Thursday, November 27, 2014

The Books I'm Thankful For (so far) in 2014

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

In tradition (well mine at least) of today being Thanksgiving Day, here is a list of ALL the books I've read thus far this year (and have given my highest ratings to), which means I'm VERY Thankful for finding/reading them!! So, here you go (listed in the order of when I read them this year):
  1. "The Summer I Found You" by Jolene Perry: 5 out of 5 stars!! Two people meet and help each other during difficult times in their lives, while unintentionally falling for one another.

    Kind of a NC-17 type of YA novel or rather somewhere in between YA and NA genres, I found this novel to be fun, intense, touching, and romantic! Kate and Aiden's relationship isn't one that either expected or wanted right away but it turns into a relationship that both are hard pressed to giving up, no matter what anyone thinks. With their "disabilities," they are able to sympathize with each other and in turn end up helping each other in more ways then one! [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]

  2. "Unmasking Juliet" by Teri Wilson: 5 out of 5 stars! Based off of a classic play this novel has turned into a classic for me! However, instead of being a tragedy like its predecessor it's an entertaining romantic contemporary comedy that allows you to root for Leo & Juliet while throwing you into the middle of a generational chocolate war. [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]



  3. "Play" [Stage Dive Series, Book 2] by Kylie Scott: 5 out of 5 stars!! Wow! It had been a while since I read "Lick," book 1 of this series, that I completely forgot how much I LOVE Malcolm!!! So much so, that I finished reading this almost 300 page book in one day, which is usually hard for me to do while still looking after my 5 month old and 3 year old children. [Read more of Jess' Review and THREE Teasers for this book HERE]


  4. "A Season of Change" [Seasons of Pinecraft Series, Book 1] by Lynette Sowell: 5 out of 5 stars!! This engaging novel will win you over with it's compelling story, about what your faith really means to you and what you're willing to change about yourself or possibly give up so you can openly love the person your falling for. I really liked how this novel gives you a different look into Amish romance while being as accurate, as can be, about some of the struggles that the Amish have to deal with if they happen to fall in love with someone not of their religion.

    I really LOVED all of the characters, even Betsy though she annoyed me at times. [Read more of Jess' Review and THREE Teasers for this book HERE]

  5. "Silver Wolf Clan" [Silver Wolf Clan Series, Book 1] by Tera Shanley: 5 out of 5 stars!!! Oh my goodness, I LOVED this novel!! In truth, I liked the Author’s Book Description and the name of the title, yet neither really applied to what this novel is about since I was thrown for a loop finding out it’s a whole lot more!!

    Grey gets Changed when defending a woman who is trying to save her sister and niece against a monster in the forest. [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]

  6. "Since You've Been Gone" by Anouska Knight: 5 out of 5 stars!!! WOW ... just, wow. Throughout reading this novel I expected to see it take many different turns, but I never expected to be so enraptured that I'd read through it so quickly and fall in love with it at the same time.

    What can I say .... [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]


  7. "Taming the Lion" [Lone Pine Pride Series, Book 2] by Vivi Andrews: 5 out of 5 stars!! This novel reminded me of Ms. Andrews' Serengeti Shifters Series because of it's intensity and romantic swagger, which is why I think I liked it so much!

    Even though I haven't read book 1 of this series, from what I have come up with this novel takes place during the same time period as it does. I really liked the development of Patricia (Patch) and Roman's relationship. [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]

  8. "Once Upon a SEAL" [within Love Is...] & [Sugar Falls Series, Book 0.5] by S. M. Butler: 5 out of 5 stars! This story reeled me in from the beginning with Maddie's witty sense of humor then it really hooked me by watching her growing romance with Sebastian (Bastian). Reading about their relationship and how Maddie kept trying to bring Bastian's personality and himself out from his exile got me liking this story more and more. [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]


  9. "Her Royal Rendezvous" [within Love Is...] & [Her Royal Romance Series, Book 2.5] by Natasha Moore: 5 out of 5 stars!! Loved this story! Two years ago Liliana (Lil) broke off her engagement to Tony because of what now seems like trivial things, after they reconnect at her cousin's wedding will they choose to put their shared past behind them and finally move on with their lives or will old sparks reignite and make them come to their senses? Tony & Lil are just so open with their emotions that it's hard not to root for their relationship from the beginning. [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]

  10. "Thunder and Loving" [within Love Is...] by A. Catherine Noon & Rachel Wilder: 5 out of 5 stars! This fun and entertaining contemporary romance was one I could not get enough of; with Clarissa's (Ris) feisty attitude and Gabe's intense ways, you cannot help but enjoy this story! I'd love to see where this couple goes next! Together they are just something else! *hehee* [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]


  11. "Loving Serenity" [within Love Is...] & [Bad Boys of River City Series, Book 3.5] by Elle Wylder: 5 out of 5 stars! Loved the combustible chemistry that Trace and Serenity share! This is a follow-up from their novel "Defending Serenity," where they are at a friends' wedding and slowly getting ready to spring some more good news on their friends if only Serenity can get over her fears. It was so sweet and definitely got me interested in this series!! [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]

  12. "Flickering Light" [within Love Is...] & [Return to Avalore Series, Prequel] by Élianne Adams: 5 out of 5 stars! Years after Avalore's death of their Queen its kingdom is still hurting in more ways then one. The major way that everyone is hurting is because with her gone the light that is inside all of her people is being "eaten up" by darkness, and if they succumb to their personal darkness they die. For a while now Barbara has been on the brink of succumbing to her darkness. [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]

  13. "Bridal Faire" [within Love Is...] & [Wizards of Woodland Academy Series, Part of Book 1] by Melisse Aires: 5 out of 5 stars, this is a long excerpt to Ms. Aires' upcoming novel "The Moon Fairy Bride" that brings you right into the action of Adler's life and his navigation of finding a good wife for him. It also leaves the reader excited to follow Adler and his growing romance/relationship with Ayperi within their full novel without being disappointed with how this story ends. [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]

  14. "Hatter’s Treasure" [within Love Is...] & [Kingdom Series] by Marie Hall: 5 out of 5 stars, become immersed within Wonderland while Hatter sets out to show Alice what his greatest treasure is .... her. It’s a very sweet glimpse into their lives about year after they got together. While making, the readers want to have fun and enjoy the madness too. [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]


  15. "Lessons Learned" [within Love Is...] & [HOOD Series, Book 0.5] by Dayna Hart: 5 out of 5 stars! It seems like a intriguing mixture of Robin Hood and Little Red Riding Hood, only being the grown up version of course and having it be a little like Ms. Garren's Tales of the Underlight Series. This story brings you right into the action and relationship between Claret & Ryder, a couple who have taken opposite paths over the past fives years who come together again during dire circumstances and decide to take a chance on each other--this time hopefully for good. [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]

  16. "Embracing Darkness" [within Love Is...] & [Key Series, Book 1.5] by Yelena Casale & Tina Moss: 5 out of 5 stars! Loved the buildup for this story and how they quickly grew into their feelings for one another (especially with how they quickly accepted it without fear -- which is a rare trait to read). I really liked Rafe & Zoey's "easy" relationship; I am interested to see in how their relationship will grow from here. [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]


  17. "The Lady’s Wicked Proposition" [within Love Is...] & [Wicked Liaisons Series, Book 1.5] by Vivienne Westlake: 5 out of 5 stars, a woman sets out to find a rake to fulfill her every wish yet she finds a man who gives her more then she could ever hope for...

    Francis & Edwina (Dina) sound like a great couple because about how they have a sweet friendship that turns into something more after Dina proposes to Frances her plan. [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]

  18. "Nobody's Cowboy" [Big Sky Mavericks Series, Book 1] by Debra Salonen: 5 out of 5 stars, a man moves back to his hometown after dealing with a big political scandal he didn't commit and falls for his neighbor who shows him that being a cowboy isn't as bad as he had always believed! A spin-off from Ms. Salonen's "Cowgirl Come Home," this novel throws you right into that action from the very beginning and leaves you wanting more from Austen, Serena, and Austen's family.

    Austen and Serena seem like opposites but after Austen gets into the swing of "cowboy life," you could tell they were the perfect fit for each other. [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]

  19. "Temptation in Shadows" by Gena Showalter: 5 out of 5 stars!! What started out as a mission quickly turns into something a whole lot more! Sean & Gabrielle (Gabby) have an instant connection that was easy to fall for, this novella has it all. A thrilling paranormal romance that will sweep you off your feet just like Sean swept up Gabby. [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]



  20. "Love Me To Death" [The Underveil Series, Book 1] by Marissa Clarke: 5 out of 5 stars!! A fated couple, who started out as enemies, comes together to save the world and learn that there is more out there then what they know...in more ways then one.

    Oh My Goodness!! I am already ADDICTED to this series, as I LOVED this novel!! [Read more of Jess' Review and THREE Teasers for this book HERE]

  21. "Blame The Mistletoe" [A Marietta Christmas Novel & Montana Born Christmas Series, Book 1] by Dani Collins: 5 out of 5 stars!! LOVED, love, loved it!! It was hard not getting sucked into this sweetly steamy romance about an ex-brother-in-law & an ex-sister-in-law falling in love and dealing with their unique challenges! [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]



  22. "Touching Paradise" [Shark Shifter Series, Book 1] by Cleo Peitsche: 5 out of 5 stars!!! While on vacation on a remote island for a friend's wedding Monroe meets a mysterious bachelor who changes her world and life in unexpected ways!

    Intensely hot with intriguing twists, I could not put this novella down! I ended up reading it in 3-4 hours! [Read more of Jess' Review and a Teaser for this book HERE]

  23. "In Your Dreams" [The Blue Heron Series, Book 4] by Kristan Higgins: 5 out of 5 stars!! Two people trying to move on from bad exes become friends and a whole lot more, if only they can get over their heartaches.

    Witty, fun, and dramatic! This had everything you'd want from a Ms. Higgins' novel and more!! [Read more of Jess' Review and TWO Teasers for this book HERE]
I guess I've been really happy with the books I've read thus far this year since this is more high rated novels/novellas than I've rated in the past. So, I hope after reading my reviews and teasers you'll be interested in a few of them too.

It's an eclectic mix of New Adult, paranormal, contemporary, erotic, Christian, and historical romances! =0)

Anyway ....

I hope you will have a FUN, DELICIOUS, and ENJOYABLE Thanksgiving! Wish you a wonderful day and some exciting days ahead!

Best regards, Jess

4 comments :

  1. Thanks so much for including Embracing Darkness! We are honored to be a part of your list. Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're both very welcome. Thank YOU for commenting! I hope your holidays will be fun.

      Delete
  2. I'm glad you enjoyed Bridal Faire! Thanks for the post on my page. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome! Thank you for stopping by and commenting! =0)

      Delete

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