Maryse's Book Blog

Happy New Years Eve everyone!!! I can’t believe a new year is already here, and I’ve still got my enormous TBR list to conquer (YAY for conquering books – that’s my favorite, ’cause it’s so fun!!) 😀 AND! I have a NEW TBR that I’m building from 2016’s pre-orders. OMG there are SO many I’m highly anticipating that I can’t help but think 2016 is going to be a HUGE, book-wise! I’ll post it, soon. 😉

But 2015 was DARN good, too! In fact… I experimented this year, you guys!!! While I normally stick within the contemporary romance genre (with my past focus especially on new adult angst and my beloved bad boys), I dove into all sorts of new-to-mes, and even jumped back into my old-school love of paranormal, horror AND an autobiography or two!

I’d say for me, this year, for me, was the year of psych-thrillers, and I WANT MORE!!! Here are my 5-star favorites (from all my reads this year – and TWO authors appear twice on this list!!! 😀 ):

To start us off, I have pretty much TWO equal favorites this year, and they are both on opposite ends of the spectrum, mood wise. I found them equally enjoyable, clever, well-written and unputdownable (one was dark and morose, but so moving and enlightening and hopeful) and the other was my version of a perfect love story with just enough “funny” to make it fun, too (and not just romance)…

Badger by C. M. McKenna – But if I have to choose my ultimate favorite of this year’s favorites, I’d say it’s this one, simply due to the brilliant writing, the slow burn/unrequited love issues… and the ending. But especially the message I was left with… my realization of “love” (and being loved) in this one was an eye-opener for many. You’ll see what I mean. My Book Review – Badger by C. M. McKenna

From my review:

“Brilliantly written, unique and uncomfortably profound and so real in every single personal moment. Every single thought, action, reaction… honest. Often painful and yet laden in love. Just a different kind of love, I suppose. Harsh and at times emotionally distressing, but hopeful.“

Hollywood Dirt by Alessandra Torre – And this would be the other one in my #1 spot of the year, simply due to the fact that had had me laughing, and cheering all the way through. Their clever antics and hijinks, her internal dialog (hilarious!!!) but it’s not a romance comedy. At least not to me. The “funny” and the witty banter came naturally, and I truly believed these characters exist, and they are just that fun, ya know? And best of all, this was pure contemporary romance, with just a touch of angst, “fantasy-style” ’cause she gets to fall in love with a famous actor! I just loved it, all around! My Book Review – Hollywood Dirt by Alessandra Torre

From my review:

“If you’re looking for just a bit of everything, not too much of anything, wholeheartedly believable (but still total escapism) all tied up in undeniable pro-writing and story telling, this is it!!! I giggled, I chuckled, I cackled, I grumbled and I swooned!“

Jezebel by K. Larsen – Psych-thriller/love story extraordinaire! Another beautifully written tale of love, told from past to present that warmed the cockles of my heart… only to sucker-punch me with a twist I KNEW was coming, and that I thought I had guessed correctly… and I had. But there was more. SO. MUCH. MORE!!! *gasp* NO. WAY!!! That was my reaction, and this is a MUST READ! Here is my Book Review – Jezebel by K. Larsen

From my review:

“Is this a tragic tear jerker? Is this a psych thriller? *gasp* Will I cry? OMG. My friends. IT IS ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!! My perfect read! And I’m going to tell y’all now, if you haven’t read it, YOU MUST!!!!! If you like a thrill, if you love a deep, profound story of life (the good and the bad, the fair and the unfair), love and heartache and maybe love again, here it is!!!“

Tight by Alessandra Torre – Another psych-thriller that kept me guessing, and I just couldn’t stopguessing. LOL! And I was wrong. I LOVE when I’m wrong. Another HUGE hit from Alessandra Torre (she’s one of my ABSOLUTE FOREVER FAVORITES), that I found clever, and intriguing, and a touch scary. Plus it’s a love story, so even though I thrill over psych-thrillers, I especially thrill if there’s love involved, too! Here’s my Book Review – Tight by Alessandra Torre

From my review:

“THIS BOOK!!!!!!! READ IT!! READ IT!! READ IT!!!! Psychological thriller/dark/erotica/romance/standalone-with-no-cliffhanger-but-an-incredibly-gasp-worthy-ending extraordinaire! I’d almost say this is my favorite one yet, in all of the books that I’ve read by this author, and it’s because of the profound message BEHIND the story. The depth of their strength, their will, their motivations. The reason behind it all… MOVED me.“

Marrow by Tarryn Fisher – Another psych-thriller that, even though I gave 4.5 stars to, this one is still HUGE in my mind. I remember every single crazy scene, and that INCREDIBLE ending and I want more. I realize sometimes, when it comes to books, even if I give it 4.5 stars (or even some 4 stars – from back when I first fell in love with indie books)… if I can remember it clearly, and I can think “ooooh yeah and that part, and OMG it made me feel *this* way!!!!” months or even years after I read it, it kind of just becomes a 5-star to me, at that point. So this is one of those! Creepy, and dark, and intelligent, and twisty, and totally *gasp-worthy* and a bit…. vigilante, but a bit psycho too. 😉 It’s signature Tarryn Fisher perfection, and I can’t wait for more!! Here’s my Book Review – Marrow by Tarryn Fisher

From my review:

“Clever lady, that Tarryn Fisher. Weaving us in and out of a nightmare. A few nightmares in fact. Tripping us right into a few surprises that totally threw me for a loop. Suddenly I was sure everything I had been thinking or knowing, up to that point, was WRONG. WRONG WRONG WRONG because, come on…  *that* reveal? And the circumstances where the reveal was… revealed? GAH!!!!“

The Paper Swan by Leylah Attar – Dark psych-thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish!!! Starting off with the heroine being kidnapped, and tortured somewhat (although not as dark as our other dark-reads but definitely terrifying nonetheless), telling such a complex and intriguing story of her childhood, and her adulthood, and just why she’s been kidnapped. What a surprise, and what a shocking delight! Here’s my Book Review – The Paper Swan by Leylah Attar

From my review:

“This author can throw in some turmoil like no other, yet as bad as it gets, it’s never overwhelming to the reader. I think it’s her magical prose that keeps the reader grounded and secure, even when all hell is turning loose.“

Book Review – The Deal by Elle Kennedy – AWESOME bad boy, “old-school” delightful, new adult romance angst at it’s finest. And I go “light” on the angst, ’cause while it’s in here, it’s not infuriating (even if I love infuriating). 😉 In this one, it wasn’t necessary ’cause there was enough substance and crushing, and friendship, and slow burn all around! Enough “story”, to keep us hooked! Plus it’s funny as heck and had me giggling like crazy. A few belly-laughs, too!! 😀 Here’s my Book Review – The Deal by Elle Kennedy

From my review:

“I was only 75% into the book when I publicly declared it a 5-star read. The author could have ended it, MID-SENTENCE, mid-angsty-fight moment, with “the end” and I still would have been 5-star wooooo-hooing it. YES. I loved it THAT much. Okay sure, had that been the case, I would have amended my review with a note warning y’all about the abrupt ending… TEE HEE! BUT I just knew, it didn’t matter how she ended it at that point, I was in LOVE with this read.“

Every Wrong Reason by Rachel Higginson – This one has me crying through the whole darn thing… so it deserves a 5-star and a spot in my 2015 favorites ’cause OMG. Seriously? Anything that could have me connecting and emotionally reacting like this, is one that I will never forget. And I know not everyone felt the same way I did (fellow readers saw my ugly cry pics and we’re sure it was going to tear them apart and were surprised when they didn’t actually experience this book on that level). I get it. And yet others did. I guess it just depends. 😉 Either way, I’m certain SO MANY can relate to this love story (or possible end-of-love story), in different ways. Sure she was infuriating… I was at my wits end, but overall? It had me! Here’s my Book Review – Every Wrong Reason by Rachel Higginson

From my review:

“HOLY. MOLY. It took me FOREVER to read this… but not because I didn’t love it. But because I could barely read through the darn tears. I cried… and I cried. And I sobbed. And I sniffled… and pouted… and giggled, and “virtually snuggled her dog” and sobbed and laughed, and cried and cried and cried and cried. I. AM. EXHAUSTED.

And I started crying practically from the start, and didn’t stop to about ohh… I dunno… 85… 90%? *snort* You guys. Don’t let that scare you. I cried, because I KNOW…. I KNOW EVERY SINGLE PERSON can relate to this book in some way or another.“

The Five Stages of Falling in Love by Rachel Higginson – Another one from this same author!! This one too, is a highly emotional, heartrending story about the end of a relationship that seemed… perfect. That seemed as if it would last forever. But this time, it wasn’t human error, as it was natural causes. The death of her wonderful, loving husband. And the young widow that has to survive without him, and raise her very young children through incredible heartache. And that sweet next door neighbor that sort of comes to her rescue… *sigh* Perfection! Here’s my Book Review – The Five Stages of Falling in Love by Rachel Higginson

From my review:

“I loved this book to death! I cried and cried and smiled right through the tears at times. It’s not a book full of twists and surprises… you pretty much already know where you’re going right from the start, and have a good idea where you’ll end up. But, it’s the gorgeous journey getting there, with friends, family, past and present, and the beauty of love that comes in ALL forms. Pure unadulterated warmth. I felt comfortably hugged the entire way through.“

The Ground Rules by Roya Carmen – Remisncent of our old-school “indie-romance” angst-laden love triangles (yet in this case, it’s a square! Four of ’em!!) this one is fun AND shocking!! LOL! The wealthy couple and the “regular” couple, all gorgeous, all “happily” married but with a special arrangement. Once strangers, now swapping… but in privacy. With approval from the “other”. Yikes!! ‘Cause come on!!! You KNOW jealousy is gonna factor in, you KNOW feelings are going to develop and you just KNOW all hell is gonna break loose. And it does. 😉 Here’s my Book Review – The Ground Rules by Roya Carmen

From my review:

“I found myself delightfully overwhelmed, and it didn’t stop until the end! Pulling every emotion out of me from trepidation to titillation, from infuriation to elation. And then I cried. Good cry or bad cry? I’m not telling. But I couldn’t help but shed tears as my heart was so immensely affected. And being that this book was entirely from HER POV, that just made it even more affecting. Because every action or thought from the other parties was something that I could only experience from her eyes… making me second guess everything along with her. Yep. I love me some romantical-angst. Tee hee. I said romantical. “

So that is my top 10, and it was a bit of a struggle choosing for this specific list. ‘Cause trust me… I have read some DARN awesome 5 star (<— see them all, here!!) and 4.5 star (<— see them all, here!!) reads this year that truly belong on this list of what I consider the best of the best!

But I wanted to streamline it, and really highlight some of my favorite standouts. These are the ones that really stuck with me all year. The ones that I remember specific, unforgettable scenes, or my own intense feelings and reactions, or simply… the whole darn book!

Okay… darn it I can’t help myself! *snort* 😛 I can’t NOT highlight these, too. They were just too awesome, so here’s 5 more. 😉

These are truly NOT TO BE MISSED MUST-READS (honorable mentions):

• Rush by Emma Scott <— my review! (Emotional and beautiful!!!)
• Wild Reckless by Ginger Scott <— my review! (old school indie feel perfection, PLUS he’s a bully)
• The Man I Love by Suanne Laqueur and Give Me Your Answer True by Suanne Laqueur <— my reviews! Risqué real-lifelike angst & heartache!!
• Written In Red by Anne Bishop <— my review! Urban fantasy awesomeness, that was endearingly funny!
• Confess by Colleen Hoover <— my review! Pure Colleen Hoover awesomeness.

And even still… I want to add more. 😉

Our resident goof-ball, make-up advisor, and angsty-pain loving fellow reader, Amy ALSO has a list of 2015 favorites, to help us with our countdown to 2016!! Amy is one of my frequent buddy-readers, ’cause we love the same kind of books, with the same kind of tear-your-heart-out twists and we’ve been known to enjoy a shocking ending, or two. 😉 Tee hee!!

That said, I’m not the best buddy-reader due to my squirreling… poor Amy. She’s thrown a few peanuts at my head, ’cause of that. LOL! Sorry Amy! One of my New Year’s resolutions is to be a better buddy-reader to you.

Also make sure to check out her favorite books of all time: Amy’s Top Favorite Books List

Ready for her list? She says:

“I wish I could list ALL of the books I loved this past year, but these are my five-star reads from 2015…”

1.) Tight by Alessandra Torre <— “Oh for the love of manatees and panty-melting sexy time…I freaking loved it!!!!!!!!  I was right in what I thought was going on at about the halfway mark, even though I was so hoping I was wrong. Then, when it was confirmed, it was one gut punch after another. And another. Bam, bam, BAM!! And then a heartbreaking final whollop. I loved Brett. I loved Riley (not often that I actually love the h as much as the H). I loved this book.”

2.) Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan <— “You have to read Archer’s Voice!!! Have to!! I was one of the people holding out on it (no idea why), and when I finally read it I LOVED IT!!!! So emotional but sweet and I fell in love with Archer. *dreamy sigh* I wish I could read it again for the first time!”

3.) The Deal (Off-Campus Book 1) by Elle Kennedy <— “I loved it. Loved, loved, LOVED it!! …Garrett and “Wellsy” (so cute!).”

4.) On the Island: A Novel by Tracey Garvis-Graves <— “*sigh* Be still my heart. I loved it so freaking much.  And now let the I-told-ya-so’s commence ’cause I deserve every one of them! ”

5.) Collide: Book One in the Collide Series by Gail McHugh <— “I loved Collide and Pulse…they were just what I needed with drama, some angst and sexy times!! Gavin… *sigh* Such a sweetheart.”

6.) Jezebel by K. Larsen <— “Jezebel is nothing to be afraid of! It’s just a great story-within-a-story with a perfect WTF ending… I went from “yeah, I know what’s going on” to “okay, that was pretty predictable” to “wait…oh sh!t, that’s messed up!” to “WTF!!!!!!” And I really liked how the POV’s in the novella were presented as well…oh man, the emotion in that one which didn’t have the chance to be explored in Jezebel. I love reliving books like this through you guys!!! “

7.) Me Before You: A Novel by Jojo Moyes <— “Me Before You. Oh, my heart. *sniffle* I loved it. MBY was everything that it was built up to be. It was so achingly but beautifully bittersweet. *sob* Where is everyone when I need a snuggle??? *snuffles on stuffed manatee* Oh yeah, that’s right…it’s past 1:00 in the morning here and everyone is sleeping like I should be doing right now. Tessa said it’s on sale…if you don’t have it already, grab it NOW. *sniffle-snort*  Aw man…I can’t breathe through my nose…”

8.) The Paper Swan by Leylah Attar <— “loved it. LOVED it. It ended on a different tone from where it started, but for me it worked. I know I keep going on about her writing but something about it just makes it so easy to slip into the story, no adjusting or adapting to it necessary. Kind of like slipping into a warm bubble bath with a glass of wine. Weird analogy? Whatever…it’s the best I’ve got. ”

Blue Plate Special by Michelle D. Kwasney <— “Wow. WOW. Three interlinking stories from three different decades running at the same time, but it absolutely works. Already knowing what’s coming in two of the stories and that there is *nothing* that can be changed in them was pretty tough at times, but the third story offsets all of it with some actual hope. *sigh* THIS, my friends, was a great hidden gem. ”

Lily of the Springs by Carole Bellacera <— “Oh ladies, Lily of the Springs…I loved it. It was SO different in so many ways for me. Had it been set in current times, I would have quit reading it and been furious with Lily for being weak and a doormat. But it starts out in the 1950′s in Kentucky, and the values and expectations and prospects for women were just so different in that time, so I had a different frame of mind while reading it which kept me from wanting to shake her. I have a much greater appreciation for that generation of women after this. And the ending was bittersweet but sooooo satisfying.”

“And my absolute favorite of the year, without a single doubt, is ******BADGER BY C.M. MCKENNA!!!!!!******”

“Two that I read which I didn’t five-star (for whatever reason that I cannot remember now) but probably SHOULD be five stars for the simple fact that they still make my heart clench and my eyes teary when I think of them are the Until the End of the World series by Sarah Lyons Fleming and Broken by Erica Stevens. UTEOTW because…well, those of my friends here who have read the books know why. 😉 And Broken because holy mother-effin’ moly that book BROKE me. That woman made my heart shatter for the one character I hated the most in the previous books. *fans eyes* Not gonna cry…not gonna cry…”

           

➔➔➔  Looking for more of our favorite recommendations? Browse our “Ultimate Favorites Lists” here. Are you in the mood for a certain kind of story? Browse our favorite “genre/trope categories” here and our reader favorites lists too.

Countdown to 2016 bring us Michelle’s list! Yes, we have two Michelle’s in our group (and probably more, LOL!!!) which is why we can differentiate with the extra initials. 😉 She’s another fellow book-stalker from our “peanut gallery” :P, and all around great-taste-in-books reader and what I love is that she recommends so MANY genres, and we’re just LOVING them!

Here’s Michelle’s list of 2015 favorites, and she gives us some great book quotes, too!

She says:

“After actually listing my top reads for the year, I would say my tastes have been pretty eclectic. I guess the genre doesn’t matter for me; a good book is a good book! I borrowed Bev’s format with the quotes, which I thought was fun 🙂 Oh and narrowing down any book list is painful for me (*cringes* just thinking about making an all-time favorite list), so you are getting 18 in no particular order. Enjoy and keep the recommendations coming because quite of few of them are below!”

1) Illuminae (The Illuminae Files) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. <— “I have to share my utter excitement over Illuminae! … it’s in my top 10 for the year and will likely climb if the pace keeps up…just OMG I’ve never read anything like it!”

“Interviewer: So. Tell me about your mother. Ezra: You’re taping this, right? Interviewer: Audio only. Camera is faulty. Ezra: Okay, well for the benefit of the sight-impaired, I am now raising my…oh, dear…yes, it’s my MIDDLE finger at Mr. Postgrad here. Interviewer: Mr. Mason… Ezra: Now I’m wiggling it. Interviewer: Terminating interview at 13:58 on 03/19/75. Ezra: Look at it wiggl- -audio ends-“

2) Land of the Beautiful Dead by R. Lee Smith. <— “…you HAVE to read The Land of the Beautiful Dead. I loved both, and not just saying it to get you to read it, but TLotBD impacted me even more (which is saying a lot). It’s really harsh though in parts…painfully gritty and real. All this talk has decided my next book for me, going with Heat by Smith too. I really intend to read everything she has published.”

“She put her arms around him and pressed her brow to his, pressed hard. ‘I want you to miss me when I’m gone. Not for a thousand years or a million, but all of them, until there’s no more way to count them.’ “

3) Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass series) by Sarah J. Maas <— “…yessss I’m obsessed after Queen of Shadows which was 5* for me! I’m loving the fae hunk… thought it was the best book in the series and Rowan is just *fans myself*”

“She looked at them, at the three males who meant everything – more than everything. Then she smiled with every last shred of courage, of desperation, of hope for the glimmer of that glorious future. ‘Let’s go rattle the stars.’ “

4) Without Words by Ellen O’Connell <— “Without Words was the standout for me though…soooo good, just great pacing and I was right there in the story…gem of a find Bev thank you!”

“She laughed, felt him inhale her laughter. ‘You have the most beautiful laugh. It runs up and down my spine, shivers over my skin, and makes me want to grab hold of you like a mad man.’ “

5) Kulti by Mariana Zapata <— “…absolutely loved it! Yes Sal was the star for me but Kulti, for a man of little words, had some goosebump-inducing, swoon-worthy moments! I do not even really like soccer but it was not even a factor in connecting with the story at all. I wanted to start something new today but I’m finding that I want to stay with their story a little longer and nothing is looking good…another indicator for me that I just read a great one!”

“Dear God. A man like that making kissing sounds at what I could only guess was his baby. My vagina, my vagina didn’t know what to do with itself.”

6) The Deal (Off-Campus Book 1) by Elle Kennedy.

“I never expected her. Sometimes people sneak up on you and suddenly you don’t know how you ever lived without them.”

7) Magic Shifts: A Kate Daniels Novel by Ilona Andrews <— “Oh and can I just SQUEEEEE for a moment over Magic Shifts! That powerhouse team knows how to write an entertaining top-notch urban fantasy! Now I have to switch genres completely because nothing will stand up to that!”

” ‘Does everybody think I am an asshole?’ Curran asked. ‘Only people who know you or have met you.’ “

8) Menagerie (The Menagerie Series Book 1) by Rachel Vincent <— “Ok Menagerie I have to plug…it was dark, wonderfully unique, thought-provoking and had me sucked in from go! If Vincent can keep up the pace, the trilogy should be awesome! It’s a little like The Others series in that there are humans and cryptids (anything not human such as minotaurs, mermaids, centaurs, shifters, ifrits etc.) in this world. After an event called ‘the reaping,’ where human children were replaced with cryptid imposters, cryptids are persecuted, enslaved, treated as property or pets within the US. Delilah, the main character, finds herself captured and put on display in a traveling menagerie despite not knowing she was a cryptid or ‘what’ she is…it’s a pretty neat ‘what’ too! The story is sooo intriguing and just cool. I’ve blabbed on enough but I really recommend it for a bunch on here that like paranormal and ‘different’ paranormal like The Others. There’s no romance but maybe some potential, still I didn’t miss it one bit. Read it, read it! ”

“But if monsters could look like humans, and humans could look like monsters, how could anyone ever really be sure that the right people stood on the outside of all those cages?”

9) Confess: A Novel by Colleen Hoover <— “I was left with a beautiful, quivering in your chest happy feeling at the end of Confess. The confession concept and artwork were genius! I loved the play on colors in certain parts. I loved the impact of some lines with their honest simplicity. I loved Owen for being just a good guy and not some alpha male jerk. I loved Auburn for all her bad choices and later her determination and selflessness. The feeling I was left with reminded me how I felt at the end of The Sea of Tranquility. Wonderful book!”

“I’m afraid if I listen to my heart once, I’ll never figure out how to ignore it again.”

10) Vision In Silver: A Novel of the Others by Anne Bishop.

” ‘Can I feel your fur?’ he asked. ‘It’s not fur; it’s hair.’ ‘Uh-huh. Can I feel it?’ “

11) Golden Son (The Red Rising Trilogy, Book 2) by Pierce Brown <— “I’m having a freak out over the ending of Golden Son! …I’m shocked…bloodydamn sums it up!”

“Let him think he owns me. Let him welcome me into his house, so I might burn it down.”

12) The Tairen Soul Series by C.L. Wilson <— “After finishing the Tairen Soul series which is now going to be a standard against which I measure future fantasy reads… I LOVE them so much that I could not stop after the first one! It’s a brilliant world she has constructed…vivid characters…amazing plot…I can’t gush enough!”

“When he caught his breath, he regarded her with glowing, half-closed eyes. ‘If I’m very, very good, shei’tani, will you do that again when we’re alone?’ “

13) The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel <— “…excited about how different it is!”

“While she looked beyond, he caught a glimpse, not of the future, but of a sense of future. A future that was hers, but not his. He grasped the concept imperfectly, but he understood the potential of it, and quailed before it.”

14) My Time in the Affair by Stylo Fantome.

“I was drunk on him. High on him. I wanted to swallow him down, inhale him, inject him. I wanted him to live under my skin and change my DNA. I wanted to live in his air and breathe his passion.”

15) Pure Abandon by Jeannine Colette <— “WHOA…I’m very pleasantly surprised by Pure Abandon! …the last half was a landslide of emotion and angst and just WOW…absolutely could not put it down! Anyone who liked Arsen this was very close to those feels for me and I LOVED it! I also thought I had it figured out but was wrong about a lot. I loved My Time in the Affair but for those who thought you didn’t get to know both men enough to feel conflicted, Pure Abandon nails it and oh how the ending is a happy heartbreak! Floating in a book fog for sure!”

” ‘I. Want. You. Kathryn. I want you. I want you. I want you!’ “

16) Pretty Dead (Elise Sandburg Series Book 3) by Anne Frasier.

” ‘It’s not Strata Luna,’ David said, amusement in his voice. ‘I would list all the reasons Avery might have for being in love with you, but you wouldn’t believe me.’ “

17) Jezebel by K. Larsen <— “Umm yeah I loved Jezebel but I just can. not. do the novella now. I need to digest and honestly I like some unanswered questions…a tidy perfectly wrapped up ending would have taken away from the book. …do not be scared, the ending was just shocking! It’s the best kind of psychological mystery/thriller/romance I’ve read since…You by Caroline Kepnes but with a heavier lean towards romance and mystery.”

” ‘You talk in riddles,’ she complained. ‘And you don’t listen hard enough,’ Jezebel scolded.”

18) Hollywood Dirt by Alessandra Torre <— “…just loved Hollywood Dirt – refreshing, funny, sexy!”

“She brushed off her hands and grabbed her purse, setting off for the back porch with purpose. On the ground, Cocky squawked his indignation at being left. ‘Hush,’ Cole chided him. ‘You’ve already gotten more play than me.’ “

                 

➔➔➔  Looking for more of our favorite recommendations? Browse our “Ultimate Favorites Lists” here. Are you in the mood for a certain kind of story? Browse our favorite “genre/trope categories” here and our reader favorites lists too.