Thursday, December 31, 2015

Corinne's 2015 TOP READS


                                                                         


       2015 Must Reads

It was a record year for this reader….252 books +….this was truly an amazing year for the integrated world of author & reader. 

I was introduced to many new authors, plot lines and great characters. This was also a bitter sweet year as I bade farewell to some memorable and endearing series whose characters will forever hold a special place in this reader’s heart.


The following is the list of the most memorable reads from this reader to you:  


Favorite Athlete Read:  Love Hurts (Caged Love Book 1) by Mandi Beck**



Favorite New Series: Lauren Gilley’s Fearless (Dartmoor Book 1 –Lean Dogs MC) ** 


Favorite Conclusion to a Series:  Endure (Evolve Series #4) by SE Hall 




Favorite Second Chance:  Tie between K.L. Grayson’s Lover’s Lament** & Before We Were Strangers: A Love Story, Renee Carlino** 


Favorite Light-hearted Read: Heart Shaped Hack: Kate & Ian #1 by Tracey Garvis Graves 


Favorite Dark/Erotic Suspense Read: Three, Two, One (321): (A Dark Suspense) by JA Huss** 

Favorite BDSM Read: Subordination: Chronicles of a Domme by Katie Ashley** 


Favorite Collaboration: Caught (Heart On Book 1) by Erika Ashby & A.E. Woodward 


Favorite Debut Read:  A Pound of Flesh by Sophie Jackson** 


Favorite Bad Boy Read: The Air He Breathes by Brittainy Cherry** 


Favorite Hero Read: Melissa Collins’, From the Wreckage 


Favorite Military Read: Love Survives (Love Suicide Book 2) by Jenn Foor 


Favorite Survivor Read:  Tied between Rachel Higginson’s Five Stages of Falling in Love** & Fragment by Ellie Wade** 


Favorite Friends to Lovers: The Road That Leads To Us, Micalea Smeltzer** 


Favorite Brother’s Bestie to Lovers Read: Claire Contreras’ Kaleidoscope Hearts 


Favorite Taboo Romance Read:  MILF: Wrong Kind of Love by Erin Noelle 


Favorite MC Read: Beth Flynn’s Out Of Time (Nine Minutes Trilogy Book 2) 


Favorite Non-fiction Read:  Life of an Angel by Cassie Miller** & Brynn Johnson** 


Favorite Twisted Plot Read: Lisa De Jong’s Break Even


Favorite Original Plot: Nowhere but Here (Thunder Road) Katie McGarry** 

**Signifies new author to this reader.

Also I wanted to give an honorable mention to the following authors: Lili Saint Germain, Megan Smith & Michelle Lynn…these authors have concluded three amazing series that I followed start to finish. Lili’s “Gypsy Brothers”, Megan’s “Love Series” (#TeamHunter) & last, but certainly NOT least, Michelle’s” The Invisibles” (#TeamBradyNSadie, #BradysBabe) ……THANKS, from the bottom of my heart, to all of the above authors (and many more) for letting me experience your imagination and dreams while fulfilling this reader’s thirst for the written word.



CA Borgford's Top Reads of 2015




Books I read and fell hard for in 2015
~ Christine’s not to be missed list ~

2015 was a fantastic year to be a reader. I read hundreds of books. Many of those more than met my appetite for a great read. I purchased more books than I read, so I know there are amazing books waiting on my ereader. The books listed below (in no particular order) hit my sweet spot. They stuck with me and had me going back for more. 

Thank you to every author that published in 2015. I applaud you for putting yourself out there. There are sooo many more, many of my go to insta-click authors, that easily could have been listed. An overabundance of awesome books is a great problem to have.
~ <3 Christine xoxo






BLEEDING STARS SERIES by A.L. Jackson
A Stone in the Sea and Drowning to Breathe

AL Jackson takes me places with her words that I never see coming. Heaven on Earth ~ These characters, their stories, the carefully crafted words, the emotions evoked are all brilliant. 

The Bleeding Stars Series delivers everything I want in an escape.








FIVE STAGES OF FALLING IN LOVE by Rachel Higginson

This book is absolutely fantastic. The structure is excellent and the characters and story are well developed and engaging. It is thoughtful and well written. I cried many tears! It was my first exposure to this author but won’t be my last.








HIM by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

This duo is a winning combination. Him is funny, sexy and delivers a fantastic story. The pages turned themselves, as I got lost in Jamie and Ryan. I loved every minute.








MADAME X by Jasinda Wilder


Jasinda Wilder is a phenom. A titan among giants. I could talk about this book for hours and barely scratch the surface. I wanted to savour and devour it in equal measure. I decided to take it slow, peeling back the many layers. Madame X is easily a book where I could read a chapter every day then just sit and ponder the genius of it all.










MY KIND OF WONDERFUL by Jill Shalvis

I love everything Jill writes. She is my go to author when I’m in a reading slump and need a homerun. My Kind of Wonderful is outstanding. It was spectacular. Reading a Shalvis novel is effortless. You open the book and she sweeps you off your feet. It really is that simple.








SACRIFICE by Adriana Locke

I’m a sucker for kids, fighters, underdogs and sexy men. Shocker right? Add in a well-developed storyline and characters including a strong woman to rule their world and you’ve most likely won me over hook, line and sinker. Sacrifice is a fantastic read. 








SUSTAINED by Emma Chase


Emma Chase can write a male POV like NO. ONE. ELSE. CAN.
Sustained really is the complete package— sweet and funny during the day, and adult sexy after dark. The twists and turns keep you on your feet. The kids ~ ahhh so good! Sustained is outstanding and by far my favorite book from Chase. I have enjoyed all her work, but so many elements of this story and these characters go above and beyond. 








THE BURYING WATER SERIES by KA Tucker
(Burying Water, Becoming Rain, Chasing River, and Surviving Ice)

There are no words that can explain the utter excellence achieved in this series. No one torments me with anticipation and wonderment like KA Tucker. She makes me believe in things when I don't think I can, all while forcing me to be patient. Oh so patient. My reward is the endless rush of emotion that floods me when the perfectly timed, exquisitely crafted moments unfold. Each novel is unique and packed full of surprises that should not be missed.












THE HARD TO RESIST SERIES by SL Scott
(The Resistance, The Reckoning and The Redemption)

I love S.L. Scott’s writing style. I have a huge girl crush on Holliday, and Dalton was just all kinds of irresistible.  Dex and Rochelle both slayed my heart. I wasn’t sure I’d survive. Redemption was a hard fought battle and my favorite book of the series. 








THE KING SERIES by T.M. Frazier
(King, Tyrant and Lawless)

Frazier is the queen of leaving you hanging~ in the best way possible, because no one delivers a follow up like she does. This series is rough, raw, brash and sexy. Truly an escape to another world








THE MASON LIST by S.D. Hendrickson

Wow. Just wow. This book is extraordinary. The friendship, the longing, the heartbreak. And the love. This book is a breath-taking journey. I had moments of grief, anger, embarrassment, yet so many moments of wonderment, joy and love. It’s a long book, but the beauty in the story makes it worth the time commitment to read.









THE SWEET SOUND OF SILENCE by Melanie Dawn

The Sweet Sound of Silence should absolutely not be missed. I sobbed, swooned and fell hard for this story. It's brilliant from the concept to the delivery.








UNTIL FRIDAY NIGHT by Abbi Glines

I devoured Until Friday Night. It was sweet, soft and real. It's my favorite book from Abbi Glines. The story was beautiful and the words flowed effortlessly. I love the soft edges she has created with this new series.







WELCOME TO THE POINT SERIES by Jay Crownover
(Better When He’s Bad, Better When He’s Bold, and Better When He’s Brave)


This is a series that more people need to be reading and discussing. Crownover is at her best when she colors outside the lines. I found my way into the Point and fell in LOVE. It's a place filled with originality, immense love and some of the most beautiful characters to ever grace the pages. There truly is something for everyone in this series. P.S. The hot cop is MINE.



Surviving Ice by KA Tucker




The USA TODAY bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths series and Burying Water—whichKirkus Reviews called “a sexy, romantic, gangster-tinged page-turner”—returns with a new novel packed with romance, plot twists, and psychological suspense.

Ivy Lee, a talented tattoo artist who spent the early part of her twenties on the move, is looking for a place to call home. She thinks she might have finally found it working in her uncle’s tattoo shop in San Francisco. But all that changes when a robbery turns deadly, compelling her to pack up her things yet again.

When they need the best, they call him. That’s why Sebastian Riker is back in California, cleaning up the mess made after a tattoo shop owner who resorted to blackmail and got himself shot. But it’s impossible to get the answers he needs from a dead body, leaving him to look elsewhere. Namely, to the twenty-something-year-old niece who believes this was a random attack. Who needs to keep believing that until Sebastian finds what he’s searching for.

Ivy has one foot out of San Francisco when a chance encounter with a stranger stalls her departure. She’s always been drawn to intense men, so it’s no wonder that she now finds a reason to stay after all, quickly intoxicated by his dark smile, his intimidating strength, and his quiet control.

That is, until Ivy discovers that their encounter was no accident—and that their attraction could be her undoing.


REVIEW:

Review by CA Borgford

Surviving Ice is filled with twists, turns and complete upheaval. Sebastian and Ivy are playing a game that neither knows the rules to, with high stakes for both of these dynamic characters. I fell in love with Ivy long before Surviving Ice. However, it wasn’t until Surviving Ice that I fully understood her.  Sebastian is yumminess and complication rolled into a very impressive package.

Tucker continues to weave family, mystery and undeniable love into stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Surviving Ice is a whirlwind of emotion and fantastic writing. This series is EPIC.



BLOG TOUR ~ BUILT by Jay Crownover

BUILT - Tour Banner

 We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Review/Excerpt Tour for BUILT by Jay Crownover! BUILT is a Contemporary Romance novel being published by HarperCollins, and it is the 1st full-length novel in The Saints of Denver Series, a spinoff of her New York Times bestselling Marked Men Series. This amazing book releases on January 5th!   

   Studio portrait of young bearded man --- Image by © pinkypills/Corbis

 Amazon US ** iBooks ** 

Barnes & Noble ** Kobo

 

   BUILT - Tour Teaser 1     

  
About BUILT:

From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men books comes an electrifying new spin-off series, Saints of Denver, featuring all the characters fans have been dying to read about.

Sayer Cole and Zeb Fuller couldn’t be more different. She’s country club and fine-dining, he’s cell-block and sawdust. Sayer spends her days in litigation, while Zeb spends his working with his hands. She’s French silk, he’s all denim and flannel.

Zeb’s wanted the stunning blonde since the moment he laid eyes on her. It doesn't matter how many smooth moves he makes, the reserved lawyer seems determinedly oblivious to his interest—either that or she doesn't return it. Sayer is certain the rough, hard, hot-as-hell Zeb could never want someone as closed off and restrained as she is, which is a shame because something tells her he might be the guy to finally melt her icy exterior.

But just as things start to heat up, Zeb is blindsided by a life altering moment from his past. He needs Sayer’s professional help to right a wrong and to save more than himself. He can’t risk what’s at stake just because his attraction to Sayer feels all consuming. But as these opposites dig in for the fight of their lives, battling together to save a family, the steam created when fire and ice collide can no longer be ignored. 


REVIEW:

Review by CA Borgford

It’s no surprise that Crownover knows how to steal the hearts of readers. Where she continues to surprise me is how she always finds a new way to do it. Together Zeb and Sayer are electric.

In the face of life changing circumstances and quite possibly the biggest challenge of his life, Zeb is rock steady and certain. I love his fierceness, his patience, but most of all I love his conviction to put it all on the line when it matters most.

In second chances you have to remember there is a lot of pain before gain and looks can be very deceiving.

Sayer is a tough nut. She’s a character you want to love and shake in equal measure. She is written and developed as impeccably as she dresses for work. The complexity of her pain coupled with her resolve to see herself in the harshest of lights is at times painful and frustrating to read, yet serves a higher purpose in telling their story. This book is brimming with love, second chances, and a healthy dose of hot male that will make you want to remodel. Most of all it’s the opener to a new series that hooks you into loving and longing for who and what’s to come.

Jay Crownover builds HEAs the hard way, without short cuts ~Built from the ground up. That way you know they’ll be built to last.


Review by Heather Davenport

Built is the first book in The Saints of Denver Series, a spin-off of The Marked Men Series. We were introduced to Sayer and Zeb in The Marked Men Series. The moment Zeb's eyes landed on Sayer, he knew he had to have her. Something about her spoke volumes to him. Both Zeb and Sayer have a past, a past that can effect their relationship. 

Zeb's past comes face to face with him. He can either turn and look the other way, or take the bull by the horns. Zeb needs help and he turns to the one person he knows can help him, Sayer.  

Sayer is fighting her own demons from her past. While trying to work through them, she finds that one burly man, keeps paying her visits in her dreams at night. She can't stop thinking about him. Zeb wants Sayer, he never denied it. Sayer seems to be the one holding all the cards in this situation. Relationships are built on trust. Built on love. Can Zeb and Sayer have that?  Will Sayer continue to push Zeb away? What will happen when Zeb steps up to the plate and takes responsibility for his past? Will this push Sayer further away or will it bring them closer?

Jay took a risk with creating a character like Sayer. Usually readers want the woman to fall over the man and be warm and fuzzy all the time. Sayer is not that person. She was very indecisive in this book. At times, I wanted to ring her neck, but I had to take a step back and understand why she was like that. Sayer needed to love herself before she could love someone else. Zeb was nothing but patient with her, and you will fall in love with him with each turn of the page. You will route for Zeb. You will see how Zeb built his future from the ground up. The question is....  Does Sayer want to be part of it?  

This is a five star read for me.  I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.





  BUILT - Tour Teaser 2   


EXCERPT

“One battle at a time, Zeb. That’s all we can tackle, okay?”

He was quiet for a long moment, but I could hear him breathing and then finally he grunted a little bit and replied, “Well, then the battle I need to tackle right now is those god-awful walls. Thank you for talking me off the ledge. It’s impossible not to hope for the best when I talk to you.”

Maybe it was the overwhelming quiet of my house or it was the wistfulness in his voice. Or maybe it was really the fact that no matter how hard I tried to keep a clear divide between the two of us, I was always going to be too eager to cross over it when an opportunity presented itself. Like a goddamn fool. 

Calling myself every kind of name there was in the book, I blurted out, “I’m not doing anything tonight, and Poppy went out with Rowdy, so if you need an extra set of hands to help with the paint I can swing by the house.” I wanted to groan. I was the least handy person in the whole world and I don’t think I  had ever even held a paintbrush, but the idea of getting to spend some one-on-one time with him was just so tempting that I ignored all of that and secretly hoped he would ignore it, too. 

He chuckled a little. “Are you serious?”

I shrugged even though he couldn’t see it. “Sure. Why not?”

“Well, I’m not going to turn down free labor, especially when that free labor looks like you. Do you even own anything that you won’t be pissed to get paint on, Say? What I do tends to get dirty.” His voiced dropped a little bit and there was a husky timbre to the words that made me shiver. 

There was a double entendre there that was impossible to miss and it made all of my skin heat up from the inside out. Not to mention no one had ever shortened my name before. I wasn’t exactly the cutesy nickname type. My father wouldn’t have approved and as such I was always just “Sayer.” Zeb’s shortening my name felt intimate. It felt far more familiar than I should be allowing myself to get with him. Still I didn’t say anything other than “I’m sure I can find something.”




And don’t miss the previous novella in The Saints of Denver Series!

LEVELED - cover

LEVELED

 
Jay Crownover - author pic

About Jay Crownover: Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men and The Point series. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.        

Website ** Blog ** Facebook ** Twitter

BUILT Goodreads ** Jay Crownover Goodreads

 








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Wednesday, December 30, 2015

MY KIND OF WONDERFUL (Cedar Ridge #2) by Jill Shalvis



           

UNEXPECTED AND UNDENIABLE . . .


Bailey Moore has an agenda: skiing in the Rockies, exploring castles in Europe, ballroom dancing in Argentina. Now that she has a second lease on life, she's determined not to miss a thing. What she doesn't realize is that item #1 comes with a six-foot-one ski god hot enough to melt a polar ice cap. She doesn't want to miss out on him either, but Hudson Kincaid isn't the type of guy to love and let go. And as gorgeous as Cedar Ridge is, she's not planning to stick around.

As head of ski patrol at his family's resort, Hud thinks he's seen it all. But never has he run into someone like Bailey. She might look delicate, but her attitude is all firecracker. And her infectious joy touches something deep within him that he's been missing far too long. Now he'll just have to convince Bailey to take a chance on her biggest adventure yet . . . something rare and all kinds of wonderful.


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REVIEW:

I loved this story from beginning to end. I fell in love with Bailey and Hud. Bailey spent a lot of her life basically waiting to die. She was diagnosed with Cancer when she was 15 and for the first time in a very long time, she is now Cancer free. Bailey is living life to the fullest bow that she is finally able to see a future for herself. She goes skiing at Cedar Ridge to kill some time before her appointment with the Kincaids about painting a mural for them and takes a wrong turn, to a mountain she could never make it down being a beginner. She calls for help and Hud is on duty that day and comes to help her. His instantly fell in love with her smile and sense of humor. When they all met for the meeting about the mural, Hud was shocked to see Bailey sitting in there. After they all agreed and Bailey starts the Mural the following weekend, it started out with lots of flirting, the flirting turned into one night, that turned into a another night. They fall in love with each other pretty quickly but both of them have issues they need to get through. This book to me, was about living your life to the fullest, each and every day. 

I loved the humor between all the brothers, they were all so hilarious! I can't wait for the next book and I'm looking forward to hear about Jacob more. I loved it!!! I'll  definitely be on the look out for Jill's next book and will recommend this to everyone! Amazing story!!

This review was prepared by Jeanine McDonald. An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.



My Kind of Wonderful by Jill Shalvis
Review by CA Borgford

I love everything Jill Shalvis writes. She is my go to author when I’m in a reading slump and need a homerun. My Kind of Wonderful is outstanding. I have come to expect humor, romance and sexy times from Jill. My Kind of Wonderful reminded me that she is a literary genius when it comes to setting a scene. I wasn’t reading about Cedar Ridge. I was in Cedar Ridge. It was spectacular. Hudson … was everything. Seriously everything. Bailey and Hudson were just right in every way. Both strong and soft. Shalvis continues to tackle real life issues with humor, love and heartfelt moments. When I read “Stay. Stay right here, right now, okay? Stay with me.” I lost it. Reading a Shalvis novel is effortless. You open the book and she sweeps your off your feet. It really is that simple.




Start from the beginning with book one in the Cedar Ridge series, SECOND CHANCE SUMMER! 
RESCUE MECedar Ridge, Colorado, is famous for crisp mountain air, clear blue skies, and pine-scented breezes. And it's the last place Lily Danville wants to be. But she needs a job, and there's an opening at the hottest resort in her hometown. What has her concerned is the other hot property in Cedar Ridge: Aidan Kincaid—firefighter, rescue worker, and heartbreaker. She never could resist that devastating smile . . .

The Kincaid brothers are as rough and rugged as the Rocky Mountains they call home. Aidan has always done things his own way, by his own rules. And never has he regretted anything more than letting Lily walk out of his life ten years ago. If anyone has ever been in need of rescuing, she has. What she needs more than anything are long hikes, slow dances, and sizzling kisses. But that can only happen if he can get her to give Cedar Ridge-and this bad boy-a second chance . . 




Buy the book!
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About the author:
New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is mostly coincidental. Look for Jill's bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Connect with the author!