Michelle’s Top Books for 2014

Now that the year has almost come to an end, I will be sharing my tops over the next couple of days. Today I will share my  Top Books of 2014, They are listed in no particular order. Then on Tomorrow I will share what I am excited to read in 2015!! Make sure to keep checking back to look at those posts!!!!

New Adult Romances

This is Falling by Ginger Scott ( Click HERE to read my Review)

Blindness by Ginger Scott

Eyes Turned Skyward by Rebecca Yarros (Click HERE to read my Review)

What If by A.J Pine (Click HERE to read my Review)

Dare to Kiss by S. B Alexander

Defiantly Maybe in Love by  Ophelia London (Click HERE to read my Review)

Storm Warning (Click HERE to read my Review)

Young Adult

True Calling by Siobhan Davis (Click HERE to read my Review)

The Silver Tower by Colee Firman

The More Trilogy By T.M Franklin (Click HERE to read my Review of Twelve)

Suspense

His Frozen Heart (Click HERE to read my Review)

Black Rose by Kris Thomas (Click HERE to read my Review)

Nothing But Trouble by J. L Hammer (Click HERE to read my Review)

Adult Fantasy

The Gates Legacy by (Click HERE to read my Review)

Breeder by K. B Hoyle (Click HERE to read my Review)

Michelle’s Top Authors of 2014

Now that the year has almost come to an end, I will be sharing my tops over the next couple of days. Today I will share my Top Authors of 2014 and tomorrow I will be sharing my Top Book of 2014. Then on Thursday I will share what I am excited to read in 2015!!

TOP 5 Authors of 2015

In no particular order

Nancy Straight

What she has written:

His Frozen Heart (Click Here for my Review)

Touched Series (Click HERE for my Review of Blood Debt)

Density Series

Fractured Karma (Coming in 2015)

GINGER SCOTT:

What she has written:

This is Falling (Click HERE for my review)

You and Everything After (Click HERE for my review)

Blindness

How to Deal With Gravity

Going Long

Waiting by the Sidelines

Pamela Sparkman

What she has written:

Stolen Breathes (Click HERE for my Review)

Shattered (Click HERE for my Review)

Elizabeth Lee:

What she has written:

Finding You

Where There’s Smoke

Taking Something

Escaping Me

Give Me Something

Shattered

Storm Warning (Click HERE for Review)

Path of Destruction (Click HERE for Review)

Stephanie Witter

Fix Up (Click HERE for Review)

Patch Up (Click HERE for Review

Change Up

2B or Not 2B

Mad Mondays: Both of Me by Jonathan Friesen

Title- Both of Us

Author- Jonathan Friesen

Publisher- Blink

Amazon- http://goo.gl/vDg9fX

Rating- 5 Stars

BOOK SUMMERY:

Elias Phinn has always been considered stupid, but that may be because no one knows his vacant exterior holds a gifted mind. A mind that has learned to focus on his created world of Warilia, through which Elias distills everything he sees in order to cope with the excruciating, actual world around him. But with each passing year, the detailed sketches and notebooks describing Warilia have not only taken over Elias’s time, they have become a world he must slip into in order to get through each day. Clara Tobias has been running from her own reality, leaving behind her fragile mother and two siblings in order to have the whirlwind life of travel and adventure she always wanted. She justifies she put in her time caring for others, and that the rest of her life is hers to use as she pleases. Even if guilt won’t leave her alone.

On a flight out of New York—Elias heading home for the summer, Clara on another trip to Somewhere—the two end up side by side. And when their carry-ons are mistakenly switched, Clara opens her bag to discover the histories of Warilia while Elias finds photographs and journals he uses to flesh out the mysterious girl who sat beside him, whom he sees as the beautiful daughter of a Warilian diplomat, making her and her mother an integral part of his entire world.

When Clara arrives at the Phinn’s boarding house for her luggage, she begs Elias to show her Warilia—and he does, taking her to locations that to him are not ordinary landscapes and buildings but epic mountains and massive skyscrapers. But as Clara finds herself further drawn to this intriguing boy, word comes her mother has died. When Elias becomes unable to deal with the death of his diplomat, he and Clara leave on a mission Elias claims will preserve Warilia forever. Though in the end it could be the one thing that allows Clara to piece her own world together.

MY REVIEW:

“Have you ever run from reality? Have you ever run because reality was too much, too suffocating, too….. just”

Both of Me was sweet story of a girl would needed to get away and a boy who dealt with two realities.

At first I was a bit confused figuring out Elias’ different personalities and when he was, “The Other One”. Once I figured the two out, I was roped into this novel! It was interesting reading a story about a boy who has DID and it would have been extremely interesting having a story from his point of view, but I could see it being confusing as well. I also love how Jonathan Friesen wrote about dissociative identity disorder; I think many children who have this disorder could relate to this story.

I felt a lot of this story was about escaping realities, which is what happens when you read a book. Clara has gone on an adventure to escape her own reality of losing her mother and taking care of her siblings. During this adventure she was able to meet new people and escape into Elias’ world. Elias on the other hand made his own world in order to escape reality. His imagination allowed other to dive into his world. He also had an amazing personality where people gravitated toward him.

This was a great book by Jonathan Friesen and I cannot wait to read more from him!

Sizzling Saturdays: Make Me, Take Me Author by Amanda Usen

Title- Make Me, Take Me

Author- Amanda Usen

Publisher- Entangled Publishing

Amazon- http://goo.gl/XPhGZN

BOOK SUMMERY:

He’s every fantasy she’s ever had… Betsy Mouton knows that easy doesn’t last forever. She’s working her butt off to launch the Last Call Café so her family can leave the New Orleans bar business—and its heartaches—behind forever. That is, until the hottest one-night-stand of her life shows up next door, twice as uncompromising and two million times hotter, offering to buy the bar and send the Moutons to Easy Street.  Hotelier Quinton James has never forgotten the unbelievably hot night he and Betsy shared. Never forgotten how beautifully she submitted to him, or how he found the only peace he’s ever known in her arms. Now that Betsy is the only thing standing in the way of his new hotel, she’s the one in control. But there’s more at stake than her cafe or laying their past to rest—Quin wants a future. With her. All he has to do is convince her…one sensual command at a time.

MY REVIEW:

Entangled Publishing’s Brazen genre is never disappointed with it comes to being a hot read and Make Me, Take Me is no different. The relationship between the main characters, Betsy and Quin, was all about sex throughout the whole book.

There was a back story between Betsy and Quin and why they couldn’t allow themselves to trust each other. Even though there was more to the book and a lot of character development, I could not find a connection with the characters, which made the read a slow one.

I loved that there was the fairy tale side of the book; Betsy would refer to Quin as the Prince Charming she knew would leave her. I loved the whole party aspect, which was just like Cinderella. Who doesn’t want a night where she is invited to a ball and treated like a princess? I know I would love that!!

Read Me: The Rules According to Gracie by Stefanie London

Title– The Rules According to Gracie

Author- Stefanie London

Publisher- Entangled Publishing

Amazon- http://goo.gl/YXgGuS

BOOK SUMMERY:

Gracie Green has a shopping list for men. Career, financials, family…and a long list of rules to determine a guy’s suitability. She’s already disappointed her socialite mother once—now Gracie needs to find Mr. Perfect. Too bad she keeps getting distracted by her super-sexy, six-feet-of-tattooed-hotness friend, Des, who is so many shades of Mr. Wrong…

Bar owner Des Chapman has vowed never again to get involved with society girls. Yet he’s irresistibly drawn to Gracie—those lush curves, those lips, and her ridiculous ability to date the wrong guys. As Gracie’s discouragement grows, Des realizes it’s time to show her what she really needs in a man—and it has nothing to do with a briefcase and generous bank account. He’ll teach Gracie the Rules According To Des…even if it means breaking his rule in the process.

MY REVIEW:

Rule number one: Don’t fall for the wrong guy

The Rules According to Gracie was a short but sweet story that I was able to read in one sitting. I loved the friendship Gracie and Des had from the very beginning of the book. He would save her from boring dates, but secretly wanted to be on one with her, and she secretly wanted to be with him. From the very beginning there was such chemistry between the main characters, I just wanted them to give into their attraction, but where’s fun in that? I absolutely loved that they would email each other during their lunch break, too cute!!!

The only problem I had about this book was that it wasn’t longer, I would love to read another story involving these two characters!

Book Review: A Christmas Horror Story by Sebastian Gregory

Title- A Christmas Horror Story

Author- Sebastian Gregory

Publisher- Carina

Amazon- http://goo.gl/hSVUWW

BOOK SUMMERY:

On the night before Christmas, lock the doors to the house…

Forget the jolly old man in his red, big-buttoned suit. Because another creature is up on the roof, preparing for his annual visit to little children everywhere.

With a belt of knives round his waist, a writhing bag on his back and a Santa-sized appetite, he’s a little…different to the St Nick you might be expecting.

And you can leave out all the carrots and mince pies you like…but it’s you he’s after.

A horrid Christmas to all, and a terrible night.

Every white Christmas has a dark side. Don’t miss A Christmas Horror Story, the gruesomely festive new story from Sebastian Gregory.

MY REVIEW:

A Christmas Horror Story was a cute little story about a family and A Child Eater. This was such a cute and short read. I like that it wasn’t a normal Christmas story, but one with a bit of a dark side. I didn’t feel as though it was too freighting for children to read, but there was enough maturity for adults to enjoy as well.

I loved that Sebastian Gregory set the story in present time, but had many events in the past showing how the Child Eater has attacked other children, in sneaky ways. I was able to see how long the Child Eater has been around, and how he has attacked so many. We also were give a great description of the Child Eater, and especially loved the little poem in chapter five.

It was interesting that in the story, Santa comes to reward good children, where the Child Eater comes to get naughty children. Although, the children in the story were good children, every child has a moment where they are naughty.

Wonderland Wednesdays: Christmas with a Bite by Patricia A. Wolf

Synopsis

Sometimes the holidays totally bite…

This Christmas, Mara Livingston is determined to start over. But as she’s driving to her “new” home, a freak winter storm forces her off the road. Now she’s stranded in the middle of nowhere. Then he shows up. And there’s something strangely familiar about him…

Connor Reece never expected to see Mara again. Nor is he prepared for the onslaught of emotions―including an unimaginable rush of desire―she stirs within him. Now he has a chance to claim the woman he’s always wanted. Except, there are a couple of small details that Mara doesn’t know. The first is that Connor is a vampire. And the second is that if his family finds out about Mara, she will most certainly be killed…

MY REVIEW

This story was a great paranormal holiday romance, around this time it is always great to read a quick novel where you can cozy up under the blankets with hot coco. This was a great book to do this with. It has a little bit of everything; romance, a hot leading man that has something to hide, a woman that other woman can relate to and of course some hot sexy scenes.

Both Mara and Conner were drawn to each other, and it seems that this was not the first time they have been brought together, it must be fate! I love that Mara had such an open mind when it came to Conner. As soon as she stepped into his cabin she opened her mind to everything he offered even though her past is one that might not allow her to do so. I completely felt their chemistry and how much they couldn’t stay away from each other.

Book Review: Written on HerHeart by Paige Ryan

Title- Written on her Heart

Author- Paige Ryan

Publisher- Createspace

Amazon- http://goo.gl/DBMv9b

BOOK SUMMERY:

Andi Callaway has dreamed of becoming a published author her entire life. Ford Delaney has always wanted nothing more than to escape his past.

An opportunity of a lifetime. This is what Andi finds when she returns home to Callaway Cove on summer break. A chance to work for her literary idol Ford Delaney is up for grabs, and she’s willing to risk everything-her boyfriend, her best friends, and her education-to get it.

She’s positive this will be the key to reaching her dreams. But the moment she begins working for the reclusive author, Andi realizes there’s more to him than just a name. As attraction builds between Andi and Ford, she begins to discover consequences must come hand-in-hand with something great-which could loosen control over her tightly wound life. And once romantic sparks fly, Andi’s other relationships start to crumble, Ford’s fame comes back to haunt him, and the heat they generate will either forge a powerful, enduring love or threaten everything she holds dear.

MY REVIEW:

“Your family and friends are important to you. You wear your heart on your sleeve and you emotions, as well, which is why you are to easy to read.”

I think I enjoyed reading “Written on her Heart so much because I see a lot of myself in Andi, as a character she was so relatable and down to earth. There were somethings that I did not agree with, like her cheating on her boyfriend, but I think since I didn’t feel any connection between her and her boyfriend, it didn’t bother me so much. The connection I felt was between Andi and Ford, and I just wanted her to give into it. I just wished she would have broken up with her boyfriend and not cheated!!!!

Whoa, Andi’s friends were not at all friends to her. First, they never told her about the job she would have like, instead they both went for it on their own. Second, Rachel kept trying to steal Andi’s job from her. Not only was she trying to get the job, but also Ford, even after she sensed that Andi might have feelings for him. Third, this is more about Andi’s boyfriend, but he was such a jerk about not supporting his girlfriend.

I found the fact that the story involved writers was pretty interesting, as a writer Ford intrigued me. I like how h based some stories based on his life and didn’t hide that fact. He also seem to see something in Andi as a writer, at first I kind of thought he was going to steal her story and turn it into his own book.

This was such an easy flowing read that grabbed me from the beginning and before I knew it, I was done reading!!

Mad Mondays: The Darkest Past by Trisha Wolfe

Title: The Darkest Part

Author: Trisha Wolfe 

Age:  NA

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Amazon- http://goo.gl/UFcrPR

Goodreads

BOOK SUMMERY:

Pressing the boundaries of both the psyche and the heart, Sam and Holden embark on a dangerous journey that will test the limits of love.

Sam Wintry’s life used to be almost perfect. She was engaged to her childhood best friend and high school sweetheart, Tyler Marks, planning an amazing cross-country honeymoon during her college break. But after a hit-and-run leaves her in ruin, she begins seeing Tyler’s fractured, ghostly presence, and her family believes she’s losing her mind. Not until she completes their journey, stopping along the way to scatter Tyler’s remains, will Tyler be able cross over. Only…is Sam ready for him to leave her?

When the black sheep of the Marks’ family, Holden Marks, returns to check on Tyler’s case, Sam convinces him to give her his brother’s ashes. Despite their shaky history, she needs him…plus, he owes it to Sam and his brother. What she doesn’t count on is Holden’s relentlessness to go on the trip.

On the road, Holden realizes just how unhinged Sam has become. Dealing with her psychosis forces him to confront his dark past, making it harder to keep secrets hidden that should remain buried. Especially from Sam, the only woman he’s ever loved. And as Sam starts to unravel the truth, she begins to question if the brother she’s unwillingly falling for again is in an even darker place than her.

MY REVIEW:

The Darkest Past was a great contemporary romance with a little darkness mixed into it. I think that the fact that there was a bit of a mystery in the book really made me keep reading. I had all my own speculations on how Tyler was killed and how Tyler and Holden’s mother died, or course I needed to know if I was right or not. That wasn’t the only reason why I enjoyed the book, but it was a plus.

I completely felt the connection between Sam and Holden, Tyler and Sam I felt that love was a little forced. Though the flashback and Sam’s talks with Tyler’s ghost, I felt there was a little bit of a competition. I don’t think Tyler really wanted to lose Sam as a friend and that was the reason he set a claim on her.

There was also a bit of a paranormal within the book, for people who enjoy those types of books. I think Trisha Wolfe did a great job intergrading Tyler’s ghost and different facts that Sam had read in books.

Major points for having a Black Veil Brides mentioned in the book, most of the music selection was great!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From an early age, Trisha Wolfe dreamed up fantasy worlds and characters and was accused of talking to herself. Today, she lives in South Carolina with her family and writes full time, using her fantasy worlds as an excuse to continue talking to herself.

For more information on Trisha Wolfe and her works, please visit: www.trishawolfe.co.

To be the first to hear about new releases and sale events, sign up for Trisha Wolfe’s Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1rXTKI7.

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Sizzling Saturdays- Taking Control by Nina Croft

Title- Taking Control

Author- Nina Croft

Publisher- Entangled Publishing

BOOK SUMMERY:

Why play nice when you can be naughty?

Jessica Bauer is aces when it comes to security, but the PR side? Not so much. Now she has a chance to take over Knight Securities―if she plays nice with the next client. Unfortunately, that client happens to be Declan McCabe. And it’s too bad someone wants him dead, because after he broke her heart ten years ago, Jessica would have cheerfully murdered him herself.

Declan has taken his dad’s not-so-reputable company and turned it around, and in the process, he’s attracted the attention of some vicious killers. The only perk is being reunited with Jessica, who Declan still wants so much he can barely see straight. But Jessica has a plan of her own. She’ll protect Declan. She’ll have unbelievably hot sex with him.  And when the job is finished, she’ll move on. Except that this time, Declan isn’t so willing to walk away…

MY REVIEW:

I have some mixed feelings about this book; I really enjoyed the bander between the two main characters, Jessica and Declan. I didn’t at all feel the connection between them though, what I did feel was lust.

Jess was a story leading lady and had the job of protecting Declan from a threat, but she ended up not only protecting him, but her heart as well, always afraid to get too close to him. I enjoyed that she was such a strong leading lady, that was set out to protect him.

I really enjoy second chance stories, but this one did give me the feeling that others have in the past. There were plenty of sexy and hot scenes between Jess and Declan.