After 5 starring 75 books last year I decided I would be a little more strict with my top starred books. This year I only have 14. Initially I thought I would do a top 10 for 2017 but then how would I cut out 4? So I’ll rank the top 3 and list the rest.
Top 3. No pressure or anything! These books that made the top impacted me in some way. If you follow my reviews you know it’s almost impossible to make me cry. I avoid those books at all costs that are typically deemed to make you ugly cry and leave those to Laura to read. HA! Really I’m more of a PNR and Suspense reader so I don’t really get mushy reading those books. It has to have a major impact for me to get emotional over a story line.
So here we go.
My Five Star Rated Books for 2017: (listed by date read)
Love in Lingerie by Alessandra Torre
Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs
Crimson Death by Laurell K. Hamilton
Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis
Where the Heart Is by Jasinda Wilder
The Beautiful Now by M. Leighton (no longer for sale)
The Ghostwriter by Alessandra Torre
Used by KP Simmon (Available on Wattpad [linked] to read for free)
Stephanie’s Top 3 2017 Books:
#3: Forever Black by Elise Noble
All Diamond ever wanted was the one man she could never have, and now the shadowy figure who took him away from her is going to pay.
Her special ops training has equipped her to handle the most dangerous situations, but controlling her own emotions isn’t so easy. Is she broken beyond repair? As Diamond takes off for South America with her team in tow, she doesn’t care. All she wants is justice.
Can love conquer all?
Or will it die trying?
I chose this book because it was the first I’d read of Elise’s. Boy was I hooked. Forever Black features a female named Diamond. She’s troubled. She’s screwed up. She’s an assassin, a thief, a daughter, a friend, a wife, a boss. She kicks ass and takes names y’all. I mean it. Her husband taught her a lot about harnessing her street skills to keep her alive and to work to his advantage. They do good deeds. Make tons of money and employ lots of people. This particular story is rough though. The book is mostly set in England so the English is definitely of native tongue. Sometimes I had to pause to re-read a line or what was happening, because it was moving so fast for me, that I needed to make sure I had my head in the game. I devoured the next two novels after this one as well. There are lots more in this series. I just need to make time to read them.
#2: Kiss My Boots by Harper Sloan
In this second of the sultry, Western-set Coming Home series from New York Times bestselling author Harper Sloan, Quinn Davis might finally have a shot at her own happily-ever-after—but will she let love in, or will she tell it to go ahead and kiss her boots?
Quinn Davis prefers to live her life quietly. She’s the stereotypical tomboy with two overprotective big brothers who have always been there to protect her, especially from devilishly handsome cowboys with silver tongues. That is, until Tate Montgomery comes riding into town. Their first meeting, however, is far from something out of a fairy tale and only further convinces Quinn that men aren’t worth her time.
The only place Tate Montgomery ever truly felt at home growing up was during the long, sweltering summer months he spent at his Gram and Paw’s farm in Pine Oak, Texas. Now, Tate has returned to his childhood sanctuary seeking a fresh start—but if he’s being entirely honest, he’s not just back for the wranglers and Stetsons. During those summers, Quinn was a friend-turned-young-love who Tate lost when life threw him a curveball and he cut all ties to his past; but all it takes is one glance at the raven-haired beauty he did his best to forget for him to realize just how much he’s been missing….
Stephanie’s GR Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2053910439
I chose this book because it was an emotional read for me. Quinn has a pretty messed up childhood and her emotional scars stayed into adulthood. She had a lot of trauma to overcome. This is one of those books that if it doesn’t move you in some way most will say you don’t have a heart. Quinn’s other half, Tate, is patient and kind where she’s concerned. He definitely his his own issues but no where near Quinn’s baggage.
When you read this book you might be able to pinpoint people in your own life that have this similar story. There’s enough real life in here for most to relate to. Tate is definitely what Quinn needed and vise versa. A story I’d say you should definitely read.
#1 2017 read: The Ghostwriter by Alessandra Torre
Four years ago, I lied. I stood in front of the police, my friends and family, and made up a story, my best one yet. And all of them believed me.
I wasn’t surprised. Telling stories is what made me famous. Fifteen bestsellers. Millions of fans. Fame and fortune.
Now, I have one last story to write. It’ll be my best one yet, with a jaw-dropping twist that will leave them stunned and gasping for breath.
They say that sticks and stones will break your bones, but this story? It will be the one that kills me.
This book is not a romance. It is contemporary fiction, but very suspenseful in nature. It is about a famous romance author and a dark secret she keeps.
Stephanie’s GR Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2137951960
Please head the warning at the end of the blurb. The Ghostwriter IS NOT a romance. This book is different from most I’ve read in the last few years. I’m definitely not one to really fall for general fiction stories. The Ghostwriter is amazing. Ah-mazing. This is so different for Alessandra as well. Her stories usually fall on the more Erotic Romance side of things than Contemporary Fiction. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen in this book but since she wrote it I had to read it.
It features an author who had one more story to write. Her time is running out and she’s trying to beat the deadline. Thus the ghostwriter. In the short time span the authors are together in this book the heroine learns so much about herself and her own personal story. It doesn’t change the ending but it does help change the others around her.
I can’t explain how powerful this story is. There’s some hard subjects covered in this novel. Don’t shy away because you might be afraid what in between the covers. It’s tasteful. It’s thought provoking. It will definitely have your mind reeling and pondering “what if…”
Definitely a book you should read, if you haven’t.
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So, tell me. Have you read any of these books on my list? What did you think of them? If you haven’t read any of them – which one/s would you be most interested in reading?
I love hearing from our readers. Please – start some chatter. Feel free to share this post with your friends as well.
Here’s to looking forward to those brightly shining 2018 books coming soon!
starting my 2018 TBR…..I haven’t read any of these!