Monday, January 4, 2021

2020 Recap: Deanna's Top 10 reads

Champagne with snowy cabin

Hello and Happy New Year!!

Well, 2020 was a crazy year, wasn't it? It was filled with difficulties and challenges but also a lot of hope. I know a lot of people struggled and I hope that for those of you who read, you found solace in your books. For me, I read a lot. More than I've ever read in previous years. It's quite an accomplishment but then again, there was nowhere to go, so lots of reading.

One thing to note is that I read a lot more indie books in 2020. I think most of the authors on my list are indie authors. I got Kindle Unlimited and I used that a lot. I guess I wanted to get my money's worth but also because I was reading so much more and I have a limited book budget, I am grateful for a subscription service like Kindle Unlimited.

Another thing that's a little different is you'll find that some mentions are of favorite authors I've discovered in 2020 rather than one specific book. It's a bit of a cheat but these new to me authors blew me away. I discovered so many new authors this year. The benefit of subscribing to Kindle Unlimited and reading through the selection available there.

Here are my top 10 books read for 2020 (with a few extras). Not in any particular order...

Heart Strings by Melanie Moreland Revved To The Maxx by Melanie Moreland Bentley by Melanie Moreland

Heart Strings, Revved to the Maxx, and Bentley by Melanie Moreland
I discovered Melanie Moreland this year and not too long ago, but I feel in love with her writing immediately. Her books are romantic, emotional, and they make my heart go pitter patter. The writing is beautiful and flows well and I am always left feeling oh so satisfied and more than a little mushy. Her books lealve me with such wonderful warm fuzzy feelings. It's like being wrapped up in a warm comfy blanket. I can't recommend her books enough and have been doing so in various book groups I'm in. Also, don't let her covers stop you from picking up the book. They are fantastic reads.


The Christmas Proposal by Miley Maine Fake Boyfriend by Miley Maine

The Christmas Proposal and Fake Boyfriend by Miley Maine
Miley Maine is a new to me author and honestly, when I read the first book by her, I wasn't too sure if I liked her or not. It's this funny thing where I'm not sure about the writing but I'm so compelled by the story that I can't help but keep reading. After a couple of books I was hooked. I fell into the rhythm of her writing style and feel like I'm being dragged along into the story in a very good way. I can't put it down. I'm enjoying her writing and books more and more as I read more of her books.


Two Shots Down by TS Joyce Dead of Winter by TS Joyce Quickdraw Slow Burn by TS Joyce

Battle of the Bulls series by T S Joyce

Really, it's anything by Ms Joyce. From the very first book of hers that I read I was blown away by her writing and incredible characters. I love how deep her characters are and their wonderfully crafted personalities. The plots are interesting and intriguing as well. Every book I've read of Ms Joyce's I've loved but have limited myself to this one particular series here. But seriously, you can't go wrong with Ms Joyce. You can pretty much pick up any book she's written and love it.


Scarred Sunrise by Maddie Wade

Scarred Sunrise (Fortis Security #10) by Maddie Wade
I've been a fan of Ms Wade for a long time. I've read her Fortis series from the very beginning and this year was a bittersweet year that we've finally reached the end of the series with Scarred Sunrise. Bittersweet because I'm always sad to see a series end but at the same time I'm delighted that Smithy is finally getting his happy ever after. He deserves is more than anyone in the series since he's suffered so much. There's a gentle rhythm to Ms Wade's writing that's very engaging and she doesn't beat around the bush with the romance. I love the way she resolved everything for the series as well as for Smithy and Lizzy. I'm hoping there will be some novellas in the future since I'm not quite ready to say good-bye.


Weapons Master by Anna Hackett Undetected by Anna Hackett Mission Her Protection by Anna Hackett Marcus by Anna Hackett

Weapons Master, Undetected, Mission: Her Protection, and Marcus by Anna Hackett
Anna Hackett is a favorite author of mine and this year I've read a lot more of her books, catching up on a lot of series and finishing quite a few of them. I said good-bye to the Galactic Gladiators and Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone series. Man, do I love those gladiators and cyborgs. Ms Hackett also wrapped up her Treasure Hunter Security series, Team 52 series, and Hell Squad series. As proflific as she is, there's never a lack of anything to read and there's something special about her writing. If you ever want to read a book that is action-packed but feel like you are watching a movie (think John Wick) instead of reading then you need to read one of Ms Hackett's books. Her action sequences read like something out of the Fast and the Furious. 


Breathe You In by Lily Harlem

Breathe You In by Lily Harlem
This is a very special book. Ms Harlem has been a long time favorite author of mine and this book has been out for a while. I finally got round to reading it this year and wow! It moved me in so many ways. It's beautiful and emotional and filled with intensity. There are so many poignant moments and touching moments in this story. I ran the gamut of emotions while reading this. It's not common for me to get teary while reading, but this book touched me to the core. There were parts where I had tears pouring down my cheeks as I was reading. The hallmark of a good book with excellent writing.


Made For The Mafia Boss by Cameron Hart Loved By The Mafia Underboss by Cameron Hart Kept By The Mafia Enforcer by Cameron Hart Found By The Mafia Captain by Cameron Hart

Moscatelli Crime Family by Cameron Hart
Cameron Hart is another new to me author and I fell completely with her mafia series. It's exactly the kind of mafia story I like. Mafia-lite. It's sweet and steamy with just enough violence and grit for it to be an edgy mafia story without it being too graphic or dark. The entire series is fantastic but I think favorite is the first book in the series because there are a couple of scenes in the book with are my reading catnip. I love those kinds of scenes and after I finished the book I went back and reread those scenes several times because I just couldn't get enough of it.


Lola and the Millionaires Part One by Kathryn Moon Lola and the Millionaires Part Two by Kathryn Moon

Lola and the Millionaires by Kathryn Moon
I enjoy the omegaverse trope but only certain ones. I like my omegaverse to be sweet and steamy and Ms Moon does exactly that. There's so much depth to this duet and so much character development as Lola overcomes her past and learns to love and trust again. I adore this world that Ms Moon has created and I can't wait to read more of it.


King Sized by Jessa Kane

King Sized by Jessa Kane

Okay, this is a fun read. I started reading a lot more of Ms Kane this year since her books are usually short and steamy. She came out with a series of standalone books with larger heroes and I fell in love with them. This one is my particular favorite because the hero is adorable and wonderful. The opening chapter had me roaring in laughter and I reread it several times and shared it many times because I could not get over how incredibly funny it was. This is definitely worth the read.


Keeping Her Warm by Alexa Riley

Keeping Her Warm by Alexa Riley
This has got to be one of my favorite books of the year. I am a sucker for a damsel in distress heroine with a hero who comes riding to the rescue. This book is exactly that, but it's also sweet and warm and sexy. I could not get enough of it and I think I reread the book three times before I finally set it down. It's a short book so it was no effort to read and reread it frequently but boy, did I enjoy it. I've been thinking about it recently and thinking that maybe I need to read it again.


And I couldn't quite decide on ten, so I've got two more books to add to the list. Okay, three, but I'm counting two of them as one because they are by the same author.


Killer Crush by Ella Goode

Killer Crush by Ella Goode
Okay, this book tickled me crazy. It's about a retired assassin who falls for a girl at his college. It's not everyone's cup of tea because the hero is very stalkery, obsessive, and possessive, but I adore heroes like that in small doses. I love the lengths he went through to get the heroine's attention and then putting himself in her path and her life. It was such a fun read. This kind of book is not to be taken seriously but then there's a place for books like this in everyone's reading life. Short, quick, fun, and sexy.


Hers To Tame by Rhenna Morgan Mine To Keep by Rhenna Morgan

Hers To Tame and Mine To Keep (NOLA Knights #2 and #3) by Rhenna Morgan
It's hard to put into words how amazing this series is and how outstanding Ms Morgan's writing is. If you're in the mood for heavy duty romance, lots of emotion, a lot of possessive alphaness, then these books are for you. There's something utterly captivating about the writing that has my breath catching in my throat with the way these heroes behave with their women. I love their old fashioned ways, their need to care and protect, their tenderness, their sensuality, and their possessiveness. If you want to sink into rich, decadent romance, read these books.


Note: not all books were published in 2020 but they were all READ in 2020.


So that's from me for my favorite reads of 2020. What were yours?


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6 comments:

  1. Well, it only seems like 5 minutes since I did this last year. At time of preparation in mid November. A mixed bag of a year, locked up for most of it, with only reading to occupy myself.
    Goodreads tells me I've read over 200 books, but it's actually a couple more, if I include author freebies. 208 to be exact

    Melissa Foster, Olivia Dade, Erin Mclellan were new to me authors who I shall continue to read.

    The back end of the year also brings Pets in Space and the Intergalactic Dating Agency books which are fun, light reads. Kudos to Lea Kirk for older h/h's. And Susan Grant has new books in this series

    Love a good dystopian romance and Eve Langlais continues to excell. Her Deviant Future series is great.

    Tasha Black is new to me. I especially loved her faerie series about the Autumn and Winter courts. Definitely a reimagined fairy tale atmosphere.

    And yeah, a new series by Jordan L Hawk. Unhallowed with Rath and Rune was fab and look forward to more, along with continuing Caleb/Gray and John in Spectr.

    Veronica Scott's Badari Warriors fab series, along with her interstellar cruise ship stories and other sectors stories continue to impress. There is just something about her writing that flows along the page

    The Will Darling Adventures by KJ Charles had the first 2 installments this year.

    The ever excellent Nora Roberts continues to impress.
    2021? Well I aim to make a small inroad into my tbr list. I've picked a few at random and put them in a back list, so we shall see. One a month would be good. Just depends on what 2021 throws at me

    Gill

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    1. I know what you mean. The year went by so fast. You've got some great authors there. Some I have on my list to read at some point.

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  2. A great list and it is always great finding new to me authors, you really did have a fabulous reading year.

    Have Fun

    Helen

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    1. I loved discovering new authors this year. There were some great ones.

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  3. Replies
    1. Most welcome, your books are some of my top reads for the year.

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