Monday, January 6, 2020

2019 Recap: Deanna's Top 10 reads

Happy New Year 2020

Hello and Happy New Year!!

Do you know, what they say about time going faster as you get older is true. I don't know where 2019 went and it went fast.

At the beginning of 2019, I didn't think I'd get much reading done because I was working on a very demanding project. Fortunately, the project ended about the middle of the year and I was able to find more time to read. I'm very glad of that as I've enjoyed my reading and I've missed it. Ended up with a very respectable over 150 books read for the year. Not quite a personal best but certainly streets ahead of the goal I set for myself.

Here are my top 10 books read for 2019 (and an honorable mention). You'll see a few familiar names on the list. Not in any particular order ....

The Professor by Serena Akeroyd

The Professor by Serena Akeroyd
I've read a lot of Ms Akeroyd's books this year but this one stood out for me even though it was branded as a dark, bully romance. Yes, there are some elements of bully in it but not really. It's a bit dark (only a little) and Nicholas is every bit the asshole at the beginning of the book. Then you get to know him, understand why he's the way he is, and underneath all that assholishness is a man who cares deeply, is insanely protective, and very much in love. I adore Nicholas. He's likely one of my favorite heroes of the year amongst a few others.


His To Defend by Rhenna Morgan

His To Defend by Rhenna Morgan
Ms Morgan manages to write the most lush, romantic, intense, and emotional stories. I feel like I'm wrapped up in velvet and sipping a decadently rich hot chocolate while reading her books. This one is no exception. It's utterly divine. I'm deeply in love with Sergei. He makes the Russian mafia seem sexy.


Archangel's Prophecy by Nalini Singh  Archangel's War by Nalini Singh

Archangel's Prophecy & Archangel's War by Nalini Singh

Ms Singh is a master storyteller and these two books are breathtaking masterpieces. Not only do we continue to see the depth and richness of Raphael's love and devotion to Elena but the plot and story continues to intrigue and entertain. These two books are a stunning conclusion to a particularly major story arc and it was worth every moment of the wait for them.


Hired By The Mysterious Millionaire by Ally Blake

Hired By The Mysterious Millionaire by Ally Blake
How utterly romantic is this book? Armand is delicious, broody, and so much more than meets the eye. I was completely captivated by him. I know some people find the Harlequin category romances predictable but I know I'm getting something that's warm, romantic, and gooey, and sometimes that's just exactly what a girl wants to read. I felt like I was wrapped in cotton candy and sunshine. It was delightful.


Coldest Fire by Juliette Cross

Coldest Fire by Juliette Cross
I have been waiting YEARS for Uriel's story. Years and years and years. This was likely one of my most highly anticipated stories for the year because I just needed to see Uriel fall in love. I wanted to see him in all his blazing, powerful glory and Ms Cross did not disappoint at all. Uriel was every bit as delicious and potent as I expected him to be.


Sentinel by Anna Hackett

Sentinel by Anna Hackett
It's no secret that I have a major soft spot for cyborgs. There's just something about these part man, part machine heroes that get my heart racing. Sentinel kicks off a spin off from one of my favorite series by Ms Hackett and it's simply wonderful. I love seeing these cyborgs learn about feelings, find a woman to match them, and fall in love. It's watching these beings who do not feel or claim to not feel finally experience emotion and love that gets me all excited.


The Sex Tape by Serena Akeroyd and Helen Scott

The S*x Tape by Serena Akeroyd and Helen Scott
I was warned about this book. I was told the bullying was quite bad and it's rather dark, but I decided to take a chance on it because it's co-written by one of my favorite authors. I'm glad I read it because it's so much more than just a high school bully romance. It takes you on a journey to explore what power and wealth can do to people, how it corrupts, its consequences. It's both empowering and shocking.


Hidden Obsession by Maddie Wade and India Kells

Hidden Obsession by Maddie Wade and India Kells
I'm loving this new series by Ms Wade and Ms Kells. It's heart-pounding, intense, and suspenseful, but wrapped up in warmth, family, loyalty and devotion. It not only kicks ass but it does it with so much heart that I fall in love with the characters more and more as I get to know them.


Untouchable by Jayne Ann Krentz

Untouchable by Jayne Ann Krentz

This is the last book in the Cutler, Sutter, and Salinas series and I enjoyed everything about it. The mystery, the suspense, the romance, and most especially, Ms Krentz's broody, enigmatic hero, Jack. It finally wraps up the intrigue surrounding Quinton Zane and it finishes with a loud and satisfying bang. Ms Krentz is an author I go back to again and again because I know I can count on her for a gripping, sensual,fulfilling read.


American Witch by Thea Harrison

American Witch by Thea Harrison
Ms Harrison is one of my favorite paranormal romance authors and her books never disappoint. I admit I struggled with American Witch in the beginning because of Molly and her rather rocky beginning with Josiah but I soon got swept away by Molly's tenacity and Josiah's determination. Ms Harrison has a way of weaving a captivating story with entrancing characters I fall deeply in love with.


And I couldn't quite decide on ten, so I've landed on two honorable mentions because I'm completely in love with Derrick and I want him for myself.


Dirty Talk by Lauren Landish

Dirty Talk by Lauren Landish
Let's face it. I'm completely, madly, crazily in love with Derrick with his dirty talking mouth, his kind, considerate ways, and his demanding, pushing boundaries self. Derrick is just everything and if you read this book for no other reason than to just experience Derrick, do. I want him all to myself but I'm willing to have to read the book and experience all his sexy lushness.


Baby and the Late Night Howlers by Kathryn Moon

Baby + The Late Night Howlers by Kathryn Moon
I read quite a few or rather attempted to read quite a few omegaverse stories this year. I love the concept. Alpha males attracted and bonded to omega females who are programmed to desire her alphas and wanting them. Alas, most all the omegaverse I read were duds. I hated them and DNFed them. I simply did not like the way they treated the concept and there was too much negativity, dubcon or noncon associated with it. And finally, at the very tail end of the year a new omegaverse was released and it was EVERYTHING I ever wanted in an omegaverse story. It was sweet, sexy, fun with a bit a bite... okay quite a few bites but it was simply omegaverse perfection. And the men were absolutely delicious.


Note: not all books were published in 2019 but they were all READ in 2019.


So that's from me for my favorite reads of 2019. What were yours?


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8 comments:

  1. What a list go you I love seeing these and I have the Ally Blake one on my TBR pile I need to get to it :)

    There is no way I could stop at 10 books LOL

    Have Fun

    Helen

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    1. LOL. You didn't stop at 10, you cheeky monkey. :-p :-p At least I managed to keep it to two honorable mentions.

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  2. 2019 review

    Oh dear, not sure I can limit it to 10. Lol. I will go by categories. According to goodreads I read 200 books, but it was more as I count anthology stories individually plus a couple of freebies from author newsletters.

    Paranormal.
    The Eve Langlais Chimaera Secrets series was terrific. Some really dark heroes.
    Juliette Cross continues to excel. Her Dragons and Dominion series are great reads

    LGBTQ
    KJ Charles never releases a bad book. All brilliant reads. Gilded Cage, Proper English, and Any Old Diamonds. Plus 2 from the tbr list. Think of England and Non-stop till Tokyo

    Jordan L Hawk concluded the Widdershins books off and although I shall miss them I love the Spectr series with Caleb/Gray and John.
    Anna Zabo is a new to me author. I loved their Twisted Wishes trilogy
    Jude Lucens, another new author, and Behind these Doors was a great read

    Mainstream
    Nora Roberts is another author who never writes a bad book.

    Procedural etc
    Kaylea Cross' Valkyrie Vengeance series is a great read.
    Toni Anderson's . Colder than sin was fabulous

    Sci-fi
    Veronica Scott. Just love the Badari Warriors series.
    Anna Hackett has a new series set on Carthago. Her House of Rone series take up where the gladiators left off. Loving the Eon warriors too

    New authors to me.
    Sara Sheridan's Brighton Belle series set in 1950s Brighton . I'm working my way through these

    Jayne Rylon . Hot rides series was great

    Rhenna Morgan and His to Defend was great.
    Tracy Cooper-Posey. I'm enjoying her Cobra series. Inside Man being the latest

    Gill



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    Replies
    1. Gill, great list. Some favorites of mine on your list too. Hope you're having a great new year. XOXO

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    2. Yes, I am in benidorm, again, for 2 months. X

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    3. Hopefully with plenty of time for reading.

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    4. Probably not. I spend more time chatting to friends, late nights in bars etc. I've only finished one so far. Lol
      Gill

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    5. That's a nice way to spend time too.

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