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Top Books Of 2014

2014 has been a busy year for my blog and so far it doesn't look like it's going to slow down anytime soon in 2015. I have so much ideas and things planned, we'll see what it all will give :)

I would also like to thank each and everyone of you who have been supporting me so far, the authors sending me books to review and blog tour hosts for giving me the opportunity to help spread the word about some amazing new books! If anyone has any tips, ideas or suggestions on what they would like to see more on the blog, just let me know ^^)

With the ending of the year coming very near, I've been looking over the books I've read and reviewed this past year and I've made a top list. Now to be clear these aren't in any particular order, as it was already difficult enough to make a selection let alone choose which I prefer over which. Simply I just can't do it! So here is my top list for books released and reviewed in 2014:


Raw by Belle Aurora was one of the first books I've read and reviewed this year, it was also my first 5 star rating of the year. A story like I've never read before, with an anti-hero that will drive you insane. Such an intense read, that left me raw for days.

  

I'm putting these two together, because they are both the last in a series. Series I've been following since the beginning, and while I'm sad to see them coming to an end I still freaking love them so much! Luckily it's not really the end as more books will be written, just about different characters.


Toni Aleo released five books this year: Whiskey Prince, Breaking Away, Laces and Lace, Boarded By Love and A Very Merry Hockey Holiday. While I do recommend them all, I've chosen Whiskey Prince for this list. It's the first book that didn't involve Assassins and hockey, and proves to me that she is very much capable of writing a great sweet romance novel, no matter the setup.


This debut by L.A. Casey was hit on. I don't think I've ever come across characters that are so volatile or curse as much as these. A beginning of a very interesting series that I know will never leave me bored.

  

Julie James has been a long time favourite of mine and Amy Andrews is a new discovery. Both write amazing contemporary romance novels, that don't fall into the clichés and a plot that you can see coming from miles away. Strong main characters, plenty of humor, just perfect romance novels!


I can not express in words how much I love Mal. No book has ever made me laugh out loud so often as this one. I am completely hooked on these Stage Dive men, and Mal is my absolute favourite.


I feel that Amy Harmon's books are in a league of their own. The Law Of Moses is unlike any you've ever read before, and with a philosophy that I'm now applying in my daily life. That's how big of an influence the written word can have.


Elizabeth Reyes started writing a new series this year. She is my go to author for high emotional, very sexy reads with a dash of humor. So far she has not disappointed me and I can not recommend her enough.


A remarkable young adult novel with a darker theme about a teenage assassin. Well deservedly called the Jason Bourne for youngsters, Zach is a fascinating character that will hook you in from the first sentence and won't let you go.


This is only the second Colleen Hoover book I've read, and the first is so long ago I can not really remember, so actually I'm counting this as my first. What seems to be a classic setup for a romance story turns out to be so much more. No fluffy reads here, but books about real emotions, real people and real love.

  

I'm a big Samantha Young fan for a reason. Her On Dublin Street series has me seriously hooked. One of the best things I love about her books, are the characters. Strong, believable characters, that are easy to connect with are my thing.

I'm going to keep it with these books for this year. There are about another 20 or 30 I might want to add, but then I might as well post everything I find good :) You can also still see all my recommendations on the reviews * tab for an easy overview.

What were some of your favourite books this year?

Review: Own the Wind (Chaos #1) by Kristen Ashley


Too hot to handle...

Tabitha Allen grew up in the thick of Chaos—the Chaos Motorcycle Club, that is. Her father is Chaos' leader, and the club has always had her back. But one rider was different from the start. When Tabby was running wild, Shy Cage was there. When tragedy tore her life apart, he helped her piece it back together. And now, Tabby's thinking about much more than friendship...

Tabby is everything Shy's ever wanted, but everything he thinks he can't have. She's beautiful, smart, and as his friend's daughter, untouchable. Shy never expected more than friendship, so when Tabby indicates she wants more—much more—he feels like the luckiest man alive. But even lucky men can crash and burn...


MC books are still pretty new to me, but I've already come to an understanding what to expect about it. It usually involves promiscuous men, where brotherhood comes before anything else and the business they deal in isn't always that legal. Of course there are many variations on this, though the setup is familiar. The same here, as Shy is part of Chaos. He pledged as a complete outsider, but was very soon part of the family. While he might feel a special attraction towards Tabby, she's off limits and well other ladies are not. That brotherhood though is the most important for him, that feeling of belonging to a family, and he's not risking it for a woman.

Tabby grew up surrounded by Chaos men, with her dad being the leader. She knows how they are, but when you're attracted to someone, it's not easy to just turn that off. As a teenager and young adult she had the urge to push those boundaries, and the Chaos men always came to her rescue. Until one night Shy had enough of it, forcing her to face the reality of what she was turning into.

That really was a wake up call for Tabby, and things have changed since then. Both took a bit their separate ways, though never forgetting about this connection between them. When tragedy strikes for Tabby, Shy is there to pick up the pieces. It's the beginning of a long journey towards healing, friendship and even more. Because no matter what, Shy will always be there for Tabby.

Shy and Tabby are two interesting characters. Tabby grew up in this world and had no choice to participate in it, the danger it sometimes brings and those men are a big influence on her life. While Shy had quite a different upbringing, in some ways much worse than Tabby. His need for family lead him to Chaos and therefore to Tabby. Though there was always this attraction between them, they don't act on it at first. It starts of as friendship and gradually turns into something so much bigger.

There is of course that fear of the rest of the MC finding out, because Tabby is kind of the princess and therefore untouchable by some. They will need to prove that their love is strong and true. They will need to have each other's back at all time. The biggest danger momentarily comes from the Chaos family, but Shy isn't one to back down and when he gives away his heart, it means forever.

I freaking love these books. I've been on a Kristen Ashley binge read and I don't see it stopping anytime soon. Shy and Tabby are amazing, and very easy to relate to. Tabby has grown a lot even since the beginning of this book towards the end. She has turned into a wonderful young woman. Shy is the bomb. While he obviously has that dangerous edge, and bossy, it's not overwhelming and it's so very clear how much he cares about Tabby. As usual I recommend you read this, as so far I've loved every single one of her books. This one certainly if you're into the MC scene or like a good story about forbidden love.

3.5

Chaos - Reading order and purchase links

  



The Author
Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

Connect with Kristen Ashley:

Saturday Series: Smart, Sexy and Secretive (The Reed Brothers #2) by Tammy Falkner


Emily

I'm back in New York, ready to start my brand new life with Logan. Things are still up in the air between us, and it has been three months since I've even talked to him. But there's one thing I'm certain of -- I can't live without him.

Logan

I need her like I need air. But now she's back, and her dad and her ex-boyfriend are conspiring to keep us apart. We can do this, though. Can't we? We can make this work? We have to, because I can't imagine my life without her.

*Do not read this review if you haven't read the previous book*

This story picks up a couple of months after Emily leaving New York, and now she's going back. She and Logan haven't talked in all that time, so both are a bit anxious to how things will go from here on out. Though I have to say that Logan is very confident that they will make it work. He has missed her and can not wait to have Emily back in his arms.

While the reunion is great and everything you expect it to be, it seems that Emily's dad and her ex-boyfriend are reluctant to let her go that easily. They are both against Logan and his relationship with Emily. What follows are a couple of cliché situations, that do work themselves out in the end.

Honestly these two first books are very predictable when it comes to the plot development, not a lot of surprises for me. Still it was enjoyable, and there are plenty of hot scenes to keep you entertained. Emily and Logan might finally get their happily after, they just have to pass a couple of hurdles first. It was great getting to know the other brothers better and I look forward to their stories.


The Reed Brothers - Reading order and purchase links

      
      
    


The Author
Tammy Falkner lives on a farm in a lovely, sprawling little town in rural NC with her beekeeper husband and a house full of boys, a few dogs, and a cat or two (or five – who has time to count?). As half of the Lydia Dare team, she has co-written ten books, including the Westfield Wolves series and the Gentlemen Vampyre series. A huge fan of Regency England, she often wonders what other kinds of magical, mythical and strange creatures might live and interact within the ton. Exploring the theory that the fae can walk between Regency England and their own land, Tammy spends as much time as possible with the lords and ladies of society, horse-drawn carriages, and elegant balls. Now add to that some faeries, a little murder, a bit of mayhem, and a troublesome garden gnome, and you have her exciting new series. She hopes you enjoys her world as much as she does.

Connect with Tammy Falkner:

Review: Bad Romeo (Starcrossed #1) by Leisa Rayven


When Cassie Taylor met Ethan Holt at acting school, sparks flew. She was the good girl actress. He was the bad boy about campus. But one fated casting choice for Romeo and Juliet changed it all. Like the characters they were playing, Cassie and Ethan's romance seemed destined. Until he broke her heart and betrayed her trust. Now the A-list heartthrob is back in her life and turning her world around. One touch at a time.

Cast as romantic leads once again, they're forced to confront raw memories of the heartbreaking lows and pulse-pounding highs of their secret college affair. But they'll also discover that people who rub each other the wrong way often make the best sparks.

*I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

I really loved this book right up until those last two pages. It may be my fault because I wasn't aware this story would span two books and not just one. Though with such an abrupt ending, not even a real cliffhanger, I almost feel duped. I kept hitting my e-reader for a next page to appear, but unfortunately I'll have to wait a couple of months to be able to read the rest of Cassie and Ethan's story.

The story is told from Cassie's point of view and switches between present and past. Though mostly we get to read about the past. Cassie and Ethan meet at the auditions for college and are immediately drawn to each other. It's no love at first sight, rather that they are intrigued about each other. They are both actors, so plenty of passion and drama to go around for everyone. At first that attraction is unwanted for both of them, but no matter how much they deny it, it's there so the better deal with it.

While figuring out what is going on between them, playing Romeo and Juliet only emphasises things more. Mostly it's about love, but it's also about sex and self-discovery for Cassie, opening up and self worth for Ethan. Up front you know it's going to end in heartbreak, still that journey towards that point is very interesting to read about.

Cassie honestly might be one of the horniest characters I've ever come across, certainly because she's a virgin. It's almost to the point of obsession, and her thoughts of course often involve Ethan. I do have to say that her attraction to him is not solely based on the physical. While he doesn't have the most sparkling personality, Ethan very much is an enigma and all around appealing.

I wouldn't call Ethan a bad boy though or even a player, rather than a young man who's been hurt and is troubled with certain emotions and thoughts. He's not a bad guy, he just makes not so good decisions at times or says the most confusing things. It's never his intention to hurt Cassie, in fact he does everything to avoid that fact. Still this results in some very mixed signals and the confusion overall just grows.

Bad Romeo was very well written and the characters certainly have their appeal. Everything about this story felt real and at times even a bit raw. I think it might have been more interesting if the first book was only about the past until the break and the second book about the present, instead of the switching back and forth. Like I said, I'm not very happy with the ending of this book, but I will certainly be reading Broken Juliet when it comes out.

3.5


Starcrossed - Reading order and purchase links

  


The Author


Writing has always been a passion for Leisa, and even though she originally intended to be an actress, it wasn’t long into her time at drama school that she began writing plays.

Those plays were bad. Very bad. Well, her friends thought they were good, but that’s because they were always cast in them and any opportunity to be on stage was met with an obnoxious amount of enthusiasm.

Since then, she’s honed her craft, and several of her plays have been produced and toured
throughout Australia.

These days, playwriting has given way to fiction writing, and Leisa’s debut novel, BAD ROMEO, will be available in a worldwide release through Macmillan Publishing in December 2014.

Leisa lives in Australia with her husband, two little boys, three cats, and a kangaroo named Howard.

(Howard may or may not be her imaginary marsupial friend. Everyone should have one.)
Connect with Leisa Rayven:

Saturday Series: Tall, Tatted and Tempting (The Reed Brothers #1) by Tammy Falkner


She’s locked up tight. But he might be the key.

Logan Reed is tall, tatted and tempting. Kit’s a woman with a mean right hook and a secret.

Kit wants a tattoo, but Logan sees more than she intends to share in the drawing of the tat she wants. He sees her in ways no one ever has.

Logan’s not disabled; but he hasn’t spoken in eight years. He hasn’t needed to. Until he meets Kit.

Logan doesn’t know everything about Kit. Kit doesn’t know anything about herself, until she has to sacrifice all she ever wanted to save what’s most important to him.


This series has been recommended to me by a lot of people, and I always like it when we have a series about a family or in this case brothers (even better). My first thought after finishing this book was "where is the rest." While I wouldn't say it ends with a cliffhanger, you certainly know there is going to be a second book, and you'll probably want to start reading it immediately. So I suggest buying them both at once.

Honestly, this is a pretty fast and short read, so I'm surprised the author even split the story in two. It could have easily been one book and I actually prefer it that way. Since now I have that feeling of unfinished business. While she did manage to create a good break/ending, it doesn't feel definite at all and therefor it felt a bit lacking.

Logan and Kit are two interesting characters. With Logan being deaf, communicating isn't always that easy, though he never had any trouble attracting the ladies. When he meets Kit, it doesn't immediately go that well, but there is this instant connection. She has some very clear trust issues, and Logan is new to the whole actually really liking a girl and wanting to get to know her. They both need a breather to figure things out, though this time I liked the fact that things move pretty fast. It's still not instant love, there is that definite hesitation from both sides, but you know it just works.

Kit has a big personal secret, and she's afraid of the consequences when that comes out. While it doesn't involve the Reed brothers, the reveal of that secret will mostly just have consequences for her. She's not immediately ready to share that with Logan, and it's one of the big reasons why they are taking their time. 

So I definitely liked the pace of the love story, it's just felt overall short. As soon as I finish writing this review, I'll be reading the second book. I do feel the need to mention, with the book being so short, there are some details missing and I have a lot of questions. Even if the author wanted to split the story up, I still believe this could have easily been up to a hundred pages longer. Mostly so we can get deeper into certain parts. Now while there are some serious issues, it still feels a bit superficial at times.


The Reed Brothers - Reading order and purchase links

      
      
    


The Author
Tammy Falkner lives on a farm in a lovely, sprawling little town in rural NC with her beekeeper husband and a house full of boys, a few dogs, and a cat or two (or five – who has time to count?). As half of the Lydia Dare team, she has co-written ten books, including the Westfield Wolves series and the Gentlemen Vampyre series. A huge fan of Regency England, she often wonders what other kinds of magical, mythical and strange creatures might live and interact within the ton. Exploring the theory that the fae can walk between Regency England and their own land, Tammy spends as much time as possible with the lords and ladies of society, horse-drawn carriages, and elegant balls. Now add to that some faeries, a little murder, a bit of mayhem, and a troublesome garden gnome, and you have her exciting new series. She hopes you enjoys her world as much as she does.

Connect with Tammy Falkner: