeine I drink.
2. if I THINK I can make something, I refuse to buy it. (Example: I made my girl’s Supergirl Halloween costume because I am THAT mom)
3. I often pause when reading even if I am engrossed in a book to take mini breaks to check Pinterest, FB or Instagram …and I’m not sure why….

Drives me nuts! Nuts I say! I start a book…really intrigued, everything is clicking,,.and then it gets too easy, my attention starts to drift. Just want someone that I can’t put down….

Things I don’t like…cliffhangers, major time lapses : where the H and h have lost major time separated, love triangles, and unhappy endings..*whispers lowly that I still believe in fairytales*

…I am a sucker for romances that involve single parents, adorable kiddos or babes …

…I really like a strong alpha who takes control, takes the girl and everyone else be d@mn3d!…

I do like to re-read my favs…but for the most part I am chasing that new read HiGH!! I’m a sucker for HEAs, absolutely LOATH cliffhangers, can handle angsty as long as I get the vibes that my prince (whether dark or not) finds his princess AND lastly if you don’t hook me by at the latest 10% into a book….you’ve lost me!

I LOVE a good HEA! But I like for there to be a little work involved first…whether it is angsty, a pesky ex, a misunderstanding, life threatening injury…something to make the HEA worth it. Also love it when that crazy hot alpha has that ‘over the edge protective’ moment…just really love a good alpha. I mean who doesn’t want a strong, hot, determined male to dominated and determine where this relationship is going…right?!? Oh, and let’s throw in a side of hurt feelings too….you know those alphas sometimes think that they know what is best and stomp all over our girls feelings and heart.

I think mine runs toward dry to slightly crude (in books)…and I appreciate some good sarcasm. Just saying…

I have never been one to have like crushes on rock stars, movie stars ….famous folks in general…aside from the book boyfriends…BUT…at this late time in my life…I have the most major crush, look wise..he is perfection to me….so yeah, I might just have to read the new book he is on… STROKED. *fanning self, sighing deeply…someone call the emt’s…I might just pass out from the cover!* …Definitely my crush…can he just be on ALL book covers going forward?!?!?

Here are her favorites and think you’ll recognize quite a few of your own favorites, too!

DG’s Top 10 from 2016

She says:

My Top 10 of 2016…it was really hard to narrow it down to 10 when there were so many great reads…these are no ranking order since they all are somewhat different than each other.

Sparrow by L J Shen <— Sparrow! Definitely one of my FAV mobbish reads! The H was one of the biggest jerks….EVER. But, man did I fall for him….HOT jerk, strong h, some snarky back n forth, hidden agendas, and a little bit of crazy on the side! Yep! Got to say I loved it!

Bounty (Colorado Mountain Series Book 7) by Kristen Ashley <—It’s KA …should I even have to say more?!? Loved the way she brought this gypsy rocker her bounty. LOVED the defining moment when the switch was flipped for Deke and the way he lost it for his gypsy. LOVED the way her father was woven into the story and the way he loved his Justice. LOVED the way her father’s music could settle her….again, do I need to say more?!?!

How to Date a Douchebag: The Studying Hours by Sara Ney <— The Deal/ New Adult book. I LOVED the snarky banter. Definitely had a The Deal feel to it. I loved that ‘Jim’ did not give in easy to the most popular jock on campus. Just a great read!

Deep Redemption (Hades Hangmen Book 4) by Tillie Cole <— Dark, cultish Biker book. Tillie Cole at her finest…Love this MC series…unique plot and definitely unique characters…Not for the faint of heart! …the Hangmen are slightly darker, maybe a little more…violent. Very broken H/h who just need each other so much…definitely a interesting, twisted ride. Throw out EVERYTHING you ever THOUGHT you KNEW…the Prophet is unraveling mysteries!

Patchwhore by Kim Jones <—  – Biker / New Adult Just HILIARIOUS. I love a good “revenge” book. Especially when the ex gets all JERKY…throw in some bikers…some hot and some not…yeah, fun read!

Between Here and the Horizon by Callie Hart <— This was one of my OMG reads! Couple chapters in and I was like …WTF! Definitely good…definitely not what I was expecting…I mean the blurb does not prepare you for what happens several chapters in! CRAZY different! But I am ALL IN!

Right (Wrong Series Book 2) / Wrong (Wrong Series Book 1) by Jana Aston <— Two feel good books! Sorry had to combine these two into one because they are both are sooo good!

Banking the Billionaire (Bad Boy Billionaires Book 2) and Tapping the Billionaire (Bad Boy Billionaires Book 1) by Max Monroe <— I mean serious…how can you not count this as one also…hot and hilarious! LOVED the banter, loved the couples, LOVE the mystery around these two writers! Just read it! *grins*

Wait for It by Mariana Zapata <— Queen of the slow burns! LOVED Ms Zapata’s latest (ALL her books really). LOVED how this is the first book that we get to visit with previous characters from her other her books…LOVED getting to know Trip better (and briefly visiting Iris and Dex) from Under Locke, best friend Vanessa and Aiden from WoW, and cousin Sal and Rey from Kulti. MZ wove them all in the story so effortlessly. LOVED Dallas and the way he loved her! *sighs*.

A Veil of Vines by Tillie Cole <— It’s every girls dream to live the fairytale…marry Prince Charming. Except in this case the Prince is not so charming. Just love the slow burn kinda love that forms and the twist that brings them closer to their happily ever after.

It’s Kandace’s turn and she sent us this HUGELY AWESOME list loaded in detail. Quite a few that I read and LOVED as much as she did,  but she couldn’t pick just ten. I say the more, the merrier. 😉

She says:

“My top 20 of the year. That I can remember. LOL!”

1. The Man I Love (The Fish Tales Book 1) by Suanne Laqueur (the entire series) <— This series consumed me! It’s such a complex story about young love, mistakes, tragedy, soul-mates and healing. I highlighted almost the entire book. Suzanne’s words are like poetry for the soul.

“Her gravity was so strong, his attraction to her so complex and layered, he felt he was drifting in another dimension. Turning over and over like a satellite broken free of its mother planet, re-orienting itself to the center of a new universe. He ached to touch more of her, longed to pull her against him as he had never longed for anything before in his life.”

“She was a beautiful china cup on a table, quietly asking to be filled. And little by little, Erik was tipping over and pouring out.”

“Loving her felt like creating something. A cathedral. Spires and stained glass and bells. But she broke one window and I indiscriminately tore the whole thing down.”

2. An Exaltation of Larks by Suanne Laqueur <— I read his book before I read her Fish Take series. I don’t even know where to begin or how to describe this book because knowing nothing is the best way to read this book. I went in thinking this would be a simple love story and it was immediately apparent this story was going to be anything but simple. IT WAS EPIC! This book consumed me! The authors voice is so unique and seductive. She plays on all your senses. I swear I could feel the characters in every part of my soul. I could feel their tears, happiness, angst, laughter, and love. I swear I could even smell them.

3. Wolfsong by TJ Klune <— Wolfsong was my first shifter book. This book is not a simple love story between two characters. As with all of Klune’s books you get the entire family. You can’t help but to gently fall in love with every character. I wanted to be part of the pack. I swear at times I felt like I was snuggling next to them. Ox was such a gentle soul and the way Joe and his family turned him inside out was breath taking. Ox and Joe’s friendship and love for each other is a story you’ll never want to forget.

4. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things: A Novel by Bryan Greenwood <— This book GAH! It made me squirm, it made me sigh, it made want things that felt wrong and right at the same time! I ate this story up from beginning to end. It was at times a disturbing but yet beautiful love story.

5. Angel of Redemption by J.A. Little <— This book is one of those hidden gems we are always searching for. It’s over 600 pages long and yet it wasn’t long enough. This book was far from perfect edit wise but I was able to over look because the story is amazing! You meet Kayla is a social worker who is forced to work with Dean Wyatt from the Wyatt House Group home for Boys. Dean is an asshole! Like the kind of asshole you want to bring to his knees until he screams UNCLE and even then you may not be totally satisfied! Slowly Kayla and Dean form a friendship. I promise you’ll be rooting for these two. This is definitely a slow burn romance. I also loved the secondary story of the foster kids and seeing how their stories played out.

6. The Hating Game: A Novel by Sally Throne <—  Office romance! The banter was total perfection! Office romances are my crack and this one hit all my buttons. The Hating Game is not your typical enemy to lovers trope! It so much more. The dialogue had me giggling and their chemistry was AH!!

7. The God of Jazz: Fugue, Concord by Varian Krylow <— This was a softer story for this author. I gobbled it up in one sitting. The chemistry between Godard and Angel was hot! I loved it was a slow build. I felt like I held my breathe the entire story. Godard had one goal he was consumed with. When his perfect plan didn’t come true his world shifted and tough choices had to be made. Angel was the perfect person to help Godard discover himself.

8. Full Tilt by Emma Scott <— This book left me a puddle of emotions. I bought this book because I liked the cover. I knew nothing about the book. From the first page I was captivated. There were twists and turns. I loved the series ended exactly were everyone was meant to be! This book is best to read blind.

9. God Love Her (The Russells Book 2) by Lauren Gilley <— This is one of my favorite Lauren Gilley books because I freakin loved Sly. Like all of Lauren’s books you get a little of everything: mystery, a tight family dynamic, romance, a hot older protective alpha male and of course humor!

10. rock by Anyta Sunday <— This book was a coming of age story I will never forget. The story was touching and emotional. I didn’t know what to expect when I started this book. It is a slow burn romance that pulls you in deep. I could not put this book down. The narration was so perfection. Lots and lots of feels!

11. Wait for It by Marianna Zapata <— I want my own Dallas! I swear this book had me laughing and crying all in the same sentence.

12. A Royal Affair (Book 1 in The Royal Affair series) by John Witshire <— WOW! What an amazing story. I loved these boys so hard. I couldn’t wait to read the rest of their story. Aleksey and Niko are both so special. This is a historical M/M story. It honestly didn’t feel like a historical novel. I loved the slow build of their friendship. I love how determined Aleskey is to break down Niko and eventually win his heart. Niko is the voice of the story. But I never doubted how Aleksey was feeling. There is a lot of mystery and intrigue surrounding the boys. I loved the intensity they felt towards each other. I was worried they would never be free to be openly in love. I highly recommend giving this author a try. It’s been a long time since I’ve been so immersed in a story.

13. Lev: a Shot Callers novel by Bella Aurora <— A little bit of dark mixed with a little bit of sweet! I loved everything about this book. Her shyness, the way her protected her…and his words when he spoke were swoooooooon.

14. Hawthorne & Heathcliff by R.K. Royals <— This was a shorter story with only 200 pages but I swear every word packed a punch. This is definitely a coming of age story yet it didn’t feel all that YA! I felt I truly knew every character inside and out.

15. Sparrow by LJ Shen <— This is definitely a dark romance. I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I started this book. I was immediately drawn in to their world. It couldn’t stop reading and was upset when my family would interrupt me for things like FOOD and water!

16. From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon <— it’s Amy Harmon. Do I need to say more? Her books are like a cleanse for the soul. I always feel like I’m a better person after I finish her books.

17. Predator by Michelle Horst <— This book was far from perfect but it kept me interested from start to finish. She had a lot of heavy baggage and I loved how patient he was with her.

18. The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Marianna Zapata <— A perfect slow burn romance!!

19. Slip of the Tongue by Jessica Hawkins <— A hate love triangles and cheating but I floved this book. This book was pure perfection. I liked all the characters. I was rooting for them all. This story had so much angst.

20. BORDEN by RJ Lewis <— I love all of this authors books. They are my crack. They have the perfect amount of dark undertone and mystery. Her books are usually twisty romances that keep me on the edge of my seat.

Take a look at more of Kandace’s favorite:

• Reader Favorites – Kandace’s Top Favorite Books List

It’s bev’s turn and just as I expected, there are SO many new-to-us books on her list. She’s our book-adventurer. Totally into our genre… and yet totally into so many others, too! And when I look ’em up… OUR genre anyway!!!

Not only did she gives us a tidbit of why she loved it, but also her favorite quote from each!

She says:

“These were my favorite books this year. This may sound weird but I can not say these are all 5 star books as I usually do not rate my reads. For the most part I am a mood reader and this is a list of the books that were the right book for the right mood at the right time. These books made me laugh, swoon, think and yes maybe even cry. These are just listed in the order that I read them.

1. Kings Rising: Book Three of the Captive Prince Trilogy by C.S. Pacat <— I waited so long for this conclusion and it was so worth it.

Damen said to Nikandros, “Take the fort.”

2. The Last Hour of Gann by R. Lee Smith <— A completely immersive experience.

“Just so,” he agreed, and gave her a tap on the top of her freakish, furry head.

3. The Kraken King (Iron Seas Book 4) by MelJean Brook <— This was like being a part of an old fashioned action adventure movie.

She’d only wanted to a see a little danger from a distance. Instead she’d fallen straight into the clutches of the Kraken King.

4. The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black <— Dark forest, magic, and fairies, who could ask for more?

Down a path worn into the woods, past a stream and a hollowed-out log full of pill bugs and termites, was a glass coffin. It rested right on the ground, and in it slept a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives.

5. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins <— This book is so swoony, I just found it very romantic. Plus, Paris, sigh.

It’s midnight, it’s sweltering, and I might be high on vicoden, but that guy -that guy right over there-that’s him.
The him.

6. Once Upon a Rose (La Vie en Roses Series Book 1) by Laura Florand <— Whimsical with a great meet cute.

“I like to call her Bouclettes,” he said grandly. It seemed possible as a nickname. All those curls.

7. I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios <— Such a great read that I should have read sooner. Really, try this book.

My blood was carbonated, and I was awake and young and alive, and screw everything because this moment was mine.

8. Undecided by Juliana Keyes. This book was so fun. I loved how she played with the tropes.

“Don’t encourage him,” Kellan pleads, dragging Crosbie from the room.

“No encouragement necessary,”Crosbie says. Just before he lets Kellan win the tug of war he adds, “We’ll see you.”

That would be a first, I think, watching them go.

9. The Hating Game: A Novel by Sally Thorne <— Witty banter and great chemistry. I want more contemporary romance like this.

“I love your hair today,” Danny tells me and I duck my head flattered. It’s the correct thing to say to me. I’m ridiculously vain about my hair. My conditioner is probably worth more pure ounce than cocaine.

10. Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil by Melina Marchetta <— I need somebody else to read this book. It is a wonderful book filled with complex characters you will not want to leave.

“I don’t want to hit you when your down , Fionn,” Bish said,”but I think your generation is going to be known for being the least useful at anything except ticking likes on Facebook.”

“Cruel words, sir,” Fionn mocked. “Only this morning the nurse let me look at my Facebook page on her iPhone. I was feeling heartened by the hundred and fifty likes for the words ‘Get well soon'”.

11. Marked In Flesh (A Novel of the Others Book 4) by Anne Bishop <— Tessa, I read it!

“We will give you some time to decide to decide how much human the terra indigene will keep.”

12. The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner. What is it Amy says? Oh my heart this book.

“Seasons change. Rivers flow to the sea. Earth circles the sun and the moon circles the earth. Everything whirring and spinning toward something. And I get to be a part of it for a little while, the way I get to watch a train for a minute or two, and then it’s gone.”

Take a look at MORE of bev’s favorites!!

• Reader Favorites – bev’s Top Fourteen Reads for 2015
• 10 Questions based on our TBR lists – Bev’s List

It’s MichelleS’s turn to tell us all about her 2016 favorites, and there’s a bit of everything for all of our romance tastes!! She says:

“As I look over my list of books for 2016, I find that, as usual, I am a PNR and Sci-Fi girl at heart. Most of mine fall within those genres. They just stay with me. That characters, the worlds, their struggles. There are a few non fantasy books on the list too.

I can’t wait for 2017 – so many of my “series” have new books coming out this year. And the few surprises here and there that are not series turn out to be the best reads sometimes. I found just about every one of these books here on your blog. Wait. I found ALL these books here on your blog! Wow. CHEERS to you. You make me a happy reader.”

The Last Hour of Gann by R. Lee Smith <— Okay, I admit, I read this at the end of 2015, but didn’t really start pushing it on everyone until 2016, so I am putting it at the top of my list for 2016 because I have pimped this book out to everyone I know this year. It’s just that good. And I found it on your blog! Your friend had recommended it to you and you mentioned it, so I thought, “why not?”. Sooooo glad I did. Will never ever forget this book.

Wolfsong by T.J. Klune <— Wow. Just wow. The very best shifter book I think I have ever read. Yes, it’s m/m…. But it hardly even matters. It’s so gentle and sweet and brutal all at the same time. This one blew me away. The way the characters interact feels the most authentic to me of any shifter book. The coming of age story follows Ox and Joe – Joe is just a young boy, destined for so much more. Ox (with that hideous name) is one of the best characters ever written, hands down. He is simple, and pure, and I adore him! Just read this one. You will not be disappointed.

Empire of Storms (Throne Of Glass Series Book 5) by Sarah J. Maas <— This series just gets better and better with every book. The secondary characters make this series a stand-out, and this book delivers on that in a big way. And there is a Fae prince that is TO DIE FOR, so, Michelle is a happy happy girl.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas <— I somehow skipped this one until the end of the year. Why? I am an idiot, that’s why. This series is just as good as her Throne of Glass series. Absolutely loved it. I adore her bad boys and her heroines are strong and smart, and the world building is top notch. These are both must read series for fantasy fans.

Beyond the Sea: LGBT Romance by Keira Andrews <— This is a non fantasy read. But I remember it like it was a movie, and for that reason it makes my list. So many contemporary romances just exit right out of my brain. But not this one. It’s m/m… and they get stranded on an island after a plane crash. Sounds so cheesy, right? But it ISN’T. It’s poignant and so authentic. I loved this one. And he’s older, and the pilot! And then there’s the boy-band younger man…. I know, I know, sounds so cheesy. Just try it. It will surprise you.

The Legend of the Bloodstone (Time Walkers Book 1) by EB Brown <— This one reminded me of Outlander so much. A girl gets tossed back a couple of hundred years and finds herself near Jamestown in the hands of a Native American warrior. Let the fun begin. Right? Except, it’s more than that. It’s not fun – it’s really serious. And, again, secondary characters did it for me.

Loverboy (Dartmoor Book 5) by Lauren Gilley <— I love this series, but this book was an amazing stand out. This is Tango’s story and it is BRUTAL. All those books I used to read about the hero who went through hell, they were okay because it was PNR. And that was just imagination, and not really happening to anyone, right? Zadist and Acheron… but then there’s Tango. And it is real. And it’s happening in my world? Oh no. No no no. Broke my heart.

Captive Prince: Book One of the Captive Prince Trilogy by CS Pacat <— Yes, okay another m/m (what am I turning into? Fabi?)… anyhoo… this was a stand out. It was painful and beautiful, and I just loved this story. I can picture them in my head, and that makes it a 5 star read – the ones that I don’t forget. I was scrolling through so many 2016 reads and couldn’t even picture who they were about. Then I came across Captive Prince, and hadn’t even considered it for my list, but their faces were right there in front of me – and one of the scenes from the book – so it deserves to be on the list!

A Promise of Fire (The Kingmaker Chronicles Book 1) by Amanda Bouchet <— This is another one of my new favorite series. The closest thing to Golden Dynasty I have found. Big ole’ warlord abducts feisty heroine. Oh boy! Loved it. What I like is that this has great writing and wonderful secondary characters. I am starting to sound like a broken record here, but I guess that’s my formula?

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell <— This last spot was hard to fill. I looked over my lst a dozen times. I went back to this one, because it made me feeeeeeel something. It was supposed to be just a mention in another book (Fangirl) – so that readers understood her obsession with the Harry Potter-like character. But she wrote their story (Simon and Baz) and it is just unforgettable. This one is the odd ball of my list… it’s Simon and Baz that did it for me.

P.S. OMG. Major book fog! Why did I submit my Best of list to Maryse already? THIS BOOK! It needs to be added. Walking Wounded : A Novel, by Lauren Gilley.

The feels? Oh gah!! They’re so REAL. And FABI. Drop whatever you’re reading cause this is the m/m book you MUST READ. I can’t stop thinking about it. I read it straight through. I miss Hal & Luke already. Lauren Gilley is such a talented writer. Add it to my list, Maryse, because I give it 5 big stars. What an amazing surprise. Touching & authentic. Yippee!!

And here are even more MichelleS recommendations:

• Reader Favorites – MichelleS’s Top Favorite Books List:
• Reader Favorites – MichelleS’s Top Ten Reads for 2015