Stephanie’s 2015 List of Favorites

 

After having so many 5 star reads last year I decided to really tone it down this year.  Boy did I!  I was surprised at how many 5 stars I didn’t have!  Here’s my top 10 books from this year.  Are any of them on your top list?  I’d love to hear from you in the comments!  *Click on the covers to purchase the books from Amazon

10.  Taming Dex by Zoey Derrick

Part of my review for Dex: “What a roller coaster. This book consumed me. I received this book and dropped everything to read it. I heart Dex. He’s an awesome character and I enjoyed reading about his character and his struggles. There are many in real life that have the same struggles as his character. It shows true strength to bare it all to one person who truly matters.”

 

 

9.  Skinwalker by Faith Hunter

This was my first time reading Faith Hunter. I love paranormal books and this one grabbed my attention right away. Jane Yellowrock is a Vampire Hunter and ironically is hired by a vampire to hunt down a rogue murdering his own kind. There’s many ups and downs in this story and an interesting love connection. If you’re a PNR lover I hope you’d love this story too.

 

 

 

8. From Dust by Freya Barker

Part of my review: “I bought this book to buddy read with a blogger friend of mine. There were lots of emotions evoked in this story and I even cried! This I rarely do. I typically avoid books that will end up making me cry.

This book may be hard for anyone who’s recently suffered loss but it’s definitely worth the read when you can push through it. I think y’all would really like this story. It’s a thought evoking and emotional story.”

 

7. Blood Kiss by J.R. Ward

This is a new spin off from Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series, which I absolutely love. This Legacy series focuses on the new trainees for the war against the Lessers. Paradise is the daughter of Wrath’s first adviser and is absolutely ready to learn what it will take to help her people. She doesn’t count on one thing though…a sexual attraction to one of her classmates she’s never experienced before…

 

 

6. Chosen Thief by Scarlett Dawn

Simply amazing fourth book in the Forever Evermore series by Scarlett Dawn. Here’s part of my review for Chosen Thief:

“There’s a ton of spoilers I could put in this review – but y’all know I don’t like to do that to you. So here’s the short end of the stick…lots of action going on in the front scenes and behind scenes. You’ll need to remember past history of what’s happened in previous books in this series as well as cultural backgrounds. Simply amazing this story. It’s given me a book hangover for a MONTH! Gracious. I’m already anxiously awaiting for book five. There’s trouble coming. Storms a brewing. Excitement is on the rise and Caro will be the center focus, I believe, for what’s to come. She’s an awesome character. Those she surrounds herself with are sketchy yet perfect fit for her and her type of Element.”

5. Inception by Bianca Scardoni

Ahh….what to say about this particular paranormal book…

This one caught me by surprised. The synopsis sounded good and the price was right. I thought why not. Why not indeed. Amazon YA story about a young woman finding out who/what she really is and what’s really happening around her. There’s entities out to get her. Peers that don’t like her. Abilities she’s not familiar with and even more to come. It will keep you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what comes next.

I’m anxiously awaiting book 2.

 

4. Tough Enough by M. Leighton

Parts of my review for Tough Enough:

“I absolutely LOVE M. Leighton books. Michelle is an awesome writer and her characters seem to love to come to life in my head as I’m reading. These two were no exception. Rogan and Katie have had their struggles but when they meet each other it all seems to melt away.

You know as people often do assumptions can get you in loads of hot water. There’s nothing different with fictional characters as well. I love to watch the drama unfold as realization sets in. It’s humorous sometimes. Rogan is an awesome lead male character. He’s attentive, caring, and just dominate enough. I think he could become your next book boyfriend. For real.”

3. Beautiful Pain by J.M. Walker

What an amazing dark story about a sadist and a masochist. J.M. Walker did a fantastic job weaving the story around these two tortured characters. It’s dark and some parts might be hard to stomach if you’re not used to dark reads. If you’ve not read anything by this author or this book yet…you should definitely pick it up!

 

 

2. The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward

Most of my review for The Bourbon Kings:

“J.R. Ward is one of my top three authors to read. I absolutely love her writing. She’s so descriptive it makes the words on the pages come to life.

Typically J.R. Ward publishes paranormal romance/urban fantasy novels with this publisher so you can imagine the excitement stirring about this family saga/contemporary romance. I will tell you it’s definitely living up to it’s hype.

In this new release, J.R. Ward has captivated readers in the charm of Southern High Society life of Kentucky. It’s Derby time and at Easterly things are in high form getting ready for the big day and the parties that surround the event. Just by the first sentence in the book I knew this one was going to be a winner.

I can’t go into as much about the story as I usually would. This thing is definitely living up to being a Saga in genre. There’s so much going on in this book. It has a lot of players and each are working up to a pivotal moment in the story. I have no doubt you will be captivated and taken to a place where Easterly has no need for a mailing address. It’s its own. The people who live inside all have secrets. Lots of secrets. You must keep reading in order to find out who’s holding what cards in this novel.”

 

My #1 Read for 2015 is…..

1. The Weight of Rain by Mariah Dietz

Part of my review for The Weight of Rain:

“The synopsis shares with you that Lauren is an artist. Her sketches/drawings seem to share with the world how she feels and sees those she’s drawn. Her character is an amazing artist and King has no idea she’s as talented until someone makes him actually look at her work. Being the focus of her current drawing obsession King recognizes himself in many of her drawings. Her passion encourages him. Can you tell I think these two are a perfect match?

I was sucked into this book immediately and read it in less than 24 hours. I couldn’t put it down…but of course family and sleep kinda had to nudge it’s way in there so breaks were necessary. If you’ve not read anything by Dietz before you’re missing out. Her words seem to float off the page and makes the movie playing in your head as you read seem to be real to life. This story is no different. Mariah Dietz definitely has the ability to show you her characters as well as tell you about them.”