Glimpses Of My Books

I was on a book funk many times this year and as I look back at the books I've read it somewhat makes sense. Although I read some amazing books I did a disservice to myself by not reading as many books from my favorite subgenres as I should have and consequently there were a lot of 'middle of the road' reads. Books that many of you would love but that just aren't my thing, like rom-coms -I like them but I rarely love them.  And so, for the first time ever, I will actually have a Top 10 list. If you guys remember, usually I pick 2 to 3 favorites for every month of the year, this time I just could not do that. Wasn't 2020 just great?  Negativity aside, I read some OUTSTANDING books this last 12 months that I think you should all give a try. And -surprise surprise- they are not all romance at all. Only 4 romance books made my list! How weird is that? 99% of what I read is romance...  Here we go (in order read through the year, they are all 5+ stars): CLICK ON THE TITLE

"One daring to-do list and a crash course in flirtation turn a Type A overachiever’s world upside down.

Victoria Schwab is an acclaimed fantasy writer for a reason, she writes gold! Or the closes thing you can get to it in literature form :) 5 Glorious Stars

"The second novel in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt's Greycourt Series features an enemies-to-lovers romance with her signature blend of captivating characters and sensual romance.

The title of this gem is so accurate and appropriate that if you were to describe the book in two words it would easily be Highland Gladiator ! 😊

Can Naima Simone ever do wrong? If you actually have to ask or wonder what the answer is than you either have not read anything by her before or you just haven't read enough. The answer is obvious and easy: Hell to the No ! I was introduced to the Queen of Smut (aka- @naimasimoneauthor ) in 2018 with  Sin and Ink   and it has been a wonderful ride ever since. I have a favorite of-course: Passion and Ink , but ALL her books are amazing. There is the trademark smut (she does not claim this as a trademark, I do for her, and love it!), there is passion, there is angst, there is swoon worthy romance, and the characters, main and secondary, are all impossible not to love. And that is not a comment just on Vows in Name Only , or only the books mentioned above, but on all her books. 

 Hello Hello Sunnies :) Bellow is the list of books I've read recently that did not get a full review (mostly for lack of time): Hunting for a Highlander (Highland Brides #8) by   Lynsay Sands- 4 Stars I am very much in love with Lynsay Sands historical romances. Everything about it was absolute perfection. They are filled with family love, adventure, humour, and of course, sexy times. Dwyn and Geordie had great chemistry. Dwyn feels out place surrounded by girls dying to 'catch' a Buchanan brother for a husband until a chance encounter with a stranger leaves her wanting for more. Geordie does not know why there are so many woman in his family's place, not to start anyway. But he isn't all that upset about it, the one he met by chance on a tree on his first night home is worth it!  The Archer by   Paulo Coelho- 3 Stars Paulo Coelho is the author that got me into reading. As a young girl I stumbled upon a book of his called  Brida  and fell in love. Brida is a young

This was a really short novella but like everything else Jill Shalvis writes, it was a delight!  The Blurb: Problem Number One – Getting There Old childhood friends each fly separately to join their families on what’s been an annual holiday themed yacht adventure. Secret ex-lovers, Hannah and James are determined to make the best of things… Problem Number Two – Getting Stuck. When everyone but Hannah and James gets held up in an airport snarl, it leaves them stuck together for four days, making Hannah’s already problematic trip a whole lot harder to face. Especially because she comes bearing more than just gifts… Problem Number Three -- Falling In Love (again) As the former lovers try to make the best of the Christmas snafu, they soon realize that the best things in life can’t be planned and sometimes love is sweeter the second time around. The Review: 4 Stars I find it hard writing reviews for novellas. I am always afraid I will give the story away since it is so short.  Mistletoe in

What is better than receiving books? Receiving books from someone that knows what your favorite genre and subgenre is and having them get it 100% right. Thanks the heavens for my beautiful friend Becky and for her introducing me to J.T. Geissinger. I already ordered the next book and you will all be getting my review from that one as soon as I am done.  Blurb: Alpha (noun): 1) Having the highest rank in a dominance hierarchy 2) The most powerful man in a group 3) Liam Black   He was a stranger to me, a dark and dangerous presence who materialized from the shadows one rainy night to save me from a vicious attack. I didn’t know his name or where he was from. All I knew was that the only place I’d ever felt safe was in his arms.   But safety is an illusion. And not every savior is a hero. And—as I’d soon find out—having an alpha save your life comes with a price. Liam Black wanted something from me in return. Book Review: 5 Stars The blurb for the book doesn’t tel

I really enjoyed Crushed . More than Crave ? Yup. Definitely! It was a lot more interesting and engaging. Blurb: Everything feels off—especially me. I’ve returned to Katmere Academy, but I’m haunted by fragments of days I have no recollection of living and struggling to understand who, or what, I really am. Just when I start to feel safe again, Hudson is back with a vengeance. He insists there are secrets I don’t know about, threatening to drive a wedge between Jaxon and me forever. But far worse enemies are at our doorstep.   The Circle is caught in a power play and the Vampire Court is trying to drag me out of my world and into theirs. The only thing Hudson and Jaxon agree on is that leaving Katmere would mean my certain death.   And not only am I fighting for my life, but now everyone else’s is at stake—unless we can defeat an unspeakable evil. All I know is that saving the people I love is going to require sacrifice. Maybe more than I’m able to give. The Crave series

This was such a sweet read! Does Lisa Kleypas ever fails? Nope, I don’t think so.  Whenever you are looking for a good historical romance she is definitely one of the authors to go to that you just know will never disappoint you. Blurb: Everything has a price... Railway magnate Tom Severin is wealthy and powerful enough to satisfy any desire as soon as it arises. Anything—or anyone—is his for the asking. It should be simple to find the perfect wife—and from his first glimpse of Lady Cassandra Ravenel, he’s determined to have her. But the beautiful and quick-witted Cassandra is equally determined to marry for love—the one thing he can’t give. Everything except her... Severin is the most compelling and attractive man Cassandra has ever met, even if his heart is frozen. But she has no interest in living in the fast-paced world of a ruthless man who always plays to win. When a newfound enemy nearly destroys Cassandra’s reputation, Severin seizes the opportunity he’s been waiting for. As

October, the month to read mysteries, horror, and suspense... but how about a fantasy novel with a little bit of all of the above? That is definitely my preference and New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Resistance Reborn , Rebecca Roanhorse, wrote just the right book. Inspired by the civilizations of the Pre-Columbian Americas, full of magic, intrigue, and prophecies, Black Sun  will keep you on your toes.  The very first few pages of Black Sun  will certainly give you Halloween vibes. A mother that carves out her own son's eyes? ouch. But if that is a little too much for you don't let it deter you from reading it, not many scenes that gory and there is a much bigger reason and purpose for it. And the boy, Serapio, grows up to become fearless, a vessel for the gods, and easily the most powerful character in the book. The story is centered and told from the perspective of four different characters. As the story unfolds their lives and fates intertwine. The first, a

Hello Hello Sunnies :)  As most of you know by now my favorite thing at work is getting to know a little bit more about the Romance Authors we have come to love. Our in town book club read Calling on Quinn by Blue Saffire this past month and below is the Q&A we sent to Blue. Thank you Blue for joining us and allowing us to share this with the world!   - What got you into writing?  My mother was a paraprofessional in the New York City Department of education for almost twenty years. She was a huge believer in education. I could read and write by the age of two. Everything my brother and two cousins learned, they had to come  back home and teach me. It was my mother's model. Once I was able to write, I started writing little stories, then poems, then songs. I've been doing this all my life in some shape or form. However, it wasn't until after losing my mother that I wrote my first novel.  - When you are not writing what genre do you enjoy reading? And do you have a ’go-to

If I remember correctly my bestie sent me this book. Obviously she knows me well because this beauty was a 5 out of 5 for me. The short little Blurb for this book pretty much says it all: " I didn't know she was my student the first time I paid to watch her at Voyeur. Once she walked into my classroom, another smiling college freshman, I knew I should stop going. Stop watching. But I couldn't do it. Everything about her makes me want more, and once I realize she wants me too, the temptation becomes irresistible. The worst part is that she has no idea her professor is the one watching behind the glass. I just have to hope that once she finds out the truth, she wants the same thing I do. Because now that I've seen all of her, I can't look away." Forbidden attraction, forced proximity, sold into marriage, mafia romance... those are all slightly dark romance tropes I can't help but love. This one fit the bill perfectly. Oaklyn was a clever and resourceful girl

This was my first by Blue Saffire and certainly won't be the last. I very much enjoyed the romance and the camaraderie between brothers that she created here. I almost liked that even more than the romance. The relationship between the brothers and their distinctive personalities left me wanting for more. They were fun, full of heart and loyalty, charming.  Quinn is a private investigator with his family. He and his brothers all work together and due to the nature of their work danger does tend to follow them. He is a former cop and an alpha in every sense of the word. He may melt for his nieces and nephews but he also has a really bad temper when someone messes with those he loves. His attraction to Alicia was instant and it quickly turned into more. When someone hurts his sister he does everything he can to figure out who is behind and and to protect his family and the woman he is falling for. I REALLY liked him. Which is not surprising if you have been following my reviews for a

 Abigail Owen has definitely became one of my favorite paranormal writers. I am yet to read a story by her I do not love. The Blood King  was absolutely amazing. What is hard is to decide if I like this one or the first book,  The Rogue King , better. On that note, I would not recommend reading this one without having read the first book. It is doable, there is a nice little intro to refresh your memory and such, so you won't be lost. But you will likely feel like you are missing an important part of the story.  Blurb: Ruthless dragon king Ladon Ormarr must keep his throne at all costs. And now, with war on the horizon, he’ll need a miracle. Luckily, the fates have dropped Skylar Amon right into his lap. Except he may have met his match. The feisty Amon sister has no fear — of him or any other dragon shifter — is brash, doesn’t stick to protocols, and regularly offends his warriors and advisers. Skylar also has no intention of sticking around. She doesn't believe in the whole

This was such an easy read! One of those books you can loose yourself in and completely lose track of time. I certainly did and pretty much finished this beauty in one sitting.  Three days before Erin Bellini's wedding, her fiancé breaks up with her--in an email! Hurt and embarrassed, she decides to have a fling with veterinarian Jason Callum, who's both the best man and the hottest guy she knows. But Jason wants a lot more than just a one-night stand with the woman he's cared about for years. So he's taking things slow. And hot. And showing Erin what real love can look like. Suddenly Erin finds herself spending a lot more time with Jason than she intended. Feelings she never planned on having again are wrapping around her heart, refusing to let go. Erin isn't sure she can trust her instincts, though. After all, she made a terrible choice with her ex-fiancé. But Jason intends to convince her that he's the best man for her, and that what they have together is a r

 Adrienne Young's book  Sky in the Deep   was no doubt one of my all time favorite young adult fantasy stand alone books. Sadly, the book she wrote immediately after that was one of my biggest disappointments. So I really didn't know what to expect of this one. The premise sounded good. The blurb was promising. And in the end, I would say it delivered. It wasn't as amazing as her first book, but it wasn't bad and I am actually looking forward to the next one.  As the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home seventeen-year-old Fable has ever known. It’s been four years since the night she watched her mother drown during an unforgiving storm. The next day her father abandoned her on a legendary island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one and rely on the unique skills her mother taught her. The only thing that keeps her going is the goal of getting off the island, finding her fa

Hello Hello Sunnies! :) This past month I've read a few older publications, and although I don't have the time to write long reviews on all of them, here is a quick recap (specially for those that are not following me on Instagram ): - Ride Hard by Laura Kaye 5 Stars I absolutely LOVED this one. I enjoy MC romances most of the time so I was really looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint. It might not be what you would usually expect from an MC romance as the riders here are all good guys and the club is about helping others, but don't you think for a second that will mean less grit to the story. President Dare takes his duties seriously, his father did not, he run a corrupt MC and his brother and mum paid the price for that life. Dare dedicates his life to helping those in need. Haven is one of those. Her father is a horrible human being and he is helping her hide and start a new life. They are very different from each other, but that is what makes them so per

Sometimes you only realize you've been missing something when a favorite author of yours comes up with something new. I did not know I liked charming Bollywood actors, now I know I do. Thanks for that Juliette Cross! I think.... hehe (as if I needed another obsession)

 A fun, whimsical, and charming story with a touch of Greek mythology. What is not to love?

A lone nurse in a maternity ward during the flu pandemic of 1918 I don’t often read general fiction. But when I do, it is often Emma Donoghue. Her books Room and Akin where great stories and I was certain so would The Pull of the Stars be. I was not disappointed. I was enthralled by it from beginning to end and I hope you all love it as much as I did!  The book takes place during the height of the great flu pandemic and is almost entirely set in a little room, turned maternity ward, at an Irish hospital. Nurse Julia Power, due to many members of staff falling ill themselves ends up solely responsible for the pregnant mothers in that room. All assistance she gets is from a young girl who never helped in a hospital before and Dr. Kathleen Lynn, a rumored rebel on the run from the police. She immediately proves to be a lot more responsible and knowledgeable than the young male doctor in the hospital.  Three days… that is the entirety of the book. And yet, so much happens. It w