I’ve read some really great books this year. I know that the year’s not over, and I’m sure I’ll read 1 or 2 more before the end of December crosses fingers, but I wanted to highlight the ones I’ve read so far and just loved. Some were new releases and others years old.
The giveaway is as follows:
I’m going to tell you about my 5 star reads so far and then you will have the chance to win ONE of those books in e-format from the ebook seller of your choice.
Angel’s Dance by Nalini Singh
The gentle teacher of angelic young, and the keeper of her people’s histories, Jessamy is respected and admired by everyone who knows her. Yet, born unable to soar into flight, she has spent thousands of years trapped in the mountain stronghold of the Refuge, her heart encased in painful loneliness…until the arrival of Galen, warrior angel from a martial court.
Rough-edged and blunt, Galen is a weapons-master at home with violence, a stranger to the sweet words it takes to woo a woman—but he is also a man determined to claim Jessamy for his own, to dance with her through the skies denied her for so very long…even if their exhilarating passion proves as dangerous as the landscape of war and unrest that lies before them.
Angels’ Dance previously appeared in the anthology, Angels’ Flight .
I just adored this novella. I loved Galen. I loved Jessamy. I really loved their story and the way Singh wrote it. This was so very good, and definitely worth reading.
Just Like Being in Love by Steve Kluger
A high school jock and nerd fall in love senior year, only to part after an amazing summer of discovery to attend their respective colleges. They keep in touch at first, but then slowly drift apart.
Flash forward twenty years.
Travis and Craig both have great lives, careers, and loves. But something is missing …. Travis is the first to figure it out. He’s still in love with Craig, and come what may, he’s going after the boy who captured his heart, even if it means forsaking his job, making a fool of himself, and entering the great unknown. Told in narrative, letters, checklists, and more, this is the must-read novel for anyone who’s wondered what ever happened to that first great love.
This is a total re-read for me but definitely worth adding to this list. Awesome story. I adore Kluger’s writing and his characters totally rock. You can read my 2009 review here.
Son of the Morning by Linda Howard
A scholar specializing in ancient manuscripts, Grace St. John never imagined that a cache of old documents she discovered was the missing link to a lost Celtic treasure. But as soon as she deciphers the legend of the Knights of the Templar — long fabled to hold the key to unlimited power — Grace becomes the target of a ruthless killer bent on abusing the coveted force. Determined to stop him, Grace needs the help of a warrior bound by duty to uphold the Templar’s secret for all eternity. But to find him — and to save herself — she must go back in time . . . to fourteenth-century Scotland . . . and to Black Niall, a fierce man of dark fury and raw, unbridled desire. . . .
Awesome read! Holly recommended this one and I was not disappointed. You can read my full review here.
Down London Road by Samantha Young
It has always been up to Johanna to care for her family, particularly her younger brother, Cole. With an absent father and a useless mother, she’s been making decisions based on what’s best for Cole for as long as she can remember. She even determines what men to date by how much they can provide for her brother and her, not on whatever sparks may—or may not—fly.
But with Cameron MacCabe, the attraction is undeniable. The sexy new bartender at work gives her butterflies every time she looks at him. And for once, Jo is tempted to put her needs first. Cam is just as obsessed with getting to know Jo, but her walls are too solid to let him get close enough to even try.
Then Cam moves into the flat below Jo’s, and their blistering connection becomes impossible to ignore. Especially since Cam is determined to uncover all of Jo’s secrets even if it means taking apart her defenses piece by piece.
This is book 2 in the On Dublin Street series but it was my first read by this author. I can’t say enough good things about this book –seriously. You can read my full review here.
It Happened One Midnight by Julie Anne Long
More than one beautiful woman’s hopes have been dashed on the rocky shoals of Jonathan Redmond’s heart. With his riveting good looks and Redmond wealth and power, the world is his oyster—until an ultimatum from his father and a chilling gypsy prophesy send him hurtling headlong toward a fate he’ll do anything to avoid: matrimony.
Intoxicating, elusive Thomasina de Ballesteros has the bloods of London at her feet. But none of them knows the real Tommy—the one with a shocking pedigree, a few too many secrets, and a healthy scorn for rakes like Jonathan.
She is everything Jonathan never wanted. But on one fateful midnight, he’s drawn into Tommy’s world of risk, danger…and a desire he’d never dreamed possible. And suddenly he’s re-thinking everything…including the possibility that succumbing to prophesy might just mean surrendering to love.
I love the Pennyroyal Green series – especially the later books. I adore Long’s writing. You can read my review here.
Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh
A dangerous, volatile rebel, hands stained bloodred.
A woman whose very existence has been erased.
A love story so dark, it may shatter the world itself.
A deadly price that must be paid.
The day of reckoning is here.
Love Singh. Love her books. One of my most favorite authors. My full review here.
Salvage by Meljean Brook
A man who’s lost everything returns home to find that not only is his marriage in jeopardy, but he must now fight air pirates who intend to steal his one remaining treasure — his wife.
This is book 3.5 in the Iron Seas series. This novella is in the Enthralled anthology so you would get the anthology as the prize – also includes stories by Lucy Monroe, Lora Leigh and Alyssa Day.
This was so very good! I loved Thom and Georgiana both. I loved the situation they were in because it brought them closer. I loved the awesome senses of humor that Brook gives her characters. Can you tell I loved it? lol If you don’t read any others in this novella I definitely think no one should miss this one.
Guardian Demon by Meljean Brook
After a terrifying encounter in Hell destroys her trust in Michael, the Guardian’s powerful leader, former detective Andromeda Taylor is ready to call it quits as one of the angelic warriors and resume her human life again. But when demonic forces threaten her closest friends and she uncovers a terrifying plot devised by Lucifer, Taylor is thrown straight into Michael’s path again…
To defeat Lucifer, Michael needs every Guardian by his side—and he needs Taylor more than any other. The detective is the key to keeping his own demonic side at bay, and Michael will do anything to protect her and keep her close. And when Taylor manifests a deadly power, her Gift might tip the scales in the endless war between Heaven and Hell…or it might destroy them both with a single touch.
Another of my favorite authors. This was so damned good and a wonderful end to the series. My full review here.
Rules to Catch a Devilish Duke by Suzanne Enoch
SHE BREAKS ALL THE RULES…
Sophia White knows she will never marry into polite society. The illegitimate daughter of a nobleman, she works at the Tantalus Club, a discreet establishment for gentlemen—and her only suitor is a pastor who wants to save her soul. So when Sophia is invited to spend the holidays at the estate of Adam Baswich, the devilishly handsome Duke of Greaves, she is delighted—and determined to enjoy her last nights of freedom before surrendering her hand…
TO CAPTURE A NOBLEMAN’S HEART
Inviting Sophia for Christmas is a daring courtesy on Adam’s part, but he soon finds the pleasure is all his. Sophia is beautiful, courageous, and stubbornly self-sufficient despite her scandalous circumstances—and not at all the kind of woman he could possibly marry. Adam knows he must find a wife by his thirtieth birthday or he will lose his fortune. But can he defy convention—and convince Sophia—to risk it all in the name of true love?
Awesome story. This is definitely a book that I recommend. I closed the book with a huge satisfied sigh and a big smile on my face.
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A few 4.5 star reads that I think are definitely worth mentioning. I’ll add these in the giveaway as well.
One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah Maclean
Lord of Darkness by Elizabeth Hoyt
Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs
Big Boy by Ruthie Knox
Beauty and the Blacksmith by Tessa Dare (novella)
KC, at Bat by Tom Mendicino
Knight Errant by KD Sarge
How to Marry a Highlander by Katharine Ashe (novella)
Join the giveaway by adding your name to the Rafflecopter but be sure and leave a comment on this post telling me which book you would want if you won. Have fun!