Shel's Top Ten of 2015

I hate this time of year...  It's the time when I have to narrow down all the great books I've read and pick my top ten favorites.  *Sigh*  I had a difficult time figuring out my top ten this year, but here you have it - 

Ally Carter really goes for the jugular in All Fall Down.  It's a fantastic, emotionally exhausted ride.

While Ally goes for the jugular, Tiffany King tries to rip out your heart in A Shattered Moment.  It is such a devastatingly beautiful story.

Atlantis Rising is a clever take on the lost city.  A great mythology and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Wow, if you are ever in need of a laugh, you couldn't ask for better than most of Rachel Van Dyken's work.  I laughed so much reading The Consequences of Loving Colton that it had to go on my Top Ten list.

A modern take on the teenaged Lois Lane, newbie sleuth and reporter.  Seriously, it's mystery mixed with superhero mythology, which makes it perfect.

Loving Dallas is a great New Adult revolving around a country music band on the rise.  The whole series is fun and you should check it out.  

A great sport's romance, and check out this cover!

Reawakened was a fun and entertaining story about Egyptian Mythology.  I loved this book so much, I got it for BiblioJunkie Bel for Christmas!

I nearly disavowed Janet Evanovich after reading The Scam - I need to know what happened!!!!  The Fox & O'Hare series is great fun about a straight laced FBI agent partnering with a charming con-man to bring down hardened criminals.  If that doesn't sell you on the series, then you don't know how to live.  :-)

I loved Tessa's story and I hope you do too.  A New Adult about a young woman trying to have it all, but being a single mother, it's not really happening. 














And there you have it, my Top Ten of 2015.  I wish you happy reading in 2016 and too many great books to narrow it down to just 10!

~ Shel

That's What HE said Thursday #57

Image courtesy of Kei at The Lovely Pages Review

That's What HE Said is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies at Chapter Break. It's a chance for us to spotlight and gush over a quote from our current book crush to the object of his desire. We like to pretend he's speaking to us ;)

What better way to celebrate our book boyfriends?

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Today's little gem comes from a series that I caught onto earlier this year. It's the Ivy Years and the first book is The Year We Fell Down. People, I adore this story so much and I didn't want to waste the opportunity to tell you that if you like the little teaser below, you can still get the ebook FREE TODAY before the price goes back up tomorrow!  

Enjoy and Happy New Year to all our terrific followers!  ~ Bel

~ Adam Hartley to Corey Callahan

The Year We Fell Down (Ivy Years #1) by

Sarina Bowen

Nat's Top Ten of 2015

I can't believe it's that time of year again.  This is my 5th Top Ten list and, just like the first, second, third and fourth, it was difficult to decide.  As usual, I chose from all the books I read this year and not just books published in 2015.  While putting together this list, I decided to go through my previous lists.  It was fun to see what I had picked for favorites previously and it was entertaining to find that my love of romance has not abated one bit.  I am linking to previous lists just for the hell of it.  

2011  2012  2013  2014  

 And now, without further adieu, 2015

Cut & Run Series by Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban

Much like Ty and Zane, this series and I had a rocky start to our relationship.  There is a significant amount of head hopping in the first book which is usually a deal breaker for me.  But Zane and Ty were so fascinating I kept on reading.  The issues I had with book 1 were worked out for book two and what you are left with is an amazing story of two  men as they try to forge a lasting relationship while dealing with dangerous jobs and unhealthy addictions.  Not only did I read one of the best love scenes I've ever read in a romance (Book 5 - Armed & Dangerous), I also added a new book boyfriend to my roster.  Let's just say that I will fight Ty to the death for his Zane.  And that's knowing that Ty will win.    If you are looking for lots of action, two alpha males, a little bit of angst and a really slow burn, I can't recommend this series enough.


Galgorithm by Aaron Karo

I didn't read a lot of YA this year but of the ones I did get to, this was, by far, my favorite.  Aaron Karo delivers a romcom with the quirky and awkward humor that I adore in romance.  And to top it off,  it included one of my favorite tropes - Friends to Lovers.  The only other thing I can say is, Amor y Cacahuetes.   Love and Peanuts.

Just Business by Anna Zabo

Every time someone asks me my favorite read of 2015, Just Business is the title I give them.   I read this in May and I STILL think about it.   Eli and Justin are wonderfully fun and complex characters and Anna Zabo's writing is stellar.   There is an office filing scene where there is zero nudity, touching or dirty talk and yet it was one of the hottest things I've ever read.  I'm not sure I'll be able to do office work ever again without blushing.

Lonely Hearts by Heidi Cullinan

This is a super hot new adult title that includes, per the warning on the book, sex in a Tesla and kinky anime role play.  But it's not all about the sex.  Not even close.  Heidi's endless understanding and empathy bring together two broken young men that work through their chronic health (mental and physical) issues  in ways that are not always healthy.  Between their friends, a pastor and his wife who have a whole lot of love to give, and their desire to live, Elijah and Baz have what they need to become healthier people.   There is no sugar coating in this book.  Their struggles are realistic and sometimes painful.  But never so painful you doubt they will get the happy ever after they both deserve.



Off Campus by Amy Jo Cousins

I read Five Dates (a freebie) on a whim.  That was my first taste of Amy Jo Cousins' writing and I think we all know that I am now a life long fan.  I read Off Campus in August and I have read it 3 more times since then.  This has obviously become a total comfort read for me.   Even with all his paranoia, Tom is insanely nice.  The things he does to make Reese feel safe made me melt.  And I'm not any less in love with Reese.  This kid is a survivor.  After experiencing a horrific and life damaging assault the year before, he still returned to campus.  He's a strong and scrappy guy that is determined to survive.



Delivered Fast by Annabeth Albert

Annabeth Albert is another new favorite author that I discovered this year.  This is the third book in the Portland Heat series.  I enjoyed the entire series but I really connected to this book.  Chris is surprised to find himself attracted to a guy that is 15 years younger than him .  And he almost fell over when said youngster hit on him and asked him out. What starts out as temporary and beneficial arrangment quickly becomes something more.  The problem?  Chris doesn't want to be the older guy that holds Lance back from pursuing his dreams.  Fortunately, Lance has his shit together and realizes he can pursue more than one dream at a time.  Now he just needs to convince Chris.



Burnt Toast B & B by Heidi Belleau and Rachel Haimowitz

So I picked this up on a whim when it was on a sale.  The humorous title was a total draw for me.  What I didn't expect was a beautiful and romantic story between a gay man afraid of getting close to anyone because he might lose them and a transgender man that has yet to find anyone that completely accepts him for who he is.  Belleau and Haimowitz's empathy and accuracy when it came to writing these two characters was nothing short of amazing.  I look forward to checking out more of their books in the future.





Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

I don't think Katie McGarry can write a bad book.  It just isn't in her.  And after meeting her a few months ago, I have a new appreciation for her dedication and attention to detail.  Spending a month with members of a motorcycle club gave her a level of insight that produced a book that is fascinating and romantic but not always attractive.  If you are looking for some angst with certain style of grit and honesty, definitely pick this one up.






Undressed by Shannon Richard

This is one of my favorites in the Country Roads series.  It's super sexy and lots of fun.  It hits the ground running with an unbelievably hot opening scene and it never loses its momentum.   Of course, there was just enough angst to make me happy and more than enough fun and hockey hotness to make non-angst lovers happy too.

No Parking at the End Times by Bryan Bliss

This is a story of a teen girl that is desparately grappling with the knowledge that her father's faith in a scheister televangelist and her mother's unhealthy desire to please her husband has led to them living in a van with no income and has put their family in a situation from which they might never recover.  She and her brother independently seek comfort and seek a way to escape the hopeless situation their parents have put them in.  Definitely not a happy book but it certainly is a book that I think a lot of people can relate to in one way or another.

Waiting on Wednesday (175)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights future releases that we are excitedly anticipating.

By Jasmine Richards
Publication Date: January 19, 2016

Two friends awaken a world of myth and magic in this clever middle grade fantasy perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Anne Ursu.

It’s not every day that you find a famous weatherwoman bound by magic to a tree deep in the woods. Or discover that the weatherwoman is in fact Sunna, the Norse Goddess of the Sun, and one of the seven day guardians who keep time in order. But that’s just what happens to new friends Buzz and Mary—and it’s only the start of their adventure.

Now, as the people of Earth are forced to repeat the same Saturday over and over again, Buzz and Mary must journey to collect the Runes of Valhalla and awaken the other day guardians, before vengeful god Loki can get to them first.









By Lisa Desrochers
Publication Date:  January 19, 2016

As the oldest son of a Chicago crime lord, Robert Delgado always knew how dangerous life could be. With his mother dead and his father in prison, he’s taking charge of his family’s safety—putting himself and his siblings in witness protection to hide out in a backwater Florida town.

Fourth grade teacher Adri Wilson is worried about the new boy in her class. Sherm is quiet and evasive, especially when he’s around his even cagier older brother. Adri can’t help her attraction to Rob, or the urge to help them both in whatever way she can. 

But the Delgados have enemies on two sides of the mob—their father’s former crew and the rival family he helped take down. It’s only a matter of time before someone finds them. And if Rob isn’t careful, Adri could end up in the crossfire...









By Elle Kennedy
Publication Date: February 2, 2016

From the USA Today bestselling author of Midnight Captive, the latest Killer Instincts novel is “off-the-charts-hot”* romantic suspense that takes readers into the heart of an enigmatic mercenary...

Out of all the stone-cold mercenaries in Jim Morgan's black ops organization, Derek “D” Pratt is the most intimidating. He is tight-lipped and covered in tattoos, and even the other guys on his team are afraid to ask him about his past. D’s been off the grid for years, but after his teammate Sullivan is mistakenly captured in his place, D is forced to come out of hiding and face his demons.

When D lands in Mexico, he’s ready to risk everything to save his friend. To complicate matters, Sofia Amaro, a feisty doctor whom D had a one-night stand with months ago, has tracked him down. And in an instant she’s unintentionally caught up in his life-threatening rescue mission.

Now D must extract not one but two people from the most violent world he's ever encountered. And one of them is carrying his child...

With Every Breath Release Day Blast by Lia Riley

We're celebrating the release of With Every Breath by Lia Riley! 

With Every Breath (A Wanderlust Novel) by Lia Riley

NA Contemporary Romance

Release date: December 29, 2015 

Forever Grand Central

Goodreads

Purchase With Every Breath

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

BREATHE DEEP . . . AND JUMP IN

At the ends of the earth, Patagonia is a land where ambition trumps reason and the savage summit of La Aguja lures the most determined climbers. It's also the last spot a "play-it-safe girl" like Auden Woods expects to find herself. But she'll lace up her brand-new hiking boots and do whatever it takes to secure a dream job at an adventure magazine . . . even if it kills her. And it just might. When disaster strikes, her only chance at survival comes in the form of the surliest, sexiest mountaineer ever to come out of Scotland.

After a climbing accident cost him his brother, professional mountaineer Rhys MacAskill is at the end of his rope. Redemption is not in his future. That is, until a terrifying storm blows a budding journalist into his tent and it's up to him to make sure they both survive until morning. Despite the demons weighing on him, Rhys can't resist the temptation of the charming American and one wild night just isn't enough.

Auden and Rhys soon learn there are no shortcuts as they navigate their way between life, death, and atonement, and discover something they never expected-love. "Riley writes a captivating story from beginning to breathtaking end." -Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Inside Out 

EXCERPT

I clear my throat and project my voice into a shouty rasp. “Sorry. I don’t mean to bother you, but—”

“What do you want?” A guy—not a very happy one by the sound of it—growls from inside.

“Sorry?” I bend closer to the nylon to hear above the deluge.

“What. Do. You. Want?”

My unwilling savior has a testy accent and a worse attitude. British maybe? No one does disdain like the English. Under normal circumstances, I’d swoon. I’m such a sucker for Mr. Darcy fantasies, but this isn’t Pemberley. It’s the Patagonian wilderness.

I lurch backward and trip over a tent peg. The flashlight slips from my grasp and hits the ground, shining on a coiled rope topped by a helmet. A mountaineer. Wonderful. He’s not exactly going to roll out the welcome mat for my inept ass, and I’m the type of girl who hates asking for help carrying groceries to the car. But what’s the alternative? Hypothermic death in a bog?

The tent unzips. My thoughts are jumbled, but there’s enough common sense left remaining to not fall to my knees and praise Jesus, Mary, and all the angels.

The diffuse light reveals the guy inside rising to his knees. Too dark to make out a face, especially when his headlamp burns my retinas. He seems very big, very shirtless, and very alone.

My nails cut into my palms, but no feeling remains in my hands. This damsel-in-distress business sucks. “My tent, see. It’s short a pole, and I can’t set it up. Can I…? Can I…?” Out with it, like ripping off a bandage. Strange my mouth can be so dry when the rest of me is drenched. I have to get inside that tent. “May I come in? Please. I don’t know what else to do.” I have nothing left to say. My social skills toolbox is empty.

A few seconds tick by. “Can’t leave you out there.” He sounds disappointed by the fact. “Come in, then, but those muddy boots stay in the vestibule.”

I step forward unsteadily, half wishing I could see him better, get a good look at the situation, and half not caring. At least I’m going to have shelter, and surviving is worth dealing with the uncomfortable situation. As I bend to unlace my boots, the glow from his headlamp reveals carved abs and low-slung pants barely hanging on to narrow hips. My throat constricts. Looks like tonight will be spent between a rock and a hard place.

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4a501259554/?

About Lia Riley

Lia Riley writes offbeat New Adult and Contemporary Adult romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling XXXX with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments.

A British literature fanatic at heart, Lia considers Mr. Darcy and Edward Rochester as her fictional boyfriends. Her very patient husband doesn't mind. Much. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about future books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. Right now, Icelandic hot springs and Scottish castles sound mighty fine.

She and her family live mostly in Northern California.

Webpage     I     Twitter     I     Facebook     I     Pinterest

With Every Breath Review Tour by Lia Riley

We're celebrating the release of With Every Breath by Lia Riley! 

With Every Breath (A Wanderlust Novel) by Lia Riley

NA Contemporary Romance

Release date: December 29, 2015 

Forever Grand Central

Goodreads

Purchase With Every Breath

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

BREATHE DEEP . . . AND JUMP IN

At the ends of the earth, Patagonia is a land where ambition trumps reason and the savage summit of La Aguja lures the most determined climbers. It's also the last spot a "play-it-safe girl" like Auden Woods expects to find herself. But she'll lace up her brand-new hiking boots and do whatever it takes to secure a dream job at an adventure magazine . . . even if it kills her. And it just might. When disaster strikes, her only chance at survival comes in the form of the surliest, sexiest mountaineer ever to come out of Scotland.

After a climbing accident cost him his brother, professional mountaineer Rhys MacAskill is at the end of his rope. Redemption is not in his future. That is, until a terrifying storm blows a budding journalist into his tent and it's up to him to make sure they both survive until morning. Despite the demons weighing on him, Rhys can't resist the temptation of the charming American and one wild night just isn't enough.

Auden and Rhys soon learn there are no shortcuts as they navigate their way between life, death, and atonement, and discover something they never expected-love. "Riley writes a captivating story from beginning to breathtaking end." -Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Inside Out 

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4a501259554/?

About Lia Riley

Lia Riley writes offbeat New Adult and Contemporary Adult romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling XXXX with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments.

A British literature fanatic at heart, Lia considers Mr. Darcy and Edward Rochester as her fictional boyfriends. Her very patient husband doesn't mind. Much. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about future books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. Right now, Icelandic hot springs and Scottish castles sound mighty fine.

She and her family live mostly in Northern California.

Webpage     I     Twitter     I     Facebook     I     Pinterest

Review

* * * *

It feels like Lia Riley has been very busy this year between releasing a novella for the Off The Map series and the latest Brightwater installment. In With Every Breath she takes us to the most southern region in South America, Patagonia for an adventure unlike any other!

Auden is looking to breakout and make a name for herself. Landing a job at Outsider magazine would be a stellar beginning for her and the opportunity to break away from her twin sister’s shadow. During her job interview, Auden’s enthusiasm gets the better of her and she finds herself on her way to Pantagonia to develop a story about her experience there. During a terrible storm one night, she ends up seeking help from another climber, Rhys. Their initial encounter is bizarre to say the least but anything goes in these extreme circumstances. The stand-offish and private Rhys could be the key to her career, that’s if she’s willing to compromise her principles and his trust. Rhys is unsure what to make of Auden who’s such a spitfire and speaks her mind freely. These two strangers, in this paradise far removed from their realities, find something unexpected in each other.

There were quite a few things I could relate to about Auden. I loved her constant, imaginative internal dialogue. It’s kind of how I think most times. I also understood her desire to be escape someone else’s shadow – who doesn’t? Being constantly underestimated isn’t easy. Auden’s sudden adventure while uncharacteristic is exactly what she needs in her life. Rhys is full of heartache and guilt but also so full of generosity and warmth, becoming protective of Auden. She and Rhys have something magical between them. And oh my gosh, they have some AMAZING love scenes! It almost, ALMOST makes me want to go camping ;)

Before I continue, can we discuss how dreamy this cover is? It reminds me of those movie posters from Hollywood's golden age. It's so romantic. And frankly, I wouldn't mind being in Rhys' arms like that. Anyway ... 

To quote an ex-colleague of mine when he described me to another one of our co-workers, “She didn’t exactly come from the X Games”. I am so not an adventurer but I enjoy reading about them and living vicariously through them. With Every Breath sated that need by taking me to another corner of the world I knew nothing about and introducing me its beautiful sights. It also gave me a glimpse into the world of mountain climbing; the risks and the thrills that climbers get from the lifestyle. It’s a page turner from beginning to end filled with excitement, danger, humor, awkward situations and a very hot Scotsman (he’s a big bonus!) in need of a lot of loving. Are you up for the challenge?

~ Bel

A Peek In The BiblioBin #180

Welcome to our Stacking the Shelves post! Stacking the Shelves (or as we like to call it, A Peek in the BiblioBin) has been created by the lovely ladies at Tynga's Reviews.

Stacking the Shelves is a way for bloggers to share what books they have won, received for review, bought from the bookstore, borrowed from the library or friend, etc.


We realized that except for our previous Bibliojunkies Book Exchange, none of us received books for Christmas this year. It's so odd! No matter, we still found books to add to our BiblionBin!

For Review:

Reign of Shadows (Reign of Shadows #1) by Sophie Jordan

Purchased:

Winter Wishes (The Play #1.5) by Karina Halle

Raziel (The Fallen #1) by Kristina Douglas

See How They Run (Embassy Row #2) by Ally Carter

Outtakes From The Grave (Night Huntress #8) by Jeaniene Frost